Mobile crane system with vacuum hose lifter

Abstract

Mobile crane system (100) which can be set up and used on a preferably flat or almost flat surface (10), comprising: - a stand (11), - a vertical column (12) with an arm (13) attached thereto, - a lifting mechanism (14) mounted on the arm (13), characterized in that the crane system further comprises: - a vacuum generator (15), - a chamber (21) which can be pressurized with a pressure (P) and which is coupled to the vacuum generator (15) by means of a first hose (33) and in which a negative overpressure (P1) and / or a positive overpressure (P2) can be produced by means of the vacuum generator (15) - and a control system (20), so that the base (11) and thus the mobile crane system (100) as a whole, - can be fixed to the substrate (10) with a holding force (F1) when a negative overpressure (P1) is generated, or - when the positive overpressure (P2) is generated, it can be relieved of pressure with a relief force (F2) relative to the substrate (10) or lifted off the substrate (10).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a mobile crane system with a vacuum hose lifter according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] DE 10 2004 034 136 A1 discloses a mobile crane system in the form of a transportable column-mounted jib crane. The column-mounted jib crane can be set up on a flat or nearly flat, solid surface and can also be moved. The column-mounted jib crane comprises a vertical column with a pivoting jib arm mounted at the upper end of the column, which supports a hoist coupled to the jib arm. The hoist comprises a winch with a suspension cable and a hook attached to the end of the suspension cable for attaching a load to be lifted. A base with horizontally pivoting outriggers is attached to the lower end of the vertical column. The outriggers can be pivoted from a transport position with a small base footprint to a working position with an enlarged base footprint. With the outriggers pivoted into the transport position, the column-mounted jib crane can be moved on specially designed rollers.A disadvantage of this is that a considerable amount of space is required to extend the support legs. Another disadvantage is that transporting the column-mounted jib crane requires considerable force due to its generally high dead weight.

[0003] The object of the invention is therefore to propose a mobile crane system which ensures good stability even with a relatively small footprint and which can also be moved with little effort.

[0004] This object is achieved by a mobile crane system having the features of claim 1.

[0005] The crane system comprises a base, a vertical column with a pivoting arm attached to it and a hoist attached to the arm.

[0006] The crane system also includes a vacuum generator and a pressurizable chamber, which is connected to the vacuum generator via a first hose. Thus, the vacuum generator can create a positive or negative overpressure in the pressurizable chamber, depending on the direction of action. The desired pressure in the chamber can be adjusted and varied using a control system and / or manual operation.

[0007] As a result, the base and thus the mobile crane system as a whole, - can be fixed to the substrate with a holding force when a negative overpressure is generated, or - when overpressure is generated, it can be relieved of pressure with a relief force against the ground or lifted off the ground.

[0008] Definitions: - A base of a crane system with an integrated device for generating negative or positive pressure is hereinafter referred to as a vacuum base. - A base of a crane system without a device for generating negative or positive pressure is hereinafter referred to as a mass base. - A vacuum generator is a device that can generate both a negative overpressure (= vacuum) and a positive overpressure.

[0009] The vacuum base of the crane system according to the invention is thus designed as a suction-pressure device. The vacuum generator can be applied to it with both negative and positive overpressure.

[0010] When negative pressure is generated, the vacuum base adheres to the ground. This significantly increases the stability of the crane system. Compared to a mobile crane with a mass base, the vacuum base according to the invention either achieves significantly greater stability with the same dead weight or requires a significantly lower dead weight for the same stability. Tests have shown that the weight advantage of a vacuum base compared to a mass base can be 50% or more, depending on the design.

[0011] The reduced weight while maintaining stability offers a number of advantages. For example, the lower weight makes handling easier. Furthermore, a mobile crane system with a vacuum base can also be used in locations where stationary installation or the use of a crane system with a mass base is not possible, for example, because the permissible load of a ceiling is too low or there is underfloor heating installed in the subfloor, which could be damaged by a high load acting on the floor.

