Train container overturning and unloading device

Abstract

The utility model discloses a train container overturning and unloading device and method, and belongs to the field of train transportation. The container lifting device comprises a container lifting appliance used for lifting a container from a train carriage; overturning clamping arms are symmetrically mounted on the left side and the right side of the body; and the overturning clamp is used for clamping the container and driving the container to overturn, so that the materials in the container are cleaned and unloaded. The utility model aims to solve the problem that a gap between adjacent containers in a train carriage is extremely small, so that the containers need to be uniformly hoisted and transferred to a special track or an open space of hoisting equipment by using a special container sling to realize concentrated unloading. Aiming at the pain points that the distance between adjacent containers is extremely small and the unloading process is tedious in a railway transportation scene, the unloading efficiency and safety are remarkably improved through an innovative structural design and an operation method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a train container tipping and unloading device, belonging to the field of train transportation. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional railway bulk material transportation involves directly loading materials into train carriages, which has problems such as low loading and unloading efficiency, difficulty in cleaning the carriages, and low environmental friendliness.

[0003] With the development of logistics, the current railway transportation model involves loading bulk materials into standard containers, and then placing two containers in one train car for transportation. The advantages of this transportation are: 1. The containers themselves are standardized, which helps to improve loading and unloading efficiency; 2. Containers can overcome the environmental protection requirements of modern logistics and avoid the dust generated during the loading, unloading and transportation of bulk materials, which affects the environment; 3. It overcomes the problem of difficult cleaning of train cars.

[0004] While container shipping offers the advantages mentioned above, unloading issues have gradually emerged. The final stage of transportation is unloading. Due to the extremely small gaps between adjacent containers within train carriages, existing clamping and tilting equipment (gantry cranes, reach stackers, etc.) cannot overcome the space constraints of directly clamping and tilting containers from the train carriages for unloading. Specialized container spreaders are required for unified lifting and transfer to dedicated crane tracks or open spaces for centralized unloading. This unloading method is cumbersome and cannot meet the needs of rapid turnover and single-unloading of large quantities of goods.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a new type of train container tilting and unloading device to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to solve the problem of adjacent containers having very little space within a train car, requiring specialized container spreaders for unified lifting and transport to a dedicated crane track or open space for centralized unloading. A brief overview of this invention is provided below to offer a basic understanding of certain aspects. It should be understood that this overview is not an exhaustive summary of the invention. It is not intended to identify key or essential parts of the invention, nor is it intended to limit its scope.

[0007] The technical solution of this utility model:

[0008] Option 1: A train container tipping and unloading device, comprising: a container spreader for lifting containers from inside a train car;

[0009] The main body has symmetrically mounted flip-clamping arms on its left and right sides.

[0010] The flip clamp is used to clamp containers and cause them to flip, thus enabling the unloading of materials inside the containers.

[0011] The main body has clamping arms symmetrically installed on its left and right sides.

[0012] The flip clamp is used to clamp containers and cause them to flip, thus enabling the unloading of materials inside the containers.

[0013] Preferably, the clamping arm is installed on the body in a telescopic manner.

[0014] Preferably, the telescopic mechanism is a bidirectional telescopic mechanism, a gear and rack telescopic mechanism, or a sprocket and chain telescopic mechanism.

[0015] Preferably, one end of the clamping arm is rotatably mounted on the body.

[0016] Preferably, it also includes an actuator, one end of which is fixed and the other end is connected to the clamping arm. The actuator is a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, an electric push rod, or a motor.

[0017] Preferably, the clamping arm includes a clamping arm, a flipping arm, and a rotating mechanism, wherein the flipping arm is mounted on the clamping arm via the rotating mechanism.

[0018] Preferably, the bottom of the flipping arm has a bottom support boss.

[0019] Preferably, it also includes a traveling mechanism that drives the clamping arm or container spreader to travel.

[0020] This utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0021] 1. This utility model addresses the pain points of extremely small spacing between adjacent containers and cumbersome unloading processes in railway transportation scenarios. Through innovative structural design and operation methods, it significantly improves unloading efficiency and safety.

[0022] 2. The clamping arm and container spreader of this utility model work together to eliminate the need to lift the container out of the truck or transfer it to a special site. It can accurately grab the target container in a narrow space with a gap of less than 20cm between adjacent containers, realizing the integrated operation of "truck-turn-unloading" and completely eliminating the need for spreader transfer and secondary container opening.

