MOBILE CRANE WITH ADJUSTABLE COUNTERWEIGHT DEVICE, COUNTERWEIGHT DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MOUNTING SUCH A DEVICE

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a mobile crane comprising a mobile undercarriage, an upper carriage rotatably mounted on the undercarriage, and a counterweight device which can be coupled to the upper carriage and which comprises a counterweight base plate and at least one connection element extending substantially perpendicularly to the counterweight base plate and connected thereto for lifting and coupling the counterweight device to the upper carriage. The counterweight device may comprise a carrier plate connectable to the connection element above the counterweight base plate, wherein at least one pivot beam is mounted on the carrier plate so as to be pivotable about a vertical axis, on which first counterweight elements are stackable. The disclosure further relates to a counterweight device for a mobile crane according to the disclosure and to a method for mounting the counterweight device on the upper carriage of a mobile crane according to the disclosure.

Claims

1. Mobile crane comprising a mobile undercarriage, an upper carriage rotatably mounted on the undercarriage, and a counterweight device that can be coupled to the upper carriage, which comprises a counterweight base plate and at least one connecting member extending substantially perpendicular to the counterweight base plate and connected thereto for lifting the counterweight device and coupling the counterweight device to the upper carriage, wherein the counterweight device comprises a carrier plate which can be connected above the counterweight base plate to the at least one connection element, wherein at least one pivot beam is mounted on the carrier plate such that it can pivot about a vertical axis, on which pivot beam at least one first counterweight element can be stacked.

2. Mobile crane according to claim 1, wherein the at least one connection element is firmly connected to the counterweight base plate or is received in a recess of the counterweight base plate.

3. Mobile crane according to claim 1, wherein a ballast device is provided on the upper carriage, which ballast device is arranged to lift the counterweight device from a support area of the undercarriage and to place it thereon, wherein the at least one connection element comprises, at an end opposite the counterweight base plate, a coupling portion via which a coupling with the ballast device can be established, wherein the ballast device comprises a ballast frame that can be connected to the upper carriage via fastening means.

4. Mobile crane according to claim 3, wherein the ballast device comprises at least one hydraulic ballast cylinder which is releasably engageable with the coupling portion of the at least one connection element, wherein the coupling portion comprises a receptacle into which a coupling piece of the ballast cylinder is retractable by rotation of the upper carriage about its axis of rotation.

5. Mobile crane according to claim 1, further comprising at least one second counterweight element stackable on the counterweight base plate and having at least one recess through which the at least one connection element protrudes in the put-down state, wherein the second counterweight element is arranged between the counterweight base plate and the carrier plate in the ballasted state.

6. Mobile crane according to claim 1, wherein the counterweight device comprises at least two connection elements spaced apart from one another and arranged at the same distance from the center of gravity of the counterweight base plate and/or at least two pivot beams mounted on the carrier plate so as to be pivotable about a vertical axis in each case.

7. Mobile crane according to claim 4, wherein the at least one connection element comprises one or more of the following: a support area via which the counterweight base plate rests on the connection element and introduces its weight force at least in the absence of an inclined position of the mobile crane, a centering means by means of which the counterweight device can be automatically positioned in a mounting position during lifting on the upper carriage, a fastening means via which the counterweight device can be releasably connected to the upper carriage in a mounting position, wherein the fastening means comprises a bolt receptacle for producing a bolt connection to the upper carriage.

8. Mobile crane according to claim 1, wherein the at least one pivot beam can be pivoted continuously relative to the carrier plate via a pivot drive wherein the pivot angle of the pivot beam can be detected via at least one sensor.

9. Mobile crane according to claim 7, wherein the at least one connection element comprises a support surface on which the carrier plate can be placed in such a way that the weight force of the put-down carrier plate is introduced only into the at least one connection element and not into the counterweight base plate or a second counterweight element placed thereon.

10. Mobile crane according to claim 3, wherein the carrier plate comprises at least one recess through which the at least one connection element projects in the connected state, wherein the end of the connection element projecting through the carrier plate comprises a fastening means via which the counterweight device can be detachably connected to the upper carriage, wherein the recess is formed such that a coupling piece of a ballast cylinder of the upper carriage can be positioned next to a coupling portion of the connection element within the recess and can be retracted into a receptacle of the coupling portion by rotation of the upper carriage about its vertical axis of rotation.

11. Mobile crane according to claim 9, wherein the carrier plate and the at least one connection element each comprise connecting means for establishing a detachable connection, including a bolt connection, with one another.

