Tank container and end frame structure thereof

Abstract

The application provides a tank container and an end frame structure thereof. The end frame structure comprises an upper beam, a lower beam and two corner columns. The corner column comprises a body and a reinforcing part which are arranged in parallel along the axial direction of the tank body, and the body and the reinforcing part are matched and enclose a tubular structure. In the end frame structure of the tank container, the reinforcing part and the body are arranged in parallel along the axial direction of the tank body by designing the shape of the corner column. The corner column is provided with the reinforcing part to increase the width, so that the strength of the corner column is strengthened, and the load of the end frame structure can meet the requirement of 78 tons.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of tank containers, and in particular to a tank container and its end frame structure. Background Technology

[0002] Tank containers are a common type of transportation equipment. A tank container typically consists of a frame and a tank supported by the frame. The frame protects the tank and facilitates lifting. The frame usually includes a front frame, a rear frame, and crossbeams connecting the front and rear frames. For tank containers, the frame must withstand impact loads, fatigue loads, and inertial forces from the liquid inside the tank. Therefore, the frame usually requires a relatively complex structure to meet strength requirements under impact and other conditions.

[0003] Furthermore, swap body tank containers are often ultra-large volume tanks. The greater the weight of the ultra-large volume tank, the greater the inertial impact on the end frames. Traditional end frame structures are difficult to meet their strength requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an end frame structure with high strength.

[0005] An end frame structure for a tank container, characterized in that it comprises: an upper beam, a lower beam, and two corner posts, two top corner pieces disposed at the top of the two corner posts and bottom corner pieces disposed at the bottom of the two corner posts, the two ends of the upper beam being connected to the two top corner pieces respectively, the two ends of the lower beam being connected to the two bottom corner pieces respectively, each corner post comprising a body and a reinforcing part, the reinforcing part and the body being arranged side by side along the axial direction of the tank, the body and the reinforcing part being adapted to each other and forming a tubular structure.

[0006] In one embodiment, the width of the reinforcing part along the axial direction of the tank is consistent, or the width of the reinforcing part along the axial direction of the tank increases from the upper and lower ends towards the middle.

[0007] In one embodiment, the reinforcing part and the body are an integral structure.

[0008] In one embodiment, the distance between the inner surfaces of the two corner posts is greater than or equal to the distance between the two top corner pieces or the two bottom corner pieces.

[0009] In one embodiment, an arc-shaped groove adapted to the tank body is provided on the inner side of the corner post.

[0010] In one embodiment, the lower beam has a clearance groove, and the lower beam has a connecting block at the clearance groove.

[0011] In one embodiment, a connecting plate is also included, the connecting plate having a through hole for the tank to pass through, the two corner posts are spliced ​​together with the upper beam and the lower beam to form a frame, and the connecting plate is connected to the frame cover from at least one side of the frame.

[0012] In one embodiment, the connecting plate is disposed on the front and rear sides of the frame, and a reinforcing plate is vertically disposed between the two connecting plates, the reinforcing plate extending from the top corner piece and the bottom corner piece to the through hole.

[0013] In one embodiment, the top corner piece and the bottom corner piece are castings or welded parts, and the yield strength of the top corner piece and the bottom corner piece is greater than or equal to 420 MPa.

[0014] A tank container is also provided.

[0015] A tank container includes a tank body and the aforementioned end frame structure. The end frame structure is provided at both ends of the tank body, and the two ends of the tank body are fixed by the end frame structure. End caps are provided at both ends of the tank body, and the end caps pass through the two end frame structures respectively.

[0016] In the aforementioned end frame structure of the tank container, by designing the shape of the corner posts, the reinforcing parts are arranged side-by-side with the main body along the axial direction of the tank. The corner posts are widened by adding reinforcing parts, thus strengthening their strength and enabling the end frame structure to meet the 78-ton load requirement. Furthermore, by designing the shape of the corner posts and the connection positions between the corner posts and corner fittings, the distance between the two main bodies is made greater than the distance between the two top corner fittings or the two bottom corner fittings. This end frame structure can secure tanks with larger volumes without affecting the hoisting and transportation of the overall tank container. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the end frame structure of the tank container according to this embodiment;

[0018] Figure 2 According to Figure 1 The side view of the end frame structure shown;

[0019] Figure 3 According to Figure 1 The diagram shows a frame structure diagram of the end frame structure shown.

