Container Lock Segmentation for Chassis Adaptability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container locks for chassis and semi-trailers are complex, costly, and prone to wear, with many components leading to high production costs and space requirements, and are easily lost, causing issues during container transport.

Innovation Solution

A container lock with independently operable horizontal and vertical latch mechanisms, decoupled from each other, which can be manually actuated, reducing the need for complex adjustment mechanisms and allowing for lateral and height adjustability, thus simplifying operation and reducing wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If complex adjustment mechanisms are used to accommodate different container types, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to lock different container typesVSAvoidnumber of components in locking mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is divided into two independent locking elements: a first locking element for horizontal locking and a second locking element for vertical locking. Each locking element can be operated independently and can accommodate different container types without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms. This segmentation allows the system to handle various container types while maintaining simplicity in each individual locking element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If complex adjustment mechanisms are used to accommodate different container types, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to lock different container typesVSAvoidmanufacturing cost of locking mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the locking mechanism into two simple, independent locking elements rather than one complex adjustable mechanism, the manufacturing cost of each element is reduced. The simplicity of each locking element makes them easier and less expensive to manufacture while collectively providing the ability to lock different container types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If many components are used in the locking mechanism, then adaptability is improved, but susceptibility to wear increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to lock different container typesVSAvoidsusceptibility to wear with service life
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is segmented into two independent locking elements, each with fewer components. This reduction in the number of components per element decreases susceptibility to wear and failure in each individual element. The independent operation of each element means that wear in one element does not affect the other, improving overall reliability while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If complex locking mechanisms are used, then adaptability is improved, but space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to lock different container typesVSAvoidspace occupied by locking mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is divided into two compact, independent locking elements that can be arranged in a space-efficient manner. Each locking element is simpler and more compact than a single complex adjustable mechanism would be. The independent design allows for optimized spatial arrangement, reducing the overall space occupied by the locking mechanism while maintaining the ability to lock different container types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3666591B1Container lock, front extension of a chassis with such a container lock and locking arrangement
Publication Date: 2022.06.08 KOEGEL TRAILER GMBH
  • EP3666591B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3666591B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3666591B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a container locking mechanism (1) for locking different types of containers on a chassis (100), in particular for a front extension (3) of the chassis (100), comprising a first locking mechanism (10) configured to move a first locking element (11) back and forth along a horizontal locking axis (H) between an open position and a locked position, and a second locking mechanism (20) configured to move a second locking element (21) back and forth about a vertical locking axis (V) between an open position and a locked position, wherein the first locking mechanism (10) and the second locking mechanism (20) can be actuated independently of each other.