Connection structure of modules, storage box and storage box assembly

Abstract

The application provides a module connecting structure, which comprises a first connecting part on one surface of the module, a second connecting part on another surface of the module and a stop part; the first connecting part comprises a mounting part, a locking part movable relative to the mounting part and a first elastic member between the mounting part and the locking part, the first elastic member automatically keeps the locking part in a locking state; the second connecting part comprises a matching part lockable with the locking part, and the locking part of one module can be automatically locked with the matching part of another module under the action of the first elastic member by pressing the locking part; the stop part comprises a clamping block and a convex rib lockable with the clamping block, and when the clamping block and the convex rib are locked with each other, the locking part cannot be automatically locked, and the first connecting part and the second connecting part are kept in an unlocked state. The module connecting structure provided by the application can realize the functions of automatic locking, keeping unlocking and automatic resetting, thereby facilitating the operation and use of users.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of item storage technology, and in particular to a module connection structure, a storage box, and a storage box assembly. Background Technology

[0002] In a standard storage box system, each box is placed individually, and even if they can be stacked one on top of another, they can only be kept level. However, for families and professional users who need to buy multiple boxes, if there is no interlocking function between two boxes, multiple boxes stacked several times can easily tip over, posing a safety hazard. This is especially true when multiple boxes need to be moved simultaneously, as the shift in the center of gravity during dragging and vibrations caused by uneven surfaces make it even easier for the top box to tip over.

[0003] To avoid these problems, the current common solution is to add extra accessories such as ropes to help secure multiple boxes. However, this solution not only increases costs but also requires untying the ropes to retrieve the items, causing inconvenience in actual use.

[0004] In view of this, it is indeed necessary to provide a module connection structure, a storage box, and a storage box assembly to solve this problem. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a module connection structure that addresses the shortcomings of the aforementioned background technology, enabling automatic locking, hold-unlock, and automatic reset functions, thereby facilitating user operation.

[0006] The present invention provides a connection structure for a module, including a first connecting portion located on one surface of the module, a second connecting portion located on another surface of the module, and a stop portion;

[0007] The first connecting part includes a mounting part, a locking part movable relative to the mounting part, and a first elastic member located between the mounting part and the locking part, wherein the first elastic member causes the locking part to automatically remain in a locked state;

[0008] The second connecting part includes a mating part that can be locked to the locking part. Pressing down the locking part of one of the modules can automatically lock the mating part of the other module under the action of the first elastic element.

[0009] The stop part includes a locking block and a protruding ridge that can engage with the locking block. When the locking block and the protruding ridge engage with each other, the locking part cannot lock automatically, and the first connecting part and the second connecting part are in an unlocked state.

[0010] Furthermore, the locking block is disposed on the locking part and can move with the locking part, while the protruding ridge remains stationary relative to the locking block.

[0011] Furthermore, the locking part can drive the locking block past the protruding edge, and the protruding edge can extend or retract relative to the locking block.

[0012] Furthermore, when the first connecting part and the second connecting part are in the unlocked state, the locking block is engaged with the protrusion on the side of the protrusion away from the center of the module; when the first connecting part and the second connecting part are in the locked state, the locking block is located on the other side of the protrusion closer to the center of the module.

[0013] Furthermore, both the locking block and the protruding ridge are disposed on the first connecting portion.

[0014] Furthermore, the protruding ridge is provided on the second connecting portion.

[0015] Furthermore, the stop portion includes a first receiving groove formed on the block body / protrusion body, a protrusion that can be accommodated in the first receiving groove, and a second elastic member located between the protrusion and the first receiving groove.

[0016] Furthermore, the stop portion also includes a second receiving groove formed on the first connecting portion, the block body / protrusion body that can be accommodated in the second receiving groove, and a third elastic member located between the block body / protrusion body and the second receiving groove.

[0017] Furthermore, when the third elastic element is compressed, the locking block can engage with the protrusion; when the third elastic element is extended, the locking block cannot engage with the protrusion.

