Pneumatic Outlet Valve Assembly for Quiet and Rapid Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pneumatic systems in vehicles produce noise during venting, which is undesirable, especially in electric vehicles, and rapid venting is often restricted to reduce noise, compromising actuator performance.
Innovation Solution
A valve assembly with a control device that switches between noise-reducing and quick-venting modes based on vehicle conditions, using a switching signal to optimize venting for noise reduction or speed, and includes noise-reducing and quick-venting valves integrated in a common housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the outlet valve is restricted to reduce noise during venting, then noise emissions are reduced, but the actuator cannot vent rapidly when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet valve is designed with dynamic adjustability, allowing the valve opening degree to be changed based on operating conditions. The control system can optimize the balance between noise reduction and venting speed by adjusting the valve opening dynamically, rather than using a fixed restricted opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the venting parameters (valve opening area, pressure differential) based on operational requirements. By varying these parameters, the system achieves both noise reduction during normal operation and rapid venting when safety or performance requires it.
2Productivity
If the outlet valve is fully opened for rapid venting, then actuator performance is maintained, but noise emissions increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet valve transitions from static to dynamic control, enabling the system to open the valve fully when rapid actuation is required while maintaining reduced opening for noise-sensitive operations. This dynamic capability allows the system to achieve high productivity when needed without permanently compromising noise levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system applies periodic or event-based valve actuation, opening the valve fully only when necessary for actuator performance while maintaining restricted opening during normal operation. This selective full-opening approach minimizes noise exposure time while ensuring actuator responsiveness when required.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a restricted venting path is used continuously, then noise is reduced, but the system cannot respond rapidly to safety-critical situations
Solution Approach 1:
The venting path restriction is made dynamic rather than continuous. The control system can override the restricted path and open the outlet valve fully in safety-critical situations, ensuring rapid response capability is preserved when needed while maintaining noise reduction during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares multiple venting paths and control modes in advance, including an unrestricted safety path. When safety concerns are detected, the system can immediately switch to the preliminary-prepared full-opening mode without delay, ensuring safety response capability is maintained despite continuous noise-reducing operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve assembly for a pneumatic system of a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, including: an outlet valve assembly for venting the pneumatic system, a control device for operating the valve assembly in order to admit and release air to and from a pneumatic actuator, wherein the control device is configured to output, to the outlet valve assembly, a switching signal for switching the outlet valve assembly, and, via the switching signal, the outlet valve assembly can be switched to a noise-reducing first venting mode or a quick-venting second venting mode.