DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a fully electric articulated body pick and carry mobile crane. Particularly, the present inventions relates to a fully electric articulated body mobile crane for load/goods pick and carry application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] An articulated body mobile crane is a 2 wheel drive or all-wheel drive crane powered by conventional fuel combustion engine that can travel on both highways and off roads to get the crane into position for the lifting and carrying the goods to a certain distance.
[003] The articulated body mobile cranes are primarily designed to work on power derived from conventional fuel combustion engines which transfers to wheels through transmissions and axles.
[004] US8857635B2 discloses a method of operating a crane having primary energy source as diesel engine and secondary energy source as comprising a battery as a stackable counter-weight on the crane. Both the energy sources feeds energy into the power consumer system. Thus, the hybrid cranes presently known require a primary source of energy along-with the secondary source such as battery.
[005] WO2021037526A1 discloses a lifting and handling device and method for monitoring the operation of the device which comprises of a powered battery to supply power to the monitoring device. However, the battery is only used to operate only few monitoring devices.
[006] However, the inherent problem with the prior art is using a non-renewable source of energy for the operations of the crane as a primary source which causes severe environmental impacts. Also, the battery is utilized either as a secondary source of power or for supplying power for certain operations/components.
[007] Therefore, keeping in view the problems associated with the prior art, an articulated body crane which can carry the heavy load and yet operates fully on the electric power is required.
OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
[008] The principal object of the present invention is to provide an articulated body electric pick & carry crane.
[009] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a fully electric articulated body pick & carry crane.
[0010] Yet another objective of the present invention is to position series connected sectional Rechargeable Electrical Energy Storage System (REES) / Battery pack to work as counterweight to suit pick & carry application as well as layout.
[0011] Another objective of the present invention is to provide arrangement to ensure single high voltage electric motor used for both Vehicle Traction and Hydraulic pump for crane operation.
[0012] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a customized arrangement through which the PMSM / Induction / SRM motor is coupled with Mechanical Transmission through clutch plate and pressure plate along with specially designed auxiliary gear box and axles for articulated body pick and carry purposes.
[0013] Another objective of the present invention is to obtain creep speed suitable for pick and carry application through PMSM / Induction / SRM motor.
[0014] Another objective of the present invention is to design REES consisting of Battery packs to suit charging as a whole or individually using Single Phase / 3 Phase charger.
[0015] Yet another objective of the present invention is to design battery pack such that it can be comprehensively accommodated inside the crane counterweight to suit articulated body pick and carry crane layout.
[0016] Another objective of the present invention is to place driveline controller system for better accessibility and serviceability and to suit articulated body pick and carry crane application and layout.
[0017] Yet another objective of the present invention is to design articulated body pick and carry crane in which Front and Rear body articulated at centre and the rear body houses the driveline and electrical system including REES/controllers/hydraulic tank and front body contains boom, snatch block etc.
[0018] Another objective of the present invention is to design electrical system which allows using Lead Acid or Lithium Ion battery pack.
[0019] Yet another objective of the present invention is to design a system to ensure smooth gear changing and clutch operation from cabin through electric motor coupled with transmission through clutch plate and pressure plate.
[0020] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying illustrations, drawings and examples to disclose the aspects of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The present invention relates to an articulated body electric pick & carry crane. Particularly, the present invention relates to a fully electric articulated body pick & carry crane. More particularly, the present invention relates to electric articulated body pick and carry crane comprising of single high voltage electric motor which is used for both Vehicle Traction and Hydraulic pump for crane operation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0022] The present invention will be better understood after reading the following detailed description of the presently preferred aspects thereof with reference to the appended drawings, in which the features, other aspects and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the invention will be more apparent from the accompanying drawing in which:
