Compressed-air supply unit having a compressor in star configuration

Abstract

The invention relates to a compressed-air supply unit (100) comprising a compressor unit (1) in star configuration and having wobble pistons (4), one of the wobble pistons being the master piston (7), which is rotationally fixed to an eccentric unit. The invention also relates to an air suspension system of a vehicle.

Description

[0001] COMPRESSED AIR SUPPLY UNIT WITH STAR COMPRESSOR

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a compressed air supply unit with a compressor unit in star configuration, as well as an air suspension system of a vehicle.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] To generate compressed air, it is known to arrange several piston compressors in a star configuration. However, in the automotive sector, compressor units that operate with one or two piston compressors have so far only been found, which is partly due to the increased structural complexity or the increased space requirements of a star configuration compared to single- or two-piston compressors.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a compressed air supply unit with a compressor unit which allows the use of a star configuration also for the vehicle sector.

[0008] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments and further developments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0009] A compressed air supply unit according to the invention comprises a compressor unit for generating compressed air with a plurality of at least three individual compressors. The individual compressors each have a wobble piston arranged in a compressor cylinder, which is also referred to as an oscillating piston or pendulum piston. The individual compressors are accordingly piston compressors, each with a piston or piston section and a connecting rod or piston rod, which are rigidly or non-rotatably connected to one another and are preferably formed in one piece. The individual compressors are arranged in a star configuration, i.e. the axes of the compressor cylinders of the at least three individual compressors lie in a common plane and / or intersect at a common center point and / or are distributed in a star shape and regularly around the common center point, so that adjacent axes each enclose the same, predetermined angle.The compressor cylinders are thus evenly distributed around a center or the common midpoint.

[0010] The individual compressors of the compressor unit are driven by an eccentric assembly, with exactly one of the wobble pistons being designed as a so-called master piston or master wobble piston, which is rotationally fixed or rigidly attached to the eccentric assembly. The remaining wobble pistons are rotatably and fixedly connected to the eccentric assembly, preferably to so-called connecting rod pins. During operation, a rotary movement of the eccentric assembly sets the wobble pistons of the individual compressors in the respective compressor cylinders (out of phase with each other) into a translational movement along the respective cylinder axis, during which the wobble pistons simultaneously execute a tilting movement relative to the respective cylinder axis.

[0011] The provision of wobble pistons, as opposed to, for example, exclusively linearly moving pistons, simplifies the kinematics or the structural design required for driving the individual compressors via the eccentric assembly. The inventive design of one of the wobble pistons as a master piston further simplifies the structural design or kinematics of the compressor unit, since the rigid and rotationally fixed connection of the master piston to the eccentric assembly simultaneously defines or predetermines, among other things, the angle of rotation of the eccentric assembly to such an extent that a separate component for this is unnecessary. This inventive kinematics with a master piston accordingly not only reduces the number of necessary components, but also the space and installation space required compared to known solutions, and thus permits or favors the use of a star configuration in compressor units in vehicles.Accordingly, for example, the noise development in vehicles is minimized compared to known solutions in the automotive sector.

[0012] Preferably, the compressor unit comprises a plurality of (exactly) n individual compressors, where n is an integer greater than 2, for example n = 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12.

[0013] The compressor unit particularly preferably has five (n = 5) individual compressors, whereby the installation space in the compressor unit is used particularly well in the star arrangement and, for example, a maximum pumping capacity per installation volume of the compressor unit is achieved. The n individual compressors are preferably connected pneumatically in parallel. The compressor unit is therefore a single-stage compressor. This further reduces the pulsation of the total volume flow or the pumped volume, which further minimizes noise and / or variations in the drive torque. The n individual compressors in the compressor unit are particularly preferably fixed or(after assembly of the compressor unit) permanently connected pneumatically in parallel, i.e. the compressor unit is permanently designed as a single-stage compressor, which means that, for example, valves can be dispensed with in order to switch the flow path, for example in order to optionally obtain a multi-stage compressor, which minimizes effort and costs with regard to production and construction of the compressor unit and reduces the number of components.

