Automated shipping and unloading facilities of containers

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automated container loading and unloading facility. By unifying the entire section from the container storage area to the ship into a single container loading and unloading section, containers can be loaded and unloaded without using separate transport vehicles. Additionally, containers transported by vehicle can be quickly brought into the automated facility or released from the facility by an external transport vehicle. The automated container loading and unloading facility according to the present invention comprises a frame (10) installed on land where the ship is anchored; and a loading crane (70) installed on the frame to be able to move forward in the direction facing the ship and backward in the opposite direction to load and unload containers. The frame includes a container storage area (20) installed on land where a plurality of containers are arranged along the longitudinal and transverse directions, and a loading nose (30) extending from the container storage area toward the sea and positioned on the upper part of the ship.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a container loading and unloading device, and more specifically, to an automated container loading and unloading facility that unifies the entire section from the container storage area to the ship into a single container loading and unloading section, thereby loading and unloading containers without using separate transport vehicles, and also enables containers transported by vehicle to be rapidly brought into the automated facility or released from the facility by an external transport vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Containerized cargo transported by ships is loaded and unloaded using crane facilities (such as gantry cranes) installed at ports.

[0003] The conventional loading and unloading of containers is explained as follows.

[0004] A container storage area (3) is provided at a location away from the port where the ship (2) is docked, and containers (1) are loaded there. After the containers (1) enter the storage area (3) via a vehicle, they are transferred to a transport vehicle (5) via a crane (4) installed in the container storage area (3), and are transported to a loading / unloading area (6) via the transport vehicle (5), where they are loaded onto the ship (2) via a crane (7).

[0005] Additionally, during unloading, containers loaded on the ship (2) are unloaded at the loading / unloading area (6) via a crane (7). The unloaded containers are then loaded onto another ship or transported out of the loading / unloading area via vehicles, etc.

[0006] As explained above, conventional container loading and unloading areas are divided into a loading / unloading area (6) section equipped with a ship (2) and a crane (7) for loading and unloading, a transport section by a transport vehicle (5), and a storage area section. Therefore, there is a cost burden associated with operating separate storage facilities, transport vehicles, and loading / unloading crane facilities, and there is also a problem that manpower is required to operate each of these facilities.

[0007] In addition, since operations in the storage, transfer, and loading / unloading sections are carried out by personnel utilizing independent facilities, there is a problem where waiting times may be prolonged if the schedules between sections do not align, ultimately hindering smooth loading and unloading and resulting in long processing times.

[0008] Published Patent No. 10-2014-0062609 describes the use of a storage yard and trailers when loading and unloading containers.

[0009] Published Patent No. 10-2023-0144433 and Published Patent No. 10-2002-0082171 relate to technology for loading / unloading containers and do not include technology for transporting containers from a storage yard. Prior art literature

[0010] Published Patent No. 10-2014-0062609 Published Patent No. 10-2023-0144433 Published Patent No. 10-2002-0082171 The problem to be solved

[0011] The present invention aims to solve the aforementioned problems by providing an automated container loading and unloading facility that unifies the entire section from the container yard to the vessel into a single loading and unloading section for containers received from vehicles, thereby enabling the loading and unloading of containers without the use of separate transport vehicles, and further enabling the rapid entry of containers transported by vehicles into an automated facility or their release onto external transport vehicles. means of solving the problem

[0012] The automated loading and unloading facility for containers according to the present invention comprises a container storage unit in which a plurality of containers are each installed, and a loading nose (loading and unloading nose) extending from the container storage unit toward the sea and positioned on the upper part of a ship, wherein a loading crane transports a container installed in the container storage unit or a container transported to a loading position via a transport crane to the loading nose, and then loads it onto a ship, or transports a container from the ship to the container storage unit for unloading.

[0013] The invention includes a support that supports the container at the bottom, and is characterized by the support switching (rotary, forward / backward type) from a position that does not interfere with the passage of the container to a position that supports the container. Effects of the invention

[0014] According to the automated container loading and unloading facility of the present invention, the entire section from the storage area where containers are stored to the loading / unloading section (loading / unloading nose) where containers are loaded / unloaded onto a ship is unified, thereby unifying the operation of loading containers stored in the storage area onto a ship, and also unifying the operation of unloading containers loaded onto the ship, thus having the effect of reducing loading and unloading operation time.

[0015] In addition, operation is very easy because only a crane is used without operating separate facilities such as transport vehicles.

[0016] In addition, by making operations continuous for each section (yard section, transfer section, and loading section), it ultimately has the effect of reducing work time.

[0017] In addition, loading and unloading are possible without conflicts between personnel in each work section.

[0018] In addition, storing containers in the storage yard before loading them onto a ship has the effect of preventing damage and loss of the containers.

