A suspension bridge main cable maintenance walkway structure

Abstract

This invention discloses a maintenance walkway structure for the main cable of a suspension bridge. The maintenance walkway is connected to the main cable of the suspension bridge via cable clamps. The column assembly of the maintenance walkway is connected to a clamp assembly. The clamp assembly is fixed to the circumference of the cable clamp using a combined connection structure. This invention replaces the existing direct connection with a conversion connection through clamp assemblies. The structure is simple, and the column assembly and clamp assembly maintain a specific connection position. The connection position of the clamp assembly around the cable clamp can be flexibly adjusted according to the technical requirements of the maintenance walkway's installation location. It is highly operable and meets the technical requirements of both parallel cable suspension bridge structures and spatial cable suspension bridge structures. It has good applicability and broad application prospects, and in particular, effectively solves the technical problem of forming the main cable maintenance walkway in large-span spatial cable suspension bridge structures.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to maintenance facilities for suspension bridges, specifically a main cable maintenance access structure for suspension bridges, or more precisely, a connection structure of the main cable maintenance access on the main cable. Background Technology

[0002] In suspension bridge structures, to ensure the safe operation of the main cable and supporting facilities, a maintenance walkway (i.e., a maintenance frame) needs to be constructed on the main cable. See [link to main cable maintenance walkway structure] for details. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, it mainly consists of two side column assemblies 2, a cross brace assembly 3 connecting the two side column assemblies 2, a railing assembly 4 and a handrail assembly 5 connected to each side column assembly 2; the two side column assemblies 2 are connected to the cable clamps 6 connected to the main cable 7 on both sides, that is, the column assembly 2 is connected to the main cable 7 by the cable clamps 6 as a transition structure, and finally the main cable 7 is used as the load-bearing support foundation.

[0003] In the existing main cable maintenance tunnel structure, the bottom ends of the column assemblies on both sides of the maintenance tunnel are directly connected to the upper half of the cable clamp via corresponding connecting pins. See [reference needed]. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, and referring to the technologies published in Chinese patent documents such as "Device for a Trolley for Main Cable Maintenance of Suspension Bridge to Safely Cross Obstacles" (Publication No. CN 107460822 A, Publication Date December 12, 2017), "A Main Cable Maintenance Robot for Suspension Bridge" (Publication No. CN114960419 A, Publication Date August 30, 2022), and "A Main Cable Maintenance Device for Suspension Bridge" (Publication No. CN 112012103 A, Publication Date December 1, 2020), etc.

[0004] In this type of maintenance walkway structure, because the column assembly is directly connected to the cable clamp, the connection position of the column assembly circumferentially to the cable clamp is not adjustable. Therefore, the fixed position of the cable clamp circumferentially to the main cable directly determines the arrangement position of the maintenance walkway above the main cable; similarly, the arrangement position of the maintenance walkway above the main cable directly determines the fixed position of the cable clamp circumferentially to the main cable, creating a mutual constraint. For parallel cable suspension bridge structures, the lower half of the cable clamp can reliably form a downward, essentially vertical divergence for the suspenders, while the upper half of the cable clamp can reliably form an upward, essentially vertical fixation for the column assembly of the maintenance walkway. The function of the cable clamp for the suspenders and the function for the maintenance walkway column assembly do not conflict, fully meeting the technical requirements. However, for spatial cable suspension bridge structures, the aforementioned direct connection structure of the maintenance walkway to the cable clamp does not meet the technical requirements, especially in large-span spatial cable suspension bridge structures.

[0005] This is determined by the characteristics of the cable system in the spatial cable suspension bridge structure.

[0006] In the spatial cable suspension bridge structure system, a three-dimensional cable system is formed between the main cable and the suspenders. The suspenders connected to the main cable do not extend downwards in a basically vertical manner, but have a certain obvious inclined angle with respect to the downward vertical reference plane passing through the center of the main cable. This cable system can significantly improve the lateral bearing capacity without having much impact on the vertical bearing capacity. Compared with the parallel cable suspension bridge structure system, it reliably enhances the lateral stiffness and stability (wind resistance).

[0007] Due to the unique characteristics of the three-dimensional cable system in the spatial cable suspension bridge structure, the mid-plane formed by the connection between the upper and lower halves of the cable clamp has a significant angle of inclination with the transverse plane passing through the center of the main cable. In simpler terms, the upper half of the cable clamp is fixed to the main cable at a certain angle. Consequently, the connection points on both sides of the upper half of the cable clamp to the maintenance walkway support components are not arranged vertically, but rather at a certain angle. Directly connecting the maintenance walkway support components in this way inevitably results in the maintenance walkway being arranged at an angle above the main cable, failing to meet the technical requirements of the main cable maintenance walkway structure.

[0008] Therefore, it is evident that although the aforementioned main cable maintenance walkway structure can meet the technical requirements of the parallel cable suspension bridge structure system, it conflicts with the spatial cable suspension bridge structure system and cannot meet the technical requirements of the spatial cable suspension bridge structure system, especially the large-span spatial cable suspension bridge structure system (where the cable system has a larger three-dimensional spatial arrangement angle). Improvements are necessary. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The technical objective of this invention is to provide a main cable maintenance walkway structure for suspension bridges that meets both the technical requirements of parallel cable suspension bridge structures and spatial cable suspension bridge structures, addressing the unique characteristics of the main cable maintenance walkway and the shortcomings of existing technologies.

