Patent Publication Number: US-10758071-B1

Title: Smart folding box

Description:
FIELD 
     The subject matter herein generally relates to storage boxes, and more particularly to a smart folding box. 
     BACKGROUND 
     With the increasing demand for online shopping, items such as parcels are generally delivered to homes. The items generally cannot fit inside a mailbox, and so a courier usually delivers the items, and someone must sign for the items to receive the goods, which is inconvenient. Even if the size of a regular mailbox is modified to accommodate an item, the mailbox takes up a lot of space when there is no item inside. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Implementations of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of embodiments, with reference to the attached figures. 
         FIG. 1  is an assembled, isometric view of an embodiment of a smart folding box in an unfolded state. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along line in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric view of a locking mechanism shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a partial cutaway view of the smart folding box in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a close up view of a circled portion VI in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  shows the smart folding box in  FIG. 1  in a folded state. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. Additionally, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevant feature being described. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and the proportions of certain parts may be exaggerated to better illustrate details and features. The description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein. 
     Several definitions that apply throughout this disclosure will now be presented. 
     The term “coupled” is defined as connected, whether directly or indirectly through intervening components, and is not necessarily limited to physical connections. The connection can be such that the objects are permanently connected or releasably connected. The term “comprising” means “including, but not necessarily limited to”; it specifically indicates open-ended inclusion or membership in a so-described combination, group, series and the like. 
       FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  show an embodiment of a smart folding box  100 , which includes a support member  10 , a plurality of folding members, a door  40 , a locking mechanism  50 , and a controller  60 . In one embodiment, the plurality of folding members include a foldable cover  20  and two foldable sides  30 . The support member  10  includes a support body  11  and a connector  13 . The support body  11  includes a base  111  and a rear wall  113 . The rear wall  113  is disposed on one side edge of the base  111 . One side of each of the foldable sides  30  and one side of the foldable cover  20  is rotationally coupled to the rear wall  113 , and another side of each of the foldable sides  30  and another side of the foldable cover  20  is rotationally coupled to the connector  13 . In one embodiment, the connector  13  is substantially a U-shaped structure, but is not limited thereto. The two foldable sides  30  are respectively located on opposite side edges of the rear wall  113 . The base  111 , the rear wall  113 , the connector  13 , the foldable cover  20 , and the two foldable sides  30  cooperatively define a receiving cavity  17  having an opening  15 . The door  40  is mounted on the connector  13  and is configured to close or open the opening  15 . The foldable sides  30  and the foldable cover  20  are configured to be folded or unfolded to move the connector  13  and the door  40  to change a volume of the receiving space  17 . The locking mechanism  50  is disposed on a side of the foldable cover  20  facing the receiving space  17 . The controller  60  is disposed on the foldable cover  20 . The locking mechanism  50  is electrically coupled to the controller  60 . When the foldable cover  20  is in a folded state, the controller  60  controls the locking mechanism  50  to be locked to the support body  11 . When the foldable cover  20  is in an unfolded state, the controller  60  controls the locking mechanism  50  to be locked to the door  40 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the foldable cover  20  includes a plurality of cover plates that are rotationally coupled in sequence. In one embodiment, a quantity of the cover plates is two and includes a first cover plate  21  and a second cover plate  23 . One end of the first cover plate  21  is rotationally coupled to the second cover plate  23 , and another end of the first cover plate  21  is rotationally coupled to an end of the connector  13  away from the base  111 . One end of the second cover plate  23  away from the first cover plate  21  is rotationally coupled to the rear wall  113 . The locking mechanism  50  is disposed on the first cover plate  21 . The second cover plate  23  defines a clearance hole  231  to allow the locking mechanism  50  to pass through when the foldable cover  20  is in the folded state. In one embodiment, the clearance hole  231  is a hole defined in a peripheral edge of the second cover plate  23 , but is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the clearance hole  231  may be a slot. