Inflatable cot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cots, particularly those used by military units, suffer from poor support performance due to fabric material issues, leading to discomfort and insufficient rest space for users.
Innovation Solution
An inflatable cot design featuring an internal inflation cavity with fabric strands and a support frame comprising connection rods and legs, which enhances support and stability, allowing for a wider and more comfortable sleeping surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional cot fabric material is used, then the cot is simple in structure and easy to manufacture, but the support performance is poor and user comfort is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pneumatic principles by incorporating an inflation cavity that can be filled with air to provide structural support. The fabric strands are tensioned within this pressurized cavity, creating a rigid yet lightweight support structure that eliminates the need for heavy traditional wooden or metal frames while significantly improving support performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material principles by combining fabric strands (textile material) with an inflation cavity (pneumatic structure). This composite system creates a hybrid structure that leverages the flexibility and lightness of fabric with the rigidity and support capability of pressurized air, achieving both improved support performance and reduced structural complexity.
2Area of stationary object
If standard cot width (60-75 cm) is used, then the cot is compact and portable, but there is insufficient rest space for users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the cot width adjustable through the inflation mechanism. The inflation cavity can be expanded to increase width when more rest space is needed, and deflated to reduce volume for portability. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the cot to adapt between compact storage mode and expanded usage mode, resolving the contradiction between rest space and portability.
3Strength
If the cot is designed for portability with foldable frame, then the cot is easy to transport, but the support performance deteriorates due to fabric material limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional rigid foldable frame with a pneumatic inflation cavity system. This allows the cot to maintain strong support performance when inflated, while still being collapsible and portable when deflated. The fabric strands tensioned within the pressurized cavity provide structural rigidity without requiring heavy framing materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible fabric strands and film-like inflation cavity to create a structure that can transition between rigid (when inflated) and flexible (when deflated) states. This flexible shell approach provides excellent support performance during use while maintaining ease of operation and portability during transport.
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 cot provides improved support and comfort by withstanding greater air pressure, offering a wider surface for users to lie on and turn over, while being easy to assemble and use, even on uneven ground.
Implementation Method 1
the inflatable mattress to withstand greater air pressure
Implementation Method 2
The two ends of each of the fabric strands are respectively connected to the top and the bottom of the inflation cavity, and the fabric strands play a role of limiting the shape of the inflation cavity
Data Source
AI summary
An inflatable cot includes: a main body, where the top of the main body is provided with a cot surface, the main body is internally provided with an inflation cavity, the inflation cavity is internally provided with several fabric strands, two ends of each of the fabric strands are respectively connected to the top and the bottom of the inflation cavity, and the bottom of the main body is provided with connection portions; and a support frame, where the support frame includes connection rods and support legs, the connection rods are detachably inserted into the connection portions, and the support legs are detachably connected to the connection rods. In the inflatable cot, support performance of the cot can be improved, thereby improving comfortableness.