Pulp Molded Cushioning Material with Foldable Dummy Rib
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pulp molded cushioning materials for protecting positioning pins in image forming apparatuses either have insufficient cushioning performance due to long cushioning distances, leading to increased size and cost, or suffer from downward deformation under pressure, compromising protection.
Innovation Solution
A pulp molded cushioning material with a hollow fitting portion, a main body, and a protrusion (dummy rib) that changes posture from protruding in one direction to another, allowing partial reinforcement and enhanced cushioning performance while maintaining a compact size by folding the protrusion forming portion and fitting the dummy rib into recesses, thereby supporting the positioning pin effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cushioning distance is increased to protect the positioning pin, then the cushioning performance is improved, but the size and cost of the cushioning material increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cushioning material is divided into a main body and a separate protrusion (dummy rib) that can be folded and positioned independently. This segmentation allows the protrusion to be stored compactly within the main body and deployed only when needed for cushioning, thus providing enhanced protection without permanently increasing the overall size of the cushioning material.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion is designed to be changeable in posture from a first posture (protruding in the first direction) to a second posture (protruding in a second direction across the first direction). This dynamic capability allows the cushioning structure to adapt its configuration based on storage versus usage conditions, providing compact storage when not in use and effective cushioning when deployed.
2Reliability
If the protrusion is made rigid to enhance cushioning, then the protection performance is improved, but the protrusion deforms downward under pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusion is designed to be fitted into a recess of the main body when not in use, creating a nested configuration. This nesting serves multiple functions: it stabilizes the protrusion by providing a recess to fit into, preventing downward deformation, and maintains a compact overall structure. The recess acts as a stabilizing feature that holds the protrusion in place during storage and transport.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the protrusion is changeable in posture to optimize cushioning, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusion is designed with flexibility, allowing it to be folded and changed in posture. This flexibility is achieved through the material properties and structural design of the protrusion, which can bend and fold without breaking. The flexible design enables the protrusion to transition between different postures (first and second directions) while maintaining structural integrity, providing adaptability without requiring complex mechanical mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A pulp molded cushioning material includes a hollow fitting portion, into which an end portion of an article is fitted. The pulp molded cushioning material includes a main body, a cushioning portion, and a protrusion. The cushioning portion is integrally formed with the main body and protrudes in a first direction from a peripheral edge of the main body to form the fitting portion together with the main body. The protrusion is integrally formed with the main body and takes a first posture. The protrusion is changeable in posture from the first posture to a second posture. The first posture is a posture in which the protrusion protrudes in the first direction from the main body. The second posture is a posture in which the protrusion protrudes in a second direction across the first direction.