Steering chassis for tower crane, tower crane and steering method for the steering chassis

Abstract

A steering type chassis for a tower crane, comprising: a chassis platform; steering assemblies each coupled to a bottom of the chassis platform; and chassis traveling devices, the steering assemblies comprising: an assembly body supporting the chassis platform; an oil cylinder and a piston disposed in the oil cylinder, the oil cylinder being fixedly installed in an inner space, the oil cylinder being in communication with a hydraulic source to enable the piston to move relative to the oil cylinder between a retracted position and an extended position; a ball head brace and a ball head seat, an upper end of the ball head brace being coupled to the piston, a lower end of the ball head brace being connected with the ball head seat, the ball head brace being slidably engaged with the assembly body, the ball head seat being connected to the chassis traveling devices; a steering and leveling motor for rotating the ball head brace and the chassis traveling devices, wherein when the piston is in the retracted position, the assembly body remains locked with the ball head brace and the ball head brace cannot be rotated, and when the piston is in the extended position, the assembly body is unlocked with the ball head brace and the ball head brace and the chassis traveling devices can be rotated.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a turning chassis for a tower crane, a tower crane comprising the turning chassis, and a turning method of the turning chassis. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the field of construction, a tower crane (also known as a tower crane or tower crane) is a widely used engineering machine, which has the advantages of large working range and large hoisting weight.

[0003] The tower crane commonly known in the art is a fixed tower crane, which is usually arranged at a construction site by means of a support part fixed to the foundation, and the working part such as the cab and the boom of the tower crane is operated by rotating the slewing assembly on the tower body supported by the support part, so as to carry out engineering work around the fixed position of the tower crane. The fixed tower crane cannot realize the transfer of the tower crane. When the fixed tower crane needs to be transferred, the fixed tower crane usually needs to be disassembled and reinstalled at the location after the transfer. Therefore, the transfer of the fixed tower crane requires a long period of disassembly and assembly process, which is low in efficiency.

[0004] With the increasing demand for the transfer of the tower crane in engineering projects, and the inconvenience of disassembling and assembling large or super large tower cranes due to their weight, a mobile tower crane is proposed. The mobile tower crane is usually arranged on the track laid in the construction site by means of a track chassis. The mobile tower crane can realize the transfer of the entire tower crane in the construction site by moving the track chassis along the track.

[0005] However, for the existing mobile tower crane, it can only move along the laid track. In the case of needing to move in different directions during the transfer, the existing mobile tower crane usually cannot realize turning and still needs to be disassembled and assembled, or at least needs to lay a large-radius turning track with a large area in the construction site. When the site range of the construction site is small and cannot lay such a large-radius turning track, the existing mobile tower crane cannot perform the operation of turning and moving, thereby failing to meet the demand for transfer. SUMMARY

[0006] In order to solve the technical problem of the above-mentioned mobile tower crane turning in the case of a small site range, it is desirable to propose a turning chassis for a tower crane, which is configured to be able to perform turning in place, to meet the transfer of the mobile tower crane in a limited site range, to avoid the process of disassembling and assembling the tower crane and to improve the operation efficiency, and to improve the reliability of the tower crane in the transfer.

[0007] The present disclosure relates to a swerving chassis for a tower crane, characterized in that the swerving chassis comprises a chassis platform, a base section and a slewing assembly coupled to an upper end of the base section, wherein a lower end of the base section is mounted to the chassis platform, a brace, a lower end of each brace is connected to a corner portion of the chassis platform, an upper end of each brace is connected and fixed to the slewing assembly, a swerving assembly, one end of each swerving assembly is coupled to a bottom of the chassis platform at a corner portion of the chassis platform, a chassis traveling device, the chassis traveling device is coupled to another end of the swerving assembly, and a swerving assembly support, the swerving assembly support extends from a side of each swerving assembly facing an outside of the tower crane and is capable of being supported on the ground, wherein the swerving assembly comprises an assembly body supporting the chassis platform, wherein the assembly body has an inner space and has an opening at a lower end portion, a cylinder and a piston disposed within the cylinder, wherein the cylinder is fixedly mounted in the inner space, the cylinder is in communication with a hydraulic source to enable the piston to move in a vertical direction relative to the cylinder between a retracted position and an extended position, a ball head brace and a ball head seat, an upper end of the ball head brace is coupled to a lower end portion of the piston, a lower end of the ball head brace is connected with the ball head seat, wherein the ball head brace is slidably engaged with the assembly body through the opening, the ball head seat is connected to the chassis traveling device, a swerving and leveling motor, the swerving and leveling motor is disposed in the inner space around the ball head brace and is coupled with the ball head brace for rotating the ball head brace and the chassis traveling device, wherein when the piston is in the retracted position, the assembly body is locked with the ball head brace and the ball head brace is unable to rotate, when the piston is in the extended position, the assembly body is unlocked with the ball head brace and allows rotation of the ball head brace and the chassis traveling device.

