Crane Winch Drain Coupler Detection for Hydraulic Motor Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Crane systems face issues with hydraulic motor pressure increase due to forgotten connections in the drain pipeline during reassembly, leading to potential hydraulic motor failure.
Innovation Solution
A winch drive device with a multi-coupler system that connects the tank-side and motor-side pipeline parts of the drain pipeline, along with a pressure detection unit and a connection state determining unit, to suppress pressure increases in the hydraulic motor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the drain pipeline is divided into two parts (tank-side and motor-side) for transportation, then the crane can be disassembled and transported in parts, but the connection state may be forgotten during reassembly causing hydraulic motor pressure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting the connection state of the drain pipeline before starting the engine. The detection unit checks whether the tank-side pipeline part and motor-side pipeline part are properly connected, and the control unit prevents engine start or issues warnings if the connection is improper, thereby avoiding hydraulic motor damage before it occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using a detection unit to monitor the connection state of the drain pipeline and providing this information to the control unit. The control unit then provides feedback to the operator through warnings or by preventing engine start, creating a closed-loop system that ensures proper connection before operation
2Measurement precision
If a pulse signal transmission device is mounted on the boom to detect pipeline connection, then the connection state can be detected, but the weight of the rising/falling member increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the taking out principle by extracting the connection detection function from the boom structure and implementing it through the hydraulic system itself. The detection unit utilizes the existing hydraulic fluid flow path to detect connection state, eliminating the need for separate detection devices on the boom and thus avoiding additional weight
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses hydraulic fluid as an intermediary to detect the connection state of the drain pipeline. By monitoring the flow or pressure characteristics of the hydraulic fluid in the drain pipeline, the system can determine connection status without requiring direct mechanical or electronic sensors on the boom, thereby avoiding weight increase
3Productivity
If the engine is started without detecting drain pipeline connection, then the crane can operate immediately, but the hydraulic motor pressure increases causing potential failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing connection detection before engine start. The detection unit checks the drain pipeline connection state, and the control unit prevents engine start or issues warnings if the connection is improper, thereby avoiding hydraulic motor damage before it occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by taking preventive measures before the harmful effect occurs. The system detects improper connection and either prevents engine start or issues warnings, thereby counteracting the potential pressure increase and damage to the hydraulic motor before it can happen
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
Effectively prevents hydraulic motor pressure increases and potential failures by determining the connection state of the drain pipeline and taking corrective action, even when the engine is started in a disconnected state.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure detection unit configured to detect a pressure of the hydraulic oil in the detection target pipeline part
Data Source
AI summary
When an engine is started in a state where a support member of a multi-coupler is attached to a mating support member, the pressure of hydraulic oil increases in a detection target pipeline part. A pressure detection unit detects the pressure of the hydraulic oil in the detection target pipeline part. A connection state determining unit determines whether a tank-side pipeline part and a motor-side pipeline part are connected to each other, based on the pressure. When the connection state determining unit determines that the tank-side pipeline part and the motor-side pipeline part are not connected to each other in a state where the engine is started, a pressure increase suppression unit carries out an operation for suppressing an increase in the pressure of a hydraulic motor.