Valve arrangement

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve arrangement (1; 81; 91) for supplying compressed air to compressed air consumers (30, 31), comprising a plurality of functional modules arranged in a row along a row direction (2) from the group: valve disc group (8), safety valve group (7), wherein the valve disc group (8) comprises one or more valve discs (101, 102), each having at least one electrically controllable valve (103, 104) connected to an electrical supply line (17) and to a fluid supply line (18), wherein the safety valve group (7) is arranged between a fluid connection (36) and the fluid supply line (18) of the valve disc group (8) and has a first safety valve (51) and a second safety valve (52), each designed to influence a fluid flow between the fluid connection (36) and the fluid supply line (18),wherein the safety control (7) is designed for a safety-related blocking of electrical control signals for the safety valves (51, 52) and wherein a valve control (5) is designed for an electrical control of the valve disc group (8) and the safety valve group (7).

Description

The invention relates to a valve arrangement for supplying compressed air to compressed air consumers, having a plurality of functional modules which are arranged in a row along a rowing direction.The object of the invention is to provide a valve arrangement with which different safety-directed functions can be realized.This object is achieved in that the valve arrangement of the type mentioned at the beginning has a plurality of functional modules which are arranged in a row along a row direction and are selected from the group consisting of a valve disk group and a safety valve group, wherein the valve disk group comprises one or more valve disks and wherein each valve disk has at least one electrically controllable valve which is connected to an electrical supply line which passes through the valve disk group and to a fluid supply line which passes through the valve disk group, wherein the safety valve group is arranged between a fluid connection and the fluid supply line of the valve disk group and has a first safety valve and a second safety valve which are each designed to influence a fluid flow between the fluid connection and the fluid supply line, wherein a safety controller arranged electrically between a valve controller and the safety valve group is configured for safety-directed blocking of electrical drive signals for the first safety valve and the second safety valve, and wherein the valve controller is configured for electrical control of the valve disk group and the safety valve group.Such a valve arrangement is used, for example, in the field of industrial automation technology and serves to supply one or more compressed air consumers with compressed air in a targeted manner and reliably vent them. The compressed air consumer can be, for example, a pneumatic cylinder, a pivot drive, a braking device or another component with which a conversion of pressure energy into a movement is carried out. Depending on the design of the compressed air consumer and on the field of use for the compressed air consumer, there may be a need to quickly and reliably bring the compressed air consumer into a rest state, preferably into an energy-free state. This can be the case, for example, when a machine or plant in which the valve arrangement and the compressed air consumer are used changes from a regular operating state into an unsafe state. Such a change of state can occur, for example, when a user engages or enters a safety zone established around the machine or installation during the operation of the machine or installation. The safety zone can be bounded, for example, by a safety fence and / or by a light barrier arrangement.The transfer of the compressed air consumer into the idle state provided for such a case is preferably achieved in that the pressure supply for the compressed air consumer is interrupted. It can particularly preferably be provided that the compressed air consumer is transferred into an energy-free state; for this purpose, venting of the compressed air consumer is carried out. In order to achieve the idle state and in particular the powerless state, the valve arrangement comprises a safety controller and a safety valve group, with which the disconnection of the pressure supply and optionally additionally the venting of the compressed air consumer can be realized.The safety controller is designed as an electrical or electronic controller and can be electrically connected, for example, to a door contact switch of a safety fence or to a safety light barrier and serves to actuate the safety valve group in the event of an anticipated triggering of the door contact switch or of the safety light barrier. The safety controller can also be electrically connected to other safety-directed components, such as an emergency stop switch.The safety valve group comprises an electrically controllable first safety valve and an electrically controllable second safety valve, which are fluidically connected in parallel for venting the fluid supply line. This means that both solely with the first safety valve and solely with the second safety valve the desired blocking of the compressed air supply and the venting of the fluid supply line and thus of the at least one compressed air consumer connected to the valve arrangement can be realized. Both the first safety valve and the second safety valve are electrically connected to the safety controller. The safety controller is electrically connected in series with the valve controller, wherein the valve controller is designed for providing electrical control signals for the safety valves and the task of the safety controller is to block these electrical control signals in the case of safety. The safety valves can be switched over by the control signals of the valve control, provided that the safety control does not block these control signals, between a second functional position, in which there is no blocking of the compressed air supply and / or no venting of the compressed air consumer by the safety valve group, and a first functional position, in which there is blocking of the compressed air supply and / or venting of the compressed air consumer by the safety valve group. By connecting the first safety valve and the second safety valve in parallel for the venting event, a redundancy for venting the compressed air consumer is realized, so that in a first fault event, in which for example the first safety valve has a malfunction, the safety-directed blocking of the compressed air supply for the compressed air consumer and / or the venting of the compressed air consumer is nevertheless ensured. For the second functional position of the safety valves, in which a compressed air supply for the fluid supply line and the at least one compressed air consumer connected to the valve arrangement is to be ensured, a fluidic series connection is preferably provided for the two safety valves of the safety valve group.The safety valve group is designed as a functional module of the valve arrangement and is provided for lining up with further functional modules