Patent Description:
Inflatable products, such as inflatable beds, inflatable rubber boats, balls, etc., may require an air pump to inflate. Air pumps are generally divided into high-pressure pumps (either internal or external) and low-pressure pumps (either internal or external).

The air pressure required to fully inflate different inflatable products is not uniform. For example, the internal pressure of ball products is relatively high, and the internal pressure of inflatable beds, or inflatable rubber boats, is relatively low. Low-pressure products cannot generally be safely inflated with high-pressure air pumps; and high-pressure products cannot generally be fully inflated with low-pressure air pumps. This may cause inefficiencies, such as by forcing a pump user to purchase and maintain two pumps, one for low-pressure inflatable products, and one for high-pressure inflatable products. This increase in price and decrease in portability brings inconvenience, especially in some circumstances such as during recreational trips.

In addition, many inflatable products are large when inflated, and must be completely deflated for storage. Upon inflation, these products require a pump that will work to supply air from <NUM> WC to the optimal pressures required for specific inflatable products, which can be above <NUM> WC for some products. However, most high-pressure air pumps operate at very poor efficiencies at low pressures. On the other hand, low pressure pumps cannot reach the high pressure needed by some inflatable products such as a basketball. To overcome this deficiency, more power and design must be put into pumps. This, in turn greatly increases the cost of manufacturing and powering these electric pumps.

<CIT> describes an air pump system including an air pump assembly releasably connected to an interior cavity of an inflatable member. The housing defines a housing cavity, within which certain elements of the air pump system are disposed. The air pump system includes a main pump, a valve control assembly, an air pressure control assembly, a supplementary pump, and a control device. The air pressure control assembly can include a movable membrane assembly and an air pressure signal generating device. The movable membrane assembly can be configured to generate displacement due to an air pressure of the interior cavity and an external air pressure of the inflatable member. The air pressure signal generating device is in electrical communication with the control device. The membrane assembly can be further configured to activate the air pressure signal generating device to generate a first air pressure signal when the air pressure of the interior cavity reaches a first threshold air pressure and to activate the air pressure signal generating device to generate a second air pressure signal when the air pressure of the interior cavity reaches a second threshold air pressure. When the initial pressure in the inflation member is below a first threshold pressure, the main pump motor can be operated. Once the first threshold pressure is reached, the air pressure signal generating device generates a first air pressure signal and transmits this signal to the control device. Upon receipt of the first air pressure signal, the control device generates and transmits a stop signal to the main pump motor. If the pressure in the interior cavity, as sensed by the air pressure control assembly, falls to a second threshold pressure, the air pressure signal generating device generates a second air pressure signal and transmits this signal to the control device. At this time, the control device generates and transmits a supplementary operation signal to the supplementary pump. The supplementary pump can then operate to increase the pressure in the interior cavity until the first threshold pressure is once again reached, and the air pressure signal generating device generates the first air pressure signal and transmits this signal to the control device. The control device can then generate and transmit a supplementary stop signal to the supplementary pump. When the air pressure sensed by the air pressure control assembly further decreases to the second threshold air pressure, the above operation is repeated.

<CIT> describes pumps for inflating objects with atmospheric air employing a fan pump to quickly fill the object with air and then shunt away the air from the fan pump, and use a diaphragm pump to increase the pressure until the inflatable object attains the firmness or pressure required for the object to be useable. <CIT> describes a high-low pressure inflator pump, comprising a shell, a first motor which is arranged in the shell and a first piston which is driven by the first motor. The first piston is arranged in a first air cylinder which is provided with an air outlet and an air inlet; and the air outlet is connected with an air outlet pipe. The first motor is connected with a first control signal output end of a control module of a single chip computer; a second control signal output end of the control module of the single chip computer is connected with a second motor which drives a centrifugal fan; the entrance of the centrifugal fan is connected with the atmosphere; the outlet of the centrifugal fan is connected with the air outlet pipe which is internally provided with a first pressure sensor used for sensing the pressure of an inner cavity of an inflated object; the first pressure sensor is connected with a first pressure signal input end of the control module of the single chip computer; and the air inlet of the air outlet pipe is provided with a check valve for limiting the flow direction of the air flow. The inflator pump can fast inflate gas, also can inflate gas under high pressure, and is particularly suitable to inflation for inflating products of kayak and canoe and the like.

