Elevating apparatus for operators in steel tower and elevating method using the same

Abstract

To attach a mobile elevating scaffold for loading operators easily to a steel tower, thereby making it easier and safer for operators to ascend and descend the tower.SOLUTION: A support mast 1 is provided along a power transmission tower T, a rack 3 is provided along the vertical direction of the support mast 1, an elevating scaffold 2 is provided which is movable along the support mast 1 using the support mast 1 as a rail and is always held by the support mast 1, a drive motor 14 is provided on the elevating scaffold 2, a pinion gear 15 attached to a rotary shaft of the drive motor 14 is meshed with the rack 3 of the support mast 1, and an enclosure is provided around a deck 6 of the elevating scaffold 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This invention relates to a lifting device for workers on steel towers for power transmission lines, etc., and a method of lifting using said lifting device, which can be easily installed only during work such as repairs on the steel tower, and can be quickly removed from the tower when the work is completed. [Background technology]

[0002] In steel towers for power transmission lines, etc., maintenance, inspection, replacement, and other work is performed regularly or irregularly on the power transmission lines, insulators, and other components that are introduced into or led out of the tower. In order to do this, workers must ascend and descend from the ground to high points on the tower. For this reason, as shown in Patent Document 1, ascending and descending bolts are provided at regular intervals along the main pole of the tower, and workers use these ascending and descending bolts to ascend and descend to the top of the tall tower.

[0003] Therefore, the worker must be careful not to remove his hands or feet from the lifting bolts when ascending or descending, and must also exert force on his hands and feet while putting his weight on the climber, which requires physical strength.

[0004] Therefore, various auxiliary tools have been developed to assist workers in ascending and descending steel towers by themselves.

[0005] The device disclosed in Patent Document 2 is one example of such a tower climbing assistance device. It engages with a rope for attaching a safety device that is pre-installed along the main pillar of a tower, and ascends while pulling a worker via a towing rope. The device comprises a main body that holds a power battery and has a drive roller that rotates by a motor driven by this battery, a movable frame that engages with the main body so as to be freely movable relative to the main body and has a pressure roller that faces the drive roller and clamps the rope, a torque adjustment bolt that connects the main body and the movable frame to adjust the relative position between the main body and the movable frame in order to vary the distance between the drive roller and the pressure roller, and a load sensor that is interposed between the main body and the towing rope and operates to supply power to the drive motor when a load within a specified range is applied to the towing rope.

[0006] In the case of this device, when a load is placed on the towing rope due to the worker's weight, the drive motor rotates, causing the drive roller to rotate and the lifting assist device to rise along the rope for attaching the safety device, and the worker is pulled up by the towing rope connected to the lifting assist device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-36163 A [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 4114181 DISCLOSURE OF THEINVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] In the method of Patent Document 2, the labor required for climbing as well as the worker's weight is compensated for by the machine, reducing the labor required by the worker compared to climbing the tower with only his or her bare hands. However, since the worker climbs up and down the tower himself or herself, there is still a risk of slipping or losing one's grip, and the worker must be very careful when ascending and descending the tower.

[0009] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention aims to provide a device that can easily attach a movable and ascending / descending type scaffolding for carrying workers to a steel tower, thereby enabling workers to ascend and descend to the tower easily and safely, and a method of ascending and descending using said device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The invention of claim 1 is a worker lifting device for a steel tower, comprising: a support mast provided along the steel tower; a rack provided along the vertical direction of the support mast; a lifting scaffolding that is movable along the support mast using the support mast as a rail and is always held to the support mast; a drive motor is provided on the lifting scaffolding; a pinion gear attached to the rotating shaft of the drive motor is engaged with the rack of the support mast; and an enclosure is provided around the deck of the lifting scaffolding.

[0011] In addition, the invention of claim 2 is a worker lifting device for a steel tower as described in claim 1, in which the power source for the drive motor is a commercial power source, and control panels for the drive motor are provided at the ground level, at designated locations on the steel tower, and at multiple locations on the lifting scaffolding.

