Remote Tension Setting for Crane Transfer Cables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tension setting systems for cranes require manual intervention for tensioning and loosening of transfer cables, posing safety risks and increasing operational costs, especially during crane disassembly and assembly, and lack automated control for maintaining precise tension levels.
Innovation Solution
A remote-controlled tension setting system that uses a transfer winch with a motor and a pilot unit to automate the displacement of the transfer carriage, which acts on a setting mechanical device to either increase or release tension in the transfer cable, allowing for predefined tension ranges to be maintained without manual force application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual intervention is used for tensioning and loosening transfer cables, then the operator can directly control the tension setting, but safety risks increase and operational costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system with an automated electromechanical system. A motor (210) drives a drum (20) that winds or unwinds the transfer cable (9), eliminating the need for manual intervention. The motor is controlled by a control unit (130) that receives signals from the bridge operator, fully automating the tensioning and loosening operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service operation where the crane's own motorized mechanisms perform the tension setting operations without requiring external manual intervention. The automated drum and cable system serves itself by responding to control signals, maintaining tension automatically during crane assembly and disassembly operations.
2Device complexity
If manual force application is required for cable tensioning, then simple mechanical devices can be used, but the complexity of operation increases and maintenance costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex manual mechanical operations with a motorized system. The motor (210) provides automated rotational force to the drum (20), eliminating the need for manual force application through complex mechanical means. This substitution maintains device simplicity while dramatically improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The motorized drum system serves multiple functions: it tensions the cable during assembly, maintains tension during operation, and loosens the cable during disassembly. This multi-functional capability eliminates the need for different mechanical devices for different operations, reducing overall system complexity while improving operational ease.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the transfer cable is allowed to become loose, then safety systems are avoided, but the carriage translation operation is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit (130) monitors the position and operation of the transfer carriage, and automatically adjusts the motor (210) to maintain appropriate cable tension. This feedback mechanism ensures the cable remains properly tensioned during carriage translation without triggering safety systems, while preventing both excessive tension and looseness.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated tensioning system continuously monitors and adjusts cable tension during carriage operation, maintaining optimal conditions without manual intervention. The system serves itself by automatically responding to operational conditions, ensuring reliable carriage translation while avoiding safety system interference.
Data Source
AI summary
A tension setting system for a remote setting of a tension in a transfer cable ensuring a displacement of a transfer carriage along a jib of a crane, including a winch equipped with a motor cooperating with the cable so as to ensure a displacement of the carriage, a pilot unit connected to the motor to pilot a displacement of the carriage, and a setting mechanical device mounted on the carriage and adapted to be actuated by the action of a displacement of the carriage. The setting mechanical device is coupled to the cable and configurable between a working configuration in which the mechanical device stands still irrespective of the displacement of the carriage and results in a holding of the tension in the cable, and a detent configuration in which, by the action of a displacement of the carriage piloted by the pilot unit according to a first sequence of reciprocating displacement, the mechanical device results in a release of the tension in the cable.