USB PD powered compressor / tire repair kit

Abstract

An apparatus for inflating or repairing an inflatable article or product, in particular a tire, preferably a vehicle tire, as needed is disclosed. The device comprises a compressor assembly having at least one compressor unit which comprises a compressed air outlet via which air compressed by the at least one compressor unit is supplied or can be supplied, in particular as required. The compressor assembly is configured to be connected to an in-vehicle data communication port to power and / or control the compressor assembly.

Description

[0001] Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of German Patent Application No. 10 2022 131 721.8, filed Nov. 30, 2022, and Application No. 10 2023 120 927.2, entitled "USB-PD Powered Compressor / Tire Repair Kit", filed Aug. 7, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0003] Tire sealants or sealing liquids for quickly repairing inflatable articles or products are known per se. The liquid is introduced into the product or article for repair by means of compressed air, in particular by means of a compressor. The liquid penetrates all holes or slits in the product or article and hardens upon contact with air, thus quickly sealing the product or article. Such sealing liquids are widely used for the quick repair of tires, in particular vehicle tires. The following description relates to these cases. However, the description is purely exemplary, focused on clarity and not intended to be limiting.

[0004] The spare tire of a vehicle gives rise to many well-known problems, the most important of which are the significant size and weight of the spare tire. In particular, when the spare tire is accommodated inside the vehicle, the effective available capacity of the trunk is significantly reduced, and the tire is often difficult to loosen or remove, especially when the trunk is full. Therefore, so-called tire repair kits have become common for vehicles, which are used instead of the spare tire.

[0005] In addition to the significant reduction in size and weight, it has been proven that the repair of a tire in the event of a puncture is faster and easier: unlike replacing a vehicle tire, the compressor can be easily connected to a power socket on the vehicle, where a container for the sealing liquid is then connected to the compressor and the valve of the tire for repair.

[0006] Compressed air is forced into the container together with the sealing liquid by means of the compressor, and the sealing liquid is then pumped into the defective tire via the valve through a corresponding riser tube. Thereafter, the valve can be switched so that the tire can now be inflated by means of the compressor. The standard function of the prior art is such that only air is pumped, for example, to inflate a ball or an air cushion, or to perform air pressure control. In the repair function, the prior art is designed such that the sealant input and air mixing are done in one go.

[0007] A disadvantage in conventional tire repair kits is that the compressor is typically only laboriously connected to the sealant container via valves, switching valves, mechanical devices, etc. in order to pressurize the container and pump the tire sealant out of the container and into the defective tire. In addition, conventional tire repair kits require combined use, have a high installation cost, and are complex to operate.

[0008] Another disadvantage of conventional tire repair kits is that an electrical power supply for the compressor is necessary to input the sealant into the defective tire. For example, for tire repair sets sold on the current market, it is generally proposed that the electrical power supply of the associated compressor of the tire repair set is supplied via an on-vehicle 12V DC port (e.g., a common cigarette lighter plug, see also the definition in standard ANSI / SE J563).

[0009] Since vehicle technology and electronics are constantly improving, there is a need and opportunity to continuously improve vehicle accessories that can be associated with these new vehicle systems. Accordingly, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for delivering air and / or sealant, such as a micro-compressor or inflation device, wherein the pressure source is powered and / or controlled via a data communication port and a cable (such as a power supply type universal serial bus (USB)). Summary of the Invention

[0010] The present disclosure generally relates to a power supply type compressor and a tire repair kit that are substantially as shown and described in connection with at least one of the drawings and more fully set forth in the claims. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a tire repair kit, and particularly to a device for dispensing a tire sealant from a container by means of a compressed air source. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the devices, systems, and methods described herein will become apparent from the following description of specific examples as shown in the drawings; wherein like or similar reference numerals refer to like or similar structures. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, but rather focus on illustrating the principles of the devices, systems, and methods described herein.

[0012] Figure 1 A characteristic variable diagram of a motor suitable as a driver of a compressor assembly according to an exemplary embodiment is schematically shown.

