LOCKING DEVICE FOR A TELESCOPIC BOOM, TELESCOPIC BOOM, AND MOBILE CRANE

Abstract

A locking device for a telescopic boom, in particular of a mobile crane, has an actuator for generating an actuating force, a driver that is reversibly coupled, during a telescoping movement of the telescopic boom, to a locking bolt, which is secured at a boom extension segment of the telescopic boom, and to be moved under the action of the actuating force for adjusting the locking bolt between at least one locking position and a release position. A driver bolt can be moved reversibly by the actuating force between a carry-along position gripping an inner boom extension segment and an empty running position not gripping a boom extension segment. A slotted actuating link is configured for a joint movement of the locking bolt and the driver bolt. A movement plane of the slotted actuating link is oriented perpendicularly to the telescoping direction of the telescopic boom.

Claims

1. A locking device for a telescopic boom, the locking device comprising: an actuator for generating an actuating force; at least one driver configured to be reversibly coupled, during a telescoping movement of the telescopic boom, to a locking bolt that is secured at a boom extension segment of the telescopic boom, and to be moved by the actuating force for adjusting the locking bolt between a locking position and a release position; at least one driver bolt configured to be reversibly moved by the actuating force between a carry-along position, gripping an inner boom extension segment, and an empty running position in which no boom extension segment is gripped; and a slotted actuating link configured for a joint movement of the locking bolt and said at least one driver bolt, said slotted actuating link, in an installation state as intended, defining a movement plane perpendicular to a telescoping direction of the telescopic boom.

2. The locking device according to claim 1, wherein said slotted actuating link is a plate formed with a first slotted link groove for guiding said at least one driver and with a second slotted link groove for guiding said at least one driver bolt, and wherein said driver and said driver bolt are coupled in said slotted link grooves in terms of force transmission.

3. The locking device according to claim 1, wherein said slotted actuating link is configured to have said driver bolt arranged in an empty running position thereof when said driver is arranged in a position assigned to the locking position of the locking bolt.

4. The locking device according to claim 2, wherein each of said first and second slotted link grooves has at least two curved portions, wherein a retraction portion of said curved portions is positioned at an angle counter to a push-out direction of at least one of the locking bolt or said driver bolt, and wherein a securing portion of the curved portions is arranged in each case in the push-out direction of the locking bolt or said driver bolt on an outer side with respect to said retraction portion and is oriented perpendicularly to the push-out direction.

5. The locking device according to claim 1, wherein said slotted actuating link has a neutral position in which said driver is arranged in a neutral position between the locking position assigned to the locking bolt and the release position.

6. The locking device according to claim 5, wherein said slotted actuating link, in particular the first slotted link groove, is configured such that, in a neutral position, a restoring force applied externally to said driver leads to an adjustment of said driver.

7. The locking device according to claim 5, wherein said slotted actuating link is formed with a first slotted link groove configured such that, in a neutral position, a restoring force applied externally to said driver leads to an adjustment of said driver.

8. The locking device according to claim 4, wherein said first slotted link groove has a third curved portion between said retraction portion and said securing portion, and said third curved portion is assigned to the neutral position and, in comparison with said retraction portion, is positioned more shallowly counter to the push-out direction.

9. The locking device according to claim 8, wherein said third curved portion has a width and/or a positioning angle configured such that, despite said slotted actuating link being unmoved, at least a movement distance of said driver that is shortened in comparison with an actuating stroke of said driver is permitted.

10. The locking device according to claim 1, further comprising a position sensor for detecting a position of said slotted actuating link, said position sensor including two proximity switches and a perforated encoding plate.

11. The locking device according to claim 10, wherein said slotted actuating link is spring-loaded directly or indirectly in a direction of the neutral position.

12. The locking device according to claim 5, wherein said slotted actuating link is spring-loaded directly or indirectly in a direction of the neutral position.

13. The locking device according to claim 1, configured for a telescopic boom of a mobile crane.

14. A telescopic boom for a mobile crane, the telescopic boom comprising: a plurality of telescoping boom segments and a locking device according to claim 1.

15. The telescopic boom according to claim 14, wherein: said slotted actuating link of said locking device is a plate formed with a first slotted link groove for guiding said driver and with a second slotted link groove for guiding said driver bolt, and wherein said driver and said driver bolt are coupled in said slotted link grooves in terms of force transmission, each of said first and second slotted link grooves has at least two curved portions, wherein a retraction portion of said curved portions is positioned at an angle counter to a push-out direction of the locking bolt or said driver bolt, and wherein a securing portion of the curved portions is arranged in each case in the push-out direction of the locking bolt or said driver bolt on an outer side with respect to said retraction portion and is oriented perpendicularly to the push-out direction, and wherein said first slotted link groove has a third curved portion between said retraction portion and said securing portion, and said third curved portion is assigned to the neutral position and, in comparison with said retraction portion, is positioned more shallowly counter to the push-out direction; and the telescopic boom further comprises: a control device configured to activate an actuator for adjusting said slotted actuating link into the neutral position during a telescoping operation, when an inner boom extension segment is moved into a bolting region of an outer boom extension segment.

