EP3816091B1 - Tower crane with automatic folding and unfolding stanchion - Google Patents

Tower crane with automatic folding and unfolding stanchion Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3816091B1
EP3816091B1 EP20204539.9A EP20204539A EP3816091B1 EP 3816091 B1 EP3816091 B1 EP 3816091B1 EP 20204539 A EP20204539 A EP 20204539A EP 3816091 B1 EP3816091 B1 EP 3816091B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tower crane
punch
stanchion
folding
tension force
Prior art date
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EP20204539.9A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3816091A1 (en
Inventor
Olivier Gevaudant
Yves ALLOIN
Vincent VEILLEROT
Simon GRIMAUD
Sylvain CUILLERIER
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Manitowoc Crane Group France SAS
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Manitowoc Crane Group France SAS
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Publication of EP3816091A1 publication Critical patent/EP3816091A1/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
    • B66C23/00—Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom, or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory of swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib-cranes, derricks, tower cranes
    • B66C23/18—Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom, or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory of swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib-cranes, derricks, tower cranes specially adapted for use in particular purposes
    • B66C23/26—Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom, or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory of swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib-cranes, derricks, tower cranes specially adapted for use in particular purposes for use on building sites; constructed, e.g. with separable parts, to facilitate rapid assembly or dismantling, for operation at successively higher levels, for transport by road or rail
    • B66C23/34—Self-erecting cranes, i.e. with hoisting gear adapted for crane erection purposes
    • B66C23/344—Self-erecting cranes, i.e. with hoisting gear adapted for crane erection purposes adapted for transport purposes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
    • B66C13/00—Other constructional features or details
    • B66C13/18—Control systems or devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
    • B66C23/00—Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom, or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory of swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib-cranes, derricks, tower cranes
    • B66C23/16—Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom, or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory of swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib-cranes, derricks, tower cranes with jibs supported by columns, e.g. towers having their lower end mounted for slewing movements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
    • B66C23/00—Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom, or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory of swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib-cranes, derricks, tower cranes
    • B66C23/18—Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom, or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory of swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib-cranes, derricks, tower cranes specially adapted for use in particular purposes
    • B66C23/26—Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom, or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory of swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib-cranes, derricks, tower cranes specially adapted for use in particular purposes for use on building sites; constructed, e.g. with separable parts, to facilitate rapid assembly or dismantling, for operation at successively higher levels, for transport by road or rail
    • B66C23/34—Self-erecting cranes, i.e. with hoisting gear adapted for crane erection purposes
    • B66C23/348—Self-erecting cranes, i.e. with hoisting gear adapted for crane erection purposes the erection being operated by jacks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
    • B66C23/00—Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom, or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory of swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib-cranes, derricks, tower cranes
    • B66C23/62—Constructional features or details
    • B66C23/64—Jibs
    • B66C23/68—Jibs foldable or otherwise adjustable in configuration

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an automatic folding and unfolding tower crane, comprising at least one punch whose folding and unfolding are also automatic.
  • said mast and said boom can comprise several sections articulated together and adapted to be folded on top of each other, so as to make such a tower crane even more compact in its transport configuration.
  • Such tower cranes also include a lifting cable, extending along the mast and along the jib, connected to a block to which a load to be lifted is attached: by winding or unwinding this lifting cable, for example at by means of a lifting winch secured to the chassis or a lower end of the mast, it is thus possible to move said load in the vertical direction.
  • the arrow usually has a punch (also sometimes called “counter-arrow”) arranged at one of its ends, so that the arrow is extended, when it is in its working position, by said punch towards the rear of its point of connection with the top of the mast.
  • a punch also sometimes called "counter-arrow”
  • This punch is also connected to a rear retainer, which can consist of several articulated tie rods or cables, extending substantially parallel to the mast and connecting said punch to the frame: this rear retainer thus makes it possible, in the working configuration of the tower crane, to stabilize the position of the boom at the top of the mast and in certain cases to adjust its inclination relative to the vertical.
  • this rear retainer makes possible the automatic folding and unfolding of such a tower crane, the unfolding of the mast (under the effect of a dedicated actuator) exerting a tension force in the rear retainer causing deployment of the boom in relation to the mast, via the punch.
  • the punch is also foldable and unfoldable between a working position, in which it extends in the extension of the boom, and a position of transport, in which it is folded in the direction of this same arrow.
  • the document FR2834505 describes a tower crane whose punch extends, when said tower crane is in its working configuration, obliquely to and above the boom.
  • this method of folding the punch is only applicable to such tower cranes in which the punch extends significantly above the boom in working configuration, and also has the disadvantage of requiring a preliminary partial unfolding step of the boom when unfolding these tower cranes in order to allow unfolding of the punch: the unfolding process is therefore made more complex, thus increasing the risk of errors which could damage such tower cranes.
  • the document EP3184481 describes a tower crane whose punch has (in the working configuration of the tower crane) a slight inclination relative to the boom and a reduced length, so that said punch can be folded into a transport position vertical, against an end portion of the arrow.
  • This crane also includes a telescopic mast, having two mast sections which can slide one in the other in the vertical direction: when folding this crane, the boom is caused to be inclined vertically and towards the ground when de- telescoping of the mast, causing an automatic folding of the punch on an end portion of the boom, under the effect of its own weight.
  • this method of folding the punch has the disadvantage of being limited to tower cranes comprising a telescopic mast.
  • the document EP1364906 describes the use of a system comprising gas cylinders arranged in the boom allowing the punch to be folded against it, in its transport position.
  • this principle requires a larger footprint inside the boom, in order to allow greater travel of the crankshaft controlled by the gas cylinders and thus reduce the forces required to move the punch. If the space available in the boom is smaller, it is then necessary to increase the number of gas cylinders, thus making the system more complex and more expensive.
  • this solution does not guarantee reliable unfolding or folding of the punch over time, thus potentially causing a risk of damage to the crane. in turn, for example in the event of failure to unfold the punch when unfolding the tower crane.
  • the present invention therefore aims to resolve all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks, by proposing a tower crane whose folding and unfolding of the punch are carried out automatically, in a simple and reliable manner.
  • Another objective of the invention is to provide a tower crane making it possible to precisely control the speed of folding or unfolding of the punch.
  • Yet another objective of the invention is to propose a suitable tower crane which may be of variable type and/or capacity, in particular a tower crane which may be of high or low capacity and may or may not include a telescopic mast.
  • yet another objective of the invention is to propose a tower crane whose method of folding or unfolding the punch involves elements already present in widespread tower cranes of the state of the art and requiring only a modest modification of their architecture.
  • a tower crane of the foldable and unfoldable type between a working configuration and a transport configuration, having a boom articulated in rotation relative to a mast around a main axis of rotation, said crane with tower comprising a rear retainer fixed to a frame supporting said mast and to a punch, said punch being provided to extend said boom to the rear of said main axis of rotation and designed to be movable relative to said boom between a working position and a transport position, said tower crane being characterized in that it comprises a lifting cable connected to a winding device designed to exert a tension force on said lifting cable, said tension force being applied to said punch by means of a system of return designed to cooperate with said lifting cable, so as to cause a movement of said punch from its working position to its transport position.
  • the invention proposes a tower crane in which the folding movement of the punch, from its working position to its transport position, and carried out using the lifting cable: the tension force exerted on it -this by the winding device is transmitted to the punch via the return system, so as to move the punch.
  • the lifting cable usually comprises a first portion, extending along the mast, connected to a second portion extending along the boom: by means of force tension applied by the furling device (which may for example consist of a winch secured to the mast) on this lifting cable, it is possible to vary a length of the latter to lift and vertically move a load fixed to a block, itself connected to said lifting cable.
  • the furling device which may for example consist of a winch secured to the mast
  • the invention therefore proposes to exploit this tension force in another way, by applying it, by means of the return system, to an area of the punch in order to cause it to fold.
  • the lifting cable retains its load lifting function: the use of the lifting cable for folding the punch during the passage of the tower crane from its configuration of work to its transport configuration is thus an additional characteristic not modifying the normal operation of the tower crane when it is in its work configuration.
  • the unfolding of the punch can be carried out by means of a rear retainer, composed of articulated rods or a cable extending along the mast and connecting the punch to the chassis supporting this same mast: when the tower crane according to the invention passes from its transport configuration to its working configuration, the rear retainer exerts a force on the punch causing the automatic movement of the latter from its transport position to its working position.
  • the invention envisages combining simultaneous actions on the punch of the tension force of the lifting cable and the rear restraint during the unfolding of the tower crane, so as to control the unfolding speed of the punch.
  • the return system comprises at least one main return element in which the lifting cable is engaged, said main return element being fixed on the punch.
  • the lifting cable of a tower crane thus comprises an intermediate portion connecting the first portion and the second portion of the latter, this intermediate portion cooperating with the return system near the punch and the main axis of rotation articulating the boom and the mast.
  • the lifting cable is engaged in a main return element integral with the punch: the tension force, exerted on the lifting cable by the winding device is thus transmitted to this main return element, which in turn transmits to the minus part of this tension force at the punch.
  • the main return element is a pulley comprising a wheel cooperating with the lifting cable and a yoke, carrying said wheel and fixed on the punch.
  • the punch is connected in rotation, around a secondary axis of rotation, to a first arrow section extending in an arrow direction, said punch being movable, between its working position and its transport position, by a rotational movement relative to the first boom section around said secondary axis of rotation.
  • the secondary axis of rotation is parallel to the main axis of rotation.
  • the punch has a punch body extending in a punch direction between a first end, connected to the first arrow section, and a second opposite end, the main return element of the return system being arranged at proximity to said second end.
  • the tension force of the lifting cable is thus applied to the punch at a maximum distance from the secondary axis of rotation, so as to increase as much as possible the lever arm exerted on the punch by the folding force transmitted by the main reference element.
  • the folding movement of the punch can be carried out without the tension force having to present too high an intensity.
  • the punch direction is parallel to the arrow direction when said punch is in its working position, and the punch direction is orthogonal to the arrow direction when said punch is in its transport position.
  • the punch extends in a punch direction substantially parallel to the arrow direction in its working position, and substantially orthogonal to this same arrow direction in its transport position. .
  • the invention envisages embodiments in which the punch direction forms with the arrow direction an angle whose measurement is between -20° and 20° when the punch is in its working position, and an angle whose measurement is between 70° and 110° when the punch is in its working position.
  • the folding movement of the punch consists of making the latter perform a rotational movement of approximately 90° around the secondary axis of rotation.
  • the punch can be formed by two ribs, joined at one of their ends and forming with the secondary axis of rotation an isosceles triangle, substantially parallel to the direction of arrow when the punch is in its working configuration.
  • the main return element can then be placed at this junction point between the two members.
  • this junction point can also be connected to an upper chord of the first boom section by a line of upper tie rods making it possible to transmit to said first boom section the forces exerted on the punch by the rear retainer so as to cause a movement rotation of said first boom section relative to the mast: this line of upper tie rods thus forms with the two frames and the secondary axis of rotation a general trihedron shape.
  • the first boom section has at least one upper chord and one lower chord defining respectively, in a direction perpendicular to the direction of arrow, an upper limit and a lower limit of said first boom section, where the axis of secondary rotation is positioned at said lower limit, and in which the return system comprises at least one return element secondary positioned near said upper limit, the lifting cable being engaged successively in said secondary return element then in the main return element, so that the tension force generates on said main return element a directed folding force in the direction of said secondary return element and allowing movement of said punch from its working position to its transport position.
  • This particular configuration of the return system guarantees that the tension force exerted by the lifting cable on the main return element (integral to the punch) has a direction allowing the punch to be moved towards its transport position. Indeed, by positioning a secondary return element at the upper limit of the first boom section while the secondary axis of rotation is arranged near the lower limit thereof, the tension force exerted by the cable lifting on the main return element is directed in the direction of this upper limit and therefore tends to bring the main return element closer to this same upper limit.
  • the tension force transmitted to the punch via the main return element has an oblique direction, directed "upwards", relative to the arrow direction and makes it possible to put this punch into position. rotation around the secondary axis of rotation.
  • the main axis of rotation is for its part between the upper limit and the lower limit of the first boom section.
  • the secondary return element is fixed on the mast and connected to the winding device by a first portion of the lifting cable intended to extend along said mast, where said secondary return element and the main return element are positioned, according to the direction of the arrow, on either side of the secondary axis of rotation when the punch is in its working position.
  • the first portion of the lifting cable, extending along the mast, is directly engaged in the secondary return element secured to the mast, then this same lifting cable is engaged in the main return element secured to the punch.
  • the tracking system therefore does not include, in this embodiment, any other return element in which the lifting cable is engaged between the main return element and the secondary return element.
  • the return system comprises one or more tertiary return elements fixed on the mast, the punch or the first boom section, the lifting cable being engaged in said tertiary return elements, so as to transmit the force of tension of the main return element to a second portion of the lifting cable, said second portion being designed to extend along the first boom section.
  • the lifting cable is therefore successively engaged in the secondary return element, then in the main return element, then in the tertiary return element(s).
  • the main, secondary and tertiary return elements are positioned so as to transmit the tension force from the first portion of the lifting cable to the second portion of the lifting cable without applying deformation forces to this same lifting cable in torsion.
  • this can be achieved by aligning the return directions of two successive return elements in pairs.
  • the tower crane according to the invention comprises a boom offset relative to the mast, that is to say in the case where the first boom section is offset relative to the mast. to the mast in a transverse direction, orthogonal to both the boom direction and a direction of extension of the mast.
  • the return system must be configured to transmit the tension force along the lifting cable also in this transverse direction, potentially causing the appearance of significant torsional forces in the lifting cable and leading to his breakup.
  • the winding device comprises an actuator adapted to vary an intensity of the tension force exerted on the lifting cable by said winding device.
  • the lifting cable extends between a first end fixed to the boom and a second end connected to the winding device, said winding device being integral with the mast, and wherein the actuator of the winding device is adapted to vary a cable length of said lifting cable measured between said first end and said winding device, so as to vary the intensity of the tension force.
  • the winding device therefore makes it possible to increase the intensity of the tension force exerted on the lifting cable by shortening the cable length, or to reduce this intensity by increasing this cable length.
  • the characteristic quantity can correspond to an intensity of the supply current of this motor, or even a value of a resistive torque exerted on the motor shaft of this one.
  • Such a control system thus makes it possible to maintain approximately constant, permanently and automatically, the value of the intensity of the tension force, throughout the folding or unfolding of the tower crane according to the invention, and especially throughout the folding or unfolding of the punch.
  • the length traveled by the lifting cable between its first end (fixed on the boom) and its second end (connected to the winding device, secured to the mast) is made to vary.
  • the winding device (controlled by the control system) unwinds a predefined length of lifting cable, in order to slightly lower this value (and therefore, equivalently, to lower the intensity of the tension force in the lifting cable).
  • this same value of the characteristic quantity reaches the threshold value and the winding device unwinds the lifting cable again, etc.
  • control system operates in a similar manner during tower crane folding (and in particular during punch folding), with the reel device winding the lifting cable in stages.
  • the control system therefore makes it possible to automatically control the kinetics of the folding and unfolding movements of the tower crane or the punch, by indirect (or direct depending on the embodiment) control of the value of the force intensity Of voltage.
  • the tension force exerted in the lifting cable 5 must be sufficiently significant at all times to hold the block against the boom, in order to avoid damage to the tower crane during the folding or unfolding processes.
  • the folding movement of the punch consisting for example of an “upward” rotational movement around the secondary axis of rotation, tends to oppose the weight of said punch: it is thus necessary that the force of tension is applied to the punch so as to generate a folding force directed opposite to earth's gravity and making it possible to compensate in particular for the weight of the punch and the rear retainer, in order to be able to "raise” it and move it to its transport position.
  • the tower crane is as previously described, the folding phase comprising a step of controlling the actuator of the winding device by the control system so as to reduce the cable length so as to cause the punch to move towards its transport configuration.
  • This step of reducing the cable length results in an increase in the tension force in the lifting cable, then by an increase in the folding force exerted on the punch, and finally by a movement of the punch towards its position of transport under the effect of this folding force.
  • the unfolding phase comprises at least one step during which the control system compares the value of the characteristic quantity representative of the intensity of the tension force to an unfolding threshold value
  • the folding phase comprises at least one step during which the control system compares the value of the characteristic quantity representative of the intensity of the tension force to a folding threshold value, said folding threshold value being greater than said unfolding threshold value
  • the tension force exerted in the lifting cable results in the application of a folding force on the punch tending to oppose the weight of said punch and the rear retainer.
  • the punch is moved towards its working position under the effect of its own weight, and the folding force then has the role of partially compensating this weight to slow down the kinetics of the folding movement and control the speed unfolding of the punch: the folding force should therefore not be as significant as during a folding movement.
  • the tension force must have a lower intensity during unfolding movements than during folding movements of the punch: this characteristic then results in a choice of a folding threshold value greater than a threshold value unfolding.
  • the folding threshold value is at least 20% greater than the unfolding threshold value.
  • folding and/or unfolding processes can be carried out, at least partially, by a human operator, said operator being able in particular to control the winding device so as to vary the intensity of the tension force in the lifting cable.
  • the operator can choose to carry out this unfolding of the punch at a moment in the unfolding process of the tower crane where the punch is as far away as possible from said building or external element.
  • FIG. 1 represents a tower crane 1 according to the invention, in working configuration.
  • This tower crane 1 comprises a boom 2 having a first boom section 21, a second boom section 22 and a third boom section 23, articulated two by two in rotation around a first boom rotation axis 221 and a second axis of arrow rotation 231.
  • the tower crane 1 also comprises a mast 3 having a first mast section 31 and a second mast section 32, articulated in rotation relative to each other around a mast rotation axis 321 .
  • This mast is supported by a chassis 4, intended to rest on a ground, the second mast section 32 being articulated in rotation relative to the chassis 4 around an axis of rotation of the chassis 41.
  • the first boom section 21 extends between a first end 211 and a second end 214 in a boom direction F, and the first mast section 31 extends in a mast direction M.
  • the first boom section 21 and the first mast section are also articulated in rotation relative to each other around a main axis of rotation 311.
  • first boom rotation axis 221, the second boom rotation axis 231, the mast rotation axis 321 and the chassis rotation axis 41 are parallel to each other and also parallel to each other. the main axis of rotation 311.
  • the tower crane 1 In its transport configuration, the tower crane 1 has a very compact shape and is therefore very easily transportable.
  • the tower crane 1 In its working configuration, the tower crane 1 is adapted to move a load fixed to a hook C, itself connected to a block O designed to be movable along the boom 2.
  • the block O is also connected to a lifting cable 5 comprising a first end 51 fixed on the third boom section 23 and a second end 52 connected to a winding device 53 secured to the second mast section 32.
  • This winding device 53 (for example, consisting of a winch actuated by a motor) is designed to alternately increase or decrease a cable length of the lifting cable 5, measured between the first end 51 and the second end 52, (for example example, by winding or unwinding said lifting cable 5), in order to make respectively raise or lower the block O in the mast direction M, and thus move a load fixed to the hook C in the vertical direction when the tower crane 1 is in working configuration.
  • the winding device 53 is therefore adapted to exert a tension force T of variable intensity on this same lifting cable 5.
  • the tower crane 1 also includes a punch 6, articulated in rotation with the first end 211 of the first boom section 21 around a secondary axis of rotation 61, and extending the boom 2 beyond the main axis of rotation 311 .
  • This punch 6 is also connected to a rear retainer 7, formed of several connecting rods 71, 72, 73 and 74 articulated together and connecting the punch 6 to the chassis 4 extending along the mast 2.
  • this rear retainer 7 allows, via the punch 6, to maintain the boom 2 in its horizontal position at the top of the mast 2.
  • the punch 6 comprises in particular two ribs 62 articulated in rotation with the first arrow section 21 around the secondary axis of rotation 61 and joined at a junction point 63.
  • these frames 62 are thus movable relative to the first boom section 21 between a working position of the punch 6 (as illustrated in the figures 2 to 7 ) and a transport position (as shown in the Figure 9 ).
  • the ribs 62 define a plane parallel to the arrow direction F.
  • the ribs 62 define a plane substantially perpendicular to the arrow direction F.
  • the punch 6 In its transport position, the punch 6 abuts against the first boom section 6, thereby improving the overall compactness of the tower crane 1 in its transport configuration.
  • the punch 6 follows a folding movement when it moves from its working position to its transport position, and an unfolding movement when it moves from its transport position to his working position.
  • the punch 6 is connected, at the junction point 63 to the rear retainer 7: the junction point being located at a maximum distance of the main axis of rotation 311, this characteristic makes it possible to increase the lever arm of the forces exerted on the punch by the rear retainer 7.
  • the secondary axis of rotation 61 is positioned at a lower limit of the first boom section 21 defined by lower boom ribs 212.
  • the tower crane 1 also includes a line of upper tie rods 64 joining the junction point 63 of the punch 6 to the first boom section 21, at the level of an upper limit of said first boom section 21 defined by upper boom chords 213 .
  • the punch 6 extends obliquely with respect to the arrow direction F, the junction point 63 being located (in the transverse direction 33) at the level of the mast 3, while the articulation of the frames 62 with the first boom section 21 is located at said first boom section.
  • the punch cooperates with the lifting cable 5 via a return system 8.
  • the return system 8 makes it possible to transmit the tension force T exerted on the lifting cable 5 by the winding device 53 between a first portion 54 of the lifting cable 5, extending along the mast 3, and a second portion 55 of the lifting cable 5, extending along the arrow 2.
  • This return system 8 therefore cooperates with an intermediate portion 56 of the lifting cable, said intermediate portion 56 joining said first portion 54 and second portion 55.
  • the return system 8 is well suited to transmit the tension force T between the first portion 54 and the second portion 55 of the lifting cable 5.
  • the pulleys of the secondary return element 81, of the main return element 82 and of the tertiary return elements 83 are advantageously arranged so as not to introduce torsional forces into the lifting cable 5.
  • this return system 8 As previously, many other embodiments are possible concerning this return system 8, the structure of which is necessarily adapted to that of the tower crane 1.
  • this return system 8 cooperates with the punch 6; in particular, it is necessary that the return system 8 is configured to be able to transmit the tension force T, exerted on the lifting cable 5, to the punch 6.
  • THE figures 5 to 10 describe the different stages of a method of folding the tower crane 1 according to the invention, that is to say a method allowing it to pass from its transport configuration to its transport configuration.
  • This folding process begins with a step of folding the arrow 2 on itself, by stacking (visible on the figure 5 ) of the first boom section 21, second boom section 22 and third boom section 23, by rotation around a first boom rotation axis 221 and the second boom rotation axis 231.
  • the mast is then also folded on itself, by a rotational movement of the first mast section 31 around the mast rotation axis 321 and of the second mast section 32 around the frame rotation axis 41.
  • the rear retainer 7 is also connected in an articulated manner to the chassis 4 (by means of a connecting rod 71, said connecting rod 71 also being telescopic) to the punch 6 (by means of a connecting rod 72), to the first mast section 31 ( by means of a connecting rod 73) and to the second mast section 32 (by means of a connecting rod 74), this rear retainer is deformed under the effect of the folding movement of the mast 2: under the effect of the action of the V cylinder, the rear retainer makes it possible to control the folding kinetics of the tower crane 1.
  • these steps of folding the boom 2 and the mast 3 cause a release of the lifting cable 5: during all the previous steps, the winding device 53 was controlled, by means of a control system whose operation will be described in more detail below, so as to reduce the cable length of the lifting cable 5, in order to compensate for the relaxation of the lifting cable 5 and thus maintain a tension force in the lifting cable 5 of relatively constant intensity .
  • the winding device 53 continues to be controlled by the control system so as to wind the lifting cable 5 (that is to say so as to reduce the cable length).
  • the lifting cable 5 exerts on the main return element 82 of the return system a tension force T directed towards the secondary return element 81.
  • This folding force P has an intensity which depends in particular on the relative positions of the main return element 82, of the return element secondary 81 and the tertiary return element 83' (in particular, positioning the tertiary return element 83' near the upper limit of the first boom section 21 makes it possible to maximize the intensity of the folding force P), and mechanical friction exerted by these same return elements 81, 82 and 83' on the lifting cable 5.
  • the folding force P thus exerts on the punch 6 a folding moment making it possible to cause the punch 6 to rotate relative to the first arrow section 21 around the secondary axis of rotation 61.
  • the punch 6 is thus moved from its working position (in Figure 7 ) to its transport position (in Figure 9 ) under the effect of the tension force T and the folding force P.
  • the secondary return element 82 arranged near the upper limit of the first boom section 21 (defined by the upper boom ribs 213), relative to the secondary axis of rotation, arranged near the lower limit of the first boom section 21 (defined by the lower boom chords 212), and relative to the main return element 82, disposed between said upper limit and said lower limit.
  • the folding force P tends to bring the junction point 63 closer to this upper limit, that is to say it tends to “raise” the punch 6 relative to the arrow direction F.
  • FIG 8 illustrates an intermediate position of the punch 6, between its working position and its transport position, during its rotational movement around the secondary axis 61 under the effect of the tension force T.
  • FIG. 9 illustrates this same punch 6 after it has reached its transport position: the punch 6 is then positioned abutting against the first end 211 of the first boom section 21, and the frames 62 are then substantially orthogonal to the boom direction F.
  • first mast section 31 and the second mast section 32 are folded on top of each other and both extend horizontally.
  • boom 2 is folded on itself in contact with the first mast section 31 and also extends horizontally.
  • the tower crane is in a very compact form and occupies a small volume, which makes it easily transportable by usual means of transport.
  • the fact of having moved the punch 6 towards its transport position, abutting against the first boom section 21, makes it possible to reduce the bulk of the tower crane 1 in its transport configuration: the folding of the punch 6 makes it possible to reduce a length L occupied by the tower crane 1 by a length L' of the frames 62 (measured between the junction point 63 and the secondary axis of rotation 61.
  • the tower crane 1 includes a control system making it possible to control the winding device 53 so as to control the intensity of the tension force T in the lifting cable 5 during the folding movement of the punch 6. More precisely, this control system is capable of measuring a value of a characteristic quantity representative of the intensity of the tension force T, undergoing the same variations over time as the intensity of the tension force.
  • the characteristic quantity can correspond to an intensity of the supply current of this motor, or even a value of a resistive torque exerted on the motor shaft of this one.
  • This characteristic quantity can also correspond to the intensity of the tension force T itself, for example measured using a dynamometer.
  • the control system is designed to regularly compare the value of this characteristic quantity to a previously defined threshold value and to command the winding device 53 to increase the cable length when the value of this characteristic quantity is greater than this threshold value, and command the winding device 53 to reduce the cable length when the value of this characteristic quantity is less than this threshold value.
  • control system makes it possible to automatically and continuously maintain the value of the characteristic quantity approximately equal to the threshold value throughout the folding or unfolding movements of the tower crane 1, and therefore to exert on the lifting cable 5 a tension force T of substantially constant intensity.
  • the winding device 53 performs regular winding of the lifting cable 5 in order to maintain the intensity of the tension force T at a high level.
  • the tension force T must therefore have a sufficiently large intensity so that the folding force P can overcome the weight of the punch 6 and the rear retainer 7, in order to cause the folding movement of the punch 6.
  • a process for unfolding the tower crane 1, making it possible to move the latter from its transport configuration to its working configuration, can be carried out in a manner similar to the folding process previously described.
  • This unfolding process can thus be described by the same figures 5 to 10 , traveled in the opposite direction to the folding process, that is to say the unfolding process begins with the transport configuration of the tower crane 1 illustrated by the Figure 10 and ends with the working configuration of tower crane 1 shown in Figure 5 .
  • the mast is deployed by means of the cylinder V, controlled so as to increase the distance separating the first mast section 31 from the second mast section 32.
  • the punch 6 is in its transport position, abutting against the first boom section 21.
  • the rear retainer 7 exerts mechanical forces on the punch 6 at the junction point 63, resulting in the application on the punch 6 of a mechanical torque allowing the initiation of a unfolding movement of the punch 6, towards its working position.
  • the punch 6 is then subjected to the effects of its own weight, which tends to move it towards its working position: the unfolding movement of the punch 6 is thus achieved thanks to the rear retainer 7 and the weight of the punch 6.
  • the control system of the winding device 53 makes it possible, by continuously controlling the value of the intensity of the tension force T during the unfolding movement of the punch 6, to control the kinematics of said punch 6.
  • the unfolding of the punch 6 results in an increase in the cable length of the lifting cable 5: the control system controls the winding device 53 so that it unwinds the lifting cable 5 little by little and in a controlled manner, in order to to slow down the movement of the punch 6.
  • the arrow 2 is also rotated (under the effect of the rear retainer 7 and via the punch 6) relative to the first mast section 31 around the main axis of rotation 311 and moved to a horizontal position, until the tower crane 1 reaches its working configuration illustrated in figure 1 , in which the arrow 2 is perpendicular to the vertical mast 3.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
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  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Jib Cranes (AREA)

