AN AIR PUMP

Abstract

An air pump for an inflatable product may include a pressure valve assembly and an inflation-and-deflation control assembly. The inflation-and-deflation control assembly may include a switch assembly operatively coupled to the pressure valve assembly and a pump assembly operatively coupled to the switch assembly. The switch assembly may have a first position and a second position, and the pressure valve assembly may be configured to engage the switch assembly to maintain the switch assembly in the first position or the second position. When the pressure valve assembly detects that a pressure threshold has been reached within the inflatable product, the pressure valve assembly may disengage from the switch assembly.

Claims

1. An air pump for an inflatable product having an inflatable chamber, the air pump comprising: a body, a panel, and an air inflation-and-deflation control assembly; the panel comprises an inlet-and-outlet port, and the body comprises an air inflation-and-deflation port, and a pressure-sensing port; the panel is coupled to the body, and the panel and the body cooperate to form a body chamber; the air inflation-and-deflation control assembly is arranged substantially within the body chamber and comprises a switch assembly and an air pump assembly, and the switch assembly selectively opens or closes the air inflation-and-deflation port; the air pump assembly is operatively coupled to the switch assembly; the air pump further comprises a pressure valve assembly arranged in the body chamber, the pressure valve assembly comprises a pressure regulating valve body, a pressure valve plate having a lower face and an upper face, a pressure rod having an upper end and a lower end, a swing rod, and a pressure spring; the pressure regulating valve body forms a valve chamber in communication with the inflatable chamber of the inflatable product through the pressure-sensing port; the pressure valve plate is disposed in the valve chamber, with the lower face facing the pressure-sensing port, and the upper end face operatively coupled to the pressure rod; the pressure spring is disposed in the valve chamber and sleeved on the pressure rod; the pressure rod is movably arranged in the valve chamber in a first direction and a second direction, and the upper end of the pressure rod selectively engages the swing rod; the swing rod is pivotally disposed on the pressure regulating valve body, and the swing rod selectively locks the switch assembly; when the swing rod is locked with the switch assembly, the air pump assembly is in the inflation or deflation position; and when the swing rod and switch assembly are unlocked, the air pump assembly is in to a closed position.

2. The air pump of claim 1, wherein the swing rod is provided with a first end and a second end, the first end is selectively engages with the pressure rod, and the second end selectively engages with the switch assembly; when the pressure rod moves in the first direction or the second direction, the first end swings upwards and the second end swings downwards, and the switch assembly and swing rod are unlocked.

3. The air pump of claim 2, wherein the pressure rod is operatively coupled to the swing rod through a rocker, and the rocker is rotatably arranged on the pressure regulating valve body and comprises an upswing end and a downswing end; the upswing end is located at the upper end of the pressure rod and is matched with the first end of the swing rod, and the downswing end is located below the pressure rod; when the pressure rod moves in the first direction, the pressure rod pushes the upswing end of the rocker to move up; when the pressure rod moves in the second direction, the pressure rod pulls the downswing end of the rocker to move down.

4. The air pump of claim 3, wherein the pressure rod comprises a rise part and a press part, the upswing end of the rocker is located above the rise part, and the downswing end of the rocker is located below the press part.

5. The air pump of claim 1, wherein the upper end of the pressure regulating valve body is threadably coupled to a pressure regulating joint, and the upper end of the pressure spring abuts the pressure regulating joint.

6. The air pump of claim 5, wherein a pressure regulating handwheel is operatively coupled to the pressure regulating joint, and the pressure regulating handwheel is rotatably arranged on the panel.

7. The air pump of claim 1, wherein the switch assembly comprises a handwheel, a transmission rod having an upper end and a lower end, a bidirectional torsion spring having a pair of ends, a transmission gear, and a slider; the handwheel is rotatably arranged at the inlet-and-outlet port of the panel; the upper end of the transmission rod is operatively coupled to the handwheel, the lower end is operatively coupled to the transmission gear, and the transmission rod is selectively engages with the swing rod; the bidirectional torsion spring is sleeved on the transmission rod, and its pair of ends are connected in the body; the slider comprises a rack that engages with the transmission gear, and selectively communicates the inflation-and-deflation port of the body with the air inlet or the air outlet of the air pump assembly.

8. The air pump of claim 7, wherein the switch assembly further comprises a transmission rod fixing member, and the transmission rod is rotatably coupled to the transmission rod fixing member.

9. The air pump of claim 1, wherein the switch assembly comprises a handwheel, a transmission rod having an upper end and a lower end, a rotary disc having an upper face and a lower face, a bidirectional torsion spring having a pair of ends, an air exchange core, a rod, and a rod spring; the handwheel is rotatably arranged on the panel, the transmission rod selectively engages with the swing rod, and the upper end of the transmission rod is operatively coupled to the handwheel, and the lower end is operatively coupled to the rotary disc; the rotary disc is engaged with the air exchange core, which is positioned below the pump cover; the air exchange core selectively communicates the inflation-and-deflation port with the air inlet or the air outlet; the bidirectional torsion spring is sleeved on the rotary disc or the transmission rod, and its pair of ends are connected in the body; the lower face of the rotary disc includes a groove, and the rod selectively engages the groove of the rotary disc; the rod spring is sleeved on the rod.

10. The air pump of claim 1, wherein the air pump assembly comprises a motor, a pump body, an impeller, a pump cover, and a microswitch; the pump body is coupled to the pump cover and the pump body and the pump cover form a pump chamber, and the pump cover is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet; the motor is arranged above the pump body, the impeller is arranged in the pump chamber and operatively coupled to the motor, and the microswitch is arranged on the pump cover and selectively engages with the switch assembly to activate or deactivate the motor.

11. An air pump for an inflatable product having an inflatable chamber, the air pump comprising: a body comprising an inflation-and-deflation port in communication with the inflatable chamber and a pressure-sensing port in communication with the inflatable chamber; a panel coupled to the body and comprising an air inlet-and-outlet port in selective communication with the inflation-and-deflation port, the panel and the body defining a body chamber; an air pump assembly arranged within the body chamber and comprising a pump motor, a pump body, a pump cover coupled to the pump body and having an inlet and an outlet, the pump body and the pump cover defining a pump chamber, the inlet and the outlet of the pump cover in communication with the pump chamber, and an impeller disposed within the pump chamber and operatively coupled to the pump motor; a pressure valve assembly arranged substantially within the body chamber and comprising a pressure valve body including a duct in communication with the pressure-sensing port of the body, a pressure valve plate movably positioned within the pressure valve body in a first direction and a second direction, the pressure valve plate having a first side and a second side, the first side facing the pressure-sensing port, and the pressure rod coupled to the second side of the pressure valve plate, the pressure rod moveable with the pressure valve plate in the first direction and the second direction; a switch assembly operatively coupled to the air pump assembly and the pressure valve assembly and configured to selectively place the inlet and outlet of the pump cover in communication with the inflation-and-deflation port of the body, the switch assembly comprising a user actuatable controller rotatably disposed on the panel and a transmission rod operatively coupled to the user actuatable controller for rotation therewith, the transmission rod comprising a first locking surface and a second locking surface, wherein the pressure valve assembly selectively engages with the first locking surface of the transmission rod or the second locking surface of the transmission rod depending on the rotational position of the switch assembly to maintain the switch assembly in a first position or a second position.

