Communication system and construction method
A communication system on tower cranes with an antenna, router, and repeater maintains stable connections through power line communication, addressing communication challenges in high-rise construction by minimizing equipment rearrangement and ensuring quality.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024072434
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-04-26
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-07
AI Technical Summary
Ensuring stable communication quality and reducing rearrangement work for communication equipment on construction floors of high-rise buildings as tower cranes elevate, particularly in urban areas where conventional methods like Wi-Fi and satellite communications face challenges.
A communication system utilizing an antenna on a tower crane connected via a rotary connector to a router on the rotating section and a repeater on the non-rotating section, using power line communication through a slip ring to maintain stable connections as the crane elevates.
Reduces the need for extensive rearrangement of communication equipment and ensures consistent communication quality on construction floors by leveraging existing tower crane infrastructure, enhancing construction efficiency.
Smart Images
Figure 2025167619000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a communication system and construction method. [Background technology]
[0002] Conventionally, high-rise buildings and high-rise apartment buildings have been constructed, particularly in urban areas. When constructing such high-rise buildings and high-rise apartment buildings, tower cranes are used to lift the buildings from the lower floors to the higher floors.
[0003] Furthermore, at construction sites, workers may use communication devices such as mobile phones and smartphones to make phone calls or use the Internet.
[0004] For example, communication with base stations can be difficult at locations 100 meters or more above ground, so for the higher floors being constructed, a Wi-Fi environment can be established from the ground floor to enable internet communication on those floors. In this case, construction is carried out by raising the tower crane from the lower floors to the higher floors, so the Wi-Fi environment must be rebuilt each time the construction floors go higher. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]
[0005] [Non-Patent Document 1] KDDI Corporation, "Building a communications environment for skyscrapers under construction with Starlink," [online], November 24, 2023, [Retrieved April 2, 2024], Internet<URL:https: / / news.kddi.com / kddi / corporate / topic / 2023 / 11 / 24 / 7078.html> Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0006] However, in reality, it is difficult to install communication equipment and wire on a floor under construction, so the communication environment is built on a completed floor several floors below the floor under construction. In other words, there is a problem that appropriate communication quality cannot be ensured on floors under construction.
[0007] Meanwhile, a method has been proposed that uses satellite communications to create a communications environment for a skyscraper under construction without the need for reconfiguration work to reconstruct a communications environment such as WiFi (for example, Non-Patent Document 1), but it is still necessary to ensure the placement of communications equipment and communications quality based on the actual conditions of the construction site, including the structure of the tower crane.
[0008] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a communication system and construction method that can reduce the amount of rearrangement work required to reconstruct the communication environment by appropriately arranging communication equipment based on the structure of the tower crane at a construction site where construction is carried out by raising a tower crane from the lower floors to the higher floors, and can ensure communication quality on the construction floors of the construction site. [Means for solving the problem]
[0009] A communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises an antenna disposed on a tower crane and capable of communicating with a communication satellite, a rotary connector used to electrically connect the rotating and non-rotating sections of the tower crane, a router disposed on the rotating section side and connected to the antenna, and a repeater disposed on the non-rotating section side and connected via a wire capable of communicating with the router via the rotary connector.
[0010] According to this aspect, a router connected to an antenna is disposed on the rotating section side of the tower crane, and a repeater is disposed on the non-rotating section side of the tower crane. The router and repeater are then connected by a wire capable of communication via a rotary connector used to electrically connect the rotating section and non-rotating section of the tower crane. This communication system, constructed in this manner, reduces the amount of rearrangement work required to reconstruct the communication environment at a construction site where construction is carried out by raising the tower crane from lower floors to higher floors, and ensures communication quality on the construction floors at the construction site.
[0011] In the above aspect, the wire may be a power line provided in the rotary connector to electrically connect the rotating part and the non-rotating part of the tower crane.
