JPH0528890A - Switch device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To constitute a body part and a setting part having a control means and display means in such a way as capable of being mounted and dismantled as desired, wherein the body part is such a one as having a sensing element for leading out a sensing signal consisting of an On-state signal or Off-state signal. CONSTITUTION:A switch device concerned comprises a body part 12 having a built-in sensor unit, not illustrated, a control unit 14 to be connected with the body part 12, a control module 16 to be slided and coupled with the detention part 38 of this control unit 14, and a connector part 18 to be connected with either of a terminal 37 in the control unit and a terminal 24 in the body part. The control module 16 is equipped with a control part, out of illustration, and a color LCD panel 46. These constituent elements are formed in such a way as capable of being mounted and dismantled as desired.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a detection element, such as a pressure sensor, for detecting the operation of an ejector or the like, the presence or absence of an object conveyed by a suction pad, or the suction confirmation of a conveyed object. The present invention relates to a switch device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, switching devices such as pressure switches, proximity switches, photoelectric switches, etc., have become multifunctional with not only simple signal ON / OFF output but also additional functions such as failure prediction function and analog output. There is a tendency. Along with this, the setting unit, the display unit, and the like in each switch device have become complicated due to the request for the above-mentioned multi-functionality, and have become larger than in the past.

Here, for example, a conventional pressure switch is shown in FIG.

The pressure switch 1 is provided with a display portion 3 for displaying the pressure on the upper surface of the body portion 2 which is substantially a rectangular parallelepiped, and a pressure setting formed by a minus screw in the vicinity of the display portion 3. A screw 4 and an operation indicator lamp 5 for indicating the operation status are arranged. By turning the pressure setting screw 4, a desired pressure value is set. In order to detect the pressure of the air introduced from the opened pressure air introduction port 6 and convert it into an electric signal in the body part 2, for example,
A semiconductor pressure sensor (not shown) is built in, and the conductor portion 7 is connected to the pressure air introduction port 6 to drive the semiconductor pressure sensor and send a detected signal to an external fluid device (not shown). Is provided on the opposite side. Below the body portion 2, a tubular member 8 having a pressure air introduction port 6 opened at the tip is integrally connected, and the outer periphery of the tubular member 8 is connected and fixed to another device. Is provided with a male screw portion 9 and communicates with a fluid passage through which pressurized air flows.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional technique, the setting unit including the display unit and the pressure setting screw is not always required for the function of the pressure switch, and the pressure switch is not required in advance. It is only used when setting, checking or adjusting the set pressure when troubles such as excessive pressure and overcurrent occur, or during maintenance and inspection.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to improve versatility by omitting such a functional waste, providing only essential components, and simplifying the configuration itself to reduce the size and weight. It is to provide a switching device expected to be operated.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a main body portion having a detection element for deriving a detection signal composed of an on-state signal or an off-state signal, and the above-mentioned detection portion. A control unit for controlling a signal detected by the element and a display unit for displaying a preset detection condition, and the setting unit configured to be detachable from the main body unit. ..

[0008]

In the switch device according to the present invention, the main body portion and the setting portion are detachable, so that the main body portion and the setting portion can be easily connected or disconnected. A connector unit for sending an output signal to another external device can be connected to the setting unit, and detection is performed using a detection element provided inside the main body unit, and an ON state signal or an OFF state signal is detected. One of the detection signals is output to a control unit (not shown). Next, the output signal is controlled by the control means, and when the detection condition preset by the setting portion and displayed by the display means is satisfied, it is led to another external device as an ON state signal through the connector portion. be able to.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A switch device according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, with reference to the preferred embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a first switching device according to the present invention.
2 is a perspective view of a vacuum pressure switch showing the embodiment of FIG.
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of FIG. 1.

The vacuum pressure switch 10 is basically composed of a main body portion 12, a control unit 14, a control module 16, and a connector portion 18, which are separately and independently formed.

