Inflatable Camper Skirt Assembly for Wind Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing skirt devices for campers fail to effectively block wind from beneath the vehicle, which can lead to cold air entering and potentially causing water pipes to freeze.
Innovation Solution
A plurality of inflatable barriers with integrated inflation and deflate valves, designed to be longitudinally elongated and removably attached, forming a skirt around the camper to inhibit wind and accommodate various camper dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional panelized skirts are used for campers, then they provide some wind blocking, but they fail to effectively block wind from beneath the camper and allow cold air to enter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pneumatic principles by using inflatable barriers that can be filled with air to create a flexible, airtight seal around the camper. The inflatable structure expands to fill gaps and conform to the camper's shape, effectively blocking wind and cold air from beneath the vehicle, thereby preventing pipe freezing while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible shell structures through the use of inflatable barriers made from flexible materials. These barriers can expand and contract, conforming to the camper's contours and ground surface, creating an effective wind barrier that traditional rigid panels cannot achieve. The flexibility allows the skirt to adapt to various camper shapes and sizes while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a fixed skirt structure is used, then it provides continuous wind blocking, but it cannot accommodate various camper dimensions and is difficult to store when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using inflatable barriers that can be inflated and deflated. When inflated, they provide continuous wind blocking; when deflated, they can be easily stored. The dynamic nature of the inflatable structure allows it to adapt to various camper dimensions by adjusting the inflation level and configuration, providing both effectiveness and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses segmented inflatable barriers that can be individually adjusted and configured to match different camper sizes and shapes. Each barrier segment can be independently inflated to the appropriate size, allowing the system to accommodate various camper dimensions while maintaining effective wind blocking across the entire perimeter.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If inflatable barriers are used to block wind effectively, then they provide excellent wind blocking and adaptability, but they require inflation and deflation mechanisms that increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the inflation and deflation valve mechanisms directly into the inflatable barrier structure itself. By integrating these control features into the barriers rather than using separate external systems, the design achieves effective wind blocking and adaptability while minimizing overall device complexity. The integrated valves are simple to operate and eliminate the need for complex external inflation systems.
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 inflatable barriers effectively block wind from beneath the camper, preventing cold air from entering and reducing the risk of water pipe freezing, while being easily deployable and storable.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the inflatable barriers has an inflation valve integrated therein to facilitate the inflatable barriers to be inflated with air
Implementation Method 2
each of the inflatable barriers can define a skirt extending around the camper thereby inhibiting wind from blowing beneath the camper
Implementation Method 3
Each of the deflate valves is actuatable into an open condition to deflate the respective inflatable barrier
Data Source
AI summary
An inflatable camper skirt assembly includes a plurality of inflatable barriers. Each of the inflatable barriers has an inflation valve integrated therein to facilitate the inflatable barriers to be inflated with air. Each of the inflatable barriers is longitudinally elongated when each of the inflatable barriers is inflated with air for positioning beneath a camper. In this way each of the inflatable barriers can define a skirt extending around the camper thereby inhibiting wind from blowing beneath the camper. A plurality of deflate valves is provided and each of the deflate valves is fluidly integrated into a respective one of the inflatable barriers. Each of the deflate valves is actuatable into an open condition to deflate the respective inflatable barrier.