Tire repair device for attachment to a wheel

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tire repair device (10) for attaching to a wheel, which is attached to a vehicle by a wheel nut or a wheel bolt (100). The tire repair device (10) comprises: a bracket element (16), which is provided with a center line (A) and a circumferential direction (U), and the bracket element has a side (18) facing the wheel and a side (20) facing away from the wheel; a compressor (22), which is attached to the bracket element (16); a drive mechanism for the compressor (22), which is operably connected to the compressor (22); a sealant container (60), which is used to contain tire sealant, wherein the compressor (22) is connected to the sealant container (60) in a fluid-conducting manner; a connecting pipe (12), which is constructed to be connected to the sealant container (60) and the tire to be repaired in a fluid-conducting manner; and a plurality of sleeve-shaped mounting elements (88), each sleeve-shaped mounting element having an attachment end (90) and a free end (92), wherein the mounting elements (88) are connected to the bracket element (16) at their respective attachment ends (90) and extend from the side (18) of the bracket element (16) facing the wheel along a longitudinal axis (L) parallel to the center line (A), and are spaced apart from each other by a certain distance along the circumferential direction (U), wherein the position of the sleeve-shaped mounting elements (88) at least roughly corresponds to the position of a wheel nut or wheel bolt (100) used to attach the wheel to the vehicle, and wherein the end portion (106) of each sleeve-shaped mounting element (88) adjacent to the free end (92) is constructed to be engaged with the head (104) of the wheel nut or wheel bolt (100).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of tire repair devices for vehicle wheels of motor vehicles. Previously, motor vehicles were usually equipped with spare tires in most cases. Such spare tires allow the vehicle to continue driving by replacing the defective wheel with the spare tire carried in the event of a tire blowout. However, replacing a wheel that has become defective due to a flat tire requires lifting the vehicle by means of a car jack, removing the defective wheel from the vehicle, then installing the spare tire, and finally storing the defective wheel in the vehicle. Background Art

[0002] In order to save effort and also for the reason of reducing weight, motor vehicles are more and more equipped with tire repair devices instead of spare tires recently. This tire repair device (which is known to those skilled in the art, also known as "tire repair glue (Tirefit)") is usually located under the trunk floor of the motor vehicle, and includes a sealant container containing liquid tire sealant and an electric air compressor. In the case of a flat tire, this usually box-shaped tire repair device is taken out of the trunk of the vehicle and placed next to the defective wheel. Then the connecting hose of the tire repair device is connected to the tire valve of the defective wheel. Finally, the plug of the power cord of the tire repair device is inserted into the socket on the vehicle, which socket can be, for example, the cigarette lighter socket of the vehicle. Then, the tire repair device is started, so that the air compressor pumps the tire sealant into the defective vehicle tire and re-pressurizes the vehicle tire to continue driving. However, before this, the tire repair device must be disconnected from the wheel that has been repaired at this time and stored in the vehicle. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a tyre repair device which is improved compared to tyre repair devices of the "sealant" type, which tyre repair device is even simpler to use and more foolproof in the event of a puncture.

[0004] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a tire repair device comprising the features indicated in claim 1. Compared to known tire repair devices of the "tire sealant" type, the tire repair device according to the invention is configured to be mounted on a wheel, which is attached to a vehicle by wheel nuts or wheel bolts. Wheel nuts or wheel bolts are suitable for use in the vast majority of motor vehicles. Four or five wheel nuts or wheel bolts are usually used to attach the wheel to the vehicle. Such wheel nuts or wheel bolts are made of steel and are accessible from the outside of the wheel so that the wheel can be mounted on the vehicle and removed from the vehicle. The tire repair device according to the invention has a carrier element, which can be formed at least approximately plate-shaped and is provided with a center line and a circumferential direction. In the case where the tire repair device is mounted on the wheel, the center line of the carrier element preferably represents an extension of the center line of the wheel. In the case where the tire repair device is mounted on the wheel, the circumferential direction of the carrier element corresponds to the circumferential direction of the wheel. The carrier element has a side facing the wheel and a side facing away from the wheel, which is related to the attachment state of the tire repair device to the wheel in different cases. The carrier element can be a sheet steel component which has been produced, for example, by a stamping and / or pressing and / or deep drawing process. The outer shape of the carrier element is preferably at least approximately circular and substantially flat, so that the carrier element can be satisfactorily inserted into the available space in the wheel center.

