Crossed Lashing Units for Container Stack Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container securing methods, particularly with twistlocks and lashing units, face challenges in providing a sufficient adjustment range to prevent container stacks from tipping or undergoing lateral deformation, especially in higher stacks, due to conflicts between threaded devices of adjacent lashing units.

Innovation Solution

The arrangement involves lashing units that cross a vertical plane through a transverse joint between container stacks, with the distance between the vertical plane and the articulation fitting being smaller than the distance to the container corner, allowing for increased adjustment range without interference between adjacent lashing units, and utilizing a compact arrangement of articulation fittings to minimize space usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the adjustment range of lashing units is increased to prevent container stacks from tipping or undergoing lateral deformation, then the stability of container stacks is improved, but the threaded devices of adjacent lashing units conflict with each other

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of container stacksVSAvoidconflict between threaded devices
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lashing units are arranged to cross a vertical plane extending through a transverse joint between container stacks. By positioning the articulation fittings such that the distance between the vertical plane and the articulation fitting is smaller than the distance between the vertical plane and the container corner, the lashing units utilize the transverse dimension to achieve longer adjustment range without interference in the longitudinal direction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Length of moving object

If lashing units are arranged to cross the vertical plane through the transverse joint, then the adjustment range is increased, but the overlap between lashing units increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment range of lashing unitsVSAvoidoverlap between lashing units
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The space between container stacks is segmented by introducing a vertical plane through the transverse joint. Each lashing unit is assigned to a specific segment relative to this plane, with articulation fittings positioned at specific distances from the plane. This segmentation allows overlapping lashing units to coexist without interference by distributing them in different spatial segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Area of stationary object

If the distance between articulation fittings is reduced to minimize space usage, then the space efficiency is improved, but the adjustment range of lashing units is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace usage of articulation fittingsVSAvoidadjustment range of lashing units
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of increasing the longitudinal distance between articulation fittings to extend adjustment range, the invention utilizes the transverse dimension by positioning articulation fittings at optimized distances from the vertical plane. This allows the lashing units to achieve longer effective adjustment range through transverse positioning rather than longitudinal spacing, improving space efficiency while maintaining adequate adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 configuration enhances the stability of container stacks by providing a longer adjustment range for lashing units, preventing tipping and lateral deformation, and allowing for secure attachment across varying container heights without conflicts between adjacent lashing units.

Implementation Method 1

lashing units that are tensioned between the container stacks and the container ship's anchorage fittings

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Implementation Method 2

The twistlocks prevent the containers from shifting horizontally relative to each other and prevent the containers from being lifted apart by a vertically acting upward force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

A threaded device is provided to adjust the length of the lashing units

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP3328724B1Assembly and method for securing containers
Publication Date: 2021.06.09 SEC SHIPS EQUIP CENT BREMEN GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3328724B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3328724B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3328724B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement and a method for securing containers (16). A first lashing unit (18) extends from a container corner (12) of a first container stack (14) to a first articulated fitting (19) of a container ship. A second lashing unit (20) extends from a container corner (13) of the second container stack (15) to a second articulated fitting (21) of the container ship. The distance between the container corners (12, 13) is greater than the distance between the articulated fittings (19, 21). According to the invention, the two lashing units (18, 20) cross a vertical plane (23) extending along a transverse gap (22) between two container stacks (24, 25), wherein the distance between the vertical plane (23) and the articulated fitting (19, 21) is in each case smaller than the distance between the vertical plane (23) and the container corner (12, 13). A greater range of adjustment of the lashing units is made possible by the invention.