Guide frame and overhead crane

Abstract

This utility model discloses a guide frame and an overhead crane. The guide frame, used in an overhead crane, includes a housing, at least one first rolling element, and at least one second rolling element. The housing is fitted onto a boom of the overhead crane. The first rolling element is disposed within a first side wall of the housing. The second rolling element is disposed within a second side wall opposite to the first side wall. The at least one first rolling element and the at least one second rolling element are used to guide an object held by the boom to move along a direction of gravity or in the opposite direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a guide frame and an overhead crane. Background Technology

[0002] With the advancement of technology, servers currently dissipate heat by immersing themselves in coolant within a tank. Moving servers into or out of this tank requires a crane for hoisting. However, the crane's operation can cause servers to sway and potentially damage them. Therefore, researchers in this field are working to solve these problems. Utility Model Content

[0003] Therefore, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a guide frame and an overhead crane that can prevent the server from shaking during the process of the overhead crane suspending the server.

[0004] This utility model provides a guide frame for an overhead crane, comprising a housing, at least one first rolling element, and at least one second rolling element. The housing is fitted onto a boom of the overhead crane. The first rolling element is disposed within a first side wall of the housing. The second rolling element is disposed within a second side wall opposite the first side wall. The at least one first rolling element and the at least one second rolling element are used to guide an object held by the boom to move along a direction of gravity or in the opposite direction.

[0005] In one example of this utility model, at least one first rolling element and the at least one second rolling element are rollers or universal rollers.

[0006] In one example of this utility model, the guide frame further includes at least one positioning post disposed at the bottom of at least one of the first side wall and the second side wall, and is used to position the guide frame in a container for receiving the object, wherein the container forms at least one positioning hole, corresponding to the at least one positioning post.

[0007] In one example of this utility model, the overhead crane includes a bracket connected to the boom, and two grippers respectively disposed on opposite sides of the bracket for gripping the object.

[0008] In one example of this utility model, the object includes two hooks, each forming a lock hole in the shape of a gourd, and is used to be held by the two grippers.

[0009] In one example of this utility model, the overhead crane further includes two balancers, which are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the bracket and used to balance the object, wherein the two grippers are located between the two balancers.

[0010] In one example of this utility model, each of the two balancers includes an actuator disposed on the bracket, a movable member movably disposed on the actuator, at least one positioning pin disposed on the movable member for inserting the object, and at least one cushion disposed on the movable member for abutting against the object.

[0011] In one example of this invention, the guide frame further includes at least one position sensor disposed outside at least one of the first sidewall and the second sidewall, for sensing the container holding the object.

[0012] In one example of this utility model, the object is a server, and the container holding the object is an immersion cooling tank.

[0013] This utility model also provides an overhead crane for suspending an object, comprising a lifting arm, a container, and the aforementioned guide frame. The container is used to hold the object. The guide frame is fitted onto the lifting arm. When the lifting arm clamps the object to place it into or remove it from the container, the guide frame guides the object to move along a direction of gravity.

[0014] The advantages of this utility model are that the guide frame and the overhead crane have at least the following features: (1) by fitting the shell of the guide frame onto the boom of the overhead crane, the boom can be prevented from shaking the object during the hanging process, so as to ensure the normal function of the object; (2) by configuring the balancer, the object can be stabilized during the gripping process of the claw, so as to further prevent the object from shaking; and (3) the large diameter of the gourd-shaped lock hole provides a larger clamping range and can improve the clamping success rate, and the small diameter of the lock hole can limit the movement range of the object to reduce shaking and improve stability.

[0015] The above description of the present utility model and the following description of the embodiments are used to demonstrate and explain the principles of the present utility model, and to provide a further explanation of the scope of the patent application of the present utility model. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the overhead crane according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a partially exploded view of the overhead crane according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a partially enlarged view of the overhead crane according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0019] Figures 4 to 7 This is a schematic diagram of the operation process of the overhead crane according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Symbol explanation:

[0021] 10: Overhead Crane

[0022] 20:Object

[0023] 21: Hook

[0024] 100: Container

[0025] 110: Positioning hole

[0026] 200: Hanging arm

[0027] 300: Guide frame

[0028] 310: Casing

[0029] 311: First side wall

[0030] 312: Second side wall

[0031] 320: First rolling element

[0032] 330: Second rolling element

[0033] 340: Positioning Post

[0034] 350: Position sensor

[0035] 400: Bracket

[0036] 500: Gripper

[0037] 600: Balancer

[0038] 610: Actuator

[0039] 620: Event Items

[0040] 630: Positioning pin

[0041] 640: Cushion

[0042] G: Direction of gravity

[0043] G': Opposite direction

[0044] H1: Keyhole

[0045] H2: Socket Detailed Implementation

[0046] Figure 1A perspective view of an overhead crane 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The overhead crane 10 is used to suspend an object 20, wherein the object 20 may be an electronic device, such as a server. The overhead crane 10 includes a container 100, a lifting arm 200, and a guide frame 300. In some embodiments, the container 100 may be an immersion cooling tank. The container 100 is used to contain the object 20, and the object 20 may be immersed in coolant (not shown) stored in the container 100. The lifting arm 200 may be connected to a gantry (not shown) and may be translatable above the container 100 via the gantry. The lifting arm 200 is used to grip the object 20 and may move up and down to place or remove the object 20 into or out of the container 100.