[0005] The carrier element (which may also be referred to as a structural member) serves as a supporting member of the tire repair device. A compressor is attached to the carrier element, the compressor being used to suck and pressurize air in a known manner so as to use the pressurized air to deliver tire sealant into the defective vehicle tire and to increase the pressure in the vehicle tire. The compressor may be of any type suitable for the purpose. In an exemplary embodiment of the tire repair device according to the invention, the compressor is a piston compressor, preferably a piston compressor with a double-acting piston.

[0006] The drive mechanism for the compressor is operably connected to the compressor. The compressor drive mechanism can also be any type suitable for the purpose. For example, the compressor drive mechanism can be a hydraulically driven or pneumatically driven motor. In a preferred embodiment of the tire repair device of the present invention, the compressor drive mechanism is an electric motor.

[0007] The tire repair device of the present invention further includes a sealant container for containing tire sealant, which is connected to the compressor in a fluid-conducting manner. The tire repair device further includes a connecting tube, which is constructed to be connected to the sealant container and the tire to be repaired in a fluid-conducting manner. The connecting tube can be a separate component or can be already connected to the tire repair device at one end, and then only needs to be connected to the tire to be repaired in the event of a tire blowout, usually by connecting the connecting tube to the tire valve of the defective wheel. The connecting tube may include a check valve to prevent air from flowing out of the tire and entering the tire repair device. For example, during continued driving after the tire is repaired, if the connecting tube is separated from the tire repair device, this check valve also prevents air and sealant from escaping from the tire repaired by the tire repair device.

[0008] In order to be easily attached to the wheel, the tire repair device according to the present invention has a plurality of sleeve-shaped mounting elements, each of which has an attachment end and a free end. The attachment end of the sleeve-shaped mounting element is connected to the bracket element, and each sleeve-shaped mounting element extends from the side of the bracket element facing the wheel along a longitudinal axis parallel to the centerline to the free end of the sleeve-shaped mounting element. The sleeve-shaped mounting elements are spaced apart from each other by a certain distance in the circumferential direction of the bracket element, wherein the position of the sleeve-shaped mounting elements at least roughly corresponds to the position of the wheel nuts or wheel bolts used to attach the wheel to be repaired to the vehicle. The number of sleeve-shaped mounting elements preferably corresponds to the number of wheel nuts or wheel bolts used to attach the wheel to the vehicle, but fewer mounting elements than these wheel nuts or wheel bolts may also be provided, especially in the case where the wheel is attached by many wheel nuts or wheel bolts. For example, three sleeve-shaped mounting elements may be sufficient to firmly attach the tire repair device of the present invention to the wheel.

[0009] The end portion of each sleeve-shaped mounting element adjacent to the free end is constructed to maintain engagement with the head of the wheel nut or wheel bolt. In this article, "maintain engagement" means placing the sleeve-shaped mounting element of the tire repair device of the present invention on the corresponding head of the wheel nut or wheel bolt of the vehicle wheel to be repaired, and then automatically maintaining the tire repair device on the wheel. "At least roughly corresponding to the position of the wheel nut or wheel bolt" means that the sleeve-shaped mounting element can be attached to the bracket element while having a gap in the lateral direction (i.e., in the radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve-shaped mounting element), wherein the lateral gap enables the sleeve-shaped mounting element to automatically center itself on the wheel nut or wheel bolt when placed on the relevant wheel nut or wheel bolt. An embodiment of the tire repair device of the present invention in which some or all of the sleeve-shaped mounting elements are installed in a manner with a lateral gap can be attached to different types of wheels because the sleeve-shaped mounting element can be adjusted to different bolt circles and bolt positions under the condition of having a lateral gap. However, if the tire repair device is intended only for certain vehicles whose positions of wheel nuts or wheel bolts are exactly known, the sleeve-like mounting element can be accurately mounted at a position corresponding to the position of the wheel nuts or wheel bolts even without a lateral play.

[0010] The tire repair device according to the present invention can be quickly and easily installed on the wheel to be repaired without having to remove any parts such as the hub cap in advance. The tire repair device of the present invention is installed on the wheel in a simple manner by simply pushing the sleeve-shaped mounting element of the tire repair device onto the corresponding head of the wheel nut or wheel bolt used to attach the wheel to the vehicle. Then, it is only necessary to connect the connecting tube to the wheel to be repaired, for example by screwing the free end of the connecting tube onto the tire valve of the wheel, while (if applicable) the other end of the connecting tube still needs to be connected to the tire repair device (if the other end is not already fixedly connected to the tire repair device). After using the tire repair device according to the present invention, the tire repair device can remain on the wheel during continued driving because the tire repair device is firmly held on the wheel by the sleeve-shaped mounting element.

