Modular Intermodal Containers for Air and Sea Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current intermodal containers are not suitable for air transport due to size and stability issues, leading to increased transport costs and inefficiencies, and require time-consuming repacking, which increases the risk of damage and logistical complexities.
Innovation Solution
Design of containers with corner castings for stacking and securing, capable of being combined to form transport units with standard sea cargo container dimensions, suitable for air transport and compatible with existing infrastructure, featuring a support frame, plate-shaped wall elements, and connection means for secure linking, allowing flexible configuration and efficient handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If standardised sea cargo containers are used for air transport, then stability and stacking capability are improved, but empty weight increases and cargo space utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the traditional monolithic sea cargo container into smaller modular air cargo containers that can be stacked in groups. Each individual container has reduced dimensions suitable for aircraft cargo holds, while multiple containers combine to form a stable unit with sea cargo container base area, resolving the contradiction between individual container weight and overall stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where smaller air cargo containers are stacked within and upon each other to form larger transport units. The containers are arranged in multiple levels (e.g., three containers stacked vertically) with connection means securing them together, creating a nested configuration that achieves both weight reduction and stability.
2Productivity
If goods are repacked into air cargo containers before air transport, then air transport efficiency is improved, but handling time increases and damage risk deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air cargo containers are designed with universal dimensions and standardized corner castings that enable them to function in multiple transport modes. The containers can be directly loaded into aircraft and also stacked to form sea-cargo-compatible units, eliminating the need for repacking between air and sea transport while maintaining efficiency in both modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The container system provides dynamic adaptability through modular stacking configurations. Containers can be arranged in different stacking patterns (e.g., 2x2, 3x1, or single-column stacks) depending on the specific aircraft cargo hold dimensions and transport requirements, allowing optimal space utilization without repacking goods.
3Weight of moving object
If intermodal containers with reduced empty weight are used, then cargo loading capacity is improved, but stacking capability during sea transport deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple lightweight air cargo containers into a single stacked unit that functions as a sea cargo container. The connection means secure the containers together, and the corner castings of the stacked unit provide standardized interfaces for sea transport equipment, enabling lightweight containers to achieve sea transport stacking capability through combination rather than individual design.
4Stability of the object's composition
If sea cargo containers are used for air transport, then stability is improved, but aircraft cargo space utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air cargo containers are designed with local quality optimization where the exterior dimensions are specifically tailored to fit aircraft cargo hold geometries, while the interior volume is maximized for cargo capacity. The corner castings and connection means are positioned to provide stability without adding excessive weight, creating locally optimized features that resolve the overall contradiction between stability and space utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a container (1) for intermodal transport by air and ship, train and/or motor car, comprising a block-shaped housing (2), which is characterized in that there are provided at the corners of the housing (2) castings (6) which are used for positioning when stacking the container (1) and/or for securing the container (1) during transport, and a plurality of containers (1) can be combined to form transport units (25) the base area of which corresponds to that of a standardized sea cargo container.