Aircraft Freight Container Angled Front Wall Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional freight containers designed for aircraft holds are limited in receiving volume due to the need to avoid contact with the hold's top surface during inclined loading, which restricts the container's height and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The freight container is configured with a unique front wall design that includes a first portion extending at an angle of at least 90° from the base surface and a second portion extending at an angle greater than 90° and less than 180° from the top wall, allowing for increased receiving volume without risking contact with the hold's top surface during inclined loading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the height of the top wall above the bottom element is increased to enlarge the receiving volume, then the receiving volume is improved, but the front end of the container may contact the top of the hold during inclined loading
Solution Approach 1:
The front wall is divided into two distinct portions: a first portion extending vertically at 90° from the base surface, and a second portion extending at an obtuse angle (greater than 90° and less than 180°) from the top wall. This segmentation allows the container to achieve greater height while the angled second portion prevents the front end from contacting the hold's top surface during inclined loading.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a conventional single-plane vertical front wall to a two-dimensional angled configuration. The second portion of the front wall is inclined at an obtuse angle relative to the top wall, creating a sloped surface that redirects the front end away from the hold's top surface during inclined loading, thereby preventing contact while maintaining increased height.
2Device complexity
If the front wall is configured at 90° to the top wall in conventional design, then the structure is simple, but the receiving volume is limited to avoid contact with the hold's top surface
Solution Approach 1:
The front wall is segmented into two portions with different orientations: the first portion maintains vertical alignment (90°) for structural simplicity, while the second portion introduces an obtuse angle configuration that increases receiving volume without complicating the overall structure excessively.
Solution Approach 2:
Only the upper portion of the front wall (the second portion) is configured at an obtuse angle, while the lower portion (first portion) remains vertically aligned. This local modification optimizes the specific region that contacts the hold's top surface during loading, while maintaining simplicity in the lower structural portion.
Data Source
AI summary
A freight container configured to fit in an aircraft cargo hold includes a floor element. First and second parallel side walls extend away from first and second opposite edges of the floor element base surface. A top wall, parallel to a floor element resting surface, extends between edges of the first and second side walls, which edges are remote from the first and second edges. A front wall extends between the first and second side walls from a base surface third edge to a top wall front edge. The front wall has a first front wall portion, extending from the base surface third edge at a first angle of at least 90° to the resting surface. The front wall has a second front wall portion, extending from the top wall front edge at a second angle of less than 180° and more than 90° to the top wall.