Vehicular compressor arrangement, pneumatic vehicle system and vehicle

Abstract

A vehicular compressor arrangement (10) for supplying compressed air (11) to a vehicular device (12) comprises: a first compressor (13) and a second compressor (14) arranged in parallel and configured to be operated in an alternating manner, wherein the first compressor (13) is configured to supply compressed air (11) via a first compressor discharge line (15) and wherein the second compressor (14) is configured to supply compressed air (11) via a second compressor discharge line (16); an outlet (17) configured to supply compressed air (11) to the vehicular device (12) connectable or connected to the outlet (17); and a switching unit (18) having at least one switching valve (19), the switching unit (18) being configured to selectively provide a fluid connection (F) between the first compressor discharge line (15) and the outlet (17) in a first switching state (S1) and a fluid connection (F) between the second compressor discharge line (16) and the outlet (17) in a second switching state (S2), wherein the switching unit (18) is configured to automatically switch between the first switching state (S1) and the second switching state (S2) in coordination with the alternating operation of the first compressor (13) and the second compressor (14). A pneumatic vehicle system (40) and a vehicle (50) comprising such compressor arrangement are also disclosed.

Description

[0001] Hanover, 03.12.2024 IP, Rabe, Reichenbach / Kw 303859-WO-PCT ID 303859

[0002] VEHICULAR COMPRESSOR ARRANGEMENT, PNEUMATIC VEHICLE SYSTEM AND VEHICLE

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a vehicular compressor arrangement for supplying compressed air to a vehicular device. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a pneumatic vehicle system comprising the vehicular compressor arrangement and to a vehicle comprising such a pneumatic vehicle system.

[0004] Vehicular compressor arrangements are generally known and used to produce compressed air from ambient air using at least one compressor. The compressed air may be delivered to at least one vehicular device such as, e.g., a pneumatic braking system, a levelling system or a sensor cleaning system. For instance, WO 2023 / 138951 A1 refers to a sensor cleaning system for a vehicle, wherein the sensor cleaning system comprises a sensor cleaning device configured to provide compressed air to a cleaning nozzle.

[0005] In order to improve the performance and efficiency of vehicular compressor arrangements, it is becoming increasingly common to use at least two compressors in a parallel or series configuration. For instance, WO 2009 / 138143 A1 refers to a compressor device comprising at least a first and a second compressor, which may be operated according to a first operating mode comprising a parallel connection and according to a second operating mode comprising a series connection of the first and second compressors.

[0006] In practice, the operation of multiple compressor configurations may turn out to be technically challenging, in particular if compressors in a parallel configuration are operated in an alternating manner and hence require a well-coordinated air supply concept for efficient and continuous provision of compressed air to the vehicular device. Although available mechanical and electromechanical valve concepts may provide well-developed switching solutions, the technology still holds potential for improved performance and efficiency. In view of the above, it is a general object of the invention to provide a vehicular compressor arrangement with a parallel compressor configuration and an improved air supply concept. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved pneumatic vehicle system and an enhanced vehicle comprising the vehicular compressor arrangement.

[0007] Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a vehicular compressor arrangement, a pneumatic vehicle system and a vehicle as indicated in the appended claims.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicular compressor arrangement for supplying compressed air to a vehicular device, the vehicular compressor arrangement comprising:

[0009] - a first compressor and a second compressor arranged in parallel and configured to be operated in an alternating manner, wherein the first compressor is configured to supply compressed air via a first compressor discharge line and wherein the second compressor is configured to supply compressed air via a second compressor discharge line,

[0010] - an outlet configured to supply compressed air to the vehicular device connectable or connected to the outlet,

[0011] - a switching unit having at least one switching valve, the switching unit being configured to selectively provide a fluid connection between the first compressor discharge line and the outlet in a first switching state and a fluid connection between the second compressor discharge line and the outlet in a second switching state, wherein the switching unit is configured to automatically switch between the first switching state and the second switching state in coordination with the alternating operation of the first compressor and the second compressor.

[0012] By implementing a switching unit which is configured to automatically switch between the first switching state and the second switching state in coordination with the alternating operation of the first compressor and the second compressor, a continuous supply of compressed air may be provided with switching processes precisely matching the alternating operation of the first compressor and the second compressor. In this way, a simple and efficient air supply concept is provided. In this context, an automatically switching configuration may be understood as a selfcontrolled switching configuration using already available pneumatic and / or electric system signals of the vehicular compressor arrangement. This may eliminate the need to provide external control signals to switch the switching unit between the first switching state and the second switching state. Various switching unit configurations can be used for the described vehicular compressor arrangement, of which some will be explained in the following. The switching unit configurations provided may be characterized by a low complexity structure and high response times. For instance, the switching unit may use direct pneumatic interconnections, pilot valve configurations or electric control valve configurations using sensor signals or compressor operation signals as an on / off signal.

