winding device

Abstract

To simplify and streamline the process of adjusting cable length. [Solution] A cable winding device having a winding drum with a normal axis of a predetermined vertical plane as the winding axis, wherein the winding drum is rotatable with the vertical axis as the axis of rotation, and the winding drum rotates around the axis of rotation according to the tension direction of the cable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a winding device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, when adjusting the length of a cable (for example, a power supply cable or a communication cable) connected to a construction machine (hereinafter referred to as a construction machine), an operator is assigned to handle it. Also, a cable drum (winding drum) is sometimes used to adjust the length of the cable. For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a tool that enables safe handling of the transportation and direction change of a cable drum is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] As described above, the work of adjusting the length of the cable involves a large load due to the weight of the cable, and is also dangerous because the construction machine moves. Further, even when using the cable drum and the tool of Patent Document 1, operations such as changing the direction of the cable drum by an operator are required, which is laborious.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its object is to simplify and improve the efficiency of the work of adjusting the length of the cable.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The main invention for achieving the above objective is a cable winding device having a winding drum with a normal axis of a predetermined vertical plane as the winding axis, wherein the winding drum is rotatable with the vertical axis as the axis of rotation, and the winding drum rotates around the axis of rotation according to the tension direction of the cable.

[0007] Other features of the present invention will be revealed in the specification and drawings described below. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the work of adjusting the length of a cable can be simplified and made more efficient. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figures 1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams illustrating the general procedure for adjusting the length of a cable. [Figure 2] This diagram shows the configuration of the winding device 10 of this embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3A is a plan view illustrating the configuration of the base 11, and Figure 3B is a perspective view. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration for controlling the rotation of the winding drum 16 around the winding shaft 16b. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart showing the process of controlling the tension of the cable 5 by the winding device 10. [Figure 6] Figures 6A and 6B are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of the winding device 10 when the construction machine 1 moves in the direction that pulls the cable 5. [Figure 7] This is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the winding device 10 when the construction machine 1 moves in a direction that loosens the cable 5. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The following information will become clear from the description in the specification and drawings described later.

[0011] (Aspect 1) A cable winding device, comprising a winding drum having a winding axis as the normal axis of a predetermined vertical plane, wherein the winding drum is rotatable about a vertical axis, and the winding drum rotates about the rotation axis according to the tension direction of the cable. The winding device is characterized by this.

[0012] According to the winding device of Embodiment 1, even when the cable tension direction is not linear (when moving left and right, etc.), it can cope, and the work of adjusting the length of the cable can be simplified and made more efficient.

[0013] (Embodiment 2) The winding device according to Embodiment 1, preferably further comprising a detection unit for detecting the torque of the winding axis, a drive unit for rotating the winding drum around the winding axis, and a control unit for controlling the drive unit according to the detection result of the detection unit.

[0014] According to the winding device of Embodiment 2, the tension of the cable can be automatically controlled.

[0015] (Embodiment 3) The winding device according to Embodiment 2, wherein when the detection result of the detection unit exceeds the upper limit threshold value, it is desirable that the drive unit rotates the winding drum in the cable feeding direction.

[0016] According to the winding device of Embodiment 3, an excessive force can be prevented from being applied to the cable.

[0017] (Embodiment 4) The winding device according to Embodiment 2 or 3, wherein when the detection result of the detection unit is less than the lower limit threshold value, it is desirable that the drive unit rotates the winding drum in the cable winding direction.

[0018] According to the winding device of Embodiment 4, the cable can be prevented from sagging.

[0019] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent components, members, etc. are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations are omitted as appropriate.

[0020] ===Embodiment=== <Regarding general cable adjustment work> Figures 1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams regarding the work of adjusting the length of a general cable. Note that Figure 1A shows the case where the construction machine 1 moves in the direction of pulling the cable 5, and Figure 1B shows the case where the construction machine 1 moves in the direction of letting out (slackening) the cable 5.

[0021] The construction machine 1 shown in the figure (hereinafter also referred to as the construction machine 1) is a machine used for work such as civil engineering and construction work. Here, a hydraulic excavator is shown as the construction machine 1, but it is not limited to this. For example, a bulldozer or a crane truck may also be used.

[0022] In recent years, environmental protection campaigns such as global warming have been actively carried out, and there is particularly high interest in air pollution, and attention has been paid to reducing exhaust gas (such as CO2) emitted during the operation of internal combustion engines.

[0023] For the purpose of reducing such CO2, the construction machine 1 is an electric type that does not have a gasoline-powered prime mover and is driven by being supplied with electric power. Note that the construction machine 1 may be operated by a person on board, or for example, it may be operated externally by wireless or the like and move unmanned.

