U.S. patent application number 15/140491 was filed with the patent office on 2017-08-10 for freon refilling apparatus for vehicles.
This patent application is currently assigned to Wenling Jennfeng Industry Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Zhuo Cai, Weicai Jiang, Genfa Mao. Invention is credited to Zhuo Cai, Weicai Jiang, Genfa Mao.
Application Number | 20170227269 15/140491 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55825739 |
Filed Date | 2017-08-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170227269 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cai; Zhuo ; et al. |
August 10, 2017 |
Freon Refilling Apparatus for Vehicles
Abstract
A Freon refilling apparatus for vehicles comprises an outer
shell and a tube fitting. The tube fitting is secured to a
refilling duct, and one end of the tube fitting has a connection
port. The apparatus also comprises an operating handle and a
pushrod. One end of the operating handle is hinged to the tube
fitting, and the other end is a press part. When the press part
swings and gets close to the tube fitting, it drives the pushrod to
move and open the gas cylinder. A confining plate is also hinged to
the press part. The confining plate has an active contact part,
while the outer shell has a passive contact part. The active
contact part can lean against the passive contact part. The
operating handle is locked when that happens.
Inventors: |
Cai; Zhuo; (Taizhou City,
CN) ; Jiang; Weicai; (Taizhou City, CN) ; Mao;
Genfa; (Taizhou City, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Cai; Zhuo
Jiang; Weicai
Mao; Genfa |
Taizhou City
Taizhou City
Taizhou City |
|
CN
CN
CN |
|
|
Assignee: |
Wenling Jennfeng Industry
Inc.
Taizhou City
CN
|
Family ID: |
55825739 |
Appl. No.: |
15/140491 |
Filed: |
April 28, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25B 45/00 20130101;
F25B 2345/001 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F25B 45/00 20060101
F25B045/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 4, 2016 |
CN |
CN201610079213.7 |
Claims
1. A Freon refilling apparatus for vehicles, comprising: an outer
shell (1); a tube fitting (2) secured to the outer shell (1), one
end of the tube fitting (2) having a connection port (21) capable
of connecting with an outlet of a gas cylinder; a refilling duct
(3) secured to the tube fitting (2) and capable of connecting with
air conditioners of vehicles; an operating handle (4) and a pushrod
(5) that movably plugs into the tube fitting (2), one end of the
operating handle (4) is hinged to the tube fitting (2), and an
other end is a press part (41) that is located alongside the tube
fitting (2); and a confining plate (6) hinged to the press part
(41), the confining plate (6) having an active contact part (61),
the outer shell (1) having a passive contact part (11) that is
located between the press part (41) and the tube fitting (2);
wherein when the press part (41) swings and gets close to the tube
fitting (2), it drives the pushrod (5) to move and open the gas
cylinder; wherein the active contact part (61) is capable of
leaning against the passive contact part (11); and wherein the
operating handle (4) locks when the active contact part (61) leans
against the passive contact part (11).
2. The Freon refilling apparatus for vehicles as claimed in claim 1
wherein the first avoidance opening (12) is on the outer shell (1),
the press part (41) stretches out of the first avoidance opening
(12), the active contact part (61) is a free end of the confining
plate (6), a long strip shaped clamping slot (62) is on an edge of
the active contact part (61) in the lengthwise direction, the
passive contact part (11) is a proximal edge of the first avoidance
opening (12) that is proximal to the tube fitting (2), and the
clamping slot (62) of the active contact part (61) can clamp the
passive contact part (11).
3. The Freon refilling apparatus for vehicles as claimed in claim 2
wherein a distal edge of the first avoidance opening (12) that is
distal from the tube fitting (2) is the confining edge (13), and
when the active contact part (61) leans against the passive contact
part (11), a gap between the confining edge (13) and an outer wall
of the operating handle (4) is smaller than a depth of the clamping
slot (62).
4. The Freon refilling apparatus for vehicles as claimed in claim 3
wherein the confining plate (6) is made of plastic, and the outer
shell (1) has a thin-walled plastic structure.
