EP3610153B1 - Portable pump unit - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a pump unit that can be carried by an operator for pressure filling of inflatable filling spaces with a fluid, preferably with compressed air, in particular lifting cushions, barrier cushions, tents or the like, with the features of the preamble of claim 1.

Technological background

In rescue and disaster operations, easy access to the scene of the accident is not always given, so that heavy equipment is often eliminated. A quick rescue is vital for people who are buried, trapped and / or trapped. Lifting bags have established themselves as a tried and tested means of lifting debris, overturned vehicles or the like. Lifting bags are a good way of rescuing particularly in the case of destroyed buildings, whether due to earthquakes, gas explosions, acts of war or the like, or in the event of accidents with vehicles.

Lifting bags are usually used in their flattened shape in small gaps, for example between pieces of debris, and are inflated with compressed air from compressed air cylinders. A pressure of up to 12 bar is usually used for operation. As a result, the lifting bag expands in a predetermined direction which is predetermined by the construction of the lifting bag. In addition to a compressed air cylinder, various other components are necessary for the use of lifting bags, such as: B. Pressure reducers, manometers and connecting hoses between the individual components.

Rescue workers are exposed to very high levels of stress during rescue operations. In addition, rescue operations must be carried out particularly quickly in order to save human lives. Because of this need rescue equipment be particularly easy and safe to use at the scene of the accident.

State of the art in print

A pump unit according to the preamble of claim 1 is from DE 10 2007 014 467 A1 known. The pump unit has a control unit in which the operation of the fluid pump can be controlled by an on / off switch. The on / off switch is located either directly on the control unit housed in the pump unit or on the free end of the hose, which can be connected to the lifting bag. The lifting bag is inflated by pressing the switch. The result is that fluid is pumped into the cushion with maximum power. Especially during rescue operations where a lifting bag is used to lift z. B. a collapsed wall or the like. Is used, this can lead to uncontrolled conditions which endanger a buried person.

The DE 10 2013 109 215 A1 discloses a bicycle with an automatic pressurization system. The system enables the automatic adjustment of the gas pressure of a component of the bicycle which is exposed to a gaseous medium to a predetermined level. For this purpose, certain setpoint values are specified via an operating element, which are then implemented by a control unit. Two pressure sensors are connected to a control unit via electrical lines, which in turn controls control valves.

From the EP 3 034 876 A1 a compressor with a manually adjustable pressure regulator is known, with which the pressure at the outlet of the compressor can be adjusted via a rotary knob. The pressure plate comprises a control cylinder in which there is a spring-loaded piston, the axial position of which can be changed by actuating the rotary knob. The pressure at the outlet can be increased or reduced by changing the axial position. The purpose of this idea is to provide a consumer with media of proper pressure. The flow rate is regulated indirectly via the spring.

The WO 2007/140596 discloses a battery operated portable reciprocating compressor.

The DE 10 2007 014 467 A1 shows a rescue unit portable on the back of an operator for disaster relief, comprising an electric motor, a fluid pump, an accumulator and a control unit. The control unit can be operated by the operator using the on-switch. A pressure gauge with an integrated safety valve is also provided.

From the U.S. 5,370,504 a piston compressor is known which has a tank with an outlet, a valve being integrated into the outlet, with which the outlet can be opened or closed.

Object of the present invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a pump unit of the generic type which ensures improved safety in use.

Solution of the task

The above object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Appropriate refinements of the present invention are claimed in the subclaims.

According to the invention, a pump unit that can be carried by an operator is provided for pressure filling inflatable filling spaces with a fluid, preferably air, in particular lifting cushions, barrier cushions, tents or the like, the pump unit being a fluid pump, an electric motor for driving the fluid pump, an accumulator, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the fluid pump, a connection for connecting a fluid hose leading to the filling chamber and one on the pump unit positioned, manually operable control valve includes. Because a control valve positioned directly on the pump unit is provided, a single operator who operates the pump unit can also fill the lifting bag in a controlled manner at any time directly at the point of use, so that dangerous states of the type mentioned can be effectively avoided. Valve units that have to be carried separately can be omitted. The operator only needs to connect the fluid hose to the pump unit and the cushion for the rescue operation and can start the rescue operation immediately.

