Foldable Box with Rotatable Connectors for Solo Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional box-structure furniture and pet houses have too many components, making them difficult and time-consuming to assemble, requiring assistance and lacking stability.
Innovation Solution
An easy-to-fold and easy-to-assemble box design featuring a left panel, right panel, front frame, rear frame, bottom panel, and top cover connected via rotatable connectors, allowing for folding without disassembling connectors, and a pet house with a simplified assembly process that reduces component collision and requires no additional support for assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional detachable multi-piece box structure is used, then transportation cost and packaging volume are reduced, but assembly difficulty and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The box is divided into multiple detachable panels (front panel, rear panel, left panel, right panel, bottom panel, and lid) that can be separated for compact storage and transportation, yet connected through rotatable connectors for easy assembly
Solution Approach 2:
Rotatable connectors are used instead of fixed rigid connections, allowing panels to rotate and lock into position during assembly, making the assembly process intuitive and requiring no additional support
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional detachable box structure with many components is used, then folding capability is achieved, but assembly requires assistance and positioning support
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable connectors are designed to guide panel positioning automatically during assembly, allowing a single person to assemble the box without needing another person to hold or position components
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable connectors provide dynamic movement during assembly, allowing panels to be easily rotated into place without requiring precise positioning or external support
3Reliability
If conventional box structure is used, then basic enclosure function is provided, but assembly time is excessive (10-20 minutes)
Solution Approach 1:
Rotatable connectors enable quick snap-together assembly of panels, reducing assembly time from 10-20 minutes to just a few minutes while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple connection functions (rotation, positioning, and locking) are merged into a single rotatable connector mechanism, simplifying the assembly process and reducing time required
4Strength
If conventional box structure is used, then basic structural integrity is achieved, but assembled box lacks stability
Solution Approach 1:
Rotatable connectors provide stable locked positions when assembled, creating a rigid structure that maintains stability during use while allowing dynamic assembly and disassembly
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable connector integrates multiple structural support functions into a single component, providing both connection strength and positional stability
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 design allows for quick and solo assembly without instructions, reduces packaging volume, and enhances stability, making it suitable for use as a locker or pet house with reduced assembly time and transportation convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The rotatable connection end is rotatably connected to a lower part of the front frame or a lower part of the rear frame through a second rotatable connector. The bottom panel is turned upward to abut against an inner wall of the front frame or the rear frame.
Implementation Method 2
The top cover is connected to an upper part of an outer wall of the front frame or the rear frame through a 360-degree rotational connector. The top cover is turned downward to abut against an outer side wall of the front frame or the rear frame.
Implementation Method 3
The left panel and the right panel are formed by connecting two or more sideboards in a vertical direction through a first rotatable connector. The sideboards of the left panel and the right panel are sequentially folded to make the front frame and the rear frame move toward each other so as to fold the box.
Data Source
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AI summary
A foldable box includes a left panel, a right panel, a front frame, a rear frame, a bottom panel and a top cover. The left panel and the right panel are both formed by connecting two or more sideboards through rotatable connectors. A rotatable connection end of the bottom panel is connected to a lower part of the rear frame through a rotatable connector. A movable end of the bottom panel braces against the front frame. An inner side of each of the two ends of the rear frame is provided with a vertical edge strip. One end of each of the left panel and the right panel is connected to the vertical edge strip through a rotatable connector, and the other end is connected to the front frame. The top cover is connected to the front frame through a connector.