Container Side Wall Hatch Self-Holding Tab Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing side wall arrangements for containers, particularly pallet containers, face challenges in simplifying the opening and closing of loading hatches while ensuring they remain securely closed independently of the side wall, often requiring additional actuation and lacking effective self-holding mechanisms to prevent the hatch from falling inward during closure.
Innovation Solution
The side wall arrangement features reduced wall thicknesses at the edges of the loading hatch and side walls, with a tab extending from one edge to overlap the opposing edge, allowing the hatch to open and close without additional actuation and self-hold in the closed position, utilizing stamping to create a pretension that is relieved by corner regions projecting into the opening, forming a stop to prevent inward falling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a loading hatch is provided on the side wall of a container, then the container allows access for loading and unloading, but the hatch requires additional actuation mechanisms and complex structures to open and close securely
Solution Approach 1:
The loading hatch is designed to open and close automatically through its own weight and the geometric arrangement of corner regions. The hatch self-holds in the closed position through the interlocking of corner regions with the side wall, eliminating the need for external actuation mechanisms such as shutters, latches, or springs.
Solution Approach 2:
The side wall and loading hatch are divided into distinct corner regions that play a critical role in the opening and closing mechanism. These corner regions are specifically designed with reduced wall thickness and geometric features that enable the hatch to pivot and self-hold without additional components.
2Reliability
If the loading hatch is designed to close securely independently of the side wall, then the hatch remains stable in the closed position, but additional components and structures are required to achieve this stability
Solution Approach 1:
The loading hatch achieves independent stability through its own geometric design. The corner regions of the hatch are configured to interlock with the side wall corner regions, creating a self-holding mechanism that maintains the closed position without requiring external fastening components.
Solution Approach 2:
The function of the closing mechanism and the stability function are merged into a single integrated structure. The corner regions serve dual purposes: enabling the hatch to close by pivoting and simultaneously providing the interlocking mechanism that holds it securely in the closed position.
3Ease of operation
If the wall thickness at the edges of the loading hatch and side wall is reduced, then the opening and closing movement is facilitated, but the structural strength of the side wall is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The wall thickness is selectively reduced only in the corner regions where the loading hatch connects to the side wall, while the main body of the side wall maintains its original thickness. This localized thinning facilitates the pivoting motion during opening and closing without compromising the overall structural strength of the container wall.
4Reliability
If a tab is added to extend beyond the opposing side edge, then the loading hatch can be prevented from falling inwards, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tab is integrated directly into the corner region of the side wall or loading hatch as a continuous structural element. This merging of the tab with the existing corner region provides the necessary prevention of inward falling without adding separate discrete components, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a side wall arrangement for a container and a method for the production thereof and a container, in particular a pallet container, which comprises several side walls (16) that can be connected to one another on their narrow sides assigned to one another of the side walls (16) by means of a joint (18) or are connected to one another, such that a closed ring (14) is formed from the side walls (16) that can be folded together, wherein a loading hatch (19) is provided on the at least one side wall (16), said loading hatch (19) closing an opening (27) in a closed position (22), said opening (27) being open towards an end edge (37) of the side wall (16), and wherein the loading hatch (19) is flexibly connected to the side wall (16) by means of a hinge (21), wherein side edges (42) of the loading hatch (19) which border it in terms of width and side edges (43) of the side wall (16) which border the opening (27) in the side wall (16) are reduced in terms of wall thickness relative to its adjacent wall sections (28, 29) of the side wall (16) and the loading hatch (19) on at least one side edge (43) of the side wall (16) or at least one side edge (42) of the loading hatch (19), at least one tab (31) is provided which extends beyond the opposite side edge (42, 43) of the loading hatch (19) or the side wall (16) and can be transferred into the open position (23) or closed position (22) when opening and closing the loading hatch (19) after overcoming a holding force produced by the tab (31) or after overcoming a holding force produced by corner regions (51) of the side wall (16) projecting into the opening (27) and, in the closed position (22), the side edge (42) is positioned in the upper corner region (52) of the loading hatch (19) between the side edge (43) of the side wall (16) and the tab (31) positioned in the side wall (16) or the side edge (43) is positioned in the upper corner region (51) of the side wall (16) between the side edge (42) of the loading hatch (19) and the tab (31) that is arranged on the loading hatch (19).