EP2708758A1 - Electropneumatic feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

The distributer (1) has a body (2) comprising a set of assembled blocks (20, 30, 40), and housing a solenoid valve, and presenting, on a body face (150), and a set of contacts (29) connected to the valve. A cap (110) is arranged on the face of the body. A printed circuit (100) is placed between the cap and the body. The circuit carries another set of contacts (109) arranged to establish an electric connection with the former contacts. A joint (80) in form of in layer made of an elastically deformable material is compressed between reliefs (112) of the cap surrounding the circuit and the body.

Description

The present invention relates to electropneumatic devices and more particularly those called distributors.

A distributor conventionally comprises one or more "pilot" solenoid valves which act differently, depending on their state, on a pneumatic circuit for controlling a multi-channel valve. The latter conventionally comprises a drawer for establishing different pneumatic control connections of one or more pneumatic actuators, depending on its position. Several distributors are usually mounted, as needed, in a so-called "island" configuration, side by side on a base which generally comprises a power supply and an exhaust for the pneumatic circuit for controlling the multi-way valve and various connections with the circuit. tire to which it is connected.

The power supply of the distributors and their order can be made individually or centrally.

In the case of a centralized supply, the base comprises electrical connectors which cooperate with distributors connectors arranged on it simply by mounting the distributors on the base. In the case of an individual power supply, each distributor has a connector to which is connected an electric power cable.

Any distributor must meet certain requirements related to its use in an industrial environment, in particular must generally comply with a water and dust tightness commonly known as IP 65. Its implementation involves the establishment of pneumatic and electrical connections in a small footprint , the tendency being to offer equivalent performance the distributor under the lowest volume.

It is known to make the dispenser by assembling several blocks, particularly as proposed by the applicant, with a main multi-way valve block and end blocks comprising the pilot solenoid valves, also called pilot blocks or solenoid valve blocks, these end blocks being assembled by screws on either side of the main block with the interposition of intermediate blocks. These comprise on their assembly face with the main block of the channels and seals to achieve part of the pneumatic connections of the circuit pneumatic driving of the multi-way valve and also comprise a first connector for the electrical connection of the solenoid valve contained in the adjacent block or in the opposite block.

In the case of a centralized power supply, this first connector is mounted on a printed circuit which also carries a second connector for the electrical connection of the distributor to the base. This printed circuit is oriented perpendicular to the laying plane of the distributor on the base. Conductors are also connected to the first connector and extend through the main block to the opposite end block.

In the case of an individual connection, the main block carries in front an electrical connector connected to two cables which are each engaged in a connector carried by the printed circuit of each intermediate block, the second aforementioned connection connector to the base being absent.

Furthermore, operation indicator lights are present on each end block and each intermediate block houses a manual control system for shorting the action of the pilot solenoid valve by pressing a push button.

Although such a distributor offers satisfaction, it is relatively complex and expensive to manufacture and hardly lends itself to the addition of additional functions.

Requirement WO2004 / 097227 A1 discloses a set of valves included in at least one main block surrounded by two end blocks having the communication connectors between the air source and the valves. The end blocks carry a printed circuit including the electrical circuit controlling the valves. The assembly is held in position by holding elements, a protective cover is a seal disposed between the cover and the printed circuit.

Requirement US2012 / 0097282 discloses a collector comprising a collection unit carrying at least one solenoid valve electrically connected to a printed circuit for controlling the solenoid valve. The assembly can be closed by a hood and have a seal between the collection block and the hood.

Requirement EP 2 110 562 A1 discloses a distributor comprising a main block housing the multi-way valve, a removable end block comprising the connection connector for an individual supply of the distributor and a block intermediate between the two, housing the pilot solenoid valve. Several end blocks with different connectors can be offered to the user. These end blocks each comprise a housing, housing a printed circuit board which is fixed said connector. This circuit board also carries contacts to ensure the electrical connection with the solenoid valve. The exemplified distributor is monostable, having only one pilot solenoid valve.

The patent US 5,348,047 describes a manifold mounted on a base in a configuration with centralized supply. The distributor is bistable, comprising two pilot solenoid valves each housed in a solenoid valve block, acting on a multi-channel valve contained in a main block located between the solenoid valve blocks. Each solenoid valve block has on its face opposite the base of the supply contacts. A facade module covers the main block and down on one side to the base to establish an electrical connection therewith. This module comprises a printed circuit which ensures the electrical connection with the electrical contacts of the solenoid valve blocks and supports pins which engage in a connector of the base. These pins are soldered to the circuit board perpendicular thereto. The facade module has a closed housing.

