Container grabbing anti-sway device, variable distance vehicle frame and variable distance straddle carrier

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of container handling machinery, in particular to a container grabbing anti-shaking device, a variable-distance vehicle frame and a variable-distance straddle carrier. The grabbing anti-shaking device comprises a grabbing assembly and a centering anti-shaking assembly. The grabbing assembly is connected to a lock through a connecting piece, and the lock is locked with a hole in a corner piece at the bottom of a container. The centering anti-shaking assembly comprises a centering push rod, a driving piece and a connecting rod mechanism, which are assembled along the transverse direction of the vehicle frame. The driving piece drives the centering push rod to extend through the connecting rod mechanism, and abuts against and supports the side wall of the container to center it and suppress its swing. The present application also discloses a variable-distance vehicle frame and a variable-distance straddle carrier comprising the device. The present application combines preliminary grabbing with rigid centering anti-shaking, allows a large positional deviation between the vehicle frame and the container, enables quick container grabbing without accurate alignment, and has a simple and reliable structure, and is particularly suitable for complex terrains in the wild.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of container loading and unloading machinery technology, and more specifically, to a container gripping anti-sway device, a variable pitch frame, and a variable pitch straddle carrier. Background Technology

[0002] Straddle carriers are core engineering machinery for container loading, unloading, and short-distance transshipment. Their operational efficiency and safety highly depend on the accuracy of container positioning and anti-sway performance during lifting. Traditional straddle carriers generally adopt an integrated structure of a gantry frame and a telescopic spreader. The vehicle is guided precisely to straddle the container by lateral guide wheels and longitudinal positioning wheels on both sides of the frame, aligning the automatic rotary lock on top of the spreader with the corner fitting holes on the container. The lock is then locked by rotating it 90° via a hydraulic cylinder. This method requires a flat ground and parallel alignment between the straddle carrier and the container; otherwise, the guide wheels may jam, or even prevent the container from being gripped.

[0003] However, in field operations, straddle carriers and containers often tilt relative to each other due to uneven ground, drastically reducing the effectiveness of the guiding mechanism and leading to positioning difficulties and container gripping failures. To address the swaying problem of containers during lifting and improve operational stability, various anti-sway solutions exist in existing technologies. One mainstream approach is to use an electronic anti-sway system, which uses lidar and inertial measurement sensors to detect container swaying in real time and dynamically adjusts the output power and speed of the drive motor to match the vehicle's movement with the container's swaying. This solution is complex in terms of hardware and software, costly, and the reliability of the sensors is difficult to guarantee under harsh working conditions. Another approach is to use additional mechanical anti-sway devices. Existing patent CN111891934B discloses a straddle carrier that has multiple support arms on both sides and below the top of the frame, with one end hinged to the frame. Hydraulic cylinders drive the support arms to rotate around the hinge points, causing the pulleys at the ends of the support arms to contact the side or top of the object being lifted, thereby limiting the object's swaying. This solution uses purely mechanical lateral restraint, avoiding the use of electronic sensors, and has a relatively reliable structure. However, its lifting device uses wire ropes and lifting beams to suspend the load from the top, requiring the load to be roughly aligned with the lifting device; otherwise, it cannot be reliably mounted. The alignment accuracy requirement is high, making it difficult to adapt to the deviation of the vehicle's posture caused by uneven ground in the field. Moreover, the anti-sway device is only used to suppress the swaying of the already lifted goods and does not have an active alignment function, so it cannot adjust the center plane of the container and the vehicle frame to coincide after mounting. In addition, its gripping method still relies on the top lifting point, and it does not solve the problem of rapid alignment when the height of the lock and the corner fitting hole is inconsistent due to uneven ground. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the present invention aims to propose a container gripping anti-sway device, a variable pitch frame and a variable pitch straddle carrier, to solve the problems of high positioning accuracy requirements, easy jamming of the guiding mechanism and difficulty in gripping containers when straddle carriers are operating in the field, as well as the complex structure and insufficient reliability of the existing electronic anti-sway system.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of the present invention is implemented as follows:

[0006] This invention discloses a container gripping and anti-sway device, applied to the frame of a container straddle carrier, comprising:

[0007] The gripping assembly includes a connector and a latch. One end of the connector is connected to the frame, and the other end is connected to the latch. The latch can lock into the corner fitting holes on the bottom of the container.

