Crane Load Hook Automatic Positioning via Transponder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cranes face challenges in precisely approaching a load or drop-off point due to the complexity of manually controlling drive units, especially when using radio remote control, which can lead to inaccuracies in positioning the load hook.
Innovation Solution
A crane system equipped with a mobile portable target signal transmitter, positioning device, and target controller allows for automatic or semi-automatic movement of the load hook to a predetermined target point, eliminating the need for manual operation of drive units by the operator, using a control unit with computer-readable instructions to control the drive units based on the target signal transmitter's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual radio remote control is used to operate the crane, then the operator can be closer to the load and see the target more accurately, but the positioning precision of the load hook deteriorates due to difficulty in sensitively controlling the drive units
Solution Approach 1:
A portable target signal transmitter is introduced as an intermediary device between the operator and the crane control system. The transmitter emits signals that define the target position, and the crane's positioning device detects these signals to automatically determine the load hook's target location, eliminating the need for the operator to manually control the crane to a visually identified position
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical control of drive units by the operator is replaced with an automated control system. The positioning device detects signals from the portable transmitter and automatically controls the drive units to move the load hook to the target position, substituting the operator's manual control actions with an automated signal-based control mechanism
2Manufacturing precision
If automatic control based on portable target signal is implemented, then the positioning precision of the load hook is improved, but the device complexity increases due to addition of positioning device and target controller
Solution Approach 1:
The portable target signal transmitter serves multiple functions: it defines the target position, emits positioning signals, and can be moved to different locations to change the target. The control unit integrates multiple control functions (manual control, automatic control, signal processing) into a single system that can operate in different modes, reducing the need for separate dedicated devices for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The crane system automatically determines its own target position by detecting signals from the portable transmitter and automatically controls its drive units to move the load hook to that position. The system serves itself by autonomously processing the positioning signals and executing the movement without requiring constant manual intervention or complex external control equipment
Data Source
AI summary
A crane system includes crane with a load hook that can be raised or lowered via movable crane elements, and moved within a crane working area by operating drive units associated with the crane elements. The crane system further includes a control unit and a mobile transponder that can be variably positioned in the crane working area, and one or more transmitting/receiving units communicatively coupled to the control unit and configured to receive signals transmitted by the mobile transponder. The control unit is configured to automatically determining the current position of the mobile transponder relative to the load hook and/or a crane element based on the signals received from the mobile transponder, and automatically control the drive units in such that the load hook is automatically moved to the mobile transponder.