Patent Publication Number: US-11392150-B2

Title: Inflator with automatic shut-off functionality

Description:
PRIORITY 
     This application is a national stage application of PCT/IN2019/050593, filed on Aug. 13, 2019, which claims priority to and the benefit of India Patent Application No. 201841034471, filed on Sep. 12, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is related to the following commonly owned patent and co-pending patent application: U.S. application Ser. No. 29/664,155, filed Sep. 21, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. D904,461 S entitled “Inflator”; and U.S. application Ser. No. 29/757,364, filed Nov. 5, 2020, entitled “Inflator”. 
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to inflators for directing pressurized air into inflatable objects, and more particularly to an inflator configured to automatically stop directing pressurized air into an inflatable object after the air pressure inside the inflatable object has reached a preset pressure. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Inflatable dunnage bags are used to stabilize and limit movement of cargo during transportation of cargo containers. Generally, after some or all of the cargo is loaded into a cargo container, uninflated dunnage bags are positioned in the voids between the cargo. The dunnage bags are then inflated to a desired pressure using pressurized air. The inflated dunnage bags fill the voids to limit movement of the cargo during transit. 
     SUMMARY 
     Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an electronic inflator configured to direct pressurized air into an inflatable object, to monitor the air pressure inside the inflatable object, and to automatically stop directing pressurized air into the inflatable object after determining that the air pressure inside the inflatable object has reached a preset pressure. 
     In various embodiments, an inflator of the present disclosure comprises a housing; an air director supported by the housing and defining an air conduit fluidically connectable to an inflatable object; a pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure within the inflatable object; a trigger movable from a rest position to an actuated position to fluidically connect an air inlet to the air conduit; a movement limiter movable between a lock position in which the movement limiter prevents the trigger from moving from the rest position to the actuated position and a release position in which the movement limiter does not prevent the trigger from moving from the rest position to the actuated position; and a controller configured to cause the movement limiter to move from the lock position to the release position responsive to the pressure within the inflatable object being less than a preset pressure. 
     In various embodiments, a method of the present disclosure of operating an inflator to inflate an inflatable object comprises detecting, by a pressure sensor, a pressure within the inflatable object; monitoring, by a controller, the pressure within the inflatable object; and responsive to the pressure within the inflatable object being less than a preset pressure, causing, by the controller, a movement limiter to move from: (1) a lock position in which the movement limiter prevents a trigger from moving from a rest position to an actuated position to fluidically connect an air inlet to the air conduit; to (2) a release position in which the movement limiter does not prevent the trigger from moving from the rest position to the actuated position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  are perspective views of one example embodiment of an inflator of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1C  is a cross-sectional side-elevational view of the inflator of  FIG. 1A  taken substantially along line  1 C- 1 C of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 1D  is a partially exploded perspective view of the inflator of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are perspective views of the flow-control assembly of the inflator of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2C  is an exploded perspective view of the flow-control assembly of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 2D  is a cross-sectional side-elevational view of the flow-control assembly of  FIG. 2A  taken substantially along line  2 D- 2 D of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 2E  is a perspective view of the trigger shaft of the flow-control assembly of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 2F  is a perspective view of the flow-control shaft of the flow-control assembly of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the air-directing assembly of the inflator of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 3B  is an exploded perspective view of the air-directing assembly of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 3C  is a cross-sectional side-elevational view of the air-directing assembly of  FIG. 3A  taken substantially along line  3 C- 3 C of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 3D  is a cross-sectional top-plan view of the air-directing assembly of  FIG. 3A  taken substantially along line  3 D- 3 D of  FIG. 3A  showing the wings of the check valve of the air-directing assembly in their closed positions. 
         FIG. 3E  is a cross-sectional top-plan view of the air-directing assembly of  FIG. 3A  taken substantially along line  3 D- 3 D of  FIG. 3A  showing the wings of the check valve of the air-directing assembly in their open positions. 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are perspective views of the control module of the inflator of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 4C  is a block diagram showing certain components of the flow-control assembly of  FIG. 3A  and the control module of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIGS. 5A-5F  are cross-sectional fragmentary perspective views of the flow-control assembly of  FIG. 3A  during an inflation process. 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart of a method of operating the inflator of  FIG. 1A  during the inflation process. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While the systems, devices, and methods described herein may be embodied in various forms, the drawings show and the specification describes certain exemplary and non-limiting embodiments. Not all of the components shown in the drawings and described in the specification may be required, and certain implementations may include additional, different, or fewer components. Variations in the arrangement and type of the components; the shapes, sizes, and materials of the components; and the manners of connections of the components may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims. Unless otherwise indicated, any directions referred to in the specification reflect the orientations of the components shown in the corresponding drawings and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. Further, terms that refer to mounting methods, such as coupled, mounted, connected, etc., are not intended to be limited to direct mounting methods but should be interpreted broadly to include indirect and operably coupled, mounted, connected and like mounting methods. This specification is intended to be taken as a whole and interpreted in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure and as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an electronic inflator configured to direct pressurized air into an inflatable object, to monitor the air pressure inside the inflatable object, and to automatically stop directing pressurized air into the inflatable object after determining that the air pressure inside the inflatable object has reached a preset pressure. 
       FIGS. 1-4C  show one embodiment of the inflator  10  of the present disclosure and the components thereof.  FIGS. 5A-5F  show how the inflator  10  operates to direct pressurized air into an inflatable object and to automatically stop directing pressurized air into the inflatable object after determining that the air pressure inside the inflatable object has reached a preset pressure. In this example embodiment, the inflatable object is a dunnage bag, though the inflator  10  may be used to inflate any other suitable inflatable object. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 1C and 1D , the inflator  10  includes a inflator housing  100 , a flow-control assembly  200 , an air-directing assembly  300 , a control assembly  400 , and a power-source assembly  500 . 
