Portable dual-use air compressor

Abstract

To provide an air compressor capable of securing airtightness by a seal member.SOLUTION: A portable suction-exhaust air compressor includes a motor 110, a piston 120, a sealing member 130, a cylinder 140, a first check valve 151, and a second check valve 152. The piston has a first end side E1 and a second end side E2 opposite to each other, and the first end is connected to the motor. The sealing member is sleeved on an outer wall of the second end of the piston. A second end of the piston is movably coupled in the cylinder, the second end abuts against an inner wall of the cylinder through the sealing member, a cross section of the sealing member forms a plurality of contact regions with respect to the inner wall and the outer wall respectively, and a groove is formed between two adjacent contact regions. The cylinder has an intake pipe 142 and an exhaust pipe 143 communicating with the internal space of the cylinder and respectively communicating with the external environment. The first check valve is provided in the exhaust pipe, and the second check valve is provided in the intake pipe.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air compressor, and more particularly to a portable dual-purpose air compressor. [Background technology]

[0002] An air compressor is a device that can inflate items, typically used for inflating air mattresses and tires. To increase the portability of an air compressor, it is necessary to reduce its size and adjust its power supply system. For example, the original operating method, which was connected to an external power source via a cable, can be changed to a system where a battery is directly installed in the air compressor.

[0003] However, with the evolution of battery technology and the emergence of new technologies, there are concerns that compatibility may be lacking, either between new batteries and older equipment, or between older batteries and new equipment.

[0004] Furthermore, since the air filling process described above is merely a partial stroke of the piston of the air compressor, the motion pattern of the piston cannot be clearly expressed or utilized as a simple air filling device. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention provides an air compressor that generates airflow for both intake and exhaust by combining the reciprocating motion of a piston with different check valves, and that can ensure airtightness of adjacent components by forming multiple contact areas with the component surfaces using sealing members. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The portable dual-use air compressor of the present invention includes a motor, a piston, a seal member, a cylinder, a first check valve, and a second check valve. The piston has opposing first and second ends, and the first end is connected to the motor. The seal member is fitted to the outer wall of the second end of the piston. The second end of the piston is movably connected within the cylinder, and the second end abuts the inner wall of the cylinder via the seal member. The cross section of the seal member forms multiple contact areas with the inner and outer walls, respectively, and a recess is formed between two adjacent contact areas. The cylinder has an intake pipe and an exhaust pipe that communicate with the interior space of the cylinder and the external environment, respectively. The first check valve is provided in the exhaust pipe, and the second check valve is provided in the intake pipe. During the first stroke, the piston compresses the air in the cylinder, which then drives the first check valve, opening the exhaust passage to allow the compressed air to enter the exhaust pipe, and the second check valve, closing the intake passage. During the second stroke, the piston reduces the air pressure in the cylinder, which allows the compressed air in the exhaust pipe or air from the outside environment to drive the first check valve, closing the exhaust passage, and the second check valve, opening the intake passage, allowing air from the outside environment or air in the intake pipe to enter the cylinder via the intake pipe. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] As described above, the air compressor utilizes the reciprocating motion of the piston within the cylinder, and by combining it with the first and second check valves, achieves the dual effect of blowing and suctioning airflow in different pipes. Furthermore, a seal member is fitted to the piston and abuts against the inner wall of the cylinder. Here, the cross section of the seal member forms multiple contact areas with the inner wall and the outer wall of the piston, respectively, and a groove is formed between two adjacent contact areas. In this way, the airtightness between the piston and the inner wall of the cylinder can be improved during piston movement. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an air compressor according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the main body of the air compressor of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the pneumatic module of FIG. 2. [Figure 4A] This is one state of the pneumatic module. [Figure 4B] 10 is another state of the pneumatic module. [Figure 4C] 4B shows an enlarged view of a portion of the pneumatic module of FIG. 4A at a second end of the piston. [Figure 5A] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a piston according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5B] 5B shows a schematic view of a portion of FIG. 5A in a different state. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a piston according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a piston according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a piston according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9A] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an air compressor according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9B] 9B is a view of the air compressor of FIG. 9A from another angle. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an air compressor according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an air compressor according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the main body of the air compressor shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 simultaneously, in this embodiment, the air compressor includes a main body 10A and a battery 20. The battery 20 is removably inserted into a slot on the outside of the main body 10A and electrically connected to an electronic module therein. This allows the air compressor to be portable and not limited to an external power source that requires a fixed connection. As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 10A includes housings 13 and 14, a circuit board 15, a partition plate 16, and a pneumatic module 100. These components are assembled together with a number of screws SC. Here, the cylinder 140 of the pneumatic module 100 has an intake pipe 142 and an exhaust pipe 143, which serve to form the intake port 12 and the exhaust port 11 with the housings 13 and 14.

