Rigid Panel Collapsible Structures Balancing Strength and Portability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inflatable shelters lack structural integrity due to reliance on flexible materials, are prone to leaks, and require continuous inflation, while traditional rigid structures are bulky and time-consuming to erect.

Innovation Solution

Collapsible structures composed of interconnected rigid panels that maintain structural integrity when erected, allowing for integration of rigid components and easy deployment without deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If inflatable structures are used, then portability and ease of deployment are improved, but structural integrity and weight support capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of deploymentVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The structure is divided into multiple rigid panels that can be segmented and stored compactly, then assembled to form a rigid enclosed volume. Each panel is rigid and maintainable, providing structural integrity while allowing compact storage for portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If traditional rigid structures with internal support are used, then structural integrity is improved, but portability and storage compactness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidstorage volume

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid structure is segmented into flat panels that can be stored in a compact configuration with minimal volume. When deployed, these panels form a rigid enclosed volume providing structural integrity, thus resolving the contradiction between storage compactness and structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Volume of moving object

If inflatable structures are used, then portability is improved, but reliability and pressure maintenance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidpressure maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using flexible inflatable materials that require pressure maintenance, the invention uses rigid panels that inherently maintain their structural form without requiring continuous pressure or inflation systems, thus improving reliability while maintaining portability through compact storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS20250223828A1Collapsible structure

Publication Date: 2025.07.10 TRAC9 LLC

AI summary

Collapsible structures are disclosed. In one embodiment, the collapsible structure includes a plurality of hinges and a plurality of panels. The plurality of panels are swingably connected by the plurality of hinges so as to form at least one arch when the collapsible structure is in an erected state and so as to become at least one stack of the plurality of panels in a collapsed state. The panels allow for the collapsible structure to maintain its structural integrity when erected but to have a compact and transportable configuration when collapsed.