Collapsible Container Hinged Joints Volume Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shipping containers occupy excessive space when empty, leading to increased storage and transportation costs, and previous attempts to create collapsible containers have failed to meet ISO standards for structural integrity and compatibility with existing handling systems.

Innovation Solution

A collapsible container design that maintains ISO standards by using hinged joints to fold into a sixth of its original volume, with a mechanical locking system allowing automated collapsing and uncollapsing without manual intervention, ensuring stability and compatibility with existing handling systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of stationary object

If containers are made collapsible to reduce storage space when empty, then storage and transportation costs decrease, but structural integrity and compatibility with existing handling systems deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into multiple modular panels connected by hinged joints, allowing the structure to be segmented for collapse while maintaining integrity when assembled. The panels can be folded against each other along predetermined hinge lines, enabling volume reduction without compromising the strength of individual structural elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The container incorporates movable hinged joints that allow the structure to transition between rigid (when loaded) and collapsed (when empty) states. The dynamic mechanism enables the container to adapt its form factor while maintaining structural integrity through controlled folding along hinge axes, resolving the contradiction between collapsibility and strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Volume of stationary object

If containers are made collapsible to reduce empty space occupation, then storage efficiency improves, but compatibility with existing ISO handling systems worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidcompatibility with handling systems

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The container design incorporates universal corner fittings and standardized connection points that maintain compatibility with existing ISO handling equipment. The hinged joint mechanism is designed to work with standard cranes, forklifts, and stacking equipment, allowing the container to perform multiple functions (standard transport and collapsed storage) without requiring specialized handling systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If manual intervention is used for collapsing containers, then structural control is maintained, but operation time and labor costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural controlVSAvoidcollapsing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The container incorporates self-locking hinged joints that automatically engage and disengage during the collapsing and uncollapsing process. The mechanical design allows the structure to guide its own folding sequence through predetermined hinge geometries and locking mechanisms, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining structural control throughout the transformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual operational control is replaced with an automated mechanical system consisting of interconnected hinged joints and locking mechanisms. The mechanical design inherently guides the collapsing sequence through its geometry, substituting human operation with a self-actuating mechanical system that maintains structural integrity while reducing operation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9718611B2Collapsible container for consolidated load transportation and associated method for collapsing

Publication Date: 2017.08.01 GREEN FOLDABLE CONTAINER SPA

AI summary

Collapsible container for use in marine and overland consolidated-load transportation, which can be collapsed and deployed using simple means external thereto, and stacked in the collapsed state. The container comprises, as basic elements: a floor; a ceiling; a rear panel; a front panel formed by an external structural pre-frame and a pair of doors secured to the pre-frame with hinges; side walls formed by an upper collapsible lateral panel, a lower collapsible lateral panel and a central element as a connected by means of hinges. The container has sliding bolt mechanisms for locking the front and rear panels to the ceiling, lateral anchoring devices for securing said panels to the side walls and hinged couplings at the remaining connections between the basic elements, which hinged couplings allow the container to be collapsed by folding down, first, the front and rear panels onto the floor and then by collapsing the side walls, in bellows fashion, towards the inside of the container, and allow the container to be deployed by carrying out these steps in reverse.