Fiber-Reinforced Inflatable Bag Without Metal Polar Flanges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inflatable fiber reinforced bags face inefficiencies such as stress concentrations in corner areas and require additional metal closing flanges for polar openings, increasing thickness and weight, which are undesirable for performance.
Innovation Solution
A fiber reinforcement structure is formed by continuous winding of fibers between opposite poles of the bag, substantially closing both poles, eliminating the need for metal closing flanges and reducing insertion height and overall weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal closing flanges are used to close polar openings, then structural integrity is improved, but thickness and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter from metal to fiber composite material, transforming the closing flange from a rigid metal component to a flexible fiber-reinforced structure that provides sufficient structural integrity while dramatically reducing weight and eliminating the need for additional closing elements
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite fiber reinforcement structures (carbon fiber, glass fiber, or aramid fiber) embedded in the elastomer body to replace metal closing flanges, leveraging the high strength-to-weight ratio of fiber composites to achieve structural integrity without the weight penalty of metal components
2Strength
If metal closing flanges are used to close polar openings, then structural integrity is improved, but insertion height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state and dimensional parameters of the closing mechanism by using flexible fiber-reinforced elastomer material that can deform and compress, allowing the polar openings to be closed without adding significant height, enabling insertion heights below 10 cm
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional square geometry is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but stress concentrations occur in corner areas
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from square geometry to circular or oval cross-section geometry, eliminating sharp corners that cause stress concentrations. The curved surfaces distribute stress more uniformly throughout the structure, improving mechanical performance while the fiber reinforcement pattern is optimized to follow the curved geometry
4Stress or pressure
If automated fiber winding on three-dimensional mandrel is used, then force distribution is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the manufacturing process into distinct stages: first forming the elastomer body with polar openings, then applying fiber reinforcement in specific patterns. This segmentation allows the use of simpler manufacturing techniques while achieving the force distribution benefits of optimized fiber placement
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies fiber reinforcement selectively in critical areas where force distribution is needed, rather than uniformly throughout the entire structure. This partial action approach achieves the necessary mechanical performance with simpler manufacturing processes
Data Source
AI summary
This invention is directed to an inflatable fibre reinforced bag having a flat and generally round shape in uninflated condition, comprising at least one interior elastomer layer, a fibre reinforcement structure and an outer elastomer layer, wherein a reinforcement structure consisting of continuously wound reinforcement fibers running from pole to pole substantially closes said poles.