Hydraulic winch having piston rod and pressure plate which are relatively movable in fixed range

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. (Field of the Invention)

The present invention relates to a hydraulic winch for driving a winch drum by means of a hydraulic motor.

2. (Description of the Related Art)

Conventionally, a hydraulic winch mounted on a crane or the like is generally provided with a free-fall operating mode separately from a power operating mode for winding up-and-down a load (hanging goods) by means of a motor whereby a winch drum is rotated down by the load in the free-fall operating mode to freely lower the load (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-216793 Publication which is hereby fully incorporated by reference).

The constitution of the conventional hydraulic winch provided with the free-fall operating mode as described above will be explained hereinafter with reference to

FIGS. 28

to

31

.

FIG. 28

schematically shows the constitution of a winch main body portion. In this figure, reference numeral

1

designates a winch drum, and reference numeral

2

designates a hydraulic motor (hereinafter referred to as a winch motor) as a drive source for the winch drum

1

. A planetary gear mechanism

3

for performing power transmission is provided between an output shaft

2

a

of the winch motor

2

and the winch drum

1

.

Reference numeral

4

designates a sun gear of the planetary gear mechanism

3

,

5

a planetary gear,

6

a ring gear provided in the inner periphery of the winch drum

1

,

7

a carrier for supporting the planetary gear

5

,

8

a carrier shaft, and

9

a multidisk provided on the carrier shaft

8

. The multidisk

9

, a pressure plate

10

for actuating (pressing) and deactuating (alienating) the disk

9

, a brake cylinder

11

for driving the pressure plate

10

, and a pressing spring

12

constitute a hydraulic brake and a clutch in one

13

for connecting the winch drum

1

to and separating it from the output shaft

2

a

of the motor and braking the free-fall rotation of the drum

1

.

The multidisk

9

comprises a plurality of inner plates (a first frictional plate)

14

. . . mounted on the carrier shaft

8

integrally rotatably and axially movably, and a plurality of outer plates (a second frictional plate)

16

mounted on a brake casing

15

in a state of being axially movably and non-rotatable with respect to the inner plates

14

. When both the inner and outer plates

14

and

16

are pressed between one side wall

15

a

of the brake casing

15

and the pressure plate

10

, the brake (clutch) is turned on, and when they are separated, the brake (clutch) is turned off.

The pressing spring

12

is provided between the other side wall

15

b

of the brake casing

15

and the pressure plate

10

to apply a spring force in a direction of turning on the brake to the pressure plate

10

.

The brake cylinder

11

has a dual-rod type piston

11

P, a positive-side oil chamber

11

a

for pressing the pressure plate

10

in a direction of turning on the brake (in a right direction in the figure), and a negative-side oil chamber

11

b

for pressing the pressure plate

10

in a direction of turning off the brake (in a left direction in the figure). A negative line

17

connected to the negative-side oil chamber

11

b

is directly connected to a brake hydraulic source

18

.

On the other hand, a positive line

19

connected to the positive-side oil chamber

11

a

is branched into two lines through a high pressure selection valve (a shuttle valve)

20

, one branched line and the other branched line being connected to the hydraulic source

18

or a tank T through an electromagnetic type mode switching valve

21

and a brake valve (a reduction valve)

22

, respectively.

The mode switching valve

21

is switched between a brake position a and a free-fall position (a brake release position) b by operation of a mode switching switch not shown, so that the positive-side oil chamber

11

a

is connected to the hydraulic source

18

at the brake position a and to the tank T at the free-fall position b, respectively.

The brake valve

22

is operated by a pedal

23

, and a secondary pressure according to an operating amount thereof is supplied to the positive-side oil chamber

11

a

of the brake cylinder

11

through the high pressure selection valve

20

.

With this constitution, the following operations are obtained:

{circle around (1)} In the state that the mode switching valve

21

is set to the brake position a, both the side oil chambers

11

a

and

11

b

of the brake cylinder

11

are in the same pressure, and therefore, thrust is not generated in the brake cylinder

11

in itself but the pressure plate

10

along with the brake cylinder

11

is pressed by the spring force of the pressing spring

12

toward the multidisk

9

(in the direction on which brake exerts) to turn the brake on.

In this state, the carrier shaft

8

remains to be non-rotatable so that the turning force of the winch motor

2

is transmitted to the winch drum

1

through the planetary gear mechanism

3

, and the winch drum

1

rotated to be wound up or down according to the operation of a remote control valve not shown.

{circle around (2)} When the mode switching valve

21

is switched to the free-fall position b, the positive-side oil chamber

11

a

of the brake cylinder

11

comes in communication with the tank T to generate a pressure difference between the positive-side oil chamber

11

a

and the negative-side oil chamber

11

b

, and the thrust of the brake cylinder

11

exceeds the spring force of the pressing spring

12

due to the pressure difference whereby the brake cylinder

11

is pressed in the direction opposite to the multidisk

9

(in the direction of releasing the brake) to turn the brake off.

In this state, the carrier shaft

8

is fee so that the winch drum

1

assumes a state capable of being freely rotated in the winding-down direction due to the load, that is, a state capable of achieving the free-fall.

When at this time, the brake valve

22

is operated, the multidisk

9

is turned on due to the secondary pressure according to an operating amount thereof, and the brake force exerts on the winch drum

1

.

On the other hand, the concrete constitution of the body portion of the hydraulic winch of this kind is shown in

FIGS. 29

to

31

, in which the same parts as those used in

FIG. 28

are indicated by the same reference numerals.

A positive-side rod

24

and a negative-side rod

25

are integrally provided on one side of a piston

11

P and on the opposite side thereof, respectively.

Both the side rods

24

and

25

are formed to be hollow shafts, and a pressure plate

10

is mounted on the extreme end of the negative-side rod

5

through a connecting plate

26

.

Reference numerals

27

and

27

designate bolts for mounting a pressure plate, and

28

designates an inner plate mounting body secured to the outer circumference of a carrier shaft

8

. Inner plates

14

. . . of a multidisk

9

are axially movably mounted in the outer periphery of the mounting body

28

.

A positive-side oil chamber

11

a

and a negative-side oil chamber

11

b

of the brake cylinder

11

are formed between a cylinder end plate

29

and the piston

11

P and between the piston

11

P and a side wall

15

b

of a brake casing

15

, respectively, and connected to a positive line

19

and a negative line

17

through oil paths

30

and

31

.

However, the aforementioned conventional hydraulic winch has the following problems:

(I) Overstroke of the piston

11

P in the brake cylinder

11

:

As shown in an enlarged scale in

FIG. 30

, the pressure plate

10

is provided in its center with a fitting hole

10

a

, in which a connecting plate

26

is fitted.

The connecting plate

26

is provided on one end thereof with a collar-like portion

26

a

, and in the state that the collar-like portion

26

a

stops at the peripheral edge portion of the fitting hole

10

a

of the pressure plate

10

from the multidisk

9

side, the pressure plate

10

is connected by means of bolts

27

and

27

to the piston

11

P of the brake cylinder

11

(and both the rods

24

and

25

).