Description

La présente invention concerne une grue à tour à pliage et dépliage automatiques, comportant au moins un poinçon dont le pliage et le dépliage sont également automatiques.The present invention relates to an automatic folding and unfolding tower crane, comprising at least one punch whose folding and unfolding are also automatic.

Elle se rapporte également à un procédé de pliage et de dépliage d'une telle grue à tour. Dans le domaine des grues à tour, il est connu d'utiliser des grues à tour, comportant une flèche reliée à un mât solidaire d'un châssis disposé sur le sol, dépliables et repliables entre :

  • une configuration de travail, dans laquelle le mât est sensiblement vertical (c'est-à-dire, s'étendant selon une direction parallèle à la force de gravité terrestre) et la flèche peut présenter un angle par rapport audit mât compris entre 0° et 45°, généralement proche de 0° et la flèche étant alors sensiblement horizontale, les grues étant alors adaptées pour soulever et déplacer des charges ; et
  • une configuration de transport, dans laquelle le mât et la flèche sont repliés l'un contre l'autre, de manière à occuper un volume réduit et être plus facilement transportables. Un tel modèle de grue pliable et dépliable est par exemple connu du document DE 1 209 262 , qui divulgue le préambule de la revendication 1.
It also relates to a method of folding and unfolding such a tower crane. In the field of tower cranes, it is known to use tower cranes, comprising a boom connected to a mast secured to a chassis placed on the ground, unfoldable and foldable between:
  • a working configuration, in which the mast is substantially vertical (that is to say, extending in a direction parallel to the force of earth's gravity) and the boom can present an angle with respect to said mast of between 0° and 45°, generally close to 0° and the boom then being substantially horizontal, the cranes then being adapted to lift and move loads; And
  • a transport configuration, in which the mast and the boom are folded against each other, so as to occupy a reduced volume and be more easily transported. Such a foldable and unfoldable crane model is for example known from the document FROM 1,209,262 , which discloses the preamble of claim 1.

Par ailleurs et de manière classique, ledit mât et ladite flèche peuvent comporter plusieurs tronçons articulés entre eux et adaptés pour être repliés les uns sur les autres, de manière à rendre encore plus compacte un telle grue à tour dans sa configuration de transport.Furthermore and in a conventional manner, said mast and said boom can comprise several sections articulated together and adapted to be folded on top of each other, so as to make such a tower crane even more compact in its transport configuration.

De telles grues à tour comportent également un câble de levage, s'étendant le long du mât et le long de la flèche, relié à un moufle auquel est accroché une charge à soulever : en enroulant ou déroulant ce câble de levage, par exemple au moyen d'un treuil de levage solidaire du châssis ou d'une extrémité inférieure du mât, il est ainsi possible de déplacer ladite charge selon la direction verticale.Such tower cranes also include a lifting cable, extending along the mast and along the jib, connected to a block to which a load to be lifted is attached: by winding or unwinding this lifting cable, for example at by means of a lifting winch secured to the chassis or a lower end of the mast, it is thus possible to move said load in the vertical direction.

De manière connue, la flèche présente habituellement un poinçon (également parfois appelé « contre-flèche ») disposé à l'une de ses extrémités, de sorte que la flèche est prolongée, lorsque celle-ci est dans sa position de travail, par ledit poinçon vers l'arrière de son point de liaison avec le sommet du mât.In known manner, the arrow usually has a punch (also sometimes called "counter-arrow") arranged at one of its ends, so that the arrow is extended, when it is in its working position, by said punch towards the rear of its point of connection with the top of the mast.

Ce poinçon est de plus relié à une retenue arrière, pouvant être constituée de plusieurs tirants articulés ou de câbles, s'étendant sensiblement parallèlement au mât et reliant ledit poinçon au châssis : cette retenue arrière permet ainsi, dans la configuration de travail de la grue à tour, de stabiliser la position de la flèche au sommet du mât et de régler dans certains cas son inclinaison par rapport à la verticale.This punch is also connected to a rear retainer, which can consist of several articulated tie rods or cables, extending substantially parallel to the mast and connecting said punch to the frame: this rear retainer thus makes it possible, in the working configuration of the tower crane, to stabilize the position of the boom at the top of the mast and in certain cases to adjust its inclination relative to the vertical.

Par ailleurs, cette retenue arrière rend possible le pliage et le dépliage automatiques d'une telle grue à tour, le dépliage du mât (sous l'effet d'un actionneur dédié) exerçant une force de tension dans la retenue arrière provoquant un déploiement de la flèche par rapport au mât, par l'intermédiaire du poinçon.Furthermore, this rear retainer makes possible the automatic folding and unfolding of such a tower crane, the unfolding of the mast (under the effect of a dedicated actuator) exerting a tension force in the rear retainer causing deployment of the boom in relation to the mast, via the punch.

Afin de rendre ladite grue à tour encore plus compacte et simple à transporter dans sa configuration de transport, le poinçon est également pliable et dépliable entre une position de travail, dans laquelle il s'étend dans le prolongement de la flèche, et une position de transport, dans laquelle il est replié en direction de cette même flèche.In order to make said tower crane even more compact and simple to transport in its transport configuration, the punch is also foldable and unfoldable between a working position, in which it extends in the extension of the boom, and a position of transport, in which it is folded in the direction of this same arrow.

Il est donc nécessaire de prévoir, dans une telle grue à tour, un dispositif spécifique permettant un pliage et le dépliage du poinçon, dont la nature peut varier en fonction des différents types de grues et leurs méthodes de pliage et dépliage respectives.It is therefore necessary to provide, in such a tower crane, a specific device allowing folding and unfolding of the punch, the nature of which may vary depending on the different types of cranes and their respective folding and unfolding methods.

