Cylinder, top end cover and rod end cover

Abstract

A cylinder (10) having a flow controller (26, 26A) built in, a top end cover (14) and a rod end cover (16), a pilot air adjustment section (40, 40A) of a switching valve (28, 28A) that guides exhaust air as pilot air to the flow controller (26, 26A), and the switching valve (28, 28A) is switched by the increase in the pressure of the pilot air.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a cylinder, a top side end cover and a rod side end cover. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a shock relieving mechanism is used to relieve the impact at the stroke end by installing a cushioning material such as rubber or polyurethane or an oil damper at the end of the cylinder. However, the shock relieving mechanism that mechanically relieves the impact of the cylinder has a limited number of operations and requires regular maintenance.

[0003] In order to eliminate such incompatibility, Japanese Patent No. 5578502 discloses a speed controller (flow rate controller) that reduces the operating speed of the cylinder by throttling the exhaust gas from the cylinder near the end of the stroke.

[0004] Conventional flow controllers gradually exhaust pilot air through a throttle valve, and switch the switching valve to exhaust throttling when the pilot pressure falls below a specified value. However, it has been found that when the pressure acting on the throttle valve falls below a specified pressure, the flow of pilot air through the throttle valve may decrease sharply, thereby making the timing of the switching action unstable.

[0005] In addition, the conventional flow controller is an external part connected to the port of the cylinder, the number of parts of the drive device of the cylinder increases and the device structure of the drive device becomes complicated. In addition, a space for installing the flow controller outside the cylinder is required. Summary of the invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a cylinder, a top-side end cover, and a rod-side end cover that can stabilize the timing of switching operations and simplify the device structure of a drive device.

[0007] One viewpoint of the present invention is that a cylinder comprises: a cylinder barrel having a cylinder chamber formed therein; a top end cover, the top end cover closing one end of the cylinder barrel; a rod side end cover, the rod side end cover closing the other end of the cylinder barrel; a piston, the piston sliding in the cylinder chamber; a piston rod, one end of the piston rod being connected to the piston; a port, the port being respectively arranged on the top end cover and the rod side end cover; and a flow controller, the flow controller being built into at least one of the top end cover and the rod side end cover, the flow controller comprising: a main flow path, the main flow path being connected to the port; a secondary flow path, the secondary flow path being arranged in parallel with the main flow path and having a first throttle valve, the first throttle valve throttling the flow rate of air The pilot air regulating unit is a unit that regulates the flow of the pilot air from the cylinder flow path to a flow rate smaller than that of the main flow path; a cylinder flow path that is connected to the cylinder chamber; a switching valve that is connected to the main flow path, the secondary flow path and the cylinder flow path, and is switched to a first position that connects the cylinder flow path to the main flow path and a second position that connects the cylinder flow path to the secondary flow path; and a pilot air regulating unit that guides a portion of the exhaust air of the cylinder flow path as pilot air to the switching valve, the pilot air regulating unit having a second throttle valve that limits the inflow speed of the pilot air into the switching valve, and the switching valve is switched from the first position to the second position by the increase in the pressure of the pilot air.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is that the top end cover of the cylinder in the above aspect is a top end cover in which the above flow controller is built-in.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, the rod side cover of the air cylinder according to the above aspect is a rod side cover in which the above-mentioned flow controller is built.

[0010] According to the cylinder, the top-side end cover, and the rod-side end cover of the above-described viewpoint, the timing of the switching operation can be stabilized, and the device structure of the drive device can be simplified. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1A 1 is a perspective view of the rod end cover side of the cylinder according to the embodiment. Figure 1B yes Figure 1A A three-dimensional view of the top end cover side of the cylinder.

[0012] Figure 2 yes Figure 1A Fluid circuit diagram of the cylinder and its driving device.

[0013] Figure 3A Yes means Figure 1A A top view of the configuration of the first throttle valve, the second throttle valve, the third throttle valve and the port of the top end cover, Figure 3B It is along Figure 3ACross-sectional view along line IIIB-IIIB.

[0014] Figure 4A It is along Figure 3A A cross-sectional view of the IVA-IVA line, Figure 4B It is along Figure 3A A cross-sectional view of IVB-IVB.

[0015] Figure 5A Yes means Figure 4A An explanatory diagram of the flow of exhaust air in the cross section of Figure 5B Yes means Figure 4B A cross-sectional view of the flow of exhaust air in a cross-section.

[0016] Fig. 6A Yes means Figure 4A An explanatory diagram of the flow of exhaust air in the cross section of Figure 6B Yes means Figure 4B An explanatory diagram of the flow of exhaust air after passing through the first throttle valve of the secondary flow path in the cross section of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be listed and described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0018] (First Embodiment)

[0019] like Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown, the cylinder 10 is a double-acting cylinder used in an automatic equipment line or the like. The cylinder 10 includes a cylindrical cylinder tube 12, a top end cover 14 that closes the top end of the cylinder tube 12, and a rod side end cover 16 that closes the rod side end of the cylinder tube 12. The cylinder tube 12, the top end cover 14, and the rod side end cover 16 are connected in the axial direction by a plurality of connecting rods 22 and connecting bolts 24. A top side port 14a is formed in the top end cover 14, and a rod side port 16a is formed in the rod side end cover 16. The piston rod 20 protrudes and extends from the rod side end cover 16.

