JP2013103148A - Air dryer device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air dryer device not carelessly discharging water, oil, dust or the like accompanying purge air by performing purge processing in accordance with an intention of an operator such as a driver.SOLUTION: In an air supply system 100 storing compressed air in an air tank 112, a purge valve 127 for executing purge processing of an air dryer 113 is constituted of an electromagnetic opening and closing valve, and the purge valve 127 may be opened in accordance with a manual operation of an operator. The system is configured to be capable of switching between a normal mode of automatically executing the purge processing during unloading of an air compressor 111 and a manual mode of executing the purge processing in accordance with only the manual operation of the operator. During the manual mode, the purge processing is executed in accordance with a valve opening command based on the manual operation of the operator, and the execution of the purge processing is inhibited during a period in which the valve opening command is not generated.

Description

  The present invention relates to an air dryer device for removing moisture and the like from service air used for service brakes, air suspensions and the like in automobiles and the like.

For example, in large vehicles such as trucks and buses, air compressed to a predetermined pressure (for example, about 10 kgf / cm ² ) by an air compressor is stored in an air tank, and this compressed air (service air) is used as an operating power source. Service brake systems that are used as a part of the system and air suspension systems that use compressed air instead of coil springs and leaf springs are used.

Here, the air compressed by the air compressor is in a state where water is likely to be generated due to condensation of water vapor contained compared to the normal atmospheric pressure state.
In addition, there may be a case where lubricating oil for lubricating an air compressor including a crank mechanism and a piston that are rotationally driven by an engine is mixed in the compressed air.

  For this reason, if the air compressed by the air compressor is stored in the air tank as it is and the compressed air is supplied to various air systems such as a service brake system, the moisture in the air freezes in cold weather and the circuit is blocked. System reliability, etc., which may cause malfunction of air valves and air valves, and may cause corrosion and contamination at the parts where the compressed air comes into contact, which in turn may cause malfunctions in various air systems. May be adversely affected.

  For this reason, before the air compressed by the air compressor is stored in the air tank, it is dried by an air dryer device to remove oil and purify it.

As an example of such an air dryer device, there is one described in Patent Document 1, for example.
As shown in FIG. 4, the compressed air compressed by the air compressor 11 in the load state (load state) passes through the pipe line 14 as shown by the solid line arrow in FIG. And enters the desiccant storage chamber 21. The desiccant storage chamber 21 contains a filter that collects oil and foreign matter and a desiccant that absorbs moisture, and passes through the desiccant storage chamber 21 to remove oil and foreign matter from the compressed air. It comes to dehumidify with.

  Thereafter, the compressed air enters the purge chamber 22 through the check valve (not shown) provided in the lid 40 and reaches the outlet 26. The clean compressed air that has reached the outlet 26 passes through the conduit 14 again as indicated by a solid arrow, and is stored in the air tank 12 through the check valve 16.

When the pressure in the air tank 12 reaches a specified pressure, the pressure regulator 17 detects the pressure via the input pipe 17a, and the pressure regulator 17 is activated to unload the air compressor 11 (no load) State), and the delivery of compressed air to the pipeline 14 is stopped.
At the same time, the pressure regulator 17 supplies the unload signal air to the pressure regulating pipe 58 as indicated by a broken line arrow.

  In such an unloaded state, as indicated by a broken arrow in FIG. 4, the air of the unload signal that has flowed into the air inlet 28 is guided to the upper portion of the valve body 29, and the valve body 29 is caused to be in FIG. And the drain valve 27 is opened.

  When the drain valve 27 is opened, the compressed air inside the drying device 13 is suddenly released to the atmosphere, and accordingly, the inside of the drying device 13 is suddenly decompressed, and the dried air in the purge chamber 22 is transferred to the desiccant storage chamber 21. Thus, a so-called purge process is performed in which the gas is discharged to the outside (in the atmosphere) while expanding.

  In addition, by this purging process, the moisture in the drying device 13 (moisture adsorbed by the desiccant, moisture accumulated in the bottom, etc.), oil and dust (oil collected in the filter, dust, etc., and the bottom) Accumulated oil, dust, etc.) are discharged to the outside, and the desiccant and the filter in the drying device 13 are regenerated.

