ABDERAOUF MEBARKI Air dryer / Operation 1/10/25
Air production management unit (APM)
Operation
The air production management device is a system including an air dryer (1), a four-way protection valve (2), a pressure limiter (3) and a control unit (4).
Thermostatically controlled heat resistor prevents ice from forming in cold weather.
The air production management device manages dehydration and the distribution of air in the various pneumatic circuits (5) of the vehicle.
The four-way protection valve (2) distributes compressed air to the various pneumatic circuits (5).
The service brake circuit is highest priority.
Control unit (4) uses pressure sensors to provide information about the air pressure and any fault codes.
The air production management device is connected to the electriconic system (6) of the vehicle and communicates with the other control units.
A silencer (7) is fitted to the exhaust to reduce noise.
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ABDERAOUF MEBARKI Air dryer / Operation 1/10/25
Engine starter function
During the engine starter phase, the air production management device shuts off the delivery of compressed air from the air compressor while the engine
speed is less than 400 rpm.
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ABDERAOUF MEBARKI Air dryer / Operation 1/10/25
Engine speed control function
In the event of air consumption exceeding production, the air production management device generates a fast idle speed request as long as the gearbox is
in neutral, the air pressure is lower than 7 bar and the vehicle speed is at zero.
Overrange function
Where maximum engine power is required, the air production management device shuts off the compressed air from the air processor as long as the
vehicle speed is greater than 35 kph and the air pressure is greater than 11.5 bar.
Air pressure function
The air production management device manages the display of air pressure and, on the instrument panel, it indicates the lowest pressures measured in
the front and rear circuits. A parking brake warning light is displayed as well as a warning light indicating insufficient air pressure.
Force limiter function
When the parking brake is engaged, the air production management device provides this information to the ECU EBS, which restricts the air pressure
delivered to the rear service brake circuit.
Parking brake alarm function
If the parking brake is mistakenly left engaged, the air production management device informs the driver through an audio alarm, a symbol lights up and a
STOP light is switched on, as long as the ignition has been switched off and a door is open.
Depending on the assembly on-vehicle
Parking brake safety function
If the presence of a driver in the cab has not been detected (by pressing on the brake or accelerator pedals), the air production management device will
prevent the parking brake from being released as long as the cumulative pressure in the front and rear brake circuits is greater than 14 bars.
Dryer cartridge
The air from the air compressor contains a mixture of water, oil and impurities.
The compressed air must first be filtered and dehydrated in the cartridge (1).
The cartridge (1) contains porous granules (2) which absorb and retain moisture, a primary filter (3) and a filter (4), which stops the oil residue from the
compressor.
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ABDERAOUF MEBARKI Air dryer / Operation 1/10/25
Inflation phase
The compressed air from the air compressor is sent through the orifice 1 and is passed through the dryer cartridge (1).
The four-way protection valve (2) distributes compressed air to the various pneumatic circuits 21 – 22 – 23 – 23.1 – 24 – 25 – 26.
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ABDERAOUF MEBARKI Air dryer / Operation 1/10/25
Regulation phase
When there is sufficient pressure in the various circuits, the control unit shuts off the delivery of compressed air 1 from the air compressor and opens an
exhaust 3 solenoid valve (1).
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ABDERAOUF MEBARKI Air dryer / Operation 1/10/25
Regeneration phase
A regeneration cycle for the dryer cartridge is automatically launched after each regulation phase.
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ABDERAOUF MEBARKI Air dryer / Operation 1/10/25
The control unit opens regeneration solenoid valve (1); the tank air (orifices 21 - 22) is passed through the dryer cartridge (2) in the opposite direction,
sending moisture and impurities to the exhaust 3.
The control unit calculates the duration of the regeneration based on the quantity of air being passed through the dryer cartridge.
The control unit manages the intermediary regeneration phases during long inflation phases in order to prevent the dryer cartridge from flooding.
Each time the engine is switched off, a brief regeneration phase is performed in order to prevent the risk of frosting in the dryer cartridge.
It is normal to find traces of oil in the exhaust 3.
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ABDERAOUF MEBARKI Air dryer / Operation 1/10/25
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