Vacuum lifting device

Abstract

The invention relates to a vacuum lifting device (10) comprising: - an evacuable suction hose (11), - a lifting element (12) operatively connected to the suction hose (11), which can be connected to a load element to be moved by means of a vacuum applied in the suction hose (11), and - an operating device (13) for controlling the vacuum in the suction hose (11), • wherein the operating device (13) has a housing (14) in which a valve (15) for controlling the vacuum is received, • wherein the valve (15) can be operated by means of a control lever (16), • wherein the control lever (16) is movable relative to the housing (14), • and wherein the operating device is further provided with a stop element (18) for limiting an operating travel (20) of the control lever (16), • and wherein the stop element (18) is adjustably arranged on the housing (14).According to the invention, the housing (14) has an extension axis (19) in the direction of which the control lever (16) is designed to be movable, wherein the stop element (18) is designed to be rotatable and / or displaceable along the extension axis (19) for limiting the operating travel (20).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vacuum lifting device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Such vacuum lifting devices are known. They enable the efficient and ergonomic lifting and moving of loads such as bagged goods, cardboard boxes, crates, panels, furniture, and much more, requiring minimal physical effort. The vacuum lifting device comprises an evacuable suction hose, an operating unit with a valve for controlling the vacuum in the suction hose, and a lifting element connected to the suction hose. This lifting element seals itself against the load to be lifted using the negative pressure in the suction hose, creating a vacuum across its entire surface. A further component of the vacuum lifting device is the vacuum pump, which is designed to generate the negative pressure in the suction hose and is connected to it, allowing air to flow through the hose.

[0003] In operational use, the handling of the load elements, or in other words, the object being lifted, depends on its fragility. While quick lowering and operation are desirable with robust objects, sensitive operation of the valve controlling the lifting process is essential for delicate objects. Careless valve operation, resulting in excessively rapid inflation of the hose, leads to the object being lowered too quickly. Therefore, with delicate objects such as furniture, there is a risk of damage during lowering.

[0004] From US 5 035 456 A a lifting and transport system with vacuum drive and pressure control is known, the length of which changes with differences in air pressure.

[0005] The stop position of a control valve actuating rod can be adjusted by means of a screw arrangement 22. The linkage required for this purpose demands considerable installation space and is therefore unsuitable for direct integration into an operating device. This document discloses a vacuum lifting device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0006] From DE 36 18 704 C1, a lifting device with a suction box is known, to which a suction hose, which can be shortened by negative pressure, is connected. The lifting device includes a user-operated slide valve for adjusting the pressure. The degree of closure of the slide valve can be adjusted by means of a limiting device 47. A screw bolt is provided as the limiting device. The screw bolt is coupled via a complex kinematic mechanism to a lever 34 provided for actuating the slide valve.

[0007] US Patent 9,061,868 B1 discloses an automatic vacuum carton lifter that enables the gripping of an object, such as a carton, even from a vertical side. The operating device is arranged on a sliding carriage held by a rail. Furthermore, an adjustable control handle is provided for controlling the lifting and lowering mechanism.

[0008] US Patent 2,247,787 A discloses a vacuum lifting device for the automatic lifting, transport, and setting down of loads. The lifting device features an automatic control valve for pressure regulation. The control system comprises numerous mechanisms and levers and is, overall, very complex.

[0009] From DE 22 49 044 A1, a vacuum lifting device for moving heavy objects is known. The device comprises a lifting element and a flexible vacuum hose connected to a suction head. By means of control devices 30 and 31, valves of the compressed air system can be actuated and thus the lifting and lowering speed of the lifting element can be controlled.

[0010] From DE 100 38 013 A1, a control unit for a vacuum lifting device with a linearly adjustable valve element is known. The valve element is a type of poppet valve. The linear adjustability of the valve element ensures that a uniform change in the inlet cross-section occurs when the actuating device is activated, thus simplifying the control of the air supply.

