Tire repair device and tire repair method using the same

A tire repair device, which has a container for containing the tire repair fluid and a securing jig therefor, is characterized in that the securing jig is configured by coupling a securing portion, which holds the container in a predetermined direction, to a step plate portion.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technology relates to a tire repair device and a tire repair method, and in particular to a tire repair device configured to be able to secure a tire repair fluid container in a stable manner with a simple configuration, and a tire repair method using the same.

BACKGROUND

A tire repair device (tire repair kit) is recently known that temporarily repairs a puncture and fills the inside of the tire with air at the same time by injecting a tire repair fluid and compressed air into the tire when a pneumatic tire mounted on a vehicle has punctured. Resource saving and reduction in vehicle weight can be achieved through the use of such a tire repair device because a spare tire does not need to be mounted in the vehicle. There is also an advantage that a space for mounting the spare tire can be used for another purpose.

As illustrated inFIG. 8, for example, this tire repair method involves connecting a compressor10to a container2containing the tire repair fluid, then compressing the inside of the container2by supplying compressed air from the compressor10to the container2, and then injecting the tire repair fluid and the compressed air from a tire valve22of a wheel21mounted on a tire20into the tire. The container2needs to be secured in a stable attitude so as not to fall over or tilt while injecting the tire repair fluid into the tire. Consequently, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-120250 proposes securing the container2to a side surface of the compressor by providing a surface fastener30between the outer side of the container2and the outer side of the compressor10. According to this tire repair method, the container2can be secured in a stable attitude while injecting the tire repair fluid into the tire.

However, there is a need to newly prepare and mount a container containing the tire repair fluid and a fastener needs to be provided on the outer side surface of the new container each time this type of tire repair device is used for conducting a tire repair. As a result, a tire repair device that is more versatile with a simple configuration and a tire repair method that uses the same are desired.

SUMMARY

The present technology provides a tire repair device configured to be able to secure a tire repair fluid container in a stable manner with a simple configuration, and a tire repair method using the same.

A tire repair device of the present technology is characterized by having a container for containing tire repair fluid and a securing jig for securing the container, the securing jig being configured by coupling a securing portion for holding the container in a predetermined direction to a step plate portion.

A tire repair method of the present technology involves using the above-mentioned tire repair device, connecting to the container a discharge pipe for discharging tire repair fluid and an intake pipe for introducing compressed air, mounting the container onto the securing portion and securing the securing jig and the container by mounting a compressor on the step plate portion, connecting the discharge pipe to a tire valve of a wheel assembled on a tire with an injection hose, connecting the compressor to the intake pipe of the container, and supplying compressed air from the compressor to the container, whereby the inside of the container is compressed and the tire repair fluid is injected into the tire.

The tire repair device of the present technology is able to secure the tire repair fluid container in a stable manner with a simple configuration due to the container for containing the tire repair fluid being mounted in the securing portion of the securing jig and another object such as a compressor being placed on the step plate portion of the securing jig thereby simply securing the container.

The securing jig is preferably expandable on a flat surface or foldable so that the volume of the securing jig can be reduced when mounted in a vehicle.

The securing jig is configured by a plurality of flat members configured by folding a flat plate a plurality of times, and the step plate portion can be made from a flat member of an end portion of the flat plate. The securing portion can be configured by opening a hole into which the container is inserted in one of the plurality of flat members. Moreover, the securing jig is able to have a base portion for placing the container on one of the plurality of flat members.

A height h of the securing portion of the securing jig is preferably from 20 to 90% of the height H of the container when held in a predetermined direction, whereby the container can be secured in a stable manner even if the amount of the tire repair fluid inside the container is small when repairing a puncture.

The tire repair method of the present technology enables the tire repair to be conducted easily and assuredly through the use of a tire repair device configured by having a container containing the tire repair fluid and a securing jig for securing the container, with the securing jig configured by coupling a step plate portion with a securing portion for holding the container in a predetermined direction, whereby the tire repair fluid container is secured in a stable manner and the tire repair fluid can be injected into the inside of the tire along with compressed air supplied by a compressor.