[0024] The power source 3 is a power source for supplying electric power to the construction machine 1.

[0025] The cable 5 is a power supply cable, one end of which is connected to the power source 3 and the other end of which is connected to the construction machine 1. Thereby, the electric power of the power source 3 is supplied to the construction machine 1 via the cable 5.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1A, when construction equipment 1 moves in the direction that pulls cable 5, the worker extends the cable in advance to the extent of the movement, as shown in the figure, and then gradually feeds out cable 5.

[0027] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 1B, when the construction machine 1 moves in a direction that causes the cable 5 to become slack, the worker pulls the slack portion of the cable 5 and bundles up the excess portion.

[0028] Thus, when adjusting the length of cable 5, it was necessary to assign a worker to perform the length adjustment as a backup. Furthermore, the work of adjusting the length of cable 5 was dangerous due to the heavy load caused by the weight of cable 5 and the movement of construction equipment 1.

[0029] Furthermore, while winding devices equipped with a cable winding drum are known, they can only accommodate the linear movement of the construction machine 1 and cannot accommodate movement in other directions. For example, when the construction machine 1 moves from side to side, it is necessary to change the direction of the winding drum in accordance with the movement of the construction machine 1, which requires a great deal of effort from the workers.

[0030] Therefore, in this embodiment, the process of adjusting the length of the cable 5 is simplified and made more efficient.

[0031] <Winding device of this embodiment> Figure 2 shows the configuration of the winding device 10 of this embodiment. Figure 3A is a plan view illustrating the configuration of the base 11, and Figure 3B is a perspective view. Figures 3A and 3B show the state with the turntable 13 removed from the base 11 (plan view and perspective view, respectively). Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration for controlling the rotation of the winding drum 16 around the winding shaft 16b.

[0032] In Figures 2, 3A, and 3B, three intersecting directions (X, Y, and Z) are defined. The Z direction is along the vertical direction, with the upper side of the vertical direction being defined as "up" and the opposite side (the lower side of the vertical direction) being defined as "down." The X and Y directions are two perpendicular directions (horizontal directions) in the horizontal plane.

[0033] As shown in Figure 2, the winding device 10 includes a base 11, a rotating shaft 12, a rotating table 13, a support section 14, a winding drum 16, and an electric motor 19. Although not shown in Figure 2, it also includes a torque sensor 17 and a control unit 18 (see Figure 4).

[0034] The base 11 is a stand for installing the winding drum 16 on the ground or other surface. In this embodiment, the base 11 has an opening for housing the turntable 13, and a rotating shaft 12 is provided in the center of the plane of the opening. In addition, multiple cylindrical bearings 11a and bearings 11b are arranged on the base 11 (the part facing the turntable 13). A bearing is a component that supports a rotating shaft (in this case, the rotating shaft 12) inside a machine, and is also called a shaft support.

[0035] The bearing 11a is positioned on the lower side of the opening (the part facing the bottom surface of the turntable 13). The multiple bearings 11a are arranged in a circle such that their respective axial directions are radial around the rotation axis 12. Each of the multiple bearings 11a is in contact with the bottom surface of the turntable 13. In other words, the turntable 13 rests on the multiple bearings 11a.

[0036] The bearings 11b are oriented axially in the Z direction (vertical direction) and are arranged in multiples on the peripheral edge of the opening of the base 11 (the part facing the outer surface of the rotating table 13). Each of the multiple bearings 11b contacts the outer surface of the rotating table 13.

[0037] The rotating shaft 12 (corresponding to the vertical axis) is an axis aligned with the Z direction and is the axis that serves as the center of rotation of the turntable 13. The cable 5 connected to the power supply 3 is sent to the winding drum 16 through the rotating shaft 12 (and the support part 14, winding shaft 16b, etc.). In this embodiment, a slip ring is used on the rotating shaft 12. A slip ring is a mechanism for transmitting power and signals via annular circuits and brushes arranged in the direction of rotation or concentrically with respect to a rotating body.

[0038] The turntable 13 is a disc-shaped component with a rotation shaft 12 passing through its center. The turntable 13 rotates around the rotation shaft 12 in the direction indicated by R2 in the figure (around the rotation shaft 12) according to the tension direction of the cable 5. In this case, the base 11 is provided with bearings 11a and 11b, which allows for smooth rotation.

[0039] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as mentioned above, since a slip ring is used on the rotation axis 12, the turntable 13 can rotate 360 ​​degrees in the direction of R2 in the figure, with respect to the rotation axis 12, without the wiring (cable 5 in this case) becoming entangled or broken.

