Crane pillar, production set, and articulated-boom crane

Abstract

The invention relates to a pillar (10) for an articulated-boom crane (12), which includes - a two-part structure comprising an upper part (16) and a lower part (18), which are connected to each other in a detachable manner by coupling means (20), wherein the upper part (16) and the lower part (18) are hollow castings, - boom-attachment means (22) configured in the upper part (16) of the pillar (10) for the articulated attachment of a boom (24), - a support surface (26) configured in the lower part (18) for supporting the pillar (10) by its lower part on a rotary support (28), - actuator-attachment means (30) configured in the lower part (18) of the pillar (10) for an actuator (32) that is intended to rotate the boom (24) that is attached in an articulated manner. The invention also relates to a production set for producing a pillar and to an articulated-boom crane.

Description

[0001] CRANE PILLAR, PRODUCTION SET, AND ARTICULATED -BOOM CRANE

[0002] The invention relates to a pillar for a crane, which includes

[0003] - a two-part structure comprising an upper part and a lower part , which are connected to each other in a detachable manner by coupling means , wherein the upper part and the lower part are hollow castings ,

[0004] - boom-attachment means configured in the upper part of the pillar for the articulated attachment of a boom,

[0005] - a support surface configured in the lower part for supporting the pillar by its lower part on a rotary support ,

[0006] - actuator-attachment means for an actuator that is intended to rotate the boom that is attached in an articulated manner to the pillar .

[0007] The invention further relates to a production set for producing a pillar and to an articulated-boom crane .

[0008] The manufacture of large pillars over 1 . 5 m in length as castings using casting technology presents production challenges , as production requires a facility that is large enough to produce the large castings . As a result , there are, relative to demand, relatively few producers capable of producing large castings , which reduces availability and increases costs for a company that acquires long castings from a subcontractor .

[0009] The size of the castings for a pillar can be reduced by manufacturing the pillar in two parts , as disclosed in the priorart publication EP 3155895 B . The pillar here consists of an upper part and a lower part that are bolted together .

[0010] A problem with this pillar, however, is that the cylinder actuator intended to operate the boom, often a lifting boom, attached to a bracket belonging to the upper part of the pillar, is connected to a second bracket formed in the upper part of the pillar . When the pillar is used in a crane for performing heavy lifting from a maximum reach of the crane, the load also acts via the actuator-attachment means of the cylinder actuator on the coupling means between the upper part and the lower part of the pillar, which places a stress on said coupling means and reduces the durability of the pillar .

[0011] An object of the invention is to provide a pillar which can be manufactured more easily and more cost-effectively than the pillars of the prior art and which is more durable than the two-part pillars of the prior art . The characteristic features of the invention are indicated in the attached patent claim 1 . A further object of the invention is to provide a production set by means of which the cost of producing different pillars can be reduced . The characteristic features of the invention are indicated in the attached patent claim 13 . A further object of the invention is to provide a crane which can be manufactured more easily and more cost-effectively than the cranes of the prior art and which is more durable than the cranes of the prior art . The characteristic features of the invention are indicated in the attached patent claim 14 .

[0012] The object of a pillar according to the invention can be achieved with a crane pillar which includes a two-part structure comprising an upper part and a lower part , which are connected to each other in a detachable manner by coupling means , wherein the upper part and the lower part are hollow castings , boom-attachment means configured in the upper part of the pillar for the articulated attachment of a boom, and a support surface configured in the lower part for supporting the pillar by its lower part on a rotary support . The pillar further includes actuator-attachment means for an actuator that is intended to rotate the boom that is attached in an articulated manner to the pillar, which actuator-attachment means is configured in the lower part in order to reduce the load acting on the coupling means .