5. The Freon refilling apparatus for vehicles as claimed in claim 2
wherein there are connection columns (63) on both opposing side
edges of the confining plate (6), the connection columns (63) are
on a distal side edge distal from the clamping slot (62), the
operating handle (4) is of a thin-walled structure with a cavity
(42), the confining plate (6) is hinged to an inner wall of the
cavity (42) through two connection columns (63), there are locating
bosses (64) on both opposing side edges of the confining plate (6),
the locating bosses (64) are on a proximal side edge proximal to
the clamping slot (62), there are locating holes (43) on an
opposite inner wall of the cavity (42), and when the active contact
part (61) detaches from the passive contact part (11), the
confining plate (6) is capable of swinging into the cavity (42) and
the locating bosses (64) are capable of fitting into the locating
holes (43).
6. The Freon refilling apparatus for vehicles as claimed in claim 5
wherein a thickness of the confining plate (6) tapers from an end
with the clamping slot (62) to an other end.
7. The Freon refilling apparatus for vehicles as claimed in claim 3
wherein there are connection columns (63) on both opposing side
edges of the confining plate (6), the connection columns (63) are
on a distal side edge distal from the clamping slot (62), the
operating handle (4) is of a thin-walled structure with a cavity
(42), the confining plate (6) is hinged to an inner wall of the
cavity (42) through two connection columns (63), there are locating
bosses (64) on both opposing side edges of the confining plate (6),
the locating bosses (64) are on a proximal side edge proximal to
the clamping slot (62), there are locating holes (43) on an
opposite inner wall of the cavity (42), and when the active contact
part (61) detaches from the passive contact part (11), the
confining plate (6) is capable of swinging into the cavity (42) and
the locating bosses (64) are capable of fitting into the locating
holes (43).
8. The Freon refilling apparatus for vehicles as claimed in claim 4
wherein there are connection columns (63) on both opposing side
edges of the confining plate (6), the connection columns (63) are
on a distal side edge distal from the clamping slot (62), the
operating handle (4) is of a thin-walled structure with a cavity
(42), the confining plate (6) is hinged to an inner wall of the
cavity (42) through two connection columns (63), there are locating
bosses (64) on both opposing side edges of the confining plate (6),
the locating bosses (64) are on a proximal side edge proximal to
the clamping slot (62), there are locating holes (43) on an
opposite inner wall of the cavity (42), and when the active contact
part (61) detaches from the passive contact part (11), the
confining plate (6) is capable of swinging into the cavity (42) and
the locating bosses (64) are capable of fitting into the locating
holes (43).
9. The Freon refilling apparatus for vehicles as claimed in claim 2
wherein the operating handle (4) is curved, the second avoidance
opening (44) is on the operating handle (4), there is a
tube-connecting part (22) on an outer wall of the tube fitting (2),
the tube-connecting part (22) connects with the tube fitting (2),
an end of the filling duct (3) is secured on the tube-connecting
part (22), and an other end of the filling duct (3) passes through
the second avoidance opening (44).
10. The Freon refilling apparatus for vehicles as claimed in claim
3 wherein the operating handle (4) is curved, the second avoidance
opening (44) is on the operating handle (4), there is a
tube-connecting part (22) on an outer wall of the tube fitting (2),
the tube-connecting part (22) connects with the tube fitting (2),
an end of the filling duct (3) is secured on the tube-connecting
part (22), and an other end of the filling duct (3) passes through
the second avoidance opening (44).
11. The Freon refilling apparatus for vehicles as claimed in claim
4 wherein the operating handle (4) is curved, the second avoidance
opening (44) is on the operating handle (4), there is a
tube-connecting part (22) on an outer wall of the tube fitting (2),
the tube-connecting part (22) connects with the tube fitting (2),
an end of the filling duct (3) is secured on the tube-connecting
part (22), and an other end of the filling duct (3) passes through
the second avoidance opening (44).
12. The Freon refilling apparatus for vehicles as claimed in claim
2 wherein there is a connection part (23) on an outer wall of the
tube fitting (2), an end of the operating handle (4) is hinged to
the connection part (23), there is a push part (45) on the
operating handle (4), there is an active push slope (46) on the
push part (45), an end of the pushrod (5) stretches out of the tube
fitting (2), there is a passive push slope (51) on the end of the
pushrod (5), and the active push slope (46) leans against the
passive push slope (51).
