WINCH

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a winch with a drum on which a rope can be wound, and to a lifting device, such as a crane, with such a winch. In particular, the invention relates to a drum for high-strength fiber ropes.

[0002] Due to their high power densities, winches are sometimes subjected to high temperature loads. These loads are reflected in the winch's drive system, such as a hydraulic or electric motor, and the gearbox typically used between them. However, the temperature of the rope being wound also plays a role, especially when using high-strength fiber or synthetic ropes, as their temperature limit is significantly lower than that of steel ropes, and the impact of temperature loads on the rope's service life must be considered. Generally speaking, it is also important to avoid or at least be aware of excessive temperature loads on steel ropes, as these can lead to lubricant loss, excessive grease leakage, and potentially increased wear.

[0003] Document WO 2010 / 101832 A2 discloses a cable drum with a motor for various applications, including a crane. It describes a sensor system integrated into the assembly, capable of monitoring various parameters such as temperature. However, the control unit is intended solely to activate a cooling system for the winch gearbox based on the sensor-determined temperature, or to determine when cooling is necessary.

[0004] From US patent 2008 / 156928 A1, a cable drum with sensors is known that serve to monitor various physical properties of the drum. In addition to parameters such as tension, strain, and deformation, the measurement of the drum's temperature is also described. The determination of this data serves to ascertain the service life and maintenance intervals of the drum.

[0005] German patent application DE 10 2017 223552 A1 describes a cable drum equipped with sensors for determining the length of the cable on the drum. It also describes sensors for monitoring the environment around the cable drum during transport or storage.

[0006] Document JP 2003 226487 describes a winch drum equipped with a braking system that engages when the winch starts to spin freely. The resulting heat buildup in the brake is monitored and controlled by the flow of a medium from the cooling system.

[0007] Document AU 2015 / 101415 A4 describes a cable winch whose cable drum is driven by an electric motor. The motor is controlled depending on load limits that are set differently for different operating modes. In addition, the motor temperature is also monitored in order to reduce or further limit the power if the motor temperature rises too sharply.

[0008] EP 32 99 331 A1 describes a winch with a fiber rope, proposing to determine the rope's temperature using embedded magnets and their magnetic field, which changes with temperature and is measured by magnetic field sensors. Temperature changes can therefore be inferred from magnetic field changes. Additionally, the surface temperature of the fiber rope is measured using a non-contact temperature sensor to determine the temperature gradient between the core temperature (measured via the magnetic field) and the surface temperature. The document assumes that the service life of the fiber rope suffers at excessively high temperatures because irreversible recrystallization processes occur at temperatures above 60°C, and the rope heats up due to internal friction of the rope fibers, external friction at pulleys, and ambient temperature. The winch is cooled if necessary.

[0009] However, this proposed method of temperature measurement is problematic in practice. Firstly, changes in the magnetic field of the magnetic elements embedded in the fiber rope are not solely temperature-related, but are also driven by other external influences, such as inductive processes in the area of ​​the winch and its drive mechanism. Secondly, the rope can be subject to very different temperature loads or heating processes in different sections. For example, the lower winding layers are heated from the inside of the rope drum if the drum itself heats up more, whether due to the heat load of the gearbox typically used inside the drum or due to operational faults such as incipient bearing damage or a seized moving part in the gearbox. This can lead to a significant temperature increase in the rope drum within a very short time.The upper layers or even the unwound part of the rope do not experience this temperature stress, so very different rope temperatures can result, which are difficult to measure because the lower winding layers are difficult to access for temperature sensors, or the magnets mentioned only allow inaccurate measurements due to the overlapping winding layers.

[0010] The present invention aims to provide an improved winch and an improved lifting device with such a winch of the type mentioned above, avoiding the disadvantages of the prior art and advantageously developing the latter further. In particular, reliable temperature monitoring is to be provided, which also takes into account the rope sections that are particularly susceptible to overheating.

[0011] According to the invention, the aforementioned problem is solved by a winch according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0012] It is therefore proposed to determine the cable drum temperature and thus enable monitoring of the heat input into the cable from the cable drum. According to the invention, the cable winch has a temperature measuring device for determining the temperature of the cable drum. If the cable drum heats up, the direct contact with the cable windings wound on the drum shell results in a corresponding temperature load on the cable, so that a statement about the temperature load on the cable can be made from the measured or determined cable drum temperature.

