Inflatable Pad Support Zoning for Lower Fill Volume

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional inflatable camping pads are inefficient in terms of fill volume and effort required for inflation, often lacking sufficient support and insulation, especially on uneven and cold ground surfaces.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates an inflatable frame with varying thickness and spacing of support members, including non-supporting regions with reduced fill volume, allowing for faster and easier inflation to higher pressures, providing better support and insulation while minimizing weight and torsion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If uniform support members are used throughout the pad, then support coverage is improved, but fill volume and inflation effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport coverageVSAvoidfill volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The pad divides the support structure into zones with different support member densities. Primary support regions (head, shoulders, hips) have higher density support members, while secondary regions have lower density. This local differentiation provides adequate support where needed while reducing overall fill volume and inflation effort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If higher inflation pressure is used, then support and insulation are improved, but inflation difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport and insulationVSAvoidinflation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pad allows different regions to be inflated to different pressures. Primary support regions are inflated to higher pressures (greater than 2 psi) for better support and insulation, while secondary regions use lower pressures. This localized pressure distribution achieves the desired support and insulation without requiring the entire pad to be inflated to high pressures, making inflation more manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If thicker support members are used, then support capability is improved, but weight and bulk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport capabilityVSAvoidpad weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pad uses varying thickness support members strategically placed in primary support regions where maximum support is needed. Secondary regions use thinner support members, reducing overall weight and bulk while maintaining adequate support capability where required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Productivity

If faster inflation is achieved, then portability is improved, but support quality may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinflation speedVSAvoidsupport quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pad enables faster inflation by allowing users to prioritize inflating primary support regions to adequate pressure levels without needing to evenly distribute air throughout the entire pad. This selective inflation approach achieves functional support quality more quickly, improving portability while maintaining necessary support characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9936814B2Inflatable pad and methods for using the same

Publication Date: 2018.04.10 ARGON TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

The inflatable pad includes an inflatable frame having a length and width that defines a pad area suitable for supporting a person lying thereon. A plurality of internal support members are configured to support the weight of a person lying thereon and elevate the person above the ground. The inflatable pad includes non-supporting regions that require less fill volume than regions that support primary support regions such as the hips and shoulder.