The securing jig is preferably expandable on a flat surface or foldable and the volume of the securing jig can be reduced.

A securing jig made up of a plurality of flat members configured by folding a flat plate a plurality of times and in which the step plate portion is a flat member of an end portion of a flat plate can be used as the securing jig. A securing jig provided with a hole into which the container is inserted in one of the plurality of flat members as the securing portion can be used. Moreover, the container can be used by providing a base portion for placing the container on one of the plurality of flat members of the securing jig.

A height h of the securing portion of the securing jig is preferably from 20 to 90% of the height H of the container when the container is held in a predetermined direction, whereby the container can be secured in a stable manner even if the amount of the tire repair fluid inside the container is small when repairing a puncture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The tire repair device of the present technology includes at least a container for containing a tire repair fluid, and a securing jig for mounting the container. Moreover, equipment such as a compressor to be used when performing a tire repair and components such as various hoses, a cap, and a connecting pipe can be provided.

FIGS. 1A to 1Dare explanatory views exemplifying a configuration of the tire repair device of the present technology.

FIG. 1Aillustrates a container2for containing the tire repair fluid. So long as the container2is a container with good air tightness, chemical resistance, and pressure resistance, a container normally used for containing the tire repair fluid may be used. The container2is loaded on a vehicle in a state in which an opening is sealed by a sealing member and the like, and when a tire repair fluid injection operation is performed, the sealing member is removed, and a discharge pipe for discharging the tire repair fluid and an intake pipe for introducing compressed air are connected to the opening whereby the container2is used.

A securing jig3inFIG. 1Bis configured by coupling a step plate portion5with a securing portion4for holding the container2in a predetermined direction. A hole6is formed substantially in a middle part in the securing portion4for mounting the container2. The securing portion4may have a base portion7for placing the container2thereon. By placing the container2on the base portion7, the container2can be secured in a stable manner. The step plate portion5is formed in a flat plate shape so that another object such as a compressor can be placed thereon.

The material for forming the securing jig3is not limited in particular and may be exemplified by a sheet or a plate made from, for example, metal, plastic, paper and the like. Among these materials, a type of paper such as thick paper or cardboard is preferable. By coating these types of papers, work may be performed easily on a wet road or in the rain.

InFIG. 1C, the container2is mounted in the securing portion4of the securing jig3, placed on the base portion7, and held in a predetermined direction. While the container2is held so that the opening of the container2is standing substantially upright in the example inFIG. 1C, the direction for holding the container2is not limited to this example. For example, the container2may be held in a substantially vertical direction with the opening of the container2at the bottom, or a substantially horizontal direction, or a tilted direction tilted to a certain angle, whereby the container2can be held in a direction that enables the effective discharge of the tire repair fluid.

The container2mounted on the securing jig3can be secured easily and assuredly by placing another object such as a compressor10on the step plate portion5of the securing jig3as exemplified inFIG. 1D. The other object is not limited to a compressor as long as the dead weight of the object is enough to secure the securing jig3and the container2when placed on the step plate portion5. Tools or a toolbox loaded in the vehicle or even a block or a large stone near where the work is being performed may be used as the other object. Furthermore, an operator may stand on the step plate portion5to secure the securing jig3while injecting the tire repair fluid.

The securing jig in the present technology as illustrated inFIGS. 2A to 2Cis preferably expandable on a flat surface or is preferably foldable in order to reduce space when loaded into a vehicle.FIG. 2Ais a form when the securing jig3is being used.FIG. 2Bis a form when the securing jig3inFIG. 2Ais expanded on a flat surface, and then the securing jig3can be folded in a compact manner as illustrated inFIG. 2Cby folding the securing jig3in the direction of the arrows.

As illustrated inFIG. 2B, the securing jig3may be configured from a plurality of flat members configured by folding one plate a plurality of times. In this case, the step plate portion5can be made from a flat member at one end portion of the plate. The container can be inserted by providing the hole6in one of the plurality of flat members. The flat member provided with the hole6is a flat member different from the flat member that becomes the step plate portion5, and one or more flat members may be provided between the flat member provided with the hole6and the flat member that becomes the step plate portion5. As illustrated inFIGS. 4A or 4Cbelow, the flat member provided with the hole6may be a flat member at the end portion of the plate on the side opposite the step plate portion5.