[0019] In addition, it enables efficient vehicle operations by allowing containers transported by vehicle to be quickly brought into automated facilities or dispatched from the facility as external transport vehicles. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0020] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the loading and unloading of containers according to conventional technology. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the overall configuration of an automated container loading and unloading facility according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of an automated container loading and unloading facility according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a pickup area and a container storage unit applied to an automated container loading and unloading facility according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a drawing of a pickup area applied to an automated container loading and unloading facility according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a support applied to an automated container loading and unloading facility according to the present invention. FIGS. 7 and FIGS. 8 are different examples of supports applied to an automated container loading and unloading facility according to the present invention. FIGS. 9 and FIGS. 10 are drawings showing a method of loading and unloading by an automated loading and unloading facility for containers according to the present invention. FIGS. 11 and FIGS. 12 are exemplary diagrams showing automated container loading and unloading facilities according to the present invention built on both sides of a ship. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0021] In the following description of the present invention, specific descriptions of related known functions or configurations will be omitted if it is determined that such descriptions would unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention. Furthermore, the terms described below are defined in consideration of their functions within the present invention, and these definitions may vary depending on the intentions or practices of the user or operator. Therefore, such definitions should be based on the content throughout this specification.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the automated loading and unloading facility (100) for containers according to the present invention is installed on land where a ship (2) is anchored and is configured to accommodate a plurality of containers (1), and includes a frame (10) (container storage section (20), loading and unloading nose (loading and unloading nose) (30)), and a loading crane that is movably installed on the frame (10) and loads the container (1) installed on the container storage section (20) of the frame (10) onto the ship (2) and, conversely, unloads the container (1) of the ship (2) and loads it onto the container storage section (20) of the frame (10).

[0023] The frame (10) is divided into a container storage section (20) for storing containers (1) and a loading nose (30) for loading containers (1) stored in the container storage section (20) onto a ship (2) and unloading containers (1) from the ship (2).

[0024] The container storage unit (20) is a block-shaped structure in which multiple container receiving spaces are formed along the X, Y, and Z directions so that numerous containers (1) can be stored simultaneously, and each container receiving space may be assigned a unique location number to identify the container (1) being stored.

[0025] The container device section (20) is constructed through a combination of frames (vertical frame, horizontal frame, inclined frame, etc.), and the frames form a container receiving space for the container (1) device.

[0026] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of vertical frames (21) are arranged in the Y direction with a certain space between them, and a plurality of horizontal frames (22) are arranged in the X and Z directions with a certain space between them and combined with the vertical frames (21) to form a container device section (20). For example, when viewed from a plane, a container receiving space (23) is formed in which one container (1) is installed inside four vertical frames (21) and four horizontal frames (22) connecting them.

[0027] A container receiving space (23) in a single row and one layer may include a crane for a device that transports the container (1) in the Z direction on the same layer.

[0028] The container receiving space (23) has a minimum length and width capable of accommodating one container (1), while the height is preferably such that another container can be moved over it while one container (1) is installed. With this size, another container can be moved over the container (1) that is already installed, and FIG. 4 illustrates an example of moving the container (1) from position ① to position ⑤.

[0029] Along with the container storage unit (20), a pickup area (40) for storing (or unloading) the container (1) in the container storage unit (20), and a waiting area (50) for controlling the movement path of the loading crane between the container storage unit (20) and the loading nose (30) or for temporarily holding the container (1) for waiting for loading and waiting for storage after unloading may be included.

[0030] The structure of the pickup area (40) and the waiting area (50) is configured such that frames (horizontal and vertical) are combined to form a container receiving space, just like the container storage unit (20).

[0031] The pickup area (40) is formed at the edge of the container storage unit (20) and is formed to be connected to the container receiving space (23) of the container storage unit (20) at the edge.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 5, the pickup area (40) is separately equipped with a pickup crane (41) that can load (unload) containers onto the chassis of a container truck (1).

[0033] The pickup crane (41) may be configured with a rotatable spreader so that the container (1), transported to the pickup location via a trailer, can be placed in the container receiving space (23). Since the rotatable configuration of the spreader can be implemented in various ways, such as by a motor, a detailed description is omitted.

[0034] Of course, an elevator may be included instead of a pickup crane (41).

[0035] The waiting area (50) can be constructed between the container storage area (20) and the loading nose (30) with the same configuration as the container storage area (20) (including multiple container receiving spaces along the X, Y, Z directions), and containers (1) transported via the transport container (1) are held for a short time for loading, and containers (1) unloaded from the ship (1) are held for a short time until they are transported by the storage crane.

[0036] The waiting area (50) may include a separate crane that moves only within the waiting area (50) and transports the container (1) transferred to the waiting area (50).

[0037] The pickup area (40) and the waiting area (50) include a support for installing the container (1).