Thereby, the cylinder thrust in a brake-off direction is transmitted to the pressure plate

10

through the connecting plate

26

, whereas the spring force in a brake-off direction of the pressing spring

12

is transmitted to the piston

11

P through the pressure plate

10

and the connecting plate

26

.

The outside diameter dimension φ

1

of the negative-side rod

25

in the brake cylinder

11

and the body diameter dimension φ

2

of the connecting plate

26

are formed to be substantially equally, and both the dimensions φ

1

and φ

2

are set to be smaller than the fitting-hole diameter dimension φ

3

of the pressure plate

10

.

Accordingly, the negative-side rod

25

and the connecting plate

26

are free in the direction of the multidisk

9

(in the right direction in the figure) with respect to the pressure plate

10

.

Because of this, when the mode switching valve

21

in

FIG. 28

is switched from the free-fall position b to the brake portion a so that the pressure plate

10

is pressed toward the multidisk

9

by the spring force of the pressing spring

12

, and the negative-side rod

25

and the connecting plate

26

along with the pressure plate

10

move toward the multidisk

9

, overstroke occurs due to the inertia. Subsequently, when the mode switching valve

21

is switched from the brake position a to the free-fall position b, the movement of the piston

11

P is delayed by the overstroke to deteriorate the switching responsiveness, thus lowering the working efficiency.

(II) Contact resistance of the multidisk

9

:

When the mode switching valve

21

is set to the brake position a, the pressure plate

10

moves from the position indicated by the solid line in

FIG. 31

toward the multidisk

9

as indicated by the imaginary line in the figure whereby both the inner and outer plates

14

and

16

are placed in pressure contact.

When the mode switching valve

21

is switched from the aforementioned state to the free-fall position b, the pressure contact force between both the plates

14

and

16

is released, but since the force for positively alienating them does not act, both the plates

14

and

16

still remain in the contacted state.

Accordingly, even during the free-fall operation, a small brake force caused by contact resistance is to act.

In this case, if the load weight is large, the small brake force can be disregarded. However, when the load weight is small (for example, only at the time of empty hooking during the crane operation), the load becomes slow in falling speed or is not lowered, thus lowering the efficiency of free-fall work.

(III) Free-running resistance of a wet type clutch:

When a frictional type multidisk

9

is used for the hydraulic brake

13

, there possibly occurs a fade phenomenon in which a frictional coefficient of a frictional surface lowers due to heat to lower a brake force.

In such a case as described above, a wet type brake system has been employed in which cooling oil is introduced and circulated in the multidisk

9

(for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-100093 Publication, which is hereby fully incorporated by reference).

However, according to the wet type brake, even in the case where during the free-fall operation, the pressure contact between both the inner and outer plates

14

and

16

in the multidisk

9

is released (or a clearance is secured between both the plates), the free-running resistance (drag resistance) exerts as the brake force on both the plates

14

and

16

due to the viscous resistance of cooling oil which is present between both the plates.

The brake force caused by the free-running resistance is not so large similarly to the contact resistance between both the plates, and poses no problem at the time of large load, but at the time of small load, the free-fall lowering speed lowers or an impossible lowering results.

As a countermeasure, it is contemplated that a sufficiently large clearance is provided between both the plates

14

and

16

at the time of free-fall operation. In doing so, when the load is small, the positive free-fall operation becomes enabled while the stroke necessary for pressure contact and release of both the plates

14

and

16

becomes so large that the brake responsiveness lower, thus being disadvantageous particularly in the operation for large loads such as an impossible sudden stop.

(IV) Arrangement of a high pressure selection valve:

According to the well known art in which when in the free-fall operation, the secondary pressure of the brake valve

22

is supplied to the positive-side oil chamber

11

a

of the brake cylinder

11

through the high pressure selection valve

20

to act the brake force, that is, according to the winch constitution in which a trouble factor such as the high pressure selection valve

20

is present between the brake valve

22

and the positive-side oil chamber

11

a

, a trouble or a failure in operation of the high pressure selection valve

20

occurs, and the secondary pressure of the brake valve cannot be properly transmitted to the positive-side oil chamber

11

a

, possibly resulting in that the braking operation as intended by an operator cannot be carried out.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a first object of the present invention to provide a hydraulic winch capable of preventing an overstroke of a brake cylinder when being switched from a brake release state to a brake operating state to improve a switching responsiveness when being switched to the brake release state again.

It is a second object of the present invention to provide a hydraulic winch capable of reducing a contact resistance between frictional plates in a brake release state to enhance a free-fall lowering working efficiency.

It is a third object of the present invention to provide a hydraulic winch capable of, when a wet type brake is employed, making a free-running resistance between frictional plates according to a load to increase a clearance at the time of a small load to enhance a free-fall working efficiency and to secure a good brake responsiveness at the time of a large load.

It is a fourth object of the present invention to provide a hydraulic winch capable of securing a brake operation as intended by an operator at the time of free-fall operation to enhance a safety of work.

According to the present invention, there is provided a hydraulic winch comprising a winch drum driven to be rotated by a hydraulic motor and a hydraulic brake for braking a free-fall rotation of said drum, said hydraulic brake comprising a brake cylinder for generating a thrust in a brake operating direction for exhibiting a brake force as a result that first and second frictional plates arranged opposite to each other are pressed to each other and a thrust in a brake release direction by which the brake force is released, a pressure plate provided a fitting hole in a center portion thereof being fitted and connected to a piston rod of said brake cylinder, axial and diametral clearances being provided in the fitted and connected portion between said piston of said brake cylinder and said pressure plate, said piston rod and said pressure plate being connected in a relatively movable state in a range controlled fixedly in axial and diametral directions by said clearances.

With this, the piston rod of the brake cylinder is connected movably only in the range controlled fixedly in the axial direction with respect to the pressure plate, and the axial independent movement of the piston rod is controlled whereby the overstroke of the brake cylinder when switched to the brake operating state is prevented. Because of this, it is possible to improve the switching responsiveness when switched to the brake release state again.

Moreover, since the piston rod and the pressure plate can be moved in the range of the clearance in the axial and diametral directions, there is no possibility that an unreasonable load (such as a bending load) exerts on the fitting portion to damage the connecting portion as in the case where they are connected totally relatively immovably.

Alternatively, a spring member for exhibiting a spring force in a direction of maintaining a clearance between both the frictional plates may be provided.

Thereby, since the clearance between the first and second frictional plates is secured by the spring member in the brake release state, the contact resistance between both the frictional plates can be reduced to enhance the free-fall working efficiency at the time of a small load.

Alternatively, there may be provided a hydraulic winch having a mode switching valve for switching the brake cylinder between the brake operating state and the brake release state, comprising a free-fall mode switching device for placing a clearance between the first and second frictional plates variable in the state that the brake cylinder is set to the brake release state by said mode switching valve.

Further, the free-fall mode switching device may provides the constitution wherein a difference pressure between both side oil chambers of the brake cylinder is varied to place a clearance between both the frictional plates variable.

