Nesting Roll Container with Pivotable Base and Side Walls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roll containers, particularly the A-frame and V-frame types, face challenges in handling empty nesting units, requiring improved stability and ergonomic handling during transportation.
Innovation Solution
A novel roll container design featuring a rear section with pivotably attached side walls and a chassis, along with a base that can be lifted from the chassis in a nesting state, utilizing a foot-operated locking mechanism for securing side walls and a secondary locking mechanism to enhance stability and ergonomics, allowing for efficient queuing and forklift transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the base is pivotably attached to the rear section to enable nesting, then the nesting ability is improved, but the stability during transportation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The base is designed to be pivotably attached to the rear section, enabling it to dynamically change position between a horizontal deployed state for stable transportation and a vertical nesting state for compact storage. This dynamic mechanism allows the same structure to satisfy both stability requirements during transport and nesting requirements for storage efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The base's orientation parameter is changed between two discrete states: horizontal (0 degrees) for stable transportation and vertical (90 degrees) for nesting. This parameter change enables the roll container to transition between functional modes, resolving the contradiction between stability and nesting ability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the side walls are made extendable for nesting, then the nesting efficiency is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side walls are made pivotable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position. In the deployed state, they extend parallel to each other for stability; in the nesting state, they fold outward to enable compact stacking. This dynamic design achieves nesting efficiency without requiring complex disassembly mechanisms.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the locking mechanism is added to secure the base, then the stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be automatically engaged when the base is in the horizontal deployed state, providing stable fixation without requiring manual intervention. The mechanism self-activates through the natural positioning of the base, reducing operational complexity while maintaining high stability during transportation.
4Ease of operation
If four swivel castors are used for mobility, then the ease of operation is improved, but the stability deteriorates due to higher center of gravity
Solution Approach 1:
The base's ability to pivot between horizontal and vertical positions dynamically adjusts the center of gravity. In the deployed horizontal state, the base extends the footprint and lowers the effective center of gravity, providing stability when four swivel castors are used for enhanced mobility. This dynamic configuration allows the system to achieve both ease of operation and stability.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A novel roll container (100) of a nesting type is proposed with a rear section (110) and two side walls (140) which laterally oppose one another and which are pivotably attached to the rear section (110) between a parallel deployed state and a non-parallel nesting state. The roll container also has a chassis (120), which is attached to the rear section (110), and a base (130) which is pivotably attached to the rear section (110) such to be pivotable between a deployed state on the chassis (120) and a nesting state off the chassis (120). The roll container further has a locking mechanism (150) for releasably securing one of the two side walls (140) to the base (130) or chassis (120).