     The inflator housing  100  is configured to support and enclose at least part of the flow-control assembly  200 , the air-directing assembly  300 , the control assembly  400 , and the power-source assembly  500 . As best shown in  FIGS. 1A-1D , the inflator housing  100  includes a first inflator-housing portion  110  and a second inflator-housing portion  120  connectable to one another along a split line (not labeled) via fasteners (or in any other suitable manner). The first and second inflator-housing portions  110  and  120  together form a handle  130  ( FIGS. 1A and 1B ) sized and shaped to be grasped by a user to operate the inflator  10 , as described below. 
     The flow-control assembly  200  is configured to control the flow of pressurized air from a pressurized air source (not shown) into the air-directing assembly  300  (and therefore into the inflatable object). As best shown in  FIGS. 1D and 2A-2F , the flow-control assembly  200  includes a first flow-control-assembly support  210 , a trigger shaft  220 , a movement limiter  230 , a movement-limiter-biasing element  230   b , an actuator  240 , a trigger-shaft sensor  250 , a second flow-control-assembly support  260 , a flow-control shaft  270 , a flow-control-shaft-biasing element  270   b , a flow-control-shaft-biasing-element retainer  285 , a flow-control-shaft support  287 , a trigger  290 , and a trigger-biasing element  290   b.    
     As best shown in  FIGS. 2A-2D , the first flow-control-assembly support  210  includes an air-director-mounting portion  212 , an actuator-mounting portion  214  connected to and extending downward from the air-director-mounting portion  212 , and a trigger-shaft-mounting portion  216  connected to the underside of the air-director-mounting portion  212 . The actuator-mounting portion  214  defines a trigger-shaft-receiving opening therethrough (not labeled) sized, shaped, positioned, oriented, and otherwise configured to slidably receive and support part of the trigger shaft  220 , as described below. The trigger-shaft-mounting portion  216  defines a trigger-shaft-receiving bore (not labeled) therethrough that is sized, shaped, positioned, oriented, and otherwise configured to slidably receive and support part of the trigger shaft  220 , as described below. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 2E , the trigger shaft  220  has a longitudinal axis LA 220  and includes: (1) a cylindrical trigger-connection portion  222  having a circular flow-control-shaft-engaging surface  222   a  and defining a cylindrical trigger-mounting bore  222   b  therethrough; (2) a cylindrical first intermediate portion  223  connected to (and having a smaller diameter than) the trigger-connection portion  222 ; (3) a cylindrical sensed portion  224  connected to (and having a larger diameter than) the first intermediate portion  223 ; (4) a cylindrical second intermediate portion  225  connected to (and having a smaller diameter than) the sensed portion  224 ; (5) a cylindrical movement-limiting portion  226  connected to (and having a larger diameter than) the second intermediate portion  224  and having an annular first movement-limiter-engaging surface  226   a  and an opposing annular second movement-limiter-engaging surface  226   b ; and (6) a cylindrical end portion  227  connected to (and having a smaller diameter than) the movement-limiting portion  226  and having a cylindrical outer surface  227   a.    
     As best shown in  FIGS. 2B and 2C , the movement limiter  230  includes a generally U-shaped body formed from generally parallel and spaced-apart first and second arms  232  and  234  connected by a connector  236 . 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 2A-2D , the actuator assembly  240  includes an actuator support  241  and an actuator  242  mounted to the actuator support  241 . In this example embodiment, the actuator  242  includes a linear solenoid actuator including: (1) an actuator housing  242   a  mounted to the actuator support  241 ; (2) a solenoid  242   b  ( FIG. 2D ) within the actuator housing  242   a  and defining a longitudinal actuator-arm-receiving bore (not shown) therethrough; (3) a cylindrical actuator arm  242   c  slidably received in the actuator-arm-receiving bore of the solenoid  242   b  such that a movement-limiter-engaging end  242   c   1  and an opposing second end (not labeled) of the actuator arm  242   c  are external to opposite ends of the actuator housing  242   a ; (4) a biasing-element retainer  242   d  mounted to the actuator arm  242   c  near the second end of the actuator arm  242   c ; and (5) an actuator-arm-biasing element  242   e  (here, a compression spring) that circumscribes part of the actuator arm  242   c  and is retained between the biasing-element retainer  242   d  and the actuator support  241 . 
     The actuator-arm-biasing element  242   e  biases the actuator arm  242   c  to a retracted position shown in  FIG. 2D . When an electrical current is passed through the solenoid  242   b  (under control of the controller  400   a , described below), the solenoid  242   b  behaves like an electromagnet and forces the actuator arm  242   c  to move from its retracted position to an extended position (not shown). This causes the biasing-element retainer  242   d —which is attached to the actuator arm  242   c —to compress the actuator-arm-biasing element  242   e  against the actuator support  241 , as shown in  FIGS. 5C and 5E . When the electrical current is shut off, the actuator-arm-biasing element  242   e  biases the actuator arm  242   c  to return to its retracted position. This is merely one example embodiment of the actuator, and any other suitable actuator may be employed to move the movement limiter from its lock position to its release position (as described below with respect to  FIGS. 5A-5F ). 
