Travel Case with Inflatable Floatation and Locator Beacon
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rescue and recovery of travelers and their belongings are extremely difficult following catastrophic events, particularly in remote oceanic locations, as existing technologies primarily focus on enhancing aircraft location and communication systems rather than providing self-rescue or location and recovery means for passengers and equipment.
Innovation Solution
A travel case equipped with ballistic protection, an inflatable floatation aid, a sensor system for detecting catastrophic events, and a locator beacon using GNSS or radio tower triangulation to signal location, along with a programmable display for identification information, integrated into the case design to facilitate safe recovery and location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional travel cases are used without specialized safety features, then the case remains simple and affordable, but the ability to protect belongings and provide rescue functionality in catastrophic events is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple safety functions (ballistic protection, floatation, detection, communication, and location) into a single integrated travel case system. The sensor system, inflator, locator beacon, and display are all integrated components that work together within the case structure, transforming a simple container into a comprehensive safety device that provides both protection and active rescue capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The travel case is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides ballistic protection for security, floatation for water rescue, environmental sensing for catastrophe detection, communication for emergency signaling, and GPS location for recovery. This multi-functional design ensures that a single device can address various threats and rescue scenarios without requiring separate specialized equipment.
2Reliability
If advanced safety and rescue systems are integrated into the travel case, then the protection and rescue capability is enhanced, but the weight and volume of the case increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a thin-film inflatable floatation device that provides substantial buoyancy when deployed but occupies minimal space and adds minimal weight when deflated. This flexible membrane-based approach allows the case to gain rescue functionality without permanently carrying the weight of a rigid life jacket or flotation device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs pneumatic inflation to provide floatation capability on demand. The inflatable device remains compact and lightweight in its deflated state, then transforms into a full-buoyancy flotation aid when air is introduced via the integrated inflator, allowing weight optimization for travel while maintaining rescue capability when needed.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and communication systems are added to detect and signal catastrophic events, then the detection accuracy and communication reliability improve, but the device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-positions multiple sensors (accelerometers, magnetometers, barometers) and communication devices within the case structure before travel begins. These components are integrated into the case design from the outset, allowing them to immediately begin monitoring and signaling without requiring complex assembly or activation procedures during an emergency.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system automatically detects catastrophic events and triggers the appropriate response (inflation, beacon activation, display showing) without requiring user intervention. The system self-monitors environmental conditions and autonomously initiates rescue functions when thresholds are exceeded, reducing the complexity of user interaction while maintaining high detection accuracy.
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 travel case enables safe flotation and location of valuable items and passengers in water environments, providing personal safety and aiding in the recovery of sensitive equipment and personnel by triggering inflation and communication systems upon detecting catastrophic events.
Implementation Method 1
an inflatable floatation aid fixed to the case body between the ballistic protection and the exterior shell; an inflator in communication with the inflatable floatation aid, for inflation of the inflatable floatation aid
Implementation Method 2
sensors including at least one of a GPS locator, an accelerometer, and a magnetometer
Implementation Method 3
sensors including at least one of a GPS locator, an accelerometer, and a magnetometer
Implementation Method 4
the inflator operates by introduction of water that may dissolve a pill-cage pill, or may operate by submersion, which may be detected via hydrostatic pressure sensing
Implementation Method 5
the locator beacon employs a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) to determine location. In a further variation, the GNSS is the US Global Positioning System (GPS)
Data Source
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AI summary
A travel case includes a case body defining an interior cavity in which to carry articles and an exterior shell; an inflatable floatation aid fixed to the exterior shell; an inflator in communication with the inflatable floatation aid, for inflation of the inflatable floatation aid; and a locator beacon fixed to the exterior shell, including a communications transmitter capable of signaling a remote party and a geo-locating apparatus.