[0014] Preferably, the compressor unit in the compressed air supply unit is part of a compressor unit, wherein the compressor unit further comprises an electric motor that drives the eccentric assembly in rotation via a motor shaft. The electric motor is generally permanently connected to the compressor unit, preferably flange-mounted to the compressor unit. In the simplest case, the compressor unit then consists of a compressor unit and an electric motor. The electric motor is preferably a brushless electric motor (BLDC - brushless DC motor). Furthermore, the axis of the motor shaft is preferably located (exactly) in the center or at the common center point of the star arrangement.

[0015] Furthermore, the eccentric assembly preferably comprises a particularly preferably one-piece eccentric base body, which is fixed to the motor shaft and rotates with the motor shaft during operation, and a particularly preferably one-piece eccentric master or eccentric master body, which is eccentrically and rotatably mounted on the eccentric base body. In the simplest case, the eccentric assembly consists of the eccentric base body and the eccentric master. Preferably, the eccentric assembly further comprises a pivot bearing, particularly preferably a ball bearing, rolling bearing, or roller bearing, between the eccentric base body and the eccentric master, so that in the simplest case, the eccentric assembly then consists of the eccentric base body, the eccentric master, and the pivot bearing.

[0016] The eccentric master preferably has n+1 journals or connecting rods for mechanical connection to the connecting rods or piston rods of the wobble pistons, in particular on an end face of the eccentric master facing away from the electric motor. Furthermore, n connecting rod journals are preferably arranged peripherally around exactly one (1) central connecting rod journal, in particular regularly on a circle around the central connecting rod journal, which forms the center of the circle. The n+1 connecting rod journals are preferably cylindrical and / or identical and / or completely formed as cylindrical protrusions and / or integrally formed with the eccentric master.

[0017] The master piston is preferably connected to two connecting rod journals (at the end facing away from the piston section). This attachment at two points on the eccentric assembly creates the inventive non-rotatable connection between the master piston and the eccentric assembly and, at the same time, ensures simple production without separate process steps or components, since the same elements (connecting rod journals) are used to attach the piston rod of the master piston as for the other wobble pistons. Preferably, one of the two connecting rod journals is the central connecting rod journal, i.e., the master piston is connected to the central connecting rod journal and precisely one peripheral connecting rod journal. The connecting rods or piston rods of the remaining n-1 wobble pistons are preferably each rotatably and stationary connected (at the end facing away from the piston or piston section) to (precisely) one of the remaining, peripheral n-1 connecting rod journals.This special kinematics offers the advantage of a simple design, as well as easy manufacture and assembly of the compressor unit. In this unit, the connecting rod journals preferably form pivot bearings in the form of plain bearings for the n-1 rotatably mounted wobble pistons, which reduces the number of components and manufacturing effort.

[0018] The individual compressors of the compressor unit draw in uncompressed air (e.g., ambient air) primarily via the piston and expel compressed air or compressed air via the cylinder or cylinder head. Accordingly, the individual compressors each have a first check valve, such as a reed valve, in the piston or piston section and a second check valve in the cylinder base (or cylinder head). The intake of air via the pistons and thus from the center of the star arrangement enables a low-resistance air flow to the individual compressors.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment, the compressed air supply unit further comprises a valve block. The valve block, also referred to as a solenoid valve block or air spring valve block, serves for the controllable distribution of the compressed air generated in the compressor unit or the compressor unit in a compressed air system, in particular in an air suspension system of a motor vehicle. It serves, for example, for the supply and discharge of compressed air to and from various pneumatic consumers, such as air spring struts, air spring bellows, and / or one or more compressed air reservoirs installed in the system. Advantageously, the valve block and / or the compressor unit are structural units of the compressed air supply unit that are designed as functional module units. A functional module unit is generally a structural unit of the compressed air supply unit,

[0020] - which (fully) provides a predetermined functionality or functionality intended for this unit, and / or

[0021] - which includes the or all or at least all essential or necessary (functional) components for this functionality, and / or

[0022] - which is arranged in a predetermined or defined (own) spatial area in which only the respective functional module unit is arranged.

