JP7539544B2 - A system for lifting a ship's vehicle deck - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a system for lifting parking decks on board a vessel carrying vehicles, and more particularly to a system for lifting multiple decks using a single actuator.

A RO-RO ship is a ship that transports cargo by using its own propulsion power to roll on (load) or roll off (unload) cargo from the stern or side of the ship via an inclined surface.

These RO-RO ships can load and transport vehicles of different sizes, from passenger cars to medium and large heavy machinery. In this case, if a fixed deck is used, depending on the overall height of the vehicles being transported, the volume of the cargo hold can go to waste, resulting in a problem of reduced overall cargo capacity.

To prevent this problem, Korean Patent Nos. 10-0979554, 10-1977611, 10-1996903, 10-1417954, etc. have been disclosed.

In No. 10-1996903, the scissor lifting frame is installed on a diesel vehicle, and as shown in Figure 1, the scissor lifting frame operates when moving between decks, which causes environmental and time-consuming problems such as filling the cargo hold with exhaust gas during movement and lifting and lowering operations.

On the other hand, in No. 10-1977611, one or four sets of hoisting devices should be provided for each deck, but this would lead to problems such as increased installation costs and excessive maintenance work as the number of devices increases.

Korean Patent No. 10-0979554 (Publication date: September 2, 2010) Korean Patent No. 10-1977611 (Publication date: May 13, 2019) Korean Patent No. 10-1996903 (Publication date: July 5, 2019) Korean Patent No. 10-1417954 (Publication date: July 10, 2014)

The present disclosure provides a system for lifting multiple decks using a single actuator.

To solve the above problems, a system is provided that uses a single actuator to lift multiple vehicle decks.

This system includes a main rod arranged to pass through a first vehicle deck, a second vehicle deck, ..., and an Nth vehicle deck (where N is a natural number greater than 2) that are arranged in succession, an actuator that moves the main rod forward or backward, and a first deck lifter, a second deck lifter, and an Nth deck lifter that are arranged at positions corresponding to the first deck lifter, the second deck lifter, ..., and the Nth vehicle deck and are selectively fixed to the main rod, respectively, to raise or lower the vehicle deck at the position where it is arranged according to the forward or backward movement of the main rod.

In this case, the main rod may include protruding fixing blocks used to fix the first deck lifter, the second deck lifter, ..., the Nth vehicle deck at positions corresponding to the first vehicle deck, the second vehicle deck, ..., the Nth vehicle deck, respectively.

The first deck lifter is a device that hosts the first vehicle deck by connecting the ends of the first vehicle deck with a plurality of wire ropes, and may include a rope end block that is selectively fixed to the fixed block and moves according to the moving direction of the main rod, a plurality of wire ropes each having one end fixed to the rope end block and the other end fixed to a corner of the first vehicle deck, and a plurality of rope sheaves that switch the moving direction of the plurality of wire ropes.

The rope end block may also have a configuration in which the main rod passes through the center, with multiple wire ropes fixed to its rear surface, and a first lever that selectively blocks the passage of a fixed block provided on its front surface based on the operating direction of the main rod that raises the first vehicle deck.

On the other hand, the first deck lifter may further include a stopper that suppresses the progress of the rope end block so that the first vehicle deck maintains the set height even when the rope end block is released from the fixed block.

The rope end block may also have a second lever selectively supported by the stopper on the rear surface.

The system disclosed herein for lifting a ship's vehicle deck provides the following advantages:

Installation costs can be relatively reduced, and operating costs can be reduced as maintenance areas are reduced.

In addition, automation can reduce the number of operating personnel. In other words, one actuator can basically automate all operations, which can reduce manpower and ensure safety.

FIG. 1 is a photograph showing how deck lifting is done in the conventional manner. FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of a system for raising a vehicle deck of a marine vessel in accordance with the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the system taken from a side view of the vehicle deck of the vessel shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a rope end block. FIG. 5 is a top view of a rope end block according to one embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a deck anchor disposed on a pillar. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of vehicle decks along the hull. FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of an articulated bogie.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. At this time, it should be noted that in understanding the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals indicate like elements. Furthermore, in order not to unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present disclosure, detailed descriptions related to well-known functions or configurations will be omitted. For the same reason, some components in the accompanying drawings are exaggerated, omitted, or illustrated in a schematic manner.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a system for lifting a vehicle deck of a ship according to the present disclosure, viewed from above, and Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the system for lifting the vehicle deck of the ship shown in Figure 2, viewed from the side.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the system 1000 for lifting a vehicle deck of a ship according to the present disclosure uses a single actuator M to lift multiple vehicle decks D-1, D-2, and D-N, and is a system including a main rod R, an actuator M, and deck lifters P, P-1, P-2, and P-N.

