Vacuum system valve assembly

Abstract

This invention relates to a valve assembly disposed between a vacuum pump and an adsorption pad in a vacuum system, thereby enabling venting of the pad. The valve assembly includes: a main body having a space within an internal channel; a valve plate capable of being raised / lowered within the space; and vents variablely configured by air gaps formed at the contact points between the valve plate and the upper sill of the space. Initially, temporary venting is performed through the open channel; subsequently, as the plate 'rises,' micro-venting is performed through the vents formed at the contact points between the plate and the upper sill.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a valve assembly, and more particularly to a valve assembly adaptable to use in vacuum systems. Background Technology

[0002] Generally speaking, a "vacuum system" is a device that includes a vacuum pump operated by high-speed compressed air and an adsorption pad connected to the suction side port of the vacuum pump. A vacuum system refers to a system that uses the operation of a vacuum pump to exhaust the internal space of the pad, uses the vacuum and negative pressure generated therefrom to adsorb and hold objects, and then uses robotic means to transfer them to a designated location.

[0003] Here, if the port diameter is too large, the vacuum level achievable by the device will be reduced; conversely, if the diameter is too small, the speed at which the device reaches the maximum vacuum level will be slower. Therefore, the port needs to be equipped with an adaptable valve that can simultaneously resolve the aforementioned contradictions. In practice, such valves mainly employ flexible valves or up / down plate valves.

[0004] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an existing plate valve 100. Referring to the attached figure, when compressed air passes through the vacuum pump 103 at high speed, the air inside the pad 104 is introduced into the vacuum pump 103 through the valve 100, and then discharged to the outside along with the compressed air. During this process, a vacuum and negative pressure are generated inside the vacuum pump 103 and the pad 104 to clamp the object W.

[0005] As attached Figure 1 As shown in (a), in its original state, the plate valve 100 is in the 'DOWN' position with plate 101 in the open state, thus allowing a large amount of air to be discharged instantaneously at the beginning of the operation. Then, as shown in the attached diagram... Figure 1 As shown in (b), after the plate 101 moves to the 'UP' position, exhaust is only performed through the central micro-hole 102 of the plate 101. The function of the micro-hole 102 is to increase and maintain the vacuum level of the device.

[0006] The above method is intended to simultaneously address the issues of the achievable vacuum level and the speed at which the vacuum is reached.

[0007] In the structure of the valve 100 described above, the micro-orifice 102 is an important element that plays a crucial role in relation to the vacuum level of the device, but the following problem exists: First, the machining precision requirements for the hole 102 are extremely high, and from a production technology perspective, its forming and manufacturing are almost impossible to achieve. Second, foreign objects, especially dust on the surface of the object, will float during device operation, causing the hole 102 to become blocked. Third, once the above-mentioned faults occur, not only is there no corresponding self-recovery capability, but it is also difficult to take emergency measures; etc.

[0008] Due to the aforementioned problems, it is very difficult to actually apply the valve 100.

[0009] Of course, it is also possible to consider making the holes 102 larger or increasing their number, but such methods contradict the original intention of simultaneously solving the aforementioned problems of vacuum level and speed, and therefore will not be considered here. Adopting such methods would likely cause a decrease in the vacuum level of the device.

[0010] <Prior Technology Documents> Utility Model Registration Publication No. 20-0300952 Patent Publication No. 10-2015-0016793 Patent Registration Publication No. 10-1303749 Patent Registration Publication No. 10-2570475 Summary of the Invention

[0011] Technical issues The present invention aims to solve the problems of plate valves according to the prior art. The object of the present invention is to provide a valve assembly for a vacuum system that simultaneously solves the problems of vacuum level and vacuum attainment speed, is easy to manufacture, and has no potential for malfunctions during operation.

[0012] Technical solution The valve assembly of the present invention is: In a vacuum system, a valve assembly disposed between a vacuum pump and an adsorption pad to achieve venting of the pad is characterized by comprising: The main body is made of a material that runs vertically through the body, and the interior of the channel includes an extended space for installing a valve plate; The valve plate is positioned in the space in a way that allows it to be raised / lowered, thus forming a flow channel between the upper and lower parts of the channel between the inner walls of the space. An elastic spring is provided in the channel to control the movement of the plate; An air gap is formed at the point of contact between the plate and the upper threshold of the space when the plate is 'raised'. The air gap: When the plate is 'UP', the plate comes into contact with the upper sill, thereby forming pores and connecting the flow channel with the channel.

