Air compressor structure

Abstract

To provide an air compressor structure having a cylinder, a piston, a cover, and a backflow prevention piece.SOLUTION: A cylinder includes a plurality of air holes. A piston is coupled in the cylinder in a reciprocating manner. A cover is attached to the cylinder. The cover includes a pressing pillar. An inner space of the cylinder and an inner space of the cover are in communication with each other through the air holes. A backflow prevention piece is provided in a movable manner between the cylinder and the cover. When the piston makes a first stroke, the piston moves closer to the air holes to compress the air in the cylinder. The compressed air passes through the air holes, thereafter pushes up the backflow prevention piece, and flows into the cover. When the piston makes a second stroke, a vacuum is formed inside the cylinder at the moment the piston moves away from the air holes. The backflow prevention piece is driven by the vacuum and the compressed air to cover and seal the air holes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air compressor structure.

Background Art

[0002] The main structure of an air compressor is to use a motor to drive a piston, perform a reciprocating compression operation in a cylinder, and fill the compressed air into an object to be inflated connected thereto.

[0003] In the air flow path of the above air compressor, usually, a rubber stopper is arranged in combination with a spring, and the rubber stopper is driven by the elastic force of the spring to close the flow path, or the rubber stopper is driven by the compressed air to overcome the elastic force of the spring to open the flow path, thereby using it as a check valve. However, in actual operation, due to limitations by the elastic force of the spring and the hardness of the rubber stopper, it often cannot completely close the flow path. Also, there are cases where the elastic force of the spring is too strong and the flow path cannot be opened, or situations where the spring becomes fatigued as the usage time increases.

[0004] Therefore, how to propose improvement measures to address the above problems is an issue that relevant technicians need to consider.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present invention provides an air compressor structure that provides a check valve function for the flow path through a simple combination of members.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The air compressor structure of the present invention comprises a cylinder, a piston, a lid, and a backflow prevention piece. The cylinder has a plurality of air holes. The piston is reciprocally coupled within the cylinder. The lid is assembled to the cylinder. The lid has a pressing column. The internal space of the cylinder and the internal space of the lid are in communication with each other through the air holes. The backflow prevention piece is movably positioned between the cylinder and the lid. When the piston makes a first stroke, the piston approaches the air holes, compressing the air inside the cylinder. After passing through the air holes, the compressed air pushes up the backflow prevention piece and flows into the lid. When the piston makes a second stroke, a vacuum is formed inside the cylinder at the moment the piston moves away from the air holes. The backflow prevention piece is driven by the vacuum and compressed air to cover and seal the air holes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] Based on the above, the air compressor structure of the present invention, by assembling a lid to a cylinder, transmits the compressed air to the lid through multiple air holes in the cylinder after the piston has compressed the air in the cylinder. Furthermore, the air compressor structure further includes a backflow prevention piece movably positioned between the lid and the cylinder, which can be pushed up by the airflow or seal the air holes, and by further combining this with the reciprocating motion of the piston within the cylinder, it achieves the function of gas passage or backflow prevention.

