EP2024257B1 - Tank container - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tank container (1) having a tank (2) and a framework which receives the tank (2) via end frames (3). Here, the end frames (3) are connected to one another in the lower region via a longitudinal frame structure (5), wherein at least two lateral longitudinal carriers (12) are provided which, in their end regions, have in each case one lateral diagonal member (14) which extends between the longitudinal carrier (12) and a corner support (18) and one base diagonal member (16) which extends between the longitudinal carrier (12) and a lower transverse spar (26, 26′), wherein the base diagonal member (16) and/or the lateral diagonal member (14) have/has an open cross-sectional profile.

Description

The present invention relates to a tank container with a tank and a tank on the front frame receiving framework. In this case, the end frames are connected to each other in the lower region via a longitudinal frame structure, which has two lateral side members, wherein these are additionally connected in their end regions via a side diagonal and a floor diagonal with the end frame. The side diagonals each run in lateral vertical planes obliquely between the longitudinal member and a corner support and the floor diagonals - also obliquely - in a ground level horizontal plane between the longitudinal member and a lower cross member. Corner support and lower cross member are elements of the front frame.

Tank container, in which the tank is coupled at its front ends in each case with a front frame, are for example from the DE 202 11 594 U1 , of the DE 297 05 851 U1 and from the EP 0 425 190 A1 known.

DE 297 05 851 U1 and DE 202 11 594 U1 show a coupling between tank and front frame via so-called Stirnringsattelungen.

EP 04 25 190 A1 shows special saddle elements, which connect the tank especially in the area of the corner fittings with the front frame. A similar structure with longitudinal spars and an extending between the longitudinal spar and a connection area of a Stirnringsattelung the tank space diagonal is from the U.S. Patent 5,779,077 known. So transport and handling forces should be transferred as directly as possible and in particular in the area of the lower corner fittings in the corner fittings. However, such saddle structures have the disadvantage that they are expensive to manufacture and make it difficult to isolate the tank, since on the one hand insulating layers and - covers must be interrupted in this area and on the other hand represent the special saddle structures thermal bridges, which is a large heat transfer between the tank and the environment cause.

In order to solve this problem, now tank containers are predominantly made in which the tank is connected only via end rings or end ring segments with the front frame. For reinforcement and stabilization the end frames are provided with each other, at least in the region of the lower corner fittings, with additional longitudinal frame structures.

Such a tank container show the Fig. 7 to 9 , Here, the tank container 50 has a tank 52 which is connected at its two ends via Stirnringkonstruktionen 54 with the end frame 56. Upper side members 60 and lower side members 62 extend between the upper and lower corner fittings 58. Usually, the tank container 50 is fixed on a carrier vehicle (eg semitrailer, container carrier, ship) via the lower corner fittings 58 during transport. In order to reliably initiate the transport loads acting in the transport direction along the longitudinal axis 64, which are caused by accelerations, from the tank into the corner fittings 58, a very stable construction is required, in particular in the floor area. For this purpose, the side member is made of a stable and thus comparatively heavy hot rolling profile (eg EPI 220). In addition, the connection to the end frame is reinforced by side diagonal elements 66 and bottom diagonal elements 68. These bottom and side diagonal elements 64 and 66 are formed of compact rectangular tube profiles and connect the longitudinal bars 62 with the transverse bars 72 and the corner posts 70 and. Such a known construction is the Fig. 7 to 9 removable.

When maneuvering in rail transport 64 acceleration forces can occur in the direction of the longitudinal axis, which are caused by accelerations, which are four to six times the gravitational attraction (g). Therefore, the longitudinal beam 62 is formed very stable in conventional tank containers. That's the only way he can get that from the floor and side diagonals 68, 66 absorb locally induced reaction forces without plastic deformation. Especially the frame components make this known construction comparatively difficult.

Based on this problem, therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a front-mounted tank container with a lighter frame structure. Another object may be to optimize the power transmission between the tank and frame structure so that the frame structure and in particular the introduction of force between corner posts, side diagonals and side rails or between cross beams, floor diagonals and side members is designed so that in particular these components with the same stability easier can be executed.

