Multi-Chamber Air Support Surface for Unobstructed Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air distribution support surface products face issues with reduced airflow due to user weight compression, which restricts the effectiveness in preventing skin breakdown and respiratory complications, and the single air dispensing point can be obstructed by the user's weight.
Innovation Solution
A multi-chambered design with a vapor permeable top sheet, a fluid resistant bottom sheet, and an intermediate compressible fluid passing material that forms both fluid retention and loss chambers, along with a U-shaped fluid dispensing structure within the top sheet assembly to ensure distributed inflation and airflow, preventing compression and obstruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single chamber design is used with a vapor permeable top sheet, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but user weight compresses the top sheet causing reduced airflow and contact with the bottom layer
Solution Approach 1:
The single chamber is divided into multiple chambers (first chamber and second chamber) separated by a common wall. The top sheet is segmented into first and second vapor permeable sheets, each forming a separate chamber. This segmentation prevents compression of one chamber from affecting the other, maintaining airflow reliability under user weight.
2Device complexity
If a single air dispensing point is used at the end of the chamber, then the device complexity is reduced, but the dispensing point can be obstructed by user weight or foot
Solution Approach 1:
The single air dispensing point is segmented into multiple air intake openings (first air intake opening and second air intake opening) positioned at different locations. This ensures that if one opening is obstructed by user weight or foot, the other openings remain accessible and can continue to deliver airflow reliably.
3Ease of manufacture
If the top sheet is made vapor permeable to allow air escape, then moisture management is improved, but the sheet compresses under weight preventing suitable air flow within the chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The single vapor permeable top sheet is segmented into multiple vapor permeable sheets (first and second sheets) forming separate chambers. This segmentation ensures that compression of one sheet does not completely block airflow, as other chambers maintain their vapor permeability and airflow pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the top sheet (different chambers) maintain local vapor permeability properties. When one region is compressed, other regions remain uncompressed and continue to provide airflow pathways, ensuring overall airflow maintenance through localized quality distribution.
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 solution enhances airflow distribution and prevents skin breakdown by maintaining air flow even under user weight, ensuring effective moisture management and comfort, while the U-shaped structure prevents plugging issues with the air dispensing point.
Implementation Method 1
a top sheet which is made of a vapor permeable material
Implementation Method 2
a bottom sheet which is made of a fluid resistant material
Implementation Method 3
an intermediate compressible fluid passing material which is interposed between the vapor permeable material and the fluid resistant material
Data Source
AI summary
An air distribution support surface product includes a vapor permeable material such as a sheet of breathable material, a fluid resistant material, such as a sheet of waterproof material and an intermediate fluid passing material interposed between the vapor permeable material and the fluid resistant material to form a plurality of chambers. One of the chambers serves as a type of fluid retention chamber and another chamber serves as a type of fluid loss chamber. A fluid intake opening may be provided to allow fluid, such as air, to inflate the chambers. In one example, both of the chambers share the intermediate fluid passing material. As such, the fluid retention chamber is formed by the fluid resistant material and the intermediate fluid passing material. The fluid loss chamber is formed by the vapor permeable material and the intermediate fluid passing material.