FIELD OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART
[0001] The present invention relates to a hydraulic load handling crane according to the
preamble of claim 1. Such a crane is known from
KR 1020 140 122 699 A1.
[0002] A load handling crane in the form of a conventional lorry crane normally comprises
a column, which is rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation, and a crane boom system,
which is mounted to the column and which is intended to carry a load via a load handling
tool suspended at a boom tip of the crane boom system, i.e. at the outer end of the
outermost crane boom of the crane boom system. The load handling crane also comprises
a manoeuvring device with one or more manoeuvring members configured to be manoeuvrable
by a crane operator in order to control the crane boom movements. The individual movements
of the crane booms of the crane boom system are regulated by an electronic control
device based on control signals from the manoeuvring device. In order to facilitate
for the crane operator to control the position of the load handling tool in an accurate
manner, the control of the crane boom movements is with advantage based on so-called
boom tip control. In the case of boom tip control, a first manoeuvring member may
be used for controlling the rotation of the column, a second manoeuvring member may
be used for controlling the movement of the boom tip in the vertical direction and
a third manoeuvring member may be used for controlling the movement of the boom tip
in the horizontal direction. The manoeuvring device could as an alternative be provided
with a manoeuvring member in the form of a joystick to be used for controlling the
movement of the boom tip in the vertical and horizontal directions.
[0003] The manoeuvring device is normally portable and carried by the crane operator, for
instance by means of a waist belt or harness. For different reasons, such as for instance
convenience, in order to save time and/or in order to be able to prevent unauthorized
people from entering a safety zone around the lorry, the crane operator of a lorry
crane normally remains in the vicinity of the lorry when controlling the crane boom
movements by means of the portable manoeuvring device. When the crane boom system
of the lorry crane has a long reach and a load has to be handled far away from the
lorry, it is sometimes difficult or even impossible for the crane operator to visually
observe the load handling tool and the load, such as for instance when the load is
to be set down on or picked up from a spot on the roof of a high building. In such
a situation, the crane operator may be assisted by a person which is standing in the
vicinity of said spot and which communicates with the crane operator via a wireless
communication system, for instance in the form of a radio system, wherein the assisting
person instructs the crane operator verbally how to move the boom tip and the load
handling tool. A disadvantage with such a solution is that there is a risk for the
crane operator to misunderstand the verbal instructions from the assisting person,
which may result in accidents.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a new and favourable manner of
assisting a crane operator of a hydraulic load handling crane in a situation when
the place where a load is to be picked up or set down is not within sight of the crane
operator.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to the present invention, said object is achieved by means of a load handling
crane having the features defined in claim 1.
[0006] The load handling crane according to the invention comprises:
- a crane base;
- a column which is rotatably mounted to the crane base so as to be rotatable in relation
to the crane base about an essentially vertical axis of rotation;
- an actuator for rotating the column;
- a crane boom system comprising two or more liftable and lowerable crane booms which
are articulately connected to each other and hydraulic cylinders for lifting and lowering
the crane booms, wherein a first crane boom of the crane boom system is articulately
connected to the column and a second crane boom of the crane boom system is articulately
connected to the first crane boom;
- a load handling tool mounted to the crane boom system at a boom tip of the crane boom
system;
- an electronic control device for controlling said actuator and said hydraulic cylinders
so as to control the rotation of the column and the movement of the crane booms and
thereby control the position of the load handling tool;
- a main manoeuvring device with one or more main manoeuvring members configured to
be manoeuvrable by a crane operator in order to control the position of the load handling
tool, wherein the main manoeuvring device is configured to transmit control signals
to the electronic control device related to the manoeuvring of said manoeuvring members;
and
- an auxiliary manoeuvring device with at least one auxiliary manoeuvring member configured
to be manoeuvrable by a person standing in the vicinity of the load handling tool
in order to control the position of the load handling tool, wherein the auxiliary
manoeuvring device is configured to transmit control signals to the electronic control
device related to the manoeuvring of the auxiliary manoeuvring member.
[0007] The auxiliary manoeuvring device comprises a base part which is configured to be
attached to the load handling tool or to a load carried by the load handling tool
or to the boom tip of the crane boom system, wherein the auxiliary manoeuvring member
is fixed to the base part.
[0008] Thus, a person standing in the vicinity of the load handling tool at a place out
of sight of the ordinary crane operator may take over the manoeuvring of the crane
by means of the auxiliary manoeuvring device. By having the auxiliary manoeuvring
device attached to the load handling tool or to a load carried by the load handling
tool or to the boom tip of the crane boom system, the auxiliary manoeuvring device
will always be available to a person standing in the vicinity of the load handling
tool. Owing to the fact that the auxiliary manoeuvring device is attached to the load
handling tool or to a load carried by the load handling tool or to the boom tip of
the crane boom system, it will also be possible to design the auxiliary manoeuvring
device in such a manner that the boom tip of the crane boom system is made to move
in the direction in which the person pulls or pushes the auxiliary manoeuvring member
of the auxiliary manoeuvring device, whereby the crane can be manoeuvred in a simple
and intuitive manner by means of the auxiliary manoeuvring device.
