Air Compressor Pressure Indicator with Integrated Relief Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air compressors face difficulties in assembling the valve plug and spring, are prone to pressure gauge damage due to impact, and lack efficient pressure relief mechanisms, leading to potential over-inflation of objects.
Innovation Solution
An improved air compressor design featuring a detachable air storage container and cylinder with a metal seat for reduced piston motion resistance and a pressure indicator that releases excess air without additional valves, ensuring smooth operation and preventing over-inflation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the air storage container is integrally formed with the cylinder, then the structural strength is improved, but the assembly complexity of the valve plug and spring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air storage container is designed as a detachable component that can be separated from the cylinder, allowing the valve plug and spring to be assembled independently into the container before attachment. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling easier assembly of internal components while maintaining the structural integrity of the integrated design when assembled.
2Measurement precision
If a circular pressure gauge with Bourdon tube is used, then the pressure measurement precision is improved, but the reliability under impact decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the fragile but precise Bourdon tube pressure gauge with a simpler, more robust linear pressure indicator that can withstand impact. While the Bourdon tube gauge offers precise measurement, it is vulnerable to damage. The new indicator prioritizes reliability under impact conditions while still providing adequate pressure measurement functionality.
3Device complexity
If no pressure relief mechanism is provided, then the device complexity is reduced, but the harmful effects of over-pressure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure indicator is designed with an integrated pressure relief function that automatically releases excess pressure when a predetermined threshold is reached. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate pressure relief valves or complex control systems, maintaining low device complexity while effectively preventing over-pressure damage through automatic operation.
4Device complexity
If the air passage design does not consider piston motion resistance, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The air passage design incorporates specific local features such as optimized passage geometry and surface treatments in critical areas to reduce friction and motion resistance for the piston. This targeted approach improves piston reciprocating speed and productivity without requiring a complete redesign of the entire air passage system, thus maintaining overall design simplicity while enhancing performance.
Data Source
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AI summary
An improved air compressor includes a cylinder fitted with a piston body and an air storage container. The cylinder and the air storage container are detachably assembled to define an air chamber. A metal seat with a through hole is provided on top of the cylinder. A valve plug is spring-biased against the metal seat. The air storage container is provided with a pressure indicator, which includes a tube defining therein a first bore and a second bore, between which a tapered annular surface is formed. When the air pressure within the air storage container exceeds a predetermined pressure set for the air compressor, the pressure indicator allows excess air to flow into the first bore of the tube and sequentially pass through the tapered annular surface and an elongated opening to be released to the ambient environment, so that objects can be prevented from damages due to excessive inflations.