Patent ID: 12221969

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The implementation and application of the embodiments will be discussed in detail below. However, it should be understood that the specific embodiments discussed only exemplarily describe the implementation and use of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Throughout the description, the structural positions of various components, e.g., upper, lower, top, bottom, etc., are not absolute but relative description. The orientation expressions are appropriate when the various components are arranged as shown in the Figs., but should change accordingly when the positions of the various components in the Figs. change.

As used herein, “inflatable product” (or “inflatable body”) includes, but is not limited to, an inflatable bed, an inflatable mattress, an inflatable pool, an inflatable boat, an inflatable raft, an inflatable toy, and other products that can be inflated.

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. In general, the subject embodiments are directed to an air pump for an inflatable product that is compact and thus facilitates attachment and detachment from the inflatable product. The structure and use of the air pump is simple. In use, a user aligns an air inlet or an air outlet of the air pump with an air valve of the inflatable product in order to switch inflation and deflation for the inflatable product.

When the air pump serves as a connected air pump of the inflatable product, the air pump can be placed within a shell fixed to a side wall of the inflatable product. The air pump moves within an internal chamber of the shell through cooperation of a knob switch of the air pump and an opening of the shell, thereby achieving switching between a first position where the location of an air inlet of the air pump generally matches (or overlaps) the position of and is connected to the air valve of the shell and a second position where the position of an air outlet of the air pump generally matches (or overlaps) the position of and is connected to the air valve of the shell. Accordingly, the air pump enables quickly switching between inflation and deflation of the inflatable product. It should be understood that the movement of the air pump comprises, but is not limited to, linear movement and rotary movement, wherein the internal chamber of the shell includes a path that may be parallel to the side wall of the inflatable product and a transverse path or direction that may be perpendicular or otherwise transverse to the side wall of the inflatable product and/or the path that may be parallel to the side wall. The linear movement of the air pump includes translation on the path that may be parallel to the side wall and translation along the transverse direction that is transverse to the path.

Referring initially toFIG.1atoFIG.4c, an air pump100for an inflatable product is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present invention. The air pump100comprises a pump body110, and the pump body110may include a first pump body111and a second pump body112(FIG.3) connected to each other. The first pump body111may include an air inlet120and an air outlet130. A driving assembly is disposed in the pump body110, as shown inFIG.2andFIG.3. The driving assembly may include an impeller160and a driving motor170. During operation, an output shaft of the driving motor170drives the impeller160to rotate and produce air pressure, thereby generating air flow from the air inlet120to the air outlet130. As shown inFIG.2, a pump cover180may also be disposed in the pump body110for fixing and separating the impeller160and the driving motor170so that when the driving motor170drives the impeller160to rotate, the air flow can be directed from the air inlet120to the air outlet130via the pump cover180and the impeller160, as depicted by the arrow inFIG.2. In other words, the pump cover180divides the inside of the pump body110into an air inlet cavity in communication with the air inlet120, and an air outlet cavity in communication with the air outlet130. In this way, when a connector150of the inflatable product is connected to the air inlet120, the air pump100can deflate an inflation cell of the inflatable product, and when the connector150of the inflatable product is connected to the air outlet130, the air pump can inflate the inflation cell of the inflatable product. It should be understood that although the joint of the connector150of the inflatable product for connection to the air pump100may have a fixed size, the joint for connecting the inflatable product can have different sizes according to the size requirements of a connector of the inflatable product that is to be inflated and deflated.

According to the present invention, the air pump100comprises a knob switch140extending from the pump body110. The knob switch140can be moved along the path to turn on/off a driving circuit to switch on/off the driving assembly, so that the air pump100is switched between a shutdown state (i.e., a stop state or neutral position) and a start state (i.e., an inflation position or deflation position). As seen inFIG.3, the driving assembly can also comprise a trigger switch190, and the trigger switch190is electrically connected to the driving motor170to control switching the air pump100on and off. When the knob switch140is moved to contact the trigger switch190, a start-up circuit of the driving motor170can be turned on to start the air pump100, and when the knob switch140is moved to disengage from the trigger switch190, the circuit is turned off to turn off the air pump100.

The knob switch140may be provided with an indicator142for indicating the state or position of the air pump, such as a water drop shape exemplarily shown inFIG.1c, or a similar sign such as an arrow. Correspondingly, for example, inflation and deflation signs and a stop sign may be provided on the surface of the pump body110.