[0013] The pillar according to the invention can be manufactured from two parts , which reduces the dimensions of the facility required to manufacture the parts so that more subcontractors are available who are capable of producing these parts . Parts manufactured from smaller parts are also easier to transport . Placing the actuator-attachment means in the lower part of the pillar shifts the stress caused by the operation of the actuator away from the coupling . The loads acting on the pillar are of different types depending on whether the situation in the pillar above or below the actuator-attachment means is considered . Above the actuator-attachment means , a lifting moment is distributed between two parts when the pillar is in operation, namely between the actuator and the pillar, i . e . the load is borne by a pair of forces . The actuator is under a state of compression and the pillar is under a state of tension . The tensile and compressive forces are evenly distributed over the entire cross-sectional surface areas of the pillar and the actuator, so that the coupling means is also sub jected to a constant tensile force produced by the lifting of a load . The centre of the coupling means and the centre of the actuator are also separated by a distance, which reduces the force . The load of the entire lifting moment of the crane again acts on the lower part of the pillar between the actuator-attachment means and the part supported in the upper pivot bearing of the rotary support of the pillar . This load is a bending moment . The bending moment generates a considerable compressive stress on the front side of the pillar, i . e . on the opposite side to the actuator-attachment means , and a considerable tensile stress on the rear side, i . e . on the side of the actuatorattachment means . This bending moment is so large and the space available at this point is so limited that it is very difficult for this bending moment to be borne by a bolt coupling . The pillar is consequently made of two parts , and the actuatorattachment means is located in the lower part of the pillar below the coupling means .

[0014] In other words , when the location of the coupling means is moved up so as to be above the actuator-attachment means , the bending moment acting on the coupling means is much lower than in a case where the coupling means is below the actuatorattachment means . The coupling means is subjected to a predominantly vertical tensile force, which acts on the coupling means evenly, in the area above the actuatorattachment means . The coupling means is additionally subjected to bending moments caused by a pivoting of the crane or a pulling by an extension, but these moments are much smaller in this area than the total lifting moment of the crane acting below the actuator-attachment means . A fluctuation in the load acting on the coupling means caused by the combined effect of these loads is much lower compared to previously produced structures , so that the service life of the coupling means is better than before and the coupling means can be rendered durable .

[0015] In this context , the pillar can also be called a column, a vertical boom or a pillar boom .

[0016] The upper part and the lower part are hollow castings . The manufacture of the pillar thus does not require welding while the parts are also very durable and rigid . In particular with respect to the castings , the manufacture of continuous pillars that are, for example, over 1 . 5 m in length is technically challenging for a facility, and a two-part manufacturing technique is particularly advantageous . The hollow structure, for its part , reduces the weight of the pillar and the amount of material required . In this context , a casting is understood as an object formed by a traditional mould-casting process or, alternatively, as a 3D-printed casting .

[0017] Preferably, the upper part includes a first coupling flange and the lower part includes a second coupling flange for connecting the upper part and the lower part to each other in a detachable manner, wherein the first coupling flange and the second coupling flange are face to face . By means of the coupling flanges and the coupling means , the upper part and the lower part can be attached to each other without welding, which causes a weakening of the structure through thermal stress and is a work step that requires expertise .

[0018] Preferably, the coupling means are bolts or screws . When bolts or screws are used as the coupling means , the upper part and the lower part can also be easily uncoupled in case it is necessary to replace or service one of the parts .

[0019] The upper part and the lower part can be made of cast iron, but they are preferably made of austempered ductile cast iron . Austempered ductile iron or ADI is a particularly good option as a pillar material because it is more economical than steel in terms of its investment costs .

[0020] According to one embodiment , the upper part and the lower part are made of different materials . In the pillar according to the invention, the lower part is subjected to greater stresses than the upper part because the actuator-attachment means are configured in the lower part . Moreover, the lower part is also subjected to the torque that rotates it , which is generated by the rotary support . As a result, it can be necessary to make the lower part thicker in terms of its material thickness than the upper part or, alternatively, to use a material with a higher strength for the manufacture of the lower part .

[0021] The boom-attachment means is preferably a bracket . Preferably, the actuator-attachment means is also a bracket . A bracket or a forked structure formed by brackets is a simple way to connect one part to another in an articulated manner .

