Adapter Extension Device for Flexible Mounting Capacity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for securing and transporting cases are complex, error-prone, and inefficiently dissipate forces, making it difficult to handle and attach suitcases of different sizes in a user-friendly manner.

Innovation Solution

An expansion device for an adapter device that includes a support structure to absorb loads and an expansion structure to increase the receiving surface area, allowing for the attachment of additional receiving bodies through enhanced fastening structures, creating a modular system for flexible mounting options.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing locking mechanisms are used to secure cases during transport, then the cases can be held together, but the mechanisms are complex and prone to failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of locking mechanismVSAvoidcomplexity of locking mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving surface is segmented into a base receiving surface and an extendable receiving surface. The extendable surface can be deployed when additional mounting capacity is needed and retracted when not needed, reducing complexity for standard operations while providing expanded capability when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving surface transitions from a static configuration to a dynamic one that can extend and retract. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt its complexity level - simple for standard mounting tasks, more complex only when additional mounting capacity is required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If forces are transferred via case lid and rotating mechanism, then cases can be locked together, but these components become susceptible to failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of force transferVSAvoidsusceptibility to failure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful force transfer path through the case lid and rotating mechanism is extracted and eliminated. Instead, forces are directly transferred through the mounting structures to the substrate, bypassing the vulnerable components entirely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The substrate serves as an intermediary that directly receives and absorbs mounting forces. This eliminates the need for force transfer through vulnerable components like case lids and rotating mechanisms, as the substrate provides a stable force distribution path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If adapter device is used to attach receiving bodies, then mounting is enabled, but the receiving surface area is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting capabilityVSAvoidreceiving surface area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving surface extends in the horizontal plane rather than vertically, utilizing another dimension of space. This allows the adapter device to maintain its compact vertical profile while expanding its mounting capacity horizontally through the extendable receiving surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Adaptability or versatility

If extension device is added to increase receiving surface, then more receiving bodies can be mounted, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of mounting optionsVSAvoidcomplexity of extension arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The extendable receiving surface is nested within or integrated with the adapter device structure. When retracted, it maintains a compact form factor; when extended, it provides additional mounting capacity. This nesting approach minimizes the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The extendable receiving surface serves multiple functions: it provides additional mounting capacity for larger receiving bodies, maintains compatibility with standard receiving bodies when retracted, and can be integrated with existing adapter device mounting mechanisms, reducing the need for entirely separate extension systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3141354B1Extension device for expanding the space of a holder area of an adapter device

Publication Date: 2019.05.01 ADOLF WURTH GMBH & CO KG

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AI summary

Extension device (300) for spatially extending a receiving surface of an adapter device (100) for attaching receiving bodies (10, 102), wherein the extension device (200) comprises a support structure (302) configured to at least partially support the adapter device (100), an extension structure (304) configured to extend the receiving surface of the adapter device (100) at least partially beyond its spatial boundary in a state of the adapter device (100) supported by means of the support structure (302), and attachment structures (306) on an extension surface of the extension structure (304), wherein the attachment structures (306) are configured to attach a receiving body (10, 102, 352).