[0008] The centering anti-sway assembly includes a centering push rod, a drive component, and a linkage mechanism; the centering push rod is horizontally slidably mounted on the frame along the transverse side of the frame and can reciprocate and extend along the transverse side of the frame; the drive component is connected to the centering push rod through the linkage mechanism.

[0009] The centering anti-sway component is configured as follows: after the latch locks the container, the container is first lifted so that its bottom surface is off the ground; then, the drive unit drives the centering push rod to extend towards the container through the linkage mechanism, abutting and pressing against the side wall of the container, pushing the container to move until its center plane coincides with the center plane of the frame, and during transportation, the centering push rod continuously presses against the side wall to suppress the swaying of the container; after the latch releases from the container, the drive unit drives the centering push rod to retract away from the container through the linkage mechanism.

[0010] Optionally, the centering anti-sway assembly also includes a sleeve, which is mounted laterally on the frame along the frame, and the centering push rod passes through the sleeve and can slide along the axial direction of the sleeve.

[0011] Optionally, the centering anti-sway components are symmetrically arranged along the longitudinal center plane of the frame, and at least two sets of centering anti-sway components are provided at the front and rear ends of the frame respectively.

[0012] Optionally, each centering anti-sway assembly includes at least two sleeves spaced vertically along the frame, and centering push rods respectively inserted into each sleeve; the ends of the centering push rods in the same centering anti-sway assembly that are away from the container are connected by a linkage mechanism.

[0013] Optionally, the output end of the drive component is connected to the linkage mechanism, and its fixed end is connected to the first support of the frame; the movement of the drive component can be synchronously transmitted to the centering push rod through the linkage mechanism, driving the centering push rod to complete the extension and retraction movement.

[0014] Optionally, the gripping assembly also includes a pin symmetrically arranged along the longitudinal center plane of the frame; the pin is mounted on a second support, which is located below the sleeve in the centering anti-sway assembly.

[0015] Optionally, the connector includes a lifting chain, one end of which is fixed to a pin and the other end is fixedly connected to a latch; in the initial retracted state, the connector is in a free hanging state or suspended on the frame; in the working state, the connector is connected to the corner fitting hole at the bottom of the container through the latch it is connected to.

[0016] Optionally, one end of the latch is connected to the connector, and the other end is provided with a rotary lock structure; the rotary lock structure can be inserted into the corner fitting hole at the bottom of the container to achieve rotational locking, and can be released by rotating in the opposite direction and pulling it out.

[0017] The present invention also discloses a variable pitch frame, including the above-mentioned anti-sway device for the grab box, and a left frame and a right frame capable of lateral relative movement; each of the four corners of the frame is provided with a support leg capable of independent lifting and lowering; the anti-sway device for the grab box is installed on the inside of the support leg.

[0018] The present invention also discloses a variable-pitch straddle carrier, including the aforementioned variable-pitch frame.

[0019] Compared with existing technologies, the container gripping anti-sway device, variable pitch frame, and variable pitch straddle carrier described in this invention have the following advantages:

[0020] (1) By using the lifting chain to make a preliminary connection with the bottom corner fitting holes of the container, the frame and the container are allowed to have large deviations in the lateral, longitudinal and tilt angles. This design enables the straddle carrier to quickly complete the container grabbing preparation without precise alignment under complex ground conditions such as uneven terrain and soft soil in the field, effectively overcoming the problem of easy jamming of traditional rigid guiding mechanisms.

[0021] (2) The centering function and anti-sway function are integrated into the same mechanical hydraulic mechanism. It abandons the complex electronic sensors, control software and independent anti-sway system, and adopts pure mechanical drive. The hardware structure is robust, the action is direct, the reliability is high, and it is easier to manufacture and maintain.

[0022] (3) The centering push rod on the container gripping anti-sway device extends and presses against the side wall of the container, simultaneously completing the precise centering of the container in one go, and providing rigid constraint through continuous pressing during the subsequent transportation stage to prevent swaying. This integrated operation simplifies the steps and improves the overall operation efficiency.

