Storage Container Rib Foot Snap-Connect Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage containers lack an efficient mechanism for securely connecting their bases and lids, which can lead to difficulties in stacking and modular use, as well as ease of assembly and retention.
Innovation Solution
The storage container features a ribbed foot on its base that snap-connects with a mating recess on the lid, utilizing a lead-in portion for easy engagement and a retaining portion for secure retention, allowing the base to click onto the lid and enabling modular stacking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a simple flat base and lid design is used, then manufacturing is easier and device complexity is reduced, but secure connection and retention between base and lid deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The foot is segmented into distinct functional portions: a lead-in portion for initial engagement and a retaining portion for secure connection. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall manufacturing simplicity through integral formation from the base material.
Solution Approach 2:
The lead-in portion performs preliminary engagement action by first entering the recess and guiding the retaining portion into position. This preliminary action prepares the connection interface before the retaining portion establishes the secure final connection, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures.
2Reliability
If a tight-fitting retaining portion is used for secure snap connection, then connection reliability improves, but ease of assembly deteriorates due to difficulty in engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The lead-in portion acts as an intermediary element between the user's assembly action and the retaining portion. It mediates the engagement process by first making contact with the recess, gradually guiding the retaining portion into its final position, and facilitating smooth assembly without requiring excessive force.
Solution Approach 2:
The lead-in portion performs preliminary engagement to prepare the connection interface before the retaining portion establishes secure connection. This preliminary action reduces the complexity of the final engagement by pre-positioning the components for optimal alignment.
3Device complexity
If a uniform foot profile is used, then device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is simpler, but retention and secure holding capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The foot exhibits local quality variations with different portions having distinct profiles optimized for their specific functions. The lead-in portion has a profile suitable for initial engagement, while the retaining portion has a different profile optimized for secure retention. This localized differentiation achieves high reliability without requiring complex overall device design.
4Ease of operation
If gradual engagement through lead-in portion is implemented, then ease of assembly improves and force distribution is better, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The foot is segmented into functional portions that can be formed integrally from the base material through standard molding processes. This segmentation provides gradual engagement functionality without requiring complex assembly steps or additional components, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while improving ease of assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a storage container comprising a base having a continuous side wall extending upwardly from a bottom wall and terminating at a top peripheral rim defining an upper opening. The container has a lid to open and close the upper opening, and the base of the container has a foot in the form of a rib on the underside of the bottom wall, in which the rib snap connects with a mating lid recess on an upper surface of the lid. In addition, the foot is profiled with a lead-in portion on the rib that is configured to guide the rest of the foot into the lid recess, and the foot is further profiled with a retaining portion on the rib that follows the lead-in portion to snap connect with the lid recess.