us cu») United States v2) Patent Application Publication HABERL et al. oy oy my 03) an @ @) G0) Ju. 17,2010 VEHICLE CRANE Applicant: Palfinger AG Salrburg (AT) Inventors: Walter HABERL, Nussdorf (AT); E WIMMER, Fagelsberg (AT) Assignee: PALFINGER alzburg (AT) Appl. Now 13/713,372 Filed: Dee, 13,2012 Related U S. Application Data Continuation of application No. PCT/AI2011/ (000266, ile on Jun. 16, 2011 Foreign Application Priority Data an Gm 3792010 01300926484 | ao) Pub. No.: US 2013/0092648 Al (43) Pub. Date: Apr. 18, 2013 Publication Classification (1) nee Bo6C 1318 200601) BO6C 23/36 (2006.01) (2) US.CL oe B66C 13/18 (2013.01); BOC 23/36 (2013.01) usre 212276 6 ABSTRACT A vehicle crane—in particular an articulated-arm crane ‘includes lifting arm and ene of more articulated amas, and the geometry ofthe crane armscan be changed with respect to ‘one another. A oad cable can bo guided or is guided on the frane arms. compensation device allows the tension in the Toad eable to be controled or regulated upon a change in the gcometry of the crane arms with respect to one another. isUS 2013/0092648 AI Apr. 18, 2013 Sheet 1 of 4 Patent Application Publication €0LPatent Application Publication Apr. 18, 2013 Sheet 2 of 4 US 2013/0092648 AIPatent Application Publication Apr. 18, 2013 Sheet 3 of 4 US 2013/0092648 AI Fig?US 2013/0092648 AI Patent Application Publication Apr. 18, 2013 Sheet 4 of 4US 2013/0092648 AI VEHICLE CRANE 10001} ‘Theinvention relates toa vehicle erano—inparticu- Jar an articulated arm erane ith a lifting arm and cae oF ‘more articulated arms, which ean be varied with respect 10 ‘one another in relation to ther geometry, and a load cable, ‘which ean be guided or is guided onthe rane arms. [0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a metho for keeping a tension ofa load part ofa vehicle crane constant 10003] Vehicle cranes are already known from the prior at in lage numbers [0004] The object ofthe invention isto disclose a vehicle ‘rane that is improved compared o the prior ar. [0005] "This sachieved inthe vehiclecrane according tothe invention by the festures of claim 1 [0006] - By means ofthe cable deflections onthe crane ems, length changes af the cable are produced when unfolding and Jolding up the crane; an overstressing of the cable or the forming of a slack cable when unfolding or folding up the ‘rane arms can be prevented by the compensation device 10007] Furthermore, during the erane operation, the com- Pensation device can also guide a substantially losd-tree ‘able synchronously with respect 1 the crane arms pivoting ‘with respect to one another, Ths can be achieved in that the ‘compensation device brings about a substantially lasting and ‘constant tension othe load cable 10008] Further advantageous configurations of the inven- tion are defined inthe dependent claims. 10009] According w a prefered embodiment, it may be provided that the compensation device, upon a change in the eometry of the erane amas, regulates the tension of the load ‘cable toa substantially lasting and constant value. Therefore, ‘uniform tension of the load cable ean be achieved upon say ‘change inthe geometry ofthe erane arms, [0010] It has proven to be particularly advantageous ifthe ‘compensation device is hydraulic. AS many vehiele cranes ‘already have & hydraulic cable winch, the compensation ‘device can therefore be adopted into the existing hydraulic system. {W011} According w a prefered embodiment, it may be provided thatthe compensation deviee has at least one pres- Sure limiting valve [0012] _Itmay furthermore be provide thatthe compen tion device has atleast one directional valve—preferably & 22-ay valve, {0013} _Ithas proven to be panicularly advantageous ifthe ‘a Teast one directional valve is electeeally switchable, The ‘witching off and on of the directional valve can thus be ‘achieved ina simple manner, 0014) It may panicularly preferably be provided that the vehicle crane his a cable wineh, the compensation device being formed atleast partly on the cable winch. A compact ‘constrvetion can thus be achieved 10015] Tehas proven to be particulary advantageous here i the compensation device cooperates with the cable Wine [0016] According to a prefered embodiment, it may be provided thatthe cable svinch has a drive, the compensation device cooperating with the drive of the eable winch, “Together with the drive ofthe cable