[0013] This approach is based on the premise that the rope temperature rises less due to internal friction between the rope fibers or wires or friction on the pulleys, but rather the significant portion of the temperature load and the associated temperature rise arises from heat transfer from the rope drum. Therefore, a more precise statement about the temperature and heat load on the rope can be made if the rope drum temperature is precisely determined and known—which is surprising compared to a direct measurement of the rope temperature.

[0014] The cable drum is typically a constant heat source during operation, heating the cable wound on it. Usually, an electric or hydraulic drive and a gearbox generate torque at the cable drum, which, depending on the lever arm of the raising or lowering cable, produces the corresponding cable tension.

[0015] Due to their high power density and the resulting compact installation dimensions, cable winches with integrated planetary gears have become established in many applications. Due to friction on the tooth flanks and bearings, lubricant circulation, and other dissipative effects, power losses occur in every gearbox, which significantly influences the gearbox's thermal balance. In normal use, this thermal balance can be roughly calculated in advance; however, it depends on various parameters such as the respective load spectrum, speeds, ambient temperature, and other influencing factors, and is therefore not known in detail. Furthermore, unexpected and unforeseeable errors can occur in any gearbox, such as:Oil loss and the resulting bearing heating, or scuffing on the tooth flanks, can lead to a significant temperature increase in a very short time and, in extreme cases, even destroy the lower layers of a fiber rope wound on the drum, so that a load break would have to be expected at that point when the rope is unwound. If the temperature of the drum is precisely determined, so that the temperature at the contact point with the rope is known, such serious dangers can be avoided.

[0016] However, due to the thermal conductivity of the various components, even normal gear heating leads to significant heating of the adjacent rope drum and ultimately also to heating of the rope stored on it.

[0017] Especially with high-strength fiber ropes, which can be made from synthetic fibers such as aramid fibers (HMPA), aramid / carbon fiber blends, high-modulus polyethylene fibers (HMPE), or PBO fibers, and also other synthetic ropes, the service life is highly temperature-dependent. As the rope temperature increases, its service life generally decreases, while within a specific temperature range, the service life remains almost constant. Furthermore, fiber ropes have significantly lower temperature limits than steel ropes, up to which the rope manufacturers define the intended use of the fiber rope.

[0018] However, temperature monitoring of the rope drum can also be useful for steel ropes, for example to detect rope temperatures that lead to increased delubrication or excessive grease leakage, which in turn results in premature wear.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the temperature is determined directly at the cable drum in order to determine the drum temperature as accurately as possible. In comparison, measurements of the engine temperature or the transmission oil temperature are less informative, since such measurements do not provide a sufficiently accurate indication of the current temperature of the cable drum at the point of contact with the cable, as other relevant factors such as the current oil level would not be taken into account.

[0020] Preferably, the temperature can be determined on the gear side of the rope drum. The greatest energy input into the rope drum typically occurs on this gear side, so the highest heating is to be expected there. If the temperature is determined on the gear side of the rope drum, in particular on a drum section surrounding the gear or a drum section adjacent to the gear, which may also include the lateral flange located on the gear side, the highest temperature loads of the wound rope can be reliably recorded.

[0021] The temperature determining device may comprise various temperature sensors.

[0022] In an advantageous development of the invention, at least one stationary temperature sensor can be provided, relative to which the cable drum can rotate. Such a stationary sensor can provide its sensor signal in a simple manner or be connected in a simple manner, for example, via a signal line, although wireless signal transmission would also be possible in principle.

[0023] Advantageously, the temperature sensor can operate without contact. This is particularly advantageous when the temperature sensor is mounted stationary, as it eliminates wear due to friction with the cable drum.

[0024] Such a stationary temperature sensor can in particular be arranged outside the rope drum and face or be aligned with the end face of the rope drum body, wherein the temperature sensor can in particular be arranged in the area of ​​a flange base which is connected to or adjoins the drum shell.

[0025] To enable the temperature in a lower section of the winch or winch drum to be measured using a stationary temperature sensor located outside the winch drum, an advantageous embodiment of the invention provides a temperature and / or heat conduction element that projects at least partially into a recess formed in the winch, particularly in the winch drum. This temperature and / or heat conduction element can conduct the temperature or heat from the interior of the winch to the outside, allowing the temperature of a section of the element located outside the winch to be measured.

