Container sling for container ship

Abstract

The utility model discloses a container lifting appliance for a container ship. The container lifting appliance comprises a lifting appliance body, a guide frame and a driving mechanism, guide frames are installed on the front side, the rear side, the left end and the right end of the lifting tool body, each guide frame comprises a telescopic rod penetrating through the edge of the lifting tool body, one end of each telescopic rod is fixedly connected through a movable plate, a guide rod is fixed to the other end of each telescopic rod, and an inclined face is arranged at the lower end of each guide rod so as to make contact with a container in advance and guide the container in the descending process of the lifting tool. The driving mechanism comprises a motor fixed to the outer side of the lifting appliance body, an output shaft of the motor is connected with a lead screw, the lead screw penetrates through a threaded hole of the movable plate and is connected with a check block, and the motor drives the lead screw to rotate so as to drive the guide frame to conduct telescopic adjustment, so that the lifting appliance can be accurately in butt joint with the container in the shaking state. The lifting appliance butt joint error is reduced through the adjusting function of the guide frame, and the operation stability is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of lifting equipment technology, specifically relating to a container lifting equipment for container ships. Background Technology

[0002] Container shipping is a crucial component of modern logistics systems, widely used in sea, land, and multimodal transport. During container loading and unloading, spreader equipment, as key pieces of equipment, directly impacts efficiency and operational safety. Currently, container spreader equipment is primarily used for container lifting operations at port terminals. It typically consists of the spreader body, guiding mechanism, and drive mechanism, and is used by a crane to connect the spreader to the container for lifting and transport.

[0003] Existing container spreaders often rely on manual or crane operation for docking during lifting. Affected by wind, equipment vibration, and ship swaying, the spreader may wobble during descent, leading to inaccurate docking and impacting loading and unloading efficiency. Some spreaders use rigid guiding structures; if misalignment occurs during docking, repeated adjustments are often necessary, increasing operation time and potentially damaging the container surface. Furthermore, traditional guiding mechanisms mostly rely on mechanical limiters, resulting in low adjustment precision and insufficient adaptability to containers of special sizes, failing to meet the high-efficiency requirements of modern container shipping. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of the problems existing in the prior art, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a container spreader for container ships, which can achieve precise docking of the spreader with the container, reduce the impact of swaying, improve lifting efficiency, and thus optimize the container loading and unloading operation process.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution:

[0006] A container spreader for a container ship includes a spreader body, with guide frames installed on the front and rear sides and the left and right ends of the spreader body. The guide frames guide the position of the spreader body when it is docked with the container.

[0007] The front and rear sides and left and right ends of the lifting device are equipped with drive mechanisms. The two opposing drive mechanisms drive the two opposing guide frames to move relative to each other, and the guide parts of the guide frames extend downward.

[0008] Furthermore, the guide frame includes two telescopic rods that pass through the edge of the lifting device body. The inner ends of the two telescopic rods are fixedly connected by a movable plate, and the outer ends of the two telescopic rods are each fixed with a vertically downward guide rod.

[0009] Furthermore, a slot for inserting a telescopic rod is provided on one side of the movable plate, and the movable plate is fixedly connected to the telescopic rod by fixing screws, and a threaded hole is provided in the center of the movable plate.

[0010] Furthermore, the drive mechanism includes a motor fixed to the outside of the lifting device body, the output shaft of the motor passing through the edge of the lifting device body and a lead screw fixed thereto, and a stop block fixed at one end of the lead screw passing through a threaded hole.

[0011] Furthermore, the stop block is fitted onto the lead screw, and a limit screw is installed on the side thread of the stop block, and a locking hole is provided on the lead screw for the limit screw to pass through.

[0012] Furthermore, the lower end of the guide rod has an inclined surface facing the side of the lifting device body, and the guide rod and the telescopic rod are fixed together by welding.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0014] This utility model provides a container spreader for container ships. By setting guide frames on the front and rear sides and left and right ends of the spreader body, and coordinating with the adjustment of the drive mechanism, it achieves precise docking of the spreader with the container, improving the efficiency and stability of loading and unloading operations. Compared with the prior art, the spreader of this utility model can effectively reduce the error caused by shaking during the docking process, improve the level of automation, reduce manual intervention, and make the lifting process more stable and reliable.

