Telescopic Container Height Adaptation for Helicopter Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current expandable containerized shelters are not compact enough to be transported internally by military support helicopters like the CH47, which have limited cargo capacity, and do not meet airworthiness regulations for internal cargo transport.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible portable shelter with a compact, extendible height design that includes telescopic corner rail elements and a retractable fabric cover, allowing the container to be transported in a smaller form and expanded to meet increased height requirements when not in transit, while maintaining compliance with ISO standards and airworthiness regulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the container is designed with fixed height to meet ISO shipping standards, then it can be transported through standard ISO shipping channels, but it cannot provide increased height for applications requiring greater interior space
Solution Approach 1:
The container incorporates telescopic corner post assemblies that enable the container to dynamically adjust its height between a retracted position (meeting ISO shipping standards) and an extended position (providing increased interior space). This dynamic transformation allows the same structure to serve multiple height requirements without requiring completely different container designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The corner posts are segmented into telescopic sections that can independently extend and retract. This segmentation allows the height adjustment mechanism to be integrated into the existing corner post structure rather than requiring a complete structural redesign, thus managing complexity while achieving height adaptability.
2Volume of moving object
If the container is designed to expand in all dimensions, then it provides maximum interior space, but it cannot be transported internally by military helicopters with limited cargo capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The container is designed with telescopic corner posts that allow it to dynamically change its height dimension. When transported, the posts are retracted to keep the container compact enough for helicopter internal cargo holds. When deployed, the posts extend to provide the required interior volume, thus resolving the contradiction between transportability and space requirements.
3Volume of moving object
If the container height is increased for military applications, then it provides sufficient interior space for equipment and personnel, but it cannot meet airworthiness regulations for internal cargo transport
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic corner post assemblies enable the container to transition between a compact retracted state (compliant with airworthiness regulations for helicopter transport) and an extended state (providing sufficient interior space for military applications). This dynamic height adjustment ensures both regulatory compliance during transport and functional adequacy during deployment.
Data Source
AI summary
A shipping container can be extended in height when not in transit and is capable of being transported in carriers having limited cargo capacity such as cargo military support helicopters. There is further provided a collapsible portable containerized shelter which can be extended in height when not in transit and which is capable of being transported in carriers having limited cargo capacity such as cargo military support helicopters.