Crane Tool Hose Routing Through an Open-Joint Rotator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for guiding and communicating hydraulic, electrical, and data lines in crane-borne tools face challenges in maintaining accurate and secure data transfer, particularly due to the limitations of existing swivel solutions and the susceptibility of lines to damage and external influences during crane operations.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves arranging flexible hydraulic lines and cables in a protective manner within the link arrangement, utilizing open joints and a central penetration in the rotator to allow for coaxial communication of hydraulic fluid, electricity, and data, reducing the need for complex swivel solutions and enhancing the lines' mobility to accommodate the tool's pivoting motions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional swivel solutions are used for hydraulic lines, then rotation and pivoting are enabled, but the lines are susceptible to twisting, tearing, and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The hose guiding device redirects hoses from a horizontal path along the crane arm to a vertical path through the rotator's central penetration. This dimensional change allows hoses to pass through the center of rotation, eliminating twisting forces and enabling reliable rotation and pivoting without compromising line integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The central penetration of the rotator acts as an intermediary structure that guides hoses through the rotation axis. This mediator allows hydraulic lines to maintain their position and orientation while the tool rotates, preventing twisting and tearing that would occur with traditional swivel solutions
2Ease of manufacture
If hoses are placed on the outer surface of crane arm sections, then accessibility and installation are simplified, but the hoses form protruding loops that are exposed to damage from external factors
Solution Approach 1:
The hose guiding device nests hoses within the existing link arrangement structure of the crane. By routing hoses through the central penetration and guiding them along the vertical axis, the hoses are protected within the structural framework rather than exposed on the outer surface, reducing vulnerability to external damage while maintaining installation feasibility
3Measurement precision
If accurate data communication is required, then electrical swivels with multiple poles are used, but these are complex and prone to play or faults during maneuvering
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts electrical and data cables from the complex multi-pole electrical swivel system and routes them separately through the central penetration of the rotator. This extraction eliminates the complexity and reliability issues of electrical swivels while maintaining accurate data communication capabilities through the simplified guiding structure
4Device complexity
If control units and sensors are placed on the crane arm, then data communication is simplified, but the tool cannot be positioned freely in three-dimensional space
Solution Approach 1:
The central penetration of the rotator serves as an intermediary that enables free three-dimensional positioning of the tool while maintaining simplified communication. By routing all hydraulic, electrical, and data lines through this central channel, the system achieves positioning freedom without compromising communication simplicity
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns an arrangement for the guidance of flexible lines that run from a crane arm (3) through its end section (2) to a tool (4), that is suspended at the crane arm through a link arrangement (5) and a frame that is a component of a rotator (6) for rotation around a vertical first axis (A) and in a cardan manner around second (B) and third (C) horizontal axes,For the discrete and protected passage of hoses, it comprisesa first holder (35) in an opening (3A) of the end section (2),a second holder (38) in a central region of the rotator (6),a first hose package (1A-1D) that extends between the said first (35) and second holders (38),a penetration (26) in a central region of the rotator (6) and permitting hydraulic fluid to pass through the rotator (6) and onwards to a lower part (18) of the sameat least one of the said second (B) and third (C) horizontal axes comprises an “open joint”.