     The trigger-shaft sensor  250 , best shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C , includes any suitable sensor configured to detect the presence of the sensed portion  224  of the trigger shaft  220 . In this example embodiment, the trigger-shaft sensor  250  includes an electromechanical micro-switch that includes a sensing arm  250   a  biased to a rest position and movable (responsive to being contacted by the sensed portion  224  of the trigger shaft  220 , as described below) from the rest position to an actuated position to actuate the trigger-shaft sensor  250 . In response, the trigger-shaft sensor  250  is configured to send a corresponding signal to the controller  400   a  (described below). The trigger-shaft sensor  250  is also configured to send an appropriate signal to the controller  400   a  responsive to the sensing arm  250   a  moving from the actuated position back to the rest position (such as in response to the sensed portion  224  moving out of contact with the sensing arm  250   a ). 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 2A-2D , the second flow-control-assembly support  260  includes an air-director-mounting portion  262  and an air-directing portion  264  connected to the underside of the air-director-mounting portion  262 . The air-directing portion  264  includes a body that defines three bores in fluid communication with one another: (1) an air-inlet bore  264   ai  that includes an air inlet (for receiving air from the pressurized air source); (2) an air-outlet bore  264   ao ; and (3) a flow-control-shaft-receiving bore  264   sr . These three bores have generally cylindrical cross-sections. The air-inlet bore  264   ai  and the flow-control-shaft-receiving bore  264   sr  have the same longitudinal axis in this example embodiment. The air-inlet bore  264   ai  has a larger diameter than the flow-control-shaft-receiving bore  264   sr , and the body of the air-directing portion  264  includes a conical sealing surface  264   ss  at the transition between these two bores. The air-outlet bore  264   ao  is oriented so its longitudinal axis is transverse to (and in this example embodiment coplanar with) the longitudinal axis of the air-inlet bore  264   ai  and the flow-control-shaft-receiving bore  264   sr.    
     The flow-control-shaft-receiving bore  264   sr  is sized, shaped, positioned, oriented, and otherwise configured to receive and support the flow-control shaft  270 , as described below. The air-inlet bore  264   ai  is sized, shaped, positioned, oriented, and otherwise configured to receive and retain the flow-control-shaft support  287  and to be mechanically and fluidically connected (such as via the illustrated threading) to an implement configured to direct pressurized air into the air-inlet bore  264   ai . The air-outlet bore  264   ao  is sized, shaped, positioned, oriented, and otherwise configured to be fluidically connected to the air-directing assembly  300 , as described below. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 2F , the flow-control shaft  270  has a longitudinal axis L A270  and includes: (1) a generally cylindrical first end portion  271 ; (2) a cylindrical first intermediate portion  272  connected to (and having a smaller diameter than) the first end portion  271 ; (3) a conical second intermediate portion  273  connected to (and having a larger major diameter than) the first intermediate portion  272 ; (4) a cylindrical third intermediate portion  274  connected to (and having a smaller diameter than) the second intermediate portion  273 ; (5) a cylindrical fourth intermediate portion  275  connected to (and having a larger diameter than) the third intermediate portion  274 ; (6) a cylindrical fifth intermediate portion  276  connected to (and having a smaller diameter than) the fourth intermediate portion  275 ; (7) a cylindrical sixth intermediate portion  277  connected to (and having a larger diameter than) the fifth intermediate portion  276 ; (8) a cylindrical seventh intermediate portion  278  connected to (and having a smaller diameter than) the sixth intermediate portion  277 ; (9) a cylindrical eighth intermediate portion  270  connected to (and having a larger diameter than) the seventh intermediate portion  278  and having an annular retainer-engaging surface  279   a ; and (10) a cylindrical second end portion  280  connected to (and having a smaller diameter than) the eighth intermediate portion  270  and including a threaded (not shown for clarity) cylindrical outer surface  280   a  and a circular trigger-shaft-engaging surface  280   b.    
     A first annular sealing-element-receiving channel  270   a  is formed between the sixth and eighth intermediate portions  277  and  279 . The first sealing-element-receiving channel  270   a  is sized to receive a first sealing element  200   a , best shown in  FIGS. 2C and 2D . In this example embodiment, the first sealing element  200   a  includes an O-ring (though any other suitable sealing element may be employed). A second annular sealing-element-receiving channel  270   b  is formed between the fourth and sixth intermediate portions  275  and  277 . The second sealing-element-receiving channel  270   b  is sized to receive a second sealing element  200   b , best shown in  FIGS. 2C and 2D . In this example embodiment, the second sealing element  200   b  includes an O-ring (though any other suitable sealing element may be employed). A third annular sealing-element-receiving channel  270   c  is formed between the first end portion  271  and the second intermediate portion  273 . The third sealing-element-receiving channel  270   c  is sized to receive a third sealing element  200   c , best shown in  FIGS. 2C and 2D . In this example embodiment, the third sealing element  200   c  includes an O-ring (though any other suitable sealing element may be employed). 
     As best shown in  FIG. 2D , the flow-control-shaft-biasing element  270   b  includes a compression spring, though any other suitable biasing element may be employed in other embodiments. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 2C and 2D , the flow-control-shaft-biasing-element retainer  285  includes a body comprising an annular head  285   a  and an annular base  285   b  connected to the head  285   a . A threaded flow-control-shaft-receiving bore  285   c  is defined through the body. The flow-control-shaft-receiving bore  285   c  is sized, shaped, positioned, oriented, and otherwise configured to threadably receive the second end portion  280  of the flow-control shaft  270 , as described below. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 2C and 2D , the flow-control-shaft support  287  includes a body having an annular outer wall  287   a  and multiple radially inwardly extending arms  287   b  that support an annular flow-control-shaft-support hub  287   c . The flow-control-shaft-support hub  287   c  defines an opening sized, shaped, positioned, oriented, and otherwise configured to receive and support the first end portion  271  of the flow-control shaft  270 . An air flow path  287   fp  is defined through the flow-control-shaft support  287 . 
