Shipping Container Connector With Remote Rope-Actuated Latching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shipping container connectors require users to stand proximate to the container for operation, reducing safety and convenience during engagement and disengagement.
Innovation Solution
A shipping container connector with a first latch unit, a second latch unit, and a pulling rope unit, allowing for engagement and disengagement from a safe distance using a pulling rope that generates a transverse force to move the second latch unit between locked and released positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional shipping container connector is used, then the connector can engage with corner castings to secure stacked containers, but the user must stand proximate to the container for operation, reducing safety and convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pulling rope unit as an intermediary tool that allows the user to operate the connector from a distance. The rope transmits the user's pulling force to the second latch unit, enabling disengagement without direct contact with the container, thus eliminating the need to stand proximate and reducing injury risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is divided into functionally independent latch units (first and second latch units) that can be operated separately. The second latch unit is specifically designed to be controllable via the pulling rope, allowing selective disengagement functionality to be accessed remotely while other functions remain engaged.
2Ease of operation
If the block member is pulled downward to disengage the connector, then the connector can be released from the corner casting, but the user must reach one hand to the connector while the other hand grips and rotates it, requiring close proximity
Solution Approach 1:
The pulling rope serves as a mediator that transforms the disengagement operation into a remote pulling action. Instead of requiring the user to reach into the connector mechanism with one hand while gripping with the other, the rope allows the entire disengagement sequence to be initiated by a simple pulling motion from a safe distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the direct manual manipulation of the block member with a rope-pulling mechanism. The mechanical system is substituted such that the complex hand coordination required for traditional operation (reaching and gripping simultaneously) is replaced by a simpler pulling action transmitted through the rope to the second latch unit.
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
Enhances safety and convenience by enabling one-handed operation from a safe distance, reducing the risk of injury during engagement and disengagement of stacked shipping containers.
Implementation Method 1
the spring member accumulates a biasing force for biasing the second latch unit towards the locked position
Data Source
AI summary
A shipping container connector includes a first latch unit, a second latch unit and a pulling rope unit. The first latch unit has a first body member, a first latch portion. The first body member has two side walls cooperatively defining a mounting space. One of the side walls has a threading hole. The second latch unit is disposed in the mounting space, and includes a second body member, and a spring member. The pulling rope unit extends through the threading hole, and has an end fixed to the second latch unit, and an opposite end disposed outside of the threading hole. When the pulling rope unit is pulled, the second latch unit is driven to move relative to the first latch unit from a locked position to a released position, where the spring member accumulates a biasing force for biasing the second latch unit towards the locked position.