Reconfigurable Container with Hinged Wall Segments for Compact Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional containers occupy significant space and are difficult to store when not in use, especially in scenarios like household laundry transport where space is limited and stacking is not feasible.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable container with hingedly coupled wall portions and a base that can pivot to change from a receptacle configuration to a flattened storage configuration, utilizing hinges, a ledge, and locking mechanisms to facilitate easy conversion between the two states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the container is designed with a fixed rigid structure to maintain its receptacle shape, then the structural stability is improved, but the storage space requirement increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The container employs dynamic hinges connecting the base to wall portions and wall portions to each other, enabling the structure to transition between a stable three-dimensional receptacle configuration and a collapsed flat configuration for compact storage. This dynamic mechanism allows the container to maintain structural stability during use while minimizing storage space when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The container wall is divided into multiple wall portions that can be independently folded relative to each other through hinges. This segmentation allows the container to collapse into a compact flat configuration for storage while maintaining its complete receptacle structure during use, effectively resolving the contradiction between structural stability and storage space requirement.
2Volume of stationary object
If the container is designed to be collapsible for compact storage, then the storage space requirement is reduced, but the structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The container uses hinges to create a dynamic structure that can transition between collapsed and upright configurations. The hinges are designed to maintain structural integrity during the transition while allowing the container to collapse flat for compact storage, thus reducing storage space requirement without permanently compromising structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The container includes a ledge that preliminarily supports the base in the upright configuration, preventing premature collapse and maintaining structural stability during use. The ledge acts as a preliminary support mechanism that ensures the container remains stable before any collapse action is initiated by the user.
3Ease of manufacture
If the container structure is simplified to reduce manufacturing complexity, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reconfigurability capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The container employs simple hinge mechanisms that can be easily manufactured and integrated into the container structure. These hinges provide the necessary reconfigurability capability, allowing the container to transition between configurations while maintaining ease of manufacture through the use of straightforward mechanical connections rather than complex assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The container utilizes flexible wall portions that can be manufactured as thin, adaptable structures. These flexible walls incorporate hinges to enable reconfiguration while keeping the overall manufacturing process simple and cost-effective, thus maintaining both ease of manufacture and reconfigurability capability.
4Volume of stationary object
If the container is made reconfigurable to enable compact storage, then the storage space requirement is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container is segmented into modular components (base, wall portions, ledge) connected by hinges, which enables compact storage through folding while keeping each individual component simple in design. This segmentation approach reduces overall device complexity by breaking down the reconfigurable structure into manageable, simple parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The container employs dynamic hinge connections that provide reconfigurability through simple rotational movements rather than complex mechanical mechanisms. This dynamic approach enables compact storage while minimizing device complexity by using straightforward hinge joints instead of elaborate locking or actuating systems.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
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AI summary
A reconfigurable container (100) is disclosed, the container being reconfigurable between a first configuration in which the container defines a receptacle for receiving an item, and a second configuration in which the container comprises a collapsed configuration for storage. The container comprises: a base (200) and a wall (300) which is arranged to extend around the base (200), the wall comprising at least two hingedly coupled wall portions (310), the base (200) being hingedly coupled to a lower region of at least one wall portion (310), the wall further comprising a ledge (360) disposed along a lower region thereof which is arranged to extend inwardly of the container (100), for supporting the base (200) when the container is configured in the first configuration.