Foldable IBC Corner Assembly for Clean Storage and Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional foldable intermediate bulk containers (IBC) suffer from hygiene issues due to inconsistent edge heights causing rain and dust accumulation, leading to mold and insect infestation during outdoor storage, and require additional support for structural rigidity.
Innovation Solution
A foldable IBC design with connecting members and corner assemblies that allow side panels to be folded completely inside the base, ensuring consistent edge heights and preventing rain and dust ingress, while enhancing structural rigidity through reinforcement assemblies and engagement structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional foldable IBC structure with side panels connected at corners is used, then the container can be folded for storage, but the base protruding edges have inconsistent heights causing rain and dust accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The side panels are divided into multiple segments that can be independently folded and positioned. The base is segmented with protruding edges that provide structured support positions. This segmentation allows each panel to be precisely positioned at fold locations, ensuring all edges align at the same height when folded, preventing rain and dust accumulation while maintaining foldability.
2Device complexity
If long side panels have the same width as the base, then the container structure is simplified, but the long side panels require additional support members inside the base to compensate for lack of strength
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is extracted from the base interior and transferred to the side panels themselves. The side panels are designed with integrated reinforcement structures and connecting members that provide the necessary lateral pressure resistance. This eliminates the need for additional support members inside the base, maintaining structural simplicity while achieving the required strength.
3Strength
If connecting members are added to interconnect adjacent side panels, then structural rigidity is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting members are merged with the corner assemblies where side panels meet. These connecting members serve dual functions: they provide the necessary structural rigidity by interconnecting adjacent side panels, and they act as the folding mechanism itself. This integration reduces the number of separate components compared to having both dedicated connecting members and separate folding structures.
Data Source
AI summary
A container. The container is provided with a base and two pairs of opposing side panels, each side panel being foldably connected to the base. The container further includes connecting members provided on both side edges of each side panel. The two adjacent side panels are operatively connected to each other by means of cooperation between the corresponding connecting members, and the sum of the width of each side panel and the width of the connecting members provided on this side panel is less than the distance between the inner wall surfaces of a pair of adjacent side panels.