Movable Tool Holder for Crane Base Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing arrangements of crane bases and tool holders face difficulties in coupling and decoupling tools due to spatial constraints, leading to increased user effort, risk of damage, and inefficiency in transporting cranes with loose cargo, as the tool holder is often integrated with the crane base, making it hard to access and position the crane arm for tool exchange.

Innovation Solution

A crane base and tool holder arrangement with a movement device that allows the tool holder to be positioned between transport and coupling positions relative to the crane base, reducing the required crane arm movement for tool coupling and decoupling, and enabling safer and more efficient tool handling and transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the tool holder is integrated directly into the crane base to save space, then the space utilization is improved, but the accessibility for tool coupling and decoupling deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidaccessibility for tool coupling
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The tool holder is made movable relative to the crane base through a movement device, allowing it to dynamically change position between a retracted state (for space efficiency) and an extended state (for accessibility during tool coupling). This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by enabling both compact storage and easy operation at different times.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the crane arm must be moved into a specific position for tool attachment, then the tool coupling is achieved, but the time consumption and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool attachment capabilityVSAvoidtime for tool coupling
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The movement device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the crane base and the tool holder, enabling the tool holder to be positioned in an optimally accessible location independent of the crane arm position. This eliminates the need for complex crane arm positioning maneuvers, reducing time consumption and operational complexity while maintaining tool coupling capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Area of stationary object

If the tool holder is positioned close to the crane base for space reasons, then the space efficiency is improved, but the risk of damage during operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace efficiencyVSAvoidrisk of damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the distance between the tool holder and crane base based on operational requirements. During transport, the tool holder is retracted close to the crane base for space efficiency. During tool coupling operations, it is extended to a safer position that reduces the risk of damage to both the crane and the carrier vehicle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3929142B1Gripper shelf
Publication Date: 2022.10.19 PALFINGER AG
  • EP3929142B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3929142B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3929142B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

Arrangement (1) comprising - a crane base (2) for mounting a crane (3) on a vehicle (4), with a crane base (5) for supporting a crane column (6) of the crane (3) pivotably mounted about a pivot axis (s1) which is substantially vertical in the mounting position of the crane base (2) and - at least one tool holder (7) for receiving a tool (8) which can be arranged or is arranged on a crane arm (9) of the crane (3), wherein the arrangement (1) comprises at least one movement device (10), wherein the tool holder (7) is movable by the at least one movement device (10) between at least one transport position for transporting a tool (8) and at least one coupling position for attaching and/or detaching a tool (8) from the crane arm (9).