Crane Rotary Distributor External Release Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing design of cranes makes it difficult to access and dismantle the rotary distributor, as its entry points for lines are typically located at the bottom of the crane column, requiring cumbersome upward or downward disassembly.

Innovation Solution

The rotary distributor is positioned above the upper bearing point with entry points and release devices accessible from outside the crane column, allowing for easier disassembly and assembly through a dedicated opening, while maintaining line protection within the column.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the rotary distributor is arranged inside the tubular column base with entry points at the bottom, then the lines are protected inside the column, but the rotary distributor becomes very difficult to access and dismantle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveline protectionVSAvoidrotary distributor accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The rotary distributor is divided into two separate parts: the distributor body remaining inside the column and the release device positioned outside. This segmentation allows the release device to be accessible for maintenance while the distributor body stays protected inside the column structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A release device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the external environment and the rotary distributor inside the column. This intermediary allows connection and disconnection of lines without requiring direct access to the distributor body, enabling easy maintenance while maintaining protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the rotary distributor is positioned inside the column base, then the structure is compact, but disassembly must be carried out upwards or downwards requiring great difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural compactnessVSAvoiddismantling operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The release device is positioned at a different vertical level than the rotary distributor body, creating horizontal accessibility from the side of the column rather than requiring vertical access from top or bottom. This dimensional change enables lateral access for maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The release device is pre-positioned outside the column at an accessible location, allowing maintenance personnel to perform disassembly operations before accessing the distributor body inside the column, thereby simplifying the overall maintenance process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If the entry points for lines are located at the lower opening of the pipe, then the lines can enter the column, but the area becomes very difficult to access for servicing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveline entry configurationVSAvoidservice access
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The release device is extracted from the interior of the column and positioned on the exterior surface. This extraction allows the critical service function to be performed from outside the column, eliminating the need to access the difficult-to-reach lower opening area for maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2947038B1Crane
Publication Date: 2017.07.12 EPSILON KRAN
  • EP2947038B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2947038B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A crane with a crane column (1) having a tubular column base (3) and a base frame (4) in which a lower bearing (5) and an upper bearing (6) for the column base (3) of the crane column (1) are arranged one above the other, wherein the column base (3) is rotatable relative to the base frame (4) by means of a rotary device, and wherein at least one line (7) extends from below the lower bearing (5) to the upper bearing (6), wherein the at least one line (7) is connected above the upper bearing (6) to an input point (15) of a rotary distributor (8), wherein a release device (10) for releasing the connection between the at least one line (7) and the rotary distributor (8) is arranged in the area of ​​the input point (15), and wherein the crane column (1) has an opening (9) at the level of the release device (10) which allows access to the release device (10) from outside the crane column (1).