ES2725127A1 - AUTOMATIC CONNECTION AND DISCONNECTION SYSTEM OF REFRIGERATED CONTAINERS (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Automatic connection and disconnection system of refrigerated containers. System that allows automated connection and disconnection of refrigerated containers, with the system having: An adapter (2) arranged on each container (1) and provided with a front connection connector; a guidance system (11) according to directions (x, y) of a mobile platform (9) provided with at least one optical recognition camera (10) and with an extendable arm (5) provided at its end with an adapter front connection (6) and control means responsible for searching the adapter of each container, moving the mobile platform, and notifying a control system of the action taken. The system reduces labor costs, prevents accidents at work, reduces the electricity bill, as well as the disconnection time of each container (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

AUTOMATIC CONNECTION AND DISCONNECTION SYSTEM OF REFRIGERATED CONTAINERS

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention, as the title of the invention establishes, an automatic connection and disconnection system of refrigerated containers, that is to say, a system that in an automated, non-manual way, proceeds both to the connection or disconnection of the connector Container power supply.

It characterizes the present invention the special characteristics of each and every one of the elements that are part of the system so that it is achieved in an automated way to be able to proceed to the connection or disconnection of each container without any manual intervention.

Therefore, the present invention is circumscribed within the scope of refrigerated containers on the one hand and automatic connection and disconnection systems on the other hand.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Perishable goods with faraway destinations are introduced into the refrigerated containers and must be connected as long as possible to the power supply, either on land or on the high seas.

These containers with refrigerated loads generate a series of inconveniences both in ships and in loading and unloading terminals, mainly this inconvenience is the task of plugging and unplugging them from the electrical outlet and the consumption of electrical energy itself.

This work is done manually by crews of people with a list of containers to connect or disconnect, both in the terminal and on merchant ships.

Each container must be disconnected some time before the ship arrives at the port (since the quantity of them to be disconnected is very high) requires many hours of work, hours that the refrigerated container is disconnected from the electrical outlet.

At this time of disconnection, it is necessary to add the time required to unload or load the container in the terminal or on the ship and the time it takes for the operator to connect again.

These times are measured and monitored by the end customer who demands the reduction of the same and may not even accept the merchandise if it does not meet the cold chain parameters.

To this inconvenience of keeping the container frozen, we must add the "peak" of power generated when connected after having been disconnected from the power supply for many hours.

In the terminals when unloading a large number of refrigerated containers they enter a cooling cycle for hours, producing a very high demand for energy that generates overhead in the lines and penalties in the electricity bill (excess power, Cos 0) This problem It is even greater in ships since electric power is more expensive on the ship and less substantial when coming from fuel generators, they can generate breakdowns and even blackouts on the ship.

In addition, the towers of plugs for refrigerated containers have a certain risk of damage against natural persons by having to raise and lower the operators by them literally hundreds of times throughout the day, being normal falls to the same level and falls to different level.

In addition to the inherent risk of accident between operator and machine when they are working in the same area.

Another difficulty is the problem of the breakage of the fixed sockets (Fixed plugs in the stacking towers) because they have not been disconnected properly or have not disconnected them in any way (The operator pulls the cable without cutting the disconnector and burns the plug or does not go to disconnect the container and the crane starts the plug) From a point of view of the control of the state of the containers, there are mechanisms for operators to report to the "TOS" (Terminal Operating System) the status of the refrigerated containers but they require the operator to manually enter the state of the same in a " PDA ”or“ Tablet ”so that it is reflected in the“ TOS ”with the operator responsible for correctly entering the parameters.

As we see, finally there are many problems of operating refrigerated containers, such as:

- Personal damage due to fall or accident with machinery.

- High cost of electricity.

- Customer penalties for loss of cold chain.

- Breakage of fixed sockets (plugs) for not having disconnected them before lifting.

- Report to the system "TOS" null or with errors.

- High cost of labor in the operation of connection and disconnection of refrigerated containers.

Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to develop a system that overcomes the pointed inconveniences of high labor cost, high energy cost, danger for operators, possible loss of the cold chain, breakages of fixed intakes, bad management and control of the containers, developing for this purpose an automatic connection and disconnection system of refrigerated containers such as the one described below and is essentially included in the first claim.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is an automatic connection and disconnection system of refrigerated containers comprising:

- An adapter arranged on each container and provided with a front connection connector, where this adapter can be fixed by magnetic means and therefore is removable or come pre-installed at the factory.

- A guidance system according to directions (x, y) of a mobile platform and said guidance system arranged in a manner facing the face of the containers that have the adapter.

- The mobile platform has at least one optical recognition camera and with an extension arm provided at its end with a front connection adapter provided with complementary connection means of the adapter arranged on each container

- control means responsible for:

- the search for the adapter of each container and its validation - movement of the mobile platform until the extendable arm is faced with the adapter of each container

- notice to a system of control of the action taken (connection / disconnection)

In addition, the control means can also detect a possible unexpected movement of the container so that the arm is disconnected to avoid breaking it.

The front connector of the adapter arranged on each container, in a possible embodiment, can be a male connector, just as the connector of the adapter arranged on the end of the extensible arm can also be a female connector.

In an alternative embodiment, the front connection connector may be by circular axial contacts, thereby achieving connection in any position as it will always make contact.

The system object of the invention allows integration with the container control system (TOS) by the customer: The system can communicate to the customer's TOS that a refrigerator outlet is connected, this gives the system certain advantages:

- The TOS can prevent cranes from lifting the container by damaging the container and the system itself.

- Control over the exact moment at which each container was connected, having traceability for the end customer.

- Disconnection on demand from the TOS system: The system can receive warnings from the TOS that a container must be disconnected, just moments before the crane arrives to lift it, thus preventing the containers from being disconnected for many hours.

