AIR COMPRESSOR
Housing the piston mechanism within the air reservoir addresses volume, noise, and protection issues, enhancing the efficiency and compactness of the air compressor by containing noise and facilitating heat dissipation.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE102025101699
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-19
AI Technical Summary
Existing piston air compressors face challenges in reducing volume, noise, heat dissipation, and protection of the piston mechanism due to its spatial occupation and operational noise, limited space for heat dissipation, and vulnerability to impact.
The piston mechanism is housed within the air reservoir, containing operational noise, allowing for heat dissipation through the reservoir's surface area, and providing impact protection, while maintaining a compact design.
The solution reduces the compressor's volume, minimizes noise, enhances heat dissipation, and protects the piston mechanism, resulting in a more efficient and compact air compressor.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
BACKGROUND Technical area
[0001] The disclosure relates to an air compressor, in particular a piston air compressor. Description of the state of the art
[0002] The vehicle-mounted air compressor can be used with a tire sealant bottle to repair and inflate the vehicle's tires, but it can also be used without the sealant bottle. The air compressor can be a piston air compressor. In a typical piston air compressor, the piston moves forward in the cylinder to compress the air inside, forcing high-pressure air from the front of the cylinder to the air reservoir and out. As the piston retracts, the space in the cylinder gradually expands, and the air pressure inside the cylinder decreases. The air is compressed again on the next advance of the piston, thus creating a continuous cycle.
[0003] The existing piston air compressor has the following technical problems. The air reservoir and the piston mechanism, including the piston and cylinder, each occupy the available space within the compressor, making it difficult to reduce the compressor's volume. Furthermore, excessive noise during operation of the piston mechanism can easily negatively impact the customer's user experience. Additionally, the limited space within the piston compressor makes it difficult to provide sufficient heat dissipation to dissipate heat from the piston mechanism, and it is challenging to protect the piston mechanism from impact damage with adequate protective structures. SUMMARY
[0004] The disclosure provides an air compressor that can reduce the volume of the air compressor, reduce the noise of the piston mechanism, provide a sufficient heat dissipation area for the piston mechanism, and protect the piston mechanism well.
[0005] The air compressor of the present disclosure comprises an air reservoir, a motor, and a piston mechanism. The air reservoir has an air inlet and an air outlet. The piston mechanism is arranged within the air reservoir and comprises a cylinder and a piston. The cylinder has a front end and a rear end, which are opposite each other. The front end is located next to the air inlet, and the piston is movably arranged within the cylinder and projects from the rear end to be coupled to the motor. The motor is adapted to drive the piston to a reciprocating motion along the cylinder, so that the air flows successively through the air inlet, the front end, the rear end, and the air outlet.
[0006] In one embodiment of the disclosure, the piston comprises a piston head and a piston rod connected to each other. The piston head divides the interior of the cylinder into a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber is located between the front end and the piston head, the second chamber is located between the piston head and the rear end, and the piston rod is coupled to the engine.
[0007] In one embodiment of the disclosure, when the engine drives the piston head in such a way that it moves towards the rear end, the air pressure in the first space is lower than the air pressure outside the air reservoir.
[0008] In one embodiment of the disclosure, the air compressor further includes a check valve, wherein the check valve is arranged in the air inlet and the check valve allows the air outside the air reservoir to flow through the air inlet into the first chamber and prevents the air in the first chamber from flowing out of the air reservoir through the air inlet.
[0009] In one embodiment of the disclosure, the piston head has an opening. When the engine drives the piston head to move towards the front end, and the air pressure in the first chamber is greater than the air pressure in the second chamber, the air in the first chamber flows through the opening into the second chamber.
[0010] In one embodiment of the disclosure, the air compressor further includes a check valve, wherein the check valve is arranged in the opening and allows the air in the first space to flow through the opening into the second space, and prevents the air in the second space from flowing through the opening into the first space.
[0011] In one embodiment of the disclosure, the air compressor also includes a pressure gauge, wherein the pressure gauge is connected to the air reservoir.
[0012] In one embodiment of the disclosure, the air compressor further comprises an air outlet pipe, wherein the air outlet pipe is arranged outside the air reservoir and is connected to the air outlet.
[0013] In one embodiment of the disclosure, the air compressor further comprises a housing, wherein the air reservoir, the piston mechanism and the motor are housed in the housing, and the air outlet pipe extends outside the housing.
