Built-In Air Pump with Retractable Venting to Reduce Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing built-in air pumps for inflatable products, such as air mattresses, are complicated and costly, and their vents are exposed to the environment during inflation and deflation, leading to contamination by water or dirt.
Innovation Solution
A pump unit with a housing, valve assembly, and air control assembly that includes an impeller section, motor housing, and venting system, allowing the air control assembly to align with the valve assembly for either inflation or deflation modes, while being stored inside the housing to prevent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If the air control assembly is exposed to the environment during inflation and deflation, then the venting function is improved, but the pump components are contaminated by water or dirt
Solution Approach 1:
The air control assembly is designed to be movable between a retracted position (stored inside the pump housing) and an extended position (partially outside the pump housing). During inflation and deflation modes, the assembly extends to enable proper venting and air flow communication. When not in use, it retracts to protect the components from environmental contamination. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between needing exposure for venting and protection from contaminants.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the air control assembly is stored inside the pump housing, then protection from contaminants is improved, but the venting and air flow communication is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The air control assembly transitions from a static design to a dynamic one, moving between retracted and extended positions based on operational requirements. The assembly includes a motor housing with air vents that can communicate with the environment when extended, enabling proper venting during inflation and deflation modes while maintaining protection when retracted.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the pump construction is complicated to achieve dual inflation and deflation functionality, then the versatility is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air control assembly is designed as a universal component that performs multiple functions: it controls air flow during inflation mode, manages air flow during deflation mode, and provides venting functionality. The motor housing with its air vents and the movable design enable the same assembly to handle both inflation and deflation operations, reducing the need for separate specialized components and simplifying the overall pump construction.
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 provides a simple, efficient, and cost-effective means to operate both inflation and deflation modes while protecting the pump components from external contaminants, enhancing reliability and usability.
Implementation Method 1
The air control assembly includes an impeller section that houses an impeller, and has an air inlet and an air outlet
Implementation Method 2
the motor housing having an air vent that fluidly communicates the interior of the motor housing with the air inlet and the air outlet
Data Source
AI summary
A pump unit includes a pump housing having a valve assembly positioned on a wall thereof and adapted to be coupled to an inflatable device, and an air control assembly that is housed inside the pump housing. The air control assembly includes an impeller section that houses an impeller, and has an air inlet and an air outlet. The air control assembly further includes a motor housing that houses a motor, the motor housing having an air vent that communicates the interior of the motor housing with the air inlet and the air outlet, and a vent opening that communicates the interior of the motor housing to the environment. The air outlet is aligned with the valve assembly when the pump unit is operated in the inflation mode, and the air inlet is aligned with the valve assembly when the pump unit is operated in the deflation mode.