DE102022134024A1 - Frame structure for a freight container, in particular for a freight container for the transport of gases, freight container and method for producing a freight container - Google Patents

Abstract

A frame structure (20) for a freight container (10), in particular a freight container (10) for gases, has a connecting strut (26, 28) which is connected to a corner fitting (30) of the frame structure (20), wherein the connecting strut (26, 28) and the corner fitting (30) are fastened to one another by means of a press fit. Furthermore, a freight container (10) and a method for producing a freight container (10) are specified.

Description

The invention relates to a frame structure for a freight container, in particular for a freight container for the transport of gases, in particular hydrogen, and/or liquids, as well as a freight container with such a frame structure and a method for producing a freight container.

Freight containers are containers used in particular in the logistics sector, which are made up of several side walls and end walls, a base plate and a roof plate, which are connected to one another via a common frame profile. The frame profile is made up of hollow profiles, for example, which are connected to one another via corner fittings, for example corner fittings standardized according to ISO 1161. To create the connection between the hollow profile and the corner fitting, the hollow profile is placed butt-jointed onto the respective corner fitting and welded to create a material-tight connection point.

The disadvantage of such freight containers is that mechanical loads on the freight container must be handled exclusively via the welded joint. This means that a comparatively thick weld seam usually has to be provided on both the outside and inside of the hollow profile, which makes the production of the freight container comparatively complex and energy-intensive. In addition, in some applications for freight containers there is the problem that welding sparks that occur during welding work can affect other components of the freight container. This is of particular importance for freight containers that have integrated devices for transporting gas, for example gas cylinders, where damage or impairment due to welding work cannot be risked.

The object of the invention is to provide a possibility with which freight containers can be produced simply and inexpensively. In particular, a freight container is to be created which is also suitable for use as a freight container for the transport of gases.

The object is achieved according to the invention by a frame structure for a freight container, in particular a freight container for the transport of gases, with a connecting strut which is connected to a corner fitting of the frame structure, wherein the connecting struts and the corner fitting are fastened to one another by means of a press fit.

The invention is based on the basic idea that the frame structure is essentially held together by creating a positive connection between the corner fitting and the connecting strut. In this way, it is possible to dispense with welding work when assembling the freight container or at least to greatly reduce the amount of welding work.

The frame structure according to the invention is particularly advantageous if the freight container with the frame structure is to accommodate a comparatively low maximum weight of cargo for later use. This is the case, for example, with freight containers for gas transport, where, due to the gases stored in containers for gas transport, only a lower total weight of the cargo can be expected than would be the case with other goods.

Preferably, all connecting struts and the corner fittings of the frame structure assigned to the respective connecting strut are fastened to one another by means of a press fit.

The corner fitting and/or the connecting strut can have a knurling, a screw profile, a rib structure, a segment structure and/or a crocodile leather structure that is involved in the press fit. In this way, a defined uneven surface is provided on the corner fitting and/or the connecting strut, which enables an even more stable press fit between the corner fitting and the connecting strut, in which the holding force is increased by the resulting form fit between the interacting surfaces. The corner fitting preferably has the defined uneven surface.

To further prevent the connecting strut from slipping in its installation position, the connecting strut can be in contact with a contact surface of the corner fitting in the axial direction of the connecting strut. In other words, the connecting strut can be pushed onto the contact surface of the corner fitting in the axial direction, with the contact surface preventing any further movement of the connecting strut in the direction of the corner fitting.

The connecting strut can be welded to the contact surface of the corner fitting in order to provide additional fixation between the connecting strut and the corner fitting in addition to the press fit, for example via a fillet weld. In this variant too, however, the welding only serves to support the positive connection, which is achieved by means of the press fit between the connecting strut and the corner fitting.

Preferably, however, all connecting struts of the frame structure are free of welded connections with the corner fittings. In other words, welding work is preferably avoided when assembling the frame structure. In this way, any interference with components of the frame structure or a freight container with the frame structure caused by welding sparks can be completely ruled out.

The corner fitting preferably has a standardized connection point, in particular a standardized connection point for receiving a twist lock. Via the standardized connection point, it is possible for a freight container with the frame structure according to the invention to be connected to other freight containers via the standardized connection point. In this way, flexible use with established freight container systems and established work steps when handling freight containers is possible.

If the standardized connection point is a connection point for receiving a twistlock, the corner fitting has openings on a base body of the corner fitting in particular, which are designed to receive connecting elements of the twistlock. The openings are provided in particular on side surfaces of the base body that are not directly connected to one of the connecting struts of the frame structure.