12. The air pump of claim 11, wherein the pressure valve assembly further comprises pressure spring sleeved on the pressure rod.

13. The air pump of claim 12, wherein the pressure valve assembly further comprises a second user actuatable controller rotatably disposed on the panel, the second user actuatable controller operatively coupled to the pressure spring, and wherein rotation of the second user actuatable controller manipulates the pressure spring.

14. The air pump of claim 13, wherein the pressure valve assembly further comprises a pressure regulating gear rotatably disposed in the valve body and between the second user actuatable controller and the pressure spring, the pressure regulating gear operatively coupling the second user actuatable controller to the pressure spring.

15. The air pump of claim 11, wherein the pressure valve assembly further comprises a rocker and a swing rod, the rocker rotatably disposed on the pressure regulating valve body and operatively coupled to the swing rod, and the swing rod rotatably disposed on the pressure regulating valve body.

16. The air pump of claim 15, wherein the swing rod engages the first locking surface of the transmission rod when the switch assembly is in the first position, and wherein the swing rod engages the second locking surface of the transmission rod when the switch assembly is in the second position.

17. The air pump of claim 16, wherein movement of the pressure rod in the first direction or the second direction causes the pressure rod to contact the rocker, and the rocker contacts the swing rod to disengage the swing rod from the first locking surface of the transmission rod or the second locking surface of the transmission rod.

18. The air pump of claim 11, wherein the switch assembly further comprises a torsion spring operatively coupled to the transmission rod, the torsion spring accumulating a restoring force when the switch assembly is in the first position or the second position and configured to bias the switch assembly to a third position when the pressure valve assembly disengages the first locking surface of the transmission rod or the second locking surface of the transmission rod.

19. The air pump of claim 11, wherein the transmission rod comprises a first end and a second end, the transmission rod is operatively coupled to the user actuatable controller at the first end, and the switch assembly further comprises a transmission gear operatively coupled to the transmission rod at the second end for rotation therewith.

20. The air pump of claim 19, wherein the switch assembly further comprises a slider positioned between the pump cover and the inflation-and-deflation port of the body, the slider comprising a rack operatively coupled to the transmission gear such that rotation of the transmission gear causes the slider to translate relative to the inflation-and-deflation port.

21. The air pump of claim 20, wherein the inlet of the pump cover communicates with the inflation-and-deflation port through the slider.

22. The air pump of claim 19, wherein the slider includes a first conduit, a second conduit, and a baffle between the first conduit and the second conduit.

23. The air pump of claim 22, wherein, when the switch assembly is in the first position, the first conduit of the slider is in communication with the inlet-and-outlet port of the panel and the air inlet of the pump cover, and the second conduit of the slider is in communication with the air outlet of the pump cover and the inflation-and-deflation port of the body.

24. The air pump of claim 22, wherein, when the switch assembly is in the second position, the first conduit of the slider is in communication with the air inlet of the pump cover and the inflation-and-deflation port of the body, and the air outlet of the pump cover is in communication with the inlet-and-outlet port of the panel.

25. The air pump of claim 22, wherein the switch assembly is rotatable to a third position wherein the baffle of the slider seals the inflation-and-deflation port of the body.

26. The air pump of claim 25, wherein the transmission rod comprises a groove and, when the switch assembly is in the third position, the pressure valve assembly engages the groove of the transmission rod.

27. The air pump of claim 11, wherein the air pump assembly further comprises a selectively actuatable switch configured to activate and deactivate the pump motor, and the transmission rod comprises an arcuate surface configured to selectively actuate the switch when the switch assembly is in the first position or the second position.

28. The air pump of claim 11, wherein the transmission rod comprises a first end and a second end, the transmission rod is operatively coupled to the user actuatable controller at the first end, and the switch assembly further comprises a rotatable disc operatively coupled to the second end of the transmission rod for rotation therewith.

29. The air pump of claim 28, wherein the switch assembly further comprises a second rotatable disc operatively coupled to the first rotatable disc and comprising a first conduit and a second conduit therethrough for selectively communicating with the inlet of the pump cover and the outlet of the pump cover.

30. The air pump of claim 28, wherein the switch assembly further comprises a valve configured to open and close the inflation-and-deflation port of the body, the valve comprising a valve stem and a spring sleeved on the valve stem.

31. The air pump of claim 30, wherein the first rotary disc comprises a first side and a second side, the second side facing the inflation-and-deflation port of the body, and a groove disposed on the second side.

32. The air pump of claim 31, wherein the valve is selectively received within the groove such that rotation of the first rotary disc causes linear movement of the valve relative to the inflation-and-deflation port of the body to open or close the inflation-and-deflation port.

33. An air pump for an inflatable product having an inflatable chamber, the air pump comprising: a body comprising an inflation-and-deflation port in communication with the inflatable chamber and a pressure-sensing port in communication with the inflatable chamber; a panel coupled to the body and comprising an air inlet-and-outlet port in selective communication with the inflation-and-deflation port, the panel and the body defining a body chamber; an air pump assembly arranged within the body chamber and comprising a pump motor, an impeller operatively coupled to the pump motor, a pump body, a pump cover coupled to the pump body, the air pump assembly having an inlet and an outlet; a pressure valve assembly comprising a pressure valve plate having a first side in fluid communication with the pressure-sensing port and a second side in fluid communication with the environment and an actuator movable by the pressure valve plate from a first position to a second position; a switch assembly operatively coupled to the air pump assembly and the pressure valve assembly, the switch assembly having a first position wherein the air pump assembly provides fluid to the inflation-and-deflation port of the body and a second position wherein the air pump assembly receives fluid from the inflation-and-deflation port of the body, the switch assembly comprising a user actuatable controller disposed on the panel, a first stop, and a second stop, wherein the actuator of the pressure valve assembly selectively engages with the first stop when the actuator is in the second position and the switch assembly is in the first position to maintain the switch assembly in the first position and selectively engages with the second stop when the actuator is in the second position and the switch assembly is in the second position to maintain the switch assembly in the second position, the actuator being spaced apart from the first stop and the second stop when the actuator is in the first position.

34. The air pump of claim 33, wherein the second side of the pressure valve plate is in fluid communication with the environment through the body chamber.

35. The air pump of claim 33, wherein the actuator comprises a swing arm having a first end and a second end, the swing arm pivotally coupled to the valve body.

36. The air pump of claim 35, wherein the second end of the swing arm selectively engages with the first stop when the actuator is in the second position and the switch assembly is in the first position to maintain the switch assembly in the first position and selectively engages with the second stop when the actuator is in the second position and the switch assembly is in the second position to maintain the switch assembly in the second position.

37. The air pump of claim 35, wherein the second end of the swing arm is spaced apart from the first stop and the second stop when the actuator is in the first position.

38. The air pump of claim 33, wherein the pressure valve assembly further comprises a pressure rod operatively coupled to the second side of the pressure valve plate and a pressure spring sleeved on the pressure rod.