Par exemple, le document FR2834505 décrit une grue à tour dont le poinçon s'étend, lorsque ladite grue à tour est dans sa configuration de travail, obliquement par rapport à la flèche et au-dessus de celle-ci.For example, the document FR2834505 describes a tower crane whose punch extends, when said tower crane is in its working configuration, obliquely to and above the boom.

Lors du pliage de cette grue, la flèche est amenée à être inclinée verticalement et vers le sol, provoquant un rabattement automatique du poinçon sur la partie supérieure de la flèche, sous l'effet de son propre poids.When folding this crane, the boom is inclined vertically and towards the ground, causing an automatic folding of the punch on the upper part of the boom, under the effect of its own weight.

Cependant, cette méthode de pliage du poinçon est uniquement applicable à de telles grues à tour dans lesquelles le poinçon s'étend significativement au-dessus de la flèche en configuration de travail, et présente également l'inconvénient de nécessiter une étape préliminaire de dépliage partiel de la flèche lors du dépliage de ces grues à tour afin de permettre un dépliage du poinçon : le procédé de dépliage est donc rendu plus complexe, augmentant ainsi le risque d'erreurs pouvant endommager des telles grues à tour.However, this method of folding the punch is only applicable to such tower cranes in which the punch extends significantly above the boom in working configuration, and also has the disadvantage of requiring a preliminary partial unfolding step of the boom when unfolding these tower cranes in order to allow unfolding of the punch: the unfolding process is therefore made more complex, thus increasing the risk of errors which could damage such tower cranes.

Le document EP3184481 décrit quant à lui une grue à tour dont le poinçon présente (dans la configuration de travail de la grue à tour) une faible inclinaison par rapport à la flèche et une longueur réduite, de manière que ledit poinçon puisse être plié dans une position de transport verticale, contre une portion d'extrémité de la flèche.The document EP3184481 describes a tower crane whose punch has (in the working configuration of the tower crane) a slight inclination relative to the boom and a reduced length, so that said punch can be folded into a transport position vertical, against an end portion of the arrow.

Cette grue comporte également un mât télescopique, présentant deux tronçons de mât pouvant coulisser l'un dans l'autre selon la direction verticale : lors du pliage de cette grue, la flèche est amenée à être inclinée verticalement et vers le sol lors du dé-télescopage du mât, provoquant un rabattement automatique du poinçon sur une portion d'extrémité de la flèche, sous l'effet de son propre poids.This crane also includes a telescopic mast, having two mast sections which can slide one in the other in the vertical direction: when folding this crane, the boom is caused to be inclined vertically and towards the ground when de- telescoping of the mast, causing an automatic folding of the punch on an end portion of the boom, under the effect of its own weight.

De même que pour la grue à tour précédemment évoquée, cette méthode de pliage du poinçon présente l'inconvénient d'être limité aux grues à tour comportant un mât télescopique.As with the tower crane previously mentioned, this method of folding the punch has the disadvantage of being limited to tower cranes comprising a telescopic mast.

Dans le cas de grues à tour dont le poinçon présente (dans la configuration de travail de la grue à tour) une faible inclinaison par rapport à la flèche mais ne comportant pas de mât télescopique, il n'est pas possible de réaliser un pliage du poinçon en exploitant la force de gravité, en utilisant le propre poids du poinçon.In the case of tower cranes whose punch has (in the working configuration of the tower crane) a slight inclination relative to the jib but does not have a telescopic mast, it is not possible to fold the punch by exploiting the force of gravity, using the punch's own weight.

En effet, dans ces grues à tour, le déplacement du poinçon vers sa position de transport est réalisé tandis que la flèche et le mât forment avec la direction horizontale un angle d'environ 45° : le poids du poinçon et de la retenue arrière tend alors à s'opposer au pliage de ce poinçon.Indeed, in these tower cranes, the movement of the punch towards its transport position is carried out while the boom and the mast form an angle of approximately 45° with the horizontal direction: the weight of the punch and the rear retainer tends then to oppose the folding of this punch.

Afin de résoudre ce problème, le document EP1364906 décrit l'utilisation d'un système comportant des vérins à gaz disposés dans la flèche permettant de rabattre le poinçon contre celle-ci, dans sa position de transport.In order to resolve this problem, the document EP1364906 describes the use of a system comprising gas cylinders arranged in the boom allowing the punch to be folded against it, in its transport position.

Cependant, ce principe nécessite un encombrement supérieur à l'intérieur de la flèche, afin de permettre un débattement plus important de l'embiellage commandé par les vérins à gaz et d'ainsi réduire les efforts nécessaires au déplacement du poinçon. Dans le cas où l'encombrement disponible dans la flèche est plus réduit, il est alors nécessaire d'augmenter le nombre de vérins à gaz, rendant ainsi le système plus complexe et plus onéreux.However, this principle requires a larger footprint inside the boom, in order to allow greater travel of the crankshaft controlled by the gas cylinders and thus reduce the forces required to move the punch. If the space available in the boom is smaller, it is then necessary to increase the number of gas cylinders, thus making the system more complex and more expensive.

En particulier, du fait des intempéries et des conditions difficiles de chantier auxquels ces vérins à gaz sont exposés, cette solution ne permet pas de garantir un dépliage ou un pliage du poinçon fiable dans le temps, pouvant ainsi provoquer un risque de détérioration de la grue à tour, par exemple en cas de non dépliage du poinçon lors du dépliage de la grue à tour.In particular, due to bad weather and the difficult site conditions to which these gas cylinders are exposed, this solution does not guarantee reliable unfolding or folding of the punch over time, thus potentially causing a risk of damage to the crane. in turn, for example in the event of failure to unfold the punch when unfolding the tower crane.

Par ailleurs, il pourrait être envisageable de remplacer les vérins à gaz du système précédent par des vérins hydrauliques ou tout autre actionneur piloté à distance, mais ceux-ci s'avéreraient également complexes à piloter, nécessiteraient de modifier l'architecture globale de la grue afin d'y intégrer des capteurs permettant de déclencher les mouvements de pliage ou de dépliage du poinçon au moment souhaité et ne constitueraient pas une solution économique.Furthermore, it could be possible to replace the gas cylinders of the previous system with hydraulic cylinders or any other remotely controlled actuator, but these would also prove complex to control and would require modifying the overall architecture of the crane. in order to integrate sensors making it possible to trigger the folding or unfolding movements of the punch at the desired time and would not constitute an economical solution.

La présente invention a ainsi pour but de résoudre en tout ou partie les inconvénients précités, en proposant une grue à tour dont le pliage et le dépliage du poinçon sont réalisés automatiquement, de manière simple et fiable.The present invention therefore aims to resolve all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks, by proposing a tower crane whose folding and unfolding of the punch are carried out automatically, in a simple and reliable manner.

Un autre objectif de l'invention est de proposer une grue à tour permettant de contrôler avec précision la vitesse de pliage ou de dépliage du poinçon.Another objective of the invention is to provide a tower crane making it possible to precisely control the speed of folding or unfolding of the punch.

Encore un autre objectif de l'invention est de proposer une grue à tour adaptée pouvant être de type et/ou de capacité variables, notamment une grue à tour pouvant être de forte ou de faible capacité et comporter ou non de mât télescopique.Yet another objective of the invention is to propose a suitable tower crane which may be of variable type and/or capacity, in particular a tower crane which may be of high or low capacity and may or may not include a telescopic mast.

Enfin, encore un autre objectif de l'invention est de proposer une grue à tour dont la méthode de pliage ou de dépliage du poinçon fait intervenir des éléments déjà présents dans les grues à tour répandues de l'état de la technique et ne nécessitant qu'une modification modeste de leur architecture.Finally, yet another objective of the invention is to propose a tower crane whose method of folding or unfolding the punch involves elements already present in widespread tower cranes of the state of the art and requiring only a modest modification of their architecture.

A cet effet, elle propose une grue à tour, de type pliable et dépliable entre une configuration de travail et une configuration de transport, présentant une flèche articulée en rotation par rapport à un mât autour d'un axe de rotation principal, ladite grue à tour comportant une retenue arrière fixée à un châssis supportant ledit mât et à un poinçon, ledit poinçon étant prévu pour prolonger ladite flèche à l'arrière dudit axe de rotation principal et conçu pour être déplaçable par rapport à ladite flèche entre une position de travail et une position de transport,
ladite grue à tour étant caractérisée en ce qu'elle comporte un câble de levage relié à un dispositif enrouleur conçu pour exercer sur ledit câble de levage une force de tension, ladite force de tension étant appliquée sur ledit poinçon au moyen d'un système de renvoi conçu pour coopérer avec ledit câble de levage, de manière à provoquer un déplacement dudit poinçon de sa position de travail vers sa position de transport.For this purpose, it proposes a tower crane, of the foldable and unfoldable type between a working configuration and a transport configuration, having a boom articulated in rotation relative to a mast around a main axis of rotation, said crane with tower comprising a rear retainer fixed to a frame supporting said mast and to a punch, said punch being provided to extend said boom to the rear of said main axis of rotation and designed to be movable relative to said boom between a working position and a transport position,
said tower crane being characterized in that it comprises a lifting cable connected to a winding device designed to exert a tension force on said lifting cable, said tension force being applied to said punch by means of a system of return designed to cooperate with said lifting cable, so as to cause a movement of said punch from its working position to its transport position.

En d'autres termes, l'invention propose une grue à tour dans laquelle le mouvement de pliage du poinçon, depuis sa position de travail vers sa position de transport, et réalisé en utilisant le câble de levage : la force de tension exercée sur celui-ci par le dispositif enrouleur est transmise au poinçon par l'intermédiaire du système de renvoi, de manière à ainsi déplacer le poinçon.In other words, the invention proposes a tower crane in which the folding movement of the punch, from its working position to its transport position, and carried out using the lifting cable: the tension force exerted on it -this by the winding device is transmitted to the punch via the return system, so as to move the punch.

Dans la suite de cette description, on désignera par les termes de « pliage du poinçon » un mouvement dudit poinçon de sa position de travail vers sa position de transport, « dépliage du poinçon » un mouvement dudit poinçon de sa position de transport vers sa position de travail, « pliage de la grue à tour» un mouvement de ladite grue à tour de sa configuration de travail vers sa configuration de transport, et « dépliage de la grue à tour» un mouvement de ladite grue à tour de sa configuration de transport vers sa configuration de travail.In the remainder of this description, we will designate by the terms “folding of the punch” a movement of said punch from its working position to its transport position, “unfolding of the punch” a movement of said punch from its transport position to its position. working, “folding the tower crane” a movement of said tower crane from its working configuration to its transport configuration, and “unfolding the tower crane” a movement of said tower crane from its transport configuration towards its working configuration.

Dans les grues à tour de l'état de la technique, le câble de levage comporte habituellement une première portion, s'étendant le long du mât, reliée à une deuxième portion s'étendant le long de la flèche : au moyen de la force de tension appliquée par le dispositif enrouleur (pouvant par exemple consister en un treuil solidaire du mât) sur ce câble de levage, il est possible de faire varier une longueur de ce dernier pour soulever et déplacer verticalement une charge fixée à un moufle, lui-même relié audit câble de levage.In tower cranes of the state of the art, the lifting cable usually comprises a first portion, extending along the mast, connected to a second portion extending along the boom: by means of force tension applied by the furling device (which may for example consist of a winch secured to the mast) on this lifting cable, it is possible to vary a length of the latter to lift and vertically move a load fixed to a block, itself connected to said lifting cable.

L'invention propose donc d'exploiter cette force de tension d'une autre manière, en l'appliquant, au moyen du système de renvoi, sur une zone du poinçon afin de provoquer le pliage de celui-ci.The invention therefore proposes to exploit this tension force in another way, by applying it, by means of the return system, to an area of the punch in order to cause it to fold.

On notera que, dans une grue à tour selon l'invention, le câble de levage conserve sa fonction de levage de charge : l'utilisation du câble de levage pour le pliage du poinçon lors du passage de la grue à tour de sa configuration de travail à sa configuration de transport est ainsi une caractéristique supplémentaire ne modifiant pas le fonctionnement normal de la grue à tour lorsque celle-ci est dans sa configuration de trava il.It will be noted that, in a tower crane according to the invention, the lifting cable retains its load lifting function: the use of the lifting cable for folding the punch during the passage of the tower crane from its configuration of work to its transport configuration is thus an additional characteristic not modifying the normal operation of the tower crane when it is in its work configuration.

On remarquera que, comme cela sera davantage décrit par la suite, le dépliage du poinçon peut quant à lui être réalisé au moyen d'une retenue arrière, composée de bielles articulées ou d'un câble s'étendant le long du mât et reliant le poinçon au châssis supportant ce même mât : lors du passage de la grue à tour selon l'invention de sa configuration de transport à sa configuration de travail, la retenue arrière exerce sur le poinçon une force provoquant le déplacement automatique de celui-ci de sa position de transport vers sa position de travail.It will be noted that, as will be further described later, the unfolding of the punch can be carried out by means of a rear retainer, composed of articulated rods or a cable extending along the mast and connecting the punch to the chassis supporting this same mast: when the tower crane according to the invention passes from its transport configuration to its working configuration, the rear retainer exerts a force on the punch causing the automatic movement of the latter from its transport position to its working position.

Ainsi, alors que le mouvement de pliage du poinçon nécessite l'utilisation de la force de tension exercée sur le câble de levage, cette force de tension n'est pas indispensable au mouvement de dépliage de ce même poinçon.Thus, while the folding movement of the punch requires the use of the tension force exerted on the lifting cable, this tension force is not essential for the unfolding movement of this same punch.

Il reste cependant envisageable que le mouvement de dépliage du poinçon soit réalisé, de la même manière que le mouvement de pliage, au moyen de l'application de cette force de tension sur le poinçon.However, it remains possible that the unfolding movement of the punch is carried out, in the same way as the folding movement, by means of the application of this tension force on the punch.

En particulier, l'invention envisage de combiner des actions simultanées sur le poinçon de la force de tension du câble de levage et de la retenue arrière pendant le dépliage de la grue à tour, de manière à contrôler la vitesse de dépliage du poinçon.In particular, the invention envisages combining simultaneous actions on the punch of the tension force of the lifting cable and the rear restraint during the unfolding of the tower crane, so as to control the unfolding speed of the punch.

Une description plus précise d'un tel procédé de dépliage du poinçon pourra être trouvée plus bas.A more precise description of such a punch unfolding process can be found below.

Selon une possibilité, le système de renvoi comporte au moins un élément de renvoi principal dans lequel le câble de levage est engagé, ledit élément de renvoi principal étant fixé sur le poinçon.According to one possibility, the return system comprises at least one main return element in which the lifting cable is engaged, said main return element being fixed on the punch.

Le câble de levage d'une grue à tour selon l'invention comporte ainsi une portion intermédiaire reliant la première portion et la deuxième portion de ce dernier, cette portion intermédiaire coopérant avec le système de renvoi à proximité du poinçon et de l'axe de rotation principal articulant la flèche et le mât.The lifting cable of a tower crane according to the invention thus comprises an intermediate portion connecting the first portion and the second portion of the latter, this intermediate portion cooperating with the return system near the punch and the main axis of rotation articulating the boom and the mast.

En particulier, le câble de levage est engagé dans un élément de renvoi principal solidaire du poinçon : la force de tension, exercée sur le câble de levage par le dispositif enrouleur est ainsi transmise à cet élément de renvoi principal, qui a son tour transmet au moins une partie de cette force de tension au poinçon.In particular, the lifting cable is engaged in a main return element integral with the punch: the tension force, exerted on the lifting cable by the winding device is thus transmitted to this main return element, which in turn transmits to the minus part of this tension force at the punch.

Sous l'effet de cette force exercée par l'élément de renvoi principal sur le poinçon, dénommée par la suite « force de pliage », le poinçon est déplacé de sa position de travail vers sa position de transport.Under the effect of this force exerted by the main return element on the punch, hereinafter called "folding force", the punch is moved from its working position to its transport position.

Dans une variante, l'élément de renvoi principal est une poulie comportant une roue coopérant avec le câble de levage et une chape, portant ladite roue et fixée sur le poinçon.In a variant, the main return element is a pulley comprising a wheel cooperating with the lifting cable and a yoke, carrying said wheel and fixed on the punch.

Avantageusement, le poinçon est relié en rotation, autour d'un axe de rotation secondaire, à un premier tronçon de flèche s'étendant selon une direction de flèche, ledit poinçon étant déplaçable, entre sa position de travail et sa position de transport, par un mouvement de rotation par rapport au premier tronçon de flèche autour dudit axe de rotation secondaire.Advantageously, the punch is connected in rotation, around a secondary axis of rotation, to a first arrow section extending in an arrow direction, said punch being movable, between its working position and its transport position, by a rotational movement relative to the first boom section around said secondary axis of rotation.

De la sorte, il suffit de configurer le système de renvoi de manière que la force de pliage exerce sur le poinçon un moment mécanique dirigé selon cet axe de rotation secondaire, pour déplacer le poinçon vers sa position de transport.In this way, it is sufficient to configure the return system so that the folding force exerts on the punch a mechanical moment directed along this secondary axis of rotation, to move the punch towards its transport position.

Selon une caractéristique, l'axe de rotation secondaire est parallèle à l'axe de rotation principal.According to one characteristic, the secondary axis of rotation is parallel to the main axis of rotation.

