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WO-2026095854-A1 - CONTAINER COUPLING DEVICE

WO2026095854A1WO 2026095854 A1WO2026095854 A1WO 2026095854A1WO-2026095854-A1

Abstract

A coupling device is designed for securing a first container to a second container. The device comprises a body with a top connecting cone designed to engage with the lower corner casting of the first container and a bottom connecting cone arranged to engage with the upper corner casting of the second container. The device also includes an intermediate plate connected between the top and bottom connecting cones. This plate has a recess arranged to face outwardly on the short sides of the first and second containers when the device is engaged. A transceiver cassette is mounted in the recess of the intermediate plate, which includes a communications module configured to transmit and receive data via an antenna. The antenna is designed to transmit signals outwardly from the short sides of the first and second containers.

Inventors

  • CARLMEISTER, Magnus

Assignees

  • LOX CONTAINER TECHNOLOGY AB

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20251024
Priority Date
20241030

Claims (17)

  1. 1. A coupling device (100) for securing a first container (102) having a lower corner casting (110) to a second container (104) having an upper corner casting (116), the coupling device (100) comprising: a coupling device body (118) having a top connecting cone (120) arranged to engage with the lower corner casting (110) of the first container (102) and being asymmetric about a longitudinal axis (126), and a bottom connecting cone (122) arranged to engage with the upper corner casting (116) of the second container (104) such that the top connecting cone (120) and the bottom connecting cone (122) are arranged to respectively engage the lower corner casting (110) and the upper corner casting (116) in only one orientation; an intermediate plate (124) connected between the top connecting cone (120) and the bottom connecting cone (122), the intermediate plate (124) having an intermediate plate recess (132) arranged to face outwardly on a first container short side (106) and a second container short side (112) when the coupling device (100) is engaged with the lower corner casting (110) of the first container (102) and the upper corner casting (116) of the second container (104); and a transceiver cassette (136) mounted in the intermediate plate recess (132), the transceiver cassette (136) comprising a communications module (146) configured to transmit and receive data via an antenna (148) connected to the communications module (146), the antenna (148) being is oriented within the transceiver cassette (136) and configured to transmit signals outwardly from the intermediate plate recess (132) and the first container short side (106) and the second container short side (112).
  2. 2. The coupling device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the bottom connecting cone (122) is asymmetric about the longitudinal axis (126).
  3. 3. The coupling device (100) according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the intermediate plate recess (132) comprises an offset recess portion (134) arranged to receive a projecting battery portion (158) of the transceiver cassette (136).
  4. 4. The coupling device (100) according to claim 3, wherein the offset recess portion (134) extends to one side of the intermediate plate (124) and is offset from the longitudinal axis (126).
  5. 5. The coupling device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the intermediate plate (124) has a thickness of 15 mm to 28 mm in a direction along the longitudinal axis (126).
  6. 6. The coupling device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the communications module (146) is configured to use one or more communications protocols including IEEE802.15.4 (Zigbee), ETSI 103 357 (MIOTY), LoRaWAN, or BLE.
  7. 7. The coupling device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the antenna (148) is located within a potting material.
  8. 8. The coupling device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the antenna (148) is a helical antenna.
  9. 9. The coupling device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the transceiver cassette (136) comprises an e-ink display (152) connected to the circuitry (140).
  10. 10. The coupling device (100) according to claim 9, wherein the e-ink display (152) is configured to show status and/or identity of the coupling device (100).
  11. 11. The coupling device (100) according to claim 10, wherein the e-ink display (152) is configured to display text in different languages.
  12. 12. The coupling device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the intermediate plate (124) is made of steel.
  13. 13. The coupling device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the coupling device (100) is a fully automatic twistlock (FAT).
  14. 14. The coupling device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein transceiver cassette (136) comprises a memory (144) configured to store a unique global electronic identity for the transceiver cassette (136) and the coupling device body (118).
  15. 15. The coupling device (100) according to any preceding claim, wherein the transceiver cassette (136) is directional and is insertable into the intermediate plate recess (132) in only one orientation.
  16. 16. The coupling device (100) according to Claim 15, wherein the transceiver cassette (136) has an asymmetric shape about a first axis and a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and wherein the intermediate plate recess (132) has a corresponding shape to the transceiver cassette (136).
  17. 17. A coupling device (100) for securing a first container (102) having a lower corner casting (110) to a second container (104) having an upper corner casting (116), the coupling device (100) comprising: a coupling device body (118); a top connecting cone (120) arranged to engage with the lower corner casting (110) of the first container (102); a bottom connecting cone (122) arranged to engage with the upper corner casting (116) of the second container (104); an intermediate plate (124) connected between the top connecting cone (120) and the bottom connecting cone (122), the intermediate plate (124) arranged to face outwardly on a first container short side (106) and a second container short side (112) when the coupling device (100) is engaged with the lower corner casting (110) of the first container (102) and the upper corner casting (116) of the second container (104); a transceiver cassette (136) mounted in the intermediate plate recess (132), the transceiver cassette (136) comprising: a controller (142); a memory (144) storing a unique global electronic identity for each of the transceiver cassette (136) and the coupling device body (118); and a communications module (146) configured to transmit and receive data via an antenna (148) connected to the communications module (146), wherein the antenna (148) is oriented to transmit signals outwardly from the intermediate plate recess (132) and the first container short side (106) and the second container short side (112).

