Micro air pumps and micro solenoid valves in massage pillows, respectively, undertake the core functions of "air supply" and "air control". Their application requirements need to focus on the massage experience, safety, and durability.
The micro air pump inflates the airbag of the massage pillow, directly determining the massage intensity and response speed. The key requirements of micro air pumps are concentrated on the following 3 points:
Pressure and flow adaptation: It needs to match the size of the airbag in the massage pillow, with pressure typically between 30-80kPa and flow controlled between 1-5L/min (KYK27APM from KEYUKANG is now widely used in massage pillows and therapy pillows, highly favored by consumers). This ensures the airbag can quickly be inflated to the target hardness while avoiding excessive pressure that would make the user uncomfortable.
Low noise operation: Massage pillows are mostly used in resting scenarios, so the working noise of the air pump should be ≤45 decibels. The pillow of the massage pillow should use a silent motor and vibration reduction structure design to prevent noise from affecting the user experience.
Stability and durability: It needs to support frequent start-stop cycles (potentially dozens of times per day), with a continuous operation life of no less than 500 hours, and be equipped with overpressure protection to prevent damage to the air pump or airbag from abnormal pressure.
The micro solenoid valve is responsible for controlling the switching of inflating and deflating the airbag, determining the precision of the massage modes. Micro solenoid valve core requirements are as follows:
Fast response speed: The response time for the solenoid valve to open and close should be ≤100ms, ensuring no delay in massage mode switching (such as from neck to shoulder massage). This avoids "stuttering" of the airbag, which would affect the experience.
Strict sealing: There should be zero leakage in the closed state to prevent the airbag pressure from dropping during the massage, which would reduce the massage intensity. It should also withstand the maximum output pressure of the air pump, preventing seal degradation over long-term use.
Compatible with low voltage: Massage pillows mostly use DC power supply (commonly 12V or 24V). The solenoid valve needs to support these voltage specifications, with power consumption ≤5W to avoid increasing the overall energy consumption of the product.
In addition to their individual requirements, the air pump and solenoid valve need to work together to meet the overall performance of the massage pillow:
Size adaptation: The internal space of the massage pillow is limited. The volume of both components should be controlled within (L × W × H) 70×30×20mm to facilitate layout and installation.
Temperature resistance: They should be able to operate in environments ranging from -10℃ to 60℃, avoiding stalling in winter's cold temperatures or component damage in summer's high temperatures.
Compatibility: The output interface of the air pump and the input interface of the solenoid valve need to match (e.g., φ4mm or φ6mm air tube) to ensure smooth and leak-free air flow transmission, and they should both support DC voltage input driving.
KYK27APM in tandem with KYKKYK0518GF solenoid valve from Guangdong Keyukang Pump Valve Technology Co., Ltd, are now widely used in massage pillows and therapy pillows, receiving widespread acclaim in the market.
