WORKING EQUIPMENT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of construction of high-rise building, bridges, harbours, mines, and irrigation systems; more specifically it relates to a bar-formed motive frame used as transportation path, working equipment wherein working objects can move along the bar-formed motive frame to execute such tasks as transporting, loading or unloading, excavating, etc, and a working system comprising this working equipment.

BACKGROUND ART

In execution of construction and traffic works, there are always such activities as digging, transporting, bumping, excavating, lifting and dismounting, etc. In order to perform these activities, there must be at least two conditions which are transportation path (for the equipment to be transported to the execution field) and execution equipment (equipment that executes the assigned tasks such as excavating, backfilling, lifting and dismounting, etc.) Common transportation paths include temporary roads, lighters, pontoon bridges, temporary structural system for transportation. For example, in order to transport soil at a high position, e.g. a high ground, we have to create a temporary road in order that excavator can move to the working position.

One of the limitations of the current equipment is that: in a project whose location is hard to approach, such as in the middle of a river, up high, on the hill or mountain, on soft ground, such current transportation methods as building a temporary road, using lighter or hoist bridge are ineffective, affecting budget and work progress.

Another limitation of the current execution method is that it is very costly to create, transport the transportation path to the field and then dispose it or remove it from the field.

In construction of high-rise buildings, working equipment can be transported to the working site. However, when the job is done on a floor, the equipment needs to be transported to higher or lower floors to continue the construction, which is very time- and-effort consuming because the equipment is usually bulky and it is time consuming to transport the equipment.

We have known some lifting systems in which working object is transported by lifting unit to reach the desired position to lift materials thanks to transportation path (rail, for example) being attached to outside parts of the construction work. Such equipment helps working object easily approach working positions with various height, etc. However, construction activities include various tasks such as lifting or dismounting, shoveling, loading or unloading, it is required that multiple working objects can work on the transportation path at the same time. The known systems usually cables to transport, which cannot meet with this kind of requirement, moreover, it is not highly flexible to change position of working objects. Besides, such systems must be attached to the outside parts of the construction work such as building, thus it is not flexible to work at other sites such as excavating or transporting materials at high ground areas.

As mentioned above, a demand has been raised for transportation path with simple structure to replace temporary road with ability to approach difficult-to-reach positions, a working system which allows multiple working objects to work at the same time, and it is possible to change position among working objects on the transportation path.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

For the purpose of surmounting these shortcomings, in the first aspect, the invention provides a bar-formed motive frame to transport working equipment. The working equipment includes components working to support construction process such as excavator, crane, cage to transport people, materials during and after execution process. The motive frame includes bar-formed guide rail with predetermined length and driving wheels are attached in a straight line on a surface of the guide rail, along its length to fit with worm screw of a transportation unit.

The bar-formed motive frame in the present invention has a simple structure but it still ensures the loading capacity in the operations. The frame can be arranged horizontally or vertically, thus it is very easy to install and meet with requirements of operations. This motive frame can be fixed on the base of the working position, fixed with structural frame of the building.

In an embodiment, the guide rail is a building beam or column of the construction work, this depends on construction purpose and preferred direction of transportation. In that situation, to create motive frames, building beam or column of the construction work only needs to have driving wheels attached to it. After the transportation is finished, driving wheels will be detached. It means that the invention make use of the very structure of the construction work to create a transportation path for the equipment, i.e. creating a motive frame for the transportation.

In another aspect, the invention relates to the working equipment comprising the aforementioned motive frame, wherein the equipment also comprises at least one transportation unit, which consists of a frame, a worm screw fixed on the frame and it's axis parallel with the guide rail, fitting with driving wheels of the motive frame, wherein each transportation unit transports an working object; in which the at least one transportation unit is connected to motive frame and directed along the motive frame by guide wheels attached to both sides of the frame and leaning against the surfaces of guide rail in such a way that the transportation unit can move along the motive frame. The guide rail can have a cross-section of H shape.

