JP3754117B2

JP3754117B2 - Supply air connection unit

Info

Publication number: JP3754117B2
Application number: JP00219896A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 俊仁板倉; 文春深見; 文人長谷川; 石川　　達也; 正彦平井
Original assignee: CKD Corp; Kyoho Machine Works Ltd
Current assignee: CKD Corp; Kyoho Machine Works Ltd
Priority date: 1996-01-10
Filing date: 1996-01-10
Publication date: 2006-03-08
Anticipated expiration: 2016-01-10
Also published as: JPH09192960A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、固定側から移動部材へ圧力エアなどを供給する給気連結ユニットと、電気信号を授受したり電力を供給したりする通電連結ユニットとを一体化した給気通電連結ユニットに関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
自動車の溶接や組立などを行う生産ラインの一種に、自動車ボディ等のワークを治具パレットにセットしたまま、その治具パレットを各作業ステーションへ順次移動させて所定の作業を行う治具循環方式と称するものがある。治具パレットは、ワークを位置決め固定するためにエアシリンダなどを動力源とするクランプ装置を備えているとともに、そのクランプ装置の作動を制御するために電磁弁などでエア回路を切り換えたり、搬送しているワークの種類や作業内容などの情報を記憶していて各作業ステーションに連絡したりするコントローラなどが搭載される。その場合に、治具パレットに常時圧力エアや電力などを供給することは、エア回路や電気配線の取り廻しが困難であり、給気連結ユニットや通電連結ユニットを用いて各作業ステーション毎に圧力エアや電力を供給するようにしているのが普通である。
【０００３】
給気連結ユニットは、例えば、(a) 圧力エア供給源など所定のガス供給源に接続された給気通路を有するとともに固定側部材に配設される給気部材と、(b) 受気通路を有するとともに上記治具パレットなどの所定の移動部材に配設される受気部材と、(c) 前記固定側部材に配設され、前記移動部材が上記作業ステーションなどの予め定められた連結位置に停止させられた状態で、前記給気部材と前記受気部材とを相対的に接近させて互いに密着させることにより前記給気通路と前記受気通路とを接続するエアシリンダなどの連結駆動手段とを備えて構成される。通電連結ユニットについても、例えば固定側部材および移動部材にそれぞれ電極を配設し、固定側部材に配設されたエアシリンダなどの連結駆動手段により両電極を接触させて接続するように構成される。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、このように給気連結ユニットと通電連結ユニットとが別体に構成されると、部品点数が多くて装置が高価になるとともに、大きな設置スペースが必要になるという問題があった。
【０００５】
また、給気連結ユニットは、一般に連結駆動手段によって給気部材を受気部材に連結した後、給気切換弁などを切り換えて給気するようになっていたため、この点でも部品点数が多くなるとともに、連結を確認してから切換弁を切り換える必要があるなど制御も複雑になる。
【０００６】
本発明は以上の事情を背景として為されたもので、その目的とするところは、給気連結ユニットおよび通電連結ユニットの機能を併せ備えた連結ユニットを提供することにある。別の目的は、連結駆動手段による連結動作に続いて給気が自動的に行われるようにすることである。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
第１発明は、(a) 所定のガス供給源に接続された給気通路を有するとともに固定側部材に配設される給気部材と、(b) 受気通路を有するとともに所定の移動部材に配設される受気部材と、(c) 前記固定側部材に配設され、前記移動部材が予め定められた連結位置に停止させられた状態で前記給気部材と前記受気部材とを相対的に接近させて互いに密着させることにより前記給気通路と前記受気通路とを接続する連結駆動手段とを備えた連結ユニットにおいて、(d) 前記給気部材および前記受気部材にそれぞれ一体的に設けられた電気的絶縁材料製の一対の給気側電極保持部材および受気側電極保持部材と、(e) 前記一対の電極保持部材の前記連結駆動手段による接近方向において互いに対向する位置にそれぞれ配設され、前記給気通路と前記受気通路との接続時に互いに接触させられて電気的に接続される給気側電極および受気側電極とを有する一方、 (f) 前記連結駆動手段はエアシリンダで、且つそのエアシリンダのピストンロッドは前記給気部材を兼ねていて、前記給気通路が設けられるとともに先端面に出側開口部が形成されており、そのピストンロッドが突き出されてその先端面が前記受気部材に押圧されることによりその給気通路が前記受気通路に接続され、そのエアシリンダの駆動用の圧力エアをその給気通路から受気通路へ供給するものであり、 (g) そのエアシリンダは、 (g-1) 前記ピストンロッドのうち前記給気通路の入側開口部よりそのピストンロッドの引き込み側に一体的に設けられた弁部材と、 (g-2) その弁部材よりも前記ピストンロッドの突き出し側に軸方向の相対移動可能に配設され、常には付勢手段の付勢力に従ってその弁部材に着座させられることにより、その弁部材側の圧力室と前記給気通路の入側開口部とを遮断するとともに、その圧力室内に供給された圧力エアによってそのピストンロッドと一体的に突き出し側へ移動させられ、そのピストンロッドを前記受気部材に当接させるが、その当接状態において前記圧力室内のエア圧が所定圧以上になると前記付勢手段の付勢力に抗して前記弁部材から離間させられ、その圧力室内の圧力エアが前記給気通路の入側開口部内に流入することを許容するピストンとを有することを特徴とする。
【０００９】
第２発明は、前記第１発明の給気通電連結ユニットにおいて、(a) 前記給気側電極保持部材は、環状を成して前記ピストンロッドの外周側に略同心に配設されるものである一方、(b) Ｕ字形状の切欠が設けられ、前記ピストンロッドの外周面に形成された係合溝に軸心と直角な方向から嵌め込まれて軸方向の相対移動不能に取り付けられるとともに、そのピストンロッドに軸方向から嵌合される前記給気側電極保持部材がねじ締結により着脱可能に固定される取付ブロックと、(c) 前記ピストンロッドの軸心と平行なガイド部材およびそのガイド部材に軸方向の相対移動可能に係合させられる係合部材の一方および他方が、前記取付ブロックおよび前記給気側電極保持部材の少なくとも一方およびシリンダ本体に設けられ、その取付ブロックおよび給気側電極保持部材の軸心まわりにおける位置決めを行う位置決め手段とを有することを特徴とする。
【００１０】
第３発明は、前記第１発明または第２発明の給気通電連結ユニットにおいて、(a) 前記給気側電極および前記受気側電極の一方は、前記連結駆動手段による接近方向の移動可能に配設されるとともに常には付勢手段の付勢力により他方の電極側へ移動した前進端位置に保持され、その連結駆動手段による接近時に前記給気通路と前記受気通路との接続に先立ってその他方の電極に当接させられるとともに、当接後はその付勢手段の付勢力に抗して前進端位置から相対的に後退させられてその給気通路と受気通路との接続を許容する可動電極であり、(b) それ等の電極とリード線との接続部は、それぞれ前記電極保持部材に形成された凹所内に位置させられて電気的絶縁樹脂材料により埋設されていることを特徴とする。
【００１１】
【発明の効果】
このような給気通電連結ユニットによれば、単一の連結駆動手段によって給気通路と受気通路とが接続されるとともに給気側電極と受気側電極とが接続されるため、部品点数が少なくなって装置が簡単且つ安価に構成されるとともに、設置スペースも小さくなる。
【００１２】
また、連結駆動手段としてエアシリンダを用いているとともに、そのエアシリンダは、給気部材としてのピストンロッドが突き出されて受気部材に押圧され、給気通路と受気通路とが接続されると、エア圧の上昇に伴ってピストンが付勢手段の付勢力に抗して弁部材から自動的に離間させられ、圧力室に供給される駆動用の圧力エアを給気通路から受気通路へ供給するようになっているため、給気通路と受気通路とを接続した後に給気切換弁などを切り換えて駆動用圧力エアとは別経路で圧力エアを供給する場合に比較して、エア回路が簡略化され部品点数が少なくなるとともに、給気通路と受気通路との接続を確認して給気切換弁などを切り換えるといった制御が不要で、装置が全体として簡単且つ安価に構成される。
【００１３】
第２発明の給気通電連結ユニットは、給気部材としてのピストンロッドに軸心と直角な方向から取付ブロックが取り付けられるとともに、その取付ブロックに給気側電極保持部材がねじ締結により着脱可能に固定されるため、給気側電極保持部材はピストンロッドの軸方向の所定位置に高い精度で位置決めされる一方、ガイド部材および係合部材から成る位置決め手段によって軸心まわりの位置決めが行われるため、給気通路と受気通路との接続および給気側電極と受気側電極との接続が常に良好に行われる。また、このようにピストンロッドの軸方向および軸心まわりの位置決めが行われることから、取付ブロックが軸心と直角方向から取り付けられることと合わせて、給気側電極保持部材をピストンロッドに組み付けたり交換したりする作業が容易となる。
【００１４】
第３発明の給気通電連結ユニットは、給気側電極および受気側電極の一方が付勢手段の付勢力に従って前進端位置に保持される可動電極とされ、連結駆動手段による接近時に給気通路と受気通路との接続に先立って他方の電極に当接させられるとともに、当接後は付勢手段の付勢力に抗して前進端位置から相対的に後退させられて給気通路と受気通路との接続を許容するようになっているため、給気通路と受気通路との接続および給気側電極と受気側電極との接続が常に良好に行われる。また、電極とリード線との接続部は、それぞれ電極保持部材に形成された凹所内に位置させられて電気的絶縁樹脂材料により埋設されるようになっているため、他部材との接触による漏電などが良好に防止される。
