Manifold type air pressure supply apparatus and manifold block used therefor

Abstract

To provide a manifold type air pressure supply apparatus capable of reducing burdens of various kinds of work such as piping relating to a pressure sensor and suppressing an installation space therefor when detecting an air pressure in a manifold block with the pressure sensor, and the manifold block used therefor.SOLUTION: An air pressure supply apparatus 1 comprises a manifold block 10 forming a first port group and a first passage group and a switching valve block 30 switching communication states between a plurality of ports in a second port group with a spool 33. The blocks are connected directly or indirectly via an ejector including a connection passage group connecting corresponding ports with each other in the port groups. The manifold block 10 includes a pressure sensor assembly 40 for measuring an air pressure of a second supply passage 16b, and the sensor includes a sensor part 41 and a sensor substrate part 45. The manifold block includes a sensor mounting hole 23 in which the sensor part is inserted and fixed while communicating to the second supply passage.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a manifold type air pressure supply device capable of detecting the state of compressed air flowing inside a manifold block with a sensor, and a manifold block used therein. [Background technology]

[0002] A manifold-type air pressure supply device in which a switching valve is mounted on a manifold block is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1. In such a manifold-type air pressure supply device, when monitoring the condition of the compressed air flowing inside the manifold block or performing various controls including the switching valve, the pressure of the compressed air is detected using a pressure sensor.

[0003] In this case, to detect the pressure of the compressed air, it is necessary to connect a pipe that communicates with the flow path of the compressed air flowing inside the manifold block, attach a pressure sensor to this pipe, and then wire a cable extending from the pressure sensor. Since these pipes, wiring, and pressure sensors are provided outside the manifold block, installation space is required for them. Furthermore, if there are multiple air pressure supply units equipped with switching valves on the manifold block, the burden of various operations such as piping and the installation space increases. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-100932 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Therefore, the technical object of the present invention is to provide a manifold-type air pressure supply device and a manifold block used therein that can reduce the burden of various operations such as piping related to the pressure sensor and reduce the installation space required when the pressure of compressed air flowing inside the manifold block is detected by the pressure sensor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a manifold type air pressure supply device according to the present invention comprises a manifold block having a first port group consisting of a plurality of ports for letting air in and out on an upper mounting surface, and a first flow path group formed therein consisting of a plurality of flow paths each connected to the first port group, and a switching valve block having a second port group consisting of a plurality of ports for letting air in and out on a mounting surface on a lower surface, and switching a communication state between the plurality of ports in the second port group by a switching valve provided therein, and the manifold block and the switching valve block are directly connected by abutting the mounting surface of the switching valve block against the mounting surface of the manifold block, or A manifold-type air pressure supply device in which corresponding ports in the first and second port groups are fixedly connected to each other in a state where they are in communication with each other by indirectly connecting them through an intermediate block having a group of connecting flow paths inside that connects corresponding ports, wherein a pressure sensor assembly for measuring the air pressure of a specific flow path in the first flow path group is provided within the manifold block, the pressure sensor assembly has a sensor unit equipped with a detection element for detecting air pressure, and the manifold block is further provided with a sensor mounting hole that is connected to the specific flow path and into which the sensor unit of the pressure sensor assembly is airtightly inserted and fixed.

[0007] In this case, preferably, the manifold block has an end face extending in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface on the rear side in a front-rear direction perpendicular to the up-down direction, and the sensor mounting hole is formed in the end face.

[0008] In addition, preferably, each of the multiple flow paths in the first flow path group extends from a corresponding port in the first port group in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface, and the sensor mounting hole extends in a direction perpendicular to the multiple flow paths extending vertically.

[0009] In addition, preferably, the pressure sensor assembly is constructed by integrally joining a sensor substrate portion electrically connected to the sensor portion to the rear end portion of the manifold block in the fore-and-aft direction of the sensor portion, and the manifold block is formed with a detachment prevention member that abuts against the rear surface of the sensor substrate portion to prevent the sensor portion from being detached from the sensor mounting hole.

[0010] Also, preferably, the pressure sensor assembly is rotatable around the central axis of the sensor portion relative to the sensor mounting hole, the sensor substrate portion is formed in a rectangular shape with long and short sides, the anti-detachment member has a pair of claw portions abutting both longitudinal ends of the back surface of the sensor substrate portion, and the distance between the tips of the pair of claw portions is greater than the length of the short side of the sensor substrate portion and less than the length of the long side.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the manifold type air pressure supply device has a unit group formed by connecting in a line in the width direction a plurality of air pressure supply units selected from a first air pressure supply unit in which corresponding ports in the first and second port groups are directly connected by abutting the mounting surface of the switching valve block against the mounting surface of the manifold block, and a second air pressure supply unit in which an intermediate block having a group of connection channels therein that connects corresponding ports in the first or second port groups is interposed between the mounting surface and the mounting surface, the controller transmitting and receiving an electrical signal to the unit group being connected to one end of the unit group in the width direction, each of the plurality of air pressure supply units forming the unit group is provided with a connection board portion that transmits an electrical signal, and at least one manifold block of the plurality of air pressure supply units is provided with the pressure sensor assembly and electrical wiring that electrically connects the pressure sensor assembly to the connection board portion, and the first port group supplies air to the switching valve block. the first flow path group includes an air supply port for supplying air to the switching valve block and an exhaust port for discharging air exhausted from the switching valve block, the first flow path group includes an air supply flow path for supplying air to the switching valve block and an exhaust flow path for discharging air exhausted from the switching valve block, the air supply flow path includes a main air supply flow path that connects a pair of openings formed on both side surfaces of the manifold block in the width direction to each other, and an air supply branch flow path branching from the main air supply flow path and one end connected to the air supply port, the exhaust flow path includes a main exhaust flow path that connects a pair of openings formed on both side surfaces of the manifold block in the width direction to each other, and an exhaust branch flow path branching from the main exhaust flow path and one end connected to the exhaust port, and in the unit group, the air supply flow paths and the exhaust flow paths of the respective air pressure supply units are connected to each other, and the connection board portions of the controller and the multiple air pressure supply units are electrically connected to each other, thereby enabling the transmission of an electrical signal between the controller and the pressure sensor assembly.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the manifold block has an end face extending in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface at its rear side, the manifold block has a substrate accommodating portion protruding from a lower end face located below the sensor mounting hole at the end face, the connection substrate portion is provided inside the substrate accommodating portion, and the pressure sensor assembly is constructed by integrally joining a sensor substrate portion electrically connected to the sensor portion to the rear end of the manifold block in the fore-and-aft direction of the sensor portion, and the electrical wiring extends along the substrate accommodating portion, one end of the electrical wiring is connected to the sensor substrate portion and the other end of the electrical wiring is connected to the connection substrate portion.