[0008] In one embodiment, the swerving assembly further comprises a support connected to an upper end portion of the assembly body and supporting the chassis platform.

[0009] In one embodiment, the swerving assembly further comprises a leveling telescopic leg unit, the leveling telescopic leg unit is hollow tubular and is disposed around the cylinder, piston and ball head brace, the leveling telescopic leg unit is coupled to the support at an upper end and is coupled to the ball head brace at a lower end, the swerving and leveling motor is coupled to the leveling telescopic leg unit and enables the leveling telescopic leg unit to telescope.

[0010] In one embodiment, the leveling jacks units are associated with sensors in the steering assemblies, which are capable of sensing the level height of the support, wherein when the difference between the level height of the support of one steering assembly and the level height of the support of the other steering assembly is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, the leveling jacks units of the steering assembly are retracted to adjust the level height of the corresponding support.

[0011] In one embodiment, the steering assembly further comprises a limiting device disposed around the kingpin at the lower end of the assembly body, the limiting device comprising an angle sensor capable of sensing the rotation angle of the kingpin, wherein the steering and leveling motor is stopped from operating when the limiting device senses that the kingpin has rotated a predetermined angle.

[0012] In one embodiment, the steering and leveling motor comprises a first set of motors coupled to the kingpin via a first transmission device.

[0013] In one embodiment, the first transmission device comprises a gear set.

[0014] In one embodiment, the steering and leveling motor comprises a second set of motors coupled to the lower end of the leveling jacks units via a second transmission device.

[0015] In one embodiment, the second transmission device comprises a worm gear member.

[0016] In one embodiment, the steering assembly bracket comprises a bracket body extending in a vertical direction and a connecting arm extending from the bracket body and coupled to the side of the steering assembly facing the outside of the tower crane.

[0017] In one embodiment, the steering assembly bracket further comprises a support arm capable of extending from the bracket body, wherein when the piston is in the extended position, the support arm is driven by the hydraulic source to extend from the bracket body and support on the ground.

[0018] In one embodiment, when the piston moves from the retracted position to the extended position relative to the oil cylinder, the assembly body is pushed upward relative to the kingpin to be unlocked from the kingpin.

[0019] The present disclosure also relates to a tower crane comprising the steering undercarriage for tower crane as previously described.

[0020] The present disclosure also relates to a method for steering a steering type chassis for a tower crane, the method comprising: moving the steering type chassis to a steering point by the chassis walking device; operating the hydraulic source to apply a vertical downward pushing force by a hydraulic driving force to a piston inside a cylinder in a component body of each steering component of the steering type chassis, so that the cylinder and the component body move upward in a vertical direction and the piston moves from the retracted position to the extended position relative to the cylinder, thereby causing the component body of each steering component to be unlocked from the corresponding ball head support rod; operating the steering and leveling motor of each steering component to rotate the corresponding ball head support rod and the chassis walking device; after the ball head support rod and the chassis walking device rotate by a predetermined angle, operating the steering and leveling motor to stop running; releasing the hydraulic driving force to operate the cylinder and the component body of each steering component to move downward in a vertical direction until the component body of each steering component is relocked with the corresponding ball head support rod.

[0021] In one embodiment, the steering component comprises a support connected to the upper end of the component body and supporting the chassis platform, and a leveling telescopic leg unit coupled at the upper end to the support and at the lower end to the ball head support rod, the method further comprising: after the component body of each steering component is unlocked from the corresponding ball head support rod, sensing the horizontal height of the support of each steering component by a sensor, and if the difference between the horizontal height of the support and the horizontal height of the other supports is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, operating the leveling telescopic leg unit to adjust the horizontal height of the support until the difference is less than the threshold.

[0022] In one embodiment, the steering component comprises a limiting device capable of sensing the rotation angle of the ball head support rod, the method further comprising: during the rotation of the ball head support rod and the chassis walking device, when the limiting device senses that the ball head support rod and the chassis walking device have rotated by the predetermined angle, the limiting device sends a signal to indicate that the steering and leveling motor stops running.

