JP2003301963A - Solenoid valve manifold and end block for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an end block for a solenoid valve manifold with reduced weight and thickness thereof without hindering the minute shape manufacturing workability. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of valve blocks 14 and an intake/exhaust block 13 are continuously provided along the longitudinal direction of a DIN rail 11. An end block main body 27 is arranged in both ends of the block group 23. This end block main body 27 is provided with a reinforcing base material 28 having high strength. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a solenoid valve manifold in which valve blocks each having a solenoid valve are connected in series, and an end block thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a solenoid valve manifold 51 is provided with a so-called DIN rail, in which a valve block 52 is connected in series along a DIN rail 53 in order to facilitate increase and decrease of the valve block 52. Shape is the mainstream. The supply / exhaust block 54 is provided so as to be adjacent to the valve block 52 arranged at the end of the plurality of valve blocks 52. These valve blocks 52
In the air supply / exhaust block 54, a plurality of common channels 55 that communicate with each other are formed. Since both ends of the common channel 55 are open at both ends of the block group 56 including the valve block 52 and the air supply / exhaust block 54, the openings are closed by the end blocks 57. The end block 57 is provided with a fixing bracket 58,
The block group 56 is fixed to the DIN rail 53 so as to be sandwiched, and the fixing force seals the pressure fluid from leaking from both end openings of the common flow channel 55.

By the way, if the end block 57 is made of metal produced by die casting, not only the weight of the solenoid valve manifold 51 is increased, but also it becomes difficult to form a precise shape, which becomes a factor to prevent miniaturization. Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, the solenoid valve manifold 51 of this section is mainly made of synthetic resin in each of the blocks 52, 54 and 57.

[0004]

However, if the thickness of the end block 57 is reduced in order to reduce the size of the solenoid valve manifold 51 in the direction in which the blocks 52, 54, 57 are connected in series, the material strength is reduced accordingly. Will be invited. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, if a thin end block 57 made of a synthetic resin is used, the end block 57 warps outward due to the pressure of the pressure fluid, so that the closeness of the end block 57 is reduced and the pressure fluid is Leakage easily occurs from the interface between the end block 57 and the block group 56. Note that, in FIG. 13, a state in which the end block 57 is warped and deformed by the pressure of the pressure fluid is exaggerated for easy understanding.

The sealing force of the openings at both ends of the common flow channel 55 is maintained by the material strength of the end block 57. Therefore, in the end block 57 made of synthetic resin, the thickness of the blocks 52, 54, 57 in the connecting direction is increased as compared with the case where the end block 57 is made of metal in order to secure the material strength. This hinders the miniaturization of the manifold 51. Moreover, if the thickness of the end block 57 is increased, the contribution to weight reduction is reduced.

The present invention has been made by paying attention to the problems existing in such conventional techniques. Its purpose is
An object of the present invention is to provide an end block for a solenoid valve manifold that can realize weight reduction and is easy to manufacture despite having a precise shape, and that can achieve a thin shape. Another object is to provide a solenoid valve manifold that can be downsized.

[0007]

(Invention of Claim 1 ... Corresponding to Embodiments 1 to 3) In the invention of Claim 1, a plurality of valve blocks connected along the longitudinal direction of the rail and a supply valve are provided. In the end block of the solenoid valve manifold that is arranged at the end of the block group consisting of the exhaust block and closes the opening of the common flow path formed in the block group, the end block body has a reinforcing base with higher strength than that. The point is to provide materials.

According to this structure, since the reinforcing base material is provided, the strength of the end block body is improved. Therefore, it becomes possible to improve the pressure resistance of the end block body against the pressure of the pressure fluid flowing in the common flow path. Then, the thickness of the end block body can be reduced by the amount corresponding to the improved pressure resistance performance.
Therefore, miniaturization of the end block can be realized.

(Invention of Claim 2 ... Corresponding to Embodiments 1 to 3) In the invention of Claim 2, in the end block of the solenoid valve manifold of Claim 1, the reinforcing base material is at least each of the above. The gist is that it is provided in the region of the end block body that is positioned corresponding to the opening of the common flow path.

According to this structure, even if the reinforcing base material is not provided on the entire end block body, the strength of the end block at the pressure point of the pressure fluid acting at the opening portions at both ends of the common flow path is secured. Therefore, since it is not necessary to make the reinforcing base material larger than necessary, the weight of the end block can be reduced.