[0012] In addition, handling a mobile crane system with a vacuum support base is made easier because, when excess pressure is generated in the vacuum support base, the relief force generated by the excess pressure counteracts the holding force exerted by the crane system's own weight. The crane system is thus at least partially relieved by the excess pressure generated beneath the support base and can be lifted and moved to another location with minimal manual effort.

[0013] If the overpressure is increased to such an extent that the relief force generated is greater than the weight force exerted by the crane system, the entire crane system lifts off the ground and, to put it simply, can be moved very easily to another location like an air cushion vehicle.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the lifting mechanism of the crane system comprises a lifting hose with a suction plate coupled to the lifting hose, wherein the lifting hose is coupled to the vacuum generator via a second hose.

[0015] A hoist with a lifting hose is also called a vacuum hose lifter. Vacuum hose lifters typically consist of four main components: - a crane with a slewing or articulated boom, - a lifting hose, - a handle with vacuum control and - one or more suction cups or a lifting traverse.

[0016] In a vacuum hose lifter, a vacuum generator, such as a vacuum pump, generates negative pressure by continuously extracting air. The difference to the ambient pressure ensures that the workpiece to be lifted and the suction gripper are pressed against each other. The resulting volume flow contracts the lifting hose, and the load is lifted.

[0017] If the load needs to be lowered again, the system is ventilated by supplying air from the environment. This releases the previously created vacuum. The lifting hose expands again, and the load is lowered. The lifting height can be precisely controlled by adjusting the ventilation. If the load needs to be set down, the vacuum is completely released by maximum ventilation.

[0018] By using a vacuum hose lifter on a crane system with a vacuum base, the vacuum generator is used for two purposes and thus creates a synergy effect: On the one hand, namely on the vacuum base, the vacuum generator generates the negative overpressure required to increase stability, and on the other hand, namely on the hoist, it generates the negative overpressure required to lift a load.

[0019] In addition, the control system can preferably be designed in such a way that in the event of a malfunction or in the event of the load to be lifted being too heavy, the lifting hose with its load always remains in a safe position on the ground before the tipping stability of the vacuum base decreases due to loss of vacuum under the vacuum base.

[0020] In a further embodiment, the mobile crane system can include a vacuum filter for filtering the air conveyed through the first hose and / or the second or another hose. This reduces the risk of particles sucked in by the suction cup of the hoist and / or the suction cup of the base entering the vacuum generator and damaging it or causing malfunctions.

[0021] In a further embodiment, the base, or the vacuum chamber integrated into the base, can comprise at least two sub-chambers, which can preferably be independently pressurized with negative or positive pressure. The sub-chambers can be arranged adjacent to one another or spaced apart from one another. For example, the sub-chambers can be arranged on the periphery of the base, so that when a load is lifted, a large lever is created between the crane column and a holding point formed by a sub-chamber. This large lever results in a large torque and thus a large holding force for the vacuum base.

[0022] In a further embodiment, the mobile crane system can include a sensor for measuring a current pressure. The sensor can be located in one of the pressure supply hoses and / or in the lifting hose and / or in the suction plate and / or in the chamber of the vacuum base. A pressure gauge can also be provided to display the detected pressure. The sensor thus enables monitoring of the pressure present in the system or in a part of the system.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the sensor triggers an alarm signal and / or transmits a control command to the controller when the pressure drops below a predefined limit. This increases safety.

[0024] Alternatively, or in addition to monitoring the pressure using a sensor, the control system can be provided with a safety device that decouples the vacuum base chamber from the lifting hose in the event of a vacuum generator failure. This safety device can be a check valve, for example. This maintains the negative overpressure (= vacuum) present in the chamber at the time of failure, reducing the risk of a reduction in the holding force.