FIG.5atoFIG.8show an embodiment of the air pump100serving as a connected air pump. With reference toFIG.8, the connected air pump100of the present invention comprises a shell200fixedly connected on a side wall of the inflatable product. In some embodiments, the shell200includes an openable upper cover210and a bottom portion220that are detachably connected to form an internal chamber. The air pump100can be detachably received in the internal chamber and is easy to remove and insert according to present needs. The bottom portion220is provided with a vent hole221, and an air valve230is mounted on the vent hole221to prevent air leakage. The air valve230may comprise a valve plug231and a valve cap232, and the valve cap232may be provided with a plurality of slots to facilitate air circulation. In this way, after the air pump200is detachably inserted in the bottom portion220of the shell200, the air pump100is moved such that the position of the air inlet120or air outlet130thereof matches the position of the air valve230of the shell200to inflate or deflate the inflatable product.

In some embodiments, the air pump100can be moved along a transverse direction, represented by arrow B inFIG.8, to connect the air outlet130or air inlet120to the air valve230of the shell200, and optionally, the air pump100can be supported by a support component240(FIG.8). When the pump body110of the air pump100is translated towards the air valve230along the transverse direction, i.e., along the arrow B inFIG.8, the air pump100can press against and move the support component240towards the air valve230. When the pump body110is moved away from the air valve230in the transverse direction, the support component240can be reset to facilitate moving the air pump100away from the air valve230.

In some embodiments, the upper cover210of the shell200is provided with an opening211through which the knob switch140of the air pump100passes such that it can be held by a user. According to the present invention, when the knob switch140is moved towards the internal chamber of the shell200along the transverse direction, i.e., along the arrow B inFIG.8, the air pump100is also moved along the transverse direction, and the air inlet120or the air outlet130may be selectively aligned and connected with the air valve230of the shell200. In some embodiments, the opening211can be configured to limit knob switch140movement, such that the knob switch140can be rotated in the opening, and when the knob switch140has been moved and rotated into a desired position along the transverse direction, the knob switch140can be retained in place. Thus, after the knob switch140is moved into a desired position (e.g., an inflation state/position or a deflation state/position) along the transverse direction, the air pump100can be switched on/off by rotating the knob switch140.

In some embodiments, the opening211may be bounded by at least a first segment211aand a second segment211b, as shown inFIG.9a, at least one of the first segment211aand the second segment211bbeing associated with a limit structure to retain the knob switch140once it has been moved into a desired position along the transverse direction, i.e., retaining the air pump100in its inflation position or its deflation position. In some embodiments, the first segment211amay correspond to the first position or inflation state, and the second segment211bmay correspond to the second position or deflation state. As such, when the knob switch140is located in a portion of the opening211bounded by the first segment211aand moved along the transverse direction, it is moved into the first position, and when the knob switch140is located in a portion of the opening bounded by the second segment211band moved along the transverse direction, it is moved into the second position. It should be appreciated that the first segment211acould alternatively correspond to the second position and the second segment211bcould alternatively correspond to the first position, depending on the location of the air inlet120and air outlet130.

In some embodiments, the opening211may further be bounded by a third segment211c, as shown inFIG.9a, wherein the knob switch140is in the neutral position and unable to move in the transverse direction when it is at least partially located along the third segment211c. The knob switch140may be prevented from rotation when it is located in the third segment211c. In other words, the third segment211cmay correspond to a stop state/neutral position. The third segment211cmay be arranged between the first segment211aand the second segment211bor on one side of the first segment211aor the second segment211bas will be described below.

As the knob switch140is moved along the transverse direction towards the inside of the internal chamber of the shell200and rotated, the air pump100is also moved along the transverse direction towards the air valve230at the bottom of the shell200, and due to the limit structure for the knob switch140, the air inlet120or the air outlet130of the pump body110moves into communication with the air valve230and is retained there to perform one of the inflation or deflation operations. When the knob switch140is moved along the transverse direction towards the outside of the internal chamber of the shell200and rotated in an opposite direction, the air pump100becomes dislocated and moved towards the upper cover210, away from the air valve230of the shell200to disconnect the air inlet120or the air outlet130from the air valve230. This means that in this embodiment, the air pump100cannot be started by means of movement of the knob switch140in only the transverse direction. The air pump100can also not be started by mere rotation of the knob switch140without also moving along the transverse direction. Thus, when the knob switch140is moved along the transverse direction towards the internal chamber of the shell200and rotated, the knob switch140is limited by virtue of the limit structure. The air pump100is synchronously moved along the transverse direction towards the bottom of the shell200. Conversely, when the knob switch140is reversely rotated, it becomes dislocated and simultaneously moved along the transverse direction towards the upper cover210of the shell200to cause the pump body110to move towards the upper cover210, thus stopping the driving motor170. This helps to prevent unintended inflation or deflation caused by operation of the knob switch140.

The support component240is illustrated inFIG.7aandFIG.7bin accordance with one embodiment of the subject invention. The support component240is provided with notches243,244,245corresponding to the air inlet120and the air outlet130of the air pump100and the vent hole221of the bottom portion220. The first notch243of the support component240corresponds to the vent hole221. When in the inflation state, the air inlet120of the air pump100is located in the second notch244of the support component240, and the air outlet130is located in the first notch243, as shown inFIG.10e. When in the deflation state, the air outlet130of the air pump100is located in the third notch245of the support component240, and the air inlet120of the air pump corresponds to the first notch243of the support component240, as shown inFIG.11e.