Some distributors offered on the market by the company FESTO have a fairly close arrangement, with a facade module comprising a housing which is fixed on two blocks of solenoid valves arranged on either side of a metal main block housing the multi-channel valve. and also extending below the solenoid valve blocks, and two end blocks each extending over the height of the assembly. Each solenoid valve block has a casing overmolded on spool feed pins. The facade module houses a printed circuit board that has contact surfaces for the pins and leads bent at their ends, for contacting a power connector, external to the distributor. The housing comprises a body provided at one end with an opening facing operating state signaling LEDs, carried by the printed circuit. The body of the housing moves two sliders to move, by a camming effect, pins that act on a manual control system bypassing the action of solenoid valves. Molded guides with the body of the cover ensure the passage of the hood module by the pins. The housing body is closed below by a bottom plate of a material flexible, provided with a sealing lip on its periphery, applying against the body of the cover and glued against the printed circuit. Three perforated foam seals are glued on the outer face of this bottom plate and interpose between it, the solenoid valve blocks and the distributor supply connector. The aforementioned pins pass through the bottom plate between the two joints associated with the connections with the pins of the solenoid valve blocks. The facade module has a narrowing between the two sliders to release access to screws carried by the main block and for its attachment to the base. Such a dispenser is of relatively complex manufacture, in particular because of the number of component parts of the facade module and their complexity. In addition, the latter leaves little room to provide additional functions such as alphanumeric character display or the possibility of mounting an individual power connector.

The US Patent 7,438,088 teaches the realization of a bistable distributor comprising a main block with multi-way valve, two end blocks each comprising a manual control system and a pilot block housing two solenoid valves and a printed circuit for electrical connection thereof to a connector individualized power supply, arranged on a front cover. In a variant, the individualized power connector is carried by a printed circuit housed in an end block which is then devoid of the manual control system. The electrical connection of this connector to the printed circuit located above the solenoid valves is done by means of soldered pins on the printed circuit housed in the end block, engaged in a double connector carried by the main block and receiving pins. soldered on the printed circuit of the pilot block. The coils of the solenoid valves are fed from the printed circuit present under the hood at remote locations, near the longitudinal ends of the printed circuit. In the presence of an individual power connector on the front, there is little room for a display. In addition, the pilot block is complex in construction and the distributor is not provided for a centralized supply.

There is a need to further improve the electropneumatic distributors and in particular those to mount on a base, to reduce their manufacturing cost, facilitate their maintenance and offer if desired new functions users, such as for example the display of alphanumeric information on the front of the distributor.

There is also a need to benefit from a distributor that lends itself to the development of a range of centrally-fed and self-supplied dispensers, with the largest number of components in common, to streamline manufacturing. and benefit from economies of scale.

• un corps de distributeur comportant plusieurs blocs assemblés, logeant au moins une électrovanne, et présentant sur une face un ensemble de premiers contacts reliés à cette électrovanne,
• un capot rapporté sur ladite face dudit corps,
• un circuit imprimé logé entre le capot et le corps, le circuit imprimé portant un deuxième ensemble de contacts agencés pour établir une connexion électrique avec le premier ensemble de contacts,
• un joint sous forme de nappe en un matériau élastiquement déformable, comprimé entre des reliefs du capot entourant le circuit imprimé et le corps du distributeur.

The invention aims to meet all or part of these needs and achieves, according to a first aspect, through an electropneumatic distributor, comprising:

• a distributor body comprising several assembled blocks, housing at least one solenoid valve, and having on one face a set of first contacts connected to this solenoid valve,
• a cover attached to said face of said body,
• a printed circuit housed between the cover and the body, the printed circuit carrying a second set of contacts arranged to establish an electrical connection with the first set of contacts,
• a web-shaped joint of an elastically deformable material compressed between reliefs of the cover surrounding the printed circuit and the body of the distributor.

The seal preferably has at least one aperture for establishing the connection between the first and second sets of contacts.

The seal preferably comes into contact with a plurality of said blocks.

According to this first aspect, the invention offers numerous advantages.

First of all, it is possible to reduce the number of component parts of the dispenser without impairing the possibility of producing a range of dispensers with various functionalities, such as, for example, communication, diagnostic, protection and / or energy saving. Among the communication functions, there may be mentioned, for example, the display of alphanumeric characters. Diagnostic functions include counting the number of cycles or measuring the switching time. An energy saving function consists, for example, in reducing the current after the solenoid valve sticks and a protection function acting against an overvoltage.

The seal extends between the cover and the body of the distributor, coming into contact with the printed circuit, and it avoids trapping the printed circuit in a module of front closed by a bottom plate sealingly attached to a hood body, unlike one of the known solutions mentioned above. The size of the dispenser is also reduced by such an assembly of the printed circuit and the manner of obtaining the seal. The cover is for example molded in thermoplastic material with a thickness less than or equal to 10 mm for a width of between 10 and 50 mm.

In addition, the invention makes it possible to use a thick gasket that can be substantially compressed by the reliefs of the cover, which guarantees tightness despite the mounting tolerances of the various blocks making up the body of the distributor. The seal can behave as a membrane coming directly into contact with the printed circuit over most of its surface.

The seal is advantageously locally compressed over more than 30% of its initial thickness, better still between 40 and 60% of its initial thickness. The initial thickness of the seal may be greater than or equal to 1 mm, in particular between 1.8 and 2.2 mm. The length of the seal is preferably greater than that of the printed circuit, the latter having for example a length of between 9 and 11 cm and the seal a length of between 11 and 13 cm.

