EP2897892B1 - Method for operating a crane, and crane - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating a crane with a luffing crane boom and a trolley movably arranged on the crane boom, the crane being operable on the one hand in a luffing mode and on the other hand in a trolley mode. The invention also relates to a crane which optionally allows crane operation in the trolley or luffing mode.

Various crane systems are known from the prior art, which offer certain advantages depending on the area of application. So tower cranes with trolley jibs are known in which the jib is always in a horizontal position and the load can be moved over the entire length of the jib with the aid of a trolley. This has the advantage that the suspended load can be brought particularly close to the tower.

In contrast, there are tower cranes with luffing jibs, which are also referred to as adjustable booms. The luffing jib is attached to the crane tower below the top of the tower with a joint and can be adjusted in height via a jib guy rope. Such cranes do not have a trolley, the load is in the direction of the boom transported solely via the lifting and lowering movement of the boom. The above-mentioned crane construction offers advantages, especially in confined spaces, since the boom can simply be "pulled in" to avoid collisions with obstacles. In addition, due to the steeper boom position, the load can be lifted to greater heights.

An increasingly high degree of flexibility is expected in particular from mobile construction cranes, which have a movable, full-fledged tower crane with a trolley jib. This crane structure should often operate under complex spatial conditions on the construction site, which is why the aforementioned advantages of the luffing jib system are of great interest.

Efforts have already been made in the past to merge the two crane systems presented. In particular, the advantages of the two different crane systems are to be combined in a single crane system.

From the DE 1 171 132 For example, a tower crane is known which has a retractable boom and a trolley guided on this. For operation as a luffing jib, the trolley is locked at the tip of the jib. This allows the boom system to have any incline without the trolley leaving its place at the top.

However, the mounting of the trolley at the jib tip increases the dead weight of the boom system and consequently reduces the possible tip load capacity in luffing operation. In addition, due to the reeving of the hoist rope on the trolley, hoist rope length is lost, which can be necessary especially with steep jib positions.

the FR1 007 775 A discloses a method as well as an apparatus of the preamble of claims 1 and 12.

The object of the present invention is to provide a crane or a method for operating a crane with which the problem mentioned at the beginning can be overcome.

This object is achieved by a method for operating a crane according to the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention are the subject matter of the subclaims that follow the main claim.

Claim 1 therefore proposes a method for operating a crane with a luffing crane boom and a trolley that can be moved on the crane boom. The crane configuration allows crane operation in luffing mode on the one hand and operation in trolley mode on the other. The crane operator can select the optimal crane mode for the application and convert the crane between the individual modes by executing the procedure.

For example, the crane is designed as a tower crane, in particular as a mobile construction crane, which comprises a luffing jib with a movable trolley.

Previously known constructions from the prior art propose to attach the trolley for the luffing mode to the jib tip and to lower the crane hook from the trolley. The present invention now takes a different approach in essential points. According to the invention, the reeving of the hoist rope on the boom system is changed so that a luffing operation of the crane is made possible. The deflection of the hoist rope from the boom to the crane hook is therefore independent of the trolley.

Above all, the reeving opens up the possibility of positioning the trolley at any point on the crane jib during luffing operation. A storage at the boom tip is no longer absolutely necessary, which results in certain advantages. For example, positioning the trolley close to the tower can have a favorable effect on the crane's own weight moment.

Furthermore, by a favorable choice of the fixation position of the trolley during the luffing mode, not only can the peak load-bearing capacity be increased, but also an increase in the effective crane radius can be achieved. The travel path of the trolley to the jib tip is regularly limited by the technical conditions, which is why the theoretical maximum radius of the crane could not be fully exploited in either the trolley or luffing mode. Due to the reeving according to the invention, this disadvantage can be avoided during the luffing mode and the effective crane radius can be increased.

It proves to be particularly advantageous if the reeving results in a change between 1-leg operation in the luffing mode and a multi-leg, in particular 2-leg operation in the trolley mode. By reeving the hoist rope into 1-leg operation, additional hoist rope length can be gained, which is particularly useful in steep jib positions in luffing mode.

During the trolley mode, the end of the hoist rope is attached to the boom system. To change the reeving, it can be advantageous if the fixed point of the hoist rope for crane operation in luffing mode is released and attached to a load hook or locked with it. The crane is then operated in 1-line operation. It is particularly useful if a separate load hook is available for the luffing mode.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the trolley and / or the crane hook / hook block used in the trolley mode is locked on the boom or with the trolley for operation in the luffing mode. Since, in the present invention, the trolley does not necessarily have to be locked at the jib tip, an optimal locking position with respect to the dead weight of the trolley is selected, which is expediently spaced from the boom tip and reduces the dead weight torque acting on the boom tip. It is particularly advantageous to lock the trolley in the vicinity of the articulation point of the boom.

