U.S. patent application number 13/672251 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-23 for air compressors.
The applicant listed for this patent is Munetoshi GOTO, Noriyuki NISHIDO. Invention is credited to Munetoshi GOTO, Noriyuki NISHIDO.
Application Number | 20130126025 13/672251 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47227545 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130126025 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NISHIDO; Noriyuki ; et
al. |
May 23, 2013 |
AIR COMPRESSORS
Abstract
An air compressor may include a compressor unit and an external
tank unit connectible with the compressor unit. The external tank
unit may include an external tank and a battery. The battery may
supply electric power to the compressor unit.
Inventors: |
NISHIDO; Noriyuki;
(Anjo-shi, JP) ; GOTO; Munetoshi; (Anjo-shi,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NISHIDO; Noriyuki
GOTO; Munetoshi |
Anjo-shi
Anjo-shi |
|
JP
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
47227545 |
Appl. No.: |
13/672251 |
Filed: |
November 8, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
137/565.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 137/85978 20150401;
F04B 35/06 20130101; F04B 49/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
137/565.01 |
International
Class: |
F04B 49/00 20060101
F04B049/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 22, 2011 |
JP |
2011-254731 |
Claims
1. An air compressor comprising: a compressor unit configured to
supply compressed air to a pneumatic tool; and an external tank
unit connectible with the compressor unit; wherein the external
tank unit includes: an external tank capable of storing the
compressed air; and a first battery configured to supply electric
power to the compressor unit.
2. The air compressor according to claim 1, wherein the compressor
unit includes an air-compressing device and a second battery
serving as a power source for driving the air-compressing
device.
3. The air compressor according to claim 2, wherein the first
battery and the second battery can be used interchangeably for
supplying electric power to the air-compressing device.
4. The air compressor according to claim 1, wherein the external
tank unit includes a battery charger capable of charging the first
battery.
5. The air compressor according to claim 1, wherein the external
tank unit is configured to be able to connect an electric device
that is a different device from the compressor unit, so that
electric power can be supplied from the first battery to the
electric device.
6. The air compressor according to claim 1, wherein the first
battery is removably mounted to the external tank unit.
7. A compressor unit used for a pneumatic tool and connectible with
an external tank unit having a first storage tank and a first
battery, the compressor unit comprising: an air-compressing device
configured to be electrically driven; a second battery serving as a
power source for driving the air-compressing device; a second
storage tank capable of storing compressed air; an input terminal
electrically connected to the air-compressing device and
connectible with the first battery of the external tank unit, so
that the air-compressing device can be driven by electric power
supplied from the first battery of the external tank; and an air
coupler connectible with the external tank, so that compressed air
produced by the air-compressing device can be stored in both the
first storage tank of the external tank unit and the second storage
tank of the compressor unit for driving a pneumatic tool.
8. The compressor unit according to claim 7, wherein the air
coupler is also connectible with the pneumatic tool.
9. An external tank unit connectible with a compressor unit used
for a pneumatic tool, comprising: a storage tank configured to
store compressed air produced by the compressor unit; and a battery
configured to supply electric power to the compressor unit.
10. The external tank unit according to claim 9, wherein the
external tank unit further includes an air coupler connectible with
a pneumatic tool.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese patent
application serial number 2011-254731, the contents of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] Embodiments of the present invention relate to air
compressors that may be used, for example, for supplying compressed
air to pneumatic tools, such as nailers and tackers that can be
driven by compressed air.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] There have been provided simplified air compressors.
Simplified air compressors may have smaller discharge outputs than
stationary large-sized air compressors. However, because simplified
air compressors are light and small and can be easily carried
about, they can be conveniently used when performing simple and
light duty work involving pneumatic tools. U.S. Pat. No. 7,140,845
and JP-A-2-108878 teach techniques relating to simplified air
compressors that have batteries (DC power sources) as power
sources.
[0006] The simplified air compressors disclosed in the above
documents typically have an electric motor and a compressing device
that are disposed within a resin case. The compressing device may
convert the rotational output of the electric motor into a
reciprocating movement of a piston within a cylinder for
discharging compressed air. The compressed air discharged from the
compressing device may be directly supplied to a pneumatic tool.