Further, in the free-fall mode switching device, one hydraulic line out of a positive line connected to a positive-side oil chamber pressed in a brake operating direction in the brake cylinder and a negative line connected to a negative-side oil chamber pressed in a brake release direction is provided with two kinds of hydraulic sources which are different in pressure, and a pressure switching valve for selecting one hydraulic source out of the two to guide it to said one hydraulic line.

Alternatively, an output side of the free-fall mode switching device is connected to one input port of a pressure selection valve, an output side of the brake valve for actuating the brake cylinder in a brake-on direction at the time of free-fail work is connected to an input port of the pressure selection valve, and out of the output pressures of the free-fall mode switching device and the brake valve, pressure selected by the pressure selection valve is introduced into one hydraulic line out of a positive line and a negative line.

Alternatively, the output side of the free-fall mode switching device is connected directly to one hydraulic line out of the positive line and the negative line, or connected through a brake valve for actuating the brake cylinder in a braking direction.

One hydraulic line out of the position line connected to a positive-side oil chamber pressed in a brake operating direction in the brake cylinder and a negative-side oil chamber connected to a negative-side oil chamber pressed in a brake release direction is provided with a hydraulic source of which output pressure can be changed in a plural manner to constitute a free-fall switching device.

As the hydraulic source of which output pressure can be changed in a plural manner, a variable reduction valve of which secondary pressure is changed by operation may be used.

Thereby, in a hydraulic winch employing a wet type brake, a clearance between both the frictional plates in the brake release state can be changed by the free-fall mode switching device.

Therefore, it is possible to make the clearance adequate size, that is, to make the clearance large at the time of a small load to reduce a free-running resistance, and make the clearance small at the time of a large load with the free-running resistance out of the question to improve the brake responsiveness.

Preferably, there is provided a hydraulic winch comprising a positive-side oil chamber pressed in a brake operating direction and a negative-side oil chamber pressed in a brake release direction, wherein a brake valve capable of adjusting pressure of the positive-aide oil chamber and a mode switching device operated to be switched between a brake position capable pressing the positive-side oil chamber and a free-fall position capable reducing pressure of the positive-side oil chamber are provided between the positive-side oil chamber of the brake cylinder and a brake hydraulic source, whereby when the mode switching device is at the brake position, the positive-side oil chamber is connected to a brake hydraulic source through the switching valve device and when the former is at the free-fall position, the positive-side oil chamber is connected to the brake hydraulic source through the switching valve device and the brake valve.

Preferably, the mode switching device is constituted by a plurality of switching valves, and pressure of the positive-side oil chamber can be reduced only in the state that all these switching valves are at the free-fall position.

Preferably, the hydraulic source relative to the positive-side oil chamber of the brake cylinder is set to high pressure separately from the hydraulic source relative to the negative-side oil chamber of the cylinder

Preferably, an assist switching valve for communicating the negative-side oil chamber with the tank when being switched to the brake position of the mode switching valve device is provided between the negative-side oil chamber of the brake cylinder and the hydraulic source relative to the said oil chamber.

Preferably, a pressure receiving area of the positive-side oil chamber in the brake cylinder is set to be larger than that of the negative-side oil chamber.

According to the above-described constitution, in the state that the mode switching valve device is set to the free-fall position, that is, in the state that the braking operation by means of operation of the brake valve is carried out, only the mode switching valve device is present between the brake valve and the positive-side oil chamber of the brake cylinder and a trouble factor such as the high pressure selection valve of the conventional winch is not present. Therefore, at the time of free-fall operation, the braking operation as intended by an operator can be carried out to secure the safety of work.

Further, also in the case where when the mode switching valve is attempted to be switched from the free-fall position to the brake position, a trouble occurs in which a part of the switching valve constituting the switching valve device locked to the free-fall position despite a switching signal, the entire switching valve device is switched to the brake position as long as the other switching valves are switched to the brake position, and therefore there is no possibility that the device remains in the free-fall position even the operator intended to have changed to the brake position.

On the other hand, in the case where a frictional brake is employed as a hydraulic brake, when a fade phenomenon occurs in which the frictional coefficient of the frictional surface lowers due to heat so that the brake force is short, or even when the spring force of the pressing spring lowers due to the change after a lapse of time, the pressure of the positive-side oil chamber of the brake cylinder is higher than that of the negative-side oil chamber and a differential pressure thereof exerts in a brake-on direction, thus enabling secureness of necessary brake force.

Note, as a countermeasure relative to the fade phenomenon, the art of using a so-called wet type brake for supplying cooling oil into a hydraulic brake has been proposed (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-100093 Publication which is hereby incorporated by reference). However, since the brake performance changes according to the kind of an additive contained in the cooling oil, a brand is specified even the same kind of cooling oil in order to secure a fixed brake performance, and a universality cannot be obtained.

On the other hand, according to the above-described constitution, even in the case where the hydraulic brake is of a wet type, the positive braking operation can be secured irrespective of the kind and brand of cooling oil as described above, thus increasing the universality of cooling oil.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1

is a sectional view of a brake cylinder portion of a hydraulic winch according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2

is a sectional view of a brake operating state of a multidisk portion of a hydraulic winch according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3

is a view corresponding to

FIG. 2

in a state that the brake is released;

FIG. 4

is a view corresponding to

FIG. 3

of a hydraulic winch according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5

is a view corresponding to

FIG. 3

of a hydraulic winch according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6

is a front view of a spring member used in the second to fourth embodiments;

FIG. 7

is a partial side view of the spring member;

FIG. 8

is a view showing a schematic constitution of a body portion of a hydraulic winch and a hydraulic circuit constitution according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9

is a circuit view of an electric operating circuit according to the above embodiment;

FIG. 10

is a partial hydraulic circuit constitutive view of a hydraulic winch according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11

is a partial hydraulic circuit constitutive view of a hydraulic winch according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12

is a partial hydraulic circuit constitutive view of a hydraulic winch according to a eighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13

is a partial hydraulic circuit constitutive view of a hydraulic winch according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14

is a partial hydraulic circuit constitutive view of a hydraulic winch according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15

is a partial hydraulic circuit constitutive view of a hydraulic winch according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16

is a partial hydraulic circuit constitutive view of a hydraulic winch according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17

is a partial hydraulic circuit constitutive view of a hydraulic winch according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18

is a partial hydraulic circuit constitutive view of a hydraulic winch according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19

is a view showing a winch constitution and a hydraulic circuit constitution of a hydraulic winch device according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20

is an electric operating circuit view for switching modes in the above embodiment;

FIG. 21

is a hydraulic circuit constitutive view of a part of a hydraulic winch device according to a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22

is a view showing a relationship between a potentiometer output voltage and a brake valve secondary pressure in the above embodiment;

FIG. 23

is a hydraulic circuit constitutive view of a part of a hydraulic winch device according to a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24

is an electric circuit constitutive view for switching modes in the above embodiment;

FIG. 25

is a partial hydraulic circuit constitutive view of a hydraulic winch according to an eighteenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 26

is a partial hydraulic circuit constitutive view of a hydraulic winch according to a nineteenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 27

is a sectional view showing a concrete construction portion of a hydraulic winch according to a twentieth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 28

is a view showing a schematic constitution of a body portion and a hydraulic circuit constitution of a conventional hydraulic winch;

FIG. 29

is a sectional view showing a concrete constitution of a part of a conventional hydraulic winch;

FIG. 30

is an enlarged view of a brake cylinder portion of the winch; and

FIG. 31

is a sectional view of a brake release state of a multidisk portion of the winch.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments of the present invention will be explained hereinafter with reference to

FIGS. 1

to

27

.