[0013] The switching unit may be arranged downstream of the first compressor and the second compressor in a position between the first and second compressors and the outlet. The switching unit may be configured to either open or block a fluid connection between the first compressor and the outlet and to complementarity block or open a fluid connection between the second compressor and the outlet. Preferably, the switching unit may be configured to essentially provide only one open fluid connection at a time in the first switching state and in the second switching state, although transitional states between the first switching state and the second switching state may comprise overlapping fluid connections. Depending on a selected compressor configuration, the first and second compressors may be operated with or without an associated air dryer for drying the supplied compressed air.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the switching unit may be configured to switch between the first switching state and the second switching state depending on a first pressure level in the first compressor discharge line and a second pressure level in the second compressor discharge line. Considering the alternating operation of the first compressor and the second compressor, the first pressure level in the first compressor discharge line increases with the activation of the first compressor and decreases with the deactivation of the first compressor, while the second pressure level in the second compressor discharge line increases with the activation of the second compressor and decreases with the deactivation of the second compressor. Hence, the first pressure level and the second pressure level may provide reliable control parameters which may be used to coordinate the switching process with the compressor operation. For instance, the first pressure level and the second pressure level may be used for direct pneumatic control or indirectly by using pressure sensors and electric control signals depending on pressure sensor signals.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the switching unit may be configured to switch from the first switching state to the second switching state when the second pressure level exceeds the first pressure level, and to switch from the second switching state to the first switching state when the first pressure level exceeds the second pressure level. Using the indicated exceeding pressure criterion as a switching criterion may provide a reliable switching control concept. The exceeding pressure criterion may provide a well-defined switching trigger matching with the alternating compressor operation.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the vehicular compressor arrangement may further comprise an exhaust and the switching unit may be configured to selectively provide a fluid connection between the second compressor discharge line and the exhaust in the first switching state and a fluid connection between the first compressor discharge line and the exhaust in the second switching state. This configuration may allow to vent the first compressor discharge line or the second compressor discharge line in a coordinated manner with the supply of compressed air via the respective other first or second compressor discharge line. More precisely, when the first compressor is switched on and supplying air via the opened fluid connection between the first compressor discharge line and the outlet, the second compressor discharge line may be vented via the opened fluid connection between the second compressor discharge line and the exhaust, while a fluid connection between the first compressor discharge line and the exhaust as well as a fluid connection between the second compressor discharge line and the outlet are each blocked, and vice versa. Providing a venting option for the inactive compressor simultaneous to a supply state for the active compressor may optimize compressor operation since the inactive compressor does not have to start against back pressure.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the switching valve of the switching unit may comprise:

[0018] - a first compressor port configured to be connected to the first compressor discharge line,

[0019] - a second compressor port configured to be connected to the second compressor discharge line,

[0020] - a device port configured to form the outlet or to be connected to the outlet,

[0021] - at least one control port configured to switch the switching valve between a first valve state, in which the switching valve provides a fluid connection between the first compressor port and the device port, and a second valve state, in which the switching valve provides a fluid connection between the second compressor port and the device port.