[0023] In one embodiment, the steering component support comprises a support body extending in a vertical direction and a support arm capable of extending from the support body, the method further comprising: while the cylinder and the component body move upward in a vertical direction, driving the support arm of each steering component support to extend and support on the ground by the hydraulic driving force. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] The present disclosure will be more easily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like elements. The accompanying drawings are illustrative and non-limiting. The elements in the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale. For example, the elements may be enlarged for illustrative purposes or may be reduced in scale to keep the drawings clear and easy to understand. In the drawings:

[0025] Figure 1 Shown is a side view of a steered undercarriage according to the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a steering assembly and a steering assembly bracket in a steered undercarriage according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0027] Figure 3 The figures schematically illustrate the states of the steered undercarriage according to the present disclosure before and after it rotates in situ. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate several embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure can be presented in many different ways and is not limited to the embodiments described below; in fact, the embodiments described below are intended to make the present disclosure more complete and fully illustrate the scope of protection of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. It should also be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in various ways to provide many additional embodiments.

[0029] It should be understood that like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the drawings. In the drawings, the dimensions of some features may be distorted for clarity.

[0030] It should be understood that the terms used in this specification are intended only to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in this specification have the meanings commonly understood by those skilled in the art. For the sake of brevity and / or clarity, well-known functions or structures may not be described in detail.

[0031] As used in the specification, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used in the specification and in the claims, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” and the like can mean “including but not limited to.” As used in the specification and in the claims, the term “and / or” includes all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “between X and Y” and “between about X and Y” should be interpreted to include X and Y. As used in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “between about X and Y” means “between about X and about Y,” and the phrase “from about X to Y” means “from about X to about Y.”

[0032] In the specification, when it is said that an element is positioned “on,” “attached to,” “connected to,” “coupled to,” or “in contact with” another element, the element can be directly positioned on, attached to, connected to, coupled to, or in contact with the other element, or an intervening element can be present. In contrast, when it is said that an element is “directly on,” “directly attached to,” “directly connected to,” “directly coupled to,” or “directly in contact with” another element, no intervening element will be present. In the specification, when it is said that one feature is arranged “adjacent” to another feature, it can mean that the one feature has a portion that overlaps the adjacent feature or a portion that is positioned above or below the adjacent feature.

[0033] In the specification, spatially relative terms such as “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” and the like can be used herein for the purpose of illustrating one feature with respect to another feature in the drawings. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition to the orientations depicted in the drawings. For example, if a device is inverted with respect to the orientations shown in the drawings, a feature that is described as being above another feature in the drawings can be described as being below the other feature in the inverted orientation. The device can be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the relative spatial terms will be interpreted accordingly.

[0034] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 1 A side view of a swing undercarriage 100 for a tower crane according to the present disclosure is shown. It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the swing undercarriage 100 is shown in a side view only in Figure 1

[0035] The swing undercarriage 100 includes an undercarriage platform 20. The undercarriage platform 20 has a generally square shape as viewed from the top. The undercarriage platform 20 serves as a main body of the swing undercarriage 100 for carrying components of a tower body of a tower crane and the like thereon. ​

[0036] The swing-up undercarriage 100 comprises undercarriage travelling devices 1. The undercarriage travelling devices 1 are used to support the entire swing-up undercarriage 100 on the tracks (not shown) laid on the construction site, and to realize the movement of the tower crane along the tracks during the swing-up operation. The undercarriage travelling devices 1 are shown in the present disclosure as devices comprising a plurality of wheels, but those skilled in the art can understand that the undercarriage travelling devices 1 can also adopt other moving devices capable of cooperating with the tracks.

[0037] The swing-up undercarriage 100 further comprises turning assemblies 2. The turning assemblies 2 are used to realize the in-place turning of the swing-up undercarriage 100 in the present disclosure. The turning assemblies 2 are coupled to the undercarriage travelling devices 1 at one end, and support the undercarriage platform 20 of the swing-up undercarriage 100 at the opposite end, wherein each turning assembly 2 is coupled to the bottom of the undercarriage platform 20 at one corner portion of the undercarriage platform 20.

