Gas pressure device

Abstract

To repeatedly reuse gas pressure that has been used once as it is, without wastefully releasing and discharging gas pressure having residual energy different from atmospheric pressure once used to the atmosphere, and without adding additional energy such as pressure increase to reuse the gas pressure.SOLUTION: A gas pressure device comprises: an actuator S that comprises an actuation chamber Sa to which a positive gas pressure relative to the atmospheric pressure by gas supply or a negative gas pressure relative to the atmospheric pressure by gas suction is supplied and applied from a gas pressure supply source 10, and which is opened to a return path 20 side to make the gas pressure close to the atmospheric pressure. The gas pressure device is provided with a storage body T comprising a storage chamber Ta that, when the work of the actuator S is completed, communicates with the actuation chamber Sa of the actuator S through a circulation path 30 and temporarily stores the gas in the actuation chamber Sa. Before the gas pressure is supplied to the actuation chamber Sa from the gas pressure supply source 10, the gas pressure of the gas stored in the storage chamber Ta is supplied to the actuation chamber Sa.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pneumatic pressure device used in industrial machinery and the like that utilizes gas pressure such as positive or negative air pressure, and in particular to a pneumatic pressure device having a working body that performs a predetermined job when gas pressure is applied to a working chamber and finishes the job when the gas pressure is returned to the atmospheric pressure side. [Background technology]

[0002] A known example of this type of pneumatic pressure device is that disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 7-28138. As shown in Fig. 25, this pneumatic pressure device Ea is used in a conveying device that conveys an article 1 having a cylindrical hollow portion 2, and is equipped with an operating body 100, a so-called air picker, that has an operating chamber 101 to which a gas pressure higher than atmospheric pressure is supplied and applied by supplying gas made up of air that constitutes the atmosphere, and which is then opened and exhausted to atmospheric pressure.

[0003] The air picker as the working body 100 is inserted into the hollow portion 2 of the article 1, and performs a predetermined task of holding the article 1 when gas pressure is applied to the working chamber 101, and when the gas pressure in the working chamber 101 is returned to atmospheric pressure, the holding of the article 1 is released, completing the task. The working chamber 101 of the working body 100 is configured with a bag-like portion 102 formed of an elastic material such as elastically deformable rubber whose volume can be changed by gas pressure, and when gas pressure is applied to the working chamber 101, the bag-like portion 102 expands outward and elastically contacts the inner surface of the hollow portion 2 of the article 1, holding the article 1, and when the exhausted gas pressure is returned to atmospheric pressure, it contracts, releasing the holding of the article 1, completing the task. The conveying device, for example, repeatedly holds the article 1 at a predetermined position with the air picker as the working body 100, transports it to another position, and then releases the holding of the article 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 7-28138

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in this conventional gas pressure device Ea, when the work of the working body 100 is completed, gas is exhausted from the working chamber 101, so there is a problem that the remaining energy is wasted as exhaust noise and airflow loss. In particular, this remaining energy can be treated as so-called "exergy (useful energy)". That is, the gas exhausted from the working chamber 101 still has a pressure difference (has exergy) with respect to the atmospheric pressure (specific exergy is zero), so it has a value that can be utilized, and wasting and consuming this is a problem from the perspective of energy saving.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to provide a gas pressure device that does not wastefully discharge the gas pressure with remaining energy different from the atmospheric pressure that has been used once to the atmosphere, but enables reuse, thereby achieving energy saving. That is, the gas pressure that has been used once and still has remaining specific exergy can be reused at an initial stage where a relatively high specific exergy is not required in the next work cycle, and the required amount of gas pressure with a new and high specific exergy that is lacking is used in a later stage. By introducing and repeating this process, the consumption of pneumatic pressure with a high specific exergy is reduced to achieve energy saving, and a gas pressure device is provided.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to achieve such an object, the gas pressure device of the present invention includes a working chamber to which a gas pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure is supplied and applied from a gas pressure supply source by supplying gas or a gas pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure is supplied and applied by sucking gas, and is then released to become the gas pressure on the atmospheric pressure side. In the gas pressure device including a working body that performs a predetermined work when the gas pressure is applied to the working chamber and the gas pressure in the working chamber returns to the atmospheric pressure side to end the work, When the operation of the above-mentioned moving body ends, a reservoir body is provided which is provided with a reservoir chamber that communicates with the operation chamber of the moving body and temporarily stores the gas in the operation chamber. Before the gas pressure is supplied from the above-mentioned gas pressure supply source to the operation chamber of the moving body, the gas pressure of the gas stored in the reservoir chamber of the above-mentioned reservoir body is supplied to the operation chamber of the moving body.

[0008] In the present invention, "atmosphere" refers to the gas (outside air) in the environment where the present device is placed, and "atmospheric pressure" refers to the gas pressure (normal pressure) in the environment where the present device is placed. "Gas" mainly refers to air, but may be any type of gas such as vapor, hydrogen, nitrogen, or noble gases such as helium. The gas constituting the atmosphere may be the same gas as the gas used in the present device or a different type of gas. Further, the moving body is of a type that performs work by applying gas pressure to one operation chamber and then returning to the atmospheric pressure side. Examples of the moving body provided with such an operation chamber include various gas pressure devices such as air pickers, air chucks, spring return type air cylinders, diaphragms, air lifters, and molding machines using gas pressure.

[0009] Examples of the reservoir body include well-known accumulators (pressure accumulators) and pressure accumulator tanks. Further, it can also be configured with an air picker which can also be used as a moving body formed with an elastically deformable bag-shaped portion whose volume is made variable by gas pressure described later.

[0010] In the present invention, the "gas pressure supply source" refers to, for example, a device that supplies compressed gas to supply a gas pressure higher than atmospheric pressure, such as a compressor or a high-pressure tank that stores compressed gas, or a device that sucks gas to supply a gas pressure lower than atmospheric pressure, such as a vacuum pump, a vacuum ejector, or a vacuum tank. The negative gas pressure includes vacuum.

[0011] Accordingly, in the case of a working body that performs work by a gas pressure higher than atmospheric pressure due to gas supply, a working chamber of a working body having a volume using compressed gas and a storage chamber of a storage body having a volume for storing compressed gas in the same manner as this working chamber are provided. The compressed gas that was conventionally discharged to the atmosphere from the working chamber is temporarily stored in the storage chamber, and the compressed gas stored in the storage chamber in the next cycle is first used for the working chamber, and only the insufficient pressure portion is replenished as compressed gas from the gas pressure supply source. Incidentally, when the working chamber is opened to the atmosphere, it is not necessarily required to make the pressure in the working chamber equal to atmospheric pressure, and the use may be continued while maintaining a pressure still higher than atmospheric pressure.

[0012] On the other hand, in the case of a working body that performs work by a gas pressure lower than atmospheric pressure due to gas suction, a working chamber of a working body having a volume using negative-pressure gas and a storage chamber of a storage body having a volume for storing negative-pressure gas in the same manner as this working chamber are provided. The negative-pressure gas that was conventionally returned to atmospheric pressure by opening to the atmosphere from the working chamber is temporarily stored in the storage chamber, and the negative-pressure gas stored in the storage chamber in the next cycle is first used for the working chamber, and only the insufficient pressure portion is sucked from the gas pressure supply source and replenished as negative-pressure gas. Incidentally, when the working chamber is opened to the atmosphere, it is not necessarily required to make the pressure in the working chamber equal to atmospheric pressure, and the use may be continued while maintaining a pressure still lower than atmospheric pressure.

[0013] As a result, it is possible to cascade-utilize the gas pressure of positive pressure or negative pressure, and it is possible to recover and reuse the positive-pressure gas or negative-pressure gas that has been conventionally discarded into the storage chamber. That is, without wastefully discharging to the atmosphere the gas pressure having residual energy different from the atmospheric pressure that has been used once, and instead of adding additional energy such as boosting and reusing it, the gas pressure as it is after being used once can be repeatedly reused. For this reason, the gas pressure that has been used once and still has specific exergy remaining is made reusable at the initial stage where a relatively high specific exergy is not required in the next work cycle, and the required amount of gas pressure with a new and high specific exergy that is insufficient is used in the subsequent stage. By introducing and repeating this process, it is possible to provide a gas pressure device that achieves energy savings by reducing the consumption of pneumatic pressure with high specific exergy. As a result, it is possible to reduce the amount of driving energy used by the gas pressure supply source, reduce the CO2 emissions, and contribute to the SDGs. Further, for example, when an air silencer is attached to the atmosphere release side like a pneumatic device, a secondary effect that the exhaust sound can also be reduced can be obtained.

