Rescue Limb Device with Sliding Handle for Torque Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inflatable safety, rescue, and recovery devices have limited commercial success due to inadequate buoyancy adjustment, torque reduction during rescue operations, and integration with clothing, as well as lack of advanced features like medical sensors and emergency beacons.
Innovation Solution
A safety, rescue, and recovery device that compressively secures to a limb with an inflatable bladder, adjustable buoyancy, and an elongated handle for reduced torque, integrated with medical sensors and an emergency beacon, allowing for integration into clothing and various buoyancy settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the device uses a fixed attachment point for rescue rope, then the structure is simple, but torque is applied to the limb during rescue operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed attachment point into a dynamic sliding attachment point that moves along the elongated handle. This allows the rescue rope to slide freely along the handle during rescue operations, enabling the attachment point to adapt to different angles and positions automatically, thereby reducing torque applied to the limb while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The elongated handle serves as an intermediary element between the device body and the rescue rope. By introducing this intermediate component with a sliding attachment point, the system can accommodate varying rescue angles and forces without directly transmitting torque to the limb, effectively mediating the force transmission
2Adaptability or versatility
If the device is designed for single application (safety, rescue, or recovery), then the design is simple, but the device cannot be adjusted for different buoyancy requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic buoyancy adjustment system that allows the device to transition between negatively buoyant, neutrally buoyant, and positively buoyant states. By incorporating an inflatable bladder with controllable inflation levels, the device can adapt its buoyancy characteristics to match different application requirements (safety, rescue, or recovery operations), transforming a static design into a dynamically adjustable system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of buoyancy by controlling the inflation level of the integrated bladder. By adjusting the amount of air or gas in the bladder, the overall density and buoyancy of the device can be modified to suit different operational needs, allowing the same device to function effectively across multiple applications
3Ease of operation
If the device is integrated into clothing, then the portability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the safety device with clothing by integrating the device housing into a garment structure. The device becomes a built-in component of the clothing rather than a separate accessory, allowing users to wear the safety equipment as part of their regular attire. This combining approach improves portability and ease of use while the modular design keeps the structural complexity manageable
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 effectively secures users with adjustable buoyancy, reduces torque during rescue, and includes advanced features like medical monitoring and emergency alerts, enhancing safety and recovery operations.
Implementation Method 1
The inflator assembly is configured to release the compressed gas from the gas canister into the interior space of the inflatable bladder
Implementation Method 2
The device can be easily adjusted to be negatively buoyant, neutrally buoyant, or positively buoyant before inflation depending on whether the application is safety, rescue, or recovery
Data Source
AI summary
A safety, rescue, and recovery device that compressively secures to a limb of a user when inflated. The device can be easily adjusted to be negatively buoyant, neutrally buoyant, or positively buoyant before inflation depending on whether the application is safety, rescue, or recovery. The device may also be integrated into an article of clothing for certain applications. An elongated handle is attached to the device to provide a sliding attachment point for a rescue rope that automatically reduces torque applied to the limb of the user. Consequently, a rescue force applied to the rescue rope can act at a variety of angles along an arc relative to the device.