[0013] In addition, preferably, a manifold cover for covering the sensor board portion and the electric wiring is attached onto the board accommodation portion.

[0014] Also, the manifold block is preferably used in the manifold type air pressure supply device. Effect of the Invention

[0015] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a manifold-type air pressure supply device and a manifold block used therein which, when the air pressure of compressed air flowing through a manifold block is detected by a pressure sensor, reduce the burden of various operations such as piping related to the pressure sensor and reduce the installation space required for these. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a manifold type air pressure supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a manifold type air pressure supply device. [Diagram 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of a first air pressure supply unit including a manifold block and a switching valve block, taken along the line III-III in FIG. 1. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a mounting structure for mounting a pressure sensor assembly provided in a manifold block. [Diagram 5] 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a mounting structure of the pressure sensor assembly. FIG. [Figure 6] 11 is a partial perspective view of the manifold block for explaining a method of attaching a pressure sensor assembly, a connection board portion, and electrical wiring to the manifold block. FIG. [Figure 7] 5 is a partial enlarged view of the manifold block for explaining a method of fixing the pressure sensor assembly to the manifold block. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of the manifold block for explaining a method of attaching the manifold cover. [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view of a second air pressure supply unit including a manifold block, an ejector block, and a switching valve block, taken along the line IX-IX in FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the air pressure supply unit shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] The manifold type air pressure supply device and the manifold block used therein according to the present invention will be described below. Note that in this embodiment, the manifold block constitutes a part of the manifold type air pressure supply device, so the manifold block will be described in the explanation of the manifold type air pressure supply device.

[0018] 1 and 2 show a manifold type air pressure supply device 1 in which an end block 2 (controller), a port block 3, first air pressure supply units 4A, 4B, and second air pressure supply units 5A, 5B are arranged in a width direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and integrally joined together. In this embodiment, the manifold type air pressure supply device 1 is configured by arranging the end block 2, the port block 3, three first air pressure supply units 4A, 4B, 4B, three second air pressure supply units 5A, 5B, 5B, and the port block 3 in a line from one side to the other side in the width direction and integrally joining them.

[0019] In the manifold type air pressure supply device 1, the side surfaces of the above units facing the width direction are butted against each other, and are connected so as to be movable together or apart via, for example, tie rods (not shown). The first air pressure supply units 4A, 4B are configured by mounting a switching valve block 30 on a manifold block 10 (see FIG. 3), and the second air pressure supply units 5A, 5B are configured by mounting an ejector block 60 on the manifold block 10, and further mounting a switching valve block 30 on the ejector block 60 (see FIG. 9). The port block 3 is configured to have a supply port 3a and a discharge port 3b on the front side, and the end block 2 is provided with a plurality of connectors 2a on the front side, and supplies power and electric signals to the pilot valve parts 36 of the switching valve blocks 30 provided in each of the first and second air pressure supply units 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, and a pressure sensor assembly 40 described later.

[0020] In this embodiment, the first air pressure supply unit 4A (hereinafter referred to as the "pilot air control unit 4A") arranged on the left side of the three first air pressure supply units 4A, 4B, 4B supplies compressed air as pilot pressure to the switching valve block 30 provided in the second air pressure supply unit 5A (see FIG. 9). The manifold blocks 10 of the first air pressure supply units 4B, 4B arranged on the center and right side in the width direction of the three first air pressure supply units 4A, 4B, 4B supply air supplied from the switching valve block 30 to the outside through a flow path in the manifold block 10. Since the manifold blocks 10 of the three first air pressure supply units 4A, 4B, 4B have almost the same structure, only the manifold block 10 provided in the pilot air control unit 4A will be described.

[0021] First, the switching valve block 30 mounted on the manifold block of the pilot air control unit 4A will be described. As shown in Fig. 3, the switching valve block 30 is a three-port solenoid valve that switches the communication state between the switching valve side air intake inlet port P, which opens to the mounting surface 31 on the lower surface, the second output port B, and the second exhaust port EB. In this embodiment, the first output port A and the first exhaust port EA are not used. In addition, these ports P, B, and EB will be collectively referred to as the "second port group 57" below.