In the following respective embodiments, the same parts as those shown in

FIGS. 28

to

31

showing the prior art are indicated by the same reference numerals, duplicate description of which is omitted.

First Embodiment

A pressure plate

10

having a fitting hole

10

a

in a center portion thereof is fitted in and connected to an extreme end of a negative rod

25

in a brake cylinder

11

through a connecting plate

26

provided with a collar-like portion

26

a.

Only the different points as compared with

FIG. 30

will be explained. In the first embodiment, a relationship between an outside diameter dimension φ

1

of the negative rod (also called as a negative-side piston rod)

25

in the brake cylinder

11

, an outside diameter dimension φ

2

of the connecting plate

26

, and an inside diameter (a diameter dimension of the fitting hole

10

a

) φ

3

of the pressure plate

10

is set as follows:

When φ

1

>φ

3

, φ

1

−φ

3

=

d

{circle around (1)}

When φ

3

>φ

2

, φ

3

−φ

2

=

e.

{circle around (2)}

Further, lengths L

1

and L

2

of the fitting portion between the connecting plate

26

and the pressure plate

10

are set as follows:

When L

1

>L

2

, L

1

−L

2

=

f.

{circle around (3)}

By setting the dimensions of {circle around (1)}, {circle around (2)} and {circle around (3)}, the connecting plate

26

(the negative-side piston rod

25

) and the pressure plate

10

are connected in a state capable of being relatively moved in the range of axial and diametral clearances f and e.

With this constitution, since the axial movement of the piston

11

P in itself is controlled within the range f, when the state is switched from the brake release state to the brake operating state, the piston

11

P does not possibly overstroke toward the multidisk (in the right direction in the figure).

Because of this, the responsiveness when switching is made to the brake release state later is improved.

Moreover, since the negative-side piston rod

25

, the connecting plate

26

and the pressure plate

10

can be relatively moved in the range of axial and diametral clearances f and e, there is no possibility that an unreasonable load (such as a bending load) exerts on the fitting portion as in the case where these elements (

25

,

26

, and

10

) are connected to be impossible for relative movement to damage connecting bolt

27

and

27

, for example.

While in this embodiment, the constitution has been employed in which a difference in level d in a diametral direction is provided between the negative-side piston rod

25

and the pressure plate

10

by setting the dimension {circle around (1)} to control their axial relative movement in a fixed small range (clearance f), it is to be noted that the similar operation can be obtained by the arrangement as follows:

In φ

1

≦φ

3

,

(a) A stop ring opposed to the surface opposite (left-hand in

FIG. 1

) to the multidisk side of the pressure plate

10

is mounted in the outer periphery of the connecting plate

26

or the negative-side piston rod

25

; and

(b) a stop ring opposed to the surface of the multidisk side (right-hand in

FIG. 1

) of the connecting plate collar portion

26

a

is mounted in the inner periphery of the pressure plate

10

.

Second to Fourth Embodiments

A multidisk

9

is composed by a plurality of both inner and outer plates (first and second frictional plates)

14

and

16

arranged axially alternately relatively opposedly similar to the prior art shown in

FIGS. 28 and 31

.

In the second to fourth embodiments shown in

FIGS. 2

to

7

, a plurality of spring members

32

. . . are provided on the multidisk

9

, and a clearance c between both the plates

14

and

16

is maintained by the spring members

32

. . . .

The spring members

32

. . . are respectively provided between the outer peripheral portions of the outer plates

16

,

16

adjacent to each other in the second embodiment shown in

FIGS. 2 and 3

, between the inner peripheral portions of the inner plates

14

,

14

adjacent to each other in the third embodiment shown in

FIG. 3

, and between the outer plates

16

,

16

and inner plates

14

,

14

adjacent to each other in the form matched to the second and third embodiments in the fourth embodiment shown in FIG.

5

.

The spring member

32

has a shape in which a wire spring bent in a zigzag manner as shown in

FIGS. 6 and 7

is processed to a ring-like configuration, and is mounted between the inner plates, or between the outer plates, or between both of them in a state of exhibiting an axial spring force.

According to the above constitution, since fixed spacings are maintained, in the brake release state, between the outer plates

16

. . . in the second embodiment, and between the inner plates

14

. . . in the third embodiment, respectively, a clearance c between one surfaces of both the inner and outer plates

14

and

16

. Therefore, the contact resistance between both the plates

14

and

16

is reduced.

Further, in the fourth embodiment, a fixed clearance c is secured between both the inner and outer plates

14

,

16

so that the contact resistance between both the plates

14

,

16

is zero.

Accordingly, by the constitution of these embodiments, the brake force caused by the contact resistance of the multidisk

9

in the free-fall operation can be reduced, and there is no possibility that in the free-fall operation with a small load, the falling speed of a load lowers, and the impossible falling results.

The ensuing 5th to 14th embodiments correspond to the invention wherein a clearance between both the inner and outer plates in the multidisk

9

is made variable.

5th Embodiment

As shown in

FIG. 8

, a negative line

17

connected to a negative-side oil chamber

11

b

of a brake cylinder

11

is directly connected to a hydraulic source

18

.

On the other hand, a positive line

19

connected to a positive-side oil chamber

11

a

is connected to an output port of a mode switching valve

33

which is an electromagnetic switching valve switched between a brake position a and a free-fall position (a brake release position) b.

The mode switching valve

33

has two input ports, one input port being connected directly to a hydraulic source

18

, the other input port being connected to the hydraulic source

18

and a tank T through a free-fall mode switching device

34

and a brake valve

22

stepped by a pedal

23

.

The free-fall mode switching device

34

comprises a reduction valve

35

for reducing a pressure Pg of the hydraulic source

18

to a fixed pressure Ph, and a pressure switching valve

36

which is an electromagnetic switching valve switched between a high pressure position a in communication with a secondary side of the reduction valve

35

and a low pressure position b in communication with the tank T.

Reference numeral

37

designates a high pressure selection valve (a shuttle valve) for selecting a higher pressure out of a pressure (a reduction valve secondary pressure Ph or a tank pressure Pt) selected by the pressure switching valve

36

and a secondary pressure Pi of the brake valve

22

. An output port of the high pressure selection valve

37

is connected to an input port of the mode switching valve

33

.

In FIG,

8

, reference numeral

38

designates a remote control valve for controlling the winding up-and-down rotations of a winch motor

21

,

39

a control valve for a winch controlled to be switched between three positions a, b and c of neutral, winding-up and winding-down by a secondary pressure (a remote control pressure) of the remote control valve

38

, and

40

a hydraulic pump which is a hydraulic source for the winch motor

2

.

