JP2004074955A - Air filling device and automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inexpensive and simply-structured air filling device. <P>SOLUTION: This air filling device attached to an automobile is provided with an air branch pipe 8 branching from a part 20a of a pipe between a tank 2 and a switching valve 3 constituting a vehicle height adjuster. A flexible tube 13 is provided having a connection metal fitting 22, which serves as an air discharge part E freely connectable to an air filled apparatus G, at the tip 22. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle-mounted air filling device and a vehicle.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-10243 is known as a tire pressure adjusting device using an electric compressor of a vehicle height adjusting device.
This conventional tire air conditioner is equipped with a level sensor that controls the compressor to use the electric compressor for the air shock absorber that is standard equipment, and separates (separates) the linkage with the compressor. In this configuration, a switch is provided and a switch for independently controlling the compressor is provided. In particular, the tire pressure supply air line (pipe) is branched downstream of a large main switching valve (solenoid valve) in order to switch between supplying and discharging compressed air to and from the air shock absorber.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Therefore, the above-mentioned conventional tire air conditioner controls the switching of the compressed air to the air shock absorber and the switching of the compressed air to the tire air pressure supply line by operating a large main switching valve (solenoid valve) and controlling the switching. Since the circuit is switched by the switch, the structure is considerably complicated and expensive. Moreover, its use has been limited to filling in tires.
[0004]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an air filling apparatus which solves the conventional problems described above, has a simple structure, requires little increase in the number of parts and requires little modification, and can be manufactured at low cost. In recent years, there has been an increasing number of occasions of going out to the sea or mountains by using an automobile such as an SUV and injecting air into an air-filled device (thing) such as a floating ring or a rubber boat. Another object of the present invention is to be able to easily and quickly inject air into equipment such as an automobile.
[0005]
[Means to solve the problem]
Therefore, the present invention relates to an air filling device attached to an automobile, a compressor for generating compressed air, a tank for storing compressed air from the compressor, a suspension device having an air expansion and contraction adjusting unit, A part of the pipe for communicating and connecting the tank and the switching valve in the vehicle height adjustment device having a pipe for communicating and connecting the air expansion / contraction adjustment part and a switching valve interposed in the middle of the pipe. An air branching pipe is provided, and at the tip of the air branching pipe, an air discharge section that can be connected to an air filling device is provided, and the supply of air to the air discharge section is turned on in the air branch pipe. This is a configuration in which a valve mechanism for turning off is interposed.
[0006]
In addition, the air branch pipe has a pipe joint closer to the tip than the valve mechanism, and has a flexible tube detachably connected via the pipe joint. It has a connection fitting as an air discharge section that can be connected to the air filling equipment. Then, preferably, a set of flexible tubes having connection fittings corresponding to various air-filled instruments is provided, and the flexible tubes are selectively connected via the above-mentioned pipe joint.
[0007]
The vehicle according to the present invention includes a compressor for generating compressed air, a tank for storing compressed air from the compressor, a suspension device having an air expansion and contraction adjustment unit, and a communication connection between the tank and the air expansion and contraction adjustment unit. In a vehicle equipped with a vehicle height adjustment device having a pipe and a switching valve interposed in the middle of the pipe, a part of the pipe that connects and connects the tank and the switching valve is branched. An air branch pipe is provided, and at the tip of the air branch pipe, an air discharge section that can be connected to an air-filled device is provided, and the supply of air to the air discharge section is turned on / off in the air branch pipe. This is a configuration in which a valve mechanism is interposed.
[0008]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on the illustrated embodiments.
In the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a compressor for generating compressed air, and the compressor 1 is rotationally driven by an electric motor 17 which is rotated by a vehicle battery (not shown).
Reference numeral 2 denotes a tank for temporarily storing the compressed air sent from the compressor 1.
[0009]
Reference numeral 4 denotes an air expansion and contraction adjustment unit, which is exemplified by an air spring. The air expansion / contraction adjusting section 4 may be an air cylinder or the like. Reference numeral 18 denotes a shock absorber, and 19 denotes a coil spring, which is disposed substantially coaxially with the air expansion / contraction adjusting section (air spring) 4. The shock absorber 18 and the coil spring 19 are mechanically arranged in parallel, and the air expansion / contraction adjusting section (air spring) 4 and the coil spring 19 (or the shock absorber 18) are arranged in series. Of course, the air expansion / contraction adjustment unit 4 and the other mechanisms (the shock absorber 18 and the coil spring 19) may be arranged in a manner other than that shown in FIG. Alternatively, the coil spring 19 may be omitted, and the present invention may be applied to a suspension device including only an air spring (air bag) or a suspension device including only an air cylinder. For example, there is no coil spring, and the air expansion / contraction adjustment unit 4 may be formed by an air sprig (or air cylinder) of a suspension device having a damper (shock absorber) and an air spring (or air cylinder) in series or in parallel.