39. The air pump of claim 33, wherein the user actuatable controller is rotatably disposed on the panel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an air pump according to the present disclosure;

[0048] FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the air pump of FIG. 1 shown without a pump body;

[0049] FIG. 3 is a perspective of a pressure rod according to the present disclosure;

[0050] FIG. 4 a perspective view of a rocker according to the present disclosure;

[0051] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a swing arm according to the present disclosure;

[0052] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the air pump of FIG. 1 depicted in an inflation position;

[0053] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the air pump of FIG. 1 in an inflation position depicting the cooperation between a pressure valve assembly and an inflation-and-deflation control assembly;

[0054] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of Section A of FIG. 7;

[0055] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of Section B of FIG. 7;

[0056] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the air pump of FIG. 1 depicted in a deflation position;

[0057] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the air pump of FIG. 1 in a deflation position depicting the cooperation between a pressure valve assembly and an inflation-and-deflation control assembly;

[0058] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of Section C of FIG. 11;

[0059] FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of Section D of FIG. 11;

[0060] FIG. 14 is a partial perspective view of the pressure valve assembly of FIG. 11 in the deflation position;

[0061] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the air pump of FIG. 1 in a closed position;

[0062] FIG. 16 is a partial perspective view of the air pump of FIG. 1 in a closed position;

[0063] FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of Section E of FIG. 16;

[0064] FIG. 18 is an exploded view of another air pump according to the present disclosure;

[0065] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the air pump of FIG. 18;

[0066] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the air pump of FIG. 18 in an inflation position;

[0067] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the air pump of FIG. 18 in an inflation position;

[0068] FIG. 22 is an enlarged view of Section A of FIG. 21;

[0069] FIG. 23 is an enlarged view of Section B of FIG. 21;

[0070] FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the air pump of FIG. 18 in a deflation position;

[0071] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the air pump of FIG. 18 in a deflation position;

[0072] FIG. 26 is an enlarged view of the Section C of FIG. 25;

[0073] FIG. 27 is an enlarged view of the Section D of FIG. 25;

[0074] FIG. 28 is a partial perspective view of a pressure valve assembly of the air pump of FIG. 18;

[0075] FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of the air pump of FIG. 18 in a closed position;

[0076] FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the air pump of FIG. 18 in a closed position;

[0077] FIG. 31 is an enlarged view of the Section E of FIG. 30; and

[0078] FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view of an air pump according to the present disclosure shown received an air cavity or inflatable chamber of an exemplary inflatable product.

[0079] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent embodiments of various features and components according to the present disclosure, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0080] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principals of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, which are described below. The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings. It will be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. The disclosure includes any alterations and further modifications in the illustrative devices and described methods and further applications of the principles of the disclosure which would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates.

[0081] In the description of the present disclosure, it should be noted that the terms up, down, inside, outside, top/bottom, etc. indicate the orientation or position relationship based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the attached drawings, only for the convenience of describing the present disclosure and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it cannot be understood as a limitation on the present disclosure. In addition, the terms first and second are only used to describe and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0082] In the description of the present disclosure, it should be noted that unless otherwise specified and limited, the terms installation, set with, set/connected, connected, etc. should be understood broadly. For example, connected can be a wall mounted connection, a detachable connection, or an integrated connection, can be a mechanical connection, can be an electrical connection, can be directly connected, or can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, can be the internal connection between two components, and for ordinary technical personnel in this field, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present disclosure can be understood in a specific situation.

[0083] The terms couples, coupled, coupler, and variations thereof are used to include both arrangements wherein two or more components are in direct physical contact and arrangements wherein the two or more components are not in direct contact with each other (e.g., the components are coupled via at least a third component, but yet still cooperates or interact with each other).

[0084] The present disclosure provides an air pump for an inflatable product having an inflatable chamber or air cavity. As will be described herein, the air pump may include a pressure valve assembly disposed in the air pump, and the pressure valve assembly may be linked with an inflation-and-deflation control assembly of the air pump. When the pressure valve assembly detects that the pressure inside the inflatable product reaches a set value, the pressure valve assembly, which is operatively coupled to the inflation-and-deflation control assembly, automatically generates an action to stop the operation of the inflation-and-deflation control assembly, and, at the same time, the inflation-and-deflation port is closed.

[0085] As shown in FIGS. 1-17, the air pump may comprise a body 10, a panel 20, a pressure valve assembly, and an inflation-and-deflation control assembly. The panel 20 may include an inlet-and-outlet port 21, and the body 10 may be disposed with an inflation-and-deflation port 11 for communicating with the air cavity or inflatable chamber the inflatable product and a pressure-sensing port 12 in communication with the air cavity or inflatable chamber of the inflatable product. FIG. 32, for example, depicts the air pump received substantially within the inflatable chamber 1000 of an exemplary inflatable product P. The inflatable product may be an air mattress, for example, and the air pump may be coupled to a sidewall of the air mattress, and the inflation-and-deflation port 11 of body 10 may be in communication with the inflatable chamber of the air mattress. Alternatively, an intermediate conduit, such as a connecting pipe or tube, may communicate the inflation-and-deflation port 11 with the inflatable chamber of an inflatable product. The panel 20 is coupled to the body 10 and forms a body chamber within the body 10. The pressure valve assembly is arranged within the body chamber, and the inflation-and-deflation control assembly is arranged substantially within the body chamber.

[0086] The inflation-and-deflation control assembly may comprise a switch assembly and an air pump assembly. The air pump assembly may include a motor 411, a pump body 412, an impeller 413, a pump cover 414, and a microswitch 415. The pump body 412 is coupled to the pump cover 414, and the pump body 412 and the pump cover 414 collectively form a pump chamber. The pump cover 414 is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet in communication with the pump chamber. In the illustrated embodiment, the motor 411 is arranged above the pump body 412. The impeller 413 is arranged in the pump chamber and operatively coupled to the motor 411. The microswitch 415 is arranged on the pump cover 414 and selectively engages with the switch assembly to activate or deactivate the motor 411. After the motor 411 activates, it drives the impeller 413 to rotate, thereby drawing air into the pump chamber from the air inlet and expelling air from the air outlet. As will be described herein, the switch assembly may be rotatable within the pump chamber and may include an arcuate surface or engagement feature that selectively engages microswitch 415 to activate or deactivate motor 411 as the switch assembly rotates within the pump chamber.

