Inflating pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inflating pumps for inflatable air beds cannot change the direction of airflow, limiting their ability to selectively inflate or deflate specific areas of the air bed, which reduces their utility in preventing bedsores in immovable patients.
Innovation Solution
An inflating pump with an airflow switching mechanism that allows airflow to be directed between different air bags or discharged externally, enabling full inflation, partial inflation, or deflation of the air bed, using a turnable member and fixed seat configuration to control airflow paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional inflating pumps are used, then the structure is simple, but the airflow direction cannot be changed, limiting the ability to selectively inflate or deflate specific areas of the air bed
Solution Approach 1:
The pump structure is segmented into multiple independent air delivery chambers (first air delivery chamber, second air delivery chamber, third air delivery chamber) that can be independently controlled. Each chamber connects to different air bags through separate air delivery pipes, allowing selective inflation/deflation of specific air bags. The segmentation is further enhanced by dividing the air blower into multiple independent blowers (first blower, second blower, third blower), each responsible for a specific chamber, enabling precise control over different regions of the air bed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a turnable member that can rotate to dynamically change the communication paths between air delivery chambers and air bags. The turnable member includes guiding recesses that can be positioned in different orientations, allowing the system to switch between various operational modes (full inflation, partial inflation, deflation) by changing the airflow direction dynamically. This dynamic mechanism enables adaptability without requiring multiple fixed complex piping systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional inflating pumps are used, then the device complexity is low, but the utility in preventing bedsores is reduced due to inability to provide targeted massage
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by enabling different operational states for different air bags simultaneously. Through the turnable member configuration, specific air bags can be inflated while others are deflated, creating localized pressure variations on the patient's body. This allows targeted massage and pressure relief on specific body areas, enhancing the therapeutic effect for preventing bedsores rather than applying uniform pressure across the entire air bed.
3Ease of operation
If airflow switching mechanism is added, then the ability to control airflow direction is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The turnable member acts as an intermediary mechanism between the air blower and the air delivery system. Instead of directly controlling multiple complex valves and switches, the turnable member provides a mechanical intermediary that rotates to change airflow paths. This intermediary approach simplifies the control interface while achieving multiple airflow direction changes, making the system easier to operate despite the added structural elements.
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 pump can now inflate the entire air bed, partially inflate or deflate specific areas, or deflate the entire bed, enhancing its utility in preventing bedsores by allowing targeted massage and pressure relief.
Implementation Method 1
The air blower is connected to between the enclosing wall and the air-in passage for pushing out airflow into the air-in passage
Data Source
AI summary
An inflating pump includes an enclosure having an exterior shell and an enclosing wall located in the exterior shell and enclosing an airflow passage, and a discharge space formed between the exterior shell and the enclosing wall; an air blower connected to the enclosing wall; two air delivery pipes; and an airflow switching mechanism including a fixed seat having a plurality of chambers separately communicable with the airflow passage, the discharge space, the air blower and the two air delivery pipe, and a turnable member being turnable relative to the fixed seat for some of the chambers to communicate with one another to allow airflow pushed out from the air blower to flow through the airflow passage, the discharge space or the two air delivery pipes. Therefore, the inflating pump can inflate and deflate an inflatable air bed when the air blower constantly produces airflow in the same direction.