Container Crane Reference Marker for Precise Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Accurate positioning of containers in large container cranes becomes increasingly difficult, especially in fully automated systems, leading to potential damage to vehicles or injury, as existing technologies struggle to ensure precise alignment between the crane and the target during loading or unloading.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a container crane system featuring a spreader attached to a container trolley with first and second sensor arrangements, along with at least one reference marker fixed to a horizontal support, allows for accurate positioning by determining the relative position between the sensor arrangements using the reference marker, enabling precise control for autonomous operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If container crane size increases to handle larger containers, then container handling capacity improves, but positioning accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer handling capacityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A reference marker is introduced as an intermediary object between the sensor arrangements and the target. The first sensor arrangement detects the reference marker to determine its own position, and the second sensor arrangement detects the reference marker to determine target position. This intermediary reference marker enables accurate relative positioning between the two sensor arrangements, resolving the positioning accuracy deterioration that occurs with increased crane size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If fully automated positioning system is implemented, then operator safety improves, but positioning accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator safetyVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The automated system uses feedback from the first sensor arrangement detecting the reference marker to continuously determine the position of the container trolley and spreader. The coordinator device processes this feedback information and adjusts the crane operations accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables the automated system to maintain positioning accuracy comparable to manual operation while eliminating operator exposure to danger.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Area of stationary object

If sensor arrangements are positioned high on the crane structure, then detection range improves, but relative position determination between sensor arrangements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection rangeVSAvoidrelative position determination

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The reference marker is positioned in advance at a known location on the crane structure, and the sensor arrangements are configured to detect this pre-positioned marker. The coordinator device has pre-programmed the spatial relationships between the reference marker and both sensor arrangements. This preliminary setup enables accurate relative position determination even when the sensor arrangements are positioned high on the crane structure for optimal detection range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This solution achieves highly accurate positioning with a coordination accuracy of 3 cm or less, even at crane heights over 60 meters, ensuring safe and efficient container handling by coordinating the coordinate systems of the sensor arrangements, adapting to slight variations in geometry due to crane movement or weather conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a first sensor arrangement mounted on the container trolley, the first sensor arrangement being usable to determine a position of the container;

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection:

Implementation Method 2

a second sensor arrangement being usable to determine a position of a target

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection:

Data Source

PatentUS11530118B2Container crane comprising reference marker

Publication Date: 2022.12.20 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG

AI summary

It is provided a container crane including: a spreader configured to controllably attach to a container; a container trolley to which the spreader is attached via cables, the container trolley being provided on an upper part of the container crane and being horizontally movable along a first direction; a first sensor arrangement mounted on the container trolley, the first sensor arrangement being usable to determine a position of the container; a second sensor arrangement being usable to determine a position of a target; and at least one reference marker provided fixed, in at least two dimensions, to a horizontal support provided along the first direction between vertical structures of the container crane, the at least one reference marker being provided vertically lower than the first sensor arrangement and the at least one reference marker being detectable by the first sensor arrangement.