Suction unit and suction device
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-05-03
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-11
AI Technical Summary
Existing suction units operating according to the Bernoulli principle are complex and costly to manufacture, requiring extensive mechanical processing and assembly, making them inefficient for capturing and releasing objects of various sizes and shapes without deformation or contamination.
A suction unit design featuring a deflection unit with a peg-shaped mounting element and a suction body with distribution channels connected by a closed connecting channel, allowing for cost-effective production through injection molding and easy assembly using simple fasteners, enabling the suction device to be adaptable and user-friendly for different applications.
The design reduces manufacturing effort and cost, allows for easy assembly and disassembly, and enables safe, controlled capture and release of objects of any size and shape, suitable for both manual and mechanical use, including by robots.
Smart Images
Figure EP2024062292_07112024_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001]Suction unit and suction device The invention relates to a suction unit operating according to the Bernoulli principle and to a suction device with at least one suction unit operating according to the Bernoulli principle, by means of which objects, in particular isolated objects from a work process, can be picked up and released again. In numerous industrial applications, in particular in the food industry, products or objects with predetermined dimensions must be prepared for packaging. Foodstuffs such as bread, sausages or cheese are often cut into thin slices or slices and packaged. In other technical fields, for example, plate-shaped workpieces such as wafers, circuit boards, foils, paper, wood veneer and the like are produced and prepared for further processing. In addition to plate-shaped objects, objects of other shapes, for example round or elongated, must often also be grasped.The objects must be picked up carefully at a pick-up location and returned unchanged, i.e. without deformation, damage or contamination, to a delivery location. Instead of mechanical gripping tools, suction devices are often used, preferably operating according to the Bernoulli principle. According to DE202006016833U1, Bernoulli suction units usually consist of an axisymmetric base body through which a gaseous medium (compressed air, protective gas, etc.) flows from at least one nozzle towards an object to be lifted. Upon impact with the object, the gaseous medium is deflected radially at high flow velocity between the object unit and the base body of the suction unit. According to the Bernoulli equation, the kinetic energy and the specific pressure energy are always constant. In the range of high flow velocity, this results in a correspondingly reduced pressure, by means of which the object is sucked in.To reduce the pressure force counteracting the suction force that occurs when the media flow hits the object, in known suction units the media flow is deflected radially before it hits the object. A plate-shaped deflection unit is held in front of the incoming gas, so that it is deflected radially through an annular gap and guided away to the side. DE202006016833U1 shows suction units in which the plate-shaped deflection unit is integrally connected to the base body. The production of such a suction unit with the deflection unit integrated into it is associated with a high manufacturing effort. US2022289500A1 describes suction units that have a deflection unit with a deflection head and with a pin-shaped mounting element connected to the deflection head, and a suction body.The suction body comprises a suction plate with a front facing away from the suction body, an inlet channel that is closed at the front after the deflection head is inserted, and a plurality of distribution channels branching off from the inlet channel through which a gaseous medium can be introduced from the inlet channel to the front of the suction plate into a deflection channel or annular gap that is delimited on the one hand by the front of the suction plate and on the other hand by the deflection head of the deflection unit, and through which deflection channel or annular gap the gaseous medium can be guided away from the deflection unit. The manufacture of this suction unit also involves a high level of production effort. The distribution channels are inserted into the suction body using bores, which requires intensive mechanical processing. Suction devices with multiple suction units allow several objects to be grasped and transported simultaneously, either manually or mechanically.Suction devices of this type usually have a complex structure and generally do not allow for easy assembly of the suction units. The present invention is therefore based on the object of creating an improved suction unit that operates according to the Bernoulli principle. Furthermore, an improved suction device with at least one suction unit operating according to the Bernoulli principle is to be created. Suction units according to the invention should allow objects of any size and shape to be reliably grasped and released in a controlled manner. The suction units should have a base body that can be manufactured with low production outlay. The suction units should be capable of being produced cost-effectively using simple processes in short cycles. Complex mechanical processing should be avoided.The suction device according to the invention should be cost-effective to manufacture and adaptable to the requirements of users in different technology areas with minimal manufacturing effort. Suction units should be easy to assemble and disassemble, so that the suction device can be quickly adapted to an existing work process. The suction units should be mountable without tools using simple fastening means. The suction device should be suitable for use as a hand tool or for mechanical use, for example, by automatic machines or robots. This object is achieved with a suction unit and a suction device having the features specified in claims 1 and 11, respectively. