Vacuum Lifter Control Lever Stop for Delicate Load Lowering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum lifting devices face challenges in safely controlling the valve actuation to prevent rapid inflation of the hose, leading to potential damage of delicate objects during lowering.

Innovation Solution

A vacuum lifting device with an operating device featuring a control lever and a stop element, such as an eccentric disc, that allows for adjustable and secure limitation of the operating travel, ensuring safe and controlled airflow based on the object being lifted.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the vent valve is opened completely to enable quick lowering, then the lowering speed increases, but the suction hose fills rapidly causing excessive descent speed that may damage delicate objects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelowering speedVSAvoiddamage risk to delicate objects
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the parameter of valve opening distance to control air intake. By limiting the maximum opening distance of the vent valve, the system prevents excessive air intake that would cause rapid hose filling and dangerous descent speeds, while still allowing sufficient air intake for adequate lowering speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a stop element as an intermediary component between the control lever and the vent valve. This stop element acts as a mechanical mediator that physically limits the valve opening distance, preventing the valve from opening too wide even if the control lever is pulled excessively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a screw arrangement is used to adjust the stop position, then the stop position can be adjusted, but considerable installation space is required making it unsuitable for direct integration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestop position adjustabilityVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the adjustment function from a separate screw arrangement and integrates it directly into the stop element itself. The stop element becomes both the limiting component and the adjustment mechanism, eliminating the need for additional linkage and reducing installation space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the stop element and adjustment mechanism into a single integrated component. The stop element can be directly positioned and fixed on the housing without requiring separate adjustment linkages, combining the functions of limitation and adjustability in one element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 simple and safe adaptation of the operating path to the load requirements, preventing rapid descent and potential damage, with easy operation and real-time actuation of the valve.

Implementation Method 1

a vacuum pump (50) which is connected to the suction hose (11) in a flow-through manner... allowing air to flow through the hose

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

This lifting element seals itself against the load to be lifted using the negative pressure in the suction hose, creating a vacuum across its entire surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum lifting: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentEP4385931B1Vacuum lifting device
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 TIMMER GMBH
  • EP4385931B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4385931B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a vacuum lifting device (10) comprising: - an evacuable suction hose (11), - a lifting element (12) operatively connected to the suction hose (11), which can be connected to a load element to be moved by means of a vacuum applied in the suction hose (11), and - an operating device (13) for controlling the vacuum in the suction hose (11), • wherein the operating device (13) has a housing (14) in which a valve (15) for controlling the vacuum is received, • wherein the valve (15) can be operated by means of a control lever (16), • wherein the control lever (16) is movable relative to the housing (14), • and wherein the operating device is further provided with a stop element (18) for limiting an operating travel (20) of the control lever (16), • and wherein the stop element (18) is adjustably arranged on the housing (14).According to the invention, the housing (14) has an extension axis (19) in the direction of which the control lever (16) is designed to be movable, wherein the stop element (18) is designed to be rotatable and/or displaceable along the extension axis (19) for limiting the operating travel (20).