As described above, when the knob switch140starts the air pump100, the pump body110is moved along the transverse direction towards the air valve230at the bottom of the shell200, and presses the support component240to move towards the air valve230. Additionally, when the knob switch140is reversely rotated and moved towards the outside of the internal chamber of the shell200, the support component240can automatically reset to support the air pump100, causing the air pump100to move away from the air valve230. In some embodiments, the support component240may include a base241. The base241is provided with a plurality of bosses246located on the bottom around the vent hole230, and each of the bosses246is sleeved with an elastic member250to cause the base241to automatically reset. Optionally, components, such as elastic members250may be directly fixed to the bottom of the base241to assist in the reset function.

In some embodiments, the support component240may include a wall plate242that extends perpendicularly from a pair of opposing second edges of the base241, and the pump body110of the air pump100can press the wall plate242of the support component240when the air pump100is moved along the transverse direction towards the air valve230. Such an arrangement helps to assist in controlling the movement of the support component240. Moreover, in some embodiments, the height of the wall plate242of the support component240may be greater than or equal to the length of the air inlet120and the length of the air outlet130that each protrude from the pump body110. In other words, the wall plate242can abut against a bottom or a side of the pump body110according to different design requirements, so that the pump body110is reliably supported, and the internal structure of the shell200is more compact.

In some embodiments, the shell200of the connected air pump100may be provided with a space for accommodating a power line, and the upper cover210may include an openable take-up cover215, as shown inFIG.5a. Optionally, the take-up cover215may also be provided with a notch216, so that the take-up cover215can be closed after the power line is taken out or placed therein. Further, as described above, the air pump100can be used independently as a hand-held air pump100, and therefore, the connector150of the inflatable product can also be accommodated in the space to facilitate the use of the air pump when it is removed from the shell200.

The operation of the connected air pump100is further illustrated inFIG.9athroughFIG.9din a stop state/neutral position. As previously detailed, the opening211of the upper cover210may be bounded by three segments, including a first segment211ahaving an arched portion corresponding to the inflation state or position, a second segment211bhaving an arched portion corresponding to the deflation state or position, and a third segment211chaving a straight portion corresponding to the stop state or neutral position. In this embodiment, the third segment211cmay be located between the first segment211aand the second segment211b. The knob switch140is able to move between the first segment211aand the second segment211balong a path (arrow “A” inFIG.8), and move while located at the first segment211aor the second segment211balong the transverse direction. However, in the third segment211c, the knob switch140is unable to move along the transverse direction. When the knob switch140is moved from the third segment211cto the first segment211aalong the path and then moved towards the internal chamber along the transverse direction, the knob switch140be rotated counterclockwise to start the air pump100. The indicator142of the knob switch140can point to the inflation sign212provided on the upper cover210, thereby indicating that the air pump100is in an inflation state or position. Conversely, when the knob switch140is moved from the third segment211cto the second segment211balong the path and then moved towards the inside of the internal chamber along the transverse direction, the knob switch140may be rotated counterclockwise to start the air pump100. The indicator142of the knob switch140can point to the deflation sign213provided on the upper cover210, thereby indicating that the air pump100is in a deflation state or position.

In this embodiment, the first segment211aand the second segment211bof the opening211are respectively provided with a vertical wall extending from an edge of the first and second segments211aand211bto the internal chamber of the shell200. The limit structure comprises guide rails214disposed on the vertical walls, for example, a first guide rail214aon the first segment211aand a second guide rail214bon the second segment211b, as illustrated inFIG.9b. Correspondingly, the knob switch140of the air pump100is provided with protruding blocks141cooperating with the guide rails211or in an alternative embodiment (not shown) sliding grooves cooperating with flanges. As illustrated, the protruding blocks141may be symmetrically disposed on two sides of the knob switch140. Advantageously, the guide rails214a,214beach extend obliquely from a starting end to a terminating end and towards the inside of the shell200. As such, when the knob switch140is rotated, the protruding blocks141of the knob switch140gradually move obliquely towards the inside of the shell200along the first guide rail214aand/or the second guide rail214b, thereby driving the pump body110downward within the shell200. The downward movement of the pump body110is along the transverse direction B (as shown inFIG.8), thus causing the air inlet120or the air outlet130to be aligned with the air valve230of the shell200to prevent unintended use or operation, as described above.

As illustrated in the embodiment ofFIG.9candFIG.9d, in the stop state or neutral position, the pump body110may be substantially within the center of the shell200, with the air inlet120and the air outlet130of the air pump100not aligned or in communication with the air valve230, and with the valve plug231at the vent hole221closing the vent hole221to prevent air leakage. It should be appreciated however, that the neutral position can refer to other positions that are not the inflation position or deflation position.