[0012] According to this aspect, the router located on the rotating section side of the tower crane and the repeater located on the non-rotating section side of the tower crane communicate using a power line provided in the rotary connector. As a result, even if the rotating section of the tower crane rotates, the router and repeater are connected using the power line provided in the rotary connector, so the power line does not become twisted or tangled. As a result, the risk of communication between the router and repeater being cut off can be reduced. Furthermore, because communication signals are also transmitted using the power line provided in the rotary connector, there is no need to install a separate communication cable (Ethernet cable) in the rotary connector. A communication system can be easily constructed using a tower crane equipped with an existing rotary connector.
[0013] In the above aspect, the antenna may be disposed above the swivel portion.
[0014] According to this aspect, the antenna is disposed above the rotating section, which enables good communication with the communication satellite and also makes it easy to connect to a router.
[0015] In the above aspect, the antenna and the router may be connected by wire.
[0016] According to this aspect, the quality of communication between the antenna and the router can be stabilized.
[0017] In the above aspect, the tower crane may further include a repeater that is capable of communicating with the repeater and is arranged on the non-slewing portion side of the tower crane separate from the tower crane.
[0018] According to this aspect, the repeater placed on the non-rotating side of the tower crane functions as a parent unit, and the repeater placed on the non-rotating side of another tower crane functions as a child unit, so that the communication system constructed in this manner can expand the communication area on the construction floor of a construction site.
[0019] In the above aspect, the repeaters may be connected to each other wirelessly.
[0020] According to this aspect, there is no need to install wiring between the tower cranes on which the repeaters are installed, and the communication area on the construction floor of the construction site can be easily expanded.
[0021] In the above aspect, the repeater may include a directional antenna.
[0022] According to this aspect, the quality of communication between the repeaters can be stabilized.
[0023] A construction method according to one aspect of the present invention involves constructing a structure using a tower crane equipped with an antenna capable of communicating with a communications satellite, a rotary connector used to electrically connect a rotating section and a non-rotating section, a router located on the rotating section side and connected to the antenna, and a repeater located on the non-rotating section side and connected via a wire capable of communicating with the router via the rotary connector.
[0024] According to this aspect, a router connected to an antenna is disposed on the rotating section side of the tower crane, and a repeater is disposed on the non-rotating section side of the tower crane. The router and repeater are then connected via a rotary connector, which is used to electrically connect the rotating section and non-rotating section of the tower crane, using a wired connection that enables communication. In this way, a construction method using a tower crane equipped with an antenna, a router, and a repeater can reduce the amount of rearrangement work required to reconstruct the communication environment at a construction site where the tower crane is raised from lower floors to higher floors, thereby ensuring communication quality on the construction floors at the construction site. As a result, appropriate communication is achieved at the construction site, allowing construction to proceed more efficiently. [Effects of the Invention]
[0025] According to the present invention, at a construction site where construction is carried out by raising a tower crane from the lower floors to the higher floors, by appropriately arranging communication equipment taking into account the structure of the tower crane, it is possible to provide a communication system and construction method that can reduce the amount of rearrangement work required to reconstruct the communication environment and ensure communication quality on the construction floors of the construction site. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the construction of a high-rise building using a tower crane. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a communication system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a communication environment being established in a high-rise building under construction using a tower crane. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a specific configuration of a communication system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a specific configuration of a communication system 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6]This is a diagram showing how a communication environment that covers a wide communication area is being created in a high-rise building under construction using a tower crane. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is merely a specific example for carrying out the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, to facilitate understanding of the description, the same reference numerals will be used to designate the same components in each drawing whenever possible, and duplicate descriptions may be omitted.
[0028] First Embodiment Figure 1 is a diagram showing how a high-rise building is constructed using tower cranes. As shown in Figure 1, for example, high-rise building 20 is constructed by raising tower cranes 10A to 10C (hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as "tower cranes 10") from lower floors to higher floors.
[0029] The number of tower cranes 10 is not limited to three, and an appropriate number may be used depending on the high-rise building to be constructed, etc. Furthermore, the type of tower crane 10 may be a floor climbing type or a mast climbing type.
[0030] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a communication system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 2, a communication environment is constructed as the communication system 100 by arranging an antenna 110, a router 120, and a repeater 130 on a tower crane 10A.