       FIG. 2D  shows the assembled flow-control assembly  200 . The trigger shaft  220  is slidably mounted to the first flow-control-assembly support  210  such that the trigger shaft  220  is movable relative to the first flow-control assembly support  210  along the longitudinal axis LA 220  between a rest position ( FIG. 2D ) and an actuated position ( FIG. 5D ). More specifically: (1) the end portion  227  of the trigger shaft  220  is received in the trigger-shaft-receiving opening defined in the actuator-mounting portion  214  of the first flow-control-assembly support  210  and supported by the actuator-mounting portion  214 ; and (2) the trigger-connection portion  222  of the trigger shaft  220  is received in the trigger-shaft-receiving bore defined in the trigger-shaft-mounting portion  216  and supported by the trigger-shaft-mounting portion  216 . 
     The trigger  290  is mounted to the trigger shaft  220  near the center of the trigger  290  via pins  290   p   1  and  290   p   2  that extend through mounting openings defined in the trigger  290  and are threadably received in the trigger-mounting bore  222   b  of the trigger-connection portion  222  of the trigger shaft  220 . The trigger  290  is pivotably mounted near its upper end to the air director  310  of the air-directing assembly  300  (described below) such that the trigger  290  is rotatable between a rest position ( FIG. 2D ) and an actuated position ( FIG. 5D ). The trigger-biasing element  290   b  (here a torsion spring though any suitable biasing element may be employed) biases the trigger  290  to its rest position. Since the trigger  290  is connected to the trigger shaft  220 , the position of the trigger  290  controls the position of the trigger shaft  220 . More specifically: (1) when the trigger  290  is in its rest position, the trigger shaft  220  is in its rest position; and (2) when the trigger  290  is in its actuated position, the trigger shaft  220  is in its actuated position. Further, since the trigger-biasing element  290   b  biases the trigger  290  to its rest position, the trigger-biasing element  290   b  also biases the trigger shaft  220  to its rest position. 
     The movement limiter  230  is pivotably mounted to the first flow-control-assembly support  210  such that the movement limiter  230  is pivotable relative to the first flow-control-assembly support  210  between a lock position ( FIG. 2D ) and a release position ( FIGS. 5C and 5E ). More specifically, the movement limiter  230  is pivotably mounted to the underside of the air-director-mounting portion  212  of the first flow-control-assembly support  210  via a pivot pin  230   p  that extends through suitable mounting openings (not shown) defined through the air-director-mounting portion  212  and mounting openings (not labeled) defined through the arms  232  and  234  of the movement limiter  230 . The movement-limiter-biasing element  230   b  (here a torsion spring though any suitable biasing element may be employed) biases the movement limiter  230  to its lock position. 
     When the movement limiter  230  is in its lock position and the trigger shaft  220  is in its rest position, the movement limiter  230  prevents the trigger shaft  220  from moving from its rest position to its actuated position. Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 5B , the second arm  234  of the movement limiter  230  is in the path of the movement-limiting portion  226  of the trigger shaft  220  such that movement of the trigger shaft  220  from its rest position toward its actuated position causes the first movement-limiter-engaging surface  226   a  of the movement-limiting portion  226  to contact the second arm  234  of the movement limiter  230 . This prevents the trigger shaft  220  from moving to its actuated position. When the movement limiter  230  is in its lock position and the trigger shaft  220  is in its actuated position, the movement limiter  230  prevents the trigger shaft  220  from moving from its actuated position to its rest position. Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 5D , the second arm  234  of the movement limiter  230  is in the path of the movement-limiting portion  226  of the trigger shaft  220  such that movement of the trigger shaft  220  from its actuated position toward its rest position causes the second movement-limiter-engaging surface  226   b  of the movement-limiting portion  226  to contact the second arm  234  of the movement limiter  230 . This prevents the trigger shaft  220  from moving to its rest position. When the movement limiter  230  is in its release position, the trigger shaft  220  can freely move between its rest and actuated positions. 
     The actuator assembly  240  is mounted to the actuator-mounting portion  214  of the first flow-control-assembly support  210  such that the movement-limiter-engaging end  242   c   1  of the actuator arm  242   c  of the actuator  242  of the actuator assembly  240  can (directly or indirectly) contact the movement limiter  230  (such as one of the arms  232  and  234  or the connector  236 ) when the actuator arm  242   c  is in extended position to move the movement limiter  230  from its lock position to its release position. Put more generally, the actuator  242  is operably connected to the movement limiter  230  to move the movement limiter  230  from its lock position to its release position. 
     The trigger-shaft sensor  250  is mounted to the first flow-control-assembly support  210  such that the trigger-shaft sensor  250  can detect when the trigger shaft  220  has moved from its rest position to an intermediate position (before the trigger shaft reaches its actuated position). More specifically, the trigger-shaft sensor  250  is mounted to the underside of the air-director-mounting portion  212  of the first flow-control-assembly support  210  and positioned such that the sensed portion  224  of the trigger shaft  220  contacts and actuates the sensing arm  250   a  of the trigger-shaft sensor  250  as the trigger shaft  220  reaches the intermediate position. In this example embodiment, the trigger shaft  220  reaches the intermediate position just before or as the first movement-limiter-engaging surface  226   a  of the movement-limiting portion  226  of the trigger shaft  220  reaches the second arm  234  of the movement limiter  230 . 
