Hydraulic Container Lifting Station With Directional Valve

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container treatment systems require complex mechanical control mechanisms, leading to high wear, reduced acceleration rates, and increased installation space and costs, particularly due to the need for multiple control cams and complex lifting cylinder systems.

Innovation Solution

A treatment station equipped with a hydraulic actuator and a 4/3-way directional valve for precise and quick vertical movement of containers, eliminating mechanical control cams and enabling high acceleration rates in a compact design with integrated lubrication for low wear, and a position sensor for reliable positioning without referencing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical control cams and complex lifting cylinder systems are used, then the system can control the lifting movement, but the device complexity increases and wear increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical control cam system with a hydraulic control system. The lifting cylinder is controlled by a directional control valve that directs hydraulic fluid to raise or lower the container, eliminating the need for mechanical cams and their associated wear and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a hydraulic actuator system where a directional control valve controls the flow of hydraulic fluid to the lifting cylinder. This hydraulic system provides precise control of the lifting movement without the mechanical wear inherent in cam-based systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Speed

If mechanical roller controls are used, then the lifting movement can be controlled, but the acceleration rates are reduced and wear increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveacceleration rateVSAvoidwear

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical roller controls with a hydraulic control system. The directional control valve enables rapid control of hydraulic fluid flow, allowing high acceleration rates without the friction and wear associated with mechanical rollers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The hydraulic actuator system with directional control valve provides rapid response and high acceleration rates. The hydraulic fluid transmits force efficiently without the mechanical friction that limits acceleration in roller-based systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Ease of operation

If multiple control cams and complex lifting cylinder systems are installed, then the lifting function can be achieved, but the installation space increases and installation becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelifting controlVSAvoidinstallation space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the unnecessary mechanical control cams from the system, retaining only the essential lifting function. The hydraulic control system achieves the same lifting control with significantly reduced space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The hydraulic control system with directional control valve serves multiple functions: it controls lifting, positioning, and movement with a single integrated system, replacing the need for multiple separate mechanical control components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 allows for high acceleration rates, precise positioning, and reduced wear, enabling a compact, cost-effective, and flexible system for treating containers with reduced variants for different formats and machines.

Implementation Method 1

a hydraulic actuator (26) for raising and lowering the container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

a directional control valve, preferably a 4/3-way valve, for controlling an inflow to the hydraulic actuator (26) and a return flow from the hydraulic actuator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow control: Valve

Implementation Method 3

thanks to integrated lubrication, the hydraulic actuator can be particularly wear-resistant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP4335810A1Treatment station and device for treating containers

Publication Date: 2024.03.13 KRONES AG

Figure 1
Figure 2

AI summary

The invention relates, inter alia, to a treatment station (10) for a device (64) for treating containers (12). The treatment station (10) has a filling element (18) for filling a container (12) positioned in the treatment station (10) and a closing element (22) for closing the container (12) positioned in the treatment station (10). The treatment station (10) further comprises a lifting device (40) which includes a hydraulic actuator (26) for moving the container (12) and a directional control valve (28) for controlling an inflow to the hydraulic actuator (26) and a return flow from the hydraulic actuator (26).