[0013] The air gap is characterized in that: It is formed on either side of the plate and the upper threshold, more preferably on one side of the plate.

[0014] The spring is coaxially disposed at the upper part of the channel, and one end of it applies pressure to the plate to provide elastic support for the position of the plate.

[0015] The plate may include an air guide formed on its bottom surface for connecting the lower part of the channel to the flow channel.

[0016] Preferably, The plate has a U-shaped cross-section, and one end of the spring can be inserted into its inner side; At this time, the air gap is formed on the upper cross-section of the edge of the plate.

[0017] Invention Effects According to the valve assembly of the present invention, after a large amount of air is instantly discharged at the initial stage of operation, when the plate is in the 'UP' state, air is discharged only through the air hole formed by the air gap. In this way, the device can quickly reach the maximum vacuum level.

[0018] Meanwhile, the air gap can be formed simply by opening a groove in a specific part of the element, so it is easy to manufacture and there is no risk of the air gap and air hole being blocked or damaged by the exhaust process during operation. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of a valve assembly based on the prior art.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of a valve assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Cross-sectional view.

[0022] Figure 4 For application Figure 2 A three-dimensional view of the valve plate.

[0023] Figure 5 for Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the initial vacuum effect.

[0024] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A schematic diagram of continuous action.

[0025] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the vacuum breaking effect.

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures 10. Valve assembly 11. Main Body 12. Plate 13. Spring 14. Stomata 15. First Passage 16. Second Channel 17. Space 18. Upper threshold 19. Flow channel 20. Air slit 21. Air guide P. Vacuum pump S. Pad W. Object Detailed Implementation

[0027] The features and effects, whether described or not, of the present invention, "Valve Assembly for Vacuum Systems" (hereinafter referred to as "Valve Assembly"), will become clearer through the embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 2 In the accompanying drawings and subsequent figures, the valve assembly according to the invention is indicated by reference numeral 10.

[0028] The valve assembly 10 of the present invention is based on a valve assembly disposed between a vacuum pump and an adsorption pad in a vacuum system to realize the venting of the pad.

[0029] Reference Figures 2 to 6 The valve assembly 10 includes: a through-body 11; a valve plate 12 movably mounted inside the body 11; a spring 13 elastically supporting the plate 12; and an air hole 14 variablely formed according to the movement of the valve assembly 10.

[0030] Specifically, the main body 11 is made of a through-type material and includes an expanded space 17 inside the central channels 15 and 16, which is used for the installation of the plate valve 12. Based on the position of the space 17, the channels 15 and 16 can be divided into a lower first channel 15 and an upper second channel 16. The main body 11 is composed of a lower part 11a and an upper part 11b inserted and joined to its upper side, which is suitable for forming the space 17 within the main body 11. Reference numeral 18 indicates the upper threshold of the space 15.

[0031] Here, the plate 12 can be raised / lowered inside the space 17, and a flow channel 19 connecting the first channel 15 and the second channel 16 is formed between the plate 12 and the inner wall of the space 17. For reference, an air guide 21 connecting the first channel 15 and the flow channel 19 is formed on the bottom surface of the plate 12.

[0032] The spring 13 is disposed in the second channel 16 and serves to control the position and movement of the plate 12. Specifically, the spring 13 is coaxially disposed in the second channel 16, and one end of it applies pressure to the surface of the plate 12, thereby providing elastic support for the position and movement of the plate 12. In this embodiment, the plate 12 has a U-shaped cross-section, and one end of the spring 13 is inserted into its inner side. However, the relationship between the plate 12 and the spring 13 can be designed differently.

[0033] The valve assembly 10 of the present invention includes an air gap 20, which is formed at the contact portion between the plate 12 and the upper sill 18 of the space 17 when the plate 12 is raised (UP). Thus, an air hole 14 is formed between the contacting plate 12 and the upper sill 18, and the connection between the flow channel 19 and the first channel 15 and the second channel 16 is completed through the air hole 14.

