EP1382560B1 - Mobile crane with pivotable wheel supports - Google Patents

Abstract

The crane has a rotatable upper carriage with a jib on a lower carriage with running gear. The lower carriage forms a carrying construction with a central box to which at least three pivotable supporting bearers are joined. Supporting bearers can be pivoted into a mutually parallel position for road travel; two in the road going position, which can be locked against unintentional deployment, replace a conventional running gear part. The mobile crane has an upper carriage (2) rotatably mounted about a vertical axis on a lower carriage (1) with running gear. The upper carriage has a jib (3) and the lower carriage forms a carrying construction with a central box (4) to which at least three pivotable supporting bearers (6a,6b) are joined, of which two are pivoting wheel bearers with road wheels (7). The supporting bearers can be pivoted into a mutually parallel position to be ready for road travel, whereby the two in the road going position, which can be locked against unintentional deployment, form a replacement for a conventional part of the running gear.

Description

The invention relates to a vehicle crane with Radschwenkträgern according to the preamble of claim 1. Such a vehicle crane is also from the DE-A-2142750 known.

From the generic DE 33 36 638 C2 For example, a vehicle crane is known, which has a superstructure arranged around a vertical axis of rotation on a wheeled undercarriage, which in turn is provided with a trailer. The undercarriage has a central box as a support structure for the rotatable mounting of the upper carriage. The central box is seen in the direction of travel at its front rigidly connected to a front portion of the chassis of the vehicle crane. On the back of the central box two Radschwenkträger are arranged, which form part of the entire chassis in the driving position. In lifting operation, the two Radschwenkträger are swung to the side and are provided with height-adjustable floor supports so that they form two support beams. In the front part of the central box two articulation points are provided on which two more support beams for lifting operation can be mounted.

From the GB 767 420 a chassis is known which can also be used for mobile cranes, in which four Radschwenkträger are arranged on a central box as a central supporting structure, which are each provided at their ends with respect to the longitudinal direction of the Radschwenkträgers pivotable axes with two wheels. This is to be created for the construction of the chassis each work implement a special flexibility in labor input.

The object of the present invention is to improve a vehicle crane of the generic type in such a way that it has the lowest possible weight of the undercarriage, including the support beams required for the lifting operation, given the carrying capacity.

This object is achieved in a generic crane by the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous developments of this vehicle crane will become apparent from the dependent claims.

The solution of the invention is that the undercarriage of the vehicle crane is provided with a central box on which at least three, preferably four support beams are installed, two of which are designed as Radschwenkträger, which are to be regarded as a replacement for a conventional chassis frame the road chassis. In addition to the two Radschwenkträgern at least one further, preferably two support beams are provided, which are pivotable for the conversion in the lifting operation relative to the central box. To improve the ground support, additional support beams can be provided if required. To adjust the driving readiness for road driving all support beams including the Radschwenkträger can be brought into a parallel position to each other and locked under each other in this position. Preferably, the Radschwenkträger and not provided with wheels further support bracket in the driving position relative to the direction of travel are pivotable backwards. This means that the central box is located in the front part of the ready-to-drive vehicle crane.

In the driving position, the axial length of the two Radschwenkträger makes up significantly more than half the total length of the vehicle crane. Typically, the length of the Radschwenkträger is at least 70% of the vehicle length. The required for ensuring proper driving locking the Radschwenkträger each other can be useful physically integrated into a shelf for the boom. In fact, in the driving position the boom should not only be supported by a slewing ring of the superstructure in relation to the undercarriage because of its high weight, but at least one additional support in the form of e.g. having frame-like tray. This shelf can be designed so that it simultaneously forms a connection between the two Radschwenkträgern in the sense of locking.

The support beams, ie both the support wheels not having wheels of the running gear and the wheel pivot supports, can advantageously be designed as telescopic support beams in order to be able to set a suitable size of the support length as required and the spatial conditions at the place of use. Additionally or alternatively, the support beams and / or the Radschwenkträger can also be designed divided into at least two parts in such a way that the parts of a support bracket are connected to each other via a rotary joint. This results in particular advantages when swinging a support support, for example in the case of the circumvention of an obstacle, which would stand in an elongated support beam in the way, but can be bypassed with a correspondingly bent support beams.

In order to improve the turnability during the process of the vehicle crane, it may be expedient to use the deflectability of the wheel swivel carriers and support beams in the swivel joints in a targeted manner (i.e., under control) even during the driving operation. Conveniently, this should only be possible with extreme slow travel, so that then the locking of Radschwenkträger can be temporarily solved with each other.