13. The Freon refilling apparatus for vehicles as claimed in claim
3 wherein there is a connection part (23) on an outer wall of the
tube fitting (2), an end of the operating handle (4) is hinged to
the connection part (23), there is a push part (45) on the
operating handle (4), there is an active push slope (46) on the
push part (45), an end of the pushrod (5) stretches out of the tube
fitting (2), there is a passive push slope (51) on the end of the
pushrod (5), and the active push slope (46) leans against the
passive push slope (51).
14. The Freon refilling apparatus for vehicles as claimed in claim
4 wherein there is a connection part (23) on an outer wall of the
tube fitting (2), an end of the operating handle (4) is hinged to
the connection part (23), there is a push part (45) on the
operating handle (4), there is an active push slope (46) on the
push part (45), an end of the pushrod (5) stretches out of the tube
fitting (2), there is a passive push slope (51) on the end of the
pushrod (5), and the active push slope (46) leans against the
passive push slope (51).
15. The Freon refilling apparatus for vehicles as claimed in claim
2 wherein a sealing groove (52) is on an outer peripheral wall of
the pushrod (5), a sealing ring (53) is installed in the sealing
groove (52), the sealing ring (53) presses against an inner
peripheral wall of the tube fitting (2), and the connection port
(22) is located between the connection port (21) and the sealing
ring (53).
16. The Freon refilling apparatus for vehicles as claimed in claim
3 wherein a sealing groove (52) is on an outer peripheral wall of
the pushrod (5), a sealing ring (53) is installed in the sealing
groove (52), the sealing ring (53) presses against an inner
peripheral wall of the tube fitting (2), and the connection port
(22) is located between the connection port (21) and the sealing
ring (53).
17. The Freon refilling apparatus for vehicles as claimed in claim
4 wherein a sealing groove (52) is on an outer peripheral wall of
the pushrod (5), a sealing ring (53) is installed in the sealing
groove (52), the sealing ring (53) presses against an inner
peripheral wall of the tube fitting (2), and the connection port
(22) is located between the connection port (21) and the sealing
ring (53).
18. The Freon refilling apparatus for vehicles as claimed in claim
2 wherein there is a sealing cone (24) on an inner wall of the tube
fitting (2), a larger diameter end of the sealing cone (24) faces
the connection port (21), a circular sealing block (54) is secured
to the pushrod (5), a reset spring (55) is installed over the
pushrod (5), an end of the reset spring (55) presses against the
tube fitting (2), an other end of the reset spring (55) presses
against the pushrod (5), and when the pushrod (5) is no longer
subjected to a force from the operating handle (4), the sealing
block (54) will press against the sealing cone (24) under a force
from the reset spring (55).
19. The Freon refilling apparatus for vehicles as claimed in claim
3 wherein there is a sealing cone (24) on an inner wall of the tube
fitting (2), a larger diameter end of the sealing cone (24) faces
the connection port (21), a circular sealing block (54) is secured
to the pushrod (5), a reset spring (55) is installed over the
pushrod (5), an end of the reset spring (55) presses against the
tube fitting (2), an other end of the reset spring (55) presses
against the pushrod (5), and when the pushrod (5) is no longer
subjected to a force from the operating handle (4), the sealing
block (54) will press against the sealing cone (24) under a force
from the reset spring (55).
20. The Freon refilling apparatus for vehicles as claimed in claim
4 wherein there is a sealing cone (24) on an inner wall of the tube
fitting (2), a larger diameter end of the sealing cone (24) faces
the connection port (21), a circular sealing block (54) is secured
to the pushrod (5), a reset spring (55) is installed over the
pushrod (5), an end of the reset spring (55) presses against the
tube fitting (2), an other end of the reset spring (55) presses
against the pushrod (5), and when the pushrod (5) is no longer
subjected to a force from the operating handle (4), the sealing
block (54) will press against the sealing cone (24) under a force
from the reset spring (55).
