Adapter for Shipping Container Connector Locking Bolt
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ISO container corner connectors lack the ability to securely attach auxiliary components and transfer forces effectively, often leading to failure under the weight of attached equipment due to insufficient support.
Innovation Solution
An adapter system comprising a support body and a bolt with a shaft and nut, designed to securely attach to ISO container connectors, allowing for the attachment of various mechanisms and transferring forces to the container structure, featuring a U-shaped body portion and elongate posts to lock the bolt in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If common connectors or bolts are used to attach equipment to ISO container corner connectors, then the attachment process is simple, but the connectors cannot support the weight of the equipment and fail
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is divided into distinct functional segments: a support body for structural integrity, a bolt mechanism for secure attachment, and a shaft for connecting auxiliary components. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter serves as an intermediary component between the ISO container corner connector and the auxiliary equipment. It transfers and distributes the load from the equipment through the adapter's robust structure to the container's corner connector, preventing direct stress concentration that would cause failure.
2Reliability
If a robust adapter system is used to securely attach auxiliary components, then the load-bearing capacity and reliability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter merges multiple functions into a single integrated component: the support body provides structural support, the bolt mechanism ensures secure attachment, and the shaft enables connection to auxiliary components. This consolidation improves reliability while minimizing the number of separate parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The bolt is designed to be movable during installation, transitioning from an inserted position to a locked position between the elongate posts. This dynamic feature allows for easy installation and removal while ensuring secure attachment during use, balancing reliability with operational simplicity.
3Reliability
If the bolt is rotationally locked between the elongate posts, then the adapter prevents removal and ensures security, but the ease of operation for installation and removal is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bolt transitions between two states: during installation, it is movable and can be inserted freely; during operation, it is locked between the elongate posts to prevent removal. This dynamic design provides both ease of installation and secure anti-removal protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The elongate posts are positioned to automatically engage with the bolt and prevent its removal once installed. This preliminary anti-action is built into the structure, requiring no additional locking mechanisms or steps to secure the adapter during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An adapter for use with a connector of a shipping container is disclosed, the adapter including a support body, a bolt and, optionally, a nut that can thread to the shaft of the bolt. The support body includes a front body portion having a through bore for passage of a shaft of the bolt and a U-shaped body portion extending from the front body portion, the U-shaped body portion including pair of elongate posts. The bolt is rotatable from a first position in which a bolt head rests against longitudinal ends of the pair of elongate posts to a second position in which the bolt head is received between the pair of elongate posts and in which the pair of elongate posts prevent the bolt head from rotating. The adapter provides the connector with an outwardly protruding shaft to which devices or apparatus can be coupled.