JP5222054B2 - Vacuum unit - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vacuum unit that sucks and conveys a workpiece.

  Conventionally, a vacuum unit has been used as a means for conveying a work and a means for positioning a work. The vacuum unit includes suction means such as a pad for sucking the work, and the suction means sucks the work with a negative pressure fluid supplied from the vacuum unit main body. Then, the workpiece is conveyed or positioned to a predetermined position by moving the suction means that has sucked the workpiece and releasing the suction state after the movement.

And when a vacuum unit adsorb | sucks, since the surrounding air is suck | inhaled with the workpiece | work, it will also inhale dust, dust, etc. Such dust or dust may adversely affect the electromagnetic valve that switches the air that generates negative pressure. In addition, when releasing the workpiece suction state, air is sent out from the vacuum unit, so there is a risk that dust in the vacuum unit may be discharged. Therefore, a conventional vacuum unit is provided with a filter that removes dust and dirt (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-342765 A

  If dust or dust accumulates on the filter, it clogs and obstructs the flow of air. For this reason, the filter is regularly replaced. Therefore, as described in Patent Document 1, it is configured to be replaceable.

  By the way, since a plurality of workpieces are often conveyed simultaneously, the vacuum unit is usually used with a plurality of unit bodies connected. Since the plurality of units are connected, the pitch dimension of each unit main body is shortened, and for example, they are connected at an interval of about 10 mm (that is, the unit main body is thinned). When the pitch dimension is shortened in this way, the size of the filter and the lid member that holds the filter is also reduced. Therefore, when replacing the filter, there is a problem that it takes time and effort, such as dropping the lid member removed from the unit main body or making the lid member small and difficult to attach and detach. Further, since a plurality of filters are exchanged at the same time, it takes time and effort to attach and detach several small lid members.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems existing in the prior art. An object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum unit capable of improving the working efficiency when replacing the filter.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 is connected to the suction means, sucks a fluid from the suction means, and makes a vacuum state so that the work is sucked and sucked by the suction means. In a vacuum unit in which a plurality of unit main bodies for detaching the work from the suction means by discharging a fluid to the suction means after the transferred work is connected, the unit main body has a negative state that creates a vacuum state. A vacuum port that supplies pressurized fluid, a supply port that supplies pressurized fluid that breaks the vacuum state, a filter case that houses a filter that removes dust contained in the fluid, and supply and shutoff of negative pressure fluid from the vacuum port switches the, and a switching means for switching supply and shutoff of the pressure fluid from the supply port, before notated Irutakesu, Fi An opening for exchanging the filter is formed, the opening is configured to be closed by closing means, and each opening of the filter case is configured to open in the same direction. The plurality of closing means are integrated, and the closing means is attached to each opening of the filter case, and is connected to the suction means. A filter cover that covers the entire surface provided with the opening, and the filter cover has a notch formed in accordance with the opening, while the piping port member includes each of the filter covers. An engagement portion that engages with the notch portion is formed, and the piping port member engages the notch portion with the engagement portion to thereby engage the filter cover with the filter cover. It is summarized as that is configured to be detachable from the Takesu.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 2 is connected to the suction means, sucks a fluid from the suction means, and makes the workpiece vacuum by sucking the work and is sucked by the suction means. In a vacuum unit in which a plurality of unit main bodies for detaching the work from the suction means by discharging a fluid to the suction means after the work is transported is connected, the unit main body has a negative pressure that creates a vacuum state. A vacuum port that supplies fluid, a supply port that supplies pressure fluid that breaks the vacuum state, a filter case that houses a filter that removes dust contained in the fluid, and supply and shutoff of negative pressure fluid from the vacuum port And switching means for switching between supply and shutoff of the pressure fluid from the supply port, and connected to the filter case. A plurality of filter chambers for accommodating the filters of the plurality of unit main bodies for each unit main body, and an opening opening to the outside is formed in each filter chamber so as to open in the same direction as the filter case. Each of the openings of the filter case includes a filter cover that covers the entire surface of the filter case where the openings are provided, and a pipe that is attached to the openings of the filter case and is connected to the suction means. The pipe port member is integrated with the filter cover and is configured to be detachable from the filter case. .
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the bottom of the filter case is provided with an elastic member that applies an elastic force that pushes the filter toward the opening. Is the gist.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the filter case is formed of a transparent material so that the state of the accommodated filter can be visually observed. It is a summary.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the working efficiency when replacing the filter.

Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying a vacuum unit 10 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vacuum unit 10 is configured by connecting a plurality (eight in the present embodiment) of unit bodies 11. Each unit main body 11 includes an electromagnetic valve 12 as switching means, a flow rate sensor 13 for detecting the flow rate of fluid passing therethrough, and a filter case 15 in which a filter 14 is accommodated, and is fixed to a plate-like base member 16. Yes.

  In the present embodiment, the base member 16 is integrated over the plurality of unit main bodies 11. That is, the solenoid valve 12 of each unit main body 11, the flow sensor 13 of each unit main body 11, and the filter case 15 are attached to the rectangular plate-shaped base member 16 by screws. A vacuum port 17 to which a vacuum pump (not shown) is connected via a tube is connected to the base member 16. As shown in FIG. 3, the vacuum port 17 is connected to each electromagnetic valve 12 via a fluid passage 16 a formed inside the base member 16. The vacuum port 17 supplies a negative pressure fluid having a predetermined pressure to each electromagnetic valve 12.

  The base member 16 is connected to a supply port 18 for supplying a pressure fluid (not shown). As shown in FIG. 3, the supply port 18 is formed inside the base member 16 and is connected to each electromagnetic valve 12 via a fluid passage 16b different from the fluid passage 16a to which the vacuum port 17 is connected. Has been. The supply port 18 supplies a pressure fluid (compressed air) for breaking the vacuum state to each electromagnetic valve 12 through the fluid passage 16b.

  The solenoid valve 12 is configured to be able to switch between supply and shutoff of negative pressure fluid from the vacuum port 17. Similarly, the solenoid valve 12 is configured to be able to switch between supply and shutoff of the pressure fluid from the supply port 18. The fluid supplied from the solenoid valve 12 passes through a fluid passage 16c formed in the base member 16 (a fluid passage different from the fluid passages 16a and 16b connected to the vacuum port 17 and the supply port 18), It is supplied to the flow rate sensor 13.

  The flow sensor 13 is configured to measure the flow rate of the fluid (negative pressure fluid and pressure fluid) supplied from the electromagnetic valve 12. By measuring the flow rate of the fluid, it is possible to determine whether it is in a vacuum state, a negative pressure fluid is supplied, and a pressure fluid is supplied. The fluid supplied and measured from the electromagnetic valve 12 is supplied to the filter case 15 via a fluid passage 16 d formed in the base member 16.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the filter case 15 is fixed to the end of the base member 16 in the short direction. The filter case 15 is integrated over the plurality of unit bodies 11. On the other hand, the supplied fluid is supplied to the filter chamber 20 of each unit main body 11 individually. The filter chamber 20 has a circular cross section. The filter case 15 is formed of a transparent material (transparent resin material) and is configured so that the contents of the filter chamber 20 can be visually observed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a passage hole 20b through which the fluid supplied from the flow sensor 13 is supplied through the fluid passage 16d is formed in the bottom 20a of each filter chamber 20. A fluid is supplied into the filter chamber 20 through the passage hole 20b.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the filter chamber 20 is fixed to the bottom portion 20 a of the filter chamber 20 by a retaining pin 21 so as to be movable in the vertical direction of the filter chamber 20 (vertical direction in FIG. 4). A disk-shaped support 22 is attached. Specifically, a through hole 22 a is formed at the center of the support portion 22, and the retaining pin 21 passes through the through hole 22 a and is fixed to the bottom portion 20 a of the filter chamber 20. A disc-shaped retaining portion 21a having a diameter larger than the diameter of the through hole 22a is formed at the head of the retaining pin 21, and the support portion 22 is engaged with the retaining portion 21a. This prevents the filter chamber 20 from being detached from the bottom 20a.

  Further, the outer diameter of the support portion 22 substantially matches the inner diameter of the filter chamber 20. Thereby, the fluid is prevented from passing between the support portion 22 and the filter chamber 20. On the other hand, the diameter of the through hole 22a is formed larger than the diameter of the retaining pin 21 (the diameter of the portion other than the retaining portion 21a). For this reason, the fluid supplied to the bottom 20 a of the filter chamber 20 can pass between the through hole 22 a and the retaining pin 21. Moreover, the support part 22 is installed in the bottom part 20a of the filter chamber 20 via the spring 25 as an elastic member. The support portion 22 receives an elastic force upward by the spring 25.

