JP2002361586A - Sucking device with checking mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sucking device equipped with checking mechanism in which a negative pressure fluid is prevented from being supplied to its pad part and the dust, etc., in the atmosphere is hindered from intruding into the device in the case part of the pad part is not contacting with a work to be processed. SOLUTION: The sucking device is furnished with pad part 12 abutting to the work W2, a connector 14 coupled with the pad part 12, a valve rod 16 to be changed over from the closed to the open condition in such a manner that its one end abuts to the work W and is displaced upward, a supporting member 18 coupled with the connector 14, and a check valve 20a installed at one end of the supporting member 18 and having a second valve element 68 to be closed when the rate of flow of the outer air flowing in from the pad part 12 increases.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a suction device with a check mechanism capable of transferring a work by sucking the work under suction of a negative pressure fluid.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 6 shows a conventional adsorption apparatus (for example, see Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 39-11426). The suction device 1 includes a pad portion 2 formed in a skirt shape, and a connector portion 3 connected to the pad portion 2. The pad portion 2 has a valve chamber 4 inside the connector portion 3.
An on-off valve 6 constantly urged downward by the elastic force of a spring 5 mounted on the on-off valve 6 is provided.
A projection 7 projecting downward and integrally displacing with the on-off valve 6 is connected to the bottom surface of the.

When the work A is attracted, the opening and closing valve 6 comes into contact with the work A by the projecting portion 7. By separating, the valve is opened. As a result, the negative pressure fluid supplied to the valve chamber 4 from the negative pressure fluid supply source (not shown) is introduced into the internal space of the pad portion 2 through the passage 9 communicating with the valve chamber 4, and the negative pressure fluid is The work A is sucked under the suction action.

[0004]

By the way, in the suction device 1 according to the prior art, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, when a work B having a step 9a is partially sucked,
The on-off valve 6 is opened when the protrusion 7 comes into contact with one surface of the work B and is pressed.

However, even though the negative pressure fluid is introduced into the internal space of the pad portion 2, a part of the pad portion 2 faces the step portion 9a and does not contact the work B. B cannot be adsorbed. That is, when external air flows into the internal space of the pad portion 2 through the gap between a part of the pad portion 2 and the step portion 9a,
The suction force on the work B decreases.

As a result, there is a problem that the negative pressure fluid continuously supplied from the negative pressure supply source (not shown) to the pad portion 2 is wasted.

Further, dust and the like contained in the atmosphere are sucked into the suction device 1 through the pad portion 2 and adhere to the sliding portion of the on-off valve 6 in the suction device 1 so that the dust and the like adhere to the suction device.
There is a possibility that the opening and closing operation of the on-off valve 6 may be hindered.
There is a concern that the maintenance cycle will be shortened.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described various problems and the like, and prevents waste of a negative pressure fluid from a negative pressure fluid supply source even when a work to be adsorbed has a stepped portion. It is an object of the present invention to provide a suction device with a check mechanism capable of preventing dust and the like from entering the device.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a pad part for adsorbing a work under a suction action of a negative pressure fluid, and a body having one end connected to the pad part. A rod member for switching from a valve-closed state in which the supply of the negative-pressure fluid to the pad portion is interrupted by being displaced by contacting the work to a valve-open state in which the negative-pressure fluid is supplied to the pad portion; A check valve, which is provided in a front part of a passage through which a negative pressure fluid is supplied to the on-off valve, and in which the valve body is seated on a seat part by external air flowing from a pad part, and is in a closed state, When the on-off valve is in the valve open state, the check valve is closed in accordance with the flow rate of the external air flowing from the pad portion, thereby supplying the negative pressure fluid to the pad portion. Be cut off The features.

[0010] The valve body of the check valve may be formed of a material having air permeability.

Further, it is preferable that a throttle mechanism for reducing the flow rate of the external air flowing from the pad portion is provided, and a filter is provided in the throttle mechanism at a position close to one end surface side of the valve body of the check valve.

