Emergency roadside repair system, and mounting method

Abstract

An emergency roadside repair system (1) for inflating a vehicle tire has a compressor (100) which is designed to apply pressure to a tire sealant and air, wherein the compressor (100) has a crankcase (110) and a cylinder housing (120) which are connected to one another by means of a first connection (130) and a second connection (140), wherein - the first connection (130) is formed by means of a projection (131) on the crankcase (110) or the cylinder housing (120) and a set-back region (132, 133) on the other of either the crankcase (110) or the cylinder housing (120), the projection (131) engaging the set-back region (132, 133) and - the second connection (140) is a screwed connection (141). A method for mounting a compressor is also proposed.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Breakdown assistance system and method for mounting

[0003] The application relates to a breakdown assistance system for inflating a vehicle tire, in particular for a motor vehicle.

[0004] The application also relates to a method for assembling a compressor of a breakdown assistance system. In particular, the method relates to assembling the compressor of the breakdown assistance system described here.

[0005] A breakdown assistance system is used, for example, in a motor vehicle to enable the tire to be sealed and inflated in the event of a tire puncture.

[0006] It is desirable to provide a roadside assistance system that enables reliable operation. It is desirable to provide a method for mounting a compressor of a roadside assistance system that is easy to implement.

[0007] A breakdown assistance system for inflating a vehicle tire is specified. The breakdown assistance system includes a compressor. Furthermore, a method for mounting a compressor of a breakdown assistance system for inflating a vehicle tire is specified, in particular for mounting the compressor of the breakdown assistance system described here.

[0008] The compressor is designed to pressurize tire sealant. The compressor is also designed to pressurize air. Using the breakdown assistance system's compressor, it is thus possible to pump tire sealant and / or air into the vehicle tires.

[0009] The compressor has a crankcase. The compressor has a cylinder housing. The crankcase and the cylinder housing are connected to one another by a first connection. The crankcase and the cylinder housing are connected to one another by a second connection. The first connection is formed by a projection and a recessed area. The projection is formed, for example, on the crankcase and the recessed area on the cylinder housing. Alternatively, it is also possible for the projection to be formed on the cylinder housing and the recessed area on the crankcase. The projection engages in the recessed area. For example, a positive connection is formed in this way.

[0010] The second connection is formed by a screw connection. For example, an additional retaining element, such as a screw, is used to form the screw connection of the second connection. The screw connection is designed to fasten the crankcase and the cylinder housing together.

[0011] The crankcase, for example, at least partially surrounds a drive shaft of the compressor. The drive shaft is coupled, for example, to a piston. Rotation of the drive shaft causes the piston to move up and down within the cylinder housing. The sealing agent and / or the air can be pressurized by means of the piston's up and down movement relative to the cylinder housing.

[0012] The cylinder housing and the crankcase are attached to one another and fixed immovably relative to one another. During operation, comparatively large forces can occur because the sealant has to be pumped into the vehicle tire through the tire valve. When pumping sealant, for example, pressures between 4 and 5 bar are reached. For example, a maximum pressure that occurs during operation is up to 9 bar. Therefore, the attachment of the crankcase and the cylinder housing to one another must be stable enough to be able to absorb the forces that occur during operation. Since the first connection is formed by means of the recessed area and the projection, which is in particular an integral part of the crankcase or the cylinder housing, the first connection can reliably withstand high forces. For example, the crankcase and the cylinder housing are manufactured using an injection molding process.The recessed area can be manufactured as an undercut using the injection molding process. The projection can be inserted into the recessed area as a counterpart. The second connection serves, for example, to prevent the projection from slipping out of the recessed area. Due to the stable first attachment, it is possible to form the second connection with fewer screw connections than with conventional compressors, which do not have a first connection and are formed solely with screw connections.

[0013] The breakdown assistance system with the compressor, in which the crankcase and the cylinder housing are coupled together by means of the first connection and the second connection, can be implemented cost-effectively because, for example, fewer screws are required than conventionally, resulting in lower material costs. Furthermore, time is saved during assembly because pushing the recessed area and the projection together is faster than screwing in screws. Furthermore, risks during assembly can be reduced, such as incorrect tightening torque of a screw and / or a screw becoming loose and falling into the mechanism. Furthermore, the cylinder housing and the crankcase are coupled together sufficiently securely because the first connection and the second connection reliably withstand the forces occurring during operation.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the cylinder housing extends along a longitudinal direction. In particular, the piston in the cylinder housing moves linearly along the longitudinal direction relative to the cylinder housing during operation. The first connection and the second connection are arranged opposite one another in a plane. The plane is oriented transversely to the longitudinal direction. In particular, the plane is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The opposite arrangement in the plane enables simple and reliable assembly. The projection can be inserted into the recessed area and subsequently fixed to the spaced-apart, oppositely arranged second connection by means of the screw connection. This prevents unintentional release of the first connection due to the projection slipping out of the recessed area.

