Luggage with Asymmetric Shell Depths for Spinner Wheel Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hard side luggage cases are awkward to pack and inconvenient to open or close due to their evenly divided lid and base design, which requires pivoting approximately half of the volume and weight, making it difficult for users to manage when opening or closing the case.
Innovation Solution
The design introduces a line of separation that unevenly distributes the enclosed volume between the lid and base, allowing the lid to have less volume near the top and increasing near the bottom, with spinner wheels positioned on the base for stability and ease of packing, and a closure mechanism like a zipper or hinge that jogs around the wheels for structural support and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the bottom of the luggage case is divided into approximately equal front and rear halves to provide sufficient surface area for spinner wheels, then the stability and support for spinner wheels is improved, but the lid becomes heavy and inconvenient to open or close
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by creating an uneven division between the lid and base volumes. The base is designed with a greater volume than the lid, which redistributes the weight distribution to place more weight in the stationary base rather than in the movable lid. This asymmetric volume distribution maintains sufficient surface area in the base for stable spinner wheel attachment while reducing the weight of the lid that users must lift during operation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the lid and base are divided into equal volumes, then the structural balance is improved, but packing becomes awkward and the lid weight becomes inconvenient to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements asymmetry by designing the base with a larger volume than the lid. This asymmetric configuration provides better structural balance by concentrating more volume and weight in the base portion, which remains stationary during packing operations. The larger base volume creates more usable packing space while the smaller lid volume reduces the weight users must handle, thereby improving ease of packing without compromising structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A luggage case (100, 600, 700, 800, 900) may include opposing sidewalls forming minor faces (105, 106), opposing sidewalls forming major faces (101, 102), and opposing end walls (103, 104) together forming an article defining an enclosed space (109). A line of separation (150) may be formed in said minor faces (105, 160) and end walls (103, 104). A first portion of the line of separation (150) may extend along a first portion of opposing minor faces (105, 106) at a location proximate one of said opposing major faces (101, 102) and corresponding one of said opposing end walls (103, 104) positioned therebetween. A second portion of the line of separation (150) may extend along a second portion of said opposing minor faces (105, 106) in a direction away from said one of said opposing major faces (101, 102) and towards other of said opposing major faces (101, 102).