[0022] A length of the pillar can be 1 . 5-4 m, preferably 2-3 m . In particular with pillars of this size, it would be particularly challenging to manufacture the pillar as a single casting, so that a two-part structure provides a clear advantage through an easier manufacturability and an improved availability . Moreover, in the case of a long pillar, the arrangement of the coupling means above the actuator-attachment means becomes more important , as the long pillar acts as a long moment arm for the entire load of the crane .

[0023] According to one embodiment , a cross section of the upper part and lower part of the pillar is elliptical at least along a partial length of the length of the upper part and the lower part starting from the first coupling flange and the second coupling flange . This allows the upper part and the lower part to be reinforced close to the coupling means so that these structures are strong enough . In this context , elliptical means that the shape of the cross section is an ellipse, an oval, or a circle flattened on one or more sides , or some other elongated shape without angles .

[0024] Preferably, the partial length is 10%-50% of the length of the upper part in the case of the upper part or 10%-50% of the length of the lower part in the case of the lower part . An elliptical cross section reduces the width of the pillar at the part that is generally in the field of view of an operator operating the crane . Moreover, an elliptical shape also makes the pillar thicker in a direction that is significant in terms of loads .

[0025] The elliptical shape of the cross section can be configured so that the longest dimension of the elliptical shape is perpendicular to the shaft between the pillar and the boom .

[0026] Preferably, the boom-attachment means includes a forked bracket structure and openings for the boom to be attached to the upper part of the pillar by means of a shaft . The forked structure makes it possible for electrical and hydraulic cables to be run through the hollow pillar and to exit the latter between the brackets via the boom-attachment means .

[0027] The upper part and the lower part have a casting wall thickness of 10-50 mm, preferably 35-45 mm, along the partial length . This thickness is greater than the thickness of parts normally made of steel, so that it is pos sible to advantageously compensate for the lower strength, compared to steel, of the material of the parts manufactured from ADI .

[0028] Preferably, a casting wall thickness is thicker on the opposite side of the pillar to the actuator-attachment means . This is important because the loads acting on the lower part of the pillar are not symmetrical during the normal operation of the pillar .

[0029] According to one embodiment , the length of the upper part is 60-180% , preferably 80-120% , of the length of the lower part . The upper part and the lower part are thus relatively close in length, and the length of a single part does not become so long so as to become an issue for a manufacturing proces s . Moreover, the portion of the lower part above the support surface of the lower part , which portion is subjected to the bending moment , is 40-60% of the length of the upper part . The upper part is consequently relatively long, preferably approx . 1 . 0-1 . 5 m, so that this dimension of the upper part is long enough to arrange the actuator for operating the boom next to the upper part , between the actuator-attachment means and the boom, preferably between the actuator-attachment means and a cast rear part belonging to the boom .

[0030] According to one embodiment , the planes formed by both the first coupling flange and the second coupling flange are at the same angle a relative to the axis of rotation of the pillar, which angle a deviates from the perpendicular by 1-30 ° , preferably 1-8 ° . The casting of the upper part is thereby rendered simpler and easier to manufacture . In addition, the inclination provides more space above the coupling means for tools for tightening the coupling means, which makes connecting the lower part and the upper part to each other easier . An additional advantage is also achieved by the fact that the joint is essentially parallel to the load, which is the best load direction for a bolt or screw . This prevents a bending of the bolt .

[0031] Preferably, the upper part is a straight structure . A straight structure is easy to manufacture .

[0032] Preferably, the plane of the second coupling flange is at an angle a relative to the longitudinal axis of the lower part , while the plane of the first coupling flange of the upper part is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the upper part .