[0008] More specifically, when the piston makes its first stroke (forward stroke), it compresses the air inside the cylinder and transmits the compressed air to the lid through the air vent. At this time, the compressed air also drives the backflow prevention piece, pushing it upward against the air vent so that the compressed air flows smoothly into the lid. Conversely, when the piston makes its second stroke (return stroke), a vacuum is formed inside the cylinder at the moment the piston moves away from the air vent. At this time, since the compressed air is still present in the lid, the vacuum and the compressed air create a pressure difference with respect to the backflow prevention piece, driving the backflow prevention piece to cover and seal the air vent. Thus, the movable backflow prevention piece can perform corresponding movements by combining the movement of the piston and the resulting compressed air or vacuum, thereby achieving the desired backflow prevention function. Compared with backflow prevention valves in the prior art, the backflow prevention piece of the present invention undoubtedly achieves the desired needs with a simple structure, achieves the effect of simplifying components, and solves the aforementioned problems of the related prior art. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of an air compressor structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an exploded view illustrating some of the components of an air compressor structure. [Figure 3] This is an exploded view illustrating some of the components of an air compressor structure from a different perspective. [Figure 4] This is a local cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of an air compressor from a three-dimensional perspective. [Figure 5] This is a local cross-sectional view of the air compressor structure. [Figure 6] This is a local cross-sectional view of the air compressor structure. [Figure 7A] This is a local cross-sectional view of an air compressor structure according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7B] This is a local cross-sectional view of an air compressor structure according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8]This is a local cross-sectional view of an air compressor structure according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an air compressor structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figures 2 and 3 are exploded views illustrating some components of the air compressor structure from different viewpoints. Here, for the convenience of describing the components, Cartesian coordinates XYZ are provided simultaneously. Referring simultaneously to Figures 1 to 3, in this embodiment, the air compressor structure 100 includes a cylinder 110, a piston 130, a cover 120, a transmission mechanism 140, a backflow prevention piece 180, a motor 150, an air reservoir 160, and a pressure gauge 170. Here, the transmission mechanism 140 is connected between the bottom end of the piston 130 and the motor 150, the bottom end of the piston 130 is connected to the transmission mechanism 140, and the upper end of the piston 130 is movably coupled inside the cylinder 110, so that after receiving power, the motor 150 can drive the piston 130 via the transmission mechanism 140 to reciprocate inside the cylinder 110, thereby compressing the air inside the cylinder 110. Alternatively, when the piston 130 separates from the lid 120, air from the external environment can be introduced into the cylinder 110 to replenish it.

[0011] Figure 4 is a local cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the air compressor from a three-dimensional perspective. Referring to Figures 2 through 4, more specifically, the cylinder 110 comprises a cylindrical body 111, a plurality of protrusions 112 surrounding the cylindrical surface of the body 111, and a partition wall 115 that separates the internal space of the lid 120 from the internal space of the cylinder 110. The partition wall 115 has a plurality of air holes 113 and is arranged annularly with respect to the central axis CX of the body 111. As shown in Figure 3, the inner wall of the lid 120 has a plurality of slots 122, and the lid 120 further has a pressing column 121 located in the central part of the interior and an air storage channel 123 corresponding to the interior space, thereby allowing the interior space of the lid 120 to communicate with the air reservoir 160 via the air storage channel 123. Therefore, the protrusion 112 and the slot 122 fit together, so that the lid 120 is assembled to the body 111 of the cylinder 110, and the internal space of the lid 120 is adjacent to the internal space of the cylinder 110 via the partition wall 115, and the two internal spaces are in communication through the air hole 113.

[0012] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the air reservoir 160 is equipped with an air outlet 161 for connecting an object to be inflated, such as a tire (not shown), and a pressure gauge 170 is located inside it to inform the user of the air pressure in the air reservoir 160. Simply put, when the piston 130 is driven and performs a reciprocating stroke within the cylinder 110, compressed air is continuously generated and passed sequentially from the internal space of the cylinder 110 to the internal space of the lid 120, the air storage channel 123, and the air reservoir 160, and then transmitted to the object to be inflated from the air outlet 161, thereby filling the object with air.

[0013] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the backflow prevention piece 180 of this embodiment is positioned between the cylinder 110 and the lid 120, and the backflow prevention piece 180 has a bowl-shaped contour such that the pressing column 121 of the lid 120 corresponds to the inner bottom 184 of the bowl of the backflow prevention piece 180. The backflow prevention piece 180 further has two annular ribs facing the cylinder 110 with the same central axis CX, which are divided into an outer annular rib 182 and an inner annular rib 181, each of which abuts against the partition wall 115 of the cylinder 110, thereby reducing the contact area between the bowl-shaped contour and the partition wall 115. In short, the backflow prevention piece 180 in this embodiment has an upper surface (inner bottom 184 of the bowl) and a bottom surface that face each other, the upper surface is flat so as to be pressed by the pressing column 121, and the annular ribs are located on the bottom surface and abut against the partition wall 115. Furthermore, the cylinder 110 further has a position limiting ring 114 extending from the partition wall 115, and the bowl edge 183 of the bowl-shaped contour abuts against the inner ring wall of the position limiting ring 114.

