Crane Wireless Power Transfer Across the Swivel Axis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cranes with slip rings for power feeding and communication between the traveling body and swivel body face issues such as extensive equipment requirements and problems associated with wiring and slip ring wear.

Innovation Solution

Implementing wireless power feeding and communication using a power supply device, lower and upper controllers, and transmission and reception devices in the traveling and swivel bodies, respectively, which are positioned at the center of the swivel axis to maintain efficient power transfer and data exchange without the need for a slip ring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a slip ring is disposed between the traveling body and swivel body for power feeding and communication, then electrical power and data can be transmitted, but the slip ring requires wiring and suffers from wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower feeding and communicationVSAvoidwiring and slip ring structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical slip ring system with a wireless communication system and wireless power transmission system. The wireless communication device transmits data signals between the traveling body and swivel body without physical contact, and the wireless power transmission device supplies electrical power wirelessly, eliminating the need for slip rings and their associated wiring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces wireless transmission as an intermediary medium to transfer power and data between the traveling body and swivel body. Instead of direct physical contact through slip rings, electromagnetic waves serve as the intermediary carrier for both power and information transmission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If communication equipment, generator, and battery are provided in the swivel body for wireless communication and power feeding, then slip ring communication amount increases are reduced, but the swivel body has extensive equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless communicationVSAvoidequipment in swivel body

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the traveling body serve multiple functions: it contains both the power supply device for wireless power transmission and the wireless communication device for data transmission. This consolidates the functions that were previously distributed between multiple components in the swivel body (communication equipment, generator, and battery) into a single location

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the power supply function from the swivel body and relocates it to the traveling body. The traveling body's power supply device provides electrical power wirelessly to the swivel body, eliminating the need for the swivel body to contain its own generator and battery systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If wireless power feeding and communication are implemented between traveling body and swivel body, then the slip ring is eliminated, but power transfer efficiency must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveslip ring eliminationVSAvoidpower transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical slip ring power transmission system with a wireless power transmission system using electromagnetic fields. This substitution eliminates contact wear and wiring complexity while maintaining efficient power transfer through optimized wireless transmission devices positioned at the center of the swivel body

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 eliminates the need for a slip ring, reducing equipment complexity and wear, while allowing for efficient power feeding and communication, and enabling easy addition of devices like sensors or instruments.

Implementation Method 1

power feeding and communication are performed between the traveling body and the swivel body wirelessly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWireless power feeding: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11840427B2Crane

Publication Date: 2023.12.12 TADANO LTD

AI summary

A crane comprising a traveling body and a turning body turnably supported by the traveling body, the crane performing power feeding and communication between the traveling body and the turning body. The traveling body is provided with: a power supply; a lower controller which controls the traveling body and transmits power to the devices included in the traveling body; and a lower transmitter-receiver which wirelessly transmits and receives the power and data signal from the power supply. The turning body is provided with: an upper controller which controls the turning body and transmits power to the devices included in the turning body; and an upper transmitter-receiver which wirelessly transmits and receives the power and data signal to and from the lower transmitter-receiver.