Hybrid Backpack Hard Shell Soft Carrier Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing personal carrying devices, such as backpacks and suitcases, often fail to provide adequate protection against damage and environmental elements while maintaining flexibility and ease of access to contents.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid backpack design featuring a rigid, water and air-tight internal case with a flexible outer sleeve, where the internal case is form-fitted into the outer carrier, providing structural integrity and easy integration of additional features like straps and pockets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid hard case is used for protection, then protection against damage and elements is improved, but flexibility and ease of packing deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against damage and elementsVSAvoidflexibility and ease of packing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The backpack is divided into two independent but complementary parts: a rigid hard shell interior case for protection and a flexible soft outer carrier for adaptability. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function while together they resolve the contradiction between protection and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rigid hard shell interior case is nested within the flexible soft outer carrier. This nested structure enables the hard case to provide protection while the soft carrier provides flexibility and adaptability, allowing the combination to overcome the limitations of using either component alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Strength

If a rigid hard case is used, then structural integrity is improved, but device complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidcomplexity of hybrid structure

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the structural integrity function (hard shell) from the flexibility function (soft carrier), the design avoids the complexity of trying to create a single structure that does both. Each component remains relatively simple in its own right.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The soft outer carrier serves multiple functions: providing flexibility, enabling packing adaptation, and offering attachment points for additional features. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a soft carrier is used for flexibility, then adaptability is improved, but protection against damage deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility and ease of packingVSAvoidprotection against damage and elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The soft carrier is designed to receive and accommodate the hard shell interior case, creating a nested arrangement where the soft outer layer provides adaptability while the hard inner layer provides protection. This resolves the contradiction by combining both material types in a functional hierarchy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The backpack utilizes a composite structure combining soft flexible materials and hard rigid materials. This composite approach allows the system to exhibit both flexibility from the soft carrier and protection from the hard shell, overcoming the limitations of using a single material type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Adaptability or versatility

If additional features like straps and pockets are added, then functionality is improved, but device complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctionality and featuresVSAvoidcomplexity of attachment system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The soft outer carrier is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate various attachment features such as straps, pockets, and other accessories. This multi-functional base structure allows for feature addition without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The soft carrier acts as an intermediary layer between the user and the hard shell case, providing a platform for attaching additional features. This intermediary structure simplifies the integration of accessories by providing standardized attachment points on the soft carrier rather than requiring direct integration with the hard shell.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10687605B2Hybrid hard case and soft carrier backpack

Publication Date: 2020.06.23 FURSTENBURG MATTHEW

AI summary

A hybrid carrier, such as a backpack, is disclosed having a hard shell interior carrier and a soft outer carrier. The hard shell interior carrier has a body with an openable top. The shape of the body of the hard shell interior carrier and the inside shape of the soft outer carrier are complementary so that the hard shell interior carrier form fits into the inside of the soft outer carrier. The soft outer carrier includes attachment devices that are joined to attachment device receivers on the hard shell interior carrier to removably attach the hard shell interior carrier to the soft outer carrier. The soft outer carrier may include handles, backpack straps and/or waist straps for easy carrying.