Air-dryer device, housing cover for an air-dryer unit, compressed-air supply installation and vehicle, and operating method

Abstract

The invention relates to an air-dryer device (LT) for a compressed-air supply installation (200) of a vehicle (FZ), in particular a passenger car (PN), comprising: - a pneumatic compressor connection (1.1) for connection to a compressor (100), - a pneumatic supply connection (2.1) for connection to a pneumatic main line (12), and - an air-dryer unit (LE) having - a plurality of drying chambers (210) extending in an axial direction (A), each having a desiccant granulate filling (212), and - at least one housing part (220) which is coupled at least to one end face (213, 214) of each of the plurality of drying chambers (210), characterised by - a pneumatic switching arrangement (230) which is designed to pneumatically connect the compressor connection (1.1) at least to a primary drying chamber (210.2) and is designed to pneumatically connect the supply connection (2.1) selectively at least to the primary drying chamber (210.2) and to a secondary drying chamber (210.2) of the plurality of drying chambers (210), and wherein the pneumatic switching arrangement (230) is designed to selectively switch the primary drying chamber (210.1) and the secondary drying chamber (210.2) pneumatically in such a way that, depending on operational demand, at least the primary drying chamber (210.1) can be pressurised individually with compressed air, and, depending on operational demand, the primary drying chamber (210.1) and the secondary drying chamber (210.2) can be operated such that flow can pass through them sequentially. The invention also relates to a method (1000, 2000) for operating an air-dryer device (LT) for a compressed-air supply installation (200) of a vehicle (FZ) in at least two different operating modes (B1, B2, B3).

Description

[0001] Air dryer unit, housing cover for an air dryer unit, compressed air supply system and vehicle as well as operating procedures

[0002] The invention relates to an air dryer device according to the preamble of claim 1 for a compressed air supply system of a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle. The invention further relates to a housing cover of such an air dryer unit, a corresponding compressed air supply system, and a vehicle with the compressed air supply system. The invention also relates to a method for operating the air dryer unit.

[0003] In vehicles, compressed air supply systems provide compressed air to pneumatic systems. For this purpose, compressed air is supplied to the compressed air supply system via the compressed air connection by a compressor. In this description, compressors are used synonymously and refer to units that compress air. Such a compressor, together with the compressed air supply system and a pneumatic system, forms a pneumatic system. The control of such a pneumatic system is preferably carried out by an electronic control device, for example, a control unit.

[0004] Pneumatic systems include, for example, sensor cleaning devices that use compressed air as a cleaning fluid, or air spring systems that use compressed air to fill air springs. They all have in common that they feature multiple pneumatic switching valves to control the distribution or delivery of the compressed air supplied by the compressed air supply system.

[0005] In vehicles, it is generally necessary to dry the compressed air supplied to the pneumatic system by the compressed air supply system to prevent moisture in the compressed air system, among other things to avoid malfunctions of the pneumatic switching valves in freezing conditions. Air dryers with an air dryer unit containing drying granules are known for providing dried compressed air. This unit is designed to adsorb moisture from the compressed air flowing through the main pneumatic line.

[0006] The operating time of the air dryer is limited by the saturation of the drying granules within the unit. For this reason, air dryers are usually designed as regenerative units. To regenerate such a unit, dried compressed air is passed through it and released to the environment via a vent line and a vent connection.

[0007] An air dryer unit has one or more drying chambers through which compressed air flows sequentially. The compressed air passes through the one or more drying chambers before exiting the air dryer unit via an outlet opening. A corresponding air dryer system with an air dryer unit is shown, for example, in EP 2794063 B1. This air dryer unit has two drying chambers through which compressed air flows sequentially, forming a comparatively long drying bed, and the compressed air supply system with such an air dryer unit is still relatively compact.

[0008] Suitable air dryers have proven effective for this specific application. The long dryer bed enables a high degree of drying, but also necessitates long regeneration cycles.

[0009] However, the availability of the air dryer unit for providing dried compressed air is limited. This poses a particular challenge in the field of autonomous driving, as the level of autonomy places increased demands on the system availability and response times of pneumatic systems, such as sensor cleaning devices. Nevertheless, adequate drying of the compressed air, even under extreme weather conditions such as very high humidity and low temperatures, is regularly required, especially in the field of autonomous driving, to ensure vehicle safety.This is where the invention comes in, the object of which is to specify a preferred device, in particular an air dryer device, a housing cover for an air dryer unit, a compressed air supply system and a vehicle, as well as to specify a corresponding method which is designed in an improved way for operating an air dryer device.

[0010] In particular, the object of the present invention is to ensure reliable drying by the air dryer device with high system availability and reduced duration of regeneration cycles.

[0011] The invention solves the aforementioned problem in a first aspect by means of an air dryer device according to claim 1.

[0012] The invention relates to an air dryer device mentioned at the outset for a pneumatic system of a vehicle, in particular a passenger car.

[0013] The air dryer system includes:

[0014] at least one pneumatic compressor connection for connecting to a compressor,

[0015] at least one pneumatic supply connection for connection to a pneumatic main line, and

[0016] an air dryer unit with a plurality of drying chambers extending in an axial direction, each containing a filling of drying granules, and at least one housing part which is coupled to at least one end face of the plurality of drying chambers.

[0017] Furthermore, the air dryer unit features a pneumatic switching arrangement designed to pneumatically connect the compressor connection to at least one primary drying chamber and to selectively connect the supply connection to at least the primary drying chamber and to one secondary drying chamber of the majority of drying chambers. The pneumatic switching arrangement is further designed to selectively switch the primary and secondary drying chambers pneumatically in such a way that, as required by operation, at least the primary drying chamber can be individually supplied with compressed air, and the primary and secondary drying chambers can be operated with sequential airflow.

[0018] The pneumatic switching arrangement allows for the individual pneumatic flow through at least one of the multiple drying chambers, depending on operational requirements. Alternatively, at least the primary and secondary drying chambers can be operated sequentially. This enables increased drying capacity to be provided by sequentially flowing through the primary and secondary drying chambers, depending on operational requirements such as weather conditions, the system requirements of the pneumatic system, or the saturation of the drying granules in the air dryer unit. Conversely, if operational requirements permit a lower drying capacity, pneumatic flow through the primary drying chamber is sufficient to dry the compressed air supplied at the compressed air connection. In this case, the saturation of at least the secondary drying chamber is not further increased.This already results in a reduction in the duration of regeneration cycles. Furthermore, the pneumatic switching arrangement and the ability to separate the primary and secondary drying chambers allow the primary drying chamber to be regenerated individually by directing compressed air counter-currently, against the filling direction. Due to the reduced length of the dryer bed and the smaller quantity of drying granules in the primary drying chamber, compared to most drying chambers, the required duration of the regeneration cycle is also reduced. The primary drying chamber can therefore be made available again very quickly, even when completely saturated. Thus, if required, at least the primary drying chamber is always available again after short regeneration cycles, enabling the drying of compressed air.

[0019] In other words, the pneumatic switching arrangement allows the air dryer unit to be operated in at least two different operating modes. In the first operating mode, the primary drying chamber can be individually supplied with compressed air, resulting in a reduced drying capacity. The drying bed of the air dryer unit is thus formed solely by the primary drying chamber. Furthermore, a regeneration mode, corresponding to the first operating mode, allows for individual regeneration of the primary drying chamber. This regeneration takes significantly less time compared to regenerating all drying chambers in most drying units. Therefore, at least the primary drying chamber can be quickly made available again in the event of complete saturation.In a second operating mode, the primary and secondary drying chambers can be operated with sequential flow. In this second mode, a drying bed is formed by at least the primary and secondary drying chambers. This drying bed is therefore longer than the one formed in the first operating mode, resulting in a higher drying capacity in the second mode.

[0020] In this context, drying performance refers to the quantity, defined by volume or weight, of moisture removed from compressed air per unit of time by adsorption.

[0021] Pneumatic switching of the primary and secondary drying chambers refers to the selective connection and disconnection of the two drying chambers. This connection or disconnection is triggered by the switching state of at least one component of the pneumatic switching system.

[0022] An air dryer device according to the invention therefore enables the demand-based drying of the compressed air depending on the operating requirements with a sufficient degree of dryness and at the same time ensures a reduction in the duration of the regeneration cycles.

[0023] Further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims, which further develop the concept of the invention with regard to advantageous features within the scope of the problem statement and with regard to further advantages.

[0024] Preferably, a main line section is formed between the primary drying chamber and the secondary drying chamber. The pneumatic switching arrangement preferably includes a secondary air dryer protection valve located in the main line section, which is configured to selectively block and release the main line section. Due to the connection between the primary and secondary drying chambers via the main line section, the two drying chambers can, in principle, be sequentially traversed when the main line section is open. The ability to block the main line section via the secondary air dryer protection valve allows the primary and secondary drying chambers to be operated individually or in parallel.

