Ship docking equipment
The ship docking device addresses instability and uneven suction force issues by employing a system with stabilizing mechanisms and hydraulic dampers for adaptive adjustment, ensuring stable and reliable docking under adverse conditions.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- JIANGSU UNIV OF SCI & TECH
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-13
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-18
AI Technical Summary
Conventional ship docking systems fail to provide uniform suction force distribution and dynamic adjustment capabilities, leading to instability and potential collisions during adverse weather conditions.
A ship docking device with a support seat, guide rail, stabilizing mechanisms, and suction mechanisms featuring hydraulic cylinders, electromagnetic blocks, and a stabilization mechanism with hydraulic dampers and reset springs, allowing for adaptive and uniform suction force distribution and dynamic adjustment.
The device ensures stable and reliable docking by automatically adjusting to the ship's angle and position, providing uniform suction force, cushioning impacts, and maintaining balance, thereby reducing the risk of collisions and enhancing docking speed and safety.
Smart Images

Figure 0007860661000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to marine engineering, and particularly to a ship docking device.
Background Art
[0002] When a ship docks, it is necessary to fix the ship to a quay or a port facility so that the ship does not drift due to tidal currents, wind forces, and other external forces. Usually, ropes are used to fix the ship. However, during the current docking of ships, when encountering adverse weather conditions such as tidal currents, strong winds, and surges, it has a significant impact on the docking stability of the ship. In a complex environment, when a ship is affected by external forces, it is prone to irregular rolling, drifting, or position changes, increasing the possibility of colliding with a quay or other ships.
[0003] To improve the safety and accuracy of the ship docking process, several new magnetic attraction type docking devices have emerged. For example, CN118360906B discloses a ship auxiliary docking device under poor sea conditions. During the process of the ship approaching the port, a detection rod can be pressed and slid in a mounting frame. The adsorption plate moves along the first guide rail of the mounting frame, and the plurality of adsorption plates are separated from each other, thereby enhancing the stability of the adsorption plate to adsorb the ship. During the process of the ship approaching the port, when the adsorption plate is pressed and at this time the plurality of adsorption plates swing on the mounting frame simultaneously, the plurality of adsorption plates all deflect to a state parallel to the outer wall of the ship. As the ship approaches the shore further, the plurality of adsorption plates contact the outer wall of the ship, and at this time the electromagnetic blocks on the adsorption plate start to be energized, stabilizing the ship under the action of magnetic force and enhancing the docking stability of the ship.
[0004] In actual docking processes, relying solely on the oscillation of the forward suction plates does not significantly enhance stability under complex sea conditions, and the suction area does not increase after the suction plates have moved and deployed along the guide rails. When encountering adverse conditions, as a ship approaches a pier at a certain angle, one end of the stern or bow approaches the pier while the other end moves away. Conventional technology fails to adequately adapt to the angular deviation formed by the ship horizontally, lacking dynamic adjustment capability, insufficient adaptability to dynamic environments, and still suffers from the problem of uneven suction force distribution, which affects the reliability and stability of docking. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]
[0005] Objective of the Invention: The objective of the present invention is to provide a ship docking device that is highly reliable and stable, has a uniform suction force distribution, and is highly adaptive and adjustable. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] Technical proposal: The ship docking device described in the present invention includes a support seat that is attached to a pier and has a guide rail attached to its front, the guide rail having at least one stabilizing mechanism attached to it, and suction mechanisms attached to both ends of the stabilizing mechanism.
[0007] Preferably, the suction mechanism includes a fixed plate and a connecting plate connected via a first hydraulic cylinder, the connecting plate being provided with a buffer base and a main suction plate in that order, the main suction plate being provided with a plurality of electromagnetic blocks, and a plurality of fixed rods being provided between the main suction plate and the connecting plate.