[0020] like Figure 2 As shown, a piston 18 sliding in a cylinder chamber 12c and a piston rod 20 connected to the piston 18 are provided inside the cylinder tube 12. A flow controller 26 on the top side is connected to the top side pressure chamber 12a on the top side of the piston 18, and a flow controller 26A on the rod side is connected to the rod side pressure chamber 12b on the rod side. The flow controller 26 on the top side is built into the top side end cover 14, and the top side port 14a is connected to the top side pressure chamber 12a via the flow controller 26. In addition, the flow controller 26A on the rod side is built into the rod side end cover 16, and the rod side port 16a is connected to the rod side pressure chamber 12b via the flow controller 26A.

[0021] The flow controller 26 on the top side includes a main flow path 30 communicating with the top side port 14a, a secondary flow path 32 provided in parallel with the main flow path 30, a cylinder flow path 33 communicating with the top side pressure chamber 12a, and a detour flow path 34 connecting the main flow path 30 and the cylinder flow path 33. A first throttle valve 38 for variably limiting the flow rate of exhaust air and an exhaust port 39 for exhausting the exhaust air after passing through the first throttle valve 38 are provided in the secondary flow path 32. A third throttle valve 44 for variably limiting the flow rate of exhaust air is provided in the main flow path 30. The first throttle valve 38 and the third throttle valve 44 limit the movement speed of the piston 18 by limiting the flow rate of exhaust air. The first throttle valve 38 is configured to throttle the flow rate of exhaust air more strongly than the third throttle valve 44.

[0022] A switching valve 28 is provided between the main flow path 30 and the auxiliary flow path 32 and the cylinder flow path 22. The switching valve 28 is a three-way valve actuated by the pilot air, and is connected to the main flow path 30, the auxiliary flow path 32, and the cylinder flow path 33. The switching valve 28 connects the cylinder flow path 33 to the main flow path 30 in the first position shown in the figure, and connects the cylinder flow path 33 to the auxiliary flow path 32 by switching to the second position. The switching valve 28 is urged toward the first position by the elastic force of the return spring 28a, and is switched to the second position when the pressure of the pilot air increases.

[0023] The bypass flow path 34 is connected to the main flow path 30 near the top port 14a at one end and to the cylinder flow path 33 at the other end, bypassing the third throttle valve 44 and the switching valve 28 to connect the main flow path 30 and the cylinder flow path 33. The bypass flow path 34 is provided with a shuttle valve 42 having a first inlet 42a, a second inlet 42b, and an outlet 42c. The first portion 34a of the bypass flow path 34 is connected to the first inlet 42a of the shuttle valve 42, the pilot air flow path 36 is connected to the second inlet 42b, and the second portion 34b of the bypass flow path 34 is connected to the outlet 42c. The first portion 34a of the bypass flow path 34 is a portion communicating with the main flow path 30, and the second portion 34b is a portion communicating with the cylinder flow path 33. The pilot air flow path 36 is connected to the switching valve 28 via the pilot air adjustment unit 40.

[0024] When the pressure of the main flow path 30 is higher than the pressure of the cylinder flow path 33, the shuttle valve 42 closes the second inlet 42b and communicates the first inlet 42a with the outlet 42c, and opens the bypass flow path 34 to guide the high-pressure air of the main flow path 30 to the cylinder flow path 33. In addition, when the pressure of the cylinder flow path 33 is higher than the pressure of the main flow path 30, the shuttle valve 42 closes the first inlet 42a and communicates the second inlet 42b with the outlet 42c, and guides the exhaust air of the cylinder flow path 33 to the switching valve 28 as the pilot air.

[0025] The pilot air adjustment unit 40 is provided in the pilot air flow path 36, and includes a second throttle valve 40a and a check valve 40b connected in parallel with the second throttle valve 40a. The downstream sides of the second throttle valve 40a and the check valve 40b are connected to the piston portion 54 side of the switching valve 28 described later. The second throttle valve 40a supplies pilot air to the switching valve 28 at a predetermined flow rate, and displaces the switching valve 28 to the second position at a predetermined timing. The check valve 40b is connected in a direction in which the pilot air flows from the switching valve 28 toward the shuttle valve 42, and when the switching valve 28 is reset to the first position, the pilot air of the switching valve 28 is quickly discharged.

[0026] The flow controller 26 built into the top side of the top side end cover 14 has the above circuit structure. In addition, since the rod side flow controller 26A built into the rod side end cover 16 has substantially the same circuit structure as the top side flow controller 26, the same reference symbols are given to the same structures as the top side flow controller 26, and their detailed description is omitted. However, the reference symbols of the switching valve 28, the main flow path 30, the secondary flow path 32, the cylinder flow path 33, the bypass flow path 34, the pilot air adjustment unit 40, and the shuttle valve 42 of the rod side flow controller 26 are respectively marked with A to distinguish them.