[0012] The invention of claim 3 is a worker ascent / descent device for a steel tower as described in claim 1 or 2, in which a worker boarding area is provided on the ascent / descent scaffolding, and the sides and ceiling of the worker boarding area, excluding an opening, are enclosed and covered with a wire mesh net guard.

[0013] The invention of claim 4 is a worker ascent and descent device for a tower as described in claim 3, in which a barrier that can be opened and closed is provided at the opening of the worker boarding area at waist height of the person, and the drive motor is only operable when the barrier is closed.

[0014] The invention of claim 5 is a worker ascent and descent device for a tower as described in claim 4, in which an opening / closing door and a guide step that can protrude freely from the inside of the opening / closing door to the outside of the ascent and descent scaffolding are provided in the worker boarding section.

[0015] The invention of claim 6 is a method for ascent and descent of workers on a tower, in which, in the worker lifting device described in claim 5, a drive motor of the lifting scaffold is rotated by operating an operation panel to lower the lifting scaffold to a ground position, a worker stands on the deck of the lifting scaffold, opens a barrier to enter the worker boarding section, closes the barrier, and operates an operation panel provided in the worker boarding section to rotate and drive the drive motor, thereby lifting the lifting scaffold along the support mast, operates the operation panel at a desired position on the transmission tower to stop the movement of the lifting scaffold, opens the barrier to lock it in that state, then opens the opening and closing door of the worker boarding section, causes the tip of the guide step to protrude outward from the worker boarding section to the outside of the lifting scaffold, the worker steps on the guide step to transfer to a diagonal member of the transmission tower and rises to the top of the transmission tower, and when the worker descends from the top of the transmission tower to the bottom, the worker follows the reverse procedure to descend. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the invention of claim 1, workers can easily ascend and descend the steel tower, and the labor of workers during tower work can be reduced. In addition, the ascending scaffolding on which workers stand is a nearly horizontal deck covered with an enclosure, and the ascending scaffolding moves up and down along the support mast, ensuring the safety of workers when ascending and descending. In addition, since the installation work of the worker ascending device of this invention only requires attaching the support mast to the steel tower, the device can be easily attached and removed from the steel tower, and the worker ascending device of this invention can be attached only when working at high altitudes on the steel tower.

[0017] In addition, according to the invention of claim 2, the drive motor of the lifting scaffold can be operated using control panels disposed at the ground level, at designated locations on the tower, and at multiple locations on the lifting scaffold, making it convenient to board the lifting scaffold from various locations, just like a normal elevator.

[0018] In addition, according to the invention of claim 3, the surroundings and ceiling of the worker boarding section of the lifting scaffold are covered with a net guard, so that the worker standing on said section can see the outside and is protected from falling objects from above or the sides. In addition, the worker can ascend and descend safely without the risk of falling from the lifting scaffold.

[0019] In addition, according to the invention of claim 4, a blocking bar is provided at the opening of the worker's boarding section of the lifting scaffold, and the control panel cannot be operated unless the blocking bar is closed, thereby ensuring the safety of the worker.

[0020] Furthermore, according to the invention of claim 5, when a worker transfers from the lifting scaffold to the tower at a desired location on the tower, even if there is a gap between the tower and the lifting scaffold, the gap is eliminated or narrowed by extending the guide step, so that the worker can safely transfer from the lifting scaffold to the tower or from the tower to the lifting scaffold.

