Cable drum hinge connection device for lifting mechanism

Abstract

This invention relates to a cable drum hinge connection device (1) for a lifting mechanism, wherein the cable drum is connected to the transmission mechanism of a drive via the cable drum hinge connection device (1), the cable drum hinge connection device having a hinge (2) on the transmission mechanism side including a first connector section (K1.1, K1.2) and a hinge (4) on the cable drum side including a second connector section (K2), wherein, in the installation position of the hinge (2, 4), the first and second connector sections (K1.1, K1.2) are connected to the transmission mechanism side of the drive mechanism. K1.1, K1.2, K2) are constructed and arranged to provide an operative connection between the hinges (2, 4) for transmitting radial force and torque, characterized in that the hinge (2) on the transmission mechanism side has a plurality of first connector sections (K1.1, K1.2) spaced apart about the axis, the first connector sections establishing an operative connection between the first and second hinges (2, 4) through relative arrangement variations between the hinges on the transmission mechanism side and the hinges (2, 4) on the cable drum side.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a cable reel hinge connection device for a lifting mechanism, in which a cable reel is connected to the transmission mechanism of a drive via the cable reel hinge connection device. The cable reel hinge connection device has a hinge member on the transmission mechanism side including a first connector section and a hinge member on the cable side including a second connector section, wherein, in the installation position of the hinge member, the first connector section and the second connector section are constructed and arranged to provide an operative connection between the hinge members to transmit radial force and torque. Background Technology

[0002] This type of cable reel articulated connection is used in lifting mechanisms, particularly crane lifting mechanisms, to transmit predetermined radial forces and torques. For example, such cable reel articulated connections are disclosed in publication DE 30 07 319 A1 and patent document DE10 2006 022 782 B3. These cable reel articulated connections are suitably constructed to compensate for misalignment errors, i.e., angular deviations between the articulated members, even when transmitting large torques during operation, and to provide good radial load distribution and therefore a long service life, while adhering to relevant safety regulations regarding bending stress and radial peak loads. However, due to the high operating forces, wear of the acting articulated members in such cable reel articulated connections is almost inevitable during operation, necessitating periodic or continuous inspection of the cable reel articulated connection for wear, and requiring appropriate measures when necessary, and sometimes replacement of the entire cable reel articulated connection. Given the current focus on resource conservation, this replacement of cable reel articulated connections is out of step with the current need to focus more on resource conservation, particularly in terms of raw materials and energy use, when maintaining traditional cable reel articulated connections, and to further reduce the overall cost of manufacturing and operating such connections, for example, by adopting a low-cost configuration. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Based on the above-mentioned prior art, the technical problem on which this invention is based is to at least partially avoid the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0004] In terms of apparatus, this task is solved by a cable reel hinge connection device having the features of claim 1. The cable reel hinge connection device of the present invention is configured for a lifting mechanism in which a cable reel is connected to a drive mechanism of a driver via the cable reel hinge connection device, wherein the cable reel hinge connection device has a drive mechanism-side hinge member including a first connector section and a cable reel-side hinge member including a second connector section, and wherein, when the hinge members are in the installed position, the first and second connector sections are configured and arranged to provide an operative connection between the hinge members to transmit radial force and torque. The cable reel hinge connection device according to the present invention is characterized in that the drive mechanism-side hinge member has a plurality of first connector sections spaced apart or adjacent with respect to the axis, these connector sections being able to be placed in an operative connection through relative arrangements of the drive mechanism-side hinge member and the cable reel-side hinge member relative to each other.

[0005] The cable reel hinge connection device according to the invention is based on the concept that, on at least one hinge member of the hinge connection device, particularly the hinge member representing the largest component of the cable reel hinge connection device, a plurality of identical first connector sections are provided. These connector sections can be positioned to establish corresponding functional connections with corresponding, particularly complementary, second connector sections of another hinge member. This allows for the selection of another connector section on the hinge member, particularly one with the same functional and structural construction, to be functionally connected to the connector section of another hinge member when wear occurs between the connector sections in the functional connection of the hinge members. The functional and structural similarity of the identical first connector sections can generally be achieved through variations in the relative arrangement of the transmission mechanism-side hinge member and the cable reel-side hinge member, for example, through translational and / or rotational movements of one hinge member relative to the other. Therefore, when a predetermined wear occurs, instead of replacing the hinge that includes multiple connector sections of the same type, another functional connection can be established between another first connector section and another second connector section of the other hinge by changing the relative arrangement of the transmission mechanism side hinge with respect to the cable drum side hinge.

