Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns a valve with at least two functional positions, where a first position produces connection to a first passage, and where a second position produces connection to a second passage, where the valve forms part of a construction with a compressor, preferably a compressor in a tyre repair kit, where the tyre repair kit additionally includes at least a magazine with a sealing mass, where the valve is a rotary valve, where the first position forms a passage for compressed air to an outlet therefor, and where the second position forms a passage for compressed air to the magazine with sealing mass.

Background of the Invention

hi recent years in connection with cars and other vehicles, it has been common to supply a vehicle without a spare wheel, something which otherwise has been usual through many decades. Instead, a small compressor unit and a magazine with a sealing mass are supplied. This is called a tyre repair kit and is cheaper than a spare wheel while at the same time weighing less. These are all facts that mean an obvious advantage to the environment, namely less fuel consumption due to lower weight and better utilisation of baggage space in the car. It has now been quite common that a complete unit is found in a car boot, including a compressor part and a magazine with sealing mass, which only has to be connected to a valve on a wheel followed by activation of the compressor. The said sealing mass is initially pumped into the tyre hereby. When the magazine is empty, the compressed air from the compressor is automatically conducted directly into the tyre whereby this is inflated to the desired tyre pressure.

From GB 2 452 137 A is known a tyre repair kit where there are two outlets for compressed air. One is connected to a magazine with sealing mass and has to be screwed onto a valve on a wheel prior to pumping sealing mass into a punctured tyre, whereas the other outlet is intended as a compressed air outlet to be used for different pumping tasks. In connection with the outlet intended for supplying sealing mass to a tyre, there is arranged an electronic switch which only allows pumping sealing mass out when the outlet is connected to a valve on a wheel. It is furthermore possible to operate a second electronic switch for getting compressed air out of the second outlet. This is an advanced solution with electric wires that are passed from the housing of the tyre repair kit and through the hose to be fitted on a valve on a wheel and with sensitive electric switches. Such a solution is, as mentioned, advanced but also vulnerable since the electric wires and switches are easily damaged during storage or during use.

Object of the Invention

It is the purpose of the invention to indicate a solution which is more suitable than the prior art for application in connection with common use of the said compressor unit, for more current applications while simultaneously the tyre repair kit is immediately ready to use, where the tyre repair kit is provided with a simple switching between at least two outlets, is easy to use and without unnecessary electric switches, wiring and sensors.

Description of the Invention

As mentioned, the invention concerns a valve with at least two functional positions. The valve according to the invention is a rotary valve, where the first position forms a passage for compressed air to an outlet therefor, and where the second position forms a passage for compressed air to the magazine with sealing mass. By this rotary valve it is now possible to use the compressor in the tyre repair kit for other purposes than in connection with repair of a punctured tyre. For example, the compressor can be used for occasional checking the tyre pressure in the wheels of a car, in a wheelbarrow or on a bicycle. The compressor may also be used for various other purposes which in principle have nothing to do with the vehicle. For example, inflation of airbeds, swim rings and rubber boats can be mentioned here. This option is achieved by a valve according to the invention, as by such a valve it is possible to have a prepacked and ready-to-use tyre repair kit provided in e.g. the boot of the car, which at the same time can be used for the above mentioned different tasks without influencing the readiness of the tyre repair kit. In a particularly preferred variant of a valve with at least two functional settings according to the invention, the valve may be provided with a cylindric valve body, where an annular recess is provided in the cylindric surface, where this recess communicates with at least one passage substantially extending in longitudinal direction of the cylindric valve body, and further communicating with either an outlet for compressed air or a magazine with sealing mass. Such a valve is simple and robust, and the particular parts may be made of plastic or metal, and irrespective of a small amount of dirt appearing in the compressed air, operational problems will not arise in the valve, something which is particularly due to the simple and robust design.

