Modular Crane Pot with Pivotable Support Carriers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Modular cranes face limitations in use variability and transportation efficiency due to complex setup and high transport requirements, particularly on uneven terrain and regular traffic routes.
Innovation Solution
A modular crane design featuring a divisible drive base frame with a pot and pivotably articulated support carriers, allowing for simplified transportation and setup, with the pot serving as a stabilizing component and integrating support carriers directly, enabling cross-country travel and reduced setup outlay, and allowing conversion between pedestal and terrain crane configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If support carriers are removed for transport, then transport requirements are met, but setup outlay and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support carriers are integrated into the pot structure through pivotable articulation, allowing them to be nested within or attached to the pot's cylindrical wall. This eliminates the need for separate transport of support carriers while maintaining compact transport dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The support carriers and pot are combined into a single integrated structure where the support carriers are pivotably articulated to the pot. This merging allows the transport unit to meet height restrictions without requiring separation of components during transport.
2Ease of operation
If drive base frame is designed as complete vehicle, then transportation capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive base frame is designed with universal functionality to operate both as a complete self-propelled vehicle and as a passive trailer. This multi-functionality allows the same structure to serve different transportation needs without requiring separate designs, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive base frame's configuration is made dynamic, allowing it to adapt between active vehicle mode and passive trailer mode. This flexibility enables the structure to meet different operational requirements while maintaining a relatively simple base design.
3Length of moving object
If transport height is reduced to meet regulations, then road transport is simplified, but stability during transport may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The support carriers are articulated to pivot about horizontal axes, allowing them to be positioned in different spatial configurations. During transport, they can be folded or repositioned to reduce vertical height while maintaining structural integrity and stability through their articulation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The support carriers are pre-positioned in a transport configuration that optimizes both height reduction and stability. The pivotable articulation allows them to be preliminarily arranged in a compact, stable position before transport begins, ensuring both regulatory compliance and transport stability.
4Device complexity
If modular crane is designed for static operation, then simplicity is maintained, but use variability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The modular crane is divided into separable components including the pot with support carriers and the drive base frame. This segmentation allows the same components to be configured for both static pedestal crane operation and mobile terrain crane operation, thereby increasing use variability without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
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
Enhances use variability and simplifies transportation by reducing setup requirements and adhering to regulatory transport heights and widths, while improving stability and stiffness through lower center of gravity and adjustable counterweights, enabling efficient operation on diverse terrain and road conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The rotatable arrangement of the crane superstructure is provided with a rotary connection which is designed in particular as a roller rotary connection and is integrated in particular on the pot
Implementation Method 2
a pot (2) comprising support carriers (4) pivotably articulated to an upper outer side of the pot via pivot joints
Data Source
AI summary
A modular crane, with a pot-shaped element on which an upper carriage of the crane can be mounted such that it can rotate about a rotational axis, multiple support carriers hinged to the pot-shaped element such that they can each pivot about a pivot axis for support on the ground, and a separable driving base on which the pot-shaped element can be secured.