Docking And Transit Assemblies for Controlled Container Collapse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for collapsing and stacking foldable intermodal containers suffer from reliability and safety issues, failing to consistently enable safe and effective collapsing.
Innovation Solution
An intermodal container handling system comprising a docking assembly, collapsing assembly, folding sub-assembly, stacking assembly, and transit assembly, which includes conveyors, cars, and anchoring sub-assemblies to facilitate safe and controlled movement of collapsible containers between expanded and collapsed configurations, ensuring reliable engagement and support during the collapsing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mobile machinery and demountable platforms are used to collapse foldable containers, then the container can be collapsed and stacked, but reliability and safety issues arise due to inconsistent engagement and support during the collapsing process
Solution Approach 1:
The collapsing system is divided into discrete functional modules: docking assembly for container reception, transit assembly for controlled movement, collapsing assembly for the actual folding operation, and stacking assembly for vertical storage. Each module performs a specific function, improving reliability by isolating failure points and simplifying maintenance while reducing overall system complexity through functional specialization.
Solution Approach 2:
The transit assembly acts as an intermediary between the docking assembly and collapsing assembly, providing controlled movement and precise positioning of the container during the transition from expanded to collapsed state. This intermediary mechanism ensures consistent engagement and support, eliminating the reliability issues associated with direct manual or mobile machinery operation.
2Productivity
If conventional collapsing equipment is used, then containers can be stacked vertically, but safety issues occur due to failure in consistently enabling safe collapsing
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates pre-positioned support structures and controlled movement mechanisms that prepare the container for safe collapsing before the actual folding operation begins. The transit assembly pre-aligns the container, and the docking assembly secures it in place, ensuring that no unexpected movements or failures occur during the collapsing process, thereby eliminating safety hazards while maintaining high stacking capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The interconnected assembly system provides continuous feedback through mechanical engagement points and support structures that monitor the container's position and state during each phase of operation. This feedback mechanism ensures that collapsing only proceeds when proper engagement is confirmed, preventing unsafe conditions while enabling efficient vertical stacking of multiple containers.
3Volume of moving object
If foldable containers are collapsed using mobile machinery, then space efficiency is improved through stacking, but operational reliability decreases due to inconsistent engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the container handling process into distinct segmented stages: docking for reception, transit for controlled movement, collapsing for folding, and stacking for storage. Each segment uses specialized mechanisms that consistently engage with specific container features, ensuring reliable operation while achieving high space efficiency through vertical stacking of collapsed containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The transit assembly employs dynamic, controlled movement mechanisms that adapt to the container's changing geometry during the collapsing process. Rather than rigid fixed-position machinery, the system uses movable, adjustable components that maintain consistent engagement throughout the transformation from expanded to collapsed state, ensuring both reliability and space efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
An intermodal container handling system for collapsing a collapsible intermodal container including a pair of opposing side walls each hingedly connected to a roof and a floor respectively, wherein said walls remain substantially parallel to one another whilst the collapsible container is collapsed from an expanded configuration to a collapsed configuration, said handling system comprising:a docking assembly adapted for docking of the collapsible intermodal container in the expanded configuration;a collapsing assembly operatively coupled to the docking assembly via a transit assembly adapted to releasably engage the docked collapsible container to facilitate movement of said collapsible container between the docking assembly and the collapsing assembly;a folding sub-assembly associated with the collapsing assembly, said folding sub-assembly adapted for releasable engagement with a first of the pair of opposing side walls wherein movement of the folding sub-assembly and the associated first side wall relative to a second of the opposing side walls collapses said container between the expanded configuration and the collapsed configuration;a stacking assembly operatively coupled to the collapsing assembly via the transit assembly adapted to facilitate movement of the container between the collapsing assembly and the stacking assembly for stacking in a vertical orientation with a further collapsible intermodal container in a collapsed configuration and vertical orientation.