Foldable Container Hinge Mechanism With Elastic Reset
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Solution Overview
Problem
The disordered hinge mechanism in foldable containers causes the later folded side plate to lie on the first folded side plate, leading to delayed falling of the hinge mechanism when transitioning from a folded state to an upright state, potentially damaging the structure due to interference with the base or other parts.
Innovation Solution
A hinge mechanism featuring a projecting portion with a hinge pin mounting portion, a guide structure, a connector that moves up and down along the guide structure, and an elastic member connecting the base to the connector, which applies force to drive the connector downward during rotation, ensuring timely alignment and preventing interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a disordered hinge mechanism is used to allow side plates to be folded in any order, then production cost is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the hinge mechanism is delayed falling when transitioning from folded to upright state, causing potential damage to container parts
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member (spring) is pre-compressed when the side plate is in the folded state, storing elastic potential energy. This preliminary action ensures that when the side plate transitions to the upright state, the stored energy automatically drives the hinge mechanism to fall timely, preventing structural damage without requiring user intervention or complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member applies a preliminary counteracting force to prevent the harmful effect of delayed hinge falling. By compressing the spring in the folded state and allowing it to expand during the transition, the system proactively counteracts the potential damage before it occurs, ensuring the hinge mechanism falls at the correct moment and preventing interference with the base or other parts.
2Device complexity
If the hinge mechanism is designed without additional components to maintain simplicity, then device complexity is reduced and manufacturing cost is lowered, but the connector cannot be driven downward timely during rotation, causing the hinge to fall delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member serves dual functions: it guides the connector's movement and provides the driving force for the hinge to fall timely. The spring's elastic properties allow it to automatically convert the side plate's rotation motion into downward movement of the connector, eliminating the need for additional complex driving mechanisms while ensuring timely hinge falling.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member changes its physical state (compressed to expanded) during the transition from folded to upright state. This parameter change in the spring's elastic deformation provides the necessary driving force to move the connector downward timely, converting the stored elastic energy into mechanical work without requiring external power sources or complex control systems.
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 solution ensures the hinge mechanism falls correctly and aligns properly, preventing damage to the container parts and accommodating various user operating habits, making it suitable for large-sized foldable containers.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member with one end connected to the base and the other end connected to the connector, so that the elastic member applies force to the connector during rotation process of the side plates from folded state to upright state so as to drive the connector to move downwardly
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable container comprises a base and two pairs of side plates. The side plates are mounted on the base by means of a hinge mechanism in manner of being foldable relative to the base. The hinge mechanism is provided with an elastic reset structure, thereby the hinge structure on the side plates moves downwards synchronously in the courses that the side plates overturn from a folding state to an upright state. The hinge structure solves the problem of delay in the falling of a hinge in the prior art, is well adapted to the operation habits of various users, and is simple in structure and skillful in the concept.