FR3055676A1 - PORTABLE, AUTONOMOUS HIGH PRESSURE INFLATION AND BIKE SUPPORT DEVICE FOR FAMILY, SPORTING AND PROFESSIONAL USE. - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable, space-saving device for autonomously, effectively, repetitively and professionally inflating a tire, hose or shock absorber, selecting the desired pressure and at the same time keeping the bike upright. on its 2 wheels. It consists of a box with a clip-on or retractable bike support, with inside mainly a battery ensuring the autonomy and stability of the system and an optimized compression head that allows the device to deliver a pressure of 18 bar and a volume of air returned of 150 liters per minute. The desired pressure can be selected manually and precisely with a lockable notch dial. The device stops automatically when the desired pressure is reached.

Description

The present invention relates to a portable and compact device allowing to inflate in an autonomous, efficient, programmed, repetitive and professional manner a tire or a tubular or a shock absorber of bicycle and to keep at the same time the bicycle upright on its 2 wheels .

In order to be able to inflate a tire, a tubular, a fork or a bicycle shock absorber, the pressure delivered by the inflation devices must be up to 18 bar with sufficient flow for the operation to be carried out quickly. The various existing portable and autonomous systems have neither these characteristics nor sufficient autonomy and reliability. The other systems are too bulky and do not correspond to sports or family use.

As a rule, the inflation of a bicycle tire is carried out manually, using a hand pump, or using an electric air compressor. In all cases, the operator has the obligation to hold the bicycle himself with at least one hand, which enormously complicates the task, or to place it against a wall, a sidewalk, an automobile, with the risk drop it or damage the supporting part.

The object of the present invention is to provide an autonomous and space-saving inflation device, powered by rechargeable battery, delivering at least 18 bar and 50 liters per minute and capable of ensuring the maintenance of a traditional or competition road bike. during the inflation phase.

The bicycle holding device can also be used during the maintenance, cleaning or adjustment phase of the bicycle. The object of the present invention is therefore an autonomous electric inflation device which can be stored easily, comprising a compressor, a hose for connection to the valve, a battery, a charger, an ergonomic and safe device for selecting the desired pressure with automatic stop and a clip-on, retractable bike mount or integrated into the shape of the housing.

According to the particular embodiments: - The compressor is capable of supplying a pressure of 18 bar with an actual flow rate of 50 liters per minute - The DC drive motor operates at 12 V DC and delivers an average nominal power of 120 W minimum. - The energy source comes from an integrated battery powered by an external charger. - The energy source can also come directly from the 12 V cigarette lighter socket or from an external 12 V battery. - The compressor includes a visual system for monitoring the state of charge of the battery. - The inflation device is fitted with a notched and lockable rotary manual pressure selector, which stops automatically when the selected pressure is reached. - The compressor is started by pressing an on button. It stops automatically when the selected pressure is reached. It can only be restarted after having returned to the stop position to avoid any untimely restarting when the valve tip is disconnected. - The device for selecting and adjusting the desired pressure is capable of adjusting from 0 to 20 bar in increments of 0.25 or 0.5 bar. - The notched and lockable rotary manual pressure selector (3) locks in the selected position to prevent vibrations or shocks from disturbing it. - The pressure selection and control device can also be administered via a connected smartphone device. - The air supply hose supports the pressure supplied by the compressor. - The air supply hose is fitted with a threaded end on which all types of fittings and inflation system can be adapted, suitable for different types of valves for road bikes, mountain bikes, mountain bikes, shock absorbers and forks. - The air supply hose can be wound and blocked around the compressor, regardless of the type of endpiece screwed or not at its end - The bicycle support holds the bicycle by inserting the hub of the rear wheel. - The bike mount can be clipped. - The clip-on bicycle support can be fitted or removed manually in a housing located on the upper part of the compressor, as close as possible to the bicycle wheel. - The clip-on bicycle support is fixed to the inflation device when it is not used to be secured to the inflation device of the assembly during transport. - The bicycle support can also be retractable to facilitate its implementation. - In its retractable version, the support slides inside the inflation device - In its retractable version, the spring is pushed into the high position by a spring - In its retractable version, the support is automatically locked in the high and low position by a push + spring ball system - The bicycle support can also result from the shape of the housing and directly support the bicycle by the bottom bracket. - The internal battery ensures the balance and stability of the system. - The battery can be supplemented with a ballast to perfect the stability of the assembly. - The total volume of the device does not exceed 5000 cm3 (5 liters) - The surface area of the device does not exceed 280 cm3 • The compressor is capable of inflating to a pressure of 10 bar in less than 40 seconds a hose of fully deflated 700 x 23 mm bicycle wheel. - The inflation pressure setting can be obtained from any smartphone type device with Wi-Fi or bluetooth connection. - The inflation pressure display can be obtained from any smartphone type device with WiFi or bluetooth connection.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention:

Figure 1 shows in perspective the entire device as the user can see it, including the location where the support must be located.

