Hydration Bladder Reinforcement Spine for Movement Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hand-carried hydration bladders experience excessive movement during vigorous activities, leading to discomfort and physical fatigue due to their flexible nature, which is not adequately addressed by existing designs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a reinforcement member with a higher elastic modulus, such as a 'spine' made of polymers like polypropylene or TPU, adjacent to the liquid chamber to reduce movement, combined with a flexible body and a hand harness for comfortable carrying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the hydration bladder is made flexible to conform to the user's hand, then comfort is improved, but movement of the bladder and liquid during vigorous activities increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydration bladder combines flexible materials (thermoplastic polyurethane or thermoplastic elastomer) with a rigid reinforcement member (spine) to create a composite structure. This allows the bladder to maintain flexibility for hand conformity while the embedded spine provides structural support to reduce liquid and bladder movement during vigorous activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement member (spine) is strategically positioned within the flexible body at specific locations to provide localized structural support. This allows different parts of the bladder to have different properties - the flexible outer material for comfort and the rigid internal spine for stability - resolving the contradiction between flexibility and movement reduction.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the hydration bladder is made rigid to reduce movement, then stability is improved, but flexibility to conform to the user's hand is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bladder uses a composite construction where a rigid reinforcement member is embedded within flexible material. The spine provides the necessary rigidity to reduce movement, while the surrounding flexible thermoplastic polyurethane or thermoplastic elastomer maintains the ability to conform to the user's hand for comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than making the entire bladder rigid, the reinforcement member is placed locally within the flexible body. This creates zones of different stiffness - the spine area provides structural support for stability, while the surrounding flexible material ensures hand conformity and comfort.
Data Source
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AI summary
A hydration bladder according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a flexible body having a first stiffness. A port is coupled to the flexible body. A liquid chamber is formed by the flexible body. The liquid chamber is configured to carry a liquid therein and in is communication with the port. A reinforcement member is coupled to the flexible body. The reinforcement member having a second stiffness, and the second stiffness is greater than the first stiffness. The reinforcement member includes a first width, a second width greater than the first width, and a third width disposed on an opposite of the second width than the first width. The third width is less than the second width.