[0022] The indicated switching valve configuration may provide a reliable and efficient switching valve of low structural complexity. In this context, the first valve state may correspond to the first switching state, and the second valve state may correspond to the second switching state. Depending on a selected valve configuration, the control port may be configured as a valve-internal control port or an external control port. Depending on a selected valve configuration, the control port may be configured to switch the switching valve upon the presence or absence of a control signal at the first compressor port or the second compressor port. According to an embodiment, the switching unit may comprise the switching valve described above as a single valve for providing a compact switching unit. Alternatively, the switching unit may comprise at least two switching valves of a different configuration, optionally forming a valve block. For instance, a first switching valve may be configured to open or block a fluid connection between the first compressor discharge line and the outlet and a second switching valve may be configured to open or block a fluid connection between the second compressor discharge line and the outlet. According to an embodiment, the first switching valve may be configured to selectively connect the first compressor discharge line either with the outlet or with the exhaust and the second switching valve may be configured to selectively connect the second compressor discharge line complementarity with the exhaust or with the outlet. According to an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the switching valve may comprise a first control port configured to receive first control air from the first compressor discharge line and a second control port configured to receive second control air from the second compressor discharge line, and the switching valve may be configured to automatically switch between the first valve state and the second valve state in coordination with the alternating operation of the first compressor and the second compressor using the first control air received from the first compressor discharge line and using the second control air received from the second compressor discharge line. In this way, a reliable and efficient switching valve may be provided by using system pressure as control pressure for the actuation of the switching valve. In particular in comparison with electrically actuated switching valves, the indicated switching valve configuration may allow for a direct and robust pneumatic control, thus enabling simple automatic switching processes. By directly connecting the first control port and the second control port to the first and second compressor discharge lines, high response times may be guaranteed and a simple control configuration without any need for pilot signals can be used. Nevertheless, alternative switching valve configurations may comprise at least one pilot valve being interconnected between the first discharge line and the first control port and / or between the second discharge line and the second control port. Further alternative switching valve configurations may comprise a switching valve being controlled electrically depending on pressure sensor signals representing a first pressure level in the first compressor discharge line and a second pressure level in the second compressor discharge line. Further alternative switching valve configurations may comprise a switching valve being controlled by pneumatic or electric compressor control signals which may represent an on-state or an off-state of the first compressor and the second compressor.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the switching valve may be configured to switch from the first valve state to the second valve state when a second control air pressure level exceeds a first control air pressure level and the switching valve may be configured to switch from the second valve state to the first valve state when the first control air pressure level exceeds the second control air pressure level. As already indicated above, using the exceeding pressure criterion as a switching criterion may provide a reliable switching control concept. With a first control port receiving first control air from the first compressor discharge line and a second control port receiving second control air from the second compressor discharge line, the switching valve may allow for a simple and effective implementation of the described switching control concept.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the switching valve may further comprise at least one exhaust port and the switching valve may be configured to provide a first fluid connection between the second compressor port and the at least one exhaust port in the first valve state and a second fluid connection between the first compressor port and the at least one exhaust port in the second valve state. This switching valve configuration using at least one exhaust port may allow for a simple implementation of a venting option for the inactive compressor simultaneous to a supply state for the active compressor for optimized compressor operation.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the switching valve may be configured as a 4 / 2 way valve. This may provide a simple and efficient switching valve configuration allowing to use only one switching valve for simultaneous compressed air supply and venting coordinated with the operation of the first compressor and the second compressor. According to alternative embodiments, the switching unit may comprise other switching valve configurations, e.g. with at least two switching valves being configured as 3 / 2 way valves.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the switching valve may comprise:

[0027] - a first pressure chamber configured to selectively provide a first fluid connection between the first compressor port and a first exhaust port of the switching valve,

[0028] - a second pressure chamber configured to selectively provide a second fluid connection between the second compressor port and a second exhaust port of the switching valve,

[0029] - a third pressure chamber arranged between the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber, the third pressure chamber being configured to selectively provide a third fluid connection between the first compressor port and the device port and a fourth fluid connection between the second compressor port and the device port, and

[0030] - a piston assembly, wherein the piston assembly is configured to selectively o open the first fluid connection and block the third fluid connection in a first piston assembly state, or o open the second fluid connection and block the fourth fluid connection in a second piston assembly state.

[0031] The indicated switching valve configuration may provide a simple and effective valve structure. Using the indicated switching valve, simultaneous compressed air supply and venting functions may be provided by a single switching valve with a compact and robust valve design. Furthermore, the valve design according to the indicated embodiment may allow for high-temperature resistant sealing in the first, second and third pressure chambers, which may be advantageous regarding the position of the switching unit downstream of the first compressor and the second compressor. Depending on a selected piston configuration, the piston assembly may comprise one or more pistons configured to selectively open or block the first, second, third or fourth fluid connection.

[0032] According to an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the piston assembly may comprise a continuous piston extending through the first pressure chamber, the second pressure chamber and the third pressure chamber, wherein the piston is configured to selectively open the first fluid connection and block the third fluid connection in a first piston position or open the second fluid connection and block the fourth fluid connection in a second piston position. In this context, the first piston position may correspond to the first piston assembly state and the second piston position may correspond to the second piston assembly state. Using a continuous piston extending through the first pressure chamber, the second pressure chamber and the third pressure chamber, a compact and robust valve design may be supported. Furthermore, a single continuous piston may assist to provide a finely tuned switching coordination. In addition, the continuous piston may help to provide a balanced system in which the continuous piston may be shifted by the same forces applied by the first control air received at the first control port and the second control air received at the second control port. According to alternative piston assembly configurations, the piston assembly may comprise at least two pistons arranged separate from each other and configured to either move jointly or independently.

