Compressor system for piercing a repair kit, repair kit with such a compressor system, and method for sealing a vehicle tire with such a compressor system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a compressor system for piercing a repair kit, in which the supply pressure of compressed air is controlled to be below a certain pressure Pp without using a safety valve, the compressor system comprising a motor, a piston (2) driven by the motor via a crank mechanism and having a cylinder part with a cylinder body (1) having a pump chamber (6) in which the piston (2) moves back and forth from a bottom dead center to a top dead center and compresses air, and a receiving chamber for receiving compressed air compressed in the pump chamber (6) through an air discharge valve (4), wherein the cylinder body (1) is elastically deformable as the pressure increases, the degree of deformation of the cylinder body (1) being such that the compression volume V2 of the cylinder satisfies the following expression (a): 0.3 x V1 x P0 / (PP-P0) =< V2 < 0.8 x V1 x P0 / (PP-P0) (a), where V1 is the displacement, which is the cylinder volume when the piston (2) moves from the bottom dead center to the top dead center, V2 is the compression volume, which is the cylinder volume when the piston (2) is at the top dead center, and P0 is the air pressure. The present invention also relates to a piercing repair kit having the compressor system and a method of sealing a vehicle tire using the compressor system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a compressor system for a puncture repair kit, a puncture repair kit, and a method for sealing vehicle tires. Background Technology

[0002] In the prior art, compressor systems for puncture repair kits and puncture repair kits incorporating compressors are known and are commonly used to compress air in portable devices. A compressor is used to generate compressed air, which, in the event of a puncture, is used to pump sealant for sealing a vehicle tire into the tire, and / or to fill the tire with air after sealing. The compressor typically has at least one motor and a cylinder with a reciprocating piston compressor driven by the operation of a thrust crank. The cylinder is typically formed of metal, making the material stable enough to compress air in the pump chamber by means of a reciprocating piston compressor. Disadvantageously, the requirements for this material severely limit the shape of the cylinder, resulting in higher production costs. Typically, a safety valve or pressure relief valve is used to limit the maximum pressure that may be generated. However, other options for limiting the maximum pressure are also described in the prior art.

[0003] For example, EP 2918834 B1 discloses a compressor system with a motor, piston, and cylinder, which eliminates the need for a safety valve. The maximum pressure is limited by appropriately selecting the compression volume rather than by a safety valve. A disadvantage of this compressor system is that it is configured only for high compression volumes.

[0004] In this invention, a compression volume greater than or equal to 0.8 is considered low. A high compression volume is considered to be in the range below 0.8, particularly in the range of 0.3 to 0.8. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of this invention is to provide a compressor system for a puncture repair kit that allows maximum pressure to be limited within a range of average compression volume. Furthermore, the object of this invention is to provide a puncture repair kit that allows maximum pressure to be limited within a range of average compression volume. Another object of this invention is to provide a method for sealing vehicle tires, by means of which the vehicle tires can be sealed by limiting maximum pressure within a range of average compression volume.

[0006] The object of the present invention is achieved by a compressor system for a puncture repair kit, by a puncture repair kit, and by a method for sealing vehicle tires.

[0007] The object of the present invention is achieved by a compressor system for a puncture repair kit, wherein the supply pressure of compressed air is controlled to a specific pressure Pp below the specified pressure, without the need for a safety valve, the compressor system comprising: - Motor - A piston, which is driven by a motor via a crank mechanism, and has - A cylinder assembly having a cylinder body and a receiving chamber. The cylinder body has a pump chamber in which a piston can move back and forth from bottom dead center to top dead center and compress air. The receiving chamber is used to receive the compressed air compressed in the pump chamber through an air discharge valve. The cylinder body can elastically deform as the pressure increases, and the degree of deformation of the cylinder body makes the compression volume V2 of the cylinder satisfy the following expression (a): 0.3 x V1 x P0 / (PP - P0) = <V2<0.8 x V1 x P0 / (PP-P0) (a), in V1 is the displacement, which is the cylinder volume when the piston moves from bottom dead center to top dead center. V2 is the compression volume, which is the cylinder volume when the piston is at top dead center. P0 is the air pressure.