Further, the throttle mechanism includes a bypass passage communicating the upstream side and the downstream side of the valve body of the check valve, and a variable throttle valve provided in the middle of the bypass passage. By adjusting the flow rate, the flow rate of the external air flowing through the bypass passage may be adjusted.

According to the present invention, for example, when sucking a work having a stepped portion, the rod member comes into contact with the work and the on-off valve is opened. In this case, the check valve is closed according to the flow rate of the external air flowing from the gap generated between the pad portion and the step portion, and the supply of the negative pressure fluid to the pad portion is shut off. Therefore, waste of the negative pressure fluid on the pad portion is prevented.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a suction device with a check mechanism according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a suction device with a check mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The suction device 10 with a check mechanism
1, a pad portion 12 for adsorbing the work W1 under the suction action of the negative pressure fluid, a connector (body) 14 connected to the pad portion 12, and one end contacting the work W1 and moving upward. A valve rod (rod member) 16 that switches from a valve closed state in which the supply of the negative pressure fluid to the pad portion 12 is cut off to a valve open state in which the negative pressure fluid is supplied to the pad portion 12 by the displacement; A support member (body) 18 connected to one end of the connector 14, and a check valve 20a attached to one end of the support member 18.

The pad section 12 is formed from an elastic material.
A cylindrical body 22, a plate member 26 provided inside the body 22 and having a through hole 24 formed at a substantially central portion and at an outer peripheral side separated from the substantially central portion by a predetermined distance, and formed integrally with the body 22. And a skirt portion 28 whose diameter gradually increases. A first through hole 30 having a plurality of steps is formed substantially in the center of the pad portion 12.

The connector 14 has a female screw portion 32 substantially in the center.
Is formed, and the connector 1 is in contact with the pad portion 12.
A plurality of screw holes 36 into which a screw member 34 is screwed via a hollow cylindrical body 33 inserted into the through hole 24 are formed on one end surface side of the screw member 4. 12 and the connector 14 are connected. In addition,
By forming the connector 14 from a resin material, the weight of the suction device 10 with a check mechanism can be reduced, and by forming the connector 14 from a metal material, the rigidity of the suction device 10 with a check mechanism can be reduced. It can be further improved.

One end of the support member 18 is screwed into the female screw portion 32 of the connector 14. Inside the one end of the support member 18, a plurality of stepped portions are communicated with the first through holes 30. A second through-hole 38 having a pad portion 1 is formed.
2, the valve rod 16 is provided in the first through hole 30 and the second through hole 38.

In the inside of the other end of the support member 18, a valve chamber 42 communicating with the check valve 20a via a filter 40, and a first chamber communicating with the valve chamber 42 and the second through hole 38 are provided. A communication passage 44 and a first seat portion 46 whose diameter gradually decreases toward the second through hole 38 are formed.

The filter 40 is fixed in a hole of the support member 18 facing the valve chamber 42 and removes dust and the like contained in external air introduced from the pad portion 12 into the check valve 2.
0a and a negative pressure fluid supply source (not shown), and a throttle function to reduce the flow rate of external air from the valve chamber 42 to the check valve 20a. That is, by changing the material, density, and the like of the filter 40, the throttle amount of the flow rate of the external air can be arbitrarily adjusted.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a second communication passage 78 described later is provided inside the main body 64 of the check valve 20b.
Passage 48 which communicates with a second hole 82 described later.
May be provided, and a variable throttle valve 50 may be provided in the middle thereof in place of the filter 40. By rotating the adjustment knob of the variable throttle valve 50, the throttle amount of the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the bypass passage 48 can be adjusted.

The valve rod 16 is connected to the pad portion 12, the first
The inside of the through-hole 30, the second through-hole 38 and the valve chamber 42 is provided so as to be freely displaceable in the axial direction.
A tapered portion 52 whose diameter is reduced toward the lower side is formed, and a first valve body (open / close valve) 54 formed of, for example, an elastic body is mounted in an annular groove of the tapered portion 52. Further, the first valve element 54 is formed on a first member formed on the support member 18.
By sitting on the seat 46, the communication between the valve chamber 42 and the second through hole 38 is interrupted.

