DE20303294U1 - Suction grip system has a venturi pump to generate a continuous low pressure inside a suction cup - Google Patents

Abstract

A suction grip system has a module fitted with a suction cup linked to a venturi pump via a non return valve. The venturi pump is powered by a gas flow from a supply line which is connected to the module by a rapid action coupling. Any compressed gas can be used, preferably a non flammable, inert gas or compressed air. A support ring is attached to the module to position the grip and to attach any items.

Description

RICHTER, WSBRiJERMANN;OMBAULET & HOFMANN

EUROPEAN PATENT ATTORNEYS ⁰ · PATENT ATTORNEYS

EUROPEAN TRADEMARK & DESIGN ATTORNEYS

HAMBURG · BRRIJN · MUNICH

DIPL.-ING. JOACHIM RICHTER" ■ BERLIN

DIPL.-ING. HANNES GERBAULET ⁰ · HAMBURG

DIPL.-ING. FRANZ WERDERMANN" · - 1 9 8

DIPL.-GEOL. MATTHIAS RICHTER · MUNICH

DIPL-PI-IYS. DR. ANDREAS HOFMANN ⁰ · MUNICH

Neuer Wall 10 / II · 20354 HAMBURG S +49/(0)40/34 00 45 / 34 00 56 Fax +49/(0)40/35 24 15 eMail: ham@rwgh.de URL: http://www.rwgh.de

Your sign
Your File Our sign
Our File HAMBURG F 02419 III 6634 27.02.2003 Applicant: FREISE GmbH
Justus-von-Liebig-Ring 7-9
DE-25451 Quickborn

Title:

Suction mounting device

The invention relates to a suction fastening device according to the preamble of claim 1 and a holding and fastening device formed with the suction fastening device according to the invention.

Suction fastening devices based on suction cups are known in a wide variety of designs. Suction fastening devices generally have at least one contact surface for objects with which the suction cup is to be able to establish a connection. After the suction cup is placed on the object to be connected and the suction surface is in contact, a certain

·

·

Suction cup interior volume enclosed. The gas or liquid in this suction cup interior is now either transported out of the interior of the suction cup through an opening provided for this purpose or the suction cup interior is enlarged. The resulting negative pressure / vacuum creates a connection / suction force between the suction cup and the object to be connected. This general principle is based on the fact that either the suction cup interior must be enlarged or the contents of the interior must be transported out of the suction cup. A wide variety of principles and devices are known for this.

Mechanical solutions are primarily known for enlarging the interior of the suction cup. For example, the interior of the suction cup is enlarged using a knee joint after the suction cup has been placed on the object to be connected and the connecting surfaces have come into contact. The resulting negative pressure in the interior holds the suction cup on the object to be connected.

The disadvantage of this solution, however, is that the vacuum created by enlarging the interior cannot be maintained permanently. Reasons for this include a leak between the edge of the suction cup and the contact surface or possible diffusion of gases, such as air from the environment into the interior of the suction cup.

Furthermore, solutions are known in which the suction cup interior contents are conveyed out of the suction cup. These known devices according to the state of the art require a means for conveying the interior gas or the interior liquid via long suction lines.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a suction fastening device which maintains a permanent suction force on an object to be connected without a drop in negative pressure.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a device having the features characterized in claim 1 or in claim 18.

The embodiment according to the invention consists in that the suction fastening device as a compact structural unit has at least one ejector, which is operatively connected to the suction cup and can be connected to a supply line via a coupling element for a detachable connection, as well as a connecting element, preferably as a fastening device in the form of an eyelet.

A particular advantage of the suction fastening device according to claim 1 is that it can generate a permanent vacuum on the suction cup without an additional electrical power supply and can thus permanently bind objects to be connected. For this purpose, the suction fastening device according to the invention has at least one ejector which generates negative pressure/vacuum by means of a driver medium such as compressed air, neutral gases, non-flammable gas mixtures or neutral, non-flammable fluids and which is operatively connected to the suction cup and can be connected to a supply line for the medium used (in use). According to the invention, the fact that compressed air is available in sufficient quantities in many commercial and industrial areas is exploited. According to the invention, the suction fastening device can be connected to a supply line for a driver medium, such as compressed air, gas, gas mixtures or fluids. In the following, the term compressed air is used as a substitute for the driver media mentioned. It includes, however,

because it is possible to use the mentioned and other suitable driver media.