[0023] 3. The clamping arm of this utility model can be fixedly clamped to the train carriage and fixed at the bottom to ensure the overall stability of the carriage during the flipping process. It supports continuous unloading of multiple carriages, improves work efficiency, supports large-angle flipping of containers, and shortens the unloading time of a single container.

[0024] 4. This utility model solves the problem of railway container unloading relying on dedicated sites and complex hoisting, and truly realizes efficient unloading on the spot without the car leaving the track or the container touching the ground, providing key technical support for cost reduction and efficiency improvement of railway logistics nodes and seamless connection of multimodal transport. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the open state of a train container tipping and unloading device.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the lifting status of a train container tipping and unloading device.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the clamping status of a train container tipping and unloading device.

[0028] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of a train container tipping and unloading device;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the unloading status of a train container tipping and unloading device.

[0030] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating the operational status of a train container tipping and unloading device.

[0031] Figure 7 This is a structural schematic diagram of the material collection trough and the walking mechanism of this utility model;

[0032] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the clamping arm of this utility model;

[0033] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the lock hole structure of this utility model;

[0034] Figure 10 This is a structural diagram of the present invention when the telescopic mechanism is a bidirectional telescopic mechanism;

[0035] Figure 11 This is a structural diagram of the present invention when the telescopic method is a gear and rack telescopic mechanism;

[0036] Figure 12 This is a structural diagram of the present invention when the telescopic method is a sprocket and chain telescopic mechanism. Detailed Implementation

[0037] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model is described below with reference to specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that these descriptions are merely exemplary and not intended to limit the scope of the present utility model. Furthermore, descriptions of well-known structures and technologies are omitted in the following description to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the concept of the present utility model.

[0038] The connections mentioned in this utility model are divided into fixed connections and detachable connections. Fixed connections, also known as non-detachable connections, include but are not limited to conventional fixed connection methods such as folded connections, riveted connections, adhesive connections, and welded connections. Detachable connections include but are not limited to conventional disassembly methods such as threaded connections, snap-fit ​​connections, pin connections, and hinged connections. When a specific connection method is not explicitly defined, it is assumed that at least one existing connection method can always be found to achieve the function, and those skilled in the art can choose according to their needs. For example, a welded connection can be chosen for fixed connections, and a hinged connection can be chosen for detachable connections.

[0039] Specific implementation method one: Combining Figure 1-4 This embodiment describes a train container tilting and unloading device, which includes a body 1, clamping arms 2, and a container spreader 3. The clamping arms 2 are symmetrically installed on the left and right sides of the body 1, and the container spreader 3 is installed at the bottom of the body 1, with the container spreader 3 located between the clamping arms 2 on both sides.

[0040] The current railway transportation model involves loading bulk materials into standard containers, then placing two containers in one train car for transport. After arriving at the designated location, the train typically enters a closed freight yard, where the materials are unloaded into collection troughs 4. Since the freight yard generally only accommodates a single train with limited space, and adjacent containers are placed side-by-side in the train car, the gaps between them are extremely small. Existing clamping and tilting equipment cannot overcome this limited space to directly clamp and tilt containers from the train car for unloading. This embodiment moves the container spreader 3 above container 0-1 in train car 0-2, lifts container 0-1 using the spreader 3, and then clamps and tilts container 0-1 using the clamping arm 2 to unload the materials. This achieves clamping and unloading in a single, on-site operation, eliminating the need for additional lifting equipment to transport container 0-1 to an open area, reducing the unloading area and operating space, and improving unloading efficiency.

[0041] Table 1. Comparison of unloading efficiency between traditional transportation and container transportation

[0042]

[0043]

[0044] Traditional transportation involves loading materials directly into containers, which are then hoisted to a designated unloading yard before being unloaded by a unloading mechanism.

[0045] This embodiment describes a train container tipping and unloading device. Compared to prior art 1, which discloses a train container transport coke intelligent unloading system (CN 112499301 A), prior art 1 requires a large track and platform layout, necessitating the installation of multiple tipping platform devices and supporting silos on both sides of the track, resulting in a large overall footprint. This may be difficult to implement in factories with limited space (such as old factory areas or urban peripheries). Although automation shortens the single operation time, the system needs to coordinate multiple stages, including traction device positioning, crane grabbing, and tipping platform tilting. If a synchronization problem occurs in any stage (such as photoelectric switch response delay or hydraulic cylinder movement slow), the overall efficiency may be limited. Photoelectric switches, encoders, proximity switches, etc., need to maintain high sensitivity for extended periods. Dust environments (coke unloading) can easily lead to sensor contamination or false triggering, increasing maintenance frequency and downtime risks. However, the train container tilting and unloading device of this embodiment integrates lifting and tilting into one unit. The clamping arm and container spreader work together, eliminating the need to lift the container away from the dedicated tilting and unloading device. It can accurately grab the target container in a narrow space with a gap of less than 20cm between adjacent containers, realizing the integrated operation of "carriage-tilting-unloading". It completely eliminates the need for spreader transfer and secondary container opening. It solves the problem of railway container unloading relying on dedicated sites and complex lifting, and truly realizes efficient unloading on the spot without the car leaving the track or the container touching the ground. It provides key technical support for cost reduction and efficiency improvement of railway logistics nodes and seamless connection of multimodal transport.

