AN AIR PUMP WITH AN ELECTROMECHANICAL SWITCH ASSEMBLY

Abstract

An air pump for an inflatable product may include an inflation-and-deflation control assembly, a pump assembly, a pressure valve assembly, and a linkage assembly. The pressure valve assembly may detect the pressure inside an inflatable chamber of the inflatable product. Once a pressure threshold is reached within the inflatable chamber, the pressure valve assembly may activate the linkage assembly. The linkage assembly may cause the inflation-and-deflation control assembly to deactivate the air pump and place the air pump in a closed or sealed position.

Claims

1. An air pump for an inflatable product having an inflatable chamber, the air pump comprising: a body, a panel, and an inflation-and-deflation control assembly, the panel is provided with an air inlet-and-outlet port, the body is provided with an inflation-and-deflation port, the panel is coupled to the body, and the body and the panel cooperate to form a body chamber, wherein the body is further provided with a pressure-sensing port in communication with the inflatable chamber of the inflatable product; the inflation-and-deflation control assembly comprises a handwheel, an air pump assembly, a clamp ring, and a bidirectional torsional spring having a pair of ends, the handwheel is rotatably arranged on the panel, the air pump assembly is operatively coupled to the handwheel, and the air pump assembly selectively opens or closes the inflation-and-deflation port, the clamp ring is arranged outside the air pump assembly, and both ends of the bidirectional torsion spring are coupled to the clamp ring; the air pump further comprises a pressure valve assembly and a linkage assembly arranged in the body chamber, the pressure valve assembly comprises a pressure valve body, a pressure valve plate, a pressure ejector rod, and a pressure spring, and a valve chamber in communication with pressure-sensing port is formed in the pressure valve body; the pressure valve plate is arranged in the valve chamber, a lower end face of the pressure valve plate faces the pressure-sensing port, and an upper end face of the pressure valve plate is coupled to the pressure ejector rod; the pressure spring is located in the valve chamber and is arranged on the pressure ejector rod; the pressure ejector rod is movably arranged in the valve chamber, and is cooperated with the linkage assembly to trigger the linkage assembly to start when the pressure ejector rod moves up or down; the linkage assembly is arranged on the pressure valve body, and the linkage assembly selectively locks the clamp ring, when the linkage assembly is locked with the clamp ring, the air pump assembly is in an inflating position or the deflating position; when the pressure ejector triggers the linkage assembly, the linkage assembly and the clamp ring are unlocked, and the air pump assembly is restored to a closed position.

2. The air pump of claim 1, wherein the linkage assembly comprises an air pressure microswitch, a pin, a pin spring, a signal switch, a reversing motor having an output shaft, and a cam, the air pressure microswitch is arranged on the pressure valve body and is movably coupled with the pressure ejector rod, the signal switch is connected to the reversing motor, and the air pressure microswitch is actuated by the pressure ejector rod; the cam is coupled to the output shaft of the reversing motor and is cooperated with the pin, one end of the pin is arranged with the pin spring, and the other end is provided with a locking part for locking the clamp ring.

3. The air pump of claim 2, wherein the pin is provided with a shoulder, when the cam rotates, the cam pushes the pin to move by pushing the shoulder, at this time, the locking part unlocks the clamp ring.

4. The air pump of claim 2, wherein the clamp ring is provided with an inflation locking surface and a deflation locking surface cooperated with the locking part of the pin, when the inflation locking surface and the locking part are locked, the air pump assembly is in the inflating position; and when the deflation locking surface is locked with the locking part, the air pump assembly is in the deflating position.

5. The air pump of claim 2, wherein the pressure ejector rod is provided with a linkage arm cooperated with the pressure microswitch, the linkage arm is provided with an upper touch tab and a lower touch tab; when the pin and the clamp ring are locked, the air pressure microswitch is arranged between the upper touch tab and the lower touch tab; when the pin and the clamp ring are unlocked, the upper touch tab or the lower touch tab is contacts the air pressure microswitch.

6. The air pump of claim 1, wherein the pressure valve body comprises a valve body and a valve base coupled to the valve body and disposed under the valve body.

7. The air pump of claim 1, wherein an upper end of the pressure valve body is operatively coupled to a pressure regulator joint, and an upper end of the pressure spring is abutted below the pressure regulator joint.

8. The air pump of claim 7, wherein a pressure regulating handwheel is operatively coupled to the pressure regulating joint, and the pressure regulating handwheel is rotatably arranged on the panel.

9. The air pump of claim 1, wherein the air pump assembly comprises a motor, a pump body, an impeller, rotary disc, and a microswitch, an upper end of the motor is coupled to the handwheel, a lower end of the motor is coupled to the pump body; a lower end of the pump body is coupled with the rotary disc, and cooperates with the rotary disc to form a pump chamber; the impeller is arranged in the pump chamber and operatively coupled with the motor; the rotary disc is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet connected with the pump chamber; as the air pump assembly rotates, the air inlet and the air outlet on the rotary disc are selectively communicates with the air inlet-and-outlet port of the body; the microswitch is fixed in the body and connected with the motor for activating or deactivating the motor; and at least one of the motor, the pump body or the rotary disc is provided with a touch block matched with the microswitch, or, the microswitch is fixed on the motor, the pump body or the rotary disc, and is operatively coupled with the motor for activating or deactivating the motor, and the body is provided with a touch block matched with the microswitch.

