Fluid Control Systems

Abstract

A fluid control system for supplying fluid to a fluid consumer, comprising a valve module including a passage body having a fluid selector valve, a fluid pressure regulator, and a vacuum selector valve mounted thereto, the passage body having a first fluid passage extending from a fluid inlet port to an inlet port of the fluid pressure regulator, a second fluid passage extending from an outlet port of the fluid pressure regulator to an inlet port of the fluid selector valve, a third fluid passage extending from the outlet port of the fluid selector valve to a fluid consumer port, a first vacuum passage extending from the vacuum inlet port to the inlet port of the vacuum selector valve, and a second vacuum passage extending from the outlet port of the vacuum selector valve to the fluid consumer port.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a fluid control system for supplying fluid to a fluid consumer. In accordance with the present invention, a fluid control system includes a valve module including a passage body having a fluid switching valve, a fluid pressure regulator, and a vacuum switching valve mounted thereto, the passage body having a first fluid passage extending from a fluid inlet to an inlet of the fluid pressure regulator, a second fluid passage extending from an outlet of the fluid pressure regulator to an inlet of the fluid switching valve, a third fluid passage extending from the outlet of the fluid switching valve to a fluid consumer port, a first vacuum passage extending from a vacuum inlet to an inlet of the vacuum switching valve, and a second vacuum passage extending from the outlet of the vacuum switching valve to a fluid consumer port.

[0002] The purpose of the valve module is to provide pressurized air and vacuum to a fluid consumer, which may be an actuator used to apply a processing force to a workpiece. The valve module therefore comprises, on the one hand, a number of components for handling pressurized air, more specifically a fluid change-over valve and a fluid pressure regulator, and, on the other hand, a component for handling vacuum, more specifically a vacuum change-over valve. Both the components for handling pressurized air and the components for handling vacuum are indirectly or directly connected to a fluid consumer port that serves as a connection interface for connecting with a fluid consumer, more specifically for connecting a pipe or tube to the fluid consumer. In order to ensure a compact design of the valve module, all fluid passages necessary for connecting the respective components of the valve module, including the passages for pressurized air and the passages for vacuum, are realized as holes in the passage body, so that no external tubes or pipes are required for connecting components such as the fluid change-over valve, the fluid pressure regulator and the vacuum change-over valve. Furthermore, the fluid switching valve, the fluid pressure regulator, and the vacuum switching valve are provided as separate functional units, each of which has a housing with a fluid interface connected to the passage body and further an electrical interface for electrically operating the respective functional unit.

[0003] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fluid switching valve, the fluid pressure regulator and the vacuum switching valve are provided on the upper surface of the passage body, and the fluid consumer port is provided on an end surface of the passage body oriented transversely to the upper surface. The upper surface of the passage body may be realized as a flat surface with openings for the fluid passages and the vacuum passages, respectively. Alternatively, the upper surface is at least partially cut out to fit the interface shapes of the fluid switching valve and / or the fluid pressure regulator and / or the vacuum switching valve, respectively. The fluid consumer port is arranged on the end surface or on the front surface of the passage body to ensure easy connection and removal of the fluid consumer to and from the valve module, respectively.

[0004] In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, the fluid switching valve and fluid pressure regulator are mounted on a first passageway body portion of the passageway body, the first passageway body portion having a first passageway body interface and including a first portion of a third fluid passage extending through the first passageway body portion and terminating in a first opening of the first passageway body interface, and the vacuum switching valve is mounted on a second passageway body portion of the passageway body, the second passageway body portion having a second passageway body interface and including a second portion of a third fluid passage extending through the second passageway body portion and terminating in a second opening of the second passageway body interface, the first passageway body interface and the second passageway body interface being sealingly interconnected to one another.

