Self-adaptive bolt fastening device for crown block track
The design of the adaptive bolt fastening device enables efficient, reliable, and low-cost operation of crane track bolt fastening, solving the problems of low efficiency, poor safety, and high cost of existing devices.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511889695.8
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-24
AI Technical Summary
Existing bolt fastening devices for overhead crane tracks suffer from low efficiency, potential reliability and safety issues, and high manufacturing and maintenance costs.
An adaptive bolt tightening device was designed, comprising a moving mechanism, a ranging mechanism, a guiding mechanism, and a tightening mechanism. The ranging mechanism detects the bolt position in real time, the guiding mechanism provides precise guidance, and the tightening mechanism automatically tightens the bolt. The combination of multiple mechanisms is designed to improve stability and adaptability.
It significantly improves the efficiency and reliability of bolt tightening, reduces manufacturing and maintenance costs, and ensures the safety and stability of the crane track.
Smart Images

Figure CN121552060A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of bolt fastening devices, and in particular to an adaptive bolt fastening device for overhead crane tracks. Background Technology
[0002] During the use of overhead crane tracks, the quality of track bolt tightening is a critical aspect; the bolt tightening device is a key component to ensure track stability and prevent displacement or loosening, directly affecting the safety and stability of overhead crane operation.
[0003] Currently, existing bolt fastening devices for overhead crane tracks have the following technical problems: 1. Low work efficiency: The current common practice is a semi-automated operation mode using manual operation or electric tightening tools, supplemented by torque wrenches for verification. This results in high labor intensity and low efficiency, and is also prone to unstable tightening quality due to fatigue or skill differences. 2. Potential reliability and safety risks: Overhead crane tracks are usually erected at high altitudes, and the limited space of the working platform significantly increases the risk to personnel due to high-altitude walking and continuous operation. 3. High manufacturing and maintenance costs: Existing bolt fastening devices cannot be adaptively adjusted for specific track models, requiring separate design of working modules to complete bolt tightening operations. This results in low versatility and increases the manufacturing and maintenance costs of the device. Summary of the Invention
[0004] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art described above, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an adaptive bolt fastening device for crane tracks, which solves the problems of low working efficiency, potential reliability and safety hazards, and high manufacturing and maintenance costs of bolt fastening devices in the prior art.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides an adaptive bolt fastening device for crane tracks, comprising:
[0006] The track is equipped with a moving mechanism, a ranging mechanism, a guiding mechanism, and a fastening mechanism.
[0007] The moving mechanism is movably mounted on the track; the ranging mechanism is located at the end of the moving mechanism and configured to detect the position of the bolt to be tightened; the guiding mechanism is mounted on the moving mechanism and coaxially connected to the tightening mechanism; the moving mechanism drives the guiding mechanism to move by acquiring the position of the bolt to be tightened transmitted by the ranging mechanism, and the tightening mechanism is configured to tighten and fix the bolt to be tightened after the guiding mechanism moves into place.
[0008] As a more preferred embodiment, the moving mechanism includes: a first drive motor, a support frame, a moving wheel set, and at least two support wheel sets; the support frame spans the track; the moving wheel sets are disposed on the track and detachably connected to the support frame; the support wheel sets are fixed to both sides of the support frame via connectors and are in contact with the bottom surface of the track to stably support the support frame. Firstly, by introducing support wheel sets that are in contact with the bottom surface of the track, a stable structure of "top-drive + bottom-support" is constructed. The moving wheel sets provide forward propulsion, while at least two support wheel sets are fixed to both sides of the support frame via connectors and are in contact with the bottom surface of the track, forming a "clamp"-like stable structure. This structure transforms the line / point contact support, which might otherwise twist or sway, into a clamping support between two planes, significantly enhancing the anti-overturning and anti-torsional stiffness of the support frame. This allows the device to maintain minimal displacement and sway even when tightened, providing a stable working platform for the fastening mechanism. Furthermore, the support frame spans the track to form a stable beam structure, and the support wheel set supports the support frame from below, adding additional constraint points and enhancing overall rigidity. This makes it less prone to bending or twisting deformation under load, ensuring higher motion accuracy. Moreover, the weight and working load of the entire device are shared by the top moving wheel set and the bottom support wheel set, distributing the load, avoiding local overload wear of the moving wheel set, extending the service life of the wheel system, and making the device move more smoothly when tightening bolts.
[0009] As a more preferred embodiment, the movable wheel set includes a driving wheel and a driven wheel, which are detachably connected to the support frame and roll in contact with the top surface of the track. A first drive motor drives the driving wheel to rotate, causing the driven wheel, which cooperates with the driving wheel, to rotate synchronously on the track. The movable wheel set drives the moving mechanism to move on the track through friction with the track. In this movable wheel set, the driving wheel and driven wheel cooperate, both rolling in contact with the top surface of the track. The first drive motor drives the driving wheel to rotate synchronously through friction. The driving wheel directly converts the motor torque into traction force on the track, while the driven wheel passively rolls under the action of friction. This avoids the gaps, slack, or wear problems caused by complex transmission mechanisms (such as chains and timing belts), making the moving mechanism move more smoothly and at a more uniform speed on the track, reducing vibration and impact. This provides a stable detection environment for the ranging mechanism and a precise motion trajectory for the guiding and fastening mechanisms. Secondly, the dual-wheel rolling contact design with the top surface of the track increases the effective contact area and friction, improving drive reliability. Even with slight oil stains, dust, or minor unevenness on the track surface, the redundant contact of the dual wheels maintains sufficient traction, preventing slippage or stalling and ensuring continuous and stable operation of the device during long-distance, multi-bolt tightening operations. The presence of the driven wheel also shares the weight load of the support frame, reducing single-point pressure on the driving wheel, delaying wheel surface wear, and extending the service life of the wheel set. Furthermore, both the driving and driven wheels are detachably connected to the support frame, allowing the wheel set to be quickly replaced according to the track type (such as different widths and top surface curvatures) or wear condition, providing excellent maintainability.
