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This is the second step of the development project “Adjustable intermediate floor”.
The client is seeking detailed concepts how to solve the mechanical problem described in the project overview. The previous ideation challenge created a pool of ideas. Your task is to refine and recombine these ideas and do the necessary engineering work for a concept that can be tested by a prototype.

The Challenge Creator uses the foldable transport box “MaxiPac” to present and sell groceries in supermarkets without unloading the items from this box. Customers can reach the upper half of the box content well, but it is uncomfortable to reach the lower half. Therefore, the Challenge Creator is looking for a solution to implement a dynamic intermediate floor that can be easily and continuously lifted while the box is emptied by customers, such that the products are always at the top level, comfortably reachable by customers.

In order to save cost, the transport box is re-used for presenting the goods to the customer, because unloading into a shelf is extra work that shall be eliminated.

The difficulty of this problem is the target height of 30 mm when completely folded, and the initial force to start lifting, while the adjustment shall be possible by human force. Conventional lifting platforms that meet the small height require a very high initial force to unfold. Furthermore, it is hard to make the structure strong enough to lift the target load of 200 kg, given the 30 mm constraint.

This development project is divided into several steps. Upon completion of each step, the client can decide if he wants to proceed to the next step.

1. Ideation challenge (past)
2. Concept challenge (current)
3. Proof of concept with prototypes that can be tested

Please also refer to the attached diagram explaining the development project.

The dynamic floor needs to fulfill the following requirements

• Fits the existing transport box “MaxiPac”
• Works with various load weights from nearly 0 kg to max 200 kg.
• Maximum module weight: 15 kg
• Maximum height when completely folded: 30 mm
• Maximum way (adjustable height of floor): 450 mm
• Height can be easily adjusted by a single person (e.g. with a crank handle or portable electric drill). Maximum allowed force that a person needs to apply is 25kg.
• The module can be easily folded together and unfolded (along with the box). Only few steps needed with only minimal force application. Ideally, no extra tools are needed.
• There are no small parts that can be easily lost (e.g. individual screws) during folding/transportation.
• The module can be easily mounted to the box and removed for cleaning or repairing. Using screws for mounting is acceptable.
• When the box is folded for transportation, all parts are in a safe, relaxed state, e.g. no springs are compressed, no tank for compressed air.
• There is no compressed air available in the store.
• Additional wiring in the store (e.g. for power cord) is not allowed.
• Only few modifications are necessary on MaxiPac box (e.g. some holes)
• The module remains in the transport box all the time even when the box is folded and shipped back to the supplier.
• The space below the box floor cannot be used, only the 30 mm space within the box may be used.
• Easy to clean and waterproof: the box and the floor are cleaned with pressure washer (with water)
• Maintenance free
• Low acquisition cost (6500 pcs.). Price per piece is a relevant awarding criterion.
• Cost for building a proof of concept prototype is not higher than CHF 2000.

If you have any questions regarding the requirements, please post them in the comments section (timeline) of this project.

Dimensions of “MaxiPac”:

• Outer dimension: 800 x 600 x 1000 mm
• Inner dimensions: 756 x 556 x 846 mm
• Height when folded: 346 mm
• Height when unfolded: 1000 mm
• See also: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qia61ePKyR4

• A verified theoretical solution (concept) to lift the goods within the MaxiPac box is found..
• Building a prototype has a high probability to succeed in fulfilling the target requirements.
• Ideas of the previous ideation challenge are used, re-combined and further elaborated. Please do consider the client’s feedback on those ideas (if the requirements were fulfilled)

The submitted contribution

• has the potential to meet the requirements described in “Target Requirements”
• is complete and understandable, as described in “Deliverables”.
• is unique, i.e. not already covered by previous concept posts, or must significantly improve or correct previous concept posts. Duplicate contributions are not considered.
• is detailed enough to allow building a proof of concept prototype without further investigation or development effort, and with which tests in real life conditions can be performed.
• Based on the concept, it must be possible to make a proof of concept prototype for not more than CHF 2000.
• You must be the rightful owner of this concept.

• Main deliverable is a theoretical solution (concept) to lift the goods within the MaxiPac box as described in the project overview and the target requirements.
• Submit your technical drawings, CAD files, bill of materials, references to used parts etc. that are needed to manufacture a prototype.
• Describe which materials and thicknesses shall be used, and why.
• Estimate the total price for manufacturing 6500 pcs.
• Provide simulation and/or calculation results or other references that proves how you verified your concept and that it should work. Share your experience that further supports your assumptions.
• Describe the working principle.
• Describe which target requirements can be met and point out which ones are not met.
• Describe in which way your concept is different to and better than previous posts.
• Please highlight the advantages as well as limitations of your idea.
• You must mention which ideas of the previous ideation challenge have inspired you for your concept. Note that full transparency is important as this influences the awarding of the previous ideation challenge.
• You must mention which other concepts of this challenge have inspired you, if any.

Your submission is private, that is, only your title and teaser are visible to other users. Attachments and long text description are not visible to other users.

Total award sum for this challenge is CHF 6000.

Awarding concepts
The client selects 3 concepts of his preference, according to the following criteria:

• Meeting the target requirements.
• Total manufacturing cost for 6500 pcs
• Usability:
  • Unfolding and loading with products
  • Adjusting height
  • Folding and shipping
• Robustness, Stability, Cost for maintenance

These 3 concepts are awarded by CHF 1000 each. The crowd rating will only be used as a consultation and is not binding. The concepts have to fulfill the Contribution Quality Requirements (see above).
If less than 3 concepts fulfill all requirements, as can be identified by a theoretical reasoning, the client can choose to award only the number of concepts that do fulfill the requirements (if any).

Creating prototypes
If the client decides to continue with the project, he selects the best concept out of these 3 winning concepts, based on which a functional prototype is built as a proof of concept (within a separate, subsequent project). The client may decide to build more prototypes based on other concepts.

Final winner
If the prototype shows that the concept is solving the problem, the concept is additionally awarded with CHF 3000.

Awarding ideas
Please note based on the selection of the 3 winning concepts, the awards of the previous ideation challenge will be assigned, such that those ideas that led to the winning concepts are awarded.

Abort conditions
The client can decide to stop the development project and not to publish the subsequent prototype assignment. In this case, the client evaluates the quality and relevance of the concept and proportionally allocates the award to the best concept.

By submitting your contribution, you agree to the following license agreement:
The client may use all contributions for publications of any kind or for marketing purposes.
If you receive an award (or a part of it) for your contribution, you grant an unlimited (in time, scope and territory), perpetual, irrevocable and royalty free license to the client to use your contribution. This license shall be exclusive for the first 18 months after completion of this project. The client shall have the right to extend this exclusivity period at its sole discretion once or several times. Such extensions are subject to an additional compensation which shall be at a reasonable level. After the exclusivity period, the license shall be non-exclusive.

We encourage contributors to team up in order to complement each other’s skills and to improve your chances to win the competition. SWIP offers the Group functionality. Create a secret group to discuss your solution and share files. Information shared within a Secret Group is not visible to other SWIP users, only to invited group members.
It is up to you to get in touch with other users, discuss your internal conditions and how you’ll share the award. A team needs to appoint a representative member that submits the solution to swip.world and communicates with swip.world regarding the distribution key for any award. We suggest that you also invite our client to your group, in order to give you early feedback and suggestions. We really encourage cooperation! Just get in touch with us if you’re interested.
So, start by going through the solutions of the previous challenge and get in touch with those contributors and create your own team!