[0023] Different functional module units are arranged accordingly in different, mutually separate, non-overlapping spatial areas or volumes. Accordingly, functional module units or the valve block and the compressor unit, preferably the entire compressed air supply unit, do not have any functional, cross-module components or parts. This means that, for example, components or parts assigned to a functionality of a specific functional module unit are not spatially arranged across module boundaries. In the simplest case, a given functionality in the compressed air supply unit is provided exclusively by the respective or precisely one functional module unit.Accordingly, in the simplest case, the compressor unit and the valve block form two spatially separated, non-overlapping areas, each of which contains all the parts or components necessary for the desired functionality. In the case of the compressor unit, these are, for example, the compressor unit and the eccentric assembly, and preferably also the electric motor. In the case of the valve block, these are, for example, the solenoid valves and plug-in connectors discussed in detail below, and possibly other components of the valve block.

[0024] The functional module units thus form functional units in the compressed air supply unit that are easily interchangeable and thus facilitate the creation of variants of the compressed air supply unit, which is particularly advantageous in the automotive sector, for example, due to the variety of models commonly available there. The compressed air supply unit is preferably completely modular in design and / or consists exclusively of functional module units.

[0025] A functional module unit preferably has a particularly preferably closed housing or outer housing that partially or completely encloses the functional module unit and particularly preferably encloses the (functional) component or components of the respective structural unit and / or spans the spatial area of ​​the functional module unit and / or completely or partially forms the respective module boundary. Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment, the compressor unit has a compressor housing that partially or completely encloses the compressor unit. Likewise, in a preferred embodiment, the valve block has a valve block housing that partially or completely encloses the valve block.

[0026] Preferably, the compressor unit and the valve block or the compressor housing and the valve block housing are preferably firmly connected to one another, preferably directly firmly connected to one another, in particular screwed together and / or flanged to one another, that is to say they engage one another flatly, for example, on corresponding flange surfaces or abut one another, for example, on a circumferential, in the simplest case circular and / or completely flat or planar surface.

[0027] Preferably, the (closed) housing of a functional module unit is a housing that exclusively has (functionally) necessary interfaces to the peripherals, for example, to an adjacent component in the compressed air supply unit (internal interface) or to the exterior of the compressed air supply unit (external interface). In the case of the compressor unit, the functionally necessary interfaces that the compressor housing at least or exactly has are, for example, the compressed air interface for discharging compressed air from the compressor unit and the intake opening, discussed in detail below, as well as an (internal) electrical interface for controlling the electric motor.In the case of the valve block, these are precisely, or at least the solenoid valves discussed in detail below, as well as a compressed air interface for supplying compressed air to the valve block and an (internal) electrical interface for controlling the solenoid valves. The functionally necessary interfaces in this case are therefore electrical interfaces or pneumatic interfaces for compressed air (compressed air interface) or for uncompressed (ambient) air (low-pressure openings). Low-pressure openings are large compared to compressed air interface openings, for example, to enable a low-resistance air flow.

[0028] Preferably, the compressor unit or the compressor housing has an intake opening for uncompressed ambient air or a low-pressure opening, which is preferably arranged on the central axis of the star arrangement and / or on or in extension of the axis of the motor shaft and / or within the circumferential flange surface (for securing the valve block). In the simplest case, the intake opening is formed as an external interface in the compressed air supply unit.

[0029] The compressed air supply unit preferably comprises a dryer unit as a further structural unit, which is particularly preferably pneumatically connected between the compressor unit and the valve block, so that the compressed air generated in the compressor unit is dried and fed to the valve block that supplies the compressed air system. The dryer unit is preferably designed as a granulate dryer.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the dryer unit is designed as a functional module and / or has a (closed) dryer unit housing. Accordingly, the dryer unit housing preferably completely encloses the dryer granulate and / or, in the simplest case, has exactly two pneumatic interfaces, which are preferably designed as internal compressed air interfaces.