In order to minimize the overall weight of the frame structure, the connecting strut can be a hollow profile. The hollow profile is, for example, a hollow profile made of steel in order to provide a high level of stability of the connecting strut despite the hollow structure.

The geometric shape of the hollow profile is not fundamentally restricted as long as there is a reliable connection with the corner fitting. For example, the hollow profile can be essentially cuboid-shaped.

The corner fitting may have a projection that participates in the press fit, the projection tapering in the axial direction of the connecting strut, i.e. in the direction of the connecting strut associated with the corner fitting. The tapering projection minimizes the force required to connect the connecting strut and the corner fitting to one another to create the press fit.

The projection can have a deformation section in the axial direction of the connecting struts, i.e. in a connecting direction, between the contact surface of the corner fitting and the defined uneven surface, such as a knurling, which is designed to deform during assembly of the frame structure under the influence of the connecting strut. In this way, the deformation section can contribute to the press fit between the corner fitting and the connecting strut, while at the same time the force required to produce the press fit is further minimized.

In order to prevent the connecting strut and the corner fitting from shifting relative to each other even more reliably, the connecting strut and the corner fitting can additionally be connected to each other via a fixing means running transversely to the axial direction of the connecting strut.

The fixing means is, for example, a screw, a pin or a bolt, which can be secured by a fastening means, for example nuts.

The projection of the corner fitting can have a fixing recess that runs completely through the projection for receiving the fixing means, wherein the fixing recess runs in particular substantially perpendicular to the orientation of the connecting strut.

The connecting strut can have a recess which, in the installed position of the connecting strut, is aligned with the fixing recess of the projection, so that the fixing means can pass through the recess of the connecting strut and the fixing recess of the corner fitting.

In one variant, the projection in the axial direction of the connecting strut has a first connecting segment and a second connecting segment which have a different cross-section, wherein the press fit is formed either on the first connecting element or on the second connecting segment.

The different cross-section refers to the cross-section of the corner fitting perpendicular to the axial direction of the connecting strut, i.e. transverse to the connection direction.

In this variant, the corner fitting provides several connection points for connecting struts of different sizes. In this way, the same corner fitting can be used for differently designed frame structures and freight containers, whereby in particular in the case that the freight container is designed for a smaller total mass of cargo, the press fit is formed on the one of the connecting segments that has a smaller cross-section. Thus, the same corner fitting can be used flexibly for different application scenarios, whereby No differently dimensioned corner fittings need to be manufactured and stocked.

The first connecting segment and the second connecting segment can form a step structure of the corner fitting, in particular a step structure of the projection of the corner fitting.

The object of the invention is further achieved by a freight container, in particular a freight container for the transport of gases, with a frame structure as described above.

The features and properties of the freight container according to the invention apply accordingly to the frame structure according to the invention and vice versa and reference is made to the above explanations.

In particular, the freight container has a base plate, a roof plate, two longitudinal side walls and two end walls which are connected via the frame structure and which define a cargo space of the freight container into which cargo can be accommodated.

The freight container according to the invention is preferably a freight container for the transport of Class 2 dangerous goods, i.e. gaseous dangerous goods. The gaseous dangerous goods can be a pure gas or a gas mixture. It can also be a compressed, liquefied or dissolved gas.

Preferably, containers for gas transport (also referred to as gas containers) are arranged in the cargo hold and are fixed to the base plate. In other words, containers for gas transport are preferably firmly integrated into the cargo container so that they are not inserted into or removed from the cargo container when loading and unloading it. Instead, the cargo container can have a gas line system by means of which the containers for gas transport can be filled or emptied.

For such freight containers, it is particularly important that the integrated containers for gas transport are not damaged during the manufacture of the freight container. Because the frame structure according to the invention, which is used in the freight container according to the invention, can also be manufactured without welded joints or at least has a reduced number of welded joints, damage or impairment of the containers for gas transport by welding sparks generated during welding work during the manufacture of the freight container can be excluded or the risk of this can at least be minimized.

The containers for gas transport are designed in particular to hold or release hydrogen as a gas. In this case, it is particularly important that any damage to the gas container is excluded in order to be able to safely rule out the escape of hydrogen, a gas that is particularly volatile and at the same time produces flammable gas mixtures.

