Crane Speed Variator Sharing for Lower Environmental Impact
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of multiple speed variators in crane operations is becoming incompatible with environmental regulations due to the use of rare and polluting materials, health hazards from additives, and the difficulty in recycling and repairing these components, which are energy-intensive and contribute to high ecological impact.
Innovation Solution
A control system that connects a single common variator to at least two shared actuators via a distribution relay, ensuring that these actuators operate alternately, reducing the need for multiple speed variators and associated resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple speed variators are used to control different crane movements, then operational versatility and independence are improved, but environmental impact and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions of multiple speed variators into a single shared speed variator that controls multiple actuators (lifting, slewing, distribution) through a common control unit. This consolidation reduces the number of separate speed variators from three to one, thereby reducing environmental impact, energy consumption, and manufacturing costs while maintaining operational versatility through software-based control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The single speed variator is designed with multi-functionality to control different crane movements (lifting, slewing, distribution) through a universal control architecture. The control unit can selectively activate different actuators based on operational requirements, allowing one speed variator to perform the functions previously requiring multiple separate variators, thus reducing harmful factors while preserving adaptability.
2Ease of operation
If multiple speed variators are used for each crane movement, then control independence is improved, but energy consumption and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple independent control functions into a single integrated speed variator system. The control unit manages lifting, slewing, and distribution movements through a unified architecture, reducing energy consumption by eliminating redundant components while maintaining control independence through software-based signal routing and actuator selection.
3Productivity
If multiple speed variators are used, then operational performance is maintained, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges three separate speed variators into a single shared speed variator with a common control unit that manages multiple actuators. This reduces device complexity by eliminating redundant hardware while maintaining operational performance through sophisticated control algorithms that coordinate lifting, slewing, and distribution movements seamlessly.
Solution Approach 2:
The single speed variator is designed as a universal control device that can manage different crane operations through a multi-functional control unit. This approach reduces manufacturing costs and device complexity while preserving operational performance by using software-based control rather than hardware redundancy.
4Measurement precision
If multiple speed variators are used, then control precision is maintained, but loss of substance and recyclability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple speed variators into a single unit, reducing the quantity of materials required for manufacturing. This decreases loss of substance and improves recyclability by reducing the overall material footprint and the number of components that need to be disposed of or recycled after the crane's service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The reduced component count in the single speed variator system facilitates better recycling and recovery of materials. With fewer separate speed variators to manage, the system reduces waste generation and improves end-of-life recyclability, aligning with sustainable manufacturing principles.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Control system (1) for operating a crane (100; 200), comprising at least: - a control interface (2); - a control system (3) connected to the control interface; - working actuators (6; 61, 62) ensuring the movement of the load; - variable speed drives (4; 41) connected to the control system and to the working actuators to receive control commands (DO1; DO2) from the control system and transmit speed instructions (S6; S61; S62) to the working actuators; with at least one of the speed variators (4; 41), called common variator (41), connected to at least two of the working actuators, called shared actuators (61, 62), by means of a distribution relay (51), so that the common variator alternately controls each of the shared actuators.