Cooling Box Hinge Module for Fast, Lightweight Lid Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile cooling boxes with pivotally openable lids face challenges in assembly due to complex hinge arrangements requiring additional parts and increased weight, making them costly and time-consuming to assemble, while also increasing the overall weight of the device.
Innovation Solution
A cost-efficient and robust hinge construction for the lid of a mobile cooling box, featuring a pin module with a hinge pin and a bearing module, where the pin module is easily mountable without additional components like screws, and a backing plate provides stability and rotational symmetry, ensuring the hinge pin withstands forces during lid movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional plastic hinges with pins and additional fixation parts are used, then the lid can be pivotally attached to the box main body, but the assembling effort increases and the assembly process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge pin and the lid are merged into a single integrated component. The hinge pin is formed as an integral part of the lid, eliminating the need for separate fixation parts like screws. This merging reduces the number of components and simplifies the assembly process while maintaining reliable pivotal attachment between the lid and box main body.
2Reliability
If traditional hinge arrangements with multiple parts are used, then the lid can be securely attached, but the overall weight of the mobile cooling box increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the hinge pin into the lid as a single component, the number of separate parts is reduced. This eliminates the need for additional metal pins, screws, and fixation elements, thereby reducing the overall weight of the mobile cooling box while maintaining secure and reliable hinge connection.
3Reliability
If traditional hinge arrangements with multiple components are used, then the lid can be pivotally attached, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge pin is integrated into the lid as a single component, reducing the hinge construction from multiple separate parts to one unified element. This simplification reduces device complexity while ensuring reliable pivotal attachment through the integrated pin structure that engages with the box main body.
4Reliability
If traditional hinge arrangements requiring multiple parts are used, then the lid can be securely mounted, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated hinge pin design reduces the number of components that need to be manufactured, stored, and assembled. This consolidation lowers production costs by reducing material usage, simplifying manufacturing processes, and eliminating the need for additional fixation parts, while maintaining secure lid mounting.
5Reliability
If traditional hinge arrangements with additional fixation parts are used, then the lid can be firmly attached, but the assembling time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated hinge pin eliminates the need for separate fixation parts and multiple assembly steps. The lid can be attached to the box main body in a single operation by engaging the integrated pin with the receiving structure, significantly reducing assembly time while ensuring firm attachment.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile cooling box having a box main body and at least one lid for opening the box and providing access to the inside of the box. The at least one lid is pivotally attached to the box main body by at least two hinge modules. Each hinge module comprises a pin module having a hinge pin with a front end, a rear end, a longitudinal axis about which the lid is pivotable and predominantly a smooth outer surface of a cylindrical shape. Each hinge module further comprises a bearing module having a hinge bearing accommodating the hinge pin. The hinge pin laterally extends with its front end into the hinge bearing. Thus, during pivoting the lid with respect to the box main body an axis of the hinge bearing remains co-linear with the longitudinal axis of the hinge pin.