Hinged Foldable Container Frame With Tamper-Resistant Column Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing foldable container solutions either require complex and cumbersome fastening mechanisms for secure mounting or have safety issues due to accessible fasteners, making them insecure against unauthorized access and misuse.

Innovation Solution

A foldable container frame with a polygonal base and upper mount connected by hinged columns, featuring a hinged member with a sliding block and bushings that can only be disengaged by mechanical force, ensuring secure and quick assembly, disassembly, and storage while preventing unauthorized access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If complicated and cumbersome fastening means are used, then the fixing of longitudinal sidewall bands is solid and reliable, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing reliabilityVSAvoidfastening means complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening system is divided into discrete modular components: corner blocks with recesses, column sections with protrusions, and latch members. Each component has a specific function and they assemble through standardized interfaces, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The latch member is nested within the corner block structure, with the protrusion from one column section fitting into the recess of the corner block, and the latch member securing this connection. This nested arrangement consolidates multiple fastening functions into a compact integrated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If fasteners are made accessible for easy assembly, then the ease of operation improves, but security against unauthorized access deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly easeVSAvoidunauthorized access

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making fasteners accessible from the outside for easy assembly, the design inverts the approach by having the latch member operated from the interior of the container. The protrusion and recess interface is positioned such that the securing action occurs inside the container space, making external tampering difficult while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The latch member acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the column sections and corner blocks. It provides the fastening function while its positioning and operation method control access, allowing authorized assembly from inside while preventing unauthorized access from outside.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If one enters the container to open the fastener, then the security against unauthorized access improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates and safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunauthorized access preventionVSAvoidfastener opening ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The latch member is designed to be operated by the container itself or its integrated mechanisms rather than requiring external intervention. The protrusion and recess interface automatically engages and disengages through the intended operational sequence, making the fastening system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for personnel to enter the container for fastener operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Volume of moving object

If the container is folded to reduce storage space, then the volume is reduced, but the time required for assembly and disassembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage volumeVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The columns are divided into multiple sections that can be independently manipulated during assembly and disassembly. The standardized interfaces between sections and corner blocks allow for rapid connection and separation, reducing the time penalty associated with folding and unfolding operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The latch members and protrusion-recess interfaces are pre-positioned on the column sections and corner blocks during manufacturing. This preliminary configuration ensures that during assembly, the components only need to be aligned and engaged without requiring complex adjustment or sequencing, significantly reducing assembly time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11352202B2Foldable frame for containers and hinged member therefor

Publication Date: 2022.06.07 IPGO EUROPE KFT

AI summary

A foldable frame for containers has a polygonal base mount made of studs and an upper mount parallel to the base mount made of studs. The polygonal base mount and the upper mount are connected together by means of columns of equal length. The columns are formed of at least two sections of the same length, and the adjacent sections are joined together by a hinged member, the hinged member containing a first bushing connected to a slider movably disposed in the cavity of the first section, a second bushing having common axle with the first bushing and secured to the locking member arranged in the inner cavity of the adjacent second section, with a hinge pin provided in the bushings.