[0011] From patent application WO2007 / 094720 A1, a hose lifter is known which has a handle with a control lever attached to it for actuating a vent valve. Actuating the control lever opens the vent valve and thus influences the floating position of the suction hose. The control lever can be actuated until the vent valve opens completely. In this position, the control lever strikes the handle. However, fully opening the vent valve causes the suction hose to fill rapidly and the material being lifted to descend at maximum speed. Since the flow resistance decreases exponentially with the opening distance of the valve, even a slightly excessively open valve leads to a significant increase in the intake air and thus to a very rapid descent of the material being lifted.Therefore, special care must always be taken when handling the tube lifter to avoid damaging the material being lifted due to careless handling.

[0012] Therefore, the object of the invention is to eliminate the described disadvantages and to provide an improved vacuum lifting device which allows for a simple and safe limitation of the valve actuation.

[0013] This problem is solved by a vacuum lifting device with the features of claim 1.

[0014] A vacuum lifting device according to the invention comprises an evacuable suction hose, a vacuum pump which is connected to the suction hose in a flow-through manner, a lifting element operatively connected to the suction hose which can be connected to a load element to be moved by means of a negative pressure applied in the suction hose, and an operating device for controlling the negative pressure in the suction hose, wherein the operating device has a housing in which a valve for controlling the negative pressure is received, wherein the valve can be operated by means of a control lever, wherein the control lever is movable relative to the housing, and wherein the operating device is further provided with a stop element for limiting an operating travel of the control lever, and wherein the stop element is adjustably arranged on the housing.

[0015] According to the invention, the housing has an extension axis in the direction of which the control lever is movable, wherein the stop element for limiting the operating travel is rotatable about the extension axis and / or displaceable along the extension axis.

[0016] The stop element is designed as an eccentric disc that can be rotated around its axis of extension. The eccentric disc has an outer contour of a control cam. The key advantage of this design is that the operating range is infinitely adjustable, allowing for a high degree of individual adaptation to the requirements of the load being lifted.

[0017] The advantage of the invention lies in the fact that the operating path can be adapted to the object being lifted in a simple and therefore quick manner, namely simply by rotating or sliding the stop element on the housing. Thus, the maximum air supply can be individually limited depending on the object being lifted and the task. Furthermore, the design according to the invention allows for easy operation of the stop element, ensuring simple and safe limitation of the valve's actuation.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the stop element can be fixed to the housing of the operating device by means of a locking element. This prevents the stop element from being adjusted during operation of the vacuum lifting device. In other words, the locking element prevents the stop element from rotating and / or shifting.

[0019] Preferably, the locking element is designed to create a positive and / or force-fit connection between the stop element and the housing. Such a design offers a secure hold and is easily disassembled if necessary.

[0020] The locking element can be spring-loaded. This simplifies the operation of the locking element and allows for quick adjustment of the airflow to different loads being lifted.

[0021] As an alternative to, or in combination with, the eccentric disc, the stop element is designed in the shape of a sleeve. To change the operating travel, the sleeve can simply be moved along the axis of extension so that the desired limit of the operating travel can be set.

[0022] A simple and cost-effective vacuum lifting device can be achieved by mechanically connecting the valve to the control lever. This mechanical connection can also advantageously allow for real-time actuation of the valve. For example, the control lever can engage in a groove formed on the valve, so that the valve is actuated immediately when the control lever is moved.

[0023] The valve can, in principle, be designed in any shape that allows it to be actuated by the control lever. Preferably, the valve is designed as a poppet valve. The poppet valve offers the advantage of reliable actuation along its longitudinal axis. Another advantage is the possibility of controlled airflow into the housing using a poppet valve head, the contour of which can be adapted to specific requirements. For example, a longer frustoconical or conical valve head could provide a more controlled airflow than a shorter frustoconical or conical valve head.

[0024] To improve the ease of use of the control lever, a handle is attached to the housing. This allows for simple one-handed operation.

[0025] This is further improved if the handle has a longitudinal axis that is coaxial with the extension axis.

