Spreader Flipper Arm Drive Torque Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flipper assemblies in shipping container engagement systems face challenges such as damage from high impact forces, limited motor and gear box size due to proximity to high impact zones, and difficulty in providing a back drive capability, especially with electric motor-driven systems.

Innovation Solution

The motor and gear box are positioned away from the corner of the spreader, using a spacing assembly to transmit torque to the flipper hinge mounting, allowing for a higher rated and protected motor and gear box, and incorporating safety devices like planetary or helical gears for back drive capability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the motor and gear box are positioned close to the flipper hinge mounting for direct drive, then the drive efficiency is improved, but the risk of damage from high impact forces increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrive efficiencyVSAvoidimpact force damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A spacing assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the motor/gearbox and the flipper hinge mounting. This spacing assembly allows the motor and gear box to be positioned away from the high-impact zone while still transmitting torque to drive the flipper, thereby protecting the motor from impact damage while maintaining drive functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the motor and gear box are positioned away from the corner of the spreader, then the risk of damage is reduced, but the torque transmission distance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact force damage riskVSAvoidtorque transmission distance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The spacing assembly serves as a torque transmission intermediary that efficiently transmits power over the required distance without significant energy loss, allowing the motor to be positioned safely away from the impact zone while maintaining effective torque delivery to the flipper hinge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 arrangement reduces the risk of motor and gear box damage, enables a higher rating and compact design, and provides effective protection and back drive functionality, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the flipper assembly.

Implementation Method 1

incorporating safety devices like planetary or helical gears for back drive capability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGear mechanism: Gear

Data Source

PatentEP2326588B1Spreader with flipper arm drive

Publication Date: 2014.08.20 NSL ENG PTE LTD

Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B

AI summary

A flipper assembly for guiding a spreader to engage a container, the flipper assembly comprising a flipper (25) hingedly mounted to the spreader, said flipper (25) moveable between an open and closed position about said mounting; a motor (31) mounted to the spreader distal from said flipper (25); a spacing assembly (40) located between the motor (31) and the hinged mounting of the flipper (25), wherein said spacing assembly (40) is capable of transmitting a torque from the motor (31) to the hinged mounting so as to move the flipper (25) between the closed and open positions.