【００１５】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の給気通電連結ユニットは、例えば自動車ボディ等のワークを治具パレットにセットしたままその治具パレットを各作業ステーションへ順次移動させて溶接や組立などの所定の作業を行う治具循環方式の生産ラインにおいて、移動部材としての治具パレットにエアシリンダなどを動力源とするクランプ装置や電磁弁，コントローラなどが搭載されている場合に、連結位置である各作業ステーションで圧力エアや電力などを供給したり電気信号を授受したりする場合に好適に用いられるが、他の生産設備や産業機械等に用いることも可能である。
【００１６】
給気通路および受気通路は、移動部材に配設されたエアシリンダ或いはその他の装置に圧力エアを供給するように構成される。給気側電極および受気側電極は、移動部材に配設されたコントローラ等の電気エネルギーを動力源とする電気装置に電力を供給するためのものでも、そのコントローラやセンサ等との間で電気信号を授受するためのものでも良く、必要に応じて複数対の給気側電極および受気側電極を設けることが可能である。
【００１７】
ピストンを弁部材側へ付勢する付勢手段としては、圧縮コイルスプリングなどのばね部材が好適に用いられ、その付勢手段は、ピストンとシリンダ本体との間、或いはピストンとピストンロッドとの間に配設すれば良い。また、給気部材が受気部材に当接するまで突き出されたピストンロッドは、ピストンを挟んで圧力室と反対側、すなわちピストンロッドの突き出し側に形成される第２圧力室に圧力エアを供給して引き込み端、すなわち給気通路と受気通路との接続および給気側電極と受気側電極との接続が共に遮断される位置まで後退させるようにしても良いが、上記付勢手段をピストンとシリンダ本体との間に配設した場合には、圧力室への圧力エアの供給を停止するだけでその付勢手段により引き込み端まで後退させるようにすることもできる。
【００１９】
第２発明における環状の給気側電極保持部材は、給気部材であるピストンロッドの外周側に軸方向の移動可能に嵌合されるものであれば良く、外周形状は円形，正方形など適宜定められる。すなわち、環状は必ずしも円形環状を意味するものではない。位置決め手段は、位置固定に配設されるシリンダ本体に対して、その中心線であるピストンロッドの軸心まわりにおける給気部材の位置決めを行うもので、ピストンロッドと給気部材との相対回転を阻止することを意味するものではなく、ピストンロッド自体が軸心まわりに回転しても差し支えないが、ピストンロッドと取付ブロックや給気部材とを相対回転不能に係合させて、ピストンロッド自体の軸心まわりの位相を位置決めすることもできる。
【００２０】
第３発明においては、総ての電極とリード線との接続部をそれぞれ電気的絶縁樹脂材料によって埋設することが望ましいが、他部材と接触する恐れがない接続部については必ずしも埋設する必要はない。
【００２１】
以下、本発明の実施例を図面に基づいて詳細に説明する。
図１および図２は、本発明の一実施例である給気通電連結ユニット１０が配設された自動溶接などを行う生産ラインの一作業ステーション、すなわち移動部材である治具パレット１２が停止させられる予め定められた連結位置を示す概略図で、自動車ボディ等のワークを載置して複数の作業ステーションへ順次搬送する治具パレット１２がその作業ステーションで停止して位置決めされた状態である。治具パレット１２には複数の車輪１４が取り付けられ、図示しない移動装置によって一対のガイドレール１６に案内されつつ複数の作業ステーションへ順次移動させられる。また、治具パレット１２には、各作業ステーションでワークを位置決め固定するためのエアシリンダを動力源とするクランプ装置や、そのクランプ装置の作動を制御するために電磁弁などでエア回路を切り換えるコントローラなどの電気装置が搭載されており、その圧力エアや電力が給気通電連結ユニット１０を介して供給される。
【００２２】
上記給気通電連結ユニット１０は、治具パレット１２にブラケット１８を介して配設された受気側連結部材２０と、作業ステーションに位置固定に配設された連結駆動手段としてのエアシリンダ２２により受気側連結部材２０に押圧されて連結される給気側連結部材２４とを備えており、そのエアシリンダ２２および給気側連結部材２４は複数の作業ステーションにそれぞれ配設される。図１は平面図で図２は正面図であり、図３は正面図における給気通電連結ユニット１０部分の拡大図、図４は平面図における給気通電連結ユニット１０部分の拡大図、図５は給気側連結部材２４を上方から見た平面図、図６は給気側連結部材２４を図３の左側から見た側面図である。これ等の図から明らかなように、エアシリンダ２２のシリンダ本体２６は、ブラケット２８を介して固定側部材である本体フレーム３０に位置固定に配設されており、配管３２を介して図示しない圧力エア供給源に接続され、その圧力エア供給源から切換弁等を経て供給される圧力エアによって駆動されるとともに、その圧力エアは給気側連結部材２４から受気側連結部材２０，配管３４，連結具３６を経て治具パレット１２側のエア回路に供給される。すなわち、上記エアシリンダ２２を駆動するための圧力エアを供給する圧力エア供給源はガス供給源を兼ねている。また、給気側連結部材２４には２系統の給電側リード線３８，４０が接続され、受気側連結部材２０に接続された受電側リード線４２，４４を介して治具パレット１２に配設された電気装置へ電力を供給する。これ等のリード線３８，４０、４２，４４は、プラス・マイナスの２本１組で１系統を構成している。なお、前記ブラケット１８には円穴４６が形成された取付プレート４８が固設され、受気側連結部材２０はその取付プレート４８に固設されるようになっており、配管３４は円穴４６内において受気側連結部材２０に連結されている。
【００２３】
図７は、前記給気側連結部材２４のうち電力を供給するための給電連結部２４ａの断面図で、図８は平面図、図９は図７におけるIX−IX断面図、図１０は図７におけるＸ−Ｘ断面図、図１１は図８におけるＸＩ矢視図、図１２は図８におけるＸII−ＸII断面図である。この給電連結部２４ａは、給気側電極保持部材５０、取付ブロック５２、位置決めブロック５４などを備えて構成されており、給気側電極保持部材５０および取付ブロック５２は、前記エアシリンダ２２のシリンダ本体２６から上方へ突き出し駆動されるピストンロッド５８に配設され、位置決めブロック５４はシリンダ本体２６に配設されている。ピストンロッド５８は給気部材として機能するもので、給気側連結部材２４は、このピストンロッド５８および給電連結部２４ａによって構成されている。
【００２４】
上記給気側電極保持部材５０は電気的絶縁材料であるベークライト製で、円柱形状のピストンロッド５８の外径と略同じ内径の円穴が形成されるとともに外周形状が略正方形を成す矩形環状を成しており、ピストンロッド５８の先端側から同心に軸方向の移動可能に嵌合され、複数のボルト６０によって取付ブロック５２に着脱可能に固設される。取付ブロック５２には、図９から明らかなようにＵ字形状の切欠６２が設けられ、ピストンロッド５８の外周面に形成された円環状の係合溝６４（図１７参照）に軸心すなわち中心線Ｏ₁と直角な方向から嵌め込まれて軸方向の相対移動不能にそのピストンロッド５８に取り付けられるようになっており、上記給気側電極保持部材５０と一体的に固設されることによりピストンロッド５８からの離脱が阻止されるとともに、給気側電極保持部材５０をそのピストンロッド５８の軸方向の所定位置に位置決めする。給気側電極保持部材５０には取付ブロック５２の形状に対応する第１凹所６６が設けられており、取付ブロック５２がその第１凹所６６内に嵌め入れられることにより、中心線Ｏ₁まわりの相互の位相（姿勢）が位置決めされ、給気側電極保持部材５０側からボルト６０を差し込んで取付ブロック５２に形成されたねじ穴にねじ込むことができる。第１凹所６６は、中心線Ｏ₁まわりの相互の位相を位置決めする第１の位置決め係合部である。
【００２５】
位置決めブロック５４は、複数のねじ７０によって前記シリンダ本体２６に予め一体的に固設されるとともに、中心線Ｏ₁と平行に２本のガイドロッド７２がねじによって立設され、前記給気側電極保持部材５０に形成された挿通孔７４内を軸方向の移動可能に挿通させられることにより、給気側電極保持部材５０および取付ブロック５２の中心線Ｏ₁まわりの位相（姿勢）がシリンダ本体２６に対して位置決めされる。ガイドロッド７２はシリンダ本体２６に固設されたガイド部材に相当し、給気側電極保持部材５０のうち挿通孔７４が形成された部分は係合部材に相当し、それ等のガイドロッド７２および挿通孔７４によって位置決め手段が構成されている。なお、取付ブロック５２には、ガイドロッド７２が遊びをもって挿通させられる挿通孔７６が形成されている。
【００２６】
上記位置決めブロック５４にはまた、前記取付ブロック５２より僅かに大きめの形状の係合凸部７８が設けられている一方、給気側電極保持部材５０にはその係合凸部７８より少し大きめの形状の第２凹所８０が形成されており、係合凸部７８が第２凹所８０内に嵌め入れられることにより、その給気側電極保持部材５０および取付ブロック５２の中心線Ｏ₁まわりの位相（姿勢）が大雑把に位置決めされる。前記第１凹所６６はこの第２凹所８０の底部に形成されている。係合凸部７８および第２凹所８０は、給気側電極保持部材５０および取付ブロック５２の少なくとも一方の中心線Ｏ₁まわりの位相を略位置決めする第２の位置決め係合部である。
【００２７】
したがって、例えばピストンロッド５８の係合溝６４に取付ブロック５２を取り付けた後、ピストンロッド５８の先端側から給気側電極保持部材５０を嵌合し、その給気側電極保持部材５０の第１凹所６６内に位置決めブロック５４を嵌め入れるとともに、第２凹所８０内に係合凸部７８を嵌め入れれば、それ等の給気側電極保持部材５０，取付ブロック５２，および位置決めブロック５４の中心線Ｏ₁まわりにおける位相が略位置決めされ、その状態でボルト６０を給気側電極保持部材５０側から取付ブロック５２のねじ穴にねじ込むとともに、ガイドロッド７２を挿通孔７４，７６に挿通して位置決めブロック５４のねじ穴にねじ込むことにより、給気側電極保持部材５０がピストンロッド５８の所定位置に所定の姿勢で配設される。給気側電極保持部材５０，取付ブロック５２，および位置決めブロック５４は、前記第１凹所６６，第２凹所８０，係合凸部７８などにより相互に位置決めされるため、上記ボルト６０やガイドロッド７２のねじ込み作業を容易且つ迅速に行うことができる。なお、取付ブロック５２を取り付けた後に挿通孔７６にガイドロッド７２を挿通して位置決めブロック５４に立設し、その後に給気側電極保持部材５０を組み付けるようにすることも可能である。また、このような組付けや交換作業は、治具パレット１２が作業ステーションに存在しない状態、すなわちエアシリンダ２２の上方に受気側連結部材２０が存在しない状態で行えば良い。
