Spherical Insulated Container with Curved Track and Pneumatic Brakes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing insulated storage systems lack maneuverability and balance when transporting consumables, especially over rough surfaces and in water, and do not provide efficient access to contents while maintaining temperature insulation.

Innovation Solution

A spherical or ellipsoidal insulated container with a rotatable curved track that allows easy rolling and pivoting, combined with a braking mechanism using air pulses and retractable feet for stability, along with a small hatch for water access and ballast tanks for buoyancy, enables efficient transportation and storage of consumables on land and in water.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional rectangular insulated container is used, then it provides adequate storage capacity, but it lacks maneuverability and is difficult to transport over rough surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemaneuverabilityVSAvoidcontainer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The container is designed with a spherical or ellipsoidal body shape, allowing it to roll smoothly over various surfaces. This curved geometry enables the container to be easily maneuvered by applying minimal force, solving the maneuverability problem while maintaining structural integrity for insulation purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The container incorporates a rotatable curved track system with rollers that allows dynamic adjustment of the rolling mechanism. This dynamic structure enables the container to adapt to different terrain conditions and maintain ease of operation across various surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the container is designed for easy access to contents, then retrieval is quick, but temperature insulation is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent retrieval efficiencyVSAvoidtemperature insulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into multiple hatches: a large main hatch for bulk loading and a smaller secondary hatch for retrieving individual items. This segmentation allows users to access contents without opening the entire container, thereby maintaining temperature insulation while enabling efficient retrieval of specific items.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If the container is made stable on land, then it resists tipping, but it becomes difficult to move

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoidmobility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The container employs retractable feet that can be deployed when stability is needed and retracted when mobility is required. This dynamic adjustment allows the container to transition between stable and mobile states, resolving the contradiction between staying upright and being easy to move.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If the container is designed to float in water, then it provides buoyancy, but it becomes unstable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater flotation capabilityVSAvoidstability in water

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The container incorporates ballast tanks that can be filled with water or air to adjust buoyancy and stabilize the container in water. By strategically placing ballast, the container achieves both flotation capability and stability, preventing tipping while floating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

5Ease of operation

If a braking mechanism is added to control rolling, then speed is controlled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed controlVSAvoidbraking system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The braking mechanism uses air pressure to engage and disengage brakes, replacing complex mechanical linkages with a pneumatic system. This substitution simplifies the overall mechanism while providing effective speed control during rolling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 container achieves enhanced maneuverability and balance on various surfaces, maintains temperature insulation, and provides easy access to contents while ensuring stability in water, making it suitable for transporting both hot and cold consumables effectively.

Implementation Method 1

the actuator facilitating sending a pulse of air through the air conduit and wherein the container further comprises a braking mechanism actuated by the pulse of air to brake the container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir pulse:

Implementation Method 2

the body has in the cavity at least one ballast tank to stabilize the container when in water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS10457467B2Insulated storage system

Publication Date: 2019.10.29 COLLINS CHAD ANTHONY

AI summary

An insulated container configured to store cold consumables is disclosed. The container has a body having a curved track wrapping around the body and upon which the body is able to be rolled. The body has an insulated wall encompassing a cavity configured to hold at least ice and consumables.