Collapsible Carbon Fiber Air Cargo Container for Impact Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air cargo containers made from metals or fiberglass lack the lightweight, impact-resistant, and collapsible features necessary for efficient aircraft loading and storage, with potential thermal and fire hazards unaddressed.

Innovation Solution

The use of carbon fiber panels with convex shapes and fire-resistant properties, combined with a frame and inflatable retaining bags, forms a lightweight, impact-resistant, and collapsible air cargo container.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If traditional metal or fiberglass materials are used for air cargo containers, then structural strength and durability are achieved, but weight increases and loading efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer weightVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by constructing the container from multiple panels where each panel comprises a core layer of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic and outer layers of aluminum alloy. This composite structure achieves both lightweight properties and high structural strength, resolving the contradiction between weight reduction and strength maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If rigid container structures are used, then cargo protection is improved, but storage efficiency when not in use decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecargo protectionVSAvoidstorage volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by making the container collapsible through a specific panel connection mechanism. The panels are connected via corners that allow the container to be collapsed into a compact configuration for storage, while maintaining rigidity and cargo protection during transport. This resolves the contradiction between cargo protection and storage efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional container designs are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but impact resistance and fire safety are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact and fire resistanceVSAvoidcontainer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials with carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic core layers and aluminum alloy outer layers, providing enhanced impact resistance and fire safety. The carbon fiber core offers high strength-to-weight ratio and fire resistance, while the aluminum alloy provides durability and impact protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies curvature by forming the side panels with convex shapes rather than flat surfaces. This curved geometry enhances impact resistance by distributing forces more effectively across the panel surface, while also improving aerodynamic properties during aircraft loading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS20260062204A1Carbon fiber air cargo container

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 GSTC LLC

AI summary

The present invention is directed to an air cargo container formed from a plurality of fiber-reinforced (e.g., carbon fiber) composite panels. The use of fiber reinforcement provides for an increased strength-to-weight ratio as compared to existing air cargo containers. Furthermore, the present invention also includes air cargo containers having convex side panels, which decreases the chance of damage to the container or to its contents in the event of an impact. The air cargo container is collapsible, with panels able to be stacked for more efficient storage.