Portable, modular, multi-purpose enclosure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional portable enclosures, such as porta potties, are bulky, require heavy lifting equipment for transportation, and lack sanitation facilities, occupying large space and height clearance during transport and storage, and often fail to provide proper hand-cleaning options.

Innovation Solution

A modular, portable enclosure system comprising stackable bottom and top components with a modular insert, allowing for efficient storage and transportation, and incorporating removable components for sanitation facilities like hand-washing units, which can be assembled into various configurations for privacy and functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If conventional portable enclosures are used, then they provide basic enclosure functionality, but they occupy large storage and transportation space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage and transportation spaceVSAvoidenclosure functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The portable enclosure is divided into multiple separable components including a base component, wall components, and a roof component. Each component can be independently transported and stored, significantly reducing the overall space required compared to a complete assembled unit. The components can be reassembled at the destination to provide full enclosure functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wall components are designed to nest within each other when not in use, with smaller wall sections fitting inside larger ones. This nesting arrangement minimizes the volume occupied during storage and transportation while maintaining the ability to assemble complete wall structures when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Weight of moving object

If conventional portable enclosures are used, then they provide basic structure, but they require heavy lifting equipment for transportation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransportation weightVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure structure is segmented into lightweight individual components that can be manually handled and transported without heavy equipment. Each component is designed to maintain sufficient structural integrity for its specific function while being light enough for easy transport by personnel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wall components utilize flexible yet strong materials that provide adequate structural support while minimizing weight. These materials allow the components to be easily transported and assembled without requiring heavy lifting equipment, yet maintain the necessary strength for enclosure functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional portable enclosures are used, then they provide basic privacy, but they lack sanitation facilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesanitation functionalityVSAvoidenclosure system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base component is designed as a multi-functional platform that can accommodate various sanitation facilities including toilets, sinks, and storage compartments. This universal base design allows the same enclosure system to provide different sanitation configurations without requiring completely different structures, thus adding functionality without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Sanitation facilities are provided as separate, removable components that can be independently added to or removed from the base component. This segmentation allows users to customize the sanitation configuration based on specific needs while keeping the overall system complexity manageable through standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If conventional portable enclosures are used, then they provide basic structure, but they are bulky and difficult to handle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling easeVSAvoidcomponent volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure is divided into compact, ergonomically-sized components that are easy to handle, lift, and maneuver. Each component is sized to be manageable by one or two persons without requiring mechanical assistance, significantly improving ease of operation compared to bulky conventional enclosures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The nested design allows components to be stored in a compact configuration during transport, reducing the volume each component occupies. When assembled, the components form the full-sized enclosure structure, providing both compact storage and full functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS11808051B2Portable, modular, multi-purpose enclosure

Publication Date: 2023.11.07 WANG ANTHONY

AI summary

A portable enclosure includes a bottom component including a first sidewall that forms a first door opening. The portable enclosure further includes a top component including a second sidewall that forms a second door opening. The top component is configured to removably attach to the bottom component to align the first door opening and the second door opening and to at least partially enclose an interior volume of the portable enclosure. The portable enclosure further includes a door configured to removably attach to the top component and the bottom component to cover the first door opening and the second door opening.