A refrigerated container storage yard and its usage method suitable for automated straddle carrier operations

Abstract

This invention designs a refrigerated container yard and its usage method suitable for automated straddle carrier operations. The yard includes an automated straddle carrier driving area, an automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area, a refrigerated container power plug-in corridor, and automated straddle carriers. The automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area is located on both sides of the refrigerated container power plug-in corridor, and the automated straddle carrier driving area is located outside the automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area. The automated straddle carriers are installed on both the driving and loading / unloading areas. The refrigerated container power plug-in corridor includes fixed supports and folding platforms, with the folding platforms located on both sides of the fixed supports. Through this design, when workers are performing power plug-in / unplugging operations on the refrigerated container power plug-in corridor, their activity area remains completely separated from the automated straddle carrier driving area. This ensures worker safety without affecting the automated straddle carrier loading and unloading operations, thereby guaranteeing container loading and unloading efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of automated container yards, specifically relating to a refrigerated container yard suitable for automated straddle carrier operations and its usage method. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the main loading and unloading equipment in automated container yards includes automated rail-mounted gantry cranes (ARMG), automated rubber-tired gantry cranes (ARTG), and automated straddle carriers. Among them, ARMG and ARTG are more widely used in automated container yards both domestically and internationally, and the process layout of automated container yards that support them is very mature. Both can meet the requirement that the operation of automated equipment in the container yard is not affected when refrigerated containers are manually plugged or unplugged.

[0003] In the refrigerated container yard layout for ARMG operations, containers, including refrigerated containers, are arranged between two fixed tracks for the ARMG to move along. A refrigerated container support is placed between two adjacent rows of refrigerated containers, with the number of support layers matching the number of container stacking layers, typically 4 to 6 layers. When the ARMG moves back and forth along the fixed tracks to pick up and deliver containers, its mast can completely span all containers and refrigerated container supports. When stacking 20-foot, 40-foot, or 45-foot refrigerated containers, their power supply side always maintains a fixed distance from the refrigerated container supports. Workers can plug and unplug power to the refrigerated containers on both sides of each refrigerated container support layer without affecting the normal operation of the ARMG. For example, Chinese patent CN113955510B discloses an integrated empty container yard loading and unloading method that combines inspection, cleaning, and maintenance functions. This method includes multiple empty container yards, each with an empty container storage area, an inspection and cleaning area, and a maintenance and repair area. The empty container storage area is located in the middle of the empty container yard. One or two inspection and cleaning areas are located on the outer sides of the empty container storage area along the length of the empty container yard. One or two maintenance and repair areas are also located on the outer sides of the inspection and cleaning area along the length of the empty container yard. Side loading and unloading areas are set up on both sides of the width of the empty container yard. A container crane is also provided within the empty container yard, and the side loading and unloading areas are used for horizontal transport equipment movement. The empty container yards are used to realize the following processes: normal container entry, container entry requiring inspection and cleaning, container entry requiring inspection and repair, normal container lifting, and pre-load inspection and lifting of refrigerated containers.

[0004] The layout of refrigerated container yards in ARTG operations is basically the same as that of ARMG. Refrigerated container yards are set up in a certain area of ​​the port, with refrigerated containers arranged in a matrix. A certain distance is maintained between each row of refrigerated containers to allow passage for automated straddle carriers (AGVs). A certain distance is also maintained between each row of refrigerated containers to accommodate ground-based electrical distribution boxes and staff operating areas. The stacking height of refrigerated containers is 1 to 3 layers. For example, Chinese patent CN206188033U discloses a refrigerated container area layout structure in an automated container yard. The automated container yard includes a cantilevered container area and a non-cantilevered container area. The refrigerated container area is located near the landside end of the cantilevered container area, and the junction area between the AGV and the rail-mounted gantry crane is located under the cantilever of the rail-mounted gantry crane. An AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) channel is provided in the cantilever container area, with ordinary container areas arranged side-by-side on both sides of the AGV channel. These ordinary container areas are located close to the interior of the cantilever side rails and are arranged alongside the refrigerated container areas. Two rows of ordinary container positions are set between the refrigerated container area and the truck exchange area to facilitate the synchronous adjustment of the trolley position when the rail-mounted crane moves during truck loading and unloading. This design can solve the mutual interference and safety hazards caused by automated operations and manual operations in the refrigerated container area. However, personnel still need to enter the yard to manually or with the aid of climbing tools to plug and unplug the power to the refrigerated containers on each level.

