Bi-Fold Livestock Container Platforms for Capacity and Clear Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current livestock transport containers face challenges in maximizing transport capacity, minimizing weight and fuel consumption, optimizing aerodynamics, ensuring animal safety and health, and reducing construction costs while adhering to regulatory standards.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates extruded panels with a tongue-and-groove joint system for structural strength, convertible platforms for flexible loading, and integrated ventilation and sanitation features, including channels for electrical and plumbing systems to enhance hygiene and animal welfare.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional rigid materials and metal members are used for container construction, then structural strength is ensured, but weight increases and fuel consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material construction for the container body, combining lightweight materials with structural reinforcement elements. The side walls and end walls utilize composite panel structures that maintain required strength while reducing overall weight compared to conventional all-metal construction, directly addressing the contradiction between strength and weight.
2Reliability
If more openings are added to sidewalls for ventilation and light, then livestock health improves, but aerodynamic profile deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements localized ventilation openings positioned strategically in the side walls rather than large continuous openings. These localized openings provide necessary airflow and light for livestock health while minimizing disruption to the overall aerodynamic shape of the container, resolving the contradiction between livestock welfare and fuel efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If convertible platforms are added for flexible loading, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates convertible platforms that can be dynamically repositioned between stored and deployed configurations. These platforms utilize mechanical linkages and support structures that allow transformation from a simple container state to a multi-level loading state, providing adaptability for different livestock types while managing complexity through standardized mechanical components.
4Manufacturing precision
If extruded panels with tongue-and-groove joints are used, then manufacturing precision improves, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the container structure into modular extruded panels with standardized tongue-and-groove joining mechanisms. This segmentation allows for precise factory manufacturing of individual panels while the standardized joint design simplifies field assembly, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and assembly complexity through modular construction.
Data Source
AI summary
A livestock container has a plurality of levels and compartments formed by a plurality of convertible platforms and compartment gates. In some embodiments, the convertible platforms are bi-fold platforms hingedly mounted to sidewalls of the container and moveable between deployed and stored positions. When in the stored positions, the convertible platforms extend minimally from the sidewall, eliminating or reducing obstacles to movement of livestock or humans. The convertible platforms are configured to rest on upper edges of corresponding compartment gates below, and the container may be free of any central post, thereby eliminating obstacles caused thereby to movement of livestock or humans. The sidewalls and floor may be formed of hollow-core extruded aluminum panels, and longitudinal channels formed therein may house pipes or electrical wires for conducting water or electricity to ventilation fans, lights, or misters, or for storing water.