WO2010057507A1

WO2010057507A1 - Vacuum control device

Info

Publication number: WO2010057507A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/009904
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yvonne Krehl; Wolfgang Hanold; Thorsten Canz; Dietmar Wagner; Armin Seitz
Original assignee: Festo Ag & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2008-11-21
Filing date: 2008-11-21
Publication date: 2010-05-27
Also published as: CN102089528A; EP2300721B1; CN102089528B; KR20110089250A; KR101672560B1; EP2300721A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a vacuum control device having at least one base unit (13) for issuing a vacuum to a vacuum consumer, wherein the base unit (13) comprises a supply and working interface (20) for supply and working connection means and supply and working connection means (15, 16, 28a, 28b) for mounting thereon, an exhaust air interface (30) for an exhaust air removal unit (29, 31) and at least one exhaust air removal unit (29, 31) for mounting thereon, a blow-out control interface (40) for a blow-out control device (32, 33) and at least one blow-out control device (32, 33) for mounting thereon, and a communication interface (50) for communicating with an external electronic control device, the supply and working connection means comprising collective connection means (16) for mounting a plurality of base units (13) combined as an assembly and individual connection means (15) for mounting an individual base unit (13).

Description

FESTO AG & Co. KG, Ruiter Strasse 82, 73734 Esslingen

Vacuum controller

The invention relates to a vacuum control device, comprising at least one base unit for delivering a vacuum to a vacuum consumer, wherein the base unit has a supply and working interface for supply and Arbeitsanschlussmittel and supply and work connection means for mounting thereto, an exhaust port for a Abluftabführeinheit and at least one Abluftabführeinheit for Mounted thereon, an exhaust control interface for a purge controller and at least one purge controller for mounting thereto, and a communication interface for communicating with an external electronic controller.

A vacuum control device of this type is known, for example, from DE 10 2004 031 924 B4, in which case a plurality of base units, each containing an ejector, which are combined to form an assembly, are seated on a common distributor plate designated as a receiving device. The distributor plate has a single compressed air connection for connection to an external compressed air generator, whereby the compressed air is guided via an internal plate channel system to each of the base units, where a vacuum generation takes place by means of an integrated ejector. Each of the base units is associated with a suction port or vacuum port, which is also located on the distributor plate. There NEN suction lines that lead to a vacuum consumer or vacuum consumers are connected directly. At the base units, which form separate vacuum generator units with their respective ejectors, there are still mufflers, through which the compressed air supplied to the ejector reaches the environment in a silenced manner. The vacuum generator units is also associated with a control device which also sits on the distributor plate and controls the generation of vacuum in the individual vacuum generator units and the blow-out process for the purpose of throwing off an object sucked on the vacuum consumer. Finally, an electric distribution strip is provided for electrically contacting the vacuum generator units.

The object of the invention is to provide a vacuum control device of the type mentioned above, which has over the aforementioned vacuum control device increased functionality and variability.

This object is achieved by a vacuum control device having the features of independent claim 1. Further developments of the invention are presented in the subclaims.

The vacuum control device according to the invention is characterized in that the supply and work connection means have collecting connection means for mounting a plurality of base units and individual connection means, which are combined as an assembly, for mounting a single base unit.

It is thus possible, if necessary, to combine several basic units to form one module and to mount them to the group connection means. Alternatively, however, it is also possible to arrange the base units spatially separated from each other on a single connection means. This is for example makes sense if in some vacuum consumers, the space required is not sufficient to use a not insignificant size having assembly of several combined base units. Of course, it is also possible, in addition to an assembly of several combined base units in addition spatially separated from a plurality of individual, each mounted on individual connection means base units use. Depending on requirements and requirements, the vacuum control device can be assembled individually from various components of a modular system. It is therefore not determined on the use of collective connection means or of individual connection means, but it is possible to select selectively or even in a module single and common terminal means to combine, since the Va zukuumssteuerungseinrichtung both collecting and individual connection means belong.

In one development of the invention, the individual connection means are designed as a connection block with a supply and a working connection and / or as two individual line connection elements for connecting a supply line and a working line. The vacuum control device expediently includes both at least one connection block and at least two power connection elements. Here, too, it is then possible to select selectively, ie when using this single connection means, either to connect the base unit via a terminal block, or to use the two line connection elements. The variability is thus further increased here.

In a further development of the invention, the Sammelan- closing means are formed by a terminal block, which has a supply port, which opens into a port distribution channel system with each of the base units is coupled, and has a plurality of, each one of the base units associated working ports.

