Air Bed Pressure Control Using Pump Housing Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air bed systems require numerous iterations and extended time to achieve a desired pressure, with inefficiencies in hose configurations and pump operation, leading to inaccuracies in pressure adjustment.
Innovation Solution
An air bed system with a pump housing, pressure sensing means, and control device that calculates a pressure target and adjustment factor, allowing for real-time monitoring and adjustment of air chamber pressure without turning off the pump, using a pressure adjustment method that approximates chamber pressure based on manifold pressure relationships during inflation and deflation cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the pump is turned off for pressure measurements, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the time required for pressure adjustment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pressure transducer positioned in the pump housing chamber as an intermediary measurement point. This transducer measures chamber pressure during pump operation, serving as a proxy for air bladder pressure. The control system uses this intermediate measurement to calculate the actual air bladder pressure, eliminating the need to turn off the pump for measurements while maintaining accuracy through mathematical relationship modeling.
2Measurement precision
If numerous pressure adjustment iterations are performed, then pressure accuracy is improved, but the number of pump cycles and time required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback by monitoring chamber pressure through the pressure transducer during pump operation. The control system compares the measured chamber pressure against the target pressure and adjusts pump operation accordingly. This real-time feedback mechanism reduces the number of iterations needed to achieve desired pressure accuracy, improving adjustment efficiency while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by calculating the target chamber pressure based on the measured chamber pressure and the known relationship between chamber and air bladder pressures. This pre-calculation allows the control system to anticipate the required pressure adjustment, reducing the number of iterative cycles needed to reach the desired pressure accuracy.
3Device complexity
If a single hose configuration is used, then device complexity is reduced, but pressure measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure transducer in the pump housing chamber serves as an intermediary that enables accurate pressure measurement in the single-hose configuration. By measuring chamber pressure and using the established relationship between chamber and air bladder pressures, the system achieves measurement accuracy comparable to dual-hose configurations while maintaining the simplicity of a single hose connection.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution significantly reduces the time and number of iterations needed to achieve a desired pressure, enhancing accuracy and eliminating the need to turn off the pump for pressure measurements, resulting in faster and more precise pressure adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure transducer is positioned within a chamber of the valve assembly. Once the user selects the desired air pressure within the air bladder, the pressure transducer first senses a pressure in the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A method for adjusting pressure within an air bed comprises providing an air bed that includes an air chamber and a pump having a pump housing, selecting a desired pressure setpoint for the air chamber, calculating a pressure target, adjusting pressure within the air chamber until a pressure within the pump housing is substantially equal to the pressure target, determining an actual chamber pressure within the air chamber, and comparing the actual chamber pressure to the desired pressure setpoint to determine an adjustment factor error. The pressure target may be calculated based upon the desired pressure setpoint and a pressure adjustment factor. Furthermore, the pressure adjustment factor may be modified based upon the adjustment factor error determined by comparing the actual chamber pressure to the desired pressure setpoint.