CN217092835U - Air handling unit for a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an air handling unit for a vehicle, comprising an air dryer, further comprising a control module, which comprises a shell, a controller, a first electromagnetic valve and a second electromagnetic valve, wherein the controller CAN be connected with a CAN bus of a vehicle and CAN control the first electromagnetic valve and the second electromagnetic valve, the housing is provided with a first inlet channel opening, a corresponding outlet valve channel opening, a second inlet channel opening and a corresponding regeneration channel opening, the first solenoid valve can be connected at the inlet end to the first inlet channel opening via the first inlet channel and at the outlet end to the corresponding outlet valve channel opening via the corresponding outlet valve channel, the second solenoid valve can be connected at the inlet end to the second inlet channel opening via the second inlet channel and at the outlet end to the corresponding regeneration channel opening via the corresponding regeneration channel, and the housing can be mounted laterally on the valve body of the air dryer. The air handling unit of the present disclosure thus has a more compact structure and can be intelligently controlled.

Description

Air handling unit for a vehicle

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an air handling unit for a vehicle.

Background

The degree of air cleanliness in pneumatic systems of vehicles, in particular commercial vehicles, has a considerable effect on the reliability, service life, etc. of the pneumatic systems of the vehicles, and therefore increasingly higher demands are being placed on the quality of the air.

An Air Processing Unit (APU) is an air purification unit which integrates multiple functions. The air passage system can be used as one of core components of an air passage system of the whole vehicle, and plays an important role in ensuring normal air consumption and safe driving of the braking, suspension and other systems of the whole vehicle. The air handling unit may typically include an Air Dryer (AD) and a multi-circuit protection valve (MCPV). The air dryer may be used to dry and clean compressed air supplied by the air compressor and control the air pressure in the brake line; and a multi-circuit protection valve may be used to limit the brake pressure in the multi-circuit and to perform a brake protection function. Compressed air supplied by an air compressor may enter a desiccant-carrying desiccant canister of an air dryer, the air passing through the desiccant may become clean and dry, and the dried air may then enter a multi-circuit protection valve and be distributed to various output ports via the multi-circuit protection valve for supply to various components requiring air.

For controlling the air treatment unit, mechanical control devices are often used, and control means such as pressure regulating valves and time switches can be used. However, mechanical control devices have the disadvantage that they are less intelligent and they are not flexible and bulky. Furthermore, semi-electronically or electronically controlled control devices for air handling units have also been proposed. The electric control device can make up for the mechanical deficiency (such as pressure attenuation and low intelligent degree brought by the structure). However, they are still not compact enough in construction to be readily assembled and repaired.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide an air handling unit for a vehicle that can have a more compact structure and can be intelligently controlled.

To this end, according to the present disclosure there is provided an air handling unit for a vehicle, which may comprise: an air dryer having a valve body and a drying cylinder capable of being fitted on a top surface of the valve body; it is characterized in that the air processing unit also comprises a control module, the control module comprises a shell, and a controller, a first electromagnetic valve and a second electromagnetic valve which are arranged in the shell, the controller CAN be connected with a CAN bus of a vehicle and CAN control the first electromagnetic valve and the second electromagnetic valve, a first inlet channel opening, a corresponding outlet valve channel opening, a second inlet channel opening and a corresponding regeneration channel opening are provided on the housing, the first solenoid valve being connectable at the inlet end via the first inlet channel to the first inlet channel opening and at the outlet end via the corresponding outlet valve channel to the corresponding outlet valve channel opening, the second solenoid valve being connectable at the inlet end via the second inlet channel to the second inlet channel opening and at the outlet end via the corresponding regeneration channel to the corresponding regeneration channel opening, and the housing being laterally fittable to the valve body of the air dryer.

Therefore, since the control module designed as an integrated module assembly is provided in the air handling unit according to the present disclosure, the volume of the air handling unit can be reduced to make it compact, and mass production is facilitated to be more cost-effective. Also, the controller CAN control the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve by information transmitted through the CAN bus due to communication with the CAN bus of the vehicle, and the controller CAN also transmit its information to the vehicle through the CAN bus. Therefore, the control module according to the present disclosure can intelligently control the air processing unit according to the working condition of the vehicle, so that the energy consumption of the vehicle can be reduced and the consumption of related components can be reduced. Furthermore, since the control module according to the present disclosure is a separate component, the control module can be easily installed and is convenient to replace and maintain, so that the entire air handling unit is also easily installed and is convenient to replace and maintain.