of the valve arrangement to form a compact unit, which can also be referred to as a valve island.The safety controller can be provided as a separate component outside the functional modules arranged in series and can be electrically looped in between the valve controller and the safety valve group via a wiring, in particular via cable connections. It is preferably provided that the safety controller is likewise designed as a functional module of the valve arrangement and, purely by way of example, is arranged directly adjacent to the safety valve group or at a distance from the safety valve group in the valve arrangement.Preferably, it is provided that the functional modules of the valve arrangement are at least substantially cuboidal in design and can be lined up with adjacent side surfaces along an alignment direction.Furthermore, the valve arrangement comprises as a functional module a valve disk group and a valve controller preferably designed as a further functional module. Alternatively, the valve control is provided as a separate component outside the lined-up functional modules and is integrated electrically upstream of the safety valve group and the valve disk group via a wiring, preferably via cable connections, in particular via a bus connection.The valve disk group comprises one or more, in particular identically designed, valve disks, each of which has at least one electrically controllable valve. With the electrically controllable valve, a fluid flow can be influenced by a fluid channel which runs in the respective valve disk between an input connection and an output connection. For example, the electrically controllable valve is designed as a seat valve or slide valve and is equipped with, purely by way of example, a solenoid drive or a piezoelectric drive for moving a valve member arranged in the fluid channel.Each of the electrically controllable valves of the valve disks is connected to an electrical supply line which extends through the valve disk group. The electrical supply line also extends through further functional modules of the valve arrangement, preferably through all functional modules of the valve arrangement, and ensures an electrical connection between the valve disk group and the valve controller. By way of example, it is provided that each of the functional modules is provided on mutually opposite outer surfaces with a plug connector which is designed for electrical coupling to a functional module which is arranged adjacently, and that the plug connectors of the respective functional module are electrically connected to one another by a cable connection or a printed circuit (printed circuit board).The valve control is designed as an electrical or electronic control for electrically controlling the valve disks and can be electrically connected, for example, to a sensor or a plurality of sensors which are part of the machine or installation to which the valve arrangement is assigned. Additionally or alternatively, the valve control can be connected to a higher-order control. The task of the valve control is to perform a coordinated control of the valve disks in order to enable an intended function of compressed air consumers which are assigned to the machine or installation.Furthermore, each of the electrically controllable valves of the valve disk group is connected to a fluid supply line, via which compressed air can be supplied to the respective electrically controllable valve and / or compressed air can be discharged from the respective electrically controllable valve. For this purpose, it is provided in particular that each valve disk of the valve disk group comprises one or more fluid channels which are aligned along the line-up direction and issue on mutually opposite outer surfaces of the respective valve disk and are designed for a fluid-tight coupling to an adjacently arranged valve disk. These fluid channels form the fluid supply line and preferably also extend through further functional modules of the valve arrangement. Within the respective valve disk, it is provided that a fluidically communicating connection is present between the fluid supply line and the inlet connection of the fluid channel which passes through the valve disk. The output connection of the valve disk typically forms the working connection to which the compressed air consumer can be connected directly or with the interposition of a rigid or flexible fluid line, in particular a fluid hose.By way of example, it is provided that the fluid supply line or at least individual fluid channels of the fluid supply line also pass through the valve control and / or the safety control. In any case, it is provided that the fluid supply line extends as far as the safety valve group, so that a fluidically communicating connection between the valve disk group and the safety valve group is ensured. Depending on the configuration of the safety valve group and depending on the configuration of the fluid supply line, the blocking of the compressed air supply for the compressed air consumer or consumers and / or venting for the compressed air consumer or consumers can thus be carried out.Advantageous further developments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.It is expedient if the fluid supply line comprises a working air channel and if the first safety valve and the second safety valve are designed for a redundant influencing of a fluid flow in the working air channel, in particular for blocking a fluidically communicating connection between the fluid connection and the working air channel and for venting the working air channel. In this embodiment of the fluid supply line and the safety valve group, the safety-directed shut-down of the compressed air consumer is achieved in that the safety valve group both blocks the compressed air supply between the fluid connection and the working air channel and also vents the working air channel. For this purpose, it is to be provided that the first safety valve and the second safety valve each have at least one 3 / 2-way functionality, in particular are designed as at least 3 / 2-way valves. For this purpose, the two safety valves are fluidically connected in the rest position in such a way that a communicating connection is present between a compressed air supply assigned to the fluid connection and the working air duct, while a connection between the working air duct and a venting outlet assigned to the fluid connection is interrupted. Furthermore, it is provided that the two safety valves are fluidically connected in the safety state in such a way that blocking of the compressed air supply at the fluid connection and venting of the compressed air consumer via the fluid connection are ensured. Typically, a working pressure in the working air channel is located in a range between 0 bar and 10 bar.It is advantageous if a valve disk of the valve disk group is designed as a direct control valve disk with an electrically controllable main valve, wherein the main valve is fluidically connected to the working air channel and is electrically connected to the valve controller via the electrical supply line. With such an electrically controllable main valve, which