Crane Winch Control via Variable Displacement Motor

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing winch system for cranes faces difficulties in improving operability, particularly when lifting off the ground, as it struggles to effectively manage the transition from zero lifting load to hoisting, leading to inefficient high-speed mode switching and reduced performance.

Innovation Solution

A crane system equipped with a high/low speed hydraulic motor and a control unit that switches between high and low speed modes based on load and tension thresholds, using a high/low speed switching valve and control cylinder to optimize winch operation, allowing for efficient high-speed hoisting at the initial stage of lifting off the ground and transitioning to low-speed mode as needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a variable displacement motor is used to achieve high-speed lowering, then the wire rope can be lowered at high speed, but the system becomes complex and difficult to control during the transition from zero lifting load to hoisting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewire rope lowering speedVSAvoidwinch system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the motor displacement variable rather than fixed. The variable displacement motor automatically adjusts its displacement based on the detected lifting load, enabling high-speed operation when load is small and automatic transition to low-speed operation when load increases, eliminating the need for complex manual mode switching while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of motor displacement dynamically based on the lifting load. By detecting the load and automatically adjusting the motor displacement parameter, the system achieves high-speed lowering when appropriate while avoiding the complexity of manual intervention, and automatically transitions to low-speed mode when load conditions change

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If high-speed mode is used at the initial stage of lifting off the ground, then lifting efficiency is improved, but unstable control occurs due to load and tension fluctuations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelifting efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback control by continuously detecting the lifting load and wire rope tension, then automatically adjusting the motor displacement based on these feedback signals. This closed-loop control enables high-speed operation during stable phases while automatically reducing speed when fluctuations are detected, maintaining both productivity and reliability without operator intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically detecting load conditions and adjusting its own operating parameters. The variable displacement motor self-regulates its displacement based on detected conditions, enabling the system to maintain optimal performance and stability automatically without requiring external control input from the operator

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If manual mode switching is required between high and low speed modes, then precise control is possible, but operability is reduced due to frequent manual intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrane operabilityVSAvoidmode switching automation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system achieves self-service by automatically detecting lifting load conditions and autonomously switching between high and low speed modes. This eliminates the need for manual mode switching while maintaining precise control based on actual load conditions, significantly improving ease of operation without sacrificing automation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

This solution enhances crane operability by enabling high-speed hoisting at the initial stage of lifting off the ground and stable mode switching, preventing excessive pressure and frequent mode changes, thus improving overall lifting efficiency and reducing the risk of unstable control due to load and tension fluctuations.

Implementation Method 1

a high/low speed switching valve 33 capable of switching between a first state where hydraulic oil is supplied from the high/low speed switching valve 33 to the control cylinder 24 and a second state where supply of the hydraulic oil from the high/low speed switching valve 33 to the control cylinder 24 is interrupted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic oil supply control: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP3730446B1crane
Publication Date: 2024.10.02 TADANO LTD
  • EP3730446B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3730446B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3730446B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention is provided with: a manipulation unit; a winch device that operates with an actuation mode of either a high speed mode or a low speed mode on the basis of manipulation of the manipulation unit, and winds in or reels out a wire rope to which a hook is fixed; a selection unit for an operator to select either the high speed mode or the low speed mode; a load calculation unit for calculating a suspended load; a tension calculation unit for calculating the tension of the wire rope; and a control unit for controlling the actuation of the winch device. If the mode selected by the selection unit is the high speed mode, the manipulation unit is manipulated from a neutral state to a non-neutral state, and the suspended load is smaller than a load threshold and the tension is smaller than a tension threshold, the control unit controls the winch device so as to operate in the high speed mode. Through this, a winch system of a mobile crane having excellent operability is provided.