[0010]
The air expansion and contraction adjustment unit 4 forms a part of a suspension system of an automobile. The provision of the air expansion and contraction adjustment unit 4 facilitates the adjustment of the vehicle height by the supply and discharge (in / out) of the compressed air, changes the overall spring constant, and enjoys various riding comforts. It is possible.
[0011]
A switching valve 3 is provided in the middle of a pipe 20 that connects the tank 2 and the air expansion / contraction adjustment unit 4. Specifically, the switching valve 3 exemplifies a 3-position 3-port solenoid valve. In the central block (center position), all three ports are in a closed state, and the compressed air sent from the tank 2 through a part 20a of the pipe 20 is closed, and the air expansion and contraction adjustment unit 4 Is also closed.
[0012]
Reference numeral 5 is a (vehicle height adjustment) switch for switching the excitation of the switching valve (solenoid valve) 3 to the left and right solenoids alternately and for turning off both to switch the spool (valve element). The power for this solenoid is supplied from a vehicle battery.
[0013]
Reference numeral 6 denotes a pressure switch provided on a part 20a of a pipe 20 connecting the tank 2 and the breakage (main) valve 3. The pressure switch 6 turns off the electric motor 17 when the pressure falls below a predetermined value. By starting (ON) and conversely, when the pressure exceeds a predetermined value, the electric motor 17 is stopped (OFF) to rotate or stop the compressor 1 and manage (control) the pressure of the compressed air in the tank 2. In the figure, I ₆ indicates a command signal (ON-OFF) from the pressure switch 6 to the electric motor 17.
[0014]
By the way, in the block (switching position) on the left side of the switching valve 3, the pipe 20 for sending the compressed air from the tank 2 is in a communicating state, and the air at a predetermined pressure is supplied to the air expansion and contraction adjustment unit 4. On the other hand, in the block (switching position) on the right side of the switching valve 3, a part 20a of the pipe from the tank 2 is closed (closed), and the other part 20b of the pipe connected to the air expansion / contraction adjustment section 4 is exposed to the atmosphere. When released, the air pressure in the air expansion / contraction adjustment unit 4 decreases.
A vehicle height adjusting device is constituted by the compressor 1, the tank 2, the suspension device having the air expansion / contraction adjusting portion 4, the pipe 20, the switching (main) valve 3, and the like.
[0015]
The air filling device according to the present invention is configured as follows. That is, an air branch pipe 8 is provided by branching off from a part 20a of the pipe 20 that connects and connects the tank 2 and the switching valve 3 of the vehicle height adjusting device. In FIG. 1, a branch portion such as a T-shaped joint 9 is provided in the above-mentioned part 20 a of the pipe 20, and the air branch pipe 8 is branched and formed therefrom.
At the tip 8a of the air branch pipe 8, there is provided an air discharge section E which can be connected to an air-filled instrument (thing) G such as a leisure boat used in the sea or river, a floating ring or a mat. Further, a valve mechanism W for turning on / off (opening / closing) the air supply to the air discharge section E is provided in the middle of the air branch pipe 8.
[0016]
More specifically, the air branch pipe 8 preferably employs a relief valve 12 as the valve mechanism W, and a pressure reducing valve 11 is provided on the T-shaped joint 9 side of the relief valve 12. deep. The air branch pipe 8 has a pipe joint 21 closer to the distal end 8 a than the valve mechanism W, and has a flexible tube 13 that is detachably connected via the pipe joint 21.
[0017]
At the tip of the flexible tube 13, there is provided a connection fitting 22 as the air discharge section E. The flexible tube 13 is preferably made of a flexible rubber or plastic having reinforcing (reinforced) fibers. As shown in FIG. 1, a set (plural) of flexible tubes 13, 14, 15 having connection fittings 22 (having different shapes and structures) corresponding to various (plural) air-filled instruments (persons) G are provided. The flexible tubes 13, 14, and 15 are selectively connected via the pipe joint 21 and used.
Therefore, the flexible tubes 13, 14, and 15 can be alternatively selected for the various air inlets of the air-filled device (person) G, and the connection fitting 22 can be matched with the inlet.
