Elevated Rail Multimodal Transport System for Port Logistics

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current multimodal transportation systems in China face inefficiencies and environmental issues due to the scattered development of road, railway, and air logistics modes, which hinder seamless connectivity and increase ground transportation pressure.

Innovation Solution

A sky rail-based multimodal transportation interworking system that connects ports and air logistics centers via an elevated rail system, utilizing a cargo vehicle with a transfer apparatus and processor to efficiently transfer goods loading devices between transportation tools, reducing reliance on road trucks and enhancing rail-based transportation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If road container trucks are used for goods loading device drayage between ports and railway/air logistics centers, then transportation connectivity is achieved, but transportation efficiency is low and environmental pollution increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransportation efficiencyVSAvoidenvironmental pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an elevated rail system that operates in a different spatial dimension (airborne/elevated) compared to traditional ground-based road transportation. This dimensional transition allows goods loading devices to be transferred between ports and logistics centers without using ground trucks, thereby improving transportation efficiency and reducing environmental pollution from road vehicles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a transfer apparatus as an intermediary mechanism to facilitate the transfer of goods loading devices between different transportation modes (road and rail/air). This intermediary system enables seamless connectivity between ports and logistics centers, replacing the inefficient direct trucking approach with a coordinated multimodal system that improves efficiency and reduces environmental impact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple transportation modes develop in a scattered way, then each mode achieves independent scale, but overall system connectivity and coordination fail

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemultimodal transportation connectivityVSAvoidsystem coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges road, rail, and air transportation systems into a unified multimodal transportation network. By integrating these previously scattered modes through shared infrastructure (elevated rail system) and coordinated control (processor), the system achieves seamless connectivity between ports and logistics centers while reducing the overall complexity of coordination through centralized management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The elevated rail system serves multiple functions: it acts as a transportation corridor for goods loading devices, provides a transfer interface between different transportation modes, and offers a controlled environment for standardized loading and unloading operations. This multi-functionality enhances system adaptability and connectivity across different logistics centers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If road transportation is used for multimodal connections, then flexibility is maintained, but ground transportation pressure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransportation flexibilityVSAvoidground transportation pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent relocates the transportation function from the ground dimension to an elevated dimension. By using an elevated rail system, the goods loading devices are transported above ground level, thereby maintaining transportation flexibility and operational ease while significantly reducing pressure on ground transportation infrastructure and avoiding congestion with road vehicles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3428093B1Aerial railway-based multimodal transport interconnecting system
Publication Date: 2021.09.15 CRRC YANGTZE CO LTD
  • EP3428093B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3428093B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3428093B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An aerial railway-based multimodal transport interconnecting system, the system at least comprising: overpass columns, a railway system (30), a freight transport multiple-unit train (40), a transfer apparatus (32), and a processor. The transfer apparatus is used for transferring a goods loading device (33) from a transportation tool to a position under the freight transport multiple-unit train and loading same to the freight transport multiple-unit train (40), or unloading the goods loading device from the freight transport multiple-unit train and transferring same to the transportation tool. The processor is connected to the freight transport multiple-unit train (40) and the transfer apparatus (32); the railway system connects harbors with railway or aviation logistics centers; the processor controls the transfer apparatus to transfer the goods loading device, and controls the freight transport multiple-unit train to move on railway beams after the goods loading device is snap-fitted to the freight transport multiple-unit train, thereby implementing the multimodal transport between harbors and railway or aviation logistics centers.