ELECTRIC AIR PUMP POWERED BY AN EXTERNAL POWER SOURCE

Abstract

ELECTRIC AIR PUMP POWERED BY AN EXTERNAL POWER SOURCE The invention relates to an electric air pump powered by an external power source, comprising an outer casing (10), a pump assembly, and a control module. The pump assembly is located inside the outer casing (10). The control module is located in the outer casing (10) and comprises a printed circuit board, a power supply port (32), and a start switch (33). The power supply port (32) is electrically connected to the printed circuit board and can be connected to an external power source. The start switch (33) is electrically connected to the printed circuit board and is designed to control whether the printed circuit board is electrically connected to the pump assembly. Therefore, the electric air pump does not require an integrated battery. Figure to be published with the abstract: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: ELECTRIC AIR PUMP POWERED BY AN EXTERNAL POWER SOURCE Scope of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an air pump, and more particularly to an electric air pump powered by an external power source.

[0002] Description of the associated prior art

[0003] A conventional electric air pump uses electrical energy to power its pump in order to pump air and inflate objects such as tires or basketballs. Compared to a traditional manually operated air pump, the conventional electric air pump allows a user to inflate objects by simply pressing buttons, which is convenient to use.

[0004] A conventional electric air pump generally has an integrated rechargeable battery. When the rechargeable battery is depleted, the conventional electric air pump can be connected to a power source to recharge it, making the conventional electric air pump portable. However, because the conventional electric air pump has an integrated rechargeable battery, the following problems may arise when the conventional electric air pump is being transported:

[0005] 1. Given the security boarding rules that limit transport For items equipped with rechargeable batteries, transporting a classic electric air pump can prove inconvenient for travel.

[0006] 2. When the outside temperature is high, the temperature inside a Transport vehicles such as cars or motorcycles are subject to high temperatures. It is dangerous to leave a conventional electric air pump in transport vehicles because the rechargeable battery is exposed to high temperatures.

[0007] To overcome the shortcomings of the conventional electric air pump, the present invention proposes an electric air pump powered by an external power source to mitigate or avoid the aforementioned problems.

[0008] The present invention aims to provide an electric air pump powered by an external power source that does not require an integrated battery in order to solve safety and other problems when the electric air pump is transported.

[0009] The electric air pump powered by an external power source comprises an outer casing, a pump assembly, and a control module. The pump assembly is located inside the outer casing and comprises a chamber, a The pump assembly consists of an inlet and an outlet. Both the inlet and outlet communicate with the chamber and the exterior of the outer shell. The control module is located within the outer shell and includes a printed circuit board, a power supply port, and a start switch. The power supply port is electrically connected to the printed circuit board and is suitable for connection to an external power source. The start switch is electrically connected to the printed circuit board and configured to control whether the printed circuit board is electrically connected to the pump assembly. The pump assembly is electrically powered to pump air, which then flows sequentially through the inlet, the chamber, and the outlet.

[0010] According to a particular feature of the invention, the control module includes a pressure sensor electrically connected to the printed circuit board, disposed in a sensing space communicating with the chamber, and configured to detect pressure in the sensing space in order to send pressure data.

[0011] According to a particular feature of the invention, the control module includes a display device electrically connected to the printed circuit board and observable from outside the outer shell; and the control module is configured to control the display device to present chamber pressure information as a function of pressure data.

[0012] According to a particular feature of the invention, the control module includes a conversion switch electrically connected to the printed circuit board and configured to send a conversion signal; and the control module is configured to calculate multiple pressure values ​​in different units based on the pressure data and configured to control the display device to present one of the multiple pressure values ​​based on the conversion signal.

[0013] According to a particular feature of the invention, the control module includes at least one adjustment knob electrically connected to the printed circuit board and configured to cause the control module to set a target pressure; and the control module is configured to acquire a chamber pressure based on the pressure data and to determine whether the chamber pressure reaches the target pressure or not in order to decide whether the printed circuit board continues to be electrically connected to the pump assembly or not.

