Multi-chamber inflatable device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional inflatable mattresses with multiple air chambers often lack stability and user security, particularly at the edges, due to the design's reliance on fluid communication between chambers for inflation and deflation, which can lead to rolling or buckling when users sit near the edges.
Innovation Solution
A multi-chamber inflatable mattress design featuring a main air chamber, upper and lower peripheral air chambers, and an upper air chamber, where the main air chamber is directly pressurized via a valve, while the lower and upper peripheral air chambers are in secondary fluid communication with the main chamber, and the upper air chamber is in tertiary fluid communication, providing stability and security through distinct fluid communication pathways and tensioning structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple air chambers are used to define additional shapes and features, then the mattress functionality is improved, but the stability and resistance to rolling or buckling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mattress is divided into multiple independent air chambers (main chamber, upper chamber, lower peripheral chamber, upper peripheral chamber) that are fluidly connected but structurally segmented. Each chamber serves specific functions: the main chamber provides overall support, the upper chamber defines the sleeping surface, the lower peripheral chamber provides ground engagement stability, and the upper peripheral chamber creates a ridge for user security. This segmentation allows each chamber to independently contribute to stability while maintaining overall functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the mattress have different structural qualities through the multi-chamber design. The peripheral chambers specifically address edge stability and user security needs, while the main chamber provides general support. The upper peripheral chamber creates a raised ridge at the edges to prevent rolling, while the lower peripheral chamber provides a stable ground-contacting surface. This local differentiation of structural properties resolves the contradiction between functionality and stability.
2Ease of operation
If a single valve is used to inflate multiple chambers, then the ease of operation is improved, but the control over individual chamber pressure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple air chambers are merged into a single fluid communication system that can be inflated and deflated through one valve. The main chamber, upper chamber, lower peripheral chamber, and upper peripheral chamber are all connected through fluid passages, allowing a single valve to control the pressure of all chambers simultaneously. This merging provides ease of operation while the internal fluid communication design ensures proper pressure distribution across different functional regions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If peripheral air chambers are added to provide stability and security, then the mattress stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral chambers are nested within the overall mattress structure, with the lower peripheral chamber positioned at the bottom periphery and the upper peripheral chamber positioned at the top periphery. These chambers are integrated into the existing multi-chamber configuration, nesting the stability-providing structures within the functional sleeping surface structure. This nested arrangement provides enhanced stability without adding excessive external complexity.
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 design enhances stability and user security by maintaining a flat surface and preventing rolling or buckling, with the upper peripheral air chamber creating a ridge around the sleeping surface to inhibit edge sagging, ensuring a comfortable and secure sleeping experience.
Implementation Method 1
The main air chamber receives pressurized fluid directly from a valve, while the lower and upper peripheral air chambers are in direct fluid communication with the main air chamber
Implementation Method 2
the lower and upper peripheral air chambers are in direct fluid communication with the main air chamber but not the valve
Implementation Method 3
The upper air chamber is in direct fluid communication with the upper peripheral air chamber, but not the main chamber or valve
Data Source
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AI summary
A multi-chamber inflatable mattress (10) includes a main air chamber (30), upper and lower peripheral air chambers (36,34), and an upper air chamber (32). The main air chamber (30) includes internal tensioning structures (18) which cooperate with a bottom mattress panel (12) and a lower intermediate panel (22) to provide a generally box-shaped, mattress-sized inflatable structure upon pressurization. A second, upper intermediate panel (24) cooperates with a top mattress panel (14) to define an upper air chamber (32) which defines the sleeping surface (40). The main air chamber (30) receives pressurized fluid directly from a valve (26), while the lower and upper peripheral air chambers (34,36) are in direct fluid communication with the main air chamber (30) but not the valve (26). The upper air chamber (32) is in direct fluid communication with the upper peripheral air chamber (36), but not the main chamber (30) or valve (26).