Inflatable Spa Tensioning Structure for Strength and Portability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inflatable spas lack strength, comfort, and durability compared to permanent spas, and are difficult to assemble, disassemble, store, and transport due to their flexible and low-rigidity construction.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a porous sheet with a tensioning structure in the air chamber, coupled to the walls of the inflatable spa, which provides enhanced strength and stability through a network of frame members defining pores, and a control system for inflation, deflation, and aeration, including a heating unit and jetted water functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If inflatable spas are constructed with high flexibility and low rigidity material, then they are more affordable and easier to transport, but they lack strength, comfort, and durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible inflatable walls made of thin film materials that can be easily manufactured and transported, while incorporating tensioning structures inside the air chamber to provide the necessary strength and rigidity without compromising the flexible nature of the overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines flexible wall materials with internal tensioning structures made of different materials (such as mesh, fabric, or rigid frames) to create a composite system that exhibits both the flexibility needed for portability and the strength required for durability and comfort
2Stability of the object's composition
If inflatable spas use simple flexible construction, then they are easier to assemble and disassemble, but they lack structural integrity and stability
Solution Approach 1:
The tensioning structure is divided into multiple segments including vertical tensioning elements, horizontal tensioning elements, and corner tensioning elements that work together to distribute and manage structural stresses throughout the inflatable spa, enhancing overall stability without requiring a monolithic complex structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces tensioning structures that operate in multiple dimensions - vertical tensioning members resist buckling, horizontal members provide circumferential support, and corner elements provide structural reinforcement at critical junctions, creating a three-dimensional stress distribution system
3Strength
If inflatable spas are made with higher rigidity, then they provide better comfort and strength, but they become more difficult to store and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable spa structure transitions from a rigid state during use (when inflated and tensioning structures are taut) to a flexible, collapsible state for storage and transport (when deflated), allowing the same structure to provide high load-bearing capacity when needed while remaining lightweight and compact for mobility
Solution Approach 2:
The use of thin film flexible materials for the walls allows the structure to achieve high strength-to-weight ratio when inflated, providing adequate load-bearing capacity for supporting users and equipment, while the deflated state occupies minimal space and weighs little for easy transport
Data Source
AI summary
An inflatable spa having improved strength includes a water cavity that receives massaging air bubbles and/or jetted water.