More specifically, the main body 12 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has a detection element, for example, as a detection element for detecting the pressure of the fluid introduced from the vacuum connection port 20 therein.
A semiconductor pressure sensor (not shown) is built in. This semiconductor pressure sensor outputs a high-level on-state signal when the pressure of the introduced air exceeds a preset pressure value, and outputs a low-level off-state signal when the pressure is less than the set pressure. A so-called semiconductor pressure sensor having a binary output signal. The output signal is introduced to a terminal 24 provided on one end side of the upper surface of the main body 12 and having a plurality of pins 22 formed therein. The output signal introduced to the terminal 24 is led to an external device by connecting the connector section 18 described later. A mounting member 26 for connecting the control unit 14 to the main body portion 12 with one touch is provided on the other end side of the upper surface, and a circular trimmer and a rectangular operation display portion 28 are arranged between the both ends. .. The trimmer includes a pressure setting trimmer 30 and a hysteresis setting trimmer 32.
It is possible to increase or decrease the degree of vacuum to be set by rotating the screw from side to side through the negative groove portion at the center of the circle.

Here, the hysteresis in the hysteresis setting trimmer 32 is the pressure at which the pressure detected by the semiconductor pressure sensor reaches the set pressure and the output signal becomes an ON state signal.
It is the pressure difference from the pressure at which the output signal becomes an off-state signal after the pressure drops after reaching the set pressure.

The rectangular operation display section 28 has an LED,
An LCD, a color LCD, etc. are built in, and when the pressure detected by the semiconductor pressure sensor reaches a preset set pressure and the output signal becomes an ON state signal, it is lit and displayed. A vacuum connection port 2 for introducing a fluid to be detected is provided on a side surface orthogonal to one side surface having the terminals 24 and the like.
0 is provided, and two mounting holes 34, which are through holes reaching the opposite side surface, are arranged.

The control unit 14 has a terminal 37 having a plurality of pins 36 for connecting the connector portion 18 on its upper surface, an engaging portion 38 for connecting the control module 16, and a bottom portion. Protrusions 40 are provided which are inserted into and fixed to the mounting member 26 of the main body 12 at both ends. Control module 1
The engaging portion 38 for connecting 6 is formed in a convex shape that is orthogonal to both the vertical axis and the horizontal axis and is orthogonal to the vertical axis. Therefore, the control unit 14 can be operated from any direction of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. The groove portion 42 (see FIG. 3) of the control module 16 can be slid on the engaging portion 38 to connect the both. Further, on the surface where the control module 16 is joined to the engaging portion 38, control module terminals 44, which are formed in a plate shape and are for electrical connection, are provided on the respective orthogonal surfaces.

3 and 4 are perspective views showing the control modules 16 and 16a. FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which a substantially cubic body is formed, and FIG. 4 shows an embodiment in which a substantially triangular prism shape is formed. Here, since each component except the shape is the same, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals and described. The control module 16 having a substantially cubic shape is
The direction of the operation surface may change depending on the state of connection with the control unit 14, which may cause inconvenience such as difficulty in seeing the display unit, and it must be reattached as necessary (see FIG. 5). On the other hand, in the case of the control module 16a having a substantially triangular prism shape, although the vertical direction is reversed, the direction of the operation surface is substantially constant, so that the display unit is not difficult to see due to the coupling state with the control unit 14, Therefore, the work can be performed without considering the attachment state (see FIG. 6).

The control module 16 is provided with a control section in which a control circuit (not shown) is arranged on the printed board. On one side surface of the substantially cubic control module 16, a color LCD panel 4 functioning as a display unit for displaying preset detection conditions.
6, a setting button 48 having a substantially triangular shape, a mode selection button 50 having a substantially circular shape, and an illumination switch 52 are arranged. The color LCD panel 46 displays characters (for example, katakana, kanji, etc.) and can display not only pressure and the like, but also alarm, mode, setting mode, unit display (different unit conversion is also possible) and the like. Lighting switch 52
Are used to illuminate the color LCD panel 46. Further, on both side surfaces facing the control module 16, for example, a groove portion 54 having a stitch pattern is engraved as a non-slip treatment. Control module 1
When 6 is connected to the control unit 14, the rubber connector 56 arranged on one side surface of the control module 16 and the control module terminal 44 of the engaging portion 38 of the control unit 14 are slid so as to be in contact with each other. To do. In this way, by bringing the rubber connector 56 and the control module terminal 44 into contact with each other, the control module 16 and the control unit 14 can be electrically connected. The rubber connector 56 is configured by alternately stacking conductive and non-conductive elastic bodies in a sandwich shape, and further sandwiching the side surfaces from both sides with the non-conductive elastic bodies. The control module 16 and the control unit 14 are connected to each other and have a function as a setting unit.

