Collapsible Travel Cooler Sidewalls for High Capacity Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile devices for transporting beach items are cumbersome, requiring multiple trips and occupying excessive storage space when not in use, as they lack the capacity to carry both perishable and non-perishable items efficiently and have bulky designs that consume valuable space during transport and storage.
Innovation Solution
A travel cooler system comprising a wheeled platform with an insulated container that can be easily coupled and uncoupled, featuring inflatable sidewalls for compact storage and a handle that can be detached for storage, allowing for efficient transport of both perishable and non-perishable items while minimizing storage space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If known mobile devices are designed with large capacity to transport all beach items in a single trip, then the transport capacity is improved, but the storage space required when not in use increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The cooler employs collapsible sidewalls that can transition between an expanded configuration for maximum transport capacity and a collapsed configuration for compact storage. This dynamic structure allows the same object to adapt its volume based on operational needs, resolving the contradiction between large transport capacity and small storage footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state of the cooler's sidewalls from rigid to flexible/collapsible, enabling the volume parameter to be adjusted. When inflated or expanded, the cooler provides large capacity for transporting all beach items; when deflated or collapsed, it reduces to a compact form for efficient storage, directly addressing the capacity-versus-storage-space contradiction.
2Strength
If known mobile devices are designed with rigid structure to provide stability and durability, then the strength is improved, but the storage space and portability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The cooler utilizes flexible sidewalls that can be inflated or expanded to provide structural stability and strength during use, then collapsed for compact storage. The flexible material maintains durability while enabling volume reduction, resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and storage efficiency.
3Reliability
If known mobile devices are designed with fixed components to ensure reliability, then the reliability is improved, but the adaptability and storage efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cooler employs dynamic collapsible sidewalls that can transition between expanded and collapsed states, providing both reliability through proven flexible material construction and adaptability through variable configuration. This resolves the contradiction between fixed reliable components and flexible adaptable design.
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 travel cooler system enables single-trip transportation of a variety of beach items, reduces storage space requirements by collapsing for compact storage, and provides a sturdy, efficient means of carrying items without the need for excessive bulk, addressing the limitations of existing devices.
Implementation Method 1
The insulated container includes an inflatable wall and a valve for inflating of the wall
Data Source
AI summary
A portable cooler assembly includes sidewalls connected by a bottom wall. The sidewalls and bottom wall collectively define an interior space. A rim is attached to a top of the collapsible side walls, and a lid is supported on the rim and encloses the interior space. A base defines a container receiving recess within which the bottom wall is received and supported. A drain conduit defines a passageway in fluid communication with a lower portion of the interior space. When the portable cooler assembly is in a first configuration, the collapsible sidewalls extend outwardly from the container receiving recess. When the portable cooler assembly is in a second configuration, the collapsible sidewalls are completely received within the container receiving recess in a collapsed condition, and an outer peripheral edge portion of the rim is at least partially received within the container receiving recess.