Mooring machine

Abstract

A mooring machine according to one embodiment includes: a drum around which a mooring rope is wound; a band brake (3) that switches whether to allow or prohibit rotation of the drum; and a pin-type load cell (5) that is incorporated in the band brake (3) and has a first end part and a second end part. A cable (55) is connected to the first end part of the load cell (5). The mooring machine further includes a cover (7) covering the first end of the load cell (5).

Description

mooring machine

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a mooring machine having a pin-type load cell incorporated into a band brake.

[0002] A mooring device installed on a ship includes a drum around which a mooring line is wound and a band brake that switches between allowing and prohibiting rotation of the drum. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a method in which a pin-type load cell is incorporated into the band brake and the detected value of the load cell is converted into the tension of the mooring line.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-211478

[0004] In the case of a pin-type load cell, since a cable is connected to the end of the load cell, it is desirable to protect the end of the load cell.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a mooring machine that can protect the ends of the load cells.

[0006] The present disclosure provides a mooring machine comprising: a drum around which a mooring line is wound; a band brake that switches between allowing and prohibiting rotation of the drum; a pin-type load cell incorporated into the band brake, the load cell having a first end and a second end, with a cable connected to the first end; and a cover that covers the first end of the load cell.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a mooring machine capable of protecting the ends of a load cell is provided.

[0008] Fig. 7A is a plan view of a mooring machine according to one embodiment; Fig. 7B is a side view of a band brake of the mooring machine; Fig. 7C is a front view of the band brake; Fig. 7D is a perspective view of a portion of the band brake; Fig. 7E is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V in Fig. 4; Fig. 7F is a perspective view of a cover; Figs. 7A and 7B are perspective views of a modified cover.

[0009] 1 shows a mooring device 1 according to one embodiment. The mooring device 1 is installed on a deck 10 of a ship.

[0010] The mooring machine 1 includes at least one drum 2 around which a mooring line is wound, and a motor 13 that rotates the drum 2 via a reducer 12 and a rotating shaft. The motor 13 may be a hydraulic motor or an electric motor.

[0011] In this embodiment, the mooring machine 1 includes two drums 2 arranged coaxially. However, the mooring machine 1 may include only one drum 2, or may include three drums 2 arranged coaxially.

[0012] The reducers 12 are arranged on the sides of the two drums 2 so as to be aligned coaxially with the drums 2, and a support base 11 is arranged on the opposite side of the two drums 2 from the reducers 12 and between the two drums 2 to rotatably support the rotation shaft that passes through the drums 2. The support base 11 has a generally triangular shape that points upward from the deck 10 of the hull.

[0013] Furthermore, the mooring device 1 includes two band brakes 3 corresponding to the two drums 2. Each band brake 3 is switched between allowing and prohibiting rotation of the corresponding drum 2. That is, each band brake 3 is switched between a constrained state in which rotation of the corresponding drum 2 is prohibited and an open state in which rotation of the corresponding drum 2 is permitted.

[0014] 2, each band brake 3 includes a brake drum 31 that rotates together with the drum 2, and a pair of arc-shaped bands 32, 33 that follow the outer peripheral surface of the brake drum 31. One ends of the bands 32, 33 are swingably connected to each other via a pin 40. A bracket 34 is provided at the other end of the band 32, and a pair of brackets 35 that are spaced apart in the axial direction of the brake drum 31 are provided at the other end of the band 33.

[0015] The band brake 3 also includes a pair of support pieces 36 that rise from the deck 10 of the hull, a link mechanism 4 that connects the support pieces 36 to brackets 34, 35, and a band support 30 that is interposed between the lower band 32 and the deck 10.

[0016] As shown in Figure 3, the pair of support pieces 36 are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction of the brake drum 31. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, a pair of backing plates 37 are arranged on both sides of the pair of support pieces 36 in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the brake drum 31. The pair of backing plates 37 are joined to both sides of each of the support pieces 36 by welding or the like.

[0017] The link mechanism 4 includes a tension bar 41, a pair of substantially triangular first links 43, and a pair of rod-shaped second links 45. The tension bar 41 extends upward from a position between the pair of support pieces 36 to a position between the pair of brackets 35. The pair of first links 43 are disposed on both sides of the pair of brackets 35.

[0018] The pair of second links 45 extend from a position on the opposite side of the brake drum 31 across the tension bar 41 between the pair of first links 43, passing through both sides of the tension bar 41, to positions on both sides of the bracket 34. Note that, since the thickness of each second link 45 is thinner than the thickness of one bracket 35, a spacer 4a is provided between the second link 45 and the first link 43.