[0021] Furthermore, according to the invention of claim 6, by following the procedure, workers can ascend and descend the tower safely and easily. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a worker hoisting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention attached to a steel tower. FIG. [Diagram 2] 1 is an enlarged partial side view of a part of a worker hoisting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention attached to a steel tower. FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 is a plan view of a support mast used in a worker hoisting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a partial front view of a support mast used in a worker hoisting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 5] 1 is a partial front view of a support mast used in a worker hoisting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, attached to a steel tower. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a partial plan view of a support mast used in a worker hoisting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, attached to a steel tower. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a front view of a state in which a lifting scaffold for a worker lifting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is attached to a support mast. [Figure 8] 1 is a plan view of a state in which a lifting scaffold for a worker lifting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is attached to a support mast. [Figure 9] 1 is a side view of a state in which a lifting scaffold for a worker lifting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is attached to a support mast. [Figure 10] 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a lifting scaffold of a worker lifting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in a state where the lifting scaffold is attached to a support mast. FIG. [Figure 11] 1 is a partially enlarged plan view showing an engagement state between a lifting scaffold and a support mount of a worker lifting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 12] 1 is an enlarged rear perspective view showing an engagement state between a lifting scaffold and a support mast of a worker lifting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 13] 1 is an enlarged rear perspective view showing a movement transmission structure for a support mast of a lifting scaffold of a worker lifting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 14] 1 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of a lifting scaffold for a worker lifting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 15] 1 is a side view of a worker lifting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention with a door of the lifting scaffolding open. FIG. [Figure 16] 1 is an enlarged partial plan view of a state in which the door of the lifting scaffold of the worker lifting device of the first embodiment of the present invention is open and the guide steps are protruding outward. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] (Embodiment Example 1) First Embodiment A worker hoisting device A according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0024] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, this worker lifting device A is composed of a support mast 1 attached to a transmission tower T and a lifting scaffold 2 which is movable along the support mast 1 and is always held by the support mast 1. Note that, for the sake of explanation, two lifting scaffolds 2 are depicted, one above the other, in Figure 1, but there is only one during normal operation.

[0025] 3 and 4, the support mast 1 has a triangular shape in a plan view and is composed of three posts 1a connected by beams 1b. A rack 3 having teeth arranged on one side along the vertical direction of the support mast 1 is provided on the front side of the support mast 1.

[0026] The supporting mast 1 is attached along the vertical direction of the transmission tower T. As shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the attachment is performed by fixing a fixing bracket 4 fixed to a diagonal member T1 of the transmission tower T and one end of a stay member 5 extending from the fixing bracket 4 via another member to a beam member 1b of the supporting mast 1.

[0027] As shown in Figures 7 to 16, the lifting scaffold 2 has a horizontal, approximately quadrilateral deck 6 on which workers stand, and a rectangular cut-out 6b is provided in the upper edge (the edge opposite the front) of the central part 6a of this deck 6 in Figure 8. A drive unit support frame 7 having a U-shaped cross section is provided below the deck 6 from the inner peripheral edge of the cut-out 6b, and a support mast surrounding frame 8 is provided on the extension of the drive unit support frame 7 extending upward from the inner peripheral edge of the cut-out 6 of the deck 6, so as to surround the support mast 1.

[0028] Further, worker riding sections 9, 9 are provided on both sides of the deck 6 sandwiching the central section 6a of the deck 6, and pillars 10 are erected at the four corners of each worker riding section 9, and wire mesh net guards 11 are stretched around these pillars 10 so as to cover each worker riding section 9 with a U-shaped cross section as shown in Fig. 10, with openings 11a of the net guards 11 facing the central section 6a. Moreover, wire mesh net guards 12 are stretched on the four pillars 10 surrounding each worker riding section 9 to cover the upper surface.

[0029] As a result, when a worker boards the deck 6 and enters each worker loading area 9, he or she is surrounded by net guards 11 and 12, except for the opening 11a, to prevent the worker from falling off and to protect the worker from falling objects from the outside.

[0030] As described above, the lifting scaffold 2 is supported so as to be vertically movable along the support mast 1, and this configuration is shown in Figures 11 and 12. A pair of guide rollers 13 is provided on the top and bottom of both side surfaces of the drive unit support frame 7 provided below the cut-out portion 6b of the deck 6, and each pair of guide rollers 13 holds two posts 1a of the support mast 1. This structure allows the lifting scaffold 2 to move relative to the support mast 1 while rotating each pair of guide rollers 13.

