Integrated Air Pump Mounting for Simple Inflation and Deflation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air pumps for inflatable products are complex in structure and operation, lacking a simple and efficient mechanism for both inflation and deflation.
Innovation Solution
An integrated inflator/deflator air pump utilizing a linkage plate and microswitch system to control a blower assembly, with function buttons for switching between inflation and deflation, and a mounting structure that embeds the pump body in a mounting seat for stability and convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing air pumps have both inflation and deflation functions, then the device can perform multiple operations, but the structure becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the inflation and deflation functions into a single integrated air pump unit. The pump body houses both the blower assembly for inflation and the vacuum assembly for deflation, along with a linkage mechanism that coordinates both operations through a unified control system with function buttons. This merging eliminates the need for separate inflation and deflation devices, reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining dual functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The air pump is designed as a universal device that performs multiple functions: inflation through the blower assembly, deflation through the vacuum assembly, and automatic switching between modes. The linkage plate mechanism enables a single control system to manage both inflation and deflation operations, making the device adaptable to different operational requirements without increasing complexity.
2Reliability
If the pump body is embedded in the mounting seat, then the mounting stability and airtightness are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump body is nested within the mounting seat, creating a compact integrated assembly. The mounting seat provides a recess that accommodates the pump body, with the air passage extending through the mounting seat to connect with the inflatable product. This nesting arrangement ensures stable mounting and maintains airtightness while keeping the overall structure compact and manageable.
3Ease of operation
If the linkage plate and microswitch system is used to control the blower assembly, then the operation simplicity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage plate mechanism is designed to automatically trigger the microswitches based on the position of the function buttons. When the user presses the inflation or deflation button, the linkage plate moves accordingly and automatically activates the corresponding assembly through the microswitches. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate electronic controls, simplifying operation while keeping the control system compact.
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 system provides a compact, easy-to-use air pump with stable mounting and airtightness, enabling seamless inflation and deflation functions through mechanical control, enhancing user convenience and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
an electric air pump continuously compresses air by means of electricity to generate air pressure
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated inflator/deflator air pump, a mounting structure and an inflatable product. The air pump includes a pump body. Function buttons are pressed to drive a linkage plate to move, such that a first microswitch in the pump body is triggered so as to start a blower assembly. The function buttons are pressed to drive a reversing block to move up and down, such that a blower air inlet or a blower air outlet of the blower assembly is in communication with a first air port of the pump body. The mounting structure includes a mounting seat, and the pump body is embedded in the mounting seat. By cooperation between a positioning groove and a positioning block, when the pump body is mounted in the mounting seat, the first air port of the pump body can directly correspond to a third air port of the mounting seat.