(Invention of Claim 3 ... Corresponding to Embodiments 1 to 3) In the invention of Claim 3, in the end block of the solenoid valve manifold according to Claim 1 or 2, the end block body is mounted on a rail. The gist is that a fixing member for fixing the fixing member to the end block body is provided, and an installation portion that supports the fixing member so as to be integrated with the end block body is integrally formed with the reinforcing base material.

According to this structure, since the material strength of the reinforcing base material can be utilized, the mounting angle of the end block with respect to the DIN rail can be maintained more firmly. Therefore, the pressure resistance of the end block is improved.

(Invention of Claim 4 ... Corresponding to Embodiment 2) In the invention of Claim 4, in the end block of the solenoid valve manifold of Claim 3, the boundary portion between the reinforcing base material and the installation portion is The gist of the invention is that it is provided with a reinforcing rib.

According to this structure, since the reinforcing rib is provided, the strength of the reinforcing base material can be further increased. Therefore, the end block body can be made even thinner, and the end block can be further downsized.

(Invention of Claim 5 ... Corresponding to Embodiment 3) In the invention of Claim 5, in the end block of the solenoid valve manifold according to Claim 3 or 4, the end block body is in contact with the block group. In the assembled state as described above, the gist is that the elastic force for urging the end block body toward the block group is applied by the reinforcing base material.

According to this structure, when the end block is assembled, the end block is pressed against the block group by the elastic force of the reinforcing base material. That is, the elastic force acts on the end block body so as to oppose the pressure of the pressure fluid. Therefore, the end block body can be made thinner.

(Invention of Claim 6 ... Corresponding to Embodiments 1 to 3) In the invention of Claim 6, a plurality of output ports are provided in the valve block, and the pressure fluid from the output port is provided in the valve block. Solenoid valves for alternately switching the supply of each of the valve blocks, and a supply port for supplying the pressure fluid to each of the valve blocks and an exhaust port for exhausting the pressure fluid from each of the valve blocks. An exhaust block is provided, the valve block and the supply / exhaust block are continuously provided on a rail to form a block group, and the end block according to any one of claims 1 to 5 at an end of the block group. Is provided, and the opening of the common flow path formed in each valve block and the supply / exhaust block and communicating with each other must be closed by the end block. To.

According to this structure, since the dimension of each block in the connecting direction is reduced by using the thinned end block, the solenoid valve manifold can be miniaturized.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION (First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the solenoid valve manifold 10 includes a supply / exhaust block 13 and a plurality of valve blocks 14 arranged on a DIN rail 11. The blocks 13 and 14 are arranged so as to be adjacent to each other along the longitudinal direction of the DIN rail 11.

One fluid pressure device is connected to each valve block 14, and pressure fluid is supplied to each fluid pressure device through output ports 17 and 18 provided on the side surface of each valve block 14. Exhaust is done. Each valve block 14 provided with the solenoid valve 19 is electrically operated to alternately switch between the two output ports 17 and 18 for air supply or exhaust, and the fluid pressure device is operated by this switching. It has become.

On the side surface of the air supply / exhaust block 13, a supply port 15 and an exhaust port 16 are provided. The pressure fluid is collectively supplied from the supply port 15 to each fluid pressure device. Further, the pressure fluid discharged from each fluid pressure device is collectively discharged from the exhaust port 16 to the outside.

A plurality of internal ports 21 shown in FIG. 5 are formed in the supply / exhaust block 13 and each valve block 14. The internal port 21 includes two pressure supply ports having different diameters and two exhaust ports having different diameters. In a state where the blocks 13 and 14 are assembled on the DIN rail 11, the internal ports 21 adjacent to each other communicate with each other to form the common flow path 22. That is, each block 1 is included in the block group 23 including the air supply / exhaust block 13 and each valve block 14 as a unit.
A common flow path 22 is formed that extends along the direction in which 3, 14 are continuously arranged.

End blocks 25 are provided on the DIN rail 11 at positions located at both ends of the block group 23.
Is provided. Then, both end openings of the common flow path 22 that are open at both ends of the block group 23 are closed by the end blocks 25.

Next, the main part of this embodiment will be described.
The end block 25 includes an end block body 27 made of synthetic resin. The end block body 27 is provided with a reinforcing base material 28 having a plate shape. A part of the reinforcing base material 28 is inserted into the narrow groove 29 of which the lower end side is opened in the end block body 27. And
The end block body 27 and the reinforcing base material 28 are integrated by fastening a plurality of screws (not shown).

