Mechanical hysteresis vacuum retention energy saving control device

Abstract

The application discloses a mechanical hysteresis type vacuum holding energy-saving control device, which comprises a high-pressure gas source, an electromagnetic valve, a vacuum generator and a suction disc which are sequentially connected with the high-pressure gas source through a gas pipe, a first gas valve is arranged on the gas pipe between the electromagnetic valve and the vacuum generator, and a one-way valve is arranged between the vacuum generator and the suction disc; a valve rod of the first gas valve is connected with a piston rod of a first air cylinder, the first air cylinder is communicated with the gas pipe between the one-way valve and the suction disc through a gas pipe, and a spring is sleeved on the piston rod and the valve rod between the first air cylinder shell and the first gas valve shell. In the application, the opening and closing of the gas valve is controlled by the change of the gas pressure in the gas circuit in the running process, the pressure maintaining state of the suction disc is realized, the working time of the vacuum generator is shortened, meanwhile, the control operation of the additional gas valve is saved, and energy saving is realized in multiple aspects.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of manufacturing, and more particularly to a control device for a vacuum suction cup used to pick up objects in an automated production process. Background Technology

[0002] Vacuum suction cups are widely used as end-effectors in industrial automation. Negative pressure is generated in two ways: one is by connecting a vacuum pump with a solenoid valve to the vacuum suction cup; the other is by supplying high-pressure air from an air compressor, which, controlled by a solenoid valve, generates negative pressure through a vacuum generator and then connects to the vacuum suction cup. Vacuum pumps are energy-efficient but may require a separate pump. Vacuum generators can utilize the existing air compressor in the electrical system, making them convenient and simple to implement, but they have the drawback of higher energy consumption, with an efficiency roughly 25% that of the pumping method. Furthermore, when using a vacuum generator, if the leakage between the suction cup and the workpiece is small when the negative pressure is achieved, air supply continues, resulting in significant waste of high-pressure air. With a typical low-power air source, a 1mm diameter nozzle in a vacuum generator requires 1 kilowatt of power to maintain its air supply, leading to extremely high energy consumption. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a suction cup energy-saving control device that enables vacuuming as needed during automated production processes, thereby achieving energy savings.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution provided by this invention is a mechanically delayed vacuum holding energy-saving control device, comprising a high-pressure gas source, an electromagnetic valve, a vacuum generator, and a suction cup connected to the high-pressure gas source in sequence via an air pipe, a first air valve being provided on the air pipe between the electromagnetic valve and the vacuum generator, and a one-way valve being provided between the vacuum generator and the suction cup; the valve stem of the first air valve being connected to the piston rod of a first cylinder, the first cylinder being connected to the air pipe between the one-way valve and the suction cup via an air pipe, and a spring being sleeved on the piston rod and valve stem between the housing of the first cylinder and the housing of the first air valve.

[0005] Preferably, a vacuum breaking air passage is provided between the solenoid valve and the suction cup. The vacuum breaking air passage includes a second air valve and a second cylinder connected to the second air valve. One end of the air valve is connected to the air pipe between the one-way valve and the suction cup, and the other end is connected to the atmosphere. The second cylinder is connected to the air pipe between the solenoid valve and the first air valve. A spring is sleeved on the piston rod and valve rod between the housing of the second cylinder and the housing of the second air valve.

[0006] Preferably, an adjusting nut is provided between the spring and the cylinder housing.

[0007] Preferably, the cylinder and the valve stem are connected by a fixing pin.

[0008] Preferably, the first cylinder housing is divided into two cavities by a sealing ring. The cavity where the piston rod is located is connected to the suction cup air passage, and the other cavity is provided with an exhaust hole. The opening diameter of the cavity connected to the suction cup is larger than the diameter of the exhaust hole.

[0009] Preferably, the second cylinder housing is divided into two cavities by a sealing ring. The cavity where the piston rod is located is provided with an exhaust port. The other cavity is connected to the air pipe between the solenoid valve and the first air valve. The opening diameter of the cavity connected to the air pipe is larger than the diameter of the exhaust port of the cavity where the piston rod is located.

[0010] This invention achieves pressure maintenance of the suction cup by controlling the opening and closing of the air valve through changes in air pressure during operation via a mechanical means. This shortens the working time of the vacuum generator and saves on additional control operations for the air valve, thus achieving energy savings in multiple aspects. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the air circuit connection between the first cylinder and the first air valve, the suction cup, and the solenoid valve.