[0023] (4) Apply the anti-sway device to the variable pitch straddle carrier. Utilize the structural characteristics of the two frames on the variable pitch straddle carrier that can be extended significantly, so that the internal width of the straddle carrier is much larger than the external dimensions of the container, completely eliminating the dependence of the traditional straddle carrier on the accuracy of lateral alignment; at the same time, in conjunction with the four independently lifting outriggers on the variable pitch straddle carrier, it can flexibly compensate for the height difference between the latch and the corner fitting hole caused by uneven ground, so as to achieve fast and stable manual container locking operation in complex terrain in the field. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments of the invention and their descriptions are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an undue limitation of the invention. In the drawings:

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the anti-shaking device for the box gripper;

[0026] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a variable-pitch straddle carrier with a box-grabbing and anti-sway device in its initial folded state;

[0027] Figure 3 for Figure 2 AA cross-section view;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a variable-pitch straddle carrier with a box-grabbing anti-sway device in operation.

[0029] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0030] 1. Centering push rod; 2. Sleeve; 3. Hydraulic cylinder; 4. Connecting rod; 5. Pin; 6. Lifting chain; 7. Lock; 8. Left frame; 9. Right frame; 10. Rear outrigger; 11. Front outrigger; 12. Container; 13. First support; 14. Second support; 15. Rotary lock structure; 16. Corner fitting hole; 17. Piston rod; 18. Hydraulic cylinder body; 19. Hinge shaft. Detailed Implementation

[0031] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the orientations involved in the following specific embodiments are briefly explained: the directions or positional relationships indicated by "front", "rear", "up", "down", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", etc. mentioned in the embodiments refer to the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and the term "on" means directly or indirectly supported by the element.

[0032] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the present invention provides a container gripping and anti-sway device, applied to the frame of a container straddle carrier, comprising:

[0033] The gripping assembly includes a connector and a latch 7. One end of the connector is connected to the frame, and the other end is connected to the latch 7. The latch 7 can be locked into the corner fitting hole 16 at the bottom of the container 12.

[0034] The centering anti-sway assembly includes a centering push rod 1, a drive component, and a linkage mechanism; the centering push rod 1 is horizontally slidably mounted on the frame along the transverse side of the frame and can reciprocate and extend along the transverse side of the frame; the drive component is connected to the centering push rod 1 through the linkage mechanism.

[0035] The centering anti-sway component is configured such that after the latch 7 locks the container 12, the container 12 is first lifted so that its bottom surface is off the ground; then, the drive unit drives the centering push rod 1 to extend towards the container 12 through the linkage mechanism, abutting and pressing against the side wall of the container 12, pushing the container 12 to move until its center plane coincides with the center plane of the frame, and during transportation, the centering push rod 1 continuously presses against the side wall to suppress the swaying of the container 12; after the latch 7 is unlocked from the container 12, the drive unit drives the centering push rod 1 to retract away from the container 12 through the linkage mechanism.

[0036] This invention, through the initial connection between the connector and the bottom corner fitting hole 16 of the container 12, allows for significant deviations between the vehicle frame and the container 12 in the lateral, longitudinal, and tilt directions. This enables the straddle carrier to quickly prepare for container grabbing without precise alignment in complex terrain conditions such as uneven ground and soft soil, effectively overcoming the problem of jamming inherent in traditional rigid guiding mechanisms. Simultaneously, the centering and anti-sway component of this invention integrates centering and anti-sway functions into a single mechanical hydraulic mechanism, eliminating complex electronic sensors and control software. It employs pure mechanical drive, resulting in robust hardware, direct action, high reliability, and easier manufacturing and maintenance. Furthermore, the centering push rod 1 on the container grabbing and anti-sway device simultaneously and synchronously completes the precise centering of the container 12 during its extension and pressing against the side wall of the container 12. In the subsequent transportation phase, it provides rigid constraint through continuous pressing to prevent swaying, simplifying the operation and improving overall operational efficiency.

