Inflatable Evacuation Slide with Flame-Resistant Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing evacuation slide technologies for buildings do not adequately address the need for a compact, rapidly deployable, and flame-resistant evacuation system for home use, particularly in scenarios involving house fires, where conventional solutions are either too large or not specifically designed for residential applications.
Innovation Solution
A compact, inflatable evacuation slide system housed in a rectangular container with compressed gas canisters and activators, featuring a gripping fabric to secure the slide to the window sill, and a design that allows for rapid deployment and inflation within seconds, with flame-resistant materials to withstand nearby fires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional evacuation slide systems are used for buildings, then evacuation function is provided, but the systems are either too large or not specifically designed for residential applications
Solution Approach 1:
The evacuation system is divided into separate functional components: an inflatable slide portion, an inflatable pillow portion, and compressed gas canisters. These segmented components are stored in a container and deployed separately, allowing the system to be compact when stored yet provide full evacuation functionality when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable slide and pillow are stored in a compressed, nested configuration within the container. The slide is rolled and folded to fit within the container volume, and the pillow is stored in a compressed state. Upon deployment, these nested components expand to their full functional sizes.
2Loss of time
If rapid deployment is achieved using compressed gas canisters, then evacuation time is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Compressed gas canisters are used to rapidly inflate both the slide and pillow portions. The pneumatic expansion provides immediate inflation without requiring external power sources or complex mechanical deployment mechanisms, reducing deployment time while keeping the inflation system relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressed gas is pre-stored in canisters within the container, ready for immediate use. The slide and pillow are pre-positioned in the container in a compressed state, so that upon activation, inflation and deployment occur simultaneously without requiring sequential setup steps.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If flame-resistant materials are used to withstand fire heat, then protection duration is extended, but material selection and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The slide and pillow are constructed from composite materials that combine flame resistance with flexibility and durability. The use of coated fabrics or layered composite structures provides fire protection while maintaining the inflatable nature of the components. These composite materials are selected to meet fire resistance requirements without requiring overly complex manufacturing processes.
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 system enables safe and rapid evacuation from upper floors of homes by deploying a 15-40 foot inflatable slide in under 10 seconds, providing a stable descent path while resisting heat from fires for an extended period.
Implementation Method 1
A first canister includes a compressed gas, such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen or mixtures thereof... A second canister includes a compressed gas
Implementation Method 2
a urethane-coated nylon that is sprayed with gray aluminized paint which protects the slide from fire that is nearby by reflecting heat
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a life-saving apparatus and method for escaping from a second floor or a third floor of a burning building, wherein the life-saving apparatus includes a container, a set of wheels, an inflatable pillow, an inflatable slide, a set of canisters full of compressed gas, and a set of activators operatively connected to the canisters.