Portable air pump

Abstract

To provide a portable inflator which can supply compressed air to various objects and achieves excellent operability.SOLUTION: A portable inflator 1 includes a motor 51, a compression mechanism 6, a body housing 2, leg parts 3, a grip part 4, and a trigger 41. The compression mechanism 6 is driven by the motor 51 and configured to compress air and discharge the compressed air. The body housing 2 has a battery attachment part 251 to which a battery 8 serving as a power source of the motor 51 is detachably attached, and houses the motor 51 and the compression mechanism 6. The leg parts 3 support the body housing 2 with lower surfaces 31 disposed on a placement surface P. The grip part 4 is connected to the body housing 2 and extends substantially parallel to the lower surfaces 31 of the leg parts 3. The trigger 41 is provided at the grip part 4 so as to enable a user to pull the trigger 41 for operation. The motor 51 is driven in response to the trigger 41 being pulled.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to portable pumps, and more particularly to battery-powered portable pumps. [Background technology]

[0002] Air compressors for supplying compressed air to so-called air tools driven by compressed air are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a simplified, compact air compressor that can be easily carried to various locations. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-112282 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The air compressor of Patent Document 1 is optimized solely for the purpose of supplying compressed air to air tools. For example, the drive and stop of the motor are appropriately controlled based on a set air pressure and an actual air pressure. However, compressed air is not limited to air tools and can be used for a variety of objects, such as automobile and bicycle tires and balls. Therefore, a more general-purpose device capable of supplying compressed air to a variety of objects is desired.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a portable air pump that is easy to operate and can supply compressed air to various objects. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention provides a portable air pump. The air pump includes a motor, a compression mechanism, a main housing, legs, a grip, and an operating member. The compression mechanism is driven by the motor and configured to compress and discharge air. The main housing has a battery attachment section to which a battery that powers the motor can be attached / detached. The main housing also houses the motor and the compression mechanism. The legs have a lower surface and are configured to support the main housing with the lower surface placed on a support surface. The grip is connected to the main housing. The grip extends generally parallel to the lower surfaces of the legs. The operating member is provided on the grip so as to be operable by a user. The motor is configured to be driven in response to operation of the operating member. Note that examples of the operating member referred to in this aspect include a trigger that is pulled by a user and a push button switch that is pressed by a user.

[0007] The portable pump of this embodiment is a so-called tabletop pump, suitable for use with the underside of the legs placed on a support surface. Because the grip extends substantially parallel to the underside of the legs, when the pump is placed on a support surface, the user can hold the grip in a natural position that minimizes strain on the wrist. Furthermore, in this pump, the compression mechanism discharges compressed air in response to operation of the operating member. Thus, the user can easily adjust the amount of compressed air supplied by operating the operating member while checking the status of the object (e.g., the inflation level of the object, the actual air pressure display, etc.). Thus, this embodiment provides a portable pump with excellent operability that can be used to supply compressed air to multiple types of objects.

[0008] In one aspect of the present invention, the main body housing may include a motor housing portion that houses the motor. The grip portion may be spaced above the motor housing portion and extend opposite the motor housing portion. According to this aspect, the motor housing portion, which houses the relatively heavy motor, is located below the grip portion, thereby improving stability when the air pump is placed on a surface for use. Furthermore, the user can grip the grip portion and operate the pump while applying downward force, further improving stability. In this aspect, the grip portion is preferably disposed approximately parallel to the rotation axis of the motor's output shaft. In this case, the arrangement of the motor housing portion and the grip portion can be made compact.

[0009] In one aspect of the present invention, the motor, compression mechanism, and battery attachment section may be located below the grip section. According to this aspect, the motor, compression mechanism, and battery attachment section, which are heavy components of the pump, are all located below the grip section, making it easier to set the center of gravity of the pump lower than the grip section when the battery is attached. This further enhances stability when the pump is placed on a surface and used.

[0010] In one aspect of the present invention, the battery mounting section may be configured so that the battery can be mounted by sliding it downward relative to the battery mounting section and detached by sliding it upward relative to the battery mounting section. According to this aspect, the user can easily mount and detach the battery even when the air pump is placed on a mounting surface.

