Waterproof Wader Urination Hatch with Sealed Latch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fishing waders lack a convenient and efficient method for urination that does not compromise waterproof integrity, leading to inconvenience and dehydration issues for fishermen and hunters.
Innovation Solution
A waterproof, hinged access cover with a quick-release snap mechanism integrated into the wader design, allowing for easy access without removing other garments or accessories, and featuring a protective protrusion for user access and a spring-biased latch for secure closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional wader design without specialized urination access is used, then waterproof integrity is maintained, but user convenience deteriorates due to the need to remove multiple garments and accessories
Solution Approach 1:
The wader system is segmented into functional zones with a dedicated urination access hatch located in the crotch area. This hatch is a separate, localized opening that can be opened independently without affecting the rest of the waterproof wader system, allowing users to urinate without removing boots, pants, or outer garments.
Solution Approach 2:
A waterproof hatch with latch mechanism serves as an intermediary component between the user's need for urination access and the requirement for waterproof integrity. The hatch includes a seal system that maintains waterproofness when closed and provides controlled access when opened, mediating between these two conflicting requirements.
2Ease of operation
If a urination access hatch is added to waders, then user convenience improves, but waterproof integrity may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The hatch incorporates a flexible waterproof seal, likely made of rubber or similar material, that conforms to the opening edges. This flexible seal maintains waterproof integrity when the hatch is closed, preventing water ingress while allowing the hatch to open for urination access. The seal compensates for manufacturing tolerances and wear over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism acts as an intermediary that controls the hatch's open/closed state, ensuring the waterproof seal remains engaged when not in use. The latch system provides positive engagement to maintain waterproof integrity while allowing quick, tool-free operation for urination access.
3Productivity
If multiple garments and accessories are removed for urination, then urination access is achieved, but time is lost and dehydration risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The urination access hatch is pre-positioned and pre-configured in the wader system during manufacturing, with the waterproof seal and latch mechanism already in place. This preliminary preparation allows users to access the hatch immediately without needing to remove any garments or perform preparatory actions, significantly reducing the time required for urination.
Solution Approach 2:
The hatch design enables self-service urination access where the user can independently open the latch and access the opening without assistance or removal of other gear. The quick-release latch mechanism allows one-handed operation, making the process efficient and eliminating time loss associated with complex garment removal procedures.
4Ease of operation
If a simple opening is provided for urination, then ease of access improves, but waterproofness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible waterproof seal, likely made of rubber or elastomeric material, is integrated around the perimeter of the hatch opening. This seal flexes to accommodate the opening and closing movements while maintaining continuous waterproof contact with the wader fabric, preventing water ingress even when the hatch is frequently opened and closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal system utilizes changes in material properties under compression - when the latch closes the hatch, the seal material deforms and compresses to fill any gaps between the hatch and wader fabric, creating a waterproof barrier. The seal's ability to change its physical parameters under load ensures waterproofness while maintaining ease of access.
Data Source
AI summary
A pair of pants or suit includes a sealable opening for relief of bodily fluids. A frame is sealed in a waterproof manner to the pair of pants or suit disposed in a groin section, the frame forming a frame aperture separating an outside and inside of the pair of pants or suit. A lid is movably connected to the frame disposed on the outside of the pair of pants or suit and configured to engage the frame aperture, wherein the lid in an open position allows access through the frame aperture and the lid in a closed position does not allow access through the frame aperture. A seal is disposed between the frame and the lid forming a waterproof closure of the frame aperture when the lid is in the closed position.