[0018] Furthermore, the locking part is a horizontally movable sliding latch, a flip-moving latch, or a rotary latch.

[0019] The present invention also provides a storage box, wherein the storage box is provided with a connection structure of the module as described in any of the preceding claims, the first connection part is provided on the lid of the storage box, and the second connection part is provided on the bottom of the storage box body.

[0020] The present invention also provides a storage box assembly, comprising a plurality of storage boxes as described above, wherein two adjacent storage boxes can be locked to each other by a first connector and a second connector.

[0021] The module connection structure provided by this invention allows the locking part to move relative to the mounting part, and the first elastic element can drive the locking part to automatically remain in the locked state. When two modules are locked, the locking part of one module can automatically lock with the mating part of the other module under the action of the first elastic element, thereby realizing the automatic locking function of the first connecting part and the second connecting part. At the same time, by setting a stop part, the locking block and the protrusion of the stop part can be mutually engaged, so that the first connecting part and the second connecting part can remain in the unlocked state when unlocked, thus eliminating the need to manually keep the locking part in the unlocked state and freeing the user's hands. In addition, after the two storage boxes are unlocked and separated, the locking part can automatically reset under the drive of the first elastic element, preparing for the next locking, simplifying the operation steps of locking and unlocking, and making it convenient for users. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the storage box in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a localized explosion structure.

[0024] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A 3D view of a storage box.

[0025] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of the first connecting part.

[0026] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the explosion structure.

[0027] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the exploded structure after further decomposition.

[0028] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the storage box in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 8 for Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a localized explosion structure.

[0030] Figure 9 for Figure 8 A three-dimensional view of the second connecting part.

[0031] Figure 10 for Figure 8 A three-dimensional view of the first connecting part.

[0032] Figure 11 for Figure 10 A partial diagram of the exploded structure. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0034] The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” etc. (if present) in the specification and claims of this invention are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence.

[0035] The directional terms such as "up," "down," "left," "right," "front," "back," "top," and "bottom" (if present) used in the specification and claims of this invention are defined by the position of the structures in the drawings and the relative positions of the structures, and are only for the clarity and convenience of expressing the technical solution. It should be understood that the use of directional terms should not limit the scope of protection claimed in this application.

[0036] This invention provides a modular connection structure, a storage box with the connection structure, and a storage box assembly. The connection structure can be installed on the storage box, and adjacent storage boxes can be locked together via the connection structure, thereby facilitating the transportation of multiple storage boxes. The storage box can be a toolbox, tool basket, transport box, transfer box, or other storage device.

[0037] First Embodiment

[0038] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, this embodiment provides a module connection structure that can be installed on a storage box. The connection structure includes a first connecting part 1, a second connecting part 2, and a stop part 3. The first connecting part 1 and the second connecting part 2 can cooperate to automatically lock together. The stop part 3 prevents the first connecting part 1 and the second connecting part 2 from automatically locking after unlocking, thus keeping the first connecting part 1 and the second connecting part 2 in an unlocked state. This facilitates unlocking and separation of the first connecting part 1 and the second connecting part 2, freeing the user's hands and making it easier for the user to use.

[0039] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, the first connecting part 1 is disposed on the lid of the storage box, and includes a mounting part 11, a locking part 12 movable relative to the mounting part 11, and a first elastic member 13 located between the mounting part 11 and the locking part 12. The locking part 12 can be automatically held in a locked state under the action of the first elastic member 13. Furthermore, as... Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, to facilitate positioning when the first connecting part 1 and the second connecting part 2 are interlocked, a positioning groove 41 can be provided on the lid, which can be used to position the storage boxes when stacked with the protrusion 42 provided on the bottom of the box. In other embodiments, the positioning groove 41 can just accommodate the bottom of the box, and the first connecting part 1 can be provided at the edge of the positioning groove 41.