can be designed as a seat valve or as a slide valve and which is equipped with a solenoid drive or a piezoelectric drive or another electric actuator for moving a valve member arranged in the fluid channel, there is a direct relationship between an electric control signal provided by the valve controller and a reaction of the main valve in the direct control valve disk. Such a main valve is also referred to as a direct-controlled valve. Depending on the configuration of the drive system provided in the main valve for the movement of the valve member, the main valve may be configured as a switching valve or as a proportional valve.It is preferably provided that the fluid supply line comprises a control air channel and that the first safety valve and the second safety valve are designed for a redundant influencing of a fluid flow in the control air channel, in particular for blocking a fluidically communicating connection between the fluid connection and the control air channel and for venting the control air channel. A control air channel is required if at least one of the valve disks is designed as a pilot valve disk which has an electrically controllable pilot valve which is electrically connected to the valve control via the electrical supply line and which is fluidically connected to the control air channel of the fluid supply line, wherein the pilot valve disk has a fluidically pilot-controlled main valve which is fluidically connected to the pilot valve and to the working air channel. Such a pilot valve disk is of interest in particular when a high working pressure and / or a high working air volume is to be switched with this valve disk and a directly controlled main valve would require a dimensioning for this purpose which would not be compatible with the size requirements and / or the cost requirements for a valve disk of the valve disk group. Preferably, but not necessarily, a lower air pressure is provided in the control air channel than is the case in the working air channel. The task of the pilot control valve is to provide the control pressure present in the control air channel to the fluidically pilot-controlled main valve as a function of an electrical control signal of the valve control system, in order to transfer the latter from a first functional position, in particular a closed position, into a second functional position, in particular an open position. The fluidically pilot-controlled main valve is designed to block a fluidically communicating connection between the working air channel and the working connection of the respective valve disk in one of its functional positions. Furthermore, the fluidically pilot-controlled main valve is designed, during the changeover between the closed position and the open position, at the latest when the open position is reached, to release the fluidically communicating connection between the working air duct and the working connection at least partially, preferably completely.It is typically provided that the fluidically pilot-controlled main valve is transferred into the closed position when the control air channel is ventilated, for example by a restoring spring, so that at least the blocking of a further working air supply for the compressed air consumer can be achieved solely by ventilating the control air channel with the aid of the safety valve group.In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a blocking disk is arranged between the safety valve group and the valve disk group, which blocking disk is designed for blocking the working air channel between the safety valve group and the valve disk group and which blocking disk has a working air connection designed for feeding working air into the working air channel of the valve disk group. With such a blocking disk, an intermediate feeding of working air into the valve arrangement is made possible. This intermediate feed makes it possible to supply one or more compressed air consumers, which are connected to the valve disk group arranged downstream or downstream of the blocking disk, with a working pressure which deviates from a working pressure of a valve disk group arranged upstream or upstream of the blocking disk. When using such a blocking disk, the safety valve group influences the control air channel, while no influence of the safety valve group on the working air channel running downstream of the blocking disk is provided.It is preferably provided that a blocking disk is arranged between the safety valve group and the valve disk group, which blocking disk is designed for blocking the control air channel between the safety valve group and the valve disk group and which blocking disk has a control air connection designed for feeding control air into the control air channel of the valve disk group. With such a blocking disk, an intermediate feeding of control air into the valve arrangement is made possible. This intermediate feed makes it possible to supply at least one pilot valve disk, which is contained in the valve disk group arranged downstream of the blocking disk, with a control pressure which is independent of a control pressure for a valve disk group arranged upstream of the blocking disk. When using such a blocking disk, the safety valve group influences the working air channel, while no influence of the safety valve group on the control air channel running downstream of the blocking disk is provided.In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the first safety valve and / or the second safety valve has a safety main valve electrically connected to the safety controller and fluidically connected to the fluid connection, and that the safety controller is designed for an electrical control of the safety main valve. With such an electrically controllable safety main valve, which can be designed as a seat valve or as a slide valve and which is equipped with a solenoid drive or a piezoelectric drive or another electric actuator for moving a valve member arranged in the fluid channel, there is a direct connection between an electric control signal provided by the safety controller and a reaction of the safety main valve of the safety valve group. Such a safety main valve is also referred to as a direct-controlled safety valve. Depending on the configuration of the drive system provided in the safety main valve for the movement of the valve member, the safety main valve can be configured as a switching valve or as a proportional valve. Preferably, it is provided that the safety main valve remains in the closed position in the absence of an electrical control signal of the safety controller by a biasing device associated with the safety main valve, for example a helical spring, or is transferred into the closed position when the electrical control signal is switched off.In the closed position, which can also be referred to as the safety position, the safety main valve is preferably designed to block a fluidically communicating connection between the working pressure supply at the fluid connection and the working air channel and / or between the control air supply at the fluid connection and the control air channel and additionally or alternatively to vent the working