[0025] Alternatively or additionally, the control system can also be provided with a safety device which, in the event of a vacuum generator failure, allows any excess pressure in the chamber of the vacuum base to drop with a delay. This ensures that a crane system lifted by the generated excess pressure does not sink to the ground suddenly and without braking, but rather with a delay and braking. For example, the safety device can be provided with a pressure accumulator which is connected upstream of the chamber of the vacuum base and is filled by the vacuum generator. In the event of a vacuum generator failure, the excess pressure in the chamber of the vacuum base required to lift the crane system can thus be briefly maintained and / or reduced with a delay by the subsequent application of pressure from the pressure accumulator.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the vacuum base chamber, which can be pressurized with negative or positive pressure, is integrated into a suction-pressure device that can be attached to the base. This suction-pressure device can be dismantled and, in particular, can also be retrofitted. By allowing the mobile crane system to be equipped with either a vacuum base or a mass base as required, a kit system is created to reduce the number of variants. Furthermore, the retrofitting option enables easy retrofitting or conversion of an existing crane system.

[0027] The chamber of the vacuum base can include a means for contour-adapting an outer contour surrounding the chamber to a surface contour formed by the substrate. The contour-adapting means can preferably be a flexible element, such as an elastic rubber seal. A contour-adapting means tailored to the nature of the intended application site can reduce pressure losses caused by leaks between the substrate and the chamber and reduce the energy required to maintain the negative overpressure.

[0028] Preferably, the chamber of the vacuum base has a suction surface whose total area is greater than 0.5 m 2 , preferably larger than 1.4m 2Since the size of the surface area of ​​the pressure level achieved in the vacuum base through negative or positive pressure has a significant influence on stability, a relatively low negative overpressure of -10 kPa to -40 kPa is sufficient to secure the mobile crane system to the ground for the specified surface areas. Furthermore, manageable tipping stability in transport mode, i.e., when the vacuum base is subjected to positive overpressure, is guaranteed if the resulting overpressure is approximately ...... kPa to ...... kPa.

[0029] Further measures improving the invention are presented in more detail below with the description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the figures.

[0030] The figures show: Fig. 1 shows a mobile crane system in a perspective view; Fig. 2 shows a detail B from Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows the mobile crane system according to Fig. 1 in a side view; Fig. 4 shows a sectional view AA of the mobile crane system according to Fig. 3 in a plan view; Fig. 5 shows a detail C from Fig. 3.

[0031] Identical or similar elements may be provided with identical or similar reference numerals in the following figures. Furthermore, the figures of the drawing, their description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that these features can also be considered individually or combined to form further combinations not described in detail here. The invention expressly also extends to embodiments that are not provided by combinations of features from explicit references to the claims, whereby the disclosed features of the invention can be combined with one another in any desired manner, as long as this is technically expedient.

[0032] The embodiments shown in the figures are therefore only descriptive and are not intended to limit the invention in any way.

[0033] Fig. 1 shows a mobile crane system 100 with a column 12 and an arm 13 pivotable about a joint 36. A hoist 14 is attached to a trolley 30 movable on the arm 13. In the illustrated embodiment, the hoist 14 comprises a lifting hose 17 with a sensor 24 integrated therein, a suction plate 18, and a handle 19. A lifting load (not shown) can be sucked in and lifted using the suction plate 18. The lifted load can be moved from a starting position to a target position within the range defined by the travel path of the trolley 30 and a pivot angle provided for the arm 13, and can be set down there by ventilating the lifting hose 17.

[0034] The column 12 has a base 11 fastened to a suction-pressure device 26 with screws 44. The suction-pressure device 26 of the illustrated embodiment is thus removable and retrofittable. It comprises a suction-pressure plate 22 with a chamber 21 integrated therein. The chamber 21 is coupled to a vacuum generator 15 by means of a first hose 33. The vacuum generator 15 is attached to a pedestal 41 attached to the column 12. The vacuum generator 15 can generate a pressure P in the form of a negative overpressure P1 or an overpressure P2.

[0035] The negative or positive pressure P1 / P2 generated by the vacuum generator 15 is passed via a third hose 35 to a vacuum filter 16. The vacuum filter 16 prevents dirt or other particles sucked in by the suction pressure plate 22 or the suction plate 18 from entering the vacuum generator 15 and thus protects the vacuum generator 15 from contamination and / or resulting damage.

[0036] The vacuum filter 16 comprises a T-piece 43 to which the first hose 33 leading to the suction pressure plate 22 and a second hose 34 leading to the lifting hose 17 are coupled.