This object is achieved by the tank container according to claim 1, which is characterized in that the side diagonals and optionally the floor diagonals have an open cross-sectional profile. Such an open cross-sectional profile allows a design of the corresponding components (bottom side diagonal), so that the stresses occurring under loads are distributed more evenly and local stress peaks at the joints of the components in question (side members, diagonal, corner support, side members, floor diagonal, cross member) are reduced. The open profile cross-section allows a "soft" connection, which allows a high intrinsic elasticity of the overall structure, without the required stability is reduced too much. So much lighter components can be used as side members and as corner supports, without the strength of the overall structure decreases too much.

In this case, an open trapezoidal cross-section is provided for the side diagonal, in which protrude from a base flange two side legs each at an angle between 145 and 165 °. This design allows an extended connecting portion of the side diagonals on the side rails and on the corner supports. The specially selected inclination ensures in the border areas (ie in the area of the lateral limbs) a relatively soft and long coupling with the upper side of the longitudinal member, which gradually becomes stiffer towards the base flange. Unwanted point loads are avoided and buckling loads on the side member are reduced. The symmetrical structure according to claim 2 allows a low-profile production of the side diagonals by cutting in accordance with profiled meter goods.

The development of the invention according to claim 3 allows a further improved power transmission between the longitudinal member and corner support. The length design of the side diagonal according to claim 4 optimizes the free buckling lengths on the longitudinal member and together with the measure according to protection claim 5 leads to a further material-optimized and thus weight-optimized design.

The embodiment according to claim 6 improves the power flow between the side diagonal and side members. In this embodiment engages - with appropriate design of the longitudinal member as a hollow profile - the relatively stable base flange in a relatively soft connection region of the longitudinal member. As a result, an elastic component coupling with improved stress distribution is also realized here.

The developments of the invention, which are specified in claims 7 to 11, relate to the design of the floor diagonal, which has a downwardly open hat profile cross section according to claim 7. Such a hat profile has similar structural advantages as the open trapezoidal cross section of the side diagonal shown above. But here are also the free edges of the side legs stiffened by additional brim legs (claim 8). As a result, the profile can be made even flatter overall and still have a corresponding buckling or buckling stability. This flat construction allows more ground clearance for connections or for insulation of the tank, especially in the connection area of the floor diagonals on the front side cross members.

This effect is further enhanced by the inclination; At the same time, this design prevents moisture and dirt from accumulating on the main flange of the floor diagonal and causing corrosion problems. The angle arrangement to the longitudinal beam according to claim 9 also allows a structurally particularly favorable connection and improved power transmission between the cross member and longitudinal bearing.

The taper according to claim 10 allows for stress-optimized power transmission between the cross member and the longitudinal member a weight-optimized design of the floor diagonal. The tread depth of the hat profile (height H) according to claim 11 allows the connection of a relatively flat (low) cross member to a comparatively high longitudinal beam (seen in the vertical direction) - again with a "soft" connection between the floor diagonal and longitudinal member or cross member.

The overlapping connection areas according to claim 12 allow a particularly kink-optimized force introduction of the floor and side diagonals in the lateral side members.

The formation of the longitudinal member as a hollow profile carrier with a square cross-section whose side surfaces each extend parallel to a vertical or horizontal plane.

The development of the invention according to the claims 13 to 15 allows in conjunction with the special side and floor diagonals compared to conventional Stirnringkonstruktionen considerably lighter design. In this case, the coupling tube segment according to claim 14 is particularly easy to install in the alignment of the front frame to tank, and the development according to claim 15 allows a particularly economical production of the saddle ring segments.

Fig. 1

eine Seitenansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Tankcontainers;

Fig. 2

eine geteilte Ansicht der Stirnrahmenseiten (von vorne und von hinten) des in Fig. 1 dargestellten Tankcontainers;

Fig. 3

eine Schnittdarstellung einer Bodendiagonale (Ansicht Y aus Fig. 6);

Fig. 4

eine Schnittdarstellung der Seitendiagonale im Anschlußbereich an die Eckstütze (Schnitt A-A in Fig. 1);

Fig. 5

eine Schnittdarstellung des Anschlußbereichs zwischen Tankende und Stirnrahmen (Schnitt B-B aus Fig. 1);

Fig. 6

eine Ansicht auf eine Bodendiagonale (Teilschnitt C-D aus Fig. 2);

Fig. 7

eine Seitenansicht eines Tankcontainers nach dem Stand der Technik;

Fig. 8

eine Teilansicht des Stirnrahmenbereichs des in Fig. 7 dargestellten Tankcontainers (Schnitt A-A aus Fig. 7); und

Fig. 9

eine Ansicht auf eine Bodendiagonale des in Fig. 7 dargestellten Tankcontainers (Ansicht Z aus Fig. 8).