[0008] Preferably, a second hydraulic cylinder is hinged symmetrically to both ends of the fixing plate, the second hydraulic cylinder, the connecting rod and the first hydraulic cylinder form a stable triangle, one end of the second hydraulic cylinder is rotatably connected to the fixing plate, the other end of the second hydraulic cylinder is rotatably connected to the reset plate, the reset plate is provided with a buffer base and an auxiliary suction plate in that order, the auxiliary suction plate is provided with a plurality of electromagnetic blocks and a plurality of fixing rods are provided between the auxiliary suction plate and the reset plate.
[0009] Preferably, the fixing rod consists of a cylinder and a circular base above it.
[0010] Preferably, the circular base is provided inside the buffer base, the cylinder is provided below the buffer base, a spring is enclosed on the outer surface of the cylinder, and there is a gap between the buffer base and the circular base that allows the buffer base to be tilted in various directions.
[0011] Preferably, a groove is made on the side of the reset plate closest to the main suction plate.
[0012] Preferably, the stabilization mechanism includes a balance plate rotatably connected to a stabilization frame, a hydraulic damper and a grooved link mounted within the stabilization frame, the open ends of the hydraulic damper, reset spring and grooved link rotatably connected to the balance plate inside the stabilization frame, the closed end of the grooved link connected to the stabilization frame, a groove is made in the bottom of the stabilization frame, and a gear is provided above the groove.
[0013] Preferably, the guide rail includes guide rail plates and buffer connecting plates that are connected to each other, the guide rail plates are provided with racks, and the buffer connecting plates are connected to support seats via bolts.
[0014] Preferably, there is a gap between the buffer connecting plate and the support seat, and between the buffer connecting plate and the bolt.
[0015] Preferably, the support seat is provided with a collision prevention block. [Effects of the Invention]
[0016] Beneficial Effects: The present invention has the following significant advantages compared to the prior art.
[0017] (1) This device automatically adjusts through the suction mechanism based on the relative angle and position of the ship and the pier, effectively solving the problem of unstable suction in adverse conditions of conventional docking devices and enhancing the overall suction effect.
[0018] (2) The extendable suction mechanism in this device, through the combined action of the main suction plate and the auxiliary suction plate, can address the problem of uneven suction force due to angular deviation during the docking process at the stern or bow, and can make the suction force distribution more uniform.
[0019] (3) This device employs a combination structure of a trapezoidal fixing rod and a spring, enabling flexible oscillation of the suction plate. This not only enhances the adhesion effect between the suction plate and the ship, but also effectively cushions the impact force when the ship comes into contact with the pier during docking, preventing damage to the hull or pier facilities due to excessive impact force.
[0020] (4) The design of the stabilization mechanism in this device has an automatic adaptive balance reset function, which can respond quickly to the movement of the ship even when the ship is tilting and docking, eliminating the need for the ship to be perfectly parallel to the pier, effectively reducing the risk of tilt docking, maintaining the balance and stability of the suction system, reducing the adjustment time of the ship itself, increasing the ship's docking speed, and providing a docking assistance effect.
[0021] (5) In the suction mechanism of this device, the reset plate is hinged to the second hydraulic cylinder. After the ship leaves the dock, the second hydraulic cylinder retracts to a fixed position, the first hydraulic cylinder moves forward to achieve the subsequent reset effect, and the reset plates on both sides move closer together until they come into contact with each other, returning the auxiliary suction plate to its initial position and facilitating continued use during the next departure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0022] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the overall appearance of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of the docking device described in the present invention during ship docking. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram in which the main adsorption plate and the buffer table are connected. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of the adsorption mechanism. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram of the operating state of the stabilization mechanism and the adsorption mechanism. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram of the guide rail. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram of the reset plate. [Figure 8] This is a schematic diagram of the concave groove link. [Figure 9] This is a schematic diagram of the balance plate. [Figure 10] This is a schematic diagram of the stabilization frame. [Figure 11] This is a schematic diagram of the fixing plate.
Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention
[0023] Hereinafter, the technical solution of the present invention will be further described based on embodiments.
[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the ship docking device described in the present invention includes a support base 1 attached to the quay. A guide rail 2 is attached to the front of the support base 1, and two stabilization mechanisms 3 are connected to the guide rail 2. Adsorption mechanisms 4 are respectively attached to both ends of the stabilization mechanism 3.
[0025] As shown in Figures 3-4 and 11, the suction mechanism 4 includes a fixed plate 41 and a connecting plate 42 connected via a first hydraulic cylinder 43. The connecting plate 42 is provided with a buffer base 44 and a main suction plate 45, respectively. The main suction plate 45 is provided with a plurality of electromagnetic blocks, and a plurality of fixing rods 46 are provided between the main suction plate 45 and the connecting plate 42. The second hydraulic cylinders 47 are hinged symmetrically to both ends of the fixed plate 41. The middle part of the second hydraulic cylinder 47 is hinged to the middle part of the first hydraulic cylinder 43 via a connecting rod 48. The other end of the second hydraulic cylinder 47 is hinged to a reset plate 49. The reset plate 49 is provided with a buffer base 44 and an auxiliary suction plate 410, respectively. The auxiliary suction plate 410 is provided with a plurality of electromagnetic blocks, and a plurality of fixing rods 46 are provided between the auxiliary suction plate 410 and the reset plate 49.
[0026] Each hydraulic cylinder is connected to the same oil tank, and the oil tank is equipped with an oil pump to supply hydraulic oil to each hydraulic cylinder.
[0027] The fixed rod 46 has a rounded upper end and a cylindrical lower end. The rounded upper end is located inside the buffer base 44, and the cylindrical lower end is located below the buffer base 44. There is a certain gap between the buffer base 44 and the rounded upper end of the fixed rod 46, which allows the buffer base 44 to be tilted in all directions. Multiple buffer bases can adjust their own angles, reducing the risk of collision when docking with the ship's side wall and achieving the effect of adaptive buffer adjustment.
[0028] The upper part of the fixing rod is configured as a circular platform, primarily serving to enhance the cushioning effect, improve adaptability, and reduce wear. When the fixing rod is subjected to an external force, it can better disperse and absorb the impact force. The design of the upper circular platform allows the fixing rod to slide along the surface of the platform when subjected to force, thereby reducing the direct impact force. Furthermore, by using the fixing rod in combination with a spring, the cushioning effect can be further enhanced. The spring distributes the force more uniformly under the guidance of the fixing rod, reducing damage to the ship and pier facilities. Figure 3 shows that in this solution, when designing the fixing rod, a certain gap is deliberately left between the cushioning platform and the fixing rod, and the suction plate can be tilted in multiple directions to adapt to different angles and positions during ship docking. This allows the fixing rod to better adapt to the ship's motion, increasing the stability and safety of docking.
[0029] As shown in Figure 7, the reset plate 49 has a horizontal T-shape with a shorter upper end and a longer lower end, and a groove is made in the middle on the side closer to the main suction plate 45. This groove can accommodate the housing for the first hydraulic cylinder 43, the second hydraulic cylinder 47, and the connecting rod 48, thereby preventing the reset plate 49 from colliding with the connecting plate 42, the hydraulic cylinder, and the connecting rod during operation.
[0030] As shown in Figures 5 and 8-10, the stabilization mechanism 3 includes a balance plate 31 rotatably connected to a stabilization frame 32. A hydraulic damper 33 and a grooved link 36 are mounted inside the stabilization frame. The open ends of the hydraulic damper 33, reset spring 35, and grooved link 36 are hinged to the balance plate 31 inside the stabilization frame, the closed end of the grooved link 36 is connected to the stabilization frame 32 via a stopper rod, and the left protruding portion of the lower end of the grooved link 36 is connected to the reset spring 35. A groove is provided at the bottom of the stabilization frame 32, and a gear 34 is provided above the groove.
