Crane Hook Block Direct Sensing for Accurate State Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional crane systems rely on indirect calculations of state variables from multiple sensors, leading to increased failure probability, measurement inaccuracies, and accumulated errors, which can result in an inaccurate determination of the crane's state.

Innovation Solution

A crane hook block equipped with direct sensors to measure state variables, such as spatial position, orientation, and load weight, and a data transmission interface to transmit these measurements directly to a crane control system, potentially using wireless communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If indirect calculation of state variables from multiple sensors is used, then the system can determine crane operating parameters, but measurement errors accumulate and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of state variable determinationVSAvoidfailure probability of overall system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the measurement function from the complex indirect calculation system and places it directly at the hook block. By positioning sensors directly on the hook block to measure spatial position, orientation, and load weight, the system eliminates the need for indirect calculations from multiple remote sensors, thereby reducing error accumulation and improving measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The hook block serves as an intermediary carrier that integrates multiple sensors directly at the measurement location. This intermediary structure enables direct measurement of state variables without requiring complex data processing from multiple distributed sensors, reducing both error accumulation and system failure probability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If multiple sensors are used for indirect calculation, then various measurement data can be collected, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of measurement dataVSAvoidnumber of sensors and data processing
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple measurement functions (spatial position, orientation, and load weight measurement) into a single integrated sensor system located at the hook block. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple distributed sensors and complex data processing, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hook block is designed as a universal platform that integrates multiple types of sensors (spatial position sensors, orientation sensors, and load weight sensors) to perform various measurement functions simultaneously. This multi-functional approach reduces the overall number of separate sensor systems needed while maintaining comprehensive measurement capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If sensors are arranged on the upper section of hook block, then measurements can be taken, but ease of repair and maintenance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatial position measurement accuracyVSAvoidaccessibility of sensors
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the hook block into an upper section (containing pulleys) and a lower section (containing the load hook and sensors). This segmentation allows sensors to be positioned on the lower section, which is more accessible for maintenance and repair, while still enabling accurate measurement of spatial position and other parameters through strategic sensor placement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4186846B1Hook block
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 MANITOWOC CRANE GROUP FRANCE
  • EP4186846B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4186846B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4186846B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a crane hook block (1) with a frame (2), at least one rope pulley (3) rotatably connected to the frame (2), a load hook (4) connected to the frame (2), at least one sensor (5-9) arranged on the crane hook block (1) and configured to detect at least one environmental parameter and/or at least one state parameter of the crane hook block (1), and an interface (12) connected to the at least one sensor (5-9) and configured to transmit the data received by the at least one sensor. The invention further relates to a crane control unit with an interface (16) connectable to the interface (12) of the crane hook block (1) and a crane with such a crane hook block (1) and/or with such a crane control unit (17).