[0040] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the mounting part 11 is fixedly connected to the cover. The mounting part 11 includes a mounting groove 111 formed on the cover and a mounting body 112 located in the mounting groove 111. The mounting body 112 can be fixed in the mounting groove 111 with bolts. In other embodiments, the mounting body 112 can also be integrally formed with the mounting groove 111, or fixedly connected by snap-fit ​​or other means.

[0041] Furthermore, such as Figures 4 to 6 As shown, in this embodiment, the locking part 12 can be accommodated within the mounting body 112 and is movable relative to the mounting body 112. The locking part 12 is a flip-lock that flips and moves relative to the mounting part 11, thereby allowing the locking part 12 to flip and move within the mounting groove 111. In other embodiments, the locking part 12 may also be a sliding lock that moves horizontally relative to the mounting part 11, or a rotary lock that rotates relative to the mounting part 11. The locking part 12 includes a locking body 121 with one end rotatable about a pivot (not labeled) and a locking buckle 122 located at the other end of the locking body 121 near the center of the storage box; when the locking buckle 122 extends into the second connecting part 2, the first connecting part 1 and the second connecting part 2 can be locked together; when the locking buckle 122 does not extend into the second connecting part 2, the first connecting part 1 and the second connecting part 2 can be unlocked together. Meanwhile, to facilitate locking between the locking buckle 122 and the second connecting part 2, the locking buckle 122 is provided with a slope 122a.

[0042] Furthermore, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, the first elastic element 13 is disposed on the rotating shaft, with its two ends abutting against the locking body 121 and the mounting body 112 respectively, thereby automatically keeping the locking part 12 in the locked state under the action of the first elastic element 13. Meanwhile, to improve the reliability of the movement of the locking part 12, the first elastic element 13 can be disposed at both ends of the rotating shaft. The first elastic element 13 is a torsion spring, thereby causing the locking part 12 to rotate; in other embodiments, the first elastic element 13 can also be a compression spring, thereby causing the locking part 12 to move horizontally.

[0043] Furthermore, such as Figures 1 to 3As shown, in this embodiment, the second connecting part 2 is disposed at the bottom of the storage box, and includes a mating part 21 that can be locked to the locking part 12. Pressing down the locking part 12 of one module can automatically lock it to the mating part 21 of the other module under the action of the first elastic member 13. When the first connecting part 1 and the second connecting part 2 are in the locked state, the locking buckle 122 interferes with the mating part 21; when the first connecting part 1 and the second connecting part 2 are in the unlocked state, the locking buckle 122 does not interfere with the mating part 21. The mating part 21 consists of a plurality of slots 211, and the number of slots 211 can be set to correspond to the number of locking buckles 122.

[0044] Furthermore, such as Figures 4 to 6 As shown, in this embodiment, the stop part 3 includes a locking block 31 and a protruding ridge 32 that can engage with the locking block 31. When the locking block 31 and the protruding ridge 32 engage with each other, the locking part 12 cannot lock automatically. Specifically, when the first connecting part 1 and the second connecting part 2 are in the unlocked state, the locking block 31 and the protruding ridge 32 are engaged on the side of the protruding ridge 32 away from the center of the storage box; when the first connecting part 1 and the second connecting part 2 are in the locked state, the locking block 31 is located on the other side of the protruding ridge 32 closer to the center of the storage box.

[0045] Furthermore, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, the locking block 31 is disposed on the locking part 12 of the first connecting part 1 and can move with the locking part 12. The protrusion 32 remains stationary relative to the locking block 31, and the locking part 12 can drive the locking block 31 past the protrusion 32. Specifically, the locking block 31 is disposed at both ends of the locking part 12, and the locking block 31 can move between the two sides of the protrusion 32 as the locking part 12 is flipped, thereby realizing the switching between the first connecting part 1 and the second connecting part 2 in a locked state, an unlocked state, and a state of remaining unlocked.

