Emergency roadside repair system and method for operating an emergency roadside repair system

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, - and a pressure gauge (110) for determining a pressure at an outlet (101) of the compressor (100) and displaying said pressure, the pressure gauge (110) having a display device (111) in order to output specified information of the pressure gauge (110) by means of an optical code. The invention also relates to a method for operating an emergency roadside repair system.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Breakdown assistance system and method for operating a breakdown assistance system

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

[0004] 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.

[0005] It is desirable to provide a breakdown assistance system that enables reliable operation. It is desirable to provide a method for operating a breakdown assistance system that enables reliable operation.

[0006] A breakdown assistance system for inflating a vehicle tire is specified. Furthermore, a method for operating a breakdown assistance system is specified, in particular for operating the breakdown assistance system described here.

[0007] The breakdown assistance system includes a compressor. The compressor is designed to pressurize tire sealant. The compressor is also designed to pressurize air. The breakdown assistance system's compressor thus makes it possible to pump tire sealant and / or air into the vehicle tires.

[0008] The breakdown assistance system has a pressure measuring device. The pressure measuring device is, for example, a manometer. The pressure measuring device is designed to determine and display a pressure at an outlet of the compressor. The pressure measuring device has a display device for outputting predetermined information from the pressure measuring device using an optical code. The display device is designed, in particular, to emit light in a wavelength range visible to the human eye, i.e., in particular, in a wavelength range between approximately 370 nm and 790 nm. The display device is designed, in particular, to change the wavelengths of the emitted radiation, i.e., in particular, to change the color location of the emitted light. Alternatively or additionally, the display device is designed to change the intensity of the emitted radiation, i.e., in particular, to switch a light source on and off or to set an intensity to be brighter or darker.

[0009] The optical code is formed, in particular, by an intensity pattern and / or a color pattern. For example, a change in the color of the emitted light represents an optical code that can be identified by a user of the breakdown assistance system. For example, a change in the brightness of the light, such as a darkening or brightening, represents an optical code that can be identified by a user of the breakdown assistance system.

[0010] The display device and the optical code make it possible to easily and reliably output the specified information from the pressure gauge, especially in situations where information transmission would otherwise be difficult. For example, in the dark, a pressure gauge's scale display, which indicates a pressure with a pointer on a scale, is difficult to read. However, a color change is easily detectable even in the dark.

[0011] The specified information includes, for example, information about a specified minimum tire pressure and / or a specified maximum tire pressure and / or a specified target pressure range. Starting with a tire that is under-inflated, the breakdown assistance system is used during operation to increase the pressure in the tire. The pressure is determined using the pressure gauge.

[0012] For example, as long as the minimum tire pressure has not yet been reached, the indicator will emit a red light. As soon as the minimum tire pressure is reached, a green light will be emitted. The optical code is the alternation between the red and green light to indicate that the specified minimum tire pressure has been reached. This lets the user know when sufficient air has been pumped into the tire, even if the required pressure is unknown or cannot be read from the scale display due to poor lighting conditions, for example.

[0013] Alternatively or additionally, the display device emits radiation continuously during inflation, for example, until the minimum tire pressure is reached and then changes to a flashing light. This optical code can also be used to output the information that a minimum tire pressure has been reached. Of course, other designs of the optical code are also possible, in particular other color locations and changes and other flashing patterns and any combinations thereof. More than two color changes and / or flashing changes are also possible. For example, the color of the light emitted by the display device changes back to red or another color when a maximum pressure value is exceeded in order to output the information that the pressure in the tire is too high.

[0014] The display device, which is designed to output the optical code for displaying the specified information, enables simple and reliable detection of the pressure to which the tire must be pumped and / or whether the pressure is already too high. This makes it possible, especially for those with less technical experience, to inflate the tire to the correct pressure. Detecting the correct tire pressure is simplified. Stopping the pumping process too early is avoided. This ensures that the tire is reliably operated with a sufficiently high pressure after sealing and re-inflating, even in the event of a puncture. The likelihood of driving the vehicle with an under-inflated tire after using the breakdown assistance system is reduced.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the breakdown assistance system comprises a mechanical switch. The mechanical switch is configured to change its switching state depending on a predetermined pressure and thereby control the output of the optical code. For example, the switch comprises a metal spring or the like with a predetermined preload. The preload is adjusted depending on the desired predetermined pressure. When the pressure is reached, the spring is bent, for example, to close an electrical contact. This initiates the output of the optical code, thus providing information that the pressure associated with the preload has been reached.