The seal advantageously extends away from the periphery of the cover, preferably by a distance greater than or equal to 1 mm, which allows a direct support of the periphery of the cover on the body of the dispenser and thus to control the compression of the seal and tighten the hood on the body of the dispenser.

The reliefs of the cap which abut on the seal may have a variable height relative to the bottom surface of the cover when it is defined by a slightly convex wall concave inwards. The height of the reliefs is for example between 1 and 4 mm.

In addition, the seal can be easily modified by simple cutting to open for example an additional passage to the printed circuit, especially when an electrical connection must be established with the body of the distributor in the case of a centralized supply, by means of a connection element present in a housing of the distributor body. This housing can easily be closed in the case of an individualized supply facade, thanks to the seal, no longer providing this cut facing said housing. Thus, the seal is easily obtained regardless of the mode of supply, individualized or centralized.

Another advantage of the invention is to avoid the use of overmoulded pins on the distributor body, since the seal ensures the sealing of the printed circuit connection to the solenoid valve (s) both from the outside to the circuit board and from the outside to the distributor body. If necessary on the latter can be made ribs that compress locally the seal, such ribs being easily made by molding material, to further improve the quality of the seal. The height of these ribs is for example less than or equal to 1 mm.

The presence of the seal also tends to prevent any infiltration of dust and water by the assembly clearance present between the different blocks towards the printed circuit. Thus, it is possible thanks to the invention to achieve the body of the dispenser with several blocks succeeding one another in the direction of the length of the hood without harming the seal or make it more difficult to obtain. Thus, the seal comes for example in contact with five different blocks along the body of the dispenser. The cover advantageously extends over the entire length of the body of the dispenser, and its periphery is in continuity with that of the body of the dispenser, when the dispenser is observed from above, in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the printed circuit.

The presence of the printed circuit directly under the hood and the manner of sealing with reliefs of the hood resting on the seal makes it easy to add functions to the dispenser, because the cover can easily have additional openings without complicate the obtaining of the seal protecting the printed circuit. For example, the cover may comprise one or more openings for access to one or more manual control systems of the dispenser, simply by providing around each of these openings, on the inner face of the cover, a rib which bears on the joint and realizing on the joint a corresponding opening. If necessary, a cutting of the printed circuit can also be carried out for the passage of the manual control system.

The presence of the manual control system or systems can be used to facilitate the positioning of the seal during the manufacture of the dispenser, because it suffices to engage the corresponding cutout (s) of the seal on the manual control system (s) so that the seal is correctly positioned. A bonding operation of the seal is avoided, which further simplifies manufacture.

Where appropriate, the seal comprises one or more cuts to accommodate in its thickness one or more integrated circuits or other components soldered on the printed circuit, including CMS type components.

Preferably, the body of the dispenser is arranged in such a way that the contacts intended to supply the solenoid valve (s) present in the body of the dispenser are all situated in a central zone of the face of the dispenser body located opposite the hood. . By "located in a median zone", it should be understood that all the contacts are closer to the middle of the dispenser body than to its longitudinal ends. The presence of all the contacts connected to the actuating members in a central zone makes it possible to free up space elsewhere on the printed circuit, in order to have therefor example a display and / or a connector intended for an individualized supply. The printed circuit board can easily extend over a major part of the length of the cover without making it more difficult to obtain the desired seal.

If necessary, the distributor body may have on its face facing the cover a recess formed in the thickness of its wall, to accommodate the ends of the pins of a soldered component on the printed circuit, including a centralized connector or a display. This avoids having to cut the corresponding pins after the welding operation, while being able to use a single-sided printed circuit.

In the case of a distributor having a length L, for example between 10 and 15 cm, the contacts provided on the face of the distributor body facing the printed circuit for the supply of the solenoid valve or valves are preferably located in a range between 4/14 L and 10/14 L measured from a longitudinal end, better between 5/14 and 9/14 L.

The connection between the printed circuit and the supply contacts of the solenoid valve (s) present on the body of the distributor can be done using plug connectors, for example with a male connector on the distributor body and a female connector. on the printed circuit, or otherwise, for example by means of a male connector on the printed circuit and a female connector on the body of the distributor or with the aid of elements electrically connected to the solenoid valve (s) and coming support on the printed circuit.

The use of a single-sided printed circuit reduces the cost compared to a double-sided circuit. To facilitate the electrical connections with the body of the dispenser and in particular to make it possible to use, if desired, printed circuit tracks as contact surfaces for contacts bearing on it, for example springs used as connection elements between the printed circuit board. and the one or more solenoid valves, the tracks of the printed circuit are advantageously turned towards the body of the distributor. LEDs can be soldered to the circuit board on the track side. To save space, the LEDs are preferably mounted in holes of the printed circuit and are so-called "inverted" models that emit their light to the printed circuit. The LEDs are advantageously grouped by two in each hole by being electrically mounted head to tail, which allows their ignition regardless of the polarity of the supply voltage of the solenoid valves.

The printed circuit is advantageously made with holes waiting to receive the pins of at least one additional connector, and with the corresponding tracks. For example, the printed circuit board has holes for accommodating an individual power connector and holes for receiving a connector for connection to a centralized power connection member passing through the dispenser body. Thus, the same printed circuit can be used to produce a distributor with individualized supply or centralized supply, which allows a late differentiation during manufacture.

