Detachable Travel Cooler With Collapsible Sidewalls for Compact Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile devices for transporting beach items are cumbersome, requiring multiple trips and occupying excessive space, as they lack sufficient capacity to carry both perishable and non-perishable items efficiently and compactly.
Innovation Solution
A travel cooler system comprising a wheeled platform and an insulated container that can be securely coupled and uncoupled, featuring inflatable sidewalls for compact storage and a design that allows for the transportation of both perishable and non-perishable items, with a handle and retaining member for easy movement and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a mobile device is designed to transport both perishable and non-perishable items with sufficient capacity, then the transportation capability is improved, but the storage space occupied when not in use increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooler container employs collapsible sidewalls that can transition between an expanded configuration for transporting items and a collapsed configuration for compact storage. This dynamic structure allows the same object to adapt its volume based on operational needs, resolving the contradiction between transportation capacity and storage space requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The volume parameter of the cooler container is made variable through the collapsible sidewall mechanism. When not in use, the sidewalls collapse to reduce the container's overall volume, while during transportation, they expand to provide sufficient capacity for carrying both perishable and non-perishable items
2Ease of operation
If the insulated container is made detachable from the wheeled platform, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile cooling system is divided into two separable components: a wheeled platform and an insulated container. The coupling mechanism uses discrete coupling components with interlocking engagement features that allow the components to be easily attached and detached. This segmentation improves ease of operation while keeping the coupling mechanism relatively simple through standardized interlocking features
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, single-trip transportation of a variety of beach items while significantly reducing storage space requirements, as the insulated container can be deflated for compact storage and easily detached for separate use or replacement.
Implementation Method 1
The insulated container includes an inflatable wall and a valve for inflating of the wall
Data Source
AI summary
A portable cooler assembly comprises a base and a collapsible container defining a cooler. The collapsible container includes collapsible walls. The base defines a container receiving recess within which a bottom portion of the collapsible container is received, whereby the collapsible container is removably coupled to the base. When the portable cooler assembly is in a first configuration, the collapsible walls extend outwardly from the container receiving space. When the portable cooler assembly is in a second configuration, the collapsible walls are completely received within the container receiving space in a collapsed condition.