[0006] Additional advantageous features and further extensions of the invention are set forth in the following general description, drawings, description of the drawings, and other patent claims.

[0007] Suitably, the multiple first connector sections on the transmission mechanism side hinge, which may be arranged sequentially or spaced apart with respect to the axis, are constructed of the same type and configured to interact with the second connector sections of the cable drum side hinge to produce the same functional connection having substantially the same torque transmission and radial force transmission. This ensures that the same functional connection is always provided, regardless of the selection of the first connector sections on the transmission mechanism side hinge to produce the functional connection with the second connector sections of the cable drum side hinge, so that the cable drum hinge connection remains functionally consistent when switching the first connector sections on the transmission mechanism side hinge to produce the functional connection with the cable drum side hinge.

[0008] Preferably, the transmission mechanism-side hinge has multiple axially spaced first connector sections on its outer circumferential surface, and the cable reel-side hinge includes a receiving portion having an inner circumferential surface for configuring second connector sections. With this configuration, the transmission mechanism-side hinge can be constructed as a hub, and the cable reel-side hinge can be constructed as a housing accommodating the hub. Preferably, the hub can be constructed as a hollow cylindrical hub for accommodating the transmission mechanism shaft of the lifting mechanism's drive.

[0009] According to an embodiment, the transmission mechanism-side hinge may have more than two axially spaced first connector sections for reuse in the cable reel hinge connection device according to the invention. Particularly suitable is that the transmission mechanism-side hinge has exactly two axially adjacent or spaced first connector sections, which may be arranged, for example, on opposite axial end sections of the transmission mechanism-side hinge. This configuration is particularly suitable when the transmission mechanism-side hinge is configured as a hub, wherein two axially spaced or adjacent first connector sections may be arranged on opposite axial end sections of the hub.

[0010] To provide a first connector section of the same configuration on the transmission mechanism-side hinge, it can be suitably configured such that the transmission mechanism-side hinge is mirror-symmetrically constructed in a plane perpendicular to the axis. This is particularly suitable for an embodiment in which the transmission mechanism-side hinge is constructed as a hub, such that when switching the first connector section of the hub to create an operative connection with the second connector section of the housing housing the hub, the hub rotates 180° relative to an axis of rotation perpendicular to the hub axis, allowing the other of the two first connector sections to establish an operative connection with the second connector section of the connector housing. Preferably, the mirror-symmetrical plane can be located at the longitudinal center of the hub.

[0011] In another embodiment, two first connector sections axially adjacent or spaced apart on the hinge can be rearranged with respect to the second connector sections of the second hinge by a simple translational movement. In this embodiment, the first connector sections of the transmission mechanism-side hinge can be structurally consistent and do not exhibit the aforementioned mirror symmetry.

[0012] According to the embodiments, the connector sections that are mutually associated and used for configurational connection can be constructed and arranged so that the transmission mechanism-side hinge and the cable drum-side hinge are directly interlocked when in the installation position, so that no additional components are required at the connection or force transmission part of the cable drum hinge connection device according to the invention.

[0013] However, in a particularly suitable embodiment, to provide an operative connection between the transmission mechanism-side hinge and the cable drum-side hinge, a force-transmitting element, particularly a force-transmitting element in the form of a drum-shaped roller, can be arranged between a first connector section of the first connector section of the transmission mechanism-side hinge and a second connector section of the cable drum-side hinge. In such an embodiment, the first and second connector sections may, for example, have semi-circular teeth with a plurality of semi-circular receptacles serving as support surfaces for the force-transmitting element, in which the force-transmitting element, or drum-shaped roller, is placed in a longitudinally offset manner.