The reinforcing base material 28 is made of a metal material such as stainless steel and occupies only a part of the area of the end block body 27. More specifically, the reinforcing base material 28 is provided only at a position facing the openings 30 at both ends of each common channel 22. As shown in FIG. 3, the area of the reinforcing base material 28 is set to a size that occupies a region including all the four common channels 22. By providing the reinforcing base material 28, the strength of the end block 25 is improved, and even if the pressure of the pressure fluid flowing through the openings at both ends of the common flow path 22 is applied to the synthetic resin end block body 27,
The end block body 27 does not warp and deform outward.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the DIN rail 1
1, a metal fitting 33 is provided as a fixing member at a position located outside each of the end blocks 25. The fastener 33 is attached to an L-shaped installation portion 34 formed so as to project from the side surface of the end block 25 at the lower end portion of the reinforcing base material 28. With such a mounting structure, the fastener 33 is integrated with the end block body 27.

The locking claws 35 formed on both ends of the fastener 33 are engaged with the DIN rail 11. And
By tightening the screw 36 screwed to the fastener 33, the installation portion 34 is pressed against the mounting surface of the DIN rail 11, and the end block 25 is fixed to the DIN rail 11. Due to this fixing force, the air supply / exhaust block 13 and each valve block 14 forming the block group 23 are held in a state of being connected to each other.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) A reinforcing base material 28 having a higher bending strength is embedded inside the end block body 27. As a result, the strength of the end block 25 is improved, and the thickness of the end block 25 made of synthetic resin can be reduced. Therefore, the overall size of the solenoid valve manifold 10 in the block connecting direction can be shortened, and the solenoid valve manifold 10 can be downsized.

(2) The reinforcing base material 28 is provided only on the pressure acting portion where the pressure of the pressure fluid acts on the end block 25. As a result, the size of the metal reinforcing base material 28, which becomes a factor that hinders the weight reduction of the end block 25, is kept to the minimum necessary, which greatly contributes to the weight reduction of the end block 25 and the solenoid valve manifold 10 as a whole. .

(3) The metal fitting 33 for fixing the end block 25 to the DIN rail 11 is supported by the installation portion 34 formed integrally with the reinforcing base material 28. With this configuration, the mounting angle of the end block 25 with respect to the DIN rail 11 can be maintained more firmly.

(Second Embodiment) The second embodiment will be described focusing on the points different from the above-mentioned embodiment. Now this second
In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, two reinforcing ribs 37 are provided at the boundary between the reinforcing base material 28 and the installation portion 34 so as to project from the outer surface thereof. This reinforcing rib 3
7 is formed by press molding, and has a reinforcing base material 28.
It is integrated with the installation section 34. The reinforcing rib 37
The number of can be changed to one or three or more.

Therefore, also in the present embodiment, it is possible to exhibit the same effect as that of the first embodiment described above. In particular, in the present embodiment, the bending strength of the boundary portion between the reinforcing base material 28 and the installation portion 34 can be further increased by the reinforcing rib 37. Therefore, DIN rail 11
Since the mounting angle of the end block 25 with respect to can be maintained more firmly, the thickness of the end block 25 can be further reduced, and the solenoid valve manifold 10 as a whole can be further downsized.

(Third Embodiment) As shown in FIG.
In the state where the end block 25 is not assembled to the N rail 11, the reinforcing base material 28 as the spring steel plate is
It is inclined at an obtuse angle with respect to the mounting surface of the DIN rail 11 (bottom surface of the installation portion 34). As the reinforcing base material 28 is inclined, the end block body 27 is also reinforced with the reinforcing base material 2.
It is tilted at the same angle as 8. In addition, when the inclination angle of the reinforcing base material 28 is θ, 90 ° <θ ≦ 95 ° is set. The inclination angle of the reinforcing base material 28 is set to 100 ° or less.
This is because the elastic force of 8 increases and it becomes difficult to assemble the end block 25 to the DIN rail 11.

Such an end block 25 is set to DIN
Block group 23 having a right angle to the mounting surface of the rail 11
The end block body 27, which is slightly inclined toward the block group 23, stands upright with respect to the mounting surface of the DIN rail 11 when it comes into close contact with the end surface of the. As the posture of the end block body 27 changes, the elastic force of the reinforcing base material 28 is applied to the end block body 27, and the end block body 27 is pressed against the block group 23. Then, in this state, the screw 36 provided on the fastener 33 is tightened, and the end block 25 is pressed against and held by the block group 23.

Therefore, in the state where the end block 25 is assembled, the block group 2 is generated by the elastic force of the reinforcing base material 28.
Since the end block 25 is pressed against 3, the pressure resistance against the pressure fluid applied to the end block 25 can be improved. As a result, the thickness can be further reduced as compared with the end block 25 shown in the above embodiment.