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the foldable cover  20  further includes at least one elastic piece  25 . The elastic piece  25  is located on the second cover plate  23 . One end of each elastic piece  25  is coupled to the second cover plate  23 , and another end of each elastic piece  25  abuts against the rear wall  113 . The elastic piece  25  is configured to drive the second cover plate  23  to rotate away from the receiving space  17 . That is, when the foldable cover  20  is in the folded state, a rotational joint of the first cover plate  21  and the second cover plate  23  is rotated away from the receiving space  17 . In other embodiments, the elastic piece  25  can be omitted, and when the foldable cover  20  is in the folded state, the rotational joint of the first cover plate  21  and the second cover plate  23  can be rotated toward the receiving space  17 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , in one embodiment, the foldable cover  20  further includes a first protective cover  27  and a second protective cover  29 . The first protective cover  27  is disposed on the first cover plate  21 . The second protective cover  29  is disposed on the second cover plate  23 . The controller  60  is disposed on the first cover plate  21 . The first protective cover  27  covers the controller  60 . The controller  60  includes an interactive interface  61 . The first protective cover  27  defines a receiving hole  271 , and the interactive interface  61  is exposed through the receiving hole  271 . The interactive interface  61  is used to input an operator&#39;s authorization information to send to the controller  60  a lock or unlock command of the locking mechanism  50  to open or close the door  40  and unfold or fold the smart folding box  100 . The controller  60  can determine and verify the authorization information. When the verification is successful, the controller  60  controls the locking mechanism  50  to execute the lock or unlock command. 
     The first protective cover  27  and the second protective cover  29  enable the foldable cover  20  to be enclosed by the support member  10 , the foldable sides  30 , and the door  40  to close the receiving cavity  17 , so that items contained in the smart folding box  100  can be protected. The protective cover  27  protects the controller  60 . In other embodiments, the first protective cover  27  and the second protective cover  29  may be omitted, as long as the first cover plate  21  and the second cover plate  23  are closed by a plurality of covers to cover the receiving cavity  17  and the controller  60  is separately covered by a protective cover. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , each foldable side  30  includes a plurality of side panels  31  and a plurality of hinges  33 . In one embodiment, a quantity of the side panels  31  of each foldable side  30  is two, but is not limited thereto. The two side panels  31  are coupled together by a plurality of hinges  33 . Each hinge  33  has a high tensile force to bias the two side panels  31  to be relatively unfolded. In one embodiment, the two side panels  31  are folded into the receiving cavity  17 . The two side panels  31  are respectively rotationally coupled to the rear wall  113  and the connector  13  at opposite sides of the foldable side  30 . When the locking mechanism  50  is unlocked, the hinges  33  drive the two foldable sides  30  to automatically unfold the foldable cover  20 . It will be understood that in other embodiments, the hinges  33  may be ordinary connecting hinges. 
     It can be understood that in other embodiments, the quantity of the side panels  31  of the foldable sides  30  may be three or more, and the quantity of the cover plates of the foldable cover  20  may be a plurality, as long as the quantity of side panels  31  and the plurality of cover plates can be folded or unfolded in sequence. 
     In other embodiments, the side panels  31  may be folded away from the receiving cavity  17 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the locking mechanism  50  includes a connecting frame  51 , an electric lock  53 , a folding detection member  55 , and a door lock detection member  57 . The electric lock  53 , the folding detection member  55 , and the door lock detection member  57  are electrically coupled to the controller  60 . The connecting frame  51  is disposed on a side of the first cover plate  21  facing the receiving space  17 . The electric lock  53  includes a lock body  531  and a lock core  533 . The lock core  533  is disposed on the lock body  531 , and the lock body  531  can drive the lock core  533  to extend and retract. The lock body  531 , the folding detection member  55 , and the door lock detection member  57  are disposed on the connecting frame  51 . The folding detection member  55  is configured to detect a folded or unfolded state of the foldable cover  20 . When the folding detection member  55  detects that the foldable cover  20  is in the folded state, the controller  60  controls the lock body  531  to drive the lock core  533  to extend to lock the foldable cover  20  with the support member  10 . The door lock detection member  57  is configured to detect the open or closed state of the door  40 . When the door lock detection member  57  detects that the door  40  is in the closed state, the controller  60  controls the lock body  531  to drive the lock core  533  to extend to lock the foldable cover  20  with the door  40 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , in one embodiment, the folding detection member  55  is a normally closed switch, but is not limited thereto. The support member  10  further includes a limiting member  115  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). The limiting member  115  is disposed on a side of the rear wall  113  facing the receiving cavity  17 . The limiting member  115  defines a limiting slot  1151  facing the foldable cover  20  in the unfolded state. The folding detection member  55  includes a first sensor  551 . When the foldable cover  20  is in the unfolded state, the first sensor  551  of the folding detection member  55  is pressed by the connector  13 , so the folding detection member  55  feeds back an unfolding signal to the controller  60 , and the controller  60  controls the lock body  531  to drive the lock core  533  to retract. When the foldable cover  20  is folded, the folding detection member  55  is rotated relative to the connector  13  to gradually move the first sensor  551  away from the connector  13  until the foldable cover  20  is folded, and the first sensor  551  is separated from the connector  13 , so the folding detection member  55  feeds back a folding signal to the controller  60 , and the controller  60  controls the lock body  531  to drive the lock core  533  to extend to be inserted into the limiting slot  1151 . Thus, the smart folding box  100  is locked in a folded state and does not occupy much space. 
