Crane Cable Trough and Reel Layout to Prevent Entanglement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crane systems face issues with cable and hose entanglement, damage, and interference with movement, which are not effectively addressed by traditional festooning systems.
Innovation Solution
A crane system with a reel mounted fixedly against lateral movement, a trough on the beam for supporting cables or hoses, and a load balancer with a guide post to direct the cables or hoses into the trough, ensuring smooth movement and preventing entanglement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional festooning systems are used to support cables and hoses, then cable and hose protection is provided, but cable and hose entanglement and interference with crane movements occur
Solution Approach 1:
A trough is introduced as an intermediary component between the festooning system and the cable/hose path. The trough guides the cable or hose from the festooning system to the trolley, preventing entanglement and interference while maintaining protection. The trough acts as a mediator that separates the protective function from the movement obstruction problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable management system is segmented into distinct functional components: the festooning system for protection, the trough for guidance, and the reel for controlled dispensing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interfering with others, resolving the contradiction between protection and smooth movement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cables and hoses are allowed to move freely with crane components, then operational flexibility is maintained, but entanglement and damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The trough serves as a mediator that constrains the cable or hose within a defined path, preventing free movement that leads to entanglement and damage while still allowing the necessary movement for operational flexibility. The guide post similarly mediates by directing the cable into the trough at the proper angle.
Solution Approach 2:
The trough provides a flexible guiding structure that allows the cable or hose to move smoothly within constraints. The V-shaped cross-section of the trough creates a natural guiding path that maintains cable integrity while accommodating movement.
3Ease of operation
If a reel is mounted to receive cable or hose, then cable management is improved, but lateral movement of the reel causes management issues
Solution Approach 1:
A load balancer with counterweight is attached to the reel to compensate for lateral forces and maintain the reel's lateral position. The counterweight creates a balancing force that prevents the reel from moving laterally while still allowing it to rotate and dispense cable or hose effectively.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the trolley moves along the beam, then positioning flexibility is achieved, but cable pullback and movement resistance occur
Solution Approach 1:
The trough acts as a mediator between the reel and the trolley, guiding the cable or hose in a smooth path that reduces friction and resistance. This intermediary structure eliminates abrupt cable bends and contact points that would create pullback forces, allowing the trolley to move more freely along the beam.
Data Source
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AI summary
A crane system (20) includes a beam (22), a trolley (24) movable along the beam (22), and a hoist (26) supported by the trolley (24). A cable and/or a hose (28) is connected with at least one of the hoist (26), the trolley (24), or a load supported by the hoist (26). A management system for the cable and/or hose (28) includes a reel (32) mounted in a position fixed against lateral movement and for receiving the cable or hose (28). A trough (34) is mounted to the beam (22) for supporting the cable or hose (28) as the trolley (24) moves along the beam (22).