Outdoor Storage Device with Multi-Sided Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional garden sheds face challenges with limited storage space due to the need for entryways, which wastes space and complicates access to stored items, especially for large objects and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A storage device with multiple side-by-side receiving spaces, each with its own closable opening area, eliminating the need for internal movement space and optimizing space utilization by allowing direct access to objects without lifting over thresholds, and allowing flexible adaptation to different object sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a conventional garden shed with entryways and internal organization is used, then objects can be stored inside, but space is wasted on movement areas and access is complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidaccessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The storage device is divided into multiple independent receiving spaces (first, second, third receiving spaces) with separate opening areas on different sides. Each receiving space can be accessed independently without entering through a main doorway, eliminating the need for internal movement space and improving accessibility while maximizing storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If a conventional garden shed with a main entryway is used, then objects can be stored inside, but space is consumed by the entryway and interior movement area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidfootprint area
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a single-entry three-dimensional space to a multi-sided two-dimensional access system. By placing opening areas on multiple sides (front, rear, left, right) of the storage device, objects can be accessed from different directions without requiring internal movement corridors, effectively utilizing the peripheral area for both access and storage.

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

3Quantity of substance

If large objects are stored in a conventional garden shed, then storage is achieved, but transport through doors becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidtransport ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the main entryway from the storage system and replaces it with multiple distributed opening areas on different sides. This allows large objects to be directly inserted into or removed from specific receiving spaces from the outside without needing to pass through a constrained doorway, greatly simplifying transport while maintaining storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Quantity of substance

If items are stored in a conventional garden shed with internal shelves, then organization is achieved, but items are often misplaced and require searching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidsearch time
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The storage device segments the interior into multiple dedicated receiving spaces with separate opening areas, allowing items to be stored and accessed from the outside without mixing. This segmentation prevents misplacement and eliminates the need to search through a single large interior space, reducing time loss while maintaining storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3192945B1Storage device for outdoor use
Publication Date: 2021.05.26 VOGL THOMAS
  • EP3192945B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3192945B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP3192945B1 patent drawingFigure 3C~4

AI summary

To accommodate equipment in the smallest possible space while simultaneously improving access and organization in outdoor areas, an outdoor storage device is specified, comprising: at least two storage compartments (11), each having one or more lockable opening areas (13), wherein the one opening area (13) or the multiple opening areas (13) belonging to the same storage compartment (11) together have an area that substantially corresponds to an area of ​​an outside of this storage compartment (11), and wherein the opening areas (13) are arranged on at least two adjacent sides of the storage device.