By means of the at least one ejector, the suction opening of which is connected to the at least one suction cup of the suction fastening device in a preferred embodiment, a vacuum or negative pressure can be generated and permanently maintained in the interior of the suction cup. This makes it possible to arrange the suction fastening device according to the invention permanently but reversibly after it has been fixed to an object to be connected. The connection created between the suction fastening device and the object to be connected can in particular be permanently maintained, since the ejector can ensure a permanent evacuation of the interior of the suction cup.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least one ejector has a coupling element via which it can be connected to a supply line. This supply line supplies compressed air to the ejector. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the coupling element is a hose connector, which can have a quick coupling.

In a further embodiment, the suction fastening device is provided with a non-return valve. The non-return valve is preferably arranged between the ejector and the suction cup and thus prevents the suction cup interior volume sucked out by the ejector from being returned to the suction cup. The non-return valve can, however, be part of the ejector as an integrated element.

To control the suction attachment device, an on/off switch is provided, which is preferably a ball valve, but can also be a suitable, possibly remote-controlled valve

Furthermore, the suction fastening device according to the invention can have an energy saving system. This energy saving system preferably has a vacuum-controlled (vacuum level-dependent) valve. The purpose of this energy saving system is to significantly reduce the consumption of the medium supplied via the supply line to feed the ejector.

In order to reduce the operating noise, the invention provides that the suction fastening device has at least one silencer. This silencer is preferably arranged at the outlet opening of the ejector.

As an alternative embodiment of the suction fastening device according to the invention, it is provided that the suction fastening device as a compact structural unit has at least one small electrically operated vacuum pump and a connecting element as a fastening device, preferably in the form of an eyelet.

On the one hand, it may be desirable to pick up objects to be connected with the suction fastening device and to move them into certain positions using the suction fastening device. It is also desirable to arrange the suction fastening device on a firmly secured object, such as a suitable house wall or a ship's hull, in order to be able to secure other objects to the suction fastening device. For example, it is advantageous to be able to secure gangways or gangways of ships at a designated location, preferably at the lower end, using a suction fastening device according to the invention on the ship's hull. For this purpose, the suction fastening device according to the invention has at least one eyelet and/or at least one eyebolt, ring nut or other component suitable for this purpose. In this

The object to be secured, such as a gangway, can then be snapped or latched into this eyelet.

In order to detach the suction fastening device from the object to be connected, the invention provides that the suction fastening device has a means for ventilating the suction cup. This means for ventilating the suction cup is preferably a ventilation line which has an inlet opening; which is ventilated by a ball valve or a suitable valve which can be adjustable.
With the ventilation means according to the invention, it is possible in a particularly simple manner to eliminate the vacuum or negative pressure that has developed in the interior of the suction cup. Only then is it possible to release the suction cup from the object that was previously connected.

A further object of the invention is to make the suction fastening device according to the invention usable for fastening and holding objects. For this purpose, it is proposed to combine the suction fastening device according to the invention with a holding and fastening device. This results in a wide range of possible uses. In addition to the obvious main areas

Stabilization of pilot stairs
Stabilization of boatswain seats
Holding objects

There are a wide range of applications not only on a ship but also on facades, large surfaces or similar. The main advantage over previously known solutions is that any objects such as pilot ladders, boatswain seats, rope ladders, gangways, mobile containers for window cleaners

or the like can be attached to large, smooth surfaces, using only compressed air.

The use of such a compressed air-operated suction cup has the great advantage over the known mechanical suction cups operated by a toggle joint, for example, that continuous evacuation is guaranteed, so that a secure fit is ensured even under high loads. This results in the following areas of application:

- Fixing / stabilization of pilot stairs, gangways, gangways, boatswain seats

- Fixing of objects in general and on board ships

- Fixing / stabilization of elevator cars / work platforms for window cleaning / facades

- Outboard fixing on large ship exterior walls for small boats

- Lifting objects

Production of variable / reversible attachment points

Production of variable / reversible attachment points under water

Creating attachment points on surfaces where no other attachment options are available.