[0010] As a more preferred embodiment, the support wheel assembly includes a support arm and at least one positioning wheel; one end of the support arm is rotatably connected to the side of the support frame; the positioning wheel is mounted on the other end of the support arm and configured to maintain rolling or sliding contact with the side of the track; at least one telescopic spring is also connected to the support arm, one end of the telescopic spring being connected to the support arm and the other end being connected to the support frame; the telescopic spring is used to apply an elastic preload to the positioning wheel that is always facing the side of the track to maintain the stability of the support frame during movement. By using a combination of a rotatable support arm, positioning wheel, and telescopic spring in the support wheel assembly, and having the spring apply an elastic preload to the positioning wheel that is always facing the side of the track, since the overhead crane track may develop unevenness, misalignment of joints, or local deformation during long-term use, traditional rigid support wheels may generate gaps or impacts due to poor contact, causing the support frame to shake and affecting the distance measurement and fastening accuracy. The elastic preload of the telescopic spring ensures that the positioning wheel remains in constant contact with the side of the track. The rotation of the support arm, combined with the extension and retraction of the spring, automatically compensates for undulations and deviations on the track side, achieving dynamic fit and suppressing lateral swaying and torsion of the support frame, ensuring stability during travel and operation. Secondly, the introduction of elastic preload avoids the impact and wear caused by rigid contact. When the support frame passes over track joints or uneven areas, the support arm can rotate slightly to absorb impact energy, and the spring buffers some vibrations, reducing mechanical impact on the support frame, ranging mechanism, and fastening mechanism, thereby extending equipment life. Furthermore, the rotatable connection of the support arm and the elastic action of the telescopic spring give this support wheel assembly good adaptability, allowing it to adapt to track sides with different cross-sectional shapes (such as I-beams, channel steel, and box-type rails), improving the versatility and adaptability of the device.
[0011] As a more preferred embodiment, the support frame is further provided with a limiting component, which includes: a limiting wheel, a connecting block, and a limiting spring. The connecting block is detachably connected to the support frame, the limiting spring is installed inside the connecting block, and multiple limiting wheels are installed at the ends of the connecting block and abut against both sides of the track. The limiting component stabilizes the support frame by adjusting the preload of the limiting spring to ensure that the limiting wheels are tightly fitted against the track. While the moving wheel set and support wheel set alone can suppress most vibrations and offsets, slight lateral displacement or torsion may still occur when encountering lateral clearances in the track, misalignment of joints, or external disturbances (such as wind or tightening reaction forces), affecting ranging and tightening accuracy. By installing a limiting assembly consisting of limiting wheels, connecting blocks, and limiting springs on the support frame, and utilizing the spring preload to keep the limiting wheels in constant contact with both sides of the track, the double-sided limiting wheels of the limiting assembly provide continuous contact constraint to the support frame from both sides, much like the "guide wheels" of a rail vehicle. This effectively prevents the support frame from swinging in the lateral plane and twisting around the vertical axis, ensuring that the travel path and positioning posture are highly consistent. Secondly, the introduction of the limiting springs allows for adjustable and adaptive contact pressure between the limiting wheels and the track sides, ensuring that the limiting wheels maintain appropriate contact force under different track conditions, thereby maintaining stability under various working conditions. Furthermore, the rolling or sliding contact between the limiting wheels and the track sides has low friction and controllable direction, and the detachable connection between the connecting blocks and the support frame allows the limiting assembly to be quickly replaced or the wheel gauge adjusted according to the track width and cross-sectional shape, demonstrating good engineering adaptability.
[0012] As a preferred embodiment, the distance measuring mechanism includes a distance scanning component, which scans the distance information of the bolt to be tightened and transmits this information to the moving mechanism. Traditional overhead crane track bolt tightening often relies on manual handheld measuring tools or pre-set fixed fixtures. When faced with inconsistent bolt spacing, irregular arrangement, or track deformation, repeated manual adjustments are often required, resulting in low efficiency and a high risk of missing bolts. By employing a distance scanning component in the distance measuring mechanism to actively scan the distance information of the bolt to be tightened and transmit this information to the moving mechanism, the distance scanning component can perceive the three-dimensional position of the bolt in real time. Regardless of whether the bolt arrangement is uniform, or whether there are missing or offset bolts, this information can be accurately captured and fed back to the moving mechanism, thereby achieving adaptive operation during bolt tightening. Furthermore, the distance scanning component has the advantages of being non-contact and fast, enabling timely detection and positioning of bolts ahead without the need for pauses or pre-marking, significantly improving the efficiency of bolt tightening operations.
[0013] In a more preferred embodiment, the guiding mechanism includes: a second drive motor, a synchronous belt drive assembly, a ball screw, and a guide slide. The synchronous belt drive assembly includes: a synchronous belt, a driving pulley, and a driven pulley. The output shaft of the second drive motor is coaxially connected to the driving pulley, and the driven pulley is coaxially connected to the end of the ball screw. The guide slide is mounted on the ball screw. The second drive motor drives the driving pulley to rotate, and the driving pulley drives the driven pulley via the synchronous belt. The rotation of the driven pulley drives the ball screw to rotate. The ball screw drives the guide slide to move linearly along the slide rail of the ball screw, thereby driving the fastening mechanism to move. By employing a second drive motor to drive a synchronous belt transmission assembly in the guiding mechanism, which in turn drives the ball screw to rotate via the driven pulley, and finally drives the guide slide to move linearly to move the fastening mechanism, the high-speed rotation of the second drive motor is first flexibly transmitted to the driven pulley via the synchronous belt. The synchronous belt has the functions of absorbing vibration, reducing noise, and compensating for minor installation errors, which can reduce the impact when the motor starts and stops, making the input movement of the ball screw smoother, thereby reducing the start-stop jitter of the guide slide and ensuring the stability and alignment accuracy of the fastening mechanism when approaching the bolt. Secondly, the synchronous belt drive can realize long-distance or angular arrangement between the motor and the ball screw, so that the installation position of the second drive motor can be flexibly arranged according to the space of the support frame, without having to be coaxial or adjacent to the ball screw, leaving more space for the arrangement of other components (such as the ranging mechanism and power supply line). Furthermore, the ball screw converts rotary motion into linear motion, ensuring that the guide slide can accurately insert into the bolt hole and align itself each time when bearing the weight of the fastening mechanism and the tightening reaction force. This avoids thread damage or tightening failure caused by positioning deviation. Since each component is a standardized part, it has high reliability and long service life. When damaged, the timing belt or ball screw can be replaced separately, which helps to reduce maintenance difficulty and cost.
