Gantry Lift Sensor Layout Outside the Clearance Profile
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portal lifting devices equipped with grid navigation systems face challenges in navigating containers while loading or unloading, as existing sensor devices protrude into the clearance profile, restricting the ability to pick up or set down containers and requiring specific lifting heights, and are hindered by obstacles in the clearance profile.
Innovation Solution
The sensor device is positioned outside the clearance profile, allowing it to read marking elements without obstruction, enabling unhindered navigation and loading operations, with sensors arranged on chassis supports to read marking elements next to the clearance profile, reducing the need for dense grid marking and allowing flexible container handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensor device is positioned inside the clearance profile to read marking elements, then navigation accuracy is improved, but the ability to pick up or set down containers is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the sensor device from a horizontal arrangement (inside the clearance profile) to a vertical arrangement (outside the clearance profile but still able to detect marking elements). This dimensional change allows the sensor to read marking elements on the container surface without interfering with the container handling operations within the clearance profile.
2Extent of automation
If the sensor device protrudes into the clearance profile for navigation, then grid navigation is enabled, but specific lifting heights are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensor device from the clearance profile area, positioning it outside while maintaining its navigation function. This separation allows the lifting device to operate with full height flexibility without the sensor device interfering with the container pickup or setdown operations.
3Loss of information
If the sensor device is arranged inside the clearance profile, then marking elements can be read for navigation, but obstacles in the clearance profile hinder operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the container surface as an intermediary medium. Instead of reading marking elements directly from the ground through the clearance profile, the sensor device reads marking elements that have been transferred or projected onto the container surface, allowing navigation information acquisition without the sensor being positioned where obstacles would interfere.
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
Enables automatic navigation and loading operations without height restrictions, allowing the portal lifting device to operate freely while picking up or setting down containers, and maintains operational efficiency even with obstacles in the clearance profile.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor device detects the marking elements embedded in the roadway as it passes over them
Implementation Method 2
The sensor device detects the marking elements embedded in the roadway as it passes over them, and the coordinates of the respective marking element are read out as information
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to an arrangement of a gantry lifting device (1) for handling containers (8), in particular ISO containers, having a sensor device (12) for the navigation of the gantry lifting device (1) and having a clearance profile (15) which is formed in such a way that the gantry lifting device (1) can move across a container (8), and of a row of spaced-apart marking elements (16) such that the gantry lifting device (1) can be moved along the row of marking elements (16) by means of raster navigation, wherein the row of marking elements (16) can be read by the sensor device (12) of the gantry lifting device (1). In order to provide an improved arrangement there is provision that the sensor device (12a, 12b), in an operating position, is arranged outside the clearance profile (15) on the gantry lifting device (1) so as, in the operating position, to read the row of marking elements (16) for the navigation of the gantry lifting device (1), wherein the row of marking elements (16) is arranged next to the clearance profile (15) of the gantry lifting device (1).