Semiregular Polyhedron Box With Interlocking Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional corrugated boxes lack structural integrity and access from both top and bottom, and do not benefit from a semiregular polyhedron shape with chamfered edges, which hinders their ability to securely hold loads and stack effectively.
Innovation Solution
A semiregular polyhedron box design with 10 faces, 16 vertices, and 24 edges, featuring three different sidewall dimensions, interlocking L-shaped slots, and chamfered corners that eliminate the need for fastening mechanisms, providing enhanced structural integrity and easy assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional corrugated boxes are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but structural integrity and support capabilities are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The box is divided into multiple flat panels that are hinged together to form the semiregular polyhedron structure. This segmentation allows the box to maintain structural integrity through geometric distribution of loads across multiple faces while remaining manufacturable from flat sheets.
Solution Approach 2:
The box transitions from a conventional rectangular prism to a semiregular polyhedron with 10 faces, 16 vertices, and 24 edges. This dimensional reconfiguration distributes structural stresses more effectively across the chamfered edges and vertices, enhancing strength without requiring additional reinforcement materials.
2Ease of operation
If conventional box designs are used, then assembly simplicity is maintained, but access from both top and bottom is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The box features separate top and bottom panels that can be independently opened, allowing access from both ends. This segmentation of the closure system enables dual-sided access while maintaining a manageable panel configuration that folds from a flat sheet.
Solution Approach 2:
The panels are designed with hinges and perforations that allow dynamic opening and closing from either end of the box. This dynamic configuration enables flexible access operations while the panels remain structurally integrated when closed.
3Strength
If conventional box structures are used, then material simplicity is maintained, but reinforcement requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The box structure is designed to be self-reinforcing through its semiregular polyhedron geometry. The chamfered edges and vertex configurations inherently distribute and resist loads without requiring additional reinforcement materials such as corner protectors, gussets, or fastening mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The box utilizes the corrugated fiberboard material's inherent properties in combination with the polyhedron geometry to achieve reinforced structural integrity. The fluted corrugated sheet and linerboard work together with the geometric form to provide strength without additional reinforcement substances.
4Productivity
If conventional box designs are used, then storage efficiency is maintained, but collapsibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The box is constructed from multiple hinged panels that can be folded flat for storage. This segmentation allows the three-dimensional polyhedron structure to collapse into a compact flat sheet, improving storage efficiency while maintaining the structural integrity of each panel.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinged panel construction allows the rigid polyhedron box to flex and collapse into a flat configuration for storage. The hinges and perforations enable this flexible transformation while the corrugated material maintains structural integrity during both expanded and collapsed states.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiregular polyhedron box and method of assembly provides a rectangular cross-section, ten faces, twenty-four edges, and sixteen vertices. The box is plastic corrugated and has two rectangular sidewalls, two square sidewalls, and four corner sidewalls. The sidewalls join at their lateral edges to form an enclosed region defined by a generally rectangular shape and four chamfered edges. Four rectangular panels hingedly join two opposing upper edges of rectangular sidewalls. Each rectangular panel has two L-shaped slots. Four irregular panels hingedly join two opposing upper and lower edges of the square sidewalls. Each irregular panel comprises an irregular top edge having a convex curve, and top angled corners. Each irregular panel also comprises irregular lateral edges having a lateral notch and bottom angled corners. The top angled corners of the irregular top edge and lateral notch detachably interlock with the L-shape slots of the rectangular panel to close the box.