Expandable Panniers with Collapsible Walls for Aerodynamic Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing panniers for bicycles and other wheeled vehicles are often awkward to use, create significant wind resistance, and lack efficient configurations for storage and aerodynamics.
Innovation Solution
The development of expandable panniers with collapsible floors and walls, featuring rigid side panels and a foldable design that transitions between a collapsed and expanded configuration, reducing wind resistance and enhancing storage capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If panniers are made with fixed rigid structure, then storage capacity is maintained, but wind resistance increases and aerodynamics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The pannier employs a collapsible structure with movable walls and floor that can transition between expanded and collapsed states. The side walls include collapsible portions that can be folded inward, and the floor can be folded upward, allowing the pannier to adapt its volume dynamically based on operational needs versus aerodynamic requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The pannier is divided into multiple rigid panels (side walls, end walls, floor) connected by flexible seams. This segmentation allows each panel to be independently positioned and folded, enabling the structure to collapse into a compact aerodynamic shape while maintaining the ability to expand to full storage capacity when needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pannier structure is made complex with multiple walls and floor, then storage functionality is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The collapsible pannier utilizes elastic deformation of its walls and floor to provide automatic spring-back action. When the collapsible portions are folded inward during collapse, stored elastic energy causes the structure to automatically return to its expanded storage configuration, eliminating the need for complex manual assembly mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The structure employs dynamic folding mechanisms where walls and floor can be collapsed inward during mounting and then automatically spring back to operational position. This dynamic behavior simplifies operation by eliminating manual adjustment steps while maintaining full storage functionality.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If pannier is designed to be collapsible, then wind resistance is reduced, but structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pannier structure is segmented into multiple rigid panels connected by flexible seams. During collapse, these segmented panels are folded inward in a controlled manner, with the rigid nature of individual panels maintaining structural integrity while the flexible connections allow the overall shape to change for aerodynamic purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The pannier combines rigid materials (metal or rigid plastic) for walls and floor with flexible sealing materials at the seams. This composite construction provides structural stability when expanded while allowing controlled collapse when needed, maintaining both aerodynamic performance and structural integrity.
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
The expandable pannier design improves usability, reduces wind resistance, and provides a versatile storage solution that is both aerodynamic and functional when not in use.
Implementation Method 1
a first end wall extending from the first lateral wall to the second lateral wall and comprising a first plurality of rigid plates having first flexible seams therebetween such that the first end wall is foldable
Implementation Method 2
applying a biasing force to the outboard wall in an outboard direction as a result of the compression of the front wall and the rear wall
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Panniers according to the present disclosure may be transitionable between a collapsed configuration and a deployed configuration. Transitioning between the collapsed configuration and the deployed configuration may include unlatching an outboard rigid wall from its position adjacent an inboard rigid wall, such that the pannier automatically springs into the deployed configuration.