Inflatable Air Bag Seal for Variable Container Mouths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air bag blocking devices for vehicle maintenance are not adaptable to different container specifications, leading to difficulties in operation, air leakage, and reduced service life due to friction and deformation.
Innovation Solution
A self-adaptive air bag blocking device with an elastic air bag featuring a ring-shaped abutting surface and gas conveying pipes, which inflates to form a tight seal with the container, reducing friction and allowing easy operation across various container sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional chock is used to block the mouth, then air-tightness can be achieved, but the device is not adaptable to different container specifications and requires multiple blocking devices of various specifications
Solution Approach 1:
The air bag blocking device is designed with an expandable structure that can adapt to different mouth calibers, allowing a single device to perform multiple functions across various container specifications. The air bag can be inflated to different sizes to match different mouth dimensions, eliminating the need for multiple specialized blocking devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking device transitions from a static rigid chock to a dynamic inflatable air bag structure. The air bag can change its volume and shape during operation, allowing it to adapt to different container specifications by inflating to the appropriate size for each specific application.
2Reliability
If the chock is pressed tightly against the inner edge of the mouth to prevent air leakage, then air-tightness is improved, but friction increases causing difficulty in fitting or removal and reducing service life
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses pneumatic pressure through inflation to achieve sealing, replacing the mechanical friction-based sealing of rigid chocks. The air pressure distributes evenly across the sealing surface, maintaining air-tightness without requiring excessive localized friction that would make removal difficult.
Solution Approach 2:
The air bag is made of flexible material that can conform to the container's inner edge, creating an effective seal through its flexibility rather than rigid friction. This flexible membrane structure allows for easier insertion and removal compared to rigid chocks while maintaining reliable air-tightness.
3Reliability
If the chock is pressed tightly against the mouth to prevent air leakage, then air-tightness is improved, but the periphery of the chock may be worn out or contracted due to friction, reducing service life
Solution Approach 1:
By using pneumatic pressure for sealing, the system eliminates the sliding friction that causes wear on rigid chocks. The air pressure maintains the seal without requiring continuous mechanical friction, significantly extending the service life of the blocking device.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible air bag material distributes contact forces more evenly and reduces localized stress concentrations that cause wear and contraction in rigid chocks. This flexible membrane structure experiences less mechanical degradation from repeated use, extending service life.
4Reliability
If the chock is squeezed excessively to ensure blocking, then air-tightness is improved, but the mouth may be deformed, reducing service life of the container
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic system allows for controlled, distributed pressure application through inflation. This prevents localized excessive force that could deform the container mouth, while still achieving effective sealing through the flexible air bag's ability to conform to the opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible air bag acts as a cushioning element that distributes pressure evenly across the sealing interface. This flexible membrane absorbs and distributes forces, preventing the concentrated excessive force that rigid chocks might apply and potentially deform the container.
5Adaptability or versatility
If a round disc with large outer diameter is used to cover the mouth, then adaptability to different calibers is improved, but air-tightness deteriorates when air pressure pushes the disc outward
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking device transitions from a static rigid disc to a dynamic inflatable air bag. The air bag can actively respond to internal air pressure by inflating further, maintaining sealing contact with the container opening, whereas a rigid disc would be passively pushed outward and lose sealing effectiveness.
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 self-adaptive air bag blocking device ensures high reliability, easy operation, and extended service life by maintaining air-tightness and minimizing wear, suitable for a range of container specifications.
Implementation Method 1
The abutting surface is elastically deformed and abuts against the inner wall of the container to form air-tight connection
Implementation Method 2
air can be pumped into the container through the channel. The air will apply a pressure on the working liquid, and the working liquid will be discharged
Data Source
AI summary
A self-adaptive air bag blocking device is disclosed. The device includes an air bag, a first gas conveying pipe and a second gas conveying pipe, wherein an air chamber is formed in the air bag, a ring-shaped abutting surface is formed on the peripheral side of the air bag, so that the abutting surface abuts against a mouth of a container. The first gas conveying pipe is communicated with the air chamber and the outer part of the air bag, so that air enters the air chamber to enable the air bag to expand. The abutting surface is elastically deformed and tightly abuts against the inner wall of the container to form air-tight abutment, and the second gas conveying pipe is arranged on the air bag, so that air enters the container through the second gas conveying pipe, and thus the working liquid is discharged.