Of particular advantage for the stability of the vehicle crane in lifting operation and also during the implementation of the conversion between the driving and the lifting operation, if in the central area a central support is provided with which the central box can be supported on the ground. This central support is expediently carried out in accordance with the provided at the ends of the support beam or Radschwenkträger support cylinder with backup plates.

Since the support beams are usually designed as hollow profiles, for example as a box section, the cavities therein can be advantageously used as tanks for fuel or hydraulic fluid or filled with appropriate tanks. The cavities may also be used to accommodate other functional elements for crane or vehicle operation (e.g., control units).

To save weight, it is of great advantage if a drive motor, in particular a diesel engine, is provided which, as a common power generation unit, supplies the drive energy not only for the driving operation but also for the crane operation. Such a drive motor can be arranged in or on the central box, with expediently a coupling with an aggregate for generating hydraulic or electrical drive energy is provided. As a result, for example, the drive energy required for the operation of one or more winches of the superstructure can easily lead to the superstructure.

Also for the wheels of the road running gear is advantageously used hydraulic or electrical drive energy, although of course would be possible via corresponding transfer case a purely mechanical drive. More flexible and cost-effective in terms of performance are hydraulic or electric single-wheel drives. In order to enable a steering of the chassis formed by the Radschwenkträger, it is of course necessary that the wheels are arranged on steerable axles in the sense of independent suspension. The steering Although it can be done mechanically, it is expediently designed to be electrically or hydraulically operable.

Furthermore, it is of great advantage if the wheels are mounted on a hydropneumatic suspension. This makes it possible to selectively make a limited pulling up the wheels to increase the ground clearance when converting the vehicle crane from driving to the lifting operation or vice versa.

For the implementation of the conversion between the lifting and driving an electronic control should be provided expediently, in this regard, a wholly or at least partially automatic sequence of the required control operations to bring the support beam or Radschwenkträger in position.

To reduce the structural complexity and the vehicle weight, it is also advantageous to provide for driving and crane operation, only a single common cab. This is expediently designed so that it is pivotable about a vertical axis of rotation, so that it can be pivoted for the lifting operation of the vehicle crane next to the boom. This ensures a good view of the load to be lifted and the boom for the crane operator.

Due to the erfindunsgemäße solution in which a conventional chassis frame for the vehicle crane completely eliminated, since this function is taken over by two designed as Radschwenkträger support carrier, the weight of the undercarriage can be significantly reduced compared to known constructions. A further weight reduction results from the fact that a common drive motor is used for the driving operation and the lifting operation as a power generation unit. By thus achievable weight savings is more room elsewhere, for example, for a larger boom available.

• Fig. 1 einen erfindungsgemäßen Fahrzeugkran mit vier Achsen in Seitenansicht,
• Fig. 2 den Fahrzeugkran von Fig. 1 in Draufsicht ohne Ausleger,
• Fig. 3 eine Darstellung entsprechend Fig. 2 für einen Fahrzeugkran mit sechs Achsen,
• Fig. 4 den Fahrzeugkran gemäß Fig. 1 in Draufsicht während des Hebebetriebs,
• Fig. 5a - h unterschiedliche Stadien des Fahrzeugkrans von Fig. 3 beim Umrüsten vom Fahrbetrieb in den Hebebetrieb,
• Fig. 6 den Fahrzeugkran von Fig. 3 im Hebebetrieb,
• Fig. 7 den Fahrzeugkran gemäß Fig. 6 mit einem in einem Drehgelenk zum Schwenken eingeknickten Radschwenkträger und
• Fig. 8 den Fahrzeugkran gemäß Fig. 1 im Hebebetrieb in Seitenansicht.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. Show it:

• Fig. 1 a vehicle crane according to the invention with four axes in side view,
• Fig. 2 the vehicle crane of Fig. 1 in plan view without cantilever,
• Fig. 3 a representation accordingly Fig. 2 for a vehicle crane with six axles,
• Fig. 4 the vehicle crane according to Fig. 1 in plan view during the lifting operation,
• Fig. 5a - h different stages of the vehicle crane of Fig. 3 when converting from driving to lifting operation,
• Fig. 6 the vehicle crane of Fig. 3 in the lifting operation,
• Fig. 7 the vehicle crane according to Fig. 6 with a bent in a swivel joint for pivoting Radschwenkträger and
• Fig. 8 the vehicle crane according to Fig. 1 in lifting mode in side view.