[0087] The switch assembly may comprise a user actuatable controller, illustratively handwheel 421, a transmission rod fixing member 422, a transmission rod 423, a torsion spring compression rod 424, a bidirectional torsion spring 425, a transmission gear 426, a lower slider 427, and an upper slider 428. Lower slider 427 may include a first conduit, a second conduit, and a baffle separating the first conduit from the second conduit. The handwheel 421 may be rotatably arranged at the inlet-and-outlet port 21 of the panel. The inlet-and-outlet port 21 allows air to pass between the body cavity formed by body 10 and panel 20 and the environment outside of the air pump and the inflatable product. The environment is at atmospheric pressure. The transmission rod fixing member 422 is fixed in the body 10 for stabilizing the transmission rod 423. The transmission rod 423 may be rotatably disposed in the transmission rod fixing member 422, and its upper end may be operatively coupled to the handwheel 421, and its lower end may be operatively coupled to the torsion spring compression rod 424. Transmission rod 423 may include a first locking surface or stop and a second locking surface or stop. As will be described herein, when the switch assembly rotates to a first position, such as an inflation position, the pressure valve assembly may engage the first locking surface or stop to maintain the switch assembly in the first position. Similarly, when the switch assembly rotates to a second position, such as the deflation position, the pressure valve assembly may engage the second locking surface or stop to maintain the switch assembly in the second position. When the switch assembly is in a third position, such as a closed position, the pressure valve assembly may be spaced apart from the first locking surface or stop and the second locking surface or stop. In embodiments, the transmission rod 423 and the torsion spring compression rod 424 may be formed as an integrated structure, that is, the torsion spring compression rod 424 may be directly formed on the transmission rod 423. The bidirectional torsion spring 425 may be sleeved on the transmission gear 426, and its two ends are connected to the main body or other fixed assembly within the main body, such as the pump cover 414. The transmission gear 426 is operatively coupled to the torsion spring compression rod 424 and engages with the lower slider 427. The upper slider 428 is arranged below the pump cover 414, the lower slider 427 is slidably arranged below the upper slider 428, and the lower slider 427 is equipped with a gear rack 429 that meshes with the transmission gear 426. The lower slider 427 and the upper slider 428 selectively communicate the inflation-and-deflation port 11 with the air inlet or air outlet of the pump cover 414.

[0088] When the handwheel 421 is rotated counterclockwise, for example, it drives the transmission rod 423 to rotate counterclockwise, causing the torsion spring compression rod 424 to overcome the elasticity of the bidirectional torsion spring 425 and drive the transmission gear 426 to rotate. The transmission gear 426 cooperates with the gear rack 429 to drive the lower slider 427 to slide relative to the upper slider 428, thereby communicating the air outlet of the pump cover 414 with the inflation-and-deflation port 11 of the body 10, and the air inlet may communicate with the body chamber 10. This arrangement may correspond to an inflation position.

[0089] When the handwheel 421 is rotated clockwise, for example, it drives the transmission rod 423 to rotate clockwise, causing the torsion spring compression rod 424 to overcome the elasticity of the bidirectional torsion spring 425 and drive the transmission gear 426 to rotate. The transmission gear 426 cooperates with the gear rack 429 to drive the lower slider 427 to slide relative to the upper slider 428, thereby communicating the inlet of the pump cover 414 with the inflation-and-deflation port 11 of the body 10, and the outlet communicates with the body chamber 10. This arrangement may correspond to a deflation position.

[0090] During the rotation of the handwheel 421 of the switch assembly, the microswitch 415 is triggered to activate the motor 411. As stated, the switch assembly may include an arcuate surface or engagement features that engages the microswitch 415 to activate the motor 411. The motor 411 activates, drawing external air into the body chamber through the inlet-and-outlet port 21 of the panel 20, then into the pump chamber through the first conduit of lower slider 427, and finally into the inflatable product through the air outlet and the second conduit of lower slider 427. In the illustrated embodiment, the microswitch 415 is triggered by the torsion spring compression rod 424. Specifically, a triggering bump is positioned on the torsion spring compression rod 424. During the rotation of the torsion spring compression rod 424, the triggering bump will trigger the microswitch 415. In embodiments, the triggering of microswitch 415 may be performed by the rotating component in the switch assembly, such as the transmission rod 423, the transmission gear 426, etc.

[0091] The pressure valve assembly may comprise a pressure valve body 31, a pressure valve plate 32, a pressure rod 33, a rocker 34, a pressure regulating spring 39, and an actuator, illustratively swing rod 35. The pressure valve body 31 may be fixed in the body 10 and may form a valve chamber in communication with the inflatable chamber of the inflatable product through the pressure-sensing port 12. For example, the pressure valve body 31 may include a duct in communication with the pressure-sensing port 12 of the body 10. The pressure valve plate 32 is arranged in the valve chamber, and the upper end of the pressure valve plate 32 is operatively coupled to the pressure rod 33. The upper end of the pressure rod 33 is operatively coupled to the pressure regulating spring 39, and the upper end of the pressure regulating spring 39 is operatively coupled to pressure regulating gear 37. The pressure regulating assembly may adjust a pressure threshold for the inflatable product. For example, when a user actuates a user actuatable controller, such as pressure regulating handwheel 36, spring 39 may be manipulated, such as compressed, within valve body 31 and exert a force on the upper end of pressure valve plate 32. When the pressure in the inflatable chamber of the inflatable product reaches the pressure threshold, the pressure may overcome the force exerted by the spring 39 on the pressure valve plate 32. Swing rod 35 may be pivotally or rotatably arranged on the pressure valve body 31, and its first end selectively engages with the pressure rod 33. The pressure regulating assembly may also comprise a user actuatable controller, illustratively pressure regulating handwheel 36, a pressure regulating linkage gear 38, and a pressure regulating gear 37. The pressure regulating handwheel 36 may be rotatably arranged on the panel 20, and the pressure regulating linkage gear 38 is operatively coupled to the pressure regulating handwheel 36 and meshes with the pressure regulating gear 37. The pressure regulating gear 37 is operatively coupled to the pressure regulating spring 39 and threadably engaged with the upper end of the valve body 34. An upper end of spring 39 may abut a lower surface of pressure regulating gear 37, for example. Rotating the pressure regulating handwheel 36 may drive the pressure regulating linkage gear 38 to rotate, thereby driving the pressure regulating gear 37 to rotate. As introduced above, when the pressure regulating gear 37 rotates, it moves up and down on the valve body 34, compressing the pressure regulating spring 39 to set the pressure threshold. The pressure regulating handwheel 36 may be separately positioned on the panel 20 or may be positioned in the same position as the handwheel 421, such as coaxially with handwheel 421. When the pressure regulating handwheel 36 is separately set on the panel 20, the pressure regulating assembly may not need to set the pressure regulating linkage gear 38 and may instead be directly operatively coupled to the pressure regulating gear 37.

[0092] To aid installation and production, the pressure valve body 31 may comprise two parts: Valve body 311 and the valve base 312.

[0093] The pressure rod 33 may selectively engage with the swing rod 35 through the rocker 34. The rocker 34 is pivotally or rotatably arranged on the pressure regulating valve body 31 and includes an upswing end and a downswing end. The upswing end is located at the upper end of the pressure rod 33 and is matched with the first end of the swing rod 35. The downswing end is located below the pressure rod 33. When the pressure rod 33 moves in a first direction, such as upwards, within the valve body 31, the pressure rod 33 pushes the upswing end of the rocker 34 to move upwards, thereby pushing the first end of the swing rod 35 to move upwards. When the pressure rod 33 moves in a second direction, such as downwards, within the valve body 31, the pressure rod 33 pulls the downswing end of rocker 34 to move downwards, and the upswing end of rocker 34 moves upwards, pushing the first end of swing rod 35 to move upwards. Thus, whether the pressure rod 33 moves in the first direction or the second direction, i.e., upwards or downwards, within valve body 31, rocker 34 causes the first end of the swing rod 35 to swing upwards, and thus the second end of swing rod 35 to swing downwards. The pressure rod 33 is equipped with a rise part 331 and a press part 332, and the upswing end of the rocker 34 is located above the rise part 331, while the downswing end of the rocker 34 is located below the press part 332.