In this case it can be advantageous to use an already existing transport or dismantling position for the trolley in order to lock it on the boom during the luffing mode. This transport or dismantling position for the trolley is regularly arranged in the area of the boom articulation point.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is advisable to use a rope reeving roller provided during the trolley mode as a deflection roller during the luffing mode. The rope reeving roller is regularly arranged at the jib tip and is used to fix or support the hoist rope at the jib tip during the trolley mode. It is conceivable that the position of the rope reeving roller for the luffing mode is specifically changed locally in order to be able to ensure an optimal deflection of the hoist rope.

For reeving, it is advantageous if the boom tip is lowered to close to the ground. In this case, the reeving can be carried out comfortably and without great effort by the crane operator from the ground. The boom tip is preferably lowered to the ground level with the boom extended.

For the reeving process with the boom lowered, it is advisable to secure the hoist rope with one or more securing devices on the crane boom for safety reasons. The safety device is preferably applied before or shortly after the fixed point of the hoist rope is loosened on the boom system. Before starting the desired crane operation, the hoist rope is unlocked again.

A quick and simple possibility can preferably be provided of variably attaching one or more additional elements to the boom, in particular the boom tip. One or more boom elements can be mounted in particular to extend the boom to increase the usable boom length. However, the integration of other boom elements that offer additional functions on the boom system is also conceivable. For example, individual elements or devices for displaying information on the Boom tip can be attached. A combination of these elements with boom extensions is also conceivable.

The integration of one or more boom elements is simplified by lowering the boom tip close to the ground. The jib can also be specifically lengthened for the luffing mode, which is not possible without further effort in the quick and simple manner mentioned in known trolley jib cranes due to the complexity of the trolley construction.

If one or more jib elements for the luffing mode are mounted on the jib tip, the hoisting rope fixed point is released and pulled out with the aid of a safety rope to one of the additional jib elements, in particular to the tip of the outer additional jib element. For this purpose, the safety rope is preferably guided from the outer tip of the outermost additional boom element to the hoisting rope fixed point.

For the luffing mode, the hoist rope is expediently deflected with a pulley attached to the additional boom element and connected at the end to the corresponding crane hook.

It is particularly advantageous if the rope reeving roller is dismantled on the original boom during the trolley mode and mounted on the corresponding additional boom element for deflecting the hoist rope.

The hoisting rope fixed point is preferably pulled with a hand winch to the tip of the at least one additional boom element.

One or more sensors can detect the local geometry of the current crane configuration and thus automatically recognize the planned crane mode, i.e. the luffing or trolley mode. The crane control can consequently work taking into account the recognized crane mode and enable or execute corresponding crane commands or functions.

The invention further relates to a crane, in particular a tower crane or mobile construction crane, with a luffing crane boom, in particular a luffing jib, and a trolley that is movably arranged on the crane boom. The proposed crane configuration allows the crane to be operated on the one hand in a luffing mode and on the other hand in a trolley mode.

According to the invention, the hoist rope of the crane in luffing operation is guided over at least one pulley on the crane boom, in particular the boom tip, and is attached to a load hook at the end or is locked to it. According to the invention, the crane is characterized in that 1-leg operation of the hoist rope is ensured during the luffing mode, whereas multiple reeving of the hoist rope is usually necessary during the known trolley mode.

The 1-strand guidance of the hoist rope during the luffing mode results in certain advantages. For example, the position of the trolley is irrelevant for the function of the crane in the luffing mode, so it can be positioned in the vicinity of the boom articulation point. Furthermore, a larger amount of hoisting ropes is available due to the 1-line operation.

In addition, the crane according to the invention advantageously comprises means for carrying out the method according to the invention or an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention. The advantages and properties of the crane according to the invention obviously correspond to those of the method according to the invention, which is why a repetitive description is dispensed with at this point.

Figur 1:

eine schematische Seitenansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Krans während des Katzmodus,

Figur 2:

eine schematische Seitenansicht auf den Kran gemäß Figur 1 im Wippmodus und

Figur 3:

eine schematische Seitenansicht auf den Kran gemäß Figur 2 mit verlängerter Auslegerspitze.

Further advantages and properties of the invention emerge from an exemplary embodiment described in more detail in the following drawings. Show it:

Figure 1:

a schematic side view of the crane according to the invention during the trolley mode,

Figure 2:

a schematic side view of the crane according to Figure 1 in rocker mode and

Figure 3:

a schematic side view of the crane according to Figure 2 with extended boom tip.