[0020] Figure 4 According to Figure 3 A side view of another embodiment of the frame structure shown.

[0021] The reference numerals in the attached drawings are explained as follows: 2. End frame structure; 20. Frame; 21. Upper beam; 22. Lower beam; 221. Clearance groove; 222. Connecting block; 223. Cut surface; 224. Arc surface; 23. Corner post; 231. Body; 232. Reinforcing part; 233. Inclined surface; 234. Arc groove; 235. Inner side surface; 236. Outer side surface; 24. Corner piece; 241. Top corner piece; 242. Bottom corner piece; 25. Connecting plate; 251. Through hole; 252. Reinforcing plate; 253. Reinforcing pipe; 254. Hole; 26. Lifting protection plate; 3. Crossbeam. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Although the invention can be readily embodied in various forms, only some specific embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings and will be described in detail in this specification. It is understood that this specification should be regarded as an exemplary illustration of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to what is described herein.

[0023] Therefore, a feature pointed out in this specification is used to illustrate one feature of one embodiment of the invention, and does not imply that every embodiment of the invention must have the described feature. Furthermore, it should be noted that this specification describes many features. While certain features may be combined to illustrate possible system designs, these features may also be used in other combinations not explicitly stated. Therefore, unless otherwise stated, the described combinations are not intended to be limiting.

[0024] In the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, the directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, and back) used to explain the structure and movement of the various elements of the invention are relative rather than absolute. These descriptions are appropriate when these elements are in the positions shown in the drawings. If the descriptions of the positions of these elements change, these directional indications also change accordingly.

[0025] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] See Figure 1 This invention proposes a tank container and its end frame structure.

[0027] The tank container of this embodiment includes a tank body and end frame structures 2 disposed at both ends of the tank body. The two ends of the tank body are fixed by the end frame structures 2, and each end of the tank body is provided with a cap. The caps pass through the end frame structures 2 respectively. For ease of explanation, the end of the tank body closer to the front of the vehicle is referred to as the front end, and the other end of the tank body as the rear end. Therefore, the two end frame structures 2 are respectively the front frame and the rear frame. The two ends of the tank body are fixed by the front frame and the rear frame, and the caps pass through the front frame and the rear frame respectively.

[0028] The tank is an extra-large volume tank. The distance between the front and rear frames is 30Ft or 40Ft.

[0029] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 The end frame structure 2 includes an upper beam 21, a lower beam 22, two corner columns 23, and four corner pieces 24.

[0030] The corner fittings 24 include two top corner fittings 241 located at the top of the two corner posts 23 and two bottom corner fittings 242 located at the bottom of the two corner posts 23. The two ends of the upper beam 21 are connected to the two top corner fittings 241, and the two ends of the lower beam 22 are connected to the two bottom corner fittings 242. The top corner fittings 241 and bottom corner fittings 242 are either cast or welded parts, and their yield strength is greater than or equal to 420 MPa to meet the requirements for transporting ultra-large, easily damaged tanks.

[0031] Furthermore, the distance between the two top corner pieces 241 is 2438mm, and the distance between the two bottom corner pieces 242 is less than or equal to 2600mm, ensuring that the corner piece holes can be adapted to corner piece locks for railway, highway, and shipping transportation. It can be understood that the distance between the two top corner pieces 241 and the two bottom corner pieces 242 can also be the same, as long as the transportation and use requirements of the corner piece locks are met.