The in the FIGS. 1 and 2 schematically illustrated vehicle crane has an undercarriage 1 and on a turntable 19 rotatably supported thereon superstructure 2. The undercarriage 1 is equipped with a four-axle road chassis, whose wheels carry the reference numeral 7. An essential part of the undercarriage 1 is a central box 4. At this central box 4 are mounted on pivot joints (Stützlager8) with a vertical axis of rotation a total of four support beams, of which ( Fig. 2 ) the two middle as pure support beams 5a, 5b and the two outer are formed as Radschwenkträger 6a, 6b. The Radschwenkträger 6a, 6b are equipped with the wheels 7 and form the chassis of the vehicle crane. On the central box 4 seen in the direction of travel front part 20 is arranged a cultivation, in which (not shown) an engine, preferably a diesel engine, and an aggregate for converting the mechanical energy generated by the engine into hydraulic or electric drive energy for driving and lifting operation the vehicle crane are housed. In the region of the geometric axis of a turntable 19 for the superstructure 2, a rotary feedthrough 18 is arranged, can be performed by the supply lines from the undercarriage 1 in the upper carriage 2. In the area of the central box 4 a preferably hydraulically extendable central support 11 is arranged, which ensures the safe support of the undercarriage 1 on the ground together with the at the ends of the support beams 5a, 5b and Radschwenkträger 6a, 6b arranged support cylinder in the lifting operation. The in Fig. 1 shown in the retracted and lowered into the basic position boom 3 is designed as a telescopic boom with several austelekopierbaren telescopic shots. In the area of the boom foot, so its left end is a hoist 13 for the lifting operation shown. The boom 3 can be moved by means of a rocker cylinder 10 from the horizontal basic position in an obliquely upward working position. To the left of the foot of the boom 3, a driver's cab 14 is arranged, which is advantageous, as will be described below, used in common for the driving operation as well as for the lifting operation. In the basic position of the boom 3 is supported on a shelf 9 of the undercarriage 1. This tray 9 is used in a second function for rigid locking of the two Radschwenkträger 6a, 6b with each other, so that the two Radschwenkträger 6a, 6b together with the interposed two support beams 5a, 5b in conjunction with the central box 4 represent a rigid support structure. Out Fig. 2 It is clear that the arranged relative to the direction of travel in the front part of the base box 4 designed as hinges support bearing 8 a much greater distance from each other than the two support bearings 8 in the rear part of the central box 4, on which the two support beams 5a, 5b, the have no wheels of the landing gear, are attached. By this arrangement with different spacing of the support bearing 8, it is possible that all four support beams 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b are mutually pivotable parallel to each other in a driving position. The distance between the two rear support bearing 8 corresponds approximately to the width of one of the two support beams 5a, 5b, while the distance between the two front support bearings 8 corresponds approximately to three times the width of a support beam, assuming that all support beams each have the same width. The wheels 7 are arranged on steerable, ie pivotable axes to ensure the steerability of the vehicle. It can be provided that one or more axes are executed in the middle region of the chassis in the sense of a rigid axle. In Fig. 2 this is so provided for in the direction of travel penultimate axis. The two front axles and the rear axle of the chassis are steerable via a common hydraulic steering system 16, which is schematically indicated. By counter-hitting the front wheels against the rear wheels can ensure good maneuverability of the vehicle crane.

Opposite the vehicle crane in Fig. 2 has the vehicle crane also shown schematically in Fig. 3 a chassis with two more, so a total of six axes. He has significantly longer support beams 5a, 5b and Radschwenkträger 6a, 6b, which are divided in each case in the middle and connected there via a rotary joint 15. The rear halves of the support beams and Radschwenkträger are designated 5a ', 5b', 6a 'and 6b'.

Fig. 4 shows the vehicle crane according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 in a working position suitable for lifting operation. This means that the two Radschwenkträger 6a, 6b and the pure support beams 5a, 5b are pivoted into their working position and form a star-shaped ground support in conjunction with the central support 11. The at the ends of the support and Radschwenkträger 5a - 6b mounted support cylinder 21 and the central support 11 are provided at their lower ends with support plates 12. which ensure a sufficient reduction of surface pressure on the floor. Both the support beams 5a, 5b and the Radschwenkträger 6a, 6b have telescopic inner support 17, with which the indicated by a line square support surface can be significantly increased if necessary. Still goes out Fig. 4 show that the boom is erectable via a paired system of teetering cylinders 10. The pivotable about a vertical axis superstructure 2 is provided with a counterweight 22.