[0046] Specific Implementation Method Two: Combining Figures 1-12 This embodiment describes a train container tilting and unloading device based on specific embodiment one. The clamping arm 2 includes a clamping arm 21, a tilting arm 22, and a rotating mechanism 23. The top of the clamping arm 21 is rotatably connected to the body 1, and the tilting arm 22 is mounted on the clamping arm 21 through the rotating mechanism 23.

[0047] like Figure 4As shown, the bottom of the tilting arm 22 has a bottom support boss 24. The bottom support boss 24 is equipped with a container locking clamp, also known as a container lock head. The container locking clamp is a standard clamp currently used for container lifting and transportation. During operation, the container lock head is first inserted into the lock head holes 0-11 on the four sides of the container, and then the lock head is rotated 90 degrees to secure the container to the bottom support boss 24. That is, when the container spreader 3 lowers and the clamping arm 2 closes, the bottom of the container spreader 3 rests on the bottom support boss 24, and the container locking clamp engages with the lock head holes 0-11 on the container, thus achieving positioning and fixation.

[0048] Most existing clamping and tilting devices achieve fixed clamping by directly acting on the side wall of the container (0-1). This can lead to structural damage due to insufficient side wall strength (especially in thin-walled or older containers). The side wall of the container (0-1) is also prone to denting, deformation, or tearing due to uneven stress, affecting the service life and stacking safety of the container (0-1). In this embodiment, the clamping arm 2, through the coordinated use of the bottom support boss 24 and the tilting arm 22, is fixedly installed at the lock hole 0-11 of the container, directly acting on... The most robust part of the container structure (bottom beam or support frame) prevents deformation of the side walls. In addition, the bottom support boss 24 and the container locking clamp work together to clamp the container at the bottom and rotate it, making the container's center of gravity more stable and reducing the risk of tipping over. It is especially suitable for unloading heavy or highly stacked materials. The bottom rotation can achieve overall unloading of materials. That is, the clamping arm 2 drives the container 0-1 to rotate 90 degrees to 180 degrees, so that the opening of the container faces downwards to unload materials, achieving thorough unloading and preventing residual materials from deteriorating or contaminating subsequent goods.

[0049] This embodiment of a train container tilting and unloading device, compared to prior art 2, which is a bulk container unloading workshop disclosed in announcement number CN 215478497 U, uses a top-hinged lifting and tilting method, which is unstable and is especially suitable for containers with side doors for unloading, where the tilting angle does not need to be large. This embodiment uses a method of clamping on both sides and fixing the bottom for tilting, which can achieve a large tilting angle of 90 degrees to 180 degrees, especially suitable for containers with open tops. For such containers, the tilting limitation of prior art 2 cannot achieve complete tilting and unloading. At the same time, prior art 2 also requires manual intervention, which has high unloading risk and low efficiency. This embodiment of a train container tilting and unloading device improves the operation efficiency, supports large-angle tilting of containers, and shortens the unloading time of a single container.

[0050] Specific implementation method three: Combining Figures 1-12This embodiment describes a train container tilting and unloading device based on Specific Embodiment 1. In this embodiment, the clamping arm 2 is installed on the body 1 in a telescopic manner.

[0051] More preferably, such as Figure 10 As shown, the telescopic mechanism is a bidirectional telescopic mechanism, which includes a telescopic cylinder or hydraulic cylinder 201. Two telescopic cylinders or hydraulic cylinders 201 are fixedly installed inside the main body 1. One end of the telescopic cylinder or hydraulic cylinder 201 is fixed, and the other end is telescopically extended in the opposite direction. Clamping arms 2 are slidably installed inside the left and right sides of the main body 1. The clamping arms 2 at both ends are fixedly connected to the telescopic ends of the two telescopic cylinders or hydraulic cylinders 201 respectively. Through the double-bar telescopic mechanism with the arms facing in the opposite direction, the telescopic movement of the clamping arms 2 relative to the outer arm is realized, thereby achieving opposite clamping on both sides of the container. The two clamping arms 2 are connected by a telescopic rod 202, which is located on the side walls of the container 0-1 and plays a supporting role to prevent deformation.