Preferably, the at least one base unit has an ejector for generating vacuum on board the vacuum control device. The ejector can for example be integrated as part of an ejector in a simple manner and quickly exchangeable in the housing of the base unit. He produce compressed air by means of a compressed air flow through the suction nozzle, which generates negative pressure according to the Venturi principle. The advantage of such ejectors is that they usually sit where the vacuum is needed. There are therefore no long vacuum channels required, which would have to be evacuated constantly, so that in the case of the use of ejectors, the negative pressure can be provided immediately.

Alternatively or additionally, however, it is possible that the at least one base unit is designed such that operation takes place without internal vacuum generation, wherein an external vacuum generator, for example in the form of a vacuum pump, can be connected to the supply connection. The possibility of providing at least one ejector and / or an external vacuum generation, the variability of the vacuum control device is further increased. Thus, for example, an embodiment is conceivable in which a plurality of base units are combined to form an assembly and are mounted on collecting connection means, the base units each having ejectors, so that vacuum generation takes place independently of the other base units in each base unit. Alternatively, it would also be conceivable to use collective connection means and a plurality of base units combined to form a module, but to connect them to an external vacuum generator, wherein each of the base units still has a control valve for switching on and off of the vacuum can be assigned.

In a further development of the invention, the at least one Abluftabführeinheit is designed as a muffler.

Alternatively or additionally, it is possible for at least one exhaust air removal unit to be designed as an exhaust air connection for an exhaust air line. So it can be provided so-called exhausted air. It is conceivable, for example, to form at least one of the base units with a silencer and at least one of the base units with ducted exhaust air in the case of a plurality of base units combined to form a module. Expediently, the vacuum control device has both at least one silencer and at least one exhaust air connection, so that it is also possible to selectively combine it here.

Preferably, the at least one Ausblassteuergerät is designed as a blow-off, which is switchable between a suction operation of the vacuum control device associated first switching position and a blow-out associated, 2o compressed air to the associated working port passing second switching position.

Alternatively or additionally, it is possible that at least one Ausblassteuergerät is designed as a blow-out with associated Ausblaskammerventil, the Ausblaskammer

25 can be filled in suction by pending compressed air, which is available in the blow-out by switching the Ausblaskammerventils from a first to a second position on the working port as Ausblasimpuls available. It is also possible to use the blow-out chamber in conjunction with an external

3o vacuum generator, whereby a further pressure air supply connection can be provided, via which the discharge chamber can be filled in the suction operation with compressed air. In the blow-out mode, a blow-out pulse can then be made available again at the working connection by opening the blow-off chamber valve.

It is possible to change the volume of the blow-out chamber, i. if necessary, to enlarge or reduce. This can be done, for example, by arranging the blow-out chamber in a working cylinder with a piston which is displaceably mounted therein.

It is expedient that the vacuum control device has both at least one blow-off valve and at least one blow-out chamber, so that a targeted selection or combination is possible, whereby the variability of the vacuum control device is further increased.

In a particularly preferred manner, the Ausblaskammerventil is designed as a shuttle valve, which is switched by the vacuum generated in the Ausblaskammer closing first switching position and upon removal of the vacuum by the pressure prevailing in the Ausblaskammer in the second switching position.

It is possible for the puffing chamber to be located in a blow-off container separate from the base unit and mountable to the base unit at the blow-off interface.

In a further development of the invention, in the case of the presence of a plurality of base units combined as an assembly, there is provided an all-base unit, in particular the spanning, strip-like or plate-like contacting unit, which is connected to a first contact. tierungsflache arranged connection contacts is connected directly to the base units and on which the communication interface is formed on a second contacting surface. Expediently, an internal control electronics is respectively located in the base units 5 or, in the case of an assembly, an electronic control unit activating several base units is provided. The contacting unit minimizes the number of data lines which have to be fed to the vacuum control device, since it now suffices for an external electronic device

Control device to introduce a single data line to the communication interface and not to connect each of the base units via a separate data line with the external electronic control device.

The contacting unit expediently has a display / evaluation device for displaying different operating states of the vacuum control device or optionally manual value input.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the communication interface is designed as a link and / or bus interface.

In a particularly preferred manner, an IO-Link interface is provided as the link interface.

Preferred embodiments of the vacuum control device according to the invention are shown in the drawing and 25 will be explained in more detail below. In the drawing show:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic, morphological illustration of the vacuum control device according to the invention with the various interfaces and the selection of the components which can be attached to these interfaces, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the vacuum control device according to the invention,

FIG. 3 shows a perspective illustration of a second exemplary embodiment of the vacuum control device according to the invention,

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a third exemplary embodiment of the vacuum control device according to the invention,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the vacuum control device according to the invention and

6 shows a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the vacuum control device according to the invention.

