Unitary Carbon Fiber Backpack Frame for Load Decoupling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing backpack frames face challenges in achieving a balance between strength and flexibility, with external frames being heavy and internal frames being difficult to manufacture effectively, while also needing to cushion the user against load shifts and properly support the backpack load.
Innovation Solution
A semi-internal backpack frame of unitary construction, made from resin-impregnated materials like carbon fiber, with selectively reinforced stay portions that dynamically store and release energy to decouple the load from the wearer, featuring independently positionable shoulder strap assemblies and a U-shaped lower back portion for belt attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If external backpack frames are made of metal tubes, then the frame is simple to construct, but the frame becomes very heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials consisting of carbon fiber sheets impregnated with resin to construct the backpack frame. This composite structure provides both lightweight properties and high strength, resolving the contradiction between frame weight and structural integrity. The carbon fiber reinforcement allows the frame to be both lightweight and mechanically strong, unlike traditional metal tubes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters by transitioning from metal tubes to resin-impregnated carbon fiber composites. This parameter change enables the frame to achieve optimal strength-to-weight ratio, addressing both the weight reduction requirement and the structural strength requirement simultaneously.
2Weight of moving object
If internal backpack frames are made to be lighter, then the frame weight is reduced, but the frame lacks sufficient strength and flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials with carbon fiber sheets embedded in resin to achieve both lightweight properties and high strength. The carbon fiber provides tensile strength while the resin matrix provides flexibility and structural continuity, resolving the contradiction between weight reduction and maintaining strength-flexibility balance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies carbon fiber reinforcement selectively in specific regions of the frame where strength is most needed, while maintaining lighter construction in other areas. This local quality approach ensures that the frame has sufficient strength at critical load-bearing points while remaining lightweight overall.
3Strength
If conventional attempts use many different materials in the same frame, then the frame can achieve desired strength and flexibility, but the frame becomes complex to manufacture and maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple material functions into a single composite structure by embedding carbon fiber sheets within a resin matrix. This unified composite material simultaneously provides strength, flexibility, and lightweight properties, eliminating the need for assembling multiple different materials and thereby reducing manufacturing and maintenance complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials that combine the beneficial properties of different materials (carbon fiber for strength, resin for flexibility and bonding) into a single integrated material system. This approach achieves the desired strength and flexibility while avoiding the complexity of multi-material assembly and maintenance.
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 frame provides a balance of strength and flexibility, effectively cushioning and decoupling the load from the wearer, while being lightweight and easier to manufacture, allowing for improved load distribution and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
The stay portions are adapted to rest within a backpack, support a backpack load, and dynamically store and release energy resiliently so as to decouple the load from the wearer
Data Source
AI summary
A backpack and frame are disclosed. The backpack frame is designed to be at least partially internal and is of unitary construction, most advantageously of a resin-impregnated material, such as resin-impregnated carbon fiber sheets with selective reinforcement by interstitial layers. The frame has a mid-back portion that includes openings for independently positionable shoulder straps and a lower back portion that provides for a rotatable connection to a belt assembly. A pair of curved stay portions is contiguous with the mid-back portion of the frame and curves outwardly as the stay portions extend downwardly. The frame is preferably curved to match the curvature of the human back. The backpack frame is lightweight and by use of composite materials can provide strength as well as selective flexibility to suspend the load of the backpack and decouple it from the movements of the wearer.