Foldable Container Side Wall with Abutting Parts for Fold Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
The force bearing capacity of the side wall in foldable domestic storage containers, such as dustbins and basins, is compromised at the foldable parts, which are the weakest points and not adequately improved in prior designs.
Innovation Solution
A foldable container design featuring a foldable side wall with rotating connecting parts and abutting surfaces on a concave flexible part, along with a rigid bottom and top, enhances the strength of the foldable side wall by ensuring the first abutting part abuts the second abutting part when unfolded, and includes an odd number of connecting parts for improved stability and storage capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the foldable side wall is made of flexible materials for easy folding and storage, then the ease of operation and storage space savings are improved, but the force bearing capacity and strength of the side wall are compromised at the fold parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making different parts of the side wall have different properties: the fold parts are made of flexible material for easy folding, while the connecting parts include rigid abutting parts that provide localized strength reinforcement at critical stress points, thus resolving the contradiction between flexibility and overall strength
Solution Approach 2:
The side wall is segmented into flexible portions for folding and rigid abutting parts for strength. The connecting parts are divided into first and second abutting parts that can rotate relative to each other, allowing the structure to be segmented in a way that provides both flexibility for folding and rigidity for load bearing
2Device complexity
If the foldable container is designed with simple folding structures, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is easier, but the reliability and stability of the fold parts are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The abutting parts are designed with pre-positioned abutting surfaces that engage before full folding or unfolding is complete. This preliminary action of the abutting surfaces provides stability and reliability to the fold parts during the transition states, preventing unintended collapse or deformation while maintaining relatively simple overall structure
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 design significantly improves the force bearing capacity and stability of the side wall when unfolded, reducing the overall size and transportation costs when used in conjunction with a cleaning tool assembly.
Implementation Method 1
the flexible part has a concave surface, wherein the fold part is located on the concave surface
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable container and a cleaning tool assembly are provided. The foldable container includes a foldable side wall disposed annularly. The foldable side wall includes two adjacent connecting parts connected through a flexible part. When the foldable container is unfolded, the connecting parts rotate around a fold part on the flexible part. A first abutting part and a second abutting part are respectively disposed on two sides of the fold part and are arranged on the flexible part or the connecting parts. When the foldable container is in an unfolded state, the first abutting part abuts against the second abutting part. The cleaning tool assembly includes a cleaning tool and the foldable container. When the foldable container is unfolded to be used, the first abutting part abuts against the second abutting part.