[0013] Figure 2 Various diagrams for explaining the necessary filling time of a vehicle tire at different actuation levels of an electric driver of a compressor assembly are schematically shown. Detailed Description

[0014] References to singular items shall be understood to include plural items and vice versa, unless expressly stated otherwise or clear from the context. Grammatical conjunctions are intended to express any and all disjunctive and conjunctive combinations of connected clauses, sentences, words, etc., unless stated otherwise or clear from the context. Unless otherwise indicated herein, recitations of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather to refer individually to any and all values falling within the range and / or including the range, and each individual value within such range is incorporated into the specification as if it were recited individually herein. In the following description, it should be understood that terms such as "first", "second", "top", "bottom", "side", "front", "rear", etc. are words for convenience and should not be construed as limiting terms. For example, although in some examples the first side is positioned adjacent to or near the second side, the terms "first side" and "second side" do not imply any particular order in which these sides are ordered.

[0015] When accompanied by a numerical value, terms such as "about", "approximately", "substantially", etc. shall be understood to indicate the deviation permitted for satisfactory operation for the intended purpose, as understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. Values and / or ranges of numerical values are provided herein only as examples and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. The use of any and all examples or exemplary language ("e.g.", "such as", etc.) provided herein is only intended to better illustrate the examples disclosed and does not constitute a limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. The terms "e.g." and "for example" introduce a list having one or more non-limiting examples, instances, or illustrations. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating that any element not recited in the claims is essential to the practice of the disclosed examples.

[0016] The term "and / or" means any one or more of the items in a list joined by "and / or". As an example, "x and / or y" means any element of the three-element set {(x), (y), (x, y)}. In other words, "x and / or y" means "one or both of x and y". As another example, "x, y and / or z" means any element of the seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x, y), (x, z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. In other words, "x, y and / or z" means "one or more of x, y and z".

[0017] The present disclosure generally relates to tire repair kits and, in particular, to devices for dispensing tire sealant from a container by means of a compressed air source.

[0018] A tire repair kit is an in-built kit for repairing and inflating tires. The in-built kit includes a small compressor and a container for a sealing liquid. Such an in-built kit can be easily accommodated in a dedicated compartment or the trunk of a vehicle.

[0019] While a device specifically configured as a compressor is suitable for various inflation requirements, it is particularly useful for dispensing / inflating devices for portable or emergency vehicles and is powered and / or controlled via a vehicle's data communication port (e.g., USB).

[0020] In embodiments of the present disclosure, during inflation or dispensing, the status of the object being inflated (e.g., a vehicle tire) is monitored and / or determined via the data interface of the vehicle USB port. Through communication between the compressor and the vehicle's electronic system (e.g., RDC or ECU), the compressor can be turned off when the recommended tire pressure is reached.

[0021] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, additional comfort functions can be implemented, for example, by means of the vehicle's entertainment system. For example, the remaining filling time can be calculated and displayed on the screen of the inflation device and / or via the vehicle's user interface display. Alternatively, based on the filling process, the collection system can predict whether a tire can be repaired using the compressor.

[0022] If necessary, help from a third party can be requested immediately. These and other advantages can be achieved by a device for delivering air and / or sealant to a vehicle's tire, the device including a pressure source, a dispenser outlet connected to the pressure source, a coupling element, and a control module associated therewith and associated with the coupler and the pressure source. The connecting element (e.g., a data and / or power cable) is most desirably configured to connect to a vehicle data communication port (e.g., USB or equivalent) to obtain inflation information and / or power. The data communication element is most desirably a power-supplied data communication port, thereby allowing the control module to draw operating power for the dispensing device via the power-supplied data communication port.

[0023] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the control module obtains tire filling values from a tire pressure monitoring system and / or other sensor systems (such as a vehicle load sensor).

[0024] The device can operate automatically (e.g., turn on) when it receives a low tire filling value from the tire pressure monitoring system and automatically stop inflating when it automatically determines proper filling.

[0025] The present disclosure further includes a method for delivering air and / or sealant to a tire of a vehicle. The method includes: connecting a tire filling or repair device to the tire; connecting the tire repair device to a data communication port of the vehicle; and providing power output via the data communication port of the vehicle to the tire repair device. The method may further include automatically monitoring and / or controlling the tire pressure via data provided from the vehicle to the tire repair device via the data communication port.

[0026] According to a design variant of the present disclosure, it is proposed that the compressor of the tire repair kit can be connected to the on-vehicle power supply as needed via a bit-serial data transfer system (especially USB), and can also communicate with the vehicle controller simultaneously. For this purpose, the controller required for communication is integrated in the USB plug. This allows the on-vehicle computer of the vehicle to automatically detect the connected compressor and its characteristics.

