Operating device for a tube lifter and tube lifter

Abstract

The invention relates to an operating device for a tube lifter having a suction grip device arranged on one end of the lifting tube, the operating device having a suction port for fluid communication with the suction grip device, a lifting tube port for fluid communication with the tube interior of the lifting tube, and a valve means for controlling the fluid communications, the valve means comprising a blocking member, a ventilation valve and a control valve, the valve means being designed such that the control valve is adjustable independently of the position of the blocking member and the valve means being designed such that when the ventilation valve is shifted into the ventilation position the blocking member always closes off the flow path between the tube interior and the suction grip device. The invention also relates to a tube lifter comprising an operating device of this kind.

Claims

1. Operating device for a tube lifter which comprises a lifting tube that has a tube interior and can be shortened by applying a vacuum to the tube interior, and comprising a suction grip device arranged on one end of the tube lifter, which suction grip device can be supplied with a vacuum through the tube interior, the operating device having a suction port for fluid communication with the suction grip device, a lifting tube port for fluid communication with the tube interior of the lifting tube, and a valve means for controlling the fluid communications, the valve means comprising: a blocking member, which can assume various positions and, depending on its position, closes off or opens a flow path between the lifting tube port and the suction port; a ventilation valve, which can be shifted into a hold position and into a ventilation position, in the ventilation position a flow path between the surroundings and the suction port being open, and in the hold position said flow path being substantially closed; a control valve, which is adjustable between a closed position and an open position, in the open position a flow path from the surroundings to the lifting tube port being open, and in the closed position said flow path being substantially closed; the valve means being designed such that the control valve is adjustable independently of the position of the blocking member, characterized in that the valve means is designed such that when the ventilation valve is shifted into the ventilation position the blocking member always closes off the flow path between the lifting tube port and the suction port.

2. Operating device according to claim 1, wherein a safety mechanism is provided which interacts with the control valve and the ventilation valve such that the ventilation valve can only be shifted into the ventilation position when the control valve is adjusted into the open position.

3. Operating device according to claim 1, wherein a common operating element for the blocking member and the ventilation valve is provided, wherein the operating element is manually actuable starting from a rest position and, upon actuation, the ventilation valve is shifted and the blocking member is moved simultaneously.

4. Operating device according to claim 3, wherein the operating element is mechanically blocked when the control valve is not adjusted into the open position.

5. Operating device according to claim 4, wherein a control element that is manually actuable between a neutral position and an end position is provided, wherein, when the control element is actuated starting from the neutral position toward the end position, the control valve is shifted from the closed position toward the open position, and wherein a safety catch that is pivotable or movable starting from a blocking position is provided, wherein the safety catch in the blocking position mechanically blocks the operating element, and wherein a coupling element is provided, which interacts with the control element and the safety catch in such a way that the safety catch is pivoted or moved out of its blocking position when the control element is adjusted into the end position.

6. Operating device according to claim 1, wherein the blocking member and the ventilation valve are mechanically intercoupled such that, by means of an adjustment of the ventilation valve into the ventilation position, the blocking member is shifted such that the flow path between the lifting tube port and the suction port is closed off.

7. Operating device according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation valve is provided by a discretely switchable valve.

8. Operating device according to claim 1, wherein the blocking member can be discretely switched into its two positions.

9. Operating device according to claim 1, wherein the valve means has a 3/2-way valve, which provides both the blocking member and the ventilation valve.

10. Operating device according to claim 1, wherein the valve means is designed such that the control valve can also be shifted into the open position when the blocking member closes off the flow path between the lifting tube port and the suction port.

11. Operating device according to claim 1, wherein the control valve, the blocking member and the ventilation valve are connected in series between the lifting tube port and the suction port.

12. Operating device according to claim 1, having a handle that can be grasped by an operator, wherein a common operating element for the blocking member and the ventilation valve is provided on the handle and wherein an actuable control element for adjusting the control valve is additionally provided on the handle.