[0014] According to a particular feature of the invention, the pressure sensor is arranged on the printed circuit board; the pump assembly includes a cover upper part butted against the printed circuit board; and the detection space is surrounded by the upper cover and the printed circuit board.

[0015] According to a particular feature of the invention, the outer shell includes a containment space communicating with the outside of the outer shell through an opening; and a cover mounted removably on the opening and covering it; the electric air pump includes an inflation needle configured to be connected to one of the inlet and outlet passages and configured to be contained within the containment space and limited within the containment space by the cover.

[0016] Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will be better understood from reading the detailed description that follows, in association with the accompanying drawings.

[0017] In the drawings:

[0018] [Fig-1] is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an electric air pump powered by an external power source according to the present invention;

[0019] [Fig.2] is an exploded view of the electric air pump of [Fig.1], without the outer casing;

[0020] [Fig.3] is a partial cross-sectional view of the electric air pump of [Fig.1];

[0021] [Fig.4] is a functional diagram of the electric air pump system of the [Fig.l];

[0022] [Fig. 5] is a functional view of the electric air pump of [Fig. 1] during inflation; and

[0023] [Fig.6] is a functional view of the electric air pump of [Fig.1] storing an inflation needle.

[0024] With reference to Figures 1 to 3, a preferred embodiment of an electric air pump powered by an external power source according to the present invention comprises an outer casing 10, a pump assembly 20, and a control module 30. The pump assembly 20 is disposed inside the outer casing 10 for inflation or deflation. The control module 30 is disposed within the outer casing 10 and acts as a core for transmitting electrical energy and signals for control.

[0025] With reference to [Fig. 1], the outer shell 10 comprises a shell body 11, an inlet opening 12, and an outlet opening 13 defined through the shell body 11. The shell body 11 encloses an internal space in which the pump assembly 20 and the control module 30 are arranged. The inlet opening 12 and the outlet opening 13 are configured to allow air to flow through them and to enter or exit the pump assembly 20. Furthermore, the shell body 11 also comprises multiple openings defined through it such that that components of the control module 30 can respectively be placed in these openings or further protrude from an external surface of the outer shell 10 in order to be operated by a user or to be able to be connected to other external components.

[0026] With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the pump assembly 20 comprises a chamber 21, an inlet passage 22, and an outlet passage 23. The chamber 21 is configured to contain air. The inlet passage 22 communicates with the chamber 21 and the exterior of the outer shell 10, allowing outside air to flow into the chamber 21. The outlet passage 23 communicates with the chamber 21 and the exterior of the outer shell 10, allowing air to flow out of the chamber 21 from the outlet passage 23. The pump assembly 20 can be electrically powered to pump air such that the air is configured to flow successively through the inlet passage 22, the chamber 21, and the outlet passage 23.

[0027] With reference to Figures 2 and 3, specifically, the pump assembly 20 comprises an upper cover 24, a chamber shell, and a motor 25 arranged successively from top to bottom. The inlet passage 22 and the outlet passage 23 are defined through the upper cover 24, and the chamber 21 is formed within the chamber shell. The upper cover 24 covers an upper opening of the chamber 21 such that the chamber 21 communicates only with the inlet passage 22 and the outlet passage 23. With reference to [Fig. 1], the inlet passage 22 and the outlet passage 23 are respectively positioned towards the inlet opening 12 and the outlet opening 13, and communicate with them respectively, so as to communicate with the exterior of the outer shell 10. The motor 25 is connected to the bottom of the chamber and can be driven by electrical energy to pump air.

[0028] With reference to Figures 2 to 4, the control module 30 comprises a printed circuit board 31, a power supply port 32, and a start switch 33. The printed circuit board 31 is disposed in the outer casing 10, and the control module 30 comprises a control unit mounted on the printed circuit board 31 for control. With reference to Figures 2 and 3, specifically, the motor 25 of the pump assembly 20 comprises at least one conductor 251, and the printed circuit board 31 is connected to at least one conductor 251 via at least one internal cable. This internal cable is configured to transmit electrical power and signals such that the control unit on the printed circuit board 31 is configured to control the operation of the pump assembly 20.