  Each filter chamber 20 accommodates a cylindrical filter 14 (filter element) whose upper and lower ends are open. A support portion 22 installed in each filter chamber 20 supports the filter 14. The filter 14 is formed in a knitted pattern with fibers, and is configured to pass a fluid while filtering from the inside to the outside or from the outside to the inside. That is, when the fluid passes through the filter 14, dirt such as dust contained in the fluid is removed. The support portion 22 is formed with a protruding portion 22b whose diameter substantially matches the inner diameter of the filter 14, and the filter 14 is fitted into the protruding portion 22b of the support portion 22. As a result, the filter 14 is engaged with the protruding portion 22 b of the support portion 22 so as not to shift in the radial direction with respect to the support portion 22.

  In addition, an opening 20c is provided in the upper part of the filter chamber 20 (on the side opposite to the bottom 20a), and the filter 14 is configured to be replaceable via the opening 20c. The openings 20c of the filter chamber 20 provided in the vacuum unit 10 are all formed so as to face the same direction.

  A pipe port member 26 is attached to the opening 20c of the filter chamber 20. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the piping port member 26 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and the bottom of the piping port member 26 is the upper end portion (the side supported by the support portion 22) of the filter 14. Is closed by the opposite end). Similar to the support portion 22, a protruding portion 26 b is formed at the bottom of the piping port member 26. The protrusion 26 b protrudes into the filter 14 when the end of the filter 14 is closed, and engages with the inner periphery of the filter 14. As a result, the filter 14 is prevented from shifting in the radial direction with respect to the piping port member 26.

  The piping port member 26 is configured to close the opening 20c of the filter chamber 20. The O-ring 24 is interposed between the filter chamber 20 and the piping port member 26 so as to be more completely closed. A communication port 26 c that communicates with the inside of the piping port member 26 is formed below the position of the O-ring 24 (on the filter side) and on the side surface of the piping port member 26. The fluid supplied to the filter chamber 20 passes through the inside of the piping port member 26 through the communication port 26c.

  The filter case 15 is provided with a filter cover 27 that covers the entire plane in which the opening 20c of the filter chamber 20 is formed. The filter cover 27 is formed in a long plate shape so as to cover the entire surface where the opening of the filter case 15 is formed. The filter cover 27 is formed with notches 27a so as to correspond to the openings 20c. The piping port member 26 attached to each opening 20c protrudes from the notch 27a.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the piping port member 26 has an engagement portion 28 (constriction) formed in the entire circumferential direction at a portion protruding from the filter chamber 20. The piping port member 26 is configured to be fitted into the cutout portion 27 a of the filter cover 27 along the engaging portion 28. By fitting in this way, the engaging portion 28 and the cutout portion 27a of the filter cover 27 are engaged so as not to move in the vertical direction. When the filter cover 27 is removed from the filter case 15, the piping port member 26 with which the engaging portion 28 is engaged is also removed. Further, the filter cover 27 can be attached to the filter case 15 in a state where the piping port member 26 is fitted in the notch 27a.

  Thereby, the filter cover 27 is integrated with the piping port member 26 so as to close the openings 20 c of all the filter chambers 20. Therefore, the filter cover 27 and the piping port member 26 of the present embodiment serve as a closing unit that closes the opening 20c of the filter chamber 20.

  Through holes 27 b are formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the filter cover 27 so as to correspond to screw holes 29 formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the filter case 15. The filter cover 27 is fixed to the filter case 15 by attaching a screw (knurled screw) 30 to the screw hole 29 through the through hole 27b.

  A tube 31 is connected to the end of the piping port member 26. The tube 31 is connected to the adsorbing means 32 so that the fluid from the unit main body 11 is supplied to the adsorbing means 32.

Next, the operation of the vacuum unit 10 configured as described above will be described.
First, the suction means 32 is brought close to the work to be conveyed. Next, the solenoid valve 12 is switched so that the negative pressure fluid from the vacuum port 17 is supplied to the unit body 11. When the negative pressure fluid is supplied from the vacuum port 17, the suction unit 32 sucks the workpiece together with the air around the workpiece. When the sucked air passes through the filter case 15, dust is removed by the filter 14. The air that has passed through the filter case 15 is sent to the flow sensor 13, and the flow rate is measured by the flow sensor 13. Further, the measured air is sucked into the vacuum port 17.

