RU2542542C1 - Transport container - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: transport.

SUBSTANCE: proposed container comprises cover spacer and bottom consisting of interconnected top and bottom pallets. Bottom pallet support fasteners to secure container to carrier. Top pallet is secured at bottom one to swivel relative to horizontal axis parallel about lengthwise mirror axis of bottom pallet. Then, pallets are locked by adjustable rotary posts arranged at bottom pallet opposite aforesaid swivels relative to lengthwise mirror axis of bottom pallet. Every said adjustable rotary posts consists of top and bottom threaded bars coupled by threaded coupling. Bottom threaded bar is coupled with turn assy fitted at bottom pallet while top threaded bar can interact with locking assy fitted at top pallet. Note here that crosswise size of bottom pallet is smaller than that of bottom pallet.

EFFECT: pallet can be fitted through appropriate openings of carriers.

2 cl, 10 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to containers for accommodating products of special equipment, and more specifically for placing small spacecraft during their transportation, storage and ground preparation.

Known shipping container according to the patent of the Russian Federation No. 2239589 from 10.11.2004, intended for placement in it of small spacecraft and containing a base, spacer and cover. This shipping container was used for transportation in it in January 2005 to the Plesetsk cosmodrome of the Universitetsky-Tatyana small spacecraft (see Journal of Cosmonautics No. 3, March 2005, pp. 17-21). At the same time, the delivery of the shipping container was carried out in a compartment of a passenger car. Manual loading of the container through the entrance doors of the car, its transportation in narrow aisles of the car and moving through the doorway in the compartment of the car were associated with significant difficulties due to the fact that the transverse dimensions of the car passages and doorways only slightly exceeded the transverse dimensions of the transport container. The shipping container had an unchanged (stationary) configuration and only in a certain position with minimal gaps between the container walls and doorways was loaded into the compartment of a passenger car.

Known shipping container according to the patent of the Russian Federation No. 2297958 from 04.25.2007, designed to accommodate small spacecraft and containing a base, spacer and cover. The base of this transport container is made up of upper and lower pallets fixed to each other. The nodes for fixing the container to the floor of the vehicle during its transportation are placed (installed) on the lower pallet of the base. This container has a detachable joint and the possibility of undocking into two parts: the lower tray with fixation units and the upper tray with a small spacecraft, a spacer and a lid. Therefore, in some cases, for the convenience of loading and ensuring passage into the doorways of the vehicle, separate loading of the lower and upper parts of the shipping container is possible. But for this, before loading, it is necessary to undock the container into two parts, securely fix the upper part with a small spacecraft in front of the entrance to the vehicle (for example, in the car), which can be problematic, because container fixation units are installed on the lower pallet, sequentially submerge the lower, then the upper parts of the container and re-dock the upper and lower parts of the container at the place of placement in the vehicle. These additional operations for undocking and subsequent docking of the container parts significantly complicate and increase the time of loading the shipping container onto the vehicle, which is a disadvantage.

The objective (goal) of the present invention is to expand the functionality (the ability to load a container on a vehicle if its transverse dimensions exceed the width of the openings and passages of the vehicle) of the transportation container.

The task (goal) is achieved by the fact that in the proposed transportation container comprising a lid, a spacer, a base consisting of upper and lower pallets fixed to each other, fixing units to the vehicle floor mounted on the lower pallet, the upper pallet is fixed to the lower pallet with the possibility of rotation about a horizontal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the lower pallet and subsequent mutual fixation of the upper pallet relative to the lower pallet in the rotated position . The rotation is carried out by means of hinged nodes, and the fixation in the turned position is carried out by means of adjustable (along the length) rotary racks. Adjustable swivel racks are mounted on the lower pallet on the opposite side of the hinge assemblies relative to the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the lower pallet. Hinge assemblies and adjustable swivel racks connect the pallets after turning the upper pallet relative to the lower pallet. Each adjustable (in length) swivel stand is made up of two threaded rods: from the lower and upper, connected by a threaded coupler (thunder). The lower and upper threaded rods are made: one with the left thread, the other with the right thread. The lower threaded rod is connected with the rotation unit mounted on the lower pallet, and the upper threaded rod is made to interact with the fixing unit mounted on the upper pallet. The rotation unit mounted on the lower pallet and connected with the lower threaded rod, and the locking unit mounted on the upper pallet and interacting with the upper threaded rod, are made up of rotating eyes and interacting locking pins. The axis of rotation of the eyes parallel to the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the lower pallet.

In this case, the transverse overall dimension of the lower pallet is made smaller than the transverse overall dimension of the upper pallet.

