Compressor system for a vehicle, vehicle having such a compressor system , and method for operating the compressor system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a compressor system (1) for a vehicle, comprising: a compressor unit (10), an air drying unit (20), a regeneration switching unit (30) and a pneumatic line section (70) having a first pneumatic line portion (71) via which a pneumatic medium to be compressed can be supplied to the compressor unit (10), a second pneumatic line portion (72) via which the compressor unit (10) is fluidically connected to the air drying unit (20) and the compressed pneumatic medium can be supplied from the compressor unit (10) to the air drying unit (20), and a third pneumatic line portion (73) via which the air drying unit (20) is fluidically connected to the regeneration switching unit (30) and a pneumatic medium for a regeneration process can be supplied to the air drying unit (20), wherein the compressor system (1) also has a control device (50) which is configured to control the regeneration switching unit (30) for supplying a predetermined amount of a pneumatic regeneration medium, and wherein the control device (50) is configured to determine the predetermined amount of the pneumatic regeneration medium on the basis of a delivery rate of the compressor unit (10) and a regeneration factor (θ / σ).

Description

[0001] 2025PF00009

[0002] 1

[0003] DESCRIPTION

[0004] Compressor system for a vehicle, vehicle with such a compressor system and method for operating the compressor system

[0005] The present invention relates to a compressor system for a vehicle, a vehicle with such a compressor system and a method for operating the compressor system.

[0006] In vehicle compressor systems, air drying units are used to remove moisture from the air compressed by the compressor unit. This moisture could otherwise lead to corrosion damage or other malfunctions in downstream components. Since the separation of water or other liquid components in the air drying unit can reduce its liquid absorption capacity and / or efficiency, a regeneration process is performed. During this regeneration process, a pneumatic regeneration medium, such as the compressed air that has already passed through the drying unit, flows through the air drying unit in the opposite direction to the air compressed by the compressor unit.The regeneration process can be carried out at predetermined intervals with a predetermined quantity of regeneration medium supplied to the air drying unit. However, the predetermined intervals and quantity often do not correspond to the actual operating conditions, which can unnecessarily reduce the efficiency and service life of the air drying unit.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to enable a regeneration process adapted to the operating conditions.

[0008] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims.

[0009] Advantageous further training is the subject of the dependent claims. 2025PF00009

[0010] 2

[0011] According to the invention, a compressor system for a vehicle comprises a compressor unit, an air drying unit, a regeneration switching unit, and a pneumatic line system. The pneumatic line system has a first pneumatic line section through which a pneumatic medium to be compressed can be supplied to the compressor unit, a second pneumatic line section through which the compressor unit is fluidly connected to the air drying unit and the compressed pneumatic medium from the compressor unit can be supplied to the air drying unit, and a third pneumatic line section through which the air drying unit is fluidly connected to the regeneration switching unit and a pneumatic medium for a regeneration process can be supplied to the air drying unit.The compressor system also includes a control device configured to control the regeneration switching unit to supply a predetermined quantity of pneumatic regeneration medium. Furthermore, the control device is configured to determine the predetermined quantity of pneumatic regeneration medium as a proportion of the compressor unit's delivery rate, depending on a predetermined proportion of the compressor unit's delivery rate and a regeneration factor representing at least one operating condition of the compressor system, according to equation MReg. = MKom * Ö / Ö

[0012] to determine, where MReg is the predetermined quantity of the regeneration medium to be supplied to the air drying unit, MKom is a predetermined proportion of the delivery rate of the compressor unit and ö / ö is the regeneration factor, which is formed by the quotient of an operating condition factor ö by a predetermined reference value ö.

[0013] According to the configuration described above, a pneumatic medium to be compressed is supplied to the compressor unit, for example, from a gas tank or from the environment via the first pneumatic line section. In many applications, the supply of ambient air or compressed air is advantageous in terms of availability. Where air is referred to below as the pneumatic medium for the sake of simplicity, this represents a preferred embodiment, but also serves as a synonym for other pneumatic media in the sense of gaseous media. The air compressed by the compressor is then supplied via a second 2025PF00009

[0014] 3

[0015] The compressed air is introduced into the air drying unit via a section of pneumatic line to separate at least some of the liquid contained in the compressed air. This liquid can be water contained in the air or other liquid components, such as oil droplets, which are absorbed by the air as it passes through the compressor unit. The at least partially dried air can then be forwarded to a storage unit or a consumer of the compressed air via the third pneumatic line section described below, or via another pneumatic line section, such as a fourth pneumatic line section.