Production of variable / reversible attachment points on a wide variety of surfaces and materials without damaging / destroying these surfaces

The invention is explained in more detail below in exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:

so &ogr;.

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an inventive

Suction attachment device with check valve and ventilation line,

Figure 2 shows a suction fastening device according to the invention without

Check valve and without ventilation line,

Figure 3 is a schematic representation of an ejector

Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of a mounting and

Fastening device for example for holding a ladder on a ship’s wall, and

Figure 5 is a detailed view of Fig. 4.

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a suction fastening device 10 according to the invention. The device 10 has a housing 22 in which an ejector 14 is arranged. The suction fastening device 10 also has a ball valve 16 and is connected to a compressed air supply line 18. When the ball valve 16 is closed, the suction fastening device 10 is switched off because no compressed air reaches the ejector 14 via the compressed air supply line 18. If the ball valve 16 is opened, the compressed air flows into the ejector 14 after passing through an energy saving system 30. The energy saving system 30 has a valve that can be controlled depending on the vacuum level. This makes it possible according to the invention to ensure that compressed air is only fed into the ejector 14 at short intervals, which are necessary to maintain the vacuum level. The vacuum level is set or preselected on the energy saving system so that the suction force of the suction fastening device 10 is suitable for the corresponding purpose, i.e. according to the weight of the object to be connected or the object to be attached to the eyelet 20 as a fastening device 120.

ing object, is always available in sufficient quantities. The compressed air flowing into the ejector 14 creates a negative pressure at its intake opening 40, as shown schematically in Figure 3. The compressed air flows into the interior of the ejector 14 via the inlet opening 36. The compressed air expands in the expansion chambers 48 and flows at high speed through the nozzle system consisting of nozzles 42. The air in the chambers 44 is thereby entrained by the gas jet, so that a vacuum is created at the intake opening 40. The air consumption and the amount of air sucked in characterize the performance of the ejector 14. The total suction power can be increased by using several ejectors 14. The intake opening 40 is connected to the suction cup 12 via a connecting line 32, as shown in Figure 1. Due to the vacuum/negative pressure created at the suction opening 40, after the suction cup 12 is placed on an object to be connected, the contents of the suction cup interior are sucked into the ejector 14, thus creating a vacuum or negative pressure inside the suction cup. The check valve 28 prevents the air sucked out of the suction cup interior from flowing back in the event that the energy saving system 30 with the valve that can be controlled depending on the vacuum level temporarily switches off the compressed air supply located at the inlet opening 36 of the ejector 14. The outlet opening 38 of the ejector 14 has a silencer 46, as shown in Figure 3. The air flowing through the ejector 14 from the inlet opening 36 and the air sucked out of the suction cup interior flows out into the environment via this outlet opening 38. It is provided that a silencer 26 is also arranged at the outlet opening of the housing 22. Furthermore, the suction fastening device 10 according to the invention has a ventilation line 34, which can be opened or closed via a ball valve 24. The ejector can correspond to the form shown here, but can also have a different design or mode of operation.

If the suction fastening device 10 is to be removed from the object to be connected, the ball valve 24, which has been closed until then, can be opened. As a result, the vacuum or negative pressure created inside the suction cup causes air from the environment to be sucked into the interior of the suction cup via the connecting line 32. This results in pressure equalization. This cancels out the forces previously acting on the suction cup 12 and the object to be connected due to the vacuum/negative pressure, and the suction fastening device 10 can be removed from the object to be connected without any problem. In addition, a silencer is arranged on the ball valve 24 and also acts as a filter 26, which prevents dirt particles from entering and reduces the noise level caused by the air sucked in when the ball valve 24 is opened.

After the suction fastening device 10 has been fastened to an object to be connected as described above, various objects can be hung or hooked or latched in some other way via the eyelet 20. With the device according to the invention it is thus possible, for example, to fasten a gangway hanging down from a ship at a designated location, e.g. at its lower end to the ship's hull. To do this, the suction fastening device 10 is brought into contact with the ship's hull at the level of the lower end of the gangway and connected to a supply line for compressed air. The vacuum/negative pressure that arises after the device is switched on by operating the ball valve 16 sucks the suction fastening device 10 towards the ship's hull and thus forms a permanent but reversible connection. The gangway can now be fastened via the eyelet 20. This takes into account the fact that on a commercial merchant ship there is usually sufficient compressed air available at almost all locations.