[0022] The switching valve block 30 is an internal pilot type solenoid valve in which a spool 33 is movably inserted into a valve hole 32 extending in an axial direction (hereinafter referred to as the "front-rear direction") perpendicular to the up-down direction, a first pressure chamber 34 (see Figure 9) and a second pressure chamber 35 are formed on both sides of the valve hole 32 in the front-rear direction, and the switching valve block 30 is configured to supply a portion of the air supplied to port P to the first and second pressure chambers 34, 35. The switching valve block 30 switches the communication state between the ports P, B, EB by the spool 33 reciprocating within the valve hole 32 due to pilot pressure.

[0023] A pilot valve section 36 for controlling the supply of pilot pressure to the first and second pressure chambers 34, 35 is provided on the rear side of the switching valve block 30. In this embodiment, the pilot valve section 36 includes a first pilot valve 36a and a second pilot valve 36b for controlling the supply of pilot pressure corresponding to the first and second pressure chambers 34, 35, respectively.

[0024] Next, the manifold block 10 of the pilot air control unit 4A will be described. As shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4, the manifold block 10 has a base body 11, which in this embodiment is formed as a rectangular parallelepiped extending in the front-rear direction and whose widthwise thickness is smaller than its length in the front-rear direction. A mounting surface 11a is formed on the upper surface of the base body 11, and a first port group 13 consisting of a plurality of ports for inlet and outlet of air is formed on this mounting surface 11a.

[0025] Inside the base body 11, a first flow passage group 16 is formed, which is made up of a plurality of flow passages that are connected to the first port group 13. In this embodiment, the first port group 13 includes an intake port 13a formed in the center of the base body 11 in the front-rear direction, a second output port 13b formed in front of the intake port 13a, and a second exhaust port EB formed in front of the second output port 13b. In this embodiment, the first output port A and the first exhaust port EA formed behind the intake port 13a are not used.

[0026] The first flow path group 16 has an intake air flow path 14 including a main intake air flow path 37 to which compressed air is supplied and an intake air branch flow path 16a branching from the main intake air flow path 37 and communicating with the intake air port 13a, a second supply flow path 16b communicating with the second output port 13b, and an exhaust flow path 15 including a second exhaust main flow path 38 (exhaust main flow path) to which compressed air is exhausted and a second exhaust branch flow path 16c branching from the main exhaust flow path and communicating with the second exhaust port 13c. The main intake air flow path is connected between a pair of openings (not shown) opening on both side surfaces of the base body 11 in the width direction, and the second exhaust main flow path is also connected between a pair of openings (not shown) opening on both side surfaces of the base body 11 in the width direction, similar to the main intake air flow path.

[0027] The first flow passage group 16 further includes an exhaust flow passage 17 including a first exhaust main flow passage 39 through which compressed air is exhausted and a first exhaust branch flow passage 16e branching off from the first exhaust main flow passage 39 and communicating with the first discharge port 13e, and a first supply flow passage 16d communicating with the first output port 13d. The first exhaust main flow passage 39 communicates with a pair of openings (not shown) that open on both side surfaces of the base body 11 in the width direction.

[0028] The second supply passage 16b communicates with an opening 18 formed in the front end face of the base body 11. In this embodiment, a cap 19 is inserted into this opening 18 to close the opening 18. A pilot passage 20 communicates with the end of the second supply passage 16b on the opening 18 side. The pilot passage 20 extends from the second supply passage 16b toward the second exhaust branch passage 16c, bends, and communicates with an opening (not shown) formed in a side surface 11c on one side in the width direction of the base body 11.

[0029] These flow paths 16a-16e extend in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface 11a, and further, the air supply branch flow path 16a communicates perpendicularly to the air supply main flow path 37, and the second exhaust branch flow path 16c communicates perpendicularly to the second exhaust main flow path 38. In this embodiment, the first supply flow path 16d communicating with the first output port 13d and the first exhaust branch flow path 16e communicating with the first exhaust port 13e are not used. For this reason, a cap 19 is inserted into an opening 21 formed in the front end face 11b of the base body 11 to which the first supply flow path 16d communicates, to close the first supply flow path 16d.

[0030] With the first air pressure supply units 4A, 4B connected in the width direction, the main air supply channels 37, the second main exhaust channels 38, and the first main exhaust channels 39 in the supply units 4A, 4B are in communication with each other, the second main exhaust channels 38, and the first main exhaust channels 39 are in communication with each other. Furthermore, the main air supply channel 37 is in communication with the supply port 3a of the port block 3, and the first and second main exhaust channels 39, 38 are in communication with the exhaust port 3b of the port block 3.

[0031] In this manner, the pilot air control unit 4A of the present embodiment has the pilot flow path 20 that communicates with the second supply flow path 16b, so when the port P and the port B are brought into communication with each other by the switching operation of the spool 33 of the switching valve block 30, compressed air is supplied to the pilot flow path 20 through the second supply flow path 16b. Therefore, in the present embodiment, compressed air can be supplied as pilot pressure to the external pilot type switching valve block 30 provided in the second air pressure supply unit 5A.

[0032] As shown in Figs. 3 and 5, a pressure sensor assembly 40 for measuring the air pressure in the pilot flow passage 20 is provided in the manifold block 10 of the pilot air control unit 4A. The pressure sensor assembly 40 has a sensor section 41 equipped with an air pressure detection section 42 (detection element) for detecting the air pressure. In this embodiment, the pressure sensor assembly 40 is configured by integrally joining a sensor board section 45 electrically connected to the sensor section 41 to the rear end of the sensor section 41. That is, the sensor section 41 is attached to a surface 45d of the sensor board section 45 facing the front side of the manifold block 10. In this embodiment, the sensor section 41 is configured to have an air pressure detection section 42 and a sensor cover section 43 that houses the detection section, and the air pressure detection section 42 is configured to AD convert the air pressure to output a digital signal.