Figure 2 shows in perspective and in section the device so as to observe the different internal components and their positioning.

Figure 3 shows the block diagram of the device.

Figure 4 shows in section the system used to obtain a higher pressure and improved efficiency.

FIG. 5 shows in perspective the positioning of the inflation device supporting a bicycle and the position of the support, whether it is clip-on or retractable.

Figure 6 shows in perspective the position of the battery inside the inflation device.

Figure 7 shows in perspective how the clip-on support snaps onto the inflation device and how it is held in place.

Figure 8 shows in perspective how the clip-on support is fixed under the bottom of the inflation device

FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of a cross section of the inflation and retaining device of the bicycle as well as the schematic form of the clip-on support.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic view of a cross section of the bicycle inflation and holding device and of the positioning of the clip-on support relative to the bicycle wheel.

Figure 11 shows a schematic view of a cross section of the bicycle inflation and retention device in the version where the manually retractable support is in the low position.

Figure 12 shows a schematic view of a cross section of the tire inflation and holding device in the version where the support can be retracted manually and in the high position

Figure 13 shows in perspective a cross section of the inflation device and holding the bike in the version corresponding to the clip-on bike support version.

Figure 14 is a detailed nomenclature of the constituent elements of the device and its variants

With reference to these figures, the device is composed of a housing (1) comprising a support housing (15) in which is housed the clip-on bicycle support (14)

The inflation device located inside the housing includes a battery (16) to ensure its autonomy. This battery (16) serves as a ballast to ensure the stability of the device when supporting a bicycle.

The battery (16) makes the inflation device autonomous. It is positioned opposite the support (4), and in the lower part of the housing (1) to serve as ballast and ensure the stability of the device. The display of the state of charge of the battery (0 - 1/2 - 1) is done by the display of the state of charge by LED (6)

The pressure is displayed by the sensor + analog pressure display (2) -

The desired pressure is selected in 0.25 or 0.5 bar increments by the notched and lockable rotary manual pressure selector (3).

The notched and lockable rotary manual pressure selector (3) is held in its position even in the event of vibration or shock by the use of a notch + catch spring locking system.

The system works with the electrical energy supplied by a battery, which makes it autonomous and portable. The supply of electrical energy to charge the device battery is via a 220 / 12V DC charger (11) which is connected to the 12V DC power connector (7).

The device can also be supplied directly from a cigarette lighter socket using the cord for connection to a 12 V DC cigarette lighter socket (12) which is connected to the 12V DC power connector (7).

All the accessories (charger, cigarette lighter socket, end caps) can be stored in a housing closed by the accessory storage hatch (13)

The compressed air hose (9) is wound directly on the housing (1).

The compressed air hose (9) is provided at its end with a threaded end suitable for all types of inflation tips (10) for road bike, mountain bike, motorcycle, auto, shock absorbers, forks, balloons, inflatable objects.

The compressed air hose is held in place when it is rolled up by the hose + nozzle holding system (8).

The battery is switched off by means of the battery switch-off button (5).

The compressor is started using the compressor start button (4) The user sets the desired pressure, in 0.25 bar or 0.5 bar increments, using the notched rotary manual selector and lockable pressure (3).

The pressure selection and control device can also be administered via a connected smartphone device.

When the selected pressure is reached, the compressor stops automatically.

The compressor can only be restarted by the compressor start button (4) once the compressor start button (4) has been returned to the off position. This type of operation is intended to prevent the engine from restarting unexpectedly when the nozzle of the valve is disconnected.

The charge and battery and power supply are controlled and managed by the electronic charge and power management electronic card (24)

The management of the control and the automatic stop of the compressor are carried out by the electronic card electronic management of the control (23)

The compressor is driven by a 12 V DC motor (22)

The speed of rotation of the compressor is obtained by the speed reducer (21) The compressed air is obtained in the compression block (17) The air is sucked in through the air intake orifice (18) L ' compressed air is mainly discharged through the main compressed air outlet (19)

The compressed air outlet for pressure sensor (20) is intended to inform the sensor + Analog pressure display (2)

The pressure of 18 bar and the generated volume of 50 liters per minute are obtained by replacing the piston with traditional shape (25) by the original solution of a piston whose upper shape is spherical (26). This shape makes it possible to very substantially reduce the dead space (EM1 in the case of a traditional piston and EM2 in the case of the piston used in the device), which has the consequence of increasing the geometric displacement and improving the volumetric efficiency of the order of 10 to 20%.

