Mobile Crane Automated Ballast Cylinder Coupling Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile cranes face challenges in efficiently connecting and disconnecting ballast cylinders to the energy supply during transportation and setup, requiring manual hydraulic line connections and affecting stability and payload capacity.
Innovation Solution
An automated coupling system using a crane-side coupling drive that vertically adjusts to connect with a complementary coupling part on the ballast receiver, enabling quick and efficient energy supply to the ballast cylinders, allowing for automated operation and flexible ballasting configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual connection of hydraulic lines is used to connect ballast cylinders to the energy supply, then the setup process is simple in structure, but the setup time is excessive and productivity is low
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling part is made dynamically adjustable through a coupling drive mechanism that enables automated vertical movement. This allows the coupling part to automatically track and follow the movement of the ballast receiver during lifting, eliminating manual connection operations and significantly reducing setup time while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized mechanical components
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling system performs self-service by automatically establishing and maintaining the hydraulic connection between the energy supply and ballast cylinders. The coupling drive autonomously adjusts the coupling part's position to track the ballast receiver's movement, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing productivity losses associated with manual setup operations
2Stability of the object's composition
If the ballast receiver is raised from the undercarriage to the slewing platform, then the stability and payload capacity are improved, but the connection reliability of the energy supply deteriorates due to relative movement
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling part is designed with dynamic tracking capability through the coupling drive mechanism, which automatically adjusts its vertical position to follow the ballast receiver's movement during lifting. This dynamic adaptation maintains continuous, reliable hydraulic connection between the energy supply and ballast cylinders throughout the raising process, eliminating connection reliability issues while enabling the stability-improving elevation of the ballast receiver
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling drive acts as an intermediary mechanism between the fixed energy supply and the moving ballast receiver. It mediates the relative movement by automatically adjusting the coupling part's position, ensuring continuous hydraulic fluid flow and maintaining reliable energy supply connection throughout the ballast receiver's vertical displacement to the slewing platform
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed installation of ballast cylinders in the undercarriage is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability for different ballasting configurations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The ballast system is segmented into separable components: a removable ballast receiver that can be detached and repositioned, and a fixed coupling mechanism in the undercarriage. This segmentation enables flexible ballasting configurations by allowing the ballast receiver to be removed for road travel and reinstalled in different positions on the slewing platform for various operational requirements, while the standardized coupling mechanism maintains manageable system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling part is designed with universal functionality to serve multiple purposes: it provides automated hydraulic connection during ballast receiver installation, tracks vertical movement during lifting operations, and enables various ballasting configurations. This multi-functionality achieves adaptability for different ballasting scenarios while avoiding the need for multiple specialized components, thereby controlling overall system complexity
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 significantly reduces setup time, enhances dismantling efficiency, and allows for precise ballasting adaptations, improving stability and payload capacity by automating the energy supply connection to ballast cylinders.
Implementation Method 1
The hydraulic cylinders (ballast cylinders) typically accommodated in the ballast reception frame or in the base ballast plate are typically required for the installation of the ballast receiver; the ballast cylinders in particular enable a raising of the ballast receiver, including the ballast plates stacked thereon, from the undercarriage
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a mobile crane having at least one ballast receiver that is vertically adjustable via one or more ballast cylinders and having a coupling for connecting the ballast cylinder or cylinders to the energy supply of the crane, wherein the energy supply can be releasably connected to the at least one ballast cylinder via at least one coupling part.