Rescue Float Ring Activation via Coupling Unit Displacement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for keeping a person afloat in water require delicate manipulation to activate, making them difficult to use effectively as rescue equipment, especially when the person is distressed or unconscious.

Innovation Solution

A device with a coupling unit that allows the gas cartridge and penetration element to be displaced towards each other using a pivotally arranged first coupling member, eliminating the need for delicate manipulation by enabling activation through movement of the coupling unit parts, reducing the force required to inflate the tube member.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional lever mechanism is used to puncture the gas cartridge membrane, then the device can be activated, but it requires delicate manipulation that is difficult to perform under water on a distressed or unconscious person

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of activationVSAvoidmanipulation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling unit is divided into a first part containing the gas cartridge and a second part containing the penetration element. These parts can be moved relative to each other to activate the device, eliminating the need for delicate lever manipulation. The segmentation allows for simple, robust activation suitable for rescue situations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a lever that requires precise manipulation to puncture the membrane, the invention inverts the approach by using a lifter that directly displaces the gas cartridge towards a stationary penetration element. This inversion simplifies the activation mechanism to a simple pulling or pushing motion of the coupling unit parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

If the gas cartridge is designed to be punctured by a penetration element, then inflation can occur, but the mechanism requires precise alignment and delicate manipulation to activate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactivation speedVSAvoidhandling difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The penetration element is positioned and oriented in advance within the second part of the coupling unit, ready to puncture the membrane. The gas cartridge is pre-loaded in the first part. When the coupling unit parts are moved relative to each other, the pre-positioned penetration element immediately punctures the membrane upon contact, enabling rapid activation without requiring precise manipulation during the critical moment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the device is designed to form a closed float ring around a person, then buoyancy is provided, but the device must be quickly deployed and activated on a distressed person

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverescue effectivenessVSAvoiddeployment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device is designed to be self-activating through the relative movement of its own coupling unit parts. When the rescuer pulls or pushes the first and second parts apart or together, the lifter automatically displaces the gas cartridge towards the penetration element, which then punctures the membrane and inflates the tube member. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate activation steps, reducing deployment time and ensuring reliable rescue.

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 device can be quickly and easily activated to form a closed float ring around a distressed person, increasing buoyancy and facilitating rescue without requiring intricate handling.

Implementation Method 1

a gas cartridge arranged to inflate the tube member, the gas cartridge comprising a punctureable membrane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

a penetration element arranged to puncture the membrane of the gas cartridge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force: Impact Force

Implementation Method 3

an inflatable tube member having a first end, a second end and an intermediate gas-tight space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS8951082B2Device for increasing the buoyancy of a human body

Publication Date: 2015.02.10 DALA TEKNISKA

AI summary

A device for increasing the buoyancy of a human body in water includes an inflatable tube member (1), a coupling unit (4) including a first part (8) and a second part (11), the coupling unit together with the tube member being arranged to form an endless float ring when the device is in the active state, a gas cartridge (6) having a punctureable membrane, a penetration element (23) arranged to puncture the membrane, a gas duct extending between the first part of the coupling unit and the tube member, wherein the gas cartridge and the penetration element are mutually displaceable in the direction towards each other. A first coupling member (20) of the first part is pivotally arranged about a pivot between an inactive position and an actuating position, in which the first coupling member, direct or indirect, causing the mutual displacement of the gas cartridge and the penetration element.