Inflatable Folding Vehicle Structure for Low-Weight Compact Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles are heavy, consume high energy, occupy significant space, incur costly repairs, and are difficult to redesign.
Innovation Solution
A foldable inflatable vehicle design with an inflatable upper structure, including a passenger compartment, inflatable beams and uprights, and a flat inflatable floor, where only the wheel support frames and wheels are not inflatable, combined with removable controls and energy-efficient regenerative braking, solar panels, and modular components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional rigid vehicle structures are used, then structural strength and stability are improved, but vehicle weight increases and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inflatable structures made from flexible fabric materials to replace traditional rigid metal body panels. The inflatable body panels include a fabric shell that can be inflated to provide structural support and stiffness, eliminating the need for heavy metal framing while maintaining adequate strength for vehicle operation and safety.
2Reliability
If rigid body panels and traditional chassis are used, then vehicle durability is improved, but repair costs increase after shocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inflatable body panels made from relatively inexpensive fabric materials that can be easily replaced if damaged. Rather than repairing expensive metal body panels or frames, the inflatable sections can be deflated, removed, and replaced as simple fabric components, significantly reducing repair costs after impacts or accidents.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed vehicle design is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but design flexibility and customization capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes inflatable structures that can be dynamically adjusted in terms of inflation pressure, volume, and configuration. This allows the same basic vehicle platform to be adapted for different uses (cargo, passenger, recreational) by simply inflating or deflating specific body panels, providing design flexibility without requiring multiple fixed manufacturing variants.
4Strength
If traditional non-foldable vehicle structure is used, then structural integrity is improved, but storage space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the vehicle body into separate inflatable panels that can be independently inflated and deflated. When storage is needed, the inflatable panels can be deflated and folded or rolled up, reducing the vehicle to a compact configuration that fits in small storage spaces, while maintaining full structural integrity when inflated for use.
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
Reduces weight and energy consumption, minimizes storage space, facilitates easy repairs, and allows for customizable design and reduced environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
The wheel support frame is composed of a solid shape comprising at least one U which is held to the inflatable shape, like a vice, by the inflation pressure of said inflatable shape
Implementation Method 2
Braking is achieved using the electric motor(s), it is an electrical system that uses regenerative braking coupled with current injection braking
Implementation Method 3
Folding solar panels cover or make up parts of the vehicle's envelope or inflatable structure
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention is a folding inflatable vehicle (1000) of which only the wheel-supporting brackets (400) and the wheel (500) are not inflatable. Said wheel-supporting brackets are held in place by the inflation pressure of certain parts of the vehicle. The motors (11) and the energy store (515, 516, 600) are at the wheels (500). The controls (850) are removable. The invention is particularly intended for the manufacture of novel folding inflatable vehicles that have a low weight, low energy consumption, take up little storage space, and at the same time have a low production cost, while making repairs easier and increasing design options.