[0010] The technical objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution: a maintenance access structure for the main cable of a suspension bridge, wherein the maintenance access is connected to the main cable of the suspension bridge via cable clamps;

[0011] The maintenance access road's column assembly is connected to a clamp assembly;

[0012] The clamp assembly is fixed to the circumference of the cable clamp in a combined connection structure.

[0013] The aforementioned technical measures do not alter the main structure of the main cable maintenance walkway, nor do they change the main structure of the cable clamps on the main cable that support the maintenance walkway. They only change the connection method between the maintenance walkway's column assembly and the cable clamps on the main cable, replacing the existing direct connection with a conversion connection via clamp assemblies. This simplifies the structure. The column assembly and clamp assembly maintain specific connection positions, and the connection position of the clamp assembly around the cable clamp circumference can be flexibly adjusted according to the technical requirements of the maintenance walkway's installation location. This approach offers high operability and meets the technical requirements of both parallel cable suspension bridge structures and spatial cable suspension bridge structures. It has good applicability and broad application prospects, particularly effectively solving the technical challenges of forming the main cable maintenance walkway in large-span spatial cable suspension bridge structures.

[0014] As one of the preferred solutions, the clamp assembly mainly consists of a lower half-ring and an upper half-ring;

[0015] The lower half ring and the upper half ring of the clamp are joined together in the circumferential direction to fit the circumference of the clamp to be tightened and fixed. Each circumferential joint between the lower half ring and the upper half ring of the clamp is connected by at least one locking bolt.

[0016] The upper half of the clamp serves as a column assembly for connecting the maintenance access road.

[0017] The clamp assembly of the aforementioned technical measures is formed by separate, combinable lower and upper clamp rings, which has a simple structure, is easy to disassemble and assemble on the cable clamp, and has good operational flexibility. The upper clamp ring forms a connection support for the maintenance roadway column assembly, with clear force distribution. Regardless of the fixed position of the cable clamp on the main cable circumference, the clamp assembly always maintains upward and downward force transmission, resulting in good stability.

[0018] Furthermore, at the top of the mating pressure platform on each side of the upper half ring of the clamp, there is an upwardly protruding ear plate.

[0019] The upper half of the clamp is connected to the column assemblies on both sides of the maintenance passage via ear plates at the top of the bearing platform on both sides.

[0020] The upper half of the clamp in the above-mentioned technical measures is connected to the column assembly of the maintenance passage through a raised ear plate. The connection structure is simple and easy to assemble and disassemble.

[0021] Furthermore, the ear plates on the upper half of the clamp are U-shaped fork ear structures;

[0022] The bottom end of the column assembly is inserted into the slot of the ear plate with a finger-joint structure and connected together with a connecting pin with a locking nut.

[0023] The ear plate structure and the connection structure between the ear plate and the column assembly of the above-mentioned technical measures have the technical characteristics of good connection stability on the basis of simple connection structure, and the technical characteristics of flexible adjustment of the vertical position of the column assembly according to the arrangement structure of the railing assembly and handrail assembly, which is conducive to ensuring easy and high-strength molding of the maintenance passage.

[0024] Furthermore, at each circumferential joint between the lower half ring of the clamp and the upper half ring of the clamp, a rubber pad is provided between the joint bearing platforms.

[0025] The locking bolt, which is installed between the mating bearing platforms of the lower half ring and the upper half ring of the clamp, passes through the rubber pad at the current position.

[0026] The aforementioned technical measures for the clamp assembly, on the one hand, supplement the circular structure between the upper and lower half-rings of the clamp through the rubber gasket at the circumferential joint, ensuring that the inner diameter of the inner hole formed by the upper and lower half-rings is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the clamp at its current position. Sufficient locking allowance is reserved at the circumferential joint of the upper and lower half-rings at the clamp's current position, resulting in high locking strength under the action of the locking bolts. This eliminates the technical problem of clamp assemblies with excessively large structural dimensions failing to lock due to rigidity. On the other hand, the rubber gasket seals the circumferential joint between the upper and lower half-rings, preventing corrosive substances (especially rainwater and dust) from entering the clamp assembly.

[0027] As a preferred embodiment, the inner circumferential surface of the clamp assembly is provided with a friction-enhancing structure. This technical measure helps to enhance the locking stability of the clamp assembly at the current position of the cable clamp, and reduces or even eliminates relative displacement of the clamp assembly around the circumference at the current position of the cable clamp.

[0028] Furthermore, the friction-enhancing structure on the inner annular surface of the clamp assembly is a galvanized layer structure with a thickness of ≥200μm. This technical measure provides at least three functions: corrosion prevention, rust prevention, and friction enhancement. Compared to technical measures such as simply adding rubber pads, the resulting friction-enhancing structure offers better weather resistance.

[0029] As a preferred embodiment, the cable clamp, used to connect the circumferential area of ​​the clamp assembly, is provided with a friction-enhancing structure. This technical measure helps to enhance the locking stability of the clamp assembly at the current position of the cable clamp, which is particularly effective when used with the clamp assembly having the aforementioned friction-enhancing structure, reducing or even eliminating relative displacement of the clamp assembly around the circumference at the current position of the cable clamp.

