Sealed Control Box for Inflatable Lighting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inflatable products, such as pools and toys, lack built-in lighting, making them unsafe and less enjoyable in dark environments, and existing lighted inflatables face challenges with durability and color options near water.

Innovation Solution

A lighted inflatable apparatus with a sealed lighting element and control box that includes a power button, switch, and impact sensors to adjust lighting states, ensuring visibility and safety, particularly in dark conditions, and providing customizable color schemes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If lighting elements are added to inflatable products, then visibility and enjoyment in dark environments is improved, but device complexity and susceptibility to water damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevisibilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control box integrates multiple functions (power button, switch, impact sensor, lighting control) into a single sealed unit that is placed inside the inflatable chamber, combining the control mechanisms and lighting elements with the inflatable structure itself rather than adding separate external components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control box serves multiple functions: it houses the power button for turning lights on/off, contains the switch for changing lighting modes, incorporates impact sensors for safety features, and provides sealed protection for all electrical components against water damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If lighting elements are placed in inflatable products near water, then enjoyment is enhanced, but reliability and durability deteriorates due to water exposure

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveenjoymentVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control box is sealed to form a protective barrier that prevents water from reaching the electrical components inside, allowing the lighting system to function reliably in water-prone environments like pools and beaches

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The impact sensor replaces complex mechanical safety mechanisms with an electronic sensing system that automatically detects impacts and responds by adjusting lighting or alerting users, improving reliability while reducing mechanical complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If control components are added to enable lighting control, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power button and switch are integrated into the control box housing, combining multiple control functions into a single compact unit with intuitive button placement and labeling, making the system easy to operate while minimizing the number of separate components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enhances visibility and enjoyment of inflatable products in dark environments while ensuring durability and safety near water, with adjustable lighting states and colors, improving user experience.

Implementation Method 1

at least one lighting element disposed within the wall such that the at least one lighting element is sealed inside the first inflatable chamber and isolated from an external environment, the at least one lighting element configured to emit light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP3477196B1Inflatables with lighting module, systems, and methods
Publication Date: 2022.04.13 POLYGROUP MACAU BVI
  • EP3477196B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3477196B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3477196B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A lighted inflatable apparatus (100) including: a wall (101) comprising a first inflatable chamber (102); at least one lighting element (108) disposed within the wall (101), the at least one lighting element (108) configured to emit light; and a control box (112) connected to the at least one lighting element (108), the control box (112) configured to control one or more emission states of the at least one lighting element (108).