Preferably, an air inlet and an air outlet of the air dryer are arranged on the side face of the valve body, an air outlet of the air dryer is arranged on the bottom face of the valve body, the air inlet is connected with the drying cylinder through an air inlet channel, the drying cylinder is connected with the air outlet through an air outlet channel, the air inlet is connected with the air outlet through an air outlet channel, a first one-way valve is arranged in the air outlet channel, and an exhaust valve is arranged in the air outlet channel.

Preferably, in the assembled state, the housing of the control module can be arranged opposite the inlet opening of the valve body with respect to the valve body. This can facilitate the arrangement of the lines, so that the air treatment unit is more compact in construction and the manufacturability of the air treatment unit is facilitated.

Preferably, the air handling unit may further comprise a multi-circuit protection valve, which can be laterally fitted on the valve body of the air dryer and connected with the air outlet of the air dryer, and which has a plurality of passage outlets.

Preferably, in the assembled state, the plurality of passage outlets may face in the same direction as the air inlet of the air dryer. This reduces the space for fitting the lines, which makes the air treatment unit more compact in construction and facilitates assembly and maintenance of the air treatment unit.

Preferably, a first pressure sensor may be provided at a first of the plurality of passage outlets and/or a second pressure sensor may be provided at a second of the plurality of passage outlets, and the first pressure sensor and/or the second pressure sensor may be connectable with a controller of the control module. Accordingly, the controller CAN control the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve according to the pressure detected by the first pressure sensor and/or the second pressure sensor and/or information acquired from the CAN bus. In particular, it is conceivable that different pressure thresholds are set as a function of different operating states of the vehicle, and that the control module brings the air dryer into its switched-off state when the pressure detected by the first pressure sensor and/or the second pressure sensor exceeds the respective pressure threshold.

Preferably, a first solenoid valve input channel port, an exhaust valve channel port, a second solenoid valve input channel port and a regeneration channel port are arranged on the valve body, the first solenoid valve input channel port is connected with the air outlet channel of the valve body at the downstream of the first one-way valve through the first solenoid valve input channel, the exhaust valve channel port is connected with the exhaust valve through the exhaust valve channel, the second solenoid valve input channel port is connected with the air outlet channel of the valve body at the downstream of the first one-way valve through the second solenoid valve input channel, and the regeneration channel port is connected with the air outlet channel of the valve body at the upstream of the first one-way valve through the regeneration channel; the first solenoid valve can be connected at the input end via a first input channel to a first solenoid valve input channel of the valve body and at the output end via a corresponding exhaust valve channel to an exhaust valve channel of the valve body; the second solenoid valve can be connected at the input end via a second input channel to a second solenoid valve input channel of the valve body and at the output end via a corresponding regeneration channel to a regeneration channel of the valve body. The control module can thus switch the air dryer between the normal operating state, the shut-off state and the regeneration state by means of the arrangement of the two solenoid valves.

Preferably, the first solenoid valve input channel opening, the exhaust valve channel opening, the second solenoid valve input channel opening and the regeneration channel opening of the valve body are arranged on an assembly face of the valve body, and the first input channel opening, the corresponding exhaust valve channel opening, the second input channel opening and the corresponding regeneration channel opening of the housing are arranged on a corresponding assembly face of the housing, and in the assembled state, the first input channel opening, the corresponding exhaust valve channel opening, the second input channel opening and the corresponding regeneration channel opening of the housing are aligned with the first solenoid valve input channel opening, the exhaust valve channel opening, the second solenoid valve input channel opening and the regeneration channel opening of the valve body, respectively. The arrangement of the pipelines can be optimized, and the structure of the air processing unit is more compact.

Preferably, the first solenoid valve is connected at the output end via a control channel to a control port, which is arranged on the housing of the control module. This allows connection to other components, for example an air compressor, via the control opening.