[0023] Figure 1 illustrates line diagram of the side view of articulated body pick and carry cranes according to first embodiment of the invention.
[0024] Figure 2 illustrates a line diagram of the side view of the pick & carry crane according to second embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0025] The following description describes various features and functions of the disclosed system and method with reference to the accompanying figure. The illustrative aspects described herein are not meant to be limiting. It may be readily understood that certain aspects of the disclosed system and method can be arranged and combined in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are contemplated herein.
[0026] Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known terms and mechanisms are omitted for clarity and conciseness.
[0027] The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention.
[0028] It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise
[0029] It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, components or groups thereof. The equations used in the specification are only for computation purpose.
[0030] Accordingly, the present invention provides a fully electric articulated body pick & carry crane having unique design. Particularly, the present invention discloses a multi propeller electrically driven single motor used for hydraulic operation and mechanical driveline of crane.
[0031] In a preferred embodiment, a fully electric articulated body pick and carry crane (100), comprises: a front body (102); a rear body (104) connected to the front body (102) on center at articulation points (201, 315) at center; a Rechargeable Electrical Energy Storage System (REES) (106); a single motor (108) powered by the REES (106) through a controller box (110); a clutch and pressure plate (112) connected to the motor (108) through a main gear box (114); an auxiliary gear box (AGB) (116); a plurality of propeller shafts (118) connected to the front axle (120) and the rear axle (122), and electrical transmission and the AGB (116) for power transmission.
[0032] The AGB comprises of a first flange, a second flange and a third flange. The first flange is connected to the main gear box, the second flange is connected to the front axle (120) of the pick and carry crane and the third flange is connected to the rear axle (122) of the pick and carry crane (100).
[0033] The REES (106) is positioned on the rear end of the rear body of the pick and carry crane (100) to work as a counterweight for picking and carrying application. The REES (106) of the present invention comprises: a first battery pack placed at left hand side tyre through any one of a propeller shaft, a second battery pack placed on right hand side tyre; a third battery pack and a fourth battery pack centrally positioned.
[0034] The pick and carry crane of the present invention comprises a single electric motor (108) for operating vehicle traction as well as hydraulic pump. The pick and carry crane (100) is coupled with the main gear box (114) through the clutch and pressure plate (112) that enables the motor to operate both vehicle traction and hydraulic pump.
[0035] A controller box (124) in the present invention is uniquely installed at the rear body (104). The controller (124) is installed in place of fuel tank as no fuel tank or IC engine is required in the pick and carry crane (100), and the crane is operated through the REES and single electric motor.
[0036] A compressor assembly (126) installed at rear end of the rear body (104) of the pick and carry crane (100) is configured to provide air to pneumatic braking system of the machine, and also meet other functional parameters of the pick and carry crane.
[0037] Referring to figures (I) and (II), the articulated body pick and carry crane comprises a front body and a rear body articulated at the center at articulation points (201, 315). Figures (I) and (II) denotes two separate embodiments of the present invention i.e. fully electric cranes with articulated body. The pick and carry crane (100) of the present invention is configured in any one of: a front body cabin configuration (200); or a rear body cabin configuration (300).
[0038] Referring to Figure (I), the front body cabin configuration (200) having a front body (202) and a rear body (220) articulated at articulation point (201). The front body configuration (200) comprises of:
