Related Applications

[0001] This application is related to Chinese Application No. CN202123434959.0, filed December 31, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

Field of the Disclosure

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the field of multi-chamber inflatable products, in particular to an internal pressure regulating structure for a multi-chamber inflatable product.

Background of the Disclosure

[0003] Inflatable products are light in weight and easy to carry and collect. They are not only suitable for temporary use, but further gradually used as normal furniture. Take the inflatable bed as an example. It has strong flexibility and elasticity, and the softness and hardness are adjustable, making an inflatable bed comfortable to use. At present, in order to improve comfortability, the inflatable bed is generally provided with multiple air chambers, and different air chambers are filled with different amounts of air during use so as to adjust the multiple air chambers to different degrees of hardness and softness.

[0004] However, in actual use, the user can only adjust the hardness and softness of different air chambers according to the tactile manipulation by the user, which is troublesome for the user.

Summary of the Disclosure

[0005] The present disclosure provides an internal pressure adjustment structure for a multi-chamber inflatable product, which can simplify the user's air pressure adjustment operation and improve the user's experience.

[0006] In an aspect of the disclosure, an internal pressure regulating structure for a multi-chamber inflatable product is disclosed, comprising an inflation and deflation assembly and at least one regulating valve, the inflation and deflation assembly arranged on the outer wall of the inflatable product and connected with one of the air chambers, and the outer wall of each other air chambers is provided with a regulating valve, the regulating valve comprises a valve body, and the valve body is provided with at least two air flow channels.

[0007] In another aspect of the disclosure, an internal pressure regulating structure for a multi-chamber inflatable product is disclosed. The internal regulating structure comprises an inflatable product having at least two air chambers; a regulating valve positioned between the at least two air chambers; and an inflation and deflation assembly positioned on an outer wall of the inflatable product and fluidly coupled to at least one of the at least two air chambers.

[0008] In various aspects of the disclosure, at least one of the air flow channels is used for the air to flow from a first side to a second side, and at least one of the air flow channels is used for the air to flow from the second side to the first side, the first side and the second side refer to the inner and outer sides of the outer wall of the air chamber where the regulating valve is installed.

[0009] In various aspects of the disclosure, at least two check valves are installed on the valve body, and each check valve forms one air flow channel.

[0010] In various aspects of the disclosure, the regulating valve further comprises a valve cover, which is connected to the valve body and forms a valve chamber with the valve body; the valve cover is provided with a connecting hole for connecting the inside and outside of the valve chamber.

[0011] In various aspects of the disclosure, the inflation and deflation assembly is a multi-channel air pump, the multi-channel air pump is provided with a plurality of air outlets, and the connecting hole on each regulating valve is connected with an air outlet through an air pipe.

[0012] In various aspects of the disclosure, the check valve comprises a gland, a valve slice, a valve stem and an elastic member, the gland is fixed on the valve body; the valve slice, the valve stem and the elastic member are arranged between the gland and the valve body, one end of the valve stem passes through the elastic member and then fixed on the valve body, and the other end presses against the valve slice.

[0013] In various aspects of the disclosure, the check valve further comprises a wear-resistant gasket, and the wear-resistant gasket is arranged between the elastic member and the valve body.

[0014] In various aspects of the disclosure, the check valve is a PVC check valve.

[0015] In various aspects of the disclosure, the inflation and deflation assembly is an inflation and deflation valve or an inflation and deflation pump.

[0016] In various aspects of the disclosure, the inflation and deflation assembly comprises a pump.

[0017] In various aspects of the disclosure, the inflation and deflation assembly comprises a valve.

[0018] In various aspects of the disclosure, the inflatable product has at least three air chambers. The inflation and deflation assembly may be fluidly and independently coupled to each of the at least three air chambers.

[0019] In various aspects of the disclosure, each of the at least two air chambers may be configured to both selectively and independent inflate or deflate; and simultaneously inflate or deflate.

[0020] In various aspects of the disclosure, the regulating valve may have at least two air flow channels, each air flow channel directing air in a different direction from the other. Each air flow channel may comprise a check valve. Each of the at least two air chambers may be configured to simultaneously reach a common pressure. Each of the at least two air chambers may be configured to be independently manipulated to reach different pressures.

[0021] With the above technical solution, a disclosed embodiment is provided with a regulating valve on the outer wall of the air chamber of the inflatable product.

When users inflate the inflatable product, they can inflate multiple air chambers at the same time. The regulating valve will automatically adjust the air pressure between each air chamber, thus simplifying the user's inflation and pressure regulation operation and improving the user experience.

