High-speed reaction vacuum generator and material loading and unloading mechanism

Abstract

This application proposes a high-speed reaction vacuum generator and a material loading and unloading mechanism. The high-speed reaction vacuum generator includes a housing, in which a first channel, a second channel, and a third channel are provided, the third channel being connected to the first channel and the second channel respectively. The housing is also provided with a suction cup connector, which has a connecting channel that is connected to the second channel. It also includes a vacuum forming component disposed in the second channel, which has a vacuum forming flow channel. The vacuum forming flow channel is necked near the connecting channel, and the necked section of the connecting channel is connected to the connecting channel and forms a vacuum in the connecting channel. The housing is also provided with a vacuum breaking component in the third channel, which is disposed in the first channel and the second channel respectively. The vacuum breaking component is configured to open or close the flow path of the second channel downstream of the vacuum forming component.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of stamping automation workshops, and specifically to a high-speed reaction vacuum generator and a material loading and unloading mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of industrial automation, especially in robotic gripping operations in stamping automation workshops, vacuum generators, as the core pneumatic components for workpiece adsorption and release, directly affect production efficiency, operational accuracy, and operational safety.

[0003] As automated production lines continue to improve efficiency, robots often need to perform dynamic operations such as high-speed start-up, emergency stop, and rotation, which places higher demands on the response speed, adsorption stability, and energy consumption control of vacuum generators.

[0004] Currently, most common vacuum generators on the market adopt a single-channel design, which can only realize the function of vacuum generation. The vacuum breaking operation needs to rely on an external independent exhaust valve or be completed through natural pressure relief, resulting in a dispersed overall system structure, complicated installation and debugging, and obvious performance defects.

[0005] Specifically, under high-speed robot operation, the vacuum build-up speed of ordinary vacuum generators is slow, often failing to generate sufficient suction force before the robot withstands maximum inertial force. This can easily cause workpieces to slip, shift, or even fall off, leading to production interruptions or product damage. Furthermore, during the workpiece placement stage, the delayed response of external vacuum valves or the inefficiency of natural pressure relief can result in the workpiece not detaching from the suction cup in a timely manner. This can cause material dragging when the robot lifts the workpiece, severely affecting the repeatability accuracy of workpiece placement and making it difficult to meet the stringent positioning error requirements of high-precision stamping production.

[0006] From an energy consumption perspective, conventional vacuum generators require a relatively long period of continuous compressed air consumption to achieve the desired vacuum level. Data shows that their air consumption during the vacuuming phase is approximately 90 SLPM (standard liters per minute), while the consumption during the venting phase reaches as high as 125 SLPM. The total energy consumption throughout the entire operating cycle is relatively high, failing to meet the current industrial demands for energy conservation and emission reduction. Furthermore, the dispersed components of conventional vacuum generators increase the risk of air leakage, further reducing the stability of the vacuum system. The additional installation space requirements also limit their application flexibility in compact production lines.

[0007] Therefore, it can be seen that existing ordinary vacuum generators are no longer able to meet the high-speed and high-precision operation requirements of robots in stamping automation workshops in terms of dynamic response speed, adsorption and placement accuracy, energy consumption control and integration level. Utility Model Content

[0008] To solve, or at least partially solve, the above-mentioned technical problems, this application provides a high-speed reaction vacuum generator, comprising:

[0009] The housing has a first channel, a second channel, and a third channel inside, and the third channel is connected to the first channel and the second channel respectively.

[0010] The housing is also provided with a suction cup connector, and the suction cup connector has a connection channel inside, which communicates with the second channel.

[0011] A vacuum forming component is disposed within the second channel. The vacuum forming component includes a vacuum forming flow channel, which narrows near the connecting channel. The narrowed section of the connecting channel communicates with the connecting channel and forms a vacuum within the connecting channel.

[0012] The housing is further provided with a vacuum breaking component in the third channel. The vacuum breaking component is respectively disposed in the first channel and the second channel. The vacuum breaking component is configured to open or close the second channel in the downstream flow path of the vacuum forming component.

[0013] Optionally, the first channel and the second channel are arranged parallel to each other, the third channel is perpendicular to the first channel and the second channel, and the midpoint of the axis of the third channel intersects the axes of the first channel and the second channel.

