Self-climbing device for vertical concrete surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-climbing devices for concrete surfaces require tracks, guides, or rails, limiting their applicability to flat surfaces and increasing assembly and dismantling costs, and are not suitable for quasi-vertical or complex geometries like prefabricated concrete towers.
Innovation Solution
A self-climbing device with motorized frames that can independently move along a main beam, featuring anchoring and locking mechanisms, and linear actuators for horizontal and vertical displacement, allowing adaptation to irregular surfaces and rotation, enabling climbing on vertical and quasi-vertical surfaces without external rails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tracks, guides or rails are solidly joined to the working surface, then the device can climb stably, but the assembly and dismantling become more expensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the tracks, guides, or rails from the system by having the device anchor directly to the concrete surface through anchoring cones that insert into hollows formed in the concrete. This extraction eliminates the need for separate guiding infrastructure while maintaining climbing stability through direct surface engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchoring cones serve as intermediaries between the device and the concrete surface. These cones insert into hollows formed in the concrete and provide both anchoring and guiding functions, replacing the need for separate tracks or rails while maintaining stable climbing operation.
2Reliability
If tracks, guides or rails are used, then the device can maintain position accurately, but the application is limited to flat surfaces only
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed with universal anchoring cones that can engage with concrete surfaces of various geometries including vertical, quasi-vertical, and curved surfaces. The anchoring cones maintain position accuracy through their interaction with hollows formed in the concrete surface, regardless of the surface's geometric complexity, enabling application on prefabricated concrete towers and other non-flat structures.
3Reliability
If external rails are used for raising parts, then the device can operate reliably, but the device cannot climb inside hollow concrete towers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the external rails infrastructure and replaces it with anchoring cones that directly engage the concrete surface. This allows the device to climb inside hollow concrete towers by anchoring to the inner surface, eliminating the need for external rail systems and expanding applicability to various structural configurations including hollow towers.
4Ease of manufacture
If anchoring cones are used for fixing to the wall, then the device can attach to the surface, but the device does not autonomously climb and requires manual dismantling
Solution Approach 1:
The device is equipped with self-motorized frames that autonomously move along the main beam using drive mechanisms. The anchoring cones are positioned and engaged automatically as the device climbs, eliminating the need for manual attachment or dismantling operations. The system serves itself by integrating automated positioning and anchoring functions.
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
Enables efficient climbing on various surfaces, including those with complex geometries, reduces assembly and operational costs, and facilitates easy dismantling and reuse, with minimal visual and structural impact.
Implementation Method 1
means of vertical displacement with respect to the main body, which comprises one or several motors, equipped with gearboxes and pinions or attack gears, all disposed on the sliding part, which are connected to one or several racks vertically disposed on the main beam of the main body
Implementation Method 2
means of horizontal displacement with respect to the working wall, which comprises at least two linear actuators, actuated by motors, disposed on the sides of the sliding part
Implementation Method 3
locking means of vertical displacement with respect to the main body, located in the displaceable chassis
Implementation Method 4
anchoring means to the working wall, which comprises a protuberance of the anchoring chassis, emerging in the face adjacent to the working wall, equipped with one or several locking elements actuable and laterally disposed on said protuberance
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Self-climbing device for vertical and quasi-vertical concrete surfaces with main body equipped with a main beam by way of displacement rail, and several self-motorized frames, independent of each other and separately controllable, displaceable along the main beam of the main body, all with a characteristic operating method. The present invention provides the main advantage of allowing going up or climbing any structure, device or machine, such as a crane or a working platform, being applicable and usable on both vertical and quasi-vertical surfaces, flat or curved, free geometry and with variable slope, and with advances or displacements unit of variable length, adapted to the structure or area to climb.