[0014] In this embodiment, the transmission mechanism-side hinge, configured as a hub, may have multiple semi-circular teeth on its outer surface, particularly axially adjacent or axially spaced, for configuring a semi-circular receiving portion for the support surface used by the force transmission element. By using a drum-shaped force transmission element, in this embodiment of the cable reel hinge connection according to the invention, eccentricity errors between the hinges can be compensated even when transmitting large torques. The cable reel hinge connection is easily assembled and provides optimized radial load distribution through the large support surface of the force transmission element or the drum-shaped roller. Accompanying the cable reel hinge connection according to the invention is a high service life. Furthermore, due to the possibility of utilizing multiple first connector sections to create corresponding action connections between two hinges, the cable reel hinge connection is configured for reuse in terms of the transmission mechanism-side hinge.

[0015] In a particularly suitable embodiment, a single force-transmitting element may not be arranged between the first and second connector sections to provide an operative connection between the transmission mechanism-side hinge and the cable reel-side hinge. Alternatively, one of the hinge sections may have an integrally constructed drum-shaped tooth portion with drum-shaped teeth, and the other hinge may have a complementary drum-shaped tooth receiving portion, such that in this embodiment of the cable reel hinge connection device constructed according to the invention, the aforementioned force-transmitting element can be omitted while simultaneously providing the aforementioned advantages when using drum-shaped rollers as the force-transmitting element. In this embodiment, the transmission mechanism-side hinge, constructed as a hub and having multiple first connector sections, particularly two first connector sections, may have multiple, particularly two, axially spaced drum-shaped tooth portions, or multiple, particularly two, axially spaced drum-shaped tooth receiving portions.

[0016] As described above, the transmission mechanism side hinge of the cable reel hinge connection device according to the invention can be constructed as a hub, and the cable reel side hinge can be constructed as a housing accommodating the hub. Suitably, the hub can be constructed as a hollow hub to accommodate the transmission mechanism output shaft. Because when switching from one first connector section of the transmission mechanism side hinge to another first connector section of the transmission mechanism side hinge to create an operative connection with a second connector section of the cable reel side hinge, it is generally suitable or necessary to disengage the transmission mechanism output shaft-hub connection, which should be configured to be as simple to manufacture and disengage as possible. Preferably, the hollow hub can therefore be configured with internal teeth to provide a splined engagement (plug engagement) shaft-hub connection with the transmission mechanism output shaft, which has external teeth. According to embodiments, this spline engagement can be, for example, configured as a spline engagement with involute tooth surfaces, a spline engagement with wedge-shaped tooth surfaces, or a spline engagement with notched tooth surfaces.

[0017] In embodiments where the hub is constructed as a hollow cylinder, a clamping sleeve may be provided, for example, to provide a locking and easily detachable connection between the hub and the output shaft of the transmission mechanism housed within the hub. In this embodiment, in the coupling section, the hub on its inner surface and the output shaft of the transmission mechanism on its outer circumference can be constructed as pure cylinders, wherein the clamping sleeve is arranged radially between the hub and the output shaft of the transmission mechanism.

[0018] In another embodiment, the hub can be configured as a hollow cylindrical hub for accommodating the output shaft of a cylindrical transmission mechanism, with a slot in its longitudinal extension. This slotted hub can also have appropriate fitting dimensions for heat-shrink fitting onto the transmission output shaft and be clamped onto the shaft due to its own elastic restoring force. For disassembly, the hub can be slightly pressed open using a pressing bolt transverse to the slot direction, a wedge block inserted into the slot, or a hydraulic pressure cylinder inserted into a receiving portion on the outer diameter to press open the slot.

