Container Corner Fitting Safety Element for Pin Security

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Solution Overview

Problem

Standard container locks lack additional security measures to prevent unauthorized access, especially for valuable or sensitive cargo, despite being easy and quick to use.

Innovation Solution

A safety device is introduced into the container corner fitting, which extends between the pin's head and the inner surface or adjacent side surfaces, preventing axial displacement and rotation of the pin, ensuring the container can only be released by authorized persons.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If standard container locks are used, then ease of operation is improved, but security against unauthorized access deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of useVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The safety element is nested within the container corner fitting, utilizing the existing hollow structure. The safety element fits inside the fitting's internal cavity, with its base resting on the bottom wall and its securing elements extending through side wall openings to engage the pin head, creating a compact nested configuration that adds security without external additions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The safety element acts as an intermediary component between the container corner fitting and the locking pin. It mediates the connection by providing additional securing elements that extend through the side walls to engage the pin head, preventing unauthorized rotation or removal while maintaining the original lock's operational integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If additional security measures are added, then security is improved, but device complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The safety element serves multiple functions within a single component structure: it prevents axial displacement of the pin through its base engagement, prevents rotation through lateral securing elements, and provides structural support within the fitting. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple separate security components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The safety element combines multiple security functions into a single integrated component that is installed within the existing fitting structure. Rather than adding separate devices, the invention merges the security functions of preventing axial movement and rotational movement into one unified safety element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the pin is prevented from axial displacement, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidoperational simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The safety element is designed to be dynamically removable by authorized personnel. While it maintains security during normal operation by preventing axial displacement and rotation of the pin, it can be easily removed or deactivated by those with proper authorization, restoring full operational freedom when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3597483B1Securing of a container
Publication Date: 2021.06.23 DAHER NUCLEAR TECH GMBH
  • EP3597483B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3597483B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3597483B1 patent drawingFigure 4~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a locking device between a fitting (12) of a container (10) and a pin (32) of a locking mechanism (14) inserted into the fitting and having a head (34). The fitting is a hollow body whose bottom wall (15) has a first opening (17) and whose two adjacent side walls (18, 20) have a second and a third opening (22, 24). When the fitting is locked, the first opening is penetrated by the pin (32), the head of which rests partially on the inner surface of the bottom wall. The locking device includes a locking element (48, 146) that penetrates the second or the third opening (22, 24) and prevents axial movement of the pin (32).