Container locking equipment and container locking methods

Abstract

This invention relates to a container locking device or method for a vehicle, the container locking device being used to lock a container with corner fittings to be transported on the loading surface of a vehicle, the container locking device having a locking housing (1), a locking bolt (2) and a drive device (3), the locking bolt (2) having a rod (20) and a locking head (21), the locking head being insertable through the opening of the corner fitting of the container in the unlocked state and securing the container through a protrusion that fits into the opening of the corner fitting from the rear in the locked state, the locking bolt (2) being axially movable and rotatable about its axis in the locking housing (1), the locking bolt (2) having a rising ramp (22) tangential to its periphery on its rod (20), the wedge-shaped slider (4) being reciprocating laterally, i.e. perpendicular to the axis of the locking bolt (2). The wedge slider (4) is dynamically supported in the locking housing (1) and can be driven by the drive device (3). The wedge slider (4) has an over-limit ramp (41) that engages with the ramp (22) of the locking bolt (2) during the lateral movement of the wedge slider (4) and imparts axial movement to the locking bolt (2). The locking bolt (2) has a stop edge (24) on its rod (20) that cooperates with the push protrusion (42) of the wedge slider (4) to impart a 90° rotational movement to the locking bolt (2) during the lateral movement of the wedge slider (4). A locking device is provided on the locking housing (1) having a locking member (51) loaded with spring force, which is constructed to engage in the lateral movement path of the wedge slider (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a container locking device for vehicles, used to lock containers with corner fittings to be transported on the loading deck of a vehicle. The container locking device has a locking housing, a locking bolt, and a drive mechanism. The locking bolt has a rod and a locking head, which, in the unlocked state, can be inserted through an opening in the corner fitting of the container and, in the locked state, secures the container through a protrusion that engages with the opening of the corner fitting from the rear. The locking bolt is axially movable and rotatable about its axis within the locking housing. The locking bolt has a raised clearance tangential to its periphery on its rod. A wedge-shaped slider is laterally reciprocating within the locking housing, i.e., perpendicular to the axis of the locking bolt, and can be driven by the drive mechanism. The wedge-shaped slider has an over-limit ramp that engages with the clearance of the locking bolt during the lateral movement of the wedge-shaped slider and imparts axial movement to the locking bolt. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a container locking method, which can be implemented using the aforementioned equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Such locking devices for containers on vehicles are known from EP1075400B1. Here, a diaphragm-type energy storage drive is proposed as a drive device for linear motion. This diaphragm-type energy storage drive is held in its operating position only when compressed air is applied and returns to its unloaded position by means of a spring when pressure is reduced. Therefore, it is necessary in this locking device that the drive is first activated by compressed air before loading the vehicle, so that the locking device is in its unlocked state, so that the container can then be loaded via the unlocked locking head using its corner fittings. During pressure unloading, the spring of the diaphragm-type energy storage is returned to its basic position under load, thereby rotating and lowering the locking bolt. Here, the rotation of the locking bolt is achieved by means of a toothed ring engaged in a rack. This locking state is held in its basic position only by the spring load of the diaphragm-type energy storage, thus the locking may yield under strong external forces. Furthermore, the rotation drive device for the locking bolt using a toothed ring and rack is technically complex and prone to failure under harsh daily operation.

[0003] DE10202190A1 describes a container locking device similar to EP1075400B1, in which the locking bolt, however, does not have a raised, tangentially recessed portion on its rod, but instead has two laterally stacked and offset pairs of cams. Furthermore, the device may have an additional fixing part that prevents the pivot from being pulled vertically toward the container in all positions of the locking bolt (pivot). A disadvantage is that the additional fixing part must be manually set and unlocked.

[0004] Furthermore, DE102006002654A1 discloses a device for manipulating the locking of a locking head to a corner fitting of a container. This device has a pneumatic piston cylinder assembly, which allows the extendable and retractable claw of the locking head to be moved from a retracted position to an extended position and from there to a locked position, and then back again. No additional locking element is provided here, so the device is held in the locked position solely by pneumatic drive.

[0005] A device for locking a container to a vehicle is known from DE102007007067A1. In this device, gravity is transferred to a drive mechanism for the locking part by loading the container, thereby achieving automatic locking when the container is placed. However, to remove the container, a pivot rod needs to be manually adjusted to unlock the lock. Additional locking using a separate locking device is not implemented here.

