Container Tilting Apparatus with Offset Pivot Arms

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Solution Overview

Problem

Tilting shipping containers is a difficult and inefficient process due to their size and weight, requiring large and expensive forklifts or cranes, which are unsafe and limited in their tilting capability, making it hard to maximize container volume for loading and unloading particulate materials.

Innovation Solution

A container tilting apparatus with pivotably connected tilt arms and locks that allow for high-angle tilting, enabling safe and quick tilting of containers by engaging with the side walls and using a drive mechanism to pivot the arms, allowing for efficient gravity-driven loading and unloading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a forklift is used to tilt a container, then the container can be tilted, but the process is slow and unstable and requires a large, expensive forklift

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer tilting operationVSAvoidforklift size and capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tilting apparatus segments the container support function into multiple points: two tilt arms engage with the container at different locations, while the base section provides stable ground support. This segmentation allows the container to be tilted without requiring a single large forklift, distributing the load and control across multiple contact points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tilt arms act as intermediary elements between the container and the base section. Rather than directly lifting the container with a forklift, the tilt arms mediate the tilting action by pivoting on the base section, providing controlled and stable engagement with the container sides.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a crane is used to lift one end of a container, then the container can be tilted to a high angle, but the operation is dangerous as the container may swing wildly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer tilting safetyVSAvoidcontainer tilting control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus uses two tilt arms engaging with the container at separate points rather than lifting from a single point. This segmentation provides balanced support and prevents the container from swinging uncontrollably, making the high-angle tilting operation safe and controllable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base section provides a stable, fixed reference point that maintains equilibrium during the tilting operation. By pivoting both tilt arms on this stable base, the system maintains control over the container's motion, preventing wild swinging even at high tilt angles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

3Productivity

If the standard container loading method is used, then the container can be filled, but the cubic volume is not maximized due to heaps of material not reaching the ceiling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer loading efficiencyVSAvoidcontainer usable volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus changes the orientation parameter of the container by tilting it to a high angle. This parameter change allows particulate materials to be poured in efficiently and enables the material to settle and reach the container ceiling, maximizing the usable volume for the same container.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If a forklift is used to tilt a container, then the container can be tilted, but the maximum tilting angle is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer tilting angleVSAvoidforklift capacity requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tilt arms are designed to pivot dynamically on the base section, allowing the container to be tilted to high angles. The pivotable connection enables a wider range of motion compared to a forklift, adapting to different tilting angle requirements without increasing forklift capacity requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 apparatus enables efficient filling and unloading of containers by tilting them to a high angle, minimizing the need for large equipment and ensuring safety, thus optimizing the use of container volume and facilitating the handling of various materials, including particulates and fluids.

Implementation Method 1

at least one tilt arm drive configured to pivot a tilt arm relative to a base section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 2

at least two tilt arms, each of said tilt arms being pivotably connected to a base section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotation:

Data Source

PatentUS9457969B2Container Tilting Apparatus

Publication Date: 2016.10.04 A WARD ATTACHMENTS

AI summary

The present invention relates to a container tilting apparatus which includes at least one base section, and at least two tilt arms, with each of the tilt arms being pivotably connected to a base section. The tilt arms may be configured to engage different portions of the container. Also included is at least one tilt arm drive configured to pivot a tilt arm relative to a base section. The apparatus is arranged so that at least one tilt arm is pivotably connected to abase section at a point offset from the center of the tilt arm.