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in further claims.The suction unit, which is suitable for sucking in an object according to the Bernoulli principle, comprises a deflection unit with a deflection head and with a peg-shaped mounting element adjoining the deflection head, as well as a suction body which has a suction plate with a front side facing away from the suction body, which has an inlet channel which runs through the suction body up to the front side of the suction plate and into which the peg-shaped mounting element is inserted from the front side of the suction plate, and which has a plurality of distribution channels branched off from the inlet channel, through which a gaseous medium can be introduced from the inlet channel to the front side of the suction plate into a deflection channel or annular gap which is delimited on the one hand by the front side of the suction plate and on the other hand by the deflection head of the deflection unit.According to the invention, the distribution channels along a channel segment of the inlet channel are each connected to the inlet channel by a connecting channel. This connecting channel, starting from the front side of the suction plate, is closed along a portion of the channel segment by the inserted pin-shaped mounting element and is open toward the inlet channel above the pin-shaped mounting element. The suction body thus has no completely enclosed distribution channels between the channel inlet and the channel outlet, which would have to be inserted into the suction body by mechanical processes, for example, by drilling. The suction body can be manufactured in a single operation by primary forming or by a primary forming process, in particular an injection molding process.Primary forming is a main group of manufacturing processes and, according to DIN 8580, encompasses all manufacturing processes in which a solid body with a geometrically defined shape is produced from a formless material. Primary forming is used to create the initial form of a solid body and create the material cohesion (see https: / / de.wikipedia.org / wiki / Urformen). Die casting, injection molding, or compression molding processes can be advantageously used. Plastics can therefore be advantageously converted from the liquid or plastic state into the final shape of the absorbent body, eliminating the need for subsequent mechanical processing. The absorbent units according to the invention can therefore be manufactured cost-effectively without mechanical processing.The connecting channels, and thus the distribution channels, are preferably first closed by the inserted pin-shaped mounting element of the deflection unit in an area between the inlet channel and the front of the suction plate. The gaseous medium can therefore only be guided from the inlet channel to outlet openings of the distribution channels, which are provided at defined locations on the front of the suction plate. The connecting channels are preferably closed by the deflection unit. However, it is also possible to use a similarly functioning closure part, which, for example, has a sealing sleeve that can be inserted into the inlet channel and an adjoining annular flange. The mounting element of the deflection unit is then inserted or screwed into the closure part.Transparent plastics are preferably used to manufacture the suction body and the deflection unit, allowing an object held by the suction unit to be visually monitored and / or inspected. The distribution channels are arranged at regular or irregular intervals from one another and preferably run outwards along the outer surface of a cone or along a curve, optionally asymptotically to the suction plate, concentric to the longitudinal axis. By appropriately shaping and inclining the distribution channels, the ejection direction of the medium can be influenced as desired. The connecting channels are preferably implemented as longitudinal slots that can be easily closed. The connecting channels have a first channel opening adjoining the channel segment of the inlet channel and a second channel opening adjoining the front side of the suction plate.Preferably, the deflection unit comprises a sealing ring connected to the mounting element, which rests against the second channel opening and closes the connecting channels at the front. The sleeve-shaped closure part, provided with an annular flange, has the same function. Additionally or alternatively, it is preferably provided that the mounting element or the sleeve-shaped closure part is provided with closure bodies corresponding to the number of distribution channels, which can be inserted into the connecting channels to preferably completely fill and close them. The closure bodies are preferably designed to complement the connecting channels.The suction body is preferably integrally or detachably connected to a suction basket, the inside of which adjoins the suction plate or the inside of which is spaced from the suction plate, and which encloses a receiving channel having a channel opening dimensioned such that isolated objects can be inserted into the receiving channel or into at least one recess on the underside of the suction basket. The suction basket preferably has at least one basket opening, preferably a slot-shaped basket opening, which is preferably located approximately at the height of the deflection head of the deflection unit used or at a distance from the suction plate, for example in the range of 1 mm - 20 mm. Advantageously, a plurality of basket openings can also be provided, which are preferably arranged offset from one another in one plane or in several planes axially relative to the longitudinal axis of the suction unit.Preferably, the channel opening of the suction basket is enclosed by an annular plate aligned perpendicularly or inclined to the suction basket. The suction plate and / or the annular plate are preferably provided with outwardly extending channels that ensure the passage of the medium when an object is coupled to the suction unit. The suction body can advantageously be provided with holding elements, such as recesses, bores, rings, or an annular groove, by means of which the suction body can be mounted on a device connection, in particular a star suction device. The suction unit can, for example, be placed with the suction body onto an outlet opening of the suction device and fixed by means of a fastening element, such as a mounting clamp, a mounting bracket, or the like.Preferably, at least one sealing ring is provided between the device part having the outlet openings and the suction body, ensuring that the medium exiting the outlet openings is guided only through the connected suction unit. Suction units according to the invention, for example in the described embodiments, which are provided with