Tank Container

Abstract

This invention provides a tank container, including a frame and a tank body installed within the frame. The frame includes two relatively spaced end frames. Each corner bracket includes a corner bracket body and a connecting structure integrally formed on the corner bracket body. The connecting structure has one end that protrudes laterally from the corner bracket body along the tank body, and this end is suspended. This suspended end is used to connect to a lower end beam. The suspended end arches upward relative to the lower end beam to be higher than the lower end beam, and a clearance groove is formed between the suspended end and the corner bracket body. The corner bracket is an integrally formed structure, and the arched design of the connecting structure itself can form a clearance groove with the corner bracket body, directly overcoming the problems caused by traditional corner brackets being welded to various sheet metal parts to form clearance grooves. Furthermore, without the need for bending and welding sheet metal parts, the corner bracket has no obvious weld seams, making the overall appearance of the corner bracket cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of transportation equipment technology, and in particular to a tank container. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the corner fittings used in shipping containers are all standard, universal corner fittings that conform to national standards. These corner fittings have holes for lifting, securing, and stacking the tank container. Corner fittings are divided into top corner fittings (located at the top corner of the end frame) and bottom corner fittings (located at the bottom corner of the end frame).

[0003] Currently, tank containers on the market have a bottom corner fitting at the bottom of the end frame that is fixed to the container during hoisting and landing. To prevent the bottom beam of the end frame from colliding with the corner fitting positioning device and to protect the bottom beam, a stepped avoidance groove is usually installed at the corner fitting. This avoidance groove has a complex structure, welded together from multiple irregular pipes and bent sheet metal parts. Currently, this type of avoidance groove structure requires a large number of parts, involves complex processing steps, has a large amount of welding work, and results in many weld seams after forming, leading to an unsightly appearance. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a tank container to solve the problems of the large number of parts and complex processing procedures required to avoid the tank structure in the prior art.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] A tank container includes a frame and a tank body installed within the frame. The frame includes two opposing end frames, each end frame including two opposing columns, a lower end beam connected to the bottom of the two columns, and a corner piece disposed between the columns and the lower end beam. The corner piece includes a corner piece body and a connecting structure integrally formed on the corner piece body. The connecting structure has one end that protrudes laterally from the corner piece body along the tank body and is suspended. The suspended end is used to connect to the lower end beam, and the suspended end arches upward relative to the lower end beam to be higher than the lower end beam. An avoidance groove is formed between the suspended end and the corner piece body.

[0007] According to one aspect of the invention, the connecting structure includes a first connecting portion protruding from the top of the corner piece body and a second connecting portion protruding from one side of the corner piece body; the second connecting portion is the suspended end; the first connecting portion is used to connect to the column.

[0008] According to one aspect of the invention, the second connecting portion gradually tilts from top to bottom away from the corner piece body along the height direction of the column, and the lower end of the second connecting portion is connected to the lower end beam.

[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, the second connecting portion includes an upper straight segment extending horizontally from the corner piece body, an arc-shaped intermediate segment that is arc-connected to the upper straight segment, and a lower straight segment extending horizontally that is arc-connected to the lower end of the intermediate arc segment; the bottom of the upper straight segment and the bottom of the intermediate arc segment are both higher than the bottom of the lower end beam.

[0010] According to one aspect of the invention, the intermediate arc segment comprises at least two arc segments that are successively connected by a circular arc transition.

[0011] According to one aspect of the invention, the two arcs comprise a first arc with a smaller radius and a second arc with a larger radius that are connected sequentially; the first arc is connected to the upper straight line segment and the bottom cross section of the first arc is concave; the second arc is connected to the lower straight line segment and the bottom cross section of the second arc is convex.

[0012] According to one aspect of the invention, the cross-sectional area of ​​the intermediate arc segment is greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the upper straight segment and the cross-sectional area of ​​the lower straight segment.

[0013] According to one aspect of the invention, the cross-sectional area of ​​the upper straight segment is the same as the cross-sectional area of ​​the lower straight segment.

[0014] According to one aspect of the invention, the bottom of the lower straight segment is higher than the bottom of the corner piece body.

[0015] According to one aspect of the present invention, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are connected by an arc transition and are integrally formed.

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, the highest point at the junction of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion is higher than the top of the corner piece body.