Further, reference numeral

41

designates a hydraulic cylinder type parking brake, which is in the form of a negative brake for applying a brake force to a motor output shaft

2

a

by the force of a spring

41

a

and releasing a brake force when oil pressure is introduced. An oil chamber

41

b

of the parking brake

41

is connected to the hydraulic source

18

for brake or the tank T through a hydraulic pilot type parking brake control valve

42

.

The parking brake control valve

42

is set to a brake position a shown when the remote control valve

38

is not operated neutral), and to a brake release position b on the right-hand shown by a remote control pressure being supplied when it is operated.

That is, when winding up-and-down are operated, the parking brake

41

is released so that the winch drum

1

is wound up-and-down and rotated, and when not in operation, the brake

41

is actuated so that the winch drum

1

is braked and stopped.

Reference numeral

43

designates a high pressure selection valve for removing a remote control pressure to supply it to the parking brake control valve

42

, and

44

a pressure switch for detecting the remote control pressure and being switched from a b(normally dosed) contact to a a(normally open) contact.

This embodiment employs a wet type brake system in which cooling oil is supplied and circulated from a cooling pump

45

into the multidisk

9

in order to prevent a fade phenomenon of the multidisk

9

.

On the other hand, in

FIG. 9

, reference numeral

46

designates a mode switching switch. A series circuit comprising the mode switching switch

46

, the pressure switch

44

, and a solenoid

33

s

of the mode switching valve

33

is connected to a power supply, and

{circle around (1)} in the state that the pressure switch

44

is at the contact b (the remote control valve

38

is not operated),

{circle around (2)} when the mode switching switch

46

is turned on, the solenoid

33

s

is energized so that the mode switching valve

33

is switched from the brake position a to the free-fall position b.

In other words, the brake switching valve

33

is set to the brake position a when the remote control valve is operated (at the time of winding up-and-down operation) or when the mode switching switch

46

is not operated.

Further, in

FIG. 9

, reference numeral

47

designates a free-fall mode switching switch. A series circuit comprising the switch

47

and a solenoid

36

s

of the pressure switching valve

36

in the free-fall mode switching device

34

is connected parallel with the solenoid

33

s

of the mode switching valve

33

.

That is, the pressure switching valve

36

is set to a high pressure position a shown in

FIG. 8

when the mode switching valve

33

is at the brake position a, and switched to a low pressure position b when the free-fall mode switching switch

47

is turned on assuming that the mode switching valve

33

is switched to a free-fall position b.

With respect to the operation of the hydraulic winch according to the 5th embodiment, only the difference from the conventional winch shown in

FIG. 28

will be explained below.

In the state that the mode switching valve

33

is at the brake position a, the same pressure is applied from the hydraulic source

18

to both the side oil chambers

11

a

and

11

b

of the brake cylinder

11

, and the same operation as that of the conventional winch shown in

FIG. 28

is carried out. Therefore, only the operation in the state that the mode switching valve

33

is set to the free-fall position b (the free-fall operation) will be explained here.

Normally, the pressure Pg of the hydraulic source

18

is supplied as it is to the negative-side oil chamber

11

b.

In this condition, when the free-fall mode switching switch

47

is turned off, the secondary pressure Ph of the reduction valve

35

is supplied to the positive-side oil chamber

11

a

of the brake cylinder

11

because the pressure switching valve

36

is at the high pressure position a shown.

On the other hand, when the free-fall mode switching switch

47

is turned on, the pressure switching valve

36

is switched to the low pressure position b, and the pressure of the positive-side oil chamber

11

a

assumes the tank pressure Pt.

Here, a relationship between the pressures Pg, Ph and Pt is expressed by

Pg>Ph>Pt

and therefore, a differential pressure ΔP=Pg−(Ph or Pt) between both the side oil chambers

11

a

and

11

b

is small when the free-fall mode switching switch

47

is turned off, and is large when the switch

47

is turned on.

Thereby, thrust in a brake-off direction of the brake cylinder

11

is small when the switch is off and is large when the switch is on, and the clearance between both the inner and outer plates

14

and

16

is small in the former and is large in the latter.

Because of this, when the switch

47

is turned off, the responsiveness to the brake-on caused by operation of the brake valve

22

is improved, and when the switch

47

is turned on, the responsiveness lowers while the free-running resistance of the multidisk

9

is small

Accordingly, the switch

47

is tuned on (large clearance) when a load is small to make the free-running resistance small to thereby improve the efficiency of the free-fall operation, whereas the switch

47

is turned off (small clearance) when a load is large which involves no problem in the free-running resistance to enhance the brake responsiveness, making it possible to improve the performance of a sudden stop.

6th Embodiment

Only the difference from the 5th embodiment will be explained. In the 6th embodiment shown in

FIG. 10

, a positive line

19

is connected directly to a tank T, and a negative line

17

is connected to a hydraulic source

18

or the tank T through a mode switching valve

33

, a free-fall mode switching device

34

, and a brake valve

22

similar to the positive line

19

in the 5th embodiment.

The brake valve

22

is a so-called inverse proportion type, and outputs high pressure when not in operation

Further, a low pressure selection valve

48

is provided in place of the high pressure selection valve

37

in the 5th embodiment, and is constituted so as to select a low pressure out of the output Ph or Pg of the free-fall mode switching device

34

, and the secondary pressure Pi of the brake valve.

A pressure switching valve

36

is operated to be switched between a high pressure position a on the right-hand in the figure and a low pressure position b on the left-hand so that

{circle around (1)} in the state that the free-fall mode switching switch

47

shown in

FIG. 9

is turned off, the switching valve

36

assumes the low pressure position b so that the secondary pressure, Ph of the reduction valve is supplied to the negative side oil chamber

11

b

of the brake cylinder

11

, and

{circle around (2)} when the switch is turned on, the switching valve

36

assumes the high pressure position a so that the pressure Pg of the hydraulic source is supplied to the oil chamber

11

b.

Thereby, the thrust in a brake-off direction of the brake cylinder

11

is small (a small clearance between the plates) when the switch is turned off, and is large (a large clearance between the plates) when the switch is turned on, thus making it possible to obtain the operation and effect similar to those of the 5th embodiment.

7th Embodiment

In the 7th embodiment shown in

FIG. 11

, the high pressure selection valve

37

in the 5th embodiment shown in FIG.

8

and the low pressure selection valve

48

in the 6th embodiment shown in

FIG. 10

are omitted, and a free-fall mode switching device

34

comprises a reduction valve

35

for reducing a pressure Pg of a hydraulic source

18

to a pressure Ph, and a pressure switching valve

36

for selecting a hydraulic source pressure of both side oil chambers

11

a

and

11

b

of a brake cylinder

11

out of the two pressures Pg and Ph.

The pressure Pg or Ph selected by the pressure switching valve

36

is

{circle around (1)} always supplied to the negative-side oil chamber

11

b

of the brake cylinder

11

, and

{circle around (2)} is directly supplied to the positive-side oil chamber

11

a

when the mode switching valve

33

is at the brake position a, and is further reduced to Pt by the brake valve

22

when switched to the free-fall position b.

