WO2025189322A1

WO2025189322A1 - Trolley and crane system

Info

Publication number: WO2025189322A1
Application number: PCT/CN2024/081054
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tao Han
Original assignee: KONECRANES (SHANGHAI) Co Ltd; Konecranes Global Oy
Current assignee: KONECRANES (SHANGHAI) Co Ltd; Konecranes Global Oy
Priority date: 2024-03-12
Filing date: 2024-03-12
Publication date: 2025-09-18
Anticipated expiration: 2026-09-12

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a trolley (8) for an overhead crane system (2) comprising a lifting mechanism (18) for raising or lowering a lifting member (14) in use and a plurality of arms (34A, 34C), at least one arm configured to mount the lifting mechanism (18). A beam (30) extends between the arms (34A, 34C) to connect the arms (34A, 34C) and straddle a gantry (4) in use. At least one arms (34A, 34C) comprises a plurality of mounting faces (58A, 62A) to allow mounting of the lifting mechanism (18) to the arm, and where the mounting faces (58A, 62A) are provided on opposing sides (64A, 64B) of the arm such that the lifting mechanism may be mounted on opposing sides (64A, 64B) of the arm accordingly. [Figure 4]

Description

TROLLEY AND CRANE SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a trolley arrangement for a hoist of a crane system.

Background of the Invention

In a typical overhead crane configuration, a trolley is mounted to an overhead beam or gantry. The trolley comprises wheels to allow the trolley to move along the beam to provide horizontal movement thereof. A pulley system may be mounted to the trolley to support a hook or the like to lift the load in use.

“Low headroom” crane systems may be used where vertical working space is limited. In such arrangements, it is desirable that various components of the trolley are provided as high relative to the gantry as possible, thus providing increased clearance between the trolley and the ground in use. Examples of such arrangements are provided in WO 2015/110705, US 5461985 and US 2005/0092201. The prior art systems comprise numerous drawbacks.

The present invention aims to overcome or ameliorate one or more problems in the prior art solutions.

Statement of Invention

According to a first aspect, there is provided: a trolley for an overhead crane system comprising: a lifting mechanism for raising or lowering a lifting member in use; a plurality of arms, at least one arm configured to mount the lifting mechanism; a beam extending between the arms to connect the arms and straddle the gantry in use; and where the at least one arms comprises a plurality of mounting faces to allow mounting of the lifting mechanism to the arm, and where the mounting faces are provided on opposing side of the arm such that the lifting mechanism may be mounted on opposing sides of the arm accordingly.

The mounting faces on respective sides of the arm may be provided in corresponding positions (i.e. aligned with one another) . The mounting faces may be provided on inner and outer facing surfaces of the trolley. At least one of the mounting faces may comprise a flat surface. At least one of the mounting faces may comprise a recessed surface.

The arm may comprise a plurality of mounting faces on a given side thereof. The arm comprises a plurality of spaced mounting faces on each side thereof. The space mounting faces may be provided at opposing ends of the arm.

The arm may comprise a first channel to receive a cross-member and a second channel to receive the beam. A first of the spaced mounting faces may be provided adjacent the first channel, and the second of the spaced mounting face may be provided adjacent the second channel.

At least one of the mounting faces may comprise a fastener receiving features and/or a fastener. At least one of the mounting faces may comprise one or more aperture to receive a fastener in use.

At least one of the arms may comprise a wheel or roller to provide movement of the trolley along a gantry or bridge in use.

One portion of the lifting mechanism may be supported by a first of the arms. A second portion of the lifting mechanism may be supported by a second arm (i.e. the lifting mechanism spans between the arms) . A cross-member extending between two arms. The lifting mechanism may span a direction parallel or adjacent the cross-member. A drum or spindle of the lifting mechanism spans between two arms.

The lifting mechanism may be removably attached to the arm (s) . The lifting mechanism may comprise a bracket configured to be mounted to one or more arm. The bracket may comprise a face configured to engage the mounting faces on the arm. The bracket is shaped such that it can engage both sides of the arms. The bracket may support a gearbox of the lifting mechanism.

