DE202015009957U1 - Device for sealing and inflating vehicle tires - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (1) for sealing and inflating motor vehicle tires, the device (1) having in a housing a compressor driven by a motor, preferably an electric motor, for generating the sealing or pumping pressure, and a connection for a sealant container (5), a Valve and distribution unit (4) for sealant and pressurized gas, also has connecting means, such as hoses and lines, and switching, control and display devices for the operation of the device, the device also including a manually operable pressure relief valve (3) for reducing the tire pressure , characterized in that the pressure relief valve (3) is designed such that when the sealant container (5) is connected and/or during the delivery of sealant from the sealant container into the tire, actuation or release of the pressure is prevented.

Description

The innovation relates to a device for sealing and inflating motor vehicle tires, a so-called breakdown set, the device having in a housing a compressor driven by a motor, preferably an electric motor, for generating the sealing or pumping pressure, as well as a connection for a sealant container, a Valve and distribution unit for sealant and compressed gas, further comprising connecting means, such as hoses and lines, and switching, control and display devices for the operation of the device, the device also including a manually operable pressure relief valve for reducing the tire pressure.

In the case of punctures, there is usually the problem that - as has been the case with a car up to now - a filled spare tire mounted on a rim has to be carried along, which is then mounted in place of the wheel with the defective tire, after which the defective tire is placed in the the storage space provided in the vehicle for the spare tire and later has to be repaired. For this purpose, it is not only often necessary to empty a loaded vehicle in order to reach the appropriate storage space, but the vehicle itself must also be jacked up with jacks and cumbersome repair work must be carried out.

In order to avoid these disadvantages, repair kits or breakdown kits are already known, which contain a compressor, a sealant that coagulates in the tire, usually a milky latex mixture, the corresponding connecting hoses and the necessary cable connections for the energy supply as well as switches, pressure gauges and control elements and thus a constantly usable one and provide a complete repair kit, which eliminates the need to carry a spare wheel mounted on a rim or to constantly check other repair materials such as hoses, various tool keys, jacks, etc.

So reveals the DE 29812740 U1 a repair kit with a portable container for holding on-board tools and work equipment for vehicles, in particular for holding compressors, tools, work equipment and accessories for repairing tires, the container being designed in the form of a suitcase and having several compartments for the accessories and switching, Control and display devices included.

However, the operation of such repair kits is not very easy, especially when, depending on the operating condition, the sealant container and various hose connections have to be connected or converted first. Most repair kits are also very well suited to be used without the use of sealant only to inflate tires, inflatable boats, air mattresses, etc. Due to the fact that punctures are rare these days, the repair kits are usually used more often for such recreational purposes than for emergencies. But if this does happen, the user finds himself in an unfamiliar and unfamiliar situation.

In order to facilitate the handling of the devices/repair kits in such different applications, solutions are already known in the prior art which essentially contain a simplified switchover from one mode of operation to the other. There are also solutions with plug connections between individual parts of the devices/repair kits.

In addition to this actual task of sealing a damaged tire, the air compressors described are of course also frequently used to check and, if necessary, adjust the tire pressure in an undamaged tire. In this operating state, no sealant bottle is usually connected to the connection piece of the air compressor and the connection provided for this purpose is sealed airtight, often by a cap. By connecting the air compressor to the vehicle tire, the end user can read the air pressure on a pressure gauge that is usually integrated into the air compressor and, if necessary, increase the air pressure in the tire by switching on the air compressor.

All of this means that not only in the case of tire repairs, but also in the other applications mentioned, in addition to increasing the pressure/tire pressure in practical use, a function for reducing the tire pressure is of course also necessary. For this purpose, a drain valve that can be actuated by the user is usually integrated into the air compressor or into the supply line to the tire.

In the prior art, it is customary to permanently install a drain valve in the line system, so that the drain valve can be operated manually by the user/user in any operating state of the air compressor. However, since sealant is also conveyed through this line system in the event of sealing a tire damage, unintentional or unknowing opening of the drain valve in this operating state can result in sealant escaping under high pressure into the environment.

Apart from the possible contamination of clothing and the environment, the compressor can also be irreparably damaged, depending on the design of the drain valve. Such incorrect operation by the user is not as unlikely as one might think, since a typical average consumer is rather inexperienced in handling the air compressor to be used and is additionally distracted by increased stress while sealing a puncture.

The task of the innovation was therefore to provide a device for sealing and inflating tires with a drain valve, in which accidental opening of the drain valve is impossible, which is therefore safe to handle, has a robust design and is easy and inexpensive to produce.

