Portable Inflation Device with Nested Collapsible Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inflation devices for inflatable apparatuses are large in volume, making them inconvenient for storage and lacking portability, which is a significant issue for outdoor activities.
Innovation Solution
A portable inflation device is designed with a compact structure comprising a barrel-shaped pump body, upper and lower casings, a resilient component, and a resilient ventilation plug, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly, and featuring a check valve mechanism to prevent air leakage, along with a base and deflation pin for efficient inflation and deflation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional inflation devices are used, then inflation function is achieved, but volume is large and portability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The pump body is designed with a nested structure where the resilient component is disposed inside the air chamber, and the ventilation plug is disposed inside the air chamber. The upper casing, middle casing, and lower casing form a nested configuration that allows the device to collapse to a compact size when not in use, significantly reducing volume while maintaining portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump body is designed with a resilient component that can dynamically change volume. When the resilient component is compressed, it reduces the overall volume of the device for portable storage. When expanded, it provides the necessary chamber volume for inflation operation, allowing the device to adapt between storage and usage states.
2Volume of moving object
If the device structure is simplified for portability, then volume is reduced, but operational reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation plug incorporates a sealing layer with specific local quality to ensure reliable sealing at the critical ventilation hole interface. The sealing layer is positioned at the specific location where sealing is most needed, providing localized high-quality sealing without requiring the entire device structure to be complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient component automatically seals the ventilation hole when compressed by pressing the upper casing against the lower casing. The resilient nature of the component allows it to self-adjust and maintain sealing pressure without additional mechanical sealing mechanisms, ensuring reliable sealing through the device's own operational movements.
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 device is small in volume, easy to operate, and ensures efficient inflation and deflation of inflatable apparatuses, providing a convenient and portable solution for outdoor activities.
Implementation Method 1
When the resilient component and the air chamber are compressed, air in the air chamber presses away the sealing layer to flow through the first ventilation hole
Implementation Method 2
When the resilient component is restored to an uncompressed status, the air chamber sucks air from an outer environment through the intake hole
Implementation Method 3
the perforated foam blocks communication between the first ventilation hole and the exhaustion hole
Implementation Method 4
the sealing layer seals the first ventilation hole
Data Source
AI summary
A portable inflation device of the present application includes an inflation pump body, an upper casing, a middle casing, a lower casing, a resilient component, and a resilient ventilation plug. The upper casing and the middle casing respectively seal two ends of the inflation pump body, and an air chamber is defined thereamong. An accommodating chamber is defined between the middle casing and the lower casing disposed outside the air chamber. An intake hole, a first ventilation hole and an exhaustion hole are respectively formed on the upper casing, the middle casing and the lower casing. The resilient ventilation plug disposed inside the accommodating chamber includes a perforated foam positioned between the first ventilation hole and the exhaustion hole and an sealing layer covering a surface of the perforated foam facing towards the first ventilation hole. The inflation device is small in volume, collapsible, portable, and easy to operate.