Container Spreader Guide Plate Drive With Modular Hydraulic Swivel Motors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container spreaders consume continuous energy, produce noise, and are prone to wear, with hydraulic systems that leak fluid into the environment if damaged.
Innovation Solution
Each hydraulic swivel motor is connected to a separate hydraulic pump and electric motor assembly, with a small swivel motor delivering high torque with minimal fluid displacement, allowing for energy-efficient operation and reduced noise by only activating the electric motor when movement is needed, and using adjustable hydraulic valves to control torque and load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single hydraulic pump drives all swivel motors continuously, then the system can perform all functions, but energy consumption increases and noise is produced continuously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized hydraulic system into multiple independent modular units. Each swivel motor has its own dedicated hydraulic pump and electric motor assembly, allowing individual operation. This segmentation enables only the required assemblies to be activated, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining full functional capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements on-demand operation where electric motors and hydraulic pumps are activated only when guide plate movement is required. The system transitions from continuous operation to periodic/intermittent operation, activating assemblies only during coupling or uncoupling phases, thereby significantly reducing energy consumption and noise production during idle periods.
2Device complexity
If a single hydraulic pump drives all swivel motors, then the system is simpler, but hydraulic lines are long and energy losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the hydraulic distribution system into localized units. Each assembly has its own short hydraulic circuit connecting the pump directly to the swivel motor, eliminating the need for long hydraulic lines from a centralized pump. This reduces hydraulic energy losses due to friction and pressure drops while maintaining system simplicity through modular standardization.
3Device complexity
If hydraulic lines are long and connected to a central pump, then the system is compact, but fluid leaks into the environment cause serious adverse consequences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent isolates hydraulic fluid containment to small, localized circuits within each assembly rather than having a single large hydraulic system. This segmentation limits the potential volume of leaked fluid and contains any leakage to a specific location, dramatically reducing environmental contamination risks while maintaining functional capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the hydraulic pump and fluid containment from the centralized system and places it within each individual assembly. This distribution of fluid containment to multiple small units rather than one large system reduces the environmental impact of potential leaks by limiting the amount of fluid that can escape from any single point.
4Power
If a large hydraulic pump is used to drive all swivel motors, then sufficient power is available, but the pump and motor become heavy and energy-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the total hydraulic power requirement into multiple small, independent power units. Each assembly uses a small hydraulic pump and electric motor sized only for its specific swivel motor's needs, rather than one large centralized power source. This segmentation reduces the weight of each individual unit and the total system weight while providing sufficient power when all assemblies operate simultaneously.
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 solution reduces energy consumption, noise, and wear, while minimizing the risk of fluid leaks by using a small hydraulic circuit and only activating the electric motor during plate movement, achieving efficient and reliable container spreader operation.
Implementation Method 1
a small swivel motor can already deliver a large torque to the output shaft with relatively little displacement of hydraulic fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A container spreader for coupling a container with a hoisting installation has a number of assemblies of a guiding plate and a displacing device connected thereto, for displacing the guiding plate between an active position A and an inactive position B. The displacement device has a hydraulic swivel motor provided with an output shaft which is connected to the guide plate via connecting elements. A hydraulic unit is coupled to the swivel motor via coupling device for supplying and discharging hydraulic oil from and to the swivel motor. By applying a hydraulic swivel motor, a final transmission can be omitted and no valves are required for keeping the hydraulic motor at pressure. As a result, an energy-efficient and inexpensive assembly has been obtained.