[0026] In particular, a receiving bore or a bore-like receiving recess can be provided, which can extend from an end face of the cable drum into the drum shell. A temperature and / or heat conduction element, for example, pin-shaped, can be at least partially located in the aforementioned receiving bore and advantageously extend out of it, for example with a head projecting onto the end face of the cable drum.

[0027] For example, a non-contact temperature sensor can detect the temperature of such a temperature and / or heat conducting element, whereby the drum can be moved into a rotating position in which the conducting element is positioned appropriately to the stationary temperature sensor.

[0028] Optionally, an annular sensing collar can be attached to the guide element, allowing a stationary temperature sensor to detect the temperature of the guide element even without a specific rotational position of the winch and / or, if necessary, even when the winch is rotating. Such an annular sensing collar can be particularly advantageous when several temperature and / or heat-conducting elements are provided, for example, those located in mounting bores distributed around the circumference.

[0029] In order to actually measure the temperature in the depth of the recess, the recess can be designed with an oversize in the outer section, so that a gap or annular gap remains between the guide element and the recess and no temperature influence occurs due to contact with the possibly cooler outer section.

[0030] In addition, a stationary temperature sensor can also be arranged in a gear housing and / or mounted on the gear housing, wherein such a gear housing can extend at least partially inside the drum body and / or at least partially outside the drum body.

[0031] The temperature sensor can be provided outside the drum body or inside the drum body on the gear housing. In particular, the temperature sensor can be attached to a gear housing section that sits directly on the drum body or on which the drum body rests flatly.

[0032] However, the temperature sensor can also be located inside or outside the drum body, regardless of its mounting on the gear housing.

[0033] In a further development of the invention, the temperature determination device can also include a temperature sensor that rotates with the cable drum. Such a rotating temperature sensor can, in particular, be integrated into or housed within the interior of the cable drum.

[0034] Advantageously, such a rotating temperature sensor can include a signal transmission module that operates wirelessly in order to transmit the sensor signals wirelessly to a storage and / or evaluation unit. Advantageously, such a signal transmission module can include an energy storage device, which, like the signal transmission module, can be integrated into or housed within the cable drum.

[0035] Advantageously, the cable drum can have an inspection and / or maintenance opening through which the temperature sensor and / or the signal transmission module and / or its energy storage device can be accessed and, if necessary, removed or replaced. Such an inspection and / or maintenance opening can, for example, be provided on the end face of the drum body.

[0036] The energy storage device mentioned can be, for example, a battery or an accumulator.

[0037] Alternatively or additionally, the temperature sensor and / or its signal transmission module can also be powered by a power supply module that generates energy using the rotational movement of the cable drum. Such a power generation module can, for example, be inductive, or a dynamo can convert the rotational movement of the cable drum and / or an associated component, such as a gear shaft, into energy to power the signal transmission module.

[0038] Such a rotating temperature sensor can be attached, in particular, to an inner surface of the cable drum, the position of the temperature sensor being advantageously located in the area of ​​the gearbox that drives the cable drum. For example, the temperature sensor can be attached to an inner surface of the drum that lies between two planetary gear stages and / or adjacent to a gear stage.

[0039] Additionally, a temperature sensor can be mounted on the rotating end plate of the rope drum, for example, on the outer side of the end plate facing away from the rope winding area. Such a temperature sensor can advantageously be located in the area of ​​the base of the end plate and / or the transition between the end plate and the drum shell.

[0040] Regardless of the arrangement of the temperature sensor, at least one temperature sensor is designed as a temperature switch that emits a signal when a predetermined temperature is reached. This is a limit temperature relevant to the rope being wound and can optionally include a pre-warning temperature to indicate when the limit temperature or a pre-warning limit is reached.

[0041] Such a temperature switch can, for example, be designed as a bimetallic switch, which has a switching element that deforms under temperature and changes the contact state of the switch when the predetermined temperature is reached. The temperature switch can advantageously include an integrated energy storage device and a signaling device that emits a signal when the predetermined temperature is reached.

[0042] In addition to such a temperature switch, the temperature-determining device can also comprise at least one temperature indicator element that visually indicates when a predetermined temperature is reached or exceeded. In particular, the temperature indicator element can exhibit a color change when the predetermined temperature is reached or exceeded, so that the temperature increase is indicated by a changed color of the indicator element. Such a temperature indicator element can, for example, comprise thermochromic pigments whose color changes depending on the temperature.