[0033] The object of a production set according to the invention can be achieved with a production set which includes : one upper part and two or more lower parts configured to be alternatively attached to the upper part , OR one lower part and two or more upper parts configured to be alternatively attached to the lower part , OR two or more lower parts and two or more upper parts configured to be alternatively attached to a selected lower part . The crane pillar to be manufactured using the production set is any embodiment of a pillar according to the invention described in the foregoing . The production set enables a cost-effective modular kit production, wherein, by combining upper parts and lower parts of different dimensions , it is possible to produce pillars for different applications with fewer casting moulds than in a situation in which each pillar requires its own casting mould .

[0034] The object of a crane according to the invention can be achieved with a crane which includes a pillar according to any one of the embodiments of a pillar according to the invention which is configured to be attached to a rotary support , a boom attached to the pillar in an articulated manner, an actuator attached in an articulated manner between the pillar and the boom for operating a second boom, and an implement suspended from the boom or from the crane via the boom for grabbing objects that are to be lifted .

[0035] Preferably, the crane includes a cast rear part formed on the boom for attaching the pillar and the actuator to the boom, and the actuator-attachment means is formed in the pillar on the same side of the pillar relative to the rear part of the boom that is attached to the pillar, which allows the actuator to be arranged between the pillar and the rear part of the boom . When a cast rear part is used, the pivot points provided in the boom can all be arranged in the same rigid part , whereby the housing structure connected to the rear part of the boom is subjected to significantly less bending forces than in welded structures . Moreover, by using a cast rear part , the actuator is positioned next to the pillar, between the pillar and the boom, so as to be almost parallel to the pillar, so that it is necessary for the pillar to be longer . The length of the pillar in turn increases the importance of the arrangement of the coupling means due to the higher bending moments transmitted via the long pillar .

[0036] Preferably, the upper part of the pillar is designed so that the coupling means belonging to the upper part is arranged eccentrically in relation to the support surface of the lower part , wherein this eccentricity can be 50-500 mm . The actuator thus has room to move in all positions of the crane, and the actuator does not collide with the pillar so as to thereby limit a range of movement of the pillar .

[0037] Preferably, the eccentricity of the pillar is on the opposite side relative to the attachment means . In other words , the upper part curves in the opposite direction relative to the attachment means of the lower part .

[0038] Preferably, the boom attached in an articulated manner to the pillar extends from the pillar boom in the same direction as the attachment means transversely to the pillar . The actuator thus does not collide with the pillar in any operating position of the crane . In other words , the actuator is under a state of compression in an operating position, the compression being produced by the load of the boom .

[0039] Preferably, the range of movement between the pillar and the boom is at least 80 ° . In other words , the boom can preferably be pivoted from an essentially horizontal position to an essentially vertical position .

[0040] Preferably, the actuators are cylinder actuators , which can be hydraulic, pneumatic or electric . The crane can also be called a loader in the case of a forwarder or a boom assembly in the case of a harvester .

[0041] Preferably, the crane is an articulated-boom crane that can be attached to a work machine or vehicle . Preferably, the crane is a loader of a forwarder, wherein a grapple is provided as the implement at the end of the loader, or a boom assembly of a harvester, wherein a harvester head is provided as the implement at the end of the boom assembly .

[0042] According to an alternative embodiment , the crane is a telescopic-boom crane which only has a rotary pillar and a telescopic boom and an articulated joint between them .

[0043] Preferably, the crane includes rotation cylinders for rotating the pillar relative to the work machine to which the crane is attached, and gear shafts connected to the rotation cylinders for rotating the pillar . In particular in such embodiments , providing a rigid coupling for the pillar in the rotary base to which the crane is attached is not an option .

[0044] Preferably, the rotary support includes two bearings arranged on a shaft in the lower part of the pillar, and a roller bearing that bears radial and vertical loads is provided at the bottom end of the pillar . A slide bearing that bears a radial load can also be provided higher up .

[0045] Alternatively, the rotary support can be a swivel joint .

