Sauglances

Abstract

The invention relates to a suction lance for extracting a medium (2) from a container, comprising a container connection (3), a suction pipe (4) and a measuring device (5) for level monitoring, which requires little space yet is robust and cost-effective, in that at least part of the measuring device (5) and the suction pipe (4) are arranged within each other.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a suction lance for withdrawing a medium from a container, with a container connection, with a suction pipe and with a measuring device for level monitoring.

[0002] Suction lances are well-known in practice and are used to withdraw various media, such as liquids or bulk materials, from containers such as canisters or dosing containers. Areas of application include car washes, dosing technology, dishwashers, hygiene technology, industrial dishwashers, pool technology, cleaning machines, and water treatment.

[0003] Depending on the type of level monitoring desired—empty level or level / level—the appropriate measuring device can be selected. For this purpose, the functional principle of the float switch, well-known from the state of the art, can be used.

[0004] The float switch can, for example, automatically shut off a dosing pump connected to the suction lance as soon as the fill level in the tank falls too low. The suction lance's switching process can be contactless, wear-free, and without auxiliary power. During level measurement, a float equipped with magnets slides along the suction pipe and interacts with a reed switch, which sends signals to other electrical components. For example, a suction lance design is known in practice in which two parallel pipes extending from a head piece are inserted into the tank, one of which forms the suction pipe and the other pipe houses the reed switch. These parallel pipes are fragile and require space.

[0005] The document DE 102018110155 A1 shows a suction lance with a suction lance tube, within which a suction tube and a switching or protective tube are arranged side by side. While this solves the problem of fragility, the additional suction lance tube requires a lot of space, and the additional outer suction lance tube increases production costs.

[0006] DE 102013112824 A1 discloses a withdrawal unit with a suction lance and float, with the float being movable along a central tube between various tubes used for withdrawal and heating. This document shows five parallel, exposed tubes and increases stability through a common base. This also requires space and is expensive to manufacture.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of providing a suction lance that requires little space and is nevertheless robust and cost-effective

[0008] The above object is achieved by the features of patent claim 1. According to patent claim 1, a suction lance of the type in question is designed and developed such that at least a part of the measuring device and the suction pipe are arranged one within the other.

[0009] Firstly, it was recognized that suction lances with different tubes are usually fragile and require space. According to the invention, it was recognized that, on the one hand, space can be saved and, on the other hand, protection for the measuring device or at least part of it can be provided if at least part of the measuring device and the suction tube are arranged one inside the other. This nesting advantageously reduces the space requirement and also increases the stability of the suction lance. The space-saving arrangement advantageously increases the application flexibility because more containers of different shapes and sizes can be covered by the suction lance according to the invention. Furthermore, with a suitable design, the suction lance according to the invention can concentrate several functions on a single component.

[0010] The suction lance according to the invention could comprise a secondary pipe in addition to the suction pipe. Preferably, the secondary pipe and the suction pipe could be arranged within one another in such a way that they form an outer chamber and an inner chamber. In a known form, the suction pipe could serve to guide the media, while the secondary pipe serves to accommodate the measuring device or a part thereof. The secondary pipe could accommodate a permanent magnet, the reed switch, electrical lines, and provide the connection to a further electrical switching component. In addition to guiding the media, the suction pipe could provide protection for the secondary pipe, support a float, and offer a connection option, particularly in the form of a hose nozzle.

[0011] A preferred embodiment provides that the suction lance according to the invention forms the second tube as an inner chamber, which is arranged within the suction tube designed as an outer chamber. Regardless of whether the suction tube forms the outer or inner chamber, the stability of the suction lance is enormously increased in this embodiment.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment, an annular gap could be formed between the suction tube and the secondary tube, corresponding to the outer chamber and through which the medium can be sucked in. The suction tube and the secondary tube, or the inner chamber and the outer chamber, could be arranged coaxially or eccentrically to the longitudinal axis of the suction lance. The symmetry of a coaxial arrangement could have a more positive effect on stability.