That is, when in the free-fall operation, the free-fall mode switching switch

47

in

FIG. 9

is off (when the pressure switching valve

36

is at the low pressure position b), the secondary pressure Ph of the reduction valve is supplied to the negative-side oil chamber

11

b

, and when the switch is on (when the pressure switching valve

36

is at the high pressure position a), the hydraulic source pressure Pg is supplied to the negative-side oil chamber

11

b.

On the other hand, the positive-side oil chamber

11

a

assumes the tank pressure Pt unless the brake valve

22

is operated.

Accordingly, the differential pressure ΔP between the negative-side oil chamber

11

b

and the positive-side oil chamber

11

a

is Ph−Pt, small when the switch is of and is Pg−Pt, large when the switch is on.

Thereby, the clearance between the plates of the multidisk

9

is small when the switch is off, and is large when the switch is on.

According to the constitution of the 7th embodiment, a valve which is apt to subject to trouble, the pressure selection valve (high pressure selection valve

37

, low pressure selection valve

48

) can be omitted to thereby enhance the reliance of a circuit and reduce the cost, as compared with both the 5th and 6th embodiments,

8th to 11th Embodiments

The embodiments shown in

FIGS. 12

to

15

comprise a party modified example of the 7th embodiment. Only the difference from the 7th embodiment will be explained.

The 7th embodiment provides the constitution wherein the primary pressure of the brake valve

22

is selected out of the pressure Pg of the hydraulic source and the secondary pressure Ph of the reduction valve by the free-fall mode switching device

34

, whereas the 8th embodiment shown in

FIG. 12

provides the constitution wherein the primary pressure of the brake valve

22

is locked to the pressure Pg of the hydraulic source and only the pressure of the hydraulic source of the negative-side oil chamber

11

b

is selected out of the pressure Pg of the hydraulic source and the secondary pressure Ph of the reduction valve by the pressure switching valve

36

.

In this case, in the state that the mode switching valve

33

is at the brake position a, the pressure of the positive-side oil chamber

11

a

is higher than that of the negative-side oil chamber

11

b

to exert the thrust on the brake-on side to the brake cylinder

11

. However, in the construction of the hydraulic winch according to the first embodiment, there occurs no problem in responsiveness at the time of switching.

On the other hand, the 9th embodiment shown in

FIG. 13

provides the constitution wherein the pressure Pg of the hydraulic source is always supplied to the negative-side oil chamber

11

b

of the brake cylinder

11

, and the secondary pressure Ph of the reduction valve or the tank pressure Pt selected by the pressure switching valve

36

of the free-fall mode switching device

34

is supplied to the positive-side oil chamber

11

a.

In the 10th embodiment shown in

FIG. 14

, the brake valve

22

of an inverse proportion type, which, assuming the constitution wherein the positive-side oil chamber

11

a

of the brake cylinder

11

is always connected to the tank T and the pressure of the negative-side oil chamber

11

b

is regulated to perform the free-fall operation, the constitution wherein the primary pressure of the brake valve

22

is selected out of the pressure Pg of the hydraulic source and the secondary pressure Ph of the reduction valve by the pressure switching valve

36

.

In the 11th embodiment shown in

FIG. 15

, in the state that the mode switching valve

33

is switched to the free-fall position b and the inverse proportion type brake valve

22

is not operated, when the pressure switching valve

36

of the free-fall mode switching device

34

is at the high pressure position a shown, the secondary pressure Ph of the reduction valve

35

and the pressure Pg of the hydraulic source exert on the positive-side oil chamber

11

a

and the negative-side oil chamber

11

b

of the brake cylinder

11

, respectively, so that the differential pressure ΔP between both the side oil chambers is small (Pg−Ph), and thus the clearance between the plates of the multidisk

9

is small.

On the other hand, when the pressure switching valve

36

is switched to the low pressure position b on the left-hand shown, the pressure of the positive-side oil chamber

11

a

assumes the tank pressure Pt so that the differential pressure ΔP is large (Pg−Pt), and thus the clearance is large.

In this case, in the state that the mode switching valve

33

is at the brake position a, the pressure of the positive-side oil chamber

11

a

is higher than that of the negative-side oil chamber

11

b

whereby the thrust on the brake-on side exerts on the brake cylinder

11

. However, by employment of the constitution of the hydraulic winch of Claim

1

, there occurs no problem in responsiveness at the time of switching.

12th to 14th Embodiments

In the embodiments shown in

FIGS. 16

to

18

, the free-fall mode switching device

34

is constituted merely by a hand-operated variable reduction valve (an electromagnetic proportional type reduction valve may be used)

49

which is operated by a hand-operated operating means such as a handle so that a secondary pressure Pj is varied, and there is provided the constitution wherein the secondary pressure Pj of the reduction valve

49

is varied to vary the differential pressure ΔP of the brake cylinder

11

so that the clearance between the plates can be variously adjusted.

Here,

(a) In the 12th embodiment shown in

FIG. 16

, the secondary pressure Pj of the reduction valve

49

is introduced into the negative-side oil chamber

11

b

of the brake cylinder

11

.

(b) In the 13th embodiment shown in

FIG. 17

, the secondary pressure Pj of the reduction valve is introduced, as high pressure-side pressure, into the positive-side oil chamber

11

a

of the brake cylinder

11

by a high pressure selection valve

50

.

(c) In the 14th embodiment shown in FIG

18

, the secondary pressure Pj of the reduction valve is introduced, as low pressure-side pressure, into the positive-side oil chamber

11

a

of the brake cylinder

11

.

According to the 12th to 14th embodiments, finer clearance adjustment according to the site of loads, that is, adjustment of the brake responsiveness and the free-running preventive performance becomes enabled.

15th Embodiment

The fundamental constitution of a hydraulic winch according to the 15th embodiment is the same as the conventional winch constitution shown in FIG.

28

.

That is, in

FIG. 19

, reference numeral

1

designates a winch drum,

2

a winch motor,

3

a planetary gear mechanism for performing power transmission between an output shaft

2

a

of the winch motor

2

and the winch drum

1

,

4

a sun gear of the planetary gear mechanism

3

,

5

a planetary gear,

6

a ring gear,

7

a carrier,

8

a carrier shaft, and

9

a multidisk provided on the carrier shaft

8

. The multidisk

9

, a pressure plate

10

for pressing and alienating the disk

9

, a brake cylinder

11

for driving the pressure plate

10

, and a pressing spring

12

constitute a hydraulic brake and a clutch in one

13

for connecting the winch drum to and separating it from the output shaft

2

a

of the motor and braking the free-fall rotation of the drum

1

.

Reference numeral

14

. . . designates a plurality of inner plates constituting the multidisk

9

,

15

a brake casing, and

16

a plurality of outer plates secured to the brake casing

15

.

The brake cylinder

11

has a dual-rod type piston

11

P, a positive-side oil chamber

11

a

for pressurizing the pressure plate

10

in a brake-on direction (toward one side wall

15

a

of the brake casing

15

), and a negative-side oil chamber

11

b

for pressurizing the plate

10

in a brake-off direction (toward the other side wall

15

b

of the brake casing

15

). A negative line

17

connected to the negative-side oil chamber

11

b

is connected directly to a brake hydraulic source

18

similar to the conventional winch.