[0013] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the air circuit connection between the second cylinder and the second air valve, the suction cup, and the solenoid valve. Detailed Implementation

[0014] Regarding the above technical solution, preferred embodiments are described in detail with reference to the figures. Figures 1 to 3 .

[0015] A mechanically delayed vacuum holding energy-saving control device includes a high-pressure air source 1, a solenoid valve 2, a first air valve 3, a first cylinder 4, a vacuum generator 5, a one-way valve 6, a suction cup 7, a second air valve 8, and a second cylinder 9. The high-pressure air source 1 is generally an air compressor. The high-pressure air source 1 is connected to the solenoid valve 2 via an air pipe. The solenoid valve 2 is connected to the input terminal 31 of the first air valve 3 via an air pipe. The output terminal 32 of the first air valve 3 is connected to the high-pressure air source input terminal of the vacuum generator 5 via an air pipe. The sealing ring 30 of the first air valve is driven by the valve stem to connect or disconnect the input terminal 31 and the output terminal 32.

[0016] Vacuum generator 5 is connected to one-way valve 6 via an air pipe, and one-way valve 6 is connected to suction cup 7 via an air pipe. Solenoid valve 2 controls the opening and closing of the entire air circuit. The valve stem of the first air valve 3 is connected to the piston rod of the first cylinder 4 via a fixing pin. A four-way valve (not shown) is installed on the air pipe between one-way valve 6 and suction cup 7. The housing of the first cylinder 4 is divided into two cavities, a first cavity 45 and a second cavity 46, by a sealing ring 44. The piston rod passes through the first cavity 45. An air port 451 is opened on the first cavity, and the air port 451 is connected to an opening of the four-way valve via an air pipe. An exhaust port 461, communicating with the external environment, is opened on the housing wall of the second cavity. The diameter of the air port 451 is much larger than the diameter of the exhaust port 461. An adjusting nut 41 is provided on the piston rod near one end of the first cylinder housing. A spring 42 is sleeved on the outer periphery of the piston rod and valve rod between the first valve housing and the adjusting nut. The air pressure actuation point is adjusted by adjusting the position of the adjusting nut 41 on the piston rod.

[0017] Another opening of the four-way valve is connected to the opening 81 of the second air valve 8 via an air pipe, thus connecting the second air valve 8 to the suction cup air passage. The other opening 82 of the second air valve 8 is open to the atmosphere. The second air valve 8 includes a sealing ring 80 housed within its casing, with a valve stem connected to the sealing ring. The valve stem of the second air valve 8 is connected to the piston rod of the second cylinder 9 via a fixing pin. The housing of the second cylinder 9 is divided into two cavities, a first cavity 95 and a second cavity 96, by a sealing ring 94. The piston rod passes through the second cavity 96. An air port 951 is provided on the first cavity 95, connected to the air pipe between the solenoid valve 2 and the first air valve 3 via an air pipe. An exhaust port 961, communicating with the external environment, is provided on the housing wall of the second cavity. The diameter of the air port 951 is much larger than the diameter of the exhaust port 961. An adjusting nut 91 is provided on the piston rod near one end of the second cylinder housing. A spring 92 is sleeved on the piston rod and valve rod between the second valve housing and the adjusting nut 91. The air pressure actuation point is adjusted by adjusting the position of the adjusting nut 91 on the piston rod.

[0018] The workflow of this invention:

