Air pumping device, air pumping method, and airbed assembly

Abstract

An air pumping device includes an inflation module that includes an air pump, a counting unit, and a control unit coupled to the air pump and the counting unit. The air pump is configured to one of inject air into and remove air from an inflatable article. The counting unit is configured to count a predetermined time period. The control unit is configured to receive a control signal, to activate the air pump and trigger counting of the counting unit in response to the control signal, and to deactivate the air pump upon completion of counting. An air pumping method and an airbed assembly are also disclosed.

1 . An air pumping device adapted for injecting air into or removing air from an inflatable article, comprising:
 an inflation module including an air pump, a counting unit, and a control unit coupled to said air pump and said counting unit, said air pump being configured to one of inject air into and remove air from the inflatable article, said counting unit being configured to count a predetermined time period, said control unit being configured to receive a control signal, to activate said air pump and trigger counting of said counting unit in response to the control signal, and to deactivate said air pump upon completion of counting.   
     
     
         2 . The air pumping device of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller provided with a plurality of function keys and configured to generate the control signal upon actuation of one of said function keys and to output the control signal. 
     
     
         3 . The air pumping device of  claim 2 , wherein said inflation module further includes a receiving unit coupled to said control unit and configured to receive the control signal and output the control signal to said control unit. 
     
     
         4 . The air pumping device of  claim 3 , wherein said controller outputs the control signal wirelessly and said receiving unit of said inflation module receives the control signal wirelessly. 
     
     
         5 . The air pumping device of  claim 2 , wherein said control unit is further configured to set the predetermined time period based on the control signal. 
     
     
         6 . The air pumping device of  claim 1 , wherein said inflation module further includes a switch coupled to said air pump and said control unit and switchable between a first state and a second state, said air pump being configured to inject air into the inflatable article when said switch is in the first state and to remove air from the inflatable article when said switch is in the second state. 
     
     
         7 . The air pumping device of  claim 6 , wherein said control unit of said inflation module is further configured to set the predetermined time period based on the state of said switch. 
     
     
         8 . The air pumping device of  claim 1 , wherein said inflation module further includes a valve coupled to said air pump and the inflatable article and operable to be normally open so as to allow air to flow from said air pump to the inflatable article and to be closed when pressure within the inflatable article is over a predetermined value. 
     
     
         9 . An air pumping method to be implemented by an inflation system that includes an inflatable article, an air pump, a counting unit, and a control unit, the air pumping method comprising:
 receiving a control signal by the control unit;   configuring the control unit to activate the air pump to one of inject air into and remove air from the inflatable article, and to trigger the counting unit to count a predetermined time period in response to the control signal by the control unit; and   configuring the control unit to deactivate the air pump upon completion of counting by the control unit.   
     
     
         10 . The air pumping method of  claim 9 , further comprising configuring the control unit to set the predetermined time period based on the control signal. 
     
     
         11 . An airbed assembly, comprising:
 an inflatable article formed with an opening; and   an air pumping device including an inflation module that includes an air pump, a counting unit, and a control unit coupled to said air pump and said counting unit, said air pump being configured to one of inject air into and remove air from said inflatable article through said opening, said counting unit being configured to count a predetermined time period, said control unit being configured to receive a control signal, to activate said air pump and trigger counting of said counting unit in response to the control signal, and to deactivate said air pump upon completion of counting.   
     
     
         12 . The airbed assembly of  claim 11 , wherein said air pumping device further includes a controller provided with a plurality of function keys and configured to generate the control signal upon actuation of one of said function keys and to output the control signal. 
     
     
         13 . The airbed assembly of  claim 12 , wherein said inflation module further includes a receiving unit coupled to said control unit and configured to receive the control signal and output the control signal to said control unit. 
     
     
         14 . The airbed assembly of  claim 13 , wherein said controller outputs the control signal wirelessly and said receiving unit of said inflation module receives the control signal wirelessly. 
     
     
         15 . The airbed assembly of  claim 12 , wherein said control unit of said inflation module is further configured to set the predetermined time period based on the control signal. 
     
     
         16 . The airbed assembly of  claim 11 , wherein said inflation module further includes a switch coupled to said air pump and said control unit and switchable between a first state and a second state, said air pump being configured to inject air into said inflatable article when said switch is in the first state and to remove air from said inflatable article when said switch is in the second state. 
     
     
         17 . The airbed assembly of  claim 16 , wherein said control unit of said inflation module is further configured to set the predetermined time period based on the state of said switch. 
     
     
         18 . The airbed assembly of  claim 11 , wherein said inflation module further includes a valve coupled to said air pump and said inflatable article and operable to be normally open so as to allow air to flow from said air pump to said inflatable article and to be closed when pressure within said inflatable article is over a predetermined value.