air channel and / or the control air channel.It can particularly preferably be provided that the first safety valve and the second safety valve are designed differently in technical terms, for example with regard to the respective drive system and / or the valve member and / or the fluid guide in the safety valve housing, in order to thus achieve a diversity redundancy. The use of safety valves designed in this way is provided in particular when the safety valves are intended to be used exclusively to influence the control air duct and / or the working air duct of a downstream valve disk group.In an alternative embodiment of the safety valve group, it is provided that the first safety valve and / or the second safety valve has a safety pilot valve electrically connected to the safety controller and fluidically connected to the fluid connection and a safety main valve fluidically connected to the safety pilot valve and fluidically connected to the fluid connection, wherein the safety controller is designed for an electrical actuation of the safety pilot valve and wherein the safety pilot valve is designed for a fluidic actuation of the safety main valve.Such a configuration of the two safety valves is of interest in particular when the working pressure for the downstream valve disk group is to be switched with the safety valves and for this purpose a directly controlled safety main valve would require dimensioning which would not be compatible with the size requirements and / or the cost requirements for the safety valve group. The task of the safety pilot valve is to provide the control pressure present in the control air channel to the fluidically pilot-controlled main valve as a function of an electrical control signal of the safety controller, in order to transfer the same from a first functional position, in particular a closed position, into a second functional position, in particular an open position. The fluidically pilot-controlled safety main valve is preferably designed to block, in the closed position, which can also be referred to as the safety position, a fluidically communicating connection between the working pressure supply at the fluid connection and the working air duct and / or between the control air supply at the fluid connection and the control air duct and additionally or alternatively to undertake venting of the working air duct and / or of the control air duct.It can particularly preferably be provided that the first safety valve and the second safety valve are designed differently in technical terms, for example with regard to the respective drive system and / or the valve member and / or the fluid guide in the safety valve housing, in order to thus achieve a diversity redundancy.In an advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that the first safety valve and / or the second safety valve is equipped with a position sensor which is designed to detect a valve position and which is electrically connected to the safety controller. A position of the valve member of the respective safety valve can be detected with the position sensor in order to make a possibility available for the safety control to monitor a switching behavior of the respective safety valve in the event of safety-directed actuation. By way of example, the position sensor is designed to detect an arrangement of the valve member in the closed position and to provide a predefined first sensor signal for this case. On the basis of these sensor signals, the safety controller is enabled to check the positioning of the valve member in the blocking position. Alternatively, it can be provided that the position sensor is designed for monitoring the position of the valve member at least along a part of a movement path for the valve member. In this case, the safety controller can carry out an analysis of a functional state for the respective safety valve, in particular on the basis of a movement behavior of the valve member. The safety controller is preferably designed such that, in the event of a deviation between an expected sensor signal of the position sensor and an actual sensor signal of the position sensor, it takes measures, on the one hand, by means of which the compressed air consumer or the compressed air consumers which are connected to the valve arrangement are stopped or rendered energy-free. Furthermore, the safety controller can take further measures which, for example, enables the machine or installation equipped with the valve arrangement to be restarted only after release by authorized operating personnel.Advantageous embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing. The following shows: FIG. 1 is a strictly schematic illustration of a first embodiment of a valve assembly including an alignment of a feed plate, a valve control, a safety control, a safety valve group and a valve disc group, FIG. 2 is a strictly schematic illustration of a second embodiment of a valve arrangement in which an intermediate feed is provided between the safety valve group and the valve disk group, FIG. 3 is a strictly schematic illustration of a third embodiment of a valve arrangement in which the safety valve group is directly associated with the feed plate FIG. 4 shows a strictly schematic fluid circuit diagram of a first embodiment for an interconnection of a valve control, a safety control, a safety valve group and a valve disk group and associated compressed air consumers, wherein a shutoff of working air and control air by the safety valve group is provided, FIG. 5 shows a strictly schematic fluid circuit diagram of a second embodiment for an interconnection of a valve control, a safety control, a safety valve group and a valve disk group and associated compressed air consumers, wherein a shutoff of working air by the safety valve group and an intermediate feeding of control air are provided, FIG. 6 shows a strictly schematic fluid circuit diagram of a first embodiment for an interconnection of a valve control, a safety control, a safety valve group and a valve disk group and associated compressed air consumers, wherein a shut-off of control air by the safety valve group and an intermediate feeding of working air are provided.A valve arrangement 1 shown in FIG. 1 is designed for supplying compressed air to compressed air consumers, not shown, such as pneumatic cylinders, pivot drives, brake devices, for example, and is provided for use in an industrial environment, for example on a machine, not shown, or in a system, not shown. The fluidic interconnection of the valve arrangement 1 is shown in FIG. 4, which is described in more detail below.The valve arrangement 1 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a plurality of functional modules 3 which are simplified in the drawing as cuboids of the same shape and are arranged next to one another along a line-up direction 2. in the valve arrangement 1 according to FIG. 1, the functional modules 3 comprise a feed plate 4, a valve controller 5, a safety controller 6, a safety valve group 7 and a valve disk group 8.The feed plate 4 is equipped purely by way of example with a working air connection 10 and a venting connection 12. The working air