Container Electrical Interconnect With Magnetic Auto-Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need to efficiently harness solar energy from intermodal shipping containers and distribute it to adjacent containers or transport vehicles during transit, while maintaining mechanical connectivity and safety.
Innovation Solution
The system includes a carriage with electrical contacts and magnets on the side rails of intermodal shipping containers, allowing automatic electrical interconnection when stacked or mechanically connected, using bias members to retract the carriages and magnets to align and connect the contacts for power transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual electrical connection methods are used for intermodal shipping containers, then connection reliability is improved, but operation efficiency deteriorates and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection system performs automatic connection and disconnection through the carriage's movement along the guide rail. When the container is loaded onto the vehicle, the carriage automatically engages with the electrical contacts on the vehicle body, establishing electrical connection without manual intervention. During unloading, the carriage automatically disconnects, eliminating the need for manual electrical connection operations while ensuring reliable contact through the biasing mechanism and magnetic alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical connection operations with an automated system using magnetic attraction and mechanical guidance. The magnet on the carriage interacts with ferromagnetic material on the vehicle body to automatically align and secure the electrical connection, substituting manual mechanical fastening operations with field-based and guided mechanical systems that improve both reliability and efficiency.
2Use of energy by moving object
If electrical interconnection systems are added to intermodal shipping containers, then energy utilization capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The carriage structure serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for the container, enables movement along the guide rail for loading/unloading operations, houses the electrical contacts for power connection, and contains the magnet for automatic alignment. This multi-functionality integrates electrical interconnection capabilities into existing structural components, improving energy utilization without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The carriage acts as an intermediary component between the container and the vehicle body, providing the electrical connection interface. Rather than directly integrating complex electrical systems into the container or vehicle, the carriage mediates the connection, simplifying the overall system architecture while enabling energy transfer and utilization capabilities.
3Productivity
If automatic electrical interconnection is implemented, then operation efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical interconnection system is segmented into modular components: the carriage with its electrical contacts and magnet, the guide rail mounted on the vehicle body, and the corresponding electrical contacts on the container. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using standard fabrication processes, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while enabling automatic operation through their coordinated assembly.
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 seamless electrical interconnection and energy distribution between stacked shipping containers and transport vehicles, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing the need for additional power interfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a first magnet connected to the first carriage for movement with the first carriage
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical interconnect provides electrical communication between adjacent intermodal shipping containers. The electrical interconnect includes a carriage moveable between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the intermodal shipping container, wherein the carriage includes an electrical contact and a magnet configured to operably engage a corresponding electrical contact and a magnet on a second intermodal shipping container. The carriage is mounted to the intermodal shipping container through a pair of guide rods and bias members.