[0014] Optionally, the vacuum breaking assembly includes a plug, a sealing plug, and an elastic element;

[0015] The plug is located at the end of the third channel. One end of the elastic element abuts against the housing, and the other end is connected to the sealing plug. The sealing plug is configured to compress the elastic element and move it toward the second channel when compressed air is introduced into the first channel, so as to block the flow path of the second channel downstream of the vacuum forming assembly.

[0016] Optionally, the sealing plug has a limiting hole on the side opposite to the end cap, and one end of the elastic element is engaged in the limiting hole.

[0017] Optionally, one end of the third channel extends to the outside of the housing, and the plug seals the third channel at the opening end of the housing by a sealing gasket.

[0018] Optionally, the vacuum forming assembly includes an inner copper core and an outer copper core, wherein the inner copper core is embedded within the outer copper core, and the vacuum forming channel is disposed within the inner copper core.

[0019] Optionally, an O-ring is also provided on the side of the inner copper core near the third channel;

[0020] A rubber pad is also provided on the side of the outer copper core away from the third channel.

[0021] Optionally, the housing is further provided with a mounting component, the side of the mounting component facing away from the housing being a mounting cylinder, the mounting cylinder being used for rotatable installation with an external connecting component.

[0022] Optionally, the suction cup connector and the mounting component are located on different sides of the housing.

[0023] This application also proposes a material loading and unloading mechanism, including a suction cup and a high-speed reaction vacuum generator as described above, wherein the suction cup is mounted on the high-speed reaction vacuum generator.

[0024] The high-speed reactive vacuum generator provided in this application has a housing with interconnected first, second, and third channels. A suction cup connector connected to the second channel is mounted on the housing. The second channel contains a vacuum forming component with a necked vacuum forming flow channel, and the third channel contains a vacuum breaking component that can switch the downstream flow path of the second channel. This high-speed reactive vacuum generator can quickly create a vacuum through the necked flow channel of the vacuum forming component, providing timely pre-tightening force for the suction cup to grasp the workpiece. This effectively resists inertial and centrifugal forces, preventing workpiece slippage, displacement, or detachment. Simultaneously, the vacuum breaking component quickly closes the downstream flow path of the second channel, achieving instantaneous detachment of the workpiece from the suction cup, ensuring repeatability and accuracy of workpiece placement, and eliminating material dragging. Furthermore, the multi-channel collaborative and component-integrated structural design reduces external connections and leakage risks, simplifies installation and commissioning processes, and significantly shortens vacuum establishment and breaking time compared to ordinary vacuum generators. This improves dynamic adsorption capacity and production efficiency, while optimizing the gas flow path and reducing total gas consumption per unit working cycle, achieving energy saving and consumption reduction. Attached Figure Description

[0025] To more clearly illustrate the embodiments of this application, the relevant drawings will be briefly described below. It is understood that the drawings described below are only for illustrating some embodiments of this application, and those skilled in the art can obtain many other technical features and connections not mentioned herein based on these drawings.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the housing and suction cup mating structure in the high-speed reaction vacuum generator of this application;

[0027] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view at one angle;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the high-speed reaction vacuum generator of this application from one angle;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the high-speed reaction vacuum generator of this application.

[0030] 1. Housing; 11. First channel; 12. Second channel; 13. Third channel; 14. Mounting component; 15. Mounting cylinder;

[0031] 2. Suction cup connector; 21. Connecting channel;

[0032] 3. Vacuum forming assembly; 31. Vacuum forming channel; 32. Inner copper core; 33. Outer copper core; 34. O-ring; 35. Rubber pad;

[0033] 4. Vacuum breaking assembly; 41. End cap; 42. Sealing plug; 43. Elastic element; 44. Limiting hole; 45. Sealing gasket; 46. Accommodation space. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The embodiments of the technical solution of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of this application and are therefore merely examples, and should not be used to limit the scope of protection of this application.

[0035] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains; the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the application; the terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, in the specification, claims, and foregoing description of the drawings are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0036] The following flowchart illustrates the operations performed to improve the safety performance of a vehicle. It should be understood that, depending on the actual situation, the preceding or following operations may not be performed precisely in sequence. Other operations may be added to these processes, or one or more operations may be removed from them.

[0037] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, this utility model provides a high-speed reaction vacuum generator, including: a housing 1, in which a first channel 11, a second channel 12 and a third channel 13 are provided, the third channel 13 being connected to the first channel 11 and the second channel 12 respectively; the housing 1 is also provided with a suction cup connector 2, in which a connecting channel 21 is provided, the connecting channel 21 being connected to the second channel 12.