The fluid pump can expediently be a compressor, in particular a piston compressor, a turbo compressor, or even, in the case of special filling spaces, a fan.

The pump unit can expediently comprise a housing or a support frame, wherein the control valve can be accommodated directly in or on the housing or support frame. This ensures that a fully operational pump unit can easily be carried by an operator and only has to be connected to the fluid hose (plug and play). The accommodation of the control valve in or on the housing or support frame has the further advantage that no other components need to be carried in addition to the pump unit. The operator does not have to worry about the connection of several components during the rescue operation, but can concentrate immediately on the person to be rescued.

The control valve can preferably be accommodated in a valve block or be part of the same. As it is housed in the valve block, the control valve is no longer loose and does not have to be held in place. The valve block and thus the control valve can be fixed in a simple manner in or on the housing or support frame.

In addition, the control valve can be positioned directly on the fluid pump. The control valve and the fluid pump can be directly connected. A pressure measuring device can preferably be provided on the pump unit which directly detects and displays the filling pressure of the inflatable filling space. By means of the pressure measuring device, the pumping up can be monitored by the operator directly on the pump unit which he is operating, which enables controlled filling. Especially when filling a lifting bag, a controlled lifting of debris is essential so that no sudden uncontrolled load distribution occurs.

The pressure measuring device can expediently be located between the connection and the control valve so that it is able to directly measure the pressure that is constantly prevailing in the filling space or in the fluid line to the filling space. To monitor the filling pressure, the pressure measuring device is also already at the point d required for this. H. pre-installed on the pump unit.

The pressure measuring device can preferably also be accommodated in or on the valve block.

The present invention also makes it possible to connect the control valve to the control unit via a signal line. As a result, the current operating mode of the control valve can be transmitted to the control unit. The operator can thus control the control unit and, for example, the electric motor of the fluid pump as required via the control valve. For example, the engine speed and thus the delivery rate of the pump can be controlled by the operator as a function of the position of the control valve. This enables z. B. a particularly precise lifting of a load by means of a lifting bag.

In addition, the pressure measuring device can also be connected to the control unit via a signal line. Thus, the control unit can, for example, record the pressure curve over time and B. control the electric motor accordingly. Furthermore, a pressure-dependent readjustment of the delivery rate, for example in the event of a pressure drop z. B. take place in the lifting bag.

The signal lines between the control unit and the control valve as well as the pressure measuring device can be relevant in particular for automatic or semi-automatic operation of the pump unit for maintaining a setpoint pressure or for maintaining a desired filling characteristic curve by the control unit.

It can be expedient for a plurality, in particular at least two, control valves to be provided on the pump unit. Thus, for example, two lifting bags can be inflated in a controlled manner by an operator without the need for additional components. The simultaneous use of two lifting bags is ideal, for example, in order to improve control over the load distribution of e.g. B. to ensure debris to be lifted.

The control valve can preferably be a 3/3 way valve, which has a pumping position (pressure build-up), a bypass position (no pressure build-up, no relief) and a venting position (relief).

It is particularly advantageous if the control valve is a proportional valve. This allows one depending on manual operation d. H. depending on the position of the operating device of the control valve, proportional valve function, whereby hard switching transitions can be avoided.

Alternatively, the invention also makes it possible to actuate the control valve from the control unit even autonomously if necessary.

A cooling fan can expediently be arranged on the fluid pump. This ensures that the fluid pump does not overheat, even with continuous use.

The mode of operation of the pump unit is preferably characterized in that the filling chamber is filled with fluid in a first operating mode, the pressure in the filling chamber is kept at least essentially constant in a second operating mode, and the control valve a first signal for the first operating mode transmitted to the control unit, the control valve for the second operating mode transmits a second signal to the control unit, wherein the control unit detects the first or second signal, and controls the electric motor according to the first or second signal. In the second operating mode, the electric motor can be switched off with a switch-off signal, for example, in order to save energy in the accumulator.