[0038] As shown in FIG. 6, the support (60) is a retractable support and is outside the container receiving space when not supporting the container (1), and protrudes into the container receiving space when supporting the container (1).

[0039] One side of the support (60) is rotatably hinged to a frame (vertical frame or horizontal frame) along its length, and the direction of rotation is opposite to the direction in which it is inserted into the container receiving space.

[0040] The support (60) is installed in a position that does not interfere with the passage of the container (1), and when handling (picking up, waiting) the container (1), the free end protrudes into the container receiving space and supports the four corners of the container (1) at the bottom.

[0041] The support (60) is installed to rotate in both directions through various driving means such as hydraulic / air cylinders and motors, and is driven in the same way as a set of four that support the container (1) together within the container receiving space.

[0042] Of course, the supports (60) are not limited to four at the corners, and one or more may be added between the corners.

[0043] FIG. 7 illustrates an example in which four supports (60) each support the corners of the container (1), and two sides of the container (1) are supported through auxiliary supports (61).

[0044] The auxiliary support (61) must operate in the same way as the support (60), and preferably is configured to be linked with the support (60). For example, both ends in the longitudinal direction are connected to two adjacent supports (60), and are configured to move to the bottom of the container (1) or return in the opposite direction in conjunction with the rotation of the support (60). To this end, a rail (slanted or curved) is formed on the auxiliary support (61), and the support (60) is connected to the auxiliary support (61) through a guide pin that is movably coupled to the rail, thereby linking the auxiliary support (61).

[0045] A guide means may be included to allow the auxiliary support (61) to move back and forth in a straight line stably.

[0046] The above guide means may include, for example, a guide projection formed on a horizontal frame, and a rail formed along the direction of movement on an auxiliary support (61) into which the guide projection is inserted.

[0047] The support (60) of the retractable type is not limited to the aforementioned rotating type and can be of various types. As shown in FIG. 8, the support (60-1) of the linear movement type is installed in a state where it overlaps the upper (or lower) part of the horizontal frame or is installed at any position that does not interfere with the passage of the container (1) and does not interfere with the movement of the container (1), and when the container (1) is received, it protrudes into the container receiving space to support the container (1).

[0048] Various driving means can be used to move the linearly reciprocating support (60-1), such as hydraulic / air cylinders, motors, and rack combinations.

[0049] Additionally, two or more adjacent linearly moving supports (60-1) may share one driving means.

[0050] The loading nose (30) is formed in a cantilever shape connected to the container mounting section (20) so as to protrude toward the sea, unlike the container mounting section (20) being constructed on land, and is positioned on the upper side of the ship (2).

[0051] The loading nose (30) is formed to protrude toward the sea at the highest point of the container storage unit (20) (a height that does not cause interference with the ship (2) during loading and unloading), and provides a path for one or more loading cranes to load and unload containers (1).

[0052] Since the shipping nose (30) can structurally sag at the seaward end, a cable (31) can be installed together.

[0053] A tower taller than these is installed between the loading nose (30) and the container storage unit (20), and the cable (31) is supported by the tower, with both longitudinal ends fixed to the ends of the loading nose (30) and the container storage unit (20) to prevent sagging of the loading nose (30). As shown in the drawing, it is also possible for two or more cables (31) to be fixed at different positions.

[0054] The above-mentioned loading crane can be implemented in various ways to load / unload containers (1).

[0055] One method, as shown in FIG. 9, involves installing a rail (71) from the end of the loading nose (30) to the end of the container storage unit (20) at the same height (top level) as the loading nose (30) and the container storage unit (20), and installing a loading crane (70) on the rail (71). The loading crane (70) moves to the container (1) being stored in the container storage unit (20), then lowers the spreader to pick up the container (1), raises the container (1) to the top level, and then moves to the loading nose (30) to load it. Unloading can be performed by the opposite operation.

[0056] The rail (71) and the loading crane (70) are formed in all container receiving spaces formed in the loading nose (30) so that two or more loading cranes (70) can be operated simultaneously while moving the shortest distance.

[0057] Another method, as shown in FIG. 10, utilizes a waiting area (50), where the rail (71) is formed only from the loading nose (30) to the waiting area (50), and the loading crane (70) loads (unloads) the container (1) transported to the waiting area (50) via the crane, using the waiting area (50) and the loading nose (30) as the moving section.

[0058] The crane for the device and the crane for the cargo loading (70) include a spreader and winch control capable of lifting the container (1), and also include a driving means (power supply, motor, wheels, etc.) for horizontally transporting the container (1). Since these can be implemented from the prior art, a detailed description is omitted.

[0059] The operation of the automated container loading and unloading facility according to the present invention is described. The following description of the operation is merely an example to aid understanding and is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0060] 1. Container pickup.