[0027] Next, the drive device 76 for driving the air cylinder 10 will be described. The air cylinder 10 is driven by the drive device 76 connected to the top side port 14a and the rod side port 16a. The drive device 76 includes an action switching valve 80, a high-pressure air supply source 86 for supplying high-pressure air, and an exhaust port 88 for discharging the exhaust air discharged from the air cylinder 10. The action switching valve 80 is a five-port valve for electrically switching the connection object of the high-pressure air, and includes a first port 81 to a fifth port 85. The first port 81 is connected to the top side port 14a via the piping 78, and the second port 82 is connected to the rod side port 16a via the piping 78A. The third port 83 and the fifth port 85 are connected to the exhaust port 88, and the fourth port 84 is connected to the high-pressure air supply source 86.

[0028] The action switching valve 80 Figure 2 The first position shown connects the first port 81 to the fourth port 84 and connects the second port 82 to the fifth port 85. Thus, the operation switching valve 80 connects the high-pressure air supply source 86 to the top port 14a and connects the rod port 16a to the exhaust port 88, thereby performing the working stroke.

[0029] In addition, the action switching valve 80 communicates the first port 81 with the third port 83 in the second position, and communicates the second port 82 with the fourth port 84. In this way, the action switching valve 80 connects the rod side port 16a with the high-pressure air supply source 86 and connects the top side port 14a with the exhaust port 88, thereby performing the reset stroke.

[0030] The circuit structure of the air cylinder 10 and its driving device 76 is configured as described above. Hereinafter, the specific structure of the top side cover 14 and the rod side cover 16 in which the flow controller 26 is built will be described.

[0031] like Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown in FIG. 1 , the top end cover 14 has a box-shaped main body 45 whose end face 45a perpendicular to the axial direction is formed into a rectangular shape. The top port 14a and a plurality of valve holes 45g are provided on the upper surface 45b of the main body 45. The first throttle valve 38 (exhaust port 39), the pilot air adjustment portion 40, the shuttle valve 42, and the third throttle valve 44 are provided in these valve holes 45g. The four corners of the end face 45a of the main body 45 are formed with connection holes 22a for attaching the connection rod 22 and the connection bolt 24.

[0032] like Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown, the switching valve setting hole 46 for forming the switching valve 28 opens at the first side surface 45c and the second side surface 45d of the main body 45. The switching valve setting hole 46 is arranged at a portion closer to the upper surface 45b than the center of the main body 45, as shown in FIG. Figure 4B As shown, the switching valve installation hole 46 is formed to penetrate from the first side surface 45c side to the second side surface 45d side.

[0033] like Figure 3A and Figure 3B As shown in FIG. 1 , the main flow path 30 is formed extending from the top port 14a toward the switching valve setting hole 46, and a third throttle valve 44 is provided in the middle of the main flow path 30. The first throttle valve 38 and the exhaust port 39 constitute an exhaust throttle valve in which these components are integrated, and are provided above the switching valve setting hole 46. Figure 3B As shown, the secondary flow path 32 is formed to extend upward from the upper portion of the switching valve installation hole 46 toward the first throttle valve 38 and the exhaust port 39 .

[0034] like Figure 3A As shown, one end of the first portion 34a of the bypass flow path 34 opens at the top port 14a, and the other end extends toward the first side surface 45c and communicates with the shuttle valve 42. In addition, the second portion 34b of the bypass flow path 34 extends from the shuttle valve 42 toward the cylinder tube 12 and communicates with the top pressure chamber 12a.

[0035] like Figure 4AAs shown in FIG. 1 , the valve hole 45g in which the shuttle valve 42 is provided includes a flow path component housing portion 70 extending downward with a constant inner diameter and an inclined portion 72 formed at the lower end of the flow path component housing portion 70. The inclined portion 72 is inclined in a manner of decreasing in diameter downward, and a first inlet 42a in which the first portion 34a of the bypass flow path 34 opens is formed at the lower end of the inclined portion 72. At the side portion of the flow path component housing portion 70, the second portion 34b of the bypass flow path 34 opens as an outlet 42c, and the pilot air flow path 36 opens as a second inlet 42b. The second inlet 42b is provided above the outlet 42c.

[0036] The shuttle valve 42 includes a flow path component 43 and a valve core 74 inserted into the flow path component housing portion 70. The flow path component 43 is a cylindrical component formed with a smaller diameter than the flow path component housing portion 70, and has a branch flow path 43a inside. The upper end of the branch flow path 43a is closed by a steel ball 43d, and the lower end of the branch flow path 43a opens in the flow path component housing portion 70 near the outlet 42c. A vent hole 43e that penetrates in the radial direction is formed near the second inlet 42b of the branch flow path 43a, and the branch flow path 43a and the second inlet 42b are connected via the vent hole 43e. The upper end of the flow path component 43 is formed with an outer diameter that is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the flow path component housing portion 70, and is closely attached to the flow path component housing portion 70 to fix the flow path component 43 in the flow path component housing portion 70. In addition, a partition 43b is provided on the outer side of the flow path member 43 and between the second inlet 42b and the outlet 42c. The partition 43b protrudes radially outward and is in close contact with the flow path member housing 70. A sealing member such as an O-ring is provided on the partition 43b, and the second inlet 42b and the outlet 42c are airtightly partitioned on the outer side of the flow path member 43.

