Modular container

Abstract

Container (1) for accommodating personnel and materials for the assembly of cables (16a, 16b), comprising a central module (2) and two external modules (3, 4) arranged on both sides of the central module (2) and reversibly connected to the central module (2), characterized in that the central module (2) and the external modules (3, 4) form a common covered interior space (5) for use as an assembly space.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a container according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Connecting cables, especially 380 kV AC cables, requires complex assembly steps in a suitable, and above all, clean working environment. These steps are currently carried out under tent-like structures that provide a covered interior space for assembly. However, erecting such a tent-like structure at the installation site is quite time-consuming. Furthermore, transporting scaffolding components and tent tarpaulins to the site is a complex and costly process.

[0003] Furthermore, a tent-like structure can only offer limited protection against external contamination, meaning the installation area can become dirty. In particular, dust can penetrate the installation area. However, a high degree of cleanliness is essential when installing cables and cable accessories; it is particularly important to prevent dust from negatively impacting the installation process.

[0004] Furthermore, it is problematic that assembly aids such as trolleys or lifting systems for heavy cables require load-bearing scaffolding or steel beams, which usually also have to be elaborately erected or assembled at the assembly site before they can be used.

[0005] Furthermore, setting up the assembly room is not only time-consuming, but also challenging with regard to equipping it with power, lighting, and / or heating or air conditioning, and this is not always easy to implement on site. To supply power, lighting, and / or heating or air conditioning, lines often first need to be laid and installed to the assembly room.

[0006] Finally, in tent-like structures that are not properly ventilated, moisture can condense into water, which then very adversely dampens the tent walls on the inside and even runs down the tent walls.

[0007] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a mobile assembly room for cables and cable accessories that can be easily set up on site, offers the cleanest and most air-conditioned working environment possible, is easy to transport, easy to erect and easy to put into operation.

[0008] The present invention solves the aforementioned problem through the features of claim 1.

[0009] A central module is connected to two outer modules to create an interior space for assembly. According to the invention, it has been found that a modular container, consisting of individual modules, can be quickly assembled on site by connecting the modules together.

[0010] Furthermore, it has been recognized that each module, if its size and weight are appropriately chosen, can be individually transported to the installation site and reversibly connected to other modules there.

[0011] Furthermore, it has been recognized that each module can already be pre-assembled and ready for operation, so that equipping it with cables or assembly aids at the installation site is either unnecessary or can be carried out quickly and easily.

[0012] Furthermore, it has been recognized that a module can be designed in such a way as to provide a virtually impermeable working atmosphere in the assembly room. It is even possible to create a work area within the assembly room with a slight overpressure that prevents the ingress of particles, especially dust, from the outside.

[0013] Both the central module and the first and second outer modules could be designed as individual containers, preferably made of steel or sheet steel, which can be joined together to form a larger container. This allows for a module that is far more stable, particularly in terms of flexural rigidity, than a tent. A container offers better protection against the elements than a tent and can be transported more easily as a pre-assembled unit.

[0014] The central module could have a central roof, two opposing door walls, each with at least one door, and a floor for use as a walkway and storage area. The central module also has two opposing open central passageways, each facing an outer module and opening into an open passageway of an outer module. The fixed floor in the central module provides a safe walkway within the container and a storage area for materials currently needed by the assembly personnel. The two opposing doors serve as emergency exits. The fixed floor extends between the doors. The central roof and the door walls protect the assembly area from the elements.The central passageways are largely unobstructed, interrupted only by thin struts or supports extending between the floor and the central roof. These passageways allow workers to move freely between the modules without having to open doors.

[0015] At least one external module could have three exterior walls and a roof, but no floor. The external module has only one open access side facing the central module. The roof and the U-shaped exterior walls provide protection against the elements, and the open access side allows personnel to move freely between the two modules. The external modules do not have a permanently installed floor, as one or more steel frames are erected on the ground covered by the external module during assembly. The cable joints to be installed can then be fixed to these frames. Since there is no floor, an external module can easily be placed from above onto the already erected steel frames.

[0016] The central roof of the central module and the outer roofs of the outer modules could complement each other to form a single roof. The outer walls of the outer modules and the outer door walls of the central module would complement each other to form a common, largely enclosed outer wall, at least in sections, that wraps around the entire perimeter. The central passage sides of the central module and the outer passage sides of the outer modules would face each other in such a way as to create passageways between the respective modules within the interior. When assembled, the three individual modules form an assembly space that is essentially enclosed from the outside and protected from the elements. This assembly space provides suitable climatic conditions for the workers during assembly and ensures cleanliness.

[0017] The central module and / or the external modules could include lighting to illuminate the interior. Preferably, all modules have lighting adapted to the installation requirements, in particular neon tubes or LED lights. The lighting is pre-installed in all modules and is an integral part of the respective module.