16. A mobile crane, comprising the telescopic boom formed with a plurality of telescoping boom segments and a locking device according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0036] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a mobile crane with a telescopic boom and a telescoping device;

[0037] FIG. 2 is a perspective partial sectional illustration of the telescopic boom with a part of the telescoping device and a locking device;

[0038] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the locking device separately;

[0039] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the locking device shown in FIG. 3; and

[0040] FIGS. 5-8 are schematic frontal views of the locking device in four different states.

[0041] Parts that correspond with one another are identified with the same reference signs throughout the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first, in particular, to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a schematic illustration of a crane, specifically a mobile crane 1. The crane comprises an undercarriage 2 which, in turn, has a chassis with a plurality of driving axles carrying wheels 4, and a cockpit 6. The mobile crane 1 has a superstructure 8 which is rotatably coupled to the undercarriage 2 about a vertical axis 10. In addition, the mobile crane 1 comprises a crane boom (also: “telescopic boom”, for short below: “boom 12”) which forms part of the superstructure 8 and is coupled to a mounting of the superstructure 8 so as to be pivotable about a rocker axis 14 (“tiltably”, i.e., adjustable in its inclination). The boom 12 is telescopic and, for this purpose, has a main segment 16 in which a plurality of further boom segments (also: “boom extension segments 18”), each reduced in size in their cross section, are accommodated displaceably along a longitudinal axis 20 of the crane boom 12. For the telescoping of the boom 12, the latter has a telescoping device, in the present exemplary embodiment formed by a hydraulically operated telescoping cylinder (for short: “telescope cylinder 22”).

[0043] In an exemplary embodiment, not illustrated, the cockpit 6 of the undercarriage 2 is integrated in a driver's cab of the superstructure 8 such that the mobile crane 1 is controlled from the superstructure even in the driving mode.

[0044] The telescope cylinder 22 is arrested with its piston rod 24 in the base region of the main segment 16. The telescope cylinder 22 also bears a locking device 30 arranged at the rod-side end of its cylinder 28. Said locking device serves to grip one of the boom extension segments 18 during the telescoping of the boom 12 and to lock, i.e., arrest, said boom extension segment 18 in its target position to the closest outer boom extension segment 18 or optionally to the main segment 16.

[0045] As is apparent from FIG. 2, the locking device 30 has an actuator 32 which, in the present exemplary embodiment, comprises a double-acting hydraulic cylinder, specifically a modified plunger cylinder 34 (also referred to as “plunger piston cylinder”). In addition, the locking device 30 has two diametrically opposite drivers 36, which are oriented with a movement axis 35 perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis 20, and two identically arranged driver bolts 38 (also see FIGS. 4 and 6; for the sake of clarity, only the left driver bolt in the drawing is always numbered). For the transmission of the actuating force generated by the actuator 32 to the drivers 36 and the driver bolts 38 and therefore for the adjustment thereof, the locking device 30 also has a slotted actuating link 40. The latter is oriented with its movement plane radially with respect to the longitudinal axis 20 (which corresponds to a telescoping direction of the boom 12). Specifically, the movement direction of the slotted actuating link 40 runs in a tilting plane (i.e., from the bottom upward and vice versa in FIGS. 5 to 8) of the boom 12.

[0046] In addition to the plunger cylinder 34, the actuator 32 has lever kinematics 42 serving to deflect the rectilinear movement generated by the plunger cylinder 34 to the slotted actuating link 40 by means of rotation (see FIG. 3).

[0047] The slotted actuating link 40 is formed by a roughly H-shaped or omega-shaped plate in order to keep a recess 44 for the piston rod 24 free. In each case a first slotted link groove 46 for the respective driver 36 and in each case a second slotted link groove 48 for the respective driver bolt 38 are introduced into said plate. Consequently, the slotted actuating link 40 in each case has two first and two second slotted link grooves 46 and 48, respectively. The drivers 36 and the driver bolts 38 are coupled in their respective slotted link groove 46 and 48, respectively, by means of a respective slotted link rod 49 for adjustment radially with respect to the longitudinal axis 20, specifically in each case in the direction of the associated longitudinal side of the boom 12. In addition, the drivers 36 and driver bolts 38 are guided in sliding rails 50 or sliding sleeves (not illustrated) along their respective movement axis 35.

