Folding Container Hinge Mechanism for Lid Range and Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional folding containers face issues with limited movable range of upper walls, difficulty in connecting side walls to bottom members, gaps between upper walls leading to poor sealability, and compromised heat retention and air leakage due to resin panel construction.
Innovation Solution
The container design includes rotatable upper and side walls connected via hinge members with specific rotation axes, a lower hinge member with an inclined surface for easy assembly, and a configuration where the thermal conductivity of contact surfaces is lower than the outer surfaces to enhance heat retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hinge structure is provided on an upper side of a side wall to open and close a lid, then the lid can be freely opened and closed, but the lid cannot be rotated to such an extent that the lid is parallel to the side wall (limited movable range)
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge structure is divided into two separate rotation axes: a first rotation axis connecting the side wall to the hinge member, and a second rotation axis connecting the hinge member to the lid. This segmentation allows independent rotation at each axis, enabling the lid to rotate parallel to the side wall while maintaining structural manageability through modular design.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a stopper shaft is provided on a side wall and fitted into a hole on a bottom member, then the side wall can be folded to contact the bottom member, but it is troublesome to fit the stopper shaft into the hole
Solution Approach 1:
A lower hinge member is introduced as an intermediary component between the side wall and bottom member. This lower hinge member includes a lower rotation axis that enables rotational movement, and an inclined surface that facilitates easy engagement with a corresponding inclined-surface engagement hole, eliminating the need for precise manual fitting of a stopper shaft into a hole.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the upper wall includes a pair of lids, then the container can be opened and closed, but a gap is likely to be formed between the pair of lids making it difficult to seal the container
Solution Approach 1:
The first lid and second lid are merged into a single integrated upper wall component. This unified structure eliminates the gap that would exist between separate lids, ensuring continuous sealing contact with the side walls while maintaining the opening and closing functionality through rotation around the second rotation axis.
4Productivity
If the front wall and rear wall are formed of resin molded by foam blow molding, then the container can be manufactured efficiently, but the resin panel may not be strong enough to attach structures such as handles to the outer surface
Solution Approach 1:
The container walls are constructed as composite structures with an outer wall made of foam blow-molded resin for efficient manufacturing and thermal insulation, and an inner wall made of resin with higher strength properties. This composite construction allows the attachment of handles and other structures to the outer surface while maintaining manufacturing efficiency and thermal insulation performance.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a container with an increased movable range of an upper wall with respect to a side wall. According to the present disclosure provided is a container including a side wall, an upper hinge member, and an upper wall, wherein the upper hinge member and the side wall are connected rotatably around a first rotation axis, the upper hinge member and the upper wall are connected rotatably around a second rotation axis, and the first and second rotation axes are parallel.