Tank Container End Frame Corner Post Reinforcement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional tank container end frame structures fail to meet the strength requirements for large volume tank containers due to inadequate reinforcement, particularly under impact and inertial loads.

Innovation Solution

The end frame structure incorporates a top rail, bottom rail, corner posts, and corner castings with reinforcing parts that form a tubular structure, increasing the width and strength of the corner posts, and includes an arc-shaped groove and connecting block to enhance stability and support, allowing the frame to handle loads up to 78 tons without compromising hoisting or transportation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the end frame structure uses a traditional simple design, then the manufacturing cost and structural complexity are reduced, but the strength and load-bearing capacity are insufficient for large volume tank containers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveend frame strengthVSAvoidframe structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The corner post is divided into a body portion and a separate reinforcing part that are welded together. This segmentation allows the reinforcing part to be optimized specifically for strength without redesigning the entire corner post structure, thereby increasing end frame strength while controlling overall complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcing part is strategically positioned at the corner post where highest stress occurs during impact and hoisting operations. This local reinforcement approach concentrates material and structural complexity only where needed, improving strength without uniformly increasing overall frame complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If the corner post width and distance between corner posts are increased to support heavier loads, then the load-bearing capacity is improved, but the hoisting and transportation capabilities are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidhoisting and transportation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcing part extends in the width direction to increase corner post dimensions for load bearing, while the body portion maintains standard dimensions for hoisting compatibility. This dimensional differentiation allows the structure to satisfy both conflicting requirements by optimizing different parts for different functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

By separating the corner post into body and reinforcing parts, the design allows the reinforcing part to provide additional width and strength while the body portion maintains the standardized interface dimensions required for hoisting equipment compatibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If the frame structure is designed with simple geometry, then the manufacturing ease is improved, but the structural stability under impact and inertial loads is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The body and reinforcing part are combined through welding to form an integrated corner post structure. This merging creates a stable, unified component that resists impact and inertial loads effectively, while the modular nature of the two-part construction maintains manufacturing simplicity compared to monolithic complex designs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3792199B1End frame structure and tank container therewith
Publication Date: 2024.09.25 NANTONG CIMC TANK EQUIP CO LTD
  • EP3792199B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3792199B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3792199B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed are a tank-type container and an end frame structure (2) thereof. The end frame structure comprises: an upper beam (21), a lower beam (22), and two corner posts (23). The corner post comprises a body (231) and a reinforcement portion (232), wherein the reinforcement portion and the body are arranged in parallel in the axial direction of a tank, and the reinforcement portion and the body are adapted to each other and enclose a tubular structure. In the end frame structure of the tank-type container, by designing the shape of the corner post, the reinforcement portion is arranged in parallel with the body in the axial direction of the tank. The corner post is provided with the reinforcement portion to increase the width thereof, so as to increase the strength of the corner post, so that the load of the end frame structure can meet the requirement of 78 tons.