[0038] The swing-up undercarriage 100 further comprises turning assembly supports 6, which are used to assist in supporting the swing-up undercarriage 100 when the turning assemblies 2 perform the turning operation. Two turning assembly supports 6 are coupled to each turning assembly 2, wherein each turning assembly support 6 is coupled to one of the two sides of the turning assembly 2 facing the outside of the tower crane and extends from the corresponding side. In the side view, for each turning assembly 2, one complete turning assembly support 6 is shown, while the other turning assembly support 6 is only shown as the front projection of the support body. Figure 1 In the side view, for each turning assembly 2, one complete turning assembly support 6 is shown, while the other turning assembly support 6 is only shown as the front projection of the support body.

[0039] The turning assembly 2 and the turning assembly support 6 of the swing-up undercarriage 100 according to the present disclosure will be described in detail below by means of Figure 2 The turning assembly 2 and the turning assembly support 6 of the swing-up undercarriage 100 according to the present disclosure will be described in detail below by means of

[0040] The swing-up undercarriage 100 further comprises a base section 3 and a slewing assembly 5. The lower end of the base section 3 is mounted to the undercarriage platform 20 for supporting the slewing assembly 5 coupled to the upper end of the base section 3 and the tower body. The slewing assembly 5 is connected to the base section 3 at the lower end, and will be coupled to the tower body of the tower crane at the upper end. During the operation of the tower crane, the slewing assembly 5 is used to turn the tower body coupled to the upper end thereof and other components such as the cab, the boom and the like connected to the tower body, so as to make the heavy objects suspended by the boom reach the designated position.

[0041] The swing-up undercarriage 100 can further comprise a brace 4. The brace 4 is used to fix and support the slewing assembly 5. The brace 4 is connected to one corner portion of the substantially square undercarriage platform at the lower end, and is connected and fixed to the slewing assembly 5 at the upper end.

[0042] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the turning undercarriage 100 shown in the present disclosure includes four undercarriage traveling devices 1, four turning assemblies 2, and four brace rods 4, but the number of the undercarriage traveling devices 1, the turning assemblies 2, and the brace rods 4 can vary depending on design requirements without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0043] Reference is now made to Figure 2 , Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of one of the turning assemblies 2 and the turning assembly bracket 6 of the turning undercarriage 100 according to the present disclosure is shown in Figure 2 The undercarriage traveling device 1 is omitted for the purpose of clear illustration in Figure 2 Although the following description is made with respect to one of the turning assemblies 2 and the turning assembly bracket 6 shown in

[0044] The turning assembly 2 includes an assembly body 15 that supports the undercarriage platform 20. The assembly body 15 is used to house the components of the turning assembly 2 therein. The assembly body 15 extends in a vertical direction. The assembly body 15 has an internal space for housing the components of the turning assembly 2. The assembly body 15 has an opening at a lower end portion.

[0045] The turning assembly 2 includes a support 13 connected to an upper end portion of the assembly body 15. The support 13 is used to connect and support the undercarriage platform 20 from above.

[0046] The turning assembly 2 further includes a hydraulic cylinder 12, a piston 11 disposed within the hydraulic cylinder 12, a ball head brace rod 8, and a ball head seat 7.

[0047] The piston 11 and the hydraulic cylinder 12 constitute hydraulic drive components of the turning assembly 2. The hydraulic cylinder 12 is fixedly installed in the internal space of the assembly body 15 of the turning assembly 2. The hydraulic cylinder 12 is in communication with a hydraulic drive source, not shown, for generating a hydraulic drive force. The hydraulic drive source can be, for example, a hydraulic pump. The piston 11 is able to be pushed by the hydraulic drive force within the hydraulic cylinder 12 to have a relative movement in the vertical direction with the hydraulic cylinder 12. A lower end portion of the piston 11 is connected to an upper end portion of the ball head brace rod 8. The relative movement of the piston 11 with respect to the hydraulic cylinder 12 causes the piston 11 to move between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position, the piston 11 is in an uppermost position in the vertical direction within the hydraulic cylinder 12, and in the extended position, the piston 11 is in a lowermost position in the vertical direction within the hydraulic cylinder 12.

[0048] The ball strut 8 has a generally rod-like shape. Its upper end is connected to the lower end of the piston 11. The ball strut 8 has a ball connection at its lower end. This ball connection is positively coupled to the ball seat 7. The ball seat 7, in turn, is coupled to the chassis running gear 1 of the steered chassis 100. Thus, the ball strut 8 serves to transmit the hydraulic thrust from the piston 11 to the chassis running gear 1. The ball strut 8 is arranged within the assembly body 15 so as to pass through an opening at the lower end of the assembly body 15 and slidably engage with the assembly body 15. The ball connection of the ball strut 8 remains external to the assembly body 15.

