EP3992135B1 - Hose lifter - Google Patents

Hose lifter Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3992135B1
EP3992135B1 EP21203241.1A EP21203241A EP3992135B1 EP 3992135 B1 EP3992135 B1 EP 3992135B1 EP 21203241 A EP21203241 A EP 21203241A EP 3992135 B1 EP3992135 B1 EP 3992135B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
closing element
valve body
lifter according
locking
hose
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP21203241.1A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3992135A1 (en
EP3992135C0 (en
Inventor
Stefan Hömens
Verena Christina Kimmi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Aero Lift Vakuumtechnik GmbH
Original Assignee
Aero Lift Vakuumtechnik GmbH
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Publication of EP3992135A1 publication Critical patent/EP3992135A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3992135B1 publication Critical patent/EP3992135B1/en
Publication of EP3992135C0 publication Critical patent/EP3992135C0/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
    • B66C1/00—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles
    • B66C1/02—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles by suction means
    • B66C1/0256—Operating and control devices

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a tube lifter for sucking and transporting loads by means of suction force with a squeegee arrangement, which can be acted upon by a vacuum formed in a vacuum space via an operating unit which is operatively connected to a geodetically lower end of a lifting hose (A), the operating unit being used to vary the Vacuum comprises a manually operable valve unit accommodated in a housing body with a channel arrangement formed in a valve body and in flow connection with the vacuum space for supplying external air and wherein the external air volume flow can be operated manually by means of an actuating mechanism against the force of an energy accumulator to change the flow cross section the channel arrangement can be regulated between a closing position and an open position.
  • a tube lifter for sucking in and transporting loads with a manual control unit of this type is available, for example DE 20 2018 100 403 U1 stated.
  • There is a control valve in the operating unit that can be adjusted between a closed position and an open position, with a control channel being released for supplying external air from the environment in the open position and the control channel being essentially closed in the closed position.
  • the tube lifter has a lifting hose the lower end of which is connected to a suction gripping device and the negative pressure inside the lifting hose can be regulated via the control unit in order to shorten it more or less depending on the position of the control valve of the lifting hose and thus change the height of the suction gripping device.
  • this also shows another tube lifter DE 10 2008 028 205 C5 and also the DE 100 38 013 A1 , which discloses a tube lifter according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • an external air supply from the environment is provided in the unactuated state of a control member by setting a normal position of the control member in order to specify a sufficiently low pressure in a housing from a negative pressure source and thus to set a maximum height of the work object under load.
  • An operating device for a tube lifter is also shown EP 3 536 650 A1 .
  • a vacuum generator E depending on the application a pump or a blower, is provided to generate a volume flow and to provide the required vacuum.
  • the structure shown has a column D with a swivel boom B, on which the lifting hose A is suspended and connected to the vacuum generator E via a supply line C.
  • the vacuum reaches a suction foot arrangement 2 or a suction foot through a filter unit F, via the supply line C, a swivel joint, the lifting hose A and an operating unit 3 in the form of an operating head in order to suck in and transport the goods to be transported.
  • Ambient air or external air that previously flowed in through the squeegee is largely or completely reduced, causing the vacuum in the entire system to increase.
  • the vacuum increases sharply, the previously slack lifting hose A contracts.
  • a spring is embedded in the lifting hose, which, among other things, ensures that the lifting hose does not implode.
  • the lifting force is greater than the weight of the goods being transported, they are lifted.
  • the vacuum in the entire system is increased or reduced.
  • the length of the lifting hose A expands and the operating head with the suction base and the goods to be transported lowers.
  • the vacuum increases, whereby the length of the lifting hose is contracted with a correspondingly reduced inflow of external air and the operating head with the suction cup and the goods to be transported are raised.
  • the transported goods can be kept in suspension.
  • the control unit is easy to use.
  • the present invention is based on the object of providing a tube lifter of the type mentioned at the outset, with which the most precise transport function is achieved with the simplest possible operation.
  • the closing element In the idle state of the control unit, which occurs when the control unit is not manually operated (and any locking is canceled), the closing element is held in its one end position, which represents the open position, by the force of the energy accumulator and the greatest possible inflow of external air (usually ambient air).
  • the squeegee arrangement In its (geodetically) lower position, which means that when the actuating mechanism is manually released, the squeegee arrangement may not be raised with the load and a potentially dangerous situation resulting from this is avoided.
  • the operating function with smooth handling is favored according to the invention in that the vacuum space extends over a flow channel section in the longitudinal direction through the housing body of the operating unit from an upper connection side facing the lifting hose (A) to a lower connection side facing the suction cup arrangement and that the valve body on a wall surrounding the flow channel section, which is provided with at least one opening to the channel arrangement, protruding transversely to the longitudinal direction of the housing body with wall structures, attached as a separate part or integrally formed, with at least one through opening of the channel arrangement for the external air being formed in the wall structures , and that the closing element is designed sleeve-shaped and sealingly surrounds the wall structures with the through openings of the channel arrangement in the closed position and completely or partially releases the area of the channel arrangement for the supply of external air in the open position or in the partially open position.
  • the at least one through opening arranged in the side wall structures of the valve body, in cooperation with the axially displaceable closing element, ensures that the manual actuation device moves smoothly without abrupt changes in the manual actuation force and thus contributes significantly to the simple operation and precisely controllable transport function.
  • valve body is provided with a guide structure on which the closing element is guided in a translational manner between the open position and the closed position in the axial direction.
  • a further embodiment that is advantageous for operation and the transport function is that the closing element has a circumferential sealing edge on its front end facing the channel section, which in the closed position lies sealingly on a facing circumferential sealing surface of the valve body, in particular via an interposed sealing element and in the complete and partial open position is spaced from this.
  • the wall structures of the valve body have a first wall section in the axial direction which is close to the sealing surface and in which the at least one through opening is arranged, and a wall section which adjoins this and is further away in the axial direction has a circumferential second wall section lying from the sealing surface, the outer cross section of which is adapted to the inner cross section of the closing element so that the closing element is slidably guided along the second wall section with a seal.
  • valve function for regulating the external air volume flow and operation are also advantageously supported by the fact that the outer cross section of the first wall section of the valve body is smaller over its axial extent than the inner cross section of the closing element, so that the first wall section with the at least one through opening arranged therein is separated from the Inner surface of the closing element is radially spaced.
  • valve body and the closing element have a round, in particular circular, cross-section at least partially over their axial extent.
  • the measures also contribute to precise guidance of the closing element along the valve body in that the guide structure of the valve body has guide elements which protrude in a crenellated manner in the area remote from the flow channel section and which pass through adapted guide openings in a rear top wall area of the closing element facing away from the flow channel section.
  • the function and structure of the tube lifter in a compact design are also favored by the fact that the energy storage, which is based on a mechanical, electromotive, magnetic, pneumatic or hydraulic functional principle, is arranged inside the valve unit between the valve body and the closing element.
  • the force accumulator in particular designed as a compression spring, is mounted between an abutment arranged in a stationary manner on the valve body and a support structure arranged in a stationary manner on the closing element, its force effect being aligned in the axial direction (displacement direction), that the closing element is held in the open position when at rest.
  • the measures also contribute to an advantageous structure and user-friendly handling in that the actuating mechanism has a button mounted in a handle in a pivot bearing, which can be pivoted manually via a first lever arm on the hand side and directly via a second lever arm - or indirectly via at least one deflection element - with the Closing element is brought into operative connection in order to move it into the closed position after overcoming the force effect of the energy storage device.
  • deflection element is mounted in the handle in a pivot bearing and, on the one hand, is pivotally connected to the second lever arm of the button via a coupling arm and, on the other hand, is rigidly connected via an actuating arm , optionally adjustable, actuator attached to the closing element acts to move the closing element.
  • the hand-side lever arm or the deflection element in particular on its coupling arm, is provided with an engagement structure, in particular designed as teeth, also contributes significantly to the functional reliability of the operating unit, and that a locking mechanism is integrated into the handle, which is activated when the handle is released Locking structure engages in the engagement structure to hold the locking element in the current position, and that the locking mechanism can be brought out of the locking state by manual operation.
