Greenhouse Hydraulic Lifting Device for Supply Lines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for lifting heating pipes in greenhouses require multiple workers, leading to health issues and increased personnel and cleaning costs due to the heavy physical labor involved.

Innovation Solution

A hydraulic lifting device with an electrical energy storage system, hydraulic unit, and traction mechanism that allows a single person to easily lift and move supply lines, reducing the need for multiple workers and minimizing physical strain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple workers (three to five workers) manually lift the heating pipes, then the supply lines can be lifted, but worker health deteriorates (back problems) and personnel costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of lifting supply linesVSAvoidworker health deterioration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical lifting with a hydraulic lifting system. The hydraulic unit (comprising hydraulic pump, hydraulic cylinder, and piston) converts hydraulic energy into mechanical lifting force, allowing a single operator to lift heavy supply lines that previously required multiple workers. This substitution eliminates the harmful physical strain on workers while maintaining the lifting function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a hydraulic system to provide the lifting force. The hydraulic unit uses fluid pressure (hydraulic fluid) to generate the necessary force for lifting heavy supply lines. The hydraulic pump generates pressure, which acts on the piston within the hydraulic cylinder, producing the lifting force. This hydraulic mechanism replaces the need for multiple workers to manually lift the heavy pipes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Productivity

If multiple workers (three to five workers) manually lift the heating pipes, then the supply lines can be lifted, but cleaning costs increase due to increased personnel requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning speedVSAvoidpersonnel costs
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical lifting with a hydraulic lifting system. The hydraulic unit (comprising hydraulic pump, hydraulic cylinder, and piston) converts hydraulic energy into mechanical lifting force, allowing a single operator to lift heavy supply lines that previously required multiple workers. This substitution eliminates the harmful physical strain on workers while maintaining the lifting function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The hydraulic lifting device is designed to be operated by a single person who controls the hydraulic pump and directs the lifting operation. The system serves itself by using the hydraulic fluid pressure generated by the pump to automatically lift the supply lines, eliminating the need for coordinated manual effort by multiple workers. This self-service capability reduces personnel requirements while maintaining cleaning productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Force

If heavy supply lines (80kg to 100kg) are lifted manually, then the supply lines can be moved, but physical strain on workers increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelifting forceVSAvoidphysical strain on workers
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a hydraulic system to provide the lifting force. The hydraulic unit uses fluid pressure (hydraulic fluid) to generate the necessary force for lifting heavy supply lines. The hydraulic pump generates pressure, which acts on the piston within the hydraulic cylinder, producing the lifting force. This hydraulic mechanism replaces the need for multiple workers to manually lift the heavy pipes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The hydraulic system effectively counteracts the weight of the heavy supply lines (80kg to 100kg) by generating an equal and opposite lifting force through hydraulic pressure. The piston, acted upon by hydraulic fluid pressure, creates a counterbalancing force that lifts the heavy load, eliminating the physical strain that would otherwise be experienced by workers attempting to lift the same weight manually.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device enables quick, safe, and efficient lifting of supply lines, reducing personnel costs and improving worker health by allowing a single person to handle the task, thereby speeding up the cleaning process and lowering overall cleaning costs.

Implementation Method 1

at least one hydraulic unit, which is electrically connected to the electrical energy storage device and comprises at least one hydraulic pump, a hydraulic cylinder and a piston

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

at least one electrical energy store is arranged on the carrier element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical energy conversion: Electrical Accumulator

Data Source

PatentEP3818818A1Lifting device for lifting power lines in a greenhouse
Publication Date: 2021.05.12 SCHOENMAKER MAARTEN
  • EP3818818A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3818818A1 patent drawingFigure 3a
  • EP3818818A1 patent drawingFigure 3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a lifting device (5) for a greenhouse (1) for raising at least one supply line (3), wherein the lifting device (5) has a support element (6) on which at least one electrical energy storage device (7) is arranged, a hydraulic unit electrically connected to the electrical energy storage device (7) with at least one hydraulic pump (8), a hydraulic cylinder (9), and a piston (10) provided in the hydraulic cylinder (9), and a traction device which comprises at least one deflection element (11) and at least one traction element (12), wherein the traction device is connected to the hydraulic unit by friction and/or positive locking, and wherein the traction element (12) is connected to a connecting element (13) designed for raising the supply line (3).