Automated Spreader for Shipboard Metal Boxes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for loading and unloading metal goods-transportation boxes on ships are inefficient, requiring manual operation inside the ship's hold, leading to increased time, risk, and potential contamination at ports due to loose goods.
Innovation Solution
An automated device with an automatic 'spreader' system using movable wires and hydraulic or gear motor operation to remotely open and close metal goods-transportation boxes, eliminating the need for manual repositioning and supporting the boxes during operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual method is used to reposition hoist wires inside ship's hold, then boxes can be opened and closed, but operation time increases and operator safety risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention attaches the hoist wires to the box extremities in advance, before the box is lowered into the ship's hold. This preliminary action eliminates the need for manual repositioning of wires inside the hold, allowing the box to be automatically opened and closed by the spreader without requiring an operator to enter the hold and reposition wires during the operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The box design includes self-contained hoist wire attachment mechanisms at its extremities, allowing the box to serve itself in terms of wire positioning. The box's own structure provides the attachment points, eliminating the need for external manual intervention to reposition wires during the opening/closing cycle.
2Ease of operation
If manual method is used to reposition hoist wires, then boxes can be operated, but operator safety risk increases due to need for operator inside ship's hold
Solution Approach 1:
The hoist wires are attached to the box extremities before the box is lowered into the ship's hold. This preliminary attachment eliminates the need for an operator to enter the confined and potentially hazardous ship's hold to reposition wires, thereby eliminating the safety risk associated with manual wire repositioning in such an environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the wire repositioning function from the manual operation domain and integrates it into the automated spreader system. By taking out the need for manual wire handling from the ship's hold environment, the hazardous manual operation is completely eliminated and replaced by remote-controlled automated wire manipulation.
3Productivity
If boxes are left open when leaving ship's hold, then easy to load/unload, but port quay contamination occurs due to loose goods
Solution Approach 1:
The invention automatically closes the box covers before the box leaves the ship's hold, as a preliminary action before the box is hoisted out and transported to the truck. This ensures that goods remain contained during transport, preventing contamination of the port quay, while still allowing efficient loading and unloading operations to proceed.
Solution Approach 2:
The box design includes self-contained cover mechanisms that can automatically open and close without external intervention. The box serves itself by automatically closing its covers after discharge, eliminating the need for manual cover handling and ensuring goods are contained during transport back to the truck, thus preventing port quay contamination.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The automated device reduces operation time, eliminates the need for an operator inside the ship's hold, prevents contamination, and ensures boxes are closed and clean upon removal, enhancing shipping productivity and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic pump connected to an electric or combustion engine
Implementation Method 2
the material drains by gravity through the formed inclined surfaces
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Abstract of invention AUTOMATED DEVICE FOR OPENING AND CLOSING METAL GOODS-TRANSPORTATION BOXES FOR STORAGE ON SHIPS. It's an automated device for opening and closing metal goods - transportation boxes for storage on ships, eliminating the necessity from silos of storage next to the platform of harbour and as well the conveyor belts and yours accessories to the loading of ship, being formed of specials boxes (3), automatic spreader (1), mobile cables (8) and (9), set of lids (4) and (5), the equipment discloses productivity gains in using as fast in operation, eliminates the human presence in the basement of ship, because the control of down and up of boxes is accomplished through the automatic "spreader" that is connected to distance through the central of control.