Self-Propelled Cargo Container with Deployable Wheels for Air-Ground Intermodal Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional intermodal cargo systems are not compatible with air cargo, leading to inefficiencies and high costs due to size and weight restrictions, limiting the participation of aircraft in intermodal container systems and hindering rapid international shipping demands.
Innovation Solution
A ground transport drive container with a propulsion system, featuring in-wheel electric motors and deployable/retractable drive wheel assemblies, allowing for versatile configuration and secure attachment to other containers, enabling efficient ground transportation and potential integration with air cargo systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional intermodal containers are used for air cargo, then weight restrictions and size limitations are imposed, but the payload capacity of aircraft is reduced and compatibility with aircraft cargo systems is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The container incorporates deployable wheel assemblies that can transition between stowed and deployed configurations. This dynamic structure allows the container to adapt its form factor for different transport modes - compact for air cargo and self-propelled for ground transport - thereby improving versatility without permanently increasing weight penalties
Solution Approach 2:
The container is designed to serve multiple functions: it can be transported by aircraft in a stowed configuration, then deploy wheels for autonomous ground transport to final destinations. This multi-functionality allows a single container design to participate in intermodal cargo systems including air cargo, eliminating the need for separate specialized containers
2Productivity
If conventional intermodal containers are used for ground transport, then efficiency and interchangeability are limited, but the system lacks rapid deployment capability for final delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The container is equipped with its own propulsion system including electric motors integrated into the wheel assemblies. This self-service capability allows the container to autonomously transport itself from the aircraft cargo hold to the final delivery location without requiring separate ground transport equipment, thereby improving both productivity and operational ease
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel assemblies are pre-configured within the container structure in a stowed position during air transport. Before ground transport is needed, the wheels are preliminarily positioned and can be quickly deployed from the container, enabling rapid transition from air to ground mode without time-consuming assembly operations
3Ease of operation
If aircraft are designed for passenger service with cylindrical fuselages, then large access ports are limited, but cargo loading and unloading operations become inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The container is designed as a modular unit with standardized dimensions and attachment features that allow it to be segmented and handled as discrete cargo units. This segmentation enables efficient loading through existing aircraft cargo doors without requiring modifications to the aircraft fuselage shape, improving loading convenience while respecting the cylindrical fuselage constraint
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 drive container enhances the efficiency and interchangeability of cargo systems by providing a self-propelled, adaptable load-carrying structure that can transition between configurations for stowed, short-distance, and long-distance operations, addressing the limitations of conventional intermodal systems and facilitating more rapid and cost-effective international shipping.
Implementation Method 1
The propulsion system comprises one or more in-wheel electric motors
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are apparatus, systems, and methods, including a cargo transport system comprising a spine assembly, a container assembly, and an outer fairing. The spine assembly comprises a rigid spine and a plurality of mounts arranged on the rigid spine in a plurality of mount rows. The container assembly comprises a plurality of containers secured to the spine assembly using at least a subset of the plurality of mounts. The outer fairing at least partially encloses the container assembly. Each container of the plurality of containers comprises a plurality of fittings for securing the container to the spine assembly and/or another container of the container assembly. The container assembly is enclosed within a pressurization space for pressurizing the container assembly.