Asymmetric Luggage Shell Design for Lid Weight Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hard side luggage cases are awkward to pack and inconvenient to open or close due to their evenly divided lid and base design, which requires pivoting approximately half of the volume and weight, making it difficult for users to manage the packed luggage.
Innovation Solution
The design introduces a line of separation that unevenly distributes the enclosed volume between the lid and base, with the lid having less volume near the top and increasing near the bottom, allowing for easier packing and opening/closing while maintaining structural support for spinner wheels through a tapered transition and strategically positioned support elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the lid and base are divided into approximately equal volumes, then the structural support for spinner wheels is maintained, but the weight of the lid becomes approximately half of the total weight making it inconvenient to open or close
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by creating a non-uniform division of the luggage case into lid and base portions, where the lid occupies less than half of the total volume. Specifically, the separation line is positioned at a height between 20-80% from the bottom, creating an asymmetric volume distribution that reduces lid weight while maintaining structural integrity for wheel attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating varied shell depths at different locations. The shell depth is greater at the rear portion and lesser at the front portion, allowing the lid to have reduced volume and weight in certain areas while maintaining sufficient structural support where needed for spinner wheel attachment.
2Ease of operation
If the lid volume is reduced, then the weight and ease of opening/closing is improved, but the packing capacity of the lid is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates local variation in shell depth, with the shell having greater depth at the rear portion and lesser depth at the front portion. This allows the lid to have reduced overall volume for easier handling while maintaining sufficient packing capacity in the rear area where it is most needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a uniform lid design to a varied depth design by introducing variation in the vertical dimension. The shell depth varies along the length of the lid, creating a three-dimensional volume distribution that optimizes both ease of operation and packing capacity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the shell depth is uniform throughout, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the packing efficiency and user convenience are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces local variation in shell depth, with the shell having greater depth at the rear portion and lesser depth at the front portion. This varied depth configuration improves packing efficiency by creating optimal storage zones while remaining manufacturable through standard molding techniques.
Data Source
AI summary
A luggage case may include opposing sidewalls forming minor faces, opposing sidewalls forming major faces, and opposing end walls together forming an article defining an enclosed space. A line of separation may be formed in said minor faces and end walls. A first portion of the line of separation may extend along a first portion of opposing minor faces at a location proximate one of said opposing major faces and corresponding one of said opposing end walls positioned therebetween. A second portion of the line of separation may extend along a second portion of said opposing minor faces in a direction away from said one of said opposing major faces and towards other of said opposing major faces.