Portable Dunnage Bag Inflator Using Impeller Blower
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for inflating dunnage bags in cargo containers are time-consuming, inefficient, and costly due to reliance on stationary pneumatic compressors, which require lengthy compressed air hoses that can be cumbersome and pose safety hazards, and result in unnecessary energy consumption and maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A portable dunnage bag inflator that uses an impeller-driven blower to generate pressurized air, allowing for on-site inflation of dunnage bags via a movable cargo mover, eliminating the need for compressed air hoses and reducing travel time and energy costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a stationary pneumatic compressor is used to inflate dunnage bags, then compressed air can be delivered to inflate dunnage bags, but the compressed air hose is too short to reach the cargo container and the process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the inflation operation into portable segments by equipping each cargo mover with its own blower motor, eliminating the need for a single centralized compressor and long hose. Each mover independently generates compressed air for its own dunnage bag inflation tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The blower motor mounted on the cargo mover acts as an intermediary device that generates compressed air locally at the cargo container, replacing the need for a long compressed air hose to bridge the distance between the stationary compressor and the cargo container.
2Ease of operation
If a long compressed air hose is used to reach the cargo container, then compressed air can be delivered, but the hose snags, rips, or causes tripping hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful compressed air hose is completely removed from the system. Instead of using a long hose that creates safety hazards, the compressed air generation capability is extracted and distributed to individual cargo movers, eliminating the hose entirely.
3Power
If a stationary pneumatic compressor is used, then compressed air can be generated, but energy consumption and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each cargo mover serves itself by generating compressed air on-demand through its own blower motor, eliminating the need for a centralized compressor system that consumes energy continuously. The compressed air is generated only when and where needed during cargo loading operations.
4Ease of manufacture
If dunnage bags are inflated at the stationary pneumatic compressor, then inflation can be performed, but travel time to and from the compressor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inflation capability transitions from a static, centralized location to a dynamic, mobile configuration. The blower motor mounted on the cargo mover enables inflation operations to move with the cargo loading process, eliminating fixed travel routes and time delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The blower motor is pre-mounted on the cargo mover before loading operations begin, so that inflation capability is already in position and ready to use. This eliminates the need for separate travel to and from a compressor during the loading process.
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 portable inflator enables efficient, safe, and cost-effective inflation of dunnage bags at the point of use, reducing travel time, eliminating safety hazards, and minimizing energy and maintenance expenses associated with stationary compressors.
Implementation Method 1
the portable dunnage bag inflator includes an impellor-driven blower that, in operation, draws air at atmospheric pressure through an air intake grid or air inlet into the impellor and expels the air through an inflation hose
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a portable dunnage bag inflator that provides a compact, pressurized source of air and that is easily mounted onto a movable cargo mover (such as a forklift truck or a pallet jack). Generally, the portable dunnage bag inflator includes an impellor-driven blower that, in operation, draws air at atmospheric pressure through an air intake grid or air inlet into the impellor and expels the air through an inflation hose. Since the portable dunnage bag inflator includes an impellor-driven blower, the pressure of the expelled air is higher than atmospheric pressure. This enables dunnage bags to be inflated to the desired specifications at point-of-use (e.g., during or after loading of cargo into a cargo container) and eliminates the need for a compressed air supply.