Therefore, the air compressor can be lightweight because there is
no need for a storage tank for storing the compressed air.
[0007] In addition, the user may carry the simplified air
compressor on his or her shoulder or back. Therefore, it is
possible to supply the compressed air to a pneumatic tool, such as
a nailer, at a place, such as a building site, where no electric
outlet is available. Hence, there would be no restriction with
respect to the place for use. In this way, it is possible to
efficiently perform light duty works, such in the repairing of
items or structures.
[0008] JP-A-2006-220202 teaches a technique of providing an
external auxiliary tank at an AC powered air compressor that is
relatively small in size but is of a stationary type having an
internal storage tank. By providing the external auxiliary tank, it
may be possible to stably supply a larger output of compressed
air.
[0009] The air compressors disclosed in the above documents still
require improvements. For example, if an external auxiliary tank is
connected to the battery driven air compressor for supplying a
larger output of compressed air, a larger electric power is
necessary to be supplied by the battery. In this case, it may be
possible to cause lack of residual power in the battery. For this
reason, it is necessary to frequently recharge or replace the
battery. As a result, it is necessary to frequently stop the work,
leading to low productivity.
[0010] Therefore, there has been a need in the art for a technique
for fixing the lack of power in an air compressor that results when
an external tank is used.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In one aspect according to the present teachings, an air
compressor may include a compressor unit and an external tank unit
connectible with the compressor unit. The external tank unit may
include an external tank and a battery, The battery may supply an
electric power to the compressor unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air
compressor according to a first embodiment, in which a pneumatic
tool is connected to an external tank unit;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air
compressor according to a second embodiment, in which a pneumatic
tool is connected to a compression unit; and
[0014] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air
compressor according to a third embodiment, in which a compression
unit is schematically shown.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Each of the additional features and teachings disclosed
above and below may be utilized separately or in conjunction with
other features and teachings to provide improved air compressors.
Representative examples of the present invention, which examples
utilize many of these additional features and teachings both
separately and in conjunction with one another, will now be
described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. This
detailed description is merely intended to teach a person of skill
in the art further details for practicing preferred aspects of the
present teachings and is not intended to limit the scope of the
invention. Only the claims define the scope of the claimed
invention. Therefore, combinations of features and steps disclosed
in the following detailed description may not be necessary to
practice the invention in the broadest sense, and are instead
taught merely to particularly describe representative examples of
the invention. Moreover, various features of the representative
examples and the dependent claims may be combined in ways that are
not specifically enumerated in order to provide additional useful
examples of the present teachings. Various examples will now be
described with reference to the drawings.
[0016] In one example, an air compressor may include a compressor
unit and an external tank unit. The compressor unit may supply a
compressed air to a pneumatic tool. The external tank unit may be
connectible with the compressor unit. The external tank unit may
include an external tank and a battery. The external tank may store
the compressed air. The battery may supply an electric power to the
compressor unit.
[0017] Therefore, when the external tank is connected to the
compressor unit for enabling the compressor unit to supply a larger
output of compressed air to the pneumatic tool, it is possible to
supply electric power to the compressor unit from the battery of
the external tank unit. In this way, it is possible to supply a
larger output of compressed air to the pneumatic tool without
causing a lack of electric power for driving the compressor unit.
As a result, it is possible to avoid interruption of the work
performed by the pneumatic tool. Therefore, productivity can be
improved.
[0018] The compressor unit may include an air-compressing device
and a battery serving as a power source for driving the
air-compressing device. With this arrangement, it is possible to
use the air-compressing device at a place where no AC power source
is available. In this way, the workability can be improved. In
addition, the battery of the external tank unit and the battery of
the compressor unit can be used simultaneously or exchangeably for
driving the air-compressing device.
[0019] In the case where the battery of the external tank unit and
the battery of the compressor unit are interchangeably used for
driving the air-compressing device, one of the batteries can be
recharged or replaced with another battery during driving of the
air-compressing device by the other battery. Therefore, it is
possible to operate the air-compressing device continually for a
long time in a manner similar to the case where an AC power source
is used.