As already mentioned above, the driver's cab 14, which is provided with a driver's seat 23 for the driving operation and a crane operator's seat 24 for the lifting operation, is pivoted by means of a swivel joint from the central position during driving ( Fig. 1 ) by about 180 ° laterally next to the boom 3 ( Fig. 4 ) pivotable. In the pivoted position, the crane operator thus sits a considerable distance outside the rocker plane which can be crossed over by the longitudinal axis of the boom 3 and thus has a good view of the head of the boom 3 and the load to be lifted. When driving, the driver's cab 14 is pivoted back by 180 ° with respect to the rotary joint, so that the driver has a clear view to the front in the direction of travel. If necessary, as indicated by a second cab without reference numerals, a pivoting also on the opposite side of the boom 3 to a corresponding mirror image of the boom axis arranged pivot joint can be made.

The representation in Fig. 8 shows the crane according to Fig. 4 It can be clearly seen here that the support on the floor via the central support 11 and in the present case at the ends of telescoping inner supports 17 of the Radschwenkträger 6 and support beams 5 arranged support cylinder 21 is carried out with support plates 12 , Furthermore, it can be seen that in addition to the hoist 13, a second hoist 25 is still available for the lifting operation.

From the schematic representations of Fig. 5a - 5h shows how the in Fig. 3 shown six-axis crane can be successively converted from driving to the position of the lifting operation. This can be done in the way that starting from the basic position in Fig. 5a First, the central support and the support cylinder on the support beams 5a, 5b and the Radschwenkträger 6a are actuated so that the Radschwenkträger 6b completely free from the ground and can be pivoted, for example by 15 ° to the outside. Subsequently, the support cylinder is extended at Radschwenkträger 6b and retracted the support cylinder on Radschwenkträger 6a, so that the latter is released from the ground and swung to a slightly larger angle, namely, for example, 25 °, as in Fig. 5c is shown. In the next step, for example, the support cylinder of the support beams 5a is retracted and this support carrier 5a is then swung out by eg 15 °, so that the position in Fig. 5e is reached, in which the Radschwenkträger 6b is parallel to the support bracket 5a. In the next step, the support cylinder of the wheel swing carrier 6b can then be retracted and the wheel pivot carrier 6b can be swung out to an angle of, for example, 60 ° when the support cylinder of the support beam 5b is extended ( Fig. 5f ). Subsequently, the support cylinder may, for example, the support beam 5 b retracted and this support beam 5 b are pivoted further to an angle of, for example, 45 °, so that the state according to Fig. 5g established. In the next step, the support cylinder of the Radschwenkträgers 6a can then be retracted and swung to an angle of eg 90 °, as in Fig. 5h is reproduced. In this sense, the conversion process can be continued until the in Fig. 6 shown end position is reached for the lifting operation. Also in Fig. 6 is like in Fig. 4 the driver's cab 14 shown in duplicate to indicate the alternative pivotability of the cab on the other longitudinal side of the crane.

Out Fig. 7 It can be seen how the divided and each connected via a rotary joint 15 embodiment of the wheel pivot can be used advantageously. This is demonstrated by the example of the wheel pivot carrier 6b, 6b '. Because of an obstacle 26 of this Radschwenkträger 6b, 6b 'could not be driven into the intended end position, if the two parts of the Radschwenkträgers 6b, 6b' stretched, so would be aligned coaxially to each other. The part 6b 'of this Radschwenkträgers would then encounter the obstacle 26. By buckling by means of the rotary joint 15 in Radschwenkträger but manages to significantly reduce its effective pivot radius and in this way the Radschwenkträger 6b, 6b 'safely vorbeizuschwenken the obstacle 26 and then bring it back into the extended position.

