Container automated locking device V1.0

grabcad

A design that eliminates the need for any human interaction and uses no extra external energy source to achieve a fully automated locking mechanism. The design is compact and very robust and can be easily integrated into existing and circulating containers. It is also designed in such a way as to not interfere with existing manual lifting equipment like container lifting lugs.The containers with this new system will just work better and faster. The functioning of the design is based upon using the potential energy of the weight of the lifting crane or pressure applied by lifting device and using that force to operate the locking mechanism. The mechanism is driven by hydraulic fluid displacement (System is illustrated in more details in images). When the crane drops into position a cylinder on the upper cylinder is depressed, (to achieve this one can change the locking pins/head on the lifting crane to improve the process, creating a pin to go into the recess of the cylinder, this can be seen in the images as well. This drives a cylinder piston installed in the container in the top corners. This displaces an amount of hydraulic fluid that is guided with a very simple single hydraulic hose or line to the bottom corner and cylinder operating the locking mechanism. This way the force is generated that operates the lock and absolutely no human intervention or electric motor or complicated gearing or external hydraulic systems are needed. This makes the system more reliable as with rough sea conditions and extreme environments a simple mechanical system will be less prone to damage and failure. The devices are designed to also not interfere with one another. The clearance left above the top cylinder device is enough for the bottom device locking pin to engage without accidently unlocking the device when these container are stacked on top of one another. The main locking device located in the bottom corners of the container will be discussed in more detail in this section. The functioning can also be seen and is illustrated in the images of the design. The locking mechanisms main function is driven by a lead screw device. Similar to what is used in devices like linear actuators, vise’s, machine presses and jacks. It is an existing and reliable and very robust piece of mechanical equipment. It also does not need large amounts of force in order to function. The lead screw can also be made with a high resolution meaning that for a small amount of displacement one can obtain the 90 degree shaft rotation needed for locking and unlocking. This was especially imported as there is very little space to incorporate the device. One of the bearings is also externally mounted in order to achieve the desired space requirements for the device to work. The bearing can be sealed off with a cap to protect it from the elements. The hydraulic cylinder presses down on the lead screw head and this rotates the lead screw shaft. The shaft is what operates the locking head of the mechanism that rotates into place to lock the containers together. The shaft is housed in what can be seen as a type of robust gearbox housing with two thrust bearings holding the shaft in place. In this way the lead screw and main mechanical device is fully enclosed and not open to the elements and damaging environment. It also means it can be efficiently lubricated and always work without any issues. The shaft and bearing and lead screw is a very robust and strong system when all put together. To ensure correct functioning and locking and unlocking of the device a spring is incorporated into the lead screw device to force it always into a locked position by applying a constant force to the lead screw head(seen in images and illustration). When the crane is in place and it forces down the hydraulic cylinder and the force is applied to the lead screw head, this counteracts the spring forcing it down and rotating the lead screw into the unlocked position. Meaning that when the crane is engaged the container is unlocked and can be lifted and as soon as the crane disengages the spring action locks the container in place. To ensure the correct function of this mechanism a backup spring is also installed into the top cylinder to force it back into place which will create a suction effect of the hydraulic system to aid in the locking mechanism’s easy operation. This is still a concept design and for the final design one would do the necessary calculations to determine the exact strength of springs to use in the cylinders and the device and also the resolution required on the lead screw. Also the final design and specs of the hydraulic cylinders themselves needs to be done. One has the added advantage of the system being tweakable because of different spring giving different device parameters according to what is required. Also the force is transferred through two brackets attached to the hydraulic cylinder and extending through the enclosure of the device (using oil seals to still protect the enclosure) and these brackets are attached by two threaded shafts that are fully adjustable to change the displacement values of the device. Adding to calibration and adjustment capabilities of the device. Another added benefit is that the system is not prone to damage to rough handling. The small hydraulic tube can be routed flush to the container in the channels of the container side or can be routed internally inside the container. This means there are no protruding mechanism or rods or tubes or anything that can be damaged by a knock which would then hinder the correct operation of the device. All the designed parts are designed to be small enough to fit through the holes existing in standard size containers. Only holes need to be created for the items to be fastened to. The device in summary is: # Fully automated. No need ever for any human interaction during its operation. Much safer. # Requires no extra energy source. And does not rely on fragile electric devices. It is a simple reliable mechanical device. # Robust and protected from elements to ensure device is not damaged. # Can be easily integrated onto existing designs of containers. # Does not interfere with other holes in container meaning other lifting equipment like lifting lugs can still be used. As seen in images. # Can be adjusted and calibrated to ensure correct operation. # Small and compact and lighter than existing twist locks # Weight of entire mechanism is +- 4kg (excluding some fasteners and hydraulic fluid weight) But the maximum weight of all components and fluids will not exceed 5kg in total. Overall a good solution to the problem that ticks all the boxes and is a feasible and realistic approach to the problem. From a business perspective it also presents the opportunity to successfully market the idea. It integrates with existing systems which means that companies would not have to implement this on all containers in one single phase but can gradually phase it out over multiple phases to convert containers to this system over a more gradual period that is sustainable for companies and a realistic expenditure to implement for them.