Inflatable bed having a build-in electric air pump unit for inflating a mattress assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inflatable beds with built-in electric air pumps either inflate at high speed but lack precise pressure control or achieve precise pressure but at a slow speed, failing to meet both requirements simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a dual-pump system combining a centrifugal pump for initial rapid inflation and a solenoid-operated diaphragm pump for precise pressure adjustment, utilizing a pressure sensor and controller to manage airflow between the two pumps to achieve high-speed inflation with precise pressure control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a centrifugal pump is used for inflation, then the inflating speed is high, but the air pressure control precision is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The air pump unit is segmented into two distinct pump systems: a centrifugal pump for rapid initial inflation and a diaphragm pump for precise pressure adjustment. This segmentation allows each pump to perform its specialized function optimally, resolving the contradiction between speed and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The centrifugal pump performs preliminary action by rapidly inflating the mattress to near-desired pressure levels first. This preliminary high-speed inflation is followed by the diaphragm pump's precise pressure adjustment, combining the advantages of both pump types.
2Measurement precision
If a diaphragm pump is used for inflation, then the air pressure control precision is high, but the inflating speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The air pump unit is segmented into two distinct pump systems: a centrifugal pump for rapid initial inflation and a diaphragm pump for precise pressure adjustment. This segmentation allows each pump to perform its specialized function optimally, resolving the contradiction between speed and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The centrifugal pump performs preliminary action by rapidly inflating the mattress to near-desired pressure levels first. This preliminary high-speed inflation is followed by the diaphragm pump's precise pressure adjustment, combining the advantages of both pump types.
3Productivity
If a single pump system is used, then the device complexity is low, but it cannot simultaneously achieve high inflating speed and precise pressure control
Solution Approach 1:
The air pump unit merges two different pump systems (centrifugal and diaphragm) into a single integrated unit with a common housing, motor, and control system. This merging allows the system to achieve both high speed and precise pressure control while maintaining reasonable complexity through shared components.
Solution Approach 2:
The air pump unit is designed as a multi-functional device that can perform both rapid inflation and precise pressure adjustment functions. The controller automatically selects which pump to operate based on the required function, making the system universally capable of handling different inflation scenarios.
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 dual-pump system allows for rapid inflation while ensuring the air pressure in the mattress is accurately adjusted to a desired value, addressing the limitations of single-pump systems by balancing speed and precision.
Implementation Method 1
When the electric air pump is a centrifugal pump, although it can inflate the mattress at a higher speed
Implementation Method 2
a solenoid-operated diaphragm pump for precise pressure adjustment
Implementation Method 3
when the electric air pump is a diaphragm pump, although it can inflate the mattress to increase precisely the air pressure in the mattress to the desired pressure value
Implementation Method 4
utilizing a pressure sensor and controller to manage airflow between the two pumps
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An inflatable bed includes a bedstead assembly (3), a mattress assembly (1, 1', 1", 1A) having at least one air chamber (E, E', E"), and an electric air pump unit (2, 2') disposed on the bedstead assembly (3). The air pump unit (2, 2') includes a centrifugal pump device (21) for performing initial inflation of the air chamber (E, E', E"), a diaphragm pump device (22) for performing subsequent inflation of the air chamber (E, E', E"), and a control valve (25) operable to allow for and interrupt fluid communication between the centrifugal pump device (21) and the air chamber (E, E', E").