Free Fall Brake Control for Cable Grab Lowering Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing civil engineering devices, such as cable grabs, face inefficiencies and ergonomic challenges during the repeated lowering and raising of processing units, particularly due to the lack of controlled lowering speed and path, leading to wear and overheating of free fall brakes.
Innovation Solution
A civil engineering device equipped with an electronic control device that automatically controls the opening, partial opening, and closing of the free fall brake, allowing for presetting of target lowering speeds and paths, and adjusting the brake's state based on detected actual values to match the target settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the free fall brake is completely or partially opened to achieve faster lowering speed, then the lowering speed increases significantly, but the brake plates wear and overheat due to friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the coupling between winch drum and winch motor dynamically adjustable through the free fall brake. The brake can transition between fully coupled (for controlled lowering), partially coupled (for reduced speed friction control), and fully decoupled (for maximum speed free fall) states, allowing the system to adapt to different operational requirements and minimize wear while maintaining speed benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by alternating between phases of friction-based controlled lowering and phases of free fall lowering. The control device periodically engages and disengages the free fall brake, creating a rhythmic pattern of controlled and uncontrolled descent that averages out the wear while maintaining high overall lowering speeds.
2Ease of operation
If frictional actuation of the cable winch is used for controlled lowering, then the lowering speed is controllable, but the maximum lowering speed is limited by the winch motor speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lowering process into two distinct phases: a controlled friction-based phase for speed regulation and a free fall phase for maximum speed achievement. By dividing the continuous lowering operation into these separate segments, the system can exploit the advantages of both methods without being constrained by their individual limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by using the friction brake only for the portion of lowering where speed control is necessary, rather than continuously. The brake is engaged partially or intermittently to provide just enough control to manage speed, allowing the system to exceed the winch motor's maximum speed capability during free fall portions.
3Ease of operation
If manual control of the free fall brake is used, then the machine operator can control lowering speed, but long-term operation of control pedals is ergonomically strenuous and requires experience to find correct pedal position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the system to control its own lowering speed automatically. The control device monitors the lowering process and autonomously adjusts the free fall brake engagement, eliminating the need for continuous manual pedal operation. The system serves itself by using sensors and control algorithms to maintain optimal lowering speeds without operator intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical control system with an electronic control system. Instead of the operator physically pressing pedals to control brake engagement, electronic sensors detect lowering speed and position, and electronic control circuits automatically actuate the free fall brake, substituting mechanical manual control with an automated electromechanical 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 enables efficient and controlled lowering of processing units, reducing wear and overheating of free fall brakes, improving operator ergonomics by automating control, and allowing for precise management of lowering speed and path.
Implementation Method 1
a torque is transferred in the free fall brake, which torque is dependent on the degree of opening of the free fall brake
Implementation Method 2
in an open state, the winch drum is decoupled from the associated winch motor and is substantially freely rotatable with respect to this
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a civil engineering device, in particular cable grab, with a support apparatus, a processing unit, which is configured to carry out a civil engineering step and is held by way of at least one cable on the support apparatus, at least one cable winch for operating the cable, wherein the cable winch has a winch drum and an associated winch motor for driving the winch drum rotationally, at least one free fall brake, which is arranged on the at least one cable winch, wherein in a closed state of the free fall brake, the winch drum is coupled to the associated winch motor, in a partially open state of the free fall brake, a relative movement is possible between winch drum and winch motor, wherein a torque that is dependent on the degree of opening of the free fall brake is transmitted in the free fall brake, and in an open state the winch drum is decoupled from the associated winch motor and is substantially freely rotatable with respect to this. It is provided according to the invention that an electronic control device is arranged for the controlled opening, partial opening and closing of the free fall brake by means of at least one control element, that a lowering speed and/or a lowering path can be preset as target values in the control device, that at least one detection device is arranged, which is configured to detect a lowering speed of the processing unit and/or a lowering path as actual values, and that the control device is connected to the at least one detection device and is configured to control opening, partial opening and closing of the free fall brake depending on the actual values detected so that the actual values approach the preset target values.