[0027] In particular, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for inflating or repairing an inflatable article or product, especially a tire, preferably a vehicle tire, as needed, wherein the apparatus includes a compressor assembly having at least one compressor unit, and the at least one compressor unit includes a compressed air outlet through which air compressed by the at least one compressor unit (especially as needed) is supplied or can be supplied.

[0028] In particular, the compressor assembly is configured to be connected to an on-vehicle data communication port for powering and / or controlling the compressor assembly.

[0029] In this context, it is proposed that the data communication port includes a power supply type data communication port, and further includes a power supply configured to be connected to the power supply type data communication port and draw operating power from the power supply type data communication port.

[0030] Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus according to the present disclosure may further include a connection cable with a plug assembled into the data communication port.

[0031] In this context, it is conceivable that a control device (especially a control device in the form of a microchip) is integrated in the plug, and the device is configured to control the compressor assembly.

[0032] Therefore, it is generally conceivable that a control device (especially a control device in the form of a microchip) is associated with the compressor assembly and is configured to control the compressor assembly. The control device can be a control device integrated in the USB plug or the compressor assembly.

[0033] According to an implementation of the present disclosure, it is proposed that the device further includes: a container that houses a sealing liquid, in particular a tire sealant; and a dispensing system that is configured to fluidly connect the compressed air outlet of at least one compressor unit to the compressed air inlet of the sealing liquid container as needed.

[0034] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery voltage can still be controlled. In particular, it is conceivable that, by means of a control device, the supply voltage of, in particular, an on-vehicle battery can be monitored, or if the battery is significantly overloaded, the compressor can be switched off or otherwise controlled. Alternatively or additionally, via the control device, a corresponding message can also be output to the driver, thereby prompting the driver to start, for example, an internal combustion engine in order to provide a sufficient charging voltage.

[0035] Aspects of the present disclosure include: changing end-user criteria; intuitively operating a tire repair kit via a communication device; generating customer value and end-user value; enhancing performance; reducing costs; improving technical capabilities; and enhancing performance. For example, by providing a 240W USB PD (Power Delivery) on-vehicle power system with a maximum of 48V and 5A, new technical capabilities for driving and operating a compressor and a tire repair kit are generated. While performance is enhanced, intuitive operation can be achieved via an HMI (Human Machine Interface). Further, with the USB PD on-vehicle power system, a demand-oriented power supply to the compressor can be selected. Therefore, the filling time of the tire can be significantly shortened. Hereinafter, how the reduction of the filling time can be achieved will now be described.

[0036] Since the inflation of a tire is a dynamic process and a DC motor is designed for a specific operating point, the operation of the compressor in the boundary region is beyond its technical capabilities. At the start of inflation, since there is no back pressure or only a low back pressure, the compressor can provide a higher flow rate due to a higher speed without consuming more energy. By intelligently controlling the supply voltage of the compressor via a USB PD plug, a higher speed can be achieved. At the start, the supply voltage is increased in order to achieve the maximum speed and thus the maximum flow rate. As the back pressure increases, the voltage is gradually decreased in order to obtain the best speed / torque ratio to reach the desired tire pressure.

[0037] Human Machine Interface / Interaction:

[0038] To achieve intuitive operation of the tire repair kit, the USB PD port offers a wide range of possibilities because the USB port can also be used for communication with the vehicle.

[0039] If necessary, the entire control of the repair kit can be controlled via the touch panel of the HMI. The usage instructions for the compressor / kit can also be displayed step by step in an animated manner, and the customer can also confirm (by further clicking) each step.

[0040] For example, the pressure and temperature data of the vehicle's tires can be used to detect damage and guide the end user to the damaged tire via instructions. The pressure setpoint enables the compressor to set the required pressure without any end-user intervention.

[0041] Test cycles can also be envisioned, where the compressor automatically determines the leakage rate in the event of a tire damage, thus informing the end user whether the damage can be repaired or whether the breakdown service should be called. If the damage can be repaired, the one-piece kit can automatically start the sealant injection.

[0042] For manual operation, the individual steps to be performed can also be displayed via the vehicle display or the integrated display in the compressor.

[0043] Intelligent control:

[0044] Based on the calculated air loss, the compressor can start overfilling the tire to the specified target pressure to compensate for the pressure drop between the compressor stopping work (for disassembly and storage in the vehicle) and the vehicle starting. Therefore, the repair probability can be increased because the tire pressure level roughly corresponds to the target pressure at startup.