[0032] The upper beam 21 and lower beam 22 are arranged opposite each other. The upper beam 21 and lower beam 22 are tubular structures, such as square or round tubes. A lifting protection plate 26 is provided at the connection between the upper beam 21 and the corner piece 241. The lifting protection plate 26 is triangular. The lifting protection plate 26 connects the upper beam 21 and the crossbeam 3 between the two end frame structures 2. The lifting protection plate strengthens the connection between the upper beam 21, the corner piece 241, and the crossbeam 3, preventing damage during lifting.

[0033] The lower beam 22 has a clearance groove 221. The clearance groove 221 is used to avoid collisions with fixing locks on the frame, etc., to prevent the lower beam 22 from being damaged when the end frame structure 2 is placed on the frame. The lower beam 22 has a connecting block 222 at the clearance groove 221. The connecting block 222 connects the lower beam 22 to the bottom corner piece 242. The connecting block 222 can strengthen the lower beam 22 at the clearance groove 221 and prevent the lower beam 22 from being affected by the clearance groove 221. The width of the connecting block 222 is equal to the width of the lower beam 22. One end of the connecting block 222 abuts against the inner side 235 of the corner post 23. The other end of the connecting block 222 has a cut surface 223. This cut surface 223 is adapted to the outer surface of the tank. It can be understood that the connecting block 222 is a rectangular square tube.

[0034] Specifically, in this embodiment, the length of the lower beam 22 is less than the distance between the two bottom corner pieces 242. Therefore, the clearance groove 221 is formed by the end face of the lower beam 22 and the side face of the bottom corner piece 242.

[0035] Furthermore, the lower beam 22 is provided with an arc surface 224, which is adapted to the surface of the tank. When the tank comes into contact with the lower beam 22, the arc surface 224 can better fix and support the tank.

[0036] Please see Figure 3 The two corner posts 23 are spliced ​​together with the upper beam 21 and the lower beam 22 through corner fittings 24 to form a frame 20. The side of the corner post 23 facing the inside of the frame 20 is the inner side 235 of the corner post 23, and the side opposite to the inner side 235 is the outer side 236 of the corner post 23.

[0037] The corner post 23 includes a body 231 and a reinforcing part 232. The body 231 and the reinforcing part 232 are arranged side by side along the axial direction of the tank, and the reinforcing part 232 is adapted to the body 231 to form a tubular structure. The body 231 and the reinforcing part 232 are spliced ​​together to form the tubular corner post 23.

[0038] The width of the reinforcing part 232 is consistent along the axial direction of the tank body. The cross-sectional area of ​​the middle part of the reinforcing part 232 is equal to the cross-sectional area of ​​both ends of the reinforcing part 232.

[0039] Specifically, in this embodiment, the cross-sectional area of ​​the middle part of the reinforcing part 232 is equal to the cross-sectional area of ​​both ends. The width of the corner post 23 is consistent along the axial direction of the tank body. That is, the corner post 23 is a rectangular square tube. The body 231 and the reinforcing part 232 are made of steel with square grooves. The reinforcing part 232 strengthens the corner post 23 from one side of the body 231.

[0040] The reinforcing part 232 and the main body 231 are an integral structure.

[0041] Furthermore, the reinforcing part 232 widens the end face of the corner post 23 along the axial direction of the tank body, thereby increasing the connection area between the corner post 23 and the corner piece 24 and enhancing the connection strength between the corner post 23 and the corner piece 24.

[0042] Since the corner post 23 is composed of the main body 231 and the reinforcing part 232, the length of the corner post 23 along the axial direction of the tank body is larger, and the length of the corner post 23 in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tank body is smaller. Therefore, the corner post 23 can be connected to the outer part of the corner piece 24, thereby increasing the distance between the inner surfaces 235 of the two corner posts 23. The distance between the inner surfaces 235 of the two corner posts 23 is greater than the distance between the two top corner pieces 241 or the two bottom corner pieces 242. Therefore, without affecting the hoisting and transportation of the overall tank container, increasing the distance between the two corner posts 23 allows the end frame structure 2 to fix a tank with a larger volume.