The designated in its entirety by reference numeral 11 vacuum control device is used in particular the purpose of temporarily holding objects by means of negative pressure, so that they can be repositioned between different locations. It is used, for example, in assembly technology or in the packaging industry. FIG. 1 illustrates by way of example a plate-shaped product 12 as an object.

The vacuum control device contains at least one base unit 13 for delivering a vacuum to a vacuum consumer, for example a suction gripper 14.

The base unit 13 has a supply and working interface 15 for supply and work connection means in the form of individual connection means 15 and group connection means 16, the latter also belonging to the vacuum control device 11.

The collective connection means 16 are formed by at least one connection strip, which has an upper mounting surface 17, which is compatible with the supply and operating interface 20 on the base unit 13. Here, several base units 13 can be combined to form an assembly and mounted on the upper mounting surface 17 of the connection strip. The terminal block further has a supply terminal 19, which opens into a terminal distribution channel system 21, which is coupled to each of the base units 13, and a plurality of, in each case one of the base units 13 associated working ports 22 has. The connection bar is also shown explicitly once again in FIG.

As mentioned, in addition to the collecting connection means 16, the vacuum control device also has individual connection means 15, which may be present in two variants. The individual connection means can be configured as a terminal block, which, like the terminal block, has an upper mounting surface 26 for mounting a single base unit 13. Furthermore, a supply connection 19 and a working connection 22 are still located on the connection block 25. Another embodiment of the individual connection means is in the form of two individual line connection elements for connecting a supply line and a working line. The line connection elements may be, for example, fittings or screwed connections which can be docked to corresponding bores in the housing 27 of the base unit, for example screwed on. The individual connection means in the form of the connection block 25 and in the form of the two line connection Elements 28a, 28b are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Expediently, the vacuum control device 11 thus has at least one connection strip, at least one connection block and at least two line connection elements, so that selectively selected from the abovementioned connection means at the supply and operating interface 20 or, in the case of an assembly comprising a plurality of base units, also different connection means are combined in succession can.

The vacuum control device 11 also has an ejector 23, which is part of an ejector cartridge. As shown in FIG. 4 in particular, the ejector cartridge can be integrated interchangeably into the base unit by way of an example of a horizontally aligned ejector housing 24 in the housing 27 of the associated base unit 13. The ejector 23 has at least one venturi nozzle (not shown), whose inlet is connected to an external source of compressed air via an air supply duct and the supply connection 19, which is now designed as a compressed air supply connection.

Alternatively or in addition to vacuum generation by means of an ejector on board, it is possible to use an external vacuum generator, for example in the form of a vacuum pump. Depending on requirements, a suction line leading to the external vacuum generator can be connected to the supply connection 19 of the connection block and / or the connection strip and / or one of the line connection elements 28a.

The vacuum control device 11 also has at least one exhaust air discharge unit in the form of a silencer, which can be attached to the exhaust air interface 30. As shown in particular in FIG. 2, the silencer 29 is preferably located. terweise at the output of the ejector and protrudes from the housing 27 of a respective base unit 13. Expediently, in addition to the at least one silencer, the vacuum control device 11 has at least one exhaust air removal unit in the form of an exhaust air connection 31, to which an exhaust air line can be connected. The exhaust air can therefore be removed as so-called exhaust air.

The vacuum controller 11 further has at least one purge control device in the form of a purge valve 32 attachable to the purge control interface 40. Expediently, the purge valve 31 has a 2/2 -Wege- functionality and locks in the suction operation of the vacuum control device 11 from the air in the case of the use of ejectors 23 from an external compressed air source via the supply port supplied compressed air via a corresponding channel branching within the housing 27th the base unit 13 is present. By switching the blow-off valve 32 in the open position, the blow-out is initiated, whereby the upcoming compressed air is provided at the Arbeitsan- connection 22 as a blow-out pulse, resulting in the ejection of the sucked on the associated vacuum consumer object. In the case of an external vacuum generator, compressed air is made available via a further compressed air connection, that is not via the supply connection 19, since the external vacuum generator is connected here.

This then passes through in the housing 27 of the unit 13 formed channels to the purge valve 32. It is also still a throttle 42 is provided for adjusting the height of the Ausblasimpulses.

Alternatively or in addition to the blow-off valve 32, at least one blow-out control device in the form of a blow-out chamber 33 can be provided, which in turn is provided with an associated blow-out chamber. can be equipped. The blow-out chamber can be filled in the suction operation by pending compressed air, which is provided in the blow-out by switching the blow-off chamber valve from a first to a second position at the 5 working port as a blow-out. In the combination of external vacuum generation and blow-out chamber 33, the blow-out chamber 33 is filled in the suction operation via the above-mentioned further compressed-air connection, so that here too a blow-out pulse lo is available at the working connection in the blow-out mode.

