Inflatable product with an internal tensioning structure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inflatable products face challenges in maintaining shape while being lightweight and compact, as traditional tension bands made of PVC sheets increase weight and volume, and continuous plastic strips contribute to higher material thickness and stress.
Innovation Solution
The use of thin, flexible strands connected via intermediate sheets or weld strips to maintain spatial relationships between inflatable surfaces, providing a lightweight and compact tensioning structure with high tensile strength and reduced thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If thick PVC sheets are used for tension bands, then force requirements are met and shape stability is improved, but weight and compressed volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tension band is segmented into multiple thin strands (e.g., 12-24 strands) rather than using a single thick PVC sheet. Each strand has a thickness of 0.03-0.08mm, collectively providing the necessary tensile strength while significantly reducing weight and packed volume compared to traditional single-piece tension bands.
2Stability of the object's composition
If continuous plastic strips are used for tension bands, then structural integrity is maintained, but material thickness and stress increase
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous plastic strip is divided into multiple discrete thin strands. This segmentation maintains structural integrity through the collective arrangement of strands while reducing the thickness of individual material components from 0.36mm+ to 0.03-0.08mm per strand.
Solution Approach 2:
The tension band is constructed as a composite structure combining multiple thin strands with intermediate sheets or weld strips. This composite approach achieves the required structural integrity and force distribution while minimizing material thickness and weight.
3Shape
If more and denser tension bands are added, then rectangularity and shape definition improve, but weight and compressed volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tension band system uses multiple thin strands arranged in specific patterns (linear, cylindrical, wave-shaped, or honeycomb) to define the rectangular shape. This segmented approach allows adequate shape definition with reduced material quantity compared to traditional dense PVC sheet arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the critical parameter from strand thickness (traditional 0.36mm) to strand count and arrangement. By using numerous thin strands (0.03-0.08mm each) rather than fewer thick bands, the system achieves equivalent or superior shape definition with reduced weight and compressed volume.
4Stress or pressure
If thicker tension bands are used, then stress distribution improves, but folded volume and portability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The tension band is segmented into multiple thin strands that can be closely packed when deflated, achieving superior stress distribution through numerous contact points while minimizing compressed volume. The thin strands (0.03-0.08mm) occupy significantly less space when folded compared to thick PVC sheets.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses thin flexible strands instead of rigid or semi-rigid thick PVC sheets. These thin films/strands provide adequate stress distribution when taut during inflation but collapse to minimal volume when deflated, improving portability without sacrificing structural performance.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An inflatable product with an internal tensioning structure (3) wherein thetensioning structure (3) fulfills the basic function of maintaining two adjacent inflatable surfaces (1, 2) in a desired geometric arrangement when the inflatable product is pressurized. The tensioning structure (3) is formed by connecting a pair of plastic strips sheets (31) via spaced-apart strands (32), such as strings or wires. When pulled taut, the strands (32) provide a high tensile strength between the two opposed plastic strips (31). At the same time, the plastic strips (31) facilitate a strong, long-lasting weld between the tensioning structure (3) and the inflatable product.