Substantially, in this aspect, the present invention provides a working equipment comprising a transportation unit operating along the motive frame, number of transportation units is not limited thanks to actuation structure of worm screw and driving wheel, each transportation unit can transport a working object such as crane, excavator, cage to store materials, tools, etc.

In another aspect, the invention provides a working system with transportation path including the motive frames, wherein the transportation path is simply structured and it is easy to change position of the transportation units (and working objects) in this transportation path. The working system consists of the working equipment mentioned in the previous aspect and at least a motive module which contains at least two motive frames successively aligned with existing motive frames to create an uninterrupted transportation path in order that the transportation unit can move from a motive frame to another.

BRIED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purposes of clarification and understanding of the object of this invention, it has been illustrated in various figures, wherein: Fig.1 shows a cross section illustrating the equipment as in an embodiment of the invention;

Fig.2a shows a cross section illustrating connection between the driving wheels and the guide rail of the motive frame in Fig.l ;

Fig.2b shows a cross section illustrating details of the frame of the transportation unit, connection between the frame and the driving wheels, and cross section of the guide rail;

Fig.3a shows a cross section illustrating connection between the transportation unit and the motive frame in Fig.1 ;

Fig.3b shows a zoom in of the connection between the frame of the transportation unit and the working object;

Fig.4 shows a cross section illustrating the working system as in the third aspect of the invention;

Fig.5 shows a cross section illustrating the working system as in another embodiment of the invention; in which there are three independent transportation units corresponding to three working objects;

Fig.6 shows a cross section illustrating the working system as in an embodiment of the invention, in which there are three independent transportation units corresponding to three working objects in Fig.5;

Fig.7 shows a cross section illustrating the working equipment as in an embodiment of the invention, in which the transportation unit is fixed with the working object by a rigid connection such as weld or direct bolting;

Fig.8 shows a cross section illustrating the working equipment as in an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown and the drawings are only used for illustration so the dimension might be not similar to that in reality. In the first aspect, the invention relates to bar-formed motive frame used for transportation. As illustrated in Fig.l, motive frame 1 consists of guide rail 11 and driving wheels 12. The guide rail 11 of the motive frame in the present invention is under the form of bar with predetermined length. As shown in Fig.1 and Fig.2b, the guide rail is a vertical bar (possibly horizontal as well) with H-shaped horizontal section or other shapes depending on specific assignments. Driving wheels 12 are attached along the guide rail 11 in order to move the transportation unit 2 thanks to actuation of worm screw and wheels.

Refer to Fig.2a, guide rail 11 is equipped with driving wheels 12, each of which is attached to the guide rail 11 by a shaft 123 and nut 126. Driving wheels are positioned in a straight line and equidistant along the guide rail 11 to transport the transportation unit along this rail. Driving wheel 12 consists of ball-bearing 122 and driving wheel case 121, this ball bearing is connected with shaft 123. Bolt 125 and flange 124 fix the ball bearing 122, driving wheel case 121 and shaft 123 all together. Driving wheel case 121 can rotate on a specified axis against the guide rail 11 through ball bearing 122. Driving wheel 12 is made of various materials including metal or nonmetal (e.g. plastic, PA, ABS, etc.). This motive frame compose a transportation path to transport the working object used in the area of construction, wherein this object can move vertically up or down, or horizontally left or right due to actuation of worm screw and worm wheel.

When working at sites which are difficult to approach such as areas at high ground base, or in the middle of the river, temporary roads become unnecessary. The motive frame in the present invention is created along the height of the working area. After completion, motive frame can be detached without spending too much money and effort.

In the second aspect, the invention provides a working equipment. Structure of this working equipment as mentioned in the present invention will be hereafter described. As shown in Fig.l, the working equipment in this embodiment of the invention consists of motive frame 1 according to the first aspect, transportation unit 2 and working object 3, wherein motive frame 1 consists of guide rail 11 and driving wheel 12.

