Transportable Container Interlocking Coupling Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of flight cases, which require high strength and rigidity to transport heavy and delicate equipment, is complicated by the need for manual assembly of components made from different materials, involving numerous screws, rivets, and other fixing elements, leading to increased time and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A transportable container design featuring an interlocking coupling unit with profiled elements and a barb system that allows for stable coupling between the end plate and side walls without screws or rivets, enabling easy assembly and customization, and using polymeric materials for molding to reduce production time and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional assembly methods with screws, rivets, and multiple fixing elements are used to ensure high strength and rigidity, then the structural strength and reliability are improved, but the assembly time and manufacturing complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fixing functions into a single integrated coupling unit that incorporates both the barb element for mechanical interlocking and the profiled element for guide and support functions. This merging eliminates the need for separate screws, rivets, and guide elements, thereby reducing assembly time while maintaining structural strength through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling unit employs a self-aligning mechanism where the profiled element with its groove automatically guides the side wall into the correct position, and the barb element automatically engages with the contoured portion. This self-service alignment and engagement system eliminates the need for manual positioning and multiple fixing operations, significantly reducing assembly time while ensuring proper structural alignment.
2Reliability
If multiple screws, rivets, and fixing elements are used to ensure stable coupling, then the reliability of the connection is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple separate fixing elements (screws, rivets, guide elements) into a single integrated coupling unit consisting of a barb element and a profiled element. This integration reduces the number of components and assembly steps while maintaining connection reliability through the combined mechanical interlocking and guiding actions of the integrated elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary fixing elements from the traditional assembly process. By removing the need for screws, rivets, and separate guide elements, and replacing them with the simplified coupling unit, the device complexity is reduced while the essential function of reliable connection is preserved through the barb-contoured portion interlocking mechanism.
3Stability of the object's composition
If manual assembly procedures with multiple components are used, then the structural integrity is ensured, but the productivity and manufacturing efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple assembly operations into a single coupling unit that performs guiding, positioning, and securing functions simultaneously. The profiled element with its groove provides guidance and support, while the barb element provides mechanical interlocking, all in one integrated component. This merging of functions maintains structural integrity while dramatically improving assembly productivity by reducing the number of discrete assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling unit's self-aligning and self-engaging mechanism allows for rapid assembly without requiring complex manual positioning or multiple securing operations. The profiled groove automatically guides the side wall into place, and the barb automatically engages with the contoured portion, maintaining structural integrity through this self-service process while improving productivity by eliminating time-consuming manual assembly steps.
Data Source
AI summary
A transportable container includes at least one end plate and four side walls and which defines, in at least one configuration for use, at least one internal compartment for the placement of utensils, tools and objects in general. The container includes an interlocking coupling unit for the plate and at least one of the side walls; the unit includes at least one first profiled element, which is associated with one side of the plate and defines at least one first groove for guiding and partial accommodation of one of the side walls. The unit also includes at least one second profiled element, which is substantially perpendicular to the plate and defines at least one rail for guiding and partial coupling of the side wall.