[0040] The configuration of the rotation mechanism around the rotation axis 12 is not limited to the above, and other configurations are possible. For example, a configuration using spherical (ball-shaped) bearings is possible, or a configuration in which a sliding material with a low coefficient of friction is provided between the base 11 and the rotating base 13 is possible.

[0041] The support parts 14 are members that support the winding shaft 16b (described later) of the winding drum 16 so that it can rotate in the R1 direction in the figure. A pair of support parts 14 are provided on the turntable 13 so as to sandwich the rotation shaft 12 (spaced apart in the X direction in the figure). In other words, the pair of support parts 14 (and the winding drum 16, etc.) rotate together with the turntable 13 around the rotation shaft 12 (in the R2 direction). The cable 5 is passed through the turntable 13, the support parts 14, and the winding shaft 16b via the rotation shaft 12.

[0042] The winding drum 16 is a device for winding (or unwinding) the cable 5, and is also called a cable reel. The winding drum 16 has a flange portion 16a and a winding shaft 16b.

[0043] The flange portion 16a is a circular plate-shaped member. The surface of the flange portion 16a intersects the axial direction of the winding shaft 16b (in this case, the X direction) and is aligned with the Z direction (vertical direction). In other words, the surface of the flange portion 16a corresponds to a vertical surface. Furthermore, a pair of flange portions 16a are provided spaced apart in the axial direction (X direction) of the winding shaft 16b. The cable 5 is wound around the winding shaft 16b between this pair of flange portions 16a.

[0044] The winding shaft 16b corresponds to the normal axis of the surface (vertical plane) of the flange portion 16a and is the axis of rotation of the winding drum 16 (rotation in the R1 direction in the figure). As the winding shaft 16b rotates in the R1 direction, the winding drum 16 also rotates in the same direction (R1 direction).

[0045] Furthermore, similar to the rotating shaft 12, a slip ring is also used on the winding shaft 16b. This allows the winding drum 16 to rotate 360 ​​degrees in the R1 direction in the diagram around the winding shaft 16b without the wiring (in this case, the cable 5) becoming entangled or broken. Depending on the direction of rotation, the cable 5 can be wound up or unwound.

[0046] The torque sensor 17 (see Figure 4: corresponding to the detection unit) is a sensor that detects the rotational torque (load torque) of the winding shaft 16b of the winding drum 16. Torque is the moment of force acting around the rotation axis (in this case, the winding shaft 16b). Here, the torque sensor 17 is a slip ring type sensor and is installed on the winding shaft 16b. However, it is not limited to a slip ring type, and other types of sensors may also be used.

[0047] The control unit 18 (see Figure 4) controls the drive of the electric motor 19 according to the detection result (torque value) of the torque sensor 17 (this process will be described later).

[0048] The electric motor 19 (corresponding to the driving unit) is a motor for driving (rotating) the winding shaft 16b (in other words, the winding drum 16). The electric motor 19 rotates the winding shaft 16b (winding drum 16) in either the R1 direction according to the instruction of the control unit 18.

[0049] <Regarding the operation of the winding device 10> FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the process of tension control of the cable 5 by the winding device 10. With reference also to FIG. 4, the process of tension control of the cable 5 will be described.

[0050] Note that, as torque values T for controlling the tension of the cable 5 within a predetermined range, an upper limit threshold value Tth1 on the upper limit side and a lower limit threshold value Tth2 (<Tth1) on the lower limit side are set in advance, and each threshold value is stored in a storage unit (not shown) or the like. Also, a program for performing the process of FIG. 5 and the like is stored in the storage unit.

[0051] First, the torque sensor 17 detects the torque value of the winding shaft 16b, and the control unit 18 receives a signal (torque value T) from the torque sensor 17 (FIG. 5: S01).

[0052] The control unit 18 determines whether the received torque value T exceeds the upper limit threshold value Tth1 (FIG. 5: S02). If the torque value exceeds the upper limit threshold value Tth1 (YES in S02), the control unit 18 controls the electric motor 19 so that the winding shaft 16b rotates in the direction of feeding out the cable 5. That is, the winding drum 16 is rotated in the direction of feeding out the cable 5 (FIG. 5: S03).

[0053] On the other hand, in step S02, if the torque value T does not exceed the upper limit threshold value Tth1 (NO in S02), the control unit 18 determines whether the received torque value T is less than the lower limit threshold value Tth2 (FIG. 5: S04).

[0054] If the received torque value T is less than the lower threshold Tth2 (YES in S04), the control unit 18 controls the electric motor 19 so that the winding shaft 16b rotates in the direction of winding the cable 5. In other words, the winding drum 16 is rotated in the direction of winding the cable 5 (Figure 5: S05).