13. Tube lifter comprising a lifting tube that comprises a tube interior, it being possible to shorten the lifting tube by applying a vacuum to the tube interior, and having a suction grip device connected to one end of the lifting tube, which suction grip device can be supplied with a vacuum through the tube interior, characterized by an operating device for operating the lifting tube comprising a lifting tube that has a tube interior and can be shortened by applying a vacuum to the tube interior, and comprising a suction grip device arranged on one end of the tube lifter, which suction grip device can be supplied with a vacuum through the tube interior, the operating device having a suction port for fluid communication with the suction grip device, a lifting tube port for fluid communication with the tube interior of the lifting tube, and a valve means for controlling the fluid communications, the valve means comprising: a blocking member, which can assume various positions and, depending on its position, closes off or opens a flow path between the lifting tube port and the suction port; a ventilation valve, which can be shifted into a hold position and into a ventilation position, in the ventilation position a flow path between the surroundings and the suction port being open, and in the hold position said flow path being substantially closed; a control valve, which is adjustable between a closed position and an open position, in the open position a flow path from the surroundings to the lifting tube port being open, and in the closed position said flow path being substantially closed; the valve means being designed such that the control valve is adjustable independently of the position of the blocking member, characterized in that the valve means is designed such that when the ventilation valve is shifted into the ventilation position the blocking member always closes off the flow path between the lifting tube port and the suction port.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be explained in more detail in the following with reference to the drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1: is a sketch of a tube lifter comprising an operating device;

(3) FIG. 2: is a detailed view of the operating device from FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3: is a sectional view of the operating device with a closed control valve and a closed ventilation valve;

(5) FIG. 4: is a sectional view of the operating device with the control valve open;

(6) FIG. 5: is a sectional view of the operating device with the control valve open and the ventilation valve open and with a closed blocking member;

(7) FIG. 6: is a functional diagram of the configuration according to FIG. 3;

(8) FIG. 7: is a functional diagram of the configuration according to FIG. 4; and

(9) FIG. 8: is a functional diagram of the configuration according to FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) In the following description and in the drawings, the same reference signs are used in each case for identical or corresponding features.

(11) FIG. 1 shows a sketch of a tube lifter 10 comprising a reversibly extendable and shortenable lifting tube 12. The lifting tube 12 encloses a tube interior 14, in which a vacuum is produced by means of a vacuum supply (not shown in more detail) in the operating state. Depending on the pressure level in the tube interior 14, the lifting tube is reversibly shortened or extended, for example under the action of gravitational force.

(12) The lower end of the lifting tube 12 is connected to a suction grip device 16, which is supplied with a vacuum through the lifting tube 12. The lifting tube 12 is connected to a carrier or frame 18 by means of its upper end which is opposite the suction grip device 16. By shortening the lifting tube 12, the suction grip device 14 and an object (not shown) suctioned by the suction grip device 14 can thus be lifted.

(13) In order to operate and control the lifting tube 12 and the suction grip device 14, an operating device 20 is provided (detailed view cf. FIG. 2)

(14) In the example shown, the operating device 20 has a port portion 22 which is mechanically connected to the lifting tube 12 and the suction grip device 14. In this case, the connection is designed in particular such that fluid communications between the tube interior 14 and the suction grip device 16, between the tube interior 14 and the surroundings, and between the suction grip device 16 and the surroundings, can also be controlled by means of the operating device 20. For this purpose, the operating device 20 has a valve device, which is described in more detail further below with reference to FIG. 3-8.

(15) As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the operating device 20 has a handle 24 and two separate operating means: an operating element 26 and a control element 28, the function of which is described in more detail in the following. In this case, the handle 20 is in particular shaped in such a way that an operator can grasp said handle with one hand and in so doing can actuate the operating element 26 and the control element 28 with one hand (e.g. using the index finger and/or the middle finger).

(16) The control element 28 is formed, for example, in the manner of a pistol trigger which, starting from a neutral position (cf. FIG. 2 and FIG. 3), is continuously depressible toward an end position (cf. FIGS. 4 and 5). In particular, the control element 28 is pretensioned in its neutral position and can only be depressed against a restoring force.

