Freight Container Inner Length Extension via Protruding Locking Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing freight containers, designed according to ISO standards, do not maximize inner space when used for shipping pallets, resulting in wasted space due to inefficient arrangement and manufacturing difficulties in modifying the container structure to increase inner length.
Innovation Solution
The freight container design extends the rear and front ends with locking devices and corrugated plates protruding beyond the corner fittings, maintaining alignment with ISO standards while increasing inner length, allowing for more pallets and efficient use of space without altering the corner fitting positions or distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the container structure is modified to increase inner length, then the inner container size is enlarged, but the manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container body is divided into modular sections with standardized corner fittings that can be independently manufactured and assembled. The end portions with locking devices and corrugated plates are designed as separate modules that extend beyond corner fittings, allowing the inner length to be increased through modular extension rather than redesigning the entire container structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension of locking devices and corrugated plates beyond corner fittings is applied locally at the end portions of the container, rather than modifying the entire container structure. This localized modification increases inner length while keeping the majority of the container structure standardized and easy to manufacture.
2Volume of moving object
If the corner fitting positions are moved to maximize inner length, then the inner container size is enlarged, but the ISO standard compliance is violated
Solution Approach 1:
The container design uses asymmetric extension where locking devices and corrugated plates protrude beyond corner fittings in a controlled manner. The corner fittings themselves remain at their standard ISO positions, while the asymmetric extension of end portions creates additional inner length without moving the standardized corner fitting locations.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of extending corner fittings along the longitudinal axis (one dimension), the invention extends locking devices and corrugated plates in the transverse direction beyond the corner fittings. This dimensional approach allows inner length to be increased while corner fitting positions remain compliant with ISO standards.
3Ease of manufacture
If standard ISO containers are used for shipping pallets, then the container structure is simple and standardized, but the inner container space is wasted due to inefficient pallet arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The container is pre-designed with extended locking devices and corrugated plates that protrude beyond corner fittings, creating optimized internal dimensions before pallets are loaded. This preliminary structural configuration ensures that the inner length is maximized to accommodate the maximum number of pallets in standard arrangements, eliminating the need for complex pallet positioning during loading.
Solution Approach 2:
The container's internal dimensions are modified by changing the effective length parameter through the extension of locking devices and corrugated plates. This parameter change increases the inner length from the standard ISO dimension to an optimized dimension that perfectly accommodates整行数 of pallets, improving space utilization while maintaining external standardization.
Data Source
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AI summary
A freight container includes a container body (1) and corner fittings (2) provided at each corner of the container body. The container body (1) includes a bottom (10), a top (20), two side portions (30) and two end portions (40, 50), and at least one end portion is provided with locking devices (60) or corrugated plates (70). The locking devices (60) or corrugated plates (70) protrude beyond the outer edges of the corner fittings (2), and the position of each corner fitting and the distance therebetween accord with ISO standards. The inner length of the container is enlarged by extending outwards the rear end and/or the front end to the outer edges of the locking devices (60) or corrugated plates (70) beyond the corner fittings. The position of the corner fittings in the container and the relative distance therebetween are constant and accord with ISO standards, hence without influencing the alignment of the sling fitting and the corner fittings. Therefore, the inner space of the improved container is enlarged and the improved container still adapts to the existing standard products. Compared with the prior containers provided with locking bars having special structure, the present container is easy to implement and the manufacturing difficulty is small.