DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE FUNCTION OF A VACUUM LIFTING DEVICE, AND VACUUM LIFTING DEVICE HAVING SUCH A CONTROL DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for controlling the function of a vacuum lifting device, the device (1) having an in particular neck-shaped distributor block (2) with a first port (3) and a second port (4), a first flow duct (6) being formed in the distributor block (2) via which duct the first port (3) can be fluidically-connected to the second port (4) as required with the aid of a first valve means (12), a second flow duct (7) being formed in the distributor block (2) via which duct the first port (3) can be fluidically-connected to the external atmosphere (50) as required with the aid of a second valve means (13), and a third flow duct (8) being formed in the

Claims

1. A device, comprising: a nozzle-shaped distributor block having a first port; a second port; wherein a first flow duct, wherein the first port is fluidly connected to the second port, via the first flow duct, via a first valve means, a second flow duct; wherein the first port is fluidly connected to an external atmosphere via a second valve means; and a third flow duct; wherein the second port is fluidly connected to the external atmosphere via a third valve means; and wherein the device is configured to control a function of a vacuum lifting device.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one area of the nozzle-shaped distributor block comprises a tubular or nozzle-shaped body; and wherein the at least one area of the nozzle-shaped distributor block comprises a rotationally symmetric design, wherein the first port is formed on a first end face; and wherein the second port is formed on an opposite second end face of the at least one area of the nozzle-shaped distributor block.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle-shaped distributor block comprises a first port region pointing radially from or protruding from the nozzle-shaped distributor blocks; wherein the first port region is detachably connected to the first valve means, wherein the nozzle-shaped distributor block comprises a second port region pointing radially from or protruding from the nozzle-shaped distributor block; wherein the second port region is detachably connected to of the second valve means, and wherein the nozzle-shaped distributor block comprises a third port region pointing radially from or protruding from the nozzle-shaped distributor block; wherein the third port region is detachably connected to the third valve means.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first valve means, the second valve means and the third valve means each comprise at least one throttle valve, wherein said at least one throttle valve is preferably an electromotive valve with a valve drive or a valve operated electromagnetically.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first flow duct fluidly connecting the first port to the second port runs along a longitudinal axis of the nozzle-shaped distributor block and can be fluidly interrupted when needed by means of a dividing wall and the first valve means; wherein the dividing wall runs substantially vertical to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle-shaped distributor block, wherein in a configuration in which the first valve means and the dividing wall cut off a fluid connection between the first port and the second port, the first flow duct is divided into a first region and a second region; wherein the second region is separate from the first region.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the second valve means is configured to establish a fluid connection between the first region and the external atmosphere, and wherein the third valve means is configured to establish a fluid connection between the second region and the external atmosphere.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle-shaped distributor block is a monolithic component comprising metal or plastic.

8. A vacuum lifting device comprising: a suction line extending between a vacuum connection and an outlet opening; a suction means, wherein the suction means is configured to provide a sealing engagement with at least one surface of at least one transport item; and a variable-length suction hose configured to limit at least a portion of the suction line between the suction means and the vacuum connection, wherein the suction means is releasably attached to the suction line in an end region of the variable-length suction hose and delimits an outlet opening; and a device comprising a nozzle-shaped distributor block according to claim 1; wherein the nozzle-shaped distributor block is configured to at least one of: i) set a negative pressure in the variable-length suction hose to affect a free flow cross-section of the suction line within a first section of line between the variable-length suction hose and the outlet opening; or ii) set a negative pressure in a second section of the suction line between the end region of the variable-length suction hose and the outlet opening.

9. The vacuum lifting device according to claim 8, wherein the nozzle-shaped distributor block is fully accommodated in the variable-length suction hose at the end region of said variable-length suction hose, and wherein the suction line is partially formed by the first flow duct of the nozzle-shaped distributor block.

10. The vacuum lifting device according to claim 8, wherein an operating device, is further provided between the suction means and the end region of the variable-length suction hose, wherein the suction means is pivotably mounted to the operating device in a detachable or replaceable manner via a coupling.