An embodiment of the present invention will be explained by way of example with reference to the drawings; show:

Fig. 1

a side view of a tank container according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a split view of the front frame sides (front and back) of the in Fig. 1 illustrated tank container;

Fig. 3

a sectional view of a floor diagonal (view Y from Fig. 6 );

Fig. 4

a sectional view of the side diagonal in the connection area to the corner support (section AA in Fig. 1 );

Fig. 5

a sectional view of the connection area between the tank end and end frame (section BB off Fig. 1 );

Fig. 6

a view on a floor diagonal (partial cut CD out Fig. 2 );

Fig. 7

a side view of a tank container according to the prior art;

Fig. 8

a partial view of the front frame portion of in Fig. 7 illustrated tank container (section AA off Fig. 7 ); and

Fig. 9

a view on a floor diagonal of the in Fig. 7 illustrated tank container (view Z from Fig. 8 ).

The basic structure of a tank container 1 according to the invention will now be described with reference to FIG Fig. 1 and 2 explained in more detail. The tank container 1 comprises a tank 2 and a frame structure which receives the tank 2 via end frame 3 at its ends. For coupling is provided between the end frame 3 and the ends of the tank 2 each have a front ring assembly 4, which will be explained in more detail below. Between the end frame 3 extends in the bottom region, a longitudinal frame structure 5, which serves in particular to transmit along the tank axis 6 acting forces.

The tank 2 is in the Fig. 1 . 2 and 5 represented by the dash-dotted line and is formed from a cylindrical body 8, the ends of which are closed with curved bottoms 10. The tank 2 also has fittings and connections, which are not shown here.

The left half of the Fig. 1 shows a side view of the tank container 1 and the right half of a view in which the front frame members are cut away. The tank container shown is a so-called 20 'unit, which is particularly common in tank containers, but there are also 10', 30 'and 40' units usual.

The longitudinal frame structure 5 here comprises lower longitudinal members 12, the ends of which are each connected to the end frames 3. In addition, side diagonal 14 are provided, which extend obliquely upward starting from the lower side rails to the end frame 3. Floor diagonals 16 are provided in the floor area, which likewise extend obliquely from the lower side member 12 to the end frames 3 in a vertical plane near the floor (see also FIG Fig. 6 ).

The Fig. 2 also shows in a split view of the front frame of the tank container 1 Fig. 1 , The left half shows the front end and the right half the rear end of the tank container 1. The rear end is referred to tank containers in the end, on the front side (not shown here) are provided bottom fittings.

The end frames 3 are each constructed of corner supports 18, lower corner fittings 20, upper corner fittings 22, an upper cross member 24, a lower cross member 26 and 26 ', upper Sirndiagonalen 28 and lower Sirndiagonalen 30.

The side diagonals 14 each connect a section L (see Fig. 6 ) at the top of the lower side members 12 with a portion M (see Fig. 1 ) on the tank 2 side facing the corner supports 18. At the end frame side terminal end of the side diagonal 14, a reinforcing shoe 15 is arranged.

The in Fig. 4 illustrated cross-section of the side diagonal 14 shows the connection of the reinforcing shoe 15 to the base flange 31 of the side diagonal 14, depart from the two side legs 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the side legs 32 are at an angle Y of 155 ° from the base flange 31 from. In other embodiments, this angle is between 145 and 165 °. In the illustrated embodiment, the depth t (see Fig. 6 ) of the side diagonal about half the width B of the lower side member 12. However, it should be at least one third of this width.

