Integrated Locking Device with Strain Gauge Sensors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Containers frequently go overboard due to overloaded weights, which can be attributed to inaccurate weight measurements, poor lashing practices, and excessive stack weights, leading to environmental pollution and material damage.
Innovation Solution
A locking device integrated with sensors and an electronic unit that measures the weight of containers by using strain gauges between the container casting and foundation, allowing for timely corrective actions before sailing, and a method to determine the weight of individual containers within a stack using a processing unit and transmitter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional locking devices are used without sensors, then the device complexity is low and ease of manufacture is high, but weight measurement capability is absent leading to inaccurate weight information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the locking function with weight measurement function into a single integrated device. The sensor is embedded within the locking device structure, allowing simultaneous container securing and weight measurement without requiring separate measurement equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device is designed to perform multiple functions: mechanical locking of the container corner casting and electrical measurement of container weight. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate measurement devices and provides comprehensive monitoring capability.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are integrated into locking devices, then weight measurement capability is achieved, but the ease of operation and installation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is pre-integrated into the locking device during manufacturing, so that the measurement capability is already built-in before deployment. This preliminary integration simplifies field installation as the complete functional unit is installed as a single assembly rather than requiring separate sensor installation.
3Reliability
If weight measurement is implemented, then overloading can be detected, but loss of time occurs in data transmission and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides immediate feedback by transmitting weight data from the sensor through the electronic unit to the display or control system. This real-time feedback enables prompt detection of overloading conditions and allows for immediate corrective action before containers are secured.
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 accurate measurement of container weights, allowing ship officers to take proactive measures against overloading, reducing the incidence of containers going overboard and minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor comprises two strain gauges which are arranged on the wall of a cylinder, which cylinder is arranged in a through hole in the body and protrudes above and below the body
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A weighing device 7 has two locking devices provided with sensors 9, 11 which are present on two side by side container foundations 17, 19. On the other two container foundations 21, 23 are well-known locking devices 13, 15 without the sensors. The locking devices put the corner castings 27-33 firmly on the container foundations 17-23. The sensors 35 are coupled to electronic units 37, which are also part of the locking devices. The electronic units are connected to transmitters 39. The weighing device 7 further has a processing unit 41 which is provided with a receiver 43 and an calculation unit 45 with a memory. The arithmetic unit is programmed such that each time a container is placed, it determines the mass of the container or stack of containers on the locking device from the measurement signals 47, 49 derived from the locking devices 9, 11 and stores this mass in the memory.