Tank Container Insulation Foaming Structure for Leak Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional insulation methods for tank containers, such as rock wool filling and PU board laying, fail to provide optimal insulation, while foam insulation processes are complicated and prone to material leakage and deformation.

Innovation Solution

A press molding module forms a foaming space within the tank container end caps, secured by a clamping fixation module, ensuring consistent insulation layer formation without deformation during the foaming process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If foam insulation method is used for higher insulation requirements, then insulation performance is improved, but the foaming process becomes complicated and the intense reaction can lift and damage the foaming mold

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation performanceVSAvoidfoaming process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The foaming process is divided into distinct stages: first forming a mold with support members, then injecting foaming material, allowing it to expand and form insulation layers, and finally removing the mold. This segmentation simplifies the overall complex foaming process into manageable steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Support members are introduced as intermediary elements within the foaming mold to counteract the expansion pressure of the foaming material. These support members act as mediators between the intense foaming reaction and the mold structure, preventing mold damage while allowing the foaming process to proceed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If foam insulation method is used, then insulation performance is improved, but the intense reaction can cause leakage of the foaming material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation performanceVSAvoidfoaming material leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The mold is pre-designed with support members positioned to counteract the expansion pressure before the foaming material is injected. This preliminary anti-action prevents the mold from deforming or breaking during the intense foaming reaction, thereby preventing material leakage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The support members are placed in advance within the mold to cushion against the expansion force of the foaming material. This beforehand cushioning protects the mold structure from the intense reaction, preventing breakdown and subsequent material leakage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional rock wool filling method is used, then the process is simple, but the insulation effect is not optimal for higher insulation requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess simplicityVSAvoidinsulation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state and density parameters of the insulation material by using a foaming process instead of conventional filling. The foaming material expands to fill the space uniformly, creating a dense insulation layer with superior thermal performance compared to loose rock wool filling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The insulation structure combines the foaming material with the support members and mold structure, creating a composite system where the support members provide structural integrity during foaming, and the expanded foam provides high-performance insulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 method achieves effective insulation by forming a consistent insulation layer that matches the tank container end caps, preventing material leakage and deformation, thus enhancing insulation performance.

Implementation Method 1

The intense reaction of the foaming material can lift and damage the foaming mold

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFoaming reaction: Exothermic Reaction

Implementation Method 2

foaming material foams within this space, forming an insulation layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas expansion: Bubble

Implementation Method 3

forming an insulation layer that is consistent in shape with the tank container end caps, thereby better insulating the tank container end caps

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP4523880B1Insulation foaming structure and method for a tank container
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 NANTONG TANK CONTAINER CO LTD
  • EP4523880B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4523880B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4523880B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A tank container insulation foaming structure comprising a press molding module and a clamping fixation module for securing the press molding module; the press molding module comprises a flat plate that connects with the tank container, an arc plate provided on the flat plate, and a connection plate for connecting the flat plate with the arc plate; a foaming space is formed between the arc plate and the tank container; the clamping fixation module comprises a fixed frame for securing the flat plate, a compression rod for fastening the fixed frame, and connecting components that connect the compression rod with the tank container; the fixed frame is connected to the press molding module and fastens the fixing frame to the tank container by the compression rod, the compression rod is connected to the tank container through connecting components; the foaming space has an insulating layer formed by the foaming material.