[0031] The stabilization mechanism 3 further includes a motor 37 mounted on the left side of the stabilization frame 32 so as to provide power to the gear 34 and to allow the stabilization mechanism 3 to move up and down on the guide rail 2.
[0032] The main role of the reset spring is to enhance docking stability when a ship is tilting and docking under adverse conditions, to give it better dynamic adjustment capabilities, to allow the suction plate to make better contact with the ship's surface, to improve suction stability, and to allow it to automatically reset after the ship has left the dock, making it convenient for the next use.
[0033] As shown in Figure 6, the guide rail 2 includes a guide rail plate 21 and a buffer connecting plate 22. The guide rail plate 21 is provided with a rack 25, and the buffer connecting plate 22 is connected to the support seat 1 via bolts 23. The bolts 23 are enclosed by springs 24. There is a certain gap between the buffer component, which is the connection point between the guide rail plate 21 and the buffer connecting plate 22, and the support seat 1, and there is also a certain gap between the buffer connecting plate 22 and the bolts 23. The buffer component can tilt up and down by a certain angle after being pressed by the ship.
[0034] Collision prevention blocks 5 are provided at each of the four corners of the support base 1, thereby improving the safety of docking.
[0035] Two stabilizing mechanisms 3 are attached to the guide rail plate 21, which allows the position of the suction plate to be adjusted according to the size of the vessel and the draft of the water surface, thereby making the suction more stable. Through the meshing action of the gear 34 and the rack 25, the two stabilizing mechanisms 3 can move up and down on the guide rail plate, thereby improving the accuracy of the transmission.
[0036] The operating principle of this device is as follows:
[0037] When a ship needs to dock, the position of the suction plates is adjusted by moving two stabilizing mechanisms up and down on guide rails, depending on the size of the ship and the draft of the water. When the ship docks at a certain angle of inclination, the hull and the pier are not parallel, and the side wall of the hull comes into contact with the main suction plate. The main suction plate then energizes, and the first hydraulic cylinder moves to move the connecting rod and deploy the suction mechanism. The ship docks and presses against the main suction plate until the first hydraulic cylinder stops retracting and locks in place, and the suction mechanism is fully deployed. Simultaneously, the second hydraulic cylinder extends until the auxiliary suction plate comes into contact with the surface of the ship, moving the reset plate diagonally upward on both sides and locking in place. The heights of the first and second hydraulic cylinders are almost the same, and at this time, the auxiliary suction plate energizes, achieving the suction action between the ship and the electromagnetic block.
[0038] Furthermore, as the balance plate rotates within a certain range and the vessel docks at a certain angle and contacts the main suction plate, the stabilization mechanism also tilts in sync with it at a certain angle. When the vessel presses against the main suction plate on one side of the suction mechanism, the balance plate rotates, and the hydraulic damper attached to the stabilization mechanism acts as a buffer, thereby preventing the balance plate and the stabilization frame from colliding violently and damaging the docking device, at which point the reset spring on the other side is in a balanced state. When the balance plate tilts to the left, the lower end of the U-shaped groove at the closed end of the grooved link contacts the stopper rod connected to the grooved link on the stabilization frame, and at this time the reset spring is in an extended state. When the balance plate tilts to the right, the balance plate presses against the lower end of the open end of the grooved link until the upper end of the closed end of the grooved link contacts the stopper rod, causing the grooved link to move downward and extending the lower end of the reset spring. The balance plate adheres tightly to the upper surface of the stabilizing frame when tilted, completing the angle limit of the balance plate, and the reset spring is always extended when the balance plate is tilted. The dynamic adjustment function of the balance plate, hydraulic damper, and reset spring can respond quickly to the movement of the vessel and maintain the balance and stability of the suction system. When the suction mechanism fully adheres to the side wall of the vessel, the hydraulic damper and reset spring themselves are reset, reducing the tilt angle of the vessel's docking.