[0048] The driver bolts 38 are configured and provided to couple the telescope cylinder 22 during a telescoping movement to the boom extension segment 18 to be adjusted. The driver bolts 38 are therefore assigned to the locking device 30. The drivers 36 serve to adjust a respective locking bolt 52 under the action of the actuating force in order to lock (or: “bolt”) a boom extension segment 18 to the next outer boom extension section 18 or to the main segment 16. Since the boom extension segments 18, as is known, also have to remain in their telescoped position after the telescoping movement, the locking bolts 52 are assigned to the boom extension segments 18. In other words, each boom extension segment 18 has a pair of locking bolts 52.

[0049] The drivers 36 and also the slotted actuating link 40 are configured in such a manner that the driver 36 can be coupled reversibly to the respective locking bolt 52. For this purpose, the respective driver 36 is designed in the manner of a claw. Specifically, the respective driver 36 has a T groove 54. The respective locking bolt 52 has, at its inner end, a T head 56 corresponding to the T groove 54 (see FIGS. 4 and 6). For the telescoping of a boom extension segment 18, first of all the telescope cylinder 22 is adjusted in such a manner that the locking device 30 is arranged in the “base region” of the corresponding boom extension segment 18. The boom extension segment 18 has a portion there that is also referred to as “bearing bracket 58”. Sliding elements 60, inter alia, are arranged on the outer side of said bearing bracket 58 and slide on the inner side of the next outer boom extension segment 18 or of the main segment 16. In addition, the bearing bracket 58 has bolting eyes (not illustrated) for receiving the driver cylinders 38, and also the locking bolts 52, which are guided in guide sleeves 62 (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

[0050] If the telescope cylinder 22 “moves” with the locking device 30 into the region of the bearing bracket 58, the drivers 36 slide with the T grooves 54 over the T heads 56 of the locking bolts 52 and therefore grip the latter. In this state, the locking device 30 can adjust the locking bolts 52, i.e., can release (also: “pull”) or push them outward for locking the respective boom extension segment 18 along the movement axis 35. The locking bolts 52 are arranged on the bearing bracket 58 in such a manner that they are pressed under the action of an actuating spring, not illustrated specifically, into a locking position 64 in which they protrude on the outer side over the bearing bracket 58 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) and therefore can couple to a corresponding bolting eye (not illustrated) of the next outer boom extension segment 18 or of the main segment 16.

[0051] The slotted actuating link 40 is, as is apparent from FIGS. 5 to 8, adjustable between three positions. An upwardly pulled end position, also referred to as tele-position 66, is illustrated in FIG. 5. A downwardly pushed end position, also referred to as securing position 68, is illustrated in FIG. 7. A neutral position 70 arranged between the tele-position 66 and the securing position 68 is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0052] The second slotted link grooves 48 have two rectilinear curved portions which are at an angle to one another, and therefore have a single angle. The first slotted link grooves 46 have three rectilinear curved portions which are angled in relation to one another, and therefore have a double angle. The respective end-side curved portions of the slotted link grooves 46 and 48 are referred to as securing portion 72 and retraction portion 74. The third “middle” curved portion of the first slotted link groove 46 is referred to as neutral portion 76. The securing portions 72 are oriented parallel to the direction of movement of the slotted actuating link 40, whereas the retraction portions 74 are positioned facing obliquely inward counter to the push-out direction of the drivers 36 and of the driver bolts 38. As is apparent from FIGS. 5 to 8, the securing portions 72 and the retraction portions 74 of the first and second slotted link grooves 46 and 48 are oriented in an opposed manner with respect to the direction of movement of the slotted actuating link 40.

[0053] As a result, a diametrically opposed movement or adjustment of the driver bolts and of the locking bolts 38 and 52, respectively, takes place. In the tele-position 66, the locking bolts 52 are retracted into a release position 78 in which they are not coupled to the outer boom extension segment 18 or main segment 16, i.e., the adjustment of the inner boom extension segment 18 is enabled. By contrast, the driver bolts 38 are pushed out into what is referred to as a carry-along position 80, in which they are coupled to the bearing bracket 58.

[0054] In the securing position 68 of the slotted actuating link 40 (see FIG. 7), the locking bolts 52, by contrast, are arranged in their locking position 64, whereas the driver bolts 38 are retracted into an empty running position 82. As a result, the telescope cylinder 22 can be moved without carrying along a boom extension segment 18, but with the boom extension segments 18 being secured because of the pushed-out locking bolts 52 (what is referred to as “empty running”).

[0055] While the driver 36 is moved inward or outward along the associated retraction portion 74, the driver bolt 38 remains in its locked position, i.e., the carry-along position 80 (the same also applies conversely), since the securing portion 72 is oriented parallel to the direction of movement of the slotted actuating link 40.

