A portable work surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing convertible mats are primarily designed for domestic or leisure use and lack adaptability to various work environments, failing to efficiently manage tools and debris in irregular spaces.
Innovation Solution
A portable work surface mat that can be converted between a mat configuration and a bag configuration, featuring a rigid peripheral portion that maintains a bowl-like shape for stability, concertina folding for compact storage, and a cover that can be used to attract attention and secure contents, along with fluorescent and reflective materials for visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the mat is designed for domestic or leisure use with simple gathering means, then it is easy to manufacture and operate, but it lacks adaptability to various work environments and cannot efficiently manage tools and debris
Solution Approach 1:
The mat is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as a work surface, a containment bowl for tools and debris, and a transport bag. The rigid peripheral portion creates a bowl-like shape that can hold items, while the gathering means allow conversion to a compact bag for transport, making it adaptable to various work environments without requiring separate equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The mat is divided into a central portion and a rigid peripheral portion. This segmentation allows the peripheral portion to maintain a rigid bowl-like shape for containing tools and debris, while the central portion remains flexible for use as a work surface. The segmented design enables the mat to adapt to different work environments while maintaining structural integrity
2Stability of the object's composition
If the peripheral portion is made rigid to maintain bowl-like shape for stability, then stability and containment capability are improved, but weight and difficulty of folding increase
Solution Approach 1:
Only the peripheral portion of the mat is made rigid to maintain the bowl-like shape, while the central portion remains flexible. This local application of rigidity provides stability and containment capability where needed, without making the entire mat heavy or difficult to fold
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the mat is designed with fluorescent and reflective materials for visibility, then user safety is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mat incorporates fluorescent and reflective materials that change its visual properties under different lighting conditions. These materials make the mat highly visible in various work environments, improving user safety without significantly complicating the manufacturing process
4Productivity
If the mat is converted to bag configuration for swift transport, then productivity is improved, but the ability to provide a stable work surface is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mat is designed to dynamically change its configuration between a flat work surface and a compact bag. The gathering means allow the user to convert the mat from an extended work surface to a compact bag with a simple pulling motion, enabling swift transition between work and transport modes without requiring complex mechanisms
Data Source
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AI summary
A portable work surface comprising a work mat (10) convertible between a mat configuration and a bag configuration. The mat (10) comprises: a body (12) with a central portion (16) and a peripheral portion (18) surrounding the central portion; and a gathering means (26) with a cord (28) threaded at least part way around the peripheral portion (18). The central portion and the peripheral portion are configurable to define a substantially planar mat configuration. The peripheral portion is foldable about the central portion. The cord is operable by the gathering means to fold the peripheral portion about the central portion to define a bag configuration. In the bag configuration the central portion defines a bag base and the peripheral portion defines a bag wall. The peripheral portion comprises rigid members (184*) spanning the distance of the bag wall substantially between the central portion and the cord.