[0025] The blocking and releasing of a pneumatic line, such as the main line section, by a switching valve is understood here to mean that the switching valve can assume at least two switching positions, wherein the switching valve blocks the pneumatic line in a first switching position and releases it in a second switching position. A switching valve, in this context, is understood to be a pneumatically or magnetically actuated switching valve that can be moved from one switching position to another by targeted actuation through energizing or applying a control pressure.

[0026] Preferably, a bypass line is connected, at least indirectly, to the primary and secondary drying chambers. The bypass line preferably extends to the supply connection. The pneumatic switching arrangement is preferably configured to selectively connect the bypass line for supplying compressed air to the primary and secondary drying chambers. Compressed air can be routed from the air dryer unit through a selected drying chamber via a bypass line that can be connected to both the primary and secondary drying chambers. Thus, a single bypass line enables both individual operation of the primary drying chamber and sequential operation of the primary and secondary drying chambers, as well as, optionally, parallel operation of both drying chambers.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, the bypass line branches off from the main line section and extends to the supply connection, with the secondary air dryer protection valve being configured to selectively connect at least the primary drying chamber and the secondary drying chamber to the bypass line. Such a secondary air dryer protection valve is preferably a 3 / 2-way valve. If, in addition to the primary and secondary drying chambers, further drying chambers are to be connected to the bypass line, alternative types of directional control valves, such as 5 / 2-way valves and the like, can be used.Thus, with just one valve, both the operational connection of the primary drying chamber and the secondary drying chamber for sequential flow through both drying chambers can be enabled, and alternatively, compressed air can be routed exclusively via the primary drying chamber from the compressor connection to the supply connection.

[0028] According to an alternative preferred embodiment, the bypass line between the secondary air dryer protection valve and the primary drying chamber branches off from the main line section and extends to the supply connection. The pneumatic switching arrangement preferably includes a bypass switching valve located in the bypass line, which is configured to selectively block and open the bypass line. Thus, the secondary air dryer protection valve can, on the one hand, block the connection between the primary and secondary drying chambers and, in this switching position, simultaneously prevent compressed air from being routed from the secondary drying chamber to the supply connection via the bypass line when the bypass switching valve is open.In the event that both the secondary air dryer protection valve and the bypass switching valve release the respective pneumatic lines, compressed air can be routed in parallel through the primary drying chamber and the secondary drying chamber and to the supply connection via the bypass line.

[0029] Preferably, the bypass line is pneumatically connected to a first end face of the primary drying chamber and to a second end face of the secondary drying chamber located axially opposite, for supplying compressed air to the supply connection. This connection of the bypass line to two axially opposite end faces enables the operation of the primary drying chamber, in which compressed air is introduced via the connector on the second end face of the air dryer and discharged from the primary drying chamber at the first end face.Alternatively, in the case of sequential flow through the primary drying chamber and the secondary drying chamber, compressed air is introduced into the primary drying chamber at the second end face of the air dryer device, passes through the primary drying chamber towards the first end face, and then flows counter-currently from the first end face towards the second end face through the secondary drying chamber, before the compressed air can exit the secondary drying chamber at the second end face and be routed to the supply connection via the bypass line.

[0030] Preferably, the bypass line has a connection point for connecting to the supply connection.

[0031] According to a further preferred embodiment, the pneumatic switching arrangement comprises a secondary air dryer protection valve arranged between the secondary drying chamber and the connection point, which is configured to selectively block and release the main line section between the secondary drying chamber and the connection point.

[0032] According to a further preferred embodiment, the bypass switching valve is a first bypass switching valve arranged between the primary drying chamber and the connection point, wherein the pneumatic switching arrangement comprises a second bypass switching valve arranged between the bypass line, in particular a bypass pipe and the primary drying chamber, which is configured to selectively block and release the bypass line.

[0033] Both embodiments share the advantage that compressed air from both the primary and secondary drying chambers can be routed to the supply connection via a common bypass line and a common connection point. Both the provision of two bypass switching valves located at different positions along the bypass line and the provision of a secondary air dryer protection valve and only one bypass switching valve allow for individual blocking of the bypass line as needed between the connection point and each of the two drying chambers. It is further preferred that the pneumatic switching arrangement is at least partially integrated into the housing. It is even more preferred that one, several, or all of the following parts of the pneumatic switching arrangement are integrated into the housing:

[0034] the secondary air dryer protection valve and the main line section, which extends at least partially through the housing part,

[0035] the (first) bypass switching valve and the bypass line, which extends at least partially through the housing part between the primary drying chamber and the connection point,

[0036] the (second) bypass switching valve and the bypass line, which extends at least partially through the housing part between the secondary drying chamber and the connection point.

[0037] This ensures a compact design of the pneumatic switching arrangement and enables easy assembly together with the housing part.

[0038] Preferably, the housing part comprises a (first) housing cover which is pneumatically connected to one of the axially facing end faces of the plurality of drying chambers for the supply of compressed air. More preferably, the housing part comprises a (second) housing cover which is pneumatically connected to one of the axially opposite end faces of the plurality of drying chambers for the supply of compressed air. Thus, a housing cover, or a first and a second housing cover, is coupled to the drying chambers, with the housing cover preferably incorporating, at least partially, the pneumatic switching arrangement. Such functional integration into the housing cover enables not only simple assembly but also a compact design of the air dryer unit. This is particularly due to the fact that the pneumatic and electrical connections are increasingly located in the area of ​​the housing cover.

[0039] Alternatively or additionally, the housing part includes a housing surrounding the majority of drying chambers.

[0040] It is further preferred that at least one of the following components is integrated into the housing part: the compressor connection and the supply connection,

[0041] a number of sensors designed to record at least one operating parameter of the compressed air in the air dryer device,

[0042] a sealing area designed to seal a contact area between at least one drying chamber and the housing part,

[0043] A mounting interface for connecting the housing section to at least one drying chamber and / or the compressor and / or the pneumatic main line. Further functional integration into the housing section makes the air dryer unit more compact and simplifies assembly. If the housing section is designed as one or two axially opposed covers, the corresponding components can, for example, be easily coupled to the cover containing the drying chambers.

[0044] It is further preferred that the operating parameter is preferably a pressure, a temperature, a humidity level, or a dew point. The number of sensors preferably includes one or more of the following: a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a humidity sensor, or a dew point sensor. By acquiring the appropriate operating parameters, it is possible to differentiate whether a long dryer bed is necessary, which requires pneumatic flow through two or more drying chambers, or whether flow through only the primary drying chamber or parallel flow through the primary and secondary drying chambers is sufficient.

[0045] Preferably, the operating parameter can also relate to a delivered air volume, which is calculated from the operating time of the motor for the compressor and the delivery pressure.

[0046] A short dryer bed, and thus the flow through only one drying chamber, is sufficient, for example, if a humidity sensor detects low humidity in the compressed air to be dried, a temperature sensor detects a lower temperature, a pressure sensor detects high pressure, or a dew point sensor registers a large distance from the dew point. This takes into account that the moisture content in the compressed air increases with rising temperature. Similarly, the relative humidity of the compressed air increases with increased pressure. A large distance from the dew point, however, ensures that the moisture in the compressed air does not condense and thus freeze due to low ambient temperatures.By monitoring one or more of these operating parameters using sensors, the air dryer system can be operated according to demand. Furthermore, temperature and relative humidity influence the water absorption capacity of the drying granules. Monitoring these operating parameters also allows for optimization of the air dryer system's regeneration process.

[0047] Preferably, the drying chambers are each formed by an axially extending tube, which is closed at least at one end face (or first end face) by the housing part and connected to at least one adjacent tube. Thus, the drying chambers can be formed by structurally simple components, namely tubes. These tubes can then be coupled to the housing part and connected to each other to create a composite structure. Preferably, the majority of the tubes are arranged adjacent to each other in the radial and / or axial direction.

[0048] Preferably, at least one pipe is designed as a double pipe and comprises an inner pipe and an outer pipe surrounding the inner pipe, which can be selectively connected to the compressor connection or the supply connection. Such a double pipe allows the length of the dryer bed to be increased while maintaining a very compact design.

[0049] Preferably, a first set of the plurality of pipes has a first diameter, and a second set of the plurality of pipes has a second diameter that differs from the first. Thus, by appropriately selecting a reduced diameter for the primary drying chamber, the duration of the regeneration cycle, specifically for the primary drying chamber, can be further reduced. However, by forming the secondary drying chamber with a pipe from the second set of the plurality of pipes, with the second diameter being larger than the first, sufficient drying capacity is still ensured when the fluid flows through both drying chambers. It is also possible for the air dryer assembly to be variably configured with pipes of different lengths, which are closed and connected by at least one housing cover.Thus, the air dryer unit is modular in design and the length of the drying bed can be determined by selecting a correspondingly long pipe, each of which has at least one drying chamber.

[0050] The air dryer device preferably further comprises a bypass pipe extending axially and coupled to the housing part at its end faces. This bypass pipe can be connected, at least selectively, to the compressor connection and the supply connection via the pneumatic switching arrangement. The bypass pipe is preferably coupled to the housing part at both its first and second end faces. Such a bypass pipe is preferably not filled with drying granules. This bypass pipe allows either a backflow or the routing of compressed air from the compressor connection to the supply connection, bypassing the drying granules in the majority of drying chambers. This prevents further saturation of the drying granules if the weather conditions do not necessitate drying the compressed air.