  • Locking structure engages in the engagement structure to hold the locking element in the current position, and that the locking mechanism can be brought out of the locking state by manual operation.
  • the locking mechanism has an unlocking button mounted in the handle, which is mounted in a locking bearing so that it can be adjusted, in particular pivoted, relative to the housing body and is provided with the locking structure adapted to the engagement structure, which is activated when the locking element is released Handle engages in a locking manner in the engagement structure to lock the closing element in the current position.
  • FIG. 1 shows, between the (geodetically or in the direction of gravity) lower end region of a lifting hose A and a suction cup arrangement 2 is an operating head or an operating unit 3 for manually actuating the hose lifting arrangement 1 when transporting (lifting, lowering, relocating) a load L in the form of a transport item connected, as in Fig. 2 shown in more detail.
  • the operating unit 3 is connected to the lifting hose A and the suction base arrangement 2 in a vacuum-conducting manner and has a housing body and an attached in the exemplary embodiment shown with a handle 30 that can be grasped and operated with one hand, whereby the transported goods held by suction force on the suction foot arrangement 2, which in the present case comprises two suction feet, can be moved vertically and laterally (by means of the swivel arm) together with the lower end of the lifting hose A ) can be moved to a desired location.
  • the handle 30 is integrated into the operating unit 3 and has a curved outer surface towards the outside, ergonomically adapted to the hand of the operator, against which the palm rests during handling, and is free on its inner surface area facing away from the outside Access towards the control unit 3 in order to grasp the handle 30 with your fingers.
  • a button 33 is arranged on the inner surface area (similar to a fuel nozzle), which can be pivoted in a pivot bearing 330 and can be moved inwards into the handle 30 against a spring force.
  • an unlocking button 31 of a locking mechanism is also pivotably mounted, which is also pivotably mounted against a spring force in a locking bearing 310 via an actuating part arranged on the outside of the handle 30 and facing the palm of the hand during handling.
  • a deflection element 32 is movably coupled to the button 33, which is arranged inside the handle 30 and is rotatably or pivotally mounted in a pivot bearing 320 and is connected to the button 33 in an articulated manner in a coupling bearing 322 on a coupling leg (cf. Fig. 5 ).
  • An actuating leg of the deflection element 32 facing away from the coupling leg is designed to act on a closing element 41 of a valve unit 4 arranged in the operating unit 3.
  • the coupling leg of the deflection element 32 is provided with an engagement structure 321, which is adapted to an unlocking structure of the unlocking button 31 and cooperates with it, the engagement structure 321 and the locking structure can be brought into engagement with one another for locking in a form-fitting manner, in particular via teeth.
  • the pivot bearing 330 of the button 33, the pivot bearing 320 of the deflection element 32 and the locking bearing 310 of the unlocking button 31 each have a bearing element (such as a bearing pin or bearing eye) which is fixed in place in the housing body of the operating unit 3, for example a molded bearing element.
  • the valve unit 4 has a valve body 40 which is fixedly arranged in the housing body of the operating unit 3 and which projects away from a wall 50 of a flow channel section 5 in the housing body of the operating unit 3 leading from the interior of the lifting hose A to the suction foot arrangement 2.
  • the valve body 40 has a guide structure 400 on which the closing element 41 is slidably guided for opening and closing the valve unit 4 in order to produce and regulate an external air supply via a channel arrangement to the flow channel section 5, the regulation or setting of the external air supply being carried out manually the button 33 takes place against a force effect of an energy accumulator 42, in the present case designed as a compression spring.
  • the valve unit 4 is held in the open position for the supply of external air by means of the energy accumulator 42 in the unactuated state and can be opened by actuating the button 33 against the force of the energy accumulator 42 by moving the closing element 41 to vary the external air volume flow until it is completely stopped Closed position can be moved. Conversely, when the button 33 is not actuated, the closing element 41 can be brought into the (completely) open position by means of the energy accumulator 42, provided that the locking mechanism is disengaged from the deflection element 32 by means of the unlocking button 31.
  • the unlocking button 31 engages with its locking structure in the engagement structure 321 of the deflection element 32 in order to lock the current position of the closing element 41 and to prevent the valve unit 4 from opening and the resulting rapid lowering of the suction cup arrangement 2 with the load L.
  • the adjustment of the closing element 41 along the guide structure 400 of the valve body 40 takes place translationally or linearly in the present embodiment of the valve unit 4.
  • the valve body 40 is gripped by the closing element 41 designed as a sleeve, in particular a sleeve with a circular cross-section, the closing element 41 sealing in the closed position with a front, frontal, circumferential sealing edge facing the wall 50 of the flow channel section 5 (if necessary with the interposition of a sealing element). rests on a circumferential sealing surface of the valve body 40.
  • the valve body 40 has a first wall section 401 located axially closer to the wall 50 or sealing surface 403, in which at least one through opening of the channel arrangement for supplying the external air is made, and a circumferential second wall section 402 which is axially further away from the sealing surface 403, the outer cross section of which is adapted to the inner cross section of the closing element 41 in such a way that it is guided along the second wall section 402 with as little play as possible, sliding easily and sealingly.
  • the first wall section 401 with the at least one through opening is spaced radially inwards from the inside of the closing element 41 with respect to a central longitudinal axis (directed in the direction of displacement) of the valve body 40, which promotes the regulation of the external air condition with simple operation.
  • the guide structure of the valve body 40 comprises, on its side facing away from the sealing surface 403, crenellated guide elements which project through a cover region of the closing element 41 facing away from the sealing surface 403 in adapted openings, so that additional guidance of the closing element 41 results during linear displacement.
  • Fig. 5 shows the valve unit 4 in the open position, the front sealing edge of the closing element 41 being spaced from the sealing surface 403 and the at least one through opening in the first wall section 401 being completely exposed (cf. also Fig. 4 the thick inflow arrows for external air), while Fig. 6 shows the valve unit 4 in its closed position, with the front, end-side sealing edge of the closing element 41 resting sealingly on the sealing surface 403.
  • the energy accumulator 42 which moves the closing element 41 into the open position as a result of its force, is supported on the one hand (on its side facing the sealing surface 403) against an abutment that is fixed in place, for example molded, inside the valve body and, on the other hand, against an abutment that is fixed in the closing element 41 Support structure, like that Fig. 4 , 5 and 6 reveal.
  • the closing element 41 is provided on its side facing away from its sealing edge, in particular in the deck area, with an actuating projection directed in the opening direction (away from the flow channel section 5), with which the coupling leg of the deflection element 32 is brought into operative connection in order to close the closing element 41 when actuated (pressing in ) of the button 33 in the direction of the closed position.
  • An adjusting member in this case a cap nut, can be attached to the actuating pin of the closing element 41, by means of which the actuating force or the actuating path can be suitably adjusted and a good sliding surface is provided.
  • the actuating pin advantageously continues inside the closing element 41 in order to accommodate the energy accumulator 41 in the form of the compression spring, which is inserted into an adapted receptacle of the valve body 40 in its section directed towards the sealing surface 403, thereby facilitating the guidance of the closing element 41.
  • the unlocking force on the unlocking button 31 by means of the palm of the hand on the outside of the handle 30 is preferably less than the actuating force on the button 33 for moving the closing element 41 against the force of the energy accumulator 42 towards the closed position.
  • the unlocking is canceled in a simple manner when the button 33 is pressed, but when the handle 30 is released, its locking structure falls securely into the engagement structure 321 of the deflection element 32 in order to lock the closing element 41 in a current position and maintain the set external air volume flow receive.
  • control unit is user-friendly and functions reliably.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanically-Actuated Valves (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung bezieht sich auf einen Schlauchheber zum Ansaugen und Transportieren von Lasten mittels Saugkraft mit einer Saugfußanordnung, welche über eine mit einem geodätisch unteren Ende eines Hubschlauchs (A) wirkverbundene Bedieneinheit mit einem in einem Vakuumraum gebildeten Vakuum beaufschlagbar ist, wobei die Bedieneinheit zum Variieren des Vakuums eine in einem Gehäusekörper aufgenommene, manuell betätigbare Ventileinheit mit einer in einem Ventilkörper ausgebildeten, mit dem Vakuumraum in Strömungsverbindung stehenden Kanalanordnung zur Zuführung von Fremdluft umfasst und wobei der Fremdluftvolumenstrom über ein manuell mittels eines Betätigungsmechanismus entgegen der Kraftwirkung eines Kraftspeichers betätigbares, zum Ändern des Strömungsquerschnitts der Kanalanordnung zwischen einer Schließstellung und einer Offenstellung bewegbares Schließelement regulierbar ist.The invention relates to a tube lifter for sucking and transporting loads by means of suction force with a squeegee arrangement, which can be acted upon by a vacuum formed in a vacuum space via an operating unit which is operatively connected to a geodetically lower end of a lifting hose (A), the operating unit being used to vary the Vacuum comprises a manually operable valve unit accommodated in a housing body with a channel arrangement formed in a valve body and in flow connection with the vacuum space for supplying external air and wherein the external air volume flow can be operated manually by means of an actuating mechanism against the force of an energy accumulator to change the flow cross section the channel arrangement can be regulated between a closing position and an open position.

