Non-parallel track single-beam bridge crane

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of hoisting machinery, and particularly provides a non-parallel track single-beam bridge crane which comprises a main beam, a driving end beam and a follow-up end beam, a movement mechanism is mounted on the main beam, an electric hoist is mounted on the movement mechanism, and a first walking trolley and a second walking trolley are mounted on the main beam; the driving end beam and the follow-up end beam are distributed on the left side and the right side of the main beam on the same horizontal plane in an unparallel mode, a first guide rail is arranged at the upper end of the driving end beam, a second rail is arranged at the upper end of the follow-up end beam, and an included angle smaller than 90 degrees exists between a walking guide extension line of the first guide rail and a walking guide extension line of the second rail. Through the design of the non-parallel end beams and a rotating self-adaptive mechanism of the connecting part, the crane can be directly mounted and stably run on a non-parallel track of a non-rectangular workshop such as a triangular workshop, the track of the workshop does not need to be transformed, and the space utilization rate and the economic benefit of the irregular workshop are remarkably improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of lifting machinery technology, specifically to a non-parallel track single-girder bridge crane. Background Technology

[0002] A single-girder bridge crane is a lifting device that spans across workshops, warehouses, and material yards for material handling. Because its two ends rest on tall concrete pillars or metal supports, it resembles a bridge. The bridge frame of the single-girder bridge crane runs longitudinally along rails laid on elevated supports on both sides, making full use of the space beneath the bridge frame for material handling without being obstructed by ground equipment. It is the most widely used and numerous type of lifting machinery.

[0003] Existing single-girder bridge cranes have main beams and end beams connected by bolts or fixed welding. They are usually installed in workshops with rectangular top views, parallel tracks, and both end beams must run synchronously, otherwise the entire crane will run off the track. For example, a published Chinese patent, publication number CN208684262U, discloses an electric single-girder bridge crane, including a lifting beam (2), with connecting blocks (1) symmetrically welded to the bottom sides of the lifting beam (2), and pulleys (6) rotatably connected to the bottom of each of the two connecting blocks (1). A first limiting fixing block (5) is symmetrically welded to the bottom of the front surface of the lifting beam (2), and a first crossbar (3) is welded to the opposite side of the two first limiting fixing blocks (5). A first lifting mechanism (4) is slidably connected to the outer wall of the first crossbar (3), and a second limiting fixing block (18) is symmetrically welded to the bottom of the rear surface of the lifting beam (2). A second crossbar (20) is welded to the opposite side of the second limiting fixing block (18). A second lifting mechanism (19) is slidably connected to the outer wall of the second crossbar (20). A support block (9) is fixed to the bottom of the pulley (6). A groove (8) is opened at the top center of the support block (9). An embedded block (7) is welded to the bottom center of the inner surface wall of the groove (8). A telescopic protective cover (13) is fixed to the bottom of the support block (9). A metal outer cover (10) is welded to the bottom of the telescopic protective cover (13). A base plate (11) is welded to the bottom of the metal outer cover (10). A motor (12) is fixed to one side of the top of the base plate (11) by fixing screws.

[0004] However, in practical applications, some workshops cannot be built in a perfectly square shape due to geographical constraints. For example, in the Yangtze River Delta region, to make full use of land resources, irregularly shaped plots often result in workshops that are triangular or other non-rectangular in shape. This creates an angle between the two tracks, making it impossible to install a conventional parallel-track bridge crane. In such cases, the workshop space utilization rate is low, and the economic efficiency is poor. Although the market currently offers solutions to install cranes by laying parallel tracks, this further reduces the effective working area, hindering the efficient use of the workshop space. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art described above, the purpose of this invention is to provide a non-parallel track single-girder bridge crane. By distributing the active end beam and the follower end beam non-parallel on the same horizontal plane, forming an angle of less than 90° between the travel guide extension lines of the first guide rail and the second track, the first and second traveling trolleys can directly adapt to the non-parallel track. By setting a rotating connection component between the main beam and the traveling trolley, relative rotation between the main beam and the traveling trolley is allowed, thereby automatically adjusting the angle between the main beam and the guide rail to adapt to changes in the guide rail angle. This solves the problems in the prior art where there is an angle between the two tracks in a non-rectangular workshop, making it impossible to install conventional cranes, resulting in low workshop space utilization, and the high cost of re-laying parallel tracks.