[0061] The container (1) is moved to the pickup location of the pickup area (40) while loaded on the trailer.

[0062] The pickup crane (41) lifts the container (1) mounted on the trailer, and if the position and direction of the device do not match, rotates the container (1) to match the direction of the device and transports it to the container device section (20) or places it in a position where the device crane of the container device section (20) can pick it up.

[0063] 2. Container device.

[0064] The crane for the container storage unit (20) picks up the picked-up container (1) and transports it to a designated container receiving space (23). At this time, the container (1) passes over a container installed in another container receiving space (23).

[0065] After arriving at the designated container receiving space (23), the container (1) is lowered and installed.

[0066] In this way, numerous containers (1) are installed in each container receiving space (23).

[0067] At this time, it is preferable to place the container (1) that is shipped first in the shipping order on top.

[0068] 3. Container shipment.

[0069] A container (1) installed in a container storage unit (2) is transferred to a waiting area (50), and at this time, the transfer is made using a crane for storage or a crane for waiting.

[0070] When a waiting area (50) where a container (1) to be shipped is waiting is selected (or a container receiving space (23) of a container storage unit (20) is selected) and the shipment is controlled, the corresponding loading crane (70) is transported to the location of the container (1), and after grasping the container (1), moves toward the loading nose (30) and lowers it from the ship (2) to load it.

[0071] If there is no waiting area (50), the loading crane (70) moves to the container receiving space (23) of the container storage area (20) and loads the container.

[0072] 4. Container unloading.

[0073] A container (1) transported via a ship (2) is designated as a container receiving space (23).

[0074] The loading crane (70) moves to the loading nose (30), grabs the container (1) loaded on the ship (2), moves to the designated container receiving space (23), and then lowers it to unload and install.

[0075] Alternatively, after unloading in the waiting area (50), it is installed in the designated container receiving space (23) via a crane for installation.

[0076] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, automated loading and unloading facilities (100-1, 100-2) of containers according to the present invention are installed together on both sides of the port where the ship (2) is anchored and operated simultaneously.

[0077] At this time, the automated loading and unloading facilities (100-1, 100-2) for containers on both sides divide the ship (2) into left and right sections based on the drawing and load or unload containers in each section.

[0078] Here, the loading nose sections of the automated loading and unloading facilities (100-1, 100-2) of the containers on both sides may be connected to each other to increase structural rigidity. Explanation of the symbols

[0079] 1 : Container, 2 : Ship 10: Frame, 20: Container storage ledger 21: Vertical frame, 22: Horizontal frame 23: Container receiving space, 30: Loading nose 40: Pickup area, 50: Waiting area 60: Support, 70: Bill of Lading Crane

Claims

Claim 1 An automated container loading and unloading facility characterized by comprising: a frame installed on land where a ship is anchored; a loading crane installed on the frame to move forward toward the ship and backward in the opposite direction to load and unload containers; wherein the frame is installed on land and includes a container storage unit on which a plurality of containers are arranged along longitudinal and transverse directions; a loading nose extending from the container storage unit toward the sea and positioned on the upper part of the ship; a rail formed across the height of the loading nose and the uppermost layer of the container storage unit and installed to allow the loading crane to move; and a retractable support included in the container storage unit, which is located outside the container receiving space so as not to interfere with the movement of the container and protrudes into the container receiving space to support the container when the container is stored; and wherein the loading crane is configured to grip a container located in the container storage unit with a spreader, lift it, and then move it toward the loading nose via the rail to load it onto the ship, or to transport the ship's container to the container storage unit for unloading. Claim 2 An automated container loading and unloading facility according to claim 1, characterized by including a waiting area formed between the container storage unit and the loading nose for storing containers transferred from the container storage unit for loading or for storing containers unloaded from a ship for storage. Claim 3 An automated container loading and unloading facility according to claim 2, characterized by including a pickup area formed to be linked with the container storage unit and configured to pick up a container loaded on a trailer via a crane. Claim 4 An automated container loading and unloading facility according to claim 3, characterized by including a retractable support that is included in at least one of the pickup area and the waiting area, is located outside the container receiving space so as not to interfere with the movement of the container, and protrudes into the container receiving space to support the container when the container is stored. Claim 5 An automated container loading and unloading facility according to claim 4, wherein the container receiving space is formed in a rectangular shape to match the shape of the container, and the support is installed at four corners of the container receiving space to support four corners of the container. Claim 6 An automated loading and unloading facility for containers according to claim 5, comprising an auxiliary support configured to move in conjunction with the rotation of the support and supporting the container at a different position from the support, wherein the auxiliary support has a rail formed thereon, and the support includes a guide pin movably coupled to the rail, such that the guide pin rotates along the rail of the auxiliary support by the rotation of the support, thereby moving the auxiliary support.

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