Mobile Cooler with Removable Sled for Sand and Snow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional coolers struggle to navigate uneven and rough terrain due to inadequate traction, often getting stuck or damaging wheels, making them difficult and inconvenient to move on surfaces like sand or snow.
Innovation Solution
A mobile cooler design featuring a removably attached sled or ski arrangement at the front, which allows for improved traction and maneuverability without interfering with the rear wheels, enabling easier transport on various terrains by providing additional support and guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional wheels are used on the cooler, then the cooler can be rolled on smooth surfaces, but the wheels get stuck and bog down on sand, snow, gravel, or uneven terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The cooler employs a dynamic transportation system where the sled/ski arrangement can be deployed or removed based on terrain conditions. The sled is positioned to extend beyond the front edge of the cooler body, providing dynamic adaptation to different ground surfaces while maintaining wheel functionality for smooth surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The sled or ski arrangement acts as an intermediary element between the cooler and the ground surface. This intermediate component transfers the contact function from wheels to sled/ski when deployed, enabling the cooler to navigate sand, snow, and gravel without the wheels directly contacting these challenging surfaces.
2Ease of operation
If the cooler is lifted off the ground at the front to use rear wheels, then rolling is enabled on smooth surfaces, but the wheels lack sufficient traction on soft or uneven ground
Solution Approach 1:
The sled arrangement extends beyond the front edge of the cooler body in a spatial dimension that allows it to contact the ground surface before the wheels. This dimensional extension provides additional ground contact area and leverage, enabling the user to pull the cooler through soft terrain by engaging the sled first, which then拖s the cooler forward.
Solution Approach 2:
The sled is positioned to make preliminary contact with the ground surface before the wheels engage. When pulled, the sled initially contacts the sand, snow, or gravel surface, establishing traction before the wheels need to bear the full weight, thereby preventing wheel bogging and enabling smoother movement initiation.
3Reliability
If sled or ski arrangement is added to the cooler, then traction on sand and snow is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transportation system is segmented into separate functional components: the permanent wheel assembly for smooth surfaces and the removable sled/ski arrangement for challenging terrain. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function and enables the sled to be removed or stored when not needed, maintaining simplicity for smooth surface operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sled or ski arrangement serves multiple functions: it provides traction on sand and snow, prevents wheel damage on rough terrain, and can be used in conjunction with the wheels on transitional surfaces. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing versatile terrain coverage with a single additional component.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a cooler that is adapted for use on various terrain. The cooler includes an insulated body having an inner compartment defined by a bottom wall having side walls extending upwardly therefrom, and a lid hingedly attached at the open upper portion of the body. The body further includes a bottom portion having a pair of rear wheels. In one embodiment, the device includes a sled arrangement. In another embodiment, the device includes a ski arrangement. The ski arrangement includes a pair of skis that may be removably attached to the bottom of the cooler. The sled or ski arrangement of the present invention are preferably attached to the bottom portion of the body, and in front of the rear wheels. In this way, the present invention provides a convenient way to transport a cooler to different locations by preventing the rear wheels from getting stuck on various terrain.