[0051] Preferably, the air dryer unit further comprises a vent line connection that can be connected to a vent connection of the compressed air supply system and is configured to discharge compressed air, which is fed from the supply connection in counterflow against the filling direction into the air dryer unit, towards the vent connection. The pneumatic switching arrangement is preferably configured to selectively connect one, several, or all of the following components to the vent line connection:

[0052] the primary drying chamber,

[0053] the secondary drying chamber,

[0054] the bypass pipe. Thus, compressed air can be routed from the air dryer unit to the vent connection via at least the primary drying chamber or the secondary drying chamber or the bypass pipe.

[0055] The invention solves the aforementioned problem in a second aspect by means of a housing cover according to claim 13. In particular, the invention proposes a housing cover for an air dryer device with a plurality of drying chambers, especially for an air dryer device according to the first aspect of the invention. The housing cover comprises:

[0056] at least one pneumatic connection, which includes at least one of the following: a pneumatic compressor connection for connecting to a compressor and a pneumatic supply connection for connecting to a pneumatic line,

[0057] at least one section of a pneumatic switching arrangement configured to connect at least one of the pneumatic connections for the flow to at least one primary drying chamber or one secondary drying chamber of the plurality of drying chambers, preferably the primary drying chamber and the secondary drying chamber, and to selectively separate and connect the primary drying chamber and the secondary drying chamber from each other, such that the primary drying chamber and the secondary drying chamber can be operated individually with compressed air or sequentially through which air can flow.

[0058] Through a suitable pneumatic switching arrangement, which can be coupled to at least one primary and one secondary drying chamber of a plurality of drying chambers, the housing cover adopts the advantages described above with regard to the first aspect of the invention. Advantages and preferred embodiments described with regard to the housing part or the housing cover forming such a housing part are therefore also advantages and preferred embodiments of the housing cover according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0059] The invention solves the aforementioned problem in a third aspect by means of a compressed air supply system according to claim 14. In particular, the invention proposes that such a compressed air supply system of a vehicle, especially a passenger car, comprises:

[0060] a compressed air connection for connecting to a compressor,

[0061] a compressed air supply connection for connecting a pneumatic system, a pneumatic main line which is designed to carry compressed air in a filling direction from the compressed air connection to the compressed air supply connection, and

[0062] an air dryer device arranged in the pneumatic main line according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the compressor connection is connected to the pneumatic main line upstream of the air dryer device in the filling direction and the supply connection is connected to the pneumatic main line downstream of the air dryer device in the filling direction.

[0063] By means of an air dryer device according to the first aspect of the invention, the compressed air supply system benefits from the advantages described above in relation to the first aspect of the invention. Advantages and preferred embodiments of the air dryer device according to the first aspect of the invention are therefore also advantages and preferred embodiments of the compressed air supply system according to the third aspect of the invention.

[0064] The invention solves the aforementioned problem in a fourth aspect by means of a vehicle according to claim 15.

[0065] In particular, the invention proposes that such a vehicle, especially a passenger car, comprises a compressor, a compressed air supply system according to the first aspect of the invention, which is connected to the compressor via the compressed air connection, a pneumatic system connected to the compressed air supply connection of the compressed air supply system, and a control device. By means of a corresponding compressed air supply system, the vehicle benefits from the advantages described above with regard to the first aspect of the invention. The advantages and preferred embodiments of the air dryer according to the first aspect of the invention are therefore also advantages and preferred embodiments of the vehicle according to the fourth aspect of the invention.

[0066] Invention. The invention solves the problem shown at the outset in a fifth aspect by a method according to claim 16. Such a method for operating an air dryer device for a compressed air supply system of a vehicle, in particular a passenger car, comprises the selective operation of the air dryer device for drying at least one filling of drying granules with the steps:

[0067] Receiving compressed air from a compressor at a pneumatic compressor connection,

[0068] Guiding compressed air through at least one primary drying chamber of a plurality of drying chambers extending in an axial direction, each containing drying granules, wherein the guiding of compressed air through at least the primary drying chamber comprises controlling the air dryer device by a pneumatic switching arrangement in at least two different operating modes of a plurality of operating modes.

[0069] Guiding compressed air through at least one primary drying chamber of the plurality of drying chambers preferably comprises the following sub-steps in a first operating mode:

[0070] a1) selective connection of the compressor connection to at least one primary drying chamber, preferably the primary drying chamber and a secondary drying chamber, for the flow of compressed air,

[0071] b1) selectively connecting the primary drying chamber and the secondary drying chamber to guide the compressed air sequentially through the primary drying chamber and the secondary drying chamber,

[0072] c1) selective connection of the supply connection to the secondary drying chamber of the majority of drying chambers, for the flow of compressed air.

[0073] Furthermore, guiding the compressed air through at least the primary drying chamber in a second operating mode includes the following sub-steps:

[0074] a2) selective connection of the compressor connection to at least one primary drying chamber for the flow of compressed air,

[0075] b2) selective separation of the primary drying chamber and the secondary drying chamber to direct the compressed air exclusively through the primary drying chamber, c2) selective connection of the supply connection to the primary drying chamber of the majority of drying chambers.

[0076] Furthermore, a third operating mode is preferred and includes the following sub-steps:

[0077] a3) selective connection of the compressor connection at least to the primary drying chamber and the secondary drying chamber for the flow of compressed air,

[0078] b3) selective separation of the primary drying chamber and the secondary drying chamber for spatially separate routing of the compressed air through the primary drying chamber and the secondary drying chamber,

[0079] c3) selective connection of the supply connection to the primary drying chamber and the secondary drying chamber of the majority of drying chambers,

[0080] for the flow of compressed air,

[0081] Providing compressed air at the supply connection.

[0082] It should be understood that the individual steps are preferably carried out depending on the control of the compressed air supply system by a control device. Furthermore, the individual steps can also be carried out sequentially, so that compressed air is initially passed sequentially through the primary and secondary drying chambers, then, if required, compressed air is passed exclusively through the primary drying chamber, and at a later point, compressed air is passed through the primary drying chamber in parallel if required. The corresponding control of the pneumatic switching arrangement for carrying out the individual steps is preferably carried out by a control device depending on operating parameters, which are detected by one or more sensors. Alternatively or additionally, the compressed air supply system is controlled by a mathematical simulation model.

[0083] Preferably, the method further comprises the selective operation of the air dryer device in a regeneration operating mode, which includes the following steps:

[0084] Receiving compressed air from the pneumatic main line at a pneumatic supply connection, guiding the compressed air through at least one primary drying chamber of a plurality of drying chambers extending in an axial direction, each containing a drying granulate, wherein guiding the compressed air through at least the primary drying chamber comprises controlling the air dryer device by a pneumatic switching arrangement, in particular for operation in at least two different regeneration operating modes of a plurality of regeneration operating modes, with the following sub-steps:

[0085] Release of compressed air via the vent line connection.

[0086] The process of guiding compressed air at least through the primary drying chamber preferably includes, particularly in a first regeneration operating mode, the following steps:

[0087] e1) selective connection of the supply connection to at least one primary drying chamber, preferably the primary drying chamber and a secondary drying chamber, for the flow of compressed air,

[0088] f1) selectively connecting the primary drying chamber and the secondary drying chamber to guide the compressed air sequentially through the primary drying chamber and the secondary drying chamber,

[0089] g1) selective connection of the vent line connection to the secondary drying chamber of the majority of drying chambers, for the flow of compressed air.

[0090] Further preferred, especially for operation in a second regeneration operating mode, are those that include the following sub-steps:

[0091] e2) selective connection of the supply connection to at least one primary drying chamber for the flow of compressed air,

[0092] f2) selective separation of the primary drying chamber and the secondary drying chamber to direct the compressed air exclusively through the primary drying chamber,

[0093] g2) selective connection of a vent line connection to the primary drying chamber of the majority of drying chambers.

[0094] Further preferred, especially for operation in a third regeneration operating mode, are the following steps: e3) selectively connecting the supply connection at least to the primary drying chamber and the secondary drying chamber for the flow of compressed air,

[0095] f3) selective separation of the primary drying chamber and the secondary drying chamber for spatially separate routing of the compressed air through the primary drying chamber and the secondary drying chamber,

[0096] g3) selective connection of the vent line connection to the primary drying chamber and the secondary drying chamber of the majority of drying chambers.

[0097] This means that the regeneration of the majority of drying chambers can be controlled according to demand.

