US 6,364,637 B1Granted

Air pump apparatus

AssigneesKiyoshi Takahashi, Kazuo Takahashi

InventorsMasahiro Hase, Kiyoshi Takahashi, Kazuo Takahashi

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

An air pump apparatus that can allow easy change of the number of pump mechanisms contained therein and easy connection between the pump mechanisms is disclosed. The air pump apparatus comprises a pump mechanism and a pump case assembly forming an air-tight pump chamber in that the pump mechanism is contained. The pump mechanism comprises: a base frame; mutually opposing first and second diaphragms defining first and second diaphragm chambers on lateral sides of the base frame; electromagnetic drive means for driving the first and second diaphragms; first inlet and outlet ports connected to the first diaphragm chamber; and second inlet and outlet ports connected to the second diaphragm chamber, the second outlet port being in axial alignment with the first inlet port, wherein the first inlet port and the second inlet port of the first pump mechanism are in flow communication with outside of the first pump chamber, and the first outlet port and the second inlet port of the first pump mechanism are in flow communication with the first pump chamber. Preferably, the electromagnetic drive means comprises an electromagnet disposed longitudinally alongside the base frame and a pair of arms which are vibrated substantially symmetrically in accordance with alternation of a magnetic field generated by the electromagnet and connected to the first and second diaphragms respectively. Further preferably, a joint member for securing the pump mechanism(s) in the air pump apparatus is made of electrically conductive material so that electric power is supplied to the electromagnetic drive means of each pump mechanism via the joint member.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An air pump apparatus, comprising:

a first pump mechanism;
and
a pump case assembly forming a first air-tight pump chamber in that the first pump mechanism is contained,
wherein the first pump mechanism comprises:
a base frame having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, the first and second ends of the base frame defining an axial direction of the air pump apparatus;
mutually opposing first and second diaphragms defining first and second diaphragm chambers on lateral sides of the base frame respectively;
electromagnetic drive means for driving the first and second diaphragms so as to expand and contract the first and second diaphragm chambers;
a first inlet port defined in the first end of the base frame for communicating air into the first diaphragm chamber upon expansion of the first diaphragm chamber, with a first one-way valve being provided between the first inlet port and the first diaphragm chamber for permitting air flow only into the first diaphragm chamber;
a second inlet port defined in the base frame for communicating air into the second diaphragm chamber upon expansion of the second diaphragm chamber, a second one-way valve being provided between the second inlet port and the second diaphragm chamber for permitting air flow only into the second diaphragm chamber;
a first outlet port defined in the base frame for discharging air from the first diaphragm chamber upon contraction of the first diaphragm chamber, a third one-way valve being provided between the first outlet port and the first diaphragm chamber for permitting air flow only out of the first diaphragm chamber;
and
a second outlet port defined in the second end of the base frame for discharging air from the second diaphragm chamber upon contraction of the second diaphragm chamber, a fourth one-way valve being provided between the second outlet port and the second diaphragm chamber for permitting air flow only out of the second diaphragm chamber, and the second outlet port being in axial alignment with the first inlet port,
and wherein the first inlet port and the second outlet port of the first pump mechanism are in flow communication with outside of the first pump chamber, and the first outlet port and the second inlet port of the first pump mechanism are in flow communication with the first pump chamber.

10 more elements

A diaphragm-type pump mechanism, comprising:

a base frame having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, the first and second ends of the base frame defining an axial direction of the air pump mechanism;
mutually opposing first and second diaphragms defining first and second diaphragm chambers on lateral sides of the base frame respectively;
electromagnetic drive means for driving the first and second diaphragms so as to expand and contract the first and second diaphragm chambers;
a first inlet port defined in the first end of the base frame for communicating air into the first diaphragm chamber upon expansion of the first diaphragm chamber, with a first one-way valve being provided between the first inlet port and the first diaphragm chamber for permitting air flow only into the first diaphragm chamber;
a second inlet port defined in the base frame for communicating air into the second diaphragm chamber upon expansion of the second diaphragm chamber, a second one-way valve being provided between the second inlet port and the second diaphragm chamber for permitting air flow only into the second diaphragm chamber;
a first outlet port defined in the base frame for discharging air from the first diaphragm chamber upon contraction of the first diaphragm chamber, a third one-way valve being provided between the first outlet port and the first diaphragm chamber for permitting air flow only out of the first diaphragm chamber;
and
a second outlet port defined in the second end of the base frame for discharging air from the second diaphragm chamber upon contraction of the second diaphragm chamber, a fourth one-way valve being provided between the second outlet port and the second diaphragm chamber for permitting air flow only out of the second diaphragm chamber, and the second outlet port being in axial alignment with the first inlet port,
wherein the electromagnetic drive means is disposed alongside the base frame.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.