[0014] As a more preferred embodiment, the guide mechanism is further provided with a fixed frame, and at least one elastic buffer element is provided between the fixed frame and the guide slide. One end of the elastic buffer element abuts against the fixed frame, and the other end abuts against the guide slide. The elastic buffer element is configured to absorb and buffer the impact force through its own elastic deformation when the guide slide is subjected to impact or vibration along its linear motion direction, thereby stabilizing the guide mechanism. During bolt tightening, the tightening mechanism may experience slight impact due to positional error when approaching the bolt, or may be subjected to a sudden change in bolt reaction force at the moment of tightening. These impacts will be transmitted to the ball screw and drive motor through the guide slide, affecting positioning accuracy and even damaging the threads. By providing an elastic buffer element between the fixed frame and the guide slide of the guide mechanism, the elastic buffer element can absorb and disperse energy through its own deformation when an impact occurs, avoiding direct action of rigid impact on the transmission chain, thereby reducing the speed change and positional deviation of the slide, and ensuring the smooth approach of the tightening mechanism before contacting the bolt and the stable maintenance after contact. Furthermore, elastic buffer elements can effectively suppress high-frequency vibrations during operation (such as vibrations caused by motor operation, synchronous belt drives, and uneven tracks). If these vibrations are not suppressed, they will be transmitted to the ranging and fastening mechanisms, reducing ranging accuracy and potentially causing fluctuations in tightening torque. Moreover, the introduction of elastic buffer elements provides the guiding mechanism with a certain adaptive margin when subjected to sudden force changes. During long-term continuous operation, this buffering effect can also reduce mechanical fatigue of the ball screw, guide slide rails, and fastening mechanisms, extending the service life of critical components and reducing maintenance frequency and costs.
[0015] As a more preferred embodiment, the fastening mechanism includes: a third drive motor, a universal joint, and an internal hexagonal socket. The universal joint is fixed to the guide slide via a connecting seat. The third drive motor and the internal hexagonal socket are respectively connected to the two ends of the universal joint, allowing the socket to adaptively change its angle relative to the guide slide. The output shaft of the third drive motor is connected to the internal hexagonal socket via a torque-transmitting connector. The guide mechanism moves the fastening mechanism, causing the internal hexagonal socket to be fitted onto the bolt to be fastened under the swing of the universal joint. The third drive motor rotates to drive the internal hexagonal socket to tighten and fix the bolt. By using a universal joint to connect the third drive motor and the hexagon socket in the fastening mechanism, and enabling the socket to adaptively change angle relative to the guide slide, a two-stage positioning mechanism of "coarse positioning + fine alignment" is achieved. In actual engineering, the bolts on the overhead crane track may have their axes tilted or offset from the theoretical center line due to installation errors, long-term deformation, or misalignment of the track joints. Traditional rigid tightening tools may encounter problems such as difficulty in fitting, stripping, or even damage to the bolts and threads in this situation. By using a universal joint to connect the third drive motor and the hexagon socket in the fastening mechanism, and enabling the socket to adaptively change angle relative to the guide slide, the hexagon socket can automatically swing and correct its angle when contacting the bolt. This ensures that even with certain positional and angular deviations, it can be successfully fitted and tightened, thus significantly improving the device's on-site adaptability and success rate. Secondly, the combination of the universal joint and the guide slide realizes a two-stage positioning mechanism of "coarse positioning + fine alignment": the guiding mechanism is responsible for moving the entire fastening mechanism to a general position near the bolt, while the universal joint is responsible for compensating for the remaining angular and positional deviations at the microscale, ensuring that the socket axis and the bolt axis are accurately aligned. This layered positioning method ensures both efficient movement and precise final tightening alignment, avoiding repeated adjustments or failures caused by inaccurate rigid positioning on the first attempt. Furthermore, the third drive motor is connected to the hexagonal socket via a torque-transmitting connector, ensuring that the motor's output torque and speed are efficiently and reliably transmitted to the socket. Simultaneously, the connector maintains effective force transmission during universal joint oscillation, preventing slippage or detachment due to angle changes. This makes the tightening process both flexible and reliable.
[0016] As a preferred approach, a battery box is also fixedly installed on the support frame of the mobile mechanism, providing power to the entire device. Traditional mobile work equipment relying on external power grids or cables for power supply has its range of movement limited by the layout of power lines. Furthermore, in scenarios such as overhead crane tracks—high-altitude, long-distance, cross-workshop, or outdoor locations—wiring is difficult, costly, and poses safety hazards such as tripping or breakage. The battery box arrangement allows the device to move freely along the track without external cables, making it particularly suitable for maintenance operations on high-altitude tracks, in areas without power, or requiring frequent relocation, significantly improving the flexibility and speed of on-site deployment. Secondly, battery power avoids the mechanical entanglement and wear caused by cables, reducing cable pulling and bending at track joints and bends, thereby extending the lifespan of the power lines and reducing the risk of downtime due to cable failures. Furthermore, the battery box is integrated into the support frame, resulting in a compact overall structure and a reasonable center of gravity distribution. It avoids additional suspended weight or swaying caused by external cables, contributing to stability and safety during movement.
[0017] As described above, the adaptive bolt tightening device for overhead crane tracks disclosed in this invention has the following advantages: Traditional overhead crane track bolt tightening often relies on manual hand tools for point-by-point positioning and tightening, resulting in slow positioning, inconsistent cycle times, and easy omissions. In this invention, the moving mechanism can automatically travel along the track, the ranging mechanism detects the position of the bolt to be tightened in real time, the guiding mechanism moves according to the position information, and the tightening mechanism automatically completes the tightening. The entire process requires no manual intervention, significantly shortening the processing time for a single bolt. It is particularly suitable for the maintenance of large-span, multi-bolt overhead crane tracks, greatly improving work efficiency and productivity.