[0037] The valve core 74 is composed of an elastic component, and is a roughly conical plate-shaped component that protrudes downward, and has a roughly V-shaped cross-section. The outer diameter of the valve core 74 is formed to be smaller than the inner diameter of the flow path component housing portion 70, and is arranged inside the flow path component housing portion 70 in a manner that can be displaced in the up and down directions. The lower side of the valve core 74 is composed of an inclined surface that can be in contact with and closely attached to the inclined portion 72. In addition, a conical protrusion 75 is formed in the central portion of the upper end of the valve core 74. The protrusion 75 is inserted into the branch flow path 43a when the valve core 74 is displaced upward to airtightly close the branch flow path 43a.

[0038] exist Figure 4A The lower side of the valve core 74 is in close contact with the inclined portion 72, thereby hermetically closing the first inlet 42a and the outlet 42c, and connecting the second inlet 42b and the outlet 42c. When the pressure on the first inlet 42a side is higher than the pressure on the outlet 42c side, the valve core 74 Figure 5AIn this state, the valve element 74 closes the branch flow path 43a to prevent the communication between the second inlet 42b and the outlet 42c, and connects the first inlet 42a and the outlet 42c. That is, the valve element 74 connects the first part 34a and the second part 34b of the bypass flow path 34.

[0039] like Figure 4A As shown in FIG. 1 , the pilot air adjustment unit 40 is disposed adjacent to the first side surface 45c of the shuttle valve 42. The pilot air adjustment unit 40 is configured as a throttle valve with a check valve in which a second throttle valve 40a and a check valve 40b are integrated. The pilot air flow path 36 is formed between the shuttle valve 42 and the pilot air adjustment unit 40 and between the pilot air adjustment unit 40 and the switching valve installation hole 46.

[0040] like Figure 4B As shown, the end of the pilot air flow path 36 opens at the switching valve setting hole 46 near the first cover 48a. Figure 3A As shown, one end of the cylinder flow path 33 is located between the main flow path 30 and the secondary flow path 32 (see Figure 4B ) is located between the switching valve and the opening of the hole 46. Figure 3B As shown, the cylinder flow path 33 extends from the switching valve installation hole 46 toward the cylinder tube 12, and the other end of the cylinder flow path 33 opens in the top side pressure chamber 12a.

[0041] like Figure 4B As shown in FIG. 1 , the switching valve 28 is configured as a slide valve, which includes a cylindrical spool guide member 52 provided in the switching valve setting hole 46 and a spool 50 that slides inside the spool guide member 52. The switching valve setting hole 46 is formed as a through hole formed with a substantially constant diameter, and the end of the switching valve setting hole 46 on the first side 45c side is closed by a first cover 48a, and the end of the second side 45d side is closed by a second cover 48b. The covers 48a and 48b are fixed to the switching valve setting hole 46 by a fixing clip 49. The spool guide member 52 is provided in the switching valve setting hole 46 between the covers 48a and 48b.

[0042] The spool guide member 52 has an outer peripheral portion 52a that is in close contact with the switching valve installation hole 46 and an inner peripheral portion 52b through which the spool 50 is inserted. The spool guide member 52 is formed with first to third communication grooves 53a to 53c that are cut into the outer peripheral portion 52a and the inner peripheral portion 52b in a groove shape in the circumferential direction. The first communication groove 53a is formed on the second side surface 45d side and communicates with the main flow path 30. The second communication groove 53b is formed on the first side surface 45c side and communicates with the secondary flow path 32, and the third communication groove 53c is formed between the first communication groove 53a and the second communication groove 53b and communicates with the cylinder flow path 33. Vents 53a1, 53b1, and 53c1 are respectively provided at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction of the first to third communication grooves 53a to 53c, and the outer peripheral portion 52a side is communicated with the inner peripheral portion 52b side.

[0043] The spool 50 includes a piston portion 54 accommodated between the spool guide member 52 and the first cover 48a, and a spool portion 56 inserted into the inner peripheral portion 52b of the spool guide member 52. The piston portion 54 has a larger diameter than the spool portion 56, and a gasket 66 is attached to the outer periphery of the piston portion 54. The piston portion 54 divides the space between the spool guide member 52 and the first cover 48a into an empty chamber 46a on the first cover 48a side and an empty chamber 46b on the spool guide member 52 side. The empty chamber 46a is communicated with the pilot air flow path 36. In addition, the empty chamber 46b is communicated with the exhaust hole 69. In addition, a return spring 28a is arranged in the empty chamber 46b to urge the piston portion 54 toward the first cover 48a side.

