Easy-to-use valve connector

Abstract

An easy-to-use valve connector (10) comprises a housing (20) and a valve sleeve (30). The housing (20) has a sliding slot (21) extending along an axial direction of an axis (L) and has a first end (22), a second end (23), and a side passage (24) that communicates with the sliding slot (21). A pressure relief section (211) is arranged between the side passage (24) and the first end (22). The valve sleeve (30) is slidably arranged in the sliding slot (21) and has a first sealing section (31) and a second sealing section (32) that maintain contact with the inner circumference of the sliding slot (21). In the pressure-holding position, the pressure relief section (211) is located on a side of the first sealing section (31) opposite the side passage (24).In the pressure relief position, the pressure relief section (211) moves between the first sealing section (31) and the side passage (24), allowing air to be released from the housing (20) to the outside.

Description

Background of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a valve connector and in particular to an easy-to-use valve connector with efficient air sealing and pressure control functionality.

[0002] US Patent Publication No. 2006 / 0222540 discloses a pump comprising a cylinder, a valve connector, a piston, a rod, a ring, and a handle. The cylinder has a first section and a second section. The valve connector is connected to the first section of the cylinder. The piston is movably arranged within the cylinder. The rod is connected to the piston. The ring is fitted into the second section of the cylinder, and a handle is connected to the rod. The handle surrounds the second section when the rod is retracted within the cylinder.

[0003] The aforementioned valve connector on the pump, however, lacks a locking mechanism that engages with a valve stem. Instead, it relies solely on a rubber ring at one opening of the valve connector to achieve an airtight seal. While this design is simpler compared to other common locking mechanisms such as levers or clamps, the rubber ring must be slightly smaller to create an airtight seal and ensure a tight fit around the outside of the valve stem. Consequently, after inflation, high-pressure air remains trapped in the valve connector, making it difficult to remove the valve stem. Brief description of the invention

[0004] The present invention provides an easy-to-use valve connector that enables efficient air pressure control and relief. The valve connector comprises a housing and a valve sleeve. The housing has a sliding slot extending along an axial direction with a first end and a second end, and a side passage communicating with the sliding slot. A pressure relief section is arranged between the side passage and the first end. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a valve connector of an embodiment according to the present invention; Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective exploded view of the valve connector from Fig. 1; Fig. Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the valve connector of Fig. 1 and shows the valve sleeve in a pressure-holding position; and Fig. Figure 4 shows another cross-sectional view of the valve connector from Fig. 1 and shows the valve sleeve in a pressure relief position. Detailed description of the invention

[0005] The Fig. Figures 1 to 4 show an easy-to-use valve connector 10 of an embodiment according to the present invention. The valve connector 10 has a housing 20 and a valve sleeve 30.

[0006] The housing 20 has a sliding slot 21 along an axial direction of an axis L. The housing 20 has a first end 22 and a second end 23 opposite the first end 22 along the axis L. The housing 20 further has a lateral passage 24 that communicates with the sliding slot 21 along a radial direction of the axis L. An inner circumference of the sliding slot 21 has a pressure relief section 211 arranged between the lateral passage 24 and the first end 22.

[0007] The valve sleeve 30 is slidably arranged within the sliding slot 21 along the axial direction of the axis L between a pressure-holding position and a pressure-relieving position. An outer circumference of the valve sleeve 30 has a first sealing section 31 and a second sealing section 32, both of which are permanently in contact with the inner circumference of the sliding slot 21. The second sealing section 32 is located between the side passage 24 and the second end 23. When the valve sleeve 30 is in the pressure-holding position, the pressure-relieving section 31 is moved to a side of the first sealing section 31 opposite the side passage 24.When the valve sleeve 30 is in the pressure relief position, the pressure relief section 211 is moved between the first sealing section 31 and the side passage 24, allowing air inside the housing 20 to be released to the outside of the housing 20 through the pressure relief section 211.

[0008] The pressure relief section 211 has a plurality of pressure relief grooves 212, each having a proximal end connected to the first end 22 and a terminal end extending in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the axis L to the second end 23.

[0009] The housing 20 has an outer sleeve 25 and a side tube 26, which is connected to the outer sleeve 25 along the radial direction of the axis L. The sliding slot 21 is located inside the outer sleeve 25. The first end 22 and the second end 23 are each located at two opposite ends of the outer sleeve 25. The side passage 24 connects the sliding slot 21 to an interior of the side tube 26. The outer sleeve 25 projects outwards and forms a projection 251, which is located on one side of the outer sleeve 25 opposite the side tube 26 along the radial direction of the axis L.

[0010] The sliding slot 21 penetrates the outer sleeve 25 and connects the first end 22 and the second end 23, and both ends of the valve sleeve 30 protrude outwards from the sliding slot 21 beyond the first end 22 and the second end 23.

[0011] The valve sleeve 30 comprises a tube 33, a sealing ring 34, a front end cap 35, and a rear end cap 36. The first sealing section 31 and the second sealing section 32 are arranged on an outer circumference of the tube 33 along the radial direction of the axis L. One end of the tube 33 projects outward from the sliding slot 21 beyond the first end 22, and the other end projects outward from the sliding slot 21 beyond the second end 23. The sealing ring 34 is connected to the end of the tube 33 that projects outward from the first end 22. The front end cap 35 is screwed to the end of the tube 33 that projects outward from the first end 22 and rests against a side of the sealing ring 34 opposite the tube 33. The rear end cap 36 is screwed to the end of the tube 33 that projects outward from the second end 23.