12. Mobile crane according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first counterweight element is movable by pivoting the pivot beam from a first position abutting the carrier plate to a second position in which the upper carriage is rotatable relative to the counterweight device without colliding therewith when the connection to the counterweight device is released, wherein the at least one first counterweight element has a substantially triangular basic shape.

13. Counterweight device for a mobile crane according to claim 1, further comprising at least one first counterweight element stackable on the pivot beam and/or at least one second counterweight element stackable on the counterweight base plate.

14. Method for mounting the counterweight device on the upper carriage of a mobile crane according to claim 11, comprising the following steps: placing the counterweight base plate on a support area of the undercarriage, including by means of a boom attached to the upper carriage of the mobile crane, connecting the carrier plate to the at least one connection element, lifting the counterweight device via the at least one connection element, producing a connection between the at least one connection element, including a fastening means of the connection element projecting through the carrier plate, and the upper carriage, including a ballast device of the upper carriage.

15. Method according to claim 14, wherein a step of connecting the carrier plate to the at least one connection element comprises the following steps: bringing the carrier plate to the at least one connection element, including by means of the boom of the mobile crane, inserting the at least one connection element into the corresponding recess of the carrier plate, placing the carrier plate on the support surface of the at least one connection element so that the carrier plate rests completely thereon, connecting the carrier plate to the at least one connection element via the connecting means.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0090] Further features, details and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the examples of embodiments explained below with reference to the figures. The Figures show in:

[0091] FIG. 1: a partial side view of a mobile crane known from the prior art;

[0092] FIG. 2: a perspective view of the counterweight device according to the disclosure in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

[0093] FIG. 3: a partial view of the mobile crane according to the disclosure in accordance with a preferred embodiment with the counterweight device mounted in a perspective view;

[0094] FIG. 4: a plan view of the mobile crane with the counterweight device placed on the undercarriage in a first position;

[0095] FIG. 5: a side view of the mobile crane shown in FIG. 4;

[0096] FIG. 6: a plan view of the mobile crane with the counterweight device placed on the undercarriage in a second position;

[0097] FIG. 7: a side view of the mobile crane shown in FIG. 6;

[0098] FIG. 8: a plan view of the mobile crane with the counterweight device mounted on the upper carriage in a third position;

[0099] FIG. 9: a side view of the mobile crane shown in FIG. 8;

[0100] FIG. 10: a side view of the mobile crane with the counterweight device uncoupled from the upper carriage; and

[0101] FIG. 11: a sectional view through the articulated connection between the carrier plate and the pivot part along the vertical axis according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0102] FIG. 1 shows a side view of an example of a mobile crane 1 known from the prior art. The mobile crane 1 comprises an undercarriage 12 with a wheeled undercarriage and an upper carriage 14 mounted on the undercarriage 12 so as to rotate about a vertical axis of rotation 13 by means of a pivot gear. In FIG. 1, only the steel structure of the undercarriage and the upper carriage 12, 14 is shown. An extension arm (not shown), for example a telescopic extension arm, is hinged to the upper carriage 14 so that it can pivot about a horizontal axis. A ballast frame 16 of a ballast device is bolted to the steel structure of the upper carriage 14. The ballast device comprises two hydraulic ballast cylinders 18 to receive from or place on a support area of the undercarriage 12 a counterweight device 5, also referred to as upper carriage ballast, with a counterweight base plate 2 and several counterweight plates 3 stacked thereon. Via connecting means 4, the counterweight device 5 is bolted to the ballast frame 16 after lifting.

[0103] Form the mounting of the counterweight device 5, the latter is stacked on the undercarriage 12. The upper carriage 14 rotates with its ballast device over the counterweight device 5 and the ballast cylinders 18 pull it to the upper carriage 14. As explained at the beginning, in this known system the size of the mountable counterweight 5 is limited, both in height (due to the ballast device) and to the rear or front (due to the components of the undercarriage 12 and the dimensions of the upper carriage 14).

[0104] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the counterweight device 20 of a mobile crane according to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The counterweight device 20 comprises a counterweight base plate 22, on which a further plate-shaped counterweight element 24 can be placed in the exemplary embodiment shown here. In other embodiments, multiple plate-shaped counterweight elements 24 could also be stackable on the counterweight base plate 22.