connection 10 can be connected, for example, to a compressed air source, not shown, which, with regard to a maximum pressure to be provided and with regard to a maximum volume flow to be provided, is designed to supply a plurality of compressed air consumers which can be connected to the valve arrangement 1. Purely by way of example, it is provided that the control air for the safety valve group 7 and the valve disk group 8 is branched off directly from the working air.The venting connection 12 enables compressed air to be discharged from the valve arrangement and can be provided, for example, with a muffler, not shown.Starting from the feed plate 4, a working air channel 18, a control air channel 19 and a venting channel 20 each extend along the line-up direction 2 through all functional modules 3 arranged downstream of the feed plate 4, which function modules form a fluid supply line 17. In this case, it is provided that the working air channel 18, the control air channel 19 and the venting channel 20, with the exception of the feed plate 4 of each of the functional modules 3, pass in each case between mutually opposite side faces 21, 22 of the respective functional module 3 (drawn in on the last valve disk of the valve disk group 8 in the illustration of FIG. 1 ) and open out on these side faces 21, 22. The arrangement of the working air channel 18, the control air channel 19 and the venting channel 20 can be seen on the right side surface 22 of the valve disk group 8. In a practical use of the valve arrangement 1, the working air channel 18, the control air channel 19 and the venting channel 20 are closed off in a fluid-tight manner by a closure plate, not shown, which is lined up downstream of the valve disk group 8.Adjoining the feed plate 4, in the valve arrangement 1 according to FIG. 1, a valve control 5 is arranged purely by way of example, which has a microprocessor on a printed circuit, not shown in more detail, and also electrical and electronic peripheral components necessary for operating the microprocessor. The microprocessor is used for receiving and processing electrical control signals which are provided at a control input 13 of the valve control 6 by a higher-order control, not shown, for example a programmable logic control, and for outputting electrical control signals to the valve disk group 8. By way of example, it is provided that the valve controller 5 has, in addition to the control input 13, an electrical supply input 14, with which electrical energy can be fed into the valve arrangement 1 for operating the functional modules 3 arranged downstream of the valve controller 5. Proceeding from the valve control 5, an electrical supply line 17 extends through the functional modules 3 arranged downstream of the valve control 5. the electrical supply line 17 comprises electrical supply lines, not shown in detail, which are connected to the supply inlet 14, and signal lines for a signal transmission between the valve control 5 and the valve disk group 8.Each of the functional modules 3 is traversed in each case between the mutually opposite side faces 21, 22 by the electrical supply line 17, which opens out in each case on the side faces 21, 22. The arrangement of the electrical supply line 17 can be seen on the right side face 22 of the valve disk group 8, which is provided there with a contact plug. In practical use, these contact plugs are protected by the not-shown terminal plate.Adjoining the valve control 5, a safety control 6 is merely exemplarily arranged, which comprises a microprocessor on a printed circuit, not shown in detail, as well as electrical and electronic peripheral components necessary for operating the microprocessor. The microprocessor is used for receiving and processing electrical sensor signals which can be provided at sensor inputs 25, 26, 27, for example, by a safety sensor 99 or position sensors 78, 79, as are shown in more detail in FIGS. 4 to 6. By way of example, it is provided that the position sensors 78 as a component of the safety valve group 7 are connected via sensor lines 55, 56 starting from sensor outputs 28, 29 of the position sensors 78, 79 to the sensor inputs 26, 27 of the safety controller 6.The safety controller 6 is designed such that sensor signals provided at the sensor inputs 25, 26, 27 can be processed in a safety-directed manner. For this purpose, for example, the sensor signals can be processed in different computer program modules, which are preferably programmed in different ways. Alternatively, it can be provided that the sensor signals are processed in several microprocessors, in particular microprocessors of different construction and programmed design. The processing results resulting from the processing of the sensor signals are compared with one another. By way of example, it can be provided that a triggering of a safety function is carried out by the safety controller 6 provided that the processing results are not within a predefined tolerance interval. Furthermore, a triggering of a safety function can be carried out by the safety controller if the processing results lie within the predefined tolerance interval, but a predefined threshold value is exceeded or undershot, for example. Communication between the safety controller 6 and safety valves 51, 52 of the downstream safety valve group 7 preferably takes place via separate electrical lines in the electrical supply line 17. Alternatively, communication between the safety controller 6 and the safety valve group 7 can also be carried out via safety-directed data packets of an internal bus communication of the valve arrangement 1.The safety valves 51, 52 contained in the safety valve group 7 will be explained in more detail below in connection with FIGS. 4 to 6. This applies in the same way to the valve disk group 8.The second embodiment of a valve arrangement 81, as is illustrated in FIG. 2, differs from the first embodiment of the valve arrangement 1 according to FIG. 1 only by a blocking disk 82 arranged between the safety valve group 7 and the valve disk group 8. In order to make it possible to provide control air to the valve disk group 8 arranged downstream of the blocking disk 82, the blocking disk 82 has a control air connection 83 which is connected in a fluidically communicating manner to the fluid supply line 18 within the valve disk group 8. The fluidic interconnection of the valve arrangement 81 is shown in FIG. 5, which is described in more detail below.The third embodiment of a valve arrangement 91, as shown in FIG. 3, differs from the first embodiment of the valve arrangement 1 according to FIG. 1 by a blocking disk 92 arranged between the safety valve group 7 and the valve disk group 8. In order to make it possible to provide working air to the valve disk group 8 arranged downstream of the blocking disk 92, the blocking disk 92 has a working air connection 93 which is connected in a fluidically communicating manner to the fluid supply line 18 within the valve disk group 8. Furthermore, in the third embodiment of the valve arrangement 91, it is provided that the safety valve group 157 is arranged as a separate module on the feed plate 154, so that the safety