Stackable Container Corner Posts with Longitudinal Curvature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stackable storage and transport containers, especially those carrying heavy iron parts, face deformation under stacked loads due to lack of adequate corner support and stacking mechanisms, making them difficult to handle and stabilize.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating longitudinal deformations in corner posts that extend from the stacking strap to the foot, enhancing buckling strength and stability without additional stiffeners, and allowing for various deformation shapes and orientations to accommodate side walls and base plates, while maintaining a single-piece construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If corner posts are made straight without deformation, then the container structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but the corner posts lack sufficient buckling strength and stability under stacked loads
Solution Approach 1:
The corner post is given a curved deformation in its longitudinal direction, extending from the foot to the stacking strap. This curvature transforms the straight post into an arc-shaped structure that inherently resists buckling under compressive loads, significantly enhancing the buckling strength without adding external stiffeners or complex components.
2Strength
If additional stiffeners are attached to the corner post, then the buckling strength is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The curved deformation is integrated directly into the corner post itself during the extrusion process, merging the stiffening function into the basic structural component. This eliminates the need for separate stiffeners and reduces manufacturing steps while achieving the same or better structural performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The corner post's geometric parameters are modified by introducing a controlled curvature along its length. This parameter change transforms the post from a straight element vulnerable to buckling into a curved element with enhanced structural stability, achieving improved strength through design rather than addition of components.
3Strength
If the deformation is severe, then the buckling strength is maximized, but the length of outer legs is reduced affecting side wall attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The curved deformation is concentrated in specific regions of the corner post while maintaining adequate length of the outer legs at critical attachment zones. This localized application of curvature ensures maximum buckling resistance where needed while preserving the functional dimensions required for side wall and base plate attachment.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~8
AI summary
The container (10) has a box-like housing including angular outer corner posts (11). The corner posts support a stack clip (12) at an upper end and a foot (13) at a lower end. A side wall (16) is arranged between adjacent the corner posts. A deformation part (14) extends in a longitudinal direction of the corner posts. The deformation part runs from a larger part of the corner posts till to an end of the foot such that the deformation part is generated by a radial pressing process in a longitudinal direction of the corner posts.