Valve with Limiter Element for Squeezing Pad Air Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing systems for handling palletized goods using lift heads with squeezing pads often damage goods due to high squeezing pressure, which can also damage packaging, leading to a decrease in the value of the goods.
Innovation Solution
A valve system that controls air pressure in the squeezing pads by using a valve chamber with a primary and secondary opening, and a third opening that can be blocked by a limiter element with varying diameter, allowing for precise adjustment of air pressure from a high-pressure blower, ensuring a 'soft touch' for handling fragile goods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If high pressure blower is used to inflate squeezing pads, then squeezing force is improved, but goods and packaging are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the squeezing pressure adjustable rather than fixed. The limiter element can be positioned at different locations along the longitudinal axis to dynamically change the airflow restriction, thereby dynamically adjusting the squeezing force applied to goods. This allows the system to adapt the force level to different goods types, preventing damage while maintaining effective squeezing when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure parameter by introducing a limiter element that restricts airflow from the high pressure blower. By adjusting the position of the limiter element along its longitudinal axis, the air pressure in the squeezing pads can be varied. This parameter change enables the system to use lower pressures for delicate goods while maintaining high pressure capability for more robust items, thus preventing damage while preserving squeezing effectiveness.
2Stress or pressure
If limiter element is inserted deeper into third opening, then air pressure in squeezing pads is reduced, but squeezing effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The limiter element's position along the longitudinal axis provides dynamic control over pressure levels. By adjusting the insertion depth, the system can optimize pressure for different operational requirements, maintaining reliability across various goods types rather than using a fixed pressure level that might be too high or too low for any given situation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameter continuously by moving the limiter element to different positions. This allows optimization of the pressure parameter for each specific goods type, ensuring reliable squeezing effectiveness while preventing damage. The parameter change capability enables the system to find the optimal pressure point for each scenario.
3Power
If valve chamber allows all air from blower to reach squeezing pads, then pressure delivery is maximized, but damage to goods occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The limiter element acts as an intermediary between the high pressure blower and the squeezing pads. It mediates the airflow by restricting it to appropriate levels, preventing the full force of the high pressure blower from directly acting on the goods. This intermediary component protects packaging from damage while still delivering sufficient pressure for effective squeezing by adjusting the airflow restriction according to goods requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameter delivered to the squeezing pads by using the limiter element to restrict airflow from the high pressure blower. This parameter change prevents excessive pressure that would damage packaging while maintaining adequate pressure delivery for effective squeezing operation.
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 valve system allows for controlled air pressure adjustment, reducing the risk of damage to goods and packaging, enabling efficient handling of various types of goods by maintaining the correct air pressure during lifting and movement.
Implementation Method 1
the valve spool for blocking said third opening comprises a limiter element, wherein said limiter element and/or said third opening has a varying diameter along the longitudinal axis of said limiter element, where the limiter element is adapted to be inserted along its longitudinal axis in said third opening, and where the extent of insertion of said limiter element changes the amount of air passing through said third opening
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a valve to be used when blowing air into squeezing pads from a high pressure blower such as a side duct blower, said valve comprising a valve chamber comprising a primary set of openings with a first opening connected to said high pressure blower and a second opening connected to said squeezing pads, whereby air can be transferred through said valve chamber between said squeezing pads and said high pressure blower, said valve chamber further comprising a third opening, whereby air from said first opening can pass through said third opening, and where air not passing through said third opening passes through said second opening, said valve further comprising a valve spool for blocking said third opening and thereby changing the amount of air passing through said third opening. The valve spool for blocking said third opening comprises a limiter element, wherein said limiter element and/or said third opening has a varying diameter along its longitudinal axis, where the limiter element is adapted to be inserted along its longitudinal axis in said third opening, and where the extent of insertion of said limiter element changes the amount of air passing through said third opening. The invention further relates to a lift head with the above valve.