- Measurement of consumption: The system requires the installation of a meter to control the voltage that reaches the front plug, this meter can have consumption measurement and report to the terminal the exact consumption of each container, being able to bill the customer.

- Detection of sudden disconnections: The acceleration arm can be installed on the tip with an acceleration detector, so that when it detects an unexpected elevation it can be disconnected and prevent damage, as well as report to the TOS the event for future actions.

- Container number detection: The container number is easily readable with a second OCR camera installed in the appropriate position, since this number is always in the same position of the container.

- Container consumption control: By having a controllable counter it is possible to instruct it to cut or suppress the container when necessary, avoiding power peaks.

Unless otherwise indicated, all technical and scientific elements used herein have the meaning normally understood by a person skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. In the practice of the present invention procedures and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used.

Throughout the description and the claims the word "comprises" and its variants are not intended to exclude other technical characteristics, additives, components or steps. For those skilled in the art, other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be apparent in part of the description and part of the practice of the invention.

EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred example of practical implementation thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description. where, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented.

In Figure 1, we can see a simplified general representation of a system such as that which is the object of the invention.

In Figure 2, we can see a detail of the mobile platform carrying the extensible arm responsible for the connection and disconnection of each container.

Figure 3 shows the assembly formed by the adapter to be installed on the container and on which a male adapter and a male connector are mounted.

Figure 4 shows the front connection connector attached to the end of an extendable arm.

In figure 5 another view of the front connection connector is shown and inside which a female connector is arranged.

Figure 6 shows a front insertion plug with axial contacts where the male and female parts are connected.

Figure 7 shows the male connector of a front insertion plug with axial contacts.

Figure 8 shows the female connector of a front insertion plug with axial contacts.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION.

In view of the figures, a preferred embodiment of the proposed invention is described below.

In Figure 1 we can see a refrigerated container (1) and on which there is an adapter (2) on which the power supply connection is made.

The adapters (2) of each container can be integrated into the container structure itself or fixed on them by different means, for example, magnetic means, which allows it to be easily removed.

In front of said containers there is a set of guides (11) of several mobile platforms (9) provided with at least one chamber (10) and an extendable arm (5), which can even be a robotic arm, at the end of which a front connection adapter (6) provided with a female connector can be released releasably.

Figure 2 shows in detail the guide system (11) of the mobile platform (9) that allows it to be moved according to any of the coordinates in the plane (x, y). In a possible embodiment the displacement of the mobile platform (9) in The guides are made by means of stepper motors and spindle screws, which allows moving the mobile platform along the two axes (x, y).

In the mobile platform (9) there is at least one chamber (10) that allows, in association with optical recognition means, to know exactly where the connection or disconnection point is located on the refrigerated container (1).

Also, on the mobile platform (9) there is an extendable arm (5) driven by a linear actuator (8) at whose end there is a front connection adapter (6) provided inside a female connector (7) ( figure 5).

Figure 3 shows the adapter (2) which, as we have said, is fixed on the container or is integrated in its structure, and inside which a male adapter (3) is housed in which a male connector (4) is provided. .

Figure 4 shows the front connection adapter (6) arranged on the end of the extendable arm (5) and inside which the female connector (7) is housed (figure 5).

Figures 6, 7 and 8 show a front connection plug with circular contacts so that the insert can be made in any position and the front connection plug does not have to have a certain position. Figure 7 shows how the male connector (13) has circular axial contacts as rings (13.1) arranged on its outer face, while the female connector (12) has a series of rings (12.1) of so that inserted the male connector (13) both rings are in contact.

Throughout the description the terms female and male connector are interchangeable, the location and arrangement thereof being not limiting.

Describing sufficiently the nature of the present invention, as well as the way of putting it into practice, it is noted that, within its essentiality, it may be implemented in other embodiments that differ in detail from that indicated by way of example. , and which will also achieve the protection sought, provided that it does not alter, change or modify its fundamental principle.

Claims (7)

1. - Automatic connection and disconnection system of refrigerated containers characterized by comprising: - An adapter (2) arranged on each container (1) and provided with a front connection connector. - A guidance system (11) according to directions (x, y) of a mobile platform (9) and arranged said guidance system (11) facing the face of the containers (1) that have the adapter. - The mobile platform (9) has at least one optical recognition camera (10) and an extendable arm (5) provided at its end with a front connection adapter (6) that is provided with complementary connection means of the adapter arranged on each container - control means responsible for: - the search for the adapter of each container and its validation - movement of the mobile platform until the extendable arm is faced with the adapter of each container - notice to a system of control of the action taken (connection / disconnection) 2. - Automatic connection and disconnection system of refrigerated containers according to claim 1, characterized in that the adapter (2) disposed on each container has a male adapter inside (3) in which a male connector (4) is provided. 3. - Automatic connection and disconnection system of refrigerated containers according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the front connection adapter (6) releasably fixable on the end of the extendable arm (5) houses inside a female connector ( 7). 4. - Automatic connection and disconnection system of refrigerated containers according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the displacement of the mobile platform (9) in the guides is carried out by means of stepper motors and screw spindle. 5. - Automatic connection and disconnection system of refrigerated containers according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the adapter (2) arranged on each container is subject to the container by magnetic means. 6. - Automatic connection and disconnection system of refrigerated containers according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the front connection connector of the adapter (2) and the releasable front connection adapter (6) is a connector with circular axial contacts. 7. - Automatic connection and disconnection system of refrigerated containers according to claim 6 characterized in that the circular axial contact connector comprises a male connector (13) provided with contact rings (13.1) and a female connector (12) also provided of contact rings (12.1) both rings arranged so that the male connector (13) is inserted into the female connector (12) both rings (13.1) and (12.1) are in contact.