Universal Crane with Rotating Rope Guide Heads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cranes on tracked vehicles are limited to vertical lifting, which restricts their versatility and operational capabilities in recovery and engineering tasks.

Innovation Solution

A universal crane system with at least two independent winch systems that can operate independently or together, equipped with rotating rope guide heads for directional rope deployment, and integrated sensors for load monitoring and stability control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional vertical-only crane system is used on a tracked vehicle, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the versatility and operational capability are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrane operational capabilityVSAvoidcrane system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The crane system is divided into two independent winch systems instead of one integrated system. Each winch can operate independently to perform different functions, allowing the crane to handle both vertical lifting and spatial positioning tasks simultaneously or separately, thereby increasing versatility without requiring a completely complex new system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dual winch system is designed to perform multiple functions: vertical lifting, horizontal positioning, and spatial load manipulation. By making both winches independently controllable and equiping them with rotating rope guide heads, the system can adapt to various operational requirements (recovery, engineering tasks, precision positioning) using the same basic structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If two independent winch systems are installed to enable spatial lifting, then the crane can lift loads in various directions, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatial lifting capabilityVSAvoidnumber of winch systems
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Two independent winch systems are merged into a single integrated crane structure with common support elements (slewing bracket, boom). The rotating rope guide heads serve both winches, allowing the system to achieve spatial lifting capability while sharing structural components and reducing overall complexity compared to having completely separate systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If rotating rope guide heads are added for directional rope deployment, then the crane achieves spatial positioning capability, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirectional rope deploymentVSAvoidcrane component count
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rope guide heads are made rotatable rather than fixed, allowing dynamic adjustment of rope deployment directions. This dynamic element enables the crane to adapt rope guidance to various spatial requirements during operation, improving ease of operation while adding only a single rotational degree of freedom to each guide head rather than complex adjustable mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 the crane to lift and move loads in various directions, enhancing its versatility and operational efficiency in complex recovery and engineering operations while ensuring safety and compliance with standards.

Implementation Method 1

A cable winch (2.2.1) is equipped with a drive for motorised or manual winding and unwinding of the winch cable (2.2.2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

The winch cables (2.2.2) are guided by rotating rope guide heads (2.2.3) which can be moved around their axis of rotation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Guidance: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

integrated sensors for load monitoring and stability control

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSensor Detection:

Data Source

PatentEP3512798B1Tracked vehicle with universal crane
Publication Date: 2025.06.18 RHEINMETALL LANDSYSTEME GMBH
  • EP3512798B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3512798B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3512798B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a tracked vehicle (100) with a vehicle chassis (10) on which a crane (2) can be adapted. The crane (2) is equipped with a pivot console (2.1) and a boom (2.2). The pivot console (2.1) comprises at least one pivot mechanism (2.1.1), a pivot bearing (2.1.3), and at least one tilting cylinder (2.1.4). The boom (2.2) has at least two cable guide heads (2.2.3), at least two winches (2.2.1), and two winch cables (2.2.2). The boom (2.2) is additionally equipped with at least two stop eyelets (2.2.4). The crane (2) is integrated into the vehicle chassis (10) in the form a lateral assembly or as a central assembly. At least one rotary feedthrough (2.1.2) is introduced into the pivot console (2.1).