Compressed air supply system, especially for supplying air to the tires of a motor vehicle

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a compressed air supply system, in particular for providing air for tires of a motor vehicle.

[0002] Compressed air supply systems are known from the prior art. On the one hand, systems permanently integrated into a motor vehicle are known from DE 10 2018 209 846 A1, US 2020 / 0070450 A1, US 2018 / 0186197 A1, DE 10 2017 200 625 A1, and US 2019 / 0023091 A1, which disclose a compressed air supply system according to the preamble of claim 1. These systems provide for each tire or wheel to be equipped with a decentralized inflation device. This allows pressure control, i.e., inflation during normal rolling operation, to be achieved with an electrically operated pump arranged on the wheel or rim to generate the air pressure. On the other hand, mobile compressed air supply systems exist that are only connected to the respective tire as needed.

[0003] For example, compressed air supply systems are known that can be connected to a pneumatic tire to be sealed via a sealing fluid container. The sealing fluid container is connected, for example, to a compressor of the compressed air supply system via an air inlet opening and to the tire via an outlet opening through which an air / sealing fluid mixture can escape.

[0004] The compressor, especially a compressor's compressor unit, is driven by an electric motor, for example. The electric motor is typically connected via a power connection to an on-board power socket, which is powered by a vehicle battery and is usually used as a cigarette lighter.

[0005] This type of on-board power socket is becoming increasingly rare in vehicles.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to propose an alternative solution for the energy supply of the compressed air supply system.

[0007] According to the invention, in a compressed air supply system with a compressor having an electric motor, and means for connecting the compressed air supply system, in particular the electric motor, to a power supply source for supplying the electric motor with electrical energy, it is proposed that the means comprise means for wireless energy transmission.

[0008] The means for connecting the compressed air supply system, in particular the electric motor, to a power supply source are or comprise, for example, a power receiving unit (PRU).

[0009] The electric motor is supplied with power directly via the means for connecting the compressed air supply system, in particular the electric motor, to the power supply source. The transferable electrical energy is thus transmitted directly to the electric motor via the means, for example, the energy receiving unit. The energy is not temporarily stored in a battery.

[0010] According to the invention, the energy transfer is not wired, but rather by means of inductive coupling based on the magnetic flux via electromagnetic fields.

[0011] The frequency of the electromagnetic field, for example, is in the range of 100kHz-205kHz.

[0012] With the system according to the invention, powers preferably in the range greater than 50 watts can be transmitted by means of inductive coupling.

[0013] Inductive coupling interfaces are typically installed in motor vehicles for charging smartphones. Alternatively, such interfaces can also be retrofitted to the vehicle.

[0014] Wireless power transmission enables convenient handling, as no cable connection is required between the power source and the end device. Furthermore, the power source and end device are isolated from each other and can each be housed in completely enclosed enclosures. Furthermore, compatible plug connectors are eliminated.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment, the means for wireless energy transmission comprises a receiver coil. Accordingly, a transmitter coil is provided on the vehicle side. For inductive energy transmission, an alternating magnetic field is generated on the transmitter side. Transmission occurs via mutual induction between the transmitter and receiver coils. An alternating voltage is induced in the receiver coil. The distance between the two coils represents the wireless transmission path and should be as small as possible – typically a few centimeters to a few tens of centimeters.

[0016] To increase the range of the inductive coupling, according to a further advantageous embodiment, the means for wireless energy transmission can comprise at least one resonant circuit. One or more free resonant circuits are arranged between the transmitter and receiver coils. A resonant circuit consists of a capacitor and a coil whose resonant frequency is tuned to the transmission frequency. The resonance between the resonant circuits leads to improved magnetic coupling between the transmitter and receiver coils at the transmission frequency. The resonant circuits should have the highest possible quality factor. This results in a greater range and greater efficiency. Wireless energy transmission is thus possible over a distance of four to ten times the coil diameter. When resonant circuits are used, energy is transmitted via resonant, inductive coupling.

[0017] Furthermore, it can be provided that the means comprises at least one electrical circuit for coupling the electric motor to the receiver coil.

[0018] It may prove advantageous for the electrical circuit to include a converter or rectifier, for example, an AC / DC converter. This can advantageously adapt the induced AC voltage to the operating voltage of the electric motor.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the means for wireless energy transmission is integrated into a supply plate and / or a supply pad or is integrated comprising a supply plate and / or a supply pad.

[0020] It is further provided that means for wireless energy transmission are arranged outside a housing of the compressed air supply system, in particular accommodating the compressor and the electric motor, wherein the means can be connected or is connected to the compressor, in particular to the electric motor, via a power supply line, in particular via a cable.

[0021] According to a further embodiment, it can be provided that the compressed air supply system comprises a compressed air outlet opening, wherein the compressed air outlet opening can be connected directly or via a sealing fluid container to a pneumatic tire to be sealed and / or inflated.

[0022] These and other features of the invention will become apparent from the following description, the drawings and the claims.