[0005] Because automated straddle carriers (AS / RS) pose significant safety risks to workers entering the refrigerated container yard to perform insertion and removal operations while they are moving around, and also interfere with the automated operation of the AS / RS, reducing loading and unloading efficiency, there is an urgent need for a new refrigerated container yard process layout suitable for AS / RS operations, which can improve the efficiency of AS / RS loading and unloading refrigerated containers while ensuring the safety of workers. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the significant safety risks posed by workers entering the refrigerated container yard to perform insertion and removal operations while automated straddle carriers are shuttling through existing refrigerated container yards, which also interferes with the automated operation of the straddle carriers and reduces loading and unloading efficiency, this invention designs a refrigerated container yard and its usage method suitable for automated straddle carrier operations, aiming to improve the efficiency of loading and unloading refrigerated containers by automated straddle carriers while ensuring the safety of workers.

[0007] A refrigerated container yard suitable for automated straddle carrier operations includes an automated straddle carrier driving area, an automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area, a refrigerated container power plug-in corridor, and automated straddle carriers.

[0008] The automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area is located on both sides of the refrigerated box power plug-in corridor;

[0009] The automated straddle carrier driving area is located outside the automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area;

[0010] The automated straddle carrier system is located in the automated straddle carrier driving area and the automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area.

[0011] Preferably, the power outlet passage of the refrigerator includes a fixed bracket and a folding platform;

[0012] The folding platform is positioned on both sides of the fixed support.

[0013] Preferably, each layer of the fixed support is provided with a folding platform.

[0014] Preferably, the height of the fixed bracket is 1 to 6 layers.

[0015] Preferably, each container ground position in the automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area can accommodate one 40-foot refrigerated container.

[0016] Preferably, each container ground position in the automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area can accommodate one 20-foot refrigerated container.

[0017] A method for using a refrigerated container yard suitable for automated straddle carrier operations includes the following steps:

[0018] Step S1: The automated straddle carrier transports 20-foot refrigerated containers from other areas of the port to the automated straddle carrier's operating area;

[0019] Step S2: After the automated straddle carrier turns and positions itself in the automated driving area, it drives into the automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area parallel to the length of the container.

[0020] Step S3: After the automated straddle carrier arrives at the designated location in the automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area, it stops driving. Then, the 20-foot refrigerated container is placed in the designated container position on the ground, and then the vehicle leaves the automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area.

[0021] Step S4: The staff enters the power plug-in corridor of the refrigerated box, walks through the multi-layer fixed support to the end of the 20-foot refrigerated box that was just stacked, manually operates to flatten the folding platform, and then enters the step area formed after the folding platform is flattened to plug in the power plug of the 20-foot refrigerated box.

[0022] Step S5: The staff retreats back into the multi-layer fixed support and manually folds up the folding platform to complete the stacking of the refrigerated boxes.

[0023] Preferably, when retrieving a refrigerator, steps S1 to S5 can be reversed to complete the retrieval.

[0024] Preferably, the 20-foot refrigerator can also be replaced with a 40-foot refrigerator.

[0025] Preferably, when a 20-foot refrigerator is replaced with a 40-foot refrigerator, the folding platform does not need to be lowered in step 4.

[0026] The advantages and effects of this application are as follows:

[0027] 1. This application designs a refrigerated container yard suitable for automated straddle carrier operations. By setting up a power plug-in corridor for refrigerated containers, workers can perform power plug-in operations in this area. Their activity area is always separated from the driving area of ​​the automated straddle carrier, which can not only ensure the personal safety of workers, but also not affect the loading and unloading operations of the automated straddle carrier, thereby ensuring the efficiency of container loading and unloading.

[0028] 2. The refrigerated container storage yard provided in this application is suitable for automated straddle carrier operations. A folding platform is set on a fixed bracket on the power plug-in corridor of the refrigerated container. When the folding platform is unfolded, it is used to stack 20-foot refrigerated containers and switch the power on and off. When the folding platform is not unfolded, it is used to stack 40-foot refrigerated containers and switch the power on and off, thereby realizing the stacking of 20-foot and 40-foot refrigerated containers.