[0029] With reference to Figures 2 to 4, the power supply port 32 and the start switch 33 are electrically connected to the printed circuit board 31. The control unit on the printed circuit board 31 is configured to acquire external electrical power via the power supply port 32. The start switch 33 can be operated by a user to control whether the printed circuit board 31 is electrically connected to the pump assembly 20. Specifically, the power supply port 32 is positioned towards one of the multiple openings on the housing 11, such that the power supply port 32 can be connected to an external power source through the aforementioned opening. The start switch 33 is mounted through another of the multiple openings on the housing 11 for operation by a user. The start switch 33 is a push button. In other embodiments, the start switch 33 may be a dial or a toggle switch.

[0030] The electric air pump powered by an external power source according to the present invention is portable and can be carried by a user. To use the electric air pump, the power supply port 32 is first connected to an external power source. With reference to [Fig. 5], in particular, the external power source can be a portable external battery 90, and the portable external battery 90 is connected to the power supply port 32 via a plug 91 on a power cable. The power cable can be an accessory extending from the portable external battery 90 or an individual component inserted onto the portable external battery 90.

[0031] With reference to Figures 2 and 3, in particular, the power supply port 32 and the connector 91 are respectively a USB Type-C port and a USB Type-C connector that can be connected to each other by insertion to transmit electrical power. In other embodiments, the power supply port 32 may be a USB Type-A port, a USB Type-B port, or any other connection port. As long as the power supply port 32 is configured to be connected to a corresponding connector 91 to allow external electrical power to be transmitted from the external power source to the printed circuit board 31 via the power supply port 32, the type of power supply port 32 is not limited to the preferred embodiment.

[0032] After the plug 91 is inserted into the power supply port 32, the control unit on the printed circuit board 31 is started by external electrical power from the portable external battery 90 and is configured to control the operation of the electric air pump. For example, when inflating a space in an object, the output passage 23 first communicates with the space to be inflated. Then, the start switch 33 is activated to control the supply of external electrical power to the pump assembly 20. More specifically, When the start switch 33 is pressed, the control unit detects the pressing of the start switch 33 and then connects a circuit on the printed circuit board 31 to the internal cable and the conductor 251. Thus, external electrical energy can be transmitted to the motor 25 via the aforementioned circuit to drive the pump assembly 20. The pump assembly 20 then pumps air outside so that it flows into the space to be inflated through the inlet passage 22, the chamber 21 and the outlet passage 23 in order to inflate the object.

[0033] For deflation during overinflation or under other conditions, the inlet passage 22 first communicates with a space to be deflated. Then, the start switch 33 is actuated to control the printed circuit board 31 so that it is electrically connected to the pump assembly 20 in such a way that external electrical energy can be transmitted to the pump assembly 20. Thus, the pump assembly pumps air into the space to be deflated so that it flows through the chamber 21 via the inlet passage 22, the chamber 21 and the outlet passage 23 to achieve deflation.

[0034] The electric air pump powered by an external power source, according to the present invention, includes a power supply port 32 for connection to an external power source. External electrical energy from the external power source can be transmitted to the printed circuit board 31, and then to the pump assembly by activating the start switch 33. The electric air pump therefore does not require an integrated battery. When the electric air pump is transported and mounted on a vehicle, there is no concern regarding safety or battery damage due to high temperatures. When transporting the electric air pump, a user also does not have to consider safety regulations or restrictions concerning batteries. The electric air pump of the present invention is therefore more convenient to transport compared to a conventional electric air pump.

[0035] Furthermore, with reference to Figures 2 to 4, in the preferred embodiment, the control module 30 includes a pressure sensor 34 electrically connected to the printed circuit board 31 and disposed in a sensing space 40. With reference to [Fig. 3], the sensing space 40 communicates with the space 211 in the chamber 21 of the pump assembly 20. The pressure sensor 34 is configured to detect the pressure in the sensing space 40 so as to send pressure data to the control unit on the printed circuit board 31. Since the chamber 21 communicates with the sensing space 40 and also communicates with said space to be inflated or said space to be deflated via the outlet passage 23 or the inlet passage 22, the control unit is configured to calculate and acquire the pressure of the chamber 21 or, furthermore, the pressure of the space to be inflated or of the space to be deflated so as to control the inflation (deflation) according to said pressure or current pressure information of said pressure.

