Foldable Carrying Box Hinge and Latch Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Carrying boxes with large volumes incur unnecessary transportation and storage costs when not able to be reduced in size, leading to increased logistics costs.

Innovation Solution

A carrying box with a hinge structure that allows for folding, utilizing a latch assembly to maintain the reduced volume and prevent unintentional unfolding, comprising a first and second side wall, connection walls, and a latch assembly with a lever and catcher mechanism to secure the folded position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the carrying box is made with a large inner space to accommodate large cargoes, then the cargo capacity is improved, but the transportation and storage costs increase when the box is empty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinner space volumeVSAvoidtransportation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The carrying box employs a foldable structure with hinge connections between side walls and connection walls, allowing the box to dynamically change its volume between a large state during cargo transport and a compact folded state during return trips and storage, thereby eliminating the waste of transporting empty large-volume boxes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The box structure is divided into modular components including side walls, connection walls, and hinge joints that can be folded relative to each other, enabling the box to be collapsed into a compact form for efficient storage and return transportation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of moving object

If the carrying box is made with a large inner space to accommodate large cargoes, then the cargo capacity is improved, but the storage costs increase when the box is unused

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinner space volumeVSAvoidstorage cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The carrying box employs a foldable structure with hinge connections between side walls and connection walls, allowing the box to dynamically change its volume between a large state during cargo transport and a compact folded state during return trips and storage, thereby eliminating the waste of transporting empty large-volume boxes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The box structure is divided into modular components including side walls, connection walls, and hinge joints that can be folded relative to each other, enabling the box to be collapsed into a compact form for efficient storage and return transportation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If the latch assembly is added to maintain the reduced volume, then the volume reduction is secured, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolded position stabilityVSAvoidlatch assembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The latch assembly is designed to automatically engage when the connection walls are folded to overlap, utilizing the natural movement of the folding action itself to trigger the latching mechanism, thereby securing the folded position without requiring additional manual operations or complex control systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The latch assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the folding action and the final locked position, using a simple lever and catcher structure to translate the folding movement into a stable locked state that prevents unintentional unfolding

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 carrying box can significantly reduce logistics costs by minimizing its volume during retrieval and storage, while preventing damage from unintentional unfolding.

Implementation Method 1

a central elastic member configured to pivotally hinge the first central hinge housing and the second central hinge housing to each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the latch includes a lever and a catcher that are pivotally configured to fix the hang bar when the hang bar is inserted into the latch

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3868688B1Main body of transport box
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 SYSPAC SUPPLY CHAIN CO LTD
  • EP3868688B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3868688B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3868688B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a main body of a carrying box, and more particularly to a main body of a carrying box capable of pivoting and being folded by a hinge structure to reduce a volume thereof.