Collapsible Surfboard Case with Segmented Rigid Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surfboard transportation methods, such as cardboard and bubble wrap, are prone to damage and do not provide adequate structural protection, and existing surfboard cases are either too bulky for storage or lack the necessary rigidity and collapsibility for convenient transport.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible protective case with a rigid, impact-resistant outer surface formed from hard plastic or composite materials, comprising multiple adjoining sections that can be configured between expanded, intermediate, and collapsed positions, providing a secure and compact storage solution for large objects like surfboards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid protective case is used for surfboards, then protection from damage during transport is improved, but storage space requirements increase due to bulky size
Solution Approach 1:
The protective case is divided into multiple collapsible sections that can be folded together. The housing includes a first section and a second section that can be collapsed relative to each other, allowing the case to transition from a large protective structure to a compact storage configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The case incorporates dynamic collapse mechanisms including latches and hinges that allow the structure to transition between expanded and collapsed states. The latches secure the case in its protective configuration during transport, while the hinges enable folding for compact storage.
2Ease of operation
If a collapsible case design is used, then storage convenience is improved, but structural integrity and protection capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The case utilizes composite construction with an outer shell made of rigid material such as hard plastic, metal, or composite material that provides structural strength and protection. This rigid outer shell maintains protection capability even when the case is in its collapsed configuration for storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The case is constructed with multiple rigid sections connected by hinges, where each section maintains its structural integrity through rigid material construction. The segmented design allows collapse for storage while each section's rigidity ensures protection during transport.
3Strength
If a hard plastic or composite material case is used, then impact resistance is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The case employs thin-walled rigid construction using hard plastic or composite materials that provide high impact resistance relative to their weight. The thin-walled design reduces overall case weight while maintaining sufficient structural strength for protecting surfboards during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of composite materials provides high strength-to-weight ratio, delivering impact resistance with minimized weight increase compared to solid metal construction.
4Ease of manufacture
If standard cardboard and bubble wrap packaging is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but protection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The case transitions from soft, flexible packaging materials to a rigid structural configuration with defined geometric parameters. The rigid housing with specific wall thicknesses and structural reinforcements provides superior protection capability while maintaining manufacturability through molding processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible protective case for surfboards, musical instruments, or other large objects, including a housing having a rigid, impact-resistant outer surface, the housing being formed from a multiplicity of adjoining subsections that are selectively configurable between expanded and intermediate transport positions and a collapsed storage position.