[0029] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of this application. In order to better understand the technical means of this application and implement it in accordance with the contents of the specification, and to make the above and other objects, features and advantages of this application more obvious and understandable, the preferred embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] The above and other objects, advantages and features of this application will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0031] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort. In all drawings, similar elements or parts are generally identified by similar reference numerals. In the drawings, the elements or parts are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0032] Figure 1 The refrigerated container yard process layout plan provided for this application is applicable to automated straddle carrier operations;

[0033] Figure 2 Elevation view of the refrigerated container yard process layout for automated straddle carrier operations provided for this application;

[0034] Figure 3A side view of the power outlet passageway for the refrigerator provided in this application;

[0035] Figure 4 A top view of the power outlet corridor for the refrigerator provided in this application;

[0036] Reference numerals: 1. Automated straddle carrier driving area; 2. Automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area; 3. Refrigerated box power plug-in corridor; 4. Automated straddle carrier; 5. Fixed bracket; 6. Folding platform; 7. Refrigerated box. Detailed Implementation

[0037] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. In the following description, specific details such as specific configurations and components are provided merely to help fully understand the embodiments of this application. Therefore, those skilled in the art should understand that various changes and modifications can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope and spirit of this application. In addition, for clarity and brevity, descriptions of known functions and structures are omitted in the embodiments.

[0038] It should be understood that the phrase "an embodiment" or "this embodiment" throughout the specification means that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic related to the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of this application. Therefore, "an embodiment" or "this embodiment" appearing throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, these specific features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0039] Furthermore, reference numerals and / or letters may be repeated in different examples within this application. Such repetition is for the purpose of simplification and clarity and does not in itself indicate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or settings discussed.

[0040] In this article, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, B exists alone, and A and B exist simultaneously. The term " / and" in this article describes another type of relationship between related objects, indicating that two relationships can exist. For example, A / and B can mean: A exists alone, and A and B exist alone. In addition, the character " / " in this article generally indicates that the related objects before and after it are in an "or" relationship.

[0041] In this article, the term "at least one" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, "at least one of A and B" can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone.

[0042] It should also be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0043] Example 1

[0044] This embodiment mainly introduces a refrigerated container yard suitable for automated straddle carrier operations. For specific design details, please refer to [reference needed]. Figure 1 It includes an automated straddle carrier driving area 1, an automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area 2, a refrigerated box power plug-in corridor 3, and an automated straddle carrier 4.

[0045] The automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area 2 is located on both sides of the refrigerated box power plug-in corridor 3;

[0046] The automated straddle carrier driving area 1 is located outside the automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area 2;

[0047] The four rows of automated straddle carriers are installed in the automated straddle carrier driving area 1 and the automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area 2. Please refer to the specific design. Figure 2 .

[0048] Furthermore, the power outlet passageway 3 of the refrigerator includes a fixed bracket 5 and a folding platform 6. Please refer to the specific design for details. Figure 3 and Figure 4 ;

[0049] The folding platform 6 is arranged on both sides of the fixed bracket 5.

[0050] Furthermore, each layer of the fixed bracket 5 is provided with a folding platform 6.

[0051] Furthermore, the height of the fixed bracket 5 is 1 to 6 layers.

[0052] Furthermore, each container ground position in the automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area 2 can accommodate one 40-foot refrigerated container 7.

[0053] Furthermore, each container ground position in the automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area 2 can accommodate one 20-foot refrigerated container 7.

[0054] This application designs a refrigerated container yard suitable for automated straddle carrier operations. By setting up a power plug-in corridor for refrigerated containers, workers can perform power plug-in operations in this area. Their activity area is always separated from the driving area of ​​the automated straddle carrier, which can not only ensure the personal safety of the workers, but also not affect the loading and unloading operations of the automated straddle carrier, thereby ensuring the efficiency of container loading and unloading.

[0055] Example 2

[0056] Based on the above embodiment 1, this embodiment mainly introduces a method for using a refrigerated container yard suitable for automated straddle carrier operations, including the following steps:

[0057] Step S1: The automated straddle carrier 4 transports the 20-foot refrigerated container 7 from other areas of the port area to the automated straddle carrier driving area 1;

[0058] Step S2: After the automated straddle carrier 4 turns and positions itself in the automated driving area, it drives into the automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area 2 in a direction parallel to the length of the container.