Figure 1 shows a side view of the boom system of the crane according to the invention. At the head of the crane tower 10, a luffing jib 30 is articulated so that it can be luffed about a horizontal luffing axis via a joint 20. To adjust the luffing angle, a jib guy rope 70 runs from the crane tower 10 over the top of the crane to the boom 30. By operating the jib guy rope 70, the jib 30 can be adjusted in the vertical luffing plane.

The illustrated crane structure permits crane operation in luffing mode, that is to say with a luffing jib 30, as well as trolley operation. The hoist rope 40 is used for both modes. For the trolley mode, the trolley 60 is available, which can be moved in the longitudinal axis of the boom 30 relative to this. In each case a pair of rope pulleys 62, 62b is arranged on the trolley 60 and the hook block 61, whereby a 2-leg operation of the hoist rope is made possible during the trolley mode.

To move the trolley 60, a trolley drive is provided which comprises the two driven rope pulleys 63 and the associated stranding 64.

The hoist rope 40 runs from the base of the tower via the boom pivot point to the boom tip. In the boom articulation area, the hoist rope is steered over the pulley 51 and extends horizontally below the boom 30 in the direction of the boom tip. As already described, the hoist rope 40 is guided through the rope pulley pairs 62a, 62b of the trolley 60 or the hook block 61 until it reaches the The boom tip is diverted by the rope reeving roller 80 and is firmly connected to the boom structure at the end in the region of the boom tip. The view X shows a front view of the boom tip. The rope reeving roller 80 is connected to the boom tip such that it can pivot about an axis 82 running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the boom.

The representation according to Figure 2 shows the crane configuration that is driven during luffing mode. For this purpose, the trolley 60 is fixed to the transport or dismantling lock 130, which is provided anyway, and is held against a movement in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the boom 30. Compared to the crane configuration Figure 1 the hoisting rope fixed point is released in the area of the boom tip. The end of the hoist rope 40 is connected to a hook block 90 provided for the luffing operation or is locked to it. The hoist rope 40 is still guided through the deflection pulleys 62a, 62b of the trolley 60 or the hook block 61, but this has no effect on the crane operation in the luffing mode.

In the area of the boom tip, the reeving roller 80 is used as a deflection roller in order to deflect the hoist rope at the boom tip to the hook block 90. The view X of the Figure 2 also shows a front view of the boom tip. The rope reeving roller / deflection roller 80 hangs vertically on the boom tip with a horizontal axis of rotation.

The trolley is not locked at the jib tip, but in a position that is favorable in terms of its own weight further inward near the tower 10, which leads to an increase in the maximum crane load. By reeving the hoist rope 40 for the luffing mode, the crane operation is switched from a 2-strand operation in the trolley mode to a 1-strand operation in the luffing mode. This frees up additional hoist rope length, which is particularly advantageous in the case of large hook heights with a steep jib position.

In addition, the effective radius of the crane can be maximized during the luffing mode compared to the trolley operation. Like the dashed contours in figure 2 indicate, the trolley 60 cannot be moved completely to the boom tip due to the technical conditions. The maximum possible outreach of the trolley 60 or of the crane hook 61 is smaller by the distance ΔL from the jib tip.

By changing the crane configuration in the luffing mode, the hoist rope 40 is deflected directly at the jib tip with the aid of the deflection roller 80, whereby a gain in radius of ΔL is achieved. The system-related loss of effective radius during trolley mode is consequently avoided in luffing mode.

To change the crane configuration from trolley mode to luffing mode, the following individual process steps are necessary:
At the beginning, the crane hook 90 for the luffing mode is set down at the target point on the ground while the trolley mode is still in place. The trolley 60 and its hook 61 are then locked in the dismantling position 130 on the boom 30. With the boom 30 extended, the boom tip is lowered down to the ground level, so that the hoisting rope fixed point at the boom tip can be released from the ground. The loosened hoist rope 50, including the rope pulleys, is secured on the boom 30. The rope reeving roller 80 is dismantled and used as a deflection roller 80. The position of the rope reeving roller 80 on the boom can be varied in order to be able to provide optimal conditions for the luffing mode.

The now free hoisting rope fixed point is locked on the hook 90 that is available. The hoist rope safety device is then released and the boom 30 is pulled up.

In addition, one or more sensors are available on the crane that measure the local geometry on the boom system and derive the current setup status based on the measurement data. The result is communicated to the crane control or the crane operator.

To change the crane configuration from luffing mode to trolley mode, the method steps described above are carried out in reverse order.