[0011] In order to more easily attach the tire repair device of the present invention to the wheel, in a preferred embodiment, the free end of each sleeve-shaped mounting element is provided with a funnel-shaped widening portion. In this article, each sleeve-shaped mounting element is preferably mounted in a manner that can rotate around its longitudinal axis. Therefore, the sleeve-shaped mounting element can more easily center itself on the relevant wheel nut or wheel bolt. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the inner side of the funnel-shaped widening portion of each sleeve-shaped mounting element has a guide surface in the form of a spiral segment, and when in contact with the head of the relevant wheel nut or wheel bolt, the guide surface is centered on the head by a corresponding rotation triggered by the engagement between the guide surface in the form of a spiral segment and the head. In this article, the inner cross-sectional shape of the end portion of each sleeve-shaped mounting element adjacent to the free end can correspond to the outer cross-sectional shape of the head of the wheel nut or wheel bolt. The head of the wheel nut or wheel bolt usually has a hexagonal outer cross-section, so that the inner cross-section of the end portion of each sleeve-shaped mounting element can also be hexagonal. Such a corresponding shape of the cross section of the end portion of each sleeve-like mounting element improves the mechanical engagement of the end portion with the corresponding head of the wheel nut or wheel bolt.

[0012] The end portion of each sleeve-shaped mounting element can be held in engagement with the head of the wheel nut or wheel bolt in a variety of ways. For example, a set of continuous snap projections connected to each other in the longitudinal direction may be provided at the inner side of the end portion, and when the sleeve-shaped mounting element is pushed onto the head of the wheel nut or wheel bolt, the snap projection engages with the head in a locking or clamping manner. According to one embodiment, a locking washer (also commonly referred to as a snap ring) is assembled and retained in the end portion of the sleeve-shaped mounting element. The inner diameter of the locking washer or snap ring is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the head of the wheel nut or wheel bolt to be engaged with the end portion of the sleeve-shaped mounting element. When the end portion is pushed onto the head of the wheel nut or wheel bolt, the locking washer expands and can then latch into a locking recess located on the circumferential surface of the head of the wheel nut or wheel bolt. In this way, the tire repair device is firmly retained on the wheel.

[0013] In other configurations of the tire repair device of the present invention, which may also be combined with the aforementioned embodiments, a magnet is attached in the end portion of each sleeve-shaped mounting element, which magnet can be attached to the head of the wheel nut or wheel bolt by magnetic interaction. The magnet is preferably spring-mounted in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the sleeve-shaped mounting element and spring-preloaded toward the free end of the sleeve-shaped mounting element. Particularly preferably, the magnet can be displaced to a plurality of consecutive locking positions along the longitudinal axis in the end portion of the sleeve-shaped mounting element against the spring preload. When the sleeve-shaped mounting element of the tire repair device of the present invention is placed on the corresponding head of the wheel nut or wheel bolt, the user receives tactile feedback about the placement process, which can be used to signal the correct placement. For example, the user can be instructed to place the tire repair device on the head of the wheel nut or wheel bolt until he / she can detect three consecutive clicks. In addition, the locking position prevents the magnet in the end portion of the sleeve-shaped mounting element from unintentionally moving into the sleeve-shaped mounting element against the spring preload.

[0014] The magnet mounted in the end portion of each sleeve-shaped mounting element is preferably disc-shaped or cylindrical. The outer shape of the magnet may be circular or may correspond to the outer shape of the head of a wheel nut or wheel bolt. Thus, the outer shape of the magnet may be, for example, hexagonal.

[0015] To amplify the magnetic effect, each magnet can be accommodated in a force focusing component, which ensures that the magnetic flux lines of the magnet are concentrated on the corresponding head of the wheel nut or wheel bolt to thus amplify the magnetic interaction and thus the holding force.