[0031] A first compressed air interface of the dryer unit preferably serves to supply compressed air to the dryer unit and corresponds to the compressed air interface of the compressor unit for discharging compressed air from the compressor unit. A second compressed air interface of the dryer unit preferably serves to discharging compressed air from the dryer unit and corresponds to the compressed air interface of the valve block for supplying compressed air to the valve block.

[0032] Preferably, the dryer unit is firmly connected to the compressor unit or the compressor unit and / or to the valve block, preferably directly firmly connected to one another, in particular screwed to one another and / or flanged to the compressor unit and / or the valve block, i.e. the dryer unit or dryer unit housing on the one hand and the compressor unit or the compressor housing and / or the valve block or the valve block housing on the other hand engage one another flatly at corresponding flange surfaces or abut one another, for example, at a circumferential, in the simplest case circular and / or completely flat or level flange surface. The respective flange surface preferably encloses the respective pneumatic interface or internal compressed air interface. In the simplest case, the internal compressed air interfaces are each designed as sealed orA sealable opening is formed in the respective housing, which can be sealed, for example, with a circumferential radial O-ring clamped, for example, by the adjacent housings. However, corresponding compressed air interfaces are preferably alternatively or additionally formed as a plug-socket pair (for example, as a cylindrical protrusion and recess) and are particularly preferably sealable with an O-ring clamped radially between the plug and socket.

[0033] The valve block usually comprises a one-piece valve block housing made of plastic, for example, which

[0034] - mechanically holds the various components or functional elements (such as solenoid valves, pressure and / or temperature sensors, etc.) (e.g. by means of lugs, ribs, snap hooks, remelting, etc.) and / or

[0035] - provides flow or pneumatic channels between the components of the valve block and / or

[0036] - has pneumatic interfaces that at least partially or exactly form the functionally necessary interfaces, and / or

[0037] - has at least or exactly one electrical interface, which also forms a functionally necessary interface.

[0038] The valve block housing comprises a plurality of external compressed air interfaces intended for connecting the pneumatic consumers in the compressed air system and preferably equipped with screwed-in pneumatic plug-in connectors. The valve block further comprises a plurality of solenoid valves, with each solenoid valve preferably being assigned one or precisely one external compressed air interface or plug-in connector. The solenoid valves can then be used to switch various pneumatic flow paths in the valve block, with all solenoid valves preferably being designed as NC valves (normally closed).

[0039] The valve block housing further comprises the internal compressed air interface described above for supplying compressed air from the compressor unit and / or (if present) from the dryer unit. In the simplest case, in the compressed air supply unit, the internal compressed air interface of the valve block corresponds to the compressed air interface of the compressor unit, so that compressed air is fed directly from the compressor unit into the valve block. Preferably, however, in the compressed air supply unit, the internal compressed air interface of the valve block corresponds to the second compressed air interface of the dryer unit, so that dried compressed air is fed into the valve block. The internal compressed air interface of the valve block is preferably formed within a (circumferential) flange surface of the valve block housing for fastening the dryer unit or the compressor unit.

[0040] Preferably, the valve block further comprises an air filter arranged in an air duct between an intake opening and a forwarding opening. Preferably, the intake opening of the compressor unit and the forwarding opening of the valve block correspond to one another, particularly preferably being located directly opposite one another in the compressed air supply unit. The intake opening and forwarding opening are preferably designed as low-pressure openings.

[0041] The valve block preferably further comprises a discharge opening through which compressed air from the compressed air system is released into the environment and / or which is an external pneumatic interface in the compressed air supply unit and / or to which a solenoid valve is assigned.

