JPH0873176A - Vacuum pad fastening device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a device for securing equipment arbitrarily changed in terms of an installation position, enabling a fastening device for holding the equipment to maintain an attraction force over a long time and ensuring even travel equipment to be used in stable state without falling. CONSTITUTION: This vacuum pad fastening device is equipped with a vacuum pad 12 both fitted to equipment changeable in installation position and attractable to a fixing plane, a communication tube 14 communicated with the pad 12 for the transmission of vacuum thereto, a vacuum pump 22 for generating vacuum and a power source 24a for driving the pump 22. In this case, a standby power source 24b is provided in such state as connected in parallel to the drive source 24a and selectable upon the failure of a main power source. Also, a reservoir tank 20 is provided for accumulating vacuum pressure in the tube 14.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vacuum pad fixing device, and a moving rail for moving an automatic device such as a welding device to a working position can be fixedly installed at an arbitrary position during a plant construction work or the like. The present invention relates to a vacuum pad fixing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Construction work of a nuclear power plant, a thermal power plant, a chemical plant, etc. is said to be a product fixing / device moving type, and the devices are frequently moved. For example, in order to move a mechanized / automated device for welding, fusing, grinding, etc., a rail for a track is generally installed on a fixed product, and the laying position of the rail is changed for each work location. .
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a recent example of combined automation of welding and grinding using a rail.

In FIG. 3, an aluminum rail 2 with a rack is laid on the upper surface of a product (workpiece) 1 so that work can be performed while moving the automatic welding device 3a and the automatic grinding device 3b on the rail 2. ing. The automatic device 3a,
3b runs on an aluminum rail 2 with a rack, with a rack and a pinion meshing with each other and using this as a drive transmission system.
Since the working locations of such automatic devices 3a and 3b are changed according to the progress of the work, it is necessary to change the laying position of the rail 2. Therefore, the total positions of the rails 2 on which the devices 3a and 3b and these are mounted are changed. The weight is about 60 kg, and in order to hold them stably, a plurality of fixing devices 4 using suction means are provided on the lower surface of the rail 2, and the suction force is used to fix the product (workpiece) 1 with one touch. ing.

When the product (work) 1 is a magnetic body as such a fixing device 4, a magnet fixing device utilizing magnetism is used to simplify the work of attaching and detaching the rail 2 and improving workability. It is well known. However, the magnet fixing device cannot be used for the non-magnetic product (workpiece) 1 because of the magnetism. In such a case, it is conceivable to use a vacuum pad fixing device using an adsorption method using atmospheric pressure as a means. In particular, the vacuum pad fixing device can be used regardless of whether the suction surface is magnetic or non-magnetic. In addition, it has been confirmed as a new fact that the attraction force of the vacuum pad is slightly superior to the magnet fixing device in the vertical axis direction and the horizontal axis direction based on the tensile test results. Therefore, the vacuum pad fixing device has such advantages, and it is expected that the application field will be expanded.

The conventional general vacuum pad fixing device 4 is
As shown in FIG. 4, a vacuum pad 5 adsorbed to a product (work) 1, a connecting pipe (hose) 6 of a thin tube for transmitting a vacuum pressure of several meters, a vacuum pump 7 for generating a vacuum pressure, and this vacuum. It is composed of a power supply 8 for driving the pump 7.

[0006]

However, in the vacuum pad fixing device thus constructed, the supply of the power source 8 is stopped due to an unexpected power failure, and the vacuum pressure generation from the vacuum pump 7 is also stopped. Then, the vacuum pressure of the vacuum pad 5 is affected by leakage of the suction surface or the like and gradually decreases in proportion to the volume and time in the vacuum system, and the suction force is lost.

When the connecting portion of the connecting pipe 6 is disconnected, the inside of the vacuum pad 5 instantly becomes atmospheric pressure, and the suction force is lost. When the suction force is lost in this way, there is a problem that the position of the fixing device fixed to the ceiling surface or the wall surface is displaced or deviated, and the rail 2 and the traveling devices 3a and 3b fall and become dangerous. Further, at the construction site, it is necessary to consider the stoppage of power supply due to the above-mentioned accidental power failure and the destruction of the vacuum system due to the disconnection of the connecting pipe connection. Therefore, the use of the vacuum pad fixing device 4 should be avoided. Becomes Of course, the fixing device 4 should be prepared for the fall of the suction part.
Means for safety measures for preventing fall, which are connected to each other with a string or the like, are well known. However, there is no one-touch method to prepare for the shift. For this reason, there is a problem that the number of setup steps for mounting and removing the rail 2 must be increased.

