Aircraft Cargo Container Assembly via Segmentation and Merging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for loading and unloading cargo containers in aircraft are labor-intensive and inefficient, particularly when transporting cargo in passenger cabins, where fire resistance and safety are critical but not inherently designed into conventional cargo compartments.
Innovation Solution
A cargo container assembly comprising a main container and complementary containers that can be assembled inside an aircraft, using lightweight non-structural partitions for connectivity, allowing individual containers to be loaded and unloaded at remote locations and assembled within the aircraft to form a fire-resistant cargo container assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If cargo containers are assembled into large assemblies before loading, then cargo transport efficiency is improved, but the assemblies cannot pass through standard aircraft entry passages
Solution Approach 1:
The cargo container assembly is divided into multiple individual cargo containers that can be transported separately through standard aircraft entry passages. Each container is sized to fit through the passages, and they are assembled into a larger assembly only after entering the aircraft cabin, thereby resolving the contradiction between assembly size and passage dimensions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional cargo containers are used in passenger cabins, then cargo transport is enabled, but fire resistance and safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individual cargo containers are merged into a single assembled unit within the aircraft cabin. This merging creates a unified structure with improved fire resistance and safety characteristics compared to individual containers, while still allowing the components to be transported separately through standard passages. The assembled configuration enables both versatility in aircraft use and enhanced reliability.
3Ease of manufacture
If cargo containers are assembled inside the aircraft, then labor and operational costs are reduced, but assembly time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
Individual cargo containers are prepared and positioned in advance before assembly inside the aircraft. This preliminary preparation reduces the complexity and time required for the actual assembly operation, allowing for quick connection of pre-positioned containers while maintaining the benefit of reduced labor and operational costs.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of stowing cargo in a cargo container assembly, comprising the steps of: filling a cargo container (2) and at least one complementary cargo container (4) of a same or similar type with cargo, transporting the cargo container and the at least one complementary cargo container after the step of filling them with cargo, to an assembly location where the step of assembling the cargo container and the at least one complementary cargo container to mutually define the cargo container assembly (6) is performed, assembling the cargo container and the at least one complementary cargo container to mutually define the cargo container assembly in an assembled state, wherein the assembly location is inside an aircraft. The invention further relates to a cargo container(4) and a cargo container assembly (6) that provide advantageous effects in combination with said method.