[0031] The antenna 110 is capable of communicating with a communication satellite such as Starlink (registered trademark). The antenna 110 is preferably disposed above the rotating body 12 (swivel section) in an open position in the sky, and may be disposed, for example, on the gantry section 15 of the tower crane 10A.
[0032] The router 120 may be connected to the antenna 110 and disposed, for example, on the rotating body 12 of the tower crane 10A. The rotating body 12 rotates around the center (axis) of the mast 14 of the tower crane 10A by a rotating device provided on the tower crane 10A, and the orientation of the jib 11 of the tower crane 10A is adjusted in accordance with the rotation of the rotating body 12.
[0033] In order to ensure (stabilize) the quality of communication between the antenna 110 and the router 120, it is preferable that they be connected by wire, for example. Here, the antenna 110 is disposed on the gantry section 15 or the like above the revolving unit 12, and the router 120 is disposed on the revolving unit 12. Therefore, even if the antenna 110 and the router 120 are connected by wire, the wire will not be twisted or tangled due to the rotation of the revolving unit 12. This reduces the risk of the wire being disconnected.
[0034] The repeater 130 is disposed, for example, on the lifting frame 13 (non-swivel portion) of the tower crane 10A, and is connected by wire capable of communicating with the router 120 via a slip ring (rotary connector) described below. The lifting frame 13 rises and falls along the mast 14 by a lifting device provided on the tower crane 10A, and in response to the rise and fall of the lifting frame 13, the rotating body 12 (the part above the rotating body 12) also rises and falls.
[0035] The tower crane 10A is equipped with a slip ring, and the upper rotating section side from the rotating body 12 and the lower non-rotating section side from the lifting frame 13 are electrically connected by a slip ring cable.
[0036] The slip ring uses a slip ring cable to supply power (motive power) from a stationary body (brush) to a rotating body (ring), and also transmits a high-frequency communication signal by superimposing it. That is, the router 120 (rotating part side) and the repeater 130 (non-rotating part side) can communicate using power line communication (PLC), which uses power lines as a communication medium.
[0037] The slip ring is configured so that the slip ring cable connecting the rotating unit side and the non-rotating unit side does not twist or tangle even when the rotating body 12 rotates, thereby reducing the risk of the slip ring cable breaking, etc. This allows stable communication between the router 120 (rotating unit side) and the repeater 130 (non-rotating unit side) using the slip ring cable.
[0038] Here, by connecting the router 120 and the repeater 130 using a wire (slip ring cable), the communication quality between the router 120 and the repeater 130 can be ensured (stabilized) even if, for example, a rotating body 12, a rotating frame, a counter frame, a driver's cab, etc. are placed between the two.
[0039] In this way, by placing an antenna 110, a router 120, and a repeater 130 on the tower crane 10A, a communication system 100 is constructed, enabling internet communication on the construction floors of a high-rise building 20 under construction.
[0040] Figure 3 shows a communication environment being established in a high-rise building under construction using a tower crane. As shown in Figure 3, internet communication and the like are possible in area 21, which includes the construction floors of high-rise building 20 under construction.
[0041] 2, communication system 100 is constructed by antenna 110, router 120, and repeater 130 arranged on tower crane 10A, and in area 21, internet communication and the like is possible via repeater 130, which serves as an access point. That is, in area 21, which includes the construction floors of high-rise building 20 under construction, workers can make phone calls and use the internet using communication devices such as mobile phones and smartphones.
[0042] 4 is a schematic diagram showing a specific configuration of a communication system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the communication system 100 includes an antenna 110, a router 120, a repeater 130, and a slip ring 140.
[0043] As described above, the communication system 100 is constructed on the tower crane 10A, with the antenna 110 and router 120 arranged on the rotating section side of the tower crane 10A above the slip ring 140, and the repeater 130 arranged on the non-rotating section side of the tower crane 10A below the slip ring 140.
[0044] The antenna 110 is connected to the power supply unit 122 by, for example, a Starlink-specific cable, and is capable of communicating with communication satellites such as Starlink.