     The flow-control-shaft support  287  is threadably received in the air-outlet bore  264   ao  of the air-directing portion  264  of the second flow-control-assembly mounting support  260  such that the opening defined in the flow-control-shaft-support hub  287   c  is generally aligned with the flow-control-shaft-receiving bore  264   sr  and the air flow path  287   fp  is in fluid communication with the air-inlet bore  264   ai  defined in the air-directing portion  264 . 
     The flow-control shaft  270  is slidably mounted to the second flow-control-assembly support  260  such that the flow-control shaft  270  is movable relative to the second flow-control assembly support  260  along the longitudinal axis LA 270  between a rest position ( FIG. 2D ) and an actuated position ( FIG. 5D ). More specifically: (1) the first end portion  271  of the flow-control shaft  270  is received in the opening defined in the flow-control-shaft-support hub  287   c  of the flow-control-shaft support  287  and supported by the flow-control-shaft support  287 ; and (2) the second end portion  280  of the flow-control shaft  270  is received in the flow-control-shaft-receiving bore  264   sr  defined in the second flow-control-assembly support  260  and supported by the second flow-control-assembly support  260 . 
     The first and second sealing elements  200   o   1  and  200   o   2  sealingly engage the wall of the second flow-control-assembly support  260  that define the flow-control-shaft-receiving bore  264   sr  when the flow-control shaft  270  is in its rest and actuated positions. The third sealing element  200   o   3  sealingly engages the sealing surface  264   ss  of the second flow-control-assembly support  260  when the flow-control shaft  270  is in its rest position such that the air-inlet bore  264   ai  and the air flow path  287   fp  are not in fluid communication with the air-outlet bore  264   ao . The third sealing element  200   o   3  is spaced-apart from (i.e., does not sealingly engage) the sealing surface  264   ss  when the flow-control shaft  270  is in its actuated position such that the air-inlet bore  264   ai  and the air flow path  287   fp  are in fluid communication with the air-outlet bore  264   ao.    
     The flow-control-shaft-biasing-element retainer  285  is threadably mounted to the second end portion  280  of the flow-control shaft  270 . The flow-control-shaft-biasing element  270   b  circumscribes the body  285   b  of the flow-control-shaft-biasing-element retainer  285  and part of the second end portion  280  of the flow-control shaft  270  and is retained between an underside (not labeled) of the head  285   a  of the flow-control-shaft-biasing-element retainer  285  and a retaining surface  264   r  of the second flow-control-assembly support  260 . The flow-control-shaft-biasing element  270   b  biases the flow-control shaft  270  to its rest position. 
     The first and second flow-control-assembly supports  210  and  260  are mounted to the underside of the air director  310  of the air-directing assembly  300  (described below) such that the longitudinal axes LA 220  and LA 270  of the trigger shaft  220  and the flow-control shaft  270  are coaxial (i.e., such that the trigger shaft  220  and the flow-control shaft  270  have the same longitudinal axis). 
     The air-directing assembly  300  is configured to receive pressurized air from the flow-control assembly  200  and to direct that pressurized air into the inflatable object. As best shown in  FIGS. 3A-3D , the air-directing assembly  300  includes an air director  310 , an end cap  320 , and a check valve  330 . 
     The air director  310  includes an elongated annular body  312 , a partition  314 , and a nozzle  316 . The partition  314  extends radially across the inner diameter of the body  312  and is longitudinally positioned near a rear end of the body  312 . As best shown in  FIGS. 3C and 3D , the partition  314  defines an L-shaped air conduit  314   a  having a generally circular cross-section that is sized, shaped, positioned, oriented, and otherwise configured to route pressurized air received from the flow-control assembly  200 . The nozzle  316  is positioned at an opposite front end of the body  312  and is configured such that an inflation head (not shown) fluidically connectable to the inflatable object can be mechanically mounted to the nozzle  316 . 
     The end cap  320  includes a body having an annular outer wall  322  and a check-valve-retaining element  324 . The check-valve-retaining element  324  extends radially across the inner diameter of the outer wall  322  and defines a groove (not labeled) sized to receive part of the check valve  330 . 
     The check valve  330  includes an elastomeric body that has a mounting portion  332 , a first wing  334  on one side of the mounting portion  332 , and a second wing  336  on an opposite side of the mounting portion  332 . The wings  334  and  336  are pivotable relative to the mounting portion  332  between open and closed positions. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 3C and 3D , the end cap  320  is mounted to the rear end of the air director  310  to retain the check valve  330  in place. Specifically, the mounting portion  332  of the check valve  330  is received in the groove of the check-valve-retaining element  324  of the end cap  320  and retained in place via interference fit. The end cap  320  (with the check valve  330  mounted thereto) is attached to the rear end of the body  312  of the air director  310  (such as via fasteners) such that the rear end of the partition  314  is adjacent the mounting portion  332  of the check valve  330  to prevent the check valve  330  from accidentally being removed from the end cap  320 . 
       FIG. 3D  shows the first and second wings  334  and  336  of the check valve  330  in their closed positions. When in their closed positions, the first and second wings  334  and  336  engage an annular lip (not labeled) of the end cap  320  and prevent air from flowing out of the rear opening of the air conduit  312   a  (i.e., from left to right in  FIG. 3D ). The first and second wings  334  and  336  are movable (such as via the Venturi effect, as explained below) from their closed positions to open positions shown in  FIG. 3E . 
     The air director  310  and the end cap  320  together define an air conduit  312   a  that extends from the openings formed in the end cap  320  (which are closed when the wings  334  and  336  of the check valve  330  are in their closed positions and open when the wings are in their open positions) to the opening formed in the nozzle  316 . The air conduit  314   a  defined in the partition  314  is in fluid communication with the air conduit  312   a.    