a. a front body (202) comprising: a boom assembly (204), a hydraulic lift cylinder (206), a snatch block (208), a front axle (210), a front propeller shaft (212) connected to the front axle (210), a middle propeller shaft (212) connected to the front propeller shaft (212) and extending towards a rear body (220) of the articulated crane (100) and a driver cabin (214);
b. the rear body (220) comprising: driveline and electrical system of the pick & carry crane (100), consisting of an auxiliary gear box (226), a rear axle (228) for mounting rear wheels (230), a transmission (232), a REES (234), an electric motor (236), a clutch and pressure plate assembly (238), a hydraulic pump (240), a pump propeller shaft (242), a controller box (244), a compressor assembly (246), a compressor lubrication assembly (248) and a plurality of propeller shafts (250) for coupling main gear box, transmission and axles.
[0039] The unique design of the present invention couples electric motor with mechanical transmission driveline through clutch and pressure plate along with specially designed auxiliary gear box (AGB). The plurality of propeller shafts connect the front axle of the front body on one side and rear axle of the rear body and electrical transmission with AGB on the other side of AGB to transmit power from transmission to front and rear axle. The propeller shaft arrangement of the present invention as shown in Figure (I) connects both the electrical transmission system and hydraulic driveline such that a single motor driven by battery suffices to operate the electrical articulated body pick & carry crane.
[0040] In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, Figure (II) shows another design of articulated body crane having a front body (302) and a rear body (320) articulated at articulation point (315). The rear body cabin configuration (300) comprises of:
a. a front body (302) comprising of a boom assembly (304), a snatch block (306), a main frame (308), a pair of hydraulic lift cylinders (310), a front axle (312);
b. the rear body (320) comprises of an operator cabin (322), an electric motor (324) coupled with transmission through a clutch and pressure plate assembly (326), a rear axle (328) for mounting on rear wheels (330), a controller box (332), a compressor assembly (334), a compressor lubrication assembly (336), a REES (338), a hydraulic pump (340) and a pump propeller shaft (342).
[0041] In an embodiment of the present invention, the electric motor (108) is selected from any of Permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM), Induction motor or a switched reluctance (SRM) Motor.
[0042] The pick and carry crane (100) comprises an electrical system designed to obtain creep speed through controllers (110) and specially designed auxiliary gear box (116) suitable for pick & carry application. The uniquely positioned sectional Rechargeable Electrical Energy Storage System (REES) (106) placed in such a way that one battery pack placed at left hand side on one tyre, another placed on right hand side tyre and two battery pack on center to work as counterweight to suit pick & carry application. The whole REES (106) is placed on the rear body (104) of the vehicle. In an embodiment of the present invention, REES (106) consist of a plurality of battery packs that can be charged as a whole or individually using Single Phase/ 3 Phase chargers. Battery packs are designed such that they can be comprehensively accommodated inside the counterweight. In an embodiment, batteries may be placed inside the counterweight specifically designed to accommodate the batteries. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the batteries are connected in series. In an alternative embodiment, the battery consists of 4 battery packs connected in parallel. The battery pack may be selected from a Lead acid or a Lithium ion battery pack.
[0043] In embodiment, Figure (I), the REES supply power to the electric motor with help of the controller box. The electric motor is coupled with mechanical transmission (i.e. the main gear box) through clutch and pressure plate assembly and further to the specially designed Auxiliary Gear Box (AGB) through propeller shaft. Further, the auxiliary gear box is coupled with the front axle through double propeller shafts i.e. front propeller shaft and middle propeller shaft. Also, the rear axle is coupled with the auxiliary gear box through rear propeller shaft.
[0044] In an alternate embodiment Figure (II), of the present invention Batteries supply power to the electric motor with help of controller box. The electric motor is coupled with mechanical transmission through clutch and pressure plate assembly further to rear axle.
[0045] In Figure (I and II), compressor assembly is designed in such a way that it can run independently to provide air to pneumatic system of machine to ensure safe braking of vehicle.
[0046] In Figure (I and II), the controller is designed in such a way that they acquire shape of existing fuel tank and can be fitted in existing machine. In this way the design of existing machine is not required to be modified.