[0030] Furthermore, the friction-enhancing structure in the circumferential region of the cable clamp is a galvanized layer with a thickness of ≥200μm. This technical measure provides at least three functions: corrosion prevention, rust prevention, and friction enhancement. Compared to simply adding rubber pads or other technical measures, the resulting friction-enhancing structure offers better weather resistance.

[0031] As a preferred embodiment, the cable clamp serves as the circumferential area connecting the clamp assembly, and is a concave annular groove structure. This technical measure helps to enhance the locking stability of the clamp assembly in the current position of the cable clamp, and in particular, effectively prevents axial relative displacement of the clamp assembly in the current position of the cable clamp.

[0032] As one preferred embodiment, the cable clamp serves as the circumferential area for connecting the clamp assembly and is located at the axial end of the cable clamp. This technical measure ensures that the connection position of the clamp assembly on the cable clamp reliably avoids the connection structure between the clamp and the sling, preventing interference between the connection positions of the clamp assembly and the sling, guaranteeing reliable force distribution at each position, and reducing construction technical difficulty.

[0033] Furthermore, the cable clamp is a pin-type cable clamp or a straddle-type cable clamp.

[0034] The beneficial technical effects of this invention are as follows: the above-mentioned technical measures do not change the main structure of the main cable maintenance walkway, nor do they change the main structure of the cable clamps on the main cable that support the maintenance walkway. They only change the connection method between the maintenance walkway's column assembly and the cable clamps on the main cable, that is, changing the existing direct connection to a conversion connection through clamp assemblies, resulting in a simple structure. The column assembly and clamp assembly maintain a specific connection position, and the connection position of the clamp assembly around the cable clamp can be flexibly adjusted according to the technical requirements of the maintenance walkway's erection location. This provides strong operability and meets the technical requirements of both parallel cable suspension bridge structures and spatial cable suspension bridge structures, offering good applicability and broad application prospects. In particular, it effectively solves the technical problem of forming the main cable maintenance walkway in large-span spatial cable suspension bridge structures.

[0035] In addition, the above-mentioned technical measures use clamp components to connect the maintenance road column components to the cable clamps, avoiding the need to open connection holes for the column components inside the upper half of the cable clamps. This helps to reduce the technical difficulty of cable clamp forming and ensures the structural strength of the cable clamps, avoiding damage to the internal structure of the upper half of the cable clamps. This is especially evident in cast cable clamp structures. Attached Figure Description

[0036] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the existing main cable maintenance access structure for a suspension bridge.

[0037] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A-direction view.

[0038] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of one structure of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A-direction view.

[0040] Figure 5 This is another structural schematic diagram of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A-direction view.

[0042] The symbols in the diagram mean: 1—Clamp assembly; 11—Lower half ring of clamp; 12—Upper half ring of clamp; 13—Locking bolt; 14—Rubber pad; 15—Ear plate; 16—Connecting pin; 2—Post assembly; 3—Horizontal brace assembly; 4—Guardrail assembly; 5—Handrail assembly; 6—Cable clamp; 7—Main cable. Detailed Implementation

[0043] This invention relates to maintenance facilities for suspension bridges, specifically a maintenance access structure for the main cable of a suspension bridge, more precisely, a connection structure of the main cable maintenance access on the main cable. The main technical solution of this invention will be described in detail below with reference to several embodiments. Embodiment 1 is illustrated in conjunction with the accompanying drawings—that is… Figure 3 and Figure 4 The technical solution of the present invention will be clearly and thoroughly explained; Embodiment 2 is illustrated in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Figure 5 and Figure 6 The technical solution of the present invention is clearly and in detail explained; although other embodiments are not shown in separate drawings, their main structure can still be referred to the drawings of Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2.

[0044] It should be noted that the accompanying drawings of this invention are schematic, and unnecessary details have been simplified in order to clarify the technical objectives of this invention, so as to avoid obscuring the technical solutions contributed by this invention to the prior art.

[0045] Example 1

[0046] See Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the main structure of the main cable maintenance walkway consists of column assemblies 2 on the left and right sides, cross bracing assemblies 3 connecting the column assemblies 2 on the left and right sides, railing assemblies 4 and handrail assemblies 5 connected in series on each column assembly 2 on each side.

[0047] There are multiple column assemblies 2 on each side of the maintenance path. These column assemblies 2 are arranged at intervals along the length of the main cable 7, corresponding to each cable clamp 6 that needs to be connected.

[0048] The two column assemblies 2 on the left and right sides of the inspection channel, corresponding to the same cable clamp 6, are connected to the left and right sides of the cable clamp 6 connected to the main cable 7. In other words, the column assembly 2 is connected to the main cable 7 through the cable clamp 6 as a transition structure, and the main cable 7 is ultimately used as the load-bearing support foundation.

[0049] In this embodiment, the main cable maintenance channel is applied in the spatial cable suspension bridge structure system. The pin-type cable clamps 6 connected to the main cable 7 are arranged in an inclined manner in the circumferential direction. That is, the center surface of the cable clamp 6, which is used as the ear plate for connecting the suspenders, has a certain obvious inclined angle with the downward vertical reference plane passing through the center of the main cable. In this way, a three-dimensional cable system is formed between the main cable 7 and the suspenders connected to the cable clamp 6.