     It can be understood that in other embodiments, the electric lock  53  can also be disposed on the second cover plate  23 , the first cover plate  21  defines another clearance hole  231 , and the limiting member  115  correspondingly defines another limiting slot  1151 , so that when the first cover plate  21  and the second cover plate  23  are folded, the other clearance hole  231  can avoid the electric lock  53 , and the lock core  533  of the electric lock  53  is inserted into the other limiting slot  1151 . 
     It can be understood that in other embodiments, the electric lock  53  can also be disposed on one of the side panels  31  of one of the foldable sides  30 , the remaining side panels  31  correspondingly define another clearance hole  231 , and the limiting member  115  correspondingly defines another limiting slot  1151 . Thus, when the first cover plate  21  and the second cover plate  23  are folded, the other clearance hole  231  can avoid the electric lock  53 , and the lock core  533  is inserted into the other limit slot  1151 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the door  40  includes a door panel  41 , a sliding rail  43 , and a guiding member  45 . The sliding rail  43  is disposed on a side of the door panel  41  facing the connector  13 . One side of the guiding member  45  is mounted on the connector  13 , and the other side is slidably mounted on the sliding rail  43 , so that the door panel  41  can slide relative to the connector  13  to open or close the opening  15 . The door lock detection member  57  is configured to detect an open or closed state of the door  40  when the foldable cover  20  is in the unfolded state. When the door lock detection member  57  detects that the door  40  is in the closed state, the controller  60  controls the lock body  531  to drive the lock core  533  to extend to lock the door  40  to the support member  10 . 
     In one embodiment, the lock body  531  and the door lock detection member  57  are located on the first cover plate  21  adjacent to the door  40 . The door lock detection member  57  is a normally open switch, and the door lock detection member  57  includes a second sensor  571 . The door panel  41  includes a resisting portion  411  (shown in  FIG. 5 ). The connector  13  defines a through hole (not labeled). The sliding rail  43  defines an inserting slot  431  facing the electric lock  53 . In other embodiments, the slot  431  can be defined in the door panel  41 . When the door  40  is in the closed state, the resisting portion  411  is pressed against the second sensor  571  through the through hole, and the door lock detection member  57  feeds back a locking signal to the controller  60 , so that the controller  60  controls the lock body  531  to drive the lock core  533  to extend and sequentially passes through the connector  13  and the guiding member  45  to be inserted into the inserting slot  431 . Thus, the door  40  is locked to the support member  10  to prevent the door  40  from being arbitrarily opened to safeguard items in the smart folding box  100 . When the door  40  is in the open state, the door panel  41  drives the resisting portion  411  to separate from the second sensor  571 , the door lock detection member  57  feeds back an unlocking signal to the controller  60 , and the controller  60  controls the lock body  531  to drive the lock core  533  to retract. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , when the smart folding box  100  is in the folded state, the first cover plate  21  and the second cover plate  23  of the foldable cover  20  are folded away from the receiving cavity  17 , so that the first protective cover  27  is rotated to abut against a side of the door  40  away from the base  111 . When the smart folding box  100  does not have items inside, the door  40  is in the closed state. 