【００２８】
上記給気側電極保持部材５０には、４つのコーナー部に対応して中心線Ｏ₁と平行、すなわちピストンロッド５８の突き出し方向と平行に４個の貫通孔８２が設けられ、それぞれ可動電極装置８４が取り付けられている。可動電極装置８４は、有底円筒形状を成して貫通孔８２に底部を下にして螺合されている本体ハウジング８６と、その本体ハウジング８６の上端開口部に螺合されたキャップ８８と、本体ハウジング８６内に軸方向の移動可能に配設されるとともに、常には付勢手段としての圧縮コイルスプリング９０の付勢力に従って上方へ付勢され、キャップ８８に当接させられるスライド部材９２と、そのスライド部材９２に一体的に設けられてキャップ８８の中央に形成された円穴から上方へ突き出す前進端位置に保持されるとともに、圧縮コイルスプリング９０の付勢力に抗してスライド部材９２と共に下方へ押し下げることが可能な可動電極９４とを備えている。可動電極９４が設けられたスライド部材９２および本体ハウジング８６は接触によって電気的に接続されているとともに、本体ハウジング８６の底部にはねじ９６によって前記給電側リード線３８，４０の端子が接続されるようになっている。また、２個ずつの貫通孔８２の下端部は連通溝９８によって接続され、給電側リード線３８，４０の各々のプラス・マイナス２本の線は、同じ側面に形成された２つの開口１００からそれぞれ纏めて外部へ引き出されるようになっている。上記可動電極９４は給気側電極に相当する。
【００２９】
図１３は、前記受気側連結部材２０の断面図で、図１４は下側から見た底面図、図１５は図１４におけるＸＶ−ＸＶ断面図であり、ベースブロック１１０、シールリング１１２、保持ブロック１１４、受気側電極保持部材１１６などを備えて構成されている。ベースブロック１１０および保持ブロック１１４は、２本の位置決めピン１１８により中心線Ｏ₂まわりの位相（姿勢）が位置決めされた状態で複数のボルト１２０によって前記取付プレート４８に一体的に固設されるようになっており、シールリング１１２は、保持ブロック１１４に一体に設けられた円筒状の保持爪１１５によりベースブロック１１０との間で挟まれて一体的に保持されている。シールリング１１２およびベースブロック１１０は受気部材に相当するもので、中心線Ｏ₂と同心に受気通路１２２，１２４が形成されているとともに、受気通路１２４の開口部には前記配管３４を連結するための接続ポート１２６が設けられている。受気通路１２２の径寸法は前記ピストンロッド５８の外径よりも十分に小さいとともに、受気側連結部材２０は前記作業ステーションで治具パレット１２が位置決めされることにより中心線Ｏ₂が前記給気側連結部材２４の中心線Ｏ₁と一致させられる位置に配置されており、エアシリンダ２２のピストンロッド５８が上方へ突き出されることにより、そのピストンロッド５８の先端面がシールリング１１２の下面に当接させられる。シールリング１１２は硬質ゴム製で、軸心に給気通路１２８（図１７参照）が設けられたピストンロッド５８が当接させられることにより、その給気通路１２８と受気通路１２２とが略気密にシールされた状態で接続される。
【００３０】
受気側電極保持部材１１６は電気的絶縁材料であるベークライト製で、円穴が形成されるとともに外周形状が略正方形を成す矩形環状を成しており、前記保持ブロック１１４の保持爪１１５の外周側に配設され、前記位置決めピン１１８により中心線Ｏ₂まわりの位相（姿勢）が位置決めされた状態で複数のボルト１３０によってその保持ブロック１１４に一体的に固設されている。この受気側電極保持部材１１６には４つのコーナー部に対応して、すなわち前記ボルト１２０と略一致する位置にそれぞれ段付貫通孔１３２が設けられ、受気側電極として固定電極１３４が配設されている。固定電極１３４にはねじ部が一体的に設けられているとともに、二面取りによって段付貫通孔１３２に回転不能に配置されている一方、段付貫通孔１３２の反対側から上記ねじ部にナット１３６が螺合されることにより、前記受電側リード線４２，４４の端子が固定電極１３４に接続される。
【００３１】
前記位置決めピン１１８は、前記作業ステーションで治具パレット１２が位置決めされた時に前記４つの可動電極９４の真上にそれぞれ上記４つの固定電極１３４が位置するように受気側電極保持部材１１６等の姿勢を位置決めするもので、エアシリンダ２２のピストンロッド５８が上方へ突き出されることにより、４つの可動電極９４がそれぞれ固定電極１３４に当接させられ、前記圧縮コイルスプリング９０の付勢力によって電気的に接続される。圧縮コイルスプリング９０の付勢力で前進端位置に保持されている可動電極９４は、図１８の(b) に示すように前記ピストンロッド５８がシールリング１１２に当接する前に固定電極１３４に当接させられ、当接後は圧縮コイルスプリング９０の付勢力に抗して前進端位置から相対的に後退させられることにより、同図の(c) に示すようにピストンロッド５８がシールリング１１２に当接して給気通路１２８と受気通路１２２，１２４とが接続されることを許容する。ピストンロッド５８の軸方向における給気側電極保持部材５０等の配設位置、すなわち前記取付ブロック５２によって位置決めされる軸方向位置は、このように可動電極９４が固定電極１３４に当接した後、可動電極９４の押込みストロークより小さいストローク、すなわち可動電極９４がキャップ８８内に完全に押し込まれる前にピストンロッド５８がシールリング１１２に当接させられるように設定される。なお、図１８の(a) は、エアシリンダ２２のピストンロッド５８が引き込み端に保持されている状態である。
【００３２】
図１６は、上記受電側リード線４２，４４の端子１３８と固定電極１３４との接続部、すなわち固定電極１３４のねじ部１４０にナット１３６が螺合された部分の拡大図で、その接続部は段付貫通孔１３２内であり、ナット１３６が螺合された後に電気的絶縁樹脂材料であるエポキシ樹脂１４２が段付貫通孔１３２内に充填されることにより、上記端子１３８と固定電極１３４との接続部が外部との接触不能に埋設されている。受気側電極保持部材１１６は、このようにナット１３６が螺合され且つエポキシ樹脂１４２が充填された後に、前記ボルト１３０によって保持ブロック１１４に取り付けられる。段付貫通孔１３２のうち、ナット１３６がねじ部１４０に螺合される大径の上側開口部分が請求項３に記載の凹所に相当する。また、受気側電極保持部材１１６の上面、すなわちナット１３６が螺合される側の面には、反対側に位置する２つの側面から段付貫通孔１３２に連通するように計４本の連通溝１４４が設けられ、受電側リード線４２，４４の各々のプラス・マイナス２本の線は、同じ側面から外部へ引き出されるようになっている。なお、前記可動電極装置８４と給電側リード線３８，４０との接続部であるねじ９６の螺合部も、貫通孔８２の下側開口部内にエポキシ樹脂等の電気的絶縁樹脂材料が充填されることにより、外部との接触不能に埋設されている。
【００３３】
一方、前記連結駆動手段としてのエアシリンダ２２は図１７に示すように構成されている。前記シリンダ本体２６は、円筒状のシリンダチューブ２６ａと、そのシリンダチューブ２６ａの上端部に一体的に固設されるとともに前記ピストンロッド５８が摺動可能に挿通させられる挿通孔が中心線Ｏ₁と同心に形成された上側キャップ部材２６ｂと、シリンダチューブ２６ａの下端部に一体的に固設されるとともにロッド１５０が摺動可能に挿通させられる挿通孔が中心線Ｏ₁と同心に形成された下側キャップ部材２６ｃとから構成されており、上側キャップ部材２６ｂの上面には前記給電連結部２４ａの位置決めブロック５４が前記ねじ７０により一体的に固設される。軸心に前記給気通路１２８が形成されたピストンロッド５８は給気部材に相当するもので、その給気通路１２８の上端開口部は出側開口部１２８ａであり、下端部に設けられた弁部材１５２の上側、すなわちピストンロッド５８の突き出し側には、給気通路１２８の入側開口部１２８ｂが設けられている。
【００３４】
上記弁部材１５２はねじ締結によりピストンロッド５８に一体的に固設されており、その弁部材１５２よりも上側、すなわちピストンロッド５８の突き出し側には、ピストンロッド５８とシリンダチューブ２６ａとの間の円環状空間内に軸方向の相対移動可能に円環状のピストン１５４が配設されている。ピストン１５４とピストンロッド５８、シリンダチューブ２６ａとの間は、それぞれシール部材によって気密にシールされており、このピストン１５４は、上側キャップ部材２６ｂとの間に配設された付勢手段としての圧縮コイルスプリング１５６の付勢力に従って常には弁部材１５２に着座させられるとともに、弁部材１５２が下側キャップ部材２６ｃに当接する引き込み端に位置させられる（図１８の(a) 参照）。この引き込み端においても、前記給電連結部２４ａが配設されるピストンロッド５８の上端部は、図７や図１８の(a) に示されているよう上側キャップ部材２６ｂから上方へ突き出しているが、給気側連結部材２４と受気側連結部材２０とが分離され、中心線Ｏ₁と略直角な略水平方向へ相対移動することが許容される。弁部材１５２には、ピストン１５４が当接させられる部分にゴム等の弾性体製のバルブシート１５８が配設されているとともに、下側キャップ部材２６ｃに当接させられる下端面にはクッションゴム１６０が配設されている。
【００３５】
上記のようにピストン１５４が弁部材１５２に着座させられることにより、ピストン１５４の下方すなわち弁部材１５２側に第１圧力室１６２が形成されるとともに、その第１圧力室１６２と前記給気通路１２８の入側開口部１２８ｂとの間が遮断される。第１圧力室１６２は請求項１に記載の圧力室に相当するもので、接続ポート１６４に前記配管３２の連結具が接続されることにより圧力エア供給源から切換弁等を経て圧力エアが供給されるようになっており、ピストン１５４はピストンロッド５８と一体的に圧縮コイルスプリング１５６の付勢力に抗して突き出し側すなわち上方へ移動させられる。これにより、ピストンロッド５８の先端面が前記受気側連結部材２０のシールリング１１２に当接させられ、給気通路１２８と受気通路１２２，１２４とが接続される。また、その当接状態において第１圧力室１６２内のエア圧が所定圧以上になると、図１７および図１８の(c) に示すようにピストン１５４は圧縮コイルスプリング１５４の付勢力に抗して弁部材１５２から離間させられ、第１圧力室１６２内へ供給された圧力エアが給気通路１２８の入側開口部１２８ｂ内に流入することを許容し、これによりガス供給源としての圧力エア供給源から供給された圧力エアが、給気通路１２８から受気通路１２２，１２４を経て治具パレット１２側へ供給される。
