Apparatus for sealing and inflating motor vehicle tires

Abstract

A device for sealing and inflating motor vehicle tires, wherein the device has, in a housing, a compressor which is driven by a motor, preferably an electric motor, and which serves for generating the sealing or pump pressure, and the device has a connector for a sealant container, a valve and distributor unit for sealant and pressurized gas, and furthermore connecting means such as hoses and lines, and also switching, control and display devices for the operation of the device, wherein the device furthermore comprises a manually actuatable pressure discharge valve for decreasing the tire pressure, wherein the pressure discharge valve is configured such that, when the sealant container is connected and/or during the delivery of sealant from the sealant container into the tire, an actuation, or a dissipation of the pressure, is prevented.

Claims

1. An apparatus for sealing and inflating motor vehicle tires, the apparatus comprising: a housing; a compressor disposed in said housing; a motor configured to drive said compressor; said compressor being configured to generate a pump pressure; a connector for a sealant container; a valve and distributor unit for sealant and pressurized gas; a plurality of connectors; a switching device; a control device; a display device; a manually actuatable pressure discharge valve for decreasing the tire pressure; said manually actuatable pressure discharge valve being configured such that, when the sealant container is connected and/or during delivery of sealant from the sealant container into the tire, an actuation of said manually actuatable pressure discharge valve is prevented; and wherein said manually actuatable pressure discharge valve is mechanically blocked when the sealant container is connected.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said motor is an electric motor.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said connector is a hose.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said connector is a line.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said manually actuatable pressure discharge valve is configured such that, when the sealant container is connected and/or during delivery of sealant from the sealant container into the tire, a dissipation of the 5 pressure is prevented.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pump pressure is a sealing pressure.

7. An apparatus for sealing and inflating motor vehicle tires, the apparatus comprising: a housing; a compressor disposed in said housing; a motor configured to drive said compressor; said compressor being configured to generate a pump pressure; a connector for a sealant container; a valve and distributor unit for sealant and pressurized gas; a plurality of connectors; a switching device; a control device; a display device; a manually actuatable pressure discharge valve for decreasing the tire pressure; said manually actuatable pressure discharge valve being configured such that, when the sealant container is connected and/or during delivery of sealant from the sealant container into the tire, an actuation of said manually actuatable pressure discharge valve is prevented; and wherein said manually actuatable pressure discharge valve is arranged in a cover or a covering cap of the connector for the sealant container; and, the sealant container is connectable only after the removal of the cover or of the covering cap.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said motor is an electric motor.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said connector is a hose.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said connector is a line.

11. An apparatus for sealing and inflating motor vehicle tires, the apparatus comprising: a housing; a compressor disposed in said housing; a motor configured to drive said compressor; said compressor being configured to generate a pump pressure; a connector for a sealant container; a valve and distributor unit for sealant and pressurized gas; a plurality of connectors; a switching device; a control device; a display device; a manually actuatable pressure discharge valve for decreasing the tire pressure; said manually actuatable pressure discharge valve being configured such that, when the sealant container is connected and/or during delivery of sealant from the sealant container into the tire, an actuation of said manually actuatable pressure discharge valve is prevented; and wherein said manually actuatable pressure discharge valve is electrically or electromechanically blocked when the sealant container is connected.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said motor is an electric motor.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said connector is a hose.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said connector is a line.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said manually actuatable pressure discharge valve is configured such that, when the sealant container is connected and/or during delivery of sealant from the sealant container into the tire, a dissipation of the 5 pressure is prevented.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:

(2) FIGS. 1A to 1D show a device according to the invention; and,

(3) FIG. 2 shows the construction of the connector and distributor unit of a device as per FIGS. 1A to 1D with the discharge valve in detail.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(4) FIGS. 1A to 1D and 2, viewed together, show a device 1 according to an embodiment of the invention for sealing and inflating motor vehicle tires, in the case of which the pressure discharge valve is arranged in a cover or a covering cap of the connector for the sealant container, and the sealant container can be connected only after removal of the cover or of the covering cap.

(5) In the present embodiment, an air discharge valve 3 is integrated into the covering cap 2 of the sealant connector of the connector and distributor unit 4. Without a sealant container 5 connected, the air discharge valve 3 can thus be operated without problems by the end user (FIG. 1A). In the present configuration, the valve 3 is positioned, so as to be clearly visible, adjacent to the manometer integrated in the device.

(6) If it is sought to perform sealing in the event of a tire-related breakdown, a sealant container 5 must be connected to the connector and distributor unit 4 of the device 1. For this purpose, firstly, the closure cap 2 is removed from the connector and distributor unit 4 (FIG. 1B). Here, the air discharge valve 3 is also mechanically separated from the device.

(7) In the next step, the sealant container 5 is connected to the connector and distributor unit 4 (FIG. 1C). The system is then ready for sealing the damaged tire (FIG. 1D). During the delivery of sealant, no sealant can escape, because the air discharge valve has been removed with the closure cap. After successful sealing of the damaged tire, the connector and distributor unit 4 together with the sealant container 5 is removed from the device 1 and is exchanged for a corresponding replacement part.

(8) FIG. 2 shows the detailed construction of the connector and distributor unit 4 with discharge valve 3 and with the screwed-in closure cap 2. By exerting pressure on the air discharge valve 3, the spring 6 is compressed, and the seal 7 is lifted off from its seat. As a result of the corresponding opening, air can now flow out of the connected tire into the surroundings for as long as the pressure on the air discharge valve 3 is maintained.

(9) It is understood that the foregoing description is that of the preferred embodiments of the invention and that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE DESIGNATIONS

Part of the Specification

(10) 1 Device/breakdown kit 2 Covering cap 3 Air discharge valve 4 Connector and distributor unit/valve and distributor unit 5 Sealant container 6 Valve spring of the air discharge valve 7 Seal of the air discharge valve