Double-Conical Tank Container With Concave Support Wings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tank containers have limitations in capacity and permissible total weight, with high dead weight and stability issues, making them inefficient for transporting heavy liquids.

Innovation Solution

The tank container design features a double-conical tank body with concave support wings welded to longitudinal members and the underside, eliminating the need for longitudinal beams, allowing for increased capacity and stability while reducing dead weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If conventional tank containers use longitudinal beams to connect end frames, then structural stability is improved, but dead weight increases and capacity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoiddead weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the longitudinal beams from the conventional tank container structure. Instead of using separate longitudinal beams to connect end frames, the tank body itself serves as the connecting element, directly welded to the end frames at multiple points, thereby eliminating unnecessary structural components and reducing dead weight while maintaining stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the function of the tank body with the structural connection function. The tank body is not only the container for cargo but also serves as the primary structural element that connects the two end frames, eliminating the need for separate longitudinal beams and reducing overall structure weight

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Stability of the object's composition

If conventional tank containers use longitudinal beams for structural support, then stability is improved, but capacity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidtank capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By removing the longitudinal beams that occupy space within the container, the invention increases the available internal volume for cargo storage. The tank body directly connected to end frames eliminates the need for these intermediate structural elements, thereby maximizing capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The tank body assumes dual functionality: serving as both the cargo container and the structural connection element between end frames. This merger eliminates the need for separate longitudinal beams, thereby maximizing the internal volume available for cargo while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the tank body is designed with double-conical shape and center emptying, then ease of emptying is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of emptyingVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs a double-conical tank body design with curved surfaces that facilitate complete drainage. The conical shape with smooth transitions and rounded bottom creates self-draining characteristics, allowing cargo to flow toward the central emptying point located at the lowest position, thereby improving ease of emptying

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The tank body features an asymmetric double-conical design where the cross-sectional area varies along the longitudinal axis, being largest at the center and reducing toward the ends. This asymmetric geometry creates a natural flow path for cargo toward the central emptying point, improving drainage efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

4Stability of the object's composition

If support wings are welded with offset positioning, then stability of tank support is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetank support stabilityVSAvoidwelding position precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The support wings are designed with asymmetric welding positions where the attachment points on the tank body are offset relative to the attachment points on the longitudinal members. This asymmetric offset positioning creates a more stable support configuration that better distributes loads and improves tank stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The support wings feature localized welding at specific offset positions rather than uniform attachment throughout. This local quality approach concentrates the stabilizing effect at critical locations where the offset positioning provides maximum structural benefit

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 design achieves a higher capacity and permissible total weight with lower dead weight, enabling efficient and stable transportation of heavy liquids, with the tank body being easily emptied from its center.

Implementation Method 1

concave support wings, which are each welded to a longitudinal member and to the underside of the tank body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Data Source

PatentEP3199474B1Tank container
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 WANEK PUSSET PETER
  • EP3199474B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3199474B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3199474B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Tank container with a tank (1) arranged between two end-frame structures (3), each having a rectangular end frame (4), the tank body (10) having a filling opening and a discharge device (17), wherein each frame structure (3) has an end frame (4) made of cross members (4a) and corner members (4b). The end frames (4) enclose end walls (5) to which the tank body (10) is welded, the tank body being doubly conical in its longitudinal extent, its cross-sectional area decreasing continuously from its center to the end walls (5), and longitudinal members (7) extending horizontally and parallel to each other from the lower ends of the corner members (4b) towards the center of the tank and terminating in front of it, to which the tank body (10) is connected by means of support wings (9).