Single-Walled Baffle Element with Curved Wall Profile

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing baffle elements in transport containers are cumbersome for rescue operations and cleaning due to their design, which complicates access and increases the complexity and cost of the cleaning process, while also potentially creating difficult-to-inspect cavities that can lead to leaks and material inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A single-walled baffle element with a peripheral contour that mimics an aerofoil profile, featuring a combination of curved wall areas with different radii of curvature, allowing for a lightweight, easy-to-clean, and stable structure that can be produced with minimal material usage, and can be reinforced with a round profile for enhanced stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If baffle elements with openings are used to ensure liquid exchange and accessibility, then communication between chambers is improved, but rescue operations become difficult and cleaning complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility for rescue operationsVSAvoidcleaning process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The baffle element is segmented into multiple curved wall areas with different radii of curvature, creating a profile similar to an aerofoil. This segmentation allows the structure to be divided into functional zones that facilitate both accessibility and cleaning while maintaining surge resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of providing access openings through the baffle element as in conventional designs, the invention inverts the approach by creating a single-walled structure without penetrating openings, thereby eliminating the need for complex rescue procedures through openings while maintaining chamber accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Stability of the object's composition

If reinforcing tubes are added to curved crescent-shaped disk elements, then structural stability is improved, but weight increases and cavities difficult to inspect are created

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidbaffle element weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The baffle element employs curved wall areas with different radii of curvature to achieve structural stability without requiring additional reinforcing tubes. The curved geometry inherently provides the necessary rigidity while eliminating the weight penalty and inspection difficulties associated with internal cavities created by tube reinforcement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

Different wall areas of the baffle element have different radii of curvature tailored to their specific structural requirements. This local differentiation of geometric properties optimizes strength and stability in each region without requiring uniform reinforcement throughout the structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If multiple spray heads are provided for cleaning individual chambers, then cleaning coverage is improved, but cleaning process complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning coverageVSAvoidcleaning equipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The baffle element design enables a single spray head to effectively clean all chambers by creating a configuration where liquid can flow freely between separated areas. The curved wall structure with different radii facilitates universal cleaning coverage without requiring multiple specialized spray heads for different chambers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Loss of substance

If single-walled baffle elements are used, then material usage is reduced, but structural stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial usageVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The single-walled baffle element achieves adequate structural stability through its curved geometry with different radii of curvature in different wall areas. This curved configuration provides the necessary rigidity and surge resistance without requiring additional material or internal reinforcement structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The baffle element utilizes a single-walled construction that functions as a composite structure through its varied curvature profile, achieving enhanced structural performance from a unified material form without requiring multiple materials or layers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP2674375B1Baffle element and baffle assembly, tank container and container therewith

Publication Date: 2017.08.09 WELFIT ODDY

Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4

AI summary

The baffle element (1) has single-walled panel element having peripheral contour (3) which is formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of a wall contour of the container (10). A free edge (4) implements the inner space of the container and connects the opposite ends of peripheral contour. The curved wall portions (5,6) having different radius of curvature. The radius of curvature of curved wall portion (5) is greater than that of curved wall portion (6) formed between the edge and the curved wall portion (5).