Cable winding and length measuring assembly for crane equipment

Abstract

The utility model discloses a cable winding and length measuring assembly for crane equipment, which belongs to the technical field of crane equipment and comprises a fixed spindle and a cable drum component mounted on the fixed spindle, a cable of the cable drum component is wound by taking the fixed spindle as a shaft and is provided with a cable coil spring for winding the cable, and the cable coil spring is arranged on the fixed spindle. The length measuring device is characterized by comprising a length measuring sensor assembly which is installed on the fixed main shaft and provided with a length measuring stay wire and a length measuring sensor used for obtaining the tensile length of the length measuring stay wire. The length measuring stay wire is wound with the fixed main shaft as the axis, and the length measuring sensor assembly is provided with a stay wire coil spring used for winding the length measuring stay wire. According to the cable winding length measurement assembly, through a series of technical improvements such as optimization of structural layout, adoption of independent driving design, improvement of measurement precision, enhancement of signal transmission stability and the like, multiple advantages of high-precision measurement, saving of installation space, prolonging of service life, reduction of system cost and the like are realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of lifting equipment technology, and in particular relates to a cable winding and length measuring assembly for crane equipment. Background Technology

[0002] When a crane boom extends or retracts, the cable reel needs to provide the necessary power and control signals to the sensors and other electrical control components. It also needs to measure the extension and retraction length of the hydraulic cylinder and transmit the measurement data to the crane controller to assist in position determination and calculation of lifting characteristics. Since the cable reel and length measuring sensor must be installed inside the boom, which also houses other functional components, installation space is limited, and the routing of the cables and sensor wires must be strictly controlled to ensure a reasonable system layout and reliable operation. Currently, various crane cable reel length measurement solutions exist on the market, but all have certain limitations and defects.

[0003] The traditional solution involves installing the cable reel and length measuring sensor as two separate devices inside the crane boom. While this approach meets basic functional requirements, the independent operation of the cable reel and length measuring sensor necessitates significant installation space, which is extremely limited given the numerous functional components typically housed within the crane boom. Furthermore, the use of two separate devices increases the overall system's manufacturing and installation costs, resulting in a higher total cost. Consequently, this solution has gradually been replaced by more compact integrated solutions in practical applications.

[0004] The most common solution on the market is to cut spiral grooves on the surface of the cable reel and use a fixed-diameter cable that matches the spiral grooves, allowing the cable to be wound in a single layer within the spiral grooves on the reel surface. When the telescopic cylinder actuates, the cable extends and retracts synchronously, driving the cable reel to rotate. The rotation angle of the cable reel is recorded by a sliding potentiometer or encoder, thereby calculating the cable's extended length: L = π * D * θ / 360, where L is the measured length, D is the outer diameter of the cable reel, and θ is the rotation angle of the cable reel. However, this solution has several drawbacks. First, the cable diameter needs to match the size of the spiral grooves on the reel, resulting in a basically fixed cable diameter, lacking flexibility, and limiting its applicability. Second, the cable itself has a certain weight, and a sag effect is inevitable during the extension process. Furthermore, the degree of sag varies depending on the boom angle of the crane, leading to an error between the calculated extended length and the actual extension length of the telescopic cylinder. In addition, in order to ensure that the cable enters the spiral groove accurately, the solution uses guide rollers to compress the cable. However, after long-term use, the outer sheath of the cable may separate from the internal conductive copper wires, and the cable will be squeezed and deformed, eventually becoming a consumable part, affecting its service life and measurement accuracy.