At a substantially central portion of the valve rod 16, a locking member 58 is mounted via an annular ring body 56, and a locking member 58 is provided between the locking member 58 and the second through hole 38 of the support member 18. 1
A spring member 60 is interposed and urges the locking member 58 in a direction away from the support member 18 under the elasticity of the first spring member 60, and also supports the valve rod 16 integrally with the locking member 58. It is urged in a direction away from the member 18.

The other end of the valve rod 16 has a valve rod 16
Elastic member 6 for buffering an impact when the member comes into contact with the workpiece W1
2 are integrally connected. The elastic member 62 is
When the work W <b> 1 is not sucked, it is provided so as to protrude from the lower end surface of the skirt portion 28 of the pad portion 12 by a predetermined length.

That is, the elastic member 62 is
When the skirt portion 28 comes into contact with the workpiece W1, the valve rod 16 is displaced upward.

The other end of the valve rod 16 is inserted into a guide hole 63 formed substantially in the center of the pad portion 12, so that the valve rod 16 is guided. The diameter of the guide hole 63 is formed slightly larger than the diameter of the valve rod 16, so that the valve rod 16 can be freely displaced in the axial direction.

The check valve 20a connected to the upper part of the support member 18 has a main body 64 having a thread formed at one end.
And attached to the other end side of the main body 64, and the tube 6
A release member 66 for releasing the valve body 5, a second valve body (valve body) 68 formed of a gas-permeable material and formed in a tapered shape whose diameter decreases upward, and formed at one end of the second valve body 68. A second spring member 72 interposed between the annular projection 70 and the main body 64.

The second valve body 68 is formed of a gas-permeable material such as a resin-made sintered material (for example, a polyethylene sintered material). That is, when the negative pressure fluid is supplied to the valve chamber 42, the negative pressure fluid flows from the second communication passage 78 into the valve chamber 42 through the second hole 82 and the inside of the second valve body 68. Therefore, the second valve body 68 does not become a flow path resistance of the negative pressure fluid.

As a result, before the work W1 is sucked and when the work W1 is normally sucked, the second valve body 68 is sucked.
Is in a state of being separated from the second seating portion (seating portion) 80 by a predetermined distance. That is, the second valve body 68 is urged in a direction away from the second seat portion 80 under the resilient action of the second spring member 72, and when the negative pressure fluid is not supplied, The filter 40 is in contact with one end surface.

Further, the spring force of the second spring member 72, the second
By changing the pressure receiving area where the external air acts on the pressure receiving portion 74 of the valve body 68 and the amount of throttle of the filter 40 or the variable throttle valve 50, etc., the pressure is reduced under the pressing action of the external air flowing from the pad portion 12. The two-valve body 68 is the second seat portion 80
It is possible to arbitrarily adjust conditions for sitting on the vehicle. Before the pad portion 12 sucks the work W1 and during normal suction of the work W1, the second valve body 68 may be closed under the action of the external air introduced from the valve chamber 42 to the check valve 20a. However, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the workpiece W2 has the step 75,
The second valve body 68 is adjusted so as to close under the pressure of external air introduced from the valve chamber 42 to the check valve 20a.

At the approximate center of the main body 64, a release member 6 is provided.
6 is mounted, a second communication passage 78 communicating with the first hole 76, and a second communication passage 78 formed in a tapered shape whose diameter is reduced upward, and a second valve body 68 is seated thereon. 2 seats 8
0 and a second hole 82 in which the second valve body 68 is disposed, and separates the second valve body 68 from the second seating section 80 under the resilience of the second spring member 72. Biased in the direction. When the second valve body 68 is separated from the second seat portion 80 by a predetermined distance, the first hole portion 76 and the second communication passage 7
8 and the second hole 82 are in communication with each other,
The diameter of the second communication passage 78 is formed smaller than the first hole 76 and the second hole 82.

