Integrated air compressor and winch

• US 7,559,534 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2007
• Issued: 07/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Warn Industries Incorporated (LKQ Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Warn Industries Incorporated (LKQ Corporation)
• Inventors: Heravi, Oliver, Averill, Bryan M., Giacomini, Thomas W., Shuyler, Steven W., Geisler, Richard J.
• Primary Examiner(s): MARCELO, EMMANUEL MONSAYAC
• Application Number:
  US11/756,822
• Publication Number:
  US 20070221898A1
• Time in Patent Office: 774 Days
• Field of Search: 254/323, 254/361, 254/328
• US Class Current: 254/323
• CPC Class Codes: B66D 1/08 incorporating fluid motors
• CPC Class Codes: B66D 1/12 incorporating electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: B66D 1/16 the drums or barrels being freely rotatable , e.g. having a clutch activated independently of a brake B66D1/20, B66D1/22, B66D1/24 take precedence; clutches activated alternately with brakes B66D1/14, slip couplings B66D1/14
• CPC Class Codes: B66D 1/22 Planetary or differential gearings for actuating grab buckets B66D1/70 , i.e. with planet gears having movable axes of rotation
• CPC Class Codes: B66D 1/225 variable ratio or reversing gearing fixed ratio gearing B66D1/22

Abstract

An integrated air compressor and winch is provided that utilizes a single source of rotary motive power for driving both a winch drum and compressor mechanism. The integrated air compressor and winch is preferably provided with a gear case that is operable to provide an appropriate gear reduction for driving the winch drum while providing an appropriate drive speed for operating the compressor.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a power source;

a drum mechanism driven by said power source; and

an air compressor mechanism drivingly engaged with said power source;

wherein said power source, said air compressor mechanism and said drum mechanism are integrated as a unit.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a clutch mechanism operable for selectively providing drive torque from said power source to said drum mechanism.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said clutch mechanism includes a shift lever for engaging and disengaging said clutch mechanism.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said power source, said drum mechanism and said air compressor mechanism are mounted to a common support.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said common support is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle bumper.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said drum mechanism includes a brake system disposed within a drum of said drum mechanism.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said power source and said air compressor mechanism are both mounted on one side of a drum of said drum mechanism.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said power source is co-axial with said drum mechanism.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said air compressor mechanism includes a crankshaft offset from an axis of said drum.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said air compressor mechanism includes a storage vessel for containing pressurized air.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said storage vessel extends between first and second drum supports which rotatably support a drum of said drum mechanism.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said air compressor mechanism includes a piston mounted to a crankshaft.

13. An apparatus, comprising:

a power source;

a drum mechanism driven by said power source; and

an air compressor mechanism drivingly engaged with said power source;

wherein said power source, said air compressor mechanism and said drum mechanism are compactly assembled as a unitary system.

14. An apparatus, comprising:

a source of rotary motive power;

an air compressor mechanism engaged with said source of rotary motive power so as to be driven by said source of rotary motive power;

a first drive train connecting said air compressor mechanism with said source of rotary motive power;

a drum selectively engageable with said first drive train by a second drive train so as to be driven by said first drive train; and

a cable adapted to be wound onto and off from said drum;

wherein said source of rotary motive power, said drum mechanism and said air compressor mechanism are mounted to a common support.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said source of rotary motive power is an electric motor.

16. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said second drive train includes a brake system disposed within said drum.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said second drive train includes a gear reduction mechanism.

18. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said first drive train includes a drive member connected to said source of rotary motive power and a driven member connected to a crankshaft of said air compressor mechanism.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said drive member is connected to said driven member by a belt.

20. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said source of rotary motive power and said air compressor mechanism are both mounted on one side of said drum.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said source of rotary motive power is co-axial with said drum.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said air compressor mechanism includes a crankshaft offset from an axis of said drum.

23. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said air compressor mechanism includes a storage vessel for containing pressurized air.

24. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said storage vessel includes cooling fins on an external surface.

25. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said storage vessel extends between first and second drum supports which rotatably support said drum.

26. The apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising a pressure release mechanism in communication with said air compressor mechanism.

27. The apparatus according to claim 23 further comprising a flow restriction device in communication with said air compressor mechanism.

28. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said air compressor mechanism includes an outlet fitting to which a compressor hose is releasably connected.

29. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said second drive train includes a clutch mechanism for engaging said first drive train.

30. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said air compressor mechanism includes a piston mounted to a crankshaft.

31. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said crankshaft is driven by said first drive train.

32. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said common support is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle.

33. An apparatus, comprising:

an electric motor having an output shaft;

a drum mechanism selectively engageable with said output shaft so as to be driven by said electric motor;

a cable adapted to be wound onto and off from said drum mechanism; and

an air compressor mechanism drivingly engaged with said electric motor;

wherein said electric motor and said air compressor mechanism are disposed within a common housing.

34. The apparatus according to claim 33, further comprising a clutch mechanism operable for selectively providing drive torque from said electric motor to said drum mechanism.