winch, already existing hydraulie configurations of the cable wineh can be used and influenced by the compensation device. [0017] According to a further preferred embodiment, it maybe provided thatthe compensation device has distance sensor the distance sensor being releasably fastenable on the ‘cable end ofthe load cable. Apr. 18, 2013, [0018] Ithasprovento be particularly advantageous here if the distance sensor bas at least one spring element pre ably agas spring. Spring elements area particularly economi al variant to make length changes compensatale. [0019] Provectionisalso sought here fora method forkeep- ing a tension ofa load cable of vehicle crane constant, ia particular an articulated arm erane, the Joad cable being aided on a lifting arm and one oF more articulated ams, ‘whieh ean be varied with respect to one another in relation 0 their geometry, wherein 10020] in one step, the load eable is tensioned by means ‘of a cable winch by a compensation device, 0021] ina further step-—upon a change in the geometry ‘of the erane arms with respect fo one another, which ‘cases a shortening of the gidance ofthe load cable on the rane aems-the load cable is wound onto the cable ‘winch by the compensation device, 0022] in a further step —upon a further change in the ‘geometry ofthe erane rms With respeet to one another, ‘which causes a lengthening ofthe guidance ofthe load cable on the crane ams—the load cable is unwound fem the cable winch by the compensation device 0023] Further details and advantages of the present inven- ‘ion are described in more detail below with the aid of the figure description with reference tothe embodiments shown inthe drawings, in whieh: 0024] FIG. 1 shows side view ofan articulated arm crane ‘witha compensation device, [0025] FIG. 2 shows a sehematiecireuit diagram, [0026] FIG. 3 shows a variant of a compensation deve in ‘Vehicle erane ina side view, [0027] FIG. 4 shows a vehicle witha vehicle erane with 2 ‘compensation device in aside view [0028] FIG. 1 shows the crane am system 110 of a vehicle crane 100 with ling arm 106 and arranged thereon in an anculated manne, airs articulated arm 101 and on this first faiculted arm 101 which is telescopic —s seennd antien- Jated arm 102 arranged in an articulated manner. [0029] The vehicle crane 199, in this case, has a cable ‘winch 104, Thiscablewinch 104 is used to if loadsby means ‘of the Toad eable 108 0030] Using the lateral eable guide, the cable 103, when Tolding up the erane arm system 110 of the vehicle erane 100, ‘can remain reeved. The load eable 103, during folding up is fastened wo the second articulated arm 102, normally to a sixing point 107. As the load eable 108 run from the iting ann 106 by way of the fist aniclated arm 101 and further trom the erane thrust arms of the frst aeticuated arm 101 10 the second articulated arm 102 hy way ofa plurality ofr ‘onal points, a shortening or lengthening of the cable 103 is produced when folding in the joints and when displacing the ‘rane thrust arms. [0031] In he prior ar, this length change, without comree- tion by the crane driver, onthe one hand produces lack able, ‘on the other hand, the cable tensile foreo increases until the ‘overload prevention device of the winch switches off the crane fupetions after reehing the maximum permissible ‘able tensile force Thi leads to unnecessarily high loadings ‘of the components and, furthermore the crane diver i pos: sibly overburdened by the many functions to be actuated. [0032] low cable tensile force is appli to the reeved Joaueable 103 suspended! on the cable xing point 107 owing tothe compensation device I during the folding up or unfold- ing of the erane 100, The cable 103 is tensa bythe eableUS 2013/0092648 AI Winch 104: if ess eable length is needed between the cable ‘winch 104 and cable fixing point 107, this cable 103 is wound ‘on ifmore cable lengths needed his loadable 103 isdrawn, from the eable winch 104, 10033] The crane arm system 110, shown in this embodi- ‘ment, ofthe articulated arm crane 100 can, on the one hand, Pivot theo articulated arms 101 and 102 with respect to one ‘another in such a way tht, in at least one of their (wo end, Positions, the two articulated arms 10¥ and 102 are located substantially parallel to one another. Likewise, the two erane ‘arms 106 aad 101 cau be pivoted with respect o one another Jn such a way that, inat least one of ther two end positions, the two rane arms 106 and 101 also lie substantially parallel tw one another. 