US-12623416-B2 - Device for inflating or repairing inflatable items or products as needed, in particular tires, preferably vehicle tires

US12623416B2US 12623416 B2US12623416 B2US 12623416B2US-12623416-B2

Abstract

A device ( 1 ) for inflating or repairing in particular vehicle tires, as needed, wherein the device ( 1 ) comprises a compressor unit ( 2 ) for supplying compressed air, a container ( 4 ) having a sealing liquid, and a distribution system ( 5 ), which is configured in order to fluidically connect the compressed air outlet ( 3 ) of the at least one compressor unit ( 2 ) to a compressed air inlet ( 6 ) of the scaling liquid container ( 4 ), as needed. According to the invention, it is provided in particular that the distribution system ( 5 ) is configured in order to automatically deliver compressed air exclusively to the item to be inflated or repaired when a first connector ( 8 ) of the distribution system ( 5 ) is fluidically connected to the item and to deliver a sealing liquid/compressed air mixture to the item when a second connector ( 9 ) of the distribution system ( 5 ) is fluidically connected to the item.

Inventors

Martin Spindler
Maria Braun
Bruno Schulze Selting
Andreas HARING
Erwin Braun

Assignees

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20230112
Priority Date: 20220118

Claims (18)

1 . A device for inflating or repairing inflatable items, wherein the device comprises: a compressor assembly having at least one compressor unit comprising a compressed air outlet, via which air that is compressed by the at least one compressor unit, is suppliable; a sealing liquid container having a sealing liquid; and a distribution system configured in order to fluidically connect the compressed air outlet of the at least one compressor unit as needed to a compressed air inlet of the sealing liquid container, wherein the distribution system includes a fluid passage with a first connector arranged at a first end region of the fluid passage and a second connector arranged at a second end region of the fluid passage arranged opposite the first end region, wherein the first and second connectors of the distribution system are respectively configured in order to form; via a connecting line a fluid connection between the fluid passage of the distribution system and the item, wherein the distribution system is configured in order to deliver, automatically and without manual switching or engagement, at least a portion of the compressed air supplied by the at least one compressor unit to the item when the first connector of the distribution system is fluidically connected to the item via the connecting line, and to deliver a sealing liquid/compressed air mixture to the item when the second connector of the distribution system is fluidically connected to the item via the connecting line, wherein the first connector of the distribution system comprises a first valve assembly configured to seal the first connector when no connecting line is connected to the first connector and to fluidically open the first connector when the connecting line is connected to the first connector, and wherein the second connector of the distribution system comprises a second valve assembly configured to seal the second connector when no connecting line is connected to the second connector and to fluidically open the second connector when the connecting line is connected to the second connector.
2 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the first valve assembly of the distribution system comprises a valve seat that is arranged in or on the first connector of the distribution system and a valve insert that is movable relative to the valve seat between an open position and a closed position and is biased to its closed position, and wherein the first connector of the distribution system is configured as a quick-action coupling connector and is formed in such a way that, when a coupling element compatible with the first connector is connected, the valve insert of the first valve assembly is moved into its open position.
3 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the second valve assembly of the distribution system has a valve seat arranged in or on the second connector of the distribution system and a valve insert movable to the valve seat relative to the valve seat between an open position and a closed position and biased to its closed position, and wherein the second connector of the distribution system is configured and formed as a quick-action coupling connector, in that when a coupling element compatible with the second connector is connected, the valve insert of the second valve assembly is moved into its open position.
4 . The device according to claim 3 , wherein the distribution system comprises a third valve assembly configured to block a fluid connection between a first region of the fluid passage of the distribution system and the compressed air inlet of the sealing liquid container when the second connector of the distribution system is not fluidically connected to the item, wherein the third valve assembly is configured to supply a fluid connection between the first region of the fluid passage of the distribution system and the compressed air inlet of the sealing liquid container when the second connector of the distribution system is fluidically connected to the item.
5 . The device according to claim 4 , wherein the third valve assembly comprises a valve seat and a valve insert that is movable relative to the valve seat of the third valve assembly between an open position and a closed position, wherein the third valve assembly is configured such that it is in its closed position when no coupling element compatible with the second connector of the distribution system is connected to the second connector, and such that it is in its open position when a coupling element compatible with the second connector of the distribution system is connected to the second connector.
6 . The device according to claim 5 , wherein the valve insert of the third valve assembly is mechanically operatively connected to the valve insert of the second valve assembly in such a way that the valve insert of the third valve assembly is moved into its open position when the valve insert of the second valve assembly is moved into its open position or is in its open position, and such that the valve insert of the third valve assembly is moved into its closed position when the valve insert of the second valve assembly is moved into its closed position or is in its closed position.
