A container transfer platform lock pin detection system and method

Abstract

The application discloses a container transfer platform lock pin detection system and method, which comprises a grating limit position arranged on a container pedestal and used for detecting a lock pin at the bottom of the container; a PLC controller which is in communication connection with the grating limit position and further in communication connection with an automatic control system of a shore bridge; and a display control screen used for displaying position information of the lock pin. The application avoids the negligence of an operator in unloading a ship, the negligence being that the lock pin on the container is not completely disassembled, so that the container with the lock pin is transported to a rear field, thereby causing a safety accident.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to container lock detection technology, more particularly to a container transfer platform lock detection system and method. BACKGROUND

[0002] The automatic double-trolley bridge crane has become the mainstream configuration device of the automatic wharf, and the transfer platform is the intermediate transfer platform of the automatic double-trolley bridge crane and the interaction platform of the two trolleys. The transfer platform is arranged above the lower cross beam, and two container bays, also called container seats, are usually arranged on the transfer platform. Each container seat can place a single 20-foot, single 40-foot, single 45-foot container or two 20-foot containers.

[0003] Since the automatic lock dismounting system of the current double-trolley bridge crane is not mature, most double-trolley projects still need manual dismounting operation of the container locks placed on the transfer platform. In order to avoid the operator's negligence in missing the incomplete dismounting of the locks on the container, the container with the locks may be transported to the rear field, which may cause the container to be crushed or cause hidden dangers to the safety of the operation of the rear field equipment due to the "adhesion" of the container. SUMMARY

[0004] In view of the above defects in the prior art, the purpose of the present application is to provide a container transfer platform lock detection system and method to avoid the operator's negligence in missing the incomplete dismounting of the locks on the container during unloading, so that the container with the locks is transported to the rear field, causing a safety accident.

[0005] To achieve the above purpose, the present application adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] On the one hand, a container transfer platform lock detection system comprises:

[0007] A grating limit is arranged on the container seat to detect the lock at the bottom of the container.

[0008] A PLC controller is in communication connection with the grating limit and in communication connection with the automatic control system of the bridge crane.

[0009] A display control screen is used to display the position information of the lock.

[0010] Preferably, the grating limit is provided with 8 sets.

[0011] Each set of grating limit comprises a transmitter and a receiver matched therewith, and is powered by a 24V DC power supply.

[0012] Preferably, the transmitter is a semiconductor infrared detector.

[0013] Preferably, the installation height of the grating limit is 10-20mm above the bottom surface of the container placed on the container pedestal.

[0014] Preferably, the grating limit establishes communication connection with the PLC controller through a relay.

[0015] In another aspect, a container transfer platform lock pin detection method, using the container transfer platform lock pin detection system to perform the following steps:

[0016] S1, the main trolley unloads the container to the container pedestal;

[0017] S2, the container limit detects whether there is the container, if yes, step S3 is entered, if not, step S1 is returned;

[0018] S3, the grating limit detects whether there is the lock pin left on the container, if yes, the PLC controller controls the stop of the shore crane operation, and then the operator removes the lock pin and resets to enter step S4, if not, step S4 is directly entered;

[0019] S4, the shore crane continues operation.

[0020] The container transfer platform lock pin detection system and method provided by the application can detect whether the bottom lock pin of the container placed on the transfer platform of the shore crane is completely removed during the automatic unloading operation of the wharf, and can effectively avoid the safety accidents caused by the operation personnel's negligence and omission of the container with the lock pin transported to the rear field. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 is the arrangement diagram of the grating limit of the container transfer platform lock pin detection system of the application;

[0022] Figure 2 is the arrangement diagram of the grating limit corresponding to the 20ft container of the container transfer platform lock pin detection system of the application;

[0023] Figure 3 is the arrangement diagram of the grating limit corresponding to the 40ft container of the container transfer platform lock pin detection system of the application;

[0024] Figure 4 is the arrangement diagram of the grating limit corresponding to the 45ft container of the container transfer platform lock pin detection system of the application;

[0025] Figure 5 is the arrangement diagram of the grating limit corresponding to the double 20ft container of the container transfer platform lock pin detection system of the application;

[0026] Figure 6 This is a wiring diagram of the grating limit in the container transshipment platform locking pin detection system of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of the container occupancy limit in the container transshipment platform locking pin detection method of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 8 This is a wiring diagram of the grating limit signal connected to the PLC controller in the container transshipment platform locking pin detection method of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating the lock pin detection method for container transshipment platforms according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To better understand the above-mentioned technical solutions of the present invention, the technical solutions of the present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0031] Combination Figure 1 As shown, the container transshipment platform lock detection system provided by the present invention includes:

[0032] A grating limiter, located on the container platform 100, is used to detect the locking pins at the bottom of the container.