[0037] Specifically, the connector of this invention can generate bending and swinging movements through chain link hinges, rope bending, etc., so that the frame of the straddle carrier does not need to be precisely aligned with the container 12. Even if there are lateral, longitudinal, or tilting deviations, the operator can easily insert the locking buckle 7 at the end of the connector into the corner fitting hole 16 at the bottom of the container 12 to complete the initial gripping. After the container straddle carrier straddles the container 12, the operator manually inserts the locking buckle 7 into the corner fitting hole 16 at the bottom of both sides of the container 12 and locks it. At this time, because the connector has low requirements for alignment accuracy, even if there is a large alignment deviation between the straddle carrier and the container 12, the locking buckle 7 can still be easily inserted. Subsequently, the drive unit drives the centering push rod 1 to extend towards the side wall of the container 12 through the linkage mechanism. After contacting the side wall, the centering push rod 1 continues to extend, gradually pushing the container 12 towards the center position of the frame until the center surface of the container 12 coincides with the center surface of the frame. During the subsequent transportation process, the centering push rod 1 always maintains continuous contact with the side wall, which physically restricts the swing of container 12 and achieves mechanical anti-sway.

[0038] It should be noted that this invention utilizes connecting parts to reduce the alignment accuracy requirements, and then uses rigid push rods to achieve active centering and anti-swaying. This design approach is fundamentally different from existing technologies that rely on guide wheels for precise alignment or electronic sensors for dynamic anti-swaying. The drive component can employ various linear drive methods such as hydraulic cylinders, pneumatic cylinders, or electric push rods, as long as sufficient thrust and stroke are provided. The transverse direction of the frame refers to the horizontal direction perpendicular to the straddle carrier's travel direction, i.e., the width direction of the frame, as shown by the x-axis in the figure.

[0039] Specifically, the centering anti-sway assembly also includes a sleeve 2, which is mounted laterally on the frame. The centering push rod 1 passes through the sleeve 2 and can slide along the axial direction of the sleeve 2.

[0040] More specifically, the centering anti-sway components are symmetrically arranged along the longitudinal center plane of the frame, and at least two sets of centering anti-sway components are provided at the front and rear ends of the frame respectively. Each set of centering anti-sway components includes at least two sleeves 2 arranged vertically at intervals along the frame, and centering push rods 1 respectively passing through each sleeve 2; the ends of each centering push rod 1 in the same set of centering anti-sway components that are away from the container 12 are connected by a linkage mechanism.

[0041] By providing precise guidance and support for the centering push rod 1 using sleeve 2, the centering push rod 1 is prevented from swaying or jamming during extension and retraction, thus improving the motion stability and reliability of the centering anti-sway assembly. The centering anti-sway assembly is symmetrically arranged along the longitudinal center plane of the frame, with at least two sets at each end of the frame, ensuring that the container 12 receives uniform clamping force and preventing skewness due to unilateral force. Each set of centering anti-sway assemblies uses at least two vertically spaced sleeves 2 and centering push rods 1, increasing the contact area and support height between the centering anti-sway assembly and the side wall of the container 12, effectively preventing tilting or twisting of the container 12 during clamping, further improving centering accuracy and anti-sway effect. Multiple centering push rods 1 within the same set of centering anti-sway assemblies are linked by a linkage mechanism, enabling synchronous extension and retraction. This simple structure and consistent action prevent localized deformation or damage to the container 12 caused by uneven force.

[0042] It should be noted that the number of vertically spaced sleeves 2 is not limited to two; it can also be three or more depending on the height of the container 12 and the structure of the frame. The linkage mechanism can be a hinged linkage, a rack and pinion mechanism, or a combination of cam linkages, as long as it ensures that the movement of the driving component is synchronously transmitted to the centering push rod 1, so that the extension and retraction of each centering push rod 1 are the same. One end of the centering push rod 1 in the same group of centering anti-sway components is connected by a linkage mechanism, so that a single output action of the driving component can synchronously drive multiple centering push rods 1. This simplified driving and consistent action design avoids the asynchronous problems that may occur when using multiple independent drives. The longitudinal direction of the frame refers to the direction of travel of the straddle carrier, that is, the length direction of the frame, as shown by the y-axis in the figure; the longitudinal center plane refers to the vertical plane that divides the entire vehicle into two symmetrical halves along the longitudinal direction of the frame; the vertical direction of the frame refers to the direction perpendicular to the ground, that is, the height direction of the frame, as shown by the z-axis in the figure; the front and rear ends of the frame refer to the two opposite ends of the frame in the longitudinal direction, with the arrow on the y-axis pointing to the front end and the opposite direction to the rear end; the axial direction of sleeve 2 refers to the length direction of sleeve 2, which is parallel to the transverse direction of the frame.