[0017] According to one aspect of the present invention, both the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are hollow tubular structures, and both have rectangular cross-sections.

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are not connected.

[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, the end of the first connecting portion away from the corner piece body has an opening communicating with its own interior, and the first connecting portion extends vertically to form a flange around the periphery of the opening; the end of the second connecting portion away from the corner piece body has an opening communicating with its own interior, and the second connecting portion extends vertically to form a flange around the periphery of the opening.

[0020] According to one aspect of the present invention, the first connecting part is a straight pipe and the second connecting part is a bent pipe.

[0021] According to one aspect of the present invention, the corner piece body is a rectangular hollow block structure, and a corner piece hole is provided at the bottom of the corner piece body; the first connecting part is vertically connected to the top of the corner piece body, and the outer periphery of the first connecting part does not extend beyond the outer periphery of the corner piece body.

[0022] As can be seen from the above technical solution, the tank container provided by the present invention has at least the following advantages and positive effects:

[0023] The corner fitting includes a corner fitting body and a connecting structure integrally formed on the corner fitting body. The connecting structure has one end that protrudes laterally from the corner fitting body along the tank body, and this end is suspended. This suspended end is used to connect to the lower end beam. The suspended end arches upward relative to the lower end beam to be higher than the lower end beam, thus leaving sufficient space so that the suspended end and the corner fitting body can form a clearance groove. The aforementioned corner fitting is an integrally formed structure, possessing high strength and strong torsional resistance. The arched design of the connecting structure itself forms a clearance groove with the corner fitting body structure, directly overcoming the problems caused by traditional corner fittings being welded to various sheet metal parts to form clearance grooves. Furthermore, without the need for bending and welding sheet metal parts, the corner fitting has no obvious weld seams, making the overall appearance of the corner fitting cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a front view of the tank end frame in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 This is an isometric view of the tank end frame in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A partially enlarged schematic diagram of the end frame in the diagram.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the corner piece in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 5 for Figure 4 The front view of the corner piece.

[0029] Figure 6 for Figure 4 Side view of the corner piece.

[0030] Figure 7 for Figure 4 Top view of the corner piece.

[0031] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second connecting part of the corner piece in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the middle arc segment in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] The annotations in the attached figures are explained as follows:

[0034] 100-End Frame,

[0035] 11-Column, 12-Upper beam, 13-Lower beam

[0036] 2-Corner parts,

[0037] 20-Corner body, 21-Connecting structure, 21a-First connecting part, 21b-Second connecting part, 211-Upper straight segment, 212-Middle arc segment, 2121-First arc, 2122-Second arc, 213-Lower straight segment, 23-Flange, 201-Suspended end, 202-Avoidance groove, 203-Corner hole. Detailed Implementation

[0038] Typical embodiments embodying the features and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail in the following description. It should be understood that the present invention can have various variations in different embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention, and the descriptions and illustrations herein are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to limit the present invention.

[0039] This embodiment provides a tank container that uses integrated corner fittings and bypass slots, combining the advantages of high strength and aesthetic appearance. This replaces traditional general-purpose corner fittings and solves the problems of numerous welding parts and large welding workload.

[0040] Tank containers consist of a frame and a tank body horizontally mounted within the frame. The frame includes two spaced-apart end frames and side beam assemblies positioned longitudinally between the end frames. The end frames are categorized as front and rear frames based on their orientation during transport. The front and rear frames have largely the same structure.

[0041] Please refer to the above as well. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The end frame 100 includes two spaced-apart opposing columns 11, an upper end beam 12 connected to the top of the two columns 11, a lower end beam 13 connected to the bottom of the two columns 11, and a corner piece 2 disposed between the columns 11 and the lower end beam 13.

[0042] In this embodiment, corner piece 2 specifically refers to the lower corner piece. Two lower corner pieces are respectively located at both ends of the lower beam 13. The corner piece between the top of the column 11 and the upper beam 12 is the upper corner piece.

[0043] Please refer to Figure 3The corner fitting 2 includes a corner fitting body 20 and a connecting structure 21 integrally formed on the corner fitting body 20. The connecting structure 21 has one end that protrudes laterally from the corner fitting body 20 along the can body, and this end is suspended, which is called the suspended end 201. The suspended end 201 is used to connect to the lower end beam 13. The suspended end 201 arches upward relative to the lower end beam 13 to be higher than the lower end beam 13, thereby leaving enough space. The suspended end 201 and the corner fitting body 20 enclose each other to form an avoidance groove 202.