As illustrated in the above drawings, the end portion of the plate on the side opposite the step plate portion5may be the base portion7among the plurality of flat members. The flat member that becomes the base portion7is not limited to being an end portion of the plate, and an end portion side of one flat member may be the step plate portion5and the remaining part on the inside may be used as the base portion7as illustrated inFIG. 4Cdescribed below for example.

A height h of the securing portion4of the securing jig of the present technology illustrated inFIG. 1Bis preferably from 20 to 90% or more preferably from 40 to 65% of a height H of the container2when held in the predetermined direction. If the height h of the securing portion4is less than 20% of the container height H, there is a concern that when there is a large amount of repair liquid inside the container2, that is, during the initial stage of the tire repair fluid injection, the container2may not be held in a stable manner. If the height h of the securing portion4is greater than 90% of the container height H, there is a concern that when there is a small amount of repair liquid inside the container2, that is, during the final stage of the tire repair fluid injection, the container2may not be held in a stable manner.

The height H of the container2is the height of the container when the container2is being held in the predetermined direction as illustrated inFIG. 1A. As described above in regard to the predetermined direction for holding the container2, when the cylindrical container2is being held for example in a substantially horizontal manner, the height would be the outer diameter of the container2.

FIGS. 3 to 6exemplify outlines of the container2held in the securing portion4as other embodiments of the tire repair device of the present technology, and the compressor placed on the step plate portion5is represented by a two-dot chain line.

FIG. 3Aillustrates an example in which the length in a projection direction of the step plate portion5in the tire repair device illustrated inFIG. 1Cis reduced.FIG. 3Billustrates an example in which the length in the projection direction of the step plate portion5is reduced even more.FIG. 3Cillustrates an example in which the width of the step plate portion5in the tire repair device illustrated inFIG. 1Cis reduced.FIG. 3Dillustrates an example in which the step plate portion5with a reduced width is disposed as two plates. In any of these cases, the container2can be held in a stable manner while injecting the tire repair fluid due to an object such as a compressor being placed on the step plate portion5.

While the surface area of the step plate portion5in the present technology is not limited in particular, the surface area, for example, is preferably at least 30% or more preferably from 100% to 300% of the bottom surface area of the container2. By making the surface area of the step plate portion530% or more, the securing jig and the container can be secured in a stable manner.

FIG. 3Eillustrates an example in which the height h of the securing portion4in the tire repair device illustrated inFIG. 1Cis increased, andFIG. 3Fillustrates an example in which the height h of the securing portion4is increased even more.

The tire repair devices inFIGS. 4A and 4Bare examples of simplified forms of the securing portion4of the tire repair device inFIG. 1C. These examples illustrate the securing jig3with the base portion7of the securing portion4inFIG. 1Cremoved. The weight of the securing jig3can be reduced due to these simplified forms. Moreover, the volume when folded can be reduced further.

FIG. 4Cis an example in which an upper side member of the securing portion4is placed on the upper surface of the compressor, and the container2can be held in a stable manner due to the container2being sandwiched between a side surface of the compressor and a side surface of the securing portion4. In this embodiment, the flat member of the end portion of the plate is used for both the step plate portion5and the base portion7as described above, and the step plate portion5occupies the end portion side and the base portion7occupies the inside of the flat member.

The tire repair device inFIG. 5Ais an example in which the shape of the securing portion4is formed as a box, andFIG. 5Bis an example in which the shape of the securing portion4is formed as a frame. Further, the tire repair device inFIG. 5Chas an upper surface side member provided with a hole for mounting the container2as the securing portion4, and a bottom surface side member as the step plate portion5, and the securing portion4and the step plate portion5are disposed so as to face each other. The container2can be held in a stable manner by placing the compressor on the step plate portion5and placing the container2inserted into the hole in the securing portion4on the compressor. The tire repair device inFIG. 5Dis a modified example ofFIG. 5C, and is an example in which a supporting member for placing the container2is provided between a member on the upper surface side having the hole and the step plate portion5.

