AIR FILLING DEVICE

Abstract

Air filling device (100, 100', 100"), suitable for filling air into an air-fillable object and comprising an air filling mechanism (2) with an air filling unit (21) and a handle unit (22), wherein the air filling unit (21) defines an interior space (214) and has an air filling opening (210) so that air can be filled into the air-fillable object, wherein the handle unit (22) extends along a longitudinal direction (L2) and is connected to the air filling unit (21), characterized by: a pressure measuring mechanism (3) which is arranged in the handle unit (22) and which comprises: a flow guidance unit (31) comprising a first tubular element (311) defining a receiving space (313) and a second tubular element (312) connected to the first tubular element (311) defining a flow guidance channel (315), wherein the flow guidance channel (315) comprises an air inlet (316) communicating with the interior space (214) and an air guide opening (317) communicating with the receiving space (313), a measuring unit (32) arranged in the receiving chamber (313) and having a free end (327) which is pressed by air entering the receiving chamber (313) from the flow guide channel (315) such that it moves along the longitudinal direction (L2) relative to the first tubular element (311), the measuring unit (32) comprising an elastic element (321) which is retractable when pressed and an end plug (322) which is attached to the first tubular element (311) and connected to the elastic element (321), the free end (327) being opposite the end plug (322), and a display unit (33, 33', 33") which extends along the longitudinal direction (L2) and is configured to indicate a position of the free end (327) of the measuring unit (32) in the first tubular element (311).

Description

[0001] The disclosure relates to an air inflation device that can facilitate reading a pressure value of an air-inflatable object.

[0002] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, a conventional air inflation device 1 includes an air inflation mechanism 11 for inflating air into an air-inflatable object (not shown), and a disc-shaped pressure gauge 12 mounted on the air inflation mechanism 11 for measuring the pressure in the air-inflatable object. The air inflation mechanism 11 includes an air inflation unit 111 having a bottom surface connected to the pressure gauge 12, a handle unit 112 connected to a top surface of the air inflation unit 111, and a foot plate unit 113 connected to the bottom surface of the air inflation unit 111.

[0003] In use, a user places their feet on the footplate unit 113 and pulls the handle unit 112 upward and downward with their hands to pump air into the air-inflatable object through the air-inflating unit 111. During air inflation, the pressure inside the air-inflatable object can be measured with the pressure gauge 12.

[0004] However, since the pressure gauge 12 is located at the bottom of the air inflation unit 111, the user is usually in a standing position when inflating the air-inflatable object, and the needle of the pressure gauge 12 indicates the measured pressure value by rotating, the user usually has to bend down to observe the angular movement of the needle of the pressure gauge 12 within the appropriate viewing range (e.g., 30 cm to 50 cm) and read the pressure value displayed on the pressure gauge 12. Therefore, the conventional air inflation device 1 is very cumbersome to operate.

[0005] Air filling devices or air pumps with integrated pressure gauges known in the prior art are disclosed, for example, in DE 299 19 671 U1, DE 199 28 118 A1, US 6 196 807 B1 and US2010 / 0104453 A1.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is therefore to provide an air filling device that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, an air inflation device suitable for inflating an air-inflatable object comprises an air inflation mechanism having an air inflation unit and a handle unit. The air inflation unit defines an interior space and an air inflation opening for inflating the air-inflatable object. The handle unit extends along a longitudinal direction and is connected to the air inflation unit. A pressure measurement mechanism is arranged in the handle unit and includes a flow guide unit, a measurement unit, and a display unit. The flow guide unit comprises a first tubular member defining a receiving space and a second tubular member connected to the first tubular member and defining a flow guide channel.The flow guide duct has an air inlet that communicates with the interior and an air guide opening that communicates with the receiving space.

