SELF-CLIMBING SYSTEM WITH DRIVE VIA A CIRCULATING DRIVE MEANS AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A SELF-CLIMBING SYSTEM

Abstract

The invention relates to a self-climbing system (10), in particular a self-climbing formwork system, comprising at least one climbing rail (12, 14) which is guided on at least two climbing shoes (16, 16, 16), in particular an upper and a lower climbing shoe, wherein the climbing shoes (16, 16, 16) can be fastened on and/or on top of a cured concreting section (18, 18, 18), and an actuator (20). The invention is characterized in that a circulating drive means is arranged along the climbing rail (12, 14), at least over a length portion (L) of the climbing rail (12, 14), can be moved relative to the climbing rail (12, 14) by means of the actuator (20) and can be selectively blocked or unlocked in the region of a climbing shoe (16, 16, 16) and/or in the climbing shoe (16, 16, 16) by means of at least one fixing device. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method for operating a self-climbing system (10) according to the invention. The invention opens up an improved climbing principle for self-climbing systems (10) whereby, for example, continuous climbing becomes possible.

Claims

1. Self-climbing system (10), in particular a self-climbing formwork system, comprising at least one climbing rail (12, 14) attached to at least two climbing shoes (16, 16, 16), in particular an upper and a lower climbing shoe, with the climbing shoes (16, 16, 16) being attachable to and/or on a hardened concreting section (18, 18, 18), and an actuator (20), characterized in that, a circumferential drive means is disposed along the climbing rail (12, 14), at least over a length section (L) of the climbing rail (12, 14), which drive means is movable with respect to the climbing rail (12, 14) by means of the actuator (20) and can be optionally blocked or unblocked with respect to the climbing rail (12, 14) in the domain of a climbing shoe (16, 16, 16) and/or in the climbing shoe (16, 16, 16) by means of at least one fixing device (38) for the drive means.

2. Self-climbing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the circumferential drive means is a chain (24), preferably a continuous chain, belt or ribbon.

3. Self-climbing system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuator (20) is an electric, hydraulic and/or pneumatic and/or self-locking drive or features such a drive.

4. Self-climbing system according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the climbing chain (12, 14) has at least two means of redirection for redirecting the drive means.

5. Self-climbing system according to one of the claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the chain (24) is a link chain or a roller chain or that the belt is a toothed belt.

6. Self-climbing system according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that a guide for the drive means is disposed at the climbing shoes (16, 16, 16).

7. Self-climbing system according to claim 6, characterized that the guide is configured as a guide slot (30) for carrying the drive means through the slot and that the guide slot (30) and/or the climbing shoe (16, 16, 16) can be opened for purposes of withdrawing the drive means, with the guide slot (30) preferably being located between at least two claws (28) that can be strutted apart.

8. Self-climbing system according to claim 7, characterized in that opening of the guide slot (30) by means of a slot barrier (32) is blocked and/or at least can be blocked if the climbing shoe (16, 16, 16) associated with the guide slot (30) is located in a pre-defined climbing range with respect to the drive means and/or the climbing rail (12, 14).

9. Self-climbing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one climbing shoe (16, 16, 16) is a floor and/or a wall climbing shoe.

10. Self-climbing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing device (38) is at least one fixing pin (34), a claw or a latch and/or that the fixing device (38) comprises at least one fixing pin (34), a claw or a latch, with the fixing device (38) being configured to stationarily block or release the drive means in the region of a climbing shoe (16, 16, 16).

11. Self-climbing system according to claim 10, characterized in that the fixing device (38) can be operated manually, automatically, by remote control, or independently and/or in a controlled manner at the climbing shoe (16, 16, 16) respectively associated therewith.

12. Self-climbing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing device (38) has a snap-in locking device (40) by means of which the drive means can be locked at least along the climbing direction (K) so as to stationarily fix the drive means to the snap-in locking device (40).