[0009] Further advantageous features of the load handling crane according to the present
invention will appear from the description following below and the dependent claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The invention will in the following be more closely described by means of embodiment
examples, with reference to the appended drawings. In the drawings:
- Fig 1
- is a schematic perspective view of a load handling crane according to an embodiment
of the present invention,
- Fig 2
- is a schematic perspective view of a main manoeuvring device with a number of main
manoeuvring members for controlling different crane functions,
- Fig 3
- is a schematic perspective view of a load handling tool and an auxiliary manoeuvring
device included in the load handling crane of Fig 1,
- Fig 4
- is a schematic perspective view of the auxiliary manoeuvring device,
- Fig 5
- is a schematic lateral view of the auxiliary manoeuvring device and a part of the
load handling tool, as seen with the auxiliary manoeuvring device removed from the
load handling tool,
- Fig 6
- is a schematic perspective view of the auxiliary manoeuvring device, as seen when
attached to a load,
- Fig 7
- is a schematic lateral view of the auxiliary manoeuvring device and the load handling
tool, as seen with a flexible and elongated pulling element secured to a bracket included
in the auxiliary manoeuvring device,
- Fig 8
- is a schematic illustration of an auxiliary manoeuvring device according to an alternative
variant attached to a load handling tool, and
- Fig 9
- is an outline diagram of parts included in a load handling crane according to the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In this description, the expression "liftable and lowerable crane boom" refers to
a crane boom which can be pivoted in a vertical plane so as to thereby perform liftings
and lowerings of a load carried by the crane. The expression "hydraulic cylinder for
lifting and lowering the crane boom" here refers to the hydraulic cylinder which is
associated with the liftable and lowerable crane boom and which carries out the pivoting
thereof in a vertical plane.
[0012] Fig 1 shows a hydraulic load handling crane 1 according to an embodiment of the present
invention. The crane 1 comprises a frame 2, which for instance can be connected to
the chassis of a lorry. The frame 2 is provided with adjustable support legs 3 for
supporting the crane 1.
[0013] The crane 1 further comprises:
- a crane base 4, which is fixed to the frame 2;
- a column 5, which is rotatably mounted to the crane base 4 so as to be rotatable in
relation to the crane base about an essentially vertical axis of rotation by means
of an actuator 6, for instance in the form of a hydraulic cylinder;
- a liftable and lowerable first crane boom 7, here denominated inner boom, which is
articulately connected to the column 5 in such a manner that it is pivotable in relation
to the column about an essentially horizontal axis of rotation;
- a first hydraulic cylinder 8 for lifting and lowering the inner boom 7 in relation
to the column 5;
- a liftable and lowerable second crane boom 9, here denominated outer boom, which is
articulately connected to the inner boom 7 in such a manner that it is pivotable in
relation to the inner boom 7 about an essentially horizontal axis of rotation; and
- a second hydraulic cylinder 10 for lifting and lowering the outer boom 9 in relation
to the inner boom 7.
[0014] In the illustrated example, the first hydraulic cylinder 8 comprises a cylinder part
8a which is articulately connected to the column 5, and a piston which is received
in the cylinder part 8a and displaceable in relation to it, wherein the piston is
fixed to a piston rod 8b which is articulately connected to the inner boom 7. The
second hydraulic cylinder 10 comprises a cylinder part 10a which is articulately connected
to the inner boom 9, and a piston which is received in the cylinder part 10a and displaceable
in relation to it, wherein the piston is fixed a piston rod 10b which is articulately
connected to the outer boom 9.
[0015] In the illustrated embodiment, the crane boom system 11 of the crane 1 is formed
by the inner boom 7 and the outer boom 9 and the associated hydraulic cylinders 8,
10. However, the crane boom system 11 of the crane 1 may as an alternative include
more than two liftable and lowerable crane booms articulately connected to each other.
One or more of the crane booms of the crane boom system 11 may be telescopically extensible,
for instance by means of one or more hydraulic cylinders, in order to enable an adjustment
of the extension length thereof.
[0016] In the illustrated embodiment, the outer boom 9 is telescopically extensible and
comprises a base section 9a and several telescopic crane boom sections 9b which are
mutually slidable in relation to each other in the longitudinal direction of the outer
boom 9 for adjustment of the extension length thereof. The telescopic crane boom sections
9b are displaceable in relation to the base section 9a and in relation to each other
by means of hydraulic cylinders 12 carried by the outer boom 9.
[0017] In the illustrated embodiment, a rotator 13 is articulately fastened to a boom tip
14 at the outer end of the outer boom 9, which rotator in its turn carries a load
handling tool 15. In the illustrated example, the load handling tool 15 is a crane
fork, which for instance may be used for lifting a load 16 resting on a loading pallet
17. However, the crane 1 of the present invention may also be provided with another
type of load handling tool, such as for instance a lifting hook or a hydraulic gripping
tool in the form of a so-called grapple.
[0018] The crane 1 comprises a main manoeuvring device 20, for instance in the form of a
portable manoeuvring device of the type illustrated in Fig 2, with one or more main
manoeuvring members S1-S6 configured to be manoeuvrable by a crane operator in order
to control the movement of the boom tip 14 of the crane boom system 11 and thereby
the movement of the load handling tool 15. Control signals are transmitted via cable
or a wireless connection from the manoeuvring device 20 to an electronic control device
21 (very schematically illustrated in Fig 9), which in its turn controls the hydraulic
cylinders 6, 8, 10, 12 and the other actuators of the crane 1 in a conventional manner
in dependence on the control signals from the manoeuvring device 20 related to the
manoeuvring of the main manoeuvring members S1-S6. The electronic control device 21
comprises a microprocessor or the similar for processing the control signals from
the main manoeuvring device 20.
[0019] The electronic control device 21 is with advantage configured to control the crane
boom movements on the basis of a calculation model for boom tip control. The calculation
model may for instance be stored as an algorithm in a memory of the electronic control
device 21. In the case of boom tip control, a first manoeuvring member S1 may be used
for controlling the rotation of the column 5 in relation to the crane base 4, a second
manoeuvring member S2 may be used for controlling the movement of the boom tip 14
in a vertical direction in order to control the height of the boom tip 14 and a third
manoeuvring member S3 may be used for controlling the movement of the boom tip 14
in a horizontal direction in order to control the lifting radius. The main manoeuvring
device 20 could as an alternative be provided with a main manoeuvring member in the
form of a joystick to be used for controlling the movement of the boom tip 14 in the
vertical and horizontal directions.