[0005] Separating the passage body into a first passage body part and a second passage body part advantageously allows for maintenance of the valve module, since the components for handling pressurized air can be replaced separately from the components for handling vacuum. The first passage body part comprises a first passage body interface, on which an opening of a first part of the third fluid passage is arranged. The second passage body part comprises a second passage body interface, on which an opening of a second part of the third fluid passage is arranged. Preferably, the first passage body interface and the second passage body interface are realized as flat surfaces pressed against each other to ensure an airtight connection between the two parts of the third fluid passage. Preferably, at least one of these openings is surrounded by a sealing, more particularly an O-ring seal.

[0006] According to a further embodiment of the invention, a pressure sensor is provided on the passage body and electrically connected to the sensor interface. Preferably, the pressure sensor is used to monitor the pressure at the fluid consumer port and provides an electrical signal responsive to the pressure to the sensor interface. The sensor interface may be part of the valve module and serves as a connection means for connecting the pressure sensor to a processing means for processing the pressure signal.

[0007] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the pressure sensor is disposed in the upper portion of the first passage body between the fluid switching valve and the fluid pressure regulator, and the sensing passage is formed in the first passage body between the pressure sensor and the third fluid passage. This pressure sensor arrangement allows the first passage body to be designed compactly. Furthermore, a maximum distance between the fluid switching valve and the fluid pressure regulator is realized, which is useful for avoiding thermal effects that may occur during operation of the valve module due to waste heat from the fluid switching valve.

[0008] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the fluid switching valve is formed as a 3 / 2-way solenoid valve. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the vacuum switching valve is formed as a 3 / 2-way solenoid valve. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the fluid pressure regulator is configured as a proportional pressure control valve having a piezo valve, a pressure sensor and an electronic controller for controlling the output pressure based on a sensor signal from the pressure sensor. The role of the pressure regulator is to deliver a precise amount of pressurized air based on a machine control signal that controls the operation of the fluid consumer. The piezo valve, the pressure sensor and the electronic controller form a closed loop control circuit that supplies the fluid consumer with the required amount of pressurized air. Due to the use of a piezo valve, the flow of pressurized air can be accommodated by the fluid pressure regulator quickly and with little delay. A fluid switching valve arranged between the fluid pressure regulator and the fluid consumer port acts as a cut-off valve when the fluid consumer needs to be vented quickly, and the venting is performed by a vacuum circuit and an associated vacuum valve.

[0009] According to a further embodiment of the invention, a plurality of valve modules are provided in the housing and attached to a pressure supply bar and a vacuum supply bar provided on an inner surface of the housing, the pressure supply bar having a pressure port and a plurality of fluid outlets, and the vacuum supply bar having a vacuum port and a plurality of vacuum outlets. Each of the plurality of valve modules is connected by its fluid inlet port to one of the plurality of fluid outlets of the pressure supply bar. Furthermore, each of the plurality of valve modules may be connected by its vacuum inlet port to one of the plurality of vacuum outlets of the vacuum supply bar. This allows the plurality of valve modules to be comfortably assembled and disassembled in and out of the housing without the need to connect and disassemble separate fluid lines or hoses. The pressure port of the pressure supply bar is to be connected to a pressure source, which may be a compressor or a central pressurized air source. Similarly, the vacuum port of the vacuum supply bar is to be connected to a local vacuum source or a central vacuum source. Preferably, the pressure supply bar and the vacuum supply bar are provided on an inner surface of the housing and are oriented to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the plurality of valve modules in and out of the housing. The fluid exhaust and vacuum outlets may be implemented as cylindrical holes in the planar faces of the pressure and vacuum supply bars, respectively.

[0010] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the pressure outlets of the pressure supply bar are arranged along a first straight line with a first constant pitch, and the vacuum outlets of the vacuum supply bar are arranged along a second straight line with a second constant pitch, the first straight line and the second straight line are arranged parallel to each other, and the first pitch and the second pitch are identical. This allows multiple valve modules to be arranged in parallel with a small geometric footprint. Specifically, the first constant pitch and the second constant pitch are slightly larger than the range of each of the valve modules, so that a narrow gap is generated between adjacently arranged valve modules. For example, the first constant pitch is 11 mm and the range of the valve modules is 10 mm, so that the gap between adjacently arranged valve modules is 1 mm.

