Floating Hammock with Segmented Inflatable Chambers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pool inflatables are uncomfortable, prone to punctures, cumbersome, and fail to effectively manage heat exposure from sunlight, as they are made of plastic membranes that retain heat and are difficult to carry.
Innovation Solution
A floating hammock apparatus with inflatable cylindrical head and foot portions connected by a rectangular middle portion that can be deflated to eliminate air-filled sections, allowing users to float with reduced heat exposure and convert into a carrying bag for easy storage and transport of personal items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If plastic membrane inflatables are used, then floating capability is provided, but heat retention and discomfort occur
Solution Approach 1:
The floating hammock is divided into multiple inflatable chambers (head portion, middle portion, foot portion) that can be independently inflated or deflated. This segmentation allows selective cooling of heat-retaining sections while maintaining floating capability through other chambers, directly addressing the heat retention issue without sacrificing buoyancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable chambers can be dynamically adjusted by inflating or deflating them. When a section becomes too hot, users can deflate that specific chamber to reduce heat retention while maintaining overall floating capability through other inflated chambers, providing dynamic temperature control.
2Reliability
If air-filled sections are used for floating, then buoyancy is achieved, but puncture risk and reliability issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The floating structure is divided into multiple separate inflatable chambers rather than one large air-filled section. This segmentation means that if one chamber is punctured, the other chambers remain intact and continue to provide buoyancy, significantly improving reliability and puncture resistance.
3Weight of moving object
If large inflatables are used for floating, then buoyancy and floating capability are improved, but portability and ease of carrying deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable chambers can be deflated to reduce volume and make the hammock compact for easy carrying, then inflated at the destination to restore full floating capability. This dynamic transformation allows the product to switch between portable and functional states.
Solution Approach 2:
When deflated, the middle portion can be folded and nested within the head or foot portions, creating a compact package that is easy to carry while maintaining all the floating functionality when inflated.
4Ease of manufacture
If plastic membrane material is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but heat exposure and discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the structure into multiple chambers, the patent allows different sections to serve different functions - some chambers can be optimized for floating while others can be designed with heat-reflective or breathable materials to reduce heat exposure.
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
Provides a comfortable floating experience with reduced heat exposure and easy item storage, as the inflatable sections can be deflated to reduce bulk and enhance portability.
Implementation Method 1
The head portion and foot portion are cylindrical bodies when filled with a fluid such as air... to support the weight of the user
Data Source
AI summary
A floating hammock and carrying bag apparatus includes a main body, an outer edge, a left fastener, and a right fastener. The main body includes a buoyant head portion, a first middle portion, a second middle portion, and a buoyant foot portion. The buoyant head portion is adjacently connected to the first middle portion. The second middle portion is adjacently and foldably connected to the first middle portion, opposite of the buoyant head portion. The buoyant foot portion is adjacently connected to the second middle portion, opposite of the first middle portion. The outer edge is perimetrically connected around the main body. The left fastener is connected along a left edge of the outer edge. The right fastener is connected along a right edge of the outer edge. The main body being configured between a hammock configuration and a bag configuration through the left fastener and the right fastener.