[0014] More specifically, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 showing the basic configuration of the present invention, the gas pressure device E of the present invention includes an operating chamber Sa to which a gas pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure is supplied and applied by supplying gas or a gas pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure is supplied and applied by sucking gas, and is opened to become the gas pressure on the atmospheric pressure side. An operating body S that performs a predetermined work when the gas pressure is applied to the operating chamber Sa and the gas pressure in the operating chamber Sa is returned to the atmospheric pressure side to end the work; A gas pressure supply source 10 that supplies gas or sucks gas to supply a gas pressure of either positive pressure or negative pressure, a supply path 11 that supplies the gas pressure from the gas pressure supply source 10 to the operating chamber Sa of the operating body S, and a supply execution stop means 12 that executes and stops the supply of the gas pressure of the gas pressure supply source 10; A pneumatic pressure device includes a return path 20 configured to be openable and closable, which opens the working chamber Sa of the actuator S during the open state to return the inside of the working chamber Sa to the atmospheric pressure side and closes the working chamber Sa of the actuator S during the closed state, and a return path opening / closing means 21 for opening and closing the return path 20. A storage body T having a gas inlet / outlet 32 for gas to be opened and closed and including a storage chamber Ta for storing gas, a flow path 30 for allowing gas to flow between the working chamber Sa of the actuator S and the storage chamber Ta of the storage body T, and an inlet / outlet opening / closing means 31 for opening and closing the inlet / outlet 32 of the storage chamber Ta of the storage body T, allowing the gas to enter and exit the storage chamber Ta during the open state, and stopping the gas from entering and exiting the storage chamber Ta during the closed state. A control unit 40 for controlling the supply execution stop means 12, the return path opening / closing means 21, and the inlet / outlet opening / closing means 31 is provided. The control unit 40 is set to a rest mode Mp in which the supply of pneumatic pressure by the pneumatic pressure supply source 1 is stopped, the return path 20 is closed, and the inlet / outlet 32 of the storage chamber Ta is closed. is set to a supply mode Ms in which the supply of pneumatic pressure by the pneumatic pressure supply source 1 is executed, the return path 20 is closed, and the inlet / outlet 32 of the storage chamber Ta is closed. is set to a flow mode Mf in which the supply of pneumatic pressure by the pneumatic pressure supply source 1 is stopped, the return path 20 is closed, and the inlet / outlet 32 of the storage chamber Ta is opened. is set to a return mode Mr in which the supply of pneumatic pressure by the pneumatic pressure supply source 1 is stopped, the return path 20 is opened, and the inlet / outlet 32 of the storage chamber Ta is closed. is set to any one of the above modes, and when starting from the return mode Mr, a cycle including the flow mode Mr set at a required timing, then the supply mode Ms set at a required timing, and then the flow mode Mf set again at a required timing, and including the rest mode Mp set at a required timing for all or part of the mode transitions as necessary, and returning to the return mode Mr at the start point is defined as one cycle, and a mode setting means 41 for setting the mode is provided.

[0015] Here, the supply execution / stop means for executing and stopping the supply of the gas pressure from the gas pressure supply source can be constituted by, for example, an on / off switch for energization if the gas pressure supply source is of a type driven by energization of a compressor, a vacuum pump, or the like, or can be constituted by an electromagnetic on / off valve for opening and closing a supply path connected thereto if the gas pressure supply source is a high-pressure tank, a vacuum tank, or the like that stores compressed gas, and can be determined as appropriate. Also, the predetermined timing is set, for example, based on the time setting of a timer when a predetermined time has elapsed, or based on sensor signals from various sensors.

[0016] In addition, in the present invention, if necessary, during one cycle, without impairing the actions and effects of the present invention, it is possible to provide the rest mode Mp, the circulation mode Mf, and the return mode Mr a plurality of times as appropriate, and make appropriate changes without any problem. Also, in this configuration, during the return mode Mr, it is not always necessary to set the working chamber to atmospheric pressure, and it may be maintained at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure or at a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure, and appropriate changes can be made without any problem. Furthermore, in this configuration, in the flow path where the gas from the storage chamber in the circulation mode is filled, it is desirable to make the total value of the internal volumes of the supply path, the circulation path, and the return path as small as possible compared to the internal volume of the working chamber. Thereby, the amount of air supply from the gas pressure supply device can be suppressed, and the energy recovery efficiency can be improved.

[0017] Thus, when explaining the case where the rest mode is not provided for now, at the start of driving of this device, in the starting return mode and the next circulation mode, both the working chamber of the working body and the storage chamber of the storage body are at atmospheric pressure. However, due to the supply mode, gas pressure is supplied to the working chamber of the working body, and in the next circulation mode, it is accumulated in the storage chamber of the storage body. Therefore, in the starting return mode of the next cycle, the working chamber of the working body is at atmospheric pressure, and a positive or negative gas pressure is stored in the storage chamber of the storage body. The operation will be described in the steady state starting from the state where a positive or negative gas pressure is stored in the storage chamber of the storage body in this starting return mode (the same applies hereinafter).

[0018] Referring to FIG. 2 showing the basic operation of the basic configuration of the present invention in FIG. 1, in the return mode Mr of the starting point, the working chamber Sa of the working body S is at atmospheric pressure, and a positive or negative gas pressure is stored in the storage chamber Ta of the storage body T. In this state, when switching to the flow mode Mf, gas flows between the working chamber Sa of the working body S and the storage chamber Ta of the storage body T, and the gas pressure in the storage chamber Ta is distributed to the working chamber Sa through the flow path 30, and the working chamber Sa becomes a certain positive or negative gas pressure. In this state, when switching to the supply mode Ms, a further positive or negative gas pressure is supplied from the gas pressure supply source 10 to the working chamber Sa of the working body S, and the working body S performs work. In this case, since the once-used gas pressure in the storage chamber Ta has been previously distributed to the working chamber Sa, the supply of further gas pressure from the gas pressure supply source 10 can be reduced accordingly, achieving energy savings.

[0019] When the work by the working body S is completed, next, it switches to the flow mode Mf again. As a result, this time, the positive or negative gas pressure in the working chamber Sa is distributed to the storage chamber Ta through the flow path 30 and recovered to maintain equilibrium. After that, it switches to the return mode Mr, the working chamber Sa of the working body S becomes atmospheric pressure, and a positive or negative gas pressure is stored in the storage chamber Ta of the storage body T, returning to the starting point.

[0020] In this way, the operation of the operating body T is repeated. In this case, the positive-pressure gas or negative-pressure gas that was conventionally discarded can be recovered into the storage chamber and reused. That is, instead of wastefully discharging to the atmosphere the gas pressure that retains residual energy different from the atmospheric pressure that has been used once, and without adding additional energy such as boosting for reuse, the gas pressure as it is after being used once can be repeatedly reused. For this reason, a process is introduced in which the gas pressure that has been used once and still has residual specific exergy is reused at an initial stage where a relatively high specific exergy is not required in the next work cycle, and the required amount of new gas pressure with a high specific exergy that is insufficient is used in a later stage. By repeating this, it is possible to provide a pneumatic pressure device that achieves energy savings by reducing the consumption of pneumatic pressure with a high specific exergy. As a result, the amount of driving energy used by the pneumatic pressure supply source can be reduced, the CO2 emissions can be reduced, and contributions can be made to the SDGs. In particular, for a device with a high cycle frequency (a device with a short cycle time), since the number of times of energy consumption per unit time increases, the present invention becomes extremely effective. Also, for example, when an air silencer is attached to the atmosphere discharge side, a secondary effect of reducing the exhaust noise can also be obtained.

[0021] Then, if necessary, the above operating body is configured to have at least one inlet / outlet through which gas can enter and exit its operating chamber, the above flow path is connected to the inlet / outlet of the operating body via a connecting path, and the above supply path and return path are connected to the flow path. Although the supply path, return path, and flow path may be respectively connected to the operating chamber of the operating body, since they are aggregated into the flow path, the piping efficiency is improved.

[0022] Further, if necessary, the internal volume of the portion filled with gas from the storage chamber in the above-described flow mode, which is the internal volume on the storage chamber side including the storage chamber rather than the inlet / outlet opening / closing means of the storage chamber, and the internal volume on the working chamber side including the working chamber rather than the inlet / outlet opening / closing means of the storage chamber are set to the same internal volume. Since the amount of gas can be evenly ensured and gas pressure can be applied, the time required for gas flow can be reduced and the operation can be stabilized. That is, in the flow path in the flow mode where the gas from the storage chamber fills, the volume (internal volume) obtained by combining the flow path, the return path, and the supply path in the working chamber is made the same as the volume (internal volume) of the storage body with its inlet and outlet aligned, and thus, energy recovery can be performed most efficiently. Of course, energy recovery is possible even if this volume (internal volume) is not the same.

[0023] Furthermore, if necessary, the gas pressure supplied from the above-described gas pressure supply source is a positive gas pressure higher than atmospheric pressure by gas supply, or a negative gas pressure lower than atmospheric pressure by gas suction. The working chamber of the above-described working body and the storage chamber of the above-described storage body can be configured to have an elastic body that makes the volume variable by gas pressure. For example, an air picker or the like can be used as the working body, and a well-known accumulator (pressure accumulator) enclosed in a rubber film or the like inside a container can be used as the storage body. Also, as will be described later, it can also be configured with an air picker as a dual-functional body that also uses the storage body as the working body.