[0005] Another patented solution uses a combination of a magnetic guide pulley and a magnetic linear displacement sensor. The basic principle is to wind the cable around the guide pulley once, allowing it to slide along a pitch on a guide rod. The linear displacement sensor measures the pulley's displacement to calculate the cable's elongation. However, this solution also has significant drawbacks. First, the pulley's rotation relies on friction between the cable and the pulley, but sliding friction can cause the pulley to not rotate synchronously, resulting in measurement errors. Second, the cable itself has a "minimum bending radius" limitation. If the guide pulley diameter is too small, the cable cannot bend properly, potentially severely impacting its lifespan. Therefore, the guide pulley diameter must be large, further increasing the installation space requirements and making it difficult to arrange in confined spaces. Furthermore, prolonged friction and compression of the cable on the guide pulley can cause the sheath to separate from the internal conductor, affecting measurement accuracy and making the cable a consumable part. Meanwhile, this scheme assumes that the cable's movement on the guide pulley and drum is completely synchronized. However, in practical applications, cables of different diameters require guide rods with different pitches or guide pulleys of different diameters; otherwise, oblique stretching will occur, affecting measurement accuracy and thus limiting the applicability of the scheme. Most importantly, this scheme has a complex structure and high manufacturing cost, making it almost impractical in situations where installation space is limited.

[0006] In summary, existing solutions for measuring the length of crane cable reels all have certain limitations. Traditional independent installation methods occupy a large space and are costly; the spiral grooving method is limited by the cable diameter, resulting in significant measurement errors and severe cable loss; the magnetic guide pulley method suffers from friction errors, large space requirements, and easy cable damage, and is also expensive. To meet the strictly limited space requirements inside the crane boom while improving measurement accuracy and system reliability, a better technical solution is still needed to replace the existing design. Utility Model Content

[0007] To address the limitations of existing crane cable reel length measurement solutions in terms of space occupation, measurement accuracy, cable loss, and applicability, which make it difficult to achieve high-precision, low-loss, reliable, and durable length measurement functions within limited installation space, this utility model provides a cable reel length measurement assembly for crane equipment.

[0008] This utility model is implemented as follows: a cable winding and length measuring assembly for crane equipment includes a fixed spindle and a cable reel assembly mounted on the fixed spindle. The cable of the cable reel assembly is wound around the fixed spindle and is provided with a cable coil spring for winding the cable. The assembly is characterized by including a length measuring sensor assembly mounted on the fixed spindle. The length measuring sensor assembly is provided with a length measuring wire and a length measuring sensor for obtaining the elongated length of the length measuring wire. The length measuring wire is wound around the fixed spindle and the length measuring sensor assembly is provided with a wire coil spring for winding the length measuring wire.

[0009] In the above technical solution, preferably, the length measuring sensor assembly includes a length measuring winding wheel, which is mounted on the fixed main shaft in a manner that allows it to rotate around the fixed main shaft, and the length measuring wire is wound around the length measuring winding wheel.

[0010] In the above technical solution, preferably, the length measuring sensor assembly includes a drum housing, the drum housing is fixed to the fixed main shaft, the length measuring winding wheel is disposed inside the drum housing, and the free end of the length measuring wire extends out from the outside of the drum housing.

[0011] In the above technical solution, preferably, the length measuring sensor is a rotary encoder installed inside the drum housing, and the input shaft of the rotary encoder is connected to the rotating shaft of the length measuring winding wheel.

[0012] In the above technical solution, preferably, the shaft of the measuring winding wheel is connected to the drive shaft via a spline, and the drive shaft is connected to the input shaft of the rotary encoder.

[0013] In the above technical solution, preferably, the pull wire spring is wound and installed on the drive shaft, one end of the pull wire spring is connected to the drive shaft, and the other end of the pull wire spring is connected to the drum housing.

[0014] In the above technical solution, preferably, the cable reel assembly includes a reel body, the reel body is rotatable around the fixed main shaft, and the cable of the cable reel assembly is wound around the reel body.

[0015] In the above technical solution, preferably, the cable reel assembly includes a spring cover, the spring cover forming an annular shell connected to the reel body, and the inner side of the spring cover forming a cavity for accommodating the cable coil spring.

[0016] In the above technical solution, preferably, a conductive slip ring is installed between the drum body and the fixed spindle.

