JPS6284987A - Vacuum sucker - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a vacuum suction device that constitutes a part of a workpiece handling device.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, a so-called vacuum suction device applies a certain load to the surface of a workpiece with a suction pad, sucks and exhausts the air between the workpiece and the suction bat, and creates a vacuum or negative pressure state to suction the workpiece. For example, JP-A-55-
There is one described in Publication No. 37210.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a main part of the vacuum suction device.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an adsorbent, in which a ring-shaped groove 3 opening facing the lower surface is provided in a substrate 10 formed in an inverted 'F shape.
It communicates with the pore 2 that opens on the top surface. A head cover 5 is removably fixed to the upper surface of the substrate 10, and a pipe 4 is provided on the head cover 5 so that one side is in contact with the pores 2 and the other side is in contact with exhaust means such as a vacuum pump (not shown). Reference numeral 6 denotes a base plate, which engages with the substrate 10 via a spring 7 so as to be vertically movable. 8 is a suction pad.

It is fixed to the lower surface of the substrate 10, and a plurality of holes 11 are provided in a portion facing the ring-shaped groove 3.

When the suction body 1 configured as described above is assembled into a handling device (not shown) and moved onto the workpiece 9 indicated by the 1 yen line, and the substrate 10 of the suction body 1 is brought into close contact with the workpiece 9, the base plate 6 is moved under its own weight. By.

The substrate IO and suction pad 8 of the suction body I are pressed against the repulsive force of the spring 7. In this state, operate the vacuum pump and open the hole 11. Ring-shaped groove 3. When the air present in the pores 2 and the pipe 4 is sucked and discharged, these spaces become vacuum or negative pressure.

The workpiece 9 is attracted to the suction pad 8.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

The above-mentioned conventional vacuum suction device has no particular problem when suctioning flat workpieces, but when suctioning multiple workpieces or workpieces with non-flat suction surfaces, the shape and size of the suction part, There is a problem in that due to the difference in alignment, a suction port is not closed, and air leaks from the suction port, resulting in a decrease in suction force.

To prevent this, (11) Improving suction capacity with a powerful vacuum pump (2) Masking suction ports that do not close (3) Attaching suction pads that match the shape of the workpiece (4) Separating each suction port independently using sensors and solenoid valves There is a control mechanism in which only the closed suction port acts as a suction mechanism.

However, method (1) requires a new powerful vacuum pump in addition to the existing vacuum pump, and method (2) adds masking work and complicates the process. In addition, in method (3), the shape and size of the suction part of the workpiece,
It is necessary to change the setup to replace the suction band every time the alignment state changes, and the method (4) has the problem that the entire device becomes large, expensive, and complicated to control.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems existing in conventional devices and to provide a vacuum suction device that can always reliably suction a workpiece without being affected by the shape of the workpiece.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a vacuum suction device in which a plurality of suction ports and their corresponding suction ports are communicated with each other through communication passages, and these communication passages are connected to exhaust means. A hollow suction plate made of an elastic material is provided on the suction surface so as to surround each suction port, a valve chamber is provided in the communication passage, and a valve seat is provided on the suction port side of the valve chamber. A valve body formed in a spherical shape is movably provided on the suction port side of the valve body.

[Effect]

With the above configuration, when the suction port is not closed by a workpiece, the valve body is sucked up and closes the suction port, thereby preventing a decrease in suction ability. Further, when the suction port is closed by a workpiece, the five valve bodies are in a free state, and the suction port maintains its suction ability. Furthermore, since each suction port is provided with an independent suction pad/nod, it is completely unaffected by the shape of the workpiece or the pressing state of other suction pads.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view of a main part showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a back view of FIG. 1. 1 in both figures
Reference numeral 2 denotes a substrate, in which a plurality of valve chambers 13 are bored, for example, in a staggered manner. Next, 14 is an intermediate plate.

A suction port 15 is provided on the substrate 12 at a position corresponding to the valve chamber 13.
to be drilled. Reference numeral 16 denotes a suction plate, which is formed into a hollow ring shape from an elastic material such as sponge.