[0019] In terms of method, the present invention solves the aforementioned technical task by a method for maintaining a cable reel hinge connection device constructed according to any one of claims 1 to 8, in which the force transmission portion or action connection between a first connector section of the first connector section of the transmission mechanism-side hinge and a second connector section of the cable reel-side hinge has a predetermined wear, meaning that the first and second connector sections in the action connection wear in such a way that the predetermined technical dimensional retention is no longer present. The method according to the invention comprises the following steps: - The worn action connection or force transmission part is loosened between the first connector section of the first connector section of the transmission mechanism side hinge and the second connector section of the cable drum side hinge. - Replace the cable reel side hinge with the worn second connector section with the cable reel side hinge with the unworn second connector section. - An active connection or force transmission portion is established between the cable reel-side hinge with an unworn second connector section and the transmission mechanism-side hinge with a worn first connector section, such that an active connection or force transmission portion is established between the second connector section of the cable reel-side hinge and the unworn first connector section of the transmission mechanism-side hinge.

[0020] In embodiments where the transmission mechanism-side hinge is configured as a hub and the cable reel-side hinge is configured as a housing for accommodating the hub, the method according to the invention can be performed by replacing the housing of the cable reel hinge connection device according to the invention and subsequently adjusting the second connector section of the new connector housing to the operative connection of the unworn first connector section of the unreplaced connector hub.

[0021] In an embodiment where a force transmission element, particularly a drum roller, is inserted between the first connector section of the transmission structure-side hinge and the second connector section of the cable drum-side hinge to adjust the action connection or force transmission part between the two hinges, it is also possible to replace the force transmission element, such as the drum roller, in addition to the cable drum-side hinge, particularly in addition to the connector housing, when performing maintenance on the cable drum hinge connection device according to the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The present invention will now be explained by referring to the accompanying drawings, in which... Figure 1 A cable reel hinge connection device constructed according to the present invention is shown in perspective view, and Figure 2 Showing an exploded view Figure 1 The cable reel hinge connection device according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The drum-shaped connector 1 and its variations are explained below as exemplary and particularly advantageous cable drum articulation devices according to the invention for lifting mechanisms, such as those applicable especially to crane lifting mechanisms, in which the cable drum is connected to the drive mechanism of a driver via the cable drum articulation device. Such a lifting mechanism, not shown in the figures, includes a motor, preferably an electric motor, downstream of which a reduction gear is connected, via which the cable drum connected is driven.

[0024] A configuration can be arranged between the speed reduction transmission mechanism and the cable drum. Figure 1 The drum-shaped connector 1 shown in the figure transmits torque from the reduction gear to the cable drum and simultaneously bears radial loads. A particular advantage of such a drum-shaped connector 1 is that it accommodates the angular misalignment between the axis of the cable drum and the output of the gear mechanism, and that it accommodates axial offset.

[0025] Figure 1 The drum-shaped connector 1 according to the invention has a connector hub 2, which has a hub receiving portion 20 for receiving a transmission mechanism output side shaft (not shown in the figure). A spline groove 21 is provided to lock the shaft shape in the hub for partially receiving a mating key that extends into the hub in partial sections and into the received shaft.

[0026] In the described embodiment, the connector hub 2 has two connector sections K1.1 and K1.2 spaced apart along the axial direction of the hub. Figure 1The schematic diagram only shows the first connector section K1.1 mentioned earlier, because the second connector section K1.2 is covered by the cable reel-side hinge of the connector housing 4, which is constructed here to create an action connection or force transmission between the connector hub 2 and the connector housing 4.

[0027] On the cable reel side, the connector housing 4 has a connecting flange 40, which includes a plurality of threaded holes 41 spaced apart in the circumferential direction for fastening to the connecting flange of the cable reel (not shown).

[0028] Figure 2 Shown in exploded view Figure 1 According to the invention, the drum-shaped connector 1 means that, in this respect, the functional connection between the connector sections K1.1 and K2 of the connector hub 2 and the connector housing 4 is disassembled.

[0029] The drum-shaped connector 1 according to the invention has a connector hub 2, which in the embodiment includes two first connector sections K1.1 and K1.2 on its outer circumferential surface, wherein these first connector sections K1.1 and K1.2 are constructed in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hub in a mirror-symmetrical manner. Here, the mirror plane may be located at the longitudinal center of the connector hub 2.