Selon une possibilité, le poinçon présente un corps de poinçon s'étendant selon une direction de poinçon entre une première extrémité, reliée au premier tronçon de flèche, et une deuxième extrémité opposée, l'élément de renvoi principal du système de renvoi étant disposé à proximité de ladite deuxième extrémité.According to one possibility, the punch has a punch body extending in a punch direction between a first end, connected to the first arrow section, and a second opposite end, the main return element of the return system being arranged at proximity to said second end.

La force de tension du câble de levage est ainsi appliquée sur le poinçon à une distance maximale de l'axe de rotation secondaire, de manière à augmenter le plus possible le bras de levier exercé sur le poinçon par la force de pliage transmise par l'élément de renvoi principal.The tension force of the lifting cable is thus applied to the punch at a maximum distance from the secondary axis of rotation, so as to increase as much as possible the lever arm exerted on the punch by the folding force transmitted by the main reference element.

Ainsi, le mouvement de pliage du poinçon peut être réalisé sans que la force de tension ne doive pour cela présenter une intensité trop élevée.Thus, the folding movement of the punch can be carried out without the tension force having to present too high an intensity.

Dans un mode de réalisation, la direction de poinçon est parallèle à la direction de flèche lorsque ledit poinçon est dans sa position de travail, et la direction de poinçon est orthogonale à la direction de flèche lorsque ledit poinçon est dans sa position de transport.In one embodiment, the punch direction is parallel to the arrow direction when said punch is in its working position, and the punch direction is orthogonal to the arrow direction when said punch is in its transport position.

Il est ainsi entendu, au sens de l'invention, que le poinçon s'étend selon une direction de poinçon sensiblement parallèle à la direction de flèche dans sa position de travail, et sensiblement orthogonale à cette même direction de flèche dans sa position de transport.It is thus understood, within the meaning of the invention, that the punch extends in a punch direction substantially parallel to the arrow direction in its working position, and substantially orthogonal to this same arrow direction in its transport position. .

En d'autres termes, l'invention envisage des modes de réalisation dans lesquels la direction de poinçon forme avec la direction de flèche un angle dont la mesure est comprise entre -20° et 20° lorsque le poinçon est dans sa position de travail, et un angle dont la mesure est comprise entre 70° et 110° lorsque le poinçon est dans sa position de travail.In other words, the invention envisages embodiments in which the punch direction forms with the arrow direction an angle whose measurement is between -20° and 20° when the punch is in its working position, and an angle whose measurement is between 70° and 110° when the punch is in its working position.

Ainsi, le mouvement de pliage du poinçon consiste à faire effectuer à ce dernier un mouvement de rotation d'environ 90° autour de l'axe de rotation secondaire.Thus, the folding movement of the punch consists of making the latter perform a rotational movement of approximately 90° around the secondary axis of rotation.

Comme cela sera plus clairement décrit par la suite, lorsque le pliage du poinçon est effectué tandis que la direction de mât est sensiblement horizontale (c'est à dire perpendiculaire à la direction de la gravité terrestre), ce mouvement de rotation tend à s'opposer au poids du poinçon et de la retenue arrière qui lui est reliée : la force de tension exercée sur le câble de levage doit alors présenter une intensité suffisamment importante pour compenser la force de gravité et déplacer le poinçon vers sa position de transport.As will be more clearly described later, when the folding of the punch is carried out while the direction of the mast is substantially horizontal (i.e. perpendicular to the direction of terrestrial gravity), this rotational movement tends to become oppose the weight of the punch and the rear retainer connected to it: the tension force exerted on the lifting cable must then have a sufficiently high intensity to compensate for the force of gravity and move the punch towards its transport position.

Par exemple, le poinçon peut être formé par deux membrures, jointes à l'une de leurs extrémités et formant avec l'axe de rotation secondaire un triangle isocèle, sensiblement parallèles à la direction de flèche lorsque le poinçon est dans sa configuration de travail.For example, the punch can be formed by two ribs, joined at one of their ends and forming with the secondary axis of rotation an isosceles triangle, substantially parallel to the direction of arrow when the punch is in its working configuration.

L'élément de renvoi principal peut alors être disposé à ce point de jonction entre les deux membrures.The main return element can then be placed at this junction point between the two members.

On notera que ce point de jonction peut également être relié à une membrure supérieure du premier tronçon de flèche par une ligne de tirants supérieurs permettant de transmettre audit premier tronçon de flèche les efforts exercés sur le poinçon par la retenue arrière de manière à provoquer un mouvement de rotation dudit premier tronçon de flèche par rapport au mât : cette ligne de tirants supérieurs forme ainsi avec les deux membrures et l'axe de rotation secondaire une forme générale de trièdre. Selon une possibilité, le premier tronçon de flèche présente au moins une membrure supérieure et une membrure inférieure définissant respectivement, selon une direction perpendiculaire à la direction de flèche, une limite supérieure et une limite inférieure dudit premier tronçon de flèche, où l'axe de rotation secondaire est positionné au niveau de ladite limite inférieure,
et dans laquelle le système de renvoi comporte au moins un élément de renvoi secondaire positionné à proximité de ladite limite supérieure, le câble de levage étant engagé successivement dans ledit élément de renvoi secondaire puis dans l'élément de renvoi principal, de sorte que la force de tension génère sur ledit élément de renvoi principal une force de pliage dirigée en direction dudit élément de renvoi secondaire et permettant un déplacement dudit poinçon de sa position de travail vers sa position de transport.Note that this junction point can also be connected to an upper chord of the first boom section by a line of upper tie rods making it possible to transmit to said first boom section the forces exerted on the punch by the rear retainer so as to cause a movement rotation of said first boom section relative to the mast: this line of upper tie rods thus forms with the two frames and the secondary axis of rotation a general trihedron shape. According to one possibility, the first boom section has at least one upper chord and one lower chord defining respectively, in a direction perpendicular to the direction of arrow, an upper limit and a lower limit of said first boom section, where the axis of secondary rotation is positioned at said lower limit,
and in which the return system comprises at least one return element secondary positioned near said upper limit, the lifting cable being engaged successively in said secondary return element then in the main return element, so that the tension force generates on said main return element a directed folding force in the direction of said secondary return element and allowing movement of said punch from its working position to its transport position.

Cette configuration particulière du système de renvoi garantit que la force de tension exercée par le câble de levage sur l'élément de renvoi principal (solidaire du poinçon) présente une direction permettant de déplacer le poinçon vers sa position de transport. En effet, en positionnant un élément de renvoi secondaire au niveau de la limite supérieure du premier tronçon de flèche alors que l'axe de rotation secondaire est disposé à proximité de la limite inférieure de celui-ci, la force de tension exercée par le câble de levage sur l'élément de renvoi principal est dirigée en direction de cette limite supérieure et tend donc à rapprocher l'élément de renvoi principal de cette même limite supérieure.This particular configuration of the return system guarantees that the tension force exerted by the lifting cable on the main return element (integral to the punch) has a direction allowing the punch to be moved towards its transport position. Indeed, by positioning a secondary return element at the upper limit of the first boom section while the secondary axis of rotation is arranged near the lower limit thereof, the tension force exerted by the cable lifting on the main return element is directed in the direction of this upper limit and therefore tends to bring the main return element closer to this same upper limit.

En d'autres termes, la force de tension transmise au poinçon par l'intermédiaire de l'élément de renvoi principal présente une direction oblique, dirigée « vers le haut », par rapport à la direction flèche et permet bien de mettre ce poinçon en rotation autour de l'axe de rotation secondaire.In other words, the tension force transmitted to the punch via the main return element has an oblique direction, directed "upwards", relative to the arrow direction and makes it possible to put this punch into position. rotation around the secondary axis of rotation.

On notera par ailleurs que l'axe de rotation principal est quant à lui compris entre la limite supérieure et la limite inférieure du premier tronçon de flèche. Avantageusement, l'élément de renvoi secondaire est fixé sur le mât et relié au dispositif enrouleur par une première portion du câble de levage prévue pour s'étendre le long dudit mât, où ledit élément de renvoi secondaire et l'élément de renvoi principal sont positionnés, selon la direction de flèche, de part et d'autre de l'axe de rotation secondaire lorsque le poinçon est dans sa position de travail.It will also be noted that the main axis of rotation is for its part between the upper limit and the lower limit of the first boom section. Advantageously, the secondary return element is fixed on the mast and connected to the winding device by a first portion of the lifting cable intended to extend along said mast, where said secondary return element and the main return element are positioned, according to the direction of the arrow, on either side of the secondary axis of rotation when the punch is in its working position.

Autrement dit, la première portion du câble de levage, s'étendant le long du mât, est directement engagée dans l'élément de renvoi secondaire solidaire du mât, puis ce même câble de levage est engagé dans l'élément de renvoi principal solidaire du poinçon.In other words, the first portion of the lifting cable, extending along the mast, is directly engaged in the secondary return element secured to the mast, then this same lifting cable is engaged in the main return element secured to the punch.

Le système de suivi ne comporte donc, dans ce mode de réalisation, aucun autre élément de renvoi dans lequel le câble de levage est engagé entre l'élément de renvoi principal et l'élément de renvoi secondaire.The tracking system therefore does not include, in this embodiment, any other return element in which the lifting cable is engaged between the main return element and the secondary return element.

Cette caractéristique, combinée au fait que l'élément de renvoi secondaire est disposé, selon la direction de flèche, à l'opposé de l'élément de renvoi principal par rapport à l'axe de renvoi secondaire (autour duquel le poinçon est articulé) permet de maximiser le bras de levier exercé sur le poinçon et donc de minimiser l'intensité de la force de tension nécessaire pour mettre celui-ci en mouvement vers sa position de transport. Selon une possibilité, le système de renvoi comporte un ou plusieurs éléments de renvoi tertiaires fixés sur le mât, le poinçon ou le premier tronçon de flèche, le câble de levage étant engagé dans lesdits éléments de renvoi tertiaires, de manière à transmettre la force de tension de l'élément de renvoi principal à une deuxième portion du câble de levage, ladite deuxième portion étant prévue pour s'étendre le long du premier tronçon de flèche.This characteristic, combined with the fact that the secondary return element is arranged, in the direction of arrow, opposite the main return element with respect to the secondary return axis (around which the punch is articulated) makes it possible to maximize the lever arm exerted on the punch and therefore to minimize the intensity of the tension force necessary to put it in movement towards its transport position . According to one possibility, the return system comprises one or more tertiary return elements fixed on the mast, the punch or the first boom section, the lifting cable being engaged in said tertiary return elements, so as to transmit the force of tension of the main return element to a second portion of the lifting cable, said second portion being designed to extend along the first boom section.

Le câble de levage est donc successivement engagé dans l'élément de renvoi secondaire, puis dans l'élément de renvoi principal, puis dans le ou les éléments de renvoi tertiaires.The lifting cable is therefore successively engaged in the secondary return element, then in the main return element, then in the tertiary return element(s).

On notera que des modes de réalisation, dans lesquels le câble de levage est engagé dans des éléments de renvoi supplémentaires avant d'être engagé dans l'élément de renvoi secondaire, sont également envisageables.It will be noted that embodiments, in which the lifting cable is engaged in additional return elements before being engaged in the secondary return element, are also possible.

Le positionnement de ces différents éléments de renvoi est adapté pour :

  • permettre d'exercer sur le poinçon une force de tension dirigée depuis l'élément de renvoi principal vers l'élément de renvoi secondaire, afin de provoquer un déplacement du poinçon vers sa position de transport, et
  • transmettre, grâce aux éléments de renvoi tertiaires, cette force de tension à la deuxième portion du câble de levage, s'étendant le long du premier tronçon de flèche. En particulier, il est particulièrement avantageux que le câble de levage soit engagé, en sortie de l'élément de renvoi principal, dans un élément de renvoi tertiaire fixé sur le premier tronçon de flèche et positionné à proximité de la limite supérieure de ce même premier tronçon de flèche, afin que la force de tension exercée par le câble de levage sur l'élément de renvoi principal se traduise par l'application d'une force de levage d'une intensité importante sur le poinçon.
The positioning of these different return elements is adapted for:
  • allow a tension force to be exerted on the punch directed from the main return element towards the secondary return element, in order to cause the punch to move towards its transport position, and
  • transmit, thanks to the tertiary return elements, this tension force to the second portion of the lifting cable, extending along the first boom section. In particular, it is particularly advantageous for the lifting cable to be engaged, at the outlet of the main return element, in a tertiary return element fixed on the first boom section and positioned close to the upper limit of this same first boom section, so that the tension force exerted by the lifting cable on the main return element results in the application of a lifting force of significant intensity on the punch.

Avantageusement, les éléments de renvoi principal, secondaire et tertiaires sont positionnés de manière à transmettre la force de tension de la première portion du câble de levage à la deuxième portion du câble de levage sans appliquer d'efforts de déformation de ce même câble de levage en torsion.Advantageously, the main, secondary and tertiary return elements are positioned so as to transmit the tension force from the first portion of the lifting cable to the second portion of the lifting cable without applying deformation forces to this same lifting cable in torsion.

Par exemple, cela peut être réalisé en alignant deux à deux les directions de renvoi de deux éléments de renvoi successifs.For example, this can be achieved by aligning the return directions of two successive return elements in pairs.

Cette caractéristique est particulièrement importante dans les modes de réalisation dans lesquels la grue à tour selon l'invention comporte une flèche décalée par rapport au mât, c'est-à-dire dans le cas où le premier tronçon de flèche est décalé par rapport au mât dans une direction transversale, orthogonale à la fois à la direction de flèche et à une direction d'étendue du mât.This characteristic is particularly important in the embodiments in which the tower crane according to the invention comprises a boom offset relative to the mast, that is to say in the case where the first boom section is offset relative to the mast. to the mast in a transverse direction, orthogonal to both the boom direction and a direction of extension of the mast.

Dans ces modes de réalisation, le système de renvoi doit être configuré pour transmettre la force de tension le long du câble de levage également selon cette direction transversale, pouvant potentiellement occasionner l'apparition d'efforts importants en torsion du câble de levage et mener à sa rupture.In these embodiments, the return system must be configured to transmit the tension force along the lifting cable also in this transverse direction, potentially causing the appearance of significant torsional forces in the lifting cable and leading to his breakup.

Dans un mode de réalisation, le dispositif enrouleur comporte un actionneur adapté pour faire varier une intensité de la force de tension exercée sur le câble de levage par ledit dispositif enrouleur.In one embodiment, the winding device comprises an actuator adapted to vary an intensity of the tension force exerted on the lifting cable by said winding device.

En maîtrisant l'intensité de la force de tension, il est ainsi possible de contrôler, au moyen du dispositif enrouleur, l'intensité de la force de pliage exercée sur le poinçon par l'élément de renvoi principal, et donc la cinématique du mouvement de pliage (ou de dépliage) du poinçon.By controlling the intensity of the tension force, it is thus possible to control, by means of the winding device, the intensity of the folding force exerted on the punch by the main return element, and therefore the kinematics of the movement folding (or unfolding) of the punch.

En particulier, il est possible d'ajuster la vitesse de pliage (ou de dépliage) du poinçon en diminuant ou en augmentant l'intensité de la force de tension dans le câble de levage.In particular, it is possible to adjust the folding (or unfolding) speed of the punch by decreasing or increasing the intensity of the tension force in the lifting cable.

Selon une possibilité, le câble de levage s'étend entre une première extrémité fixée à la flèche et une deuxième extrémité reliée au dispositif enrouleur, ledit dispositif enrouleur étant solidaire du mât,
et dans laquelle l'actionneur du dispositif enrouleur est adapté pour faire varier une longueur de câble dudit câble de levage mesurée entre ladite première extrémité et ledit dispositif enrouleur, de manière à faire varier l'intensité de la force de tension.According to one possibility, the lifting cable extends between a first end fixed to the boom and a second end connected to the winding device, said winding device being integral with the mast,
and wherein the actuator of the winding device is adapted to vary a cable length of said lifting cable measured between said first end and said winding device, so as to vary the intensity of the tension force.

Le dispositif enrouleur permet donc d'augmenter l'intensité de la force de tension exercée sur le câble de levage en raccourcissant la longueur de câble, ou de diminuer cette intensité en augmentant cette longueur de câble.The winding device therefore makes it possible to increase the intensity of the tension force exerted on the lifting cable by shortening the cable length, or to reduce this intensity by increasing this cable length.

Il est ainsi possible de contrôler la cinématique du poinçon en déroulant ou en enroulant le câble de levage dans le dispositif enrouleur, ce qui rend le pilotage des mouvements de pliage et de dépliage du poinçon particulièrement simple.It is thus possible to control the kinematics of the punch by unwinding or winding the lifting cable in the winding device, which makes controlling the folding and unfolding movements of the punch particularly simple.

Dans un mode de réalisation, le dispositif enrouleur comporte un système de contrôle adapté pour :

  • déterminer une valeur d'une grandeur caractéristique représentative de l'intensité de la force de tension,
  • comparer ladite valeur à une valeur seuil préalablement définie, et
  • piloter l'actionneur dudit dispositif enrouleur de manière à augmenter la longueur de câble lorsque ladite valeur est supérieure à ladite valeur seuil, et
  • piloter l'actionneur dudit dispositif enrouleur de manière à diminuer la longueur de câble lorsque ladite valeur est inférieure à ladite valeur seuil.
In one embodiment, the winding device comprises a control system adapted for:
  • determine a value of a characteristic quantity representative of the intensity of the tension force,
  • compare said value to a previously defined threshold value, and
  • control the actuator of said winding device so as to increase the cable length when said value is greater than said threshold value, and
  • control the actuator of said winding device so as to reduce the cable length when said value is less than said threshold value.