[0036] With reference to Figures 2 to 4, the control module 30 further includes a display device 35 electrically connected to the printed circuit board 31 and observable from outside the outer shell 10. In the preferred embodiment, the display device 35 is located in one of the multiple openings on the shell body 11 and is flush with the outer surface of the outer shell 10 so as to be observable. After the control unit calculates and acquires the pressure of the chamber 21 (or the space to be inflated / deflated), the control unit commands the display device 35 to present pressure information for the chamber 21 so that a user can check the inflation or deflation status.

[0037] In other embodiments, the display device 35 may protrude from the outer surface of the outer shell 10 or be entirely located inside the outer shell 10, which always allows the display device 35 to be observed from said opening on the shell body 11. In addition, the shell body 11 of the outer shell 10 may be transparent. In all the embodiments described above, the display device 35 is observable from outside the outer shell 10 to perform its function.

[0038] Furthermore, with reference to Figures 2 and 4, the control module 30 includes a conversion switch 36 electrically connected to the printed circuit board 31. The conversion switch 36 is designed to send a conversion signal to the control unit on the printed circuit board 31. The control unit is configured to calculate different pressure values ​​based on the pressure data and to control the display device 35 to present any one of the pressure values ​​based on the conversion signal.

[0039] More specifically, pressure can be expressed in different units such as pounds per square inch (psi), kilograms per square centimeter (kgf / cm²), kilopascals (kPa), and bar. After the control unit on the printed circuit board 31 receives the pressure data from the pressure sensor 34, the control unit is configured to calculate and acquire multiple pressure values ​​for the chamber 21 (or the space to be inflated / deflated) in different units according to operation expressions stored in the control unit. During inflation or deflation, a user can actuate the conversion switch 36 so that the control unit commands the display device 35 to present one of the multiple pressure values ​​in the unit the user wishes to check.

[0040] Furthermore, with reference to Figures 2 to 4, the control module 30 includes at least one adjustment button 37 electrically connected to the printed circuit board 31 and designed to control the control unit on the printed circuit board 31 in order to set a target pressure. After the control unit acquires the pressure of the chamber 21 (or the space to be inflated / deflated) based on the pressure data, the control unit is configured to determine whether the pressure of the chamber 21 (or the space to be inflated / deflated) has reached the target pressure in order to decide whether the printed circuit board 31 remains electrically connected to the pump assembly 20 for the transmission of electrical power.

[0041] With the control configurations described above, a user can actuate said adjustment knob 37 to set the target inflation or deflation pressure, and then actuate the start switch 33 to drive the pump assembly 20.Combined with the pressure sensor 34, which detects pressure in real time, the electric air pump is configured to inflate or deflate an object to the target pressure.

[0042] In the preferred embodiment, the control module 30 has two adjustment knobs 37; each of the two adjustment knobs 37 and the conversion switch 36 has a knob located in one of the multiple openings in the housing body 11, and can be pressed to be detected by the control unit on the printed circuit board 31. The two adjustment knobs 37 are configured to increase and decrease the target pressure, respectively. In other embodiments, each of said adjustment knobs 37 and the conversion switch 36 may have a knob or another type of switch, which is not limited to the preferred embodiment.

[0043] With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the pressure sensor 34 is mounted directly on the printed circuit board 31, and the upper cover 24 of the pump assembly 20 has an annular support formed on one side of the upper cover 24. The upper cover 24 abuts against the printed circuit board 31 with the annular support, and the sensing space 40 is enclosed by the annular support of the upper cover 24 and the printed circuit board 31. Compared to the pressure sensor 34 being disposed directly in the chamber 21, the preferred embodiment does not require a cable to connect the pressure sensor 34 and the printed circuit board 31, which simplifies the assembly of the electric air pump. Furthermore, the pressure sensor 34 can be directly detached from the printed circuit board 31 after separating the printed circuit board 31 from the pump assembly 20, which is convenient for repair and maintenance.

