Miniature air pumps and miniature solenoid valves perform the core functions of "air supply" and "air control" respectively in massage pillows. Their application requirements focus on massage comfort, safety, and durability.
The miniature air pump inflates the air bladders of the massage pillow and directly determines massage intensity and response speed. Key requirements are concentrated in the following three aspects:
Pressure and flow matching
The pump must match the size of the massage pillow air bladders. Operating pressure is typically 30–80 kPa, with a flow rate of 1–5 L/min. This ensures rapid inflation to the target firmness while avoiding excessive pressure that could cause user discomfort. (Keyukang's KYK27APM is now widely used in massage pillows and therapy pillows and is highly favored by consumers.)
Low-noise operation
Massage pillows are mainly used in resting or relaxation scenarios, so the pump’s operating noise must be ≤45 dB. Quiet motors and vibration-damping structural designs are required to prevent noise from affecting the user experience.
Stability and durability
The pump must withstand frequent start–stop cycles (potentially dozens of times per day), with a continuous operating life of no less than 500 hours, and be equipped with overpressure protection to prevent damage to the pump or air bladders under abnormal pressure conditions.
Miniature solenoid valves control the switching between inflation and deflation of the air bladders and determine the precision of massage modes. Core requirements include:
Fast response time:
The valve's on/off response time should be ≤100 ms to ensure seamless switching between massage modes (e.g., from neck to shoulder massage), preventing air bladder lag that could degrade the user experience.
High sealing performance:
Zero air leakage is required in the closed state to prevent pressure drop during massage, which would weaken massage intensity. At the same time, the valve must withstand the pump's maximum output pressure and resist seal aging during long-term use.
Low-voltage compatibility:
Massage pillows typically use DC power supplies (commonly 12 V or 24 V). The solenoid valve must support the corresponding voltage specifications, with power consumption ≤5 W, to avoid increasing overall product energy consumption.
In addition to individual requirements, the air pump and solenoid valve must work together to meet the overall performance demands of massage pillows:
Compact size:
Due to limited internal space, both components should be sized within 70 × 30 × 20 mm (L × W × H) for easy layout and installation.
Temperature resistance:
They must operate reliably within a temperature range of –10°C to 60°C, avoiding sticking at low temperatures in winter or component damage at high temperatures in summer.
Compatibility:
The pump outlet and solenoid valve inlet must be compatible (e.g., φ4 mm or φ6 mm tubing) to ensure smooth, leak-free airflow transmission, while also supporting matching DC voltage drive inputs.
The KYK27APM miniature air pump paired with the KYK0518GF solenoid valve from Guangdong Keyukang Pump Valve Technology Co., Ltd. is now widely used in massage pillows and therapy pillows, earning broad recognition and positive feedback in the market.