[0033] According to an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the continuous piston may be configured to move to the first piston position when the first control air pressure level exceeds the pressure of the second control air pressure level and the continuous piston may be configured to move to the second piston position when the second control air pressure level exceeds the first control air pressure level. For this, the first control port may be connected to the first pressure chamber and the second control port may be connected to the second pressure chamber. Hence, the first control air may act directly on a first control surface of the piston and the second control air may act directly on a second control surface of the piston, thus automatically shifting the piston from the first piston position to the second piston position when the second control air pressure level increases and the first control air pressure level decreases, and vice versa. In this way, a simple and effective switching valve structure may be provided for implementing automatically controlled switching processes.

[0034] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pneumatic vehicle system comprising the vehicular compressor arrangement according to any aspect or embodiment described herein and a vehicular device connected to the vehicular compressor arrangement. Due to the enhanced vehicular compressor arrangement, the pneumatic vehicle system is enabled to provide high performance functions using the power of multiple compressors with optimized compressed air supply. Furthermore, the pneumatic vehicle system may be characterized by a reliable and robust pneumatic functionality as well as a long service life with reduced maintenance effort. The vehicular device may, for instance, be a pneumatic braking unit, a levelling unit or a tire inflation unit. The vehicular device may advantageously benefit from the powerful continuous compressed air supply of the vehicular compressor arrangement.

[0035] According to an embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, the vehicular device may be configured as a sensor cleaning system. Regarding the increasing use of external vehicle sensors accompanying current developments towards assisted driving and autonomous driving, a reliable and powerful compressed air supply may represent a key prerequisite for fail-safe sensor functions. Hence, the advantages indicated above with reference to the enhanced vehicular compressor arrangement may have a particularly beneficial effect on a pneumatic vehicle system comprising the described vehicular compressor arrangement and a connected sensor cleaning system.

[0036] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising the pneumatic vehicle system according to any aspect or embodiment described herein. Due to the optimized pneumatic vehicle system comprising the enhanced vehicular compressor arrangement, the vehicle may use reliable and effective pneumatic functionality for optimized performance. The vehicle may be a motor vehicle of any type designed to transport people and / or cargo. For instance, the vehicle may be a passenger car or a commercial vehicle, such as, e.g., a truck or a bus. According to an embodiment, the vehicle may be configured for autonomous driving, since the enhanced pneumatic vehicle system may, for instance, provide increased performance for sensor cleaning systems which may play an essential role for safe autonomous driving functions.

[0037] The above and other characteristics will become clear from the following description of illustrative, non-restrictive examples, which will be further outlined with reference to the appended drawings. The drawings are not necessarily to scale. Some features could be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art.

[0038] Fig. 1 is a pneumatic circuit representation of a vehicular compressor arrangement with a switching valve according to an embodiment.

[0039] Fig. 2 provides a sectional view of the switching valve according to an example implementation in a first valve state.

[0040] Fig. 3 provides a sectional view of the switching valve according to the example implementation in an intermediate state. Fig. 4 provides a sectional view of the switching valve according to an example implementation in a second valve state.

[0041] Fig. 5 schematically illustrates a side view of a vehicle comprising a pneumatic vehicle system according to an embodiment.

[0042] Fig. 6 schematically illustrates a side view of a vehicle comprising a pneumatic vehicle system according to a further embodiment.

[0043] Fig. 1 provides a schematical pneumatic circuit representation of a vehicular compressor arrangement 10 according to an embodiment. The vehicular compressor arrangement 10 may be arranged in a vehicle 50 as depicted in Figs. 5 and 6 and it is configured to provide compressed air 11 to a vehicular device 12.

[0044] The vehicular compressor arrangement 10 comprises a first compressor 13 and a second compressor 14 being arranged in parallel. The first compressor 13 and the second compressor 14 are configured to be operated in an alternating manner for an optimized continuous supply of compressed air 11 to the vehicular device 12. The first compressor 13 is configured to supply compressed air 11 via a first compressor discharge line 15. The second compressor 14 is configured to supply compressed air 11 via a second compressor discharge line 16. The compressed air 11 is delivered to an outlet 17 being connected to the vehicular device 12.

