Folding Container With Self-Aligning Hinges For Height And Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional cargo handling containers are labor-intensive to use and offer limited height due to their folding mechanisms, which restricts volumetric efficiency and increases the risk of damage during transport.
Innovation Solution
A novel folding container with articulated panels that can be pivoted between erected and collapsed states, featuring a quadrilateral base and cover elements with hinges and biasing elements to maintain upright position, allowing for increased height and easier deployment and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the container is constructed to be collapsed on its own footprint, then volumetric efficiency is improved, but the height of the container is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into a base and multiple cover elements (side walls, end walls, and roof), each capable of independent folding. This segmentation allows the container to collapse into a compact footprint while also enabling the cover elements to be positioned vertically to achieve greater height when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The container employs dynamic folding mechanisms with hinges and pivot connections that allow the cover elements to transition between erected and collapsed states. This dynamic structure enables the container to adapt its height and volume based on operational requirements, resolving the contradiction between fixed height limitations and volumetric efficiency.
2Volume of moving object
If the container height is increased, then volumetric efficiency is improved, but the container becomes more complex to assemble and disassemble
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into a base and multiple cover elements (side walls, end walls, and roof), each capable of independent folding. This segmentation allows the container to collapse into a compact footprint while also enabling the cover elements to be positioned vertically to achieve greater height when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The container incorporates self-aligning features through biasing elements and guide structures that automatically position panels during folding operations. This self-service mechanism reduces the need for manual intervention and complex assembly procedures, making the taller container design equally easy to assemble and disassemble as traditional designs.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional folding mechanisms are used, then the container is easy to store, but labor intensity increases during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The container incorporates self-aligning features through biasing elements and guide structures that automatically position panels during folding operations. This self-service mechanism reduces the need for manual intervention and complex assembly procedures, making the taller container design equally easy to assemble and disassemble as traditional designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The container employs intermediary components such as biasing elements, hinges, and guide structures that facilitate smooth transitions between erected and collapsed states. These intermediary mechanisms reduce friction and resistance during folding operations, decreasing the labor intensity required to operate the container while maintaining ease of storage.
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 container achieves higher volumetric efficiency and improved user-friendliness by enabling sequential, controlled collapse and deployment without assistance, enhancing handling and storage capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The hinge also includes a biasing element, which is configured to urge the counterparts into a predetermined mutual axial position along the axle for aligning the panels in the horizontal dimension
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
A folding container having a quadrilateral base (150) and a plurality of cover elements (110, 120, 130, 140) is proposed. Each cover element has a first panel (121, 131, 141) that is pivotably connected from a bottom end to a respective edge of the base (150) so as to be turned between an erected state and a collapsed state. Each cover element also has a second panel (122, 132, 142) which is pivotably connected to the top end of the respective first panel (121, 131, 141). The second panel (122, 132, 142) may be turned between an erected state and a collapsed state. The first panel and the second panel are mutually articulated through at least one hinge which connects the panels, the hinge comprising first and second counterparts (124, 127) articulated through an axle (125). A biasing member (126) is configured to urge the counterparts (124, 127) into a predetermined mutual axial position along the axle for aligning the first and second panels in the horizontal dimension.