Built-in air pump assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing built-in air pumps for inflatable products, such as air mattresses, face issues like complex construction leading to high costs and reliability problems, exposure to environmental contaminants, and significant airflow loss due to complicated air passages and components.

Innovation Solution

A double-blower pump assembly with a motor positioned between two blowers, where one blower is connected to the air inlet and the other to the air outlet, allowing for efficient inflation and deflation by minimizing airflow resistance and using a protective net to maintain cleanliness and simplify the structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a built-in air pump is provided with complicated construction to achieve inflation and deflation functions, then the pump can perform both functions, but the cost increases and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinflation and deflation functionVSAvoidpump reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pump assembly is divided into separate functional components: a pump unit housed in a pump housing, a motor, a blower, and a valve assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, improving reliability while maintaining dual functionality for inflation and deflation operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the pump vents are exposed to the environment during use and storage, then the pump can operate freely, but the interior of the pump units becomes contaminated by water or dirt

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepump operation freedomVSAvoidcontamination by water or dirt

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A removable cover is provided that can seal the pump housing vents when the pump is not in use, protecting the interior from environmental contaminants such as water and dirt. The cover acts as a flexible barrier that maintains pump freedom during operation while preventing contamination during storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If complicated air passages and many components are used for structural transformation, then different pump functions are achieved, but large airflow loss and high air leakage occur during inflation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepump function transformationVSAvoidairflow loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The air passage is designed as a integrated, streamlined channel that merges the inflation and deflation pathways into a unified structure. This reduces the number of separate components and joints, minimizing airflow loss and air leakage while maintaining the ability to perform both inflation and deflation functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If complicated structure with many components is used, then structural transformation for different functions is achieved, but the difficulties and costs of production increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural transformation capabilityVSAvoidproduction difficulty and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The pump assembly is designed as a universal unit that can perform both inflation and deflation functions through a single integrated structure. The pump housing, motor, and valve assembly work together as a multi-functional system, eliminating the need for separate pumps for each function and significantly reducing production complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The solution enhances airflow efficiency, reduces production and maintenance costs, and minimizes air leakage, achieving rapid inflation and increased air compression with improved pressure and reduced flow resistance compared to traditional pumps.

Implementation Method 1

at least one motor that is operatively coupled to a first blower and a second blower

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The chamber is inflated by intake of air through the air inlet to the first blower and then into the chamber, and the chamber is deflated by drawing air from the chamber to the second blower and then out of the chamber through the air outlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS11317731B2Built-in air pump assembly

Publication Date: 2022.05.03 SUN PLEASURE

AI summary

A pump assembly is provided for use with an inflatable product. The inflatable product has a chamber having an air inlet/outlet port. The pump assembly has a pump unit that is positioned inside the chamber for inflating and deflating the chamber, the pump unit having at least one motor that is operatively coupled to a blower, with the blower fluidly coupled to an opening of the pump housing. The chamber is inflated by intake of air through the inlet/outlet port to the blower and then into the chamber, and the chamber is deflated by drawing aft from the chamber to the blower and then out of the chamber through the inlet/outlet port.