JP3215460B2 - Vacuum unit - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vacuum unit,
More specifically, the present invention relates to a vacuum unit in which an interface function for detecting and controlling an energized / deenergized state of an electromagnetic switching valve, a pressure detection switch, and the like disposed inside the vacuum unit is blocked and incorporated.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A fluid pressure device, for example, a vacuum generating unit includes a supply valve for supplying vacuum or compressed air, a vacuum release valve, and peripheral devices such as a suction confirmation switch, a timer, and a display device serving as vacuum detection means. Prepare. The electrical mechanism is connected to a control device such as a sequencer by signal wiring using individual lead wires or the like, and a control signal is transmitted.

FIG. 7 shows a vacuum generating unit according to the prior art.
Shown in FIG. 7 shows a connection structure of signal wiring between a vacuum device 2 and a sequencer 4 using ejectors having different vacuum suction conditions as vacuum sources. The vacuum generating unit 6a is formed in the same manner as a block 10a having an ejector therein and having a vacuum port 8a connected to peripheral devices such as a compressed air supply valve 12a, a vacuum break valve 14a, and a suction confirmation switch 16a. Vacuum generation unit 6b
The vacuum device 2 is configured by placing the vacuum device 2 on the manifold 18 together with the components 6 to 6e. The manifold 18 supplies compressed air from the compressed air supply port 20 to the vacuum generating units 6a to 6e, and generates a negative pressure by an ejector. For example, in the vacuum generating units 6c to 6e, the negative pressure is supplied from the vacuum ports 8c to 8e to the suction pads 24c to 24e via the vacuum tubes 22c to 22e. In this manner, the suction pads 24c to 24e
Transports the workpieces 26c to 26e by suction.

The sequencer 4 has an input key 2 on its upper surface.
8 and a display unit 30 composed of an LCD, and a signal terminal 32 connected to a control target on a side surface.

The peripheral devices of the vacuum generating units 6a to 6e on the manifold 18 are individually connected to the signal terminals 32 of the sequencer 4 by a plurality of signal wires 34.

[0006]

By the way, the sequencer 4 manages all the signal wires 34 of the peripheral devices of the vacuum generating units 6a to 6e, and also processes the control timing of the peripheral devices inside the sequencer 4. Have been.

Therefore, as is apparent from FIG. 7, the number of signal wires 34 from peripheral devices of the vacuum generating units 6a to 6e to the sequencer 4 is very large,
In addition to complicating the wiring work of No. 4, there is a concern that erroneous wiring may occur. Further, inconveniences such as malfunction of peripheral devices due to noise between the signal wirings 34 and the like have become apparent. The disadvantages described above are common not only to the vacuum generating unit but also to other vacuum units connected by a plurality of signal wires.

Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned inconvenience, the present invention simplifies signal wiring by using an interface block and a serial transmission means, thereby complicating wiring work, causing erroneous wiring, and malfunctioning due to noise. Another object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum unit capable of improving versatility by reducing the size and weight of the configuration itself while avoiding the above.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a vacuum generating unit main body, a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure state, and an electromagnetic valve comprising a plurality of electromagnetic valves. And a sequencer for inputting and outputting a control signal as a serial signal to and from the electromagnetic valve unit and the pressure sensor unit, and converting the serial signal from the sequencer into a parallel signal to convert the electromagnetic valve unit and the pressure into a parallel signal. possess a serial / parallel signal converter for input to and output from the sensor unit, and a control unit for inputting and outputting control of the control signal from the parallel signals, the sequencer, the electrostatic
Each electrical connection between the magnetic valve section and the pressure sensor section is
And an integrated interface block.
The interface block includes a number of the fluid units.
And the fluid unit and the interface block are provided integrally.

[0010]

[Action] Vacuum unit according to the present invention, when connecting the vacuum unit and a sequencer, a serial signal from the sequencer is converted into a parallel signal, input to and output from the solenoid valve portion and a pressure sensor portion Interface block that includes a serial / parallel signal
The number of body units is provided corresponding to the number of body units, and the interface block and the fluid unit are integrally provided. For this reason, the transmission of control signals between the vacuum unit and the sequencer, which has conventionally been made up of multiple systems and made by a plurality of terminals and a plurality of signal wirings, is integrated into one system, and a single terminal and one signal This is done only through wiring.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A vacuum unit according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings. In the following embodiments, all the vacuum pressure devices have been described, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to vacuum pressure devices but can be applied to other fluid pressure devices.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 50 denotes a vacuum unit. The vacuum unit 50 is substantially a hatched vacuum generating unit 54, and the vacuum pressure generating unit 54 and an external unit such as a sequencer 58, for example. And an interface block 52 for connecting to a device.

The vacuum generating unit 54 basically includes
A vacuum generating unit main body 56, a pressure sensor 59 for detecting a pressure state in an ejector 66 described later by a pressure sensor 67, and an electromagnetic valve comprising a compressed air supply electromagnetic valve 62 and a vacuum break electromagnetic valve 64. 60.

