Climbing Head Hoisting Mechanism for Construction Mast

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current self-climbing perimetric protection systems for construction sites are not reliable, quick, or cost-effective for hoisting, and the climbing head, a crucial component, often fails to securely and efficiently bear the weight of the system during hoisting, especially under adverse weather conditions.

Innovation Solution

A climbing head design with two vertical side plates linked at both ends, featuring hinging means for a hoist cylinder, a pivotal rocker member, and upper and lower claw members with locking mechanisms, allowing secure engagement and disengagement with mast flanges, enabling efficient and safe hoisting of protection systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a crane is used to hoist the peripheral protection system, then the protection system can be installed, but the crane is occupied for long periods of time and cannot perform other tasks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrane availabilityVSAvoidtime for hoisting protection system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The protection system is equipped with self-climbing masts that can hoist themselves using anchor members fixed to the building structure. The climbing heads with hoist cylinders enable the masts to move independently without requiring external crane assistance, allowing the system to service itself during installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The protection system is divided into modular components including multiple masts, climbing heads, and anchor members that can operate independently. Each mast can be hoisted separately using its own climbing head, enabling parallel operations and reducing overall installation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If manual guiding is used during hoisting, then people can guide the assemblies, but workers are exposed to dangerous working positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguiding assemblies during hoistingVSAvoidsafety of workers
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The climbing heads automatically guide and hoist the masts using mechanical engagement with the anchor members and building structure. The hoist cylinders automatically extend and retract, eliminating the need for manual guiding while maintaining precise control throughout the hoisting process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical guiding operations are replaced with automated mechanical systems. The hoist cylinders and climbing heads perform the guiding and hoisting functions through controlled mechanical expansion and retraction, removing workers from dangerous positions while maintaining operational precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If simple railings are used for protection, then the structure is simple, but the protection does not cover the framing adequately

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection system structureVSAvoidprotection coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protection system uses multiple discrete masts positioned at intervals around the building framing. Each mast is independently anchored and can be hoisted separately, providing comprehensive coverage of the framing structure while maintaining relatively simple individual components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protection system transitions from simple two-dimensional railings to three-dimensional structures with vertical masts extending upward. The masts with attached protection panels create a multi-level protective barrier that adequately covers the framing while maintaining structural simplicity through standardized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The enhanced climbing head ensures reliable, quick, and cost-effective hoisting of self-climbing protection systems, improving safety and efficiency by securely locking and releasing mast flanges, allowing for independent operation and reduced crane usage.

Implementation Method 1

a hoist cylinder (4) the lower end of which is coupled to an anchor member (5) that is fastened to a rim portion of a floor slab (7) of the building. The hoist cylinder is capable of adopting an extended position and a retracted position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic actuation: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

a rocker member (9) that is pivotal between a hoist position where its front portion (9a) protrudes from the side plates (3a) and engages the mast (1) when the hoist cylinder (4) extends towards said extended position for hoisting the mast (1), and a passing position, in which it allows the passage of the mast (1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical pivoting: Hinge

Implementation Method 3

each of the claw members (10, 11) comprises a fixed claw portion (10a, 11a) emerging from one side plate (3a) and movable claw portion (10b, 11b) that is pivotal about a vertical rotation axis (12a, 12b) provided in the fixed claw portion (10a, 11a)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical pivoting: Hinge

Implementation Method 4

the locking means comprise lower and upper left locking means and lower and upper right locking means, the locking means comprising each a vertical bolt (13a, 13b; 15a, 15b) which, in the claw member's locked position, remains removably inserted in vertically aligned first throughholes (17a, 17b; 18a, 18b; 19a, 19b; 20a, 20b)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP2518239B1A climbing head for hoisting a self-climbing protection system for construction works in buildings
Publication Date: 2016.02.24 ULMA C Y E CORP
  • EP2518239B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2518239B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2518239B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A climbing head being releasably fastenable to a mast (1) with longitudinal rear lateral flanges (1c) and support elements (2, 2a) at different heights; and comprising two vertical side plates (3a), hinging means (3e) for tiltably coupling the the side plates (3a) to a hoist cylinder (4) which is also coupled to anchoring means (5,6) fastened to a floor slab (7) of a building, a rocker member (9) pivotal between a hoist position where its front portion (9a) protrudes from the side plates (3a) and engages the mast (1) when the hoist cylinder (4) extends towards said extended position for hoisting the mast (1), and a passing position, in which it allows the passage of the mast (1) when the hoist cylinder (4) retracts, a lower and an claw (10, 11), locking means to lock each of the claws (10, 11) in a locked position where it embraces said lateral flanges (1c) and an open position in which the claw (10, 11) releases said flanges (1c); each claw (10, 11) comprises comprises two claw members, each comprising a fixed claw portion (10a, 10c, 11a, 11c) and movable claw portion (10b, 10d, 11 b, 11d) that is pivotal about a vertical rotation axis (12a, 12b), provided in the fixed claw portion (10a, 10c, 11a, 11c), between said locked and said open position, in vertically aligned first throughholes (17a, 17b; 18a, 18b; 19a, 19b; 20a, 20b) in the fixed (10a, 10c, 11 a, 11c) and in the movable claw portion (10b, 10d, 11 b, 11 d) and a second throughhole (21 a, 21 b; 21 c, 21 d) in the movable claw portion (10b, 10d, 11 b, 11 d) ; the locking means comprise each a vertical bolt (13a, 13b; 15a, 15b) which, in the claws' (10, 11) locked position, remains inserted in said first throughholes (17a, 17b; 18a, 18b; 19a, 19b; 20a, 20b), whereby left vertical bolts (13a, 13b) are connected to a left vertical rod (14) that extends slidingly through the left movable claw portions (10a, 10b), the right vertical bolts (15a, 15b) are connected to a right vertical rod (16) that extends slidingly through the right movable claw portions (10d, 11d); the vertical rods (14, 16) each having a length such that their lower end portions (14a, 16a) remain guided in the respective second throughholes (21 a, 21 c) in the lower movable claw portions (10b, 10d) when said vertical bolts (13a, 13b, 15a, 15b) are pulled upwards out of said first throughholes (17a, 17b; 18a, 18b; 19a, 19b; 20a, 20b).