[0015] According to one embodiment, by means of the first connection and the second

[0016] Connection a position coding designed for the relative orientation of the

[0017] Crankcase and cylinder housing relative to each other. During assembly, the desired relative orientation of the crankcase and cylinder housing relative to each other can be specified by the arrangement, in particular of the recessed area and the projection. Assembly in an undesired relative orientation is avoidable, since in this undesired relative orientation, for example, the first connection and / or the second connection cannot be formed.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the cylinder housing has a flange that is in contact with the crankcase. The projection is formed on the flange. The flange also has a recess for the screw connection. The flange thus enables a reliable coupling of the cylinder housing to the crankcase. For example, the position coding is designed such that the region of the flange where the recess for the screw connection is arranged cannot be inserted into the recessed region. Only the region of the flange where the projection is formed can be inserted into the recessed region.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the first connection blocks relative movement between the crankcase and the cylinder housing along two directions. Relative movement in a further direction is permitted by the first connection. For example, the relative movement along the further direction is blocked by the second connection.

[0020] The first connection allows, when the second connection is released, the projection to be pushed out of the recessed area in the further direction. The first connection blocks relative movement along a direction transverse to the further direction. Furthermore, the first connection blocks movement along the longitudinal direction. The recessed area also has, for example, a stop, so that relative movement of the crankcase and the cylinder housing to one another in the opposite direction is blocked after the projection has been pushed into the recessed area and when the desired relative alignment of the crankcase and the cylinder housing to one another has been achieved.The movement in the further direction is blocked by means of the second connection, so that the position of the cylinder housing and the crankcase relative to each other is fixed by means of the first connection and the second connection relative to each other along all three spatial directions.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the connection comprises two separate blocking elements. The blocking elements each encompass an associated corner region of the projection. For example, the blocking elements each have a recessed region formed as an undercut in the crankcase. By arranging the blocking elements so that they encompass the associated corner regions, the blocking of the relative movement along at least two directions is reliably achieved.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the second connection has two screws. In particular, the screw connection is formed by two screws. It is possible to form the screw connection by means of exactly two screws. In particular, no more than two screws are required to reliably connect the crankcase and the cylinder housing. In particular, fewer than four screws are provided, for example, three screws, two screws, or a single screw. Due to the first connection, which is formed by means of the projection and the recessed area, the number of screws can be reduced compared to conventional compressors.

[0023] To mount the compressor, for example, the projection is pushed into the recessed area so that the projection engages in the recessed area. This creates the first connection between the crankcase and the cylinder housing. The screw connection is formed. This creates the second connection between the crankcase and the cylinder housing.

[0024] The method described here is used specifically for assembling the compressor of the breakdown assistance system described here. The features and advantages of the breakdown assistance system and the compressor also apply to the method, and vice versa. The method enables simplified and reliable assembly of the compressor. In particular, assembly is possible in less time than with conventional compressors. Easier automation of the assembly process is feasible.

[0025] Further advantages, features, and refinements are evident from the following examples explained in conjunction with the figures. Identical, similar, and functionally identical elements may be provided with the same reference numerals throughout the figures. The figures and the proportions of the elements depicted in the figures are not to scale.

[0026] They show:

[0027] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a breakdown assistance system according to an embodiment,

[0028] Figures 2 and 3 are schematic representations of a compressor according to an embodiment, and

[0029] Figure 4 is a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment.

[0030] Figure 1 shows a breakdown assistance system 1. The breakdown assistance system 1 is designed for sealing and inflating a vehicle tire. For this purpose, the breakdown assistance system 1 is particularly designed for pumping sealant into the vehicle tire and for inflating the vehicle tire. The breakdown assistance system 1 has a compressor 100 (Figures 2 and 3) for pumping the sealant and air.

[0031] Figures 2 and 3 show the compressor 100 according to one exemplary embodiment. The compressor 100 has a crankcase 110. The crankcase serves, for example, to support a drive shaft for the compressor. For example, an electric motor is provided to drive the compressor 100.