[0008] The measuring unit is arranged in the receiving space and has a free end that is pressed by air entering the receiving space from the flow guide channel so that it moves relative to the first tubular element along the longitudinal direction. The measuring unit includes an elastic element that is retractable when pressed, and an end plug that is attached to the first tubular element and connected to the elastic element. The free end is opposite the end plug. The display unit extends along the longitudinal direction and is configured to display a position of the free end of the measuring unit in the first tubular element.

[0009] Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional air inflation device; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an air inflation device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 3 is a schematic plan view of the first embodiment; Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment; Fig. 5 an enlarged view of a section of Fig. 4 is; Fig. 6 is a schematically arranged sectional view of the first embodiment; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an air inflation device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 8 is a schematic plan view of the second embodiment; Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the second embodiment; Fig. 10 is a perspective view of an air inflation device according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 11 is a schematic plan view of the third embodiment; and Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the third embodiment.

[0010] Before the present disclosure is described in more detail with reference to the following embodiments, it should be noted that like elements are designated by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure.

[0011] As in Fig. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, an air inflation device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is suitable for filling an air-inflatable object (not shown), such as a tire, an air-inflatable cushion, an air-inflatable swimming pool, etc., with air through an air inflation hose 9. The air inflation device 100 includes an air inflation mechanism 2 and a pressure measurement mechanism 3.

[0012] The air filling mechanism 2 comprises an air filling unit 21, a handle unit 22 and a switching unit 23.

[0013] The air inflation unit 21 includes a cylinder 211 extending along an axis (L1) and defining an internal space 214 extending along a length thereof, a piston structure 212 disposed within the internal space 214, and two base plates 213 extending horizontally, outwardly, and oppositely from a bottom of the cylinder 211. The internal space 214 has an upper opening 215 formed in an upper end of the cylinder 211. The cylinder 211 has a connecting portion 226 disposed at its upper end and a vent opening 200 communicating with the internal space 214 and located near the upper opening 215. The connecting portion 226 has a tubular part 227 suitable for connection to the air inflation hose 9 and defining an air inflation opening 210.

[0014] The piston structure 212 includes a piston assembly 216 and a piston rod 217 that extends through the upper opening 215 and is connected to the piston assembly 216 to drive the piston assembly 216 to move up and down within the interior space 214. The piston assembly 216 includes a piston 51 that divides the interior space 214 into a first interior portion 218 and a second interior portion 219, two first valve elements 52 disposed within the piston 51, and two second valve elements 53 (only one is shown in Fig. 6), which are also arranged in the piston 51. The piston 51 defines a first valve chamber 511 and a second valve chamber 512 that communicate with the first interior portion 218 and the second interior portion 219, respectively. Each first valve element 52 and a corresponding one of the second valve elements 53 are used to open and close each of the first and second valve chambers 511, 512. Since the piston structure 212 is not the focus of the improvement of this disclosure, it will not be described further here.

[0015] The piston rod 217 comprises a first rod component 61, which defines a first passage 611 and whose lower end is connected to the piston 51, and a second rod component 62, which is pushed onto the first rod component 61 and whose lower end is also connected to the piston 51. The first and second rod components 61, 62 together define a second passage 621. The first passage 611 communicates with the first valve chamber 511, while the second passage 621 communicates with the second valve chamber 512. The air filling opening 210 is located above the first passage 611 and communicates with it so that the air in the first passage 611 can be filled into the air-inflatable object through the air filling hose 9.

[0016] The handle unit 22 has a handle housing 221 extending along a longitudinal direction (L2) transverse to the axis (L1) and integrally connected to the connecting portion 226 of the cylinder 211. The handle housing 221 defines an installation space 223 extending along the longitudinal direction (L2) and has a viewing window 224 formed in a central portion of an upper surface 222 thereof, and two handle portions 225 opposite each other along the longitudinal direction (L2). The viewing window 224 is located between the handle portions 225 and allows a view of an interior of the installation space 223.