The blow-off chamber valve is expediently designed as a shuttle valve 34 that can be switched into the second switching position by the vacuum generated in the first blow-off chamber closing the blow-off chamber 33 and when the vacuum is removed by the pressure prevailing in the blow-off chamber 33, in which then the blow-out chamber can emit stored air.

The vacuum control device 11 further has a control valve 35, which in the case of the use of ejectors 23 in the

2o The course of the air supply duct between the supply connection and the inlet of the ejector nozzle is switched on. The control valve 35 suitably has a 2/2 -way functionality. As a result, it can optionally block the passage of air through the air supply channel or release it.

25, thereby selectively switching off or on the air supply to the inlet of the ejector 23. The Ej ector gate 23 also has a suction side or suction port, which is connected via a suction channel to the working port 22, what then vacuum for the connected vacuum consumer, such as suction pad 14, is provided. In the course of this suction channel, a check valve may be turned on. It is then used when the vacuum control device 11 is equipped with an air-saving function. The check valve is oriented so that it allows air flow from the vacuum consumer, so for example, suction pad towards the ejector 23, but prevented in the opposite direction.

The vacuum control device 11 further has a pressure detection device, which allows detection of the pressure prevailing in the suction channel and consequently also the negative pressure prevailing therein. The pressure detection device is, in particular, a pressure sensor 36 which converts the pneumatic pressure into electrical pressure signals and feeds them to the control valve 35 via an internal electronic control device (not shown) called control electronics or alternatively external control device.

The control electronics thus provide the actuation signals for the control valve 35 and expediently also for the blow-off valve 32.

The vacuum control device 11 further has a communication interface 50 for communicating with the external control device and expediently also for supplying voltage to the associated base unit 13. If internal control electronics are provided, the communication interface 50 also serves to supply it with power.

The communication interface 50 may have at least one, in particular 4- or 5-pin plug connection, which is designed for example as a 5-pin M12 plug connection. It consists of a plug and a plug-in receptacle. In this case, the connection cable is designed as a 4- or 5-pole cable. Alternatively, the communication interface can also be designed as a link or bus interface. In particular, a link interface in the form of an IO-Link interface can be provided. In this case, the connection cable formed between the external electronic control device and the communication interface can also be designed as a bus line or contain bus lines. For example, two bus lines can simultaneously serve as voltage supply lines, wherein the control signals and optionally feedback and diagnostic signals are then modulated.

In the case of the presence of a plurality of base units 13 which are combined as an assembly, it is possible to provide a plate-like contacting unit 37 which is associated with all the base units 13 and which is connected directly to the base units via a first contacting area 38 on a second contacting surface 39, the communication interface 50 is formed. It is expedient to use a contacting unit 37 which, as shown in FIG. 2, covers the upper side of the base units 13, which are combined to form an assembly, in a hat-like manner. The communication interface can then be provided, for example, on the side surface of this contacting unit 37, while a display and evaluation unit 41 for displaying various operating states can be formed on the upper side. The display and evaluation unit 41 may further comprise, for example, for manual adjustment or programming of the internal control electronics, a display and, for example, formed as a keyboard input means. Of course, such input or programming can also be handled by the external electronic ereinrichtung off. Furthermore, the display device may also have differently colored LED's 43 or other lighting means, with which a certain operating state is displayed. The internal control electronics can also be accommodated in the contacting unit 37.

FIGS. 2 to 6 now show various embodiments of the vacuum control device 11 according to the invention, in each of which a specific combination of components is selectively attached to the corresponding interfaces.

For example, Figure 2 shows the use of a terminal block on which a plurality of combined into a module base units 13 are mounted. The base units each have an ejector 23 which is supplied with compressed air via an external compressed air source and the compressed air supply connection 19 arranged in the connection strip. Each of the base units 13 is associated with a separate working port 22, is provided at the negative pressure for a downstream vacuum consumer, such as suction pad 14, available. A muffler 29 is seated at the exhaust air interface 30 of the respective base units 13. Also attached to the purge control interface 40 is a purge valve 32 which controls the purging operation. The communication interface 50 is formed on a hat-type contacting unit 37. Furthermore, several differently colored LED's 43 are provided here at the top of this contacting 37, which serve to display the operating state and / or switching state of the control and blow-out.