A compressed air supply port 68 for supplying compressed air to an ejector 66, which is a vacuum source, is provided on a side wall of the vacuum generating unit main body 56. The compressed air supply port 68 and the ejector 66 A compressed air supply valve 72 for supplying and shutting off the compressed air, a vacuum release valve 74 for releasing the vacuum port 76 from the vacuum state are provided in the middle of the compressed air supply passage 70 connecting Are arranged. Further, a vacuum port 76 communicating with an ejector 66 is provided on the same side wall as the side on which the compressed air supply port 68 is provided, and suction is provided between the vacuum port 76 and the ejector 66. A filter 78 for removing dust, moisture and the like of air is interposed. Further, a compressed air discharge port 80 for discharging the compressed air from the ejector 66 is provided, and the compressed air discharge port 80 is provided with a muffler 82 for reducing a discharge sound generated from the compressed air discharged from the ejector 66. Have been.

Next, the interface block 52 will be described with reference to FIG.

The interface block 52 is integrated into one system for external devices such as the sequencer 58 and the like, and includes a serial signal input / output unit 100 for inputting / outputting an electric signal as a serial signal via a single terminal, and a device. A serial / parallel signal converter (S / P) for converting the serial signals into respective parallel signals for driving and controlling
102, a control unit (CPU) 104 for controlling the entire interface block 52, and a sensor input / output unit 106 for inputting / outputting a parallel signal to / from the pressure sensor unit 59.
And Furthermore, the first solenoid valve input-output unit 108 performs input and output of the parallel signal to the electromagnetic valve 62 for compressed air supply, the vacuum breaking solenoid valve 64 output the second performing parallel signal to Solenoid valve input / output unit 110
A display unit 84 disposed on the upper surface of the interface block 52 for displaying pressure information and the like detected by the pressure sensor unit 59; and a display input / output unit for inputting / outputting parallel signals to / from the display unit 84 112, each of which is electrically connected by a bus line.

FIG. 3 shows an electrical connection structure in the interface block 52. That is, the board 93 is accommodated in the internal space, and the grouped pin members 97a to 97d protruding from the board 93 are exposed to the outside of the interface block 52 through the through holes 89a to 89d. The lower surface opening of the interface block 52 is closed by a cover member 95. That is, the cover member 95 has claws 96a, 96b, and the claws 96a, 96b.
b is fitted and fixed to holes 91a and 91b defined on the side of the interface block 52.

As will be understood from the drawing, the pin member 97a
Reference numerals 97d to 97d are implanted in the circuit pattern formed on the substrate 93. In the drawings, reference numerals 99a to 99d
Indicates a guide rod.

The board 93 is connected to the interface block 52.
First, the substrate 93 is placed at a predetermined position on the cover member 95 by the guide rods 99a to 99d, and then the guide rods 99a to 99d are positioned and incorporated by guide holes (not shown).

The electrical connection between the interface block 52 and the vacuum generating unit 54, that is, the electrical connection between the pressure sensor section 59 and the sensor input / output section 106, the electromagnetic valve 62 for supplying compressed air and the first electromagnetic valve The electrical connection with the output unit 108 and the electrical connection between the electromagnetic valve 64 of the vacuum break valve and the second electromagnetic valve input / output unit 110 are made by conductive elastic connectors (electrical connection units) 86a to 86c. .

Next, referring to FIG.
The operation will be described by exemplifying a suction transfer system 122 in which a plurality of 0s are connected by a manifold 120.

The suction transfer system 122 shown in FIG. 4 is provided with a plurality of vacuum units 50a to 50e using ejectors having different vacuum suction conditions as vacuum sources on a manifold 120, and compressed air supply ports 68a to 68e. Are connected to a compressed air supply source (not shown) through tubes 124a to 124e, and are connected to vacuum ports 76c to 7c.
6e is connected to suction pads 128c to 128e via tubes 126c to 126e.

A terminal (electrical connection) 88 provided on the upper surface of the interface block 52 and the sequencer 5
8, the signal terminal 57a for the control object arranged on the side
They are connected by one serial transmission signal wiring 65a to 65e. In addition, on the upper surface of the sequencer 58,
An input key 61 and a display unit 63 composed of an LCD are provided.

FIG. 5 shows a plurality of vacuum pressure devices 50a to 50e using ejectors having different vacuum suction conditions on the manifold 120 as vacuum sources, and the suction transfer system 1
22 shows a case in which a controller 51 that performs control over the whole 22 is mounted. In this case, the terminals 88a to 88e disposed on the upper surface of the interface block 52
Are one serial transmission signal terminal 65a to 6
5e, the controller 51 is connected to a single serial transmission signal line 63.
To the signal terminal 59 of the sequencer 58.

Furthermore, when the interface blocks 52a to 52e are not constituent elements, the controller 51 and the terminals of the vacuum pressure devices 50a to 50e can be directly joined by using a plurality of lead wires or bus wires. It is possible. At this time, signals are transmitted between the controller 51 and the vacuum pressure devices 50a to 50e by parallel signals.