[0015] This invention employs a guide frame structure, comprising a telescopic rod, a guide rod, and a movable plate. This structure allows the spreader to contact the container before descent and guides the spreader's docking position using the guide rod, thus preventing deviation or inaccurate docking during descent. The lower end of the guide rod has an inclined surface, providing a buffering and guiding effect when the spreader contacts the container, enabling smooth position correction and improving docking accuracy. Simultaneously, the connection structure between the telescopic rod and the movable plate ensures the stability of the guide frame, making the docking process more reliable, reducing operational delays and misoperations caused by deviations, and improving overall operational efficiency.

[0016] The drive mechanism of this invention uses a motor-driven lead screw for adjustment, enabling the guide frame to adaptively extend and retract. The drive mechanism controls the forward and reverse rotation of the lead screw via the motor, causing the telescopic rod and guide rod to expand outward or retract inward, achieving automatic adjustment of the spreader's docking accuracy. When the spreader sways and precise docking is difficult, the drive mechanism can actively expand the guide range, first surrounding the container before retracting to adjust, automatically aligning the spreader and container, improving docking accuracy and reducing the probability of docking failure. Furthermore, the lead screw is made of high-strength alloy steel and chrome-plated, improving wear resistance and corrosion resistance, enabling the equipment to operate stably for extended periods in maritime environments, reducing maintenance costs and extending service life.

[0017] This invention optimizes the connection between the movable plate and the telescopic rod in its structural design, resulting in greater stability of the telescopic rod during guidance. The movable plate features slots and threaded holes, ensuring the telescopic rod remains stable during extension and retraction, preventing reduced guidance accuracy due to wobbling. The fixing screws of the movable plate are made of high-strength material and employ precision machining processes, ensuring they will not loosen or fail even after prolonged use, thus improving the overall stability of the guiding mechanism. Furthermore, the stop block ensures the screw is fixed, preventing it from shifting or deforming during rotation, further enhancing the overall reliability of the guiding mechanism.

[0018] In summary, this utility model, through its reasonable structural design, enables the spreader to adapt to different working conditions, improving the automation level and operational efficiency of container loading and unloading. Its adjustable guide frame structure enables precise docking of the spreader even under swaying conditions, reducing manual intervention, improving operational safety, and meeting the efficient, safe, and precise loading and unloading requirements of modern container ship transportation. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the guide frame of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the movable plate of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the drive mechanism of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the stop block of this utility model.

[0024] The attached diagram lists the components represented by each number as follows:

[0025] 1. Lifting device body; 2. Guide frame; 21. Movable plate; 211. Fixing screw; 212. Threaded hole; 213. Slot; 22. Telescopic rod; 23. Guide rod; 3. Drive mechanism; 31. Stop block; 311. Limit screw; 32. Lead screw; 321. Locking hole; 33. Motor. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To make the objectives and advantages of this utility model clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with embodiments. It should be understood that the following text is merely used to describe one or more specific embodiments of this utility model and does not strictly limit the scope of protection specifically claimed by this utility model. Example

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, a container spreader for container ships includes a spreader body 1. The spreader body 1 is made of high-strength alloy steel to ensure good corrosion resistance and fatigue resistance during long-term use. Guide frames 2 are installed on the front and rear sides and the left and right ends of the spreader body 1. The structure of the guide frames 2 is made of high-strength aluminum alloy to reduce the overall weight and improve durability. The guide frames 2 are used to guide the spatial position of the spreader body 1 when docking with the container, so that the spreader body 1 can accurately align with the lock hole position of the container, improve docking efficiency, and reduce docking errors caused by shaking.

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, drive mechanisms 3 are installed on the front and rear sides and the left and right ends of the spreader body 1. The main components of the drive mechanism 3 are motor 33, lead screw 32, stop block 31 and other transmission components. The two opposing drive mechanisms 3 drive the two opposing guide frames 2 to move relative to each other, so that the guide frames 2 can flexibly adjust their position during docking to adapt to containers of different specifications and sizes. The guide part of the guide frame 2 extends downward, and its lower end contacts the upper surface of the container first during the descent of the spreader, ensuring that the spreader body 1 can be stably docked to the container, while avoiding docking errors caused by the swaying of the spreader, and improving the stability and safety of the lifting operation.