[0018] The guiding mechanism and the fastening mechanism are coaxially connected, ensuring that the axis of the fastening mechanism coincides with the bolt axis after the guiding mechanism moves into place. This avoids stripping, thread damage, or insufficient preload caused by angular deviations in traditional non-coaxial structures, allowing the tightening torque to be accurately transmitted to the bolts. This ensures that the preload of each bolt meets the design requirements, improving the reliability and safety of the overhead crane track connection.
[0019] The combination of the movement of the mobile mechanism along the track and the real-time detection of the ranging mechanism enables the device to adapt to bolt arrays with different spacing and positions, eliminating the need for special tooling for specific track models. Whether the bolts are arranged regularly or irregularly, the device can complete the operation through a closed-loop process of "ranging, positioning, and guiding," demonstrating strong versatility and reducing the manufacturing and maintenance costs of the device.
[0020] The moving mechanism, ranging mechanism, guiding mechanism, and fastening mechanism are all integrated into the device, resulting in a compact structure, small footprint, and easy placement alongside the overhead crane track. The modular design of each mechanism (such as detachable moving wheel sets and guiding mechanism components) also reduces the difficulty of later maintenance, and damaged individual components can be quickly replaced, minimizing downtime. Attached Figure Description
[0021] Figure 1 The diagram shows a first three-dimensional structural schematic of an adaptive bolt fastening device for crane tracks according to the present invention.
[0022] Figure 2 The image shown is a front view of an adaptive bolt fastening device for crane tracks according to the present invention.
[0023] Figure 3 The diagram shown is a second three-dimensional structural schematic of an adaptive bolt fastening device for crane tracks according to the present invention.
[0024] Figure 4 The diagram shows a schematic of the guide mechanism structure of an adaptive bolt fastening device for overhead crane tracks according to the present invention.
[0025] Figure 5 Displayed as Figure 4 A magnified view of a portion of point A in the middle.
[0026] Component designation explanation
[0027] 1 track 2 Mobile agency 21 Battery box 22 support frame 23 Moving wheel set 231 drive wheel 232 Driven wheel 24 support wheel set 241 support arm 242 extension spring 233 positioning wheel 25 Limiting components 251 Connecting block 252 Limit spring 253 Limit wheel 3 Distance measuring mechanism 31 Distance scanning component 4 Guiding agency 41 Synchronous belt drive assembly 42 Fixture 43 Second drive motor 44 ball screw 45 Guide slide 46 elastic buffer element 5 Fastening mechanism 51 Universal joint 52 Third drive motor 53 Hex socket Detailed Implementation
[0028] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification.
[0029] It should be understood that the structures, proportions, sizes, etc., illustrated in the accompanying drawings are merely for illustrative purposes to aid those skilled in the art and are not intended to limit the implementation of the invention. Therefore, they have no substantial technical significance. Any modifications to the structure, changes in proportions, or adjustments to size, without affecting the effectiveness and purpose of the invention, should still fall within the scope of the disclosed technical content. The following detailed description should not be considered restrictive, and the scope of the embodiments of this application is limited only by the claims of the published patents. The terminology used herein is for describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to limit the application. Spatial terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "below," "below," "lower part," "above," "upper part," etc., may be used in the text to illustrate the relationship between one element or feature shown in the figures and another element or feature.
[0030] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," "fixing," and "holding" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.
[0031] Furthermore, as used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context indicates otherwise. It should be further understood that the terms “comprising,” “including,” indicate the presence of the stated feature, operation, element, component, item, kind, and / or group, but do not preclude the presence, occurrence, or addition of one or more other features, operations, elements, components, items, kinds, and / or groups. The terms “or” and “and / or” as used herein are interpreted as inclusive, or mean any one or any combination thereof. Thus, “A, B, or C” or “A, B, and / or C” means “any one of: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B, and C.” Exceptions to this definition arise only when combinations of elements, functions, or operations are inherently mutually exclusive in some manner.
[0032] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only for explaining the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention.
[0033] like Figures 1 to 5As shown, the present invention provides an adaptive bolt fastening device for crane tracks, comprising:
[0034] Track 1, on which a moving mechanism 2, a ranging mechanism 3, a guiding mechanism 4 and a fastening mechanism 5 are respectively provided;
[0035] The moving mechanism 2 is movably mounted on the track 1; the ranging mechanism 3 is located at the end of the moving mechanism 2 and is configured to detect the position of the bolt to be tightened; the guiding mechanism 4 is mounted on the moving mechanism 2 and is coaxially connected to the fastening mechanism 5; the moving mechanism 2 drives the guiding mechanism 4 to move by obtaining the position of the bolt to be tightened transmitted by the ranging mechanism 3, and the fastening mechanism 5 is configured to tighten and fix the bolt to be tightened after the guiding mechanism 4 moves into place.
[0036] In some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 2 As shown, the moving mechanism 2 includes: a first drive motor, a support frame 22, a moving wheel set 23, and at least two support wheel sets 24; the support frame 22 spans across the track 1; the moving wheel set 23 is disposed on the track 1 and detachably connected to the support frame 22; the support wheel set 24 is fixed to both sides of the support frame 22 by connecting members and is in contact with the bottom surface of the track 1 to stably support the support frame 22. First, by introducing support wheel sets 24 that fit against the bottom surface of track 1, a stable structure of "top-drive + bottom-support" is constructed. The moving wheel set 23 is responsible for providing forward power, while at least two support wheel sets 24 are fixed to both sides of the support frame 22 through connectors and fit against the bottom surface of track 1, forming a stable structure similar to a "clamp". This structure transforms the line / point contact support that may have twisted or swayed into a clamping support of two planes, which significantly enhances the anti-overturning and anti-torsional stiffness of the support frame 22, so that the device can still maintain a small displacement and sway when tightened, providing a stable working platform for the fastening mechanism 5. Furthermore, the support frame 22 spans the track 1 to form a stable beam structure, and the support wheel set 24 supports the support frame 22 from below, adding additional constraint points and enhancing the overall rigidity, making it less prone to bending or twisting deformation under load, and ensuring higher motion accuracy. Moreover, the weight and working load of the entire device are shared by the top moving wheel set 23 and the bottom support wheel set 24, which distributes the load, avoids local overload wear of the moving wheel set 23, extends the service life of the wheel system, and makes the device move more smoothly when tightening bolts.