[0045] The router 120 is connected to a power supply unit 122 so that power is supplied from a distribution board 121 on the rotating section side of the tower crane 10A, and can communicate with the antenna 110 via a Starlink dedicated cable.
[0046] The router 120 is also connected by a LAN cable to a PLC adapter 141 on the rotating part side of the tower crane 10A, which is connected to a slip ring 140, and is capable of transmitting communication signals.
[0047] The slip ring 140 electrically connects the rotating section side and the non-rotating section side of the tower crane 10A using a slip ring cable, and more specifically, connects the PLC adapter 141 on the rotating section side of the tower crane 10A to the PLC adapter 142 on the non-rotating section side using a slip ring cable.
[0048] The slip ring cable can supply power and transmit high-frequency communication signals superimposed thereon (power line communication), and PLC adapter 141 and PLC adapter 142 are preferably connected by an in-phase circuit, which can reduce attenuation of communication signals between PLC adapter 141 and PLC adapter 142.
[0049] The repeater 130 is connected by a LAN cable to a PLC adapter 142 on the non-swivel side of the tower crane 10A, which is connected to the slip ring 140, and is capable of transmitting communication signals. Note that the repeater 130 receives power from a distribution board 131 on the non-swivel side of the tower crane 10A.
[0050] In this way, the antenna 110, the router 120, and the repeater 130 are connected using a LAN cable and a slip ring cable (power line communication) so as to be able to transmit communication signals, and a communication environment is constructed as the communication system 100.
[0051] For example, in area 21 including the construction floors of high-rise building 20 under construction shown in Figure 3, workers can use communication devices such as mobile phones and smartphones to access the Internet using Starlink via repeater 130, which serves as an access point.
[0052] As described above, according to the communication system 100 of the first embodiment of the present invention, the router 120 connected to the antenna 110 is disposed on the rotating section side of the tower crane 10A, and the repeater 130 is disposed on the non-rotating section side of the tower crane 10A. The system is configured so that a communication signal is transmitted between the router 120 and the repeater 130 by power line communication via a slip ring 140 used to electrically connect the rotating section and non-rotating section of the tower crane 10A. As a result, at a construction site where a high-rise building 20 is being constructed by raising the tower crane 10A from lower floors to higher floors, the communication system 100 reduces the amount of rearrangement work required to reconstruct the communication environment as the construction of the high-rise building 20 progresses, even if the tower crane 10A is also raised, and communication quality can be ensured in the area 21 of the construction site including the construction floors.
[0053] Furthermore, in the construction method using the tower crane 10A equipped with the antenna 110, router 120, and repeater 130 in this manner, at a construction site where construction is carried out while the tower crane 10A is raised from lower floors to higher floors, the work of rearranging the communication environment can be reduced, and construction can be carried out while ensuring communication quality in the area 21 of the construction site, including the construction floor. As a result, appropriate communication can be achieved at the construction site, and construction can proceed more efficiently.
[0054] Furthermore, in the communication system 100, the router 120 arranged on the rotating part side of the tower crane 10A and the repeater 130 arranged on the non-rotating part side of the tower crane 10A transmit communication signals (power line communication) using power lines provided in the slip ring 140. This prevents the power lines from twisting or tangling even when the rotating part of the tower crane 10A rotates, reducing the risk of communication between the router 120 and the repeater 130 being cut off.
[0055] Furthermore, in the communication system 100, communication signals are transmitted between the router 120 and the repeater 130 using a slip ring cable (power line) provided in the slip ring 140 (power line communication), so there is no need to set up a separate communication cable (Ethernet cable) in the slip ring 140, and the communication system 100 can be easily constructed using a tower crane 10A equipped with an existing slip ring.
[0056] On the other hand, communication between the router 120 and the repeater 130 is not limited to power line communication using the slip ring cable provided in the slip ring 140. For example, if an Ethernet cable can be placed in the slip ring 140, communication between the router 120 and the repeater 130 may be realized using an Ethernet cable.
[0057] Second Embodiment Next, in a second embodiment of the present invention, a communication system constructed using multiple tower cranes will be described. In this embodiment, mainly, configurations different from the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail, and detailed descriptions of the same configurations as the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified by assigning the same reference numerals.
