Collapsible Container Corner Posts for Logistics Volume Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collapsible containers lack strength and durability, are complex in structure, and pose challenges during transportation and disassembly, particularly in military logistics where they need to withstand significant loads and accelerations, and efficient return transportation of empty containers is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible container design featuring corner posts that can change length to secure the ceiling and floor portions in both expanded and collapsed configurations, made of durable materials with aeronautical-grade clamps and low-friction connections, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly, and incorporating removable doors, composite wall panels, and retractable wheels for efficient stacking and transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If folding parts are included to reduce volume, then the container can be collapsed, but the structure becomes complex and strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into separate modular components: ceiling portion, floor portion, wall portions, and corner posts. These segments can be independently assembled and disassembled without complex folding mechanisms, achieving volume reduction while maintaining structural integrity through simple geometric forms.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of folding the container walls inward to collapse, the invention inverts the approach by using removable corner posts to connect the ceiling and floor portions. When corner posts are removed, the container naturally collapses under its own weight, eliminating the need for complex folding joints while achieving compact storage.
2Volume of moving object
If folding parts with hinges and joints are used, then the container can be collapsed, but reliability decreases due to material fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The container uses separate modular components connected by simple geometric interfaces rather than hinged joints. This segmentation eliminates stress concentration points and material fatigue issues associated with repeated folding and unfolding of hinge connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the problematic folding joints and hinges from the design. Instead, it uses removable corner posts as connection elements, which can be easily detached without causing material fatigue, thereby extracting the unreliable elements from the system.
3Volume of moving object
If the container is made disassemblable for return transport, then empty container volume is reduced, but ease of operation decreases due to assembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The container is segmented into modular components with simple geometric connection interfaces. The corner posts feature external threading that allows manual assembly by tightening nuts, making the disassembly and reassembly process straightforward and requiring minimal tools or technical expertise.
Solution Approach 2:
The corner posts incorporate adjustable length parameters through external threading, allowing the same basic component to serve multiple functions. This parameter adjustability simplifies the assembly process while enabling the container to be configured for different transport scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible container having an expanded storage configuration and a collapsed storage configuration is provided, the collapsible container comprising a floor portion; a ceiling portion opposed to the floor portion; at least one wall portion disposed between the floor portion and the ceiling portion; at least one door portion disposed between the floor portion and the ceiling portion; and at least two posts having a collapsed length configuration and an expanded length configuration, the at least two posts, in the collapsed length configuration, being adapted to interconnect the ceiling portion to the floor portion when the container is in the collapsed configuration and, in the expanded length configuration, being adapted to interconnect the ceiling portion to the floor portion when the container is in the expanded configuration. A collapsible container kit and a method of using the collapsible container is also provided.