In a third operating mode, fluid can be drained from the filling space. The third operating mode can also be controlled via the control valve. In the third operating mode, the control valve can transmit a third signal to the control unit, whereupon the control unit regulates and / or switches off the electric motor accordingly. This has the advantage that the electric motor is only switched on and consumes energy when fluid is required for pressure filling the filling space.

The pressure measuring device can expediently transmit the measured pressure to the control unit, the control unit detecting the change in the pressure over time and sending a switch-on and / or switch-off signal to the electric motor depending on the change in pressure over time. By monitoring the pressure, the control unit can, for example, switch on the electric motor in preparation, even before the pressurized fluid is required at the control valve.

In addition to the ability to manually actuate the control valve, it can also be provided that the control unit actuates the control valve autonomously. Expediently, when the pressure falls below a first limit value, the control unit sends a signal for the first operating mode to the control valve. Thus, in the event of a pressure drop, the inflatable filling space is again filled with fluid so that the pressure rises again above the first limit value. This method can be used, for example, if the inflatable filling space is to be kept at or above a certain pressure over a long period of time, for example in the case of lifting bags, barrier cushions or inflatable tents.

When a desired pressure value is reached, the control unit can preferably send a signal for the second operating mode to the control valve. Thus, the pressure can be kept autonomously by the control unit at the setpoint value through the second operating mode. A previous filling or draining of the fluid into or from the inflatable filling space is thus ended.

When the pressure exceeds a second limit value, the control unit can expediently send a signal for the third operating mode to the control valve. In order to counteract an unwanted increase in pressure, the fluid is drained from the inflatable filling space in the third operating mode. The control unit can therefore monitor the overpressure protection autonomously.

In particular when maintaining and monitoring the filling pressure over a longer period of time, an operator can be relieved or replaced by the autonomous regulation of the pressure by the control unit.

Description of the invention based on exemplary embodiments

Fig. 1

eine stark vereinfachte schematische Darstellung der Verwendung der Pumpeneinheit beim Befüllen eines Hebekissens für einen Bergungseinsatz;

Fig. 2

eine stark vereinfachte schematische Darstellung der Pumpeneinheit mit einem Ventilblock;

Fig. 3

eine stark vereinfachte schematische Darstellung der Pumpeneinheit mit zwei Steuerventilen; sowie

Fig. 4

einen beispielhaften zeitlichen Verlauf des Druckes an der Druckmesseinrichtung und entsprechende Betriebszustände des Steuerventils und des Elektromotors z. B. bei einem automatischen Betrieb.

Expedient embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing figures. Show it:

Fig. 1

a greatly simplified schematic representation of the use of the pump unit when filling a lifting bag for a rescue operation;

Fig. 2

a greatly simplified schematic representation of the pump unit with a valve block;

Fig. 3

a greatly simplified schematic representation of the pump unit with two control valves; such as

Fig. 4

an exemplary time course of the pressure at the pressure measuring device and corresponding operating states of the control valve and the electric motor z. B. in an automatic operation.

In Fig. 1 a portable pump unit 10 is shown in an exemplary rescue operation. The operator can independently carry and operate the portable pump unit 10. The pump unit 10 is connected to a lifting bag 2 via the connection 18 by means of a fluid hose 3. The lifting bag 2 is placed between debris and is filled with a fluid, e.g. B. compressed air filled, for example, to widen a gap between the debris. The operator has to carry a device unit in the form of the pump unit 10, which already includes all the components required for filling inflatable filling spaces, such as a lifting bag. Only one fluid hose connection 3 is required, which is located between the pump unit 10 and the lifting bag 2.

A more detailed illustration of the pump unit 10 according to the invention according to FIG Fig. 1 is in Fig. 2 shown. The pump unit 10 is connected to the lifting bag 2 by means of a fluid hose 3. To facilitate transport, the pump unit 10 has a support frame 19 which additionally has a stand 22 for securely placing it on the floor.