By changing the crane configuration, in particular changing the hoisting rope reeving, there is a simple possibility of changing the boom configuration during the conversion. During the reeving of the hoist rope 40, with the boom 30 lowered, one or more additional elements for extending the boom 30 can be mounted particularly easily and quickly on the boom tip.

Figure 3a shows schematically the possibility of extending the boom 30. A boom extension 100, such as a lattice jib, for example, can be mounted on the boom tip. As an alternative or in addition, other boom elements can also be introduced into the boom system to provide different functions. This offers the possibility of attaching individual elements or devices for displaying information to the boom tip. In this context, reference is made in particular to the attachment of advertising boards or electronic display means for displaying advertising information.

For the assembly of a boom extension or an additional boom element, the method described above for changing modes is used. However, in addition to the crane hook 90, at least one extension 100 or an additional element is provided beforehand.

The method is then carried out up to the securing of the hoist rope 40. The boom extension 100 is then installed on the boom tip. As in the detailed view Figure 3b For this purpose, the hoisting rope fixed point is connected to a safety rope 110 which extends to the tip of the boom extension 100. The safety rope 110 can be reeled onto a hand winch 120 around the hoisting rope from the boom tip to the outer one Pull out the end of the boom extension 100. The rope reeving roller 80 is dismantled at the boom tip and attached to the tip of the boom extension 100. Hoist rope 40 and reeving roller 80 are secured in the new position until boom 30 is erected. The rope reeving roller 80 mounted on the boom extension takes on the function of a deflection roller 80 for guiding the hoisting rope 40 to the crane hook 90. In this case too, a sensor system detects the changed crane configuration and communicates this to the crane control.

The invention enables the crane configuration to be changed quickly between trolley and luffing mode with little setup effort. The crane according to the invention and the method according to the invention ensure particularly flexible crane use on construction sites with particularly tight spaces.

Claims (13)

1. Method of operating a crane having a luffable crane boom (30) and having a trolley (60) arranged travelable at the crane boom (30), wherein the crane can be operated in a luffing mode, on the one hand, and in a trolley mode, on the other hand,

   characterized in that

   a change of the hoist rope reeving takes place on a single hoist rope (40) for a mode change.
2. Method in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that a one-line operation takes place in the luffing mode and a multi-line operation, in particular a two-line operation, of the hoist rope (40) takes place in the trolley mode.
3. Method in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the required fixed point of the hoist rope (40) is released for the crane operation in the luffing mode during the trolley mode and is beaten up or latched at a load hook (90).
4. Method in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the trolley (60) and/or the crane hook/hook block (61) of the trolley mode is/are latched to the boom (30) during the luffing mode, in particular is/are latched spaced apart from the boom tip at a position favorable with respect to its unloaded weight.
5. Method in accordance with claim 4, characterized in that the trolley (60) or the crane hook/hook block (61) of the trolley (60) is/are latched in its transport/dismantling position, in particular in the region of the boom pivotal connection point (20).
6. Method in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hoist rope (40) is fixed to the boom (30) in the trolley mode, wherein the rope reeving pulley (80) is used as a deflection pulley in the luffing mode, and wherein the position of the pulley (80) or of the support preferably is locally changeable.
7. Method in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the boom tip is let down, in particular with an extended boom (30), to close to the ground for re-reeving the hoist rope (40) for the corresponding crane mode.
8. Method in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hoist rope (40) is optionally secured together with hoist rope pulleys after the release of the fixing point up to the starting of the luffing operation at the crane boom (30).
9. Method in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one additional boom element (100) for the luffing mode is mounted during the hoist rope re-reeving, wherein the hoist rope fixing point is connected to a securing rope (110) starting from the at least one additional boom element (100) and is pulled out up to the tip of the extension (100).
10. Method in accordance with claim 9, characterized in that the hoist rope fixing point is pulled with a hand winch (120) up to the tip of the at least one additional boom element (100).
11. Method in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more sensors recognize the operating mode of the crane due to the local geometry.
12. Crane, in particular a revolving tower crane or a mobile construction crane, comprising a hoist rope (40), a luffable crane boom (30) and a trolley (60) arranged travelable at the crane boom (30), wherein the crane can be operated in a luffing mode, on the one hand, and in a trolley mode, on the other hand,

    characterized in that

    the hoist rope (40) is used for both the luffing mode and the trolley mode, wherein the hoist rope (40) in the luffing operation is guided via at least one deflection pulley (80) at the crane boom (30), in particular the boom tip, and is beaten up at the end side to a load hook (90) or is latched thereto.
13. Crane in accordance with claim 12 for carrying out the method in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 11.

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