Hinged Removable Sled Assembly for Portable Shelter Frame Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of transporting large and heavy ice fishing houses over uneven terrain, particularly downhill slopes, leads to damage of the shelter frame due to contact with the terrain.
Innovation Solution
A removable sled assembly with a runner and attachment member, featuring a hinge mechanism, is designed to be attached to the frame of a portable shelter, allowing it to pivot and reduce frame wear by contouring the terrain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the ice house is transported down slopes with the frame directly contacting the terrain, then the transport path is simple and direct, but the frame becomes damaged due to contact with the terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The sled assembly acts as an intermediary between the ice house frame and the terrain. The runner contacts the terrain surface while the bracket attaches to the frame, creating a protective interface that prevents direct frame-terrain contact and reduces damage during slope transport
Solution Approach 2:
The sled assembly is divided into separate functional components: the runner for terrain contact, the support member for structural support, and the bracket for frame attachment. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to protect the frame
2Reliability
If a fixed sled assembly is permanently attached to the frame, then frame protection is continuous, but the assembly adds permanent weight and cannot be removed when not needed
Solution Approach 1:
The sled assembly transitions from a static permanent attachment to a dynamic removable system. The bracket can be quickly attached to or removed from the frame, allowing the system to adapt between protected transport mode and normal operation mode, reducing unnecessary weight when protection is not needed
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the sled assembly is designed to pivot and contour the terrain, then frame wear is reduced, but the hinge mechanism increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism enables the sled assembly to dynamically pivot and adapt to terrain variations. This rotational freedom allows the runner to contour the terrain surface while the bracket remains attached to the frame, significantly reducing frame wear without requiring complex active control systems
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 sled assembly effectively reduces wear and tear on the shelter frame during transport by providing a contact surface that contours the terrain, protecting the frame from damage.
Implementation Method 1
a hinge that defines a pivot axis and allows the bracket to rotate relative to the runner about the pivot axis
Data Source
AI summary
Various systems are directed to a removable sled assembly for a portable shelter having a frame, the sled assembly generally including a runner and an attachment member that includes a support member extending upwardly from the upper surface of the runner, and a bracket configured to removably engage the frame of the portable shelter, wherein the bracket is coupled with the support member via a hinge that allows the bracket and runner to rotate relative to each other about a pivot axis.