[0045] Based on the information obtained from the vehicle (e.g., the stored target pressure), the compressor can use the temperature information of the tire to adjust the correct, temperature-compensated cold tire pressure. Therefore, it can be ensured that when refilling a hot tire, the subsequent cold tire pressure is automatically set through temperature compensation. Therefore, the user does not need to perform subsequent tire pressure checks for cold tires.

[0046] In addition, via the contact circuit, the compressor can check the connection to the tire valve, and / or check the compressor / sealant reservoir / tire valve, and prevent the compressor from starting accidentally.

[0047] The electronically controlled release valve can also automatically cause a pressure reduction. For example, this would be advantageous if the defective tire has not been completely deflated and the existing residual tire pressure would prevent the sealant from being conveyed in the tire. Then, the compressor can completely deflate the tire before starting the pumping operation to prevent backpressure during the sealant injection.

[0048] Customer benefits (OEM):

[0049] By using a USB PD-powered tire repair kit, the OEM can eliminate the 12V on-vehicle power supply, thus saving costs, as only the on-vehicle power supply for external devices needs to be installed.

[0050] The tire repair kit with the above options sets a new standard in terms of flat tire support, and can contribute to improving safety as the correct tire pressure is set and the sealing device is used only when necessary, and thus a flat tire can be repaired.

[0051] End-user benefits (passenger car drivers):

[0052] For the end user, this means an overall worry-free service package. He or she receives the necessary information and instructions from the kit or the vehicle display to properly repair the flat tire and feel comfortable during the repair process.

[0053] The user can preset the tire pressure via the HMI, and this preset pressure represents the stop signal for the compressor, and when this preset pressure is reached, the compressor will automatically shut down.

[0054] Iterative stops can be provided during the refill process. That is, hot compressed air flows into the cold tire and cools there, and at this time the tire pressure that has been reached drops below the target value. Through several shorter refill cycles, the compressor can compensate for this pressure drop by sequentially changing directions.

[0055] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the present disclosure particularly relates to an apparatus for inflating or repairing an inflatable article or product, particularly a tire, preferably a vehicle tire, as needed, wherein the apparatus includes a compressor assembly having at least one compressor unit, and the at least one compressor unit includes a compressed air outlet through which air compressed by the at least one compressor unit (particularly as needed) is supplied or can be supplied.

[0056] The compressor assembly is configured to be connected to an on-vehicle USB port via a connection cable having a USB PD plug to supply power to the compressor assembly.

[0057] In other words, instead of the common 12V connector (cigarette lighter), which is usually an SE J563 plug or a standard SAE J563 mating housing assembly, according to this aspect of the present disclosure, the compressor assembly, particularly the electric drive of the compressor assembly, is supplied with power via a USB cable (USB = Universal Serial Bus) and a corresponding on-vehicle USB connection.

[0058] Particularly, a USB PD plug and a corresponding on-vehicle USB port are adopted here.

[0059] USB PD is a specification that provides power to the corresponding end user via the live plug and leads of a USB cable. Regarding USB PD (= Universal Serial Bus Power Delivery), there is the following protocol: in this protocol, an electronically marked cable (integrated chip) negotiates how much power can be transmitted via the cable. That is, in this example, the on-vehicle power supply provides possible voltage values and current values to the power-consuming device (here: the drive of the compressor assembly). The power-consuming device, especially the control device (the control device is usually a microchip and is integrated in the USB PD plug of the compressor assembly), selects the corresponding combination of voltage and current from the possible voltage values and current values supplied by the on-vehicle power supply, thus selecting the power (curve), and requests this curve from the on-vehicle power supply and the on-vehicle USB port respectively.

[0060] The USB PD plug or the corresponding on-vehicle USB port is preferably a plug or port compliant with the USB PD profile version 3.1. In USB PD version 3.1, the corresponding voltage levels 28V, 36V, and 48V are defined, and the current corresponding to each voltage level is 5A. At 48V and 5A, this computationally corresponds to a power output of 240W. Therefore, USB PD opens up new possibilities for supplying power to the compressor assembly, especially to portable devices (tire repair kits) that inflate or repair vehicle tires as needed.

[0061] Another aspect of the present disclosure as disclosed and claimed herein relates to a corresponding compressor assembly that can be connected to the on-vehicle power supply via a USB PD connection, where the emphasis is particularly on minimizing the necessary filling time, that is, the necessary time to operate the compressor assembly or the electric drive of the compressor assembly in order to refill the vehicle tire to the desired target pressure.