[0044] The spool portion 56 is formed integrally with the piston portion 54 and extends toward the spool guide member 52. The spool portion 56 includes guide end portions 56a and 56b formed at both ends in the axial direction. The guide end portions 56a and 56b are formed to have an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the inner peripheral portion 52b of the spool guide member 52, and guide the axial movement of the spool 50. In addition, gaskets 68 are provided at the guide end portions 56a and 56b, respectively, to prevent leakage of air in the axial direction. A first closing wall 62 and a second closing wall 64 are provided between the guide end portions 56a and 56b.

[0045] The first closing wall 62 is formed to have an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner peripheral portion 52b of the spool guide member 52, and a gasket 68 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the first closing wall 62. Figure 4B The illustrated first position is located between the second communication groove 53 b and the third communication groove 53 c and is formed at a position where the communication between them is blocked.

[0046] The second closing wall 64 is formed to have the same outer diameter as the first closing wall 62, and a gasket 68 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the second closing wall 64. Figure 6BThe second position shown is located between the first communication groove 53a and the third communication groove 53c and is formed at a position where the communication between them is blocked.

[0047] In addition, recessed portions 58a, 58b, and 58c are formed in the spool portion 56 in a groove-like cutout shape over the entire circumference. The recessed portion 58a is formed between the guide end portion 56a and the second closed wall 64, the recessed portion 58b is formed between the first closed wall 62 and the second closed wall 64, and the recessed portion 58c is formed between the first closed wall 62 and the guide end portion 56b. The recessed portions 58a, 58b, and 58c form an air flow path with a large cross-sectional area between the spool portion 56 and the spool guide member 52, thereby facilitating the passage of high-pressure air or exhaust air.

[0048] The top end cover 14 is constructed as described above. Figure 1A As shown, since the rod side end cover 16 has substantially the same structure as the top side end cover 14 except for the insertion hole 47 for the piston rod 20 to be inserted, the same reference numerals are given to the same structures as the top side end cover 14 and their detailed description is omitted. However, the reference numerals for the main flow path 30, the secondary flow path 32, the cylinder flow path 33, the bypass flow path 34, the switching valve 28, the pilot air adjustment unit 40 and the shuttle valve 42 of the flow controller 26A on the rod side are respectively marked with A for distinguishing them.

[0049] The air cylinder 10 of the present embodiment is configured as described above, and the function and operation of the air cylinder 10 will be described below.

[0050] like Figure 5A As shown in FIG. 1 , during the working stroke, high-pressure air is introduced from the top port 14a. The high-pressure air is introduced into the main flow path 30 and the bypass flow path 34. The valve core 74 of the shuttle valve 42 is displaced upward by the high-pressure air to connect the first inlet 42a with the outlet 42c, and to connect the first part 34a with the second part 34b of the bypass flow path 34. As a result, the high-pressure air flows into the top pressure chamber 12a (see FIG. 1 ) through the bypass flow path 34. Figure 3B ).

[0051] In addition, the high-pressure air introduced into the main flow path 30 flows through the third throttle valve 44 (see Figure 3B ) and flows into the first communicating groove 53a of the spool guide member 52. The spool 50 of the switching valve 28 is in Figure 5B In the first position shown in FIG. 1 , the high-pressure air flowing from the main flow path 30 into the switching valve 28 flows through the recess 58a into the third communicating groove 53c, and flows through the cylinder flow path 33 into the top side pressure chamber 12a (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 3BThus, during the working stroke, the high-pressure air is introduced into the top end cover 14 via the main flow path 30 and the bypass flow path 34. Since the bypass flow path 34 bypasses the third throttle valve 44, the high-pressure air is introduced into the top pressure chamber 12a in a free-flow manner (refer to Figure 3B ).

[0052] On the other hand, Figure 2 As shown, in the rod side end cover 16, during the working stroke, the exhaust air discharged from the rod side pressure chamber 12b flows into the cylinder flow path 33A and the second portion 34b of the bypass flow path 34A. Figure 4A As shown in FIG. 1 , the exhaust air flowing into the shuttle valve 42A from the second portion 34b causes the valve core 74 to be displaced downward. As a result, the first portion 34a and the second portion 34b of the bypass flow path 34A are blocked. In addition, a portion of the exhaust air flows into the pilot air adjustment portion 40A through the second inlet 42b of the shuttle valve 42A and the pilot air flow path 36. Then, the exhaust air throttled to a predetermined flow rate in the pilot air adjustment portion 40A flows into the empty chamber 46a adjacent to the piston portion 54 as pilot air.

[0053] Since the spool 50 of the switch valve 28A on the rod side is in the first position due to the force of the return spring 28a, the exhaust air after flowing into the switch valve 28A from the cylinder flow path 33 flows into the main flow path 30A via the third connecting groove 53c, the recessed portion 58a and the first connecting groove 53a. The flow rate through the third throttle valve 44 of the main flow path 30A is limited and discharged from the rod side port 16a. In this way, the flow controller 26A constitutes a speed controller of metering output that limits the movement speed of the piston 18 by the exhaust air from the cylinder 10.