  When the suction means 32 sucks the workpiece, the flow rate sensor 13 is in a vacuum state, and confirms and notifies that the passing flow rate is limited and the workpiece is sucked. The operator conveys the work for each suction means 32. After the conveyance, the supply of the negative pressure fluid from the vacuum port 17 is shut off, and the electromagnetic valve 12 is switched so that the pressure fluid from the supply port 18 is supplied to the unit body 11. When switched to the supply port 18, the pressure fluid from the supply port 18 is supplied to the filter case 15 via the electromagnetic valve 12 and the flow rate sensor 13. When the pressure fluid supplied to the filter case 15 passes through the filter 14, dust is removed. Then, after passing through the filter 14 and removing dust, the dust passes through the piping port member 26 and the tube 31 and is discharged from the adsorption means 32. Thereby, the vacuum state is reliably released, and the workpiece is detached from the suction means 32. Thereby, a workpiece | work can be conveyed.

Next, a method for replacing the filter 14 will be described.
First, the knurled screw 30 that stops both ends of the filter cover 27 is turned to remove the knurled screw 30 from the filter case 15. Next, the filter cover 27 is removed from the filter case 15. At that time, the piping port member 26 engaged with the filter cover 27 is also removed from the opening 20c. When the filter cover 27 is removed from the opening 20c of the filter chamber 20, the support portion 22 to which the elastic force is applied by the spring 25 moves in the direction of the opening 20c until it engages with the retaining portion 21a of the retaining pin 21. When the support part 22 moves in the direction of the opening 20c, the filter 14 also moves in the direction of the opening 20c. As a result, the end of the filter 14 protrudes from the opening 20 c of the filter chamber 20. For this reason, the operator can easily remove the filter 14 from the filter case 15. After the filter 14 is replaced, the opening 20c of the filter chamber 20 is closed by the filter cover 27 so that the piping port member 26 is attached to each opening 20c. As a result, the end of the filter 14 is pressed by the filter cover 27 (and the piping port member 26) and accommodated in the filter chamber 20. Thereafter, the filter cover 27 is fixed to the filter case 15 with the knurled screw 30. Thereby, the replacement of the filter 14 is completed.

As described above in detail, the present embodiment has the following effects.
(1) The filter case 15 is provided with a filter cover 27 that engages with all the piping port members 26 that close the opening 20 c of the filter chamber 20. For this reason, when opening the opening part 20c of the filter chamber 20, the one filter cover 27 should just be removed. Therefore, even if the unit main body 11 is formed thin and the opening 20c is small, it is only necessary to remove the large filter cover 27, so that it is easy to open and the filter cover 27 is not easily lost. Moreover, since it is not necessary to open for every opening part 20c, an effort can be saved.

  (2) A spring 25 is provided at the bottom of the filter case 15 to push the filter 14 toward the opening. For this reason, when the filter cover 27 is removed, the filter 14 is moved in the direction of the opening along with the support portion 22 by the elastic force of the spring 25, and its end protrudes from the opening. Therefore, when exchanging the filter 14, the filter 14 is easily picked and is easily exchanged.

  (3) The piping port member 26 attached to the opening 20c of the filter case 15 is formed with an engaging portion 28 that engages with the filter cover 27. When removing the filter cover 27 from the filter case 15, the filter cover 27 is engaged with the notch 27 a of the filter case 15 and is removed from the filter case 15 together with the filter cover 27. Further, the piping port member 26 can be attached to the opening 20 c of the filter chamber 20 together with the filter cover 27 by fitting the piping port member 26 into the notch 27 a of the filter case 15 along the engaging portion 28. It is configured as follows. Thereby, when replacing | exchanging the filter 14, it can prevent that the piping port member 26 falls apart and is lost. For this reason, the replacement efficiency and labor of the filter 14 can be reduced.

  (4) The filter case 15 is formed of a transparent material so that the state of the filter 14 accommodated can be seen. For this reason, even when the filter 14 is not taken out from the filter case 15, the replacement time of the filter 14 can be visually confirmed.

In addition, the said embodiment can be embodied in another embodiment (another example) as follows.
In the above embodiment, the flow sensor 13 is provided to detect the flow of the fluid and detect whether it is in a vacuum state, but a pressure sensor that detects the pressure of the fluid may be provided.

In the above embodiment, the filter case 15 is formed of a transparent material, but it may not be a transparent material.
In the above embodiment, the number of unit main bodies 11 is eight, but may be arbitrarily changed.

  In the embodiment described above, the cutout portion 27a is provided in the filter cover 27, and the piping port member 26 is fitted into the cutout portion 27a, whereby the opening portion 20c is closed while the piping port member 26 is attached to the opening portion 20c. It was configured as follows. As another example, the pipe port member may be installed at another location, and the opening 20c may be closed only by the filter cover 27. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, all the openings 20 c are closed with the filter cover 50. Then, the fluid filtered by the filter 14 may be passed again through the base member 16 and supplied from the end of the base member 16.