[0032] The compressor 100 has a cylinder housing 120. A piston (not explicitly shown) is linearly displaceable within the cylinder housing 120 along a first direction 151, which can also be referred to as the longitudinal direction. The piston movement can be used to pressurize the sealing agent and / or the air. The piston is coupled, for example, to the drive or drive shaft in the crankcase 110.

[0033] The crankcase 110 and the cylinder housing 120 are fastened to each other by means of a first connection 130 and a second connection 140.

[0034] The crankcase 110 has a blocking element 134, 135 in each of two adjacent corner regions. A recessed region 132 is formed in the blocking element 134. A further recessed region 133 is formed in the further blocking element 135. In particular, the recessed regions 132, 133 are each recessed perpendicular to the first direction 151.

[0035] A projection 131 is formed on the cylinder housing 120, in particular at two adjacent corner regions 137, 138. The projecting corner region 137 is arranged in the recessed region 132 of the blocking element 134. The further corner region 138 is arranged in the further recessed region 133 of the further blocking element 135. Thus, the first connection 130 is formed by means of the recessed regions 132, 133 and the projecting corner regions 137, 138.

[0036] The first connection 130 is designed to block movement of the crankcase 110 and the cylinder housing 120 relative to one another along the first direction 151. Due to the arrangement in the corner regions 137, 138 and the special shape of the recessed regions 132, 133, which surround the corner regions 137, 138 on at least two sides, movement along a second direction 152 is also blocked. The second direction is formed, in particular, perpendicular to the first direction. The two blocking elements 134, 135 are arranged along the second direction 152. Along the second direction 152, the two blocking elements 134, 135 are arranged at a distance from one another. The two blocking elements 134, 135 form, in particular, a stop that blocks movement of the corner regions 137, 138 along the second direction 152.

[0037] In addition, movement counter to a third direction 153 is blocked when the corner regions 137, 138 at the stop are in contact with the blocking elements 134, 135. The third direction 153 is in particular perpendicular to the first direction 151 and perpendicular to the second direction 152. For example, the first connection 130 and the second connection 140 are arranged next to one another along the third direction 143.

[0038] During assembly, it is possible to insert the projection 131, in particular the corner regions 137, 138, counter to the third direction 143, into the recessed regions 132, 133 of the blocking elements 134, 135 until it stops. In a desired target position of the cylinder housing 120 relative to the crankcase 110, movements along the first direction 151, along the second direction 152, and counter to the third direction 153 are blocked by the first connection 130. Pulling the projection 131 out of the recessed regions 132, 133 in the third direction 153 is not blocked by the first connection 130.

[0039] The second connection 140 blocks movement in the third direction 153 when ready for operation.

[0040] The second connection 140 has a screw connection 141, which in the illustrated embodiment is formed with exactly two screws 142. It is also possible to provide only a single screw 142.

[0041] The cylinder housing 120 has a flange 121. For example, the flange 121 extends along a plane 150. Two recesses 122 are formed in the flange 121, which is in particular in direct contact with the crankcase 110. The screws 142 each extend through an associated one of the recesses 122 through the flange 121 of the cylinder housing 120 and are screwed to an associated thread 111 of the crankcase 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the crankcase 110 therefore has exactly two threads 111 for the two screws 142. The second direction 152 and the third direction 153 span the plane 150. For example, the projection 131 and the recesses 122 are arranged at a distance from one another along the plane 150. The first connection 130 is in the plane 150 along the third direction 153 at a distance 136 from the second connection

[0042] 140 arranged.

[0043] The projection 131 is formed, for example, in the two corner regions 137, 138 of the flange 121. The two recesses 122 for the screws 142 are arranged, in particular, in the two other corner regions 139. The flange therefore has a quadrangular, for example square, basic shape.

[0044] Instead of providing, as is conventional, for example, a corresponding screw in each of the four corner areas, i.e., a total of at least four screws, the compressor 100 according to the present disclosure provides the first connection 130, which is designed without a screw connection. The first connection 130 is a plug connection. The screw connection is only present at the second connection 140.

[0045] 141 is provided. The first connection 130 is, in particular, a positive connection in which a positive connection is formed by means of the projection 131 and the recessed areas 132, 133 for the desired blocking of relative movements between the crankcase 110 and the cylinder housing 120.

[0046] Figure 4 shows a flowchart of a method for assembling the compressor 100 according to an embodiment.