[0054] like Fig. 6A As shown in FIG. 1 , the pilot air flows through the rod end cover 16, and the pressure of the pilot air in the empty chamber 46a gradually increases with the movement of the piston 18. Then, when the pressure of the pilot air exceeds a predetermined value, as shown in FIG. Figure 6B As shown, the piston portion 54 overcomes the elastic force of the return spring 28a and displaces to the second position. When the slide column 50 is displaced to the second position, the communication between the first connecting groove 53a and the third connecting groove 53c is blocked, and the third connecting groove 53c is connected to the second connecting groove 53b. That is, the cylinder flow path 33A is connected to the secondary flow path 32A, and the exhaust air flows into the secondary flow path 32A through the recess 58c, and is restricted by the first throttle valve 38 and discharged from the exhaust port 39. Since the exhaust air is further throttled by the first throttle valve 38, the movement speed of the piston 18 is decelerated. By appropriately adjusting the throttling amount of the pilot air adjustment unit 40, the slide column 50 is switched from the first position to the second position near the end of the stroke of the piston 18, so that the impact of the piston 18 at the end of the stroke is alleviated.

[0055] Then, when the piston 18 stops, the inflow of exhaust air stops, and the pilot air of the switching valve 28A is exhausted through the check valve 40b of the pilot air adjustment portion 40A. Then, the spool 50 of the switching valve 28A is returned to the first position by the elastic force of the return spring 28a.

[0056] Through the above, the action of the working stroke of the cylinder 10 is completed. By switching the action switching valve 80 from the first position to the second position, the reset stroke begins. In the reset stroke, the exhaust air flows into the flow controller 26 on the top side, and the high-pressure air is introduced through the flow controller 26A on the rod side. Since the action of the cylinder 10 in the reset stroke is substantially the same as the action of the working stroke described above, only the flow controller 26 on the top side and the flow controller 26A on the rod side are used in place, so the description thereof is omitted.

[0057] The cylinder 10 , the top-side end cover 14 , and the rod-side end cover 16 of the present embodiment provide the following effects.

[0058] The cylinder 10 of the present embodiment comprises: a cylinder barrel 12, in which a cylinder chamber 12c is formed; a top end cover 14, in which one end of the cylinder barrel 12 is closed; a rod end cover 16, in which the other end of the cylinder barrel 12 is closed; a piston 18, in which the piston 18 slides; a piston rod 20, in which one end of the piston rod 20 is connected to the piston 18; ports 14a, 16a, in which the ports 14a, 16a are respectively provided on the top end cover 14 and the rod end cover 16; and a flow controller 26, in which the flow controller 26 is built into at least one of the top end cover 14 and the rod end cover 16, and the flow controller 26 comprises: a main flow path 30, in communication with the ports 14a, 16a; a secondary flow path 32, in which the secondary flow path 32 is provided in parallel with the main flow path 30 and has a first throttling Valve 38, the first throttle valve 38 throttles the flow rate of air to a flow rate smaller than that of the main flow path 30; the cylinder flow path 33, the cylinder flow path 33 is connected to the cylinder chamber 12c; the switching valve 28, the switching valve 28 is connected to the main flow path 30, the secondary flow path 32 and the cylinder flow path 33, and is switched to a first position that connects the cylinder flow path 33 with the main flow path 30 and a second position that connects the cylinder flow path 33 with the secondary flow path 32; and a pilot air adjustment unit 40, the pilot air adjustment unit 40 guides a portion of the exhaust air of the cylinder flow path 33 as pilot air to the switching valve 28, the pilot air adjustment unit 40 has a second throttle valve 40a, the second throttle valve 40a limits the inflow speed of the pilot air flowing into the switching valve 28, and the switching valve 28 is switched from the first position to the second position by the increase in the pressure of the pilot air.

[0059] In the flow controller 26 of the present embodiment, a part of the exhaust air is used as the pilot air. The pilot air regulator 40 functions as a speed controller that limits the metered input of the pilot air flowing into the switching valve 28. Since sufficient pressure always acts on the second throttle valve 40a of the pilot air regulator 40 along with the movement of the piston 18, it is possible to prevent the reduction of the pilot air passing through the second throttle valve 40a, thereby stabilizing the operation timing of the switching valve 28.

[0060] In the above-mentioned cylinder 10, it is also possible to configure that the flow controller 26 further includes: a bypass flow path 34 that bypasses the switching valve 28 to connect the ports 14a and 16a to the cylinder chamber 12c; and a shuttle valve 42 that has a first inlet 42a, a second inlet 42b, and an outlet 42c, wherein the first inlet 42a is connected to a first portion 34a of the bypass flow path 34 that is connected to the ports 14a and 16a, and the outlet 42c is connected to a bypass flow path 34 that is connected to the ports 14a and 16a. The second portion 34b of the flow path 34 that communicates with the cylinder chamber 12c is connected to the pilot air adjustment unit 40 at the second inlet 42b. When the pressure of the ports 14a and 16a is higher than the pressure of the cylinder chamber 12c, the shuttle valve 42 closes the second inlet 42b and communicates the first inlet 42a with the outlet 42c. When the pressure of the cylinder chamber 12c is higher than the pressure of the ports 14a and 16a, the shuttle valve 42 closes the first inlet 42a and communicates the second inlet 42b with the outlet 42c. With such a structure, the bypass flow path 34 functions as an exhaust flow path that guides the exhaust air to the pilot air adjustment unit 40, and is also an introduction flow path for high-pressure air. As a result, the switching operation of the flow controller 26 can be stabilized, and the operation speed of the cylinder 10 can be improved.