Selon une possibilité, le système de contrôle est adapté pour déterminer la valeur de la grandeur caractéristique représentative de l'intensité de la force de tension au moyen d'au moins l'une des mesures suivantes :

  • une mesure directe de ladite intensité de la force de tension au moyen d'un dynamomètre,
  • une mesure d'une intensité d'un courant électrique alimentant l'actionneur du dispositif enrouleur en électricité, ou
  • une mesure d'un couple ou d'une force mécanique interne audit actionneur.
According to one possibility, the control system is adapted to determine the value of the characteristic quantity representative of the intensity of the tension force by means of at least one of the following measurements:
  • a direct measurement of said intensity of the tension force by means of a dynamometer,
  • a measurement of the intensity of an electric current supplying the actuator of the winding device with electricity, or
  • a measurement of a torque or a mechanical force internal to said actuator.

Par exemple, lorsque le dispositif enrouleur est un treuil actionné par un moteur, la grandeur caractéristique peut correspondre à une intensité du courant d'alimentation de ce moteur, ou encore une valeur d'un couple résistif s'exerçant sur l'arbre moteur de celui-ci.For example, when the winding device is a winch actuated by a motor, the characteristic quantity can correspond to an intensity of the supply current of this motor, or even a value of a resistive torque exerted on the motor shaft of this one.

Ces grandeurs caractéristiques subissent les mêmes variations temporelles que l'intensité de la force de tension et sont ainsi représentatives de la valeur de cette intensité de la force de tension : elles permettent donc une régulation indirecte de l'intensité de la force de tension sans qu'il soit nécessaire de mesurer directement cette dernière.These characteristic quantities undergo the same temporal variations as the intensity of the tension force and are thus representative of the value of this intensity of the tension force: they therefore allow indirect regulation of the intensity of the tension force without requiring it is necessary to measure the latter directly.

Un tel système de contrôle permet ainsi de maintenir approximativement constante, en permanence et de manière automatique, la valeur de l'intensité de la force de tension, tout au long du pliage ou du dépliage de la grue à tour selon l'invention, et en particulier tout au long du pliage ou du dépliage du poinçon.Such a control system thus makes it possible to maintain approximately constant, permanently and automatically, the value of the intensity of the tension force, throughout the folding or unfolding of the tower crane according to the invention, and especially throughout the folding or unfolding of the punch.

En effet, au cours du pliage ou dépliage des différents éléments de la grue à tour (par exemple, pliage ou dépliage du poinçon, rotation de la flèche par rapport au mât ou encore empilement des différents tronçons composant la flèche ou le mât selon les cas), la longueur parcourue par le câble de levage entre sa première extrémité (fixée sur la flèche) et sa deuxième extrémité (reliée au dispositif enrouleur, solidaire du mât) est amenée à varier.Indeed, during the folding or unfolding of the different elements of the tower crane (for example, folding or unfolding of the punch, rotation of the boom relative to the mast or even stacking of the different sections making up the boom or the mast depending on the case ), the length traveled by the lifting cable between its first end (fixed on the boom) and its second end (connected to the winding device, secured to the mast) is made to vary.

Par exemple, lors du dépliage de la grue, la longueur de câble tend à augmenter jusqu'à ce que la grue à tour ait atteint sa configuration de travail, cette augmentation de longueur de câble se traduisant par une augmentation de l'intensité de la force de tension dans le câble de levage : cette augmentation se traduit à son tour par une augmentation correspondante de la valeur d'une grandeur caractéristique représentative de l'intensité de la force de tension.For example, when unfolding the crane, the cable length tends to increase until the tower crane has reached its working configuration, this increase in cable length resulting in an increase in the intensity of the tension force in the lifting cable: this increase in turn results in a corresponding increase in the value of a characteristic quantity representative of the intensity of the tension force.

Dès que cette valeur atteint la valeur seuil, le dispositif enrouleur (piloté par le système de contrôle) déroule une longueur prédéfinie de câble de levage, afin de faire baisser légèrement cette valeur (et donc, de manière équivalente, de faire baisser l'intensité de la force de tension dans le câble de levage).As soon as this value reaches the threshold value, the winding device (controlled by the control system) unwinds a predefined length of lifting cable, in order to slightly lower this value (and therefore, equivalently, to lower the intensity of the tension force in the lifting cable).

Après peu de temps, cette même valeur de la grandeur caractéristique atteint la valeur seuil et le dispositif enrouleur déroule à nouveau le câble de levage, etc.After a short time, this same value of the characteristic quantity reaches the threshold value and the winding device unwinds the lifting cable again, etc.

Ainsi, tout au long du dépliage de la grue à tour (et en particulier lors du dépliage du poinçon), la valeur de la grandeur caractéristique oscille autour de la valeur seuil, le dispositif enrouleur déroulant le câble de levage par paliers : l'intensité de la force de tension est donc également maintenue approximativement constante pendant le dépliage de la grue à tour.Thus, throughout the unfolding of the tower crane (and in particular during the unfolding of the punch), the value of the characteristic quantity oscillates around the threshold value, the winding device unwinding the lifting cable in stages: the intensity of the tension force is therefore also kept approximately constant during the unfolding of the tower crane.

Le système de contrôle fonctionne de manière similaire durant le pliage de la grue à tour (et en particulier lors du pliage du poinçon), le dispositif enrouleur enroulant le câble de levage par paliers.The control system operates in a similar manner during tower crane folding (and in particular during punch folding), with the reel device winding the lifting cable in stages.

Le système de contrôle permet donc de contrôler automatiquement la cinétique des mouvements de pliage et de dépliage de la grue à tour ou du poinçon, par le contrôle indirect (ou direct selon le mode de réalisation) de la valeur de l'intensité de la force de tension.The control system therefore makes it possible to automatically control the kinetics of the folding and unfolding movements of the tower crane or the punch, by indirect (or direct depending on the embodiment) control of the value of the force intensity Of voltage.

En particulier, la valeur seuil est avantageusement choisie de manière qu'elle soit :

  • suffisamment élevée, afin que la force de tension dans le câble de levage puisse être suffisamment importante pour provoquer le déplacement du poinçon vers sa position de transport, et
  • suffisamment basse, pour ne pas bloquer le mouvement des différentes articulations de la grue à tour (une tension trop importante pourrait mener à des déformations ou des déformations des divers composants de la grue à tour).
In particular, the threshold value is advantageously chosen so that it is:
  • high enough, so that the tension force in the lifting cable can be large enough to cause the punch to move to its transport position, and
  • sufficiently low, so as not to block the movement of the various joints of the tower crane (too high tension could lead to deformation or deformation of the various components of the tower crane).

On notera également que la force de tension exercée dans le câble de levage 5 doit être suffisamment importante à tout instant pour maintenir le moufle contre la flèche, afin d'éviter une détérioration de la grue à tour pendant les procédés de pliage ou de dépliage.It should also be noted that the tension force exerted in the lifting cable 5 must be sufficiently significant at all times to hold the block against the boom, in order to avoid damage to the tower crane during the folding or unfolding processes.

L'invention concerne également un procédé de dépliage et de pliage d'une grue à tour telle que précédemment décrite, comportant :

  • une phase de dépliage, durant laquelle ladite grue à tour passe de sa configuration de transport à sa configuration de travail, et durant laquelle le poinçon est déplacé de sa position de transport à sa configuration de travail sous l'action d'une retenue arrière conçue pour relier ledit poinçon à un châssis supportant le mât, et
  • une phase de pliage durant laquelle ladite grue à tour passe de sa configuration de travail à sa configuration de transport, et durant laquelle le poinçon est déplacé de sa position de travail à sa configuration de transport sous l'effet de la force de tension exercée par le dispositif enrouleur sur le câble de levage.
The invention also relates to a method of unfolding and folding a tower crane as previously described, comprising:
  • an unfolding phase, during which said tower crane moves from its transport configuration to its working configuration, and during which the punch is moved from its transport position to its working configuration under the action of a rear retainer designed to connect said punch to a frame supporting the mast, and
  • a folding phase during which said tower crane moves from its working configuration to its transport configuration, and during which the punch is moved from its working position to its transport configuration under the effect of the tension force exerted by the winding device on the lifting cable.

Selon une possibilité, la force de tension génère sur le poinçon, pendant la phase de pliage, une force de pliage provoquant un déplacement dudit poinçon de sa position de travail à sa position de transport,

  • ladite force de pliage étant de nature à s'opposer, selon la direction verticale, au poids dudit poinçon sous l'effet de la gravité terrestre. une force de pliage provoquant un déplacement dudit poinçon de sa position de travail à sa position de transport,
  • ladite force de pliage présentant une composante verticale opposée à la force de gravité terrestre.
According to one possibility, the tension force generates on the punch, during the folding phase, a folding force causing said punch to move from its working position to its transport position,
  • said folding force being such as to oppose, in the vertical direction, the weight of said punch under the effect of earth's gravity. a folding force causing said punch to move from its working position to its transport position,
  • said folding force having a vertical component opposite to the force of earth's gravity.

Il est en effet envisageable que le mouvement de pliage du poinçon soit en effet réalisé tandis que la direction de flèche est horizontale, c'est-à-dire perpendiculaire à la direction de la gravité terrestre.It is in fact possible that the folding movement of the punch is in fact carried out while the direction of the arrow is horizontal, that is to say perpendicular to the direction of earth's gravity.

Dans ce cas, le mouvement de pliage du poinçon, consistant par exemple en un mouvement de rotation « vers le haut » autour de l'axe de rotation secondaire tend à s'opposer au poids dudit poinçon : il est ainsi nécessaire que la force de tension soit appliquée sur le poinçon de manière à générer une force de pliage dirigée à l'opposé de la gravité terrestre et permettant de compenser notamment le poids du poinçon et de la retenue arrière, afin de pouvoir « relever » celui-ci et le déplacer vers sa position de transport.In this case, the folding movement of the punch, consisting for example of an “upward” rotational movement around the secondary axis of rotation, tends to oppose the weight of said punch: it is thus necessary that the force of tension is applied to the punch so as to generate a folding force directed opposite to earth's gravity and making it possible to compensate in particular for the weight of the punch and the rear retainer, in order to be able to "raise" it and move it to its transport position.

Avantageusement, la grue à tour est telle que précédemment décrite, la phase de pliage comportant une étape de pilotage de l'actionneur du dispositif enrouleur par le système de contrôle de manière à diminuer la longueur de câble de manière à provoquer le déplacement du poinçon vers sa configuration de transport.Advantageously, the tower crane is as previously described, the folding phase comprising a step of controlling the actuator of the winding device by the control system so as to reduce the cable length so as to cause the punch to move towards its transport configuration.

Cette étape de diminution de la longueur de câble se traduit par une augmentation de la force de tension dans le câble de levage, puis par une augmentation de la force de pliage exercée sur le poinçon, et enfin par un déplacement du poinçon vers sa position de transport sous l'effet de cette force de pliage.This step of reducing the cable length results in an increase in the tension force in the lifting cable, then by an increase in the folding force exerted on the punch, and finally by a movement of the punch towards its position of transport under the effect of this folding force.

Comme précédemment évoqué, il est alors avantageux de choisir une valeur seuil du système de contrôle suffisamment élevée, afin que afin que la force de tension dans le câble de levage puisse être suffisamment importante pour provoquer le déplacement du poinçon vers sa position de transport, s'opposant à son propre poids et à celui de la retenue arrière.As previously mentioned, it is then advantageous to choose a sufficiently high threshold value of the control system, so that the tension force in the lifting cable can be significant enough to cause the punch to move towards its transport position, s opposing its own weight and that of the rear restraint.

Selon une possibilité, la phase de dépliage comporte au moins une étape durant laquelle le système de contrôle compare la valeur de la grandeur caractéristique représentative de l'intensité de la force de tension à une valeur seuil de dépliage, et où la phase de pliage comporte au moins une étape durant laquelle le système de contrôle compare la valeur de la grandeur caractéristique représentative de l'intensité de la force de tension à une valeur seuil de pliage,
ladite valeur seuil de pliage étant supérieure à ladite valeur seuil de dépliage..According to one possibility, the unfolding phase comprises at least one step during which the control system compares the value of the characteristic quantity representative of the intensity of the tension force to an unfolding threshold value, and where the folding phase comprises at least one step during which the control system compares the value of the characteristic quantity representative of the intensity of the tension force to a folding threshold value,
said folding threshold value being greater than said unfolding threshold value.

Le choix de deux valeurs seuil (de pliage et de dépliage) différentes permet au système de contrôle de piloter de manière adaptée les mouvements de pliage et de dépliage du poinçon.The choice of two different threshold values (for folding and unfolding) allows the control system to appropriately control the folding and unfolding movements of the punch.

En effet, comme précédemment décrit, la force de tension exercée dans le câble de levage se traduit par l'application d'une force de pliage sur le poinçon tendant à s'opposer au poids dudit poinçon et de la retenue arrière.Indeed, as previously described, the tension force exerted in the lifting cable results in the application of a folding force on the punch tending to oppose the weight of said punch and the rear retainer.

Pendant un mouvement de pliage du poinçon, il est nécessaire que cette force de pliage soit suffisamment importante pour surmonter ce poids et déplacer le poinçon vers sa position de transport à l'encontre de la gravité terrestre.During a folding movement of the punch, it is necessary for this folding force to be large enough to overcome this weight and move the punch to its transport position against Earth's gravity.

Pendant un mouvement de dépliage, le poinçon est déplacé vers sa position de travail sous l'effet de son propre poids, et la force de pliage a alors pour rôle de compenser partiellement ce poids pour ralentir la cinétique du mouvement de pliage et contrôler la vitesse de dépliage du poinçon : la force de pliage ne doit donc pas être aussi importante que lors d'un mouvement de pliage.During an unfolding movement, the punch is moved towards its working position under the effect of its own weight, and the folding force then has the role of partially compensating this weight to slow down the kinetics of the folding movement and control the speed unfolding of the punch: the folding force should therefore not be as significant as during a folding movement.

Ainsi, de manière équivalente, la force de tension doit présenter une intensité moins importante lors des mouvements de dépliage que lors des mouvements de pliage du poinçon : cette caractéristique se traduit alors par un choix d'une valeur seuil de pliage supérieure à une valeur seuil de dépliage.Thus, equivalently, the tension force must have a lower intensity during unfolding movements than during folding movements of the punch: this characteristic then results in a choice of a folding threshold value greater than a threshold value unfolding.

Par exemple, la valeur seuil de pliage est au moins 20% supérieure à la valeur seuil de dépliage.For example, the folding threshold value is at least 20% greater than the unfolding threshold value.

Il est également envisageable que les procédés de pliage et/ou de dépliage puissent être réalisés, au moins partiellement, par un opérateur humain, ledit opérateur pouvant notamment piloter le dispositif enrouleur de manière à faire varier l'intensité de la force de tension dans le câble de levage.It is also possible that the folding and/or unfolding processes can be carried out, at least partially, by a human operator, said operator being able in particular to control the winding device so as to vary the intensity of the tension force in the lifting cable.

En particulier, il est avantageux qu'un tel opérateur humain puisse choisir de déclencher un mouvement de pliage ou de dépliage du poinçon à tout moment durant un procédé de pliage ou de dépliage de la grue à tour selon l'invention.In particular, it is advantageous that such a human operator can choose to trigger a folding or unfolding movement of the punch at any time during a folding or unfolding process of the tower crane according to the invention.

