Variable-Capacity Storage Container With Elastic Sidewall
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional storage containers have issues such as low capacity occupancy rate, complex structure, low volume variation rate, and poor operation during volume variation due to their rigid nature and complex deformation mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A variable-capacity storage container with an elastic sidewall that deforms when subjected to pressure, allowing the opening part to move towards the bottom wall, thereby changing the container's volume without the need for additional deformation structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid material is used for the container body, then the container has high structural strength, but the container cannot be deformed and requires larger storage space
Solution Approach 1:
The container body material parameters are changed from rigid to elastic, allowing the container to deform under external force. The elastic material maintains sufficient structural strength while enabling volume changes, resolving the contradiction between strength and deformability.
Solution Approach 2:
The container transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic elastic structure that can change volume in response to external forces. This allows the container to adapt its capacity based on storage needs while maintaining structural integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional deformation structures are added to enable volume variation, then the container can change capacity, but the structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The complex deformation mechanisms and additional structures from prior art are removed. The invention achieves volume variation through the inherent elasticity of the container body material itself, eliminating the need for separate deformation structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic container body serves its own deformation function without requiring additional mechanical structures. The material's inherent elasticity provides the volume variation capability, making the system self-sufficient and structurally simple.
3Ease of manufacture
If the container has a rigid structure, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the capacity occupancy rate is low
Solution Approach 1:
The material parameters are adjusted to create an elastic container body that can be compressed to fit tightly around stored items. This increases the capacity occupancy rate by eliminating wasted space, while the manufacturing process remains relatively simple.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the sidewall is made thin to enable deformation, then the container can change volume easily, but the structural strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The material parameters are optimized to achieve the right balance between thickness and elasticity. The elastic material allows for thinner walls that deform easily while maintaining sufficient structural strength through the material's inherent properties rather than wall thickness.
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 achieves a higher reliability, better capacity occupancy rate, and greater volume variation rate, with improved operation convenience and space utilization, while simplifying the structure and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the sidewall is elastic, and the opening part, when subjected to pressure, is able to be pushed and moved towards the bottom wall to deform the sidewall
Data Source
AI summary
The subject application is directed to a variable-capacity storage container including: a bottom wall and a sidewall connected to an edge of the bottom wall, with the bottom wall and the sidewall being configured to enclose together an accommodation space for accommodating objects; and, an opening part, connected to a side of the sidewall away from the bottom wall. The sidewall is elastic. The opening part, when subjected to pressure, is able to be pushed and moved towards the bottom wall to deform the sidewall; when the sidewall is deformed, at least a part of the sidewall changes from a direction towards the outside of the storage container to a direction towards where the opening part is located. The variable-capacity storage container provided in the present application has an advantage of a simple structure, with high-capacity occupancy rate, volume variation rate, and ease of operation.