Side-Unloading Container Structure for Bulky Aircraft Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport and storage solutions for disassembled aircraft components face challenges in optimizing space utilization and efficient unloading, particularly for unmanned aircraft, due to large covers and separate storage racks that require significant space and complicate assembly.
Innovation Solution
A transport and storage container with a base surface, end and side walls, a roof, and pivoting unloading doors, allowing vertical lifting and pivoting of cargo, and optionally a displaceable storage rack, enabling efficient space use and simplified unloading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If storage boxes with removeable covers are used for disassembled aircraft, then the aircraft can be transported to the intended site of use, but the cover has to be very large and have several heavy-duty locks making loading and unloading difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into a base plate and a removable cover, allowing the cover to be separated from the base plate for loading and unloading operations. This segmentation enables easy access to cargo while maintaining secure connection during transport through the locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is pre-positioned on the base plate with alignment features and locking mechanisms in place before cargo is loaded. This preliminary arrangement ensures secure connection is automatically established when the cover is placed, eliminating the need for complex manual securing operations during loading and unloading.
2Ease of operation
If storage racks are accommodated in containers for holding individual parts, then the parts can be pushed out of the containers, but there has to be enough space outside the container to allow complete unloading which is not possible at all sites of use
Solution Approach 1:
The unloading door is positioned on the side wall of the container rather than requiring external space for rack manipulation. This lateral opening provides access to cargo from the side, eliminating the need for large external spaces and allowing unloading operations at confined sites.
Solution Approach 2:
The unloading door is extracted as a separate accessible feature from the main container body, providing an independent access point for cargo removal. This extracted door mechanism allows cargo to be removed without requiring the complete disassembly or external manipulation of storage racks.
3Reliability
If separate loading racks and securing means are provided for cargo, then cargo can be securely held, but the utilization of the loading space in the interior of the container is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The unloading door serves dual functions: it provides access to cargo during transport and acts as a loading platform for securing cargo during loading operations. By merging the access function with the loading function, the door eliminates the need for separate loading racks, optimizing space utilization while maintaining cargo securing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The unloading door is designed as a multi-functional element that serves as both a access point during transport and a loading platform for securing cargo. This universal design allows the same structure to perform multiple functions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated loading racks and maximizing container space utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
A transport and storage container includes a container base surface for holding cargo, end walls and side walls which surround the container base surface, and a container roof which closes off the transport and storage container at the top and is arranged spaced apart from and parallel to the container base surface. At least one side wall has an unloading door and at least one arrangement point for further cargo is provided on a door surface of the unloading door that faces a container interior. A method is disclosed for unloading the transport and storage container and an arrangement including at least two transport and storage containers.