[0006] To achieve the above and other related objectives, the present invention provides a non-parallel track single-girder bridge crane, comprising a main beam, an active end beam, and a follower end beam. A motion mechanism is mounted on the main beam, and an electric hoist is mounted on the motion mechanism. A first traveling trolley and a second traveling trolley are respectively mounted on the lower ends of the left and right sides of the main beam. The active end beam and the follower end beam are distributed on the left and right sides of the main beam on the same horizontal plane but not parallel. The active end beam is provided with a first guide rail at the upper end and the follower end beam is provided with a second track at the upper end. There is an angle of less than 90° between the travel guide extension line of the first guide rail and the travel guide extension line of the second track. A rotating connection assembly is provided between the lower ends of the left and right sides of the main beam and the first traveling trolley and the second traveling trolley, respectively. The first traveling trolley and the second traveling trolley travel in a non-parallel manner on the first guide rail and the second track.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, both the active end beam and the follower end beam are I-beams, and the first traveling trolley and the second traveling trolley have the same structure, both including a trolley body and wheels mounted on the lower end of the trolley body.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle body is provided with a reverse hanging mechanism on opposite sides. The reverse hanging mechanism includes an L-shaped hanging rod and a reverse hanging travel wheel mounted on the lower end of the L-shaped hanging rod. The reverse hanging travel wheel rolls and engages with the lower side of the upper end of the I-beam.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, a horizontal limiting mechanism is provided on opposite sides of the vehicle body. The horizontal limiting mechanism includes a connecting rod and a horizontal guide wheel mounted on the lower end of the connecting rod. The horizontal guide wheel is rolled on the outer side of the upper end of the I-beam.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the rotating connection assembly includes a first bearing member, a second bearing member, and a rotating shaft. The first bearing member is mounted on the main beam, the second bearing member is mounted on the vehicle body, and the rotating shaft passes through both the first bearing member and the second bearing member.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the I-beam is provided with several reinforcing support plates on both sides.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, there are two motion mechanisms, which are distributed on opposite sides of the main beam. A lifting bracket is connected between the two motion mechanisms, and an electric hoist is mounted on the lifting bracket.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the main beam is provided with transverse tracks on both sides, and the lower end of the motion mechanism is provided with motion guide wheels, which roll and cooperate with the transverse tracks.

[0014] As described above, the non-parallel track single-girder bridge crane of the present invention has the following beneficial effects: 1. This invention achieves this by distributing the active end beam and the follower end beam non-parallel on the same horizontal plane, forming an angle of less than 90° between the travel guide extension lines of the first guide rail and the second track, allowing the first and second traveling trolleys to directly adapt to non-parallel tracks. By setting a rotating connection assembly between the main beam and the traveling trolley, relative rotation between them is allowed, automatically adjusting the angle between the main beam and the guide rail to adapt to changes in the guide rail angle. Through the non-parallel end beam design and rotating connection assembly, this invention allows the crane to be directly installed in triangular, trapezoidal, or other irregularly shaped workshops without modifying existing tracks, significantly improving workshop space utilization and economic efficiency. The rotating connection assembly allows free rotation between the main beam and the traveling trolley, automatically adapting to changes in the track angle, ensuring smooth crane operation on non-parallel tracks and preventing jamming or derailment.

[0015] 2. This invention incorporates a reverse-hanging mechanism and a horizontal limiting mechanism. The reverse-hanging mechanism, with its reverse-hanging wheels attached to the bottom of the I-beam, prevents the trolley from lifting and improves operational stability. The horizontal limiting mechanism, with its horizontal guide wheels, constrains the trolley's horizontal movement. With this dual protection, even if the tracks are not parallel, it effectively prevents swaying and derailment, enhancing overall safety. The reverse-hanging mechanism and the horizontal limiting mechanism complement each other, ensuring that even in non-rectangular workshops where guide rails have angles and operating conditions are complex, the crane's trolley can always stay close to the track, smoothly and safely completing the lifting task.

[0016] 3. This solution is specifically designed for irregular workshops, primarily triangular ones, to accommodate the asymmetrical design of the two tracks in a triangular workshop. Pins are used to connect the main beam to the active and follower end beams, altering their angles. In practical application, the control system calculates and adjusts the running speed of the follower end beam based on feedback from the active end beam's speed signal. This creates a speed difference between the first and second traveling trolleys, maintaining a constant center distance between them to adapt to irregular workshop tracks. This avoids the stringent synchronization requirements of traditional cranes, reducing operational complexity. Furthermore, it eliminates the need for track modification projects, saving time and costs, and minimizing disruption to the existing workshop layout, aligning with green manufacturing principles. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of the overall structure of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 Displayed as Figure 1 Enlarged view of point A in the middle.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure from another perspective of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4 Displayed as Figure 3 Enlarged view of point B in the middle.

