Rail-Mounted Air Cushions for Reconfigurable Cargo Securing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load securing systems for cargo holds fail to securely fasten individual items of cargo to each other and prevent slipping during transport, lacking flexibility and requiring significant effort for reconfiguration with changing load volumes.
Innovation Solution
An air cushion system comprising rails and inflatable air cushions with eyelets or hooks, allowing secure fastening and flexible adaptation to changing load configurations without the need for belts, utilizing airtight designs and various connection methods to ensure quick reattachment and inflation adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If belts are used for load securing, then the securing is strong and reliable, but the reconfiguration requires significant force and time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inflatable air cushions instead of mechanical belts to secure loads. The air cushions can be quickly inflated and deflated using pneumatic systems, providing strong securing force when needed while allowing rapid reconfiguration when the load changes. This replaces the mechanical tensioning system with a pneumatic one that offers both strength and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The air cushions allow for quick adjustment of securing parameters by changing inflation levels. When reconfiguration is needed, the air cushions can be partially or fully deflated to reduce securing force, making it easy to adapt to new load configurations without the significant force required by rigid belt systems.
2Device complexity
If traditional load securing systems are used, then the structure is simple, but the system cannot securely fasten individual items of cargo to each other
Solution Approach 1:
The air cushion system is divided into multiple independent segments that can be positioned between individual items of cargo. Each air cushion acts as an independent securing element that can fasten specific cargo items together, providing reliable cargo-to-cargo fastening while maintaining a relatively simple overall system structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The air cushions serve as intermediary elements between cargo items, providing a flexible medium that can adapt to different cargo shapes and sizes. This intermediary approach allows secure fastening of individual cargo items to each other without requiring complex direct connection mechanisms.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the securing system is designed for fixed load volumes, then the structure is stable, but it cannot be quickly adapted to new load volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The air cushion system transitions from a static securing structure to a dynamic one. The air cushions can be inflated and deflated on demand, allowing the system to adapt its configuration and volume to match different load requirements. This dynamic capability enables quick adaptation to new load volumes while maintaining stability during transport through controlled inflation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adapts to different load volumes by changing the inflation parameters of the air cushions. When load volume changes, the air cushions can be re-inflated to appropriate levels, providing both adaptability to new configurations and stability during each specific transport phase.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively secures loads to each other, preventing slipping and enabling quick reconfiguration to new load volumes with minimal effort, enhancing flexibility and efficiency in cargo hold management.
Implementation Method 1
at least one inflatable air cushion (2) connected to the rail, each with a volume of 0.01 to 10 metres3
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to load securing in cargo holds (for example of transport vehicles such as lorries/trucks, transporters, in semi-trailers or of loading containers) and a flexible system provided for this purpose. Described is an air cushion system for load securing in cargo holds, which includes:at least one rail (1) for fastening horizontally at the top or vertically at the side in the cargo hold,at least one inflatable air cushion (2) connected to the rail, each with a volume of 0.01 to 10 metres3,wherein the air cushion has at least 2 eyelets and/or hooks (4) on each of those outer edges which are not connected to the rail or rails (3).