[0016] Alternatively or additionally, the pressure gauge is an electrical pressure gauge, which in particular comprises a pressure sensor and an evaluation circuit. The evaluation circuit comprises, for example, relays, a processor, memory, and / or other electronic components. Such a pressure gauge is also called a digital pressure gauge. For example, when the specified pressure is reached, a digital pressure sensor sends an electrical signal to the control device or a relay, which then controls the display device to output the optical code.

[0017] According to at least one embodiment, the breakdown assistance system comprises a housing. The compressor and the pressure gauge are arranged together in the housing. The display device is, in particular, an integral component of the breakdown assistance system. For example, the compressor and the pressure gauge with the display device are not movable relative to one another. The compressor and the pressure gauge with the display device are, in particular, arranged in the housing in a fixed position relative to one another. In particular, the pressure gauge with the display device is not arranged on a hose that is attached, for example, to the tire valve to inflate the tire. This allows for a compact design.

[0018] The method for operating a breakdown assistance system comprises determining a pressure at an outlet of a compressor. When a predetermined pressure is determined, an optical code is outputted that is representative of information about the predetermined pressure. In particular, a breakdown assistance system described here is operated in this way. Features and advantages of the breakdown assistance system thus also apply to the method, and vice versa. In particular, the determined pressure is compared with a predetermined threshold value. The optical code is outputted when the threshold value is exceeded or when the threshold value is undershot. It is also possible for a first code to be outputted when the threshold value is exceeded and a second, different optical code to be outputted when a second, different threshold value is exceeded.In particular, depending on whether a certain threshold value of a plurality of predetermined threshold values ​​is exceeded or not reached, an associated optical code is selected from a plurality of optical codes and output.

[0019] 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.

[0020] They show:

[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a breakdown assistance system according to an embodiment,

[0022] Figure 2 is a schematic representation of part of a compressor and a display device according to an embodiment, and

[0023] Figure 3 is a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment.

[0024] 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. For pumping the sealant and air, the breakdown assistance system 1 has a compressor 100 (Figure 2). A display device 111 is provided for displaying a pressure reached during pumping and, in particular, prevailing at a vehicle tire connected by means of a hose. The compressor 100 and the display device 111 are arranged, in particular, in a common housing 102. For example, the housing 102 has a recess 103 in which the display device 111 is arranged. Thus, the display device 111 is visible from outside the breakdown assistance system 1, and information from the display device 111 can be read from outside the breakdown assistance system 1.

[0025] Figure 2 schematically shows a part of the compressor 100, in particular a cylinder housing in which a piston 104 is mounted so as to be longitudinally displaceable in order to pressurize the tire sealant and / or air and to convey it to the vehicle tire via the outlet 101.

[0026] In addition, the display device 111 is shown schematically. The display device 111 is part of a pressure gauge 110. The pressure gauge is designed to measure and display a pressure at the outlet 101. For example, the pressure is displayed by means of the display device 111 alone. It is also possible to additionally provide a scale display 113, by means of which the pressure can be displayed, in particular by means of alphanumeric symbols.

[0027] The display device 111 has a light 112. The light comprises, for example, one or more LEDs or other light sources, such as OLEDs.

[0028] The display device 111 is particularly designed to change a color coordinate of the emitted light during operation. For example, a single LED is provided, which can be adjusted to emit light in different wavelength ranges to enable different color coordinates. Multiple LEDs can be provided, which can emit light with different color coordinates and which are switched on or off depending on the desired color coordinate. The pressure measuring device 111 is coupled to the outlet 101 to measure the pressure. For example, a mechanical switch 115 is provided in the outlet 101. Alternatively or additionally, an electrical pressure sensor 116 is arranged in the outlet 101.

[0029] The mechanical switch is designed, for example, to change its switching position when a predetermined pressure threshold is reached in the outlet 1. This change in the switching position results, for example, in a control circuit 117 controlling the display device 111, and in particular the light 112, to output an optical code associated with reaching the pressure threshold.

[0030] The electrical pressure sensor 116, which is, for example, a digital pressure sensor, is designed in particular to output a signal that is representative of a pressure value in the outlet 101. The control circuit 117 is designed to control the display device 111 and in particular the light 112 as a function of this signal in order to output an optical code or various optical codes that are assigned to different pressure values ​​or pressure value ranges in the recess 101.