[0016] In a conventional tire repair device of the "tire sealant" type, the tire sealant is a single liquid. However, this type of tire sealant has only a limited service life and therefore has a correspondingly limited use cycle. In order to overcome this shortcoming, the sealant container in the preferred embodiment of the tire repair device of the present invention has two separate chambers for the two components of the tire sealant and a mixing chamber for mixing the two components. Due to the separate storage of the two components of the tire sealant thus achieved, the aging of the tire sealant no longer occurs or only occurs very slowly, which is why the availability of the tire repair device equipped in this way can be maintained for a very long time. Only when the tire repair device is used, the two components pumped into the mixing chamber from the two separate chambers by the compressor are mixed in the mixing chamber and then introduced into the tire to be repaired. The mixing chamber is preferably located at a point directly before the connection of the connecting pipe. Then, the mixed tire sealant is transported to the tire to be repaired through the connecting pipe. If the tire sealant used requires, there can even be more than two chambers in the sealant container for each component of the tire sealant. Likewise, if the tire sealant used comprises only one component, only a single chamber for the tire sealant can be provided in the sealant container. A mixing chamber for mixing several components of the tire sealant can then be omitted.

[0017] In an advantageously constructed embodiment of the tire repair device of the invention, the sealant container forms the housing of the tire repair device, which covers the carrier element and the compressor. Since the tire repair device of the invention is attached to the wheel nut or wheel bolt of the wheel to be repaired and is thus mounted in the center of the wheel, the tire repair device is suitable for a carrier element with an outer circumference that is at least approximately circular. The sealant container designed as a housing then preferably also has a circular outer shape and is also flat so as to protrude as little as possible from the wheel in the axial direction.

[0018] In order to enable the tire repair device of the present invention to start operation as quickly and easily as possible, the tire repair device preferably includes an energy storage device for operating the compressor drive mechanism, which is operably connected to the compressor drive mechanism. For example, if the drive mechanism is a pneumatically operated motor, such an energy storage device can be a compressed air tank. The energy storage device is preferably implemented as a battery or multiple batteries, however, wherein the electrical energy stored in the battery or multiple batteries is used to drive an electric motor, which forms a drive mechanism for the compressor. The battery or multiple batteries can be a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. Alternatively or additionally, the tire repair device of the present invention can have a connection capable of providing external energy (particularly electric current) to the tire repair device. For example, a connector can be present on the tire repair device, which can be connected to, for example, a cigarette lighter in a vehicle or to a mobile power supply via a power cord, so that the tire repair device can be operated using external energy in this way.

[0019] In order to prevent the tire repair device of the present invention from starting operation unintentionally or prematurely, a monitoring switch is provided at one end of the connecting tube to be connected to the tire to be repaired in a preferred embodiment of the tire repair device, and the monitoring switch enables the operation of the drive mechanism to be started only when the end of the connecting tube to be connected to the tire to be repaired is actually connected to the tire. For example, the monitoring switch can be a micro switch, which is actuated when the free end of the connecting tube is screwed onto the tire valve of the wheel to be repaired, thereby sending a signal to the control device of the tire repair device to notify that the connecting tube is correctly connected to the wheel to be repaired. Then, the tire repair device can start the operation or automatically start the operation.

[0020] It has already been mentioned that the drive mechanism of the tire repair device of the invention is preferably an electric motor. In order to save space and achieve protective accommodation, in a preferred exemplary embodiment, such an electric motor is arranged in a plate-like recess on the side of the carrier element facing the wheel, wherein the recess is preferably located in the center of the carrier element and therefore also in the center of the wheel to be repaired. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Exemplary embodiments of the tire repair device of the present invention are explained in more detail below based on the attached schematic diagrams. These schematic diagrams show:

[0022] Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of a vehicle rim equipped with the tire repair device of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 Figure 1 An enlarged view of region II in FIG.

[0024] Figure 3 Figure 1A cross section of the tire repair device and the area adjacent to the vehicle rim is shown;

[0025] Figure 4 Figure 3 A perspective cross-sectional view of a slightly modified exemplary embodiment of a tire repair device is shown;

[0026] Figure 5 Figure 4 The tire repair device shown is viewed from above at right angles to the Figure 4 Another stereoscopic view taken in the plane of the centerline A shown;

[0027] Figure 6 Figure 4 A three-dimensional cutaway view of the left side of the tire repair device as viewed from below;

[0028] Figure 7 Similar to Figure 1 A perspective illustration of a tire repair device mounted on a vehicle rim with the housing removed;

[0029] Figure 8a A perspective cutaway view of another embodiment of the tire repair device of the present invention; and

[0030] Figure 8b A perspective illustration of the head of a wheel bolt modified to Figure 8a The embodiments shown are used together. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] exist Figure 1 In the figure, a wheel is shown in a three-dimensional diagram, wherein for simplicity, the tire of the wheel is omitted, so that Figure 1 Only the vehicle rim 2 is seen in the figure. The wheel is attached to the vehicle by means of wheel nuts or wheel bolts, which vehicle is not shown for simplicity. A tire repair device, generally indicated by 10, is mounted to the outside of the vehicle rim 2, the structural design of the tire repair device and its attachment to the vehicle being explained in more detail below.