The proposed design allows you to change the initial configuration of the transport container (the upper and lower pallets are fixed to each other and are in a horizontal position) in an inclined configuration (the upper pallet is rotated and is in an inclined position relative to the lower pallet). The transportation container is transferred from the initial configuration to the inclined one by rotating the upper pallet relative to the lower pallet around a horizontal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the lower pallet. Hinge assemblies provide rotation of the upper pallet relative to the lower pallet. Adjustable swivel racks allow the upper pallet to be fixed in an inclined position relative to the lower pallet. Changing the configuration of the shipping container and the difference in the transverse overall dimensions (widths) of the upper and lower pallets makes it possible to reduce its lateral size and thereby ensure that such a container is loaded onto vehicles with a width of doorways (passages) smaller than the width of the shipping container in its original position. (When loading a container onto a vehicle, its movement is carried out by the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the lower pallet perpendicular to the plane of the vehicle’s opening (passage)).

The rotation angle α of the upper pallet relative to the lower pallet around the horizontal axis is determined for the specific overall dimensions of the transport container (height, width). The angle is determined by the known trigonometric relations from the condition of equal projections onto the horizontal plane of the transverse overall dimension (width of the upper pallet) “a” in the initial position (projection “a”) and in the rotated (inclined) position (projection a cosα + b sinα) (see figure 8):

$$a=a\cos \alpha +b\text{sin}\alpha \text{(one)}$$

After transformations it turns out

1 = cosα + (b / a) sinα,

1-cosα = (b / a) sinα.

The trigonometric functions of the angle α: cosα and sinα are expressed in terms of the corresponding trigonometric functions of the half angle (α / 2):

2sin ² (α / 2) = (b / a) × 2sin (α / 2) × cos (α / 2),

sin (α / 2) = (b / a) cos (α / 2)

or through tg (α / 2) of the half angle (α / 2)

tg (α / 2) = (b / a).

Whence the relation for determining the angle α:

$$\alpha =2arctg\left(b/a\right).\text{(2)}$$

From relation (2) it follows that when the upper pallet is rotated relative to the lower pallet by an angle α> 2arctg (b / a), the projection of the transverse overall dimension of the container (projection a cosα + b sinα) onto the horizontal axis becomes smaller than the projection of the transverse overall dimension a "container on the horizontal axis in the initial position.

For a container with a ratio b / a = 1/2 in the range of angles α varying from 53 ° to 90 ° (53 ° <α <90 °), the projection of the transverse overall dimension of the container on the horizontal axis (see figures 9 and 10) is less than the projection of the transverse overall dimension of the container on the horizontal axis in the initial position of the container (see figure 8). The limiting angle of rotation can be determined from the condition under which the center of mass of the container with a small spacecraft should not go beyond the transverse dimensions of the lower pallet to ensure stability. For a container with a height / width ratio of b / a = 1/2, this angle should not exceed α = 60 ° (see figure 10). The width of the lower pallet is half the width of the upper pallet. Therefore, for such a container, rotation of the upper pallet relative to the lower pallet leads to a decrease in the transverse overall dimension of the container, which becomes smaller than “a”.

The proposed device is illustrated in figures 1-10.

The figure 1 presents a General view of the shipping container in the original configuration.

The figure 2 shows a General view of the shipping container in an inclined configuration.

Figure 3 shows a view A according to figure 2.

The figure 4 presents the remote element B according to figure 1.

The figure 5 shows the remote element In according to figure 2.

The figure 6 shows the remote element G according to figure 2.

The figure 7 presents a three-dimensional view of the shipping container in an inclined configuration.

Figure 8 shows a design diagram for the initial position of the upper pallet relative to the lower pallet.

The figure 9 shows the calculation scheme for determining the angle α of rotation of the upper pallet relative to the lower pallet.

The figure 10 shows the calculation scheme for determining the magnitude of the limit angle α of rotation of the upper pallet relative to the lower pallet.

The shipping container comprises a lid 1, a spacer 2, a base 3 (figure 1). The base 3 consists of a fixed upper pallet 4 and a lower pallet 5 (figure 1). In the initial position, the fastening of the pallets 4 and 5 with each other is carried out using, for example, ring bolts 6 (figure 1) installed at the junction of the pallets. On the lower pallet 5 there are nodes 7 for fixing the container to the vehicle floor 8 (To provide access to the container fixing nodes 7 on the vehicle floor 8 in the initial configuration of the container, these nodes are placed on the end sides of the lower pallet 5, as shown in figures 1, 2 , 4, 6). Changing the configuration of the transport container (figure 2) - the rotation of the upper pallet 4 relative to the lower pallet 5 about a horizontal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the lower pallet 5 is carried out by hinged nodes 9. Subsequent mutual fixation of the pallets in the modified configuration is carried out using adjustable (variable length) swivel racks 10.