[0031] In addition, a plurality of drive motors 14 are supported on the front plate of the drive unit support frame 7 (see Figure 7), with one end thereof protruding toward the support mast 1 (see Figure 11). As shown in Figure 13, pinion gears 15 fixed to the rotating shaft protruding from one end each mesh with the rack 3 of the support mast 1. Also, a plurality of pressure rollers 16 protruding from the front plate of the drive unit support frame 7 press the end opposite the teeth of the rack 3, so that the pinion gears 15 are constantly meshed with the rack 3.

[0032] The drive motor 14 is configured to be driven by an operation panel (not shown), which are provided on the ground, at multiple heights at regular intervals on the transmission tower T, and on the lifting scaffolding 2. Operating any of the operation panels rotates the drive motor 14 of the lifting scaffolding 2, which in turn rotates the pinion gear 15, causing the lifting scaffolding 2 to move along the rack 3.

[0033] Although not shown in the drawings, the support mast 1 is divided into multiple pieces, which are joined together on-site to form a single piece when attached to the transmission tower T. When joining together, the climbing scaffolding 2 can be attached to the support mast 1. As shown in Fig. 7, a wheeled base 17 is provided at the base of the support mast 1, and after installation, outriggers 17a can be extended from the base 17 to ensure stable horizontal installation.

[0034] 14, an openable / closable barrier bar 18 is provided at the opening 11a of each worker boarding section 9 of the lifting scaffold 2 at waist height, and the drive motor 14 will not operate unless the worker stands on the worker boarding section 9, closes the barrier bar 18, and fits its free end into a receiving section 19. This prevents the lifting scaffold 2 from moving with the barrier bar 18 open, enhancing safety.

[0035] 15 and 16, a double door 20 is provided on the back of each worker boarding section 9, i.e., on the surface facing the transmission tower T, and a guide step 21 that can be freely opened and closed is provided on the outer edge of the deck 6 on the inside thereof, and when the double door 20 is opened to the outside of the deck 6, the guide step 21 can be protruded outward from the deck 6. As a result, when a worker standing on the lifting scaffold 2 moves onto the diagonal member T1 of the transmission tower T, even if there is a gap between the deck 6 and the diagonal member T1, the worker can easily move to the transmission tower T by putting his / her foot on the guide step 21. The double door 20 is provided on the back of the worker boarding section 9, and the double door 20 of the worker boarding section 9 on the right side of FIG. 7 is shown on the front for the sake of explanation.

[0036] 7, a handrail-like lifting door 22 is provided on the front of the central part 6a of the deck 6 of the lifting scaffold 2. Therefore, when a worker gets on to the lifting scaffold 2, he or she first opens the lifting door 22 in the central part 6a to get on to the deck 6, and then opens either the left or right barrier bar 18 to enter one of the worker boarding sections 9. In addition, a reinforcing frame 23 with a triangular cross section is provided on the lower part of the deck 6 of the lifting scaffold 2, except for the drive unit support frame 7 locations.

[0037] When a worker climbs from the ground to the top of the transmission tower T using the worker climbing device A configured as described above, the worker operates an operation panel installed on the ground to lower the climbing scaffold 2 to a ground position, and the worker opens the climbing door 22 of the climbing scaffold 2, climbs onto the center part 6a of the deck 6, opens the barrier bar 18, enters the worker boarding section 9, and closes the barrier bar 18. When the worker climbs onto the climbing scaffold 2, he or she can also climb onto the deck 6 using the movable stairs 24 shown in FIG. 2.

[0038] Then, the operator operates an operation panel provided on the operator boarding section 9 to rotate and drive the drive motor 14. As a result, the lifting scaffold 2 rises along the support mast 1, and at a desired position on the transmission tower T, the operator operates the operation panel to stop the movement of the lifting scaffold 2, opens the barrier bar 18 and locks it in that state, then opens the double doors 20 of the operator boarding section 9, tilts the guide steps 21 to project outward from the deck 6 of the operator boarding section 9, and the operator steps on the guide steps 21 to move onto the diagonal members T1 of the transmission tower T and rises to the top of the transmission tower T.