[0059] Step S3: After the automated straddle carrier 4 arrives at the designated position in the automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area 2, it stops driving, places the 20-foot refrigerated box 7 on the designated box position on the ground, and then drives away from the automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area 2.

[0060] Step S4: The staff enters the power plug-in corridor 3 of the refrigerated box, walks within the multi-layer fixed support 5 to the end of the 20-foot refrigerated box 7 that was just stacked, manually operates the folding platform 6 to flatten it, and then enters the step area formed after the folding platform 6 is flattened to plug in the power plug of the 20-foot refrigerated box 7.

[0061] Step S5: The staff retreats back into the multi-layer fixed support 5 and manually folds up the folding platform 6 to complete the stacking of the refrigerated boxes 7.

[0062] Furthermore, when retrieving the refrigerator 7, simply reverse steps S1 to S5 to complete the retrieval of the refrigerator 7.

[0063] Furthermore, the 20-foot refrigerator 7 can also be replaced with a 40-foot refrigerator 7.

[0064] Furthermore, when the 20-foot refrigerator 7 is replaced with a 40-foot refrigerator 7, it is not necessary to lower the folding platform 6 in step 4.

[0065] Example 3

[0066] Based on the above embodiments 1 and 2, this embodiment mainly introduces a method for using a 20-foot refrigerated container yard suitable for automated straddle carrier operations, including the following steps:

[0067] Step 1: Automated straddle carrier 4 transports 20-foot refrigerated containers from other areas of the port to the automated straddle carrier driving area 1;

[0068] Step 2: After the automated straddle carrier 4 turns and positions itself in the automated driving area 1, it drives into the automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area 2 parallel to the length of the container.

[0069] Step 3: After the automated straddle carrier 4 arrives at the designated position in the automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area 2, it stops driving, places the 20-foot refrigerated container on the designated container position on the ground, and then drives away from the automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area 2.

[0070] Step 4: The staff enters the power plug-in corridor 3 of the refrigerated box, walks within the multi-layer fixed support 5 to the relative position at the end of the 20-foot refrigerated box that was just stacked, manually operates to flatten the foldable platform 6, and then enters the step area formed after the foldable platform 6 is flattened to plug in the power plug of the 20-foot refrigerated box.

[0071] Step 5: The staff retreats back into the multi-layer fixed support 5 and manually folds up the foldable platform 6.

[0072] When using it for retrieval of a 20-foot refrigerated container, the following steps are included:

[0073] Step 1: The staff enters the power plug-in corridor 3 of the refrigerator, walks within the multi-layer fixed support 5 to the end of the 20-foot refrigerator that is about to be taken away, manually operates the foldable platform 6 to flatten it, and then enters the step area formed after the foldable platform 6 is flattened to unplug the power plug of the 20-foot refrigerator.

[0074] Step 2: The staff retreats back into the multi-layer fixed support 5 and manually folds up the foldable platform 6;

[0075] Step 3: The automated straddle carrier 4 drives from other areas of the port into the automated straddle carrier driving area 1. After turning and positioning, it drives parallel to the length of the container into the automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area 2.

[0076] Step 4: After the automated straddle carrier 4 arrives at the designated position in the automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area 2, it stops driving, then retrieves the 20-foot refrigerated container from the designated container position on the ground, and then drives away from the automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area 2.

[0077] This embodiment describes a refrigerated container storage yard suitable for automated straddle carrier operations. A folding platform is installed on a fixed bracket in the refrigerated container power plug-in corridor. When the folding platform is unfolded, it is used to stack 20-foot refrigerated containers and control power supply.

[0078] Example 4

[0079] Based on the above embodiments 1 and 2, this embodiment mainly introduces a method for using a 40-foot refrigerated container yard suitable for automated straddle carrier operations, including the following steps:

[0080] Step 1: Automated straddle carrier 4 transports 40-foot refrigerated containers from other areas of the port to the automated straddle carrier driving area 1;

[0081] Step 2: After the automated straddle carrier 4 turns and positions itself in the automated driving area 1, it drives into the automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area 2 parallel to the length of the container.

[0082] Step 3: After the automated straddle carrier 4 arrives at the designated position in the automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area 2, it stops driving, places the 40-foot refrigerated container on the designated container position on the ground, and then drives away from the automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area 2.

