Crane Hose Guiding via Swing Joint Nesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for guiding hoses and cables from a crane jib are inefficient due to exposure to surrounding objects, leading to potential damage during the crane's movements.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a first swing joint between the crane nose and a link device, with a guiding means that includes a pin supporting the hoses/cables, allowing the guiding means to swing relative to the pin, forming an upper swing joint, and a second swing joint between the link device and an accessory, enabling the hoses/cables to be internally guided and protected from external damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If hoses and cables are routed externally along the crane jib, then installation and maintenance are easier, but they are exposed to surrounding objects that risk causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding means is nested within the upper swing joint structure, with hoses and cables routed through the internal cavity of the guiding means. This nesting protects the hoses/cables from external damage while keeping them organized and accessible within the joint assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding means acts as an intermediary structure between the crane jib and the rotator, providing a protected pathway for hoses and cables. This intermediary component shields the vulnerable hoses/cables from surrounding objects while still allowing necessary movements.
2Reliability
If hoses and cables are routed internally within the crane jib, then protection from damage is improved, but installation and maintenance become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding means is segmented into the upper swing joint assembly, allowing the hoses and cables to be routed through a specific protected section rather than the entire crane jib. This segmentation makes installation more manageable while maintaining protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding means is designed to swing with the upper swing joint, providing dynamic protection that moves with the crane operation. This dynamic design allows hoses and cables to be protected during operation while maintaining accessibility for installation and maintenance.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the guiding means is fixed rigidly to the crane nose, then structural stability is improved, but the hoses and cables cannot accommodate the swing movements
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding means is mounted on a swing joint that allows it to move dynamically with the crane's operational movements. This dynamic mounting provides structural stability when needed while accommodating swing movements through the joint's rotational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting arrangement changes the positional parameters of the guiding means relative to the crane nose, allowing it to swing through a defined arc. This parameter change enables the guiding means to maintain structural stability in its mounted position while adapting to movement requirements.
4Ease of operation
If the guiding means is mounted on a separate pin not aligned with the swing joint axis, then guiding function is achieved, but misalignment causes friction and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding means is specifically designed with an asymmetric mounting arrangement where the pin axis is deliberately aligned with the swing joint axis. This asymmetric design choice (comparing to symmetric but misaligned alternatives) eliminates misalignment friction and wear while maintaining the guiding function.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for guiding hoses and/or cables running from a crane jib via its nose portion, wherein a first/upper swing joint (50) is arranged between the crane nose (11) and a link device (40) and a second/lower swing joint (80) is arranged between the link device (40) and an accessory/tool in the form of, e.g. a rotator (75). The upper swing joint (50) includes a means (20) for the guiding of the hoses (91-94) and/or cables.