AIR DRYER WITH DIRECT SOLENOID CONTROL

The invention relates to an air dryer unit (1) for a utility vehicle (5), comprising a desiccant unit (12), which is arranged downstream from a compressed air inlet (6) and upstream from a compressed air outlet (7); and an exhaust valve (11), which is arranged between the compressed air inlet (6) and the desiccant unit (12); wherein the exhaust valve (11) is connected to a main exhaust (15); wherein the exhaust valve (11) is electromechanically operated. The method for operating an air dryer unit (1) comprises receiving a control signal; and, depending on the control signal, activating a filling state or a regeneration state of the air dryer unit (1); wherein, when the filling state is activated, an exhaust valve (11) is controlled to connect a desiccant unit (12) to a compressed air inlet (6); and, when the regeneration state is activated, the exhaust valve (11) is controlled to connect the desiccant unit (12) to a main exhaust (15); wherein the control signal is an electrical signal and the exhaust valve (11) is controlled electromechanically.