13. Self-climbing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the self-climbing system (10) has at least one status sensor (42) for recording and/or monitoring the lifting power of the drive means, the tension of the drive means, the position and/or the circumferential speed of the drive means, the position of the climbing rail (12, 14), in particular with respect to at least one of the climbing shoes (16, 16, 16) and/or with respect to the drive means, the torque and/or the rotation speed of a drive wheel of the actuator (20) in running the drive means.

14. Self-climbing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the self-climbing system (10) comprises an additional climbing rail (12, 14) with a drive means moving around the additional climbing rail (12, 14), where the self-climbing system is designed to move the drive means and the additional drive means in a coordinated manner, i.e. synchronously.

15. Self-climbing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the self-climbing system (10) has a work platform (21), a finishing platform, a protective housing (23), a formwork system and/or a protective grille.

16. Method for operating a self-climbing system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, the drive means is moved with respect to the climbing rail (12, 14) in a climbing process, while the drive means is, at least in sections, blocked in the region of a climbing shoe (16, 16, 16) and/or is blocked in the climbing shoe (16, 16, 16).

Description

[0045] The schematic drawings show example embodiments of the invention, which are described in greater detail in the subsequent description.

[0046] The drawings show:

[0047] FIG. 1 a perspective view of a self-climbing system;

[0048] FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 a side view as well as a front view of the self-climbing system of FIG. 1;

[0049] FIG. 4 a magnified detailed depiction of a cutout of the self-climbing system of FIG. 1 as seen from the top;

[0050] FIG. 5 a magnified side view of a cutout of the self-climbing system of FIG. 1 with a climbing shoe;

[0051] FIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 side views of the self-climbing system of the FIG. 1 at different stages of a climbing process; and

[0052] FIGS. 9a to 14b a climbing shoe of a self-climbing system according to the invention, showing different stages of the insertion, blockage and unlocking of a climbing rail and a drive means.

[0053] The same reference symbols are used for the same or corresponding elements for purposes of facilitating an understanding of the invention. The reference symbols of FIG. 1 to FIG. 5 are also referred to in the description of the elements of the climbing system used for the method of this invention.

[0054] FIG. 1 shows a self-climbing system 10. The self-climbing system 10 respectively comprises a first climbing rail 12 and a second climbing rail 14. The climbing rails 12, 14 are disposed in parallel to each other.

[0055] The self-climbing system 10 furthermore comprises several climbing shoes 16, 16, 16 in the form of slab shoes, with FIG. 1 showing a total of six climbing shoes 16. Two of the climbing shoes 16, 16, 16 at a time, are fastened to respective cured concreting sections 18, 18, 18 shown in FIG. 1, in particular pairwise to a slab. Each of the climbing shoes 16, 16, 16 can, in general, be fastened to a concreting section 18, 18, 18. Each concreting section 18, 18, 18 respectively represents a section of ajust constructedfloor of a building under construction. It is not possible to show the climbing shoes on the outside surface of a wall attached as wall climbing shoes.

[0056] At the stage of the climbing process shown in FIG. 1, each of the two climbing rails 12, 14 guide two of the climbing shoes 16, 16, in particular past an upper climbing shoe 16 and a lower climbing shoe 16 in an upward-leading climbing direction K as shown here. At the stage shown in FIG. 1, the upper climbing shoes 16 then correspond to the climbing shoes 16 fastened to the middle one of the three concreting sections 18.

[0057] Each of the climbing rails 12, 14 furthermore carries an actuator 20. The actuators 20 are configured as hydraulic drives. But the hydraulic drives can as well be replaced by electrical and/or pneumatic drives.

[0058] Several protective covers 22, e.g. to protect against dirt, to protect against falling parts, as well as to act as fall protection devices for workers, are disposed on the climbing rails 12, 14.

[0059] It is evident that the uppermost protective covers 22 are indirectly disposed on the first climbing rails 12 via a work platform 21. The protective covers 22 collectively form a protective housing 23.

[0060] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the climbing system 10. The climbing rail 12 of FIG. 1 is hidden in the side view of FIG. 2. The climbing rail 14 extends to below the uppermost concreting section 18 in the climbing stage depicted in FIG. 2 and FIG. 1. Climbing shoes 16 are already fastened to this uppermost concreting section 18 in this climbing stage.