Par exemple, si la grue à tour doit être dépliée à proximité d'un bâtiment ou d'un élément extérieur susceptible d'entraver le mouvement dépliage automatique du poinçon, l'opérateur peut choisir d'effectuer ce dépliage du poinçon à un moment du procédé de dépliage de la grue à tour où le poinçon est le plus éloigné possible dudit bâtiment ou élément extérieur.For example, if the tower crane must be unfolded near a building or an external element likely to hinder the automatic unfolding movement of the punch, the operator can choose to carry out this unfolding of the punch at a moment in the unfolding process of the tower crane where the punch is as far away as possible from said building or external element.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention apparaîtront à la lecture de la description détaillée ci-après, de plusieurs exemples de mise en oeuvre non limitatifs, faite en référence aux figures annexées dans lesquelles :

  • [Fig. 1] est une vue d'une grue à tour selon l'invention dans sa configuration de travail ;
  • [Fig. 2] est une vue de détail en perspective d'un poinçon d'une grue à tour selon l'invention ;
  • [Fig. 3] est une vue latérale d'un poinçon d'une grue à tour selon l'invention ;
  • [Fig. 4] est une vue de détail du système de renvoi d'une grue à tour selon l'invention ;
  • [Fig. 5] est une vue d'une grue à tour selon l'invention dans une première configuration intermédiaire, au cours d'un procédé de pliage de ladite grue à tour ;
  • [Fig. 6] est une vue d'une grue à tour selon l'invention dans une deuxième configuration intermédiaire, au cours du procédé de pliage de ladite grue à tour ;
  • [Fig. 7] est une vue de détail d'un poinçon d'une grue à tour selon l'invention dans sa position de travail ;
  • [Fig. 8] est une vue de détail d'un poinçon d'une grue à tour selon l'invention dans une position intermédiaire, au cours d'un procédé de pliage dudit poinçon ;
  • [Fig. 9] est une vue de détail d'un poinçon d'une grue à tour selon l'invention dans sa position de transport ;
  • [Fig. 10] est une vue d'une grue à tour selon l'invention dans sa configuration de transport.
Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description below, of several non-limiting examples of implementation, made with reference to the appended figures in which:
  • [ Fig. 1 ] is a view of a tower crane according to the invention in its working configuration;
  • [ Fig. 2 ] is a detailed perspective view of a punch of a tower crane according to the invention;
  • [ Fig. 3 ] is a side view of a punch of a tower crane according to the invention;
  • [ Fig. 4 ] is a detailed view of the return system of a tower crane according to the invention;
  • [ Fig. 5 ] is a view of a tower crane according to the invention in a first intermediate configuration, during a folding process of said tower crane;
  • [ Fig. 6 ] is a view of a tower crane according to the invention in a second intermediate configuration, during the folding process of said tower crane;
  • [ Fig. 7 ] is a detailed view of a punch of a tower crane according to the invention in its working position;
  • [ Fig. 8 ] is a detailed view of a punch of a tower crane according to the invention in an intermediate position, during a folding process of said punch;
  • [ Fig. 9 ] is a detailed view of a punch of a tower crane according to the invention in its transport position;
  • [ Fig. 10 ] is a view of a tower crane according to the invention in its transport configuration.

La figure 1 représente une grue à tour 1 selon l'invention, en configuration de travail.There figure 1 represents a tower crane 1 according to the invention, in working configuration.

Cette grue à tour 1 comporte une flèche 2 présentant un premier tronçon de flèche 21, un deuxième tronçon de flèche 22 et un troisième tronçon de flèche 23, articulés deux à deux en rotation autour d'un premier axe de rotation de flèche 221 et un deuxième axe de rotation de flèche 231.This tower crane 1 comprises a boom 2 having a first boom section 21, a second boom section 22 and a third boom section 23, articulated two by two in rotation around a first boom rotation axis 221 and a second axis of arrow rotation 231.

La grue à tour 1 comporte également un mât 3 présentant quant à lui un premier tronçon de mât 31 et un deuxième tronçon de mât 32, articulés en rotation l'un par rapport à l'autre autour d'un axe de rotation de mât 321.The tower crane 1 also comprises a mast 3 having a first mast section 31 and a second mast section 32, articulated in rotation relative to each other around a mast rotation axis 321 .

Ce mât est supporté par un châssis 4, destiné à reposer sur un sol, le deuxième tronçon de mât 32 étant articulé en rotation par rapport au châssis 4 autour d'un axe de rotation de châssis 41.This mast is supported by a chassis 4, intended to rest on a ground, the second mast section 32 being articulated in rotation relative to the chassis 4 around an axis of rotation of the chassis 41.

Le premier tronçon de flèche 21 s'étend entre une première extrémité 211 et une deuxième extrémité 214 selon une direction de flèche F, et le premier tronçon de mât 31 s'étend selon une direction de mât M.The first boom section 21 extends between a first end 211 and a second end 214 in a boom direction F, and the first mast section 31 extends in a mast direction M.

Le premier tronçon de flèche 21 et le premier tronçon de mât sont par ailleurs articulés en rotation l'un par rapport à l'autre autour d'un axe de rotation principal 311.The first boom section 21 and the first mast section are also articulated in rotation relative to each other around a main axis of rotation 311.

On remarquera que le premier axe de rotation de flèche 221, le deuxième axe de rotation de flèche 231, l'axe de rotation de mât 321 et l'axe de rotation de châssis 41 sont parallèles les uns par rapport aux autres et également parallèles à l'axe principal de rotation 311.It will be noted that the first boom rotation axis 221, the second boom rotation axis 231, the mast rotation axis 321 and the chassis rotation axis 41 are parallel to each other and also parallel to each other. the main axis of rotation 311.

Cette grue à tour 1 est ainsi pliable et dépliable entre :

  • une configuration de travail (illustrée par la figure 1), dans laquelle le premier tronçon de mât 31 et le deuxième tronçon de mât 32 s'étendent selon la même direction de mât M, cette direction de mât M étant verticale par rapport au sol sur lequel le châssis 4 est disposé (c'est-à-dire que la direction de mât M coïncide sensiblement avec la direction de la gravité terrestre G), et dans laquelle le premier tronçon de flèche 21, le deuxième tronçon de flèche 22 et le troisième tronçon de flèche 23 s'étendent tous selon la même direction de flèche F, cette direction de flèche F étant alors sensiblement perpendiculaire par rapport à la direction de mât M (et est alors dite « horizontale »), et
  • une configuration de transport (illustrée par la figure 10), dans laquelle le premier tronçon de mât 31 et le deuxième tronçon de mât 32 sont empilés l'un sur l'autre, et le premier tronçon de flèche 21, le deuxième tronçon de flèche 22 et le troisième tronçon de flèche 23 sont également empilés les uns sur les autres, la direction de flèche F et la direction de mât M étant alors sensiblement parallèles et horizontales.
This tower crane 1 is thus foldable and unfoldable between:
  • a working configuration (illustrated by the figure 1 ), in which the first mast section 31 and the second mast section 32 extend in the same mast direction M, this mast direction M being vertical relative to the ground on which the chassis 4 is arranged (this is that is to say that the mast direction M substantially coincides with the direction of earth gravity G), and in which the first boom section 21, the second boom section 22 and the third boom section 23 all extend according to the same arrow direction F, this arrow direction F then being substantially perpendicular to the mast direction M (and is then called “horizontal”), and
  • a transport configuration (illustrated by the Figure 10 ), in which the first mast section 31 and the second mast section 32 are stacked one on top of the other, and the first boom section 21, the second boom section 22 and the third boom section 23 are also stacked on top of each other, the arrow direction F and the mast direction M then being substantially parallel and horizontal.

Dans sa configuration de transport, la grue à tour 1 présente une forme très compacte et est alors très facilement transportable.In its transport configuration, the tower crane 1 has a very compact shape and is therefore very easily transportable.

Dans sa configuration de travail, la grue à tour 1 est adaptée pour déplacer une charge fixée à un crochet C, lui-même relié à un moufle O conçu pour être déplaçable le long de la flèche 2.In its working configuration, the tower crane 1 is adapted to move a load fixed to a hook C, itself connected to a block O designed to be movable along the boom 2.

Le moufle O est par ailleurs relié à un câble de levage 5 comportant une première extrémité 51 fixée sur le troisième tronçon de flèche 23 et une deuxième extrémité 52 reliée à un dispositif enrouleur 53 solidaire du deuxième tronçon de mât 32.The block O is also connected to a lifting cable 5 comprising a first end 51 fixed on the third boom section 23 and a second end 52 connected to a winding device 53 secured to the second mast section 32.

Ce dispositif enrouleur 53 (par exemple, constitué d'un treuil actionné par un moteur) est conçu pour faire alternativement augmenter ou diminuer une longueur de câble du câble de levage 5, mesurée entre la première extrémité 51 et la deuxième extrémité 52, (par exemple, en enroulant ou en déroulant ledit câble de levage 5), afin de faire respectivement monter ou descendre le moufle O selon la direction de mât M, et ainsi déplacer une charge fixée au crochet C selon la direction verticale lorsque la grue à tour 1 est en configuration de travail.This winding device 53 (for example, consisting of a winch actuated by a motor) is designed to alternately increase or decrease a cable length of the lifting cable 5, measured between the first end 51 and the second end 52, (for example example, by winding or unwinding said lifting cable 5), in order to make respectively raise or lower the block O in the mast direction M, and thus move a load fixed to the hook C in the vertical direction when the tower crane 1 is in working configuration.

En faisant ainsi augmenter ou diminuer la longueur de câble du câble de levage 5, le dispositif enrouleur 53 est donc adapté pour exercer une force de tension T d'intensité variable sur ce même câble de levage 5.By thus increasing or decreasing the cable length of the lifting cable 5, the winding device 53 is therefore adapted to exert a tension force T of variable intensity on this same lifting cable 5.

La grue à tour 1 comporte également un poinçon 6, articulé en rotation avec la première extrémité 211 du premier tronçon de flèche 21 autour d'un axe de rotation secondaire 61, et prolongeant la flèche 2 par-delà l'axe de rotation principal 311.The tower crane 1 also includes a punch 6, articulated in rotation with the first end 211 of the first boom section 21 around a secondary axis of rotation 61, and extending the boom 2 beyond the main axis of rotation 311 .

Ce poinçon 6 est également relié à une retenue arrière 7, formée de plusieurs bielles 71, 72, 73 et 74 articulées entre elles et reliant le poinçon 6 au châssis 4 en s'étendant le long du mât 2.This punch 6 is also connected to a rear retainer 7, formed of several connecting rods 71, 72, 73 and 74 articulated together and connecting the punch 6 to the chassis 4 extending along the mast 2.

Dans la configuration de travail de la grue à tour 1, cette retenue arrière 7 permet, par l'intermédiaire du poinçon 6, de maintenir la flèche 2 dans sa position horizontale au sommet du mât 2.In the working configuration of the tower crane 1, this rear retainer 7 allows, via the punch 6, to maintain the boom 2 in its horizontal position at the top of the mast 2.

Les figures 2 à 4 suivantes s'attachent à décrire la géométrie et la structure particulière du poinçon 6 et du câble de levage 5.THE figures 2 to 4 The following endeavors to describe the geometry and particular structure of the punch 6 and the lifting cable 5.

Comme visible sur les figures 2 et 3, le poinçon 6 comporte notamment deux membrures 62 articulées en rotation avec le premier tronçon de flèche 21 autour de l'axe de rotation secondaire 61 et jointes au niveau d'un point de jonction 63.As visible on the figure 2 And 3 , the punch 6 comprises in particular two ribs 62 articulated in rotation with the first arrow section 21 around the secondary axis of rotation 61 and joined at a junction point 63.

En particulier, ces membrures 62 sont ainsi déplaçables par rapport au premier tronçon de flèche 21 entre une position de travail du poinçon 6 (comme illustré sur les figures 2 à 7) et une position de transport (comme illustré sur la figure 9).In particular, these frames 62 are thus movable relative to the first boom section 21 between a working position of the punch 6 (as illustrated in the figures 2 to 7 ) and a transport position (as shown in the Figure 9 ).

Comme visible sur ces figures 2 et 3, dans la position de travail du poinçon 6, les membrures 62 définissent un plan parallèle à la direction de flèche F.As visible on these figure 2 And 3 , in the working position of the punch 6, the ribs 62 define a plane parallel to the arrow direction F.

Comme visible sur la figure 9, dans la position de travail du poinçon 6, les membrures 62 définissent un plan sensiblement perpendiculaire à la direction de flèche F.As visible on the Figure 9 , in the working position of the punch 6, the ribs 62 define a plane substantially perpendicular to the arrow direction F.

Dans sa position de transport, le poinçon 6 est en butée contre le premier tronçon de flèche 6, améliorant de ce fait la compacité globale de la grue à tour 1 dans sa configuration de transport.In its transport position, the punch 6 abuts against the first boom section 6, thereby improving the overall compactness of the tower crane 1 in its transport configuration.

Dans la suite de cette description, on dira que le poinçon 6 suit un mouvement de pliage lorsqu'il se déplace de sa position de travail vers sa position de transport, et un mouvement de dépliage lorsqu'il se déplace de sa position de transport vers sa position de travail.In the remainder of this description, we will say that the punch 6 follows a folding movement when it moves from its working position to its transport position, and an unfolding movement when it moves from its transport position to his working position.

Comme précédemment évoqué, le poinçon 6 est relié, au niveau du point de jonction 63 à la retenue arrière 7 : le point de jonction étant situé à une distance maximale de l'axe de rotation principal 311, cette caractéristique permet d'augmenter le bras de levier des efforts exercés sur le poinçon par la retenue arrière 7.As previously mentioned, the punch 6 is connected, at the junction point 63 to the rear retainer 7: the junction point being located at a maximum distance of the main axis of rotation 311, this characteristic makes it possible to increase the lever arm of the forces exerted on the punch by the rear retainer 7.

Ainsi, il est possible d'entraîner la flèche 2 en rotation autour de l'axe de rotation principal 311 au moyen d'un effort minimal de la retenue 7 (notamment lors des phases de pliage et de dépliage de la grue à tour 1, comme cela décrit plus bas).Thus, it is possible to cause the boom 2 to rotate around the main axis of rotation 311 by means of a minimal effort from the retainer 7 (in particular during the folding and unfolding phases of the tower crane 1, as described below).

On remarquera par ailleurs que l'axe de rotation secondaire 61 est positionné au niveau d'une limite inférieure du premier tronçon de flèche 21 définie par des membrures inférieures de flèche 212.It will also be noted that the secondary axis of rotation 61 is positioned at a lower limit of the first boom section 21 defined by lower boom ribs 212.

La grue à tour 1 comporte également une ligne de tirants supérieurs 64 joignant le point de jonction 63 du poinçon 6 au premier tronçon de flèche 21, au niveau d'une limite supérieure dudit premier tronçon de flèche 21 définie par des membrures supérieures de flèche 213.The tower crane 1 also includes a line of upper tie rods 64 joining the junction point 63 of the punch 6 to the first boom section 21, at the level of an upper limit of said first boom section 21 defined by upper boom chords 213 .

On notera également que, comme visible en particulier sur la figure 3, la flèche 2 est décalée par rapport au mât 3 selon une direction transversale 33, orthogonale à la direction de mât M et à la direction de flèche F : cette caractéristique permet d'encore augmenter la compacité de la grue à tour 1 lorsque celle-ci se trouve dans sa configuration de transport.It should also be noted that, as visible in particular on the Figure 3 , the boom 2 is offset relative to the mast 3 in a transverse direction 33, orthogonal to the mast direction M and to the boom direction F: this characteristic makes it possible to further increase the compactness of the tower crane 1 when it- This is in its transport configuration.

En conséquence, le poinçon 6 s'étend de manière oblique par rapport à la direction de flèche F, le point de jonction 63 étant situé (selon la direction transversale 33) au niveau du mât 3, tandis que l'articulation des membrures 62 avec le premier tronçon de flèche 21 est situé au niveau dudit premier tronçon de flèche.Consequently, the punch 6 extends obliquely with respect to the arrow direction F, the junction point 63 being located (in the transverse direction 33) at the level of the mast 3, while the articulation of the frames 62 with the first boom section 21 is located at said first boom section.

Bien évidemment, d'autres modes de réalisation concernant la géométrie et le positionnement relatif du poinçon 6, du premier tronçon de mât 31 et du premier tronçon de flèche 21 sont envisageables.Obviously, other embodiments concerning the geometry and relative positioning of the punch 6, the first mast section 31 and the first boom section 21 are possible.

Comme visible sur les figures 2 à 4, le poinçon coopère avec le câble de levage 5 par l'intermédiaire d'un système de renvoi 8.As visible on the figures 2 to 4 , the punch cooperates with the lifting cable 5 via a return system 8.

Le système de renvoi 8 permet de transmettre la force de tension T exercée sur le câble de levage 5 par le dispositif enrouleur 53 entre une première portion 54 du câble de levage 5, s'étendant le long du mât 3, et une deuxième portion 55 du câble de levage 5, s'étendant le long de la flèche 2.The return system 8 makes it possible to transmit the tension force T exerted on the lifting cable 5 by the winding device 53 between a first portion 54 of the lifting cable 5, extending along the mast 3, and a second portion 55 of the lifting cable 5, extending along the arrow 2.

Ce système de renvoi 8 coopère donc avec une portion intermédiaire 56 du câble de levage, ladite portion intermédiaire 56 joignant lesdites première portion 54 et deuxième portion 55.This return system 8 therefore cooperates with an intermediate portion 56 of the lifting cable, said intermediate portion 56 joining said first portion 54 and second portion 55.

En particulier, en remontant le câble de levage 5 depuis sa deuxième extrémité 52 (fixée au dispositif enrouleur 53 « en bas » du mât) en direction de sa première extrémité 51 (fixée à la flèche 2), le câble de levage 5 est successivement engagé dans :

  • un élément de renvoi secondaire 81, formé de deux poulies 811 fixées sur le premier tronçon de mât 31 au niveau de la limite supérieure du premier tronçon de flèche 21 ;
  • un élément de renvoi principal 82, formé d'une poulie fixée sur le poinçon 6 au niveau du point de jonction 63 ; puis
  • quatre éléments de renvois tertiaires 83, chacun formé d'une poulie fixée alternativement sur le poinçon 6, le premier tronçon de flèche 21 ou le premier tronçon de mât 31.
In particular, by going up the lifting cable 5 from its second end 52 (fixed to the winding device 53 "at the bottom" of the mast) towards its first end 51 (fixed to the arrow 2), the lifting cable 5 is successively engaged in:
  • a secondary return element 81, formed of two pulleys 811 fixed on the first mast section 31 at the upper limit of the first boom section 21;
  • a main return element 82, formed of a pulley fixed on the punch 6 at the junction point 63; Then
  • four tertiary return elements 83, each formed of a pulley fixed alternately on the punch 6, the first boom section 21 or the first mast section 31.