The suction device 10 with a check mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention is basically constructed as described above. Next, the operation and effect of the suction device will be described.

First, using fixing means (not shown),
As shown in FIG. 5, the suction device with a check mechanism 10 is connected to, for example, an arm 84 of a robot (not shown) that externally fits the support member 18 and is set to be displaceable by operating the arm 84. Also, a pipe joint is connected to the release member 66 of the check valve 20a, and a tube 65 communicating with a negative pressure fluid supply source (not shown) is connected to the pipe joint.
Then, the negative pressure fluid is supplied from the negative pressure fluid supply source into the valve chamber 42 of the support member 18 via the release member 66 of the check valve 20a. At this time, the second valve body 68 is in a valve-open state in which the second spring member 72 abuts on one end surface of the filter 40 at a predetermined interval from the second seating portion 80 under the resilience of the second spring member 72.

After such a state, the suction device 1 with a check mechanism is connected via a robot arm 84 (not shown).
0 is lowered to bring the pad portion 12 into contact with the work W1, as shown in FIG. In this case, when the elastic member 62 abuts on the workpiece W1 and the valve rod 16 is pressed upward, the valve rod 16 is integrally raised with the locking member 58 via the first valve body 54 and the ring body 56. Is displaced.
When the first valve element 54 is separated from the first seat portion 46, the first valve element 54 is opened, and the negative pressure fluid supplied to the valve chamber 42 flows from the second through-hole 38 to the first through hole 38. It is introduced into the through-hole 30 and further introduced from the first through-hole 30 into a space in the pad portion 12 via a passage (not shown).

In this case, since the second valve body 68 is formed of a gas permeable material, the negative pressure fluid is supplied to the second valve body 68 of the check valve 20a.
When being supplied from the communication passage 78 to the valve chamber 42, the second valve body 6
Since 8 does not become the flow resistance of the negative pressure fluid, the second valve body 68 does not sit on the second seat portion 80 under the action of the negative pressure fluid and does not block the second communication passage 78.

In the pad portion 12, the skirt portion 28 and the work W1 come into contact with each other to form a closed space inside the skirt portion 28, and the work W1 is acted upon by the negative pressure fluid introduced into the space. Is adsorbed.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the pad portion 12 is brought into contact with the work W2 having the stepped portion 75, the elastic member 62 connected to the valve rod 16 is used. Since the workpiece W2 comes into contact with the work W2 and has the stepped portion 75, a part of the skirt 28 does not come into contact with the work W2, and a gap is generated between the pad 12 and the work W2. The supplied negative pressure fluid leaks from the gap.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, when the elastic member 62 connected to the valve rod 16 comes into contact with the work W2, the valve rod 16 is pressed upward, and the valve rod 16 is moved to the first valve body 54. And it displaces upward integrally with the locking member 58. When the first valve element 54 is separated from the first seat portion 46, the valve is opened, and the negative pressure fluid supplied to the valve chamber 42 flows through the first through hole 30 and the second through hole 38. It is introduced into the space in the pad section 12.

In the pad portion 12, as shown in FIG. 4, since the work W2 and the skirt portion 28 are only partially in contact with each other, the gap between the non-contacted work W2 and the skirt portion 28 is large from outside. A flow of external air is introduced into the valve chamber 42 through the first through hole 30 and the second through hole 38 under the action of the negative pressure fluid.

Under the action of the external air introduced into the valve chamber 42, a large amount of external air pressing force is applied to the pressure receiving portion 74 of the second valve body 68, and the second valve body 68 is moved by the second spring. The second seat portion 8 is displaced upward against the elastic force of the member 72 and
By sitting at 0, the second communication passage 78 is closed.