[0006] DE20119415U1 describes a device for selectively reciprocating the drive portion of a mechanism for raising, lowering, and rotating a locking bolt to lock a piston-cylinder assembly operated by means of a pressure medium with a container fitting. Using the piston-cylinder assembly, the container locking mechanism can be adjusted from a lowered position to a raised position, in which the locking head does not protrude beyond the transport plane of the receiving vehicle, and in the raised position, the locking mechanism is ready to receive the container and can then be locked after the container is loaded.

[0007] DE19720238A1 describes a container locking device with a rotary-driven locking head, in which a plug pin for horizontal movement of a so-called gooseneck container chassis extends laterally via a gear segment with rotary movement. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to simplify and reliably construct the aforementioned known container locking device.

[0009] The objective is achieved using a container locking device according to the invention and a container locking method according to the invention.

[0010] The locking bolt has a stop edge on its rod that engages with the pusher protrusion of the wedge-shaped slider to impart a 90° rotational movement to the locking bolt during the lateral movement of the wedge-shaped slider. A locking device is provided on the locking housing, having a spring-loaded locking element constructed to engage with the lateral movement path of the wedge-shaped slider. The rotational movement of the locking bolt about its axis during the movement of the wedge-shaped slider is technically achieved simply by the stop edge on its rod engaging with the pusher protrusion of the wedge-shaped slider. The locking device activates the shape-locking locking element, preventing the locking device from accidentally reopening during the movement path of the wedge-shaped slider. Thus, the container locking cannot automatically open, for example, even if the driving force of the drive unit is interrupted.

[0011] According to the method, the objective is achieved by having a spring-loaded locking element engage in the lateral movement path of the wedge slider when the locking state is reached, thereby preventing the wedge slider from resetting.

[0012] If the drive device is a double-acting pneumatic cylinder with a piston rod capable of lateral movement, and the piston rod is operatively connected to the wedge slider such that a no-stroke occurs in the first part of the reciprocating motion of the drive device and the lateral movement of the wedge slider occurs in the second part of the reciprocating motion, then the wedge slider is operated only in the second part of the reciprocating motion.

[0013] The locking device has a release mechanism for the locking member, which releases the locking member during the idle stroke. This allows the locking device to be released during the idle stroke, i.e., during the first part of the reciprocating motion of the piston rod, so that the locking device can be opened from the locked state to the unlocked state.

[0014] An emergency unlocking device is provided in case of insufficient compressed air supply and / or malfunction in the compressed air supply device or pneumatic cylinder, which can be used to unlock the shape-locked locking element of the locking device.

[0015] In other configurations, the emergency unlocking device has two threaded actuating elements. A first actuating element screws into a first threaded hole in the locking device, and a second actuating element screws into a second threaded hole in the locking housing. The first actuating element releases the locking member, and the second actuating element moves the wedge-shaped slider to open the locking portion. Thus, the locking device can be released using the first actuating element, and the locking device can be adjusted from a locked to an unlocked state using the second actuating element, without requiring pneumatic force operation (emergency unlocking device). Therefore, even in the event of pneumatic failure, the container can be unloaded by manually operating the emergency unlocking device.

[0016] According to the method, the container locking method is characterized in that an empty stroke is performed in the first part of the reciprocating motion of the drive device and the wedge slider is moved together in the second part of the reciprocating motion, the locking element is released in the empty stroke during the first part of the reciprocating motion when the container is unlocked from the locked state to the unlocked state, and then the wedge slider is moved back during the second part of the reciprocating motion, thereby lifting the locking bolt first and then rotating it back to the unlocked state. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] In the attached diagram: Figure 1 A perspective view of the locking device is shown. Figures 2a to 2e Showing according to Figure 1 A top view of the locking device in the unlocked state and the corresponding cross-sectional view. Figures 3a to 3d This shows the operation and the start of adjustment to the locked state. Figure 1 The device shown in the image, Figures 4a to 4d The diagram shows the corresponding view and cross-sectional view of the state during which the locking device is adjusted to the locking position. Figures 5a to 5d The corresponding view and cross-sectional view are shown when the locking state is reached. Figures 6a to 6d The diagram shows a view and associated cross-sectional view at the start of unlocking the locking device (no-load stroke). Figures 7a to 7e The diagram shows the view at the raised position of the locking bolt, along with the associated cross section and bottom view. Figures 8a to 8e A view similar to Figure 7 and a corresponding sectional view of the locking device are shown when the locking bolt is rotated back in the direction of its unlocked state. Detailed Implementation

[0019] exist Figure 1 The diagram shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a container locking device mounted on the loading surface of a vehicle, on which a container to be transported is placed. The locking device has a locking housing 1, which has a longitudinally elongated drive housing 10 and a guide member 11 mounted at one end of the drive housing. The guide member has a load-bearing surface 12. The guide member 11 protrudes from the loading surface. Here, the upwardly protruding guide member 11 engages with corner fittings of the container, thereby providing anti-slip support for the container on the loading surface, particularly the load-bearing surface 12.