[0094] The exemplary operation of the air pump is discussed below.

[0095] As shown in FIGS. 6-9, when the inflatable product needs to be inflated, an operator rotates the handwheel 421 counterclockwise, for example, and the transmission rod 423 and the gear 426 will rotate accordingly. The transmission gear 426 drives the lower slider 427 to slide via the gear rack 429, thereby connecting the air outlet of the air pump assembly with the inflation-and-deflation port 11 of body 10. When the transmission rod 423 rotates to the inflation position, the swing rod 35 locks the transmission rod 423 by engaging with the first locking surface or stop to maintain the switch assembly in the inflation position. As the transmission rod 423 rotates to the inflation position, bidirectional torsion spring 425 accumulates an elastic restoring force. Further, while the transmission rod 423 rotates, torsion spring compression rod 424 triggers the microswitch 415, activating the motor 411 of the air pump assembly, and the pump begins to inflate the inflatable chamber of the inflatable product. During inflation, air may flow from the air inlet-and-outlet port 21 of panel 20 through the first conduit of lower slider 427, into the pump chamber through the air inlet of pump cover 414, out of the pump chamber through the air outlet of pump cover 414, and into the inflatable chamber via the second conduit of lower slider 427 and the inflation-and-deflation port 11 of body 10.

[0096] When the internal pressure of the inflatable product reaches the set value, the air inside the inflatable product pushes against the pressure valve plate 32, causing the pressure rod 33 to move upwards within valve body 31. The top of the pressure rod 33 moves upwards and pushes the upswing end of the rocker 34, thereby pushing the first end of the swing rod 35 upwards and the second end downwards to disengage from the first locking surface or stop of the transmission rod 423. At this point, the switch assembly returns to its initial position under the action of the bidirectional torsion spring, the inflation-and-deflation port 11 is closed, the microswitch 415 is disconnected, and the motor stops inflating, as shown in FIGS. 15-17.

[0097] As shown in FIGS. 10-14, when the inflatable product needs to be deflated, an operator rotates the handwheel 421 clockwise, for example, and the transmission rod 423 and the gear 426 will rotate accordingly. The transmission gear 426 drives the lower slider 427 to slide via the gear rack 429, thereby connecting the air inlet of the air pump assembly with the inflation-and-deflation port 11 of body 10 through the first conduit of lower slider 427. When the transmission rod 423 rotates to the deflated position, the swing rod 35 engages the second locking surface or stop of the transmission rod 423 to maintain the switch assembly in the deflation position. As the transmission rod 423 rotates to the deflation position, the bidirectional torsion spring 425 accumulates an elastic restoring force. Further, as the transmission rod 423 rotates, torsion spring compression rod 424 triggers microswitch 415, activating the motor 411 of the air pump assembly, and the pump begins to deflate the inflatable chamber of the inflatable product.

[0098] When the inflatable product is deflated, the pressure valve plate 32 moves downwards under the suction of the pump and decrease in pressure in the inflatable chamber of the inflatable product, driving the pressure rod 33 to move downwards. The press part 332 of the pressure rod 33 will drive the downswing end of the rocker 34 downwards, causing the upswing end of the rocker 34 to pivot upwards, pushing the first end of the swing rod 35 upwards and the second end to swing downwards, thereby releasing the second end of swing rod 35 from the second locking surface or stop of the transmission rod 423. The switch assembly may return to its initial position under the action of the bidirectional torsion spring 425, the inflation-and-deflation port 11 is closed, the microswitch 415 is disconnected, and the motor 411 stops deflating, as shown in FIGS. 15-17.

[0099] Now referring to FIGS. 18-31, an air pump may comprise a body 10, a panel 20, a pressure valve assembly, and an inflation-and-deflation control assembly, which includes a switch assembly and a pump assembly. Body 10, panel 20, the pressure valve assembly, and the pump assembly of FIGS. 18-31 are the same as body 10, panel 20, the pressure valve assembly, and the pump assembly of FIGS. 1-17 and will thus not be further discussed in detail. Accordingly, although the reference numerals have been updated to include an apostrophe, e.g., 10, it is understood that the body 10, panel 20, pressure valve assembly, and pump assembly of FIGS. 18-31 are the same as the corresponding features of FIGS. 1-17.

[0100] As in FIGS. 1-17, body 10 includes an inflation-and-deflation port 11 and a pressure-sensing port 12, and panel 20 includes an air inlet-and-outlet port 21. The pressure valve assembly may comprise a pressure regulating assembly and a pressure valve control assembly. The pressure valve control assembly comprises a pressure valve body 31, a pressure valve plate 32, a pressure rod 33, a rocker 34, a pressure regulating spring 39, and an actuator, illustratively swing rod 35. The pressure regulating assembly may comprise a pressure regulating handwheel 36, a pressure regulating linkage gear 38, and a pressure regulating gear 37. As stated, the inflation-and-deflation control assembly comprises an air pump assembly and a switch assembly. The air pump assembly comprises a motor 411, a pump body 412, a blade 413, a pump cover 414, and a microswitch 415. The structure of the air pump assembly of the body 10, the panel 20, and the pressure valve assembly are the same as that of FIGS. 1-17 and will not be further described here. Accordingly, the following discussion focuses on the switch assembly.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 18, the switch assembly may comprise a user actuatable controller, illustratively handwheel 421, a transmission rod 422, a first rotary disc 423, a bidirectional torsion spring 424, a second rotary disc, illustratively air exchange core 425, having a first conduit and a second conduit therethrough, a valve, illustratively rod 426, and a valve spring, illustratively rod spring 427. The handwheel 421 may be rotatably arranged on the panel 20, and the upper end of the transmission rod 422 may be operatively coupled to the handwheel 421. The lower end of transmission rod 422 may be operatively coupled to the first rotary disc 423, and the first rotary disc 423 may be operatively coupled to the second rotary disc, i.e., air exchange core 425. Transmission rod 422, like transmission rod 423, includes a first locking surface or stop and a second locking surface or stop, which selectively engage with the pressure valve assembly as discussed above. In the illustrated embodiment, the air exchange core 425 is positioned below the pump cover 414 and can selectively communicate the air inlet-and-outlet port of panel 20 with the inflation-and-deflation port 11 of body 10 and the air inlet and air outlet of pump cover 414. One end of the bidirectional torsion spring 424 is coupled to or abuts the pump cover 414, and the other end is coupled to or abuts the rotary disc 423. The lower end face of the rotary disc 423 is equipped with a groove, and the rod 426 is positioned between the first rotary disc 423 and the inflation-and-deflation port 11 of body 10. As rotary disc 423 rotates, rod 427 selectively engages with the groove on the underside of the first rotary disc 423. The rod spring 427 is sleeved outside the rod 426. When the handwheel 421 is turned, the transmission rod 422 drives the rotary disc 423 to rotate, thereby driving the air exchange core 425 to rotate, thereby connecting the air inlet of the pump cover 414 with the air inflation-and-deflation port 11 of the body 10 or connecting the air outlet of the pump cover 414 with the air inflating and deflating port 11 of the body 10. During the rotation of the rotary disc 423, the upper end of the rod 426 engages or disengages with the groove of the rotary disc 423. When rod 426 engages with the groove, the inflation-and-deflation port 11 of the main body 10 opens, and when rod 427 disengages from the groove, the inflation-and-deflation port 11 of the main body 10 closes.