     It can be understood that in other embodiments, the folding detection member  55  and the door lock detection member  57  may be photoelectric sensors. 
     It can be understood that in other embodiments, the door lock detection member  57  can be omitted. One side of the door  40  can also be rotationally coupled to the connector  13 , and another side of the door  40  can be attached to the connector  13  by a mechanical lock to enable the door  40  to open or close the opening  15 . 
     It can be understood that in other embodiments, the electric lock  53  can be disposed on a different folding member as the folding detection member  55  and the door lock detection member  57 . For example, the electric lock  53  is disposed on the side panel  31  of one foldable side  30  adjacent to the connector  13 , and the folding detection member  55  and the door lock detection member  57  are disposed on the first cover plate  21 , as long as the support body  11  correspondingly defines another limiting slot and the door  40  defines another inserting slot for the electric lock  53  to be inserted. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , in one embodiment, the door  40  further includes a handle  47  for facilitating opening and closing of the door  40 . The handle  47  is integrally formed in the door panel  41  with an internal buckle structure to save space, but is not limited thereto. It can be understood that in other embodiments, the handle  47  can also be omitted or adopt other structures. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the smart folding box  100  further includes a lining bag  70 . The lining bag  70  is coupled to the rear wall  113 , the connector  13 , and the foldable side  30 , and is located in the receiving space  17 . When the smart folding box  100  is folded, the lining bag  70  is gradually folded with the foldable sides  30 . The lining bag  70  defines a bag opening  71  facing the door  40 , and the bag opening  71  communicates with the opening  15  to allow an item to be received inside the lining bag  70  through the opening  15  and the bag opening  71 . The lining bag  70  can be made of waterproof, fireproof, or oil proof material to protect the items therein. It can be understood that in other embodiments, the lining bag  70  can also be omitted. It can be understood that in other embodiments, the lining bag  70  can also be disposed outside the receiving cavity  17 . 
     It can be understood that in other embodiments, the base  111  can also be a foldable structure. 
     When there is no item to be stored, the smart folding box  100  is in a folded state, the electric lock  53  is in a locked state, and the lock core  533  is inserted into the limiting slot  1151  of the limiting member  115 . When an item needs to be stored, an operator can input authorization information through the interaction interface  61  to send an unlocking instruction of the locking mechanism  50  to the controller  60 . The controller  60  controls the lock body  531  to drive the lock core  533  to retract. The hinges  33  drive the foldable sides  30  and the foldable cover  20  to unfold. The first sensor  551  of the folding detection member  55  is abutted by the connector  13 , and the folding detection member  55  feeds back the unfolding signal to the controller  60 . Then the door panel  41  is opened to place an item inside to be stored. The door panel  41  is closed, and the resisting portion  411  is passed through the through hole to resist against the second sensor  571  of the door lock detection member  57 . The door lock detection member  57  feeds back the locking signal to the controller  60 . The controller  60  controls the lock body  531  to drive the lock core  533  to extend and sequentially pass through the connector  13  and the guiding member  45  to be inserted into the inserting slot  431 . When the item needs to be taken out, the operator can input the authorization information through the interactive interface  61  to send the unlocking instruction of the locking mechanism  50  to the controller  60 . When the controller  60  verifies the authorization information, the controller  60  controls the control lock  531  to drive the lock core  533  to retract. 
     The smart folding box  100  is in a folded state when no items are stored, thereby reducing an occupied space of the smart folding box  100 . The electric lock  53  can lock the folding members on the support member  10 , thereby preventing the folding members of the smart folding box  100  from slipping due to gravity or other external force. When it is necessary to store an item, the controller  60  controls the electric lock  53  to unlock to unfold the smart folding box  100 , and the door  40  is opened to place the item. Thus, the smart folding box  100  makes it easier and safer to store and collect items. 
     The embodiments shown and described above are only examples. Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present technology have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the present disclosure, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in the detail, including in matters of shape, size and arrangement of the parts within the principles of the present disclosure up to, and including, the full extent established by the broad general meaning of the terms used in the claims.