[0018] The central module and / or the external modules could each have an air conditioning and / or heating system for climate control and / or heating the interior. The air conditioning or heating system ensures suitable climatic conditions in the assembly area at all times. The air conditioning or heating system is pre-installed in the respective modules and is an integral part of each module. Preferably, each of the two external modules has an air conditioning system and / or separate heating system at both ends to create suitable climatic conditions for assembly.

[0019] The central module and / or the external modules could each have electrical supply lines, preferably for indoor sockets. The modules could contain standard (Schuko) sockets or high-voltage sockets connected to these supply lines. This allows devices such as drills, saws, or similar equipment to be easily plugged into pre-installed sockets in the modules.

[0020] The central module and / or the external modules could each have at least one power supply connection, preferably a 32 A socket, to supply the respective module or all modules with electricity. A central power supply connection can supply either a single module or the entire container and all its pre-installed supply lines, sockets, air conditioning units, lighting, and / or heating systems with electrical power.

[0021] At least one outdoor module and / or the central module could have supports on the outer roof, central roof, or ceiling area for attaching trolleys or other assembly tools. Preferably, both outdoor modules have permanently installed double-T steel beams on their respective outer roofs or ceiling areas for attaching trolleys that are not permanently pre-installed and for securing cables during assembly. The modules are equipped with pre-assembled supports that do not need to be installed on-site but are an integral part of the modules. Preferably, each support can withstand a load of 240 kg.

[0022] At least one outdoor module could have cable entry points on two opposite sides. This allows one or more cables to be inserted at one end of the outdoor module and one or more cables at the other. The cable ends of the first and second cables can be connected together in the assembly area. The cable ends can rest on steel frames and be moved to suitable height positions using trolleys.

[0023] At least one entry opening could have flexibly bendable louvers. The louvers form a curtain to cover the respective entry opening. For variable cable entry from the outside and for installation, both external modules have louvers on their narrow sides. The louvers are located in the lower section of the narrow sides, specifically within the entry openings. The free ends of the louvers face the substrate so that the cables can be pushed through or under the louvers. The louvers then settle between or onto the cables. In this way, the louvers seal the entry opening in the respective outer wall as effectively as possible, acting like a curtain.

[0024] At least one outdoor module could have at least one folding table. A folding table can be pre-assembled to save space and folded out onto an inner wall of an outdoor module; preferably, several folding tables are provided that can be unfolded as needed to create a work surface.

[0025] The central module and / or an outer module could be between 2 m and 3 m wide, preferably 2.5 m. Alternatively or additionally, the central module and / or an outer module could be between 10 m and 14 m long, preferably 12.1 m. Such a size of individual modules or containers is suitable for road transport without special permits; preferably, the maximum width of an individual container is 2.5 m and its length is 12.1 m. The individual containers are designed with a width that allows them to be transported by a standard semi-trailer truck without a transport permit and then assembled on-site using a crane.

[0026] The interior space could have a footprint ranging from 7 m x 11 m to 13 m x 7.5 m. When assembled, the three individual modules form a largely enclosed assembly space, preferably with a footprint of 11 m x 7 m up to a maximum of 13 m x 7.5 m. This assembly space is sufficiently large to allow personnel to easily connect cables. The personnel can move freely between the modules in a spacious environment without having to open any doors.

[0027] Both the central module and the outer modules are constructed in the style of a 20- or 40-foot container. They feature robust metallic frames with metallic outer walls and the aforementioned equipment. The modules therefore do not have tent-like tarpaulins, but rather rigid and stable outer walls, doors, and roofs, preferably made of metal. The container described here is particularly preferably designed as a composite steel container, the modules of which are designed as individual steel containers. The modules are cuboid in shape.

[0028] An arrangement could comprise a container of the type described here and several cables, at least partially contained within the container, with the first cables protruding into the container at one side and the second cables protruding into the container at the other. Such an arrangement makes it suitable to connect cables, in particular a 380 kV AC cable system, on site.

[0029] The drawing shows Fig. 1. A top view of the interior or assembly space of the container, which consists of a cuboid central module and two cuboid outer modules. Fig. 2 a view from the right (view A) of the container according to Fig. 1, where a closed outer wall is shown on the long side of the first outer module, Fig. 3 a view from the left (view B) of the container according to Fig. 1, wherein a closed outer wall is shown on the longitudinal side of the second outer module, which corresponds to the first outer module according to Fig. 2 opposite each other, Fig. 4 a front view (view C) of the container according to Fig. 1, wherein the first outer door wall of the central module is shown with a first door and wherein cable entry openings extending to the floor are shown in the first outer walls of the outer modules, Fig. 5 a rear view (view D) of the container according to Fig. 1, wherein the second outer door wall of the central module is shown with a second door and wherein further cable entry openings extending to the floor are shown in the second outer walls of the outer modules, and Fig. 6 A perspective and partially schematic view of the container from the front, in which cables are inserted into the container from two sides for connection with each other.

