Flotation Vest With Canopy Hood And Tether System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flotation devices are uncomfortable, lack head support, and fail to protect users from UV radiation, and do not provide a mechanism to keep individuals together in water environments, increasing the risk of drifting apart during emergencies.
Innovation Solution
A personal flotation, rescue, and evacuation device featuring a sleeveless vest with a hood, buoyant structures at multiple locations, including a waist belt and crotch, and a canopy-style hood with integrated flotation elements for head support, UV protection, and a tether system to keep individuals connected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional flotation devices are worn, then basic buoyancy is provided, but comfort is poor and head support is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The flotation device is divided into multiple independent buoyant structures positioned at different locations (chest, waist, crotch, and hood area). Each segment provides localized buoyancy and support, with the hood segment specifically addressing head support while the chest segment maintains traditional flotation function. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific purpose.
Solution Approach 2:
The hood is integrated as a nested component within the overall flotation device structure, fitting over the head and neck area. The hood contains its own buoyant elements and is connected to the main body through the vest, creating a nested arrangement where the hood protects and supports the head while the main body provides overall flotation. This nesting approach adds functionality without significantly increasing the overall device size.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional flotation devices are used, then buoyancy is provided, but UV protection from sun is absent
Solution Approach 1:
The hood is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides head support through buoyant structures, protects the head and neck from UV radiation through its canopy-like coverage, and maintains the user's awareness of surroundings. By integrating UV protection into the hood, the device achieves multi-functionality without requiring separate protective gear, thus not significantly increasing overall device complexity.
3Reliability
If conventional flotation devices are worn, then individual safety is improved, but mechanism to keep individuals together is absent
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple flotation devices are connected through a tether system that links the buoyant structures of adjacent individuals. The tethers are integrated into the device structure, connecting corresponding buoyant elements on different devices. This merging approach allows individuals to remain connected and close together during water emergencies while each device maintains its own independent safety functions. The tether integration is designed to be seamless, avoiding significant increases in device complexity.
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
The device provides enhanced buoyancy, comfort, and safety by maintaining head support, protecting against UV radiation, and ensuring individuals remain together during emergencies, facilitating rescue efforts.
Implementation Method 1
a set of buoyant structures configured at multiple locations on a user's body... promoting multiple, independent points of buoyancy
Data Source
AI summary
A personal flotation, rescue, and evacuation device includes a vest worn overhead by a user. The user's head fits through a central opening formed in the vest. The vest includes a front chest portion and a rear back portion. A lateral sleeve is disposed at a lower end of the rear vest portion. A buoyant structure having a pair of free ends fits through the sleeve. The free ends of the buoyant structure are wrapped around the user's waist and connected in front to form a waist belt flotation structure. The vest incorporates a hood having a frame component at its front edge. When deployed, the hood remains in an erect, lofted condition and creates a canopy effect surrounding the user's head. The hood is connected at its lower end to another flotation element arranged in a collar configuration. This collar-type flotation element is connected in front to the waist belt flotation structure.