Tower crane attached laser range finder and use method thereof

Abstract

The invention provides a tower crane attached laser range finder and a use method thereof, and the tower crane attached laser range finder comprises a laser range finding module which is installed at the end part of a tower crane boom, adjusts the angle along the length direction of the boom, and is used for emitting a laser beam to the tower wall of a cooling tower and receiving a reflection signal; the data processing module is electrically connected with the laser ranging module and used for receiving the distance data and calculating the real-time radius of the cooling tower in combination with tower crane parameters; the display module is electrically connected with the data processing module; the Bluetooth module is electrically connected with the data processing module; the tower crane attachment mounting structure comprises a fixed bracket and an adjusting bolt which are connected with a tower crane boom and a tower body. Measurement is accurate and efficient, manual errors are avoided, and real-time measurement can be achieved; installation and use are convenient, extra supports are not needed, and operation is simple; the environment adaptability is high, and signal shielding influence is avoided; manual operation is reduced through automatic measurement, labor intensity and labor cost are reduced, and the method is suitable for construction scenes such as high-level water collection cooling tower construction with high measurement precision requirements and complex environments.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of laser distance measurement, and in particular to a tower crane-attached laser distance meter and a use method thereof. Background Art

[0002] During the construction of high-level water-collecting cooling towers, controlling the cooling tower radius is crucial. It directly impacts the cooling tower's structural stability, cooling efficiency, construction accuracy, and safety and durability. A deviation in the radius can lead to a series of serious problems: uneven stress distribution on the tower, which can lead to hidden dangers such as structural tilt and cracks, severely weakening the overall load-bearing capacity, and even potentially causing major safety accidents such as tower collapse. It can also disrupt the uniformity of water flow distribution, preventing the cooling medium from fully contacting the air, significantly reducing heat dissipation efficiency, affecting the cooling performance of the cooling tower, and disrupting the stable operation of the entire industrial production system. It can also interfere with the installation and adaptation of subsequent components such as the water collection device, water distribution system, and water spraying packing, resulting in poor connection between components, increasing the risk of operational failures, and raising subsequent maintenance costs. In the long term, structural stress concentration can accelerate fatigue wear of building materials, shorten equipment life, and pose significant safety risks.

[0003] Currently, existing methods for measuring cooling tower radius primarily include tape measure, total station, and GPS positioning. However, these methods have significant drawbacks: tape measure and total station measurements rely on manual labor, resulting in high labor intensity and low measurement efficiency. In large-scale construction environments, frequent measurement tasks can severely impact construction progress. Furthermore, measurement results are significantly affected by the operator's skill level and experience, posing the risk of human error. GPS / Beidou satellite positioning systems are susceptible to interference or obstruction in areas with severe signal obstruction, resulting in reduced positioning accuracy or even failure to locate. These methods are unable to meet the high-precision measurement requirements of high-level water collection cooling tower construction. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a tower crane attached laser rangefinder and a method of using the same. By combining the laser rangefinder with the tower crane, rapid and accurate measurement of the radius of a high-position water-collecting cooling tower can be achieved, thereby ensuring the construction quality and progress of the cooling tower.

[0005] According to one object of the present invention, the present invention provides a tower crane attached laser rangefinder, comprising: The laser ranging module is installed at the end of the tower crane boom and can be adjusted along the length of the boom. It is used to transmit a laser beam to the cooling tower wall and receive the reflected signal to calculate the distance data. A data processing module is electrically connected to the laser ranging module and is used to receive distance data and calculate the real-time radius of the cooling tower in combination with tower crane parameters; A display module, electrically connected to the data processing module, for displaying real-time radius data; A power supply module, which supplies power to the laser ranging module, the data processing module and the display module; A Bluetooth module, electrically connected to the data processing module, for wirelessly transmitting data to a terminal device; The tower crane attachment installation structure includes a fixing bracket and an adjusting bolt connected to the tower crane boom and the tower body, and is used for firmly installing the laser rangefinder and adjusting its position and angle.

[0006] Furthermore, the laser ranging module has a built-in high-precision laser transmitter, a receiver and an angle adjustment motor, and the angle adjustment motor is connected to the control unit to accurately adjust the laser emission angle.

[0007] Furthermore, the measurement accuracy of the laser ranging module reaches the millimeter level, and a redundant ultrasonic ranging module is provided, which automatically switches the working mode when the laser signal is lost continuously.

[0008] Furthermore, the data processing module uses a high-performance microprocessor to calculate the real-time radius data through a preset mathematical model combined with the tower crane boom length and angle parameters.

[0009] Furthermore, it also includes a scanning LiDAR with a horizontal field of view angle of ≥270°, and the algorithm of the data processing module includes curvature consistency analysis for automatically marking local concave / convex areas.

