Bivouac Shelter Dual-Access Door with Mesh Insect Screen

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bivouac shelters, or bivvies, used by anglers face issues with insect ingress through large front access doorways, require separate insect-proof inner tents increasing cost and complexity, and suffer from condensation issues without effective solutions.

Innovation Solution

A bivouac shelter design with a dual-access door system, featuring a mesh second door panel and a rollable cover, integrated with the main door panel, that can be configured to prevent insect entry while allowing visibility and weatherproofing, and a suspended ceiling to manage condensation, eliminating the need for a separate inner tent.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a large front access doorway is provided to enable the angler to shelter and provide shade, then access and shelter quality are improved, but insects and mosquitoes can accumulate within the bivvy

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccessVSAvoidinsect ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The front access doorway is segmented into two separate door panels: a first door panel for main access and a second door panel (mesh screen) for insect protection. This segmentation allows each panel to perform its specific function - the first panel provides shelter and access while the second panel prevents insect ingress when zipped closed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A mesh screen second door panel acts as an intermediary between the interior and exterior environments. It allows visibility and airflow while blocking insects, serving as a mediator that reconciles the need for open access with the need for insect protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a separate inner tent is provided to protect from insects, then insect protection is improved, but cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsect protectionVSAvoidstructure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insect protection function is merged into the door assembly itself rather than requiring a separate inner tent. The second door panel (mesh screen) is integrated with the first door panel, combining access and insect protection functions into a single unified structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The second door panel serves multiple functions: it acts as an insect screen when zipped closed, provides additional access control, and can be integrated with the rollable cover system. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate inner tent structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a separate inner tent is provided to protect from insects, then insect protection is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsect protectionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Weight of moving object

If the bivvy is made lightweight for transportation, then portability is improved, but robustness and reliability decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveweightVSAvoidrobustness

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bivvy utilizes flexible canopy materials and thin film groundsheets that provide adequate protection while minimizing weight. The frame structure uses lightweight but sufficiently robust materials to maintain structural integrity in windy conditions without excessive weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP3964676B1Shelter having an access door

Publication Date: 2025.11.05 CATCHUM 88

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AI summary

A shelter (10) which when assembled comprises a rear portion (20), side portions (22, 23) and a front portion (24), the shelter (10) comprising a frame (12), a groundsheet (36) and a canopy (18), wherein the canopy (18) provides access through the front portion (24) of the shelter (10); the front portion (24) comprising: a first access doorway (30) comprising a first door panel (40), the first door panel (40) being defined between first detachable side edges (70, 71) and a lower edge (72) incorporating securing means to secure the lower edge (72) to the groundsheet (36); a second access doorway (32) provided in the first door panel (40) and comprising a second door panel (42), the second door panel (42) being defined between detachable side edges (60, 61) and an upper edge (62) and a lower edge (63); and a cover panel (34) for the second access doorway (32), wherein the cover panel (34) is configurable from a first, open configuration in which the second access doorway (32) is openable to enable access therethrough and a second, closed configuration which prevents access through the second access doorway (32).