Foldable Cargo Container with Hinged Asymmetrical Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current foldable cargo containers are not compatible with standard containers, making their implementation costly and impractical, and lack efficient folding and unfolding mechanisms, leading to inefficiencies in space utilization and increased shipping costs.
Innovation Solution
A foldable cargo container design with a roof panel, base panel, front panel, and side panels that can be adjusted between unfolded and folded conditions, featuring hinged connections and extender panels, allowing for compact storage and easy handling, while maintaining compatibility with standard containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If foldable containers are designed with structural features for space reduction, then space utilization is improved, but compatibility with standard containers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into multiple panels (front panel, rear panel, side panels, roof panels, base panels) that can be independently folded and reconfigured. This segmentation allows the container to achieve compact folded states for improved space utilization while maintaining the ability to assemble into standard container configurations for compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The container employs hinged connections between panels that enable dynamic transformation between unfolded (operational) and folded (storage) states. This dynamic capability allows the same structure to serve multiple functions: maintaining standard container dimensions when unfolded for compatibility, and collapsing to reduced volume when folded for space-efficient storage and transport.
2Volume of moving object
If foldable containers use complex structural designs for folding capability, then space reduction is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The folding mechanism is segmented into multiple independent hinged joints at panel corners and edges. Each hinge operates independently, allowing the folding process to be broken down into simple, sequential movements rather than requiring complex coordinated actions, thereby improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
When folded, the side panels are positioned to nest within or adjacent to the base panel and other structural elements. This nesting arrangement achieves compact folded space utilization while following intuitive folding sequences that simplify the operation process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If extender panels of different lengths are used on right and left sides, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container employs asymmetrical extender panels where the right-side extender and left-side extender have different lengths. This asymmetrical design provides configuration flexibility to adapt to various loading scenarios and container positioning requirements, while the extenders are integrated into the existing hinged panel system, minimizing additional complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Foldable containers and methods of making and using same. A foldable container adjustable between an unfolded condition and a folded condition has a roof panel and an opposing base panel, and a front panel and an opposing door panel. Each of the front panel and the door panel is hingedly connected to only the roof panel. The container includes a first side panel and a disparately sized opposing second side panel. A first extender is associated with the first side panel and a disparately sized second extender is associated with the second side panel. A set of tracks is situated on the first side panel. When folded, the second panel is upwardly adjacent the base panel, the first panel is upwardly adjacent the second panel, a group comprising the front panel and the door panel is upwardly adjacent the first panel, and the roof panel is upwardly adjacent the group.