Reusable Transport Container with Orientation Sensor for Automated Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current reusable transport containers with folding and/or collapsible side panels require manual booking, leading to increased labor costs and error risks in tracking the containers' availability and usage.

Innovation Solution

Integration of sensors and transmitting devices into the reusable transport containers to automatically detect and communicate the position of the side panels, allowing for real-time tracking of container states without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual booking by staff members is used to track reusable transport containers, then the system is simple to implement, but labor costs increase and errors occur in tracking container availability and usage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of container trackingVSAvoidcomplexity of tracking system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The container automatically detects its own state through the sensor and transmits this information without requiring manual intervention. The container serves itself by monitoring its own position (upright or folded) and communicating this status, eliminating the need for staff members to manually book containers while maintaining accurate tracking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of staff members physically booking containers is replaced by an automated sensor-based system. The sensor detects the container's physical state and electronically transmits this information, substituting human labor with an automated technical system that provides more reliable and error-free tracking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If manual booking is used, then the system requires minimal technology, but time is lost due to manual processes and errors delay production cycles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of container managementVSAvoidtime for manual booking processes

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor continuously monitors the container's state and automatically transmits updates, ensuring that inventory information is always current without interruption. This continuous automated operation eliminates the discontinuous manual booking process, allowing for real-time awareness of container availability and immediate response to needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The time-consuming manual booking process is replaced by automated electronic sensing and transmission. The sensor system operates continuously without human intervention, rapidly detecting and communicating container status changes, thereby eliminating delays caused by manual processes and accelerating production cycles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Extent of automation

If sensors and transmitting devices are integrated into containers, then automatic tracking is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of container state detectionVSAvoidcomplexity of container structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into functional modules: the sensor system for detection, the transmitting device for communication, and the structural components for folding. This segmentation allows the automation features to be added as independent modules without fundamentally redesigning the entire container structure, thereby limiting the increase in overall complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor and transmitting device serve multiple functions: detecting container state, communicating status, and enabling automated tracking. This multi-functionality consolidates several needs into a single integrated system, reducing the number of separate components and limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving high automation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Measurement precision

If sensors are added to detect side panel position, then automatic state detection is enabled, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of position detectionVSAvoidease of container manufacturing

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor detects changes in physical parameters (such as angle or position) of the side panels to determine container state. By measuring these parameter changes rather than requiring complex mechanical linkages, the system achieves precise detection while maintaining ease of manufacture. The sensor handles the precision measurement function without complicating the manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250100745A1Reusable transport container with a lateral wall with an orientation sensor

Publication Date: 2025.03.27 SCHOELLER ALLIBERT GMBH

AI summary

A reusable transport container includes a base and foldable and/or collapsible side panel sections arranged on the base. The side panel sections can be brought into an upright position in which the side panel sections are substantially perpendicular to the base, and into a non-upright position in which the side panel sections are folded or collapsed. The reusable transport container includes a sensor configured to distinguish between the upright position and the non-upright position of at least one side panel section, and a transmitting device coupled to or integrated in the sensor configured to output different signals corresponding to the position detected by the sensor.