[0043] Specifically, in this embodiment, the outer surfaces 236 at both ends of the corner post 23 are provided with inclined surfaces 233. The inclined surfaces 233 bend toward the inner surface 235 of the corner post 23, and the angle between the inclined surfaces 233 and the inner surface 235 of the corner post 23 is an acute angle. The cross-sectional area of ​​the corner post 23 gradually decreases along the height direction, ensuring that the two ends of the corner post 23 can be connected to the corner piece 24.

[0044] In other embodiments, the width of the reinforcing portion 232 along the axial direction of the tank increases from both ends toward the middle. See also... Figure 4 The cross-sectional area of ​​the middle part of the reinforcing part 232 is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the two ends of the reinforcing part 232. The width of the corner post 23 along the axial direction of the tank increases from the two ends to the middle. In the axial direction of the tank, the width of the middle part of the corner post 23 increases relative to the width of the two ends, which can enhance the strength of the corner post 23 itself.

[0045] It is understandable that corner post 23 can also be made by splicing together irregular square tubes, square tubes or round tubes or plates.

[0046] Therefore, while ensuring its own strength and the connection strength with the corner piece 24, the distance between the two corner posts 23 is maximized so that the end frame structure 2 can fix a tank with a larger volume.

[0047] An arc-shaped groove 234 adapted to the tank body is provided on the inner surface 235 of the corner post 23. On the one hand, the two arc-shaped grooves 234 can further increase the distance between the inner surfaces 235 of the two corner posts 23, so that the end frame structure 2 can fix a tank with a larger volume; on the other hand, the arc-shaped grooves 234 can enable the corner post 23 to clamp the tank body, enhancing the stability of the connection between the tank body and the end frame structure 2.

[0048] The height of corner post 23 is less than or equal to 2743mm, or the height of corner post is less than or equal to 2896mm.

[0049] Please also refer to Figure 1 The end frame structure 2 also includes a connecting plate 25. The connecting plate 25 covers one side of the frame 20. The connecting plate 25 is connected to the frame 20 cover from at least one side of the frame 20.

[0050] Specifically, in this embodiment, there can be two connecting plates 25, which are spaced apart and opposite to each other on the front and rear sides of the frame 20, forming a box-like structure with the frame 20. The four edges of the connecting plates 25 are welded to the four edges of the frame 20. The connecting plates 25 enclose the frame 20 in a box-like structure to enhance the strength of the end frame structure 2. The connecting plates 25 are stiffening plates to improve the strength of the end frame structure 2.

[0051] The shape of the connecting plate 25 is adapted to the shape of the frame 20. The connecting plate 25 has a through hole 251 for the tank to pass through. Furthermore, the edge of the through hole 251 is aligned with the arc surface of the corner post 23. Both ends of the tank extend out from the through hole 251 of the connecting plate 25. The outer surface of the tank is connected to the through hole 251, so the inertial force on the tank can be transmitted to the connecting plate 25.

[0052] A reinforcing plate 252 is vertically disposed between the two connecting plates 25. The reinforcing plate is vertically located within the box-shaped structure. The reinforcing plate 252 enhances the strength of the box-shaped structure. Furthermore, the reinforcing plate 252 extends from the top corner piece 241 and the bottom corner piece 242 to the through hole 251. There are multiple reinforcing plates 252. During the hoisting or transportation of the tank, stress is transferred from the tank to the corner piece 24 via the reinforcing plate 252 and is thus released.

[0053] Furthermore, the end frame structure 2 is also provided with a reinforcing tube 253. The connecting plate 25 is also provided with a hole 254. The reinforcing tube 253 is located between the two connecting plates 25, and the openings at both ends of the reinforcing tube 253 are opposite to the hole 254. The stress of the connecting plate 25 can be released through the hole 254, and the reinforcing tube 253 can enhance the strength of the end frame structure 2.

[0054] In other embodiments, there is one connecting plate 25. The connecting plate 25 may be located on the front or rear side of the frame 20. Alternatively, the connecting plate 25 may be located inside the frame 20, situated on the center plane of the frame 20. The center plane of the frame 20 is the central cross-section of the frame 20 along the radial direction of the tank. The connecting plate 25 strengthens the end frame structure 2 within the frame 20.