[0047] Figure 2 A partially exploded view of the overhead crane 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The guide frame 300 includes a housing 310, at least one first rolling element 320, and at least one second rolling element 330. The housing 310 is sleeved on the boom 200. The first rolling element 320 and the second rolling element 330 are respectively disposed within the first side wall 311 and the second side wall 312 opposite to each other of the housing 310. The first rolling element 320 and the second rolling element 330 are used to guide the object 20 held by the boom 200 to move along a direction of gravity G or its opposite direction G'.

[0048] In some embodiments, the first rolling element 320 and the second rolling element 330 may be rollers or omnidirectional rollers. In some embodiments, the guide frame 300 may include a plurality of first rolling elements 320 and a plurality of second rolling elements 330. The first rollers are arranged along the gravity direction G on the first sidewall 311, while the second rollers are arranged along the gravity direction G on the second sidewall 312.

[0049] In some embodiments, the guide frame 300 may include at least one positioning post 340, and the container 100 may form at least one positioning hole 110. The positioning post 340 is disposed at the bottom of at least one of the first sidewall 311 and the second sidewall 312. The positioning hole 110 of the container 100 corresponds to the positioning post 340. In some embodiments, the guide frame 300 may include two positioning posts 340, which are respectively disposed at the bottom of the first sidewall 311 and the second sidewall 312. Furthermore, the container 100 may form two positioning holes 110, which correspond to the two positioning posts 340 respectively.

[0050] In some embodiments, the guide frame 300 may include at least one position sensor 350. The position sensor 350 is disposed outside at least one of the first sidewall 311 and the second sidewall 312 of the guide frame 300 and is used to sense the container 100. For example, the position sensor 350 is an optical sensor, and the container 100 has a pattern (not shown). By sensing the pattern on the container 100 via the position sensor 350, it can be determined that the guide frame 300 is substantially aligned with the container 100.

[0051] In some embodiments, the guide frame 300 may include two position sensors 350, which are respectively disposed outside the first sidewall 311 and the second sidewall 312. By sensing two patterns on the container 100 through the two position sensors 350, it can be determined that the guide frame 300 is aligned with the container 100, so that the two positioning posts 340 can be smoothly inserted into the two positioning holes 110.

[0052] In some embodiments, the overhead crane 10 may include a bracket 400 and two grippers 500. The bracket 400 is connected to the boom 200. The two grippers 500 are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the bracket 400 and are used to grip an object 20. In some embodiments, the object 20 includes two hooks 21, each hook 21 forming a lock hole H1 with a gourd shape. Specifically, the upper half of the lock hole H1 has a small diameter, and the lower half has a large diameter. During the vertical extraction of the object 20, the boom 200 moves the grippers 500 downward to the horizontal level of the lock hole H1, the grippers 500 pass through the large diameter of the lock hole H1 and retract, and then the boom 200 moves the grippers 500 upward. It is worth noting that the large diameter of the lock hole H1 provides a larger gripping range, thereby improving the gripping success rate; that is, it avoids the grippers 500 from gripping the hooks 21 or the outer area of ​​the hooks 21. Under the influence of gravity, the object 20 falls, causing the gripper 500 to abut against the small diameter of the keyhole H1. This limits the movement range of the object 20, reducing swaying and improving stability. Therefore, the gourd-shaped keyhole H1 simultaneously achieves both high clamping success rate and high stability.

[0053] In some embodiments, the overhead crane 10 may include two balancers 600. The two balancers 600 are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the bracket 400 and are used to balance the object 20. Two grippers 500 are located between the two balancers 600. It is worth noting that during the horizontal movement of the object 20, because the two balancers 600 abut against the upper surface of the object 20, the amplitude of the object 20's lateral sway can be reduced and stability improved.

[0054] Figure 3A partially enlarged view of an overhead crane 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In some embodiments, each of the balancers 600 may include an actuator 610, a movable member 620, at least one locating pin 630, and at least one cushion 640. In one of the balancers 600, the actuator 610 is disposed on the bracket 400; in some embodiments, the actuator 610 may be an electric actuator or a pneumatic cylinder. The movable member 620 is movably disposed on the actuator 610. Specifically, the actuator 610 has a piston rod capable of extending and retracting, and the movable member 620 is fixed to the piston rod, so the movable member 620 and the piston rod can move together. The locating pin 630 is disposed on the movable member 620 and is used to insert into the insertion hole H2 of the object 20 (e.g., Figure 2 (As shown). A cushion 640 is disposed on the movable member 620 and is used to abut against the object 20. In some embodiments, the balancer 600 may include two positioning pins 630 and two cushions 640, wherein the two positioning pins 630 are located between the two cushions 640. During the process of the gripper 500 gripping the object 20, the actuator 610 drives the movable member 620 via the piston rod, thereby causing the positioning pins 630 and the cushions 640 to move together toward the object 20 until the actuator 610 has completed the predetermined extension movement. At this time, the positioning pins 630 have been inserted into the socket H2 and the cushions 640 have abutted against the object 20. It is worth noting that the positioning pins 630 must be inserted into the socket H2 before gripping, so the positioning pins 630 and the socket H2 can assist the gripper 500 in aligning with the hook 21 of the object 20.