[0016] Due to the liquid absorption of the air drying unit described above, resulting from the flow of compressed air, the unit's liquid absorption capacity decreases. Therefore, a regeneration process can be implemented to reduce the liquid or moisture content and thus increase efficiency. During a regeneration process, the air drying unit is subjected to a pneumatic regeneration medium flowing against the direction of the compressed air flow from the compressor unit. This aims to absorb at least some of the moisture contained within the unit and thus reduce its concentration. Here, too, air, and in particular a portion of the compressed air flowing from the air drying unit, can be used as the pneumatic regeneration medium. The regeneration process is carried out while the compressor unit is shut down.

[0017] To carry out the regeneration process, the compressor system has a regeneration switching unit, which is connected to the air drying unit via the third pneumatic line section for the flow of the pneumatic regeneration medium through the air drying unit. The regeneration switching unit has, for example, a switchable valve that can be switched by the control device to allow the pneumatic regeneration medium to flow into the air drying unit via the third pneumatic line section, or to block the fluidic connection when no regeneration process is to be carried out, or to control the flow according to a predetermined quantity of the pneumatic regeneration medium.

[0018] 4

[0019] to terminate the regeneration medium. The predetermined quantity can thus be regulated by time-controlled valve opening. Alternatively or additionally, the valve can optionally have an opening cross-section that can be controlled, i.e., adjusted, by the control device in order to adjust the flow rate via the control device. The regeneration switching unit can also have several valves and / or other pneumatic elements to modulate the flow of the pneumatic regeneration medium.

[0020] If a portion of the compressed air that has already flowed through the air drying unit is to be used as a pneumatic regeneration medium, the third pneumatic line section can be used both to discharge the compressed air from the compressor unit and to supply the pneumatic regeneration medium to the air drying unit. Alternatively, a fourth pneumatic line section can be provided that discharges the compressed air from the compressor unit. This fourth pneumatic line section is fluidically connected to the regeneration switching unit in order to introduce a portion of the compressed air into the third pneumatic line section, depending on the position of a valve in the regeneration switching unit or similar parameters.The compressed air is then fed via a fifth pneumatic line section to, for example, a storage unit, which can then deliver the stored compressed air to one or more compressed air consumers via at least a sixth pneumatic line section. Alternatively, the compressed air can be directly connected to the storage unit via the fourth pneumatic line section, and the pneumatic regeneration medium is supplied to the regeneration control unit from the storage unit via the fifth pneumatic line section.

[0021] As addressed above, the control device regulates the amount of pneumatic regeneration medium flowing through the air drying unit during a regeneration process as a predetermined quantity of pneumatic regeneration medium. The control device determines the predetermined quantity of pneumatic regeneration medium as a function of the compressor's delivery rate, i.e., the quantity of air to be compressed.

[0022] 5

[0023] The operating parameters of the compressor determine the compressed air, as well as the operating condition factor, which represents at least one operating condition of the compressor system. This at least one operating condition is one that influences the moisture absorption of the air drying unit. Thus, the relevant operating condition can result in higher or lower moisture absorption with respect to the moisture content of the air to be compressed and / or the absorption capacity of the air drying unit.

[0024] The specified reference value in the data for determining the predetermined quantity of regeneration medium to be supplied to the air drying unit is a fixed value used as a normalization to take into account different system pressures and thus also the use of different predetermined percentage shares of the compressor unit's delivery rate.

[0025] According to the configuration described above, the moisture absorption of the air drying unit can be estimated more specifically based on at least one operating condition, such as ambient temperature, in order to adjust the predetermined amount of regeneration medium supplied to the unit. This increases energy efficiency and extends the service life of the air drying unit and its components, such as an air drying cartridge, by preventing excessive regeneration. In other words, the amount of pneumatic regeneration medium used in the regeneration process can be optimized by increasing or decreasing the regeneration factor or operating condition factor.For example, the predetermined quantity of pneumatic regeneration medium can be increased to protect the air drying unit and extend its service life when the compressor delivers a high airflow. Conversely, if the compressor delivers a comparatively low flow rate, the predetermined quantity of pneumatic regeneration medium can be reduced to save energy.

[0026] 6

[0027] and not to use the pneumatic regeneration medium in sufficient quantity without actual necessity.

[0028] In one embodiment, the predetermined proportion of the delivery rate of the compressor unit is 10% to 20%, in particular 12% to 15%, preferably 12% or 15%.

