System for supplying compressed air in a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for supplying compressed air in a motor vehicle, comprising a compressor (10), in particular a scroll compressor, which has a stationary chamber component and a movable chamber component, which together delimit at least one variable-volume compression chamber, wherein at least the stationary chamber component is integrated into a fluid cooling circuit (20) for the purpose of cooling, which fluid cooling circuit has a fluid reservoir (21) which is equipped with passive and / or active cooling elements (22). The invention also relates to a motor vehicle having such a system and to the use of a washing water circuit of a motor vehicle as a fluid cooling circuit (20) for such a system.

Description

[0001] Compressed air supply system in a motor vehicle

[0002] The invention relates to a system for supplying compressed air in a motor vehicle.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle with such a system and to the use of a motor vehicle's windshield washer circuit as a fluid cooling circuit for such a system.

[0004] With the increasing electrification of motor vehicles and the automation of their functions, compressed air is becoming increasingly important as an energy carrier and working fluid. Compressed air is required in various forms, including dry compressed air, for example in braking systems.

[0005] On the other hand, there are considerations to use compressed air in conjunction with liquids to improve vehicle functions, such as sensor cleaning. Particularly in vehicles that enable semi-autonomous or fully autonomous ferry operation, sensor cleanliness is crucial to maintaining the vehicle's functional and operational reliability during such autonomous operation. This is especially true for fully autonomous vehicles, where complete system operational reliability must be guaranteed.

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide a compressed air supply system for a motor vehicle that exhibits high reliability and offers novel functions for improving the operational safety of semi-autonomous and / or fully autonomous vehicles. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a motor vehicle equipped with such a system. A further object of the invention is to provide the use of a motor vehicle's windshield washer circuit as a fluid cooling circuit for such a system.

[0007] According to the invention, the problem is solved with regard to the compressed air supply system by the subject matter of claim 1, with regard to the motor vehicle by the subject matter of claim 13 and with regard to the use by the subject matter of claim 14.

[0008] 102336-WO - MSP Keller Schneider August 8, 2025 Patent Attorneys GmbH The invention is based on the concept of providing a compressed air supply system for a motor vehicle with a compressor, in particular a scroll compressor. The compressor has a stationary chamber component and a movable chamber component, which together define at least one variable-volume compression chamber. At least the stationary chamber component is integrated into a fluid cooling circuit for cooling, which includes a fluid reservoir. The fluid reservoir is preferably equipped with passive and / or active cooling elements.

[0009] The invention preferably utilizes a scroll compressor whose operating principle consists of creating a variable compression chamber via two interlocking displacement spirals. Through an orbiting movement of one orbiting displacement spiral within a stationary displacement spiral, the compression chamber moves, thereby reducing its volume. Air enclosed within is thus compressed and supplied as compressed air at the outlet of the scroll compressor. The orbiting displacement spiral thus forms the movable chamber component, while the stationary displacement spiral forms the stationary chamber component.

[0010] To ensure high operational reliability of the compressor, the invention provides that at least the stationary chamber component is integrated into a fluid cooling circuit. This results in preferably continuous cooling of the stationary chamber component, thereby increasing the service life and operational reliability of the compressor. It is also possible that the movable chamber component is additionally or alternatively cooled by the fluid cooling circuit.

[0011] The fluid reservoir can contain a liquid. It is advantageous if the fluid reservoir is equipped with passive and / or active cooling elements so that the liquid within it is efficiently cooled. The liquid, or more generally the cooling fluid, can thus absorb heat as it flows through the stationary chamber component and / or the moving chamber component and dissipate it via the fluid reservoir or the cooling elements arranged therein.

[0012] 102336-WO - MSP Keller Schneider August 8, 2025 Patentanwalts GmbH Cooling elements dissipate heat into the environment. This ensures efficient cooling of the heat-stressed components of the compressor and guarantees reliable operation.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fluid reservoir is formed by the vehicle's windshield washer fluid tank. This allows for the efficient continued use of the vehicle's existing windshield washer fluid system. Additional water-carrying components can thus be avoided or at least reduced. The compressed air supply system can therefore be easily and cost-effectively integrated into the existing structure of a vehicle.

[0014] It is particularly advantageous if the compressor and the fluid reservoir, especially the windshield washer fluid tank, form a single unit. The compressor can be integrated into the washer fluid reservoir, or the reservoir and compressor can be integrated into a single housing. This allows the compressor and fluid reservoir to form a single, easily handled component or assembly, resulting in a particularly compact compressed air supply system. Furthermore, the fluid lines between the compressor and the reservoir are short, saving material and reducing costs.

