Collapsible Container With Pivotally Coupled Rigid Segments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional collapsible coolers lack structural rigidity, making them unsuitable for protecting contents during transport, while rigid coolers are cumbersome when not in use due to their constant volume.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible storage container design featuring pivotally coupled rigid segments that allow the sides to fold, forming acute angles or becoming parallel, reducing volume when not in use while maintaining structural integrity for protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the cooler is made collapsible to reduce storage volume, then the volume when not in use is reduced, but the structural rigidity and protection capability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The side walls are divided into multiple rigid segments (first segment, second segment, third segment) that can pivot relative to each other. This segmentation allows the container to collapse into a compact configuration for storage while maintaining rigid segments that provide structural strength and protection when in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The side walls are designed with pivot joints that enable dynamic transformation between an extended configuration (providing structural rigidity and protection) and a collapsed configuration (reducing storage volume). The pivots allow the rigid segments to move relative to each other, achieving both strength and compactness at different times.
2Volume of moving object
If the cooler uses flexible side walls to enable collapsing, then the volume when not in use is reduced, but the protection capability against impacts is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The side walls are segmented into multiple rigid portions rather than using a single flexible wall. Each rigid segment provides impact protection capability, and the segmentation allows these rigid segments to be arranged in a collapsed configuration for compact storage when protection is not needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The container changes its structural parameters (configuration, volume, orientation of side walls) between use and storage states. During use, the side walls are in an extended configuration providing rigidity and impact protection; during storage, they are collapsed into a compact form, temporarily sacrificing protection for volume reduction.
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 container effectively collapses to a smaller volume for storage while providing adequate protection against impacts during use, combining the benefits of collapsibility and rigidity.
Implementation Method 1
The second segment is coupled to the first segment by a pivot, permitting the side wall to fold
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible container includes a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls. At least two of the side walls include a rigid first segment and a rigid second segment coupled to the first segment by a pivot to permit the side wall to fold so that the first segment and second segment form an acute angle or are parallel when the container is collapsed. The collapsible container can be configured in a storage configuration for containing objects or a collapsed configuration occupying less volume than the storage configuration for stowing the container.