[0020] The crane 1 comprises an auxiliary manoeuvring device 30 with at least one auxiliary
manoeuvring member 31, 31' configured to be manoeuvrable by a person standing in the
vicinity of the load handling tool 15 in order to allow that person to control the
movement of the boom tip 14 of the crane boom system 11 and thereby the position of
the load handling tool 15. The auxiliary manoeuvring device 30 is configured to transmit
control signals to the electronic control device 21 related to the manoeuvring of
the auxiliary manoeuvring member 31, 31', wherein the electronic control device 21
in its turn controls the hydraulic cylinders 6, 8, 10, 12 and the other actuators
of the crane 1 in dependence on the control signals from the auxiliary manoeuvring
device 30 related to the manoeuvring of the auxiliary manoeuvring member 31, 31'.
The auxiliary manoeuvring device 30 comprises a communication unit 32 (very schematically
illustrated in Fig 9) for wireless transmission of control signals to the electronic
control device 21.
[0021] The auxiliary manoeuvring device 30 comprises a base part 33 which is configured
to be attached to the load handling tool 15 (as illustrated in Fig 3) or to a load
16 carried by the load handling tool (as illustrated in Fig 6) or to the boom tip
14 of the crane boom system 11. The auxiliary manoeuvring member 31, 31' is fixed
to the base part 33. The base part 33 is preferably configured for releasable attachment
to the load handling tool 15 or to a load 16 carried by the load handling tool or
to the boom tip 14. As an alternative, the base part 33 may be permanently fixed to
the load handling tool 15.
[0022] In the embodiment illustrated in Figs 3-7, one or more permanent magnets 34 (see
Fig 4) are fixed to the base part 33, wherein the magnets 34 are configured to be
magnetically attracted to a metallic element at the boom tip 14 or on the load handling
tool 15 or on a load 16 carried by the load handling tool in order to keep the base
part 33 attached to this metallic element. In the illustrated example, the magnets
34 are fixed to a mounting plate 38 included in the base part 33.
[0023] As illustrated in Fig 5, the load handling tool 15 may be provided with a holder
18 designed for receiving the above-mentioned mounting plate 38. A snap lock or the
similar may be provided on the holder 18 and/or on the mounting plate 38 in order
to lock the mounting plate reliably to the holder 18.
[0024] The auxiliary manoeuvring member 31, 31' preferably has the form of a handle or handlebar
to be gripped by one or both hands of a person standing in the vicinity of the load
handling tool 15, wherein the auxiliary manoeuvring device 30 comprises a force sensing
unit 35 (very schematically illustrated in Fig 9) for sensing the direction and magnitude
of the force exerted onto the base part 33 via the auxiliary manoeuvring member 31,
31' by a person gripping the auxiliary manoeuvring member. The auxiliary manoeuvring
device 30 further comprises an electronic processing unit 36 (very schematically illustrated
in Fig 9) which is connected to the force sensing unit 35 in order to receive measuring
signals from the force sensing unit as to the direction and magnitude of the force
exerted onto the base part 33 via the auxiliary manoeuvring member 31, 31' by a person
gripping the auxiliary manoeuvring member 31, 31', wherein the electronic processing
unit 36 is configured to convert these measuring signals into control signals for
transmission to the electronic control device 21 of the crane 1.
[0025] The force sensing unit 35 may comprise strain gauges 37 for sensing the direction
and magnitude of the force exerted onto the base part 33 via the auxiliary manoeuvring
member 31, 31' by a person gripping the auxiliary manoeuvring member. However, the
force sensing unit 35 may as an alternative comprise any other suitable type of sensors
for sensing the direction and magnitude of the force exerted onto the base part 33
via the auxiliary manoeuvring member 31, 31' by a person gripping the auxiliary manoeuvring
member.
[0026] The communication unit 32 of the auxiliary manoeuvring device 30 may comprise a radio
transceiver for communicating with the electronic control device 21. It is of course
also possible to use any other suitable technique for wireless communication between
the auxiliary manoeuvring device 30 and the electronic control device 21. The communication
unit 32 and the electronic control device 21 are suitably adapted for bi-directional
communication so that the communication unit 32 of the auxiliary manoeuvring device
30 can transmit control signals to the electronic control device 21 as well as receive
control instructions from the electronic control device 21. The operation of the communication
unit 32 is controlled by the electronic processing unit 36.
[0027] In the illustrated embodiments, the base part 33 comprises a mounting plate 38 and
a bracket 39, the bracket having an inner end 39a facing the mounting plate 38 and
an outer end 39b. The mounting plate 38 is configured for attachment to the load handling
tool 15 or to a load 16 carried by the load handling tool or to the boom tip 14 of
the crane boom system 11, wherein the bracket 39 is fixed to the mounting plate 38
at its inner end 39a and projects outwards from the mounting plate 38. The auxiliary
manoeuvring member 31, 31' is fixed to the bracket 39 and the force sensing unit 35
is arranged in the bracket 39. The other electronic components of the auxiliary manoeuvring
device 30, such as for instance the above-mentioned communication unit 32 and electronic
processing unit 36, may be arranged in the bracket 39 or in the mounting plate 38.
[0028] In the embodiment illustrated in Figs 3-6, the auxiliary manoeuvring member 31 is
mounted to the bracket 39 at the outer end 39b thereof. In this case, the auxiliary
manoeuvring member 31 is rigidly fixed to the bracket 39. As an alternative, the auxiliary
manoeuvring member 31' may be fixed to the bracket 39 via a flexible and elongated
pulling element 40 in the form of a rope, a wire, a cable, a band or the similar,
as illustrated in Figs 7 and 8. In the latter case, a person gripping the auxiliary
manoeuvring member 31' exerts a pulling force on the bracket 39 via the pulling element
40.
[0029] In the embodiment illustrated in Fig 8, the pulling element 40 is permanently fixed
to the bracket 39. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig 7, the pulling element 40
is removably fixed to the bracket 39 via an attachment eye 41 on the bracket. Thus,
the auxiliary manoeuvring device 30 illustrated in Figs 3-7 may, at the choice of
the person standing in the vicinity of the load handling tool 15, be operated by means
of the auxiliary manoeuvring member 31 rigidly fixed to the bracket 39 or by means
of the auxiliary manoeuvring member 31' removably fixed to the bracket 39 via the
pulling member 40.
