Manual inflation and deflation adjustment structure of a pump
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air pumps for inflatable products are complex, large, and costly, necessitating a simpler and more cost-effective solution for inflation, deflation, and closure states.
Innovation Solution
An air assembly with a directional control valve that manually adjusts between inflation, deflation, and closed states, incorporating a pump body, impeller, motor, and transmission member to manage airflow, allowing user-operated inflation, deflation, and closure of inflatable products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a check valve and directional control valve are used to coordinate for inflation and deflation, then the pump can achieve reliable inflation and deflation control, but the structure becomes complex and the size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the check valve and directional control valve functions into a single integrated valve assembly. The valve body contains both the check valve mechanism (with check ball and check seat) and the directional control valve mechanism (with plunger and valve seats) merged together, eliminating the need for separate coordinated valves and reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining reliable inflation and deflation control
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated valve assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a check valve (preventing reverse airflow) and a directional control valve (controlling airflow direction for inflation and deflation). The single valve body with multiple valve seats and passages performs what previously required separate coordinated valves, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability
2Reliability
If a check valve and directional control valve are used to coordinate for inflation and deflation, then the pump can achieve reliable inflation and deflation control, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the check valve and directional control valve functions into a single integrated valve assembly. The valve body contains both the check valve mechanism (with check ball and check seat) and the directional control valve mechanism (with plunger and valve seats) merged together, eliminating the need for separate coordinated valves and reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining reliable inflation and deflation control
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated valve assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a check valve (preventing reverse airflow) and a directional control valve (controlling airflow direction for inflation and deflation). The single valve body with multiple valve seats and passages performs what previously required separate coordinated valves, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability
3Reliability
If a check valve and directional control valve are used to coordinate for inflation and deflation, then the pump can achieve reliable inflation and deflation control, but the pump size becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the check valve and directional control valve functions into a single integrated valve assembly. The valve body contains both the check valve mechanism (with check ball and check seat) and the directional control valve mechanism (with plunger and valve seats) merged together, eliminating the need for separate coordinated valves and reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining reliable inflation and deflation control
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated valve assembly nests multiple valve mechanisms within a single compact valve body. The check valve components (check ball, check seat) and directional control valve components (plunger, valve seats) are nested within the same valve housing, allowing both functions to coexist in a compact arrangement that reduces overall pump size while maintaining reliability
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 air assembly provides a compact, cost-effective, and user-friendly method for managing the inflation, deflation, and closure of inflatable products, reducing complexity and production costs while maintaining efficient airflow control.
Implementation Method 1
an impeller disposed within the impeller chamber; a motor disposed within the main body chamber and operably coupled to the impeller, the impeller configured to direct air from the air inlet to the air outlet of the pump cover
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Air assemblies (1000,2000,3000,4000,5000) having an inflation, a deflation, and a closed state for use with inflatable products, such as air mattresses. Specifically, air assemblies (1000,2000,3000,4000,5000) can be changed manually by a user by operating a directional control valve (1033,2043,3033,4033,5001) to inflate, deflate, or close the inflatable product. The directional control valve (1033,2043,3033,4033,5001) may also activate a pump in the inflation and deflation states and deactivate the pump in the closed state．