Dual Pressure Inflatable Screen for Smooth Concave Projection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inflatable structures relying on positive air pressure struggle to create a smooth concave surface for image projection, as they require internal ribs which cause 'pillowing' and disrupt image continuity, and hybrid structures with negative air pressure are less portable and compact.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a dual air pressure system with both positive and negative air pressure regions within an inflatable structure, where the inner membrane is evacuated to create negative pressure, pulling the screen taut and achieving a smooth concave shape without the need for an airlock or additional structural elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If positive air pressure is used to inflate the structure, then structural integrity is provided, but a smooth concave screen surface cannot be achieved due to pillowing from internal ribs
Solution Approach 1:
The structure is divided into two separate pressure zones: a positive pressure region for structural support and a negative pressure region for screen tensioning. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and screen smoothness.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediate negative pressure zone is introduced between the positive pressure structural shell and the screen. This intermediary zone acts as a mediator that pulls the screen taut through negative pressure while allowing the positive pressure structure to maintain its structural integrity independently.
2Manufacturing precision
If hybrid inflatable/solid structure with negative air pressure is used to achieve smooth concave screen, then screen surface quality improves, but portability and storage compactness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The structure uses flexible inflatable membranes instead of solid framing. The thin film screen is tensioned by negative pressure to achieve smoothness, while the inflatable shell provides structural support, eliminating the need for bulky solid components and maintaining portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure parameter from single positive pressure to dual positive/negative pressure zones. This parameter change allows the screen to be tensioned smoothly by negative pressure while the structure remains fully inflatable and portable, avoiding solid components.
3Volume of moving object
If purely inflatable structure with positive air pressure is used, then portability is maintained, but open doorway capability is achieved at the cost of requiring an airlock
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure system is segmented into separate zones with independent pressure control. The positive pressure zone maintains structure integrity while the negative pressure zone is isolated, allowing doorways to open without compromising the pressurized systems or requiring complex airlocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The negative pressure zone serves as an intermediary that decouples the screen tensioning function from the structural support function. This allows doorways to be opened in the positive pressure structural shell without affecting the negative pressure zone, eliminating the need for airlocks while maintaining both structural integrity and screen smoothness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for a purely inflatable structure with a smooth, continuous concave surface suitable for image projection, maintaining portability and compactness while eliminating the need for airlocks and internal ribs.
Implementation Method 1
a region between the flexible screen and the support structure fillable by a fluid at a negative pressure below the atmospheric pressure that draws the flexible screen taut
Implementation Method 2
an inflatable support structure enclosing a region fillable by a fluid at a positive pressure above an atmospheric pressure
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include an inflatable support structure enclosing a region fillable by a fluid at a positive pressure above an atmospheric pressure. A flexible screen is attached to the support structure, a region between the flexible screen and the support structure fillable by a fluid at a negative pressure below the atmospheric pressure that holds the flexible screen in a shape suitable for image projection. A method according to embodiments includes inflating an inflatable support structure with a fluid at a positive pressure above an atmospheric pressure and removing fluid from a region between the support structure and a flexible screen attached to the support structure to hold the flexible screen in a shape suitable for image projection with the fluid at the negative pressure below the atmospheric pressure between the flexible screen and the support structure.