[0010] Furthermore, the fixing bracket includes a first connection portion detachably connected to the tower crane boom and a second connection portion fixed to the tower body, and the adjusting bolt is used to fine-tune the horizontal and vertical angles of the laser ranging module.

[0011] According to another object of the present invention, the present invention provides a method for using the tower crane-attached laser rangefinder, comprising the following steps: S1. Install the laser rangefinder on the tower crane through the tower crane attachment installation structure and adjust the position and angle of the laser rangefinder module; S2. Start the power module to power the device; S3, the laser ranging module transmits a laser beam to the wall of the cooling tower, receives the reflected signal and calculates the distance data; S4, the data processing module receives the distance data and calculates the real-time radius of the cooling tower in combination with the tower crane parameters; S5. The display module displays the real-time radius data, and the Bluetooth module transmits the data to the terminal device; S6. Adjust construction operations based on measurement results and continuously monitor the cooling tower radius.

[0012] Furthermore, the data processing module is connected to the programmable logic controller, and the programmable logic controller is directly connected to the tower crane control system. When the radius deviation exceeds a threshold, the tower crane operation is automatically suspended and an audible and visual alarm is triggered.

[0013] Furthermore, the data processing module sends correction instructions to the spraying equipment via Bluetooth to adjust the concrete spraying thickness.

[0014] Furthermore, the laser ranging module uses scanning LiDAR to obtain tower wall point cloud data when the tower crane rotates, and the data processing module uses curvature consistency analysis to mark areas with deviations greater than 3mm / m².

[0015] The technical solution of the present invention is accurate and efficient in measurement, avoids human errors and can measure in real time; it is easy to install and use, does not require additional brackets, and is simple to operate; it has strong environmental adaptability and is not affected by signal obstruction; automated measurement reduces manual operation, labor intensity and labor costs, and is suitable for construction scenarios with high measurement accuracy requirements and complex environments, such as the construction of high-level water collection cooling towers. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the specific embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0017] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the measurement principle of the radius of point P1 of the cooling tower according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the radius measurement principle of point P2 of a cooling tower according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions of the present invention in conjunction with the embodiments. Obviously, the embodiments described are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0019] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise" and the like to indicate directions or positional relationships based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operate in a specific direction, and therefore should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0020] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the said features. In the description of the present invention, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined. In addition, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or it can be a communication between the two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0021] Example 1 like Figure 1 As shown, a tower crane attached laser rangefinder includes a laser ranging module, a data processing module, a display module, a power module, a Bluetooth module and a tower crane attached mounting structure, wherein: The laser ranging module, installed at the end of the tower crane's boom, enables angular adjustment along its length. It houses a high-precision laser transmitter and receiver, as well as an angle adjustment motor. This motor, connected to a control unit, precisely adjusts the laser's angle according to commands. The module emits a laser beam toward the cooling tower wall and receives the reflected laser beam. By calculating the round-trip time of the laser beam, it determines the distance from the crane's boom end to the wall.

[0022] The data processing module is electrically connected to the laser ranging module and utilizes a high-performance microprocessor with rapid data processing and computing capabilities. It receives distance data from the laser ranging module and, based on parameters such as the crane's boom length and angle, calculates the cooling tower's real-time radius using a pre-set mathematical model.

[0023] The display module is electrically connected to the data processing module and is used to display the cooling tower radius data calculated by the data processing module in real time, making it convenient for construction personnel to intuitively obtain the measurement results.

[0024] The power module provides electrical power for the laser ranging module, data processing module, and display module. It includes a rechargeable battery and power management circuitry. The rechargeable battery ensures continuous power supply during extended construction periods, while the power management circuitry provides overcharge and over-discharge protection, ensuring battery life and safe operation.

[0025] The Bluetooth module is electrically connected to the data processing module, and wirelessly transmits data to a mobile phone or other terminal device via Bluetooth technology, enabling convenient viewing and processing of data.

[0026] The tower crane attachment mounting structure securely mounts the laser rangefinder on the crane. It includes a mounting bracket and adjustment bolts. The bracket securely connects to the crane's boom and tower, while the adjustment bolts adjust the laser rangefinder's mounting position and angle to ensure accurate measurements.

[0027] Example 2 like Figure 1 As shown, the structure of this embodiment is basically the same as that of the above embodiment, except that, in this embodiment, the tower crane attached laser rangefinder includes a laser ranging module, a data processing module, a display module, a power module, a Bluetooth module and a tower crane attached mounting structure, wherein: The laser ranging module is installed at the end of the tower crane's boom. It can adjust the angle along the length of the boom, emitting a laser beam toward the cooling tower wall and receiving the reflected laser beam. By calculating the round-trip time of the laser beam, the distance between the boom end and the tower wall is determined. The laser ranging module contains a high-precision laser transmitter and receiver, as well as an angle adjustment motor. This motor is connected to the control unit and precisely adjusts the laser emission angle according to commands. The laser ranging module achieves millimeter-level measurement accuracy.