[0105] The counterweight device 20 is coupled to the ballast cylinders 18 via connection elements 30 projecting vertically upwards from the counterweight base plate 22, which have coupling portions 36 at their upper ends for reversible coupling to retractable and extendable coupling pieces of the ballast cylinders 18 (which are located in particular on the piston rods of the ballast cylinders 18), as well as fastening means 34 for fastening the counterweight device 20 to the upper carriage 14. The alignment or positioning of the counterweight device in a mounting position on the ballast frame 16 for establishing the connection via the fastening means 34 can be effected via centering means of the connection elements 30, which are shown in the presently discussed exemplary embodiment, but are not provided with reference characters.

[0106] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the counterweight base plate 22 has a curved shape (although this is not mandatory) and is connected to two connection elements 30 which project vertically upwards from the counterweight base plate 22. The second counterweight element 24 is also plate-shaped and curved, and has corresponding recesses 25 through which the connection elements 30 project. The second counterweight element 24 is thus supported on the counterweight base plate 22 from above, and is thereby threaded onto the connection elements 30, so that the end regions of the connection elements 30 with the coupling portions 36 and fastening means 34 project above the second counterweight element 24 at the top. In particular, the second counterweight element 24 is not bolted to the connection elements 30, but rests on the counterweight base plate 22.

[0107] The connection elements 30, which could also be referred to as connecting swords or simply as swords, are in particular one-piece sheet metal structures which have a flat basic shape and are connected to the counterweight base plate 22. Since the connection elements 30 in particular do not consist of several interconnected parts, but are formed in one piece, there is no need to provide welded joints which are complicated to produce and have correspondingly high requirements.

[0108] In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the connection elements 30 are oriented parallel to each other and to the side edges of the counterweight base plate 22 (and the second counterweight element 24). This results in a particularly convenient arrangement which facilitates the manufacture of the counterweight base plate 22 (and the second counterweight element 24). In particular, this is accomplished by filling a steel box with solid metal blocks and then filling with a binder. The parallel arrangement creates geometrically ideal areas for filling the steel box with metal blocks. This allows for easy and inexpensive fabrication. Alternatively, the counterweight base plate 22 and/or the second counterweight element 24 may be made of gray cast iron.

[0109] In the embodiment discussed here, the mobile crane 10 according to the disclosure comprises a ballast frame 16 (cf. FIG. 3). Two hydraulic ballast cylinders 18 are accommodated on the ballast frame 16, the piston rods of which can be extended downwards and comprise a coupling piece. The counterweight device 20 can be lifted from a support area on the upper side of the undercarriage 12 to the ballast frame 16 via the ballast cylinders 18 and connected to it. Conversely, the counterweight device 20 can be supported again on the support area via an extension of the ballast cylinders 18 and loaded from there onto a transport vehicle, if necessary, by means of an auxiliary crane or the boom of the mobile crane 10.

[0110] The connection elements 30 each comprise, at their end regions spaced from the counterweight base plate 22, a coupling portion 36 for coupling the connection elements 30 and thus the counterweight device 20 to the ballast cylinders 18. When, for the sake of simplicity, only one connection element 30 is referred to in the following, both connection elements 30 are of course meant.

[0111] The coupling portion 36 comprises a receptacle arranged centrally on the connection element 30 in the form of an upwardly open, clamp-shaped recess 37, into which a specially shaped (in particular mushroom-shaped) end or coupling piece of the corresponding ballast cylinder 18 can be inserted laterally. In the final position in which the counterweight device 20 can be safely lifted (=locking position), the coupling piece of the ballast cylinder 18 is located completely inside the recess 37 (as is the second ballast cylinder 18 associated with the second connection element 30), which, due to its shape, allows the counterweight device 20 to be lifted in a form-fitting manner by retracting the ballast cylinders 18, since the coupling piece cannot slip upwards out of the recess 37.

[0112] The counterweight device 20 according to the disclosure further comprises a carrier plate 40 having two lateral pivot wings or pivot beams 42, each of which is pivotally connected to the carrier plate 40 about a vertical pivot axis 43. The carrier plate 40 has a shape substantially similar to that of the counterweight base plate 22, although this is not necessarily the case. The pivot axes 43 of the pivot beams 42 are located on the side of the carrier plate 40 opposite the upper carriage pivot axis 13 in the set-up state and are mounted in a connection portion 46 of the carrier plate 40 projecting laterally beyond the edge of the carrier plate 40 on both sides.

