Multimodal Freight Transfer Apparatus for UAM Facilities

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Solution Overview

Problem

Next-generation mobilities, such as urban air mobility (UAM) and personal air vehicles (PAV), require efficient freight loading and unloading systems that do not rely on large dedicated facilities for take-off and landing, necessitating a multimodal transportation system capable of handling freight operations within existing take-off and landing facilities.

Innovation Solution

A multimodal transportation system utilizing a transportation management server and freight transfer apparatus to manage and control freight loading/unloading processes, including setting entry lanes, controlling freight transfer elements, and processing freight transfer approval information, enabling quick and effective freight handling within take-off and landing facilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If next-generation mobilities operate without large dedicated facilities, then facility complexity is reduced and operational flexibility is improved, but freight handling efficiency deteriorates due to lack of specialized infrastructure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefacility complexityVSAvoidfreight handling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The take-off and landing facility is designed to serve multiple functions: it accommodates both next-generation mobility operations and freight handling activities. The facility structure integrates passenger/ cargo processing, vehicle take-off and landing, and freight transfer operations within a single multi-functional complex, eliminating the need for separate specialized facilities while maintaining operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The freight handling system is nested within the existing take-off and landing facility structure. Freight transfer apparatus and loading/unloading equipment are positioned within the facility boundaries, utilizing the existing spatial framework and infrastructure to provide specialized freight capabilities without adding separate external facilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If freight handling operations are integrated into existing take-off and landing facilities, then operational flexibility is improved and facility requirements are reduced, but freight transfer speed may deteriorate without dedicated freight infrastructure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidfreight transfer speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

Freight is pre-positioned and prepared for transfer before the mobility vehicle arrives at the facility. The freight transfer apparatus is pre-configured with loading mechanisms, and entry lanes are predetermined and prepared in advance, allowing freight operations to begin immediately upon vehicle arrival, thus maintaining high transfer speeds within the integrated facility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A dedicated freight transfer apparatus acts as an intermediary mechanism between the mobility vehicle and the facility's freight storage/processing areas. This specialized transfer equipment, nested within the facility, provides high-speed freight handling capabilities while the overall facility maintains its multi-functional integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If multiple entry lanes are prepared for freight handling, then freight processing capacity is improved, but system complexity and control difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefreight processing capacityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The entry lane configuration is dynamic and adaptable. The transportation management server can dynamically set, activate, or deactivate specific entry lanes based on real-time freight volume, vehicle arrival patterns, and facility operational status. This dynamic lane management allows the system to scale processing capacity up or down without the permanent complexity of maintaining all lanes active simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The freight handling system is segmented into multiple independent entry lanes, each capable of processing freight operations separately. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple freight streams simultaneously, increasing overall capacity while maintaining manageable control of individual lane segments through the transportation management server.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20220411211A1Method for Multimodal Transportation and Apparatus for the Same

Publication Date: 2022.12.29 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

An embodiment method for multimodal transportation in a multimodal transportation system includes confirming freight transfer approval information provided by a freight transfer object that approaches a multimodal transportation facility, setting an entry lane for freight handling in a stop facility in response to a demand for freight handling of the freight transfer object, and controlling freight loading or unloading of the freight transfer object that passes the set entry lane for freight handling.