[0043] Advantageously, such a temperature indicator element can be designed to change color irreversibly in order to permanently indicate when a critical temperature has been reached or exceeded.

[0044] Such a display device for indicating the reaching and / or exceeding of a predetermined temperature and / or of cable drum temperatures detected during cable winch operation can also be provided when using the previously described, differently designed temperature sensors and can operate depending on the sensor signal provided by the at least one temperature sensor. In particular, such a display device can be provided at the control station or generally in a control device of the hoist, which can also include a remote control, for example, in order to indicate to the machine operator the cable drum temperature and / or the reaching of a limit temperature or predetermined temperature.

[0045] Advantageously, such a display device is designed to emit at least a warning signal when a critical rope drum temperature for the rope being wound up is reached or even exceeded.

[0046] The indicator device can fundamentally be designed in various ways, for example, it can comprise a visual display or another visual indicator, such as a flashing light. Additionally, an acoustic indicator device for emitting an acoustic warning signal can also be provided.

[0047] In a further development of the invention, the detected rope drum temperature can also be further processed by an evaluation device to determine or process the influence of the rope drum temperature on the remaining service life of the rope. In particular, a determination device can determine the remaining service life and / or discard readiness of the rope taking into account the determined rope drum temperatures and provide a discard signal and / or remaining service life signal depending on the rope drum temperature.

[0048] Such a determination device can, for example, comprise an electronic control device having a microprocessor, which has, as an evaluation device for evaluating the temperature signal or the temperature signals, a software module with an evaluation algorithm which evaluates the temperature signal or signals provided.

[0049] The determination of the discard maturity and / or the remaining service life can of course also take into account other operating parameters, such as the load collective acting on the rope or environmental influences such as UV light dose, ambient temperature, dust and / or chemical exposure or other measured rope parameters such as diameter reductions, rope elongation or rope stiffness changes.

[0050] If the aforementioned determination device determines the discard readiness, a corresponding discard readiness signal can be displayed on the indicator device of the cable winch or hoist. Alternatively or additionally, the discard readiness signal can also trigger a shutdown or restriction of cable winch operation, for example, so that only movements that lower the hoist load are possible.

[0051] Alternatively or in addition to determining the remaining service life and / or the discard date, the at least one temperature signal can also be used to intervene in the control of the operation of the cable winch and / or the hoist.

[0052] In a further development of the invention, depending on the detected rope drum temperature, the operation of the winch can be temporarily stopped for cooling and / or the load spectrum reduced. In particular, the control device can be designed to prevent the permissible limit temperature of the rope from being exceeded due to impermissible heating of the rope drum, i.e., depending on the rope drum temperature, by, for example, stopping the operation of the winch for cooling or reducing the load spectrum before the limit temperature of the rope is reached.

[0053] Alternatively or additionally, the control device of the winch or hoist can be designed to initiate cooling measures depending on the detected rope drum temperature, for example, to initiate and / or increase the circulation of the gear and / or drive lubricant of the winch and / or to initiate and / or increase external cooling of the rope drum by air or other media, for example, by switching on a fan wheel and / or setting it to a higher speed.

[0054] The aforementioned control device is generally advantageously designed to adjust and / or regulate the temperature balance of the rope drum depending on the detected rope drum temperature, in particular such that a cooling measure is initiated or intensified to cool the rope drum if the rope drum temperature is too high and / or if the rope drum temperature rises too sharply.

[0055] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to preferred embodiments and accompanying drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1: a sectional view of a cable winch according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, in which the temperature determining device has a stationary temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the cable drum at a flange base without contact, Fig. 2: a sectional view of a cable winch similar to Fig. 1, wherein the temperature determination device comprises a stationary temperature sensor in a gearbox housing of the gearbox driving the cable drum, Fig. 3: a sectional view of a cable winch similar to the preceding figures, wherein the temperature determination device comprises a temperature sensor rotating with the cable drum, which is arranged in the area of ​​the gearbox on the inside of a drum shell and provides its temperature signal via a wireless signal transmission device inside the cable drum, Fig. 4: a sectional view of a cable winch similar Fig. 3, wherein the co-rotating temperature sensor and its signal transmission device are supplied with energy by an energy supply device which converts rotational movements of the cable drum into electrical energy, Fig. 5: a sectional view of a cable winch similar to the preceding figures, wherein the temperature determination device has a temperature switch which is arranged on an outer side of a flanged wheel of the cable drum, Fig. 6: sectional and end views of a cable winch similar to the preceding figures, wherein the temperature determination device has a temperature indicator element with an optical display of the cable drum temperature by means of a color change, which is visibly arranged on an end face of the cable drum, and Fig.7: A sectional view of a cable winch similar to the preceding figures, wherein the temperature determining device comprises a temperature probe which projects from an end face into a receiving bore in the drum shell, wherein a stationary, non-contact temperature sensor is provided for detecting the temperature of said temperature probe.