[0052] More preferably, such as Figure 11 As shown, the telescopic mechanism is a rack and pinion telescopic mechanism, which includes a first rack 203, a second rack 204, and a drive gear 205. Clamping arms 2 are slidably mounted inside both sides of the main body 1. The drive gear 205 is rotatably mounted on the main body 1 between the clamping arms 2. The first rack 203 and the second rack 204 are laterally slidably mounted inside the main body 1. One side of the first rack 203 is located above and meshes with the drive gear 205, while the other side is fixedly connected to the end of the clamping arm 2 closest to it. One side of the second rack 204 is located below and meshes with the drive gear 205, while the other side is fixedly connected to the end of the clamping arm 2 closest to it. When the drive gear 205 is driven to rotate by a motor or other rotating output device, due to the meshing relationship, the first rack 203 and the second rack 204 move synchronously laterally in opposite or adjacent directions, thereby driving the clamping arms 2 to telescopically open and close.

[0053] More preferably, such as Figure 12 As shown, the telescopic mechanism is a sprocket and chain telescopic mechanism, which includes a chain 206 and two sprockets 207. The two sprockets 207 are connected by the chain 206. Clamping arms 2 are slidably installed inside the left and right sides of the main body 1. The clamping arms 2 on both sides are fixedly connected to the upper and lower sides of the chain 206. When the sprockets 207 are driven to rotate by a motor or other rotating output device, due to the fixed connection, the clamping arms 2 on both sides move synchronously in a horizontal linear motion in the opposite or close direction, thereby realizing the telescopic opening and closing.

[0054] Specific implementation method four: Combination Figures 1-12This embodiment describes a train container tilting and unloading device based on Specific Embodiment Two. In this embodiment, the clamping arm 2 further includes an actuator 25, one end of which is fixed, and the other end is connected to the tilting arm 22. The top end of the tilting arm 22 is hinged to the end of the body 1. The actuator 25 drives the tilting arm 22 to open and close along the top hinge point, performing a tilting action. The actuator 25 can be any actuator capable of driving the tilting arm 22 to tilt, such as a hydraulic cylinder, pneumatic cylinder, electric push rod, or motor.

[0055] The rotating mechanism 23 is a rotary mechanism with rotational power. Its purpose is to drive the tilting arm 22 to tilt relative to the clamping arm 21, so as to realize the lateral tilting and unloading of container 0-1. The rotating mechanism 23 can be a tilting device, worm gear rotary drive turntable bearing or automatic rotary drive turntable bearing, etc., in a train container unloading system disclosed in CN116495501A, which realizes controllable and automated rotation.

[0056] The container spreader 3 is a container lifting device of the prior art, such as a frame-type balance beam container loading and unloading spreader, a mechanical container spreader, etc. By connecting the lock heads at the four corners of the crossbeam at the end of the spreader 3 to the lock head holes 0-11 at the top corner of the container, the opening and closing of the turnlock is controlled to load and unload the container. At the same time, the lifting and lowering of the container spreader 3 is achieved by controlling the electric cable.

[0057] Specific Implementation Method Five: Combining Figures 1-12 This embodiment describes a train container tilting and unloading device based on any of the specific embodiments one to three. This embodiment further includes a traveling mechanism 5. The main body 1 and the container spreader 3 are mounted on the traveling mechanism 5. The traveling mechanism 5 drives the clamping arm 2 or the container spreader 3 to travel. The main body 1 and / or the container spreader 3 can be respectively mounted on the traveling mechanism 5 via winches. The traveling mechanism 5 can be a portal-type traveling mechanism, driving the clamping arm 2 or the container spreader 3 to travel along the portal frame, positioning it directly above container 0-1 or at other work positions to achieve transportation or lifting.

[0058] Currently, most existing railway unloading areas have limited space. Most unloading points are located inside portal frames directly accessible by train tracks, with train cars moving directly along these tracks to the unloading station. This severely limits the available unloading space.

[0059] In this embodiment, the walking mechanism 5 is directly mounted on the portal frame, and its walking direction is consistent with the train track, so that the unloading requirement can be met directly on the train track.

