Hose Lifter Control Valve for Stable Floating Position
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tube lifters face challenges in maintaining a stable floating position when the suction point is unoccupied, leading to undesirable lengthening of the lifting hose and potential disruption during object handling.
Innovation Solution
A control valve with a valve body that automatically adjusts flow resistance between the suction gripping device and the lifting hose, switching between a smaller and larger flow cross section based on the occupancy of the suction point, allowing for a predefined floating position and enhanced suction power when needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a throttle valve flap is provided to maintain a floating position of the lifting hose, then the hose can remain at a preset suspended height when the suction point is unoccupied, but the device complexity increases due to the additional throttle mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve automatically adjusts the flow resistance based on the suction point occupancy status without requiring external control mechanisms. The valve body itself responds to the presence or absence of an object at the suction point, enabling the system to self-regulate the lifting hose position and suction power without additional complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The control valve serves multiple functions: it maintains the floating position of the lifting hose when the suction point is unoccupied and provides high suction power when an object is gripped. This single component handles both the positioning and suction control tasks that would otherwise require separate mechanisms
2Power
If a plunger is provided to automatically open the throttle valve flap when the suction gripper is placed on an object, then full suction power is restored, but the plunger creates an undesirable obstruction during gripping
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger mechanism that caused obstruction during gripping has been removed from the suction gripping device. Instead, the control valve is positioned in the flow path between the suction gripping device and the lifting hose, allowing it to respond to suction point occupancy without interfering with the gripping operation itself
Solution Approach 2:
The control valve acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the suction gripping device and the lifting hose. It detects the occupancy status through the flow conditions and automatically adjusts the flow resistance accordingly, without requiring direct mechanical interaction with the suction gripper that would cause obstruction
3Ease of operation
If the lifting hose is allowed to extend when the suction point is unoccupied, then the hose returns to its original length, but this causes disruption during object handling as the lifter moves to an end position
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve dynamically adjusts the flow resistance based on real-time conditions. When the suction point is unoccupied, it maintains a flow resistance that keeps the lifting hose at a suspended floating position rather than allowing full extension, providing stability during object handling while still allowing controlled movement when needed
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
Enables the tube lifter to maintain a stable floating position during free suction and provide high suction power when gripping objects, improving operational efficiency and reducing the need for manual adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
a control valve for adjusting a flow resistance for flows from the suction gripping device to the lifting hose
Implementation Method 2
The lifting force is exerted by means of a lifting hose, which can be shortened by applying a vacuum to its interior and lengthened again by releasing the vacuum
Implementation Method 3
Contact between the suction point and an object to be transported then creates a seal extending into the interior of the lifting hose, so that the negative pressure acting within the lifting hose shortens the hose and thus lifts the object
Implementation Method 4
a vent valve is usually provided. Ambient air can be supplied to the lifting hose through this valve, overriding the negative pressure inside the hose
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a hose lifter (10) comprising a lifting hose (12), a suction gripping device (18) with at least one suction point (20), and a control valve (24) for adjusting a flow resistance for flows from the suction gripping device to the lifting hose, wherein the control valve comprises a valve body (36) which is displaceable between a first switching position and a second switching position, wherein a total flow cross-section for flows from the suction gripping device to the lifting hose is smaller in the first switching position than in the second switching position, but greater than zero, wherein the valve body is actuated in the direction of the second switching position and has a throttle passage (48) such that the valve body, starting from the second switching position,In the case of free suction with at least one unoccupied suction point, the system is moved into the first switching position against the direction of the application, and in the case of suction with at least one occupied suction point, the system is moved from the first switching position to the second switching position by the application of the application.