[0047] In a method step 201, the corner regions 137, 138 are inserted into the corresponding recessed regions 132, 133, counter to the third direction 143. For example, a coding is specified by means of the first connection 130 and the second connection 140, so that the orientation of the cylinder housing 120 relative to the crankcase 110 can be specified, in particular with respect to a rotation about the first direction 151. For example, the further corner regions 139 cannot be inserted into the recessed regions 132, 133. For example, the corner regions 137, 138 along the second and third directions 152, 153 are thinner than the other corner regions 139. The recessed regions 132, 133 correspond in their extent to the corner regions 137, 138, so that the wider corner regions 139 cannot be inserted into the recessed regions 132, 133.This ensures that during assembly the crankcase 110 and the cylinder housing 120 are assembled together in the intended alignment.

[0048] Subsequently, in a step 202, the second connection 140 is formed by screwing the screws 142 along the first direction 141 through the recesses 122 into the threads 111 of the crankcase 110. The crankcase 110 and the cylinder housing 120 of the compressor 100 are reliably connected to one another by means of the first connection 130 and the second connection 140, particularly with regard to the high mechanical loads during operation. The first connection 130 enables a reduction in the number of necessary screw connections. This simplifies the assembly of the compressor 100. Costs for the compressor 100 and thus for the breakdown assistance system 1 can thus be reduced.

[0049] Reference symbol

[0050] 1 breakdown assistance system

[0051] 100 compressor

[0052] 110 crankcase

[0053] 111 threads

[0054] 120 cylinder housing

[0055] 121 Flange

[0056] 122 recess

[0057] 130 first connection

[0058] 131 lead

[0059] 132 reset area

[0060] 133 reset area

[0061] 134 Blocking element

[0062] 135 Blocking element

[0063] 136 distance

[0064] 137 Corner area

[0065] 138 corner area

[0066] 139 Corner area

[0067] 140 second connection

[0068] 141 screw connection

[0069] 142 screw

[0070] 150 level

[0071] 151 first direction, longitudinal direction

[0072] 152 second direction

[0073] 153 third direction

[0074] 201 , 202 Procedural steps

Claims

Patent claims 1. Breakdown assistance system (1) for inflating a vehicle tire, comprising a compressor (100) which is designed to pressurize tire sealant and air, wherein the compressor (100) has a crankcase (110) and a cylinder housing (120) which are connected to one another by means of a first connection (130) and a second connection (140), wherein - the first connection (130) is formed by means of a projection (131) on the crankcase (110) or the cylinder housing (120) and a recessed area (132, 133) on the other of the crankcase (110) and the cylinder housing (120), wherein the projection (131) engages in the recessed area (132, 133), and - the second connection (140) is formed by means of a screw connection (141).

2. Breakdown assistance system according to claim 1, wherein the cylinder housing (120) extends along a longitudinal direction (151), wherein the first connection (130) and the second connection (140) are arranged opposite one another in a plane (150) which is oriented transversely to the longitudinal direction (151).

3. Breakdown assistance system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein position coding is formed by means of the first and second connection (130, 140) for the relative alignment of the crankcase (110) and the cylinder housing (120) to one another.

4. A breakdown assistance system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recessed portion (132, 133) is formed on the crankcase (110) and the projection (131) is formed on the cylinder housing (120).

5. Breakdown assistance system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cylinder housing (120) has a flange (121) which is in contact with the crankcase (110), the projection (131) being formed on the flange (121) and the flange (121) having a recess (122) for the screw connection (141).

6. Breakdown assistance system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first connection (130) allows a relative movement between the crankcase (110) and the Cylinder housing (120) is blocked along second directions (151, 152) and a relative movement in a further direction (153) is released by the first connection (130).

7. Breakdown assistance system according to claim 6, wherein the relative movement along the further direction (153) is blocked by means of the second connection (140).

8. Breakdown assistance system according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first connection (130) has two separate blocking elements (134, 135), each of which encompasses an associated corner region (137, 138) of the projection (131).

9. A breakdown assistance system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second connection (140) comprises two screws (142).

10. A method for assembling a compressor (100) of a breakdown assistance system (1) for inflating a vehicle tire, wherein the compressor (100) is designed to pressurize tire sealant and air, and wherein the compressor (100) has a crankcase (110) and a cylinder housing (120), the method comprising: - Inserting a projection (131) of the crankcase (110) or the cylinder housing (120) into a recessed area (132, 133) on the other of the crankcase (110) and the cylinder housing (120) so that the projection (131) engages in the recessed area (132, 133), and thereby - forming a first connection (130) between the crankcase (110) and a cylinder housing (120), - forming a screw connection (141 ), and thereby - forming a second connection (140) between the crankcase (110) and the cylinder housing (120).

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