Multi-Level Container Loop for Terminal Traffic Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional container terminals are energy-intensive, hazardous due to high collision risks, and inefficient, with overlapping traffic routes and excessive noise and light emissions, as they rely on a single level for all road users and AGV operations.
Innovation Solution
A container terminal design featuring a multi-level container loop where AGVs operate on a circular route at different heights, separating traffic routes, reducing energy consumption, noise, and light emissions, with optimized AGV speed and density, and incorporating energy recovery systems and modular container handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If all road users and AGVs operate on the same level, then the terminal structure is simpler, but collision risk increases and traffic routes overlap
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension by implementing multi-level platforms. AGVs operate on elevated platforms while road users remain on the ground level, completely separating their traffic routes in the vertical dimension. This eliminates collision risks between AGVs and road users while maintaining operational efficiency.
2Productivity
If AGVs cover long distances on one level, then fewer AGVs are needed, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the container transport process into two distinct phases: horizontal transport on the elevated platform and vertical transfer via transfer cranes. This allows AGVs to operate on shorter, more efficient routes on the elevated level while utilizing gravitational potential energy during vertical transfers, reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The elevated platforms are designed at different heights to create potential energy differences. Transfer cranes utilize these height differences to move containers between platforms, converting potential energy to kinetic energy and reducing the energy required for vertical transport operations.
3Device complexity
If multiple road users share the same level, then infrastructure requirements are reduced, but noise and light emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
By separating AGV operations to elevated platforms, the patent physically isolates AGV noise and light emissions from ground-level road users. This vertical separation reduces the impact of harmful emissions on personnel and surrounding environments while maintaining all necessary infrastructure functions.
4Productivity
If AGVs operate close to ship cranes on the same level, then handling efficiency improves, but safety risk from falling containers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions AGVs on elevated platforms above the ship crane operations. This vertical arrangement allows containers to be transferred from ship cranes to AGVs without personnel or vehicles being positioned directly beneath the load paths, eliminating the danger of falling containers while maintaining efficient handling operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A container terminal comprising at least one deck crane (9) for loading and unloading a container ship (21), at least one loading crane (11) for loading and unloading a land vehicle, such as for example a truck or railway car with a circuit for AGVs (13), which circuit is referred to as a container loop (1) and is arranged at least two levels at different heights, so that a roadway (15) can be made to extend underneath and parallel to the container loop (1) in the region of the deck crane (9) and there are no intersections between the inward movement path and outward movement path of the roadway (15) and the container loop (1).