Automated Reeving Determination for Lifting Crane Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lifting crane systems rely on declarative modes for determining reeving configurations, leading to potential errors and instability due to human oversight, which can result in overloading and safety risks such as crane tipping.
Innovation Solution
An automated system that detects the presence or absence of a secondary reeving block at specific locations to determine the reeving configuration, eliminating the need for manual declaration and ensuring accurate load curve adaptation during configuration changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a declarative mode is used for determining hauling configuration, then the system is simple to operate, but the reliability is reduced due to potential human errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines the hauling configuration by detecting the position of the distributor trolley and calculating the number of lifting strands, eliminating the need for manual declaration by the crane pilot. The control/command unit performs self-determination of the configuration state, preventing human errors while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the position of the distributor trolley and provides feedback to the control/command unit, which automatically updates the hauling configuration determination. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures the system always knows the current configuration state without relying on manual input.
2Measurement precision
If moment bar calculation is used for suspended load control, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical moment bar calculation system with an automated computational approach. The control/command unit uses electronic calculations based on distributor trolley position and lifting strand count to determine suspended load, eliminating complex mechanical measurement devices while maintaining or improving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using physical moment bars that directly measure load moments, the system creates a computational model that calculates the equivalent information from easily measurable parameters (distributor trolley position and configuration state). This virtual copying of the measurement function reduces hardware complexity.
3Device complexity
If manual declaration of hauling configuration is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability is worsened due to false or erroneous declarations
Solution Approach 1:
The control/command unit automatically determines the hauling configuration by detecting the distributor trolley position and calculating the number of lifting strands, eliminating the need for manual declaration. This self-determination prevents false or erroneous declarations while adding minimal complexity to the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary detection mechanism (position sensors and control algorithms) between the physical configuration state and the control system's knowledge of that state. This intermediary automatically translates physical positions into configuration information, eliminating reliance on human declaration.
4Reliability
If automated determination system is implemented, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control/command unit performs multiple functions: it controls crane operations, monitors safety parameters, and now also automatically determines hauling configuration. By making the control unit multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated hardware for configuration detection, thus improving reliability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system determines configuration by monitoring changes in the distributor trolley position parameter rather than adding new sensors. By calculating the number of lifting strands based on the trolley's position along the boom, the system uses existing parameter measurements to derive configuration information, minimizing additional hardware complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Lifting crane (1) comprising a boom (2) and a double-reeving lifting device (4) configured to distribute and lift a load along the boom (2), said lifting device (4) being reversibly configurable between two reeving configurations including a single reeving configuration with two lifting legs and a double reeving configuration with four lifting legs, and the lifting device (4) comprising a reeving change system enabling a reeving change between the single reeving configuration and the double reeving configuration, and vice versa, said lifting crane (1) being characterized in that it comprises an automated reeving determination system (7) configured to automatically determine the reeving configuration between the single reeving configuration and the double reeving configuration.