[0010] 3 is an exploded view of the pneumatic module of FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the pneumatic module 100 includes a motor 110, a piston 120, a seal member 130, a cylinder 140, a first check valve 151, and a second check valve 152. The piston 120 has a first end E1 and a second end E2 facing each other, and the first end E1 is connected to the motor 110 via a transmission mechanism. Here, the transmission mechanism includes a first gear TS1 and a second gear TS2. The first gear TS1 is provided on the motor 110, the second gear TS2 is pivotally mounted to a bracket 144 of the cylinder 140, the second end E2 of the piston 120 is movably coupled within the cylinder 140, and the first end E1 of the piston 120 is pivotally mounted to the eccentric portion of the second gear TS2. The motor 110 is mounted to the bracket 144, and the first gear TS1 passes through the bracket 144 and is meshed with the second gear TS2. Therefore, the motor 110 can smoothly reciprocate the piston 120 relative to the cylinder 140 via the first gear TS1 and the second gear TS2.

[0011] FIG. 4A shows one state of the pneumatic module, and FIG. 4B shows another state of the pneumatic module. Some components are omitted to facilitate identification of their corresponding relationships. Referring to FIGS. 3, 4A, and 4B, the cylinder 140 includes a cylinder body 141, a bracket 144, an intake pipe 142, and an exhaust pipe 143. The bracket 144, the intake pipe 142, and the exhaust pipe 143 each extend from the cylinder body 141. The intake pipe 142 and the exhaust pipe 143 communicate with the internal space of the cylinder 140 (i.e., the internal space of the cylinder body 141) and with the external environment, respectively. The intake pipe 142 includes pipe members A1 and A2 and a quick connector A3. A second check valve 152 is provided between the pipe members A1 and A2 of the intake pipe 142. The exhaust pipe 143 includes pipe members B1 and B2 and a quick connector B3. The first check valve 151 is disposed in the pipe member B1 of the exhaust pipe 143. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the quick connector B3, together with the housings 13 and 14, forms the exhaust port 11 of the main body 10A. The quick connector A3, together with the housings 13 and 14, forms the intake port 12 of the main body 10A. It should be noted that, based on the position of the cylinder body 141, the exhaust pipe 143 and the intake pipe 142 are connected to the top 141b of the cylinder body 141, respectively. The check airflow directions provided by the first check valve 151 and the second check valve 152 are opposite to each other. Here, the first check valve 151 is used to provide the exhaust direction and block the intake direction, and the second check valve 152 is used to provide the intake direction and block the exhaust direction.

[0012] 4A shows the state after the piston 120 has performed its first stroke. At this time, the second end E2 of the piston 120 moves toward the top 141b of the cylinder body 141 (equivalent to moving toward the intake pipe 142 and the exhaust pipe 143), compressing the air inside the cylinder body 141. The compressed air further drives the first check valve 151, opening the passage of the exhaust pipe 143 so that the compressed air can enter the exhaust pipe 143 from the cylinder body 141. If an object is connected to the exhaust port 11, the compressed air in the exhaust pipe 143 can be transferred from the exhaust pipe 143 to the object, filling the object with air. At the same time, the second check valve 152 in the intake pipe 142 is driven by the compressed air to block the passage of the intake pipe 142, preventing the compressed air from being discharged from the intake pipe 142 (and the intake port 12) to the air compressor body 10A.