Ainsi, le système de renvoi 8 est bien adapté pour transmettre la force de tension T entre la première portion 54 et la deuxième portion 55 du câble de levage 5.Thus, the return system 8 is well suited to transmit the tension force T between the first portion 54 and the second portion 55 of the lifting cable 5.

On notera que les poulies de l'élément de renvoi secondaire 81, de l'élément de renvoi principal 82 et des éléments de renvois tertiaires 83 sont avantageusement disposées de manière à ne pas introduire d'efforts en torsion dans le câble de levage 5.It will be noted that the pulleys of the secondary return element 81, of the main return element 82 and of the tertiary return elements 83 are advantageously arranged so as not to introduce torsional forces into the lifting cable 5.

En effet, les directions de renvoi de ces dernières sont alignées deux à deux, de sorte qu'aucun angle n'est généré entre le câble 5 et chacune des poulies dans lesquelles il est engagé.In fact, the return directions of the latter are aligned two by two, so that no angle is generated between the cable 5 and each of the pulleys in which it is engaged.

Comme précédemment, de nombreux autres modes de réalisation sont envisageables concernant ce système de renvoi 8, dont la structure est nécessairement adaptée à celle de la grue à tour 1.As previously, many other embodiments are possible concerning this return system 8, the structure of which is necessarily adapted to that of the tower crane 1.

Il est dépendant nécessaire, pour des raisons qui seront décrites plus loin, que ce système de renvoi 8 coopère avec le poinçon 6 ; en particulier, il est nécessaire que le système de renvoi 8 soit configuré pour pouvoir transmettre la force de tension T, exercée sur le câble de levage 5, au poinçon 6.It is dependently necessary, for reasons which will be described later, that this return system 8 cooperates with the punch 6; in particular, it is necessary that the return system 8 is configured to be able to transmit the tension force T, exerted on the lifting cable 5, to the punch 6.

Les figures 5 à 10 décrivent les différentes étapes d'un procédé de pliage de la grue à tour 1 selon l'invention, c'est-à-dire un procédé permettant de faire passer celle-ci de sa configuration de transport à sa configuration de transport.THE figures 5 to 10 describe the different stages of a method of folding the tower crane 1 according to the invention, that is to say a method allowing it to pass from its transport configuration to its transport configuration.

Ce procédé de pliage débute par une étape de pliage de la flèche 2 sur elle-même, par empilement (visible sur la figure 5) des premier tronçon de flèche 21, deuxième tronçon de flèche 22 et troisième tronçon de flèche 23, par rotation autour d'un premier axe de rotation de flèche 221 et du deuxième axe de rotation de flèche 231.This folding process begins with a step of folding the arrow 2 on itself, by stacking (visible on the figure 5 ) of the first boom section 21, second boom section 22 and third boom section 23, by rotation around a first boom rotation axis 221 and the second boom rotation axis 231.

Le mât est ensuite également plié sur lui-même, par un mouvement de rotation du premier tronçon de mât 31 autour de l'axe de rotation de mât 321 et du deuxième tronçon de mât 32 autour de l'axe de rotation de châssis 41.The mast is then also folded on itself, by a rotational movement of the first mast section 31 around the mast rotation axis 321 and of the second mast section 32 around the frame rotation axis 41.

Ces mouvements de rotation du premier tronçon de mât 31 et du deuxième tronçon de mât 32 sont réalisés au moyen d'un vérin V télescopique, permettant d'exercer sur ceux-ci des efforts mécaniques tendant à les rapprocher ou à les éloigner l'un de l'autre.These rotational movements of the first mast section 31 and the second mast section 32 are carried out by means of a telescopic cylinder V, making it possible to exert mechanical forces on them tending to bring them closer together or further apart. the other.

La retenue arrière 7 étant par ailleurs reliée de manière articulée au châssis 4 (au moyen d'une bielle 71, ladite bielle 71 étant également télescopique) au poinçon 6 (au moyen d'une bielle 72), au premier tronçon de mât 31 (au moyen d'une bielle 73) et au deuxième tronçon de mât 32 (au moyen d'une bielle 74), cette retenue arrière se déforme sous l'effet du mouvement de pliage du mât 2 : sous l'effet de l'action du vérin V, la retenue arrière permet de contrôler la cinétique de pliage de la grue à tour 1.The rear retainer 7 is also connected in an articulated manner to the chassis 4 (by means of a connecting rod 71, said connecting rod 71 also being telescopic) to the punch 6 (by means of a connecting rod 72), to the first mast section 31 ( by means of a connecting rod 73) and to the second mast section 32 (by means of a connecting rod 74), this rear retainer is deformed under the effect of the folding movement of the mast 2: under the effect of the action of the V cylinder, the rear retainer makes it possible to control the folding kinetics of the tower crane 1.

En particulier, pendant le pliage du mât 2 sur lui-même, les efforts exercés par la retenue arrière 7 sur le poinçon 6 diminuent, provoquant un mouvement de bascule de la flèche 2 autour de l'axe de rotation principal 311 : la flèche 2 (elle-même déjà pliée sur elle-même) se rapproche du premier tronçon de mât 31 et la mesure de l'angle entre la direction de flèche F et la direction de mât M diminue.In particular, during the folding of the mast 2 on itself, the forces exerted by the rear retainer 7 on the punch 6 decrease, causing a tilting movement of the boom 2 around the main axis of rotation 311: the boom 2 (itself already folded on itself) approaches the first mast section 31 and the measurement of the angle between the arrow direction F and the mast direction M decreases.

Comme visible sur la figure 6, à l'issue de cette étape de bascule de la flèche 2, celle-ci est positionnée contre le premier tronçon de mât 31 et la direction de flèche F et la direction de mât M sont sensiblement colinéaires.As visible on the Figure 6 , at the end of this step of tilting the boom 2, it is positioned against the first mast section 31 and the boom direction F and the mast direction M are substantially collinear.

Jusqu'alors, la position du poinçon 6 par rapport au premier tronçon de flèche 21 n'a pas été modifiée : le poinçon 6 est resté dans sa position de travail, dans laquelle les membrures 62 sont sensiblement parallèles à la direction de flèche F.Until then, the position of the punch 6 relative to the first boom section 21 has not been modified: the punch 6 has remained in its working position, in which the ribs 62 are substantially parallel to the arrow direction F.

Par ailleurs, ces étapes de pliage de la flèche 2 et du mât 3 provoquent un relâchement du câble de levage 5 : pendant toutes les étapes précédentes, le dispositif enrouleur 53 a été piloté, au moyen d'un système de contrôle dont le fonctionnement sera décrit plus en détail par la suite, de manière à réduire la longueur de câble du câble de levage 5, afin de compenser la détente du câble de levage 5 et ainsi maintenir une force de tension dans le câble de levage 5 d'intensité relativement constante.Furthermore, these steps of folding the boom 2 and the mast 3 cause a release of the lifting cable 5: during all the previous steps, the winding device 53 was controlled, by means of a control system whose operation will be described in more detail below, so as to reduce the cable length of the lifting cable 5, in order to compensate for the relaxation of the lifting cable 5 and thus maintain a tension force in the lifting cable 5 of relatively constant intensity .

Une fois la configuration représentée par la figure 6 atteinte, le dispositif enrouleur 53 continue à être piloté par le système de contrôle de manière à enrouler le câble de levage 5 (c'est-à-dire de manière à diminuer la longueur de câble).Once the configuration is represented by the Figure 6 reached, the winding device 53 continues to be controlled by the control system so as to wind the lifting cable 5 (that is to say so as to reduce the cable length).

Sous l'effet du dispositif enrouleur 53, le câble de levage 5 exerce sur l'élément de renvoi principal 82 du système de renvoi une force de tension T dirigée vers l'élément de renvoi secondaire 81.Under the effect of the winding device 53, the lifting cable 5 exerts on the main return element 82 of the return system a tension force T directed towards the secondary return element 81.

Du fait de la configuration du système de renvoi 8, et en particulier des positionnements relatifs de l'élément de renvoi principal 82, de l'élément de renvoi secondaire 81 et de l'élément de renvoi tertiaire identifié 83' sur cette figure 7, l'application de cette force de tension T sur l'élément de renvoi principal 82 se traduit par l'application d'une force de pliage P sur le poinçon 6, au niveau du point de jonction 63.Due to the configuration of the return system 8, and in particular the relative positions of the main return element 82, the secondary return element 81 and the tertiary return element identified 83' on this Figure 7 , the application of this tension force T on the main return element 82 results in the application of a folding force P on the punch 6, at the junction point 63.

Cette force de pliage P présente une intensité qui dépend notamment des positionnements relatifs de l'élément de renvoi principal 82, de l'élément de renvoi secondaire 81 et de l'élément de renvoi tertiaire 83' (en particulier, un positionnement de l'élément de renvoi tertiaire 83' à proximité de la limite supérieure du premier tronçon de flèche 21 permet de maximiser l'intensité de la force de pliage P), et des frottements mécaniques exercés par ces mêmes éléments de renvoi 81, 82 et 83' sur le câble de levage 5.This folding force P has an intensity which depends in particular on the relative positions of the main return element 82, of the return element secondary 81 and the tertiary return element 83' (in particular, positioning the tertiary return element 83' near the upper limit of the first boom section 21 makes it possible to maximize the intensity of the folding force P), and mechanical friction exerted by these same return elements 81, 82 and 83' on the lifting cable 5.

La force de pliage P exerce ainsi sur le poinçon 6 un moment de pliage permettant d'entraîner le poinçon 6 en rotation par rapport au premier tronçon de flèche 21 autour de l'axe de rotation secondaire 61.The folding force P thus exerts on the punch 6 a folding moment making it possible to cause the punch 6 to rotate relative to the first arrow section 21 around the secondary axis of rotation 61.

Comme visible sur les figures 8 et 9, le poinçon 6 est ainsi déplacé depuis sa position de travail (en figure 7) vers sa position de transport (en figure 9) sous l'effet de la force de tension T et de la force de pliage P.As visible on the figures 8 And 9 , the punch 6 is thus moved from its working position (in Figure 7 ) to its transport position (in Figure 9 ) under the effect of the tension force T and the folding force P.

Il est important de remarquer le positionnement de l'élément de renvoi secondaire 82, disposé à proximité de la limite supérieure du premier tronçon de flèche 21 (définie par les membrures supérieures de flèche 213), par rapport à l'axe de rotation secondaire, disposé à proximité de la limite inférieure du premier tronçon de flèche 21 (définie par les membrures inférieures de flèche 212), et par rapport à l'élément de renvoi principal 82, disposé entre ladite limite supérieure et ladite limite inférieure.It is important to note the positioning of the secondary return element 82, arranged near the upper limit of the first boom section 21 (defined by the upper boom ribs 213), relative to the secondary axis of rotation, arranged near the lower limit of the first boom section 21 (defined by the lower boom chords 212), and relative to the main return element 82, disposed between said upper limit and said lower limit.

Grâce à ce positionnement, la force de pliage P tend à rapprocher le point de jonction 63 de cette limite supérieure, c'est-à-dire qu'elle tend à « relever » le poinçon 6 par rapport à la direction de flèche F.Thanks to this positioning, the folding force P tends to bring the junction point 63 closer to this upper limit, that is to say it tends to “raise” the punch 6 relative to the arrow direction F.

Cette direction de flèche F étant, lors du mouvement de pliage du poinçon 6, sensiblement horizontale (comme visible sur la figure 6), la force de pliage P s'oppose donc à la gravité terrestre G : le mouvement de pliage du poinçon s'effectue ainsi à l'encontre du poids PO du poinçon 6 et de la retenue arrière 7.This direction of arrow F being, during the folding movement of the punch 6, substantially horizontal (as visible on the Figure 6 ), the folding force P therefore opposes the earth's gravity G: the folding movement of the punch is thus carried out against the weight PO of the punch 6 and the rear retainer 7.

Il est donc nécessaire que la force de tension T présente une intensité suffisante pour que la force de pliage P soit assez importante pour compenser et surmonter le poids PO tendant à maintenir le poinçon 6 dans sa position de travail.It is therefore necessary that the tension force T has sufficient intensity so that the folding force P is significant enough to compensate and overcome the weight PO tending to maintain the punch 6 in its working position.

On remarquera également que l'application de la force de pliage P au niveau du point de jonction 63 permet de maximiser le bras de levier de cette force de pliage P : il est ainsi possible de mettre en mouvement le poinçon 6 u moyen d'une force de tension T d'intensité modérée.It will also be noted that the application of the folding force P at the junction point 63 makes it possible to maximize the lever arm of this folding force P: it is thus possible to set the punch 6 u in motion by means of a tension force T of moderate intensity.

La figure 8 illustre une position intermédiaire du poinçon 6, entre sa position de travail et sa position de transport, au cours de son mouvement de rotation autour de l'axe secondaire 61 sous l'effet de la force de tension T.There figure 8 illustrates an intermediate position of the punch 6, between its working position and its transport position, during its rotational movement around the secondary axis 61 under the effect of the tension force T.

La figure 9 illustre ce même poinçon 6 après que celui-ci a atteint sa position de transport : le poinçon 6 est alors positionné en butée contre la première extrémité 211 du premier tronçon de flèche 21, et les membrures 62 sont alors sensiblement orthogonales à la direction de flèche F.There Figure 9 illustrates this same punch 6 after it has reached its transport position: the punch 6 is then positioned abutting against the first end 211 of the first boom section 21, and the frames 62 are then substantially orthogonal to the boom direction F.

Une fois le poinçon 6 dans sa position de transport, le pliage du mât 3 est complété sous l'effet du vérin V et la grue à tour 1 se trouve alors dans sa configuration de transport, illustrée par la figure 10.Once the punch 6 is in its transport position, the folding of the mast 3 is completed under the effect of the cylinder V and the tower crane 1 is then in its transport configuration, illustrated by the Figure 10 .

Dans cette configuration de transport, le premier tronçon de mât 31 et le deuxième tronçon de mât 32 sont repliés l'un sur l'autre et s'étendent tous deux à l'horizontale. De même, la flèche 2 est repliée sur elle-même en contact avec le premier tronçon de mât 31 et s'étend également à l'horizontale.In this transport configuration, the first mast section 31 and the second mast section 32 are folded on top of each other and both extend horizontally. Likewise, the boom 2 is folded on itself in contact with the first mast section 31 and also extends horizontally.

Ainsi, la grue à tour se présente sous une forme très compacte et occupe un faible volume, ce qui la rend facilement transportable par des moyens de transport usuels.Thus, the tower crane is in a very compact form and occupies a small volume, which makes it easily transportable by usual means of transport.

On remarquera que le fait d'avoir déplacé le poinçon 6 vers sa position de transport, en butée contre le premier tronçon de flèche 21, permet de réduire l'encombrement de la grue à tour 1 dans sa configuration de transport : le pliage du poinçon 6 permet de réduire une longueur L occupée par la grue à tour 1 d'une longueur L' des membrures 62 (mesurée entre le point de jonction 63 et l'axe de rotation secondaire 61.It will be noted that the fact of having moved the punch 6 towards its transport position, abutting against the first boom section 21, makes it possible to reduce the bulk of the tower crane 1 in its transport configuration: the folding of the punch 6 makes it possible to reduce a length L occupied by the tower crane 1 by a length L' of the frames 62 (measured between the junction point 63 and the secondary axis of rotation 61.

Comme précédemment évoqué, la grue à tour 1 comporte un système de contrôle permettant de piloter le dispositif enrouleur 53 de manière à maîtriser l'intensité de la force de tension T dans le câble de levage 5 lors du mouvement de pliage du poinçon 6. Plus précisément, ce système de contrôle est capable de mesurer une valeur d'une grandeur caractéristique représentative de l'intensité de la force de tension T, subissant les mêmes variations au cours du temps que l'intensité de la force de tension.As previously mentioned, the tower crane 1 includes a control system making it possible to control the winding device 53 so as to control the intensity of the tension force T in the lifting cable 5 during the folding movement of the punch 6. More precisely, this control system is capable of measuring a value of a characteristic quantity representative of the intensity of the tension force T, undergoing the same variations over time as the intensity of the tension force.

Par exemple, lorsque le dispositif enrouleur est un treuil actionné par un moteur, la grandeur caractéristique peut correspondre à une intensité du courant d'alimentation de ce moteur, ou encore une valeur d'un couple résistif s'exerçant sur l'arbre moteur de celui-ci.For example, when the winding device is a winch actuated by a motor, the characteristic quantity can correspond to an intensity of the supply current of this motor, or even a value of a resistive torque exerted on the motor shaft of this one.

Cette grandeur caractéristique peut également correspondre à l'intensité de la force de tension T elle-même, par exemple mesurée au moyen d'un dynamomètre.This characteristic quantity can also correspond to the intensity of the tension force T itself, for example measured using a dynamometer.

Le système de contrôle est conçu pour comparer régulièrement la valeur de cette grandeur caractéristique à une valeur seuil préalablement définie et pour commander au dispositif enrouleur 53 une augmentation de la longueur de câble lorsque la valeur de cette grandeur caractéristique est supérieure à cette valeur seuil, et commander au dispositif enrouleur 53 une diminution de la longueur de câble lorsque la valeur de cette grandeur caractéristique est inférieure à cette valeur seuil.The control system is designed to regularly compare the value of this characteristic quantity to a previously defined threshold value and to command the winding device 53 to increase the cable length when the value of this characteristic quantity is greater than this threshold value, and command the winding device 53 to reduce the cable length when the value of this characteristic quantity is less than this threshold value.

