Decorative Tree Storage Container Wheel Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transportation and storage of decorative trees in containers with wheels are hindered by the weight of the trees, which can cause flexing and binding of the container, leading to handling difficulties and potential damage to the tree or cargo.
Innovation Solution
The storage container design includes wheels positioned inward from the distal end, larger wheel sizes, a wheel well, a tapered segment on the underside surface, and a predetermined flexion feature to minimize contact with the supporting surface and distribute the weight effectively, thereby reducing flexing and binding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wheels are positioned at the distal end of the container, then the container can be easily rolled on the supporting surface, but the weight of the tree causes flexing and binding of the container structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions wheels at multiple locations along the length of the container rather than concentrating them at the distal end, distributing the load across different spatial dimensions and preventing structural flexing while maintaining mobility
Solution Approach 2:
The container structure is designed with varying wall thicknesses and reinforcement at specific locations to provide localized structural support where needed, particularly in areas experiencing stress from the tree weight during rolling operation
2Strength
If the container structure is made rigid to prevent flexing, then structural stability is improved, but the container becomes more prone to binding on the supporting surface
Solution Approach 1:
The container incorporates flexible elements and joints that allow controlled movement and adaptation to surface irregularities, enabling the rigid structure to dynamically adjust during rolling without binding
Solution Approach 2:
Flexible coupling elements serve as intermediaries between rigid structural components, allowing relative movement and preventing binding while maintaining overall structural integrity during the rolling operation
3Ease of operation
If larger wheel sizes are used to reduce binding, then ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel system is segmented into multiple smaller wheels distributed along the container length rather than using fewer larger wheels, achieving similar binding reduction效果 with simpler individual wheel components
Data Source
AI summary
A decorative tree storage container including an enclosure having a proximal end, a distal end, and an underside surface, is provided, and described. The storage container can be sized to hold a decorative tree and can include one or more wheels coupled to the enclosure and positioned at a wheel location between the proximal end and the distal end that increases the clearance between the underside surface of the enclosure and a supporting surface when a decorative tree is in the enclosure and a user is lifting the proximal end by the handle.