Collapsible Air Cargo Container Locking Arrangement for Tool-Free Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Transporting empty air cargo containers to destinations where live animals like horses are collected is space-inefficient, and existing assemblable/disassemblable containers may pose assembly challenges without lifting equipment and risk injury during assembly.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible air cargo container with rotatable frames and panels that can be assembled into a stable structure for animal transport, featuring locking arrangements and anti-rotation mechanisms to ensure safety and efficiency, allowing for easy assembly without specialized tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the air cargo container is made collapsible to optimize space usage, then space efficiency is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into multiple collapsible panels that can be segmented and reconfigured. Each panel is equipped with locking arrangements that can be independently operated, allowing the container to be collapsed into a compact form for space-efficient transport while maintaining structural integrity when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking arrangements are designed to be manually operable without requiring specialized tools or equipment. The anti-rotation mechanisms are integrated into the hinge assemblies, allowing the container to be assembled and secured through simple manual operations, thereby reducing assembly complexity despite the collapsible design.
2Reliability
If locking arrangements are added to ensure safe assembly without lifting equipment, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking arrangements are merged with the hinge assemblies, and the anti-rotation mechanisms are integrated into the same structural elements. This combination reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall device complexity while maintaining safety functions during assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking arrangements are designed to be self-contained and manually operable without requiring external lifting equipment or specialized tools. The mechanisms automatically engage and secure panels during assembly, providing safety through inherent design features rather than requiring additional complex safety systems.
3Stability of the object's composition
If anti-rotation mechanisms are integrated into hinge assemblies, then structural stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-rotation mechanisms are integrated directly into the hinge assemblies, combining two functional elements into a single manufactured component. This approach provides structural stability to prevent panel rotation while maintaining manufacturing simplicity by reducing the number of separate parts that need to be produced and assembled.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
A collapsible air cargo container, wherein the collapsible air cargo container comprises: a floor; a first end frame, comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the first end frame is rotatably connected to the second portion of the first end frame, and the second portion of the first end frame is fixedly connected to the floor; a second end frame comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the second end frame is rotatably connected to the second portion of the second end frame, and the second portion of the second end frame is fixedly connected to the floor; a first side panel, comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the first side panel is rotatably connected to the second portion of the first side panel, and the second portion of the first side panel is fixedly connected to the floor; a second side panel, comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the second side panel is rotatably connected to the second portion of the second side panel, and the second portion of the second side panel is fixedly connected to the floor; and a roof panel, rotatably connected to either the first portion of the first side panel or the first portion of the second side panel, wherein at least one of the first portion of the first side panel, the first portion of the second side panel, the roof panel and / or the roof panel comprise a plurality of sub-portions, wherein the sub-portions are independently deployable during the assembly of the collapsible air cargo container, and / or are independently stowable during collapsing of the air cargo container.