Container Wall Clip Assembly for Reversible Stable Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers made of plastic, wood, or cardboard face issues such as time-consuming assembly and disassembly, unreliability under weight, and environmental concerns due to irreversible connections or instability.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring wooden side walls and corrugated cardboard walls connected using a tab-and-slot mechanism with a fork clip that prevents slippage, allowing for quick, stable, and reversible assembly, while being environmentally friendly and economical.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cardboard containers are made from a single flat blank folded into volume configuration with teeth and slots for securing, then the container can be assembled and disassembled, but the assembly and disassembly operations are time-consuming and the connection is unreliable under weight
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into multiple functional elements: tabs with slots on cardboard panels, wooden connecting pieces with corresponding protrusions, and metal fastening elements. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function (insertion, positioning, securing) thereby achieving reliable connection while maintaining ease of assembly and disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The tabs and slots are pre-formed on the cardboard panels during manufacturing, and the wooden connecting pieces are pre-cut with appropriate dimensions and features. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for on-site cutting or complex assembly procedures, making the connection process quick and reliable.
2Reliability
If wooden containers use screws or glues for connecting panels, then the connection provides strength and stability, but the assembly is irreversible and not environmentally friendly for disposal
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system separates the fastening function from the structural components by using removable metal fastening elements that work with wooden connecting pieces. This allows the panels to remain intact while enabling reversible assembly and disassembly, maintaining both strength and environmental friendliness.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal fastening elements are designed to be reusable and can be recovered and reused for future assemblies. The wooden connecting pieces and cardboard panels can be separated and disposed of or reused without damage, making the entire system environmentally friendly while maintaining strong connections during use.
3Ease of operation
If containers use interlocking connection means such as dovetails for reversible assembly, then the box can be assembled and disassembled, but the connection is not stable and can easily disengage under thrust
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system divides the stabilizing function from the interlocking mechanism by introducing metal fastening elements that work with wooden connecting pieces featuring slots and protrusions. This segmentation provides both reversibility and stability under thrust, as the metal fasteners prevent disengagement while allowing controlled assembly and disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal fastening elements act as intermediaries between the wooden connecting pieces and the cardboard panels, providing the necessary friction and mechanical resistance to prevent disengagement under thrust while allowing the connection to be easily assembled and disassembled when needed.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~5
Figure 6~7A
AI summary
Container (100) comprising a plurality of walls (1, 2) that define a compartment; the plurality of walls (1, 2) comprises at least two adjacent walls, namely a first wall (1) and a second wall (2); the container (100) comprises connection means disposed between the two walls (1, 2); said connection means comprise a slot (20) obtained on the second wall (2), a tab (10) obtained on the first wall (1) and inserted in said slot (20); said tab (10) comprises a first portion (10a) disposed in the slot (20) and a second ending portion (10b) that protrudes from the slot (20) and is provided with a tooth (10c); said connection means also comprise a forked-shaped clip (3) fastened to the second ending portion (10b) of the tab (10) in intermediate position between the tooth (10c) and the second wall (2). +