What is needed is an improvement over the foregoing.

The present disclosure provides a high and low-pressure integrated air pump. The pump includes a single housing including an air inlet and an air outlet. A high-pressure pump is disposed within the housing and in fluid communication with the air inlet, and uses a first outlet passage to discharge to the air outlet. A low-pressure pump is also disposed within the housing and in fluid communication with the air inlet, and uses a second outlet passage to discharge to the air outlet.

The present invention is defined by the appended independent claim.

The present disclosure provides a high and low-pressure integrated air pump, including a housing including an air inlet and an air outlet, a high-pressure pump disposed within the housing in fluid communication with the air inlet and the air outlet, a low-pressure pump disposed within the housing and in fluid communication with the air inlet and the air outlet, a pressure valve disposed between the low-pressure pump and the air outlet, and a control circuit in electrical communication with the pressure valve and configured to control the high-pressure pump and the low-pressure pump in response to signals from the pressure valve.

The present disclosure provides a high and low-pressure integrated air pump, including a housing including an air inlet and an air outlet, a high-pressure pump disposed within the housing in fluid communication with the air inlet and the air outlet, a first high-pressure check valve separating the high-pressure pump from the air inlet, a low-pressure pump disposed within the housing and in fluid communication with the air inlet and the air outlet, a first low-pressure check valve separating the low-pressure pump from the air inlet, and a second check valve separating the high-pressure pump from the low-pressure pump.

The above-mentioned and other features of the disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure in any manner.

Referring to <FIG>, the present disclosure provides a high and low-pressure integrated air pump <NUM>, which includes a housing <NUM>, a low-pressure pump assembly <NUM>, a high-pressure pump assembly <NUM>, a pressure valve <NUM>, and a controller <NUM> (<FIG>) programmed to activate and deactivate the high-pressure pump <NUM> and the low-pressure pump <NUM> according to a predetermined logic, as further described in detail below.

Housing <NUM> is an assembly of components including left housing cap 1A, left housing 1B, right housing 1C, and right housing cap 1D. In the illustrative embodiment of <FIG>, left housing cap 1A is a round plate which includes a fastener standoff 166A and air inlet <NUM> passing through the plate. Fastener standoff 166A extends laterally inwardly from left housing cap 1A and may inserted into left housing 1B and fastened thereto.

Air inlet <NUM> is a round aperture which is configured to allow air to be drawn in by pump assemblies <NUM> or <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, air inlet <NUM> includes a debris guard on an outer surface of left housing cap 1A which prevents debris from being sucked into and potentially damaging pumps <NUM> or <NUM>. Air inlet <NUM> extends laterally inward from left housing cap 1A to sealingly couple with air inlet path <NUM> of left housing 1B.

Still referring to <FIG>, left housing 1B includes fastener aperture 166B, air outlet <NUM>, air inlet path <NUM>, and cavity <NUM>, which is formed as curved interior space cooperating with right housing 1C to create a volute as further described below. Fastener aperture 166B receives fastener standoff 166A to couple left housing 1B to left housing cap 1A. Air outlet <NUM> is an air pathway that allows air that is pumped from either low-pressure pump <NUM>, or high-pressure pump <NUM> to flow out of air pump <NUM>, and into an inflatable product (not shown). Air inlet path <NUM> is a cylindrical bore which is aligned with air inlet <NUM> and provides a pathway from air inlet <NUM>, into low-pressure pump <NUM>, and high-pressure pump <NUM>. Cavity <NUM> is formed as an inset of left housing 1B and houses low-pressure pump <NUM> as further described below.

As shown in <FIG>, right housing 1C includes handle portion 163A, handle cover <NUM>, first motor retainer <NUM>, fastener standoffs 166C, brackets <NUM>, and switch <NUM>. Handle portion 163A is an extension from right housing 1C that couples to a similarly shaped handle portion 163B of right housing cap 1D to form handle <NUM> (<FIG>). Handle <NUM> is sized and configured to allow a user to grasp and retain air pump <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, handle cover <NUM> attaches to handle <NUM> and provides both interior and exterior grasping surfaces for the ergonomic comfort of a user.