[0102] The exemplary operation of the air pump is discussed below.

[0103] As shown in FIGS. 20-23, when it is necessary to inflate the inflatable product, rotate the handwheel 421 clockwise, for example, and the transmission rod 422 and the rotary disc 423 will rotate accordingly. The rotary disc 423 will drive the second rotary disc, i.e., air exchange core 424, to rotate, connecting the air outlet of the air pump assembly with the inflation-and-deflation port 11 of body 10. When the transmission rod 422 rotates to the inflation position, the swing rod 35 engages the first locking surface or stop of transmission rod 422. At the same time, the transmission rod 422 triggers the microswitch 415, activating motor 411 of the air pump assembly, and the pump may begin to inflate the inflatable chamber of the inflatable product.

[0104] When the internal pressure of the inflatable product reaches the set value, the air inside the inflatable pushes the pressure valve plate 32 upwards within valve body 31, causing the pressure rod 33 to move upwards. The rise part of pressure rod 33 moves upwards and pushes the upswing end of the rocker 34, thereby pushing the first end of the swing rod 35 upwards and the second end downwards to disengage from the first locking surface or stop of the transmission rod 422. At this point, the switch assembly rotates to its initial position under the action of the bidirectional torsion spring 424. As the first rotary disc 423 rotates to its initial position, rod 426 disengages from the groove of first rotary disc 423 and closes the inflation-and-deflation port 11 of body 10. The transmission rod 422 disengages from microswitch 415, deactivating motor 411. The initial, i.e., closed position, is depicted in FIGS. 29-31.

[0105] As shown in FIGS. 24-28, when the inflatable product needs to be deflated, rotate the handwheel 421 clockwise, for example, and the transmission rod 422 and the rotary disc 423 will rotate accordingly. The rotary disc 423 will drive the second rotary disc, air exchange core 424, to rotate, connecting the air inlet of the air pump assembly with the air inflation-and-deflation port 11. When the transmission rod 422 rotates to the deflation position, the swing rod 35 engages the second locking surface or stop of the transmission rod 422 to maintain the switch assembly in the deflation position. At the same time, the transmission rod 422 triggers the microswitch 415, activating motor 411 of the air pump assembly, and the pump begins to deflate the inflatable chamber of the inflatable product.

[0106] When the inflatable product is deflated, the pressure valve plate 32 moves downwards under the suction of the pump and decrease in pressure in the inflatable chamber of the inflatable product, driving the pressure rod 33 downwards. The press part of the pressure rod 33 swings downwards, driving the downswing end of the rocker 34 to pivot downwards and the upswing end of the rocker 34 to pivot upwards, pushing the first end of the swing arm 35 upwards and the second end of swing arm 35 downwards, thereby disengaging the second end of swing arm 35 from the second locking surface or stop of the transmission rod 422. At this point, the switch assembly returns to its initial position under the action of the bidirectional torsion spring 424. As the first rotary disc 423 rotates to its initial position, rod 426 disengages from the groove of the first rotary disc 423 and closes the inflation-and-deflation port 11. The transmission rod 422 disengages microswitch 415, deactivating motor 411. The initial, i.e., closed position, is depicted in FIGS. 29-31.

[0107] The air pump may include a pressure valve assembly and an inflation-and-deflation control assembly operatively coupled to the pressure valve assembly. The pressure valve assembly may maintain the inflation-and-deflation control assembly in a first position, such as an inflation position, and a second position, such as a deflation position, until the pressure valve assembly detects a pressure threshold within the inflatable chamber of the inflatable product. When the pressure valve assembly detects that the pressure inside the inflation product reaches the threshold, the pressure valve assembly automatically disengages from the inflation-and-deflation control assembly to stop the operation of the inflation-and-deflation control assembly. When the pressure valve assembly disengages from the inflation-and-deflation control assembly, the inflation-and-deflation port of the body closes, and the pump motor deactivates. Among other advantages, the air pump has low cost and can accurately control the pump assembly to stop working based on the internal pressure of the inflatable product.