[0046] The invention, which is not limited to the embodiments described in the following, is explained in more detail with reference to the attached figures , wherein Figure 1 illustrates a forestry machine that includes a crane equipped with a pillar according to the invention in a side view,

[0047] Figure 2a illustrates a crane utilizing a pillar according to the invention in an axonometric view from an oblique angle,

[0048] Figure 2b illustrates the crane of Figure 2a in a side view,

[0049] Figure 2c illustrates the crane of Figure 2a in a rear view,

[0050] Figure 3a illustrates a pillar according to the invention on its own in an axonometric view obliquely from above,

[0051] Figure 3b illustrates the pillar of Figure 3a on its own in a side view,

[0052] Figure 3c illustrates the pillar of Figure 3a on its own in a rear view,

[0053] Figure 3d illustrates the pillar of Figure 3a on its own in a view from the upper part towards the lower part ,

[0054] Figure 4a illustrates the upper part of a pillar according to the invention, viewed from the first coupling flange,

[0055] Figure 4b illustrates the lower part of the pillar of Figure 4a, viewed from the second coupling flange,

[0056] Figure 5a illustrates a cross section of the upper part at the point A-A illustrated in Figure 3c,

[0057] Figure 5b illustrates a cross section of the lower part at the point B-B illustrated in Figure 3c,

[0058] Figure 6 illustrates a pillar according to a second embodiment on its own in a side view .

[0059] The pillar 10 according to the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to Figures 1-6, in which the pillar 10 is a pillar commonly known as a crane pillar for a crane 12 . Figures l-5b illustrate a structure of the pillar 10 in an embodiment in which the pillar 10 is part of a crane 12 according to the invention for a forestry machine 100 . It is understood, however, that the pillar and the crane according to the invention can also be utilized in conjunction with objects other than forestry machines , for example trucks . The pillar according to the invention can also be utilized in other analogous cranes equipped with a boom assembly that are supported on a rotary support . It is particularly advantageous , however, to implement the pillar in conjunction with the crane of a forestry machine, for which the dimensions of the pillar are advantageous for the utilization of the invention .

[0060] In Figure 1 , the pillar 10 is part of a crane 12 according to the invention, which is being used in conjunction with a forestry machine 100 in the form of a forestry forwarder for gathering trees in a load space 56 . In Figure 1 , the implement 76 is merely illustrated in the form of dashed lines . The implement is preferably a grapple or a harvester head . An alternative application for the crane 12 according to the invention is the use of the crane in conjunction with a harvester head in conjunction with a forestry machine specialized in the felling and handling of trees . In this context , a forestry machine denotes a self-propelled work machine, preferably equipped with tracks or wheels , configured to move in a forest .

[0061] Figures 2a-2c illustrate a crane 12 according to the invention separately from an object of application and together with a rotary support 28 . The rotary support 28 can be attached to the object of application, for example to a forestry machine 100 like the one illustrated in Figure 1 , using a fastening flange 58 . The purpose of the rotary support 28 is to enable a rotation of the crane 12 around the longitudinal axis of the pillar 10 . To this end, the rotary support 28 includes a bearing assembly as well as rotation cylinders 50 , which preferably rotate the pillar 10 by the support surface 26 visible in Figures 3a-3c by means of gear shafts . Preferably, this support surface 26 is the gearing 60 illustrated in Figures 3a-3c, to which the gear shafts transmit a torque .

[0062] The basic parts of the crane 12 include a pillar 10 according to the invention, a boom 24 attached in an articulated manner to boom-attachment means 22 comprised by the end of the pillar 10 that is opposite the rotary support 28 , said boom generally being called a lifting boom, and additionally preferably a second boom 46 attached in an articulated manner to the boom 24 at the opposite end to the pillar 10 , said boom generally being called a folding boom . In addition, the crane 12 includes an actuator 32 , preferably a first cylinder actuator 32 , which is attached in an articulated manner at one end to the actuatorattachment means 30 comprised by the pillar 10 and at the other end to the boom 24 , as well as a second cylinder actuator 48 , which is attached in an articulated manner at one end to the boom 24 and at the other end to the second boom 46 . With the crane 12 according to the invention, the difference from the cranes according to the prior art lies in the structure of the pillar 10 according to the invention, which is illustrated in more detail in Figures 3a-5b .