The presence of the contacts in the central zone of the distributor body also makes it possible to produce a pilot block housing the solenoid valves with a support for the solenoid valves in the form of a single piece, allowing easy assembly of the latter by simple fitting and having a collecting function. the exhaust of these solenoid valves. This support can be molded from a piece of thermoplastic material.

The distributor body advantageously comprises, in addition to the pilot block and a multi-channel valve block present under the pilot block, two intermediate blocks and two end blocks, one of which has a through-housing that can receive a connection element intended for a power supply. centralized, as mentioned above. This connection element advantageously has a support made of thermoplastic material, arranged to be fixed in said housing and to hold conductors intended to engage at their opposite ends respectively in a connector of the base and in a connector. printed circuit board. These conductors are advantageously doubly bent so as to offset their ends. The offset of the axes is for example between 5 and 15 mm. This makes it possible to have both a connection on the printed circuit while it is mounted centrally on the cover and an eccentric connection on the face in contact with the base. The offset of the ends of the conductors further allows passage in the vicinity of the connection element of a fixing screw of the end block on the rest of the body of the distributor. The connection element is thus compatible with an attachment of the end block by screw, to obtain a uniform clamping of the assembly.

The support of the connection element preferably comprises a base carrying a sealing O-ring and a column. The conductors are connected by spacers, one of which is positioned opposite the end of this column. Thus, the column can take any forces exerted on the connection element when the printed circuit is connected with the latter. The base is pierced with holes for the passage of the conductors and can extend, on the opposite side to the column, by a tubular end protector conductors. The conductors are for example tinned conductors, of non-circular cross section. The conductors are preferably doubly bent at 45 ° in one direction and then in the opposite direction. The base is preferably of oblong cross section, the end piece for the connection in the base being eccentric on the base. The spacers are preferably double, both for those located near the base and those near the free end of the column. The height of the connection element is for example between 40 and 70 mm.

• - un corps comportant un bloc de vanne multivoie permettant d'agir sur un circuit pneumatique relié à des actionneurs et un bloc pilote pour commander la vanne multivoie, le bloc pilote comportant un support monolithique en matière thermoplastique, ce support comportant deux logements opposés formés de part et d'autre d'une partie intermédiaire, ces logements étant configurés chacun pour l'insertion et le guidage d'une électrovanne selon l'axe longitudinal du support, la partie intermédiaire comportant des orifices de collecte débouchant face aux électrovannes, orientés selon l'axe longitudinal du support, les électrovannes comportant chacune un orifice d'échappement communiquant avec l'orifice de collecte du support, la partie intermédiaire comportant également des passages pour des broches d'alimentation électrique des électrovannes, ces broches étant orientées parallèlement à l'axe longitudinal du support.

The invention further relates, independently or in combination with the foregoing, to an electropneumatic dispenser, comprising:

• a body comprising a multi-channel valve block for acting on a pneumatic circuit connected to actuators and a pilot block for controlling the multi-channel valve, the pilot block comprising a monolithic support made of thermoplastic material, this support comprising two opposite housings formed of on either side of an intermediate part, these housings being each configured for the insertion and the guiding of a solenoid valve along the longitudinal axis of the support, the intermediate part having collection orifices opening towards the solenoid valves, oriented according to the longitudinal axis of the support, the solenoid valves each having an exhaust port communicating with the collection port of the support, the intermediate part also comprising passages for power supply pins of the solenoid valves, these pins being oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support.

According to this second aspect of the invention, the dispenser may or may not comprise a printed circuit and a seal as defined above, with respect to the first aspect of the invention.

However, the second aspect of the invention is advantageously combined with the first. Thus, all the features set forth above with respect to the first aspect of the invention apply to the dispenser according to this second aspect.

The support has the advantage of facilitating the introduction of solenoid valves and their electrical and fluidic connections, since it is sufficient to slide them in their respective housings.

Seals, in particular O-rings, can be provided between the solenoid valves and the support to ensure the sealing of the exhaust outlet. These O-rings may be present on the solenoid valves before assembly.

• un corps comportant plusieurs blocs assemblés, logeant au moins une électrovanne, et présentant sur une face un ensemble de premiers contacts reliés à cette électrovanne,
• un capot rapporté sur ladite face dudit corps,
• un circuit imprimé logé entre le capot et le corps, le circuit imprimé portant un deuxième ensemble de contacts agencés pour établir une connexion électrique avec le premier ensemble de contacts et un connecteur de circuit imprimé,
• un élément de connexion comportant un premier connecteur d'alimentation centralisée, sur la face du corps de distributeur destinée à contacter l'embase, et un deuxième connecteur à l'opposé du premier, destiné à s'engager avec le connecteur de circuit imprimé, l'élément de connexion étant reçu dans un logement d'un bloc d'extrémité du distributeur.

