Vehicle Flotation System with Sensor-Deployed Airbags

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flotation devices are inadequate in preventing vehicle sinking during floods and do not effectively address the risk of vehicle drowning accidents, as they require continuous effort to maintain buoyancy and offer limited support, leading to discomfort and fatigue.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle flotation system equipped with sensors that deploy airbags from integrated flotation devices around the vehicle, using materials like rubber, plastic, or metal, to prevent sinking by providing additional buoyancy when submerged in water.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional flotation devices are used to provide buoyancy support, then flotation assistance is achieved, but continuous effort is required to maintain position which causes discomfort and fatigue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflotation assistanceVSAvoidcontinuous effort required

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The airbag system automatically detects water immersion through sensors and deploys without user intervention. The system self-activates when needed, eliminating the requirement for continuous manual effort to maintain flotation, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and duration of action

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Airbags are pre-positioned within the flotation device housing before water contact occurs. When immersion is detected, the airbags are rapidly deployed from their pre-positioned state, providing immediate buoyancy without requiring continuous user effort during the critical flotation period

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If passive flotation devices are used, then simple buoyant force is provided, but they offer limited support and require continuous effort to maintain curved or positioned configurations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimple buoyant forceVSAvoidlimited support

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static passive flotation device to a dynamic active system. Sensors continuously monitor water immersion status and trigger airbag deployment when needed, allowing the device to adapt its buoyancy provision dynamically rather than requiring continuous user adjustment to maintain effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Extent of automation

If no automated detection system is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the system cannot automatically deploy flotation support when water is detected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic deploymentVSAvoidsensor and control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex mechanical deployment mechanisms with an electronic sensor-based detection and control system. Electrical sensors detect water immersion and trigger airbag deployment through electrical signaling, simplifying the control architecture while achieving automatic deployment functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses pneumatic airbags as the primary flotation mechanism. Compressed air is stored in the airbags and rapidly deployed when water immersion is detected, providing effective buoyancy force without requiring complex hydraulic or mechanical deployment systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 system effectively keeps vehicles afloat during floods, reducing the risk of loss and drowning by automatically deploying airbags when water is detected, ensuring the vehicle remains buoyant and preventing sinking.

Implementation Method 1

flotation devices which may provide buoyant assistance to a person immersed in water in maintaining a portion of their body above a water's surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS10953828B2Vehicle flotation system

Publication Date: 2021.03.23 KAGULIAN ARTOUR

AI summary

A system including a flotation mechanism incorporated into a chassis or framework constituent of a vehicle, the flotation mechanism is operable for protecting a vehicle from losses in cases of vehicle drowning accidents; an airbag implement for keeping the vehicle afloat or above water; a cylinder implement for housing the airbag implement, wherein the cylinder implement having two half cylinders that is configured to swing open when activated; a hinge implement including a continuous hinge that is configured to hold the two half cylinders together and allow the two half cylinders to swing open; and a sensor implement for detecting a presence of water or liquid flooding a vehicle, wherein the sensor implement is further configured to send an emergency signal the flotation mechanism, for the flotation mechanism to deploy the airbag implement.