Container Lashing Assembly for Stable High-Stack Cargo Securing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lashing systems for securing shipping containers on cargo ships fail to provide adequate restraint during heavy seas, leading to destabilization due to increased movement of upper containers.
Innovation Solution
A lashing apparatus with an elongated body and mechanisms capable of interfacing with shipping container interlocking systems, allowing for secure attachment to both the container and the ship's deck or lashing bridge, with tensioning mechanisms to stabilize the stack.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If containers are stacked higher to increase cargo capacity, then shipping efficiency is improved, but container stability deteriorates due to increased movement during ship pitch and roll
Solution Approach 1:
The lashing system is divided into multiple independent lashing units, each capable of restraining containers at different levels. The elongated body with multiple mechanisms allows segmentation of the restraining function across multiple attachment points, enabling stable high stacking by independently controlling movement at each level.
Solution Approach 2:
The lashing apparatus incorporates adjustable and movable components that can adapt to dynamic sea conditions. The mechanisms capable of interfacing with interlocking systems allow dynamic adjustment of restraint forces in response to varying pitch and roll movements, maintaining stability even when containers are stacked higher.
2Device complexity
If conventional lashing systems are used, then device complexity is kept low, but restraining capability deteriorates under heavy sea conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The elongated body with multiple mechanisms serves multiple functions: it can attach to interlocking systems at different positions, provide multiple restraint points simultaneously, and adapt to various container stacking configurations. This multi-functionality increases restraining capability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanisms are integrated along the elongated body in a compact arrangement, with components nested or closely positioned to minimize overall complexity while maximizing restraining capability through coordinated action of multiple attachment points.
3Reliability
If mechanisms are added to interface with interlocking systems, then container attachment reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanisms are designed to interface with standard container interlocking systems using universal attachment principles. By leveraging existing interlocking interfaces, the apparatus achieves high attachment reliability without requiring complex custom mechanisms, as the same mechanism type can serve multiple attachment functions along the elongated body.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for attaching a lashing to a container in a stack includes a lashing having a loop at one end and attached to a tensioner at the other end. The apparatus also includes an elongated body to which the loop is attached by winding. The elongated body has at each of its ends a mechanism capable of interfacing with an interlocking system of a shipping container. In use, the loop of the lashing is located in front of the shipping container and does not interfere with the stack. Two or more apparatus can be used to pre-load a layer of containers from both the starboard and the port sides.