[0042] Furthermore, (exactly) one pneumatic interface of the valve block is preferably designed as a filling connection with preferably a purely passive filling valve, via which the compressed air system or the consumers and / or pressure accumulators can be filled directly, i.e. bypassing the compressor unit and any dryer unit.

[0043] In the simplest case, the valve block contains all pneumatic interfaces of the compressed air supply unit to the environment and to the consumers, which simplifies the structural design and installation of the compressed air supply unit in a system or vehicle.

[0044] Preferably, the valve block housing is further cast with a potting compound or a two-component adhesive compound, which serves to protect the components of the valve block from environmental influences and to dissipate heat.

[0045] The compressed air supply unit preferably comprises, as a further component, an electronics or control unit for controlling the compressed air supply unit, in particular for completely controlling the entire compressed air supply unit or all components of the compressed air supply unit. The electronics unit is preferably designed as a functional module unit, particularly preferably with a (closed) electronics unit housing that encloses all electronic components required for control.

[0046] Preferably, the electronics unit is firmly connected to the compressor unit or the electric motor and / or to the valve block, preferably directly firmly connected to one another, in particular screwed together and / or flanged to the compressor unit and / or the valve block, i.e. the electronics unit or electronics unit housing on the one hand and the compressor unit or the compressor housing and / or the valve block or the valve block housing on the other hand engage one another flatly on corresponding flange surfaces or abut one another, for example, on a circumferential, in the simplest case circular and / or completely flat or planar flange surface.

[0047] Various electrical configurations of the electronics unit are conceivable. For example, the electronics unit can be provided exclusively for controlling the electric motor or exclusively for controlling the solenoid valves of the valve block. However, the electronics unit is preferably configured to control both the electric motor and the solenoid valves of the valve block. To control the solenoid valves of the valve block, the electronics unit preferably has a current output stage for each solenoid valve. Accordingly, the electronics unit is preferably electrically connected to the valve block and the compressor unit, in particular the electric motor, wherein the respective electrical interfaces are preferably internal interfaces, which are particularly preferably arranged within the respective flanges.

[0048] The electronics unit or the electronics unit housing preferably comprises at least one or exactly one bus interface or bus connection (for example, for a CAN bus or a LIN bus) on an outer side of the compressed air supply unit. The electronics unit thus offers the possibility for the compressed air supply unit to communicate with a higher-level control unit in the vehicle and preferably also has the necessary control logic for this purpose, which is configured to convert at least the communication signals from the bus interface into control signals for the components of the compressed air supply unit, and preferably also to generate communication signals. The electronics unit or the electronics unit housing preferably also comprises (exactly) one supply voltage interface or one supply voltage connection on an outer side of the compressed air supply unit, in particular for a low-voltage direct voltage of, for example, 12V, 24V, or 48V.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment, the bus interface and the supply voltage interface are the only electrical (external) interfaces or external interfaces of the compressed air supply unit.

[0050] Alternatively, the electronics unit can also be designed in a more complex manner and contain additional external or internal electrical inputs or electrical (external) interfaces for, for example, additional components installed in the air suspension system and / or comprise additional control units which, for example, are part of a control logic or a central processor unit.

[0051] For example, the electronics unit has an electrical interface for receiving signals from height sensors. The control logic of the electronics unit is at least configured to provide the information from the height sensors to the bus interface. Preferably, the electronics unit has an integrated level controller configured to process the information from the height sensors and to suitably control the solenoid valves to maintain a predetermined height.

[0052] Likewise, in a preferred embodiment, the electronic unit or its control logic is configured to detect or monitor the actual state using signals from one or more pressure and / or temperature sensors installed in the compressed air supply unit or in the air suspension system.

[0053] Likewise, in a preferred embodiment, the electronic unit or its control logic is configured to detect and (independently) regulate the fill level of one or more compressed air reservoirs.

[0054] Advantageously, in the compressed air supply unit according to the invention, the structural units, which are preferably designed as functional module units, in particular the compressor unit, the valve block, the dryer unit and / or the electronics unit, from which the compressed air supply unit is constructed, preferably consists exclusively, form a common, assembled housing in the assembled compressed air supply unit, which is preferably a closed housing and / or water-, splash- and / or air-tight.

