Magnetic Hydration Tube Return System for Backpacks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hydration tubes in backpacks often hang and sway during activities, causing distractions and safety hazards, and manual return is inefficient and difficult for users engaged in activities like running, biking, or hiking.

Innovation Solution

A diametrically opposed magnetic hydration tube return system where ferromagnetic, paramagnetic, or ferrimagnetic chains of magnets on the shoulder strap and hydration tube connect via gravitational and magnetic forces, allowing automatic return when the tube is released, disconnecting with a force exceeding the magnetic force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual return method is used, then user can secure the hydration tube, but it is difficult and inefficient when user is engaged in activities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of tube returnVSAvoidtime for tube return

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The hydration tube return system operates automatically through magnetic attraction between the tube and the backpack, eliminating the need for manual user intervention. The tube is drawn back to the backpack when released, providing self-service functionality that resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and time loss during physical activities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical action of returning the tube is replaced by a magnetic field-based system. Magnets embedded in the backpack create an automatic attraction force that pulls the hydration tube back, substituting the mechanical user action with a magnetic field mechanism, thereby improving ease of operation and reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If hydration tube is not secured, then user has freedom of movement, but tube hangs and sways causing distractions and safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser freedomVSAvoidsafety hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides dynamic behavior where the hydration tube can move freely when needed but automatically returns to a secured position through magnetic attraction. This dynamic characteristic allows the tube to adapt between free movement and secured states, maintaining user freedom while eliminating safety hazards through automatic return.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic return system provides continuous feedback through magnetic attraction force that guides the hydration tube back to its secured position. This automatic feedback mechanism ensures the tube returns without user intervention, eliminating safety hazards while preserving user freedom during activities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If manual return is required, then system structure is simple, but user focus is lost during activities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem structureVSAvoiduser focus

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic return system provides self-service functionality where the hydration tube automatically returns to the backpack through magnetic attraction. This eliminates the need for manual user action, allowing users to maintain focus on their activities without sacrificing system functionality, thus resolving the contradiction between device complexity and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 system provides a consistent, effective, and simple automatic return of the hydration tube, reducing user distraction and improving safety by allowing users to focus on their activities without manually securing the tube.

Implementation Method 1

connect by gravitational and magnetic forces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitational force: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

connect by gravitational and magnetic forces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS11684140B2Backpack with magnetic hydration tube return

Publication Date: 2023.06.27 THULE SWEDEN AB

AI summary

A hydration pack includes a main body, a strap, a bladder, a hydration tube, a first chain of magnets, and a second chain of magnets. The main body defines a storage compartment. The strap is coupled to the main body. The bladder is disposed in the storage compartment of the main body and configured to retain liquid. The hydration tube includes a proximal end coupled to the bladder and a distal end. The first chain of magnets is disposed on the strap. The second chain of magnets is disposed along a length of the hydration tube. The first and second chains of magnets are configured to connect by magnetic forces and disconnect by a force exceeding the magnetic force of the first and second chains of magnets.