Crane Tool Clamp Interface for Fast Exchangeable Suspended Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crane systems lack a versatile and robust solution for easily exchanging and suspending different tools, such as crane hooks, pile driving devices, and subsea trenching devices, without requiring significant alterations to the crane's upper tool connector.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a crane with an exchangeable tool suspension device that includes a tool clamp and a shank with a shoulder, allowing for the easy connection and disconnection of various tools through a standardized interface, without needing to alter the upper tool connector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a standardized interface with tool clamp and shank is used, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tool clamp and shank interface is designed as a universal standardized connection system that can accommodate multiple different tools (crane hooks, pile driving devices, subsea trenching devices, etc.). The tool clamp comprises a clamp body with clamping jaws that can grip various shank types, while the shank includes a standardized shoulder and connection features. This universal interface allows quick tool exchange without modifying the crane's upper tool connector, resolving the contradiction by enabling ease of operation through standardization while containing device complexity within the modular clamp-shank assembly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If exchangeable tools are implemented, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The interface between tool clamp and shank employs local quality principles by concentrating precision requirements at specific critical locations rather than throughout the entire assembly. The shank features a standardized shoulder with defined dimensional tolerances at the connection point, while the tool clamp has corresponding precision-machined clamping surfaces and positioning features. The majority of the tool and clamp bodies can be manufactured with standard tolerances, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while ensuring precise alignment and secure connection at the interface, thus enabling adaptability without excessive manufacturing precision requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A system comprising a crane and an exchangeable tool. The crane and the tool respectively comprise an upper tool connector with tool retainers and a lower tool connector which can be interconnected, e.g. a male and female connector, e.g. the lower tool connector of the tool being embodied as a shank provided with a shoulder and the upper tool connector as a tool clamp with a female, open-centered body. A tool suspension device comprises the upper tool connector. a travelling block member. The tool clamp has multiple mobile tool retainers adapted to—in a non-operative position—allow introduction of the shank of the tool from below into the shank receiving passage and—in an operative position—engage below the shoulder of the shank that has been introduced into the passage so as to suspend the tool. The upper tool connector may comprise a bearing allowing for swivelling of the open-centered body, and e.g. a rotational drive operative between the clamp housing and the female, open-centered body to actively drive said swivelling.