[0031] The light 112, the electrical pressure sensor 116, and / or the control circuit 117 are connected to a power source 118. The pressure gauge 110 is not a purely analog pressure gauge, but requires electrical energy from the power source 118, in particular to operate the light 112.

[0032] The breakdown assistance system 1 with the display device 111 is designed such that the colored illumination of the display device 111 changes, for example, when a required, predetermined tire pressure is reached. For example, the color location changes from a first color when the pressure is too low to a second, different color location when the correct pressure is reached. Alternatively or additionally, the intensity changes, for example, from slow flashing to rapid flashing or from continuous illumination to flashing, or vice versa. Any combinations and other adjustments, such as further color changes or flashing changes, are also possible in order to output corresponding information about the measured pressure by means of the optical coding. In particular in bright surroundings, such as during the day, the coding can be particularly easily recognized by flashing.

[0033] Figure 3 shows a plus diagram of a method for operating the breakdown assistance system 1 according to an embodiment.

[0034] In a method step 201, a pressure at the outlet 101 of the compressor 100 is determined.

[0035] In a method step 202, the optical code is output if a predefined pressure was determined in step 201. The optical code is representative of information about the predefined pressure. For example, in method step 201, the determined pressure is compared with a predefined threshold value. The optical code is output in step 202 if the threshold value is exceeded or undershot. For example, light with a first color location is emitted if the determined pressure is below the threshold value. If the determined pressure is greater than the threshold value, light with a different color location is emitted.

[0036] The breakdown assistance system 1 with the display device 111 enables simplified operation and reliable, sufficient inflation of the vehicle tire. This is particularly possible even if a user does not have precise information about the required tire pressures. The required tire pressures are stored, for example, in the breakdown assistance system 1 using the threshold value(s), for example, stored in the control circuit 117. The corresponding information when the respective threshold values ​​are reached, exceeded, and / or undershot can be easily output using the optical code and is detectable and understandable for the user. Reference numerals

[0037] 1 breakdown assistance system

[0038] 100 Compressor 101 Outlet

[0039] 102 housings

[0040] 103 Recess

[0041] 104 pistons

[0042] 110 Pressure gauge 111 Display device

[0043] 112 light

[0044] 113 Scale display

[0045] 115 mechanical switch

[0046] 116 electrical pressure sensor 117 control circuit

[0047] 118 Power source

[0048] 201 , 202 Procedural steps

Claims

Patent claims 1. Breakdown assistance system (1 ) for inflating a vehicle tire, comprising - a compressor (100) designed to pressurize tire sealant and air, - a pressure gauge (110) for determining and displaying a pressure at an outlet (101) of the compressor (100), wherein the pressure gauge (110) has a display device (111) for outputting predetermined information of the pressure gauge (110) by means of an optical code.

2. Breakdown assistance system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the display device (111) is designed to output the optical code by means of light with a predetermined color location.

3. Breakdown assistance system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display device (111) is designed to output the optical code by means of light with a predetermined flashing pattern.

4. Breakdown assistance system according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a mechanical switch (115) which is designed to change its switching state in dependence on a predetermined pressure and thereby to control the output of the optical code.

5. Breakdown assistance system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure measuring device is an electrical pressure measuring device and is designed to control the output of the optical code as a function of a predetermined pressure.

6. Breakdown assistance system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the display device (111) is designed to output a plurality of correspondingly predetermined, different information of the pressure measuring device by means of a plurality of different optical codes.

7. Breakdown assistance system according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a housing (102), wherein the compressor (100) and the pressure measuring device (110) are arranged together in the housing (103).

8. A method for operating a breakdown assistance system (1) for inflating a vehicle tire, comprising a compressor (100) designed to pressurize tire sealant and air, the method comprising: - Determining a pressure at an outlet (101) of a compressor (100), and, when a predetermined pressure is determined, - Outputting an optical code representative of information about the specified pressure.

9. The method according to claim 8, comprising: - comparing the measured pressure with a specified threshold value, - Output the optical code when the threshold is exceeded or when the threshold is undercut.

10. Method according to claim 8 or 9, - comparing the determined pressure with a plurality of predetermined threshold values, - selecting the optical code from a plurality of optical codes depending on whether a threshold value of the plurality of predetermined threshold values ​​is exceeded or undershot, - Output of the optical code.

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