Ein Schlauchheber zum Ansaugen und Transportieren von Lasten mit einer manuellen Bedieneinheit dieser Art ist beispielsweise in der DE 20 2018 100 403 U1 angegeben. Dabei befindet sich in der Bedieneinheit ein Steuerventil, das zwischen einer Schließstellung und einer Öffnungsstellung verstellbar ist, wobei in der Öffnungsstellung ein Steuerkanal zum Zuführen von Fremdluft aus der Umgebung freigegeben ist und in der Schließstellung der Steuerkanal im Wesentlichen verschlossen ist. Ferner ist ein Belüftungsventil vorhanden, das zwischen einer Haltestellung und einer Belüftungsstellung verstellbar ist. Der Schlauchheber weist einen Hubschlauch auf, an dessen unterem Ende eine Sauggreifvorrichtung angeschlossen ist und über die Bedieneinheit kann der Unterdruck im Innern des Hubschlauchs reguliert werden, um diesen je nach Stellung des Steuerventils der Hubschlauch mehr oder weniger zu verkürzen und damit die Höhe der Sauggreifvorrichtung zu verändern. Einen weiteren Schlauchheber zeigt beispielsweise auch die DE 10 2008 028 205 C5 und auch die DE 100 38 013 A1 , die einen Schlauchheber gemäß dem Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 1 offenbart.A tube lifter for sucking in and transporting loads with a manual control unit of this type is available, for example DE 20 2018 100 403 U1 stated. There is a control valve in the operating unit that can be adjusted between a closed position and an open position, with a control channel being released for supplying external air from the environment in the open position and the control channel being essentially closed in the closed position. There is also a ventilation valve that can be adjusted between a holding position and a ventilation position. The tube lifter has a lifting hose the lower end of which is connected to a suction gripping device and the negative pressure inside the lifting hose can be regulated via the control unit in order to shorten it more or less depending on the position of the control valve of the lifting hose and thus change the height of the suction gripping device. For example, this also shows another tube lifter DE 10 2008 028 205 C5 and also the DE 100 38 013 A1 , which discloses a tube lifter according to the preamble of claim 1.

Bei einem in der EP 0 509 115 B1 gezeigten Schlauchheber ist eine Fremdluftzufuhr aus der Umgebung im unbetätigten Zustand eines Steuerglieds durch Einstellen einer Normalstellung des Steuerglieds gegeben, um einen ausreichend geringen Druck in einem Gehäuse aus einer Unterdruckquelle vorzugeben und damit eine maximale Höhe des Arbeitsobjekts unter Last einzustellen. Dabei ist zum Einwirken auf zwei Federn eine Schraubenanordnung vorhanden. Ein solcher Justiermechanismus kann zu einer unpräzisen Einstellung führen.At one in the EP 0 509 115 B1 In the tube lifter shown, an external air supply from the environment is provided in the unactuated state of a control member by setting a normal position of the control member in order to specify a sufficiently low pressure in a housing from a negative pressure source and thus to set a maximum height of the work object under load. There is a screw arrangement to act on two springs. Such an adjustment mechanism can lead to an imprecise setting.

Einen weiteren Schlauchheber mit einer Fremdluftzufuhr im unbetätigten Zustand zeigt die DE 100 49 149 A1 . Eine Bedienvorrichtung für einen Schlauchheber zeigt auch die EP 3 536 650 A1 .This shows another tube lifter with an external air supply in the unactuated state DE 100 49 149 A1 . An operating device for a tube lifter is also shown EP 3 536 650 A1 .

Bei einem Schlauchheber dieser Art, wie er beispielhaft in Fig. 1 gezeigt ist, ist ein Vakuumerzeuger E, je nach Anwendungsfall eine Pumpe oder ein Gebläse, vorgesehen, um einen Volumenstrom zu erzeugen und das erforderliche Vakuum bereitzustellen. Der gezeigte Aufbau weist eine Säule D mit einem Schwenkausleger B auf, an dem der Hubschlauch A aufgehängt und über eine Zuleitung C an den Vakuum-erzeuger E angeschlossen ist. Das Vakuum erreicht durch eine Filtereinheit F, über die Zuleitung C, ein Drehgelenk, den Hubschlauch A und eine Bedieneinheit 3 in Form eines Bedienkopfs eine Saugfußanordnung 2 bzw. einen Saugfuß, um an diesem das Transportgut anzusaugen und zu transportieren. Umgebungsluft bzw. Fremdluft, welche zuvor durch den Saugfuß eingeströmt ist, verringert sich weitgehend oder vollständig, wodurch das Vakuum in dem Gesamtsystem ansteigt. Mit dem stark ansteigenden Vakuum zieht sich der zuvor schlaffe Hubschlauch A zusammen. In dem Hubschlauch ist eine Feder eingelassen, die u. a. dafür sorgt, dass der Hubschlauch nicht implodiert. Sobald die Hubkraft größer ist als das Gewicht des Transportguts, wird dieses angehoben. Durch die Regulierung der Fremdluft über die Bedieneinheit 3 wird das Vakuum in dem Gesamtsystem angehoben oder herabgesetzt. Mit der Zugabe von Fremdluft und die dadurch bewirkte Reduktion des Vakuums dehnt sich folglich der Hubschlauch A in seiner Länge aus und der Bedienkopf mit Saugfuß und Transportgut senkt sich ab. Mit der Reduktion der Fremdluftzufuhr erhöht sich umgekehrt das Vakuum, wodurch der Hubschlauch bei entsprechend verringertem Fremdlufteinstrom in seiner Länge zusammengezogen und der Bedienkopf mit Saugfuß und Transportgut angehoben wird. Mit dem Einhalten einer gewissen Fremdluftzugabe kann das Transportgut in der Schwebe gehalten werden. Für eine gut steuerbare Funktion kommt es wesentlich auf eine einfache Handhabbarkeit der Bedieneinheit an.With a tube lifter of this type, as exemplified in Fig. 1 is shown, a vacuum generator E, depending on the application a pump or a blower, is provided to generate a volume flow and to provide the required vacuum. The structure shown has a column D with a swivel boom B, on which the lifting hose A is suspended and connected to the vacuum generator E via a supply line C. The vacuum reaches a suction foot arrangement 2 or a suction foot through a filter unit F, via the supply line C, a swivel joint, the lifting hose A and an operating unit 3 in the form of an operating head in order to suck in and transport the goods to be transported. Ambient air or external air that previously flowed in through the squeegee is largely or completely reduced, causing the vacuum in the entire system to increase. With As the vacuum increases sharply, the previously slack lifting hose A contracts. A spring is embedded in the lifting hose, which, among other things, ensures that the lifting hose does not implode. As soon as the lifting force is greater than the weight of the goods being transported, they are lifted. By regulating the external air via the control unit 3, the vacuum in the entire system is increased or reduced. With the addition of external air and the resulting reduction in the vacuum, the length of the lifting hose A expands and the operating head with the suction base and the goods to be transported lowers. Conversely, with the reduction in the supply of external air, the vacuum increases, whereby the length of the lifting hose is contracted with a correspondingly reduced inflow of external air and the operating head with the suction cup and the goods to be transported are raised. By maintaining a certain amount of external air, the transported goods can be kept in suspension. For a well-controlled function, it is essential that the control unit is easy to use.

Der vorliegenden Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, einen Schlauchheber der eingangs genannter Art bereitzustellen, mit dem bei möglichst einfacher Bedienung eine möglichst präzise Transportfunktion erreicht wird.The present invention is based on the object of providing a tube lifter of the type mentioned at the outset, with which the most precise transport function is achieved with the simplest possible operation.

Diese Aufgabe wird bei einem Schlauchheber mit den Merkmalen des Anspruchs 1 gelöst. Erfindungsgemäß ist in Verbindung mit den Merkmalen des Oberbegriffs vorgesehen, dass das Schließelement mittels der Kraftwirkung des Kraftspeichers im manuell unbetätigten Ruhezustand in der Offenstellung zur Fremdluftzufuhr gehalten ist, wodurch die Saugfußanordnung im Ruhezustand ihre untere Lage einnimmt.This task is achieved with a tube lifter with the features of claim 1. According to the invention, in conjunction with the features of the preamble, it is provided that the closing element is held in the open position for external air supply in the manually unactuated rest state by means of the force of the energy storage, whereby the suction cup arrangement assumes its lower position in the rest state.