The tire repair device inFIG. 6Ais an example in which the shape of the securing portion4is configured with a supporting member that is curved along the outer periphery of the container2so as to cover both sides of the outer periphery of the container2. The tire repair device inFIG. 6Bis an example in which a first side of one plate is the securing portion4and a second side is the step plate portion5, and the plate of the securing portion4has disposed thereon a holding frame made up of a cylindrical-shaped projecting part into which the outer diameter of the container2is fitted. The tire repair device inFIG. 6Cis an example in which a first side of one plate is the securing portion4and a second side is the step plate portion5, and the plate of the securing portion4has disposed thereon a plurality of rod-shaped projecting parts facing upward around the outer periphery of the container2. With any of these cases, the container2can be secured in a stable manner. The tire repair device inFIG. 6Dis a modified example in which the width of the securing jig3is reduced in the tire repair device inFIG. 6B.

FIG. 7is a schematic view exemplifying an embodiment of a tire repair method of the present technology.

The tire repair method involves first removing a sealing member that seals the opening of the container2and then mounting an intake pipe11and a discharge pipe12. The intake pipe11is a pipe connected to a compressor for introducing compressed air into the container2. The discharge pipe12is a pipe for exhausting both the tire repair fluid and the compressed air from the inside to the outside of the container2.

Further, the discharge pipe12is connected to a tire valve22of a wheel21assembled onto a tire20with an injection hose23, and the compressor10is connected to the intake pipe11with a pressurization hose24.

Next, the container2is inserted into the hole and placed on the base portion7so that the container2faces a predetermined direction in the securing portion4of the securing jig. The compressor is placed and secured on the step plate portion5of the securing jig. A plug13at the distal end of a cord14of the compressor10is connected to an external power source to activate the compressor10.

Due to activation of the compressor10, the compressed air passes through the pressurization hose24and the intake pipe11to be compacted inside the container2. As a result, since the inside of the container2is compressed, the tire repair fluid and the compressed air pass through the discharge pipe12, the injection hose23, and the tire valve22to be injected into the inside of the tire20.

By mounting the container2in the securing jig3in the method of the present technology, the tire repair fluid can be injected in a stable manner from when there is a large amount of the tire repair fluid inside the container2at the start of injection until the tire repair fluid inside the container2is almost finished at the end of injection, because the container2is held in the predetermined direction.

EXAMPLES

Working Example 1

The tire repair method illustrated inFIG. 7is implemented using the tire repair device illustrated inFIG. 1. The tire repair fluid container is a plastic container with a wall thickness of approximately 2.0 mm and the volume of the tire repair fluid is 450 ml. The securing jig was formed of the thick paper (thickness approximately 0.7 mm) the outer surface of which was coated with polypropylene so that the height h of the securing portion is 40% of the container height H of the container, the surface area of the step plate portion is 150% of the bottom surface area of the container. The tire repair fluid container was secured facing upward by placing a compressor (weight approximately 800 g) on the step plate portion.

In a working environment with an ambient temperature of 23° C., the air pressure (gauge pressure) of a pneumatic tire having a tire size of 215/60R16 was adjusted to 0.0 kPa, compressed air (gauge pressure: 400 kPa) supplied from the compressor was supplied to the tire repair fluid container secured facing upward, and the tire repair fluid and the compressed air inside the container were injected into the tire. As a result, injection was completed in approximately 25 seconds. The container and the securing jig were secured in a stable manner from start to finish of the injection of the tire repair fluid and the tire repair fluid was injected easily and in a stable manner.

Working Example 2

Except for making the height h of the securing portion of the securing jig 60% of the container height H, the injection of the tire repair fluid was implemented in the same way as Working Example 1. As a result, injection was completed in approximately 26 seconds. The container and the securing jig were secured in a stable manner from start to finish of the injection of the tire repair fluid and the tire repair fluid was injected easily and in a stable manner.