Device for connecting stackable containers, modular arrangement of stackable containers and containers

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (100) for connecting stackable containers (200, 300), comprising: - at least one male connecting part (10), wherein the at least one male connecting part (10) is attached to at least one first Container (200) can be arranged, wherein the at least one male connecting part (10) has at least one spring-loaded locking element (11) for locking the connection, - at least one female connecting part (20), wherein the at least one female connecting part (20) is attached to at least one further Container (300) can be arranged, wherein the at least one female connecting part (20) has a receiving area (21) for receiving the at least one male connecting part (10), wherein the receiving area (21) is limited by at least one cam element (22) and at least one wall (23), wherein the at least one wall (23) is arranged opposite the at least one cam element (22), wherein the at least one male connecting part (10) can be inserted into the receiving area (21) along a guide axis (Z) between the at least one wall (23) and the at least one cam element (22), wherein the at least one locking element (11) can be springed in and out orthogonally to the guide axis (Z), a modular arrangement of stackable containers (200, 300) and a container (200, 300).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for connecting stackable containers, a modular arrangement of containers and a container.

[0002] Containers of various sizes are often used for the storage and transport of goods. When transporting goods from a warehouse to a customer—for example, on the so-called last mile—the containers are often transported in vehicles such as vehicles, which will also be autonomous in the future. They are stacked on top of each other within the vehicles to efficiently utilize the available transport space.

[0003] However, stacking creates the risk that one or more of the stacked containers may tip over, e.g. due to a braking maneuver, and the goods transported in them may be damaged or people may be injured by falling goods.

[0004] Furthermore, as part of the automation of goods transport, it is desirable to use autonomous robots for tasks such as stacking containers. However, for the successful use of robots, it is important that the containers used are interoperable and that the movement sequences for stacking the containers are as simple as possible.

[0005] EP 1 851 124 B1 discloses a connecting system for stackable containers with automatically engaging and detachable connecting elements that connect two containers abutting one another in the direction of a stacking axis. The connecting elements are connected to a first container and have a resilient region with a locking element. Retaining ribs for interacting with these locking elements are arranged on the second container. Furthermore, the locking elements on the connecting elements have two force-transmitting surfaces that are spaced apart from one another in the direction of the stacking axis and extend approximately parallel to one another and approximately perpendicular to the stacking axis. Force-absorbing ribs are arranged on the first container and interact with a first of the force-transmitting surfaces in the form of a supporting surface.Arranged on the second container are retaining ribs which interact with a second of the force transmission surfaces in the form of a locking surface and, in the case of stacked containers with engaged connecting elements, each of the force absorption ribs on the first container and its associated retaining rib on the second container are directly connected to one another via the locking element of a connecting element and form a direct chain of action for the force transmission between the containers.

[0006] DE 10 2008 040 136 A1 discloses a plastic transport and storage container with a removal opening in a removal side and with a sliding element for closing the removal opening. The container further comprises first guide elements on the sliding element and second guide elements on the removal side. The first and second guide elements are designed to define an opening and closing movement of the sliding element. The first guide elements are formed on an end face of the sliding element, and the guide element has at least one retaining element for locking the sliding element in a predetermined opening or closing position.

[0007] The technical problem therefore arises of creating a device for connecting stackable containers, a modular arrangement of stackable containers and a container suitable for this purpose, which improve the safety and user-friendliness when connecting stackable containers and simplify a movement sequence.

[0008] A device for connecting stackable containers is proposed, comprising: - at least one male connecting part, wherein the at least one male connecting part can be arranged on at least one first container, wherein the at least one male connecting part has at least one spring-loaded locking element for locking a connection, - at least one female connecting part, wherein the at least one female connecting part can be arranged on at least one further container, wherein the at least one female connecting part has a receiving area for receiving the at least one male connecting part, wherein the receiving area is delimited by at least one link element and at least one wall, wherein the at least one wall is arranged opposite the at least one link element, wherein the at least one male connecting part can be inserted into the receiving area along a guide axis between the at least one wall and the at least one link element, wherein the at least one locking element can be retracted and retracted orthogonally to the guide axis, wherein the at least one link element is designed such that the at least one locking element: i. can be deflected when the male connecting part is inserted into a first section of the receiving area, and ii. can be rebounded upon insertion of the male connecting part into a further section of the receiving area, wherein the connection between the stackable containers is locked by rebounding of the at least one locking element in the further section.