[0033] The air pressure detection unit 42 converts the gauge resistance, which changes due to deflection caused by pressure, into an electrical signal, and can be, for example, a semiconductor-type pressure detection unit having a silicon chip or a strain gauge-type pressure detection unit having a strain gauge.

[0034] The sensor cover portion 43 has a cover body portion 43a and a protruding portion 43b protruding from the front end portion. In this embodiment, the cover body portion 43a is formed in a box shape that is open at the rear end portion, is hollow inside, and extends in the vertical direction, and arc-shaped outer surfaces 43c that protrude outward are formed on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the cover body portion 43a. These outer surfaces 43c are movable in the circumferential direction along the inner surface of a sensor mounting hole 23 (described later) that houses the sensor cover portion 43. The cover body portion 43a is attached so as to fit inside a surface 45d of the sensor board portion 45.

[0035] The protruding portion 43b is smaller than the cover body 43a and protrudes from the center of the front surface of the cover body 43a. A hole 43d extending rearward is formed at the front end of the protruding portion 43b, and the air pressure detection unit 42 is attached to the bottom of the hole 43d.

[0036] 5 and 8, the sensor board portion 45 is a plate-like member formed in a rectangular (quadrilateral) shape with long and short sides, and is electrically connected to the air pressure detection portion 42. A first connector 46 electrically connected to the sensor board portion 45 is attached to the center of the back surface 45a of the sensor board portion 45. The first connector 46 relays the supply of power to the pressure sensor assembly 40 and the transmission of detection signals.

[0037] 3 and 5, the sensor unit 41 of the pressure sensor assembly 40 configured in this manner is connected to the second supply flow path 16b, and is airtightly inserted and fixed in a sensor mounting hole 23 formed in the rear end face 11d of the base body 11 of the manifold block 10. In this embodiment, the sensor mounting hole 23 opens in the end face 11d of the base body 11 and extends forward toward the first supply flow path 16d that extends vertically, and is connected to the second supply flow path 16b via the detection flow path 24.

[0038] The sensor mounting hole 23 is formed with a vertically long hole portion 23a extending in the up-down direction and a fitting hole portion 23b formed at the bottom of the vertically long hole portion 23a, and the vertically long hole portion 23a is located below the first main exhaust passage 39 in the base body 11 and opens on both sides in the width direction, with inner surfaces curved in an arc at both upper and lower ends. The cover body portion 43a of the sensor portion 41 is inserted inside these inner surfaces.

[0039] The fitting hole 23b is formed in a cylindrical shape that protrudes from the center of the bottom of the vertically elongated hole 23a and has a bottom at its front end, and the bottom of the fitting hole 23b is connected to the detection flow path 24. One end of the detection flow path 24 extends linearly in a direction perpendicular to the second supply flow path 16b that extends vertically from the bottom of the fitting hole 23b, and bends upward at a position below the second supply flow path 16b to communicate with the second supply flow path 16b.

[0040] However, when the sensor cover part 43 inserted into the fitting hole part 23b is subjected to air pressure through the detection flow path 24, if there is a gap between the sensor cover part 43 and the fitting hole part 23b, air leaks out and the air pressure drops, which may result in an inability to accurately measure the air pressure. Therefore, an O-ring 47 is fitted in the fitting hole part 23b. In this embodiment, an annular groove 23c for fitting the O-ring 47 is formed on the rear side of the fitting hole part 23b as shown in FIG. 5. The rear end of the annular groove 23c is open, the inner diameter of the annular groove 23c is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the O-ring 47, the width in the front-rear direction is slightly larger than the thickness of the O-ring 47, and the inner diameter of a hole 47a penetrating the center of the O-ring 47 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the protruding part 43b.

[0041] Therefore, when the protruding portion 43b of the sensor cover portion 43 is inserted into the hole 47a of the O-ring 47 with the O-ring 47 attached in the annular groove 23c, the O-ring 47 elastically deforms, so that the inner surface of the annular groove 23c and the outer surface of the O-ring 47 come into close contact with each other, and the inner surface of the hole 47a of the O-ring 47 comes into close contact with the outer surface of the protruding portion 43b. Therefore, the sensor portion 41 can be inserted into the sensor mounting hole 23 in an airtight manner.

[0042] In addition, since the O-ring 47 inserted in the annular groove 23c receives a force directed toward the rear side of the annular groove 23c due to air pressure, there is a risk that the O-ring 47 will be removed from the annular groove 23c. Therefore, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, a stopper 48 for preventing the O-ring 47 from being removed is attached to the manifold block 10. The stopper 48 has an abutment member 48a having a hole 48b through which the protrusion 43b is inserted on the inside and abutting against the rear end of the O-ring 47 while surrounding the protrusion 43b, and a pair of legs 48c, 48c extending forward from both ends of the abutment member 48a in the width direction along each of the side surfaces on both sides in the width direction of the base body 11 of the manifold block 10. In this embodiment, the stopper 48 is made of a metal material (e.g., SUS) and is elastically deformable.

