Adjustable ISO Container with Movable Side Walls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Globalization leads to unbalanced movements of containerized goods, resulting in containers being stored empty or partially filled at destinations, necessitating the optimization of container transport while maintaining international ISO standards.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable ISO container system that maintains ISO compliance in both compact and elongated configurations, featuring movable parts with corner pieces and linear guide systems, allowing for secure stacking and handling, and utilizing lighter materials for reduced weight and enhanced durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If containers are made standardized according to ISO dimensions, then transport efficiency and handling are improved, but optimization of empty container transport is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The container incorporates movable side walls that can be extended or retracted to change the container's length. This dynamic structure allows the container to adapt its dimensions based on cargo requirements, enabling empty containers to be transported in a compact configuration while maintaining full cargo capacity when needed, thus reducing energy waste in empty transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The container's length parameter can be changed by extending or retracting the side walls. This parameter change allows the container to transition between different length configurations (e.g., 20ft, 40ft, or intermediate lengths), enabling optimization of both cargo capacity and transport efficiency for empty containers.
2Quantity of substance
If container length is extended to increase cargo capacity, then more goods can be transported, but the container cannot be optimized for return trips with less cargo
Solution Approach 1:
The side walls are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing the container length to be dynamically adjusted. This enables the container to be extended for maximum cargo capacity on outbound trips and retracted for compact transport on return trips with less or no cargo, thereby improving adaptability and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is divided into a fixed central section and movable side wall sections. This segmentation allows the side walls to be independently extended or retracted, providing flexible cargo capacity adjustment while maintaining the structural integrity of the fixed section.
3Adaptability or versatility
If movable parts are added to create adjustable container, then transport optimization is enabled, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container is segmented into a fixed central section and movable side wall sections. This segmentation allows the complex movable functions to be isolated to specific sections while the fixed section maintains simple, standardized structure, thereby managing overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable side walls serve multiple functions: they provide cargo capacity adjustment, enable compact configuration for empty transport, and maintain ISO standard compliance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate systems, thereby managing structural complexity.
4Ease of manufacture
If corner pieces are made removable to facilitate assembly, then ease of manufacture is improved, but structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The corner pieces are pre-assembled with the side wall sections during manufacturing, but designed to be removable for final assembly or maintenance. This preliminary action ensures that the corner pieces are properly integrated into the structure while still allowing for ease of assembly and disassembly when needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to the field of ISO containers that are adjustable lengthwise, and more specifically to an optimised use of such adjustable ISO containers. This invention, and the claims related to same, were the subject of a patent application filed in France in late May 2013 by the same applicant and inventor, Mr. Mohamed Sahbi Miled. Figure 1 illustrates a three-dimensional view of the solution, an example of an ISO container according to the present invention in the elongated configuration of same. In particular, figure 1 illustrates a fixed central portion (1) corresponding to an ISO container of size A, which is equivalent to a length L0 of twenty (20) feet; a left-hand movable portion (2a) of size ((B-A)/2)), which is equivalent to a length L2 of ten (10) feet; and a right-hand movable portion (2b) of size ((B-A)/2)), which is equivalent to a length L1 of ten (10) feet.