[0024] In this configuration, if necessary, a dual-functional body having at least one inlet / outlet through which gas can enter and exit, which inherently functions as the above-described working body and can also function as the above-described storage body, is used. A plurality of such dual-functional bodies are provided, and at least one flow path is connected to the inlets / outlets of each of the dual-functional bodies via connection paths. The above-described supply path and return path are connected to the flow path, and opening / closing means for opening and closing the connection paths are provided for the connection paths of each of the dual-functional bodies. The control unit Select at least one or a plurality of the dual-functional bodies to exhibit their original functions as the actuating bodies, and select one or a plurality of the other dual-functional bodies to exhibit their functions as the storage bodies, with a selection means provided. The mode setting means causes the opening / closing means of the dual-functional bodies selected by the selection means to function as the entrance / exit opening / closing means, closes the opening / closing means of the dual-functional bodies selected by the selection means to function as the actuating bodies in the standby mode, opens them in the supply mode, the circulation mode, and the return mode, and sets the opening / closing means to closed when there are dual-functional bodies not selected in any of them, and is configured to perform mode setting for the dual-functional bodies selected as the actuating bodies and the storage bodies.

[0025] Since a plurality of dual-functional bodies are provided and these dual-functional bodies function as both the original actuating bodies and the storage bodies, it is not necessary to separately provide a storage body, so the number of parts can be reduced and the equipment efficiency can be improved. Also, since the dual-functional bodies can be used alternately or in order, it becomes easier to install the device according to the working environment as the working body. Furthermore, in the case where a dual-functional body fails, work can be done using another dual-functional body, and there are also advantages such as maintenance can be performed during that time. In addition, when using a plurality of actuating bodies simultaneously, the number of corresponding storage bodies does not necessarily have to be the same and may be different. Also in this case, as described above, in the flow path in the circulation mode where the gas from the storage chamber is filled, it is desirable to set the volume (internal volume) obtained by combining the circulation path, the return path, and the supply path in the actuating chamber to be the same as the volume (internal volume) of the storage body with its entrance / exit aligned. Also, in order to suppress the gas passage resistance of the circulation path, the return path, and the supply path, it is desirable to minimize these internal volumes within a range that does not affect the cycle time.

[0026] In this case, if necessary, the selection means selects, for the next cycle, the two functional bodies that have been selected to perform their original functions as actuators in the current cycle to be put on standby or to perform the function as a storage body, and selects, for the next cycle, the two functional bodies that have been selected to perform the function as a storage body in the current cycle to be put on standby or to perform their original functions as actuators. It is effective to adopt a configuration in which the two functional bodies are not used with fixed functions but are used with functions changed so as to be put on standby or to perform other functions, whereby the durability of the device can be improved.

[0027] Further, in this configuration, when the two functional bodies are inserted into and removed from the hollow portion of an article having a cylindrical hollow portion, and when inserted into the hollow portion, they bulge outward by applying gas pressure and elastically contact the inner surface of the hollow portion of the article to hold the article, and when the gas pressure is returned to the atmospheric pressure side and reduced, the holding of the article is released. When the two functional bodies are air pickers having a bag-shaped portion, a pair of the two functional bodies is provided. The selection means selects one of the two functional bodies to perform its original function as an actuator, selects the other of the two functional bodies to perform the function as a storage body, and selects, for the next cycle, the two functional bodies that have been selected to perform their original functions as actuators in the current cycle to perform the function as a storage body, and selects, for the next cycle, the two functional bodies that have been selected to perform the function as a storage body in the current cycle to perform their original functions as actuators. It is effective to adopt a configuration in which the mode setting means sets the cycle including the circulation mode set at a required timing, then the supply mode set at a required timing, then the circulation mode set again at a required timing, then the return mode set at a required timing, and then the circulation mode set again at a required timing, starting from the return mode, and sets the mode with one cycle being the cycle that returns to the return mode at the starting point.

[0028] When used as an actuating body, the air picker as a dual-functional body is inserted into and removed from the hollow part of an article having a cylindrical hollow part. Therefore, when being inserted into and removed from the hollow part, it is necessary that the bag-shaped part is separated from the inner surface of the hollow part. In this configuration, since there is only one pair of the air picker as the dual-functional body, the original function of the actuating body and the function as a storage body are alternately performed. So, when one cycle proceeds from the supply mode to the distribution mode → the return mode as the starting point, when the air picker currently functions as a storage body and then exerts its original function as an actuating body, the gas pressure of the air picker may not be completely exhausted in the return mode at the starting point, and the bag-shaped part may get caught in the hollow part. However, in this configuration, after the supply mode, it proceeds from the distribution mode → the return mode → the distribution mode → the return mode as the starting point. So, there are two return modes. Therefore, the gas pressure of the air picker that will then exert its original function as an actuating body can be completely exhausted in these two return modes. Therefore, the function as an air picker can be surely realized, and although the amount is slightly reduced, the positive-pressure gas that was conventionally discarded can be reused, and thus the driving energy consumption of the gas pressure supply source can be reduced.

[0029] And also, if necessary, as the above actuating body, it includes a positive-pressure actuating body having an actuating chamber to which a positive-pressure gas pressure is supplied and applied, and a negative-pressure actuating body having an actuating chamber to which a negative-pressure gas pressure is supplied and applied. Each actuating body is continuously arranged such that these actuating chambers are adjacent to each other through a partition wall formed with a large number of small holes. The surface of the partition wall on the side of the actuating chamber of the positive-pressure actuating body is configured as a molding surface for molding the plate-shaped article into a predetermined shape by the gas pressure difference applied through the large number of small holes on which the plate-shaped article is placed.

[0030] This also enables the recovery of the positive-pressure gas that was conventionally discarded into the storage chamber in the positive-pressure actuator, and the recovery of the negative-pressure gas that was conventionally discarded into the storage chamber in the negative-pressure actuator, which can then be reused. That is, instead of wastefully discharging to the atmosphere the gas pressure that retains residual energy different from atmospheric pressure after being used once, and without adding additional energy such as boosting for reuse, the gas pressure as it is after being used once can be repeatedly reused. For this reason, the amount of driving energy used by the gas pressure source can be reduced, the CO2 emissions can be reduced, and contributions can be made to the SDGs. Also, for example, when an air silencer is attached to the atmosphere discharge side, a secondary effect of reducing the exhaust noise can also be obtained.

Advantages of the Invention

[0031] As described above, according to the gas pressure device of the present invention, positive or negative gas pressure can be utilized cascadingly, and the positive-pressure gas or negative-pressure gas that was conventionally discarded can be recovered into the storage chamber and reused. That is, instead of wastefully discharging to the atmosphere the gas pressure that retains residual energy different from atmospheric pressure after being used once, and without adding additional energy such as boosting for reuse, the gas pressure as it is after being used once can be repeatedly reused. For this reason, a process is introduced in which the gas pressure that has been used once and still has residual specific exergy is reused at an initial stage where a relatively high specific exergy is not required in the next work cycle, and the required amount of new gas pressure with a high specific exergy that is lacking is used in a later stage, and by repeating this, a gas pressure device that achieves energy savings by reducing the consumption of pneumatic pressure with a high specific exergy can be provided. As a result, the amount of driving energy used by the gas pressure source can be reduced, the CO2 emissions can be reduced, and contributions can be made to the SDGs. Also, for example, when an air silencer is attached to the atmosphere discharge side, a secondary effect of reducing the exhaust noise can also be obtained.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0032]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0033] Hereinafter, based on the accompanying drawings, the gas pressure device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. Figures 3 to 5 show a pneumatic pressure device E according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This pneumatic pressure device E is used in a conveying device for conveying an article 1 having a cylindrical hollow portion 2, and a gas pressure higher than atmospheric pressure is supplied and applied by supplying a gas composed of air constituting the atmosphere, and is then released and exhausted to the gas pressure on the atmospheric pressure side. It includes an operating body S called a so-called air picker having an operating chamber Sa. The air picker as this operating body S is inserted into the hollow portion 2 of the article 1, and holds the article 1 as a predetermined work when a gas pressure is applied to the operating chamber Sa. When the gas pressure in the operating chamber Sa returns to the atmospheric pressure side, the holding of the article 1 is released and the work is completed. The operating chamber Sa of this operating body S is configured to have a bag-shaped portion 3 formed of an elastic body such as rubber that can be elastically deformed to vary the volume by gas pressure. The bag-shaped portion 3 bulges outward by the application of gas pressure to the operating chamber Sa and elastically contacts the inner surface of the hollow portion 2 of the article 1 to hold the article 1. When exhausted and the gas pressure returns to the atmospheric pressure side, it shrinks to release the holding of the article 1 and the work is completed. The conveying device repeatedly performs an operation of, for example, holding an article 1 at a predetermined position with an air picker as the operating body S, conveying it to another position, and then releasing the holding of the article 1.

[0034] Further, this pneumatic pressure device E includes a pneumatic pressure supply source 10 that supplies a gas composed of air constituting the atmosphere or sucks the gas to supply a positive gas pressure, a supply path 11 that supplies the gas pressure from this pneumatic pressure supply source 10 to the operating chamber Sa of the operating body S, and a supply execution stop means 12 that executes and stops the supply of the gas pressure of the pneumatic pressure supply source 10. The pneumatic pressure supply source 10 is configured, for example, by a high-pressure tank that stores compressed gas generated by a compressor. Also, in the embodiment, the supply execution stop means 12 is configured by an electromagnetic on-off valve (A) interposed in the supply path 11.

[0035] Furthermore, the gas pressure device E includes a return path 20 configured to be openable and closable, which opens the working chamber Sa of the working body S when open to return the inside of the working chamber Sa to the atmospheric pressure side and does not open the working chamber Sa of the working body S when closed, and a return path opening / closing means 21 for opening and closing the return path 20. The return path opening / closing means 21 is constituted by an electromagnetic on-off valve (B) interposed in the return path 20.