[0043] The abutting member 48a is formed in a rectangular shape extending in the width direction, and a hole 48b having a diameter larger than that of the protruding portion 43b is formed in the center of the abutting member 48a. Each of the pair of legs 48c, 48c is formed in a U-shape with a rectangular engagement hole 48d penetrating therethrough, and the stopper 48 is fixed to the base body 11 by engaging these engagement holes 48d with the locking protrusions 11e provided on the side surfaces 11c on both sides of the base body 11 in the width direction. When the stopper 48 is fixed to the base body 11, the inner surface of the abutting member 48a is in close proximity to or in contact with the rear end of the O-ring 47. Therefore, the stopper 48 can prevent the O-ring 47 from being removed from the annular groove 23c. The pressure sensor assembly 40 is supported in the sensor mounting hole 23 so as to be rotatable around the central axis J of the protruding portion 43b with the protruding portion 43b of the sensor cover portion 43 inserted into the O-ring 47.

[0044] Furthermore, even if the protruding portion 43b of the sensor cover portion 43 is inserted into the O-ring 47, the entire pressure sensor assembly 40 may be pressed rearward by air pressure and may be removed from the sensor mounting hole 23. Therefore, a removal prevention member 50 that abuts against the back surface 45a of the sensor board portion 45 is provided at the rear end of the manifold block 10, as shown in Figures 6, 7, and 8. In this embodiment, the removal prevention member 50 is configured to have upper claw portions 52 (claw portions) and lower claw portions 53 (claw portions) that abut against both ends in the up and down direction of the back surface 45a of the sensor board portion 45, respectively.

[0045] The upper claws 52 are formed in a pair on both sides in the width direction of the upper portion of the base body 11 behind the sensor board portion 45, and the lower claws 53 are formed in a pair below each of the pair of upper claws 52. The front sides of the pair of upper claws 52 are formed in a flat shape facing the sensor board portion 45. On the other hand, the pair of lower claws 53 are formed at the front ends of both sides in the width direction of a board accommodating portion 25 (described later) that protrudes from the underside of the rear end face 11d of the base body 11, and the front sides of the lower claws 53 are formed in a flat shape facing the sensor board portion 45.

[0046] The front end faces of the upper and lower claws 52, 53 are located on the same plane. The upper and lower claws 52, 53 are arranged with a distance d (see FIG. 7) between the tips of the claws 52, 53. The distance d between the tips of the claws 52, 53 is greater than the length L2 of the short side 45c of the sensor board 45 and less than the length L1 of the long side 45b. Since the sensor cover 43 of the sensor unit 41 is formed inside the sensor board 45, the pressure sensor assembly 40 can pass between the tips of the claws 52, 53 when the long side 45b of the sensor board 45 extends in the width direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction.

[0047] In addition, between these upper and lower claw portions 52, 53 and the rear end face 11d of the base body 11, a space portion 55 (see Figure 6) is formed, which has an area in which the sensor board portion 45 can be rotated around the central axis J of the protrusion portion 43b when the sensor portion 41 is inserted into the sensor mounting hole 23.

[0048] Therefore, when the long side 45b of the sensor board portion 45 is rotated from a state in which it extends horizontally to face vertically, the back surfaces 45a of both the upper and lower ends in the longitudinal direction of the sensor board portion 45 come into contact with the corresponding upper claw portion 52 and lower claw portion 53. This makes it possible to prevent the pressure sensor assembly 40 from coming off the sensor mounting hole 23. When the sensor board portion 45 comes into contact with the upper and lower claw portions 52, 53, the first connector 46 provided on the sensor board portion 45 is exposed and located between the tips of the upper and lower claw portions 52, 53. This makes it easy to connect the electrical wiring 91 connected to the first connector 46.

[0049] Here, the case of inserting and removing the pressure sensor assembly 40 into the sensor mounting hole 23 will be described. First, when inserting the pressure sensor assembly 40 into the sensor mounting hole 23, as shown in Fig. 6, the sensor part 41 of the pressure sensor assembly 40 is directed between the tips of the upper and lower claws 52, 53 and the long side 45b of the sensor board part 45 is directed horizontally, and the pressure sensor assembly 40 is moved forward toward between these claws 52, 53. Then, as shown in Fig. 5, the sensor part 41 is inserted into the sensor mounting hole 23 and the protruding part 43b is inserted into the fitting hole part 23b. Then, the entire pressure sensor assembly 40 is rotated around the central axis J of the protruding part 43b via the sensor board part 45, and the sensor board part 45 is brought into a state in which its long side 45b faces the up-down direction as shown in Fig. 7. Therefore, both ends in the longitudinal direction of the back surface 45a of the sensor board portion 45 come into contact with the corresponding claw portions 52, 53 of the upper and lower claw portions 52, 53, and the sensor portion 41 of the pressure sensor assembly 40 is airtightly inserted into the sensor mounting hole 23. Therefore, the pressure sensor assembly 40 is fixed in a state in which it is prevented from coming off from the sensor mounting hole 23.

[0050] Meanwhile, as shown in Figs. 3, 6 and 8, a board accommodating section 25 is formed at the lower part (lower end surface) of the rear end surface 11d of the base body 11, protruding rearward. In this embodiment, the board accommodating section 25 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a pair of guide rails 26 extending in the front-rear direction are formed on both sides of the width direction of the upper front side of the board accommodating section 25, and a board accommodating hole section 27 is formed at the middle part of the front side of the board accommodating section 25 in the up-down direction, penetrating in the width direction and extending in the front-rear direction. In addition, a connector accommodating recess 28 with an open top is formed at the rear side of the board accommodating hole section 27, and the connector accommodating recess 28 communicates with the board accommodating hole section 27 in the front-rear direction. A connection board section 80 for transmitting an electric signal is inserted into the board accommodating hole section 27 and the connector accommodating recess 28. In this embodiment, the connection board section 80 transmits a switching control signal to the switching valve block 30, supplies driving power, or transmits a detection signal (digital detection signal) from the pressure sensor assembly 40.