10. The air pump of claim 9, wherein the air pump assembly further comprises a fixed part, the fixed part is fixed in the body, the motor is set in the fixed part, the bidirectional torsion spring sleeve is sleeved outside the fixed part.

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 inflation-and-deflation control assembly arranged substantially within the body chamber and configured to selectively place the inlet-and-outlet port of the panel in communication with the inflation-and-deflation port of the body, the inflation-and-deflation control assembly comprising a user actuatable controller rotatably disposed on the panel, and a collar operatively coupled to the user actuatable controller for rotation therewith and comprising a first locking surface and a second locking surface; the inflation-and-deflation control assembly further comprising a pump assembly operatively coupled to the user actuatable controller for rotation therewith, the pump assembly comprising a pump motor, a pump body, and a pump cover, the pump body and the pump cover forming a pump chamber, the pump cover comprising an inlet and outlet in communication with the pump chamber, and the pump assembly further comprising an impeller operatively coupled to the pump motor and disposed within the pump chamber; a pressure valve assembly arranged 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 disposed 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 a pressure ejector rod coupled to the second side of the pressure valve plate, the pressure ejector rod movable with the pressure valve plate in the first direction and the second direction; and a linkage assembly operatively coupled to the pressure valve assembly and the inflation-and-deflation control assembly, the linkage assembly selectively activated by the pressure ejector rod and comprising a lock configured to selectively engage the first locking surface of the collar when the inflation-and-deflation control assembly is in a first position or the second locking surface of the collar when the inflation-and-deflation control assembly is in a second position, and a cam configured to selectively disengage the lock from the first locking surface or the second locking surface, wherein movement of the pressure valve plate in the first direction or the second direction causes the pressure ejector rod to activate the linkage assembly to disengage the lock from the first locking surface or the second locking surface of the collar.

12. The air pump of claim 11, wherein the pressure valve assembly further comprises a pressure spring sleeved on the pressure ejector 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 and operatively coupled to the pressure spring, and wherein rotation of the second user actuatable controller manipulates the pressure spring to set a pressure threshold for the pressure valve assembly, the pressure ejector rod activating the linkage assembly when a pressure in the inflatable chamber reaches the pressure threshold.

14. The air pump of claim 12, wherein the pressure valve assembly further comprises a pressure regulating joint rotatably disposed in the valve body and between the second user actuatable controller and the pressure spring, the pressure regulating joint operatively coupling the second user actuatable controller to the pressure spring.

15. The air pump of claim 14, wherein the pressure regulating joint comprises a pressure regulating gear operatively coupled to the second user actuatable controller and a joint body threadably engaged with the valve body.

16. The air pump of claim 11, wherein the linkage assembly further comprises a cam motor comprising an output shaft operatively coupled to the cam and a switch configured to selectively activate the cam motor, wherein movement of the pressure ejector rod in the first direction or the second direction activates the switch of the linkage assembly.

17. The air pump of claim 11, wherein the lock of the linkage assembly comprises a spring pin and a spring sleeved on the spring pin, the spring pin having a locking end and a shoulder, the locking end selectively engaging with the first locking surface of the collar or the second locking surface of the collar to prevent rotation of the collar, the cam selectively engaging the shoulder of the spring pin to disengage the locking end from the first locking surface or the second locking surface to permit rotation of the collar.

18. The air pump of claim 11, wherein the inflation-and-deflation control assembly further comprises a torsion spring operatively coupled to the collar, the torsion spring accumulating a restoring force when the inflation-and-deflation control assembly is in the first position or the second position and configured to bias the inflation-and-deflation control assembly to a third position when the lock of the linkage assembly disengages from the first locking surface of the collar or the second locking surface of the collar.

19. The air pump of claim 18, wherein, when the pressure ejector rod activates the linkage assembly, the collar rotates to the third position under the restoring force of the torsion spring.

20. The air pump of claim 11, wherein, when the inflation-and-deflation control assembly is in the first position, the inlet of the pump cover is in communication with the air inlet-and-outlet port of the panel and the outlet of the pump cover is in communication with the inflation-and-deflation port of the body.

21. The air pump of claim 11, wherein, when the inflation-and-deflation control assembly is in the second position, the inlet of the pump cover is in communication with the inflation-and-deflation port of the body and the outlet of the pump cover is in communication with the air inlet-and-outlet port of the panel.

22. The air pump of claim 11, wherein the inflation-and-deflation control assembly is rotatable to a third position wherein the inlet of the pump cover is sealed relative to the inflation-and-deflation port of the body.

23. The air pump of claim 11, wherein the pump assembly further comprises a rotatable disc positioned between pump cover and the inflation-and-deflation port of the body, the rotatable disc comprising an inlet in communication with the inlet of the pump cover and an outlet in communication with the outlet of the pump cover.

24. The air pump of claim 11, wherein the pump assembly further comprises a selectively actuatable switch configured to activate and deactivate the pump motor, and the pump body comprises an engagement feature configured to activate the switch.

