Telescopic Automobile Transport Rack for Container Space Utilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automobile transportation racks are complex, heavy, and costly, with large folded sizes that limit the number of racks that can be loaded into a 40HC container, and they often occupy space that could be used for larger vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, simple automobile transportation rack with telescopically nested upright posts, adjustable transversal support bars, and detachable front and rear wheel fixing frames, allowing for efficient assembly and disassembly to maximize container space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional automobile transportation rack with frame construction is used, then the container space utilization is improved (loading 3-4 automobiles), but the device complexity increases and weight increases leading to higher fabrication cost
Solution Approach 1:
The upright posts are designed with nested telescopic structures where one post is inserted into another, allowing the rack to be collapsed to a fraction of its extended size. This nesting mechanism reduces the folded volume significantly while maintaining the full loading capacity when extended, directly resolving the contradiction between space utilization and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack is divided into separable components including upright posts, transversal support bars, and wheel fixing frames that can be detached and folded independently. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for both loading function and compact storage, reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining productivity.
2Productivity
If a traditional automobile transportation rack with deck structure is used, then the container space utilization is improved (loading 3-4 automobiles), but the weight increases leading to higher recovery cost
Solution Approach 1:
The rack employs thin-walled tubular structures for upright posts and support bars that provide sufficient structural strength while minimizing material usage. These thin-walled components maintain rigidity during loading operations but contribute minimal weight, resolving the contradiction between space utilization and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack transitions from a static heavy structure to a dynamic collapsible structure where components can be folded and nested. This dynamic capability allows the same structure to provide full support during loading operations while occupying minimal space during recovery, effectively reducing the weighted average mass transported.
3Productivity
If a traditional automobile transportation rack is used, then the container space utilization is improved (loading 3-4 automobiles), but the folded size increases limiting the number of racks that can be loaded
Solution Approach 1:
The upright posts are designed with nested telescopic structures where one post is inserted into another, allowing the rack to be collapsed to a fraction of its extended size. This nesting mechanism reduces the folded volume significantly while maintaining the full loading capacity when extended, directly resolving the contradiction between space utilization and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack employs a three-dimensional folding mechanism where components collapse in multiple directions (length, width, and height dimensions) simultaneously. This multi-dimensional compression reduces the folded volume to approximately 1/10th of the extended volume, allowing 60-80 racks to be loaded in a 40HC container compared to only a dozen with traditional designs.
4Productivity
If a traditional automobile transportation rack with deck structure is used, then the container space utilization is improved, but the deck structure occupies and influences the lower space for the automobiles
Solution Approach 1:
The rack is divided into separable components including upright posts, transversal support bars, and wheel fixing frames that can be detached and folded independently. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for both loading function and compact storage, reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining productivity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An automobile transport frame for use in a container, and a container having said frame. The automobile transport frame for use in a container (100) comprises: two pairs of vertical rods (10), horizontal support rods (40), a front wheel fixing frame (30) and a back wheel fixing frame (20), the two pairs of vertical rods (10) being provided in the container (100) abutting side walls and the floor, the vertical rods (10) having connector parts; a horizontal support rod (40) is adjustably attached between the tops of a pair of vertical rods (10), so as to make the vertical rods (10) abut the side walls; the front wheel fixing frame (30) is connected between a pair of vertical rods (10), and can move up or down relative to the vertical rods (10) via the connector parts; the rear wheel fixing frame (20) is connected between the other pair of vertical rods (10), and can move up or down relative to the vertical rods (10) via the connector parts; each of the two pairs of vertical rods (10), the horizontal support rods (40), the front wheel fixing frame (30) and the rear wheel fixing frame (20) are all detachably mounted one to the other.