(17) The operating element 26 is, for example, formed in the manner of a pushbutton and can be depressed starting from a rest position. In particular, the operating element 26 is pretensioned in its rest position and can only be actuated starting from the rest position against a restoring force.

(18) The operating device 20 has a suction port 30 which, in the example shown, is connected to the port portion 22 by means of a tubular connecting line and is used for the fluid communication with the attached suction grip device 16. Moreover, the operating device 20 has a lifting tube port 32 which is used (in the example shown again via the port portion 22) for the fluid communication with the attached lifting tube 12 (more precisely with the tube interior 14). The operating device 20 further has an inlet from the surroundings (not shown in more detail) which can be formed, for example, by corresponding apertures or openings in the region of the handle 24.

(19) In the operating device 20 shown, the port portion 22 is spatially spaced far apart from the handle 24. In particular, the tubular connecting lines run between the port portion 22 and the handle such that, when the tube lifter 10 is in operation, the suction grip device 16 is positioned so as to be vertically offset (above) the handle. This embodiment makes it possible, by means of the tube lifter, to pick up and place down objects that are stacked high.

(20) The operating device 20 further has a valve means 36, which is explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. In the example shown, essential components of the valve means 36 are arranged in a valve housing portion 34 of the operating device 20 (cf. FIG. 2).

(21) FIGS. 3 to 5 are longitudinal sectional views of the operating device 20 in the region of the handle 24. The valve means 36 can be seen in detail here. The operating principle of the valve means 36 is additionally shown by the diagrams of FIGS. 6 to 8.

(22) The sectional views according to FIGS. 3 to 5 show a transverse hole 38 into which the suction port 30 in the valve housing portion 34 leads. The lifting tube port 32 opens into a channel 40 within the valve housing portion 34.

(23) The flow path between the channel 40 and the transverse hole 38 can be opened or closed off by means of a blocking member 42. In the example shown, the blocking member 42 is formed as a valve flap which in its open position (FIGS. 3 and 4 or FIGS. 6 and 7) opens the communication between the suction port 30 and the lifting tube port 32, and in its closed position (see FIG. 5 or FIG. 8) closes off the communication between the lifting tube port 32 and the suction port 30 (e.g. rests against a corresponding sealing seat, which is not shown in more detail for the sake of clarity).

(24) In addition, a ventilation valve 44 is provided, by means of which a flow path from the suction port 30 through the transverse hole 38 to the surroundings can be opened or closed off. In the embodiment shown, the ventilation valve 44 also has a valve flap which opens or closes off the mentioned flow path. The ventilation valve can in this respect assume a hold position (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 or 6 and 7) in which the flow path between the suction port 30 and the surroundings is closed. In contrast, the ventilation valve 44 can assume a ventilation position (shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 8) in which the flow path between the suction port 30 and the surroundings is open.

(25) The valve means 36 further comprises a control valve 46 comprising a movable valve body 48 which can rest against a sealing seat (not shown in more detail) or can be moved away from said seat. The control valve 46 is adjustable between an open position (shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 8) and a closed position (shown in FIGS. 3 and 6). In the closed position, the valve body 48 closes a flow path between the lifting tube port 32 (through channel 40) and the surroundings. In the open position, said flow path is largely open.

(26) The control valve 46 is in particular continuously adjustable between the open position and the closed position by means of the control element 28. The further the control element 28 is depressed (for example transition from the configuration shown in FIG. 3 to the configuration shown in FIG. 4), the larger the cross section of flow between the pressure tube port and the surroundings opened by the valve body 48.

(27) The blocking member 42 and the ventilation valve 44 are jointly actuated by the operating element 26 (cf. FIG. 2). If the operating element 26 is actuated starting from its rest position, the blocking member, starting from the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, is moved such that it assumes the position shown in FIG. 5, i.e. such that the flow path between the suction port 30 and the lifting tube port 32 is closed off. Simultaneously, starting from the hold position, the ventilation valve is switched into the ventilation position (cf. transition from FIG. 4 to FIG. 5) by actuating the operating element 26.