[0029] For example, a compressor system is designed such that 12% of the compressor unit's delivery rate is used as the basis for determining the predetermined quantity of pneumatic regeneration fluid. This fixed percentage of the compressor unit's delivery rate for a regeneration process can be understood as a base value comparable to a feedforward control. The actual predetermined quantity of pneumatic regeneration fluid determined by the control device is then adjusted as needed according to the specified equation via the regeneration factor or the operating condition factor.

[0030] In one embodiment, the specified reference value is predetermined depending on the predetermined proportion of the delivery rate of the compressor unit, in particular a number in the range of 10 to 20, preferably 12.

[0031] The specified reference value can be set to 12, based on the previous example of the predetermined proportion of the compressor unit's delivery rate of 12%. This simplifies the equation MReg = MKom * θ / θ to MReg = θ in %. Accordingly, in this case, the predetermined quantity of pneumatic regeneration medium corresponds to a proportion of the compressor's delivery rate according to the operating condition factor. If the compressor system is designed for a predetermined proportion of the compressor's delivery rate other than 12%, such as 15% according to a different system pressure, the predetermined quantity of pneumatic regeneration medium is adjusted accordingly by the reference value. 2025PF00009

[0032] 7

[0033] In one embodiment, the control device is configured to determine the operating condition factor from

[0034] a temperature indicator that corresponds to the temperature of the pneumatic medium supplied to the compressor unit,

[0035] an operating cycle indicator of the compressor unit, which corresponds to a delivery time of the compressor unit in relation to a vehicle operating time, a maximum humidity value indicator, which corresponds to a maximum humidity of the pneumatic medium conveyed by the compressor unit, a mean humidity value indicator, which corresponds to a mean humidity of the pneumatic medium conveyed by the compressor unit and / or

[0036] to determine an air drying unit status indicator that corresponds to a total quantity of pneumatic medium conveyed through the air drying unit for drying.

[0037] The temperature indicator can be an indicator of the ambient temperature. For example, if ambient air is used as the pneumatic medium to be compressed by the compressor unit, a lower ambient temperature results in lower humidity compared to a higher ambient temperature. The temperature indicator, or in this case, the ambient temperature indicator, thus represents the expected lower or higher humidity input into the air drying unit due to the ambient temperature. The ambient temperature can be transmitted to the control device, for example, by an ambient temperature sensor in the compressor system or the vehicle in which the compressor system is installed. However, the temperature indicator can also be derived from a temperature measurement of the pneumatic medium itself or from operating conditions that influence it.This can be advantageous if the pneumatic medium is exposed to temperature influences other than the ambient temperature. Accordingly, the predetermined quantity of pneumatic regeneration medium can be decreased or increased by taking the temperature indicator into account. 2025PF00009.

[0038] 8

[0039] The operating cycle can be defined as the percentage of the time the compressor unit operates to compress the pneumatic medium, divided by the motor runtime, for example, 30 minutes. Based on a motor runtime of 30 minutes, a delivery time of 15 minutes results in an operating cycle of 50%. The motor runtime is considered a moving window, or sliding window, within which the delivery time of the compressor unit is taken into account. With a longer delivery time of the compressor unit, the temperature also increases, and consequently, so does the moisture absorption that needs to be replenished. In electric vehicles, instead of the motor runtime, the activation time of the drive motor can be used as the ratio to the compressor's delivery time. Accordingly, a driving time refers to the activation time of a drive motor for ferry operation.The vehicle does not need to be in continuous motion, although the drive motor still remains activated.

[0040] The maximum humidity indicator depends on the delivery rate of the compressor unit. The specific delivery rate of the compressor unit is known. For example, the compressor's delivery rate can be determined using a compressor characteristic curve as a function of the compressor motor's speed and the back pressure. To determine the maximum humidity indicator, the corresponding current delivery rate of the compressor unit can be integrated. This integration yields a humidity level corresponding to the maximum humidity indicator, expressed as a volume value. In other words, the volume reflects an expected maximum humidity value. For instance, a compressor unit with a high-speed motor delivers a higher volume of air, but the compressor unit delivers less air at a higher system pressure.The higher the volume specification, the greater the load on the air drying unit and thus the regeneration requirement. If a maximum volume of compressed air conveyed by the air drying unit is exceeded, the air drying unit may be damaged, which can be remedied by an increased predetermined quantity of the pneumatic regeneration medium if the regeneration process is carried out in a timely manner (2025PF00009).

[0041] 9

[0042] The regeneration process can be prevented to avoid irreparable damage.

[0043] Similar to the maximum humidity indicator, the average humidity indicator also depends on the delivery rate of the compressor unit. However, the average humidity indicator does not refer to a single point in time, but rather to a humidity level that is consistently maintained over a certain period, for example, a 30-minute driving time for a vehicle with the compressor system.