[0029] like Figure 2As shown, the guide frame 2 includes two telescopic rods 22 that pass through the edge of the spreader body 1. The telescopic rods 22 are made of high-strength stainless steel to ensure that they are not easily deformed during repeated extension and retraction, and have good corrosion resistance and fatigue resistance. The inner ends of the two telescopic rods 22 are fixedly connected by a movable plate 21, making the movement of the telescopic rods 22 more stable and less prone to deviation. The outer ends of the two telescopic rods 22 are each fixed with a vertically downward guide rod 23. The guide rod 23 is made of wear-resistant alloy steel to enhance its impact resistance and service life. The guide rod 23 can effectively reduce the spreader docking error and improve the accuracy of container docking during the guiding process.

[0030] The lower end of the guide rod 23 has an inclined surface on the side facing the spreader body 1. The inclined surface is designed with an inclination angle of 30° to 45° to ensure that the spreader can smoothly contact the container surface and perform docking and correction when it descends. The guide rod 23 and the telescopic rod 22 are fixed together by welding. The welding process adopts argon arc welding technology to ensure the connection strength and stability of use, while preventing weld cracks or loosening due to long-term use.

[0031] like Figure 3 As shown, a slot 213 for inserting the telescopic rod 22 is provided on one side of the movable plate 21. The size of the slot 213 matches the outer diameter of the telescopic rod 22. The inner wall of the slot 213 is precision machined to ensure the smooth sliding of the telescopic rod 22 and reduce shaking or displacement caused by excessive gaps. The movable plate 21 is fixedly connected to the telescopic rod 22 by fixing screws 211. The fixing screws 211 are made of high-strength alloy steel to ensure that they will not loosen or break after long-term use. A threaded hole 212 is provided in the center of the movable plate 21. The thread accuracy of the threaded hole 212 is controlled at 6H grade to ensure that the lead screw 32 can rotate stably and reduce frictional loss during thread engagement, thereby improving the service life of the overall system.

[0032] like Figure 4 As shown, the drive mechanism 3 includes a motor 33 fixed to the outside of the lifting body 1; the motor 33 is a 750W servo motor to ensure sufficient driving force and precise control capability, thereby improving the adjustment accuracy of the guide frame 2; the output shaft of the motor 33 passes through the edge of the lifting body 1 and is fixed with a lead screw 32, which is made of high-strength alloy steel and chrome-plated to reduce friction loss and improve corrosion resistance and service life; a stop block 31 is fixed at one end of the lead screw 32 that passes through the threaded hole 212, and the size of the stop block 31 is closely matched with the lead screw 32 to ensure stable transmission of the lead screw 32 during rotation without deviation or jump.

[0033] like Figure 5As shown, the stop block 31 is fitted onto the lead screw 32, and a limit screw 311 is threaded on the side of the stop block 31. The limit screw 311 is an M6 stainless steel screw, which can effectively fix the stop block 31 and prevent it from loosening or slipping during the rotation of the lead screw 32. The lead screw 32 has a locking hole 321 for the limit screw 311 to pass through. The diameter of the locking hole 321 is precision machined to ensure that the limit screw 311 can be firmly embedded, thereby stabilizing the fixed state of the stop block 31 and improving the transmission reliability of the lead screw 32 during the driving process.

[0034] Example 2: Precision docking lifting device based on guide frame adjustment

[0035] In this embodiment, a container spreader for container ships is provided. This spreader, through the coordinated action of four guide frames, improves the accuracy of docking between the spreader and the container and reduces errors caused by spreader sway. The guide frames are made of high-strength aluminum alloy, and each guide frame includes two adjustable telescopic rods with an outer diameter of Φ30mm. The telescopic rods are made of 304 stainless steel, which maintains high wear resistance and corrosion resistance in long-term operating environments. A guide rod is fixed to the outer end of each telescopic rod, and the lower end of the guide rod has a 45° inclined surface. This inclined surface contacts the container surface first during the spreader's descent, guiding the spreader to smoothly adjust to the docking position.

[0036] In practical use, when the spreader descends and approaches the container, the guide rods of the four guide frames first contact the container surface. At this point, if the spreader sways due to external environmental factors, the guide rods can actively correct the movement, adjusting the spreader body to the optimal docking position with the container's locking holes. The guide frame design allows the spreader to adapt to containers of different sizes, such as standard ISO 20-foot and 40-foot containers, thereby improving its applicability.