[0009] The device ensures that when the male connecting part is inserted into the female connecting part, the movement is guided along the guide element and that the locking occurs automatically as a result of the insertion movement - i.e. without any additional action by the user. This simplifies the movement sequence when connecting the stackable containers. Furthermore, the user is given distinguishable haptic feedback during insertion by the compression and extension of the locking element in the respective sections of the receiving area, which indicates, for example, the progress of the movement sequence. This improves user-friendliness. In addition, the rebound of the locking element in the further section has the technical effect that a mechanical resistance must be overcome in order to extend the male connecting part from the further section, thereby improving the security of the locking.

[0010] The first container and / or further containers can each be designed, for example, as a Eurobox.

[0011] The at least one male connecting part can be designed, for example, as a plug pin. The male connecting part can be arranged, for example, on an upper side of the first container. The at least one male connecting part can have a shaft for arranging the spring-loaded locking element.

[0012] The locking element can be designed, for example, as a spring-loaded pressure piece. The spring-loaded locking element can comprise, for example, a ball and a spring. The locking element's effective direction is oriented, in particular, orthogonal to the guide axis during insertion and removal of the male connecting part.

[0013] The at least one female connecting part can be designed, for example, as a socket. The female connecting part can be arranged, for example, on an underside of the further container. In this way, the female connecting part can slide onto the male connecting part when the two parts are connected, i.e., gravity can be used to establish the connection. The female connecting part has at least one opening for inserting and removing the male connecting part.

[0014] The male and / or female connectors may be made at least partially of a metal, e.g., aluminum or steel. This reduces wear on the device's components and increases the rigidity of the connection between the containers.

[0015] The receiving area is, for example, an internal volume of the female connecting part. The first and further sections can, in particular, be partial volumes of the internal volume of the female connecting element.

[0016] The wall can, for example, be an inner wall of the female connecting part. The wall can, in particular, be straight.

[0017] The guide element can, for example, have a triangular or trapezoidal shape. The guide element can, for example, have one or more legs along which the locking element is guided. The at least one guide element is designed in particular such that the receiving area is continuously tapered in the first section and continuously widened in the further section, e.g., by angled legs of the guide element.

[0018] Due to the arrangement of the link element opposite the wall, movement of the male connecting part in the receiving area orthogonal to the guide axis is restricted or prevented.

[0019] The guide axis is, in particular, a vertical axis of a Cartesian coordinate system. The vertical axis can, in particular, be oriented counter to a direction of gravity. A longitudinal axis and a transverse axis of the Cartesian coordinate system can, in particular, be oriented in a plane that is arranged parallel to the at least one opening of the female connecting part. The longitudinal axis can, in particular, be oriented orthogonally to the direction of action of the locking element and orthogonally to the guide axis. The transverse axis can, in particular, be oriented parallel to the direction of action of the locking element and orthogonally to the guide axis.

[0020] For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned that when the male connecting part is moved out of the receiving area of ​​the female connecting part - i.e., to release the locking mechanism - the previously explained movement sequence is reversed. The device therefore ensures that when the male connecting part is moved out, a movement is guided along the guide element and the locking mechanism is inevitably released by the movement - e.g., without any additional action by the user. In particular, the at least one guide element is designed such that the at least one locking element iii. when the male connecting part is extended along the guide axis, it can be deflected from the further section of the receiving area and iv. when the male connecting part is extended along the guide axis, it can be retracted from the first section of the receiving area.