[0020] The external tank unit may include a battery charger capable
of charging the battery of the external tank unit. With this
arrangement, it is possible to charge the battery of the external
tank unit without needing to remove the battery from the external
tank unit. Therefore, the operability of the air compressor can be
improved.
[0021] The external tank unit may be configured to be able to
connect an electric device that is a different device from the
compressor unit, so that electric power can be supplied from the
battery of the external tank unit to the electric device. In this
way, it is possible to further improve the usability of the
external tank unit and the air compressor.
[0022] The battery of the external tank unit may be removably
mounted to the external tank unit. With this arrangement, it is
possible to replace the battery with another battery or to recharge
by a separate battery charger.
[0023] Embodiments will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1
to 3. Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an air compressor 1
according to a first embodiment. The air compressor 1 may generally
include a compressor unit 10 and an external tank unit 30 connected
to the compressor unit 10. The external tank unit 30 may be
mechanically connected to the external tank unit 30 via an air hose
11. In addition, the external tank unit 30 may be electrically
connected to the compressor unit 10 via a power cord 11.
[0024] An air-compressing device 14 may be disposed within the
compressor unit 10 and may be driven by an electric motor 13 that
serves as a drive source for the compressor unit 10. A control
circuit 15 may control the operation of the electric motor 13. A
main battery or an internal battery 16 may supply electric power to
the electric motor 13. The compressor unit 10 may include a power
switch 22, so that electric power may be supplied from the internal
battery 16 to the electric motor 13 when the power switch 22 is
switched on. The internal battery 16 can be removed from the
compressor unit 10 for recharging by a charger (not shown) provided
separately from the compressor unit 10, so that the internal
battery 16 can be used repeatedly.
[0025] The compressor unit 10 may further include a power input
terminal 23. The electric cord 12 can be connected to the power
input terminal 23, so that external power can be supplied to a
power source circuit of the control circuit 15 via the electric
cord 12. It may be possible to drive the electric motor 13 also by
the external power. In this embodiment, an external battery 37
provided at the external tank unit 30 can be used to supply
external power.
[0026] The compressed air produced by the air-compressing device 14
may be stored in a storage tank 17. A pressure sensor 18 may detect
the pressure of the compressed air stored in the storage tank 17
and may output a detection signal that may be input to the control
circuit 15. When the pressure of the compressed air within the
storage tank 17 becomes lower than a predetermined value, the
control circuit 15 may output a control signal to the electric
motor 13, so that the storage tank 17 can be replenished with
compressed air.
[0027] The compressed air stored within the storage tank 17 may be
regulated to a given pressure by a pressure regulator 19. The
compressed air having the regulated pressure may be discharged from
an air coupler 20 that serves as an air outlet of the compressor
unit 10. A pressure gauge 21 may detect the pressure of the
compressed air discharged from the air coupler 20. The pressure
gauge 21 may have a display that can display the detected pressure.
The compressed air discharged from the air couple 20 may be
supplied to the external tank unit 30 via the air hose 11 that is
connected to the air coupler 20.
[0028] The external tank unit 30 serves as an auxiliary tank unit
for storing the compressed air produced by the air compressing
device 14 and for supplying the compressed air to a pneumatic tool
T. The external tank unit 30 may have an air coupler 34 that can be
connected to the air hose 11. The compressed air supplied from the
compressor unit 10 to the external tank unit 30 via the air hose 11
may be stored in a storage tank 32. The compressed air stored in
the storage tank 32 may be regulated to a given pressure by a
pressure regulator 33 and may then be discharged from the external
tank unit 30 via an air coupler 34. The air coupler 34 may be
connected to the pneumatic tool T via an air hose, so that the
compressed air discharged from the external tank unit 30 may be
supplied to the pneumatic tool T. A pressure gauge 35 may detect
the pressure of the compressed air discharged from the air coupler
34. The pressure gauge 35 may have a display that can display the
detected pressure. The pneumatic tool T may be a nailer, a tacker
or any other tool that may be driven by the compressed air.
