Collapsible Intermodal Container Stacker Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transportation of empty intermodal containers is inefficient and costly due to trade imbalances, as they often need to be returned to their origin, requiring significant fuel, handling, and storage resources.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible intermodal container stacker system that allows containers to be configured from an erected to a collapsed state, reducing their width and enabling more efficient storage and transportation by using a stationary section with a side wall securing device and a movable section with a track and carriage system, along with a lower wall moving device to pivot the container walls, facilitating easier stacking and transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If intermodal containers are transported back empty to the exporting country, then they can be reused for export, but transportation costs and fuel consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into collapsible side walls that can be folded inward, segmenting the structural integrity to allow compression. This enables the container to be collapsed to a fraction of its original volume, allowing multiple empty containers to be transported together in the space of one, thereby reducing fuel consumption while maintaining reuse capability
Solution Approach 2:
The container structure transitions from a static rigid form to a dynamic collapsible form. The side walls are designed with hinges and locking mechanisms that allow them to be folded inward and secured in a collapsed position, enabling the container to adapt its volume based on whether it is in use or being returned empty
2Loss of energy
If intermodal containers are stored at the importing country instead of being transported back, then transportation costs are reduced, but storage space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Collapsed containers can be nested within each other or stacked more efficiently due to their reduced volume. The collapsible design allows containers to be compacted to fit within the footprint of fewer storage locations, dramatically reducing the storage area required compared to traditional rigid containers
3Productivity
If the container structure is made collapsible, then storage and transportation efficiency improve, but the structural complexity of the container increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container utilizes flexible side wall structures with hinge joints and folding mechanisms that allow the walls to collapse inward. These flexible elements are designed to maintain structural integrity when locked in position while enabling easy collapse, balancing the added complexity with operational simplicity and storage benefits
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a collapsible intermodal container stacker, comprising: a stationary section and a movable section disposed adjacent the stationary section. The stationary section comprises: a substantially upright planar face part; and a side wall securing device configured to operatively connect to a first side wall of a collapsible intermodal container and to secure the first side wall in use against or with respect to the planar face part. The movable section comprises: a track extending substantially perpendicular to the planar face part; a carriage engaged with and movable along the track, the carriage being configured to attach to a second side wall of the collapsible intermodal container in use; and a lower wall moving device configured to operatively connect to a lower wall of the collapsible intermodal container and to move the lower wall in use such that the lower wall pivots upwards. In use, the pivotal movement of the lower wall causes the second side wall to move towards the first side wall and thereby the carriage to move towards the stationary section. The present invention also provides a stacking system comprising: a collapsible intermodal container stacker according to the present invention; and a collapsible intermodal container comprising: first and second side walls, a lower wall hingedly attached to a lower end of the second side wall; and a link member hingedly attached to the lower wall and a lower end of the first side wall such that, when the lower wall pivots towards the second side wall, the link member causes the first and second side walls to move towards each other.