Rotating Plate Hinge for Collapsible Rainwater Box Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional liquid storage and drainage structures, such as rainwater boxes, face challenges in reducing overall volume when stacked, leading to increased storage and transport costs due to their large volume and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A hinge system comprising integrally formed plates that allow for rotational movement while maintaining high strength, formed through methods like moulding or 3D printing, with complementary features guiding rotation and providing locking mechanisms to ensure desired rotational positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If conventional stacked boxes are used, then storage capacity is achieved, but volume reduction when stacked is not realized leading to increased storage and transport costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevolume reduction when stackedVSAvoidcomplexity of handling and assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The box is divided into multiple panels that can be folded relative to each other using hinges, allowing the structure to be segmented into collapsible sections that reduce overall volume when stacked or stored

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The box incorporates movable hinges that allow panels to rotate and fold, transforming the structure from a rigid static form to a dynamic collapsible form, enabling volume reduction while maintaining ease of assembly through simple folding motions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If multiple separate parts are used in the hinge, then rotational movement is achieved, but the number of parts increases making production and assembly more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational movement between componentsVSAvoidnumber of parts in hinge

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple hinge components including plates, pins, and locking mechanisms are merged into integrally formed hinge assemblies, reducing the number of separate parts while maintaining the necessary rotational movement functionality through monolithic construction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If plates are spaced apart in the hinge, then rotational movement is enabled, but strength under compressive forces decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational movement capabilityVSAvoidstrength under compression

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge employs composite construction with alternating plates from first and second components that work together to distribute compressive loads across multiple surfaces, maintaining strength while enabling rotation through the composite plate assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP4163464A1Rotating plate hinge

Publication Date: 2023.04.12 PIPELIFE NEDERLAND

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 2A~2C

AI summary

A hinge comprises an integrally formed first component comprising a plurality of spaced apart first component plates; and an integrally formed second component comprising a plurality of spaced apart second component plates; wherein the first component plates fit together with the second component plates in an alternating and slidingly rotatable manner to form a hinge joining the first component to the second component around a rotation axis.