The main rod R is arranged so as to pass through the first vehicle deck D-1, the second vehicle deck D-2, ..., the Nth vehicle deck D-N (where N is a natural number greater than 2), which are arranged in succession.

The main rod R can be placed on a fixed deck G located above the first vehicle deck D-1, the second vehicle deck D-2, ..., the Nth vehicle deck D-N.

The fixed deck G is a deck that is fixed to the hull without being lifted, and the first vehicle deck D-1, the second vehicle deck D-2, and the Nth vehicle deck D-N are decks that can be raised and lowered depending on the overall height of the vehicles being transported. The main rod R may be implemented as a wire made of steel wire, or as a steel bar or cross-section steel depending on the operating conditions. The main rod R has a length that corresponds to the length of the deck to be lifted. In other words, the main rod R is arranged to cover the length of the N vehicle decks.

The actuator M moves the main rod R in the longitudinal direction in which it is arranged. The actuator M may be realized in the form of a combination of a motor and a gear, in the form of a hydraulic cylinder, or may be implemented so that the cylinder shaft directly pushes or pulls the main rod R. In addition to the shape of the embodiment, the actuator M may be appropriately selected from various methods depending on the weight of the vehicle deck to be lifted.

When lowering the vehicle decks D-1 to D-N, the weight of the vehicle decks themselves may cause them to lower, so a type of actuator M that operates only in the pulling direction (right to left in the figure) can be used.

The deck lifter P raises and lowers the vehicle deck in the position according to the forward and backward movement of the main rod R.

In this disclosure, the deck lifter P is not directly operated by the power that winds the wire rope to raise the deck, but only the deck lifter P acts to change the direction of the force so that the forward and backward movement of the main rod R results in a height movement of the deck (I <-> II).

Deck lifters P are provided according to the number of vehicle decks. The deck lifter for hosting the first vehicle deck D-1 is designated by identification code P-1, the deck lifter for hosting the second vehicle deck D-2 is designated by identification code P-2, and the deck lifter for hosting the Nth vehicle deck D-N is designated by identification code P-N, but since P-1 to P-N all have the same configuration, they will be described using the representative identification code 'P' unless there is a special reason. Similarly, vehicle decks will be described using the representative identification code 'D'.

Each deck lifter P is disposed at a position corresponding to each vehicle deck. For example, each deck lifter P may be disposed on the underside of the fixed deck G at the position where each vehicle deck is disposed. Note that in the same figure, the deck lifter P is disposed above and corresponding to the center of the vehicle deck D, but this is merely an example for convenience of explanation. The deck lifter P is disposed along the position where the main rod R is disposed.

The deck lifter P is selectively fixed to the main rod R and moves together with the main rod R as it moves forward or backward.

The main rod R included N protruding fixing blocks RB used to fix the first deck lifter P-1, the second deck lifter P-2 and the Nth deck lifter P-N at positions corresponding to the first vehicle deck D-1, the second vehicle deck D-2 and the Nth vehicle deck D-N, respectively.

The fixed block RB is integral with the main rod R, but if you think of the main rod R as a rope, the fixed block RB can be thought of as a bump that prevents slipping.

The deck lifter P has a structure that allows it to be selectively coupled to the fixed block RB. For example, if it is necessary to change the heights of all of the first vehicle deck D-1 and the second vehicle deck D-2 to the Nth vehicle deck D-N from height II to height I, the deck lifter P-1, deck lifter P-2, and deck lifter P-3 are coupled to the fixed block RB-1, fixed block RB-2-fixed block RB-N, respectively. When the main rod R operates in the pull-out direction (right -> left in the figure) in response to the operation of the actuator M, the first vehicle deck D-1, the second vehicle deck D-2 to the Nth vehicle deck D-N are all lifted in accordance with the movement of the deck lifter P-1, deck lifter P-2, and deck lifter P-3.

As described above, according to the present disclosure, multiple deck positions can be adjusted at once by coupling the deck lifters of vehicle decks requiring position adjustment to corresponding fixed blocks.

Below, a specific embodiment of the deck lifter P is described with reference to Figure 3.

The deck lifter P is a device that hosts the vehicle deck D by connecting the ends of the vehicle deck D with multiple wire ropes 200a, 200b, 200c, and 200d. Since the deck lifter P must support the weight of the vehicle deck (D) when the height of the vehicle deck moves (I <-> II), it is preferable to arrange it so that it moves along a fixed structure of the ship, such as a fixed deck G.

According to one embodiment, the deck lifter P includes a rope end block 100, a plurality of wire ropes 200a, 200b, 200c, and 200d, and a plurality of rope sheaves 300h, and 300v.

The rope end block 100 is selectively fixed to the fixed block RB and moves according to the moving direction of the main rod R. In other words, the rope end block 100 is a block that moves along the main rod R.