at least one holding element, or conventional suction units provided with at least one functionally equivalent holding element, can be advantageously integrated into suction devices according to the invention.Suction devices according to the invention comprise a distribution device having a hollow body with at least one inlet opening and a plurality of outlet openings, and fastening elements that are or can be connected fixedly or detachably to the distribution device and that each form a device connection at an outlet opening and can hold an associated suction unit on the holding element above an associated outlet opening. The hollow body can be a simple polygonal or round tube that can be provided at minimal cost and provided with at least one inlet opening and outlet openings on one or more sides. The fastening elements are preferably designed as mounting clamps or mounting brackets and are preferably made of elastic material, metal or plastic.Fastening elements can, for example, be fastened to mounting elements, in particular flange elements, which are provided on the distribution device. Preferably, however, fastening elements are provided which can be mounted without such mounting elements. Such a fastening element is preferably designed as a mounting clamp and, in a preferred embodiment, comprises a base plate, to which two side walls are connected, and a preferably downwardly inclined cover plate which, on the side opposite the base plate, is connected to one of the side walls. The base plate has a mounting slot, to which, at least on one of the side walls, a receiving opening is connected. The receiving opening is wider than the mounting slot and into which a holding element of a suction unit, which is preferably designed as a mounting plate, can be or is inserted.The mounting clamp is mounted in such a way that the mounting slot lies over an outlet opening and the holding element of the suction unit can be pushed over the associated outlet opening. The cover plate acts as a spring element that pulls the mounting plate against the distribution device. Once installed, the mounted mounting clamp clamps around the distribution device and holds the mounted suction unit securely in position. The mounting clamp can advantageously be manufactured by bending an elastic metal plate or from plastic and can be easily mounted on a distribution device. The parts of the mounting clamp are preferably fully or partially adapted to the shape of the distribution device. The base plates and side plates are therefore flat, rounded and / or edged if necessary. It is not necessary for a suction unit to be mounted on each of the outlet openings.Unused outlet openings are closed with a sealing element, for example a screw. The distribution device can be adapted to different processes and machines, in particular production machines or production lines. Distribution devices can, for example, be tubular, cuboid-shaped, single-armed or multi-armed, cross-shaped, or have any other shape. The distribution devices can also be made of any material, such as metal or plastic. The distribution devices can be of one-piece or modular construction, allowing them to be assembled by the user as required. In preferred embodiments, the distribution devices are circular, plate-shaped, or wheel-shaped, or designed as a rectangular or polygonal profile.For example, the distribution device comprises two round side plates that are peripherally connected to one another by a cylindrical circular frame and that define a hollow space. The outlet openings and the fastening elements associated with the outlet openings can be provided optionally on the side plates and / or on the circular frame. The preferably rotationally symmetrical distribution device allows objects to be picked up at a first location and released again at a second location by means of the cleaning objects. In a further preferred embodiment, the distribution device has a polygonal cross-section with several sides, one or more of which are provided with outlet openings and fastening elements by means of which the mounted suction units are held. The suction device can be implemented in designs that allow manual or mechanical operation, for example by an automatic device or robot.The outlet openings can preferably be closed either completely or partially by mechanical or controllable electromechanical closure means, so that mounted suction devices can be individually activated. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. Therein: Fig. 1 shows a combined suction device 1 with two wheel-shaped suction devices 1A, 1B, which are peripherally equipped with suction units 10, from which objects P are picked up at a pick-up location and delivered to a conveyor device 6 at a delivery location; Fig.2 shows a sectional view of a previously known suction unit 10' with a deflection unit 12, which comprises a deflection head 121 and a pin-shaped mounting element 122 adjoining the deflection head 121, and with a suction body 16, which has a suction plate 11 adjoining the suction body 16 with a front side facing away from the suction body 16, a suction basket 161 adjoining it, an inlet channel 130 and a plurality of distribution channels 13 branched off from the inlet channel 130, which were drilled into the suction body 16 from the front side of the suction plate 11 to the inlet channel 130; Fig.3a shows a suction unit 10 according to the invention, still without a deflection unit 12, with a suction body 16, which has a suction plate 11 adjoining the suction body 16 with a front side facing away from the suction body 16, a suction basket 161 adjoining it, an inlet channel 130, and a plurality of distribution channels 13 branching off from the inlet channel 130, each of which is connected to the inlet channel 130 by a connecting channel 133 along a channel segment 1300 of the inlet channel 130; Fig. 3b shows the suction unit 10 of Fig. 3a with the deflection unit 12 inserted into the inlet channel 130, for example according to Fig. 2, by which the distribution channels 13 are closed off from the inlet channel 130 and also over a part of the suction plate 11; Fig. 4a shows a part of the suction unit 10 of Fig. 3a, in which the distribution channels 13 are provided, without the deflection unit 12; Fig. 4b shows the part of the suction unit 10 of Fig. 4a with the deflection unit 12 inserted; Fig. 4c shows the deflection unit 12 of Fig.4b, which has a deflection head 121 and a pin-shaped mounting element 122 adjoining the deflection