[0037] In some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 2As shown, the movable wheel set 23 includes a driving wheel 231 and a driven wheel 232. The driving wheel 231 and the driven wheel 232 are detachably connected to the support frame 22 and roll in contact with the top surface of the track 1. The first drive motor drives the driving wheel 231 to rotate, which in turn drives the driven wheel 232, which cooperates with the driving wheel 231, to rotate synchronously on the track 1. The movable wheel set 23 drives the moving mechanism 2 to move on the track 1 through the friction between it and the track 1. In the moving wheel assembly 23, a driving wheel 231 and a driven wheel 232 cooperate, both rolling in contact with the top surface of the track 1. The driving wheel 231 is driven by a first drive motor, which drives the driven wheel 232 to rotate synchronously through friction. The driving wheel 231 directly converts the motor torque into traction force on the track 1, while the driven wheel 232 rolls passively under the action of friction. This avoids the gaps, slack, or wear problems caused by complex transmission mechanisms (such as chains and timing belts), making the moving mechanism 2 move more smoothly and at a more uniform speed on the track 1, reducing vibration and impact. This provides a stable detection environment for the ranging mechanism 3 and a precise motion trajectory for the guiding mechanism 4 and the fastening mechanism 5. Secondly, the design of the double wheels rolling in contact with the top surface of the track 1 increases the effective contact area and friction, improving drive reliability. Even if there is slight oil, dust, or slight unevenness on the surface of the track 1, sufficient traction can be maintained by the redundant contact of the double wheels, avoiding slippage or stalling, and ensuring continuous and stable operation of the device in long-distance, multi-bolt fastening operations. The presence of the driven wheel 232 also helps to share the weight load of the support frame 22, reducing the single-point pressure on the driving wheel 231, delaying wheel surface wear, and extending the service life of the wheelset. In addition, both the driving wheel 231 and the driven wheel 232 are detachably connected to the support frame 22, allowing the wheelset to be quickly replaced according to the track 1 model (such as different widths and different top surface curvatures) or wear conditions, providing good maintainability.
[0038] In some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 3As shown, the support wheel assembly 24 includes a support arm 241 and at least one positioning wheel 233; one end of the support arm 241 is rotatably connected to the side of the support frame 22; the positioning wheel 233 is mounted on the other end of the support arm 241 and configured to maintain rolling or sliding contact with the side of the track 1; at least one telescopic spring 242 is also connected to the support arm 241, one end of the telescopic spring 242 is connected to the support arm 241, and the other end is connected to the support frame 22; the telescopic spring 242 is used to apply an elastic preload force to the positioning wheel 233 that is always facing the side of the track 1, so as to maintain the stability of the support frame 22 during movement. By employing a combination of a rotatable support arm 241, a positioning wheel 233, and a telescopic spring 242 in the support wheel assembly 24, and ensuring that the spring applies an elastic preload to the positioning wheel 233 always facing the side of the track 1, the traditional rigid support wheel can experience gaps or impacts due to unevenness, misalignment of joints, or local deformation of the overhead crane track 1 during long-term use. This can cause the support frame 22 to shake due to poor contact, affecting the distance measurement and fastening accuracy. The elastic preload of the telescopic spring 242 ensures that the positioning wheel 233 always maintains contact with the side of the track 1. The rotation of the support arm 241, combined with the extension and retraction of the spring, automatically compensates for the undulations and deviations of the track 1 side, achieving dynamic fit and suppressing the lateral sway and torsion of the support frame 22, ensuring stability during travel and operation. Furthermore, the introduction of elastic preload avoids the impact and wear caused by rigid hard contact. When the support frame 22 passes over the joints or uneven areas of the track 1, the support arm 241 can rotate slightly to absorb the impact energy, and the spring buffers the vibration, reducing the mechanical impact on the support frame 22, the ranging mechanism 3, and the fastening mechanism 5, thereby extending the equipment's lifespan. Furthermore, the rotatable connection of the support arm 241 and the elastic action of the telescopic spring 242 give the support wheel assembly 24 good adaptability, allowing it to adapt to the sides of the track 1 with different cross-sectional shapes (such as I-beams, channel steel, and box-type rails), improving the versatility and adaptability of the device.
[0039] In some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 3As shown, the support frame 22 is also provided with a limiting component 25, which includes: a limiting wheel 253, a connecting block 251, and a limiting spring 252. The connecting block 251 is detachably connected to the support frame 22, the limiting spring 252 is installed inside the connecting block 251, and multiple limiting wheels 253 are installed at the ends of the connecting block 251 and abut against both sides of the track 1. The limiting component 25 stabilizes the support frame 22 by adjusting the preload of the limiting spring 252 so that the limiting wheel 253 is in close contact with the track 1. Although most vibrations and offsets can be suppressed with only the moving wheel set 23 and the support wheel set 24, slight lateral displacement or torsion may still occur when encountering lateral gaps in the track 1, joint misalignment, or external disturbances (such as wind force or tightening reaction force), affecting the ranging and tightening accuracy. By installing a limiting assembly 25 consisting of limiting wheels 253, connecting blocks 251, and limiting springs 252 on the support frame 22, and utilizing the spring preload to keep the limiting wheels 253 in constant contact with both sides of the track 1, the limiting wheels 253 on both sides of the limiting assembly 25 form a continuous contact constraint on the support frame 22 from the left and right sides, acting like "guide wheels" for the track 1 vehicle. This effectively prevents the support frame 22 from swinging in the transverse plane and twisting around the vertical axis, ensuring that the travel path and positioning posture are highly consistent. Secondly, the introduction of the limiting springs 252 makes the contact pressure between the limiting wheels 253 and the sides of the track 1 adjustable and adaptive, allowing the limiting wheels 253 to maintain appropriate contact force under different track 1 conditions, thereby maintaining stability under various working conditions. In addition, the rolling or sliding contact between the limiting wheel 253 and the side of the track 1 results in low friction and controllable direction. The detachable connection between the connecting block 251 and the support frame 22 allows the limiting component 25 to be quickly replaced or the wheel gauge adjusted according to the width and cross-sectional shape of the track 1, demonstrating good engineering adaptability.