[0039] The housing 1 is also provided with a vacuum forming component 3 in the second channel 12. The vacuum forming component 3 is provided with a vacuum forming flow channel 31. The vacuum forming flow channel 31 is narrowed near the connecting channel 21. The narrowed section of the connecting channel 21 is connected to the connecting channel 21 and forms a vacuum in the connecting channel 21. The housing 1 is also provided with a vacuum breaking component 4 in the third channel 13. The vacuum breaking component 4 is respectively installed in the first channel 11 and the second channel 12. The vacuum breaking component 4 is configured to open or close the flow path of the second channel 12 downstream of the vacuum forming component 3.

[0040] This application utilizes interconnected first channels 11, second channels 12, and third channels 13 on the housing 1, along with a vacuum forming component 3 featuring a constricted flow channel and a vacuum breaking component 4 that allows the downstream flow path of the second channel 12 to be switched. This design enables rapid vacuum formation via the constricted flow channel, providing timely pre-clamping force for high-speed robotic (including suction cup) workpiece gripping, resisting inertial and centrifugal forces to prevent workpiece slippage, displacement, or detachment. Simultaneously, the vacuum breaking component 4 quickly closes the downstream flow path of the second channel 12, instantly detaching the workpiece from the suction cup, ensuring placement repeatability and preventing material dragging. Furthermore, the multi-channel collaborative and component-integrated structure reduces external connection and leakage risks, significantly shortens vacuum establishment and breaking time, thereby improving dynamic adsorption capacity and production efficiency. It also optimizes the gas flow path, reducing total gas consumption per unit work cycle, achieving energy saving and consumption reduction.

[0041] Please continue to refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The first channel 11 and the second channel 12 are arranged in parallel, and the third channel 13 is perpendicular to the first channel 11 and the second channel 12, and the midpoint of the axis of the third channel 13 intersects the axes of the first channel 11 and the second channel 12.

[0042] This application sets the first channel 11 and the second channel 12 in parallel, and the third channel 13 is perpendicular to the first two and intersects the midpoint of the axis. This makes the layout of each channel regular and the spatial distribution reasonable. This not only facilitates precise processing and forming in the shell 1 and reduces manufacturing difficulty, but also makes the gas flow path in each channel shorter and smoother, reduces airflow resistance, and further improves the response speed of vacuum establishment and vacuum breaking. At the same time, it provides a stable spatial position reference for the precise installation of the subsequent vacuum forming component 3 and vacuum breaking component 4, so as to ensure the reliability of the collaborative work between components.

[0043] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4For the vacuum breaking component 4, the vacuum breaking component 4 includes a plug 41, a sealing plug 42 and an elastic element 43; the plug 41 is located at the end of the third channel 13, one end of the elastic element 43 abuts against the housing 1 and the other end is connected to the sealing plug 42, the sealing plug 42 is configured to compress the elastic element 43 and move it towards the second channel 12 when compressed air is introduced into the first channel 11, so as to block the flow path of the second channel 12 downstream of the vacuum forming component 3.

[0044] That is, the plug 41 is used to block the end of the third channel 13, and the elastic element 43 provides the restoring force for the sealing plug 42. When compressed air is introduced into the first channel 11, the sealing plug 42 can compress the elastic element 43 to move towards the second channel 12 and block its downstream flow path. This structure is simple and reliable, the parts are easy to obtain and the cost is low.

[0045] The elastic element 43 ensures that the sealing plug 42 automatically resets when there is no compressed air drive, opening the downstream flow path of the second channel 12 and ensuring the rapid recovery of the vacuum forming function. At the same time, the moving sealing plug 42 can achieve precise and rapid control of the downstream flow path of the second channel 12, further improving the vacuum breaking efficiency.

[0046] For example, refer to Figure 3 A receiving space 46 is formed between the sealing plug 42 and the plug 41. The receiving space 46 is connected to the first channel 11. In the initial stage, the compressed gas in the first channel 11 can extend to at least the top of the sealing plug 42, which can drive the sealing plug 42 downward to seal the second channel 12. When it is necessary to open the second channel 12, the air supply to the first channel 11 is canceled, the elastic member 43 elastically recovers and drives the sealing plug 42 to gradually move upward to open the second channel 12, thereby realizing the rapid opening and closing of the second channel 12.