[0019] The lower part of the tension bar 41 is swingably connected to the pair of support pieces 36 via a pin-type load cell 5. In other words, the load cell 5 is incorporated into the band brake 3. The upper part of the tension bar 41 is swingably connected to the pair of brackets 35 and the pair of first links 43 via a pin 42. Furthermore, the pair of first links 43 are swingably connected to the second links 45 via a pin 44, and the second links 45 are swingably connected to the bracket 34 via a pin 46.

[0020] In this embodiment, the band brake 3 includes a handle 39, and the band brake 3 is switched between a locked state and a released state by manually operating the handle 39. However, the band brake 3 may also include an actuator, and the band brake 3 may be switched between a locked state and a released state by remotely operating the actuator.

[0021] A male screw is formed at the tip of the handle 39, and this male screw is threaded into a nut portion 38 provided on the upper band 33. The above-mentioned substantially triangular first link 43 extends upward from the pins 42, 44 to a height approximately equal to that of the nut portion 38, and a handle support 47 is provided at the top of the first link 43 to support the handle 39 rotatably but immovably.

[0022] When the handle 39 is rotated in one direction, the pins 42, 46 move away from each other, forming a small gap between the bands 32, 33 and the brake drum 31, and the band brake 3 is in an open state. When the handle 39 is rotated in the opposite direction, the pins 42, 46 move closer to each other, the bands 32, 33 tighten the brake drum 31, and the band brake 3 is in a locked state.

[0023] The load cell 5 is used to detect the band tension acting on the bands 32, 33 in a restrained state. The load cell 5 is hollow and has multiple strain gauges installed inside. The load cell 5 passes through the upper parts of the pair of support pieces 36 and the lower part of the tension bar 41. A spacer 4b is also installed between the pair of support pieces 36 and the lower part of the tension bar 41.

[0024] 5 , the load cell 5 includes a first end 51, which is one end in the axial direction, and a second end 52, which is the other end in the axial direction. In this embodiment, the first end 51 and the second end 52 protrude outward from the pair of support pieces 36.

[0025] A cable 55 is connected to the first end 51. In this embodiment, a connector 56 is provided at the end of the cable 55, which is adjacent to the first end 51 of the load cell 5, and the connector 56 is connected to the end face of the first end 51.

[0026] 1, the mooring machine 1 further includes a cover 7 and an electrical junction box 8 attached to each band brake 3. That is, the number of covers 7 and the number of electrical junction boxes 8 are two, the same as the number of band brakes 3.

[0027] Looking at each band brake 3, as shown in Figure 3, the cover 7 constitutes a protective structure 6 around the load cell 5, and covers the first end 51 of the corresponding load cell 5 together with the terminal end of the cable 55. The base end of the cable 55, on the opposite side to the load cell 5, is connected to the electrical junction box 8. Furthermore, the electrical junction box 8 is connected to the control panel by the cable 15.

[0028] The cover 7 is attached to one of the pair of support pieces 36 that is farthest from the drum 2 targeted by the band brake 3 including the pair of support pieces 36. The cover 7 covers the first end 51 of the load cell 5 and the end of the cable 55 from above and from at least one horizontal plane. In this embodiment, the cover 7 covers the first end 51 of the load cell 5 and the end of the cable 55 from three directions on the horizontal plane: the axial direction of the load cell 5 and one and the other directions perpendicular to the axial direction of the load cell 5.

[0029] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 6, the cover 7 includes a tubular portion 71 with an inner diameter larger than the diameter of the load cell 5, extending from the support piece 36 in the axial direction of the load cell 5, and a blocking portion 72 that blocks the opening of the tubular portion 71 on the side opposite the support piece 36. A fixing portion 73 that extends in the width direction of the support piece 36 is provided at the end of the outer circumferential surface of the tubular portion 71 on the support piece 36 side. Through holes 75 are provided at both ends of the fixing portion 73, and as shown in Fig. 5, bolts B are screwed into the support piece 36 through the through holes 75 to attach the cover 7 to the support piece 36. Note that the bolts B are not shown in Fig. 4.

[0030] Furthermore, an engaging portion 76 hangs down from the end of the inner circumferential surface of the tubular portion 71 on the support piece 36 side so as to form a continuous band with the fixed portion 73. Meanwhile, as shown in Figure 5, a groove 53 extending in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the load cell 5. The engaging portion 76 of the cover 7 engages with the groove 53 of the load cell 5, thereby restricting rotation of the load cell 5.

[0031] Furthermore, the cover 7 includes an opening 74 that opens downward. Therefore, the cable 55 can be inserted through the opening 74, and the opening 74 can be used as a drain hole. In this embodiment, a slit extending in the axial direction of the tubular portion 71 is formed in the bottom of the tubular portion 71, and the opening 74 is formed by the slit.