[0063] According to the invention, the pillar 10 , which is preferably a so-called pillar boom of a crane, consists of two parts that can be connected to each other, namely an upper part 16 and a lower part 18 . Provided between these are coupling means 20 , which are preferably a first coupling flange 34 belonging to the upper part 16 and a second coupling flange 36 belonging to the lower part 18 as well as bolts or screws 38 that join them together . The upper part 16 and the lower part 18 can thus be manufactured as separate hollow cast parts . Both the first coupling flange 34 and the second coupling flange 36 naturally have the same number of holes 40 for bolts or screws . Each coupling flange can have 10-40 , preferably 15-30 , holes for the corresponding number of bolt s or screws . A width of each coupling flange in the transverse direction of the pillar can be 50-150 mm, preferably 60-100 mm . This provides a sufficient wall thickness around a hole so that the coupling flange is strong enough to take the stresses that act on it . The coupling flanges are also formed during the casting of the parts , so that no separate welding is required .

[0064] The coupling means can also be coupling means by means of which the upper part and the lower part can be coupled to each other in a detachable manner, unlike the coupling means shown in the figures . Instead of bolts or screws , it is possible to use simple coupling rims around which a collar structure to be tightened is arranged, which joins the upper part and the lower part together . Instead of a collar structure, it is also possible to use C-shaped coupling elements , which are placed laterally over both coupling rims , thus preventing their movement relative to each other in the longitudinal direction of the pillar .

[0065] According to one embodiment , the coupling means can also be a shrink-fit connection, but this design is considerably more complex than using a coupling flange and bolts or screws and also requires longer parts .

[0066] Preferably, both the upper part and the lower part are castings moulded from cast iron and are most preferably manufactured using austempered ductile iron or ADI . The upper part 16 and the lower part are hollow castings comprising a continuous or intermittent hollow space 62 in their interior in order to reduce the weight of the structures . The hollow space 62 is partially visible in Figures 4a-5b . Due to the shape of the crane, the stresses acting on the pillar 10 are not symmetrical but rather act on the pillar 10 in a direction perpendicular to the shaft 14 , illustrated in Figure 2a, intended for the articulation of the boom 24 attached to the pillar 10 . To this end, the upper part 16 and the lower part 18 of the pillar 10 are preferably designed so as to have an asymmetrical cross section, more specifically so as to have a main shape that is elliptical or oval . The elliptical shape is preferably oriented so that the long side of the elliptical shape is perpendicular to the shaft between the pillar and the boom, i . e . so as to be oriented in the direction of the reach of the crane . This is also the direction in which the greatest stresses act on the pillar . This design improves the rigidity of the pillar and at the same time narrows the width of the pillar in the direction of the axis between the pillar and the boom, which improves the visibility of the operator past the pillar .

[0067] A material thickness of the parts can also be different at different points of the elliptical cross section . Preferably, the greatest material thicknesses are located at the curved ends of the elliptical shape, which are subjected to the greatest stresses during an operation of the crane . In particular the end of the cross section on the side of the actuatorattachment means lies in an area subject to high stresses , so that the material thickness at this point can be 10-20% greater than in the remaining area of the perimeter of the cross section .

[0068] The material thickness 66 of both the upper part and the lower part is preferably 10-50 mm according to Figures 5a and 5b . The first coupling flange can be, for example, 40-80 mm thick, while the second coupling flange can in turn be 30-70 mm thick . Moreover, the material thickness is preferably greater closer to the joint between the coupling flanges , which is subject to higher stresses . 10-30 bolts , for example, that are 20 mm thick can be used as coupling means . In the ring of bolts , it is possible to use coupling means with a larger cross-sectional diameter on the side of the actuator-attachment means than around the rest of the ring . The diameter of these stronger coupling means can be 10-20% greater than a diameter of the remaining coupling means .