[0030] The first connector sections K1.1 and K1.2 include circumferentially successive receiving recesses 22.1 and 22.2, each receiving recess having external teeth 23.1 and 23.2 that define the receiving recesses. For the connector hub 2 to connect with the connector housing 4, the latter has a single second connector section K2 extending axially in the same direction as the first connector section of the hub. This second connector section is constructed and configured to cooperate with one of the two first connector sections K1.1 and K1.2 of the connector hub 2.

[0031] The connector housing 4 has circumferentially successive receiving recesses 42 on its inner surface, which are separated by corresponding internal teeth 43 of the connector housing 4. Figure 2 As can be seen, in order to create an action connection or force transmission between the connector hub 2 and the connector housing 4, drum-shaped rollers 6 are arranged on the pitch circle (Teilkreis), and these drum-shaped rollers are disposed in rows of receiving recesses 22.2 and 42. Here, the receiving recesses 22.2 on the connector hub 2 are constructed on the external tooth portion 23.2, while the receiving recesses 42 on the connector housing 4 are constructed on the internal tooth portion 43. For clarity, in Figure 2 Some drum-shaped rollers were removed.

[0032] As previously stated, in the arrangement shown in the figure of the drum-shaped connector 1 according to the invention, by aligning the hub 2 and the housing 4 accordingly and introducing the drum-shaped roller 6, the first connector section K1.2 of the connector hub 2 and the second connector section K2 of the connector housing 4 are connected in action, such that the drum-shaped roller is fitted into the receiving recess 22.2 of the connector hub 2 and the receiving recess 42 of the connector housing 4.

[0033] The drum-shaped connector 1 according to the invention is configured such that, by rotating the connector hub 2 about a rotation axis extending perpendicularly to the axis of the connector 1, another first connector section K1.1 of the connector hub 2 is arranged to create an operative connection with the second connector section K2 of the connector housing 4 via the arrangement of the drum-shaped rollers 6 in the arranged receiving recesses 22.1, 42.

[0034] To axially secure the drum-shaped roller 6 on the connector hub 2, a pressure ring 7 and a safety ring 8 are provided. The safety ring can be constructed as a thin-plate safety ring. On the transmission mechanism side, the outer cover 9 can be configured as a closure. In the assembled state, the outer cover abuts against the transmission mechanism side end face of the connector housing 4 and can be fastened to this end face by means of a threaded connection.

[0035] An O-ring (not shown) can be provided as a seal between the connector hub 2 and the connector housing 4 on the cable drum side. In the drum-shaped connector 1 according to the invention... Figure 2 In the assembled state of the components shown, the pressure ring 7 is engaged in the corresponding groove 24.1 or 24.2 of the connector hub 2, depending on which of the two first connection sections K1.1 and K1.2 establishes an active connection with the connector housing 4.

[0036] The configuration of the drum-shaped connector 1 according to the invention enables resource-efficient maintenance of the drum-shaped connector 1, since at least the connector hub 2 can be used twice in the described embodiment and, depending on wear, only the connector housing 4, together with the drum-shaped roller 6, and if necessary, the seal and pressure ring 7, need to be replaced, so that at least the largest component of the drum-shaped connector 1 can be reused.

[0037] List of reference numerals 1. Cable reel hinge connection device, drum-shaped connector 2. Transmission mechanism side hinge, connector hub 4. Cable reel side hinge, connector housing 6. Drum-shaped rollers 7. Pressure ring 8 Safety ring 9. Outer cover 10 Double-lip seal 20 Wheel hub housing 21 spline slots 22.1 Accommodating recessed portion 22.2 Accommodating Recesses 23.1 External teeth 23.2 External teeth 24.1 slot 24.2 slot 40 Connecting flange 41 Threaded hole 42 Accommodating recessed portion 43 Internal teeth K1.1 First Connector Section K1.2 First Connector Section K2 Second Connector Section

Claims

1. A cable drum hinge connection device (1) for a lifting mechanism, wherein a cable drum is connected to a drive mechanism of a driver via the cable drum hinge connection device (1), the cable drum hinge connection device having a drive mechanism side hinge (2) including a first connector section (K1.1, K1.2) and a cable drum side hinge (4) including a second connector section (K2), wherein, In the mounting position of the hinges (2, 4), the first and second connector sections (K1.1, K1.2, K2) are constructed and arranged to provide an operative connection between the hinges (2, 4) to transmit radial force and torque. The characteristic feature is that the transmission mechanism side hinge (2) has a plurality of first connector sections (K1.1, K1.2) spaced apart with respect to the axis, which can be positioned to operatively connect the first and second hinges (2, 4) by means of relative arrangement variations of the transmission mechanism side hinge and the cable reel side hinge (2, 4) relative to each other.