The trolley may comprise a plurality of cross-members. Respective beams may extend between the cross-members. The cross-members and beams may be connected via respective arms. The arms and the beam form a U-shape profile in a direction perpendicular to the arms. The beam may be spaced from the cross-member in a perpendicular direction. The arms may be angled with respect to said perpendicular direction.

One of the cross-members is configured to support a sheave. The other of the cross-members may be configured to provide an attachment point for the lifting member.

The beam and/or cross-member may comprise a curved tubular profile. The cross-members and the beam form a U-shape profile in a direction perpendicular to the cross-members. The cross-members and the beam (s) may extend perpendicular to one another. The cross-members may be parallel. The beams may be parallel.

According to further aspect, there is provided: an overhead crane system comprising the trolley according to the first aspect.

A first cross-member may be provided on a first side of a gantry of the crane system. A second cross-member may be provided on a second side of the gantry. The beams or beams may straddle the gantry. The wheels may engage the gantry. The lifting mechanism may be provided on the side of the gantry. The overhead crane system may comprise a low-profile, low-headroom or low-overhead system.

Any aspect of the invention may be combined with any other aspect of the invention where practicable.

Description

Embodiments of the present invention are described below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of the crane system;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the trolley of a crane system;

Figure 3 shows a front view of the trolley in a simplified form;

Figure 4 shows a side view of the trolley in the simplified form;

Figure 5 shows a close view of an arm of the trolley:

Figure 6 shows a first perspective view of an arm of the trolley;

Figure 7 shows a second perspective view of an arm of the trolley;

Figure 8 shows a top view comparative view of the trolley.

A schematic view of a crane system 2 is shown in figure 1. The crane system comprises an overhead beam or gantry 4. The gantry 4 may comprise a girder, beam, rail, jib or the like. The gantry 4 is typically suspended above the floor (e.g. suspended from a ceiling or supported by legs) . The system 2 comprises a hoist 6. The hoist 6 is movably mounted to the gantry 4 to provide movement therealong, thereby providing movement of a load connected to the hoist 6.

The hoist 6 comprise a trolley or carriage 8. Wheels or rollers 10 are mounted to the trolley 8 to engage the gantry 4 and provide said movement. A motor (not shown) may drive the wheels 10. A driving mechanism for the hoist 6 may comprise a gearbox, control system and/or other features associated with such crane systems. In other embodiments, the trolley 8 may be effected via external driving means (e.g. via a screw drive or endless loop) .

In some embodiments, the gantry/bridge is movable (e.g. to provide movement of the hoist 6 in a second dimension) . The gantry/bridge may be mounted to gantry, rail or support structure to allow horizontal movement thereof. The bridge may comprise one or more wheels configured to engage the ground or the support structure where provided. In the embodiment shown in figure 1, the gantry comprises wheels 7 configured to run on rails 5 (as shown in depth direction) . Rails 5 may be located below ends of the gantry 4 (in figure 1, the gantry is extending to right, and only left end is shown) . A motor may be provided to effect movement of the gantry/bridge portion. The motor may comprise a gearbox. The gearbox may be connected to wheel or the like to drive the gantry/bridge.

A remote controller (not shown) may be provided to provide operation of the crane 2. The remote controller may allow adjustment of the position of the trolley along the gantry 4 and/or the vertical position of the load. The remote controller may be wired or wireless. The remote controller may comprise a pendant or radio controller. It can be appreciated that the exact form of the crane system 2 or ancillary aspects thereof are not pertinent to the invention at hand.

A lifting member 14 is connected to the hoist 6. The lifting member 14 may comprise a rope, chain, wire, or other suitable member to provide lifting of the load in use. The lifting member 14 comprises a connector 16 for connecting to the load in use. The connector 16 may comprise a hook, carabiner, or other suitable connector. The connector 16 is connected to the hoist 6 via a pulley arrangement formed using the lifting member 14. In some embodiments, the lifting member 14 comprise a polymeric or synthetic material. The polymer may comprise ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene. In other embodiments, the rope may be steel.

