Shipping Container with Hinged Sliding Dunnage for Component Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shipping containers face difficulties in accessing individual components within them for unloading, as the dunnage assemblies do not facilitate easy access or efficient removal of components at the destination.
Innovation Solution
A shipping container with a dunnage assembly featuring a tray and a hinge that subdivides into two portions, allowing the second tray portion to be movable and rotatable along a transverse axis between positions within and outside the container, providing increased access and protection during shipping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If components are loaded into protective containers within a shipping container, then components are protected during shipping, but accessibility to individual components for unloading becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The dunnage assembly is divided into a first dunnage portion and a second dunnage portion that can move relative to each other. The second portion can be extracted through the front opening while the first portion remains in the container, allowing selective access to components without disturbing the entire protective structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The dunnage assembly incorporates movable and extractable portions that transition from a static protective structure to a dynamic access mechanism. The second dunnage portion can be moved from an initial position blocking the rear opening to a second position allowing component removal, and can be fully extracted through the front opening.
2Reliability
If dunnage assemblies are fixed in position, then components are securely protected, but ease of access for loading and unloading is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The dunnage assembly is segmented into movable and fixed portions, allowing the movable portion to be quickly extracted for access while the fixed portion maintains structural integrity and component protection. This eliminates the need to move entire protective structures during loading and unloading operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The dunnage assembly is pre-configured with movable portions positioned to block openings during shipping, and can be quickly extracted when needed. The structure is designed in advance to allow rapid access without requiring complex disassembly or movement of the entire container contents.
Data Source
AI summary
A shipping container includes a body defining an interior. The shipping container further includes a dunnage assembly, the dunnage assembly including a tray and a hinge, the hinge subdividing the tray into a first tray portion and a second tray portion. The dunnage assembly is movable along a transverse axis between a first position wherein the second tray portion is at least partially disposed within the interior and a second position wherein the second tray portion is entirely exterior to the body. The second tray portion is rotatable relative to the first tray portion about the hinge when the dunnage assembly is moved between the first position and the second position.