Patent Application
20250121387
Embodiments of the invention relate to a compact pressurized air supply system that includes mechanisms for noise suppression and heat dissipation.
Conventional compact pressurized air supply systems, such as a tabletop or a portable air pump, typically have many drawbacks. For example, conventional compact air pumps often do not have an effective mechanism for blocking the noise generated during operation. The noise generated by the air pump can be unpleasant and annoying to users and people in the immediate vicinity.
Furthermore, heat generated during the operation of a conventional compact air pump is often poorly controlled. The air pump may need to be shut down after it is used continuously for a long time. The shutdown disrupts the continuity of the work process.
A conventional compact air pump also has the problem of imprecise and inconsistent control of the air pressure that it outputs. For example, some conventional compact air pumps control the air pressure by stopping the air pump operation when the air pressure reaches a target, and restarting the air pump operation when the air pressure is insufficient. Frequent starting and restarting of the air pump cause instantaneous high current, which can affect the lifespan of the air pump parts. Therefore, there is a need for improving the design and operation of conventional compact air pumps.
In one embodiment, an air supply system is provided for supplying compressed air. The air supply system includes an air pump assembly to generate the compressed air. The air pump assembly includes an outer sealed box enclosing an inner sealed box, and the inner sealed box further encloses air pump machinery. A first set of springs are disposed between the air pump machinery and the inner sealed box and a second set of springs are disposed between the outer sealed box and the inner sealed box. The air supply system further includes a liquid circulation pipe to circulate a cooling liquid. The liquid circulation pipe connects the air pump machinery to liquid cooling components outside the outer sealed box. The air supply system further includes a sensor coupled to an output of the air pump assembly to measure a characteristic of the compressed air during operation of the air pump machinery, and a programmable control board to control a speed of a motor in the air pump machinery according to program instructions and measurements of the sensor.
In another embodiment, an air supply system includes an air pump assembly, a liquid circulation pipe, a sensor, a programmable control board, and an air output valve. The air pump assembly includes air pump machinery to generate compressed air. The air pump assembly includes an outer sealed box enclosing an inner sealed box, and the inner sealed box further encloses the air pump machinery. A first set of springs are disposed between the air pump machinery and the inner sealed box and a second set of springs are disposed between the outer sealed box and the inner sealed box. The liquid circulation pipe circulates a cooling liquid. The liquid circulation pipe connects the air pump machinery to liquid cooling components outside the outer sealed box. The sensor is coupled to an output of the air pump assembly to measure a characteristic of the compressed air during operation of the air pump machinery. The programmable control board controls the speed of a motor in the air pump machinery according to program instructions and measurements of the sensor. The air output valve is coupled to the output of the air pump assembly and an input of a spraying device. The air output valve is controlled by commands of the programmable control board.
Other aspects and features will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that different references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.
In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known circuits, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the understanding of this description. It will be appreciated, however, by one skilled in the art, that the invention may be practiced without such specific details. Those of ordinary skill in the art, with the included descriptions, will be able to implement appropriate functionality without undue experimentation.
This disclosure describes a programmable pressure-regulating air supply system. The system provides pressurized air (also referred to as compressed air) to a spraying device, which may be a handheld spraying device or a spraying device used in an automatic makeup machine. The air supply system includes an air pump assembly coupled to a programmable control device. A sensor in real time measures a characteristic of the compressed air (e.g., air pressure) in an air outlet tube of the air supply system. The sensed air pressure is sent back to the control device for interpretation, according to which the control device sends a control signal to the air pump assembly to adjust the air pressure. When the air pressure is below a low threshold, the control signal causes the speed of the air pump motor to increase. When the air pressure is above a high threshold, the control signal causes the speed of the air pump motor to decrease. The control device also sends commands to an air outlet valve, such as a solenoid valve, to control the opening and closing of the valve. The solenoid valve may be driven by current or air pressure. The air supply system may be connected to a spraying device. When the valve's output port is opened, the air supply system outputs compressed air to the spraying device. When the valve's output port is closed, the compressed air flow to the spraying device stops. In one embodiment, the valve may additionally include an exhaust port for releasing air to the environment. As such, the air pump can keep running continuously during use, which prolongs the life of the air pump parts. There is no need to start and shut down the air pump frequently.
In one embodiment, the air pump assembly includes air pump machinery inside two or more sealed boxes; e.g., an inner sealed box and an outer sealed box. The sealed boxes may be made of metal or hard plastics to reduce the resonance effect of sound waves on the material. A first set of springs are disposed between the air pump machinery and the inner sealed box, and a second set of springs are disposed between the outer sealed box and the inner sealed box. The first set of springs absorb the vibration generated during the operation of the air pump machinery to reduce the vibration transmitted to the inner sealed box. The inner sealed box confines the noise generated by the air pump operation within the inner sealed box. The second set of springs absorb the vibration of the inner sealed box and reduce the vibration transmitted to the outer sealed box. The outer sealed box confines the noise generated by the vibration of the inner sealed box within the outer sealed box to achieve noise reduction effect. In one embodiment, the air pump machinery may be inside of more than two sealed boxes. The sealed boxes have decreasing sizes and form a set of nested boxes. A set of springs are installed between any adjacent two of the sealed boxes. The sealed boxes are compact in size. As a non-limiting example, an inner sealed box may have a diameter or diagonal length of 100-150 millimeter with 150-200 millimeter in height, and an outer seal box may have a diameter or diagonal length of 150-200 millimeter with 200-250 millimeter in height.