[0055] The housings of the various components of the compressed air supply unit thus form sub-housings within the common housing. In the simplest case, the common housing consists exclusively of the housings of the components, in particular the compressor unit, the valve block, the dryer unit, and the electronics unit, which are preferably designed as a functional module unit.

[0056] Preferably, the common housing of the compressed air supply unit has only (functionally) necessary interfaces to the peripherals, so that the compressed air supply unit preferably forms a functional module unit itself. For example, the compressed air supply unit has only or precisely the following interfaces as (external) interfaces:

[0057] - an intake opening in the valve block or compressor unit,

[0058] - the compressed air interfaces or plug connections of the valve block,

[0059] - the bus interface, and

[0060] - the supply voltage interface.

[0061] The compressed air supply unit thus forms a compact and integrated assembly that completely provides the compressed air supply in a compressed air system, minimizes the installation space and can be easily installed in many places in a vehicle.

[0062] The invention further relates to an air suspension system of a vehicle or motor vehicle, comprising one or more compressed air supply units according to the invention, and preferably also air spring legs, air spring bellows and / or one or more compressed air reservoirs.

[0063] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0064] The invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are merely schematic representations, and the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments shown.

[0065] Figure 1 shows a compressor unit with star configuration, Figure 2 shows an eccentric assembly of the compressor unit,

[0066] Figure 3 shows a compressor unit,

[0067] Figure 4 shows a first embodiment of a compressed air supply unit, and

[0068] Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of a compressed air supply unit.

[0069] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0070] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a compressor unit 1 in which five individual compressors 2 are arranged in a star configuration. The individual compressors 2 are piston compressors, each with a compressor cylinder 3, in each of which a wobble piston 4 is arranged, which moves up and down along a cylinder axis 5 of the respective compressor cylinder 3 during operation and simultaneously executes a tilting movement. The axes 5 of the five (n = 5) individual compressors 2 intersect at a common intersection point 6, which accordingly also forms the midpoint 6 or the center of the star configuration. Adjacent axes 5 each enclose an angle of 360° / 5 (generally 360° / n), i.e. 72°. The wobble pistons 4 are rigid pistons in which the piston section 4a is rigidly and non-rotatably connected to the connecting rod or piston rod 4b.

[0071] The wobble pistons 4 of the compressor unit 1 are driven by an electric motor 18 via a motor shaft 19, whose axis 6' runs through the center point 6 of the star configuration, via an eccentric assembly 10, as shown in Figure 2. The eccentric assembly 10 comprises an eccentric base body 11, which is fastened to the motor shaft 19 and rotates with it. An eccentric master 12 is arranged on the eccentric base body 11, eccentrically to the axis 6' of the motor shaft 19, and is rotatably mounted on the eccentric base body 11 via a ball bearing 13. On the end face of the eccentric master 12 facing away from the electric motor 18 or the motor shaft 19, a total of six connecting rod pins 14 are arranged, which serve to fasten the wobble pistons 4. One of the connecting rod pins 14 is arranged centrally on the eccentric master 12, i.e. it is located on the axis of rotation about which the eccentric master 12 can rotate on the eccentric base body 11.The remaining five connecting rod pins 14 are evenly distributed on a circular path around the central connecting rod pin 14 (peripheral connecting rod pins 14). As can be seen from Figure 1, four of the five wobble pistons are rotatably and fixedly connected to one of the peripheral connecting rod pins 14. The wobble piston 4 shown on the left in Figure 1, on the other hand, is designed as a master piston 7, meaning it is non-rotatably connected to the eccentric master 12. In this case, this is achieved by attaching the master piston 7 to two connecting rod pins 14, namely a peripheral connecting rod pin 14 and the central connecting rod pin 14.