[0022] In addition, the inflation and deflation assembly in the present invention cane be a multi-channel air pump. At the same time, the regulating valve mainly comprises a valve body, a valve cover and two check valves arranged on the valve body in opposite directions. Each regulating valve is connected to the air outlet of the multi-channel air pump. This setting allows the user to slightly regulate the air pressure of individual air chambers separately after completing the inflation operation of air chambers at one time to meet the user's different use needs.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a first view an internal pressure regulation structure as implemented on an inflatable product having at least two chambers;

[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates a second view of the internal pressure regulation structure of FIG. 1 as implemented on the inflatable product;

[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates the internal pressure regulation structure of FIG. 1;

[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates a regulating valve of the internal pressure regulation structure of FIG. 1;

[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates a second internal pressure regulation structure as implemented on an inflatable product having at least two chambers;

[0028] FIG. 6 illustrates the second internal pressure regulation structure of FIG. 5;

[0029] FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of the second internal pressure regulating structure of FIG. 5;

[0030] FIG. 8 illustrates a third internal pressure regulation structure as implemented on an inflatable product having at least three chambers;

[0031] FIG. 9 illustrates the third internal pressure regulation structure of FIG. 8; [0032] FIG. 10 illustrates an exploded view of the third internal pressure regulating structure of FIG. 8;

[0033] FIG. 11 illustrates a fourth internal pressure regulation structure as implemented on an inflatable product having at least four chambers;

[0034] FIG. 12 illustrates the fourth internal pressure regulation structure of FIG. 11;

[0035] FIG. 13 illustrates an exploded view of the fourth internal pressure regulating structure of FIG. 11;

[0036] FIG. 14 illustrates a fifth internal pressure regulation structure as implemented on an inflatable product having at least two chambers;

[0037] FIG. 15 illustrates the fifth internal pressure adjustment structure of FIG. 14; and

[0038] FIG. 16 illustrates a regulating valve of the fifth internal pressure regulation structure.

[0039] Reference marks:

[0040] Inflatable bed 10;

[0041] Inner air chamber 11;

[0042] Inner air chamber Al l i;

[0043] Inner air chamber B 112;

[0044] Inner air chamber Cl 13;

[0045] Outer air chamber 12;

[0046] Inflation and deflation assembly 20;

[0047] Regulating valve 30;

[0048] Valve body 31;

[0049] Valve cover 32;

[0050] Connecting hole 321;

[0051] First check valve 33 a;

[0052] Second check valve 33b;

[0053] Gland 331;

[0054] Valve slice 332; [0055] Valve stem 333;

[0056] Elastic member 334;

[0057] Wear-resistant gasket 335;

[0058] Air pipe 34.

Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[0059] The present disclosure provides an internal pressure regulating structure for a multi-chamber inflatable product, which comprises an inflation and deflation assembly 20 and at least one regulating valve 30. The inflation and deflation assembly 20 is arranged on the outer wall of the inflatable product and is connected with one of the air chambers. The outer wall of each other air chamber is provided with the regulating valve 30. The regulating valve 30 comprises a valve body 31, and the valve body 31 is provided with at least two air flow channels. At least one air flow channel is used for the air to flow from a first side to a second side, and at least one air flow channel is used for the air to flow from the second side to the first side. The first side and the second side refer to the inner and outer sides of the outer wall of the air chamber installed with the regulating valve.

[0060] The valve body 31 is provided with at least two check valves. The number of check valves included with the valve body is the same as the number of air flow channels, and each check valve forms one air flow channel. In the following embodiments listed in the present disclosure, the valve body 31 is provided with two check valves 33, namely the first check valve 33a and the second check valve 33b. [0061] The present disclosure further provides a regulating valve 30 between two air chambers of the inflatable product, which can automatically adjust the air pressure difference between each air chamber of the inflatable product during inflation, thereby simplifying the user's air pressure adjustment operation and improving the user's experience.

[0062] In order to elaborate the technical solution of the present invention, the following will take the multi-chamber inflatable bed as an example, and list five embodiments for detailed description. Embodiment 1

[0063] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the inflatable bed 10, for example, a multi-chamber inflatable bed, is provided with two air chambers, namely, the outer air chamber 12 and the inner air chamber 11. The inflation and deflation assembly 20 is a single channel inflation and deflation pump, which is arranged on the peripheral side wall of the inflatable bed 10 (as shown in FIG. 1) and can further be arranged on the top side wall of the inflatable bed (as shown in FIG. 2). The inflation and deflation assembly 20 is connected with the outer air chamber 12. The regulating valve 30 is arranged on the outer wall of the inner air chamber 11, and comprises a valve body 31, a first check valve 33a and a second check valve 33b arranged on the valve body 31. The first check valve 33a is used to control the air entering the inner air chamber 11 from the outer air chamber 12, and the second check valve 33b is used to control the air entering the outer air chamber 12 from the inner air chamber 11.

