Inflatable Rescue Net Buoyancy Lifting Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water rescue methods often result in injury to both the rescuer and the person or object being rescued, and have limited success rates due to the risks and inefficiencies associated with manual lifting and flotation devices.
Innovation Solution
A rescue device comprising an inflatable or expandable net with a handle and a trigger, which allows the user to position the net underneath a person or object and inflate it, creating buoyancy to lift them safely and efficiently to the water's surface, minimizing risk and increasing rescue success.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional manual lifting methods are used, then the rescuer can attempt to lift the person or object, but the risk of injury to both the rescuer and the person or object increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable net serves as an intermediary device between the rescuer and the person or object being rescued. Instead of direct manual lifting, the rescuer inflates the net underneath the target, and the net's buoyancy does the lifting work, eliminating direct physical contact and reducing injury risk to both parties.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable net provides buoyant force that counteracts the weight of the person or object in water. By positioning the net underneath and inflating it, the buoyancy force rises to support and lift the target, replacing the need for rescuer physical strength and eliminating the harmful effects of manual straining.
2Reliability
If conventional flotation devices are used, then flotation support can be provided, but the efficiency and speed of rescue are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The rescue device transitions from a compact, portable state to an expanded, high-buoyancy state rapidly through inflation. This dynamic transformation allows the device to be easily carried by the rescuer initially, then quickly deployed and inflated to provide immediate lifting force, significantly increasing rescue speed compared to conventional static flotation devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The rescuer positions the compact inflatable net underneath the person or object before inflation occurs. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the net is inflated, the buoyant force is already applied at the optimal location, enabling immediate and efficient lifting without delay for adjustment or repositioning.
3Force
If the net is inflated to provide sufficient buoyancy for lifting, then the lifting capacity increases, but the device size and portability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable net is designed to be stored in a compact, nested form within a carrying case or bag when not in use. When needed, the rescuer retrieves the compact net, positions it underneath the target, then inflates it to its full functional size. This nesting principle allows the device to provide high buoyancy force when deployed while maintaining small portability dimensions during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The device dynamically changes its volume from a compact portable state to an expanded high-buoyancy state through inflation. This dynamic volume transformation allows the same device to satisfy both portability requirements during transport and lifting capacity requirements during rescue operations, eliminating the need to choose between size and force.
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 device effectively reduces the risk of injury to both the rescuer and the person or object being rescued while enhancing the odds of successful rescue by utilizing an inflatable net that rises with increased buoyancy, allowing for safe and efficient lifting to the water's surface.
Implementation Method 1
the inflating net rises due to increased buoyancy, while water passes through and below the net. The rising net lifts the person or object at least partially above the surface of a body of water
Data Source
AI summary
New water rescue devices and methods of use are provided. In some embodiments, a rescue device comprises an inflatable net with a handle, and a switch for causing the inflation of the inflatable net. In some methods, a user positions the inflatable net underneath at least part of a person or other object prior to inflation, and the inflating net rises due to increased buoyancy, while water passes through and below the net. The rising net lifts the person or object above the surface of a body of water, rescuing the person or object. In some embodiments, the invention is incorporated in a rescue buoy or rescue can. In some embodiments, an inflatable body other than a net also, or alternatively, is provided. For example, an expanding flotation ring or other flotation device is provided, which envelopes and holds the person or object when inflated.