[0013] The suction pipe and the secondary pipe of the suction lance according to the invention could be connected to one another. This could be done indirectly in the upper region of the suction lance via a withdrawal connection and an upper arrangement for electrical signal transmission. In the lower region of the suction lance, the suction pipe and the secondary pipe could be indirectly connected via a base section, which contains arrangements for how the medium should enter the suction lance and how the secondary pipe should be sealed against the medium. In particular, a sealing plug, sealing agents such as adhesives and potting compounds, shrink tubing, a sieve device, and a ball could play a role, all of which are known from the prior art. In addition, a float, in particular a cylindrical float with magnets, could be arranged on the base section as part of the measuring device.

[0014] As an alternative to an annular gap, the inner and outer chambers could be connected. Consider not only a head or foot section as a closure for the annular chamber, but also a material bond or connecting element between the outer surface of the inner chamber and the inner surface of the outer chamber. This connecting piece could comprise several discontinuous sections or extend continuously over the entire length of at least the intake pipe, depending on whether the intake pipe is shorter than the secondary pipe.

[0015] As an alternative to the annular gap, the suction lance according to the invention could also have a medium conveying chamber with a largely crescent-shaped cross-section in cylindrical or polygonal pipes, or with a largely U-shaped or V-shaped cross-section in square pipes. This medium conveying chamber could be created by, for example, the outer surface of the inner chamber being in materially bonded contact with the inner surface of the outer chamber or being connected to a correspondingly designed connecting element that preferably bridges a small dimension between the suction pipe and the secondary pipe. In the previously described embodiment with at least one connecting element, it is advantageous from a manufacturing point of view if the inner chamber and the outer chamber are made from a single piece. In this way, for example, centering could be dispensed with and the inexpensive extrusion process could be used to manufacture the suction lance.

[0016] Furthermore, the connecting element could divide the outer chamber into subchambers. This could be advantageous in terms of further increasing stability. Greater stability might be necessary, for example, for highly viscous media or bulk materials. Furthermore, subdividing the media conveying chamber could contribute to optimizing suction lance production via extrusion.

[0017] The measuring device of the suction lance according to the invention could comprise a float switch, wherein a part of the measuring device - relating to electronic switching elements - is arranged within the suction pipe, preferably within the second pipe as an inner chamber, and another part of the measuring device - relating to the float switch - is arranged outside the suction pipe.

[0018] The float switch could be mounted at the base of the suction pipe and take the form of an empty level gauge. Alternatively, a float could slide along the suction pipe and measure the current fill level of the medium.

[0019] Another possible design for the suction lance's measuring device could be capacitive and comprise a first electrode located within the suction pipe. The first electrode could be designed, for example, as a rod or tubular electrode. The second electrode, required for the capacitive measuring device, could be formed by the container.

[0020] As an alternative to a second electrode formed by the container, this could be arranged inside the second tube.

[0021] There are now various possibilities for advantageously embodying and developing the teaching of the present invention. For this purpose, reference is made, on the one hand, to the claims subordinate to claim 1 and, on the other hand, to the following explanation of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. In conjunction with the explanation of the cited exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings, preferred embodiments and further developments of the teaching are generally explained. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a partially sectioned front view of a first embodiment of a suction lance according to the invention, Fig. 2 an enlarged detail A of the object from Fig. 1, concerning the suction lance extraction connection, Fig. 3 an enlarged detail B of the object from Fig. 1, concerning the container connection / canister lid on the suction lance, Fig. 4 an enlarged detail C of the object from Fig. 1, concerning the base part of the suction lance, Fig. 5 an enlarged view of the cross-section of the object from Fig. 1 along the section line DD omitting the base part of the suction lance, Fig. 6 a representation of the cross section of a second embodiment of a suction lance according to the invention, Fig. 7 a representation of the cross section of a third embodiment of a suction lance according to the invention, Fig. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a suction lance according to the invention, Fig. 9 a representation of the cross section of a fifth embodiment of a suction lance according to the invention and Fig. 10 a representation of the cross section of a sixth embodiment of a suction lance according to the invention.