[0039] After the guide rail plate and buffer connecting plate are subjected to the pressure of the vessel, the gap between the buffer component and the support seat allows the buffer component to have a certain amount of movement space, enabling it to flexibly respond to external forces from different directions, not just vertical, and also increasing the adaptability of the guide rail. Multiple springs are provided in the guide rail, resulting in a better buffering effect compared to conventional devices, and effectively avoiding the risk of the vessel detaching, especially under adverse conditions.
[0040] After the ship leaves the dock, the first hydraulic cylinder returns to its initial position, and simultaneously the second hydraulic cylinder retracts to its initial length. The two reset plates then come into contact with each other beneath the connecting plate, achieving a reset effect and facilitating continued use during the next docking. A groove is provided on the side of the reset plate closest to the first hydraulic cylinder, allowing the two reset plates to come into contact with each other during the reset without colliding with the connecting plate or the hydraulic cylinder.
Claims
1. A ship docking device that is attached to a pier and includes a support base (1) to which a guide rail (2) is attached to the front, At least one stabilizing mechanism (3) is attached to the guide rail (2), and suction mechanisms (4) are attached to both ends of the stabilizing mechanism (3). The suction mechanism (4) includes a fixed plate (41) and a connecting plate (42) connected via a first hydraulic cylinder (43). The connecting plate (42) is provided with a buffer base (44) and a main suction plate (45), respectively. The main suction plate (45) is provided with a plurality of electromagnetic blocks. A plurality of fixed rods (46) are provided between the main suction plate (45) and the connecting plate (42). A second hydraulic cylinder (47) is attached to both ends of the fixed plate (41). The second hydraulic cylinder (47), connecting rod (48), and first hydraulic cylinder (43) are hinged together and form a stable triangle. One end of the second hydraulic cylinder (47) is rotatably connected to a fixed plate (41), and the other end of the second hydraulic cylinder (47) is rotatably connected to a reset plate (49). The reset plate (49) is provided with a buffer base (44) and an auxiliary suction plate (410) in that order. The auxiliary suction plate (410) is provided with a plurality of electromagnetic blocks. A plurality of fixed rods (46) are provided between the auxiliary suction plate (410) and the reset plate (49). 46) consists of a cylinder and a circular base above it, the circular base is provided inside the buffer base (44), the cylinder is provided below the buffer base (44), a spring is wrapped around the outer surface of the cylinder, there is a gap between the buffer base (44) and the circular base that allows the buffer base (44) to be tilted in all directions, the stabilizing mechanism (3) includes a balance plate (31) rotatably connected to a stabilizing frame (32), a hydraulic damper (33) and a grooved link (36) are mounted inside the stabilizing frame (32), the open ends of the hydraulic damper (33), reset spring (35) and grooved link (36) are Each is rotatably connected to a balance plate (31) inside the stabilizing frame, the closed end of the grooved link (36) is connected to the stabilizing frame (32), a groove is made in the bottom of the stabilizing frame (32), the left protruding portion of the lower end of the grooved link (36) is connected to a reset spring (35), a gear (34) is provided above the groove, the guide rail (2) includes mutually connected guide rail plates (21) and buffer connecting plates (22), a rack (25) is provided on the guide rail plate (21), and the stabilizing mechanism (3) is formed by the meshing action of the gear (34) and the rack (25).A ship docking device characterized by the fact that a guide rail plate (21) moves up and down, and a buffer connecting plate (22) is connected to a support seat (1) via bolts (23).
2. The ship docking device according to claim 1, characterized in that a groove is made on the side of the reset plate (49) closest to the main suction plate (45).
3. The ship docking device according to claim 1, characterized in that there is a gap between the buffer connecting plate (22) and the support seat (1), and between the buffer connecting plate (22) and the bolt (23).
4. The ship docking device according to claim 1, characterized in that the support seat (1) is provided with a collision prevention block (5).