Cargo Handling Method Using Lighter Wheeled Platform
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing cargo handling systems for bulk cargo and freight containers are inefficient when handling different types of freight, leading to reduced availability of apparatuses and prolonged transportation times, especially when transitioning between bulk cargo and container ships.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a lighter with a wheeled platform that can move a freight container from one dock to another, allowing for the use of a gantry crane to unload bulk cargo and freight containers without dedicated apparatuses, thereby improving dock and crane availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If dedicated apparatuses are used for bulk cargo and freight containers respectively, then the efficiency of each apparatus is improved, but the availability of apparatuses decreases when handling different types of freight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling a container crane to perform multiple functions: it can handle both freight containers (using its standard spreading beams) and bulk cargo (using adapted spreading beams with grab buckets). This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by allowing the same apparatus to maintain high efficiency while adapting to different freight types, thereby improving availability without sacrificing productivity
2Productivity
If freight containers are successively transported by trailer trucks, then the container crane can handle multiple containers, but the availability of container crane and dock decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the container crane's lifting function with the lighter's transportation function. Instead of using separate trailer trucks for each container, multiple containers are loaded onto a single lighter simultaneously by the crane, and the lighter transports them together to the destination dock. This combining approach reduces the number of transportation trips, decreases total transportation time, and increases crane and dock availability while maintaining high handling productivity
Data Source
AI summary
The availability of a container crane or a dock is improved. A cargo handling method includes steps of: moving a lighter 601 to a different dock, the lighter 601 carrying a freight container wheeled platform 501 loaded on the lighter 601, the freight container wheeled platform 501 carrying a container 401 placed on the freight container wheeled platform 501 in a container yard; and unloading the freight container wheeled platform 501 from the lighter 601 to the different dock.