EXAMPLES

[0108] Example 1: An air pump for an inflatable product having an inflatable chamber may comprise a body, a panel, and an air inflation-and-deflation control assembly. The panel may comprise an inlet-and-outlet port, and the body may comprise an air inflation-and-deflation port and a pressure-sensing port. The panel may be coupled to the body and the panel, and the body may cooperate to form a body chamber. The air inflation-and-deflation control assembly may be arranged substantially within the body chamber and may comprise a switch assembly and an air pump assembly. and the switch assembly may selectively open or close the air inflation-and-deflation port. The air pump assembly may be operatively coupled to the switch assembly. The air pump may further comprise a pressure valve assembly arranged in the body chamber, the pressure valve assembly may comprise a pressure regulating valve body, a pressure valve plate having a lower face and an upper face, a pressure rod having an upper end and a lower end, a swing rod, and a pressure spring. The pressure regulating valve body may form a valve chamber in communication with the inflatable chamber of the inflatable product through the pressure-sensing port. The pressure valve plate may be disposed in the valve chamber with the lower face facing the pressure-sensing port and the upper face operatively coupled to the pressure rod. The pressure spring may be disposed in the valve chamber and sleeved on the pressure rod. The pressure rod may be movably arranged in the valve chamber in a first direction and a second direction, and the upper end of the pressure rod may selectively engage the swing rod. The swing rod may be pivotally disposed on the pressure regulating valve body, and the swing rod may selectively lock the switch assembly. When the swing rod is locked with the switch assembly, the air pump assembly may be in the inflation or deflation position. When the swing rod and switch assembly are unlocked, the air pump assembly may be in a closed position. [0109] Example 2: The air pump according to Example 1, wherein the swing rod may be provided with a first end and a second end, the first end may selectively engage with the pressure rod, and the second end may selectively engage with the switch assembly. When the pressure rod moves in the first direction or the second direction, the first end may swing upwards, and the second end swings downwards, and the switch assembly and swing rod are unlocked. [0110] Example 3: The air pump according to Example 2, wherein the pressure rod may be operatively coupled to the swing rod through a rocker, and the rocker may be rotatably arranged on the pressure regulating valve body and may comprise an upswing end and a downswing end. The upswing end may be located at the upper end of the pressure rod and may be matched with the first end of the swing rod, and the downswing end may be located below the pressure rod. When the pressure rod moves in the first direction, the pressure rod pushes the upswing end of the rocker to move up; when the pressure rod moves in the second direction, the pressure rod pulls the downswing end of the rocker to move down. [0111] Example 4: The air pump according to Example 3, wherein the pressure rod may comprise a rise part and a press part, the upswing end of the rocker is located above the rise part, and the downswing end of the rocker is located below the press part. [0112] Example 5: The air pump according to Example 1, wherein the upper end of the pressure regulating valve body may be threadably coupled to a pressure regulating joint, and the upper end of the pressure spring may abut the pressure regulating joint. [0113] Example 6: The air pump according to Example 5, wherein a pressure regulating handwheel may be operatively coupled to the pressure regulating joint, and the pressure regulating handwheel may be rotatably arranged on the panel. [0114] Example 7: The air pump according to Example 1, wherein the switch assembly may comprise a handwheel, a transmission rod having an upper end and a lower end, a bidirectional torsion spring having a pair of ends, a transmission gear, and a slider. The handwheel may be rotatably arranged at the inlet-and-outlet port of the panel. The upper end of the transmission rod may be operatively coupled to the handwheel, the lower end may be operatively coupled to the transmission gear, and the transmission rod may selectively engage with the swing rod. The bidirectional torsion spring may be sleeved on the transmission rod, and its pair of ends may be connected in the body. The slider may comprise a rack that engages with the transmission gear, and the slider may selectively communicate the inflation-and-deflation port of the body with the air inlet or the air outlet of the air pump assembly. [0115] Example 8: The air pump according to Example 7, wherein the switch assembly may further comprise a transmission rod fixing member, and the transmission rod may be rotatably coupled to the transmission rod fixing member. [0116] Example 9: The air pump according to Example 1, wherein the switch assembly may comprise a handwheel, a transmission rod having an upper end and a lower end, a rotary disc having an upper face and a lower face, a bidirectional torsion spring having a pair of ends, an air exchange core, a rod, and a rod spring. The handwheel may be rotatably arranged on the panel, the transmission rod may selectively engage with the swing rod, and the upper end of the transmission rod may be operatively coupled to the handwheel. The lower end of the transmission rod may be operatively coupled to the rotary disc. The rotary disc may engage with the air exchange core, which may be positioned below the pump cover. The air exchange core may selectively communicate the inflation-and-deflation port with the air inlet or the air outlet. The bidirectional torsion spring may be sleeved on the rotary disc or the transmission rod, and its pair of ends may be connected in the body. The lower face of the rotary disc may include a groove, and the rod may selectively engage the groove. The rod spring may be sleeved on the rod. [0117] Example 10: The air pump according to Example 1, wherein the air pump assembly may comprise a motor, a pump body, an impeller, a pump cover, and a microswitch. The pump body may be coupled to the pump cover and the pump body, and the pump cover may form a pump chamber. The pump cover may be provided with an air inlet and an air outlet. The motor may be arranged above the pump body, the impeller may be arranged in the pump chamber and operatively coupled to the motor, and the microswitch may be arranged on the pump cover and selectively engages with the switch assembly to activate or deactivate the motor. [0118] Example 11: An air pump for an inflatable product having an inflatable chamber may comprise a body, which may comprise an inflation-and-deflation port in communication with the inflatable chamber and a pressure-sensing port in communication with the inflatable chamber, and a panel, which may be coupled to the body and may comprise an air inlet-and-outlet port in selective communication with the inflation-and-deflation port. The panel and the body may define a body chamber. The air pump may further comprise an air pump assembly arranged within the body chamber. The air pump assembly may comprise a pump motor, a pump body, and a pump cover coupled to the pump body. The pump cover may have an inlet and an outlet, and the pump body and the pump cover may define a pump chamber. The inlet and the outlet of the pump cover may be in communication with the pump chamber, and an impeller may be disposed within the pump chamber and operatively coupled to the pump motor. The air pump may further comprise a pressure valve assembly arranged substantially within the body chamber. The pressure valve assembly may comprise a pressure valve body including a duct in communication with the pressure-sensing port of the body, and a pressure valve plate movably positioned within the pressure valve body in a first direction and a second direction. The pressure valve plate may have a first side and a second side, the first side may face the pressure-sensing port, and the pressure rod may be coupled to the second side of the pressure valve plate. The pressure rod may be moveable with the pressure valve plate in the first direction and the second direction. The air pump may further comprise a switch assembly operatively coupled to the air pump assembly and the pressure valve assembly and configured to selectively place the inlet and outlet of the pump cover in communication with the inflation-and-deflation port of the body. The switch assembly may comprise a user actuatable controller rotatably disposed on the panel and a transmission rod operatively coupled to the user actuatable controller for rotation therewith. The transmission rod may comprise a first locking surface and a second locking surface. The pressure valve assembly may selectively engage with the first locking surface of the transmission rod or the second locking surface of the transmission rod depending on the rotational position of the switch assembly to maintain the switch assembly in a first position or a second position. [0119] Example 12: The air pump according to Example 11, wherein the pressure valve assembly may further comprise a pressure spring sleeved on the pressure rod. [0120] Example 13: The air pump according to Example 12, wherein the pressure valve assembly may further comprise a second user actuatable controller rotatably disposed on the panel. The second user actuatable controller may be operatively coupled to the pressure spring, and rotation of the second user actuatable controller may manipulate the pressure spring. [0121] Example 14: The air pump according to Example 13, wherein the pressure valve assembly may further comprise a pressure regulating gear rotatably disposed in the valve body and between the second user actuatable controller and the pressure spring. The pressure regulating gear may operatively couple the second user actuatable controller to the pressure spring. [0122] Example 15: The air pump according to Example 11, wherein the pressure valve assembly may further comprise a rocker and a swing rod. The rocker may be rotatably disposed on the pressure regulating valve body and operatively coupled to the swing rod, and the swing rod may be rotatably disposed on the pressure regulating valve body. [0123] Example 16: The air pump according to Example 15, wherein the swing rod may