EP1298327A1 - Insulating separation element for an assembly of distribution modules - Google Patents

Abstract

The insulation insert for a pneumatic distributor fits between two sections of the distributor assembly and has two faces (2,3) with connecting channels (4,5) to assure continuity of flow channels in the distributor and derivation of at least one of the internal channels opening (10,11) outside the insert and the assembly faces. The insert has a flat plate (12) removably mounted on one of the assembly faces.

Description

The present invention relates to the grouping into island of pneumatic modules such as for example modules of distribution.

It is known, in the field of food controlled by pneumatic actuators (cylinders, motors ...) to use piloted distributors, arranged between a common pressurized fluid supply duct, a or two common exhaust collection pipes and actuators, these distributors being grouped into islands of juxtaposed modules, each module being crossed by common conduits, these modules can either be in one piece, or in two parts, namely a base crossed by common conduits surmounted by a distributor associated with a piloting solenoid valve.

In each module or base there is therefore at minus a section of the common conduits which extends between opposite flat faces of the module or the base by which he or she is associated with the bases or modules adjacent with, between them, sealing elements.

It is often useful to divide an island into at minus two groups, the distribution modules of one group with different requirements of the modules of distribution of the other group. For example, in the same island, a group of modules interests actuators requiring supply (and / or exhaust) flow weak or normal when another group of modules interests actuators to be supplied at a flow rate most important. In other cases, the modules are grouped in the same island according to the required pressure level by the actuators. We may also have to associate distribution modules for a single island actuators that work under pressure and others who work in a vacuum. Finally, for an island grouping a large number of modules, it can be interesting provide more than one fluid supply point under pressure and more than one outlet point for fluids exhaust collected.

The known basic architecture of an island includes one or two end modules and juxtaposed distribution. The end module (s) ensures (s) connection of the island to a general source pressurized fluid and one (or two) line (s) general (s) of collection of exhausts. if there is only one end module, a tail plate acts as a plug for common supply lines and exhaust collection whether for circuits of power fluid or the fluid circuits of piloting. In such an island, the requirements of the actuators satisfied by the distribution modules are common to each of them. When an island has modules of distribution to meet different requirements, island sections are created, each group of modules with common requirements and we isolate in an island the sections of each other. This insulation is however specific to each of the cases identified, for example above.

This observation leads to having to insert between two adjacent sections of an island, a module specific insulation depending on the nature of the two sections adjacent. For example in the case where the difference between the two sections lies in the pressure level of the power supply, the isolation module will interest the common power but will not intervene on the (or the) common (s) for the collection of exhausts. On the other hand if one section works on pressure and another section works under vacuum, the insulation module will cut any communication between the commons and power and exhaust collection of the two sections island. It follows the need for a builder of create several insulation modules to offer its customers the ability to meet all requirements of the installation to be manufactured. These insulation modules different go against the approach that underpins this distribution technology, namely to achieve a maximum of configurations with a minimum of different elements, leading to rationalization manufacturing and increased ease of implementation.

There is also a module on the market of insulation comprising a single body which one specifies the function by adding plugs or connecting cannulas supplied in bulk with the body and specification display labels. This achievement has the disadvantage of being a source of errors at two levels: when setting places caps or cannulas that can be confused easily due to their similarity in form and when the establishment of the label which can be confused with another because of the similarity of the signs that she wears. So it is not uncommon for the module is well configured but poorly viewed or poorly configured but well visualized or badly configured and badly visualized, this which complicates the subsequent intervention to correct errors.

Thanks to the present invention, it is possible to at least partially overcome these drawbacks.

To this end the invention therefore relates to an element insulation interlayer for, in an island of modules dispensing a pneumatic fluid, form two adjacent island sections, characteristic in that it comprises a body provided with two parallel assembly faces by juxtaposition with each module, this body comprising between its faces internal channels ensuring the continuity of the common channels of the island, and a bypass at least one of these internal channels opening out outside the element outside the assembly faces, this element further comprising an attached flat plate removably on one of the assembly faces above and forming the means of obturation or connection of the internal canals of the body with the common canals of the island.

We understand that thus, whatever the function specific of this intermediate element, the body of it is unique, its specificity being conferred on it by the brochure associated with it. Besides standardization of the manufacture of these intermediate elements in two parts, the invention makes it possible to make available of the user under a reduced volume an intermediate element presenting at the user's choice the set functions he will need at the time of incorporation islands of distribution modules, this choice can be exercised safely.

Advantageously, the assembly face of the body of the intermediate element receiving the plate is stepped, the height of the step being substantially equal to the thickness of this plate. So the does it come in by correspondence from shape in the juxtaposition face of the intermediate element without giving it a longitudinal dimension, that is to say taken in the direction of the length of the island more important than a normal module.

Finally, advantageously, the brochure has a function identification tab which extends perpendicular to its plane and which appears at the outer surface of the body when this wafer is attached against the assembly face of the latter. On visual examination of the island, we recognize everything following the insert element and the specificity of its function.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description given below at non-limiting title of an example of its realization.

• la figure 1 est une vue extérieure d'un corps de module intercalaire du côté de sa face d'accueil d'une plaquette selon l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue sur la tranche d'une plaquette de l'élément intercalaire selon l'invention,
• la figure 3 est une vue extérieure en façade du corps de cet élément intercalaire,
• la figure 4 représente partiellement un ílot de modules de distribution avec un module intercalaire séparant cet ílot en deux sections et les différentes plaquettes qui peuvent être mises en oeuvre pour spécifier la fonction du module intercalaire à corps unique.

