Built-In Air Pump

A method of operating a pump unit that can be operated in a stand-by mode, an inflation mode and a deflation mode, comprising:

• providing a pump unit having:
• a pump housing having at least one wall and a cover, the cover having an opening;
• a valve assembly positioned on the at least one wall and adapted to be coupled to an inflatable device;
• an air control assembly that is housed inside the pump housing when the pump unit is in a stand-by mode, and moveable through the opening of the cover to extend partially outside the housing in an inflation mode and a deflation mode, the air control assembly having an impeller section that houses an impeller, the impeller section having an air inlet and an air outlet, and a motor housing that houses a motor, the motor having a shaft that is coupled to the impeller, the motor housing having an air vent that fluidly communicates the interior of the motor housing with the air inlet and the air outlet, and a vent opening that fluidly communicates the interior of the motor housing to the environment;
• storing the pump unit in the stand-by mode by housing the air control assembly inside the pump housing;
• lifting the air control assembly partially out of the opening of the cover, and turning the air control assembly to operate in the inflation mode where the air outlet is aligned with the valve assembly;
• and
• lifting the air control assembly partially out of the opening of the cover, and turning the air control assembly to operate in the deflation mode where the air inlet is aligned with the valve assembly,