[0045] The vehicular compressor arrangement 10 further comprises a switching unit 18. According to the embodiment depicted in Fig. 1 , the switching unit 18 comprises a single switching valve 19, such that the switching valve 19 may represent the switching unit 18. The switching unit 18 is positioned downstream of the first compressor 13 and the second compressor 14 and it is configured to selectively provide a fluid connection F between the first compressor discharge line 15 and the outlet 17 in a first switching state S1 and a fluid connection F between the second compressor discharge line 16 and the outlet 17 in a second switching state S2.

[0046] The switching unit 18 is configured to automatically switch between the first switching state S1 and the second switching state S2 in coordination with the alternating operation of the first compressor 13 and the second compressor 14, thus providing an improved air supply concept for the vehicular compressor arrangement 10. By enabling switching processes being coordinated with the alternating operation of the first compressor 13 and the second compressor 14, an optimized continuous air supply of compressed air 11 may be provided using a simple and efficient switching unit 18. A potential need to provide external control signals may be eliminated since the self-controlled switching configuration uses already available pneumatic system signals, as will be explained in the following.

[0047] In particular, the switching unit 18 is configured to switch between the first switching state S1 and the second switching state S2 depending on a first pressure level P1 in the first compressor discharge line 15 and a second pressure level P2 in the second compressor discharge line 16, as schematically illustrated in Fig. 1. More precisely, the switching unit 18 is configured to switch from the first switching state S1 to the second state S2 when the second pressure level P2 exceeds the first pressure level P1 , and to switch from the second switching state S2 to the first switching state S1 when the first pressure level P1 exceeds the second pressure level P2. This exceeding pressure criterion may beneficially enable a reliable and well-coordinated control concept, since the first pressure level P1 in the first compressor discharge line 15 increases with the activation of the first compressor 13 and the second pressure level P2 in the second compressor discharge line 16 decreases with the deactivation of the second compressor 14, and vice versa.

[0048] As depicted in Fig. 1 , the vehicular compressor arrangement 10 further comprises an exhaust 20 and the switching unit 18 is configured to selectively provide a fluid connection F between the second compressor discharge line 16 and the exhaust 20 in the first switching state S1 and a fluid connection F between the first compressor discharge line 15 and the exhaust 20 in the second switching state S2. The exhaust 20 may be connected to an exhaust port 28 of the switching valve 19. As apparent from Fig. 1 showing the switching valve 19 and its respective switching states S1 and S2, the second compressor discharge line 16 may be vented in the first switching state S1 , in which the first compressor 13 may supply compressed air 11 to the vehicular device 12, and the first compressor discharge line 15 may be vented in the second switching state S2, in which the second compressor 14 may supply compressed air 11 to the vehicular device 12. By providing the exhaust 20, an advantageous venting option for the temporarily inactive compressor may be provided such that it does not have to start against back pressure.

[0049] It is further apparent from Fig. 1 that the switching valve 19 of the switching unit 18 comprises a first compressor port 21 configured to be connected to the first compressor discharge line 15 and a second compressor port 22 configured to be connected to the second compressor discharge line 16. A device port 23 is provided for forming an outlet 17 or for being connected to the outlet 17. The switching valve 19 furthermore comprises a first control port 24 configured to switch the switching valve 19 between a first valve state V1 , in which the switching valve 19 provides a fluid connection F between the first compressor port 21 and the device port 23, and a second valve state V2, in which the switching valve 19 provides a fluid connection F between the second compressor port 22 and the device port 23. The switching valve 19 according to the described configuration may have a low structural complexity and can be implemented in a cost-effective manner.

[0050] More precisely, the first control port 24 is configured to receive first control air 26 from the first compressor discharge line 15 and the second control port 25 is configured to receive second control air 27 from the second compressor discharge line 16. Hence, the switching valve 19 is enabled to automatically switch between the first valve state V1 and the second valve state V2 in coordination with the alternating operation of the first compressor 13 and the second compressor 14 using the first control air 26 received from the first compressor discharge line 15 and using the second control air 27 received from the second compressor discharge line 16. In this way, an efficient and reliable valve control precisely matching the compressor operation modes may be provided.

[0051] As illustrated in Fig. 1 , the switching valve 19 may be configured as a 4 / 2 way valve 19a, thus providing an efficient valve functionality in a single valve for compact implementation in the vehicular compressor arrangement 10.