The multiple wire ropes 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d each have one end fixed to the rope end block 100 (the rear surface based on the pull-out direction of the main rod R) and the other end fixed to the vehicle deck D. Although four wire ropes are used in the drawing, this is merely one embodiment to facilitate understanding, and the number of wire ropes used may be increased or decreased as appropriate depending on the implementation environment of the vehicle deck D (the shape, size, and weight of the vehicle deck D).

Rope sheaves 300h and 300v are used to change the direction of travel of each wire rope 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d. Rope sheave 300h is for horizontal switching, and rope sheave 300v is for vertical switching. One horizontal sheave and one vertical sheave can be used for each wire rope. The illustrated wire arrangement and usage of rope sheaves 300h and 300v are merely examples to aid understanding, and may be appropriately changed depending on the implementation environment.

Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the rope end block. Referring to Figure 4, the rope end block 100 includes a structure (through hole 130) through which the main rod R selectively passes through the center.

The rope end block 100 has multiple wire ropes 200a, 200b, 200c, and 200d fixed to the back surface based on the operating direction of the main rod R (right to left in the figure).

The rope end block 100 includes a first lever 110 that selectively blocks passage of the fixed block RB. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the first lever 110 is illustrated as having a clamp shape, but the shape of the first lever 110 is not limited in this disclosure, and any structure that blocks progression through the through hole 130 of the fixed block RB is applicable to the rope end block 100.

Figure 4(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the formation of the rope end block 100 in a schematic manner, and Figure 4(b) illustrates the case where no lifting of the vehicle deck is required. The rope end block 100 is free from the movement of the main rod. Figure 4(c) illustrates the operation of the rope end block 100 when lifting of the vehicle deck is required.

When the first lever actuator 111 is actuated, the first lever 110 is shaped to grip the main rod R, and since the fixed block RB does not pass between the gripping first levers 110, the entire rope end block 100 moves (right to left) along with the movement of the main rod R. The vehicle deck (D) is actuated to rise by the multiple wire ropes 200a, 200b, 200c, and 200d connected to the rope end block 100.

Figure 5 is a top view of a rope end block according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, the rope end block 100 has a shape in which the main rod R passes through the center, and has a plurality of wire ropes 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d fixed to its back surface and a first lever 110 that selectively blocks the passage of the fixed block RB provided on its front surface based on the operating direction of the main rod R to raise the first vehicle deck D-1. The first lever 110 can be implemented in the shape of a tongue. When the first lever actuator 111 is operated, the first lever 110 is shaped to grip the main rod R, and the fixed block RB does not pass between the first lever 110 having the gripping shape, so the entire rope end block 100 moves (right → left) along with the movement of the main rod R.

On the other hand, the deck lifter P may further include a stopper SP that suppresses the advancement (left to right) of the rope end block 100 so that the first vehicle deck D maintains the set height even when the rope end block 100 is detached from the fixed block RB. The left to right movement of the rope end block 100 is suppressed by the stopper SP.

The rope end block 100 has a second lever 120 that is selectively supported by a stopper (SP) provided on the back surface of the rope end block 100. The second lever 120 engages with the stopper SP when the second lever 120 is opened. Depending on the operation of the second lever actuator 121, it is possible to select whether the second lever 120 is switched between an open and closed state, whether the second lever 120 passes through the stopper SP, or whether the second lever 120 stops moving by being supported by the stopper SP.

The rope end block 100 illustrated in FIG. 5 is only one of several possible configurations, and the present disclosure is not limited to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4.

Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating a deck anchor arranged on a pillar. The deck anchor 400 is provided on a pillar (PIL) of the hull to secure the vehicle deck to the underside of the deck with a support means.

The deck anchor 400 includes a first pillar stopper 410, a second pillar stopper 420, and a stopper actuator 430.

The first pillar stopper 410 supports the vehicle deck D at a first height I, and the second pillar stopper 420 supports the vehicle deck D at a second height II. Depending on the structure of the hull, a third pillar stopper (not shown) may be further provided to support the vehicle deck D up to a third height III. The stopper actuator 430 operates the first pillar stopper 410 and the second pillar stopper 420 via the wire rope 440. The first pillar stopper 410 and the second pillar stopper 420 are formed to be in close contact with the pillar PIL so that the vehicle deck D rises and falls in the folded state, and supports the underside of the vehicle deck D in the unfolded state.

The stopper actuator 430 may be mounted vertically to the pillar and directly connected to the wire rope 400. As shown in the figure, the stopper actuator 430 may be installed horizontally on the fixed deck D and connected to the first pillar stopper 410 and the second pillar stopper 420 via the rope sheave 450 by switching the pull-out direction.

Figure 7 is a diagram to explain the arrangement of the vehicle deck along the hull. The width of the hull decreases at the bow or stern. The arrangement of the vehicle deck changes accordingly.