[0036] Furthermore, the gas pressure device E includes a storage body T having a gas inlet / outlet 32 that can be opened and closed and storing a storage chamber Ta for storing gas, a flow path 30 for allowing gas to flow between the working chamber Sa of the working body S and the storage chamber Ta of the storage body T, and an inlet / outlet opening / closing means 31 for opening and closing the inlet / outlet 32 of the storage chamber Ta of the storage body T, allowing the gas to enter and exit the storage chamber Ta when open, and stopping the gas from entering and exiting the storage chamber Ta when closed. The air picker, which is the working body S, is configured to have one inlet / outlet 32 through which gas can enter and exit its working chamber Sa, and the flow path 30 is connected to the inlet / outlet 32 of the working body S via a connection path 33. The supply path 11 and the return path 20 are connected to the flow path 30.

[0037] Specifically, the storage chamber Ta of the storage body T is formed with an elastic body whose volume is variable by gas pressure. Specifically, as the storage body T, a well-known accumulator (pressure accumulator) enclosed in a rubber film or the like inside a container is used. Further, as the storage body T, the above air picker can also be used. In the embodiment, the inlet / outlet opening / closing means 31 is constituted by an electromagnetic on-off valve (C) interposed in the flow passage 30. And, in the flow mode Mf described later, the internal volume of the portion filled with the gas from the storage chamber Ta, that is, the internal volume on the storage chamber Ta side including the storage chamber Ta rather than the inlet / outlet opening / closing means 31 of the storage chamber Ta, and the internal volume on the working chamber Sa side including the working chamber Sa rather than the inlet / outlet opening / closing means 31 of the storage chamber Ta are set to the same internal volume. That is, it has a configuration in which the volume (internal volume) on the working chamber Sa side including the working chamber Sa and rather than the electromagnetic on-off valves (A), electromagnetic on-off valve (B) and electromagnetic on-off valve (C) is the same as the volume (internal volume) on the working chamber Sa side including the storage chamber Ta and rather than the electromagnetic on-off valve (C), so that energy recovery can be performed most efficiently. Of course, energy recovery is possible even if this volume (internal volume) is not the same.

[0038] Further, this gas pressure device E includes a control unit 40 that controls the electromagnetic on-off valve (A) as the supply execution stop means 12, the electromagnetic on-off valve (B) as the return path opening / closing means 21, and the electromagnetic on-off valve (C) as the inlet / outlet opening / closing means 31. The control unit 40 is configured to include a CPU or the like and controls these electromagnetic valves according to a predetermined programming. The transfer device is controlled by other well-known control means so as to repeatedly perform an operation of holding the article 1 at a predetermined position with an air picker as the actuating body S, transferring it to another position, and then releasing the holding of the article 1.

[0039] The control unit 40, by controlling the opening and closing of each electromagnetic on-off valve, stops the supply of gas pressure by the gas pressure supply source 10, closes the return path 20, and closes the inlet / outlet 32 of the storage chamber Ta, the rest mode Mp, executes the supply of gas pressure by the gas pressure supply source 10, closes the return path 20, and closes the inlet / outlet 32 of the storage chamber Ta, the supply mode Ms, A flow mode Mf in which the supply of gas pressure by the gas pressure supply source 10 is stopped, the return path 20 is closed, and the inlet / outlet 32 of the storage chamber Ta is opened. A return mode Mr in which the supply of gas pressure by the gas pressure supply source 10 is stopped, the return path 20 is opened, and the inlet / outlet 32 of the storage chamber Ta is closed. It is provided with mode setting means 41 for setting to any one of the above modes.

[0040] Note that the combination of opening and closing of the electromagnetic on-off valve (A), the electromagnetic on-off valve (B), and the electromagnetic on-off valve (C) is not limited to the above modes, and may be opened and closed as required.

[0041] Also, when the return mode Mr is taken as the starting point, the mode setting means 41 includes a flow mode Mf set at a required timing, a supply mode Ms set at a required timing after that, and a flow mode Mf set again at a required timing thereafter. Optionally, it includes a pause mode Mp set at a required timing for all or part of the mode transition. It has a function of setting the mode with one cycle being a cycle that returns to the starting return mode Mr. Here, the predetermined timing is set, for example, when a predetermined time has elapsed according to the time setting of a timer, or based on a sensor signal from various sensors.

[0042] In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the mode setting means 41 sets the mode so that the return mode Mr (starting point) → pause mode Mp → flow mode Mf → supply mode Ms → pause mode Mp → flow mode Mf is taken as one cycle and returns to the return mode Mr (starting point) again.

[0043] Therefore, according to the conveying device using the pneumatic pressure device E according to the first embodiment, the article 1 is conveyed as follows. When starting up the drive of the present pneumatic pressure device E, in the return mode Mr, the working chamber Sa of the working body S and the storage chamber Ta of the storage body T are both at atmospheric pressure. However, by performing several cycles of no-load operation in advance, the working chamber Sa of the working body S can be made to be at atmospheric pressure, and a positive gas pressure can be stored in the storage chamber Ta of the storage body T. The description of the operation will be made starting from the state where a positive gas pressure is stored in the storage chamber Ta of the storage body T in the return mode Mr at the starting point. Also, in this description, the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is used. In this flowchart, the numerical values indicating the gas pressure changes of the working body S (air picker) and the storage body T (air accumulator tank) are set under the ideal conditions where the capacities of the working body S and the storage body T are the same and gas only flows between the working body S and the storage body T without considering the piping therebetween. Regarding the numerical values indicating the gas pressure changes, the pressures of the working body S (air picker) and the storage body T (air accumulator tank) in each mode are set as unknowns (two each, a total of four), and by solving the system of four linear equations with four unknowns established from the conditional equations (two equations) where the pressures of both are the same in the flow mode Mf and the conditional equations (two equations) where the product of the pressure difference and the internal volume of the circulated air is the same, the pressure values of the working body S (air picker) and the storage body T (air accumulator tank) in each mode when the cycle reaches an equilibrium state can be calculated, and the reuse rate is calculated to be 1 / 3.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, first, the gas pressure device E is set to the return mode Mr at the starting point and is positioned at a predetermined position of the article 1 (Preparation: S101). In this state, it is set to the rest mode Mp, and the actuating body S is inserted into the hollow portion 2 of the article 1 (Insertion: S102). Next, with the actuating body S inserted, it is set to the circulation mode Mf (Exhaust utilization: S103). When switching to the circulation mode Mf, gas circulates between the working chamber Sa of the actuating body S and the storage chamber Ta of the storage body T, and the gas pressure in the storage chamber Ta is distributed to the working chamber Sa through the flow path 30, and the working chamber Sa becomes a gas pressure with a certain positive pressure. Then, in this state, it is set to the supply mode Ms. When switching to the supply mode Ms, a further positive gas pressure is supplied from the gas pressure supply source 10 to the working chamber Sa of the actuating body S, and the bag-shaped portion 3 of the actuating body S bulges and elastically contacts the inner surface of the hollow portion 2 of the article 1 to perform the work of holding the article 1 (Grip: S104). In this case, since the once-used gas pressure in the storage chamber Ta has been previously distributed to the working chamber Sa, less further gas pressure supply from the gas pressure supply source 10 is required, achieving energy savings.

[0045] Next, it is set to the rest mode Mp, and the actuating body S is moved by a mechanism (not shown) to convey and install the article 1 to another place and finish the conveyance (Conveyance: S105, Set: S106). When the conveyance by the actuating body S is completed, it is then set to the circulation mode Mf again. When switching to the circulation mode Mf, this time the positive gas pressure in the working chamber Sa is distributed and recovered to the storage chamber Ta through the flow path 30 to maintain balance (Exhaust recovery: S107). Thereafter, it is set to the return mode Mr. When switching to the return mode Mr, with a positive gas pressure stored in the storage chamber Ta of the storage body T, the working chamber Sa of the actuating body S becomes atmospheric pressure. In this state, the actuating body S separates from the inner surface of the hollow portion 2 of the article 1 and is removed and detached from the hollow portion 2 of the article 1 (Release: S108), returns to the original position (Return: S109), and then prepares for the next step.

[0046] In this way, the operation of the actuator S is repeated. In this case, the positive-pressure gas that was conventionally discarded can be recovered into the storage chamber Ta and reused. That is, instead of wastefully discharging to the atmosphere the gas pressure that retains residual energy different from the atmospheric pressure that has been used once, and without adding additional energy such as boosting for reuse, the gas pressure as it is after being used once can be repeatedly reused. For this reason, the amount of driving energy used by the gas pressure supply source 10 can be reduced, the CO2 emissions can be reduced, and contributions can be made to the SDGs. Also, for example, when an air silencer is attached to the atmosphere discharge side, a secondary effect of reducing the exhaust noise can also be obtained.