[0029] The electric power of the external battery 37 of the
external tank unit 30 may be supplied to the compressor unit 10 via
a power output terminal 38 and the power cord 12. In this way, the
external battery 37 can be used as a power source for the
compressor unit 10. Also, the external battery 37 can be removed
from the external tank unit 30 for recharging by a separate
charger, so that the external battery 37 can be repeatedly
used.
[0030] The control circuit 15 may monitor the residual power level
of the internal battery 16 and also the residual power level of the
external battery 37. When the residual power level of either the
internal battery 16 or the external battery 37 becomes less than a
given level, the control circuit 15 may automatically switch the
supply of electric power to the electric motor 13 from one to the
other of the batteries 16 and 37.
[0031] The compressor unit 10 may be used without the external tank
unit 30. In such a case, the external tank unit 30 may be
disconnected from the compressor unit 10. In this situation, only
the internal battery 16 can be used as a power source. The air
coupler 20 may be connected directly to the pneumatic tool T via
the air hose 11. Therefore, the compressed air stored within the
storage tank 17 may be directly supplied to the pneumatic tool T.
If the supply of compressed air from the compressor unit 10 is
insufficient, the user can connect the external tank unit 30 to the
compressor unit 10.
[0032] As described above, according to the air compressor 1 of the
first embodiment, the external tank unit 30 can be connected to the
compressor unit 10. In this embodiment, the compressor unit 10 has
the internal battery 16 and can be used by itself (without the
external tank unit 30). By connecting the external tank unit 30 to
the compressor unit 10, it is possible to supply a larger output of
compressed air to the pneumatic tool T. In addition to or
alternative to the internal battery 16, the external battery 37 can
be used as a power source for the electric motor 13. Therefore, it
is possible to use the air compressor 1 for a long time without
causing a lack of supply in electric power. As a result, the user
can efficiently perform the work using the pneumatic tool T without
interruption during use.
[0033] The first embodiment can be modified in various ways. For
example, in the first embodiment, the pneumatic tool T is connected
to the external tank unit 30 having the storage tank 32. In this
way, the compressed air stored in the storage tank 32 can be used
for driving the pneumatic tool T. Thus, the external tank unit 30
is used as an auxiliary tank for the compressor unit 10. However,
an air compressor 50 according to a second embodiment shown in FIG.
2 is configured such that the pneumatic tool T may be connected to
the compressor unit 10 and an external tank unit 60 serving as an
expansion tank may be connected to the connector body 10.
[0034] In the case of the second embodiment, the external tank unit
60 may be connected to the storage tank 17 of the compressor unit
10 via an air hose 51. The pneumatic tool T may be connected to the
air coupler 20 of the compressor unit 10. In another aspect, the
compressor unit 10 may be configured to be the same as that of the
first embodiment. Therefore, in FIG. 2, like members are given the
same reference numerals as the first embodiment and the description
of these members will not be repeated.
[0035] The external tank unit 60 of the second embodiment may be
substantially the same as the external tank 30 of the first
embodiment except that the external tank unit 60 does not include
the pressure regulator 33, the air coupler 34 and the pressure
gauge 35. The external tank unit 60 may include an air coupler 61
for connection with an air hose 51 and may further include a power
output terminal 62 for connection with the power cord 12.
[0036] One end of the air hose 51 may be connected to the storage
tank 17 of the compressor unit 10 via an air coupler (not shown).
The other end of the air hose 51 may be connected to a storage tank
63 of the external tank unit 60 via the air coupler 61, In this
way, the storage tank 17 of the compressor unit 10 and the storage
tank 63 of the external tank unit 60 may be connected to each other
via the air hose 51. Therefore, the compressed air produced at the
air-compressing device 14 of the compressor unit 10 may be stored
in both the storage tank 17 of the compressor unit 10 and the
storage tank 63 of the external tank unit 60.
[0037] The external tank unit 60 may have an external battery 64
connected to the power output terminal 62, so that electric power
can be supplied from the external battery 64 to the compressor unit
10 via the power cord 12. The external battery 64 may be removed
from the external tank unit 60 for recharging by a charger, so that
the external battery 64 can be repeatedly used.
