Folding, hard-wall locker
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage solutions, such as lockers and shelters, face challenges in compact shipping configurations and efficient assembly within spaces with low-sloped ceilings, particularly in rugged and remote conditions, where portability and ease of use are essential.
Innovation Solution
A hard-wall locker design featuring accordion-like folding side-walls and a two-piece back wall that can be folded into a compact shipping configuration, allowing for easy assembly and fitting beneath low-sloped ceilings, with a locking mechanism for security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the locker uses traditional rigid walls, then it provides stable storage structure, but it cannot be compacted for shipping and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The side walls are divided into multiple hinged panels that can fold independently. Each panel is connected to adjacent panels through hinges, creating a segmented structure that can be compacted for shipping while maintaining structural integrity when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The side walls transition from a static rigid structure to a dynamic folding structure. The hinges enable the panels to move between folded and unfolded positions, allowing the locker to be compacted for shipping and then expanded to its full storage capacity at the destination.
2Volume of stationary object
If the locker has full-height back wall, then it maximizes storage capacity, but it cannot fit beneath low-sloped ceilings in shelters
Solution Approach 1:
The back wall is segmented into a vertical section and a sloped section, allowing it to adapt to different ceiling configurations. The vertical section provides maximum storage height where possible, while the sloped section enables the locker to fit beneath low-sloped ceilings in portable shelters.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the back wall have different geometries optimized for different functions. The vertical section maximizes storage capacity in areas with sufficient height, while the sloped section provides adaptability to fit beneath low-sloped ceilings, creating local optimizations throughout the structure.
3Volume of moving object
If the locker uses folding side-walls, then it compactes for shipping, but the structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The hinges are pre-engineered and pre-installed to ensure proper alignment and load distribution when the locker is assembled. The folding panels are designed with reinforcement at the hinge connections to maintain structural strength while enabling compact folding for shipping.
Data Source
AI summary
A folding hard-wall locker includes a frame, a front door connected to the frame for opening and closing the locker, and accordion-like folding side-walls connected to the frame. Each of the folding side-walls has first and second edges facing away from the frame. For each of the folding side-walls, the length of the first edge plus the length of the second edge is greater than the height of the door (and of the frame). In operation, the locker may be unfolded, assembled, and positioned for use within a shelter. The combined lengths of the first and second edges is greater than any dimension of the locker before the locker is unfolded from its shipping configuration. Among other things, the unfolded, assembled locker is adapted to fit beneath an angled ceiling of a flexible shelter.