[0113] The pivot beams 42 are each movable by means of a pivot drive 44 in the form of a hydraulic cylinder between a first position, in which the hydraulic cylinders 44 are maximally retracted and the pivot beams 42 rest against the carrier plate 40 (cf. FIG. 4), and a third position, in which the hydraulic cylinders 44 are maximally extended and the pivot beams 42 are fully pivoted out (cf. FIG. 8). When the hydraulic cylinders 44 are extended, the pivot carriers 42 pivot out laterally about their vertical axes 43. The hydraulic cylinders 44 are hinged both to the carrier plate 40 and to the respective pivot beams 42.

[0114] The carrier plate 40 comprises two recesses 41 for receiving the connection elements 30, which in the shown exemplary embodimentfollowing the sword shape of the connection elements 30have an elongated shape or are essentially slot-shaped. The carrier plate 40 is placed from above on the stack of counterweight base plate 22 and second counterweight element 24 (alternatively, the stack could comprise a plurality of second counterweight elements 24), so that the sections of the connection elements 30 projecting from the top of the second counterweight element 24 enter the recesses 41 of the carrier plate. The carrier plate 40 is thus threaded onto the connection elements 30 until only their fastening means 34 protrude from the top of the carrier plate 40 (cf. FIG. 3). After being set down, the coupling portions 36 are located in particular within the recesses 41 of the carrier plate 40.

[0115] The fastening means 34 of the connection elements 30 are thus accessible after the carrier plate 40 has been fitted, so that the entire counterweight device 20 together with the counterweight base plate 22, second counterweight element 24 and carrier plate 40 (incl. pivot beam 42 and first counterweight elements 50) can be bolted to the ballast frame 16. For this purpose, the fastening means 34 each comprise a bolt receptacle 35. The bolt receptacles 35 of the connection elements 30 are brought together with corresponding bolt receptacles of the ballast frame 16 (and, if applicable, of an adjacent area of the upper carriage steel structure) by lifting the counterweight device 20 and, once the counterweight device 20 is in a mounting position, are bolted thereto. This relieves the ballast cylinders 18 during crane operation.

[0116] In the area just above the surface of the second counterweight element 24, the connection elements 30 have a plurality of support surfaces 31 distributed around the connection elements 30. The carrier plate 40 is configured to rest on these support surfaces 31 and therefore does not contact the second counterweight element 24 after it has been set down. Thus, the carrier plate 40 transfers its weight directly into the connection elements 30 via the support surfaces 31 and not into the underlying plates 22, 24. The carrier plate 40 may have counter support surfaces 47 (for example, made of a different material than the rest of the carrier plate 40) on its underside at the corresponding positions, which contact the support surfaces 31.

[0117] Further counterweight elements 50 (referred to herein as first counterweight elements 50) are stackable on the pivot beams 42, so that each pivot beam 42 carries its own counterweight stack 50. These are not limited upwardly, since in the connected state they are arranged outside the ballast frame 16 (the latter is arranged between the counterweight stacks cf. FIGS. 4, 6, 8). In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the first counterweight elements 50 have a substantially triangular basic shape, as do the pivot beams 42. Optionally, the first counterweight elements 50 can each have a central recess 52 (cf. FIGS. 3 and 8) into which an elongated mounting device according to DE 20 2004 009 497 U1 can be inserted and locked therein by twisting, in order to be able to lift and move the first counterweight elements with a crane. The pivot beams 42, which are preferably detachable from the carrier plate 40, can also have a corresponding recess 48 (cf. 2) in order to be able to lift or move them with such a mounting device.

[0118] By pivoting the pivot beams 42 together with the first counterweight elements 50 stacked on them, the counterweight moment or torque generated by the counterweight device and the ballast radius of the upper carriage 14 can be variably adjusted. The pivoting of the pivot beams 42 via the pivot drives 44 is infinitely variable and can thus be adapted to the load situation currently present. Optionally, at least one sensor can be provided that detects the pivot-out state of the pivot beams 42 and forwards it to a crane control for load moment limitation.

[0119] After the carrier plate 40 has been placed in position, it rests on the support surfaces 31 of the connection elements 30 without being firmly connected to them. The carrier plate 40 (and the pivot beams 42) are configured in such a way that they rest stably on the support surfaces 31 in the first position, i.e. the center of gravity of the carrier plate 40 together with the pivot beams 42 is located within the area spanned by the support surfaces 31 in plan view. Thus, the carrier plate 40 does not tilt to the side in the first position. For the fixed or immovable connection of the carrier plate 40 to the connection elements 30, the latter comprise connecting means in the form of bolt receptacles 32 below the fastening means 34. The carrier plate 40 also comprises corresponding connecting means, in particular corresponding bolt receptacles (not shown), through which corresponding bolts can be inserted after being brought together or set down. This can be done manually, with corresponding recesses being provided in particular in order to be able to set the bolts by hand. Alternatively, the carrier plate 40 can have a bolt insertion device by means of which bolts can be automatically pushed through the bolt receptacles of the carrier plate 40 and of the connection elements 30 after setting down, since these bolt receptacles may be difficult to access after setting down. A fixed connection between the carrier plate 40 and the connection elements 30 can thus be established via this bolt connection. This connection can transmit forces and moments without movement in the scaffolded state.