[0023] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing. The drawings show: Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a compressed air supply system with a sealing fluid container and a tire; Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a compressed air supply system according to the invention; Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a compressed air supply system according to the invention according to a further embodiment; and Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of a compressed air supply system according to the invention according to a further embodiment.

[0024] Figure 1shows a schematic representation of a compressed air supply system 10, which is connected via a sealing fluid container 12 to a pneumatic tire 14 to be sealed or inflated. The sealing fluid container 12 is, as shown, directly coupled to the compressed air supply system 10. Alternatively, the sealing fluid container 12 can also be connected to the compressed air supply system 10 via a further connecting element (not shown). In systems according to the illustrated embodiment, compressed air for introducing sealing fluid and additional compressed air for distributing the sealing fluid in the pneumatic tire are provided by the compressed air supply system 10, wherein the compressed air is passed through the sealing fluid container 12.

[0025] Alternatively, the compressed air supply system 10 can also be connected directly to the pneumatic tire 14 to be inflated.

[0026] The compressed air supply system 10 is described below with reference to the Figures 2 to 4 explained.

[0027] The compressed air supply system 10 comprises a compressor 16 and an electric motor 18, in particular for driving a compressor of the compressor 16. According to the illustrated embodiment, the compressor 16 and the electric motor 18 are accommodated in a housing 20 of the compressed air supply system 10.

[0028] Furthermore, the compressed air supply system 10 comprises a means 22 for connecting the compressed air supply system 10, in particular the electric motor 18, to a power supply source 24 for supplying the compressed air supply system 10, in particular the electric motor 18, with electrical energy.

[0029] The means 22 of the compressed air supply system 10 is designed as a means 22 for wireless energy transmission.

[0030] Accordingly, the power supply source 24 also includes means for wireless power transmission. Such interfaces are typically installed in motor vehicles for charging smartphones.

[0031] The means 22 for wireless energy transmission comprises a supply plate 28 or a supply pad. The supply plate 28 or supply pad refers to the part 28 of the compressed air supply system 10 remote from the housing, which is connectable or connected to the compressor, in particular to the electric motor, via a power supply line, in particular via a cable 26.

[0032] The means 22 for wireless energy transmission comprises a receiver coil 30, cf. Fig. 3Accordingly, a transmitter coil 32 is provided on the vehicle side. For inductive energy transmission, an alternating magnetic field is generated on the transmitter side, particularly by means of an oscillator 34. Transmission occurs via mutual induction between the transmitter and receiver coils 30, 32. An alternating voltage is induced in the receiver coil 30. The distance between the two coils 30, 32 represents the wireless transmission path and should be as small as possible – typically a few centimeters to a few tens of centimeters.

[0033] To increase the range of the inductive coupling, according to a further advantageous embodiment, the means for wireless energy transmission can comprise at least one resonant circuit 36. According to the illustrated embodiment, a resonant circuit is provided on both the transmitter and receiver sides. A resonant circuit consists of a capacitor and a coil whose resonant frequency is tuned to the transmission frequency. The resonance between the resonant circuits 36 leads to improved magnetic coupling between the transmitter and receiver coils 30, 32 at the transmission frequency.

[0034] On the receiver side, an electrical circuit 38 is also provided for coupling the electric motor 18 to the receiver coil 30.

[0035] The electrical circuit 38 comprises, for example, a converter or a rectifier. For example, this can advantageously be used to adapt the induced alternating voltage to an operating voltage of the electric motor 18.

Claims

1. A compressed-air providing system (10), in particular for providing air for tires (14) of a motor vehicle, wherein the compressed-air providing system (10) can be connected to a pneumatic tire (14) to be sealed and / or pumped up, comprising a compressor (16) having an electric motor (18), in particular for driving a compressing unit of the compressor (16), wherein the compressed-air providing system (10) is provided with means (22) for connecting the compressed-air providing system (10), in particular the electric motor (18), to an energy supply source (24) for supplying the electric motor (18) with electrical energy, wherein the electrical energy is transmitted directly to the electric motor (18), wherein the means (22) comprises means for wireless transmission of energy, characterized in that the means (22) is arranged outside of a housing (20) of the compressed-air providing system (10), which housing in particular receives the compressor (16) and the electric motor (18), wherein the means (22) can be connected or is connected via an energy supply line, in particular via a cable (26), to the compressor, in particular to the electric motor.

2. The compressed-air providing system (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (22) comprises a receiver coil (30).

3. The compressed-air providing system (10) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the means (22) comprises at least one resonant circuit.

4. The compressed-air providing system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means (22) comprises at least one electrical circuit for coupling the electric motor (18) to the receiver coil (30).

5. The compressed-air providing system (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the electrical circuit comprises a converter or a rectifier.

6. The compressed-air providing system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means (22) is integrated into a supply plate (28) and / or a supply pad (28) or comprises a supply plate (28) and / or a supply pad (28).

7. The compressed-air providing system (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the compressed-air providing system (10) comprises a compressed-air outlet opening (36), wherein the compressed-air outlet opening (36) can be connected directly or via a sealing liquid container (12) to a pneumatic tire (14) to be sealed and / or pumped up.