11. The vacuum lifting device according to claim 10, wherein the operating device comprises at least one electrical switch or button configured to control the first valve means, the second valve means and the third valve means, wherein the at least one electrical switch or button is connected to a corresponding valve means via an electrical line, and wherein the electrical line is at least partially integrated or accommodated in a wall of the suction line.

12. The vacuum lifting device according to claim 11, wherein the at least one electrical switch or button is configured to be controllable.

13. The vacuum lifting device according to claim 10, wherein the operating device comprises at least one display configured to display information relevant to an operation of the vacuum lifting device.

14. A system comprising: a first vacuum lifting device according to claim 8; an optional crane system via which the vacuum lifting device can be positioned at different positions, a second vacuum lifting device according to claim 8, wherein the first vacuum lifting device and the second vacuum lifting device are connected to one another via a data transmission channel, wherein the data transmission channel is configured to transmit data.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the first vacuum lifting device and the second vacuum lifting device are configured to communicate and exchange data with one another, wherein the first vacuum lifting device is configured to synchronize an operation of the second vacuum lifting device to an operation of the first vacuum lifting device.

16. A method comprising: manually controlling the first vacuum lifting device via the operating device of the first vacuum lifting device by controlling at least one of the first valve means, the second valve means, or the third valve means of the first vacuum lifting device, and automatically controlling the second vacuum lifting device in synchronization with the first vacuum lifting device; wherein the method is for operating a system according to claim 14.

Description

[0031] The following will reference the accompanying drawings in describing the invention in greater detail on the basis of exemplary embodiments.

[0032] Shown are:

[0033] FIG. 1a schematic and isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of the control device according to the invention;

[0034] FIG. 2a schematic and side view of the control device according to FIG. 1;

[0035] FIG. 3a schematic and top view of the control device according to FIG. 1;

[0036] FIG. 4a schematic and isometric view of the distributor block of the control device according to FIG. 1;

[0037] FIG. 5a schematic sectional top view of the distributor block according to FIG. 1;

[0038] FIG. 6a a schematic sectional view along the A-A line in FIG. 5;

[0039] FIG. 6b a schematic sectional view along the B-B line in FIG. 5;

[0040] FIG. 6c a schematic sectional view along the C-C line in FIG. 5; and

[0041] FIG. 7a schematic pneumatic diagram of the inventive control device.

[0042] The exemplary embodiment of the control device 1 according to the invention depicted in the drawings serves to control the function of a vacuum lifting device.

[0043] Such a vacuum lifting device comprises a suction line 102 extending between a vacuum connection and an outlet opening. The vacuum lifting device furthermore comprises a load-handling means which primarily works with vacuum and can be realized as a suction means, particularly in the form of a suction cup, although other mechanical load-handling means are in principle also conceivable. The load-handling means in particular realized as suction means 101 serves the sealing engagement with the surfaces of transport items.

[0044] The vacuum lifting device further comprises a variable-length suction hose 100 which at least partially delimits the suction line 102 between the load-handling means 101 particularly realized as suction means 101 and the vacuum connection.

[0045] The load-handling means 101 in particular realized as suction means is thereby preferably releasably attached to the suction line 102 at an end region of the variable-length suction hose 100 and delimits the outlet opening, particularly when the load-handling means 101 is realized as a suction means.

[0046] To set a negative pressure in the suction hose 100 to affect a free flow cross-section of the suction line 102 in a line section between the suction hose 100 and the outlet opening and/or to set a negative pressure in a line section between the end region of the suction hose 100 and the outlet opening, the inventive control device 1 makes use of an in particular nozzle-shaped distributor block 2.

