my model is more complex, offers more variety, has greater user engagement, and was the first Velcro retainer to post in the contest. So why did my version not win excellent participation? I do not mean to insult the other maker they made a fine model, I am just curious as to why it beat mine.
FWIW, I haven’t printed either of these models. But, if I did, I’d go with the winning design. It has a few advantages:
It’s less complex (no movable parts) and thus should be easier to print
There is more surface area to attach the Velcro
The Velcro can optionally be looped through the “anti-slip corner” to make it more secure
Whatever object is being held in place seems like it would be more secure since the corner of the object sits on top of the “anti-slip corner”
I don’t think making a complex design, posting first, or achieving excellent participation should be considered when choosing a winning design. None of those things seem to have anything to do with the usefulness of the design.
I don’t think they provide reasoning, but I can provide some personal feedback of mine.
Complexity is not always a good thing. The hinge is just unnecessary, doesn’t really add any value to square objects. You should have displayed it with something with non-square corners, as that’s the only benefit to a hinge. You don’t really have anything to keep the velcro secured to the carpet either. Your part only touches the object on the sides, but you need weight to keep the velcro secure. Especially the single wall you have, which is what I assume you mean by more variety? If you’re not going to have it go under the object to be held down, then having it be so tall is actually a detriment to it’s function. Velcro holds with shear strength rather then tensil. So the taller your part is, the more it’s able to lean, which will pull the velcro up rather then across where it would be strongest, if that makes sense. Overall, their model, while not original by any means, performs the function better.
By no means am I trying to be mean or diminish your work at all, just pointing out some flaws. I think they may have come to similar conclusions.
When there is more than one solution worthy of a position that fulfills the same purpose, which one they choose is entirely subjective.
I preferred your first picture to the winning entry as I could quickly see this is for the back of the car. You had too few photos though.
I agree with many of the points raised by @msinger.
Your hinged solution was a good idea as it is easier to stow. However, the hinge in practice is a weak point against one that is rigid as there is no flex while cornering or sudden movements.
The flat version is unlikely to hold up to much pressure as all the force is on the anchor point with the velcro. If it had something going under the item being blocked, there would be a greater area for velcro, plus the weight of the item would act as additional strength against movement.
The module that won had this in the corner units, angled velcro, and weighted down.
There is nothing wrong with yours.
Everything @msinger and I said could have nothing to do with what factors they used to decide.
It is worth noting, mine didn’t win either. It is nothing like yours, it didn’t get much traction and few people downloaded it, plus, it solved a problem that rarely exists anymore. Yet, they still didn’t pick mine!
I’d say your design resembles too much of the design that won in the printables contest and MW decided to go with another winner similar in concept but different in designs, right way to go IMHO