The individual components are accommodated directly on the support frame 19. The pump unit 10 thus has a fluid pump 12 (for example a compressor, in particular a piston compressor) in order to provide the pressure required to fill an inflatable filling space, such as the lifting bag 2 here. The fluid pump 12 is driven by an electric motor 11 and cooled by a cooling fan 14. The electric motor 11 and the cooling fan 14 are in turn fed with energy by an accumulator 13. To control the electric motor 11, the pump unit 10 includes a control unit 17. The fluid pump 12 is also connected to a manually operated control valve 16 which is arranged directly on the pump unit 10 and which enables the lifting bag 2 to be filled in a controlled manner.

The control valve 16 is accommodated in a valve block 23 which is also accommodated on the support frame 19. The valve block 23 is positioned directly on the fluid pump 12. The pump unit 10 has a connection 18 in order to connect the fluid hose 3 to the pump unit 10 before use. The connection 18 is in communication with the control valve 16.

The control valve 16 is preferably a 3/3-way valve which in the left valve position has a pumping position (pressure build-up), in the central valve position a bypass position (no pressure build-up, no relief) and in the right valve position a vent position ( Discharge). This is preferably a so-called proportional valve.

Between the control valve 16 and the connection 18 on the valve block 23 there is also a pressure measuring device 24 for monitoring and displaying the filling pressure of the lifting bag 2. In addition, as in FIG Fig. 2 shown, a safety valve 15 can be arranged between the fluid pump 12 and the control valve 16. The safety valve 15 can expediently be a pressure limiting valve in order to secure the pump unit 10 against excessively high pressure and to avoid damage.

The control valve 16 is connected to the control unit 17 via a signal line 20. The current operating mode or the current position of the control valve 16 can, for example, be transmitted to the control unit 17 via the signal line 20. The control unit 17 can control the electric motor 11 accordingly and switch the electric motor 11 on or off or regulate the power of the electric motor 11 as required. In addition, the pressure measuring device 24 can be connected to the control unit 17 via a further signal line 21. The control unit 17 can, for example, record the pressure curve over time.

Furthermore, a cooling fan 14 can be arranged on the fluid pump 12 if necessary. This can also be connected to the control unit 17 via a signal line.

In a special embodiment, in which an autonomous operation of the pump unit 10 is provided as an alternative or in addition to manual operation, the control unit 17 can transmit control signals to the control valve 16. Depending on the situation, the control unit 17 can regulate filling, draining or maintaining the filling pressure at the control valve 16 in accordance with the pressure curve, for example to set a target pressure in the inflatable filling chamber, such as B. in a pneumatic tent or a lifting bag for repairs.

In Fig. 3 Another embodiment of the pump unit 10 is shown with two control valves 16 integrated therein. Each control valve 16 has a separate connection 18. It is thus possible to fill two lifting bags 2 at the same time with a single pump unit 10. The pump unit 10 also comprises a support frame 19 with a stand 22. All components are accommodated on the support frame 19. The fluid pump 12, the cooling fan 14, the safety valve 15, the electric motor 11, the accumulator 13 and the control unit 17 are provided in a simple design. The fluid pump 12 is connected to both control valves 16. Each control valve 16 also has a separate pressure measuring device 24. The control unit 17 is connected to the control valves 16 via the signal lines 20 and to the pressure measuring devices 24 via the signal lines 21. The two control valves 16 are housed in a common valve block 23, as are the two pressure measuring devices 24. The valve block 23 is arranged or attached directly to the fluid pump 12.