[0008] Advantageously, the compressor system according to the invention can be used at an average compression volume by using a cylinder body that elastically deforms with increasing pressure, resulting in a significantly greater number of cylinders and thus reducing production costs. According to the invention, although the cylinder body is elastically deformable, the maximum pressure in the cylinder can still be achieved by satisfying expression (a). This compressor system can establish sufficiently constant pressure without the need for a safety valve to ensure safe use in puncture repair kits.

[0009] According to the invention, the cylinder body can elastically deform with increasing pressure because the walls of the cylinder body can buckle with increasing pressure. It is conceivable that the sidewalls of the pump chamber will arch outwards when the pressure increases. As the pressure decreases, the cylinder body will return to its initial shape. Advantageously, such a system is best suited for compression volumes below 0.8. However, this configuration is not suitable for limiting the maximum pressure to a compression volume greater than 0.8.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cylinder body comprises at least one plastic. Plastic is particularly suitable because it is easily processed and generally deformable. Various plastics are conceivable. Particularly preferably, at least one plastic selected from the group consisting of polyamide, polyethylene, polycarbonate, and polypropylene is suitable. These plastics have particularly suitable flexibility, which allows them to be used as materials for cylinder components. Other commonly used flexible plastics typically used in cylinders are also suitable. Advantageously, such plastics are elastically deformable, resulting in a compressor system suitable for use without a safety valve, allowing maximum pressure to be limited within a high compression volume range.

[0011] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the cylinder body comprises only plastic, resulting in the cylinder body having particularly good elastic deformation capability, thereby achieving the aforementioned advantages.

[0012] In another preferred embodiment, the thickness of the cylinder body wall is in the range of 1 mm to 3 mm. Advantageously, the cylinder body wall being in the range of 1 mm to 3 mm makes the wall elastically deformable. Compared to the requirements of prior art for cylinder bodies (which are designed to remain stable to achieve maximum pressure in a low compression volume range), according to the invention, the cylinder body wall is elastically deformable, thereby limiting the maximum pressure to the average compression volume range.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the cylinder body wall of the pump chamber is elastically deformable.

[0014] Furthermore, preferably, the cylinder wall material has a flexural modulus in the range of 0.5 GPa to 10 GPa. It has been shown that cylinder walls with a flexural modulus in this range are particularly well-suited for limiting maximum pressure within a high compression volume range. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the flexural modulus is in the range of 1 GPa to 1.5 GPa.

[0015] Furthermore, this objective is achieved by a puncture repair kit, which includes the compressor system and a sealant device, wherein the sealant device has a sealant for sealing vehicle tires. Advantageously, the maximum pressure can be limited within the high compression volume range of the puncture repair kit. This is particularly advantageous for puncture repair kits because compressors are typically designed for cost-effectiveness and limited to basic characteristics. The puncture repair kit with the compressor system according to the invention makes it possible to simply manufacture cylinder bodies, for example, made of plastic. The compressor system without a safety valve is advantageous because it reduces the risk of backflow in the event of air outlet blockage.

[0016] The other advantages of the compressor system mentioned above are also applicable to puncture repair kits, and vice versa.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the compressor system may be connected to a sealant device. In the case of puncture repair kits, kits with and without sealant devices are typically distinguished. In a puncture repair kit with a sealant device, the sealant device must first be connected to the compressor system before use. The compressor system then generates air pressure that delivers sealant to the vehicle tire to seal it.

[0018] Furthermore, this objective is achieved by using the compressor system or the puncture kit to seal the vehicle tires, a method comprising at least the following steps: i) Positive pressure is established by means of a piston in the compressor system, wherein the compression volume V2 of the cylinder satisfies the following expression (a): 0.3 x V1 x P0 / (PP - P0) = <V2<0.8 x V1 x P0 / (PP-P0) (a), in V1 is the displacement, which is the cylinder volume when the piston moves from bottom dead center to top dead center. V2 is the compression volume, which is the cylinder volume when the piston is at top dead center. P0 is air pressure, and ii) The sealant is delivered to the vehicle tires by means of the positive pressure established in the compressor system.

[0019] The method of sealing vehicle tires with a sealant according to the invention is advantageous because the maximum pressure can be limited even for high compression volumes. Due to the compressor design, which is made particularly of plastic, a safety valve can be omitted, thereby reducing the risk of backflow in the event of air outlet blockage.