[0044] The air drying unit status indicator represents the moisture absorption capacity of the air drying unit as a function of its operating time. Operating time can be expressed as the total volume of pneumatic fluid flowing through the air drying unit. An increasing total volume of pneumatic fluid is associated with a decreasing moisture absorption capacity and thus lower efficiency. Therefore, increasing the predetermined volume of pneumatic regeneration fluid can compensate for the decrease in the air drying unit's performance or even reset the unit to its initial state.

[0045] In one embodiment, the control device is configured to adjust the temperature indicator, the compressor unit operating cycle indicator, the maximum humidity indicator, the average humidity indicator and / or the air drying unit status indicator in stages.

[0046] Consequently, the respective indicators are not continuously adjusted depending on their respective reference values ​​and their changes, but rather represent aggregated groups of their respective reference values. For example, three different values ​​are assigned to each indicator, each representing a low, medium, and high regeneration requirement depending on the respective reference value. With regard to the temperature indicator, for example, a low value can represent a low temperature range, a medium value a high temperature range, and a low temperature range a high temperature range.

[0047] 10

[0048] A value can be set for a medium temperature range and a higher value for a higher temperature range. This can be applied analogously to the other indicators, as can generally be deduced from the following information.

[0049] In one embodiment, the control device is configured to

[0050] set the temperature indicator to 8, 12 or 15,

[0051] set the operating cycle indicator of the compressor unit to 10, 12 or 15,

[0052] set the maximum humidity indicator to 12, 15 or 18,

[0053] the humidity indicator to 12, 15 or 18 and / or

[0054] set the air drying unit status indicator to 10, 12, or 15

[0055] to determine.

[0056] Following the previous example of assigning values ​​to the temperature indicator for lower, medium, and higher temperatures in general, here a specific value of 8 is assigned to the temperature indicator for lower temperatures, a value of 12 for medium temperatures, and a value of 15 for higher temperatures. Lower temperatures are defined, for example, as temperatures below -5 °C, higher temperatures as temperatures above 25 °C, and medium temperatures as temperatures in the range between lower and higher temperatures.

[0057] The operating cycle indicator is set to 10 for a low operating cycle, especially one less than 5%, to 15 for a high operating cycle, especially one greater than 30%, and to 12 for a medium operating cycle, which lies between the low and high operating cycles.

[0058] The maximum moisture value indicator is set to 12 at a low flow rate, particularly at a flow rate of less than or equal to 1500 l; to 18 at a higher flow rate, particularly at a flow rate greater than 5000 l; and to 15 at a medium flow rate, which lies between the low and high flow rates. 2025PF00009

[0059] 11

[0060] The moisture content indicator is set to 12 for a low flow rate, especially a flow rate of less than 1500 l, to 18 for a higher flow rate, especially a flow rate greater than 5000 l, and to 15 for a medium flow rate, which lies between the low and higher flow rates.

[0061] The air drying unit status indicator is set to 10 for a low total quantity of pneumatic medium flowing through the air drying unit, in particular for a total quantity less than 10,000,000 l, to 15 for a higher total quantity, in particular for a total quantity greater than 20,000,000 l, and to 12 for a medium total quantity that lies between the low and higher total quantities.

[0062] In one embodiment, the control device is configured to assign a respective weighting factor to the temperature indicator, the operating cycle indicator of the compressor unit, the maximum humidity indicator, the average humidity indicator and / or the air drying unit status indicator.

[0063] The weighting factors allow the respective indicators, particularly when using more than one indicator, to be prioritized according to their need to adjust to the predetermined quantity of pneumatic regeneration medium. The weighting factors can be determined based on empirical studies.

[0064] In one embodiment, the control device is configured to

[0065] to set the weighting factor assigned to the temperature indicator to a value between 0.1 and 0.3, in particular to 0.2,

[0066] to set the weighting factor assigned to the operating cycle indicator of the compressor unit to a value between 0.05 and 0.15, in particular to 0.1, 2025PF00009

[0067] 12

[0068] to set the weighting factor assigned to the maximum humidity value indicator to a value between 0.1 and 0.3, in particular to 0.2,

[0069] to set the weighting factor assigned to the average humidity indicator to a value between 0.1 and 0.3, in particular to 0.2, and / or

[0070] to set the weighting factor assigned to the air drying unit condition indicator to a value between 0.2 and 0.4, in particular to 0.3.

[0071] Accordingly, the air drying unit status indicator, for example, can have a greater influence on the determination of the predetermined quantity of pneumatic regeneration medium than the operating cycle indicator.

