Crane Scale Anti-Torque Housing with Stabilizers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crane scale protection devices fail to prevent compression and rotation of scale components, which can lead to damage and inaccurate weight measurements when a crane scale with a load hits a solid surface.
Innovation Solution
A crane scale protective housing with a steel enclosure, stabilizers, and a load-bearing eye bolt system that includes a jaw and eye swivel joint, hydraulic rotator attachment plates, and washers and cotter pins to prevent rotation and compression, while allowing for secure attachment to a crane boom and remote wireless weighing capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a crane scale is used without additional protective housing, then the scale components are exposed to compression and rotation forces, but the scale remains accessible and easy to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The protective housing is divided into functional segments: the main enclosure housing, stabilizer components, and attachment mechanisms. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific protective function while maintaining overall system accessibility and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizers are pre-positioned and the housing is designed to engage stabilizing features before compression or rotation forces can damage the scale components. The long bolt and stabilizer configuration are arranged in advance to prevent harmful movements before they occur.
2Reliability
If stabilizers and long bolt are added to prevent rotation and compression, then scale component protection is improved, but the device complexity and number of parts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizers, long bolt, and housing are combined into an integrated protective assembly that functions as a unified system. The stabilizers work together with the long bolt to provide rotational and compressive protection, reducing the need for separate protective devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective housing serves multiple functions: it encloses the scale components, provides stabilizing features to prevent rotation, offers compression protection through the stabilizer configuration, and maintains accessibility for operation. The long bolt simultaneously provides structural support and prevents harmful movements.
3Reliability
If the scale is securely attached to the crane boom with multiple fastening points, then attachment reliability is improved, but the ease of installation and removal decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is segmented into the housing with its attachment features and the separate stabilizers with stabilizing features. This allows the main housing to be attached to the crane boom while the stabilizers can be independently positioned and engaged, simplifying the overall installation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizers act as intermediary components between the housing and the ground or support surface. They provide the stabilizing function while allowing the main housing attachment to the crane boom to remain relatively simple, as the stabilizers handle the complex positioning and grounding functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A protective housing and scale structure for use with a crane boom is disclosed. The housing enclosure includes an upwardly extending crane link compartment that allows for the enclosure and the scale to be attached simultaneously and the enclosure also includes a pair of stabilizers and an aperture in its bottom portion. A load bearing member depends from the scale, extends through the aperture, and engages with the stabilizers to prevent torque and/or compression from affecting the scale. The enclosure also includes a locking means as an anti-vandalism or theft feature and the invention incorporates a wireless remote readout.