[0030] Fig. Figure 1 shows a cuboid container 1 for accommodating personnel and materials, comprising a cuboid central module 2 and two cuboid outer modules 3, 4, which are arranged on either side of the central module 2 and reversibly connected to the central module 2 to form a cuboid unit. The central module 2 and the outer modules 3, 4 form a common covered interior space 5 for use as an assembly area.

[0031] Both the central module 2 and the first external module 3 and the second external module 4 are designed as individual containers that can be reversibly joined together to form container 1.

[0032] Inside compartment 5 of container 1, cables are installed, specifically, cable ends are connected. The cables are inserted into container 1 on both sides along its narrow sides, so that corresponding cable ends can be connected together inside compartment 5 under suitable climatic conditions. This is done in Fig. 6 schematically represented.

[0033] The central module 2 has a central roof 2d, two opposing door outer walls 2a, 2b, each with at least one door 6a, 6b, and a floor 7 for use as a walkway and storage area. The central module 2 has two opposing open central passage sides 8a, 8b on its long sides, each facing an outer module 3, 4 such that it opens into or coincides with an open outer passage side 9a, 9b of an outer module 3, 4, thus forming passageways.

[0034] The central passage sides 8a, 8b and the external passage sides 9a, 9b extend along the length of container 1, namely substantially or completely over the entire interior length of the interior space 5.

[0035] Each outer module 3, 4 has three outer walls 3a-c, 4a-c and an outer roof 3d, 4d, but no floor, with each outer module 3, 4 having only one free outer passage side 9a, 9b on a long side facing the central module 2.

[0036] The central roof 2d of the central module 2 and the outer roofs 3d, 4d of the outer modules 3, 4 complement each other to form a common roof, whereby the outer walls 3a-c, 4a-c of the outer modules 3, 4 and the door outer walls 2a, 2b of the central module 2 complement each other to form a common outer wall that at least partially surrounds the building.

[0037] The central passage sides 8a, 8b of central module 2 and the outer passage sides 9a, 9b of outer modules 3, 4 are oriented towards each other in such a way that they form five passageways between the respective modules 2, 3, 4 in the interior. The passageways in the interior are designed without doors; only narrow supports or struts extending from floor to ceiling are provided.

[0038] The central module 2 and the external modules 3, 4 have lighting (not shown) for illuminating the interior 5.

[0039] Each outdoor module 3, 4 has two air conditioners or heaters 10 for air conditioning and / or heating the interior 5. Each air conditioner or heater 10 is pre-assembled in the outdoor modules 3, 4 and is part of the respective module. The two outdoor modules 3, 4 each have one air conditioner or heater 10 at each of their two ends to create suitable climatic conditions for installation in the interior 5.

[0040] The central module 2 and the external modules 3 and 4 each have electrical supply lines (not shown) for sockets in the interior 5. The sockets are designed as Schuko sockets or high-voltage sockets. The central module 2 or one external module 3 or 4 has at least one supply connection (not shown), namely a 32 A socket, for supplying the modules with electricity.

[0041] Each outer module 3, 4 and the central module 2 have beams 11 on the respective outer roof 3d, 4d and central roof 2d or on a ceiling area for attaching trolleys 12 or other assembly tools.

[0042] Fig. 4 and Fig. Figure 5 shows that each external module 3, 4 has cable entry openings 14 on two opposite sides, namely on its first external wall 3a, 4a and its second external wall 3b, 4b at the narrow sides. The cable entry openings 14 penetrate the first external walls 3a, 4a and the second external walls 3b, 4b of the external modules 3, 4 at their narrow sides in the lower region.

[0043] Each insertion opening 14 has flexible, bendable lamellae (not shown) that fold over and around the inserted cables like a strip curtain. The insertion openings 14 are formed as recesses in the base of the respective external module 3, 4.

[0044] Inside compartment 5, steel racks 15 are set up, onto which the cables to be installed are placed, after the cables have been inserted from both sides of container 1, i.e. from the front and from the back, as shown in Fig. Figure 6 is shown schematically.

[0045] Since the external modules 3, 4 have no floor, they can be placed with a crane over already erected steel frames 15, so that the insertion openings 14 are flush with the floor on which the cables rest.

[0046] Each external module 3, 4 has two folding tables 13, which are attached to the inner walls of the interior space 5 and can be folded down from them. The folding tables 13 provide work surfaces for the operating personnel.

[0047] The central module 2 and the outer modules 3 and 4 are 2.5 m wide and 12.1 m long. The interior space 5 has a floor area of ​​approximately 7 m by 11 m.