The containers for gas transport are in particular standardized containers and can, for example, be a so-called “MEGC” (English for “Multiple-Element Gas Container”), in particular a MEGC with dimensions according to ISO 668.

The object of the invention is further achieved by a method for producing a freight container as described above, comprising the following steps: First, a corner fitting and a connecting strut are provided. The connecting strut is then placed on the corner fitting or the corner fitting is placed on the connecting strut. A press fit is then produced between the connecting strut and the corner fitting by applying a force to the connecting strut and/or to the corner fitting along the axial direction of the connecting strut.

The method according to the invention enables a welding-free assembly of the freight container, whereby impairment of the manufactured freight container by welding sparks can be excluded.

The force to create the press fit between the connecting strut and the corner fitting is preferably applied only once. In other words, after a single manufacturing step to create the press fit, no further adjustment of the relative position of the corner fitting and connecting strut is necessary.

In order to facilitate the deformation of the components involved necessary to produce the press fit, the corner fitting and/or the connecting strut can be heated before the force is applied.

When manufacturing the freight container, the base plate and a sub-frame profile associated with the base plate can first be manufactured and connected to one another. The containers for gas transport are then mounted on the base plate and all further assembly steps in the manufacture of the freight container are carried out without welding work. In other words, in this embodiment, the freight container can be manufactured in such a way that at least after the containers for gas transport have been assembled , no further welding work is carried out that could cause impairment of the already assembled containers for gas transport. In addition, in this variant it is not necessary to place the containers for gas transport into the freight container from above using a crane. In this way, the use of special cranes can be avoided.

• - 1 einen erfindungsgemäßen Frachtcontainer mit einer erfindungsgemäßen Rahmenstruktur,
• - 2 eine teilweise Schnittansicht eines Eckbeschlags der Rahmenstruktur aus 1,
• - 3 bis 6 alternative Ausgestaltungen des Eckbeschlags in einer Darstellung analog zu 2,
• - 7 noch eine weitere Ausführungsform des Eckbeschlags aus 2, und
• - 8 ein Blockschema eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens zum Herstellen des Frachtcontainers nach 1.

Further features and characteristics of the invention will become clear from the following description of exemplary embodiments, which are not to be understood in a limiting sense, and from the figures. In these:

• - 1 a freight container according to the invention with a frame structure according to the invention,
• - 2 a partial sectional view of a corner fitting of the frame structure from 1 ,
• - 3 to 6 alternative designs of the corner fitting in a representation analogous to 2 ,
• - 7 yet another embodiment of the corner fitting from 2 , and
• - 8th a block diagram of a method according to the invention for producing the freight container according to 1 .

In 1 a schematic side view of a freight container 10 according to the invention is shown.

The freight container 10 has a base plate 12, a roof plate 14 opposite the base plate 12, two opposite longitudinal side walls 16 and two opposite end walls 18. The longitudinal side walls 16 run parallel to a length direction L of the freight container 10, while the end walls 18 run parallel to a width direction B of the freight container 10, wherein the width direction B is perpendicular to the length direction L. The base plate 12 and the roof plate 14 lie opposite each other along a height direction H of the freight container 10, wherein the height direction H is perpendicular to the width direction B and the length direction L.

The base plate 12, the roof plate 14, the longitudinal side walls 16 and the end walls 18 are connected to one another via a frame structure 20 according to the invention and define a cargo space 22. The cargo space 22 is located inside the freight container 10 and serves to accommodate cargo.

In the embodiment shown, the cargo is containers 24 for gas transport, indicated by dashed lines, in particular gas containers for hydrogen as a gas. However, it is understood that the freight container 10 is also suitable for other types of cargo.

The freight container 10 is essentially cuboid-shaped and can have any external dimensions. For example, it is a standardized 20-foot or 40-foot freight container, so that the freight container 10 can be used in existing logistics systems for freight containers 10.

The frame structure 20 comprises several connecting struts 26 and 28, wherein the 1 shown connecting struts 26 run parallel to the height direction H and the connecting struts 28 run parallel to the length direction L. It is understood that the frame structure can also comprise connecting struts that run parallel to the width direction B and only in 1 cannot be seen. When the connecting struts 26 are mentioned below, the same applies analogously to other connecting struts such as the connecting struts 28 and vice versa, as long as this is not explicitly excluded.

The connecting struts 26 and 28 are connected to one another via corner fittings 30, wherein the respective connecting strut 26 and 28 are fastened to one another with the respectively associated corner fitting 30 according to the invention by means of a press fit, as will be explained in more detail later.

