Inflatable Bead Tensioning for Dual-Skin Flexible Walls

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dual-skin flexible walls face issues with high inflation volume, water retention, poor insulation, and inability to move when inflated, due to their lens-shaped structure and requirement for impermeable skins, which leads to inefficiencies in rainwater management, thermal regulation, and structural mobility.

Innovation Solution

A tensioning device using an inflatable cylindrical bead that maintains a small air-space between two skins, allowing for flat and symmetrical tensioning, enabling movement and using open-weave fabrics, with a quick-coupling system for reduced logistics and insulation improvements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the interstice between two skins is inflated to tension the skins, then the skins are tensioned and folds are eliminated, but the inflation volume becomes very large and energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin tensioningVSAvoidinflation volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous cord is segmented by placing it in discrete inflatable sleeves at specific intervals along the rigid mount, allowing tensioning to be achieved at multiple points rather than requiring uniform inflation of the entire interstice volume

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An inflatable sleeve acts as an intermediary element between the cord and the rigid mount groove, providing a controlled inflation mechanism that tensions the skins locally without requiring large overall inflation volumes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the wall is inflated to tension the skins, then the skins are tensioned, but the wall section becomes lens-shaped and water retention areas form at joins

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin tensioningVSAvoidwater retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The tensioning system is divided into discrete segments (inflatable sleeves at intervals) rather than continuous inflation, allowing each section to be tensioned independently and maintaining a flatter profile that prevents water accumulation at joins

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of inflating the entire interstice volume excessively to achieve skin tensioning, only specific localized areas (where sleeves are positioned) are inflated to the necessary degree, achieving adequate tensioning with minimal overall inflation that maintains a flatter wall profile

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If impermeable skins are used to prevent air leakage, then air tightness is achieved, but open-weave fabrics cannot be used and solar protection is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair tightnessVSAvoidfabric selection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The inflatable sleeve and cord system acts as an intermediary air-tight sealing mechanism at the mount interface, allowing the main skin fabric to be open-weave for breathability and solar protection while the intermediary elements provide the necessary air tightness for structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Manufacturing precision

If the sleeve is inflated to tension the wall, then the wall is tensioned, but the sleeve deforms and exerts pressure in the mount groove immobilizing the wall

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin tensioningVSAvoidwall mobility

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The inflatable sleeve is designed with specific local qualities (cylindrical shape, controlled inflation pressure) that concentrate the tensioning force where needed while minimizing lateral pressure on the mount groove, allowing the wall to remain movable when not inflated

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 solution reduces inflation volume, prevents water retention, enhances insulation by allowing air circulation and snow melting, and facilitates easy transportation and assembly of dual-skin flexible walls while maintaining structural integrity and mobility.

Implementation Method 1

The use of compressed air to inflate the interstice between the two skins of a flexible wall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

the thickness of the lens thus formed between the two tensioned skins is in the order of 1 meter, a thickness that results in the internal air convection flows being enormous and responsible for large thermal exchanges

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

facilitate its drainage in the form of liquid onto a flat surface without pockets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS8245464B2Flexible dual skin wall and device for tensioning a dual skin flexible wall

Publication Date: 2012.08.21 TISSAGE & ENDUCTION SERGE FERRARI SA

AI summary

A device for tensioning a dual-skin flexible wall capable of interaction with at least one rigid mount, the device being mounted at the opposite edges of two skins to be retained by the rigid mount. The device includes a cord designed to interact with a groove formed in the rigid mount, and an inflatable bead capable of spacing the two skins away from and parallel to each other. Once inflated, the inflatable bead has a substantially cylindrical shape and remains confined outside the volume occupied by the rigid mount.