Inflatable cushion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inflatable cushions are either too soft and uncomfortable due to being filled with gas, or they are bulky and heavy when filled with sponge, making them inconvenient to carry and store.

Innovation Solution

The inflatable cushion features a dual-region design with a sponge-filled cavity in one region and inflatable cavities in another, equipped with air guide parts and transverse sealing lines for adjustable firmness and easy deflation, allowing for folding and convenient storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If the inflatable cushion is filled with gas only, then the cushion is lightweight and compact, but the comfort is poor due to excessive softness

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveweightVSAvoidcomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cushion is divided into multiple independent air chambers separated by transverse sealing lines. This segmentation allows the cushion to maintain overall lightness while providing distributed support points that improve comfort, preventing the excessive softness associated with a single large air-filled space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the cushion have different structural characteristics - some areas have air chambers for lightness and compactness, while other areas incorporate sponge filling for enhanced comfort and support. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between overall lightness and localized comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the inflatable cushion is filled with sponge only, then the comfort is improved, but the volume and weight increase making it inconvenient to carry and store

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecomfortVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cushion combines segmented air chambers with localized sponge sections. The air chambers provide the majority of the cushion's volume for lightness and packability, while small sponge sections are strategically placed to provide comfort at key contact points, minimizing overall weight and volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cushion merges two different filling materials (air and sponge) into a single hybrid structure. This combination allows the cushion to achieve both the lightness and compactness of air-filled designs and the comfort of sponge-filled designs simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the inflatable cushion is filled with sponge only, then the comfort is improved, but the volume increases making it inconvenient to store

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecomfortVSAvoidvolume

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cushion uses segmented air chambers that can be individually deflated and folded, creating a compact storage form. Small sponge sections are distributed throughout rather than forming a large continuous block, allowing the overall volume to be minimized when packed while maintaining comfort when inflated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If the cushion structure is made complex with multiple regions and components, then the comfort and functionality are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecomfortVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cushion uses transverse sealing lines to create simple segmented air chambers that are structurally straightforward but functionally effective. This segmentation provides comfort through distributed support without requiring complex mechanical components or assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This design provides enhanced comfort by supporting the body with both sponge and air, while also being lightweight and compact for easy carrying and storage, offering a balance of comfort and convenience.

Implementation Method 1

the inflatable cushion body is provided with an air guide part for inflating and deflating the cavity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas flow:

Implementation Method 2

the second region is evenly provided with transverse sealing lines formed by pressing; the transverse sealing lines separate the second region into mutually communicated inflating cavities

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas separation and communication:

Data Source

PatentUS12318012B2Inflatable cushion

Publication Date: 2025.06.03 YIWU JINGTIAN OUTDOOR PROD CO LTD

AI summary

An inflatable cushion comprises an inflatable cushion body. The inflatable cushion body comprises a first region and a second region formed by pressing an upper and a lower fabric layers; the first region and the second region are adjacent; a cavity is arranged in the first region; a sponge is arranged in the cavity; the inflatable cushion body is provided with an air guide part for inflating and deflating the cavity; the second region is evenly provided with transverse sealing lines; the transverse sealing lines separate the second region into mutually communicated inflating cavities; and the second region is provided with a first inflating port for inflation and deflation. By arranging the first region and the second region, the sponge is arranged in the first region and the inflating cavities are arranged in the second region.