[0072] In one implementation, the sum of the indicators used to determine the deployment condition factor is a weighting factor of 1. In other words, the indicators used to determine the deployment condition factor are related to 100%.

[0073] In one embodiment, the control device is configured to determine the operating condition factor according to the equation

[0074] ö = a * a + b * ß + c *Y + d *ö + e *£

[0075] to determine, whereby

[0076] a is a weighting factor assigned to the temperature indicator a, b is a weighting factor assigned to the operating cycle indicator ß, c is a weighting factor assigned to the maximum humidity indicator y, d is a weighting factor assigned to the average humidity indicator ö, and e is a weighting factor assigned to the air drying unit status indicator £.

[0077] In general, the predetermined quantity of pneumatic regeneration medium can be determined by adjusting the weighting and indicators to suit different operating conditions. In other words, the different operating conditions represented by the respective indicators, considered in isolation, can result in different predetermined quantities of pneumatic regeneration medium.

[0078] 13

[0079] This necessitates adjustments, which are balanced overall through the weighting and consideration of the indicator determination.

[0080] In light of the above, the deployment condition factor can be calculated, for example, as 0 = 0.2 * (8 or 12 or 15) + 0.1 * (10 or 12 or 15) + 0.2 * (12 or 15 or 18) + 0.2 * (12 or 15 or 18) + 0.3 * (10 or 12 or 15). The determination of the values ​​for the "or" terms refers to the respective deployment condition.

[0081] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle with a previously described compressor system.

[0082] The vehicle may have an ambient air temperature sensor that can transmit sensor data to the compressor system's control unit to determine the temperature indicator. Furthermore, the vehicle may have a control unit for the compressor system that can transmit control data corresponding to the compressor unit's delivery rate to the compressor system's control unit. The vehicle may, in particular, be a commercial vehicle.

[0083] The characteristics described above for a vehicle in relation to the compressor system are equally applicable to the vehicle itself. Likewise, characteristics described for the vehicle relating to the compressor system are transferable to the compressor system, provided they have not already been described therein.

[0084] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for operating a previously described compressor system, comprising the steps of:

[0085] Operating the compressor unit,

[0086] Conveying at least part of the pneumatic medium compressed by the compressor unit through the air drying unit,

[0087] Determining a predetermined quantity of a pneumatic regeneration medium as a function of the delivery rate of the compressor unit 2025PF00009

[0088] 14

[0089] as well as a regeneration factor that represents at least one operating condition of the compressor system, according to the equation

[0090] MReg = MKom * ö / ö, where

[0091] MReg is the predetermined quantity of regeneration medium to be supplied to the air drying unit, MKom is a predetermined proportion of the delivery rate of the compressor unit, and ö / ö is the regeneration factor, which is formed by the quotient of an operating condition factor 0 by a predetermined reference value ö.

[0092] To determine the operating condition factor, sensor signals can be transmitted to the control device of the compressor system. These signals could represent, for example, an ambient temperature as measured by an ambient temperature sensor and / or a delivery rate of the compressor unit as measured by a delivery rate sensor. Alternatively or additionally, control data corresponding to operating condition data can also be transmitted to the control device. For example, control data from the compressor unit can be used, from which the delivery rate of the compressor unit can be derived.

[0093] The features described in the preceding description of the compressor system are equally applicable to the process itself. Likewise, features described for the process relating to the compressor system are transferable to the compressor system, provided they have not already been described therein.

[0094] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause it to perform the method described above.

[0095] The computer in question could be, in particular, the control device for the compressor system. 2025PF00009

[0096] 15

[0097] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause it to perform the method described above.

[0098] The computer in question could also be, in particular, the control device for the compressor system.

[0099] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described below with the aid of the accompanying drawings.

[0100] In detail, it shows

[0101] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a compressor system to which the present invention is applicable.

[0102] The compressor system 1 shown in Fig. 1 comprises a compressor unit 10, an air drying unit 20, a regeneration switching unit 30, a storage unit 40, and a control device 50. In the exemplary embodiment, ambient air is supplied to the compressor unit 10 as the pneumatic medium to be compressed via a first pneumatic line section 71. The compressor unit includes a flow rate sensor (not shown) that determines sensor data representing the delivery rate of the compressor unit. This sensor data is transmitted to the control device 50 via a signal line 11. In addition, sensor data from a temperature sensor 60, which detects an ambient air temperature, is also transmitted to the control device 50 via a signal line 61. The temperature sensor 60 is shown in Fig.1 Part of the compressor system 1, but in other embodiments it can also be a temperature sensor of the vehicle that includes the compressor system.