[0012] The tube 33 has an annular projection 331 on its outer circumference along the radial direction of the axis L. When the valve sleeve 30 is in the pressure-holding position, the annular projection 331 rests against the first end 22 and the rear end cap 36 is separated from the second end 23. When the valve sleeve 30 is in the pressure-relieving position, the annular projection 331 is separated from the first end 22, the rear end cap 36 rests against the second end 23, and the front end cap 35 rests against one side of the annular projection 331 opposite the outer sleeve 25.

[0013] The valve connector 10, due to its aforementioned structure, offers convenient operation and excellent airtightness. When using the valve connector 10, a Presta valve 90 can be inserted directly into the valve sleeve 30, with the sealing ring 34 fitting snugly around the outer circumference of the Presta valve 90 to achieve an airtight seal. When the valve sleeve 30 is in the pressure-holding position, it prevents air from escaping from the housing 20 to the outside through the pressure relief section 211, thus allowing high-pressure air to enter the Presta valve 90. When the valve sleeve 30 is in the pressure-relieving position, the air inside the housing 20 is released to the outside through the pressure relief section 211. After the high-pressure air is released in the valve sleeve 30, the sealing ring 34 relaxes, allowing the user to easily remove the Presta valve 90.Changing the position of the valve sleeve 30 requires only a simple pressing operation, so no complex operations are necessary. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 2006 / 0222540

[0002]

Claims

[1] Easy-to-use valve connector (10) comprising: a housing (20) with a sliding slot (21) along an axial direction of an axis (L), wherein the housing (20) has a first end (22) and a second end (23) opposite the first end (22) along the axis (L), wherein the housing (20) further comprises a side passage (24) communicating with the sliding slot (21) along a radial direction of the axis (L), and wherein a pressure relief section (211) is provided on an inner circumference of the sliding slot (21) between the side passage (24) and the first end (22); and a valve sleeve (30) which is arranged to slide in the sliding slot (21) along the axial direction of the axis (L) between a pressure holding position and a pressure relief position, wherein a first sealing section (31) and a second sealing section (32) are provided on an outer circumference of the valve sleeve (30), wherein the first sealing section (31) and the second sealing section (32) are in permanent contact with the inner circumference of the sliding slot (21), wherein the second sealing section (32) is arranged between the side passage (24) and the second end (23), wherein, when the valve sleeve (30) is in the pressure holding position, the pressure relief section (211) is moved to a side of the first sealing section (31) opposite the side passage (24); wherein, when the valve sleeve (30) is in the pressure relief position, the pressure relief section (211) is moved between the first sealing section (31) and the side passage (24), thereby allowing air inside the housing (20) to be released to the outside of the housing (20) via the pressure relief section (211). [2] Valve connector (10) according to claim 1, wherein the pressure relief section (211) has a plurality of pressure relief grooves (212), and wherein each of the plurality of pressure relief grooves (212) has a proximal end connected to the first end (22) and a terminal end extending in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the axis (L) to the second end (23). [3] Valve connector (10) according to claim 1, wherein the housing (20) has an outer sleeve (25) and a side tube (26) which is connected to the outer sleeve (25) along the radial direction of the axis (L), wherein the sliding slot (21) is arranged in the outer sleeve (25), wherein the first end (22) and the second end (23) are each arranged at two opposite ends of the outer sleeve (25), wherein the side passage (24) connects the sliding slot (21) and an interior of the side tube (26), and wherein the outer sleeve (25) projects outwards to form a projection (251) which is arranged on one side of the outer sleeve (25) opposite the side tube (26) along the radial direction of the axis (L). [4] Valve connector (10) according to claim 3, wherein the sliding slot (21) penetrates the outer sleeve (25) and connects the first end (22) and the second end (23), and wherein both ends of the valve sleeve (30) protrude outwards from the sliding slot (21) over the first end (22) and the second end (23). [5] Valve connector (10) according to claim 4, wherein the valve sleeve (30) comprises a tube (33), a sealing ring (34), a front end cap (35) and a rear end cap (36), wherein the first sealing section (31) and the second sealing section (32) are arranged on an outer circumference of the tube (33) along the radial direction of the axis (L), wherein one end of the tube (33) extends outwards beyond the first end (22) from the sliding slot (21) and the other end extends outwards beyond the second end (23) from the sliding slot (21), wherein the sealing ring (34) is connected to the end of the tube (33) extending from the first end (22), wherein the front end cap (35) is screwed to the end of the tube (33) extending from the first end (22) and bears against a side of the sealing ring (34) opposite the tube (33), and wherein the rear end cap (36) is screwed to the end of the tube (33) which protrudes from the second end (23). [6] Valve connector (10) according to claim 5, wherein the tube (33) has an annular projection (331) on its outer circumference along the radial direction of the axis (L), wherein, when the valve sleeve (30) is in the pressure holding position, the annular projection (331) rests against the first end (22) and the rear end cap (36) is separated from the second end (23), and wherein, when the valve sleeve (30) is in the pressure relief position, the annular projection (331) is separated from the first end (22), the rear end cap (36) rests against the second end (23), and the front end cap (35) rests against one side of the annular projection (331) opposite the outer sleeve (25).

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