[0021] Figure 5 The diagram shown is an exploded structural diagram of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 6 Displayed as Figure 5 A magnified view of point C in the middle.

[0023] Figure 7 The diagram shown is a top view of the present invention.

[0024] Component designation explanation Main beam 1; Active end beam 2; First guide rail 21; Follower end beam 3; Second track 31; Motion mechanism 4; Motion guide wheel 41; Electric hoist 5; First traveling trolley 6; Car body 61; Wheel 62; Second traveling trolley 7; Rotating connection assembly 8; First bearing component 81; Second bearing component 82; Rotating shaft 83; Reverse hanging mechanism 9; L-shaped hanging rod 91; Reverse hanging traveling wheel 92; Horizontal limiting mechanism 10; Connecting rod 101; Horizontal guide wheel 102; Lifting bracket 11; Transverse track 12; Reinforcing support plate 13. Detailed Implementation

[0025] 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.

[0026] Please see Figures 1 to 7 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 to facilitate understanding. They are not intended to limit the scope of the invention and therefore have no substantial technical significance. Any modifications to the structure, changes in proportions, or adjustments to size, provided they do not affect the effectiveness or purpose of the invention, should fall within the scope of the disclosed technical content. Furthermore, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "middle," and "one" used in this specification are merely for clarity and not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Changes or adjustments to their relative relationships, without substantially altering the technical content, should also be considered within the scope of the invention's implementation.

[0027] Please see Figures 1-7 This invention provides a non-parallel track single-girder bridge crane, comprising a main beam 1, an active end beam 2, and a follower end beam 3. Both the active end beam 2 and the follower end beam 3 are I-beams, and several reinforcing support plates 13 are provided on both sides of the I-beams, making the active end beam 2 and the follower end beam 3 structurally strong and easy to manufacture and maintain. A motion mechanism 4 is mounted on the main beam 1, and an electric hoist 5 is mounted on the motion mechanism 4. There are two motion mechanisms 4, which are distributed on opposite sides of the main beam 1. A lifting bracket 11 is connected between the two motion mechanisms 4, and the electric hoist 5 is mounted on the lifting bracket 11. Transverse rails 12 are provided on both sides of the main beam 1, and motion guide wheels 41 are provided at the lower end of the motion mechanism 4, which roll and cooperate with the transverse rails 12. The electric hoist 5 used in this solution is the core component of the crane that directly performs vertical lifting and hoisting operations. It is a highly integrated and commonly used electromechanical device, which includes at least a motor, reducer, drum and wire rope, braking system, and hook device. The lifting function of the electric hoist 5 is achieved through a series of actions: motor drive, reducer torque increase, and drum winding and unwinding of the wire rope. In this non-parallel track crane, the electric hoist is responsible for precise vertical material handling, while the travel of the main trolley and the lateral movement of the auxiliary trolley are responsible for horizontal material positioning. The three work together to realize three-dimensional spatial hoisting of materials in complex-shaped workshops. The lower ends of the left and right sides of the main beam 1 are respectively equipped with a first traveling trolley 6 and a second traveling trolley 7. The first traveling trolley 6 and the second traveling trolley 7 have the same structure, both including a car body 61 and wheels 62 mounted on the lower end of the car body 61.

[0028] The active end beam 2 and the follower end beam 3 are distributed non-parallel on the left and right sides of the main beam 1 on the same horizontal plane. The active end beam 2 has a first guide rail 21 at its upper end, and the follower end beam 3 has a second track 31 at its upper end. There is an angle of less than 90° between the travel guide extension lines of the first guide rail 21 and the travel guide extension lines of the second track 31. A rotating connection assembly 8 is provided between the lower ends of the left and right sides of the main beam 1 and the first traveling trolley 6 and the second traveling trolley 7, respectively. The rotating connection assembly 8 includes a first bearing component 81, a second bearing component 82, and a rotating shaft 83. The first bearing component 81 is mounted on the main beam 1, the second bearing component 82 is mounted on the trolley body 61, and the rotating shaft 83 passes through both the first bearing component 81 and the second bearing component 82. The first traveling trolley 6 and the second traveling trolley 7 travel non-parallel on the first guide rail 21 and the second track 31.

