Cake Fixing Frame with Segmented Support Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cakes experience abnormal movement and potential damage during transportation due to vibrations or impacts, despite the use of fixing members on pedestals, as they can still shift horizontally.
Innovation Solution
A fixing frame is designed to securely hold cakes in place by matching the shape of the cake's side surface and the box's inner surface, featuring connecting portions, holding grooves, and optional airbag or ice pack compartments to stabilize the cake and prevent movement, while also accommodating decorations and reducing weight for easier storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixing member is provided at the central portion of the pedestal to prevent cake movement, then the cake stability is improved, but the cake can still move horizontally when considerable vibration or impact is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing frame is divided into multiple functional segments: an inner side portion that contacts the cake, an outer side portion that contacts the box, and connecting portions that join them. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function - the inner portion prevents cake movement while the outer portion provides structural support, collectively solving the limitation of a single central fixing member
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-point fixation (central fixing member) to a surface-based fixation system. The fixing frame provides support across the entire side surface of the cake through the inner side portion, adding dimensional coverage from a point contact to a surface contact, thereby preventing horizontal movement more effectively
2Reliability
If the fixing frame is designed to match the shape of the cake side surface and box inner surface, then the cake fixation reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing frame serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support through the outer side portion, prevents cake movement through the inner side portion, enables easy installation via holding grooves, and allows decorative element placement through receiving grooves. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing complexity while maintaining high fixation reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The holding grooves act as intermediaries that facilitate the insertion and positioning of the fixing frame between the cake and the box. These grooves provide a mechanical guide that simplifies the assembly process, reducing the operational complexity despite the frame's multi-functional structure
3Ease of operation
If holding grooves are added to the fixing frame for easy insertion and extraction, then the ease of operation is improved, but the structural integrity may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The holding grooves are strategically positioned on the outer side portion of the fixing frame, away from the critical inner side portion that contacts the cake. This local placement allows the grooves to facilitate easy insertion and extraction without compromising the structural integrity of the cake-contacting surfaces, maintaining both operational ease and structural strength
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing frame includes an inner side portion having a shape corresponding to that of a side surface of a cake supported on a pedestal to be configured to support the side surface of the cake, an outer side portion having a shape corresponding to that of an inner side surface of a box for receiving the cake supported by the pedestal to be configured to support an inner side surface of the box and a connecting portion configured to connect an upper end of the inner side portion and an upper end of the outer side portion with each other. Thus, the fixing frame is to be provided between the side surface of the cake and the inner side surface of the box to support the side surface of the cake to prevent the cake from moving in the box.