[0046] Furthermore, such as Figure 6As shown, in this embodiment, the protruding ridge 32 is also disposed on the first connecting portion 1 and remains relatively stationary relative to the locking block 31. It includes a first receiving groove 321 formed on the ridge body 325, a protrusion 322 that can be accommodated within the first receiving groove 321, and a second elastic member 323 located between the protrusion 322 and the first receiving groove 321. The protrusion 322 can extend and retract relative to the first receiving groove 321 under the action of the second elastic member 323, allowing the locking block 31 to pass over the protrusion 322 and then engage with it, thereby keeping the first connecting portion 1 and the second connecting portion 2 in an unlocked state. The protruding ridge 32 can extend and retract relative to the locking block 31; for example, the protruding ridge 32 can be configured to be elastic, facilitating the locking of the locking block 31 after it passes over the ridge 32. In other embodiments, the latch 31 may also be elastic, and the latch 31 may be configured as an elastic structure similar to the protrusion 32 (i.e., a second elastic element 323 and a first receiving groove 321 are provided); or both the latch 31 and the protrusion 32 may be elastic; the protrusion 322 may achieve elasticity without the need to provide a second elastic element 323, and the protrusion 322 itself may be made of elastic material or configured as a suspended structure.

[0047] Furthermore, such as Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, the protruding ridge 32 further includes a second receiving groove 324 formed on the first connecting portion 1, a protruding ridge body 325 that can be accommodated in the second receiving groove 324, and a third elastic member 326 located between the protruding ridge body 325 and the second receiving groove 324. The protruding ridge body 325 can extend and retract relative to the second receiving groove 324 under the action of the third elastic member 326. When the third elastic member 326 extends, the protrusion 322 is located above the locking block 31, and the protrusion 322 cannot be locked with the locking block 31. When the third elastic member 326 is compressed, the protrusion 322 and the locking block 31 are located on the same horizontal plane (or the protrusion 322 is located on the flipping movement trajectory of the locking block 31). At this time, the protrusion 322 can be locked with the locking block 31. After flipping the locking portion 12, the locking block 31 can be locked on the side of the protruding ridge 32 away from the center of the storage box (i.e., kept in the unlocked state). This design prevents accidental operation by the user before the two storage boxes are stacked; that is, the unlocking function is not maintained when the two storage boxes are not stacked. In other embodiments, the card block body may also be elastic, and the card block body may be set as an elastic structure similar to the convex ridge body (i.e., a third elastic element 326 and a second receiving groove 324 are provided).

[0048] The working principle of this embodiment is as follows:

[0049] When it is necessary to lock the two storage boxes, the upper storage box is pressed down so that it contacts the locking buckle 122 on the lower storage box. The locking buckle 122 of the lower storage box is squeezed and driven to move the locking part 12 towards the unlocking direction (i.e., away from the center of the storage box). At this time, the first elastic member 13 is compressed and stores force. After the upper storage box moves down a certain distance, the locking buckle 122 on the locking part 12 corresponds to the slot 211 on the mating part 21. The locking buckle 122 loses the supporting effect of the upper storage box. Under the drive of the first elastic member 13, the locking buckle 122 automatically engages into the slot 211, thereby putting the first connecting part 1 and the second connecting part 2 into a locked state, thus realizing the automatic locking function of the upper and lower storage boxes. At the same time, the protruding ridge body 325 is squeezed down by the upper storage box and simultaneously drives the protrusion 322 down, and the third elastic member 326 is compressed and stores force. During this process, the locking block 31 never crosses the protruding ridge 32.