[0033] Each container stand is equipped with 8 sets of optical grating limiters to accommodate different types of containers, such as single 20-foot containers (e.g., ...). Figure 2 (as shown), single 40 feet (as shown) Figure 3 (as shown), single 45-foot container (e.g.) Figure 4 As shown), double 20-foot containers (such as...) Figure 5 (As shown).

[0034] Each set of grating limiters includes a transmitter 1 and a compatible receiver 2, and is powered by a 24V DC power supply (OS is the signal output of receiver 2).

[0035] Transmitter 1 uses a semiconductor infrared detector, which has the advantages of small divergence angle, frequency hopping capability, and long lifespan. An invisible infrared beam forms a warning line, and the system employs an alarm blocking method.

[0036] The installation height of the grating limiter is 10-20mm below the bottom surface of the container placed on the container pedestal 100. Its protection width covers different types of locking pin widths (e.g., 120mm can detect currently visible locking pin types). Accuracy (the smallest object size that can be detected) is determined by the number of light sources within the grating and the distance between the light source dots (e.g., 9 dots spaced 10mm apart).

[0037] The PLC controller is in communication connection with the grating limit position and in communication connection with the automatic control system of the shore bridge. When the container is placed on the container pedestal 100 of the transfer platform by the main trolley during unloading operation, the grating limit detection condition is triggered. Once the grating limit detects that the bottom lock pin of the container is not removed, the PLC controller is informed by the relay, and the ACCS (Automatic Crane Control System) operation is interrupted by the PLC controller.

[0038] The display control screen stops the lifting of the gantry trolley and the operation of the trolley and displays the specific position of the undetached lock pin on the lock pin display control screen outside the pedestal to inform the operator. After the lock removal operation process is completed, the automatic operation is continued.

[0039] In combination Figure 6 to Figure 8 As shown in the figure, during unloading operation, the main trolley places the container on the container pedestal 100 of the transfer platform. The PLC controller judges whether there is a container on the sea-land side container pedestal 100 according to the opening and closing of the main hoist lock and the container pedestal 100 container occupying limit signal. The container occupying limit layout and actual effect diagram are shown in Figure 7 When the container is on the container pedestal 100, the grating limit detects in real time whether the lock pin is not removed, and the signal is transmitted to the PLC controller through the relay. The power supply of the receiver 2 is 24VDC direct current power supply, and the output signal is fed back to the relay of the main electric control, and is fed back to the PLC controller through the auxiliary contact of the relay. When the grating limit is normal and the light source is not interrupted, the contact output of the receiver 2 is “0” signal, the relay does not act, and the PLC controller outputs normally without affecting the action of the shore bridge mechanism. Once the lock pin is detected and the light source is interrupted, the output of the receiver 2 is fed to the relay, the PLC controller receives the relay signal, triggers the control loop, and controls the main / gate lifting and trolley mechanism to stop action. Only after the signal is reset, the equipment can continue to work normally.

[0040] When the grating limit detection is normal (i.e. no lock pin is left on the bottom of the container), the PLC controller outputs normally, and the gantry trolley ACCS continues to operate to transport the specified container to the AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) automatic guided truck in the rear field, and completes the operation and waits for the next instruction.

[0041] When the grating limit detection is abnormal (i.e. a lock pin is left on the bottom of the container), the PLC controller triggers the control loop to control the gantry trolley ACCS to stop action, and displays the position of the undetached lock pin on the lock pin detection control screen on both sides of the personnel safety walkway of the transfer platform to remind the operator to continue the lock removal operation. After the lock pin on the bottom of the container is completely removed, the operator leaves the safety passage and presses the operation reset button, and then the gantry trolley ACCS can continue the operation process.