[0021] In one embodiment, the at least one guide element is designed such that one leg of the at least one guide element in the first section intersects the guide axis at a first angle, wherein a further leg of the at least one guide element in the further section intersects the guide axis at a further angle, wherein the first angle is greater than the further angle. As a result, the guide element has differently angled legs, so that inserting the male connecting part into the first section is more difficult than removing the male connecting part from the further section. Thus, a user is given different haptic feedback during insertion than during removal, wherein user-friendliness is increased due to the distinguishability. Furthermore, the different force required facilitates automatic stacking.For example, the first angle has a value between 30° and 45°, and the second angle has a value between 5° and 30°. The first leg and / or the second leg can be, for example, a leg of a triangular or trapezoidal guide element. The legs are, in particular, straight.

[0022] Alternatively, the first angle is smaller than the second angle. This makes it easier to insert the connector into the first section than to remove the male connector from the second section. In this case, the first angle has a value between 5° and 30°, for example, and the second angle has a value between 30° and 45°.

[0023] Furthermore, instead of a leg, a tangent can be used to determine the first or further angle, with the tangent touching the at least one link element in the respective section of the receiving area, with the first tangent intersecting the guide axis at the first angle and the further tangent intersecting the guide axis at the further angle. This is useful, for example, if at least one of the legs in the first section and / or the further section is convexly curved with a radius of curvature.

[0024] In one embodiment, at least one transition section is arranged between the first section and the further section of the receiving area, wherein a discontinuity or a change in gradient of a surface of the guide element is arranged at the beginning and / or end of the transition section. The discontinuity or the change in gradient provides the user with haptic feedback indicating a transition from one section to another. The surface of the guide element is, in particular, a surface that comes into contact with the male connecting part during insertion and / or removal. The beginning and / or end of the transition section can be a point at which the surface of the guide element has the discontinuity or the change in gradient.

[0025] In one embodiment, the surface of the at least one guide element in the transition section of the receiving area is convexly curved with a transition radius. In this way, the transition from the first to the further section can be made smoother, e.g., continuous. The transition radius can be designed such that the surface of the guide element has a continuous transition from the first section and / or from the further section to the transition section.

[0026] In one embodiment, in the transition section, a height dimension of the at least one guide element corresponds to at least 10% of a height dimension of the male connecting part. In this way, the stability of the connection can be further improved because, for example, the surface of the guide element supports an outer side of the male connecting part in the transition section via the height dimension. The height dimension of the male connecting part is determined, for example, by a dimension of the male connecting part along the guide axis. The height dimension of the at least one guide element is determined, for example, by a dimension of the guide element along the guide axis in the transition section.

[0027] In a further embodiment, a width dimension of the male connecting part corresponds to a maximum constriction of the receiving area. The receiving area is maximally constricted by the shape of the guide element, for example, in the transition section. This forces the male connecting part, when inserted and removed, for example, in the transition section, onto a movement path that lies between the wall and the guide element.

[0028] In one embodiment, the first section takes up between 30% and 50% of the receiving area along the guide axis, while the further section takes up between 30% and 50% of the receiving area along the guide axis. In this way, the path available for moving the male connecting part along the guide axis during insertion and removal can, for example, be evenly divided into sections. The specified percentage values ​​can, for example, refer to a height dimension of a respective partial volume of the receiving area. Tests have shown that the specified percentage values ​​are particularly user-friendly for establishing the connection between the stackable containers. In particular, the transition section can take up a remaining percentage of the receiving area, e.g. between 1% and 40% of the receiving area along the guide axis.

[0029] In one embodiment, in a locked state, a first outer side of the at least one male connecting part contacts the at least one gate element, and a further outer side of the at least one male connecting part contacts the at least one wall. In this way, the rigidity of the connection created can be improved. In particular, the male connecting part can be supported on the female connecting part in the locked state, and vice versa. The locked state is, in particular, a state in which the at least one male connecting part is fully inserted into the receiving area of ​​the female connecting part.

[0030] In one embodiment, the at least one locking element contacts the at least one guide element in a locked state. This can improve the rigidity of the connection created. In particular, the locking element can be incompletely rebounded in the locked state and thus be slightly preloaded in the locked state and press against the guide element. This further improves the rigidity of the connection.

