Load Determination During Crane Arm Movement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing procedures for determining the load raised by a lifting device require the device to be positioned in a specific arm system configuration or brought to a standstill, which increases operational complexity and time expenditure.

Innovation Solution

A procedure that allows the determination of a load raised by a lifting device with an arm system that has multiple degrees of freedom, enabling movement and load determination simultaneously without the need for specific positioning or interruption of the lifting process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the lifting device is brought into a predetermined position or brought to a standstill to determine the load, then the load determination can be performed with existing methods, but the operational complexity and time expenditure increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload determination accuracyVSAvoidtime expenditure for lifting operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by enabling load determination during continuous movement of the arm system along its degrees of freedom. Instead of requiring static positioning or standstill, the system dynamically calculates load values by integrating force sensor measurements with real-time arm position and movement data, allowing uninterrupted lifting operations while maintaining measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuity of useful action by performing load determination continuously during the lifting operation without interruption. The arm system maintains its movement along the degrees of freedom while the control system continuously processes sensor data to determine load values, eliminating the need to pause or reposition the device for measurement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Measurement precision

If the lifting device is brought into a predetermined position or brought to a standstill to determine the load, then the load can be determined, but the operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload determination accuracyVSAvoidoperational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the self-service principle by enabling the lifting device to determine its own load during normal operation without requiring external intervention for positioning or stopping. The control system automatically integrates data from force sensors and arm position sensors to calculate load values, making the measurement process autonomous and eliminating additional operational steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements universality by designing the arm system to simultaneously perform lifting operations and load determination functions. The same degrees of freedom used for lifting also serve as the basis for load measurement, eliminating the need for separate measurement procedures or specialized positioning configurations

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

Data Source

PatentEP4549365A1Method for determining a load
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 EPSILON KRAN
  • EP4549365A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4549365A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4549365A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Method for determining a load (3) lifted by a lifting device (1) with an arm system (2) having several degrees of freedom (w, k1, k2, s1, s2, a) of movement and with several arms (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9), preferably a loading crane, wherein - during a movement (i) of the arm system (2) along at least one degree of freedom (w, k1, k2, s1, s2, a) of the arm system (2) with a lifted load (3) at least a determination (ii) of the dynamic loading moments of the arms (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) of the arm system (2) prevailing during the movement is carried out - taking into account the dynamic loading moments at least a load value (m1, m2, m3) for the lifted load (3) is determined (iii).