[0120] FIG. 3 shows a section of the mobile crane 10 with the counterweight device 20, with only the steel frames of the upper carriage 14 and the undercarriage 12 shown, without any other components such as the undercarriage, boom, etc. The counterweight device 20 is bolted to the ballast frame 16 and the pivot beams 42 are fully extended with their counterweight stacks 50 (third position). The ballast frame 16 carries a winch 17 and is bolted to the steel frame of the upper carriage 14. One of the two ballast cylinders 18 arranged on the side of the ballast frame 16 can be seen, the piston rod of which is retracted. It can also be seen that the fastening means 34 of the connection elements 30 protrude from the top of the carrier plate 40 so that they can be bolted to the ballast frame 16. The carrier plate 40 is located between the ballast frame 16 and the second counterweight element 24 in the scaffolded state.

[0121] Coupling of the ballast cylinders 18 to the connection elements 30 is effected in particular by rotation of the upper carriage 14 about its axis of rotation 13. For this reason, the recesses 41 of the carrier plate 40, through which the connection elements 30 project, are correspondingly widened, at least in the region of the coupling portions 36, so that the ballast cylinders 18 can be inserted downwardly into the recesses 41 next to the connection elements 30 until the coupling pieces are at the level of the receptacles 37 of the coupling portions 36. Coupling can then be established by rotating the upper carriage 14. To ensure that the coupling pieces of the ballast cylinders 18 are not moved through the receptacles 37 but reach their correct locking position, the recesses 41 are preferably configured in such a way that their lateral walls form corresponding mechanical stops for the coupling pieces of the ballast cylinders 18. In this way, overriding of the ballast cylinders 18 is simply and effectively prevented.

[0122] FIGS. 4-9 show the counterweight device 20 in various positions of the pivot beams 42, respectively in a plan view (FIGS. 4, 6, 8) and in a side view (FIGS. 5, 7, 9).

[0123] In FIGS. 4-5, the counterweight device 20 is still parked on the support area of the undercarriage 12, i.e. not yet mounted on the upper carriage 14, and the pivot beams 42 are in the first position. The hydraulic cylinders 44 are fully retracted and the pivot beams 42 rest against the carrier plate 40. In FIG. 5, the front counterweight stack 50, as viewed from the front, is hidden to reveal the ballast device, which is located between the two counterweight stacks 50. The overall center of gravity 80 of the counterweight device 20 is located in the area of action of the ballast cylinders 18, i.e., in plan view within the area spanned by the support surfaces 38 of the counterweight base plate 22 (cf. FIG. 5 and also FIG. 7, in which the support surfaces 38 are drawn as triangles for illustration purposes). As a result, the counterweight device 20 in this configuration stands stably on the support area of the undercarriage 12 without tilting and can be ballasted safely.

[0124] In FIG. 5, it can be seen that the unit consisting of counterweight base plate 22, second counterweight element 24 and carrier plate 40 is configured in such a way that their overall height is less than the distance between the support area of the undercarriage 12 and the lower edge of the ballast frame 16, i.e. the upper edge of the carrier plate 40 lies below the lower edge of the ballast frame 16. Thus, the latter can be moved over the carrier plate 40 without causing a collision. This is clearly demonstrated in FIG. 10, where the drawn line 70 indicates the height of the lowest edge of the ballast device or of the upper carriage 14 in the area of the ballast device. This line 70 is above the carrier plate 40, so the upper carriage 14 is free to pivot over the carrier plate 40. When the counterweight device 20 is equipped, the ballast radius is minimized in the first position, so that the upper carriage 14 requires less space when turning. At the same time, however, the counterweight moment is also reduced to the smallest possible amount.