[0060] Specific Implementation Method Six: Combination Figures 1-12This embodiment describes a train container tilting and unloading device based on the fourth embodiment. In this embodiment, a material collection trough 4 is provided below the train track, that is, directly below the unloading station. The purpose is to allow the material to be directly poured into the bottom material collection trough 4 when the clamping arm 2 tilts the container 0-1 for unloading, so that the transportation, hoisting and unloading processes can be completed in one go.

[0061] Specific implementation method seven, combined with Figures 1-12 This embodiment describes a train container tilting and unloading device based on the first embodiment. The method involves moving the container spreader 3 above the container 0-1 inside the train car 0-2, lifting the container 0-1 using the spreader 3, and then clamping the container 0-1 from the top of the train car 0-2 using the clamping arms 2 on the main body 1. This overcomes the problem of extremely small gaps between adjacent containers in the train car 0-2 and narrow space at the clamping positions on both sides.

[0062] The clamping arm 2 drives the container 0-1 to flip, unloading the materials inside the container 0-1.

[0063] The clamping arm 2 rotates the container 0-1 by 90-180 degrees, so that the opening of the container 0-1 faces downwards, so as to unload the materials and achieve thorough unloading, which can prevent residual materials from deteriorating or contaminating subsequent goods.

[0064] Specific implementation method seven: Combination Figures 1-4 This embodiment is based on the train container tilting and unloading device described in Specific Embodiment 1. The train container tilting and unloading method of this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0065] Step 1: Transport container spreader 3 to directly above container 0-1;

[0066] Step 2: Open the clamping arms 2 on both sides and start the container spreader 3 to lower, as follows. Figure 5 As shown, the container spreader 3 lifts container 0-1 between the left and right clamping arms 2, as... Figure 6 As shown;

[0067] Step 3: Close the left and right clamping arms 2 to clamp and secure container 0-1. Then, activate the container spreader 3 to release container 0-1. The container spreader 3 will then return to its original position. Figure 7 As shown;

[0068] Step 4: Activate the rotating mechanism 23 to cause the tipping arm 22 to tilt the container 0-1 sideways for unloading. Figure 8As shown, the flip arm 22 then resets.

[0069] Step 5: After the tilting arm 22 is reset, the container spreader 3 is started to fall, so that the container spreader 3 lifts the container 0-1. Then the clamping arms 2 on the left and right sides are opened, and the container spreader 3 is started to continue to fall until the container 0-1 falls back into the train car 0-2. The container spreader 3 is then reset, completing one unloading operation.

[0070] It should be noted that in the above embodiments, as long as the technical solutions are not contradictory, they can be arranged and combined. Those skilled in the art can exhaust all possibilities based on the mathematical knowledge of permutation and combination. Therefore, this utility model will not describe the technical solutions after permutation and combination one by one, but it should be understood that the technical solutions after permutation and combination have been disclosed by this utility model.

[0071] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this utility model and is not intended to limit the utility model. Various modifications and variations can be made to this utility model by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A train container tippler unloading device, characterized by, include: Container spreader (3), used to lift containers (0-1) from inside a train car; The main body (1) has clamping arms (2) symmetrically installed on both sides of the main body (1); The clamping arm (2) is used to clamp the container and drive the container to flip, so as to unload the materials inside the container.

2. A train container tippler unloading device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The clamping arm (2) is installed on the body (1) in a telescopic manner.

3. A train container tippler unloading device according to claim 2, characterised in that: The telescopic mechanism is a double-bar telescopic mechanism, a gear and rack telescopic mechanism, or a sprocket and chain telescopic mechanism.

4. A train container tippler unloading device as claimed in claim 1, wherein: One end of the clamping arm (2) is rotatably mounted on the body (1).

5. A train container tippler unloading device as claimed in claim 4, wherein: It also includes an actuator (25), one end of which is fixed and the other end is connected to the clamping arm (2).

6. A train container tippler unloading device according to claim 5, characterised in that: The actuator (25) is a hydraulic cylinder, pneumatic cylinder, electric push rod, or motor.

7. A rail car container tippler according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The clamping arm (2) includes a clamping arm (21), a flipping arm (22) and a rotating mechanism (23). The flipping arm (22) is mounted on the clamping arm (21) through the rotating mechanism (23).

8. A train container tippler unloading device as claimed in claim 7, wherein: The bottom of the flipping arm (22) has a bottom support boss (24).

9. A rail car container tippler according to claim 1, wherein: It also includes a walking mechanism (5), which drives the clamping arm (2) or container spreader (3) to move.

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