head 121; Fig. 4d shows the deflection unit 12 of Fig. 4c, which has a pin-shaped mounting element 122 provided with closure bodies 1221; Fig. 5 shows the suction unit 10 of Fig. 3b without a suction basket; Fig. 6a shows the suction unit 10 of Fig. 3b with a flexible pipe part 1615 adjoining the suction basket 161; Fig. 6b shows the suction unit of Fig. 6a in a sectional view; Fig. 7 shows a suction device 1C with a distribution device 2 in the form of a square tube, on one side of which suction units 10 according to Fig. 3b (shown in a sectional view) are mounted; Fig. 8 shows a suction device 1D with a distribution device 2 in the form of a square tube, on which suction units 10 according to Fig. 3b and 6a are mounted on all sides; Fig.9 shows a suction device 1E with a distribution device 2 in the form of a hexagonal tube, on which suction units 10 are mounted on all sides as shown in Fig. 3b and 6a; Fig. 10 shows part of the suction device 1A as shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 11a shows a suction device 1F with a distribution device 2 in the form of a square tube 2, on which suction units 10 can be mounted, for example as shown in Fig. 3b and 6a, by means of fastening elements 25 in the form of mounting clamps; Fig. 11b shows the distribution device 2 of Fig. 11a turned by 180°, with a view of the outlet openings 20 and two mounting brackets 25; Fig. 11c shows one of the mounting clamps 25 of Fig. 11a; and Fig. 11d shows the mounting clamp 25 of Fig. 11c from the other side. Fig. 1 shows a combined suction device 1 with two suction devices 1A, 1B, which are peripherally preferably equipped with suction units 10 that operate according to the Bernoulli principle.Each suction device 1A, 1B comprises a distribution device 2, which has a circular hollow body with inlet openings 200A, 200B and peripheral outlet openings. The suction units 10 are distributed along the circumference and each held above an outlet opening 20 by means of fastening elements 25, as shown in Fig. 10. By means of the suction devices 1A, 1B, objects P are picked up at a picking location and delivered to a conveying device 900 at a delivery location. The first suction device 1A picks up objects P, e.g. nuts, from a container B and conveys them to a transfer location, where they are transferred to the second suction device 1B, which transports the picked up objects P to the delivery location and delivers them there to the conveying device 900.The compressed air supply to each suction unit 10 is effected through a plurality of suction channels 200A, 200B in the distribution device 2 and can be individually controlled for each of the suction units 10, so that an object P can be picked up by one suction unit 10 and, at the same time, an object P can be discharged by another suction unit 10. Each suction unit 10 can also be supplied with two pressure lines, the first of which is connected to distribution channels 13 and the second to outlet channels 14, as described with reference to Fig. 17. At the transfer location HO, a suction unit 10 of the first suction device 1A, whose object P is ejected, and a suction unit 10 of the second suction device 1B, which sucks in the object P, are located opposite each other. The control of the drive devices 5A, 5B of the suction devices 1A, 1B and the valves 72 of the suction channels 200A, 200B is carried out by the control unit 8 by control signals 81A, 81B; 87A, 87B.The conveying device 900 is controlled by control signals 86 synchronously with the suction devices 1A, 1B. A conveying device 95 for the gaseous medium, e.g., a blower or an air pump, is shown as an example and can be used for all suction units 10 and suction devices 1 according to the invention and can be controlled, for example, by the control device 8 by means of control signals 89, for example to set a specific pressure for the medium that is fed to the valves 72. For the synchronous control of the device units 1A, 1B, or for checking the position and quality of objects P held by preferably transparent suction units 10, the control unit 8 preferably processes sensor signals S emitted by sensors SM, typically optical sensors or cameras. Fig.2 shows a sectional view of a known suction unit 10' with a deflection unit 12, which comprises a deflection head 121 and a pin-shaped mounting element 122 adjoining the deflection head 121, and with a suction body 16, which has a suction plate 11 with a front side facing away from the suction body 16, an inlet channel 130 and a plurality of distribution channels 13 branched off from the inlet channel 130, through which a gaseous medium can be introduced from the inlet channel 130 to the front side of the suction plate 11 into a deflection channel or annular gap 110, which is delimited on the one hand by the front side of the suction plate 11 and on the other hand by the deflection head 121 of the deflection unit 12. The distribution channels 13, which are inclined relative to the inlet channel 130, were drilled into the suction body 16, which is why the production of this suction unit 10' is associated with considerable effort and high costs. Fig.3a shows a suction unit 10 according to the invention with a suction body 16, which has a suction plate 11 with a front side facing away from the suction body 16, an inlet channel 130, and a plurality of distribution channels 13 branching off from the inlet channel 130. The distribution channels 13 are each connected to the inlet channel 130 by a connecting channel 133 along a channel segment 1300 of the inlet channel 130 and are therefore open toward the inlet channel 130. The suction body 16 shown in sectional view can therefore advantageously be manufactured by a forming process, such as an injection molding process. For example, a rod is provided which comprises elements that also correspond to the distribution channels 13, the adjoining connecting channels 133, and to the inlet channel 130.The rod is inserted into a mold corresponding to the other parts of the suction body, overmolded or cast, and removed again after the forming process is complete, after which the distribution channels 13, the adjoining connecting channels 133, and the inlet channel 130, which is connected to the distribution channels 13 by the connecting channels 133, remain, and the suction body 16 is in the configuration shown in Fig. 3a. The suction body 16 of this suction unit 10 is provided with a holding element 166 in the form of an annular groove, which is delimited on the upper side