[0032] Similar to the known "tire sealant" type tire repair devices, the tire repair device 10 contains a tire sealant that can be delivered to the tire to be repaired via the connecting tube 12. Figure 2 1 shows how the free end of the connecting tube 12 on the tire side can be connected to the tire to be repaired (not shown). In the exemplary embodiment shown, the tire-side end of the connecting tube 12 is connected to the tire by being screwed onto a tire valve 14, wherein the tire valve 14 is mounted on the vehicle rim 2 and close to the peripheral edge of the vehicle rim, as is common for tubeless tires.

[0033] Reference now Figures 3 to 5 The structural design of the tire repair device 10 is explained in more detail. The tire repair device 10 has a carrier element 16 as a structural component, which is essentially plate-shaped and has a side 18 facing the wheel and a side 20 facing away from the wheel (see in particular Figure 4 ). The carrier element 16 consists here of sheet steel, but can also be made of plastic, in particular of fiber-reinforced plastic or another suitable material. On the side 20 of the carrier element 16 facing away from the wheel, in the central region of this side, a compressor 22 for generating compressed air is attached. To drive the compressor 22, an electric motor 24 is used in the exemplary embodiment shown, which is accommodated in a plate-shaped recess 26 in the central region of the carrier element 16 on the side 18 of the carrier element 16 facing the wheel. The electric motor 24 has an output shaft 32 rotatably mounted in two bearings 28, 30, which passes through the carrier element 16 and the end of which facing the compressor 22 is connected to an eccentric cam 34. The eccentric cam 34 interacts with the piston 36 of the compressor 22 by engaging in an appropriately formed opening 38 of the piston 36 and moving the piston 36 back and forth in the compressor 22 when the output shaft 32 rotates. The piston 36 in the exemplary embodiment shown is a so-called double-acting piston, that is, each stroke of the piston 36 is a working stroke for generating compressed air. This can be seen in the longitudinal section showing the compressor 22. Figure 5 This is particularly clearly recognized.

[0034] Special reference Figure 5 , the basic function of the tire repair device 10 will now be described in more detail. In the compressor 22, two pressure chambers 40, 42 are formed, in which compressed air can be generated by the reciprocating movement of the piston 36. Each pressure chamber 40, 42 is provided with a valve 44, 46, through which air is sucked into the corresponding pressure chamber 40 or 42 during the suction stroke of the piston 36, and through which the compressed air generated during the pressure stroke of the piston 36 is conveyed from the pressure chamber 40 or 42 to a pressure line 48 or 50, which connects the compressor 22 (more precisely the pressure chambers 40 and 42 of the compressor) to pressure supply valves 52 and 54 associated with the first chamber 56 and the second chamber 58 of the sealant container 60. The valves 44 and 46 as well as the pressure supply valves 52 and 54 can all be designed as simple check valves.

[0035] The sealant container 60 is used to contain tire sealant (not shown), and in the event of a tire blowout (a leaky or deflated tire), the tire sealant is pumped from the sealant container 60 through the connecting pipe 12 into the tire to be repaired by means of compressed air generated by the compressor 22. In order to avoid premature aging of the tire sealant, in the exemplary embodiment of the tire repair device 10 shown, the tire sealant consists of two components, one of which is stored in a first chamber 56 of the sealant container 60 and the other component is stored in a second chamber 58 of the sealant container. When the tire repair device 10 is used, the two components of the tire sealant are squeezed by compressed air, which is generated by the compressor 22 and supplied to the chambers 56, 58 via the pressure supply valves 52 and 54, and enters the mixing chamber 66 through the outlets 62 and 64. The mixing chamber is also part of the sealant container 60 here and is directly located before the shell-side connection 68 of the connecting pipe 12. As shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 As can be seen in the figure, the outlets 62 and 64 can be provided with an inner wall 70 that forms a vortex, so as to generate a vortex of the two components of the tire sealant flowing through the outlets 62 and 64, so that the two components can be fully mixed in the mixing chamber 66 better and faster. Then, the fully mixed tire sealant is squeezed out of the mixing chamber 66 through the connection portion 68 on the housing side into the connecting pipe 12, and enters the tire to be repaired through the tire valve 14. After the tire sealant has been completely pumped into the tire to be repaired, the compressor 22 continues to generate compressed air to inflate the tire, so that the tire is restored to a drivable state.

