U.S. patent application number 11/712806 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-04 for inflator with cooling fan.
This patent application is currently assigned to Eastway Fair Company Limited. Invention is credited to Steven E. Hicks, Ronald C. McCurry, Douglas Kent Ritterling.
Application Number | 20080213089 11/712806 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39733165 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080213089 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McCurry; Ronald C. ; et
al. |
September 4, 2008 |
Inflator with cooling fan
Abstract
An inflator is disclosed having a housing and a motor assembly
within the housing. A first output line is in fluid communication
with a first end of the motor assembly to provide a cooling path of
air and a high-volume flow of air. The first output line provides a
guiding path for the egress of the high-volume flow of air from the
housing. A second output line is in fluid communication with a
second end of the motor assembly and to provide a high-pressure
flow of air.
Inventors: |
McCurry; Ronald C.; (West
Union, SC) ; Hicks; Steven E.; (Easley, SC) ;
Ritterling; Douglas Kent; (Anderson, SC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TTi/BRINKS HOFER GILSON & LIONE
P.O.BOX 10395
CHICAGO
IL
60610
US
|
Assignee: |
Eastway Fair Company
Limited
|
Family ID: |
39733165 |
Appl. No.: |
11/712806 |
Filed: |
March 1, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
415/204 ;
137/565.01; 417/254; 454/186 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04B 41/06 20130101;
Y10T 137/85978 20150401 |
Class at
Publication: |
415/204 ;
137/565.01; 417/254; 454/186 |
International
Class: |
F04B 23/10 20060101
F04B023/10; F04B 23/08 20060101 F04B023/08 |
Claims
1. An inflator, comprising: a housing; a motor assembly within the
housing; a first output line in fluid communication with a first
end of the motor assembly to provide a cooling path of air and a
high-volume flow of air, wherein the first output line provides a
guiding path for the egress of the high-volume flow of air from the
housing; and a second output line in fluid communication with a
second end of the motor assembly to provide a high-pressure flow of
air.
2. The inflator of claim 1, wherein the first output line comprises
a blower housing and at least one centrifugal fan within the blower
housing, and wherein the cooling path of air is axial to the blower
housing and at least one centrifugal fan.
3. The inflator of claim 2, wherein the high-volume flow of air is
tangential to the blower housing and at least one centrifugal
fan.
4. The inflator of claim 2, further comprising a guiding member for
the egress of the high-volume flow of air from the housing.
5. The inflator of claim 4, further comprising a high flow hose
fluidly connected to the guiding member for the egress of the
high-volume flow of air.
6. The inflator of claim 1, further comprising a detachable high
flow hose attached to the first output line to provide egress for
the high volume flow of air.
7. The inflator of claim 1, wherein the second output line further
comprises a detachable high pressure hose to provide an egress for
the high-pressure flow of air from the housing.
8. The inflator of claim 1, wherein the second output line
comprises a piston and pump cylinder.
9. An inflating mechanism having a body with a cavity and an inlet
for ambient air, a motor assembly within the cavity, a crankshaft,
piston and pump cylinder for creating a high pressure flow of air
attached to a first end of the motor assembly, and a high-pressure
hose attached to the pump cylinder, wherein the high-pressure hose
provides an egress for the high pressure flow of air, wherein the
improvement comprises: a volute blowing mechanism attached to a
second end of the motor assembly to create a flow path of cooling
air and a guided path of high flow air.
10. The inflating mechanism of claim 9, wherein the volute blowing
mechanism further comprises a guide for the guided path of high
flow air.
11. The inflating mechanism of claim 9, wherein the volute blowing
mechanism comprises a blower housing and at least one centrifugal
fan within the blower housing.
12. The inflating mechanism of claim 11, wherein the blower housing
further comprises a guide for the guided path of high flow air.
13. The inflating mechanism of claim 11, wherein the high flow air
is expelled tangential to the at least one centrifugal fan.
14. The inflating mechanism of claim 9, further comprising a high
flow hose fluidly connected to the volute blowing mechanism to
provide an egress for the high flow air from the cavity.
15. A dual-pressure inflator, comprising: a housing; a motor
assembly located within the housing; a centrifugal fan attached to
a first end of the motor assembly, a blower housing attached to the
housing and surrounding the centrifugal fan, the blower housing
providing a guided path for a high-volume flow of air; a
crankshaft, piston and cylinder attached to a second end of the
motor assembly for providing a high-pressure flow of air opposite
the high volume flow of air; and a detachable high pressure hose
attached to the cylinder to provide an egress for the high-pressure
flow of air from the housing; wherein the fan creates an axial path
of cooling air.
16. The dual-pressure inflator of claim 15, further comprising a
detachable high flow hose attached to the blower housing to provide
for the egress of the high volume flow of air.