Transportation unit 2 of the present invention can move along the bar-formed motive frame 1, which is characterized by the movement created by the interaction between worm screw 22 and driving wheels 12. Driving wheels are attached equidistantly on the guide rail. As illustrated in Fig.3a, transportation unit 2 in this embodiment of the invention consists of frame 21, worm screw 22, hydraulic motor 23, hydraulic power unit 24, hose 25, ball bearing 26 and flange 27. Worm screw 22 is positioned to rotate on a predetermined axis parallel to the guide rail and this axis rotates against the frame 21 thanks to ball bearing 26 attached to both ends fixed with the frame 21. Worm screw 22 is driven to rotate, cogs of the worm screw is borne and fitted with driving wheels 12, and thanks to the rotation of the worm screw, a movement along the guide rail 11 is created. Rotation direction of the worm screw decides movement direction of the working structure (upward or downward as illustrated in Fig.3a).

In another embodiment, instead of moving vertically as illustrated in the above section, the transportation unit of the present invention can move horizontally. In that case, the motive frame is positioned horizontally. As illustrated in Fig.5, for example, the motive frame le is positioned horizontally. The transportation unit moves to the left or the right depending on the rotation direction of the worm screw, similarly to the above illustrated embodiment.

Frame 21 of the transportation unit can consist of connection bars fixed to one another to create a space inside or the space can be created by the walls. Guide wheels are arranged to connect and direct the frame along the guide rail of the motive frame. As illustrated in drawings, frame 21 is box-shaped created by bars connected to each other. However, structure of the frame 21 can be changed in other embodiments, as long as it is possible to attach the guide wheels to maintain a connection with the motive frame.

Specifically, motive frame 1 and transportation unit 2 is connected to each other in such a way that movement of motive frame 1 and transportation unit 2 is easy and safe. This structure creates a simple and flexible transportation complex.

In an embodiment, refer to Fig.2b, guide rail 11 can substantially have cross section of H shape as illustrated in Fig.2b. Specifically, guide rail 11 consists of side walls 111 and horizontal wall 112 extending to cross and be in excess of two side walls. Driving wheels are attached on a surface of the horizontal wall to be in the middle of the two side walls.

Each side of the transportation unit has at least two pairs containing two driving wheels opposite to each other through horizontal wall of the guide rail and leaning against the ends of horizontal wall of the guide rail.

In this embodiment, the frame consists of upper horizontal bar 211 of the frame 21 parallel to side walls of guide rail (two side lines of the letter H). Guide wheels 28 is are positioned at the ends of horizontal bar 211 of frame 21 and fixed with frame 21 by connecting elements 281. Guide wheels 28 lean on corresponding surfaces at two ends of horizontal wall 112 of the guide rail (on the cross section, it is two ends of the line in the middle of the letter H). As illustrated in Fig.3a for an embodiment of the invention, two upper horizontal bars 211 and lower horizontal bars 212 are equipped with guide wheels 28. But in other embodiments, the number of horizontal bars and the number of horizontal bars equipped with driving wheels can change. In another embodiment, when frame 21 is created by plate-formed side walls, guide wheels 28 are also attached to one end of these side walls along the guide rail in order to lean against the horizontal wall 112 of the guide rail, the number of pairs of guide wheels 28 are not specifically limited but it depends on weight of the system in order to ensure connection between the transportation unit and the motive frame.

Apart from guide wheels 28, guide wheels 29 are also attached to two sides of the frame 21 of the transportation unit 2 through a bearing unit with U shape. The U- shaped bearing unit is fixed with frame 21 by bolts 291 and guide wheels 29 are fixed with frame 21 by bolts 292. Guide wheels 28 and guide wheels 29 always lean against the predetermined surface of guide rail 11, specifically, two prolonged ends of the horizontal wall of the guide rail and two side walls of the guide rail. Thanks to this connection, frame 21 of the transportation unit 2 can move relatively on the guide rail 11 with a predetermined direction. Specifically, as illustrated in Fig.l, frame 21 of the transportation 2 can only move upward or downward by the interaction of the worm screw with driving wheels attached to the horizontal bar of the guide rail 11, in the middle of two side bars of the rail.