[0039] Moreover, when descending from the top of the transmission tower T, the above steps are reversed. When a worker climbs onto the climbing scaffold 2 from a high point on the transmission tower T, he or she uses the guide steps 21 to get onto the deck 6 of the worker boarding section 9, folds up the guide steps 21, closes the double doors 20, and closes the barrier bar 18. Thereafter, the drive motor 14 is driven by the operation panel of the worker boarding section 9 to lower the climbing scaffold 2.

[0040] Although a commercial power source is used as the power source for the drive motor 14, a generator may also be used. In the above embodiment, the lifting scaffold 2 is provided with the worker boarding sections 9 and covered with the net guards 11, 12, but the lifting scaffold 2 may not be provided with the worker boarding sections 9 and may simply have a fence or enclosure around the deck 6.

[0041] In addition, the double doors 20 provided on the back of the worker boarding section 9 may be doors of another type. In addition, the above embodiment is an example in which the worker hoisting device A of the present invention is used for the power transmission tower T, but the application of the present invention is not limited to the power transmission tower T, and it can also be used for other towers. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] A Worker lifting device T Power transmission tower T1 diagonal 1 Support mast 1a Support 1b Beams, etc. 2 Climbing scaffolding 3 Rack 4 Fixture 5 Stay material 6 Deck 6a Center 6b Cutout 7 Drive unit support frame 8 Support mast enclosure frame 9 Worker boarding area 10 Support 11 Net guard 11a Opening 12 Net guard 13 Guide roller 14 Drive motor 15 Pinion gear 16 Presser roller 17 Wheeled base 17a Outrigger 18 Barrier 19 Receiving part 20 Double door 21 Guide step 22 Lifting door 23 Reinforcement frame 24 Mobile stairs

Claims

1. A worker lifting device for a steel tower, characterized in that a support mast is provided along the steel tower, a rack is provided along the vertical direction of the support mast, a lifting scaffold is provided which can move freely along the support mast using the support mast as a rail and is always held to the support mast, a drive motor is provided on the lifting scaffold, a pinion gear attached to the rotating shaft of the drive motor is engaged with the rack of the support mast, and an enclosure is provided around the deck of the lifting scaffold.

2. 2. The worker lifting device for a steel tower as described in claim 1, characterized in that the power source for the drive motor is a commercial power source, and an operation panel for the drive motor is provided at the ground level, at a predetermined location on the steel tower, and at a plurality of locations on the lifting scaffolding.

3. 3. A worker ascent and descent device for a steel tower as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a worker boarding section is provided on the ascent scaffold, and the sides and ceiling of the worker boarding section except for an opening are enclosed and covered with a wire mesh net guard.

4. 4. The worker ascent and descent device for a steel tower as described in claim 3, characterized in that an openable and closable barrier is provided at the opening of the worker boarding area at waist height of the person, and the drive motor is only operable when the barrier is closed.

5. 5. The worker ascent and descent device for a steel tower according to claim 4, wherein the worker boarding section is provided with an opening / closing door and a guide step that can protrude freely from the inside of the opening / closing door to the outside of the ascent and descent scaffolding.

6. 6. A method for ascent and descent of workers on a tower, comprising the steps of: operating an operation panel to rotate a drive motor of the lifting scaffold to lower the lifting scaffold to a ground position; having a worker stand on the deck of the lifting scaffold; opening a barrier to enter the worker boarding section; closing the barrier; operating an operation panel provided in the worker boarding section to rotate and drive the drive motor, thereby lifting the lifting scaffold along the support mast; operating the operation panel to stop the movement of the lifting scaffold at a desired position on the transmission tower; opening the barrier to lock it in that state; thereafter opening a door of the worker boarding section; causing a tip of a guide step to protrude outward from the worker boarding section to the lifting scaffold; the worker steps on the guide step to transfer to a diagonal member of the transmission tower to ascend to the upper part of the transmission tower; and when the worker descends from the upper part of the transmission tower to the lower part, the worker follows the reverse procedure to descend.

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