Grid-Patterned Cargo Ship Fastening System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cargo ships face inefficiencies in securing general cargo, particularly wind turbines and components, due to unsatisfactory attachment methods that cause damage and require significant time and resources, and lack optimal loading/unloading processes.

Innovation Solution

A ship design featuring a grid-patterned loading area with modular, interconnected receptacles that can be easily rearranged, using twist-lock devices and adjustable spacings to accommodate various cargo sizes and weights, allowing for efficient and secure fastening and unloading without permanent damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If welding support devices directly to the floor and wall of cargo hold, then fastening reliability is improved, but cargo hold structure is damaged and requires trained personnel and welding equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening reliabilityVSAvoiddamage to cargo hold
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support devices are segmented into removable modular units that can be detached and repositioned. Each support device consists of separate components (fastening elements, positioning elements) that can be independently attached and removed from the cargo hold without permanent modification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Support devices are pre-positioned at optimal locations on the cargo hold before cargo loading begins. This preliminary positioning allows for efficient cargo securing without requiring time-consuming on-site welding or attachment operations during loading/unloading processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If using removable support devices, then cargo hold structure is preserved, but fastening reliability may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepreservation of cargo holdVSAvoidfastening reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support devices incorporate specialized local features at critical contact points with the cargo hold, including reinforced attachment zones and precision positioning elements. These localized quality enhancements ensure reliable fastening at specific points while maintaining the overall removability and non-damaging nature of the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening elements incorporate curved or rounded contact surfaces that distribute mechanical loads more evenly across the cargo hold structure. This curvature design reduces stress concentration and prevents damage to the cargo hold while maintaining secure fastening of cargo.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of manufacture

If arranging receptacles in a regular grid pattern, then implementation simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different cargo configurations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to cargo configurations
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The grid pattern of receptacles is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable. Support devices can be moved between different receptacle positions along the grid, and the grid itself can be adjusted or expanded. This dynamic capability allows the same basic grid structure to adapt to various cargo sizes, shapes, and loading requirements while maintaining implementation simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2555966B1Ship comprising fastening means arranged in a grid over the cargo area
Publication Date: 2018.04.04 WOBBEN PROPERTIES GMBH
  • EP2555966B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2555966B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2555966B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a ship (1), in particular a cargo ship, comprising a cargo area for accommodating cargo, in particular general cargo. The invention relates in particular to a ship (1) of which the cargo area has a plurality of accommodating devices (9, 11, 13, 27) which can be connected to fastening means (33, 133) and are distributed in a grid over the cargo area. The invention further relates to a base element (7, 25, 29) for a ship, in particular a cargo ship, and a securing element (47).