Waterproof Container Foam Pad Interlocking Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional waterproof containers are prone to deformation under external forces, leading to gaps between components that compromise their thermal insulation and waterproof properties due to the lack of fixed connections between the inner foam layer and foam pad, and the use of soft materials.
Innovation Solution
A waterproof container design featuring a bag unit, a seat unit with retaining features, and a cover unit with a U-shaped zipper that ensures a secure, watertight seal by using a receiving seat with pad-receiving grooves and a tray that provides an interference fit, preventing water and heat entry or dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If soft and pliable materials are used for the inner foam layer and foam pad, then the container is flexible and easy to manufacture, but the container is susceptible to deformation under external force causing gaps between components
Solution Approach 1:
The foam pad is pre-formed with protruding portions that correspond to recesses in the inner foam layer before assembly. This preliminary shaping ensures that when the foam pad is inserted into the container, the protruding portions automatically engage with the recesses to prevent deformation and maintain structural stability, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner foam layer and foam pad are designed with localized geometric features (recesses and protruding portions) at specific locations rather than uniform structures. These localized features provide targeted structural support and interlocking capability where needed, maintaining structural stability while preserving the overall flexibility and ease of manufacture of the soft materials.
2Ease of manufacture
If the inner foam layer and foam pad are not fixedly connected, then the container is easier to manufacture and assemble, but gaps form between components compromising thermal insulation and waterproof properties
Solution Approach 1:
The foam pad is nested within the container structure, with its protruding portions inserted into recesses of the inner foam layer. This nested arrangement creates an interlocking configuration where the foam pad is securely held in position without requiring additional fasteners or fixed connections, maintaining ease of assembly while ensuring reliable sealing against water and heat transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam pad and inner foam layer feature asymmetric geometric profiles with protruding portions and corresponding recesses. This asymmetric design creates a directional interlocking mechanism that prevents the foam pad from dislodging or forming gaps, ensuring reliable thermal insulation and waterproof sealing while maintaining simple assembly procedures.
3Ease of operation
If the cover and bag are connected by a zipper, then the container is easier to open and close, but water and heat can enter or exit through the zipper when unzipped
Solution Approach 1:
The foam pad acts as an intermediary sealing element positioned between the cover and bag units. When the zipper is closed, the foam pad's protruding portions fill gaps and provide an additional thermal and waterproof barrier, enhancing the seal while allowing the zipper to remain the primary mechanism for easy opening and closing operations.
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 design enhances the thermal insulation and waterproof properties by maintaining a consistent seal between the bag and cover units, preventing water and heat transfer, thus improving the container's overall performance.
Implementation Method 1
The inner foam layer 11 and the foam pad 14 provide thermal insulation
Implementation Method 2
prevent water from entering or exiting the waterproof container 1
Data Source
AI summary
A waterproof container includes a bag unit, a seat unit and a cover unit. The seat unit includes a receiving seat that is disposed on the bag unit and that defines an opening. The cover unit removably and sealingly covers the opening, and includes a cover and a zipper. The zipper divides the cover into a fixed portion that is connected fixedly to the receiving seat, and a flip portion that corresponds in position to the opening. The cover is operable between a flipped state, where the zipper is unzipped and the flip portion is flipped open for exposing the opening, and a non-flipped state, where the zipper is zipped for covering the opening with the flip portion.