Preferably, the housing may include a cover plate and a protective cover, and the control port may be provided on a side surface of the protective cover. This can facilitate the connection of the control opening to other components, for example, an air compressor.

Preferably, a pressure sensor can also be arranged in the housing of the control module, which pressure sensor can be connected to the controller and via a detection channel to a detection opening arranged on the side of the protective cap. Whereby the pressure in other passages, for example at the outlet of the third passage, can be detected.

Preferably, the detection port and the control port may face in the same direction. The pipe arrangement can thereby be optimized.

Preferably, a supplementary control opening is provided on the valve body, which is connected to the exhaust valve channel via a supplementary control channel, and the first solenoid valve is connectable at the output end to the supplementary control opening via the corresponding exhaust valve channel, exhaust valve channel and supplementary control channel. This makes it possible to connect the control port to other components, for example an air compressor.

Preferably, the controller may control the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve to be closed in a normal operation state of the air dryer. Preferably, in the shut-off state of the air dryer, the controller may control the first solenoid valve to be opened and the second solenoid valve to be closed. Preferably, in the regeneration state of the air dryer, the controller may control both the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve to be opened. Thus, the switching of the air dryer between the normal operation state, the cut-off state, and the regeneration state is achieved using the two solenoid valves.

Preferably, the control module is capable of controlling the exhaust valve to open based on information obtained from the CAN bus. The risk of icing of standing water in the exhaust passage can thereby be eliminated in advance.

Drawings

The technical solution of the present disclosure will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is a schematic perspective view of an air handling unit for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a schematic front view of the air handling unit of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a schematic rear view of the air handling unit of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a front view of the air handling unit of FIGS. 1A-1C without the multi-circuit protection valve;

FIG. 2B is a side view of the air handling unit of FIGS. 1A-1C without the multi-circuit protection valve;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a control module for the air handling unit of FIGS. 1A-1C;

FIG. 3B is a side view of the control module of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a rear view of the control module of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 is a schematic and diagrammatic view of the air handling unit of FIGS. 1A-1C.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like or similar reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout.

In the description of the present disclosure, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for convenience of describing and simplifying the present disclosure, but do not indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus, should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure.

Within the scope of the present disclosure, the expression "and/or" is used herein in the sense of including at least one of the components listed before and after the expression. Also, the expression "connected" is used in a sense that it includes a direct connection with another component or an indirect connection through another component. The singular forms herein also include the plural unless specifically mentioned in the context of a phrase. Further, as used herein, reference to "comprising" or "including" components, steps, operations, and elements means that at least one other component, step, operation, and element is present or added.

It should be understood that the term "vehicle" or "vehicular" or other similar terms as used herein generally includes motor vehicles, such as passenger vehicles including Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), buses, vans, various commercial vehicles, watercraft including various boats, ships, aircraft, and the like, and includes hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen powered vehicles, and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fuel derived from sources other than petroleum). Here, the hybrid vehicle is a vehicle having two or more power sources, such as a gasoline-powered vehicle and an electric-powered vehicle.

The various figures schematically illustrate an air handling unit for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The air handling unit according to the present disclosure is particularly suitable for vehicles using an air brake system, such as commercial vehicles.

The air handling unit may include an air dryer 100, a multi-circuit protection valve 200, and a control module 300.

The air dryer 100 may include a valve body 110 and a drying cylinder 120 that can be fitted on a top surface of the valve body 110. The drying cylinder 120 may contain a desiccant, such as a molecular sieve, for drying and cleaning the air.

The air inlet 11 and the air outlet 17 of the air dryer 100 may be disposed on a side surface of the valve body 110, and the air outlet 13 of the air dryer 100 may be disposed on a bottom surface of the valve body 110. An intake passage is provided between the intake port 11 and the drying drum 120, an exhaust passage is provided between the drying drum 120 and the exhaust port 13, and an exhaust passage is provided between the intake port 11 and the exhaust port 13. Compressed air, for example from an air compressor, can enter the air handling unit via the air inlet 13 and reach the drying cylinder 120 via the air inlet channel. The compressed air may be output from the air outlet 17 through the air outlet passage after passing through the drying drum 120. A first check valve 14 may be provided in the outlet passage for preventing backflow of air. An exhaust passage may branch from the intake passage, and an exhaust valve 12 may be provided in the exhaust passage. When the exhaust valve 12 is opened, air may be exhausted from the exhaust port 13. In this regard, the exhaust valve 12 may be configured as a safety valve and may open when air pressure is applied thereto. Accordingly, an exhaust valve channel to the exhaust valve 12 can be provided in the valve body 110.

