Modular Facility Formation System Using Non-Penetrating Braces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standardized shipping containers lack effective cargo securement systems, leading to cargo damage and increased shipping costs due to movement during transit, and existing solutions for establishing mobile or temporary operations are cumbersome and costly.
Innovation Solution
A modular facility formation system using modules with frameworks, floor systems, and guidance mechanisms that can be securely positioned within shipping containers using braces and bracing rods, allowing for the creation of configurable facilities and secure cargo stowage without penetrating the container walls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If cargo is not secured within the container, then shipping costs and preparation time are reduced, but cargo damage occurs due to movement during transit
Solution Approach 1:
The container interior is divided into modular compartments using partition walls and storage racks. These segmented structures create designated spaces for different cargo types, preventing movement while maintaining efficient use of container volume. The modular design allows flexible configuration to match different shipping needs.
Solution Approach 2:
Dunnage materials such as wooden planks, air bags, and foam blocks are introduced as intermediary elements between cargo and container walls. These materials fill voids and provide friction-based restraint, securing cargo without direct attachment to the container structure, thus avoiding penetration while preventing damage.
2Reliability
If cargo is bolted to the container, then cargo security is improved, but the container structure is compromised due to penetration restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening function is extracted from the container structure itself and transferred to removable, non-penetrating fastening systems. These include adjustable straps, tensioning mechanisms, and modular clamps that secure cargo without creating permanent openings or compromising the container's structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
Dunnage materials and non-penetrating fastening devices serve as intermediaries that provide securement functionality without direct contact between cargo and container walls. This allows effective cargo restraint while maintaining the container's original structural state.
3Productivity
If facilities are permanently integrated with the container, then operational efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity and expense increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Facilities and storage systems are designed with dynamic, adjustable characteristics rather than fixed permanent installations. Components can be repositioned, reconfigured, or removed based on operational requirements, providing flexibility while maintaining efficiency. This includes adjustable shelving, movable partitions, and relocatable equipment mounts.
Solution Approach 2:
The facility components are divided into modular, standardized units that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows for simplified production of individual modules using standard container dimensions, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while enabling efficient operational deployment.
4Productivity
If modules are designed to fit standard container dimensions, then shipping efficiency is improved, but flexibility in configuration is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The modular facility components are designed with standardized dimensions that are segments of standard container sizes. This allows efficient packing arrangements while the modular nature enables flexible combination and reconfiguration to meet different operational needs within the same container footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
Module components are designed with universal interfaces and standardized connection points that allow the same basic module to serve multiple functions or be configured in various arrangements. This universality maintains shipping efficiency through standardization while providing adaptability for different operational requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular facility formation system includes any number of modules that may be coupled to one another to create a facility. Walls of the facility may be provided by one or more removeable walls, the walls of a shipping container, or a combination thereof. When installed within a shipping container, upper and lower braces are pressure fit into the shipping container without penetrating the container. The lower braces are configured to engage guidance mechanisms of the modules to guide the modules into a stowage position within the shipping container and to secure the modules in place. The modules may be configured with a pre-determined internal configuration corresponding to a defined function of the room within the facility.