[0098] Embodiments of the invention are now described below with reference to the drawings and comparison with the prior art, some of which is also shown. These drawings are not necessarily to scale; rather, where explanatory, they are presented in a schematic and / or slightly distorted form. For further details regarding the teachings directly apparent from the drawings, reference is made to the relevant prior art. It should be noted that numerous modifications and changes concerning the form and details of an embodiment can be made without deviating from the general idea of ​​the invention. The features of the invention disclosed in the description, the drawings, and the claims can be essential for the further development of the invention, both individually and in any combination.Furthermore, the invention encompasses all combinations of at least two of the features disclosed in the description, the drawing, and / or the claims. The general idea of ​​the invention is not limited to the exact shape or detail of the preferred embodiment shown and described below, nor is it limited to an object that would be restricted compared to the object claimed in the claims. For specified dimensioning ranges, values ​​lying within the stated limits are also disclosed as limit values ​​and are freely usable and claimable. Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments and from the drawing; this is shown in:

[0099] Fig. 1: a vehicle with a pneumatic system according to a preferred embodiment;

[0100] Fig. 2: a pneumatic system with a compressed air supply system according to a preferred embodiment;

[0101] Fig. 3: an air dryer device for a compressed air supply system according to Fig. 2 in a first preferred embodiment;

[0102] Fig. 4: an air dryer device for a compressed air supply system in a second preferred embodiment;

[0103] Fig. 5a: a schematic representation of an air dryer device according to a third embodiment in a first flow-through state;

[0104] Fig. 5b: a schematic representation of an air dryer device according to a third embodiment in a second flow state;

[0105] Fig. 5c: a schematic representation of an air dryer device according to a third embodiment in a third flow state;

[0106] Fig. 5d: a schematic representation of an air dryer device according to a third embodiment in a fourth flow state,

[0107] Fig. 6a: a housing part for an air dryer device according to Fig. 2

[0108] up to Fig. 5d in a first embodiment;

[0109] Fig. 6b: a housing part for an air dryer device according to Fig. 3 and Fig. 5a to Fig. 5d in a second embodiment; Fig. 7: a schematic method for operating an air dryer device according to Fig. 2 to Fig. 5d;

[0110] Fig. 8: a schematic method for operating an air dryer device according to Figs. 2 to 5d in a second embodiment.

[0111] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle FZ. The vehicle FZ is, in particular, a passenger car P, which includes a pneumatic system PS and a control unit ECU. The control unit ECU is configured to control the pneumatic system PS.

[0112] Fig. 2 shows an exemplary pneumatic system PS with a compressor 100, a compressed air supply system 200 and a pneumatic system 300. A corresponding pneumatic system PS is also referred to as a "Quick Release System".

[0113] The compressor 100 is equipped with a suction line 10 and a suction port 0 for drawing compressed air DL from the environment A. The compressor 100 comprises a reciprocating piston unit 110 and an electric motor 120 for driving the reciprocating piston unit. The compressor 100 is configured to supply the compressed air DL, compressed by the reciprocating piston unit 110, to a compressed air port 1. The compressed air supply system 200 is connected to the compressed air port 1 to receive the compressed compressed air DL.

[0114] The compressed air supply system 200 has, in addition to compressed air connection 1, a compressed air supply connection 2, to which the pneumatic system 300 is connected for receiving compressed air DL. A pneumatic main line 12 extends between compressed air connection 1 and compressed air supply connection 2, through which compressed air DL is conveyed in a filling direction B to compressed air supply connection 2. An air dryer LT is arranged in the pneumatic main line 12, which is configured to dry the compressed air DL conveyed through the pneumatic main line.

[0115] Furthermore, the compressed air supply system 200 preferably includes a vent connection 3 through which compressed air DL can be released to the environment A. A vent line 13 branches off from the pneumatic main line 12 between the compressed air connection 1 and the air dryer unit LT and extends to the vent connection 3. A throttle D is also arranged between the air dryer unit LT and the compressed air supply connection 2.

[0116] The compressed air supply system 200 also includes a venting valve arrangement EV, which is designed to selectively release the venting line 13.

[0117] The venting valve assembly EV comprises a venting valve EV1, which is designed as a pneumatically actuated 2 / 2-way valve and is arranged in the venting line 13. The venting valve assembly EV also comprises a pilot valve EV2, to which a pilot pressure line 14 is assigned. This pilot pressure line branches off to the pneumatic main line 12 between the air dryer unit LT and the throttle D. The pilot valve EV2 is configured to apply a pilot pressure DS to the venting valve EV1 by supplying compressed air DL from the pneumatic main line 12. This allows the venting valve to move from the closed position shown in Fig. 2 to a release position, in which the venting line 13 can be pneumatically traversed in a venting direction E, so that compressed air can be released to the environment A via the vent port 3.Furthermore, the pilot valve EV2 is assigned a valve vent line 15, through which compressed air DL with the control pressure DS, which was used to actuate the vent valve EV1, can be vented into the environment A.

[0118] To vent the pneumatic system 300, compressed air DL is directed in a venting direction E, i.e., counterflow G against the filling direction B, from the compressed air supply connection 2 into the pneumatic main line 12 and first flows through the throttle D. The throttle D expands the compressed air DL, which is directed in venting direction E, and thus reduces its relative humidity before the compressed air DL flows into the air dryer unit LT. In the air dryer unit LT, the dry compressed air DL, which is directed in venting direction E, absorbs some of the moisture bound in a drying granulate (see Fig. 3 and Fig. 4).

[0119] The compressed air DL returned in the venting direction E is then discharged to the environment A via the vent line 13. The pneumatic system 300 is preferably a sensor cleaning unit 301 or a level control device 302. In the case of a sensor cleaning device 301, compressed air DL for regenerating the air dryer unit LT does not flow back from the actuators of the sensor cleaning unit 301 itself, but can be supplied, for example, by a separately filled reservoir. Furthermore, separate piping arrangements of the compressed air supply system or the pneumatic system for returning dried compressed air to the pneumatic main line 12 in counterflow G are possible.

[0120] Corresponding arrangements are shown, for example, in the German patent applications with the application numbers 102023 119856.4, 102023119858.0, 102023119855.6, 102023 119857.2 and 102023 119859.9.

[0121] In a level control system 302, dried compressed air is returned to the compressed air supply system 200 in the venting direction E for the purpose of venting, for example, air spring bellows (not shown).

[0122] Fig. 3 shows a first embodiment of the air dryer device LT in detail.

[0123] The air dryer LT comprises an air dryer unit LE with a plurality of drying chambers 210 filled with a drying granulate filling 212. A primary drying chamber 210.1 and a secondary drying chamber 210.2 are shown here. Additional drying chambers may be present.

[0124] The primary drying chamber 210.1 has a first outlet opening 216.1 on a first end face 213 and a first inlet opening 215.1 on a second end face 214.

[0125] The secondary drying chamber 210.2 has a second outlet opening 216.2 on the first end face 213 and a second inlet opening 215.2 on the second end face.

[0126] The majority of drying chambers 210 are configured as a plurality of tubes 217. The majority of drying chambers 210 extend in the axial direction A, and the primary drying chamber 210.1 and the secondary drying chamber 210.2 shown here are arranged adjacent to each other in the radial direction R.

[0127] The air dryer unit LT further comprises a compressor connection 1.1 for connection to the compressor 100 or the compressed air connection 1, a supply connection 2.1 for connection to the pneumatic main line 12 and for supplying compressed air to the compressed air supply connection 2, and a vent line connection 3.1. The vent line connection 3.1 is designed for connection to the vent line 13. Compressed air DL is thus received from the compressor 100 via the compressor connection 1.1 for filling a pneumatic system 300 (see Fig. 2). This compressed air DL is passed through at least the primary drying chamber 210.1 of the majority of drying chambers 210 for drying and is made available at the supply connection 2.1 for supplying the pneumatic system 300 via the compressed air supply connection 2. For the regeneration of the air dryer unit LE, dry compressed air is supplied at supply connection 2.1 and directed in the venting direction E (see below).Fig. 2) through at least the primary drying chamber 210.1 of the majority of drying chambers 210 and via the vent line connection 3.1 into the vent line 13 (see Fig. 2) and discharged to the environment A via the vent connection 3.

[0128] The air dryer unit LE further comprises a housing part 220, which in this case includes a first housing cover 221 and a second housing cover 222. The first housing cover 221 is coupled to the first end face 213 with the plurality of drying chambers 210. The second housing cover 222 is coupled to the second end face 214 with the plurality of drying chambers 210. A contact area 227 is formed between the respective housing covers 221 and 222 and the plurality of drying chambers 210.

[0129] Furthermore, the air dryer unit LT includes a pneumatic switching arrangement 230. The pneumatic switching arrangement 230 is designed to control the distribution of compressed air and the pressurization of the individual drying chambers or multiple drying chambers 210.

[0130] The pneumatic switching arrangement 230 comprises a secondary air dryer protection valve 231, which is arranged in a main line section 21. The main line section 21 is configured for pneumatically flowing connection between the primary drying chamber 210.1 and the secondary drying chamber 210.2. The secondary air dryer protection valve 231 allows the primary drying chamber 210.1 to be selectively isolated from the secondary drying chamber 210.2. In this case, the secondary air dryer protection valve is a 2 / 2-way valve 235, which, in a preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 3, is configured as a normally closed 2 / 2-way valve. When energized, the 2 / 2-way valve 235 opens the main line section 21.

