Wireless Air Pump with Pressure Sensor for Inflatable Body

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inflatable products face challenges with manual and inaccurate control of inflation pressure, leading to potential damage and reduced service life due to insufficient or excessive pressure, and existing built-in electric air pumps are inconvenient and unreliable without accessible control panels.

Innovation Solution

A remotely controlled air pump with a wireless communication module, pressure sensor, and driving switch, allowing for precise inflation, deflation, and supplemental airflow control via a mobile terminal, eliminating the need for manual operation and ensuring consistent pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual pressure sensing is used to control inflation pressure, then the air pump can be operated without additional sensors, but the pressure control becomes time-consuming and inaccurate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure control accuracyVSAvoidinflation control time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical pressure sensing method with an electronic pressure sensor and wireless control system. The pressure sensor automatically detects the internal pressure of the inflatable body and transmits data wirelessly to the controller, eliminating the need for manual pressing and visual estimation. This substitution of mechanical sensing with electronic sensing achieves precise automatic pressure control without time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Extent of automation

If wire-controlled or panel-controlled built-in air pumps are used, then automation is improved, but the control panel becomes inaccessible or unreliable when damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair pump control automationVSAvoidcontrol panel reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the control function from the built-in air pump and relocates it to a mobile terminal (smartphone or tablet). The control panel is no longer physically integrated into the air pump housing but is accessed remotely through wireless communication. This extraction makes the control system reliable even when the original control panel is damaged or inaccessible, as users can operate the air pump from anywhere within wireless range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Strength

If thermoplastic rubberized fabric is used for inflatable products, then the material is flexible and durable, but the internal pressure attenuates after inflation making constant pressure difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial durabilityVSAvoidinternal pressure stability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system where the pressure sensor continuously monitors the internal pressure of the inflatable body and transmits data to the controller. Based on this feedback, the controller automatically adjusts the air pump operation to maintain the preset pressure value. When pressure drops below the threshold, the system automatically inflates; when pressure reaches the target, the system stops. This closed-loop feedback mechanism compensates for the natural pressure attenuation of thermoplastic rubberized fabric, maintaining stable internal pressure over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Device complexity

If manual operation is required for inflation and deflation, then the device structure remains simple, but the user experience deteriorates and product damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidinflation operation convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the air pump system to serve itself through automatic control. The pressure sensor continuously monitors pressure levels and the controller automatically activates the air pump for inflation or deflation based on preset parameters, without requiring user intervention. The system independently manages the entire inflation and deflation process, making operation as simple as setting the target pressure once. This self-service capability dramatically improves ease of operation while the modular wireless design keeps the added complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution enables accurate and remote control of inflatable products, preventing pressure imbalances, prolonging their service life, and simplifying usage while being cost-effective and suitable for various applications.

Implementation Method 1

A pressure sensor, coupled to the central processing unit, is in communication with the inflatable body to detect an internal pressure value of the inflatable body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure sensing:

Implementation Method 2

The controller includes a wireless communication module. The wireless communication module is in communication with the central processing unit and a mobile terminal for remotely controlling the pump and the driving switch

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWireless communication:

Data Source

PatentEP3674560B1An air pump for an inflatable body
Publication Date: 2023.08.02 BESTWAY INFLATABLES & MATERIAL
  • EP3674560B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3674560B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3674560B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An air pump comprises a controller, a pump, a driving switch and a pressure sensor. The controller includes a central processing unit and defines an air inlet. The pump couples to the controller to inflate or discharge air from an inflatable body. The pump comprises a housing defining an inflating and a discharging port. The driving switch couples to the controller to implement switching between two or more air passage configurations. The pressure sensor couples to the central process unit to detect an internal pressure value of the inflatable body. The controller includes a wireless communication module which communicates with the central processing unit and a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal includes a terminal wireless communication module and a terminal input unit. The terminal wireless communication module communicates with the wireless communication module. The terminal input unit provides at least an inflation, a deflation, or a stop signal input.