[0026] In a further embodiment of the vacuum lifting device according to the invention, it has an additional handle designed for moving the suction hose. Thus, advantageously, a so-called two-handed operation allows the suction hose to be moved with one hand, while the other hand can operate the control lever to regulate the vacuum.

[0027] Individual adjustment and thus improved handling of the vacuum lifting device can be achieved with the help of an adjustable additional handle, as this can be individually aligned.

[0028] A suction hose designed in the form of a corrugated hose results in a particularly flexible vacuum lifting device, since the corrugated hose can be changed in both its axial and radial expansion.

[0029] Further measures improving the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the figures and preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0030] Identical or similar elements in the following figures may be designated with the same or similar reference numerals. Furthermore, the figures of the drawing, their description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. It is clear to a person skilled in the art that these features can also be considered individually or combined into further combinations not described in detail here. The invention expressly extends to embodiments that are not defined by combinations of features from explicit cross-references in the claims, meaning that the disclosed features of the invention can be combined with one another in any way that is technically feasible. The exemplary embodiments shown in the figures are therefore only descriptive and are not intended to limit the invention in any way.

[0031] The figures show: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a vacuum lifting device according to the invention in a detail, Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of an operating device of the vacuum lifting device according to Fig. 1 , and Fig. 3 shows a section of the operating device according to Fig. 2 .

[0032] A vacuum lifting device 10 according to the invention is exemplified by Fig. 1 The system comprises an evacuable suction hose 11, which is connected to a flow-through pressure regulating device 24. The pressure regulating device 24 includes a pipe assembly 32 and a hose line 33. A further hose line 34 for rapid venting of the suction hose 11 can be provided between the handle 23 and the suction hose 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the hose line 34 is only indicated by a dashed line.

[0033] The pipe assembly 32 serves to mechanically guide the pressure regulating device 24. The hose line 33 is connected to the suction hose 11. The suction hose 11 is designed as a so-called corrugated hose. A lifting element 12 is arranged at one end of the suction hose 11. This lifting element is operatively connected to the suction hose 11 and can be connected to a load element (not shown) to be moved by means of a vacuum applied in the suction hose 11. An increase in the vacuum causes the load element to make contact with the lifting element 12, whereas a decrease in the vacuum causes the contact to be broken, preferably after the load element has been positioned at a desired location. In other words, the lifting element 12, which is operatively connected to the suction hose 11, can be connected to the load element to be moved by means of the vacuum applied in the suction hose 11.

[0034] The pressure regulating device 24 has an operating device 13 with which the vacuum, and thus the pressure in the suction hose 11, can be controlled. The operating device 13 could also be located directly on the suction hose 11; however, the addition of the pressure regulating device 24 with the suction hose 11 has proven to be particularly user-friendly for improved handling of the load element.

[0035] In Fig. 2 The operating device 13, which is designed to control the vacuum in the suction hose 11, is shown in a perspective view. It has a housing 14 in which a valve 15 for controlling the vacuum is housed. This valve 15 is in Fig. 3The valve 15, in the present embodiment, is designed as a spring-loaded poppet valve. The valve 15 comprises a frustoconical valve head 26. The hose line 33 can be opened or closed by means of the frustoconical valve head 26. When the valve 15 is partially or fully open, ambient air can enter the hose line 33 through flow openings 25 provided in the housing 14 and reduce the negative pressure present there. The negative pressure acting on the lifting element 12 can thus be precisely varied by means of the valve 15.

[0036] As an alternative to controlling the vacuum via valve 15, the flow openings 25 themselves could also be equipped with valves. In principle, it would be sufficient if only one flow opening 25 were provided and this one were equipped with a valve.

[0037] Another component of the vacuum lifting device 10 is a vacuum pump (not shown in detail). The vacuum pump is mounted on the suction hose 11 so that air can flow through it and is typically arranged at an end of the suction hose 11 facing away from the lifting element 12. The vacuum pump is designed to create a vacuum in the suction hose 11 and draws air from the suction hose 11, which is preferably in the form of a corrugated hose, thereby creating the necessary negative pressure for lifting the object to be lifted. The negative pressure thus created in the suction hose 11 causes the suction hose 11 to contract and thus lifts the object to be lifted, which is connected to the lifting element 12.It should be mentioned that the effective surface of the lifting element 12 is advantageously larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the suction hose 11, so that in the event of a reduction in vacuum the material to be lifted can be lowered safely before a loss of adhesion of the lifting element 12 occurs, which leads to the material being lifted detaching from the lifting element 12 and consequently causing the material to fall.