[0042] In combination Figure 9 As shown in the drawings, the application also provides a container transfer platform lock pin detection method, which adopts the container transfer platform lock pin detection system to execute the following steps:

[0043] S1, the main trolley unloads the container onto the container pedestal;

[0044] S2, the container limiting detection detects whether there is a container, if yes, step S3 is entered, if no, step S1 is returned;

[0045] S3, the grating limiting detection detects whether there is a left lock pin on the container, if yes, the PLC controller controls the stop of the shore crane operation, then the operator removes the lock pin and resets to enter step S4, if no, step S4 is directly entered;

[0046] S4, the shore crane continues to operate.

[0047] Those skilled in the art should recognize that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the application, and are not used as a limitation on the application, as long as the changes and modifications of the above described embodiments are within the scope of the spirit of the application, they will fall within the scope of the claims of the application.

Claims

1. A container transfer platform latch detection system, characterized by, It comprises: The grating limit is arranged on the container pedestal to detect the locking pin at the bottom of the container. The grating limit is provided with eight sets to correspond to different types of containers. Each set of the grating limit comprises a transmitter and a receiver matched therewith. The transmitter is selected from a semiconductor infrared detector. An invisible infrared light beam is used to form a warning line, and the defense is arranged in a shielding alarm mode. The installation height of the grating limit is 10-20 mm below the bottom surface of the container placed on the container pedestal, and the width of the protection covers the width of the locking pin of different types. The PLC controller is in communication connection with the grating limit and the shore crane automatic control system. The grating limit is in communication connection with the PLC controller through a relay. During unloading operation, when the container is placed on the container pedestal of the transfer platform by the main trolley, the grating limit detection condition is triggered. Once the grating limit detects that the locking pin at the bottom of the container is not removed, the information is sent to the PLC controller through the relay, and the PLC controller interrupts the operation of the shore crane automatic control system. The display control screen is used to display the position information of the locking pin. During unloading operation, the PLC controller judges whether there is a container on the sea-land side container pedestal according to the opening and closing lock of the main hoist and the container pedestal position limiting signal. When the container is on the container pedestal, the grating limit detects in real time whether the locking pin is not removed. The signal is transmitted to the PLC controller through the relay. The output signal of the receiver is fed back to the relay of the main electric control, and is fed back to the PLC controller through the auxiliary contact of the relay. When the grating limit is normal and the light source is not interrupted, the contact output of the receiver is a "0" signal, the relay does not act, and the PLC controller outputs normally without affecting the operation of the shore crane mechanism. Once the locking pin is detected and the light source is interrupted, the output of the receiver is transmitted to the relay, the PLC controller receives the signal of the relay, triggers the control loop, controls the main / gate lifting and trolley mechanism to stop operation, and only after the signal is reset, the equipment can continue to work normally. When the grating limit detection is normal, i.e. no locking pin is left at the bottom of the container, the PLC controller outputs normally, the gantry trolley shore crane automatic control system continues to operate, transports the specified container to the rear field AGV automatic guide truck, completes the operation and waits for the next instruction. When the grating limit detection is abnormal, i.e. the locking pin is left at the bottom of the container, the PLC controller triggers the control loop, controls the gantry trolley shore crane automatic control system to stop operation, and displays the position of the undetached locking pin on the locking pin detection control screen on both sides of the personnel safety passage of the transfer platform, reminding the operator to continue the locking removal operation. After the locking pin at the bottom of the container is completely removed, the operator leaves the safety passage and presses the operation reset button, the gantry trolley shore crane automatic control system can continue the operation process.

2. The container yard platform lock detection system of claim 1, wherein: The transmitter and the receiver are powered by a 24V DC power supply.

3. A method of detecting a lock pin of a container transfer platform, characterized by, The container transfer platform locking pin detection system according to any one of claims 1-2 is used to perform the following steps: S1, the main trolley unloads the container to the container pedestal; S2, the container limit detects whether there is the container, if yes, it enters step S3, if no, it returns to step S1; S3, the grating limit detects whether there is the lock pin left on the container, if yes, it stops the shore crane operation by the PLC controller, and then it resets after the operator removes the lock pin and enters step S4, if no, it directly enters step S4; S4, the shore crane continues operation.

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