A first portion of the lifting member 14 is mounted to lifting mechanism 18. For example, the lifting mechanism 18 may comprise a winch arrangement. The lifting mechanism 18 may extend/retract (i.e. pay-out or pay-in) the lifting member 14 to vary the height the connector 16. A drum (e.g. a rope drum) or spindle may be provided to store the lifting member 14.

As best seen in figure 2, a second portion of the lifting member 14 is held via a sheave arrangement 20 (i.e. a pulley wheel or roller) . The sheave arrangement 20 is connected to a cross-member 22. The cross-member 22 extends across the width of the trolley 8. The cross-member 22 may form part of a frame or structure of the trolley 8. The lifting member 14 passes over the sheave arrangement 20 to form a loop. The lifting member 14 therefore extends back around the connector 16 and is fixed to the trolley 8 at an end thereof. The lifting member 14 is fixed via connector 24.

The connector 24 is provided on a second cross-member 26. The cross-members 22, 26 are tubular in form. The cross-members 22, 26 are provided in a parallel arrangement. The cross-members 22, 26 are mounted to a frame 28. The frame 28 comprises beams 30, 32. The beams 30, 32 are tubular in form. The beams 30, 32 are parallel. In use, the beams 30, 32 are configured to straddle the gantry 4. The beams 30, 32 and/or cross-members 22, 26 comprise a circular or curved tubular form. The beams 30, 32 and/or cross-members 22, 26 may form a tubular framework.

The frame 28 comprises arms 34A-D. The arms 34A-D are configured to unite the cross-members 22, 26 and the beams 30, 32. The frame 28 comprise a U-shaped profile (see figure 3) . The arms 34A-D receive the respective cross-members 22, 26 at a first end 38 thereof. Fasteners 40 are provided to the secure the cross-members 22, 26 to the arms 34A-D. In the present embodiment, the arms 34A-D are mounted to the ends of the cross-members 22, 26. In other embodiments, the arms 34A-D may be displaced away from the ends of the cross-members 22, 26. The tubular form of the cross-members 22, 26 may therefore allow adjustment of the spacing of the beams 30, 32 (i.e. the length of the trolley 8) . This further allows the hoist 6 to be fitted to gantries of differing sizes. The wheels 10 may run along flanges or like on the gantry.

The arms 34A-D support respective wheels 10. Two of the arms 34A, B are configured to support the lifting mechanism 18. The lifting mechanism 18 may be mounted to the arms 34A, B via brackets 42A, B. The brackets 42A, B may be provided at respective ends of the drum/spindle or housing 44 thereof. One of the brackets 42A supports a motor 46 (of the lifting mechanism 18) . The motor effects movement lifting mechanism in the vertical direction (i.e. to rotate the drum) . The motor is operatively connected to the spindle via a gearbox 48. The lifting mechanism 18 may comprise a brake or the like to slow and/or stop movement thereof.

A second end 50 of the arms 34A-D is configured to receive the beams 30, 32. The arms 34A-D comprise respective apertures to receive the beams 30, 32. In the present embodiment, the arms 34A-D are provided part way along the length of the beams 30, 32. It can be appreciated, the positions of the arms 34A-D along the beams 30, 32 may be adjusted to adjust the width of the trolley 8. Suitable fasteners may be provided to secure the arms 34A-D in position.

Referring now to figure 4, the second end 50 of the arms 34A-D are angled outwardly. The spacing of the first end 38 of the arms 34A-D is therefore less than the spacing of the second end 50 of the arms 34A-D. The arms 34A-D are therefore diverging (e.g. in the direction parallel to gantry or length of the trolley 8) . Such an arrangement allows the wheels 10 to be close to each other, which provides adequate separation for the beams 30, 32 (e.g. to accommodate the lifting member 14 etc. ) . The angled arrangement also effectively raises the beams 30, 32, thus helping to lower the profile of the trolley 8 to make the trolley 8 more compact. The angled arrangement increases the spacing between beams 30, 32, thereby allowing more space for the lifting member 14. As a further benefit, the hoist 6 can be moved sideways closer to walls or side of a building etc., so that the hoist can provide effective lifting capacity on a larger floor area. The angled arrangement further reduces separation of the wheels 10.