A conductor portion 58 having a predetermined length is connected to the connector portion 18. Through this conductor portion 58, for example, an output signal can be introduced and controlled to a fluid device such as a sequencer (not shown). .. In addition, a plurality of pins 2 forming terminals 24 and 37 are formed on the bottom of the connector portion 18.
Holes (not shown) to be inserted into Nos. 2 and 36 are provided, and further, a rectangular operation display unit 60 in which an LED, an LCD, a color LCD and the like are incorporated is provided at a corner.
The connector portion 18 is the rubber connector 56 described above.
By using the main body 12 or the control unit 14
May be electrically connected to.

Next, the operation of the vacuum pressure switch 10 configured as described above will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 7, a fluid port (not shown) provided in the connection portion 64 of the ejector 62, which is a negative pressure generating device, and the vacuum connection port 20 of the main body 12 are hermetically connected. By attaching the main body 12 to the ejector 62, the fluid passage (not shown) inside the ejector 62 and the passage communicating with the semiconductor pressure sensor of the main body 12 are in communication with each other. Next, the engaging portion 3 of the control unit 14
The groove portion 42 of the control module 16 is aligned and inserted into the control module 8 and is slid from the vertical direction or the horizontal direction to be connected. At this time, the engaging portion 3 of the control unit 14
It is necessary to connect the control module terminal 44 of FIG. 8 and the rubber connector 56 of the side surface of the control module 16 so as to be in contact with each other.
Then, the connector portion 18 having the conductor portion 58 is inserted into the terminal 37 provided on the upper surface of the control unit 14.

In this way, with the control module 16 connected to the control unit 14 and the connector portion 18 connected to the terminal 37 of the control unit 14, the protrusion 40 provided on the bottom surface of the control unit 14 is provided in the main body. It inserts in the attachment member 26 of the part 12, and connects. An electromagnetic valve 66 for controlling a fluid passage in the ejector 62 is mounted on the upper portion of the ejector 62, which is a negative pressure generating device, and a mounting hole 61, a silencer 63, and a suction filter lid 65 are provided on the side surface portion. A connecting rail hole portion 69 is provided at the bottom for connecting a plurality of negative pressure generating devices to a manifold via the connecting rail 67.
Is defined. The connecting rail hole 69 is provided with a locking means 71 which is detachable from the connecting rail 67 by a pair of opposing springs. Further, a nozzle (not shown) is provided inside the ejector 62, and a pressure fluid is ejected from this nozzle to generate a pressure drop, which is sucked from a port (not shown).

At this time, as shown in FIG.
Control unit 14, control module 1
The vacuum pressure switch 10 in which 6 and the connector part 18 are connected in series and integrated may be directly attached to the ejector 62. Alternatively, the control unit 14 may be first connected to the main body 12 and then connected to the ejector 62, and finally the control module 16 may be connected to the control unit 14.

In the structure in which the vacuum pressure switch 10 is connected to the ejector 62 as described above, the setting button 48 arranged on the control module 16 is operated to check the numerical value displayed on the color LCD panel 46 and press the pressure. To set. This set pressure is a pressure at which the output signal of the semiconductor pressure sensor becomes an on-state signal, and when it falls below the set pressure value and falls within the range of the hysteresis, the output signal is output as an off-state signal. Such a so-called binary output signal in the on / off state is introduced to an external device such as a sequencer through the conductor 58.