[0038] The valve 15 can be operated by means of a control lever 16, in particular manually. A valve stem 27 of the valve 15 is mechanically connected to the control lever 16, with a lever arm 28 of the control lever 16 being connected to the valve stem 27 at its first arm end 29. At its second arm end 30, which is positioned away from the first arm end 29, the control lever 16 has a lever handle 31, which is preferably ergonomically designed for improved handling. It should be noted here that the valve 15 does not necessarily have to be designed in the exemplary form illustrated, but can have any possible form of a closing valve that can be operated with the control lever 16.

[0039] The operating device 13 enables the lifting movement of the vacuum lifting device 10 to be influenced. The valve 15 is actuated by means of the control lever 16, whereby a deflection of the control lever 16 causes the valve 16 to open and thus a lowering speed of the object being lifted.

[0040] The housing 14 has an axis of extension 19 along which the valve 15 is arranged to be axially movable. This axial movement of the valve 15 is brought about by a pivoting movement of the lever arm 28 about a pivot point formed on the valve stem 27. When the control lever 16 is actuated, it travels an operating path 20, the operating path 20 leading towards or away from the axis of extension 19. The control lever 16 is thus designed to be movable in the direction of the axis of extension 19. In other words, it can be moved towards or away from the axis of extension 19.

[0041] The control lever 16 is operatively connected to the valve 15 and is movable relative to the housing 14. A handle 17, fixedly connected to the housing 14, is arranged on the housing 14. Thus, in the present embodiment, the control lever 16 is also movable relative to the handle 17. The handle 17 serves to improve the handling of the operating device 13. In the present embodiment, the handle 17 is arranged such that its longitudinal axis 22 is coaxial with the extension axis 19.

[0042] In the illustrated embodiment, the vacuum lifting device 10 has a further handle 23, which is designed for the preferred movement of the suction hose 11. In the present exemplary embodiment, it is, as shown in Fig. 1 As illustrated, it is adjustable on the pressure regulating device 24. It can advantageously be pivoted and adjusted in the axial direction.

[0043] The operating device 13 is provided with a stop element 18, which is designed to limit the operating travel 20 of the control lever 16, wherein the stop element 18 is adjustably arranged on the housing 14. According to the invention, the stop element 18 is designed to be rotatable about the axis of extension 19 and / or displaceable along the axis of extension 19.

[0044] According to the present embodiment, the stop element 18 is implemented in the form of an eccentric disc, as found in the Figures 1 to 3This is illustrated. This eccentric disc 18 is rotatably mounted on the housing 14 about the axis of extension 19. Depending on the positioning of the eccentric disc 18, that is, depending on the angle of rotation about the axis of extension 19, different operating strokes 20 can be achieved. The stop element 18 could also be designed in the shape of a sleeve, thus having a sleeve that is axially displaceable along the axis of extension 19. Therefore, the stop element 18 represents a variable, or in other words, a variable stop, by means of which the required operating stroke 20 of the control lever 16 can be easily adjusted depending on the load being lifted.

[0045] Preferably, the stop element 18 has a locking element 21 so that it can be fixed to the housing 14 and thus is not unintentionally changed in position during operation of the vacuum lifting device 10. In other words, the stop element 18 can be fixed to the housing 14 by means of a locking element 21. The locking element 21 can, for example, be in the form of a setscrew. Other forms of fixation, such as a clamp, can also be implemented to prevent accidental adjustment during operation.

