Cylinder Drive Crane with Integrated Rollers for Smooth Travel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crane devices in warehouse settings lack efficient and smooth travel capabilities along crane tracks, particularly in transporting heavy loads and navigating complex layouts, due to limitations in drive mechanisms and lateral movement.
Innovation Solution
A crane device featuring a cylinder with integrated drive wheels and tracks, a carriage with rollers engaging the cylinder tracks, and a transport unit with motors for lateral movement, enabling the carriage to travel in multiple directions and facilitate cargo lifting and transport across a warehouse setting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional drive mechanisms are used in existing crane devices, then the structure remains simple, but the travel smoothness and load-bearing capability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drive mechanism and the cylinder into an integrated unit where the drive wheels are mounted on the cylinder. This merging of functions allows the cylinder to serve both as the travel path for the carriage and as the driven element, improving travel smoothness while managing complexity through functional integration rather than separate components
Solution Approach 2:
The cylinder serves multiple functions: it acts as the track for carriage movement, as the driven element by the drive wheels, and as a structural component supporting the entire system. This multi-functionality improves reliability by eliminating weak points from separate components while keeping the overall structure efficient
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing crane devices are used, then the device complexity is low, but the lateral movement capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transport unit with motors that can dynamically adjust the carriage position along the cylinder. This dynamic capability allows the crane to adapt to different cargo positions and warehouse layouts, providing lateral movement capability that enhances versatility while the modular design manages the added complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into independent functional units: the stationary crane track, the movable cylinder with drive unit, and the carriage with transport unit. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, enabling lateral movement capability without requiring complete system redesign
3Measurement precision
If traditional bridge cranes are used, then the structure is simple, but the cargo positioning precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The transport unit incorporates control mechanisms that can precisely position the carriage along the cylinder, providing accurate cargo placement. The feedback from the drive unit's position control and the transport unit's motor control enables precise positioning while managing complexity through coordinated control systems
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
The solution provides smoother travel and enhanced load-bearing capabilities, allowing for efficient cargo transport and positioning within a warehouse, improving upon existing bridge cranes by enabling bidirectional movement and precise control of the winch for lifting and transporting cargo.
Implementation Method 1
a drive unit that is integrated into the cylinder and which engages the crane track for transporting the cylinder along the crane track
Implementation Method 2
The drive unit rotates each of the drive wheels in a first direction or a second direction
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of rollers is each rotatably coupled to the carriage. Each of the rollers engages a respective one of the tracks on the cylinder thereby facilitating the carriage to travel along the cylinder
Implementation Method 4
The transport unit is actuatable to urge the carriage to travel along the cylinder in either a primary direction or a secondary direction
Implementation Method 5
A winch is attached to the carriage for lifting and transporting cargo
Data Source
AI summary
A bridge crane assembly includes a crane track that is positioned in a warehouse. A cylinder is included that has a plurality of tracks integrated into the cylinder. A drive unit is integrated into the cylinder and the drive unit has a pair of drive wheels that each engages the crane track. The drive unit rotates each of the drive wheels in a first direction or a second direction. A carriage extends around the cylinder and a plurality of rollers is each rotatably coupled to the carriage. Each of the rollers engages a respective one of the tracks on the cylinder thereby facilitating the carriage to travel along the cylinder. A transport unit is integrated into the carriage and the transport unit engages the cylinder. The transport unit is actuatable to urge the carriage to travel along the cylinder in either a primary direction or a secondary direction.