According to a third of its aspects, the subject of the invention is an electropneumatic distributor, comprising:

• a body comprising several assembled blocks, housing at least one solenoid valve, and having on one face a set of first contacts connected to this solenoid valve,
• a cover attached to said face of said body,
• a printed circuit housed between the cover and the body, the printed circuit carrying a second set of contacts arranged to establish an electrical connection with the first set of contacts and a printed circuit connector,
• a connection member having a first centralized power connector, on the face of the distributor body for contacting the base, and a second connector opposite the first, for engagement with the printed circuit connector, the connection element being received in a housing of an end block of the dispenser.

This aspect of the invention, which is also independent of the first two aspects of the invention, but which can advantageously be combined with, offers the advantage of making it easy to produce a centralized power supply. In addition, the end block can be made without inserting the connection element in its housing, and the circuit printed can be done without the printed circuit connector but with a front connector, to achieve an individualized power supply. This third aspect of the invention thus also tends to facilitate late differentiation during production.

The medium may have all or some of the features set out above about it. The end block advantageously has, on its face intended to contact the rest of the body of the dispenser, in particular an intermediate block comprising a manual control system, at least one seal allowing to define when the end block is in place, a part of the pneumatic piloting circuit. The end block can be made with a rib on its face coming into contact with the sheet gasket housed in the cover, according to the first aspect of the invention, to allow this seal to seal the housing in a sealed manner. absence of the connection element. This rib may have the same contour as the opening through which the housing opens under the hood, for example polygonal, including square, or circular.

The subject of the invention is also a range of dispensers comprising at least two distributors according to one of the three aspects of the invention above, in particular two distributors according to the first aspect or the third aspect, one with the element connection to achieve a centralized power supply and the other without but with the front connector to achieve an individualized power supply. These two distributors may comprise a printed circuit with the same tracks and the same pilot, main, intermediate blocks. The two distributors can also be made with the same molded end block body made of thermoplastic material, one being provided with the connecting element and the other not. In that without the connection element, the web seal can close the housing receiving the connection element. For the other distributor, the seal may have a cutout for the passage of the end connector of the connection element.

• la figure 1 représente de façon schématique, en perspective, des distributeurs selon l'invention, montés sur une embase commune et alimentés de façon centralisée,
• la figure 2 est une vue analogue à la figure 1 dans le cas de distributeurs munis en façade d'un connecteur d'alimentation individualisée,
• la figure 3 représente en coupe dans le sens de la longueur du distributeur, l'embase et un distributeur selon l'invention, à alimentation centralisée,
• la figure 4 est une coupe transversale prise au niveau de l'élément de connexion,
• la figure 5 est une vue schématique en perspective du distributeur, capot enlevé,
• la figure 6 représente un capot et un circuit imprimé selon une variante de réalisation, d'alimentation individualisée,
• la figure 7 représente isolément l'élément de connexion,
• les figures 8 et 9 représentent sous deux angles de vue différents, en perspective, l'élément de connexion et le bloc d'extrémité associé,
• les figures 10 et 11 sont deux vues en perspective éclatée, partielles, du bloc pilote, selon deux angles de vue différents,
• les figures 12 et 13 représentent isolément le support des électrovannes,
• les figures 14 et 15 représentent les deux faces du circuit imprimé dans le cas d'une alimentation centralisée,
• les figures 16 et 17 sont des vues analogues aux figures 14 et 15 dans le cas d'une alimentation individualisée,
• les figures 18 à 20 représentent des variantes de façades d'un distributeur selon l'invention, et
• la figure 21 représente un détail de montage d'une électrovanne dans le support du bloc pilote.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, non-limiting examples of implementation thereof, and on examining the appended drawing, in which:

• the figure 1 schematically shows, in perspective, dispensers according to the invention, mounted on a common base and supplied centrally,
• the figure 2 is a view similar to the figure 1 in the case of distributors with an individual power connector on the front,
• the figure 3 represents in section in the direction of the length of the distributor, the base and a distributor according to the invention, with centralized supply,
• the figure 4 is a cross section taken at the connection element,
• the figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the dispenser, hood removed,
• the figure 6 represents a cover and a printed circuit according to an alternative embodiment, individualized power supply,
• the figure 7 represents in isolation the connection element,
• the Figures 8 and 9 represent from two different perspectives, in perspective, the connection element and the associated end block,
• the Figures 10 and 11 are two exploded perspective views, partial, of the pilot block, according to two different angles of view,
• the Figures 12 and 13 represent in isolation the support of the solenoid valves,
• the Figures 14 and 15 represent the two faces of the printed circuit in the case of a centralized power supply,
• the Figures 16 and 17 are views similar to Figures 14 and 15 in the case of an individualized diet,
• the Figures 18 to 20 represent variants of facades of a dispenser according to the invention, and
• the figure 21 represents a mounting detail of a solenoid valve in the support of the pilot block.

The figure 1 represents several distributors 1 according to the invention, mounted on a base 3, according to a so-called "island" assembly.

The base 3 comprises channels of a pneumatic circuit for controlling actuators, these channels communicating with connecting orifices opening into a mounting plane of the distributors 1 on the base 3. The latter also comprises channels of a pneumatic pilot circuit, with associated supply and exhaust ports, communicating with the distributors 1, in a manner known per se.