[0011] In one aspect of the present invention, the main body housing may have an attachment port for a hose for directing compressed air discharged from the compression mechanism to an object. In this case, the attachment port and the battery attachment portion may be provided on opposite sides of the grip portion in the extension direction of the grip portion. According to this aspect, even when the hose is attached to the attachment port, the user can easily attach and detach the battery.

[0012] In one aspect of the present invention, the air pump may further include a hose. One end of the hose may be connected to the compression mechanism via an attachment port. The hose may protrude from the attachment port in a direction substantially parallel to the extension direction of the grip portion. According to this aspect, when the air pump is placed on a support surface, the hose protrudes from the attachment port in a direction substantially parallel to the support surface. This facilitates the handling of the hose, such as when connecting the hose to an object.

[0013] In one aspect of the present invention, the air pump may further include a hose and a cover member. One end of the hose is connected to the compression mechanism via an attachment port. The cover member covers the base end of the hose that is exposed to the outside of the main housing through the attachment port. According to this aspect, the cover member can prevent the base end of the hose from bending and becoming susceptible to deterioration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of the air pump with a user's finger on the trigger. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 2 (however, part of the hose is not shown). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] An air pump 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. The air pump 1 shown in Fig. 1 is a portable power tool that can supply compressed air to a variety of objects by selectively attaching an adapter 90 to a chuck 9. Examples of objects to which compressed air can be supplied include automobile and bicycle tires, sports balls (soccer balls, basketballs, volleyballs, etc.), and inflatable leisure items (floors, beach balls, etc.).

[0016] First, the general configuration of the air pump 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The air pump 1 is designed to be used while placed on a support surface P (for example, the ground, a floor, or a tabletop; see Figure 2). Therefore, for ease of explanation, the up-down direction of the air pump 1 will be defined below based on the position of the air pump 1 when placed on the flat support surface P. In other words, the side of the air pump 1 that is placed on the support surface P is the lower side, and the side that is away from the support surface P is the upper side.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the air pump 1 includes a main housing 2, legs 3, a grip 4, and a hose 7. The main housing 2 is configured as a housing that houses components such as a motor 51 (see FIG. 2). The legs 3 are arranged on a mounting surface P to support the main housing 2. In this embodiment, two legs 3 protrude downward from the main housing 2. Each leg 3 is formed in a rectangular box shape, and has a lower surface 31 that is arranged on the mounting surface P. The base 21, which is the portion of the main housing 2 that houses the motor 51, is formed in an elongated shape. The base 21 extends generally parallel to the lower surface 31 (i.e., to the mounting surface P when the air pump 1 is placed on the mounting surface P). An opening 201 is provided at one end of the main housing 2 in the extension direction of the base 21. The opening 201 is configured as an attachment port for a hose 7 that guides compressed air to an object, and the hose 7 protrudes from the opening 201. Furthermore, at the other end of the main body housing 2 in the extending direction of the base portion 21, a battery mounting portion 251 is provided to which a battery 8 as a power source can be attached and detached.

[0018] The grip portion 4 is a portion that is held by the user when carrying the device and when supplying compressed air to an object. The grip portion 4 is formed in a long, cylindrical shape. The grip portion 4 faces the base portion 21 at a distance above it and extends approximately parallel to the base portion 21. The grip portion 4 also has a trigger 41 that can be pulled (pressed) by the user. When the trigger 41 is pulled while the hose 7 is connected to the object, compressed air is supplied to the object via the hose 7.

[0019] The detailed configuration of the air pump 1 will be described below. For ease of explanation, the direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and corresponding to the extension direction of the grip portion 4 (base portion 21) will be defined as the front-to-rear direction of the air pump 1, the side to which the hose 7 is attached (the opening 201 side) will be defined as the front side, and the side to which the battery 8 is attached (the battery attachment portion 251 side) will be defined as the rear side. The direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the front-to-rear direction will be defined as the left-to-right direction.

[0020] First, we will explain the main body housing 2 and its internal structure. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the main body housing 2 is formed in a generally U-shape overall, and includes a base portion 21, a front extension portion 23, and a rear extension portion 25.