[0056] As the figures show, the winch 1 comprises a cable drum 2 with a substantially cylindrical drum shell 3, which is laterally framed on the right and left by flanges 4. The drum shell 3 can be grooved or smooth.

[0057] A rope 5 is wound on the drum shell 3 of the rope drum 2 between the flanged pulleys 4, whereby the rope 5 can be wound in one layer or in multiple layers, cf. Figure 1 .

[0058] The cable drum 2 can be driven by a cable winch drive 6, which may have a winch motor or drive 7, for example in the form of an electric motor or a hydraulic motor.

[0059] The winch drive 6 can further comprise a gearbox 8, which may be arranged at least partially inside the cable drum 2. In particular, the gearbox 8 can extend from one side of the drum into the interior of the drum shell 3, with the cable drum 2 being supported on a gearbox housing 9. Specifically, the cable drum 2 can be supported on a rotatably mounted housing part and thus be rotatably mounted. However, it would also be possible, in principle, to rotatably support the cable drum 2 on a stationary gearbox housing part.

[0060] As the figures show, the winch drive 7 can be arranged laterally on the cable drum 2, for example flanged to the gear 8, which extends into the drum shell 3.

[0061] The aforementioned gear 8 can, for example, be designed as a planetary gear and have, for example, two or more planetary stages. However, other gear designs and arrangements are also possible in principle.

[0062] The cable winch 1 has a temperature determination device 10 for determining the temperature of the cable drum 2.

[0063] Since the cable drum 2 is usually most exposed to heat on the drive side from the gearbox 8 or, depending on the design of the cable winch drive 6, also from the winch drive 7, and the highest cable drum temperatures occur there, the temperature determination device 10 is advantageously assigned to the gearbox and / or drive side of the cable drum 2 or is designed to measure the cable drum temperature on the gearbox or drive side. In particular, the temperature determination device 10 can have at least one temperature sensor 11 that measures the temperature of a drum section that is arranged on the gearbox 8 and / or on the winch drive 7 or is directly adjacent thereto. In particular, at least one temperature sensor 11 can be arranged on the flanged wheel 4 on the gearbox and / or drive side of the cable drum 2 or on a section of the drum shell 3 that is located on the gearbox 8 or surrounds the gearbox 8.

[0064] This can involve the use of different temperature sensors and / or the placement of temperature sensors in different locations.

[0065] How Figure 1 shows, a preferably contactless temperature sensor 11 can be arranged stationary on an end face of the cable drum 2, for example mounted upright on a gear and / or drive flange in order to measure the temperature of the cable drum 2 at its end face. In particular, the said temperature sensor 11 can have its measuring area facing a foot section of the flanged wheel 4 that borders the drum shell 3. For example, the temperature sensor 11 can be arranged at a distance from the drum rotation axis 12 that essentially corresponds to the radius of the drum shell 3. For example, the temperature sensor 11 can be arranged opposite a first winding layer, cf. Figure 1 .

[0066] The temperature sensor 11 can provide its temperature signal cyclically or continuously to an evaluation unit 13, which evaluates the temperature signal in order to display a warning message, for example on a display device 14, which may comprise a display, when the cable drum temperature reaches or exceeds a limit value.

[0067] Alternatively or additionally, the evaluation unit 13 can evaluate the temperature signal, possibly together with other environmental and / or operating parameters and / or other rope characteristics, to determine the discard criterion and / or remaining service life of the rope 5, taking the measured temperature into account. A discard criterion signal and / or a signal indicating the remaining service life can also be output on the aforementioned display device 14.

