Foldable Storage Box with Reinforcing Ring for Stable Side Plates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing foldable storage boxes lack sufficient firmness and stability due to the use of small, easily bendable pins to prevent side plates from folding, leading to reduced structural integrity.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of an annular hard reinforcing ring with an upward recessed insertion slot and a top lid that limits side plates from folding, combined with a flippable bottom plate and hinged side plates to enhance stability and firmness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a small pin is used to prevent side plates from folding, then the storage box can be folded compactly, but the pin is prone to bending or breaking and reduces firmness

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefoldabilityVSAvoidpin strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The side plate is divided into multiple folding plates hinged together, allowing independent movement and controlled folding while distributing mechanical stress across multiple connection points rather than relying on a single weak pin

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcing ring combines rigid material properties with a circular geometry to provide comprehensive structural support, creating a composite effect that prevents side plate folding through distributed radial reinforcement rather than single-point pin connection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Device complexity

If only a pin is used to prevent side plates from folding, then the structure remains simple, but the firmness and stability of the storage box is greatly reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidstorage box firmness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcing ring serves multiple functions simultaneously: it prevents side plates from folding, provides structural reinforcement, maintains box shape, and distributes mechanical loads, replacing the need for multiple separate components while enhancing overall strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcing ring introduces a new spatial dimension of reinforcement by circulating around the entire perimeter of the side plates, providing radial support from all directions rather than relying on single-point pin connections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS12434880B1Storage box

Publication Date: 2025.10.07 ZHANG DU

AI summary

The invention discloses a storage box, relating to the technical field of storage boxes. Four side plates are arranged on front, rear, left and right edges of a bottom plate. Side edges of every two adjacent side plates are hinged with each other. The side plates on left and right sides are capable of being folded or unfolded front and rear to drive the side plates on front and rear sides close to or away from each other. A rear side of the bottom plate is hinged to the side plate on the rear side. The bottom plate is flippable up and down. A bottom of the reinforcing ring forms an insertion slot, and tops of the side plates are insertable into the insertion slot, so that the reinforcing ring limits the side plates from being folded. The invention has better firmness and stability.