     The control assembly  400  is configured to control the automatic shut-off functionality of the inflator  10 , to output information to the user, to receive inputs from the user, and to communicate with an external device. As best shown in  FIGS. 4A-4C , the control assembly  400  includes a controller  400   a , a communications interface  400   b , a housing  410 , a display device  420 , an input device  430 , a light  440 , and a pressure sensor  450 . 
     The controller  400   a  is enclosed within the housing  410  and may be any suitable type of controller (such as a programmable logic controller) that includes any suitable processing device(s) (such as a microprocessor, a microcontroller-based platform, an integrated circuit, or an application-specific integrated circuit) and any suitable memory device(s) (such as random access memory, read-only memory, or flash memory). The memory device(s) stores instructions executable by the processing device(s) to control operation of certain components of the inflator  10 . 
     The communications interface  400   b  is enclosed within the housing  410  and configured to establish and facilitate bidirectional communication between the controller  400   a  and an external device, such as a computing device (e.g., a laptop computer, a tablet computer, or a mobile phone, not shown). In operation, once the communications interface  400   b  establishes communication with the computing device, the controller  400   a  can send data (via the communications interface  400   b ) associated with the operation of the inflator  10  to the external device and receive data (via the communications interface  400   b ) from the external device. The communications interface  400   b  may be any suitable wireless communication interface having any suitable architecture and utilizing any suitable protocol such as, but not limited to: 802.11 (WiFi); 802.15 (including Bluetooth); 802.16 (WiMax); 802.22; cellular standards such as CDMA, CDMA2000, and WCDMA; Radio Frequency (e.g., RFID); infrared; and Near-Field Communication (NFC) protocols. 
     The display device  420  is supported by the housing  410  and may include any suitable type of display device, such as (but not limited to): a plasma display, a liquid-crystal display (LCD), a display based on light-emitting diodes (LEDs), a display based on a plurality of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), a display based on polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs), a display based on a plurality of surface-conduction electron-emitters (SEDs), a display including a projected and/or reflected image, or any other suitable electronic device or display mechanism. The display device  420  may be of any suitable size, shape, and configuration. 
     The input device  430  is supported by the housing  410  and configured to receive an input from a user. In this example embodiment, the input device  430  includes a mechanical pushbutton. The input device  430  may be any other suitable input device such as, but not limited to, a mechanical switch, a mechanical dial, or a touch panel. 
     The light  440  is supported by the housing  410  and is any suitable type of light, such as a light-emitting diode. 
     The pressure sensor  450  is supported by the housing  410  and is any suitable type of pressure sensor, such as a silicon micromachined piezoresistive pressure sensing chip that provide proportional voltage output responsive to pressure applied to it. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4C , the controller  400   a  is operably connected to the display device  420  to control the display device  420  to display content. The controller  400   a  is communicatively connected to the input device  430  to receive signals from the input device  430  responsive to actuation of the input device  430 . The controller  400   a  is operably connected to the light  440  to control operation of the light  440  (i.e., to turn the light  440  on and off). The controller  400   a  is communicatively connected to the pressure sensor  450  to receive signals from the pressure sensor  450  indicative of the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor  450 . The controller  400   a  is operably connected to the actuator  242  to control movement of the actuator arm  242   c  from its rest position to its extended position (via directing electrical current to the solenoid  242   b ). The controller  400   a  is communicatively connected to the trigger-shaft sensor  250  to receive signals from the trigger-shaft sensor  250  responsive to actuation and de-actuation of the trigger-shaft sensor  250 . 
     The housing  410  is mounted to an upper portion of the air director  310  of the air-directing assembly  300  such that the pressure sensor  450  is positioned to detect the pressure within the air conduit  312   a  defined by the body  312  of the air director  310  (which, then the inflator is in fluid communication with the inflatable object, is the same as the pressure within the inflatable object). 
     The power-source assembly  500  includes, is electrically connected to, or is configured to receive a power source (such as one or more replaceable or rechargeable batteries) configured to power the electronic components of the flow-control assembly  200  and the control assembly  400  (e.g., the actuator  242 , the controller  400   a , the communications interface  400   b , the display device  420 , the light  440 , and the pressure sensor  450 ). In this example embodiment, the power-source assembly  500  includes a power source housing that is removably attached to the handle  130  of the inflator housing  100  and configured to house the power source. 
     Operation of the inflator  10  to inflate the dunnage bag is now described with reference to the inflation process  600  of the flowchart shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIGS. 5A-5F , which show part of the inflator  10 . Here, although not shown, an implement in fluid communication with a pressurized air source is mechanically and fluidically connected to the air-directing portion  264  such that the pressurized air source is in fluid communication with the air-inlet bore  264   ai  of the air-directing portion  264  and the air-flow path  287   fp  of the flow-control-shaft support  287 . Also, the air conduit  310  is in fluid communication with the dunnage bag. 
     Initially, as shown in  FIG. 5A , the trigger  290 , the trigger shaft  220 , and the flow-control shaft are in their respective rest positions. The user begins rotating the trigger  290  from its rest position to its actuated position, which causes the trigger shaft  220  to begin moving from its rest position to its actuated position, as block  602  indicates. As trigger shaft  220  reaches its intermediate position, the trigger-shaft sensor  250  detects the trigger shaft  220 , as block  604  indicates. More specifically, as the trigger shaft  220  reaches its intermediate position, the sensed portion  224  of the trigger shaft  220  actuates the trigger-shaft sensor  250 , which sends a corresponding signal to the controller  400   a.    