&Lgr;&thgr;&udigr;.:&idiagr;&Ggr;&udigr;&Ogr;

Another variant of a suction fastening device 10 according to the invention is shown schematically in Figure 2. In the embodiment shown here, a check valve 28 and a ventilation line 34 required with it and thus also the ball valve 24 and the silencer 26 as well as an energy saving system 30 have been dispensed with. If the suction fastening device 10 is to be detached from the object to be connected, it is sufficient to close the ball valve 16. The ejector is no longer supplied with the pressure medium. Due to the vacuum or negative pressure created inside the suction cup, the air from the environment is sucked into the interior of the suction cup via the ejector outlet and the connecting line 32. This results in pressure equalization. This cancels out the forces previously acting on the suction cup 12 and the object to be connected due to the vacuum / negative pressure and the suction fastening device 10 can be removed from the object to be connected without any problems.

However, the statements made so far with regard to Figure 1 apply analogously, so that the mode of operation of the suction fastening device 10 shown schematically here is achieved by generating a vacuum / negative pressure by an ejector 14 and thus generating a vacuum inside the suction cup 12.

The above-mentioned savings, in particular the energy saving system 30, can result in a significant cost advantage in the manufacture of the device. This is particularly advantageous for applications where compressed air is available in sufficient quantities, such as on larger ships or in land-based applications.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown here. Rather, it is possible to combine and modify

of the above-mentioned means and features to realize further embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

Figures 4 and 5 show an application for the suction fastening device 10. In this case, a ladder 50 hanging from a ship's wall 52 is held by the suction fastening device 10. Since the problem arises here that a ship is constantly changing its vertical and horizontal position due to its travel and pitching movement, there is a risk that the hanging ladder 50, which is to be seen as an example of such walk-in devices to be secured, will swing back and forth. This relative movement to the ship's wall 52 endangers people using such a ladder 50. Therefore, the suction fastening device 10 is used here, which has been combined here to form a holding and fastening device 100 in that an eyelet 20 is arranged on the housing 22, which secures the ladder 50 via a rope 54. The ladder 50 is always held on the ship's wall 52 via the suction cup 12 and the holding and fastening device 100. In this case, it is of course also possible - contrary to the drawing - to provide that the ladder has no free space in relation to the ship's wall 52 and is firmly tied to the eyelet 20. Preferably, the suction fastening device 10 is arranged firmly on the ladder 50 as the holding and fastening device 100.

The application shown in Fig. 4 and 5 is only to be understood as an application example. In the same way, it is possible to secure and hold pilot ladders, boatswain seats, but also window cleaners' elevators, work platforms and the like, whereby, depending on the application, a controlled fastening can be remotely controlled by regulating the compressed air line, such as in the case of a lowered ladder 50, or by a holder operated by the operating personnel, such as in the case of a

·

·

not shown car on a not shown facade is possible.

28· 02· 03

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

100 Mounting and fastening device 120 Fastening device 10 Suction mounting device 12 suction cup 14 Ejector 16 Ball valve 18 Supply line for compressed air (driver medium) 20 eyelet 22 Housing 24 Ball valve 26 silencer 28 check valve 30 Energy saving system 32 Connecting line between ejector and suction cup 34 Ventilation line 36 Entrance opening 38 Exit opening 40 Intake opening 42 jet 44 Chamber (of the ejector) 46 silencer 48 Expansion chamber 50 Director 52 Ship wall 54 Rope

Claims (27)