[0068] Alternatively or additionally, the discard criteria and / or remaining service life signal can also be used to shut down or restrict the operation of winch 1 when the discard criteria are reached or when winch 1 is approaching the discard criteria of the rope. Alternatively or additionally, the discard criteria and / or remaining service life signal can also be provided to a maintenance and / or planning management system to initiate and / or schedule a rope replacement.

[0069] How Figure 2As shown, the temperature determination device 10 can also include a temperature sensor 11 that is mounted on or arranged in the gearbox housing 9. In particular, such a temperature sensor 11 can be provided on a section of the gearbox housing 9 that is positioned directly adjacent to and / or supports the cable drum 2. For example, the temperature sensor 11 can extend out of the end face of the gearbox housing 9 and / or be arranged on a stationary section of the gearbox housing 9.

[0070] The stationary temperature sensors 11, as shown in the Figure 1 and 2 The devices shown can be easily connected to the evaluation unit 13, for example by means of a signal transmission cable, although wireless signal transmission would also be possible in principle.

[0071] How Figure 3As shown, the temperature determining device 10 can also include a temperature sensor 11 that rotates with the cable drum 2, wherein such a rotating temperature sensor 11 can advantageously be integrated into the interior of the cable drum 2 and / or be attached to an inner surface of the drum shell 3. Advantageously, such a rotating temperature sensor 11 can also be arranged on the gearbox side of the cable drum 2, for example on a section of the drum shell that surrounds the gearbox 8, for example in a region between two gearbox stages, cf. Figure 3 .

[0072] The temperature sensor 11 advantageously includes a wireless signal transmission device 15, for example in the form of a radio and / or Bluetooth and / or WLAN module, which can wirelessly transmit sensor signals to the evaluation device 13.

[0073] Such a signal transmission device 15 can also be accommodated inside the cable drum 2 or can be mounted so as to rotate with the cable drum 2, whereby it would in principle also be possible to mount the signal transmission device 15 on an outer side of the cable drum 2, for example on one of the flanged pulleys 4.

[0074] The signal transmission device 15 and / or the temperature sensor 11 can be supplied with electrical energy from an energy storage device 16, wherein such an energy storage device 16 can also be mounted on the cable drum 2 in a co-rotating manner, for example integrated into the interior, cf. Figure 3 .

[0075] To enable maintenance and / or replacement of the temperature sensor 11 integrated inside the cable drum 2, the cable drum 2 can advantageously have a maintenance and / or assembly opening 17 through which the temperature sensor 11 and / or its accessory components, such as the signal transmission module or device 15, are accessible and can advantageously also be replaced. For example, such a maintenance and / or assembly opening 17 can be formed in an end face of the cable drum 2 and provide access to the interior of the drum shell 3 from the end face. The maintenance and / or assembly opening 17 can be located directly adjacent to a bearing flange of the cable drum 2.

[0076] Advantageously, the maintenance and / or assembly opening 17 can be closed by a cover.

[0077] How Figure 4shows, the temperature determination device 10 can also be supplied with electrical energy from an energy generator 18, which generates electrical energy from the rotational movement of the cable drum 2. For example, such an energy generator 18 can be designed to operate inductively and comprise a part that rotates with the cable drum 2 and a stationary part, so that electrical energy is generated by the movement of the rotating and stationary parts. For example, the rotating energy generator part can be mounted on a flanged disk 4, and the stationary energy generator part can be mounted on a carrier that sits in front of the flanged disk 4, so that the rotating and stationary energy generator parts rotate past one another when the cable drum 2 rotates.

[0078] The energy generator 18 can, in principle, feed the generated energy directly into the signal transmission module 15 or the temperature sensor 11 or provide it to these components. Advantageously, however, the generated energy can also be fed into the previously mentioned energy storage device 16, from which the sensor components are then supplied with electrical energy.

[0079] How Figure 5 As shown, the temperature-determining device 10 can also include a temperature switch 19 that emits or enables a signal when a predetermined cable drum temperature is reached. Such a temperature switch 19 can, for example, be designed as a bimetallic switch and have a bimetallic sensor that deforms when the temperature changes and changes a contact circuit, in particular, closes a contact, to provide or enable a temperature signal.

[0080] Advantageously, the temperature switch 19 can have an energy storage device 16, for example in the form of a battery, in order to then provide the temperature signal via a signal transmission module 15, which indicates that a predetermined temperature, for example the limit temperature of the rope, has been reached or exceeded, or is approaching this temperature.