[0014] In one embodiment of the disclosure, the air reservoir comprises a first housing section and a second housing section, and the second housing section is joined to the first housing section, such that the piston mechanism is concealed between the first housing section and the second housing section.
[0015] Based on the above explanations, in the air compressor of the disclosure, the piston mechanism is located within the air reservoir. Accordingly, the piston mechanism does not occupy space outside the air reservoir, thus reducing the compressor's volume. Furthermore, the noise generated during the piston mechanism's operation is contained within the air reservoir, thereby reducing its noise level. Additionally, the heat generated during the piston mechanism's operation is dissipated within the air reservoir and can be released through its sufficiently large external surface area. Moreover, the piston mechanism's location within the air reservoir provides it with good protection against impact damage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of an air compressor according to one embodiment of the disclosure. Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective view of some components of the air compressor in Fig. 1. Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the air compressor in Fig. 2 from a different perspective. Fig. Figure 4 is a perspective view of some components of the air compressor in Fig. 2. Fig. Figure 5 is a perspective view of some components of the air compressor in Fig. 4. Fig. Figure 6 is a perspective view of a partial structure of an air reservoir and some components of a piston mechanism in Fig. 5. Fig. Figure 7 is a perspective view of a cylinder and a piston in Fig. 6. Fig. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the cylinder and piston in Fig. 7 from a different perspective. Fig. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the substructure of the air reservoir in Fig. 6 from a different perspective. Fig. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the piston in Fig. 8. DESCRIPTION OF THE EXECUTION FORMS
[0016] Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of an air compressor according to one embodiment of the disclosure. Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective view of some components of the air compressor in Fig. 1. Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the air compressor in Fig. 2 from a different perspective. Fig. Figure 4 is a perspective view of some components of the air compressor in Fig. 2. It will be based on Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 Reference is made to this. An air compressor 100 of this embodiment is, for example, a vehicle-mounted air compressor used to provide high-pressure air required for inflating and / or repairing vehicle tires. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. The air compressor 100 comprises a housing 110, an air reservoir 120, a piston mechanism 130, an air outlet pipe 140, and a motor 180. The housing 110 accommodates the air reservoir 120, the piston mechanism 130, and the motor 180. The piston mechanism 130 is arranged in the air reservoir 120 and comprises a cylinder 132 and a piston 134. As described in Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the air reservoir 120 has an air inlet 120a and an air outlet 120b. The air outlet pipe 140 is located outside the air reservoir 120 and is connected to the air outlet 120b. The air outlet pipe 140 extends outside the housing 110.
[0017] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the cylinder 132 has a front end 132a and a rear end 132b, which are opposite each other. The front end 132a is located next to the air inlet 120a of the air reservoir 120, and the piston 134 is movably arranged in the cylinder 132 and projects out of the rear end 132b of the cylinder 132 to be coupled to the engine 180. The motor 180 is adapted to drive the piston 134 to move back and forth along the cylinder 132 in directions D1 and D2, so that the air flows successively through the air inlet 120a of the air reservoir 120, the front end 132a of the cylinder 132, the rear end 132b of the cylinder 132 and the air outlet 120b of the air reservoir 120 and exits via the air outlet pipe 140.
[0018] As described above, in the air compressor 100 of this embodiment, the piston mechanism 130 is located within the air reservoir 120. Accordingly, the piston mechanism 130 does not occupy the space outside the air reservoir 120 and can reduce the volume of the air compressor 100. Furthermore, the noise generated during the operation of the piston mechanism 130 is contained within the air reservoir 120, thus reducing its noise level. Additionally, the heat generated during the operation of the piston mechanism 130 is dissipated within the air reservoir 120 and can be released via its sufficiently large external surface area. Moreover, the piston mechanism 130 is located within the air reservoir 120 and is well protected against impact damage.
[0019] The following describes the operation of the air compressor 100 of this embodiment.
