Shipping Container Gimbal Support for Upright Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shipping containers with gimbal supports do not adequately simplify their structure or enhance protection for fragile objects during transport, as they often require complex configurations and may not effectively maintain the upright position of goods across varying container orientations.
Innovation Solution
A shipping container design featuring a hollow body with a removable gimbal support comprising an outer cage and an inner cage, where the inner cage is rotatable within the outer cage, and a cradle with two degrees of freedom to maintain object upright positioning, using a compact spherical configuration with low-friction sliding surfaces and counterweight mechanisms for enhanced protection against impacts and vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a traditional gimbal support structure is used to maintain upright position of goods, then the upright positioning function is achieved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gimbal support is divided into two separate cages: an outer cage that contacts the container walls and an inner cage that holds the goods. This segmentation allows each cage to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining the upright positioning capability through their relative rotation about perpendicular axes.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a complex gimbal configuration is used to protect goods from impacts and vibrations, then the protection level increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective function is divided between two cages: the outer cage absorbs external impacts and vibrations from the container, while the inner cage provides additional protection and maintains the upright position of goods. This segmentation of protective functions achieves enhanced protection without requiring a single complex protective mechanism.
3Strength
If the gimbal support is integrated into the container body, then the structural strength increases, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The gimbal support is designed as a removable assembly consisting of an outer cage and an inner cage that can be taken out as a unit from the container body. This allows the container to maintain its structural integrity when the support is installed, while enabling easy removal and cleaning of the container or replacement of the support assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer cage is pre-configured with contact surfaces that engage with the container walls, and the inner cage is pre-assembled within it. This preliminary configuration allows the support assembly to be installed as a complete unit, simplifying the operation of fitting the support into the container body.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides improved protection and maintains the upright position of objects regardless of container orientation, offering a more robust and compact design that effectively absorbs shocks and vibrations, enhancing the overall protection level for transported goods.
Implementation Method 1
The support comprises an outer cage sized so as to contact the walls of the cavity of the body and an inner cage restrained to the outer cage and rotatable relative to it about at least a first rotation axis. The support also comprises a cradle restrained to the inner cage and rotatable relative to the outer cage around at least a second rotation axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis.
Implementation Method 2
the cradle comprises a base serving as a ballast and a pair of arms arranged along its periphery opposite to each other relative to a central portion thereof, said arms extending perpendicularly from the base and being pivoted on the inner cage by way of respective pins that define the second rotation axis
Implementation Method 3
The inner cage, which also performs the function of a cradle, is supported in the spherical hollow body made by sliding surfaces made of a low friction material.
Data Source
AI summary
A shipping container is disclosed having a body wherein a cavity is formed, a lid adapted to close a top of the body and a support configured as a gimbal. The gimbal support has an outer cage configured to be fitted in the cavity and sized so as to contact the walls of the cavity, an inner cage restrained to the outer cage and rotatable relative thereto about at least one first rotation axis (A) and a cradle restrained to the inner cage and rotatable relative to the outer cage about at least one second rotation axis (B) perpendicular to the first rotation axis (A), the cradle being configured to receive and hold one or more objects.