Description

Container coupling device Field The technology pertains to the field of container transportation and logistics, specifically focusing on the secure coupling of shipping containers. It also involves the use of communication technologies for data transmission and tracking, enhancing the traceability and management of these containers. Background The management and tracking of shipping containers is a complex task, especially when considering the vast number of containers that are transported globally on a daily basis. The use of small devices such as twistlocks or coupling devices, which are placed in shipping container stacks, has been a common practice to secure containers together. These devices often incorporate radio communication capabilities to transmit information about the status and location of the containers. However, the radio environment in which these devices operate is challenging and subject to high attenuation. The steel shipping containers, which are closely placed in stacks, pose a significant ob- stacle for radio signals to propagate. Regardless of the frequency band or modulation method used, radio propagation is subject to high attenuation when penetrating or going around the steel container to reach its receiver antenna. The stacks of containers, which can reach up to thirteen containers high, often leave less than a metre of free space in many places, making line of sight radio propagation seldom achievable. This results in high attenuation levels, leading to message loss, reduced data rates, or increased error rates. The devices have limited antenna systems and radiated power, and the direction of the antenna becomes crucial for viable implementation. US10717595B2 describes a container corner lock with spring-loaded hooks that engage the container corner casting while containing an internal device that is configured to transmit and receive information to and from an external communication unit. US10717595B2 is silent on the arrangement of an antenna or the inclusion of e-ink / electronic paper. A problem with US10717595B2 is that the user is able to insert the container corner lock into the container corner casing in more than one way. This can lead to poor performance of the transceiver. Summary According to a first aspect of the disclosure, a coupling device for securing a first container having a lower corner casting to a second container having an upper corner casting comprises a coupling device body having a top connecting cone arranged to engage with the lower corner casting of the first container and being asymmetric about a longitudinal axis, and a bottom connecting cone arranged to engage with the upper corner casting of the second container. An intermediate plate is connected between the top connecting cone and the bottom connecting cone, the intermediate plate having an intermediate plate recess arranged to face outwardly on a first container short side and a second container short side when the coupling device is engaged with the lower corner casting of the first container and the upper corner casting of the second container. A transceiver cassette is mounted in the intermediate plate recess, the transceiver cassette comprising a communications module configured to transmit and receive data via an antenna, the antenna being configured to transmit signals outwardly from the first container short side and the second container short side. This provides a robust and secure method for coupling two containers while enabling efficient data transmission and reception for tracking and monitoring purposes. Optionally in some examples, the bottom connecting cone is asymmetric about the longitudinal axis. The advantage of the asymmetry ensures a single orientation engagement. Optionally in some examples, the intermediate plate recess comprises an offset recess portion arranged to receive a projecting battery portion of the transceiver cassette. The advantage of this claim is that it allows for a compact and efficient design that accommodates an increased battery size without interfering with the structural integrity or functionality of the coupling device. This means that the transceiver cassette is arranged to transmit and receive signals for longer and means that the battery does not need to be replaced as frequently. Optionally in some examples, the offset recess portion extends to one side of the intermediate plate and is offset from the longitudinal axis. This provides a space-efficient arrangement that optimises the placement of the battery. Optionally in some examples, the intermediate plate has a thickness of 28 mm in a direction along the longitudinal axis. Optionally in some examples, the communications module is configured to use one or more communications protocols including IEEE802.15.4 (Zigbee), ETSI 103357 (MIOTY), LoRaWAN, or BLE. This provides flexibility in communication options, allowing the device to be compatible with various existing and emerging communicatio