[0017] This utility model provides a cable winding and length measuring assembly for crane equipment. By optimizing the structural design, a length measuring sensor assembly is integrated into the cable reel assembly, achieving a more compact structural installation method. At the same time, it improves measurement accuracy, enhances applicability, and effectively reduces costs, making it suitable for applications with limited space and high measurement accuracy requirements, such as crane boom telescopic systems.

[0018] This invention employs a compact structural design, sharing a common mounting shaft for both the cable reel assembly and the length measuring sensor assembly. This avoids the extra space required for separate installations in traditional solutions, making it particularly suitable for environments with limited installation space, such as inside crane booms. This integrated design not only optimizes equipment layout but also simplifies the installation process and improves equipment adaptability, enabling flexible application to different types of cranes or other mechanical equipment.

[0019] This invention uses a length-measuring wire as the drawing medium for the length-measuring sensor, replacing the traditional method of using cables as the measuring medium. In comparison, the length-measuring wire can be made of lighter, more tensile-resistant steel wire, effectively reducing sag effects, improving measurement accuracy, and avoiding errors caused by cable weight and deformation, thereby improving the reliability of the length-measuring system.

[0020] The cable reel assembly and length measuring sensor assembly of this invention employ independent drive mechanisms, each controlled by a separate coil spring. This design ensures that the two components do not interfere with each other during operation, avoiding the system coupling problems caused by sharing a reel mechanism in traditional solutions, thus improving the stability and reliability of the equipment. Furthermore, since both components utilize an automatic reel design, the equipment can automatically adjust the length of the cable and pull wire during the movement of the telescopic cylinder, eliminating the need for manual intervention and enhancing the level of automation.

[0021] This invention has wider applicability, allowing for the selection of cables with different core counts and diameters according to various application requirements, and matching them with appropriate cable reels for winding, overcoming the problem of application scenarios being limited by the fixed cable diameter in traditional solutions. Furthermore, the structural design of this invention does not rely on specific guide pulleys or special cable shapes, enabling it to flexibly adapt to different equipment and improving the product's versatility.

[0022] The automatic retraction and extension design of this invention allows it to adaptively adjust during the movement of the telescopic cylinder. When the crane's telescopic cylinder extends, the cable on the cable reel and the pull wire of the length measuring sensor are pulled out simultaneously, with their respective spring mechanisms storing energy. When the cylinder retracts, the springs release the energy, automatically retracting the cable and pull wire. This design not only reduces the need for manual operation but also improves the system's response speed, enabling it to adapt to the dynamic changes of the crane in real time and improving overall operational efficiency.

[0023] The overall structural design of this invention optimizes the weight of the equipment, employing lightweight materials and a compact layout, resulting in a more aesthetically pleasing overall design and reduced load on the crane. Furthermore, because the cable of the length measuring sensor is not subjected to external pressure, and the cable does not require mechanical compression devices such as spiral clamping wheels or guide pulleys, it will not suffer sheath damage or conductor breakage due to long-term use. This extends the cable's service life and improves the long-term stability and reliability of the equipment.

[0024] In terms of cost control, this invention reduces the need for separate installation of cable reels and length measuring sensors through integrated design, thereby lowering manufacturing and installation costs. Furthermore, using a pull wire instead of a cable for measurement not only improves measurement accuracy but also reduces cable wear and replacement frequency, resulting in lower overall maintenance costs and greater economic efficiency.

[0025] In summary, this utility model's cable winding and length measuring assembly, through a series of technical improvements such as optimized structural layout, independent drive design, improved measurement accuracy, and enhanced signal transmission stability, achieves multiple advantages including high-precision measurement, space saving, extended service life, and reduced system costs. It can be widely used in various mechanical equipment that requires accurate length measurement and automatic cable winding and unwinding, and is particularly suitable for crane boom telescopic systems, providing the industry with an efficient, reliable, and economical technical solution. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model;

[0027] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Side view;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the cable coil spring in this utility model;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the measuring winding wheel in this utility model;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the pull wire coil spring in this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0031] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this utility model.

