Valve Housing Non-Return Valve Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost of replacing the air dryer cartridge in compressed air supply devices for commercial vehicles is exacerbated by the need for expensive materials in the non-return valve, which is damaged during cartridge replacement, contributing to overall system costs.
Innovation Solution
The non-return valve is integrated into the valve housing, remaining intact during cartridge changes, and the air dryer cartridge is designed with a collection channel and seal connections that allow for easy emptying of foreign particles without additional hardware, suitable for open systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the non-return valve is integrated into the air dryer cartridge, then the cartridge can be easily replaced, but the valve is damaged during replacement and must be manufactured from expensive materials
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate components: the air dryer cartridge (which is replaceable) and the valve housing (which contains the non-return valve). This segmentation allows the cartridge to be easily replaced while protecting the expensive non-return valve from damage during replacement operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-return valve is extracted from the air dryer cartridge and placed in the valve housing. This extraction removes the vulnerable valve from the replaceable cartridge assembly, preventing it from being damaged during routine cartridge replacements while maintaining the cartridge's replaceability.
2Reliability
If the non-return valve is made from expensive materials, then the valve can withstand contact with foreign particles, but the overall system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air dryer cartridge is designed as a disposable component with a relatively simple, cost-effective non-return valve that is replaced along with the cartridge. The expensive, durable non-return valve remains in the permanent valve housing. This approach uses a cheap, short-living valve in the disposable cartridge, eliminating the need to manufacture expensive valves for every cartridge replacement.
3Productivity
If the collection channel is positioned above the non-return valve, then foreign particles can drain effectively, but the valve may not be completely emptied when the vehicle is inclined
Solution Approach 1:
The collection channel is designed with a downward slope toward the non-return valve, and the valve is positioned at the lowest point of the collection channel. This gravitational equipotential design ensures that foreign particles can drain completely into the valve regardless of vehicle inclination, maintaining reliable emptying in all operating positions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration reduces the cost of replacing the air dryer cartridge by preventing damage to the non-return valve and enabling efficient drainage of collected particles across various vehicle orientations, thereby lowering overall system costs.
Implementation Method 1
a non-return valve is provided parallel to the filter device which prevents air flow from the pre-filter area into the post-filter area and allows air flow from the post-filter area into the pre-filter area
Implementation Method 2
the air dryer cartridge has a filter device which cleans air flowing out of the valve housing into the air dryer cartridge, the filter device separates a pre-filter area facing the valve housing from a post-filter area facing the air dryer cartridge, in which foreign particles collected by the filter device collect
Implementation Method 3
the after-filter area has a collection channel for foreign particles captured by the filter device, with at least one section of the collection channel defining a horizontal plane when the compressed air supply device is installed and not inclined, and that the non-return valve lies below the plane
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a compressed-air supply device (10) for an utility vehicle, with a valve housing (12) and an exchangeable air-drying cartridge (14), wherein the air-drying cartridge comprises a filter device (16) which cleans the air flowing from the valve housing into the air-drying cartridge; the filter device separates the pre-filter area (18) facing the valve housing from the post-filter area (20) that faces the air-drying cartridge and in which foreign particles captured by the filter device are collected; a non-return valve (22) is provided parallel to the filter device, which prevents air from flowing from the pre-filter area to the post-filter area but allows the air flow from the post-filter area to the pre-filter area. According to the invention, the non-return valve (22) is arranged in the valve housing (12). The invention also relates to a valve housing (12).