[0043] Preferably, the linkage mechanism is linkage 4; two sets of identical centering anti-sway components are respectively set on the front and rear ends of the frame, and the two sets of centering anti-sway components on each end are symmetrically arranged along the longitudinal center plane, that is, a set of centering anti-sway components is set at the four corners of the front and rear ends of the frame; each set of centering anti-sway components includes: two upper and lower sleeves 2 arranged vertically at intervals along the frame, two upper and lower centering push rods 1 respectively passing through the upper and lower sleeves 2, a linkage 4 and a driving member. The ends of the upper and lower centering push rods 1 facing away from the container 12 are respectively hinged to the upper and lower ends of the linkage 4, the middle part of the linkage 4 is hinged to one end of the driving member, and the other end of the driving member is hinged to the first support 13 of the frame. The extension and retraction direction of the driving member is parallel to the extension and retraction direction of the centering push rod 1. With the above structure, one drive unit can simultaneously drive the upper and lower centering push rods 1 in the same set of centering and anti-sway components to extend and retract synchronously, ensuring that the upper and lower push rods exert uniform and consistent resistance on the side wall of the container 12. At the same time, in the width direction of the frame, the centering and anti-sway components on the left and right sides work independently, together clamping the container 12 from both sides and pushing it to the center position of the frame.

[0044] Specifically, the output end of the drive component is connected to the linkage mechanism, and its fixed end is connected to the first support 13 of the frame; the action of the drive component can be synchronously transmitted to the centering push rod 1 through the linkage mechanism, driving the centering push rod 1 to complete the extension and retraction action.

[0045] By fixing the drive unit to the first support 13 of the frame, the driving force can be effectively transmitted and vibration absorbed, reducing the swaying of the drive unit during operation and improving transmission stability. The drive unit synchronizes the movement of the centering push rod 1 through a linkage mechanism, ensuring that the extension and retraction of each centering push rod 1 in the same group of centering anti-sway components are exactly the same, so that the side wall of the container 12 is subjected to uniform force, avoiding the container 12 from tilting or local pressure damage due to inconsistent extension length of the centering push rod 1. In addition, the design of a single drive unit driving multiple centering push rods 1 simultaneously simplifies the layout of hydraulic or pneumatic pipelines, reduces manufacturing costs and control complexity.

[0046] It should be noted that the drive component is not limited to hydraulic cylinders; pneumatic cylinders or electric push rods can also be used. If a pneumatic cylinder is used, a pressure-holding valve must be installed in the air circuit to ensure continuous clamping force. If an electric push rod is used, a screw mechanism with a self-locking function should be selected to prevent the thrust from disappearing after power failure. The specific position and structural form of the first support 13 should be designed according to the frame layout and the installation dimensions of the drive component, as long as it can provide a stable support point for the drive component and allow the drive component to swing within a certain angle after being connected to it.

[0047] Preferably, the driving component is a hydraulic cylinder, namely cylinder 3; the first support 13 is located between the upper and lower sleeves 2 in the same set of centering and anti-sway components; the linkage mechanism is a connecting rod 4, the piston rod 17 of cylinder 3 is hinged to the hinge shaft 19 in the middle of the connecting rod 4, and the cylinder body 18 is hinged to the first support 13 of the frame. The piston rod of cylinder 3 is horizontally arranged along the transverse side of the frame, and its extension and retraction direction is parallel to the extension and retraction direction of the centering push rod 1. When the piston rod of cylinder 3 extends, it pushes the connecting rod 4 to move away from the container 12, and the connecting rod 4 drives the upper and lower centering push rods 1 to retract synchronously in the direction away from the container 12. At this time, the end face of the free end of the centering push rod 1 is flush with the end face of the sleeve 2; when the piston rod of cylinder 3 retracts, it pulls the connecting rod 4 to move closer to the container 12, and the connecting rod 4 drives the upper and lower centering push rods 1 to extend synchronously in the direction closer to the container 12 until they are pressed against the side wall of the container 12.

