Collapsible Hinged Container Structure for Compact Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional containers occupy significant space and lack efficient storage solutions, especially in scenarios like household laundry transport where space is premium and stacking is not feasible.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable container design featuring hingedly coupled wall portions and a base that can pivot and collapse into a flattened configuration for storage, utilizing hinges, locking mechanisms, and a ledge system to transition between a receptacle configuration and a compact storage configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the container is designed to maintain its receptacle shape for functionality, then the container can effectively receive and store items, but the container occupies significant space when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The container employs hinged wall portions that allow the structure to dynamically change between an expanded receptacle configuration for holding items and a collapsed flat configuration for compact storage, resolving the contradiction between maintaining functionality and reducing space occupation
Solution Approach 2:
The container wall is divided into multiple hinged portions that can independently fold and collapse, enabling the container to maintain its structural integrity and receptacle function when needed while collapsing into a compact flat shape for storage when not in use
2Strength
If the container uses rigid walls to maintain structural integrity, then the container can support items effectively, but the container cannot be collapsed for compact storage
Solution Approach 1:
The container uses hinged connections instead of rigid fixed joints, allowing the wall portions to maintain structural strength when assembled into the receptacle shape while enabling the container to be collapsed into a flat configuration for compact storage when not in use
Solution Approach 2:
The container wall is segmented into multiple hinged portions that can fold relative to each other, maintaining structural integrity during use while enabling collapse into a compact flat shape for storage
3Volume of moving object
If the container is designed to be collapsible for compact storage, then the container can be easily stored when not needed, but the container may lose structural stability during use
Solution Approach 1:
The hinged wall portions are designed to be stable and maintain their relative positions when the container is in the expanded receptacle configuration, providing structural stability during use while allowing controlled collapse into a flat configuration for compact storage when not in use
Solution Approach 2:
The hinged segmentation allows the container to maintain a stable rigid structure when assembled for use, while enabling controlled collapse into a compact flat shape for storage by folding the segmented wall portions
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
Enables a versatile and space-efficient storage solution by allowing the container to be easily collapsed and stored when not in use, maintaining its functionality while minimizing occupied space.
Implementation Method 1
The wall comprises at least two hingedly coupled wall portions, the base being hingedly coupled to a lower region of at least one wall portion
Data Source
AI summary
A reconfigurable container is disclosed, the container being reconfigurable between a first configuration in which the container defines a receptacle for receiving an item, and a second configuration in which the container comprises a collapsed configuration for storage. The container comprises: a base and a wall which is arranged to extend around the base, the wall comprising at least two hingedly coupled wall portions, the base being hingedly coupled to a lower region of at least one wall portion, the wall further comprising a ledge disposed along a lower region thereof which is arranged to extend inwardly of the container, for supporting the base when the container is configured in the first configuration.