  Thereafter, when the pressure in the air tank 12 becomes equal to or lower than the specified pressure, the pressure regulator 17 detects the pressure via the input pipe 17a, and the pressure regulator 17 returns. The pressure regulator 17 puts the air compressor 11 into a loaded state and restarts sending compressed air to the pipeline 14, and at the same time stops sending unloaded signal air to the pressure regulating pipe 58.

  In this way, in the conventional air dryer apparatus, switching between the load state (charging to the air tank 12) and the unload state as described above is repeatedly performed according to the consumption of air in the air tank 12, and A purge process is performed each time (see FIG. 3).

JP-A-9-29055

  By the way, the purge process may be repeated every few minutes depending on the amount of air consumption. If the vehicle is traveling, the position of the collision when the purge air is ejected changes with time, so it does not matter much. However, for example, in a state where the customer stops at the same position for delivery, the purge process may be continuously performed multiple times at the same position. There is a risk that the surrounding walls and the ground may be soiled by the water, oil, etc. ejected.

  In particular, in places where food-related or other clean environments are required, it is desirable to avoid the discharge of moisture, oil, etc. that are ejected with such purge air.

  Here, during the purge process, it is also assumed that a catch tank or the like is interposed downstream from the drain valve 27 to collect moisture, oil, or the like. The situation is technically difficult because of the cost.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and can perform a purging process in accordance with the intention of an operator such as a driver while having a simple and low-cost configuration. An object of the present invention is to provide an air dryer device in which dust and the like are not discharged.

For this reason, the air dryer apparatus according to the present invention is:
An air dryer apparatus in an air supply system in which compressed air is stored in an air tank,
The purge valve for executing the purge process of the air dryer device is constituted by an electromagnetic on-off valve that opens for a predetermined period in accordance with an electrical valve opening command,
The purge valve can be opened according to the manual operation of the operator.

  In the present invention, in the air supply system, the normal mode in which the purge process is automatically executed when the air compressor that compresses air is shifted from the load state to the unload state, and the manual that performs the purge process only in accordance with the manual operation of the operator. A mode changeover switch for switching between modes is provided, and the control device performs control in accordance with the mode based on a signal from the mode changeover switch.

  In the present invention, in the manual mode, the purge valve is opened for a predetermined period in accordance with the valve opening command based on the manual operation of the operator, the purge process is executed, and the purge process is performed while the valve opening command based on the manual operation of the operator is not generated. Is prohibited from being executed.

  In the present invention, even in the normal mode, execution of the purge process is prohibited when the vehicle speed is equal to or lower than a predetermined value or when the vehicle is stopped.

  According to the present invention, the purge process can be performed according to the intention of an operator such as a driver while having a simple and low-cost configuration, and moisture, oil, dust, and the like are inadvertently discharged with the purge air. It is possible to provide an air dryer device without any problems.

It is a whole lineblock diagram showing roughly the whole air supply system composition concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a time chart for demonstrating the purge process control in the manual mode of the air dryer which concerns on embodiment same as the above. It is a time chart for demonstrating the purge process control in the normal mode of the air dryer which concerns on embodiment same as the above. It is a whole block diagram for demonstrating the structural example of the conventional air dryer system.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by embodiment described below.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an air supply system 100 according to this embodiment includes an air compressor 111 that compresses air through a piston that is rotationally driven by a drive source such as an internal combustion engine, and an air tank 112 that stores air. The air dryer 113 is provided between the two.

An air dryer 113 is connected to the air discharge side of the air compressor 111 via a conduit 114, and an air tank 112 is connected to the air dryer 113 via a check valve 116. The air tank 112 that stores the air compressed by the air compressor 111 is maintained at a predetermined pressure (for example, about 10 kgf / cm ² ) by the pressure regulator 117.

  Although not shown, air devices such as a service brake and an air suspension are connected to the air tank 112 and operate using compressed air stored in the air tank 112.

  The air dryer 113 includes a desiccant storage chamber 121 and a purge air chamber 122. A base 119 is provided below the desiccant storage chamber 121 and the purge air chamber 122, and an inlet 125 for taking in compressed air from the air compressor 111 and an outlet 126 for sending it to the air tank 112 are provided on the outer peripheral side surface of the base 119. Yes.