[0034] Specifically, the air slit 20 can be provided in the form of an elongated groove on either side of the plate 12 and the upper sill 18. For ease of manufacturing, in this embodiment it is formed on one side of the plate 12. In addition, the cross-section of the plate 12 is 'U' shaped, in which case the air slit 20 is formed on the upper cross-section of the plate 12.

[0035] When the plate 12 comes into contact with the upper sill 18, the corresponding surface covers the open side of the air gap 20, thereby forming an air hole 14. In this sense, the configuration of the air hole 14 is variable.

[0036] Reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 The valve assembly 10 of the present invention is disposed between the vacuum pump P and the adsorption pad S of the vacuum system.

[0037] After the vacuum system is started, the high-speed supplied compressed air passes through the vacuum pump P and is discharged (see arrow ①); at this time, the air inside the pad (S) is introduced into the vacuum pump P through the first channel 15 → flow channel 19 → second channel 16 of the main body 11 in sequence, and is then discharged to the outside along with the compressed air (see arrow ②). During this process, the vacuum pump P and the inside of the pad S generate vacuum and negative pressure.

[0038] First, refer to Figure 5 Initially, the plate 12 of the valve assembly 10 is in a 'DOWN' state, thus the vacuum line connected by the first channel 15 → flow channel 19 → second channel 16 inside the body 11 is fully open. Therefore, the internal air of the pad S is instantly expelled, and this expelled air causes the plate 12 to move upward.

[0039] Next, refer to Figure 6In the 'UP' state where plate 12 moves upward, the vacuum circuit is closed due to the mutual contact between plate 12 and upper threshold 18. However, at this time, the vacuum circuit is connected by means of the vent 14 formed at the contact portion, thereby achieving micro-venting of pad S (see arrow ③).

[0040] Ultimately, the device can quickly reach the maximum vacuum level, and during this process, there is absolutely no risk of the vent 14 becoming blocked or malfunctioning.

[0041] Through the above series of processes, a vacuum and negative pressure are generated inside the pad S, and the resulting negative pressure is used to adsorb and hold the object W. Subsequently, the object W is transferred to a designated location by a robotic device. After the transfer is completed, the pad S needs to be quickly separated from the object W.

[0042] Reference Figure 7 To achieve the separation of the pad S, compressed air is directly supplied to the second channel 16. This is the 'DOWN' state of plate 12, therefore compressed air is supplied to the pad S via the second channel 16 → flow channel 19 → first channel 15 (see arrow ④). Thus, the vacuum and negative pressure inside the pad S are instantly released.

Claims

1. A valve assembly disposed in a vacuum system between a vacuum pump and an adsorption pad to achieve venting of the pad, characterized in that it comprises: The main body (11) is made of a material that runs vertically through the body, and includes a space (17) inside the channel (15, 16) that is expanded to accommodate a plate (12) for a valve. The valve plate (12) is capable of being raised / lowered in the space (17), at which time a flow channel (19) connecting the upper and lower parts of the channels (15, 16) is formed between the valve plate (12) and the inner wall of the space (17). A spring (13) with elasticity is provided in the channels (15, 16) to elastically control the movement of the plate (12); An air gap (20) is formed between the plate (12) and the upper threshold (18) of the space (17) when the plate (12) is 'raised'. The air gap (20): When the plate (12) is raised, the plate (12) comes into contact with the upper sill (18) to form an air hole (14), thereby connecting the flow channel (19) with the channel (15, 16).

2. The valve assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air gap (20) is formed on either side of the plate (12) and the upper sill (18).

3. The valve assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The air gap (20) is formed on one side of the plate (12).

4. The valve assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The spring (13) is coaxially disposed in the channel (15, 16), and one end of it applies pressure to the plate (12) to provide elastic support for the position of the plate (12).

5. The valve assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plate (12) includes an air guide (21) formed on its bottom surface, the air guide (21) being used to connect the channel (15) and the flow channel (19).

6. The valve assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plate (12) has a U-shaped cross-section, and one end of the spring (13) is inserted into its inner side; The air gap (20) is formed on the upper side section of the edge of the plate (12).

Images