[0014] Figures 5 and 6 are local cross-sectional views of the air compressor structure, respectively. Referring to Figures 5 and 6 together, in this embodiment, the backflow prevention piece 180 covers the air hole 113 of the partition wall 115, so the backflow prevention piece 180 can move between the pressing column 121 and the partition wall 115 (along the Z axis) under the influence of the airflow. The details are as follows, where the airflow path is indicated by a dashed arrow.

[0015] As shown in Figure 5, here the piston 130 performs a first stroke (forward stroke), that is, moves the upper end of the piston 130 toward the partition wall 115, compressing the air between the original piston 130 and the partition wall 115, and transmitting the compressed air from the internal space of the cylinder 110 to the internal space of the lid 120 via the air hole 113. At this time, the compressed air can push up the backflow prevention piece 180, the inner bottom 184 of the bowl of the backflow prevention piece 180 comes into contact with the pressing column 121, and the bowl edge 183 also moves away from the inner ring wall of the position limiting ring 114 (shown in Figure 4) due to the drive of the compressed air, so that the compressed air can flow smoothly into the internal space of the lid 120.

[0016] As shown in Figure 6, when the piston 130 makes its second stroke (return stroke), a vacuum is formed inside the cylinder 110 at the moment the upper end of the piston 130 separates from the air hole 113. At this time, the backflow prevention piece 180 is driven by the vacuum and the compressed air (located in the internal space of the lid 120) to move in the negative Z-axis direction, contacting the partition wall 115 and covering the air hole 113, and the bowl edge 183 contacts the inner ring wall of the position limiting ring 114 (shown in Figure 4). Simultaneously, the upper end of the piston 130, separating from the partition wall 115, forms a gap G3 between it and the inner wall of the cylinder 110, allowing external air to flow into the cylinder 110, so that when the piston 130 makes its next first stroke, compressed air can be drawn into the cylinder 110.

[0017] As shown in Figure 2, the air vent 113 in this embodiment is arranged in an annular shape with respect to the central axis CX, and as shown in Figure 5 or 6, the orthographic projection of the air vent 113 on the backflow prevention piece 180 is located between the two annular ribs (outer annular rib 182 and inner annular rib 181). This reduces the contact area between the bottom surface of the backflow prevention piece 180 and the partition wall 115 via the outer annular rib 182 and inner annular rib 181, facilitating the compressed air passing through the air vent 113 to smoothly push up the backflow prevention piece 180. Furthermore, when the piston 130 makes a second stroke, the vacuum and the compressed air in the lid 120 push the backflow prevention piece 180 back by the compressed air in the lid 120, and the outer annular rib 182 closes the space between the air vent 113 and the internal space of the lid 120. At the same time, the bowl edge 183 again contacts the inner ring wall of the position limiting ring 114, and together with the outer annular rib 182, provides the necessary backflow prevention function (preventing compressed air from the lid portion 120 from flowing back into the cylinder 110).

[0018] Referring further to FIGS. 5 and 6, in the air compression mechanism 100 in the present embodiment, the piston 130 has an opening 131 and an intake closing piece 190. The intake closing piece 190 elastically deformably covers the opening 131 to open and close the opening 131. As shown in FIG. 6, when the piston 130 performs the second stroke, the intake closing piece 190 is pushed up by the air in the vacuum from the external environment, and the air enters the cylinder 110 through the opening 131. As shown in FIG. 5, when the piston 130 performs the first stroke, the intake closing piece 190 returns to close the opening 131. Here, the intake closing piece 190 is fixed to the upper part of the piston 130 through the fixing member 132b. The other side that is not fixed maintains a free state so that it can smoothly open and close the opening 131 under the drive of the air flow. At the same time, a stopper 132a is further arranged on the upper part of the piston 130. When the piston 130 performs the second stroke, it provides a stopper function to the opened intake closing piece 190 to prevent the intake closing piece 190 from being excessively deformed, and when the piston 130 performs the first stroke, the intake closing piece 190 can smoothly return.