25. 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 inflation-and-deflation control assembly arranged substantially within the body chamber and configured to selectively place the inlet-and-outlet port of the panel in communication with the inflation-and-deflation port of the body, the inflation-and-deflation control assembly having a first position and a second position and comprising a user actuatable controller disposed on the panel, a first stop, and a second stop; the inflation-and-deflation control assembly further comprising a pump assembly operatively coupled to the user actuatable, the pump assembly comprising 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 having an inlet and 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; and a linkage assembly operatively coupled to the pressure valve assembly and the inflation-and-deflation control assembly, the linkage assembly selectively activated by the actuator and comprising a lock configured to selectively engage the first stop of the inflation-and-deflation control assembly when the inflation-and-deflation control assembly is in the first position or the second stop of the inflation-and-deflation control assembly when the inflation-and-deflation control assembly is in the second position, wherein the actuator of the pressure valve assembly selectively engages with the first stop when the actuator is in the second position and the inflation-and-deflation control assembly is in the first position to maintain the inflation-and-deflation control assembly in the first position and selectively engages with the second stop when the actuator is in the second position and the inflation-and-deflation control assembly is in the second position to maintain the inflation-and-deflation control 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.

26. The air pump of claim 25, wherein the user actuatable controller is rotatably disposed on the panel.

27. The air pump of claim 26, wherein the inflation-and-deflation control assembly further comprises a collar operatively coupled to the user actuatable controller for rotation therewith, the first stop and the second stop being disposed on the collar.

28. The air pump of claim 25, wherein the inlet and the outlet of the pump assembly are formed in the pump cover.

29. The air pump of claim 25, wherein the actuator of the pressure valve assembly comprises a pressure ejector rod coupled to the second side of the pressure valve plate.

30. The air pump of claim 25, wherein, when the inflation-and-deflation control assembly is in the first position, the air pump assembly provides fluid to the inflation-and-deflation port of the body.

31. The air pump of claim 25, wherein, when the inflation-and-deflation control assembly is in the second position, the air pump assembly receives fluid from the inflation-and-deflation port of the body.

32. The air pump of claim 25, wherein the inflation-and-deflation control assembly has a third position wherein the inflation-and-deflation port of the body is sealed relative to the inlet-and-outlet port of the panel.

33. The air pump of claim 25, wherein the second side of the pressure valve plate is in communication with the environment through the body chamber.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an air pump according to the present disclosure;

[0043] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a pressure valve assembly and a linkage assembly according to the present disclosure;

[0044] FIG. 3 is a perspective view a collar according to the present disclosure;

[0045] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a spring pin according to the present disclosure;

[0046] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a pressure ejector rod according to the present disclosure;

[0047] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the pressure valve assembly, the linkage assembly, and an inflation-and-deflation control assembly according to the present disclosure;

[0048] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the air pump according to the present disclosure depicted in an inflating state;

[0049] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the air pump according to the present disclosure depicted in a closed or sealed state;

[0050] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the air pump according to the present disclosure depicted in a deflating state; and

[0051] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the air pump according to the present disclosure received within the inflatable chamber or air cavity of exemplary inflatable product.

[0052] 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

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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).

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 1-10, the present disclosure provides an air pump for an inflatable product having an inflatable chamber. As shown in FIG. 10, the air pump may be received within the air cavity or inflatable chamber 1000 of an exemplary inflatable product P. Alternatively, the air pump may communicate with the air cavity or inflatable chamber of an inflatable product via an intermediate conduit, such as a connecting pipe or tube. The air pump may include a body 10, a panel 20, an inflation-and-deflation control assembly 50, a pressure valve assembly 30, and a linkage assembly 40. The pressure valve assembly 30 may cause the inflation-and-deflation control assembly 50 to return to an initial position through the linkage assembly 40, so as to realize the automatic shutdown of the pump.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 7-9, the body 10 is provided with an inflation-and-deflation port 11 and a pressure-sensing port 12. The inflation-and-deflation port 11 and pressure-sensing port 12 are in fluid communication with the inflatable chamber of the inflatable product. The inflation-and-deflation port 11 is matched with the inflation-and-deflation control assembly 50, and the pressure-sensing port 12 is matched with the pressure valve assembly 30. The panel 20 is provided with an air inlet-and-outlet port 21, and the panel 20 is coupled to the body 10. The panel 20 and body 10 cooperate to form a body chamber. In embodiments, the panel 20 is coupled to body 10 through interlocking features, fasteners, adhesive, or other suitable connections.

[0059] The inflation-and-deflation control assembly 50 is arranged substantially within the body chamber and may comprise a handwheel 51, an air pump assembly, a collar or clamp ring 52, and a bidirectional torsional spring 53. The handwheel 51 is rotatably disposed on the panel 20, and the air pump assembly is operatively coupled to the handwheel 51. The air pump assembly optionally opens or closes the inflation-and-deflation port 11 of body 10. The collar or clamp ring 52 is arranged outside the air pump assembly, and both ends of the bidirectional torsion spring 53 are coupled to the clamp ring 52. When the handwheel 51 is rotated, it can drive the clamp ring 52 and the air pump assembly to rotate.

