Inflatable Canopy Tent with Integrated Battery Fan
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inflatable canopy systems face challenges with proper connection between pumps and canopies, and often require external power sources, which are not always available in outdoor settings, making deployment and setup cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A portable, rechargeable battery-powered fan or pump system with a specifically designed inflation valve that allows for rapid inflation and deflation of a compact, double-arched inflatable canopy, eliminating the need for external power and enabling easy setup and takedown without tangling or air trapping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate powered electrical pumps are used to inflate the canopy, then the canopy can be inflated, but it becomes difficult to mate the pump and canopy support properly and requires external power supply which is not available in outdoor environments
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is integrated directly into the canopy structure, merging two previously separate components (pump and canopy support) into a single unified device. This eliminates the connection difficulty between separate pump and canopy while maintaining the inflation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The canopy support structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the canopy and simultaneously houses the pump mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall system while maintaining operational capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate powered electrical pumps are used to inflate the canopy, then the canopy can be inflated, but external power supply is required which is not available in outdoor environments
Solution Approach 1:
The canopy system becomes self-sufficient by integrating the pump and power source directly into the canopy structure. The system serves itself by containing all necessary components (pump, battery, control) within the canopy, eliminating dependency on external power supplies and enabling autonomous operation in outdoor environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The canopy support structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, houses the pump mechanism, and contains the power source. This multi-functionality enables the canopy to operate independently without external power infrastructure, significantly improving adaptability to outdoor environments.
3Weight of moving object
If the canopy is designed to be compact when deflated, then portability is improved, but rapid inflation and deflation becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pneumatic principles with the integrated pump to rapidly inflate the canopy by forcing air into the inflatable support structure. The same pump can rapidly deflate by extracting air. This pneumatic mechanism enables quick transitions between compact and expanded states, maintaining both portability and rapid deployment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The canopy structure transitions dynamically between two states: a compact deflated state for portability and an expanded inflated state for use. The integrated pump system enables rapid transitions between these states, making the canopy both portable and quickly deployable without compromising either property.
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 enables quick and effortless deployment and collapse of a stable, portable canopy that provides shade and shelter, improving usability and accessibility in outdoor environments by eliminating the need for external power and reducing setup complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The present invention uses a portable, rechargeable battery-powered fan or pump that can inflate the canopy tent in approximately two minutes
Implementation Method 2
The valve includes a pliant flapper with a nipple that deflects the flapper during deflation so that the pump can quickly deflate the canopy
Data Source
AI summary
A portable, inflatable canopy is disclosed having an inflatable support system comprising interconnected, intersecting arches over which a tarp is secured to form a dome structure that can be anchored to the ground as a respite for sun, heat, wind, and rain. The inflatable support system works with a portable fan to inflate the canopy quickly without outside power requirements, and the fan can also be used to quickly deflate the canopy. The canopy includes a primary arch and a secondary arch that inflate and deflate sequentially as a result of restricted air passages connecting the primary and secondary arches.