[0044] The aforementioned corner piece body 20 and connecting structure 21 are formed into an integral structure through casting. The arched design of the connecting structure 21 itself can form an avoidance groove 202 with the corner piece body 20, directly overcoming the problems caused by welding the traditional corner piece 2 with various sheet metal parts to form an avoidance groove 202.

[0045] Please refer to Figure 4 The corner piece body 20 is a rectangular hollow block structure. A large waist-shaped corner piece hole 203 is opened at the bottom of the corner piece body 20, and smaller waist-shaped corner piece holes 203 are opened on two adjacent sides of the corner piece body 20.

[0046] The connecting structure 21 includes a first connecting portion 21a protruding from the top of the corner bracket body 20 and a second connecting portion 21b protruding from one side of the corner bracket body 20. The first connecting portion 21a is used to connect to the column 11. The second connecting portion 21b is used to connect to the lower end beam 13 and has a cantilever end 201.

[0047] Please refer to the above as well. Figures 5 to 7 The first connecting part 21a is a hollow tubular structure with a rectangular cross-section. In this embodiment, the first connecting part 21a is a straight tube. The first connecting part 21a is vertically connected to the top of the corner piece body 20 and welded upwards to the bottom of the column 11 for fixation; the outer periphery of the first connecting part 21a does not extend beyond the outer periphery of the corner piece body 20. The diameter of the first connecting part 21a matches the diameter of the column 11. After welding, the outer peripheries of both are flush. Meanwhile, the first connecting part 21a is not connected to the corner piece body 20. This is because the hollow design, while minimizing the overall weight of the corner piece 2, must also ensure the structural strength of the first connecting part 21a and the corner piece body 20.

[0048] The second connecting part 21b is a hollow tubular structure with a rectangular cross-section. In this embodiment, the second connecting part 21b is an S-shaped bend. One end of the second connecting part 21b is vertically connected to the side of the corner piece body 20 without holes, and the other end is a suspended end 201. Similarly, the second connecting part 21b is not connected to the corner piece body 20.

[0049] like Figure 5As shown, the first connecting part 21a and the second connecting part 21b are connected by a rounded transition and integrally formed, which has the advantages of high connection strength and long service life. At the same time, the first connecting part 21a and the second connecting part 21b are not connected. The hollow design maximizes the weight reduction of the corner piece 2 while ensuring the load-bearing strength of the first connecting part 21a and the second connecting part 21b.

[0050] The highest point at the junction of the first connecting part 21a and the second connecting part 21b is at... Figure 5 The center is marked as point P, which is higher than the top of the corner piece body 20.

[0051] The second connecting part 21b gradually slopes away from the corner bracket body 20 from top to bottom along the height direction of the column 11, and the lower end of the second connecting part 21b is connected to the lower end beam 13. The avoidance groove 202 formed by the inclined second connecting part 21b and the corner bracket body 20 is similar in shape to a wedge that is smaller at the top and larger at the bottom.

[0052] It should be noted that the connecting structure 21 is a one-piece structure. In this embodiment, it can be divided into a first connecting part 21a extending vertically and a second connecting part 21b extending laterally, according to its function. The first connecting part 21a and the second connecting part 21b are integrally formed, and there is no clear boundary between them. In other embodiments, the connecting structure 21 may also consist of an L-shaped connecting body that directly contacts the corner piece body 20 and a bent part that extends out of the L-shaped connecting body. The lower surface of the bent part is recessed to form an avoidance groove 202.

[0053] Please refer to further details. Figure 8 The second connecting part 21b includes an upper straight segment 211 extending horizontally from the corner piece body 20, an arc-shaped middle arc segment 212 connected to the upper straight segment 211 by an arc transition, and a lower straight segment 213 connected horizontally by an arc transition at the lower end of the middle arc segment 212.

[0054] In the vertical direction, the heights of the upper straight segment 211, the middle arc segment 212, and the lower straight segment 213 decrease sequentially.

[0055] When corner piece 2 is installed on end frame 100, the bottom of the upper straight section 211 and the bottom of the middle arc section 212 are both higher than the bottom of the lower end beam 13. It can be understood that the upper straight section 211 and the middle arc section 212 are the main components that constitute the bypass groove 202.

