Stackable Container Assembly Reciprocal Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container assemblies face challenges in achieving stable and cost-effective stacking connections, as the movable connecting means are subjected to heavy loads, leading to premature wear and increased manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
The connecting means are mounted on the lid and designed to engage with both bottom parts simultaneously, transferring the bearing force directly between the containers, thereby relieving stress on the lid's bearing means and allowing for simple and stable connection without the need for robust or costly designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the connecting means are mounted pivotably on the lid to connect stacked containers, then the containers can be stably connected and transported as a unit, but the pivotable mounting is subjected to heavy loads leading to premature wear and requiring robust (costly) design
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting means is divided into two separate functions: the locking tab (56) on the lid handles lid-to-bottom connection, while the connecting projection (55) on the bottom part handles container-to-container connection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, reducing wear on the lid's pivotable mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting projection (55) is extracted from the lid and placed on the bottom part of the container. This extraction removes the heavy load of inter-container connection from the lid's pivotable mounting, allowing the lid's connecting means to focus only on lid-to-bottom locking with minimal wear.
2Duration of action of moving object
If additional anchoring means are provided on the bottom part to relieve the pivotable mounting, then the service life of connecting means is extended, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting projection (55) and locking tab (56) are merged into a single integrated connecting means structure. This combination eliminates the need for separate anchoring means on the bottom part, as the integrated design inherently relieves the lid's mounting while maintaining connection stability, thereby reducing manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting means is designed with multi-functionality: the locking tab (56) performs lid-to-bottom locking, while the connecting projection (55) on the bottom part performs container-to-container connection. This universal design eliminates the need for additional specialized anchoring means, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
3Device complexity
If a single connecting means locks both the lid to the bottom part and connects to the upper container, then the device complexity is reduced, but the pivotable mounting is still subjected to heavy loads causing premature wear
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting means is segmented into distinct functional elements: the locking tab (56) for lid-to-bottom connection and the connecting projection (55) for container-to-container connection. This segmentation allows the lid's pivotable mounting to handle only light locking operations, extending its service life while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
Data Source
AI summary
It is a matter of a container assembly with at least one stackable container (1) which has a bottom part (7) and a lid (8) mounted on top thereof Several containers (1) may be so stacked that the lid (8) of the lower container (1) is located between two bottom parts (7). The container (1) is equipped with at least one connecting device (3) which has coupling means (26) mounted movably on the lid (8) of the container (1). The coupling means (26) are movable, for the connection of two containers (1) mounted one above the other, into a connected position relative to the lid (8), in which they are simultaneously in connecting engagement with the bottom parts (7) of both stacked containers (1).