Collapsible Shipping Container Hinge Structure for Safe Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Collapsible shipping containers face challenges in meeting structural strength requirements in both unfolded and folded configurations while ensuring compatibility with folding and unfolding movements, as well as maintaining geometric integrity and safety standards.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible shipping container design featuring a push-pull hinge connection, stiffeners, extendable closing bars, and rotatable locking elements that allow for efficient folding and unfolding while maintaining structural integrity and compliance with safety standards, including ISO-1496 and CSC regulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If the container is designed to be collapsible for efficient empty transport, then the volume occupied by empty containers is reduced, but the structural strength and rigidity required by safety standards become difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The container structure is divided into modular components including collapsible side walls, hinged end panels, and discrete reinforcement elements. These segmented parts can be folded independently while maintaining overall structural integrity through standardized connection points and reinforcement distributions.
Solution Approach 2:
The container employs composite construction combining rigid reinforcement elements (corner posts, cross members, reinforcement bars) with flexible collapsible wall panels. This composite approach allows the structure to achieve required strength through the rigid components while the flexible panels enable collapse for compact storage.
2Strength
If the container structure is reinforced to meet safety standards in unfolded configuration, then structural strength is improved, but the geometric compatibility and ease of folding-unfolding movement deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement elements are strategically positioned at critical load-bearing points (corners, joints, panel edges) rather than uniformly distributed throughout the entire structure. This extraction of reinforcement to key locations maintains strength while minimizing interference with the folding mechanism's movement paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The container employs dynamic connection mechanisms including hinged joints, sliding connections, and articulated linkages that allow the structure to transition smoothly between folded and unfolded states. These dynamic connections accommodate the movement requirements while maintaining structural integrity during transformation.
3Strength
If the container is designed with traditional rigid structure to pass structural tests, then structural strength is ensured, but the ability to collapse to a fraction of original size is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The container structure is divided into modular components including collapsible side walls, hinged end panels, and discrete reinforcement elements. These segmented parts can be folded independently while maintaining overall structural integrity through standardized connection points and reinforcement distributions.
Solution Approach 2:
When collapsed, the container components are arranged in a nested configuration where walls and panels are stacked or interlocked within the frame structure, achieving compact storage volume while the reinforcement elements remain positioned to maintain structural strength.
4Strength
If the container uses complex reinforcement systems to meet safety standards in both folded and unfolded states, then structural strength is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement elements are designed with multi-functionality, serving both structural strengthening purposes and acting as structural members in the collapsed configuration. Corner posts, cross members, and reinforcement bars are positioned and dimensioned to provide strength in both unfolded and folded states, eliminating the need for separate reinforcement systems for each configuration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design ensures the container can be folded to a fraction of its unfolded size, withstands vertical and horizontal stresses, and allows safe stacking, simplifying the folding and unfolding processes while adhering to safety regulations.
Implementation Method 1
an end portion of a side wall is mechanically coupled to the corresponding vertical side edge of a hinged end panel through a hinged push-pull connection
Implementation Method 2
The mechanical connection between the corresponding end portion of a side wall and the corresponding vertical side edge of a hinged end panel is made through the hinged push-pull connection, which forms two pivotal connections
Data Source
AI summary
A laterally collapsible container (111) comprising a pair of side walls (114, 115), at least one pair of hinged end panels (116), a top wall (113) and a bottom wall (112), wherein one end of a vertical side wall (114, 115) is mechanically coupled to the corresponding vertical side edge of a hinged end panel (116) through a hinged push-pull connection (211) comprising at least a first piece (123) and at least a second piece (212) that are joined together through an intermediate piece (213), to allow the hinged end panels (116) to be attached to the corresponding outer side surface of a vertical side wall (114, 115), where the hinged end panel (116) can describe a rotational movement between 0°, which corresponds to the hinged end panel (116) in the closed position, and 270°, which corresponds to the hinged end panel (116) in the fully open position.