[0060] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 10, the pressure valve assembly 30 is arranged substantially within the body chamber and comprises a pressure valve body 31, a pressure valve plate 32, a pressure ejector rod 33, and a pressure spring 34. A valve chamber in communication with the pressure-sensing port 12 is formed in the pressure valve body 31. The pressure valve plate 32 is arranged in the valve chamber and includes a lower end face and an upper end face. The lower end face of the pressure valve plate faces towards the pressure-sensing port 12 and is in fluid communication with the inflatable chamber of the inflatable product, and the upper end face is coupled to the pressure ejector rod 33 and in fluid communication with the environment. The pressure spring 34 is disposed within the valve chamber and is arranged on the pressure ejector rod 33. The pressure ejector rod 33 is movable in the valve chamber and is matched with the linkage assembly 40 to activate the linkage assembly 40 when the pressure ejector rod 33 is moved in a first direction or a second direction, such as up or down, within the valve chamber in response to a change in pressure in the inflatable chamber of the inflatable product. The linkage assembly 40 is arranged on the pressure valve body 31 and selectively locks the collar or clamp ring 52. When the linkage assembly 40 is locked with the clamp ring 52, the air pump assembly is in the inflating or deflating position. When the pressure ejector rod 33 activates the linkage assembly 40, the linkage assembly 40 and the clamp ring 52 are unlocked, and the air pump assembly is restored to the closed position. For ease of assembly, the pressure body 31 in this embodiment comprises a valve body 311 and a base 312 connected below the valve body 311.

[0061] Still referring to FIG. 2, the linkage assembly 40 is also arranged in the body chamber and comprises a pressure microswitch 41, a spring pin 42, a spring 43, a signal switch 44, a reversing motor 45 and a cam 46. The pressure microswitch 41 is arranged on the pressure valve body 31 (see FIG. 6) and located proximate the pressure ejector rod 33. The signal switch 44 is connected with the reversing motor 45 and is triggered by the pressure microswitch 41. The cam 46 is operatively coupled to the output shaft of the reversing motor 45 and drives the spring pin 42. One end of the spring pin 42 receives the spring 43, and the other end of the spring pin 42 is provided with a locking part 421 for locking the clamp ring 52. The spring pin 42 is further provided with a shoulder or matching part 422. When the cam 46 rotates, the cam 46 moves with the spring pin 42 by pushing the shoulder 422 against the biasing force of spring 43. At this time, the locking part 421 of the pin 42 and the clamp ring 52 are unlocked.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 3, the collar or clamp ring 52 is provided with an inflating locking surface or stop 521 and a deflating locking surface or stop 522, which cooperate with the locking part 421 of the pin 42. When the inflating locking surface or stop 521 is locked with the locking part 421, the air pump assembly may be in an inflation position. When the deflating locking surface or stop 522 is locked with the locking part 421, the air pump assembly may be in a deflation position.

[0063] The pressure ejector rod 33 is provided with a linkage arm 331 which is matched with the air pressure microswitch 41. The linkage arm 331 is provided with an upper tab 332 and a lower tab 333. When the pressure ejector rod 33 is in the initial position, the air pressure microswitch 41 is located between the upper tab 332 and the lower tab 333. When the spring pin 42 and the clamp ring 52 are unlocked, the upper tab 332 or the lower tab 333 are in contact with the air pressure microswitch 41.

[0064] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 7-9, the upper end of the valve body 311 of the pressure valve assembly is threaded and threadably engages with a pressure regulator joint 35. The upper end of the pressure spring 34 is coupled to the lower end of the pressure regulator joint 35. The pressure threshold can be set by adjusting the compression of the pressure spring 34 by adjusting the position of the pressure regulator joint 35 on the valve body 311. As the spring 34 is compressed, the force exerted on the pressure valve plate 32 by the spring 34 increases, thereby increasing the force which must be overcome by the pressure in the inflatable chamber for the ejector rod 33 to activate the linkage assembly 40. Further, to further facilitate adjustment of the pressure threshold, a user actuatable controller, illustratively pressure regulator handwheel 36, may be disposed on panel 20 and operatively coupled to the pressure regulator joint 35. Referring to FIGS. 7-9, for example, pressure regulating handwheel 36 is rotatably arranged on panel 20. The internal pressure of the inflatable product can be adjusted at any time through the pressure regulating handwheel 36. To facilitate the connection of the regulator joint 35 with the pressure regulating handwheel 36 and the valve body 311, the regulator joint 35 is arranged in two parts, namely, a gear 351 operatively coupled with the pressure regulator handwheel 36 and a joint body 352 coupled with the valve body, illustratively the joint body 352 is threadably coupled to valve body 311.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 1, the air pump assembly comprises motor 55, a pump body 56, an impeller or blade 57, rotary disc 58, and microswitch 49. The upper end of the motor 55 is operatively coupled to the handwheel 51, and the lower end is coupled on the pump body 56. The lower end of the pump body 56 is coupled to the rotary disc 58, and the lower end of the pump body 56 cooperates with the rotary disc 58 to form a pump chamber. The impeller 57 is arranged in the pump chamber and operatively coupled to the motor 55. The rotary disc 58 is provided with an air inlet 581 and an air outlet 582 in communication with the pump chamber. During the rotation of the air pump assembly, the air inlet 581 and outlet 582 on the rotary disc 58 are selectively connected with the air inlet-and-outlet port 21 of the panel 29. The microswitch 49 is fixed in the body 10 and is operatively coupled to motor 55 for turning on or off the motor 55. The motor 55, the pump body 56 or the rotary disc 58 are provided with an engagement feature, illustratively touch block 491, matching the microswitch 49. Alternatively, the microswitch 49 is fixed on the motor 55, the pump body 56 or the rotary disc 58, and is connected with the motor 55 for turning on or off the motor 55, and the body 10 is provided with an engagement feature, such as touch block 491, in conjunction with the microswitch 49. In the illustrated embodiment, the microswitch 49 is fixed at the lower end of the base 312, and the microswitch 49 interacts with touch block 491. In addition, for the convenience of production, the rotary disc 48 includes an upper rotary disc and a lower rotary disc coupled together. In embodiments, the rotary disc may be monolithically formed as a single structure.