[0020] To secure the loaded container, a locking bolt 2 is provided, which is centered on the vertical axis Z (see...). Figure 2e The locking bolt 2 is axially and rotatably supported in the guide member 11. The locking bolt 2 has a cylindrical rod 20 that is axially movable and rotatably supported and held in the locking housing 1. Furthermore, the locking bolt 2 has a locking head 21 at the upper end of the rod 20. This locking head has a mushroom-shaped but elliptical profile and is coincidentally supported on the guide member 11 in the unlocked state and can be adjusted to a locked state in which the locking head 21 rotates 90 degrees. 0 And it is lowered, so that the corner fitting of the loaded container is now rear-mounted from the protrusion of the guide member 11 protruding from the elliptical locking head 21. Figure 1 The image shows the container locking device in the locked state.

[0021] The precise working principle of the container locking device and its required components are shown in Figures 2 through 7 in the top view (corresponding sub-figure a) and several cross-sectional views of the container locking device, as well as possible bottom views (other sub-figures b, c, d and possible e).

[0022] Figure 2 shows the container locking device in its unlocked state, in which the container can be unloaded or loaded. This shows that the locking bolt 2, with its rod 20 in the raised position (i.e., axially upward), and the locking head 21 of the locking bolt 2, is supported on the guide member 11, particularly as from... Figure 2a and Figure 2b Therefore, the container can be loaded onto the loading surface, and in particular onto the load support surface 12, via the locking head 21 and guide member 11, using its corner fittings and the elongated holes therein, because the locking head 21 is aligned with the guide member 11 (see...). Figure 2a (Top view).

[0023] In addition, Figure 2aThe top view shows a drive unit 3 in the form of a double-acting pneumatic cylinder 30, which is housed in a longitudinally elongated drive housing 10 of the locking housing 1. The double-acting pneumatic cylinder 30 has a piston rod 31, which acts via a drive pawl 32 on a wedge-shaped slider 4 that reciprocates within the longitudinally elongated drive housing 10.

[0024] The wedge-shaped slider 4 has an over-limit inclined surface 41, which is an over-limit shoe upper in Figure 2a In the top view and in Figure 2e Shown in cross section. The over-limit inclined surface 41 has a pushing protrusion 42 at its upper end, which cooperates with the stop edge 24 on the rod 20 of the locking bolt 2 in such a way that when the pneumatic cylinder 30 is operated and the wedge slider 4 is in Figure 2e When moving from left to right in the plane of the diagram, the protrusion 42 is pushed to contact the stop edge 24 and the wedge-shaped slider 4 moves along the plane according to the plan. Figure 3d When the bolt moves further to the right in the lateral direction, it causes the locking bolt 2 to rotate to the right about its axis Z. In Figure 3, this situation is shown in a top view ( Figure 3a ) and three cross-sectional views ( Figure 3b As shown in Figure d).

[0025] In wedge slider 4 Figure 2e , Figure 3d , Figure 4d and Figure 5d As the bolt 2 moves further to the right in the plane of the diagram, it rotates further about axis Z in the space introduced on the periphery of the rod 20, so that the pushing protrusion 42 abuts against the stop edge 24, as in the top view. Figure 4a It is visible. This situation also exists. Figure 3c and Figure 4c As can be seen in the embodiment shown here, there are tangentially inclined clearance portions 23 on both sides of the rod 20, because the wedge slider 4 has two protruding over-limit inclined surfaces 41, which are engaged with the clearance portions 23 on the rod 20 of the locking bolt 2 on both sides.

[0026] In wedge slider 4 Figure 4d To the right in the plane of the diagram or Figure 4a When the cylinder moves further downward in the plane of the diagram under the force of the pneumatic cylinder 30, it then achieves the locking state shown in Figure 5, in which the locking bolt 2 is fully rotated 90 degrees. o ( Figure 5a And has been lowered between the two protrusions of the guide member 11 by further lateral advancement of the wedge slider 4 with its locking head 21. Figure 5b Here, in Figure 5b and Figure 5cThe two over-limit inclined surfaces 41 are particularly well visible in the two open parts 23 on the rod 20 of the locking bolt 2.