The side diagonals 14 form with the lower side member an angle α (see Fig. 1 ) of about 13 °, in other embodiments, this angle varies between 10 and 16 °. In this case, the upper or outer edges of the side diagonal 14 form upper tendons, which divide the lower longitudinal members 12 into three sections T of approximately equal length. The upper or inner edges of the side diagonal 14 form lower chords, which approximately halve the outer portions T.

The structure described above and the arrangement of the side diagonal 14 allows a particularly stress-favorable load transfer between the connection region M at the corner supports 18 and the connection region L at the bottom Side member 12. The open trapezoidal profile ensures favorable voltage transitions with high structural strength and low weight.

Construction and arrangement of the floor diagonal 16 are described below with reference to Fig. 3 and 6 explained. The in the Fig. 6 Side diagonal shown extends from a terminal region N on the inner - the tank axis 6 facing side of the longitudinal member 12 to a terminal region O at the rear - the tank 2 facing - side of the lower cross member 26 '. The longitudinal axis 33 of the bottom diagonal 16 forms in the illustrated embodiment with the lower side member 12 an angle β of about 19 °. In other embodiments, this angle varies between 15 and 24 °.

Fig. 3 shows that the floor diagonals 16 are provided as a hat profile with a main flange 33, two side legs 34 and 35 and two Krempenschenkeln 36 and 37. The height h of the floor diagonal 16 is at least one third of the height H ( Fig. 1 ) of the longitudinal member 12. The main flange 33 tapers along the axis 33 'from the terminal region O at the lower cross member 26 and 26' to the connection region N on the longitudinal member 12, so that the two side legs enclose an angle of about 3 °. In other embodiments, this angle is between 0 and 5 °.

In addition, the main flange to the horizontal has an inclination of about 5 °. In other embodiments, this inclination is at least 2 °. This measure prevents water or dirt from accumulating on top of the floor diagonal 16.

The in Fig. 3 shown Hutprofilquerschnitt the floor diagonal 16 shows that the side legs 34 and 35 almost vertically and the brim legs 36 and 37 are almost horizontal. In other embodiments, the side legs 34 and 35 are opened wider and close with the main flange 33 each an angle between 90 and 135 °. The Krempenschenkel 36 and 37 may also be inclined at an angle between 0 and 5 ° to the horizontal, so that form no deposits on the upper sides.

The structure described above and the arrangement of the floor diagonal 16 allows for a flat design a stress-optimized power transmission between the lower cross beams 26 and 26 'and the longitudinal beams 12. The Krempenschenkel 36 and 37 ensure a soft connection to the longitudinal beams 12 and the lower cross members 26th and 26 'while providing a flat construction, a comparatively high buckling stability against compressive forces along the main axis 33'.

In the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal members 12 are formed of a square tube with a square cross-section. In this case, the terminal areas L and N of the side diagonal 14 and the bottom diagonal 16 have an overlap (hatched area in Fig. 6 ) of about 85% relative to the shorter terminal area (here N). In other embodiments, this overlap should be at least 50%, so that the attacking forces in different planes on the longitudinal members 12 attack voltage optimized. Thus, the resulting stresses can be matched to the existing cross-sectional profile and the available free buckling lengths.

Fig. 5 shows the structure of the end ring assembly 4. At the curved bottoms 10 of the tank 2 while cylindrical Sirnringe or Stirnringsegmente 38 are arranged, which are connected via conical Sattelringsegmente 39 and saddle rings with the front frame 3. At the tank-facing narrow ends of the saddle ring segments 39 cylindrical coupling sleeve segments 40 and coupling stubs are formed, each comprising with its inner cylindrical peripheral surfaces, the outer cylindrical peripheral surfaces of the end ring segments 38 and during assembly for positioning on this can be moved. The coupling stub segment 40 can be crimped integrally, for example, to the conical saddle ring segment 39. It can also be used as a ring piece.

The wide end of the conical saddle ring segment 39 is connected via its end face to the corner supports 18, the upper end diagonals 28 and the lower end diagonals 30. End ring segments 38 and conical saddle ring segments 39 can either form a closed ring (see front view in FIG Fig. 2 ) or can be interrupted (see view from the back Fig. 2 ) and appropriate recesses for the arrangement of fittings or other attachments to the tank 2 expose. The conical design allows a material-saving and thin-walled design of the end ring assembly 4, while ensuring a stable connection between the tank 2 and front frame 3 safe. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening angle of the conical saddle ring segment is about 45 °. In other embodiments, this opening angle can be between 30 and 60 °.