[0061] In the above-mentioned cylinder 10, the switching valve 28 may include: a switching valve setting hole 46 formed in the main body 45 of the top end cover 14 or the rod end cover 16; a spool guide member 52 disposed along the inner peripheral surface of the switching valve setting hole 46; a spool 50 inserted through the inner peripheral portion 52b of the spool guide member 52; and a return spring 28a disposed inside the switching valve setting hole 46 and urging the spool 50 toward the first position, the spool 50 including: a spool portion 56 sliding on the inner peripheral portion 52b of the spool guide member 52 to switch the connection object of the flow path; and a piston portion 54 urged toward the second position by the pressure of the pilot air. With such a structure, the flow controller 26 including the switching valve 28 can be compactly built inside the main body 45 of the top end cover 14 or the rod end cover 16.

[0062] In the above-mentioned cylinder 10, the main flow path 30 may include the third throttle valve 44, and the detour flow path 34 may connect the ports 14a and 16a and the cylinder chamber 12c by bypassing the switching valve 28 and the third throttle valve 44. When configured in this way, since the high-pressure air flows into the cylinder chamber 12c through the detour flow path 34 bypassing the third throttle valve 44, the operation speed of the cylinder 10 can be increased.

[0063] In the above-described cylinder 10, the switching valve installation hole 46 may be formed to extend in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylinder tube 12. Thereby, the axial dimension of the cylinder tube 12 of the cylinder 10 can be reduced in size.

[0064] The top end cover 14 of the present embodiment is the top end cover 14 of the cylinder 10 covering the end of the top side of the cylinder tube 12, and comprises: a port 14a; a main flow path 30, which is connected to the port 14a; a secondary flow path 32, which is arranged in parallel with the main flow path 30 and has a first throttle valve 38, which throttles the flow rate of air to a flow rate smaller than that of the main flow path 30; a cylinder flow path 33, which is connected to the cylinder chamber 12c; a switching valve 28, which is connected to the main flow path 30, the secondary flow path 32 and the cylinder chamber 12c; The cylinder flow path 33 is connected and switched to a first position in which the cylinder flow path 33 is connected to the main flow path 30 and a second position in which the cylinder flow path 33 is connected to the secondary flow path 32; and a pilot air adjustment unit 40, which guides the exhaust air of the cylinder chamber 12c as pilot air to the switching valve 28, and the pilot air adjustment unit 40 has a second throttle valve 40a, which limits the inflow speed of the pilot air to the switching valve 28, and the switching valve 28 is switched from the first position to the second position by increasing the pressure of the pilot air.

[0065] According to the top end cover 14 described above, the timing of the switching operation of the switching valve 28 can be stabilized, and the device structure of the driving device 76 of the air cylinder 10 can be simplified.

[0066] The rod side end cover 16 of the present embodiment is a rod side end cover 16 of the cylinder 10 that covers the end of the rod side of the cylinder tube 12, and includes: an insertion hole 47, the insertion hole 47 for the piston rod 20 to be inserted; a port 16a; a main flow path 30A, the main flow path 30A is connected to the port 16a; a secondary flow path 32A, the secondary flow path 32A is arranged in parallel with the main flow path 30A and has a first throttle valve 38, the first throttle valve 38 throttles the flow rate of air to a flow rate smaller than the main flow path 30A; a cylinder flow path 33A, the cylinder flow path 33A is connected to the cylinder chamber 12c; a switching valve 28A, the switching valve 28A is connected to the main flow path 3 0A, the auxiliary flow path 32A and the cylinder flow path 33A are connected, and are switched to a first position in which the cylinder flow path 33A is connected to the main flow path 30A and a second position in which the cylinder flow path 33A is connected to the auxiliary flow path 32A; and a pilot air adjustment unit 40A, which guides the exhaust air of the cylinder chamber 12c as the pilot air to the switching valve 28A, and the pilot air adjustment unit 40A has a second throttle valve 40a, which limits the inflow speed of the pilot air to the switching valve 28A, and the switching valve 28A is switched from the first position to the second position by increasing the pressure of the pilot air.

[0067] According to the rod-side end cover 16 described above, the timing of the switching operation of the switching valve 28A can be stabilized, and the device structure of the drive device 76 of the air cylinder 10 can be simplified.