In the case of a centralized power supply, the base 3 comprises power supply connectors with which connectors of the distributors are engaged, which are not visible on the figure 1 .

The figure 2 represents distributors 1 with individualized supply.

The dispenser according to the invention shown in Figures 3 to 5 comprises a distributor body 2, on which a cover 110 is mounted.

The distributor body 2 comprises several assembled blocks, including a multi-way valve main block 10, a pilot block 20, two end blocks 30 and 40 and two intermediate blocks 50.

The distributor 1 can be assembled to the base 3 by means of screws 70 bearing on the main block 10. The end blocks 30 and 40 are assembled on the pilot 20 and main 10 blocks by screws 71 which cross the intermediate blocks 50.

The distributor 1 comprises, as can be seen in particular in the figure 5 , a printed circuit 100 (also called printed circuit board or PCB in English) and a ribbon seal 80 which interposes between the cover 110 and the body 2 of the distributor 1.

In the example considered, the distributor 1 is bistable and the main block 10 comprises, as shown in FIG. figure 3 , two pistons 11 which move in chambers 12 under the effect of sending in one or the other of them compressed air, through solenoid valves 21 housed in the pilot block 20. According to the position of a slide 14 moving with the pistons 12, pneumatic communications different from the multiway valve are established, in particular with the base, in a manner known per se.

The main block 10 may comprise a metal casing, for example aluminum, and have a slight change of slope on its outer surface, materialized by a line 260 on the figures 2 and 5 .

Each intermediate block 50 houses a manual control system 51 which includes a valve for shorting the action of the associated solenoid valve 21 to perform a test or during a maintenance operation. In the example, the control of this valve is effected by turning an axis 52 opening on the front, using a screwdriver. Each axis 52 is guided in its movement by a shaft 342 molded from thermoplastic material with the body of the intermediate block 50.

The end block 40, located on the left on the figure 3 , only serves as an end piece and cooperates with the adjacent intermediate block 50 to complete the pneumatic piloting circuit. The end block 40 carries a seal 48 for this purpose.

The end block 30 is visible more particularly on the Figures 8 and 9 and comprises a body of thermoplastic material defining a through housing 31 to receive a connection member 140, as will be detailed below.

We see on the figure 8 that the end block 30 has on its face 280 in contact with the adjacent intermediate block 50 of the channels 281 and a seal 282, to communicate the solenoid valve 21 with the main block 10 and complete the pneumatic control circuit.

The pilot block 20 comprises a support 23, represented more particularly on the Figures 10 to 13 and 21 , which defines two opposite housings 22 for each receiving one of the solenoid valves 21. The support 23 comprises an intermediate portion 26 which has orifices 27 which communicate with the exhaust openings 290 of the solenoid valves and passages 291 for the pins 292 of supply of the solenoid valves. O-rings 293 and 294 may be disposed at the interface between the solenoid valves 21 and the support 23, these seals being carried by the solenoid valves before being placed on the support.

Preferably, the support 23 is molded of thermoplastic material. The pins 292 can be connected in various ways to the printed circuit 100, for example by means of a small printed circuit 28, visible on the figure 3 , which carries on the top a connector 29. The latter is for example a male connector protruding from the upper face 150 of the distributor body 2 through an opening 151 of the pilot block 20. The printed circuit 28 carries for example metal bushings in which the pins 292 of the solenoid valves 21 engage. The support 23 may be modified in any way adapted according to the way in which the electrical connection is made between the contacts present on the body of the distributor and those of the printed circuit. If necessary, the pins of the solenoid valves can define the contacts of the body of the distributor, connecting elements such as springs coming to be applied on them and on tracks of the printed circuit.

The solenoid valves are mounted on the support 23 by sliding them in the housings 22. The orifices 27 of the support 23 communicate with each other and with an exhaust channel communicating with the base. One or more passages 425 used during the molding operation can be closed each after manufacture by a metal element inserted in force, for example a ball 426, visible on the figure 5 . The orifices 27 may be coaxial.

The connector 29 serves to supply the two solenoid valves 21 and is positioned in a central region of the upper face 150 of the distributor body 2.

The printed circuit 100 carries components making it possible to perform the electronic functions sought. It may be, for example, integrated circuits 101 for protecting against overvoltage and / or for limiting the current once the solenoid valve has changed state, the holding current being less important than the current. 'call. It can also be the indication of the state of the solenoid valves with LEDs 103.

The printed circuit 100 may be single-sided and the LEDs 103 mounted in bores 300 of the printed circuit, illuminating upwards. The LEDs 103 may be non-bipolar and mounted in pairs in said bores 300, being electrically connected head to tail. The cover 110 has light guides 301 facing the LEDs 103. These guides 301 can be relatively short, for example less than 5 mm in length, which avoids significant light attenuation. The presence of the printed circuit 100 at the top of the dispenser eliminates any optical guide of great length, which could cause a loss of light output.