[0027] Furthermore, a locking device 5 is shown, which is disposed on the outer side of the longitudinally elongated drive housing 10 of the locking housing 1 and has a locking member 51, which is forcefully engaged in a hole in the longitudinally elongated drive housing 10 via a leaf spring 52 such that the hole, when reaching the final position in the locked state (FIG. 5), enters the running path of the wedge slider 4 and forms a shape-locked locking member there to prevent undesirable release of the lock.

[0028] To release the container locking device from the locked state back to the unlocked state, the double-acting pneumatic cylinder 30 is activated from Figure 5 (locked state) to pull in the piston rod 31. This first involves a short idle stroke of the piston rod 31, during which the drive pawl 32 is adjusted from its pushing position to the pulling position, and the release protrusion 33 on the drive pawl 32 contacts the pressing member 53 of the locking device 5. In the first movement of the wedge-shaped slider 4, as already performed... Figure 5a and Figure 6a As can be seen from the comparison, the locking bolt 2 has been slightly raised via the over-limit ramp 41 (see...). Figure 6b , Figure 6c and Figure 6d The over-limit inclined plane is guided in the empty part 23 of the rod 20.

[0029] During further movement, that is, when the piston rod 31 is pulled into the pneumatic cylinder 30, compared to Figure 6a according to Figure 7a The release protrusion 33 on the drive pawl 32 overcomes the force of the leaf spring 52 via the pressing member 53 of the locking device 5, pushing the locking member 51 outward (in... Figure 6a , Figure 7a (In the plane of the diagram, to the left) the wedge is pressed, thereby releasing the movement space for the wedge slider 4 in the longitudinally elongated drive box 10, and the wedge slider 4 prevents the locking member 51 loaded by the leaf spring 52 from rebounding. Here, the locking bolt 2 is fully raised in the axial direction, so that the protrusion of the locking head 21 is above the guide member 11 ( Figure 7b and Figure 7e And now the locking head 21 can be rotated back. For this purpose, in Figure 7d In the middle, the carrying protrusion 43 on the wedge slider 4 is in contact with the mating support 25 on the rod 20 of the locking bolt 2.

[0030] During the further reset process of the pneumatic cylinder 30, that is, when the piston rod 31 is almost fully pulled in, and as the wedge-shaped slider 4 moves further laterally with the lateral movement of the driven protrusion 43, the rotatably supported locking pin 2, due to its actuation against the mating support 25 on the rod 20, moves from... Figure 8d and Figure 8a Top view and Figure 8b and Figure 8e As can be seen in the cross-sectional view. Correspondingly, locking bolt 2 (see...) Figure 2d This rotation returns the locking head 21 to its unlocked position, aligning it with the guide member 11, as shown in... Figure 2a The top view shows (unlocked state, see...) Figures 2a to 2e ).

[0031] In addition, an emergency unlocking device 6 is installed on the container locking equipment (see...) Figure 5a The emergency unlocking device has a first pushing element 61 on the locking device 5, and the first pushing element 61 is provided in the first threaded hole 54 of the locking device 5 (see...). Figure 5b The bolt in the first threaded hole 54 causes the locking part 51 to overcome the force of the leaf spring 52 and move out of the lateral movement path of the wedge slider 4 when the first push element 61 is screwed into the first threaded hole 54. Now, using the second push element (not shown here) that can be screwed into the threaded hole on the outer end face of the longitudinally elongated drive housing 10 (not shown here), the wedge slider 4 can be manually reset, for example, in the event of a malfunction of the compressed air supply or a damage to the pneumatic cylinder, according to its position. Figures 2a to 2e It is in the unlocked state.

[0032] List of reference numerals

[0033] 1 Locking housing

[0034] 10. Longitudinal elongation of the drive box

[0035] 11. Guiding components

[0036] 12 Load support surface

[0037] 2 Locking bolt

[0038] 20 strokes

[0039] 21 Locking head

[0040] 23. Empty space

[0041] 24 Stopping edge

[0042] 25 Matching support

[0043] 3. Drive unit

[0044] 30 Double-acting pneumatic cylinder

[0045] 31 Piston rod

[0046] 32 Drive claws

[0047] 33. Tripping Protrusion

[0048] 4. Wedge-shaped slider

[0049] 41. Oversized inclined plane

[0050] 42. Promote the prominent parts

[0051] 43 Carrying protrusion

[0052] 5. Locking device

[0053] 51 Locking component

[0054] 52 leaf springs

[0055] 53 Extruded components

[0056] 54 First threaded hole

[0057] 6. Emergency unlocking device

[0058] 61 First Propulsion Element

[0059] Z-axis.

