Crane Counterweight Positioning for Variable Moment Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing crane structures require increasing the total weight of the vehicle to enhance the moment on the counterweight side, which is inefficient and limits flexibility in varying load conditions.

Innovation Solution

A crane design with a swiveling body and multiple counterweight attaching positions at different distances from the pivot center, allowing for selective attachment and detachment of the counterweight to adjust the moment without changing the total weight, using telescopic cylinders to position the counterweight optimally.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If the weight of the counterweight is increased to increase the moment on the counterweight side, then the moment is improved, but the total weight of the vehicle body is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoment on counterweight sideVSAvoidtotal weight of vehicle body

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The counterweight is made movable along the boomsatelling body, allowing its position to be dynamically adjusted. By changing the attachment position of the counterweight on the swiveling body, the moment arm length varies, thereby adjusting the moment on the counterweight side without changing the counterweight's weight or the total vehicle weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the positional parameter of the counterweight rather than its weight parameter. By providing multiple attachment positions at different distances from the pivot center, the system adjusts the moment through parameter change (position) instead of parameter change (weight), resolving the contradiction between moment and total weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the counterweight position is fixed, then the structure is simple, but the adaptability to varying load conditions is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecounterweight attachment structureVSAvoidadaptability to varying load conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The swiveling body is divided into multiple discrete attachment positions for the counterweight. This segmentation allows the counterweight to be attached at different locations depending on the load conditions, providing adaptability while keeping each individual attachment point simple in structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The swiveling body serves multiple functions: it supports the boom, provides a pivot center for rotation, and offers multiple attachment positions for the counterweight. This multi-functionality allows a single structure to adapt to varying load conditions without requiring separate mechanisms for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 adjustment of the counterweight moment without altering the crane's total weight, enhancing stability and flexibility in various applications by optimizing counterweight placement.

Implementation Method 1

a lower end portion of the telescopic cylinder is attached to the counterweight. When the counterweight is attached to the swiveling body, the telescopic cylinder is extended, and thus, an upper end portion of the telescopic cylinder is raised

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

a swiveling body that is provided above the base so as to swivel about a pivot center

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotational motion:

Implementation Method 3

the telescopic cylinder is extended, and thus, an upper end portion of the telescopic cylinder is raised to a connection bracket of the swiveling body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS11440778B2Crane

Publication Date: 2022.09.13 TADANO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a crane capable of changing a moment on a counterweight side without changing a total weight of the crane by using a simple method. The crane includes a base, and a swiveling body that is provided above the base so as to swivel about a pivot center, and includes a boom and a counterweight attaching unit. The counterweight attaching unit includes a plurality of attaching positions, and is configured to selectively attach and detach the counterweight to and from any attaching position among the plurality of attaching positions, and the plurality of attaching positions is positions of which distances from the pivot center are different from each other.