Luffing Jib Crane Lifting Unit with Segmented Cylinder Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing luffing jib crane lifting units are bulky, requiring disassembly of the cylinder from the jib and mast for transportation, which exposes connection members to shocks and pollution, leading to reduced service life and lengthy assembly/disassembly operations with numerous parts to manage.
Innovation Solution
A lifting unit with a cylinder mechanically connected to the jib foot and securing part, allowing permanent connection during assembly, disassembly, transport, and storage, reducing exposure to shocks and pollution, and featuring a compact design for easy handling and reduced part management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cylinder is connected to the mast for structural support, then the lifting unit provides stable operation, but the crane requires disassembly of the cylinder from the mast for transportation, exposing connection members to shocks and pollution
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the lifting unit into separable modules: the cylinder remains permanently connected to the jib foot and securing part, while the securing part itself can be detached from the mast as a complete assembly. This segmentation allows the connection members between the cylinder and jib foot to remain protected and connected during transport, while only the securing part needs to be detached from the mast.
Solution Approach 2:
The securing part acts as an intermediary component between the mast and the lifting unit. It provides a standardized interface that can be quickly attached to and detached from the mast, while the cylinder and its connection to the jib foot remain intact. This intermediary structure eliminates the need to disconnect the cylinder from the jib foot during mast attachment/detachment operations.
2Device complexity
If the lifting unit is designed as a compact integrated structure, then the number of parts to manage is reduced, but the cylinder may interfere with the securing part arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention resolves spatial interference by changing the dimensional arrangement of components. The cylinder is positioned to extend between the jib foot and counter-jib in a configuration that does not conflict with the securing part's attachment to the mast. This dimensional optimization allows all components to be integrated into a compact lifting unit without manufacturing complexity.
3Force
If the cylinder extends between the jib foot and mast, then the lifting unit provides sufficient lifting capacity, but the space requirement increases making transport difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting unit is designed to dynamically adapt its configuration for different operational phases. During lifting operations, the cylinder extends between the jib foot and securing part to provide full lifting capacity. During transport, the entire lifting unit (including cylinder, jib foot, and securing part) is moved as an integrated assembly, eliminating the need for disassembly and reducing the effective volume requiring transport management.
Data Source
AI summary
A lifting unit includes a jib foot forming a proximal part of a jib in a service configuration, a counter jib supporting a balancing ballast, a securing part between the jib foot and the counter jib to secure the lifting unit to a mast, and a cylinder connected to the jib foot such that the jib foot is movable between a lowered position and a lifted position. A second cylinder is connected to the securing part.