A dream maybe realized, safe way to control inflatables.

[Miana]

So take a look at these two products real quick:

http://www.extremerestraints.com/penis- ... p_462.html
http://infusionsystems.com/catalog/prod ... ucts_id/60

The top is a small vacuum pump designed for penis pumps but anything designed to suck air can converted to pump air as well. All that's needed is a small on/off valve in the hose.

The bottom is the interesting part. It's designed specifically to measure air pressure, possibly down the range the pump can do. More importantly it can be arduino controlled

My rough idea or layout for this;

Parts;
Inflatable of your choice
Air pressure sensor
Pump
DC-powered air valve to inflate
DC Valve to bleed/deflate
Arduino board
Trigger Sensor or Software
Needed tubing, cables etc.

The air part of this setup; inflatable>Sensor>Bleed Valve>inflate valve>Pump tubing in between.
Arduino setup; trigger>open valve>sensor>close valve

Basic Operation;

Once the trigger is switched on, the arduino board opens the valve which then blows up the inflatable. At the same time, the air sensor is sending a measurement back to the board. Once a set pressure is met that valve is closed holding the pressure. At some point, either the trigger or timer signal is sent to the board which opens the bleed valve and deflates the toy, closing it afterwards

This setup should create a controlled way to inflate/deflate a toy, controlled with either sensors, a timer, software or whatever else would work. Most importantly, it should be a SAFE way of doing with no or little chance of self-injury by over inflation or damaging breaking the toy

Thought?

[LoKiT]

Most importantly, it should be a SAFE way of doing with no or little chance of self-injury by over inflation or damaging breaking the toy

Nice to see someone who realises the challenge of the design is to make devices playful, rather than just doing self harm

A member of the forum spend some time with an Arduino and pressure devices and hit on some really big unforeseen problems.

There are some interesting design for "milking" type machines in the DIY section you may find interesting?

Good luck, it sound an awesome idea.

[Miana]

"There are some interesting design for "milking" type machines in the DIY section you may find interesting?"

Ummm... Yes

[GoodVibrations]

---

[Miana]

Simple fix, add a blowout valve in the line, one that requires a slightly higher pressure than what you want. Theses are basically relief valves, no programming or controller and will work no matter what. They're meant to be emergency valves, anything like that that's unreliable, go by reviews and manufacturer test specs to find the one that works from you.

Might be painful for a bit, but should eliminate the possibility of the toy popping inside you

[Riddle]

Simple fix, add a blowout valve in the line, one that requires a slightly higher pressure than what you want.

Good suggestion. A quick Internet search found factory preset relief valves ranging from 0.5 to 6000 PSI and an adjustable pressure relief valve ranging 0 to 100 PSI for $16. Using more than one relief valve is also a good idea. Industry uses rupture disks in addition to pressure relief valves in some applications.

The fun part would be figuring out what pressure the relief valve needs to be set at. Both the strength of the inflatable and the max desired size need to be factored into the set pressure. I would assume inflatables will burst below 25 PSI and will be unsafe to use anymore if over inflated even if it did not burst. Buying an extra one to test the burst strength would be a good idea. The pressure relief valve should be set for a safety factor of at least 3. If the tested one bursts or deforms at 60 PSI, divide that by at least 3 and use a pressure relief set at 20 or less. For pressure vessels, periodic hydro pressure testing is required. As far as I know, the test pressure is about double the rated pressure. A failed pressure test is either a ruptured tank or one that stretches too much (deforms). Water is used instead of a compressed gas because it does not rapidly expand (fixed volume) which poses less of a shrapnel hazard.

Even with these precautions, there is still a risk of the inflatable rupturing.

[Miana]

Installing a T fitting in line and attaching the bulb that came with the toy should work; the bulb itself has a overpressure valve already installed in, the one that's meant for the toy your using no less.