[0020] Fig. Figure 5 is a perspective view of some components of the air compressor in Fig. 4. Fig. Figure 6 is a perspective view of a partial structure of an air reservoir and some components of a piston mechanism in Fig. 5. Fig. Figure 7 is a perspective view of a cylinder and a piston in Fig. 6. Fig. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the cylinder and piston in Fig. 7 from a different perspective. It focuses on the Fig. 5 to Fig. 8 referred to. The piston 134 of this embodiment comprises a piston head 1341 and a piston rod 1342, which are connected to each other. The piston head 1341 divides the interior of the cylinder 132 into a first chamber S1 and a second chamber S2. The first chamber S1 is located between the front end 132a of the cylinder 132 and the piston head 1341, the second chamber S2 is located between the piston head 1341 and the rear end 132b of the cylinder 132, and the piston rod 1342 is coupled to the motor 180. In this embodiment, the piston rod 1342 is connected to the motor 180 via a structure such as a gear set G (in Fig. 2, Fig. 4 and Fig. (marked 5) is coupled and can be driven back and forth by the motor 180, thereby causing the piston head 1341 to move back and forth along the cylinder 132. The method and principle of the reciprocating motion of the piston 134 are well known in the field, so details will not be repeated here.
[0021] When the engine 180 drives the piston head 1341 in such a way that it moves towards the rear end 132b of the cylinder 132, causing the first chamber S1 to expand and thus making the air pressure in the first chamber S1 lower than the air pressure outside the air reservoir 120, the air outside the air reservoir 120 flows into the first chamber S1 through the air inlet 120a of the air reservoir 120 due to the pressure difference between the first chamber S1 and the outside of the air reservoir 120. Furthermore, the piston head 1341 has an opening 1341a. When the motor 180 drives the piston head 1341 to move towards the front end 132a of the cylinder 132, so that the first chamber S2 is reduced and thus the air pressure in the first chamber S1 is greater than the air pressure in the second chamber S2, the air in the first chamber S1 flows through the opening 1341a into the second chamber S2 due to the pressure difference between the first chamber S1 and the second chamber S2.Through continuous circulation in this way, the high-pressure air can be continuously discharged to the air outlet 120b of the air reservoir 120 through the second space S2 by the operation of the piston mechanism 130.
[0022] Fig. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the substructure of the air reservoir in Fig. 6 from a different perspective. Fig. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the piston in Fig. 8. It will be on Fig. 9 and Fig. Reference is made to Figure 10. Furthermore, the air compressor 100 of this embodiment includes two check valves 150, 160. The check valve 150 is located in the air inlet 120a of the air reservoir 120 (shown in Figure 10). Fig. 6) arranged, and the check valve 160 is located in the opening 1341a of the piston head 1341 (shown in Fig. 7) arranged. The check valve 150 allows air from outside the air reservoir 120 to flow through the air inlet 120a of the air reservoir 120 into the first chamber S1 and prevents air from flowing out of the air reservoir 120 through the air inlet 120a of the air reservoir 120. The check valve 160 allows air from the first chamber S1 to flow through the opening 1341a of the piston head 1341 into the second chamber S2 and prevents air from flowing through the opening 1341a of the piston head 1341 into the first chamber S1. The detailed design and function of the check valve are well known in the field, so a repetition of the details is omitted here.
[0023] It will be on Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. In this embodiment, the air compressor 100 also includes a pressure gauge 170. The pressure gauge 170 is connected to the air reservoir 120 and serves to measure and display the air pressure in the air reservoir 120. The user can observe the pressure value displayed by the pressure gauge 170 to determine the pressure change in the air reservoir 120 during the operation of the piston mechanism 130. In addition, the air compressor 100 of this embodiment can include a heat dissipation fan 190 (in Fig. 1 to Fig. 5 marked). The heat dissipation blower 190 is connected to and driven by the motor 180 to generate a heat dissipation airflow to the piston mechanism 130 and the air reservoir 120 for heat dissipation.
[0024] It will be on Fig. 2 and Fig.4 Reference is made to this. The air reservoir 120 of this embodiment comprises a first housing section 1201, a second housing section 1202, and an end section 1203. The second housing section 1202 is joined to the first housing section 1201 such that the piston mechanism 130 is concealed between the first housing section 1201 and the second housing section 1202. The end section 1203 is joined to the first housing section 1201 and the second housing section 1202, and the air inlet 120a is formed in the end section 1203. In other embodiments, the air reservoir 120 can be formed in other suitable ways, and the disclosure is not limited thereto. Furthermore, the air outlet pipe 140 can be connected at any suitable position on the outer surface of the air reservoir 120 according to the configuration and design requirements, and the disclosure is not limited thereto.
[0025] In this embodiment, sealing elements can be arranged between the first housing section 1201, the second housing section 1202, the end section 1203 and the cylinder 132, as well as between the first housing section 1201 and the gear shaft of the gear set G, to prevent air from escaping the air reservoir 120. The specific type and arrangement of the sealing element are well known in the technical field, so details are not repeated here.