[0044] With reference to [Fig. 6], in the preferred embodiment, the outer shell 10 further comprises a containment space 14 and a cover 15. The containment space 14 is formed on a base of the outer shell 10 and communicates with the outside of the outer shell 10 via an opening. The electric air pump further comprises an inflation needle 50. With reference to [Fig. 5], The inflation needle 50 is configured to be connected to the inlet passage 22 or the outlet passage 23 for deflation or inflation of different balloons.

[0045] With reference to [Fig. 6], the inflation needle 50 can be contained within the containment space 14, and the cover 15 is removably mounted over and covers the opening of the containment space 14. Thus, the inflation needle 50 can be confined within the containment space 14 for storage and prevented from falling out, which is convenient for transporting the electric air pump with the inflation needle 50.

[0046] Although many features and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the preceding description, along with details of the structure and features of the invention, the disclosure is for illustrative purposes only. Modifications may be made to the details, particularly with respect to the shape, size, and arrangement of the elements of the invention, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Demands

1. An electric air pump powered by an external power source, characterized in that the electric air pump comprises: an outer casing (10); a pump assembly (20) disposed inside the outer casing (10) and having: - a chamber (21); - an inlet passage (22) communicating with the chamber (21) and the outside of the outer casing (10); and - an outlet passage (23) communicating with the chamber (21) and the outside of the outer casing (10); and a control module (30) disposed in the outer casing (10) and having: - a printed circuit board (31); - a power supply port (32) electrically connected to the printed circuit board (31) and capable of being connected to an external power source;and - a start switch (33) electrically connected to the printed circuit board (31) and configured to control whether the printed circuit board (31) is electrically connected to the pump assembly (20); wherein the pump assembly (20) is actuable by electrical energy to pump air so that it flows successively through the inlet passage (22), the chamber (21) and the outlet passage (23).

2. Electric air pump according to claim 1, characterized in that the control module (30) includes a pressure sensor (34) electrically connected to the printed circuit board (31), disposed in a sensing space (40) communicating with the chamber (21), and configured to detect a pressure in the sensing space (40) in order to send pressure data.

3. Electric air pump according to claim 2, characterized in that the control module (30) comprises a display device (35) electrically connected to the printed circuit board (31) and observable from outside the outer casing (10); and The control module (30) is configured to control the display device (35) in order to present chamber pressure information (21) based on pressure data.

4. Electric air pump according to claim 3, characterized in that the control module (30) has a conversion switch (36) electrically connected to the printed circuit board (31) and configured to send a conversion signal; and the control module (30) is configured to calculate multiple pressure values ​​in different units based on the pressure data and configured to control the display device (35) to present one of the multiple pressure values ​​based on the conversion signal.

5. Electric air pump according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the control module (30) has at least one adjustment knob (37) electrically connected to the printed circuit board (31) and configured to cause the control module (30) to set a target pressure; and the control module (30) is configured to acquire a pressure from the chamber (21) based on the pressure data and to determine whether the pressure in the chamber (21) reaches the target pressure in order to decide whether the printed circuit board (31) continues to be electrically connected to the pump assembly (20).

6. Electric air pump according to claim 2, characterized in that the pressure sensor (34) is disposed on the printed circuit board (31); the pump assembly (20) has a top cover (24) abutting the printed circuit board (31); and the sensing space (40) is surrounded by the top cover (24) and the printed circuit board (31).

7. An electric air pump according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the outer casing (10) comprises - a containment space (14) communicating with the exterior of the outer casing (10) via an opening; and - a cover (15) mounted removably on the opening and covering it; The electric air pump includes an inflation needle configured to be connected to one of the inlet passage (22) and outlet passage (23) and configured to be contained within the containment space (14) and limited within the containment space (14) by the cover (15).

Images