Each hinge unit 9 is made up of two eyes 11, mounted on the upper 4 and lower 5 pallets and connected by an axis 12 mounted horizontally and parallel to the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the lower pallet 5 (figures 2, 4, 6).

Each adjustable swivel stand 10 is made up of two threaded rods: the upper rod 13 and the lower rod 14 connected by a threaded tie (thunder) 15 (figures 2 and 3). Adjustable swivel racks 10 can be in two positions: in the working position (when the upper pallet 4 is inclined relative to the lower pallet 5) and in the idle position (pallets 4 and 5 are in a horizontal position). With its lower threaded rod 14, an adjustable swivel stand 10 is connected to a swivel assembly 16 mounted on the lower pallet 5, both in the working and non-working position (figures 1 and 2). Adjustable swivel stand 10 with its upper threaded rod 13 in the inoperative position is attached to the mounting unit 17 mounted on the lower pan 5 (figure 1) on the opposite side of the turning unit 16, and in the working position interacts with the fixing unit 18 mounted on the upper pallet 4 (figures 2 and 5). Changing the length of the rack 10 is made by rotating the threaded screed (tandera) 15 in one direction or another.

The nodes 16, 17, 18 are made structurally similar, consisting of rotating eyes 19, interacting with quick-release latches 20, made in the form of a pin of the corresponding diameter with a handle (figures 4 and 5). To ensure the fixation of the upper pallet 4 relative to the lower pallet 5 in an inclined position using adjustable swivel racks 10, the rotating eyes 19 of the nodes 16, 17, 18 for fastening and fixing the adjustable swivel racks 10 must be installed on the end sides of the pallets 4 and 5 and ensure their rotation ( rotation) relative to axes parallel to the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the lower pan 5.

The proposed device operates as follows.

In the initial position of the transport container, the upper 4 and lower 5 pallets of the base 3 are fixed to each other with the help of ring bolts 6 and are in a horizontal position. At the same time, the adjustable swivel racks 10 are inoperative and fixed on the lower pallet 5: the lower rods 13 are fixed on the rotating eyes 19 and fixed with the pins-latches 20 of the turning unit 16, the upper rods 14 are fixed on the rotating eyes 19 and fixed with the pins-latches 20 of the node fastenings 17. A small spacecraft 21 is mounted on the upper pallet 4 and fastened (fastening elements are not shown conventionally in the figures) to it. Then, on the upper pallet 4, a spacer 2 and a cover 1 are sequentially mounted and fastened (the fastening elements of the spacer to the upper pallet and the cover to the spacer are not conventionally shown in the figures). The shipping container in the initial configuration with the small spacecraft 21 (figure 1) located therein is prepared for loading and transportation, for example, by car.

If it is necessary to load, for example, in passenger or baggage rail cars, in which the width of the doorways and passages may be less than the width of the transport container, the configuration of the transport container changes, in which the upper part, namely the upper pallet 4 with a small spacecraft installed on it 21, the spacer 2 and the cover 1 is translated into an inclined position (figures 2, 7). To translate into an inclined position, the upper pallet 5 on the hinge assemblies 9 is rotated by an angle α (for a transport container with a height / width ratio of b / a = 1/2, the rotation angle is selected from a range of angles from 53 ° to 60 °). Turning can be carried out manually or using a crane (not shown conventionally in the figures), available at the place of loading. The upper rods 13 of the adjustable pivots 10 are unlocked by dismantling the locking pins 20 from the rotating eyes 19 of the attachment points 17 on the lower pallet 5. The adjustable pivots 10 on their lower bars 14 are rotated on the rotating eyes of the 19 pivots 16 on the lower pan 5. When the need to change the length of the swivel racks 10, they are adjusted by rotating the threaded coupler (thunder) 15 in one direction or another. The distance between the ends of the upper 13 and lower 14 threaded rods adjustable swivel racks 10 increases or decreases. Adjustment is made until the upper threaded rods 13 are joined with the holes of the rotating eyes 19 of the fixing units 18 located on the upper pallet 4. After that, the upper threaded rod 13 is fixed in the hole of the rotating eyes 19 of the fixing unit 18 using quick-release pins - latches 20. Thus, the pallets 4 and 5 are fixed between themselves (figures 2, 7), while the lower pan 5 remains in a horizontal position, and the upper pallet 4 is rotated relative to it by an angle α. When the upper pallet 4 is rotated relative to the lower pallet 5 by an angle α (from a range of angles from 53 ° to 60 ° for a container with an aspect ratio of b / a = 1/2) and its subsequent fixation in an inclined position, the transverse dimension (width) of the transport container decreases (from size "a" (figure 9) to size "0.933a" (figure 10)). Reducing the width of the container allows it to be loaded onto vehicles with a width of openings and passages smaller than the width of the container in its original position.