Hydraulic motor 23 can transport rotation movement to worm screw 22 and it is fixed with worm screw 22 and frame 21 through a connection between bolt and flange 27. Hose 25 is responsible for moving hydraulic oil from the hydraulic power unit 24 to hydraulic motor 23. When hydraulic power unit 24 supplies oil to hydraulic motor 23 through hose 25, hydraulic motor 23 rotates which rotates worm screw 22. Worm screw 22 lean against driving wheels 12 so that when worm screw 22 rotates, worm screw 22 will move up (or down) depending on rotation direction of hydraulic motor 23 against guide rail 11 of the motive frame 1. Therefore, when worm screw 22 rotates the transportation unit 2 will move up or down (depending on rotation direction of worm screw 22) and move the transported object 3 up or down accordingly.

Guide rail in the present invention can be column, beam of the building that needs to be worked on. In that case, driving wheels will be attached to the column, beam of the building to create motive frame of the working system, thanks to which the working system can be installed, removed quickly before and after use.

As described above, the working equipment in the second embodiment of the invention has been described. In order to meet the construction requirements, creation of a working equipment being able to move along the height or the width of the construction structure is very important. The working equipment with flexible movement ability can make the execution process easier without formwork system or complex and bulky elevating machinery.

The working equipment also include working object 3 transported by the transportation unit. Working object 3 can be common construction machinery such as crane, navy, excavator, cage, etc. or dedicated equipment based on specific assignments such as transported object 3a as illustrated in Fig.4. As illustrated in Fig.l, working object is an excavator attached on the transportation unit. The motive frame is fixed at the base to create a transportation path. As illustrated in Fig.7, Fig.8, working object is a crane. It can move along the height of the building to execute construction, specifically to work on the beams and columns of the building. As illustrated in Fig.l, when working at a high ground area, instead of making a temporary road, a working system provided by the present invention can be created and the working equipment such as excavator can approach this position and perform the excavation. Other working equipment such as crane, cage to transport materials and workers can be similarly used.

As illustrated in Fig.3b, as in an embodiment, working object 3 is connected with frame 21 of the transportation unit 2 through the known connections, e.g. bolt 32. In that case, working object 3 can work independently from the transportation unit 2 at each position of the working object 3 determined by the transportation unit 2 as illustrated in Fig.l or dependently in part as the working object 3a as illustrated in Fig.4. Other connection methods can be proposed as well.

Actuation of worm screw and worm wheel of the working equipment in the present invention does not use cable like other lifting or actuation structures, thanks to which two or more transportation unit 2 and working object 3 can move, work simultaneously and independently at various positions on guide rail as illustrated later (i.e. the equipment consists one motive frame with predetermined length and at least two transportation units and two working object working at the same time). As illustrated in Fig.l, only one transportation unit is used to transport the excavator, however, it depends on the work purpose, e.g. another transportation unit, transporting a cage or another object used in the field of the invention as working object, can be used. They can work simultaneously at various positions on the motive frame.

In the execution process, for example, constructing a building, multiple transportation units can be used at different floors. For the convenience of the execution process, it is necessary to create a working system with the aforementioned working system wherein positions of transportation units can be easily changed if needed. Thus, invention proposes another aspect.

In the third aspect, the invention proposes a working system with high level of flexibility in changing position of transportation units and working objects to meet with work purpose. This working system comprises a working equipment and at least one motive module which includes at least two motive frames parallel to each other; the motive frame of the working equipment can be successively aligned with motive frames of the motive module in order that the transportation unit can move from a motive frame to another. Motive frames of motive module are arranged parallel to each other and in such an equidistance that the transportation unit and working object can fit in the space formed by these frames. Hereinafter, structure of the working system in the present invention will be described in an embodiment which consists of at least one motive module including two motive frames. According to other embodiments, however, number of motive frames can be three, four or more than that.