It is fixed to the lower surface of the intermediate plate 14 so as to surround the suction port 15 formed in the intermediate plate 14. Next, 17 is the upper plate,
Drilling a hole 18 in the base plate 12 at a position corresponding to the valve chamber 13,
Fit the valve seat member 19. The valve seat member I9 is provided with a suction port 20 at its center, and is also provided with a valve seat 21 having a conical opening with its lower end facing into the valve chamber 13. Therefore, valve chamber 13
A valve body 22 formed in a spherical shape is movably enclosed within the valve body, and a manifold 23 is fixed to the upper part of the upper plate 17.
It is connected to exhaust means (not shown) such as a vacuum pump through the hole 24 . Manifold 23. A sealing member (not shown) such as a rubber plate is interposed between the upper plate 17, the substrate 12, and the intermediate plate 14 as necessary, and they are firmly secured by fastening means (not shown) such as bolts. Fix and integrate.

With the above configuration, when the suction plate 16 is brought into contact with the suction surface of the workpiece, the suction plate 16 made of a single elastic material absorbs the unevenness of the workpiece suction surface, and the workpiece suction surface and the suction plate 16 are in complete contact with each other. . Here, when an evacuation action is generated by an evacuation means (not shown) such as a vacuum pump, the valve chamber 13. The air in the suction port 20 and the hole 24 is discharged, and the valve body 22 becomes free (slightly floating) and attracts the workpiece via the suction plate 16. Next, if there is no workpiece under the suction plate 16, or if the workpiece is not completely engaged with the suction plate 16, that is, if the suction port 15 is not closed, the valve body 22 is moved by the exhaust action of the vacuum pump. is valve chamber 1
The suction n20 is suctioned and fixed on the valve seat 21 provided facing the n20, and the suction n20 is closed and sealed. Therefore, so-called air leakage is prevented and the overall suction ability is maintained. Therefore, suction plate 1
Since the numerals 6 are arranged in a matrix as shown in FIG. 2, the suction action can be applied to the suction portions of workpieces of various shapes, sizes, and alignment states.

In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the suction plate is made of sponge, which absorbs the unevenness of the workpiece suction surface.

Rubber or other elastic materials can be used as long as they have a tight sealing effect, and the dimensions and shape can be freely selected. In addition, the valve chamber and suction L provided on the substrate and intermediate plate
] The dimensions, shape and arrangement of.

jx can be determined as appropriate depending on the size, shape, etc. of the workpiece to be sucked. Furthermore, polyamide resin (
For example, →-iron, etc.) is good in terms of wear resistance and other aspects, but it goes without saying that other materials may be used without any problem. Although an example has been shown in which the valve seat is formed of a conical surface protruding into the valve chamber, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and in short, the valve body can be brought into close contact with the valve seat.

Any material may be used as long as it exhibits a sealing effect when brought into close contact.

〔Effect of the invention〕

Since the present invention has the structure and operation as described above,
The following effects can be achieved.

(11) It is not necessary to use a powerful vacuum pump; 9) a normal vacuum pump can obtain the suction power for the workpiece.

(2) There is no need to mask the suction port that will not be closed with tape, sheets, etc.

(3) It is not affected by the shape, dimensions, etc. of the suction part of the workpiece, and can be suctioned even if the workpiece is not aligned.
Furthermore, there is no need to replace suction pads depending on the workpiece.

(4) There is no need to specifically add a solenoid valve, and it is sufficient to use one for 0N10FF in the piping system communicating with the vacuum pump.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view of a main part showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the back side of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a main part showing a conventional vacuum suction device. 13: valve chamber, 15: suction port, 16: suction plate, 20: suction port, 21: valve seat, 22: valve body. Patent Applicant Hitachi Metals Co., Ltd. Agent Patent Attorney Mori FB Hiroba j Figure ¥'-2121 Figure 3

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) In a vacuum suction device in which a plurality of suction ports and their corresponding suction ports are communicated with each other through communication passages, and these communication passages are connected to exhaust means, the suction surface of the workpiece is covered with an elastic material. A hollow suction plate is provided to surround each of the suction ports, a valve chamber is provided in the communication passage, a valve seat is provided on the suction port side of the valve chamber, and a valve seat is provided on the suction port side of the valve chamber. A vacuum suction device characterized by having a spherical valve body that is freely movable. (2) The vacuum suction device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic material is a sponge. (3) Claim 1 in which the valve body is made of polyamide resin
The vacuum suction device according to item 1 or 2.