After placing the transportation container in the desired place, it is fixed on the floor 8 of the vehicle using the fixing units 7 mounted on the lower pallet 5.

After installing (placing) and securing the transportation container on the floor 8 of the vehicle, it is transferred to the initial configuration (the upper pallet 4 is lowered to a horizontal position and attached to the lower pallet 5). With limited space in the vehicle (or the absence of adequate space in the vehicle), the shipping container can be left in an inclined configuration (the upper pallet 4 is rotated relative to the lower pallet 5 by an angle α) while ensuring its reliable attachment to the vehicle floor 8 using fixation units 7. The installation of the fixation nodes 7 of the container on the lower pallet 5 allows you to fix the shipping container on the vehicle both in the initial position and in an inclined position oh configuration.

The shipping container is unloaded from the vehicle in the reverse (loading) sequence, namely:

- the shipping container is transferred from the initial position to the inclined configuration;

- detachment nodes fixing 7 of the container from the floor 8 of the vehicle;

- in an inclined configuration, the shipping container is unloaded (carried out) through the “narrow” passages and openings of the vehicle;

- the container from the inclined configuration is transferred to the initial configuration, for which the upper threaded rods 13 of the adjustable swivel racks 10 are unlocked by dismantling the quick-detachable locking pins 20 from the rotating eyes 19 of the fixing unit 18 on the upper pallet 5 and transferring (lowering) the upper pallet 4 from tilted position to horizontal position;

- fixing the upper pallet 4 on the lower pallet 5 by means of ring bolts 6;

- adjusting the length of the rotary uprights 10 (usually in the direction of reduction), their rotation on the rotating eyes 19 of the turning unit 16 and securing them in a non-working position on the rotating eyes 19 of the mounting unit 17 of the lower pallet 5;

- further transportation of the container with the small spacecraft 21 installed in a horizontal position to the destination.

Unloading the small spacecraft 21 from the shipping container is as follows (with the horizontal position of the pallets 4 and 5 fixed to each other): sequential dismantling of the cover 1 from the spacer 2 and the spacer 2 from the upper pallet 4, detachment (the fastening elements are not shown conventionally in the figures) small spacecraft 21 from the upper pallet 4 and overloading it on a technological stand (not shown conventionally in the figures). In the empty container, the upper 4 and lower 5 pallets fixed to each other remain in a horizontal position.

To lift and transport the shipping container in the initial and inclined configurations, rotary folding handles 22 are mounted on the end walls of the spacer 2 with the possibility of rearranging the height of the spacer (figures 1, 2, 7).

It should be noted that the proposed design of the transport container with a variable configuration also allows loading into the doorways of vehicles with an asymmetric shape, for example, due to the protrusion of door handles, lock elements, etc.

The use of the proposed transportation container will ensure the safety of small spacecraft during their loading and transportation by vehicles having dimensions of doorways and passages smaller than the dimensions of the transportation container in the initial position (for example, existing baggage or passenger rail cars).

Thus, the proposed device has significant differences from previously known shipping containers for transporting small spacecraft and allows you to expand their functionality.

Claims (2)

1. A transportation container comprising a lid, a spacer, a base consisting of upper and lower pallets fixed to each other, fixing units to the vehicle floor mounted on the lower pallet, characterized in that the upper pallet is mounted on the lower pallet with a possibility of rotation on the hinged nodes relative to the horizontal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the lower pallet, and their mutual fixation by means of adjustable swivel racks mounted on the lower pallet from the opposite side from the hinge assemblies relative to the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the lower pallet, with each adjustable rotary stand made up of lower and upper threaded rods connected by a threaded coupler, the lower threaded rod connected to the rotation unit mounted on the lower pallet, and the upper threaded rod made with the possibility interacting with the fixing unit mounted on the upper pallet, while the transverse overall dimension of the lower pallet is made smaller than the transverse overall dimension of the upper pallet. 2. The transport container according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotation unit mounted on the lower pallet and connected with the lower threaded rod, and the fixing unit mounted on the upper pallet and interacting with the upper threaded rod, are made up of rotating eyes and interacting with them of the locking pins, while the axis of rotation of the eyes parallel to the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the lower pallet.

Images