[0049] The steering assembly 2 further comprises a steering and levelling motor 10. The steering and levelling motor 10 is arranged around the ball strut 8 in the assembly body 15 and is coupled to the ball strut 8.

[0050] The steering and leveling motor 10 is used to provide power for rotating the ball strut 8 and the undercarriage running gear 1, as well as for extending and retracting the leveling and telescopic leg unit 14 of the steering assembly 2 (described in detail below). The steering and leveling motor 10 may include a first set of motors. This first set of motors is coupled to the ball strut 8 via a first transmission mechanism, such as a gear set, to provide rotational power to the ball strut 8. The steering and leveling motor 10 may also include a second set of motors. This second motor is coupled to the lower end of the leveling and telescopic leg unit 14 via a second transmission mechanism, such as a worm gear assembly, to provide power for extending and retracting the leveling and telescopic leg unit 14. In this disclosure, the steering and leveling motor 10 is shown as including four motors, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that the steering and leveling motor 10 may include another number of motors without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0051] When the piston 11 is in the retracted position in the cylinder 12, the ball support 8 is in the position relative to the component body 15. Figure 2 In the contracted state shown in . In the contracted state, the component body 15 and the ball strut 8 are kept locked together by a locking device not shown. At this time, the ball strut 8 cannot be rotated by the steering and leveling motor 10.

[0052] When the piston 11 is started to be driven by the hydraulic pressure to move downward toward the extended position, the piston 11 exerts a downward thrust on the ball head strut 8 in the vertical direction. The thrust is in turn exerted to the undercarriage traveling device 1 through the ball head seat 7. Since the undercarriage traveling device 1 is supported on the track, the undercarriage traveling device 1 in turn generates a vertical upward reaction force in the vertical direction. The vertical upward reaction force is transmitted to the piston 11 through the ball head seat 7 and the ball head strut 8. The piston 11 transmits the reaction force to the oil cylinder 12 by the hydraulic transmission. The oil cylinder 12 is thus pushed upward in the vertical direction by the reaction force. Since the oil cylinder 12 is fixedly installed in the assembly body 15, the oil cylinder 12 being pushed upward causes the assembly body 15 and thus the undercarriage platform 20 to move upward together, thereby causing the piston 11 to move to the extended position relative to the oil cylinder 12. During the upward movement of the assembly body 15, the assembly body 15 moves upward in the vertical direction relative to the ball head strut 8 by the slidable engagement of the assembly body 15 with the ball head strut 8. The upward movement causes the assembly body 15 to be unlocked from the ball head strut 8, thereby allowing the ball head strut 8 to be rotated by the turning and leveling motor 10, and thus allowing the undercarriage traveling device 1 to be able to be rotated.

[0053] The turning assembly 2 can further include a limit device 9. The limit device 9 is disposed around the ball head strut 8 at the lower end of the assembly body 15. The limit device 9 includes an angle sensor, not shown. The limit device 9 can be in communication with the turning and leveling motor 10. The angle sensor is capable of sensing the rotation angle of the ball head strut 8. When the angle sensor senses that the ball head strut 8 has been rotated by a predetermined angle, the limit device 9 sends a signal to instruct the turning and leveling motor 10 to stop operation.

[0054] The turning assembly 2 further includes a leveling telescopic leg unit 14. The leveling telescopic leg unit 14 is a hollow tubular member disposed within the assembly body 15 around the oil cylinder 12, the piston 11 and the ball head strut 8. The leveling telescopic leg unit 14 is connected at the lower end to the ball head strut 8. The leveling telescopic leg unit 14 is coupled at the upper end to the support 13. As mentioned above, the turning and leveling motor 10 is coupled to the leveling telescopic leg unit 14 to provide power to cause the leveling telescopic leg unit 14 to telescope.