[0022] The Fig. 1 shows a suction lance 1 for the removal of a medium 2 from a container, with a container connection 3 - here in the form of a canister lid -, with a suction pipe 4 and with a measuring device 5 for level monitoring.

[0023] According to the invention, at least a part of the measuring device 5 - here in the form of a reed contact - and the suction pipe 4 are arranged one inside the other.

[0024] In addition to the intake manifold 4, a second pipe 6 is provided. In the detailed illustrations A, B, C in the Fig. 2 to 4 clearly show that the secondary pipe 6 and the intake pipe 4 are arranged within one another in such a way that they form an outer chamber 7 and an inner chamber 8. The secondary pipe 6 is arranged as the inner chamber 8 within the intake pipe 4, which is designed as the outer chamber 7.

[0025] In the sectional view along the section line DD in Fig. 1 is in Fig. 5 shows the inner and outer chamber configuration according to the first embodiment of the suction lance 1 according to the invention. An annular gap 7 is formed between the secondary pipe 6 and the suction pipe 4, which corresponds to the outer chamber 7 and through which the medium 2 can be sucked in. Here, the inner chamber 8 and the outer chamber 7 are arranged coaxially to the longitudinal axis L of the suction lance 1.

[0026] The secondary pipe 6 reaches to the upper end of the suction lance 1 and extends into an upper cable gland 9, which is shown in detail A in Fig. 2 is shown enlarged. From the upper cable gland 9, the second pipe 6 in the form of a PVC-U pipe extends, from which a PVC cable 11 with cable connections 12 emerges, which can be connected to an electrical switching component. 10 is Fig. 1 denotes a type plate.

[0027] The suction pipe 4 and the secondary pipe 6 are connected at the upper end via a withdrawal connection comprising a T-piece 13 with a hose nozzle 14. The suction pipe 4 extends to the T-piece 13. A pump (not shown here) can suck in the medium 2 through an opening 15 of the T-piece 13 and through the hose nozzle 14. The medium 2 can spread to the lower end face 16 of the upper cable gland 9.

[0028] The suction pipe 4 and the secondary pipe 6 are further connected to each other via a foot part 17 of the suction lance 1, which is shown as detail C in Fig. 4 is shown enlarged. The base part 17 influences the entry of the medium 2 into the annular gap 7 or into the outer chamber 7 and on the sealing of the second tube 6 with respect to the medium 2. The sealing measures comprise a sealing plug 18, shrink tubing 19, and potting compound 20, which in practice penetrates the shrink tubing 19, which are then brought into overlap by the free end of the reed contact 5. Furthermore, an adhesive (not shown here) is provided, which acts in the threaded area 33 between the sealing plug 18 and the second tube 6. The second tube 6 also fulfills a sealing function in itself. The base part 17 further comprises a ball 21, which opens or closes a medium inlet opening 22, as well as a sieve 23, which keeps any foreign matter contained in the medium 2 away from the annular gap 7 or the outer chamber 7. 24 denotes lock washers.The base part 17 also carries a cylindrical float 25 with magnets as part of the measuring device 5. The cylindrical float 25 interacts with the reed contact 5 in the second tube 6, which is also part of the measuring device 5.

[0029] The Fig. Figure 3 shows detail B, which concerns the container connection 3 in the form of a canister lid, which is implemented upon customer request. The partial section shows that the container connection 3 is connected via a locknut 30 to the lower cable gland 31 via its connecting piece 32 and corresponding threads (not further described here) in a force-locking and form-fitting manner and is detachable.

[0030] While the first embodiment shows an arrangement of the outer and inner chambers 7, 8 coaxial to the longitudinal axis L of the suction lance 1, a Fig. 6, the second embodiment shown provides that the inner chamber 8 is arranged eccentrically to the longitudinal axis L projecting into the space.

[0031] The third embodiment of the suction lance according to the invention shows in Fig. 7, that the inner chamber 8 and the outer chamber 7 contact each other and are connected to each other in a connecting area 28 via the inner surface 26 of the suction pipe 4 and the outer surface 27 of the secondary pipe 6. The outer chamber 7 thus has a crescent-shaped cross-section.