In Fig. 4 an exemplary time course of the measured filling pressure of an inflatable filling space on the pressure measuring device 24 and the corresponding operating states of the control valve 16 and the electric motor 11 in automatic or semi-automatic operation are shown. In section I the pressure drops from the setpoint value, the control valve 16 being on hold and the electric motor 11 being switched off. As soon as the pressure falls below the 1st limit value, the control valve 16 is switched to the first operating mode in section II in order to fill the filling space with fluid. The electric motor 11 is switched on accordingly via the control unit 17. When the setpoint is reached at the pressure measuring device 24 in section III, the control valve 16 is switched back to the second operating mode for maintaining the filling pressure by the control unit 17, the electric motor 11 being switched off. In section IV, the control valve 16 is switched to the first operating mode in a manner analogous to section II, before it receives a signal from the control unit 17 in section V to switch to the second operating mode to maintain the filling pressure. In the event that, despite switching to the second operating mode, there is a further increase in pressure at the pressure measuring device 24 above a second limit value, the control unit 17 switches the control valve 16 to a third operating mode. In section VI, the control valve 16 is in the third operating mode in order to drain the fluid from the inflatable filling space, the electric motor 11 still being switched off. When the target value is reached in section VII, the control valve 16 is switched over by the control unit 17, analogously to sections I and III, to the second operating mode for maintaining the filling pressure. The control of the control valve 16 and the electric motor 11 in sections VIII and IX takes place in a manner analogous to the control in sections II and III.

REFERENCE LIST

10

Pump unit

11

Electric motor

12

Fluid pump

13

accumulator

14th

Cooling fan

15th

Safety valve

16

Control valve

17th

Control unit

18th

connection

19th

Support frame

20th

Signal line

21st

Signal line

22nd

Stand

23

Valve block

24

Pressure measuring device

2

Lifting bag

3

Fluid hose

Claims (17)

1. Pump unit (10) able to be carried by an operating person for pressurized filling with a fluid, preferably compressed air, of inflatable filling chambers, in particular of lifting bags (2), blocking bags, tents or the like, comprising
   a fluid pump (12),
   an electric motor (11) for driving the fluid pump (12),
   an accumulator (13),
   a control unit (17) for controlling the operation of the fluid pump,
   a connector (18) for connecting a fluid tube (3) leading to the filling chamber, and
   a control valve (16) in the form of a multi-way valve that is positioned on the pump unit (10),
   characterized in that
   the control valve (16) is manually actuatable,
   the control valve (16) is connected to the control unit (17) via a signal line (20), and
   the electric motor (11) is controllable by actuation of the control valve (16).
2. Pump unit (10) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the portable pump unit (10) comprises a housing or a supporting frame (19), and the control valve (16) is accommodated in or on the housing or supporting frame (19).
3. Pump unit (10) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control valve (16) is accommodated in a valve block (23) or is a constituent part thereof.
4. Pump unit (10) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the valve block (23) is positioned on the fluid pump (12).
5. Pump unit (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that there is provided a pressure-measuring device (24) which measures the filling pressure of the inflatable filling chamber.
6. Pump unit (10) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the pressure-measuring device (24) is situated between the connector (18) and the control valve (16).
7. Pump unit (10) according to Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the pressure-measuring device (24) is accommodated in the valve block (23).
8. Pump unit (10) according to at least one of Claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the pressure-measuring device (24) has a display.
9. Pump unit (10) according to at least one of Claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the pressure-measuring device (24) is connected to the control unit (17) via a signal line (21).
10. Pump unit (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two control valves (16) are provided at the pump unit (10), wherein each control valve (16) has a connector (18) for connecting a fluid tube (3) leading to in each case one filling chamber.
11. Pump unit (10) according to Claim 10, characterized in that a common fluid pump (12) is provided for the at least two control valves (16).
12. Pump unit (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control valve (16) is a 3/3-way valve.
13. Pump unit (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control valve (16) is a proportional valve.
14. Pump unit (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cooling fan (14) is arranged on the fluid pump (12).
15. Pump unit (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that,
    in a first operating mode, the filling chamber is filled with fluid,
    in a second operating mode, the pressure in the filling chamber is kept at least substantially constant,
    for the first operating mode, the control valve (16) transmits a first signal to the control unit (17),
    for the second operating mode, the control valve (16) transmits a second signal to the control unit (17), wherein
    the control unit (17) detects the signals, and controls the electric motor (11) according to the signals.
16. Pump unit (10) according to Claim 15, characterized in that, in a third operating mode, fluid is discharged from the filling chamber and, for the third operating mode, the control valve (16) transmits a third signal to the control unit (17).
17. Pump unit (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (17) detects the temporal variation of the pressure and, in a manner dependent thereon, regulates and/or switches on or off the electric motor (11).

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