     Responsive to receiving this signal, the controller  400   a  determines whether the pressure within the inflatable object is less than a preset pressure, as diamond  606  indicates. In this example embodiment, the controller  400   a  uses feedback received from the pressure sensor  450  to determine the pressure within the inflatable object and compares that pressure to a stored preset pressure. If the pressure within the inflatable object is not less than the preset pressure, the process  600  ends. In other words, the movement limiter  230  remains in its lock position and prevents the trigger shaft  220  from moving from its intermediate position to its actuated position. 
     If, on the other hand, the pressure within the inflatable object is less than the preset pressure, the actuator  242  moves the movement limiter  230  from its lock position to its release position to enable the trigger  290  and the trigger shaft  220  to continue moving to their actuated positions, as block  608  indicates and as shown in  FIG. 5C . More specifically, the controller  400   a  directs an electrical current through the solenoid  242   b , which causes the solenoid  242   b  to force the actuator arm  242   c  to move from its retracted position to its extended position to contact the arm  234  of the movement limiter  230  and move the movement limiter  230  from its lock position to its release position. 
     With the movement limiter  230  out of the way, continued rotation of the trigger  290  causes the trigger shaft  220  to contact the flow-control shaft  270  and begin moving the flow-control shaft from its rest position to its actuated position, as block  610  indicates, which disengages the third sealing element  200   o   3  from the sealing surface  264   ss  and enables pressurized air to begin flowing from the flow-control assembly  200  into the air-directing assembly  300  and from the air-directing assembly  300  into the inflatable object, as block  610  indicates. As this occurs, the Venturi effect causes the first and second wings  334  and  336  to move from their closed positions to open positions ( FIG. 3E ) to draw air from the atmosphere and direct that air into the inflatable object to speed inflation. The trigger  290 , the trigger shaft  220 , and the flow-control shaft  270  eventually reach their actuated positions, as block  612  indicates and as shown in  FIG. 5D . 
     The actuator  242  enables the movement limiter  230  to move from its release position to its lock position, thereby locking the trigger  290 , the trigger shaft  220 , and the flow-control shaft  270  in their actuated positions, as block  614  indicates and as shown in  FIG. 5D . Specifically, after a preset time period, the controller  400   a  stops directing electrical current through the solenoid  242   b , which causes the actuator-arm-biasing element  242   e  to move the actuator arm  242   c  back to its retracted position. At this point, the user releases the trigger  290 , and the trigger  290  and the trigger shaft  220  move slightly back toward their respective rest positions until the second movement-limiter-engaging surface  226   b  of the movement-limiting portion  226  of the trigger shaft  220  contacts the second arm  234  of the movement limiter  230 , which prevents further movement of the trigger shaft  220  (and therefore the trigger  290  and the flow-control shaft  270 ) toward its rest position. 
     At this point the controller  400   a  continues to monitor the pressure within the inflatable object relative to the preset pressure, and the pressure within the inflatable object eventually reaches the preset pressure, as block  616  indicates. In response, the actuator  242  moves the movement limiter  230  from its lock position to its release position (as described above) to enable the trigger  290 , the trigger shaft  220 , and the flow-control shaft  270  to return to their rest positions, as block  618  indicates and as shown in  FIG. 5E . Without the movement limiter  230  preventing such movement, the respective biasing elements bias the trigger  290 , the trigger shaft  220 , and the flow-control shaft  270  to their respective rest positions to stop the flow of pressurized air into the inflatable object, as block  620  indicates and as shown in  FIG. 5F . The fact that the actuator needs only to pivot the movement limiter to enable inflation and later stop inflation means the actuator requires less power per inflation cycle than known battery-powered inflators that employ actuators that actively hold orifices open during inflation, which extends battery life. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1D , the inflator  10  includes a manual override component that enables the user to configure the inflator  10  for purely manual operation, i.e., without the automatic shut-off functionality. The manual override component includes a dial  15  having a finger  15   a  and an inner component  18  having a movement-limiter engager  18   a . The manual override component is supported by the first inflator housing component  110 . More specifically, dial  15  and the inner component  18  are attached to one another via a fastener  19  such that they sandwich the first inflator housing component  110  with the dial  15  positioned outside the inflator housing  110  and the inner component  18  positioned within the inflator housing  110 . The dial  15  and the inner component  18  rotate as one between a standard position ( FIG. 1D ) and an override position (not shown). When the manual override component is in the standard position, the movement-limiter engager  18 A of the inner component  18  is spaced apart from the movement limiter  230 . Rotating the manual override component from the standard position to the override position causes the movement-limiter engager  18 A to contact the movement limiter  230  and move the movement limiter  203  from its lock position to its release position. This enables the user to pull the trigger regardless of whether the pressure within the inflatable object is at or above the preset pressure. 
     The preset pressure may be set in any suitable manner. In certain embodiments, the input device  430  is configured to enable the user to select the preset pressure. In other embodiments, the user can select the preset pressure using the external device, which later sends that preset pressure to the controller  400   a  via the communications interface  400   b.    
     In various embodiments, the display device may display any of a variety of information, such as (but not limited to): the preset pressure, the detected pressure within the inflatable object, and/or the remaining battery life. 
     In various embodiments, responsive to the trigger-shaft sensor detecting that the trigger shaft has reached its intermediate position, the controller determines whether adequate battery life remains (e.g., determines whether battery life remaining is above a threshold) before controlling the actuator to move the movement limiter from its lock position to its release position. If the controller determines that adequate battery life does not remain, the controller does not move the movement limiter from its lock position to its release position. This prevents a situation in which the inflator will not have enough power to automatically stop inflation when the pressure within the inflatable object reaches the preset pressure, which could lead to over-inflation. 
