Foldable container and foldable supporting frame thereof, and folding method
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional foldable containers for temporary use, such as large receptacles for bathing or cleaning, face issues with storage space efficiency, stability, and ease of use due to their rigid design and complex folding mechanisms, which often require tools and result in accidental deformation or water leakage.
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 to maintain stability and facilitate automatic folding and unfolding, allowing for compact storage and use without tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the container is made rigid to maintain stability and shape, then structural stability is improved, but storage space efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting frame is divided into multiple foldable legs and connecting members that can be segmented and reconfigured. Each leg consists of multiple segments connected by joints, allowing the frame to be divided into smaller parts for compact storage while maintaining structural integrity when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting frame transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic foldable structure. The legs and connecting members are designed to move between extended and retracted positions, enabling the container to adapt its volume based on usage needs while maintaining stability when deployed.
2Volume of moving object
If the container is designed to be foldable for compact storage, then storage space efficiency is improved, but structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting frame is pre-assembled with all necessary connections and joints in place before use. The foldable mechanism is pre-configured with proper alignment features, ensuring that when the container is deployed, the structure immediately achieves its stable configuration without requiring additional assembly steps or tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The foldable supporting frame is designed to self-lock and self-stabilize when deployed. The connecting members and joints automatically engage into their stable positions through mechanical interlocking features, eliminating the need for external tools or complex assembly procedures while maintaining structural integrity.
3Ease of operation
If a complex folding mechanism is used to enable folding, then ease of storage is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The folding mechanism is segmented into simple, independent joints and connecting members rather than a complex integrated system. Each joint performs a single folding function, reducing overall complexity while enabling easy deployment and storage through simple manual manipulation of individual segments.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex mechanism to initiate folding, the design allows the container to be folded by simply collapsing the supporting frame legs inward. The complexity is inverted by making the unfolded state the default stable configuration that requires active effort to change, rather than requiring complex mechanisms to maintain the folded state.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the container requires tools for folding and unfolding, then structural stability is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting frame is designed to self-assemble and self-stabilize without requiring external tools. The connecting members feature automatic locking mechanisms that engage when the legs are positioned correctly, allowing the user to simply connect the components by hand while the structure itself ensures its own stability through mechanical interlocking.
Solution Approach 2:
The folding and assembly mechanism is extracted from complex tool-based systems and simplified to manual connection methods. The essential stabilizing features are separated from complex mechanical assemblies, leaving only the necessary manual connection and locking elements that can be operated without tools while maintaining structural integrity.
5Ease of operation
If the container is designed for single-use deployment, then ease of use is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting frame transitions from a static single-use design to a dynamic multi-state structure. The foldable legs and connecting members enable the container to switch between deployed and stored configurations, providing adaptability for different usage scenarios while maintaining ease of operation through simple manual folding and unfolding actions.
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable container includes a supporting frame, a container body arranged on the supporting frame, and a supporting pad, wherein the container body is flexible and is constructed to be unfolded for containing a liquid for the pet to bath, wherein the supporting pad is arranged at the container body for supporting the pet in the container body.