[0103] In general, signal lines are represented as dashed lines and pneumatic lines as solid lines in Fig. 1.

[0104] The air compressed by the compressor unit 10 is supplied to the air drying unit 20 via a second pneumatic line section 72. The compressed air, which 2025PF00009

[0105] 16

[0106] After passing through the air drying unit 20, the compressed air is fed to the regeneration switching unit 30 via a fourth pneumatic line section 74. The fourth pneumatic line section 74 is connected to a fifth pneumatic line section 75 via the regeneration switching unit to introduce the compressed air into the storage unit 40. From the storage unit 40, the compressed air can be supplied to various consumers via a sixth pneumatic line section 76.

[0107] For a regeneration process, the regeneration switching unit 30 is also fluidically connected to the air drying unit 20 via a third pneumatic line section 73, so that a pneumatic regeneration medium can flow through the air drying unit 20 in the opposite direction to the flow direction of the compressed air. In the illustrated embodiment, the regeneration switching unit 30 uses as the pneumatic regeneration medium a portion of the compressed air stored in the storage unit 40, which is supplied via the fifth pneumatic line section 75. In other embodiments, the portion of the compressed air to be used as the pneumatic regeneration medium can also be branched off via the fourth pneumatic line section 74 and stored in a storage device of the regeneration switching unit 30.In a further embodiment, the third pneumatic line section 73 and the fourth pneumatic line section 74 can be formed from a common pneumatic line section. In this configuration, both the dried compressed air is discharged from the air drying unit 20 and the predetermined quantity of the pneumatic regeneration medium is supplied to the air drying unit 20 for the regeneration process via the regeneration switching unit 30. The regeneration switching unit 30 has a valve that can be controlled by the control device. In a closed state, the valve prevents the pneumatic regeneration medium from flowing through the air drying unit 20, and in an open state, it allows flow.

[0108] The control device 50 switches the regeneration switching unit 30 according to a regeneration process time at which the delivery operation of the compressor unit 102025PF00009

[0109] 17

[0110] The air drying unit 20 is exposed to a predetermined quantity of pneumatic regeneration medium, which is to flow through the air drying unit. For this purpose, the control device is connected to the regeneration switching unit 30 via a control line 51. To carry out a regeneration process, the control device 50 switches the regeneration unit 30 into a state in which the regeneration switching unit 30, or a valve arranged therein, allows the pneumatic regeneration medium to flow through the air drying unit 20. To end the regeneration process, the control device 50 then switches the regeneration switching unit 30 into a closed position, which blocks the flow.

[0111] The control device 50 determines the predetermined quantity of the pneumatic regeneration medium according to the equation MReg = MKom * θ / θ, where MReg is the predetermined quantity of the regeneration medium to be supplied to the air drying unit 20 as a fraction of the delivery rate of the compressor unit 10, MKom is a predetermined fraction of the delivery rate of the compressor unit 10, θ is the operating condition factor, and θ is a predetermined reference value, the quotient of the operating condition factor θ and the predetermined reference value θ constitutes the regeneration factor. The predetermined reference value here is 12, with a predetermined fraction of the delivery rate of the compressor unit 10 of 12%.

[0112] The operating condition factor is also determined by the control device 50 according to the equation ö = a * a + b * ß + c * Y + d * ö + e * £, where a is a weighting factor assigned to a temperature indicator a, which is set to 0.2, b is a weighting factor assigned to an operating cycle indicator ß, which is set to 0.1, c is a weighting factor assigned to a maximum humidity indicator y, which is set to 0.2, d is a weighting factor assigned to a mean humidity indicator ö, which is set to 0.2, and e is a weighting factor assigned to an air drying unit condition indicator £, which is set to 0.3. 2025PF00009

[0113] 18

[0114] The temperature indicator a corresponds to an ambient air temperature detected by the temperature sensor 60. The operating cycle indicator β, the maximum humidity indicator Y, the average humidity indicator θ, and the air drying unit status indicator £ are determined by the control device 50 according to data transmitted from the compressor unit via signal line 11. Thus, in the present embodiment, a temperature indicator is assigned a value of 8 for lower temperatures, a value of 12 for medium temperatures, and a value of 15 for higher temperatures. Lower temperatures are defined as temperatures below -5 °C, higher temperatures as temperatures above 25 °C, and medium temperatures as temperatures in the range between lower and higher temperatures.

[0115] The operating cycle indicator is set to 10 for a low operating cycle of less than 5%, to 15 for a high operating cycle of greater than 30%, and to 12 for a medium operating cycle that lies between the low and high operating cycles.