[0040] In some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 1As shown, the distance measuring mechanism 3 includes a distance scanning component 31, which scans the distance information of the bolt to be tightened and transmits this information to the moving mechanism 2. Traditional overhead crane track bolt tightening often relies on manual handheld measuring tools or pre-set fixed fixtures. When faced with inconsistent bolt spacing, irregular arrangement, or track deformation, repeated manual adjustments are often required, resulting in low efficiency and a high risk of missing bolts. By using the distance scanning component 31 in the distance measuring mechanism 3 to actively scan the distance information of the bolt to be tightened and transmit this information to the moving mechanism 2, the distance scanning component 31 can perceive the three-dimensional position of the bolt in real time. Regardless of whether the bolt arrangement is uniform, or whether there are missing or offset bolts, it can be accurately captured and fed back to the moving mechanism 2, thereby achieving adaptive operation during bolt tightening. Furthermore, the distance scanning component 31 has the advantages of being non-contact and fast, enabling timely detection and positioning of bolts ahead without stopping or pre-marking, which significantly improves the efficiency of bolt tightening operations.
[0041] In some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the guiding mechanism 4 includes: a second drive motor 43, a synchronous belt drive assembly 41, a ball screw 44, and a guide slide 45. The synchronous belt drive assembly 41 includes: a synchronous belt, a driving pulley, and a driven pulley. The output shaft of the second drive motor 43 is coaxially connected to the driving pulley, and the driven pulley is coaxially connected to the end of the ball screw 44. The guide slide 45 is mounted on the ball screw 44. The second drive motor 43 drives the driving pulley to rotate, and the driving pulley drives the driven pulley through the synchronous belt. The rotation of the driven pulley drives the ball screw 44 to rotate. The ball screw 44 drives the guide slide 45 to move linearly on the slide rail of the ball screw 44, thereby driving the fastening mechanism 5 to move. By using a second drive motor 43 to drive the synchronous belt transmission assembly 41 in the guide mechanism 4, and then driving the ball screw 44 to rotate via the driven pulley, the ball screw 44 ultimately drives the guide slide 45 to move linearly, thereby moving the fastening mechanism 5. First, the high-speed rotation of the second drive motor 43 is flexibly transmitted to the driven pulley via the synchronous belt. The synchronous belt has the functions of vibration absorption, noise reduction, and compensation for minor installation errors, which can reduce the impact when the motor starts and stops, making the input movement of the ball screw 44 more stable, thereby reducing the start-stop jitter of the guide slide 45 and ensuring the stability and alignment accuracy of the fastening mechanism 5 when approaching the bolt. Second, the synchronous belt transmission can realize the long-distance or angular arrangement between the motor and the ball screw 44, so that the installation position of the second drive motor 43 can be flexibly arranged according to the space of the support frame 22, without having to be coaxial or adjacent to the ball screw 44, leaving more space for the arrangement of other components (such as the ranging mechanism 3 and the power supply line). Furthermore, the ball screw 44 converts rotary motion into linear motion, ensuring that the guide slide 45 can accurately insert into the bolt hole and align itself each time when bearing the weight of the fastening mechanism 5 and the tightening reaction force. This avoids thread damage or tightening failure caused by positioning deviation. Since each component is a standardized part, it has high reliability and long service life. When damaged, the timing belt or ball screw 44 can be replaced separately, which helps to reduce maintenance difficulty and cost.
[0042] In some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the guide mechanism 4 is further provided with a fixed frame 42, and at least one elastic buffer element 46 is provided between the fixed frame 42 and the guide slide 45; one end of the elastic buffer element 46 abuts against the fixed frame 42, and the other end abuts against the guide slide 45; the elastic buffer element 46 is configured to absorb and buffer the impact force through its own elastic deformation when the guide slide 45 is subjected to impact or vibration along its linear movement direction, so as to stabilize the guide mechanism 4. During the bolt tightening process, the tightening mechanism 5 may experience a slight impact due to positional error when it approaches the bolt, or it may be subjected to a sudden change in bolt reaction force at the moment of tightening. These impacts will be transmitted to the ball screw 44 and the drive motor through the guide slide 45, affecting the positioning accuracy or even damaging the threads. By setting an elastic buffer element 46 between the fixed frame 42 and the guide slide 45 of the guide mechanism 4, the elastic buffer element 46 can absorb and disperse energy through its own deformation when an impact occurs, preventing rigid impact from acting directly on the transmission chain. This reduces sudden speed changes and positional deviations of the slide, ensuring the smooth approach of the fastening mechanism 5 before contacting the bolt and its stable maintenance after contact. Furthermore, the elastic buffer element 46 can effectively suppress high-frequency vibrations during movement (such as vibrations caused by motor operation, synchronous belt drive, or unevenness of the track 1). If these vibrations are not suppressed, they will be transmitted to the ranging mechanism 3 and the fastening mechanism 5, reducing ranging accuracy and potentially causing fluctuations in tightening torque. Moreover, the introduction of the elastic buffer element 46 gives the guide mechanism 4 a certain adaptive margin when subjected to sudden force changes. During long-term continuous operation, this buffering effect can also reduce mechanical fatigue of the ball screw 44, the guide slide 45 rail, and the fastening mechanism 5, extending the service life of key components and reducing maintenance frequency and costs.