[0051] The connection board section 80 is further electrically connected to a connection board section 80 provided on the manifold block 10 of another first air pressure supply unit 4B (see FIG. 1) adjacent in the width direction. The connection board section 80 in this embodiment has a connector main body 81 that serves as a socket and a plug board 87 that serves as a plug, and is formed by detachably connecting the plug board 87 to the connector main body 81. The connector main body 81 has an elongated body 82 extending in the front-rear direction, and a board insertion hole section 83 that penetrates the body 82 in the width direction is formed in the body 82, and a plurality of socket terminals 84 are arranged in the board insertion hole section 83 at intervals in the front-rear direction. The socket terminal 84 is composed of a pair of elastic metal fittings 85 facing each other in the vertical direction, and is configured so that the plug board 87 is inserted from one side in the width direction between the pair of elastic metal fittings 85, and the plug board 87 of the connection board section 80 of the other first air pressure supply unit 4B is inserted from the other side in the width direction.

[0052] The plug board 87 has plug terminals 88 arranged on both ends in the width direction of its upper and lower surfaces, the same number as the socket terminals 84 of the connector body 81, and the plug terminals 88 arranged on both sides in the width direction are electrically connected to the corresponding terminals. The plug terminals 88 on one side of the plug board 87 in the width direction are electrically connected to the corresponding socket terminals 84 of the connector body 81 in a state in which the plug board 87 is inserted into the connector body 81. Therefore, by inserting the other side of the width direction of the socket terminals 84 of the connector body 81 into the connection board part 80 of another first air pressure supply unit 4B, the connection board parts 80 adjacent in the width direction can be electrically connected to each other. In this embodiment, the first and second air pressure supply units 4B, 5A, 5B and the end block 2 are electrically connected to each other in a state in which the air pressure supply units 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B and the end block 2 are connected in a row in the width direction.

[0053] Meanwhile, a second connector 89 and a third connector 90 are provided on the upper surface of the rear end portion of the plug substrate 87 of the connection substrate section 80. The second connector 89 relays the supply of power and the transmission of detection signals to the pressure sensor assembly 40, and the third connector 90 relays the supply of power and the transmission of control signals to the switching valve block 30. With the connection substrate section 80 attached to the substrate accommodating hole 27, the rear end side of the plug substrate 87 extends into the connector accommodating recess 28, and the second and third connectors 89, 90 are provided on the plug substrate 87 extended into the connector accommodating recess 28.

[0054] As shown in Figs. 3 and 8, an electric wiring 91 is disposed on the board accommodating section 25 in which the connection board section 80 is accommodated, and extends in the front-rear direction along the board accommodating section 25. The front end of the electric wiring 91 is connected to the first connector 46, and the rear end of the electric wiring 91 is connected to the second connector 89, and the sensor board section 45 of the pressure sensor assembly 40 and the connection board section 80 are electrically connected via the electric wiring 91. The third connector 90 is connected to the fourth connector 56 provided on the switching valve block 30. Therefore, the electric signal of the pressure sensor assembly 40 can be transmitted to the end block 2 through the connection board section 80 provided on each of the air pressure supply units 4A, 4B, 5A, and 5B connected in a row in the width direction, and the transmission of an electric signal between the pressure sensor assembly 40 and the end block 2 is possible.

[0055] A manifold cover 92 for covering the pressure sensor assembly 40, the electrical wiring 91, the first connector 46, and the second connector 89 is attached on the board housing portion 25. In this embodiment, the manifold cover 92 is formed in an L-shape in a side view, and includes a front cover portion 93 having a box-shaped front side and a plate-shaped rear cover portion 94 extending rearward from a lower part of the rear end of the front cover portion 93. The front end and the lower end of the front cover portion 93 are open, and protrusions (not shown) that can engage with the guide rail 26 are formed on both sides in the width direction of the lower part of the front cover portion. A hole portion 94a is formed in the rear part of the rear cover portion 94 so as to penetrate in the vertical direction and through which the third connector 90 is inserted.

[0056] By moving the manifold cover 92 forward with the protrusions of the front cover portion 93 engaged with the guide rails 26, the front end portion of the front cover portion 93 comes into contact with the rear end portion of the base body 11 to cover the pressure sensor assembly 40, the electrical wiring 91, the first connector 46, and the second connector 89. The manifold cover 92 is then fixed to the base body 11 by fastening the manifold cover 92 to the rear end portion of the base body 11 with fastening means such as screws.

[0057] Next, the second air pressure supply units 5A and 5B will be described. Regarding the second air pressure supply units 5A and 5B, only the differences from the first air pressure supply unit 4A described above will be described, and the same parts as those of the first air pressure supply unit 4A will be given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 9, the second air pressure supply unit 5A is configured by interposing an ejector block 60 between the mounting surface 11a of the manifold block 10 and the attachment surface 31 of the switching valve block 30. The switching valve block 30' in this embodiment is an external pilot type five-port solenoid valve that switches the communication state between port P, port B, and port A. The switching valve block 30' is formed with an external pilot port (not shown), which communicates with the pilot flow path 20 (see Fig. 3) of the first air pressure supply unit 5A to supply pilot pressure, and this pilot pressure is supplied to the first and second pressure chambers 34, 35 via the first and second pilot valves 36a, 36b of the pilot valve section 36. The switching valve block 30' of this embodiment is configured such that when port P and port B are switched to a communicating state by the movement of the spool 33, negative pressure is supplied to the first supply flow passage 16d (flow passage) of the manifold block 10, and when port P and port A are switched to a communicating state, positive pressure is supplied to the first supply flow passage 16d of the manifold block.

