Intermodal Cargo Container Automatic Wheel Brake and Stabilizer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current miniaturized cargo containers face challenges in providing a combined mechanism for controlling the dead-man brake and wheel brake/stabilizer mechanisms independently or simultaneously, especially during transportation by sea, air, truck, or rail, and lack automatic deployment features to prevent tipping and ensure safe handling.
Innovation Solution
A cargo container system with a selectively deployable automatic wheel brake and stabilizer mechanism, allowing for simultaneous or independent operation, automatic deployment, and manual control, including a dual-control deployment system and automatic control mechanism to engage the dead-man brake when the stabilizer is deployed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a miniaturized wheel-borne cargo container is used for small shipments, then the container can be transported by multiple modes (truck, rail, ship, plane), but the weight of the laden container requires a positive brake action to be provided for safe handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the brake mechanism and stabilizer mechanism into a single integrated assembly. The brake shoes are positioned to engage with the wheel, while the stabilizer legs extend downward to contact the ground, creating a unified structure that provides both braking and stabilization functions simultaneously, resolving the contradiction by ensuring reliable brake control is inherent in the combined design
2Stability of the object's composition
If the container is designed to be stable during transportation, then tipping is prevented, but the device complexity increases due to the need for separate brake and stabilizer mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The brake and stabilizer mechanisms are merged into a single integrated assembly that operates together. The stabilizer legs and brake shoes share common mounting structures and control linkages, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall device while maintaining both stability and braking capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: the stabilizer legs provide anti-tipping support during stationary periods, while the brake shoes provide friction-based stopping capability during movement. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for completely separate systems
3Ease of operation
If manual control of the dead-man brake is provided, then the brake can be engaged when needed, but current art does not provide a mechanism for selectively deploying brake and stabilizer independently or simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed to be dynamic and adaptable, allowing the operator to selectively engage either the brake mechanism alone, the stabilizer mechanism alone, or both mechanisms simultaneously based on the operational requirements. The control linkages are configured to permit independent actuation of each function while maintaining the ability to operate them together when needed
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables safe handling and transportation by allowing simultaneous or independent operation of the wheel brake and stabilizer, preventing tipping and ensuring safe movement across various transportation modes, while automatically engaging the dead-man brake when the stabilizer is deployed to prevent accidents.
Implementation Method 1
a wheel brake mechanism acting on two or more wheels
Implementation Method 2
the Stabilizer mechanism may be manually deployed in such a manner as to stabilize the container when the container is stationary
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-modal cargo container, is capable of being transported by air, sea, rail, or truck and by manual handling, designed for intra-city delivery. The requirement of transporting maximum volume in limited urban space dictates the container's shape, dimensions, maximum weight and center of gravity. To minimize the possibility of loss of control or tipping during manual transport over uneven or sloped ground, Stabilizer and braking systems are provided that will stop the container and prevent tipping along its longitudinal axis either by manual or automatic operation. It is intended that the container will be operated by one or two handlers at either narrow end, and that dual redundant manual controls are provided for manual operation of the brake, manual deployment of the Stabilizer mechanism, retraction of the Stabilizer mechanism and resetting of the automatic override feature of the braking system should it deploy automatically.