[0061] FIG. 3 shows a front view of the climbing system 10 as seen in the direction of the arrow III of FIG. 2. Looking at both FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 it is evident that the actuators 20 of the climbing rails 12, 14 are connected by one drive means, in this case a chain 24. In this example embodiment the chains 24 are configured as roller chains.

[0062] The chains 24 are disposed in an endlessly revolving manner over a length section L of the climbing rails 12, 14. In doing so, they are redirected at their rotational points by means of redirection, in this case gear wheels 26, 26.

[0063] At least one of the gear wheels 26, 26 of each climbing rail 12, 14, for example the one at the upper rotational point (the gear wheels 26), is configured so that it is displaceable against spring tension in the longitudinal direction of longitudinal sections L and thus constitutes a chain tensioner for setting the tension of the chain 24.

[0064] The gear wheels 26, 26 can be moved, in particular propelled, with respect to the respective climbing rails 12, 14 by means of the actuators 20. It is then possible to select the direction of rotation of the chains 24 around the length sections L depending upon the control of the actuators 20. The actuators 20 are driven in coordinated manner, in particular synchronously, and thus in coordination with one another. The chains 24 are thus movable in a coordinated manner, in particular synchronously.

[0065] FIG. 4 shows a magnified detailed representation of the self-climbing system 10 as seen from above. The concreting sections 18, 18 of FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and the climbing shoes 16 16 fastened to them are not shown in FIG. 4, so that the view goes directly to the concreting section 18 (here a floor) seen from above. Two climbing shoes 16 disposed on the concreting section 18 are particularly visible. For this purpose, FIG. 5 shows a magnified side view of a cutout of the self-climbing system 10, in particular with one of the two climbing shoes 16 of FIG. 4.

[0066] It is evident that the climbing shoes 16 respectively have two approximately semicircular claws 28, which can be strutted apart, together respectively forming a guide slot 30 that can be opened. The guide slots 30 particularly serve as the intakes of respectively one of the chains 24. The guide slots 30 can be opened by strutting the claws 28 apart. When the guide slot 30 is opened, it is in particular possible to insert the respective chain 24 and a part of the climbing rail 12, 14 located on the side of the climbing shoe or to remove it therefrom. As long as no chain 24 and no climbing rail 12, 14 is inserted and/or is taken up in the climbing shoes, the claws 28 are strutted apart and the guide slots 30 are open to receive the chains 24.

[0067] Each of the climbing shoes 16 furthermore has an independent slot barrier 32, in particular at the claws 28. The slot barriers 32 are configured so that opening the respective guide slot 30 is barred if the climbing shoe 16 associated with the respective guide slot 30 is located in a predefined climbing range with respect to the chain 24 and/or with respect to the respective climbing rail 12, 14.

[0068] A schematically shown, freely movable fixing pin 34 along with a pin receiver 36 on each climbing shoe 16 constitutes a fixing device 38 for the drive means, i.e. in this instance for the chain 24. It is by means of the fixing device 38 that the respective chain 24 is alternatively blocked or unblocked in the respective climbing shoe 16. To accomplish this, it merely suffices to push the fixing pin 34 into and through the pin receiver 36 (only shown in FIG. 5 for reasons of presentation) until the fixing pin 34 blocks the chain 24 immovably between two of its members. The chain 24 can be unlocked by removing the fixing pin 34.

[0069] In this example embodiment, the fixing pin 34 is freely movable and is thus manually operable at the climbing shoe 16 associated therewith.

[0070] In an alternative embodiment, which is also at least schematically shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the fixing device 38 has a snap-in locking device 40, particularly in the middle range between the claws 28. The snap-in locking device 40 is configured as a hinge that can only be hinged upward, i.e. in the direction of the chain, the hinge being aligned horizontally at rest, and with a return spring for returning the hinge to its resting position. A chain 24 disposed between the claws 28 is thus independently blocked, at least upon any movement of the chain against the climbing directionand thus upon movement of the climbing rail 12 and/or 14 along the climbing directionand is fixedly immobilized and/or clicked in place by the snap-in locking device 40.