valve group 157 together with the feed plate 154 forms a functional module 3, whereby a space-saving arrangement can be achieved. Alternatively, in an embodiment which is not shown, it can be provided that the safety controller forms a functional module with the feed plate.The fluidic interconnection of the valve arrangement 91 is shown in FIG. 6, which is described in more detail below.The schematic fluid circuit diagram of the first embodiment of the valve arrangement 1 shown in FIG. 4 shows the fluidic and electrical interconnection of the valve control 5, the safety control 6, the safety valve group 7 and the valve disk group 8.As can be seen from the illustration in FIG. 4, the valve control 5 is electrically connected, purely by way of example, to a superordinate control 32, which can be, for example, a machine control of a production machine, not illustrated, in which the valve arrangement 1 is integrated. The higher-order control 32 already delivers electrical signals and electrical energy to the valve control 5. By way of example, it is provided that the electrical signals of the superordinate controller 32 are provided at the control input 13 shown in FIG. 1, while the electrical energy is provided at the supply input 14 shown in FIG. 1 to the valve controller 5.The valve controller 5 is designed to process the electrical signals of the superordinate controller 32 and to provide electrical control signals to the valve disks 101, 102 of the valve disk group 8, which are purely exemplarily designed as pilot valve disks. For this purpose, the valve disks 101, 102 are electrically connected to the valve control 5 via control lines 33, 34.Furthermore, it is provided that the electrical energy provided at the supply inlet 14 of the valve control 5 according to FIG. 1 is also provided to the safety control 6 via a supply line 35 shown in FIG. 4. The supply line 35 contains a communication line, not shown, via which data can be exchanged between the safety controller 6 and the valve controller 5. In particular, the safety controller 6 can be supplied via the supply line 35 with information about which switching state the valve disks 101, 102 are intended to assume on the basis of control signals of the valve controller 5, in order to subsequently enable a corresponding release of control signals to the safety valves 51, 52.The safety controller 6 is electrically connected to the first safety valve 51 via a first safety control line 53. Furthermore, the safety controller 6 is connected to the second safety valve 52 via a second safety control line 54. Furthermore, a first sensor line 55 extends between the safety sensor 99, which is designed purely by way of example as a door contact sensor of a safety fence 100, which is shown only schematically and is arranged around the two compressed air consumers 30, 31, and the safety controller 6. A third sensor line 57 extends between a position sensor 79 associated with the second safety valve 52.By way of example, the two safety valves 51, 52 are each designed as electropneumatically pilot-controlled 5 / 2-way valves, which are each held in a first functional position by a spring device 58, 59, as is shown in FIG. 4. When an electrical control signal is provided by the safety controller 6 via the safety control line 53 or 54, the respective safety valve 51, 52 can be transferred from the first functional position according to FIG. 4 into a second functional position, not shown. In this case, the electrical control signal brings about an activation of a pilot valve 60 or 61, which is only schematically illustrated and is designed as a solenoid valve, for example. As a result, control air is provided to an associated main valve 62, 63, as a result of which the respective main valve 62, 63 can be transferred from the first functional position into the second functional position.When the electrical control signal is deactivated by the safety controller 6, the supply of control air through the pilot valves 60, 61 to the associated main valves 62, 63 is interrupted. The pilot valves 60, 61 are preferably designed in such a way that, in addition to the interruption of the supply of control air, they also bring about a pressure reduction in the respective control air section, not shown in detail, of the associated main valve 62, 63, so that the associated main valve 62, 63 is transferred from the second functional position, not shown, into the first functional position according to FIG. 4 by the action of the spring device 58 or 59. When the first functional position is reached, the respective position sensor 78, 79 provides a sensor signal to the safety controller 6 via the sensor line 55 or 56, so that the safety controller receives information about whether and when the respective main valve 62 or 63 has returned to the first functional position.Since the first functional position is the safe functional position for the safety valve group 7, the safety controller 6 is designed to output an error message if, after the electrical control signals for the two pilot valves 60, 61 have been switched off, the two position sensors 78, 79 do not indicate the return of the respective main valves 62, 63 into the first functional position within a predefined time period. This fault message can, for example, result in the fact that renewed actuation of the two safety valves 51, 52 is prevented. In addition, this fault message can be displayed optically or acoustically by the safety controller 6 or can be forwarded to the superordinate controller 32 via a communication with the valve controller 5 in order to carry out suitable measures there with which a correction of the fault can be initiated.As can be seen from the illustration in FIG. 4, the two safety valves 51 and 52 are connected via a supply line 36 to a compressed air source 37. By way of example, provision is made for the complete pressure supply for the valve arrangement 1 and the compressed air consumers 30, 31 connected thereto to be realized by the compressed air source 37 and for no separate control air supply to be provided.Within the safety valve group 7, the supply line 36 branches off to the two pilot valves 60 and 61 in order to provide the required control air there, and to a first input connection 66 of the first safety valve 51. a second input connection 67 of the first safety valve 51 is connected to a second input connection 72 of the second safety valve 52 via a venting line 38 which is provided with a first air outlet 39 and a second air outlet 40. Furthermore, a first output connection 68 and a third output connection 70 of the first safety valve 51 are each assigned a non-designated blocking channel. A second output port 69 of the first safety valve 51 is connected to a first input port 71 of the second safety valve 52 via a connecting line 41. Blocking channels, not designated, are assigned to a first output terminal 73 and a third output terminal 75. A second output connection 74 of the second safety valve 52 is connected to a supply line 42 which extends to a first switching valve 103 of the first valve disk 101 and to a second switching valve 104 of the second valve disk 102.The supply line 42 