When the knob switch140is moved from the third segment211cto the first segment211aand rotated counterclockwise, the protruding blocks141of the knob switch140are moved obliquely along the first guide rail214a, pushing the connected air pump100to the inflation state or position, as shown inFIG.10atoFIG.10e. As such, the indicator142of the knob switch140points to the inflation sign212, as viewed from the outside of the shell200. As shown inFIG.10e, in this state, the pump body110presses downwardly against the vertical walls242of the support component240, and the air outlet130of the air pump120is aligned with the air valve230and pushes the valve plug231to move down to open the vent hole221. Thus, as indicated by the airflow arrows inFIG.10e, an inflation path is formed using the connected air pump100. More particularly, air flow enters the shell200from the opening211of the upper cover210, then enters the air inlet cavity of the pump body110from the air inlet120of the air pump110, thereafter flowing into the air outlet cavity, and then entering the inflatable product via the air outlet130and the vent hole221in communication therewith to effect inflation.

As shown inFIG.11atoFIG.11e, when the knob switch140is moved along the third segment211cto the second segment211band rotated counterclockwise, the protruding blocks141of the knob switch140are moved obliquely along the second guide rail214b, and the connected air pump100is moved into the deflation state. At this time, the indicator142of the knob switch140points to the deflation sign213, as viewed from the outside of the shell200. As shown inFIG.11e, in this state, the pump body110presses the vertical walls242of the support component240down, and the air inlet120of the air pump100is aligned with the air valve230and pushes the valve plug231to move down to open the vent hole221. Thus, as indicated by the airflow arrows inFIG.11e, a deflation path is formed in the connected air pump100. More particularly, the air flow enters the shell200from the inflatable product via the vent hole221, then enters the air inlet cavity of the pump body110along the air inlet120of the air pump100, thereafter flowing into the air outlet cavity, and then flowing out of the shell200from the opening211of the upper cover via the air outlet130to effect deflation.

FIG.12athroughFIG.14bshow a connected air pump100according to a second embodiment of the present invention, which differs from the above embodiment in the arrangement of the opening411of the shell200and the knob switch340of the air pump. With initial reference toFIG.12aandFIG.12b, the stop state or neutral position of the connected air pump100is shown. In this embodiment, the first segment411aand the second segment411bof the opening411of the upper cover410also have arched segments for rotation of the knob switch340, and the third segment411cis disposed on one side of the first segment411aor the second segment411b. The first segment411amay correspond to the first position, and the second segment411bmay correspond to the second position. As such, when the knob switch340is located in a portion of the opening bounded by the first segment411aand moved along the transverse direction, it is moved into the first position. When the knob switch340is located in a portion of the opening bounded by the second segment411band moved along the transverse direction, it is moved into the second position. It should be appreciated that the first segment411acould alternatively correspond to the second position and the second segment411bcould alternatively correspond to the first position depending on the location of the air inlet120and air outlet130.

In this embodiment, the limit structure comprises limit plates412respectively extending from the edges of the first segment411aand the second segment411balong a path. The knob switch340of the air pump100is provided with clamping grooves341. After the knob switch340is moved along the path to the first segment411aor the second segment411b, the knob switch340may be pressed to move along the transverse direction towards the internal chamber of the shell200and rotated. As the knob switch340is pressed, the clamping grooves341cooperate with the limit plates412to fix the knob switch340into its desired rotation and transverse position. More particularly, in the third segment411c, the air pump100is at an edge of the shell200, and thus, neither the air inlet120, nor the air outlet130of the air pump100is aligned or in communication with the air valve230, as shown inFIG.12b, and at this time, the valve plug231at the vent hole blocks the vent hole232.

When the knob switch340is translated from the third segment411cto the first segment411aalong the path and then moved towards the internal chamber along the transverse direction, the knob switch340is rotated counterclockwise, and the clamping grooves341of the knob switch340are engaged with the limit plates412. As such, the connected air pump100is moved into the inflation state, as shown inFIG.13aandFIG.13b. Similarly, when the knob switch340is translated from the third segment411cto the second segment411balong the path and then moved towards the internal chamber along the transverse direction, the knob switch340is rotated counterclockwise, and the clamping grooves341of the knob switch340are engaged with the limit plates412. As such, the connected air pump100is moved into a deflation state, as shown inFIG.14aandFIG.14b.

FIG.15aandFIG.15bshow an embodiment of the present invention applying the connected air pump100to an inflatable product, such as a mattress500. As shown inFIG.15b, the air pump100can be taken out by removing the upper cover210of the shell200from the bottom portion220, so that the air pump100can be used independently from the shell200to inflate and deflate other inflatable products, and later reintroduced into the shell200. After the air pump100is removed from the shell200, the mattress500may be separately inflated and deflated through the air valve510. Therefore, the present invention provides flexible and variable use whether the air pump100is used alone or in combination with the shell200as a connected air pump.

