Sealed-Air Inflation Using Blower-Pump Staging for Faster Fill
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for inflating sealed-air products are inefficient, requiring substantial time due to low air output from typical pumps, often taking over 30 minutes to fully inflate large products.
Innovation Solution
A high-capacity, low-pressure air blower is used to initially fill a flexible fill tube, which is then coiled to prevent air escape, followed by a low-capacity, high-pressure pump to achieve the desired pressure, significantly reducing inflation time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a typical pump is used to inflate sealed-air products, then the product can be inflated, but the inflation time is substantial (excess of 30 minutes)
Solution Approach 1:
The inflation process is divided into two distinct phases using two different pumps: a high-capacity low-pressure pump for initial rapid inflation, and a low-capacity high-pressure pump for final pressure adjustment. This segmentation allows each pump to operate in its optimal performance range, dramatically reducing total inflation time while achieving the desired final pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of the inflation process by using two pumps with different operational characteristics (high-capacity/low-pressure and low-capacity/high-pressure) instead of relying on a single pump. This parameter change enables the system to achieve both rapid initial inflation and precise final pressure control.
2Volume of moving object
If a high-capacity low-pressure blower is used for initial inflation, then rapid volume expansion is achieved, but the product does not reach desired pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The inflation process is segmented into two phases: first using a high-capacity low-pressure blower to rapidly expand the product volume, then switching to a low-capacity high-pressure pump to achieve the desired final pressure. This segmentation allows each device to perform its strength without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The high-capacity blower performs preliminary inflation to rapidly expand the product volume and remove air wrinkles before the high-pressure pump is engaged. This preliminary action prepares the product for efficient final pressurization.
3Reliability
If a standard pressure relief valve is used, then pressure control is maintained, but rapid deflation is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and removes the fill tube from its normal concealed position and routes it externally during deflation. This allows the fill tube to function as a rapid deflation pathway, bypassing the limitations of the standard pressure relief valve while maintaining pressure control during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The fill tube's position and function are made dynamic: it is concealed during normal operation to maintain pressure control, then externally routed during deflation to enable rapid air escape. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the same component to serve multiple functions.
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
This method reduces inflation time by 75-80% by utilizing a high-output blower for initial inflation and a high-pressure pump for final firmness, allowing for rapid and efficient inflation and deflation of sealed-air products.
Implementation Method 1
A high-capacity, low pressure air blower blows through a flexible fill tube until it approaches a point at which it does not have sufficient pressure to continue
Implementation Method 2
A low capacity, high-pressure air pump is next attached to an inflation port located on the sealed-air product which, when activated, inflates the sealed-air product to the desired air pressure
Implementation Method 3
The fill tube is coiled to prevent the air inside the sealed-air product from escaping and placed in a compartment behind a closable opening which is then closed
Implementation Method 4
the closable opening is opened and the fill tube is uncoiled, thereby allowing air inside the sealed-air product to rapidly escape
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for the inflation of a sealed air product with accommodations for both a high capacity, low pressure blower and a low capacity, high pressure pump. The blower is attached to a fill tube and inflates the product until it approaches a point at which the pump does not have sufficient pressure to continue. The fill tube is coiled to prevent the air inside the sealed-air product from escaping and placed into a compartment behind a closable opening which is then closed. The air pump is then attached to an inflation port located on the sealed-air product which, when activated, inflates the sealed-air product to the desired air pressure. A pressure relief valves ensures the product is not over-inflated. After use, air may be allowed to escape through the fill tube, thereby allowing rapid deflation of the product.