Crane Girder Adapter for Length Adjustment and Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional crane girder manufacturing involves oversizing and subsequent cutting, leading to increased production costs and inaccuracies, as well as the need for spacer plates and rework, which complicates assembly and increases manufacturing inaccuracies.

Innovation Solution

A crane girder design featuring an adapter with a connection plate, head plate, and adapter walls that can be aligned and welded to the upper and lower chords, allowing for adjustable length and compensation of manufacturing inaccuracies, thereby reducing production costs and simplifying assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the crane girder is manufactured to exact size using conventional methods, then manufacturing precision is improved, but production costs increase due to oversizing and subsequent cutting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrane girder length precisionVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter is divided into multiple functional components: connection plate, head plate, and adapter walls. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently and assembled in a standardized sequence, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining precision through modular alignment features

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter is designed with pre-integrated alignment features and welding positions that are prepared in advance during adapter manufacturing. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for现场 cutting or burning of the crane girder, as the adapter's structure itself provides the necessary positioning and length adjustment capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If the crane girder is manufactured to exact size, then manufacturing accuracy is improved, but assembly complexity increases due to need for spacer plates and rework

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrane girder length accuracyVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter incorporates adjustable alignment features that allow for dynamic positioning during assembly. The connection plate can be positioned at different locations on the head plate, and the adapter walls provide flexible mounting options for the crane girder end, enabling adaptation to manufacturing tolerances without requiring complex spacer plates or rework procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural connection between crane girders, enables length adjustment, compensates for manufacturing tolerances, and facilitates assembly through integrated alignment features. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate spacer plates and reduces assembly complexity by consolidating multiple requirements into a single component

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

This design reduces production outlay, eliminates the need for spacer plates, and enhances assembly efficiency by allowing for adjustable length and alignment, thereby improving manufacturing accuracy and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

the adapter is aligned in a desired position on the upper chord and the lower chord relative to the upper chord and the lower chord, and then the adapter is welded to the upper chord and the lower chord

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Data Source

PatentEP2760780B1Crane, in particular an overhead crane or gantry crane, having at least one crane girder
Publication Date: 2016.02.03 TEREX MHPS IP MANAGEMENT GMBH
  • EP2760780B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP2760780B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP2760780B1 patent drawingFigure 2a

AI summary

The invention relates to a crane (1 a, 1 b), in particular an overhead crane or gantry crane, comprising at least one crane girder (2), which extends horizontally and is designed as a trussed girder having an upper run (3) and a lower run (4). A crane trolley (9) having a lifting device can be moved on the crane girder. The invention further relates to a method for assembling a crane girder (2), comprising an assembly step for producing the trussed structure of the crane girder (2). The crane girder (2) comprises an adapter (12) on at least one of the two opposite ends, which adapter can be fastened to the upper run (3) and the lower run (4) in such a way that the adapter (12) can be oriented relative to the upper run (3) and the lower run (4) and then the adapter (12) can be welded onto the upper run (3) and the lower run (4) in a desired position.