IT202000030047A1 - AUTOMATED SYSTEM FOR CONNECTION AND/OR DISCONNECTION OF ELECTRICITY SUPPLY AND/OR DATA CONNECTION FOR REFRIGERATED CONTAINERS - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION of the Industrial Invention entitled: ?Automated system for connection and/or disconnection of the electric power supply and/or data connection for refrigerated containers?

DESCRIPTION TEXT

The present invention relates to an automated system for connecting and/or disconnecting the electrical power supply and/or data connection for refrigerated or reefer containers, which system comprises at least one mechanical arm provided with a mobile connector and at least one socket provided on said refrigerated container, the mechanical arm being fixed to a support structure.

Refrigerated containers are usually equipped with an electric compressor for maintaining internal conditions such as temperature and humidity. controlled on the basis of the type of goods stowed. These internal conditions must be maintained during all stages of transport and intermediate storage, under penalty of deterioration and loss of the load. There? can? also lead to consequent legal actions for compensation for damages and insurance costs for their coverage.

The refrigerated container requires an electrical connection to power the compressor and a data connection to set the operating parameters, monitor them, transmit them and record them.

Both container storage sites and container means of transport must have electrical outlets to power refrigerated containers ensuring connection, storage and monitoring of setting parameters.

The storage of these containers in the port area? mostly facilitated by dedicated container access structures called ?reefer racks? made up of metal carpentry structures used to position the reefer containers in suitably equipped and dedicated yard areas and including walkways to ensure personnel access to the refrigerated containers. Are the reefer racks equipped with power points equal to the capacity? of container storage. These structures allow operators? Access to containers which can then be stored on multiple? levels in the areas served by mechanical means (for example rail or wheeled cranes) used for their handling.

Each handling currently requires human intervention for the connection and/or disconnection of the container from the power supply network and this event occurs not only upon receipt or delivery of the container, but also during scrapping processes linked to the handling of containers underlying other stacked on top of them.

These elements are also present on board the ship when the container is loaded or unloaded.

The necessity? constant human presence in high-risk port areas due to the simultaneous presence of container lifting and handling equipment creates a serious occupational safety problem for refrigerated container connection and disconnection operations. Security in the port area or in storage and interchange? an absolutely priority element, since the activities? ports are intrinsically dangerous due to the mixing on the yards between activities? personnel and operational means.

Another critical element? given by the numerous disputes related to damages connected to delays in the connections resulting from a lack of synchronization between the movements of the refrigerated containers and their connection to the power supply, resulting in the loss of the set parameters of temperature and humidity? with consequent deterioration of the goods and related legal actions, with direct costs linked to the reimbursement of deductibles and indirect costs linked to insurance premiums for risk coverage. The synchronization of container handling with the connection and disconnection of the power supply ? therefore particularly critical for maintaining quality? of the service.

Such criticisms are also present on board the ship where the increased dimensions of the capacity? hold can lead to high unloading volumes of refrigerated containers with high risks of lack of synchronization between the disconnection of the power supply and the effective handling of the container, thus leading to the same problems (described above) in terms of job security, costs and quality? of the service found in the port area? container terminal side.

Since the trend of refrigerated goods is growing strongly and increasing more and more? the dimensions of the container ships and the relative volumes of unloading, the criticality? relating to the automation of the connections of refrigerated containers and the synchronization between the electrical connection and their actual handling is becoming increasingly important for all the actors involved in the process.

Are state-of-the-art systems for automating activities known? necessary for the connection and disconnection of refrigerated containers, both as regards the power supply and the data connection.

Document JP2011205780A discloses a system for automated connection and disconnection of the reefer power supply by means of magnetic induction power supply connection means, in particular a primary coil movably fixed to the reefer rack and a secondary coil fixed to the reefer. The moving coil? moved by hydraulic cylinders to be brought closer to the fixed reel when the reefer ? at the station.

However, this system turns out to be complex, expensive and not very efficient because it? it is based on the transmission of electrical energy by magnetic induction, and does not allow data transmission.

Documents WO2019/224792 and WO2019/224793 disclose electrical energy and data transmission systems using connectors moved by mechanical arms.

However, there is a currently unsatisfied need to develop highly performing systems which are at the same time simple to construct in order to be inexpensive.

The present invention has the purpose of improving the systems known in the state of the art with a system which is economically advantageous and at the same time can ensure high performance.