【００３６】
上記圧縮コイルスプリング１５６が配設された第２圧力室１６６は、接続ポート１６８を介して大気に連通させられており、第１圧力室１６２内への圧力エアの供給が切換弁等によって遮断されると、ピストン１５４は専ら圧縮コイルスプリング１５６の付勢力に従って下方すなわち引き込み側へ後退させられ、弁部材１５２に着座させられるとともにその弁部材１５２やピストンロッド５８と共に引き込み端である原位置まで戻される。接続ポート１６８にはエアフィルターが設けられ、粉塵等の異物が第２圧力室１６６内に侵入することを防止している。なお、第２圧力室１６６内へ圧力エアを供給してピストン１５４やピストンロッド５８を引き込み端へ戻すように構成することもできる。
【００３７】
前記ロッド１５０はピストンロッド５８の下端部にねじ締結により一体的に固設され、ピストンロッド５８と共に上下移動させられるようになっているとともに、下側キャップ部材２６ｃから下方へ突き出す下端部にはドグ１７０が取り付けられている。下側キャップ部材２６ｃには、ブラケットを介して近接スイッチ等から成る分離検出センサ１７２および連結検出センサ１７４が配設されており、ドグ１７０を感知することによって図１８の(a) に示す分離状態か、図１８の(c) に示す連結状態かを検出するようになっている。
【００３８】
このような本実施例の給気通電連結ユニット１０においては、単一のエアシリンダ２２によって給気通路１２８と受気通路１２２，１２４とが接続されるとともに４対の可動電極９４と固定電極１３４とが接続されるため、部品点数が少なくなって装置が簡単且つ安価に構成されるとともに、設置スペースも小さくなる。
【００３９】
また、連結駆動手段としてエアシリンダ２２を用いているとともに、そのエアシリンダ２２は、ピストンロッド５８が突き出されてシールリング１１２に押圧され、給気通路１２８と受気通路１２２，１２４とが接続されると、エア圧の上昇に伴ってピストン１５４が圧縮コイルスプリング１５６の付勢力に抗して弁部材１５２から自動的に離間させられ、第１圧力室１６２に供給される駆動用の圧力エアを給気通路１２８から受気通路１２２，１２４へ供給するようになっているため、給気通路１２８と受気通路１２２，１２４とを接続した後に給気切換弁などを切り換えて駆動用圧力エアとは別経路で圧力エアを供給する場合に比較して、エア回路が簡略化され部品点数が少なくなるとともに、給気通路と受気通路との接続を確認して給気切換弁などを切り換えるといった制御が不要で、装置が全体として簡単且つ安価に構成される。
【００４０】
また、連結駆動手段としてエアシリンダ２２が用いられ、給気部材としてのピストンロッド５８には軸心と直角な方向から取付ブロック５２が取り付けられるとともに、その取付ブロック５２に給気側電極保持部材５０がねじ締結により着脱可能に固定されるため、給気側電極保持部材５０はピストンロッド５８の軸方向の所定位置に高い精度で位置決めされる一方、位置決めブロック５４を介してシリンダ本体２６に固設されたガイドロッド７２と挿通孔７４との係合によって中心線Ｏ₁まわりの位置決めが行われるため、給気通路１２８と受気通路１２２，１２４との接続および可動電極９４と固定電極１３４との接続が常に良好に行われる。
【００４１】
また、このようにピストンロッド５８の軸心である中心線Ｏ₁方向および中心線Ｏ₁まわりの位置決めが行われることから、取付ブロック５２が中心線Ｏ₁と直角方向から取り付けられることと合わせて、給気側電極保持部材５０をピストンロッド５８に組み付けたり交換したりする作業が容易となる。特に、本実施例では給気側電極保持部材５０に第１凹所６６および第２凹所８０が設けられ、取付ブロック５２や係合凸部７８と係合させられることにより、給気側電極保持部材５０、取付ブロック５２、および位置決めブロック５４の相互の中心線Ｏ₁まわりにおける位相すなわち姿勢が位置決めされるため、組付作業や交換作業が一層容易となる。
【００４２】
また、給気側電極は圧縮コイルスプリング９０の付勢力に従って前進端位置に保持される可動電極９４によって構成され、エアシリンダ２２のピストンロッド５８がシールリング１１２に当接する前に固定電極１３４に当接させられるとともに、当接後は圧縮コイルスプリング９０の付勢力に抗して前進端位置から相対的に後退させられてピストンロッド５８がシールリング１１２に当接することを許容するようになっているため、給気通路１２８と受気通路１２２，１２４との接続および可動電極９４と固定電極１３４との接続が常に良好に行われる。また、固定電極１３４と受電側リード線４２，４４の端子１３８との接続部は段付貫通孔１３２内に位置させられ、電気的絶縁樹脂材料であるエポキシ樹脂１４２によって埋設されているとともに、可動電極９４と給電側リード線３８，４０との接続部も同様に埋設されているため、他部材との接触による漏電などが良好に防止される。
【００４３】
以上、本発明の実施例を図面に基づいて詳細に説明したが、これはあくまでも一具体例であり、例えば給気通電連結ユニット１０の配設形態は適宜変更可能で、給気側連結部材２４を水平方向へ移動させて受気側連結部材２０と連結するようにしても差し支えないなど、本発明は当業者の知識に基づいて種々の変更，改良を加えた態様で実施することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施例である給気通電連結ユニットが配設された生産ラインの一作業ステーションの概略平面図である。
【図２】図１の作業ステーションの概略正面図である。
【図３】図２における給気通電連結ユニット部分の拡大図である。
【図４】図１における給気通電連結ユニット部分の拡大図である。
【図５】図３における給気側連結部材を上方から見た平面図である。
【図６】図３における給気側連結部材を左側から見た側面図である。
【図７】図１の実施例における給気側連結部材の給電連結部を示す断面図である。
【図８】図７の給電連結部の平面図である。
【図９】図７におけるIX−IX断面図である。
【図１０】図７におけるＸ−Ｘ断面図である。
【図１１】図８におけるＸＩ矢視図である。
【図１２】図８におけるＸII−ＸII断面図である。
【図１３】図１の実施例における受気側連結部材の断面図である。
【図１４】図１３の受気側連結部材の底面図である。
【図１５】図１４におけるＸＶ−ＸＶ断面図である。
【図１６】図１３における固定電極とリード線の端子との接続部分を拡大して示す断面図である。
【図１７】図１の実施例において給気側連結部材を駆動するエアシリンダを説明する部分断面図である。
【図１８】図１の実施例の作動を説明する図である。
【符号の説明】
１０：給気通電連結ユニット
１２：治具パレット（移動部材）
２２：エアシリンダ（連結駆動手段）
２６：シリンダ本体
３０：本体フレーム（固定側部材）
５０：給気側電極保持部材
５２：取付ブロック
５８：ピストンロッド（給気部材）
６４：係合溝
７２：ガイドロッド（ガイド部材）
７４：挿通孔（係合部材）
９０：圧縮コイルスプリング（付勢手段）
９４：可動電極（給気側電極）
１１０：ベースブロック（受気部材）
１１２：シールリング（受気部材）
１１６：受気側電極保持部材
１２２，１２４：受気通路
１２８：給気通路
１２８ａ：出側開口部
１２８ｂ：入側開口部
１３２：段付貫通孔（凹所）
１３４：固定電極（受気側電極）
１４２：エポキシ樹脂（電気的絶縁樹脂材料）
１５２：弁部材
１５４：ピストン
１５６：圧縮コイルスプリング（付勢手段）
１６２：第１圧力室（圧力室）[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an air supply and energization connection unit that integrates an air supply connection unit that supplies pressure air and the like from a fixed side to a moving member and an energization connection unit that exchanges electric signals and supplies electric power. is there.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A type of production line that performs welding and assembly of automobiles, etc. Jig circulation system in which a workpiece such as an automobile body is set on a jig pallet, and the jig pallet is moved to each work station in order to perform predetermined work. There is something called. The jig pallet is equipped with a clamp device that uses an air cylinder or the like as a power source to position and fix the workpiece, and the air circuit is switched or transported by an electromagnetic valve to control the operation of the clamp device. It is equipped with a controller that stores information such as the type of work and work details and communicates with each work station. In such a case, it is difficult to always supply air pressure and electric power to the jig pallet, and it is difficult to route the air circuit and electrical wiring. Usually, air and electric power are supplied.