[0011] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the control circuit is disposed on the rear side of the housing, each of the plurality of valve modules is provided with a contact plate, the contact plate being electrically connected to the fluid switching valve, the fluid pressure regulator, and the vacuum switching valve, the control circuit is provided with a plurality of connectors, each designed for electrical contact of the contact plate, and the control circuit is designed for electrical control of the fluid switching valve, the fluid pressure regulator, and the vacuum switching valve.

[0012] The control circuit comprises a printed circuit board, at least one processor and electronic peripherals for the operation of said processor, the processor comprising software for the control of each of the multiple valve modules. In particular, the control circuit provides all the control signals necessary for the operation of the fluid switching valve, the fluid pressure regulator and the vacuum switching valve, as well as the power supply of the respective components. The signal and power supply are provided to a contact plate which is part of the valve module and serves as a terminal for electrical connections, in particular for cable connections, for the electrical components of the valve module. According to a preferred embodiment, the contact plate is the only electromechanical interface between the electrical components of the valve module and the control circuit, and does not include any active or passive electrical or electronic components other than the respective contact plugs.

[0013] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the control circuitry comprises a bus interface for connection to a bus communication system, which allows digital bus communication between the fluid control system and a machine control, which operates the fluid consumer and the machine in which the fluid control system is integrated. Such a machine control may be realized as a numerical control or a programmable logic controller (PLC) communicating with devices such as the fluid control system by a bus communication system, in particular selected from the group: Ethercat, Devicenet, CAN, Profibus.

[0014] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the fluid pressure regulator is provided on the passage body between the fluid switching valve and the vacuum switching valve. Preferably, the vacuum switching valve is located closest to the consumer port to ensure fast venting of the fluid consumer. The vacuum switching valve is a normally closed (NC) valve and only operates when it is necessary to quickly vent, so it does not consume electrical energy most of the time, which also means that the vacuum switching valve does not affect the temperature of the pressurized air provided to the consumer port. In contrast, the fluid switching valve operates periodically, so it generates at least some waste heat that may affect the temperature of the pressurized air provided to the consumer port. However, due to the location of the fluid switching valve with a maximum distance to the consumer port and the location of the fluid connection between the fluid pressure regulator, the fluid switching valve and the consumer port, the pressurized air can be reliably moved a long distance between the fluid switching valve and the consumer port through the passage body, thus reducing the effect of the waste heat on the pressurized air.

[0015] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a vacuum port is provided on the upper portion of the passage body adjacent to the vacuum changeover valve and configured to supply a vacuum to the vacuum changeover valve individually. The vacuum port allows each vacuum changeover valve to be supplied with a vacuum individually as an alternative to the vacuum supply bar. This may be advantageous when a fluid consumer connected to each valve module requires a specific vacuum level and / or a high vacuum flow that cannot be provided by the vacuum supply bar. Preferably, the vacuum port is provided with a respective connector to which a tube or hose can be connected for fluid communication of the vacuum supply.

[0016] According to a further embodiment of the invention, a fluid filter is associated with the fluid consumer port to ensure that particles that may be delivered with the pressurized air flowing through the valve module and that should not enter the fluid consumer are retained, as well as particles that may be emitted by the fluid consumer and that should not enter the vacuum system.

[0017] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in the following figures. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 shows a perspective view of a fluid control system including a housing and several valve modules attached to pressure and vacuum supply bars. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a valve module with a passage plate partially cut away. [Diagram 3] 1 shows a pneumatic diagram of the valve module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] According to FIG. 1, the fluid control system 1 comprises a housing 30, which is shown in an exploded state so that only the base plate 31 is visible in FIG. 1, while the cover of the base plate 31 is not shown.

[0020] Fluid control system 1 includes multiple valve modules 2, each of which is an assembly that can be handled, operated, and inspected separately and that can be assembled into or removed from housing 30 by an end user of fluid control system 1.

