Dual-Chamber Air Pump

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the technical field of air pumps, and in particular, to a dual-chamber air pump.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, inflatable products such as inflatable sofas, inflatable pads, and inflatable beds have been widely favored by the public due to their portability, comfort, and suitability for both indoor and outdoor use. Typically made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride), rubber, or other synthetic materials, they offer temporary sleeping solutions that are easy to store and carry, making them ideal for short-term use and travel. These types of inflatable products generally require the use of an air pump for inflation and deflation, enabling quick setup for use and rapid packing for storage, thus enhancing convenience.

Currently, there exist various air pump valves in the market that can inflate and deflate inflatable products. For example, Chinese patent application publication number CN213871227U discloses an inflation pump valve for an air mattress. It includes a lower fixed valve body and an upper rotating valve body. The lower fixed valve body is provided with a lower central through-hole, a first intake pipe, a first air hole, a first exhaust pipe, a first air port, a second intake pipe, a second air hole, a second exhaust pipe, and a second air port. The upper rotating valve body is provided with an upper central through-hole. On the bottom surface of the upper rotating valve body, there are a first guiding groove matching the first air hole and the first air port, a second guiding groove matching the second air hole and second air port, and a third and/or fourth guiding groove matching the first and second air ports. A knob is provided on the top surface of the upper rotating valve body. With this inflation pump valve for the air mattress, the air mattress can perform a wave-like massage for the user and can stop the pump's operation at night, ensuring the user's rest.

However, such existing inflation pump valves still have the following shortcomings:

• • Although the technical solution provides a first air port and a second air port, it cannot control them individually to be opened or closed. For inflatable products with two air chambers, it cannot achieve sequential inflation and deflation of these two chambers.
  • With this technical solution, when opening or closing is needed, one must manually hold the knob and rotate the upper rotating valve body to a specified position for inflation and deflation. Due to high airtightness requirements of the equipment, a certain amount of force or even a tool is needed to turn the upper rotating valve body. This sets a certain threshold for operation, making it less user-friendly for beginners.

In view of the above, the inventor has proposed the following technical solution.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a dual-chamber air pump.

To solve the above technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A dual-chamber air pump, comprising: a housing, which is provided with a first air port and a second air port; a cover body arranged on top of the housing, with multiple air holes arranged in sequence on the cover body; an air port control motor disposed inside the housing; a first valve and a second valve, where the first valve is in driving connection with the air port control motor and can seal the first air port, and the second valve is in driving connection with the air port control motor and can seal the second air port; a brushless motor installed inside the housing and used for pumping air in and out; an air channel switching member slidably arranged inside the housing and used for switching the direction of air flow.

In a further aspect of the above technical solution, the first valve includes: a first driving tooth engaged with and driven by the air port control motor, a first valve cam driven to rotate by the first driving tooth, a first valve pressure plate that is vertically slidable and capable of closing the first air port, a first protective cover that is arranged from bottom to top over the housing and surrounds the first valve pressure plate, and a first airtight spring disposed between the first valve pressure plate and the first protective cover to push the first valve pressure plate upward. The first valve cam has an inverted V-shaped first recess, and the first valve pressure plate protrudes a first tab that matches this first recess.

In a further aspect, the second valve includes: a second driving tooth engaged with and driven by the air port control motor, a second valve cam driven to rotate by the second driving tooth, a second valve pressure plate that is vertically slidable and capable of closing the second air port, a second protective cover arranged from bottom to top over the housing and surrounding the second valve pressure plate, and a second airtight spring disposed between the second valve pressure plate and the second protective cover to push the second valve pressure plate upward. The second valve cam has an inverted V-shaped second recess, and the second valve pressure plate protrudes a second tab that matches this second recess.

In a further aspect, a first air chamber capable of accommodating the brushless motor is formed inside the housing. A motor support is installed within the housing to support the brushless motor. This motor support divides the first air chamber into an output chamber and an input chamber. The motor support has a first opening that can connect the output chamber to the air channel switching member, and a second vent that can connect the input chamber to the air channel switching member. A vent cover plate is installed inside the housing, and a circuit board for control operations is also installed inside the housing. A gap is formed between the circuit board and the vent cover plate to allow airflow.

