Compressor Surge Chamber Stabilizes Tire Pressure Readings

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing compressor devices for flat tire repair kits experience pressure fluctuations due to the direct connection with the bottle unit, leading to a variance between the displayed manometer pressure and the actual tire internal pressure, causing uncertainty and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a surge chamber with a volume 1.0 to 3.0 times the stroke volume of the piston, equipped with an exhaust valve to stabilize the compressed air pressure and reduce fluctuations, thereby minimizing the difference between the manometer reading and the actual tire pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the bottle unit is directly connected to the compressor device, then the hose for air intake is eliminated and stability is improved, but pressure fluctuation increases causing variance between manometer reading and actual tire pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelimination of hose connectionVSAvoidpressure measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A surge chamber is introduced as an intermediary component between the pump chamber and the discharge port. This surge chamber acts as a buffer that mediates the pressure fluctuations generated by the reciprocating piston, smoothing out the compressed air before it reaches the discharge port and providing more accurate pressure readings on the manometer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the bottle unit is directly connected to the compressor device, then the center of gravity is lowered and stability is improved, but the passage volume decreases causing pressure fluctuation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice stabilityVSAvoidpassage volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The cylinder is segmented into two distinct chambers: a pump chamber for compression and a surge chamber for pressure stabilization. This segmentation allows the pump chamber to maintain its compact design for stability while the surge chamber provides the necessary volume to reduce pressure fluctuations, effectively separating the conflicting requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If a unidirectional valve is provided to prevent sealing agent backflow, then compressor damage is prevented, but pressure fluctuation increases causing higher variance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompressor protectionVSAvoidpressure reading accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The surge chamber is positioned upstream of the unidirectional valve, performing preliminary pressure stabilization before the air passes through the valve. This preliminary action reduces the pressure fluctuations that would otherwise be amplified by the valve's presence, maintaining both protection and measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration effectively reduces pressure fluctuations and ensures a more accurate and stable tire inflation process, enhancing user confidence and preventing potential damage to the compressor device.

Implementation Method 1

a cylinder comprising a pump chamber to generate compressed air by a reciprocating motion of a piston, and a surge chamber to store compressed air from the pump chamber via an exhaust valve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure fluctuation reduction: Hydraulic Accumulator

Data Source

PatentEP3521113B1Compressor device
Publication Date: 2022.08.03 SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP3521113B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3521113B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3521113B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In the present invention, a difference between a pressure displayed by a manometer of a compressor device and an actual internal pressure of a tire can be reduced. A compressor device (2) and a bottle unit (3) are directly connected. A cap (6) attached to the bottle unit (3) comprises a unidirectional valve (14) for preventing a reverse flow of a flat tire sealing agent to the side of the compressor device. A cylinder (12) of the compressor device (2) is provided with a pump chamber (11), and a surge chamber (18) which receives the compressed air from the pump chamber through an exhaust valve (16), wherein a volume (Q2) of the surge chamber (18) is 1.0 to 3.0 times of the stroke volume of a piston (10) in the pump chamber (11).