Modular Storage Container Housing With T-Shaped Coupling Walls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular storage containers face challenges in cost-effective coupling of housing modules, which can impair the usable cross-section of adjacent compartments and increase structural complexity.
Innovation Solution
The storage container design features intermediate housing modules with T-shaped profiling, where the upper and lower module side walls protrude, allowing coupling independent of the horizontal module wall, ensuring a simple and cost-effective structure with optimal volume utilization, and includes upper and lower terminating modules for secure assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the horizontal module wall is contoured in the transition area to the module side wall to enable coupling, then the coupling between housing modules is achieved, but the structural complexity increases and the usable cross section of adjacent compartments is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The housing modules are divided into intermediate housing modules and terminating housing modules with distinct functions. The intermediate modules handle coupling through standardized module side walls, while terminating modules provide end closures. This segmentation allows simple coupling geometry without complex contouring, as each module type has a dedicated, simplified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of contouring the horizontal module wall to achieve coupling, the invention inverts the approach by making the module side walls protrude vertically and using them as the primary coupling interface. The coupling is achieved through the vertical module side walls rather than through complex horizontal wall contouring, thereby simplifying the horizontal module wall geometry.
2Reliability
If the horizontal module wall is contoured in the transition area to the module side wall, then coupling is enabled, but the usable cross section of adjacent compartments is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The housing modules are segmented into intermediate modules with protruding module side walls and terminating modules. This segmentation allows the coupling function to be separated from the horizontal module wall, enabling the horizontal wall to maintain a simple rectangular cross-section that maximizes compartment volume while the vertical module side walls handle the coupling function.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling interface is moved from the horizontal dimension (contoured horizontal module wall) to the vertical dimension (protruding module side walls). By transitioning the coupling mechanism to another dimension, the horizontal cross-section remains unobstructed and rectangular, preserving maximum usable compartment volume.
3Ease of manufacture
If intermediate housing modules have T-shaped profiling with protruding module side walls, then coupling becomes independent of the horizontal module wall and cost-effective, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The module side walls are merged with the horizontal module wall to form an integrated T-shaped profile in one manufacturing step. This merging eliminates the need for separate coupling components or post-assembly operations, reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the T-shaped geometry. The integrated design allows standard extrusion or molding processes to produce the complete coupling interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The protruding module side walls serve multiple functions: they provide the coupling interface between housing modules, define the compartment boundaries, and enable vertical stacking. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, simplifying manufacturing despite the T-shaped profile by consolidating several functions into a single structural element.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a storage container (1) provided with a modular container housing (2), having multiple housing modules (17) arranged above one another in a vertical direction (3) and coupled to one another in pairs. Housing modules (17) that are arranged directly above one another border a respective receiving compartment (10) for a pull-out and push-in drawer element (12). Each housing module (17) arranged between two receiving compartments (10) is designed as a housing intermediate module (17a), which is provided with a module horizontal wall (25), from the edge of which an upper module side wall (27) projects upwards and a lower module side wall (28) projects downwards. In this way, each housing intermediate module (17a) simultaneously contributes towards forming both a compartment side wall (16) bordering the receiving compartment (10) arranged above the housing intermediate module (17a), and a compartment side wall (16) laterally bordering the receiving compartment (10) arranged under same.