Preferably, the pivoting of the support beams 5a, 5b and wheel pivot carrier 6a, 6b can be made by motor means of a corresponding (not shown) pivot drive. To facilitate the retrofitting of the vehicle crane can These part-turn actuators are addressed by an electronic control, also not shown, so that then the individual sub-steps accordingly Fig. 5 completely or at least partially automatically.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

undercarriage

2

superstructure

3

boom

4

Central box

5a, 5b

support beam

6a, 6b

Radschwenkträger

5

wheel

6

support bearings

7

filing

8th

luffing ram

9

Central support

10

backing pad

11

hoist

12

cab

13

swivel

14

hydraulic steering system

15

telescopic inner support

16

Rotary union

17

slewing ring

18

cultivation

19

supporting cylinders

20

counterweight

21

driver's seat

22

Crane operator's seat

23

2nd hoist

24

obstacle

Claims (17)

1. Vehicle crane comprising a upper structure (2) that is disposed for rotation about a vertical axis of rotation on an undercarriage (1) having a road chassis comprising wheels (7), the upper structure (2) being provided with a jib (3), wherein the undercarriage (1) has a central box (4) as supporting construction to which four swivelable supporting carriers (5a, 5b, 6a, 6b) are coupled of which two are designed as wheel swivel carriers (6a, 6b) and are provided with wheels (7) of the road chassis, wherein

   - in order to achieve readiness to drive on roads, all supporting carriers (5a, 5b, 6a, 6b) are swivelable in a backward direction and into a driving position opposite to the driving direction such as to be parallel to each other, and

   - the two wheel swivel carriers (6a, 6b) are lockable to one another in the driving position so as to be protected against accidentally swinging out, thus replacing a conventional chassis frame of the road chassis.
2. Vehicle crane according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   the two wheel swivel carriers (6a, 6b) account for substantially more than half, in particular for at least 70%, of the length of the vehicle crane when in the driving position.
3. Vehicle crane according to one of claims 1-2,
   characterised in that
   the locking mechanism for the wheel swivel carriers (6a, 6b) is a support (9) for the jib (3).
4. Vehicle crane according to one of claims 1 to 3,
   characterised in that
   the supporting carriers (5a, 5b) or the wheel swivel carriers (6a, 6b) are telescopable supporting carriers.
5. Vehicle crane according to one of claims 1 to 4,
   characterised in that
   each of the supporting carriers (5a, 5b) or the wheel swivel carriers (6a, 6b) is divided into at least two parts, wherein the parts of a supporting carrier (5a, 5b, 6a, 6b) are joined to one another by means of rotary joints (15).
6. Vehicle crane according to one of claims 1 to 5,
   characterised in that
   a common drive engine, in particular a diesel engine, is provided as energy generation device for both driving operation and crane operation.
7. Vehicle crane according to claim 6,
   characterised in that
   the drive engine is disposed in or at the central box (4).
8. Vehicle crane according to one of claims 6 and 7,
   characterised in that
   the drive engine comprises a device for generating hydraulic or electric driving energy and is disposed in or at the central box (4).
9. Vehicle crane according to one of claims 1 to 8,
   characterised in that
   tanks for fuel or hydraulic liquid or other functional parts for the crane or vehicle operation are disposed in the supporting carriers (5a, 5b) or wheel swivel carriers (6a, 6b).
10. Vehicle crane according to one of claims 1 to 9,
    characterised in that
    the wheels (7) of the road chassis have hydraulic or electric single wheel drives.
11. Vehicle crane according to one of claims 1 to 10,
    characterised in that
    the wheels (7) are disposed at axes which are steerable electrically or hydraulically in the sense of a single wheel suspension.
12. Vehicle crane according to one of claims 1 to 11,
    characterised in that
    the wheels (7) are supported on a hydropneumatic suspension which optionally enables the wheels (7) to be lifted upwards to a limited degree in order to increase the ground clearance when converting the vehicle crane from vehicle operation to lifting operation.
13. Vehicle crane according to one of claims 1 to 12,
    characterised in that
    an electric control system is provided which provides for an automatic positioning process of the supporting carriers (5a, 5b) and wheel swivel carriers (6a, 6b) when converting from lifting to vehicle operation and vice versa.
14. Vehicle crane according to one of claims 1 to 13,
    characterised in that
    during vehicle operation, the wheel swivel carriers (6a, 6b) and the supporting carriers (5a, 5b) are bendable in a specific manner at the rotary joints (15) so as to increase manoeuvrability of the vehicle crane.
15. Vehicle crane according to one of claims 1 to 13,
    characterised in that
    the central box (4) is supportable on the ground via an extendable central support (11).
16. Vehicle crane according to one of claims 1 to 15,
    characterised in that
    a common driver's cabin (14) is provided for vehicle and lifting operation.
17. Vehicle crane according to claim 16,
    characterised in that
    the driver's cabin (14) is disposed for rotation about a vertical axis and may be rotated into a lateral position next to the jib (3) for the lifting operation.

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