Variable Volume Container with Constrained Ribs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers that expand in size to accommodate varying volumes can exert forces that damage the container, and there is a need for a design that maintains a predetermined longitudinal length without expanding during size reduction.
Innovation Solution
A container with a body featuring a plurality of ribs that can actuate between expanded and compressed states, accompanied by a sleeve that inhibits certain ribs from transitioning into the expanded state, allowing controlled volume variation while maintaining structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the container is designed to expand in size to accommodate varying volumes, then the container can provide variable volume capability, but the container may exert forces that damage itself
Solution Approach 1:
The container employs dynamic ribs that can transition between expanded and compressed states to vary volume. The ribs are designed to be flexible enough to compress but constrained by the sleeve to prevent uncontrolled expansion that would damage the container structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A sleeve is introduced as an intermediary component between the ribs and the external environment. The sleeve selectively allows ribs to compress while preventing them from expanding beyond a safe limit, thus mediating the force interaction and protecting the container from self-damage.
2Volume of moving object
If the container is compressed to reduce volume for transportation, then the container becomes more compact, but the container cannot maintain a predetermined longitudinal length
Solution Approach 1:
The container uses dynamically configurable ribs that can change their configuration between expanded and compressed states. This allows the container to reduce its volume for transportation while the sleeve ensures the longitudinal length remains predetermined by preventing excessive compression.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression capability is localized to specific rib structures rather than the entire container body. The ribs can compress locally to reduce volume while the sleeve maintains the overall longitudinal length of the container body.
3Ease of operation
If the ribs are allowed to actuate freely between expanded and compressed states, then the container can vary volume easily, but the ribs cannot be secured in their state
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve acts as an intermediary that interacts with the ribs to provide selective constraint. It allows free actuation in the compression direction for ease of operation while providing stabilization in the expansion direction to secure the ribs in their state.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve changes the mechanical parameters (constraint conditions) applied to the ribs based on their state. When ribs are compressed, the sleeve allows them to remain in that state; when ribs attempt to expand, the sleeve prevents it, thus stabilizing the rib configuration.
Data Source
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AI summary
A container (100) includes a body (110) having an upper end (104) and a lower end (106). The upper end has an opening formed therethrough. The body defines a plurality of ribs (110) between the upper end and the lower end that are configured to actuate between an expanded state and a compressed state to vary a volume inside the body. A sleeve (500) is positioned at least partially around the body. The sleeve inhibits one or more of the plurality of ribs that are in the compressed state from actuating into the expanded state.