Suction Lifting Device Pneumatic Pinch Valve Compact Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suction lifting devices for emptying tanks are bulky and heavy due to the need for large pipe cross-sections and heavy shut-off valves, which limits their compactness and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A suction lifting device with a blocking element in the downpipe section, such as a pneumatic pinch valve, allows for prefilling with reduced power, eliminating the need for complex liquid lifting over the drain pipe apex and enabling a more compact design with lighter components, and utilizing a storage tank to initiate the suction process without additional pump power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional shut-off valves and large pipe cross-sections are used, then the suction lifting device can handle large tank contents, but the device becomes heavy and bulky

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetank contents handling capacityVSAvoiddevice weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the heavy shut-off valve function by replacing it with a pneumatic pinch valve that uses a flexible hose instead of a traditional mechanical valve. This removes the need for heavy components while maintaining the ability to control large volumes of liquid flow

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a flexible hose that can be pinched closed to function as a shut-off mechanism. This flexible film approach replaces rigid, heavy valve components with a lightweight flexible structure that achieves the same flow control function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Productivity

If complex liquid lifting processes are used to lift liquid above the drain pipe apex, then the suction lifting device can empty tanks completely, but the power requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetank emptying capabilityVSAvoidpower requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-filling the downpipe section with liquid before the suction lifting process begins. This creates the necessary hydrostatic pressure head in advance, eliminating the need for complex pumping operations to lift liquid above the apex during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical pumping systems with a gravity-based hydrostatic pressure system. By pre-filling the downpipe, the system uses gravitational potential energy of the pre-positioned liquid to drive the suction process, eliminating the need for additional power-intensive lifting mechanisms

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

3Power

If heavy components and large installation space are used, then the suction lifting device can achieve required performance, but the device compactness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction lifting performanceVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes heavy components such as traditional shut-off valves and complex pumping equipment, retaining only the essential suction mechanism and pneumatic pinch valve. This extraction of non-essential heavy components reduces installation space while maintaining performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The use of flexible hoses and thin-film pneumatic pinch valves replaces bulky rigid piping and valve assemblies. These flexible components require minimal installation space while maintaining the necessary flow control and suction capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 results in a compact, lightweight suction lifting device that can empty tanks quickly with reduced installation space and weight, allowing for faster tank emptying and reduced waiting times, particularly beneficial for vehicle applications.

Implementation Method 1

a suction lift is a device for lifting a liquid based on a gravitational hydrostatic pressure difference between different sections of a discharge line of the suction lift

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitational hydrostatic pressure difference: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

Typically, this involves creating a vacuum in a section of the discharge line. Due to this vacuum, the contents of a tank are lifted from a riser section of the discharge line to a downpipe section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 3

A suction lifting device with a blocking element in the downpipe section, by means of which a liquid can be trapped in the downpipe section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP3889444B1Suction lifting device for operating the suction lifting device
Publication Date: 2024.02.07 SIEMENS MOBILITY GMBH
  • EP3889444B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3889444B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3889444B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a suction lifting device (10) for emptying a tank (12). The suction lifting device (10) has a discharge line (14) with a downpipe section (16) and a uppipe section (18). A locking element (20) is arranged in the downpipe section (16). By means of the locking element (20), a liquid can be stored in the downpipe section (16).