[0131] At a junction Z1, a bypass line 22 branches off from the main line section 21 between the primary drying chamber 210.1 and the secondary air dryer protection valve 231. The bypass line 22 extends towards the supply connection 2.1. A bypass switching valve 232 is arranged in the bypass line 22. By means of the bypass line 22 and the bypass switching valve 232, the primary drying chamber 210.1 and the secondary drying chamber 210.2 can be selectively connected to the supply connection 2.1 via the first outlet opening 216.1 and via the second outlet opening 216.2, respectively.

[0132] The main conduit section 21 preferably extends to the second end face 214 of the secondary drying chamber 201.2 and is connected to it via the second inlet opening 215.2 for supplying compressed air DL.

[0133] The bypass line 22 has a connection point Z2 for connecting to the supply connection 2.1. The bypass switching valve 232 is arranged between the branch point Z1 and the connection point Z2 in the bypass line 22.

[0134] Furthermore, the pneumatic switching arrangement 230 includes a secondary non-return valve 233, which is arranged in the main line section 21 between the connection point Z2 and the second inlet opening 215.2 of the secondary drying chamber 210.2. The secondary non-return valve 233 thus selectively blocks the pneumatic connection between the secondary drying chamber 210.2, via its second end face 214 and the second inlet opening 215.2 formed therein, and the supply connection 2.1 via the main line section 21.

[0135] To operate the air dryer LT in such a way that only the primary drying chamber 210.1 is to be operated with individual pneumatic flow, compressed air is fed into the primary drying chamber 210.1 via the compressor connection 1.1 and enters the main line section 21. In this case, the secondary air dryer protection valve 231 blocks the main line section 21, so that the compressed air DL is not fed further into the secondary drying chamber 210.2. Instead, the compressed air DL flows via the bypass line 22 branching off at the junction Z1, which is opened by the first bypass switching valve 232, to the supply connection 2.1.

[0136] For the sequential flow through the primary drying chamber 210.1 and the secondary drying chamber 210.2, compressed air DL is fed from the compressor connection 1.1 into the primary drying chamber 210.1 and from there via the main line section 21, which is released by the secondary air dryer protection valve 231, into the secondary drying chamber 210.2. The bypass switching valve 232 blocks the bypass line 22 between the branch point Z1 and the connection point Z2.

[0137] In a preferred embodiment, the compressed air DL flows through the secondary drying chamber 210.2 in a direction opposite to the flow direction in the primary drying chamber 210.1. In other embodiments, flow through the secondary drying chamber 210.2 in the direction of flow is also possible. The compressed air DL exits the secondary drying chamber 210.2 via the second inlet opening 215.2 and is routed to the bypass line 22. The main line section is opened between connection point Z2 and the second inlet opening 215.2 by the secondary check valve 233. The secondary check valve 233 serves, among other things, to prevent moisture contamination by opening the second inlet opening 215.2 when the first bypass switching valve 232 is activated. This applies both during drying and during venting.

[0138] The non-return valve 233 and the bypass switching valve 232 are preferably 2 / 2-way valves. It should be understood that alternative configurations of the non-return valve 233 and the bypass switching valve 232, for example a combination in a 3 / 2-way valve, are also within the scope of the invention. It is further preferred that the second inlet opening 215.2 of the secondary drying chamber 210.2 is also connected to the compressor connection 1.1 and preferably also to the vent line connection 3.1 via a compressor line section 25. However, the flow direction must be kept constant during operation.

[0139] The compressor line section 25 preferably connects to the compressor connection line 23 and the vent connection line 24.

[0140] A distribution switching valve 234 is preferably arranged in the compressor line section 25. The distribution switching valve 234 of the pneumatic switching arrangement 230 is configured to connect the first end face 214 of the secondary drying chamber 210.2, and in particular the second inlet opening 215.2, to the compressor connection 1.1 and the vent line connection 3.1 as required. Thus, the primary drying chamber 210.1 and the secondary drying chamber 210.2 can also be operated with parallel flow as required, both for supplying compressed air at the supply connection 2.1 and for regenerating the drying chambers 210.

[0141] Compressed air DL can thus be routed via compressor connection 1.1 to the first inlet opening 215.1 and via compressor line section 25 to the second inlet opening 215.2, flowing in parallel through the primary drying chamber 210.1 and the secondary drying chamber 210.2. The main line section 21 is opened by the secondary air dryer protection valve 231, allowing compressed air DL from the primary drying chamber 210.1 and the secondary drying chamber 210.2 to flow via the main line section 21 and the branch point Z1 into the bypass line 22. The bypass switching valve 232 then opens the bypass line 22, allowing the compressed air DL to be routed via connection point Z2 towards the supply connection 2.1. The first inlet opening 215.1 is connected to the compressor connection 1 via a compressor connection line 23.1 connected and connected to the vent connection 3.1 via a vent connection line 24.

[0142] It is further preferred that the air dryer LT comprises sensors 240 for detecting operating parameters S. These operating parameters S are preferably provided to the control unit ECU (see Fig. 1) and include, for example, a temperature ST, a pressure SP, a humidity SH, or a dew point Tp. The control unit ECU is then configured to provide control signals Sv for controlling the pneumatic switching arrangement 230 based on the detected operating parameters S.

[0143] The pneumatic switching arrangement 230 is integrated, at least partially, and preferably completely, into the housing part 210, i.e., the first housing cover 221 and the second housing cover 222, as shown in Fig. 3. Preferably, at least one of the sensors 240 is also integrated into the housing part 220.

[0144] Fig. 4 shows a second embodiment of the air dryer device LT. Identical or similar components have identical reference numerals, and reference is made to the detailed description of the air dryer device LT according to Fig. 3, with only the differences between the two embodiments being discussed.

[0145] The air dryer device LT according to Fig. 4 differs from the previous embodiment with regard to the design of the secondary air dryer safety valve 231. The secondary air dryer safety valve 231 is designed here as a 3 / 2-way valve 236. In the switching state shown in Fig. 4, the 3 / 2-way valve is configured to pneumatically connect the primary drying chamber 210.1 to the secondary drying chamber 210.2. The primary drying chamber 210.1 is thereby separated from the bypass line 22. In a second switching position of the 3 / 2-way valve 236 (not shown), it connects the line section to the main line section 21 between the primary drying chamber 210.1 and the secondary air dryer protection valve 231 with the connection point 22, so that only compressed air DL can flow from the primary drying chamber 210.1 towards the supply connection 2.1.

[0146] Furthermore, the second inlet opening 215.2 of the secondary drying chamber 210.2 is not connected to the compressor connection 1.1 via the compressor line section 225 and the distribution switching valve 234. Compressed air DL can therefore either be routed exclusively to the supply connection 2.1 via the primary drying chamber 210.1 or via the sequentially flowed primary drying chamber 210.1 and secondary drying chamber 210.2, whereby the compressed air DL exits the secondary drying chamber 210.1 at the second end face 214 via the second inlet opening 215.2 and is routed via the bypass line 22 to the connection point Z2 and from there to the supply connection 2.1. The main line section 21 between the second inlet opening 215.2 and the connection point Z2 is opened or closed as required by the secondary backflow shut-off valve 233 in a known manner.

[0147] Furthermore, the embodiment shown in Fig. 4 differs in that the housing part 220 is designed as an integral housing 223, which surrounds the majority of drying chambers 210.

[0148] Figs. 5a - 5d show a third embodiment of the air dryer device LT in varying flow conditions with regard to the compressed air guidance.

[0149] As illustrated in Figs. 5a - 5d, the drying chambers 210.1 and 210.2 each have a length L, which is preferably identical. Furthermore, the primary drying chamber 210.1 has a first diameter D1 and the secondary drying chamber 210.2 has a second diameter D2.

[0150] The primary drying chamber 210.1 and the secondary drying chamber 210.2 are preferably designed as tubes 217 and are connected at their end faces 213, 214 (see Fig. 3) to the first cover 221 and the second housing cover 222.

[0151] Furthermore, the air dryer device LT preferably comprises a bypass pipe 218, which also extends in the axial direction A (see Fig. 3) and has a length L. The bypass pipe 218 is coupled to the first housing cover 221 at the first end face 213 (see Fig. 3) and to the second housing cover 222 at the second end face 214 (see Fig. 3). The bypass pipe 218 has a bypass diameter DB.

[0152] The first diameter D1 and the second diameter D2 may preferably differ from each other. Furthermore, the bypass diameter DB is preferably smaller than the first diameter D1 and the second diameter D2. Preferably, at least one of the drying chambers, in this case the secondary drying chamber 210.2, may also be designed as a double tube 219 with an inner tube 219.1 and an outer tube 219.2.

[0153] The pneumatic switching arrangement 230 is preferably integrated into the housing covers 221 , 222 in Fig. 5a - Fig. 5d.

