Pivoting Ski Attachment for Coolers on Loose Soil
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wheeled coolers face significant frictional drag when transported across loose soil areas, such as sandy beaches or loose soil, due to the resistance between the wheels and the ground, making them difficult to move efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A ski attachment device that can be easily attached to and detached from a wheeled cooler, featuring a pivotable ski surface that reduces friction by interposing between the cooler and the ground, allowing for smooth movement across uneven surfaces and can be configured to a raised position for standard wheel operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a ski attachment is added to reduce friction on loose soil, then ease of operation on loose soil is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ski attachment system is segmented into distinct functional components: the beam structure, the pivot mechanism, and the ski surface itself. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates easy attachment and removal from the cooler, managing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot mechanism enables the ski to transition between a lowered operational position and a raised storage position. This dynamic capability allows the ski to be deployed only when needed, reducing friction on loose soil while maintaining simplicity during storage and transport on firm surfaces
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the ski is positioned to contact the ground, then frictional drag is reduced on loose soil, but the wheels cannot contact the ground for transport on solid surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The ski attachment incorporates a pivot mechanism that enables dynamic repositioning between a lowered ground-contact position and a raised non-contact position. This allows the system to adapt to different terrain conditions, engaging the ski for loose soil and disengaging it for firm surfaces where wheels are effective
Solution Approach 2:
The ski can be preliminarily positioned in the lowered state before encountering loose soil terrain, ensuring immediate friction reduction when needed. Conversely, it can be preliminarily raised before transitioning to firm surfaces, allowing seamless adaptation to different ground conditions
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
Enables efficient transport of coolers across loose soil surfaces by reducing frictional drag, while allowing easy conversion to standard wheel operation on solid ground, enhancing mobility and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
provides a ski-like surface interposed between the cooler and the ground beneath the cooler that reduces the frictional drag between the cooler and the ground during transport across a loose soil area
Data Source
AI summary
A ski attachment device for a portable cooler is disclosed. The ski attachment device includes a u-shaped rod that is positioned over a vertically extendable handle of the cooler. The rod is attached to a support member at the lower free ends of the rod. The free ends of the rod include threaded portions over which knobs are attached to secure the support member in a particular vertical position with respect to the cooler. A wide ski is hingedly attached to the support member. The ski is pivotally positioned in a lowered position so that the curved portion of the ski is situated beneath wheels attached to the under side of the cooler. The ski is also positionable in a raised position. A flexible strap having a buckle is attached to the support member and encircles the periphery of the cooler.