[0036] In order to supply energy to the electric motor 24, a plurality of batteries 72 are used in the exemplary embodiment shown, which are arranged on a printed circuit board 74, which is annular here and is mounted around the plate-shaped recess 26 on the side 20 of the carrier element 16 facing away from the wheel. The batteries 72 can be rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries, and instead of the number of batteries 72 shown here, fewer or more batteries can of course also be used. An electronic control unit 76 is also arranged on the printed circuit board 74, which controls the functions of the tire repair device 10. In order that the tire sealant is not accidentally or prematurely exposed from the connecting tube 12, the exemplary embodiment shown here is provided with a monitoring switch 78 at the tire-side end of the connecting tube 12, which is actuated when the tire-side end of the connecting tube 12 is screwed onto the tire valve 14, and thereby indicates that the tire repair device 10 is correctly connected to the tire to be repaired. The signal of the monitoring switch 78 is conducted to the control unit 76 via wires 80, 82. Only when the signal of the monitoring switch 78 indicates a correct connection with the tire valve 14, the compressor 22 can start operation, and thus the tire repair device 10 can start operation. This start operation can be done manually, for example, by a switch (not shown) operated by a user, or it can also be done automatically, for example, by starting a signal sent by the monitoring switch 78.

[0037] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the sealant container 60 forms the housing of the tire repair device 10, which housing in particular covers the carrier element 16 and the compressor 22. The sealant container 60 has here the shape of an at least approximately circular ring that is flat on the outside and is attached to the compressor 22 by means of screws 84. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the carrier element 16 has a circular basic shape with a plurality of wing-like extensions 86 mounted on the outer circumference, the purpose of which will become clear from the following description.

[0038] The mounting of the tire repair device 10 on the wheel will now be explained. For mounting on the wheel, the tire repair device 10 is provided with a plurality of sleeve-shaped mounting elements 88 spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction U, each element having an attachment end 90 and a free end 92. Each sleeve-shaped mounting element 88 is connected to the bracket element 16 via its respective attachment end 90, here by means of an attachment screw 94 extending through the associated wing-shaped extension 86 of the bracket element 16. Each sleeve-shaped mounting element 88 extends from the side 18 of the bracket element 16 facing the wheel to the free end 92 of the sleeve-shaped mounting element, respectively, along a longitudinal axis L parallel to the center line A. In the exemplary embodiment shown, each sleeve-like mounting element 88 is mounted in a manner rotatable about its longitudinal axis L, wherein the attachment screw 94 extending through the associated wing-like extension 86 does not press the sleeve-like mounting element 88 against the bracket element 16, but only abuts and clamps against an annular collar 96 formed at the attachment end 90 of the mounting element 88 when tightened. Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the diameter of the opening 98 in the wing-like extension 86 through which the attachment screw 94 extends is greater than the outer diameter of the annular collar 96, so that each sleeve-like mounting element 88 can be moved radially relative to the longitudinal axis L. In other words, each sleeve-like mounting element 88 is accommodated in the bracket element 16, more precisely in the associated wing-like extension 86 of the bracket element 16, in a manner with lateral play.

[0039] As can be seen from the figures, the position of the sleeve-like mounting element 88 on the carrier element 16 thus corresponds at least approximately to the position of the wheel nuts or wheel bolts 100 used to mount the wheel rim 2 on the vehicle. In order to attach the tire repair device 10, the sleeve-like mounting element 88 is aligned with the wheel bolts 100 and then placed on the wheel bolts 100. In order to simplify this process, the sleeve-like mounting elements 88 in the exemplary embodiment shown each have a funnel-shaped widening 102 at their free ends 92, which guides the head 104 of each wheel nut or wheel bolt 100 into the sleeve-like mounting element 88. In order for the tire repair device 10 to remain attached to the wheel or vehicle rim 2, the end portion 106 of each sleeve-like mounting element 88 adjacent to the free end 92 is designed to remain engaged with the corresponding head 104 of the wheel nut or wheel bolt 100.