Im Ruhezustand der Bedieneinheit, der gegeben ist, wenn die Bedieneinheit manuell nicht betätigt (und eine eventuelle Verriegelung aufgehoben) ist, wird das Schließelement durch die Kraftwirkung des Kraftspeichers in seiner die Offenstellung darstellenden einen Endlage gehalten und der größtmögliche Zustrom von Fremdluft (in der Regel Umgebungsluft) bewirkt. Infolge des somit herabgesetzten bzw. aufgeho-Hubschlauch über seine Länge maximal aus und die Saugfußanordnung befindet sich in ihrer (geodätisch) unteren Lage, wodurch bei manuell losgelassenem Betätigungsmechanismus ein Anheben der Saugfußanordnung gegebenenfalls mit der Last und eine dadurch u. U. bedingte Gefahrensituation vermieden ist.In the idle state of the control unit, which occurs when the control unit is not manually operated (and any locking is canceled), the closing element is held in its one end position, which represents the open position, by the force of the energy accumulator and the greatest possible inflow of external air (usually ambient air). As a result of the thus reduced or increased lifting hose maximum over its length and the squeegee arrangement is in its (geodetically) lower position, which means that when the actuating mechanism is manually released, the squeegee arrangement may not be raised with the load and a potentially dangerous situation resulting from this is avoided.

Die Bedienungsfunktion mit leichtgängiger Handhabung wird erfindungsgemäß dadurch begünstigt, dass sich der Vakuumraum über einen Strömungskanalabschnitt in Längsrichtung durch den Gehäusekörper der Bedieneinheit von einer oberen, dem Hubschlauch (A) zugekehrten Anschlussseite bis zu einer unteren, der Saugfußanordnung zugekehrten Anschlussseite hindurch erstreckt und dass der Ventilkörper an einer den Strömungskanalabschnitt umgebenden Umwandung, die mit mindestens einer Öffnung zu der Kanalanordnung versehen ist, quer zur Längsrichtung des Gehäusekörpers mit Wandstrukturen abstehend, als separates Teil angebracht oder einstückig angeformt ist, wobei mindestens eine Durchgangsöffnung der Kanalanordnung für die Fremdluft in den Wandstrukturen ausgebildet sind, und dass das Schließelement hülsenförmig ausgestaltet ist und die Wandstrukturen mit den Durchgangsöffnungen der Kanalanordnung in der Schließstellung dichtend umgibt und in der Offenstellung oder bei teilweiser Offenstellung den Bereich der Kanalanordnung zur Fremdluftzufuhr ganz bzw. teilweise freigibt. Die mindestens eine, in den seitlichen Wandstrukturen des Ventilkörpers angeordnete Durchgangsöffnung ergibt im Zusammenwirken mit dem in axialer Richtung verschieblichen Schließelement eine Leichtgängigkeit der manuellen Betätigungseinrichtung ohne abrupte Änderungen der manuellen Betätigungskraft und trägt somit wesentlich zur einfachen Bedienung und präzise steuerbaren Transportfunktion bei.The operating function with smooth handling is favored according to the invention in that the vacuum space extends over a flow channel section in the longitudinal direction through the housing body of the operating unit from an upper connection side facing the lifting hose (A) to a lower connection side facing the suction cup arrangement and that the valve body on a wall surrounding the flow channel section, which is provided with at least one opening to the channel arrangement, protruding transversely to the longitudinal direction of the housing body with wall structures, attached as a separate part or integrally formed, with at least one through opening of the channel arrangement for the external air being formed in the wall structures , and that the closing element is designed sleeve-shaped and sealingly surrounds the wall structures with the through openings of the channel arrangement in the closed position and completely or partially releases the area of the channel arrangement for the supply of external air in the open position or in the partially open position. The at least one through opening arranged in the side wall structures of the valve body, in cooperation with the axially displaceable closing element, ensures that the manual actuation device moves smoothly without abrupt changes in the manual actuation force and thus contributes significantly to the simple operation and precisely controllable transport function.

Eine für den Aufbau und die Funktion vorteilhafte Ausgestaltung besteht darin, dass der Ventilkörper mit einer Führungsstruktur versehen ist, an der das Schließelement translatorisch zwischen der Offenstellung und der Schließstellung in axialer Richtung verschieblich geführt ist.An advantageous embodiment for the structure and function is that the valve body is provided with a guide structure on which the closing element is guided in a translational manner between the open position and the closed position in the axial direction.

Eine für die Bedienung und die Transportfunktion vorteilhafte weitere Ausgestaltung besteht darin, dass das Schließelement auf seiner dem Kanalabschnitt zugekehrten vorderen Stirnseite einen umlaufenden Dichtrand aufweist, welcher in der Schließstellung auf einer zugekehrten umlaufenden Dichtfläche des Ventilkörpers, insbesondere über ein zwischengefügtes Dichtelement, dichtend anliegt und in der vollständigen und der teilweisen Offenstellung von dieser beabstandet ist.A further embodiment that is advantageous for operation and the transport function is that the closing element has a circumferential sealing edge on its front end facing the channel section, which in the closed position lies sealingly on a facing circumferential sealing surface of the valve body, in particular via an interposed sealing element and in the complete and partial open position is spaced from this.

Weiterhin ist für die Funktionsweise und den Aufbau vorteilhaft vorgesehen, dass die Wandstrukturen des Ventilkörpers in der axialen Richtung einen nahe der Dichtfläche liegenden ersten Wandabschnitt aufweisen, in dem die mindestens eine Durchgangsöffnung angeordnet ist, und einen an diesen anschließenden, in der axialen Richtung weiter entfernt von der Dichtfläche liegenden umlaufenden zweiten Wandabschnitt aufweist, dessen Außenquerschnitt an den Innenquerschnitt des Schließelements so angepasst ist, dass das Schließelement entlang dem zweiten Wandabschnitt unter Abdichtung gleitend verschieblich geführt ist.Furthermore, for the functionality and construction, it is advantageously provided that the wall structures of the valve body have a first wall section in the axial direction which is close to the sealing surface and in which the at least one through opening is arranged, and a wall section which adjoins this and is further away in the axial direction has a circumferential second wall section lying from the sealing surface, the outer cross section of which is adapted to the inner cross section of the closing element so that the closing element is slidably guided along the second wall section with a seal.

Eine exakte Ventilfunktion zum Regulieren des Fremdluftvolumenstroms und die Bedienung werden auch dadurch vorteilhaft unterstützt, dass der Außenquerschnitt des ersten Wandabschnitts des Ventilkörpers über seine axiale Erstreckung kleiner ist als der Innenquerschnitt des Schließelements, so dass der erste Wandabschnitt mit der mindestens einen darin angeordneten Durchgangsöffnung von der Innenfläche des Schließelements radial beabstandet ist.An exact valve function for regulating the external air volume flow and operation are also advantageously supported by the fact that the outer cross section of the first wall section of the valve body is smaller over its axial extent than the inner cross section of the closing element, so that the first wall section with the at least one through opening arranged therein is separated from the Inner surface of the closing element is radially spaced.

Eine für den Aufbau und die Funktion weitere vorteilhafte Ausgestaltung des Schlauchhebers mit der Bedieneinheit besteht darin, dass der Ventilkörper und das Schließelement zumindest teilweise über ihre axiale Erstreckung runden, insbesondere kreisförmigen, Querschnitt aufweisen.A further advantageous embodiment of the tube lifter with the operating unit for the structure and function is that the valve body and the closing element have a round, in particular circular, cross-section at least partially over their axial extent.

Zu einer exakten Führung des Schließelements entlang des Ventilkörpers tragen ferner die Maßnahmen bei, dass die Führungsstruktur des Ventilkörpers in deren von dem Strömungskanalabschnitt abgelegenem Bereich zinnenartig vorstehende Führungselemente aufweist, welche angepasste Führungsdurchbrüche in einem von dem Strömungskanalabschnitt abgekehrten hinteren Deckwandbereich des Schließelements durchsetzen.The measures also contribute to precise guidance of the closing element along the valve body in that the guide structure of the valve body has guide elements which protrude in a crenellated manner in the area remote from the flow channel section and which pass through adapted guide openings in a rear top wall area of the closing element facing away from the flow channel section.