[0021] The fluid control system 1 also comprises a control circuit 40, which is attached to the base plate 31 by respective supports 45, and a printed circuit board 46 equipped with a processor, e.g. a microcontroller, and further electronic and electrical components (not shown) forming electronic circuits for controlling the functioning of the valve modules 2. Furthermore, the printed circuit board 46 is equipped with a number of plug connectors 48 arranged in a row and providing electrical connection to the valve modules 2. Another plug connector 49 may be used to connect the control circuit 40 to a bus communication system.

[0022] The upper surface 32 of the base plate 31 is provided with a pressure supply bar 21, which has a rectangular profile and extends along an extension axis 28, which is oriented parallel to the width of the base plate 31. Both the left end region 55 and the right end region 56 of the pressure supply bar 21 are shaped as rectangular blocks. The pressure port 22, located in the right end region 56, is provided with an elbow joint 59, which is connected to a tube 60 and a fluid joint 61, which allows the pressure supply bar 21 to be connected to a pressure supply source (not shown) by a tube or hose (not shown). The pressure supply bar 21 has a flat surface 62, which is provided with a number of fluid outlets 23 arranged at a constant pitch 29 along the extension axis 28. Each of the plurality of fluid outlets 23 is realized as a hole oriented perpendicular to the flat surface 62 and surrounded by an O-ring seal 63. Preferably, each fluid outlet 23 is realized as a threaded hole allowing for the assembly of a screw (not shown) for individually sealing each fluid outlet 23 when that fluid outlet 23 is not in use.

[0023] Furthermore, the upper surface 32 of the base plate 31 is provided with a vacuum supply bar 24, which has a rectangular profile, extends along the extension axis 28 and is oriented parallel to the pressure supply bar 21. Both the left end region 57 and the right end region 58 of the vacuum supply bar 21 are shaped as rectangular blocks. The vacuum port 25 located in the right end region 58 is provided with an elbow fitting 64, which allows the vacuum supply bar 24 to be connected to a vacuum source (not shown) by means of a tube or hose (not shown). The vacuum supply bar 24 has a flat surface 65 provided with a number of vacuum outlets 26, which are arranged along the extension axis 28 with the same constant pitch 29 as the fluid outlets 23. Each of the plurality of vacuum outlets 26 is realized as a hole oriented perpendicular to the flat surface 65 and surrounded by an O-ring seal 66. Preferably, each vacuum outlet 26 is realized as a threaded hole allowing the installation of a screw (not shown) for individually sealing the respective vacuum outlet 26 when this vacuum outlet 26 is not in use.

[0024] In order to be able to individually supply a vacuum to the valve modules 2, each of the valve modules 2 is provided with a supply port 77 arranged on the upper surface 38 of the passage body 3. According to FIG. 1, one of the supply ports 77 is provided with an elbow fitting 67, while the remaining supply ports 77 are closed by respective screws 78.

[0025] Pressure supply bar 21 and vacuum supply bar 24 serve as interfaces for the fluid coupling of the respective valve modules 2, which are described in more detail below. As shown in FIG. 1, each of the multiple valve modules 2 has components with the same configuration, so the following description of the valve module 2 is valid for all the valve modules 2 of the fluid control system 1 shown in FIG.

[0026] The valve module 2 comprises a passage body 3, a fluid switching valve 4, a fluid pressure regulator 5, a vacuum switching valve 6, and a pressure sensor 14. The fluid switching valve 4, the fluid pressure regulator 5, the vacuum switching valve 6, and the pressure sensor 14 are electromechanical fluid components that are operated by electrical energy and are responsible for controlling the flow of fluid to and from the fluid consumer port 12, respectively. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the fluid consumer port 12 is provided with a hose coupling 36 that allows the connection of a flexible hose (not shown) that is connected to a fluid consumer, in particular an actuator (not shown). The fluid consumer port 12 is arranged on an end face 16, which may also be called a front face, of the passage body 3, which is arranged adjacent to a front face 33 of the base plate 31. This allows easy access to the hose coupling 36 even when the cover of the housing 30 is connected to the base plate 31.