[0083] Step 4: The staff enters the power plug-in corridor 3 of the refrigerated box, walks within the multi-layer fixed support 5 to the corresponding position at the end of the 40-foot refrigerated box that was just stacked, at this time the foldable platform 6 is in the folded state and cannot be put down, and plugs in the power plug of the 40-foot refrigerated box.

[0084] When using it for 40-foot refrigerated container pickup, the following steps are included:

[0085] Step 1: Staff enter the power plug-in corridor 3 of the refrigerator, walk within the multi-layer fixed support 5 to the end of the 40-foot refrigerator that is about to be taken away, at this time the foldable platform 6 is in the folded state and cannot be put down, and unplug the power plug of the 40-foot refrigerator.

[0086] Step 2: The automated straddle carrier 4 drives from other areas of the port into the automated straddle carrier driving area 1. After turning and positioning, it drives parallel to the length of the container into the automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area 2.

[0087] Step 4: After the automated straddle carrier 4 arrives at the designated position in the automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area 2, it stops driving, then retrieves the 40-foot refrigerated container from the designated container position on the ground, and then drives away from the automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area 2.

[0088] Unlike Embodiment 3, this embodiment sets up a refrigerated container stacking yard suitable for automated straddle carrier operations. By setting up a folding platform on the fixed bracket of the refrigerated container power plug-in corridor, when the folding platform is not unfolded, it is used to stack 40-foot refrigerated containers and switch the power on and off, thereby realizing the stacking of 40-foot refrigerated containers.

[0089] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the scope of protection of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention can have various modifications and variations. Any changes, modifications, substitutions, integrations, and parameter alterations to these embodiments within the spirit and principles of the present invention, achieved through conventional substitutions or by achieving the same function without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method of use of a reefer container yard suitable for automated straddle carrier operations, characterized in that, The method comprises the following steps: Step S1: the automated straddle carrier (4) transports a 20-foot refrigerated container (7) from other areas of the port to the automated straddle carrier driving area (1); Step S2: after the automated straddle carrier (4) turns and positions in the automated driving area, it drives into the automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area (2) in parallel to the length direction of the container; Step S3: after the automated straddle carrier (4) stops driving at the designated position of the automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area (2), the 20-foot refrigerated container (7) is placed on the ground at the designated container position, and then the automated straddle carrier (4) drives away from the automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area (2); Step S4: the staff enters the refrigerated container power plug corridor (3), walks to the opposite position of the end of the 20-foot refrigerated container (7) in the multi-layer fixed support (5), manually operates to place the folding platform (6) flat, and then inserts the power plug of the 20-foot refrigerated container (7) into the step plate area formed after the folding platform (6) is placed flat; Step S5: the staff retreats into the multi-layer fixed support (5), manually operates to fold the folding platform (6), and completes the stacking of the refrigerated container (7); In the step S1, the 20-foot refrigerated container (7) can also be replaced by a 40-foot refrigerated container (7), and when the 20-foot refrigerated container (7) is replaced by the 40-foot refrigerated container (7), the folding platform (6) does not need to be placed down in the step S4; The refrigerated container yard comprises the automated straddle carrier driving area (1), the automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area (2), the refrigerated container power plug corridor (3), and the automated straddle carrier (4); The automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area (2) is located on both sides of the refrigerated container power plug corridor (3), and each container ground position of the automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area (2) can stack one 40-foot refrigerated container (7) or one 20-foot refrigerated container (7); The automated straddle carrier driving area (1) is located outside the automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area (2); The automated straddle carrier (4) is arranged on the automated straddle carrier driving area (1) and the automated straddle carrier loading and unloading area (2); The refrigerated container power plug corridor (3) comprises a fixed support (5) and a folding platform (6), the folding platform (6) is arranged on both sides of the fixed support (5), and each layer of the fixed support (5) is provided with a folding platform (6).

2. A method of using a reefer container yard suitable for automated straddle carrier operations according to claim 1, characterized in that, The height of the fixed support (5) is 1-3 layers.

3. A method of using a refrigerated container yard suitable for automated straddle carrier operations according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the refrigerated container (7) is taken out, the steps S1-S5 are reversed to complete the taking out of the refrigerated container (7).

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