A valve as described above is so simple and simple to operate that the risk of inadvertent pumping sealing mass out of the outlet arranged for the purpose is very limited. Furthermore, it is a tyre repair kit which is considerably cheaper than the prior art solutions where switches are incorporated in the connecting end of a hose, whereby erroneous pumping out of sealing mass should be avoided. However, there is a some uncertainty about the said switch and the connection wires to be run right up to the end of the hose. If the switch is defective, it is impossible to supply sealing mass to tyre. By a solution according to the invention, which is purely mechanical, a robust and simple solution and a simple operation are achieved.

In a preferred variant of a valve with at least two functional settings according to the invention, the valve may be adapted for manual rotation through an angle which is greater than 45°, preferably through an angle of 90 or 180°. In principle, it is not required with such a large rotation, but it may appear to be an advantage as the risk of compressed air being conducted into an unwanted passage is minimised thereby. As the valve has to be turned through a relatively large angle, there is achieved increased safety against an inadvertent turning of the valve body by which compressed air is conducted into the magazine, thus pressing sealing mass out at a time where this is not intended. A typical manual rotation of the valve may be effected by a handle adapted therefor which may be arranged on or in the outer surface of the tyre repair kit.

In a second embodiment of a valve according to the invention, it may be adapted for automatic and mechanical rotation, preferably through an angle which is greater than 45°, preferably through an angle of 90 or 180°. There may thus be provided a solution which by activation of e.g. an electric switch or a pneumatic actuator performs a rotation of the actual valve or a structural element connected with it. In yet a variant of a valve with at least two functional settings according to the invention, the cylindric valve body of the valve may be provided with two additional annular recesses for sealing rings, the sealing rings each bearing against an inner cylindric surface in a valve housing. In principle, they are recesses for sealing rings seated in each their recess at each their side of the previously mentioned annular recess which forms a passage for compressed air from the compressor.

Description of the Drawing

The invention is described in the following with reference to the drawing, wherein: Fig. 2 shows a complete unit with compressor and magazine for sealing mass.

Fig. 2 shows a cross-section of a valve body for a valve.

Fig. 3 shows a cross-section of a valve.

Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention

In Fig. 1 appears an example of an apparatus or a tyre repair kit 1 including a not visible compressor part and a magazine 2 for sealing mass. The compressor is electric, and a connecting wire found behind the lid 3 is provided with a plug for connecting to a 12V DC outlet. By activating the compressor via the button 4, air will be pumped out through one of the two hoses 5 if the rotary button 6 is set at the right position therefor. In the shown example, the button is turned such that the marking is pointing to a pictogram of a pump.

In the second of the two possible settings, there is a pictogram of a punctured wheel, indicating that when the rotary button 6 is turned to this position, sealing mass will be pumped into the tyre before air. This pumping occurs through the second of the two hoses 5. After pumping sealing mass in, the apparatus 1 may be adapted to let air pass through the magazine 2 for sealing mass, while in other variants it may be necessary to set the rotary button 6 in pumping position. The apparatus is furthermore equipped with a manometer.

In Fig. 2 appears the valve body 7 for the valve which is the subject of the invention. The valve body 7 is connected with a control member 8 which is further fitted with a not shown rotary button 6; this is, however, shown in Fig. 1. The valve body 7 itself is cylindric with an annular recess 9 for passage of compressed air. There are furthermore two annular recesses 10 on the cylindric part of the valve body. These are for not shown sealing rings. In Fig. 2 further appears a boring 11 in axial direction of the valve body 7. This boring 11 is provided at the side of the cylindric part, thereby forming contact between the annular recess 9 and the boring 11. Compressed air is conducted to the correct discharge opening via the recess 9 and the boring 11.

In Fig. 3, the valve body 7 is mounted in a valve housing 12. Compressed air is conducted via the inlet opening 13 to the annular recess 9 and further through the boring 11 to the discharge opening 14. By turning the valve body 7/control member 8, a selection between the discharge openings 14 or 15 can be made. In this Figure appear the previously mentioned sealing rings 16, and sealing rings 17 furthermore appear at the bottom of the valve housing.