Specifically, when a work such as an article or an electronic component is sucked and conveyed by a suction pad (not shown), whether or not the work is surely sucked to the suction pad is confirmed as follows. Done. That is, the pressure of the fluid introduced from the vacuum connection port 20 that communicates with the fluid passage of the ejector 62 that communicates with the suction port of the suction pad (not shown) is provided inside the main body portion 12. To detect. When the pressure of the introduced fluid reaches the set pressure displayed on the color LCD panel 46 in advance, the rectangular operation display section 28 of the connector section 18 lights up and the control module 16
An on-state signal is output from a control unit (not shown).
In this way, the output signal detected by the semiconductor pressure sensor is introduced as an output signal into the control circuit of the control section in the control module 16 through the terminal 24 of the main body section 12, and the control section preliminarily controls the color LCD panel 46. When the pressure becomes equal to or higher than the displayed set pressure value, the ON state signal is derived via the connector section 18. Further, when the pressure becomes lower than a predetermined value by the set pressure value, an off-state signal is derived. As described above, the on / off output signal can be received by the external device to which the conductor portion 58 of the connector portion 18 is connected, and the suction of the article or the like conveyed to the suction pad can be confirmed.

Therefore, after the detection pressure is set and the suction confirmation is completed, the setting unit including the control unit 14 and the control module 16 is provided on the main body 12 unless a special obstacle occurs in the conveyance of the suction pad article. It is not necessary to connect to and connect to the terminal 24 of the main body 12
The connector portion 18 having the conducting wire portion 58 can be directly connected and used (see FIG. 9).

When a plurality of ejectors 62 etc. are used as a manifold and a plurality of works are conveyed by a plurality of suction pads, a plurality of works need to be checked in order to confirm the presence or absence of the work on the suction pads. The main body 12 is provided with at least one setting unit including the control unit 14 and the control module 16, and the set pressures can be set in sequence for the plurality of main bodies 12. When a trouble occurs, the connector portion 18 is once pulled out from the terminal 24 of the main body portion 12 and then detached, and the setting portions of the control module 16 and the control unit 14 are connected to the main body portion 12 again to connect the vacuum pressure switch 10 The self-diagnosis and re-pressure setting can be performed to continue the use.

Next, a case where differential pressure measurement is performed in order to detect a clogging state of a filter or the like using the vacuum pressure switch 10 will be described (see FIG. 10).

In FIG. 10, reference numeral 68 indicates a suction pad, reference numeral 70 indicates a suction filter, reference numeral 72 indicates a double pipe, reference numeral 74 indicates a double pipe joint,
Reference numerals 76A, 76B, and 76C denote T-shaped pipe joints, and reference numeral 78 denotes a connector. The T-shaped pipe joint 76C is a joint that connects a double pipe 72, which will be described later, and pipe lines 84 and 86 that are single pipes. Also, the connector 7
8, a spring (not shown) is provided inside and sealed, and the suction pad 68 acts as a buffer when adsorbing a work, and a hexagonal screw is provided on the outside to be attached to another actuator. Instead of the vacuum pressure switch 10 used in FIG. 10, the ejector unit shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 can be used.

Therefore, first, the pipe 80 is connected to the suction pad 68 to which the connector 78 is connected.
Is a two-way conduit 82 connected to the T-shaped pipe joint 76A,
It is branched to 84. One of the conduits 82 is connected to the T-shaped pipe joint 76B via the suction filter 70, and is branched into conduits 86 and 88 again here. The other conduit 84
Is connected to a T-shaped pipe joint 76C, and the vacuum pressure switch 10 is connected to the T-shaped pipe joint 76C via a double pipe 72.
And a pipe line 86 branched from the T-shaped pipe joint 76B are connected. The double pipe 72 is composed of an inner pipe and an outer pipe which communicate with the pipe 84 and the pipe 86, respectively.

Under such a piping structure, a pipe line 88 is connected to a vacuum suction source (not shown), and a desired negative pressure is applied from a suction port (not shown) in the skirt portion 90 of the suction pad 68. Suction. The negative pressure at the suction port is detected by the vacuum pressure switch 10 through the pipes 80, 84 and the inner pipe of the double pipe 72. Also, the T-shaped pipe fitting 76
Suction filter 70 is branched from A and is passed through pipe 82.
The negative pressure passing through is detected by the vacuum pressure switch 10 through the conduit 86 and the outer pipe of the double pipe 72. As described above, the vacuum pressure switch 10 includes the suction filter 70.
The fluid before and after passing through can be introduced by the inner pipe and the outer pipe of the double pipe 72, and the pressure difference between the two can be measured. With this pressure difference, it is possible to detect the clogging state of the filter element (not shown) in the suction filter 70.