Die Funktion und der Aufbau des Schlauchhebers bei kompakter Ausführung werden auch dadurch begünstigt, dass der Kraftspeicher, der auf einem mechanischen, elektromotorischen, magnetischen, pneumatischen oder hydraulischen Funktionsprinzip basiert, im Innern der Ventileinheit zwischen dem Ventilkörper und dem Schließelement angeordnet ist.The function and structure of the tube lifter in a compact design are also favored by the fact that the energy storage, which is based on a mechanical, electromotive, magnetic, pneumatic or hydraulic functional principle, is arranged inside the valve unit between the valve body and the closing element.

Ein vorteilhafter Aufbau wird dabei dadurch erhalten, dass der Kraftspeicher, insbesondere ausgebildet als Druckfeder, zwischen einem an dem Ventilkörper ortsfest angeordneten Widerlager und einer an dem Schließelement ortsfest angeordneten Stützstruktur gelagert ist, wobei seine Kraftwirkung so in der axialen Richtung (Verschieberichtung) ausgerichtet ist, dass das Schließelement im Ruhezustand in der Offenstellung gehalten ist.An advantageous structure is obtained in that the force accumulator, in particular designed as a compression spring, is mounted between an abutment arranged in a stationary manner on the valve body and a support structure arranged in a stationary manner on the closing element, its force effect being aligned in the axial direction (displacement direction), that the closing element is held in the open position when at rest.

Zu einem vorteilhaften Aufbau und einer bedienerfreundlichen Handhabung tragen zudem die Maßnahmen bei, dass der Betätigungsmechanismus einen in einem Handgriff in einem Schwenklager gelagerten Taster aufweist, der über einen handseitigen ersten Hebelarm manuell verschwenkbar ist und über einen zweiten Hebelarm unmittelbar - oder mittelbar über mindestens ein Umlenkelement - mit dem Schließelement in Wirkverbindung gebracht ist, um dieses nach Überwindung der Kraftwirkung des Kraftspeichers in die Schließstellung zu bewegen.The measures also contribute to an advantageous structure and user-friendly handling in that the actuating mechanism has a button mounted in a handle in a pivot bearing, which can be pivoted manually via a first lever arm on the hand side and directly via a second lever arm - or indirectly via at least one deflection element - with the Closing element is brought into operative connection in order to move it into the closed position after overcoming the force effect of the energy storage device.

Dabei besteht ein vorteilhafter Aufbau, der eine einfache Handhabung begünstigt, darin, dass das Umlenkelement in dem Handgriff in einem Drehlager gelagert ist und einerseits über einen Koppelarm schwenkbar mittels eines Koppellagers mit dem zweiten Hebelarm des Tasters verbunden ist und andererseits über einen Betätigungsarm auf ein starr, gegebenenfalls verstellbar, an dem Schließelement angebrachtes Betätigungsglied zum Bewegen des Schließelements einwirkt.An advantageous structure, which promotes easy handling, is that the deflection element is mounted in the handle in a pivot bearing and, on the one hand, is pivotally connected to the second lever arm of the button via a coupling arm and, on the other hand, is rigidly connected via an actuating arm , optionally adjustable, actuator attached to the closing element acts to move the closing element.

Zur Funktionssicherheit der Bedieneinheit trägt ferner wesentlich bei, dass der handseitige Hebelarm oder das Umlenkelement, insbesondere an dessen Koppelarm, mit einer Eingriffstruktur, insbesondere ausgebildet als Zahnung, versehen ist und dass in dem Handgriff ein Verriegelungsmechanismus integriert ist, der beim Loslassen des Handgriffs mit einer Verriegelungsstruktur in die Eingriffstruktur einrückt, um das Schließelement in der aktuellen Stellung festzuhalten, und dass der Verrieglungsmechanismus durch Handbetätigung aus dem Verriegelungszustand bringbar ist. Somit können durch Eingriff des Verriegelungsmechanismus auch aktuelle Zwischenstellungen des Schließelements zwischen der Schließstellung und der Offenstellung sicher arretiert werden, so dass gefährliche Situationen durch unbeabsichtigt schnelles Absenken der Last vermieden werden.The fact that the hand-side lever arm or the deflection element, in particular on its coupling arm, is provided with an engagement structure, in particular designed as teeth, also contributes significantly to the functional reliability of the operating unit, and that a locking mechanism is integrated into the handle, which is activated when the handle is released Locking structure engages in the engagement structure to hold the locking element in the current position, and that the locking mechanism can be brought out of the locking state by manual operation. Thus, by engaging the locking mechanism, current intermediate positions of the closing element between the closed position and the open position can also be securely locked, so that dangerous situations caused by unintentionally rapid lowering of the load are avoided.

Für die Bedienungsfunktion ergeben sich weitere Vorteile dadurch, dass der Verriegelungsmechanismus einen in dem Handgriff gelagerten Entriegelungstaster aufweist, der in einem Verriegelungslager relativ zu dem Gehäusekörper verstellbar, insbesondere schwenkbar, gelagert ist und mit der an die Eingriffstruktur angepassten Verriegelungsstruktur versehen ist, die bei Loslassen des Handgriffs in die Eingriffstruktur verriegelnd eingreift, um das Schließelement in der aktuellen Stellung zu arretieren.There are further advantages for the operating function in that the locking mechanism has an unlocking button mounted in the handle, which is mounted in a locking bearing so that it can be adjusted, in particular pivoted, relative to the housing body and is provided with the locking structure adapted to the engagement structure, which is activated when the locking element is released Handle engages in a locking manner in the engagement structure to lock the closing element in the current position.

Die Erfindung wird nachfolgend anhand von Ausführungsbeispielen unter Bezugnahme auf die Zeichnungen näher erläutert. Es zeigen:

Fig. 1
eine schematische Darstellung eines Schlauchhebers,
Fig. 2
einen Abschnitt eines Schlauchhebers im Bereich um eine Saugfußanordnung bei Aufsetzen auf ein Transportgut (Last) mit einer Bedieneinheit und einem unteren Endbereich eines Hubschlauchs in perspektivischer Ansicht,
Fig. 3
eine zwischen einem Hubschlauch und einer Saugfußanordnung angeschlossene Bedieneinheit in geöffneter, seitlicher Ansicht,
Fig. 4
eine Bedieneinheit gemäß Fig. 3 in geschnittener seitlicher Ansicht mit Veranschaulichung einer Fremdluftzuführung,
Fig. 5
einen vergrößerten Ausschnitt der Bedieneinheit in einem Längsschnitt bei Offenstellung der Ventileinheit und
Fig. 6
den vergrößerten Ausschnitt der Bedieneinheit nach Fig. 5 bei Schließstellung der Ventileinheit.
The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. Show it:
Fig. 1
a schematic representation of a tube lifter,
Fig. 2
a section of a tube lifter in the area around a squeegee arrangement when placed on a transport item (load) with an operating unit and a lower end region of a lifting hose in a perspective view,
Fig. 3
an operating unit connected between a lifting hose and a squeegee arrangement in an open, side view,
Fig. 4
a control unit according to Fig. 3 in a sectioned side view with an illustration of an external air supply,
Fig. 5
an enlarged section of the operating unit in a longitudinal section with the valve unit in the open position and
Fig. 6
the enlarged section of the control unit Fig. 5 when the valve unit is in the closed position.

Wie Fig. 1 zeigt, ist zwischen dem (geodätisch bzw.in Schwerkraftrichtung) unteren Endbereich eines Hubschlauchs A und einer Saugfußanordnung 2 ein Bedienkopf bzw. eine Bedieneinheit 3 zum manuellen Betätigen der Schlauchhebeanordnung 1 beim Transport (Heben, Senken, Ortsverlagerung) einer Last L in Form eines Transportguts angeschlossen, wie in Fig. 2 näher dargestellt.How Fig. 1 shows, between the (geodetically or in the direction of gravity) lower end region of a lifting hose A and a suction cup arrangement 2 is an operating head or an operating unit 3 for manually actuating the hose lifting arrangement 1 when transporting (lifting, lowering, relocating) a load L in the form of a transport item connected, as in Fig. 2 shown in more detail.