[0066] The air pump assembly further comprises a fixed part 54 fixed in the body 10. The motor 55 is arranged in the fixed part 54, and the bidirectional torsion spring 53 is sleeved outside the fixed part 54.

[0067] The exemplary operation of the air pump is discussed below.

[0068] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when the inflatable product needs to be inflated, an operator rotates the handwheel 51 clockwise, for example, to drive the air pump assembly to rotate. Clamp ring 52 will rotate accordingly. When the inflation position is reached, the inflating locking surface or stop 521 (see FIG. 3) on the clamp ring 52 cooperates with the locking part 421 of the spring pin 42, and the clamp ring 52 is locked with the pin 42 to maintain the inflation-and-deflation control assembly in the inflation position. When the air pump assembly rotates to the inflation position, the air inlet 581 on the rotary disc 58 communicates with the body chamber, the air outlet 582 of the rotary disc 58 communicates with the inflation-and-deflation port 11 of the body 10, and thus the inflation-and-deflation port 11 is opened. At the same time, the touch block 491 on the rotary disc 58 activates the microswitch 49, the motor 55 is energized, and the pump begins to inflate. Thus, in the inflation position, air may flow from the air inlet-and-outlet port 21 in the panel 20, through the inlet 581 of the rotary disc 58 into the pump chamber, out of the outlet 582 of the rotary disc 58, and into the inflatable chamber of the inflatable product through inflation-and-deflation port 11 of body 10.

[0069] When the internal pressure of the inflatable product reaches the set pressure threshold, the air inside the inflatable product moves pressure valve plate 32 upward against the bias of spring 34 resulting in pressure ejector rod 33 moving upward, and the lower tab 333 of the pressure ejector rod 33 contacting the air pressure microswitch 41. The signal switch 44 receives activation signal from the air pressure microswitch 41 and activates the reversing motor 45. After reversing motor 45 starts, it drives the cam 46 to rotate, for example one rotation, during the rotating of the cam 46, the cam 46 pushes the shoulder 422 of spring pin 42, and then pushes the spring pin 42 to compress the spring 43. The locking part 421 of the spring pin 42 disengages from the inflating locking surface or stop 521 of the clamp ring 52 to release the lock. At the same time, under the action of bidirectional torsion spring 53, the clamp ring 52 and the air pump assembly return to the initial position (that is, the closed position), the inflation-and-deflation port 11 is closed, the microswitch 49 is disconnected, and the pump stops inflating, as shown in FIG. 8. When the spring pin 42 loses the thrust of the cam 46, the spring pin 42 returns to the initial position under the action of the pin spring 43.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 9, when the inflatable product needs to be deflated, an operator rotates the handwheel 51 counterclockwise, for example, to drive the air pump assembly to rotate, and the clamp ring 52 will rotate accordingly. When the deflating position is reached, the deflating locking surface or stop 522 on the clamp ring 52 cooperates with the locking part 421 of the spring pin 42, and the clamp ring 52 is locked with the spring pin 42 to maintain the inflation-and-deflation control assembly in the deflation position. When the air pump assembly rotates to the deflation position, the air outlet 582 on the rotary disc 58 communicates with the body chamber and the air inlet-and-outlet port 21 of panel 20, and the air inlet 581 of rotary disc 58 receives air from the inflatable chamber through the inflation and deflating port 11 of body 10. Accordingly, the air inlet-and-outlet port 21 of panel 20 communicates with the inflation-and-deflation port 11 of the body 10, and the inflation-and-deflation port 11 is opened. At the same time, the touch block 491 on the rotary disc 58 turns on the microswitch 49, the motor 55 is energized, and the pump begins to deflate the inflatable product. Thus, in the deflation position, air may flow from the inflatable chamber into the air inlet 581 of the rotary disc 58, through the pump chamber, out of the air outlet 582 of the rotary disc 58, into the body chamber, and out of the air inlet-and-outlet port 21 of panel 20.

[0071] When the inflatable product is deflated, the pressure valve plate 32 moves downward under the suction of the pump, driving the pressure ejector rod 33 to move downward. The upper touch convex block 332 of the pressure ejector rod 33 will move downwards to push against the air pressure microswitch 41. The signal switch 44 receives activation signal from the air pressure microswitch 41 and activates the reversing motor 45. After the reversing motor 45 starts, it drives the cam 46 to rotate, for example by one rotation, the cam 46 in the process of rotation pushes the shoulder 422 of spring pin 42, and then pushes the spring pin 42 to compress the spring 43, thereby disengaging locking part 421 of spring pin 42 from the deflating locking surface 522 of the clamp ring 52. At the same time, under the action of bidirectional torsion spring 53, the clamp ring 52 and the air pump assembly return to the initial position (that is, the closed position), the inflation-and-deflation port 11 is closed, the microswitch 59 is disconnected, and the pump stops deflating. When the spring pin 42 loses the thrust of the cam 46, the pin 42 returns to the initial position under the action of the pin spring 43.

