Spring portable decorative box and foldable supporting column
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decorative boxes are bulky and difficult to mount, with frames prone to incorrect assembly during folding, and require additional connecting lines, leading to inefficiencies in space utilization and transportation.
Innovation Solution
A spring portable decorative box with foldable supporting columns using spiral springs to connect frame bodies, allowing for easy folding and unfolding without additional connectors, and enhanced stability through adjustable spring pitches and locking mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the decorative box is made as an integral-type with large volume, then the flatness and integrity of the decorative layer is ensured, but the box occupies large space making it inconvenient for long-distance transportation and long-term storage
Solution Approach 1:
The decorative box is divided into multiple frame bodies that can be folded relative to each other. The frame is segmented into collapsible sections connected by connecting rods, allowing the box to be divided into smaller transportable units while maintaining structural integrity when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure incorporates dynamic elements including spiral springs that can compress and extend, and connecting rods that can rotate and adjust. These dynamic components allow the box to transition between expanded (for use) and compressed (for storage) states, adapting volume based on operational needs.
2Volume of moving object
If a foldable decorative gift box is provided with movable connectors and connecting fasteners, then the volume is reduced during transportation, but the frames are easy to incorrect mounting and additional connecting lines are needed making it difficult to mount
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional elements are merged into integrated components. The connecting rods incorporate both connection and alignment functions, the spiral springs provide both structural support and connection, and the lock structures combine locking and positioning functions. This reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The spiral springs automatically return the frame to its original shape after folding, eliminating the need for manual reassembly. The lock structures are designed to engage automatically when frame bodies are brought together, and the symmetric design allows for self-aligning assembly without precise positioning requirements.
3Strength
If the pitch of the middle part of the spiral spring is made smaller than pitches of two ends, then the lateral stiffness is improved and supporting strength is enhanced, but the complexity of spring structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spiral spring is designed with non-uniform pitch where the middle section has a smaller pitch than the end sections. This local variation in geometric parameters provides enhanced stiffness and load-bearing capacity in the middle region where structural support is most needed, while maintaining simpler end sections for connection purposes.
4Volume of moving object
If additional connecting lines and movable connectors are used to form assembly, then the box can be folded to reduce volume, but the frames are easy to incorrect mounting and difficult to mount
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting rods and lock structures feature asymmetric designs with specific geometric features such as inclined surfaces and complementary shapes. These asymmetric elements provide built-in alignment guidance that ensures correct orientation during assembly, preventing incorrect mounting while enabling the folding function.
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 reduces storage and transportation space, simplifies assembly, enhances stability, and maintains aesthetic quality by using flexible connections and adjustable spring pitches, ensuring smooth folding and unfolding without additional mounting steps.
Implementation Method 1
the supporting column is bent at the middle part of the spiral spring, and when the lock structure is unlocked, the supporting column is capable of resetting to a straight state under an action of the spiral spring
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a spring portable decorative box and a foldable supporting column. The spring portable decorative box includes two frame bodies arranged up and down, a plurality of foldable supporting columns are arranged between the two frame bodies, the frame bodies and the supporting columns form a stereoscopic supporting skeleton of a gift box, a lock structure is arranged between the two frame bodies, the supporting column comprises two connecting rods and a spiral spring fixedly connected between the two connecting rods, the two connecting rods are both located on an axis of the spiral spring to make the two connecting rods and the spiral spring form a straight line, a pitch of a middle part of the spiral spring is smaller than pitches of two ends, when the two frame bodies approach to form a folded state and the lock structure above is locked.