by a mounting plate 168 and on the lower side by a holding plate 169. The annular groove 166 allows the suction unit 10 to be mounted in a suction device 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, or 1E according to Fig. 1, according to Fig. 7, according to Fig. 8, or according to Fig. 9. The holding element 166 is shown as an example and can be adapted to other suction devices as required.On the top side of the suction unit 10, a sealing ring 24 is inserted into the mounting plate 168, which extends upwards beyond the edge of the mounting plate 168 and is preferably held by the edge of the mounting plate 168. The suction unit 10 can therefore be easily placed onto a plate having outlet openings for a medium and clamped in place using a fastening element 25. The sealing ring 24, which is deformed during this process, has a dual function. On the one hand, the space between the plate and the mounting plate 168 is tightly sealed. On the other hand, the suction unit 10 is pushed back by the sealing ring 24 and thus held free of play. The suction unit 10 is therefore particularly easy to install.In this embodiment, the suction body 16 is integrally connected to a suction basket 161, the inner side 1619 of which adjoins the suction plate 11, the suction basket 161 enclosing a receiving channel 1600 having a channel opening 1610 dimensioned such that isolated objects P can be inserted into the receiving channel 1600 or into at least one recess on the underside of the suction basket 161. In preferred embodiments, the suction basket 161 has at least one basket opening 160, which is preferably located approximately at the level of the deflection head 121 of the deflection unit 12 or at a distance from the suction plate 11 in the range of 1 mm - 20 mm. The arrangement of further rows of basket openings 161 is also possible, as shown in Fig. 2. The distribution channels 13 connected to the inlet channel 130 are preferably directed outwards into the edge region of the receiving channel 1600 against the inside of the suction basket 161.The gaseous medium flowing in through the distribution channels 13, which preferably enclose equal angular distances from one another, is therefore blown against the inner wall of the suction basket 161, where it forms a thin, hollow-cylindrical film that flows downwards at a high flow velocity and, if necessary, escapes through the basket openings 161. A negative pressure is created in the flow zone, through which an object P can be sucked in. It should be noted that the object itself additionally shifts the flow outwards and further reduces the flow cross-section, which is why the flow velocity and the negative pressure within the suction basket 161 increase further. Fig. 3b shows the suction unit 10 of Fig.3a with the deflection unit 12 inserted into the inlet channel 130, through which the distribution channels 13, starting from the front side of the suction plate 11, are closed along a portion of the channel segment 1300 by the inserted pin-shaped mounting element 122 and open towards the inlet channel 130 above the pin-shaped mounting element 122. The gaseous medium can therefore be introduced from the inlet channel 130 through the distribution channels 13 to the front side of the suction plate 11 into a deflection channel 110, which is delimited on the one hand by the front side of the suction plate 11 and on the other hand by the deflection head 121 of the deflection unit 12. The deflection unit 12 shown in Fig. 4c is designed as a mushroom-shaped rotary body and comprises a deflection head 121 and a pin-shaped mounting element 122 adjoining the deflection head 121.On the side facing the suction plate 11, the deflection head 121 has a circumferential groove-shaped recess 120, which preferably extends in a rounded manner towards the edge of the deflection head 121. In a section through the rotation axis, the deflection unit thus has at least approximately an anchor-shaped cross-section. This forms an annular nozzle within which incoming air is guided back against the suction plate 11 and flows along it at high speed, preferably radially outward, resulting in a negative pressure. Fig. 4a shows a part of the suction unit 10 of Fig. 3a, in which the distribution channels 13 are provided.The quarter-section through the suction body 16 shows that the inlet channel 130 extends to the front of the suction plate 11 and that the distribution channels 13 branch off from the inlet channel 130 to the front of the suction plate 11 in a channel segment 1300 of the inlet channel 130 and extend to the front of the suction plate 11 and are each connected to the inlet channel 130 by a connecting channel 133 across the entire channel segment 1300. The distribution channel 13 exposed by the quarter-section is separated from the connecting channel 133 by a dash-dotted line. The connecting channel 133 is open through a first channel opening 131 toward the inlet channel 130 and through a second channel opening 132 downwards toward the front of the suction plate 11. To close these two channel openings 131, 132, either the deflection unit 12 of Fig. 4c or Fig. 4d or the closure part 1200 is used, which has a sealing sleeve 1201 and an annular flange 1202.If the closure part 1200 is inserted into the inlet channel 130 from the front, the deflection unit 12 with the mounting element 122 is inserted into the sealing sleeve 1201 of the closure part 1200. Upon insertion of the deflection unit 12 of Fig. 4c or the closure part 1200 of Fig. 3b, the connecting channels 133 between the first channel opening 131 and the second channel opening 132 of the distribution channels 13 are closed. At the front, the connecting channels 133 are closed by a sealing ring 123, which adjoins the mounting element 122 of the deflection unit 12, or by the annular flange 1202 of the closure part 1200. In the embodiment of Fig. 4d, the mounting element 122 is provided with closure bodies 1221 corresponding to the number of distribution channels 13, which can be inserted into the connecting channels 133 to close them. The closure bodies 1221 simultaneously close both channel openings 131, 132.The closure bodies 1221 are preferably complementary to the connecting channels 131, for example, rib-shaped. The closure bodies 1221 preferably run parallel to the longitudinal axis x of the mounting element 122 or the sealing sleeve 1201, so that the mounting element 122 or the sealing sleeve 1201 can be inserted unhindered into the inlet channel 130 on the front side