  In this embodiment, an electromagnetic valve type purge valve (drain valve) 127 is provided at the center lower portion of the base 119. The purge valve 127 is configured to open and close for a predetermined period (for example, between 1 second and several seconds) when the purge execution switch 130 is manually operated by an operator such as a driver (ON signal). Yes.

  The purge execution switch 130 is provided in an operable place near the driver's seat, for example. Further, a mode changeover switch 131 that is manually operated by the operator in order to validate the ON operation of the purge execution switch 130 is also provided at an operable place near the driver's seat, for example.

  The desiccant storage chamber 121 stores a desiccant (not shown) for adsorbing moisture and a filter (not shown) for collecting oil and dust. A lid 140 is attached to the lid 140. The lid 140 is provided with a check valve and an orifice (not shown).

  In the air supply system 100 according to the present embodiment having such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 1, the compressed air compressed by the air compressor 111 in the load state (load state) is indicated by a solid line arrow in FIG. As shown, it enters from the inlet 125 of the air dryer 113 through the conduit 114 and passes through the desiccant storage chamber 121. Since the desiccant storage chamber 121 contains a filter that collects oil and foreign matter and a desiccant that absorbs moisture, the oil and foreign matter and the like from compressed air pass through the desiccant storage chamber 121. In addition to removing water, moisture is removed.

  Thereafter, the compressed air enters the purge air chamber 122 through the check valve provided in the lid 140 and reaches the outlet 126. The clean compressed air that has reached the outlet 126 passes through the conduit 114 again as indicated by a solid arrow, and is stored in the air tank 112 via the check valve 116.

  When the pressure in the air tank 112 reaches a predetermined pressure, the pressure regulator 117 detects the pressure via the input pipe 117a, and the pressure regulator 117 is activated to unload the air compressor 111 (no load state). ) To stop sending compressed air to the pipe 114.

  Thereafter, when an air device such as a service brake or an air suspension consumes air and the tank internal pressure of the air tank 112 falls below a predetermined pressure, the pressure regulator 117 detects the pressure via the input pipe 117a, and the pressure regulator 117 Will return. The pressure regulator 117 puts the air compressor 111 into a loaded state and restarts sending compressed air to the pipe line 114.

  Thus, in the air supply system 100 according to the present embodiment, the switching between the loading state and the unloading state as described above is repeatedly performed according to the consumption of air in the air tank 112.

  In the air supply system 100 according to the present embodiment, when the mode selector switch 131 is set to the normal mode, as shown in the time chart of FIG. The control unit 200, which is a control device, issues a valve opening command to the electromagnetic valve type purge valve 127, and opens the electromagnetic valve type purge valve 127 for a predetermined period to execute a purge process. The detection of the unload state is performed, for example, by detecting the air pressure in the pipe line 114 or detecting the operating state of the pressure regulator 117.

  That is, when the solenoid valve type purge valve 127 is opened, the compressed air inside the desiccant storage chamber 121 is suddenly released to the atmosphere, and the inside of the desiccant storage chamber 121 is rapidly depressurized and expanded there. A so-called purge process is performed such as discharging to the outside (in the atmosphere). During the purge process, the solenoid valve purge valve 127 can be set to open and close for a predetermined period.

In addition, by this purging process, moisture in the air dryer 113 (moisture adhering to the surface of the desiccant or moisture accumulated on the bottom, etc.), oil or dust (oil or dust collected on the filter, etc., and on the bottom) Accumulated oil, dust, etc.) are discharged to the outside.
Next, the dry air in the purge air chamber 122 reaches the desiccant storage chamber 121 from a micro-orifice provided between the desiccant storage chamber 121 and the purge air chamber 122. By passing through and being discharged to the outside while removing moisture adsorbed by the desiccant, the desiccant and the filter in the air dryer 113 are regenerated.

  Further, in the air supply system 100 according to the present embodiment, when the mode switch 131 is set to the manual mode, the purge process is executed only by the manual operation of an operator such as a driver. .

  That is, when the manual mode is set, the ON operation of the purge execution switch 130 is validated, and as shown in the time chart of FIG. 2, the operator turns on the purge execution switch 130 with his / her own intention. In response to this switch-on signal, the control unit 200 issues a valve opening command to the solenoid valve purge valve 127, and opens the solenoid valve purge valve 127 for a predetermined period to execute the purge process.