[0032] The electrical junction box 8 is attached with screws to the backing plate 37 farthest from the brake drum 31. The electrical junction box 8 is not shown in Fig. 4. Inside the electrical junction box 8, the conductors of the cable 55 and the conductors of the cable 15 may be connected via a connector or via a terminal block.

[0033] As described above, in the mooring device 1 of this embodiment, the first end 51 of the load cell 5 is covered with the cover 7, so that the first end 51 of the load cell 5 can be protected. Therefore, the risk of damage to the load cell 5 can be reduced.

[0034] In this embodiment, the cover 7 covers the first end 51 of the load cell 5 and the end of the cable 55 from above, so that the connection between the load cell 5 and the cable 55 can be protected from rain, sea spray, and dust. If the direction in which the cover 7 covers the first end 51 of the load cell and the end of the cable 55 on a horizontal plane is the direction in which green waves are crashing against the mooring machine 1, the connection between the load cell 5 and the cable 55 can be protected from green waves.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the cover 7 includes the engaging portion 76, the cover 7 can be given the function of restricting the rotation of the load cell 5.

[0036] <Modifications> The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0037] For example, the cover 7 may be attached to the tension bar 41. However, if the cover 7 is attached to one of the support pieces 36 as in the above embodiment, no processing is required on the tension bar 41 to attach the cover 7.

[0038] Alternatively, the cover 7 may be attached to the deck 10. However, if the cover 7 is attached to the band brake 3 as in the above embodiment, the mooring machine 1 can be transported to the shipyard with the cover 7 attached to the band brake 3, thereby reducing the number of man-hours required for outfitting at the shipyard.

[0039] The cover 7 does not have to include the downward opening 74. For example, instead of forming a slit in the bottom of the cover 7, the closing portion 72 may be omitted and the cover 7 may open in the axial direction of the load cell 5. In this case, the cable 55 is inserted through the lateral opening.

[0040] Additionally, covers of various shapes can be used as the cover that covers the first end 51 of the load cell 5. For example, as shown in Figures 7A and 7B, a box-shaped cover 9 may be used that covers the first end 51 of the load cell 5 together with the end of the cable 55. Like the cover 7, the cover 9 is attached to the support piece 36 that is farther from the drum 2 that the band brake 3 targets.

[0041] More specifically, the cover 9 includes a front panel 91, a ceiling panel 92, and a pair of side panels 93. That is, the cover 9 includes an opening 94 that opens downward. Therefore, the cable 55 can be passed through the opening 94, and the opening 94 can be used as a drain hole.

[0042] The ceiling plate 92 covers the first end 51 of the load cell 5 and the end of the cable 55 from above. The end of the ceiling plate 92 opposite the front plate 91 abuts against the support piece 36, and this end is provided with a fixing portion 95 extending in the width direction of the support piece 36. The fixing portion 95 is provided with a pair of through holes 95a through which fixing bolts B are inserted.

[0043] The front plate 91 covers the first end 51 of the load cell 5 and the end of the cable 55 from the axial direction of the load cell 5 on a horizontal plane, and the pair of side plates 93 cover the first end 51 of the load cell 5 and the end of the cable 55 from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the load cell 5 on a horizontal plane.

[0044] Furthermore, the cover 9 includes a pair of back plates 96 that face the front plate 91 and extend vertically along the ends of the side plates 93 opposite the front plate 91, and an engaging portion 97 that connects the upper portions of the back plates 96 together. The back plates 96 extend downward further than the side plates 93, and a through-hole 96a through which a fixing bolt B is inserted is provided in the lower portion of each back plate 96. Similar to the engaging portion 76 of the cover 7, the engaging portion 97 engages with the groove 53 of the load cell 5 to restrict rotation of the load cell 5.

[0045] The positions of the load cell 5 and the pin 42 may be interchanged. That is, the pair of support pieces 36 and the lower part of the tension bar 41 may be swingably connected via the pin 42, and the upper part of the tension bar 41 may be swingably connected to the bracket 35 and the first link 43 via the pin-type load cell 5. In this case, the cover 7 or 9 may be attached to the first link 43.

[0046] The structure of the band brake 3 can be modified as appropriate. For example, in the above embodiment, the numbers of support pieces 36, tension bars 41, and brackets 35 were two, one, and two, but conversely, the numbers of support pieces 36, tension bars 41, and brackets 35 may be one, two, and one. In other words, the band brake 3 may have a structure in which two tension bars 41 sandwich the support pieces 36 and the bracket 35. In this case, the cover 7 or 9 may be attached to the support piece 36, or to one of the tension bars 41. Furthermore, even when there are two tension bars 41, the positions of the load cell 5 and the pin 42 may be interchanged, as described above.