of the suction plate 11. After inserting the deflection unit 12 or the closure part 1200, the distribution channels 13 between the inlet opening 131 and the outlet opening 132 are closed, just as in the suction unit of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 shows the suction unit 10 of Fig. 3b without the optionally provided suction basket 161. Suction units 10 without the suction basket 161 are typically used for picking up and discharging flat objects. Suction units 10 with a suction basket 161, on the other hand, allow the picking up of objects of any shape.The suction plate 11 can extend in a plane up to the outer edge or be curved. Preferably, recesses, depressions, or suction channels 111 are provided in the parts of the suction unit 10 that grasp an object, ensuring that the media flow is maintained when an object is coupled. Fig. 6a shows the suction unit 10 of Fig. 3b with a flexible tube part 1615 that connects to the suction basket 161. The tube part 1615 is preferably designed as an elastic bellows that can align itself with an object. The use of this suction unit 10 is particularly advantageous in suction devices 1C, 1D, 1E of Fig. 7, Fig. 8, and Fig. 9, which have a straight or tubular distribution device 2. Fig. 6b shows the suction unit of Fig. 6a in a sectional view. It is shown that the suction basket 161 and the pipe part 1615 are positively connected to each other.A suction unit 10 according to the invention can be used as a single unit and, for this purpose, connected to a compressed air line. During surgical procedures, detached parts or tools can be grasped with a single suction unit 10, advantageously avoiding the suction of liquid and contamination of the suction unit 10. In production processes in which numerous products are transported on a conveyor, the use of suction devices that hold multiple suction units 10 is desirable. Suction devices 1 according to the invention, which have multiple outlet openings 210 and associated fastening elements or mounting means 25, can be equipped with a corresponding number of inventive or conventional suction units 10, which have holding elements 166, 168 corresponding to the mounting means 25. Normally, suction units of the same type, for example from Fig. 3b, Fig.5 or Fig. 6a are used. However, it is also possible to combine suction units 10 of different types in one suction device 1. The suction device of Fig. 7 is equipped with suction units 10 according to Fig. 3b. Alternatively, only suction units 10 according to Fig. 6a can be used. Suction devices 1 with several suction units 10 allow a series of objects to be picked up and released again in one step or sequentially in several steps. Fig. 7 shows a simply constructed suction device 1 with two device connections, to each of which a suction unit 10 according to Fig. 3b is mounted, which has a suction body 16 with a holding element 168 that is designed as a mounting plate to which an annular groove 166 is connected. The suction device 1 comprises a distribution device 2, which comprises a hollow body in the form of a square tube, which has two inlet openings 200 and several outlet openings 20.At each outlet opening, fastening elements in the form of mounting brackets 25 are provided, which are firmly connected to the distribution device 2 and which form a device connection at the outlet opening 20. The mounting brackets 25 are firmly connected to the square tube, welded if necessary. The square tube 2 has the inlet openings 200 on the front side, the outlet openings 20 on the underside, and optionally mounting openings 2000 on the top. As described with reference to Fig. 3a, the suction units 10 can be easily mounted using the mounting brackets 25, which engage in the annular groove 166. The suction unit 10 to be mounted is pressed against the corresponding side of the square tube 2, whereby the sealing ring 24 is deformed and the suction body 16 with the annular groove 166 can be pushed into the mounting brackets 25.Subsequently, the suction body 16 is pressed against the mounting bracket 25 by the elastic sealing ring 24, for example a rubber ring, and held free of play. At the same time, the inlet opening 130 and the outlet openings 20 are tightly enclosed by the sealing ring 24. The use of assembly tools such as screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, or the like is unnecessary. The suction units 10 are assembled in one easy step. Also shown are a mechanical actuating element 77' and a controllable electromechanical actuating element 77, by means of which the flow of the medium through the outlet openings 20 can be adjusted. The electromechanical actuating element 77 has, for example, an actuating part 771, which can be extended and retracted under the control of a control unit 8 in order to completely or partially close or reopen the outlet openings 20.Preferably, each suction unit 10 is assigned such an actuating element 77 so that they can be controlled individually or in groups to pick up and release objects P. Also shown is a manipulation device R, for example a robot, with an actuating element RA, for example a robot arm, with which the square tube 2 can be held and optionally moved. It is also shown that the manipulation device R has a media connection AS, for example a compressed air connection, which is connected to the inlet opening 200. Fig. 8 shows a suction device 1D with a distribution device 2 in the form of a square tube, on which suction units 10 are mounted on all sides according to Figs. 3b and 6a. The distribution device 2 is not yet fully equipped, which is why individual outlet openings 20 are exposed. For example, six rows with different types of suction units 10 can be mounted.In practice, suction units 10 of the same type are usually always used on one side of the distribution device 2. Shown again is a manipulation device R, by means of which the distribution device 2, which comprises a square tube, can be selectively manipulated and moved between a pick-up position and a delivery position. Furthermore, the manipulation device R is provided to be able to make quarter turns of the distribution device 2 so that the suction units 10 on each side of the distribution device 2 can pick up and deliver objects P sequentially in rows. Fig. 9 shows a suction device 1E with a distribution device 2 in the form of a hexagonal tube, on which suction units 10 are mounted on all sides according to Figs. 3b and 6a. The distribution device 2 is not yet fully equipped. Preferably, the