Foldable Suitcase Arresting Mechanism for Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable suitcases lack a reliable mechanism to transition seamlessly between an erect position for carrying and a collapsed position for storage, often compromising on stability or ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible suitcase design featuring pivotally articulated side walls, a rigid back wall, and a base wall with an arresting arrangement that secures the base wall at a right angle to the back wall, allowing for easy conversion between positions using living hinges and a zipper closure, ensuring stability and compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the suitcase is designed to be foldable with articulated walls, then it can be collapsed into a compact configuration for storage, but it lacks a reliable mechanism to maintain stability in the erect carrying position
Solution Approach 1:
The suitcase employs dynamic elements including living hinges that allow flexible articulation between walls, and an arresting mechanism with movable locking components that can transition between locked and unlocked states. The base wall can pivot between erect and collapsed positions, and the handle assembly includes telescopic elements that adjust between retracted and extended positions, enabling the suitcase to adapt between stable carrying and compact storage configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The suitcase utilizes parameter changes through the arresting mechanism that alters the angular relationship between the base wall and back wall from a substantially right angle in the erect position to a collapsed configuration. The living hinges enable continuous parameter change in the articulation angles of side walls, base wall, and top wall, allowing smooth transitions between stable and compact states while maintaining structural integrity
2Ease of operation
If the suitcase uses simple hinge connections for foldability, then it achieves ease of collapse, but it compromises the structural integrity and reliability during use
Solution Approach 1:
The suitcase divides its structure into segmented walls (front wall, back wall, two side walls, base wall, and top wall) connected by living hinges, allowing independent movement of each segment. The arresting mechanism further segments the locking function from the hinge connections, with separate locking components that engage with specific walls to provide reliable structural support while maintaining the ease of folding capability through the modular segmented design
Solution Approach 2:
The living hinges are designed with inherent flexibility and cushioning characteristics that absorb stress and prevent rigid failure during transitions. The arresting mechanism incorporates spring-loaded or flexible locking components that provide gradual engagement rather than abrupt locking, cushioning the transition from collapsed to erect position and preventing sudden structural failures that could compromise reliability
3Stability of the object's composition
If the suitcase incorporates an arresting mechanism to secure the erect position, then stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The arresting mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the suitcase's position. When the base wall is pivoted to the erect position at a substantially right angle to the back wall, the locking components spontaneously engage with the walls to secure the position without requiring manual intervention. Conversely, when the suitcase is collapsed, the locking components automatically disengage, eliminating the need for separate locking/unlocking operations and reducing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The arresting mechanism is integrated with the existing hinge connections and wall structures rather than being a completely separate system. The locking components are positioned to work in conjunction with the articulated walls, merging the stabilizing function with the existing foldable structure. This integration reduces the number of independent components and simplifies the overall mechanism while providing reliable position securing
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 design enables a sturdy erect position for carrying and a compact collapsed position for storage, maintaining structural integrity and ease of use, with the arresting mechanism ensuring secure transitions between states.
Implementation Method 1
the two side walls are pivotally articulated to the back wall through living hinges along respective side edges of said back wall, and the base wall is pivotally articulated to the back wall through a living hinge along a bottom edge of said back wall
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure concerns a suitcase, and more particularly a foldable suitcase.