[0047] As can be seen particularly in FIGS. 1 to 3, the distributor block 2 is in particular designed in the form of a nozzle and comprises a first port 3 as well as a second port 4. A first flow duct 6 is formed in the distributor block 2 via which the first port 3 can be fluidly connected to the second port 4 when needed by way of a first valve means 12. A second flow duct 7 is further formed in the distributor block 2 via which the first port 3 can be fluidly connected to the external atmosphere 50 when needed by way of a second valve means 13. A third flow duct 8 is more-over formed in the distributor block 2 via which the second port 4 can be fluidly connected to the external atmosphere 50 when needed by way of a third valve means 14.

[0048] As can be seen particularly from the isometric view according to FIG. 1, at least some areas of the distributor block 2 exhibit an essentially tubular or nozzle-shaped body and said block is of at least substantially rotationally symmetric design. The first port 3 is thereby formed on a first end face and the second port 4 is formed on an opposite second end face of the essentially tubular or nozzle-shaped body.

[0049] In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 4, the distributor block 2 comprises a first port region 9 pointing radially from or protruding from the distributor block 2 for the preferably detachable connection of the first valve means 12, a second port region 10 pointing radially from or protruding from the distributor block 2 for the preferably detachable connection of the second valve means 13, a third port region 11 pointing radially from or protruding from the distributor block 2 for the preferably detachable connection of the third valve means 14.

[0050] The first, second and third valve means 12, 13, 14 each comprise at least one valve, in particular a throttle valve, whereby said at least one valve is preferably an electromotive valve with a valve drive or a valve operated electromagnetically.

[0051] In the exemplary embodiment of control device 1, at least some areas of the first flow duct 6 fluidly connecting the first port 3 to the second port 4 when needed run along the longitudinal axis of the distributor block 2. This first flow duct 6 flow can be interrupted when needed, and that by means of a dividing wall 15 which preferably runs vertical or at least substantially vertical to the longitudinal axis of the distributor block 2 as well as by means of the first valve means 12 working in concert with the dividing wall 15. In a state in which a fluid connection between the first and second port 3, 4 is cut off by way of the first valve means 12 and interacting dividing wall 15, the first flow duct 6 is thereby divided into a first region 16 and a second separate region 17.

[0052] The exemplary embodiment further provides for the second valve means 13 to be designed to establish a fluid connection as needed between the first region 16 and the external atmosphere 50, whereby the third valve means 14 is designed to establish a fluid connection as needed between the second region 17 and the external atmosphere 50.

[0053] The distributor block 2 is advantageously realized as a monolithic component, and in particular made of metal or preferentially plastic.

[0054] The distributor block 2 is preferably fully accommodated in the suction hose 100 at the end region of said suction hose 100 of the vacuum lifting device, wherein the suction line 102 of the vacuum lifting device is partially formed by the first flow duct of the distributor block 2. The distributor block 2 with valve means 12, 13, 14 thereby serves in the setting of a negative pressure in the suction hose 100, the setting of a free flow cross-section of the suction line 102 within a section of line between the suction hose 100 and the outlet opening of the suction means and/or the setting of a negative pressure in a section of line between the end region of the suction hose 100 and the outlet opening.

[0055] The inventive vacuum lifting device, which as such is not depicted in the drawings, preferably comprises an operating device, particularly in the form of a pistol grip, between the suction means 101 and the end region of the suction hose 100, whereby the suction means 101 is pivotably mounted to the operating device, particularly in detachable or replaceable manner, preferably via a coupling.

[0056] The operating device exhibits suitable electrical switches or buttons, in particular membrane switches or membrane keys, so as to be able to control the first, second and third valve means. The electrical switches or buttons are each connected to the corresponding valve means via an electrical line, whereby the electrical lines are preferably at least partially integrated or accommodated in the wall of the suction line 102.

[0057] According to a further aspect of the invention, the electrical switches or buttons of the operating device are remotely controllable, in particular partly remotely controllable, for example via wireless remote control.

[0058] It can further be provided for the operating device to comprise at least one display or indicator for displaying information relevant to the operation of the vacuum lifting device to the user.

[0059] The invention is not limited to the embodiment depicted in the drawings as an example but rather yields from an integrated overall consideration of all the features disclosed herein.