FIG.16aandFIG.16bshow an air pump600for an inflatable product according to another embodiment of the present invention. The air pump600includes a pump body610, an air inlet620and an air outlet630. A drive assembly is arranged in the pump body610, and a knob switch640extends outside of the pump body610. For the sake of simplicity, the structures and operations similar to those of the above embodiments will not be repeated in detail.

With reference toFIG.16aandFIG.16b, a portion of the outer side wall of the pump body610may be enclosed by the support component740and provided with an abutting part cooperating with the support component740. For example, the abutting part may be shaped as a pair of convex strips613protruding from the outer side wall of the pump body610and arranged on opposing sides. The pair of convex strips613may advantageously extend along a direction parallel to a side wall of the inflatable product. Accordingly, as shown inFIG.17aandFIG.17b, the support component740may comprise a base741, and the base741may include a notch745having a location corresponding to the air valve230of the shell for aligning the air inlet620and/or the air outlet630of the air pump600with the air valve230of the shell. One side of an edge of the base741that faces the pump body610is provided with a pair of support plates743which extend perpendicularly and are oppositely arranged on a pair of first opposing edges of the base741The pair of support plates743may respectively extend to enclose most of the outer side wall of the pump body610and can abut against the pair of convex strips613of the pump body610. In this way, as shown inFIG.19, when the pump body610translates towards the air valve230along the transverse direction, the convex strip613on the pump body610can press the support plate743of the support component740to move towards the air valve230. Otherwise, when the pump body610translates away from the air valve230along the transverse direction, the support component740can be reset and the pump body610be caused to move away from the air valve230by the abutting action of the support plate743and the convex strip613. At the same time, since the support component740encloses part of the pump body610, more stable support can be provided to the pump body610. Correspondingly, because the convex strips613extends along a direction parallel to the side wall, they abut against a free end of the support plate743to further provide a support function to smooth movement of the pump body610when the air pump600translates along the path such that the position of the air inlet620or the air outlet630matches (or at least partially overlaps) the position of the air valve230and connects thereto.

In some embodiments, such as shown inFIG.17a, the support plate743may be provided with a grid744. The grid744may extend parallel or perpendicular to a side wall of the inflatable product. As a result, the material requirements and weight of the support component740can be reduced with an improvement in heat dissipation. As such, during the operation, the pump body610does not over heat as a result of being enclosed.

In some embodiments, similar to the support component240described above, the support component740may further include a pair of wall plates742extending perpendicularly from the edge of the base741towards the pump body and arranged oppositely. Advantageously, the pair of wall plates742are arranged alternately with the pair of support plates743, as shown inFIG.17b. The length of the wall plates742may be greater than or equal to the length of the part of the pump body610that surrounds the air inlet620and the air outlet630and protrude outwardly along the transverse direction. As shown inFIG.19, the wall plates742can abut against the bottom or side of the pump body610. In an optional embodiment, when the position of the air inlet620or the air outlet630of the air pump600matches the position of the air valve230of the shell820, one of the pair of wall plates742may abut against a bottom wall of the pump body610that faces the air valve230, thereby ensuring reliable support for the pump body610and making the internal structure of the shell820more compact.

In order to reset the support component740and facilitate the pump body610moving away from the air valve230along the transverse direction, a plurality of fixing holes746are provided in the base741of the support component740, as shown inFIG.17b. Accordingly, as shown inFIG.18andFIG.19, a plurality of bosses752may be provided in the internal chamber of the shell820. Each boss752is sleeved with an elastic member753and is mated with a fixing hole746of the support component740. Optionally, the bosses752may be provided with a thread so as to fixedly connect the bosses752by passing, for example, a threaded fastener751through the fixing hole746, thereby realizing an automatic reset function by the directional bias of the elastic member753. It should be understood that in an optional embodiment, similar bosses may also be provided at the bottom of the base741of the support component740facing the air valve230of the shell820, as in the support component240described above.

FIG.20atoFIG.20fshow another embodiment of an air pump1000for an inflatable product. Similar to the above embodiments, the air pump1000comprises a pump body1100. The pump body1100may comprise a first pump body1110and a second pump body1120(FIG.20f) connected to each other. A driving assembly is located inside the pump body1100and comprises an impeller1600, a driving motor1700, and a pump cover1800. The pump cover1800fixes and separates the impeller1600and the driving motor1700. A knob switch1400extends outside of the pump body1100. The knob switch1400may be provided with an indicator1420for indicating the state or position of the air pump1000, and a protruding block1410cooperating with the opening2110of the shell2000when the air pump1000is used as a connected air pump. When the knob switch1400is rotated, the trigger switch1900in the pump body1100can be engaged/disengaged to turn on/off a start-up circuit of the driving motor1700, thereby switching on/off the air pump1000. In the start state, air can flow from the air inlet1200to the air outlet1300via the pump cover1800and the impeller1600along the arrow inFIG.20e.