Il est à remarquer qu'une augmentation de la longueur de câble se traduit automatiquement par une augmentation de l'intensité de la force de tension T dans le câble de levage 5, puis par une augmentation de la valeur de la grandeur caractéristique.It should be noted that an increase in the cable length automatically results in an increase in the intensity of the tension force T in the lifting cable 5, then by an increase in the value of the characteristic quantity.

A l'inverse, une diminution de la longueur de câble se traduit automatiquement par une diminution de l'intensité de la force de tension T dans le câble de levage 5, puis par une diminution de la valeur de la grandeur caractéristique.Conversely, a reduction in the cable length automatically results in a reduction in the intensity of the tension force T in the lifting cable 5, then in a reduction in the value of the characteristic quantity.

De la sorte, le système de contrôle permet de maintenir automatiquement et en continu la valeur de la grandeur caractéristique approximativement égale à la valeur seuil tout au long des mouvements de pliage ou de dépliage de la grue à tour 1, et donc d'exercer sur le câble de levage 5 une force de tension T d'intensité sensiblement constante.In this way, the control system makes it possible to automatically and continuously maintain the value of the characteristic quantity approximately equal to the threshold value throughout the folding or unfolding movements of the tower crane 1, and therefore to exert on the lifting cable 5 a tension force T of substantially constant intensity.

En conséquence, grâce au choix de la valeur seuil du système de contrôle, il est possible de contrôler l'intensité de la force de pliage exercées sur le poinçon 6 et d'ainsi maîtriser la cinématique de ses déplacements.Consequently, thanks to the choice of the threshold value of the control system, it is possible to control the intensity of the folding force exerted on the punch 6 and thus to control the kinematics of its movements.

En particulier, lors du procédé de pliage de la grue à tour 1 précédemment décrit, l'empilement des tronçons de flèche 21, 22 et 23 et des tronçons de mât 31 et 32 a tendance à relâcher le câble de levage 5 et à faire diminuer l'intensité de la force de tension T.In particular, during the folding process of the tower crane 1 previously described, the stacking of the boom sections 21, 22 and 23 and the mast sections 31 and 32 tends to release the lifting cable 5 and to reduce the intensity of the tension force T.

En conséquence, le dispositif enrouleur 53 effectue un enroulage régulier du câble de levage 5 afin de maintenir l'intensité de la force de tension T à un niveau élevé.Consequently, the winding device 53 performs regular winding of the lifting cable 5 in order to maintain the intensity of the tension force T at a high level.

En effet, comme visible sur les figures 7 à 9, le mouvement du poinçon 6 vers sa position de transport est réalisé à l'encontre de la force de gravité terrestre : la force de tension T doit donc présenter une intensité suffisamment importante pour que la force de pliage P puisse surmonter le poids du poinçon 6 et de la retenue arrière 7, afin de provoquer le mouvement de pliage du poinçon 6.Indeed, as visible on the figures 7 to 9 , the movement of the punch 6 towards its transport position is carried out against the force of earth's gravity: the tension force T must therefore have a sufficiently large intensity so that the folding force P can overcome the weight of the punch 6 and the rear retainer 7, in order to cause the folding movement of the punch 6.

Il est donc nécessaire de choisir pour valeur seuil du système de contrôle une valeur suffisamment élevée pour pouvoir réaliser un pliage du poinçon.It is therefore necessary to choose a sufficiently high value for the threshold value of the control system to be able to bend the punch.

Un procédé de dépliage de la grue à tour 1, permettant de faire passer cette dernière de sa configuration de transport à sa configuration de travail, peut être réalisé de manière similaire au procédé de pliage précédemment décrit.A process for unfolding the tower crane 1, making it possible to move the latter from its transport configuration to its working configuration, can be carried out in a manner similar to the folding process previously described.

Ce procédé de dépliage peut ainsi être décrit par les mêmes figures 5 à 10, parcourues dans le sens inverse au procédé de pliage, c'est-à-dire que le procédé de dépliage débute par la configuration de transport de la grue à tour 1 illustrée par la figure 10 et se termine par la configuration de travail de la grue à tour 1 illustrée par la figure 5. Au cours de ce procédé de dépliage de la grue à tour 1, le mât est déployé au moyen du vérin V, piloté de manière à augmenter la distance séparant le premier tronçon de mât 31 du deuxième tronçon de mât 32.This unfolding process can thus be described by the same figures 5 to 10 , traveled in the opposite direction to the folding process, that is to say the unfolding process begins with the transport configuration of the tower crane 1 illustrated by the Figure 10 and ends with the working configuration of tower crane 1 shown in Figure 5 . During this unfolding process of the tower crane 1, the mast is deployed by means of the cylinder V, controlled so as to increase the distance separating the first mast section 31 from the second mast section 32.

Au début de ce procédé de dépliage le poinçon 6 est dans sa position de transport, en butée contre le premier tronçon de flèche 21.At the start of this unfolding process, the punch 6 is in its transport position, abutting against the first boom section 21.

Au cours du dépliage du mât 3, la retenue arrière 7 exerce des efforts mécaniques sur le poinçon 6 au niveau du point de jonction 63, se traduisant par l'application sur le poinçon 6 d'un couple mécanique permettant l'initiation d'un mouvement de dépliage du poinçon 6, vers sa position de travail.During the unfolding of the mast 3, the rear retainer 7 exerts mechanical forces on the punch 6 at the junction point 63, resulting in the application on the punch 6 of a mechanical torque allowing the initiation of a unfolding movement of the punch 6, towards its working position.

Le poinçon 6 est ensuite soumis aux effets de son propre poids, qui tend à déplacer celui-ci vers sa position de travail : le mouvement de dépliage du poinçon 6 est ainsi réalisé grâce à la retenue arrière 7 et au poids du poinçon 6.The punch 6 is then subjected to the effects of its own weight, which tends to move it towards its working position: the unfolding movement of the punch 6 is thus achieved thanks to the rear retainer 7 and the weight of the punch 6.

On remarquera que (comme visible notamment sur les figures 7 à 9), au cours du déplacement du poinçon 6 vers sa position de travail, le câble de levage 5 exerce toujours sur l'élément de renvoi principal 82 une force de tension T, se traduisant par l'application, au niveau du point de jonction 63 d'une force de pliage P s'opposant au poids PO du poinçon 6 : cette force de pliage P permet ainsi de compenser le poids du poinçon 6 et ainsi de ralentir la « chute » du poinçon 6 vers sa position de travail sous l'effet de la gravité terrestre.It will be noted that (as visible in particular on the figures 7 to 9 ), during the movement of the punch 6 towards its working position, the lifting cable 5 always exerts on the main return element 82 a tension force T, resulting in the application, at the junction point 63 of a folding force P opposing the weight PO of the punch 6: this folding force P thus makes it possible to compensate for the weight of the punch 6 and thus to slow down the "fall" of the punch 6 towards its working position under the effect of Earth's gravity.

En conséquence, le système de contrôle du dispositif enrouleur 53 permet, en contrôlant en continu la valeur de l'intensité de la force de tension T pendant le mouvement de dépliage du poinçon 6, de maîtriser la cinématique dudit poinçon 6. En particulier, le dépliage du poinçon 6 se traduit par une augmentation de la longueur de câble du câble de levage 5 : le système de contrôle pilote le dispositif enrouleur 53 de manière que celui-ci déroule petit à petit et de manière maîtrisée le câble de levage 5, afin de ralentir le mouvement du poinçon 6.Consequently, the control system of the winding device 53 makes it possible, by continuously controlling the value of the intensity of the tension force T during the unfolding movement of the punch 6, to control the kinematics of said punch 6. In particular, the unfolding of the punch 6 results in an increase in the cable length of the lifting cable 5: the control system controls the winding device 53 so that it unwinds the lifting cable 5 little by little and in a controlled manner, in order to to slow down the movement of the punch 6.

Une fois le poinçon 6 déplié et dans sa position de travail, la flèche 2 est également entraînée en rotation (sous l'effet de la retenue arrière 7 et par l'intermédiaire du poinçon 6) par rapport au premier tronçon de mât 31 autour de l'axe de rotation principal 311 et déplacée vers une position horizontale, jusqu'à ce que la grue à tour 1 atteigne sa configuration de travail illustrée en figure 1, dans laquelle la flèche 2 est perpendiculaire au mât 3 vertical.Once the punch 6 unfolded and in its working position, the arrow 2 is also rotated (under the effect of the rear retainer 7 and via the punch 6) relative to the first mast section 31 around the main axis of rotation 311 and moved to a horizontal position, until the tower crane 1 reaches its working configuration illustrated in figure 1 , in which the arrow 2 is perpendicular to the vertical mast 3.

Claims (16)

  1. A tower crane (1), of the foldable and unfoldable type between a working configuration and a transport configuration, having a boom (2) hinged in rotation relative to a mast (3) about a main axis of rotation (311), said tower crane (1) including a rear retainer fastened to a frame (4) supporting said mast (3) and to a stanchion (6), said stanchion (6) being provided to extend said boom (2) rearwardly of said main axis of rotation (311) and designed to be displaceable relative to said boom (2) between a working position and a transport position,
    said tower crane (1) being characterized in that it includes a lifting cable (5) connected to a winding device (53) designed to exert, on said lifting cable (5), a tension force (T), said tension force (T) being applied on said stanchion (6) by means of a return system (8) designed to cooperate with said lifting cable (5), so as to cause a displacement of said stanchion (6) from its working position to its transport position.
  2. The tower crane (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the return system (8) includes at least one main return element (82) in which the lifting cable (5) is engaged, said main return element (82) being fastened on the stanchion (6).
  3. The tower crane (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stanchion (6) is connected in rotation, about a secondary axis of rotation (61), to a first boom segment (21) extending in a direction of arrow (F), said stanchion (6) being displaceable, between its working position and its transport position, by a rotational movement relative to the first boom segment (21) about said secondary axis of rotation (61).
  4. The tower crane (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the stanchion (6) has a stanchion body extending in a stanchion direction between a first end, connected to the first boom segment (21), and an opposite second end, the main return element (82) of the return system (8) being disposed in the vicinity of said second end.
  5. The tower crane (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the stanchion direction (6) is parallel to the direction of arrow (F) when said stanchion (6) is in its working position, and wherein the stanchion direction (6) is orthogonal to the direction of arrow (F) when said stanchion (6) is in its transport position.
  6. The tower crane (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the first boom segment (21) has at least one upper chord (213) and one lower chord (212) defining respectively, in a direction perpendicular to the direction of arrow (F), an upper limit and a lower limit of said first boom segment (21), wherein the secondary axis of rotation (61) is positioned at said lower limit,
    and wherein the return system (8) includes at least one secondary return element (81) positioned in the vicinity of said upper limit, the lifting cable (5) being engaged successively in said one secondary return element (81) and then in the main return element (82),
    such that the tension force (T) generates, on said main return element (82), a folding force (P) directed towards said secondary return element (81) and allowing a displacement of said stanchion (6) from its working position towards its transport position.
  7. The tower crane (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the secondary return element (81) is fastened on the mast (3) and connected to the winding device (53) by a first portion (54) of the lifting cable (5) provided to extend along said mast (3),
    wherein said secondary return element (81) and the main return element (82) are positioned, in the direction of arrow (F), on either side of the secondary axis of rotation (61) when the stanchion (6) is in its working position.
  8. The tower crane (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the return system (8) includes one or several tertiary return element(s) (83, 83') fastened on the mast (3), the stanchion (6) or the first boom segment (21), the lifting cable (5) being engaged in said tertiary return elements (83, 83'), so as to transmit the tension force (T) of the main return element (82) to a second portion (55) of the lifting cable (5), said second portion being provided to extend along the first boom segment (21).
  9. The tower crane (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the winding device (53) includes an actuator adapted to vary an intensity of the tension force (T) exerted on the lifting cable (5) by said winding device (53).
  10. The tower crane (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the lifting cable (5) extends between a first end (51) fastened to the boom (2) and a second end (52) connected to the winding device (53), said winding device (53) being secured to the mast (3),
    and wherein the actuator of the winding device (53) is adapted to vary a cable length of said lifting cable (5) measured between said first end and said winding device (53), so as to vary the intensity of the tension force (T).
  11. The tower crane (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the winding device (53) includes a monitoring system adapted to:
    - determine a value of a characteristic quantity representative of the intensity of the tension force (T),
    - compare said value to a previously defined threshold value, and
    - drive the actuator of said winding device (53) so as to increase the cable length when said value is greater than said threshold value, and
    - drive the actuator of said winding device (53) so as to decrease the cable length when said value is less than said threshold value.
  12. The tower crane (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the monitoring system is adapted to determine the value of the characteristic quantity representative of the intensity of the tension force (T) by means of at least the one of the following measurements:
    - a direct measurement of said intensity of the tension force (T) by means of a dynamometer,
    - a measurement of an intensity of an electric current supplying the actuator of the winding device (53) with electricity, or
    - a measurement of a torque or a mechanical force internal to said actuator.
  13. A method for unfolding and folding a tower crane (1) in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, including:
    - an unfolding phase, during which said tower crane (1) passes from its transport configuration to its working configuration, and during which the stanchion (6) is displaced from its transport position to its working configuration under the action of a rear retainer (7) designed to connect said stanchion (6) to a frame supporting the mast (3), and
    - a folding phase during which said tower crane (1) passes from its working configuration to its transport configuration, and during which the stanchion (6) is displaced from its working position to its transport configuration under the effect the tension force (T) exerted by the winding device (53) on the lifting cable (5).
  14. The method according to the preceding claim, wherein, during the folding phase, the tension force (T) generates, on the stanchion (6), a folding force (P) causing a displacement of said stanchion (6) from its working position to its transport position,
    said folding force (P) being likely to oppose, in the vertical direction, the weight (PO) of said stanchion (6) under the effect of the earth's gravity.
  15. The method according to any one of claims 13 and 14, wherein the tower crane (1) is in accordance with claim 10, the folding phase including a step of driving the actuator of the winding device (53) by the monitoring system so as to decrease the cable length so as to cause the displacement of the stanchion (6) towards its transport configuration.
  16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the tower crane (1) is in accordance with claim 11, where the unfolding phase includes at least one step during which the monitoring system compares the value of the characteristic quantity representative of the intensity of the tension force (T) to a threshold unfolding value, and where the folding phase includes at least one step during which the monitoring system compares the value of the characteristic quantity representative of the intensity of the tension force (T) to a folding threshold value,
    said folding threshold value being greater than said unfolding threshold value.
EP20204539.9A 2019-10-31 2020-10-29 Tower crane with automatic folding and unfolding stanchion Active EP3816091B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1912237A FR3102763B1 (en) 2019-10-31 2019-10-31 Tower crane with automatic folding and unfolding punch

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EP3816091A1 EP3816091A1 (en) 2021-05-05
EP3816091B1 true EP3816091B1 (en) 2023-10-11

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US (1) US11420851B2 (en)
EP (1) EP3816091B1 (en)
FR (1) FR3102763B1 (en)
PT (1) PT3816091T (en)

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RU2817662C1 (en) * 2023-11-17 2024-04-17 Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "Дигинавис" Folding tower crane

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USD1019048S1 (en) * 2021-07-01 2024-03-19 Liebherr-Werk Biberach Gmbh Crane
CN113772548B (en) * 2021-07-29 2024-01-19 余姚太平洋称重工程有限公司 Steel wire rope compensation method based on double-component weighing sensor

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DE1209262B (en) * 1963-05-18 1966-01-20 Vnii Str I Doroshnowo Maschino Tower crane with a crane column that can be swiveled into a horizontal position for transport
CH499455A (en) * 1969-04-24 1970-11-30 Wetzel Kg Tower crane
US5016768A (en) * 1989-11-02 1991-05-21 David C. Kennard, Jr. Pickup truck derrick with traveling sheaves
FR2790252B1 (en) * 1999-02-26 2001-04-06 Potain Sa DEVICE FOR SIMULTANEOUS FOLDING OR FOLDING OF CRANE BOOM TIP ELEMENTS
FR2834505B1 (en) 2002-01-09 2004-05-07 Potain Sa METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SECURE CONTROL / CONTROL OF FOLDING AND FOLDING A TOWER CRANE
FR2839962B1 (en) 2002-05-21 2004-10-29 Potain Sa TOWER CRANE WITH FOLDING COUNTER
FR3046149B1 (en) * 2015-12-23 2017-12-29 Manitowoc Crane Group France AUTOMATICALLY FOLDING AND FOLDING CRANE COMPRISING A MAT AND ARROW DECALED FROM MATERIAL

Cited By (2)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
RU2817662C1 (en) * 2023-11-17 2024-04-17 Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "Дигинавис" Folding tower crane
RU226627U1 (en) * 2024-04-16 2024-06-14 Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "Дигинавис" DEVICE FOR VERTICAL MOVEMENT OF A TOWER CRANE JIM

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3816091A1 (en) 2021-05-05
PT3816091T (en) 2024-01-05
US11420851B2 (en) 2022-08-23
US20210130141A1 (en) 2021-05-06
FR3102763B1 (en) 2021-11-12
FR3102763A1 (en) 2021-05-07

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