[0019] FIG. 7A is a partial cross-sectional view of an air compression mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7B is a partial cross-sectional view of an air compression mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the piston 130 is in a different state as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The backflow prevention piece 280 in the present embodiment includes a position limiting ring 281, an inner annular rib 181, an outer annular rib 182, a bowl edge 183 and a recess 282. The inner annular rib 181, the outer annular rib 182 and the bowl edge 183 have been described in the previous embodiment, so the description will not be repeated here. The position limiting ring 281 extends and protrudes from the inner bottom 184 of the bowl and is movably connected corresponding to the pressing column 121. When the backflow prevention piece 280 moves along the Z-axis like the previous backflow prevention piece 180, the pressing column 121 can maintain the connection relationship with the position limiting ring 281, and the pressing column 121 provides an effect of limiting the position of the backflow prevention piece 280 in the X-Y plane.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of an air compression mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 8 and further comparing it with FIG. 7A or FIG. 7B, in this embodiment, the backflow prevention piece 380 includes a position limiting ring 381, an inner annular rib 382, an outer annular rib 383, and a bowl edge 384. At the same time, the inner annular rib 382 further forms a recess 385 on the outer bottom of the bowl. Here, the position limiting ring 381, the inner annular rib 382, the outer annular rib 383, and the bowl edge 384 have the same functions as those in the foregoing embodiment (the position limiting ring 281, the inner annular rib 181, the outer annular rib 182, and the bowl edge 183). In addition, the backflow prevention piece 380 further improves the structural strength of the backflow prevention piece 380 by increasing the structural thickness, structural width, and undulations of the contour, thereby improving the durability of the backflow prevention piece 380. Forming the recess 385 is also a means to reduce the contact area between the backflow prevention piece 380 and the partition wall 115 according to the increase in the above-mentioned structural thickness and width, so that the backflow prevention piece 380 can still drive the compressed air smoothly. Also, compared with the presence of a step between the bowl edge 183 and the outer annular rib 182 in the backflow prevention piece 280 to form a recess 282 (the backflow prevention piece 180 is the same), the annular rib (outer annular rib 383) in this embodiment is flush with the bowl edge 384. The purpose is also the same, which is to improve the structural strength of the backflow prevention piece 380 on the premise that the outer annular rib 383 can smoothly complete the functions as in the foregoing embodiment.

[0021] In summary, in the above embodiments of the present invention, the air compression mechanism combines a movable backflow prevention piece with the pressing column of the lid body, so that the backflow prevention piece can be opened and closed with respect to the air holes under the influence of the air flow. When it is opened, it allows the compressed air to pass through, and when it is closed, it seals the air holes, achieving the desired backflow prevention function.

[0022] More specifically, when the piston makes its first stroke (forward stroke), it compresses the air inside the cylinder and transmits the compressed air to the lid through the air vent. At this time, the compressed air also drives the backflow prevention piece. An annular rib is positioned on the bottom surface of the backflow prevention piece, which reduces the contact area between the backflow prevention piece and the partition wall. Therefore, the compressed air can smoothly push up the backflow prevention piece and transmit it into the internal space of the lid, at which point the backflow prevention piece moves upward and stops against the pressing column of the lid.

[0023] Conversely, when the piston performs its second stroke (return stroke), a vacuum is formed inside the cylinder at the moment the piston separates from the air vent. At this time, since compressed air is still present in the lid portion, the vacuum creates a pressure difference with respect to the backflow prevention piece, driving the backflow prevention piece back to a position that covers and seals the air vent. The backflow prevention piece contacts the cylinder's position limiting ring with its bowl edge and the partition wall with its annular rib, thereby retaining the compressed air in the lid portion and preventing the compressed air from flowing back into the cylinder. At the same time, air from the external environment also flows into the cylinder through the piston opening and the gap between the piston and the cylinder wall due to the vacuum, providing the piston with air for the next first stroke.