[0081] The signal provided by the temperature switch 19 can be of various types, for example including an acoustic signal or an optical signal, for example in the form of a flashing light.

[0082] Such a temperature switch 19 can also be arranged on the gearbox side of the rope drum 2, for example mounted on the end face of the flange 4 which is located on the winch drive 7.

[0083] How Figure 6As shown, the temperature determining device 10 can also include a temperature indicator element 20 which provides an optical signal or display in the form of a color change when a predetermined temperature, for example the limit temperature of the rope, is reached or exceeded. Such a temperature indicator element 20 can, for example, have thermochromic pigments whose color changes when the temperature rises above a predetermined value.

[0084] Advantageously, the temperature indicator element 20 can be designed to change color irreversibly, meaning it retains the color it changed to indicate the elevated temperature even when the temperature drops again. This allows it to be determined, even after overheating has occurred, for example, when the winch is switched off, that the cable drum 2 has exceeded a predetermined temperature limit.

[0085] How Figure 7 As shown, the temperature monitoring device 10 can also include a temperature and / or heat conduction element 23, which allows the cable drum temperature to be measured at an inaccessible location using an easily accessible temperature sensor 11. Advantageously, said temperature and / or heat conduction element 23 can extend at least partially into a recess 24 that is formed in or extends into an inner section of the cable drum and can be open to an outer side of the cable winch 1.

[0086] For example, a receiving bore can lead into the drum shell from an end face, cf. Figure 7 , and the, for example, pin-shaped temperature and / or heat conducting element 23 is located in this receiving bore, wherein the conducting element 23 can advantageously protrude from the receiving bore 24 with a head section, cf. Figure 7 .

[0087] The temperature determination device 10 can advantageously include a stationary temperature sensor 11 which can detect the temperature of the rope drum 2 without contact via the aforementioned temperature and / or heat conducting element 23.

[0088] Advantageously, the said recess, in particular the receiving bore 24, can be formed in the area of ​​a flanged wheel base and can be larger in diameter or clear width than the diameter or thickness of the temperature and / or heat conducting element 23, so that no heat transfer by contact takes place in this enlarged recess area, cf. the enlarged section Z of the Figure 7A foot section of the pin-shaped temperature and / or heat conducting element 23 can fit precisely into a wider or deeper section of the receiving bore 24 in order to detect the temperature there or to transfer the temperature and heat of the drum section. Advantageously, the recess 24 can be designed in the form of a stepped bore.

[0089] Advantageously, the temperature can be specifically measured at a desired location inside the drum shell 3, even though a stationary temperature sensor 11 is used.

[0090] To determine the temperature of the guide element 23, the rope drum 2 can be positioned such that the temperature sensor 11 is opposite the guide element 23 or can detect the temperature at the guide element 23.

[0091] Alternatively, several temperature and / or heat conduction elements 23 can be attached, for example in receiving bores 24 that are distributed around the circumference and in which Figure 7 can be led into the drum shell 3 from the front side as shown.

[0092] Advantageously, the temperature and / or heat-conducting elements 23 can be connected to an annular detection collar, for example in the form of an annular metal sheet, via which the temperature sensor 11 can advantageously continuously detect the temperature without having to move the cable drum 2 into a specific rotational position. In particular, the temperature sensor 11 can be designed to operate without contact.

[0093] Advantageously, the temperature monitoring of the rope drum 2 described allows conclusions to be drawn about the temperature of the rope 5 and thus serious hazards can be avoided.

[0094] Temperature monitoring also enables the safe operation of the winch 1 with a high-strength fiber rope that has a relatively low permissible temperature limit. This eliminates the need for fiber ropes with relatively high permissible temperatures, which would otherwise be required due to the heating of the rope drum 2. At the same time, the permissible temperature limit of a fiber rope can be better utilized. This also allows for a wider range of material choices in the production of fiber ropes, which in turn positively influences other rope properties.

[0095] Advantageously, the described temperature monitoring enables the safe operation of the winch with a fiber rope even in conveyor systems with difficult boundary conditions, for example at relatively high ambient temperatures or when the winch is operated with a load collective that leads to high gearbox heating.