In this embodiment, an air outlet1300may be provided on the first pump body1110, an air inlet1200may be provided on the second pump body1120, and a switching lever1430may be disposed on the same plane of the knob switch1400, as shown inFIG.20a. When the air pump1000is used as a connected air pump, the air pump1000can be switched between a first position, a second position, and any intermediate or neutral positions by means of the movement of the switching lever1430, which will be described in detail below.

FIG.21andFIG.22show an embodiment of the air pump1000connected to the shell2000. In this embodiment, an upper cover2100and a bottom portion2200of the shell2000are detachably connected to form an internal chamber. The bottom portion2200is provided with a vent hole2210, and an air valve2300is mounted on the vent hole2210. The air valve2300may comprise a valve plug2310and a valve cap2320. The air pump1000is detachably arranged within the bottom portion2200of the shell2000and supported by a support component2400.

Similar to the previous embodiments, the knob switch1400of the air pump1000extends through an opening of the upper cover2100and out of the shell2000. Moreover, in this embodiment, the switching lever1430of the air pump1000also extends through the opening2170of the upper cover2100and out of the shell2000. Referring toFIG.21, the opening2110,2170of the upper cover2100may comprise two segments: a first segment2110provided for the knob switch1400of the air pump1000to extend through, and a second segment2170provided for the switching lever1430to extend through. The first segment2110may be provided with a limit structure to limit the knob switch1400, and the second segment2170provides a movement path for the switching lever1430such that the air pump is switched between the first position and the second position. In this embodiment, the first pump body1110and the second pump body1120(FIG.20f) are fixed integrally with the air inlet1200and the air outlet1300.

It will be understood that in other embodiments, engineers may connect the pump body and the air inlet and the air outlet in a non-fixed manner for the purpose of reducing the friction area between the pump body and the bottom portion of the shell. For example, the pump body can be fixedly arranged on the shell or the bottom portion, and the air inlet and the air outlet are arranged on a circular flat plate which is rotatably connected to the pump body and fixedly connected to the knob switch. The user may then rotate the knob switch to correspondingly connect the air inlet or the air outlet to the vent hole depending on the direction of rotation. At this time, the impeller forms a partially sealed passage with the air inlet and the air outlet. In a further embodiment, the bottom of the shell or the bottom portion is partially planar. The vent hole is not provided with an air valve, but is simply provided as a port bounded by a flat portion of the shell, and the air inlet and the air outlet do not extend outwardly, and are arranged along the same plane with the bottom of the air pump. The shapes of the air inlet and the air outlet match the vent hole, and the air inlet and the air outlet1300are respectively connected to the vent hole in a corresponding way through rotation, so as to achieve the purposes of inflation and deflation. When the air pump is stopped, the non-air inlet/outlet position at the bottom of the air pump blocks the vent hole by rotation to form a seal. The bottom of the shell or the base can be arranged to be non-planar, so that the air inlet and the air outlet can form a gap with the bottom portion when not aligned with the vent hole, thus allowing the air flow to flow smoothly. In another embodiment, the bottom of the pump body is fixedly arranged with the pump body, such that it cannot independently move. In such instances, the bottom of the pump body may be non-planar and include a vent port. The air inlet and the air outlet are arranged on a circular flat plate inside of the air pump and are kept in fluid communication with the impeller, and the flat plate is connected to the pump body in a rotating manner and is in contact with the bottom of the pump body. Other positions of the pump body (e.g., near the knob switch) are provided with ventilation grids, which are in fluid communication with one of the air inlet and the air outlet. The air inlet and the air outlet are also not provided with convex shapes (they do not protrude outwardly from the pump body), but are arranged on a same or similar plane. The shapes of the air inlet and the air outlet match the vent port at the bottom of the pump body, and are respectively connected to the vent port at the bottom of the pump body through the rotation of the flat plate, and the vent port and the ventilation grids respectively become external air inlet/outlet ports of the air pump. The user enables the air inlet and the air outlet to rotate along with the flat plate inside the pump body by rotating the knob switch, such that the air inlet and the air outlet are respectively connected to the vent port, thus achieving the purpose of switching internal air passages. For example, when the air outlet and the vent port are correspondingly connected, the air flow enters the air inlet through the ventilation grids, and reaches the vent port from the air outlet after being pressurized by the impeller, thus realizing the inflation function. When the air inlet and the vent port are correspondingly connected, the air flow enters the air inlet through the vent port, and reaches the ventilation grids from the air outlet after being pressurized by the impeller, so as to be pumped out of the inflatable product. When the air pump is stopped, the neutral position or non-air inlet/outlet position of the flat plate blocks the vent port by rotation to form a seal. In this case, the shell can be designed as an open fixed seat, the purpose of which is only to install the pump body on the inflatable product. Similar to the above embodiment, the upper cover may be provided with an openable take-up cover, and a notch for a power line to stretch out when the take-up cover is closed.