[0013] 4B shows the state after the piston 120 has performed the second stroke. At this time, the second end E2 of the piston 120 separates from the top 141b of the cylinder body 141, reducing the air pressure within the cylinder body 141 and momentarily creating a vacuum. At this time, the air remaining in the intake pipe 142 is equal to the external pressure and significantly higher than the air pressure within the cylinder body 141. Therefore, the second check valve 152 is further actuated to open the intake pipe 142, allowing external air to enter the cylinder body 141 through the intake pipe 142. Meanwhile, the pressure of the remaining compressed air in the exhaust pipe 143 is significantly higher than the air pressure within the cylinder body 141. Therefore, the first check valve 151 is actuated to close the exhaust pipe 143 and prevent compressed air from flowing back into the cylinder body 141. In this way, the air compressor of this embodiment provides a suction effect when the piston 120 performs the second stroke and a blowing effect when the piston 120 performs the first stroke, so that when the piston 120 continuously reciprocates, the air compressor can have both the functions of blowing and suction.

[0014] Fig. 4C is an enlarged view of a portion of the second end of the piston of the pneumatic module of Fig. 4A. Referring simultaneously to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4C, in this embodiment, a seal member 130 is fitted onto the outer wall 121 of the second end E2 of the piston 120, and the second end E2 of the piston 120 abuts against the inner wall 141a of the cylinder body 141 via the seal member 130. Here, the cross section of the seal member 130 forms a plurality of contact areas T1 to T4 with the inner wall 141a and the outer wall 121, respectively, and grooves R1 and R2 are formed between adjacent two contact areas T1, T2 or T3, T4.

[0015] In this embodiment, the seal member 130 is an X-ring with an X-shaped cross section. Its two lip portions abut against the inner wall 141a of the cylinder body 141, forming two contact areas T1 and T2 with the inner wall 141a and a groove R1 between the contact areas T1 and T2. At the same time, the other two lip portions abut against the outer wall 121 of the piston 120, forming two contact areas T3 and T4 with the outer wall 121 and a groove R2 located therebetween. The above-mentioned contact areas T1-T4 allow the seal member 130 to provide a dual sealing function between the piston 120 and the cylinder body 141. At the same time, the flexibility of the lip portions reduces friction and wear. The air compressor further includes a lubricating oil LO, which is applied to the second end E2 of the piston 120 and the seal member 130. Here, some of the lubricating oil LO can be stored in the above-mentioned grooves R1 and R2, thereby maintaining the lubrication and airtightness between the piston 120 and the inner wall 141a of the cylinder body 141 when the piston 120 reciprocates.

[0016] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of a piston according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of a part of Figure 5A in a different state. It should be noted that only the structure of the piston is different from that of the above-described embodiment, and other components, such as the cylinder, are the same as those of the above-described embodiment. Therefore, in the following description, the drawings of this embodiment and the drawings of the above-described embodiment will be combined.

[0017] 5A and 5B, in this embodiment, the piston 220 includes a rod member 221, a disk member 222, and an elastic member 223. The rod member 221 is, for example, a local structure having the first end E1 of the piston 120 described above, and the disk member 222 is, for example, a local structure having the second end E2 of the piston 120 described above. The seal member 130 is substantially fitted onto the disk member 222. Unlike the piston 120 having an integrally molded structure in the above-described embodiment, in this embodiment, the elastic member 223 is connected between the rod member 221 and the disk member 222. In this way, the elastic member 223 has elasticity, which allows it to be compressed when subjected to force and to recover by its elasticity, and therefore the elastic member 223 can function as a buffer structure between the disk member 222, which is a rigid member, and the rod member 221.

[0018] When the piston 220 performs a first stroke (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4A ), the disk member 222 is pushed by the compressed gas, whose air pressure gradually increases, further compressing the elastic member 223. As shown in FIG. 5B , the gap G1 of the elastic member 223 is converted to a gap G2, accumulating elastic force. When the piston 220 performs a second stroke (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4B ), the air pressure in the cylinder body 141 decreases, which also means that the force applied to the disk member 222 decreases, causing the elastic member 223 to release its elastic force and restore its original shape. Therefore, the elastic member 223 can be used to restore the disk member 222 to its original shape during the second stroke, thereby avoiding a sudden rise in air pressure caused by residual compressed gas in the cylinder body 141 or a backflow of compressed air from the exhaust pipe 143 into the cylinder body 141 due to leakage from the first check valve 151 when the piston 220 restarts after stopping. These can all function as buffers for the members due to the presence of the elastic member 223, so that it is possible to avoid the members being subjected to loads or being damaged by the sudden rise in air pressure mentioned above.