[0031] Further proposed is a modular arrangement of containers comprising - at least one first container and - at least one further container, wherein the containers are connectable by means of a device according to an embodiment described in this disclosure, wherein at least one male connecting part of the device is arranged on the at least one first container and at least one female connecting part of the device is arranged on the at least one further container.

[0032] The advantages and technical effects mentioned in this disclosure for the device also apply in particular to the proposed modular arrangement.

[0033] The first container and / or the additional container can be designed, for example, as a Eurobox. The first container and / or the additional container can include at least one lid. The lid can be lockable.

[0034] In particular, the first container and the additional container can be of identical construction, i.e., they can have the same dimensions. This simplifies stacking the containers.

[0035] In particular, the at least one female connecting part of the device is arranged in a side wall of the at least one further container, e.g., in a recess in the side wall of the further container. In particular, a longitudinal dimension of the at least one female connecting part is smaller than a thickness of the side wall. As a result, the female connecting part can be arranged in a space-saving manner in the side wall of the further container, and the internal volume of the further container remains unaffected by the arrangement of the female connecting part. In particular, the longitudinal dimension of the female connecting part and the thickness of the side wall are oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the previously explained Cartesian coordinate system and orthogonal to the guide axis.

[0036] In particular, at least one female connecting part is also arranged on the at least one first container, e.g., in a recess of a side wall of the first container, and at least one male connecting part is also arranged on the at least one further container, e.g., on a top side of the further container. In this way, modular stacking of the containers with a plurality of containers can be enabled.

[0037] In particular, the first container and / or the additional container can be designed such that they can be arranged entirely within the interior volume of an additional container, i.e., the containers can be stacked inside each other. This simplifies storage of the containers, for example, when they are empty and need to be stored in a space-saving manner.

[0038] The invention is explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments. The figures show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a device for connecting stackable containers in a locked state, Fig. 2 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a device for connecting stackable containers in a further state, Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a further embodiment of a device for connecting stackable containers and Fig. 4 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a modular arrangement of stackable containers.

[0039] In the following, the same reference symbols refer to elements with the same technical features.

[0040] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a device 100 for connecting stackable containers 200, 300 in a locked state. The device 100 comprises a male connecting part 10 and a female connecting part 20.

[0041] In Fig. 1, the male connecting part 10 is fully inserted into the female connecting part 20 along a guide axis Z and thus locked. The male connecting part 10 is arranged on a top side (not shown) of a first container 200, and the female connecting part 20 is arranged in a recess (not shown) of a side wall 310 of the further container 300. The containers 200, 300 are identified only by straight hatching.

[0042] The schematic representation shown is, in particular, a sectional view of the embodiment of the device 100, wherein the section is oriented in a plane spanned by the guide axis Z and a transverse axis Y of a Cartesian coordinate system. A longitudinal axis L of the coordinate system is oriented orthogonal to the guide axis Z and orthogonal to the transverse axis Y.

[0043] The male connecting part 10 is characterized by wavy hatching and is designed, for example, as a plug pin. The male connecting part 10 has a locking element 11 designed as a resilient pressure piece for locking the connection between the first container 200 and the further container 300. The locking element 11 is arranged in a shaft 14 of the male connecting part 10. The locking element 11 can be deflected and retracted orthogonally to the guide axis Z, i.e., an effective direction of the locking element 11 is oriented, for example, parallel to the transverse axis Y.

[0044] The female connecting part 20 is designed, for example, as a socket. The female connecting part 20 has a receiving area 21 for receiving the at least one male connecting part 10. The female connecting part 20 has an opening 24 for inserting and removing the male connecting part 10 into the receiving area 21. The receiving area 21 borders the opening 24 and is otherwise delimited along the transverse axis Y by, for example, a guide element 22 and a wall 23.

[0045] The male connecting part 10 is inserted along the guide axis Z between the wall 23 and the link element 22 into different sections A, B, C of the receiving area 21.