7 . The device according to claim 6 , wherein the valve insert of the third valve assembly is operatively connected to the valve insert of the second valve assembly via at least one force transfer element, in the form of a push-pull bar, in such a way that the valve insert of the third valve assembly is moved into its open position when the valve insert of the second valve assembly is moved into its open position or is in its open position, and such that the valve insert of the third valve assembly is moved into its closed position when the valve insert of the second valve assembly is moved into its closed position or is in its closed position.
8 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the distribution system comprises a third connector, via which the compressed air outlet of the at least one compressor unit is fluidically connected or connectable to the fluid passage of the distribution system in order to deliver the compressed air supplied by the at least one compressor unit to the fluid passage, wherein the third connector of the distribution system or the compressed air outlet of the at least one compressor unit is associated with a non-return valve, which is configured in order permit a flow of the compressed air outlet of the at least one compressor unit in the direction of the fluid passage of the distribution system, wherein, when the flow direction is reversed, the non-return valve automatically closes, when the flow direction is permitted, automatically opens.
9 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the distribution system comprises a fourth connector, via which a first region of the fluid passage of the distribution system is fluidically connectable to the compressed air inlet of the sealing liquid container and wherein the distribution system comprises a fifth connector, via which a second region of the fluid passage of the distribution system is fluidically connectable to a sealing liquid/compressed air mixture outlet of the sealing liquid container, wherein the second region of the fluid passage of the distribution system is fluidically connected to the second connector of the distribution system.
10 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the distribution system comprises a sixth connector, via which the first region of the fluid passage of the distribution system is fluidically connected or connectable to a pressure measuring device.
11 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the distribution system comprises a seventh connector, wherein the seventh connector is provided in the first region of the fluid passage of the distribution system, and wherein the seventh connector is configured such that a safety valve or pressure outlet valve is connectable thereto.
12 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the sealing liquid container is releasably and exchangeably connectable to the fluid passage.
13 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one compressor unit is configured as a compressor with a piston compressor having a reciprocating piston pump unit.
14 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a housing in which the compressor assembly, the sealing liquid container, and the distribution system are accommodated at least partially.
15 . A device for inflating or repairing inflatable items, wherein the device comprises: a compressor assembly having at least one compressor unit comprising a compressed air outlet, via which air that is compressed by the at least one compressor unit is suppliable; a sealing liquid container having a sealing liquid; and a distribution system configured in order to fluidically connect the compressed air outlet of the at least one compressor unit as needed to a compressed air inlet of the sealing liquid container, wherein the distribution system includes a fluid passage with a first connector arranged at a first end region of the fluid passage and a second connector arranged at a second end region of the fluid passage arranged opposite the first end region, wherein the first and second connectors of the distribution system are respectively configured in order to form via a connecting line, a fluid connection between the fluid passage of the distribution system and the item, wherein the distribution system is configured in order to deliver, automatically and without manual switching or engagement, at least a portion of the compressed air supplied by the at least one compressor unit to the item when the first connector of the distribution system is fluidically connected to the item via the connecting line, and to deliver a sealing liquid/compressed air mixture to the item when the second connector of the distribution system is fluidically connected to the item via the connecting line, wherein the distribution system comprises a third valve assembly configured to block a fluid connection between a first region of the fluid passage of the distribution system and the compressed air inlet of the sealing liquid container when the second connector of the distribution system is not fluidically connected to the item, wherein the third valve assembly is configured to supply a fluid connection between the first region of the fluid passage of the distribution system and the compressed air inlet of the sealing liquid container when the second connector of the distribution system is fluidically connected to the item.
16 . The device according to claim 15 , wherein the third valve assembly comprises a valve seat and a valve insert that is movable relative to the valve seat of the third valve assembly between an open position and a closed position, wherein the third valve assembly is configured such that it is in its closed position when no coupling element compatible with the second connector of the distribution system is connected to the second connector, and such that it is in its open position when a coupling element compatible with the second connector of the distribution system is connected to the second connector.