The present invention achieves these aims with a system as described at the beginning, in which the mechanical arm also comprises a proximal terminal for fastening to the support structure, a distal terminal provided with said movable connector, and at least two intermediate sectors of which a first sector connected in an articulated way to the proximal terminal by means of a first joint and a second sector connected to the distal terminal, the two intermediate sectors being movably connected to each other.

The mechanical arm? therefore constructively very simple and allows two alternative operating conditions: a withdrawn or rest condition in which the arm ? portrait and the two sectors are substantially superimposed on each other and a deployed or working condition in which the arm ? unfolded and the distal terminal ? positioned in such a way as to present the mobile connector in the vicinity? of the grip on the container.

In a preferred execution variant, the first sector? connected in an articulated way to the second sector by means of a second joint.

In a further executive variant, the second sector? connected to the first sector in a translatable manner with respect to said first sector. The translation can be carried out along an axis coinciding with or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first sector, for example in a telescopic way.

In an executive example, the said socket ? provided with a plurality of circular symmetry electric contact elements able to transmit electric energy and to exchange signals in any relative angular position between said distal terminal and said socket.

In this way ? It is possible not to provide a rotation joint between the distal terminal and the second sector, with the relative controls of the relative position between the distal terminal and the second sector. Once the arm has been deployed in working condition, the inclination of the distal terminal and consequently of the mobile connector with respect to the vertical is ? irrelevant for the connection of the electrical contacts of the movable connector with the corresponding electrical contacts of the socket. The connection ? in fact guaranteed for every possible inclination thanks to the annular electrical contact elements of the socket.

Alternatively or in combination? It is possible to provide an articulated joint between the distal terminal and the second sector. In this case the mechanical arm comprises three articulated joints: one between the proximal terminal and the first intermediate sector, one between the two intermediate sectors and one between the second intermediate sector and the distal terminal. There? allows you to precisely orient the movable connector into the right position relative to the socket.

According to a further embodiment, the sectors are arranged for rotation on two mutually parallel planes and perpendicular to the direction of insertion of the movable connector into the socket.

In this way the sectors must not be oriented in the three dimensions of space, with the necessity of joints to pi? degrees of freedom, but are only rotated on planes in order to pass from the rest condition to the working condition. There? guarantees a? high simplicity? constructive.

In one embodiment, the proximal terminal ? provided with translation means along an axis parallel to the direction of insertion of the movable connector into the socket.

In this way the entire mechanical arm, and in particular the mobile connector, can be moved towards or away from the container. This, in combination with the rotation of the sectors described above, allows for precise positioning of the movable connector opposite the socket on the container.

In a further embodiment, the mechanical arm ? movable from said retracted condition to said deployed condition, a fixed casing being provided for covering the movable connector when the arm ? placed in retired condition.

The combined use of the rotation of the sectors and the translation means allows the mobile connector to be inserted in said casing when the arm is ? positioned at rest. There? it has a double advantageous effect: in the first instance, the electrical contacts of the mobile connector are protected from atmospheric agents, which can be very aggressive in a marine environment; secondly, the electrical contacts remain isolated from any possible contact with an operator, increasing safety.

In an embodiment, the first and second sectors consist of box elements.

The use of box elements, preferably commercially available metal profiles of standard dimensions, allows to further reduce the overall costs of the mechanical arm.

In a further executive example, the first joint provided between the proximal terminal and the first sector ? equipped with a first drive electric motor.

In this way, the first motor allows the first sector to be rotated with respect to the proximal terminal, with the fulcrum in the first joint.

In a further executive example, the second joint envisaged between the first sector and the second sector ? equipped with a second electric drive motor.

In this way, the second motor allows the second sector to rotate with respect to the first sector, with the fulcrum in the second joint.

In an alternative embodiment there are two said first sectors connected in an articulated way to the proximal terminal by means of a first joint and two said second sectors connected in an articulated way to the distal terminal, the four intermediate sectors being articulated together in a rhombus configuration by means of two called second-joints.

According to an improvement, the first joint ? provided with two drive motors respectively of the two said first sectors.

The electric motors and the translation means described above are controlled by a unit of control and drive, which unit? ? connected to a pointing system, from which it receives data on the relative position between the mobile connector and the socket. The pointing system preferably comprises a video camera and/or other sensors operating with radio waves, inductive, magnetic, acoustic waves, lasers, etc..

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly from the following description of some non-limiting embodiments illustrated in the attached drawings in which: fig. 1 shows an overall view of an embodiment of the system;

figs. 2 to 6 illustrate the different positions assumed by the mechanical arm;

figs. 7 and 8 show different views of a further embodiment.

