Foldable container and foldable supporting frame thereof, and folding method
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional foldable containers are cumbersome to store and use due to their large size, instability, and complex folding mechanisms, which require tools and can lead to water leakage and back strain during use.
Innovation Solution
A foldable container with a supporting frame that can be easily converted between unfolded and folded modes using a single pulling operation, featuring a pivotally connected structure with an operation switch that allows for automatic folding and unfolding without tools, ensuring stability and space-saving storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the container is made rigid and large to hold sufficient water and provide stable support, then the container can maintain stability and hold enough water, but the container occupies excessive storage space and is difficult to move
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting frame is divided into multiple foldable legs that can be independently collapsed. Each leg consists of multiple segments connected by joints, allowing the frame to be disassembled into compact sections for storage while maintaining full size and stability during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting frame transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic foldable structure. The legs can be easily collapsed and extended through manual operation, allowing the container to adapt between a compact stored state and a stable deployed state without requiring inflation or complex assembly tools.
2Volume of moving object
If the container is made inflatable to reduce storage space, then the container can be compactly stored, but the container requires inflation time, external pumps, and has sealing reliability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The container uses a flexible collapsible material that can be repeatedly folded and unfolded without degradation. This eliminates the need for inflation/deflation cycles while maintaining the space-saving benefit, as the material simply collapses manually for storage and stands upright for use.
Solution Approach 2:
The container structure is designed to be self-supporting when deployed, requiring no external pump or power source. The flexible material naturally maintains its shape when filled with water, and the foldable frame provides structural support without requiring active inflation mechanisms.
3Volume of moving object
If the supporting frame is made foldable to reduce storage space, then the container can be compactly stored, but the frame may become unstable during use
Solution Approach 1:
The foldable frame is pre-configured with joint connections and locking mechanisms that automatically engage when the legs are extended. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures that once deployed, the frame maintains its stability without requiring additional adjustment or reinforcement during use.
4Area of moving object
If the container is made large to accommodate users, then the container can hold enough water and space for users, but the container becomes difficult to move and store
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into a flexible collapsible body and a separate foldable supporting frame with multiple legs. This segmentation allows the container to maintain large capacity when deployed while enabling compact folding of the frame for easy transport and storage in small spaces.
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable container includes a foldable supporting frame, at least one operation switch arranged on the foldable supporting frame, and a container body supported on the foldable supporting frame. The operation switch is actuated through a pulling operation to move the foldable supporting frame between an unfolded mode and a folded mode. The container has an edge and an opening formed within the edge. At the unfolded mode, the opening is opened. At the folded mode, the opening is closed. The container body is automatically folded as the foldable supporting frame is moved from the unfolded mode to the folded mode. Via a folding method, the foldable supporting frame is folded to reduce an overall size for occupying less storage space when it is not in use.