[0056] The bottom of the lower straight segment 213 is the lowest point of the second connecting portion 21b, which is higher than the bottom of the corner piece body 20. In this embodiment, the distance between the lowest point and the bottom of the corner piece body 20 is 20mm.

[0057] Please refer to Figure 9 The middle arc segment 212 includes two arc segments that are connected by a successive circular arc transition.

[0058] The two arcs consist of a first arc 2121 with a smaller radius and a second arc 2122 with a larger radius, which are connected sequentially. In this embodiment, the diameter of the first arc 2121 is 200 mm, and the diameter of the second arc 2122 is 240 mm.

[0059] The first arc 2121 is connected to the upper straight segment 211, and the bottom cross-section of the first arc 2121 is concave. This concavity is manifested in the first arc 2121 being recessed towards the geometric center of the middle arc segment 212 and rising upwards. The area formed by the smooth connection between the first arc 2121 and the upper straight segment 211 creates a large space near the corner piece body 20, thereby constituting the avoidance groove 202.

[0060] The second arc 2122 is connected to the lower straight line segment 213, and the bottom cross section of the second arc 2122 is convex. The convexity is manifested in the fact that the second arc 2122 protrudes in a direction away from the geometric center of the middle arc segment 212 and bends downward. The first arc 2121 and the second arc 2122 are connected to form an S-shape.

[0061] The arc design of the aforementioned intermediate arc segment 212 not only avoids stress concentration during use, but also makes the appearance curve of the groove 202 more aesthetically pleasing, thereby injecting the characteristics of the tank container into the manufacturer and improving the recognizability of the tank container's appearance.

[0062] In this embodiment, the intermediate arc segment 212 includes two arcs. In other embodiments, the intermediate arc segment 212 may also include multiple arcs that are smoothly connected in sequence.

[0063] In this embodiment, the cross-sectional area of ​​the intermediate arc segment 212 is larger than the cross-sectional areas of the upper straight segment 211 and the lower straight segment 213, respectively. The cross-sectional areas of the upper straight segment 211 and the lower straight segment 213 are the same. The lower straight segment 213 is used for butt welding of the lower end beam 13, and their cross-sections are also the same.

[0064] Specifically, the outer diameter of the middle arc segment 212 is the largest, approximately 110mm, while the outer diameter of the upper straight segment 211 (lower straight segment 213) is 100mm.

[0065] In this embodiment, the length of the middle arc segment 212 is the largest, exceeding the lengths of the upper straight segment 211 and the lower straight segment 213, approximately twice the length of each straight segment. The lengths of the upper straight segment 211 and the lower straight segment 213 are approximately equal.

[0066] Please return to the reference. Figure 4The first connecting portion 21a has an opening communicating with its interior at the end furthest from the corner piece body 20. A flange 23 extends vertically from the periphery of the opening of the first connecting portion 21a. This flange 23 is rectangular in shape and is located on the inner side of the outer wall of the first connecting portion 21a. Its function is to ensure that when the corner piece 2 is welded to the post 11, the first connecting portion 21a aligns with the post 11. Figure 3 As shown, the flange 23 extends into the interior of the column 11 before the column 11 to position the two parts. The presence of the flange 23 also provides welding space, facilitating subsequent welding operations. After welding, the weld joint between the column 11 and the first connecting part 21a is polished to make the surface flush.

[0067] Similarly, the end of the second connecting portion 21b furthest from the corner piece body 20 has an opening communicating with its own interior. A flange 23 extends vertically from the periphery of the opening on the second connecting portion 21b. Its function is that, when the corner piece 2 is welded to the lower end beam 13, the second connecting portion 21b aligns with the lower end beam 13, and the flange 23 extends into the interior of the lower end beam 13 before being positioned, facilitating subsequent welding operations. After welding, the weld between the lower end beam 13 and the second connecting portion 21b is ground to make the surface flush.

[0068] In summary, the tank container provided by this invention has at least the following advantages and positive effects:

[0069] First, the corner piece 2 is a one-piece molded structure, possessing high strength and torsional resistance. The arched design of the connecting structure 21 itself forms an avoidance groove 202 with the corner piece body 20, directly overcoming the problems caused by traditional corner pieces 2 being welded to various sheet metal parts to form avoidance grooves 202. Furthermore, without the need for bending and welding sheet metal parts, the corner piece 2 has no obvious weld seams, making its overall appearance cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing.