On the other hand, a positive line

19

connected to the positive-side oil chamber

11

a

is connected to the brake hydraulic source

18

common to the negative-side oil chamber

11

b

and a tank T through a mode switching valve (a mode switching valve device)

33

which is an electromagnetic switching valve and a brake valve (a reduction valve)

22

.

The mode switching valve

33

is operated to be switched between a brake position a and a free-fall position b, and the positive-side oil chamber

11

a

of the brake cylinder

11

is connected to the hydraulic source

18

at the brake position a of the mode switching valve

33

.

On the other hand, when the mode braking valve

33

is switched to the free-fall position b, the positive-side oil chamber

11

a

is connected to a secondary side of a brake valve

22

through the switching valve

33

, and a secondary pressure according to an operating amount of the brake valve

22

is supplied to the positive-side oil chamber

11

a

. Reference numeral

23

designates an operating pedal.

Reference numeral

38

designates a remote control valve for controlling the winding up-and-down rotation of the winch motor

2

,

39

a control valve for a winch controlled to be switched between three positions a, b, and c (neutral, winding-up, and winding-down) by a secondary pressure (a remote control pressure) of the remote control valve

38

, and

40

a hydraulic pump which is a hydraulic source for the winch motor

2

.

Reference numeral

41

designates a hydraulic cylinder type parking brake, which is constituted as a negative brake for applying a brake force to an output shaft

2

a

of a motor by a force of a spring

41

a

and releasing the brake force when oil pressure is introduced. An oil chamber

41

b

of the parking brake

41

is connected to the hydraulic source for a brake

18

or a tank T through a hydraulic pilot type parking brake control valve

42

.

The parking brake control valve

42

is set to the brake position a shown and the brake release position b on the right-hand shown with the remote control pressure supplied when the remote control valve

38

is not operated (neutral) and when the latter is operated, respectively.

That is, when the winding up-and-down operation takes place, the parking brake

41

is released so that the winch drum

1

is wound up- and down and rotated, and at the time of non-operation, the brake

41

is actuated to brake and stop the winch drum

1

.

Reference numeral

43

designates a high pressure selection valve for removing the remote control pressure to supply it to the parking brake control valve

42

, and

44

a pressure switch for detecting the remote control pressure to be switched from a b(normally closed) contact to a a(normally open) contact shown.

On the other hand, in

FIG. 20

, reference numeral

46

designates a mode switching switch. A series circuit comprising the mode switching switch

46

, the pressure switch

44

, and a solenoid

33

s

of the mode switching valve

33

is connected to a power supply, and

{circle around (1)} in the state that the pressure switch

44

is at the contact b (the remote control valve

38

is not operated),

{circle around (2)} when the mode switching switch

46

is turned on, the solenoid

33

s

is energized so that the mode switching valve

33

is switched from the brake position a to the free-fall position b.

In other words, the brake switching valve

33

is set to the brake position a when the remote control valve is operated (at the time of winding up-and-down operation) or when the mode switching switch

46

is not operated.

The operation of the hydraulic winch will be described below.

The fundamental operation of the winch is the same as the case of the conventional winch shown in FIG.

28

.

That is, in the state that the mode switching valve

33

is set to the brake position a, both the side oil chambers

11

a

and

11

b

of the brake cylinder

11

are connected to the hydraulic source

18

to assume the same pressure, so that no thrust occurs in the cylinder

11

in itself, and the pressure plate

10

is pressed by the spring force of the pressing spring

12

toward the multidisk

9

to turn on the brake.

Thereby, the turning force of the winch motor

2

is transmitted to the winch drum

1

through the planetary gear mechanism

3

, and the winch drum

1

is would up-and-down and rotated according to the operation of the remote control valve

38

.

On the other hand, when the mode switching valve

33

is set to the free-fall position b, the positive-side oil chamber

11

a

of the brake cylinder

11

is communicated with the tank T through the brake valve

22

to generate a pressure difference between positive-side oil chamber

11

a

and the negative-side oil chamber

11

b

. The differential pressure exceeds the spring force of the pressing spring

12

so that the cylinder

11

is pressed to the side opposite to the multidisk

9

to turn off the brake.

This assumes a free-fall state, that is, a state the winch drum

1

can be freely rotated in a winding-down direction by the load.

And, the brake valve

22

is then operated, whereby the multidisk

9

is turned on by the pressure according to the operating amount, and the brake force exert on the winch drum

1

.

In this winch, in the state that the mode switching valve

33

is set to the free-fall position b, that is, in the state that the braking operation is carried out by operation of the brake valve

22

, only the mode switching valve

33

is present between the brake valve

22

and the positive-side oil chamber

11

a

of the brake cylinder

11

and a trouble factor as in the high pressure selection valve of the conventional winch is not present. Therefore, at the time of the free-fall operation, the operation of the brake valve

22

is positively transmitted to the brake cylinder

11

.

That is to say, at the time of the free-fall operation, the braking operation as intended by an operator is carried out, and the safety of operation can be secured.

16th Embodiment

In the following embodiment, only the difference from the 15th embodiment will be explained.

The embodiment shown in

FIGS. 21 and 22

provides the constitution wherein an electromagnetic proportional reduction valve is used for the brake valve

22

, which is controlled by an output from a controller

72

based on the operation of a potentiometer

61

.

The controller

72

has the constitution wherein the potentiometer

61

is operated by a pedal, a dial, a lever or the like not shown so that an output voltage is varied and a secondary pressure of the brake valve

22

is varied according to the output of the potentiometer (an output of the potentiometer lowers at the time of the free-fall operation) indicated by the solid (or broken) line in FIG.

22

.

Also by this constitution, the same operation and effect as the 15th embodiment can be fundamentally obtained.

Moreover, since the secondary pressure characteristic of the brake valve

22

with respect to the operation (output) of the potentiometer

61

can be set as desired by the controller

72

, various characteristics such as start, stop, acceleration and deceleration can be suitably selected according to taste of an operator, the size of loads and so on.

Further, if the potentiometer

61

is designed to be operated by a pedal, operation can be carried out in the same operating sense as the conventional and the 15th embodiment winches.

Furthermore, if the potentiometer

61

is designed to be operated by an operating means capable of locking a position such as a dial, the output of the brake valve

22

is easily maintained constant, thus facilitating the lowering of a hanging load at a constant speed in the case of a crane.

17th Embodiment

In the 17th embodiment shown in

FIGS. 23 and 24

, the switching valve device

62

is constituted by two first and second electromagnetic type switching valves

63

and

64

.

Both the switching valves

63

and

64

are provided with a brake position a and a free-fall position b, respectively. When as shown in

FIG. 24

, a mode switching switch

46

is turned on and a contact b of a pressure switch

44

is closed (when a remote control valve is not operated), solenoids

63

s

and

64

s

of both the switching valves

63

and

64

are energized so that both the switching valves

63

and

64

are switched to the free-fall position b.

In this case, only when both the switching valves

63

and

64

are switched to the free-fall positions b and b, a positive-side oil chamber

11

a

of a braking cylinder

11

is connected to a tank T through a brake valve

22

so that the free-fall operation becomes enabled. In other words, when even one of both the switching valves

63

and

64

is at the brake position a, the free-fall operation is not carried out.