[0030] Particularly in the case when the auxiliary manoeuvring member 31' is fixed to the
bracket 39 via a flexible and elongated pulling member 40, the auxiliary manoeuvring
member 31' is with advantage provided with a reverse direction switch 42, for instance
in the form of a push button, which is manually moveable between a first position
representing a normal movement direction and a second position representing a reverse
movement direction. A pulling force on the bracket 39 exceeding a given threshold
magnitude is converted into control signals for moving the load handling tool 15 in
a given first direction when the reverse direction switch 42 is in the first position
and into control signals for moving the load handling tool 15 in the reverse direction
when the reverse direction switch 42 is in the second position. As an example, a pulling
force on the bracket 39 from the pulling member 40 may be converted into control signals
for moving the load handling tool 15 in the pulling direction when the reverse direction
switch 42 is in the first position and into control signals for moving the load handling
tool 15 in a direction opposite to the pulling direction when the reverse direction
switch 42 is in the second position. When the auxiliary manoeuvring member 31 is rigidly
fixed to the bracket 39, it will be possible to exert a pulling force or pushing force
on the bracket 39 in any direction by means of the auxiliary manoeuvring member 31.
Thus, in the latter case, a reverse direction switch 42 of the above-mentioned type
may be omitted.
[0031] The auxiliary manoeuvring member 31, 31' is with advantage provided with a dead-man's
grip 43 which has to be pressed down by the person gripping the auxiliary manoeuvring
member 31, 31' in order to allow the crane 1 to be manoeuvred under the control of
the auxiliary manoeuvring device 30.
[0032] The reverse direction switch 42 and the switch associated with the dead-man's grip
43 on the auxiliary manoeuvring member 31' illustrated in Figs 7 and 8 are connected
to the electronic processing unit 36 via a wireless connection or via wires extending
along the pulling element 40.
[0033] The auxiliary manoeuvring device 30 further comprises an orientation sensing unit
44 (very schematically illustrated in Fig 9) for sensing the orientation of the base
part 33 in relation to the crane boom system 11. The orientation sensing unit 44 may
for instance comprise a gyro sensor 45 for sensing the orientation of the base part
33 in relation to the crane boom system 11. However, the orientation sensing unit
44 may as an alternative comprise any other suitable type of sensors, such as for
instance tilt sensors, for sensing the orientation of the base part 33 in relation
to the crane boom system 11. The electronic processing unit 36 is connected to the
orientation sensing unit 44 in order to receive measuring signals from the orientation
sensing unit as to the orientation of the base part 33 in relation to the crane boom
system 11. The electronic processing unit 36 is configured to take the orientation
of the base part 33 in relation to the crane boom system 11 into account when converting
the measuring signals from the force sensing unit 35 into control signals for moving
the boom tip 14 and the load handling tool 15.
[0034] The auxiliary manoeuvring device 30 also comprises a power supply unit (not shown),
for instance in the form of a battery, which is responsible for the supply of electric
current to the electric and electronic components of the auxiliary manoeuvring device
30.
[0035] When the ordinary crane operator, by means of the main manoeuvring device 20, has
moved the load handling tool 15 to a position where it is out of sight of the crane
operator, the crane operator may hand over the further manoeuvring of the crane 1
from the main manoeuvring device 20 to the auxiliary manoeuvring device 30. The main
manoeuvring device 20 preferably comprises switching means by means of which the crane
operator may select whether the main manoeuvring device 20 or the auxiliary manoeuvring
device 30 is to have control of the manoeuvring of the crane 1. The switching means
may for instance have the form of a manoeuvring member 46 (see Fig 2), for instance
in the form of a push button, on the main manoeuvring device 20 or a menu-guided interface
with a function which can be selected by the crane operator in order to hand over
the manoeuvring of the crane 1 from the main manoeuvring device 20 to the auxiliary
manoeuvring device 30.
[0036] The auxiliary manoeuvring device 30 is preferably provided with signalling means,
for instance in the form of a lamp 47, which is configured to emit a given signal
when the crane operator has actuated the above-mentioned switching means in a desire
to hand over the manoeuvring of the crane 1 from the main manoeuvring device 20 to
the auxiliary manoeuvring device 30. In a similar manner, the main manoeuvring device
20 is preferably provided with signalling means, for instance in the form of a lamp
48, which is configured to emit a given signal when a person standing in the vicinity
of the load handling tool 15 has subsequently activated the auxiliary manoeuvring
device 30 by pressing down the dead-man's grip 43 or by pressing a dedicated push
button on the auxiliary manoeuvring device 30. The control of the manoeuvring of the
crane 1 may for instance be returned to the main manoeuvring device 20 and the ordinary
crane operator when the dead-man's grip 43 has been released for a given period of
time, which may be signalled to the crane operator by means of a given signal emitted
by the above-mentioned signalling means on the main manoeuvring device 20.
[0037] The invention is of course not in any way limited to the embodiments described above.
On the contrary, several possibilities to modifications thereof should be apparent
to a person skilled in the art without thereby deviating from the basic idea of the
invention as defined in the appended claims.
