Hose Lifter Valve System for Controlled Detachment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tube lifter operating devices face issues with operational safety and reliability due to unintended changes in lifting tube length during object release, leading to potential tilting, slipping, or accidental dropping of loads, especially at heights, which can result in damage or injury.
Innovation Solution
An operating device with a valve system comprising a blocking element, ventilation valve, and control valve, where the blocking element is positively coupled with the ventilation valve to prevent sudden length changes, ensuring controlled length adjustment and safe object detachment by allowing controlled air inflow through defined flow resistance, and a safety mechanism that requires the control valve to be open before venting, minimizing the risk of accidental dropping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the ventilation valve is opened to release the suction gripping device, then the object can be detached, but the lifting tube length changes uncontrollably causing the load to tilt or slip
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ventilation function into two independent flow paths: one for the lifting tube and one for the suction gripping device. The ventilation valve (44) controls air inflow to the suction gripping device separately from the lifting tube, allowing the object to be detached while the lifting tube maintains its length and the load remains stable.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking element (42) acts as an intermediary mechanism that prevents air from flowing from the lifting tube to the suction gripping device when the ventilation valve is opened. This blocking element ensures that ventilating the suction gripping device does not cause unintended length changes in the lifting tube.
2Productivity
If rapid venting is performed to release the load quickly, then detachment speed increases, but the suction gripper and load drop too quickly causing damage or injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flow resistance in the air inflow path to the lifting tube that controls the rate of air inflow. This flow resistance parameter ensures that the lifting tube lengthens in a controlled manner even when the ventilation valve is opened, preventing rapid dropping of the load while still allowing quick detachment of the object from the suction gripping device.
3Manufacturing precision
If the control valve is opened to allow air inflow for lengthening the lifting tube, then length control is improved, but unintended air inflow to the suction gripping device causes premature object release
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air flow paths by introducing a blocking element (42) that prevents air from the control valve (46) from reaching the suction gripping device. This segmentation allows the control valve to adjust lifting tube length precisely without causing unintended ventilation of the suction gripping device and premature object release.
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 solution enhances operational safety and reliability by preventing unintended length changes of the lifting tube, ensuring precise control over the lifting process, and reducing the risk of accidental object release, thus improving handling safety, especially when working with high stacks.
Implementation Method 1
The lifting hose (15) can be reversibly shortened by subjecting the hose interior (14) to negative pressure and can correspondingly be lengthened again by supplying air (e.g. ambient air) to the hose interior (14)
Implementation Method 2
A suction gripping device (16) is connected to one end of the lifting hose (15) and is supplied with negative pressure through the inner space of the hose
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an operating device (20) for a hose lifter (10) with a suction gripping device (16) arranged at one end of the lifting hose (12), wherein the operating device (20) has a suction port (30) for flow connection with the suction gripping device (16), a lifting hose port (32) for flow connection with the hose interior (14) of the lifting hose (12), and a valve assembly (36) for controlling the flow connections, wherein the valve assembly (36) comprises a locking element (42), a venting valve (44), and a control valve (46), wherein the valve assembly (36) is configured such that the control valve (46) is adjustable independently of the position of the locking element (42), and wherein the valve assembly (36) is configured such that when the venting valve (44) is in the venting position, the locking element (42) always blocks the flow path between the hose interior (14) and the suction gripping device (16). locks up.The invention also relates to a hose lifter (10) with such an operating device (20).