(Another Embodiment) The embodiment of the present invention may be modified as follows. -In 1st-3rd embodiment, although a part of reinforcement base material 28 was embedded in the end block main body 27, most may be embedded. Alternatively, the reinforcing base material 28 may be fixed along the outer surface of the end block body 27 so that the side surface of the reinforcing base material 28 that is not in contact with the end block 25 is exposed. In short, the reinforcing base material 28 assembled to the end block body 27 may be exposed or may be embedded.

In the first to third embodiments, the reinforcing base material 2
Although the forming material of 8 is stainless steel, it may be changed to a metal other than this. Of course, the reinforcing base material 28 may be formed of a material other than metal such as synthetic resin.

As another example of the second embodiment, the reinforcing base material 28 having the reinforcing ribs 37 may be inclined with respect to the installation surface of the DIN rail 11 as described in the third embodiment.

In the third embodiment, the reinforcing base material 28 is inclined so that the end block 2 is provided on the block group 23 side.
5 was pressed. The configuration shown in FIG. 10 may be adopted to provide the same operation as this configuration. That is, in this solenoid valve manifold 10, the reinforcing base material 28 is kept perpendicular to the mounting surface of the DIN rail 11, and the block group 2
The end surface of the end block main body 27 that contacts 3 is inclined with respect to the mounting surface of the DIN rail 11.

In the first to third embodiments, the reinforcing base material 2
Although the 8 and the end block body 27 are integrated by fastening with screws, they may be integrated by other methods.
That is, the reinforcing base material 28 and the end block main body 27 are integrated by insert molding, the reinforcing base material 28 is press-fitted into the end block main body 27 to be integrated, or a reinforcing base is attached using a fitting such as a snap fit. The material 28 and the end block body 27 may be integrated.

[0042]

According to the inventions described in claims 1 to 5, it is possible to realize weight reduction and, despite having a precise shape, easy to manufacture and to achieve thinning.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, it is possible to reduce the size of the solenoid valve manifold as a whole.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a solenoid valve manifold according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the solenoid valve manifold.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the solenoid valve manifold.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the solenoid valve manifold.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the solenoid valve manifold.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the solenoid valve manifold.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of the same.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a reinforcing rib in the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of an end block according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an end block according to another embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a solenoid valve manifold in the related art.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the solenoid valve manifold.

FIG. 13 is a view exaggeratingly showing a state in which the end block spreads outward when the end block is thinly formed.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Solenoid valve manifold, 11 ... DIN rail (rail), 13 ... Supply / exhaust block, 14 ... Valve block,
15 ... Supply port, 16 ... Exhaust port, 17, 18 ... Output port, 19 ... Electromagnetic valve, 22 ... Common flow path, 23 ... Block group, 25 ... End block, 27 ... End block body, 28 ... Reinforcing base material, 33 ... Fasteners (fixing members),
34 ... Installation part, 37 ... Reinforcing ribs.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A block group consisting of a plurality of valve blocks and a supply / exhaust block, which are continuously provided along a longitudinal direction of a rail, is arranged at an end of the block group, and an opening of a common flow path formed in the block group is closed. In the end block of the solenoid valve manifold, the end block body is provided with a reinforcing base material having higher strength than the end block body. 2. The end of the solenoid valve manifold according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing base material is provided at least in an area of the end block body located corresponding to the opening of each of the common flow paths. block. 3. A fixing member for fixing the end block body on a rail is provided, and an installation portion for supporting the fixing member so as to be integrated with the end block body is integrally formed with the reinforcing base material. The solenoid valve manifold end block according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the end block is formed. 4. The end block of the solenoid valve manifold according to claim 3, wherein a reinforcing rib is provided at a boundary portion between the reinforcing base material and the installation portion. 5. An elastic force for biasing the end block body toward the block group is applied by the reinforcing base material to the end block body when the end block body is assembled so as to contact the block group. The end block of the solenoid valve manifold according to claim 3 or 4. 6. The valve block is provided with a plurality of output ports, respectively, and the valve block is provided with a solenoid valve for alternately controlling the supply of the pressure fluid from the output port. A supply / exhaust block having a supply port for supplying a fluid and an exhaust port for exhausting the pressure fluid from each valve block is provided, and the valve block and the supply / exhaust block are connected in series on a rail. Group, and the end block according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is provided at an end of the block group, and the common flow paths formed in each valve block and the supply / exhaust block communicate with each other. An electromagnetic valve manifold having an opening closed by the end block.