[0003]
The air supply connection unit includes, for example, (a) an air supply member connected to a predetermined gas supply source such as a pressure air supply source and disposed on the fixed side member, and (b) an air reception passage. An air receiving member disposed on a predetermined moving member such as the jig pallet, and (c) a predetermined coupling position of the moving station disposed on the fixed side member. In the stopped state, the air supply member and the air receiving member are relatively approached and brought into close contact with each other so as to connect the air supply passage and the air intake passage, etc. And is configured. The current-carrying connection unit is also configured, for example, such that an electrode is provided on each of the fixed side member and the moving member, and both electrodes are brought into contact with each other by connection driving means such as an air cylinder provided on the fixed side member. .
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the air supply connection unit and the energization connection unit are configured separately as described above, there are problems that the number of parts is large, the apparatus is expensive, and a large installation space is required.
[0005]
In addition, since the air supply connecting unit generally supplies air by switching the air supply switching valve after connecting the air supply member to the air receiving member by the connection driving means, the number of parts also increases in this respect. At the same time, the control is complicated because it is necessary to switch the switching valve after confirming the connection.
[0006]
The present invention has been made against the background described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connection unit having both functions of an air supply connection unit and a power supply connection unit. Another object is to automatically supply air following the connecting operation by the connecting driving means.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The first invention includes (a) an air supply passage connected to a predetermined gas supply source and an air supply member disposed on the stationary member, and (b) an air supply passage and a predetermined moving member. An air receiving member disposed; and (c) relative to the air supplying member and the air receiving member disposed in the fixed side member in a state where the moving member is stopped at a predetermined connection position. In a connecting unit comprising connecting driving means for connecting the air supply passage and the air receiving passage by bringing them close to each other and closely contacting each other, (d) each of the air supply member and the air receiving member are integrated with each other. A pair of air supply side electrode holding members and an air receiving side electrode holding member made of an electrically insulating material provided in (e) at positions facing each other in the approaching direction of the pair of electrode holding members by the connection driving means Respectively, the supply passage and the intake passage. It is brought into contact with each other when connecting to the air supply side electrode and 受気 side electrode is electrically connectedWhile having (f) The coupling drive means is an air cylinder, and the piston rod of the air cylinder also serves as the air supply member, the air supply passage is provided, and the outlet side opening is formed at the front end surface. Is protruded and its front end surface is pressed against the air receiving member, whereby the air supply passage is connected to the air intake passage, and the pressure air for driving the air cylinder is transferred from the air supply passage to the air intake passage. To supply, (g) The air cylinder is (g-1) A valve member provided integrally on the drawing side of the piston rod from the inlet side opening of the air supply passage of the piston rod; (g-2) The valve member is disposed on the protruding side of the piston rod relative to the valve member so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction, and is always seated on the valve member in accordance with the urging force of the urging means. The inlet opening of the air supply passage is shut off and is moved to the protruding side integrally with the piston rod by the pressure air supplied into the pressure chamber, and the piston rod is brought into contact with the air receiving member. However, when the air pressure in the pressure chamber becomes a predetermined pressure or more in the contact state, the pressure member is separated from the valve member against the urging force of the urging means, and the pressure air in the pressure chamber is separated from the supply passage. And a piston that allows it to flow into the entrance opening of theIt is characterized by that.
[0009]
  First2The invention is the first invention.MysteriousIn the air supply energizing connection unit,(a) SaidThe air supply side electrode holding member is annularly arranged on the outer peripheral side of the piston rod and is substantially concentric,(b)A U-shaped notch is provided, and is fitted into an engaging groove formed on the outer peripheral surface of the piston rod from a direction perpendicular to the shaft center so as not to be relatively movable in the axial direction. A mounting block in which the air supply side electrode holding member fitted from is fixed detachably by screw fastening;(c)One and the other of the guide member parallel to the axis of the piston rod and the engagement member engaged with the guide member so as to be capable of relative movement in the axial direction are at least one of the mounting block and the air supply side electrode holding member And a positioning means provided on the cylinder body for positioning the mounting block and the air supply side electrode holding member around the axis.
[0010]
  First3The invention is the first invention.Or of the second inventionIn the air supply and energization connecting unit, (a) one of the air supply side electrode and the air reception side electrode is disposed so as to be movable in the approaching direction by the connection driving means and is always driven by the urging force of the urging means. It is held at the forward end position moved to the other electrode side, and is brought into contact with the other electrode prior to connection between the air supply passage and the air reception passage when approaching by the connecting drive means, and after contact Is a movable electrode that is relatively retracted from the forward end position against the urging force of the urging means and allows connection between the air supply passage and the air intake passage, and (b) Each of the connecting portions with the lead wire is located in a recess formed in the electrode holding member and is embedded with an electrically insulating resin material.
[0011]
【The invention's effect】
According to such an air supply energization connecting unit, since the air supply passage and the air reception passage are connected by the single connection driving means, and the air supply side electrode and the air reception side electrode are connected, the number of parts is reduced. As the apparatus is reduced, the apparatus is configured easily and inexpensively, and the installation space is reduced.
[0012]
  Also,An air cylinder is used as the coupling drive means. When the piston rod as the air supply member is protruded and pressed by the air receiving member, the air cylinder is connected to the air supply passage and the air reception passage. As the pressure rises, the piston is automatically separated from the valve member against the urging force of the urging means, and the driving pressure air supplied to the pressure chamber is supplied from the supply passage to the intake passage. Compared to the case where the pressure circuit is connected to the air supply switching passage after the supply passage and the reception passage are connected and the pressure air is supplied through a different path from the drive pressure air, the air circuit is The number of parts is simplified and the number of parts is reduced, and control such as switching of the air supply switching valve after confirming the connection between the air supply passage and the air intake passage is unnecessary, and the apparatus is configured simply and inexpensively as a whole.
[0013]
  First2The air supply energization connecting unit of the invention is, SalaryPiston rod as a gas memberTo axisSince the mounting block is mounted from the direction perpendicular to the center, and the supply side electrode holding member is detachably fixed to the mounting block by screw fastening, the supply side electrode holding member is positioned at a predetermined position in the axial direction of the piston rod. Are positioned with high accuracy while positioning around the axis is performed by positioning means comprising a guide member and an engaging member, so that the connection between the supply passage and the reception passage and the supply side electrode and the reception side electrode The connection with is always good. In addition, since the piston rod is positioned in the axial direction and around the shaft center in this way, the air supply side electrode holding member is assembled to the piston rod together with the mounting block being mounted from the direction perpendicular to the shaft center. The operation | work which exchanges becomes easy.
[0014]
  First3The air supply energization connecting unit of the invention is configured such that one of the air supply side electrode and the air reception side electrode is a movable electrode held at the forward end position according to the urging force of the urging means, and Prior to connection with the air intake passage, the electrode is brought into contact with the other electrode, and after contact, the air supply passage and the air intake are moved backward relative to the forward end position against the urging force of the urging means. Since the connection with the passage is allowed, the connection between the supply passage and the reception passage and the connection between the supply side electrode and the reception side electrode are always performed satisfactorily. In addition, since the connection portion between the electrode and the lead wire is positioned in a recess formed in the electrode holding member and is buried by an electrically insulating resin material, the leakage due to contact with other members Are well prevented.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The air supply and energization connecting unit of the present invention is a jig circulation in which a predetermined work such as welding or assembly is performed by sequentially moving the jig pallet to each work station while a work such as an automobile body is set on the jig pallet. In the production line of the system, when the clamp pallet that uses an air cylinder or the like as a power source, a solenoid valve, a controller, etc. is mounted on a jig pallet as a moving member, the pressure air and electric power at each work station at the connection position However, it can also be used for other production facilities, industrial machines, and the like.
[0016]
  The air supply passage and the air reception passage are air cylinders arranged in the moving member.DaOr other equipmentPressureSupply force airConfigured as follows.The supply-side electrode and the reception-side electrode are used to supply electric power to an electric device that uses electric energy such as a controller disposed on the moving member as a power source. It may be used for transmitting and receiving signals, and a plurality of pairs of supply side electrodes and reception side electrodes may be provided as necessary.
[0017]
  PiA spring member such as a compression coil spring is preferably used as the biasing means for biasing the stone toward the valve member side, and the biasing means is between the piston and the cylinder body or between the piston and the piston rod. What is necessary is just to arrange | position. Further, the piston rod protruded until the air supply member comes into contact with the air receiving member supplies pressure air to the second pressure chamber formed on the opposite side of the pressure chamber across the piston, that is, on the protruding side of the piston rod. The retracting end, that is, the connection between the supply passage and the reception passage and the connection between the supply-side electrode and the reception-side electrode may be retracted to the position where the urging means is moved to the piston. And the cylinder main body, the supply of the pressure air to the pressure chamber can be stopped only by stopping the retracting end by the biasing means.