[0050] To enhance the overall strength of the cable clamp 6, the cable clamp 6 is secured to the main cable 7 by multiple locking bolts on both the left and right sides, consisting of upper and lower halves. The upper and lower halves of the cable clamp are essentially equally divided upper and lower ring structures. The mid-section formed by their docking has a significant angle of inclination with the transverse plane passing through the center of the main cable. The upper half of the cable clamp is fixed to the main cable at a certain angle.

[0051] The two column assemblies 2 corresponding to the same cable clamp 6 in the above-mentioned main cable maintenance channel are connected by the same clamp assembly 1.

[0052] Specifically, the clamp assembly 1 is mainly composed of a lower clamp ring 11 and an upper clamp ring 12. The inner diameter of the hole formed by the upper clamp ring 12 and the lower clamp ring 11 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the circumference of the clamp assembly 1 that the cable clamp 6 needs to connect to.

[0053] On both sides of the split surface of the lower half ring 11 of the clamp, there are outwardly folded butt bearing platforms, and each butt bearing platform has at least one bolt hole (usually multiple, such as two or four). In order to enhance the structural strength of the butt bearing platform on the lower half ring 11 of the clamp, at least one reinforcing rib is provided between the butt bearing platform and the outer side of the lower half ring 11 of the clamp.

[0054] On both sides of the split surface of the upper half ring 12 of the clamp, there are outwardly folded mating pressure plates. Each mating pressure plate has at least one bolt hole (usually multiple, such as two or four), which must correspond one-to-one with the bolt holes on the mating pressure plates on the corresponding sides of the lower half ring 11 of the clamp. To enhance the structural strength of the mating pressure plates on the upper half ring 12 of the clamp, at least one reinforcing rib is provided between the mating pressure plates and the outer side of the upper half ring 12 of the clamp.

[0055] Based on the structure of the upper half ring 12 of the above-mentioned clamp, at the center of the outer side of the mating pressure platform on each side of the upper half ring 12 of the clamp (that is, at the top center), there is an upwardly protruding ear plate 15. The ear plate 15 is a U-shaped fork ear structure with an open top, and the slots of the fork ear are arranged along the axial direction of the clamp assembly 1.

[0056] The column assemblies 2 on both sides of the access road are inserted into the corresponding ear plates 15 on both sides of the upper half ring 12 of the clamp via a finger-joint structure at their bottom ends, and are respectively pinned together by connecting pins 16 with locking nuts. Under the pinning action of the connecting pins 16 and the guiding action of the ear plates 15, each column assembly 2 connected on each side can swing slightly along the axis of the clamp assembly 1 on the upper half ring 12 of the clamp, which is conducive to the later assembly with the railing assembly 4 and the handrail assembly 5.

[0057] To enhance the connection stability of the clamp assembly 1 at the corresponding circumferential position of the cable clamp 6, friction-enhancing structures are formed on the inner ring surfaces of the upper half ring 12 and the lower half ring 11 of the clamp by spraying a zinc plating layer with a thickness of about 260μm.

[0058] At one end of the pin-type cable clamp 6, which is offset from the ear plate, an annular groove is formed with an inward concave structure for connecting the clamp assembly 1. To enhance the reliability of the connection to the clamp assembly 1, a friction-enhancing structure is formed in the circumferential area of ​​the annular groove by spraying a zinc plating layer with a thickness of approximately 260 μm.

[0059] The lower half ring 11 and the upper half ring 12 of the clamp are assembled in a circumferentially combined and connected structure in the annular groove at the end of the cable clamp 6, with the upper half ring 12 on top and the lower half ring 11 on the bottom. The corresponding bolt holes on the bearing platforms on both sides of them are used to install the locking bolts 13.

[0060] To ensure a complete circle and seal between the upper half ring 12 and the lower half ring 11 of the clamp, a flexible and deformable rubber pad 14 is provided between the mating pressure plates on each side. The locking bolt 13, which is installed between the mating pressure plates of the lower half ring 11 and the upper half ring 12 of the clamp, passes through the rubber pad 14 at the current position.

[0061] Adjust the circumferential position of the clamp assembly 1 in the annular groove at the end of the clamp 6 so that the two column assemblies 2 connected to the upper half ring 12 of the clamp can be arranged in a basically vertical position above the main cable 7. Tighten the locking bolts 13 installed on the bearing platforms on both sides of the lower half ring 11 and the upper half ring 12 of the clamp to make them tightly fixed at the circumference of the end of the clamp 6. That is, the clamp assembly 1 is fixed to the end circumference of the clamp 6 in a combined connection structure to realize the fixation of the maintenance passage through the clamp 6 on the main cable 7.

[0062] In the above structure, the mid-section formed by the docking combination between the upper half ring 12 and the lower half ring 11 of the clamp assembly 1 is basically parallel to the transverse plane passing through the center of the main cable, and is not affected by the inclined arrangement of the cable clamp 6 on the main cable 7, ensuring that the formed maintenance passage is directly above the main cable 7.

[0063] Example 2

[0064] See Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the main structure of the main cable maintenance walkway consists of column assemblies 2 on the left and right sides, cross bracing assemblies 3 connecting the column assemblies 2 on the left and right sides, railing assemblies 4 and handrail assemblies 5 connected in series on each column assembly 2 on each side.