[0071] Status sensors 42 (FIG. 5) are furthermore integrated in the actuators 20. The status sensors 42 are designed to record and/or monitor the position of the respective chain 24, in particular with respect to the chain, and thus to record and monitor the climbing speed.

[0072] The recorded climbing speed can, for example, be evaluated by a control unit and can be used for controlling of the actuators 20.

[0073] FIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show side views of the self-climbing system 10 at different stages of a climbing process. The method according to the invention for operating a self-climbing system according to the invention is described hereafter in greater detail based on these figures, with reference to the self-climbing system 10.

[0074] The self-climbing system 10, by means of which climbing in the vertical direction K is to be accomplished via several concreting sections 18 that are vertically spaced apart is shown again. Topmost new concreting sections 18, i.e. building floors, are produced at the same time with support by the self-climbing system 10.

[0075] The climbing rails 12 are concealed in the side views; the climbing rails 14 of the self-climbing system 10 are respectively led past several climbing shoes 16. The climbing shoes 16 are again fastened to the respective concreting sections 18.

[0076] Climbing shoes 16 in which or within whose domain the respective chain 24 revolving about the respective chain rail 12, 14 is blocked by means of a fixing pin 34 (FIG. 5), i.e. wherein fixing devices 38 (FIG. 5) are activated, are marked by + signs in FIG. 6 to FIG. 8. Climbing shoes 16 in which or within the domain of which the respective chain 24 revolving about the respective chain rails 12, 14 are not blocked by means of a fixing pin 34 (FIG. 5), i.e. wherein the fixing pins 38 (FIG. 5) are deactivated, are marked with a sign in FIG. 6 to FIG. 8. Climbing shoes 16 for which the state of the fixing devices 38 is irrelevant to the climbing process in the respective climbing stage are not marked.

[0077] The climbing rails 12, 14 are, in particular, guided into the climbing shoes 16 respectively marked with a + or a sign; these climbing shoes 16, in particular, stop them from tilting away, but they can nevertheless be displaced in the climbing direction.

[0078] The respective chains 24 in and/or in the domain of the climbing shoes 16 marked with + signs are additionally blocked. The climbing rails 12, 14 are indirectly (movably) braced by way of these climbing shoes 16 onto the respective concreting sections 18 over the chains 24. These climbing shoes 16 thus take up the respective loads of the climbing rails 12, 14 via the respective chains 24.

[0079] FIG. 6 firstly shows three concreting sections 18. At this stage of the climbing process, another concreting section 18 is constructed above the previously highest concreting section 18, for example using the work platform 21. This new concreting section 18 is thus visible in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8.

[0080] As a starting point of the climbing process, FIG. 6 shows a climbing stage wherein the chains 24 are blocked in the lowest climbing shoes 16, into which the climbing rails 12, 14 are led, i.e. those whose fixing devices 38 are activated. Fixing devices 38 along the climbing rails 12, 14, but above these climbing shoes 16, are deactivated. The chains 24 in FIG. 6 are thus blocked in the regions of the second lowest concreting sections 18 and disengaged in the region of the third lowest concreting sections 18.

[0081] The actuators 20 are first deactivated, i.e. the respective chains 24 are fixed relative to the respective climbing rail 12, 14.

[0082] In a first process step i), the fixing devices 38 of the uppermost climbing shoes 16 along the climbing rails 12, 14, i.e. those of the third-lowest concreting sections 18, are activated. Fixing devices 38 lying along the climbing rails 12, 14 below them are deactivated.

[0083] Climbing shoes 16 no longer needed for the further climbing process along the climbing direction K are unassembled from the respective concreting sections 18. These climbing shoes 16 are thereafter again installed at the uppermostcuredconcreting sections 18.

[0084] The climbing stage in accordance with FIG. 7 is reached.