[0021] As described above, the base portion 21 is a portion of the main housing 2 that extends in the front-to-rear direction. The front extension portion 23 and the rear extension portion 25 are connected to the front end and rear end of the base portion 21, respectively, and extend in the up-down direction. The front extension portion 23 and the rear extension portion 25 protrude upward beyond the base portion 21. The front end and rear end of the grip portion 4 are connected to the upper ends of the front extension portion 23 and the rear extension portion 25, respectively. This causes the main housing 2 and the grip portion 4 to form a substantially D-shaped loop in side view. The two leg portions 3 protrude downward from the lower ends of the front extension portion 23 and the rear extension portion 25, respectively. In this embodiment, the main housing 2, the leg portions 3, and the grip portion 4 are integrally formed by joining left and right halves together.

[0022] The main body housing 2 is provided with an air vent that connects the inside and outside of the main body housing 2. More specifically, a plurality of air intake ports 202 are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the main body housing 2 from the rear end of the base portion 21 to the lower end of the rear extension portion 25. A plurality of air exhaust ports 203 are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the center portion in the up-down direction of the front extension portion 23. Furthermore, a power switch 207 is provided on the left side surface of the rear end of the base portion 21. As shown in FIG. 3, a hose holder 209 is provided on the right side surface of the base portion 21.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 4, the base portion 21 accommodates a motor 51. More specifically, the motor 51 is disposed in the front portion of the base portion 21. The rotation axis A1 of the motor shaft 511 extends in the front-rear direction parallel to the lower surface 31 of the leg portion 3. The front end of the motor shaft 511 protrudes into the front extension portion 23. A drive gear 513 is fixed to the front end of the motor shaft 511. A fan 52 is fixed to the rear end of the motor shaft 511 (rear side of the motor main body (stator and rotor)). The fan 52 rotates integrally with the motor shaft 511 as the motor 51 is driven.

[0024] A compression mechanism 6 is housed in a lower portion of the front extension 23. The compression mechanism 6 is a mechanism (also called an air pump) that is driven by a motor 51 and configured to compress and discharge air. In this embodiment, the compression mechanism 6 is mainly composed of a crankshaft 61, a connecting rod 63, a piston 65, and a cylinder 67. The configuration of this compression mechanism 6 is well known, so it will only be briefly described here.

[0025] The crankshaft 61 has a crank disc 611 and an eccentric pin 613. Gear teeth that mesh with the drive gear 513 are formed on the outer periphery of the crank disc 611. The rotational axis of the crankshaft 61 extends below and parallel to the rotational axis A1 of the motor shaft 511. The eccentric pin 613 is provided at a position eccentric to the rotational axis of the crankshaft 61 and protrudes forward from the crank disc 611. The connecting rod 63 is disposed to extend generally in the vertical direction. The lower end of the connecting rod 63 is rotatably connected to the eccentric pin 613. A piston 65 is provided integrally with the upper end of the connecting rod 63.

[0026] Cylinder 67 is fixed within the center of front extension 23, and piston 65 is able to slide up and down within cylinder 67. A compression chamber 671 is formed above piston 65. A discharge port 673 for discharging compressed air from compression chamber 671 to the outside opens forward. Opening 201 of main body housing 2 faces the front side of discharge port 673.

[0027] 3 and 4, an operating unit 27 is provided at the upper end of the front extension 23. The operating unit 27 includes operating buttons 271 and 272, a display 275, and a control unit (also referred to as a control circuit, not shown). The operating buttons 271 and 272 are both operating devices for setting the target air pressure and are pressed to increase or decrease the set target air pressure, respectively. The display 275 is a display device that displays the target air pressure or the actual air pressure of the air compressed in the compression chamber 671. A pressure sensor 69 for detecting the actual air pressure in the compression chamber 671 is provided above the compression chamber 671 (between the compression chamber 671 and the operating unit 27). The control unit of the operating unit 27 is electrically connected to the operating buttons 271 and 272, the display 275, the pressure sensor 69, and the control unit 53 of the motor 51. The control unit of operation unit 27 displays the set target air pressure on display 275 in response to the operation of operation buttons 271, 272. Furthermore, while motor 51 is being driven, the control unit of operation unit 27 displays the actual air pressure detected by pressure sensor 69 on display 275. Furthermore, when the actual air pressure reaches the target air pressure, the control unit of operation unit 27 outputs a specific signal to control unit 53 of motor 51.

[0028] 4, a battery mounting portion 251 is provided at the rear end of the lower portion of the rear extension portion 25. More specifically, the battery mounting portion 251 is disposed on the rotation axis A1 of the motor shaft 511, behind the motor 51. The battery mounting portion 251 of this embodiment has a well-known configuration that allows a rechargeable battery 8 to be attached and detached.