[0037] Comparative Case Study: Error Issues of Traditional Rigid Lifting Gear

[0038] Traditional container spreaders employ a fixed, rigid structure and lack guidance and adjustment capabilities. During descent, any swaying or misalignment often requires manual intervention. Without the cushioning effect of guide rods, direct impact of the spreader onto the container surface can cause misalignment of the locking holes, leading to docking failure and impacting operational efficiency. This embodiment, however, utilizes the flexible adjustment function of the guide frame, enabling the spreader to quickly correct its docking position even during swaying, avoiding manual intervention and improving loading and unloading efficiency.

[0039] Example 3: Guiding System Based on Motor Drive Adjustment

[0040] In this embodiment, the lifting device employs a motor-driven lead screw adjustment mechanism, enabling the guide frame to automatically adjust and ensuring smooth docking even if the lifting device shifts during the docking process. The drive mechanism includes a 750W servo motor, with the motor output shaft connected to a high-strength alloy steel lead screw. The lead screw has a diameter of Φ20mm and is chrome-plated to improve corrosion resistance and transmission stability. The lead screw passes through a threaded hole in the movable plate and is fixed at its end with a stop to limit axial movement, ensuring smooth extension and retraction of the guide frame.

[0041] As the spreader descends, the motor, via the control system, detects the relative position of the spreader and the container. If a misalignment is detected, the lead screw rotates, causing the telescopic boom to extend outwards, allowing the guide rod to surround the container and provide a larger docking guidance area. Subsequently, the system controls the motor to rotate in the opposite direction, retracting the telescopic boom and tightening the guide rod, thus automatically adjusting the spreader to the correct docking position. The entire process is automatically executed by the PLC control system, with adjustment time controlled within 3 seconds, significantly improving the efficiency of loading and unloading operations.

[0042] Comparative Case: Limitations of Traditional Hydraulic Adjustment Mechanisms

[0043] Traditional hydraulic adjustment mechanisms use hydraulic cylinders to drive guide structures for adjustment. However, hydraulic systems suffer from slow response times and are prone to leakage, leading to high maintenance costs. Furthermore, hydraulic systems are significantly affected by temperature; changes in hydraulic oil viscosity at low temperatures can affect adjustment accuracy. This embodiment uses a motor-driven lead screw for adjustment, offering higher control precision and faster response times, while eliminating the need for frequent maintenance and improving the long-term reliability of the equipment.

[0044] Example 4: Optimized connection structure between movable plate and telescopic rod

[0045] In this embodiment, the connection structure between the movable plate and the telescopic rod has been optimized to improve system stability. The movable plate is made of high-strength Q345B steel and precision-machined by CNC to ensure the fitting accuracy between it and the slot of the telescopic rod. The slot is lined with a high-wear-resistant engineering plastic bushing to reduce frictional resistance during the sliding process of the telescopic rod and improve adjustment smoothness. The fixing screws are M8 grade high-strength bolts and coated with an anti-loosening coating to ensure that they will not loosen during long-term use.

[0046] In practical applications, the optimized movable plate connection method makes the telescopic mast more stable during extension and retraction, maintaining good guiding performance even in harsh marine environments. Testing showed that the optimized connection structure reduced the lateral sway of the telescopic mast by 40%, significantly improving docking accuracy.

[0047] Comparative Case: Shortcomings of Traditional Welding Connections

[0048] Some traditional lifting devices use welding to fix the telescopic boom and movable plate. However, welded structures are prone to weld cracking due to metal fatigue during long-term use. Furthermore, welded structures cannot be flexibly adjusted on-site; once a malfunction occurs, the entire device must be replaced, resulting in high maintenance costs. This embodiment uses a detachable connection structure, making maintenance more convenient, enhancing durability, and improving the long-term reliability of the equipment.

[0049] Example 5: Safety Enhancement Based on Limiting Devices

[0050] In this embodiment, a limiting device is provided at the end of the lead screw to prevent the guide frame from failing due to excessive adjustment during extension and retraction. The limiting device includes a limiting screw and a locking hole. The limiting screw is made of M6 stainless steel and equipped with a spring washer to ensure that it will not loosen under high vibration environments. The machining accuracy of the locking hole is controlled within ±0.05mm to ensure that the limiting screw can be stably fixed and to prevent the lead screw from axially shifting during operation.