[0024] Therefore, the movable backflow prevention piece can perform corresponding movements by combining the motion of the piston and the resulting compressed air or vacuum, thereby achieving the desired flow of compressed air or backflow prevention function. Compared to conventional backflow prevention valves, the backflow prevention piece of the present invention significantly achieves the effect of simplifying the components while simultaneously overcoming the related problems faced by conventional backflow prevention valves. [Industrial applicability]

[0025] The air compressor structure of the present invention can be applied to air compressor equipment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0026] 100: Air compressor structure 110: Cylinder 111: Main unit 112: Convex part 113: Air vent 114: Location restriction ring 115: Bulkhead 120: Lid 121: Pressing column 122: Slot 123: Air storage channel 130: Piston 131:Aperture 132a: Stopper 132b: Fixing member 140: Transmission mechanism 150: Motor 160: Air reservoir 161: Air outlet 170: Pressure gauge 180, 280, 380: Backflow prevention piece 181, 382: Inner annular rib 182, 383: Outer annular rib 183, 384: Bowl edge 184: Bottom of the bowl 190: Inspiratory obstruction piece 281, 381: Location restriction ring 282, 385: Recess CX: Central axis G3: Gap XYZ: Cartesian coordinates

Claims

1. A cylinder having multiple air holes, A piston is reciprocally coupled within the cylinder, A lid to be assembled to the cylinder, wherein the lid has a pressing column, and the internal space of the cylinder and the internal space of the lid are in communication with each other through the plurality of air holes, A backflow prevention piece is movably disposed between the cylinder and the lid, Equipped with, When the piston makes its first stroke, the piston approaches the plurality of air holes, compressing the air inside the cylinder, and the compressed air, after passing through the plurality of air holes, pushes up the backflow prevention piece and flows into the lid. When the piston makes a second stroke, a vacuum is formed in the cylinder at the moment the piston moves away from the plurality of air holes, and the backflow prevention piece is driven by the vacuum and the compressed air located in the lid to cover and seal the plurality of air holes, the backflow prevention piece has a bowl-shaped contour, the cylinder further has a partition and a position limiting ring extending from the partition, the bowl edge of the bowl-shaped contour abuts against the inner ring wall of the position limiting ring, the pressing column is fitted to abut against the inner bottom of the bowl of the bowl-shaped contour, and the partition has the plurality of air holes. Air compressor structure.

2. The backflow prevention piece has two annular ribs facing the cylinder and having the same central axis, and abuts against the partition wall of the cylinder, and the partition wall has the plurality of air holes. The air compressor structure according to claim 1.

3. The plurality of air holes are arranged in an annular shape, and the orthogonal projection of the plurality of air holes in the backflow prevention piece is located between the two annular ribs. The air compressor structure according to claim 2.

4. The backflow prevention piece has an upper and lower surface facing each other, the two annular ribs are located on the lower surface, and the pressing column is fitted to abut against the upper surface. The air compressor structure according to claim 2.

5. The backflow prevention piece has at least one annular rib located at the outer bottom of the bowl-shaped contour, and the outer surface of the annular rib is flush with the outer surface of the bowl edge. The air compressor structure according to claim 1.

6. The backflow prevention piece has at least one annular rib located at the outer bottom of the bowl-shaped contour, and a step exists between the outer surface of the annular rib and the outer surface of the bowl edge, forming a recess. The air compressor structure according to claim 1.

7. The backflow prevention piece has a position limiting ring and is movably connected to the pressing column, the pressing column limiting the position of the backflow prevention piece. The air compressor structure according to claim 1.

8. The piston has an opening and an intake occlusion piece, the intake occlusion piece is elastically deformable to cover the opening and open and close the opening, when the piston makes the second stroke, the intake occlusion piece is pushed up by the vacuum, allowing air from the external environment to enter the cylinder through the opening, and when the piston makes the first stroke, the intake occlusion piece returns to its original position to close the opening. The air compressor structure according to claim 1.

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