Container Blockable Articulation Device for Pivoting and Sliding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container designs with pivoting portions, such as foldable side walls or doors, require complex and fragile structures that are costly to manufacture and assemble, and are prone to damage during handling and locking processes.
Innovation Solution
A container with two portions connected by an articulation device featuring a sliding joint and a blocking element that can be moved from a blocking to an unblocking position using a spring force, allowing independent pivoting and sliding movements, and enabling secure and simple locking without the need for complex mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If complex hands-free closing devices with ramp structures and sliding members are used, then the side door can be closed automatically, but the number of parts increases and the structure becomes fragile and expensive to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of automatic door closing from the complex ramp-and-sliding-member mechanism. By removing the ramp structure and separate sliding member, the invention retains only the critical blocking element that prevents unintended door movement while allowing controlled closing, thereby reducing part count and structural complexity while maintaining the hands-free closing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking element is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. This contrasts with the expensive, fragile ramp structures in prior art. The blocking element serves its purpose effectively and can be disposed of or replaced without significant cost, making the overall system more economical.
2Ease of operation
If complex hands-free closing devices with multiple parts are used, then automatic door closing is achieved, but manufacturing and assembly costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the expensive ramp structures and separate sliding members from the design, retaining only the essential blocking element. This extraction of unnecessary components directly reduces manufacturing and assembly costs while preserving the core functionality of automatic door closing through the blocking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking element is designed as a simple, low-cost component that can be manufactured using basic processes and assembled easily. Its simplicity makes it significantly cheaper to manufacture and assemble compared to the complex ramp structures in prior art, directly addressing the cost issue while maintaining functional effectiveness.
3Ease of operation
If fragile structures with multiple parts are used, then hands-free closing function is achieved, but the risk of damage during handling and locking increases
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the fragile ramp structures and separate sliding members, the patent eliminates the components most susceptible to damage during handling and locking. The remaining blocking element is a robust, simple structure that can withstand the mechanical stresses of door operation without being easily damaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking element is designed as a durable, simple component that can withstand repeated handling and locking operations. Its straightforward construction makes it far more resistant to damage compared to the fragile, multi-part structures in prior art, significantly improving reliability during door operation.
4Ease of repair
If blocking elements are made simple and separate, then ease of replacement is improved, but the locking mechanism may become less secure
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking element is designed as a separate, modular component that can be easily removed and replaced. This segmentation allows for simple maintenance and repair while maintaining locking security through the element's geometric design and engagement features that ensure proper positioning and secure locking when installed correctly.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking element is designed to be self-contained and self-positioning, requiring no complex installation tools or procedures. Its simple geometry allows it to automatically locate and secure itself in the correct position, ensuring reliable locking while maintaining ease of replacement. The element serves itself by providing both the replaceability and the security functions through its inherent design.
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 solution provides a secure, simple, and cost-effective way to pivot and lock container portions, reducing the risk of damage and complexity in handling, with the blocking element being easily exchangeable and adaptable for retrofitting existing containers.
Implementation Method 1
a blocking element (11), which is movable from a blocking position, blocking the sliding joint, against a spring force to an unblocking position, unblocking the sliding joint
Data Source
AI summary
A container includes a first container portion, a second container portion, and an articulation device connecting the first container portion to the second container portion to be pivotable around a first hinge axis. The articulation device includes a sliding joint, which allows a sliding of the first container portion relative to the second container portion transverse to the first hinge axis. A blocking element is movable from a blocking position, which blocks the sliding joint against a spring force, to an unblocking position, which unblocks the sliding joint by an actuation of the sliding joint.