[0019]
  First2The annular air supply side electrode holding member in the present invention may be any member that is fitted to the outer peripheral side of the piston rod that is the air supply member so as to be movable in the axial direction, and the outer peripheral shape is appropriately determined to be circular or square. That is, a ring does not necessarily mean a circular ring. The positioning means is for positioning the air supply member around the axis of the piston rod, which is the center line, with respect to the cylinder body arranged in a fixed position, and the relative rotation between the piston rod and the air supply member is performed. It does not mean that the piston rod itself rotates around its axis, but it can be engaged with the piston rod and the mounting block or the air supply member so that they cannot rotate relative to each other. The phase around the axis can also be positioned.
[0020]
  First3In the present invention, it is desirable to embed all the connecting portions between the electrodes and the lead wires with the electrically insulating resin material, but it is not always necessary to bury the connecting portions that are unlikely to come into contact with other members.
[0021]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIGS. 1 and 2 show a work station of a production line that performs automatic welding or the like, in which an air supply and energization connecting unit 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is disposed, that is, a jig pallet 12 that is a moving member is stopped. It is the schematic which shows the predetermined connection position determined, and is the state which the jig pallet 12 which mounts workpiece | work, such as a motor vehicle body, and conveys sequentially to several work stations stopped and was located in the work station. A plurality of wheels 14 are attached to the jig pallet 12 and are sequentially moved to a plurality of work stations while being guided by a pair of guide rails 16 by a moving device (not shown). The jig pallet 12 includes a clamp device that uses an air cylinder for positioning and fixing a workpiece at each work station as a power source, and a controller that switches an air circuit with an electromagnetic valve to control the operation of the clamp device. An electric device such as this is mounted, and the pressure air and electric power are supplied via the air supply and energization connecting unit 10.
[0022]
The air supply and energization connecting unit 10 includes an air receiving side connecting member 20 disposed on the jig pallet 12 via a bracket 18 and an air cylinder 22 serving as a connection driving means disposed in a fixed position on the work station. An air supply side connecting member 24 that is pressed and connected to the air receiving side connecting member 20 is provided, and the air cylinder 22 and the air supply side connecting member 24 are respectively disposed in a plurality of work stations. 1 is a plan view, FIG. 2 is a front view, FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the air supply energization connecting unit 10 portion in the front view, FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the air supply energization connection unit 10 portion in the plan view, FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the air supply side connecting member 24 as viewed from above, and FIG. 6 is a side view of the air supply side connecting member 24 as viewed from the left side of FIG. As is clear from these drawings, the cylinder body 26 of the air cylinder 22 is disposed in a fixed position on a body frame 30 that is a stationary member via a bracket 28, and is not shown in the figure via a pipe 32. Connected to the air supply source and driven by the pressure air supplied from the pressure air supply source through the switching valve or the like, the pressure air is supplied from the air supply side connecting member 24 to the air receiving side connecting member 20, the piping 34, It is supplied to the air circuit on the jig pallet 12 side via the connector 36. That is, the pressure air supply source that supplies the pressure air for driving the air cylinder 22 also serves as a gas supply source. In addition, two power supply side lead wires 38 and 40 are connected to the air supply side connecting member 24, and are arranged on the jig pallet 12 via the power receiving side lead wires 42 and 44 connected to the air receiving side connecting member 20. Supply power to the installed electrical equipment. These lead wires 38, 40, 42, and 44 constitute one system with a set of two plus and minus. The bracket 18 is fixedly provided with a mounting plate 48 in which a circular hole 46 is formed, the air-receiving side connecting member 20 is fixed to the mounting plate 48, and the pipe 34 has a circular hole 46. It is connected to the receiving side connecting member 20 inside.
[0023]
7 is a cross-sectional view of the power supply connecting portion 24a for supplying power among the supply side connecting member 24, FIG. 8 is a plan view, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IX-IX in FIG. 7, and FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 11, FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along arrow XI in FIG. 8, and FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line XII-XII in FIG. The power supply connecting portion 24a includes an air supply side electrode holding member 50, a mounting block 52, a positioning block 54, and the like, and the air supply side electrode holding member 50 and the mounting block 52 are the cylinders of the air cylinder 22. The piston rod 58 is driven to protrude upward from the body 26, and the positioning block 54 is disposed on the cylinder body 26. The piston rod 58 functions as an air supply member, and the air supply side connecting member 24 is constituted by the piston rod 58 and the power supply connecting portion 24a.
[0024]
The air supply side electrode holding member 50 is made of bakelite, which is an electrically insulating material, and has a rectangular annular shape in which a circular hole having an inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the cylindrical piston rod 58 is formed and the outer peripheral shape is substantially square. The piston rod 58 is concentrically fitted so as to be movable in the axial direction from the front end side of the piston rod 58 and fixed to the mounting block 52 by a plurality of bolts 60 so as to be detachable. As is apparent from FIG. 9, the mounting block 52 is provided with a U-shaped notch 62, and an annular engagement groove 64 (see FIG. 17) formed on the outer peripheral surface of the piston rod 58 has an axis, that is, a center. Line O₁And is attached to the piston rod 58 so as not to be relatively movable in the axial direction. The piston rod 58 is fixed integrally with the supply side electrode holding member 50. The air supply side electrode holding member 50 is positioned at a predetermined position in the axial direction of the piston rod 58. The supply-side electrode holding member 50 is provided with a first recess 66 corresponding to the shape of the mounting block 52. By fitting the mounting block 52 into the first recess 66, the center line O₁The surrounding phases (postures) are positioned, and the bolt 60 can be inserted from the supply side electrode holding member 50 side and screwed into the screw hole formed in the mounting block 52. The first recess 66 has a center line O₁It is the 1st positioning engagement part which positions the surrounding mutual phase.
[0025]
The positioning block 54 is integrally fixed to the cylinder body 26 in advance by a plurality of screws 70 and has a center line O.₁The two guide rods 72 are erected in parallel with the screw, and are inserted into the insertion hole 74 formed in the supply side electrode holding member 50 so as to be movable in the axial direction, thereby holding the supply side electrode. Center line O of member 50 and mounting block 52₁The surrounding phase (posture) is positioned with respect to the cylinder body 26. The guide rod 72 corresponds to a guide member fixed to the cylinder body 26, and the portion of the air supply side electrode holding member 50 in which the insertion hole 74 is formed corresponds to an engagement member. The insertion hole 74 constitutes positioning means. The mounting block 52 is formed with an insertion hole 76 through which the guide rod 72 is inserted with play.
[0026]
The positioning block 54 is also provided with an engaging convex portion 78 having a slightly larger shape than the mounting block 52, while the supply side electrode holding member 50 is slightly larger than the engaging convex portion 78. A second recess 80 having a shape is formed, and the engagement protrusion 78 is fitted into the second recess 80, whereby the supply line side electrode holding member 50 and the center line O of the mounting block 52.₁The surrounding phase (posture) is roughly positioned. The first recess 66 is formed at the bottom of the second recess 80. The engagement convex part 78 and the second recess 80 are provided on the center line O of at least one of the air supply side electrode holding member 50 and the mounting block 52.₁It is the 2nd positioning engagement part which positions the surrounding phase substantially.
[0027]
Therefore, for example, after the attachment block 52 is attached to the engagement groove 64 of the piston rod 58, the air supply side electrode holding member 50 is fitted from the front end side of the piston rod 58, and the first of the air supply side electrode holding member 50 is fitted. If the positioning block 54 is fitted into the recess 66 and the engaging projection 78 is fitted into the second recess 80, the supply-side electrode holding member 50, the mounting block 52, and the positioning block 54 of the supply block 54 are positioned. Center line O₁In this state, the bolt 60 is screwed into the screw hole of the mounting block 52 from the supply-side electrode holding member 50 side, and the guide rod 72 is inserted into the insertion holes 74 and 76 so that the positioning block 54 By screwing into the screw hole, the air supply side electrode holding member 50 is disposed at a predetermined position of the piston rod 58 in a predetermined posture. The air supply side electrode holding member 50, the mounting block 52, and the positioning block 54 are positioned relative to each other by the first recess 66, the second recess 80, the engaging projection 78, and the like. The screwing operation of the rod 72 can be performed easily and quickly. In addition, after attaching the attachment block 52, it is also possible to insert the guide rod 72 into the insertion hole 76 and to stand on the positioning block 54, and then to assemble the air supply side electrode holding member 50. Further, such assembling and exchanging work may be performed in a state where the jig pallet 12 does not exist in the work station, that is, in a state where the receiving side connecting member 20 does not exist above the air cylinder 22.
[0028]
The supply side electrode holding member 50 has a center line O corresponding to the four corner portions.₁In parallel, that is, in parallel with the protruding direction of the piston rod 58, four through-holes 82 are provided, and a movable electrode device 84 is attached to each of them. The movable electrode device 84 has a bottomed cylindrical shape and is screwed into the through hole 82 with the bottom facing down, and a cap 88 screwed into the upper end opening of the body housing 86, A slide member 92 which is disposed in the main body housing 86 so as to be movable in the axial direction, and is always urged upward in accordance with the urging force of the compression coil spring 90 as urging means, and is brought into contact with the cap 88; The slide member 92 is integrally provided and held at a forward end position protruding upward from a circular hole formed in the center of the cap 88 and is moved downward along with the slide member 92 against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 90. And a movable electrode 94 that can be pushed down. The slide member 92 provided with the movable electrode 94 and the main body housing 86 are electrically connected by contact, and the terminals of the power supply side lead wires 38 and 40 are connected to the bottom of the main body housing 86 by screws 96. It is like that. Further, the lower end portions of the two through holes 82 are connected by a communication groove 98, and the plus and minus two lines of each of the power supply side lead wires 38 and 40 are from two openings 100 formed on the same side surface. They are all pulled out to the outside. The movable electrode 94 corresponds to an air supply side electrode.