FIG. 3 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the vacuum control device 11, in which a single base unit 13 is mounted on a connection block 25. Again, An ejector 23 is therefore inserted, so that compressed air passes via the supply connection of the connection block 25 to the ejector 23. At the working port 22 can then vacuum for the vacuum consumers, such as suction pad 14, are tapped. At the exhaust air interface 30 is in turn a

Silencer 29 arranged. At the purge control interface 40, a purge valve 32 is provided. At the communication interface 50 are plug connections for connecting a power supply line and a data line.

The illustrated in Figure 4 third embodiment of the vacuum control device 11 according to the invention differs from the second embodiment in that instead of the terminal block 25, two individual LeitungsanSchlusselemente 28a, 28b are used in the form of push-in fittings.

In the illustrated in Figure 5 fourth embodiment of the vacuum control device 11 according to the invention a contacting unit is provided which has a display and evaluation unit 41 in the form of an LCD display and input means in the form of keys. As a result, a manual input of values, a so-called "teaching", is possible.

The fifth exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 6 differs from the previously described fourth exemplary embodiment in that the display and evaluation unit 41 has only LEDs.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, the vacuum control device has various interfaces which, depending on requirements, can be equipped with different interface components, so that completely different, tailored to the individual requirements. right cut vacuum control devices 11 can be realized.

Claims

claims

A vacuum control device comprising at least one base unit (13) for delivering a vacuum to a vacuum consumer, the base unit (13) having a supply and operating interface (20) for supply and working

5 closing means and supply and work connection means (15, 16, 28a, 28b) for mounting thereto, an exhaust air interface (30) for an exhaust air discharge unit (29, 31) and at least one exhaust air discharge unit (29, 31) for mounting thereto, an exhaust control interface (40 ) for a purge control device (32, 33) and at least one purge control device (32, 33) for mounting thereto and a communication interface (50) for communicating with an external control device, characterized in that the supply and operating port means are common port means (16) for i5 assembly of a plurality of assembly summarized base units (13) and single connection means (15) for mounting a single base unit (13).

2. Vacuum control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the individual connection means (15) as connection

20 block with a supply and a working port (19, 22) and / or as two individual line connection elements (28a, 28b) are formed for connecting a supply line and a working line.

3. Vacuum control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the collecting connection means (16) are formed by a terminal block which has a supply connection

(19) terminating in a port distribution channel system (21) 5 coupled to each of the base units (13) and having a plurality of working ports (22) each associated with one of the base units (13).

4. Vacuum control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one base loo unit (13) has an ejector (23) for generating vacuum on board the vacuum control device.

5. Vacuum control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one base unit (13) is designed such that operation without i5 internal vacuum generation is possible, to the supply port (19) an external vacuum generator, for example in the form of a vacuum pump, is connectable.

6. Vacuum control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one exhaust air

20 discharge unit is designed as a muffler (29).

7. Vacuum control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one exhaust air removal unit is designed as an exhaust port (31) for an exhaust air line.

25 8. Vacuum control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one Ausblassteuergerät is formed as a blow-off valve (32) which between a suction of the vacuum control device (11) associated with the first switching position and a blasbetrieb associated, compressed air to the associated working port (22) passing the second switching position is switchable.

9. Vacuum control device according to one of the preceding claims 5, characterized in that at least one Ausblassteuergerät is formed as Ausblaskammer (33) with associated Ausblaskammerventil, wherein the Ausblaskammer (33) can be filled in suction by pending compressed air, in the Ausblasbetrieb by switching the Ausblaskammerven- tils from a first to a second position on the working port (22) as Ausblasimpuls available is adjustable.

10. A vacuum control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the Ausblaskammerventil is designed as a shuttle valve (34) by the i5-generated vacuums in the Ausblaskammer (33) closing the first switching position and the removal of the vacuum by in the Outlet chamber (33) prevailing pressure is switched to the second switching position.

11. Vacuum control device according to one of the preceding

20 claims, characterized in that in the case of the presence of a plurality of base units summarized as an assembly (13) associated with all, in particular this spanning strip-like or plate-like contacting unit (37) is provided, which over on a

25 first contact surface arranged connection contacts is directly connected to the base units (13) and on which at a second contacting surface (39) the communication interface (50) is formed.

12. Vacuum control device according to claim 11, characterized in that the contacting unit (37) displays having evaluation and evaluation unit for displaying various operating states and / or switching states.

13. Vacuum control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the communication interface parts is designed as a link or bus interface.

14. Vacuum control device according to claim 13, characterized in that an IO-Link interface is provided as the link interface.

15. A vacuum control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one base unit has a control valve (35) for controlling the vacuum to be taken off at the work connection.