[0051] In practical applications, the limit device effectively prevents the guide frame from jamming or being damaged due to excessive extension and retraction, thus improving the overall safety of the system. In high-frequency operating environments, the limit device extends the service life of the guide frame by 30%, reduces maintenance requirements, and improves operational continuity.

[0052] Comparative Case: Risks of Unlimited Structures

[0053] Traditional lifting devices often lack limiting devices, which can lead to excessive rotation of the lead screw during frequent guide frame adjustments. This can cause the telescopic boom to jam or misalign, affecting normal operation. Furthermore, axial displacement of the lead screw can reduce the adjustment accuracy of the guide frame, ultimately impacting the docking performance. This embodiment, through a well-designed limiting device, ensures system reliability and effectively reduces equipment failure rates.

[0054] Through the above embodiments, the container spreader for container ships of this utility model has been optimized in terms of guide frame adjustment, motor drive adjustment, connection structure optimization and limit device improvement, so that it has higher stability, accuracy and adaptability in container loading and unloading operations. At the same time, it avoids the problems of large error, high maintenance cost and insufficient reliability of traditional spreaders, and improves the overall efficiency and safety of container loading and unloading operations.

[0055] The working principle of this utility model is as follows: When the spreader body 1 is used to lift the container, when the spreader moves above the container, if the spreader body 1 does not sway, it can continue to descend. The four guide frames 2 on the continuously descending spreader body 1 will first contact the container. As the spreader continues to descend, the guide rods 23 at the upper end of each guide frame 2 will cooperate with the container to stabilize the spreader body 1 until the spreader body 1 and the container are connected.

[0056] When the spreader body 1 wobbles and fails to align with the container during descent, the motors 33 on each drive mechanism 3 drive the lead screw 32 to rotate. The rotating lead screw 32 then drives the movable plate 21 to extend the telescopic rod 22 and guide rod 23 outward. At this time, the range between the guide rods 23 in each direction increases and surrounds the container in the middle as the descent moves. Then, the motors 33 drive the lead screw 32 to rotate in the opposite direction. The rotating lead screw 32 then drives the movable plate 21 to retract the telescopic rod 22 and guide rod 23 inward. The range between the guide rods 23 in each direction is continuously tightened, thereby aligning the spreader body 1 with the container, thus completing the rapid lifting of the container by the spreader body 1.

[0057] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this utility model. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various improvements and modifications without departing from the principle of this utility model, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of this utility model. Structures, devices, and operating methods not specifically described or explained in this utility model, unless otherwise specified or limited, shall be implemented using conventional methods in the field.

Claims

1. A container spreader for container ships, comprising a spreader body (1), characterized in that: Guide frames (2) are installed on the front and rear sides and the left and right ends of the spreader body (1). The guide frames (2) guide the position of the spreader body (1) when it docks with the container. The lifting device body (1) is equipped with drive mechanisms (3) on the front and rear sides and the left and right ends. The two drive mechanisms (3) drive the two guide frames (2) to move relative to each other. The guide part of the guide frame (2) extends downward.

2. The container spreader for container ships according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide frame (2) includes two telescopic rods (22) that pass through the edge of the lifting body (1). The inner ends of the two telescopic rods (22) are fixedly connected by a movable plate (21), and the outer ends of the two telescopic rods (22) are each fixed with a vertically downward guide rod (23).

3. A container spreader for container ships according to claim 2, characterized in that: The movable plate (21) has a slot (213) on one side for inserting the telescopic rod (22), and the movable plate (21) is fixedly connected to the telescopic rod (22) by fixing screws (211). The movable plate (21) has a threaded hole (212) in the center.

4. A container spreader for a container ship according to claim 3, characterized in that: The drive mechanism (3) includes a motor (33) fixed on the outside of the lifting body (1). The output shaft of the motor (33) passes through the edge of the lifting body (1) and is fixed with a lead screw (32). One end of the lead screw (32) passes through the threaded hole (212) and is fixed with a stop block (31).

5. A container spreader for a container ship according to claim 4, characterized in that: The stop block (31) is fitted onto the lead screw (32), and a limit screw (311) is threaded on the side of the stop block (31). A lock hole (321) is provided on the lead screw (32) for the limit screw (311) to pass through.

6. A container spreader for a container ship according to claim 2, characterized in that: The lower end of the guide rod (23) has an inclined surface facing the side of the lifting device body (1), and the guide rod (23) and the telescopic rod (22) are fixed together by welding.

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