[0062] The problem with the power supply to the compressor assembly via USB connection is that, according to the USB protocol, the on-vehicle power supply or the on-vehicle USB port, as well as the compressor assembly and / or the control device (microchip), especially the control device integrated in the USB PD plug of the compressor assembly, negotiate the combination of voltage and current, and thus negotiate the power (curve) supplied by the on-vehicle power supply to the compressor assembly.

[0063] However, the electric drive of the compressor assembly is usually a motor, and the current consumption requirement of the motor depends on the torque generated by the motor. In particular, when the motor starts, there is a relatively high current consumption requirement.

[0064] In this case, the USB protocol will continuously request a voltage of, for example, 12V, and increase the current (current intensity) supplied by the on-vehicle power supply during the operation period of the electric drive of the compressor assembly. This method results in a relatively long filling time for the compressor assembly.

[0065] Accordingly, in an embodiment of the device according to the present disclosure, it is particularly proposed that a control device (in particular a control device in the form of a microchip) is integrated in the USB PD plug of the compressor assembly. The control device is configured to communicate preferably via a corresponding USB protocol with the in-vehicle USB port and / or the in-vehicle power supply, and to establish a power curve (current value and voltage value) supplied to the compressor assembly by the in-vehicle USB port or by the in-vehicle power supply.

[0066] According to a design variant, it is particularly proposed in this context that the control device preferably integrated in the USB PD plug is configured to inquire or request from the in-vehicle USB port and / or the in-vehicle power supply a power curve corresponding to a constant power over time at least during the operation of the compressor assembly or during the duration of the operation of the compressor assembly.

[0067] Preferably, the control device, in particular the control device integrated in the USB PD plug, is configured to inquire or request from the in-vehicle USB port and / or the in-vehicle power supply continuously at least during the operation of the compressor assembly or during the duration of the operation of the compressor assembly the maximum power that can be provided by the in-vehicle USB port and / or the in-vehicle power supply, or a power that is previously determined or determinable and is optimal with respect to the compressor assembly and / or with respect to a desired filling time. In particular, this power is at least 65 W, preferably at least 100 W, more preferably at least 140 W, and particularly preferably at least 240 W.

[0068] According to a preferred implementation of the present disclosure, it is proposed that the compressor assembly includes an electric drive and a control device associated with the drive, wherein the control device associated with the drive is configured to start from a constant power over time continuously inquired or requested from the in-vehicle USB port and / or the in-vehicle power supply and accordingly supplied by the in-vehicle USB port and / or the in-vehicle power supply, and to supply the current intensity required to operate the drive of the compressor assembly at a correspondingly adjusted voltage at least during the operation of the drive of the compressor assembly or during the duration of the operation of the drive of the compressor assembly.

[0069] In this context, it is particularly proposed that the current consumption requirement of the drive depends on the torque generated by the drive. The control device associated with the drive is preferably configured to start from a constant power over time continuously inquired or requested from the in-vehicle USB port and / or the in-vehicle power supply and accordingly supplied by the in-vehicle USB port and / or the in-vehicle power supply, and to supply a current corresponding to the current consumption requirement of the drive of the compressor assembly while adjusting the voltage.

[0070] Preferably, a control device and / or a buck converter device associated with the drive is configured to supply a current corresponding to the current consumption demand of the drive to the drive while adjusting the voltage, in particular based on pulse width modulation.

[0071] Preferably, the construction-related inductance of the electric motor (coil of the electric motor) serves as the inductance of the buck converter, such that the buck converter preferably operates without an independent coil, thus saving components.

[0072] Electronically controlled pulse width modulation allows the starting current spike to be smoothed below the critical level of the power supply (safe shutdown). This particularly enables the compressor to overcome the backpressure in the tire and start without additional mechanical starting aids.

[0073] The present disclosure further relates to a method for operating a compressor assembly, in particular for minimizing the filling time of the compressor assembly when the compressor assembly for inflating or repairing an inflatable article or product, in particular a vehicle tire, is connected to an in-vehicle USB port via a connection cable having a USB PD plug to supply power to the compressor assembly.

[0074] In the method according to the present disclosure, the provided constant power is preferably continuously divided into a voltage value and a current value, wherein the current value corresponds to the current present value corresponding to the current consumption demand of the drive.