35. The apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said clutch mechanism is disposed within said common housing.

36. The apparatus according to claim 35, wherein said clutch mechanism includes a shift lever extending from said common housing.

37. The apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said electric motor, said drum mechanism and said air compressor mechanism are mounted to a common support which is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle.

38. The apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said air compressor mechanism includes a crankshaft having an axis of rotation offset from an axis of rotation of said output shaft.

39. The apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said second drive train includes a brake system disposed within said drum.

40. The apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said electric motor and said air compressor mechanism are both mounted on one side of said drum.

41. The apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said electric motor is co-axial with said drum mechanism.

42. The apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said air compressor mechanism includes a crankshaft offset from an axis of said drum.

43. The apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said air compressor mechanism includes a storage vessel for containing pressurized air.

44. The apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said storage vessel extends between first and second drum supports which rotatably support said drum.

45. The apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said air compressor mechanism includes a piston mounted to a crankshaft.

46. An apparatus, comprising:

an electric motor having an output shaft;

a drum engageable with said output shaft, said drum having a cable adapted to be wound onto and off from said drum mechanism; and

an air compressor mechanism drivingly engageable with said output shaft and including a storage vessel supported by first and second drum supports which rotatably support said drum.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein said electric motor, said drum and said air compressor mechanism are mounted to a common support which is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle.

48. The apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said drum includes a brake system disposed within said drum.

49. The apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said electric motor and said air compressor mechanism are both mounted on one side of said drum.

50. The apparatus according to claim 49, wherein said electric motor is co-axial with said drum.

51. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said air compressor mechanism includes a crankshaft offset from an axis of said drum.

52. The apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said air compressor mechanism includes a storage vessel for containing pressurized air.

53. The apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said air compressor mechanism includes a piston mounted to a crankshaft.

54. An apparatus, comprising:

an electric motor;

a drum mechanism selectively engageable with said electric motor, said motor being disposed on a first side of said drum mechanism;

a cable adapted to be wound onto and off from said drum mechanism;

an air compressor mechanism drivingly engaged with said electric motor, said air compressor mechanism being disposed on first side of said drum mechanism;

a first drive train connecting said air compressor mechanism with said electric motor and disposed on a first side of said drum mechanism;

a second drive train connecting said drum mechanism with said first drive train, said second drive train disposed on a second side of said drum mechanism opposite to said first side and selectively engageable with said first drive train so as to be driven by first drive train.

55. The apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said electric motor, said drum mechanism are mounted on a common support.

56. The apparatus according to claim 55, wherein said support is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle.

57. The apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said second drive train includes a brake system disposed within a drum of said drum mechanism.

58. The apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said electric motor and said air compressor mechanism are both mounted on one side of said drum mechanism.

59. The apparatus according to claim 58, wherein said electric motor is co-axial with said drum mechanism.

60. The apparatus according to claim 59, wherein said air compressor mechanism includes a crankshaft offset from an axis of said drum mechanism.

61. The apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said air compressor mechanism includes a storage vessel for containing pressurized air.

62. The apparatus according to claim 61, wherein said storage vessel extends between first and second drum supports which rotatably support said drum.

63. The apparatus according to claim 54, wherein said air compressor mechanism includes a piston mounted to a crankshaft.

64. An apparatus, comprising:

a source of rotary motive power;

a drum mechanism engaged with said source of rotary motive power;

a cable adapted to be wound onto and off from said drum mechanism;

a first support member being disposed on one side of and rotatably supporting said drum mechanism; and

an air compressor mechanism mounted to said first support member.

65. The apparatus according to claim 64, wherein said air compressor mechanism includes a piston mounted to a crankshaft and said crankshaft is rotatably supported at opposite ends by bearing assemblies.

66. The apparatus according to claim 65, wherein at least one of said bearing assemblies are supported by said first support member.

67. An apparatus, comprising:

an electric motor having an output shaft;

a drum mechanism selectively engageable with said output shaft so as to be driven by said electric motor;

a cable adapted to be wound onto and off from said drum mechanism; and

an air compressor mechanism drivingly engaged with said electric motor;

wherein said electric motor, said air compressor mechanism and said drum mechanism are disposed within a package volume no larger than 33 inches wide, 16 inches tall and 12 inches deep.

68. The apparatus according to claim 67, wherein said electric motor and said air compressor mechanism are disposed within a common housing.

69. The apparatus according to claim 68, further comprising a clutch mechanism operable for selectively providing drive torque from said electric motor to said drum mechanism.

70. The apparatus according to claim 69, wherein said clutch mechanism is disposed within said common housing.

71. The apparatus according to claim 70, wherein said clutch mechanism includes a shift lever extending from said common housing.

72. The apparatus according to claim 67, wherein said electric motor, said drum mechanism and said air compressor mechanism are mounted to a common support which is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle.

73. The apparatus according to claim 67, wherein said package volume is no larger than 30 inches wide, 14 inches tall and 9 inches deep.