[0125] FIGS. 6-7 show the counterweight device 20 still parked on the support area of the undercarriage 12. However, the pivot beams 42 together with the counterweight stacks 50 have been pivoted out via the pivot drives 44 to a second position in which the ballast frame 16 just no longer collides with the first counterweight elements 50 when the upper carriage 14 is rotated relative to the counterweight device 20, which has not yet been mounted. This is indicated in FIG. 6 by the drawn circular path 60, which represents the path of the rearmost edge of the ballast frame 16 when the upper carriage 14 is rotated. In particular, the second position is the position of the pivot beams 42 in which the first counterweight elements 50 are just outside the circular path 60. In the second position, the pivot members 42 may be pivoted through an angle of 40 to 50 relative to the first position, for example 46.

[0126] Due to the height of the unit consisting of counterweight base plate 22, second counterweight element 24 and carrier plate 40, the upper carriage 14 can be moved freely over the carrier plate 40 and the pivot beams 42 during setup if there are no first counterweight elements 50 on the pivot beams 42. However, if it is to be possible to support the first counterweight elements 50 on the pivot beams 42 in self-assembly of the mobile crane 10, the upper carriage 14 must be able to rotate freely even if first counterweight elements 50 are already stacked. For this purpose, a temporary hydraulic connection can be established with the pivot drives 44 and the pivot beams 42 can be moved to the second position. In this position, the upper carriage 14 can rotate freely and stack the first counterweight elements 50 on the pivot beams 42 of the counterweight device 20 still parked on the undercarriage 12.

[0127] As can be seen in FIG. 7, the overall center of gravity 80 of the counterweight device 20 in the second position is still located (in plan view) within the outer contour of the counterweight base plate 22. The projection of the center of gravity 80 onto the support area of the undercarriage 12 is indicated by the triangle 82. Thus, even in this configuration, the counterweight device 20 is still stable on the support area of the undercarriage 12 without tipping.

[0128] It can also be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7 that the counterweight base plate 22, the second counterweight element 24, and the carrier plate 40 have some clearance from the engine housing 15. This additional space could be used to shorten the undercarriage 12, which would increase the maneuverability of the undercarriage 12.

[0129] Finally, FIGS. 8-9 show the counterweight device 20 in a state mounted on the upper carriage 14. Here, the pivot beams 42 are pivoted out to a third position in which the hydraulic cylinders 44 are maximally extended and the pivot beams 42 are maximally pivoted out. In this configuration, the ballast radius is maximized, as is the counterweight moment generated by the counterweight device 20. In particular, in the third position, the pivot beams 42 are pivoted 120-150, preferably 130-140, relative to the first position. For example, the maximum pivot angle of each of the pivot beams 42 in the third position may be approximately 135.

[0130] FIG. 9 shows a raised interference region of the undercarriage 12 relative to the storage region, adjacent to the storage region, which in this embodiment is a housing for an engine 15 and an exhaust aftertreatment device 19. This structure limits a widening of the counterweight base plate 22 and second counterweight element 24 to increase the counterweight moment. Due to the arrangement of the counterweight base plate 22, second counterweight element 24 and carrier plate 40 according to the disclosure, the pivot beams 42 are located above the upper edge of the housing of the engine 15 and exhaust gas aftertreatment device 19 when the counterweight device 20 is in the rigged state. The height of the pivot beams 42 thus allows the upper carriage 14 to rotate freely. This height is achieved by the counterweight base plate 22 and the second counterweight element 24.

[0131] In FIG. 8, it can be seen that the bolting between the connection elements 30 and the carrier plate 40 via the connecting means 32 performs an essential function. In the third position, the overall center of gravity 80 of the counterweight device 20 lies far outside the support surface, i.e., the outer contour of the counterweight base plate 22 or the support surfaces 38. If the carrier plate 40 merely rested on the support surfaces, it would tilt backward. Thus, a different force transmission is necessary to absorb the moment generated by the first counterweight elements 50. This is done by the fixed bolting 32.

[0132] Optionally, the connection elements 30 can have additional centering means in the area of the fastening means 34, via which the counterweight device 20 is automatically brought into the desired mounting position or pre-centered when the ballast cylinders 18 are retracted. The centering means can be configured, for example, as projections or mandrels projecting upwards in the longitudinal direction of the connection element 30 and tapering, and can interact with corresponding counter-centering means on the ballast frame 16, thereby ensuring automatic alignment of the counterweight device 20 when it is lifted on the ballast frame 16 by means of their beveled or conical contours.

[0133] It may be necessary to pivot the pivot beams 42 back to the first position to raise the counterweight device 20, so that the center of gravity of the counterweight device 20 is supported in a manner that allows the ballast cylinders 18 to safely support the counterweight.