[0052] Figs. 2 to 4 show sectional views of a switching valve 19 according to an example implementation, wherein Fig. 2 depicts a first valve state V1 , Fig. 4 depicts a second valve state V2 and Fig. 3 depicts a transitional intermediate state of the switching valve 19 between the first valve state V1 and the second valve state V2.

[0053] As explained above, the switching valve 19 comprises a first compressor port 21 , a second compressor port 22, a device port 23, a first control port 24 and a second control port 25. According to the depicted embodiment, the first control port 24 and the second control port 25 are designed as valve-internal control ports. Furthermore, the switching valve 19 comprises a first exhaust port 28 and a second exhaust port 29.

[0054] In accordance with the depicted embodiment and the views representing the first valve state V1 and the second valve state V2, the switching valve 19 comprises a first pressure chamber 30 configured to selectively provide a first fluid connection F1 between the first compressor port 21 and the first exhaust port 28 of the switching valve 19. The switching valve 19 further comprises a second pressure chamber 31 configured to selectively provide a second fluid connection F2 between the second compressor port 22 and the second exhaust port 29 of the switching valve 19. The switching valve 19 further comprises a third pressure chamber 32 arranged between the first pressure chamber 30 and the second pressure chamber 31 . The third pressure chamber 32 is configured to selectively provide a third fluid connection F3 between the first compressor port 21 and the device port 23 and a fourth fluid connection F4 between the second compressor port 22 and the device port 23. The switching valve 19 further comprises a piston assembly 33, here formed as a continuous piston 34, being configured to selectively open the first fluid connection F1 and block the third fluid connection F3 in a first piston assembly state PA1 or open the second fluid connection F2 and block the fourth fluid connection F4 in a second piston assembly state PA2. For this, the continuous piston 34 extends through the first pressure chamber 30, the second pressure chamber 31 and the third pressure chamber 32 and is configured to selectively open the first fluid connection F1 and block the third fluid connection F3 in a first piston position PI1 or open the second fluid connection F2 and block the fourth fluid connection F4 in a second piston position PI2. According to the depicted embodiment, the continuous piston 34 comprises a first seal 36a and a first valve seat 37a for selectively opening and blocking the first fluid connection F1 . Furthermore, the continuous piston 34 comprises a second seal 36b and a second valve seat 37b for selectively opening and blocking the second fluid connection F2. The seals 36a and 36b may comprise a high-temperature resistant material for enduring the increased compressed air temperatures downstream of the first compressor 13 and the second compressor 14.

[0055] According to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 2 to 4, the switching valve 19 is configured to switch from the first valve state V1 to the second valve state V2 when a second control air pressure level C2 exceeds a first control air pressure level C1 . The switching valve 19 is furthermore configured to switch from the second valve state V2 to the first valve state V1 when the first control air pressure level C1 exceeds the second control air pressure level C2. More precisely and with reference to the depicted embodiment, the continuous piston 34 is configured to move to the second piston position PI2 when the first control air pressure level C1 exceeds the second control air pressure level C2 and it is configured to move to the first piston position PI1 when the second control air pressure level C2 exceeds the first control air pressure level C1 . According to the depicted embodiment, the continuous piston 34 comprises a first control surface 38a and a second control surface 38b arranged in the third pressure chamber 32. The first control air 26 acts on the first control surface 38a and the second control air 27 acts on the second control surface 38b, thus enabling the continuous piston 34 to move depending on the first control air pressure level C1 and the second control air pressure level C2. In Fig. 3, such a piston movement 35 is shown by an arrow to exemplarily visualize the transition of the continuous piston 34 from the second piston state PI2 to the first piston state PI1 .

[0056] Figs. 5 and 6 provide schematical side views of a vehicle 50 comprising a pneumatic vehicle system 40 according to an embodiment. In Fig. 5, the vehicle 50 is configured as a passenger car 50a, whereas in Fig. 6, the vehicle 50 is configured as a commercial vehicle 50b, here as a truck. The pneumatic vehicle system 40 of both vehicle types may comprise a similar structure and functionality and will be described commonly for both examples provided in Figs. 5 and 6.