[0072] The pressure valve assembly 30 detects the internal pressure of the inflatable product, and the pressure valve assembly 30 responds according to the internal pressure of the inflatable product, and then activates the linkage assembly 40. The linkage assembly 40 releases the lock of the inflation-and-deflation control assembly 50, the inflation-and-deflation control assembly 50 returns to the closed position, and the inflation-and-deflation control assembly 50 is deactivated. At the same time, the inflation-and-deflation port 11 is closed. Although the linkage assembly 40 of the illustrated embodiment includes a spring pin, a cam, and a cam motor, among other features, alternative arrangements are contemplated herein, such as a mechanical linkage assembly that does include a motor driving a cam, for example. Among other advantages, the present disclosure provides simple structure and simple operation. In use, a user need only operate the handwheel 51, and the pump can be automatically shut down without other additional operations.

EXAMPLES

[0073] Example 1: An air pump for an inflatable product having an inflatable chamber may comprise a body, a panel and an inflation-and-deflation control assembly. The panel may be provided with an air inlet-and-outlet port, the body may be provided with an inflation-and-deflation port, the panel may be coupled to the body, and the body and the panel may cooperate to form a body chamber. The body may be further provided with a pressure-sensing port in communication with the inflatable chamber of the inflatable product. The inflation-and-deflation control assembly may comprise a handwheel, an air pump assembly, a clamp ring, and a bidirectional torsional spring, which may have a pair of ends. The handwheel may be rotatably arranged on the panel, the air pump assembly may be operatively coupled with the handwheel, and the air pump assembly may selectively open or close the inflation-and-deflation port. The clamp ring may be arranged outside the air pump assembly, and both ends of the bidirectional torsion spring may be coupled to the clamp ring. The air pump may further comprise a pressure valve assembly and a linkage assembly arranged in the body chamber, the pressure valve assembly may comprise a pressure valve body, a pressure valve plate, a pressure ejector rod, and a pressure spring, and a valve chamber in communication with the pressure-sensing port may be formed in the pressure valve body. The pressure valve plate may be arranged in the valve chamber, a lower end face of the pressure valve plate may face towards the pressure-sensing port, and an upper end face of the pressure valve plate may be coupled to the pressure ejector rod. The pressure spring may be located in the valve chamber and may be arranged on the pressure ejector rod. The pressure ejector rod may be movably arranged in the valve chamber and may cooperate with the linkage assembly to trigger the linkage assembly to start when the pressure ejector rod moves up or down. The linkage assembly may be arranged on the pressure valve body, and the linkage assembly may selectively lock the clamp ring. When the linkage assembly is locked with the clamp ring, the air pump assembly may be in an inflating position or a deflating position. When the pressure ejector triggers the linkage assembly, the linkage assembly and the clamp ring are unlocked, and the air pump assembly is restored to a closed position.

[0074] Example 2: The air pump according to Example 1, wherein the linkage assembly may comprise an air pressure microswitch, a pin, a pin spring, a signal switch, a reversing motor having an output shaft, and a cam. The air pressure microswitch may be arranged on the pressure valve body and may be movably coupled with the pressure rod. The signal switch may be connected to the reversing motor, and the air pressure microswitch may be actuated by the pressure ejector rod. The cam may be coupled to the output shaft of the reversing motor and may cooperate with the pin. One end of the pin may be arranged with the pin spring, and the other end may be provided with a locking part for locking the clamp ring.

[0075] Example 3: The air pump according to Example 2, wherein the pin may be provided with a shoulder, and, when the cam rotates, the cam may push the pin to move by pushing the shoulder. At this time, the locking part unlocks the clamp ring.

[0076] Example 4: The air pump according to Example 2, wherein the clamp ring may be provided with an inflation locking surface and a deflation locking surface which may cooperate with the locking part of the pin. When the inflation locking surface and the locking part are locked, the air pump assembly may be in the inflation position. When the deflation locking surface is locked with the locking part, the air pump assembly may be in the deflating position.

[0077] Example 5: The air pump according to Example 2, wherein the pressure ejector rod may be provided with a linkage arm, which may cooperate with the pressure microswitch. The linkage arm may be provided with an upper touch tab and a lower touch tab. When the pin and the clamp ring are locked, the air pressure microswitch may be arranged between the upper touch tab and the lower touch tab. When the pin and the clamp ring are unlocked, the upper touch tab or the lower touch tab may contact the air pressure microswitch.

[0078] Example 6: The air pump according to Example 1, wherein the pressure valve body may comprise a valve body and a valve base coupled to the valve body and disposed under the valve body.

[0079] Example 7: The air pump according to Example 1, wherein an upper end of the pressure valve body may be operatively coupled to a pressure regulator joint, and an upper end of the pressure spring may be abutted below the pressure regulator joint.

