Collapsible Container Hinge Reinforcement via Rib Convexities
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Solution Overview
Problem
When a load is applied to a collapsible container in a collapsed state, there is a risk that the hinge connecting the upper and lower lateral plates may be deformed or broken due to pressure contact.
Innovation Solution
The collapsible container features a design with reinforcement ribs on the upper and lower lateral plates, which are connected by a hinge. These ribs extend from the hinge to the ends of the plates and include convexities that contact each other when the plates are bent, distributing the load and reducing pressure on the hinge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the collapsible container is collapsed and stacked with other containers, then storage efficiency is improved, but the hinge connecting the upper and lower lateral plates is subjected to excessive load causing deformation or breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adding reinforcement ribs specifically at critical locations where loads are concentrated during collapsed storage. These ribs are positioned to locally strengthen the lateral plates without requiring reinforcement throughout the entire structure, thus improving hinge load bearing capacity while maintaining storage efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral plates are segmented into multiple sections with reinforcement ribs dividing the structure into stronger sub-units. This segmentation allows the load to be distributed across multiple reinforcement points rather than concentrating stress at the hinge alone, enabling the container to withstand stacking loads while maintaining collapsibility.
2Strength
If reinforcement ribs are added to the lateral plates, then the load on the hinge is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement ribs are merged with the lateral plates as integral structures rather than separate components. This combining approach strengthens the hinge connection area without adding discrete parts that would increase assembly complexity or device complexity, as the ribs are formed as part of the plate structure itself.
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible container includes a lower frame, an upper frame, a pair of flip-up lateral plates, a pair of divided lateral plates, and a pair of lid plates. Each of the pair of divided lateral plates includes an upper lateral plate, a lower lateral plate, and a hinge. On outer lateral surfaces of the upper lateral plate and the lower lateral plate, a plurality of upper reinforcement ribs and a plurality of lower reinforcement ribs are formed, respectively, astride the hinge. Convexities are formed on one of the upper reinforcement ribs and the lower reinforcement ribs. When the divided lateral plates are in a bent state, the upper reinforcement ribs are opposed to upper parts of the lower reinforcement ribs, and the convexities contact the other of the upper reinforcement ribs and the lower reinforcement ribs.