Container Crane Protective Structure for Driver-Safe Turnaround

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container handling systems require drivers to exit their vehicles during loading/unloading operations for safety reasons, increasing turnaround time and operational inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A protective structure is integrated into the loading/unloading zone to safeguard drivers, allowing them to remain in their cabins during operations by preventing falling or swaying containers from hitting the vehicle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If drivers exit the cabin to a safe zone during loading/unloading operations, then safety is improved, but turnaround time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidturnaround time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

A protective structure is installed in advance within the loading/unloading zone to shield the driver's cabin from falling containers. This preliminary protective measure allows drivers to remain in their cabins during operations, eliminating the need to exit to a safe zone and thereby reducing turnaround time while maintaining safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The protective structure acts as an intermediary element between the container crane and the driver's cabin. It intercepts potential falling containers before they can reach the cabin, allowing the driver to stay inside during loading/unloading operations without compromising safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If drivers remain in the cabin during loading/unloading operations, then turnaround time is reduced, but safety is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidsafety risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective structure is pre-installed in the loading/unloading zone to provide shielding before any container handling operations occur. This allows drivers to remain in their cabins throughout operations without exposure to falling containers, thereby maintaining both safety and operational efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The potential harm of falling containers is converted into a beneficial protective shield. The protective structure uses the space that would otherwise be dangerous to create a safe zone, allowing drivers to remain in their cabins while actually increasing safety by preventing direct exposure to falling containers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If a protective structure is installed in the loading/unloading zone, then driver safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver safetyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective structure is designed as a separate, modular component that can be independently installed in the loading/unloading zone. This segmentation allows the protective function to be added without complicating the existing container crane system, maintaining simplicity while improving driver safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250263253A1Container handling system

Publication Date: 2025.08.21 KONECRANES GLOBAL OY

AI summary

A container handling system, comprising a container crane configured to move a container between a container yard and a loading/unloading zone, the loading/unloading zone is configured to receive a transport vehicle for transporting the container. The loading/unloading zone further comprises a protective structure configured to cover a predetermined section of the loading/unloading zone.