[0116] The maximum moisture value indicator is set to 12 for a low flow rate of less than or equal to 1500 l, to 18 for a higher flow rate of greater than 5000 l, and to 15 for a medium flow rate that lies between the low and higher flow rates.

[0117] The moisture content indicator is set to 12 for a low flow rate (less than 1500 l), to 18 for a higher flow rate (greater than 5000 l), and to 15 for a medium flow rate (between the low and high flow rates).

[0118] The air drying unit status indicator is set to 10 when the total volume of pneumatic medium flowing through the air drying unit is less than 10,000,000 l, to 15 when the total volume is greater than 20,000,000 l, and to 12 when the total volume is intermediate between the low and high values. 2025PF00009

[0119] 19

[0120] For example, the temperature sensor 60 measures an ambient air temperature of 10 °C, so the control device sets the temperature indicator a to 12. The compressor's delivery rate for filling the storage unit 40 is 200 l over a period of 30 minutes, with the operating cycle at 50% for a delivery duration of 15 minutes and a motor runtime of 30 minutes. Based on this, the control device 50 sets the operating cycle indicator β to 15, the maximum humidity indicator y to 15, and the average humidity indicator θ to 15. With a total delivery rate of 15,000,000 l over the operating time of the air drying unit 20, the air drying unit status indicator Σ is 12.

[0121] According to the above operating conditions, the control device 50 calculates the operating condition factor θ as θ = 0.2 * 12 + 0.1 * 15 + 0.2 * 15 + 0.2 * 15 + 0.3 * 12 = 13.5. Accordingly, the predetermined quantity of the pneumatic regeneration medium, as a proportion of the air compressed by the compressor unit, is determined by the control device 50 according to the equation MReg = MKom * θ / θ as MReg = 12% * 13.5 / 12 = 13.5%.

[0122] The invention is not limited to the described embodiment. In particular, features described in relation to this embodiment, other described embodiments, and further developments of the invention can be combined with one another, provided they are not reasonably mutually exclusive. For example, the regeneration factor or the operating condition factor can also be determined taking into account only one operating condition or a selection of operating conditions. Likewise, the weighting factors can be adjusted. Thus, the respective weighting factor can, for example, be variably set depending on an operating mode of the vehicle. 2025PF00009

[0123] 20

[0124] REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0125] 1 compressor system

[0126] 10 compressor units

[0127] 11 Signal line (compressor)

[0128] 20 air drying units

[0129] 30 Regeneration switching unit

[0130] 40 storage units

[0131] 50 Control device

[0132] 51 Control line

[0133] 60 Temperature sensor

[0134] 61 Signal line (temperature sensor)

[0135] 70 Pneumatic line section

[0136] 71 first pneumatic line section

[0137] 72 second pneumatic line section

[0138] 73 Pneumatic line section

[0139] 74 Pneumatic line section

[0140] 75 Pneumatic line section

[0141] 76 Pneumatic line section

[0142] a, , e weighting factor

[0143] MKom share of the delivery rate of the compressor unit

[0144] MReg Quantity of regeneration medium to be supplied to the air drying unit a Temperature indicator

[0145] β Operating cycle indicator

[0146] Y Maximum humidity indicator

[0147] Average humidity indicator

[0148] Air drying unit status indicator

[0149] Ö Reference value

[0150] e Operating condition factor

Claims

2025PF00009 21 PATENT CLAIMS 1. Compressor system (1 ) for a vehicle, comprising: a compressor unit (10), an air drying unit (20), a regeneration switching unit (30) and a pneumatic line section (70), comprising a first pneumatic line section (71) via which a pneumatic medium to be compressed can be supplied to the compressor unit (10), a second pneumatic line section (72) through which the compressor unit (10) is fluidically connected to the air drying unit (20) and the compressed pneumatic medium can be supplied from the compressor unit (10) to the air drying unit (20), and a third pneumatic line section (73) via which the air drying unit (20) is fluidically connected to the regeneration switching unit (30) and a pneumatic medium can be supplied to the air drying unit (20) for a regeneration process, wherein the compressor system (1) also includes a control device (50) configured to control the regeneration switching unit (30) to supply a predetermined quantity of a pneumatic regeneration medium, and wherein the control device (50) is configured to measure the predetermined quantity of the pneumatic regeneration medium as a proportion of the compressor's delivery rate as a function of a predetermined proportion of the compressor unit's delivery rate (10) and a regeneration factor (θ / θ) that represents at least one operating condition of the compressor system (1), according to the equation MReg = MKom * G / Ö to determine, whereby MReg is the predetermined quantity of regeneration medium to be supplied to the air drying unit (20), MKom is a predetermined proportion of the delivery rate of the compressor unit (10), and ö / ö is the regeneration factor, which is formed by the quotient of an operating condition factor G and a predetermined reference value ö. 2025PF00009 22 2. The compressor system (1 ) according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined proportion ( / om) of the delivery rate of the compressor unit (10) is 10% to 20%, in particular 12% to 15%, preferably 12% or 15%.