17. A process for operating an inflating mechanism that includes a
housing, a motor assembly within the housing, a crankshaft, piston
and pump cylinder for creating a high pressure flow of air attached
to a first end of the motor assembly, and a volute blowing
mechanism attached to a second end of the motor, the process
comprising: introducing a source of air into the housing; and
simultaneously creating: a path of cooling air with the volute
blowing mechanism; a high volume flow of air with the volute
blowing mechanism; and a high pressure path of air with the
crankshaft, piston and pump cylinder.
18. The process of claim 17, further comprising: simultaneously
expelling from the housing: the high pressure path of air with a
high-pressure hose attached to the pump cylinder; and the high
volume flow of air though an opening in the housing.
19. The process of claim 17, further comprising: simultaneously
expelling from the housing: the high pressure path of air with a
high-pressure hose attached to the pump cylinder; and the high
volume flow of air with a high-flow hose attached to the volute
blowing mechanism.
20. The process of claim 17, wherein the volute blowing mechanism
further comprises a guiding mechanism, and wherein the method
further comprises: guiding the high volume flow of air through the
volute mechanism with the guide.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present application relates to inflation devices, and,
in particular, to inflation devices utilizing a cooling fan as a
blower.
[0002] Inflation devices, or inflators, are used to inflate items
such as vehicle and bicycle tires, air mattresses, and swimming
flotation devices. In general, tires are compressed with air having
a "high pressure, low volume," while larger volume items, such as
air mattresses and rafts, are inflated with air having a "low
pressure, high volume."
[0003] Existing inflators often have a "compressor-type" structure.
The inflator will include a motor assembly that has, at one end, a
reciprocating piston and pump. The motor will drive the piston so
that the piston will compress the air that enters the pump. The
resulting air will be highly pressurized and suitable for the
inflation of tires. The motor and reciprocating action of the
piston, however, generally produce a great-deal of heat. One
solution to prevent the inflator from overheating is to extend the
motor's shaft at the end of the motor opposite the end that
includes the piston and pump and attach a radial fan. U.S. Pat. No.
5,252,033 to Lin demonstrates such a configuration. In such
compressor-type structures, the fan will "blow" air across the
components in order to cool them. The air is then exhausted out of
the inflator
[0004] However, with such a configuration, some of the cooling air
may disperse within the inflator and fail to be exhausted out of
the inflator. The temperature of this air often will increase, thus
resulting in an inefficient cooling system. In addition, the
running fan itself may produce heat that fails to be exhausted,
again resulting in inefficient cooling. Moreover, inefficient
cooling may cause the inflator to increase in temperature to the
point that it is "hot to the touch" and uncomfortable for a
user.
[0005] Furthermore, such compressor type-structures produce
"compressed air" that is high pressure, low volume. As described
above, while compressed air is suitable for inflating tires, it is
generally unsuitable for inflating larger-volume items because of
the large amount of time required for inflation. U.S. Pat. No.
4,829,625 to Wang discloses a vacuum/air compressor that provides
both high volume, low pressure air compression and low volume, high
pressure air compression. The high volume, low pressure compression
is suitable for inflating larger-volume items while the low volume,
high-pressure air compression is suitable for inflating high tires.
The Wang patent, however, fails to provide a solution regarding any
potential overheating of the vacuum/air compressor.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0006] An inflator is disclosed having a housing and a motor
assembly within the housing. A first output line is in fluid
communication with a first end of the motor assembly to provide a
cooling path of air and a high-volume flow of air. The first output
line provides a guiding path for the egress of the high-volume flow
of air from the housing. A second output line is in fluid
communication with a second end of the motor assembly and to
provide a high-pressure flow of air.
[0007] The present disclosure also describes a dual-pressure
inflator that also includes a housing and a motor assembly within
the housing. A centrifugal fan is attached to a first end of the
motor assembly and creates an axial path of cooling air. A blower
housing is attached to the housing, surrounds the centrifugal fan,
and provides a guided path for a high-volume flow of air. A
crankshaft, piston and cylinder are attached to a second end of the
motor assembly and provide a high-pressure flow of air opposite the
high volume flow of air. A detachable high pressure hose is
attached to the cylinder and provides an egress for the
high-pressure flow of air from the housing.
[0008] The present disclosure also includes a process for operating
an inflating mechanism. The process includes introducing the source
of air into a housing. Additionally, the following are
simultaneously created: a path of cooling air is created with a
volute blowing mechanism; a high volume flow of air also is created
with the volute blowing mechanism; and a high pressure path of air
is created with a crankshaft, piston and pump cylinder.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a view of an inflator with the inflator housing
partially cut away.
[0010] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the inflator of FIG. 1 that
shows the flow path of cooling air.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a top view of a fan and blower housing as shown in
FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a side view of a fan and blower housing as shown
in FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a view of a prior art compressor structure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED
EMBODIMENTS
[0014] Before describing the novel inflator, a brief explanation of
prior art compressor structures will be helpful. Referring to FIG.