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit to Chinese Patent
Application No. CN201610079213.7, filed Feb. 4, 2016.
[0002] The above applications and all patents, patent applications,
articles, books, specifications, other publications, documents, and
things referenced herein are hereby incorporated herein in their
entirety for all purposes. To the extent of any inconsistency or
conflict in the definition or use of a term between any of the
incorporated publications, documents, or things and the text of the
present document, the definition or use of the term in the present
document shall prevail.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Field of Invention
[0004] The present invention relates to the technical field of
vehicle maintenance tools, and particularly to a Freon refilling
apparatus for vehicles.
[0005] Related Art
[0006] With the rapid development of the automobile industry,
especially the cars, over the past few years, the automobile parts
manufacturing industry has also developed rapidly. As an important
component to improve the ride comfort of automobiles, the
automotive air conditioner has been widely recognized by automobile
manufacturers and consumers. The air conditioner system is a
standalone sealed circulating system. As required, a certain amount
of refrigerant should be filled into the compressor, and Freon is
commonly used. During the long term usage of automobiles, the
cooling performance gets poor. One reason for that is the leakage
of Freon; therefore, it is necessary to refill Freon into the
compressor.
[0007] A certain amount of Freon is sealed in a specially
manufactured gas cylinder. The gas cylinder generally uses a
diaphragm or a valve core to seal the Freon. When the refill is
needed, the gas cylinder is connected to a special refilling
apparatus. The refilling apparatus has a pushrod, which is driven
to move by swinging the operating handle, so as to pierce the
diaphragm or push the valve core to open the gas cylinder. However,
as the refilling apparatus is connected to the gas cylinder as a
matched set for the purpose of sale or exhibition, the gas cylinder
may be erroneously opened if the operating handle is triggered by
mistake. The security is fairly low.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] One objective of a preferred embodiment of the present
invention is to avoid the issues stated above in the prior art, and
to provide a Freon refilling apparatus for vehicles. The present
Freon refilling apparatus can prevent gas cylinders from being
opened by mistake, and achieves a higher security.
[0009] The object can be achieved by the following technical
proposal:
[0010] A Freon refilling apparatus for vehicles comprises an outer
shell and a tube fitting which is secured to the outer shell. A
refilling duct is secured to the tube fitting and is used to
connect with the air conditioner of vehicles. One end of the tube
fitting has a connection port to connect with the outlet of the gas
cylinder. It is characterized in that the refilling apparatus also
comprises an operating handle and a pushrod which movably plugs
into the tube fitting. One end of the operating handle is hinged to
the tube fitting, and the other end is a press part which is
located alongside the tube fitting. When the press part swings and
gets close to the tube fitting, it drives the pushrod to move and
open the gas cylinder. A confining plate is also hinged to the
press part. The confining plate has an active contact part, while
the outer shell has a passive contact part which is located between
the press part and the tube fitting. The active contact part can
lean against the passive contact part. The operating handle is
locked when that happens.
[0011] One end of the refilling duct is connected to the automotive
air conditioner, and the other end is connected to the tube
fitting. There are two types of gas cylinders, which are sealed by
a valve core or a diaphragm respectively; however, both types of
gas cylinders can be connected to the connection port of the tube
fitting. The operating handle is used to drive the pushrod, namely,
the pushrod moves when the press part swings and gets close to the
tube fitting. When the connection port is connected to a gas
cylinder complete with a diaphragm, the pushrod can piece the
diaphragm to open the gas cylinder. When the connection port is
connected to a gas cylinder complete with a valve core, the pushrod
can push the valve core to open the gas cylinder as well.
Furthermore, since a confining plate is hinged to the press part,
in dormant situations where the refilling apparatus is being sold
or exhibited, the confining plate can be pulled to make the active
contact part press against the passive contact part. Since the
contact location of the two parts is located between the press part
and the tube fitting, the press part is blocked by the confining
plate and cannot approach the tube fitting under external forces.
This prevents the gas cylinder from being opened by mistake and
achieves a higher security.
