JPH04290602A - Manifold with fluid control mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a manifold which can cut a desired fluid supply passage apart into a blockade passage that is connected only with a selected manifold block by blocking a free position at the desired fluid supply passage out of a plurality of fluid supply passages provided at manifold blocks. CONSTITUTION:A blockage member 30 is inserted into the 2nd fluid supply passage 22 at a manifold block 12a. Fluid introduced from the 1st fluid supply passage 20 is depressurized to desired pressure at a fluid control mechanism 14a pressure depressurization portion 60 through a passage 40a, and then, controlled at fluid control mechanism 14b, 14c changeover portions 62 provided connectingly through a blockage passage, and led out to the outside through the respective output ports 26b, 26c of fluid control mechanisms 14b, 14c.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a manifold with a fluid control mechanism that connects a plurality of manifold blocks and defines a plurality of common fluid passages inside each manifold block.

0002

[Prior Art] In conventional manifolds,
If there is only one fluid supply port for connecting pipes and supplying fluid, and it is necessary to supply fluid at different pressures to multiple fluid devices connected to this manifold, Either a regulator must be provided between the manifold and each fluid device, or separate fluid supply ports must be provided.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the above-mentioned conventional technology, a regulator or fluid supply port must be prepared and piped for each fluid device that requires a different fluid pressure, resulting in a complicated structure. The number of parts increases, and since they must be arranged in a limited space on the manifold, the mounting position must be adjusted with respect to other parts, which is complicated.

0004

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has a plurality of interconnectable common manifold blocks, each manifold block has a plurality of fluid supply passages and exhaust passages, and the manifold block has a plurality of common manifold blocks. A fluid control mechanism is selectively provided, the respective manifold blocks are connected to each other so that the fluid supply passage and the exhaust passage are communicated with each other, and one of the communicated fluid supply passages is closed at an arbitrary position. It is characterized by interposing a member to divide the passage into a closed passage through which only selected manifold blocks can communicate.

The present invention also provides that the fluid control mechanism includes a blocked switching valve, a control valve, an ejector, a pressure sensor,
It is characterized by being one of a silencer, a switch indicator, a centralized wiring terminal, a serial transmission unit, and a vacuum unit.

Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the fluid control mechanism is a fluid circuit incorporating a pressure switch, a filter, and a silencer that are connected in block form.

[0007]

[Operation] In the above-mentioned manifold with a fluid control mechanism according to the present invention, fluid is supplied by closing any arbitrary position of the plurality of fluid supply passages with a closing member and communicating with each of several manifold blocks. It divides the passage. Therefore, the plurality of fluid supply passages can be divided into a fluid supply passage that communicates with all the manifold blocks and a fluid supply passage that communicates only between specific manifold blocks. A fluid control mechanism communicating with the former and the latter is provided between the fluid supply passages, and the fluid supplied from the former is controlled via the fluid control mechanism,
It becomes possible to lead out the fluid controlled in the above manner through the passage communicating with the latter. For example, by using a pressure reducing valve as the fluid control mechanism, fluids having different pressures can be led out from the latter fluid supply passage to each passage.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, preferred embodiments of the manifold with a fluid control mechanism according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a manifold with a fluid control mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram of FIG. 1.

Manifold 1 with fluid control mechanism shown in FIG.
0 basically includes a plurality of substantially identical rectangular parallelepiped-shaped manifold blocks 12a to 12e (only five are shown) and the manifold blocks 12a to 12e.
It is comprised of fluid control mechanisms 14a to 14e (hereinafter referred to as fluid control blocks 14a to 14e) mounted on a rectangular parallelepiped block.

Specifically, each manifold block 12a
12e to 12e are fluid supply passages 20 and 22 (hereinafter referred to as a first fluid supply passage 20 and a second fluid supply passage 22) that are open on one side and communicate with the two fluid supply ports 16 and 18; The exhaust passage 24 is provided, and output ports 26a to 26e are respectively provided on the other side surface perpendicular to the one side surface. These manifold blocks 12a to 1
2e have substantially the same structure, and can be removably connected to any desired number of them by, for example, connecting means such as rail means and connecting rods (not shown).

That is, in this case, the first fluid supply passage 2
0, each manifold block 1 so that the second fluid supply passage 22 and the fluid exhaust passage 24 are common in the length direction.
The first fluid supply passage 20, the second fluid supply passage 22, and the fluid exhaust passage 24 are mutually airtight by interposing a sealing member or the like between the connected manifold blocks 12a to 12e. retains gender. Note that these manifold blocks 12a to 12e are
It is made of resin-based material.

Furthermore, in the present invention, closing members 28, 30, and 32 (however, the closing members 28, 32 are not shown in FIG. 1) are installed in the second fluid supply passage 22. That is, these closing members 28, 30, and 32 separate the second fluid supply passage 22 into two closing passages (between the closing members 28 and 30 in the second fluid supply passage 22 in FIG. 2, and between the closing members 30 and 32). ) 22A, 2
Divide into 2B. For example, in FIG. 2, closing members 28 and 3 are attached to one end side of the second fluid supply passage 22 of the manifold block 12a and the manifold block 12e.
2 and the closing member 30 installed between the manifold block 12c and the manifold block 12d, the second fluid supply passage 22 is substantially connected to the closing passages 22A and 2.
It is divided into 2B.

