Luggage Protective System Impact Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing luggage protection systems primarily focus on internal reinforcement and impact absorption but fail to adequately protect the exterior of luggage from external impacts, which can lead to damage during handling and transportation.

Innovation Solution

A protective system for luggage that includes a deformable body and a cover, where the deformable body is shaped to complement the exterior surface of the luggage and absorbs impact forces by deforming inwardly, while the cover distributes remaining forces across a larger surface area, reducing the risk of damage to the luggage and its contents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a deformable body is used to absorb impact forces by deforming inwardly, then impact absorption is improved, but the surface area over which forces are distributed remains limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact absorptionVSAvoidsurface area for force distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The cover and deformable body are merged into an integrated protective system where the cover is coupled to the deformable body. This merging allows the force distribution function of the cover to work in conjunction with the energy absorption function of the deformable body, creating a synergistic effect that simultaneously achieves both impact absorption and broad force distribution across the luggage exterior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover extends the protection in a new dimension by distributing forces across a larger surface area of the luggage exterior, rather than concentrating forces at the impact point. This dimensional expansion of force distribution complements the deformable body's energy absorption, creating a multi-dimensional protective effect that addresses both local and distributed stress.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

The protective system effectively absorbs and dampens external impacts, reducing the likelihood of damage to the luggage and its contents by distributing force across a larger surface area, thereby enhancing the durability and longevity of the luggage.

Implementation Method 1

the deformable body is joined to the luggage piece when positioned at least partially in the recess... External impacts exerted on the cover are transmitted across the cover such that the forces associated with such external impacts are exerted on the deformable body... and are at least partially absorbed by the deformable body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

To dampen the impact forces, the protective systems may distribute remaining impact forces across the protective system, which spreads the remaining impact force over a larger surface area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Implementation Method 3

The cover is configured to overlie and to be coupled with the deformable body... External impacts exerted on the cover are transmitted across the cover such that the forces associated with such external impacts are exerted on the deformable body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForce transmission: Force

Data Source

PatentEP2779859B1Luggage piece comprising a protective system
Publication Date: 2020.07.08 SAMSONITE IP HLDG SARL
  • EP2779859B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP2779859B1 patent drawingFigure 1D~2B
  • EP2779859B1 patent drawingFigure 2C~2D

AI summary

Protective systems (1000) for a luggage piece (100) may include a deformable body (1002) and a cover (1004). The cover (1004) may be configured to overlie and to be coupled with the deformable body (1002). The cover (1004) may be more rigid than the deformable body (1002). The deformable body (1002) may include an interior shape (1034) at least partially complementary to a recess (1003) formed in an exterior surface (101) of the luggage piece (100). The deformable body (1002) may be joined to the luggage piece (100) when positioned at least partially in the recess (1003). External impacts exerted on the cover (1004) may be transmitted across the cover (1004) such that the forces associated with such external impacts may be exerted on the deformable body (1002) across a larger surface area than a surface area of the cover (1004) receiving the external impacts and may be at least partially absorbed by the deformable body (1002).