[0018]
According to the air filling device described above, basically, the release valve 12 (valve mechanism W) is kept closed (OFF state). In this state, compressed air does not flow out of the air branch pipe 8 (closed state).
Therefore, the vehicle height adjusting device operates as usual.
The valve mechanism W is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, and may be freely changed in design, such as a combination of a pressure reducing valve 11 or a pressure regulating valve and an on-off valve or a switching valve.
[0019]
The air expansion and contraction adjustment unit 4 may be an air cylinder or the like other than the air spring shown in FIG. The air-filled device (object) may be a bicycle tire or a car tire, in addition to the specific examples described above. Shape. In addition, it is desirable to provide a pressure reducing valve 11 with a pressure gauge or to separately provide a pressure gauge closer to the distal end side than the valve mechanism W in consideration of filling into a bicycle tire or an automobile tire. Further, the switching valve 3 may have another port or a 5-port 3-position.
[0020]
As described above, the present invention connects the air branch pipe 8 from a part 20a of the pipe 20 while keeping almost the structure (parts) originally provided in the vehicle height adjusting apparatus, and thereby provides the valve mechanism W and the flexibility. This is a useful invention that can be easily manufactured simply by adding the tube 13 and the like, and that can sufficiently cope with various ways of enjoying a recent automobile. In addition, even if the tire of the automobile itself notices that the air pressure is low, it may not be possible to fill the air without a gas station nearby, but this is also effective in such a case. Furthermore, even if the tire pressure of the four-wheel tires is checked frequently, it is difficult to check the tire pressure of the spare tires. This is also effective in such a case. In this way, the compressed air in the rarely used tank 2 can be effectively used.
[0021]
【The invention's effect】
(According to claim 1 or 4) The compressed air in the tank 2 used only for adjusting the vehicle height can be effectively used for filling the rubber boat, the floating ring, the mat or the like with air. Therefore, the overall usability and comfort as an automobile can be significantly improved.
Furthermore, the structure is simple, and it can be easily modified or manufactured with little modification to the original vehicle height adjusting device. The number of components to be added is small and sufficient, and it can be said that the utility is high. There is also an advantage that it can be modified or manufactured at low cost.
[0022]
According to the second aspect, the flexible tube 13 (14, 15) having the connection fitting 22 at the tip is excellent in usability and can be easily and quickly connected to the air-filled device (object) G.
(According to claim 3) A variety of air-filled instruments (objects) G can be easily handled, which is convenient. This configuration can greatly contribute to the spread of the present invention.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Compressor 2 Tank 3 Switching valve 4 Air expansion and contraction adjustment part 8 Air branch pipe 8a Tip 20 Pipe 20a Part 20b Other part E Air discharge part G Air filling equipment (thing)
W valve mechanism

Claims (4)

An air filling device attached to a vehicle, comprising a compressed air generating compressor, a tank for storing compressed air from the compressor, a suspension device having an air expansion and contraction adjustment unit, and the tank and the air expansion and contraction adjustment unit. A pipe for communication and connection, and a switching valve interposed in the middle of the pipe, a part of the pipe for communication and connection between the tank and the switching valve in the vehicle height adjustment device, and an air branch pipe. At the end of the air branch pipe, there is provided an air discharge section that can be connected to an air filling device, and the air branch pipe is provided with a valve mechanism for turning on and off the supply of air to the air discharge section. An air filling device characterized by being mounted. The air branch pipe has a pipe joint closer to the tip than the valve mechanism, and has a flexible tube detachably connected via the pipe joint. 2. The air filling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a connection fitting as an air discharge section connectable to the filling apparatus. 3. The air-air filling device according to claim 2, further comprising a set of flexible tubes having fittings corresponding to various types of air-filled instruments, wherein said flexible tubes are selectively connected via said pipe joints. . A compressor for generating compressed air, a tank for storing compressed air from the compressor, a suspension device having an air expansion and contraction adjusting section, a pipe for communicating and connecting the tank and the air expansion and contraction adjusting section, and an intermediate part of the pipe. A vehicle equipped with a vehicle height adjustment device having a switching valve mounted thereon, wherein an air branch pipe is provided by branching from a part of the pipe for communicating and connecting the tank and the switching valve. At the tip of the pipe, an air discharge section that can be connected to the air filling device is provided, and a valve mechanism that turns on and off the supply of air to the air discharge section is provided in the air branch pipe. And the car.

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