Die Bedieneinheit 3 ist vakuumführend mit dem Hubschlauch A und der Saugfußanordnung 2 verbunden und weist einen Gehäusekörper und einen daran angebrachten, bei dem gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel mit einer Hand greifbaren und bedienbaren, Handgriff 30 auf, wodurch das an der Saugfußanordnung 2, welche vorliegend zwei Saugfüße umfasst, durch Saugkraft gehaltene Transportgut zusammen mit dem unteren Ende des Hubschlauchs A in der Höhe verfahren und seitlich (mittels des Schwenkarms) an einen gewünschten Ort bewegt werden kann.The operating unit 3 is connected to the lifting hose A and the suction base arrangement 2 in a vacuum-conducting manner and has a housing body and an attached in the exemplary embodiment shown with a handle 30 that can be grasped and operated with one hand, whereby the transported goods held by suction force on the suction foot arrangement 2, which in the present case comprises two suction feet, can be moved vertically and laterally (by means of the swivel arm) together with the lower end of the lifting hose A ) can be moved to a desired location.

Wie deutlicher aus den Fig. 3 und 4 hervorgeht, ist der Handgriff 30 in die Bedieneinheit 3 integriert und weist zur Außenseite hin eine gewölbte, an die Hand der Bedienperson ergonomisch angepasste Außenfläche auf, an der bei der Handhabung die Handfläche anliegt, und ist auf ihrem von der Außenseite abgekehrten inneren Oberflächenbereich einem freien Durchgriff der Bedieneinheit 3 zugekehrt, um den Handgriff 30 mit den Fingern zu umgreifen. Auf dem inneren Oberflächenbereich ist (ähnlich einer Zapfpistole) ein Taster 33 angeordnet, der in einem Schwenklager 330 schwenkbar und gegen eine Federkraft nach innen in den Handgriff 30 hinein bewegbar ist. Im Innern des Handgriffs 30 ist außerdem ein Entriegelungstaster 31 eines Verriegelungsmechanismus schwenkbar gelagert, welcher über ein auf der Außenseite des Handgriffs 30 angeordnetes, der Handfläche bei der Handhabung zugekehrtes Betätigungsteil ebenfalls gegen eine Federkraft schwenkbar in einem Verriegelungslager 310 gelagert ist.How clearer from the 3 and 4 As can be seen, the handle 30 is integrated into the operating unit 3 and has a curved outer surface towards the outside, ergonomically adapted to the hand of the operator, against which the palm rests during handling, and is free on its inner surface area facing away from the outside Access towards the control unit 3 in order to grasp the handle 30 with your fingers. A button 33 is arranged on the inner surface area (similar to a fuel nozzle), which can be pivoted in a pivot bearing 330 and can be moved inwards into the handle 30 against a spring force. Inside the handle 30, an unlocking button 31 of a locking mechanism is also pivotably mounted, which is also pivotably mounted against a spring force in a locking bearing 310 via an actuating part arranged on the outside of the handle 30 and facing the palm of the hand during handling.

Wie die Fig. 3 und 4 und insbesondere die vergrößerten Darstellungen in den Fig. 5 und 6 weiter zeigen, ist mit dem Taster 33 ein Umlenkelement 32 bewegbar gekoppelt, welches im Innern des Handgriffs 30 angeordnet und in einem Drehlager 320 drehbar bzw. schwenkbar gelagert und mit dem Taster 33 gelenkig in einem Koppellager 322 an einem Koppelschenkel verbunden ist (vgl. Fig. 5). Ein von dem Koppelschenkel abgekehrter Betätigungsschenkel des Umlenkelements 32 ist zum Einwirken auf ein Schließelement 41 einer in der Bedieneinheit 3 angeordneten Ventileinheit 4 ausgebildet. Der Koppelschenkel des Umlenkelements 32 ist mit einer Eingriffstruktur 321 versehen, die an eine Entriegelungsstruktur des Entriegelungstasters 31 angepasst ist und mit dieser zusammenwirkt, wobei die Eingriffstruktur 321 und die Verriegelungsstruktur formschlüssig, insbesondere über eine Zahnung, miteinander zum Verriegeln in Eingriff bringbar sind. Das Schwenklager 330 des Tasters 33, das Drehlager 320 des Umlenkelements 32 und das Verriegelungslager 310 des Entriegelungstasters 31 weisen jeweils ein ortsfest in dem Gehäusekörper der Bedieneinheit 3 angebrachtes, beispielsweise angeformtes, Lagerelement (wie Lagerzapfen oder Lagerauge) auf.As the 3 and 4 and especially the enlarged representations in the 5 and 6 further show, a deflection element 32 is movably coupled to the button 33, which is arranged inside the handle 30 and is rotatably or pivotally mounted in a pivot bearing 320 and is connected to the button 33 in an articulated manner in a coupling bearing 322 on a coupling leg (cf. Fig. 5 ). An actuating leg of the deflection element 32 facing away from the coupling leg is designed to act on a closing element 41 of a valve unit 4 arranged in the operating unit 3. The coupling leg of the deflection element 32 is provided with an engagement structure 321, which is adapted to an unlocking structure of the unlocking button 31 and cooperates with it, the engagement structure 321 and the locking structure can be brought into engagement with one another for locking in a form-fitting manner, in particular via teeth. The pivot bearing 330 of the button 33, the pivot bearing 320 of the deflection element 32 and the locking bearing 310 of the unlocking button 31 each have a bearing element (such as a bearing pin or bearing eye) which is fixed in place in the housing body of the operating unit 3, for example a molded bearing element.

Wie insbesondere in den Fig. 5 und 6 näher ersichtlich, weist die Ventileinheit 4 einen in dem Gehäusekörper der Bedieneinheit 3 fest angeordneten Ventilkörper 40 auf, welcher von einer Umwandung 50 eines von dem Innern des Hubschlauchs A zur Saugfußanordnung 2 führenden Strömungskanalabschnitts 5 im Gehäusekörper der Bedieneinheit 3 weggerichtet absteht. Der Ventilkörper 40 weist eine Führungsstruktur 400 auf, an der das Schließelement 41 verschieblich zum Öffnen und Schließen der Ventileinheit 4 geführt ist, um eine Fremdluftzufuhr über eine Kanalanordnung zu dem Strömungskanalabschnitt 5 herzustellen und zu regulieren, wobei die Regulierung bzw. Einstellung der Fremdluftzufuhr manuell über den Taster 33 entgegen einer Kraftwirkung eines Kraftspeichers 42, vorliegend ausgebildet als Druckfeder, erfolgt. Dabei wird die Ventileinheit 4 mittels des Kraftspeichers 42 im unbetätigten Zustand in der Offenstellung zur Zufuhr von Fremdluft gehalten und kann durch Betätigung des Tasters 33 entgegen der Kraftwirkung des Kraftspeichers 42 durch Bewegen des Schließelements 41 zum Variieren des Fremdluftvolumenstroms bis hin zu dessen vollständiger Unterbindung in die Schließstellung bewegt werden. Umgekehrt kann bei unbetätigtem Taster 33 das Schließelement 41 mittels des Kraftspeichers 42 in die (vollständige) Offenstellung gebracht werden, sofern der Verriegelungsmechanismus mittels des Entriegelungstasters 31 außer Eingriff in das Umlenkelement 32 gebracht ist. Wird während der Bedienung der Handgriff 30 bzw. Taster 33 von der Bedienperson unbeabsichtigt losgelassen, greift jedoch der Entriegelungstaster 31 mit seiner Verriegelungsstruktur in die Eingriffstruktur 321 des Umlenkelements 32 ein, um die aktuelle Stellung des Schließelements 41 zu verriegeln und ein Öffnen der Ventileinheit 4 und ein dadurch bedingtes schnelles Absenken der Saugfußanordnung 2 mit der Last L zu unterbinden.Like especially in the 5 and 6 As can be seen in more detail, the valve unit 4 has a valve body 40 which is fixedly arranged in the housing body of the operating unit 3 and which projects away from a wall 50 of a flow channel section 5 in the housing body of the operating unit 3 leading from the interior of the lifting hose A to the suction foot arrangement 2. The valve body 40 has a guide structure 400 on which the closing element 41 is slidably guided for opening and closing the valve unit 4 in order to produce and regulate an external air supply via a channel arrangement to the flow channel section 5, the regulation or setting of the external air supply being carried out manually the button 33 takes place against a force effect of an energy accumulator 42, in the present case designed as a compression spring. The valve unit 4 is held in the open position for the supply of external air by means of the energy accumulator 42 in the unactuated state and can be opened by actuating the button 33 against the force of the energy accumulator 42 by moving the closing element 41 to vary the external air volume flow until it is completely stopped Closed position can be moved. Conversely, when the button 33 is not actuated, the closing element 41 can be brought into the (completely) open position by means of the energy accumulator 42, provided that the locking mechanism is disengaged from the deflection element 32 by means of the unlocking button 31. If the handle 30 or button 33 is unintentionally released by the operator during operation, the unlocking button 31 engages with its locking structure in the engagement structure 321 of the deflection element 32 in order to lock the current position of the closing element 41 and to prevent the valve unit 4 from opening and the resulting rapid lowering of the suction cup arrangement 2 with the load L.