[0065] There are multiple column assemblies 2 on each side of the maintenance path. These column assemblies 2 are arranged at intervals along the length of the main cable 7, corresponding to each cable clamp 6 that needs to be connected.

[0066] The two column assemblies 2 on the left and right sides of the inspection channel, corresponding to the same cable clamp 6, are connected to the left and right sides of the cable clamp 6 connected to the main cable 7. In other words, the column assembly 2 is connected to the main cable 7 through the cable clamp 6 as a transition structure, and the main cable 7 is ultimately used as the load-bearing support foundation.

[0067] In this embodiment, the main cable maintenance access road is applied in a parallel cable suspension bridge structure system. The pin-type cable clamps 6 connected to the main cable 7 are arranged horizontally in the circumferential direction. That is, the center surface of the cable clamp 6, which serves as the ear plate for connecting the suspenders, is basically coincident with the downward vertical reference plane passing through the center of the main cable. In this way, a planar cable system is formed between the main cable 7 and the suspenders connected to the cable clamp 6.

[0068] To enhance the overall load-bearing capacity of the cable clamp 6, the cable clamp 6 is secured to the main cable 7 by multiple locking bolts on both the left and right sides, consisting of upper and lower halves. The upper and lower halves of the cable clamp are essentially equally divided upper and lower ring structures, and the mid-section formed by their docking is basically parallel to the transverse plane passing through the center of the main cable.

[0069] The two column assemblies 2 corresponding to the same cable clamp 6 in the above-mentioned main cable maintenance channel are connected by the same clamp assembly 1.

[0070] Specifically, the clamp assembly 1 is mainly composed of a lower clamp ring 11 and an upper clamp ring 12. The inner diameter of the hole formed by the upper clamp ring 12 and the lower clamp ring 11 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the circumference of the clamp assembly 1 that the cable clamp 6 needs to connect to.

[0071] On both sides of the split surface of the lower half ring 11 of the clamp, there are outwardly folded butt bearing platforms, and each butt bearing platform has at least one bolt hole (usually multiple, such as two or four). In order to enhance the structural strength of the butt bearing platform on the lower half ring 11 of the clamp, at least one reinforcing rib is provided between the butt bearing platform and the outer side of the lower half ring 11 of the clamp.

[0072] On both sides of the split surface of the upper half ring 12 of the clamp, there are outwardly folded mating pressure plates. Each mating pressure plate has at least one bolt hole (usually multiple, such as two or four), which must correspond one-to-one with the bolt holes on the mating pressure plates on the corresponding sides of the lower half ring 11 of the clamp. To enhance the structural strength of the mating pressure plates on the upper half ring 12 of the clamp, at least one reinforcing rib is provided between the mating pressure plates and the outer side of the upper half ring 12 of the clamp.

[0073] Based on the structure of the upper half ring 12 of the above-mentioned clamp, at the center of the outer side of the mating pressure platform on each side of the upper half ring 12 of the clamp (that is, at the top center), there is an upwardly protruding ear plate 15. The ear plate 15 is a U-shaped fork ear structure with an open top, and the slots of the fork ear are arranged along the axial direction of the clamp assembly 1.

[0074] The column assemblies 2 on both sides of the access road are inserted into the corresponding ear plates 15 on both sides of the upper half ring 12 of the clamp via a finger-joint structure at their bottom ends, and are respectively pinned together by connecting pins 16 with locking nuts. Under the pinning action of the connecting pins 16 and the guiding action of the ear plates 15, each column assembly 2 connected on each side can swing slightly along the axis of the clamp assembly 1 on the upper half ring 12 of the clamp, which is conducive to the later assembly with the railing assembly 4 and the handrail assembly 5.

[0075] To enhance the connection stability of the clamp assembly 1 at the corresponding circumferential position of the cable clamp 6, friction-enhancing structures are formed on the inner ring surfaces of the upper half ring 12 and the lower half ring 11 of the clamp by spraying a zinc plating layer with a thickness of about 200 μm.

[0076] At one end of the pin-type cable clamp 6, which is offset from the ear plate, an annular groove is formed with an inward concave structure for connecting the clamp assembly 1. To enhance the reliability of the connection to the clamp assembly 1, a friction-enhancing structure is formed in the circumferential area of ​​the annular groove by spraying a zinc plating layer with a thickness of about 200 μm.

[0077] The lower half ring 11 and the upper half ring 12 of the clamp are assembled in a circumferentially combined and connected structure in the annular groove at the end of the cable clamp 6, with the upper half ring 12 on top and the lower half ring 11 on the bottom. The corresponding bolt holes on the bearing platforms on both sides of them are used to install the locking bolts 13.

[0078] To ensure a complete circle and seal between the upper half ring 12 and the lower half ring 11 of the clamp, a flexible and deformable rubber pad 14 is provided between the mating pressure plates on each side. The locking bolt 13, which is installed between the mating pressure plates of the lower half ring 11 and the upper half ring 12 of the clamp, passes through the rubber pad 14 at the current position.