In the illustrated embodiment, the floor diagonal 16 has a hat profile. In other embodiments, the floor diagonal 16 may have a trapezoidal profile.

The base flange 31 of the trapezoidal profile and the main flange 33 of the hat profile are in the 3 and 4 just shown. In particular, these flanges 31 and 33 can have additional bends or profilings to improve their structural properties.

Further embodiments and variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (15)

1. Tank container (1) having a tank (2) and a framework which receives the tank (2) via end frames (3), in which the end frames (3) are connected to one another in the lower region via a longitudinal frame structure (5), wherein at least two lateral longitudinal carriers (12) are provided which, in their end regions, have in each case one lateral diagonal member (14) which extends between the longitudinal carrier (12) and a corner support (18), and one base diagonal member (16) which extends between the longitudinal carrier (12) and a lower transverse spar (26, 26 '), wherein the lateral diagonal member (14) and possibly the base diagonal member (16) have an open cross-sectional profile and wherein the lateral diagonal member (14) has an open trapezoidal cross-section, in which the two legs (32) proceeding from a base flange (31) each enclose an angle (γ) of between 145 and 165°.
2. Tank container (1) according to claim 1, wherein the base flange (31) and the side leg (32) are equally long in each case.
3. Tank container (1) according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the lateral diagonal member (14) runs at an angle (α) of between 10 and 16° to the longitudinal carrier (12).
4. Tank container (1) according to anyone of claims 1 to 3, wherein the one outer edge, forming an upper chord running between the corner support (18) and the longitudinal carrier (12), of the lateral diagonal member (14) is roughly one third of the longitudinal carrier (12).
5. Tank container (1) according to claim 4, wherein the one inner edge, forming a lower chord running between the corner support (18) and the longitudinal carrier (12), of the lateral diagonal member (14) is roughly one half of the distance on the longitudinal carrier (12) between its connection end and the intersection with the upper chord.
6. Tank container (1) according to anyone of the above claims, wherein the depth (t) of the lateral diagonal member (14), seen in the horizontal direction transverse to the longitudinal axis (6) of the tank container (1), amounts to at least one third of the width (B) of the longitudinal carrier profile.
7. Tank container (1) according to anyone of the above claims, wherein the base diagonal member (16) is formed as a downwardly open cap profile.
8. Tank container (1) according to claim 7, wherein the cap profile features a main flange (33), two side legs (34, 35) and two flange legs (36, 37) and the main flange (33) has an inclination of at least 3° to the horizontal along a main axis (33 ').
9. Tank container (1) according to either of claims 7 and 8, wherein the main axis (33') of the base diagonal member (16) runs at an angle (β) of between 15 and 24° to the longitudinal carrier (12).
10. Tank container (1) according to either of claims 8 and 9, wherein the main flange (33) is implemented such that it proceeds from the transverse spar (26, 26 ') tapered along the main axis (33') so that the side edges of the main flange (33) enclose an angle of between 0 and 5°.
11. Tank container (1) according to anyone of claims 7 to 10, wherein a height (h) of the base diagonal member (16), seen in the vertical direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tank container, corresponds to at least one third of a height (H) of the longitudinal carrier (12).
12. Tank container (1) according to anyone of the above claims, wherein the connection regions (L, N) of the lateral diagonal members (14) and the base diagonal members (16) on the longitudinal carrier (12) overlap by at least 50%.
13. Tank container (1) according to anyone of the above claims, wherein the tank (2) and the end frame (3) are connected via a cylindrical front ring segment (38), secured to the tank, and a conical saddle ring segment (39) secured to the end frame (3).
14. Tank container (1) according to claim 13, wherein a cylindrical couple connection piece segment (40) which, with its inner cylindrical peripheral face lies against the outer cylindrical peripheral face of the front ring segment (38), is formed on the narrow end, pointing to the tank, of the saddle ring segment (39).
15. Tank container (1) according to claim 14, wherein the couple connection piece segment (40) is formed integrally on the saddle ring segment (39).

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