[0134] FIG. 11 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of the pivot connection or pivot joint between the carrier plate 40 and one of the pivot members 42, the section being along the longitudinal axis of the vertical axis 43. It can be seen that the joint or shaft forming the vertical axis 43 passes through the pivot member 42, the carrier plate 40 and the connection portion 46 (upper termination). A portion of the second counterweight element 24 can still be seen below.

[0135] As shown in FIG. 11, the pivot joint may comprise two radial bearings 49, which may be arranged at the bearing points of the shaft 43 at the top and bottom of the pivot beam 42. Alternatively or additionally, a thrust bearing 45 can be arranged between two bearing sections of the pivot beam 42 and the carrier plate 40, which can preferably be arranged at the middle height of the shaft 43. This bearing arrangement allows radial and axial forces to be optimally absorbed and transmitted. The radial and/or axial bearings can be plain bearings, although rolling bearings are also conceivable in principle.

[0136] In addition, doublings 90 can be arranged at the end regions of the shaft 43, in particular between the pivot beam 42 and the connection portion 46 and/or between the pivot beam 42 and the second counterweight element 24. These can increase the contact surfaces of the radial plain bearings 49.

[0137] In the following, an exemplary embodiment for a method according to the disclosure for setting up or mounting the counterweight device 20 according to the disclosure on the upper carriage 14 of the mobile crane 10 is given.

[0138] The ballast base plate 22 with the connection elements 30 is placed on the support area of the undercarriage 12 in self-assembly (i.e. with the boom of the mobile crane 10).

[0139] The second counterweight element 24 is placed on the counterweight base plate 22 (alternatively, the carrier plate 40 may be disposed directly above the counterweight base plate 22 or multiple second counterweight elements 24 may be provided).

[0140] If the pivot beams 42 were removed from the carrier plate 40 for transport, they are now remounted on the carrier plate 40.

[0141] The carrier plate 40 is placed above the second counterweight element 24 on the support surfaces 31 of the connection elements 30, with the pivot beams in particular in the first position. In the first position, the center of gravity 81 of the carrier plate 40 and the pivot beams 42 (cf. FIG. 10not to be confused with the overall center of gravity 80 of the counterweight device 20 when the carrier plate 40 is bolted to the connection elements 30) lies within a surface spanned by the support surfaces 31. Thus, the carrier plate 40 rests securely and stably on the support surfaces 31 without tilting. The upper carriage 14 can pivot freely over the carrier plate 40 (cf. FIG. 10, horizontal line 70).

[0142] The bolting 32 between the connection elements 30 and the carrier plate 40 is established. From this moment on, the sole center of gravity 81 is no longer decisive, but the center of gravity 80 of the entire counterweight device 20 (cf. FIG. 5). The projected position of the center of gravity 80 is within the area spanned by support points of the counterweight base plate 22 on the undercarriage 12 or within the outer contour of the counterweight base plate 22.

[0143] Optional: if first counterweight elements 50 are required on the pivot beams 42, the pivot beams 42 must be pivoted into the second position (ballasting position) (cf. FIG. 6, circular path 60). For this purpose, it is necessary to establish a hydraulic and, if necessary, electrical connection between the upper carriage 14 and the pivot drives 44. The first counterweight elements 50 cannot be pivoted over by the upper carriage 14. If the first counterweight elements 50 are not stacked, this step is not necessary. The upper carriage 14 is now freely rotatable in the second position of the pivot beams 42 (for this purpose, the supply must be released from the upper carriage 14 again beforehand) and the first counterweight elements 50 are stacked on the pivot beams 42 in self-assembly. After this, the overall center of gravity 80 is still within the outer contour of the counterweight base plate 22. If ballasting is to take place, the ballast frame 16 must be located between the counterweight towers 50. The hydraulic and, if necessary, electrical connection is then made to the upper carriage 14, for example when the bolt connection between the counterweight device 20 and the upper carriage 14 or ballast frame 16 has been made.

[0144] Alternatively, for counterweight stacking, the supply could also have been established with the undercarriage 12. Fewer coupling operations are necessary here, see for example DE 10 2016 005 505 A1.

[0145] The pivot beams 42 are preferably pivoted back in until the center of gravity 80 of the entire counterweight device 20 to be lifted is suitably positioned relative to the ballast cylinders 18 (this need not necessarily correspond to the first position, but may be an intermediate position between the first and second positions), so that the counterweight device can be lifted safely from them and no excessive moments act on the ballast cylinders 18.