In one embodiment, the system includes an air inlet pipe and an air outlet pipe to deliver air in and out of the air pump machinery through the inner sealed box and the outer sealed box. The system also includes a liquid circulation pipe that carries a cooling liquid to dissipate the heat generated by the air pump machinery outside the outer sealed box. In one embodiment, the air inlet pipe, the air outlet pipe, and the liquid circulation pipe are made of flexible materials to reduce vibration transmission. These pipes pass through respective holes on the walls of the inner sealed box and the outer sealed box. Any gaps between the pipes and the holes are tightly sealed.
In one embodiment, programmable control board 101 may include a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a central processing unit, a logic circuit, an analog circuit, a digital circuit and any device that operates according to operation instructions. Memory storage device 103 can be read-only memory, non-permanent memory, permanent memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, and any device that stores digital information.
Air pump assembly 200 may supply compressed air to a spraying device 300. which may be part of an automatic makeup machine. As will be described in further detail below, air pump assembly 200 is equipped with mechanisms for noise reduction and heat dissipation.
In one embodiment, air pump assembly 200 receives electricity from a power source such as a power board 500. In one embodiment, power board 500 may be attached to air pump assembly 200. Power board 500 may supply power to the entire system 10.
Control circuit 403 can be implemented by a processing unit coupled to a storage unit. The processing unit may be a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a central processing unit, a logic circuit, an analog circuit, a digital circuit and any device that operates according to operation instructions. The storage unit can be read-only memory, non-permanent memory, permanent memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, and any device that stores digital information.
In one embodiment, liquid circulation pipe 204 includes a metal segment (referred to as “metal pipe 206”) partially surrounding air pump motor 209. Cooling liquid in liquid circulation pipe 204 flows through metal pipe 206 to carry away the heat generated by air pump motor 209, and continues to flow through metal box 205 for cooling. The cooling liquid in liquid circulation pipe 204 continues to flow to heat dissipation fins 213 (
Inner sealed box 210 and outer sealed box 211 are sealed. That is, all of the gaps between pipes/tubes and corresponding holes on the walls of boxes 210 and 211 are tightly sealed, and there are no other openings on the boxes 210 and 211. Inner sealed box 210 and outer sealed box 211 provide a closed environment, which blocks the noise generated by air pump machinery 229 to achieve noise reduction. In some embodiments, air pump assembly 200 may include more than two sealed boxes to house air pump machinery 229, with a set of springs between any two adjacent sealed boxes and between air pump machinery 229 and the innermost sealed box.
embodiment. Referring also to
An air supply system has been described. The air supply system includes an air pump assembly to generate compressed air, a liquid circulation pipe to circulate a cooling liquid, a sensor, and a programmable control board. The air pump assembly includes an outer sealed box enclosing an inner sealed box, which further encloses air pump machinery. A first set of springs are disposed between the air pump machinery and the inner sealed box and a second set of springs are disposed between the outer sealed box and the inner sealed box. The liquid circulation pipe connects the air pump machinery to liquid cooling components outside the outer sealed box. The sensor is coupled to an output of the air pump assembly to measure a characteristic of the compressed air during operation. The programmable control board controls the speed of a motor in the air pump machinery according to program instructions and measurements of the sensor.
In one embodiment, the air supply system further includes an air output valve coupled to the output of the air pump assembly and an input of a spraying device. The air output valve is controlled by commands of the programmable control board. In one embodiment, the air output valve is a solenoid valve driven by current or air pressure.
In one embodiment, the air pump machinery includes the motor, a compressor driven by the motor, and a metal box through which the cooling liquid flows via the liquid circulation pipe. In one embodiment, the liquid circulation pipe exits the inner sealed box and the outer sealed box from a same side. In an alternative embodiment, the liquid circulation pipe exits the inner sealed box and the outer sealed box from opposite sides. The motor of the air pump machinery may be at least partially surrounded by a metal segment of the liquid circulation pipe. In one embodiment, the liquid circulation pipe may traverse the space between the inner sealed box and the outer sealed box along at least an entire longitudinal length of the inner sealed box.
In one embodiment, each of the inner sealed box and the outer sealed box has a three-dimensional shape that is based on one of: a square, a rectangle, a parallelogram, a circle, an oval, and an irregular shape. In one embodiment, each of the inner sealed box and the outer sealed box has a cylindrical shape. In one embodiment, the first set of springs may be attached to all sides of the inner sealed box, and the second set of springs may be attached to all sides of the air pump machinery.
In one embodiment, the air pump assembly includes multiple (e.g., more than two) sealed boxes including the outer sealed box and the inner sealed box. The multiple sealed boxes have decreasing sizes and form a set of nested boxes with springs between any adjacent two of the sealed boxes.
In one embodiment, the sensor is an air pressure sensor to measure air pressure during operation of the air pump machinery. In an alternative embodiment, the sensor is a gas flow meter to measure a flow rate of the compressed air during operation of the air pump machinery.
In one embodiment, the programmable control board receives the program instructions from a memory storage device in the air supply system to generate control signals for controlling the speed of the motor. The programmable control board receives the program instructions from a control circuit that controls operations of a spraying device to generate control signals for controlling the speed of the motor.
In one embodiment, the liquid cooling components include cooling fins through which the cooling liquid flows. The cooling fins are connected to a liquid pump that pumps the cooling liquid in the liquid circulation pipe.
Various functional components or blocks have been described herein. As will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art, the functional blocks will preferably be implemented through circuits (either dedicated circuits or general-purpose circuits, which operate under the control of one or more processors and coded instructions), which will typically comprise transistors that are configured in such a way as to control the operation of the circuitry in accordance with the functions and operations described herein.
While the invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described, and can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The description is thus to be regarded as illustrative instead of limiting.
