Roll Container Chassis With Sacrificial Crossmember

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current roll container chassis designs, particularly the A-frame type, do not adequately reduce the carbon footprint of logistics equipment, as they require complex repairs and transportation for welding, which hampers volumetric efficiency and recyclability.

Innovation Solution

A novel chassis design featuring a crossmember that is less resistant to mechanical strain, allowing for easy detachment and replacement, enabling the roll container to be repaired on-site without tools and improving volumetric efficiency by using a sacrificial element that can absorb impacts and deform rather than the more robust arms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the chassis is constructed with robust welded components for strength and stability, then the structural integrity is improved, but the repairability deteriorates as welding requires specialized equipment and transportation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechassis structural integrityVSAvoidchassis repairability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The chassis is divided into modular components (side walls, base, cross members, arms) that can be independently detached and replaced. The connection elements allow individual parts to be separated without affecting the entire structure, enabling on-site repair by replacing only damaged components rather than transporting the whole chassis for welding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs replaceable connection elements and cross members that can be easily substituted when damaged. These sacrificial components are designed to be replaced rather than repaired, allowing quick on-site replacement without specialized welding equipment, thus improving repairability while maintaining overall chassis strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If the crossmember is made highly resistant to mechanical strain for durability, then the chassis longevity is improved, but the ease of replacement deteriorates as it becomes harder to detach and reattach

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechassis service lifeVSAvoidcrossmember detachability
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the cross member and chassis arms is designed to be dynamically adjustable. The connection elements allow the cross member to be easily attached and detached multiple times throughout the chassis lifetime, combining the durability of a robust structure with the flexibility of reversible connections for maintenance and repair.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If the chassis is designed as a single integrated welded structure, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the volumetric efficiency for transportation deteriorates due to inability to disassemble for compact packing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechassis manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidtransportation volume efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The chassis is segmented into separate modular components that can be detached and packed compactly for return logistics. This modular design allows the side walls, base, and cross members to be nested or stacked in a space-efficient manner, improving volumetric efficiency while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized connection interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3768572B1Chassis for a roll container and a roll container comprising the same
Publication Date: 2023.08.09 K HARTWALL OY AB
  • EP3768572B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3768572B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3768572B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to an example aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a novel chassis (100) for a roll container (1000). The chassis (100) features a first arm (121), a second arm (122), and a crossmember (110) for connecting the first arm (121) to the second arm (122) so as to form the chassis (100). The crossmember (110) is formed to be less resistant to mechanical strain than that of the first and second arm (121, 122). The crossmember (110) is such that it can be repeatedly attached to and detached from the first and second arm (121, 122).