With reference now back toFIG.21andFIG.22, the support component2400comprises a pivot cylinder2410received in the internal chamber of the shell2000and provided with an elastic member2440. Accordingly, a support pillar2430cooperating with the pivot cylinder2410is disposed in the internal chamber of the shell2000, that is, on the bottom portion2200. Referring toFIG.21andFIG.22in conjunction withFIG.23c, the support component2400is shown to include the pivot cylinder2410in which an elastic member2440is received. One end of the elastic member2440may be sleeved on a positioning post2220formed on the bottom portion2200, as shown inFIG.22, while the other end abuts against the support component2400which is movable along the pivot cylinder2410, and the support pillar2430projects from the pivot cylinder2410to abut against the pump body1100of the air pump1000, as shown inFIG.23c, thereby providing an axis for relative rotation of the pump body1100. In some embodiments, the support component2400may further comprise fixing portions2420symmetrically disposed on side walls of the pivot cylinder2410. Accordingly, support pillars2230cooperating with the fixing portions2420are disposed on the bottom portion2200of the shell2000. Thus, the support component2400can effectively support the pump body1100of the air pump1000, and when the pump body1100is moved up, the support pillar2430automatically resets to maintain the abutment against the pump body1100.

It can also be seen fromFIG.23cthat the side walls of the bottom portion2200of the shell2000can be configured to tilt gradually towards the internal chamber from the upper cover to the bottom, i.e., the walls are slightly tapered. In this way, after the pump body1100of the air pump1000is placed into the internal chamber of the shell2000, the side walls of the shell2000play a certain role in positioning the pump body but do not clamp the pump body1100.

The operation of the connected air pump according to still another embodiment of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG.23atoFIG.23dshow the connected air pump in a stop state adjacent to the inflation position. At this position, as best shown inFIG.23a, the switching lever1430of the air pump is located near the inflation sign2120, and the indicator1420of the knob switch1400points to the right side. The first segment2110on the upper cover of the shell2000has an arched segment for the knob switch1400to rotate therein along the path. The second segment2170is configured in a generally semicircular form and surrounds the first segment2110for the switching lever1430to move from a position near the inflation sign2120to a position near the deflation sign2130, such that the pump body is switched from the first position to the second position.

As best shown inFIG.23c, in the stop state adjacent to the inflation position, the pump body1100of the air pump does not press the support pillar2430of the pivot, and the air outlet1300is aligned but spaced from the vent hole2210such that it is not yet in communication with the air valve2310.

FIG.24atoFIG.24dshow the connected air pump in a stop state adjacent to the deflation position. At this position, as best shown inFIG.24a, the switching lever1430of the air pump is rotated along the second segment2170to the position near the deflation sign2130, thereby driving the pump body1100to rotate within the internal chamber of the shell2000. The indicator1420of the knob switch1400points to the left side. As shown inFIG.24c, in this state, the pump body1100of the air pump does not press the support pillar2430of the pivot, and the air inlet1200is aligned with but spaced from the vent hole2210such that it is not yet in communication with the air valve2310.

FIG.25atoFIG.25eshow the connected air pump in an inflation state or inflation position. It can be seen fromFIG.25athat the switching lever1430of the air pump1000is still located near the inflation sign2120, while the knob switch1400is rotated counterclockwise until the indicator1420generally points in the direction of the inflation sign2120. In order to start the air pump1000, during the switching of the knob switch1400from the stop state to the start state, the knob switch1400is first pressed towards the inside of the shell2000before rotation. As best shown inFIG.25b, the edge of the first segment2110is extended towards the internal chamber along the transverse direction to form a vertical wall2110a, and the limit structure comprises a stop flange2111extending out from the vertical wall2110aalong the path. Once the knob switch1400is pressed and rotated, the stop flange2111can restrict the knob switch1400in the transverse direction after it has been rotated into position. As shown inFIG.25d, the protruding block1410on the knob switch1400is engaged with and retained by the stop flange2111.

