Straddle Carrier Battery Placement for Hydraulic Elimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing straddle carriers for ISO containers rely on diesel-electric drives, which are inefficient, have high maintenance costs, and generate noise and emissions, while also requiring complex hydraulic systems and non-replaceable batteries, limiting their operational flexibility and environmental compatibility.
Innovation Solution
A fully electric straddle carrier with a battery-powered gantry lifting device, featuring a front and rear portal frame connected via an upper frame, with a high-capacity lead-acid battery positioned above the load handling equipment, eliminating the need for hydraulic components and allowing for easy battery exchange, reducing energy consumption, maintenance, and environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If diesel-electric drives are used in straddle carriers, then sufficient power is available for lifting and travel, but energy efficiency is low and maintenance costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the diesel engine (mechanical/thermal system) with an electric motor powered by a battery (electrical system). This substitution eliminates the need for combustion, hydraulic pumps, and complex mechanical transmissions, directly improving energy efficiency while maintaining sufficient lifting and travel power through properly sized electric motors and battery capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the energy source parameter from chemical energy (diesel) to electrical energy (battery), fundamentally altering the energy conversion pathway. This parameter change enables direct electrical drive to the lifting mechanism and travel motors, eliminating energy losses associated with thermal conversion and hydraulic transmission.
2Ease of operation
If diesel-electric drives with hydraulic systems are used, then lifting and steering functions are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hydraulic actuation systems with direct electric motor drives. Electric motors can be directly coupled to the lifting mechanism and steering components, eliminating hydraulic pumps, valves, hoses, and reservoirs. This substitution maintains full lifting and steering capability while dramatically reducing system complexity and eliminating hydraulic fluid maintenance requirements.
3Reliability
If non-replaceable batteries are used, then the battery is integrated into the structure, but operational flexibility is reduced due to charging time requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the battery system into separate, replaceable battery packs that can be independently exchanged. This segmentation allows the forklift to quickly swap depleted battery packs with charged ones during operational pauses, eliminating long charging downtime and maintaining high operational flexibility while keeping the battery system integrated and reliable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary charging of replacement battery packs before they are needed. By maintaining a fleet of pre-charged battery packs ready for immediate installation, the system ensures that charging operations are performed in advance during non-operational periods, thereby eliminating any interruption to the forklift's working schedule and maximizing operational flexibility.
4Power
If diesel engines are used, then high power output is achieved, but noise and emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the diesel engine with an electric motor, substituting a combustion-based system with an electrical system. This substitution completely eliminates exhaust emissions (CO2, NOx, particulates) and dramatically reduces noise levels, while maintaining high power output for lifting and travel through appropriately sized electric motors with sufficient torque and horsepower ratings.
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
The solution provides a more efficient, economical, and environmentally friendly straddle carrier with reduced complexity, lower emissions, and improved reliability, enabling efficient handling of ISO containers with a compact and stable design, suitable for both manual and automatic operation.
Implementation Method 1
The invention relates to a gantry lifting device for ISO containers with electric drives that are powered by a battery
Implementation Method 2
A high level of reliability of the straddle carrier is achieved in that the battery is designed as a lead battery
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a straddle carrier device (1) for ISO containers, comprising electric drives which are powered by a battery (13) and comprising liftable and lowerable load-receiving means (11) for the ISO containers. The aim of the invention is to provide an improved fully electric straddle carrier device. This is achieved in that the battery (13) is arranged above the load receiving means (11).