Die Verstellung des Schließelements 41 entlang der Führungsstruktur 400 des Ventilkörpers 40 erfolgt bei der vorliegenden Ausbildung der Ventileinheit 4 translatorisch bzw. linear. Der Ventilkörper 40 wird dabei von dem als Hülse, insbesondere im Querschnitt kreisförmige Hülse, ausgebildeten Schließelement 41 übergriffen, wobei das Schließelement 41 in der Schließstellung mit einem der Umwandung 50 des Strömungskanalabschnitts 5 zugekehrten vorderen, stirnseitigen umlaufenden Dichtrand dichtend (gegebenenfalls unter Zwischenfügung eines Dichtelements) auf einer umlaufenden Dichtfläche des Ventilkörpers 40 anliegt. Der Ventilkörper 40 weist einen axial näher zu der Umwandung 50 bzw. Dichtfläche 403 gelegenen ersten Wandabschnitt 401 auf, in dem mindestens eine Durchgangsöffnung der Kanalanordnung zur Zuführung der Fremdluft eingebracht ist, sowie einen von der Dichtfläche 403 axial weiter abliegenden umlaufenden zweiten Wandabschnitt 402 auf, der in seinem Außenquerschnitt an den Innenquerschnitt des Schließelements 41 so angepasst ist, dass dieses entlang dem zweiten Wandabschnitt 402 möglichst spielfrei, gut gleitend verschieblich und dabei dichtend geführt ist. Der erste Wandabschnitt 401 mit der mindestens einen Durchgangsöffnung ist bezüglich einer (in Verschieberichtung gerichteten) Mittellängsachse des Ventilkörpers 40 radial nach innen von der Innenseite des Schließelements 41 beabstandet, wodurch die Regulierung des Fremdluftzustands bei einfacher Bedienung begünstigt wird.The adjustment of the closing element 41 along the guide structure 400 of the valve body 40 takes place translationally or linearly in the present embodiment of the valve unit 4. The valve body 40 is gripped by the closing element 41 designed as a sleeve, in particular a sleeve with a circular cross-section, the closing element 41 sealing in the closed position with a front, frontal, circumferential sealing edge facing the wall 50 of the flow channel section 5 (if necessary with the interposition of a sealing element). rests on a circumferential sealing surface of the valve body 40. The valve body 40 has a first wall section 401 located axially closer to the wall 50 or sealing surface 403, in which at least one through opening of the channel arrangement for supplying the external air is made, and a circumferential second wall section 402 which is axially further away from the sealing surface 403, the outer cross section of which is adapted to the inner cross section of the closing element 41 in such a way that it is guided along the second wall section 402 with as little play as possible, sliding easily and sealingly. The first wall section 401 with the at least one through opening is spaced radially inwards from the inside of the closing element 41 with respect to a central longitudinal axis (directed in the direction of displacement) of the valve body 40, which promotes the regulation of the external air condition with simple operation.

Des Weiteren umfasst die Führungsstruktur des Ventilkörpers 40 auf dessen von der Dichtfläche 403 abgekehrten Seite zinnenartig abstehende Führungselemente, die einen von der Dichtfläche 403 abgekehrten Deckbereich des Schließelements 41 in angepassten Durchbrüchen durchragen, so dass sich eine zusätzliche Führung des Schließelements 41 beim linearen Verschieben ergibt.Furthermore, the guide structure of the valve body 40 comprises, on its side facing away from the sealing surface 403, crenellated guide elements which project through a cover region of the closing element 41 facing away from the sealing surface 403 in adapted openings, so that additional guidance of the closing element 41 results during linear displacement.

Fig. 5 zeigt die Ventileinheit 4 in Offenstellung, wobei der stirnseitige vordere Dichtrand des Schließelements 41 von der Dichtfläche 403 beabstandet ist und die mindestens eine Durchgangsöffnung in dem ersten Wandabschnitt 401 vollständig freigegeben ist (vgl. auch Fig. 4 die dicken Einströmpfeile für Fremdluft), während Fig. 6 die Ventileinheit 4 in ihrer Schließstellung zeigt, wobei der vordere, stirnseitige Dichtrand des Schließelements 41 dichtend auf der Dichtfläche 403 anliegt. Fig. 5 shows the valve unit 4 in the open position, the front sealing edge of the closing element 41 being spaced from the sealing surface 403 and the at least one through opening in the first wall section 401 being completely exposed (cf. also Fig. 4 the thick inflow arrows for external air), while Fig. 6 shows the valve unit 4 in its closed position, with the front, end-side sealing edge of the closing element 41 resting sealingly on the sealing surface 403.

Der Kraftspeicher 42, der das Schließelement 41 infolge seiner Kraftwirkung in Offenstellung verschiebt, ist einerseits (auf seiner der Dichtfläche 403 zugewandten Seite) gegen ein im Innern des Ventilkörpers ortsfest angebrachtes, beispielsweise angeformtes, Widerlager abgestützt und andererseits gegen eine ortsfest in dem Schließelement 41 angebrachte Stützstruktur, wie die Fig. 4, 5 und 6 erkennen lassen. Das Schließelement 41 ist auf seiner von seinem Dichtrand abgekehrten Seite, insbesondere im Deckbereich mit einem in Öffnungsrichtung (von dem Strömungskanalabschnitt 5 weg) gerichteten Betätigungsvorsprung versehen, mit welchem der Koppelschenkel des Umlenkelements 32 in Wirkverbindung gebracht ist, um das Schließelement 41 bei Betätigung (Eindrücken) des Tasters 33 in Richtung der Schließstellung zu verschieben. An dem Betätigungszapfen des Schließelements 41 kann ein Verstellglied, vorliegend eine Hutmutter, angebracht sein, mittels dessen die Betätigungskraft bzw. der Betätigungsweg geeignet justierbar und eine gute Gleitfläche gegeben ist. Der Betätigungszapfen setzt sich vorteilhaft im Innern des Schließelements 41 fort, um den Kraftspeicher 41 in Form der Druckfeder aufzunehmen, die in ihrem zur Dichtfläche 403 hin gerichteten Abschnitt in eine angepasste Aufnahme des Ventilkörpers 40 eingesetzt ist, womit die Führung des Schließelements 41 begünstigt wird.The energy accumulator 42, which moves the closing element 41 into the open position as a result of its force, is supported on the one hand (on its side facing the sealing surface 403) against an abutment that is fixed in place, for example molded, inside the valve body and, on the other hand, against an abutment that is fixed in the closing element 41 Support structure, like that Fig. 4 , 5 and 6 reveal. The closing element 41 is provided on its side facing away from its sealing edge, in particular in the deck area, with an actuating projection directed in the opening direction (away from the flow channel section 5), with which the coupling leg of the deflection element 32 is brought into operative connection in order to close the closing element 41 when actuated (pressing in ) of the button 33 in the direction of the closed position. An adjusting member, in this case a cap nut, can be attached to the actuating pin of the closing element 41, by means of which the actuating force or the actuating path can be suitably adjusted and a good sliding surface is provided. The actuating pin advantageously continues inside the closing element 41 in order to accommodate the energy accumulator 41 in the form of the compression spring, which is inserted into an adapted receptacle of the valve body 40 in its section directed towards the sealing surface 403, thereby facilitating the guidance of the closing element 41.

Zur einfachen Bedienung ist die Entriegelungskraft auf den Entriegelungstaster 31 mittels der Handfläche auf die Außenseite des Handgriffs 30 vorzugsweise geringer als die Betätigungskraft auf den Taster 33 zum Verschieben des Schließelements 41 entgegen der Kraftwirkung des Kraftspeichers 42 in Richtung Schließstellung.For easy operation, the unlocking force on the unlocking button 31 by means of the palm of the hand on the outside of the handle 30 is preferably less than the actuating force on the button 33 for moving the closing element 41 against the force of the energy accumulator 42 towards the closed position.