[0047] Furthermore, a limiting hole 44 is provided on the side of the sealing plug 42 away from the end cap 41, and one end of the elastic element 43 is engaged in the limiting hole 44.

[0048] That is, a limiting hole 44 is opened on the side of the sealing plug 42 away from the end cap 41, and one end of the elastic element 43 is locked in the limiting hole 44. This can effectively limit the relative position of the elastic element 43 and the sealing plug 42, and prevent the elastic element 43 from shifting or falling off during compression or reset, thereby ensuring that the elastic element 43 can always provide a stable force to the sealing plug 42. At the same time, this limiting structure can also make the elastic force of the elastic element 43 act precisely on the center of the sealing plug 42, ensuring that the sealing plug 42 is subjected to uniform force when it moves, avoiding the problem of poor sealing when blocking the downstream flow path of the second channel 12 due to force deviation, and improving the stability and reliability of the vacuum destruction component 4.

[0049] Optionally, one end of the third channel 13 extends to the outside of the housing 1, and the end cap 41 seals the opening end of the third channel 13 in the housing 1 by means of a sealing gasket 45.

[0050] One end of the third channel 13 extends to the outside of the housing 1, and the opening end of the third channel 13 in the housing 1 is sealed with a plug 41 and a sealing gasket 45. On the one hand, the sealing gasket 45 can enhance the sealing between the plug 41 and the housing 1, preventing compressed air from leaking from the opening end of the third channel 13, ensuring that the compressed air introduced into the first channel 11 can efficiently drive the sealing plug 42 to move, and improving the working efficiency of the vacuum breaking component 4. On the other hand, the design of the third channel 13 extending to the outside of the housing 1 and the detachable plug 41 facilitates subsequent inspection, maintenance or replacement of parts of the third channel 13 and the vacuum breaking component 4 inside the housing 1, reducing the difficulty and cost of equipment maintenance.

[0051] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The vacuum forming component 3 includes an inner copper core 32 and an outer copper core 33. The inner copper core 32 is embedded in the outer copper core 33, and the vacuum forming channel 31 is disposed in the inner copper core 32.

[0052] As can be seen, copper has excellent thermal conductivity and wear resistance. The inner copper core 32 ensures that the vacuum forming channel 31 is not easily worn under long-term airflow erosion, thus extending the service life of the component. The outer copper core 33 provides stable support and protection for the inner copper core 32, enhancing the overall structural strength of the vacuum forming component 3. At the same time, the combined design of the inner copper core 32 and the outer copper core 33 facilitates the separate machining of the inner copper core 32 according to the precision requirements of the vacuum forming channel 31, reducing the difficulty of channel machining, ensuring the machining precision of the necked channel, and thus ensuring vacuum forming efficiency.

[0053] Furthermore, the inner copper core 32 is provided with an O-ring 34 on the side near the third channel 13; the outer copper core 33 is provided with a rubber pad 35 on the side away from the third channel 13.

[0054] An O-ring 34 is provided on the side of the inner copper core 32 near the third channel 13, which can enhance the sealing between the inner copper core 32 and the housing 1 or the third channel 13, prevent gas from leaking from the gap between the inner copper core 32 and the surrounding structure during the vacuum formation process, and ensure the rapid establishment and stable maintenance of the vacuum degree.

[0055] A rubber pad 35 is provided on the side of the outer copper core 33 away from the third channel 13. This pad can buffer the collision and friction between the outer copper core 33 and the housing 1 or other components, reducing component wear. At the same time, the elasticity of the rubber pad 35 can fill the assembly gap, further improving the overall sealing performance and preventing gas leakage from affecting vacuum performance.

[0056] In one embodiment, the housing 1 is further provided with a mounting member 14, and the side of the mounting member 14 facing away from the housing 1 is a mounting cylinder 15, which is used to rotatably engage with external connecting components for installation.

[0057] By setting a mounting part 14 on the housing 1, and the mounting part 14 having a mounting cylinder 15 on the side facing away from the housing 1, the vacuum generator can be flexibly rotated around the mounting cylinder 15 by using the mounting cylinder 15 to rotate with the external connecting components. This allows the angle of the vacuum generator and the suction cup to be adjusted according to the position requirements of the workpiece adsorbed by the suction cup, ensuring that the suction cup can be accurately and tightly attached to the material, reducing the difficulty of installation and debugging, and improving the adaptability and operational flexibility of the equipment under different working conditions.