The containers 24 for gas transport are firmly connected to the base plate 12 and thus integrated into the freight container 10. In other words, the containers 24 are not removed from or placed into the freight compartment 22 when the freight container 10 is unloaded and loaded.

Instead, the containers 24 are equipped with a 1 fluidically connected to a gas line system 32 which is only schematically indicated and via which gas, preferably hydrogen, can be removed from or filled into the containers 24.

The containers 24 can be standardized gas containers, which can in particular be composite containers of type IV. Such gas containers are lighter than gas containers made of steel.

The corner fittings 30 have a standardized connection point 34, which is designed to accommodate a so-called “twistlock”. In the side view from 1 there is only one opening on one side surface 36 of the corner fitting 30 The standardized connection point 34 serves to fix the freight container 10 during transport, for example to other freight containers 10 or a trailer of a transport vehicle.

2 shows a partial sectional view of the corner fitting 30 of detail A from 1 .

In 2 it can be seen that the corner fitting 30 has an uneven surface on a projection 40 pointing in the direction of the connecting strut 26, which runs circumferentially on the projection 40 and in the embodiment according to 2 is produced by a knurling 42.

The connecting strut 26 is a hollow profile which is placed on the corner fitting 30 parallel to the height direction H, along the axial direction of the connecting strut 26 and is in contact with a contact surface 44 of the corner fitting 30.

As already described above, the connecting strut 26 and the corner fitting 30 are fastened to one another by means of a press fit, wherein the press fit in the embodiment shown is produced by interaction of the knurling 42 and an inner surface 46 of the connecting strut 26.

In addition, the connecting strut 26 is in contact with a deformation section 48 of the projection 40, which extends from the contact surface 44 to the knurling 42. The deformation section 48 is designed to deform during assembly of the freight container 10 or the frame structure 20 under the influence of the connecting strut 26, which is displaced in the direction of the contact surface 44.

In order to reduce the force required to move the connecting strut 26, the deformation section 48 can taper in the axial direction of the connecting strut 26.

In the 3 to 6 alternative embodiments of the corner fitting 30 are shown in which the uneven surface on the projection 40 differs from that in 2 is.

In all figures, identical or functionally equivalent components are provided with the same reference numerals and reference is made to the above explanations.

3 shows an embodiment in which the projection 40 has a screw profile 50, via which the press fit is created.

In the 4 In the embodiment shown, the corner fitting 30 has a rib structure 52.

In the 5 In the variant shown, the corner fitting 30 has a segment structure 54.

6 shows a variant in which the projection 40 has a crocodile leather structure 56 which has adjacent and protruding structural sections 58.

It is understood that further variants and/or combinations of the variants of the uneven surface on the corner fitting 30 are also possible, as long as a sufficiently stable press fit between the corner fitting 30 and the connecting strut 26 can be achieved.

As in the 2 to 6 As can be seen, the press fit makes it possible to dispense with additional welding of the connecting strut 26 to the corner fitting 30, more precisely to the contact surface 44. This is particularly advantageous in order to avoid any impairment of the containers 24 for gas transport due to welding sparks generated during welding work.

7 shows yet another embodiment of the frame structure 20 with a differently designed corner fitting 30.

In this embodiment, the corner fitting 30, more precisely the projection 40 of the corner fitting 30, has a first connecting segment 60 and a second connecting segment 62 which follow one another parallel to the height direction H.

The first connecting segment 60 has a larger cross-section in the plane L-B than the second connecting segment 62, so that the corner fitting 30 has a stepped structure.

In both the first connecting segment 60 and the second connecting segment 62, the projection 40 has a knurling 42, by means of which a press fit with a correspondingly dimensioned connecting strut 26 or 28 can be produced. In the 7 In the variant shown, the press fit between the connecting strut 26 and the knurling 42 is formed in the second connecting segment 62. Which of the knurlings 42 is used to form the frame structure 20 depends in particular on the total mass of the load in the cargo hold 22 to be expected during later use of the freight container 10. In this context, the use of a connecting strut 26 that interacts with the knurling 42 of the first connecting segment 60 tends to enable the freight container 10 to be loaded with a higher total mass than the use of a connecting strut 26 that interacts with the knurling 42 of the second connecting segment 62.

As in 7 As can be seen, it is also possible to secure the connecting strut 26 against mechanical stresses with further measures in addition to the press fit, in particular to prevent the connecting strut 26 from slipping along its axial direction (i.e. parallel to the height direction H).