Referring to figure 5, the arms 34A-D are angled by θ relative a datum 52. The datum may be defined a direction perpendicular to the cross-members 22, 26. The angle θ will also typically be the angle relative to vertical direction in use. The angle θ may be between 1 and 30 degrees; preferably, between 2 and 10 degrees; preferably 5 degrees.

In the present embodiment, each of the arms 34A-D are angled. The beams 30, 32 extend outwardly on both sides. Arms 34B, D are angled in a first direction and arms 34A, C are angled in an opposing direction. This provides a symmetric like arrangement. One pair of arm 34A, C are parallel to one another but non-parallel to the other pair of arms 34B, D. The other pair of arms 34B, D are parallel to one another. In other embodiments, a one pair 34A, C/34B, D may be angled whilst the other pair 34B, D/34A, C are non-angled (i.e. perpendicular to the cross-members 22, 26) .

Arm 34A is shown in closer detail in figures 6 and 7. The leg 34A comprises a channel 54 to receive the cross-member 26. The channel 54 may comprise a sleeve (e.g. ring or annular shape) . A second channel 56 is configured to receive beam 30. The second channel 56 may comprise a plurality of spaced rings.

As shown in figure 6, the arm 34A comprises a first mounting face 58A. The bracket 42A of the lifting mechanism 18 is configured to abut the first mounting face 58A. The first mounting face 58A comprises a generally flat surface. The first mounting face 58A is recesses. This may help guide the bracket 42A into the correct location. Apertures 60 are provided to allow fasteners to connect thereto in use. The bracket 42A may be releasably connected to the arm 34A. A second mounting face 58B is provided in a similar fashion. The first mounting face 58A is provided adjacent the first channel 54 and the second mounting face 58B is provided adjacent the second channel 56. The first mounting face 58A is provided toward the first end 38 of the arms and the second mounting face 58B is provided toward the second end 50. The mounting faces 58A, 58B are therefore spaced by the majority of length of the arm 34A. This ensures that the bracket 42A is attached to the arm 34A about two spaces points to ensure a firm connection and help prevent rotation thereof.

Referring to figure 7, the arm 34A comprises third mounting face 62A. The third mounting face 62A is provided at a corresponding position to the first mounting face 58A. A fourth mounting face 62B is provided at a corresponding position to the second mounting face 58B accordingly. The first mounting face 58A comprises a similar shape to the third mounting face 62A. The third mounting face 58B comprises a similar shape to the fourth mounting face 62B. Therefore, the bracket may be mounted to opposing sides 64A, 64B of the arms as required.

As shown in figure 8, the present arrangement allows installation of different size lifting mechanism 18, in particular, a different sized drum or drum housing 44. In the top diagram of figure 8, the bracket 42A is attached to the inner side 64B of the arm 34A (i.e. such that the bracket 42A is mounted to an inner face of the trolley 8) . In the bottom diagram of figure 8, the bracket 42A is attached to the outer side 64A of the arm 34A (i.e. such that the bracket 42A is mounted to an outer face of the trolley 8) . The present system is therefore more flexible, as different sizes lifting mechanisms may be installed on the system without modification thereto. A single trolley system may therefore be used for a plurality of different systems, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost. The present system provides a dual mounting point arrangement for lifting mechanism.

In the present embodiment, a single arm 34A comprises mounting formations on both sides 64A, 64B thereof. The arm 34A may be provided adjacent the gearbox 48. In other embodiments, the second arm 34B is configured to support the second bracket 42B in similar fashion. The second arm 34B may comprise mounting formations on both sides thereof accordingly. This may allow at least three size configurations.