In the following description, since each of the vacuum units 50a to 50e has substantially the same structure, its operation will be described along the vacuum unit 50c.
Others will not be described. Further, the vacuum unit 50 shown in FIG. 1 and the vacuum unit 50c shown in FIG. 3 have substantially the same structure. Therefore, the reference numerals of the components of the vacuum unit 50 are given lowercase alphabets, and detailed description thereof will be made. Omitted.

When transferring the work 130c using the suction transfer system 122, first, a serial signal output from the sequencer 58 is input to the serial signal input / output unit 100c of the interface block 52c, and then a serial / parallel signal conversion is performed. Part (S / P) 102c
Is converted into each parallel signal. The corresponding parallel signal among the parallel signals is the first solenoid valve input / output unit 10.
8c, thereby sending an operation signal to the compressed air supply electromagnetic valve 62c to operate the electromagnetic valve 62c,
Further, the compressed air supply valve 72c is opened in conjunction with the operation. As a result, the compressed air is supplied to the ejector 66c inside the vacuum generating unit main body 56c, a negative pressure is generated, and the negative pressure is supplied from the vacuum port 76c to the suction pad 128c. The suction pad 128c supplied with the negative pressure is the work 1
When 30c is adsorbed, the negative pressure of the vacuum generating unit 54c further increases. When the negative pressure exceeds the pressure set in the pressure sensor section 59c in advance, the sensor input / output section 106 in the interface block 52c is sent from the pressure sensor section 59c.
c, a serial / parallel signal converter (S / P) 102c converts the serial signal, and then sends a suction confirmation signal to the sequencer 58.

Upon receiving this signal, the sequencer 58 confirms the completion of the movement of the work 130c after a predetermined time set by the timer. Then, a stop signal is sent to the compressed air supply valve 72c through the same path as the operation signal, and the compressed air supply valve 72c is closed to stop the negative pressure generation of the ejector 66c.

At this time, of the serial signals sent from the sequencer 58 at the same time, the corresponding parallel signal is input to the second solenoid valve input / output unit 110c, and an operation signal is sent to the solenoid valve 64c of the vacuum breaking valve. Is operated, and in conjunction with this, the vacuum breaking valve 74c is opened. This allows
Compressed air is supplied to the suction pad 128c via the vacuum port 76c of the vacuum generating unit 54c, and the suction state of the suction pad 128c to the work 130c is released.

Further, the sequencer 58 sends a stop signal to the vacuum break electromagnetic valve 64c after a predetermined time set by a timer inside the sequencer 58, closes the electromagnetic valve 64c, and ends the suction transfer operation.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 140 indicates a vacuum unit. The vacuum unit 140 basically includes a vacuum generating unit 142 and an interface block 1.
44.

The vacuum generating unit 142 includes the first
There is a slight difference in structure from the vacuum generating unit 54 of the vacuum unit 50 of the embodiment. The interface block 144 has the same configuration and function as the interface block 52 of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

The differences between the interface block 144 and the interface block 52 of the first embodiment are as follows. That is, the connection with the vacuum generating unit 54 is performed only by the connector in the interface block 144 of the first embodiment, and other wires required for the connection are wired in the interface block 52.
In the interface block 144, the conductor 146,
148 is that external wiring is performed. Therefore, the interface block 144 can easily deal with a trouble such as disconnection.

[0036]

In the vacuum unit according to the present invention, the electrical connection with the external equipment is integrated into one system by serial transmission and connected via a single terminal, so that the signal wiring is greatly simplified. This has the effect of avoiding the complexity of wiring work and the occurrence of erroneous wiring.

Further, by reducing the number of signal wirings, it is possible to avoid malfunctions due to noise between a plurality of signal wirings, and furthermore, it is possible to reduce the size and weight of the configuration itself, thereby greatly improving versatility. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view showing a first embodiment of a vacuum unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of an interface block of the vacuum unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a structure of a terminal portion of an interface block of the vacuum unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a system incorporating a vacuum unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of a system incorporating a vacuum unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the vacuum unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a system incorporating a prior art vacuum unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 50 vacuum unit 52 interface block 54 vacuum generating unit 56 vacuum generating unit main body 58 sequencer 59 sensor unit 66 ejector 68 compressed air supply port 72 compressed air supply valve 74 vacuum release valve 76 … Vacuum port

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-60-57073 (JP, A) JP-A-61-201974 (JP, A) Real opening Sho-61-200500 (JP, U) (58) Field (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G05B 15/00-15/02 B25J 13/06

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A fluid unit having a vacuum generating unit main body, a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure state, and an electromagnetic valve comprising a plurality of electromagnetic valves; A sequencer that inputs and outputs a control signal as a serial signal, a serial / parallel signal converter that converts a serial signal from the sequencer into a parallel signal and inputs and outputs the signal to and from the solenoid valve unit and the pressure sensor unit. It has a control unit for inputting and outputting control of the control signal from the parallel signals, wherein
Each of the sequencer, the solenoid valve section and the pressure sensor section
And an interface block in which electrical connections are respectively integrated , wherein the interface block comprises a number of the fluid units.
And wherein the fluid unit and the interface block are integrally provided.