Crane Slider With Remote Cable Drive and Friction Brake
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliders for cranes require manual adjustment, which is time-consuming and poses a risk to operators due to their heavy weight, and there is a need for a system that allows remote operation while maintaining the crane's maximum load capability.
Innovation Solution
A remotely operated slider system with compression springs and a pulley-driven mechanism that allows for precise movement along a crane beam, enabling operators to adjust the sliders from a safe distance and reducing the force required for movement, while incorporating a friction brake mechanism to secure the load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of sliders is used, then operators can physically move the sliders to the proper position, but the process is time-consuming and poses injury risks due to the heavy weight of sliders
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated cable-driven pulley system. A motorized winch winds or unwinds a cable to move the slider along the beam, eliminating the need for operators to manually position heavy sliders. This substitution of mechanical automation for manual labor directly reduces adjustment time and eliminates physical injury risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cable as an intermediary element between the motorized winch and the slider. The cable transmits the driving force from the winch to the slider, enabling remote operation without direct physical contact between the operator and the heavy slider component. This intermediary mechanism allows time-efficient adjustment while maintaining operator safety.
2Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of sliders is used, then operators can physically move the sliders to the proper position, but the heavy weight of sliders makes movement difficult and can result in injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual force application with a motorized winch system. The motor provides the necessary force to move the heavy slider along the beam through cable tension, eliminating the need for operators to directly apply physical force to the slider. This substitution reduces the force requirement from human-level to motor-level capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable acts as a force transmission intermediary between the motorized winch and the slider. It transmits the driving force over distance, allowing the motor to apply force remotely to the heavy slider without requiring operators to be in physical contact with it, thereby reducing the perceived force requirement for operators.
3Reliability
If compression springs are added proximate wheels to provide friction brake when load is applied, then the slider stops moving while load is attached, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compression springs are positioned to automatically engage with the beam flange when load is applied to the slider. The load itself compresses the springs, causing the spring-loaded components to press against the beam and create friction that secures the slider in position. This self-actuating mechanism provides reliable load securing without requiring external control systems, minimizing the increase in device 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
The system allows for safe, efficient, and cost-effective adjustment of sliders with a 1-inch tolerance, reducing operator risk and maintaining the crane's load capacity, while enabling remote operation and manual override as needed.
Implementation Method 1
As a load is applied on the slider, the springs will compress, causing the slider's bottom face to come into contact with a flange of an I-beam
Implementation Method 2
causing the bottom face to act as a friction brake, and stop the sliders from moving while the load is attached
Implementation Method 3
Pulleys are attached to a motor which can rotate both counterclockwise and clockwise, depending on the desired translation of the sliders
Implementation Method 4
the wheels provide reduce friction so that the sliders translate along the beam with less applied force
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment is directed to a slider and method for moving a hoist on a crane. The slider includes a hoist support member and mounting arms. The mounting arms extend from either end of the support member. A portion of each mounting arm is spaced from the support member to form a flange receiving slot which is dimensioned to receive a flange a beam of the crane. The slider is provided with a resilient member to resiliently maintain the slider in a position in which the slider is movable relative to a beam of the crane when no load is applied to the slider. The resilient member is compressed when a load is applied to the slider to allow the slider to frictionally engage the beam to prevent the slider from continued movement relative to the beam.