[0026] In summary, the piston mechanism in this air compressor is located within the air reservoir. Consequently, the piston mechanism does not occupy space outside the reservoir, thus reducing the compressor's overall volume. Furthermore, the noise generated during operation is contained within the reservoir, further reducing noise levels. Additionally, the heat generated during operation is dissipated within the reservoir and can be released through its sufficiently large surface area. The piston mechanism's location within the reservoir also provides excellent protection against impact damage. Finally, the air outlet pipe can be connected at any point on the reservoir's surface, allowing for greater configuration flexibility. LIST OF REFERENCE MARKS: 100 air compressor 110 cases 120 air tanks 120a an air intake 120b Air outlet 1201 first housing section 1202 second housing section 1203 End section 130 piston mechanism 132 cylinders 132a front end 132b rear end 134 pistons 1341 Piston head 1341a Opening 1342 Piston rod 140 Air outlet pipe 150, 160 check valve 170 pressure gauges 180 engine 190 heat dissipation fans D1, D2 direction G gear set S1 first room S2 second room
Claims
[1] Air compressor (100), comprising: an air reservoir (120) with an air inlet (120a) and an air outlet (120b); a motor (180); and a piston mechanism (130) arranged in the air reservoir (120) comprising a cylinder (132) and a piston (134), wherein the cylinder (132) has a front end (132a) and a rear end (132b) opposite each other, the front end (132a) being adjacent to the air inlet (120a) and the piston (134) being movably arranged in the cylinder (132) and projecting from the rear end (132b) to be coupled to the motor (180), wherein the motor (180) is adapted to drive the piston (134) so that it moves back and forth along the cylinder (132) so that air can flow successively through the air inlet (120a), the front end (132a), the rear end (132b) and the air outlet (120b). [2] Air compressor (100) according to claim 1, wherein the piston (134) comprises a piston head (1341) and a piston rod (1342) connected to each other, wherein the piston head (1341) divides an interior space of the cylinder (132) into a first space (S1) and a second space (S2), the first space (S1) being located between the front end (132a) and the piston head (1341), the second space (S2) being located between the piston head (1341) and the rear end (132b), and the piston rod (1342) being coupled to the motor (180). [3] Air compressor (100) according to claim 2, wherein in response to the motor (180) driving the piston head (1341) to move towards the rear end (132b) so that the air pressure in the first chamber (S1) is less than the air pressure outside the air reservoir (120), air outside the air reservoir (120) flows through the air inlet (120a) to the first chamber (S1). [4] Air compressor (100) according to claim 2, further comprising a check valve (150), wherein the check valve (150) is arranged in the air inlet (120a) and the check valve (150) allows air outside the air reservoir (120) to flow through the air inlet (120a) into the first chamber (S1) and prevents air in the first chamber (S1) from flowing out of the air reservoir (120) through the air inlet (120a). [5] Air compressor (100) according to claim 2, wherein the piston head (1341) has an opening (1341a), wherein in response to the motor (180) driving the piston head (1341) to move towards the front end (132a) so that the air pressure in the first chamber (S1) is greater than the air pressure in the second chamber (S2), air in the first chamber (S1) flows through the opening (1341a) to the second chamber (S2). [6] Air compressor (100) according to claim 5, further comprising a check valve (150), wherein the check valve (150) is arranged in the opening (1341a) and the check valve (150) allows the air in the first space (S1) to flow through the opening (1341a) into the second space (S2) and prevents air in the second space (S2) from flowing through the opening (1341a) into the first space (S1). [7] Air compressor (100) according to claim 1, further comprising a pressure gauge, wherein the pressure gauge is connected to the air reservoir (120). [8] Air compressor (100) according to claim 1, further comprising an air outlet pipe (140), wherein the air outlet pipe (140) is located outside the air reservoir (120) and is connected to the air outlet (120b). [9] Air compressor (100) according to claim 8, further comprising a housing (110) wherein the housing (110) accommodates the air reservoir (120), the piston mechanism (130) and the motor (180) and the air outlet pipe (140) extends outside the housing (110). [10] Air compressor (100) according to claim 1, wherein the air reservoir (120) comprises a first housing section (1201) and a second housing section (1202), wherein the second housing section (1202) is joined with the first housing section (1201) such that the piston mechanism (130) is concealed between the first housing section (1201) and the second housing section (1202).