[0027] 1 and 2, the fluid switching valve 4 is connected to the contact plate 41 by a connector 83. The fluid pressure regulator 5 is connected to the contact plate 41 by a connecting cable 84. The vacuum switching valve 6 is connected to the contact plate 41 by a connecting cable 85, and the pressure sensor 14 is connected to the contact plate 41 by a connecting cable 86.

[0028] 1 and 2, the passage body 3 comprises a first passage body portion 17 and a second passage body portion 18. The first passage body portion 17 is primarily responsible for handling pressurized air, so the fluid selector valve 4, the fluid pressure regulator 5, and the pressure sensor 14 are disposed on an upper surface 15 of the first passage body portion 17. The second passage body portion 18 is primarily responsible for handling vacuum, so the vacuum selector valve 6 is disposed on an upper surface 38 of the second passage body portion 18. However, the second passage body portion 18 also carries a hose fitting 36 attached to the fluid consumer port 12.

[0029] The first passage body 17 comprises a first fluid passage 7, which extends from a fluid inlet port 10 arranged in a first recess 51 having a rectangular contour adapted to the contour of the pressure supply bar 21. The fluid inlet port 10 is realized as a short tube that is plugged into one of the fluid outlets 23 of the pressure supply bar 21. The first fluid passage 7 is connected to an inlet port 70 of the fluid pressure regulator 5, thus allowing the supply of pressurized air from the pressure supply bar 21 to the fluid pressure regulator 5. The first passage body 17 also comprises a second fluid passage 8, which extends from an outlet port 71 of the fluid pressure regulator 5 to an inlet port 68 of the fluid switching valve 4. Furthermore, a first portion 19 of a third fluid passage 9 extends from an outlet port 69 of the fluid switching valve 4 to a first-second passage body interface 42 of the first passage body 17. In addition, the fourth fluid passage 13 extends from the first portion 19 of the third fluid passage 9 to the inlet port 74 of the pressure sensor 14 .

[0030] The second portion 20 of the third fluid passage 9 penetrates the second passage body part 18 between the second passage body interface 43 and the end face 16. The second passage body interface 43 is located on the opposite side of the first passage body part 17 from the first passage body interface 42. Specifically, both the first passage body interface 42 and the second passage body interface 43 have flat surfaces that are airtightly connected to each other so that the pressurized air provided by the fluid switching valve 4 can be delivered to the fluid consumer port 12. In addition, a first vacuum passage 80 extends from a vacuum inlet port 11, which is located in a second recess 52 having a rectangular contour adapted to the contour of the vacuum supply bar 24, to the inlet port 72 of the vacuum switching valve 6. The vacuum inlet port 11 is realized as a short tube that is inserted into one of the vacuum ports 25 of the vacuum supply bar 24. In addition, a second vacuum passage 81 extends from the outlet port 73 of the vacuum switching valve 6 to the fluid consumer port 12. As can be seen from the schematic diagram of FIG. 2, the fluid filter 27 is disposed in the second vacuum passage 81 .

[0031] The fluid connections between the components at fluid selector valve 4, fluid pressure regulator 5, vacuum selector valve 6, and fluid consumer port 12 are represented by respective symbols in FIG.

Claims

1. 1. A fluid control system for supplying a fluid to a fluid consumer, comprising: a valve module including a passage body having a fluid switching valve, a fluid pressure regulator, and a vacuum switching valve mounted thereon; The passage body includes: a first fluid passageway extending from a fluid inlet port to an inlet port of the fluid pressure regulator; a second fluid passageway extending from an outlet port of the fluid pressure regulator to an inlet port of the fluid selector valve; a third fluid passage extending from an outlet port of the fluid selector valve to a fluid consumer port; a first vacuum passage extending from a vacuum inlet port to an inlet port of the vacuum selector valve; a second vacuum passage extending from an outlet port of the vacuum selector valve to the fluid consumer port; The fluid control system comprises:

2. 2. The fluid control system of claim 1, the fluid switching valve, the fluid pressure regulator, and the vacuum switching valve are disposed on an upper surface of the passage body, and the fluid consumer port is disposed on an end surface of the passage body oriented transverse to the upper surface. Fluid control system.