[0057] The pneumatic vehicle system 40 comprises a vehicular compressor arrangement 10, which may be configured according to at least one aspect or embodiment described herein. For instance, the vehicular compressor arrangement 10 may be configured as depicted in Fig. 1 . For instance, the vehicular compressor arrangement 10 may comprise a switching valve 19 as depicted in Figs. 2 to 4. As indicated above, the vehicular compressor arrangement 10 comprises a first compressor 13, a second compressor 14 and a switching unit 18. The vehicular compressor arrangement 10, in particular the switching unit 18, is fluidically connected to a vehicular device 12 for providing compressed air 11 to the vehicular device 12. According to the depicted example, the vehicular device 12 may be configured as a sensor cleaning system 12a. Alternatively, the vehicular device 12 may, e.g., be configured as a pneumatic braking unit, a levelling unit or a tire inflation unit. Due to the enhanced pneumatic vehicle system 40 comprising the improved vehicular compressor arrangement 10, the vehicle 50 may show optimized performance regarding pneumatic components and functions of the vehicle 50.

[0058] List of reference numerals (part of the application):

[0059] 10 vehicular compressor arrangement

[0060] 11 compressed air

[0061] 12 vehicular device

[0062] 12a sensor cleaning system

[0063] 13 first compressor

[0064] 14 second compressor

[0065] 15 first compressor discharge line

[0066] 16 second compressor discharge line

[0067] 17 outlet

[0068] 18 switching unit

[0069] 19 switching valve

[0070] 20 exhaust

[0071] 21 first compressor port

[0072] 22 second compressor port

[0073] 23 device port

[0074] 24 first control port

[0075] 25 second control port

[0076] 26 first control air

[0077] 27 second control air

[0078] 28 first exhaust port

[0079] 29 second exhaust port

[0080] 30 first pressure chamber

[0081] 31 second pressure chamber

[0082] 32 third pressure chamber

[0083] 33 piston assembly

[0084] 34 piston

[0085] 35 piston movement

[0086] 36a first seal

[0087] 36b second seal

[0088] 37a first valve seat

[0089] 37b second valve seat 38a first control surface

[0090] 38b second control surface

[0091] 40 pneumatic vehicle system

[0092] 50 vehicle

[0093] 50a passenger car

[0094] 50b commercial vehicle

[0095] C1 first control air pressure level

[0096] C2 second control air pressure level

[0097] F fluid connection

[0098] F1 first fluid connection

[0099] F2 second fluid connection

[0100] F3 third fluid connection

[0101] F4 fourth fluid connection

[0102] P1 first pressure level

[0103] P2 second pressure level

[0104] PA1 first piston assembly state

[0105] PA2 second piston assembly state

[0106] PI1 first piston position

[0107] PI2 second piston position

[0108] 51 first switching state

[0109] 52 second switching state

[0110] V1 first valve state

[0111] V2 second valve state

Claims

Patent claims:1 . A vehicular compressor arrangement (10) for supplying compressed air (11 ) to a vehicular device (12), the vehicular compressor arrangement (10) comprising:- a first compressor (13) and a second compressor (14) arranged in parallel and configured to be operated in an alternating manner, wherein the first compressor (13) is configured to supply compressed air (11 ) via a first compressor discharge line (15) and wherein the second compressor (14) is configured to supply compressed air (11 ) via a second compressor discharge line (16),- an outlet (17) configured to supply compressed air (11 ) to the vehicular device (12) connectable or connected to the outlet (17),- a switching unit (18) having at least one switching valve (19), the switching unit (18) being configured to selectively provide a fluid connection (F) between the first compressor discharge line (15) and the outlet (17) in a first switching state (S1) and a fluid connection (F) between the second compressor discharge line (16) and the outlet (17) in a second switching state (S2), wherein the switching unit (18) is configured to automatically switch between the first switching state (S1 ) and the second switching state (S2) in coordination with the alternating operation of the first compressor (13) and the second compressor (14).

2. The vehicular compressor arrangement (10) according to claim 1 , wherein the switching unit (18) is configured to switch between the first switching state (S1 ) and the second switching state (S2) depending on a first pressure level (P1 ) in the first compressor discharge line (15) and a second pressure level (P2) in the second compressor discharge line (16).

3. The vehicular compressor arrangement (10) according to claim 2, wherein the switching unit (18) is configured- to switch from the first switching state (S1 ) to the second switching state (S2) when the second pressure level (P2) exceeds the first pressure level (P1), and- to switch from the second switching state (S2) to the first switching state (S1 ) when the first pressure level (P1 ) exceeds the second pressure level (P2).

4. The vehicular compressor arrangement (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the vehicular compressor arrangement (10) further comprises an exhaust (20) and wherein the switching unit (18) is configured to selectively provide a fluid connection (F) between the second compressor discharge line (16) and the exhaust (20) in the first switching state (S1 ) and a fluid connection (F) between the first compressor discharge line (15) and the exhaust (20) in the second switching state (S2).

