Container Wall Composite Reduces Weight and Boosts Security

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current construction elements for containers are heavy due to thick walls made of concrete, which compromises their mobility and security, as they require significant effort and time to force, and existing solutions do not effectively balance weight and security.

Innovation Solution

A construction element comprising steel walls with transversally arranged sheet components and concrete in between, where the sheet components are welded to the walls and include holes for rebar, openings for concrete distribution, and additives like wood or metal pellets to reduce weight while increasing security by making penetration difficult and time-consuming.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If thick concrete walls are used in construction elements, then security and resistance to forcing are improved, but weight and mobility are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidweight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining steel sheet components with concrete in a layered construction element. The steel sheets provide structural strength and security resistance, while the concrete fills the spaces between sheets to provide additional protection and structural integrity. This composite approach achieves high security without requiring uniformly thick concrete walls, thereby reducing overall weight compared to traditional thick concrete construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The construction element is segmented into multiple steel sheet components arranged in parallel, with spaces between them filled with concrete. This segmentation allows the structure to achieve security through multiple layers of different materials rather than a single thick concrete wall, optimizing the weight-to-security ratio by using steel's higher strength-to-weight ratio in critical load-bearing positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If thick concrete walls are used to prevent forcing, then security against burglary is improved, but time and effort required for forced entry increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidtime for forced entry
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The composite structure of steel sheets with concrete infill creates a multi-material barrier that resists forcing attempts. The steel sheets provide immediate structural resistance to cutting and piercing tools, while the concrete infill adds time-consuming resistance to demolition and forced entry. This combination significantly increases the time and effort required for forced entry compared to simple concrete or steel structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The segmented arrangement of steel sheets with concrete fill creates multiple resistance layers that must be penetrated sequentially. An attacker must overcome the steel sheets' resistance to cutting/piercing, then penetrate through the concrete infill, making the overall forced entry process more time-consuming and complex compared to single-material constructions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If steel sheet components are added between walls, then security and structural strength are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidcomplexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The construction element is divided into modular components: steel sheet components with standardized openings and concrete fill sections. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing and assembly of individual parts that can be combined to form the complete wall structure, reducing overall complexity compared to monolithic construction while maintaining enhanced strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The steel sheet components serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide structural strength, create spacing for concrete infill, provide attachment surfaces for reinforcement bars, and offer security resistance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing device complexity while achieving enhanced structural strength.

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

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 solution reduces the wall thickness and overall weight of the container while enhancing security by requiring different tools for penetration, increasing the time and effort needed to breach the container, thus improving safety and mobility.

Implementation Method 1

The concrete comprises at least one additive selected from wood pellets, plastic pellets, and/or metal pellets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWeight reduction through lightweight additives:

Implementation Method 2

The sheet component is made of steel and is welded to the first wall and to the second wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Data Source

PatentEP3906350B1Construction element for a container, door for a container and a container
Publication Date: 2024.10.30 CESIUM
  • EP3906350B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3906350B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A construction element (1) comprising a first wall (10), and a second wall (20). The walls (10, 20) are arranged at a distance from one another, forming a space wherein at least one sheet component (30) is arranged, and where the sheet component (30) is arranged to the first wall (10) and to the second wall (20), and where concrete (40) is arranged in the space between the first wall (10), the second wall (20), and the sheet component (30).