On the other hand, if there is no leakage on the suction surface and there is no leakage in the vacuum system, the degree of vacuum of the vacuum pad 5 will not decrease unless there is an influence of a temperature difference, etc. Permanently retains suction power. Therefore,
It is extremely important to predict the amount of leakage in advance. There is a vacuum pressure drop test as a means to know the presence or absence of this leakage. However, the conventional configuration has a drawback that it takes a lot of time because it is performed in all vacuum systems.

An object of the present invention is a device for fixing a device whose installation position is arbitrarily changed, wherein a fixing device for holding the device maintains a suction force for a long time and does not drop, so that a moving device can be used. Another object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum pad fixing device that can be used in a stable state.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, a vacuum pad fixing device according to the present invention is a vacuum pad which is attached to a device which moves its installation position and which can be adsorbed to a fixed surface. In a vacuum pad fixing device including a connecting pipe communicating with a suction pad for transmitting a vacuum pressure, a vacuum pump for generating a vacuum pressure, and a power source for driving the vacuum pump, the vacuum pad fixing device is connected in parallel with the vacuum pump driving power source. A standby power supply that can be switched when the main power supply is cut off is provided, and the connecting pipe is provided with a reservoir tank for storing vacuum pressure.

That is, according to the present invention, it was confirmed by experiments that the suction force of the fixing device depends on the vacuum pressure in the system of the vacuum pad fixing device, and that the depressurizing time of the vacuum pressure is proportional to the volume in the system. As a means for increasing the product, a reservoir tank is provided in the system, the decompression time in the vacuum pad is lengthened, and the suction force can be maintained for a long time.

The suction force of the fixing device is related to the amount of leakage of the vacuum pad fixing device, particularly the pad suction surface, and the amount of leakage is
It is related to items such as the material of the work, the shape distribution of mass, the roughness of the suction surface, and the amount of foreign matter present. It is practically difficult to estimate the leakage amount from the combination of these items and the regulation of the degree. For this reason, as a means of easily grasping the amount of leakage with a real product (work) in a short time,
A test valve for isolating the vacuum pad portion may be provided, and a vacuum pressure drop test may be performed.

Further, when the power supply is stopped due to a power failure or the like, the vacuum pump is stopped and it becomes difficult to maintain the vacuum pressure. Therefore, an alarm is provided as means for notifying the pump stop, and the vacuum pump is linked with the alarm. Can be configured so as to be able to be supplied with the power of another system connected in parallel with.

Further, use of a vacuum pad fixing device (exercise)
When the hose itself and the hose connection part are disconnected, the vacuum pressure of the vacuum pad instantly becomes atmospheric pressure.Therefore, as a means to suppress this atmospheric opening, a system near the vacuum pad is equipped with a pressure reducing check valve, and the vacuum pad The internal vacuum pressure may be maintained.

[0015]

According to the above-mentioned means, the fixing device of the present invention is attached to the rail and the moving installation equipment such as an automatic machine mounted on the rail, which is brought to the site and the installation position of the product (work). It can be fixed by a simple operation by operating the vacuum pump in the state of being placed. This allows the traveling device and the like to operate smoothly. In addition to such means, an alarm or the like can recognize a failure such as a power failure. By supplying the power of another system by this alarm, the work can be continuously performed without stopping the work of the traveling device. Then, the vacuum pump will not operate until the power is switched to another system, but by using the vacuum pressure stored in the reservoir tank, the vacuum pressure is maintained for a long time and the power is switched to another system. It is possible to maintain the transition time and the adsorption force. And, since the reservoir tank is used, the suction force is improved with the increase in the capacity, and the rail is prevented from being displaced reliably,
The safety and setup efficiency can be improved.

Also, by closing the test valve, the amount of leakage of the vacuum pad portion can be confirmed by a simple operation and in a short time. Even if the connecting pipe should be disconnected or the connection part should be disconnected, the check valve works and the vacuum pressure of the vacuum pad part can be maintained, and before the rail shifts and disconnection occurs,
It becomes possible to repair the defective part.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Specific embodiments of the vacuum pad fixing device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a vacuum pad fixing device according to the present invention. The vacuum pad fixing device 10 according to this embodiment guides the automatic welding device 3a and the automatic grinding device 3b as shown in FIG. 3, for example, a length of 2.5 m.
A plurality of rails 2 with racks can be attached. The rail 2 with rack is laid on the product (work) surface 1 by adding a required length, and determines the travel distance of the automatic devices 3a and 3b. The embodiment of FIG. 1 shows an example of the vacuum pad fixing device 10 attached to one position of the rail 2.