10034) This articulated am crane 100 in this ease has @ ‘compensation device 1 for tensioning a load cable 103, the ‘compensation device 1 evoperating withthe cable wineh 104 ‘ofthe articulated arm erane 100-—to be prise with the drive 105 (not shown, see FIG, 2) ofthe cable wineh 104, Asean be cen fom this FIG, 1, the compensation device I i formed here on the cable winch 104 of the vehicle crane 100. 10035] FIG. 2 shows a schematic circuit diagram of the ‘cable winch 104, including the supply with a load cable 103 ‘arranged thereon. The cable winch 104 in thiscasehas.a drive 105, Thecompensation deviee 1 isatranged on this drive 108. ‘The drive 105 is controlled by means of the main contol valve 14 ofthe eran to lift an ower the lad eable 108 of the ‘cable winch 104. The fli container 13 in this case supplies the necessary Hid preferably oil forthe hydraulic drive 10s. 10036] A connection by way ofthe two connection lines 4 1nd 5 tothe supply connections ofthe eable wineh motor 12 is produced by means ofa 2/2-way valve 2 of the compensa- tion device 1 and pressure limitation valve 3of the compen- sation device I 0037] To activate the function, the 2/2-way valve 2—the 2/2-way valve 2is electrically switchable 6 here—is opened and the function “lif cable winch” is activated on the main ‘contol valve 14. The pressure thus being produced opens the brake 11 an the oil Bow allows the eable winch 104 to draw in the cable 103 and tension it, Once the cable 103 is ten- sioned the winch 104 stops and the oil low Hows back by way ofthe pressure limitation valve 3, The pressure adjusted the pressure limitation valve 3 produces the level of the ‘cable tensile force 10038] I reduction in the necessary free cable length is now adjusted during the crane movement, the cable 103 is ‘wound on further as described above. In this eas, the max ‘ium cable spoed is produced from the ol ow adjusted atthe main control valve M4 10039] 1 lengthening ofthe fe cable end is necessary, the wineh 104 is rotated by the cable tensile force in the reverse direction andthe cable 103 is unwound. The volume flow being produeed by the drive 105 rotating inthe lowering ‘rection also lows by way of the 2/2-way valve 2 and the pressure limitation valve 3, Because of the pressure con- tantly appli by the finction “lift eable winch” activated at the main control valve 14, the brake 11 remains constantly ‘open and allows the cable tensile force to be regulated, The Joad holding valve 10 is circumvented by the compensation device I here [0040] The tension ofthe Ioad cable 103 of a vehicle erane 100, aot shows, (sce PIG. 1) i ths kept constant the load ‘cable 103 being puided on the lifting arm 106 andthe aren Apr. 18, 2013, Jated ams 101 and 102 (see FIG.) load eable 108 being tensioned i one step by the compensation device 100 by ‘moans ofthe cable winch 104 and, in further step —upon a change in the geometry of the rane amas 106, 101 and 102 ‘withrespoctioone anaerwhicheausesa horeningofthe "uide lod ofits Toad cable 103 on the erane ams 106,101 102 the load cable 103 is wound onto the eable winch 104 by the compensation device 1 an. onthe oe and in 8 further step-upon further change in the geometry ofthe ane ars 106,101, 102 wih respect to one another which tases lengthening of the guidance ofthe lod cable 103 at {he ermearms 106, 101, 102th lod cable 103 is uavound {rom thecable winch 16d bythe compensation device I. Ass rest a constant tensioning ofthe load eable 103 brought about by the compensation device # forall operating sates oF the ern arms 106, 101, 102 ofthe veil eran 100 {004} "FIG. 3 shows a variant of s compensation device 1 onaparto/thecraneannsysten 110inasideview. Thecrane tum ystem 110 inthis case, haste we eran ams 101 and 102 and fata ezane am 106i not show hoe. {0042} Io thisembedimen, he compensation device 1 ets bby mans ofthe cable Ried point 107 ofthe eable 103. The ‘inch 104 aot shown is coatolled by means the distance ‘conor Sate cable fixed point 107. This distance sensor 30 consists ofa spring elemeat 32 preferably gas spring ‘hic is resrcted in the ctu late, This adjustnent s ‘monitored by means of ste oot shown) isnot possible {e actvate te compenston device 1 inthis position os this js the nomal cable winch operation. {0043} Before activation ofthe compensation