Referring again to <FIG>, first motor retainer <NUM> is formed as a bore through housing 1C, and is positioned to align with air inlet path <NUM> and air inlet <NUM>. First motor retainer <NUM> provides a mounting seat for low-pressure pump <NUM> and provides an airflow path from air inlet <NUM>, to high-pressure pump assembly <NUM>.

Fastener standoffs 166C provide attachment points for right housing 1C to be coupled to right housing cap 1D and left housing 1B. Brackets <NUM> are formed within right housing 1C and cooperate with similarly formed brackets in right housing cap 1D to create an indentation sized to receive portions of high-pressure pump <NUM>, such that pump <NUM> is retained and protected within housing <NUM> during transport, storage and operation. Brackets <NUM> may also include fastener apertures to allow for more coupling points between right housing 1C and the other portions of housing <NUM>.

Right housing 1C also includes switch <NUM>. Switch <NUM> is a multi-position manual microswitch mounted to the exterior of housing <NUM> and positioned to be engaged by a user of air pump <NUM>. Switch <NUM> could be any other suitable switch design as required or desired for a particular application. Switch <NUM> activates or deactivates air pump <NUM> into ON and OFF modes and also toggles low-pressure pump <NUM> or high-pressure pump <NUM> as further described below.

Still referring to <FIG>, right housing cap 1D includes handle portion 163B, exhaust <NUM>, and fuse <NUM>. As noted above, handle portion 163B couples to handle portion 163A of right housing 1C to form handle <NUM> (<FIG>) when housing <NUM> is assembled. In the illustrative embodiment of <FIG>, cooling apertures <NUM> are constructed as a series or array of apertures passing through right housing cap 1D. Cooling apertures <NUM> are configured to allow air to flow freely between the interior housing <NUM> and the ambient environment to cool high-pressure pump <NUM> and low-pressure pump <NUM> during operation.

Upon assembly and as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, left housing cap 1A, left housing 1B, right housing 1C, and left housing cap 1D are assembled to one another and fixed in place to form the assembled housing <NUM>. Housing <NUM> contains and supports low-pressure pump <NUM> and high-pressure pump <NUM>, and defines air inlet <NUM> and air outlet <NUM>, which are in fluid communication with both low-pressure pump <NUM> and high-pressure pump <NUM> as further described below.

Turning to <FIG> and <FIG>, low-pressure pump assembly <NUM> includes first motor <NUM>, impeller <NUM>, and volute <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, first motor <NUM> is an electric motor with a generally cylindrical motor body (including a stator and rotor contained therein) and a drive shaft <NUM> powered by the motor <NUM>. Motor <NUM> also includes motor clips <NUM> which engage with a portion of first motor retainer <NUM> to mount first motor <NUM> to housing <NUM>. When activated, drive shaft <NUM> of motor <NUM> rotates under power such that drive shaft <NUM>, which is drivingly coupled to impeller <NUM>, drives the rotation of impeller <NUM> to accelerate air outwardly. This acceleration draws air in through inlet <NUM>, and pump out through air outlet <NUM>. When pump <NUM> is connected to an inflatable product, this activation inflates the product.

Referring to <FIG>, impeller <NUM> is a circular impeller with columns <NUM> extending radially outwardly from impeller <NUM> and fanning out. Columns <NUM> create air channels which pressurize air during operation to drive air through air outlet <NUM>. Impeller <NUM> also includes central hub <NUM>. Hub <NUM> is a conical structure extending axially from the center of impeller <NUM>. Hub <NUM> aligns with and extends partially into air inlet <NUM>. The conical shape of hub <NUM> guides air flowing into low-pressure pump <NUM> radially out and into columns <NUM>. Within hub <NUM> is drive shaft aperture <NUM> which receives drive shaft <NUM> and allows impeller <NUM> to be rotatably driven by motor <NUM>.