[0012] In the Freon refilling apparatus for vehicles, the first
avoidance opening is designed on the outer shell, and the press
part stretches out of the first avoidance opening. The active
contact part is the free end of the confining plate. A long strip
shaped clamping slot is designed on the edge of the active contact
part, in the lengthwise direction. The passive contact part is the
edge of the first avoidance opening that is close to the tube
fitting. The clamping slot of the active contact part can clamp the
passive contact part. Namely, the active contact part presses
against the passive contact part and, in the meanwhile, the
clamping slot makes the active contact part not able to detach from
the passive contact part unless external forces are applied. When
the confining plate is pushed by external forces, it deforms the
passive contact part and thus the active press part detaches. After
that, the press part can swing inside the first avoidance
opening.
[0013] In the Freon refilling apparatus for vehicles, the edge of
the first avoidance opening that is away from the tube fitting is
the confining edge. When the active contact part leans against the
passive contact part, the gap between the confining edge and the
outer wall of the operating handle is smaller than the depth of the
clamping slot. The confining edge limits the swing of the press
part in the direction away from the tube fitting. Namely, when no
external force is applied, even if the press part leans against the
confining edge, the active contact part will not detach from the
passive contact part. Hence, through the combination of the passive
contact part and the confining edge, the active contact part of the
confining plate clamps against the passive contact part, and the
stability is improved.
[0014] In the Freon refilling apparatus for vehicles, the confining
plate is made of plastic, and the outer shell has a thin-walled
plastic structure. The passive contact part is of a thin-walled
plastic structure, and has a certain elastic and deformation
capacity; therefore, the active contact part can detach from the
passive contact part under external forces, and the structure is
simple.
[0015] In the Freon refilling apparatus for vehicles, there are
connection columns on both of the opposite side edges of the
confining plate, and the connection columns are on the side edge
away from the clamping slot. The operating handle is of a
thin-walled structure with a cavity. The confining plate is hinged
to the inner wall of the cavity through the two connection columns.
There are also locating bosses on both of the opposite side edges
of the confining plate, and the locating bosses are on the side
edge close to the clamping slot. There are locating holes on the
opposite inner walls of the cavity. When the active contact part
detaches from the passive contact part, the confining plate can
swings into the cavity, and the locating bosses can snap into the
locating holes. The confining plate is hinged to the inner wall of
the cavity through the connection columns, so that the end of the
confining plate where the clamping slot is located can swing. After
the active contact part detaches from the passive contact part, the
confining plate may be pushed into the cavity, and the locating
bosses can fit into the locating holes, so as to secure the
confining plate in the cavity, and prevent the confining plate from
interfering with the actions of the press part.
[0016] In the Freon refilling apparatus for vehicles, the thickness
of the confining plate tapers from the end with the clamping slot
to the other end. Namely, the end of the confining plate where the
clamping slot is located is heavier, and the confining plate drops
automatically after detaching from the passive contact part. Even
if it is not secured in the cavity, it will not interfere with the
actions of the press part.
[0017] In the Freon refilling apparatus for vehicles, the operating
handle is curved. The second avoidance opening is also designed on
the operating handle. There is a tube-connecting part on the outer
wall of the tube fitting, and the tube-connecting part connects
with the tube fitting. One end of the refilling duct is secured on
the tube-connecting part, and the other end passes through the
second avoidance opening. The curved operating handle allows the
press part to be located alongside the tube fitting. Meanwhile, the
refilling duct passes through the second avoidance opening, so both
of the press part and the refilling duct are located in the same
side of the tube fitting, which achieves a more compact
structure.
[0018] In the Freon refilling apparatus for vehicles, there is a
connection part on the outer wall of the tube fitting, and one end
of the operating handle is hinged to the connection part. There is
a push part on the operating handle and there is the active push
slope on the push part. One end of the pushrod stretches out of the
tube fitting, and there is the passive push slope on the end that
stretches out of the tube fitting. The active push slope presses
against the passive push slope. Both of the press part and the push
part are located in the same side of the hinge point of the
operating handle. When the press part is pressed in the direction
close to the tube fitting, the push part moves downwards;
meanwhile, the active push slope presses against the passive push
slope and moves the pushrod. The operation is convenient.