[0055] It is understandable that the connecting plate 25 can be made of multiple sheet metal welded together, or it can be a single integrated structure.

[0056] In the end frame structure of the aforementioned tank container, by designing the shape of the corner posts, the width of the corner posts 23 is increased in the axial direction of the tank body, thereby strengthening the corner posts and enabling the end frame structure to meet the load requirement of 78 tons.

[0057] By designing the shape of the corner posts and the connection positions between the corner posts and corner fittings, the distance between the two main bodies is made greater than the distance between the two top corner fittings or the two bottom corner fittings. The aforementioned end frame structure 2 can secure tanks with larger volumes without affecting the hoisting and transportation of the overall tank container.

[0058] Although the invention has been described with reference to several typical embodiments, it should be understood that the terminology used is illustrative and exemplary, and not restrictive. Since the invention can be embodied in many forms without departing from the spirit or essence of the invention, it should be understood that the above embodiments are not limited to any of the foregoing details, but should be interpreted broadly within the spirit and scope defined by the appended claims. Therefore, all variations and modifications falling within the scope of the claims or their equivalents should be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An end frame structure for a tank container, characterized in that, include: The structure includes an upper beam, a lower beam, and two corner columns, with two top corner pieces at the top of the two corner columns and a bottom corner piece at the bottom of the two corner columns. The two ends of the upper beam are connected to the two top corner pieces, and the two ends of the lower beam are connected to the two bottom corner pieces. Each corner column includes a body and a reinforcing part. The reinforcing part and the body are arranged side by side along the axial direction of the tank. The body and the reinforcing part are adapted to each other and form a tubular structure. The reinforcing part widens the end face of the corner post along the axial direction of the tank body, thereby increasing the connection area between the corner post and the corner piece and enhancing the connection strength between the corner post and the corner piece; It also includes a connecting plate, which has a through hole for the tank body to pass through, and the edge of the through hole is used to connect with the outer surface of the tank body. The shape of the cross-section of the corner post is as follows: the length of the corner post is larger along the axial direction of the tank body, the length of the corner post is smaller along the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tank body, the corner post is connected to the outer part of the corner piece, and the distance between the inner sides of the two corner posts is greater than or equal to the distance between the two top corner pieces or the two bottom corner pieces. The outer surfaces at both ends of the corner post are provided with inclined surfaces, which are bent toward the inner surfaces of the corner post. The reinforcing part is an integral structure with the main body; The two corner columns are spliced ​​together with the upper beam and the lower beam to form a frame, and the connecting plate is connected to the frame cover from at least one side of the frame. The connecting plates are provided on the front and rear sides of the frame, and a reinforcing plate is vertically provided between the two connecting plates. The reinforcing plate extends from the top corner piece and the bottom corner piece to the through hole. The end frame structure is also provided with a reinforcing tube, and the connecting plate is also provided with a hole. The reinforcing tube is located between the two connecting plates, and the openings at both ends of the reinforcing tube are opposite to the hole. The top corner piece and the bottom corner piece are castings or welded parts, and the yield strength of the top corner piece and the bottom corner piece is greater than or equal to 420 MPa.

2. The end frame structure of the tank container according to claim 1, characterized in that, The width of the reinforcing part along the axial direction of the tank is consistent, or the width of the reinforcing part along the axial direction of the tank increases from the upper and lower ends towards the middle.

3. The end frame structure of the tank container according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner side of the corner post is provided with an arc-shaped groove that fits the tank body.

4. The end frame structure of the tank container according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower beam has a clearance groove, and the lower beam has a connecting block at the clearance groove.

5. A tank container, characterized in that, It includes a tank body and an end frame structure as described in any one of claims 1-4, wherein the end frame structure is provided at both ends of the tank body, the two ends of the tank body are fixed by the end frame structure, and the two ends of the tank body respectively pass through the two end frame structures.

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