The lifting system 100 according to the present disclosure further includes a connecting bogie 500 that connects the main rod R in parallel so as to pass through the centers of the first vehicle deck D-1 and the second vehicle deck D-2 in accordance with the arrangement of the first vehicle deck D-1, the second vehicle deck D-2, ..., the Nth vehicle deck D-N along the hull.

Referring to FIG. 7, the vehicle decks located in hull zones '2-S4', '2-S2', '2-S1', etc. do not coincide with the vehicle decks in other parts of the center. In this area, the left main rod R is connected in parallel to the right main rod R via the connecting bogie 500.

Figure 8 shows an embodiment of a linked bogie.

The articulated bogie 500 includes a rim frame 520, a cross frame 510, a horizontal wheel C1, and a vertical wheel C2. The rim frame 520 is formed in a square or rectangular shape and has a size corresponding to the reduced width of the hull. That is, the rim frame 520 is formed to have a horizontal length corresponding to the width of the vehicle deck.

The cross frame 510 is a frame that connects each inner corner of the rim frame 520 diagonally, and prevents the shape of the rim frame 520 from changing due to the force applied to the main rod R. The horizontal wheels C1 and vertical wheels C2 are provided to reduce friction caused by the direct contact of the connecting dolly (500) with the hull. The horizontal wheels (C1) are arranged at the four corners of the rim frame 520 and are in close contact with the hull. If necessary, a rail may be further provided on the hull in contact with the horizontal wheels C1.

In addition, the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure described in this specification and shown in the accompanying drawings are merely specific examples provided to easily explain the technical content of the present disclosure and to aid in the understanding of the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains that other modifications based on the technical ideas of the present disclosure can be implemented in addition to the embodiments disclosed in this specification.

1000: System for lifting ship's vehicle deck R: Main rod M: Actuator D, D-1, D-2, D-N: Vehicle deck G: Fixed deck P, P-1, P-2, P-N: Deck lifter

Claims (8)

1. A system for lifting multiple vehicle decks using a single actuator, the system comprising:
a main rod which is a steel bar arranged to pass through a first car deck, a second car deck, ..., and an Nth car deck (where N is a natural number greater than 2) which are arranged in succession;
an actuator for moving the main rod back and forth in the longitudinal direction;
a first deck lifter, a second deck lifter, ..., and an Nth vehicle deck lifter, which are arranged at positions corresponding to a first vehicle deck, a second vehicle deck, ..., and an Nth vehicle deck, respectively, and which are selectively fixed to the main rod so as to raise and lower the vehicle deck at the position where the first deck lifter, the second deck lifter, ..., and an Nth vehicle deck lifter, in response to forward and backward movement of the main rod;
wherein the main rod includes a protruding fixing block used to fix the first deck lifter, the second deck lifter, ..., the Nth vehicle deck lifter to positions corresponding to the first vehicle deck, the second vehicle deck, ..., the Nth vehicle deck, respectively . The first deck lifter is a device that hosts the first vehicle deck by connecting ends of the first vehicle deck with a plurality of wire ropes, and the first deck lifter is
A rope end block is selectively fixed to the fixed block and moves according to the moving direction of the main rod;
a plurality of wire ropes each having one end fixed to the rope end block and another end fixed to a corner of the first car deck;
A plurality of rope sheaves that switch the traveling direction of the plurality of wire ropes;
The system of claim 1 , comprising : 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the rope end block includes a main rod passing through a central portion thereof, the plurality of wire ropes fixed to a rear surface thereof, and a first gripping portion provided on a front surface thereof for selectively preventing passage of the fixed block based on a direction of operation of the main rod to raise the first vehicle deck . 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the first deck lifter further includes a stopper that inhibits progression of the rope end block so that the first vehicle deck maintains a set height even when the rope end block is released from the fixed block . 5. The system of claim 4 , wherein said first gripping portion is a first lever and said rope end block has a second lever on said rear surface selectively supported by said stopper. The method further comprises providing a deck anchor on a pillar of the hull for fixing each of the vehicle decks in a supporting manner from an underside of the vehicle deck;
The deck anchor,
a first pillar stopper supporting the vehicle deck at a first height;
a second pillar stopper supporting the vehicle deck at a second height;
a stopper actuator that actuates each of the first pillar stopper and the second pillar stopper from a deck supporting configuration to a deck passing configuration;
The system of claim 1 , comprising : 2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a connecting bogie that connects the two main rods to each other in the same direction so that the main rod passes through the centers of the first vehicle deck, the second vehicle deck, ..., and the Nth vehicle deck according to the arrangement of the first vehicle deck, the second vehicle deck, ..., and the Nth vehicle deck along the hull . A marine vessel comprising the system of claim 1.