Inflatable Product Tensioning Structure Using Composite Fabric and Plastic
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inflatable products made of solely plastic materials are heavy and costly to manufacture, as they require extensive plastic material usage for tensioning structures.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating fabric materials into the tensioning structure, which are connected to plastic portions via fusion or gluing, to reduce weight and manufacturing costs, while maintaining control over the inflatable body's expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If plastic material is used for the tensioning structure, then the connection to the inflatable body is achieved by fusion, but the weight and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tensioning structure uses a composite construction combining plastic portions (for fusion connection to the inflatable body) and fabric portions (for tensioning functions). This composite approach maintains reliable connection through plastic fusion while reducing overall weight by incorporating lighter fabric materials for the tensioning components.
2Reliability
If plastic material is used for the tensioning structure, then the connection to the inflatable body is achieved by fusion, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tensioning structure uses a composite construction combining plastic portions (for fusion connection to the inflatable body) and fabric portions (for tensioning functions). This composite approach maintains reliable connection through plastic fusion while reducing overall weight by incorporating lighter fabric materials for the tensioning components.
3Weight of moving object
If fabric material is used for the tensioning structure, then the weight and manufacturing cost are reduced, but the connection method changes from fusion to sewing or gluing
Solution Approach 1:
The tensioning structure is segmented into different material portions: plastic portions for fusion connection to the inflatable body, and fabric portions for tensioning functions. Each portion is connected using the most suitable method for its material (fusion for plastic, sewing or gluing for fabric), optimizing both weight reduction and manufacturing feasibility.
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 use of fabric materials in tensioning structures results in inflatable products with reduced weight and manufacturing costs, leveraging the strength, lightness, and affordability of fabric while minimizing plastic material usage.
Implementation Method 1
a plastic portion connected to the inflatable body by fusion or gluing
Implementation Method 2
a fabric portion connected to the plastic portion by sewing or gluing
Implementation Method 3
The tensioning structure is disposed in and connected to the inflatable body, for controlling expansion of the inflatable body when the inflatable body is inflated
Data Source
AI summary
An inflatable product includes an inflatable body and a tensioning structure disposed in and connected to the inflatable body, for controlling expansion of the inflatable body when the inflatable body is inflated. The tensioning structure comprises a plastic portion connected to the inflatable body by fusion or gluing, and a fabric portion connected to the plastic portion by sewing or gluing.