Hyperbaric Chamber External Support Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hyperbaric chambers face a trade-off between portability and capacity, with higher-pressure chambers being less portable and portable chambers being lower pressure, and they often require rigid internal frames that are difficult to install and aesthetically unpleasing.
Innovation Solution
A portable hyperbaric chamber system using a collapsible, soft-sided structure with inflatable support members to maintain an uncollapsed state without a rigid internal frame, allowing for easy assembly and higher pressure capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid internal frame is used to maintain the chamber in an uncollapsed state, then the chamber structure is stable and easier to enter/exit, but the assembly becomes difficult and time-consuming, and the aesthetic appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the rigid internal frame from the chamber interior and relocates the support structure to the exterior. The external support structure includes ribs and struts that attach to the outer surface of the chamber wall, maintaining structural stability without compromising interior space or aesthetic appearance. This extraction resolves the contradiction by achieving structural support without the drawbacks of internal frames.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is moved from the interior dimension to the exterior dimension of the chamber. By placing ribs and struts on the outer surface of the chamber wall rather than inside the chamber, the solution maintains structural stability while eliminating interference with interior space and aesthetics, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of manufacture.
2Weight of moving object
If the chamber is made collapsible for portability, then the chamber becomes more portable, but the chamber collapses when not pressurized, making ingress and egress difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The external support structure is pre-configured in an expanded state that maintains the chamber in an uncollapsed configuration before pressurization. The ribs and struts are positioned to support the chamber wall in its operational shape, so when the chamber is assembled, it automatically assumes the correct uncollapsed form without requiring internal pressurization to maintain structure during entry and exit.
Solution Approach 2:
The external support structure acts as an intermediary between the collapsible chamber wall and the desired uncollapsed configuration. The support structure mediates by providing external reinforcement that maintains the chamber shape without requiring the chamber to be rigid throughout, thus enabling portability while ensuring ease of ingress and egress.
3Stress or pressure
If higher pressure capabilities are achieved, then more severe symptoms can be treated, but the chamber becomes more rigid and less portable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible chamber wall made of layered materials including pneumatic reinforcement layers that can withstand high hyperbaric pressures. The flexible nature of the wall allows the chamber to be collapsible and portable when not in use, while still capable of sustaining the high pressures needed to treat severe decompression or mountain sickness symptoms.
Solution Approach 2:
The chamber wall is constructed from composite materials including multiple layers with pneumatic reinforcement. These composite structures provide the necessary strength to withstand high hyperbaric pressures while maintaining flexibility and collapsibility for portability, thus resolving the contradiction between pressure capability and portability.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable hyperbaric chamber system includes a soft-sided, foldable hyperbaric chamber and a substantially rigid, removable, external support structure. The chamber generally includes a wall of a substantially non-breathable, soft-sided, and foldable material and an accessway sealable with a non-breathable closure so as to maintain a hyperbaric pressure within the chamber. The chamber also includes at least one fastener, such as a bolt or threaded stud, extending from the wall that permits the chamber to be removably attached to the support structure, thereby to maintain the chamber in an uncollapsed state when the chamber interior is not maintained at a hyperbaric pressure. The support structure includes structures complementary to the fasteners (e.g., apertures to pass bolts and locking knobs to secure bolts).