1. A load handling crane comprising:
- a crane base (4);
- a column (5) which is rotatably mounted to the crane base (4) so as to be rotatable
in relation to the crane base about an essentially vertical axis of rotation;
- an actuator (6) for rotating the column (5);
- a crane boom system (11) comprising two or more liftable and lowerable crane booms
(7, 9) which are articulately connected to each other and hydraulic cylinders (8,
10) for lifting and lowering the crane booms (7, 9), wherein a first crane boom (7)
of the crane boom system is articulately connected to the column (5) and a second
crane boom (9) of the crane boom system is articulately connected to the first crane
boom (7);
- a load handling tool (15) mounted to the crane boom system (11) at a boom tip (14)
of the crane boom system;
- an electronic control device (21) for controlling said actuator (6) and said hydraulic
cylinders (8, 10) so as to control the rotation of the column (5) and the movement
of the crane booms (7, 9) and thereby control the position of the load handling tool
(15); and
- a main manoeuvring device (20) with one or more main manoeuvring members (S1, S2,
S3) configured to be manoeuvrable by a crane operator in order to control the position
of the load handling tool (15), wherein the main manoeuvring device (20) is configured
to transmit control signals to the electronic control device (21) related to the manoeuvring
of said manoeuvring members (S1, S2, S3),
characterized in:
- that the crane (1) comprises an auxiliary manoeuvring device (30) with at least one auxiliary
manoeuvring member (31, 31') configured to be manoeuvrable by a person standing in
the vicinity of the load handling tool (15) in order to control the position of the
load handling tool, wherein the auxiliary manoeuvring device (30) is configured to
transmit control signals to the electronic control device (21) related to the manoeuvring
of the auxiliary manoeuvring member (31, 31'); and
- that the auxiliary manoeuvring device (30) comprises a base part (33) which is configured
to be attached to the load handling tool (15) or to a load (16) carried by the load
handling tool or to the boom tip (14) of the crane boom system (11), wherein the auxiliary
manoeuvring member (31, 31') is fixed to the base part (33).
2. A load handling crane according to claim 1, characterized in that the auxiliary manoeuvring device (30) comprises a communication unit (32) for wireless
transmission of control signals to the electronic control device (21).
3. A load handling crane according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the base part (33) is configured for releasable attachment to the load handling tool
(15) or to a load (16) carried by the load handling tool or to the boom tip (14) of
the crane boom system (11).
4. A load handling crane according to claim 3, characterized in that one or more permanent magnets (34) are fixed to the base part (33), wherein the permanent
magnets (34) are configured to be magnetically attracted to a metallic element at
the boom tip (14) of the crane boom system (11) or on the load handling tool (15)
or on a load (16) carried by the load handling tool in order to keep the base part
(33) attached to this metallic element.
5. A load handling crane according to any of claims 1-4,
characterized in:
- that the auxiliary manoeuvring member (31, 31') has the form of a handle or handlebar;
and
- that the auxiliary manoeuvring device (30) comprises:
• a force sensing unit (35) for sensing the direction and magnitude of the force exerted
onto the base part (33) via the auxiliary manoeuvring member (31, 31') by a person
gripping the auxiliary manoeuvring member; and
• an electronic processing unit (36) which is connected to the force sensing unit
(35) in order to receive measuring signals from the force sensing unit as to the direction
and magnitude of the force exerted onto the base part (33) via the auxiliary manoeuvring
member (31, 31') by a person gripping the auxiliary manoeuvring member, wherein the
electronic processing unit (36) is configured to convert these measuring signals into
control signals for transmission to the electronic control device (21).
6. A load handling crane according to claim 5,
characterized in:
- that the base part (33) comprises a mounting plate (38) and a bracket (39), the bracket
having an inner end (39a) facing the mounting plate (38) and an outer end (39b), wherein
the mounting plate (38) is configured for attachment to the load handling tool (15)
or to a load (16) carried by the load handling tool or to the boom tip (14) of the
crane boom system (11) and wherein the bracket (39) is fixed to the mounting plate
(38) at its inner end (39a) and projects from the mounting plate (38);
- that the auxiliary manoeuvring member (31, 31') is fixed to the bracket (39); and
- that the force sensing unit (35) is arranged in the bracket (39).
7. A load handling crane according to claim 6, characterized in that the auxiliary manoeuvring member (31) is mounted to the bracket (39) at the outer
end (39b) thereof.
8. A load handling crane according to claim 6, characterized in that the auxiliary manoeuvring member (31') is fixed to the bracket (39) via a flexible
and elongated pulling element (40) in the form of a rope, a wire, a cable, a band
or the similar.
9. A load handling crane according to claim 8, characterized in that the auxiliary manoeuvring member (31') is provided with a reverse direction switch
(42) which is manually moveable between a first position representing a normal movement
direction and a second position representing a reverse movement direction, wherein
a pulling force on the bracket (39) exceeding a given threshold magnitude is converted
into control signals for moving the load handling tool (15) in a given first direction
when the reverse direction switch (42) is in the first position and into control signals
for moving the load handling tool (15) in the reverse direction when the reverse direction
switch (42) is in the second position.
10. A load handling crane according to any of claims 5-9, characterized in that the force sensing unit (35) comprises strain gauges (37) for sensing the direction
and magnitude of the force exerted onto the base part (33) via the auxiliary manoeuvring
member (31, 31') by a person gripping the auxiliary manoeuvring member.
11. A load handling crane according to any of claims 1-10, characterized in that the auxiliary manoeuvring member (31, 31') is provided with a dead-man's grip (43).
12. A load handling crane according to any of claims 1-11, characterized in that the auxiliary manoeuvring device (30) comprises an orientation sensing unit (44)
for sensing the orientation of the base part (33) in relation to the crane boom system
(11).
13. A load handling crane according to claim 12, characterized in that the orientation sensing unit (44) comprises a gyro sensor (45) for sensing the orientation
of the base part (33) in relation to the crane boom system (11).
14. A load handling crane according to any of claims 1-13, characterized in that the load handling tool (15) is a crane fork or a grapple.
15. A load handling crane according to any of claims 1-14, characterized in that the second crane boom (9) is telescopically extensible so as to enable an adjustment
of the extension length thereof.