[0029] Briefly, the battery mounting section 251 includes a pair of guide rails, a hook engagement portion, and a terminal. The pair of guide rails are configured to be slidably engageable with a pair of guide grooves provided on the battery 8. In this embodiment, the guide rails are provided at the left and right rear ends of the rear extension section 25 and extend in the vertical direction. The hook engagement portion is provided at the top of the battery mounting section 251 as a recess that can engage with a hook provided on the battery 8 so that it can be freely protruded and retracted. With this configuration, the battery 8 is mounted by sliding it downward relative to the battery mounting section 251 and is removed by sliding it upward. When the battery 8 is slid downward to a predetermined position, the hook engages with the hook engagement portion, and the terminals of the battery 8 and the terminals of the battery mounting section 251 are electrically connected, completing the mounting process.

[0030] Additionally, an adapter holder 253 is provided on the rear extension 25 above the battery attachment section 251. As described above, the air pump 1 of this embodiment selectively uses one of the chuck 9 and multiple types of adapters 90 (specifically, the bicycle tire adapter 91, the ball adapter 92, and the leisure goods adapter 93). The bicycle tire adapter 91 is always connected to the hose 7 by a chain 910. The adapter holder 253 is configured to be able to hold the ball adapter 92 and the leisure goods adapter 93, and has two recesses into which the ball adapter 92 and the leisure goods adapter 93 can fit, respectively.

[0031] Next, the legs 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the two legs 3 extend downward from the lower front end and lower rear end of the main body housing 2 (more specifically, the lower ends of the front extension 23 and rear extension 25), respectively. The lower end of the compression mechanism 6 (more specifically, a part of the crank disc 611) is disposed inside the front leg 3. This allows the overall vertical height of the main body housing 2 to be reduced compared to when the entire compression mechanism 6 is housed within the main body housing 2. Furthermore, an elastic member 33 made of elastomer is attached to the bottom of the leg 3. In this embodiment, the lower surface of the elastic member 33 forms the lower surface 31 that is placed on the placement surface P.

[0032] The grip section 4 and its internal structure will now be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the grip section 4 is connected to the upper ends of the front extension section 23 and the rear extension section 25, and extends substantially parallel to the base section 21 (i.e., roughly in the front-to-rear direction). Therefore, the motor 51, compression mechanism 6, and battery attachment section 251 are located below the grip section 4. When a battery 8 is attached to the battery attachment section 251, the battery 8 is also located below the grip section 4. In other words, in the air pump 1, the motor 51, compression mechanism 6, and battery 8, which are relatively heavy, are all located below the grip section 4. Due to this arrangement, the center of gravity of the air pump 1 with the battery 8 attached is located below the grip section 4.

[0033] The trigger 41 is held at the front lower end of the grip portion 4 so as to be movable up and down. In an initial state, the trigger 41 is disposed at a position (also referred to as an initial position) where it protrudes as far downward as possible from the grip portion 4 by a biasing member (e.g., a compression coil spring) not shown, and is moved upward in response to a user's pulling operation. A switch 43 is housed inside the grip portion 4. When the trigger 41 is pulled and moved from the initial position to a predetermined position (also referred to as an ON position), the switch 43 is switched from an OFF state to an ON state. The switch 43 is electrically connected to a control unit 53 of the motor 51.

[0034] In this embodiment, the length of the grip portion 4 in the front-to-rear direction is set to a length suitable for the average hand size of an adult male. The diameter of the grip portion 4 is set to be as small as possible while still being able to accommodate the switch 43. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1 , the operation buttons 271, 272 of the operation unit 27 are positioned so that they can be operated with the thumb when the user holds the grip portion 4 with the index finger around the trigger 41. In this way, the grip portion 4 has an optimal configuration, taking into consideration the operation of the trigger 41 while holding the grip portion 4.

