Collapsible Mini-Containers for Mixed Load Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
The automotive logistics industry faces inefficiencies in transportation, with significant waste of diesel fuel and high empty load factors due to conventional trailers being unsuitable for carrying cargo other than vehicles, leading to wasted space and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of mini-containers that are smaller than conventional shipping containers, designed to fit within the space typically occupied by vehicles on trailers, allowing for the transportation of mixed loads, including cargo and automobiles, across various modes of transport, such as trailers, railcars, and ships, and can be easily disassembled for compact storage and quick reassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional trailers are used for vehicle transport, then vehicles can be transported efficiently, but the trailers cannot carry other cargo and return trips are empty
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer space is segmented into vehicle transport areas and mini-container storage areas, allowing independent utilization of each segment for different cargo types and transport modes
Solution Approach 2:
The trailer is designed to perform multiple functions: transporting vehicles, carrying mini-containers for dry goods, and accommodating mixed loads, thereby eliminating empty return trips and improving overall productivity
2Volume of moving object
If conventional shipping containers are used, then cargo can be transported, but they are too large to fit in vehicle transport space
Solution Approach 1:
The shipping container industry is segmented into standard containers and mini-containers, with mini-containers specifically designed to fit within vehicle transport trailers while maintaining inter-modal shipping capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
Mini-containers are designed to nest within the space occupied by vehicles on trailers, allowing dual utilization of the same transport space for both vehicles and cargo
3Volume of moving object
If mini-containers are made collapsible for compact storage, then space utilization improves, but structural integrity and stacking stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The mini-container employs dynamic structural elements including collapsible walls and adjustable support members that can transition between expanded stable configuration for stacking and collapsed compact configuration for storage
Solution Approach 2:
The container structure is segmented into collapsible wall panels and rigid base/cap sections, allowing the walls to fold flat while maintaining the structural integrity of the base for stable stacking
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
AI summary
A mini-container for intermodal shipping includes panels forming a pair of oppositely disposed side walls, a front wall, a back wall opposite to said front wall, a floor, and a roof. The side, front and back walls may releasably lock to another to form an enclosure and unlock from one another. The panels are positionable between an erected-for-use configuration and a collapsed storage configuration. In the storage configuration, the side, front and back panels are stacked lying flat to form a stack of the panels laying on the base. The stack of panels is overlaid with the roof. The erected mini-containers are sized for space efficient loading of an intermodal mobile transport conveyor such as an automobile carrier, train, ship or plane. In their storage configuration the mini-containers may be carried on the mobile transport conveyors for later use carrying cargo and may be carried in a stack simultaneously with mini-containers carrying cargo.