[0029]
13 is a cross-sectional view of the air-receiving side connecting member 20, FIG. 14 is a bottom view seen from below, and FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along XV-XV in FIG. A block 114, an air-receiving-side electrode holding member 116, and the like are provided. The base block 110 and the holding block 114 are separated by a center line O by two positioning pins 118.₂A plurality of bolts 120 are integrally fixed to the mounting plate 48 in a state where the surrounding phase (posture) is positioned, and the seal ring 112 is a cylinder provided integrally with the holding block 114. Are held integrally with the base block 110 by the holding claws 115. The seal ring 112 and the base block 110 correspond to an air receiving member, and the center line O₂Air receiving passages 122 and 124 are formed concentrically with each other, and a connection port 126 for connecting the pipe 34 is provided at the opening of the air receiving passage 124. The diameter dimension of the air receiving passage 122 is sufficiently smaller than the outer diameter of the piston rod 58, and the air receiving side connecting member 20 has a center line O when the jig pallet 12 is positioned at the work station.₂Is the center line O of the supply side connecting member 24₁The piston rod 58 of the air cylinder 22 protrudes upward, so that the tip end surface of the piston rod 58 is brought into contact with the lower surface of the seal ring 112. The seal ring 112 is made of hard rubber, and the air supply passage 128 and the air reception passage 122 are substantially hermetically sealed by contacting the piston rod 58 provided with the air supply passage 128 (see FIG. 17) at the shaft center. Connected in a sealed state.
[0030]
The air-reception-side electrode holding member 116 is made of bakelite, which is an electrically insulating material, and has a circular ring with a circular hole and an outer peripheral shape that is substantially square, and the outer periphery of the holding claw 115 of the holding block 114 The center line O is disposed by the positioning pin 118.₂A plurality of bolts 130 are integrally fixed to the holding block 114 in a state where the surrounding phase (posture) is positioned. The air receiving side electrode holding member 116 is provided with stepped through holes 132 corresponding to the four corners, that is, at positions substantially coincident with the bolt 120, and a fixed electrode 134 is provided as the air receiving side electrode. Has been. The fixed electrode 134 is integrally provided with a threaded portion, and is disposed in a non-rotatable manner in the stepped through hole 132 by two chamfering, while the nut 136 is attached to the threaded portion from the opposite side of the stepped through hole 132. Are screwed together so that the terminals of the power receiving side lead wires 42 and 44 are connected to the fixed electrode 134.
[0031]
The positioning pins 118 are arranged on the air-receiving-side electrode holding member 116 and the like so that the four fixed electrodes 134 are positioned directly above the four movable electrodes 94 when the jig pallet 12 is positioned at the work station. The posture is positioned, and when the piston rod 58 of the air cylinder 22 protrudes upward, the four movable electrodes 94 are brought into contact with the fixed electrodes 134, respectively, and are electrically driven by the urging force of the compression coil spring 90. Connected to. The movable electrode 94 held at the forward end position by the urging force of the compression coil spring 90 contacts the fixed electrode 134 before the piston rod 58 contacts the seal ring 112 as shown in FIG. After the contact, the piston rod 58 contacts the seal ring 112 as shown in (c) of the figure by being relatively retracted from the forward end position against the urging force of the compression coil spring 90. The supply passage 128 and the reception passages 122 and 124 are allowed to be in contact with each other. The arrangement position of the air supply side electrode holding member 50 and the like in the axial direction of the piston rod 58, that is, the axial position positioned by the mounting block 52, after the movable electrode 94 contacts the fixed electrode 134 in this way, The stroke is set to be smaller than the pushing stroke of the movable electrode 94, that is, the piston rod 58 is brought into contact with the seal ring 112 before the movable electrode 94 is completely pushed into the cap 88. 18A shows a state where the piston rod 58 of the air cylinder 22 is held at the retracted end.
[0032]
  FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of a connection portion between the terminal 138 of the power receiving side lead wires 42 and 44 and the fixed electrode 134, that is, a portion where the nut 136 is screwed to the screw portion 140 of the fixed electrode 134. The stepped through-hole 132 is filled with the epoxy resin 142, which is an electrically insulating resin material, after the nut 136 is screwed into the stepped through-hole 132, so that the terminal 138 and the fixed electrode 134 are connected to each other. The connecting part is buried so that it cannot contact the outside. The air-receiving side electrode holding member 116 is attached to the holding block 114 by the bolt 130 after the nut 136 is screwed and filled with the epoxy resin 142 in this way. Of the stepped through-hole 132, a large-diameter upper side opening portion into which the nut 136 is screwed into the screw portion 140 is claimed.3This corresponds to the recess described in. Further, the upper surface of the air-reception-side electrode holding member 116, that is, the surface on which the nut 136 is screwed, has a total of four communication lines so as to communicate with the stepped through hole 132 from two side surfaces located on the opposite side. A groove 144 is provided so that the plus and minus two wires of each of the power receiving side lead wires 42 and 44 are drawn out from the same side surface. Note that the screwed portion of the screw 96 that is a connecting portion between the movable electrode device 84 and the power supply side lead wires 38 and 40 is also filled with an electrically insulating resin material such as epoxy resin in the lower opening of the through hole 82. Therefore, it is buried so that it cannot be contacted with the outside.
[0033]
On the other hand, the air cylinder 22 as the connection driving means is configured as shown in FIG. The cylinder body 26 is integrally fixed to a cylindrical cylinder tube 26a and an upper end portion of the cylinder tube 26a, and an insertion hole through which the piston rod 58 is slidably inserted has a center line O.₁The upper cap member 26b formed concentrically with the lower end portion of the cylinder tube 26a and an insertion hole through which the rod 150 is slidably inserted has a center line O.₁And a lower cap member 26c formed concentrically with each other, and a positioning block 54 of the power supply connecting portion 24a is integrally fixed to the upper surface of the upper cap member 26b by the screw 70. The piston rod 58 in which the air supply passage 128 is formed in the axial center corresponds to an air supply member. The upper end opening of the air supply passage 128 is an outlet opening 128a, and a valve provided at the lower end. On the upper side of the member 152, that is, on the protruding side of the piston rod 58, an inlet side opening portion 128 b of the air supply passage 128 is provided.
[0034]
The valve member 152 is integrally fixed to the piston rod 58 by screw fastening, and is located above the valve member 152, that is, on the protruding side of the piston rod 58, between the piston rod 58 and the cylinder tube 26a. An annular piston 154 is disposed in the annular space so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction. The piston 154, the piston rod 58, and the cylinder tube 26a are hermetically sealed by seal members, respectively. The piston 154 is a compression coil as an urging means disposed between the upper cap member 26b. The valve member 152 is always seated on the valve member 152 according to the urging force of the spring 156, and the valve member 152 is positioned at the retracting end that contacts the lower cap member 26c (see FIG. 18A). Even at this retracting end, the upper end portion of the piston rod 58 on which the power supply connecting portion 24a is disposed protrudes upward from the upper cap member 26b as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 18 (a). The air supply side connecting member 24 and the air receiving side connecting member 20 are separated, and the center line O₁Relative movement in a substantially horizontal direction substantially perpendicular to the horizontal axis is allowed. The valve member 152 is provided with a valve seat 158 made of an elastic material such as rubber at a portion with which the piston 154 is brought into contact, and a cushion rubber 160 at a lower end surface brought into contact with the lower cap member 26c. Is arranged.
[0035]
  When the piston 154 is seated on the valve member 152 as described above, the first pressure chamber 162 is formed below the piston 154, that is, on the valve member 152 side, and the first pressure chamber 162 and the air supply passage 128 are formed. The entrance side opening portion 128b is blocked. The first pressure chamber 162 is claimed1The pressure air is supplied from a pressure air supply source through a switching valve or the like by connecting a connector of the pipe 32 to the connection port 164, and a piston. 154 is moved integrally with the piston rod 58 against the urging force of the compression coil spring 156 to the protruding side, that is, upward. As a result, the front end surface of the piston rod 58 is brought into contact with the seal ring 112 of the air receiving side connecting member 20, and the air supply passage 128 and the air receiving passages 122 and 124 are connected. Further, when the air pressure in the first pressure chamber 162 becomes a predetermined pressure or more in the contact state, the piston 154 resists the urging force of the compression coil spring 154 as shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. The pressure air separated from the valve member 152 and supplied into the first pressure chamber 162 is allowed to flow into the inlet opening 128b of the air supply passage 128, thereby supplying pressure air as a gas supply source. The pressure air supplied from the source is supplied from the supply passage 128 to the jig pallet 12 through the intake passages 122 and 124.
[0036]
The second pressure chamber 166 provided with the compression coil spring 156 is communicated with the atmosphere via the connection port 168, and the supply of pressure air into the first pressure chamber 162 is shut off by a switching valve or the like. Then, the piston 154 is retracted downward, that is, toward the retracting side only in accordance with the urging force of the compression coil spring 156, is seated on the valve member 152, and is returned to the original position as the retracting end together with the valve member 152 and the piston rod 58. . The connection port 168 is provided with an air filter to prevent foreign matters such as dust from entering the second pressure chamber 166. It is also possible to supply pressure air into the second pressure chamber 166 and return the piston 154 and the piston rod 58 to the retracted end.