[0070] Secondly, the second connecting portion 21b includes an upper straight segment 211 along the horizontal direction, an arc-shaped intermediate segment 212 that is connected to the upper straight segment 211 by an arc transition, and a lower straight segment 213 along the horizontal direction that is connected to the lower end of the intermediate arc segment 212 by an arc transition. The arc design of the intermediate arc segment 212 plays a connecting role. The intermediate arc segment 212 includes two arcs that are connected by an arc transition in sequence. The smooth curve can not only avoid stress concentration during use, but also make the appearance curve of the groove 202 more aesthetically pleasing, thereby injecting the characteristics of the tank container into the manufacturer and improving the recognizability of the tank container appearance.

[0071] 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. A tank container, comprising a frame and a tank body installed within the frame, the frame comprising two opposing end frames, each end frame comprising two opposing uprights, a lower end beam connected to the bottom ends of the two uprights, and corner brackets disposed between the uprights and the lower end beams; characterized in that: The corner piece includes a corner piece body and a connecting structure integrally formed on the corner piece body; the connecting structure has one end that protrudes laterally from the corner piece body along the can body, and the end that protrudes laterally along the can body is suspended; the suspended end is used to connect to the lower end beam, and the suspended end arches upward relative to the lower end beam to be higher than the lower end beam, and the suspended end and the corner piece body enclose each other to form an avoidance groove; The connecting structure includes a first connecting portion protruding from the top of the corner piece body and a second connecting portion protruding from one side of the corner piece body; the second connecting portion is the suspended end; the first connecting portion is used to connect to the column; The second connecting part gradually slopes away from the corner piece body from top to bottom along the height direction of the column, and the lower end of the second connecting part is connected to the lower end beam; The second connecting part includes an upper straight segment extending horizontally from the corner piece body, an arc-shaped middle arc segment that is connected to the upper straight segment by an arc transition, and a lower straight segment extending horizontally that is connected to the lower end of the middle arc segment by an arc transition; the bottom of the upper straight segment and the bottom of the middle arc segment are both higher than the bottom of the lower beam.

2. The tank container according to claim 1, characterized in that, The intermediate arc segment includes at least two arc segments that are successively connected by a circular arc transition.

3. The tank container according to claim 2, characterized in that, The two arcs include a first arc with a smaller radius and a second arc with a larger radius that are connected in sequence; the first arc is connected to the upper straight line segment, and the bottom cross section of the first arc is concave. The second arc is connected to the lower straight line segment, and the bottom cross section of the second arc is convex.

4. The tank container according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cross-sectional area of ​​the middle arc segment is greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the upper straight segment and the cross-sectional area of ​​the lower straight segment.

5. The tank container according to claim 4, characterized in that, The cross-sectional area of ​​the upper straight segment is the same as the cross-sectional area of ​​the lower straight segment.

6. The tank container according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the lower straight segment is higher than the bottom of the corner piece body.

7. The tank container according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first connecting part and the second connecting part are connected by a rounded transition and are integrally formed.

8. The tank container according to claim 7, characterized in that, The highest point where the first connecting part and the second connecting part are connected is higher than the top of the corner piece body.

9. The tank container according to claim 7, characterized in that, Both the first connecting part and the second connecting part are hollow tubular structures, and both have rectangular cross-sections.

10. The tank container according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first connecting part and the second connecting part are not connected.

11. The tank container according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first connecting part has an opening communicating with its interior at the end away from the corner piece body, and a flange protrudes vertically from the periphery of the opening at the first connecting part; the second connecting part has an opening communicating with its interior at the end away from the corner piece body, and a flange protrudes vertically from the periphery of the opening at the second connecting part.

12. The tank container according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first connecting part is a straight pipe, and the second connecting part is a bent pipe.

13. The tank container according to claim 1, characterized in that, The corner piece body is a rectangular hollow block structure, and a corner piece hole is provided at the bottom of the corner piece body; the first connecting part is vertically connected to the top of the corner piece body, and the outer periphery of the first connecting part does not extend beyond the outer periphery of the corner piece body.

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