Dadurch wird die Entriegelung auf einfache Weise beim Betätigen des Tasters 33 aufgehoben, fällt aber beim Loslassen des Handgriffs 30 sicher mit seiner Verriegelungsstruktur in die Eingriffstruktur 321 des Umlenkelements 32 ein, um das Schließelement 41 in einer aktuellen Stellung zu arretieren und den eingestellten Fremdluftvolumenstrom aufrecht zu erhalten.As a result, the unlocking is canceled in a simple manner when the button 33 is pressed, but when the handle 30 is released, its locking structure falls securely into the engagement structure 321 of the deflection element 32 in order to lock the closing element 41 in a current position and maintain the set external air volume flow receive.

Die Bedieneinheit ergibt mit relativ wenigen Teilen eine bedienungsfreundliche Handhabung bei sicherer Funktion.With relatively few parts, the control unit is user-friendly and functions reliably.

Claims (13)

  1. Hose lifter for suctioning and transporting loads by means of suction force using a suction base arrangement (2), which suction base arrangement can be acted upon by a vacuum formed in a vacuum chamber via an operating unit (3), which operating unit is operatively connected to a geodesically lower end of a lifting tube (A), the operating unit (3), in order to vary the vacuum, comprising a manually operable valve unit (4) which is accommodated in a housing body and which has a channel arrangement that is formed in a valve body (40) and is in flow communication with the vacuum chamber for the supply of external air, and the external air volume flow being able to be regulated via a closing element (41) which is manually actuatable by means of an actuating mechanism counter to the force generated by an energy accumulator (42) and which can be moved between a closed position and an open position in order to change the flow cross-section of the channel arrangement, the closing element (41) being held in a manually unactuated idle state by means of the force generated by the energy accumulator (42), the closing element (41) being held in the open position for the external air supply by means of the force generated by the energy accumulator (42) in the manually unactuated idle state, the suction base arrangement (2) assuming its lower position in the idle state, and
    the vacuum chamber extending via a flow channel portion (5) in the longitudinal direction through the housing body of the operating unit (3) from an upper connection side facing the lifting tube (A) to a lower connection side facing the suction base arrangement (2), and the valve body (40) being attached as a separate part to or formed in one piece on a wall (50), which surrounds the flow channel portion (5) and which is provided with at least one opening to the channel arrangement, so as to protrude transversely to the longitudinal direction of the housing body with wall structures, at least one through-opening of the channel arrangement for the external air being formed in the wall structures, characterized in that
    the closing element (41) is sleeve-shaped and surrounds the wall structures with the through-openings of the channel arrangement in a sealing manner in the closed position and, in the open position or in the case of a partially open position, completely or partially releases the region of the channel arrangement for the supply of external air.
  2. Hose lifter according to claim 1,
    characterized in that
    the valve body (40) is provided with a guide structure (400), on which the closing element (41) is guided in a translational manner between the open position and the closed position in the axial direction.
  3. Hose lifter according to either claim 1 or claim 2,
    characterized in that
    the closing element (41) has, on its front end face facing the channel portion (5), a circumferential sealing rim which, in the closed position, rests in a sealing manner against a facing circumferential sealing surface (403) of the valve body (40), in particular via an interposed sealing element, and, in the complete and the partial open position, is spaced apart from said sealing surface.
  4. Hose lifter according to claim 3,
    characterized in that
    the wall structures of the valve body (40) in the axial direction have a first wall portion (401) which is located close to the sealing surface (403) and in which the at least one through-opening is arranged, and has a circumferential second wall portion (402) adjacent thereto, which is located further away from the sealing surface in the axial direction and the outer cross-section of which is adapted to the inner cross-section of the closing element (41) such that the closing element (41) is slidingly displaceably guided along the second wall portion (402) with sealing.
  5. Hose lifter according to any of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the outer cross-section of the first wall portion (401) of the valve body (40) is smaller over its axial extent than the internal cross-section of the closing element (41), so that the first wall portion (401) with the at least one through-opening arranged therein is radially spaced apart from the inner surface of the closing element (41).
  6. Hose lifter according to any of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the valve body (40) and the closing element (41) have a round, in particular circular, cross-section at least partially over their axial extent.
  7. Hose lifter according to any of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the guide structure (400) of the valve body (40) has guide elements projecting in a crenelated manner in the region of the valve body that is remote from the flow channel portion (5), which guide elements pass through adapted guide openings in a rear cover wall region of the closing element (41) facing away from the flow channel portion (5).
  8. Hose lifter according to any of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the energy accumulator (42), which is based on a mechanical, electromotive, magnetic, pneumatic or hydraulic functional principle, is arranged in the interior of the valve unit (4) between the valve body (40) and the closing element (41).
  9. Hose lifter according to claim 8,
    characterized in that
    the energy accumulator (42), in particular designed as a compression spring, is mounted between a counter bearing arranged in a stationary manner on the valve body (40) and a support structure arranged in a stationary manner on the closing element (41), the force generated by the compression spring being oriented in the axial direction such that the closing element (41) is held in the open position in the idle state.
  10. Hose lifter according to any of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the actuating mechanism has a push button (33) mounted in a handle (30) in a pivot bearing (330), which push button is manually pivotable via a hand-side first lever arm and is brought into operative connection with the closing element (41) via a second lever arm indirectly, or directly via at least one deflection element (32), in order to move said closing element into the closed position after overcoming the force generated by the energy accumulator (42).
  11. Hose lifter according to claim 10,
    characterized in that
    the deflection element (32) is mounted in the handle (30) in a rotary bearing (320) and, on the one hand, is connected so as to be pivotable by means of a coupling bearing (322) to the second lever arm of the push button (33) via a coupling arm and, on the other hand, acts via an actuating arm on an actuating link, which is rigidly, optionally adjustably, mounted on the closing element (41), for moving the closing element (41).
  12. Hose lifter according to either claim 10 or claim 11,
    characterized in that
    the hand-side lever arm or the deflection element (32), in particular on its coupling arm, is provided with an engagement structure, in particular designed as a toothing, and
    in that a locking mechanism is integrated in the handle (30), which locking mechanism moves with a locking structure into the engagement structure when the handle is released in order to retain the closing element (41) in the current position, and
    in that the locking mechanism can be brought out of the locking state by manual actuation.
  13. Hose lifter according to claim 12,
    characterized in that
    the locking mechanism has an unlocking button (31) mounted in the handle, which unlocking button is mounted in a locking bearing (310) so as to be adjustable, in particular pivotable, relative to the housing body and is provided with the locking structure adapted to the engagement structure, which locking structure engages in a locking manner in the engagement structure when the handle (30) is released in order to lock the closing element (31) in the current position.
EP21203241.1A 2020-10-28 2021-10-18 Hose lifter Active EP3992135B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102020128380.6A DE102020128380B4 (en) 2020-10-28 2020-10-28 tube lifter

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3992135A1 EP3992135A1 (en) 2022-05-04
EP3992135B1 true EP3992135B1 (en) 2024-03-27
EP3992135C0 EP3992135C0 (en) 2024-03-27

Family

ID=78332527

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP21203241.1A Active EP3992135B1 (en) 2020-10-28 2021-10-18 Hose lifter

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3992135B1 (en)
DE (1) DE102020128380B4 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102023102438B3 (en) * 2023-02-01 2024-03-14 J.Schmalz Gmbh Operating device for a tube lifter and tube lifter

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5035456A (en) 1990-03-29 1991-07-30 Robert Messinger Vacuum control system for lifting systems
DE10038013B4 (en) 2000-08-04 2005-11-03 Albert Fezer Maschinenfabrik Gmbh Control device for a vacuum lifting device
DE10049149B4 (en) 2000-10-04 2009-03-19 Smi Handling Systeme Gmbh Device for handling objects with auxiliary power
DE102008028205C5 (en) 2008-06-09 2015-03-05 J. Schmalz Gmbh operating device
DE202018100403U1 (en) 2018-01-24 2019-04-25 J. Schmalz Gmbh Operating device for a tube lifter and tube lifter
EP3536650B1 (en) 2018-03-09 2020-11-11 J. Schmalz GmbH Control device for a hose lifter and hose lifter

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE102020128380A1 (en) 2022-04-28
DE102020128380B4 (en) 2023-01-05
EP3992135A1 (en) 2022-05-04
EP3992135C0 (en) 2024-03-27

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