Container Locking Bolt and Wedge Slide Against Unintentional Unlocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container locking devices for vehicles are complex, prone to failure under harsh conditions, and lack reliable mechanisms to prevent unintentional unlocking, especially in cases of pneumatic system failures.
Innovation Solution
A container locking device with a locking bolt that rotates 90° during lateral movement of a wedge slide, featuring a spring-loaded stop and a double-acting pneumatic cylinder, along with an emergency release mechanism using externally threaded push elements, ensuring secure locking and manual unlocking in case of pneumatic failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a diaphragm accumulator drive is used for locking, then the locking device can be actuated pneumatically, but the device becomes complex and prone to failure under harsh conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex diaphragm accumulator and toothed ring mechanism from the locking device, replacing them with a simple wedge slide that directly converts pneumatic motion into locking bolt displacement and rotation. This removes the problematic intermediate components while retaining pneumatic actuation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking bolt is segmented into a shaft portion and a locking head portion with different functions. The shaft portion interacts with the wedge slide for actuation, while the locking head portion engages the container corner fitting. This segmentation allows simplified actuation mechanics while maintaining secure locking functionality.
2Device complexity
If the locking bolt is held in locked state solely by spring tension, then the device is simple, but the lock could fail under strong external forces
Solution Approach 1:
A positive locking mechanism with a stop is introduced that preliminarily prevents the wedge slide from returning before the locking bolt is fully retracted. This ensures the locking bolt remains securely in the locked position even under strong external forces, while the spring only needs to maintain minimal tension.
Solution Approach 2:
The positive locking mechanism with the stop provides beforehand protection against unintentional unlocking by physically blocking the return path of the wedge slide until the locking bolt is properly retracted. This cushioning effect prevents failure under external forces before they can cause unlocking.
3Ease of operation
If a toothed ring and rack mechanism is used for rotation, then the locking bolt can be rotated, but the rotary drive becomes technically complex and prone to failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the toothed ring and rack mechanism entirely, replacing it with a direct wedge-ramp interaction. The inclined surface of the wedge slide directly converts lateral motion into rotational motion of the locking bolt through geometric constraint, eliminating the complex gear-based rotation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The wedge slide acts as an intermediary that converts pneumatic linear motion into both axial displacement and rotation of the locking bolt simultaneously. The inclined surface of the wedge serves as the mediating element that translates lateral movement into rotational motion without requiring separate gear mechanisms.
4Device complexity
If no additional locking mechanism is provided, then the device is simple, but the locking device lacks protection against unintentional reopening
Solution Approach 1:
A positive locking mechanism with a stop is introduced that preliminarily prevents the wedge slide from returning before the locking bolt is fully retracted. This ensures the locking bolt remains securely in the locked position even under strong external forces, while the spring only needs to maintain minimal tension.
Solution Approach 2:
The positive locking mechanism is merged with the existing pneumatic actuation system. The stop on the wedge slide works together with the pneumatic cylinder to provide both actuation and locking functions, eliminating the need for a completely separate locking mechanism while enhancing reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device provides a simplified, reliable locking mechanism that prevents unintentional unlocking and allows manual release, maintaining security even in the absence of compressed air or pneumatic system failures.
Implementation Method 1
a wedge slide is mounted in the locking housing so as to be laterally movable, i.e. perpendicular to the axis of the locking bolt, and can be driven by the drive and the wedge slide has a ramp which engages with the recess of the locking bolt during the lateral movement of the wedge slide and imparts an axial movement to the locking bolt
Implementation Method 2
a spring-loaded stop is provided which, during the lateral movement of the wedge slide, prevents the wedge slide from returning
Implementation Method 3
double-acting pneumatic cylinder, along with an emergency release mechanism
Implementation Method 4
emergency release mechanism using externally threaded push elements
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2e
Figure 3a~3d
AI summary
The invention relates to a container locking device or method on a vehicle for locking a container to be transported on a loading surface of the vehicle, said container comprising a corner fitting. The locking device has a locking housing (1), a locking bolt (2), and a drive (3). The locking bolt (2) has a shaft (20) and a locking head (21) which can be inserted through an opening of the corner fitting of the container in the unlocked state and which secures the container via protrusions which engaged behind the opening of the corner fitting in the locked state. The shaft (20) of the locking bolt (2) is supported in the locking housing (1) in an axially movable manner and in an axially rotatable manner, and the shaft (20) of the locking bolt (2) is provided with an ascending ramp (22), which is tangential to the circumference of the shaft. A wedge slide (4) is mounted in the locking housing (1) in a movable manner back and forth laterally, i.e. perpendicularly to the axis of the locking bolt (2), and can be driven by the drive (3), and the wedge slide (4) has an inclined support (41) which engages with the ramp (22) of the locking bolt (2) during a lateral movement of the wedge slide (4) and imparts an axial movement onto the locking bolt (2). The invention is characterized in that the locking bolt (2) has a contact edge (24) on the shaft (20) of the locking bolt, said contact edge interacting with a pushing protrusion (42) of the wedge slide (4) in order to impart a rotational movement by 90° onto the locking bolt (2) when the wedge slide (4) moves laterally, and a latching device is arranged on the locking housing (1), having a latch (51) on which a spring force acts and which is designed to engage into the lateral movement path of the wedge slide (4).