Integrated Diaphragm and Centrifugal Air Pump for Wide-Range Inflation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inflatable products require separate high-pressure and low-pressure pumps, leading to inefficiencies, increased cost, and reduced portability due to the need for multiple pumps, and existing pumps struggle to efficiently inflate products across a wide pressure range.
Innovation Solution
A single integrated air pump housing both high-pressure and low-pressure pumps, with a pressure valve and control circuit to switch between them based on pressure demands, ensuring efficient inflation of products from low to high pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate high-pressure and low-pressure pumps are used, then each pump can be optimized for its specific pressure range, but the user must purchase and maintain two pumps, increasing cost and reducing portability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a high-pressure pump and a low-pressure pump into a single integrated device with a common housing, motor, and control system. The high-pressure pump includes a diaphragm pump mechanism while the low-pressure pump uses a centrifugal impeller, both sharing the same power source and housing. This merging allows the device to handle both high-pressure (e.g., basketballs) and low-pressure (e.g., inflatable beds) applications with one unit, eliminating the need for users to maintain separate pumps.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated pump system is designed to perform multiple functions across different pressure ranges. The system can automatically or manually switch between high-pressure and low-pressure pumping modes based on the inflation needs. The universal design allows a single device to replace multiple specialized pumps, enhancing user convenience and portability while maintaining the ability to deliver both high and low pressure outputs effectively.
2Device complexity
If a single pump is designed to handle both low and high pressure, then portability and cost are improved, but the pump must handle a wide pressure range from 0 to above 180 mm WC
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is segmented into two distinct pumping mechanisms: a high-pressure diaphragm pump and a low-pressure centrifugal pump. Each segment is optimized for its specific pressure range. The high-pressure diaphragm pump handles pressures from approximately 60 to 180+ mm WC, while the low-pressure centrifugal pump handles pressures from 0 to approximately 60 mm WC. This segmentation allows each component to be specialized for its operating range while working together in an integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between high-pressure and low-pressure pumping modes based on the inflation requirements. The control system can automatically detect the pressure needs and activate the appropriate pump type, or users can manually select the desired mode. This dynamic operation allows the single device to adapt to a wide pressure range (0 to above 180 mm WC) efficiently, maintaining optimal performance across different inflation scenarios.
3Stress or pressure
If high-pressure pumps are used for low-pressure products, then high-pressure capability is achieved, but the pump operates at very poor efficiencies at low pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects the appropriate pump type based on the required pressure output. When low-pressure inflation is needed (e.g., inflatable beds at 0-60 mm WC), the low-pressure centrifugal pump is activated, which operates efficiently at these pressure levels. When high-pressure inflation is required (e.g., basketballs at 60-180+ mm WC), the high-pressure diaphragm pump takes over. This dynamic switching ensures that the pump operating mode always matches the pressure requirements, maximizing energy efficiency across the full pressure range.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching between two different pump mechanisms with different operating characteristics. The low-pressure centrifugal pump is designed with parameters optimized for efficient low-pressure operation, while the high-pressure diaphragm pump has parameters optimized for high-pressure delivery. By changing which pump mechanism is active based on pressure requirements, the system maintains high energy efficiency regardless of whether low or high pressure is needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A high and low-pressure integrated air pump includes a single housing including an air inlet and an air outlet. A high-pressure pump is disposed within the housing and in fluid communication with the air inlet, and uses a first outlet passage to discharge to the air outlet. A low-pressure pump is also disposed within the housing and in fluid communication with the air inlet, and uses a second outlet passage to discharge to the air outlet.