The purpose of creating motive module is to make execution process flexible, position of working objects transported by each transportation unit can be changed depending on work purpose when multiple working objects are used. The following section describes specifics of the invention in this aspect.

According to an embodiment, refer to Fig.4, a working system comprises a working equipment according to the second aspect, and one motive module including two motive frames la and lb. In this case, motive module can move perpendicularly to motive frame of the system in order that motive frames of the module are aligned to motive frame of the system. As illustrated in Fig.4, this system also includes transportation unit 2b and working object 3b. Working objects 3a and 3b are arranged to rotate on a predetermined axis against the corresponding transportation units 2a and 2b through hydraulic cylinders 210a and 210b. Hydraulic cylinders 210a and 210b are supplied with hydraulic oil through hydraulic hose 29a and 29b from the hydraulic power units 24a and 24b of the transportation units 2a and 2b. Motive frame 1 c is fixed with structure frame N of the building. Motive frames la and lb of the motive module are arranged in correlation to each other by a fixing constraint (such as weld or bolt) with frame 41 of transportation unit 4. Transportation unit 4 can move horizontally against beam 5 through driven rollers 45 actuated by driving rollers 43 through motor 42 and belt 44.

Motive frames la, lb, lc are arranged in order that driving wheels 12a, 12b and 12c attached to guide rails 11a, l ib, 11c can have suitable distance which is correctly calculated in such a way that worm screws can easily move back and forth among motive frames, distance among frames are reasonably calculated in order that transportation unit 2a can move from this motive frame to the next motive frame.

Motive frames of the module are arranged parallel to each other and in such an equidistance that frame 21a and working object 3a, and frame 21b and working object 3b can fit in the space created by these motive frames.

When hydraulic power unit 24a of the transportation unit 2a supplies hydraulic oil to hydraulic motor 23a through hose 25a, hydraulic motor 23a rotates (with the direction that makes worm screw 22a move up), frame 21a of the transportation unit 2a moves up Carrying the working object 3a. Worm screw 22a of the transportation unit 2a completely connects with driving wheels 12c attached on guide rail 11c of the motive frame lc, when worm screw 22a keeps moving up until a certain position, instead of fitting in the driving wheels 12c, it will change to fit in driving wheels 12a attached on guide rail 1 la of the motive frame la.

When transportation object 3a stops at a position on the motive frame la, motor 42 rotates with movement direction of connection frame 41 to the left to the position of motive frame 2b aligned with motive frame lc. In that case, hydraulic power unit 24b of the transportation unit 2b supplies hydraulic oil to hydraulic motor 23b through hose 25b. Hydraulic motor 23b rotates (with the direction that makes worm screw 22b move down), frame 21b of the transportation unit 2b moves down carrying the working object 3b. Worm screw 22b of the transportation unit 2b completely connects with driving wheels 12b attached on guide rail l ib of the motive frame lb, when worm screw 22b keeps moving up until a certain position, instead of fitting in the driving wheels 12b, it will change to fit in driving wheels 12a attached on guide rail 1 la of the motive frame la. Worm screw 22b keeps moving down and stops when working object 3b is positioned at the motive frame la. Thus, working objects 3a and 3b can move to any position in motive frames la, lb, lc.

As illustrated in Fig.4, working system in the present invention can consist of additional motive frame Id above the motive module and aligned with motive frame lc. In that case, according to an embodiment, worm screw 22a keeps moving up to a position at which instead of fitting in driving wheels 12a it changes to fit in driving wheels 12d attached on guide rail l id of motive frame Id. Until then transportation unit 2a carries working object 3a from the initial position in motive frame lc to a position in motive frame la and stops at a position in motive frame Id. Number of the additional motive frames (which do not belong to the working system) and motive modules can vary based on distance of movement.

