Suitcase Partition Connection Using Dual-Material Raceway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suitcase partition connections are either too rigid and prone to breakage or lack flexibility and durability, making them difficult and costly to manufacture, and the partitions are irreversibly integral with the suitcase body.
Innovation Solution
A suitcase connection system featuring a raceway made of rigid plastic for the partition, coupled with a sliding element and a support element, where the internal and external portions of the body are made of soft materials like soft PVC or rubber, allowing for flexible assembly and preventing breakage during bending.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid raceway is used to connect the partition to the suitcase body, then the connection strength is improved, but the flexibility and durability deteriorate due to breakage during bending
Solution Approach 1:
The connection means is divided into three distinct segments: a rigid internal portion (raceway) for structural strength, a soft intermediate portion for flexibility and bending accommodation, and a rigid external portion (sliding element) for partition support. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the whole system.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection means employs composite construction by combining rigid plastic material (for the raceway and sliding element) with soft plastic material (for the intermediate portion). This composite approach integrates the advantages of both material types: rigidity for strength and softness for flexibility, resolving the contradiction between connection strength and durability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid connection profile is used to support the partition, then the structural stability is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates due to complex deformation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The connection profile is segmented into modular components (internal portion, intermediate portion, external portion) that can be manufactured separately using standard molding processes and then assembled. This eliminates the need for complex deformation operations on monolithic rigid profiles, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameter of the intermediate portion from rigid to soft, allowing it to be molded in its final flexible configuration rather than requiring post-manufacturing deformation. This parameter change simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining the structural stability provided by the rigid endpoints.
3Ease of manufacture
If stitching is used to connect the partition to the suitcase body, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the connection reliability deteriorates due to irreversible integral connection
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding element acts as an intermediary component between the partition and the suitcase body, enabling a reversible connection. The partition connects to the sliding element, which slides within the raceway, providing both ease of assembly and the ability to remove and reposition the partition as needed.
4Strength
If a deformable portion made of the same rigid material is used to connect the external zip, then the connection strength is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to breakage from excessive rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate portion of the connection means has different local quality (soft material) compared to the rigid portions, specifically at the location where bending and deformation occur. This localized softness prevents breakage while the rigid portions maintain connection strength, resolving the contradiction through spatial differentiation of material properties.
Data Source
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AI summary
A suitcase (1) is described, comprising a body (2) with an edge (3) adapted to be coupled to a space (4) of a connection means (5) for a partition (6) adapted to divide the internal space of the suitcase (1) into an inferior space (7) and a superior space (8), said connection means (5) comprising a raceway (52) adapted to be slidingly coupled to a sliding element (11) which is complementary to the raceway (52) and fixed to a support element (9) with which the partition (6) is integrally associated. Said connection means (5) includes an internal portion (51) of the body (2) made of soft material, at the extremity (512) of which the raceway (52) made of rigid material is fixed, and an external portion (53) of the body (2) made of soft material, the sliding element (11) being made of rigid material fixed to the support element (9) made of soft material.