[0019] Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of a piston according to another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of a piston according to another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of a piston according to another embodiment of the present invention. First, referring to Fig. 6, a piston 320 shown in Fig. 6 includes a rod member 321, a disk member 322, and an elastic member 323, and the elastic member 323 is detachably engaged with the rod member 321 and the disk member 322. That is, a user can replace the elastic member 323 with one having a different elastic coefficient as needed.

[0020] 7, the piston 420 shown in Fig. 7 includes a rod member 421, a disk member 422, and an elastic member 423, the elastic member 423 including an elastic portion 423a and a fixed portion 423b, one end of the elastic portion 423a being integrally molded with the disk member 422, and the other end of the elastic portion 423a being assembled to the rod member 421 by the fixed portion 423b. The piston 420 of this embodiment thereby provides an elastic member 423 that is different from the assembly structure and manufacturing method described above.

[0021] 8, the piston 520 shown in FIG. 8 includes a rod member 521, a disk member 522, and an elastic member 523. The elastic member 523 includes a first elastic body 523a, a fixed portion 523b, and a second elastic body 523c. Opposite ends of the first elastic body 523a are respectively attached to the disk member 522 and the rod member 521 by the fixed portion 523b. The second elastic body 523c further abuts the inside of the first elastic body 523a, thereby connecting to the disk member 522 and the rod member 521. More importantly, the elastic coefficients of the first elastic body 523a and the second elastic body 523c are different from each other. In this way, by adjusting and combining the first elastic body 523a and the second elastic body 523c, the elastic member 523 of this embodiment has a greater adaptability range and deformation tolerance.

[0022] FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram of an air compressor according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9B shows the air compressor of FIG. 9A from another angle. Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, unlike the embodiment of FIG. 1 in which the main body 10A directly accommodates the battery 20, the air compressor of this embodiment combines an adapter 30 with a battery 40 and places it on the main body 10A. This is because, with advances in battery technology, it is inevitable that different models or new and old models cannot be used due to size or specification incompatibility. Therefore, in this embodiment, the adapter 30 can be removably inserted into a slot in the main body 10A, and subsequently, a battery 40 of a different size or specification than the battery 20 described above can be used, thereby expanding the range of applications of the air compressor.

[0023] Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of an air compressor according to another embodiment of the present invention. Unlike Figs. 9A and 9B, which use a battery 40 to supply power to the main body 10A, this embodiment uses an adapter 30A with a cable that can be removably inserted into a slot in the main body 10A, allowing the main body 10A to receive power from an external power source (not shown) via the adapter 30A.

[0024] In summary, in the above embodiment of the present invention, the air compressor utilizes the reciprocating motion of the piston within the cylinder, and by combining the first and second check valves, achieves dual effects of blowing and suctioning airflow in different pipes. Furthermore, the seal member is fitted to the piston and abuts against the inner wall of the cylinder. Here, the cross section of the seal member forms multiple contact areas with the inner wall and the outer wall of the piston, respectively, and forms a groove between two adjacent contact areas. In this way, the airtightness between the piston and the inner wall of the cylinder can be improved during piston movement.

