Crane Boom Sliding Guide Safety System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing safety systems for cranes require frequent repositioning of safety belts, limiting worker mobility and providing momentary unsecured periods, with potential for increased fall height due to sagging belts.

Innovation Solution

A sliding guide system with adjustable and tensioned safety belts that allow continuous securement along the crane boom, preventing falls without needing to reattach at multiple points, using a design that includes rails and a swivel for optimal posture adjustment and force distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional safety belts are used on crane booms, then fall protection is provided, but the user must frequently reposition the safety belt which limits mobility and creates momentary unsecured periods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser mobilityVSAvoidcontinuous fall protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A sliding guide rail system acts as an intermediary between multiple fixed anchor points on the boom and the safety belt. The guide rail allows the safety belt to slide continuously along the boom length while remaining anchored, eliminating the need for manual repositioning and ensuring uninterrupted fall protection throughout the entire boom traverse.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The safety belt system transitions from static fixed anchor points to a dynamic sliding mechanism. The safety belt can move freely along the guide rail as the user walks on the boom, adapting continuously to the user's position while maintaining constant tension and protection, thereby resolving the contradiction between mobility and continuous security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If traditional safety belts are used, then fall protection is provided, but the belt can sag causing delayed fall intervention and increased fall height

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefall protection effectivenessVSAvoidsafety belt tensioning mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The safety belt is pre-tensioned using a ratchet mechanism before the user begins working on the boom. This preliminary action ensures the belt starts in a taut state, preventing sagging during use and ensuring immediate fall intervention from the outset, eliminating the need for complex continuous tensioning systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The ratchet mechanism provides automatic self-tensioning capability. As the user moves or the belt experiences load variations, the ratchet automatically maintains tension without requiring external intervention or complex active control systems, achieving reliable fall protection with simple passive mechanics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Length of stationary object

If multiple fixed anchor points are provided on the boom, then fall protection coverage is extended, but the user must manually reattach between points which reduces productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotected boom lengthVSAvoidwork continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding guide rail serves as a continuous intermediary connection between multiple discrete anchor points distributed along the boom. Instead of requiring the user to detach and reattach at each anchor point, the guide rail provides an unbroken path that allows the safety belt to slide continuously, extending protection across the entire boom length while maintaining work continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2402282B1Construction machine with safety device and boom
Publication Date: 2013.08.07 LIEBHERR WERK NENZING
  • EP2402282B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2402282B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2402282B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a safety device (100), in particular for fall protection of persons (20) when walking on a crane boom (10), comprising at least one sliding guide element (110) arranged directly and/or indirectly on the platform side and at least one guide element (120) which is slidably guided or slidably guided in and/or through the sliding guide element (110), wherein a suspension element (125) can be attached or is attached to the guide element (120), by means of which at least one piece of protective equipment (130) can be attached or is attached. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a boom (14) with a safety device (100) and to a construction machine.