Rear Chassis Cross Member Locking Mechanism for Container Loading

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing chassis designs for containers are inefficient in locking and unlocking containers of varying sizes, particularly 20-foot containers, as they require significant effort and are not compact enough for rear-flush loading.

Innovation Solution

A chassis with retractable brakes on the rear cross member and height-adjustable locking devices that can pivot into an inoperative position, allowing for secure locking and unlocking of containers with and without tunnel formations, enabling compact rear-flush loading of 20-foot containers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional locking devices are used on fixed-position cross members, then containers can be locked securely, but the chassis cannot accommodate varying container sizes efficiently and requires significant effort for locking/unlocking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different container sizesVSAvoideffort required for locking and unlocking

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking devices are made dynamically positionable both longitudinally along the cross member and vertically relative to the container. The longitudinal adjustability allows the locking device to accommodate different container lengths (20ft, 40ft, 45ft), while the vertical pivoting motion enables easy engagement and disengagement from container openings, significantly reducing the effort required for locking and unlocking operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The locking device is designed as a universal mechanism that can securely lock multiple container types and sizes using the same device. By combining longitudinal adjustability with vertical pivoting capability, a single locking device can adapt to various container configurations (different lengths and tunnel formations) without requiring multiple specialized locking mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If locking devices are fixed on cross members, then the structure is simple, but the chassis cannot achieve compact rear-flush loading configuration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverear-flush loading capabilityVSAvoidlocking device positioning mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking devices are made dynamically positionable both longitudinally along the cross member and vertically relative to the container. The longitudinal adjustability allows the locking device to accommodate different container lengths (20ft, 40ft, 45ft), while the vertical pivoting motion enables easy engagement and disengagement from container openings, significantly reducing the effort required for locking and unlocking operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The locking devices are pre-positioned on the cross members at locations that allow them to pivot vertically into the openings of containers with tunnel formations. This preliminary positioning enables the locking devices to be quickly engaged or disengaged by simple vertical pivoting motion, facilitating rapid loading and unloading operations without requiring complex real-time adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple locking devices are provided for different container sizes, then all container types can be locked, but the overall device complexity and effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking capability for various container typesVSAvoidnumber of locking devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device is designed as a universal mechanism that can securely lock multiple container types and sizes using the same device. By combining longitudinal adjustability with vertical pivoting capability, a single locking device can adapt to various container configurations (different lengths and tunnel formations) without requiring multiple specialized locking mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking system is segmented into multiple independent locking devices distributed along the cross member, each capable of independent longitudinal and vertical adjustment. This segmentation allows each locking device to be optimized for local container sections while maintaining overall system versatility, enabling secure locking of containers with tunnel formations without requiring a completely different locking mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2113414B1Chassis for containers, structures and similar load containers

Publication Date: 2018.07.11 FAHRZEUGWERK BERNARD KRONE

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AI summary

The underbody (1) has a longitudinally adjustable underbody chassis with chassis longitudinal crossbars and a rearmost chassis cross beam (2) lockable at an underbody chassis in a longitudinal direction. A locking device (5) is supported in a height adjustable manner at the rearmost chassis cross beam, and transversed from a perpendicular locking position at a pivoting axis aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal direction by pivotable movement in an operative direction and dislocation of the cross beam against an underbody part and/or a loading frame part in an external operative position.