Crane Counterweight Pivotable Winch Pick-Up Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for mounting auxiliary hoisting gear on cranes with variable ballast radius are prone to collisions and require overly strong components due to the need for manual alignment and risk of overloading, making them inefficient and costly.

Innovation Solution

A crane with a counterweight equipped with a pivotable winch pick-up means that allows the winch to be attached outside the turntable's radius, then pivoted into place, using extendable tubes and ballasting cylinders for safe and precise mounting, preventing collisions and overloading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the auxiliary hoisting gear is deposited on the counterweight and the crane turntable is rotated into position, then the mounting alignment can be achieved, but collisions between the turntable and auxiliary hoisting gear occur during rotary movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting alignmentVSAvoidcollisions during rotation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary hoisting gear is preliminarily positioned on the counterweight before turntable rotation, allowing the turntable to be rotated into alignment without collision risks. The counterweight serves as a safe preliminary mounting location outside the turntable's radius of rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The counterweight acts as an intermediary platform for temporarily holding the auxiliary hoisting gear during the mounting process. It mediates between the ground level and the final turntable mounting position, enabling safe positioning and alignment operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the ballasting cylinders lift the entire ballast with the auxiliary hoisting gear to the mounting height, then the gear can be positioned at the required height, but the gear may be disproportionately pressed against the turntable due to over-pressing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting height positioningVSAvoidoverload on components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The ballasting cylinders are equipped with stops that prevent over-extension. These stops cushion against excessive pressing forces before they can damage the auxiliary hoisting gear or turntable components, allowing operators to press up without risk of disproportionate loading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The ballasting system includes built-in stops that automatically prevent over-pressing. The system serves itself by incorporating safety mechanisms that eliminate the need for external monitoring or complex control systems to prevent damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the components are designed very strong and heavy to accommodate overload situations, then safety against operating errors is improved, but the overall crane weight and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety against operating errorsVSAvoidcrane component weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By incorporating stops in the ballasting cylinder system, the patent provides beforehand cushioning that prevents overload situations from occurring in the first place. This eliminates the need to design components with excessive safety margins, allowing for optimized, lighter component weights while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the winch is placed outside the turntable radius on the counterweight, then collision during rotation is avoided, but manual alignment and positioning become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision avoidanceVSAvoidalignment process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The counterweight serves as an intermediary platform that simplifies the overall process. By placing the auxiliary hoisting gear on the counterweight outside the turntable radius, the system avoids collisions during rotation. The counterweight's movement with the turntable automatically brings the gear into alignment position, reducing manual alignment complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables safe, precise, and efficient self-assembly of the winch on cranes with variable ballast radius, reducing the risk of damage and the need for overly strong components, while allowing for flexible crane operation.

Implementation Method 1

the ballasting cylinders of the counterweight...have lifted the entire ballast with the auxiliary hoisting gear deposited thereon

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic cylinder operation: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

the winch attached thereto is pivotable with respect to the counterweight about a vertical axis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSwivel bearing rotation: Ball Bearing

Data Source

PatentUS10640337B2Crane and counterweight for a crane

Publication Date: 2020.05.05 LIEBHERR WERK EHINGEN

AI summary

This invention relates to a crane comprising an undercarriage and a turntable rotatable with respect to the undercarriage with a counterweight and a mounting point for the attachment of a winch, wherein the counterweight includes at least one winch pick-up means for the temporary attachment of a winch to be mounted on the turntable, wherein the winch can be attached to the winch pick-up means such that the winch can be pivoted about a vertical axis.