17 . The device according to claim 16 , wherein the second connector of the distribution system comprises a second valve assembly configured to seal the second connector when no connecting line is connected to the second connector and to fluidically open the second connector when the connecting line is connected to the second connector, and wherein the valve insert of the third valve assembly is mechanically operatively connected to the valve insert of the second valve assembly in such a way that the valve insert of the third valve assembly is moved into its open position when the valve insert of the second valve assembly is moved into its open position or is in its open position, and such that the valve insert of the third valve assembly is moved into its closed position when the valve insert of the second valve assembly is moved into its closed position or is in its closed position.
18 . The device according to claim 17 , wherein the valve insert of the third valve assembly is operatively connected to the valve insert of the second valve assembly via at least one force transfer element, in such a way that the valve insert of the third valve assembly is moved into its open position when the valve insert of the second valve assembly is moved into its open position or is in its open position, and such that the valve insert of the third valve assembly is moved into its closed position when the valve insert of the second valve assembly is moved into its closed position or is in its closed position.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a 371 of International Patent Application No. PCT/US23/010672, filed Jan. 12, 2023, which claims benefit of German Patent Application No. 10 2022 101 078.3, filed to the German Patent Office on Jan. 18, 2022, entitled “Device for Inflating or Repairing Inflatable Items or Products as Needed, in Particular Tires, Preferably Vehicle Tires,” contents of both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. The present invention relates generally to tire repair kits and, in particular, to devices for dispensing tire sealants from a container by way of a compressed air source. Tire sealants or sealing liquids for quickly repairing inflatable items or products are known as such. The liquid is introduced into the product or item for repair by means of compressed air, in particular by means of a compressor, penetrates all holes or slits in the product or item, and hardens through contact with air, thereby quickly sealing the product or item. Such sealing liquids are widely used for the rapid repair of tires, in particular vehicle tires. The following description relates to these circumstances. However, the description is purely exemplary, is focused on clarity, and is not intended to be limiting. Spare tires for vehicles raise a number of well-known problems, not the least of which are their notable size and weight. In particular, when the spare tire is accommodated inside the vehicle, the effective available capacity of the trunk is noticeably reduced, and the tire is frequently difficult to loosen or remove, in particular when the trunk is full. Therefore, for vehicles, so-called tire repair kits have become common, which are used instead of a spare tire. This is a built-in kit for repairing and inflating tires comprising a small compressor and a container for a sealing liquid, wherein this built-in kit can be easily accommodated in a special compartment or in the trunk of the car. In addition to the noticeable size and weight reduction, the repair of a tire in the event of a flat tire has been proven to be faster and easier: unlike changing the vehicle tire, the compressor can be easily connected to a power outlet on the vehicle, wherein the container for the sealing liquid is then connected to the compressor as well as to the valve of the tire in order to carry out the repair. Compressed air is forced into the container with the sealing liquid by means of the compressor, and the sealing liquid is then pumped into the defective tire via a valve through the corresponding rising pipes. Thereafter, the valve can be switched so that the tire can now be inflated by means of the compressor. Standard functions from the prior art are such that either only air is pumped, for example in order to inflate balls or air mattresses, or an air pressure control is carried out. In the repair function, the prior art is designed such that the sealant input and the air occurs in one pass. What is disadvantageous in conventional tire repair kits is that the compressor can typically only be connected to the sealing fluid container with great effort with valves, changeover valves, mechanical devices, etc., in order to pressurize the container and to pump the tire sealant out of it and into the defective tires. In addition, conventional tire repair kits are usable in combinations, costly to install, complicated to operate, and frequently too heavy and too expensive to manufacture. The present invention therefore addresses the problem of specifying a tire repair kit of the above-mentioned type, which eliminates the described disadvantages and can very quickly only inflate a vehicle tire or be supplied with tire sealant in a simple and inexpensive manner, without effort-intensive connection work and complicated handling by the user. This problem is solved by the subject-matter of independent claim 1, which relates to a device for inflating or repairing inflatable items or products, in particular tires, preferably vehicle tires, as needed. Advantageous further developments of the device according to the invention are specified in the dependent claims. Accordingly, the invention relates in particular to a device for inflating or repairing inflatable items or products as needed, in particular tires, preferably vehicle tires, wherein the device comprises a compressor assembly having at least one compressor unit comprising a compressed air outlet, via which air that is compressed, in particular as needed, by the at least one compressor unit is supplied or suppliable. The device according to the invention further comprises a container having a sealing liquid and in particular a tire sealant. Furthermore, the device comprises a distribution system configured in order to fluidically connect the compressed air outlet of the at least one compressor unit as needed to a compressed air inlet of the sealing liquid container. According to the present invention, it is provided in