[0069] Preferably, holes provided with a thread are formed in the first coupling flange or the second coupling flange, wherein said thread matches the thread of the bolts or screws in order to produce a fastening . In Figures l-3c, the holes provided with the matching thread are formed in the second coupling flange belonging to the lower part .

[0070] Alternatively, the holes in both the first coupling flange and the second coupling flange can be unthreaded holes that extend through the coupling flange, so that the bolts are fastened in place using nuts as bolt counterparts . In this case, however, both coupling flanges must be formed as essentially flat surfaces , so that the surface pressure of the bolt heads and of the nuts is distributed evenly over the surface of the coupling flange .

[0071] As illustrated in Figure 3b, both the upper part 16 and the lower part 18 are preferably structured so as to curve away from the direction of operation of the crane, i . e . away from the actuator-attachment means 30 . This allows the actuator 32 attached to the actuator-attachment means 30 - which will be called the first cylinder actuator 32 from this point onwards - to be arranged very close to the pivot point between the pillar 10 and the boom 24 , as illustrated in Figure 2b, so that the pivot point 70 between the pillar 10 and the boom 24 , the second pivot point 72 between the first cylinder actuator 32 and the boom 24 , and the third pivot point 80 between the boom 24 and the second actuator 48 can be advantageously arranged in the hollow cast rear part 74 of the boom 24 . The shape of the pillar 10 also guides the load acting on the pillar 10 more evenly onto the coupling means 20 between the upper part 16 and the lower part 18 .

[0072] As illustrated in Figures 3a-3c, the boom-attachment means 22 and the actuator-attachment means 30 are both forked brackets . The term "bracket" is interpreted broadly in this context so as to include any projection with a hole that enables the articulated connection of two parts . The forked structure 44 of the boom-attachment means 22 is quite wide and allows the rear part 74 of the boom 24 to be arranged inside the forked structure 44 , so that an empty space remains inside the rear part for running hydraulic or electrical cables , or both, through the boom 24 to the implement . Analogously, it is also possible to run hydraulic or electrical cables , or both, through the hollow space 62 of the pillar 10 . The openings 45 make it possible to use a shaft or shafts 14 to connect the boom 24 to the pillar 10 .

[0073] Instead of the forked bracket structure illustrated in the figures of the present application, the boom-attachment means and / or actuator-attachment means can be any attachment means that enables the articulated connection of two parts , such as , for example, a shaft opening directly in the body of a part . The bracket can also be some other type of protrusion provided with an opening, or, for example, one or more pins or slots for an articulated attachment . Figure 6 illustrates a second embodiment of a pillar according to the invention, which differs from the first embodiment illustrated in Figures l-5b with respect to the structure of the first attachment flange 34 or second attachment flange 36 as well as the shape of the lower part 16 or the upper part 18 . In the advantageous design of Figure 6, the second attachment flange 36 of the lower part 18 is not perpendicular to the axis of rotation A of the lower part , but is set at an angle a of 3-8 ° with respect to the perpendicular . As a result , when a first attachment flange 34 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the upper part 16 is used, it is possible to use a perfectly straight upper part 16, so that the forked structure 44 is arranged at an identical location on the pillar with respect to the embodiment of Figures l-5b . In the embodiment of Figures l-5b, both the first attachment flange 34 and the second attachment flange 36 are perpendicular to the axis of rotation 10 of the pillar 10 and the upper part 16 has an arched or curved structure . With this design, the structure of the upper part can be very simple and economical to manufacture .

[0074] Alternatively, both the first attachment flange 34 and the second attachment flange 36 can be set at an angle relative to the axis of rotation A of the pillar 10 . The angle in this case is half of what is when only one attachment flange is set at an angle .