A muffler 130 may be provided at the exhaust port 13 for reducing noise of the air handling unit. Further, a heater 15 capable of heating the exhaust passage to prevent water in the exhaust passage from freezing may be further provided in the valve body 110. The heater 15 may be automatically turned on and off according to the ambient temperature.

A regeneration passage may branch off in the outlet passage of the valve body 110 upstream of the first check valve 14. In the regeneration state of the air dryer 100 air can be blown back into the drying cylinder 120 via said regeneration channel, and in said regeneration channel a second non-return valve 16 can be provided for preventing backflow of air. At least one solenoid valve inlet channel, in particular a first solenoid valve inlet channel and a second solenoid valve inlet channel, can branch off in the outlet channel of the valve body 110 downstream of the first non-return valve 14. Gas can flow to the inputs of the first and second solenoid valves 340, 350 of the control module 300 via the solenoid valve input passages, as will be described further below.

The multi-circuit protection valve 200 may be laterally fitted on the valve body 110 of the air dryer 100 and connected with the air outlet 17 of the air dryer 100, for example, by bolting. The multi-circuit protection valve 200 is a six-circuit protection valve in this embodiment and has six passage outlets, a first passage outlet 21, a second passage outlet 22, a third passage outlet 23, a fourth passage outlet 24, a fifth passage outlet 25 and a sixth passage outlet 26. In other embodiments, the multi-circuit protection valve 200 may be implemented as a three-circuit protection valve or a four-circuit protection valve, etc. according to actual needs. As an example, the first and second passage outlets 21, 22 may be used for service braking, the third passage outlet 23 may be used for trailer braking, the fifth passage outlet 25 may be used for manual braking, the fourth passage outlet 24 may be used for auxiliary braking, and the sixth passage outlet 26 may be used for an MT automatic transmission. In the assembled state, each of the passage outlets 21 to 26 of the multi-circuit protection valve 200 may face in the same direction as the air intake 11 of the air dryer 100. This reduces the space for fitting the lines, which makes the air treatment unit more compact in construction and facilitates assembly and maintenance of the air treatment unit.

A pressure limiting valve 210 may also be provided in the multi-circuit protection valve 200 for making the output pressures of the third to sixth passage outlets 23 to 26 smaller than the output pressures of the first passage outlet 21 and the second passage outlet 22.

Further, a first pressure sensor 220 for detecting the pressure in the first passage outlet 21 may be provided at the first passage outlet 21 of the multi-circuit protection valve 200, and a second pressure sensor 230 for detecting the pressure in the second passage outlet 22 may be provided at the second passage outlet 22 of the multi-circuit protection valve 200. The first pressure sensor 220 and the second pressure sensor 230 may be connected to a controller 330 of the control module 300.

The control module 300 may also be mounted to the valve body 110 of the air dryer 100, for example by bolting, for controlling the air dryer 100. The control module 300 may be configured as a one-piece module assembly. In particular, the control module 300 may include a housing and a controller 330, a first solenoid valve 340, and a second solenoid valve 350 disposed in the housing.

The controller 330 CAN be connected to a CAN bus of the vehicle and CAN control the first solenoid valve 340 and the second solenoid valve 350. In particular, the controller 330 CAN control based on information obtained from the CAN bus and/or the pressure detected by the first pressure sensor 220 and/or the second pressure sensor 230. The controller may comprise any type of computing device, computing circuitry, or any type of processor or processing circuitry capable of executing a series of instructions stored in a memory. The controller may include multiple processors and/or multi-core Central Processing Units (CPUs) and/or Graphics Processors (GPUs) and may include any type of processor, such as microprocessors, digital signal processors, microcontrollers, and the like. The controller may also include a memory to store data and/or algorithms to execute a series of instructions.

