Integrated Directional Valve for Inflatable Pump

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inflatable product pumps are complex and costly, lacking in simplicity and efficiency for inflation, deflation, and pressure maintenance in inflatable products like air mattresses.

Innovation Solution

An electronically-controlled air assembly with a directional control valve that allows users to inflate, deflate, or close inflatable products, featuring a pump body with an impeller chamber, motors, and a pressure maintenance assembly for maintaining predetermined air pressure, including a pressure sensor and supplemental pump.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a check valve and directional control valve are used to coordinate for inflation and deflation, then the pump can achieve inflation and deflation functions, but the device complexity increases and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinflation and deflation functionVSAvoidpump structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the check valve and directional control valve into a single integrated valve body. The valve body includes a first valve for inflation control and a second valve for deflation control, both integrated into one component. This reduces the number of separate parts, simplifies the overall structure, and lowers assembly complexity while maintaining both inflation and deflation functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated valve body performs multiple functions: the first valve handles inflation by allowing air to enter the chamber, the second valve handles deflation by allowing air to exit, and together they provide bidirectional flow control. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate valves for each function, reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a check valve and directional control valve are used to coordinate for inflation and deflation, then the pump can achieve inflation and deflation functions, but the device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinflation and deflation functionVSAvoidpump size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By combining two separate valves (check valve and directional control valve) into a single integrated valve body, the overall volume occupied by the valve assembly is reduced. The merged structure eliminates the space required for separate valve housings and mounting mechanisms, thereby reducing the pump's overall size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If existing pump structures are used, then inflation and deflation can be achieved, but the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinflation and deflation functionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated valve body reduces the number of separate components that need to be manufactured, assembled, and quality-checked. This consolidation reduces manufacturing steps, lowers assembly costs, and simplifies the supply chain by reducing the number of parts to source and inventory manage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-functional valve body performs inflation control, deflation control, and flow direction management within a single component. This reduces the total bill of materials, lowering material costs and reducing the complexity of the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables efficient and user-controlled inflation, deflation, and pressure maintenance in inflatable products, reducing complexity and cost while ensuring consistent air pressure.

Implementation Method 1

an impeller disposed within the impeller chamber; a first 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

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpeller: Impeller

Implementation Method 2

a directional control valve coupled to the second motor and disposed within the main body chamber. The directional control valve is moveable between a first position corresponding to an inflation state in which the directional control valve opens an airway between the air outlet of the pump cover and the at least one vent in the main body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectValve: Valve

Implementation Method 3

a pressure sensor coupled to the second end of the pressure detection tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure sensor:

Data Source

PatentUS11703059B2Digital inflation and deflation adjustment structure for a pump

Publication Date: 2023.07.18 INTEX MARKETING

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to electronically-controlled air assemblies having an inflation, a deflation, and a closed state for use with inflatable products, such as air mattresses. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to air assemblies where the configuration of the air assembly can be changed by a user operating a directional control valve to inflate, deflate, or close an inflatable product. The air assembly may also maintain a predetermined air pressure value within the inflatable product.