[0040] In the exemplary embodiment shown, a disk-shaped magnet 108 is attached in the end portion 106 and is pulled toward the head 104 of the wheel nut or wheel bolt 100 by its magnetic interaction with the head 104, thereby generating a holding force. Figure 3In the exemplary embodiment shown, the magnet 108 is housed in a cup-shaped member 110 that concentrates the magnetic flux lines of the magnet 108 onto the head 104 to improve magnetic interaction.

[0041] In the exemplary embodiment shown, each magnet 108 is also spring-mounted in the direction of the longitudinal axis L, wherein a spring 112 preloads the associated magnet 108 towards the free end 92 of the sleeve-like mounting element 88. In order to provide a more defined feature for placing the tire repair device 10 on the head 104 of the wheel nut or wheel bolt 100, in the exemplary embodiment shown, a locking device 114 is present between the attachment end 90 and the magnet 108 in each sleeve-like mounting element 88, which is only schematically shown here, and which enables each magnet 108 to be moved in a defined manner to a plurality of consecutive locking positions in the longitudinal direction L when placed on the head 104, overcoming the spring preload generated by the spring 112. In the operating instructions of the tire repair device 10, for example, when several consecutive "clicks" (for example three or four "clicks") are detected, it can be indicated that the tire repair device 10 is correctly mounted on the wheel. The locking device 114 also prevents the magnet 108 from being pushed into the sleeve-like mounting element 88 unintentionally.

[0042] Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 The embodiment shown is Figure 3 The exemplary embodiment shown differs in that the inner side of the funnel-shaped widening 102 at the free end 92 of each sleeve-shaped mounting element 88 is provided with a guide surface 116 in the form of a spiral segment and the end portion 106 is not as Figure 3 The embodiment shown is realized in a cylindrical manner, but has a hexagonal cross section corresponding to the cross section of the head 104 of the wheel nut or wheel bolt 100. When engaging with the head 104, the guide surface 116 in the form of a spiral segment causes the sleeve-like mounting element 88 to be rotated about its longitudinal axis L, if necessary, until the positions of the corners of the hexagonal cross sections of the head 104 and the end portion 106 coincide, and the end portion 106 is then slid onto the head 104 and the hexagonal magnet 108' here comes into abutment with the upper side of the head 104. In this way, the magnetic interaction between the magnet 108' and the head 104 and thus the holding force are optimized.

[0043] In the embodiment of the tire repair device 10 shown in the figure, the number of sleeve-shaped mounting elements 88 corresponds to the number of wheel nuts or wheel bolts 100. In an exemplary embodiment not shown herein, the number of sleeve-shaped mounting elements 88 is less than the number of wheel nuts or wheel bolts 100. According to an embodiment not shown herein, the tire repair device 10 has only three sleeve-shaped mounting elements 88, which are spaced apart from each other by a certain distance in the circumferential direction and whose positions just correspond to the three wheel nuts or wheel bolts 100 of the wheel.

[0044] Figure 8a Another embodiment of the sleeve-shaped mounting element 88 of the tire repair device 10 is shown, wherein the end portion 106 of each sleeve-shaped mounting element 88 can be held in engagement with the head 104 of the wheel nut or wheel bolt 100 without the magnet 108. Figure 8a In the embodiment shown, a locking washer 120 is arranged and held in an annular groove 118 inside the end portion 106. This locking washer 120, also called a snap ring, is interrupted at one point and pops out in the radial direction. The locking washer 120 is placed in a pre-tensioned manner in the annular groove 118 and is therefore fixedly held in the annular groove 118. When the sleeve-like mounting element 88 is pushed onto the head 104 of the wheel nut or wheel bolt 100, the locking washer 120 is slightly pressed open and can then slide along a circumferential surface 122 of the head 104 on the circumferential surface. Since the head 104 has a hexagonal cross section in the exemplary embodiment shown, the circumferential surface 122 has six corners 124.