[0058] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a specific configuration of a communication system 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 5, the communication system 200 includes an antenna 110, a router 120, a repeater 130, and a slip ring 140 in the tower crane 10A, and includes a repeater 230 and a slip ring 240 in the tower crane 10B and / or the tower crane 10C.
[0059] The tower crane 10A has the same configuration as that explained in the first embodiment of the present invention, and a relay 230 is arranged on the non-slewing portion side of the tower crane 10B and / or the tower crane 10C.
[0060] The repeater 230 is supplied with power from a distribution board 231 on the non-swivel side, and is capable of communicating with the repeater 130 of the tower crane 10A. In other words, the repeater 130 arranged on the non-swivel side of the tower crane 10A functions as a parent device, and the repeater 230 arranged on the non-swivel side of the tower crane 10B and / or tower crane 10C functions as a child device, thereby creating a communication environment as the communication system 200 that covers a wide communication area.
[0061] Furthermore, repeater 130 and repeater 230 may each have a directional antenna facing each other.
[0062] Figure 6 shows how a communication environment that covers a wide area is being constructed in a high-rise building under construction using a tower crane. As shown in Figure 6, internet communication and the like are possible in area 22, which includes the construction floors of high-rise building 20 under construction.
[0063] In area 22 including the construction floor of high-rise building 20 under construction, a worker uses a communication device such as a mobile phone or smartphone to connect to any of repeaters 130, 230 of tower cranes 10A to 10C as an access point. Then, via repeater 130 of tower crane 10A functioning as the parent device, Internet communication is performed using router 120 and antenna 110.
[0064] Since repeater 130 and repeater 230 are disposed on the non-swivel side of tower crane 10A and tower crane 10B (10C), respectively, their directions will not change even if tower crane 10A and tower crane 10B (10C) rise in the same manner as construction of high-rise building 20 progresses. In other words, the directional antennas provided facing each other ensure more stable communication quality between repeater 130 and repeater 230.
[0065] As described above, the communication system 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention has the same effects as the communication system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and furthermore, can expand the area 22 including the construction floors of the construction site.
[0066] The above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The elements of the embodiments, as well as their arrangement, materials, conditions, shapes, sizes, etc., are not limited to those illustrated and can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, configurations shown in different embodiments can be partially substituted or combined with each other. [Explanation of symbols]
[0067] 10, 10A to 10C... Tower crane, 11... Jib, 12... Rotating body, 13... Lifting frame, 14... Mast, 15... Gantry section, 20... High-rise building, 21, 22... Communication area, 100, 200... Communication system, 110... Antenna, 120... Router, 121, 131, 231... Distribution board, 122... Power supply unit, 130, 230... Repeater, 140, 240... Slip ring (rotating connector), 141, 142... PLC adapter
Claims
1. an antenna placed on a tower crane and capable of communicating with a communications satellite; a rotary connector used to electrically connect the rotating part and the non-rotating part of the tower crane; a router disposed on the rotating portion side and connected to the antenna; a repeater that is disposed on the non-rotating portion side and is connected to the router via the rotary connector using a wire that can communicate with the router; Communication system.
2. The wire is a power line provided in the rotary connector to electrically connect the rotating part and the non-rotating part of the tower crane. The communication system of claim 1 .
3. The antenna is disposed above the swivel portion. The communication system of claim 1 .
4. The antenna and the router are connected by wire. The communication system of claim 1 .
5. Further provided is a repeater capable of communicating with the repeater and arranged on a non-slewing section side of a tower crane other than the tower crane. The communication system of claim 1 .
6. The repeaters are connected wirelessly. The communication system according to claim 5 .
7. The repeater comprises a directional antenna.
7. The communication system according to claim 6.
8. an antenna capable of communicating with a communications satellite; a rotary connector used to electrically connect the rotating part and the non-rotating part; a router disposed on the rotating portion side and connected to the antenna; A construction method for constructing a building using a tower crane equipped with a repeater that is arranged on the non-rotating part side and is connected via a wire that can communicate with the router via the rotating connector.