[0055] The leveling telescopic leg unit 14 is configured to perform a telescopic operation during a steering operation of the swing undercarriage 100 to adjust the level of the support 13 after the assembly body 15 is unlocked from the ball head strut 8. The leveling telescopic leg unit 14 is associated with a sensor (not shown) disposed in the steering assembly 2. The sensor is capable of sensing the level of each support 13 of the steering assembly 2. When the sensor senses that the level of a certain support 13 is different from the levels of the other supports 13 by more than or equal to a preset threshold, the leveling telescopic leg unit 14 is capable of performing a telescopic operation by means of power from the steering and leveling motor 10. Since the leveling telescopic leg unit 14 is connected to the ball head strut 8 at a lower end and to the support 13 at an upper end, the telescopic operation of the leveling telescopic leg unit 14 will cause the assembly body 15 connected to the support 13 to move relative to the ball head strut 8. The relative movement of the assembly body 15 will adjust the level of the corresponding support 13. When the sensor senses that the difference is less than the threshold, the operation of the leveling telescopic leg unit 14 is stopped. In the present disclosure, the level at each support 13 is controlled by the telescopic operation of the leveling telescopic leg unit 14 to ensure the levelness of the entire undercarriage platform 20, which guarantees the stability of the entire tower crane during the process of translocation and avoids the tower crane from falling over.

[0056] Figure 2 One of the steering assembly supports 6 of the swing undercarriage 100 according to the present disclosure is also shown in the middle.

[0057] The steering assembly support 6 includes a support body 16 extending in a vertical direction and a connecting arm 17. The support body 16 of the steering assembly support 6 includes a support arm 18 capable of extending out of the support body 16 and supported on the ground. The connecting arm 17 of the steering assembly support 6 extends out of the support body 16 and is hingedly coupled to one of the sides of the steering assembly 2 facing the outside of the tower crane. The steering assembly support 6 can also include a reinforcing support connected to the support body 16 and the connecting arm 17 for reinforcing the rigidity of the support body 16 and the connecting arm 17. In the present disclosure, each steering assembly support 6 is shown as having two connecting arms 17 and two reinforcing supports, and the two connecting arms 17 respectively extend out of the upper end and the middle of the support body. However, it is understood by those skilled in the art that each steering assembly support 6 can include other numbers and arrangements of connecting arms 17 and reinforcing supports without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0058] In another embodiment, during the steering operation of the steering chassis 100, the support arm 18 of the support body 16 of the steering assembly support 6 can be extended from the support body 16 and supported on the ground by means of the same hydraulic source as the hydraulic drive of the oil cylinder 12 and the piston 11 while the assembly body 15 is moving upward, thereby assisting the support of the steering chassis 100, which can further reduce the risk of the tower crane toppling over.

[0059] In yet another embodiment, during the steering operation of the steering chassis 100, the steering and leveling motor 10 can also rotate the oil cylinder 12 and the piston 11 together with the leveling telescopic legs 14, the ball head support rod 8 and the chassis walking device 1.

[0060] The steering method of the steering chassis 100 according to the present disclosure is described below.

[0061] First, the steering chassis 100 is made to travel to the steering point of the track by means of the chassis walking device 1 arranged on the track.

[0062] By means of the hydraulic drive force from the hydraulic source, the piston 11 in the oil cylinder 12 in the assembly body 15 of each steering assembly 2 of the steering chassis 100 is operated to exert a vertical downward thrust, so that the oil cylinder 12 and the assembly body 15 move upward in the vertical direction due to the reaction force from the chassis walking device 1, and in turn the piston 11 moves from the retracted position to the extended position relative to the oil cylinder 12. When the piston 11 is in the extended position, the assembly body 15 of each steering assembly 2 is unlocked from the corresponding ball head support rod 8.

[0063] After the assembly body 15 of each steering assembly 2 is unlocked from the ball head support rod 8, the steering and leveling motor 10 of each steering assembly 2 is operated to rotate the corresponding ball head support rod 8 together with the chassis walking device 1.

[0064] After the ball head support rod 8 and the chassis walking device 1 are rotated by a predetermined angle, the steering and leveling motor 10 is operated to stop running.

[0065] Then, by releasing the hydraulic drive force, the oil cylinder 12 and the assembly body 15 in each steering assembly 2 are operated to move downward in the vertical direction in the opposite direction, until the assembly body 15 of each steering assembly 2 is relocked with the corresponding ball head support rod 8, thereby completing the steering operation of the steering chassis 100.