[0075] In this method, the current consumption demand of the drive can be further sensed indirectly or directly. The current consumption demand of the drive is preferably determined at least indirectly via the inductance of the drive. For example, the current consumption demand of the drive can be determined at least indirectly via the inductance of the drive in real time or near real time.

[0076] Figure 1 A characteristic diagram of an electric motor is schematically shown, which is suitable for use as a drive of a compressor assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The torque (torque) generated by the electric motor is plotted on the X-axis (abscissa), while the Y-axis (ordinate) particularly shows the current consumption demand (current (A)) of the electric motor.

[0077] Particularly, in Figure 2 it can be seen that when the electric motor "starts", there is a relative current consumption demand of the electric motor.

[0078] In Figure 2 various refilling scenarios are shown, in particular the refilling scenario of a vehicle tire. Figure 2 The X-axis (abscissa) in

[0079] On the right vertical axis, the filling pressure (pressure) is given in millibars. On Figure 2 the left vertical axis of the illustrated graph, the current consumption demand of the electric drive of the compressor assembly is plotted.

[0080] Figure 2 The black line shown in reflects the scenario where the electric drive of the compressor assembly is supplied with a 12V voltage, which is constant during the operating duration of the electric assembly. Figure 2 The black dashed line in shows the corresponding current consumption demand of the electric drive actuated at a constant 12V.

[0081] In this actuation of the electric drive, the filling time for filling a vehicle tire to a target pressure of 3.5 bar lasts approximately 200 seconds in total.

[0082] Figure 2 The characteristic curve shown in blue in reflects the scenario of driving the electric drive of the compressor assembly according to the method according to the present disclosure.

[0083] In this method, the maximum available power, for example 100W, is continuously requested from the on-vehicle power supply. The 100W (constant) power provided by the on-vehicle power supply is divided into corresponding current values and corresponding voltage values.

[0084] In particular, it can be seen that in the method according to the present disclosure, the voltage is supplied depending on the current consumption demand of the electric drive, wherein at any given time, the product of the current consumption value and the voltage value corresponds to the 100W constant power provided by the on-vehicle power supply.

[0085] In particular, it can be seen that with the method according to the present disclosure, the filling time can be significantly reduced, in particular to a value of approximately 110 seconds here, in order to achieve a target pressure of 3.5 bar in the vehicle tire to be inflated or refilled.

[0086] Although the present method and / or system have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes can be made and equivalents can be substituted without departing from the scope of the present method and / or system. Additionally, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the boxes and / or components of the disclosed examples can be combined, divided, rearranged, and / or otherwise modified. Therefore, the present method and / or system are not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Rather, the present method and / or system will include all embodiments that fall within the scope of the appended claims, literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. An apparatus for inflating or repairing a tire, the apparatus comprising: a compressor assembly having at least one compressor unit, the at least one compressor unit including a compressed air outlet configured to output air compressed by the at least one compressor unit, wherein the compressor assembly is configured to be connected to an on-vehicle data communication port for powering or controlling the compressor assembly.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, Among them, the data communication port including a powered data communication port and further including a power supply configured to be connected to the powered data communication port and draw operating power therefrom.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further including a connection cable having a plug fitted into the data communication port.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, Among them, the compressor assembly being configured to communicate via the plug with a human-machine interface (HMI) device such that a user can communicate with the compressor assembly or a computer program of the compressor assembly.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3, Among them, a control device integrated in the plug, the control device being configured to control the compressor assembly.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, Among them, a control device associated with the compressor assembly and configured to control the compressor assembly, wherein the control device is a control device integrated in the compressor assembly.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5, Among them, the control device being configured to perform a test cycle in which, in the case of a tire damage, the compressor assembly automatically determines a leakage rate and notifies the user whether the tire damage can be repaired or whether the breakdown maintenance department should be called, wherein the control device is particularly configured to automatically start sealant injection when it is determined during the test cycle that the tire damage can be repaired.

8. The apparatus according to claim 5, Among them, the control device being configured to actuate the compressor assembly to overfill the tire to a specified target pressure, particularly based on a calculated air loss, in order to compensate for a pressure drop between a stop of the compressor assembly and a start of the vehicle.

9. The apparatus according to claim 5, Among them, the control device being configured to use temperature information from the tire based on information obtained from the vehicle, particularly information about a stored target pressure, in order to actuate the compressor assembly such that a correct, temperature-compensated cold tire pressure is automatically set.

