Multi-Circuit Protection Valve Stack Layout for Flexible Air Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air processing units for commercial vehicles face challenges in flexibility and design inflexibility, leading to higher weight and manufacturing costs, while maintaining stability and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A multi-circuit protection valve unit is designed as a stack or sandwich structure with metal interface and cover parts, allowing for a flexible design and easy scaling, with the ECU mounted perpendicularly, and incorporating plastic separators for reduced weight without compromising stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a modular air processing unit with separate casings for air dryer and priority device is used, then flexibility is improved, but total weight and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the air dryer and multi-circuit protection valve into a single integrated housing structure. The air dryer cartridge is received within the same housing that contains the protection valve, eliminating the need for separate casings. This merging reduces total weight while maintaining functional flexibility through the unified design that accommodates both components efficiently.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a modular air processing unit with separate casings is used, then flexibility is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed as a single integrated structure that accommodates both the air dryer cartridge and the multi-circuit protection valve. This unified housing reduces the number of separate parts that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining the flexibility benefits of a modular internal arrangement.
3Ease of manufacture
If a common assembling direction for all parts including ECU is used, then manufacturing is facilitated, but design flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ECU is mounted on the housing in a direction perpendicular to the common assembling direction of other parts. This segmentation of assembly directions allows the main components to be assembled efficiently in one direction while the ECU can be independently mounted on the housing surface, preserving design flexibility without complicating the overall manufacturing process.
4Weight of moving object
If plastic casing parts are used, then weight is reduced, but structural stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is made of metal material providing structural stability and strength. The air dryer cartridge and separator means can be made of plastic materials to reduce weight. This composite approach combines metal and plastic components, achieving weight reduction while maintaining the structural integrity required for the protection valve and housing.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a multi-circuit protection valve unit (3) for an air processing unit of a commercial vehicle, said multi-circuit protection valve unit comprising a multi-circuit protection valve (4) and an ECU (6) assembled to said multi-circuit protection valve (4), wherein said multi-circuit protection valve (4) comprises - an MCPV housing (5) comprising an interface body part (8) made of metal and a cover part (10) made of metal, said interface body part (8) and said cover part (10) defining an interior space between them, - housing screws (11) connecting said interface body part (8) and said cover part (10) together, - functional parts (18), including pneumatic valves (18a), provided in said interior space (13), - sealing means (15) provided between said interface body part (8) and said cover part (10), separator means (14) provided between said interface body part (8) and said cover part (10), thereby defining pneumatic passageways in said interior space, wherein said interface body part (8) comprises pneumatic ports (30) for connecting said multi-circuit protection valve unit (3) to consumer circuits. These elements without the ECU are assembled as a stack in a common assembling direction (A), wherein said housing screws (11) are inserted in said assembling direction (A). The ECU (6) is attached to said MCPV housing (5) in an ECU mounting direction (B) that is perpendicular to said assembling direction (A). This stack design allows a high degree of flexibility and variability, in particular depending on the available installation space and the position of external elements of the air pressure system, with high stability.