Dual-Pump Inflatable Structure for Low-Power Full Inflation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inflatable products face inefficiencies with electric air pumps at high inflation pressures, leading to increased manufacturing costs and power requirements, while manual pumps are labor-intensive for large products, limiting user operation.
Innovation Solution
An inflatable product design utilizing a low-power, high-volume electric air pump for initial inflation, followed by a manually powered auxiliary pump through an auxiliary air chamber with a check valve to achieve full inflation, reducing overall cost and complexity compared to high-power electric pumps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a high-power electric pump is used to achieve adequate inflation pressure above 180mm WC, then the inflation pressure requirement is met, but the power consumption and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the inflation process into two distinct phases: a first inflation phase using a low-power electric pump to achieve partial inflation (0-180mm WC), and a second inflation phase using a manual pump to achieve full inflation pressure (above 180mm WC). This segmentation allows each pump to operate in its optimal efficiency range, avoiding the need for a single high-power pump that would consume excessive energy throughout the entire inflation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric pump performs preliminary inflation to a predetermined pressure threshold (180mm WC) before the manual pump is engaged. This preliminary action reduces the work required by the manual pump and minimizes the power consumption of the electric pump, as it only needs to operate during the initial phase when the chamber is more compliant and requires less pressure.
2Ease of manufacture
If a manual air pump is used for large inflatable products, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the inflation process becomes very time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the inflation task between two pump types: the electric pump handles the initial large-volume inflation phase quickly, and the manual pump completes the final high-pressure phase. This segmentation combines the speed advantage of electric pumps with the cost advantage of manual pumps, achieving both fast inflation and low manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric pump performs partial inflation (enough to reach 180mm WC) rather than complete inflation. This partial action is sufficient to prepare the chamber for the manual pump phase, reducing the overall time required compared to using only a manual pump, while avoiding the excessive power consumption of using the electric pump for the entire inflation process.
3Stress or pressure
If a high-power electric pump is designed to meet nominal inflation pressures above 180mm WC, then the inflation pressure requirement is satisfied, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pressure generation function between two simpler pumps: the electric pump is designed only to deliver low-pressure high-volume flow (0-180mm WC), and the manual pump is designed to deliver high-pressure low-volume flow (above 180mm WC). This segmentation allows each pump to be simpler in design compared to a single pump that would need to handle the full pressure range, reducing overall device complexity.
4Use of energy by moving object
If a low-power electric pump is used for initial inflation, then the power consumption is reduced, but the final inflation pressure cannot be achieved alone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of two pumps with complementary characteristics: a low-power electric pump optimized for high-volume low-pressure delivery, and a manual pump optimized for high-pressure delivery. The check valve ensures that air from both pumps accumulates in the chamber, combining their effects to achieve the final high inflation pressure while maintaining low power consumption throughout the process.
Solution Approach 2:
The check valve acts as an intermediary device that allows air from both the electric pump and manual pump to enter the inflatable chamber while preventing backflow. This intermediary component enables the two pumps to work together effectively, allowing the low-power electric pump to contribute to the final high pressure without requiring it to be designed for high-pressure operation alone.
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 approach allows for efficient inflation of inflatable products with lower power consumption, using small batteries and minimizing manual effort, achieving full inflation with fewer compressions compared to relying solely on a high-power electric or manual pump.
Implementation Method 1
The auxiliary air supply chamber is in fluid communication with the interior of the inflatable product through a check valve
Data Source
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AI summary
An inflatable product (1) can be inflated to a low pressure by a lower-power but high-volume electric pump (3), then "firmed" or fully inflated by an auxiliary pump (12). The auxiliary pump may be manually powered, such that the overall cost and complexity of the electric and auxiliary pumps are still lower than a high-power electric pump. The low power high volume electric pump can be easily powered by small batteries that will also provide an increased number of inflations compared to traditional high-power pumps for a given battery capacity. Using small batteries allows the pump to be very compact in size. The auxiliary pump may work through an auxiliary air chamber within the primary air chamber and fluidly connected thereto by a check valve. The electric pump may be reversible to provide for both inflation and deflation.