[0015] Preferably, a cooling fluid, in particular water and / or a water-glycol mixture, circulates in the fluid cooling circuit. Essentially, the fluid cooling circuit can contain a liquid commonly used as windshield washer fluid. This applies particularly to water, which may also be mixed with glycol or other additives, such as a cleaning fluid. Conventional windshield washer fluid can thus be used additionally for cooling the compressor. Alternatively, the cooling fluid can also comprise a gas.

[0016] For particularly high operational safety and reliability, it is further advantageous if the compressor is designed as a dry-running compressor. In particular, a dry-running scroll compressor can be used. The use of a

[0017] 102336-WO - MSP Keller Schneider, August 8, 2025. A dry-running compressor offers advantages in terms of efficiency and noise reduction. A dry-running compressor is particularly quiet and requires little maintenance, which is perceived as especially advantageous in electrified vehicles.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the movable chamber component is integrated into the fluid circuit for cooling. This can be done in addition to cooling the stationary chamber component. Cooling the movable chamber component prevents wear of the moving chamber component and reduces the risk of the moving chamber component jamming due to temperature-related expansion or causing increased frictional forces, which ultimately reduce the energy efficiency of the compressor.

[0019] The passive cooling element can include cooling fins. These are particularly easy and inexpensive to install. In particular, a cooling element with cooling fins can be easily mounted on a windshield washer fluid reservoir. This also facilitates the retrofitting of existing vehicles with a compressed air supply system described here.

[0020] The active cooling element can include a fan, the fan being operatively connected to the passive cooling element. Such an active cooling element can counteract temperature spikes. It is preferred that the active cooling element, particularly the fan, is operatively connected to the passive cooling element. The fan can be mounted on cooling fins to draw air through them. This allows for particularly efficient heat dissipation.

[0021] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the fluid cooling circuit includes a fluid pump, in particular a G-rotor pump. The fluid pump allows the cooling fluid to be efficiently pumped through the fluid cooling circuit. In particular, the fluid pump can also be controllable in order to adapt the flow rate of the cooling fluid to the respective cooling requirements. The use of a G-rotor pump is particularly preferred.

[0022] 102336-WO - MSP Keller Schneider August 8, 2025 Patentanwalts GmbH A pump characterized by exceptionally smooth operation and low wear. A G-Rotor pump is preferably an internal gear pump that generates a nearly constant flow rate largely independent of system pressure. The G-Rotor pump has a particularly pleasant operating noise, which is advantageous in electrified vehicles; also, due to the absence of combustion engine noise, noise emissions from auxiliary components are noticeably less pronounced.

[0023] In the system according to the invention, the compressor can further be integrated into a motor vehicle's compressed air system. This compressed air system can provide dry compressed air, for example, for brakes and / or chassis components. Alternatively, the compressed air system can also provide moist compressed air by adding water, for example, to clean sensors. In this respect, it is advantageous if the compressor is integrated into a sensor cleaning system of the motor vehicle, with a mixing valve downstream of the compressor in which compressed air generated by the compressor can be mixed with fluid from the fluid cooling circuit to create a compressed air-liquid mixture for cleaning the motor vehicle's sensors.

[0024] By adding fluid from the fluid cooling circuit, a compressed air-liquid mixture is provided, which can be used to efficiently and effectively clean, for example, cameras or other sensors, especially those intended for autonomous ferry operation.

[0025] In a preferred version of the system, the mixing valve is adapted to alternately supply compressed air or cooling fluid to the sensor cleaning system. It is also possible for the mixing valve to supply compressed air and cooling fluid simultaneously. Thus, a desired quantity of cooling fluid, particularly water or a water-glycol mixture, is added to the compressed air in the mixing valve, allowing, for example, cameras or ultrasonic sensors to be cleaned using a compressed air nozzle. The compressed air carries liquid particles.

[0026] 102336-WO - MSP Keller Schneider August 8, 2025 Patentanwalts GmbH with itself, which are responsible for cleaning the respective sensor surface.

[0027] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a compressed air reservoir can be arranged between the compressor and the mixing valve. Such a compressed air reservoir ensures that compressed air is continuously available for supplying vehicle components. The compressed air reservoir thus forms an energy buffer that can bridge the time until the compressor has generated sufficient new compressed air. Compressed air from the reservoir is therefore available spontaneously and without delay. In particular, there is no need to wait for the compressor to generate compressed air. However, the compressed air reservoir can be refilled by the compressor.

[0028] According to a secondary aspect, the invention relates to a motor vehicle, in particular a fully electrified or partially electrified, preferably fully autonomous or partially autonomous, motor vehicle with a previously described system.

[0029] Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of a motor vehicle's mixed water circuit as a fluid cooling circuit for a previously described system.

[0030] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment and the accompanying drawings. The single figure in these drawings shows a schematic circuit diagram of a system according to the invention in a preferred embodiment.

