Crane Supporting Structure Active Bracing Under Variable Loads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current monitoring and countermeasures for crane supporting structures are insufficient to address the variety of load conditions and external influences, leading to over-dimensioning or structural failure due to unbalanced load distribution and deformation.

Innovation Solution

Active manipulation of the supporting structure using actuators to adapt to changing loads and influences during operation by variably tensioning and deforming structural components, with a control device managing actuators based on real-time load and operating conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the supporting structure is over-dimensioned to ensure sufficient safety under all load conditions, then the stability and strength are improved, but the weight increases and net lifting capacity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidweight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies active manipulation of the supporting structure using actuators that can dynamically adjust the tension and deformation of structural components during operation. The control device temporarily and variably tensions and/or deforms the supporting structure depending on specific load and operating conditions, transforming a static structure into a dynamically adaptable one that optimizes strength-to-weight ratio in real-time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical parameters of the supporting structure (tension, deformation, geometry) through actuator activation. By varying these parameters according to actual load conditions rather than maintaining fixed over-dimensioned specifications, the system achieves sufficient safety margins without the penalty of excessive weight

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If support and tensioning elements are significantly over-dimensioned to prevent excessive deflection and structural failure, then the stability is improved, but the net load-bearing capacity and transport weight are adversely affected

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidnet load-bearing capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device actively manipulates the supporting structure by temporarily and variably tensions and/or deforms it depending on the specific load and operating conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the structure to maintain required stability under actual operating loads without being permanently over-dimensioned, thereby preserving net load-bearing capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses sensors to monitor the load and operating state, and the control device automatically adjusts the supporting structure's tension and deformation to maintain stability. This self-regulating mechanism eliminates the need for excessive static over-dimensioning while ensuring stability requirements are met

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Strength

If the supporting structure is dimensioned to accommodate cumulative loads including dynamic loads and external influences, then the strength is improved, but the weight increases and net lifting capacity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestrengthVSAvoidweight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than statically dimensioning the structure for worst-case cumulative loads, the invention uses actuators and control devices to dynamically respond to actual load conditions. The supporting structure is temporarily and variably tensions and/or deforms based on real-time sensor data, achieving required strength without excessive weight

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the physical parameters (tension, deformation, geometry) of the supporting structure through actuator activation. By varying these parameters according to actual operating conditions rather than maintaining fixed specifications for maximum cumulative loads, the system achieves sufficient strength margins without the penalty of excessive weight

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4263413B1Lifting gear
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 LIEBHERR WERK BIBERACH GMBH
  • EP4263413B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4263413B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The present invention relates to lifting gear, more particularly a crane, such as a rotary tower crane and/or mobile crane, having a supporting structure, a determination device for determining a load state and/or an operating state of the supporting structure, and a control unit for controlling actuators of the lifting gear depending on the determined load state and/or operating state, wherein the actuators are allocated to the supporting structure for the active bracing and/or deformation of the supporting structure in a variable manner during lifting gear operation, and the control unit is configured to temporarily and variably brace and/or deform the supporting structure by means of the actuators depending on the detected load state and/or operating state in order to relieve the load on supporting structure parts which are subject to high load.