Largescale Container Lateral Displacement for Gravity Unloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing large-capacity containers require additional aids like grippers, cranes, or lifting to unload bulk goods, limiting autonomous unloading options, especially in confined spaces like bunkers or high-rise locations.
Innovation Solution
The container design features an inner wall module without a floor and an outer frame module without longitudinal side walls, allowing the inner wall module to be laterally displaced relative to the outer frame module, enabling bulk material to be unloaded via gravity through a lower opening, eliminating the need for lifting or external aids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If traditional container designs with closed floors and walls are used, then structural integrity and containment are maintained, but autonomous unloading of bulk goods becomes impossible requiring external aids like cranes or grippers
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into two independent modules: an outer frame module providing structural support and an inner wall module containing the bulk goods. The inner wall module can be laterally displaced relative to the outer frame module, enabling autonomous unloading by moving the goods-bearing section to a discharge position without requiring external lifting equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The container transitions from a static closed structure to a dynamic configuration where the inner wall module can laterally displace relative to the outer frame module. This dynamic movement capability allows the container to autonomously position bulk goods for unloading through gravity, eliminating the need for cranes or grippers while maintaining structural integrity during transport.
2Adaptability or versatility
If containers are designed for standardized transport dimensions, then compatibility with transport vehicles is improved, but unloading options in confined spaces like bunkers or high-rise locations are limited
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the container into a fixed outer frame module and a movable inner wall module, the system enables unloading at various locations including confined spaces. The inner wall module can be laterally displaced to discharge goods directly into bunkers or at high-rise locations without requiring complex external unloading equipment, thus improving adaptability to different unloading locations.
3Extent of automation
If the inner wall module includes a floor like traditional containers, then complete enclosure and protection of goods are achieved, but lateral displacement for autonomous unloading becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The container separates the containment function (outer frame module) from the goods-containing function (inner wall module). The inner wall module is deliberately designed without a floor to enable lateral displacement and gravity-based unloading, while the outer frame module provides the structural containment. This segmentation allows autonomous unloading while maintaining goods protection during transport through the outer frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner wall module transitions from a static enclosed structure to a dynamic component that can laterally displace. The absence of a floor in the inner wall module enables this movement and facilitates gravity-driven unloading, while the outer frame module maintains structural integrity and containment during both transport and unloading phases.
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
This design facilitates autonomous and efficient unloading of bulk goods, improving loading and unloading versatility for various goods, including cardboard boxes and palletized items, and allows for secure transportation of different materials without the need for additional unloading equipment.
Implementation Method 1
allowing the inner wall module to be laterally displaced relative to the outer frame module, enabling bulk material to be unloaded via gravity through a lower opening
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The large-capacity container (1) for transporting goods, comprising two front end walls, two rear end walls, two opposing longitudinal side walls, and a base (2), wherein the large-capacity container has an outer frame module that can be rigidly connected to a transport vehicle and an inner wall module arranged therein, wherein the inner wall module is laterally displaceable relative to the outer frame module transversely to the longitudinal side walls, is characterized in that the large-capacity container has only one base (2), that the outer frame module (23) comprises one front end wall (24) and one rear end wall (25), that the inner wall module (18) comprises the other front end wall (5) and the other rear end wall (6), that the longitudinal side walls (3, 4) are attached only to the inner wall module (18), that the base (2) is attached only to the outer frame module (23), and that the inner wall module (18) is open at the bottom.that the outer frame module (23) is open on the long sides.