GB2313348A

GB2313348A - Automotive air compressor driven by suspension movement

Info

Publication number: GB2313348A
Application number: GB9610593A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Michael Schollar
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-05-21
Filing date: 1996-05-21
Publication date: 1997-11-26
Also published as: GB9610593D0

Abstract

A reciprocating air compressor 101, mounted on a sprung part of a vehicle, is driven by a rod 110, connected to an unsprung part, through pivoted plates 109, 106 and a connecting rod 105. Between the plates 109 and 106 is a clutch (Fig. 2) which is disengaged to interrupt the drive to the compressor when the pressure in a reservoir 104, acting through a line 122, is sufficient to overcome a spring bias.

Description

Automotive Air Compressors The present invention relates to air compressors for automotive use.

Commercial road vehicles in particular use compressed air for a number of purposes such as braking and the opening and closing of pneumatically controlled doors. Conventionally, the high pressure air is produced by compressors which are driven by the engines of the vehicles concerned. However, the power requirements are quite high, at least three kilowatts and sometimes much more. As a result, somewhat larger engines might have to be used than might otherwise be required, or at the least the fuel consumption is made worse than it otherwise would be. Both these considerations are of importance to the road haulage industry.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved air compressor for automotive use.

According to the present invention there is provided an air compressor system for automotive use, comprising a reciprocating air compressor including a connecting rod, and means for connecting the connecting rod to an unsprung portion-of the suspension of a vehicle with which the air compressor is used.

The compressor may be of either the piston or diaphragm type.

Preferably, there is included an air reservoir and means for disengaging the connecting rod of the compressor from the unsprung portion of the suspension of the vehicle when a pre-determined air pressure has been reached in the air reservoir.

The means for disengaging the connecting rod of the air compressor from the unsprung portion of the suspension of the vehicle may comprise a friction clutch.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 shows a front elevation of the invention and Figure 2 shows diagrammatically a section of the embodiment of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, a mechanically driven air compressor for automotive use consists of an air compression cylinder 101 having an air inlet 102 and an air outlet 103. The air outlet 103 is connected to an air reservoir 104, which is connected to whatever services are to be pneumatically operated, in the usual way. A connecting rod 105 is attached to a pair of link plates 106 which are pivoted upon a shaft 107, which is mounted on a part of the chassis 108 of a vehicle with which the compressor is being used. Of course, the air compression cylinder 101 also is rigidly attached to the chassis of the vehicle. A second link plate 109 also is pivoted on the shaft 107 and is connected via a linkage 110 to an unsprung part 111 of the suspension of the vehicle, both of the latter being indicated only generally. The link plates 106 and 109 are connected via a friction clutch 112.

Referring to Figure 2 the friction clutch 112 consists of two friction disks 113 which are interposed between the link plates 106 and the link plate 109. The shaft 107 is clamped in position in the chassis 108 of the vehicle by means of a nut 114 and a flange 115 formed on the shaft 107. The flange 115 has an axial projection 116 which bears on the inner race of a ball thrust bearing 118 which is mounted in the link plate 106 nearer to the chassis 108 of the vehicle. The inner race of the bearing 117 is an interference fit on the shaft 107. The other link plates 106 and 109 and the friction disks 113 are running fits on the shaft 107 so that they pivot freely on it. The link plates 106 and 109 and the friction disks 113 are retained on the shaft 107 by a collar 118 which is screwed onto the end of the shaft 107. A clutch withdrawal rod 119 runs through the centre of the shaft 107. One end of the rod 119 terminates in a piston 120 which operates in a closed chamber 121 which has an air inlet 122, which is connected to the reservoir 104. The periphery of the piston 120 is sealed by a flexible diaphragm 123. A spider 124 is mounted on the other end of the rod 119 and bears upon the other link plate 106. Another ball thrust race 125 is mounted in the spider 124 so that it can move freely relative to the shaft 107. The necessary force to clamp the link plates 106 and 109 together via the friction disks 113 is provided by a compression spring 126 under the piston 120. A disk magnet 127 is included in the chamber 121 and tends to keep the clutch 112 in the engaged position.

In use, the-clutch 112 remains engaged, locking the link plates 106 and 109 together until the air pressure in the reservoir 104 and chamber 121 is sufficient to overcome the compression spring 126 and the attraction of the magnet 127. When this pressure is reached, the withdrawal rod 119 moves the spider 124 to release the clutch 112 and enable the pair of link plates 106 and the link plate 109 to move relative to each other, so disengaging the compressor from its drive system. The magnet 127 causes the action of the clutch 112 to be quicker than otherwise it would be.

The invention may be used in conjunction with vehicles such as trailers or horse boxes, which do not normally have a compressed air supply to enable them to be provided with pneumatically operated facilities including pneumatic suspensions.

Claims

1. An air compressor system for automotive use, comprising a reciprocating air compressor including a connecting rod, and means for connecting the connecting rod to an unsprung portion of the suspension of a vehicle with which the air compressor is used.

2. An air compressor system according to Claim 1 wherein there is included means for disengaging the connecting rod of the compressor from the unsprung portion of the suspension of the vehicle when a predetermined air pressure has been reached in the air reservoir.

3. An air compressor according to Claim 2 whereint he means for disengaging the connecting rod of the compressor from the unsprung portion of the suspension of the vehicle comprises a friction clutch.

4. An air compressor system for automatic use substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.