Claims

CLAIMS1. A pillar (10) for an articulated-boom crane (12) , which includes- a two-part structure comprising an upper part (16) and a lower part (18) , which are connected to each other in a detachable manner by coupling means (20) , wherein the upper part (16) and the lower part (18) are hollow castings,- boom-attachment means (22) configured in the upper part (16) of the pillar (10) for the articulated attachment of a boom (24) ,- a support surface (26) configured in the lower part (18) for supporting the pillar (10) by its lower part on a rotary support (28) ,- actuator-attachment means (30) for an actuator (32) that is intended to rotate the boom (24) that is attached in an articulated manner to the pillar (10) , characterized in that the actuator-attachment means (30) is configured in the lower part (18) .

2. The pillar according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper part (16) includes a first coupling flange (34) and the lower part (18) includes a second coupling flange (36) for connecting the upper part (16) and the lower part (18) to each other in a detachable manner, wherein the first coupling flange (34) and the second coupling flange (36) are face to face.

3. The pillar according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the upper part (16) and the lower part (18) are made of cast iron, preferably of austempered ductile iron.

4. The pillar according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that a length of the pillar (10) is 1.5-4 m, preferably 2-3 m.

5. The pillar according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that a cross section of the upper part (16) and lower part (18) of the pillar 10) is elliptical at least along a partial length (1) of the length of the upper part (16) and the lower part (18) starting from the first coupling flange (34) and the second coupling flange (36) .

6. The pillar according to claim 5, characterized in that the partial length (1) is 10-50% of the length of the upper part (16) in the case of the upper part (16) or 10-50% of the length of the lower part (18) in the case of the lower part (18) .

7. The pillar according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the elliptical shape of the cross section is configured so that the longest dimension of the elliptical shape is perpendicular to the shaft (14) between the pillar (10) and the boom (2 ) .

8. The pillar according to any one of claims 3-7, characterized in that the boom-attachment means (22) includes a forked structure (44) and openings (45) for the boom (24) to be attached in an articulated manner to the upper part (16) of the pillar (10) by means of a shaft (14) .

9. The pillar according to any one of claims 5-8, characterized in that the upper part (16) and the lower part (18) have a casting wall thickness of 30-50, preferably 35-45 mm, along the partial length.

10. The pillar according to any one of claims 3-9, characterized in that a casting wall thickness is thicker on the opposite side of the pillar (10) to the actuator-attachment means ( 30 ) .

11. The pillar according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that the length of the upper part (16) is 60-180%, preferably 80-120%, of the length of the lower part.

12. The pillar according to any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that the planes formed by both the first coupling flange (34) and the second coupling flange (36) are at the same angle a relative to the axis of rotation (A) of the pillar (10) , which angle a deviates from the perpendicular by 1-30°, preferably 1-8°.

13. A production set for producing a pillar (10) for an articulated-boom crane (12) , characterized in that the production set includes:- one upper part (16) and two or more lower parts (18) configured to be alternatively attached to the upper part (16) , OR- one lower part (18) and two or more upper parts (16) configured to be alternatively attached to the lower part (18) , OR- two or more lower parts (18) and two or more upper parts (16) configured to be alternatively attached to a selected lower part (18) , wherein the pillar (10) of the crane (12) is a pillar (10) according to any of claims 1-12.

14. An articulated-boom crane (12) , including- a pillar (10) configured to be attached to a rotary support (28) , a boom (24) attached to the pillar (10) in an articulated manner- an actuator (32) attached in an articulated manner between the pillar (10) and the boom (24) for operating the boom (24) ,- an implement (76) suspended from the boom (24) or from the articulated-boom crane (12) via the boom (24) for grabbing objects that are to be lifted, characterized in that the pillar (10) is a pillar (10) according to any one of claims 1-12.

15. The articulated-boom crane according to claim 14, characterized in that the boom (24) includes a cast rear part (74) for attaching the pillar (10) and the actuator (32) to the boom (24) , and the actuator-attachment means (30) are formed in the pillar (10) on the same side of the pillar (10) relative to the rear part (74) of the boom (24) that is attached to the pillar (10) , which allows the actuator (32) to be arranged between the pillar (10) and the rear part (74) of the boom (24) .

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