[0079] Adjust the circumferential position of the clamp assembly 1 in the annular groove at the end of the clamp 6 so that the two column assemblies 2 connected to the upper half ring 12 of the clamp can be arranged in a basically vertical position above the main cable 7. Tighten the locking bolts 13 installed on the bearing platforms on both sides of the lower half ring 11 and the upper half ring 12 of the clamp to make them tightly fixed at the circumference of the end of the clamp 6. That is, the clamp assembly 1 is fixed to the end circumference of the clamp 6 in a combined connection structure to realize the fixation of the maintenance passage through the clamp 6 on the main cable 7.

[0080] In the above structure, the mid-plane formed by the docking combination of the upper half ring 12 and the lower half ring 11 of the clamp assembly 1 is basically parallel to the transverse plane passing through the center of the main cable, and also basically parallel to the mid-plane formed by the docking combination of the upper half and the lower half of the cable clamp 6, ensuring that the formed maintenance path is directly above the main cable 7.

[0081] Example 3

[0082] The main structure of the main cable maintenance walkway consists of column assemblies on the left and right sides, cross bracing assemblies connecting the column assemblies on the left and right sides, and railing and handrail assemblies connected in series to each column assembly on each side.

[0083] The maintenance walkway consists of multiple support columns on each side, arranged at intervals along the length of the main cable and corresponding to the cable clamps that need to be connected.

[0084] The two column assemblies on the left and right sides of the maintenance channel, corresponding to the same cable clamp, are connected to the left and right sides of the cable clamp to which the main cable is connected. In other words, the column assembly is connected to the main cable with the cable clamp as a transition structure, and ultimately the main cable serves as the load-bearing support foundation.

[0085] In this embodiment, the main cable maintenance channel is applied to the spatial cable suspension bridge structure system. The straddle-type cable clamps connected to the main cable are arranged at an inclination in the circumferential direction. That is, the plane where the straddle groove rotation center of the cable clamp is used to connect the suspender has a certain obvious inclination angle with the downward vertical reference plane passing through the center of the main cable. In this way, a three-dimensional cable system is formed between the main cable and the suspender connected to the cable clamp.

[0086] To enhance the overall strength of the cable clamp, the cable clamp is made up of two halves, the upper and lower halves, which are locked to the main cable by multiple locking bolts on the left and right sides. The upper and lower halves of the cable clamp are basically divided into upper and lower ring structures. The mid-section formed by their docking and combination has a significant angle of inclination with the transverse plane passing through the center of the main cable. The upper half of the cable clamp is fixed to the main cable at a certain angle.

[0087] The two column assemblies corresponding to the same cable clamp in the above-mentioned main cable maintenance channel are connected by the same clamp assembly.

[0088] Specifically, the clamp assembly mainly consists of a lower clamp ring and an upper clamp ring. The inner diameter of the hole formed by the upper clamp ring and the lower clamp ring is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the circumference of the clamp assembly that the cable clamp needs to connect to.

[0089] On both sides of the split surface of the lower half of the clamp, there are outwardly folded butt bearing platforms, and each butt bearing platform has at least one bolt hole (usually multiple, such as two or four). In order to enhance the structural strength of the butt bearing platform on the lower half of the clamp, at least one reinforcing rib is provided between the butt bearing platform and the outer side of the lower half of the clamp.

[0090] On both sides of the split surface of the upper half of the clamp, there are outwardly folded butt bearing platforms. Each butt bearing platform has at least one bolt hole (usually multiple, such as two or four), which must correspond one-to-one with the bolt holes on the corresponding butt bearing platforms of the lower half of the clamp. To enhance the structural strength of the butt bearing platforms on the upper half of the clamp, at least one reinforcing rib is provided between the butt bearing platforms and the outer side of the upper half of the clamp.

[0091] Based on the structure of the upper half ring of the above-mentioned clamp, at the center of the outer side of the mating bearing platform on each side of the upper half ring of the clamp (that is, at the top center), there is an upwardly protruding ear plate. The ear plate is a U-shaped fork ear structure with an open top, and the slots of the fork ear are arranged along the axial direction of the clamp assembly.

[0092] The column assemblies on both sides of the access road are inserted into the corresponding ear plates on both sides of the upper half ring of the clamp via a finger-joint structure at their bottom ends, and are then connected together by connecting pins with locking nuts. Under the action of the connecting pins and the guiding action of the ear plates, each column assembly connected on each side can swing slightly along the axial direction of the clamp assembly on the upper half ring of the clamp, which facilitates the later assembly with the railing and handrail assemblies.

[0093] To enhance the connection stability of the clamp assembly at the corresponding circumferential positions of the cable clamp, friction-enhancing structures are formed on the inner ring surfaces of the upper and lower half rings of the clamp by spraying a zinc plating layer with a thickness of approximately 230 μm.

[0094] At one end of the aforementioned straddle-type cable clamp, offset from the straddle groove, an annular groove is formed with an inwardly recessed structure for connecting the aforementioned clamp assembly. To enhance the reliability of the connection to the clamp assembly, a friction-enhancing structure is formed in the circumferential area of ​​the annular groove by spraying a zinc plating layer with a thickness of approximately 200 μm.

[0095] The lower half ring and the upper half ring of the clamp are assembled in a circumferentially combined and connected structure in the annular groove at the end of the clamp, with the upper half ring on top and the lower half ring on the bottom. The corresponding bolt holes on the bearing platforms on both sides are used for mounting locking bolts.

