Centralized Crane Deployment Planner with Web-Based Load Moment Calculation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crane deployment planners require significant administrative effort for maintenance, are complex to use, and do not adequately support users in planning and implementing crane operations, especially with new crane components, due to the need for manual data entry and interpolation of crane configurations and positions.
Innovation Solution
A crane scheduler with a central planning unit that includes a database for crane and component data and a calculation module using a physical model to determine load moments, accessible via the Internet, reducing the need for local software maintenance and enabling real-time calculations and realistic simulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If crane deployment planners are installed locally at customer sites with pre-calculated tabular data for all crane configurations and positions, then simulation and calculation can be performed, but maintenance effort and administrative burden become very high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the calculation module and central database into a single centralized planning unit that serves multiple customers. This consolidation eliminates the need for each customer to maintain separate local installations with pre-calculated tabular data, reducing overall maintenance effort while preserving simulation capabilities through centralized web-based access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a web server as an intermediary between the central planning unit and customers. This web-based interface allows customers to access crane deployment planning functionality without requiring local software installations, thereby eliminating the maintenance burden of local tabular data while maintaining full simulation capabilities through the centralized system.
2Productivity
If tabular data is pre-calculated and stored for all possible crane configurations and positions, then load moments can be determined during simulation, but the system becomes complicated to use and requires significant data management effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of pre-calculating and storing tabular data for all crane configurations with a computational approach using a physical model. The calculation module continuously calculates load moments based on actual crane parameters and operating conditions, eliminating the need for users to navigate complex pre-calculated data tables and making the system more intuitive and easier to use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from static pre-calculated tabular data to dynamic real-time calculations based on the physical model. The system adapts to any crane configuration and position on-demand, allowing users to simply input their specific operating parameters and receive immediate results without needing to search through or interpolate from pre-calculated data sets.
3Adaptability or versatility
If new crane components are introduced, then crane capabilities are enhanced, but all local crane deployment planners must be updated and maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal centralized planning unit that serves multiple customers and accommodates all crane configurations through a single system. When new crane components are introduced, only the central database and calculation module need to be updated, and all customers automatically benefit from the enhanced capabilities through the web interface, eliminating the need to update multiple local installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary centralization of the planning system, anticipating future crane component additions. By establishing a centralized architecture from the beginning, the system is pre-positioned to easily accommodate new crane components through centralized database updates, avoiding the recurring burden of distributing and maintaining updates across numerous local installations.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Crane deployment planner for planning the deployment of a crane, in particular a crawler crane, with a central planning unit, which includes a central database with data on the deployable cranes and a calculation module for calculating the load moments occurring during the deployment, wherein the simulation and calculation of the deployments is carried out by the central planning unit and the input and output of data is carried out via clients, wherein the clients communicate with the central planning unit via the Internet.