Integrated Emergency Valve Block for Leak-Safe Mobile Crane Hydraulics

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing emergency drive systems for mobile cranes are complex, prone to leaks, and difficult to operate due to numerous manually controlled valves and confusing piping, leading to inefficiencies and potential incorrect operation.

Innovation Solution

A compact valve block with integrated check valves and an actuating valve, designed for easy connection to an emergency drive device, featuring a modular structure and simplified operation through standardized hand levers and position indicators, reducing maintenance and installation space while ensuring hydraulic connections are controlled safely.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If numerous manually operated valves and piping are used to control individual crane drives, then the emergency drive system can be adapted to different crane configurations, but the system complexity increases and the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different crane configurationsVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple manually operated valves are merged into a single actuating valve with a common hand lever. The valve block integrates several valve functions (shut-off valves for different crane drives and an actuating valve) into one compact unit, eliminating the need for separate valves and piping for each drive. This reduces the number of operating elements from multiple individual valves to a single unified control mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The actuating valve serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a shut-off valve for the emergency drive system and as a control valve for directing hydraulic fluid to different crane drives. The single hand lever can control multiple crane drives through the integrated valve block, providing universal control capability that replaces multiple specialized valves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If numerous manually operated valves and piping are used to control individual crane drives, then the emergency drive system can be adapted to different crane configurations, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different crane configurationsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple valves and piping connections are merged into a single integrated valve block. The patent combines several shut-off valves and an actuating valve into one compact unit with internal hydraulic passages, eliminating the need for external piping and reducing the overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability to different crane configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve block is designed as a modular unit that can be segmented into different functional sections. Each section within the integrated block corresponds to a specific crane drive, allowing the system to be adapted to different configurations by activating or deactivating specific segments while maintaining a unified structural design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If numerous manually operated valves and piping are used to control individual crane drives, then the emergency drive system can be adapted to different crane configurations, but the leakage tendency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different crane configurationsVSAvoidleakage tendency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple separate valve connections and piping joints are merged into a single integrated valve block with internal hydraulic passages. This eliminates numerous external connections and potential leak points, reducing the overall leakage tendency while maintaining the system's adaptability to different crane configurations through the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If numerous manually operated valves and piping are used to control individual crane drives, then the emergency drive system can be adapted to different crane configurations, but the installation space required increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different crane configurationsVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple valves and piping components are merged into a single compact valve block, significantly reducing the space required for installation. The integrated design consolidates what would traditionally require extensive piping and multiple separate valve locations into one compact unit, reducing installation footprint while maintaining configurability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 a low-maintenance, easy-to-operate system that ensures reliable hydraulic connection to emergency drives, preventing uncontrolled movements and leaks, and allows for adaptable configuration to different crane types, enhancing operational safety and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

at least two shut-off valves, each assigned to one of the drive connections and configured to selectively release or block a hydraulic connection between the drive connection and the respective drive connection assigned to it

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

an actuating valve configured to selectively reverse the hydraulic connection between a pressure side and a return side of the drive connection with corresponding sides of the drive connections

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic connection reversal: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP4311945A1Emergency operating valve block for a mobile crane
Publication Date: 2024.01.31 MANITOWOC CRANE GROUP FRANCE
  • EP4311945A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4311945A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4311945A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to an emergency operating valve block (1) with a drive connection (2) for hydraulically connecting the valve block (1) to an emergency drive unit of a mobile crane, at least two drive connections (3A, 3B, 3C) for hydraulically connecting the valve block (1) to a drive unit of the mobile crane, at least two shut-off valves (4A, 4B, 4C), each assigned to one of the drive connections (3A, 3B, 3C) and configured to selectively open or close a hydraulic connection between the drive connection (2) and their respective assigned drive connections (3A, 3B, 3C), and an actuating valve (5) configured to open or close the hydraulic connection between a pressure side (2A) and a return side (2B) of the drive connection (2) with corresponding sides of the drive connections (3A, 3B, 3C). to reverse the option.The invention further relates to a mobile crane with such an emergency operating valve block.