The vacuum pad 12 attached to the lower surface of the rail 2 is adapted to be attracted to the surface of the product (workpiece) 1 as the rail installation surface. Such a vacuum pad 12 has a connecting pipe (hose) 14 and the connecting pipe 1
A vacuum system is constituted by the test valve 16, the check valve 18, the reservoir tank 20, and the vacuum pump 22 which are interposed in the unit 4. The main power source 2 for driving the vacuum pump 22
4a and a standby power source 24b connected in parallel with the power source 4a are connected, and a driving power source is supplied from any of them to perform suction action through the connecting pipe 14.

First, the concrete structure of the vacuum pad 12 is shown in FIG.
Will be explained. As shown in the figure, the vacuum pad 12 is made of a rubber material, particularly a heat-resistant rubber material, and has a cup shape (for example, an outer diameter of about 100 mm). A pressure chamber 26 is provided, and the negative pressure chamber 26 faces the product 1. A plurality of concentric grooves 28 are provided on the suction surface around the negative pressure chamber 26, and an air passage 30 that communicates between each groove 28 and the negative pressure chamber 26 is formed. The air passage 30 is formed at a position opposite to each circular ridge 32 partitioning each groove 28 by 180 degrees, and the adjacent ridges 32 are set so that the directions thereof are alternately different by 90 degrees. Thereby, in the vacuum pad 12, when the negative pressure is introduced, the suction surface is a surface contact surface close to the line contact by the plurality of protrusions 32,
The vacuum pad main body 34 is provided with rigidity to control deformation with respect to vacuum pressure. An intake hole 36 communicating with the negative pressure chamber 26 is opened in the center of the upper surface of the vacuum pad 12, and is connected to a communication pipe 14 formed in the rail 2 to which the pad 12 is attached.

In the vacuum pad 12 constructed as described above, the plurality of concentric ridges 32 serve as the surface contact surfaces, so that the life of the vacuum pad 12 can be prolonged against damage and abrasion during use. Groove 2
8 and the rigidity of the pad main body 34 suppress deformation and improve the laying accuracy of the rail 11 and stability. Also,
The rubber material increases wear resistance and contributes to the improvement of the adsorption force against slippage. By making it more heat resistant,
Deterioration of sparks due to welding and fusing work and heat transfer from the product (work) 1 is prevented. In addition, by covering the surface of the vacuum pad 12 with a metal plate (not shown), a further effect is exhibited against sparks.

Next, a reservoir tank 20 is provided in the connecting pipe 14 which constitutes the vacuum system of the above apparatus. The reservoir tank 20 has a structure in which the vacuum pump 22 is stopped due to a power failure of the construction power source 25a, and even when a situation in which temporary vacuum pressure supply is difficult occurs, the reservoir tank 20
The vacuum pressure stored in can be supplied to the vacuum pad 12 until the vacuum pump 22 returns. The larger the capacity of the reservoir tank 20, the longer the vacuum pressure can be supplied, but on the other hand, the volume becomes large, which hinders carrying, and the capacity of the vacuum pump also increases, which increases the cost of the apparatus. There is. Therefore, the capacity of the vacuum reservoir tank 20 should be the same as that of the vacuum pump 2 in consideration of the result of the experiment.
It is desirable that the exhaust volume of 2 is about 450 l / min and the normal vacuum pressure is 50 cmHg and the specifications are about 15 l.

A test valve 16 is provided near the vacuum pad 12 in the connecting pipe 14. This is arranged in the path between the reservoir tank 20 and the vacuum pad 12, and the communication pipe 14 can be opened and closed. This test valve 16 is closed after the vacuum system reaches a normal (specified) vacuum pressure, so that the vacuum pad 12 having the most leaky environment and severe conditions is separated by the vacuum system, and a vacuum pressure drop test can be performed independently. (The pressure gauge is not shown). The test valve 16 is always used as "open" after the vacuum pressure drop test.

Such a test valve 16 shuts off the connecting pipe 14 during the vacuum pressure drop test, and as a result, when it is detected that the vacuum pad 12 is instantly reduced in vacuum level, The cause can be investigated and countermeasures can be taken. Generally, the main cause of vacuum pressure drop is the material of the product (work) 1,
Roughness of the suction surface and inclusion of foreign matter. Therefore, when the test valve 16 is used, when the product (work) 1 is a porous material such as a veneer plate or a concrete block, the coating for sealing the hole may be applied. When the surface roughness of the product (work) 1 is rough, silicon grease or a compact material is applied to the surface. Further, the rusted portion on the first surface of the product (workpiece) is removed by a grinder or the like, and the adhered foreign matter is removed by an ordinary means. In the operation of the vacuum pressure drop test, it is recommended to standardize the allowable vacuum pressure drop amount and perform it efficiently.