[0048] Specifically, the gripping assembly also includes a pin 5 symmetrically arranged along the longitudinal center plane of the frame; the pin 5 is mounted on the second support 14, which is located below the sleeve 2 in the centering anti-sway assembly.

[0049] By positioning the pin 5 below the sleeve 2, the suspension point of the connector is lower than the working height of the centering push rod 1, ensuring that the connector can hang naturally in its free state. This facilitates manual removal of the locking buckle 7 connected to the connector by the operator, and insertion into the corner fitting hole 16 at the bottom of the container 12. The pin 5 is symmetrically positioned along the longitudinal center plane, ensuring even force distribution on the connectors on both sides and preventing the container 12 from tilting during lifting. Furthermore, the second support 14 is independently positioned from the centering anti-sway assembly, making the gripping assembly and the centering anti-sway assembly structurally independent, facilitating separate installation, debugging, and maintenance.

[0050] It should be noted that the second support 14 is not limited to being located below the sleeve 2, as long as it is located below the centering anti-sway assembly and can ensure that the connecting piece does not interfere with the centering push rod 1 or the sleeve 2 when it hangs freely. The installation height of the pin 5 should be determined comprehensively based on the length of the connecting piece and the height of the container 12 to ensure that the locking buckle 7 can smoothly reach the corner fitting hole 16 at the bottom of the container 12.

[0051] Preferably, each set of centering and anti-sway components has a set of sleeves 2 vertically arranged. A second support 14 is located directly below each set of sleeves 2. The second support 14 has a pin mounting hole, through which a pin 5 passes. The axial direction of the pin 5 is perpendicular to the axial direction of the sleeves 2, meaning the pin 5 is horizontally arranged along the longitudinal direction of the frame. This allows the connector to swing freely around the pin 5 in the transverse plane of the frame, thus accommodating positional deviations between the frame and the container 12 in the lateral and angular directions. One end of the connector is equipped with a chain link or shackle, which is fitted onto the pin 5 to achieve a swingable connection. The second support 14 is equipped with an anti-disengagement hook to hang the connector when it is not in operation, preventing it from hanging freely and dragging on the ground.

[0052] Specifically, the connector includes a lifting chain 6, one end of which is fixed to a pin 5 and the other end is fixedly connected to a latch 7; in the initial retracted state, the connector is in a free hanging state or suspended on the frame; in the working state, the connector is connected to the corner fitting hole 16 at the bottom of the container 12 through the latch 7 it is connected to.

[0053] More specifically, one end of the latch 7 is connected to the connector, and the other end is provided with a rotary lock structure 15; the rotary lock structure 15 can be inserted into the corner fitting hole 16 at the bottom of the container 12 to achieve rotational locking, and can be pulled out and released by rotating in the opposite direction.

[0054] The connector allows for significant deviations between the vehicle frame and container 12 in the lateral, longitudinal, and tilt directions, providing excellent fault tolerance. This allows operators to manually retrieve the latch 7 and insert it into the corner fitting hole 16 at the bottom of container 12 without precise alignment, greatly reducing the accuracy requirements for straddle carrier positioning. This is particularly suitable for complex terrains such as uneven surfaces and soft soil. Initially, the connector is suspended from the vehicle frame, preventing the chain from dragging on the ground and causing wear or entanglement. The twist-lock structure 15 of the latch 7 is simple to operate, provides reliable locking, requires no special tools, and is suitable for rapid field operations.

[0055] Preferably, the lifting chain 6 is made of high-strength heavy-duty lifting chain, which has wear-resistant, tensile-resistant and impact-resistant properties, and is suitable for heavy-duty field operation conditions; the turnlock structure 15 is a standard turnlock for container 12, which can be locked by inserting into the corner fitting hole 16 and rotating 90°, and unlocked by rotating 90° in the opposite direction, and no special tools are required for operation.

