Foldable Container Panel Lifting for Safe Heavy-Duty Collapsing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional containers have fixed spaces regardless of freight load, leading to inefficient transport and storage, high weight, and potential damage during stacking, with existing folding mechanisms being complex or unsuitable for heavy containers.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus that moves an upper panel and lateral panels of a foldable container up and down using a fixing piece, allowing for safe and efficient folding and unfolding without requiring high-priced handling equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional containers are used with fixed space structure, then structural strength and stability are maintained, but transport efficiency decreases and storage space is wasted when containers are empty
Solution Approach 1:
The container structure is transformed from a fixed rigid form to a dynamic collapsible form. The lateral plates are designed to be foldable between extended and retracted positions, allowing the container to adapt its volume based on cargo load. When empty, the container can be collapsed to minimize space; when loaded, it maintains its full structural form for optimal cargo capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The container's volume parameter is made variable through the foldable lateral plates mechanism. The structure can transition between a fully extended state (maximum volume) and a collapsed state (minimum volume), enabling efficient space utilization during both transport and storage operations regardless of cargo quantity.
2Quantity of substance
If heavy containers are stacked in multiple stages, then transport capacity is increased, but risk of damage and deformation increases
Solution Approach 1:
By making the container collapsible, the system enables safe stacking of multiple containers when they are in the collapsed state. The reduced height and compact form factor of collapsed containers minimizes the risk of damage during stacking and handling, while still allowing high stacking capacity when space optimization is needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex collapsing mechanisms are used in containers, then folding capability is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The collapsing mechanism is segmented into modular components: foldable lateral plates with hinge connections, telescopic support structures, and interlocking elements. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function independently, simplifying the overall mechanism while maintaining effective folding capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The container's collapsing mechanism is designed to be self-supporting during the folding process. The lateral plates and support structures work together through mechanical interlocking and gravity-assisted movement, reducing the need for complex external actuation systems and minimizing overall mechanism complexity.
4Ease of operation
If existing folding apparatus are used for light containers, then folding operation is simple, but they cannot handle heavy containers
Solution Approach 1:
The container design incorporates dynamic support structures that adapt to the container's weight. During folding operations, telescopic support legs extend to provide additional stabilization and load distribution, enabling safe handling of heavy containers while maintaining operational simplicity through automated or assisted folding mechanisms.
Data Source
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Figure 3A
AI summary
A foldable container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a lower panel; an upper panel provided in parallel with the lower panel; first and second lateral panels of which upper and lower ends are respectively connected to the upper panel and the lower panel to be rotatable along a longitudinal direction of the upper panel and the lower panel and which are configured to be folded toward the inside of the foldable container; and front and rear panels connected to the lower panel to be rotatable along a transverse direction of the lower panel.