[0096] To ensure a complete circle and seal between the upper and lower halves of the clamp, a flexible, deformable rubber gasket is installed between the mating pressure plates on each side. The locking bolt, which is installed between the mating pressure plates of the lower and upper halves of the clamp, passes through the rubber gasket at the current position.

[0097] Adjust the circumferential position of the clamp assembly within the annular groove at the end of the clamp so that the two column assemblies connected to the upper half ring of the clamp can form a basically vertical arrangement above the main cable. Tighten the locking bolts installed on the bearing platforms on both sides of the lower half ring and the upper half ring of the clamp to secure them tightly to the circumference of the end of the clamp. In other words, the clamp assembly is fixed to the end circumference of the clamp with a combined connection structure, thereby achieving the fixation of the maintenance passage through the clamp on the main cable.

[0098] In the above structure, the mid-plane formed by the docking combination between the upper half ring and the lower half ring of the clamp assembly is basically parallel to the transverse plane passing through the center of the main cable, and is not affected by the inclined arrangement of the cable clamps on the main cable, ensuring that the formed maintenance passage is directly above the main cable.

[0099] Example 4

[0100] The main structure of the main cable maintenance walkway consists of column assemblies on the left and right sides, cross bracing assemblies connecting the column assemblies on the left and right sides, and railing and handrail assemblies connected in series to each column assembly on each side.

[0101] The maintenance walkway consists of multiple support columns on each side, arranged at intervals along the length of the main cable and corresponding to the cable clamps that need to be connected.

[0102] The two column assemblies on the left and right sides of the maintenance channel, corresponding to the same cable clamp, are connected to the left and right sides of the cable clamp to which the main cable is connected. In other words, the column assembly is connected to the main cable with the cable clamp as a transition structure, and ultimately the main cable serves as the load-bearing support foundation.

[0103] In this embodiment, the main cable maintenance access road is applied to a parallel cable suspension bridge structure system. The straddle-type cable clamps connected to the main cable are arranged horizontally in the circumferential direction. That is, the plane where the straddle groove of the cable clamp is used as the rotation center of the suspender is basically coincident with the downward vertical reference plane passing through the center of the main cable. In this way, a planar cable system is formed between the main cable and the suspender connected to the cable clamp.

[0104] To enhance the overall strength of the cable clamp, the cable clamp is made up of two halves, the upper and lower halves, which are locked to the main cable by multiple locking bolts on the left and right sides. The upper and lower halves of the cable clamp are basically divided into upper and lower ring structures, and the mid-section formed by their docking is basically parallel to the transverse plane passing through the center of the main cable.

[0105] The two column assemblies corresponding to the same cable clamp in the above-mentioned main cable maintenance channel are connected by the same clamp assembly.

[0106] Specifically, the clamp assembly mainly consists of a lower clamp ring and an upper clamp ring. The inner diameter of the hole formed by the upper clamp ring and the lower clamp ring is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the circumference of the clamp assembly that the cable clamp needs to connect to.

[0107] On both sides of the split surface of the lower half of the clamp, there are outwardly folded butt bearing platforms, and each butt bearing platform has at least one bolt hole (usually multiple, such as two or four). In order to enhance the structural strength of the butt bearing platform on the lower half of the clamp, at least one reinforcing rib is provided between the butt bearing platform and the outer side of the lower half of the clamp.

[0108] On both sides of the split surface of the upper half of the clamp, there are outwardly folded butt bearing platforms. Each butt bearing platform has at least one bolt hole (usually multiple, such as two or four), which must correspond one-to-one with the bolt holes on the corresponding butt bearing platforms of the lower half of the clamp. To enhance the structural strength of the butt bearing platforms on the upper half of the clamp, at least one reinforcing rib is provided between the butt bearing platforms and the outer side of the upper half of the clamp.

[0109] Based on the structure of the upper half ring of the above-mentioned clamp, at the center of the outer side of the mating bearing platform on each side of the upper half ring of the clamp (that is, at the top center), there is an upwardly protruding ear plate. The ear plate is a U-shaped fork ear structure with an open top, and the slots of the fork ear are arranged along the axial direction of the clamp assembly.

[0110] The column assemblies on both sides of the access road are inserted into the corresponding ear plates on both sides of the upper half ring of the clamp via a finger-joint structure at their bottom ends, and are then connected together by connecting pins with locking nuts. Under the action of the connecting pins and the guiding action of the ear plates, each column assembly connected on each side can swing slightly along the axial direction of the clamp assembly on the upper half ring of the clamp, which facilitates the later assembly with the railing and handrail assemblies.

[0111] To enhance the connection stability of the clamp assembly at the corresponding circumferential positions of the cable clamp, friction-enhancing structures are formed on the inner ring surfaces of the upper and lower half rings of the clamp by spraying a zinc plating layer with a thickness of approximately 200 μm.

[0112] At one end of the aforementioned straddle-type cable clamp, offset from the straddle groove, an annular groove is formed with a concave structure for connecting the aforementioned clamp assembly. To enhance the reliability of the connection to the clamp assembly, a friction-enhancing structure is formed in the circumferential area of ​​the annular groove by spraying a zinc plating layer with a thickness of approximately 220 μm.