10. The apparatus according to claim 5, Among them, the control device being configured to check a fluid connection to a tire valve via a contact circuit or check a fluid connection between the compressor assembly, a sealant reservoir, and the tire valve, and particularly prevent an accidental start of the compressor assembly.

11. The apparatus according to claim 5, Among them, The control device is configured to perform, in particular automatically, the pressure reduction of the tyre via an electronically controlled release valve, wherein the control device is in particular configured to completely deflate the tyre before starting the pumping operation in order to prevent the back pressure generated by the sealant injection.

12. The device according to claim 1, Among them, The device further comprises: a container which houses a sealing liquid, in particular a tyre sealant; and a distribution system which is configured to fluidically connect the compressed air outlet of the at least one compressor unit to the compressed air inlet of an inflatable article or product, in particular a tyre, or to the compressed air inlet of the sealing liquid container as required.

13. The device according to claim 1, Among them, The compressor assembly is configured to be connected to an in-vehicle USB port via a connection cable having a USB PD plug in order to supply power to the compressor assembly.

14. The device according to claim 13, Among them, A control device is integrated in the USB PD plug and is configured to communicate with the in-vehicle USB port or with an in-vehicle power supply and to establish a power curve provided to the compressor assembly by the in-vehicle USB port or by the in-vehicle power supply.

15. The device according to claim 14, Among them, The control device is configured to interrogate or request the power curve, which corresponds to a constant power over time, from the in-vehicle USB port or the in-vehicle power supply at least during the operation of the compressor assembly or during the duration of the operation of the compressor assembly.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein, The control device is configured to continuously interrogate or request from the in-vehicle USB port or the in-vehicle power supply the maximum power that can be provided by the in-vehicle USB port or the in-vehicle power supply at least during the operation of the compressor assembly or during the duration of the operation of the compressor assembly.

17. The device according to claim 16, wherein, The control device is configured to continuously interrogate or request from the in-vehicle USB port or the in-vehicle power supply at least 65 W of power at least during the operation of the compressor assembly or during the duration of the operation of the compressor assembly.

18. The device according to claim 13, Among them, The compressor assembly comprises an electric drive and a control device associated with the drive, wherein the control device associated with the drive is configured to supply, starting from the constant power over time continuously interrogated or requested from the in-vehicle USB port or the in-vehicle power supply and accordingly supplied by the in-vehicle USB port or the in-vehicle power supply, the current intensity required to operate the drive of the compressor assembly at a correspondingly adjusted voltage at least during the operation of the drive of the compressor assembly or during the duration of the operation of the drive of the compressor assembly.

19. The device according to claim 18, Among them, The driver includes a current consumption requirement that depends on the torque generated by the driver, and wherein the control device associated with the driver is configured to start from the time-constant power continuously queried or requested from and accordingly supplied by the in-vehicle USB port or the in-vehicle power supply, and while adjusting the voltage, supply a current corresponding to the current consumption requirement of the driver to the driver.

20. The apparatus according to claim 18, Among them, The control device associated with the driver includes a buck converter device configured to start from the time-constant power continuously queried or requested from and accordingly supplied by the in-vehicle USB port or the in-vehicle power supply, and while adjusting the voltage, supply a current corresponding to the current consumption requirement of the driver to the driver.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20, Among them, The control device associated with the driver or the buck converter device is configured to supply a current corresponding to the current consumption requirement of the driver to the driver while adjusting the voltage, in particular based on pulse width modulation.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21, Among them, The control device associated with the driver is configured to supply a current corresponding to the current consumption requirement of the driver taking into account the current current consumption requirement of the driver.

23. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, The plug is a USB plug or a USB PD plug.

24. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein The HMI device is an in-vehicle dashboard.

25. The device according to claim 16, wherein The control device is integrated in the USB PD plug.

26. A method for operating a compressor assembly of an apparatus for inflating or repairing an inflatable article or product as needed, in particular the apparatus according to claim 1, Among them, The compressor assembly includes an electric driver and a control device associated with the driver, and wherein a time-constant power is supplied to the compressor assembly, and wherein the method includes the following method steps: Continuously divide the supplied constant power into a voltage value and a current value, wherein the current value corresponds to the current current value corresponding to the current consumption requirement of the driver.

27. The method according to claim 26, Among them, The method further includes the following method steps: Determine directly or indirectly the current current consumption requirement of the driver.

28. The method according to claim 27, Among them, The current consumption requirement of the driver is determined at least indirectly via the inductance of the driver in real time or near real time.

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