[0032] To address the shortcomings of existing crane cable reel length measurement solutions in terms of space occupation, measurement accuracy, cable loss, and applicability, this utility model provides a cable winding and length measurement assembly for crane equipment. To further illustrate the structure of this utility model, a detailed description is provided below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

[0033] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 A cable winding and length measuring assembly for crane equipment includes a fixed spindle 1 and a cable reel assembly mounted on the fixed spindle.

[0034] The fixed spindle forms the foundation of the entire assembly. Its end is connected to the crane's fixed bracket via fasteners, ensuring the spindle remains stable during operation. The fixed spindle is typically made of high-strength alloy steel to meet load-bearing requirements and undergoes anti-corrosion treatment to improve durability. In this embodiment, the end of the fixed spindle is further defined as a mounting body 2, a disc-type structure, which is fixed to the crane's fixed bracket via fasteners. The disc-type mounting body is fixed to the shaft end of the fixed spindle, which can be achieved through integral machining.

[0035] The cable spool assembly winds the cable 3 around a fixed spindle and includes a cable coil spring 4 for winding the cable. (See also...) Figure 3 Specifically, the cable reel assembly includes a reel body 5, which can rotate around a fixed main shaft. The cable of the cable reel assembly is wound around the reel body. In this embodiment, a bearing housing is mounted on the fixed main shaft. The bearing housing is a bearing, and the inner sleeve of the bearing is fitted onto the fixed main shaft. The reel body is fitted onto the outer sleeve of the bearing to achieve the rotational installation of the reel body. The cable reel assembly includes a spring cover 6, which is connected to the side baffle of the reel body to form a closed annular shell. The inner side of the spring cover forms a cavity for setting the cable coil spring. The reel body is used for winding and releasing the cable. The reel body guides the cable to wind in an orderly manner, avoiding cable tangling or uneven stress. The rotation of the reel body is driven by the cable tension and the coil spring provides the rewinding force. The spring cover provides protection and sealing, preventing the external environment from affecting the elastic performance of the coil spring, and reducing the corrosion of the coil spring by dust, moisture, etc. The cable coil spring provides the restoring force for cable winding, enabling the cable to automatically rewind after release.

[0036] To enable electrical signal transmission in the cable, a conductive slip ring 7 is installed between the cable reel body and the fixed spindle. The conductive slip ring includes a fixed ring and a rotating brush assembly. The fixed ring is mounted on the fixed spindle, and the rotating brush assembly rotates synchronously with the cable reel body. This conductive slip ring maintains a stable electrical connection during the reel's rotation. Input and output signals are transmitted using the conductive slip ring. In terms of signal transmission, the cable reel of this invention employs a conductive slip ring device, which can maintain stable transmission of multiple signals during rotation, ensuring reliable power and signal connections for sensors and other electrical control equipment.

[0037] It includes a length measuring sensor assembly, which is mounted on a fixed spindle. The length measuring sensor assembly is equipped with a length measuring wire 8 and a length measuring sensor 9 for obtaining the stretched length of the length measuring wire. The length measuring wire is wound around the fixed spindle, and the length measuring sensor assembly is equipped with a wire coil spring 13 for winding the length measuring wire.

[0038] Please see Figure 4 and Figure 5 Specifically, the length measuring sensor assembly includes a length measuring winding wheel 10, which is mounted on a fixed main shaft and rotates around it. The length measuring wire is wound around the winding wheel. The assembly also includes a drum housing 11, which is fixed to the fixed main shaft. The winding wheel is located inside the drum housing, and the free end of the length measuring wire extends from the outside of the drum housing. The length measuring sensor is a rotary encoder installed inside the drum housing, and the input shaft of the rotary encoder is connected to the shaft of the winding wheel. The central part of the winding wheel is connected to a drive shaft 12 via a spline, and the drive shaft is connected to the input shaft of the rotary encoder. A wire coil spring is wound and mounted on the drive shaft, with one end connected to the drive shaft and the other end connected to the drum housing.