In particular, in the assembled state, the first solenoid valve 340 can be connected at the input end via a first input channel to a solenoid valve input channel, in particular a first solenoid valve input channel, of the valve body 110 and at the output end via a corresponding outlet valve channel to an outlet valve channel of the valve body 110 and thus to the outlet valve 12. Furthermore, the first solenoid valve 340 can be connected at the output to a control port 341 via a control channel. The control port 341 may be provided on a housing of the control module 300, such as on a side of the protective cover 320 (described further below). The control port 341 may be connected to, for example, an air compressor so that air pressure may be fed back to the air compressor. Additionally or alternatively, a supplementary control opening 18 can be provided on the valve body 110, which can be connected to the outlet valve channel via a supplementary control channel, and the first solenoid valve 340 can be connected at the output to the supplementary control opening 18 via the corresponding outlet valve channel, the outlet valve channel of the valve body 110 and the supplementary control channel. The supplementary control port 18 may also be connected to the air compressor, for example, so that air pressure can be fed back to the air compressor.

In particular, in the assembled state, the second solenoid valve 350 can be connected at the input end via a second input channel to a solenoid valve input channel, in particular a second solenoid valve input channel, of the valve body 110 and at the output end via a corresponding regeneration channel to a regeneration channel of the valve body 110. An orifice 351 may be provided in the corresponding regeneration passage. In a further embodiment, the first supply channel and the second supply channel can partially overlap.

A first inlet port 321, a corresponding exhaust port 322, a second inlet port 323, and a corresponding regeneration port 324 may be provided in the housing of the control module 300. The first solenoid valve 340 can be connected at the input end via a first input channel to a first input channel opening 321 and at the output end via a corresponding outlet valve channel to a corresponding outlet valve channel opening 322. The second solenoid valve 350 can be connected at the input end via a second input channel to the second input channel opening 323 and at the output end via a respective regeneration channel to the respective regeneration channel opening 324. A first solenoid valve input port, an exhaust valve port, a second solenoid valve input port, and a regeneration port may be provided on the valve body 110. The first solenoid valve input channel port is connected to the outlet channel of the valve body 110 downstream of the first check valve 14 via a first solenoid valve input channel, the exhaust valve channel port is connected to the exhaust valve 12 via an exhaust valve channel, the second solenoid valve input channel port is connected to the outlet channel of the valve body 110 downstream of the first check valve 14 via a second solenoid valve input channel, and the regeneration channel port is connected to the outlet channel of the valve body 110 upstream of the first check valve 14 via a regeneration channel.

The housing of the control module 300 can be mounted laterally on the valve body 110 of the air dryer 100, in particular opposite the air inlet 11 of the valve body 110 with respect to the valve body. The first solenoid valve input passage port, the exhaust valve passage port, the second solenoid valve input passage port, and the regeneration passage port of the valve body 110 may be disposed on the mounting surface of the valve body 110, and the first input passage port 321, the corresponding exhaust valve passage port 322, the second input passage port 323, and the corresponding regeneration passage port 324 of the housing may be disposed on the corresponding mounting surface of the housing. In the assembled state, the housing first inlet passage port 321, the corresponding exhaust valve passage port 322, the second inlet passage port 323, and the corresponding regeneration passage port 324 may be aligned with the first solenoid valve inlet passage port, the exhaust valve passage port, the second solenoid valve inlet passage port, and the regeneration passage port, respectively, of the valve body 110. This can facilitate the arrangement of the lines, so that the air treatment unit is more compact in construction and the manufacturability of the air treatment unit is facilitated.

