Detachable Transport Wheel Arrangement for Compact Container Movement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container moving solutions, such as cranes and large telescopic lifts, are expensive and unsuitable for narrow or low spaces, and prior wheel arrangements either increase the container's length or are integral, limiting flexibility and space usage.

Innovation Solution

A separate transport wheel arrangement is attached to the bottom side of the container, rotating around a longitudinal axis and attachable to corner slots, allowing free directional movement without significantly increasing the container's length, and featuring thrust bearings and ring bearings for stability and rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a separate wheel unit is attached to the ends of the container, then the container can be moved, but the total length of the container/wheel unit combination increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemovabilityVSAvoidtotal length

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel arrangement is positioned at the bottom side of the container rather than at the ends, utilizing the vertical dimension to place wheels within the area delimited by the container edges. This dimensional repositioning allows the container to be movable while avoiding significant length increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Length of moving object

If a wheel arrangement is pulled into the container, then the container profile remains compact, but the interior space of the container decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer profileVSAvoidinterior space

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel arrangement is extracted from the container interior and positioned at the bottom side of the container. This extraction allows the wheels to be outside the container volume, maintaining both a compact profile and full interior space utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If a wheel arrangement is attached to the side of the container, then the container can be moved, but the wheel arrangement cannot be used for moving other containers

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemovabilityVSAvoidreusability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel arrangement is designed as a separate, detachable unit rather than an integral part of the container. This segmentation allows the wheel arrangement to be removed from one container and attached to another, providing both movability and reusability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If large telescopic lifts or cranes are used to move containers, then containers can be moved efficiently, but the equipment is expensive and unsuitable for narrow or low spaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoving efficiencyVSAvoidequipment size

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces expensive, complex lifting equipment with a simple, lightweight wheel arrangement that can be manually operated. This simpler device achieves adequate moving efficiency for many applications without the cost and spatial requirements of cranes or telescopic lifts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

Enables efficient and cost-effective movement of containers in narrow and low spaces without expensive equipment, maintaining a compact profile and allowing flexible directional transport.

Implementation Method 1

a thrust bearing (42), which enables the support part (32) to rotate around the locking axis (34) by means of bearing surfaces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBearing friction reduction: Ball Bearing

Implementation Method 2

at least one ring bearing (50, 52) around the support part (32), between the inner surface of the frame (10) and the outer surface of the support part (32)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBearing friction reduction: Ball Bearing

Data Source

PatentEP2256066B1Method for attaching a transport wheel arrangement to a container and a transport wheel arrangment of a container

Publication Date: 2012.02.01 YSKI PASI

Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2
Figure 3~4

AI summary

The method relates to the attaching of a separate transport wheel arrangement to a transportation container. Containers equipped with transport wheel arrangements can be moved by pulling or pushing along the ground, such as a yard of a cargo terminal or a floor of a storage shed. The transport wheel arrangement is attached to the side of the container, which is against the ground. The transport wheel arrangement is thus situated essentially inside the area delimited by the edges of the side, which is against the ground. The transport wheel arrangement is attached to a slot in the corner of the container, which slot is formed for engaging a locking member. The transport wheel arrangement is attached to the container to rotate around a rotation axis, whereby the wheel arrangement is turnable in a desired transport direction of the container. The transport wheel arrangement has a frame (10), at least one wheel (20a) and attaching means (30) for attaching to the container. The attaching means comprise a locking axis (34), in one end of which there is an end piece (36), which can be fitted into the slot in the corner of the container, which slot is manufactured for attaching the locking member.