Figure 1 illustrates an executive example of the automated system for connecting and/or disconnecting the electrical power supply and the data connection for refrigerated containers 2 according to the present invention. The system comprises a mechanical arm 1 fixed to a support structure 3, for example a reefer rack. The mechanical arm 1 has a proximal terminal 10 for fastening to the reefer rack 3 and a free distal terminal 13 which can be moved in space. The distal end 13 ? provided with a mobile connector 14 able to be connected to a socket 20 provided on the refrigerated container 2. The socket 20 can? be constituted by an external electrical drawer, fixed or removable, or be integrated in the container 2. The socket 20 and the mobile connector 14 are provided with the electrical contacts necessary both for the electrical power supply and for the data connection.

The mechanical arm 1 comprises two intermediate sectors, of which a first sector 11 is connected in an articulated way to the proximal terminal 10 by means of a first joint 100 and a second sector 12 connected to the distal terminal 13. The two intermediate sectors are articulated to each other by a second joint 101.

The first sector 11 and the second sector 12 consist of metal profiles which form box-shaped elements with a square section and are provided with suitable fastening elements and plates at the ends. to be connected with the other components of the mechanical arm 1. The sectors 11 and 12 can have any section.

The first joint 100 and the second joint 101 have axes of rotation parallel to the insertion direction of the movable connector 14 in the socket 20. The intermediate sectors 11 and 12 are therefore positioned rotatable in two mutually parallel planes and perpendicular to this insertion direction.

The first coupling 100 and the second coupling 101 are respectively provided with a first drive motor and a second drive motor, preferably electric motors.

Through the action of the motors on the joints 100 and 101 the mechanical arm 1 ? moveable from a retired condition to a deployed condition.

In the example illustrated in the figure, the proximal terminal 10 ? connected to the reefer rack in an elevated position, such that the arm unfolds downwards. In particular, for a location of a container on a reefer rack 3, the arm ? connected to the carpentry of the immediately higher walkway. This configuration proves to be particularly advantageous because? in the retracted condition the mobile connector 14 and the entire mechanical arm 1 are out of the reach of any operator present on the reefer rack 3. A further advantage? that the mechanical arm 1 can? be installed without impacting on existing spaces and in particular on reefer rack 3 artifacts such as a railing 30 or on systems already? present.

? however, it is possible to provide the mechanical arm 1 at the level of the walkway corresponding to the position of the container, for example by modifying the railing 30 to allow the movements of the mechanical arm 1.

The proximal end 10 ? provided with translation means along an axis parallel to the insertion direction of the mobile connector 14 in the socket 20. In the example of the figures the translation means consist of a trolley 102 placed movable on guides stably fixed to the reefer rack 3 and actuated by at least a linear actuator.

The linear actuator can? be of any type, for example recirculating balls, screw-nut, pinion-rack, hydraulic cylinder.

in the vicinity? of the proximal terminal 10 ? a fixed casing is provided, not shown in the figures. The fixed case? preferably fixed to the reefer rack 3 and ? adapted to be used for covering the mobile connector 14 when the mechanical arm 1 is placed in retired condition.

When the mechanical arm 1 ? idle ? placed in the withdrawn condition indicated in figure 2, with the movable connector 14 inside the fixed casing. In this condition does the mechanical arm 1 have a minimum overall size, ? in a position away from the walkway of the reefer rack 3 and has the contacts of the mobile connector 14 protected from accidental physical contact by an operator and from bad weather.

? expected a unit? electronic control of the movements of the mechanical arm, which activates all the actuators to perform the various operations.

When the mechanical arm 1 is activated, first of all a translation of the trolley 102 is effected in the direction away from the refrigerated container 2. In this way the movable connector 14 is extracted from the casing.

The trolley 102 then carries out a further translation, this time in the direction of the container 2, to move to the position of figure 3.

Once these translations have been completed, the motors are activated to deploy the mechanical arm 1. How? obvious for the person skilled in the art, the further translation in the direction of the container 2 can? occur before full arm deployment, during deployment, or after full deployment.

To unfold the mechanical arm 1, the first motor rotates the first sector 11 downwards with respect to the proximal terminal 10 and to the carriage 102, bringing the arm to the position of figure 4.

Subsequently or simultaneously, the second motor rotates the second sector 12 downwards with respect to the first sector 11, as illustrated in figure 5.

