Expandable Vehicle Container With Hinged Wide-Access Doors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard-sized freight containers are relatively narrow compared to the width of a vehicle, making it difficult for drivers to safely drive into or exit without causing damage, and enclosed containers lack sufficient access for securing vehicles during transport.
Innovation Solution
An expandable storage container with hingedly connected side doors and end doors that collectively form a single wide opening, allowing for increased width when open, and optionally featuring slideable or hinged arms for lateral extension of longitudinal walls, facilitating easy vehicle access and securement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If vehicles are transported in enclosed containers, then protection from elements and cosmetic damage is improved, but the narrow width of standard containers makes it difficult for drivers to safely drive vehicles in or out
Solution Approach 1:
The container incorporates movable side walls that can be dynamically adjusted between a closed position (providing protection) and an open position (providing wide access). This dynamic structure allows the container to adapt its configuration based on operational needs, resolving the contradiction between protection and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The container's side walls are segmented into movable sections that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows partial opening of the container structure, enabling wide access for vehicle entry/exit while maintaining protection in other areas, thus resolving the contradiction between full enclosure and operational access.
2Ease of operation
If the container width is increased to facilitate vehicle entry and exit, then ease of operation is improved, but the container can no longer fit standard narrow transport spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The side walls are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing the container width to be dynamically adjusted. When wide access is needed, the side walls extend outward; when transport through narrow spaces is required, the side walls retract, thus resolving the contradiction between wide access and compact transport dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The container structure is segmented with movable side wall sections that can be independently positioned. This allows the container to present a narrow profile for transport while providing wide opening capability when needed for vehicle operations, resolving the dimensionality contradiction.
3Device complexity
If standard fixed-width containers are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but access for securing vehicles during transport is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The container employs movable side walls that can be positioned to provide optimal access for vehicle securement operations. This dynamic adjustment capability enhances operational ease without requiring a completely complex restructuring of the container, balancing simplicity with functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable side wall mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides wide access for vehicle entry/exit, enables adequate access for securement operations, and maintains structural integrity. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between structural simplicity and operational accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An expandable storage container comprises a floor and two longitudinal walls, each wall comprising at least one arm, with the wall connected through the arms to the floor so as to provide lateral extension of the longitudinal walls away from the floor. In certain embodiments, the arms are slideably or hingedly connected to the floor to provide lateral extension.