3. The compressor system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the predetermined reference value (θ) is predetermined depending on the predetermined proportion ( / θ) of the delivery rate of the compressor unit (10), in particular a number in a range of 10 to 20, preferably 12.

4. The compressor system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control device (50) is configured to determine the operating condition factor (6) from a temperature indicator (a) that corresponds to a temperature of the pneumatic medium to be supplied to the compressor unit (10), an operating cycle indicator (β) of the compressor unit (10), which corresponds to a delivery time of the compressor unit (10) in relation to a vehicle operating time, a maximum humidity indicator (y) which corresponds to a maximum humidity of the pneumatic medium conveyed by the compressor unit (10), a humidity mean indicator (Δ) that corresponds to an average humidity of the pneumatic medium conveyed by the compressor unit (10) and / or an air drying unit status indicator (E) that corresponds to a total quantity of pneumatic medium conveyed through the air drying unit (20) for drying, to determine.

5. The compressor system (1) according to claim 4, wherein the control device (50) is configured to adjust the temperature indicator (a), the operating cycle indicator (β) of the compressor unit (10), the maximum humidity indicator (y), the average humidity indicator (θ) and / or the air drying unit status indicator (E) in stages. 2025PF00009 23 6. The compressor system (1) according to claim 5, wherein the control device (50) is configured to the temperature indicator (a) to 8, 12 or 15, the operating cycle indicator (β) of the compressor unit (10) to 10, 12 or 15, the maximum humidity indicator (y) to 12, 15 or 18, the mean humidity indicator (ΔH) to 12, 15 or 18 and / or to set the air drying unit status indicator (E) to 10, 12 or 15.

7. The compressor system (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the control device (50) is configured to assign a respective weighting factor (a, b, c, d, e) to the temperature indicator (a), the operating cycle indicator (β) of the compressor unit (10), the maximum humidity indicator (y), the average humidity indicator (β) and / or the air drying unit status indicator (E).

8. The compressor system (1) according to claim 7, wherein the control device (50) is configured to to set the weighting factor (a) assigned to the temperature indicator (a) to a value between 0.1 and 0.3, in particular to 0.2, to set the weighting factor (b) assigned to the operating cycle indicator (β) of the compressor unit (10) to a value between 0.05 and 0.15, in particular to 0.1, to set the weighting factor (c) assigned to the maximum humidity value indicator (y) to a value between 0.1 and 0.3, in particular to 0.2, to set the weighting factor (d) assigned to the mean humidity indicator (o) to a value between 0.1 and 0.3, in particular to 0.2, and / or to set the weighting factor (e) assigned to the air drying unit condition indicator (s) to a value between 0.2 and 0.4, in particular to 0.

3. 2025PF00009 24 9. The compressor system (1) according to claim 6, wherein the control device (50) is configured to adjust the operating condition factor (6) according to the equation ö = a * a + b * ß + c *y + d *ö + e *£ to determine, whereby a is a weighting factor assigned to the temperature indicator a, b is a weighting factor assigned to the operating cycle indicator ß, c is a weighting factor assigned to the maximum humidity indicator y, d is a weighting factor assigned to the average humidity indicator ö, and e is a weighting factor assigned to the air drying unit status indicator £.

10. Vehicle with a compressor system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. Method for operating a compressor system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising the steps: Operating the compressor unit (10), Conveying at least part of the pneumatic medium compressed by the compressor unit (10) through the air drying unit (20), Determining a predetermined quantity of a pneumatic regeneration medium as a function of a delivery rate of the compressor unit (10) and a regeneration factor (G / θ) that represents at least one operating condition of the compressor system (1), according to the equation MReg = MKom * G / ö, where MReg is the predetermined quantity of regeneration medium to be supplied to the air drying unit (20), MKom is a predetermined proportion of the delivery rate of the compressor unit (10) and ö / ö is the regeneration factor, which is formed by the quotient of an operating condition factor G by a predetermined reference value ö.

12. Computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to execute the method according to claim 11. 2025PF00009 25 13. Computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause it to execute the method according to claim 11.

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