2. The cable reel hinge connection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of first connector sections (K1.1, K1.2) of the transmission mechanism side hinge (2) are configured to work together with the second connector section (K2) of the cable drum side hinge (4) to produce the same functional connection with substantially the same torque transmission and radial force transmission.

3. The cable reel hinge connection device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The transmission mechanism side hinge (2) has a plurality of first connector sections (K1.1, K1.2) spaced apart axially on its outer peripheral surface, and the cable drum side hinge (4) includes a receiving portion having an inner peripheral surface for configuring the second connector section (K2).

4. The cable reel hinge connection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The transmission mechanism side hinge (2) has two first connector sections (K1.1, K1.2) spaced apart in the axial direction, the first connector sections being arranged on opposite axial end sections of the transmission mechanism side hinge (2).

5. The cable reel hinge connection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The transmission mechanism side hinge (2) is constructed in a plane perpendicular to the axis in a mirror-symmetric manner.

6. The cable reel hinge connection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, In order to provide an action connection between the transmission mechanism side hinge (2) and the cable drum side hinge (4), a force transmission element, especially a force transmission element in the form of a drum roller (6), is arranged between a first connector section (K1.1, K1.2) of the transmission mechanism side hinge (2) and a second connector section (K2) of the cable drum side hinge (4).

7. The cable reel hinge connection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, In order to provide the functional connection between the transmission mechanism side hinge (2) and the cable drum side hinge (4), one of the hinges (2, 4) has a drum-shaped round tooth portion integrally constructed thereon, and the other of the hinges (2, 4) has a drum-shaped round tooth portion receiving portion constructed in a complementary manner.

8. The cable reel hinge connection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The transmission mechanism side hinge (2) is constructed as a hub, and the cable drum side hinge (4) is constructed as a housing that accommodates the hub.

9. The cable reel hinge connection device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The hub is constructed as a hollow hub to accommodate the output shaft of the transmission mechanism. The hollow hub has internal teeth to provide a shaft-hub connection with the output shaft of the transmission mechanism, which has external teeth, in the form of splined teeth (interlocking teeth).

10. The cable reel hinge connection device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The hub is a hollow cylindrical hub used to accommodate the output shaft of the transmission mechanism, and has slots on its longitudinal extension.

11. A transmission mechanism side hinge (2) of a connector for use in a cable drum hinge connection device (1) for a lifting mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the cable drum is connected to the transmission mechanism of a driver via the cable drum hinge connection device (1).

12. A method for maintaining a cable reel hinge connection device (1), said cable reel hinge connection device being constructed according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and wherein the operative connection between a first connector section (K1.1, K1.2) of the first connector section of the transmission mechanism side hinge (2) and a second connector section (K2) of the cable reel side hinge (4) has a predetermined wear, said method comprising the following steps: - Disengage the worn action connection between the first connector section (K1.1, K1.2) of the transmission mechanism side hinge (2) and the second connector section (K2) of the cable drum side hinge (4); - Replace the cable reel side hinge (4) with the cable reel side hinge (4) having the unworn second connector section (K2). - An active connection is established between the cable reel-side hinge (4) having an unworn second connector section (K2) and the transmission mechanism-side hinge (2) having a worn first connector section (K1.1, K1.2), such that an active connection is established between the second connector section (K2) of the cable reel-side hinge (4) and the unworn first connector section (K1.1, K1.2) of the transmission mechanism-side hinge (2).

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, In order to maintain the cable reel hinge connection device (1), the force transmission element arranged between the first and second connector sections (K1.1, K1.2, K2) is also replaced, especially the force transmission element in the form of a drum roller (6).

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