Removable Compartment Fastening System for Suitcase Weight Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional suitcases with compartments on the cover increase overall weight and hinder portability, as these compartments are often permanently attached, and not all users need them.

Innovation Solution

A suitcase design featuring a removable compartment that can be separated from the main body using a system of fastening units, including fastening bars, operating units, and fastening rings, allowing users to easily attach or detach the compartment based on personal requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the compartment is permanently attached to the suitcase cover via stitching, then the compartment provides convenient storage for small objects, but the overall weight of the suitcase increases and portability is affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomizability of suitcase configurationVSAvoidoverall weight of suitcase
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The compartment is divided into a separable module that can be detached from the main suitcase body. The compartment includes a base layer with fastening rings that can independently connect or disconnect from the suitcase cover, allowing users to segment the suitcase into different configurations based on their needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening system employs dynamic connection and disconnection capabilities through fastening bars and fastening rings. The operating units allow users to dynamically adjust the compartment's attachment state, transitioning between a combined configuration (when storage is needed) and a separated configuration (when weight reduction is prioritized).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the compartment is permanently attached to the suitcase cover, then the compartment structure is stable and secure, but not all users need this compartment functionality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of compartment attachmentVSAvoidflexibility to remove compartment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening system is segmented into multiple independent components: fastening rings on the compartment base layer, fastening bars on the suitcase cover, and operating units. This segmentation allows the compartment to be reliably attached when needed while enabling easy separation when not required, accommodating different user needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The operating units enable users to independently perform the attachment and detachment operations without requiring external assistance. The elastic units provide self-locking functionality that maintains reliable attachment automatically once connected, while allowing easy release when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If a fastening system with multiple components is used to allow removable compartment, then the compartment can be easily attached or detached, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of attaching or detaching compartmentVSAvoidcomplexity of fastening system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic units are pre-installed on the operating units and automatically engage with the fastening bars when the compartment is attached. This self-locking mechanism eliminates the need for complex manual locking procedures, allowing users to easily secure the compartment by simply pulling the operating units through the fastening bars.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening system uses universal components that can be manufactured with standard tolerances and assembled through simple procedures. The fastening rings and bars can be produced using common manufacturing processes, and the elastic units are standard components, reducing overall system complexity despite the multi-component design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3354154B1suitcase
Publication Date: 2020.02.12 WU NA
  • EP3354154B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3354154B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3354154B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A suitcase (1) includes a main body (10), a removable compartment (20), at least one first main fastening unit (30), at least one second main fastening unit (40) and a plurality of fastening rings (50). The main body (10) includes a containing groove (11). The removable compartment (20) is movably located in the containing groove (11), and the removable compartment (20) includes a base layer (22), a covering layer (23), at least one hole (24) and an inner opening unit (25). The covering layer (23) covers the base layer (22). The at least one hole (24) is located in the base layer (22). The inner opening unit (25) is movably connected to the covering layer (23), and the inner opening unit (25) is used for allowing the covering layer (23) to be opened or closed; when the covering layer (23) is opened, the base layer (22) will be exposed to the outside. The at least one first main fastening unit (30) is located in the containing groove (11).