[0028] At the same time, the laser ranging module also sets a redundant ultrasonic ranging module, which automatically switches the working mode when the laser signal is lost continuously.

[0029] The data processing module is electrically connected to the laser ranging module and receives distance data from it. It then uses a preset mathematical model to calculate the cooling tower's real-time radius based on parameters such as the crane's boom length and angle. The data processing module utilizes a high-performance microprocessor with rapid data processing and computational capabilities, enabling real-time analysis and processing of large amounts of measurement data.

[0030] The laser ranging module in this embodiment can also be upgraded to a scanning LiDAR with a horizontal field of view of ≥270°, allowing rapid acquisition of tower wall point cloud data during crane rotation. By adding curvature consistency analysis to the algorithm in the data processing module, local concave / convex areas can be automatically marked (e.g., an early warning will be issued if the deviation is >3mm / m²).

[0031] The display module is electrically connected to the data processing module and is used for displaying the cooling tower radius data calculated by the data processing module in real time.

[0032] The power module provides power to the laser ranging module, data processing module, and display module. It includes a rechargeable battery and power management circuitry. The rechargeable battery ensures continuous power supply during extended operation, while the power management circuitry includes overcharge and over-discharge protection. The power module's rechargeable battery has a capacity of at least 5000mAh and can support continuous operation for at least eight hours.

[0033] The Bluetooth module is electrically connected to the data processing module, wirelessly transmitting data to a mobile phone or other terminal device via Bluetooth technology. The Bluetooth module has a transmission range of at least 100 meters, ensuring stable data transmission within the construction site.

[0034] The tower crane attachment mounting structure is used to securely mount the laser rangefinder on the crane. It includes a fixing bracket and adjustment bolts. The fixing bracket can be firmly connected to the crane's boom and tower, and the adjustment bolts are used to adjust the laser rangefinder's installation position and angle.

[0035] Example 3 This embodiment provides a method for using the tower crane-attached laser rangefinder of the above embodiment. When the tower crane-attached laser rangefinder is actually used, the specific operating steps are as follows: S1. Equipment Installation: First, install the laser rangefinder on the tower crane using the tower crane attachment mounting structure. Use the fixing bracket to securely connect it to the crane's boom and tower body. Then, adjust the installation position and angle of the laser rangefinder module using the adjusting bolts to ensure that the laser beam accurately strikes the cooling tower wall.

[0036] S2. Device startup and power supply: The power module starts to power the entire device. The rechargeable battery in the power module begins to work, and the power management circuit protects the battery from overcharge and over-discharge to ensure normal operation of the device.

[0037] S3. Laser ranging module operation: The laser ranging module begins operating, and the angle adjustment motor adjusts the laser emission angle according to a preset program or operator instructions. The laser transmitter emits a laser beam toward the cooling tower wall. The laser beam reflects off the wall and is received by a laser receiver. The laser ranging module calculates the distance from the crane boom end to the tower wall based on the round-trip time of the laser beam and transmits this data to the data processing module.

[0038] S4. Data processing and radius calculation: After receiving the distance data, the data processing module combines the pre-entered parameters such as the length and angle of the tower crane boom and performs calculations using the built-in mathematical model. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown in the figure, when the construction height of the cooling tower is h2, the height of the tower crane above the wall is H-h2=h1: If we want to find the radius of the cylinder wall at the measured point P1, the laser rangefinder can measure the length of AP1, then the radius of point P1 is r= -O1B1; If we want to find the radius of the cylinder wall at the measured point P2, the laser rangefinder can measure the length of AP2, then the radius of point P2 is r= +O1B1. Wherein, point A is the location of the laser ranging module, O1 is the center point of the plane where points P1 and P2 of the cooling tower are located, and H is the height of the laser ranging module.

[0039] S5. Data Display and Transmission: The data processing module transmits the calculated real-time cooling tower radius data to the display module, which displays the data in real time. Construction personnel can use the displayed results to determine whether the cooling tower radius meets the design requirements. Simultaneously, the Bluetooth module wirelessly transmits the data to a mobile phone or other terminal device, making it convenient for construction personnel to view and process the data.

[0040] S6. Deviation Adjustment and Continuous Monitoring: If measurement results indicate a deviation in the radius, construction personnel can promptly adjust operations to ensure accurate construction of the cooling tower. Throughout the construction process, the laser rangefinder continuously monitors the cooling tower radius, providing reliable assurance for high-quality construction of high-level water-collecting cooling towers.

