Motorized Shipping Container Lock with Pivoting Hook and Cam Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking systems for shipping containers lack automatic and remote control capabilities, making them prone to unintentional release during rough sea conditions and requiring manual handling, which can be hazardous.
Innovation Solution
A lock system with pivotally mounted hook members and a motorized locking mechanism that can be remotely controlled, allowing for automatic locking and unlocking, and featuring a guide neck and locking unit that ensures secure engagement with corner castings, even during vertical and horizontal movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual locking mechanisms are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability decreases due to unintentional release during rough seas
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism uses dynamic elements including a rotatable body that can pivot between locked and unlocked positions, and a cam part with lever-like locking parts that automatically engage and disengage based on the body's rotation. This dynamic design allows the system to adapt to movement forces while maintaining secure locking, preventing unintentional release during rough sea conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to preemptively counteract release forces through its cam and lever system. The lever-like locking parts are positioned to engage with the cam part in advance, creating a mechanical advantage that resists forces attempting to disengage the lock. This preliminary engagement ensures that even when subjected to rough sea movements, the locking force is maintained before any potential release can occur.
2Reliability
If manual handling is required for locking, then the ease of operation is improved, but the safety deteriorates due to hazardous manual handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated motorized system. The motor rotates the body of the lock, which in turn activates the cam and lever mechanism automatically. This substitution eliminates the need for personnel to manually handle the locking mechanism, removing the safety hazards associated with manual operation while maintaining full locking functionality through automated control.
3Productivity
If automatic locking is implemented, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases due to motorized components
Solution Approach 1:
The lock system is divided into distinct functional segments: the motor unit, the rotatable body, the cam part, and the lever-like locking parts. Each segment performs a specific function and can be independently analyzed or maintained. The motor provides rotational motion, the body transmits this motion, the cam part converts rotation into locking/dislocking action, and the lever parts provide the actual locking engagement. This segmentation allows for efficient automated operation while managing complexity through functional modularity.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1d
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c
AI summary
A lock for securing upper and lower superimposed shipping containers in place, said lock comprising: - a housing (1) having a top portion (13) and a bottom portion (14), fitting in an opening (21) in a corner casting (2, 2') of the upper and lower container (3, 3'), respectively; - said housing (1) comprising a first (11) and a second (12) housing part; and - said first housing part (11) having a side opening (111) at a lower end of the bottom portion (14); - a pivotal first hook (31) in the housing (1) having a hook end (311) movable out and back through the side opening (111) to couple the lock to and uncouple the lock from the corner casting (2'); - a shaft (41) having a fixed locking bar (42) to either lock the hook (31) in the moved-out position of said hook end (311) or permit the hook (31) to move between the moved-out position and the moved-back position of said hook end (311); and - said top portion (13) having a head (132), a neck (131), and around the neck a retaining flange (133) for providing a retaining function when the top portion (13) is fitted in the corner casting opening (21) of the upper container (3).