[0035] The hose 7 will now be described. As shown in FIG. 4, a connector 70 is attached to one end of the hose 7. The hose 7 is connected to the discharge port 673 of the compression mechanism 6 via the connector 70. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hose 7 is led forward through an opening (attachment opening) 201 in the main housing 2. The base end of the hose 7, exposed to the outside of the main housing 2 through the opening 201, is covered with a cover member 75. In this embodiment, the cover member 75 is a spirally formed resin member that is allowed to stretch and bend to a certain extent. The hose 7 is flexible and can be bent freely by the user. However, the base end of the hose 7 is held by the cover member 75 in a state where it protrudes generally forward from the opening 201. When storing the air pump 1, the user can hold the hose 7 in a hose holder 209 (see FIG. 3) provided on the right side of the base portion 21. The hose holder 209 has protrusions arranged opposite to each other in the vertical direction, and is configured to hold the hose 7 by sandwiching it.

[0036] A chuck 9 capable of engaging with a tire valve of an automobile is fixed to the tip (free end) of the hose 7. The chuck 9 has a lever 901 that can rotate between a locked position (position shown in the figure) and an unlocked position (not shown). A user can engage the chuck 9 with a tire valve of an automobile with the lever 901 in the unlocked position, and then rotate the lever 901 to the locked position to secure the chuck 9 to the valve. The chuck 9 can also be engaged with an adapter 90. By similarly operating the lever 901, a user can attach and use an appropriate adapter 90 to the chuck 9 depending on the object to which compressed air is to be supplied.

[0037] The operation of the air pump 1 will now be described. In this embodiment, when the trigger 41 is pulled to the on position and the switch 43 is turned on, the control unit 53 of the motor 51 energizes the motor 51 to drive it. Note that when the power switch 207 is off, the control unit 53 of the motor 51 does not drive the motor 51 even when the trigger 41 is pulled, and drives the motor 51 only when the power switch 207 is on.

[0038] As motor 51 is driven, motor shaft 511 rotates together with fan 52 and drive gear 513. As a result, air flows into main housing 2 through intake port 202. In addition, drive gear 513 rotates crankshaft 61. As eccentric pin 613 revolves around the rotation axis of crankshaft 61, piston 65 fixed to the upper end of connecting rod 63 reciprocates up and down within cylinder 67. As a result, air is repeatedly sucked in and compressed. Note that part of the air that flows into main housing 2 is sucked into compression mechanism 6, and the rest flows around compression mechanism 6 and is discharged from exhaust port 203. The air flowing from intake port 202 to exhaust port 203 functions as cooling air that cools motor 51 and compression mechanism 6.

[0039] The air compressed in the compression chamber 671 (compressed air) is introduced into the hose 7 connected to the outlet 673 and supplied to the object via the chuck 9 or the adapter 90. The control unit 53 of the motor 51 stops driving (energizing) the motor 51 when the trigger 41 is released and the switch 43 is turned off. As described above, in this embodiment, the user can set a target air pressure via the operation buttons 271 and 272. When the control unit 53 of the motor 51 receives a specific signal from the control unit of the operation unit 27 indicating that the actual air pressure detected by the pressure sensor 69 has reached the target air pressure, the control unit 53 stops driving the motor 51 even if the switch 43 is turned on. In other words, the control unit 53 of the motor 51 is configured to stop driving the motor 51 when the switch 43 is turned off or when the actual air pressure has reached the target air pressure.

[0040] As described above, the air pump 1 of this embodiment is a so-called tabletop air pump, suitable for use with the underside 31 of the leg 3 placed on the support surface P. The grip portion 4 extends substantially parallel to the underside 31, so that when the air pump 1 is placed on the support surface P, it is substantially parallel to the support surface P. This allows the user to hold the grip portion 4 in a natural position that reduces strain on the wrist. Furthermore, in the air pump 1, the compression mechanism 6 discharges compressed air in response to the pulling of the trigger 41 (the ON state of the switch 43). This allows the user to easily adjust the amount of compressed air supplied by pulling the trigger 41 while checking the status of the object (e.g., the inflation level of the object, the actual air pressure displayed on the display 275, etc.). In other words, the user simply pulls the trigger 41 to start the supply of compressed air to the object, and then releases the trigger 41 when it determines that an appropriate amount of compressed air has been supplied to the object. Thus, according to this aspect, a portable air pump with excellent operability is provided that can be used to supply compressed air to multiple types of objects.

