Transparent Floatation Device with Independent Air Chambers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional swim rings do not provide adequate support and visibility for infants or individuals with mobility issues during aquatic therapy, as they are not designed to maintain independence of air chambers for buoyancy and obstruct the view of objects in the water.
Innovation Solution
A floatation device with independently inflatable outer and inner air chambers made of transparent material, allowing for a toroid-shaped structure with non-communicating air compartments and detachable fasteners, enabling unobstructed visibility and adjustable buoyancy for users, including infants and adults with disabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional swim rings are used, then they provide basic floatation, but they obstruct the view of objects in the water and do not provide adequate support for infants or individuals with mobility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The swim ring is divided into multiple independent air chambers (outer air chamber and inner air chamber) that are not in communication with each other. This segmentation allows the device to maintain structural integrity and provide adequate support while the transparent material segments allow unobstructed viewing. The chin rest is also a separate component that provides targeted support without blocking the view.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes transparent or translucent material for the air chambers, which allows light to pass through and enables users to see objects in the water clearly. This transparency resolves the contradiction between needing sufficient material for structural support and maintaining visibility.
2Ease of operation
If air chambers are connected for inflation, then inflation is simpler, but air leaks between chambers reduce reliability and buoyancy control
Solution Approach 1:
The air chambers are completely separated with no communication between them, ensuring that a leak in one chamber does not affect the other. This segmentation prioritizes reliability and buoyancy control over inflation simplicity. Each chamber can be independently inflated to the desired pressure level for optimal performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The independent chamber design serves as a safety mechanism that cushions against the harmful effect of air leaks. If one chamber develops a leak, the other chamber maintains buoyancy, providing a backup that ensures continued safety and functionality.
3Illumination intensity
If the swim ring is made opaque for durability, then material strength is maintained, but visibility of objects in water is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs transparent or translucent material for the air chambers, allowing light transmission and clear viewing of objects in the water. This material property resolves the contradiction by maintaining visibility while the material itself provides the necessary structural strength for the application.
Solution Approach 2:
The swim ring utilizes composite construction with transparent material for the air chambers that combines optical transparency with mechanical strength. The material selection achieves both visibility and structural integrity simultaneously.
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
Enables unrestricted movement and improved visibility for users during aquatic therapy, enhancing muscle tone, core strength, and cardiovascular functioning while providing a safety mechanism against air leaks.
Implementation Method 1
the transparent material of the inflatable ring allows the object of interest to be visible in a line of sight of the infant
Implementation Method 2
an outer air chamber having a first valve for inflating the outer air chamber; an inner air chamber having a second valve for inflating the inner air chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A floatation device is provided. In some embodiments, a floatation device is provided, comprising an inflatable ring composed of a transparent material, wherein the inflatable ring includes: an outer air chamber having a first valve for inflating the outer air chamber; an inner air chamber having a second valve for inflating the inner air chamber, wherein the outer air chamber and the inner air chamber are not in communication; a cut through the outer air chamber and the inner air chamber of the inflatable ring that forms opposing ends of the inflatable ring; and a plurality of fasteners placed on a top surface and a bottom surface of the outer or inner air chamber for detachably connecting the opposing ends of the inflatable ring.