[0064] The first check valve 33a and the second check valve 33b have the same structure, comprising a gland 331, a valve slice 332, a valve stem 333, and an elastic member 334. The gland 331 is fixed on the valve body 31. The valve slice 332, the valve stem 333, and the elastic member 334 are arranged between the gland 331 and the valve body 31. One end of the valve stem 333 passes through the elastic member 334 and then fixes on the valve body 31, while the other end is pressed against the valve slice 332. On the basis of the above, the check valve further comprises a wear-resistant gasket 335, which is arranged between the elastic member 334 and the valve body 31. The above elastic member 334 is a spring. The manufacturer can adjust the pressure difference between the inner chamber 11 and the outer chamber 12 of the inflatable bed 10 by selecting springs with different elastic values during production.

[0065] When the user uses the inflatable bed 10, the inflation and deflation assembly 20 is operated to inflate the inflatable bed 10. The inflation and deflation assembly 20 directs ambient air into the outer air chamber 12. When the air pressure of the outer air chamber 12 is enough to open the first check valve 33a, the air enters the inner air chamber 11. After inflation for a period of time, the user only needs to judge the hardness of the inner air chamber 11 or the outer air chamber 12, without judging both, thus simplifying the user's inflation operation.

Embodiment 2

[0066] As shown in FIGS. 4-6, the same as that in Embodiment 1, except as provided further herein. The inflatable bed 10 is provided with two air chambers, namely, the outer air chamber 12 and the inner air chamber 11. The regulating valve 30 is arranged on the outer wall of the inner air chamber 11. The difference is that the regulating valve 30 further comprises a valve cover 32, which is connected to the valve body 31 and forms a valve chamber with the valve body 31; the valve cover 32 is provided with a connecting hole 321 for connecting the inside and outside of the valve chamber.

[0067] In addition, the inflation and deflation assembly 20 is a dual channel air pump, which is provided with two air outlets, one of which is directly connected with the outer air chamber 12 for inflation and deflation of the outer air chamber 12; the other air outlet is connected with the connecting hole 321 on the valve cover 32 through an air pipe 34 for inflation and deflation of the inner air chamber 11. The dual channel air pump can open two air outlets at the same time and can either further inflate and deflate the outer air chamber 12 and the inner air chamber 11 or open one of the air outlets to inflate and deflate one of the outer air chamber 12 or the inner air chamber 11.

[0068] When the user uses the inflatable bed 10, the inflation and deflation assembly 20 is started and the user selects to open two air outlets at the same time to inflate two air chambers 11, 12 of the inflatable bed 10 at the same time. Although both air outlets are opened, the air pressure of the inner chamber 11 is lower than that of the outer chamber 12 due to the effect of the first check valve 33 a on the regulating valve 30. After inflation for a period of time, the user can determine whether to stop inflation by feeling the hardness of the outer air chamber 12 or the inner air chamber 11. After inflation, if the user feels that the air pressure of the inner air chamber 11 is too high, the user can choose to open only the air outlet connected with the inner air chamber 11 and open the second check valve 33b to deflate the inner air chamber 11 independently. After deflation, the two air outlets of the inflation and deflation assembly 20 will be closed, so that the separate deflation operation of the inner chamber 11 will not affect the air pressure of the outer chamber 12. If the user feels that the air pressure of the outer air chamber 12 is not enough, the user can further choose to open only the air outlet connected with the outer air chamber 12 to supplement air to the outer air chamber 12 separately.

[0069] That is to say, when the user inflates the inflatable bed 10, it is not necessary to separately adjust the air pressure of the two air chambers of the inflatable bed 10. With inflation operation of the inflation and deflation assembly 20, the regulating valve 30 will automatically adjust the air pressure difference between the two air chambers. After inflation, the user can further slightly regulate the inner air chamber 11 and the outer air chamber 12 separately according to personal usage.

Embodiment 3

[0070] As shown in FIGS. 7-9, this embodiment is basically the same as that of Embodiment 2, except as provided further herein. The inflatable bed 10 in this embodiment is provided with three air chambers, namely, the inner air chamber Al l i, the inner air chamber Bl 12 and the outer air chamber 12. This embodiment has two regulating valves 30, one of which is positioned on the outer wall of inner chamber Al 11, and the other is positioned on the outer wall of inner chamber Bl 12.

[0071] The inflation and deflation assembly 20 is a three-channel air pump, which is provided with three air outlets. The inflation and deflation assembly 20 is arranged on the outer wall of the inflatable bed 10 so that one of the air outlets is directly connected with the outer air chamber 12, and the other two air outlets are respectively connected with the regulating valves 30 on the inner air chamber Al l i and the inner air chamber Bl 12.