[0055] If, after step S03, after step S05, and in step S04, the torque value is greater than or equal to the lower threshold Tth2 (NO in S04), the control unit 18 determines whether the work is finished or not (Figure 5: S06). If it determines that the work is not finished (S06: NO), the process returns to step S01 and the same process is repeated. If it determines that the work is finished (S06: YES), the process is terminated.

[0056] Through the above process, when the construction machine 1 moves, the winding drum 16 can be automatically rotated in one or the other direction in the R1 direction, thereby controlling the tension of the cable 5. Therefore, for example, it is possible to prevent the cable 5 from becoming loose or from being subjected to excessive tension.

[0057] Furthermore, Figures 6A and 6B are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of the winding device 10 when the construction machine 1 moves in the direction that pulls the cable 5.

[0058] In Figure 6A, the direction of movement of the construction machine 1 and the winding (feeding out) direction of the cable 5 on the winding drum 16 are different. In this state, when the construction machine 1 moves, the cable 5 is pulled in that direction. As a result, as shown in Figure 6B, the turntable 13 (in other words, the winding drum 16) of the winding device 10 rotates in the R2 direction around the rotation axis 12. Furthermore, when the torque value T increases due to the pulling of the cable 5 and exceeds the upper limit threshold Tth1, the control unit 18 rotates the winding shaft 16b (winding drum 16) in the direction of feeding out the cable 5 (in this case, the R1 direction shown in Figure 6B) (see Figure 5: S03). This feeds out the cable 5, preventing the tension of the cable 5 from becoming excessive.

[0059] Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the winding device 10 when the construction machine 1 moves in a direction that loosens the cable 5.

[0060] In this case, the torque value T decreases as the construction machine 1 moves in a direction that slackens the cable 5. When the torque value T falls below the lower threshold Tth2, the control unit 18 rotates the winding shaft 16b in the direction that winds the cable 5 (in this case, the R1 direction shown in Figure 7) (see Figure 5: S04). This winds the cable 5 (increases the tension), thus preventing the cable 5 from slackening.

[0061] In the diagram, the construction machine 1 is shown approaching in a straight line, but if it changes direction (for example, by moving left or right) when approaching, the turntable 13 (in other words, the winding drum 16) rotates in the R2 direction around the rotation axis 12 according to that direction (the direction of tension of the cable 5).

[0062] As described above, in this embodiment, when the construction machine 1 moves, the winding device 10 rotates (changes direction) the winding drum 16 in the R2 direction around the rotation axis 12 according to the tension direction of the cable 5. In addition, the winding drum 16 also rotates in the R1 direction around the winding shaft 16b according to the detection result of the torque sensor 17 (in other words, the tension of the cable 5) to wind up and unwind the cable 5. This makes it possible to automatically adjust the length of the cable 5, thereby simplifying and improving the efficiency of the work.

[0063] ===Other=== The embodiments described above are provided to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit its interpretation. The present invention can be modified and improved without departing from its spirit, and it goes without saying that the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

[0064] In the embodiment described above, cable 5 was a power supply cable that supplied power to the construction machine 1, but it is not limited to this. For example, it may be a communication cable for transmitting electrical signals. The same effect can be obtained even when using such a cable. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0065] 1. Construction machinery (construction equipment) 3 Power supply 5 Cables 10 Winding device 11 Base 11a Bearing 11b bearing 12. Axis of rotation (vertical axis) 13 Rotating Stands 14 Support part 16 reel drums 16a Flange section 16b Winding shaft 17 Torque sensor (detection unit) 18 Control Unit 19. Electric motor (drive unit)

Claims

1. A cable winding device, It has a winding drum with the winding shaft as the normal axis of a predetermined vertical plane, The winding drum is rotatable with its vertical axis as the axis of rotation. Depending on the direction of tension of the cable, the winding drum rotates around the rotation axis. A winding device characterized by the following features.

2. A winding device according to claim 1, A detection unit for detecting the torque of the winding shaft, A drive unit that rotates the winding drum around the winding shaft, A control unit controls the drive unit according to the detection result of the detection unit, A winding device characterized by having the following features.

3. A winding device according to claim 2, The control unit, If the detection result of the detection unit exceeds the upper threshold, the drive unit rotates the winding drum in the cable feeding direction. A winding device characterized by the following features.

4. A winding device according to claim 2 or 3, The control unit, If the detection result of the detection unit is below the lower threshold, the drive unit rotates the winding drum in the winding direction of the cable. A winding device characterized by the following features.

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