[0017] The switching unit 23 is rotatably connected to a top of the cylinder 211 and is rotatable relative to the cylinder 211 between a two-way air filling position that closes the vent opening 200 and a one-way air filling position that opens the vent opening 200. The connecting portion 226 is detachably connected to an upper end of the switching unit 23. The upper ends of the first and second rod components 61, 62 extend through the upper opening 215 and are connected to an inner portion of the connecting portion 226.

[0018] The pressure measuring mechanism 3 is arranged in the installation space 223 of the handle housing 221 and comprises a flow guide unit 31, a measuring unit 32 and a display unit 33.

[0019] The flow guide unit 31 includes a first tubular element 311, which is transparent and defines a receiving space 313, and a second tubular element 312, which is connected to and arranged below the first tubular element 311. The second tubular element 312 defines a flow guide channel 315 with an air inlet 316 located above the interior space 214, which communicates with the upper opening 215 of the interior space 214 through the connecting portion 226 and which extends along the axis (L1), and an air guide opening 317, which communicates with the receiving space 313 and is arranged offset from the air inlet 316. The receiving space 313 has an installation opening 318 at one end of the first tubular element 311.

[0020] The measuring unit 32 includes an elastic member 321 disposed in the receiving space 313 and having a first end portion 324 and a second end portion 325 opposite each other along the longitudinal direction (L2), an end plug 322 inserted into the installation hole 318 to close one end of the first tubular member 311, and a piston member 323 disposed in the receiving space 313 and connected to the second end portion 325 of the elastic member 321. The end plug 322 has a head portion 326 fixed to one end of the first tubular member 311 and a shaft portion 328 inserted into the first end portion 324 of the elastic member 321. When the elastic member 321 is retracted, only its second end portion 325 moves relative to the first tubular member 311, while its first end portion 324 is fixed and does not move.The piston element 323 has a free end 327 opposite the end plug 322.

[0021] The elastic member 321 is retracted when the free end 327 of the piston member 323 is pushed by air entering the receiving space 313 from the flow guide channel 315 so that it moves relative to the first tubular member 311 along the longitudinal direction (L2).

[0022] The display unit 33 includes a graduated scale 331 provided on an outer surface 314 of the first tubular member 311, extending along the longitudinal direction (L2) and having a plurality of graduations 332. The graduated scale 331 faces the viewing window 224 and is used to indicate a position of the free end 327 of the piston member 323 relative to one of the corresponding graduations 332.

[0023] To fill an air-inflatable object with air using the air-inflating device 100 of this disclosure, a user first rotates the switching unit 23 to the two-way air-inflating position, then places both feet on the footplates 213 and grasps the handle portions 225 with both hands. The air-inflating process can then be performed. As the user pulls up the handle portions 225, the piston structure 212 is raised, so that the volume of the first interior portion 218 decreases while the volume of the second interior portion 219 increases, resulting in the creation of a pressure differential between the first and second interior portions 218, 219.Since at this time the pressure in the first internal section 218 is greater than the pressure in the second internal section 219, the first valve elements 52 move downward, allowing air from outside to enter the second passage 621 through a gap between the handle unit 22 and the piston rod 217. From the second passage 621, the air flows through the second valve chamber 512 and enters the second internal section 219.

[0024] The air compressed in the first inner section 218 flows through the first valve chamber 511 and enters the first passage 611. Finally, the air flows through the air filling opening 210 into the air-inflatable object through the air filling hose 9.

[0025] When the user presses the handle portions 225 downward, the piston structure 212 is lowered, and the volume of the second inner portion 219 is reduced, while the volume of the first inner portion 218 is increased. Due to the pressure difference between the first and second inner portions 218, 219, the second valve elements 53 move upward. At this time, the air in the second inner portion 219 enters the first passage 611 through the first valve chamber 511 and finally flows through the air inflation port 210 into the air-inflatable object through the air inflation tube 9. On the other hand, since air entering the second passage 621 flows through the second valve chamber 512 and enters the first inner portion 218, the goal of two-way air inflation can be achieved.

