Portable Ski Cooler With Deployable Sleds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard coolers are difficult to transport when full, especially over uneven terrain, leading to the challenge of carrying heavy loads and leaving perishable items behind.
Innovation Solution
A portable ski cooler with integrated skis or sleds that can be deployed for sliding over rough terrain, allowing the cooler to be pulled instead of lifted, and optionally using wheels for alternative transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If standard coolers are used, then food and beverage items can be kept cool, but the cooler becomes extremely difficult to transport when full
Solution Approach 1:
The cooler incorporates skis that can be deployed or retracted based on terrain conditions. When deployed, the skis enable the cooler to be pulled across rough terrain; when retracted, the cooler can be lifted and carried like a standard cooler. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between maintaining cooling capability and improving transportability.
Solution Approach 2:
The skis act as an intermediary mechanism between the cooler body and the ground. Instead of directly lifting the heavy cooler, the skis provide a sliding interface that reduces friction and enables easy movement across various terrains while the cooler remains stationary and functional.
2Ease of operation
If standard coolers with wheels are used, then the cooler can be rolled on flat surfaces, but the wheels get stuck on uneven terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The cooler is designed with multi-functionality to handle different terrains. The skis provide universal adaptability across various surface conditions - they can slide on snow, grass, sand, and uneven ground where wheels would fail. The system transitions between ski-based and wheel-based movement depending on terrain requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooler dynamically switches between different movement mechanisms (skis vs. wheels) based on terrain conditions. The skis are deployed when uneven terrain is detected or anticipated, and retracted when flat surfaces are encountered, allowing the cooler to adapt its mobility characteristics to match the environmental conditions.
3Ease of operation
If the cooler is made lighter for easier transport, then transportability improves, but the cooling capacity and insulation effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cooler system is segmented into the main cooler body (which retains full insulation and cooling capacity) and the separate ski mechanism (which provides transport capability). This segmentation allows the heavy, well-insulated cooler to remain stationary while the lightweight skis handle the transport function, resolving the contradiction between weight and cooling effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle; the vehicle includes a receptacle, a door, at least one door-hinge, a right-ski, a left-ski, at least one right-hinge, and at least one left-hinge. The receptacle may be a container having four sides, a bottom, and an opening which is covered by the door. The door is hinged to the receptacle by the at least one door-hinge and may be opened or closed manually. The right hinges attach the right-ski to the receptacle, and the left hinges attach the left-ski to the receptacle. In this way, each ski may be folded up against the receptacle, or turned down to be deployed and used.