Quay Crane Integrated Container Inspection System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current container inspection systems at ports require significant space and time for scanning inspections, leading to low container circulation efficiency and potential safety hazards from prohibited articles entering the yard.

Innovation Solution

A container inspection system integrated with a quay crane, featuring an inspection platform with a sensor and an inspection device that moves relative to the container to perform scanning inspections, thereby reducing the need for a separate inspection area and allowing for inspections during container loading or unloading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If container inspection is performed at a separate designated location after unloading, then inspection accuracy is improved, but container circulation efficiency deteriorates and occupied area increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection accuracyVSAvoidcontainer circulation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The inspection device is merged with the quay crane system by installing it on the quay crane's platform. This allows the inspection function to be combined with the loading/unloading operation, eliminating the need for separate inspection locations and reducing container circulation time while maintaining inspection accuracy through the integrated sensor system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If container inspection is performed at a separate designated location, then inspection completeness is improved, but occupied floor area increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection completenessVSAvoidoccupied floor area
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The inspection system is merged with the existing quay crane structure, utilizing its platform and support systems. This eliminates the need for separate inspection areas on the port floor, reducing occupied space while maintaining complete inspection coverage through the integrated multi sensor array.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If inspection device is installed on quay crane platform, then container circulation efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer circulation efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The quay crane platform is designed to serve multiple functions: it supports both the loading/unloading operations and the inspection device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated inspection infrastructure, simplifying the overall system while improving container circulation efficiency through integrated operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Loss of time

If inspection is performed during loading/unloading process, then time consumption is reduced, but inspection quality may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime consumptionVSAvoidinspection quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The inspection process operates continuously during the loading/unloading operation without interruption. The inspection device remains active throughout the container's presence on the platform, ensuring complete inspection coverage while eliminating separate inspection time, thus maintaining inspection quality while reducing total time consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

This solution reduces the occupied floor area, minimizes the time required for container loading, unloading, and scanning, improves circulation efficiency, and enhances safety by preventing prohibited articles from entering the yard.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor, disposed on the inspection platform, for detecting whether the container arrives at the inspection platform

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPosition detection:

Implementation Method 2

an inspection device, disposed on the inspection platform, for performing scanning inspection on the container arriving at the inspection platform; the inspection device comprises: an installation base disposed on the inspection platform; an L-shaped arm with one end mounted on the installation base, and the other end being a free end, the L-shaped arm and the installation base forming a frame with an opening underneath; a ray source mounted on the installation base; and a detector mounted on the L-shaped arm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadiation detection: X-Ray

Data Source

PatentEP3786099B1Container inspection system, port facility, and container inspection method
Publication Date: 2025.02.12 NUCTECH CO LTD
  • EP3786099B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3786099B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3786099B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a container inspection system, a port facility, and a box inspection method. The container inspection system comprises a quay crane (100), a sensor, and an inspection device (200), wherein the quay crane (100) comprises an inspection platform (102) and a hoisting component (101), the hoisting component (101) being configured to hoist a container (300) and transport the container (300) to the inspection platform (102); the sensor being disposed on the inspection platform (102), for detecting whether the container (300) arrives at the inspection platform (102); and the inspection device (200) being disposed on the inspection platform (102), for performing scanning inspection on the container (300) arriving at the inspection platform (102). The port facility comprises the container inspection system. The container inspection system of the present disclosure occupies a small floor area, and performs scanning inspection during loading/unloading, so that in-yard inspection may be avoided, thereby effectively shortening the circulation time of a container at a port, and providing high circulation efficiency; and effectively preventing dangerous prohibited articles from entering a yard, and providing high safety.