[0019] In the Freon refilling apparatus for vehicles, an annular
sealing groove is designed on the outer peripheral wall of the
pushrod, and a sealing ring is installed in the sealing groove. The
sealing ring presses against the inner peripheral wall of the tube
fitting. The tube-connecting part is located between the connection
port and the sealing ring. The end of the pushrod needs to stretch
out of the tube fitting, to connect with the operating handle.
Hence, a sealing ring is installed on the pushrod, to achieve the
seal between the outer peripheral wall of the pushrod and the inner
peripheral wall of the tube fitting, so as to avoid the leakage of
Freon from the tube fitting.
[0020] In the Freon refilling apparatus for vehicles, there is a
sealing cone on the inner wall of the tube fitting, which is
located between the tube-connecting part and the connection port.
The larger diameter end of the sealing cone faces the connection
port. An annular sealing block is secured to the pushrod, and a
reset spring is installed over the pushrod. One end of the reset
spring presses against the tube fitting, and the other end presses
against the pushrod. When the pushrod is no longer subjected to the
force from the operating handle, the sealing block will press
against the sealing cone under the force from the reset spring.
After the refilling process of the automotive air conditioner
completes, the operating handle is reset. Under the action of the
reset spring, the pushrod moves to its original position, and the
sealing block presses against the sealing cone. Hence, the
connection between the refilling duct and the connection port is
blocked, which prevents backflow of the Freon in the air
conditioner after the refill completes.
[0021] Compared to the prior art, the present Freon refilling
apparatus for vehicles has the following advantages: [0022] 1.
Since the contact location between the active contact part of the
confining plate and the passive contact part is located between the
press part and the tube fitting, the press part is blocked by the
confining part and cannot approach the tube fitting under external
forces. This prevents the gas cylinder from being opened by mistake
and achieves a higher security. [0023] 2. The confining edge limits
the swing of the press part in the direction away from the tube
fitting. Through the combination of the passive contact part and
the confining edge, the active contact part of the confining plate
clamps the passive contact part, and the stability is improved.
[0024] 3. After the active contact part detaches from the passive
contact part, the confining plate may be pushed into the cavity,
and the locating bosses can fit into the locating holes, so as to
secure the confining plate in the cavity, and prevent the confining
plate from interfering with the actions of the press part.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the present Freon refilling apparatus for vehicles.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the
present Freon refilling apparatus for vehicles.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a detailed view of Section A in FIG. 2.
[0028] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the confining plate.
[0029] FIG. 5 is a detailed view of Section B in FIG. 2.
[0030] FIG. 6 is a detailed view of Section C in FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0031] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
described below and the technical proposals of the invention will
be further illustrated in connection with the accompanying figures.
However, the present invention shall not be limited to these
embodiments.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a Freon refilling apparatus
for vehicles comprises the outer shell (1), the tube fitting (2),
and the refilling duct (3). The tube fitting (2) is secured to the
outer shell (1). One end of the refilling duct (3) is connected to
the tube fitting (2), and the other end is used to connect with the
automotive air conditioner. One end of the tube fitting (2) has a
connection port (21). There are two types of gas cylinders, which
are sealed by a valve core or a diaphragm respectively; however,
both types of gas cylinders can be connected to the connection port
(21) of the tube fitting (2). The refilling apparatus also
comprises the operating handle (4) and the pushrod (5) which
movably plugs into the tube fitting (2). One end of the pushrod (5)
plugs into the connection port (21) and aligns with the diaphragm
or the valve core of the gas cylinder. One end of the operating
handle (4) is hinged to the tube fitting (2), and the other end is
a press part (41) which is located alongside the tube fitting (2).
When the press part (41) swings and gets close to the tube fitting
(2), it drives the pushrod (5) to move and open the gas cylinder.