Claims

1. A cable winch having a cable drum (2) onto which a cable (5) can be wound, wherein a temperature measuring device (10) is provided to measure the temperature of the cable drum (2), characterized in that the temperature measuring device (10) comprises a temperature switch (19) for providing a temperature signal when a predetermined limit temperature of the cable drum (2) is reached or exceeded.

2. The cable winch according to the preceding claim, wherein the temperature measuring device (10) is arranged on a gear unit side of the cable drum (2) for determining the temperature of a cable drum portion surrounding or adjacent to a winch transmission (8).

3. The cable winch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the temperature measuring device (10) comprises at least one stationary temperature sensor (11) with respect to which the cable drum (2) is rotatable, wherein the stationary temperature sensor is arranged at least partially on an outer side of the cable drum (2), in particular on an end face of the cable drum (2), wherein the temperature sensor (11) is configured to operate in a contactless manner and is directed with its detection region to a guard plate base portion of the cable drum (2).

4. The cable winch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one temperature conducting member and / or heat conducting member (23) is provided, which is at least partially received in a cavity of the cable winch open towards an outer side and the temperature of which is detected by a temperature sensor (11) arranged outside the cavity, wherein the temperature conducting member and / or heat conducting member (23) is seated in a reception bore (24) which extends into the cable drum (2) and is open towards an end face of the cable drum (2), wherein the temperature and / or heat conducting member (23) protrudes from the end face of the cable drum (2) towards said end face and a stationary, contactless operating sensor is provided for detecting the temperature of the portion of the temperature conducting member and / or heat conducting member (23) protruding from the cable drum (2), wherein the reception bore (24) has an oversize in an outer portion arranged towards the cable drum end face with respect to the temperature conducting member and / or heat conducting member (23), so that there is no contact between the reception bore (24) and the temperature conducting member and / or heat conducting member (23), and the temperature conducting member and / or heat conducting member (23) contacts the cable drum material only in a deeper portion of the reception bore (24).

5. The cable winch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the temperature measuring device (10) comprises at least one temperature sensor (11) arranged in a transmission housing (9) of a cable winch drive (6) or mounted on said transmission housing (9).

6. The cable winch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the temperature measuring device (10) comprises at least one temperature sensor (11) co-rotating with the cable drum (2).

7. The cable winch according to the preceding claim, wherein the co-rotating temperature sensor (11) is integrated into the interior of the cable drum (2), wherein the temperature sensor (11) is arranged on an inner casing surface of a drum casing (3) of the cable drum (2) and / or is arranged between a gear mechanism (8) of the cable winch drive (6) and the drum casing (3) of the cable winch (2).

8. The cable winch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the temperature measuring device (10) comprises a contactlessly operating signal transmission device (15) for transmitting a temperature signal, wherein the signal transmission device (15) is integrated into the interior of the cable drum (2) and / or is mounted co-rotating with the cable drum (2).

9. The cable winch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the temperature measuring device (10) comprises an energy generator (18) for generating electrical energy from rotary movement of the cable drum (2).

10. The cable winch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the temperature measuring device (10) comprises at least one optically operating temperature indicator (20) which changes color when a predetermined limit temperature is reached or exceeded, wherein the temperature indicator (20) is configured to irreversibly change color.

11. The cable winch according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a cable (5) wound on the cable drum (2), wherein a determination device (21) is provided for determining a replacement state and / or a remaining service life of the cable (5) in dependence on the temperature of the cable drum (2) determined by the temperature measuring device (10), wherein a display device (14) for displaying the replacement state and / or the remaining service life is provided and / or a transmission device for transmitting the replacement state and / or remaining service life to a maintenance planning device is provided.

12. The cable winch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a controller (22) is provided for temporarily shutting down and / or temporarily reducing a load spectrum and / or winch power and / or winch speed in dependence on the cable drum temperature determined by the temperature measuring device (10).

13. The cable winch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a / the controller (22) is provided for switching on and / or increasing a cooling measure in dependence on the cable drum temperature, wherein said controller is configured in particular to start and / or increase a circulation of a winch drive lubricant and / or gear mechanism lubricant and / or to start or increase an external cooling of the cable winch (1) by a fan when the cable drum temperature determined by the temperature measuring device (10) reaches or exceeds a predetermined temperature limit or approaches it.

14. A lifting device comprising a cable winch configured according to any one of the preceding claims.

15. The lifting device according to the preceding claim, which is configured as a crane, wherein the cable winch (1) forms a hoisting cable winch of the crane.