  When the manual mode is set, unless the purge execution switch 130 is turned on, the control unit 200 does not issue a valve opening command for the solenoid valve purge valve 127, and the solenoid valve purge valve 127 is closed. The valve state is maintained, and the purge process is prohibited from being executed.

  Therefore, in the air supply system 100 according to the present embodiment, when the manual mode is set, the purge process can be executed at an arbitrary timing according to the intention of an operator such as a driver and the purge is performed. Execution of processing can be prohibited.

  For this reason, according to the air supply system 100 according to the present embodiment, in the normal mode, it is possible to automatically execute the purge process at the time of unloading while eliminating troublesomeness such as switch switching of an operator such as a driver. On the other hand, in the manual mode, the purge process can be executed at any timing or the purge process can be prohibited according to the intention of an operator such as a driver.

  Therefore, in the air supply system 100 according to the present embodiment, the purging process is automatically performed in the normal mode, and the manual mode is set as necessary, so that the air supply system 100 can be placed at the same position for delivery at the customer, for example. In a state where the vehicle is stopped, the purge process is prohibited, and it is possible to prevent the nearby walls and the ground from being soiled by moisture, oil, etc. ejected along with the purge air.

  Further, in the air supply system 100 according to the present embodiment, vehicle speed information is obtained from a vehicle speed sensor or the like, and even in the normal mode, the purge process is normally performed when the vehicle speed is equal to or lower than the predetermined vehicle speed or when the vehicle is stopped. Even if the opportunity (timing) is executed, the opportunity may be skipped once or a plurality of times, or the purge process may not be performed until the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined value.

  Further, in the air supply system 100 according to the present embodiment, when arriving at a place where purging processing such as a customer's destination is not desired, the operator can manually operate the driver before the arrival. The air purging process is forcibly executed, and moisture, oil and dust in the air dryer 113 are discharged to regenerate the desiccant and filter in the air dryer 113, thereby purging the customer and the like. Even when the purge process is performed at a place where it is not desired to be allowed to flow, only clean purge air can be discharged to prevent contamination in the vicinity due to oil or the like.

  That is, according to the present embodiment, the purge process can be performed according to the intention of an operator such as a driver while having a simple and low-cost configuration, and moisture, oil, dust, etc. are inadvertently associated with the purge air. It is possible to provide an air dryer device in which no air is discharged.

  In the control device 200 of the air supply system 100 according to the present embodiment, the purge process is performed when the purge process is not executed for a predetermined period of time, or when the collection amount of moisture or the like in the air dryer 113 is estimated or detected. When it is determined that it is necessary, it is possible to make a configuration such that a warning light, a warning sound, or the like is emitted to prompt an operator such as a driver to perform the purge process.

  The embodiment described above is merely an example for explaining the present invention, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Air supply system 111 Air compressor 112 Air tank 113 Air dryer (air dryer apparatus)
114 Pipe line 117 Pressure regulator 117a Input pipe 119 Base 121 Desiccant storage chamber 122 Purge air chamber 125 Inlet 126 Outlet 127 Solenoid valve type purge valve (drain valve)
130 Purge execution switch 131 Mode changeover switch 200 Control unit (control device)

Claims (4)

An air dryer apparatus in an air supply system in which compressed air is stored in an air tank,
The purge valve for executing the purge process of the air dryer device is constituted by an electromagnetic on-off valve that opens for a predetermined period in accordance with an electrical valve opening command,
An air dryer device configured to be able to open a purge valve in accordance with a manual operation by an operator.   In the air supply system, a normal mode in which purge processing is automatically executed when the air compressor that compresses air transitions from a load state to an unload state, and a manual mode in which the purge processing is executed only in accordance with the manual operation of the operator. The air dryer apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a mode changeover switch for switching, wherein the control device performs control according to the mode based on a signal from the mode changeover switch.   In the manual mode, the purge valve is opened for a predetermined period according to the valve opening command based on the manual operation of the operator and the purge process is executed, and the purge process is prohibited while the valve opening command based on the manual operation of the operator is not generated. The air dryer apparatus according to claim 2, wherein   4. The air dryer device according to claim 2, wherein execution of the purge process is prohibited when the vehicle speed is equal to or lower than a predetermined value or when the vehicle is stopped even in the normal mode.

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