Method for controlling compressor display for inflating and repairing tires and related compressor
AssigneeTek Group Sagl
InventorsMaurizio MARINI, Alessandro BUZZONI
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A handheld portable compressor for inflating tires of a motorized land vehicle comprising an electronic control unit programmed to provide visual and/or acoustic indications of the compressor's operating state, e.g., inflation or sealant liquid injection, based on a pressure sensor.
Claims9
A method for controlling the operating state of a compressor comprising a light (54) and/or sound device to signal a user about the operating state of an inflating device, a compressor unit (C), and a releasable connection to fluidly connect a sealant liquid container to the compressor, said inflating device can be configured in a first operating state for inflation only and in a second operating state for injecting the sealant liquid via the compressor's action to repair an inflatable object comprising the steps of:
- detecting a pressure value P between the compressor and the releasable connection via a pressure sensor after a predefined and non-zero time interval (T) from the compressor's activation, with the interval defined by a counter;
- when the pressure value does not exceed a first predetermined threshold (S2) within a predetermined time (T) defined by the counter, configuring the light (54) and/or sound device in a first signalling configuration;
- or
- when the pressure value exceeds the first predetermined threshold (S2) within the said predetermined time (T), turning on the light (54) and/or sound device in a second signalling configuration different from the first signalling configuration to inform the user of the ongoing sealant liquid injection.
The control method according to the previous claim, in which the second signalling configuration further comprises the steps of:
- calculating a time period equal to a predetermined period (PT) starting from the activation of the light (54) and/or sound device in the second signalling configuration;
- detecting a second pressure value P2 at the end of the predetermined period (PT);
when the pressure value exceeds a second threshold (S3), turning on the light (54) and/or sound device in a fourth signalling configuration different from the first and second signalling configurations to inform the user that the compressor is in a post-sealant injection inflation mode.
A compressor for inflating tires of a motorized land vehicle comprising a light (54) and/or sound device to signal a user about the operating state of an inflating device, a compressor unit (C), and a releasable connection to fluidly connect a sealant liquid container to the compressor said inflating device can be configured in a first operating state for inflation only and in a second operating state for injecting the sealant liquid via the compressor's action to repair an inflatable object, the compressor further comprises an electronic control unit programmed to:
- detect a pressure value P between the compressor and the releasable connection via a pressure sensor after a predefined and non-zero time interval (T) from the compressor's activation, with the interval defined by a counter;
- when the pressure value does not exceed a first predetermined threshold (S2) within a predetermined time (T) defined by the counter, configure the light (54) and/or sound device in a first signalling configuration;
- or
- when the pressure value exceeds the first predetermined threshold (S2) within the said predetermined time (T), turn on the light (54) and/or sound device in a second signalling configuration different from the first signalling configuration to inform the user of the ongoing sealant liquid injection.
The compressor according to the previous claims, further comprising an acoustic device, in which the said control device is programmed to signal to a user via the acoustic device, when the compressor is in use, the first or second operating state during inflation and/or repair operations.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.