[0047] FIG. 6 shows a gas pressure device E according to the second embodiment. This gas pressure device E is used in a transport device that transports an article 1 having a cylindrical hollow portion 2, in the same manner as above, and is configured to have one entrance / exit 32 through which gas can enter and exit, and essentially functions as an actuator S and can also function as a storage body T. A plurality of these dual-functional bodies K are provided, and one flow path 30 is connected to the entrances / exits 32 of each dual-functional body K via connection paths 33. A supply path 11 and a return path 20 are connected to the flow path 30, and opening / closing means 34 for opening and closing the connection paths 33 are provided at the connection paths 33 of each dual-functional body K, respectively.

[0048] In this embodiment, the dual-functional bodies K are configured as the same air pickers as above, and a pair of them are provided. The opening / closing means 34 of one air picker is configured by an electromagnetic on-off valve (C), and the opening / closing means 34 of the other air picker is configured by an electromagnetic on-off valve (D). Other configurations are substantially the same as above, but different from the above, in the air pickers of the dual-functional bodies K, their capacities are made the same. And in the flow mode Mf described later, the gas from the storage chamber Ta is filled, and the internal volume of the portion surrounded by the electromagnetic on-off valves (A), (B), (C), and (D) is set to be as small as possible compared to the internal volume of the air picker within a range that does not affect the cycle time.

[0049] The control unit 40 is configured to include a selection means 42 that selects at least one or a plurality (in the embodiment, any one) of the dual-functional bodies K to exhibit their original functions as the operating body S, and selects one or a plurality (in the embodiment, the other one) of the remaining dual-functional bodies K to exhibit their functions as the storage body T. In this embodiment, since only a pair of dual-functional bodies K is provided, there is no dual-functional body K that is not selected for either.

[0050] In FIGS. 6 to 9, when the dual-functional body K composed of an air picker exhibits its original function as the operating body, it is denoted as the operating body S with the symbol "S", and when it exhibits its function as the storage body, it is denoted as the storage body T with the symbol "T".

[0051] This selection means 42 selects the dual-functional body K that is selected to exhibit its original function as the operating body S in the current cycle, and in the next cycle, reverses it and selects it to exhibit its function as the storage body T. The dual-functional body K that is selected to exhibit its function as the storage body T in the current cycle is reversed in the next cycle and selected to exhibit its original function as the operating body S. That is, in this embodiment, the dual-functional body K is alternately used as the operating body S and the storage body T. In this embodiment, since only a pair of dual-functional bodies K is provided, there is no dual-functional body K that is not selected for either.

[0052] The mode setting means 41 causes the opening / closing means 34 of the dual-functional body K selected by the selection means 42 to function as the inlet / outlet opening / closing means 31 of the storage body T, closes the opening / closing means 34 of the dual-functional body K selected by the selection means 42 to exhibit its function as the operating body S in the standby mode Mp, and opens it in the supply mode Ms, the circulation mode Mf, and the return mode Mr. When there is a dual-functional body K that is not selected for either, the opening / closing means 34 is set to be closed, and mode setting is performed for the dual-functional body K selected as the target of the operating body S and the storage body T.

[0053] Further, when starting from the return mode Mr, the mode setting means 41 sets the distribution mode Mf at the required timing, then the supply mode Ms at the required timing, then the distribution mode Mf again set at the required timing, then the return mode Mr set at the required timing, and then the distribution mode Mf set again at the required timing as one cycle, and sets the mode so as to return to the return mode Mr (starting point) again.

[0054] Specifically, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, first, the selection means 42 selects one of the dual-functional bodies K to exhibit its original function as the operating body S, and selects the other dual-functional body K to exhibit its function as the storage body T. The mode setting means 41 sets the mode in the order of return mode Mr (starting point) → pause mode Mp → distribution mode Mf → supply mode Ms → pause mode Mp → distribution mode Mf → return mode Mr → distribution mode Mf → pause mode Mp. In the last pause mode Mp, the selection means 42 reverses and selects one of the dual-functional bodies K to exhibit its function as the storage body T, and selects the other dual-functional body K to exhibit its original function as the operating body S. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 8, the mode setting means 41 sets the mode in the order of return mode Mr (starting point) → pause mode Mp → distribution mode Mf → supply mode Ms → pause mode Mp → distribution mode Mf → return mode Mr → distribution mode Mf → pause mode Mp. Then again, the selection means 42 reverses the functions of one operating body S and the other operating body S, and performs mode setting in the same manner.

[0055] Therefore, according to the conveying device using the pneumatic device E according to the second embodiment, the article 1 is conveyed as follows. In this description, the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 is used. In this flowchart, the numerical values indicating the pneumatic pressure changes of both functional bodies K (a pair of air pickers) are the numerical values under the ideal conditions where the gas flows only between the pair of air pickers without considering the piping between the pair of air pickers. Also, regarding the numerical values indicating the pneumatic pressure changes, the pressures of both functional bodies K (a pair of air pickers) in each mode are set as unknowns (3 each, a total of 6), and by solving the 6 - variable linear simultaneous equations established from the conditional equations (3 equations) where the pressures of both are the same in the circulation mode Mf and the conditional equations (3 equations) where the product of the pressure difference of the circulated air and the internal volume is the same, the pressure values of both functional bodies K (a pair of air pickers) when the cycle reaches the equilibrium state can be calculated, and the reuse rate is calculated to be 1 / 7. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, first, the pneumatic device E is set to the return mode Mr at the starting point and is positioned at a predetermined position where the article 1 is located (Preparation: S201). In this state, it is set to the rest mode Mp, and the actuator S is inserted into the hollow portion 2 of the article 1 (Insertion: S202). Next, with the actuator S inserted, it is set to the circulation mode Mf (Exhaust utilization: S203). When switched to the circulation mode Mf, gas flows between the working chamber Sa of the actuator S and the storage chamber Ta of the storage body T, and the gas pressure in the storage chamber Ta is distributed to the working chamber Sa through the flow path 30, and the working chamber Sa becomes a gas pressure with a certain positive pressure. Then, in this state, it is set to the supply mode Ms. When switched to the supply mode Ms, a further positive - pressure gas pressure is supplied from the gas pressure supply source 10 to the working chamber Sa of the actuator S, and the bag - shaped portion 3 of the actuator S bulges and elastically contacts the inner surface of the hollow portion 2 of the article 1 to perform the work of holding the article 1 (Gripping: S204). In this case, since the once - used gas pressure in the storage chamber Ta has been previously distributed to the working chamber Sa, less further gas pressure supply from the gas pressure supply source 10 is required, achieving energy savings.

[0056] Next, it is set to the standby mode Mp, and the actuator S is moved by a mechanism (not shown) to convey and install the article 1 to another place and finish the conveyance (conveyance: S205, set: S206). When the conveyance by the actuator S is completed, it is then set to the distribution mode Mf again. When switching to the distribution mode Mf, this time the positive gas pressure in the working chamber Sa is distributed through the flow passage 30 to the storage chamber Ta and recovered to maintain equilibrium (exhaust recovery: S207). Thereafter, it is set to the return mode Mr. When switching to the return mode Mr, with the positive gas pressure stored in the storage chamber Ta of the storage body T, the working chamber Sa of the actuator S becomes atmospheric pressure. In this state, the actuator S is separated from the inner surface of the hollow portion 2 of the article 1 and is withdrawn and detached from the hollow portion 2 of the article 1 (release: S208).

[0057] Next again, it is set to the distribution mode Mf again. When switching to the distribution mode Mf, this time the positive gas pressure in the working chamber Sa is distributed through the flow passage 30 to the storage chamber Ta and recovered to maintain equilibrium (return: S209). Thereafter, it is set to the standby mode Mp, and by the selection means 42, it is reversed and one of the dual-functional bodies K is selected to function as the storage body T, and the other dual-functional body K is selected to function as the original function of the actuator S (reverse: S210). Also, this time, the other dual-functional body K is moved to a predetermined position of the article 1 so as to be used as the actuator S to prepare for the next cycle.

[0058] In the next cycle, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 (latter stage), since the other dual-functional body K functions as the actuator S and one of the dual-functional bodies K functions as the storage body T, the positions are reversed, but it is operated in the same manner as above (S211 to S220). Since the detailed description is the same as above, it is omitted. Still, in the pneumatic pressure device E according to the second embodiment, although the capacities of the two dual-functional bodies K (air pickers) are the same, it is also possible to alternately use air pickers with different internal volumes. Also in this case, by regarding the pressure values of the respective air pickers in each mode as unknowns and solving the simultaneous equations established from the conditional equation that the pressures of both are the same in the distribution mode Mf and the conditional equation that the product of the pressure difference of the distributed air and the internal volume is the same, it is possible to calculate the pressure values of the respective air pickers in each mode when the cycle reaches an equilibrium state. According to this, it is proved that the recycling rate is the highest when the volumes are the same.

[0059] FIG. 10 shows a pneumatic pressure device E according to a third embodiment. This pneumatic pressure device E is used for a conveying device that conveys an article 1 having a cylindrical hollow portion 2 in the same manner as described above. It has one inlet / outlet 32 through which gas can enter and exit, and uses a dual-functional body K that essentially functions as an actuating body S and can also function as a storage body T. A plurality of these dual-functional bodies K are provided, and one distribution channel 30 is connected to the inlets / outlets 32 of each dual-functional body K via connection channels 33. A supply channel 11 and a return channel 20 are connected to the distribution channel 30, and opening / closing means 34 for opening and closing the connection channels 33 are provided at the connection channels 33 of each dual-functional body K, respectively.