[0039] The length-measuring winding wheel rotates around a fixed main shaft and is used to wind the length-measuring cable. One end of the length-measuring cable is fixed to the winding wheel, and the other end extends from the outside of the drum housing through a guide hole, moving synchronously with the cable. The length-measuring sensor assembly uses a rotary encoder as the length-measuring device. This rotary encoder is installed inside the drum housing and connected to the shaft of the winding wheel via a drive shaft. The input shaft of the rotary encoder is connected to the drive shaft, ensuring that the rotation of the winding wheel is accurately transmitted to the encoder, achieving high-precision length measurement. A cable spring is mounted on the drive shaft and provides restoring force for the length-measuring cable. One end of the cable spring is fixed to the drive shaft, and the other end is fixed to the drum housing, ensuring that the length-measuring cable can automatically rewind when slack, guaranteeing measurement accuracy and the stability of the cable tension.

[0040] When the cable reel assembly is in operation, the cable is pulled out or retrieved as the crane moves. During cable release, the reel rotates around a fixed spindle. A cable spring generates a restoring force, allowing the cable to automatically rewind after release. The length measuring sensor assembly simultaneously releases and retracts the measuring cable, driving the measuring winding wheel to rotate. A rotary encoder converts the rotational displacement of the measuring winding wheel into an electrical signal, which is transmitted to the control system to achieve real-time measurement of the cable release length. The cable spring ensures that the measuring cable maintains appropriate tension at all times.

[0041] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A cable take-up measuring assembly for a crane rig comprising a stationary main shaft and a cable drum assembly mounted to the stationary main shaft, the cable of the cable drum assembly being wound about the stationary main shaft and provided with a cable take-up spring for take-up of the cable, characterized in that: The length measuring sensor assembly is installed on the fixed spindle, and is provided with a length measuring pull wire and a length measuring sensor for obtaining the length of the length measuring pull wire, and the length measuring pull wire is wound around the fixed spindle, and the length measuring sensor assembly is provided with a pull wire spring for winding the length measuring pull wire.

2. A cable take-up measuring assembly for a crane rig according to claim 1, characterized in that: The length measuring sensor assembly comprises a length measuring winding wheel which is installed on the fixed spindle in a manner of rotating around the fixed spindle, and the length measuring pull wire is wound around the length measuring winding wheel.

3. A cable take-up measuring assembly for a crane rig according to claim 2, characterized in that: The length measuring sensor assembly comprises a winding drum shell which is fixed on the fixed spindle, and the length measuring winding wheel is arranged inside the winding drum shell, and the free end of the length measuring pull wire extends from the outside of the winding drum shell.

4. A cable take-up measuring assembly for a crane rig according to claim 3, characterized in that: The length measuring sensor is a rotary encoder which is installed inside the winding drum shell, and the input shaft of the rotary encoder is connected with the rotating shaft of the length measuring winding wheel.

5. A cable take-up measuring assembly for a crane rig according to claim 4, characterized in that: The shaft center of the length measuring winding wheel is connected with a transmission shaft through a spline, and the transmission shaft is connected with the input shaft of the rotary encoder.

6. A cable take-up measuring assembly for a crane rig according to claim 5, characterized in that: The pull wire spring is installed around the transmission shaft, one end of the pull wire spring is connected with the transmission shaft, and the other end of the pull wire spring is connected with the winding drum shell.

7. A cable take-up measuring assembly for a crane rig as defined in claim 1, wherein: The cable drum assembly comprises a winding drum barrel which can rotate around the fixed spindle, and the cable of the cable drum assembly is wound around the winding drum barrel.

8. A cable take-up measuring assembly for a crane rig according to claim 7, characterized in that: The cable drum assembly comprises a spring cover which forms an annular shell connected with the winding drum barrel, and the inside of the spring cover forms a cavity for arranging the cable spring.

9. A cable take-up measuring assembly for a crane rig according to claim 8, characterized in that: A conductive slip ring is installed between the winding drum barrel and the fixed spindle.

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