[0026] Alternatively, the user can rotate the switching unit 23 to the one-way air inflation position, and the inflation of the air-inflatable object occurs only when the piston structure 212 is lowered. When the piston structure 212 is raised, the air-inflatable object is not inflated.

[0027] During air filling, the pressure measuring mechanism 3 can be used to measure the air pressure in the air-inflatable object. Air in the interior space 214 of the cylinder 211 enters the flow guide channel 315 of the second tubular member 312 via the air inlet 316 and then flows through the air guide opening 317 into the receiving space 313 to press the free end 327 of the piston member 323, allowing the piston member 323 to move along the longitudinal direction (L2) relative to the first tubular member 311 until a pressure force of the air applied to the measuring unit 32 and the elastic force of the elastic member 321 reach equilibrium. That is, when the pressure of the air and the pressure of the elastic member 321 on the piston member 323 reach equilibrium, the piston member 323 stops moving.At this time, the free end 327 of the piston element 323 can serve as an indicator, and the position of the free end 327 relative to the corresponding graduation mark 332 can be observed from the viewing window 224. Since the interior space 214 communicates with the receiving space 313, the interior space 214 also communicates with the air-inflatable object through the air-inflating opening 210, so that the air pressure of the receiving space 313 is equal to the air pressure of the air-inflatable object.

[0028] The degree scale 331 can thus serve as a pressure gauge, and the position of the free end 327 of the piston element 323 can indicate a measured pressure value of the air-inflatable object.

[0029] As in Fig. 7 to 9, the second embodiment of the air inflation device 100' according to this disclosure is illustrated as being identical to the first embodiment and differs only in the structure of the display unit 33'. In the second embodiment, the graduated scale 331 of the display unit 33' is provided on the top surface 222 of the handle housing 221 and corresponds in position to the viewing window 224. Similarly, the position of the free end 327 of the piston element 323 relative to the corresponding graduation mark 332 of the graduated scale 331 can be observed from the viewing window 224 to display the measured pressure value of the air-inflatable object.

[0030] As in Fig.10 to 12, the third embodiment of the air inflation device 100" according to this disclosure is illustrated as being identical to the first embodiment and differs only in the structure of the display unit 33". In the third embodiment, the display unit 33" further includes an elongated, transparent plate body 333 disposed in the installation space 223 of the handle housing 221 and located between the first tubular member 311 and the viewing window 224. The degree scale 331 is attached to the plate body 333. The display unit 33" also allows the position of the free end 327 of the piston element 323 relative to the corresponding graduation mark 332 of the degree scale 331 to be observed from the viewing window 224 in order to display the measured pressure value of the air-inflatable object.

[0031] In summary, the air inflation device 100, 100', 100' of this disclosure can facilitate the user's simple and direct observation and reading of the pressure value of the air-inflatable object in a straight line due to the novel design of the pressure measuring mechanism 3, in particular the display unit 33, 33', 33" extending along the longitudinal direction (L2). Furthermore, since the pressure measuring mechanism 3 is embedded in the handle unit 22 along the longitudinal direction (L2), a separate space for installing the degree scale 331 can be saved, so that the air inflation device 100, 100', 100" has a compact appearance.Furthermore, if adjustment of the pressure range that can be measured by the pressure measuring mechanism 3 is desired, it is only necessary to replace the degree scale 331 of the display unit 33, 33', 33" and the elastic member 321 having a specific elastic coefficient, and there is no need to greatly adjust the structure of the individual components. Therefore, the object of this disclosure can actually be achieved.