Next, in this embodiment, the vacuum pump 22 is used.
In addition to the main power supply 24a for construction, a backup power supply 2 of another system
4b is provided. When a power failure such as a wire break occurs in the construction power supply 24a being used, an alarm 38 attached to the vacuum pump 22 is activated, and at the same time, a backup power supply 24b of another system is used.
Is automatically supplied. A known means may be used for this switching control. Therefore, when the main power supply 24a is stopped and the vacuum pump 22 is in operation, the alarm 38
The standby power source 24b is switched in accordance with the operation of the above, but the vacuum pump 22 is in a stopped state during the switching elapsed time. However, in this embodiment, since the connecting tank 14 is provided with the reservoir tank 20, the reservoir tank 20 serves as a buffer before the vacuum degree of the vacuum pressure system is lowered, and the vacuum degree of the vacuum pad 12 is reduced. The decline can be prevented.

Further, a decompression check valve 18 is interposed between the reservoir tank 20 and the test valve 16 in the communication pipe 14, so that the vacuum pressure system can separate the vacuum pad 12 and the reservoir tank 20. It has a function. The check valve 18 can protect the system including the reservoir tank 20 and the communication pipe 14 on the side of the vacuum pump 22 for a short time so that the vacuum pressure of the vacuum pad 12 does not drop when a break occurs. it can. That is, the check valve 18 has a function of being opened when the pipeline on the pump 22 side has a lower pressure than the pipeline on the vacuum pad 12 side, and having a function of shutting off the pipeline in the opposite case.
The pump 22 and the reservoir tank 20 side can maintain the negative pressure of the vacuum pad 12.

An atmosphere opening valve 40 is provided in the communication pipe 14 between the test valve 16 and the vacuum pad 12 so that the vacuum pad 12 can be instantly removed from the product 1. The atmosphere release valve 40 can be opened by a simple "open" operation, and the rail can be easily disassembled and removed.
Therefore, the air release valve 40 may be attached to the position closest to the vacuum pad 12, or the pad body 3
It can be attached to 4.

In the above embodiment, the vacuum reservoir tank 20, the test valve 16 and the check valve 18 are independently constituted in the system, but the vacuum reservoir tank 2 is used.
0 and the vacuum pump 22 may be a unit. Further, the test valve 16, the check valve 18, the connecting pipe 14 and the vacuum pad 12 may be a unit. Although not shown in the figures, the compact unit has the effect of improving usability.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, it has been explained that the reservoir tank 20 is provided as a means for storing the vacuum pressure in the vacuum system, but as another means, the inner diameter of the connecting pipe 14 for transmitting the vacuum pressure is made thick. You may. But,
With this configuration, the size of the connecting pipe 14 becomes large, making it difficult to carry, and there is a drawback in that the procurement cost of the connecting pipe 14 that withstands vacuum pressure becomes high. Therefore, using the unitized reservoir tank 20 in the vacuum pump 22 which is relatively infrequently moved is effective especially at a construction site because it is easy to carry.

[0029]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, the vacuum pump can be driven by the power supply of another system in preparation for an accidental power failure of the power supply for construction, and then the vacuum pump is connected to the vacuum pad. Since the pipeline is equipped with a reservoir tank, the suction force of the vacuum pad can be maintained for a long time when switching to the standby power supply when the pump is stopped unexpectedly, improving safety and setup efficiency of rail laying. In addition, the work can be continuously performed without stopping the work, and the workability can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a vacuum pad fixing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a vacuum pad used in the fixing device of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of use of the fixing device.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a conventional vacuum pad fixing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 product 2 rail 10 vacuum pad fixing device 12 vacuum pad 14 connecting pipe 16 test valve 18 check valve 20 reservoir tank 22 vacuum pump 24a main power supply 24b backup power supply 26 negative pressure chamber 28 groove 30 ventilation passage 32 convex ridge 34 vacuum pad body 36 Intake hole 38 Alarm 40 Atmosphere release valve

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A vacuum pad which is attached to a device whose installation position is moved and which can be adsorbed on a fixed surface, a connecting pipe which communicates with the adsorption pad and transmits a vacuum pressure, and a vacuum pump which generates a vacuum pressure. In a vacuum pad fixing device having a power source for driving the vacuum pump, a reserve power source connected in parallel with the power source for driving the vacuum pump and switched when a main power source fails is provided, and a reservoir for storing vacuum pressure in the connecting pipe. Vacuum pad fixing device characterized by having a tank.