The printed circuit board 100 may comprise, as illustrated in FIG. figure 14 in particular, a connector 105 intended to engage the connection element 140. The latter is shown more particularly to the Figures 7 to 9 and comprises a support 141, having a base 142 and a column 143 which is connected below the base 142.

The connection element 140 also comprises electrical conductors 144, for example four in number, preferably arranged as the vertices of a square, engaged through the base 142 and through spacers 145 and 146, which can be simple or doubles. The spacer 145 is located just above the column 143 on the figure 8 and can rest on when a thrust is exerted on the conductors 144. The ends of the conductors 144 located above the spacer 145 form the connector 320 for engaging in the connector 105 of the printed circuit 100. The base 141 comprises a tip 148 molded therewith, this end piece 148 forming with the end of the conductors which extend inside a power supply connector 322 centralized which engages in the base 3 when fixing the distributor thereon. The support 140 can be immobilized in the housing 31 by means of a key 149, which is partially housed in a housing 325 of the base 142. The latter can carry a seal 147 which allows it to seal the housing 31 in the lower part.

The axes of the connectors 320 and 322 formed by the connection element 140 are parallel and spaced apart by a distance d for example between 5 and 10 mm. The distance d is measured between the centers of the squares in which the connectors 144 are arranged at each of the connectors 320 and 322.

The cover 110 has on its inner face 340 facing the body of the distributor 2, a rib 112 which extends around the entire periphery of the printed circuit 100. This rib 112 has a height which is greater than the thickness of the printed circuit board 100, and which may vary taking into account the curved shape of the front wall of the cover 110. The rib 112 extends at 113 and 114 around the barrels 342 for guiding the axes 52 of the manual control systems 51. The rib 112 is come molding with the hood 110.

The face 150 of the body 2 has around the opening 151 and around that through which the housing 31 opens ribs in the form of beads 152 and 153, intended to improve the sealing contact with the seal 80.

A wafer 154 may be disposed in a recess present around one of the barrels 342, as visible on the figure 5 in particular, to locally define a bearing surface at the seal 80 at the same level as the upper face of the support 23. This recess corresponds to recesses provided in the part to facilitate its molding.

The face 150 may have, as illustrated, a recess 156 whose role will be specified later. This recess has for example a flat bottom, a depth of between 0.5 and 1.5 mm and a circular contour.

The seal 80 is constituted in the example in question by a plate of closed cell foam, elastically deformable, for example 2 mm thick, and extends as illustrated over more than half the length of the cover 110, in this case more than three quarters of the length of it. The seal 80 may be locally compressed to approximately 50% of its initial thickness by the cover 110, all around the printed circuit 100, when the latter is in place.

The seal 80 includes cutouts 81 for access to the manual control systems 51, a cutout 82 for the passage of the conductors 144 to the connector 105 and a cutout 83 for the connector 109 of the printed circuit, intended to engage in the connector 29. If appropriate, as illustrated, the seal 80 may also include cutouts 84 in which the components 101 may engage, so as not to compress the seal 80 at their level. Thus, at least a portion of the components present on the printed circuit can engage in cuts of the joint, which makes it possible to gain in compactness.

The seal 80 may also have on its periphery notches 360 for the passage of the fixing screws of the cover 110 on the body 2.

When the dispenser 1 is provided with an individualized supply, as illustrated on the figures 2 and 6 , the connection element 140 is removed and replaced by a connector 220 mounted on the printed circuit board 100, this connector 220 comprising an external metal bushing 221 fixed on the cover 110 and an insulating part 380 fixed with respect to the printed circuit board 100. seal 80 is then produced without the cutout 82 so as to toply close the housing 31. Thus, the dispenser 1 can be easily changed from a centralized power supply to an individualized power supply.

The printed circuit 100 is made with both holes 400 and the corresponding tracks for mounting the connector 105 and other 410 for mounting the connector 109, which allows a late differentiation at the production stage. The recess 156 makes it possible to avoid cutting the pins 420 of the connector 220 when it is mounted on the printed circuit 100. The seal 80 is made, in the presence of the connector 220, with a cutout 87 which is superimposed on the recess 156. cover 110 may have a recess 490 opposite the pins of the connector 320 formed by the connection element, to receive the end of the conductors 144. This recess 490 is visible on the figure 6 , being formed in the thickness of the front wall of the cover 110, by molding, having for example a square contour and a flat bottom.

The presence of the power supply contacts 29 of the driver block 20 in a central zone of the face 150 frees room for mounting on the printed circuit of a display 240 and / or a touch interface 241, as illustrated in FIG. figure 20 . The distributor 1 can indeed be realized, if desired, with advanced functions such counting of the number of cycles and with communication functions such as for example the display of the number of cycles.

Several types of individual power supply connectors 220 can also be mounted on the front, as shown in FIGS. Figures 18 and 19 .

The invention is not limited to the illustrated examples. For example, the supply contacts of the solenoid valves of the pilot block can be made differently, for example by means of electrically conductive springs replacing the connector 29 and bearing directly on the tracks of the printed circuit board 100.

The dispenser described with reference to the figures is bistable, comprising two solenoid valves. It is not beyond the scope of the present invention when the dispenser is monostable, having only one solenoid valve.