Turning again to <FIG> volute is shown as a space sized to receive impeller <NUM>. As impeller <NUM> rotates, air is pressurized and driven out of air outlet <NUM>. The downstream portion of volute <NUM> acts as a low-pressure exhaust passageway which eventually extends into air outlet <NUM>, as best shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. Set within this downstream portion of volute <NUM> is check valve <NUM>. Check valve <NUM> operates to allow air to flow out of volute <NUM> and outlet <NUM>, but to inhibit any "backflow" of air from outlet <NUM>, back into volute <NUM>. In this way, check valve <NUM> selectively fluidly isolates volute <NUM> from air outlet <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG> low-pressure air flow pathway <NUM> is produced by this arrangement of low-pressure pump <NUM>. Air is drawn into and pressurized within volute <NUM> by impeller <NUM> until the pressure is sufficient to activate check valve <NUM>. When activated, the air flows outwardly from volute <NUM> to outlet <NUM>, and into an inflatable product.

As shown in <FIG>, air pump <NUM> includes high-pressure pump <NUM> in addition to low-pressure pump <NUM>. A first embodiment of high-pressure pump <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, includes second motor <NUM>, gear <NUM>, connecting rod <NUM>, diaphragm <NUM>, and cavity <NUM>. Second motor <NUM> may be an electric motor similar to first motor <NUM>. Second motor includes motor clips <NUM> which are similar in shape and function to motor clips <NUM>. Second motor also includes a powered output shaft having spur gear <NUM> mounted thereto. Spur gear <NUM> includes gear teeth that mesh with a larger spur gear <NUM>. When motor <NUM> is activated, gear <NUM> is driven to rotate the opposite direction with a mechanical advantage.

Gear <NUM> includes axle bore <NUM> which is a throughbore at the center of gear <NUM>. Received within axle bore <NUM> is axle <NUM>. Axle <NUM> is a rod which is fixed within axle bore <NUM> at one end and rotatably received within gear base <NUM>. Gear base <NUM> may be a bearing having a bearing housing fixed to a portion of housing <NUM> (e.g., by fasteners received in right housing 1C as shown in <FIG>). Gear base <NUM> includes a throughbore within which axle <NUM> is rotatably fixed. Axle <NUM> is discouraged from sliding laterally out of the throughbore in gear base <NUM> by fasteners such as C-clips, the details of which will be discussed below with respect to C-clips <NUM>. Axle <NUM> allows free rotation of gear <NUM> about its axis, and discourages gear <NUM> from any lateral or horizontal wobble during operation.

As best seen in <FIG>, shaft aperture <NUM> is located adjacent axle bore <NUM> and positioned in an off-center location on gear <NUM>. Shaft aperture <NUM> is another throughbore in gear <NUM> which rotatably receives rotating shaft <NUM>. Rotating shaft <NUM> is a rod, similar to axle <NUM>, which extends laterally out of rotating shaft aperture <NUM> and into connecting rod <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, rotating shaft <NUM> extends through connecting rod <NUM> and is rotatably secured thereto by fastener clips <NUM>. Clips <NUM> can be snap-fit C-clips which have a larger diameter than the throughbore of connecting rod <NUM> which rotating shaft <NUM> extends. Alternatively any other type of suitable method for rotatably coupling shaft <NUM> to connecting rod <NUM> may be used.

As gear <NUM> is driven by second motor <NUM>, gear <NUM> rotates about axle <NUM>. This rotation causes connecting rod <NUM> to reciprocate with a forward and return stroke as rotating shaft aperture <NUM> rotates about the axis of axle bore <NUM>. As further described in detail below, this reciprocation provides the motive force for high-pressure pump <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG>, high-pressure pump <NUM> also includes diaphragm <NUM> coupled to connecting rod <NUM>. Diaphragm <NUM> may be cup-shaped and is constructed of an flexible and durable material which is not air-permeable. Diaphragm <NUM> is coupled to connecting rod <NUM> by retention plate <NUM>, which is a round flat plate placed on the inside of diaphragm <NUM> opposite connecting rod <NUM>. Plate <NUM> includes fastener apertures such that fasteners can couple plate <NUM> to connecting rod <NUM>, thereby capturing diaphragm <NUM> therebetween.

