Container Crane Spreader Alignment via Superimposed Visual Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Container cranes face low cargo handling efficiency due to the need for precise position adjustment of a spreader relative to a landing surface, which is challenging for inexperienced operators, as existing systems only provide visual cues for understanding the hook's projection point without ensuring accurate alignment between the spreader and the landing surface.
Innovation Solution
A control system for container cranes that includes a camera, display device, and position acquisition system to superimpose indication displays on images, allowing operators to accurately align the spreader with the landing surface by showing the positions of both in plan view, facilitating precise positioning and reducing adjustment time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If visual check by operator is used for position adjustment, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision (positioning accuracy) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of cameras, position acquisition devices, and a control device that processes visual information and provides guidance marks. This intermediary acts as a mediator between the operator and the positioning task, enhancing positioning accuracy without requiring complex automated control systems. The guidance marks serve as visual intermediaries that bridge the gap between the operator's visual check capability and the requirement for high positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical/physical visual check process with an enhanced visual information system. Instead of relying solely on the operator's direct visual assessment, the system substitutes part of the visual processing function with electronic image capture, position acquisition, and graphical overlay technologies, thereby improving positioning accuracy while keeping the overall control approach relatively simple.
2Manufacturing precision
If sophisticated skill is required for position adjustment, then positioning accuracy is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service positioning by providing automated visual guidance that allows operators to perform accurate positioning without requiring sophisticated skill. The guidance marks and position information are presented in a way that guides the operator through the positioning process, making the task self-explanatory and reducing the skill barrier while maintaining high positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control device continuously provides visual feedback through guidance marks and position information based on real-time data from cameras and position acquisition devices. This feedback loop allows operators to make incremental adjustments and achieve accurate positioning without requiring advanced skill, thereby improving both positioning accuracy and productivity.
3Ease of operation
If visual check method is used for position adjustment, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating and displaying guidance marks and position information before the operator completes the positioning task. The control device prepares visual guidance elements in advance based on position acquisition data, allowing operators to immediately understand the required adjustments without time-consuming visual assessment, thereby reducing position adjustment time while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds another dimension to the visual information by overlaying graphical guidance marks and position indicators on the camera image. This dimensional enhancement provides depth and contextual information that helps operators quickly understand spatial relationships and make faster positioning decisions, reducing adjustment time without complicating the operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a control system for a container crane and a control method for a container crane in which the time necessary for position adjustment between the spreader and the landing surface is reduced and the cargo handling efficiency is improved. A control system of a container crane has a camera, a display device, position acquisition devices, and a control device. Based on the plane positions of a spreader and a landing surface acquired by the position acquisition devices, the control device superimposes, on an image captured by the camera, an indication display from which it is understood that the positions of the spreader and the landing surface have agreed with each other in plan view, and the control device displays a resultant image with the image and the indication display superimposed on the display device.