[0046] In another embodiment, not shown in detail, the stop element 18 is secured against rotation by a detent, in particular a toothed one. A toothed ring is formed on one surface of the stop element 18, which engages with a second toothed ring arranged opposite it on the housing 14. When the stop element 18 is moved axially, and thus along its axis of extension 19, by pulling, the two toothed rings separate, creating a gap between them. In this position, the stop element 18 can be rotated. The two toothed rings can be closed by manually pressing them, or by releasing the stop element 18, provided that at least one of the two toothed rings is spring-loaded and / or magnetic. The detent could also be achieved by recesses, e.g.,in the form of bores or recesses with corresponding complementary counter-elements, e.g. counter pins.

[0047] In another embodiment, not shown in detail, the stop element 18 is secured against accidental adjustment by means of the locking element 21, which is a spring-loaded pressure element, for example, in the form of a ball. The positioning of the stop element 18 is then achieved by overcoming the spring force, which must be selected to be large enough to prevent accidental adjustment. This means that the locking element 21 is spring-loaded.

[0048] Alternatively, the pressure piece could be designed in the form of a bolt-like pin. In that case, the pressure piece would have to be released by pulling or pushing to unlock the safety device and allow the stop element 18 to be rotated.

[0049] All of the locking elements 21 mentioned above as examples are designed to bring about a form and / or force closure between the stop element 18 and the housing 14. Reference symbol list

[0050] 10 Vacuum lifting device 11 Suction hose 12 Lifting element 13 Operating device 14 Housing 15 valve 16 control lever 17 handle 18 Stop element 19 Extension axis 20 Operating path 21 Locking element 22 Longitudinal axis 23 Another step 24 Pressure regulating device 25 Flow opening 26 Valve head 27 Valve stem 28 Lever arm (of 16) 29 First end of the arm 30 Second arm end 31 Lever handle (of 16) 32 Pipe rods 33 hose 34 hose

Claims

1. Vacuum lifting device (10), comprising: - an evacuable suction hose (11), - a vacuum pump, which is connected in a flow-through way to the suction hose (11), - a lifting element (12) effectively connected to the suction hose (11), which is connectable to a load element to be moved with the aid of a negative pressure applied in the suction hose (11), and - a control device (13) for controlling the vacuum in the suction hose (11), • wherein the control device (13) has a casing (14) in which a valve (15) for controlling the vacuum is accommodated, • wherein the valve (15) can be operated by means of a control lever (16), • wherein the control lever (16) is movable relative to the casing, • and wherein the control device is further provided with a stop element (18) for limiting an operating distance (20) of the control lever (16), • and wherein the stop element (18) is arranged on the casing (14) in an adjustable manner, and wherein - the casing (14) has an axis of extension (19), in the direction of which the control lever (16) is designed to be movable, wherein the stop element (18) for limiting the operating distance (20) about the axis of extension (19) and / or along the axis of extension (19), characterised in that - the stop element (18) is designed in the form of an eccentric disc which can be rotated about the axis of extension (19).

2. Vacuum lifting device (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the stop element (18) is fixable to the housing (14) by means of a locking element (21).

3. Vacuum lifting device (10) according to claim 2, characterised in that the locking element (21) is designed to create a form-fit and / or force-fit connection between the stop element (18) and the housing (14).

4. Vacuum lifting device (10) according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the locking element (21) is spring-loaded.

5. Vacuum lifting device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the stop element (18) is designed in the form of a sleeve.

6. Vacuum lifting device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the valve (15) is mechanically connected to the control lever (16).

7. Vacuum lifting device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the valve (15) is designed in the form of a poppet valve.

8. Vacuum lifting device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a handle (17) is arranged on the casing (14).

9. Vacuum lifting device (10) according to claim 8, characterised in that the handle (17) has a longitudinal axis (22) which is coaxial with the axis of extension (19).

10. Vacuum lifting device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the vacuum lifting device (10) has a further handle (23) which is designed to move the suction hose (11).

11. Vacuum lifting device (10) according to claim 10, characterised in that the further handle (23) is adjustable.

12. Vacuum lifting device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the suction hose (11) is designed in the form of a corrugated hose.

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