1. Lastenhandhabungskran, umfassend:
- eine Kranbasis (4);
- eine Säule (5), die an der Kranbasis (4) drehbar so montiert ist, dass sie relativ
zu der Kranbasis um eine im Wesentlichen vertikale Drehachse herum drehbar ist;
- ein Stellglied (6) zum Drehen der Säule (5);
- ein Kranauslegersystem (11), das zwei oder mehr anhebbare und absenkbare Kranausleger
(7, 9), die gelenkig miteinander verbunden sind, und Hydraulikzylinder (8, 10) zum
Anheben und Absenken der Kranausleger (7, 9) umfasst, wobei ein erster Kranausleger
(7) des Kranauslegersystems mit der Säule (5) gelenkig verbunden ist und ein zweiter
Kranausleger (9) des Kranauslegersystems mit dem ersten Kranausleger (7) gelenkig
verbunden ist;
- ein Lastenhandhabungswerkzeug (15), das an einer Auslegerspitze (14) des Kranauslegersystems
an dem Kranauslegersystem (11) montiert ist;
- eine elektronische Steuerungsvorrichtung (21) zum Steuern des Stellglieds (6) und
der Hydraulikzylinder (8, 10), um die Drehung der Säule (5) und die Bewegung der Kranausleger
(7, 9) zu steuern und dadurch die Position des Lastenhandhabungswerkzeugs (15) zu
steuern; und
- eine Hauptmanövriervorrichtung (20) mit einem oder mehreren Hauptmanövrierelementen
(S1, S2, S3), die zum Manövrieren durch einen Kranbediener ausgestaltet ist, um die
Position des Lastenhandhabungswerkzeugs (15) zu steuern, wobei die Hauptmanövriervorrichtung
(20) ausgestaltet ist, um Steuerungssignale an die elektronische Steuerungsvorrichtung
(21) zu übertragen, die das Manövrieren der Manövrierelemente (S1, S2, S3) betreffen,
dadurch gekennzeichnet:
- dass der Kran (1) eine Hilfsmanövriervorrichtung (30) mit mindestens einem Hilfsmanövrierelement
(31, 31') umfasst, die zum Manövrieren durch eine Person ausgestaltet ist, die in
der Nähe des Lastenhandhabungswerkzeugs (15) steht, um die Position des Lastenhandhabungswerkzeugs
zu steuern, wobei die Hilfsmanövriervorrichtung (30) ausgestaltet ist, um Steuerungssignale
an die elektronische Steuerungsvorrichtung (21) zu übertragen, die das Manövrieren
des Hilfsmanövrierelements (31, 31') betreffen; und
- dass die Hilfsmanövriervorrichtung (30) ein Basisteil (33) umfasst, das zum Anbringen
an dem Lastenhandhabungswerkzeug (15) oder an einer Last (16), die von dem Lastenhandhabungswerkzeug
getragen wird, oder an der Auslegerspitze (14) des Kranauslegersystems (11) ausgestaltet
ist, wobei das Hilfsmanövrierelement (31, 31') an dem Basisteil (33) befestigt ist.
2. Lastenhandhabungskran nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Hilfsmanövriervorrichtung (30) eine Kommunikationseinheit (32) zur drahtlosen
Übertragung von Steuerungssignalen an die elektronische Steuerungsvorrichtung (21)
umfasst.
3. Lastenhandhabungskran nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Basisteil (33) für ein lösbares Anbringen an dem Lastenhandhabungswerkzeug (15)
oder an einer Last (16), die von dem Lastenhandhabungswerkzeug getragen wird, oder
an der Auslegerspitze (14) des Kranauslegersystems (11) ausgestaltet ist.
4. Lastenhandhabungskran nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein oder mehrere Permanentmagnete (34) an dem Basisteil (33) befestigt sind, wobei
die Permanentmagnete (34) so ausgestaltet sind, dass sie von einem metallischen Element
an der Auslegerspitze (14) des Kranauslegersystems (11) oder von dem Lastenhandhabungswerkzeug
(15) oder von einer Last (16), die von dem Lastenhandhabungswerkzeug getragen wird,
magnetisch angezogen werden, um das Basisteil (33) an diesem metallischen Element
angebracht zu halten.
5. Lastenhandhabungskran nach einem der Ansprüche 1-4,
dadurch gekennzeichnet:
- dass das Hilfsmanövrierelement (31, 31') die Form eines Griffs oder einer Lenkstange aufweist;
und
- dass die Hilfsmanövriervorrichtung (30) umfasst:
• eine Krafterfassungseinheit (35) zum Erfassen der Richtung und der Größe der Kraft,
die auf das Basisteil (33) mithilfe des Hilfsmanövrierelements (31, 31') von einer
Person ausgeübt wird, die das Manövrierelement ergreift; und
• eine elektronische Verarbeitungseinheit (36), die mit der Krafterfassungseinheit
(35) verbunden ist, um Messsignale von der Krafterfassungseinheit hinsichtlich der
Richtung und der Größe der Kraft zu empfangen, die mithilfe des Hilfsmanövrierelements
(31, 31') von einer Person auf das Basisteil (33) ausgeübt wird, welche das Hilfsmanövrierelement
ergreift, wobei die elektronische Verarbeitungseinheit (36) ausgestaltet ist, um diese
Messsignale in Steuerungssignale zum Senden an die elektronische Steuerungsvorrichtung
(21) umzuwandeln.
6. Lastenhandhabungskran nach Anspruch 5,
dadurch gekennzeichnet:
- dass das Basisteil (33) eine Montageplatte (38) und einen Haltewinkel (39) umfasst, wobei
der Haltewinkel ein inneres Ende (39a), das der Montageplatte (38) zugewandt ist,
und ein äußeres Ende (39b) aufweist, wobei die Montageplatte (38) zum Befestigen an
dem Lastenhandhabungswerkzeug (15) oder an einer Last (16), die von dem Lastenhandhabungswerkzeug
getragen wird, oder an der Auslegerspitze (14) des Kranauslegersystems (11) ausgestaltet
ist und wobei der Haltewinkel (39) an der Montageplatte (38) an seinem inneren Ende
(39a) befestigt ist und von der Montageplatte (38) aus vorsteht;
- dass das Hilfsmanövrierelement (31, 31') an dem Haltewinkel (39) befestigt ist; und
- dass die Krafterfassungseinheit (35) in dem Haltewinkel (39) angeordnet ist.