[0146] The upper carriage 14 is rotated about the vertical axis of rotation 13 to bring the counterweight device 20 into a lifting position in which the coupling pieces of the ballast cylinders 18 can be inserted into the recesses 41 adjacent to the coupling portions 36 of the connection elements 30.

[0147] By rotating the upper carriage 14 relative to the counterweight device 20, the coupling pieces of the ballast cylinders 18 move along circular paths into the receptacles 37 of the connection elements 30. If necessary, locking can take place.

[0148] Now the entire counterweight device 20 is lifted via the ballast cylinders 18 until the counterweight device 20 reaches its mounting position on the upper carriage 14 or ballast frame 16. Here, a pre-centering can optionally take place via centering means of the connection elements 30.

[0149] Finally, the bolt connections are made between the fastening means 34 of the connection elements 30 and corresponding fastening means on the ballast frame 16 (and, if applicable, on an area of the upper carriage steel frame adjacent to the ballast frame 16). The counterweight device 20 is now securely attached to the upper carriage 14 and the mobile crane is ready for operation.

[0150] In one embodiment, the carrier plate 40 and the pivot beams 42 may have a concrete filling. If the masses are chosen low enough, the unit consisting of counterweight base plate 22, second counterweight element 24, carrier plate 40 and the two pivot beams 42 can be moved as a common transport unit, eliminating the need for time-consuming assembly and disassembly. The lower mass can be compensated for by a higher ballast radius in crane operation.

[0151] One possible embodiment may include the following masses of the various elements: Counterweight base plate: 12 t, second counterweight element: 11 t, carrier plate: 4 t, each of the pivot beams: 4 t. Of course, these are only example values, which may differ depending on the design and application. For example, the carrier plate 40 could have a mass of 4 t, 8 t, or 10 t, or any other mass. Each of the pivot beams 42 could have a mass of 4 t, 8 t, 10 t, or any other mass. Also, the masses of the counterweight base plate 22 and the second counterweight element 24 may be any different from the specified values. The first counterweight elements may have masses of 10 t each, but may also have lesser or greater masses.

[0152] The ballast frame 16 may comprise two bending supports, which comprise the connecting means for fastening the counterweight device 20 via the connection elements 30. The connecting means of the ballast frame 16 are realized in particular as bolt receptacles or bolt eyes, with which the bolt receptacles 35 of the connection elements 30 can be brought into overlap, so that bolting can take place. These bolt receptacles can be located inside the bending supports and/or be implemented as separate sheet metal inserts to prevent them from being torn out of the upper carriage 14 or the ballast frame 16. The flexure beams may include additional stiffening elements or ribs to increase stability.

[0153] FIGS. 1-11 are drawn to scale, although other relative dimensions may be used, if desired.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0154] 1 mobile crane (state of the art) [0155] 2 counterweight base plate (state of the art) [0156] 3 counterweight plates (state of the art) [0157] 4 connecting means (state of the art) [0158] 5 counterweight (state of the art) [0159] 10 mobile crane [0160] 12 undercarriage [0161] 13 axis of rotation [0162] 14 upper carriage [0163] 15 engine housing [0164] 16 ballast frame [0165] 17 winch [0166] 18 ballast cylinder [0167] 19 exhaust gas aftertreatment device [0168] 20 counterweight device [0169] 22 counterweight base plate [0170] 24 second counterweight element [0171] 30 connection element [0172] 31 support surface [0173] 32 connecting means (bolt receptacle) [0174] 34 fastening means [0175] 35 bolt receptacle [0176] 36 coupling portion [0177] 37 receptacle [0178] 38 support surfaces [0179] 40 carrier plate [0180] 41 recess [0181] 42 pivot beam [0182] 43 vertical axis [0183] 44 pivot drive [0184] 45 axial bearing [0185] 46 connection portion [0186] 47 counter support surface [0187] 48 recess for mounting device [0188] 49 radial bearing [0189] 50 first counterweight element [0190] 52 recess for mounting device [0191] 60 circular path [0192] 70 lower edge of ballast device [0193] 80 center of gravity counterweight device (carrier plate 40 bolted) [0194] 81 center of gravity (essentially carrier plate 40 with pivot beams 42) [0195] 82 projected center of gravity [0196] 83 center of gravity (essentially of counterweight base plate 22, second counterweight element 24 and connection elements 30). [0197] 90 Doublings