[0029] This invention achieves this by distributing the active end beam 2 and the follower end beam 3 non-parallel on the same horizontal plane, forming an angle of less than 90° between the travel guide extension lines of the first guide rail 21 and the second track 31. This allows the first traveling trolley 6 and the second traveling trolley 7 to directly adapt to non-parallel tracks. By setting a rotating connection component 8 between the main beam 1 and the traveling trolley, relative rotation between the main beam 1 and the traveling trolley is allowed, thereby automatically adjusting the angle between the main beam 1 and the guide rail to adapt to changes in the guide rail angle. Through the non-parallel end beam design and the rotating connection component 8, the crane can be directly installed in workshops with triangular, trapezoidal, or other irregular shapes without modifying existing tracks, significantly improving workshop space utilization and economic efficiency. The rotating connection component allows free rotation between the main beam 1 and the traveling trolley, automatically adapting to changes in the track angle, ensuring smooth operation of the crane on non-parallel tracks, and preventing jamming or derailment.

[0030] The vehicle body 61 is provided with a reverse hook mechanism 9 on both sides. The reverse hook mechanism 9 includes an L-shaped hook rod 91 and a reverse hook travel wheel 92 mounted on the lower end of the L-shaped hook rod 91. The reverse hook travel wheel 92 rolls and engages with the upper bottom side of the I-beam. The reverse hook travel wheel 92 of this mechanism does not press on the top surface of the track, but rolls from the bottom surface of the lower flange of the I-beam, like a hook hooking onto the I-beam. Under normal circumstances, the trolley's own weight is borne by the load-bearing wheels below, and there is a small gap or slight contact between the reverse-mounted traveling wheel 92 and the bottom surface of the lower flange of the I-beam. When abnormal situations occur, such as: the inertia of starting or braking causes the entire crane to generate huge inertia when starting or stopping, resulting in a tendency for one end of the trolley to tilt upwards; uneven tracks or obstacles, when the wheels cross the track joints or obstacles, may generate instantaneous impact and lifting force; non-parallel track operation: the guide rail angle will cause the traveling trolley to be subjected to a lateral component force, which may be converted into a lifting torque; once the trolley has an upward displacement tendency, the reverse-mounted traveling wheel 92 will immediately press against the bottom surface of the lower flange of the I-beam, mechanically preventing the trolley from continuing to lift, thereby firmly "hanging" the main beam 1 and the load on the end beam, preventing the entire equipment from overturning and derailing.

[0031] The vehicle body 61 is also equipped with horizontal limiting mechanisms 10 on opposite sides. Each horizontal limiting mechanism 10 includes a connecting rod 101 and a horizontal guide wheel 102 mounted on the lower end of the connecting rod 101. The horizontal guide wheel 102 rolls against the outer side of the upper end of the I-beam. The horizontal guide wheel 102 is mounted on both sides of the traveling trolley, with its wheel surface vertically aligned with the outer edge of the upper flange of the I-beam. There is typically only a small gap, approximately 1-3 mm, between the horizontal guide wheel and the side of the I-beam flange. On non-parallel tracks, the traveling trolley needs to constantly fine-tune its direction of travel. The horizontal guide wheel acts like a "rudder," rolling along the side of the I-beam, forcing the trolley to always travel along the centerline of the track, preventing deviation. Non-parallel tracks mean that the two trolleys have different speed directions, generating a huge horizontal lateral force at the hinge point connecting the main beam. This force is transmitted to the trolley, attempting to cause it to move laterally or shake violently. The horizontal guide wheel 102 directly bears this lateral force and offsets it through the flange of the I-beam, thereby greatly reducing the lateral sway of the car body; without the horizontal limiting mechanism 10, the trolley would sway left and right under the action of the lateral force, collide with the track, generate noise, wear, or even derail due to impact; the presence of the horizontal guide wheel 102 makes the operation smooth and stable.

[0032] This invention incorporates a reverse-hanging mechanism 9 and a horizontal limiting mechanism 10. The reverse-hanging mechanism 9 is attached to the bottom of the I-beam via reverse-hanging traveling wheels 92 to prevent the trolley from lifting and improve operational stability. The horizontal limiting mechanism 10 constrains the trolley's horizontal movement via horizontal guide wheels 102. With this dual protection, even if the tracks are not parallel, it can effectively prevent swaying and derailment, improving overall safety. The reverse-hanging mechanism 9 and the horizontal limiting mechanism 10 complement each other, ensuring that even in non-rectangular workshops where the guide rails have angles and the operating conditions are complex, the crane's traveling trolley can always stay close to the track and complete the lifting task smoothly and safely.

