Deployable Drive Wheel Container for Air-Compatible Intermodal Cargo
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cargo transport systems, particularly air cargo systems, are not compatible with intermodal container systems due to design limitations such as cylindrical fuselages and lack of large access ports, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs in international shipping.
Innovation Solution
The development of a ground transport drive container with a cuboid shape and a drive wheel assembly that can be deployed and stowed, equipped with a propulsion system using in-wheel electric motors, allowing for efficient movement of modular containers across various transportation modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional intermodal container systems are used, then ground and sea transport efficiency is improved, but air cargo compatibility is lost due to cylindrical fuselages and lack of large access ports
Solution Approach 1:
The container system is designed to serve multiple transportation modes (ground, sea, and air) through standardized cubic containers with universal fittings. The containers can be transferred between trucks, ships, and aircraft without special modifications, achieving true intermodality while maintaining design simplicity through standardization.
2Ease of manufacture
If aircraft are designed as passenger aircraft first, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but cargo transport efficiency deteriorates due to cylindrical fuselages and limited access ports
Solution Approach 1:
The cargo transport system is segmented into standardized container units that can be independently loaded and unloaded. This allows aircraft to maintain their passenger aircraft design while achieving efficient cargo transport through modular containers that fit within the fuselage and can be quickly exchanged, separating the cargo handling function from the aircraft structure.
3Device complexity
If intermodal container systems exclude air cargo, then container design simplicity is maintained, but international shipping speed deteriorates due to inability to use air transport
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized container system enables seamless integration with air cargo operations, allowing containers to be transported by truck to airports, loaded onto aircraft, and then transferred to destination airports for final delivery. This multi-modal universality provides speed options for different cargo priorities while maintaining simple container design.
4Adaptability or versatility
If military transports are designed for oversized cargo, then cargo size flexibility is improved, but intermodal container system compatibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments cargo into standardized container units that can be individually loaded onto military transports. This allows oversized cargo to be divided into multiple containers that fit within the aircraft's cargo bay, maintaining compatibility with intermodal container systems while providing the flexibility needed for oversized cargo transport through multiple smaller units.
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 solution enables the efficient transportation of modular containers across different modes, including air, by providing a flexible and adaptable system that can be easily integrated with existing intermodal infrastructure, thereby reducing costs and improving logistical efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The propulsion system comprises one or more in-wheel electric motors
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are apparatus, systems, and methods, including a ground transport drive container comprising an outer container having a cuboid shape and comprising a plurality of fittings for securing the outer container to another apparatus; and a drive wheel assembly. The drive wheel assembly comprises one or more wheels and a deployment mechanism secured to the one or more wheels. An actuating member actuates the drive wheel assembly between a stowed configuration and one or more deployed configurations. In the stowed configuration, the drive wheel assembly is housed entirely within the outer container. In the one or more deployed configurations, the drive wheel assembly extends from the outer container.