[0056] In the neutral position 70, the slotted actuating rods 49 of the drivers 36 are arranged in the region of the neutral portion 76. Said neutral portion is positioned more shallowly, i.e., at a smaller angle than the retraction portion 74 counter to the push-out direction, i.e., counter to the movement axis 35. This results in a smaller amount of friction when the locking bolt 52 is adjusted manually from the outside in the direction of its release position 78. The neutral portion 76 therefore permits emergency unlocking of the locking bolts 52. In addition, because of the position and the width of the first slotted link groove 46, the slotted link rod 49 has a comparatively greater amount of play along the movement axis 35 of the driver 36 in the region of the neutral portion 76. As a result, tolerance compensation in the region of the bearing bracket 58 and also the manual pushing in of the locking bolt 52 are simplified. A position of the locking bolts 52 during an emergency unlocking is illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0057] In order to be able to detect the position of the slotted actuating link 40, the locking device 30 has a position sensor 90. The latter is arranged in the region of the lever kinematics 42 and configured for detecting a rotational position. For this purpose, the position sensor 90 has two proximity switches 92 and an encoding disk 94 made from sheet metal with apertures as coding fields. By means of the proximity switches 92, the position of the encoding disk 94 is identified as to whether a coding field or a sheet metal wall lies opposite the corresponding proximity switch 92. This embodiment of the position sensor 90 is, as is known, robust against soiling by lubricants or hydraulic media and, in particular because of the large size of the elements selected, also against vibration.

[0058] In order in addition also to be able to interrogate the actual position of the driver 36, the latter is likewise assigned a proximity switch 96. The latter serves to detect whether the driver 36 and therefore the locking bolt 52 are arranged in the locking position 64 and therefore the boom extension segment 18 is secured. This also permits a conclusion to be drawn as to whether the corresponding boom extension segment 18 is arranged in its telescopic position as intended. This is because, during the telescoping of the boom extension segment 18, a control device 98 activates the locking device 30 in such a manner that the slotted actuating link 40, on moving into the bolting region of the outer boom extension segment 18 or of the main segment 16, is arranged in the neutral position 70. As a result, the drivers 36 and the locking bolts 52 already bear on the inner side against the outer bolting region because of the play in the neutral portion 76 and because of the spring loading outward. The locking bolt 52 can therefore “feel” its associated bolting eye when the latter is “passed over”.

[0059] The plunger cylinder 34, as can be seen in FIG. 3, is spring-loaded by means of two restoring springs 100 in such a manner that, in the unpressurized state, it is returned into a neutral position and, in the process, adjusts the slotted actuating link 40 into its neutral position 70. For this purpose, a restoring spring 100 is coupled to a piston rod 102 and a “spring cage 104” such that the piston rod 102 is pushed back into the cylinder 106. The other restoring spring 100 is arranged between the cylinder 106 and the other piston rod 108 in such a manner that, in the unpressurized situation, said piston rod 108 is pulled out of the cylinder 106. By setting the length of the spring cage 104, the length of the plunger cylinder 34 in the unpressurized situation can be specified.

[0060] It should be understood that the subject matter of the invention is not restricted to the above-described exemplary embodiment. Rather, further embodiments of the invention can be derived by those of skill in the pertinent art from the above description.

[0061] The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention: [0062] 1 Mobile crane [0063] 2 Undercarriage [0064] 4 Wheel [0065] 6 Cockpit [0066] 8 Superstructure [0067] 10 Vertical axis [0068] 12 Boom [0069] 14 Rocker axis [0070] 16 Main segment [0071] 18 Boom extension segment [0072] 20 Longitudinal axis [0073] 22 Telescope cylinder [0074] 24 Piston rod [0075] 28 Cylinder [0076] 30 Locking device [0077] 32 Actuator [0078] 34 Plunger cylinder [0079] 35 Movement axis [0080] 36 Driver [0081] 38 Driver bolt [0082] 40 Slotted actuating link [0083] 42 Lever kinematics [0084] 44 Recess [0085] 46 Slotted link groove [0086] 48 Slotted link groove [0087] 49 Slotted link rod [0088] 50 Sliding rail [0089] 52 Locking bolt [0090] 54 T groove [0091] 56 T head [0092] 58 Bearing bolt [0093] 60 Sliding element [0094] 62 Guide sleeve [0095] 64 Locking position [0096] 66 Tele-position, telescoped position [0097] 68 Securing position [0098] 70 Neutral position [0099] 71 Securing portion [0100] 74 Retraction portion [0101] 76 Neutral portion [0102] 78 Release position [0103] 80 Carry-along position [0104] 82 Empty running position [0105] 90 Position sensor [0106] 92 Proximity switch [0107] 94 Encoding disk [0108] 96 Proximity switch [0109] 100 Restoring spring [0110] 102 Piston rod [0111] 104 Spring cage [0112] 106 Cylinder [0113] 108 Piston rod