[0041] Furthermore, this embodiment can form an intelligent construction closed-loop system, which is linked to construction execution based on radius data. The data processing module is connected to the programmable logic controller (PLC), and the programmable logic controller (PLC) is directly connected to the tower crane control system: when the radius deviation is greater than the threshold, the tower crane operation is automatically suspended and an audible and visual alarm is triggered; and correction instructions (such as adjusting the concrete spraying thickness) are sent to the spraying equipment via Bluetooth.

[0042] The present invention has accurate and efficient measurement, adopts laser ranging technology, avoids the human error of manual measurement, and has high measurement accuracy; the laser ranging module can quickly emit and receive laser beams, and combined with the fast computing power of the data processing module, it can realize real-time measurement of the cooling tower radius, greatly improving measurement efficiency and effectively accelerating construction progress.

[0043] Easy to install and use: The laser rangefinder can be easily installed on the tower crane through the tower crane attachment installation structure, without the need to build an additional complex measurement bracket; the display module displays the measurement results in real time, and the operation is simple and intuitive, reducing the operating difficulty for construction workers.

[0044] Compared to GPS positioning technology, this laser rangefinder is highly adaptable to various environments. It is unaffected by signal obstructions and operates stably in a variety of complex construction environments, ensuring accurate and reliable measurements. It is particularly suitable for construction scenarios such as high-level water cooling towers, which require high measurement accuracy and operate in complex environments. The automated measurement process reduces manual operation, labor intensity, and labor costs, while also avoiding measurement errors caused by fatigue.

[0045] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the above embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein with equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tower crane attached laser rangefinder, characterized in that: include: The laser ranging module is installed at the end of the tower crane boom and can be adjusted along the length of the boom. It is used to transmit a laser beam to the cooling tower wall and receive the reflected signal to calculate the distance data. A data processing module is electrically connected to the laser ranging module and is used to receive distance data and calculate the real-time radius of the cooling tower in combination with tower crane parameters; A display module, electrically connected to the data processing module, for displaying real-time radius data; A power supply module, which supplies power to the laser ranging module, the data processing module and the display module; A Bluetooth module, electrically connected to the data processing module, for wirelessly transmitting data to a terminal device; The tower crane attachment installation structure includes a fixing bracket and an adjusting bolt connected to the tower crane boom and tower body.

2. The tower crane attached laser rangefinder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The laser ranging module has a built-in high-precision laser transmitter, a receiver and an angle adjustment motor. The angle adjustment motor is connected to the control unit to accurately adjust the laser emission angle.

3. The tower crane attached laser rangefinder according to claim 2, characterized in that: The laser ranging module has a measurement accuracy of millimeters and is equipped with a redundant ultrasonic ranging module, which automatically switches the working mode when the laser signal is lost continuously.

4. The tower crane attached laser rangefinder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The data processing module uses a high-performance microprocessor to calculate the real-time radius data through a preset mathematical model combined with the tower crane boom length and angle parameters.

5. The tower crane attached laser rangefinder according to claim 4, characterized in that: It also includes a scanning LiDAR with a horizontal field of view angle of ≥270°. The algorithm of the data processing module includes curvature consistency analysis for automatically marking local concave / convex areas.

6. The tower crane attached laser rangefinder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixing bracket includes a first connection portion detachably connected to the tower crane boom and a second connection portion fixed to the tower body. The adjusting bolt is used to fine-tune the horizontal and vertical angles of the laser ranging module.

7. The method for using the tower crane attached laser rangefinder according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The steps include: S1. Install the laser rangefinder on the tower crane through the tower crane attachment installation structure and adjust the position and angle of the laser rangefinder module; S2. Start the power module to power the device; S3, the laser ranging module transmits a laser beam to the wall of the cooling tower, receives the reflected signal and calculates the distance data; S4, the data processing module receives the distance data and calculates the real-time radius of the cooling tower in combination with the tower crane parameters; S5. The display module displays the real-time radius data, and the Bluetooth module transmits the data to the terminal device; S6. Adjust construction operations based on measurement results and continuously monitor the cooling tower radius.

8. The method for using the tower crane attached laser rangefinder according to claim 7, characterized in that: The data processing module is connected to the programmable logic controller, and the programmable logic controller is directly connected to the tower crane control system. When the radius deviation exceeds the threshold, the tower crane operation is automatically suspended and an audible and visual alarm is triggered.

9. The method for using the tower crane attached laser rangefinder according to claim 8, characterized in that: The data processing module sends correction instructions to the shotcrete equipment via Bluetooth to adjust the concrete spraying thickness.

10. The method for using the tower crane attached laser rangefinder according to claim 7, characterized in that: The laser ranging module uses scanning LiDAR to obtain tower wall point cloud data during the tower crane's rotation. The data processing module uses curvature consistency analysis to mark areas with deviations greater than 3mm / m².

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