[0085] The actuators 20 are now activated in a subsequent, second process step ii). Because of this, the chains 24 revolve about their respective climbing rails 12, 14 and/or the respective length sections L (FIG. 2, FIG. 3) at least relative to the respective climbing rail 12, 14. For purposes of going in the desired climbing direction K, i.e. for purposes of climbing upward, the chains 24 are, in the representation in accordance with FIG. 7, moved by the actuators 20 in a counter-clockwise direction relative to the respective climbing rail 12, 14 (marked by directional arrows in FIG. 7). In other words, the chains 24 are moved with respect to the respective climbing rails 24, while the chains 24 are blocked, at least on their left-side sections in accordance with FIG. 7, within the region of the respective climbing shoes 16 and/or in the climbing shoes 16 with activated fixing devices 38 (FIG. 5).

[0086] The climbing rails 12, 14 thus pull the left side sections of the chains 24 along the climbing direction K, i.e. upward, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0087] As soon as the actuators 20 reach the lower, deactivated fixing devices 38 and/or the lower climbing shoes 16 associated with them, the guidance slots 30 disposed on these climbing shoes 16 open up (FIG. 4, FIG. 5). The respective chains 24 and thereafter the climbing rails 12, 14 can thus leave these lower climbing shoes 16. Guidance of the climbing rails 12, 14 is typically initially maintained after the guidance slots 30 have been opened.

[0088] The climbing rails 12, 14 reach the uppermost, last installed climbing shoes 16. They are now taken up in these uppermost climbing shoes 16 for further guidance. As soon as the respective chains 24 also reach these highest climbing shoes 16, they also are taken up via the respective guidance slots 30. These guidance slots 30 are closed. The associated, currently uppermost fixing devices 38 are, if need be, deactivated or remain deactivated until the climbing rails 12, 14 have been climbed sufficiently for the actuators 20 to reach the climbing shoes 16 or at least a pre-defined region in the proximity of these climbing shoes 16, with activated fixing devices 38.

[0089] The climbing stage shown in FIG. 8 is thus reached.

[0090] It can be seen that, in comparison with the initial stage in accordance with FIG. 6, the climbing rails 12, 14 are altogether climbed in the climbing direction, i.e. upward, past a concreting section 18, by way of the process steps i) and ii).

[0091] The climbing process can thereafter be continued, as required and/or as desired, by way of a cyclic repetition of the process steps i) and ii).

[0092] The FIGS. 9a to 14b show a climbing system 10 according to the invention in different stages of the installation, locking and unlocking a climbing rail 12 and a drive means in the form of a chain 24 in and/or at a climbing shoe of the self-climbing system 10. Each of the partial figures shows a perspective view as seen from diagonally above. The partial figures b are respectively views from above with the line of sight parallel to the climbing rail 12.

[0093] In FIGS. 9a and 9b, the climbing rail 12 is disposed with the chain 24 spaced from the climbing shoe 16. The climbing rail 12 here comprises two U-channels 43 rigidly tied to each other at a distance.

[0094] The climbing shoe 16 comprises a pair of claws 28, which are open in this instance. The claws 28 can be swiveled about an axis of rotation, which, in this case, extends parallel to the climbing rail 12.

[0095] The climbing shoe 16 furthermore comprises a fixing device 38 for the drive means. This fixing device 38 has two retaining clamps 44. The retaining clamps 44 are held on the climbing shoe 16 in a movable way, in this case so that the retaining clamps 44 can respectively be pivoted about a pivot axis running along the climbing rail 12. The retaining clamps 44 can, in this case, be moved toward and/or away from each other by rotating about a pivot axis. The retaining clamps 44 can be pretensioned against each other, perhaps spring tensioned, in a way not shown in the drawings.

[0096] The drive means of the self-climbing system is here a chain 24 in the form of a link chain (round steel chain). The respective chain 24 is respectively guided through means of redirection at its turning point. The lower means of redirection shown here is a pocket wheel 46. The upper means of redirection, which is not shown, is typically also a pocket wheel.

[0097] In the state in accordance with FIG. 10a, 10b, the climbing rail 12 along with the chain 24 is moved forward even more toward the climbing shoe 16. The chain 24 now rests on the sloping surfaces 48 of the retaining clamps 44 of the climbing shoe 16.