When the connection port (21) is connected to a gas cylinder
complete with a diaphragm, the pushrod (5) can piece the diaphragm
to open the gas cylinder. When the connection port is connected to
a gas cylinder complete with a valve core, the pushrod (5) can push
the valve core to open the gas cylinder as well. The confining
plate (6) is also hinged to the press part (41). The confining
plate (6) has an active contact part (61), while the outer shell
(1) has a passive contact part (11) which is located between the
press part (41) and the tube fitting (2). The active contact part
(61) can lean against the passive contact part (11). The operating
handle (4) is locked when that happens. In dormant situations where
the refilling apparatus is being sold or exhibited, the confining
plate (6) can be pulled to make the active contact part (61) press
against the passive contact part (11). The contact location of the
two parts is located between the press part (41) and the tube
fitting (2), the press part (41) is blocked by the confining plate
(6) and cannot approach the tube fitting (2) under external forces.
This prevents the gas cylinder from being opened by mistake and
achieves a higher security.
[0033] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the first avoidance
opening (12) is designed on the outer shell (1), and the press part
(41) stretches out of the first avoidance opening (12). The active
contact part (61) is the free end of the confining plate (6). A
long strip shaped clamping slot (62) is designed on the edge of the
active contact part (61), in the lengthwise direction. The passive
contact part (11) is the edge of the first avoidance opening (12)
that is close to the tube fitting (2). The clamping slot (62) of
the active contact part (61) can clamp the passive contact part
(11). The clamping slot (62) makes the active contact part (61) not
able to detach from the passive contact part (11) unless external
forces are applied. When the confining plate (6) is pushed by
external forces, it deforms the passive contact part (11) and thus
the active press part (61) detaches. Hence, the press part (41) can
swing inside the first avoidance opening (12). The edge of the
first avoidance opening (12) that is away from the tube fitting (2)
is the confining edge (13). When the active contact part (61) leans
against the passive contact part (11), the gap between the
confining edge (13) and the outer wall of the operating handle (4)
is smaller than the depth of the clamping slot (62). The confining
edge (13) limits the swing of the press part (41) in the direction
away from the tube fitting (2). Namely, when no external force is
applied, even if the press part (41) leans against the confining
edge (13), the active contact part (61) will not detach from the
passive contact part (11). Hence, through the combination of the
passive contact part (11) and the confining edge (13), the active
contact part (61) of the confining plate (6) clamps the passive
contact part (11), and the stability is improved. The confining
plate (6) is made of plastic, and the outer shell (1) has a
thin-walled plastic structure. The passive contact part (11) is of
a thin-walled plastic structure, and has a certain elastic and
deformation capacity; therefore, the active contact part (61) can
detach from the passive contact part (11) under external forces,
and the structure is simple.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 4, there are connection columns (63) on
both of the opposite side edges of the confining plate (6), and the
connection columns (63) are on the side edge away from the clamping
slot (62). The operating handle (4) is of a thin-walled structure
with a cavity (42). The confining plate (6) is hinged to the inner
wall of the cavity (42) through the two connection columns (63).
There are also locating bosses (64) on both of the opposite side
edges of the confining plate (6), and the locating bosses (64) are
on the side edge close to the clamping slot (62). There are
locating holes (43) on the opposite inner walls of the cavity (42).
When the active contact part (61) detaches from the passive contact
part (11), the confining plate (6) can swings into the cavity (42),
and the locating bosses (64) can snap into the locating holes (43).
