Foldable Transport Container Stacking Recesses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable transport containers require increased design height due to complementary fixing devices, limiting the number of containers that can be stacked effectively.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating recesses in the side walls and protrusions on the feet, where the height of the protrusions is less than the depth of the recesses, allowing for a matrix-like structure that minimizes design height by enabling efficient stacking without additional height increase, with protrusions designed as truncated pyramids and recesses having complementary shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If complementary fixing devices are designed into each container for mutual holding, then the containers can be secured against slipping when stacked, but the design height of the folded-together containers increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding protruding fixing elements that increase height, the invention inverts the approach by creating recesses in the side walls and corresponding protrusions on the feet. The protrusions fit into the recesses from below, providing securing functionality while maintaining a compact folded height since the protrusions do not extend beyond the container's outer轮廓.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing mechanism transitions from a vertical dimension (protruding elements adding height) to a horizontal/embedded dimension (recesses and protrusions interacting within the container's footprint). The protrusions on the feet engage with recesses in the side walls through lateral insertion rather than vertical stacking, effectively utilizing space in another dimension.
2Length of stationary object
If recesses are formed in the side walls and protrusions on the feet for stacking, then the design height is minimized, but the load-bearing capacity must be sufficient to support stacked containers
Solution Approach 1:
The recesses are strategically positioned in specific local areas of the side walls (left and right side areas separated by ribs), concentrating the load-bearing function in these localized zones. The protrusions on the feet similarly engage with these specific recess locations, creating focused load transfer paths that maximize strength while minimizing overall height.
Solution Approach 2:
The recesses and protrusions are pre-configured in specific positions and shapes (truncated pyramids with complementary recesses) before stacking occurs. This preliminary design ensures that when containers are stacked, the load is immediately and correctly distributed through the protrusion-recess interface, eliminating the need for additional height-based load distribution mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a transport container comprising a rectangular base, with feet located at the underside thereof, with side walls that can pivot about hinges and that rise from said base, wherein the side walls, which lie on top in the folded-together state, and the bordering base edge comprising the hinges form support surfaces for the feet of an identical second container, the feet thereof being located below the base, characterized in that recesses are provided in the left and the right side area of the side walls, which lie on top in the folded-together state, the recesses being separated from one another by ribs and being used to receive protrusions formed on the bottom side of the feet, the height of the protrusions being less than the depth of the recesses.