In a further aspect, a second air chamber capable of accommodating the first and second valves is formed inside the housing. A sealing plate used for guiding airflow is installed inside the housing. The sealing plate is provided with a first mounting cylinder and a second mounting cylinder for installing the first and second valve cams respectively. The sealing plate is also formed with an exhaust guiding portion that matches the air channel switching member.

In a further aspect, an air channel switching motor is arranged inside the housing to drive the air channel switching member to slide up and down. This air channel switching motor is located above the air channel switching member and is in driving connection with it through a connecting rod.

In a further aspect, the upper end of the air channel switching member is provided with a slot-shaped hole for connection to the connecting rod. The air channel switching member protrudes downward to form a shielding part and is provided with an airflow guiding channel to direct airflow.

In a further aspect, a valve stopper component for driving the first and second valves to open and close is connected to the output shaft of the air port control motor. Teeth segments that can mesh with the first and second driving teeth protrude from this valve stopper component.

In a further aspect, the first and second driving teeth are respectively fixedly connected to the first and second valve cams. Through the valve stopper component, the air port control motor drives the first and second driving teeth to rotate, thereby respectively driving the first and second valve cams to rotate. The upper end of the first tab has a curved surface. The first tab abuts against the first valve cam so that when the first valve cam rotates, the first valve pressure plate is driven to open or close. Similarly, the upper end of the second tab has a curved surface. The second tab abuts against the second valve cam so that when the second valve cam rotates, the second valve pressure plate is driven to open or close.

In a further aspect, a mounting slot is formed in the housing, and a power supply is arranged within this mounting slot to provide power. The first and second air ports respectively inflate and deflate two air chambers of an external inflatable object.

Compared with the prior art, the present invention offers the following beneficial effects:

• • In the present invention, the air port control motor controls the first and second valves, thereby controlling the first and second air ports. This effectively achieves independent opening and closing of each air port. Within limited space, a single brushless motor can inflate and deflate objects with two or more air chambers, making it suitable for various inflatable devices. Moreover, unlike existing structures, the present invention does not require manual rotation or tools. Instead, the first and second valves are directly controlled by the air port control motor, resulting in a high degree of automation, convenient use, and excellent applicability.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional structural schematic of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an assembly schematic of the valve pressure plate in the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional schematic view of the present invention in the inflation state;

FIG. 5 is a sectional schematic view of the present invention in the deflation state;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the operational state of the valve cam and valve pressure plate in the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an assembly schematic view of the air channel switching member with the sealing plate and motor support in the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an internal structural schematic view of the present invention after removing the cover body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Below, the present invention is further explained with reference to specific embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 8, this is a dual-chamber air pump, which includes: a housing 1, where a first air port 11 and a second air port 12 are formed on the housing 1; a cover body 2, which is arranged on the housing 1, and multiple air holes 21 are arranged in sequence on the cover body 2; it also includes: an air port control motor 3, which is arranged inside the housing 1; a first valve 31 and a second valve 32, wherein the first valve 31 is in driving connection with the air port control motor 3 and can seal the first air port 11, and the second valve 32 is in driving connection with the air port control motor 3 and can seal the second air port 12; a brushless motor 4, which is arranged inside the housing 1 and used to pump air into and out of the first air port 11 and the second air port 12; an air channel switching member 5, which is arranged in the housing 1 in a manner allowing it to slide up and down, and is used to switch the airflow direction. In the present invention, the air port control motor 3 controls the first valve 31 and the second valve 32 to regulate the first air port 11 and the second air port 12, effectively achieving the selective opening of either the first air port 11 or the second air port 12. Within a limited space, one brushless motor 4 can inflate and deflate an object having two or more air chambers, making it suitable for various air pump inflatable devices. In addition, compared to existing structures, the present invention does not require manual rotation or the aid of tools; rather, it directly controls the first valve 31 and second valve 32 through the air port control motor 3, resulting in a high degree of automation, easy operation, and excellent applicability.