The housing of the control module 300 may include a cover plate 310 and a protective cover 320. In particular, the housing can rest against the valve body 110 with the surface of the protective cap 320 opposite the cover plate 310 as a counter-mounting surface. In this regard, the first inlet passage port 321, the corresponding exhaust valve passage port 322, the second inlet passage port 323, and the corresponding regeneration passage port 324 of the control module 300 may be disposed on a surface of the protective cap 320 opposite the cover plate 310. Meanwhile, the first solenoid valve input passage port, the exhaust valve passage port, the second solenoid valve input passage port, and the regeneration passage port of the valve body 110 may be disposed on the mounting surface of the valve body 110 abutting the protection cover 320 of the control module 300, respectively. A pressure sensor 360 may be further provided in the housing of the control module 300, which may be connected to the detection port 361 via a detection passage and may detect the air pressure input from the detection port 361. Pressure sensor 360 is coupled to controller 330 and may communicate sensed data to controller 330. The detection port 361 may be provided on a housing of the control module 300, for example, on a side of the protective cover 320. In particular, the detection port 361 may be oriented in the same direction as the control port 341 to facilitate tubing placement. The detection port 361 can be connected to other channels requiring detection. Thus, the pressure sensor 360 may detect the pressure at other passageways, such as at the third passageway outlet 23.

In a normal operation state of the air dryer 100, the controller 330 may control the first and second solenoid valves 340 and 350 to be closed. Compressed air, for example supplied by an air compressor, can enter from the air inlet 11 of the air dryer 100 and pass through the drying cylinder 120 of the air dryer 100 and thus be dried and cleaned. The dried air may then enter the multi-circuit protection valve 200 after passing through the first check valve 141 and then be output from the corresponding passage outlet to the corresponding component requiring the use of air through each passage of the multi-circuit protection valve.

Depending on the pressure detected by the first pressure sensor 220 and/or the second pressure sensor 230, in particular depending on different operating conditions of the vehicle and the pressure detected by the first pressure sensor 220 and/or the second pressure sensor 230, the controller 330 can control the first solenoid valve 340 to open and the second solenoid valve 350 to close, thereby putting the air dryer 100 in its off-state. In this regard, different pressure thresholds may be set according to different operating conditions of the vehicle, and the controller 330 may place the air dryer 100 in its off state when the pressure detected by the first pressure sensor 220 and/or the second pressure sensor 230 exceeds the respective pressure threshold. For example, when the vehicle goes downhill, the engine can be used for reverse dragging to increase the cut-off pressure, so that more compressed air can be used for braking, and the braking force is increased, thereby achieving the effects of safe braking and energy conservation; or the cut-off pressure can be reduced in the case of a vehicle overtaking in which the engine needs to output a greater power, so that the transmission power is increased and the kinetic energy of the vehicle is therefore made stronger.

In the shut-off state of the air dryer 100, since the first solenoid valve 340 is opened, there is air pressure fed back to the discharge valve 12 via the corresponding discharge valve passage and discharge valve passage, thereby causing the discharge valve 12 to open, and thus compressed air supplied from, for example, an air compressor can be discharged from the discharge port 13. At the same time, air pressure is fed back from the control opening 341 to the air compressor via the control channel, so that the air compressor no longer delivers compressed air to the air treatment unit and the compressed air supply to the air compressor is thus cut off.

The controller 330 can control the first solenoid valve 340 and the second solenoid valve 350 to be simultaneously opened according to the pumping amount of the air compressor, especially considering the engine speed, thereby putting the air dryer 100 in its regeneration state. The regeneration control realizes intelligent regeneration, thereby realizing accurate control of regeneration and improving regeneration efficiency. This reduces the gas consumption and thus saves more energy. In particular, the control module can also realize 'intermediate regeneration' to avoid incomplete filtration of the compressed gas. When the continuous air pumping amount is large (exceeding the drying capacity of the drying cylinder), the control module can control the electromagnetic valve to work according to the air pumping amount to complete regeneration, so that the drying cylinder recovers the drying capacity, and the phenomenon that the rear-end brake loop and the air storage cylinder are accumulated water due to incomplete filtration of compressed air is avoided.

In the regeneration state of the air dryer 100, since the first solenoid valve 340 is opened, as described above, the compressed air supplied from the air compressor may be discharged from the exhaust port 13 and the air compressor may no longer deliver the compressed air to the air handling unit. In addition, since the second solenoid valve 350 is opened, air may blow back the drying cylinder 120 through the corresponding regeneration channel and the regeneration channel, thereby regenerating the desiccant in the drying cylinder 120.

The air passes through the drying cylinder 120 through the orifice 351 and the second check valve 16 of the air dryer 100 and then may be discharged through the discharge port 13. Thus, air can be returned to the drying cylinder to blow back the drying cylinder 120, thereby regenerating the drying agent after the drying cylinder is saturated with the drying agent. The air may be discharged from the exhaust port 13 through the exhaust passage after passing through the drying drum 120.