[0060] In this embodiment, the dual-functional bodies K are composed of the same air pickers as described above, and three are provided. The opening / closing means 34 of one air picker is composed of an electromagnetic on-off valve (C), the opening / closing means 34 of another air picker is composed of an electromagnetic on-off valve (D), and the opening / closing means 34 of the other air picker is composed of an electromagnetic on-off valve (E). The other configurations are substantially the same as those of the second embodiment. In particular, regarding the air pickers of the dual-functional bodies K, their capacities are the same. And in the distribution mode Mf described later, the gas from the storage chamber Ta is filled, and the internal volume of the portion surrounded by the electromagnetic on-off valves (A)(B)(C)(D)(E) is set to be as small as possible compared to the internal volume of the air picker within a range that does not affect the cycle time.

[0061] The control unit 40 includes a selection means 42 that selects at least one or a plurality (in the embodiment, any one) of the dual-functional bodies K to exhibit their original functions as the operating body S, and selects one or a plurality of the other (in the embodiment, any one of the other two) dual-functional bodies K to exhibit their functions as the storage body T.

[0062] In FIGS. 10 to 13, when the dual-functional body K composed of an air picker exhibits its original function as the operating body, it is denoted as the operating body S with the symbol "S", and when it exhibits its function as the storage body, it is denoted as the storage body T with the symbol "T".

[0063] This selection means 42 selects the dual-functional body K selected to exhibit its original function as the operating body S in the current cycle to be put on hold or to exhibit its function as the storage body T in the next cycle, and selects the dual-functional body K selected to exhibit its function as the storage body T in the current cycle to be put on hold or to exhibit its original function as the operating body S in the next cycle.

[0064] In the embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the selection means 42 selects one dual-functional body K (electromagnetic on-off valve C) in the order of operating body S (S301 to S306) → operating body S (S307 to S308) → on hold (S309 to S316) → storage body T (S317 to S318) → storage body T (S319 to S326) → on hold (S327 to S328) → operating body S (S329 to S330).

[0065] Also, the selection means 42 selects another dual-functional body K (electromagnetic on-off valve D) in the order of storage body T (S301 to S306) → on hold (S307 to S308) → operating body S (S309 to S316) → operating body S (S317 to S318) → on hold (S319 to S326) → storage body T (S327 to S328) → storage body T (S329 to S330).

[0066] Furthermore, the selection means 42 selects another dual-functional body K (electromagnetic on-off valve E) in the order of standby (S301 to S306) → storage body T (S307 to S308) → storage body T (S309 to S316) → standby (S317 to S318) → actuator S (S319 to S326) → actuator S (S327 to S328) → standby (S329 to S330).

[0067] The mode setting means 41 causes the opening / closing means 34 of the dual-functional body K selected by the selection means 42 to function as the inlet / outlet opening / closing means 31 of the storage body T, closes the opening / closing means 34 of the dual-functional body K selected by the selection means 42 to function as the actuator S in the standby mode Mp, opens it in the supply mode Ms, the circulation mode Mf, and the return mode Mr, and sets the opening / closing means 34 to closed when there is a dual-functional body K not selected in any of them, and is configured to perform mode setting for the dual-functional body K selected as the target of the actuator S and the storage body T.

[0068] Also, when starting from the return mode Mr, the mode setting means 41 includes the circulation mode Mf set at a required timing, then the supply mode Ms set at a required timing, and then the circulation mode Mf set again at a required timing, and, if necessary, includes the standby mode Mp set at a required timing in all or part of the mode transition as one cycle, and sets the mode so as to return to the return mode Mr (starting point) again. Here, the predetermined timing is set, for example, when a predetermined time has elapsed by setting the time of a timer, or based on a sensor signal from various sensors.

[0069] In the embodiment, as the cycle pattern, there are cases where one dual-functional body K functions as the actuator S (FIG. 11), cases where another dual-functional body K functions as the actuator S (FIG. 12), and cases where still another dual-functional body K functions as the actuator S (FIG. 13), and the cycles of these three patterns are set to be repeatedly performed in order.

[0070] The pattern of each cycle is different for the two functional bodies K selected for the actuator S and the storage body T, but basically, it is the standby mode Mp → return mode Mr (starting point) → circulation mode Mf → supply mode Ms → standby mode Mp (selective switching) → circulation mode Mf → return mode Mr → return mode Mr (selective switching) → standby mode Mp as one cycle, and the mode is set to return to the return mode Mr (starting point) again. In this description, the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 are used. In this flowchart, the numerical values indicating the gas pressure change of the functional body K (air picker) are the numerical values under the ideal conditions where gas only flows back and forth between the air pickers without considering the pipes between these air pickers. Additionally, regarding the numerical values indicating the gas pressure change, the pressures of the functional body K (air picker) in each mode are regarded as unknowns (a total of 4), and by solving the system of four linear equations with four unknowns established from the conditional equations (2 equations) where the pressures of both are the same in the circulation mode Mf and the conditional equations (2 equations) where the product of the pressure difference of the circulated air and the internal volume is the same, the pressure values of the functional body K (air picker) when the cycle reaches an equilibrium state can be calculated, and the reuse rate is calculated to be 1 / 4.

[0071] Specifically, in the embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 14 (upper part), one of the two functional bodies K (electromagnetic on-off valve C) is selected by the selection means 42 to exert its original function as the actuator S, and the other two functional bodies K are selected to exert their functions as the storage body T. The mode setting means 41 sets the mode in the order of standby mode Mp (S301) → return mode Mr (starting point: S302) → circulation mode Mf (S303) → supply mode Ms (S304) → standby mode Mp (S305, S306) → circulation mode Mf (here, the other two functional bodies K that were on standby are selected as the storage body T, and the other two functional bodies K that were previously selected as the storage body T are put on standby: S307) → return mode Mr (S308) → return mode Mr (here, the two functional bodies K selected as the actuator S are put on standby, and the other two functional bodies K that were previously on standby are selected as the actuator S: S309) → standby mode Mp (S310).

[0072] Next, in a state where another dual-functional body K (electromagnetic on-off valve D) is selected by the selection means 42 to exhibit its original function as the actuating body S and another dual-functional body K is selected to exhibit its function as the storage body T, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 14 (lower part), the mode setting means 41 similarly sets the modes in the order of standby mode Mp (S311) → return mode Mr (starting point: S312) → flow mode Mf (S313) → supply mode Ms (S314) → standby mode Mp (S315, S316) → flow mode Mf (here, one of the dual-functional bodies K that was in standby is selected as the storage body T, and another dual-functional body K that has been selected as the storage body T is put into standby: S317) → return mode Mr (S318) → return mode Mr (here, another dual-functional body K selected as the actuating body S is put into standby, and another dual-functional body K that was previously in standby is selected as the actuating body S: S319) → standby mode Mp (S320).

[0073] Next again, in a state where yet another dual-functional body K (electromagnetic on-off valve E) is selected by the selection means 42 to exhibit its original function as the actuating body S and one dual-functional body K is selected to exhibit its function as the storage body T, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 15, the mode setting means 41 similarly sets the modes in the order of standby mode Mp → return mode Mr (starting point) → flow mode Mf → supply mode Ms → standby mode Mp → flow mode Mf (here, another dual-functional body K that was in standby is selected as the storage body T, and one dual-functional body K that has been selected as the storage body T is put into standby) → return mode Mr → return mode Mr (here, yet another dual-functional body K selected as the actuating body S is put into standby, and one dual-functional body K that was previously in standby is selected as the actuating body S). Still, in the pneumatic pressure device E according to this third embodiment, although the capacities of the three dual-functional bodies K (air pickers) are the same, it is also possible to alternately use a plurality of air pickers with different internal volumes. Also in this case, by setting the pressure values of the respective air pickers in each mode as unknowns and solving a system of simultaneous equations established from a conditional equation in which the pressures of both are the same in the flow mode Mf and a conditional equation in which the product of the pressure difference of the air that has flowed and the internal volume is the same, it is possible to calculate the pressure values of the respective air pickers in each mode when the cycle reaches an equilibrium state. According to this, it is proved that the recycling rate is the highest when the volumes are the same.

[0074] Figures 16 and 17 show a pneumatic pressure device E according to a fourth embodiment. This pneumatic pressure device E is different from the above and constitutes a molding machine. The molding machine as the pneumatic pressure device E according to this embodiment includes, as an operating body S, a positive-pressure operating body S(A) having an operating chamber Sa to which a positive-pressure pneumatic pressure is supplied and applied, and a negative-pressure operating body S(B) having an operating chamber Sa to which a negative-pressure pneumatic pressure is supplied and applied. The respective operating bodies S(A)(B) are connected in series so that these operating chambers Sa are adjacent to each other via a partition wall 50 in which a large number of small holes (not shown) are formed. The surface of the partition wall 50 on the side of the operating chamber Sa of the positive-pressure operating body S(A) is formed as a molding surface 51 for molding a plate-like article 60 into a predetermined shape by a pneumatic pressure difference applied through a large number of small holes with, for example, a resin-made plate-like article 60 placed thereon.