(28) In this respect, a mechanical forced coupling between the blocking member and the ventilation valve can be provided by the common operating element 26.

(29) The operating device 20 comprises in particular a safety mechanism 50, which ensures that the ventilation valve 44 can only be shifted into the ventilation position when the control valve 46 is already adjusted into the open position.

(30) The safety mechanism 50 can have a pivotable safety catch 52, which is arranged such that, in a blocking position, it blocks a shift of the ventilation valve 44. FIG. 3 shows the safety catch 52 in its blocking position. Starting from this blocking position, the safety catch 52 is pivotable such that the ventilation valve 44 is no longer blocked and can assume its ventilation position. This configuration of the safety catch 52 can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5.

(31) In order to provide this function, the safety mechanism 50 can have a movable coupling element 54 which, in the example shown, is formed as a connecting arm which interacts with the control element 28 at one end and with the safety catch 52 at the other end. When the control element 28 is actuated into its end position (cf. FIG. 4), the coupling element 54 is taken along therewith and pivots the safety catch 52 out of its blocking position.

(32) This operating principle can be achieved, for example, by the coupling element having a slot 56 (cf. FIG. 4), within which a corresponding projection or pin extends, which projection or pin is arranged on the control element 28. The slot 56 is designed and arranged such that the projection or pin runs freely and abuts one end of the slot only in the end position, and the coupling element 54 is thus moved. In this respect, the safety catch 52 is moved out of the blocking position only when the control element 28 has been moved into its end position (cf. FIG. 5).

(33) Owing to the joint actuation of the blocking member 42 and the ventilation valve 44 by means of the operating element 26, the blocking member 42 and the ventilation valve 44 overall form a discretely switchable 3/2-way valve 58 (indicated in FIG. 5). Said valve functionally has three inlets, specifically the lifting tube port, the suction port and a fluid communication with the surroundings. The function of a 3/2-way valve is provided by the coupled interaction between the blocking member 42 and the ventilation valve 44.

(34) The control valve 46 is in particular not coupled to the ventilation valve 44 and can basically still be actuated by means of the control element 28 also in the situation shown in FIG. 5. As a result, the lifting tube 12 also remains controllable in the ventilation position.

(35) The control valve 46, the blocking member 42 and finally the ventilation valve 44 are connected in series with respect to the flow path from the lifting tube port 32 through the channel 40 and further through the transverse hole 38 to the suction port 30. This is explained with reference to the functional diagrams in FIGS. 6 to 8. The flow path runs from the lifting tube 12 through the lifting tube port 32 along the control valve 46 and further along the blocking member 42 and along the ventilation valve 44 to the suction port 30, and finally and further into the suction grip device 16.

(36) In FIG. 6, the control valve 46 is in its closed position (valve body 48 closes the communication with the surroundings). The blocking member 42 is open, i.e. it opens the flow path. In contrast, the ventilation valve 44 is in its hold position, i.e. the flow path to the surroundings is closed off.

(37) Proceeding from this configuration, the control valve 46 can be opened (by actuating the control element 28, cf. FIGS. 3 to 5). As a result, ambient air passes into the lifting tube port 32. This configuration is shown in FIG. 7.

(38) If the control valve 46 is completely open (cf. FIG. 8), the blocking member 42 can be closed (by actuating the common operating element 26). Owing to the coupling between the blocking member 42 and the ventilation valve 44, the ventilation valve 44 is simultaneously shifted into the ventilation position. This has the result that the suction port 30 is directly connected to the surroundings via the ventilation valve. As a result, the suction grip device 16 is ventilated. In contrast, the lifting tube port 32 is no longer connected to the suction port 30 due to the blocking member 42. An inflow of ambient air into the lifting tube port 32 can furthermore be controlled by means of the control valve 46.