Collapsible Container Linkage for Watertight Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Collapsible transport containers face challenges in achieving a watertight seal and efficient assembly/disassembly due to large recesses required for pivoting motion, which compromise structural integrity and require heavy lifting equipment, and existing solutions like sliding mechanisms are complex and prone to misalignment.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible transport container design featuring a linkage system with first and second rigid links connected by a hinge, allowing the roof to pivot over the side walls without large recesses, ensuring a watertight seal and simplified assembly/disassembly by eliminating the need for excessive pivoting and complex alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If large recesses are provided in the wall or roof to allow connection members to pass through 270° during collapsing, then the connection members can achieve the required range of motion, but the ability to seal the joint between walls and roof is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connection member is divided into two separate rigid links (first and second links) connected by a hinge. This segmentation allows each link to handle a portion of the required motion, achieving the necessary 270° range of motion while eliminating the need for large recesses that would compromise sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
A hinge is introduced as an intermediary element between the two rigid links. This hinge acts as a mediator that enables the connection member to achieve the required angular displacement through a two-stage pivoting mechanism, allowing the first link to pivot relative to the wall and the second link to pivot relative to the first link, thereby achieving the full range of motion without large recesses.
2Reliability
If heavy lifting equipment such as forklifts is employed to assemble and disassemble the container, then the heavy walls can be safely handled, but the operation becomes complicated and requires heavy equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism is designed to be dynamic rather than static, allowing the container to be assembled and disassembled through controlled pivoting motions of the two links. This dynamic mechanism enables manual operation without heavy equipment, as the links can be easily pivoted to fold the walls onto the base and raise/lower the roof.
Solution Approach 2:
The container structure is designed to facilitate self-service assembly and disassembly. The two-link connection mechanism allows operators to manually manipulate the links to achieve folding and unfolding actions without requiring external heavy lifting equipment, making the container easy to handle and store.
3Reliability
If sliding mechanisms are used to connect the roof to side walls, then large recesses are not needed, but the mechanism becomes complex and is prone to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a sliding mechanism, the invention employs a dynamic two-link pivoting system. Each link rotates about a hinge point, creating a simple yet effective mechanism that achieves the required motion without the complexity of sliding components, slots, or channels that are prone to misalignment.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than using a sliding connection that requires precise alignment of slots and sliders, the invention inverts the approach by using pinned hinge connections that naturally accommodate motion through rotation. This inversion from sliding to pivoting simplifies the mechanism and eliminates alignment issues.
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 enhances the container's structural integrity and watertightness while simplifying the assembly and disassembly process, reducing the risk of misalignment and operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The walls 106, 108 are hinged to the base 104 at hinges 112, 114 such that they may rotate about the hinges and fold onto the base 104
Implementation Method 2
The first rigid link is connected via a first hinge to a respective side wall
Implementation Method 3
The second rigid link is connected via a second hinge to the roof
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible transport container 302 comprising: a base 304; a roof 310; a side wall 306 rotatable relative to the base 304; and a linkage 311 operably connecting the wall 306 to the roof 310, the connecting linkage 311 comprising a first rigid link 316 rotatably connected at one end to the wall 306 and a second rigid link 318 rotatably connected to the other end of the first rigid link 316 and rotatably connected to the roof 310.