[0075] Also, a heater 52 for softening the resin-made plate-like article 60 is installed inside the positive-pressure operating body S(A). Further, the positive-pressure operating body S(A) is separable from the negative-pressure operating body S(B), and the partition wall 50 is supported by a lifter so as to be liftable and removable while lifting the plate-like article 60 formed when the positive-pressure operating body S(A) is separated. Thereby, this pneumatic pressure device E performs the work of molding a predetermined plate-like article 60 when a positive-pressure pneumatic pressure is applied to the operating chamber Sa of the positive-pressure operating body S(A) and when a negative-pressure pneumatic pressure is applied to the operating chamber Sa of the negative-pressure operating body S(B), and the pneumatic pressure in the operating chamber Sa returns to the atmospheric pressure side to end the work.

[0076] Further, as the molding machine as the gas pressure device E according to the embodiment, in the positive pressure actuator S(A), there are provided: a gas pressure supply source 10 that supplies gas to supply a positive pressure gas pressure in the same manner as described above; a supply passage 11 that supplies the gas pressure from the gas pressure supply source 10 to the working chamber Sa of the actuator S; and supply execution stop means 12 including an electromagnetic on-off valve that executes and stops the supply of the gas pressure of the gas pressure supply source 10. Further, there are provided a return passage 20 that is configured to be openable and closable, opens the working chamber Sa of the positive pressure actuator S(A) when open to return the inside of the working chamber Sa to the atmospheric pressure side, and does not open the working chamber Sa of the positive pressure actuator S(A) when closed, and return passage opening and closing means 21 that opens and closes the return passage 20. Furthermore, there are provided a storage body T having a gas inlet / outlet 32 that can be opened and closed and storing the gas, a circulation passage 30 that circulates the gas between the working chamber Sa of the positive pressure actuator S(A) and the storage chamber Ta of the storage body T, and inlet / outlet opening and closing means 31 including an electromagnetic on-off valve that opens and closes the inlet / outlet 32 of the storage chamber Ta of the storage body T, allows the gas to enter and exit the storage chamber Ta when open, and stops the gas from entering and exiting the storage chamber Ta when closed. The supply passage 11 and the return passage 20 are connected to the circulation passage 30.

[0077] On the other hand, also in the negative pressure actuator S(B), although the gas pressure is different between positive pressure and negative pressure, the operations are common, so the same reference numerals will be used for description. There are provided: a gas pressure supply source 10 that sucks gas to supply a negative pressure gas pressure; a supply passage l1 that supplies the gas pressure from the gas pressure supply source 10 to the working chamber Sa of the negative pressure actuator S(B); and supply execution stop means 12 including an electromagnetic on-off valve that executes and stops the supply of the gas pressure of the gas pressure supply source 10. Further, there are provided a return passage 20 that is configured to be openable and closable, opens the working chamber Sa of the negative pressure actuator S(B) when open to return the inside of the working chamber Sa to the atmospheric pressure side, and does not open the working chamber Sa of the negative pressure actuator S(B) when closed, and return passage opening and closing means 21 that opens and closes the return passage 20. Furthermore, there are provided a storage body T having a gas inlet / outlet 32 that can be opened and closed and storing the gas, a circulation passage 30 that circulates the gas between the working chamber Sa of the negative pressure actuator S(B) and the storage chamber Ta of the storage body T, and inlet / outlet opening and closing means 31 including an electromagnetic on-off valve that opens and closes the inlet / outlet 32 of the storage chamber Ta of the storage body T, allows the gas to enter and exit the storage chamber Ta when open, and stops the gas from entering and exiting the storage chamber Ta when closed.

[0078] Furthermore, for the positive-pressure actuator S(A) and the negative-pressure actuator S(B), a control unit 40 similar to the above for controlling the supply execution stop means 12, the return path opening / closing means 21, and the entrance / exit opening / closing means 31 is provided. As shown in FIG. 17, the control unit 40 stops the supply of the gas pressure by the gas pressure supply source 10, closes the return path 20, and closes the entrance / exit 32 of the storage chamber Ta in the rest mode Mp, executes the supply of the gas pressure by the gas pressure supply source 10, closes the return path 20, and closes the entrance / exit 32 of the storage chamber Ta in the supply mode Ms, stops the supply of the gas pressure by the gas pressure supply source 10, closes the return path 20, and opens the entrance / exit 32 of the storage chamber Ta in the circulation mode Mf, stops the supply of the gas pressure by the gas pressure supply source 10, opens the return path 20, and closes the entrance / exit 32 of the storage chamber Ta in the return mode Mr, and sets to any one of these modes, and when starting from the return mode Mr, the circulation mode Mf set at the required timing, then the supply mode Ms set at the required timing, and then the circulation mode Mf set again at the required timing, and includes, if necessary, the rest mode Mp set at the required timing in all or part of the mode transition, and is configured with a mode setting means 41 that sets a cycle that returns to the starting return mode Mr as one cycle for mode setting. The control unit 40 operates the positive-pressure actuator S(A) and the negative-pressure actuator S(B) synchronously.

[0079] Therefore, the gas pressure device E according to this fourth embodiment is controlled as follows, for example, to form the plate-like article 60. In this description, the flowchart shown in FIG. 18 is used. In this flowchart, the working chamber Sa of the positive-pressure actuator S(A) is the upper chamber, the working chamber Sa of the negative-pressure actuator S(B) is the lower chamber, the storage chamber Ta of the storage body T on the positive-pressure actuator S(A) side is the compressed air temporary storage tank, and the storage chamber Ta of the storage body T on the negative-pressure actuator S(B) side is the vacuum temporary storage tank. Also, in this flowchart, the numerical values indicating the gas pressure change are the numerical values under the ideal state conditions where the gas only travels between the upper chamber and the compressed air temporary storage tank, and between the lower chamber and the vacuum temporary storage tank, as described above. Referring to FIG. 18, by means of pre-operation, a certain amount of positive-pressure gas is stored in the gas pressure supply source 10 on the positive-pressure actuator S(A) side, and a certain amount of negative-pressure gas is stored in the gas pressure supply source 10 on the negative-pressure actuator S(B) side. First, the gas pressure device E is set to the return mode Mr at the starting point. In this state, the plate-shaped article 60 is placed on the forming surface 51 (S401). Next, with the plate-shaped article 60 placed, heating is performed by the heater 52 (S402, S403). When the plate-shaped article 60 is softened to a certain extent, it is set to the flow mode Mf (S404). When switching to the flow mode Mf, gas flows between the working chamber Sa of each actuator S and the storage chamber Ta of the storage body T, and the gas pressure in the storage chamber Ta is distributed to the working chamber Sa through the flow path 30. The positive-pressure working chamber Sa reaches a certain positive-pressure gas pressure, and the negative-pressure working chamber Sa reaches a certain negative-pressure gas pressure (S404). In this state, it is set to the supply mode Ms (S405). When switching to the supply mode Ms, a further positive-pressure gas pressure is supplied from the gas pressure supply source 10 to the working chamber Sa of the positive-pressure actuator S(A), while a further negative-pressure gas pressure is supplied from the gas pressure supply source 10 to the working chamber Sa of the negative-pressure actuator S(B), and forming is performed due to the pressure difference of the plate-shaped article 60 (S405). In this case, since the once-used gas pressure in the storage chamber Ta has been previously distributed to the working chamber Sa, less further gas pressure supply from the gas pressure supply source 10 is required, achieving energy savings.

[0080] Next, it is set to the flow mode Mf again (S406). When switching to the flow mode Mf, this time the positive-pressure gas pressure in the positive-pressure working chamber Sa is distributed through the flow path 30 to the storage chamber Ta and recovered to maintain balance. On the other hand, the negative-pressure gas pressure in the negative-pressure working chamber Sa is distributed through the flow path 30 to the storage chamber Ta and recovered to maintain balance (S406). Then, it is set to the return mode Mr (S407). When switching to the return mode Mr, with a positive-pressure gas pressure stored in the storage chamber Ta of the storage body T and a negative-pressure gas pressure stored in the storage chamber Ta of the storage body T, the working chamber Sa of each actuator S becomes atmospheric pressure (S407). Finally, the positive-pressure actuator S(A) is separated from the negative-pressure actuator S(B), the partition wall 50 is raised, and the formed article 60 is taken out (S408).

[0081] In this way, the operation of the moving body S is repeated. In this case, the positive-pressure gas and the negative-pressure gas that were conventionally discarded can be recovered into the storage chamber Ta and reused. That is, instead of wastefully discharging to the atmosphere the gas pressure having residual energy different from the atmospheric pressure that has been used once, and without adding additional energy such as boosting for reuse, the gas pressure as it is after being used once can be repeatedly reused. For this reason, the amount of driving energy used by the gas pressure supply source 10 can be reduced, the CO2 emissions can be reduced, and contributions can be made to the SDGs. Also, for example, when an air silencer is attached to the atmosphere discharge side, a secondary effect of reducing the exhaust noise can also be obtained. In addition, in the gas pressure device E according to this fourth embodiment, it is also possible to use upper chamber rooms and compressed air temporary storage tanks with different internal volumes. It is also possible to use lower chamber rooms and vacuum temporary storage tanks with different internal volumes. Also in this case, by solving a system of simultaneous equations established from a conditional equation in which the pressures of both are the same and a conditional equation in which the product of the pressure difference of the circulated air and the internal volume is the same with the pressure values of each chamber and tank in each mode being unknowns in the circulation mode Mf, the pressure values of each chamber and the temporary storage tank in each mode when the cycle reaches an equilibrium state can be calculated. According to this, it is proven that the reuse rate is the highest when the volumes are the same.

