Vehicle Compressed Air Centrifugal Separator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing compressed air devices in vehicles face challenges in reliably separating particles from compressed air with minimal flow losses and maintenance effort, as existing solutions either incur high maintenance costs or suffer from increased pressure loss due to complex structures.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a centrifugal separator within the compressed air line that converts the air flow into a helical flow using a spiral-shaped guide body, causing heavier particles to be separated by centrifugal force and collected, eliminating the need for filter maintenance and reducing pressure loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a filter insert is used in the coupling head to filter compressed air, then particle separation is improved, but maintenance effort increases and pressure loss increases when the filter is clogged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle contaminationVSAvoidmaintenance effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the harmful filtering function from the traditional filter insert and replaces it with a centrifugal separator that separates particles from compressed air through centrifugal force generated by a spiral guide body, eliminating the need for filter maintenance while continuously preventing particle contamination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical filter insert system with a centrifugal separation system using a spiral guide body that generates centrifugal force to separate particles, substituting a mechanical filtering mechanism with a fluid dynamic separation mechanism that requires no maintenance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a dirt collection housing with turbulent flow is used to separate particles, then particle separation is improved, but pressure loss increases and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle contaminationVSAvoidpressure loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a spiral-shaped guide body that creates a helical flow pattern within the compressed air line, utilizing curved flow paths to generate centrifugal force for particle separation while maintaining smooth flow transitions that minimize pressure loss compared to turbulent flow systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the centrifugal separator directly into the existing compressed air line without requiring a separate dirt collection housing, combining the separation function with the existing flow path to reduce device complexity and eliminate the pressure losses associated with additional housing structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If a centrifugal separator is integrated into the existing compressed air line, then device complexity is reduced and cost is reduced, but effective particle separation must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparator structureVSAvoidparticle contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spiral guide body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides the compressed air flow, generates centrifugal force for particle separation, and integrates within the existing compressed air line structure, eliminating the need for separate separator components and reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The centrifugal separator uses the kinetic energy and pressure gradient already present in the compressed air flow to generate the centrifugal force needed for particle separation, requiring no additional power source or complex control mechanisms, thereby maintaining effective separation while minimizing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution effectively separates particles with low flow losses and reduced maintenance effort, ensuring cleaner compressed air and preventing damage to vehicle systems, while being cost-effective by integrating the separator within the existing air line.

Implementation Method 1

the means for separating particles from the compressed air contain at least one centrifugal separator with compressed air guide means, which bring the compressed air into a helical flow in order to separate particles from the compressed air due to centrifugal force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

the centrifugal separator comprises at least one compressed air guide body which is coaxial and spiral-shaped in relation to the direction of flow of the compressed air and which is arranged within the compressed air line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHelical flow: Vortex Ring

Data Source

PatentEP2956342B1Vehicle compressed air device with centrifugal separator
Publication Date: 2019.07.10 KNORR BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHIZEUGE GMBH
  • EP2956342B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a compressed-air device of a vehicle, wherein means are provided for separating particles (5) from compressed air conducted in the compressed-air device. According to the invention, the means for separating particles (5) from the compressed air (1) contain at least one centrifugal separator (8) having compressed-air conducting means (3) that bring the compressed air (1) into a helical flow in order to separate particles (5) from the compressed air (1).