same suction units 10 are used on each side of the distribution device 2.For example, six rows with different types of suction units 10 can be mounted. In this case, the manipulation device R is capable of performing step-by-step rotations of the distribution device 2 by 60° so that the suction units 10 on each side of the distribution device 2 can pick up and release objects P sequentially in rows. In preferred embodiments, the suction devices 1D and 1E of Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 are equipped with different suction units 10 on at least two sides of the distribution device 2. On one side, for example, suction units 10 according to Fig. 3b are provided, while on the other side, suction units 10 according to Fig. 6a and possibly on the next side, suction units 10 according to Fig. 5 are mounted. The suction devices 1 are equipped with suction units 10 according to the objects P to be picked up.If flat objects P are to be picked up, suction units 10 without a suction basket 161 are preferably used, for example according to Fig. 5. If objects P with the same or different shapes but approximately the same size are to be picked up, suction units 10 with a suction basket 161 are preferably used, for example according to Fig. 3b. If objects P with the same or different shapes and unequal sizes are to be picked up, suction units 10 with an elastic tube or bellows 1615 are preferably used, for example according to Fig. 6a. If a large object P and a small object P have to be picked up, the first suction unit 10 can grasp the large object P according to Fig. 6a, while the suction device 1 is lowered further until the second suction unit 10 can grasp the smaller second object P according to Fig. 6a or Fig. 3b. During this process, the elastic tube or bellows 1615 of the first suction unit 10 according to Fig.6a accordingly deformed or compressed. If different objects P are to be picked up, it can therefore be advantageous to use a series of suction units 10 of different types. It is also possible to combine the suction unit 10 according to Fig. 5 with an elastic tube or bellows 1615 and use it accordingly. Fig. 10 shows part of the suction device 1A from Fig. 1. The distribution device 2 is circular and comprises two side plates 21 which peripherally delimit a circular frame 22 which has plates 221 inclined towards one another along the circumference, each of which is provided with an outlet opening 20. The suction units 10 can therefore be mounted in the same way as the suction devices of Fig. 7, Fig. 8 and Fig. 9. Only the mounting means 25 are designed differently. The mounting bracket 25 is not permanently mounted, but is pushed into the annular groove 166 of the suction body 16.For this purpose, the side plates 21 for each of the plates 221 are provided with holding flanges 211, each of which is provided with mounting openings 210 into which a mounting bracket 25 can be inserted. Mounting brackets 25 are preferably rod-shaped and U-profile-shaped. The parts of the suction devices 1 are made of metal or plastic. It is possible to combine device parts made of plastic and device parts made of metal. Fig. 11a shows a further suction device 1F with a distribution device 2 in the form of a square tube 2, to which suction units 10 can be mounted by means of fastening elements 25, for example according to Fig. 3b and Fig. 6a. The fastening elements 25 are designed as mounting clamps and are not permanently connected to the distribution device 2, but can be optionally attached and removed again.Therefore, no mounting means are required on the distribution device 2, which is why this suction device 1F can be manufactured with minimal effort. Individual mounting clamps 25 are therefore provided in a number that corresponds to the number of outlet openings 20 on the distribution device 2. A first mounting clamp 25 was placed on the square tube 2. A second mounting clamp 25 is pushed onto the square tube 2 from the side. Due to the elastic design of the mounting clamps 25, they can be stretched and preferably also placed frontally onto the square tube 2. A suction unit 10 was inserted into one of the mounting clamps 25 and is pressed against the distribution device 2 by means of the mounting clamp 25. Another suction unit 10 is ready for installation. Fig. 11b shows the distribution device 2 from Fig. 11a rotated by 180° with a view of the outlet openings 20 and the two mounting clamps 25. Fig.11c shows one of the mounting clamps 25 from Fig. 11a. Fig. 11d shows the mounting clamp 25 from Fig. 11c from the other side. The mounting clamps 25 comprise a base plate 251, to which two side walls 252, 253 adjoin, and a downwardly inclined cover plate 254, which adjoins the first side wall 252 on the side opposite the base plate 251. The base plate 251 has a mounting slot 2510, to which a receiving opening 2520; 2530 adjoins on each of the side walls 252, 253, which is wider than the mounting slot 2510 and into which the mounting plate 168 of a suction unit 10 can be inserted. Figures 11c and 11d show that the base plate 251 has flange elements 2511 directed towards each other, which delimit the mounting slot 2510, which is tapered relative to the receiving openings 2520, 2530, and which, as shown in Fig. 11a, can engage in an annular groove 166 of the suction unit 10 and hold the mounting plate 168 located thereabove.The mounting clamps 25 are preferably made of an elastic material, such as plastic or metal, optionally spring steel. The downwardly inclined cover plate 254 can therefore advantageously serve as a spring element, which pulls the mounting clamps 25 and a mounting plate 168 held therein upwards against the square tube 2, so that the mounting plate 168 and a sealing ring 24 preferably held in the mounting plate 168 (see Fig. 5) tightly enclose the associated outlet opening 20. Fig. 11a shows that the mounting plate 168 can be inserted into the receiving opening 2520 of the mounting clamp 25, so that the annular groove 166 is held in the mounting slot 2510. The distribution device 2 can therefore be optionally equipped with suction units 10 using fastening means 25 according to the invention.For example, an outlet opening 20, preferably closed by a screw, is exposed, a mounting clamp 25 is attached, and the suction unit 10 is inserted, or a suction unit 10 is attached and secured by a mounting bracket 25. In all embodiments of the suction devices 1, the suction units 10 can be easily mounted on a suction device without tools.