According to other embodiments, number of motive modules, number of motive frames can be changed to meet the purpose of the execution process such as execution manner or execution height. Number of motive frames of the motive module as well as number of working systems or the working system itself can be changed for the work purpose without exceeding provision of the invention, number of motive frames of the motive module can be three, four, etc.

In another embodiment, still based on the third aspect of the invention, as illustrated in Fig.5 and Fig.6, working system provides in the present invention consists of working objects 3c, 3d and 3e in correspondence with transportation units 2c, 2d, 2e and motive frames le, If, lg and lh, wherein motive module consists of motive frames lg and lh. Motive frames lg and lh is parallel to each other and fixed to the base N. Motive frame le can move against a defined axis thanks to driving wheel 63a rolling on rail 64a on the base N and driving wheel 63a is rotated by motor 62a attached on frame 61a which is fixed on motive frame le by bolt or weld. In this embodiment, the motive frame of the working equipment is successively aligned to motive frames of the motive module thanks to the movement perpendicularly to transportation path of the motive frame of the working equipment. Motive frame 1 f can move against a defined axis thanks to driving wheel 63b rolling on rail 64b on the base N and driving wheel 63b is rotated by motor 62b attached on frame 61b which is fixed on motive frame If by bolt or weld.

When motor 62a rotates, it moves motive frame 1 e along the axis a and moves motive frame le from axis c to axis d and vice versa, from axis d to axis c. When motor 62b rotates, it moves motive frame le along the axis b and moves motive frame If from axis c to axis d and vice versa, from axis d to axis c. With the same illustration referred to Fig.4 working objects 3c, 3d and 3e can move to any position on motive frames le, lg, lh and If.

In the working system provided in the present invention, thanks to flexible arrangement of motive modules and motive frames, it is possible to create flexible transportation paths so that transportation units can move in any order. Generally, motive frames are arranged to create transportation path suitable for execution at any position. Although the present invention illustrated through preferred embodiments only describe simple working systems and only one constant transportation path is created and there are spaces created by motive frames of motive modules in such a way that transportation unit can fit in those spaces and other transportation units can work on the transportation path, but it is necessary to understand that other improvements can be implemented by changing number of motive modules and their positions, number of working systems and number of motive frames as well as their correlated positions.

According to Fig.7 and Fig.8, the present invention proposes an execution method using the equipment in the invention. Initially, the working object 3f is at its first position. Wherein, working object 3f has a rigid connection with transportation unit 2f by bolt or weld. Motive frame lk is a part of execution object Nl. When hydraulic motor 23 f is supplied with hydraulic oil from the hydraulic power unit 24f through hose 25f, hydraulic motor 23f rotates with the direction that makes worm screw 22f rotate and move up, frame 21 f moves up carrying working object 3f.

Working object 3f can be a working equipment (crane, excavator, cage, or other equipment used in the field of the invention). As illustrated in the drawings, the working object is a crane machine.

Execution object N is created by the motive frame including column Nl and beam N2 and they are loaded and unloaded to fit in the execution object N through working object 3f.

As illustrated in Fig.8, working object 3f is at its second position. When working object 3f loads column Nl into the position of motive frame If and heightens motive frame If, the working object will be moved higher thanks to transportation unit 2f. Thus, columns Nl and N2 will continuously be loaded and unloaded into the execution object N, making execution object N higher and wider.

Thanks to the equipment in the present invention, working object can move along the motive frame arranged alongside the execution height.

While the present inventions has been described with reference to one or more particular embodiments, those skilled in the art recognize that many changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents, the inventions may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. For example, shape of the guide rail is cylinder, beam can be in I-shape or other shapes but it can still ensure directional and bearing requirements in order that frame of the transportation unit can move along the guide rail; As illustrated in the drawings or describled in the description, working object can be a crane, an excavator, a cage..., but other equipment commonly used in the field of the invention can be used as working object.