According to this constitution, even in the case of a trouble that when an operator attempts to switch the free-fall operation to the power operation, one switching valve

63

or

64

is locked to the free-fall position b in spite of a switching signal, the operation is switched to the power operation. Therefore, there is no possibility that the hanging load is fallen against an operator's wish, but the safety can be enhanced.

18th and 19th Embodiments

As shown in

FIG. 25

, in the 18th embodiment, there are separately provided, as a brake hydraulic source, with a hydraulic source

18

A relative to a positive-side oil chamber

11

a

of a brake cylinder

11

, and a hydraulic source

18

B relative to a negative-side oil chamber

11

b

, and a relationship between set pressures PA and PB of both the hydraulic sources

18

A and

18

B is set to PA>PB.

As shown in

FIG. 26

, in the 19th embodiment, an electromagnetic assist switching valve

65

is provided between a negative-side oil chamber

11

b

of a brake cylinder

11

and a hydraulic source

18

, and the switching valve

65

is switched from a pressing position b to a tank position a in association with the switching of a mode switching valve

33

to a brake position a so that the negative-side oil chamber

11

b

is communicated with the tank.

With these constitutions, at the time of power operation, in the case of the 18th embodiment, the positive-side oil chamber

11

a

of the brake cylinder

11

is maintained in pressure higher than the negative-side oil chamber

11

b

, and in the case of the 19th embodiment, the negative-side oil chamber

11

b

assumes a tank pressure. Therefore, even if a frictional coefficient of a multidisk

9

lowers due to the fade phenomenon or the change after a lapse of time, or a spring force of a pressing spring

12

lowers, it is possible to secure necessary brake force due to the differential pressure, respectively.

Further, according to the constitution of the 19th embodiment, even in the case of occurrence of a phenomenon where despite a mode switching valve

33

received a switching signal from a free-fall position b to a brake position a, the position is locked to the free-fall position b, an assist switching valve

65

is shifted to a tank position a so that a negative-side oil chamber

11

b

of a brake cylinder

11

is communicated with a tank T. Therefore, no pressure difference occurs between both the side oil chambers

11

a

and

11

b

, and a multidisk

9

is turned on by the spring force of a pressing spring

12

.

That is, the operation is switched to a power operation mode, and there is no possibility that a hanging load falls.

Further, in the case where a multidisk

9

is of a wet type, it is not necessary to define the kind and brand of cooling oil, thus increasing a universality of cooling oil.

20th Embodiment

FIG. 27

shows a concrete constitution of a brake cylinder

11

and its peripheral parts, and parts equivalent to those in

FIG. 19

which schematically shows them are indicated by the same reference numerals.

A positive-side rod

11

R

1

and a negative-side rod

11

R

2

are integrally provided on one side and the other side, respectively, of a piston

11

P.

Both the rods

11

R

1

and

11

R

2

are in the form of a hollow shaft, out of which the negative-side rod

11

R

2

has a pressure plate

10

mounted on the extreme end thereof through a connecting plate

26

.

Reference numerals

27

,

27

designate bolts for mounting a pressure plate, and

28

an inner plate mounting body secured to the outer periphery of a carrier shaft

8

. Inner plates

14

. . . of a multidisk

9

are mounted in the outer periphery of the mounting body

28

.

A positive-side oil chamber

11

a

of a brake cylinder

11

and a negative-side oil chamber

11

b

thereof are formed between a cylinder end plate

29

and the piston

11

P, and between the piston

11

P and a side wall

15

b

of a brake casing

15

, respectively, and are connected to a positive line

19

and a negative line

17

through oil paths

30

and

31

, respectively.

In the 20th embodiment, a relationship between an outside diameter φp of a positive-side rod

11

R

1

and an outside diameter φn of a negative-side rod

11

R

2

in the brake cylinder

11

is set to

φ

p>φn

Expression 1

and a pressure receiving area of a positive-side oil chamber

11

a

of the piston

11

P is set to be larger than a pressure receiving area of a negative-side oil chamber

11

b

by a difference between the outside diameters.

Both the positive and negative-side oil chambers

11

a

and

11

b

are connected to a common brake hydraulic source.

According to this constitution, at the time of power winding up-and-down operation in which the same pressure simultaneously exerts on both the side oil chambers

11

a

and

11

b

, thrust of

(¼)×(φ

n

2

−φp

2

)×π×

Pp

Expression 2

(Pp: common brake hydraulic source

18

setting pressure) exerts on the piston

11

P in a clutch-on direction.

For this reason, similarly to the case of the 18th and the 19th embodiments, even if a frictional coefficient of a multidisk

9

lowers due to the fade phenomenon or the change after a lapse of time, or a spring force of a pressing spring

12

lowers, it is possible to secure necessary brake force due to the thrust, and in the case where a multidisk

9

is used as a wet type, it is not necessary to define the kind and brand of cooling oil, thus increasing a universality of cooling oil.

While in the aforementioned 18th, 19th and 20th embodiments, the sufficient effect can be exhibited individually, it is to be noted that the constitutions of various embodiments can be suitably combined, for example, such that the constitution of the 18th embodiment using separate hydraulic sources

18

A,

18

B and the constitution of the 19th embodiment using the assist switching valve

65

are combined, or the constitution of the 18th or the 19th embodiment and the constitution of the 20th embodiment providing a difference between the pressure receiving areas are combined.

Further, while the above embodiments have employed the constitution wherein the carrier shaft

8

of the planetary gear mechanism

3

is locked and released to thereby provide the clutch operation and the brake operation at the time of free-fall, it is to be noted that the present invention can be applied to a hydraulic winch of the constitution wherein a winch drum and a carrier shaft of a planetary gear mechanism are integrated, and rotation of a ring gear is locked and released to thereby obtain the clutch operation and the brake operation, and to a hydraulic winch of the constitution wherein a clutch and a brake are provided independently of each other and controlled separately.

While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

The entire disclosure of the Japanese Patent Application Nos., 10-180255 and 10-180256 filed on Jun. 26, 1998 including specification, claims, drawings and summary are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Number	Date	Country	Kind
10-180255	Jun 1998	JP
10-180256	Jun 1998	JP

Number	Name	Date
3376020	Klinke	Apr 1968
3811657	Hoover	May 1974
3851739	Schneider et al.	Dec 1974
4337926	Dehaan	Jul 1982
4434972	Charles	Mar 1984
5938183	Kissick	Aug 1999
5950991	Patel et al.	Sep 1999
5984227	Kanzler et al.	Nov 1999

Hydraulic winch having piston rod and pressure plate which are relatively movable in fixed range

Information

Patent Number

Date Filed

Date Issued

Inventors

Original Assignees

Examiners

Agents

CPC

US Classifications

Field of Search

US

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims

Priority Claims (2)

US Referenced Citations (8)

Non-Patent Literature Citations (2)

Entry
Patent Abstracts of Japan, JP 09-100093, Apr. 15, 1997.
Patent Abstracts of Japan, JP 09-216793, Aug. 19, 1997.