[0041] Furthermore, with the air pump 1 of this embodiment, the user can set a desired target air pressure via the operating unit 27. When the compressed air pressure detected by the pressure sensor 69 reaches the target air pressure, the control unit 53 of the motor 51 stops driving the motor 51 regardless of whether the trigger 41 is pulled (even if the switch 43 is on). Therefore, when using the air pump 1 for automobile tires, an appropriate target air pressure can be set so that the driving of the motor 51 is automatically stopped. On the other hand, when using the air pump 1 for bicycle tires, balls, or leisure equipment, for example, the user can set the target air pressure higher than necessary and adjust the amount of compressed air supplied by pulling and releasing the trigger 41. Thus, with the air pump 1 of this embodiment, the user can select how to drive and stop the motor 51 depending on the object being pumped, improving convenience.

[0042] In this embodiment, the grip portion 4 extends above and opposite the base portion 21, which houses the motor 51. Because the base portion 21, which houses the relatively heavy motor 51, is located below the grip portion 4, stability of the air pump 1 can be improved when placed on a support surface P. Furthermore, the compression mechanism 6 and battery attachment portion 251, which are heavy components other than the motor 51, are also located below the grip portion 4. This arrangement allows the center of gravity of the air pump 1, when the battery 8 is attached, to be lower than the grip portion 4, further improving stability during use. Furthermore, with the air pump 1 of this embodiment, the user can grasp the grip portion 4, which extends generally parallel to the support surface P, and operate the air pump 1 while applying downward force. This usage mode further improves stability during use of the air pump 1.

[0043] In this embodiment, the battery attachment section 251 is configured so that the battery 8 is attached by sliding it downward relative to the battery attachment section 251, and is removed by sliding it upward relative to the battery attachment section 251. Therefore, even when the air pump 1 is placed on the placement surface P, the user can easily attach and detach the battery 8. Furthermore, the opening 201 serving as an attachment port for the hose 7 and the battery attachment section 251 are located on opposite sides of the grip section 4 in the front-to-rear direction (i.e., on the front and rear sides). Therefore, even when the hose 7 is attached, the user can easily attach and detach the battery 8.

[0044] Furthermore, the hose 7 protrudes forward from the opening 201 substantially parallel to the grip portion 4. Therefore, when the air pump 1 is placed on the placement surface P, the hose 7 protrudes from the opening 201 substantially parallel to the placement surface P. This makes it easy to handle the hose 7, for example, when connecting the hose 7 to an object. Furthermore, because the trigger 41 is provided at the front end of the grip portion 4, the user faces forward of the air pump 1 when pulling the trigger 41. At this time, the hose 7 also protrudes in the same direction, making it easy to perform operations while looking at the hose 7 and the object connected via the hose 7.

[0045] Furthermore, the base end of hose 7 exposed to the outside of main body housing 2 through opening 201 is covered with cover member 75. Therefore, cover member 75 can prevent the base end of hose 7 from bending and becoming prone to deterioration. As described above, the compression mechanism 6 is effectively cooled by the cooling air that flows from intake port 202 into main body housing 2 and reaches exhaust port 203, but the temperature of the compressed air is higher at the base end of hose 7, which is closer to discharge port 673, than at the tip end of hose 7. Therefore, cover member 75 can also function to prevent the user from directly touching the base end of hose 7.

[0046] The above-described embodiment is merely illustrative, and the air pump according to the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the illustrated air pump 1. For example, the following modifications can be made. Note that any one or more of these modifications can be adopted in combination with the air pump 1 shown in the embodiment or the invention described in each claim.

[0047] For example, the shapes of the main body housing 2, the legs 3, and the grip portion 4 may be modified as appropriate. For example, the main body housing 2, the legs 3, and the grip portion 4 do not need to be integrally formed, but may be formed separately and connected to each other. The legs 3 have a lower surface that is placed on the placement surface P, and as long as they are capable of supporting the main body housing 2, they do not need to be distinguishable from the main body housing 2 as illustrated in the above embodiment. For example, the lower end of the main body housing 2 may constitute the legs. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the legs 3 are provided with elastic members 33 having lower surfaces 31 to provide anti-slip and cushioning, but the elastic members 33 may be omitted, and the lower surfaces of the legs 3 may be placed on the placement surface P.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the trigger 41 is used as the operating member for driving the motor 51. However, instead of the trigger 41, for example, a momentary push button switch (a switch that is on only while being pressed) may be used. In this case, the push button switch is preferably provided, for example, on the upper part of the grip portion 4 so that it can be pressed with the palm or thumb of the user while holding the grip portion 4. In particular, if it can be pressed with the palm of the hand, simply by holding the grip portion 4 while applying a downward force, the motor 51 can be driven, and the stability of the air pump 1 during use can be further improved.