[0072] Figure 3 shows a modular compressor unit 20 with a compressor unit 1 and an electric motor 18 flanged thereto. The axis 6' of the motor shaft 19 also forms a central axis for the compressor unit. Furthermore, the compressor unit 20 has a central intake opening 21 through which uncompressed ambient air is sucked into the compressor unit 1 and flows into the compressor cylinder 3 via reed or check valves (not shown) in the piston sections 4a of the wobble pistons 4. Compressed air is then expelled and collected through reed or check valves (not shown) in the cylinder head of the compressor cylinder 3, with the five individual compressors 2 being pneumatically connected in parallel. The compressor unit 20 accordingly also has pneumatic interfaces (not shown) for the generated compressed air.

[0073] Figure 4 shows a first embodiment of a compressed air supply unit 100. It comprises a compressor unit 20, a valve block 30, a dryer unit 40, and an electronics unit 50 (not shown in the figure). These components 20, 30, 40, 50 are designed as functional modules, so that the compressed air supply unit 100 has a modular structure overall. Accordingly, individual components can be easily replaced or varied. The various components or functional modules are flanged and screwed together. The dryer unit 14 is accordingly flanged to the compressor unit 20 and the valve block 30 and pneumatically interposed, so that the compressed air generated in the compressor unit 20 is first dried in the dryer unit 40 and then fed to the valve block 30.The valve block 30 also has six plug-in connections 31 for supplying various consumers with compressed air. Not shown in Figure 4 are the solenoid valves of the valve block 30 and an intake port, which is pneumatically connected to the intake port 21 of the compressor unit and has an air filter.

[0074] Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of a compressed air supply unit 100. It again comprises a compressor unit 20, a valve block 30, a dryer unit 40, and an electronics unit 50. The electronics unit 50 has an electrical connection 51, which includes a bus interface and a supply voltage connection. The electrical connection 51 forms the only electrical interface of the compressed air supply unit 100. Likewise, an intake opening (not shown) in the valve block 30 and the plug-in connections 31 form the only pneumatic interfaces of the pressure supply unit. The various components 20, 30, 40, 50 of the compressed air supply unit 100 are combined with their respective housings to form a common closed and, if necessary, sealed housing, which has only the aforementioned pneumatic and electrical interfaces.

[0075] LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0076] 1 V sealing unit

[0077] 2 single compressors

[0078] 3 V er Dichtzy linder

[0079] 4 wobble pistons

[0080] 4a Piston section

[0081] 4b Connecting rod, piston rod

[0082] 5 Cylinder axis of a compressor cylinder 3

[0083] 6 Intersection of the cylinder axes, center point of the star configuration

[0084] 6' Central axis of the star configuration, axis of the motor shaft

[0085] 7 master pistons

[0086] 10 Eccentric assembly

[0087] 11 Eccentric base body

[0088] 12 eccentric masters

[0089] 13 ball bearings

[0090] 14 connecting rod pins

[0091] 18 electric motor

[0092] 19 Motor shaft

[0093] 20 Compressor unit, assembly unit

[0094] 21 Intake opening

[0095] 30 Valve block, assembly unit

[0096] 31 plug-in connectors

[0097] 40 Dryer unit, assembly unit

[0098] 50 Electronic unit, assembly unit

[0099] 51 electrical connection, supply voltage interface, bus interface

[0100] 100 compressed air supply unit

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Compressed air supply unit (100) comprising a compressor unit (1) for generating compressed air, comprising a plurality of individual compressors (2) with wobble pistons (4) in a star configuration, wherein the compressor unit is driven via an eccentric assembly (10) and exactly one of the wobble pistons is designed as a master piston (7) which is fastened to the eccentric assembly in a rotationally fixed manner.