[0058] Furthermore, the suction cup connector 2 and the mounting component 14 are located on different sides of the housing 1.

[0059] By placing the suction cup connector 2 and the mounting component 14 on different sides of the housing 1, the installation positions of the suction cup and the external connecting component can be staggered, avoiding interference between the two during installation or operation. This provides more ample installation and working space for the suction cup, ensuring that the suction cup can stably adsorb the workpiece, and also makes the installation of the external connecting component more convenient. At the same time, it optimizes the overall structural layout of the vacuum generator, making the equipment look more regular and reducing space occupation.

[0060] This application also proposes a material loading and unloading mechanism, including a suction cup and the high-speed reaction vacuum generator as described above, wherein the suction cup is mounted on the high-speed reaction vacuum generator.

[0061] Since the material loading and unloading mechanism includes the aforementioned high-speed reaction vacuum generator, it possesses all the beneficial effects of a high-speed reaction vacuum generator, which will not be elaborated upon here.

[0062] In the description of the embodiments of this application, technical terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish different obstacle objects and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number, specific order, or primary and secondary relationship of the indicated technical features. In the description of the embodiments of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly defined.

[0063] In this document, the term "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0064] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the technical terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of this application and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of this application.

[0065] In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the technical terms such as "installation", "connection", "joining", and "fixing" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can also refer to mechanical connections. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0066] While this application discloses preferred embodiments as described above, it is not intended to limit the scope of this application. Any changes and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Therefore, any modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of this application without departing from the content of the technical solution of this application shall fall within the protection scope defined by the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A high-speed reaction vacuum generator, characterized in that, include: The housing has a first channel, a second channel, and a third channel inside, and the third channel is connected to the first channel and the second channel respectively. The housing is also provided with a suction cup connector, and the suction cup connector has a connection channel inside, which communicates with the second channel. A vacuum forming component is disposed within the second channel. The vacuum forming component includes a vacuum forming flow channel, which narrows near the connecting channel. The narrowed section of the connecting channel communicates with the connecting channel and forms a vacuum within the connecting channel. The housing is further provided with a vacuum breaking component in the third channel. The vacuum breaking component is respectively disposed in the first channel and the second channel. The vacuum breaking component is configured to open or close the second channel in the downstream flow path of the vacuum forming component.

2. The high-speed reaction vacuum generator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first channel is arranged parallel to the second channel, and the third channel is perpendicular to the first channel and the second channel, with the midpoint of the axis of the third channel intersecting the axes of the first channel and the second channel.

3. The high-speed reaction vacuum generator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vacuum breaking assembly includes a plug, a sealing plug, and an elastic element; The plug is located at the end of the third channel. One end of the elastic element abuts against the housing, and the other end is connected to the sealing plug. The sealing plug is configured to compress the elastic element and move it toward the second channel when compressed air is introduced into the first channel, so as to block the flow path of the second channel downstream of the vacuum forming assembly.

4. The high-speed reaction vacuum generator according to claim 3, characterized in that, The sealing plug has a limiting hole on the side opposite to the end cap, and one end of the elastic element is engaged in the limiting hole.

5. The high-speed reaction vacuum generator according to claim 3, characterized in that, One end of the third channel extends to the outside of the housing, and the plug seals the third channel at the opening end of the housing by a sealing gasket.

6. The high-speed reaction vacuum generator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vacuum forming assembly includes an inner copper core and an outer copper core, with the inner copper core embedded within the outer copper core and the vacuum forming channel located within the inner copper core.

7. The high-speed reaction vacuum generator according to claim 6, characterized in that, An O-ring is also provided on the side of the inner copper core near the third channel; A rubber pad is also provided on the side of the outer copper core away from the third channel.

8. The high-speed reaction vacuum generator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing is also provided with a mounting component, and the side of the mounting component facing away from the housing is a mounting cylinder, which is used to rotatably engage with external connecting components for installation.

9. The high-speed reaction vacuum generator according to claim 8, characterized in that, The suction cup connector and the mounting component are located on different sides of the housing.

10. A material loading and unloading mechanism, characterized in that, It includes a suction cup and a high-speed reaction vacuum generator as described in any one of claims 1-9, wherein the suction cup is mounted on the high-speed reaction vacuum generator.

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