Preferably, the solenoid valve or solenoid valves used are electromagnets and comprise a solenoid. However, the solenoid valves may comprise an actuating element other, for example of the piezoelectric type.

The seal 80 is preferably in the form of a single piece.

It is possible to modify the main block or the pilot block, and possibly make the distributor without a manual control system or with a manual control system other than that exemplified.

The electromagnet solenoid valves used can be of any type.

The phrase "with one" should be understood as being synonymous with "having at least one".

Claims (15)

Electropneumatic distributor (1), comprising: - a body (2) comprising several blocks (20, 50, 30, 40, 10) assembled, housing at least one solenoid valve (21), and having on one face (150) an assembly (29) of first contacts connected to this solenoid valve (21), a cover (110) attached to said face (150) of said body (2), a printed circuit (100) housed between the cover (110) and the body (2), the printed circuit carrying a second set of contacts (109) arranged to establish an electrical connection with the first set of contacts (29), and - A seal (80) in the form of a sheet of an elastically deformable material, compressed between reliefs (112) of the cover surrounding the printed circuit and the body (2) of the distributor. The dispenser of claim 1, the seal (80) having at least one aperture (83) for establishing the connection between the first (29) and second (109) sets of contacts. Dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, the seal (80) coming into contact with several (30, 50, 20) of said blocks. Dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 3, the seal (80) being compressed locally between the reliefs (112) and the face (150) over more than 30% of its initial thickness, better between 40 and 60% of its thickness. initial. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, the cover (110) comprising one or more openings for access to one or more systems (51) for manual control of the dispenser, with around each of these openings, on the inner face bonnet, a rib (113; 114) which bears on the seal (80) and with the seal (80) a corresponding aperture (82; 81). Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, the body (2) of the dispenser being arranged in such a way that the contacts (29) of a pilot block (20) comprising the solenoid valve (s) and intended for feeding the or solenoid valves are all located in a central zone of the face (150) of the distributor body located opposite the hood (110). Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, the body (2) of the distributor having on its face (150) facing towards the hood (110) a recess (156) for receiving the ends of the pins (420) of a soldered component on the printed circuit board (100), such as a centralized connector (220) or a display (240). Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, the printed circuit (100) being single-sided, LEDs (103) being soldered in particular on the printed circuit (100) on the track side, the LEDs being mounted in holes (300) of the printed circuit and emitting mainly their light to the holes of the printed circuit, the LEDs being grouped by two in each hole (300) being electrically mounted head to tail. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, the printed circuit (100) being made with holes waiting to receive the pins of at least one additional connector, and with the corresponding tracks. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a support (23) for two solenoid valves (21), in the form of a single piece, for mounting the latter by simple fitting and having a function of collecting the exhaust of these solenoids. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, the body (2) of the distributor comprising, in addition to a pilot block (20) and a main block (10) of multi-channel valve present under the pilot block (20), two intermediate blocks (50 ) and two end blocks (30, 40), one of which (30) has a through-housing (31) capable of receiving a connection element (140) for a centralized supply, the connection element comprising a support ( 141) arranged to be fixed in the housing (31) and hold in place conductors (144) intended to engage at their opposite ends respectively in a connector of a base (3) on which the distributor is mounted and in a connector (105) of the printed circuit (100), the conductors (144) being in particular doubly bent so as to offset their ends. Dispenser according to claim 11, the support (141) of the connection element (140) having a base (142) carrying a seal (147) and a column (143), the conductors (144) being connected by spacers (145, 146), one of which is positioned opposite the free end of the column (143). Electropneumatic distributor (1), comprising: - a body (2) comprising a main block (10) of multi-way valve for acting on a pneumatic circuit connected to actuators and a pilot block (20) for controlling the multi-channel valve, the pilot block (20) comprising a support monolithic (23), this support comprising two opposite housings (22) formed on either side of an intermediate portion (26), these housings (22) being each configured for insertion and guidance along the longitudinal axis the support of a solenoid valve (21), the intermediate portion (26) having collecting orifices (27) opening facing the solenoid valves (21), oriented along the longitudinal axis of the support, the solenoid valves each having an exhaust orifice communicating with this collection port (27) of the support (23), the intermediate part (26) also having passages (291) for solenoid supply pins (292), these pins (292) being oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support. Electropneumatic distributor (1), comprising: - a body (2) comprising a plurality of blocks (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) assembled side by side, housing at least one solenoid valve (21), and having on one face (150) a set (29) of first contacts connected to this solenoid valve, a cover (110) attached to said face (150) of said body, a printed circuit (100) housed between the cover (110) and the body (2), the printed circuit carrying a second set of contacts (109) arranged to establish an electrical connection with the first set (29) of contacts, and a connector (105) of printed circuit, a connection element (140) comprising a first centralized power supply connector (322), on the face of the distributor body intended to contact a base (3), and a second connector (320) opposite the first one, for engaging with the printed circuit connector (105), the connecting member (140) being received in a housing (31) of an end block (30) of the dispenser. The dispenser of claim 13 or 14, further comprising any one of the features of claims 2 to 12, not attached to claim 1.

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