5. The vehicular compressor arrangement (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the switching valve (19) of the switching unit (18) comprises:- a first compressor port (21 ) configured to be connected to the first compressor discharge line (15),- a second compressor port (22) configured to be connected to the second compressor discharge line (16),- a device port (23) configured to form the outlet (17) or to be connected to the outlet (17),- at least one control port (24, 25) configured to switch the switching valve (19) between a first valve state (V1 ), in which the switching valve (19) provides a fluid connection (F) between the first compressor port (21 ) and the device port (23), and a second valve state (V2), in which the switching valve (19) provides a fluid connection (F) between the second compressor port (22) and the device port (23).

6. The vehicular compressor arrangement (10) according to claim 5, wherein the switching valve (19) comprises- a first control port (24) configured to receive first control air (26) from the first compressor discharge line (15), and- a second control port (25) configured to receive second control air (27) from the second compressor discharge line (16), and wherein the switching valve (19) is configured to automatically switch between the first valve state (V1 ) and the second valve state (V2) in coordination with the alternating operation of the first compressor (13) and the second compressor (14)using the first control air (26) received from the first compressor discharge line (15) and using the second control air (27) received from the second compressor discharge line (16).

7. The vehicular compressor arrangement (10) according to claim 6, wherein the switching valve (19) is configured to switch from the first valve state (V1 ) to the second valve state (V2) when a second control air pressure level (C2) exceeds a first control air pressure level (C1 ) and wherein the switching valve (19) is configured to switch from the second valve state (V2) to the first valve state (V1 ) when the first control air pressure level (C1) exceeds the second control air pressure level (C2).

8. The vehicular compressor arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the switching valve (19) further comprises at least one exhaust port (28, 29) and wherein the switching valve (19) is configured to provide a first fluid connection (F1) between the second compressor port (22) and the at least one exhaust port (28, 29) in the first valve state (V1) and a second fluid connection (F2) between the first compressor port (21 ) and the at least one exhaust port (28, 29) in the second valve state (V2).

9. The vehicular compressor arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the switching valve (19) is configured as a 4 / 2 way valve (19a).

10. The vehicular compressor arrangement (10) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the switching valve (19) comprises:- a first pressure chamber (30) configured to selectively provide a first fluid connection (F1) between the first compressor port (21 ) and a first exhaust port (28) of the switching valve (19),- a second pressure chamber (31 ) configured to selectively provide a second fluid connection (F2) between the second compressor port (22) and a second exhaust port (29) of the switching valve (19),- a third pressure chamber (32) arranged between the first pressure chamber (30) and the second pressure chamber (31 ), the third pressure chamber (32) being configured to selectively provide a third fluid connection (F3) betweenthe first compressor port (21) and the device port (23) and a fourth fluid connection (F4) between the second compressor port (22) and the device port (23), and- a piston assembly (33), wherein the piston assembly (33) is configured to selectively o open the first fluid connection (F1) and block the third fluid connection (F3) in a first piston assembly state (PA1), or o open the second fluid connection (F2) and block the fourth fluid connection (F4) in a second piston assembly state (PA2).11 . The vehicular compressor arrangement (10) according to claim 10, wherein the piston assembly (33) comprises a continuous piston (34) extending through the first pressure chamber (30), the second pressure chamber (31 ) and the third pressure chamber (32), wherein the piston (34) is configured to selectively:- open the first fluid connection (F1) and block the third fluid connection (F3) in a first piston position (PI1 ), or- open the second fluid connection (F2) and block the fourth fluid connection (F4) in a second piston position (PI2).

12. The vehicular compressor arrangement (10) according to claim 11 , wherein the continuous piston (34) is configured to move to the first piston position (PI1 ) when the first control air pressure level (C1 ) exceeds the second control air pressure level (C2) and wherein the piston (34) is configured to move to the second piston position (PI2) when the second control air pressure level (C2) exceeds the first control air pressure level (C1 ).

13. A pneumatic vehicle system (40) comprising the vehicular compressor arrangement (10) according to any preceding claim and a vehicular device (12) connected to the vehicular compressor arrangement (10).

14. The pneumatic vehicle system (40) according to claim 13, wherein the vehicular device (12) is configured as a sensor cleaning system (12a).

15. A vehicle (50) comprising the pneumatic vehicle system (40) according to claim 13 or 14.

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