Inflatable pad and methods for using the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inflatable camping pads are inefficient in terms of fill volume and effort required for inflation, often leading to discomfort and heat loss due to uneven ground surfaces and the ground acting as a heat sink.
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
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If uniform support members are used across the entire pad area, then support comfort is improved, but fill volume and inflation effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the density and thickness of support members across different regions of the pad. Primary support regions (head, shoulders, hips) have higher density and thickness, while secondary regions have lower density. This localized differentiation provides adequate support where needed while reducing overall fill volume and inflation effort.
2Strength
If the pad is inflated to high pressure for better support, then support quality is improved, but the pad becomes harder to inflate manually
Solution Approach 1:
The patent concentrates support capability in specific primary regions rather than uniformly across the entire pad. This allows high pressure and firm support to be achieved in critical areas (head, shoulders, hips) while maintaining lower overall pressure requirements, making manual inflation more feasible.
Solution Approach 2:
The pad is segmented into primary and secondary support regions with different pressure requirements. Primary regions are designed to withstand higher pressures for optimal support, while secondary regions operate at lower pressures, reducing the overall effort needed for inflation.
3Temperature
If the pad thickness is increased for better insulation, then thermal insulation is improved, but weight and packed volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying pad thickness according to insulation needs. Primary support regions with higher density provide adequate insulation through their structure, while secondary regions use thinner material. This differentiated approach maintains thermal insulation performance in critical areas while reducing overall weight and packed volume.
4Weight of moving object
If the pad is designed to be lightweight and compact, then portability is improved, but support and insulation performance decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent concentrates weight and material resources in primary support regions where they provide maximum benefit for support and insulation. Secondary regions use minimal material, reducing overall weight while maintaining adequate support capability in critical areas through optimized local structure.
Data Source
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.