Orbital Container Terminal Operation Method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Container terminal operations face inefficiencies due to reciprocating movements of conveying vehicles within storage areas and the need for external vehicles to change direction during handover, leading to waiting times and potential accidents.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a container terminal operation method where conveying vehicles orbit along the lateral sides of storage blocks, allowing one-way external vehicle lanes and temporary storage areas to facilitate efficient container handover without reciprocal movements or direction changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If container conveying vehicles perform reciprocating motion in the storage area to convey containers, then containers can be transported between different locations, but conveyance efficiency decreases due to unnecessary return trips
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional reciprocating motion pattern by implementing orbital motion. Instead of vehicles traveling back and forth along the same path, they orbit around storage blocks in a continuous unidirectional flow, eliminating the need to return to the starting point and thereby improving conveyance efficiency while reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional reciprocating motion to two-dimensional orbital motion. Vehicles move along orbital paths that encompass storage blocks, allowing them to serve multiple storage blocks in sequence during a single orbit, thus increasing productivity without proportional increases in travel time.
2Ease of operation
If external vehicles change direction in the handover area to complete container handover, then container transfer between external vehicles and storage area can be achieved, but waiting time increases due to coordination delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing separate one-way traveling lanes for container conveying vehicles and external vehicles. This asymmetric lane configuration allows both types of vehicles to move in opposite directions without interfering with each other, eliminating the need for direction changes and reducing waiting time during handover operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the handover area into distinct one-way lanes for different vehicle types. By dividing the shared space into dedicated pathways, the system allows simultaneous bidirectional traffic flow without conflicts, thereby improving ease of operation while minimizing waiting time.
3Ease of operation
If sufficient space is provided in the handover area for external vehicles to execute direction changes, then maneuverability is improved, but the handover area requires larger space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the space-maneuverability contradiction by transitioning from two-dimensional direction changes within a confined area to one-dimensional linear motion along extended one-way lanes. This dimensional change allows external vehicles to maintain maneuverability while reducing the spatial footprint of the handover area.
Data Source
AI summary
A container terminal operation method for a container terminal including a storage area in which a storage block is vertically arranged, wherein: a container conveying vehicle orbits through the storage block, apron, etc.; a container is handed over between the container conveying vehicle and the storage block on a lateral side thereof in a longitudinal direction; a handover area for handover of the container between the container conveying vehicle and an external vehicle, is defined in an area closer to a land than a land-side end; an external traveling lane is defined for the external vehicle; and the handover of the container in the handover area is carried out in a state where the container conveying vehicle and the external vehicle are both directed in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the storage block.