2. Compressed air supply unit (100) according to claim 1, characterized in - that the compressor unit (1) has a plurality of n individual compressors (2) with n > 2 and integer, preferably n = 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12, particularly preferably with n = 5, and / or - that the individual compressors (2) are pneumatically connected in parallel and / or the compressor unit is designed as a single-stage unit, and / or - that the compressed air supply unit has a compressor unit (20) which comprises the compressor unit, wherein the compressor unit preferably further comprises an electric motor (18) which drives the eccentric assembly (10) via a motor shaft (19) and / or is fixedly connected to the compressor unit, and / or - that the eccentric assembly (10) has an eccentric base body (11) and an eccentric master (12), and / or - that the eccentric master (12) has n+1 preferably cylindrical pins (14), wherein preferably n pins are arranged on a circular path around a central pin, and / or - that the master piston (7) is connected to two pins, preferably comprising the central pin, and / or - that the individual compressors (2) each have a first check valve in the piston and a second check valve in the cylinder base.

3. Compressed air supply unit (100) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a valve block (30) for distributing compressed air, wherein the valve block and / or the compressor unit (20) are designed as functional module units.

4. Compressed air supply unit (100) according to claim 3, characterized - that the compressor unit (20) comprises a preferably closed compressor housing in which the compressor unit is partially or completely arranged, and / or - that the valve block (30) comprises a preferably closed valve block housing in which the valve block is partially or completely arranged, and / or - that the compressor unit and the valve block are firmly connected to each other, in particular flanged and / or screwed together.

5. Compressed air supply unit (100) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the compressor unit (20) has an intake opening (21) for uncompressed air, which is preferably arranged on a central axis (6') of the star configuration and / or on the axis of the motor shaft (19) and / or within a circumferential flange surface.

6. Compressed air supply unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a dryer unit (40), - which is pneumatically connected between the compressor unit (20) and the valve block (30), and / or - which is designed as a granulate dryer, and / or - which is designed as a functional module unit, preferably with a dryer unit housing, which preferably has two pneumatic interfaces, which are particularly preferably designed as compressed air interfaces, and / or - which is firmly connected to the compressor unit (20) or the compressor unit (1) and / or to the valve block (30), preferably flanged to the compressor unit and / or the valve block.

7. Compressed air supply unit (100) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the valve block (30) - comprises a plurality of solenoid valves, and / or - comprises a plurality of external compressed air interfaces or plug-in connections (31) for connecting one or more consumers, in particular air spring struts and / or a compressed air reservoir, and / or - comprises an air filter which is arranged in an air duct between an intake opening and a forwarding opening, wherein preferably the intake opening (21) of the compressor unit (20) and the forwarding opening of the valve block correspond to one another, particularly preferably being located directly opposite one another in the compressed air supply unit, and / or - comprises at least one drain opening and / or a compressed air interface and / or a filling connection and / or a pressure sensor and / or a temperature sensor, and / or - has all pneumatic interfaces of the compressed air supply unit.

8. Compressed air supply unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising an electronic unit (50) for controlling the compressed air supply unit, - which is designed as a functional module unit, preferably with an electronic unit housing, which is particularly preferably closed and / or in which the electronic unit is particularly preferably completely arranged, and / or - which is firmly connected to the compressor unit (20) or the compressor unit (1) and / or to the valve block (30), preferably flanged to the compressor unit and / or the valve block, and / or - which is electrically connected to the valve block and / or the compressor unit, in particular the electric motor (18), and / or - which has a supply voltage interface and / or a bus interface (51), and / or - which includes an electrical interface for receiving signals from level sensors, and / or - which comprises a control logic comprising a level controller and / or which is preferably designed to - provide information from the level sensors to the bus interface, and / or - to capture signals from one or more pressure and / or temperature sensors, and / or - to detect the filling level of one or more compressed air storage tanks and to regulate them preferentially.

9. Compressed air supply unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the structural units (20, 30, 40, 50), preferably designed as a functional module unit, from which the compressed air supply unit is constructed, form a common housing, which is preferably a closed housing and / or water-, splash- and / or air-tight.

10. Air suspension system of a vehicle, comprising one or more compressed air supply units (100) according to one of the preceding claims.

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