[0031] The system shown in the figure serves to supply compressed air to a motor vehicle. For this purpose, a compressor 10 is provided, which is preferably designed as a scroll compressor. The scroll compressor has a stationary chamber component in the form of a stationary displacement spiral and a movable chamber component in the form of an orbiting displacement spiral. The orbiting displacement spiral engages with the stationary displacement spiral. The orbiting movement of the orbiting displacement spiral is preferably controlled by a

[0032] 102336-WO - MSP Keller Schneider August 8, 2025 Patentanwalts GmbH Electric motor generated, which is coupled to the movable or orbiting displacement spiral by means of an axle and an eccentric bearing.

[0033] The compressor 10 includes an air inlet 11 through which soft air enters the compressor. The air entering the compressor is compressed via a variable-volume compression chamber. The variable-volume compression chamber is formed between the stationary chamber component, in particular the stationary displacement spiral, and the movable chamber component, in particular the orbiting displacement spiral. The air compressed in the variable-volume compression chamber is discharged as compressed air from the compressor via an air outlet 14 into a compressed air line 16. Various vehicle components can be supplied with compressed air via the compressed air line 16. This could, for example, be a chassis 42. Other compressed air consumers 43 can also be supplied with compressed air. Dry compressed air can be provided, in particular, for the chassis 42.

[0034] In the embodiment described here, the compressed air line 16 leads in particular to a mixing valve 15. The mixing valve 15 can connect the compressed air line 16 to a compressed air distribution system 44. In this way, compressed air, in particular as dry compressed air, can be supplied directly to compressed air consumers 43 that are connected to the compressed air distribution system 44. Such compressed air consumers 43 can, for example, also include a chassis 42.

[0035] The mixing valve 15 has a further inlet for supplying liquid from a fluid reservoir 21. In this way, the mixing valve 15 can mix liquid, in particular water or a water-glycol mixture, with the compressed air 16, so that a compressed air-liquid mixture is produced, which is distributed via the compressed air distribution system 44, for example, to a sensor cleaning system 40. The sensor cleaning system 40 can also be connected directly to the mixing valve 15, so that dry compressed air can be distributed via the compressed air distribution system 44 and moist compressed air via the sensor cleaning system 40. The sensor cleaning system 40 comprises several sensors 41, which are connected by means of the compressed air

[0036] 102336-WO - MSP Keller Schneider August 8, 2025 Patentanwalts GmbH liquid mixture can be cleaned. Such sensors can include, for example, ultrasonic sensors, cameras or similar devices.

[0037] In general, the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 provides that the compressor 10 is combined with a fluid cooling circuit 20. In particular, it is provided that the fluid cooling circuit 20 is formed by the windshield washer fluid circuit of a windshield washer system. Specifically, the fluid cooling circuit 20 can include a fluid reservoir 21 in the form of a windshield washer fluid reservoir. The windshield washer fluid reservoir can, for example, have a volume of 10 liters.

[0038] The windshield washer fluid reservoir 21 can be arranged with the compressor 10 in a common housing 30. The common housing 30 is indicated in the figure by a dashed line. Overall, the windshield washer fluid reservoir or fluid storage tank 21 and the compressor 10 can form a single assembly.

[0039] The fluid reservoir 21 includes a refill port 28 through which washer fluid can be added to the fluid reservoir 21. To cool the fluid, in particular washer fluid, located in the fluid reservoir, a cooling element 22 is provided, which in the illustrated embodiment is designed as a passive cooling element 22. The passive cooling element 22 comprises cooling fins 23, which are rigidly connected to the fluid reservoir 21, preferably via a thermal paste.

[0040] A fluid pump 24 is arranged in the fluid reservoir 21. This pump delivers the cooling fluid, in this case windshield washer fluid, via a compressor supply line 25 to a fluid inlet 12 of the compressor 10. The cooling fluid enters the compressor 10 via the fluid inlet 12 and, in particular, reaches the stationary chamber component and / or the moving chamber component. The cooling fluid is passed through the stationary chamber component and / or the moving chamber component to absorb the heat generated there. The heated cooling fluid leaves the compressor 10 via a fluid outlet 13 and returns to the fluid reservoir 21 via a return line 27. In this way, the fluid cooling circuit 20 is closed.

[0041] 102336-WO - MSP Keller Schneider August 8, 2025 Patent Attorneys GmbH The fluid pump 24 can also supply the cooling fluid to the mixing valve 15 via a mixing line 26. In this way, the cooling fluid can be mixed with the compressed air, which reaches the mixing valve 15 via the compressed air line 16. Overall, the cooling fluid, preferably washer fluid, can thus perform a dual function. On the one hand, it can be used via the fluid cooling circuit 20 to cool the compressor 10 and thus increase its operational reliability. On the other hand, the cooling fluid can also be used as an additive to the compressed air to improve sensor cleaning. For this purpose, the cooling fluid can be supplied to the sensor cleaning system 40 together with the compressed air.

