Inflatable-Wall Cooler Assembly for High Capacity, Compact Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile devices for transporting beach items are cumbersome, requiring multiple trips and occupying excessive space, as they lack sufficient capacity to carry both perishable and non-perishable items efficiently and have large storage footprints when not in use.
Innovation Solution
A travel cooler system comprising a wheeled platform with an insulated container that can be easily coupled and uncoupled, featuring inflatable sidewalls for compact storage and a handle system for efficient transportation, allowing for secure transport of both perishable and non-perishable items while minimizing storage space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a mobile device is designed to transport both perishable and non-perishable items with sufficient capacity, then the transport capacity is improved, but the storage space required when not in use increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooler incorporates collapsible sidewalls that can be inflated to create rigid structure during use and deflated to reduce storage volume. This dynamic transformation allows the same structure to provide large transport capacity when needed while minimizing storage space when not in use, directly resolving the contradiction between transport capacity and storage volume
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state of the cooler sidewalls is changed from inflated (rigid, large volume) to deflated (collapsible, small volume). By changing the parameter of wall rigidity and volume through inflation/deflation, the device achieves both large transport capacity during use and compact storage when not in use
2Productivity
If a mobile device is designed with large capacity to transport all beach items in a single trip, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooler is divided into multiple compartments including a main cooler compartment, an overhead storage compartment, and side pockets. This segmentation allows organization of different items (perishable and non-perishable) while maintaining a unified collapsible structure, achieving high transport efficiency without excessive device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The collapsible sidewall structure serves multiple functions: providing structural support when inflated, enabling compact storage when deflated, and maintaining insulation properties throughout. This multi-functionality allows the same structural element to address multiple requirements without increasing device 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 efficient, single-trip transportation of a variety of beach items and significantly reduces storage space when not in use by collapsing the cooler, addressing the limitations of existing devices.
Implementation Method 1
the container includes an inflatable wall and a valve for inflating of the wall
Implementation Method 2
an insulated container configured to be selectively coupled to and uncoupled from the wheeled platform
Data Source
AI summary
A cooler assembly includes: a rigid platform; a rigid lid; and an inflatable wall interconnecting the rigid platform and the rigid lid so as to define an insulated interior space therebetween for receiving food and ice. The deflated wall is received within, and does not protrude from, the rigid platform when the cooler assembly is in a storage configuration. The rigid lid is received within the rigid platform when the cooler assembly is in the storage configuration. The rigid lid may be received within, and partially protrude from, the rigid platform when the cooler assembly is in the storage configuration.