[0056] It should be noted that the connecting components are not limited to the lifting chain 6; steel wire rope, high-strength nylon straps, or other connecting elements with sufficient tensile strength can also be used. The link size and breaking load of the lifting chain 6 should be selected based on the maximum weight of the container 12 being lifted. The dimensions of the twist lock structure 15 on the latch 7 should be compatible with the specifications of the corner fitting holes 16 on the international standard container 12 to ensure versatility. In the initial retracted state, the lifting chain 6 can be temporarily fixed to the frame using hooks or clips to prevent swaying during transportation. In the working state, when the container 12 is lifted by the lifting legs, the lifting chain 6 is gradually straightened and bears the load. At this time, the locking force between the latch 7 and the corner fitting holes 16 increases with the increase of the load, preventing accidental disengagement.

[0057] The present invention also provides a variable pitch frame, including the above-mentioned anti-sway device for the grab box, and a left frame 8 and a right frame 9 capable of lateral relative movement; each of the four corners of the frame is provided with a support leg that can be independently raised and lowered; the anti-sway device for the grab box is installed on the inside of the support leg.

[0058] Through the lateral relative movement of the left frame 8 and the right frame 9, the internal width of the frame can be made much larger than the external width of the container 12. This completely eliminates the reliance on lateral alignment precision inherent in traditional straddle carriers when the vehicle travels over the container 12. Even if the ground is uneven and the frame tilts, it can easily straddle the container 12. Four independently lifting outriggers can flexibly compensate for the height difference between the latch 7 and the corner fitting holes 16 at the bottom of the container 12 caused by uneven ground. Operators can adjust the height of each of the four outriggers to align the latch 7 with the corner fitting holes 16, achieving a fast and stable manual locking operation. The anti-sway device is installed inside the outriggers, ensuring that the lifting movement of the outriggers does not affect their operation while guaranteeing that the centering push rod 1 accurately abuts against and holds the side walls of the container 12 from both sides.

[0059] It should be noted that the left frame 8 and the right frame 9 are connected to each other via transverse guide rails or slide structures, and are equipped with transverse drive cylinders to drive the left frame 8 and the right frame 9 to move closer or further apart. When it is necessary to grab the container, the transverse drive cylinders push the left frame 8 and the right frame 9 to the sides, making the internal width of the frame greater than the width of the container 12; after grabbing and hoisting the container, the left frame 8 and the right frame 9 can be folded together to reduce the overall width of the vehicle, making it easier to travel in narrow passages. The outriggers include front outriggers 11 and rear outriggers 10. The front outriggers 11 include a left front outrigger and a right front outrigger, and the rear outriggers 10 include a left rear outrigger and a right rear outrigger. Each outrigger is equipped with an independent lifting cylinder, which can control the lifting height individually. The container grabbing anti-sway device of the present invention has four sets of centering anti-sway components and grabbing components, which are respectively installed at the front and rear ends of the left frame 8 and the front and rear ends of the right frame 9, and are located on the outside of the front outriggers 11 and the rear outriggers 10.

[0060] The present invention also provides a variable pitch straddle carrier, including the aforementioned variable pitch frame.

[0061] The variable-pitch straddle carrier, employing the aforementioned variable-pitch frame, can easily handle container straddle transport operations in complex field environments, quickly completing alignment and container grabbing operations. It prevents container swaying during transport, and its overall configuration is simple, reliable, low-cost, and easy to maintain. Combining the flexibility of a variable-pitch frame with the low alignment precision requirements of the container grabbing and anti-sway device, the variable-pitch straddle carrier is particularly suitable for soft, uneven, and pitted field environments.

[0062] In summary, this invention discloses a container gripping and anti-swaying device. It achieves a low-precision initial connection between the lifting chain 6 and the bottom corner fitting hole 16 of the container 12. Then, the centering push rod 1, driven synchronously by the same drive component, extends horizontally from both sides to achieve precise centering while pressing against the side wall of the container 12. During transportation, it continuously and rigidly resists the lateral sway of the container 12, thus integrating the centering and anti-swaying functions into a pure mechanical hydraulic mechanism. This significantly reduces the positioning accuracy requirements and the complexity of the software and hardware, making it particularly suitable for container straddle transport operations in complex terrain.