5, traditional compressor structures, or inflators 100, utilize a
motor 102 that drives a crankshaft 104 and a reciprocating piston
106. Upon moving in a downwardly direction, the piston 106 will
draw air into a cavity 110 of the cylinder 108. Upon moving
upwardly, the piston 106 will compress the air, causing the air to
be highly pressurized. The highly pressurized air will exit through
an outlet 112 and is suitable for inflating items that require a
higher-pressure/low volume, such as tires. The high pressure/low
volume air, however, is undesirable for inflating high volume items
such as air mattresses, because it will take a long period of time
to inflate such items.
[0015] During the operation of the inflator, the motor 102 and
reciprocating piston 106 generate heat that may become excessive.
To solve this problem, the motor's shaft may be extended from a
rear 114 of the motor (i.e., an end opposite the piston and
cylinder), and a radial fan 116 may be attached. The fan 116
generates air to cool the components. However, the operation of the
fan 116 may generate heat, which can remain inside the inflator and
cause the inflator to become hot to the touch and make a user
operating the inflator uncomfortable. Moreover, the inflator may
end up overheating.
[0016] Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a novel inflator 2 for
inflating items such as tires, air mattresses, swimming flotation
devices and the like is shown and described herein. Notably, the
inflator 2 is suitable for inflating items that require either high
pressure/low volume or high volume/low pressure air flow. The
inflator 2 includes an inflator housing 4 and a handle 6 that is
contiguous with the housing 4. The handle 6 can be molded
contiguous with the housing and can be formed in a variety of
shapes, such as a D-shape or an oblong shape, so that it is
ergonomically advantageous when grasped by a user of the inflator
2. Preferably, the inflator housing 4 and handle 6 are made of
high-temperature plastic.
[0017] The inflator 2 also includes a removable battery housing 8
that houses a battery 10 in order to power the inflator. While FIG.
1 shows the battery housing 8 attached to a bottom wall 4A of the
inflator housing 4, the battery housing 8 may be attached at other
portions of the inflator housing 4, depending on the shape of the
inflator housing 4. The batteries can be single use or
rechargeable.
[0018] An air intake 9 is included that allows ambient air to enter
into the housing that provides both high pressure and low pressure
air as well as cooling air for components located within the
inflator housing 4. While, in a preferred embodiment, the air
intake 9 is located in a side wall 11 of the handle 6, the air
intake 9 can be located elsewhere depending on the configuration of
the inflator housing 4 and associated components (described further
below).
[0019] The handle 6 is conventional and includes a trigger 13 that
actuates a motor assembly 12 located within the inflator housing 4.
Preferably, the handle 6 includes a lock-on member 18 that engages
the trigger 12 so that the trigger 13 remains in an actuated
position without requiring the user to "hold" the trigger 13.
[0020] The motor assembly 12 includes a motor 14 and a gear case 16
attached to a first end 14A of the motor 14. The gear case 16
reduces the amount of speed generated by the motor 14. Depending on
the amount of reduction desired, the gear case 16 can include a
variety of configurations. However, in a preferred embodiment the
gear case 16 includes a pinion 20 and gear 22.
[0021] A crankshaft 24, piston 26 and pump cylinder 28 are attached
to the first end 14A of the motor assembly 14. The gear case 16
reduces and transfers torque generated by the motor 14 to the
crankshaft 24, which, in turn, drives the piston 26. The piston 26
compresses air within a cavity 30 of the pump cylinder 28. The air,
which enters the inflator housing 4 via the air intake 9, enters
the cavity 30 of the pump cylinder 28 through an inlet 32. Once the
air within the cavity 30 is compressed, an outlet valve 34
associated with the pump cylinder 28 will open to allow the
compressed air to exit the cavity 30. Once compressed, the air has
a "high pressure flow."
[0022] A detachable high-pressure hose 36, inserted through an
opening 37 in the inflator housing, is attached to the outlet valve
34. For convenience, a cavity 40 in the inflator housing 4 is
provided to store the high-pressure hose 36 when it is not in use.
The hose 36 has a diameter such that the air that exits the pump
cylinder 28 maintains a high pressure flow. Optionally, a chuck or
valve 38 is fluidly connected to the high-pressure hose at an end
42 opposite the outlet valve 34. The chuck 38 allows the
high-pressure hose 36 to be attached a valve stem for the inflation
of items requiring high pressure flow, such as vehicle or bicycle
tires.