[0059] The ejector block 60 has an ejector body 61 which is its body, and inside the ejector body 61, a connection flow path group 62 (described later) is formed which connects ports corresponding to the first port group 13 of the manifold block 10 and the second port group 57 of the switching valve block 30. The ejector body 61 has a first mounting surface 61a formed on its upper surface for connecting the mounting surface 31 of the switching valve block 30, and a second mounting surface 61b formed on its lower surface for connecting the mounting surface 11a of the manifold block 10.

[0060] A negative pressure generating mechanism 63 is provided in the ejector body 61, and the negative pressure generating mechanism 63 has a nozzle portion 64 and a diffuser portion 65. The ejector body 61 is formed with a supply flow passage 66 that supplies compressed air to the nozzle portion 64, and a negative pressure communication flow passage 67 through which air sucked in with the compressed air ejected from the nozzle portion 64 flows. In this embodiment, the negative pressure communication flow passage 67 has two branches, a first negative pressure communication branch flow passage 67a and a second negative pressure communication branch flow passage 67b, which branch off along the way. Furthermore, the ejector body 61 has an air supply communication flow passage 68 that communicates with the air supply branch flow passage 16a of the manifold block 10, and a first supply communication flow passage 69 that communicates with the first supply flow passage 16d of the manifold block 10. These flow passages are collectively referred to as a connection flow passage group 62.

[0061] The first negative pressure branch 67a and the second negative pressure branch 67b of the negative pressure communication channel 67 communicate with the first negative pressure supply port 61d and the second negative pressure supply port 61e that open to the second mounting surface 61b. The first supply communication channel 69 communicates at one end with the positive pressure inlet port 61h that opens to the first mounting surface 61a, and at the other end with the first negative pressure branch 67a. The supply air communication channel 68 communicates at one end with the supply air outlet port 61f that opens to the first mounting surface 61a, and at the other end with the supply air inlet port 61g that opens to the second mounting surface 61b. These ports 61d, 61g, 61e are connected to corresponding ports 13d, 13a, 13b (see FIG. 3) of the manifold block, and these ports 61h, 61f, 61c are connected to corresponding ports A, P, B of the switching valve block 30.

[0062] In this embodiment, the detection flow passage 24 communicating with the sensor mounting hole 23 of the manifold block 10 communicates with the first supply flow passage 16d extending in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface 11a. The detection flow passage may also communicate with the second supply flow passage 16b as shown in FIG. 10. In this case, the opening of the second supply flow passage 16b is opened to allow negative pressure to be supplied from the second supply flow passage 16b to an external device, and the cap 19 is inserted into the opening of the first supply flow passage 16d to close the first supply flow passage 16d. Therefore, since the sensor mounting hole 23 communicates with the first supply flow passage 16d, it is possible to measure whether the air pressure of the compressed air flowing through the first supply flow passage 16d is in a negative pressure state or a positive pressure state.

[0063] In this way, the manifold block 10 in the manifold type air pressure supply device 1 according to this embodiment has, on its rear end face 11d, a sensor mounting hole 23 that communicates with the second supply flow path 16b (specific flow path) and into which the pressure sensor assembly 40 is inserted and fixed, and further, on the end face 11d below the sensor mounting hole 23, a board accommodating section 25 is provided to protrude, a connection board section 80 is disposed within this board accommodating section 25, and electrical wiring 91 that electrically connects the connection board section 80 and the sensor board section 45 is disposed on the board accommodating section 25. Therefore, it is possible to provide a manifold type air pressure supply device 1 and a manifold block 10 used therein that can reduce the burden of various operations such as piping related to the pressure sensor assembly 40 and reduce the installation space thereof.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the switching valve block 30, or the ejector block 60 and the switching valve block 30 are mounted on the mounting surface 11a of the manifold block 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. A plurality of switching valve blocks 30, or a plurality of units each consisting of an ejector block 60 and a switching valve block 30, may be mounted on the mounting surface 11a of the manifold block 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1 Manifold type air pressure supply equipment 4A, 4B First air pressure supply unit 5A, 5B Second air pressure supply unit 10 Manifold block 11a Mounting surface 11d End face 13 First Port Group 13a Air supply port (port) 13b Second output port (port) 13c Second exhaust port (port) 13d 1st output port (port) 13e First exhaust port (port) 14 Air supply passage 15 Exhaust flow path 16 First flow path group 16a Air supply branch passage (passage) 16b Second supply flow path (flow path, specific flow path) 16c Second discharge branch channel (channel) 16d First supply channel (channel) 16e First discharge branch flow path (flow path) 20 Pilot Channel 23 Sensor mounting hole 25 Substrate storage section 30, 30´ Switching valve block 31 Mounting surface 33 Spool (switching valve) 37 Main air supply channel 40 Pressure Sensor Assembly 41 Sensor section 42 Air pressure detection unit (detection element) 45 Sensor board section 45a Back 45b Long side 45c short side 45d surface 50 Anti-detachment member 52 Upper claw part (claw part) 53 Lower claw part (claw part) 57 Second Port Group 60 Ejector block (intermediate block) 62 Connecting Channels 80 Connection board section 91 Electrical Wiring 92 Manifold cover B 2nd output port (port) EB 2nd exhaust port (port) J center axis P Switching valve side air supply port (port)