Reference will be made to the appended drawings, in which:

• FIG. 1 is an external view of an insert module body on the side of its receiving face of a wafer according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a view on the edge of a plate of the intermediate element according to the invention,
• FIG. 3 is an external front view of the body of this intermediate element,
• FIG. 4 partially represents an island of distribution modules with an intermediate module separating this island into two sections and the various plates which can be used to specify the function of the single-body intermediate module.

The intermediate element of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 3 comprises a body 1 generally made of material plastic bounded by two substantially parallel faces 2 and 3, face 2 being visible in FIG. 1, and of general profile identical to the profile of a module pneumatic, known per se, conventionally comprising a base surmounted by a distributor and the whole being surmounted by a distributor solenoid valve. At the manifold bases of each distributor, the body 1 has internal channels which lead to faces 2 and 3, in particular a channel 4 traversed by a pressurized feed fluid, a channel 5 which participates collecting exhaust from distributors of the island, a channel 6 forming a section of common supply pilot solenoid valves and a channel 7 forming a section of the collection of exhausts from piloting solenoid valves. These channels pass through apart the thickness of the body 1 and are surrounded by a closed joint 8 attached to the face 2 of the body. We will note also the presence of an orifice 9 also passing through and which forms passage housing for tie rods or others assembly elements of the island modules.

The channels 4 and 5 are, in the case of figure, connected inside the body 1 to branches not shown and opening out on the outside of the front wall of the body 1 by connection end pieces 10 and 11. The front 2 of body 1 is stepped to form a step, the lower part 2 a of which is fitted with the seal 8.

The intermediate element of the invention also comprises a plate 12 whose lower part 12 a is of thickness identical to the height of the step of the stepped face 2 of the body 1 so as to come to bear against the seal 8 of seal. This plate 12 is extended by a tongue 13 having an angled end portion 14 which can be embedded in a kind of mortise 15 that comprises the body 1. The upper part 14 of the tongue is visible in the upper part of the mortise 15 which is formed on the face of the top of the body 1. The part 12 a of the plate 12 has an indexing finger 16 which cooperates with an orifice 17 of the body 1 during their assembly. It also includes another opposite finger 18 intended to be housed in an orifice similar to that of a module adjacent to the intermediate module in the module island.

FIG. 4 partially shows a island 20 of pneumatic modules implementing a module tab 21 according to the invention. At the bottom of this figure 4, the body 1 of the module has been isolated 21 (we find in this lower part elements already described with the same references) and a set of plates 12 interchangeable that can be associated with body 1. Thus, the plate 12A shown to the left of Figure 4 is a plate which leaves uncovered the all internal channels 4 and 5, as well as the channels 6 and 7, of the body 1 when associated with it. In these conditions the intermediate element formed from the body 1 and the plate 12A is simply a connection element outside of the island in which it is integrated to provide auxiliary power and a point auxiliary exhaust collection. Part 14 of the tongue 13 associated with this plate 12A carries a sign that visualizes this feeding and auxiliary collection.

The plate 12B of FIG. 4 forms a shutter for channel 4 while a hollow part 16 preserves the connection of channel 5 of body 1 with the common of the island bases. Tab 14 of this plate 12B illustrates and visualizes by a sign the function of the intermediate element thus formed, that is to say for example the feeding of a section islands from a pressure source connected to the body 1 of different value to that which feeds the module entrance to the island.

The plate 12C ensures at the level of the body 1, shutting off the common exhaust while preserving the integrity of the common supply of the island in which the insert is placed.

Finally, note that the 12D plate which is partially associated with the body 1 in FIG. 4 carries a sign on its tongue 14 indicating that both the commons supply and exhaust are blocked. In others terms, the lower part 12a of this plate is completely full with the exception of a orifice for the passage of the assembly means opposite orifice 9 of body 1 and two opposite orifices supply and collection pressure channels 6, 7 of the solenoid pilot valves.

Note, although this is not shown in the Figure 4, that each of the plates 12 is equipped on its face opposite to that which cooperates with the body 1, of a joint such as that 8 shown in FIG. 1.

This realization is an example applied to a island with pressure common and common exhaust. It will easily be understood that the invention applies also to islands with a pressure common and two common exhaust which are frequently encountered, as well as a more rare configuration comprising two pressure common and one exhaust common.

Claims (4)

Insulating spacer element for forming, in an island of pneumatic fluid distribution modules, two adjacent island sections, comprising a body (1) with an exterior surface comprising two parallel assembly faces (2, 3) by juxtaposition against each adjacent module and with between these faces (2, 3) internal channels (4, 5) ensuring the continuity of the common channels of the island, and with a bypass of at least one of these internal channels opening (10, 11) on the external surface of the element (1) outside the assembly faces (2, 3), characterized in that it comprises a flat plate (12) removably attached to one (2) of the abovementioned assembly faces, forming the means for closing and / or connecting at least the internal channels (4, 5) of the body (1) with the common channels of the island, the plate ( 12) inseparably carrying a part (14) identifying its function projecting from the external surface of the body (1). Insulating interlayer element according to claim 1, characterized in that the assembly face of the body (1) receiving the insert plate (12) is stepped, the height of the step being substantially equal to the thickness of the plate (12 ). Insulating insert according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the identification part of the plate is a tongue (14) perpendicular to its plane and which extends over the external surface of the body (1) when the wafer is attached to this body. Insulating interlayer element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body (1) and the plate (12) are both crossed by one or more auxiliary channels (6, 7) intended to convey the supply pilot solenoid valves and / or their exhausts.

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