[0032] Deviating from the third embodiment, Fig. 8 in the fourth embodiment, a connecting element 29 which connects the suction pipe 4 via the inner surface 26 and the second pipe 6 via the outer surface 27.

[0033] The Fig. The fifth embodiment shown in Figure 9 comprises two connecting pieces 29 and the Fig. The sixth embodiment shown in Figure 10 comprises six connecting pieces 29, which increase the stability of the suction lance 1. The connecting piece 29 divides the outer chamber 7 into Fig. 9 in two sub-chambers and in Fig. 10 in six sub-chambers.

[0034] The Fig. The embodiments of the suction lance according to the invention shown in Figures 8 to 10 are made from one piece and produced by the extrusion process.

[0035] For further features not shown in the figures, please refer to the general part of the description. Finally, it should be noted that the teaching of the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments discussed above. List of reference symbols 1 suction lance 2 Medium 3 Container connection, canister lid 4 intake manifold 5 Measuring device, reed contact as part of the measuring device 5r 6 Second pipe 7 Outer chamber 8 inner chamber 9 Upper cable gland 10 Nameplate 11 PVC cables 12 cable connections 13 T-piece 14 hose nozzle 15 Opening 16 Lower front side of 9 17 Foot part 18 sealing plugs 19 Heat shrink tubing 20 Casting compound 21 ball 22 Medium inlet opening 23 Sieve 24 Lock washer 25 Cylinder float as part of the measuring device 5 26 Interior surface 27 Exterior surface 28 Connection area 29 Connecting element 30 Locknut 31 Lower cable gland 32 nozzles of 31 33 thread range L Longitudinal axis QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 102018110155 A1

[0005] DE 102013112824 A1

[0006]

Claims

[1] Suction lance for the removal of a medium (2) from a container, with a container connection (3), with a suction pipe (4) and with a measuring device (5) for level monitoring, characterized by that at least part of the measuring device (5) and the suction pipe (4) are arranged one inside the other. [2] Suction lance according to claim 1, characterized by that in addition to the suction pipe (4) a second pipe (6) is provided. [3] Suction lance according to claim 2, characterized by that the second pipe (6) and the suction pipe (4) are arranged in such a way that they form an outer chamber (7) and an inner chamber (8). [4] Suction lance according to claim 2, characterized by that the second pipe (6) is arranged as an inner chamber (8) within the suction pipe (4) designed as an outer chamber (7). [5] Suction lance according to claim 4, characterized bythat an annular gap (7) is formed between the suction pipe (4) and the second pipe (6), which corresponds to the outer chamber (7) and through which the medium (2) can be sucked in. [6] Suction lance according to claim 5, characterized by that the inner chamber (8) and the outer chamber (7) are arranged concentrically or eccentrically to a longitudinal axis (L) of the suction lance (1). [7] Suction lance according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized by that the suction pipe (4) and the secondary pipe (6) are connected to each other. [8] Suction lance according to claim 7, characterized by that the inner chamber (8) and the outer chamber (7) are connected to one another via at least one connecting element (29) and are in particular made from one piece. [9] Suction lance according to claim 8, characterized by that the connecting element (29) divides the outer chamber (7) into sub-chambers. [10] Suction lance according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized bythat the measuring device (5) comprises a float switch, wherein a part of the measuring device (5) relating to electronic switching elements is arranged within the intake pipe, preferably within the second pipe (6) as an inner chamber (8), and another part of the measuring device (5), in particular relating to a cylinder float 25, is arranged outside the intake pipe (4). [11] Suction lance according to claim 10, characterized by that part of the measuring device (5) is provided in the foot area of ​​the suction pipe (4) and comprises an empty level meter. [12] Suction lance according to claim 1, characterized by that the measuring device operates capacitively and comprises a first electrode which is arranged within the intake manifold. [13] Suction lance according to claim 12, characterized by that the measuring device comprises a second electrode formed by the container. [14] Suction lance according to claim 12 in conjunction with claim 2, characterized bythat the measuring device comprises a second electrode which is arranged within the second tube.

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