device 1, the cable end 31 is fastened on the distance sensor 30 ad the Spring element 32 is peestessd o approximately hal its it by winding onthe cable 108 using the winch 104 (0044) I is now possible to activate the compensation deve 1, the release of which takes place by means ofthe ‘monitoring switel, not shows. The position of the spring clement 32,10 be prcise itis measured with an aalogve Sensor (ot showa) and passe as an electric signal to the onto! (aot showa) of the wich 108, The winch 104 is ‘ectivate by ths conte and de eable 103 is either woud oa ‘or unwound wat the distance sensor 30 reaches the cenee positon {0045} "Upon » change ia the geometry ofthe eran ans 101,102 and 106 with spect o ove another, the neessary ‘aapuaton ofthe cable lengths carried out by the contin that the eable 108 is wound oa oF unouad fom the wich 104 unl the spring clement 42 aguin reaches the centre position [0046] As esl, an overloading ofthe cable 103 oe the forming ofa slik cable x prevented {0047} FIG. 4 shows sie view ofa vehicle $0, on which ‘vehicle crane 100 js arranged. The crane arm system 110 of the vehicle crane 10 this case has the lifting am 106 and am articulated ams 101, The cable winch 104, which hes the Compensation device 1, is arranged om the ing am 106 ia this prefered enbodinent (0048) Even if the invention was specially described ‘ith head of the embodiment show, iis obvious atthe pplication subject isnot Finited to this eabodiment 1A device comprising a vehele crane with a iting rm an one or more ariulate ams, which canbe vari with respect o one another inreatonto theigenmctry and load Cable, which canbe guided or is guided the crane ams, ‘wherein compensation device is provided, by means ofUS 2013/0092648 AI Which the tension in the load eable can be controled oF regulated upon a change in the geometry of the rane arts with respect to one another 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the compen sation device regulates the tension of the load cable 1 & substantially lasting and constant value upon a change in the geometry ofthe crane arm 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the compen- sation device is hydraulic 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the compen sation deviee has at least one pressure limitation valve 8. The device according 1 claim 1, wherein the compen sation device has at least one directional valve, 6, The deviee avconding to claim 8, wherein theat least one irectional valve is a 2/2-way valve 7. The device according to claim 8, wherein theat Ieastone irectional valve is electrically switchable. 8, The device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle ‘rane has cable winch, the compensation device being Tormied atleast partly om the cable winch 9. The device according 1 claim 8, wherein the compen- sation device cooperates with the cable winch. 10. The device according to claim 8, wherein the cable winch has drive, the compensation device cooperating with the drive ofthe cable winch 11. The device according to claim I, wherein the compen: sation device has a distanee sensor, te distance sensor being “detachably fstenable on the eable endl ofthe load cable, Apr. 18, 2013, 12, The deviee according to claim 11, wherein the distan sensor has atleast one spring elerent, 18. The device aecording to claim 12, wherein the at least ‘one spring element is @ gas spring 14, The device according to eluim 1, wherein the vehicle crane is an aticulated arma crane 15. Method for keeping a tension of a load cable of @ vehicle erane constant, the load eable being guided on @ Jiting arm and on one or more articulated arms, which ean be varied with respect to one another in relation to their geom- cy, where inone sep, tbe load cables tensioned by means ofa cable ‘winch by a compensation device, in a futher step--upon a change in the geometry of the ‘crane arms with respeet to one another, which eases 2 shortening of the guidance ofthe lad eableon the crane arm the load eable is wound onto the eable winch by the compensation device, {na further step—upon a furtber change in the peometry of thecrane arms with respect to one another, which eases 4 lengthening of the guidanee ofthe load cable on the ‘rane aams—the load cable is unwound from the cable winch by the compensation device. 16, The method aeconting to claim 15, whercin the vehicle crane is an atiulated arm crane