7. Lastenhandhabungskran nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Hilfsmanövrierelement (31) an dem Haltewinkel (39) an seinem äußeren Ende (39b)
montiert ist.
8. Lastenhandhabungskran nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Hilfsmanövrierelement (31') an dem Haltewinkel (39) über ein flexibles und längliches
Zugelement (40) in der Form eines Seils, eines Drahts, eines Kabels, eines Bands oder
dergleichen befestigt ist.
9. Lastenhandhabungskran nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Hilfsmanövrierelement (31') mit einem Richtungsumkehrschalter (42) versehen ist,
der manuell zwischen einer ersten Position, die eine normale Bewegungsrichtung repräsentiert,
und einer zweiten Position, die eine umgekehrte Bewegungsrichtung repräsentiert, bewegbar
ist, wobei eine Zugkraft an dem Haltewinkel (39), die eine gegebene Schwellenwertgröße
überschreitet, in Steuerungssignale umgewandelt wird, um das Lastenhandhabungswerkzeug
(15) in eine gegebene erste Richtung zu bewegen, wenn sich der Richtungsumkehrschalter
(42) in der ersten Position befindet, und in Steuerungssignale zum Bewegen des Lastenhandhabungswerkzeugs
(15) in die umgekehrte Richtung, wenn sich der Richtungsumkehrschalter (42) in der
zweiten Position befindet.
10. Lastenhandhabungskran nach einem der Ansprüche 5-9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Krafterfassungseinheit (35) Dehnungsmessstreifen (37) zum Erfassen der Richtung
und Größe der Kraft umfasst, die auf das Basisteil (33) über das Hilfsmanövrierelement
(31, 31') von einer Person ausgeübt wird, die das Hilfsmanövrierelement ergreift.
11. Lastenhandhabungskran nach einem der Ansprüche 1-10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Hilfsmanövrierelement (31, 31') mit einer Totmanneinrichtung (43) versehen ist.
12. Lastenhandhabungskran nach einem der Ansprüche 1-11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Hilfsmanövriervorrichtung (30) eine Orientierungserfassungseinheit (44) zum Erfassen
der Orientierung des Basisteils (33) relativ zu dem Kranauslegersystem (11) umfasst.
13. Lastenhandhabungskran nach Anspruch 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Orientierungserfassungseinheit (44) einen Gyro-Sensor (45) zum Erfassen der Orientierung
des Basisteils (33) relativ zu dem Kranauslegersystem (11) umfasst.
14. Lastenhandhabungskran nach einem der Ansprüche 1-13, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Lastenhandhabungswerkzeug (15) eine Krangabel oder ein Greifer ist.
15. Lastenhandhabungskran nach einem der Ansprüche 1-14, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der zweite Kranausleger (9) teleskopartig ausfahrbar ist, um eine Einstellung seiner
Ausfahrlänge zu ermöglichen.
1. Grue permettant la manipulation de charges, comprenant :
- une base de grue (4) ;
- une colonne (5) qui est montée, de manière à pouvoir tourner, sur la base de grue
(4) afin de pouvoir tourner par rapport à la base de grue autour d'un axe de rotation
sensiblement vertical ;
- un actionneur (6) pour faire tourner la colonne (5) ;
- un système de flèches de grue (11) comprenant deux flèches de grue ou plus pouvant
être levées et abaissées (7, 9) qui sont raccordées, de manière articulée, l'une à
l'autre et des vérins hydrauliques (8, 10) pour lever et abaisser les flèches de grue
(7, 9), dans laquelle une première flèche de grue (7) du système de flèches de grue
est raccordée, de manière articulée, à la colonne (5) et une deuxième flèche de grue
(9) du système de flèches de grue est raccordée, de manière articulée, à la première
flèche de crue (7) ;
- un outil de manipulation de charges (15) monté sur le système de flèches de grue
(11) à un bout de flèche (14) du système de flèches de grue ;
- un dispositif de commande électronique (21) pour commander ledit actionneur (6)
et lesdits vérins hydrauliques (8, 10) afin de commander la rotation de la colonne
(5) et le mouvement des flèches de grue (7, 9) et commander de ce fait la position
de l'outil de manipulation de charges (15) ; et
- un dispositif de manœuvre principal (20) avec un ou plusieurs organes de manœuvres
principaux (S1, S2, S3) configurés pour être manœuvrables par un opérateur de grue
afin de commander la position de l'outil de manipulation de charges (15), dans laquelle
le dispositif de manœuvre principal (20) est configuré pour transmettre, à destination
du dispositif de commande électronique (21), des signaux de commande relatifs à la
manœuvre desdits organes de manœuvre (S1, S2, S3),
caractérisée en ce que :
- la grue (1) comprend un dispositif de manœuvre auxiliaire (30) avec au moins un
organe de manœuvre auxiliaire (31, 31') configuré pour être manœuvrable par une personne
se tenant à proximité de l'outil de manipulation de charges (15) afin de commander
la position de l'outil de manipulation de charges, dans laquelle le dispositif de
manœuvre auxiliaire (30) est configuré pour transmettre, à destination du dispositif
de commande électronique (21), des signaux de commande relatifs à la manœuvre de l'organe
de manœuvre auxiliaire (31, 31') ; et
- le dispositif de manœuvre auxiliaire (30) comprend une partie de base (33) qui est
configurée pour être attachée à l'outil de manipulation de charges (15) ou à une charge
(16) portée par l'outil de manipulation de charges ou au bout de flèche (14) du système
de flèches de grue (11), dans laquelle l'organe de manœuvre auxiliaire (31, 31') est
fixé à la partie de base (33).
