Pallet Container Lid Pivoting and Sliding Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional container lids require significant space to open and cannot be easily accessed from the opposite side, especially for larger containers, making them cumbersome and inefficient in terms of space usage and handling.
Innovation Solution
The hinges are attached to the upper edge of the side wall, allowing the lid to pivot and slide, reducing the space required for opening and enabling access from the opposite side, with a foldable design that collapses into a compact form.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lid is hinged to pivot approximately 270° over the container wall to reach a stable position, then the lid can be securely opened, but a correspondingly large space is required behind the container
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge system allows the lid to dynamically transition through multiple positions: closed (resting on side walls), intermediate (pivoted over upper edge), and open (resting on upper edge). This dynamic positioning capability enables secure opening while reducing the required space behind the container compared to fixed 270° pivot requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The lid opening motion is redirected from a purely horizontal 270° arc behind the container to a combination of vertical lifting and forward pivoting. By utilizing the vertical dimension and pivoting over the upper edge rather than rotating horizontally behind the container, the space requirement behind the container is significantly reduced
2Ease of operation
If the lid is hinged at the corner to allow full pivoting movement, then the lid can be opened completely, but the lid of larger containers cannot be brought into stable position from the opposite side as the guide distance becomes unreachable by hand
Solution Approach 1:
The upper edge of the side wall serves multiple functions: it acts as the pivot axis for hinge rotation, provides a resting surface for the lid in both closed and open positions, and serves as a guide for the sliding movement. This multi-functional design allows the lid to be operated from either side of the container, making the system universal regardless of container size
Solution Approach 2:
The plain bearing acts as an intermediary mechanism between the hinge and the lid edge. It converts the rotational motion into sliding motion along the upper edge, providing a guided path that reduces the required hand-reachable distance while maintaining full opening capability
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional hinge attachment is used at the upper edge corner, then the lid can pivot and slide, but significant space is still required for opening and closing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge system enables the lid to dynamically transition through multiple positions: closed (resting on side walls), intermediate (pivoted over upper edge), and open (resting on upper edge). This dynamic positioning capability enables secure opening while reducing the required space behind the container
Solution Approach 2:
The plain bearing acts as an intermediary mechanism that converts rotational motion into sliding motion along the upper edge. This mediation allows the lid to achieve both pivoting and sliding capabilities while minimizing the space required for the operation by providing a guided path along the upper edge
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
This design allows for efficient use of space, enabling the lid to be opened and closed with minimal additional space and facilitating easier handling of larger containers by allowing access from either side, while also allowing the container to collapse into a smaller form for transport.
Implementation Method 1
plain bearings on which the lid is mounted and which are connected to an upper edge of a side wall by hinges and by means of which the lid is slidably mounted in a direction perpendicular to the top edge
Implementation Method 2
plain bearings on which the lid is mounted and which are connected to an upper edge of a side wall by hinges and by means of which the lid is slidably mounted
Implementation Method 3
the side walls are connected at the vertical edges of the container and can be folded together. The side panels fit under the base and under the lid when collapsed and pack flat to form a closed package
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5(a)~8(c)
Figure 6(a)~7
AI summary
The container (1) has a base (2), side walls (3a, 3c, 3d), and a cover (4) that is movably arranged at one of the side walls. A slide bearing (7) is connected with an upper edge (5) of one of the side walls using hinges (6). The cover is fastened to the slide bearing. The cover is movably supported in a direction perpendicular to the upper edge using the slide bearing. A fixed part of the slide bearing is connected with the hinges, and a movable part (26) of the slide bearing is fastened to the cover. The cover is provided with a support (8) for supporting at the upper edge.