[0050] When it is necessary to unlock both storage compartments, pull the locking part 12 of the lower storage compartment outwards to move it in the unlocking direction. After the locking part 12 moves a certain distance in the unlocking direction, the locking buckle 122 of the lower storage compartment disengages from the slot 211 of the upper storage compartment, thereby unlocking the locking part 12 and the mating part 21. At the same time, continue to pull the locking part 12 in the unlocking direction until the locking block 31 passes over the protrusion 32 and is engaged on the side of the protrusion 32 away from the center of the storage compartment, thereby keeping the first connecting part 1 and the second connecting part 2 in an unlocked state, thus realizing the unlocking function. At this time, simply pull up the upper storage compartment to easily unlock and separate the two storage compartments. At the same time, if the user wants to relock, simply flip the locking part 12 in the locking direction (i.e., closer to the center of the storage compartment) so that the locking block 31 passes over the protrusion 32 and automatically locks. After the upper and lower storage boxes are separated, the protrusion 322 moves above the locking block 31 under the action of the third elastic member 326, and the locking part 12 automatically resets to the locked state under the drive of the first elastic member 13, preparing for the next locking.

[0051] The advantages of the connection structure of the storage box provided in this embodiment include:

[0052] 1. The connection structure of this storage box has an automatic locking function, an unlocking retention function, and an automatic reset function: Since the locking part 12 can rotate and move relative to the mounting part 11, and the first elastic member 13 can drive the locking part 12 to automatically remain in the locked state. When the two storage boxes are locked, the locking part 12 of one storage box can automatically lock with the mating part 21 of the other storage box under the action of the first elastic member 13, thereby realizing the automatic locking function of the first connecting part 1 and the second connecting part 2; at the same time, by setting the stop part 3, the locking block 31 and the protrusion 32 of the stop part 3 can be mutually locked, so that the first connecting part 1 and the second connecting part 2 can remain in the unlocked state when unlocking, thus eliminating the need to manually keep the locking part 12 in the unlocked state and freeing the user's hands; at the same time, after the two storage boxes are unlocked and separated, the locking part 12 can automatically reset under the drive of the first elastic member 13, preparing for the next locking, simplifying the operation steps of locking and unlocking (conventional locking and unlocking requires at least four steps, while this embodiment only requires two steps), making it convenient for users.

[0053] 2. The locking function is achieved by the cooperation of the locking block 31 and the protrusion 32. When the user wants to relock (due to accidental unlocking), the locking part 12 is simply flipped in the locking direction, so that the locking block 31 passes over the protrusion 32 and is locked on the side of the protrusion 32 near the center of the storage box, without having to separate the first connecting part 1 and the second connecting part 2 and relock, and without compromising the reliability of the structure.

[0054] Second Embodiment

[0055] like Figures 7 to 11 As shown, the difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is that: the locking part 12 is a sliding latch, the locking block 31 is disposed on the locking part 12 of the first connecting part 1 and can move with the locking part 12, and the protruding ridge 32 is disposed on the second connecting part 2 and remains stationary relative to the locking block 31. Specifically, as Figure 11 As shown, in this embodiment, the locking block 31 includes a first receiving groove 311 formed on the locking part 12, a protrusion 312 that can be accommodated in the first receiving groove 311, and a second elastic member 313 located between the protrusion 312 and the first receiving groove 311. The protrusion 312 can extend and retract relative to the first receiving groove 311 under the action of the second elastic member 313, so that after the protrusion 312 passes over the protrusion 32, the protrusion 312 can be locked with the protrusion 32, thereby keeping the first connecting part 1 and the second connecting part 2 in an unlocked state. At the same time, this embodiment can prevent user misoperation when the two storage boxes are not stacked without providing a third elastic member on the locking block 31 or the protrusion 32. That is, when the two storage boxes are not stacked, there is no unlocked function.

[0056] The working principle of this embodiment is as follows:

[0057] When it is necessary to lock the two storage boxes, the upper storage box is pressed down so that it contacts the locking buckle 122 on the lower storage box. The locking buckle 122 of the lower storage box is compressed, causing the locking part 12 to move in the unlocking direction (i.e., away from the center of the storage box). At this time, the first elastic member 13 is compressed and stores force. After the upper storage box moves down a certain distance, the locking buckle 122 on the locking part 12 corresponds to the slot 211 on the mating part 21. The locking buckle 122 loses the supporting effect of the upper storage box and automatically engages with the slot 211 under the drive of the first elastic member 13, thereby locking the first connecting part 1 and the second connecting part 2, thus realizing the automatic locking function of the upper and lower storage boxes. It should be noted that during this process, the locking block 31 never crosses the protrusion 32.