[0154] The sensors 240 are preferably a temperature sensor 241 and / or a pressure sensor 242 and / or a humidity sensor 243 and / or a dew point sensor 244, which are only schematically indicated here.

[0155] Figure 5a shows the air dryer LT operating in a sequential mode, in which compressed air supplied at compressor connection 1.1 first flows sequentially through the optional bypass pipe 218, then through the primary drying chamber 210.1, and finally through the secondary drying chamber 210.2, before being supplied to the supply connection 2.1. The bypass pipe 218 and the primary drying chamber 210.1 are preferably connected to each other via a second bypass switching valve 237 of the pneumatic switching arrangement 230. The bypass switching valve 232, located in the bypass line between the branch point and the connection point, is a first bypass switching valve 232.

[0156] Fig. 5b shows the air dryer unit LT in a single-unit operating mode, in which compressed air from compressor connection 1.1 is routed exclusively through the primary drying chamber 210.1 to the supply connection 2.1. The saturation of the secondary drying chamber 210.2 does not progress further.

[0157] Fig. 5c shows the air dryer device LT in a parallel operating mode, in which compressed air from the compressor connection 1.1 is routed in parallel through the primary drying chamber 210.1 and the secondary drying chamber 210.2 to the supply connection 2.1.

[0158] In Fig. 5d, compressed air in a bypass operating mode is routed from compressor connection 1.1, bypassing most of the drying chamber 210, exclusively via the bypass pipe 218 to the supply connection 2.1. It should be understood that compressed air can alternatively also be routed in counterflow G through the air dryer unit LT. Thus, in the flow state shown in Fig. 5a, it is possible to route compressed air supplied at the supply connection 2.1 via the secondary drying chamber 210.2, the primary drying chamber 210.1, and finally the bypass pipe 218 to the vent line connection 3.1, thereby absorbing some of the moisture bound in the drying granules (not shown, see Fig. 3).

[0159] In Fig. 5b, compressed air for regenerating the primary drying chamber 210.1 can be routed from supply port 2.1 exclusively through the primary drying chamber 210.1 to the vent port 3.1. In Fig. 5c, compressed air for regenerating the primary drying chamber 210.1 and the secondary drying chamber 210.2 can be routed in parallel through both drying chambers 210.1 and 210.2 to the vent port 3.1. In Fig. 5d, compressed air for venting the pneumatic system, in the event that regeneration of the drying granules of the air dryer unit LE is not required, can also be routed directly from supply port 2.1 to the vent port 3.1 via the bypass pipe 218.

[0160] Figures 6a and 6b show two different embodiments of the first housing cover 221. The first housing cover 221 has the first outlet opening 216.1 for the primary drying chamber 210.1 (see Figure 3) and the second outlet opening 216.2 for the secondary drying chamber 210.2 (see Figure 3). Furthermore, the first housing cover 221 includes a sealing area 224, which corresponds to the contact area 227 (see Figure 3) of the drying chambers 210 with the housing cover 221. The first housing cover 221 also includes a plurality of mounting interfaces 225 for coupling the housing cover 221 with the plurality of drying chambers 210, or with other components of the compressed air supply system 200 (see Figure 2).

[0161] In Fig. 6a, the radial extent of the sealing area 224 exceeds the contact area 227 between the respective primary and secondary drying chambers 210.1 and 210.2, thus enabling combination with drying chambers 210 designed as tubes 217 with different diameters. In Fig. 6b, the sealing area is divided into a first sealing area 224.1 and a second sealing area 224.2. The housing cover shown in Fig. 6b is designed for use with a drying chamber 210 configured as a double tube 219 (see Figs. 5a-5d). The first, outer sealing area 224.1 seals an outer contact area of ​​the outer tube 219.1, and the inner sealing area 224.2 covers the contact area 227 of the inner tube 219.2.

[0162] Fig. 7 shows a method for operating an air dryer device LT, as shown in Fig. 3 to Fig. 5d.

[0163] Method 1000 according to Fig. 7 comprises operating the air dryer device LT in an air drying plant BT. In a first step 1100, method 1000 comprises receiving compressed air DL from the compressor 100 at the pneumatic compressor connection 1.1. In a second step 1200, the method comprises passing the compressed air DL through at least the primary drying chamber 210.1 or the plurality of drying chambers 210.

[0164] The second step 1200 includes guiding the compressed air DL in at least two, preferably three different operating modes B1, B2, B3.

[0165] In the first operating mode B1, a first sub-step 1210 relates to the selective connection of the compressor connection to at least the primary drying chamber, preferably to the primary drying chamber 210.1 and the secondary drying chamber 210.2, for the flow of compressed air DL. In a second sub-step 1220 in the first operating mode B1, the method 1000 comprises the selective connection of the primary drying chamber and the secondary drying chamber for guiding the compressed air DL sequentially through both drying chambers 210.1, 210.2. In a third sub-step 1230 in the first operating mode B1, the method 1000 comprises the selective connection of the supply connection to the secondary drying chamber 210.2 for the flow of compressed air DL.

[0166] In the second operating mode B2, the routing of the compressed air through at least the primary drying chamber 210.1 of the plurality of drying chambers 210 preferably comprises, as a first sub-step 1240 of the second variant, the selective connection of the compressor connection at least with the primary drying chamber for the flow of compressed air DL, in a second sub-step 1250 the selective separation of the primary drying chamber 210.1 and the secondary drying chamber 210.2 to route the compressed air DL exclusively through the primary drying chamber 210.1, and in a third sub-step 1260 the selective connection of the supply connection with the primary drying chamber 210.1.

[0167] In the third operating mode B3, the process of guiding the compressed air through at least the first of the plurality of drying chambers 210 comprises, in a first sub-step 1270, the selective connection of the compressor port to at least the primary drying chamber 210.1 and the secondary drying chamber 210.2 for the flow of compressed air DL; in a second sub-step 1280, the selective separation of the primary drying chamber and the secondary drying chamber to spatially separate the flow of compressed air DL through the primary drying chamber 210.1 and the secondary drying chamber 210.2; and in a third sub-step 1290, the selective connection of the supply port 2.1 to the primary drying chamber 210.1 and the secondary drying chamber 210.2 for the flow of compressed air DL. In a third step 1300, the process 1000 comprises providing the compressed air DL at the supply port 2.1.

[0168] Fig. 8 shows a second embodiment of the method 2000, which preferably follows the operation in the regeneration mode BR after the operation in the drying mode BT according to the method 1000.

[0169] The method 2000 comprises, in a first step 2100, receiving compressed air DL from the pneumatic main line 12 at the supply connection 2.1. In a second step 2200, the method 2000 comprises guiding the compressed air DL through at least one primary drying chamber of the plurality of drying chambers 210, wherein the guiding of the compressed air includes controlling the air dryer device LT by the pneumatic switching arrangement 230.

[0170] The second step 2200 includes guiding the compressed air DL in at least two, preferably three different regeneration operating modes BR1, BR2, BR3.

[0171] In a first regeneration operating mode BR1, the process of guiding compressed air DL through the drying chamber 210 comprises, in a first sub-step 2210, the selective connection of the supply port 2.1 to at least the primary drying chamber 210.1 for the flow of compressed air DL. In a second sub-step 2220, the process 2000 comprises the selective connection of the primary drying chamber 210.1 and the secondary drying chamber 210.2 for the sequential guidance of compressed air DL through the primary drying chamber 210.1. In a third sub-step 2230, the process 2000 comprises the selective connection of the vent line port 3.1 to the secondary drying chamber 210.2 for the flow of compressed air DL.

[0172] In a second regeneration operating mode BR2, a first sub-step 2160 involves the selective connection of the supply port 2.1 at least with the primary drying chamber 210.1 for the flow of compressed air DL, and in a second sub-step 2250 the selective separation of the primary drying chamber 210.1 and the secondary drying chamber 210.2 to allow the compressed air DL to pass exclusively through the primary drying chamber 210.2, and in a third sub-step 2260 the selective connection of the vent line port 3.1 with the primary drying chamber 210.1.

[0173] In a third regeneration operating mode BR3, a first sub-step 2270 involves the selective connection of the supply connection 2.1 to at least the primary drying chamber and the secondary drying chamber 210.2 for the flow rate DL, a second sub-step 2280 involves the selective separation of the primary drying chamber 210.1 and the secondary drying chamber 210.2 to spatially separate the compressed air DL through the primary drying chamber 210.1 and the secondary drying chamber 210.2, and a third sub-step 2290 involves the selective connection of the vent line connection 3.1 to the primary drying chamber 210.1 and the secondary drying chamber 210.2.

[0174] In a third step 2300, the procedure 2000 includes the release of compressed air DL via the vent line connection 3.1.