branches off both in the first valve disk 101 and in the second valve disk 102 as control air supply to a pilot valve 105, 106 and as working air supply to a main valve 107, 108. In this case, the supply line 42 is connected in each case to a second input connection 112, 117 of the first switching valve 103 or of the second switching valve 104.In the case of both switching valves 103, 104, the first input connection 111, 116 and the third input connection 113, 118 are each connected to venting outputs, which are not designated. The first output connection 114 of the first switching valve 103 is connected to a first working connection 43 of the first compressed air consumer 30. The second output connection 115 of the first sound valve 103 is connected to a second working connection 44 of the first compressed air consumer 30. The first output connection 119 of the second switching valve 104 is connected to a first working connection 45 of the second compressed air consumer 31. The second output connection 120 of the second switching valve 104 is connected to a second working connection 46 of the second compressed air consumer 31.A mode of operation of the valve arrangement 1 according to the illustration in FIG. 4 can be described as follows: in order to enable a compressed air supply for the first compressed air consumer 30 and / or for the second compressed air consumer 31, it is provided, for example, that the superordinate controller 32 provides control signals directed thereto to the valve controller 5. The valve control 5 provides an electrical control signal to the safety control 6 via the supply line 35.The safety controller 6 then checks whether possibly preconditions are present which prevent a transfer of the two safety valves 51, 52 from the first functional position into the second functional position. By way of example, such a prerequisite would be given if the safety sensor 99 on the safety fence 100 provides a signal to the safety controller 6, from which it can be seen that the safety door in the safety fence 100 is opened, as is shown purely by way of example in the illustration of FIG. 4. A further prerequisite would be given if at least one of the two position sensors 78, 79 of the safety valves 51, 52 provides a signal to the safety controller, from which it can be seen that at least one of the safety valves 51, 52 has not returned to the first functional position.If none of the above-mentioned preconditions are present, the safety controller 6 can perform an electrical actuation of the pilot control valves 60, 61 of the safety valves 51, 52, with the result that both safety valves 51, 52 are transferred from the first functional position according to FIG. 4 into a second functional position, which is not illustrated. In this second functional position, compressed air is provided from the compressed air source 37 via the supply line 42 to the first switching valve 103 of the first valve disk 101 and to the second switching valve 104 of the second valve disk 102 via the first input connection 66 and the second output connection 69 of the first safety valve 51 and via the first input connection 71 and the second output connection 74. These two switching valves 103 and 104 can subsequently be switched by the valve control 5 depending on the demand of the respective compressed air consumer 30, 31.If a safety-directed sensor signal is provided to the safety controller 6 during this regular operation of the valve arrangement 1, which can be effected exclusively by the safety sensor 99 in the embodiment of FIG. 4, but can also be the case in a practical application by further sensors or emergency stop switches, the safety controller 6 carries out an emergency shutdown for the valve arrangement 1 and the compressed air consumers 30, 31 connected thereto. For this purpose, the control signals provided by the safety controller 6 for the two pilot valves 60, 61 of the safety valves 51, 52 are changed, in particular switched off, in such a way that no further supply of control air to the respective main valves 62, 63 is present. This aims at switching the safety valves 51, 52 from the second functional position into the first functional position.In the event that both safety valves 51, 52 actually assume the first functional position according to FIG. 4, venting of the supply line 42 takes place, wherein both the working air and the control air for the two switching valves 103, 104 of the valve disks 101 and 102 are vented.If the first safety valve 51 should remain in the second functional position, not shown, because of a malfunction, which is to be regarded as a first fault case, the venting of the two valve disks 101 and 102 is nevertheless ensured by the switchover of the second safety valve 52 from the second functional position, not shown, into the first functional position according to FIG. 4. In this case, the compressed air flows from the supply line 42 via the second outlet connection 74 of the second safety valve 52 to the two air outlets 39 and 40.If the second safety valve 52 should remain in the second functional position, not shown, because of a malfunction, which is likewise to be regarded as a first fault case, the venting of the two valve disks 101 and 102 is nevertheless ensured by the switchover of the first safety valve 51 from the second functional position, not shown, into the first functional position according to FIG. 4. In this case, the compressed air flows via the second output connection 74 of the second safety valve 102 to the first input connection 71 of the second safety valve and from there via the connecting lines 41 to the second output connection 69 of the first safety valve 51 in order to flow from there to the second input connection 67 of the first safety valve 51 and then to flow out into the environment at the two air outlets 39 and 40.FIG. 5 shows the fluidic interconnection of the second valve arrangement 81 according to FIG. 2, which differs from the fluidic interconnection of the first valve arrangement 1 according to FIG. 1 in that the blocking disk 82 shown in FIG. 2 provides only for supplying the two valve disks 101 and 102 with working air. The supply of control air to the two valve disks 101 and 102 takes place via the control air connection 83, which is therefore also not affected by the shut-off function of the two safety valves 51 and 52. Otherwise, the mode of operation of the second valve arrangement 81 is identical to the mode of operation of the first valve arrangement 1 described above.FIG. 6 shows the fluidic interconnection of the third valve arrangement 91 according to FIG. 3, which differs from the fluidic interconnection of the first valve arrangement 1 according to FIG. 1 in that the blocking disk 92 shown in FIG. 3 provides only for supplying the two valve disks 101 and 102 with control air. Working air is supplied to the two valve disks 101 and 102 via the working air connection 93, which is therefore also not affected by the shut-off function of the two safety valves 51 and 52. Otherwise, the mode of operation of the third valve arrangement 91 is identical to the mode of operation of the first valve arrangement 1 described above.