[0019] The air compressor is started and operates continuously throughout the suction cup's operation, providing a high-pressure air source to the air circuit. The control solenoid valve opens. By manually pressing the first air valve stem, the first air valve opens, simultaneously pulling the piston rod of the first cylinder. At this time, the spring of the first cylinder is in its natural state, and the air pressure in the chamber inside the cylinder housing is atmospheric pressure. The atmospheric pressure in the chambers on both sides of the sealing ring inside the cylinder is balanced. The second cylinder, under the action of high-pressure gas, closes the second air valve, thus disconnecting the air circuit between it and the suction cup. When the vacuum generator is turned on, it operates and creates a vacuum, generating negative pressure at the suction cup. As the suction cup picks up the workpiece, the vacuum generator also creates negative pressure in the chamber containing the piston rod of the first cylinder. As the pressure in the chambers on either side of the sealing ring in the cylinder becomes unbalanced, the piston rod of the first cylinder drives the valve rod. When the vacuum level at the suction cup and in the chamber containing the piston rod of the first cylinder reaches a certain value, the piston rod of the first cylinder drives the valve rod to close the first air valve, stopping the air supply to the vacuum generator. The vacuum generator then stops operating. At this time, due to the one-way valve, a vacuum is maintained between the suction cup and the workpiece. Meanwhile, because the solenoid valve is not closed, the second air valve remains closed. Because there may be slight air leakage between the contact surface between the suction cup and the workpiece, when the vacuum level at the suction cup drops to a certain level, the suction cup still maintains the state of sucking up the workpiece. To prevent the workpiece from falling, a system is set so that when the vacuum level in the chamber of the first cylinder falls below a certain value, the first cylinder, under the action of spring force and air pressure, drives the piston rod to move and open the first air valve, supplying air to the vacuum generator. The vacuum generator then evacuates the vacuum, increasing the vacuum level at the suction cup. When the vacuum level at the suction cup reaches a certain set value, the piston rod of the first cylinder moves to its final position, closing the first air valve and continuing the pressure-holding operation. When the suction cup sucks up the workpiece to the workpiece placement position, the control solenoid valve closes, ceasing the supply of high-pressure gas to the chamber of the second cylinder. Under the action of spring force, the second cylinder drives the valve rod of the second air valve to move, opening the second air valve and allowing atmospheric air to enter the suction cup to break the vacuum. As the vacuum breaks, the suction cup lowers the workpiece. The piston rod of the first cylinder, under the action of air pressure and spring force, drives the first air valve to open. At this time, since the solenoid valve is closed, no high-pressure air source passes through the first air valve, and the vacuum generator does not work. When the suction cup moves back from the workpiece placement position to the workpiece suction position, the solenoid valve opens, and the high-pressure air source enters the vacuum generator through the first air valve, drawing a vacuum, and repeating the above operation.

[0020] In the device design of this invention, the piston rod displacement distance needs to be proportional to the applied force. The piston rod stroke distance is adjusted by adjusting the spring force through an adjusting nut.

[0021] This invention achieves pressure maintenance of the suction cup by controlling the opening and closing of the air valve through changes in air pressure during operation via a mechanical means. This shortens the working time of the vacuum generator and saves on additional control operations for the air valve, thus achieving energy savings in multiple aspects.

Claims

1. A mechanical hysteresis type vacuum holding energy saving control device, comprising a high pressure gas source, an electromagnetic valve, a vacuum generator and a suction cup connected in sequence through a gas pipe, characterized in that, A first air valve is arranged on the air pipe between the electromagnetic valve and the vacuum generator, and a one-way valve is arranged between the vacuum generator and the suction cup; a valve rod of the first air valve is connected with a piston rod of a first air cylinder, the first air cylinder is communicated with the air pipe between the one-way valve and the suction cup through an air pipe, and a spring is sleeved on the piston rod and the valve rod between the first air cylinder housing and the first air valve housing; A vacuum breaking air path is arranged between the electromagnetic valve and the suction cup, the vacuum breaking air path comprises a second air valve and a second air cylinder connected with the second air valve, one end of the second air valve is communicated with the air pipe between the one-way valve and the suction cup, and the other end is communicated with the atmosphere; the second air cylinder is communicated with the air pipe between the electromagnetic valve and the first air valve; a spring is sleeved on the piston rod and the valve rod between the second air cylinder housing and the second air valve housing.

2. The mechanical hysteresis type vacuum maintaining energy saving control device according to claim 1, characterized by An adjusting nut is arranged between the spring and the air cylinder housing.

3. The mechanical hysteresis type vacuum maintaining energy saving control device according to claim 1, wherein The air cylinder and the air valve valve rod are connected through a fixing pin.

4. The mechanical hysteresis type vacuum maintaining energy saving control device according to claim 1, wherein The first air cylinder housing is separated into two cavities through a sealing ring, a cavity where the piston rod is located is communicated with the suction cup air path, and the other cavity is provided with an exhaust hole; the opening diameter of the cavity communicated with the suction cup is larger than the diameter of the exhaust hole.

5. The mechanical hysteresis type vacuum maintaining energy saving control device according to claim 1, wherein The second air cylinder housing is separated into two cavities through a sealing ring, a cavity where the piston rod is located is provided with an exhaust hole, and the other cavity is communicated with the air pipe between the electromagnetic valve and the first air valve; the opening diameter of the cavity communicated with the air pipe is larger than the diameter of the exhaust hole of the cavity where the piston rod is located.

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