DE102015016946A1 - Device for generating pneumatic energy in a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for generating pneumatic energy in a vehicle, comprising a vibration damper (1) having a piston (5) movably mounted in a medium, wherein the vibration damper (1) is connected to an energy converter (9). In one device, the energy converter is configured as a compressor unit (9) for compressing ambient air due to the medium displaced by the piston (5) of the vibration damper (1), which has an inlet (15) for receiving ambient air and an outlet (17) for compressed Air has.

Description

The invention relates to a device for generating pneumatic energy in a vehicle, comprising a vibration damper, which has a piston movably mounted in a medium, wherein the vibration damper is connected to an energy converter.

A conventional shock absorber used in the vehicle, which is also referred to as a vibration damper, converts the mechanical vibrations occurring during driving into heat. This is done by the movement of a valve having a piston in a medium, preferably oil. The displaced by the piston medium is heated by flowing around. The resulting heat energy is released to the ambient air.

From the WO 90/08670 a device for energy conversion is known which comprises a shock absorber, in which a piston moves, thereby dividing a cylinder of the shock absorber into two chambers, which have a pressure difference. With this pressure difference, a pump having an opposite compression stroke is driven as the shock absorber. By this device, the kinetic energy provided by the vibration of the shock absorber is provided in another form of energy for use in the vehicle.

The object of the invention is to provide a device in which the kinetic energy of the shock absorber or vibration damper of a vehicle is converted into pneumatic energy.

The invention results from the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments and refinements are the subject of the dependent claims. Other features, applications and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, as well as the explanation of embodiments of the invention, which are illustrated in the figures.

The object is achieved with an apparatus in that the energy converter is designed as a compressor unit for compressing ambient air as a result of the displaced by the piston of the vibration damper medium having an inlet for receiving ambient air and an outlet for compressed air. This has the advantage that the kinetic energy occurring during the drive of the vehicle is transmitted to the vibration damper via the medium in the compressor unit in which ambient air is located. In this case, a compression of incoming ambient air is made by the compressor unit, which is output as compressed air and thus pneumatic energy to the vehicle. By providing the pneumatic energy, an electrically driven air compressor can be limited in its function during driving operation, whereby fuel of the vehicle is saved.

Advantageously, the compressor unit has at least one compressor piston arranged in a compressor chamber for compressing the ambient air contained in the compressor chamber, wherein the at least one compressor piston is moved by the displaced medium in the compressor chamber. By means of these compressor pistons, which are driven by the displaced medium, a particularly simple and cost-effective variant for providing pneumatic energy in the vehicle is made possible.

In one embodiment, the vibration damper is connected to the compressor piston via an overflow channel, in which a throttle valve is positioned. The throttle valve is a device that reduces the pressure of the flowing fluid by a local narrowing of the flow cross-section and thus causes an increase in volume or expansion. Thus, the compressor piston is moved within the compressor unit.

In one embodiment, the throttle valve is mechanically preset. Alternatively, the throttle valve has an electrical regulation device that can be adapted to the respective vehicle. A particularly compact construction, the device when the energy converter is attached to the vibration damper.

Further advantages, features and details will become apparent from the following description in which - where appropriate, with reference to the drawings - at least one embodiment is described in detail. Described and / or illustrated features may form the subject of the invention itself or in any meaningful combination, optionally also independent of the claims, and in particular may also be the subject of one or more separate application / s. The same, similar and / or functionally identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

It shows:

1 an embodiment of the device according to the invention.

In 1 is a vibration damper 1 shown, which is a housing 3 in which a medium, preferably oil, is contained. A piston 5 is in the case 3 movably mounted, due to the valveless configuration of the piston 5 the medium through the piston 5 compressed and over two overflow channels 7 in a compressor unit 9 is pressed. The compressor unit 9 has two compressor pistons 11 on, each with an overflow channel 7 on each compressor piston 11 is guided. Each compressor piston 11 is doing in a compression chamber 13 stored in which via an access 15 Ambient air is introduced. Alternatively, it is possible to realize the introduction of the ambient air via a four-circuit protection valve or an air processing unit.

By the movement of the vehicle is on the piston 5 transmit a vibration, which causes the medium to be compressed and the compressor piston 11 emotional. This will cause the ambient air in the compressor chambers 13 is contained, compressed, with the compressed air through an outlet 17 is provided to the vehicle.

In the overflow channels 7 are throttle valves 19 included, which allow a corresponding pressure build-up and are either mechanically preset or have an electrical regulation device. About these throttle valves 19 the medium is applied to the compressor pistons 11 guided. The displaced medium moves depending on the emerging vibrations during driving the compressor pistons 11 , whereby the introduced ambient air is compressed. The compressed air thus represents a pneumatic energy that can be used in the vehicle on. The energy of the vibration damper converted into heat energy according to the prior art can thus be effectively supplied to the vehicle as valuable pneumatic energy.

Although the invention has been further illustrated and explained in detail by way of preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations can be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. It is therefore clear that a multitude of possible variations exists. It is also to be understood that exemplified embodiments are really only examples that are not to be construed in any way as limiting the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention. Rather, the foregoing description and description of the figures enable one skilled in the art to practice the exemplary embodiments, and those of skill in the knowledge of the disclosed inventive concept may make various changes, for example as to the function or arrangement of individual elements recited in an exemplary embodiment, without Protection area defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanations in the description.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

vibration

3

casing

5

piston

7

Overflow channel

9

compressor unit

11

pistons compressor

13

compression chamber

15

Access

17

output

19

throttle valve

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• WO 90/08670 [0003]

Claims (6)

Device for generating pneumatic energy in a vehicle, comprising a vibration damper ( 1 ), a piston movably mounted in a medium ( 5 ), wherein the vibration damper ( 1 ) with an energy converter ( 9 ), characterized in that the energy converter as a compressor unit ( 9 ) for the compression of ambient air as a result of the piston ( 5 ) of the vibration damper ( 1 ) is formed displaced medium, which an inlet ( 15 ) for receiving ambient air and an outlet ( 17 ) for compressed air. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the compressor unit ( 9 ) at least one in a compression chamber ( 13 ) arranged compressor piston ( 11 ) for compressing in the compression chamber ( 13 ), wherein the at least one compressor piston ( 11 ) by the displaced medium in the compression chamber ( 13 ) is moved. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the vibration damper ( 1 ) with the compressor piston ( 11 ) via an overflow channel ( 7 ), in which a throttle valve ( 19 ) is positioned. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the throttle valve ( 19 ) is mechanically preset. Device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the throttle valve ( 19 ) has an electrical regulating device. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the energy converter ( 9 ) on the vibration damper ( 1 ) is attached.

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