[0047] The vehicle driveline is designed in such a way that it ensures smooth gear changing and clutch operation from cabin through electric motor coupled with transmission through clutch and pressure plate assembly.

[0048] The pick & carry crane of the present invention requires only one high voltage electric motor for both vehicle traction from motor front and hydraulic pump for crane operation from motor rear. The unique layout of the driveline controller system ensures better accessibility and serviceability
[0049] While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:

1. A fully electric articulated body pick and carry crane (100), comprising:
i. a front body (102);
ii. a rear body (104) connected to the front body (102) on center at articulation point at center;
iii. a Rechargeable Electrical Energy Storage System (REES) (106) installed at the rear body (104), comprising:
a. a first battery pack placed at left hand side tyre,
b. a second battery pack placed on right hand side tyre;
c. a third and a fourth battery pack centrally positioned;
iv. a single motor (108) powered by the REES (106) through a controller box (110);
v. a clutch and pressure plate (112) connected to the motor (108) through a main gear box (114);
vi. an auxiliary gear box (AGB) (116), comprising:
a. a first flange connected to a main gear box through any one of propeller shaft;
b. a second flange connected to a front axle (120);
c. a third flange connected to a rear axle (122);
vii. a plurality of propeller shafts connected to the front axle (120) of the front body (102) on one side and rear axle (122) of the rear body (104) and electrical transmission with the AGB (116) on the other side of the AGB (116) to transmit power from transmission to the front axle (120) and the rear axle (122);
wherein,

I. the REES (106) positioned on the rear end of the rear body of the pick and carry crane (100) to work as a counterweight for picking and carrying application;
II. the single electric motor (108) coupled with the main gear box (114) through the clutch and pressure plate (112), is configured to operate both vehicle traction and hydraulic pump for pick and carry crane operations;
III. a controller box (124) positioned at the rear body (104) is installed in place of a fuel tank;
IV. a compressor assembly (126) installed at rear end of the rear body (104) is configured to provide air to pneumatic braking system of the pick and carry crane (100).

2. The fully electric articulated body pick and carry crane as claimed in claim 1, wherein the crane (100) is configured in any one of: a front body cabin configuration (200); or a rear body cabin configuration (300).

3. The fully electric articulated body pick and carry crane as claimed in claim 2, the front body cabin configuration (200) having a front body (202) and a rear body (220) articulated at articulation point (201), wherein the front body cabin configuration (200) comprises of:

a. a front body (202) comprising: a boom assembly (204), a hydraulic lift cylinder (206), a snatch block (208), a front axle (210), a front propeller shaft (212) connected to the front axle (210), a middle propeller shaft (213) connected to the front propeller shaft (212) and extending towards a rear body (220) of the articulated crane (100) and a driver cabin (214);
b. the rear body (220) comprising: driveline and electrical system of the pick & carry crane (100), consisting of an auxiliary gear box (226), a rear axle (228) for mounting rear wheels (230), a transmission (232), a REES (234), an electric motor (236), a clutch and pressure plate assembly (238), a hydraulic pump (240), a pump propeller shaft (242), a controller box (244), a compressor assembly (246), a compressor lubrication assembly (248) and a plurality of propeller shafts (250) for coupling main gear box, transmission and axles.

4. The fully electric articulated body pick and carry crane as claimed in claim 3, wherein the plurality of propeller shafts (250) connects the electrical transmission system and hydraulic driveline, in order to drive a single motor by the REES (234) and operate the electrical articulated body pick & carry crane.

5. The fully electric articulated body pick and carry crane as claimed in claim 2, wherein the rear body cabin configuration (300) having a front body (302) and a rear body (320) articulated at articulation point (315), said rear body cabin configuration (300) comprises of:

a. a front body (302) comprising of a boom assembly (304), a snatch block (306), a main frame (308), a pair of hydraulic lift cylinders (310), a front axle (312);
b. the rear body (320) comprises of an operator cabin (322), an electric motor (324) coupled with transmission through a clutch and pressure plate assembly (326), a rear axle (328) for mounting on rear wheels (330), a controller box (332), a compressor assembly (334), a compressor lubrication assembly (336), a REES (338), a hydraulic pump (340) and a pump propeller shaft (342).

6. The fully electric articulated body pick and carry crane as claimed in claim 1, wherein the REES (106) consist of a plurality of battery packs configured to be charged as a whole or individually using single phase / three phase chargers.