[0113] The lower half ring and the upper half ring of the clamp are assembled in a circumferentially combined and connected structure in the annular groove at the end of the clamp, with the upper half ring on top and the lower half ring on the bottom. The corresponding bolt holes on the bearing platforms on both sides are used for mounting locking bolts.

[0114] To ensure a complete circle and seal between the upper and lower halves of the clamp, a flexible, deformable rubber gasket is installed between the mating pressure plates on each side. The locking bolt, which is installed between the mating pressure plates of the lower and upper halves of the clamp, passes through the rubber gasket at the current position.

[0115] Adjust the circumferential position of the clamp assembly within the annular groove at the end of the clamp so that the two column assemblies connected to the upper half ring of the clamp can form a basically vertical arrangement above the main cable. Tighten the locking bolts installed on the bearing platforms on both sides of the lower half ring and the upper half ring of the clamp to secure them tightly to the circumference of the end of the clamp. In other words, the clamp assembly is fixed to the end circumference of the clamp with a combined connection structure, thereby achieving the fixation of the maintenance passage through the clamp on the main cable.

[0116] In the above structure, the mid-plane formed by the docking combination of the upper half ring and the lower half ring of the clamp assembly is basically parallel to the transverse plane passing through the center of the main cable, and also basically parallel to the mid-plane formed by the docking combination of the upper half and the lower half of the cable clamp, ensuring that the formed maintenance path is directly above the main cable.

[0117] Example 5

[0118] The rest of the content of this embodiment is the same as that of embodiments 1, 2, 3 or 4, except that:

[0119] The ear plates on the upper half of the clamp are of a single-plate structure.

[0120] The bottom of the column assembly has a fork-shaped lug structure;

[0121] When the column assembly is connected to the corresponding ear plate at its bottom end, the ear plate is inserted into the slot at the bottom end of the column assembly.

[0122] Example 6

[0123] The rest of the content of this embodiment is the same as that of embodiments 1, 2, 3 or 4, except that:

[0124] The annular groove on the cable clamp, which serves as a connection to the clamp assembly, is lined with a PTFE pad with a friction-enhancing structure.

[0125] The clamp assembly is locked into the corresponding annular groove on the cable clamp by a PTFE gasket.

[0126] Example 7

[0127] The rest of the content of this embodiment is the same as that of embodiments 1, 2, 3 or 4, except that:

[0128] Remove the rubber pads on both sides of the circumferential mating of the clamp assembly, but there is a locking allowance between the upper half ring and the lower half ring of the clamp in the circumferential mating, and the gap at their circumferential mating is sealed with filler glue.

[0129] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit it.

[0130] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the above embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A maintenance access structure for the main cable of a suspension bridge, wherein the maintenance access is connected to the main cable (7) of the suspension bridge via cable clamps (6); Its features are: The column assembly (2) of the maintenance passage is connected to the clamp assembly (1); The clamp assembly (1) is fixed around the circumference of the cable clamp (6) by a combined connection structure; The clamp assembly (1) is mainly composed of a lower half-ring (11) and an upper half-ring (12); The lower half ring (11) and the upper half ring (12) of the clamp are joined together in the circumferential direction to fit the circumference of the clamp (6) to be clamped and fixed. Each circumferential joint between the lower half ring (11) and the upper half ring (12) of the clamp is connected by at least one locking bolt (13). The upper half ring (12) of the clamp is used as a column assembly (2) for connecting the maintenance passage. At the top of the mating pressure platform on each side of the upper half ring (12) of the clamp, there is an upwardly protruding ear plate (15). The upper half ring (12) of the clamp is connected to the column assembly (2) on both sides of the maintenance passage through the ear plate (15) at the top of the bearing platform on both sides. The inner ring surface of the clamp assembly (1) is provided with a friction-enhancing structure.

2. The suspension bridge main cable maintenance walkway structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ear plate (15) on the upper half ring (12) of the clamp is a U-shaped fork ear structure; The bottom end of the column assembly (2) is inserted into the slot of the ear plate (15) with a finger-fitting structure and connected together with a connecting pin (16) with a locking nut.

3. The maintenance access structure for the main cable of a suspension bridge according to claim 1, characterized in that: At each circumferential joint between the lower half ring (11) and the upper half ring (12) of the clamp, a rubber pad (14) is provided between the joint bearing platforms. The locking bolt (13) inserted between the mating bearing platforms of the lower half ring (11) and the upper half ring (12) of the clamp passes through the rubber pad (14) at the current position.

4. The maintenance access structure for the main cable of a suspension bridge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The friction-enhancing structure on the inner ring surface of the clamp assembly (1) is a zinc-plated layer structure with a thickness ≥200μm.

5. The maintenance access structure for the main cable of a suspension bridge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cable clamp (6) serves as the circumferential area for connecting the clamp assembly (1) and is provided with a friction-increasing structure.

6. The maintenance access structure for the main cable of a suspension bridge according to claim 5, characterized in that: The friction-enhancing structure of the circumferential region of the cable clamp (6) is a zinc-plated layer structure with a thickness of ≥200μm.

7. The suspension bridge main cable maintenance walkway structure according to claim 1, 5, or 6, characterized in that: The cable clamp (6) serves as the circumferential area for connecting the clamp assembly (1), and is a concave annular groove structure.

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