Pliable Liner Toolbox for Tool Organization and Shock Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Toolboxes often require time-consuming searches for specific tools due to the variety and organization of tools within, which can be frustrating during work, especially when used outside a workshop.
Innovation Solution
A toolbox design featuring a base and cover member made of rigid materials, with a pliable liner member that deforms to accommodate tools, providing compartments for organization and shock absorption, and a sealing mechanism for water resistance, enhancing tool accessibility and protection during transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If tools are organized in multiple compartments within a rigid toolbox, then tool variety and organization are improved, but search time increases and accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the toolbox walls flexible rather than rigid. The flexible material allows the toolbox to dynamically adapt its internal structure by deforming to accommodate different tool configurations, enabling quick access without requiring complex compartmentalization. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining organization while eliminating fixed search paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the toolbox material from rigid to flexible. This parameter change allows the toolbox to deform and reshape its interior space on demand, providing both organization and quick accessibility. The flexible material can be manually reshaped to create compartments when needed and opened up for quick access when required.
2Strength
If a rigid material is used for the toolbox, then structural strength is improved, but shock absorption and noise reduction deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining rigid structural components with flexible material layers. The rigid framework provides structural strength while the flexible material layer absorbs shocks and reduces noise. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by integrating both strength and shock absorption properties in a single toolbox system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by giving different parts of the toolbox different properties. The outer shell maintains rigidity for structural strength while the inner lining or specific regions use flexible material for shock absorption and noise reduction. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing both strength and harm reduction in appropriate locations.
3Reliability
If the toolbox is sealed for water resistance, then protection is improved, but accessibility and ventilation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using flexible sealing mechanisms that can dynamically open and close. The flexible material allows the seal to be easily opened for accessibility during use, then closed to provide water resistance during transport or storage. This dynamic sealing resolves the contradiction by providing both accessibility and protection at different operational states.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the sealing parameter from fixed to variable. The flexible material allows the seal to transition between open and closed states, providing accessibility when needed and water resistance when closed. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by making the sealing property adjustable rather than fixed.
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 design improves tool accessibility and protection by organizing tools within deformable compartments and providing a secure, water-resistant seal, reducing search time and tool damage during use and transport.
Implementation Method 1
The liner member is made of a pliable rigid material... configured to be deformed towards the base interior surface... upon application of reasonable forces on the liner member, e.g., pressing force generated by a tool accommodated therein, will temporarily deform, however, will assume its original shape upon ceasing of the forces
Implementation Method 2
When the liner member is received within the base member, it can constitute a supporting surface for absorbing and/or reducing shock and noise generated by the tools that are accommodated within the liner interior storage space during transportation of the toolbox
Data Source
AI summary
A toolbox comprising: a base member, made of a substantially rigid material, having base side walls extending from a base bottom to a perimetric base rim, and defining together a base interior storage space, said base bottom and base side walls configured with a base interior surface and a base exterior surface; a cover member, made of a substantially rigid material, having a perimetric cover rim, a cover interior surface and a cover exterior surface, said cover rim corresponding in shape and size to fit said base rim; and a liner member having a liner interior surface and a liner exterior surface, said liner member being made of a rigid though pliable material. The liner member is configured to be received within and supported by the base member in a spaced apart relationship there between so as to allow the liner member to be deformed towards the base interior surface.