[0066] Figure 3The states of the turning chassis 100 before and after rotating in place according to the present disclosure are shown in FIG. 1. The upper figure shows the state of the turning chassis 100 before rotating, and the lower figure shows the state of the turning chassis 100 after rotating. During the rotation process, the turning chassis 100 can keep the chassis platform 20 and the foundation section 3, the strut 4 and the slewing assembly 5 carried thereon from rotating, and only make the chassis walking device 1 of the turning chassis 100 rotate by a predetermined angle. For example, in the case of rotating 90 degrees, the chassis walking device 1 can rotate 90 degrees, as shown in FIG. 1. Figure 3 The chassis walking device 1 rotates 90 degrees, as shown in FIG. 1. Those skilled in the art can understand that the chassis walking device 1 can also rotate other angles in the turning operation of the turning chassis 100 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0067] The turning method of the turning chassis 100 according to the present disclosure further comprises: after the assembly body 15 of each turning assembly 2 is unlocked from the corresponding ball head strut 8, sensing the horizontal height of the support 13 of each assembly body 2, and if the difference between the horizontal height of the support 13 and the horizontal height of the other supports 13 is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, making the leveling telescopic leg unit 14 perform a telescopic operation to adjust the horizontal height of the support 13 until the difference is less than the predetermined threshold.

[0068] The turning method of the turning chassis 100 according to the present disclosure further comprises: during the rotation of the ball head strut 8 and the chassis walking device 1, when the limiting device 9 senses that the ball head strut 8 and the chassis walking device 1 have rotated by a predetermined angle, the limiting device 9 sends a signal to indicate that the turning and leveling motor 10 stops running.

[0069] The turning method of the turning chassis 100 according to the present disclosure further comprises: while the oil cylinder 12 and the assembly body 15 move upward, the support arm 18 of each turning assembly support 6 is driven to extend and support on the ground by the hydraulic driving force.

Claims

1. A slewing undercarriage (100) for a tower crane, characterized in that The turning undercarriage (100) comprises: an undercarriage platform (20); a base section (3) and a slewing assembly (5) coupled to the upper end of the base section (3), wherein the lower end of the base section (3) is mounted to the undercarriage platform (20); struts (4), the lower end of each strut (4) being connected to the corner portion of the undercarriage platform (20), and the upper end of each strut (4) being connected and fixed to the slewing assembly (5); a turning assembly (2), one end of each turning assembly (2) being coupled to the bottom of the undercarriage platform (20) at the corner portion of the undercarriage platform (20); an undercarriage travelling device (1) coupled to the other end of the turning assembly (2); and a turning assembly support (6) extending from the side of each turning assembly (2) facing the outside of the tower crane and capable of being supported on the ground, wherein the turning assembly (2) comprises: a component body (15) supporting the undercarriage platform (20), wherein the component body (15) has an internal space and an opening at the lower end portion; a cylinder (12) and a piston (11) disposed in the cylinder (12), wherein the cylinder (12) is fixedly mounted in the internal space, the cylinder (12) is in communication with a hydraulic source to enable the piston (11) to move in a vertical direction relative to the cylinder (12) between a retracted position and an extended position; a ball head strut (8) and a ball head seat (7), the upper end of the ball head strut (8) being coupled to the lower end portion of the piston (11), the lower end of the ball head strut (8) being connected with the ball head seat (7), wherein the ball head strut (8) is slidably engaged with the component body (15) through the opening, and the ball head seat (7) is connected to the undercarriage travelling device (1); a turning and leveling motor (10) disposed in the internal space and coupled to the ball head strut (8) for rotating the ball head strut (8) and the undercarriage travelling device (1); a leveling telescopic leg unit (14) in a hollow tubular shape and disposed around the cylinder (12), piston (11) and ball head strut (8), the turning and leveling motor (10) being coupled to the leveling telescopic leg unit (14) and enabling the leveling telescopic leg unit (14) to be telescopic, wherein when the piston (11) is in the retracted position, the component body (15) is locked with the ball head strut (8) and the ball head strut (8) cannot be rotated, and when the piston (11) is in the extended position, the component body (15) is unlocked with the ball head strut (8) and allows the ball head strut (8) and the undercarriage travelling device (1) to be rotated. The steering assembly bracket (6) further comprises a bracket body (16) extending in vertical direction and a support arm (18) extending from the bracket body (16), wherein the support arm (18) is driven by the hydraulic source to extend from the bracket body (16) and support on the ground when the piston (11) is in the extended position.

2. The swing-up undercarriage (100) for tower crane according to claim 1, characterized in that, The steering assembly (2) further comprises a support base (13) connected to the upper end of the assembly body (15) and supporting the chassis platform (20).

3. The swing-up undercarriage (100) for tower crane according to claim 2, characterized in that, The leveling telescopic leg unit (14) is coupled to the support base (13) at the upper end and coupled to the ball head support rod (8) at the lower end.