For this purpose, an additional welded connection 64, which is designed as a fillet weld, is provided between the connecting strut 26 and the contact surface 44 of the second connecting segment 62. However, the welded connection 64 is only intended to support the press fit between the connecting strut 26 and the corner fitting 30, so that it can be designed smaller than is the case with known freight containers that do not use a press fit.

In addition, a fixing means 66 in the form of a pin is inserted into a recess 68 of the corner fitting 30, wherein the pin runs transversely to the height direction H in the installation position.

The pin also passes through openings 70 in the connecting strut 26, which are aligned with the recess 68 in the installed position of the connecting strut 26.

In addition, the pin is secured by nuts 72 which rest against an outer side 74 of the connecting strut 26.

The fixing means 66 can of course also be designed differently, for example as a screw or bolt.

The freight container 10 according to the invention is characterized in particular by a simple and secure fastening between the corner fitting 30 and the connecting strut 26, which can preferably be produced without the use of welding work.

In the following, a method according to the invention for producing the freight container 10 is described.

First, the corner fitting 30 and the connecting strut 26 are provided (see step S1 in 8th ).

The connecting strut 26 is then placed on the corner fitting 30, namely on the projection 40 (see step S2 in 8th ), whereupon a press fit between the connecting strut 26 and the corner fitting 30 is produced by applying a force to the connecting strut 26 along the axial direction of the connecting strut 26. The connecting strut 26 is guided in particular up to the contact surface 44 of the corner fitting 30.

It is also possible to first produce a partial frame structure that only includes the components of the frame structure 20 that are assigned to the base plate 12. The containers 24 for gas transport can then be mounted on the base plate 12 without having to bypass other components of the frame structure 20. For example, the containers 24 are moved like a curtain to an assembly position above the base plate 12 and fixed thereto. In this way, the use of a crane that lowers the containers 24 from a height that is greater than the length of the long side walls 16 along the height direction H can be dispensed with. The other components of the frame structure 20 as well as the long side walls 16, the end walls 18 and the roof plate 14 can then be assembled, preferably without welding work.

In this way, any impairment of the containers 24 due to the assembly of the freight container 10 can be excluded and the effort for producing the freight container 10 can be minimized.

Claims (10)

Frame structure (20) for a freight container (10), in particular for a freight container (10) for the transport of gases, in particular hydrogen, and/or liquids, with a connecting strut (26, 28) which is connected to a corner fitting (30) of the frame structure (20), wherein the connecting strut (26, 28) and the corner fitting (30) are fastened to one another by means of a press fit. Frame structure (20) according to Claim 1 , wherein the corner fitting (30) and/or the connecting strut (26, 28) has a knurling (42), a screw profile (50), a rib structure (52), a segment structure (54) and/or a crocodile leather structure (56) which is involved in the press fit. Frame structure (20) according to Claim 1 or 2 , wherein the connecting strut (26, 28) is in contact with a contact surface (44) of the corner fitting (30) in the axial direction of the connecting strut (26, 28). Frame structure (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the corner fitting (30) has a standardized connection point (34), in particular a standardized connection point (34) for receiving a twistlock. Frame structure (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting strut (26, 28) is a hollow profile. Frame structure (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the corner fitting (30) has a projection (40) which participates in the press fit, wherein the projection (40) tapers in the axial direction of the connecting strut (26, 28). Frame structure (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting strut (26, 28) and the corner fitting (30) are additionally connected to one another via a fixing means (66) extending transversely to the axial direction of the connecting strut (26, 28). Frame structure (20) according to Claim 6 or 7 , wherein the projection (40) in the axial direction of the connecting strut (26, 28) has a first connecting segment (60) and a second connecting segment (62) which have a different cross-section, and wherein the press fit is formed either on the first connecting segment (60) or on the second connecting segment (62). Freight container (10), in particular freight container (10) for the transport of gases, with a frame structure (20) according to one of the preceding claims. Method for producing a freight container (10) according to Claim 9 , comprising the following steps: - providing a corner fitting (30) and a connecting strut (26, 28), - placing the connecting strut (26, 28) on the corner fitting (30) or placing the corner fitting (30) on the connecting strut (26, 28), and - producing a press fit between the connecting strut (26, 28) and the corner fitting (30) by applying a force to the connecting strut (26, 28) and/or to the corner fitting (30) along the axial direction of the connecting strut (26, 28).

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