Foldable Luggage Locking Mechanism for Coplanarity and Load Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable luggage designs with locking mechanisms fail to securely lock front and back rigid parts under heavy loads, resist throwing tests, and maintain coplanarity during wheeling, leading to inefficient force transmission and imperfect wheeling.
Innovation Solution
A foldable luggage structure with casters and a telescopic handle, featuring a hard floor and sides hinged at trihedral junctions with locking means between the sides and floor, allowing force flow through multiple rigid components and securing the casters close to these junctions for improved load transfer and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a locking mechanism is placed in the middle of the bottom surface, then the structure allows foldability, but the force flow becomes unbalanced and the locking is insufficient for important loads
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into multiple independent locking elements distributed at different locations (front, rear, and side locking elements) rather than a single centralized lock. This segmentation allows force to be distributed across multiple points, improving both reliability and maintaining foldability through coordinated action of multiple smaller locking components.
Solution Approach 2:
Different locking elements are positioned at specific critical locations where force concentration occurs during wheeling and loading. The locking elements are strategically placed near the corners and edges of the bottom surface rather than uniformly distributed, providing localized reinforcement where it is most needed for load-bearing and force transmission.
2Device complexity
If the locking mechanism is centralized, then the structure is simple, but the front and back rigid parts do not stay coplanar during wheeling
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system uses multiple distributed locking elements instead of a single centralized mechanism. This segmentation provides multiple contact points that collectively maintain coplanarity of the front and back rigid parts during wheeling, achieving stability without requiring a complex centralized locking system.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple locking elements (front locking elements, rear locking elements, and side locking elements) work together in combination to maintain coplanarity. The synergistic action of these distributed locking components collectively ensures the front and back rigid parts remain coplanar during wheeling, achieving the stability function through combined action rather than a single complex mechanism.
3Device complexity
If the locking mechanism is centralized, then the structure is simple, but the force flow from top to bottom is deficient
Solution Approach 1:
The locking elements are segmented and distributed across multiple locations including front, rear, and side positions. This segmentation creates multiple force transmission pathways from the top to the bottom of the luggage, improving force flow efficiency by distributing loads across multiple contact points rather than relying on a single centralized locking point.
Solution Approach 2:
Locking elements are positioned at specific locations where force concentration occurs during loading and wheeling. This local placement optimizes force transmission at critical stress points, ensuring efficient force flow from the top to the bottom through strategically positioned locking elements that reinforce high-stress areas.
Data Source
AI summary
A luggage with a foldable structure between a conformation of reduced volume suitable for the stowage and a developed conformation with a volume suitable for use. The luggage has an access face and a bottom opposite to the access face. The bottom is bordered by four side faces. At least one of the two side faces is associated at least one stiffening panel, that is configured to swivel towards the bottom of the luggage. A third side face has a foldable structure lockable by a side locking device.