Configurable Luggage Frame Assembly for Durable Custom Shells

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing luggage designs, particularly soft luggage, lack durability and customization options, while hard shell luggage is expensive and complex to manufacture, and there is a need for a modular luggage frame that can be easily assembled and adapted for various designs with simple manufacturing techniques.

Innovation Solution

A configurable luggage frame assembly comprising an outer, inner, and central frame subassembly, with modular components that can be customized in length, width, and depth, allowing for easy assembly and adaptation into different suitcase designs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If soft luggage is used, then aesthetic design flexibility is improved, but durability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic design flexibilityVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The luggage is divided into separate modular components: a hard shell body for durability and a soft cloth exterior for aesthetics. These segments are assembled together, allowing each to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The luggage combines hard plastic shell material with soft cloth material to create a composite structure that exhibits both the durability of hard shell and the aesthetic flexibility of soft material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If hard shell luggage is used, then durability is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidluggage weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The hard shell is segmented into separate body components rather than formed as a single heavy piece, allowing for optimized material usage and weight reduction while maintaining protective functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If hard shell luggage is used, then protection against damage is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against damageVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The manufacturing process is segmented into separate steps for forming hard shell bodies and assembling components, avoiding the need for complex multi-step molding processes while maintaining protective functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A metal frame acts as an intermediary structural element that simplifies the assembly process by providing a rigid skeleton to which hard shell bodies and soft exterior components can be attached, reducing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Stability of the object's composition

If hard shell luggage is used, then shape preservation is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshape preservationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The hard shell is manufactured as separate body components that can be produced using simpler, less expensive processes, then assembled together to achieve the final shape-preserving structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12433384B2Luggage including modular luggage frame

Publication Date: 2025.10.07 TUMI INC

AI summary

A configurable shell (12, 14) for a configurable article of luggage (10) is disclosed. The configurable shell comprises a first panel (30) and four side panels (32, 34), an outer frame subassembly (54, 134), an inner frame subassembly (56, 136), and a central frame subassembly (50, 130). The frame subassemblies define a frame. The frame and the panels are configurable in length, width, and depth to provide the configurable shell (12, 14). Two configurable shells can be joined together to provide the configurable article of luggage (10).