Convertible Livestock Container Platforms for Flexible Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current livestock transport containers face challenges in maximizing transport capacity, minimizing weight and fuel consumption, optimizing aerodynamics, ensuring animal safety and health, and reducing construction costs while adhering to regulatory standards.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates extruded panels with a tongue-and-groove joint system for structural strength, convertible platforms for flexible loading, and integrated ventilation and sanitation features, including channels for electrical and plumbing systems, to enhance aerodynamics, animal comfort, and ease of cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If livestock containers are formed with rigid materials and conventional structures, then structural strength is ensured, but weight increases and fuel consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material construction by integrating wooden floorboards with metal support structures and framing. This combination leverages the high strength-to-weight ratio of wood while incorporating metal only where structurally necessary, reducing overall container weight compared to fully metal construction while maintaining required structural integrity for livestock transport
Solution Approach 2:
The design applies different materials to different regions of the container based on functional requirements: wooden planks for flooring where load distribution is needed, metal frames at structural joints and support points for maximum strength, and metal siding on exterior walls for durability. This localized material assignment optimizes the strength-weight balance by avoiding over-engineering in non-critical areas
2Reliability
If livestock containers include openings in sidewalls for ventilation and light, then animal welfare is improved, but aerodynamic profile deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation system is segmented into multiple small openings distributed across the sidewalls rather than one or two large openings. This segmentation provides adequate ventilation and light for animal welfare while each small opening creates minimal disruption to the overall aerodynamic profile of the container
Solution Approach 2:
Openings are strategically positioned and sized according to local ventilation requirements rather than uniformly distributed. Areas requiring more ventilation (such as near livestock head spaces) have larger or more openings, while areas where aerodynamics are more critical have smaller or fewer openings, optimizing both animal welfare and fuel efficiency
3Strength
If livestock containers use conventional rigid construction, then structural integrity is maintained, but construction costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into modular sections with standardized components: reusable metal frames and siding panels that can be assembled in different configurations, and replaceable wooden floorboard sets. This modular segmentation simplifies construction by allowing pre-fabricated components to be assembled on-site rather than requiring complex custom fabrication of the entire structure
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates removable and replaceable components, particularly the wooden flooring which can be detached and replaced without replacing the entire container structure. This dynamic approach to construction allows for maintenance and upgrades of specific components while preserving the main structural investment, reducing long-term complexity and cost
Data Source
AI summary
A livestock container has a plurality of levels and compartments formed by a plurality of convertible platforms and compartment gates. In some embodiments, the convertible platforms are bi-fold platforms hingedly mounted to sidewalls of the container and moveable between deployed and stored positions. When in the stored positions, the convertible platforms extend minimally from the sidewall, eliminating or reducing obstacles to movement of livestock or humans. The convertible platforms are configured to rest on upper edges of corresponding compartment gates below, and the container may be free of any central post, thereby eliminating obstacles caused thereby to movement of livestock or humans. The sidewalls and floor may be formed of hollow-core extruded aluminum panels, and longitudinal channels formed therein may house pipes or electrical wires for conducting water or electricity to ventilation fans, lights, or misters, or for storing water.