3. 2. The fluid control system of claim 1, the fluid switching valve and the fluid pressure regulator are attached to a first passage body portion of the passage body, the first passageway body has a first passageway body interface and includes a first portion of the third fluid passage extending through the first passageway body and terminating at a first opening in the first passageway body interface; The vacuum switching valve is attached to a second passage body portion of the passage body, the second passageway body has a second passageway body interface and includes a second portion of the third fluid passage extending through the second passageway body and terminating at a second opening in the second passageway body interface; the first passageway-body interface and the second passageway-body interface are sealingly interconnected with each other. Fluid control system.

4. 2. The fluid control system of claim 1, a pressure sensor is provided on the passage body and electrically connected to a sensor interface; Fluid control system.

5. 5. The fluid control system of claim 4, the pressure sensor is disposed between the fluid switching valve and the fluid pressure regulator at an upper portion of the first passage body portion of the passage body, a detection passage is formed in the first passage body between the pressure sensor and the third fluid passage; Fluid control system.

6. 2. The fluid control system of claim 1, The fluid switching valve is formed as a 3 / 2-way solenoid valve. Fluid control system.

7. 2. The fluid control system of claim 1, The vacuum switching valve is formed as a 3 / 2-way solenoid valve. Fluid control system.

8. 2. The fluid control system of claim 1, The fluid pressure regulator is configured as a proportional pressure regulator valve having a piezoelectric valve, a pressure sensor, and an electronic controller for adjusting an output pressure based on a sensor signal from the pressure sensor. Fluid control system.

9. 2. The fluid control system of claim 1, A plurality of valve modules are mounted in the housing and attached to pressure and vacuum supply bars on an inner surface of the housing; the pressure supply bar having a pressure port and a plurality of fluid outlets; The vacuum supply bar has a vacuum port and a plurality of vacuum outlets. Fluid control system.

10. 10. The fluid control system of claim 9, the plurality of fluid outlets of the pressure supply bar are arranged at a first constant pitch along a first straight line; the plurality of vacuum outlets of the vacuum supply bar are disposed at a second constant pitch along a second straight line; The first straight line and the second straight line are arranged parallel to each other, and the first constant pitch and the second constant pitch are the same. Fluid control system.

11. 10. The fluid control system of claim 9, the fluid inlet port of the passage body is connected to the fluid outlet of the pressure supply bar; the vacuum inlet port in the passage body is connected to the vacuum outlet in the vacuum supply bar; Fluid control system.

12. 11. The fluid control system of claim 10, A control circuit is disposed on a rear side of the housing, Each of the plurality of valve modules is provided with a contact plate; the contact plate is electrically connected to the fluid switching valve, the fluid pressure regulator, and the vacuum switching valve; the control circuit is provided with a plurality of connectors, each of which is designed for electrical contact with a contact plate; the control circuit is designed for electrical control of the fluid switching valve, the fluid pressure regulator, and the vacuum switching valve; Fluid control system.

13. 13. The fluid control system of claim 12, a plurality of valve modules are mounted on the pressure supply bar and the vacuum supply bar in parallel with each other at the first constant pitch; Fluid control system.

14. 14. The fluid control system of claim 13, the control circuit includes a bus interface for connecting to a bus communication system; Fluid control system.

15. 2. The fluid control system of claim 1, The fluid pressure regulator is provided on the passage body between the fluid switching valve and the vacuum switching valve. Fluid control system.

16. 3. The fluid control system of claim 2, a vacuum port is provided on the upper surface of the passage body adjacent to the vacuum changeover valve and configured to provide a vacuum individually to the vacuum changeover valve; Fluid control system.

17. 2. The fluid control system of claim 1, a fluid filter associated with the fluid consumer port; Fluid control system.

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