[0014] Also, fluid control blocks 14a to 14e
For example, control valves such as switching valves and pressure reducing valves, ejectors, pressure sensors, silencers, switch indicators, centralized wiring terminals, serial transmission units, vacuum units, etc. are each made into blocks, or, A plurality of blocks arbitrarily selectively connected from among these blocks are integrated and mounted. In addition, pressure switches, filters,
A block containing a fluid circuit including a silencer etc. may be mounted on the manifold block.

Here, a specific example will be described in which a different type of closing member is interposed at an arbitrary position of the second fluid supply passage 22 of the manifold blocks 12a to 12e that are connected to each other to divide the second fluid supply passage 22 into several closed passages. It is shown in FIGS. 3 to 5.

FIG. 3 shows a first method of closing the second fluid supply passage 22, in which a circular stepped portion 36 is provided at one end of the second fluid supply passage 22 with which the manifold block 34 communicates, and the opening of the second fluid supply passage 22 is closed. The closing member 38 is formed to have substantially the same shape as the stepped portion 36 and the same thickness as the step of the stepped portion 36 , and the closing member 38 is fitted into the stepped portion 36 to close any part of the second fluid supply passage 22 . Block the position. On the top surface of the manifold block 34, this manifold block 34
The first fluid supply passage 20, the second
Connection ports 41 communicating with the fluid supply passage 22, the fluid exhaust passage 24, and the output ports 26a to 26e are respectively arranged. Furthermore, it is even more effective to provide an O-ring on the stepped portion 36 in combination. The closing member 38 is made of a resin material or a metal material.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second method of closing the second fluid supply passage 22, in which the manifold block 42
A plate-shaped plate member 44 having substantially the same shape as one side surface to which the manifold blocks 42 are connected is interposed between the manifold blocks 42. That is, the plate member 44, which is provided with appropriate holes 46 corresponding to the fluid supply passages to be communicated with among the plurality of fluid supply passages, is mounted between the manifold blocks 42 to connect the manifold blocks 42. The plate member 44 is provided with a hole 46 at substantially the same position as the first fluid supply passage 20 and the fluid exhaust passage 24, and the first fluid supply passage 20 and the fluid exhaust passage 24 of each manifold block 42 communicate with each other through the hole 46. The state will be as follows. This plate member 4
4 is made of a resin-based material such as plastic, and can be closed or connected by changing the position of the hole 46 or replacing the plate member 44 with a plate member 44 having a hole 46 in a different position. It can be changed. Furthermore, the plate member 44 includes a gasket (not shown).
Alternatively, it is even more effective to provide a groove around the hole 46 of the manifold block 42 and plate member 44 and use it together with a sealing member (not shown).

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a third method of closing the second fluid supply passage 22, in which the manifold block 48
A female threaded portion 50 is provided in the second fluid supply passage 22 , and a threaded plug member 52 is fitted into the female threaded portion 50 to close the second fluid supply passage 22 .

By the way, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a pressure reducing valve 54 is built in the fluid control block 14a, a switching valve 56 is built in the fluid control blocks 14b, 14c, and 14e, and the fluid control block 14a has a built-in switching valve 56. Block 14d
An on-off valve 58 is built in. Each fluid control block 1
4a to 14e communicate with the first and second fluid supply passages 20, 22 and the fluid exhaust passage 24 via passages 40a to 40e, respectively. Fluid control blocks 14a to 14
When the fluid control blocks 14a to 14e are mounted on the manifold blocks 12a to 12e, it goes without saying that each fluid control block 14a to 14e is connected to each manifold block 12a to 12e in an airtight manner using a seal member (not shown) or the like.

When mounting the fluid control blocks 14a to 14e, fluid ports (not shown) opened on the lower surfaces of the fluid control blocks 14a to 14e are defined on the upper surfaces of the manifold blocks 12a to 12e, respectively. It is communicatively connected to a predetermined connection port 41 .

Next, the operation of the manifold 10 with a fluid control mechanism constructed as described above will be explained.

Pressure fluid sent from a fluid supply source (not shown) is passed through a conduit such as a tube to the fluid supply port 16.
The fluid is supplied to the first fluid supply passage 20 from there. This first fluid supply passage 20 does not have the closing member 30 installed therein, so the passage itself is not divided. That is, through holes communicating with all the manifold blocks 12a to 12e are defined. For this reason, the passages 40a to 40e communicating with the first fluid supply passage 20
Pressure fluid is introduced into each of the fluid control blocks 14a to 14e mounted on the manifold blocks 12a to 12e through the manifold blocks 12a to 12e. Here, the pressure fluid supplied through the passages 40a to 40e is supplied to the pressure reducing valve 54 and the switching valve 5.
6. communicates with a selected fluid control mechanism such as the on-off valve 58;
A pressure reducing section 60 is provided in the middle of the passages 40a to 40e, respectively.
, a switching section 62, and an opening/closing section 64, and these pressure reducing sections 6 built into each fluid control block 14a to 14e.
0, the switching section 62 and the opening/closing section 64 perform respective control actions,
Alternatively, it is introduced into the second fluid supply passage 22 which exerts a control action on the pressure fluid and communicates through the passages 40a to 40e.