This coupling of the diaphragm <NUM> between plate <NUM> and connecting rod <NUM> allows diaphragm <NUM> to be resiliently deformed by the reciprocating motion of connecting rod <NUM>. The periphery of diaphragm <NUM> is fixed relative to its center by a flanged outer circumference <NUM> which is fastened and retained between mid-frame <NUM> and end frame <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, frames <NUM> and <NUM> are fixed to one another by bolts or screws (not shown) and thereby capture flanged outer circumference <NUM> therebetween.

End frame <NUM> includes a hemispherical cavity which faces diaphragm <NUM>, and which combines with diaphragm <NUM> to form high-pressure pump cavity <NUM>. Mid-frame <NUM> and end frame <NUM> hold diaphragm <NUM> in place such that as diaphragm <NUM> is pumped, pump cavity <NUM> is expanded and compressed repeatedly to pump air through high-pressure pump <NUM>. End frame <NUM> also includes inlet <NUM> and outlet <NUM>. Inlet <NUM> is fluidly connected to air inlet <NUM> and includes check valve <NUM>. Check valve <NUM> operates to let air flow into pump cavity <NUM> during its expansion phase, but prevents or inhibits airflow from inside pump cavity <NUM> to air inlet <NUM> during the compression phase. Instead, the pressurized air from pump cavity <NUM> is expelled through outlet <NUM> as further described below.

Turning to <FIG> and <FIG>, outlet <NUM> (<FIG>) is fluidly connected to air outlet <NUM> and includes check valve <NUM> and gasket <NUM>. Gasket <NUM> is disposed around check valve <NUM> to sealingly connect check valve <NUM> to outlet <NUM>. Check valve <NUM> operates to allow air to be pumped out of pump cavity <NUM> and into air outlet <NUM>, and to prevent or inhibit airflow from air outlet <NUM> into pump cavity <NUM> during the expansion phase of pump cavity <NUM>.

Thus, as shown in <FIG>, high-pressure airflow pathway <NUM> through high-pressure pump <NUM> is established by the cooperation of diaphragm <NUM> and check valves <NUM>, <NUM>. Air is drawn into cavity <NUM> via inlet <NUM> and intake check valve <NUM> during the expansion phase, when diaphragm <NUM> is drawn away from end frame <NUM> by connecting rod <NUM>. As connecting rod <NUM> changes direction and cavity <NUM> begins to contract, intake check valve <NUM> closes and exhaust check valve <NUM> opens. The pressurized air is then pumped through check valve <NUM> and into a high-pressure outlet passageway <NUM> (<FIG>), where it is directed to the same outlet <NUM> which receives air from the low-pressure passageway at the outlet of volute <NUM> as described in detail above. This high-pressure air may then be discharged into an inflatable product, as also described above.

Moreover, high-pressure airflow pathway <NUM> and low-pressure airflow pathway <NUM> are respectively provided with check valves <NUM> and <NUM> to ensure separation of air flow from high-pressure pump <NUM> and from low-pressure pump <NUM> through a common air outlet <NUM>. As described further below, pump <NUM> may be controlled such that only one of pathways <NUM>, <NUM> is active at any one time. Check valves <NUM> and <NUM> are used to fluidly isolate the two airflow pathways <NUM> and <NUM>, such that airflow along one of the pathways <NUM>, <NUM> is directed only out through outlet <NUM>, rather than into the other (inactive) pathway <NUM>, <NUM>.

An alternative arrangement for high-pressure pump <NUM> is shown in <FIG> and <FIG> as high-pressure pump <NUM>'. The second high-pressure pump <NUM>' of <FIG> and <FIG> is similar to the first high-pressure pump <NUM> of <FIG>, with like reference numerals indicating like elements, except as described below.

The second high-pressure pump <NUM>' includes a diaphragm pump similar to high-pressure pump <NUM>. However, rather than using a power transmission with spur gears, as described above with respect to gears <NUM> and <NUM>, high-pressure pump <NUM>' includes a helical gear transmission. The output shaft of motor <NUM>' includes a worm gear <NUM>' fixed thereto, which meshes with helical gear <NUM>'. As worm gear <NUM>' is driven to rotate by second motor <NUM>', it drives rotation of helical gear <NUM>'. The helical gear transmission of the present alternative embodiment may be larger in diameter than the spur gear transmission described above. The increase in size results in a speed reduction, which may reduce noise and vibration during use.

