Crane Anti-Collision Remote Control for Unoccupied Crane Relocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing anti-collision systems for cranes often hinder construction site operations by preventing unoccupied cranes from being moved out of collision areas, requiring complex retrofits for automated movements and manual intervention.

Innovation Solution

Establishing a remote control connection between cranes to allow an operator to control an unmanned crane's movements, using existing anti-collision device networks to transmit control commands and position data, enabling safe relocation of unoccupied cranes without complex automated systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If anti-collision devices monitor and restrict crane movements in overlap zones, then collision prevention is improved, but operational flexibility and productivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision preventionVSAvoidoperational flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-collision device acts as an intermediary system that mediates between multiple cranes in the overlap zone. It receives position data from sensors on each crane, processes this information centrally, and selectively restricts movements only when necessary to prevent collision, rather than imposing blanket restrictions on all crane operations in the overlap area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The anti-collision system dynamically adjusts its restrictions based on real-time crane positions and intended movements. Rather than static zone-based restrictions, the system evaluates each movement request against current positions and only intervenes when a collision risk is detected, allowing maximum operational flexibility while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If anti-collision systems restrict movements of unmanned cranes in collision zones, then safety is improved, but operational efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-collision system provides self-service by automatically detecting unmanned cranes in the overlap zone and managing their positioning without requiring manual intervention. The system monitors crane status, identifies unmanned cranes, and coordinates their movement or restriction automatically, eliminating the need for operators to physically visit each crane.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from crane status signals and position sensors to automatically determine when a crane is unmanned and adjusts its behavior accordingly. When an unmanned crane is detected, the system provides feedback to restrict its movements; when a crane becomes occupied, the restriction is automatically lifted, optimizing operational efficiency while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If remote control connection is established between cranes, then coordination capability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoordination capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-collision device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a collision prevention system and as a remote control communication bridge. The same communication infrastructure and processing units used for monitoring crane positions are also used to establish remote control connections, eliminating the need for separate dedicated communication systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the anti-collision communication system with the remote control system into a single integrated infrastructure. The control signals for remote operation are transmitted through the existing anti-collision device communication channels, combining two functions into one system and reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3713867B1Crane with Anti-collision device and method for operating multiple such cranes
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 LIEBHERR WERK BIBERACH GMBH
  • EP3713867B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3713867B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating multiple cranes (1, 2), the movements of which are monitored for imminent collisions by anti-collision devices of the cranes, and to cranes comprising at least one movement device for moving a crane element, a control unit (13) for actuating the movement device, and an anti-collision device (17, 18) for monitoring the crane movements of the crane element for possible collisions with another crane. According to the invention, in the event of an imminent collision between a first crane (1) being operated and a second crane (2) which is not being operated, the first crane is stopped; a remote control connection (21) is established from the first crane to the second crane; the second crane is moved out of the collision region (130), which is interfering with an intended movement of the first crane, by means of control commands, which are provided at the first stopped crane and transmitted to the second crane by the remote control connection; the second crane is stopped after being moved out of the collision region by remote control; and the first crane is started up again so that the first crane can carry out its task.