Claims

[1] An air filling device (100, 100', 100") suitable for filling air into an air-inflatable object and comprising an air filling mechanism (2) with an air filling unit (21) and a handle unit (22), wherein the air filling unit (21) defines an interior space (214) and has an air filling opening (210) for filling air into the air-inflatable object, wherein the handle unit (22) extends along a longitudinal direction (L2) and is connected to the air filling unit (21), characterized by : a pressure measuring mechanism (3) arranged in the handle unit (22) and comprising: a flow guide unit (31) comprising a first tubular element (311) defining a receiving space (313) and a second tubular element (312) connected to the first tubular element (311) and defining a flow guide channel (315), wherein the flow guide channel (315) has an air inlet (316) communicating with the interior space (214) and an air guide opening (317) communicating with the receiving space (313), a measuring unit (32) arranged in the receiving space (313) and having a free end (327) which is pressed by air entering the receiving space (313) from the flow guide channel (315) so as to move relative to the first tubular element (311) along the longitudinal direction (L2), wherein the measuring unit (32) comprises an elastic element (321) which is retractable when pressed, and an end plug (322) which is attached to the first tubular element (311) and connected to the elastic element (321), wherein the free end (327) is opposite the end plug (322), and a display unit (33, 33', 33") extending along the longitudinal direction (L2) and configured to display a position of the free end (327) of the measuring unit (32) in the first tubular element (311). [2] Air filling device (100, 100', 100") according to claim 1, characterized bythat the interior space (214) extends along an axis (L1) transverse to the longitudinal direction (L2), and the air inlet (316) is located above the interior space (214) and extends along the axis (L1). [3] Air filling device (100, 100', 100") according to claim 1, characterized by in that the measuring unit (32) further comprises a piston element (323) which is connected to the elastic element (321) and has the free end (327), wherein the elastic element (321) and the piston element (321) are arranged in the receiving space (313), wherein the elastic element (321) is retracted when the free end (327) is pressed by the air entering the receiving space (313). [4] Air filling device (100, 100', 100") according to claim 3, characterized bythat the first tubular element (311) is transparent, the handle unit (22) has a handle housing (221) with a viewing window (224) and the pressure measuring mechanism (3) is arranged in the handle housing (221). [5] Air filling device (100, 100', 100") according to claim 4, characterized by that the display unit (33) has a degree scale (331) provided on an outer surface (314) of the first tubular element (311) with a plurality of graduations (332), and the viewing window (224) enables the position of the free end (327) of the piston element (323) in the first tubular element (311) to be viewed in relation to one of the associated graduations (332). [6] Air filling device (100') according to claim 4, characterized byin that the display unit (33') includes a graduated scale (331) provided on an upper surface (222) of the handle housing (221) and corresponding in position to the viewing window (224), the graduated scale (331) having a plurality of graduations (332), the viewing window (224) enabling the position of the free end (327) of the piston element (323) in the first tubular element (311) to be viewed in relation to one of the associated graduations (332). [7] Air filling device (100") according to claim 4, characterized byin that the display unit (33") comprises a plate body (333) which is transparent and which is arranged between the first tubular element (311) and the viewing window (224), and contains a degree scale (331) provided on the plate body (333) and has a plurality of graduations (332), wherein the viewing window (224) enables the position of the free end (327) of the piston element (323) in the first tubular element (311) to be viewed in relation to one of the associated graduations (332). [8] Air filling device (100, 100', 100") according to claim 1, characterized byin that the air filling unit (21) comprises a cylinder (211) extending along an axis (X), defining the interior space (214) and having the air filling opening (210), a piston structure (212) arranged in the interior space (214), and two base plates (213) extending outwardly and oppositely from a bottom side of the cylinder (211), the interior space (214) having an upper opening (215), the piston structure (212) comprising a piston assembly (216) arranged in the interior space (214), and a piston rod (217) extending through the upper opening (215) and connected to the piston assembly (216) to drive the piston assembly (216) to move up and down in the interior space (214). [9] Air filling device (100, 100', 100") according to claim 8, characterized bythat the air filling opening (210) is arranged on an upper side of the cylinder (211) and is located near the handle unit (22).

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