Portable Pneumatic Generator With Balanced Exothermic-Endothermic Reactions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pneumatic generators for wearable robots are bulky, heavy, noisy, and generate excessive heat, posing mobility and safety issues, while chemical reaction-based generators risk user safety and have low flow rate capacity.

Innovation Solution

A portable pneumatic generator utilizing a first tank for an exothermic reactant, a second tank for an endothermic reactant, and a reactor for continuous chemical reactions, with a simplified system that generates a constant gas flow rate without additional electronic devices, minimizing noise and heat.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If conventional compressors are used to generate pneumatic pressure, then high output-to-weight ratio is achieved, but the device becomes bulky and heavy, limiting mobility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutput-to-weight ratioVSAvoidweight
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical compressor system with a chemical reaction system. Instead of using mechanical compression to generate pneumatic pressure, the invention uses chemical reactions (specifically acid-base reactions or decomposition reactions) to generate gas directly, thereby eliminating the need for heavy mechanical components while maintaining high output-to-weight ratio.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of gas generation from mechanical compression to chemical reaction. This parameter change allows the system to achieve high pneumatic output without the weight penalty of conventional mechanical compressors, directly resolving the contradiction between power output and weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If conventional compressors are used, then pneumatic pressure is generated, but significant noise and heat are produced, hindering usability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepneumatic pressure generationVSAvoidnoise and heat
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the mechanical compression process with a chemical reaction process. Chemical reactions inherently produce less noise and controlled heat compared to mechanical compressors, thereby eliminating the harmful noise and excessive heat generation while maintaining pneumatic pressure generation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the exothermic nature of chemical reactions (which could be considered a harmful heat generation) into a beneficial controlled heat source. By carefully selecting reaction components and ratios, the heat generated is managed to be minimal and controlled, transforming a potential harm into a manageable aspect of the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Weight of moving object

If chemical reaction-based generators are used, then portability is improved, but user safety is threatened due to intense exothermic reaction

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveportabilityVSAvoiduser safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the reaction intensity parameter by carefully selecting chemical components and their concentrations. By using milder chemical reactions or controlling reaction conditions (temperature, pressure, concentration), the system maintains portability while reducing the intensity of exothermic reactions to safe levels that do not threaten user safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces safety mechanisms as intermediaries between the chemical reaction and the user. These may include heat dissipation structures, pressure relief valves, or controlled reaction chambers that mediate the energy release from chemical reactions, ensuring that the portable device operates safely without directly exposing users to intense exothermic reactions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If endothermic reactions are used for pneumatic generation, then safety is improved, but flow rate capacity becomes low

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidflow rate capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges endothermic and exothermic reactions in a integrated system. The exothermic reaction provides the necessary energy and gas generation, while the endothermic reaction acts as a heat sink to absorb excess heat. This combination allows the system to maintain both safety (through heat absorption) and high flow rate capacity (through efficient gas generation).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite chemical systems combining multiple reactants with different thermal characteristics. By carefully selecting and combining chemical components, the system achieves both safety through controlled heat management and high productivity through efficient gas generation, resolving the contradiction between safety and flow rate capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

5Reliability

If thermal regulation devices are added to control temperature, then safety is improved, but system complexity and total weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the thermal regulation function directly into the reaction system architecture. Instead of adding separate thermal regulation devices, the heat management is integrated into the reaction chamber design and reactant selection, thereby achieving temperature control without increasing system complexity or requiring additional electronic devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the chemical reaction system to self-regulate temperature through the inherent thermal properties of the selected reactants. By choosing reactants with appropriate heat of reaction and heat capacity, the system automatically maintains safe operating temperatures without requiring external thermal regulation devices, thus avoiding increased complexity and weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 generator provides safe, lightweight, and quiet operation with consistent gas flow, enhancing usability and safety in wearable robots.

Implementation Method 1

the first reactant includes a material used for an exothermic reaction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectExothermic reaction: Exothermic Reaction

Implementation Method 2

the second reactant includes a material used for an endothermic reaction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEndothermic reaction: Endothermic Reaction

Data Source

PatentUS20260054372A1Portable pneumatic generator and wearable robot including same
Publication Date: 2026.02.26 KOREA ADVANCED INST OF SCI & TECH
  • US20260054372A1 patent drawing
  • US20260054372A1 patent drawing
  • US20260054372A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Provided are a portable pneumatic generator and a wearable robot including the same. The portable pneumatic generator includes: a first tank for storing a first reactant; a second tank for storing a second reactant; a reactor for generating a gas by reacting the first reactant with the second reactant; and a reservoir for storing the gas generated by reacting the first reactant with the second reactant and outputting the gas to the outside and storing a residue, wherein the first reactant includes a material used for an exothermic reaction, and the second reactant includes a material used for an endothermic reaction.