4. The swing-up undercarriage (100) for tower crane according to claim 3, characterized in that, The leveling telescopic leg unit (14) is associated with a sensor in the steering assembly (2), which can sense the level of the support base (13), wherein when the level of the support base (13) of one steering assembly (2) is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value from the level of the support base (13) of the other steering assembly (2), the leveling telescopic leg unit (14) of the steering assembly (2) is telescoped to adjust the level of the corresponding support base (13).

5. The swing-up undercarriage (100) for a tower crane according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The steering assembly (2) further comprises a limiting device (9) disposed around the ball head support rod (8) at the lower end of the assembly body (15), the limiting device (9) comprising an angle sensor capable of sensing the rotation angle of the ball head support rod (8), wherein the steering and leveling motor (10) is stopped when the limiting device (9) senses that the ball head support rod (8) has rotated a predetermined angle.

6. The swing-up undercarriage (100) for a tower crane according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The steering and leveling motor (10) comprises a first group of motors coupled to the ball head support rod (8) via a first transmission device.

7. The swing-up undercarriage (100) for tower crane according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first transmission device comprises a gear set.

8. The swing-up undercarriage (100) for a tower crane according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The steering and leveling motor (10) comprises a second group of motors coupled to the lower end of the leveling telescopic leg unit (14) via a second transmission device.

9. The slewing undercarriage (100) for a tower crane according to claim 8, characterized in that The second transmission device comprises a worm gear member.

10. The swing-up undercarriage (100) for a tower crane according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The steering assembly bracket (6) comprises a connecting arm (17) extending from the bracket body (16) and coupled to the side of the steering assembly (2) facing the outside of the tower crane.

11. The swing-up undercarriage (100) for a tower crane according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that When the piston (11) moves relative to the oil cylinder (12) from the retracted position to the extended position, the assembly body (15) is pushed upward relative to the ball head support rod (8) to be unlocked from the ball head support rod (8).

12. A tower crane, characterized in that The tower crane comprises a steering chassis (100) for a tower crane according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A method of steering a steered undercarriage (100) for a tower crane according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method comprises: moving the steering chassis (100) to a steering point by the chassis traveling device (1); operating the hydraulic source to apply a vertically downward thrust to a piston (11) within a cylinder (12) in a component body (15) of each steering assembly (2) of the steered undercarriage (100) by a hydraulic driving force, so that the cylinder (12) and the component body (15) move upward in a vertical direction and the piston (11) moves from the retracted position to the extended position relative to the cylinder (12), thereby causing the component body (15) of each steering assembly (2) to be unlocked from the corresponding ball stud (8); driving a support arm (18) of each steering assembly support (6) to extend and support on the ground by the hydraulic driving force while the cylinder (12) and the component body (15) move upward in the vertical direction; operating a steering and leveling motor (10) of each steering assembly (2) to rotate the corresponding ball stud (8) and the undercarriage walking device (1); stopping operation of the steering and leveling motor (10) after the ball stud (8) and the undercarriage walking device (1) have rotated by a predetermined angle; releasing the hydraulic driving force to operate the cylinder (12) and the component body (15) of each steering assembly (2) to move downward in the vertical direction until the component body (15) of each steering assembly (2) is re-locked with the corresponding ball stud (8).

14. The method of diverting of claim 13, wherein, The steering assembly (2) includes a support (13) connected to an upper end of the component body (15) and supporting the undercarriage platform (20), and the leveling telescopic leg unit (14) is coupled to the support (13) at an upper end and coupled to the ball stud (8) at a lower end, and the method further includes: after the component body (15) of each steering assembly (2) is unlocked from the corresponding ball stud (8), sensing a level of the support (13) of each steering assembly (2) using a sensor, and if a difference between the level of the support (13) and a level of another support (13) is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, operating the leveling telescopic leg unit (14) to adjust the level of the support (13) until the difference is less than the threshold.

15. The method of diverting of claim 13, wherein, The steering assembly (2) includes a limiting device (9) capable of sensing a rotation angle of the ball stud (8), and the method further includes: during rotation of the ball stud (8) and the undercarriage walking device (1), when the limiting device (9) senses that the ball stud (8) and the undercarriage walking device (1) have rotated by the predetermined angle, the limiting device (9) sends a signal to instruct the steering and leveling motor (10) to stop operation.

Images