[0047] Regarding the electrical junction box 8, one electrical junction box 8 commonly used for both load cells 5 may be attached to either of the band brakes 3. Alternatively, the electrical junction box 8 may be attached to a component of the mooring device 1 other than the band brake 3. For example, the electrical junction box 8 may be attached to the reducer 12.

[0048] Furthermore, the electrical junction box 8 may be attached to the deck 10. However, if the electrical junction box 8 is attached to the band brake 3 as in the above embodiment, or to the reducer 12 as described above, the mooring device 1 can be transported to the shipyard with the electrical junction box 8 attached to the band brake 3 or the reducer 12, thereby reducing the number of man-hours required for outfitting at the shipyard.

[0049] Also, the electrical connection box 8 may be omitted, and the cable from the control panel may be directly connected to the load cell 5. However, if the mooring machine 1 includes the electrical connection box 8 as in the above embodiment, the cable 55 can be easily replaced if damaged, compared to when the cable from the control panel is directly connected to the load cell 5.

[0050] <Summary> In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a mooring machine comprising: a drum around which a mooring line is wound; a band brake that switches between allowing and prohibiting rotation of the drum; a pin-type load cell incorporated into the band brake, the load cell having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to a cable; and a cover that covers the first end of the load cell.

[0051] According to the above configuration, the first end of the load cell is covered with the cover, so that the first end of the load cell can be protected, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the first end of the load cell.

[0052] In a second aspect, in the first aspect, the cover may be attached to the band brake. With this configuration, the mooring machine can be delivered to the shipyard with the cover attached to the band brake, thereby reducing the number of man-hours required for outfitting at the shipyard.

[0053] In a third aspect, the band brake of the second aspect may include a pair of support pieces extending from the deck of the hull, and a tension bar located between the pair of support pieces and swingably connected to the pair of support pieces via the load cell, and the cover may be attached to one of the pair of support pieces. With this configuration, no processing is required to attach the cover to the tension bar.

[0054] As a fourth aspect, in the third aspect, the first and second ends of the load cell may protrude outward from the pair of support pieces, and the cover may cover the first end of the load cell and the end portion of the cable adjacent to the first end from above and from at least one direction in a horizontal plane. With this configuration, the cover covering from above can protect the connection between the load cell and the cable from rain, sea spray, and dust. Furthermore, if the direction in which the cover covers the first end of the load cell and the end portion of the cable in a horizontal plane is the direction in which green waves are hitting the mooring machine, the connection between the load cell and the cable can be protected from green waves.

[0055] As a fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the cover may include an opening that opens downward. With this configuration, a cable can be inserted through the opening, and the opening can be used as a drain hole.

[0056] As a sixth aspect, in any of the first to fifth aspects, a groove may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the load cell, and the cover may include an engaging portion that engages with the groove to restrict rotation of the load cell. With this configuration, the cover can be given the function of restricting rotation of the load cell.

[0057] As a seventh aspect, in any of the first to sixth aspects, the mooring machine may further include an electric junction box to which the base end of the cable opposite the load cell is connected. With this configuration, the cable can be easily replaced if damaged, compared to when the cable from the control panel is directly connected to the load cell.

[0058] As an eighth aspect, the mooring machine of the seventh aspect may further include a motor that rotates the drum via a reducer, and the electrical junction box may be attached to the band brake or the reducer. With this configuration, the mooring machine can be transported to a shipyard with the electrical junction box attached to the band brake or the reducer, thereby reducing the number of man-hours required for outfitting at the shipyard.

Claims

1. A mooring machine comprising: a drum around which a mooring line is wound; a band brake that switches between allowing and prohibiting rotation of the drum; a pin-type load cell incorporated into the band brake, the load cell having a first end and a second end, with a cable connected to the first end; and a cover that covers the first end of the load cell.

2. A mooring machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cover is attached to said band brake.

3. A mooring machine as described in claim 2, wherein the band brake includes a pair of support pieces rising from the deck of the hull, and a tension bar located between the pair of support pieces and swingably connected to the pair of support pieces via the load cell, and the cover is attached to one of the pair of support pieces.

4. A mooring machine as described in claim 3, wherein the first and second ends of the load cell protrude outside the pair of support pieces, and the cover covers the first end of the load cell and the end portion of the cable adjacent to the first end from above and from at least one direction on a horizontal plane.

5. A mooring machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cover includes an opening that opens downward.

6. A mooring machine as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a groove is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the load cell, and the cover includes an engaging portion that engages with the groove to restrict rotation of the load cell.

7. A mooring machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an electrical connection box to which the base end of the cable opposite the load cell is connected.

8. A mooring machine according to claim 7, further comprising a motor that rotates the drum via a reducer, and the electrical connection box is attached to the band brake or the reducer.

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