Storage box with at least one reinforced plastic side panel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current plastic boards for furniture manufacturing are either thick and heavy or require complex processing and high costs due to multi-layer composite structures, while single-layer plastic boards lack sufficient strength and stability.

Innovation Solution

A single-layer plastic composite board design featuring a bent peripheral portion and a stiffener with a stepped or tubular shape, providing additional strength and stability through adhesive or ultrasonic welding fixation, and optionally incorporating a metal stiffener for enhanced support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If single-layer plastic boards are used to substitute wooden boards, then cost and environmental friendliness are improved, but strength and stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidboard strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite structure by combining a single-layer plastic board with a stiffener component. The plastic board provides the base structure while the stiffener (made of wood, metal, or plastic) is attached to specific areas to enhance strength and stability. This composite approach allows the use of inexpensive single-layer plastic while achieving the structural integrity needed for furniture applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If multi-layer composite plastic boards with embedded stiffeners are used, then strength is improved, but processing complexity and production cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveboard strengthVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of creating complex multi-layer composite boards with embedded stiffeners, the patent segments the structure into two separate components: a simple single-layer plastic board and a separate stiffener. This segmentation simplifies the manufacturing process as each component can be produced independently using straightforward techniques, then assembled together to achieve the desired strength without complex processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If single-layer plastic boards are used, then processing simplicity is improved, but strength and stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing simplicityVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by attaching stiffeners to specific critical areas of the plastic board rather than making the entire board complex. The stiffeners are positioned at locations where strength and stability are most needed (such as edges, corners, or load-bearing areas), allowing the majority of the board to remain simple single-layer plastic while achieving reliable structural performance where required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution results in a lightweight, cost-effective, and easy-to-manufacture plastic composite board with improved strength and aesthetic appeal, suitable for various furniture applications.

Implementation Method 1

The stiffener and the single-layer plastic sheet are fixed to each other via an adhesive, such as glue and the like

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

The stiffener and the single-layer plastic sheet are fixed to each other via an adhesive, such as glue and the like, or by ultrasonic welding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic welding: Ultrasonic Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP3984410B1Storage box with at least one reinforced plastic side panel
Publication Date: 2023.03.08 LENG LUHAO
  • EP3984410B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3984410B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3984410B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A single-layer plastic composite board (20; 30; 40) is disclosed. The single-layer plastic composite board is a two-piece single-layer plastic composite board comprising a single-layer plastic sheet (11; 21) and a stiffener (22; 32), wherein the single-layer plastic sheet (11; 21) has a main body portion (111; 211) and a peripheral portion located around the main body portion; the peripheral portion bends towards the back of the main body portion in a direction perpendicular to the main body portion to form a bent portion (112; 212); and the stiffener (22; 32) is engaged with and fixed to the bent portion (112; 212) of the single-layer plastic sheet (11; 21). The single-layer plastic composite board has advantages such as a simple structure, small thickness, light weight, high strength, low cost and ease of manufacturing, and can be widely used as a cabinet board, a box board, a table board, a drawer board, a seat board and a backrest of a chair, etc.