Pressure Bag Air Release via Segmented Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing pressure bags used in enteral nutrition therapy have poor air release properties, leading to prolonged therapy sessions as air cannot be sufficiently released from the pressure chamber, preventing the bag-shaped container from being removed and requiring manual compression to discharge air.
Innovation Solution
A pressure bag design with a hermetically-sealed pressure chamber that extends from one side to another via a longer side, incorporating a communicating tube for efficient air flow and a double structure of flexible inner and outer sheets with specific joining regions to enhance airtightness and air release, allowing air to be quickly discharged outside.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pressure chamber is made hermetically sealed to maintain pressure during squeezing, then the pressure application effectiveness is improved, but the air release property deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure chamber is segmented into multiple regions with different sealing characteristics. The bottom portion has a venting structure that allows air to escape while the upper portions maintain hermetic sealing for effective pressure application. This segmentation enables simultaneous achievement of pressure maintenance and air release.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the pressure chamber have different sealing qualities. The upper regions are hermetically sealed for pressure application, while the bottom region has controlled venting capability for air release. This local differentiation of sealing quality resolves the contradiction between maintaining pressure and releasing air.
2Stress or pressure
If the pressure chamber extends via the bottom portion to apply pressure effectively, then the pressure distribution is improved, but the air release property deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom portion of the pressure chamber has a different structural quality compared to the upper portions. Specifically, the bottom portion includes a venting structure that allows air to escape while the upper portions maintain full sealing for pressure application. This local structural differentiation enables both effective pressure distribution and air release.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure chamber is divided into functional segments: the bottom segment with venting capability for air release, and the upper segments with hermetic sealing for pressure application. This segmentation allows the pressure chamber to extend effectively for pressure distribution while providing air release pathways.
3Reliability
If the pressure bag uses a double structure with inner and outer sheets for airtightness, then the sealing performance is improved, but the air release property deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The double-sheet structure is segmented vertically, with the lower portions of both inner and outer sheets forming a venting region that allows air to pass through to the exterior, while the upper portions maintain hermetic sealing. This segmentation enables the double structure to provide both sealing performance and air release.
Solution Approach 2:
Different vertical regions of the inner and outer sheets have different sealing qualities. The upper regions provide hermetic sealing for pressure maintenance, while the lower regions have controlled permeability or opening for air release. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between sealing and air release.
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 improved air release property enables rapid deflation of the pressure chamber, reducing the time required for enteral nutrition therapy and facilitating the removal of the bag-shaped container, thus streamlining the process.
Implementation Method 1
When a fluid is injected into the pressure chamber, the pressure chamber is inflated and applies pressure to the bag-shaped container housed in the housing chamber, and thus the liquid substance can be squeezed out of the bag-shaped container
Implementation Method 2
incorporating a communicating tube for efficient air flow and a double structure of flexible inner and outer sheets with specific joining regions to enhance airtightness and air release, allowing air to be quickly discharged outside
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure bag (1) has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, and also has a bag-like shape with an opening (11) through which a bag-shaped container (50) is placed into and taken out of a housing chamber (10) in a first short side (13a) of the substantially rectangular shape. The pressure bag (1) has a double structure in which an inner sheet (20) and an outer sheet (30) are laid one on top of another so that the outer sheet (30) is located on the opposite side of the inner sheet (20) from the housing chamber (10). A pressure chamber (15) is provided between the inner sheet (20) and the outer sheet (30). The inner sheet (20), the outer sheet (30), and the pressure chamber (15) extend from one side to another side of the housing chamber (10) via a first long side (14a).