[0080] Example 8: The air pump according to Example 7, 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.

[0081] Example 9: The air pump according to Example 1, wherein the air pump assembly may comprise a motor, a pump body, an impeller, a rotary disc, and a microswitch. An upper end of the motor may be coupled to the handwheel, and a lower end may be coupled to the pump body. A lower end of the pump body may be coupled to the rotary disc and may cooperate with the rotary disc to form a pump chamber. The impeller may be arranged in the pump chamber and operatively coupled to the motor. The rotary disc may be provided with an air inlet and an air outlet in communication with the pump chamber. As the air pump assembly rotates, the air inlet and the air outlet on the rotary disc may be selectively in communication with the air inlet-and-outlet port of the body. The microswitch may be fixed in the body and connected with the motor for activating or deactivating the motor, and at least one of the motor, the pump body, or the rotary disc may be provided with a touch block matched with a microswitch. Alternatively, the microswitch may be fixed on the motor, the pump body or the rotary disc, and may be operatively coupled to the motor for activating or deactivating the motor, and the body may be provided with a touch block matched with the microswitch.

[0082] Example 10: The air pump according to Example 9, wherein the air pump assembly may further comprise a fixed part, the fixed part may be fixed in the body, the motor may be set in the fixed part, and the bidirectional torsion spring may be sleeved outside the fixed part.

[0083] 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, a panel 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 also comprise an inflation-and-deflation control assembly arranged substantially within the body chamber and configured to selectively place the inlet-and-outlet port of the panel in communication with the inflation-and-deflation port of the body. The inflation-and-deflation control assembly may comprise a user actuatable controller rotatably disposed on the panel, and a collar operatively coupled to the user actuatable controller for rotation therewith. The collar may comprise a first locking surface and a second locking surface. The inflation-and-deflation control assembly may further comprise a pump assembly operatively coupled to the user actuatable controller for rotation therewith. The pump assembly may comprise a pump motor, a pump body, and a pump cover. The pump body and the pump cover may form a pump chamber. The pump cover may comprise an inlet and outlet in communication with the pump chamber, and the pump assembly may further comprise an impeller operatively coupled to the pump motor and disposed within the pump chamber. The air pump may further comprise a pressure valve assembly arranged 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 disposed 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 a pressure ejector rod may be coupled to the second side of the pressure valve plate. The pressure ejector rod may be movable with the pressure valve plate in the first direction and the second direction. The air pump may further comprise a linkage assembly operatively coupled to the pressure valve assembly and the inflation-and-deflation control assembly. The linkage assembly may be selectively activated by the pressure ejector rod and may comprise a lock configured to selectively engage the first locking surface of the collar when the inflation-and-deflation control assembly is in a first position or the second locking surface of the collar when the inflation-and-deflation control assembly is in a second position. The linkage assembly may further comprise a cam configured to selectively disengage the lock from the first locking surface or the second locking surface. Movement of the pressure valve plate in the first direction or the second direction may cause the pressure ejector rod to activate the linkage assembly to disengage the lock from the first locking surface or the second locking surface of the collar.

[0084] Example 12: The air pump according to Example 11, wherein the pressure valve assembly may further comprise a pressure spring sleeved on the pressure ejector rod.

[0085] 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 and operatively coupled to the pressure spring. Rotation of the second user actuatable controller may manipulate the pressure spring to set a pressure threshold for the pressure valve assembly. The pressure ejector rod may activate the linkage assembly when a pressure in the inflatable chamber reaches the pressure threshold.

[0086] Example 14: The air pump according to Example 12, wherein the pressure valve assembly may further comprise a pressure regulating joint rotatably disposed in the valve body and between the second user actuatable controller and the pressure spring. The pressure regulating joint may operatively couple the second user actuatable controller to the pressure spring.

[0087] Example 15: The air pump according to Example 14, wherein the pressure regulating joint may comprise a pressure regulating gear operatively coupled to the second user actuatable controller and a joint body threadably engaged with the valve body.

[0088] Example 16: The air pump according to Example 11, wherein the linkage assembly may further comprise a cam motor, which may comprise an output shaft operatively coupled to the cam, and a switch configured to selectively activate the cam motor. Movement of the pressure ejector rod in the first direction or the second direction may activate the switch of the linkage assembly.

[0089] Example 17: The air pump according to Example 11, wherein the lock of the linkage assembly may comprise a spring pin and a spring sleeved on the spring pin. The spring pin may have a locking end and a shoulder. The locking end may selectively engage with the first locking surface of the collar or the second locking surface of the collar to prevent rotation of the collar. The cam may selectively engage the shoulder of the spring pin to disengage the locking end from the first locking surface or the second locking surface to permit rotation of the collar.

[0090] Example 18: The air pump according to Example 11, wherein the inflation-and-deflation control assembly may further comprise a torsion spring operatively coupled to the collar. The torsion spring may accumulate a restoring force when the inflation-and-deflation control assembly is in the first position or the second position and may be configured to bias the inflation-and-deflation control assembly to a third position when the lock of the linkage assembly disengages from the first locking surface of the collar or the second locking surface of the collar.