[0038] With the air compressor 50 according to the second
embodiment, the external tank unit 60 can be connected to the
compressor unit 10. The compressor unit 10 has the internal battery
16 and can be used by itself (without the external tank unit 60).
By connecting the external tank unit 60 to the compressor unit 10,
it is possible to supply a larger output of compressed air to the
pneumatic tool T. In addition to or alternative to the internal
battery 16, the external battery 64 can be used as a power source
for the electric motor 13. Therefore, it is possible to use the air
compressor 50 during a long time without causing a lack of supply
in electric power. As a result, the user can efficiently perform
work using the pneumatic tool T without any significant
interruption.
[0039] As described above, in the case of the second embodiment,
the pneumatic tool T may be directly connected to the compressor
unit 10. Therefore, the external tank unit 60 serves as an
expansion unit for supplementing the storage capacity of the
storage tank 17.
[0040] The second embodiment may be further modified. FIG. 3 shows
an air compressor including an external tank unit 70 according to a
third embodiment. The external tank unit 70 is a modification of
the external tank unit 30 of the first embodiment and may be used
in combination with the compressor unit 10 as described in the
first embodiment.
[0041] The external tank unit 30 of the first embodiment has the
external battery 37 that can be removed for recharging by a charger
that may be provided separately from the external tank unit 30. In
contrast, the external tank unit 70 of the third embodiment
includes a charger 39 that can recharge the external battery 37.
Therefore, it is not necessary to remove the external battery 37
for the purpose of recharging. In this way, it is possible to
improve the operability of the air compressor. The charger 39 may
be connected to an external AC power source, such as an electric
outlet (not shown), via a suitable connector.
[0042] In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the external tank unit 70
may have an additional power output terminal 40. An external
electric device K may be connected to the additional power output
terminal 40. In this way, the external battery 37 can be used as a
DC power source for the external electric device K. Therefore, it
is possible to further improve the usability of the external tank
unit 70 and the air compressor 1. The external electric device K
may be lighting equipment, AV equipment such as a radio or a
television, cooking equipment such as a coffee maker or an electric
pot, a dust collector, a fan, a blower or any other electric
device.
[0043] The above embodiments may be further modified. For example,
an AC power source may be use for the compressor unit 10 in place
of the internal battery 16.
[0044] The storage tank 17 may be omitted from the compressor unit
10. In the case that the storage tank 17 is omitted from the
compressor unit 10 in the first embodiment or the third embodiment,
the entire amount of compressed air produced by the air-compressing
device 14 may be stored in the storage tank 32 of the external tank
unit 30. The compressed air is supplied from the air-compressing
device 14 to the storage tank 32 via the air hose 11. In the case
that the storage tank 17 is omitted from the compressor unit 10 in
the second embodiment, the compressed air produced at the
air-compressing device 14 may be initially stored in the storage
tank 63 of the external tank unit 60 and then may be supplied to
the pneumatic tool T via the compressor unit 10 when needed.
[0045] Further, in the above embodiments, when the residual power
level of either the internal battery 16 or the external battery 37
becomes less than a given level, the control circuit 15 may
automatically switch the supply of electric power to the electric
motor 13 from one to the other of the batteries 16 and 37. However,
the user may manually switch the supply of electric power
themselves. In addition, in some cases, it may be possible to
configure the compressor unit 10 such that the internal battery 16
and the external battery 37 may be simultaneously used as power
sources.
[0046] As noted above, an AC power source may be use for the
compressor unit 10 in place of the internal battery 16. In the case
that an AC power source is used, the external battery 37 of the
external tank unit 30 (60, 70) may be used as an auxiliary power
source in the event that the supply of the AC power is interrupted
because of the power outage or some other reason.
[0047] Further, the compressor unit 10 without the storage tank 17
can be used by itself when the external tank 30 is disconnected. In
such a case, the compressed air produced by the air-compressing
device 14 may be directly supplied to the pneumatic tool T via the
air hose 11. In this case, a sufficient output of compressed air
can be supplied to the pneumatic tool T as long as the pneumatic
tool T is used for a relatively light duty work.
* * * * *