Magnetic Crane Hook Gripper With Remote Latch Status Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
The construction industry, particularly crane operation, faces hazards such as electrocution, falls, and collapsing loads, with falls from heights and load collapses being common causes of injuries and fatalities, despite safety precautions.
Innovation Solution
A gripping device for the crane hook with a handle, trigger, central rod, and pair of jaws, including magnets for stabilization, and a sensor to detect and communicate the open and closed status of the hook to the crane user-interface, reducing the need for workers to climb and manually manage loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If workers manually climb to manage crane hook loads, then direct control and monitoring is possible, but fall hazards and injuries occur
Solution Approach 1:
A gripping device with magnetic attachment serves as an intermediary tool, allowing workers to operate the crane hook from a safe distance while maintaining control. The device includes a trigger mechanism that actuates a finger to open the hook latch, and magnetic jaws that securely hold the hook without requiring direct manual manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical manual operation with a cable-actuated trigger mechanism. Pulling the trigger pulls the cable, which pulls the finger down to open the latch, eliminating the need for workers to physically climb and manually manipulate the hook while maintaining reliable control.
2Loss of information
If workers manually monitor hook status, then real-time awareness is achieved, but exposure to collapsing load hazards increases
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor detects the open and closed status of the hook and provides feedback to the operator. This allows continuous monitoring of hook status without requiring workers to physically approach or manually check the hook position, eliminating information loss while maintaining safety.
3Productivity
If traditional manual hook operation is used, then simple device structure is maintained, but operation time and labor intensity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping device integrates multiple functions into a single tool: magnetic attachment for secure holding, trigger-actuated cable mechanism for latch operation, sensor for status detection, and communication capability for remote monitoring. This multi-functionality improves productivity while the modular design keeps individual components relatively simple.
4Speed
If workers directly handle crane hook loads, then immediate response to load changes is possible, but risk of electrocution and falling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping device with extended handle and magnetic attachment acts as a safety intermediary, allowing workers to operate the hook from a protected position. The device maintains mechanical advantage for quick response while physically isolating the worker from electrocution and fall hazards associated with direct load handling.
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 device addresses the hazards of falls and load collapses by enabling safe and efficient operation, reducing injuries and fatalities, and saving time and resources for construction companies.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of magnets coupled to each one of the pair of jaws for attracting each jaw to a side of the crane hook to hold the crane hook stable
Data Source
AI summary
For procedural safety, a gripping device for a crane hook for safely removing a hook from a forklift may include a sensor and a method of communicating the open and closed status of the hook to a crane cab for the driver to be notified. The gripping device can include a handle, having a trigger coupled to a cable seated within a central rod. A pair of jaws may couple to the central rod and a finger may couple to one jaw, wherein the cable is seated within the one jaw and the finger, which can swing about a hinge. As such, when the trigger is actuated while the hook is positioned between the pair of jaws, the cable is pulled, which pulls the finger down to open a latch of the crane hook. When the trigger is released, the cable is released and the finger retracts up.