[0033] This solution is specifically designed for irregular workshops, primarily triangular ones. It adapts to the characteristic of the two tracks in a triangular workshop having different angles at the ends. Pins are used to connect the main beam 1 to the active end beam 2 and the follower end beam 3 to change their angles. In practical application, the control system calculates and adjusts the running speed of the follower end beam 3 based on the feedback speed signal from the active end beam 2. A speed difference is created between the first traveling trolley 6 and the second traveling trolley 7, maintaining a constant center distance between them to adapt to the irregular workshop tracks. This avoids the stringent synchronization requirements of traditional cranes, reducing operational complexity. It also avoids track modification projects, saving time and costs, and minimizes disruption to the existing workshop layout, aligning with green manufacturing principles.

[0034] In summary, this invention, through its non-parallel end beam design, adaptive rotation mechanism of connecting components, and stable anti-detachment structure of the traveling trolley, enables the crane to be directly installed and stably operated on non-parallel tracks in non-rectangular or other non-rectangular workshops without requiring modification of the workshop tracks. This significantly improves the space utilization and economic efficiency of irregular workshops. Furthermore, its simple and durable structure, stable and safe operation, and high industrial application value make it highly effective. Therefore, this invention effectively overcomes the various shortcomings of existing technologies and possesses high industrial application value.

[0035] 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. A non-parallel track single-beam bridge crane, comprising a main beam (1), a driving end beam (2) and a driven end beam (3), a movement mechanism (4) being arranged on the main beam (1), an electric hoist (5) being arranged on the movement mechanism (4), a first walking trolley (6) and a second walking trolley (7) being respectively arranged at the lower ends of the left and right sides of the main beam (1); characterized in that the driving end beam (2) and the driven end beam (3) are distributed on the left and right sides of the main beam (1) in the same horizontal plane and are non-parallel, the upper end of the driving end beam (2) is provided with a first guide rail (21), the upper end of the driven end beam (3) is provided with a second track (31), and the walking guide extension lines of the first guide rail (21) and the second track (31) form an included angle less than 90°; a rotating connecting assembly (8) is arranged between the first walking trolley (6) and the second walking trolley (7) at the lower ends of the left and right sides of the main beam (1), and the first walking trolley (6) and the second walking trolley (7) non-parallelly cooperate and walk on the first guide rail (21) and the second track (31).

2. Non parallel track single beam bridge crane according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving end beam (2) and the driven end beam (3) are both I-beams, and the first walking trolley (6) and the second walking trolley (7) have the same structure and both comprise a trolley body (61) and a wheel (62) arranged at the lower end of the trolley body (61).

3. Non parallel track single beam bridge crane according to claim 2, characterized in that: Opposite sides of the trolley body (61) are provided with a counter-hanging mechanism (9), the counter-hanging mechanism (9) comprises an L-shaped hanging rod (91) and a counter-hanging walking wheel (92) arranged at the lower end of the L-shaped hanging rod (91), and the counter-hanging walking wheel (92) is rollingly matched with the upper end of the I-beam.

4. A non-parallel track single beam bridge crane according to claim 2, characterized in that: Opposite sides of the trolley body (61) are also provided with a horizontal limiting mechanism (10), the horizontal limiting mechanism (10) comprises a connecting rod (101) and a horizontal guide wheel (102) arranged at the lower end of the connecting rod (101), and the horizontal guide wheel (102) is rollingly matched with the outer side of the upper end of the I-beam.

5. The non-parallel track, single beam bridge crane of claim 2, wherein: The rotating connecting assembly (8) comprises a first bearing (81), a second bearing (82) and a rotating shaft (83), the first bearing (81) is arranged on the main beam (1), the second bearing (82) is arranged on the trolley body (61), and the rotating shaft (83) penetrates the first bearing (81) and the second bearing (82) at the same time.

6. The non-parallel track, single beam bridge crane of claim 2, wherein: The two sides of the I-beam are provided with a plurality of reinforcing support plates (13).

7. The non-parallel track, single beam bridge crane of claim 1, wherein: The movement mechanism (4) is provided with two, the two movement mechanisms (4) are distributed on the opposite sides of the main beam (1), a lifting support (11) is connected between the two movement mechanisms (4), and the electric hoist (5) is arranged on the lifting support (11).

8. A non-parallel track single beam bridge crane according to claim 7, characterized in that: The two sides of the main beam (1) are provided with a transverse moving track (12), the lower end of the movement mechanism (4) is provided with a movement guide wheel (41), and the movement guide wheel (41) is rollingly matched with the transverse moving track (12).

Images