After the active contact part (61) detaches from the passive
contact part (11), the confining plate (6) may be pushed into the
cavity (42), and the locating bosses (64) can fit into the locating
holes (43), so as to secure the confining plate (6) in the cavity
(42), and prevent the confining plate (6) from interfering with the
actions of the press part (41). The thickness of the confining
plate (6) tapers from the end with the clamping slot (62) to the
other end. Namely, the end of the confining plate (6) where the
clamping slot (62) is located is heavier, and the confining plate
(6) drops automatically after detaching from the passive contact
part (11). Even if it is not secured in the cavity (42), it will
not interfere with the actions of the press part (41). The
operating handle (4) is curved. The second avoidance opening (44)
is also designed on the operating handle (4). There is a
tube-connecting part (22) on the outer wall of the tube fitting
(2), and the tube-connecting part (22) connects with the tube
fitting (2). One end of the refilling duct (3) is secured on the
tube-connecting part (22), and the other end passes through the
second avoidance opening (44). The curved operating handle (4)
allows the press part (41) to be located alongside the tube fitting
(2). Meanwhile, the refilling duct (3) passes through the second
avoidance opening (44), so both of the press part (41) and the
refilling duct (3) are located in the same side of the tube fitting
(2), which achieves a more compact structure.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, there is a connection part
(23) on the outer wall of the tube fitting (2), and one end of the
operating handle (4) is hinged to the connection part (23). There
is a push part (45) on the operating handle (4) and there is the
active push slope (46) on the push part (45). One end of the
pushrod (5) stretches out of the tube fitting (2), and there is the
passive push slope (51) on the end that stretches out of the tube
fitting. The active push slope (46) may lean against the passive
push slope (51). The active push slope (46) presses against the
passive push slope (45). Both of the press part (41) and the push
part (45) are located in the same side of the hinge point of the
operating handle (4). When the press part (41) is pressed in the
direction close to the tube fitting (2), the push part (45) moves
downwards. Meanwhile, the active push slope (46) presses against
the passive push slope (51) and moves the pushrod (5). The
operation is simple. An annular sealing groove (52) is designed on
the outer peripheral wall of the pushrod (5), and a sealing ring
(53) is installed in the sealing groove (52). The sealing ring (53)
presses against the inner peripheral wall of the tube fitting (2).
The tube-connecting part (22) is located between the connection
port (21) and the sealing ring (53). The end of the pushrod (5)
needs to stretch out of the tube fitting (2), to connect with the
operating handle (4). Hence, a sealing ring (53) is installed on
the pushrod (5), to achieve the seal between the outer peripheral
wall of the pushrod (5) and the inner peripheral wall of the tube
fitting (2), so as to avoid the leakage of Freon from the tube
fitting (2). There is a sealing cone (24) on the inner wall of the
tube fitting (2). That sealing cone (24) is located between the
tube-connecting part (22) and the connection port (21). The larger
diameter end of the sealing cone (24) faces the connection port
(21). An annular sealing block (54) is secured to the pushrod (5),
and a reset spring (55) is installed over the pushrod (5). One end
of the reset spring (55) presses against the tube fitting (2), and
the other end presses against the pushrod (5). When the pushrod (5)
is no longer subjected to the force from the operating handle (4),
the sealing block (54) will press against the sealing cone (24)
under the force from the reset spring (55). After the refilling
process of the automotive air conditioner completes, the operating
handle (4) is reset. Under the action of the reset spring (55), the
pushrod (5) moves to its original position, and the sealing block
(54) presses against the sealing cone (24). Hence, the connection
between the refilling duct (3) and the connection port (21) is
blocked, which prevents backflow of the Freon in the air
conditioner after the refill completes.
[0036] The description of the preferred embodiments thereof serves
only as an illustration of the spirit of the invention. It will be
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes or
supplements in form and details may be made therein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by
the appended claims.
[0037] Although the terms of Outer Shell (1), Passive Contact Part
(11), First Avoidance Opening (12), etc. are often used herein, it
does not exclude the possibility to use any other terms. Using such
terms is only to describe or explain the nature of preferred
embodiments of the present invention more conveniently. Any
additional restrictions are contrary to the spirit of the present
invention.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0038] 1 Outer Shell [0039] 11 Passive Contact Part [0040] 12 First
Avoidance Opening [0041] 13 Confining Edge [0042] 2 Tube Fitting
[0043] 21 Connection Port [0044] 22 Tube-connecting Part [0045] 23
Connection Part [0046] 24 Sealing Cone [0047] 3 Refilling Duct
[0048] 4 Operating Handle [0049] 41 Press Part [0050] 42 Cavity
[0051] 43 Locating Hole [0052] 44 Second Avoidance Opening [0053]
45 Push Part [0054] 46 Active Push Slope [0055] 5 Pushrod [0056] 51
Passive Push Slope [0057] 52 Sealing Groove [0058] 53 Sealing Ring
[0059] 54 Sealing Block [0060] 55 Reset Spring [0061] 6 Confining
Plate [0062] 61 Active Contact Part [0063] 62 Clamping Slot [0064]
63 Connection Column [0065] 64 Locating Boss
* * * * *