By the way, the second fluid supply passage 22 is divided into a closed passage 22A communicating between the manifold blocks 12a to 12c and a closed passage 22B communicating between the manifold blocks 12d and 12e. 1. The fluid introduced from the fluid supply passage 20 through the passage 40a to the fluid control block 14a in which the pressure reducing valve 54 is built is reduced to a desired pressure, and then transferred to the connection port 41 provided on the upper surface of the manifold block 12a. is introduced into the closed passage 22A through the . This blocked passage 2
The depressurized fluid in 2A is introduced into the fluid control blocks 14b and 14c mounted on the manifold blocks 12b and 12c through the closed passage 22A, and after being controlled by the respective switching parts 62, it is introduced from the output ports 26b and 26c. Sent to the outside.

Similarly, from the first fluid supply passage 20 to the passage 4
For example, pressure fluid introduced into the fluid control block 14d having a built-in on-off valve 58 through the passage 40d is introduced into the closed passage 22B through the passage 40d under manual opening/closing operation of the valve by the opening/closing unit 64. The pressure fluid flows into the switching valve 56 in the fluid control block 14e mounted on the manifold block 12e, is controlled by the switching section 62 of the switching valve 56, and then is sent out from the output port 26e.

As described above, according to this embodiment, any desired position of any one of the two fluid supply passages 20 and 22 is closed, and the fluid control block 1
It becomes possible to derive the fluid according to the control action of 4a to 14e. Further, for example, when an electromagnetic switching valve or the like is built into the fluid control blocks 14a to 14e, a hole for wiring may be provided inside each manifold block, or a central wiring terminal may be provided as shown in FIG. It is also possible to connect the block 65 to the manifold blocks 12a and 12b and control them all at once. This centralized wiring terminal block 65 has fluid control mechanism connection terminals 66 on the top surface.
A connection terminal 68 for a centralized wiring terminal block forming a bus line (common line) is provided on the side surface. Note that the centralized wiring terminal block 64 has means (for example, a switch, a switching circuit, an interface circuit) for selectively introducing, deriving, or selectively connecting a signal from a bus line that functions as a common interface. It is something.

[0026]

As described above, the manifold with a fluid control mechanism according to the present invention provides the following effects.

[0027] It is possible to supply fluids at different pressures from several divided fluid supply passages, and it is possible to supply fluids at desired pressures to a large number of fluid devices.

Furthermore, by connecting a fluid control mechanism such as a switching valve, a control valve, a pressure sensor, etc. to each divided fluid supply passage, it is possible to supply pressure fluid according to the application of various types of fluid equipment. This makes it possible to simplify pipe connections and reduce the number of parts.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a manifold with a fluid control mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram of the manifold with a fluid control mechanism shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a first specific example of closing a fluid supply passage of a manifold block.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a second specific example of closing the fluid supply passage of the manifold block.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a third specific example of closing the fluid supply passage of the manifold block.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which a centralized wiring terminal block is connected to a manifold block.

[Explanation of symbols]

10...Manifolds with fluid control mechanisms 12a to 12e, 34, 42, 48...Manifold blocks 14a to 14e...Fluid control mechanisms 20, 22...Fluid supply passages 22A, 22B...Closed passages 24...Fluid exhaust passages 26a to 26e...Output ports 28, 30, 32, 38...Closing members 40a to 40e...Passage 41...Connection port 54...Pressure reducing valve 56...Switching valve 58...Opening/closing valve

Claims (3)

[Claims] Claim 1: A plurality of common manifold blocks that can be interconnected, each manifold block having a plurality of fluid supply passages and exhaust passages, and a fluid control mechanism selectively disposed in the manifold block. The manifold blocks are connected to each other so that the fluid supply passage and the exhaust passage are communicated with each other, and a closing member is interposed at an arbitrary position of one of the communicated fluid supply passages, and a selected one is provided. A manifold with a fluid control mechanism, characterized in that the manifold block is divided into closed passages that can communicate only with the manifold block. 2. The manifold with a fluid control mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the fluid control mechanism includes a blocked switching valve, a control valve, an ejector, a pressure sensor, a silencer, a switch indicator, a centralized wiring terminal, and a serial transmission unit. , a manifold with a fluid control mechanism characterized by being either a vacuum unit. 3. The manifold with a fluid control mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the fluid control mechanism is a fluid circuit incorporating a pressure switch, a filter, and a silencer that are connected in block form. Manifold with mechanism.