[0049] Furthermore, the configurations and positions of the motor 51, compression mechanism 6, and battery mounting section 251 may be changed as appropriate. For example, a brushless motor may be used for the motor 51. The type of compression mechanism 6 is not limited to the reciprocating type exemplified in the above embodiment, and may be, for example, a scroll type. The battery mounting section 251 may be configured so that the battery 8 can be attached and detached by sliding it left and right.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the hose 7 is assembled to the main housing 2 with one end connected to the compression mechanism 6 via the opening 201. However, the hose 7 may be detachable from the main housing 2 and the compression mechanism 6. The cover member 75 of the hose 7 may be configured to completely cover the base end of the hose 7, rather than being spiral with a gap.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the air pump 1 has an operation unit 27 for setting the target air pressure, and the driving of the motor 51 may be stopped based on the target air pressure and the actual air pressure. However, such control is not necessarily required. That is, the driving of the motor 51 may be stopped only in response to the release of the trigger 41 (i.e., the switching of the switch 43 to the OFF state). In this case, the operation unit 27 and the pressure sensor 69 may be omitted. Alternatively, only the air pressure detected by the pressure sensor 69 may be displayed on the display 275. Also, the operation unit 27 may be configured to select between a first mode in which the driving of the motor 51 is stopped only in response to the release of the trigger 41, and a second mode in which the driving of the motor 51 is stopped in response to the release of the trigger 41 or based on the target air pressure and the actual air pressure. Also, the operating device for setting the target air pressure is not limited to the push-buttons 271 and 272 and may be, for example, a rotary dial.

[0052] The correspondence between each component of this embodiment and each component of the present invention is shown below. Air pump 1 is an example of an "air pump" of the present invention. Motor 51, motor shaft 511, and rotating shaft A1 are examples of a "motor," "output shaft," and "rotating shaft," respectively, of the present invention. Compression mechanism 6 is an example of a "compression mechanism" of the present invention. Main body housing 2 and base 21 are examples of a "main body housing" and a "motor accommodating section," respectively, of the present invention. Battery mounting section 251 and battery 8 are examples of a "battery mounting section" and a "battery," respectively, of the present invention. Legs 3 (elastic member 33) and lower surface 31 are examples of a "leg" and a "lower surface," respectively, of the present invention. Grip 4 and trigger 41 are examples of a "grip" and a "operating member," respectively, of the present invention. Opening 201, hose 7, and cover member 75 are examples of an "attachment port," "hose," and a "cover member," respectively, of the present invention.

[0053] Furthermore, in consideration of the spirit of the present invention and the above-described embodiments, the following aspects are devised. The following aspects can be adopted in combination with the air pump 1 shown in the embodiment, the above-described modifications, or the inventions described in the claims. [Aspect 1] The operating member is configured so that a user can pull or press the operating member with their fingers while holding the grip portion. [Aspect 2] a control unit configured to control the driving of the motor; The control unit is configured to drive the motor only while the operating member is being pulled or pressed. [Aspect 3] the compression mechanism has a discharge port for discharging compressed air, The discharge port faces the attachment port in the extending direction of the grip portion. [Aspect 4] The compression mechanism and the battery mounting portion are disposed on the rotation axis of the output shaft. [Aspect 5] When the battery is attached to the battery attachment portion, the center of gravity of the air pump is located below the grip portion. [Aspect 6] a setting operation unit for setting a target air pressure; a pressure sensor configured to detect the pressure of the air compressed by the compression mechanism; a control unit configured to control the driving of the motor, The control unit is configured to stop driving the motor when the operation of the operating member is released or when the air pressure detected by the pressure sensor reaches the target air pressure set via the setting operation unit. The operation unit 27 (operation buttons 271, 272) is an example of a "setting operation unit" in this embodiment. The pressure sensor 69 is an example of a "pressure sensor" in this embodiment. The control unit 53 of the motor 51 is an example of a "control unit" in this embodiment. [Aspect 7] When the extending direction of the grip portion is defined as a front-rear direction, the operating member is disposed at a front end portion of the grip portion, The attachment opening is provided at the front end of the main body housing. [Aspect 8] The operating member and the setting operation unit are disposed at positions where they can be operated by the index finger and thumb, respectively, when the user is holding the grip unit. [Aspect 9] The hose is configured to be selectively connectable to a plurality of types of objects via a detachable adapter. The adapter 90 is an example of the "adapter" in this embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1: Air pump 2: Main body housing 201:Aperture 202: Air intake 203: Exhaust port 207: Power switch 209: Hose holder 21: Base section 23: Front extension part 25: Posterior extension part 251: Battery mounting section 253: Adapter holder 27:Operation section 271: Operation button 272: Operation button 275: Display 3: Legs 31: Bottom surface 33: Elastic member 4: Grip section 41: Trigger 43: Switch 45: Switch 51: Motor 511: Motor shaft 513: Drive gear 52: Fan 53: Control unit 6: Compression mechanism 61: Crankshaft 611: Crank disc 613: Eccentric pin 63: Connecting rod 65: Piston 67: Cylinder 671: Compression chamber 673:Discharge port 69: Pressure sensor 7: Hose 70: Connector 75: Cover material 8: Battery 9: Zipper 901: Lever 90: Adapter 91: Bicycle tire adapter 910: Chain 92: Ball adapter 93: Leisure equipment adapter A1: Rotation axis P: Placement surface

