Diagonal Baffle Construction for Inflatable Structures

Solution Overview

Problem

Standard inflatable structures are heavy and material-intensive due to multiple vertical baffles providing vertical support, lacking diagonal support baffles that could reduce weight and material usage.

Innovation Solution

An inflatable structure design featuring a single vertical baffle connected to both top and bottom walls with pairs of top and bottom diagonal support baffles, providing three laterally spaced points of support while minimizing material usage and weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If multiple vertical baffles are used to provide vertical support, then structural support is improved, but weight and material usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from purely vertical baffles to a three-dimensional baffle arrangement that includes diagonal elements. The diagonal baffles extend from the top edge of the vertical baffle to the top wall and from the bottom edge to the bottom wall, creating a spatial framework that provides structural support through three laterally spaced points without requiring multiple vertical baffles throughout the structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The support function is segmented between a single vertical baffle and multiple diagonal baffles. The vertical baffle provides the primary vertical support element, while the diagonal baffles are segmented into top and bottom pairs that connect to the top and bottom walls respectively, distributing the support function across multiple discrete elements rather than requiring continuous vertical baffles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If multiple vertical baffles are used to provide vertical support, then structural support is improved, but material usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidmaterial usage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from purely vertical baffles to a three-dimensional baffle arrangement that includes diagonal elements. The diagonal baffles extend from the top edge of the vertical baffle to the top wall and from the bottom edge to the bottom wall, creating a spatial framework that provides structural support through three laterally spaced points without requiring multiple vertical baffles throughout the structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the support function of multiple vertical baffles into a single vertical baffle reinforced by diagonal baffles. The diagonal baffles are integrated with the vertical baffle at spaced intervals, combining to form a unified support structure that achieves the structural integrity of multiple vertical baffles while using less total material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If diagonal support baffles are added to connect vertical baffle to top and bottom walls, then structural efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support function is segmented between a single vertical baffle and multiple diagonal baffles. The vertical baffle provides the primary vertical support element, while the diagonal baffles are segmented into top and bottom pairs that connect to the top and bottom walls respectively, distributing the support function across multiple discrete elements rather than requiring continuous vertical baffles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Rather than providing continuous vertical support through multiple full-height baffles, the invention uses partial diagonal baffles that extend only from the vertical baffle to the top and bottom walls at specific locations. This partial action approach provides sufficient structural efficiency through three laterally spaced support points without the excessive material requirement of complete vertical baffles throughout.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11759718B2Baffle construction for inflatable structure

Publication Date: 2023.09.19 BAGUMYAN SARMEN

AI summary

An inflatable structure has a top wall, a bottom wall vertically spaced from the top wall, and a vertical baffle having a top edge connected to the top wall, and a bottom edge connected to the bottom wall. A pair of top diagonal support baffles connect the vertical baffle to the top wall, each of the pair of top diagonal support baffles being connected to the top wall on opposite sides of a top edge of the vertical baffle, and spaced a distance from the top edge of the vertical baffle. A pair of bottom diagonal support baffles further connect the vertical baffle to the bottom wall, each of the pair of bottom diagonal support baffles being connected to the bottom wall on opposite sides of bottom edge of the vertical baffle, and spaced a distance from the bottom edge of the vertical baffle.