engage the first locking surface of the transmission rod when the switch assembly is in the first position, and the swing rod may engage the second locking surface of the transmission rod when the switch assembly is in the second position. [0124] Example 17: The air pump according to Example 16, wherein movement of the pressure rod in the first direction or the second direction may cause the pressure rod to contact the rocker, and the rocker may contact the swing rod to disengage the swing rod from the first locking surface of the transmission rod or the second locking surface of the transmission rod. [0125] Example 18: The air pump according to Example 11, wherein the switch assembly may further comprise a torsion spring operatively coupled to the transmission rod. The torsion spring may accumulate a restoring force when the switch assembly is in the first position or the second position and may be configured to bias the switch assembly to a third position when the pressure valve assembly disengages the first locking surface of the transmission rod or the second locking surface of the transmission rod. [0126] Example 19: The air pump according to Example 11, wherein the transmission rod may comprise a first end and a second end and may be operatively coupled to the user actuatable controller at the first end. The switch assembly may further comprise a transmission gear operatively coupled to the transmission rod at the second end for rotation therewith. [0127] Example 20: The air pump according to Example 19, wherein the switch assembly may further comprise a slider positioned between the pump cover and the inflation-and-deflation port of the body. The slider may comprise a rack operatively coupled to the transmission gear such that rotation of the transmission gear may cause the slider to translate relative to the inflation-and-deflation port. [0128] Example 21: The air pump according to Example 20, wherein the inlet of the pump cover may communicate with the inflation-and-deflation port through the slider. [0129] Example 22: The air pump according to Example 19, wherein the slider may include a first conduit, a second conduit, and a baffle between the first conduit and the second conduit. [0130] Example 23: The air pump according to Example 22, wherein, when the switch assembly is in the first position, the first conduit of the slider may be in communication with the inlet-and-outlet port of the panel and the air inlet of the pump cover, and the second conduit of the slider may be in communication with the air outlet of the pump cover and the inflation-and-deflation port of the body. [0131] Example 24: The air pump according to Example 22, wherein, when the switch assembly is in the second position, the first conduit of the slider may be in communication with the air inlet of the pump cover and the inflation-and-deflation port of the body, and the air outlet of the pump cover may be in communication with the inlet-and-outlet port of the panel. [0132] Example 25: The air pump according to Example 22, wherein the switch assembly may be rotatable to a third position wherein the baffle of the slider seals the inflation-and-deflation port of the body. [0133] Example 26: The air pump according to Example 25, wherein the transmission rod may comprise a groove and, when the switch assembly is in the third position, the pressure valve assembly may engage the groove of the transmission rod. [0134] Example 27: The air pump according to Example 11, wherein the air pump assembly may further comprise a selectively actuatable switch configured to activate and deactivate the pump motor, and the transmission rod may comprise an arcuate surface configured to selectively actuate the switch when the switch assembly is in the first position or the second position. [0135] Example 28: The air pump according to Example 11, wherein the transmission rod may comprise a first end and a second end. The transmission rod may be operatively coupled to the user actuatable controller at the first end, and the switch assembly may further comprise a rotatable disc operatively coupled to the second end of the transmission rod for rotation therewith. [0136] Example 29: The air pump according to Example 28, wherein the switch assembly may further comprise a second rotatable disc operatively coupled to the first rotatable disc. The rotatable disc may comprise a first conduit and a second conduit therethrough for selectively communicating with the inlet of the pump cover and the outlet of the pump cover. [0137] Example 30: The air pump according to Example 28, wherein the switch assembly may further comprise a valve configured to open and close the inflation-and-deflation port of the body. The valve may comprise a valve stem and a spring sleeved on the valve stem. [0138] Example 31: The air pump according to Example 30, wherein the first rotary disc may comprise a first side and a second side. The second side may face the inflation-and-deflation port of the body, and the rotary disc may comprise a groove disposed on the second side. [0139] Example 32: The air pump according to Example 31, wherein the valve may be selectively received within the groove such that rotation of the first rotary disc may cause linear movement of the valve relative to the inflation-and-deflation port of the body to open or close the inflation-and-deflation port. [0140] Example 33: An air pump for an inflatable product having an inflatable chamber. The air pump may comprise a body, which may comprise an inflation-and-deflation port in communication with the inflatable chamber and a pressure-sensing port in communication with the inflatable chamber, and a panel, which may be coupled to the body and may comprise an air inlet-and-outlet port in selective communication with the inflation-and-deflation port. The panel and the body may define a body chamber. The air pump may further comprise an air pump assembly, which may be arranged within the body chamber and may comprise a pump motor, an impeller operatively coupled to the pump motor, a pump body, and a pump cover coupled to the pump body. The air pump assembly may have an inlet and an outlet. The air pump may further comprise a pressure valve assembly, which may comprise a pressure valve plate having a first side in fluid communication with the pressure-sensing port and a second side in fluid communication with the environment, and an actuator movable by the pressure valve plate from a first position to a second position. The air pump may further comprise a switch assembly, which may be operatively coupled to the air pump assembly and the pressure valve assembly, and the switch assembly may have a first position wherein the air pump assembly may provide fluid to the inflation-and-deflation port of the body and a second position wherein the air pump assembly may receive fluid from the inflation-and-deflation port of the body. The switch assembly may comprise a user actuatable controller disposed on the panel, a first stop, and a second stop. The actuator of the pressure valve assembly may selectively engage with the first stop when the actuator is in the second position and the switch assembly is in the first position to maintain the switch assembly in the first position and may selectively engage with the second stop when the actuator is in the second position and the switch assembly is in the second position to maintain the switch assembly in the second position. The actuator may be spaced apart from the first stop and the second stop when the actuator is in the first position. [0141] Example 34: The air pump according to Example 33, wherein the second side of the pressure valve plate may be in fluid communication with the environment through the body chamber. [0142] Example 35: The air pump according to Example 33, wherein the actuator may comprise a swing arm having a first end and a second end, and the swing arm may be pivotally coupled to the valve body. [0143] Example 36: The air pump according to Example 35, wherein the second end of the swing arm may selectively engage with the first stop when the actuator is in the second position and the switch assembly is in the first position to maintain the switch assembly in the first position and may selectively engage with the second stop when the actuator is in the second position and the switch assembly is in the second position to maintain the switch assembly in the second position. [0144] Example 37: The air pump according to Example 35, wherein the second end of the swing arm may be spaced apart from the first stop and the second stop when the actuator is in the first position. [0145] Example 38: The air pump according to Example 33, wherein the pressure valve assembly may further comprise a pressure rod operatively coupled to the second side of the pressure valve plate and a pressure spring sleeved on the pressure rod. [0146] Example 39: The air pump according to Example 33, wherein the user actuatable controller may be rotatably disposed on the panel.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0147] Body 10; Inflation-and-deflation port 11; Pressure-sensing port 12; [0148] Panel 20; Air inlet-and-outlet port 21; [0149] Pressure valve body 31; Valve body 311; Valve base 312; Pressure valve plate 32; Pressure rod 33; Rocker 34; Swing rod 35; Pressure regulating handwheel 36; Pressure regulating gear 37; Pressure regulating linkage gear 38; Pressure regulating spring 39; Rise part 331; Press part 332; [0150] Motor 411; Pump body 412; Impeller 413; Pump cover 414; Microswitch 415; [0151] Hand wheel 421; Transmission rod fixing member 422; Transmission rod 423; Torsion spring compression rod 424; Bidirectional torsion spring 425; Transmission gear 426; Lower slider 427; Upper slider 428; Rack 429. [0152] Body 10; Inflation-and-deflation port 11; Pressure-sensing port 12; [0153] Panel 20; Air inlet-and-outlet port 21; [0154] Pressure valve body 31; Valve body 311; Valve base 312; Pressure valve plate 32; Pressure rod 33; Rocker 34; Swing rod 35; Pressure regulating handwheel 36; Pressure regulating gear 37; Pressure regulating linkage gear 38; Pressure regulating spring 39; [0155] Motor 411; Pump body 412; Impeller 413; Pump cover 414; Microswitch 415; [0156] Hand wheel 421; Transmission rod 422; First rotary disc 423; Bidirectional torsion spring 424; Air exchange core 425; Rod 426; Rod spring 427.

[0157] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variation can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover the modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.