This problem is solved by the features of the main claim. Further advantageous developments are disclosed in the dependent claims.

The pressure relief valve is designed in such a way that when the sealant container is connected and/or during the delivery of sealant from the container into the tire, actuation or release of the pressure is prevented. Incorrect operation is thus reliably prevented and the consumer is not in danger of soiling his clothing or the environment or damaging the compressor.

An advantageous further development consists in that the pressure relief valve is arranged in a cover or a cover cap of the connection for the sealant container and the latter can only be connected after the cover or the cover cap has been removed. It is not possible to use the repair kit with sealant without removing the cover cap. When the cover cap is removed, however, the pressure relief valve is no longer available, so that incorrect operation is no longer possible.

A further advantageous embodiment is that the pressure relief valve is blocked mechanically when the sealant container is connected. A mechanical blockage can occur, for example, in that certain movement options of the drain valve are restricted or prevented by inserting or screwing in the sealant container, so that actuation is no longer possible.

A further advantageous embodiment is that the pressure relief valve is blocked electrically or electromechanically when the sealant container is connected. For example, by screwing in the sealant container, electrical contacts can be closed, which in turn activate electromagnetic blocking devices that make it impossible to trigger the drain valve.

• 1 eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung,
• 2 den Aufbau der Anschluss- und Verteilereinheit einer Vorrichtung nach 1 mit dem Ablassventil im Detail.

The invention will be explained in more detail using an exemplary embodiment. Show it

• 1 a device according to the invention,
• 2 the structure of the connection and distribution unit of a device 1 with the drain valve in detail.

the 1 and 2 show an overview of a device 1 according to the invention for sealing and inflating motor vehicle tires, in which the pressure relief valve is arranged in a cover or a cover cap of the connection for the sealant container and the latter can only be connected after removing the cover or the cover cap.

In the present embodiment according to the innovation, an air release valve 3 is integrated into the cover cap 2 of the sealant connection of the connection and distribution unit 4 . Without the sealant container 5 connected, the end user can operate the air release valve 3 without any problems ( 1a ). In the present design, the valve 3 is positioned in a clearly visible position next to the manometer integrated in the device.

If a puncture is to be sealed, a sealant container 5 must be connected to the connection and distribution unit 4 of the device 1 . To do this, the first step is to remove the sealing cap 2 from the connection and distribution unit 4 ( 1b ). Here, the air release valve 3 is mechanically separated from the device.

In the next step, the sealant container 5 is connected to the connection and distribution unit 4 ( 1c ). Now the system is ready to seal the damaged tire ( 1d ). No sealant can escape while the sealant is being pumped because the air release valve with the sealing cap has been removed.
After the damaged tire has been successfully sealed, the connection and distribution unit 4 together with the sealant container 5 is removed from the device 1 and replaced with a corresponding spare part.

2 shows the detailed structure of the connection and distribution unit 4 with the release valve 3 and the screwed-in closure cap 2. By exerting pressure on the air release valve 3, the spring 6 is compressed and the seal 7 is lifted from its seat. through the entste air can now flow out of the connected tire into the environment as long as the pressure on the air release valve 3 is maintained.

Reference List

1

Device / breakdown set

2

cover cap

3

air release valve

4

Connection and distributor unit / valve and distributor unit

5

sealant container

6

Air release valve spring

7

Air release valve seal

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 29812740 U1 [0004]

Claims (4)

Device (1) for sealing and inflating motor vehicle tires, the device (1) having in a housing a compressor driven by a motor, preferably an electric motor, for generating the sealing or pumping pressure and a connection for a sealant container (5), a Valve and distribution unit (4) for sealant and pressurized gas, also has connecting means, such as hoses and lines, and switching, control and display devices for the operation of the device, the device also including a manually operable pressure relief valve (3) for reducing the tire pressure , characterized in that the pressure release valve (3) is designed in such a way that when the sealant container (5) is connected and/or during the delivery of sealant from the sealant container into the tire, actuation or release of the pressure is prevented. device after claim 1 , in which the pressure relief valve (3) is arranged in a cover or a cover cap (2) of the connection for the sealant container (5) and the latter can only be connected after removing the cover or the cover cap (2). device after claim 1 , in which the pressure relief valve is mechanically blocked when the sealant container (5) is connected. device after claim 1 , in which the pressure relief valve is blocked electrically or electromechanically when the sealant container (5) is connected

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