In addition, the control module 300 may also implement anti-condensation control. For example, in the winter season where the temperature is low, if the vehicle is not used at night, the accumulated water in the exhaust passage and the air compressor pipe may freeze, thereby affecting the use of the vehicle. Therefore, when the ambient temperature is low, after the engine is shut down, the whole vehicle is powered off in a delayed mode, the control module controls the electromagnetic valve to work, regeneration is achieved after the engine is shut down, water vapor at the air compressor pipeline from the air compressor to the air dryer and at the air outlet of the air dryer is discharged, and accordingly freezing of the air compressor pipeline and the air outlet of the air dryer is avoided. In addition, the air consumption of the vehicle on the highway is low, the exhaust valve is always in a closed state, and the temperature is low in winter, so that the risk of icing at the exhaust port of the air dryer exists in the driving process. Thus, it is also possible that the control module may control the exhaust valve to open to allow water within the exhaust passage to drain when the ambient temperature is below the threshold temperature. The risk of icing of standing water in the exhaust passage can thereby be eliminated in advance. Thus, based on the information obtained from the CAN bus, and if necessary also based on the pressure detected by the first pressure sensor (220) and/or the second pressure sensor (230), the control module may control the exhaust valve to open to allow water in the exhaust passage to drain. In addition, the control module 300 may be further integrated with a quick exhaust device, so that it can perform a function of quickly exhausting pressure applied to a control end of the air compressor and thus can improve a response speed of the air compressor.

The foregoing embodiments are merely examples provided for clarity of explanation and are not intended to limit the disclosure. Other variations and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art in light of the above description. And are neither required nor exhaustive of all embodiments. And obvious variations or modifications of this disclosure may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

Claims (17)

1. An air handling unit for a vehicle, comprising an air dryer (100), the air dryer (100) having a valve body (110) and a drying cylinder (120), the drying cylinder (120) being fittable over a top surface of the valve body (110);

characterized in that the air treatment unit further comprises a control module (300), the control module (300) comprising a housing and a controller (330), a first solenoid valve (340) and a second solenoid valve (350) arranged in the housing, the controller (330) being connectable to a CAN bus of the vehicle and being able to control the first solenoid valve (340) and the second solenoid valve (350), a first inlet channel opening (321), a corresponding exhaust valve channel opening (322), a second inlet channel opening (323) and a corresponding regeneration channel opening (324) being provided on the housing, the first solenoid valve (340) being connectable at the input via a first inlet channel with the first inlet channel opening (321) and at the output via a corresponding exhaust valve channel with the corresponding exhaust valve channel opening (322), the second solenoid valve (350) being connectable at the input via a second inlet channel opening (323) and at the output via a corresponding regeneration channel with the corresponding regeneration channel opening (324) Is connected and the housing can be fitted laterally on the valve body (110) of the air dryer (100).

2. An air handling unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the air inlet (11) and the air outlet (17) of the air dryer (100) are arranged on the side of the valve body (110), the air outlet (13) of the air dryer (100) is arranged on the bottom surface of the valve body (110), the air inlet (11) is connected to the drying cylinder (120) via an air inlet channel, the drying cylinder (120) is connected to the air outlet (13) via an air outlet channel, the air inlet (11) is connected to the air outlet (13) via an air outlet channel, in which air outlet channel a first one-way valve (14) is arranged, and in which air outlet channel an air outlet valve (12) is arranged.

3. An air handling unit according to claim 2, characterised in that in the assembled state the housing of the control module (300) is opposite the air inlet opening (11) of the valve body (110) with respect to the valve body (110).

4. An air handling unit according to claim 2, characterized in that it further comprises a multi-circuit protection valve (200), the multi-circuit protection valve (200) being laterally fittable onto the valve body (110) of the air dryer (100) and being connected with the air outlet (17) of the air dryer (100), and the multi-circuit protection valve (200) having a plurality of passage outlets.

5. An air handling unit according to claim 4, characterised in that the plurality of passage outlets face in the same direction as the air inlet (11) of the air dryer (100) in the assembled state.