2. Grue permettant la manipulation de charges selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que le dispositif de manœuvre auxiliaire (30) comprend une unité de communication (32)
pour une transmission sans fil de signaux de commande à destination du dispositif
de commande électronique (21).
3. Grue permettant la manipulation de charges selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisée en ce que la partie de base (33) est configurée pour un attachement libérable à l'outil de
manipulation de charges (15) ou à une charge (16) portée par l'outil de manipulation
de charges ou au bout de flèche (14) du système de flèches de grue (11).
4. Grue permettant la manipulation de charges selon la revendication 3, caractérisée en ce qu'un ou plusieurs aimants permanents (34) sont fixés à la partie de base (33), dans
laquelle les aimants permanents (34) sont configurés pour être attirés magnétiquement
par un élément métallique au bout de flèche (14) du système de flèches de grue (11)
ou sur l'outil de manipulation de charges (15) ou sur une charge (16) portée par l'outil
de manipulation de charges afin de maintenir la partie de base (33) attachée à cet
élément métallique.
5. Grue permettant la manipulation de charges selon l'une quelconque des revendications
1 à 4,
caractérisée en ce que :
- l'organe de manœuvre auxiliaire (31, 31') a la forme d'une poignée ou d'un guidon
; et
- le dispositif de manœuvre auxiliaire (30) comprend :
• une unité de détection de force (35) pour détecter la direction et la grandeur de
la force exercée sur la partie de base (33) par l'intermédiaire de l'organe de manœuvre
auxiliaire (31, 31') par une personne saisissant l'organe de manœuvre auxiliaire ;
et
• une unité de traitement électronique (36) qui est raccordée à l'unité de détection
de force (35) afin de recevoir, en provenance de l'unité de détection de force, des
signaux de mesure relatifs à la direction et à la grandeur de la force exercée sur
la partie de base (33) par l'intermédiaire de l'organe de manœuvre auxiliaire (31,
31') par une personne saisissant l'organe de manœuvre auxiliaire, dans laquelle l'unité
de traitement électronique (36) est configurée pour convertir ces signaux de mesure
en signaux de commande à transmettre à destination du dispositif de commande électronique
(21).
6. Grue permettant la manipulation de charges selon la revendication 5,
caractérisée en ce que :
- la partie de base (33) comprend une plaque de montage (38) et un support (39), le
support ayant une extrémité intérieure (39a) faisant face à la plaque de montage (38)
et une extrémité extérieure (39b), dans laquelle la plaque de montage (38) est configurée
pour être attachée à l'outil de manipulation de charges (15) ou à une charge (16)
portée par l'outil de manipulation de charges ou au bout de flèche (14) du système
de flèches de grue (11) et dans laquelle le support (39) est fixé à la plaque de montage
(38) à son extrémité intérieure (39a) et faire saillie depuis la plaque de montage
(38) ;
- l'organe de manœuvre auxiliaire (31, 31') est fixé au support (39) ; et
- l'unité de détection de force (35) est agencée dans le support (39).
7. Grue permettant la manipulation de charges selon la revendication 6, caractérisée en ce que l'organe de manœuvre auxiliaire (31) est monté sur le support (39) à l'extrémité
extérieure (39b) de celui-ci.
8. Grue permettant la manipulation de charges selon la revendication 6, caractérisée en ce que l'organe de manœuvre auxiliaire (31') est fixé au support (39) par l'intermédiaire
d'un élément de tirage allongé souple (40) sous la forme d'une corde, d'un fil, d'un
câble, d'une bande ou d'un élément similaire.
9. Grue permettant la manipulation de charges selon la revendication 8, caractérisée en ce que l'organe de manœuvre auxiliaire (31') est pourvu d'un commutateur de direction opposé
(42) qui est déplaçable manuellement entre une première position représentant une
direction de mouvement normal et une deuxième position représentant une direction
de mouvement opposé, dans laquelle une force de tirage sur le support (39) dépassant
une grandeur de seuil donnée est convertie en signaux de commande pour déplacer l'outil
de manipulation de charges (15) dans une première direction donnée lorsque le commutateur
de direction opposé (42) est à la première position et en signaux de commande pour
déplacer l'outil de manipulation de charges (15) dans la direction opposé lorsque
le commutateur de direction opposé (42) est à la deuxième position.
10. Grue permettant la manipulation de charges selon l'une quelconque des revendications
5 à 9, caractérisée en ce que l'unité de détection de force (35) comprend des jauges de contrainte (37) pour détecter
la direction et la grandeur de la force exercée sur la partie de base (33) par l'intermédiaire
de l'organe de manœuvre auxiliaire (31, 31') par une personne saisissant l'organe
ne manœuvre auxiliaire.
11. Grue permettant la manipulation de charges selon l'une quelconque des revendications
1 à 10, caractérisée en ce que l'organe de manœuvre auxiliaire (31, 31') est pourvu d'un dispositif de sécurité
de présence d'opérateur (43).
12. Grue permettant la manipulation de charges selon l'une quelconque des revendications
1 à 11, caractérisée en ce que le dispositif de manœuvre auxiliaire (30) comprend une unité de détection d'orientation
(44) pour détecter l'orientation de la partie de base (33) par rapport au système
de flèches de grue (11).
13. Grue permettant la manipulation de charges selon la revendication 12, caractérisée en ce que l'unité de détection d'orientation (44) comprend un capteur gyroscopique (45) pour
détecter l'orientation de la partie de base (33) par rapport au système de flèches
de grue (11).
14. Grue permettant la manipulation de charges selon l'une quelconque des revendications
1 à 13, caractérisée en ce que l'outil de manipulation de charges (15) est une fourche de grue ou un grappin.
15. Grue permettant la manipulation de charges selon l'une quelconque des revendications
1 à 14, caractérisée en ce que la deuxième flèche de grue (9) est extensible de manière télescopique afin de permettre
un ajustement de la longueur d'extension de celle-ci.