[0042] As an alternative to the embodiment shown here, the compressor 10 can be integrated into the fluid reservoir 21. The compressor 10 can therefore be arranged together with the fluid pump 24 inside the fluid reservoir 21. The fluid pump 24 can, incidentally, be an existing fluid pump, such as those typically used in windshield washer fluid reservoirs.

[0043] The compressor 10 is preferably adapted to generate compressed air at a pressure of at least 5 bar, preferably at least 6 bar, preferably between 6 bar and 14 bar, and particularly between 8 bar and 10 bar. It is also possible for a compressed air reservoir to be arranged between the compressor 10 and the mixing valve 15 to ensure immediate availability of compressed air. Additionally, for improved cooling of the compressor in extreme situations, the passive cooling element 22 can be combined with an active cooling element 22. Such an active cooling element can, for example, be a fan, which preferably interacts with or is positioned on the cooling fins 23.

[0044] The mixing valve 15 can also be adapted to intermittently discharge compressed air or cooling fluid via the sensor cleaning system 40. For example, the lens of a camera for semi-autonomous or fully autonomous ferry operation can be cleaned with cooling fluid, in particular water and / or a water-glycol mixture, and then dried with compressed air.

[0045] 102336-WO - MSP Keller Schneider August 8, 2025 Patent Attorneys GmbH Reference List

[0046] 10 Compressor

[0047] 11 Air intake

[0048] 12 Fluid inlet

[0049] 13 Fluid outlet

[0050] 14 Air outlet

[0051] 15 Mixing valve

[0052] 16 Compressed air line

[0053] 20 Fluid cooling circuit

[0054] 21 fluid reservoirs

[0055] 22 Cooling element

[0056] 23 cooling fins

[0057] 24 Fluid pump

[0058] 25 Compressor supply line

[0059] 26 Mixing line

[0060] 27 Return line

[0061] 28 refill nozzles

[0062] 30 cases

[0063] 40 Sensor cleaning system

[0064] 41 Sensor

[0065] 42 Chassis

[0066] 43 compressed air consumers

[0067] 44 Compressed air distribution system

[0068] 102336-WO - MSP Keller Schneider August 8, 2025 Patent Attorneys GmbH

Claims

1. Patent claims 1. System for supplying compressed air in a motor vehicle with a compressor (10), in particular a scroll compressor, which has a stationary chamber component and a movable chamber component, which together define at least one volume-variable compression chamber, wherein at least the stationary chamber component is integrated for cooling into a fluid cooling circuit (20) which has a fluid reservoir (21) which is equipped with passive and / or active cooling elements (22).

2. System according to claim 1 characterized in that the fluid reservoir (21) is formed by a windshield washer fluid tank of the motor vehicle.

3. System according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the compressor (10) forms a single assembly with the fluid reservoir (21), in particular the windshield washer fluid tank.

4. System according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that a cooling fluid, in particular water and / or a water-glycol mixture, circulates in the fluid cooling circuit (20).

5. System according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the compressor (10) is designed as a dry-running compressor.

6. System according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the movable chamber component is integrated into the fluid cooling circuit (20) for cooling. 102336-WO - MSP Keller Schneider August 8, 2025 Patentanwalts GmbH 7. System according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the passive cooling element has cooling fins (23).

8. System according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the active cooling element comprises a fan, wherein the fan is in particular operatively connected to the passive cooling element (22).

9. System according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the fluid cooling circuit (20) comprises a fluid pump (24), in particular a G-rotor pump.

10. System according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the compressor (10) is integrated into a sensor cleaning system (40) of the motor vehicle, wherein a mixing valve (15) is arranged downstream of the compressor (10) in which compressed air generated by the compressor (10) can be mixed with fluid from the fluid cooling circuit (20) to produce a compressed air-liquid mixture for cleaning sensors (41) of the motor vehicle.

11. System according to claim 10 characterized in that the mixing valve (15) is adapted to alternately supply compressed air or cooling fluid to the sensor cleaning system (40).

12. System according to claim 10 or 11 characterized in that a compressed air reservoir is arranged between the compressor (10) and the mixing valve (15).

13. Motor vehicle with a system according to one of the preceding claims. 102336-WO - MSP Keller Schneider August 8, 2025 Patentanwalts GmbH 14. Use of a motor vehicle's windshield washer circuit as a fluid cooling circuit (20) for a system according to any one of claims 1 to 12. 102336-WO - MSP Keller Schneider August 8, 2025 Patent Attorneys GmbH

Images