[0037] A control unit 20 is provided for operating the crane system 100. The control unit 20—as well as the crane system 100 as a whole—can be activated and deactivated using a main switch 42.

[0038] Fig. 2 shows a detail B from Fig. 1. The first hose 33 leading to the suction-pressure device 26 is coupled to the suction pressure plate 22 and thus to the chamber 21 by means of a nozzle 39. A check valve 40 is integrated into the coupling between the suction pressure chamber 21 and the first hose 33. This check valve forms a safety device 25 and prevents a sudden pressure drop in the chamber 21 in the event of a failure of a negative overpressure P1 generated by a vacuum generator 15.

[0039] Fig. 3 shows the mobile crane system according to Fig. 1 in a side view. In order to transport the crane system 100 to a desired location, an overpressure P2 is first generated by means of the vacuum generator 15 and fed into the chamber 21 of the suction pressure plate 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the overpressure P2 is so great that a relief force F2 resulting from the overpressure P2 is greater than a weight force Fg exerted by the mass of the crane system 100. The relief force F2 thus causes the crane system 100 to lift off the ground 10 and float freely at a low height, comparable to a hovercraft.

[0040] As an alternative to an embodiment with a freely suspended crane system 100, it can also be provided that the relief force F2 merely relieves the crane system 100, but does not lift it from a base 10. The retransportation can then be carried out, for example, by manual lifting and / or with the aid of suitable rollers or attachable wheels (not shown).

[0041] After positioning the crane system at the desired location, the direction of the air supply is reversed, and a negative overpressure P1 is generated in the suction pressure plate 22. The negative overpressure P1 generates a holding force F1. The sum of the holding force F1 and the weight force Fg forms a total force that determines the stability of the crane system 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the vacuum generator 15 generates a negative overpressure of -50 kPA in the chamber 21, which in the illustrated embodiment is applied to a suction area 31 of 1.4 m 2and as a result doubles the force exerted by the weight Fg and fixes the base 11 to the base 10. Instead of the area size of 1.4 m 2 Of course, other surface sizes can also be selected depending on the requirements of the crane system.

[0042] How Fig. As Figure 3 further shows, the pneumatic components of the crane system, in particular the vacuum generator, the hoses, and the pressure or suction plate, can be equipped with sensors 24. Whether and on which components the sensors 24 are used can be varied depending on the requirements. Regardless of the specific location, the sensors 24 serve to measure the instantaneous pressure P present at the measuring point. istto detect. The pressure Pist thus detected can, for example, be displayed by means of a manometer 32 or used as a control signal to output a warning message or a control command for the controller 20.

[0043] Fig. 4 shows a sectional view AA of the mobile crane system 100 according to Fig. 3 in a top view. The base 11 supporting the column 12 is attached to the suction pressure plate 22 of the suction-pressure device 26 by means of screws 44. Spacers 27 are attached below the suction pressure plate 22 in its corner areas. The spacers 27 serve to keep the sealing profile in an optimal position and to optimally bridge any unevenness in the floor.

[0044] Fig. 5 shows a detail C from Fig. 3. The suction-pressure device 26 of the illustrated embodiment comprises a means for contour adjustment 37 integrated into the suction pressure plate 22, which in the present example is a seal 38.

[0045] The seal 38 is embedded in a groove 23 provided in the area of ​​an outer contour 28 of the suction pressure plate 22 and is flexible enough to compensate for unevenness in the surface contour 29 of the substrate 10. This seals the chamber 21 and maintains a negative overpressure P1 generated in the chamber 21. The surface of the suction pressure plate 22 enclosed by the seal 38 forms a suction surface 31 of the suction-pressure device 26.