These movements continue until the distal terminal 13 and consequently the mobile connector 14 ? located near of socket 20 on container 2, ready to be inserted, as shown in figure 6.

The unit control system includes a visual feedback system for real-time detection of the position of the distal end and for its correct setting. The visual feedback system preferably includes a camera placed at the top: this camera can? in fact, it operates both for positioning the mechanical arm 1 and for monitoring the work area. Alternatively or in combination? Is it possible to provide a pointing system on the distal terminal 13, do you include a video camera and/or a laser pointer and/or a proximity sensor? based on various technologies.

In the preferred example illustrated in the figures, the distal terminal 13 is fixed in a non-articulated way to the second sector 12. This configuration considerably simplifies the mechanical arm 1 and makes it economically advantageous.

The socket 20 ? provided with a plurality of annular electrical contact elements adapted to contact corresponding elements on the movable connector 14. The contact elements of the movable connector 14 are preferably pins biased in the contact direction by springs, to contact the annular elements of the socket 20 with its head surface. ? however alternatively it is possible to provide annular contact elements on the mobile connector 14 and pins in the socket 20, or annular contact elements both on the mobile connector 14 and on the socket 20.

To carry out the disconnection, the mobile connector 14 is released from the socket 20. The unit? control then actuates the first and second motors to bring the mechanical arm 1 to the retracted condition. With the translations performed by the carriage 102, the mobile connector 14 is positioned inside the fixed casing.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a further executive example in which two first sectors 11 are provided connected in an articulated way to the proximal terminal 10 by means of a first joint 100 and two said second sectors 12 connected in an articulated way to the distal terminal 13 by a third joint 103 The four intermediate sectors 11 and 12 are therefore articulated to each other in a diamond-shaped configuration, by means of two said second joints 101.

The first joint 100 ? equipped with two drive motors respectively of the two said first sectors 11.

Advantageously, the first joint 100 ? consisting of two coaxial cylindrical sectors inserted one inside the other, which cylindrical sectors are connected to the output shafts of the electric motors of the rhombus rotation drive.

By rotating the first two sectors independently of each other? Is it possible to adjust the angles of the rhombus and its orientation, being able to set the position of the extremity precisely? bottom of the rhombus, formed by the distal end 13.

Claims (10)

1. Automated system for connecting and/or disconnecting the power supply and/or data connection for refrigerated containers (2) comprising at least one mechanical arm (1) provided with a mobile connector (14) and at least one socket (20) provided on said refrigerated container (2), the mechanical arm (1) being fixed to a support structure (3), characterized in that the mechanical arm (1) comprises a proximal terminal (10) for fastening to the support structure (3), a distal terminal (13) provided with said movable connector (14), and at least two intermediate sectors of which a first sector (11 ) connected in an articulated way to the proximal terminal (10) by means of a first joint (100) and a second sector (12) connected to the distal terminal (13), the two intermediate sectors being movably connected to each other. 2. System according to claim 1, wherein the first sector (11) is connected in an articulated way to the second sector (12) by means of a second joint (101). 3. System according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second sector (12) is connected to the first sector (11) in a translatable manner with respect to said first sector (11). 4. System according to one or more? of the preceding claims, wherein said outlet (20) ? provided with a plurality of circular symmetry electric contact elements able to transmit electric energy and to exchange signals in any relative angular position between said distal terminal (13) and said socket (20). 5. System according to one or more? of the preceding claims, wherein the proximal terminal (10) is provided with translation means along an axis parallel to the insertion direction of the movable connector (14) in the socket (20). 6. System according to one or more? of the previous claims, wherein the mechanical arm (1) ? movable from a retracted condition to an deployed condition, a fixed casing being provided to cover the movable connector (14) when the mechanical arm (1) is placed in retired condition. 7. System according to one or more? of the preceding claims, wherein the sectors (11, 12) are positioned rotatably on two mutually parallel planes and perpendicular to the insertion direction of the movable connector (14) into the socket (20). The system according to claim 7, wherein the first joint (100) is provided with a first electric drive motor and the second joint (101) ? equipped with a second electric drive motor. 9. System according to claim 7, wherein two said first sectors (11) are provided articulatedly connected to the proximal terminal (10) by means of a first joint (100) and two said second sectors (12) articulatedly connected to the terminal distal (13), the four intermediate sectors being mutually articulated in a diamond-shaped configuration by means of two said second joints (101). The system according to claim 9, wherein the first joint (100) is provided with two drive motors respectively of the two said first sectors (11).