[0058] When it is necessary to unlock both storage compartments, pull the locking part 12 of the lower storage compartment outwards to move it in the unlocking direction. After the locking part 12 moves outwards a certain distance, the locking buckle 122 of the lower storage compartment disengages from the slot 211 of the upper storage compartment, thereby unlocking the locking part 12 and the mating part 21. At the same time, continue to pull the locking part 12 outwards until the locking block 31 passes over the protrusion 32 and is engaged on the side of the protrusion 32 away from the center of the storage compartment, thereby keeping the first connecting part 1 and the second connecting part 2 in an unlocked state, thus realizing the unlocked state function. At this time, simply pull up the upper storage compartment to easily unlock and separate the two storage compartments. At the same time, if the user wants to relock, simply slide the locking part 12 in the locking direction (i.e., closer to the center of the storage compartment) so that the locking block 31 passes over the protrusion 32 and automatically locks. After the upper and lower storage boxes are separated, the locking block 31 loses the holding of the protrusion 32 and slides with the locking part 12. The locking part 12 automatically resets to the locked state under the drive of the first elastic member 13, preparing for the next locking.

[0059] The connection structure of the storage box provided in this embodiment also has automatic locking function, hold unlocking function and automatic reset function. Other structures and functions of this embodiment are the same as or similar to those of the first embodiment, and will not be described in detail here.

[0060] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A connection structure for a module, characterized in that, It includes a first connecting portion located on one surface of the module, a second connecting portion located on the other surface of the module, and a stop portion; The first connecting part includes a mounting part, a locking part movable relative to the mounting part, and a first elastic member located between the mounting part and the locking part, wherein the first elastic member causes the locking part to automatically remain in a locked state; The second connecting part includes a mating part that can be locked to the locking part. Pressing down the locking part of one of the modules can automatically lock the mating part of the other module under the action of the first elastic element. The stop portion includes a locking block and a protruding ridge that can engage with the locking block. The locking block is disposed on the locking portion and can move with the locking portion. The protruding ridge is disposed on the mounting portion. When the locking block and the protruding ridge engage with each other, the locking portion cannot lock automatically, and the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are in an unlocked state.

2. The connection structure of the module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking part can drive the locking block over the protruding edge, and the protruding edge can extend or retract relative to the locking block.

3. The connection structure of the module according to claim 2, characterized in that, When the first connecting part and the second connecting part are in the unlocked state, the locking block and the protrusion are engaged on the side of the protrusion away from the center of the module; when the first connecting part and the second connecting part are in the locked state, the locking block is located on the other side of the protrusion closer to the center of the module.

4. The connection structure of the module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The stop portion includes a first receiving groove formed on the locking block / protrusion, a protrusion that can be accommodated in the first receiving groove, and a second elastic member located between the protrusion and the first receiving groove.

5. The connection structure of the module according to claim 4, characterized in that, The stop portion further includes a second receiving groove formed on the first connecting portion, a protrusion that can be accommodated in the second receiving groove, and a third elastic member located between the protrusion and the second receiving groove.

6. The connection structure of the module according to claim 5, characterized in that, When the third elastic element is compressed, the locking block can engage with the protrusion; when the third elastic element is extended, the locking block cannot engage with the protrusion.

7. The connection structure of the module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking part is a horizontally movable sliding latch or a flip-moving latch.

8. A storage box, characterized in that, The storage box is provided with a connection structure for the module as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first connection part is provided on the lid of the storage box, and the second connection part is provided on the bottom of the storage box body.

9. A storage box assembly, characterized in that, It includes multiple storage boxes as described in claim 8, and two adjacent storage boxes can be locked to each other by a first connector and a second connector.

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