Spring Lock for Foldable Shipping Container Sidewalls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shipping containers with folding sidewalls are prone to failures when subjected to outward forces during abrupt stops, particularly when stacked, as the latching mechanism and mating of sides lack the necessary strength to resist such forces, and extending the wrap-around edge portions to enhance rigidity compromises the access panel width.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a spring lock mechanism that interconnects primary and secondary sidewalls, providing additional compressive force to resist outward forces without compromising the sliding motion of the inner surface, thus enhancing the container's ability to withstand the impact of stacked containers during transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the wrap around edge portions of the primary sidewalls are extended to increase rigidity, then the container can better resist outward forces, but the width available for access panels in the secondary sidewall is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The container structure is divided into primary sidewalls and secondary sidewalls as separate functional segments. The primary sidewalls provide structural strength with their wrap-around design, while the secondary sidewalls accommodate access panels. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the container structure are given different properties: the primary sidewalls have extended wrap-around portions for rigidity, while the secondary sidewalls maintain sufficient width for access panels. The spring lock mechanism is specifically positioned at critical locations where additional strength is needed without affecting overall access panel dimensions.
2Strength
If the latching mechanism and mating of sides are designed to resist outward forces, then container strength is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring lock mechanism merges multiple functions into a single component: it provides the latching function to secure the secondary sidewall to the primary sidewall, while simultaneously providing the spring force needed to resist outward forces during abrupt stops. This integration eliminates the need for separate latching and force-resistance mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring lock mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the container's operational state. During normal operation, the spring maintains constant compressive force on the primary sidewall. During abrupt stops, the spring automatically locks to resist outward forces, and releases when the force subsides, without requiring manual intervention.
3Reliability
If spring lock mechanism is added to interconnect primary and secondary sidewalls, then the container can resist outward forces during abrupt stops, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring lock mechanism extracts the force-resistance function from the overall container structure and implements it as a dedicated, self-contained component. This allows the spring lock to be optimized specifically for resisting outward forces during abrupt stops without complicating the general container design, as it operates independently at critical connection points.
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 spring lock mechanism effectively resists outward forces applied to primary sidewalls during abrupt stops, enabling the container to pass industry-standard inclined impact tests with loaded containers weighing up to 2000 pounds each, while maintaining access panel width and structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a spring lock further interconnecting each primary sidewall to each secondary sidewall to enable such container to resist the outward force applied to a primary sidewall when the bottom container is brought to an abrupt stop
Data Source
AI summary
A spring lock for interconnecting adjacent walls of a shipping container having foldable walls, said spring lock including a mounting portion and a clamping portion, and a shipping container with foldable walls wherein at least one pair of adjacent walls is interconnected with a spring lock.