[0046] The link element 22 is trapezoidal in shape and has, in a first section A of the receiving area 21, a first leg T1 which serves to compress the locking element 11 upon insertion of the male connecting part 10. During compression, for example, a ball (indicated by a solid circle) of the locking element 11 is pressed into the shaft 14, whereby a spring (indicated by a zigzag line) of the locking element 11 is tensioned. Furthermore, the link element 22 has, in a further section C of the receiving area 21, a further leg T2 which serves to rebound the locking element 11 upon insertion. During rebound, the spring of the locking element 11 is at least partially relaxed and the ball moves out of the shaft 14.To release the locking mechanism, the ball must be returned to the shaft 14 in order to move the male connecting part 10 from the further section C towards the first section A. To do this, a mechanical resistance must be overcome which is proportional to the spring travel to be covered in the direction of the transverse axis Y. The receiving area 21 also has a transition section B between the first section A and the further section C. Furthermore, a surface O of the link element 22 is oriented parallel to the guide axis Z along the entire transition section B. As a result, movement of the male connecting part 10 in the transition section B in the direction of the transverse axis Y is restricted.

[0047] A height dimension H2 of the link element 22 corresponds to at least 10% of a height dimension H1 of the male connecting part 10 in the transition section B. In the locked state, this has an advantageous effect on the rigidity of the connection produced, since the male connecting element 10 can be supported along the height dimension H2.

[0048] Furthermore, a first outer side 12 of the male connecting part 10 can contact the gate element 22 in the locked state, and a further outer side 13 of the connecting part 10 can contact the wall 23 in the locked state. This further increases the rigidity of the resulting connection.

[0049] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a device 100 for connecting stackable containers 200, 300 in a further state. In the further state, the male connecting part 10 is inserted along the guide axis Z into the transition section B of the receiving area 21, but is not yet locked.

[0050] The link element 22 of the female connecting part 20 is designed such that the locking element 11 of the male connecting part 10 is maximally compressed in the transition section B of the receiving area 21, i.e., the ball of the locking element 11 is fully pressed into the shaft 14, whereby the spring of the locking element 11 is maximally tensioned. An outer point of the locking element 11 is arranged flush with the outer side 12 of the male connecting part 10.

[0051] A width dimension 15 of the male connecting part 10 (in Fig. 2 by a double arrow) corresponds to a maximum narrowing of the receiving area 21 in the transition section B. As a result, the male connecting part 10 is forced into a movement path which is oriented parallel to the wall 23 and also parallel to the surface O of the link element 22 when being inserted and removed into the transition section B.

[0052] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of a device 100 for connecting stackable containers 200, 300. For better clarity, the containers 200, 300 and the male connecting part 10 are not shown.

[0053] The guide element 22 is, for example, trapezoidal in shape. Here, a first leg T1 of the guide element 22 intersects the guide axis Z at a first angle α. The first leg T1 is a leg that is arranged in the first section A of the receiving area 21. Another leg T2 of the guide element 22 intersects the guide axis Z at a further angle β. The further leg T2 is a leg that is arranged in the further section B of the receiving area 21. Because the first angle α is greater than the further angle β, inserting the male connecting part 10 into the first section A is associated with greater mechanical resistance than removing the male connecting part 10 from the further section B. This provides a user with distinguishable haptic feedback.

[0054] Furthermore, the gate element 22 is convexly curved in the transition section B of the receiving area 21 with a transition radius R. The transition radius R is selected such that a transition from the transition section B to the first section A and to the further section B is continuous. This prevents an abrupt change in the haptic feedback for the user during the transition between the sections.

[0055] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a modular arrangement 400 of stackable containers 200, 300. The modular arrangement 400 comprises a plurality of containers 200, 300. On each of the containers 200, 300, at least two male connecting parts 10 and at least two female connecting parts 20 are arranged according to an embodiment of the device 100 described in this disclosure (cf. Fig. 1 to 3).

[0056] For example, a male connecting part 10 of the device 100, designed as a plug pin, is arranged at each corner on the top side of the container 200. This allows a torque to be absorbed between the containers 200, 300 via the two male connecting parts 10.