Next, FIGS. 11 to 15 illustrate a switch device according to another embodiment of the present invention. The same reference numerals as those in the above-mentioned embodiment indicate the same constituent elements, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

11 to 15 are examples of the vacuum pressure switch, and FIG. 11 shows the one-touch joint 96 connected to the vacuum connection port 94 provided on one side surface of the main body 93 of the vacuum pressure switch 92. Further, in FIG. 12, the protrusion 104 having the male screw portion 102 is coupled to the vacuum connection port 100 of the vacuum pressure switch 98. Furthermore, FIG.
In the vacuum pressure switch 106, a pipe joint 112 having a tapered edge portion 110 is connected to the vacuum connection port 108. FIG. 14 shows a photoelectric switch 114 (or an equivalent means of an optical sensor led out to the outside by an optical fiber), and a circular light-receiving / light-emitting portion 116 provided on one side surface of the main body 93 is illuminated. The output signal is derived by sensing the change in light. This photoelectric switch 114 has an advantage that it is not affected by magnetism. FIG. 15 shows the proximity switch 118, and a substantially rectangular sensor section 120 provided on one side surface of the main body section 93 derives an output signal by sensing a change in impedance.

The switch device according to the present invention can be used for various types of switches as described above.

Further, as shown in FIG. 16, two semiconductor resistance type or capacitance type sensor A124 and sensor B126 are combined inside the switch device 122 according to the present invention, and the sensor A124 and sensor B126 are used as a filter or a filter. A hydrophobic element (for example, a polytetrafluoroethylene film) is used to protect it from dust and water.

Therefore, a vacuum generating valve, a vacuum breaking valve, a vacuum on / off valve,
Vacuum generator exhaust on / off valve, work actuator controller is operated, and it is judged from the pressure state whether it is appropriate adsorption to the workpiece, non-adsorption, defective adsorption state, etc., and switches the signal related to the operation data. It is sent to the control unit 128 in the device 122 or the sequencer 130.

Further, the sensor A124 is the vacuum generator 13
In accordance with the pressure fluctuation of 2 (or the vacuum pump may be substituted), the value of the pass / fail judgment by the sensor B126 is changed so as to be changed in a timely and possible manner. For example, an automatic shift method is used in which the pressure of the adsorbed and non-adsorbed sensor B 126 is calculated and predicted from the pressure of the sensor A 124 so that the pass / fail is determined by a value of 50%.

[0037]

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

That is, since the main body portion, the setting portion and the adjusting portion are separately and independently configured, it is not necessary to connect the setting portion and the adjusting portion when the pneumatic equipment is operating normally. , The space can be reduced accordingly.

Further, in the case where maintenance or inspection is performed when an abnormality occurs in the pneumatic equipment to be used, the adjusting portion and the setting portion can be easily connected to the main body portion.

Further, by reducing the size and weight of such a switch device, the setting of the pneumatic circuit by the pneumatic device is simplified, and when the pneumatic circuit is constructed by using a large number of pneumatic devices, the pneumatic device is further improved. Generalization becomes possible.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum pressure switch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is an exploded view of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a control module.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a control module.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of connecting a control module to a control unit.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of connecting a control module to a control unit.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the vacuum pressure switch according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the vacuum pressure switch according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the vacuum pressure switch according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for performing differential pressure measurement using the vacuum pressure switch according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a vacuum pressure switch according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a vacuum pressure switch according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a vacuum pressure switch according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a photoelectric switch according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a proximity switch according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a circuit explanatory diagram according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a pressure switch in a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 92, 98, 106 ... Vacuum pressure switch 12, 93 ... Main body section 14 ... Control unit 16, 16a ... Control module 18 ... Connector section 26 ... Mounting member 38 ... Engaging section 42, 54 ... Groove section 46 ... Color LCD panel 48 ... Setting button 58 ... Conductor part 114 ... Photoelectric switch 118 ... Proximity switch

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location H01H 36/00 B 6969-5G

Claims (1)

Claim: What is claimed is: 1. A main body having a detection element for deriving a detection signal composed of an on-state signal or an off-state signal, and control means for controlling the signal detected by the detection element. And a setting unit that has a display unit for displaying a preset detection condition and is detachably attached to the main body unit.