Claims
1. Suction unit (10), suitable for sucking an object (P) according to the Bernoulli principle, with a deflection unit (12) which comprises a deflection head (121) and a pin-shaped mounting element (122) adjoining the deflection head (121), and with a suction body (16) which has a suction plate (11) with a front side facing away from the suction body (16), which has an inlet channel (130) which runs through the suction body (16) up to the front side of the suction plate (11) and into which the pin-shaped mounting element (122) is inserted from the front side of the suction plate (11), and which has a plurality of distribution channels (13) branched off from the inlet channel (130), through which a gaseous medium can be introduced from the inlet channel (130) to the front side of the suction plate (11) into a deflection channel (110). which is limited on the one hand by the front side of the suction plate (11) and on the other hand by the deflection head (121) of the deflection unit (12), characterized in thatthat the distribution channels (13) along a channel segment (1300) of the inlet channel (130) are each connected to the inlet channel (130) by a connecting channel (133), which connecting channel (133), starting from the front side of the suction plate (11), is closed along a part of the channel segment (1300) by the inserted pin-shaped mounting element (122) or a closure part (1200) and is open towards the inlet channel (130) above the pin-shaped mounting element (122).
2. Suction unit (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the suction body (16) has a longitudinal axis (x) and that the distribution channels (13) are arranged at regular or irregular intervals from one another and run conically, concentrically to the longitudinal axis (x) or along a curve outwards towards the suction plate (11).
3. Suction unit (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in thatthat the suction body (16) was manufactured by a primary molding process or that the suction body (16) was manufactured by injection molding.
4. Suction unit (10) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that each of the connecting channels (133) has a first channel opening (131) adjoining the channel segment (1300) of the inlet channel (130) and a second channel opening (132) adjoining the front side of the suction plate (11).
5. Suction unit (10) according to one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the deflection unit (12) has a sealing ring (123) adjoining the mounting element (122), or in that the closure part (1200) has a sealing sleeve (1201) and an annular flange (1202), and the mounting element (122) of the deflection unit (12) is held in the sealing sleeve (1201).
6. Suction unit (10) according to one of claims 1-5, characterized in that the mounting element (122) is provided with closure bodies (1221) corresponding to the number of distribution channels (13), which can be inserted into the connecting channels (133) to close them, wherein the closure bodies (1221) are preferably rib-shaped and extend parallel or in a plane radial to the longitudinal axis (x).Suction unit (10) according to one of claims 1 - 6, characterized in that the suction body (16) is connected in one piece or detachably to a suction basket (161), the inside (1619) of which adjoins the suction plate (11) or the inside (1619) of which is spaced apart from the suction plate (11), wherein the suction basket (161) encloses a receiving channel (1600) which has a channel opening (1610) which is dimensioned such that isolated objects (P) can be introduced into the receiving channel (1600) or into at least one recess on the underside of the suction basket (161).
8. Suction unit (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the suction basket (161) has at least one basket opening (160), which is preferably located approximately at the height of the deflection head (121) of the deflection unit (12) or at a distance from the suction plate (11).Suction unit (10) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the channel opening (1610) of the suction basket (161) is enclosed by an annular plate (15) oriented perpendicularly or inclined to the suction basket (161).
10. Suction unit (10) according to one of claims 1-9, characterized in that the suction body (16) has at least one holding element (166), such as a recess, an opening, or an annular groove, or a mounting plate (168), by means of which the suction body (16) can be mounted on a connection of a device.
11. Suction device (1) with a plurality of device connections, to each of which a suction unit (10) is mounted, which has a suction body (16) with a holding element (166), characterized in that a distribution device (2) which has a hollow body with at least one inlet opening (200) and with a plurality of outlet openings (20) and fastening elements (211, 24, 25) are provided, which are fixedly or detachably connected to the distribution device (2) and which each form a device connection at an outlet opening (20), and which each hold an associated suction unit (10) on the holding element (166) above an associated outlet opening (20).Suction device (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the fastening elements (25) are designed as a mounting clamp made of elastic material and comprising a base plate (251) to which two side walls (252, 253) adjoin, and a preferably downwardly inclined cover plate (254) which adjoins one of the side walls (252, 253) on the side opposite the base plate (251), and in that the base plate (251) has a mounting slot (2510) adjoining, at least on one of the side walls (252; 253), a receiving opening (2520; 2530) which is wider than the mounting slot (2510) and into which the mounting plate (168) of a suction unit (10) can be inserted or is inserted.Suction device (1) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the distribution device (2) is circular, plate-shaped, or wheel-shaped and has two side plates (21) and, preferably, a circular frame (22) peripherally, and in that the outlet openings (20) and the fastening elements (211, 24, 25) are fastened to the side plates (21) or to the circular frame (22).
14. Suction device (1) according to claim 11, 12, or 13, characterized in that the distribution device (2) has a polygonal cross-section with several sides, one or more of which are provided with outlet openings (20) and fastening elements (211, 24, 25) by means of which the mounted suction units (10) are held.
15. Suction device (1) according to one of claims 11 - 14, characterized in that outlet openings (20) can be closed optionally completely or partially by mechanical or controllable electromechanical closure means (77).