Magnetic Trolley Locking for Telescopic Crane Bridges

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional crane systems face safety issues due to unintentional movement of telescopic crane bridges, which can lead to collisions with obstacles, causing damage and potential injuries, and existing solutions are complex and noisy.

Innovation Solution

A locking arrangement using magnets and ferromagnetic receiving areas to securely lock trolleys to girder counterparts, preventing unintended movement and collision, with the option of using permanent or electromagnets and various fastening methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a mechanical lock with additional elements is used to lock the trolley to the crane bridge profile, then the locking function is achieved, but the device complexity increases and wear-out components cause disturbing noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking functionVSAvoidcomplexity of the solution

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical locking system with a magnetic field-based locking system. Magnets are integrated into the trolley and interact with ferromagnetic material in the crane bridge profile, eliminating the need for complex mechanical locking elements and their associated wear and noise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the locking mechanism from mechanical contact to magnetic field interaction. This parameter change eliminates wear-out components and the associated disturbing noise while maintaining the locking function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the telescope profile is not locked to the crane bridge profile, then the crane bridge can move freely, but the telescope profile may move unintentionally outside the travel range causing collision with obstacles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefree movement capabilityVSAvoidunintended movement and collision risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic locking system provides continuous attraction force that prevents unintended movement of the telescope profile without requiring complex mechanical constraints, allowing free movement within the locked range while preventing movement outside it.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic field applies a preliminary attractive force to counteract any forces that might cause unintended movement of the telescope profile, preventing collision with obstacles before they can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Strength

If traditional iron crane elements are used, then the structure is hard enough to meet heavy lifting challenges, but the structure cannot be made sufficiently long due to building and pole limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural hardnessVSAvoidcrane bridge length

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a telescopic crane bridge design where the crane bridge profile can dynamically change its length by extending or retracting the telescope profile, allowing the structure to adapt to space limitations while maintaining sufficient strength through the magnetic locking system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 magnetic locking system enhances safety by preventing unintended movement of telescopic crane bridges, reducing the risk of collisions and associated damages, while being simpler and less prone to wear than existing solutions.

Implementation Method 1

the locking arrangement comprises at least one magnet and at least one receiving area made of a material that is attracted to the at least one magnet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

The at least one magnet may be one of the following: permanent magnet, electromagnet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetism: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentEP3216740B1A locking arrangement for crane bridges and a telescopic crane using the same

Publication Date: 2020.04.29 ERIKKILA

Figure 1~2C
Figure 3~4A
Figure 4B

AI summary

Locking arrangement for removably locking at least one trolley (104) to a counterpart arranged to a girder (102) being a part of a crane bridge. The at least one trolley is arranged to travel along the girder. The locking arrangement comprises at least one magnet (114) and at least one receiving area made of a material that is attracted to the at least one magnet. The at least one magnet is arranged to one of the following: at least one trolley; counterpart, and the other one of the following: at least one trolley; counterpart, comprising the at least one receiving area at a location corresponding to the at least one magnet. The invention also relates to a crane bridge comprising at least one locking arrangement.