Once the air pump1000is an inflation state, as shown inFIG.25candFIG.25e, from pressing of the knob switch1400, the pump body1100in response presses the support pillar2430of the pivot mechanism, thereby pressing the elastic member2440downwardly in the transverse direction. During the movement/compression of the elastic member2440, the air outlet1300moves towards the vent hole2210and push the valve plug2310to move down to open the vent hole2210. Thus, as indicated by the arrows inFIG.25e, an inflation path is formed in the connected air pump1000. More particularly, the air flow enters the shell2000from the first segment2110or the second segment2170of the upper cover2100and then enters the air inlet cavity of the pump body1100along the air inlet1200of the air pump1000, whereafter it flows into the air outlet cavity, and then enters the inflatable product500via the air outlet1300and finally the vent hole2210to effect inflation.

Further, when the knob switch1400is rotated in the opposite direction, i.e., clockwise, the elastic member2440is released from the restriction of the protruding block1410by stop flange2111and becomes elastically reset, resulting in the support pillar2430and the pump body1110being ejected towards the outside of the shell2000along the transverse direction, thereby restoring to the stop state shown in23a.

FIG.26atoFIG.26eshow the connected air pump in the deflation state or the deflation position. It can be seen fromFIG.26athat the switching lever1430of the air pump1000is still located near the deflation sign2130, while the knob switch1400is rotated counterclockwise until the indicator1420generally points in the direction of the deflation sign2130. As such, when the air pump1000is started, the knob switch1400is pressed down towards the inside of the shell2000, then rotated along the first segment2110, and retained by the stop flange2111, so that the air pump1000is in a deflation state.

As shown inFIG.26candFIG.26e, due to the pressing of the knob switch1400downwardly along the transverse direction, the pump body1100of the air pump1000presses the support pillar2430of the pivot, thereby pressing the elastic member2440. During the movement/compression of the elastic member2440the air inlet1200is moved towards the vent hole2210and pushes the valve plug2310to move down to open the vent hole2210. Thus, as indicated by the arrows inFIG.26e, a deflation path is formed in the connected air pump1000. In the deflation path, the air flow enters the shell2000from the inflatable product500via the vent hole2210, enters the air inlet cavity of the pump body1100along the air inlet1200of the air pump1000, flows into the air outlet cavity, and then flows out of the shell2000from the first segment2110/the second segment2170of the upper cover2100to effect deflation.

FIG.27aandFIG.27bshow the air pump1000connected to an inflatable product such as a mattress500. Similar toFIG.15aandFIG.15b, the air pump1000in the connected air pump1000can be detached from the bottom portion2200and taken out to independently serve the inflation or deflation functionality.

It can be seen from the above summary that in the inflatable product of the present invention, the air pump can be switched between inflation and deflation by means of mechanized operation of the knob switch. This arrangement simplifies the operation and the internal structure of the air pump because it does not require a traditional air passage switching device, thus also saving on the production costs. Further, the air pump may be used even when it is detached from the shell. When the air pump is connected, the inflatable product can be quickly and effectively inflated and deflated by the structural cooperation between the knob switch of the air pump and the opening of the upper cover of the shell, so that the user experience is further simplified and improved. Compared with the existing air pump, the present invention can be used as a connected air pump or detached, external air pump according to different needs, thus being more widely applicable to various inflatable products, and having significant cost effectiveness and replaceability.

It should be understood that the embodiments shown in the Figs. only show example shapes, dimensions, and arrangements of the inflatable product and the air pump according to the present invention, which are merely illustrative but not restrictive. It should be appreciated that other shapes, dimensions, and arrangements may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The technical content and technical features of the present invention are disclosed above, but it could be understood that those skilled in the art may make variations and improvements to the concepts disclosed above under the inventive concepts of the present invention, and all the variations and improvements fall into the scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention shall be defined by the claims.

Although multiple embodiments have been described herein, various modifications may be made to these embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention, and all such modifications still belong to the concept of the present invention and fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention. The scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims.

The disclosed systems and methods of operation are well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those that are inherent therein. The particular implementations disclosed above are illustrative only, as the teachings of the present disclosure may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended by the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular illustrative implementations disclosed above may be altered, combined, or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope of the present disclosure. The systems and methods of operation illustratively disclosed herein may suitably be practiced in the absence of any element that is not specifically disclosed herein and/or any optional element disclosed herein. The terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined in the specification. Moreover, the indefinite articles “a” or “an,” as used in the claims, are defined herein to mean one or more than one of the element that it introduces. If there is any conflict in the usages of a word or term in this specification and one or more patents or other documents that may be incorporated herein by reference, the definitions that are consistent with this specification should be adopted.

As used herein, the phrase “at least one of” preceding a series of items, with the terms “and” or “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each article of the list (i.e., each item). The phrase “at least one of” includes at least one of any one of the items, and/or at least one of any combination of the items, and/or at least one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” or “at least one of A, B, or C” each refer to only A, only B, or only C. Claim recitations of “first” or “second” are not necessarily limited to usage in the specification unless otherwise supported within the claim terminology. The various features described in reference to specific embodiments can be arranged with other embodiments without departing from the subject disclosure.