Collapsible Container Lid Plate Mechanism for Space-Constrained Unpacking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Collapsible containers require increased space for opening and closing lid plates, which is a challenge for automatic unpacking systems that need to minimize space usage.
Innovation Solution
The collapsible container design includes a pair of lid plates with connection arms and engagement protrusions that are pivotably supported to the upper frame, allowing the lid plates to be stably retained at a prescribed opening angle, reducing the space required for packing and unpacking operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If lid plates are opened to a horizontal position to allow packing or taking out articles, then accessibility for packing operations is improved, but the space required for unpacking operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lid plate is designed to be dynamically adjustable between a closed position and an opened position at a prescribed angle (e.g., 90 degrees or more). The connection arm with engagement protrusions and grooves enables the lid plate to be held stably at the opened position, providing accessibility for packing operations while minimizing the space required for unpacking operations compared to a fully horizontal opening
2Area of stationary object
If lid plates are opened to hang down along outer sides of lateral plates, then closing operation space is reduced, but accessibility for packing operations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connection arm mechanism enables the lid plate to be held stably at a prescribed opened angle (90 degrees or more), providing sufficient accessibility for packing operations. When closing is required, the lid plate can be easily moved to the closed position, minimizing the space required for closing operations compared to fixed hinge designs
3Device complexity
If a simple hinge connection is used for lid plates, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to retain lid plates at a prescribed opening angle deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A connection arm is introduced as an intermediary component between the lid plate and the container body. The connection arm includes engagement protrusions that fit into engagement grooves, enabling the lid plate to be held stably at a prescribed opening angle while maintaining relative simplicity in the overall connection mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible container includes a lower frame, an upper frame, lateral plates, and a pair of lid plates. The upper frame includes a pair of opposed first lateral surfaces and a pair of second lateral surfaces. The pair of lid plates includes one or more connection arms that are pivotably supported to connection shafts supported to one or more lid plate support portions formed on the second lateral surfaces. The connection arms include bearings receiving the connection shafts slidably inserted thereinto and include a pair of engagement protrusions that is formed on an outer circumferential surface of at least one of the bearings and is composed of a first engagement protrusion and a second engagement protrusion different in circumferential position from each other. The lid plate support portions each include an angle restrictor to be engaged with the first engagement protrusion and the second engagement protrusion.