Modular Air Pump with Reversible Positioning for Inflatable Products
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Solution Overview
Problem
Built-in electric air pumps in inflatable products are complex, costly, and inconvenient for maintenance, with limited application range and cost-effectiveness due to their permanent installation, requiring replacement of the entire product upon malfunction.
Innovation Solution
A modular air pump system with a moveable air pump that can be positioned within an internal chamber of the inflatable product, allowing for easy switching between inflation and deflation states via a knob switch and shell opening, enabling detachment and reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If built-in electric air pumps are permanently fixed inside inflatable products, then the inflation function is reliable, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing cost rises due to air passage switching devices
Solution Approach 1:
The air pump system is divided into separable components: the pump body with air inlet/outlet ports and the inflatable product with air valve. The pump can be detached and reattached, eliminating the need for complex internal air passage switching mechanisms while maintaining reliable inflation functionality through simple positional connection.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the air pump permanently integrated with complex switching mechanisms to control air flow direction, the invention inverts the approach by using a simple detachable connection where the pump body is positioned to align its ports with the air valve. The complexity is moved from the pump system to the user operation of attaching/detaching the pump.
2Reliability
If built-in electric air pumps are permanently fixed inside inflatable products, then the inflation function is stable, but the ease of repair deteriorates as entire product replacement is needed upon malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The air pump is designed as a separate, detachable module rather than being permanently integrated into the inflatable product. This segmentation allows the pump to be easily removed and replaced for maintenance or repair without affecting the rest of the inflatable product, significantly improving ease of repair while maintaining stable inflation function during use.
3Reliability
If built-in electric air pumps are permanently fixed inside inflatable products, then the inflation function is reliable, but the adaptability decreases limiting application range
Solution Approach 1:
The air pump is designed with universal adaptability through its detachable connection system. The pump body can be attached to different inflatable products with compatible air valves, allowing a single pump unit to serve multiple applications and products. This multi-functionality increases adaptability and application range while maintaining reliable inflation function through consistent connection mechanisms.
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
Simplifies operation and reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for complex air passage switching devices, allowing the air pump to be used with multiple inflatable products and facilitating easy maintenance and replacement.
Implementation Method 1
An impeller is located in the air outlet space and when it rotates, air enters the air inlet and is transferred through the inlet space through the opening to the outlet space and out of the pump body through the air outlet
Data Source
AI summary
An air pump is delineated for an inflatable product that can be selectively connected thereto. The inflatable product includes a shell located on a side wall. The shell includes an internal chamber for selective placement of the air pump and an air valve for selective communication with the air pump. When the air pump is located in the internal chamber it can be moved to switch between a first position and a second position. The air pump includes an air inlet and an air outlet such that the air inlet is in communication with the air valve in the first position to deflate the inflatable product and the air outlet is in communication with the air valve in the second position to inflate the inflatable product. The air pump can also be used externally via manual connection between the air inlet or the air outlet and other inflatable products.