[0063] While the present invention has been disclosed above, it is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can make various alterations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention; therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A container gripping and anti-sway device, applied to the frame of a container straddle carrier, characterized in that, include: The gripping component includes a connector and a latch (7), one end of which is connected to the frame and the other end is connected to the latch (7). The latch (7) can be locked into the corner fitting hole (16) at the bottom of the container (12); The centering anti-sway assembly includes a centering push rod (1), a drive component, and a linkage mechanism; the centering push rod (1) is horizontally slidably mounted on the frame along the transverse side of the frame and can reciprocate and extend along the transverse side of the frame; the drive component is connected to the centering push rod (1) through the linkage mechanism. The centering anti-sway component is configured such that: after the latch (7) locks the container (12), the container (12) is first lifted so that its bottom surface is off the ground; then, the drive unit drives the centering push rod (1) to extend towards the container (12) through the linkage mechanism, abutting and pressing against the side wall of the container (12), pushing the container (12) to move until its center surface coincides with the center surface of the frame, and during transportation, the centering push rod (1) continuously presses against the side wall to suppress the swaying of the container (12); after the latch (7) and the container (12) are unlocked, the drive unit drives the centering push rod (1) to retract away from the container (12) through the linkage mechanism.

2. The anti-shaking device for the box-grabbing container according to claim 1, characterized in that, The centering anti-sway assembly also includes a sleeve (2), which is mounted laterally on the frame. The centering push rod (1) passes through the sleeve (2) and can slide along the axial direction of the sleeve (2).

3. The anti-shaking device for the box-grabbing container according to claim 2, characterized in that, The centering anti-sway components are symmetrically arranged along the longitudinal center plane of the vehicle frame, and at least two sets of centering anti-sway components are respectively provided at the front and rear ends of the vehicle frame.

4. The anti-shaking device for the box-grabbing container according to claim 3, characterized in that, Each set of centering anti-sway components includes at least two sleeves (2) arranged vertically at intervals along the frame, and centering push rods (1) respectively inserted into each sleeve (2); the end of each centering push rod (1) in the same set of centering anti-sway components that is away from the container (12) is connected by a linkage mechanism.

5. The anti-shaking device for the box-grabbing container according to claim 1, characterized in that, The output end of the drive component is connected to the linkage mechanism, and its fixed end is connected to the first support (13) of the frame; the action of the drive component can be synchronously transmitted to the centering push rod (1) through the linkage mechanism, driving the centering push rod (1) to complete the extension and retraction action.

6. The anti-shaking device for the box-grabbing container according to claim 2, characterized in that, The gripping assembly also includes a pin (5) symmetrically arranged along the longitudinal center plane of the frame; the pin (5) is mounted on a second support (14), which is located below the sleeve (2) in the centering anti-sway assembly.

7. The anti-shaking device for the box-grabbing container according to claim 6, characterized in that, The connector includes a lifting chain (6), one end of which is fixed to a pin (5), and the other end is fixedly connected to a buckle (7); in the initial retracted state, the connector is in a free hanging state or suspended on the frame; in the working state, the connector is connected to the corner hole (16) at the bottom of the container (12) through the buckle (7) it is connected to.

8. The anti-shaking device for the box-grabbing container according to claim 7, characterized in that, One end of the latch (7) is connected to the connector, and the other end is provided with a rotary lock structure (15); the rotary lock structure (15) can be inserted into the corner hole (16) at the bottom of the container (12) to achieve rotational locking, and can be pulled out and released by rotating in the opposite direction.

9. A variable pitch frame, characterized in that, It includes the anti-sway device for grabbing boxes as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, and a left frame (8) and a right frame (9) capable of lateral relative movement; each of the four corners of the frame is provided with a support leg capable of independent lifting and lowering; the anti-sway device for grabbing boxes is installed on the inside of the support leg.

10. A variable-pitch straddle carrier, characterized in that, Includes the variable pitch frame as described in claim 9.

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