[0046] Once the crane system 100 is secured to the base 10, it is ready to lift and move a load using the lifting gear 14. To do so, an operator grasps the handle 19, positions the suction plate 18 over a load to be lifted, sets the suction plate 18 down on the load, and actuates a switching device integrated in the handle 19 to introduce a negative overpressure P1 into the suction plate 18. The negative overpressure P1 can be sensitively controlled so that the lifting hose 17 contracts more or less strongly and the load is lifted to a greater or lesser height. List of reference symbols 10 Underground 11 Stand 12 pillar 13 arms 14 Hoist 15 vacuum generators 16 vacuum filters 17 Lifting hose 18 Suction plate (on 14) 19 Handle 20 Control 21 Chamber 22 Suction pressure plate (on 11) 23 groove (in 22) 24 sensors 25 Safety device 26 Suction-pressure device 27 spacers 28 outer contour (of 21) 29 Surface contour 30 trolley 31 intake area (on 21) 32 pressure gauges 33 first hose 34 second hose 35 third hose 36 joint 37 Contour adjustment tools 38 Seal 39 spout 40 check valves 41 podium 42 main switch 43 T-piece 44 screw 100 crane system A - A cut B Detail (from Fig. 1) C Detail (from Fig. 3) P pressure P1 negative overpressure P2 positive overpressure Pist current pressure F1 holding force F2 relief force Fg weight force (out of 100) QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2004 034 136 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Mobile crane system (100) which can be set up and used on a preferably flat or almost flat surface (10), comprising: - a stand (11), - a vertical column (12) with an arm (13) attached thereto, - a lifting mechanism (14) attached to the arm (13), characterized by that the crane system also includes: - a vacuum generator (15), - a chamber (21) which can be pressurized with a pressure (P) and which is coupled to the vacuum generator (15) by means of a first hose (33) and in which a negative overpressure (P1) and / or a positive overpressure (P2) can be produced by means of the vacuum generator (15) - and a control system (20), so that the base (11) and thus the mobile crane system (100) as a whole, - can be fixed to the substrate (10) with a holding force (F1) when a negative overpressure (P1) is generated, or - when the positive overpressure (P2) is generated, it can be relieved of pressure with a relief force (F2) relative to the substrate (10) or lifted off the substrate (10). [2] Mobile crane system (100) according to claim 1, characterized by that the lifting mechanism (14) comprises a lifting hose (17) with a suction plate (18) coupled to the lifting hose (17), wherein the lifting hose (17) is coupled to the vacuum generator (15) via a second hose (34). [3] Mobile crane system (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the crane system (100) further comprises a vacuum filter (16) for filtering the air passed through the first hose (33) and / or the air passed through the second hose (34). [4] Mobile crane system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the chamber (21) comprises at least two sub-chambers which can preferably be subjected to a negative or positive overpressure (P1, P2) independently of one another. [5] Mobile crane system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the crane system (100) further comprises at least one sensor (24) for measuring an instantaneous pressure (Pist), wherein the sensor (24) can be arranged in the hose (33, 34, 35) and / or in the lifting hose (17) and / or in the suction plate (18) and / or in the chamber (21). [6] Mobile crane system (100) according to claim 5, characterized by that the sensor (24) triggers an alarm signal and / or transmits a control command to the controller (20) when the pressure (Pist) falls below a predefined limit value. [7] Mobile crane system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the control (20) comprises a safety device (25) which, in the event of failure of the vacuum generator (15), decouples the chamber (21) from the lifting hose (17), so that a negative overpressure (P1) present in the chamber (21) at the time of failure is maintained. [8] Mobile crane system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the control (20) comprises a safety device (25) which, in the event of failure of the vacuum generator (15), allows an overpressure (P2) present in the chamber (21) to drop with a delay. [9] Mobile crane system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the chamber (21) is integrated into a suction-pressure device (26) which is attached to the base (11) and is preferably removable. [10] Mobile crane system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that the chamber (21) comprises a means for contour adaptation (37) of an outer contour (28) surrounding the chamber (21) to a surface contour (29) formed by the substrate (10), wherein the means for contour adaptation (37) is preferably a flexible element, for example an elastic sealing rubber (38). [11] Mobile crane system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by that the chamber (21) comprises a suction surface (31) whose total area is greater than 0.5 m 2 , preferably larger than 1.4m 2 .

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