[0023] A fan 44 is attached to a second end 46 of the motor
assembly 12 and is driven by the motor 14. As explained further
below, the fan provides both a high volume/low pressure flow of air
("high flow air") and cooling air. In one preferred embodiment, the
fan will have an outer diameter of 73 millimeters, a capacity of
nine cubic feet per minute, and will be made of a glass-filled
nylon material. In other embodiments, fans having a different size
and capacity, as well as being made of a different material, may be
used. Examples of other suitable materials include aluminum and
poly carbonate. Moreover, although a preferred embodiment
contemplates one fan, depending on the volume/pressure requirements
for the air flow, more than one fan may be used in axial alignment
at the second end 46 of the motor assembly 12.
[0024] The fan 44 is located within a blower housing 48 (FIG. 4).
Together, the fan 44 and blower housing 48 have a volute-shaped
area that forms a centrifugal or axial blower that both provides
high flow air for the inflation of high-volume items and cooling
air to cool the components within the inflator housing 4. Air
enters into the blower housing 48 and fan 44 through an opening 50
in the blower housing 48.
[0025] The blower housing 48 includes a guide 52 that provides a
passage for, and prevents the dispersal of, high flow of air from
the fan. Preferably, the high flow air will be projected in a
direction tangential to the fan 44. Advantageously, the guide 52
also acts as a passage for the egress of heat generated by the pump
cylinder 28 and the motor assembly 12, which exits with the high
flow air generated by the fan 44.
[0026] Optionally, an end 58 of a detachable high-flow hose 60 may
be attached to the guide 52. Generally, the high-flow hose 60 will
have a diameter larger than the high-pressure hose and is suitable
for inflating items that have larger volumes, such as air
mattresses. An adapter 62 may be attached to the high-flow hose at
an end 64 opposite the end 58 attached to the guide 52. The adapter
62 provides for the attachment of the high-flow hose to a valve
(not shown) normally associated with an item for inflation. As with
the high-pressure hose, the high-flow hose 60 may be stored in a
second cavity 40 in the inflator housing.
[0027] The operation of the DC inflator will now be described: Upon
actuation of the trigger 13, the motor assembly 14 is energized.
The motor assembly 14, in turn, drives the fan 44 that is located
within the blower housing 48. The fan 44 generates a centrifugal
force. The centrifugal force draws air entering the air intake 9
across the pump cylinder 28, piston 26, crankshaft 24, and motor
assembly 14. The air cools the afore-mentioned components. The
circulation of the cooling air is shown in FIG. 2 and is depicted
with arrows 54.
[0028] At the same time it creates a source of cooling air, the fan
44 also creates high flow air for inflating larger-volume items.
The fan 44 draws in the air entering through the opening 50 of the
blower housing 48 and generates high flow air that passes into the
guide 52. The high flow air and any heat generated by the fan then
exit the inflator housing 4 through an exhaust opening 56 in the
housing. Notably, the air exiting the exhaust opening may be used
to "blow" accumulated debris. If the high-flow hose 60 is inserted
through the exhaust opening 56 and attached to the guide 52, the
hose 60 may be used to inflate high-volume items with the high flow
air.
[0029] The high pressure flow is generated at the same time as the
cooling air and high flow air. Upon its actuation, the motor
assembly 14 also drives the crankshaft 24 and attached piston 26.
As the piston moves downwardly, it creates a vacuum that draws air
into the cavity 30 of the pump cylinder 28. As the piston 26 moves
upwardly, it compresses the air, causing the air to become highly
pressurized. The outlet valve 34 then opens to allow the high
pressure air to exit the cavity 30 and pass into the high pressure
hose 36. The diameter of the high pressure hose 36 maintains the
pressure of the air high in order to inflate items requiring high
pressure air.
[0030] Thus, a novel inflator has been described herein. The
advantages associated with the inflator are numerous. First, only
one motor is required to provide both high pressure flow and high
flow air, thus reducing number of components associated with the
inflator and, by extension, the size and weight of the
inflator.
[0031] Second, the fan is advantageously utilized to simultaneously
cool the inflator components and provide high flow air. As
described above with respect to FIG. 5, many prior art inflators
solely provide high pressure/low volume air that is unsuitable for
the inflation of larger-volume items inflation as inflation will
take a large amount of time (i.e., 40 minutes or more). In
contrast, due to the high flow air generated by the inflator
described herein, larger-volume items can be inflated quickly.
Furthermore, the novel inflator provides a guiding structure to
ensure that the high flow air, as well as any heat generated by the
fan, does not disperse inside the inflator housing, causing the
inflator to become hot to the touch or to overheat.
[0032] It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed
description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting. For
example, although in a preferred embodiment the inflator 2 uses a
battery power source, those skilled in the art will readily
recognize that the inflator could utilize a cord that can be
plugged into a car lighter or an AC outlet as possible power
sources. Therefore, it is to be understood that it is the following
claims, including all equivalents, that are intended to define the
spirit and scope of this invention.
* * * * *