Modular Locking System for Dual Trailer Container Loading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current container transportation methods are inefficient due to fixed internal dimensions, allowing only one goose neck box liner per container, leading to high logistics costs and suboptimal use of space, necessitating a modular locking system to enable side-by-side loading of two trailers.

Innovation Solution

A modular locking system comprising a rear locking mechanism and a front locking mechanism, utilizing detachable fasteners to connect the goose neck box liner to the trailer framework, allowing for side-by-side placement of two trailers in a container, thereby increasing capacity and reducing transportation costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a fixed locking mechanism is used for goose neck box liner, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but only one trailer can be loaded per container, resulting in high logistics costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer loading capacityVSAvoidlocking system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking system is divided into modular components: a locking body with detachable fasteners, positioning plates, and separate locking mechanisms. This segmentation allows the system to be configured for single or dual trailer loading, transforming the container's effective capacity without requiring a completely different locking system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism transitions from a fixed, static design to a dynamic, reconfigurable system. The detachable fasteners and repositionable positioning plates enable the locking system to adapt its configuration based on whether one or two trailers are being loaded, optimizing space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If detachable fasteners are used to create modular locking system, then two trailers can be loaded side by side, but the assembly and disassembly process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransportation efficiencyVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The locking system uses segmented, detachable components including fasteners, positioning plates, and locking bodies that can be independently assembled and disassembled. This modular approach simplifies the overall assembly process compared to creating an entirely new locking system for each configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The same modular locking components serve multiple functions: they can secure a single trailer or two trailers side by side, depending on their configuration. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple specialized locking systems, simplifying both manufacturing and operation.

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

3Productivity

If conventional locking system is used, then manufacturing is simple, but container space utilization is inefficient leading to high freight costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidlocking system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking system enables utilization of the transverse dimension of the container by allowing side-by-side placement of trailers. The positioning plates and detachable fasteners facilitate this dimensional optimization, effectively doubling space utilization in the width direction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking system transitions from a fixed, static design to a dynamic, reconfigurable system. The detachable fasteners and repositionable positioning plates enable the locking system to adapt its configuration based on whether one or two trailers are being loaded, optimizing space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3446949B1A modular locking system
Publication Date: 2020.04.08 TIRSAN TREYLER SANAYI VE TICARET ANONIM SIRKETI
  • EP3446949B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3446949B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3446949B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A modular locking system (10) invented for transportation purposes in order to reduce logistic costs by enabling the installation a two-row of box liners (11) including a goose neck and a goose neck box profile (12) in certain sizes and with certain number of container locks; with a chassis positioning plate (13) positioned on the box liner (11), a box profile positioning plate (14) positioned on the box liner (11), a rear locking assembly (20), which is modularly connected with the chassis positioning plate (13) with the modular fasteners of the rear lock positioning plate (21), and finally with a frontal lock assembly (16) which enables the locking of the container loaded on the vehicle with the box profile positioning plate (14) by means of detachable fasteners.