Claims

1. A portable air pump, A motor; a compression mechanism driven by the motor and configured to compress and discharge air; a main body housing that houses the motor and the compression mechanism, and that has a battery mounting section to which a battery that serves as a power source for the motor can be attached and detached, and an attachment port for a hose for guiding compressed air discharged from the compression mechanism to an object; a leg portion protruding from the main body housing, the leg portion having a lower surface and supporting the main body housing with the lower surface placed on a mounting surface; a grip portion connected to the main body housing; an operation unit including a display that displays the air pressure of the air pump and an operation button that can be pressed to set a target value for the air pressure; the main body housing includes a long motor accommodating portion that accommodates the motor, a direction perpendicular to the lower surface of the leg defines an up-down direction of the air pump; a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and corresponding to the extension direction of the motor housing portion defines a front-rear direction of the air pump; The leg portion is a front leg portion protruding downward from the main body housing; a rear leg portion that protrudes downward from the main body housing and is positioned rearward of the front leg portion, the grip portion extends above the motor housing portion and faces the motor housing portion, at least one of at least a portion of the compression mechanism and at least a portion of the motor is disposed so as to overlap a first region formed by an upward extension of the lower surface of the front leg when the air pump is viewed from the side; the battery mounting portion includes a pair of guide rails slidably engageable with a pair of guide grooves provided on the battery, a hook engaging portion engageable with a hook provided on the battery, and a terminal electrically connectable to a terminal provided on the battery, When the air pump is viewed from the side, at least a portion of the battery mounting portion overlaps with a second region that is an upward extension of the lower surface of the rear leg portion; the grip portion is disposed between the first region and the second region, An air pump characterized in that the operating portion is located at the upper end of the main body housing, overlapping with the first area or the second area, when the air pump is viewed from the side.

2. 2. The air pump according to claim 1, An air pump, characterized in that at least a part of the compression mechanism and at least a part of the motor are arranged to overlap with the first region when the air pump is viewed from the side.

3. 3. The air pump according to claim 1 or 2, the hose, one end of which is connected to the compression mechanism via the attachment port; The air pump further comprises a cover member for covering a base end of the hose exposed to the outside of the main housing through the attachment port.

4. An air pump according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The grip portion extends substantially parallel to the lower surface of the leg portion.

5. An air pump according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The air pump is characterized in that at least one of an intake port and an exhaust port is provided on a side surface of the main body housing.

6. 6. The air pump according to claim 5, An air pump characterized in that at least one of the intake port and the exhaust port is located between the grip portion and the leg portion in the vertical direction when the air pump is viewed from the side.

7. 7. The air pump according to claim 5 or 6, The air pump is characterized in that the air intake is provided adjacent to the battery mounting portion.

8. An air pump according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The air pump is characterized in that the grip portion is arranged approximately parallel to the rotation axis of the output shaft of the motor.

9. An air pump according to any one of claims 1 to 8, An air pump, wherein the motor and the battery attachment portion are disposed below the grip portion.

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