Personal Lifting Assembly With Inflatable Bladder for Floor Transfers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lifting devices are large, heavy, require electrical power, slow, and need setup/teardown, posing a risk to caregivers and being impractical for solo use by individuals with limited strength or coordination.

Innovation Solution

A lightweight, portable lifting assembly with inflatable bladders and pivoting plates that can be operated with one button, requiring no setup or teardown, and allowing users to rise from or lower to the floor without assistance, featuring a low-profile design for easy transport and use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current lift designs are used, then lifting function is provided, but the device becomes large and heavy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelifting functionVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an inflatable bladder mechanism to provide lifting force, replacing traditional heavy mechanical lifting systems. The bladder inflates to lift the user and deflates to lower them, significantly reducing device weight while maintaining reliable lifting function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The lifting mechanism uses a flexible bladder instead of rigid structural components. This flexible shell approach reduces weight while providing sufficient structural support for the lifting function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If current lift designs are used, then lifting capability is provided, but the device requires electrical power

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelifting capabilityVSAvoidelectrical power requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses pneumatic pressure from an air pump to inflate the bladder for lifting, replacing electrical motors. The same pump can deflate the bladder for lowering, eliminating the need for continuous electrical power during the lifting operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The bladder system is self-contained and can be inflated and deflated by the portable air pump without requiring external electrical outlets or complex electrical systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If current lift designs are used, then lifting function is provided, but the device operates slowly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelifting functionVSAvoidlifting speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The air pump operates in periodic cycles, inflating the bladder to lift the user and then deflating to lower them. This periodic action provides controlled lifting speed while maintaining the lifting function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

4Reliability

If current lift designs are used, then lifting capability is provided, but setup and teardown are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelifting capabilityVSAvoidsetup and teardown requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting device uses dynamic, collapsible components including foldable plates and an inflatable bladder, allowing the structure to transform from a compact stored state to a functional lifting state without complex setup procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device is divided into modular components (plates, bladder, pump) that can be easily assembled and disassembled, eliminating the need for complex setup and teardown procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

5Reliability

If current lift designs are used, then lifting function is provided, but the device is not portable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelifting functionVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The use of an inflatable bladder provides high lifting capability with minimal structural material, making the device lightweight and portable while maintaining reliable lifting function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible bladder and collapsible plate structure enable the device to be compact and portable, eliminating the need for heavy rigid frameworks while maintaining lifting capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

Enables safe and efficient lifting of individuals with limited strength or coordination, reducing the need for external assistance and minimizing physical risk, while being compact and easy to operate.

Implementation Method 1

a first bladder assembly engaged with the second plate and the bottom plate, the first bladder assembly operatively arranged to be inflated and deflated to displace the top plate with respect to the bottom plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatics: Pressurisation

Data Source

PatentUS20250295537A1Personal lifting assembly

Publication Date: 2025.09.25 AMP PERFORMANCE LLC

AI summary

A lifting assembly, including a top plate, a bottom plate, a first pivoting plate assembly including a first plate pivotably connected to the top plate and a second plate pivotably connected to the first plate and the bottom plate, a second pivoting plate assembly including a third plate pivotably connected to the top plate and a fourth plate pivotably connected to third plate and the bottom plate, and a first bladder assembly engaged with the second plate and the bottom plate, the first bladder assembly operatively arranged to be inflated and deflated to displace the top plate with respect to the bottom plate.