Multi-Crane Safety Control System for Load Coordination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for lifting and transporting heavy or complex loads using multiple cranes are prone to errors due to lack of coordination among crane operators and insufficient safety systems, which can lead to overloads, collisions, and other damage incidents, as current safety devices only account for individual crane movements and not the collective impact of multiple cranes.
Innovation Solution
A safety method that determines potential damage incidents for movement vectors of multiple cranes, activates an alarm for impending damage, and limits movement vectors to prevent such incidents, using predictive calculations and geometrical models to ensure safe operations, including overload prevention, collision avoidance, and adherence to external limitations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple cranes are used to lift and transport heavy or complex loads, then the lifting capacity is increased, but the risk of damage incidents such as overloads and collisions increases due to coordination problems between crane operators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the control of multiple cranes into a single integrated control system that coordinates all cranes simultaneously. The control device receives a single control input and automatically distributes it to multiple cranes, ensuring they move in a coordinated manner to prevent overloads and collisions while maintaining increased lifting capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a supervisor control system as an intermediary between the operator and individual crane operators. This supervisor device coordinates the movements of all cranes by calculating appropriate control inputs based on the desired load movement, eliminating communication errors and coordination problems that arise when multiple independent operators work together.
2Reliability
If a supervisor coordinates multiple crane operators, then communication and coordination are improved, but the working speed becomes very slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual coordination process (mechanical communication between supervisor and operators) with an automated electronic control system. The supervisor control device automatically calculates and transmits control signals to all cranes, eliminating the time-consuming back-and-forth communication while maintaining precise coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system performs self-coordination by automatically distributing control inputs to multiple cranes based on the desired load movement. The system calculates the appropriate movement for each crane independently and simultaneously, eliminating the need for sequential coordination and significantly increasing working speed while maintaining coordination accuracy.
3Reliability
If individual crane safety systems are used, then each crane is protected from its own overload, but they cannot prevent overloads or collisions caused by movements of other cranes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the control system universal by having it simultaneously perform multiple safety functions: monitoring and coordinating all crane movements, calculating load distribution in real-time, preventing overloads on any crane, and avoiding collisions between cranes. This single multi-functional system replaces multiple individual safety devices and provides comprehensive collective safety coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously receives feedback from all cranes about their positions, loads, and movements. Based on this real-time feedback, the supervisor control device automatically adjusts the control inputs to maintain safe operation, preventing overloads and collisions caused by movements of any crane while preserving individual crane safety monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure includes a safety method for the lifting and/or transporting of a common load using a plurality of cranes, comprising the steps: determining of possible damage incidents for movement vectors of the cranes; activation of an alarm function if predetermined movement vectors result in damage incidents and/or limitation of the movement vectors used for the control of the cranes to those movement vectors which do not result in damage incidents in any of the cranes. Furthermore, a corresponding control method as well as a safety system and a control system are provided.