Foldable Box Joint Design for Load-Bearing and Compact Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collapsible boxes cannot be loaded with a significant force, such as that exerted by a person sitting or standing, and lack a mechanism to easily transition from a usage position to a storage position for efficient transportation and storage.
Innovation Solution
The collapsible box features joints between side elements that prevent buckling and allow static mounting, with cover elements that can be adjusted via articulations to absorb forces and facilitate inward folding, ensuring the box can only be collapsed inwards, thus maintaining structural integrity and allowing for compact storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the box is designed to be collapsible for easy storage, then the storage efficiency is improved, but the load-bearing capacity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The box is divided into multiple side elements (first side elements and second side elements) that can be independently articulated and folded. This segmentation allows the box to collapse into a compact form for storage while maintaining structural integrity during use, as each segment can be precisely controlled through its joints
Solution Approach 2:
The box transitions between two dynamic states: an expanded usage position with high load-bearing capacity and a collapsed storage position with minimal volume. The joints and articulations enable this dynamic transformation, allowing the structure to adapt its form factor based on operational requirements
2Strength
If the side elements are rigidly connected for structural stability, then the strength is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The joints are pre-designed with specific geometric configurations and contact surface arrangements that automatically guide the folding operation. The contact surfaces are positioned to engage in a predetermined sequence, eliminating the need for complex manual manipulation while ensuring proper alignment during collapse
Solution Approach 2:
The joint design enables the box to fold itself through the inherent mechanical interactions between contact surfaces and blocking features. When force is applied to collapse the box, the joints automatically engage their blocking surfaces in the correct sequence, making the folding operation intuitive and requiring minimal user intervention
3Ease of operation
If the joints allow free movement for easy folding, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The joints are equipped with blocking surfaces that prevent outward movement of side elements before the folding operation begins. This preliminary constraint ensures that during normal use, the box maintains its structural integrity and cannot accidentally collapse, while still allowing controlled inward folding when intended
4Strength
If the side elements are designed to prevent outward deflection for load bearing, then the strength is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The joint design merges multiple functions into a single mechanical connection: it provides articulation for folding, implements blocking to prevent outward deflection, and ensures proper alignment of side elements. This integration of functions reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall joint configuration
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Hinged box (1) comprising a lid element (2), two first side elements (3) and two second lid elements side elements (4), characterized in that the second side elements (4) are connected to the first side element (5) by first joints (10) are articulated, the two second side elements (4) each comprising two second side plates (6) which can be adjusted to one another by a second joint (1112) about a second vertical joint axis (13), the cover element (2) being articulated by a third joint (14 ) is hinged to one of the first side panels (3) so that the box (1) can be transferred from a use position to a storage position by positioning the panels (2,3,4), the hinge (12) being one to the second side panels (6) eccentric second hinge axis (13) and two contact surfaces (19,20) of the second side panels (6) spaced from the second hinge axis (13), which contact surfaces (19,20) are in contact in the use position of the box marriage, so that setting the second side elements (4) around the second joint axis (13) inwards is free and setting the second side elements (4) around the second joint axis (13) outwards is blocked.