[0048] Fig.Figure 6 shows an arrangement comprising the fully assembled container 1 and several cables 16a, 16b, which are at least partially contained within the container 1, wherein six first cables 16a extend into the container 1 with their ends on a first side of the container, and wherein six second cables 16b extend into the container 1 with their ends on a second side of the container. This arrangement allows the ends of the cables 16a, 16b, which face each other, to be connected on the steel racks 15 in the interior 5.

[0049] Trolleys 15 or other lifting devices are used to lift cables 16a and 16b. The climate-controlled interior 5 is so clean that cable joints can be easily connected to the cable ends. Reference symbol list: 1 container 2 Central module 2a first outer door wall of the central module 2 2b second outer door wall of the central module 2 2D Central roof of central module 2 3 first external module 3a First outer wall of the first outer module 3 3b second outer wall of the first outer module 3 3c third outer wall of the first outer module 3 3D first exterior roof of the first exterior module 3 4 second external module 4a first outer wall of the second outer module 4 4b second outer wall of the second outer module 4 4c third outer wall of the second outer module 4 4d second outer roof of the second outer module 4 5 interior spaces of 1 6a first door of central module 2 6b second door of central module 2 7 floors of 2 8a First central passage side of the central module 2 8b second central passage side of central module 2 9a First external passage side of the first external module 3 9b second external passage side of the second external module 4 10 Air conditioning or heating 11 carriers 12 trolley 13 Folding table 14 insertion opening in 3a, 4a, 3b, 4b 15 steel frame 16a first cable 16b second cable

Claims

[1] Container (1) for accommodating personnel and materials for the assembly of cables (16a, 16b), comprising a central module (2) and two external modules (3, 4) arranged on either side of the central module (2) and reversibly connected to the central module (2), characterized by , that the central module (2) and the external modules (3, 4) form a common covered interior space (5) for use as an assembly space. [2] Container according to claim 1, characterized by , that both the central module (2) and the first external module (3) and the second external module (4) are designed as individual containers which can be joined together to form container (1). [3] Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that the central module (2) has a central roof (2d), two opposing door outer walls (2a, 2b) each with at least one door (6a, 6b) and a floor (7) for use as a walkway and storage area, wherein the central module (2) has two opposing free central passage sides (8a, 8b) each facing an outer module (3, 4) such that each of these leads into a free outer passage side (9a, 9b) of an outer module (3, 4). [4] Container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one outer module (3, 4) has three outer walls (3a-c, 4a-c) and an outer roof (3d, 4d), but no floor, wherein the outer module (3, 4) has a free outer passage side (9a, 9b) facing the central module (2). [5] Container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the central roof (2d) of the central module (2) and the outer roofs (3d, 4d) of the outer modules (3, 4) combine to form a common roof, wherein the outer walls (3a-c, 4a-c) of the outer modules (3, 4) and the door outer walls (2a, 2b) of the central module (2) combine to form a common outer wall that at least partially surrounds the central module (2), and wherein the central passage sides (8a, 8b) of the central module (2) and the outer passage sides (9a, 9b) of the outer modules (3, 4) are oriented towards each other in such a way that they form passages between the respective modules (2, 3, 4) in the interior (5). [6] Container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the central module (2) and / or the external modules (3, 4) has or have lighting for illuminating the interior (5). [7] Container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the central module (2) and / or the external modules (3, 4) each have an air conditioning and / or heating system (10) for air conditioning and / or heating the interior (5). [8] Container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the central module (2) and / or the external modules (3, 4) each have electrical supply lines, preferably for sockets in the interior (5). [9] Container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the central module (2) and / or the external modules (3, 4) each have at least one power supply connection, preferably a 32 A socket, for supplying the respective module or all modules with electricity. [10] Container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that at least one outer module (3, 4) and / or the central module (2) has or has supports (11) on the outer roof (3d, 4d) or central roof (2d) or on a ceiling area for attaching trolleys (12) or other assembly tools. [11] Container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one external module (3, 4) has cable entry openings (14) on two opposite sides. [12] Container according to claim 11, characterized by , that at least one insertion opening (14) has flexibly bendable lamellae. [13] Container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one external module (3, 4) has at least one folding table (13). [14] Container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the central module (2) and / or an outer module (3, 4) is / are between 2 m and 3 m wide, preferably 2.5 m, and / or that the central module (2) and / or an outer module (3, 4) is / are between 10 m and 14 m long, preferably 12.1 m. [15] Arrangement comprising a container (1) according to one of the preceding claims and several cables (16a, 16b) which are at least partially contained in the container (1), wherein first cables (16a) extend into the container (1) with their ends at a first side of the container and wherein second cables (16b) extend into the container (1) with their ends at a second side of the container.

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