[0068] Although the present invention has been described above by way of preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cylinder, characterized in that: have: A cylinder barrel (12) having a cylinder chamber (12c) formed therein; A top end cover (14) which closes one end of the cylinder; A rod side end cover (16) which closes the other end of the cylinder; a piston (18) which slides in the cylinder chamber; A piston rod (20), one end of which is connected to the piston; two ports (14a, 16a), one of each of the top-side end cap and the rod-side end cap; and a flow controller (26, 26A) built into at least one of the top end cover and the rod end cover, The flow controller has: a main flow path communicating with the port provided on at least one of the top-side end cap and the rod-side end cap in which the flow controller is built; a secondary flow path, which is arranged in parallel with the primary flow path and has a first throttle valve (38) which throttles the flow rate of air to a smaller flow rate than that of the primary flow path; a cylinder flow path, the cylinder flow path being in communication with the cylinder chamber; a switching valve connected to the main flow path, the secondary flow path, and the cylinder flow path, and switched to a first position for connecting the cylinder flow path to the main flow path or a second position for connecting the cylinder flow path to the secondary flow path; as well as a pilot air regulator that guides a portion of the exhaust air from the cylinder flow path to the switching valve as pilot air, The pilot air adjustment unit includes a second throttle valve (40a) that limits an inflow rate of the pilot air into the switching valve, and the switching valve is switched from the first position to the second position by an increase in the pressure of the pilot air.

2. The cylinder according to claim 1, characterized in that The flow controller also has: a detour flow path that bypasses the switching valve and allows the port connected to the main flow path to communicate with the cylinder chamber; as well as A shuttle valve having a first inlet (42a), a second inlet (42b) and an outlet (42c), wherein the first inlet is connected to a first portion (34a) of the detour flow path communicating with the port communicating with the main flow path, the outlet is connected to a second portion (34b) of the detour flow path communicating with the cylinder chamber, and the second inlet is connected to the pilot air adjustment portion. When the pressure of the port connected to the main flow path is higher than the pressure of the cylinder chamber, the shuttle valve closes the second inlet and connects the first inlet with the outlet. When the pressure of the cylinder chamber is higher than the pressure of the port connected to the main flow path, the shuttle valve closes the first inlet and connects the second inlet with the outlet.

3. The cylinder according to claim 2, characterized in that The main flow path has a third throttle valve (44), and the bypass flow path bypasses the switching valve and the third throttle valve to connect the port communicating with the main flow path and the cylinder chamber.

4. The cylinder according to claim 3, characterized in that The switching valve comprises: a switching valve setting hole (46) formed in a main body (45) of the top end cover or the rod end cover; a slide post guide component (52) arranged along the inner peripheral surface of the switching valve setting hole; a slide post (50) inserted through the inner peripheral portion (52b) of the slide post guide component; and a return spring (28a) arranged inside the switching valve setting hole and applying force to the slide post toward the first position. The spool comprises: a spool portion (56) which slides on the inner peripheral portion of the spool guide member to switch the connection object of the flow path; and a piston portion (54) which is urged toward the second position by the pressure of the pilot air.

5. The cylinder according to claim 4, characterized in that The switching valve installation hole is formed to extend in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the cylinder.

6. A top end cover is a top end cover of a cylinder, the top end cover covers the end of the top side of the cylinder barrel, characterized in that: have: port; a main flow path, the main flow path being in communication with the port; a secondary flow path, the secondary flow path being arranged in parallel with the primary flow path and having a first throttle valve, the first throttle valve throttling the flow rate of air to a flow rate smaller than that of the primary flow path; a cylinder flow path, the cylinder flow path being in communication with the cylinder chamber of the cylinder barrel; a switching valve connected to the main flow path, the secondary flow path, and the cylinder flow path, and switched to a first position for connecting the cylinder flow path to the main flow path or a second position for connecting the cylinder flow path to the secondary flow path; as well as a pilot air regulator that guides exhaust air from the cylinder chamber as pilot air to the switching valve, The pilot air adjustment unit includes a second throttle valve that limits an inflow rate of the pilot air into the switching valve, and the switching valve is switched from the first position to the second position by an increase in the pressure of the pilot air.

7. A rod side end cover, which is a rod side end cover of a cylinder, and covers the end of the rod side of the cylinder tube, characterized in that: have: An insertion hole, through which the piston rod is inserted; port; a main flow path, the main flow path being in communication with the port; a secondary flow path, the secondary flow path being arranged in parallel with the primary flow path and having a first throttle valve, the first throttle valve throttling the flow rate of air to a flow rate smaller than that of the primary flow path; a cylinder flow path, the cylinder flow path being in communication with the cylinder chamber of the cylinder barrel; a switching valve connected to the main flow path, the secondary flow path, and the cylinder flow path, and switched to a first position for connecting the cylinder flow path to the main flow path or a second position for connecting the cylinder flow path to the secondary flow path; as well as a pilot air regulator that guides exhaust air from the cylinder chamber as pilot air to the switching valve, The pilot air adjustment unit includes a second throttle valve that limits an inflow rate of the pilot air into the switching valve, and the switching valve is switched from the first position to the second position by an increase in the pressure of the pilot air.

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