Claims

1. a manifold block having a first port group formed on a mounting surface on its top surface, the first port group being made up of a plurality of ports for letting air in and out, and having a first flow path group formed therein, the first flow path group being made up of a plurality of flow paths each connected to the first port group; a switching valve block having a second port group consisting of a plurality of ports for letting air in and out on a mounting surface on the lower surface, the switching valve block switching a communication state between the plurality of ports in the second port group by a switching valve provided therein, a manifold-type air pressure supply device in which the manifold block and the switching valve block are fixedly connected to each other by abutting the mounting surface of the switching valve block against the mounting surface of the manifold block to directly connect corresponding ports in the first and second port groups, or by interposing an intermediate block between the mounting surface and the mounting surface, the intermediate block having therein a group of connection flow paths that connect corresponding ports in the first or second port groups, a pressure sensor assembly is provided in the manifold block to measure the air pressure of a specific flow path among the first flow path group; The pressure sensor assembly has a sensor portion equipped with a detection element for detecting air pressure, Furthermore, the manifold block is provided with a sensor mounting hole that is connected to the specific flow path and into which the sensor portion of the pressure sensor assembly is airtightly inserted and fixed. A manifold type air pressure supply device characterized by:

2. the manifold block has an end surface extending in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface on a rear side in a front-rear direction perpendicular to a vertical direction, The sensor mounting hole is opened on the end surface.

2. The manifold type air pressure supply device according to claim 1.

3. each of the plurality of flow paths in the first flow path group extends from a corresponding port in the first port group in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface; The sensor mounting hole extends in a direction perpendicular to the plurality of flow paths extending in the vertical direction.

3. The manifold type air pressure supply device according to claim 2.

4. the pressure sensor assembly is configured by integrally joining a sensor substrate unit electrically connected to the sensor unit to a rear end portion of the manifold block in a front-rear direction of the sensor unit, The manifold block is formed with a detachment prevention member that abuts against a rear surface of the sensor substrate portion and prevents the sensor portion from being detached from the sensor mounting hole.

2. The manifold type air pressure supply device according to claim 1.

5. the pressure sensor assembly is rotatable about a central axis of the sensor portion relative to the sensor mounting hole; The sensor substrate portion is formed in a rectangular shape having long and short sides, the anti-detachment member has a pair of claws that come into contact with both longitudinal ends of the rear surface of the sensor board, a distance between the tip ends of the pair of claws is greater than the length of the short side of the sensor substrate and less than the length of the long side; 5. The manifold type air pressure supply device according to claim 4.

6. The manifold-type air pressure supply device has a unit group formed by connecting in a row in the width direction a plurality of air pressure supply units selected from a first air pressure supply unit in which corresponding ports in the first and second port groups are directly connected by abutting the mounting surface of the switching valve block against the mounting surface of the manifold block, and a second air pressure supply unit in which an intermediate block having therein a group of connection flow paths connecting corresponding ports in the first or second port groups is interposed between the mounting surface and the mounting surface, and a controller that transmits and receives electrical signals to the unit group is connected to one end of the unit group in the width direction, Each of the plurality of air pressure supply units forming the unit group is provided with a connection board portion for transmitting electrical signals, and at least one manifold block of the plurality of air pressure supply units is provided with the pressure sensor assembly and electrical wiring that electrically connects the pressure sensor assembly to the connection board portion, the first port group includes an air supply port for supplying air to the switching valve block and an exhaust port for discharging air exhausted from the switching valve block, the first flow path group includes an air supply flow path for supplying air to the switching valve block and an exhaust flow path for discharging air exhausted from the switching valve block, the air supply passage includes a main air supply passage that connects a pair of openings formed on both widthwise side surfaces of the manifold block to each other, and an air supply branch passage that branches off from the main air supply passage and has one end connected to the air supply port, the exhaust flow path includes a main exhaust flow path that connects a pair of openings formed on both side surfaces of the manifold block in the width direction, and a branch exhaust flow path that branches off from the main exhaust flow path and has one end connected to the exhaust port, In the unit group, the air supply flow paths and the exhaust flow paths of the plurality of air pressure supply units are communicated with each other, and the controller and the connection board portions of the plurality of air pressure supply units are electrically connected to each other, thereby allowing transmission of electrical signals between the controller and the pressure sensor assembly.

2. The manifold type air pressure supply device according to claim 1.

7. the manifold block has an end surface on its rear side that extends in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface, the manifold block has a substrate accommodating portion that protrudes from a lower end surface that is located below the sensor mounting hole in the end surface, The connection board portion is provided inside the board accommodation portion, the pressure sensor assembly is configured by integrally joining a sensor substrate unit electrically connected to the sensor unit to a rear end portion of the manifold block in a front-rear direction of the sensor unit, The electrical wiring extends along the board accommodating portion, one end of the electrical wiring is connected to the sensor board portion, and the other end of the electrical wiring is connected to the connection board portion.

7. The manifold type air pressure supply device according to claim 6.

8. a manifold cover that covers the sensor substrate and the electrical wiring is attached to the substrate accommodating portion; 8. The manifold type air pressure supply device according to claim 7.

9. The manifold block used in the manifold type air pressure supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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