Nested Reinforcement Elements in Composite Wall Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing composite structures for shopping cart child seat flaps and trolleys have a thick package thickness due to reinforcement elements occupying three spatial areas in a space-saving arrangement, limiting stacking density and increasing shipping costs.
Innovation Solution
The reinforcement elements of the composite wall elements are positioned such that they occupy only two spatial areas in a space-saving arrangement, reducing the thickness of the package formed by the wall elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If reinforcement elements are arranged in three spatial areas to provide structural support, then strength is improved, but package thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by positioning reinforcement elements of one wall element within the intermediate spaces formed by reinforcement elements of another wall element. Specifically, vertical reinforcement elements of the first wall element are located in intermediate spaces formed by horizontal reinforcement elements of the second wall element, and horizontal reinforcement elements of the first wall element are located in intermediate spaces formed by vertical reinforcement elements of the second wall element, creating a nested arrangement that reduces overall package thickness while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a conventional three-spatial-area arrangement to a two-spatial-area arrangement by utilizing intermediate spaces in a different dimensional configuration. Instead of having reinforcement elements occupy three separate spatial zones (first, second, and third areas), the invention repositions them to occupy only two spatial areas by nesting them within intermediate spaces, effectively reducing the thickness dimension while preserving structural support functionality
2Productivity
If package thickness is reduced by repositioning reinforcement elements, then stacking density is improved, but structural support may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The nesting principle is applied by inserting reinforcement elements into intermediate spaces of the opposing wall element. The vertical reinforcement elements of the first wall element nest within intermediate spaces formed by horizontal reinforcement elements of the second wall element, while horizontal reinforcement elements of the first wall element nest within intermediate spaces formed by vertical reinforcement elements of the second wall element. This nested configuration reduces package thickness to improve stacking density while the interlocking nature of the nested elements maintains structural support
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple reinforcement elements by having them occupy the same intermediate spaces. Reinforcement elements from both wall elements are combined in the same spatial locations, allowing them to mutually support each other and provide structural integrity while reducing the overall thickness of the package, thereby improving stacking density without compromising strength
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to an assembly (1) formed of at least two wall elements (2, 6), in which the wall elements (2, 6) comprise vertically and horizontally arranged reinforcing elements (10, 11) and the wall elements (2, 6) are either movably connected to one another or are present separately and can be transposed into a space-saving arrangement within a common region (14), wherein, in this arrangement, and according to a first embodiment, either the vertical reinforcing elements (10) of the wall element (6) are located in at least one interspace (12) which is formed by vertical reinforcing elements (10) of the wall element (2), or wherein, according to a second embodiment, the horizontal reinforcing elements (11) of the wall element (6) are located in at least one interspace (13) which is formed by horizontal reinforcing elements (11) of the wall element (2). The invention is distinguished in that, in the space-saving arrangement and within the common region (14) according to the first embodiment, the horizontally extending reinforcing elements (11) of the at least one wall element (6) are at the same time also completely or partially located in interspaces (13) which are formed on the wall element (2) by horizontal reinforcing elements (11), or in that, according to the second embodiment, the vertically arranged reinforcing elements (10) of the at least one wall element (6) are at the same time also completely or partially located in interspaces (12) which are formed on the wall element (2) by vertical reinforcing elements (10), and in that, in both embodiments, the interspaces (12, 13), when viewed across the thickness thereof, are arranged with an offset.