[0037]
The rod 150 is integrally fixed to the lower end portion of the piston rod 58 by screw fastening and can be moved up and down together with the piston rod 58, and the lower end portion protruding downward from the lower cap member 26c is a dog portion. 170 is attached. The lower cap member 26c is provided with a separation detection sensor 172 and a connection detection sensor 174 including a proximity switch through a bracket. By detecting the dog 170, the separation state shown in FIG. Or the connected state shown in FIG. 18 (c).
[0038]
In the air supply and energization connecting unit 10 of this embodiment, the air supply passage 128 and the air reception passages 122 and 124 are connected by a single air cylinder 22, and four pairs of the movable electrode 94 and the fixed electrode 134 are connected. Are connected to each other, the number of parts is reduced, the apparatus is configured easily and inexpensively, and the installation space is also reduced.
[0039]
In addition, the air cylinder 22 is used as the coupling drive means, and the air cylinder 22 is protruded from the piston rod 58 and pressed by the seal ring 112, so that the air supply passage 128 and the air reception passages 122 and 124 are connected. Then, as the air pressure increases, the piston 154 is automatically separated from the valve member 152 against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 156, and the driving pressure air supplied to the first pressure chamber 162 is reduced. Since the air supply passage 128 is supplied to the air reception passages 122 and 124, the air supply switching valve and the like are switched after connecting the air supply passage 128 and the air reception passages 122 and 124, and the drive pressure air and Compared with the case where pressure air is supplied by another route, the air circuit is simplified and the number of parts is reduced, and the connection between the supply passage and the intake passage is confirmed. Unnecessary control that switches and switching valve, simply and inexpensively constructed as a whole device.
[0040]
The air cylinder 22 is used as a connection driving means, and a mounting block 52 is attached to a piston rod 58 as an air supply member from a direction perpendicular to the axis, and an air supply side electrode holding member 50 is attached to the attachment block 52. The air supply side electrode holding member 50 is positioned with high accuracy at a predetermined position in the axial direction of the piston rod 58, and fixed to the cylinder body 26 via the positioning block 54. With the engagement between the guide rod 72 and the insertion hole 74, the center line O₁Since the surrounding positioning is performed, the connection between the supply passage 128 and the reception passages 122 and 124 and the connection between the movable electrode 94 and the fixed electrode 134 are always performed satisfactorily.
[0041]
Further, the center line O which is the axis of the piston rod 58 is thus obtained.₁Direction and centerline O₁Since the surrounding positioning is performed, the mounting block 52 is centerline O₁In addition to being attached from a right angle direction, the work of assembling or exchanging the air supply side electrode holding member 50 to the piston rod 58 becomes easy. In particular, in the present embodiment, the air supply side electrode holding member 50 is provided with the first recess 66 and the second recess 80 and is engaged with the mounting block 52 and the engagement convex portion 78, thereby supplying the air supply side electrode. The mutual center line O of the holding member 50, the mounting block 52, and the positioning block 54₁Since the surrounding phase, that is, the posture is positioned, the assembling work and the replacing work are further facilitated.
[0042]
The supply side electrode is constituted by a movable electrode 94 that is held at the forward end position according to the urging force of the compression coil spring 90, and contacts the fixed electrode 134 before the piston rod 58 of the air cylinder 22 contacts the seal ring 112. In addition to being brought into contact, the piston rod 58 is moved backward relative to the forward end position against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 90 to allow the piston rod 58 to contact the seal ring 112. Therefore, the connection between the supply passage 128 and the reception passages 122 and 124 and the connection between the movable electrode 94 and the fixed electrode 134 are always performed satisfactorily. In addition, the connecting portion between the fixed electrode 134 and the terminal 138 of the power receiving side lead wires 42 and 44 is positioned in the stepped through hole 132 and is embedded in the epoxy resin 142 which is an electrically insulating resin material and is movable. Since the connection portion between the electrode 94 and the power supply side lead wires 38 and 40 is similarly embedded, leakage due to contact with other members can be prevented well.
[0043]
As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was described in detail based on drawing, this is a specific example to the last, for example, the arrangement | positioning form of the air supply electricity connection unit 10 can be changed suitably, and the air supply side connection member 24 is shown. The present invention can be practiced in various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, for example, it may be possible to move it horizontally and connect it to the air-receiving side connecting member 20.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of one work station of a production line provided with an air supply and energization connecting unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the work station of FIG. 1;
3 is an enlarged view of an air supply energization connecting unit portion in FIG. 2. FIG.
4 is an enlarged view of a supply / energization coupling unit portion in FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the air supply side connecting member in FIG. 3 as viewed from above.
6 is a side view of the air supply side coupling member in FIG. 3 as viewed from the left side.
7 is a cross-sectional view showing a power feeding connecting portion of an air supply side connecting member in the embodiment of FIG.
8 is a plan view of the power feeding connecting portion of FIG.
9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IX-IX in FIG.
10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG.
11 is a view on arrow XI in FIG. 8. FIG.
12 is a sectional view taken along line XII-XII in FIG.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the air receiving side connecting member in the embodiment of FIG. 1;
14 is a bottom view of the air receiving side connecting member of FIG. 13; FIG.
15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XV-XV in FIG.
16 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a connection portion between a fixed electrode and a lead wire terminal in FIG. 13;
FIG. 17 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an air cylinder that drives an air supply side connecting member in the embodiment of FIG.
FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
10: Supply air energizing connection unit
12: Jig pallet (moving member)
22: Air cylinder (connection drive means)
26: Cylinder body
30: Body frame (fixed side member)
50: Supply side electrode holding member
52: Mounting block
58: Piston rod (air supply member)
64: engagement groove
72: Guide rod (guide member)
74: Insertion hole (engagement member)
90: Compression coil spring (biasing means)
94: Movable electrode (supply side electrode)
110: Base block (air receiving member)
112: Seal ring (air receiving member)
116: Air receiving side electrode holding member
122, 124: Air intake passage
128: Air supply passage
128a: outlet opening
128b: entrance side opening
132: Stepped through hole (recess)
134: Fixed electrode (receiving side electrode)
142: Epoxy resin (electrically insulating resin material)
152: Valve member
154: Piston
156: Compression coil spring (biasing means)
162: first pressure chamber (pressure chamber)

Claims

An air supply member having an air supply passage connected to a predetermined gas supply source and disposed on a stationary member, an air reception member having an air reception passage and disposed on a predetermined moving member, and the fixing The air supply passage is disposed on the side member, and the air supply member and the air receiving member are brought close to each other and brought into close contact with each other in a state where the moving member is stopped at a predetermined connection position. In a connecting unit comprising connecting drive means for connecting the air receiving passage and
A pair of an air supply side electrode holding member and an air supply side electrode holding member made of an electrically insulating material provided integrally with the air supply member and the air reception member, respectively;
The pair of electrode holding members are respectively disposed at positions facing each other in the approaching direction by the connection driving means, and are connected to each other and electrically connected to each other when the supply passage and the reception passage are connected. While having a gas side electrode and a gas receiving side electrode ,
The coupling drive means is an air cylinder, and the piston rod of the air cylinder also serves as the air supply member, the air supply passage is provided, and an outlet side opening is formed at the front end surface. Is protruded and the front end surface is pressed against the air receiving member, whereby the air supply passage is connected to the air intake passage, and pressure air for driving the air cylinder is supplied from the air supply passage to the air intake passage. To supply
The air cylinder is
A valve member provided integrally on the drawing-in side of the piston rod from the inlet-side opening of the air supply passage of the piston rod;
The valve member is disposed on the protruding side of the piston rod relative to the valve member so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction, and is always seated on the valve member according to the urging force of the urging means. The inlet opening of the air supply passage is shut off and is moved to the protruding side integrally with the piston rod by the pressure air supplied into the pressure chamber, and the piston rod is brought into contact with the air receiving member. However, when the air pressure in the pressure chamber becomes a predetermined pressure or more in the contact state, the pressure member is separated from the valve member against the urging force of the urging means, and the pressure air in the pressure chamber is separated from the supply passage. And a piston that allows the gas to flow into the inlet side opening of the air supply and energization connecting unit.

While the air supply side electrode holding member is annularly disposed substantially concentrically on the outer peripheral side of the piston rod,
A U-shaped notch is provided, and is fitted into an engagement groove formed on the outer peripheral surface of the piston rod from a direction perpendicular to the shaft center so as not to be relatively movable in the axial direction. A mounting block in which the air supply side electrode holding member fitted from is fixed detachably by screw fastening;
At least one of the guide block parallel to the axis of the piston rod and the engagement member engaged with the guide member so as to be capable of relative movement in the axial direction is at least one of the mounting block and the air supply side electrode holding member. 2. The air supply and energization connecting unit according to claim 1, further comprising positioning means provided on the cylinder body for positioning the mounting block and the air supply side electrode holding member around the axis.

One of the supply side electrode and the reception side electrode is disposed so as to be movable in the approaching direction by the connection driving means and is always moved to the other electrode side by the urging force of the urging means. And is brought into contact with the other electrode prior to connection between the air supply passage and the air receiving passage when approaching by the coupling drive means, and resists the urging force of the urging means after contact. A movable electrode that is relatively retracted from the forward end position to allow connection between the supply passage and the intake passage,
The connecting portion between the electrode and the lead wire is positioned in a recess formed in the electrode holding member and embedded in an electrically insulating resin material , respectively. Supply air energizing connection unit.