An electrical housing 66 is mounted to the trolley. The housing 66 may house one or more electrical system, control system and/or power supply. In some embodiments, the electrical housing 66 may be mounted in a similar fashion to the lifting mechanism 18. Arms 34C and 34D may therefore comprise mounting formations on both sides thereof.

The present arrangement may be provided in a “low-profile” or “low headroom” crane system. Such a system may be installed where vertical space is limited. Providing the sheath arrangement 20 and the attachment arrangement 44 on the cross-members 22, 46 allows the sheath 26 and the attachment arrangement 44 to raise level or above the gantry 4 in use. This increases the vertical clearance for the hoist system 6. The beams 30, 32 are connecting sides of a low headroom hoist in a such way that a connecting structure is below a supporting beam or girder. Wheels 10 may then be fitted to run along flanges of the supporting beam or girder. The beams 30, 32 are provided below the cross-members 22, 26 to allow the cross-members 22, 26 to be raised relative to prior art systems. This is further enhanced by the angled arm arrangement. The lifting mechanism 18 and/or other components are provided on the sides of the trolley 8, also increasing vertical clearance. The lifting mechanism 18 is mounted to the arms 34A-D to facilities side attachment.

Claims

A trolley (8) for an overhead crane system (2) comprising:

a lifting mechanism (18) for raising or lowering a lifting member (14) in use;

a plurality of arms (34A, 34C) , at least one arm configured to mount the lifting mechanism (18) ;

a beam (30) extending between the arms (34A, 34C) to connect the arms (34A, 34C) and straddle a gantry (4) in use; and

where the at least one arms (34A, 34C) comprises a plurality of mounting faces (58A, 62A) to allow mounting of the lifting mechanism (18) to the arm, and where the mounting faces (58A, 62A) are provided on opposing sides (64A, 64B) of the arm such that the lifting mechanism may be mounted on opposing sides (64A, 64B) of the arm accordingly.
A trolley according to claim 1, where the mounting faces (58A, 62A) on respective sides (64A, 64B) of the arm are provided in corresponding positions.
A trolley according to claim 2, where the mounting faces (58A, 62A) are provided on inner and outer facing surfaces (58A, 58B) of the trolley.
A trolley according to any preceding claim, where the arm comprises a plurality of spaced mounting faces (58A, 58B, 62A, 62B) on each side (64A, 64B) thereof.
A trolley according to any preceding claim, where the arm comprises a first channel (54) to receive a cross-member (22, 26) and a second channel to receive the beam (30) .
A trolley according to claim 5, where a first of the spaced mounting faces (58A, 62A) is provided adjacent the first channel, and the second of the spaced mounting faces (58BA, 62B) is provided adjacent the second channel.
A trolley according to any preceding claim, where at least one of the mounting faces (58A, 62A) comprises one or more aperture (60) to receive a fastener in use.
A trolley according to any preceding claim, where at least one of the arms comprises a wheel or roller (10) to provide movement of the trolley (8) along a gantry or bridge (4) in use.
A trolley according to any preceding claim, comprising a cross-member (26) extending between two arms (34A, 34B) , where one portion of the lifting mechanism (18) is supported by first of the arms (34A) and a second portion of the lifting mechanism is supported by the second arm (34B) .
A trolley according to any preceding claim, where the lifting mechanism (18) is removably attached to the arm (s) .
A trolley according to claim 10, where a drum or spindle (44) of the lifting mechanism (18) spans between two arms (34A, 34B) .
A trolley according to any preceding claim, comprising a plurality of cross-members (22, 26) , respective beams (30, 32) extending between the cross-members (22, 26) and connected via respective arms (34A-D) .
A trolley according to claim 12, where one of the cross-members (22) is configured to support a sheave (20) and the other of the cross-members (26) is configured to provide an attachment point (24) for the lifting member (14) .
A trolley according to any preceding claim, where the arms (34A, 34C) and the beam (30) form a U-shape profile in a direction perpendicular to the arms (34A, 34C) .
An overhead crane system (2) comprising the trolley (6) of any preceding claim.