[0098] In the configuration of FIG. 11a, 11b the climbing rail 12 with the chain 24 is advanced even further forward in the direction of the climbing shoe 16. The chain 24 spreads the retaining clamps 44 apart at their first sloping surfaces 48.

[0099] FIG. 12a, 12b shows the situation after the climbing rail 12 with the chain 24 has been pushed forward far enough to close the claws 28 of the climbing shoe 16, i.e. pushed closer to the climbing shoe 16. A section of the chain 24 on the climbing shoe side is now centered between the retaining clamps 44. The retaining clamps 44 are still open in the situation being depicted and do not engage the chain 24. In this configuration the chain 24 is not blocked at the climbing shoe 16.

[0100] FIG. 13a, 13b shows the self-climbing system 10 after the claws 28 are closed and the chain 24 has been blocked at the climbing shoe 16. The claws 28 were pivoted about their respective axes of rotation as compared to their status in accordance with FIG. 12a, 12b. Each of the claws 28 now clasp a flange 50 of a U-channel 43 of the climbing rail 12. The climbing rail 12 thus cannot be removed from the climbing shoe 16; it is, in other words, fixed at the climbing shoe 16. A slot barrier 32 not represented in detail prevents any opening of the claws 28.

[0101] The retaining clamps 44 engage between two chain links 52a, 52b of the chain 24 extending approximately parallel to the flanges 50 of the U-channels 43 of the climbing rail 12. The retaining clamps 44 then lie against a chain link 52c oriented crosswise with respect to the flanges, between the two chain links 52a, 52b. To make it possible for the retaining clamps 44 to engage the chain 24, the chain 24 was moved downward with respect to the configuration in accordance with FIG. 12a, 12b, in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 13a. This way, the retaining clamps 44, assisted by the preload between them, are taken up between the chain links 52a, 52c. Any further movement of the chain 24 relative to the climbing shoe 16, in the direction of the arrow, is prevented by the fact that the chain link 52a rests on top of the retaining clamps 44. Because of the location of the swivel axis of the retaining clamps 44, the application of force from above to the retaining clamps 44 by the chain 24 causes the retaining clamps 44 to be pressed even closer to each other. This is prevented by the chain link 52c clamped between the retaining clamps 44. The blocking effect of the fixing device relies on the form fit between the retaining clamps 44 and the chain link 52a lying on top of it. The fixing device 38 is self-locking regarding a movement of the chain 24 with respect to the climbing shoe 16, in the direction of the arrow.

[0102] In the configuration of the self-climbing system 10 shown in FIG. 14a, 14b, the load rail 12 has been climbed further as compared to the configuration of FIG. 13a, 13b, i.e. with respect to the climbing shoe 16, i.e. out of the plane of the drawing of FIG. 13b, 14b and toward the viewer. The claws 28 of the climbing shoe 16 also encompass the climbing rail 12 in the configuration of FIG. 14a, 14b.

[0103] The fixing device 38 is now unlocked. The retaining clamps 44 no longer engage the chain 24. The retaining clamps 44 are pressed outward from the pocket wheel 46 to unlock the fixing device 38. In climbing the climbing rail 12 between the configurations of FIG. 13a, 13b and FIG. 14a, 14b, the pocket wheel 46 is unreeled on the chain strand underneath the climbing shoe 16 of the fixed chain 24, until the pocket wheel 46 has reached the climbing shoe 16. In continuing to climb, the pocket wheel 46 has pressed the retaining clamps 44 outward over second sloping surfaces 54 formed underneath, at the retaining clamps 44. The retaining clamps 44 thus reach the position where they can no longer engage the chain 24. One should note that the retaining clamps are swiveled outward by about 90 in FIG. 14a, 14b as compared with FIG. 13a, 13b. The pocket wheel 46 is now located between the retaining clamps 44 of the fixing device 38. In continuing to climb, the load rail is, for the moment, guided to the climbing shoe 16 by the claws 28. The chain 24 is blocked from climbing to a further climbing shoe (not shown) lying further in front in the climbing direction by means of its fixing device.