6. The air handling unit according to claim 4, wherein a first pressure sensor (220) is provided at a first passage outlet (21) of the plurality of passage outlets and/or a second pressure sensor (230) is provided at a second passage outlet (22) of the plurality of passage outlets, the first pressure sensor (220) and/or the second pressure sensor (230) being connectable with a controller (330) of the control module (300), and the controller (330) being capable of controlling the first solenoid valve (340) and the second solenoid valve (350) depending on the pressure detected by the first pressure sensor (220) and/or the second pressure sensor (230) and/or information obtained from the CAN bus.

7. The air treatment unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a first solenoid valve input channel port, a vent valve channel port, a second solenoid valve input channel port and a regeneration channel port are provided on the valve body (110), the first solenoid valve input channel port being connected with the vent channel of the valve body (110) downstream of the first one-way valve (14) via a first solenoid valve input channel, the vent valve channel port being connected with the vent valve (12) via a vent valve channel, the second solenoid valve input channel port being connected with the vent channel of the valve body (110) downstream of the first one-way valve (14) via a second solenoid valve input channel, the regeneration channel port being connected with the vent channel of the valve body (110) upstream of the first one-way valve (14) via a regeneration channel;

the first solenoid valve (340) can be connected at the input end via a first input channel to a first solenoid valve input channel of the valve body (110) and at the output end via a corresponding exhaust valve channel to an exhaust valve channel of the valve body (110);

the second solenoid valve (350) can be connected at the input end via a second input channel to a second solenoid valve input channel of the valve body (110) and at the output end via a corresponding regeneration channel to a regeneration channel of the valve body (110).

8. The air handling unit according to claim 7, wherein the first solenoid valve input channel opening, the exhaust valve channel opening, the second solenoid valve input channel opening and the regeneration channel opening of the valve body (110) are provided on a mounting face of the valve body, and the first input channel opening (321), the corresponding exhaust valve channel opening (322), the second input channel opening (323) and the corresponding regeneration channel opening (324) of the housing are provided on a corresponding mounting face of the housing, and in the mounted state the first input channel opening (321), the corresponding exhaust valve channel opening (322), the second input channel opening (323) and the corresponding regeneration channel opening (324) of the housing are aligned with the first solenoid valve input channel opening, the exhaust valve channel opening, the second solenoid valve input channel opening and the regeneration channel opening, respectively, of the valve body (110).

9. An air handling unit according to claim 7, characterised in that the first solenoid valve (340) is connected at an output via a control channel with a control port (341), the control port (341) being provided on a housing of the control module (300).

10. An air handling unit according to claim 9, wherein the housing comprises a cover plate (310) and a protective cover (320), the control port (341) being provided on a side of the protective cover (320).

11. An air handling unit according to claim 10, characterized in that a pressure sensor (360) can also be provided in the housing of the control module (300), the pressure sensor (360) being connectable with the controller (330) and with a detection port (361) via a detection channel, the detection port (361) being provided on the side of the protective cover (320).

12. An air handling unit according to claim 11, characterized in that the detection port (361) faces in the same direction as the control port (341).

13. An air handling unit according to claim 7, characterised in that a supplementary control port (18) is provided on the valve body (110), the supplementary control port (18) being connected with the exhaust valve channel via a supplementary control channel, and the first solenoid valve (340) being connectable at the output with the supplementary control port (18) via the corresponding exhaust valve channel, exhaust valve channel and supplementary control channel.

14. The air handling unit according to any of claims 1-6, wherein in a normal operating state of the air dryer (100), the controller (330) controls the first solenoid valve (340) and the second solenoid valve (350) to close.

15. The air handling unit according to any of claims 1-6, wherein in the switched-off state of the air dryer (100), the controller (330) controls the first solenoid valve (340) to be open and the second solenoid valve (350) to be closed.

16. An air handling unit according to any of claims 1-6, characterized in that in the regeneration state of the air dryer (100), the controller (330) controls both the first solenoid valve (340) and the second solenoid valve (350) to be open.

17. Air handling unit according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the control module (300) is able to control the opening of the exhaust valve (12) according to information obtained from the CAN bus.

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