Still referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a spring <NUM>' is also provided between connecting rod <NUM>' and gear base <NUM>'. Connecting rod <NUM>' compresses spring <NUM>' during the return stroke of the reciprocating motion (i.e., the portion of the stroke during expansion of cavity <NUM>'), such that the torque provided by second motor <NUM>' tends to be balanced in the forward and return process of reciprocating motion, which can increase the service life of second motor <NUM>' (e.g., by prolonging the life of the brushes where motor <NUM>' is a brushed motor). During the forward stroke (i.e., the portion of the stroke during contraction of cavity <NUM>'), the spring <NUM>' and connecting rod <NUM>' work together to compress cavity <NUM>', which can reduce the peak power demand of second motor <NUM>'.

Turning again to <FIG>, integrated air pump <NUM> also includes pressure valve <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> pressure valve <NUM> is disposed along airflow pathway <NUM>, within volute <NUM>. <FIG> shows a detailed view of pressure valve <NUM>, includes signal switch <NUM>, trigger <NUM>, adjusting nut <NUM>, valve core <NUM>, spring <NUM>, diaphragm <NUM>, upper cover <NUM>, lower cover <NUM>, cavity <NUM>, and air inlet <NUM>. Signal switch <NUM> is an electrical switch which is suspended within pressure valve <NUM> by fasteners. Signal switch <NUM> includes a positive voltage terminal, a negative voltage terminal, and a ground, and is configured to activate and deactivate high-pressure pump <NUM> and/or low-pressure pump <NUM> when a pressure threshold is detected.

Trigger <NUM> is disposed below signal switch <NUM>. Trigger <NUM> includes a hinge 160A and a stem 160B. Stem 160B extends laterally out from hinge 160A, and hinge 160A is rotatably fixed to valve core <NUM>. Adjusting nut <NUM> includes throughbore 157B and threaded portion 157A. Throughbore 157B slidably receives valve core <NUM> and at a top end, widens out such that hinge 160A can freely rotate about its axis about <NUM> degrees. Threaded portion 157A is threadably engaged with upper cover <NUM> to coupled adjusting nut <NUM> to upper cover <NUM>. Valve core <NUM> includes stem 154A and flange 154B. Stem 154A is partially slidably received within throughbore 157B and is coupled to hinge 160A at its end. Stem 154A extends below adjusting nut <NUM> and terminates at flange 154B. Flange 154B is a flat, round surface which extends laterally beyond the circumference of stem 154A. Spring <NUM> is engaged with and extends between stem 154A and adjusting nut <NUM> and biases valve core <NUM> away from adjusting nut <NUM>. Upper cover <NUM> threadably receives adjusting nut within threaded bore 155A and extends laterally out from threaded bore 155A on both sides, then extends vertically down to engage with lower cover <NUM>. Upper cover <NUM> and lower cover <NUM> combine to form cavity <NUM>. Diaphragm <NUM> is disposed between the coupling of upper cover <NUM> and lower cover <NUM> and extends across cavity <NUM> to divide cavity <NUM> into two chambers. Diaphragm <NUM> is disposed below and supports stem 154A of valve core <NUM> such that diaphragm <NUM> holds valve core <NUM> up against the bias of spring <NUM>. Air inlet <NUM> is disposed on lower cover <NUM> opposite upper cover <NUM>. Air inlet <NUM> is an opening which allows air to flow into cavity <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, air inlet <NUM> of pressure valve <NUM> is provided along airflow pathway <NUM>. As an inflatable product is inflated via low-pressure pump <NUM>, the air pressure in the inflatable chamber increases. As the air pressure increases, the efficiency of low-pressure pump <NUM> will decrease. Once the air pressure inside the inflatable product matches the pump force of low-pressure pump <NUM>, check valve <NUM> will close. The closing of check valve <NUM> and continuous pumping of low-pressure pump <NUM> will result in an increase in air pressure inside volute <NUM>.

