Straddle Carrier Cable Tensioning and Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing straddle carriers for container terminals face high maintenance efforts and visibility issues due to cable cutters and drag chains used for power and signal line connections, which impair the driver's view and are prone to wear and tear from external conditions.
Innovation Solution
A cable tensioning device is integrated near the power and signal line connection, with the cable and tensioning components partially housed within vertical supports, ensuring the cable is always taut and protected, minimizing visibility obstruction and maintenance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cable cutters or drag chains are used for power and signal line connections, then the cable can accommodate vertical movement of the spreader, but the driver's visibility is impaired and maintenance effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is extracted from the problematic cable cutter/drag chain system and routed directly through the vertical support structure. This removes the intermediate cable management components that impaired visibility and required maintenance, while the vertical support provides the necessary guidance and protection for the cable during spreader movement.
2Reliability
If the power supply and signal line cable is routed outside the vertical support, then the cable can reach the spreader, but the cable is exposed to external climatic conditions causing wear and tear
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is nested within the vertical support structure, which acts as a protective enclosure. This routing path shields the cable from external climatic conditions such as sun, UV radiation, rain, moisture, snow, and ice, thereby preventing wear and tear and damage from external influences while maintaining reliable connection to the spreader.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cable is allowed to slack during spreader movement, then the cable can accommodate vertical position changes, but the cable becomes exposed to more external conditions and requires more maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The cable routing system is made dynamic by allowing the cable to move vertically within the confined space of the vertical support as the spreader changes position. The cable tensioning device adjusts the cable's vertical position to maintain proper tension, accommodating spreader movement while keeping the cable protected within the support structure and minimizing exposure to external conditions.
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 reduces maintenance costs, protects the cable from external damage, and maintains optimal visibility for the driver by routing the power and signal lines within the vertical supports, ensuring they are always directly connected and shielded from environmental influences.
Implementation Method 1
the cable tensioning device has a stationary deflection roller which is arranged in the region of an upper end section of a vertical support and around which the power supply and/or signal line cable is routed
Implementation Method 2
By means of the cable tensioning device, the power supply and/or signal line cable is permanently tightened in every position of the spreader
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A straddle carrier for inserting in container terminals and for general transportation tasks has a frame with vertical supports (3), a spreader, which hangs between the vertical supports (3) of the frame and which can be locked to a container, hoisting winches, by means of which the spreader can be moved vertically, traveling supports, which lie on the lower region of the frame and each of which has a plurality of wheels arranged in a row, and a power-supplying and/or signal line cable (13), by means of which the spreader is connected to a power-supplying source and/or to a control unit of the straddle carrier. The aim of the invention is to better protect the power-supplying and/or signal line cable (13) from exposures of all types and to offer the driver of the straddle carrier better visibility. This is achieved in that a cable-clamping device (14) is associated with the power-supplying and/or signal line cable (13) to the spreader, said device lying close to or in the region of a connection of the power-supplying and/or signal line cable (13) on the side of the spreader. The power-supplying and/or signal line cable (13) can be tightened by means of the cable-clamping device.