Mobile Cooling Box Hinge Module for Simplified Assembly Without Screws
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile cooling boxes with plastic or metal hinges require multiple parts and screws for assembly, increasing complexity, weight, and cost, and often need precise alignment for proper function, making assembly time-consuming and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A mobile cooling box with a robust hinge construction featuring a pin module with a hinge pin and bearing module, allowing easy assembly without additional components, ensuring co-linearity and stability through a backing plate and engaging portion, and enabling smooth, reliable lid operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional plastic or metal hinges with multiple parts and screws are used, then the lid can be pivotally attached to the box main body, but the assembly process becomes complex, time-consuming, and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate hinge components (pin, bearing, mounting elements) into a single integrated hinge module. This merging of parts eliminates the need for multiple screws and separate components, directly reducing assembly complexity while maintaining the pivotal attachment function between the lid and box main body.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge system is segmented into modular units (hinge modules) that can be independently manufactured and assembled. Each hinge module is a self-contained unit that attaches to the box main body, allowing for simplified assembly through modular integration rather than assembling multiple discrete parts.
2Weight of moving object
If traditional hinges 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 merging the pin, bearing, and mounting elements into a single integrated hinge module, the total weight of multiple separate metal parts and screws is reduced. The integrated design maintains sufficient attachment strength through optimized internal structure while minimizing overall mass.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge module utilizes composite construction techniques, combining different materials and structural elements within the integrated unit to achieve optimal strength-to-weight ratio. This allows the lid attachment to remain secure while minimizing the weight penalty of the hinge system.
3Ease of operation
If traditional hinges require precise alignment during assembly, then proper function can be achieved, but the assembly process becomes more difficult and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge module is pre-assembled and pre-aligned as an integrated unit during manufacturing. This preliminary action of combining and aligning all hinge components before final installation eliminates the need for precise field alignment during box assembly, making the process simpler and less expensive.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging all hinge components into a single pre-aligned module, the alignment precision requirement is transferred to the manufacturing stage rather than the assembly stage. This allows for controlled factory alignment while simplifying end-user or assembly line installation to a straightforward attachment process.
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 of 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.