[0175] In summary, the invention relates to an air dryer device for a compressed air supply system of a vehicle, in particular a passenger car. Such an air dryer device comprises a pneumatic compressor connection, a pneumatic supply connection for connection to a pneumatic main line, and an air dryer unit with a plurality of drying chambers extending in an axial direction, each containing drying granules, and at least one housing part which is coupled to at least one end face of each of the plurality of drying chambers.The invention proposes a pneumatic switching arrangement configured to pneumatically connect the compressor connection to at least one primary drying chamber and the supply connection selectively to at least one primary drying chamber and one secondary drying chamber for the flow of compressed air, wherein the pneumatic switching arrangement is configured to selectively switch the primary drying chamber and the secondary drying chamber pneumatically in such a way that, as required by operation, the primary drying chamber and the secondary drying chamber can each be individually supplied with compressed air, and the primary drying chamber and the secondary drying chamber can be operated with sequential flow.

[0176] Other variations of the disclosed embodiments can be understood and carried out by a person skilled in the art when carrying out the claimed invention with reference to the drawings, the disclosure and the accompanying claims.

[0177] In the claims, the word "comprehensive" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

[0178] A single unit or device can perform the functions of several elements listed in the claims. The fact that certain measures are listed in different interdependent claims does not mean that a combination of these measures cannot be advantageous.

[0179] Any reference numerals in the claims are not to be understood as limiting the scope of application. Reference numeral list (part of the description)

[0180] 0 Intake port

[0181] 1 compressed air connection

[0182] 1.1 Compressor connection

[0183] 2 Compressed air supply connection 2.1 Supply connection

[0184] 3 vent connection

[0185] 3.1 Vent pipe connection

[0186] 10 Intake pipe

[0187] 12 pneumatic main lines

[0188] 13 Vent line

[0189] 14 Control pressure line

[0190] 15 Valve vent line

[0191] 21 Main line section

[0192] 22 Bypass line

[0193] 23 Compressor connection line

[0194] 24 Vent connection line

[0195] 25 Compressor line section

[0196] 100 compressors

[0197] 110 piston units

[0198] 120 electric motor

[0199] 200 compressed air supply system

[0200] 210 Multiple drying chambers 210.1 Primary drying chamber 210.2 Secondary drying chamber 212 Drying granule filling

[0201] 213 first front

[0202] 214 second front

[0203] 215.1 first admission opening

[0204] 215.2 second entrance

[0205] 216.1 first outlet opening

[0206] 216.2 second outlet opening

[0207] 217 Plural of pipes 17a first pipe

[0208] 17b second pipe

[0209] 18 Bypass pipe

[0210] 19 twin pipe

[0211] 20 Housing part

[0212] 21 first case cover

[0213] 22 second case cover

[0214] 23 cases

[0215] 24 Sealing area

[0216] 25 Mounting interface

[0217] 27 Contact area

[0218] 30 pneumatic switching arrangement

[0219] 31 Secondary air dryer protection valve 32 Bypass switching valve

[0220] 33 Secondary backflow preventer 34 Distribution switching valve

[0221] 35 2 / 2-way valve

[0222] 36 3 / 2-way valve

[0223] 37 second bypass switching valve

[0224] 40 sensors

[0225] 241 Temperature sensor

[0226] 242 Pressure sensor

[0227] 243 Humidity sensor

[0228] 244 Dew point sensor

[0229] 300 pneumatic systems

[0230] 301 Sensor cleaning device

[0231] 302 Level control device

[0232] PS pneumatic system

[0233] ECU control unit

[0234] Vehicle

[0235] P Passenger cars

[0236] LT Air Dryer Unit

[0237] LE Air Dryer Unit

[0238] EV vent valve arrangement

[0239] EV1 Vent valve EV2 Pilot valve

[0240] D throttle

[0241] Z1 Junction

[0242] Z2 junction

[0243] BT drying operation

[0244] BR Regeneration plant

[0245] B1 first operating mode

[0246] B2 second operating mode

[0247] B3 third operating mode

[0248] BR1 first regeneration operating mode BR2 second regeneration operating mode BR3 third regeneration operating mode E Venting direction

[0249] B Filling direction

[0250] R radial direction

[0251] A axial direction

[0252] Diameter

[0253] Length L

Claims

Patent claims 1. Air dryer device (LT) for a compressed air supply system (200) of a vehicle (FZ), in particular a passenger car (PN), comprising: a pneumatic compressor connection (1.1) for connecting to a compressor (100), a pneumatic supply connection (2.1) for connection to a pneumatic main line (12), and an air dryer unit (LE) with a plurality of drying chambers (210) extending in an axial direction (A), each containing a filling of drying granules (212), and at least one housing part (220) which is coupled to at least one end face (213, 214) of the plurality of drying chambers (210), characterized by a pneumatic switching arrangement (230) which is designed for pneumatically connecting the compressor connection (1.1) to at least one primary drying chamber (210.2) and for pneumatically connecting the supply connection (2.1) selectively to at least the primary drying chamber (210.2) and to a secondary drying chamber (210.2) of the plurality of drying chambers (210), and wherein the pneumatic switching arrangement (230) is configured to selectively switch the primary drying chamber (210.1) and the secondary drying chamber (210.2) pneumatically such that In accordance with operational requirements, at least the primary drying chamber (210.1) can be supplied individually with compressed air (DL), and The primary drying chamber (210.1) and the secondary drying chamber (210.2) can be operated with sequential flow, as required by operational needs.

2. Air dryer device (LT) according to claim 1 , wherein a main line section (21) is formed between the primary drying chamber (210.2) and the secondary drying chamber (210.2), and the pneumatic switching arrangement (230) is located in the main line section (21) has an arranged secondary air dryer protection valve (231) which is configured to selectively block and release the main line section (21).

3. Air dryer device (LT) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a bypass line (22) is at least indirectly connected to the primary drying chamber (210.2) and the secondary drying chamber (210.2) and extends to the supply connection (2.1), and the pneumatic The switching arrangement (230) is configured to selectively connect the bypass line (22) for supplying compressed air (DL) to the supply port (2.1) to the primary drying chamber (210.2) and the secondary drying chamber (210.2).

4. Air dryer device (LT) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a bypass line (22) branches off from the main line section (21) and extends to the supply connection (2.1) and the secondary air dryer protection valve (231) is configured to selectively connect at least the primary drying chamber (210.1) and the secondary drying chamber (210.2) to the bypass line (22), or wherein the bypass line (22) branches off from the main line section (21) between the secondary air dryer protection valve (231) and the primary drying chamber (210.2) and extends to the supply connection (2.1), wherein the pneumatic switching arrangement (230) comprises a bypass switching valve (232) arranged in the bypass line (22) which is configured to selectively block and release the bypass line (22).

5. Air dryer device (LT) according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the bypass line (22) is pneumatically connected to a first end face (213) of the primary drying chamber (210.2) and the main line section (21) is pneumatically connected to a second end face (214) of the secondary drying chamber (210.2) opposite in axial direction (A) for the purpose of supplying compressed air (DL) to the supply connection (2.1).

6. Air dryer device (LT) according to one of claims 2 to 5, wherein a bypass line (22) has a connection point (Z2) for connecting to the supply connection (2.1), and wherein the pneumatic switching arrangement (230) comprises a secondary non-return valve (233) arranged between the secondary drying chamber (210.2) and the connection point (Z2), which is configured to selectively block and release the main line section (21) between the secondary drying chamber (210.2) and the connection point (Z2), or wherein the secondary air dryer protection valve (231) is arranged between the primary drying chamber (210.2) and the connection point (Z2), and the pneumatic switching arrangement (230) comprises a non-return valve (233) arranged between the secondary drying chamber (210.2) and the connection point (Z2), which is configured to selectively block and release the bypass line (22) between the secondary drying chamber (210.2) and the connection point (Z2).

7. Air dryer device (LT) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pneumatic switching arrangement (230) is integrated at least sectionally into the housing part (220), and wherein one, several or all of the following are integrated into the housing part (220): the secondary air dryer protection valve (231) and the main line section (21), which extends at least partially through the housing part (220), the (first) bypass switching valve (232) and the bypass line (22), which extends at least partially through the housing part (220) between the primary drying chamber (210.2) and the connection point (Z2), the secondary air dryer protection valve (233) and the main line section (21) which extends at least partially through the housing part (220) between the secondary drying chamber (210.2) and the connection point (Z2).

8. Air dryer device (LT) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing part (220) comprises at least one of the following: a (first) housing cover (221) which is pneumatically connected to one or the first axially direction (A) facing end face (213) of the plurality of drying chambers (210) for guiding compressed air (DL), a (second) housing cover (222) which is pneumatically connected to one or the second end face (214) of the majority of drying chambers (210) opposite in the axial direction (A) for guiding compressed air (DL), a housing (223) surrounding the majority of the drying chambers (210).

9. Air dryer device (LT) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the following is integrated into the housing part (220): the compressor connection (1.1) and the supply connection (2.1) , a number of sensors (240) configured to detect at least one operating parameter of the compressed air (DL) in the air dryer device (LT), a sealing area (224) configured to seal a contact area (227) between at least one drying chamber (210.1 , 210.2) and the housing part (220), a mounting interface (225) for connecting the housing part (220) to at least one drying chamber (210.1 , 210.2) and / or the compressor (100) and / or the pneumatic main line (15) wherein the operating parameter (S) is preferably a pressure (SP), a temperature (ST), a humidity (SH) or a dew point (STP), and the number of sensors (240) preferably includes at least one of the following: a temperature sensor (241 ), a pressure sensor (242), a humidity sensor (243), a dew point sensor (244).