[0020] Further advantages and features of the compressor system, puncture repair kit, and method according to the invention are apparent from the advantageous configurations of the invention and therefore should not be construed as limiting. The invention also covers combinations of technically possible features, even if these features are unrelated to each other or belong to different categories. Furthermore, preferred and particularly preferred embodiments can be combined with each other as long as it is technically feasible. The same applies to the various features of the exemplary embodiments detailed below, provided that these features are not necessarily associated with each other to those skilled in the art. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Further details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1a shows a cross-sectional view of the cylinder body, with the piston at bottom dead center, and... Figure 1b shows a cross-sectional view of the cylinder body with the piston at top dead center.

[0022] List of reference numerals

[0023] 1 cylinder body 2 pistons 3 air intakes 4 air outlets 5 sidewalls 6 pump chambers Detailed Implementation

[0024] Figure 1a shows a cylinder body 1 in cross-sectional view, comprising a piston 2, an inlet 3, and an outlet 4, wherein this configuration is used in a compressor and / or puncture repair kit according to the invention. The two side walls 5 of the cylinder body 1 are elastically deformable with increasing pressure. In Figure 1a, the piston 2 is at bottom dead center, where the side walls 5 of the cylinder body 1 are not deformed. As pressure increases, the side walls 5 in the region of the pump chamber 6 deform outward until the piston 2 reaches top dead center (Figure 1b). The process of generating maximum pressure and returning to the bottom dead center of the piston 2 is reversible.

Claims

1. A compressor system for a puncture repair kit, wherein the supply pressure of compressed air is controlled to a specific pressure Pp below the specified pressure, without the need for a safety valve, the compressor system comprising: - Motor - Piston (2), which is driven by the motor via a crank mechanism and has - A cylinder assembly having a cylinder body (1) and a receiving chamber. The cylinder body has a pump chamber (6) in which a piston (2) can move back and forth from bottom dead center to top dead center and compress air. The receiving chamber is used to receive the compressed air compressed in the pump chamber (6) through an air discharge valve (4). Its features are, The cylinder body (1) can elastically deform as the pressure increases, and the degree of deformation of the cylinder body (1) makes the compression volume V2 of the cylinder satisfy the following expression (a): 0.3 x V1 x P0 / (PP-P0) = < V2 < 0.8 x V1 x P0 / (PP-P0) (a), in V1 is the displacement, which is the cylinder volume when the piston (2) moves from the bottom dead center to the top dead center. V2 is the compression volume, which is the cylinder volume when the piston (2) is at the top dead center, and P0 is the air pressure.

2. The compressor system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The cylinder body (1) comprises at least one type of plastic.

3. The compressor system as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The cylinder body (1) comprises polyamide.

4. The compressor system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the wall of the cylinder body (1) is in the range of 1 mm to 3 mm.

5. The compressor system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The cylinder body wall (5) of the pump chamber (6) is elastically deformable.

6. The compressor system as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The material of the cylinder body wall (5) has a flexural modulus in the range of 0.5 GPa to 10 GPa.

7. The compressor system as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that, The material of the cylinder body wall (5) has a flexural modulus in the range of 1 GPa to 1.5 GPa.

8. A puncture repair kit comprising a compressor system as described in any of the preceding claims, and a sealant device, wherein, This sealant device contains a sealant for sealing vehicle tires.

9. The puncture repair kit as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The compressor system can be connected to the sealant device.

10. A method for sealing a vehicle tire using a compressor system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 or a puncture repair kit as claimed in claim 8 or 9, the method comprising at least the following steps: i) Positive pressure is established by means of piston (2) in the compressor system, wherein the compression volume V2 of the cylinder satisfies the following expression (a): 0.3 x V1 x P0 / (PP-P0) = < V2 < 0.8 x V1 x P0 / (PP-P0) (a), in V1 is the displacement, which is the cylinder volume when the piston moves from the bottom dead center to the top dead center. V2 is the compression volume, which is the cylinder volume when the piston (2) is at the top dead center, and P0 is the air pressure. ii) The sealant is delivered to the vehicle tires by means of the positive pressure established in the compressor system.

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