Hose Lifter Valve with Spring-Default Open Position
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tube lifters face challenges in achieving precise and simple operation, often resulting in imprecise load transport due to complex adjustment mechanisms and potential dangerous situations from sudden load lowering.
Innovation Solution
A tube lifter design where the closing element is held in the open position by an energy accumulator in the unactuated state, allowing maximum external air inflow, ensuring the suction cup is in its lower position, and featuring a valve body with a sleeve-shaped closing element that smoothly regulates external air supply, preventing abrupt force changes during manual actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manually operable valve unit with a control element is used to regulate external air supply, then the vacuum level can be adjusted to control lifting hose length, but the operation becomes complex and imprecise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex multi-position control mechanism and replaces it with a simple two-position system (open/closed) using a button-actuated valve. The continuous adjustment function is replaced by a discrete on/off control combined with spring force, eliminating the complexity of multi-position valves while maintaining functional capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a control element that requires active manipulation to maintain vacuum (closed position), the invention inverts the logic: the valve defaults to open position allowing air ingress, and vacuum is achieved only when the button is actively pressed to close the valve. This inversion simplifies the resting state while maintaining control capability.
2Strength
If a screw arrangement acts on two springs for adjustment, then structural support is provided, but the adjustment becomes imprecise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the screw arrangement entirely, extracting the mechanical adjustment mechanism that caused imprecision. The spring support function is retained but simplified to work directly with the button-actuated valve without intermediate mechanical adjustment components.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring automatically provides the necessary support force to the closing element without requiring manual adjustment or screw mechanisms. The system self-regulates the force application, eliminating the need for precision mechanical adjustment while maintaining structural support.
3Reliability
If the closing element is held in closed position by spring force, then vacuum is maintained, but sudden load lowering may occur creating dangerous situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using spring force to continuously push the closing element toward the open position, creating a default state that prevents excessive vacuum buildup. This counteracting force ensures that even if the button is released, the valve tends to open rather than remain closed, preventing sudden load dropping.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring acts as a cushioning element that prevents the closing element from abruptly transitioning to the closed position. The spring force provides a gradual, controlled movement that cushions against sudden changes in vacuum level, thereby preventing dangerous load lowering scenarios.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If external air supply is provided in unactuated state, then suction cup remains in lower position for safety, but lifting operation requires continuous manual actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action where the button is pressed intermittently to close the valve and maintain vacuum only when lifting is needed. The system naturally returns to the safe open state between operations, creating a rhythm of brief active control followed by passive safe state, balancing safety with operational efficiency.
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
This design enables precise and safe load transport with smooth operation, preventing dangerous situations by maintaining the suction cup in its lower position until manual actuation, ensuring controlled height adjustment and secure locking mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
the closing element (41) is held in the open position for external air supply by means of the force effect of an energy accumulator (42)
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum generator E, a pump or a blower depending on the application, is provided to generate a volume flow and provide the required vacuum
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a tube lifter for suction and transporting loads by means of suction force with a suction foot arrangement (2) which can be acted upon by a control unit (3) operatively connected to a geodesically lower end of a lifting tube (A) with a vacuum formed in a vacuum chamber, wherein the control unit (3) for varying the vacuum comprises a manually actuated valve unit (4) received in a housing body with a channel arrangement formed in a valve body (40) in flow communication with the vacuum chamber for supplying external air and wherein the external air volume flow can be regulated by means of a manually actuated closing element (41) which can be moved between a closed position and an open position by means of an actuating mechanism against the force of a power storage device (42) to change the flow cross-section of the channel arrangement.User-friendly handling and reliable function are achieved by holding the closing element (41) in the open position for external air supply by means of the force of the energy storage device (42) in the manually unactuated rest state, whereby the suction foot arrangement (2) assumes its lower position in the rest state (Fig. 2).