[0057] Furthermore, a side wall 310 of the further container 200 has at least two recesses, wherein two female connecting parts 20 designed as sockets are arranged in each recess of the side wall 310. The female connecting parts 20 are oriented such that the male connecting parts 10 easily slide into the female connecting parts 20 when the containers 200, 300 are stacked and the previously explained locking element 11 (see Fig. 1) is rebounded in the further section C of the receiving area 21 and in this way securely locks the connection between the containers 200, 300. List of reference symbols 10 male connector 11 Locking element 12 first outside 13 more outside 14 shaft 15 Width dimension of the male connector 20 female connector 21 Recording area 22 backdrop element 23 Wall 24 Opening 100 device 200 first containers 300 additional containers 310 side wall 400 modular arrangement A first section B Transition section C further section H1 Height dimension of the male connection part H2 Height dimension of the backdrop element O Surface of the backdrop element R transition radius T1 first leg T2 further leg X Longitudinal axis Y transverse axis Z guide axis α first angle β further angle

Claims

[1] Device (100) for connecting stackable containers (200, 300), comprising: - at least one male connecting part (10), wherein the at least one male connecting part (10) can be arranged on at least one first container (200), wherein the at least one male connecting part (10) has at least one spring-loaded locking element (11) for locking the connection, - at least one female connecting part (20), wherein the at least one female connecting part (20) can be arranged on at least one further container (300), wherein the at least one female connecting part (20) has a receiving area (21) for receiving the at least one male connecting part (10), wherein the receiving area (21) is delimited by at least one guide element (22) and at least one wall (23), wherein the at least one wall (23) is arranged opposite the at least one guide element (22), wherein the at least one male connecting part (10) can be inserted into the receiving area (21) along a guide axis (Z) between the at least one wall (23) and the at least one guide element (22), wherein the at least one locking element (11) can be deflected and retracted orthogonally to the guide axis (Z), wherein the at least one guide element (22) is designed such thatthat the at least one locking element (11):, i. upon insertion of the male connecting part (10) in a first section (A) of the receiving area (21) can be deflected and ii. upon insertion of the male connecting part (10) in a further section (C) of the receiving area (21), it can be rebounded, wherein the connection between the stackable containers (200, 300) is locked by rebounding of the at least one locking element (11) in the further section (C). [2] Device (100) according to claim 1, characterized by that the at least one link element (22) is designed such that a first leg (T1) of the at least one link element (22) intersects the guide axis (Z) at a first angle (α), wherein a further leg (T2) of the at least one link element (22) intersects the guide axis (Z) at a further angle (β), wherein the first angle (α) is greater than the further angle (β). [3] Device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that at least one transition section (B) is arranged between the first section (A) and the further section (C) of the receiving area (21), wherein a discontinuity point or a change in gradient of a surface (O) of the link element (22) is arranged at the beginning and / or at the end of the transition section (B). [4] Device (100) according to claim 3, characterized by that the surface (O) of the at least one link element (22) in the transition section (B) of the receiving area (21) is convexly curved with a transition radius (R). [5] Device (100) according to one of claims 3 to 4, characterized by that in the transition section (B) a height dimension (H2) of the at least one link element (22) corresponds to at least 10% of a height dimension (H1) of the male connecting part (10). [6] Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat a width dimension (15) of the male connecting part (10) corresponds to a maximum narrowing of the receiving area (21). [7] Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the first section (A) takes up between 30% and 50% of the receiving area (21) along the guide axis (Z), while the further section (C) takes up between 30% and 50% of the receiving area (21) along the guide axis (Z). [8] Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in a locked state, a first outer side (12) of the at least one male connecting part (10) contacts the at least one link element (22) and a further outer side (13) of the at least one male connecting part (10) contacts the at least one wall (23) (20). [9] Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat in a locked state the at least one locking element (11) contacts the at least one link element (22). [10] Modular arrangement (400) of containers (200, 300), comprising - at least one first container (200) and - at least one further container (300), wherein the containers (200, 300) can be connected by means of a device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein at least one male connecting part (10) of the device (100) is arranged on the at least one first container (200), wherein at least one female connecting part (20) of the device (100) is arranged on the at least one further container (300). [11] Container (200, 300), wherein the container (200, 300) comprises at least one male connecting part (10) and at least one female connecting part (20) according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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