Roll-off Container Locking Mechanism for Simplified Door Fixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing roll-off containers for waste disposal face difficulties in managing the opening and closing of doors and the positioning of loading/unloading hooks due to numerous movable parts, which leads to increased production costs, structural complications, and reduced durability, especially when exposed to atmospheric agents.
Innovation Solution
A simplified system using a reduced number of movable components, where locking pins fix both the doors in the closed position and the loading/unloading hook in the raised position, eliminating the need for additional bolts and incorporating an auxiliary bracket to guide the locking pins between insertion and extraction positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If numerous movable parts (bolts, locking mechanisms) are used to fix doors and loading/unloading hook, then the fixing reliability is improved, but the device complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the door closing function and loading/unloading hook positioning function into a single integrated locking mechanism. The locking arm (33) works together with a single locking pin (330) to simultaneously secure both the door (32) and the loading/unloading hook (31), eliminating the need for separate bolts and locking mechanisms for each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking pin (330) serves multiple functions: it locks the door (32) in the closed position, locks the loading/unloading hook (31) in the raised position, and guides the movement of the locking arm (33). This multi-functional design reduces the total number of movable parts while maintaining comprehensive securing capability.
2Reliability
If numerous movable parts are used for fixing doors and loading/unloading hook, then the securing capability is improved, but the durability is reduced due to wear and exposure to atmospheric agents
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the door securing and hook positioning functions into a single locking mechanism with minimal movable parts, the patent reduces the surfaces exposed to atmospheric agents and the points subject to wear. The simplified design with the locking arm (33) and locking pin (330) eliminates multiple separate fastening points that would otherwise be vulnerable to corrosion and fatigue.
3Reliability
If manual intervention on bolts is required for opening and closing doors, then the door fixing is ensured, but the ease of operation is reduced especially when oxides and fouling form
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-locking through the interaction between the locking arm (33) and the locking pin (330). When the door is closed or the loading/unloading hook is raised, the locking arm automatically engages with the locking pin without requiring manual intervention. The spring (332) provides automatic resetting functionality, allowing the locking arm to return to its initial position after locking, enabling easy operation even in harsh environmental conditions.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~2A
Figure 3~3A
AI summary
The container (1) has a loading chamber (6) having an inlet opening (7) downwardly bounded by an access threshold (10). Access doors (9) to the loading chamber (6) are each movable between an open position and a closed position. A loading/unloading hook (12) is rotatably engaged near the access threshold (10). At least one locking pin (17) is slidably insertable through a restrain bracket (15) and the hook (12) to hold it in working position. Locking devices (18) of the door comprise at least one guide plate (19) of the locking pin (17) and an auxiliary bracket (22) projecting from the lower part of the door and insertable in an admittance space (21) defined between the guide plate (19) and the restrain bracket (15), to be engaged by the locking pin (17) in the insertion position.