[0043] In some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the fastening mechanism 5 includes: a third drive motor 52, a universal joint 51, and an internal hexagon socket 53. The universal joint 51 is fixed to the guide slide 45 via a connecting seat. The third drive motor 52 and the internal hexagon socket 53 are respectively connected to the two ends of the universal joint 51, so that the socket can adaptively change its angle relative to the guide slide 45. The output shaft of the third drive motor 52 is connected to the internal hexagon socket 53 via a torque-transmitting connector. The guide mechanism 4 moves the fastening mechanism 5, so that the internal hexagon socket 53 is inserted into the bolt to be fastened under the swing of the universal joint 51. The third drive motor 52 rotates to drive the internal hexagon socket 53 to tighten and fix the bolt to be fastened. By using a universal joint 51 in the fastening mechanism 5 to connect the third drive motor 52 and the hexagon socket sleeve 53, and enabling the sleeve to adaptively change its angle relative to the guide slide 45, the bolts on the overhead crane track 1 may have their axes tilted or offset from the theoretical center line due to installation errors, long-term deformation, misalignment of the track 1 joints, etc. In such cases, traditional rigid tightening tools may encounter problems such as difficulty in fitting, stripping, or even damage to the bolts and threads. By using a universal joint 51 in the fastening mechanism 5 to connect the third drive motor 52 and the hexagon socket sleeve 53, and enabling the sleeve to adaptively change its angle relative to the guide slide 45, the hexagon socket sleeve 53 can automatically swing to correct its angle when contacting the bolt. This ensures that even with certain positional and angular deviations, it can be smoothly fitted and tightened, thereby significantly improving the on-site adaptability and success rate of the device. Secondly, the combination of the universal joint 51 and the guide slide 45 achieves a two-stage positioning mechanism of "coarse positioning + fine alignment": the guide mechanism 4 is responsible for moving the fastening mechanism 5 to a general position near the bolt, while the universal joint 51 is responsible for compensating for the remaining angular and positional deviations at a microscale, ensuring that the sleeve axis and the bolt axis are accurately aligned. This layered positioning method ensures both moving efficiency and final tightening alignment accuracy, avoiding repeated adjustments or failures caused by inaccurate rigid positioning on the first attempt. Furthermore, the third drive motor 52 is connected to the internal hexagonal sleeve 53 via a torque-transmitting connector, ensuring that the motor's output torque and speed are efficiently and reliably transmitted to the sleeve. Simultaneously, the connector maintains effective force transmission during the universal joint's swing, preventing slippage or detachment due to angle changes. This makes the tightening process both flexible and reliable.
[0044] In some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figures 1 to 3As shown, a battery box 21 is also fixedly installed on the support frame 22 of the mobile mechanism 2, which provides power to the entire device. Traditional mobile work equipment relying on external power grids or cables for power supply has its range of motion limited by the layout of power lines. Furthermore, in scenarios such as overhead crane tracks 1, which are high-altitude, long-distance, cross-workshop, or outdoor locations, wiring is difficult, costly, and poses safety hazards such as tripping and breakage. The arrangement of the battery box 21 allows the device to move freely along the track 1 without external cables, making it particularly suitable for maintenance operations on high-altitude tracks 1, in areas without power supply, or requiring frequent relocation, significantly improving the flexibility and speed of on-site deployment. Secondly, battery power avoids the mechanical entanglement and wear caused by cables, reducing the pulling and bending of cables at track 1 joints and bends, thereby extending the lifespan of the power supply lines and reducing the risk of downtime due to cable failures. Furthermore, the battery box 21 is integrated into the support frame 22, resulting in a compact overall structure and a reasonable center of gravity distribution. It does not add extra suspended weight or sway due to external cables, which helps maintain stability and safety during movement.
[0045] As described above, the adaptive bolt tightening device for overhead crane tracks of the present invention has the following beneficial effects: Traditionally, bolt tightening on overhead crane tracks 1 relies heavily on manual hand tools for point-by-point positioning and tightening, resulting in slow positioning, inconsistent cycle times, and easy omissions. In this invention, the moving mechanism 2 can automatically travel along the track 1, the ranging mechanism 3 detects the position of the bolt to be tightened in real time, the guiding mechanism 4 moves according to the position information, and the tightening mechanism 5 automatically completes the tightening. The entire process requires no manual intervention, significantly shortening the processing time for a single bolt. It is particularly suitable for the maintenance of large-span, multi-bolt overhead crane tracks 1, greatly improving work efficiency and productivity.
[0046] The guide mechanism 4 and the fastening mechanism 5 are coaxially connected, ensuring that after the guide mechanism 4 moves into place, the axis of the fastening mechanism 5 coincides with the bolt axis. This avoids stripping, thread damage, or insufficient preload caused by angular deviation in traditional non-coaxial structures, ensuring that the tightening torque can be accurately transmitted to the bolt, guaranteeing that the preload of each bolt meets the design requirements, and improving the reliability and safety of the crane track 1 connection.
[0047] The movement of the moving mechanism 2 along the track 1, combined with the real-time detection of the ranging mechanism 3, enables the device to adapt to bolt arrays with different spacings and positions, eliminating the need for specialized tooling for specific track 1 models. Whether the bolts are arranged regularly or irregularly, the device can complete the operation through a closed-loop process of "ranging, positioning, and guiding," demonstrating strong versatility and reducing manufacturing and maintenance costs.
[0048] The moving mechanism 2, the ranging mechanism 3, the guiding mechanism 4, and the fastening mechanism 5 are all integrated into the device, resulting in a compact structure and small footprint, which facilitates flexible placement next to the overhead crane track 1. The modular design of each mechanism (such as the detachable moving wheel set 23 and the guiding mechanism 4 components) also reduces the difficulty of later maintenance, and damaged individual components can be quickly replaced, reducing downtime.
[0049] In summary, the adaptive bolt fastening device for crane tracks of the present invention has the following advantages:
[0050] 1. Full-process automation significantly improves operational efficiency:
[0051] The moving mechanism 2 moves automatically along the track 1, the ranging mechanism 3 detects the bolt position in real time, the guiding mechanism 4 moves according to the information, and the fastening mechanism 5 tightens automatically. The entire process requires no manual intervention. This significantly reduces the processing time for a single bolt and is particularly suitable for the maintenance of overhead crane tracks 1 with large spans and multiple bolts, improving productivity and operational efficiency.
