Movable Cable Drum Unit for Crane Supply Line Handling

Solution Overview

Problem

Cable drum units on cranes face difficulties in handling and unwinding supply lines, especially when the path is non-straight, leading to challenges in laying cables around corners or edges of buildings, which often results in the network supply not being used due to cumbersome handling and storage constraints.

Innovation Solution

A movable cable drum unit with a detachable design, featuring a rotatably mounted drum support frame and chassis, allowing for easy relocation and secure attachment to the crane or ground, along with adjustable tensioning means and a compartmentalized storage system for space-efficient transport and operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the cable drum unit is fixed on the crane, then the cable storage is space-efficient and secure, but the handling and relocation of the cable drum becomes difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable handling easeVSAvoidcable drum unit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cable drum unit is designed as a separable module that can be detached from the crane. The drum assembly includes the drum itself, support frame, and chassis as integrated components that can be handled together as one unit, while being independently removable from the crane structure. This segmentation allows easy relocation and handling without requiring complex integrated systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A detachable bearing means serves as an intermediary connection between the cable drum unit and the crane. This bearing means includes bearing elements that engage with corresponding structures on the crane, providing secure attachment during operation while allowing simple detachment for relocation. The intermediary connection mechanism resolves the contradiction by enabling both stable fixed operation and easy relocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the cable drum is mounted on the crane, then the cable can be pulled from the drum on the crane, but moving the drum with long heavy cables becomes increasingly difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable unwinding easeVSAvoidcable drum unit weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cable drum unit is designed as a separable module that can be detached from the crane. The drum assembly includes the drum itself, support frame, and chassis as integrated components that can be handled together as one unit, while being independently removable from the crane structure. This segmentation allows easy relocation and handling without requiring complex integrated systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cable drum unit transitions between two dynamic states: attached to the crane for cable unwinding operations, and detached on the chassis for relocation. The detachable bearing means enables this dynamic reconfiguration, allowing the system to adapt to different operational requirements and reducing the effective weight that needs to be moved during relocation by separating the drum from the crane structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the cable path is non-straight requiring routing around corners, then the cable can reach the power outlet, but the cable reel-in process becomes increasingly difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable path flexibilityVSAvoidcable reel-in ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cable drum unit is designed as a separable module that can be detached from the crane. The drum assembly includes the drum itself, support frame, and chassis as integrated components that can be handled together as one unit, while being independently removable from the crane structure. This segmentation allows easy relocation and handling without requiring complex integrated systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cable drum unit transitions between two dynamic states: attached to the crane for cable unwinding operations, and detached on the chassis for relocation. The detachable bearing means enables this dynamic reconfiguration, allowing the system to adapt to different operational requirements and reducing the effective weight that needs to be moved during relocation by separating the drum from the crane structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If the cable drum unit is designed for easy movement with chassis and wheels, then relocation is simplified, but the attachment security to the crane may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrum relocation easeVSAvoidattachment security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cable drum unit is designed as a separable module that can be detached from the crane. The drum assembly includes the drum itself, support frame, and chassis as integrated components that can be handled together as one unit, while being independently removable from the crane structure. This segmentation allows easy relocation and handling without requiring complex integrated systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A detachable bearing means serves as an intermediary connection between the cable drum unit and the crane. This bearing means includes bearing elements that engage with corresponding structures on the crane, providing secure attachment during operation while allowing simple detachment for relocation. The intermediary connection mechanism resolves the contradiction by enabling both stable fixed operation and easy relocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Facilitates simple, flexible handling of supply lines without sacrificing storage space, enabling easy movement and secure attachment of the cable drum, allowing for efficient unwinding and winding of cables, even with long and heavy cables, thus ensuring reliable network connections.

Implementation Method 1

the cable drum (15) is rotatably mounted on a drum support frame (18)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

which has a chassis (19) for moving the cable drum (15) on the ground

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

detachable bearing means (25) which are shaped to fit the drum mount (100) of the crane and for detachably attaching the cable drum unit (1) to the drum mount (100) of the crane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP3924289B1Crane and cable drum unit for same

Publication Date: 2025.01.01 LIEBHERR WERK BIBERACH GMBH

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AI summary

A crane (2), more particularly a mobile fast-erecting crane, having at least one supply connection to which a supply line (16), more particularly a power cable, can be connected, wherein the supply line can be wound on a cable drum (15), which can be mounted on a drum mount (10) on the crane, with the cable drum being mounted to rotate on a drum support frame (18), which has running gear (18) for moving the cable drum over the ground and which has releasable mounting means, shaped to match the drum mount of the crane, for separably mounting the drum support frame on the drum mount of the crane. The invention further relates to a cable drum unit for winding a supply line (16) of a crane (2).