The first valve 31 includes: a first driving tooth 311 in driving connection with the air port control motor 3, a first valve cam 312 driven to rotate by the first driving tooth 311, a first valve pressure plate 313 that is inserted through the housing 1 in a manner allowing it to slide up and down and that can close the first air port 11, a first protective cover 314 arranged from bottom to top on the housing 1 and covering the periphery of the first valve pressure plate 313, and a first airtight spring 315 arranged between the first valve pressure plate 313 and the first protective cover 314 to push the first valve pressure plate 313 upward. The first valve cam 312 is provided with a first recess 316 in an inverted V-shape, and the first valve pressure plate 313 is formed with a protruding first tab 317 that matches the first recess 316. Here, in conjunction with FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, when the air port control motor 3 rotates counterclockwise and drives the first driving tooth 311, thereby driving the first valve cam 312 to rotate, since the first recess 316 is inverted V-shaped, and the end of the first tab 317 has a curved surface, the first valve cam 312 will push the first tab 317, causing the first valve pressure plate 313 to move downward until the first tab 317 exits the first recess 316 and abuts against the bottom of the first valve cam 312. At this time, the first valve pressure plate 313 leaves the first air port 11, causing the first air port 11 to open.

The second valve 32 includes: a second driving tooth 321 in driving connection with the air port control motor 3, a second valve cam 322 driven to rotate by the second driving tooth 321, a second valve pressure plate 323 that is inserted through the housing 1 in a manner allowing it to slide up and down and that can close the second air port 12, a second protective cover 324 arranged from bottom to top on the housing 1 and covering the periphery of the second valve pressure plate 323, and a second airtight spring 325 arranged between the second valve pressure plate 323 and the second protective cover 324 to push the second valve pressure plate 323 upward. The second valve cam 322 is provided with a second recess 326 in an inverted V-shape, and the second valve pressure plate 323 is formed with a protruding second tab 327 that matches the second recess 326. When rotated, the second valve pressure plate 323 is driven to move up and down to close or open the second air port 12. Here, in conjunction with FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, when the air port control motor 3 rotates clockwise and drives the second driving tooth 321, thereby driving the second valve cam 322 to rotate, since the second recess 326 is inverted V-shaped, and the end of the second tab 327 has a curved surface, the second valve cam 322 will push the second tab 327, causing the second valve pressure plate 323 to move downward until the second tab 327 exits the second recess 326 and abuts against the bottom of the second valve cam 322. At this time, the second valve pressure plate 323 leaves the second air port 12, causing the second air port 12 to open. Meanwhile, the first airtight spring 315 will push up the first valve pressure plate 313, causing the first tab 317 of the first valve pressure plate 313 to abut against the top of the first recess 316. At this time, the first valve pressure plate 313 just covers the first air port 11 from above, causing the first air port 11 to close.

In conjunction with FIG. 2, the housing 1 at the first air port 11 is formed with a first limiting portion 17 for axially limiting the first valve pressure plate 313, and the housing 1 at the second air port 12 is formed with a second limiting portion 18 for axially limiting the second valve pressure plate 323. Here, the first tab 317 of the first valve pressure plate 313 passes through the first limiting portion 17, so that the first valve pressure plate 313 can only move up and down and cannot rotate circumferentially; the second tab 327 of the second valve pressure plate 323 passes through the second limiting portion 18, so that the second valve pressure plate 323 can only move up and down and cannot rotate circumferentially.

Inside the housing 1, there is a first air chamber 101 that can accommodate the brushless motor 4. A motor support 102 is installed inside the housing 1 to support the brushless motor 4. This motor support 102 divides the first air chamber 101 into an output chamber 1011 and an input chamber 1012, and the motor support 102 has a first opening 1021 that can connect the output chamber 1011 to the air channel switching member 5, and a second vent 1022 that can connect the input chamber 1012 to the air channel switching member 5. A vent cover plate 15 is installed inside the housing 1, and a circuit board 7 for controlling operation is also installed inside the housing 1. A control button 71 is provided on the circuit board 7, and a gap 72 for air passage is formed between the circuit board 7 and the vent cover plate 15. Among them, the control button 71 at least includes an inflation button 711, a deflation button 712, and a power button 713. In conjunction with FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 8, the circuit board 7 is installed at a position higher than the vent cover plate 15, forming the gap 72 that allows air to flow in and out.

A slot-shaped hole 51 is provided at the upper end of the air channel switching member 5 for connection with the connecting rod 61. The air channel switching member 5 further protrudes downward to form a shielding part 52, and an air guide channel 53 is arranged on the air channel switching member 5 to guide airflow.

