Container Discharge Door With Automatic Open-Close Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container covering doors are prone to operational errors due to reliance on magnetic attraction, leading to potential damage and reduced service life, necessitating improved automatic opening and closing mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A container design featuring an accommodating cavity for the covering door, with an arc surface and a connecting device comprising a transmission member, elastic member, and fixing member, allowing the door to automatically open or close through the compression and spring-back action of the elastic member.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the covering door uses magnetic attraction to maintain opening state, then the door can be kept open, but operational errors occur and the door may protrude from the box

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecovering door operation reliabilityVSAvoidcovering door operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The covering door system uses spring-loaded buffers that automatically engage with guide grooves to maintain the door in open or closed positions without requiring manual confirmation or magnetic attraction. The elastic buffer self-regulates the door position through mechanical engagement, eliminating operational errors and the need for operator attention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the magnetic attraction system with a purely mechanical buffer-and-groove engagement system. The elastic buffer mechanically engages with the guide groove to provide positional stability, eliminating the reliability issues associated with magnetic attraction while maintaining ease of operation through simple mechanical engagement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If the covering door is made thin for flexibility, then the door can be turned over easily, but the strength of the covering door is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecovering door flexibilityVSAvoidcovering door strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an arc-shaped guide groove that guides the covering door through a curved path during opening and closing operations. This curved guidance distributes mechanical stresses more evenly across the thin door structure, preventing stress concentration while maintaining flexibility and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic buffer acts as an intermediary between the covering door and the box structure. It absorbs and distributes mechanical forces during door operation, protecting the thin door from excessive stress while enabling smooth turning and positioning operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the covering door protrudes from the box when not properly closed, then the door remains accessible, but it occupies space and is prone to damage during stacking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecovering door accessibilityVSAvoidcovering door damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs spring-loaded buffers that proactively maintain the covering door in a retracted position within the box during stacking operations. The elastic force of the buffers continuously counteracts external forces that might cause the door to protrude, preventing damage before it occurs while keeping the door accessible when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic buffer provides beforehand cushioning by absorbing impact forces before they can damage the covering door. The spring mechanism is pre-loaded to provide protective force during stacking, eliminating the need for manual confirmation of door position and preventing damage in advance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

Ensures reliable and error-free operation of the covering door, preventing damage and extending its service life by maintaining the door in the open or closed position without manual confirmation.

Implementation Method 1

the elastic member is compressed. When the covering door is completely opened or closed, the elastic member springs back and the transmission member moves inwardly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4101781B1container
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 SHANGHAI HONGYAN RETURNABLE TRANSIT PACKAGINGS CO LTD
  • EP4101781B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4101781B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4101781B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention discloses a container, comprising a base (1) and a side panel (2, 3), the base (1) or the side panel (2, 3) is provided with a discharging port (11), the discharging port (11) is provided with a covering door (5), and the covering door (5) is connected to the base or the side panel through a connecting device (6), wherein the connection device includes a transmission member (61) and an elastic member (62). During the opening or closing process of the covering door (5), the transmission member (61) can be driven to move outwardly, so that the elastic member (62) is compressed. When the covering door (5) is completely opened or closed, the elastic member (62) springs back and drives the transmission member (61) to move inwardly, the covering door (5) automatically keeps open or closed. The overall structure of the invention is novel and reliable, and the operation is simple, and it is not necessary to confirm whether the covering door is attracted in place during the opening or closing process of the covering door, which can effectively avoid human operation errors.