[0025] In addition, an elastic member is disposed between the rod member and the disk member of the piston, which functions as a buffer structure between the rigid members, preventing strain and damage to the members due to sudden increases in air pressure. Furthermore, the air compressor not only has a battery to increase portability, but also can be adapted to batteries of different sizes and specifications via an adapter, and power can be supplied to the air compressor main body from an external power source via an adapter combined with a cable. [Industrial Applicability]

[0026] The air compressor of the present invention is applicable to industrial equipment related to air compression. [Explanation of symbols]

[0027] 10A main unit 11 Exhaust port 12 Air intake 13, 14 Housing 15 Circuit Board 16 Partition 20, 40 battery 30, 30A adapter 100 Pneumatic Module 110 Motor 120, 220, 320, 420, 520 pistons 121 Exterior Wall 130 Sealing material 140 cylinders 141 Cylinder body 141a Interior wall 141b Top 142 Intake pipe 143 Exhaust pipe 144 Bracket 151 First check valve 152 Second check valve 221, 321, 421, 521 Rod members 222, 322, 422, 522 Disc members 223, 323, 423, 523 Elastic members 423a Elastic part 423b, 523b fixed part 523a First elastic body 523c Second elastic body A1, A2, B1, B2 pipe members A3, B3 quick connector E1 1st end E2 2nd end G1, G2 gap LO lubricant T1, T2, T3, T4 contact area TS1 First gear TS2 2nd gear R1, R2 groove

Claims

1. A motor and a piston having a first end and a second end opposite each other, the first end being connected to the motor; a seal member fitted onto an outer wall of the second end of the piston; a cylinder, the second end of the piston being movably coupled within the cylinder, the second end abutting against an inner wall of the cylinder via the sealing member, a cross section of the sealing member forming a plurality of contact areas with the inner wall and the outer wall, a recessed groove being formed between two adjacent contact areas, and the cylinder having an intake pipe and an exhaust pipe communicating with an internal space of the cylinder and respectively communicating with an external environment; a first check valve provided in the exhaust pipe; a second check valve provided in the intake pipe; Including, the motor drives the piston to reciprocate within the cylinder; In a first stroke, the piston compresses the air in the cylinder, and the compressed air drives the first check valve to open the passage of the exhaust pipe so as to enter the exhaust pipe, and the compressed air drives the second check valve to close the passage of the intake pipe, During a second stroke, the piston reduces the air pressure in the cylinder, and the compressed air in the exhaust pipe or the air in the external environment drives the first check valve to close the passage in the exhaust pipe, and the air in the external environment or the air in the intake pipe drives the second check valve to open the passage in the intake pipe so that air can enter the cylinder via the intake pipe; the piston includes a rod member, a disk member, and an elastic member, the rod member having the first end, the disk member having the second end, the elastic member being connected between the rod member and the disk member, the elastic member having at least one bend, and the at least one bend causes the elastic member to form at least one gap along a reciprocating direction of the rod member and the disk member; During the first stroke, the disk member is pushed by the compressed air, causing the gap of the elastic member to contract and accumulate elastic force, During the second stroke, the air pressure in the cylinder decreases, and the elastic member and the disk member are restored by the elastic force.

2. 2. The portable dual-use air compressor according to claim 1, wherein the seal member is an X-shaped ring, and defines two contact areas with the inner wall and two contact areas with the outer wall, and the groove is located between the two contact areas.

3. 2. The portable dual-use air compressor according to claim 1, further comprising a lubricant applied to the second end of the piston and the sealing member, a portion of the lubricant being stored in the groove.

4. 2. The portable dual-use air compressor according to claim 1, further comprising a body, wherein the motor, the piston, the sealing member, the cylinder, the first check valve, and the second check valve are housed within the body, the exhaust pipe forming an exhaust port with a part of the body at an end remote from the cylinder, and the intake pipe forming an intake port with another part of the body at an end remote from the cylinder.

5. 5. The portable dual-use air compressor according to claim 4, further comprising a battery removably installed in a slot on the outside of the body.

6. 5. The portable dual-use air compressor according to claim 4, further comprising a battery and an adapter, the adapter being removably installed in a slot on the outside of the main body, and the battery being removably installed in another slot of the adapter.

7. 5. The portable dual-use air compressor according to claim 4, further comprising an adapter removably installed in a slot on the outside of the body, the adapter being electrically connected to an external power source via a cable.

8. 2. The portable dual-use air compressor according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is removably engaged with at least one of the rod member and the disk member.

9. 2. The portable dual-use air compressor according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member includes a first elastic body and a second elastic body, each of which is connected between the rod member and the disk member, and the elastic modulus of the first elastic body and the elastic modulus of the second elastic body are different from each other.

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