[0055] Figures 4 to 6 The operation process of the overhead crane 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 4 As shown, when an object 20 is to be removed from container 100, the gantry crane first moves the hanging arm 200 together with the guide frame 300 above container 100. The position sensor 350 senses the pattern on container 100 to determine that the guide frame 300 is approximately aligned with container 100. Then, the hanging arm 200 and the guide frame 300 descend together, so that the positioning post 340 of the guide frame 300 is inserted into the positioning hole 110 of container 100 to position the guide frame 300 relative to container 100.

[0056] like Figure 5 As shown, the hanging arm 200 descends relative to the guide frame 300, causing the positioning pin 630 of the balancer 600 to insert into the insertion hole H2 of the object 20, and the cushion 640 abuts against the object 20. Then, the two grippers 500 respectively clamp the two hooks 21 of the object 20.

[0057] like Figure 6As shown, the hanging arm 200 rises relative to the guide frame 300, so that the object 20 held by the hanging arm 200 through the gripper 500 enters the housing 310 of the guide frame 300, and the first rolling element 320 and the second rolling element 330 guide the object 20 to move in the opposite direction G' of the gravity direction G.

[0058] like Figure 7 As shown, after the object 20 is completely removed from the container 100 and placed into the housing 310, the lifting arm 200 and the guide frame 300 move upward together, causing the positioning post 340 of the guide frame 300 to disengage from the positioning hole 110 of the container 100. At this time, the lifting arm 200 and the guide frame 300 can move in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity G to move the object 20 held by the gripper 500 of the lifting arm 200 to another location (such as a trolley).

[0059] Conversely, when it is necessary to put the object 20 into the container 100, the above steps can be reversed to put the object 20 into the container 100.

[0060] In summary, the guide frame and overhead crane of this utility model have the following features: (1) By fitting the shell of the guide frame onto the boom of the overhead crane, the boom can be prevented from shaking the object during the hanging process, thus ensuring the normal function of the object; (2) By configuring the balancer, the object can be stabilized during the gripping process, further preventing the object from shaking; and (3) The large diameter of the gourd-shaped locking hole provides a larger clamping range, thereby improving the clamping success rate, and the small diameter of the locking hole can limit the movement range of the object to reduce shaking and improve stability.

Claims

1. A guide frame, characterized in that, This guide frame is used for overhead cranes and includes: The housing is fitted onto the boom of the overhead crane; At least one first rolling element is disposed within the first sidewall of the housing; and At least one second rolling element is disposed within a second sidewall opposite to the first sidewall; The at least one first rolling element and the at least one second rolling element are used to guide the object held by the hanging arm to move along the direction of gravity or in the opposite direction.

2. The guide frame as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The at least one first rolling element and the at least one second rolling element are rollers or universal rollers.

3. The guide frame as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The guide frame also includes: At least one positioning post is disposed at the bottom of at least one of the first side wall and the second side wall, and is used to position the guide frame in a container for receiving the object; The container forms at least one positioning hole, which corresponds to the at least one positioning post.

4. The guide frame as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The overhead crane includes: Bracket, connecting the lifting arm; and Two grippers are respectively located on opposite sides of the bracket and are used to grip the object.

5. The guide frame as described in claim 4, characterized in that, This object contains: The two hooks each form a lock hole in the shape of a gourd, and are used to be held by the two grippers.

6. The guide frame as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The overhead crane also includes: Two balancers are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the bracket and are used to balance the object, wherein the two grippers are located between the two balancers.

7. The guide frame as described in claim 6, characterized in that, Each of the two balancers comprises: The actuator is mounted on the bracket; A movable component is movably disposed in the actuator; At least one locating pin is provided on the movable part for inserting the object; as well as At least one cushion is provided on the movable part to support the object.

8. The guide frame as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The guide frame also includes: At least one position sensor is disposed on the exterior of at least one of the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and is used to sense the container holding the object.

9. The guide frame as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The object is a server, and the container holding the object is an immersion cooling tank.

10. An overhead crane, characterized in that, This overhead crane is used to lift objects, including: Hanging arm; A container for holding the object; and The guide frame as described in claim 1 is sleeved on the hanging arm; When the hanging arm clamps the object to place it into or remove it from the container, the guide frame guides the object to move along the direction of gravity.

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