     In various embodiments, if the controller determines that battery life falls below a preset threshold during inflation, the controller controls the actuator to move the movement limiter from its lock position to its release position to terminate inflation. This prevents a situation in which the inflator will not have enough power to automatically stop inflation when the pressure within the inflatable object reaches the preset pressure, which could lead to over-inflation. 
     In various embodiments, an inflator of the present disclosure comprises a housing; an air director supported by the housing and defining an air conduit fluidically connectable to an inflatable object; a pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure within the inflatable object; a trigger movable from a rest position to an actuated position to fluidically connect an air inlet to the air conduit; a movement limiter movable between a lock position in which the movement limiter prevents the trigger from moving from the rest position to the actuated position and a release position in which the movement limiter does not prevent the trigger from moving from the rest position to the actuated position; and a controller configured to cause the movement limiter to move from the lock position to the release position responsive to the pressure within the inflatable object being less than a preset pressure. 
     In certain such embodiments, the inflator further comprises an actuator operably connected to the movement limiter. The controller is configured to cause the actuator to move the movement limiter from at least one of: (1) the lock position to the release position; and (2) the release position to the lock position. 
     In certain such embodiments, the controller is configured to cause the actuator to move the movement limiter from only one of: (1) the lock position to the release position; and (2) the release position to the lock position. 
     In certain such embodiments, the inflator further comprises a movement-limiter-biasing element that biases the movement limiter to the other one of: (1) the lock position; and (2) the release position. 
     In certain such embodiments, the inflator further comprises a trigger shaft movable between a rest position and an actuated position, wherein: (1) movement of the trigger from its rest position to its actuated position causes the trigger shaft to move from its rest position to its actuated position; and (2) movement of the trigger from its actuated position to its rest position causes the trigger shaft to move from its actuated position to its rest position; and a trigger-shaft sensor configured to sense when the trigger shaft has reached an intermediate position between the rest position and the actuated position. 
     In certain such embodiments, the trigger-shaft sensor is configured to directly sense the trigger shaft when the trigger shaft has reached the intermediate position. 
     In certain such embodiments, the controller is further configured to, responsive to the pressure within the inflatable object being less than the preset pressure when the trigger-shaft sensor senses that the trigger shaft has reached the intermediate position, control the actuator to move the movement limiter to its release position. 
     In certain such embodiments, the inflator further comprises a flow-control shaft comprising a sealing element, wherein the flow-control shaft is movable between a rest position in which the sealing element sealingly engages a sealing surface such that air cannot flow from the air inlet to the air conduit and an actuated position in which the sealing element does not sealingly engage the sealing surface such that the air inlet is in fluid communication with the air conduit. 
     In certain such embodiments, movement of the trigger from its rest position to its actuated position causes the flow-control shaft to move from its rest position to its actuated position. 
     In certain such embodiments, the inflator further comprises an actuator operably connected to the movement limiter, wherein the controller is configured to cause the actuator to move the movement limiter from at least one of: (1) the lock position to the release position; and (2) the release position to the lock position. 
     In certain such embodiments, the inflator further comprises a trigger shaft movable between a rest position and an actuated position, wherein: (1) movement of the trigger from its rest position to its actuated position causes the trigger shaft to move from its rest position to its actuated position; and (2) movement of the trigger from its actuated position to its rest position causes the trigger shaft to move from its actuated position to its rest position; and a trigger-shaft sensor configured to sense when the trigger shaft has reached an intermediate position between the rest position and the actuated position. 
     In certain such embodiments, the controller is further configured to, responsive to the pressure within the inflatable object being less than the preset pressure when the trigger-shaft sensor senses that the trigger shaft has reached the intermediate position, control the actuator to move the movement limiter to its release position. 
     In certain such embodiments, movement of the trigger shaft from its rest position to its actuated position causes the flow-control shaft to move from its rest position to its actuated position. 
     In certain such embodiments, the flow-control shaft is in its rest position when the trigger shaft is in its intermediate position. 
     In certain such embodiments, the inflator further comprises a flow-control-shaft-biasing element that biases the flow-control shaft to its rest position, a trigger-biasing element that biases the trigger and the trigger shaft to their respective rest positions, and a movement-limiter-biasing element that biases the movement limiter to its lock position. 
     In certain such embodiments, the controller is further configured to cause the movement limiter to move from the lock position to the release position responsive to the pressure within the inflatable object reaching the preset pressure. 
     In various embodiments, a method of the present disclosure of operating an inflator to inflate an inflatable object comprises detecting, by a pressure sensor, a pressure within the inflatable object; monitoring, by a controller, the pressure within the inflatable object; and responsive to the pressure within the inflatable object being less than a preset pressure, causing, by the controller, a movement limiter to move from: (1) a lock position in which the movement limiter prevents a trigger from moving from a rest position to an actuated position to fluidically connect an air inlet to the air conduit; to (2) a release position in which the movement limiter does not prevent the trigger from moving from the rest position to the actuated position. 
     In certain such embodiments, causing the movement limiter to move from the lock position to the release position comprises controlling, by the controller, an actuator to move the movement limiter from the lock position to the release position. 
     In certain such embodiments, the method further comprises monitoring, by the controller, for an actuation of a trigger-shaft sensor; and responsive to a trigger shaft that is operably connected to the trigger actuating the trigger-shaft sensor, determining, by the controller, whether the pressure within the inflatable object is less than the preset pressure. 
     In certain such embodiments, the method further comprises, responsive to the pressure within the inflatable object reaching the preset pressure, causing, by the controller, the movement limiter to move from the lock position to the release position.