[0045] Figure 8b The head 104 of the wheel bolt 100 is shown, and in the region of the corners 124 of the circumferential surface 122 of the head 104, slot-shaped locking recesses 126 are formed, which extend in the circumferential direction of the head 104. In the exemplary embodiment shown, each corner 124 is provided with a single locking recess 126, but it is also possible to provide a plurality of locking recesses 126 spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction L at each corner 124 to obtain a plurality of locking positions (not shown). When the end portion 106 of the sleeve-shaped mounting element 88 is placed, the locking washer 120 is caught in the locking recesses 126 spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction, whereby each sleeve-shaped mounting element 88 and thus the entire tire repair device 10 is firmly held on the vehicle rim 2.

Claims

1. A tire repair device (10) for attachment to a wheel, the wheel being attached to the vehicle via a wheel nut or wheel bolt (100), the tire repair device comprising: a carrier element (16) provided with a center line (A) and a circumferential direction (U) and having a side (18) facing the wheel and a side (20) facing away from the wheel; - a compressor (22), which is attached to the carrier element (16); - a drive mechanism for the compressor (22), the drive mechanism being operatively connected to the compressor (22); a sealant container (60) for containing tire sealant, wherein the compressor (22) is connected to the sealant container (60) in a fluid-conducting manner; a connecting tube (12) configured to be connected in a fluid-conducting manner to the sealant container (60) and to the tire to be repaired; and - A plurality of sleeve-like mounting elements (88), each of which has an attachment end (90) and a free end (92), wherein the sleeve-like mounting elements (88) are connected to the bracket element (16) at their attachment ends (90) and each extends from a side (18) of the bracket element (16) facing the wheel along a longitudinal axis (L) parallel to the center line (A) and are spaced apart from each other along a circumferential direction (U), wherein the position of the sleeve-like mounting elements (88) at least approximately corresponds to the position of a wheel nut or wheel bolt (100) by which the wheel is attached to the vehicle, and wherein an end portion (106) of each sleeve-like mounting element (88) adjacent to the free end (92) is constructed to be in engagement with a head (104) of the wheel nut or wheel bolt (100).

2. The tire repair device according to claim 1, in, The free end (92) of each of the sleeve-shaped mounting elements (88) has a funnel-shaped widening (102).

3. The tire repair device according to claim 2, in, Each of the sleeve-like mounting elements (88) is mounted in a rotatable manner about its longitudinal axis (L).

4. The tire repair device according to claim 3, in, The funnel-shaped widening (102) has on its inner side a guide surface (116) in the form of a spiral segment, which is suitable for centering the sleeve-shaped mounting element (88) on a corresponding head (104) of a wheel nut or wheel bolt (100).

5. The tire repair device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in, Some or all of the sleeve-like mounting elements (88) are mounted in a radially displaceable manner relative to their longitudinal axis (L).

6. The tire repair device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in, A magnet (108) is attached in the end portion (106) of each of the sleeve-like mounting elements (88), said magnet being able to be attached to the head (104) of a wheel nut or wheel bolt (100).

7. The tire repair device according to claim 6, in, The magnet (108) is spring-mounted in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L) and is spring-prestressed toward the free end (92) of the sleeve-like mounting element (88).

8. The tire repair device according to claim 7, wherein: A magnet (108) in an end portion (106) of the sleeve-like mounting element (88) is displaceable into a plurality of successive locking positions against the spring preload.

9. The tire repair device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in, The sealant container (60) includes two separate chambers (56, 58) for two components of the tire sealant and a mixing chamber (66) for mixing the two components.

10. The tire repair device according to claim 9, in, The mixing chamber (66) is located directly before the connection (68) of the connecting pipe (12).

11. The tire repair device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in, The sealant container (60) forms a housing of the tire repair device, which covers the carrier element (16) and the compressor (22).

12. The tire repair device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in, An energy storage for operating the drive mechanism is operably connected to the drive mechanism.

13. The tire repair device according to claim 12, in, The energy storage device is a battery (72) or a plurality of batteries (72).

14. The tire repair device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in, The end of the connecting tube (12) to be connected to the tire to be repaired includes a monitoring switch (78) which enables the driving mechanism to operate only when the end to be connected to the tire to be repaired is connected to the tire.

15. The tire repair device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in, The drive mechanism is an electric motor (24) which is arranged in a plate-shaped recess (26) on the side (18) of the carrier element (16) facing the wheel.

16. The tire repair device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in, Attached in the end portion (106) of each of the sleeve-like mounting elements (88) is a locking washer (120) which can engage in a locking manner with the head (104) of a wheel nut or wheel bolt (100).

Images