Inside the housing 1, an air channel switching motor 6 is provided to drive the air channel switching member 5 to slide up and down. The air channel switching motor 6 is located above the air channel switching member 5 and is in driving connection with it through the connecting rod 61. Inside the housing 1, there is a second air chamber 120 that can accommodate the first valve 31 and the second valve 32. A sealing plate 103 is installed inside the housing 1 to guide airflow. The sealing plate 103 is provided with a first mounting cylinder 1031 and a second mounting cylinder 1032 for installing the first valve cam 312 and the second valve cam 322, respectively. The sealing plate 103 is also formed with a vent guiding portion 1033 that matches the air channel switching member 5. In conjunction with FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 7, in the present invention, when inflation is required, the inflation button 711 is pressed manually, and the air channel switching motor 6 will drive the air channel switching member 5 to move, making the air guide channel 53 align with the first opening 1021 of the motor support 102. At this time, the output chamber 1011 is in communication with the second air chamber 120. After the brushless motor 4 starts running, external air enters through the air holes 21 and, passing through the gap 72 and the second vent 1022, is pumped into the first air chamber 101. Then, it passes through the first opening 1021 and the air guide channel 53 into the second air chamber 120. Further, the external air is pumped through either the first air port 11 or the second air port 12 into the two-chamber object. When deflation is required, the deflation button 712 is pressed manually, and the air channel switching motor 6 will drive the air channel switching member 5 to move, making the air guide channel 53 align with the second vent 1022 of the motor support 102. At this time, the second air chamber 120 is in communication with the input chamber 1012. After the brushless motor 4 starts running, the air inside the two chambers of the object is pumped into the second air chamber 120, and passes through the air guide channel 53 and the second vent 1022 into the input chamber 1012. Further, the air is drawn into the output chamber 1011 and flows out through the first opening 1021 from the output chamber 1011. Finally, it flows through the gap 72 to the air holes 21 and is discharged outwards. Of course, the present invention can inflate and deflate objects with two or more air chambers (such as inflatable sofas, inflatable pads, inflatable beds, etc.).

A valve stopper 33 used to drive the first valve 31 and the second valve 32 to open and close is connected to the output shaft of the air port control motor 3. Several tooth segments 331 that can mesh with the first driving tooth 311 and the second driving tooth 321 protrude on the valve stopper 33.

The first driving tooth 311 and the second driving tooth 321 are respectively fixedly connected to the first valve cam 312 and the second valve cam 322. Through the valve stopper 33, the air port control motor 3 drives the first driving tooth 311 and the second driving tooth 321 to rotate, thereby respectively driving the first valve cam 312 and the second valve cam 322 to rotate. The upper end of the first tab 317 has a curved surface, and the first tab 317 abuts against the first valve cam 312. When the first valve cam 312 rotates, the first valve pressure plate 313 is driven to open or close. The upper end of the second tab 327 has a curved surface, and the second tab 327 abuts against the second valve cam 322. When the second valve cam 322 rotates, the second valve pressure plate 323 is driven to open or close.

Inside the housing 1, a mounting slot 16 is formed. A power supply 17 for providing power is arranged in the mounting slot 16. The first air port 11 and the second air port 12 respectively inflate and deflate two air chambers of the external inflatable item. The power supply 17 is provided with a removal button 171, which is connected with a latch 172. By pressing the removal button 171, the latch 172 can be unlocked, allowing rapid removal of the power supply 17.

In summary, in the present invention, the air port control motor 3 controls the first valve 31 and the second valve 32 to regulate the first air port 11 and the second air port 12, effectively achieving the selective opening of either the first air port 11 or the second air port 12. Within a limited space, a single brushless motor 4 can inflate and deflate objects with two or more air chambers, making it suitable for various air pump inflatable devices. Moreover, compared with existing structures, the present invention requires no manual rotation or tools, but directly uses the air port control motor 3 to control the first valve 31 and the second valve 32. It has a high degree of automation, is convenient to use, and offers excellent applicability.

Of course, the above is only a specific embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Any equivalent changes or modifications made based on the structures, characteristics, and principles described in the claims of the present invention should be included within the scope of the claims of the present invention.