Vertical Car Transport Rack Optimizes Container Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transporting passenger cars are inefficient, leading to high costs and environmental impact due to unused space in containers, and pose risks of damage during handling and storage, with limitations in using various transport modes like ships, trains, and trucks.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a two-dimensional framework with connecting elements that allows passenger cars to be stored and transported vertically, optimizing space usage, reducing damage risks, and accommodating different transport modes by adhering to maximum railway standards, with removable ramp plates and adjustable supports for easy loading and unloading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If passenger cars are transported using conventional horizontal stacking in containers, then loading and unloading is straightforward, but significant unused space remains leading to inefficient transport and high environmental impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies vertical stacking of passenger cars in containers, transitioning from conventional horizontal arrangement to three-dimensional vertical arrangement. This allows multiple cars to be stacked one above another using specialized racks and securing mechanisms, thereby maximizing container volume utilization and reducing the number of containers needed per transport batch, which directly improves transport efficiency and reduces energy consumption
2Ease of operation
If passenger cars are transported using custom-built Ro-Ro ships, then cars can be driven directly onto the ship deck, but transport is limited to specific ship types and requires large amounts of people for handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs standardized containers with vertical stacking capability that can be transported by multiple modes including conventional cargo ships, trains, and trucks. The containers are equipped with standardized coupling mechanisms and can be loaded using conventional port infrastructure, making them compatible with existing freight infrastructure and eliminating the need for specialized Ro-Ro ships while maintaining ease of operation
3Loss of time
If passenger cars are stored in dock areas before transport, then shipping schedules can be accommodated, but storage space requirements increase and damage risks remain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nested vertical stacking where passenger cars are stacked one above another within compact container structures. Multiple cars occupy a small ground footprint area through vertical arrangement, allowing efficient use of limited dock space while accommodating shipping schedules. The nested arrangement minimizes the horizontal storage area required while maintaining accessibility for loading and unloading operations
4Adaptability or versatility
If passenger cars are secured to flatbed trains using conventional methods, then rail transport is possible, but substantial unused space remains around the cars
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies vertical stacking of passenger cars on rail transport platforms, transitioning from single-layer horizontal placement to multi-level vertical arrangement. Specialized racks and securing mechanisms enable cars to be stacked vertically on train flatbeds, maximizing the use of available container and platform volume while maintaining rail transport capability. This significantly reduces unused space around the cars compared to conventional flatbed loading
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method for efficient transport of passenger cars or similar, with a high environmental and energy saving result, including, for example, a two-dimensional framework, a connecting element positioned and attached in a third dimension perpendicular to the framework. The two-dimensional framework and the connecting element together form a framework body of the device. A fastening device for vertical attachment and storage of a passenger car is provided. The passenger cars are placed vertically suspended in the container device such that the use of volume is significantly improved compared to prior solutions.