Because air inlet <NUM> of pressure valve <NUM> is open to volute <NUM>, the air pressure also rises in chamber <NUM>. The increase in air pressure in chamber <NUM> pushes diaphragm <NUM> up, which pushes valve core <NUM> up against the bias of spring <NUM>. The spring constant of spring <NUM> is configured such that valve core <NUM> will move when the pressure capacity of low-pressure pump <NUM> has been reached or nearly reached (e.g., within <NUM>% of the maximum pressure which can be developed by pump <NUM>). Furthermore, adjusting nut <NUM> can be threaded up and down which changes the pretension force of spring <NUM>. In this way, the spring pressure to be overcome when valve core <NUM> moves can be changed, thereby changing the pressure threshold set by pressure valve <NUM>.

As valve core <NUM> slides up, trigger <NUM> moves closer to full contact with signal switch <NUM>. When trigger <NUM> comes into full engagement with signal switch, signal switch <NUM> is signaled to output a signal to control circuit <NUM>. Control circuit <NUM> is arranged to deactivate low-pressure pump <NUM> and activate the high-pressure pump <NUM> when the signal is received from switch <NUM>. In this way, control circuit <NUM> cooperates with switch <NUM> to automatically engage the low-pressure portion of pump <NUM> when the pressure needed is correspondingly low, and then automatically disengage the low-pressure portion of pump <NUM> and automatically engage the high-pressure portion of pump <NUM> when higher pressure is needed to continue inflation.

<FIG> shows one exemplary control circuit <NUM> which performs this automatic function. Therefore, the control circuit <NUM> includes a relay switch <NUM>, with a first closed position which allows current to flow to motor <NUM> of low-pressure pump <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>), and second closed position which allows current to flow to motor <NUM> of low-pressure pump <NUM>. Thus switch <NUM> can provide power to one of motors <NUM>, <NUM>, but not both, ensuring that pump <NUM> will activate only one of the pumps <NUM>, <NUM> at any one time.

Main power switch <NUM>, which is connected to user-activated switch <NUM>, determines whether 12V power from power source <NUM> may flow through switch <NUM> to either pump motor <NUM> or pump motor <NUM>.

Circuit <NUM> further includes an arrangement of electrical components and connections designed to ensure reliable and safe operation of pump motors <NUM>, <NUM> via switches <NUM>, <NUM>, including for high-power operation of high-pressure pump motor <NUM>. These components and connections are shown in <FIG> with standard symbols and nomenclature which need not be explained in further detail here. The components and connections include ground connections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, switch <NUM>, diodes <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, capacitors <NUM> and <NUM>, resistors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, semiconductor <NUM>, and relay <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A high and low-pressure integrated air pump (<NUM>), comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) including an air inlet (<NUM>) and an air outlet (<NUM>);
a high-pressure pump (<NUM>) disposed within the housing (<NUM>), in fluid communication with the air inlet (<NUM>) and in fluid communication with the air outlet (<NUM>) via a first outlet passage (<NUM>); and
a low-pressure pump (<NUM>) disposed within the housing (<NUM>), in fluid communication with the air inlet (<NUM>) and in fluid communication with the air outlet (<NUM>) via a second outlet passage (<NUM>);
a pressure valve (<NUM>) disposed between the low-pressure pump (<NUM>) and the air outlet (<NUM>), the pressure valve (<NUM>) including:
a signal switch (<NUM>) in communication with a control circuit (<NUM>),
a diaphragm (<NUM>) in fluid communication with the low-pressure pump (<NUM>), and
a trigger (<NUM>) disposed between and in communication with the signal switch (<NUM>) and the diaphragm (<NUM>),
wherein, when the pressure within the low-pressure pump (<NUM>) reaches a threshold, the trigger (<NUM>) is biased toward the signal switch (<NUM>) and triggers the signal switch (<NUM>) to send a signal to the control circuit (<NUM>), wherein the signal switch (<NUM>) and the control circuit (<NUM>) are configured to cooperate to automatically disengage the low-pressure pump (<NUM>) and engage the high-pressure pump (<NUM>) in response to the signal.