[0052] 2. Ensure tightening accuracy and connection reliability:
[0053] The guide mechanism 4 and the fastening mechanism 5 are coaxially connected, ensuring that the axis of the fastening mechanism 5 coincides with the axis of the bolt. This avoids problems such as stripping, thread damage, or insufficient preload caused by angular deviations in traditional non-coaxial structures. The tightening torque is accurately transmitted to the bolt, ensuring that the preload of each bolt meets the design requirements, thus improving the reliability and safety of the track 1 connection.
[0054] 3. Strong adaptability, reducing manufacturing and maintenance costs:
[0055] The moving mechanism 2 and the ranging mechanism 3 are combined to adapt to bolt arrays with different spacing and positions; there is no need to make special tooling for specific track 1 models, and bolts with regular or irregular distribution can complete the operation through the "range measurement-positioning-guiding" closed loop, which reduces manufacturing and maintenance costs.
[0056] 4. Compact structure, flexible layout, and convenient maintenance:
[0057] The moving mechanism 2, ranging mechanism 3, guiding mechanism 4, and fastening mechanism 5 are integrated into the device, resulting in a compact structure, small footprint, and easy placement alongside the overhead crane track 1. Each mechanism employs a modular design, allowing for quick replacement of damaged components, reducing maintenance difficulty and downtime.
[0058] In summary, this invention effectively overcomes the various shortcomings of the prior art and has high industrial application value.
[0059] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention. Any person skilled in the art can modify or alter the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or alterations made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and technical concept disclosed in the present invention should still be covered by the claims of the present invention.
Claims
1. An adaptive bolt fastening device for overhead crane tracks, characterized in that, include: The track is equipped with a moving mechanism, a ranging mechanism, a guiding mechanism, and a fastening mechanism. The moving mechanism is movably mounted on the track; the ranging mechanism is located at the end of the moving mechanism and configured to detect the position of the bolt to be tightened; the guiding mechanism is mounted on the moving mechanism and coaxially connected to the tightening mechanism; the moving mechanism drives the guiding mechanism to move by acquiring the position of the bolt to be tightened transmitted by the ranging mechanism, and the tightening mechanism is configured to tighten and fix the bolt to be tightened after the guiding mechanism moves into place.
2. The adaptive bolt fastening device for crane tracks according to claim 1, characterized in that: The moving mechanism includes: a first drive motor, a support frame, a moving wheel set, and at least two support wheel sets; the support frame spans across the track; the moving wheel sets are disposed on the track and detachably connected to the support frame; the support wheel sets are fixed to both sides of the support frame by connectors and are in contact with the bottom surface of the track to stably support the support frame.
3. The adaptive bolt fastening device for crane tracks according to claim 2, characterized in that: The movable wheel set includes a driving wheel and a driven wheel, which are detachably connected to the support frame and roll in contact with the top surface of the track. The first drive motor drives the driving wheel to rotate, thereby causing the driven wheel that cooperates with the driving wheel to rotate synchronously on the track. The movable wheel set drives the moving mechanism to move on the track through friction between it and the track.
4. The adaptive bolt fastening device for crane tracks according to claim 2, characterized in that: The support wheel assembly includes a support arm and at least one positioning wheel; one end of the support arm is rotatably connected to the side of the support frame; the positioning wheel is mounted on the other end of the support arm and configured to maintain rolling or sliding contact with the side of the track; at least one telescopic spring is also connected to the support arm, one end of the telescopic spring is connected to the support arm and the other end is connected to the support frame; the telescopic spring is used to apply an elastic preload force to the positioning wheel that is always directed toward the side of the track to maintain the stability of the support frame during movement.
5. The adaptive bolt fastening device for crane tracks according to claim 2, characterized in that: The support frame is also provided with a limiting component, which includes a limiting wheel, a connecting block, and a limiting spring. The connecting block is detachably connected to the support frame. The limiting spring is installed inside the connecting block. Multiple limiting wheels are installed at the ends of the connecting block and fit against both sides of the track. The limiting component adjusts the preload of the limiting spring to make the limiting wheel fit tightly against the track, thereby stabilizing the support frame.
6. The adaptive bolt fastening device for crane tracks according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ranging mechanism includes a distance scanning component, which scans the distance information of the bolt to be tightened and transmits the distance information of the bolt to be tightened to the moving mechanism.
7. The adaptive bolt fastening device for crane tracks according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guiding mechanism includes a second drive motor, a synchronous belt drive assembly, a ball screw, and a guide slide. The synchronous belt drive assembly includes a synchronous belt, a driving pulley, and a driven pulley. The output shaft of the second drive motor is coaxially connected to the driving pulley, and the driven pulley is coaxially connected to the end of the ball screw. The guide slide is mounted on the ball screw. The second drive motor drives the driving pulley to rotate, and the driving pulley drives the driven pulley through the synchronous belt. The rotation of the driven pulley drives the ball screw to rotate. The ball screw drives the guide slide to move linearly on the slide rail of the ball screw, thereby driving the fastening mechanism to move.
8. The adaptive bolt fastening device for crane tracks according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guiding mechanism is further provided with a fixed frame, and at least one elastic buffer element is provided between the fixed frame and the guide slide; one end of the elastic buffer element abuts against the fixed frame, and the other end abuts against the guide slide; the elastic buffer element is configured to absorb and buffer the impact force through its own elastic deformation when the guide slide is subjected to impact or vibration along its linear movement direction, so as to stabilize the guiding mechanism.
9. The adaptive bolt fastening device for crane tracks according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fastening mechanism includes a third drive motor, a universal joint, and an internal hexagonal socket. The universal joint is fixed to the guide slide via a connecting seat. The third drive motor and the internal hexagonal socket are respectively connected to the two ends of the universal joint, allowing the socket to adaptively change its angle relative to the guide slide. The output shaft of the third drive motor is connected to the internal hexagonal socket via a torque-transmitting connector. The guide mechanism moves the fastening mechanism, causing the internal hexagonal socket to be fitted onto the bolt to be fastened under the swing of the universal joint. The third drive motor rotates to drive the internal hexagonal socket to tighten and fix the bolt.
10. The adaptive bolt fastening device for crane tracks according to claim 2, characterized in that: A battery box is also fixedly installed on the support frame of the moving mechanism, and the battery box is used to provide power to the entire device.