Collapsible Container Guide Rail Mechanism for Roller Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collapsible containers face stability issues when the posts are longer than half the length of the base, as rollers would interfere with each other, necessitating an increased base height, making the container bulky in the folded position.
Innovation Solution
The design features a pair of guide rails articulated together, allowing rollers to slide without interference, enabling posts to exceed half the base length while maintaining stability and compactness in the folded state, with locking mechanisms to secure the upright position and centering elements for efficient stacking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the posts are made longer than half the length of the base, then the container height is increased, but the rollers would interfere with each other requiring increased base height
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second pair of guide rails arranged in a different spatial dimension (perpendicular plane) to the first pair. This allows rollers on the same post to slide in different dimensional spaces, eliminating interference between rollers while enabling longer post lengths without increasing base height.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rail system is segmented into two distinct pairs, with each pair serving a specific post. The first pair of guide rails serves the first post, while the second pair serves the second post, allowing independent movement paths that prevent roller interference.
2Length of moving object
If the base height is increased to accommodate longer posts, then the container height is sufficient, but the folded container becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
By arranging guide rails in different dimensional planes, the patent enables longer posts to fold within the same base height envelope. The posts can pivot through larger angles without requiring increased base height, maintaining compact folded dimensions while achieving sufficient unfolded container height.
3Volume of stationary object
If the posts are articulated to allow folding, then the container is compact when folded, but the stability of the unfolded container is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces guide rails as intermediary elements between the posts and the base. These guide rails constrain the movement of rollers during the folding and unfolding process, ensuring controlled motion that maintains structural stability when unfolded while enabling compact folding.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulation mechanism allows the container to dynamically transition between folded and unfolded states. The guide rails provide dynamic guidance during movement, ensuring stability is maintained during operation (unfolded state) while enabling compactness during storage (folded state).
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a collapsible container comprising a base, two pairs of two posts (31 a, 31 b; 32a, 32b) and an upper frame (41 a, 41 b, 42a, 42b, 43a, 43b, 44), the posts being articulated on the base so as to be able to pivot about an axis of rotation parallel to one of the lateral edges (22b) of the base between an upright position in which they are perpendicular to the base and a folded position in which they are folded down towards the base, the upper frame being provided with a first pair of guide rails (41 a, 41 b) arranged orthogonally to the axis of rotation of the posts and each post (31 a, 31 b, 32a, 32b) being provided with a roller that can slide in one of the guide rails.According to the invention, the upper frame further comprises a second pair of guide rails (43a, 43b) parallel to each other and orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the posts, each guide rail (43a, 43b) of the second pair being articulated on one of the guide rails (41a, 41b) of the first pair so as to be able to pivot relative to it and to form two pairs of guide rails (41a, 43a; 41b, 43b). The rollers (37) of the first pair of posts (31a, 31b) slide in the guide rails (43a, 43b) of the second pair of guide rails, and the rollers (38) of the second pair of posts (32a, 32b) slide in the guide rails (41a, 41b) of the first pair of guide rails.