[0091] Example 19: The air pump according to Example 18, wherein, when the pressure ejector rod activates the linkage assembly, the collar may rotate to the third position under the restoring force of the torsion spring.

[0092] Example 20: The air pump according to Example 11, wherein, when the inflation-and-deflation control assembly is in the first position, the inlet of the pump cover may be in communication with the air inlet-and-outlet port of the panel and the outlet of the pump cover may be in communication with the inflation-and-deflation port of the body.

[0093] Example 21 The air pump according to Example 11, wherein, when the inflation-and-deflation control assembly is in the second position, the inlet of the pump cover may be in communication with the inflation-and-deflation port of the body and the outlet of the pump cover may be in communication with the air inlet-and-outlet port of the panel.

[0094] Example 22: The air pump according to Example 11, wherein the inflation-and-deflation control assembly may be rotatable to a third position wherein the inlet of the pump cover may be sealed relative to the inflation-and-deflation port of the body.

[0095] Example 23: The air pump according to Example 11, wherein the pump assembly may further comprise a rotatable disc positioned between pump cover and the inflation-and-deflation port of the body. The rotatable disc may comprise an inlet in communication with the inlet of the pump cover and an outlet in communication with the outlet of the pump cover.

[0096] Example 24: The air pump according to Example 11, wherein the pump assembly may further comprise a selectively actuatable switch configured to activate and deactivate the pump motor, and the pump body may comprise an engagement feature configured to actuate the switch.

[0097] Example 25: 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, and the panel and the body may define a body chamber. The air pump may further comprise an inflation-and-deflation control assembly arranged substantially within the body chamber. The inflation-and-deflation control assembly may be configured to selectively place the inlet-and-outlet port of the panel in communication with the inflation-and-deflation port of the body. The inflation-and-deflation control assembly may have a first position and a second position and may comprise a user actuatable controller disposed on the panel, a first stop, and a second stop. The inflation-and-deflation control assembly may further comprise a pump assembly operatively coupled to the user actuatable controller. The pump assembly 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 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. The pressure valve assembly may further comprise an actuator movable by the pressure valve plate from a first position to a second position. The air pump may further comprise a linkage assembly operatively coupled to the pressure valve assembly and the inflation-and-deflation control assembly. The linkage assembly may be selectively activated by the actuator and may comprise a lock configured to selectively engage the first stop of the inflation-and-deflation control assembly when the inflation-and-deflation control assembly is in the first position or the second stop of the inflation-and-deflation control assembly when the inflation-and-deflation control assembly is in the second position. The actuator of the pressure valve assembly may selectively engage with the first stop when the actuator is in the second position and the inflation-and-deflation control assembly is in the first position to maintain the inflation-and-deflation control assembly in the first position and may selectively engage with the second stop when the actuator is in the second position and the inflation-and-deflation control assembly is in the second position to maintain the inflation-and-deflation control 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.

[0098] Example 26: The air pump according to Example 25, wherein the user actuatable controller may be rotatably disposed on the panel.

[0099] Example 27: The air pump according to Example 26, wherein the inflation-and-deflation control assembly may further comprise a collar operatively coupled to the user actuatable controller for rotation therewith, and the first stop and the second stop may be disposed on the collar.

[0100] Example 28: The air pump according to Example 25, wherein the inlet and the outlet of the pump assembly may be formed in the pump cover.

[0101] Example 29: The air pump according to Example 25, wherein the actuator of the pressure valve assembly may comprise a pressure ejector rod coupled to the second side of the pressure valve plate.

[0102] Example 30: The air pump according to Example 25, wherein, when the inflation-and-deflation control assembly is in the first position, the air pump assembly may provide fluid to the inflation-and-deflation port of the body.

[0103] Example 31: The air pump according to Example 25, wherein, when the inflation-and-deflation control assembly is in the second position, the air pump assembly may receive fluid from the inflation-and-deflation port of the body.

[0104] Example 32: The air pump according to Example 25, wherein the inflation-and-deflation control assembly may have a third position wherein the inflation-and-deflation port of the body may be sealed relative to the inlet-and-outlet port of the panel.

[0105] Example 33: The air pump according to Example 25, wherein the second side of the pressure valve plate may be in communication with the environment through the body chamber.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0106] Body 10; Inflation-and-deflation port 11; Pressure-sensing port 12; [0107] Panel 20; Air inlet-and-outlet port 21; [0108] Pressure valve assembly 30; Pressure valve body 31; Valve body 311; Valve base 312; Pressure valve plate 32; Pressure ejector rod 33; Linkage arm 331; Upper tab 332; Lower tab 333; Pressure spring 34; Pressure regulating joint 35; Pressure regulating gear 351; Joint body 352; Pressure regulating handwheel 36; [0109] Linkage assembly 40; Air pressure microswitch 41; Spring pin 42; Locking part 421; shoulder 422; Spring 43; Signal switch 44; Reversing motor 45; cam 46; Microswitch 49; Touch block 491 [0110] Inflation-and-deflation control assembly 50; Handwheel 51; Clamp ring 52; Inflating locking surface or stop 521; Deflating locking surface or stop 522; Bidirectional torsional spring 53; Fixed part 54; Motor 55; Pump body 56; Impeller 57; Rotary disc 58; Inlet 581; Outlet 582.

[0111] 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.