10. Air dryer device (LT) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drying chambers (210) are each formed by a first tube (217a) extending in the axial direction (A), which is closed by the housing part (220) at least at one or the first end face (213) and connected to at least one adjacent second tube (217b), and wherein the majority of the tubes (217) are arranged adjacent to each other in the radial direction (R) and / or in the axial direction (A), and / or -whereby the majority of the pipes (217) have a double pipe (219) comprising an inner pipe and an outer pipe (219.2) surrounding the inner pipe (219.1), which are selectively connected to the compressor connection (1.1) or the supply connection (2.1), and / or -where at least one third pipe (217a) of the plurality of pipes (217) has a first diameter (D1) and at least one second pipe (217b) of the plurality of pipes (217) has a second diameter (D2) which is different from the first diameter (D1).

11. Air dryer device (LT) according to claim 10, further comprising: a bypass pipe (218) which extends in axial direction (A) and is coupled to the housing part (220) at its end face and can be connected at least selectively to the compressor connection (1.1) and the supply connection (2.1) by means of the pneumatic switching arrangement (230).

12. Air dryer device (LT) according to claim 11, further comprising: a vent line connection (3.1) which can be connected to a vent connection (3) of the compressed air supply system (200) and is designed to discharge compressed air (DL) from the supply connection (2.1) in counterflow (G) against the filling direction (B) into the air dryer unit (LE) in the direction of the vent connection (3), wherein the pneumatic switching arrangement (230) is configured to selectively connect one, several or all of the following to the vent line connection (3.1): the primary drying chamber (210.1), the secondary drying chamber (210.2), the bypass pipe (218).

13. Housing cover (221, 222) for an air dryer unit (LE) with a plurality of drying chambers (210) of an air dryer device (LT) according to one of the preceding claims, in particular wherein the air dryer unit (LE) is designed for an air dryer device (LT) according to one of the preceding claims, which has: at least one of the following pneumatic connections (1.1, 2.1, 3.1): a pneumatic compressor connection (1.1) for connecting to a compressor (100) and a pneumatic supply connection (2.1) for connecting to a pneumatic line (15), at least sectionally a pneumatic switching arrangement (230) which is designed for pneumatically connecting the compressor connection (1.1) to at least one primary drying chamber (210.2) and for pneumatically connecting the supply connection (2.1) selectively to at least the primary drying chamber (210.2) and to a secondary drying chamber (210.2) of the plurality of drying chambers (210), and wherein the pneumatic switching arrangement (230) is configured to selectively switch the primary drying chamber (210.1) and the secondary drying chamber (210.2) pneumatically such that In accordance with operational requirements, at least the primary drying chamber (210.1) can be supplied individually with compressed air (DL), and The primary drying chamber (210.1) and the secondary drying chamber (210.2) can be operated with sequential flow, as required by operational needs.

14. Compressed air supply system (200) of a vehicle (FZ), in particular a passenger car (PN), with a compressed air connection (1) for connecting to a compressor (100), a compressed air supply connection (2) for connecting a pneumatic system (300), a pneumatic main line (12) which is designed to carry compressed air (DL) in a filling direction (B) from the compressed air connection (1) to the compressed air supply connection (2), and an air dryer device (LT) arranged in the pneumatic main line (12) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the compressor connection (1.1) is connected to the pneumatic main line (12) upstream of the air dryer device (LT) in the filling direction (B) and the compressed air supply connection (2) is connected to the pneumatic main line (12) downstream of the air dryer device (LT) in the filling direction (B).

15. Vehicle (FZ), in particular passenger car (PN), with a compressor (100), a compressed air supply system (200) connected to the compressor via the compressed air connection (1) according to claim 14, a pneumatic system (300) connected to the compressed air supply connection (2) of the compressed air supply system (200), a control unit (ECU) for controlling the compressed air supply system (200).

16. Method (1000, 2000) for operating an air dryer (LT) for a compressed air supply system (200) of a vehicle (FZ), in particular a passenger car (PN), comprising the selective operation of the Air dryer device (LT) for drying at least one drying granule filling (212) by the steps: Receiving (1100) compressed air (DL) from a compressor (100) at a pneumatic compressor connection (1.1), Guiding (1200) the compressed air (DL) through at least one primary drying chamber (210.1) of a plurality of drying chambers (210) extending in an axial direction, each containing a drying granulate filling (212), wherein the guiding of the compressed air (DL) in an air drying operation (BT) through at least the primary drying chamber (210.1) comprises controlling the air dryer device (LT) by a pneumatic switching arrangement (230) for operation in at least two different operating modes (B1, B2, B3) of a plurality of operating modes (B1, B2, B3), with the following sub-steps in a first operating mode (B1): a1) selective connection of the compressor connection (1.1) to at least one primary drying chamber (210.2), preferably the primary drying chamber (210.2) and a secondary drying chamber (210.2), for the flow of compressed air (DL), b1 ) selectively connecting the primary drying chamber (210.2) and the secondary drying chamber (210.2) to guide the compressed air (DL) sequentially through the primary drying chamber (210.1) and the secondary drying chamber (210.2), c1 ) selective connection of the supply port (2.1 ) with the secondary drying chamber (210.2) of the plurality of drying chambers (210), for the flow of compressed air (DL), with the sub-steps in a second operating mode (B2): a2) selective connection of the compressor connection (1.1) to at least one primary drying chamber (210.2) for the flow of compressed air (DL), b2) selective separation of the primary drying chamber (210.2) and the secondary drying chamber (210.2) to guide the compressed air (DL) exclusively through the primary drying chamber (210.1), c2) selectively connecting the supply connection (2.1 ) to the primary drying chamber (210.2) of the plurality of drying chambers (210), with the following sub-steps in a third operating mode (B3): a3) selective connection of the compressor connection (1.1) at least to the primary drying chamber (210.2) and the secondary drying chamber (210.2) for the flow of compressed air (DL), b3) selective separation of the primary drying chamber (210.2) and the secondary drying chamber (210.2) for spatially separate routing of the compressed air (DL) through the primary drying chamber (210.1) and the secondary drying chamber (210.2), c3) selective connection of the supply connection (2.1 ) to the primary drying chamber (210.2) and the secondary drying chamber (210.2) of the plurality of drying chambers (210), for the flow of compressed air (DL), Providing (1300) compressed air (DL) at the supply connection (2.1).

17. The method of claim 16, comprising the selective operation of the air dryer device (LT) in a regeneration mode (BR) comprising the steps: Receiving (2100) compressed air (DL) from the pneumatic main line (12) at a pneumatic supply connection (2.1), Guiding (2200) the compressed air (DL) through at least one primary drying chamber (210.1) of a plurality of drying chambers (210) extending in an axial direction, each containing a drying granulate filling (212), wherein the guiding of the compressed air (DL) through at least the primary drying chamber (210.1) comprises controlling the air dryer device (LT) by a pneumatic switching arrangement (230) for operation in at least two different regeneration operating modes (BR1, BR2, BR3) of a plurality of regeneration operating modes (BR1, BR2, BR3), with the following sub-steps in a first regeneration operating mode (B1): e1) selectively connecting the supply connection (2.1) to at least one primary drying chamber (210.2), preferably the primary drying chamber (210.2) and a secondary drying chamber (210.2), for the flow of compressed air (DL), f1 ) selectively connecting the primary drying chamber (210.2) and the secondary drying chamber (210.2) to guide the compressed air (DL) sequentially through the primary drying chamber (210.1) and the secondary drying chamber (210.2), g1) selective connection of the vent line connection (3.1) to the secondary drying chamber (210.2) of the plurality of drying chambers (210), for the flow of compressed air (DL), or with the following sub-steps in a second regeneration operating mode (B2): e2) selectively connecting the supply connection (2.1) to at least one primary drying chamber (210.2) for the flow of compressed air (DL), f2) selectively separating the primary drying chamber (210.2) and the secondary drying chamber (210.2) to direct the compressed air (DL) exclusively through the primary drying chamber (210.1), g2) selectively connecting a vent line connection (3.1) to the primary drying chamber (210.2) of the plurality of drying chambers (210), or with the following sub-steps in a third regeneration operating mode (B3): e3) selectively connecting the supply port (2.1) at least to the primary drying chamber (210.2) and the secondary drying chamber (210.2) for the flow of compressed air (DL), f3) selective separation of the primary drying chamber (210.2) and the secondary drying chamber (210.2) for spatially separate routing of the compressed air (DL) through the primary drying chamber (210.1) and the secondary drying chamber (210.2), g3) selectively connecting the vent line connection (3.1) to the primary drying chamber (210.2) and the secondary drying chamber (210.2) of the plurality of drying chambers (210), - Discharge (2300) of compressed air (DL) via the vent line connection (3.1).

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