Claims

Valve arrangement (1; 81; 91) for supplying compressed air to compressed air consumers (30, 31), having a plurality of functional modules, which are arranged in a row along a row direction (2), from the group: valve disk group (8), safety valve group (7), wherein the valve disk group (8) comprises one or more valve disks (101, 102) and wherein each valve disk (101, 102) has at least one electrically controllable valve (103, 104) which is connected to an electrical supply line (17) which passes through the valve disk group (8) and to a fluid supply line (18) which passes through the valve disk group (8), wherein the safety valve group (7) is arranged between a fluid connection (36) and the fluid supply line (18) of the valve disk group (8) and has a first safety valve (51) and a second safety valve (52), which are each designed to influence a fluid flow between the fluid connection (36) and the fluid supply train (18), wherein a safety controller (6) arranged electrically between a valve controller (5) and the safety valve group (7) is designed for safety-directed blocking of electrical drive signals for the first safety valve (51) and the second safety valve (52), and wherein the valve controller (5) is designed for electrical drive of the valve disk group (8) and the safety valve group (7).Valve arrangement (1; 81; 91) according to claim 1, characterised in that the fluid supply line (18) comprises a working air channel (19), and in that the first safety valve (51) and the second safety valve (52) are designed for a redundant influencing of a fluid flow in the working air channel ()19, in particular for a blocking of a fluidically communicating connection between the fluid connection (36) and the working air channel (19) and for a venting of the working air channel (19).Valve arrangement (1; 81; 91) according to claim 2, characterised in that a valve disc (101, 102) of the valve disc group (8) is designed as a direct control valve disc with an electrically controllable main valve, wherein the main valve is fluidically connected to the working air duct (19) and is electrically connected to the valve controller (5) via the electrical supply line (17).Valve arrangement (1; 81; 91) according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the fluid supply line (18) comprises a control air channel (20) and that the first safety valve (51) and the second safety valve (52) are designed for a redundant influencing of a fluid flow in the control air channel (20), in particular for blocking a fluidically communicating connection between the fluid connection (36) and the control air channel (20) and for venting the control air channel (20).Valve arrangement (1; 81; 91) according to Claim 4, characterized in that a valve disc (101, 102) of the valve disc group (8) is designed as a pilot valve disc which has an electrically controllable pilot valve (105, 106) which is electrically connected to the valve controller (5) via the electrical supply line (17) and which is fluidically connected to the control air duct (20) of the fluid supply line (18), and in that the pilot valve disc (101, 102) has a fluidically pilot-controlled main valve (107, 108) which is fluidically connected to the pilot valve (105, 106) and to the working air duct (19).Valve arrangement (1; 81; 91) according to one of Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that a blocking disc is arranged between the safety valve group and the valve disc group, which blocking disc is designed for blocking the working air duct between the safety valve group and the valve disc group and which blocking disc has a working air connection which is designed for feeding working air into the working air duct of the valve disc group.Valve arrangement (1; 81; 91) according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterised in that a blocking disc (82) is arranged between the safety valve group (7) and the valve disc group (8), which blocking disc is configured for blocking the control air duct (20) between the safety valve group (7) and the valve disc group (8) and which has a control air connection (83) configured for feeding control air into the control air duct (20) of the valve disc group (8).Valve arrangement (1; 81; 91) according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first safety valve (51) and / or the second safety valve (52) has a safety main valve which is electrically connected to the safety controller (7) and fluidically connected to the fluid connection (36), and in that the safety controller is designed for electrically actuating the safety main valve.Valve arrangement (1; 81; 91) according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first safety valve (51) and / or the second safety valve (52) has a safety pilot valve (60, 61) which is electrically connected to the safety controller (7) and fluidically connected to the fluid connection (36), and a safety main valve (62, 63) which is fluidically connected to the safety pilot valve (60, 61) and fluidically connected to the fluid connection (36), wherein the safety controller (7) is designed for electrically actuating the safety pilot valve (60, 61), and wherein the safety pilot valve (60, 61) is designed for fluidically actuating the safety main valve (62, 63).Valve arrangement (1; 81; 91) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first safety valve (51) and / or the second safety valve (52) is equipped with a position sensor (78, 79) which is designed to detect a valve position and which is electrically connected to the safety controller (7).

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