1. Suction fastening device ( 10 ) with at least one suction cup ( 12 ), characterized in that the suction fastening device ( 10 ) as a compact structural unit has at least one ejector ( 14 ) which is operatively connected to the suction cup ( 12 ) and can be connected to a supply line ( 18 ) via a coupling element for a detachable connection, and a connecting element, preferably as a fastening device ( 120 ) in the form of an eyelet ( 20 ). 2. Suction fastening device according to claim 1, characterized in that the suction opening ( 40 ) of the ejector ( 14 ) is connected to the suction cup ( 12 ) and/or the ejector ( 14 ) can be connected to a supply line ( 18 ) via a coupling element. 3. Suction fastening device according to claim 2, characterized in that the suction opening ( 40 ) of the ejector ( 14 ) is connected to the suction cup ( 12 ) either directly or via a connecting line ( 32 ). 4. Suction fastening device according to claim 1 to 3, characterized in that the ejector ( 14 ) has a coupling element for a supply line ( 18 ) or is connected to a coupling element for a supply line ( 18 ). 5. Suction fastening device according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the coupling element is a line connection piece, preferably a hose connection piece. 6. Suction fastening device according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the coupling element has a quick coupling. 7. Suction fastening device according to claim 1 to 6, characterized in that the ejector ( 14 ) is a compressed air ejector, a gas ejector, a gas mixture ejector or a fluid ejector. 8. Suction fastening device according to claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the suction fastening device ( 10 ) has a check valve ( 28 ). 9. Suction fastening device according to claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the check valve ( 28 ) is arranged on the ejector ( 14 ) or on the connecting line ( 32 ) between the ejector ( 14 ) and the suction cup ( 12 ). 10. Suction fastening device according to claim 1 to 9, characterized in that the suction fastening device ( 10 ) has a housing ( 22 ). 11. Suction fastening device according to claim 10, characterized in that the ejector ( 14 ) is arranged within the housing ( 22 ), the suction cup ( 12 ) and the coupling element are arranged on the housing ( 22 ). 12. Suction fastening device according to claim 1 to 11, characterized in that the suction fastening device ( 10 ) has an on/off switch. 13. Suction fastening device according to claim 12, characterized in that the on/off switch is a ball valve ( 16 ) or a corresponding, preferably adjustable and/or remotely controllable valve. 14. Suction fastening device according to claim 1 to 13, characterized in that the suction fastening device ( 10 ) has an energy saving system ( 30 ). 15. Suction fastening device according to claim 14, characterized in that the energy saving system ( 30 ) has a vacuum level dependent controllable valve. 16. Suction fastening device according to claim 1 to 15, characterized in that the suction fastening device ( 10 ) has at least one silencer ( 26 , 46 ). 17. Suction fastening device according to claim 16, characterized in that the silencer ( 46 ) is arranged at the outlet opening ( 38 ) of the ejector ( 14 ). 18. Suction fastening device ( 10 ) with at least one suction cup ( 12 ), characterized in that the suction fastening device ( 10 ) has as a compact structural unit at least one small electrically operated vacuum pump and a connecting element as a fastening device, preferably in the form of an eyelet ( 20 ). 19. Suction fastening device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the suction fastening device ( 10 ) has an eyelet ( 20 ) and/or an eyebolt or ring nut as fastening device ( 120 ). 20. Suction fastening device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the eyelet ( 20 ) and/or the eyebolt ring nut is arranged on the housing ( 22 ) or is directly connected to the suction cup. 21. Suction fastening device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the suction fastening device ( 10 ) has a means for ventilating the suction cup ( 12 ). 22. Suction fastening device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means for ventilation is a ventilation line ( 34 ) with an inlet opening. 23. Suction fastening device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inlet opening can be ventilated by a ball valve ( 24 ) or a suitable valve, which is preferably adjustable and/or remotely controllable. 24. Suction fastening device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ventilation line ( 34 ) is connected to the connecting line ( 32 ) between the ejector ( 14 ) and the suction cup ( 12 ) and is arranged between the check valve ( 28 ) and the suction cup ( 12 ). 25. Holding and fastening device ( 100 ) with a suction fastening device ( 10 ) as a structural unit according to one of claims 1 to 24. 26. Holding and fastening device according to claim 25, characterized in that the holding and fastening device ( 100 ) has a connecting device for detachable connection to a walkable or accessible device such as a pilot staircase and/or to a movable device such as a car or a work platform. 27. Holding and fastening device according to claim 26, characterized in that the detachable connecting device comprises a rope ( 54 ), or a chain, optionally equipped with snap hooks or shackles, a telescopic connecting rod or the like.