Travelling Block Tool Clamp for Quick Crane Tool Exchange
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cranes lack a versatile and robust solution for easily exchanging different tools and loads, often requiring wire slings and intermediate spreaders, which complicates the process of handling various tasks with a single crane setup.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring an exchangeable tool suspension device with a tool clamp and shank connector, allowing multiple tools with different functionalities to be connected and disconnected from a single upper tool connector, supported by a travelling block member with fixed support elements, enabling efficient load management and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a crane hook assembly is permanently fitted on the travelling block, then the structural strength and reliability are improved, but the adaptability and ease of exchanging tools deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The crane hook assembly is divided into separate components: a travelling block member and an exchangeable tool (crane hook). The travelling block member remains permanently fitted to the hoist cable, while the crane hook can be detached and replaced. This segmentation allows the permanent structural connection to be maintained while enabling tool exchangeability.
Solution Approach 2:
The travelling block member is designed with a universal connection interface that can accommodate multiple different types of exchangeable tools. This allows a single travelling block to support various crane hooks and lifting tools through standardized connection mechanisms, providing multi-functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wire slings and intermediate spreaders are used to handle different loads, then the adaptability to handle various tasks is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides a universal connection interface on the travelling block member that can directly connect to multiple types of exchangeable tools designed for different loading scenarios. This eliminates the need for separate wire slings and intermediate spreaders, as the exchangeable tools themselves are designed to handle various load types directly.
Solution Approach 2:
The functionality of wire slings and intermediate spreaders is extracted and integrated into the exchangeable tool designs. Each exchangeable tool is specifically designed to handle certain load types, incorporating the spreading and lifting functions that previously required separate components.
3Ease of operation
If multiple exchangeable tools are provided with the same lower tool connector, then the ease of operation for tool exchange is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A standardized lower tool connector design is implemented across all exchangeable tools, creating a universal interface that matches the upper tool connector on the travelling block member. This standardization simplifies the tool exchange operation while the manufacturing complexity is managed through modular production of the connector components.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a crane and an exchangeable tool. The crane and the tool respectively, include an upper tool connector with tool retainers and a lower tool connector which can be interconnected, e.g. a male and female connector, e.g. the lower tool connector of the tool being embodied as a shank provided with a shoulder and the upper tool connector as a tool clamp with a female, open-centered body. A tool suspension device includes the upper tool connector and a travelling block member. The tool clamp has multiple mobile tool retainers adapted to—in a non-operative position—allow introduction of the shank of the tool from below into the shank receiving passage and—in an operative position—engage below the shoulder of the shank that has been introduced into the passage so as to suspend the tool. The upper tool connector may include a bearing allowing for swivelling of the open-centered body, and e.g. a rotational drive operative between the clamp housing and the female, open-centered body to actively drive said swivelling.