The bicycle is supported by the clip-on bicycle support (14).

The clip-on bicycle support (14). is located under the housing (1) in an ergonomic storage of the clip-on support (28) allowing it to be fixed to the inflation device during transport. This ergonomic storage of the clip-on support (28) has an ergonomic shape so that the clip-on bicycle support (14) can easily be removed from the housing (1) while ensuring effective support during transport.

This clip-on bicycle support (14) comes to slide and lock into abutment in the support housing (15). Once positioned, it is able to serve as a support for the bicycle. No vertical force is exerted on the clip-on bike mount (14).

The wheel axle (29) is then slid into the support slot (37) and the bike is stabilized in the vertical position.

The height (H) of 280 mm between the ground and the bottom of the support light (clip-on (14) or retractable (14b) bicycle) allows you to accept all types of bicycle with a 700 mm diameter wheel.

A variant of the device is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. This is a version in which the support (14b) is retractable.

In this version, the support slides in the support housing (34). It is pushed upwards by a spring (33).

Locking is ensured by a Ball + captive spring system (31).

To deploy the retractable support (14b), the operator presses on the ball. When the force of the spring (33) is greater than the stress exerted by the ball, the support (14b) rises until the ball (31) is stopped by the housing of the high ball (32a).

The support is thus functional and can be used in the same way as the clip-on support of the basic version.

To retract the support, simply press the ball (31) and push the support (14b) down until the ball (31) comes to be housed in the housing of the low ball (32b) .

Another variant, not illustrated, consists in adapting the design of the housing (1) so that it serves directly as a support for the bicycle frame and more precisely for the bottom bracket. In this case, the operator will not be able to turn the pedals of the bicycle and cleaning, lubrication and chain adjustment operations will not be possible.

Ventilation and cooling are provided by the cooling fan (35) and the air passage openings for ventilation (36)

The device according to the invention is particularly intended to inflate independently and to maintain a bicycle in a standing position on its 2 wheels.

The device according to the invention is particularly capable of delivering a pressure and a flow sufficient to inflate all types of tires, tubulars, forks and shock absorbers of all types of bicycle requiring a pressure of up to 18 bar and a minimum flow of 50 liters. per minutes.

The device according to the invention is particularly capable of automatically stopping operation when the pressure selected using a notched ergonomic dial is reached.

Claims (11)

1 ^ Device for holding a bicycle in a vertical position and for autonomous inflation of the tire of said bicycle, comprising: - a compression block (17) for obtaining compressed air for inflation of the tire, - a speed reducer ( 21), - an electric motor (22) which drives said compression block (17) via said speed reducer (21), - an air intake orifice (18), - a compressed air outlet main (19); characterized in that said device comprises: - a housing (1) comprising a housing (15) of a clip-on (14) or retractable (14b) bicycle support, - said clip-on (14) or retractable (14b) bicycle support allowing the bicycle to be kept in the vertical position, - a battery (16) located inside said housing (1) to ensure the autonomy of said device. 2) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the stability of the bicycle in the vertical position is ensured by the fact that the battery (16) is located in the housing (1) opposite the support (14) and in part low. 3) Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a rotary manual selector (3) which makes it possible to select the tire inflation pressure in increments of 0.25 bar. 4) Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the rotary manual selector (3) is held firmly in position by a system of toothed wheel with clips and a spring to prevent said rotary manual selector (3) from being adjusted because vibrations or during transport. 5) Device according to claim 4, characterized in that said device automatically stops inflation when the inflation pressure reaches an inflation pressure selected by the rotary manual selector (3). 6) Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an optimized compression head of a piston of spherical shape making it possible to reduce the dead space and therefore to improve the volumetric efficiency which makes it possible to provide a minimum of 18 bar of pressure and generate an actual inflation volume of 50 liters / min. 7) Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it capable of holding the bicycle in an upright position and of inflating at the same time at a pressure of 10 bar in less than 40 seconds a hose of bicycle wheel of the type 700 x 23 mm fully deflated. 8) Device one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retractable bicycle support (14b) slides in a groove provided for this purpose in the housing, said retractable bicycle support being locked in the high or low position by a ball with spring and forced towards the high position by a spring. 9) Device one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the volume of said device does not exceed 5000 cm3 and its floor area does not exceed 280 cm2. 10) Device one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the adjustment and display of the inflation pressure can be obtained from any device of the smartphone type with connection of the Wifi or bluetooth type. 11) Device one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the adjustment and display of the inflation pressure can be obtained on any device of the smartphone type with wireless connection.