Claims

1. A container locking device for a vehicle, the container locking device being used to lock a container with corner fittings to be transported on the loading surface of the vehicle, the container locking device having a locking housing (1), a locking bolt (2) and a drive device (3). - The locking bolt (2) has a rod (20) and a locking head (21), which can be inserted through the opening of the corner fitting of the container in the unlocked state and secures the container through a protrusion that fits into the opening of the corner fitting from the rear in the locked state. The locking bolt (2) is axially movable and rotatable about its axis within the locking housing (1). - The locking bolt (2) has a raised opening (23) tangential to its periphery on its rod (20). - The wedge-shaped slider (4) is supported in the locking housing (1) and can reciprocate laterally, i.e., perpendicular to the axis of the locking bolt (2), and can be driven by the driving device (3). - The wedge-shaped slider (4) has an over-limit slope (41) that engages with the gap (23) of the locking bolt (2) during the lateral movement of the wedge-shaped slider (4) and imparts axial movement to the locking bolt (2). Its features are, - The locking bolt (2) has a stop edge (24) on its rod (20), which cooperates with the push protrusion (42) of the wedge slider (4) to give the locking bolt (2) a 90° rotational motion when the wedge slider (4) moves laterally. - A locking device is provided on the locking housing (1), the locking device having a locking member (51) loaded by spring force, the locking member being constructed in such a way that it can be engaged in the lateral movement path of the wedge slider (4), the driving device (3) including a double-acting pneumatic cylinder (30) having a piston rod (31) capable of lateral movement, the piston rod (31) being operatively connected to the wedge slider (4) such that a no-stroke is performed in the first part of the reciprocating motion of the driving device (3) and the lateral movement of the wedge slider (4) is performed in the second part of the reciprocating motion, and the locking device (5) has a release mechanism for the locking member (51), the release mechanism releasing the locking member (51) in the no-stroke.

2. The container locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, An emergency unlocking device (6) is provided, which can be used to unlock the shape-locked locking member (51) of the locking device (5).

3. The container locking device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The emergency unlocking device (6) has two push elements (61) equipped with external threads, wherein the first push element (61) can be screwed into the first threaded hole (54) in the locking device (5) and the second push element can be screwed into the second threaded hole in the locking housing (1), the first push element (61) releases the locking member and the second push element moves the wedge slider (4) to the unlocked state.

4. A container locking method for use with a container locking device on a vehicle, the container locking device being used to lock a container with corner fittings to be transported on the loading surface of a vehicle, the container locking device having a locking housing (1), a locking bolt (2) and a drive device (3). - The locking bolt (2) has a rod (20) and a locking head (21), which can be inserted through the opening of the corner fitting of the container in the unlocked state and secures the container through a protrusion that fits into the opening of the corner fitting from the rear in the locked state. -The locking bolt (2) moves axially within the locking housing (1) and rotates about its axis via its rod (20). - The wedge-shaped slider (4) can reciprocate laterally, i.e. perpendicularly to the axis of the locking bolt (2), within the locking housing (1) by the drive device (3), and - When the wedge slider (4) moves laterally via the drive device (3), the wedge slider (4) causes the locking bolt (2) to first rotate 90° axially and then descend axially downward toward the loading surface when it is adjusted from the unlocked state to the locked state. Its features are, When the locked state is reached, the locking member (51) loaded with spring force is engaged in the lateral movement path of the wedge slider (4) and prevents the wedge slider (4) from resetting. In the first part of the reciprocating motion of the drive device (3), an empty stroke is performed and the wedge slider (4) is moved together in the second part of the reciprocating motion. When the container is unlocked from the locked state to the unlocked state, the locking member (51) is released in the empty stroke during the first part of the reciprocating motion and then the wedge slider (4) is moved back during the second part of the reciprocating motion, thereby lifting the locking bolt (2) first and then rotating it back to the unlocked state.

5. The container locking method according to claim 4, characterized in that, In the event of a failure of the drive unit (3), the locking member (51) is mechanically released by means of the emergency unlocking device (6), and the locking bolt (2) is mechanically reset to the unlocked state.

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