Since the second valve body 68 is formed of a gas-permeable material, even when the second valve body 68 is seated on the second seating portion 80, external air flows from the valve chamber 42 to the second valve body 68.
The fluid flowing into the communication passage 78 but communicating inside the second valve body 68 is negligible and can be ignored.

Accordingly, since the negative pressure fluid from the negative pressure fluid supply source (not shown) is cut off by the second valve body 68 of the check valve 20a, the negative pressure fluid is continuously supplied to the pad portion 12 side. Is prevented.

As described above, in this embodiment, the step portion 75
The elastic member 62 of the valve rod 16 comes into contact with the work W2 having
Even when part of 2 is not in contact with the work W2,
The second valve body 68 is closed under the pressing action of the external air flowing from the pad portion 12, and the supply of the negative pressure fluid to the pad portion 12 can be stopped. As a result, the negative pressure fluid supplied from the negative pressure fluid supply source can be effectively utilized without being wasted, and the dust and the like in the atmosphere can be suitably prevented from entering the inside of the device.

[0045]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

That is, even when the on-off valve is in the valve open state and a part of the pad portion is not in contact with the work, the valve body is closed under the pressing action of the external air flowing from the pad portion, and the pad is closed. The supply of the negative pressure fluid to the section can be cut off.

As a result, the negative pressure fluid supplied from the negative pressure fluid supply source can be effectively used, and the dust and the like in the atmosphere can be suitably prevented from entering the inside of the apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a suction device with a check mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention before a workpiece is sucked.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the suction device with a check mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention when a work is suctioned.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the suction device with a check mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention when the valve is opened when the work has a stepped portion.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the suction device with a check mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention when the valve is closed when the work has a stepped portion.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view when the variable valve is provided in the suction device with the check mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention when the valve is opened.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a suction device according to the related art.

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a suction device according to the related art when a work to be sucked has a stepped portion.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Suction apparatus with a check mechanism 12 ... Pad part 14 ... Connector 16 ... Valve rod 18 ... Support member 20a, 20b ...
Check valve 26 ... Plate member 28 ... Skirt part 30 ... First through hole 34 ... Screw member 36 ... Screw hole 38 ... Second through hole 40 ... Filter 42 ... Valve chamber 44 ... First communication path 46 ... First seating part 50 ... variable throttle valve 54 ... first valve body 58 ... locking member 60 ... first spring member 68 ... second valve body 72 ... second spring member 78 ... second communication passage 80 ... second seating portion

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 3C007 DS01 FS01 FT02 FU02 FU06 HT36 3F004 FA01 FB01

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A pad portion for adsorbing a workpiece under a suction action of a negative pressure fluid, a body having one end connected to the pad portion, and a negative pressure fluid against the pad portion by being displaced in contact with the workpiece. An on-off valve provided with a rod member for switching from a valve-closed state in which the supply of air is shut off to a valve-opened state for supplying a negative-pressure fluid to the pad portion, and a passage through which the negative-pressure fluid is supplied to the on-off valve A check valve which is provided at a front stage of the valve and is in a valve closed state in which a valve body is seated on a seating section by external air flowing from a pad section, and the pad section when the on-off valve is in a valve open state. The supply of the negative pressure fluid to the pad portion is shut off by closing the check valve in accordance with the flow rate of the external air flowing from the suction device. 2. The suction device with a check mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the valve element of the check valve is formed of a material having air permeability. 3. The suction device with a check mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a throttle mechanism for reducing a flow rate of the external air flowing from the pad portion. 4. A suction mechanism according to claim 3, wherein said throttle mechanism comprises a filter provided at a position close to one end surface of a valve body of said check valve. With suction device. 5. The suction device with a check mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the throttle mechanism is provided in a bypass passage communicating between an upstream side and a downstream side of a valve body of the check valve, and in the middle of the bypass passage. A suction device with a check mechanism, comprising: a variable throttle valve, wherein the flow rate of external air flowing through the bypass passage is adjusted by adjusting the variable throttle valve.