In the above embodiment, the spring 25 is installed between the support portion 22 and the bottom portion 20a of the filter chamber 20, but it may not be installed.
In the above embodiment, the retaining pin 21 is provided in order to fix the support portion 22 to the bottom portion 20a of the filter chamber 20, but it may be omitted.

  The piping port member 26 of the above embodiment is configured to open toward the upper direction of the filter 14 (perpendicular to the plane of the filter cover 27), but the direction of the opening of the piping port member 26 May be arbitrarily changed. For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, the direction of the opening 55 of the piping port member 26 may be configured to open in the lateral direction (the horizontal direction with respect to the plane of the filter cover 27). As shown in FIG. 7B, the direction of the opening 56 of the piping port member 26 may be configured to open obliquely upward 45 degrees with respect to the plane of the filter cover 27.

  In the above embodiment, the unit main body 11 may be configured to have an orifice or a flow restriction valve that restricts the supply flow rate of the compressed fluid from the supply port 18.

The perspective view which shows a vacuum unit. The perspective view which shows a vacuum unit when a filter cover is removed. The circuit diagram which shows a unit main body. Sectional drawing which shows a filter case. The disassembled perspective view which shows a filter case and a filter. The perspective view which shows another example of a filter case. (A) And (b) is a perspective view which shows another example of a piping port member.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Vacuum unit, 11 ... Unit main body, 12 ... Solenoid valve, 13 ... Flow sensor, 14 ... Filter, 15 ... Filter case, 16 ... Base member, 17 ... Vacuum port, 18 ... Supply port, 20 ... Filter chamber, 21 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Retaining pin, 22 ... Support part, 26 ... Piping port member, 27 ... Filter cover, 32 ... Adsorption means.

Claims (4)

Connected to the suction means, sucks the fluid from the suction means and creates a vacuum to suck the work, and after the work sucked by the suction means is transported, the fluid is discharged to the suction means In a vacuum unit in which a plurality of unit bodies for detaching the workpiece from the suction means are connected,
In the unit body,
A vacuum port for supplying a negative pressure fluid to create a vacuum state;
A supply port for supplying pressure fluid that breaks the vacuum;
A filter case that houses a filter that removes dust contained in the fluid;
Switching means for switching the supply and blocking of the negative pressure fluid from the vacuum port, and switching the supply and blocking of the pressure fluid from the supply port,
The front notated Irutakesu, with opening for exchanging the filter is formed, the opening is configured to be closed by closure means,
Each opening of the filter case is configured to open in the same direction, and the plurality of blocking means are integrated ,
The closing means includes a pipe port member that is attached to each opening of the filter case and is connected to the suction means, and a filter cover that covers the entire surface on which the opening of the filter case is provided,
The filter cover has a notch formed in accordance with the opening, while the piping port member has an engaging portion that engages with each notch of the filter cover.
The said piping port member is comprised so that attachment or detachment with respect to the said filter case is possible with the said filter cover by engaging the said notch part and an engaging part .   Connected to the suction means, sucks the fluid from the suction means and creates a vacuum to suck the work, and after the work sucked by the suction means is transported, the fluid is discharged to the suction means In a vacuum unit in which a plurality of unit bodies for detaching the workpiece from the suction means are connected,
  The unit body is
  A vacuum port for supplying a negative pressure fluid to create a vacuum state;
  A supply port for supplying pressure fluid that breaks the vacuum;
  A filter case that houses a filter that removes dust contained in the fluid;
  Switching means for switching the supply and blocking of the negative pressure fluid from the vacuum port, and switching the supply and blocking of the pressure fluid from the supply port,
  The filter case is formed with a plurality of filter chambers for accommodating the filters of the plurality of unit bodies to be coupled for each unit body, and each filter chamber has an opening that opens to the outside of the filter case. It is formed to open in the same direction,
  Each opening of the filter case includes a filter cover that covers the entire surface of the filter case where the openings are provided, and a piping port member that is attached to each opening of the filter case and is connected to the suction means. It is configured to be closed by the closing means provided,
  The vacuum unit, wherein the piping port member is integrated with the filter cover and is detachable from the filter case. The bottom of the filter case, a vacuum unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the elastic member for applying an elastic force to push the filter into the opening direction.   The vacuum unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the filter case is formed of a transparent material so that the state of the filter accommodated therein can be visually observed.

Images