Multi-chamber inflatable device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional inflatable mattresses with multiple air chambers often require separate valves for inflation and deflation, which can be cumbersome and inefficient, and lack stability features to prevent rolling or buckling.
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 inflatable via a single valve, and the peripheral and upper air chambers are in secondary and tertiary fluid communication, respectively, with the ambient atmosphere, providing stability and security through internal tensioning structures and fluid communication apertures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple separate valves are used for each air chamber, then each chamber can be independently controlled, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to multiple valves being cumbersome and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple air chambers (main chamber, upper peripheral chamber, and upper air chamber) into a single integrated inflatable structure with unified walls and panels, allowing all chambers to be inflated and deflated through a single valve located in the bottom panel, thereby simplifying operation while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The single valve system serves multiple functions by controlling inflation and deflation of all air chambers simultaneously, making the valve system universal for the entire mattress structure rather than requiring separate specialized valves for each chamber
2Ease of operation
If a single valve is used for all air chambers, then ease of operation improves, but the reliability deteriorates because fluid communication between chambers may cause pressure distribution issues
Solution Approach 1:
The mattress is segmented into distinct air chambers (main chamber, upper peripheral chamber, upper air chamber) separated by internal panels and walls, allowing each chamber to maintain independent pressure zones while still being inflatable through a single valve, thus ensuring reliable pressure distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The internal panels and chamber walls act as intermediaries that distribute pressurized fluid from the single valve to different chambers in a controlled manner, ensuring proper pressure distribution and preventing direct fluid communication that could cause pressure imbalances
3Stability of the object's composition
If traditional single-chamber design is used, then device complexity is low, but stability deteriorates due to rolling or buckling without peripheral support structures
Solution Approach 1:
The mattress structure is segmented into multiple functional chambers including a main chamber for support, an upper peripheral chamber for stability and anti-rolling, and an upper air chamber for comfort, with each segment serving a specific stability function
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the mattress are given different qualities through separate chambers: the peripheral chamber provides structural stability and roll prevention, while the upper air chamber provides comfort, allowing each local region to optimize its function
4Speed
If upper air chamber is in direct fluid communication with valve, then inflation speed improves, but the technical complexity worsens due to additional fluid communication pathways
Solution Approach 1:
The upper air chamber is pre-configured with fluid communication pathways through the upper peripheral chamber, so that when the main chamber inflates first, the upper chambers automatically follow through the pre-established communication routes, achieving rapid inflation without direct valve connection
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 allows for efficient inflation and deflation via a single valve while providing stability and user security through the distribution of air pressure across multiple chambers, maintaining a flat surface and preventing rolling or buckling.
Implementation Method 1
The main air chamber receives pressurized fluid directly from a valve
Implementation Method 2
the lower and upper peripheral air chambers are in direct fluid communication with the main air chamber
Implementation Method 3
The upper air chamber is in direct fluid communication with the upper peripheral air chamber
Implementation Method 4
The main air chamber includes internal tensioning structures which cooperate with a bottom mattress panel and a lower intermediate panel to provide a generally box-shaped, mattress-sized inflatable structure upon pressurization
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-chamber inflatable mattress includes a main air chamber, upper and lower peripheral air chambers, and an upper air chamber. The main air chamber includes internal tensioning structures which cooperate with a bottom mattress panel and a lower intermediate panel to provide a generally box-shaped, mattress-sized inflatable structure upon pressurization. A second, upper intermediate panel cooperates with a top mattress panel to define an upper air chamber which defines the sleeping surface. 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 but not the valve. The upper air chamber is in direct fluid communication with the upper peripheral air chamber, but not the main chamber or valve.