[0072] When the user uses the inflatable bed 10, the inflation and deflation assembly 20 is started and open three air outlets are opened at the same time to inflate three air chambers of the inflatable bed 10 at the same time. Although the three air outlets are opened, the air pressure of inner air chamber Al l i and inner air chamber Bl 12 is lower than that of outer air chamber 12 due to the effect of regulating valve 30 on inner air chamber Al l i and inner air chamber B 112. After inflation for a period of time, the user can determine whether to stop inflation by feeling the hardness of the outer air chamber 12. When inflation is completed, if the user feels that the air pressure of inner chamber Al l i or Bl 12 is too high, the user can choose to open only the air outlet connected with the inner chamber and open the second check valve 33b to deflate air from one of inner chamber Al l i or B 112 separately. That is to say, in this embodiment, when the user inflates the inflatable bed 10, it is not necessary to separately adjust the air pressure of the three air chambers of the inflatable bed 10. The inflation and deflation assembly 20 may be operated to inflate, and the regulating valve 30 will automatically adjust the air pressure difference between air chambers according to the preset elastic force of the first check valve 33a. After the inflation is completed, users can adjust one or more air chambers individually according to their own usage habits, so that the inflatable bed 10 can meet different use needs.

Embodiment 4

[0073] As shown in FIGS. 10-12, this embodiment is basically the same as that of Embodiment 3, except as provided herein. The inflatable bed 10 in this embodiment is provided with four air chambers, namely, inner air chamber Al l i, inner air chamber Bl 12, inner air chamber Cl 13, and outer air chamber 12. A regulating valve 30 is arranged on the outer wall of each of the inner air chamber Al 11, Bl 12, and Cl 13. The inflation and deflation assembly 20 is a four-channel air pump with four air outlets. The inflation and deflation assembly 20 is arranged on the outer wall of the inflatable bed 10, and one air outlet is connected with the outer air chamber 12. The other three air outlets are respectively connected with the three regulating valves 30 through air pipes 34.

[0074] Similarly, when the user uses the inflatable bed 10, the inflation and deflation assembly 20 is started and all of the four air outlets are selectively opened to simultaneously inflate the four air chambers of the inflatable bed 10. Although the four air outlets are opened, the air pressure of inner chamber Al l i, inner chamber Bl 12, and inner chamber Cl 13 is lower than that of outer chamber 12 due to the effect of regulating valve 30 on inner chamber Al 11, inner chamber Bl 12, and inner chamber Cl 13. After inflation for a period of time, the user can determine whether to stop inflation by feeling the hardness of the outer air chamber 12. When inflation is completed, if the user feels that the air pressure of inner chamber Al l i, inner chamber Bl 12, or inner chamber Cl 13 is too high, the user can choose to open only the air outlet connected with the corresponding inner chamber and open the second check valve 33b to deflate the corresponding inner chamber independently. That is, in this embodiment, when the user inflates the inflatable bed 10, it is not necessary to separately adjust the air pressure of the four air chambers of the inflatable bed 10. The inflation and deflation assembly 20 is operated to inflate, and the regulating valve 30 will automatically adjust the air pressure difference between air chambers according to the preset elastic force of the first check valve 33a. After the inflation is completed, users can adjust one or more air chambers individually according to their own usage habits, so that the inflatable bed 10 can meet different use needs.

Embodiment 5

[0075] As shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the structure of this embodiment is basically the same as that of Embodiment 1, except as provided herein. The inflation and deflation assembly in this embodiment is an inflation and deflation valve, which is connected to an air pump when inflating and deflating the inflatable bed.

[0076] In the above five embodiments, the check valve used has the same structure, comprising a gland 331, a valve slice 332, a valve stem 333, and elastic member 334. However, in practical application, the check valve 33 may comprise other structures, such as the PVC check valve in FIG. 16.

[0077] The present disclosure includes a regulating valve 30 on the outer wall of the air chamber of an inflatable product. When users inflate the inflatable product, they can inflate multiple air chambers at the same time. The regulating valve 30 will automatically adjust the air pressure between each air chamber, thus simplifying the user's inflation and pressure regulation operation.

[0078] In addition, the inflation and deflation assembly 20 of the present disclosure may include a multi-channel air pump. In this case, the regulating valve 30 is mainly composed of a valve body 31, a valve cover 32, and two check valves arranged on the valve body 31 in different, and/or opposite, directions. Each regulating valve 30 is connected with an air outlet of a multi-channel air pump. This setting allows the user to slightly regulate the air pressure of individual air chambers separately after completing the inflation operation of air chambers at one time to meet the user's different use needs.

[0079] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variation can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover the modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.