Foot-Operated Ice Chest Lid Linkage for Hands-Free Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fishermen face difficulties in opening portable ice chests with one hand while maintaining their fishing gear, leading to potential damage and interruptions in fishing activities.
Innovation Solution
A portable ice chest with foot-operated linkages that allow users to open the lid without compromising the cooling compartment, enabling hands-free operation and access from both sides of a boat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manual lid opening mechanism is used, then the structure is simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates when hands are occupied with fishing gear
Solution Approach 1:
A foot pedal acts as an intermediary between the user and the lid opening mechanism. The user applies force to the pedal with their foot, which transmits this force through a linkage system to the lid, enabling hands-free operation while maintaining mechanical simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The manual hand-operated lid opening mechanism is replaced with a foot-operated mechanical system. This substitution allows the user to operate the lid using their foot instead of their hands, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity
2Device complexity
If the lid opening mechanism is placed inside the cooling compartment, then the structure is compact, but the reliability deteriorates due to ice and fish impeding the mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The ice chest is divided into functional zones: the cooling compartment contains only ice and fish, while the lid opening mechanism is segmented and positioned outside this compartment. This spatial segmentation prevents ice and fish from interfering with the mechanical components, ensuring reliable operation
Solution Approach 2:
The lid opening mechanism is relocated from the vertical space within the cooling compartment to the horizontal space on the exterior or upper surface of the ice chest. This dimensional relocation allows the mechanism to operate independently of the contents inside the compartment, improving reliability
3Ease of operation
If a foot-operated mechanism is added, then the ease of operation improves for hands-free use, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The foot pedal and linkage system serves multiple functions: it provides hands-free lid opening, allows operation while wearing gloves or holding fishing gear, and can be operated from various positions around the ice chest. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by significantly improving operational versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The foot-operated mechanism enables the ice chest to be opened without external assistance or complex electronic systems. The user directly actuates the mechanism through simple foot pressure, making the system self-serving and eliminating the need for motors, sensors, or control circuits that would increase complexity
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
Enables fishermen to deposit fish without interrupting their fishing, preventing damage to gear and maintaining continuous fishing activity while keeping the ice chest contents secure.
Implementation Method 1
a portable ice chest having a container body comprised of an outer shell and an inner shell with an insulated layer in between the inner and outer shells
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a portable ice chest having an improved foot operated lid or lid arrangement. The foot operated linkages are spaced away from the food holding compartment of the ice chest, being provided at end portions or in side panels of a container body. In one embodiment, a single lid or cover is provided. In another embodiment, a pair of lids or covers are provided.