Movable Lashing Platform Units for Container Twistlock Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lashing platforms cannot automatically handle containers of varying sizes, particularly 45' containers, which poses safety risks for personnel due to manual handling of twistlocks and inadequate securing of containers.
Innovation Solution
A lashing platform with movable units containing screwing devices, transfer devices, and magazines within a base frame, allowing adaptation to different container sizes by moving these units relative to each other, ensuring automatic twistlock insertion and removal without personnel exposure to safety hazards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the lashing platform is designed to accommodate maximum container size (45'), then the platform can handle larger containers, but the platform size increases which creates safety risks for personnel working on the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The lashing platform is divided into multiple independent units (first unit, second unit, etc.) that can move relative to each other in the longitudinal direction. Each unit contains screwing devices, transfer devices, and magazines. This segmentation allows the platform to adapt to different container sizes by adjusting the position of individual units without changing the overall platform footprint, thus maintaining safety for personnel while accommodating various container dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The units are designed to be movable relative to one another in the longitudinal direction of the lashing platform. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the platform to optimize its configuration for different container sizes (20', 40', 45') while maintaining a stable base frame. The controller coordinates the movement of units to ensure proper positioning of screwing devices for automatic twistlock operation, eliminating the need for personnel to be near the container.
2Device complexity
If the lashing platform uses a fixed size design, then the platform structure is simple, but it cannot automatically handle containers of varying sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The platform is segmented into multiple functional units that can independently move along the longitudinal axis. This segmentation provides the flexibility needed to handle different container sizes while keeping each individual unit relatively simple in structure. The base frame provides a stable foundation, and the movable units contain the necessary screwing devices, transfer devices, and magazines for automatic twistlock operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable units are designed with universal functionality to handle multiple container sizes (20', 40', 45') through their repositioning capability. The same basic unit structure can serve different purposes by changing its position relative to other units, allowing the platform to adapt to various container dimensions without requiring completely different equipment for each size category.
3Ease of operation
If the lashing platform manually handles twistlocks for 45' containers, then personnel can operate the platform, but safety requirements increase due to personnel exposure to dangerous areas
Solution Approach 1:
The lashing platform is designed as an autonomous system where the movable units automatically position themselves and perform the twistlock insertion and removal operations. The screwing devices automatically engage with the container fittings, and the transfer devices automatically transfer twistlocks between units and magazines. This self-service capability eliminates the need for personnel to be in the immediate vicinity of the container, thereby maintaining ease of operation while significantly reducing safety risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical operation of twistlock handling is replaced with an automated mechanical system consisting of movable units with integrated screwing devices, transfer devices, and magazines. The controller coordinates the automated operations, substituting human labor with a mechanical automation system that performs all twistlock operations without personnel exposure to the dangerous container handling area.
4Device complexity
If the lashing platform secures containers only on long sides, then the platform structure remains simple, but the securing is insufficient and creates safety problems for traffic on the quay
Solution Approach 1:
The securing system is segmented into multiple independent units distributed along the container, with each unit containing screwing devices that can independently engage with container fittings. This segmentation allows the platform to provide comprehensive securing at multiple positions along the container length, improving reliability without requiring a single complex securing mechanism. The distributed units can coordinate to secure containers of various sizes adequately.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a lashing platform (10) comprising a base frame (20), a setting plate (30) resiliently supported on the base frame (20), a plurality of screwing devices (40) for inserting twistlocks into container fittings or removing twistlocks from container fittings, a plurality of magazines (60) for accommodating the twistlocks, and a plurality of transfer devices (50a, 50b) for transferring a twistlock from a magazine (60) to a screwing device (40) or from a screwing device (40) to a magazine (60), the lashing platform being characterized by at least two units (E1, E2), which are each formed by at least two screwing devices (40), at least one transfer device (50a, 50b), and at least one magazine (60) and which can be moved relative to each other in the longitudinal direction of the lashing platform (10) within the base frame (20), at least one drive for moving the units (E1, E2), and a controller for moving the units (E1, E2) into positions in which the screwing devices (40) have access to the container fittings of containers of different size.