Example

[0082] Next, regarding the gas pressure device E according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 19, the relationship between the gas pressure of the actuator and the gas pressure of the storage body in the repeated operation was simulated. FIG. 19(a) shows the first embodiment. This gas pressure device E corresponds to the above-described first embodiment and is used for a transport device that transports an article 1 having a cylindrical hollow portion 2. It is configured using the same air picker as the actuator S and the storage body T. Under the conditions of an ideal state without piping loss or air leakage, and without considering the cycle time, the article transport simulation was performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, and the internal pressure of the air picker at that time was calculated. The results are shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. In the figures, the device pressure indicates the pressure of the air picker as the actuator S, and the storage pressure indicates the pressure of the air picker as the storage body T. As a result, it was found that the pressure of the compressed gas can be utilized cascadingly, and when the part using the expansion energy of the equipment using the compressed gas is in one chamber, the amount of compressed gas used can be reduced by up to 1 / 3. In this simulation, the pressures of the actuator S (air picker) and the storage body T (air accumulator tank) in each mode are set as unknowns (two each, a total of four), and by solving the system of four linear equations with four unknowns established from the conditional equations (two equations) where the pressures of both are the same in the flow mode Mf and the conditional equations (two equations) where the product of the pressure difference and the internal volume of the flowing air is the same, the pressure values of the actuator S (air picker) and the storage body T (air accumulator tank) in each mode when the cycle reaches an equilibrium state can be calculated, and the reuse rate is calculated to be 1 / 3.

[0083] FIG. 19(b) shows a gas pressure device E according to the second embodiment. This corresponds to the above-described second embodiment and is used in a transport device that transports the same articles as in the first embodiment. As the actuating body S and the storage body T, the same air picker as in the first embodiment is used. Then, under the conditions of an ideal state without piping loss or air leakage, and without considering the cycle time, an article transport simulation is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, and the internal pressure of the air picker at that time is calculated. The results are shown in FIGS. 22 and 23. In the figures, the device 1 pressure indicates the pressure of one air picker, and the device 2 pressure indicates the pressure of the other air picker. As a result, it was found that the pressure of the compressed gas can be utilized cascadingly, and the part that uses the expansion energy of the equipment using the compressed gas can reduce the compressed gas usage amount by up to 1 / 7. In this simulation, the pressures of both functional bodies K (a pair of air pickers) in each mode are set as unknowns (3 each, a total of 6), and by solving the 6-variable linear simultaneous equations established from the conditional equations (3 equations) where the pressures of both are the same in the flow mode Mf and the conditional equations (3 equations) where the product of the pressure difference and the internal volume of the circulated air is the same, the pressure values of both functional bodies K (a pair of air pickers) when the cycle reaches an equilibrium state can be calculated, and the reuse rate is calculated to be 1 / 7.

[0084] FIG. 19(c) shows a gas pressure device E according to the third embodiment. This corresponds to the above-described third embodiment and is used in a transport device that transports the same articles as in the first embodiment. As the actuating body S and the storage body T, the same air picker as in the first embodiment was used. Then, under the ideal conditions without piping loss and air leakage, and without considering the cycle time, an article transport simulation was performed according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, and the internal pressure of the air picker at that time was calculated. The results are shown in FIG. 24. In the figure, the device 1 pressure indicates the pressure of one air picker, the device 2 pressure indicates the pressure of another air picker, and the device 3 pressure indicates the pressure of yet another air picker. As a result, it was found that the pressure of the compressed gas can be utilized cascadingly, and the part that uses the expansion energy of the equipment using the compressed gas can reduce the amount of compressed gas used by up to 1 / 4. In this simulation, the pressure of the functional body K (air picker) in each mode is set as an unknown (a total of 4), and by solving the four-variable linear simultaneous equations established from the conditional equations (2 equations) where the pressures of both are the same in the flow mode Mf and the conditional equations (2 equations) where the product of the pressure difference and the internal volume of the circulated air is the same, the pressure value of the functional body K (air picker) when the cycle reaches an equilibrium state can be calculated, and the reuse rate is calculated to be 1 / 4.

[0085] Next, although it is a rough estimate, the case of a molding machine corresponding to the above-described fourth embodiment is shown. When manufacturing various plastic products such as food containers, household appliances, industrial trays, and automotive parts, there is a thermoforming machine that forms a heated and softened resin sheet material with a mold. For example, in Japanese Patent No. 7345946 (Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-51612) "Thermoforming Device", in order to prevent the resin sheet from shifting in position or forming wrinkles during molding, when pressurizing with compressed gas in the chamber above the mold (positive pressure) and evacuating the chamber below the mold to vacuum (negative pressure), it is described that it can be solved by performing multi-stage pressure control instead of the conventional one-stage pressure control. According to the implementation example, the upper chamber is pressure-controlled to 0.1 MPa first and then 0.7 MPa after mold clamping, and the lower chamber is pressure-controlled to -0.05 MPa first and then -0.1 MPa. After molding, before opening the upper and lower chambers, the pressurized air in the upper chamber and the vacuum air in the lower chamber are released to the atmosphere with an exhaust valve, wasting the residual energy. By providing a container having a space with the same volume as each chamber, before releasing to the atmosphere, the compressed gas in the used upper chamber and the vacuum air in the lower chamber are respectively recovered and temporarily stored in these containers, and only the non-recoverable part of the rest is released to the atmosphere, so that the compressed gas used after mold clamping in the next molding cycle and a part of the vacuum air can be supplemented by the amount recovered in the previous molding cycle. In this example, up to 1 / 3 (0.233 MPa) of the required pressure and up to 1 / 3 (-0.033 MPa) of the required vacuum pressure can be covered by this recovered residual energy, achieving energy savings. In this case, taking the pressures of the upper chamber and the air storage container in each mode as unknowns (a total of 4), by solving the system of four linear equations with four unknowns established from the conditional equations (2 equations) where the pressures of both are the same in the flow mode Mf and the conditional equations (2 equations) where the product of the pressure difference and the internal volume of the flowing air is the same, the pressure values of the upper chamber and the air storage container when the cycle reaches an equilibrium state can be calculated, and the reuse rate is calculated to be 1 / 3.Similarly, regarding the pressures in the lower chamber and the vacuum storage container in each mode as unknowns (a total of four), by solving the system of four linear equations with four unknowns established from the conditional equations (two equations) where the pressures of both are the same in the circulation mode Mf and the conditional equations (two equations) where the product of the pressure difference of the circulated vacuum air and the internal volume is the same, the pressure values of the lower chamber and the vacuum air storage container when the cycle reaches an equilibrium state can be calculated, and the reuse rate is calculated to be 1 / 3.

[0086] In addition, in the gas pressure device E according to the second and third embodiments, the air pickers are used as the actuating body and the storage body alternately or in order, but it is not necessarily limited to this. It can be replaced every few times, or used simultaneously, or in any order, and can be appropriately changed without any problem. Also, in the gas pressure device E according to the second embodiment, an example using two air pickers and in the gas pressure device E according to the third embodiment, an example using three air pickers is shown, but it is not necessarily limited to this. Four or more air pickers may be used. Also, the number of air pickers used as the actuating body S or the storage body T is not limited to one each. For example, they can be used alternately or simultaneously or in order, two by two, or alternately or simultaneously or in order, three by three, and the number selected as the actuating body S or the storage body T can be determined appropriately.

[0087] In addition, in the above embodiment, as the electromagnetic on-off valves A, B, C, D, and E, 2-port 2-position electromagnetic valves are individually used, but it is not necessarily limited to this. If they can be aggregated, electromagnetic valves with different numbers of ports and positions may be used, and they can be appropriately changed without any problem. In this case, the internal volume of the flow path between the actuating body and the storage body can be made smaller, and energy recovery can be performed efficiently.

[0088] Furthermore, the capacities of the actuating body S and the storage body T may be set to be the same or different, and of course, the gas pressure can also be set appropriately. Moreover, in the combination of the actuating body S and the storage body T, those with different capacities and different operating pressures may be used, and they can be appropriately changed without any problem.

[0089] Furthermore, the operating body S is not limited to the air picker or molding machine described above, and may be various pneumatic devices such as an air actuator, as long as the device performs work by allowing air to flow in and out of a single operating chamber. Furthermore, the configuration of the storage body T is not limited to the accumulator, air picker, or molding chamber of a molding machine described above, and may be various structures such as a pressure accumulator tank. Furthermore, the gas used by this device is not limited to air, and may be any type of gas, such as steam, hydrogen, nitrogen, or a rare gas such as helium. In short, those skilled in the art will readily be able to make numerous modifications to these exemplary embodiments without substantially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the present invention, and these numerous modifications are within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] E. Pneumatic equipment S Working body Sa operating chamber T reservoir Ta storage chamber K. Dual-function body 1 article 2 Hollow part 3 pouch 10. Gas pressure supply source 11 Supply route 12. Means for stopping supply execution 20 Return Path 21 Return path opening and closing means 30 Distribution path 31 Doorway opening / closing means 32 Entrance / Exit 33 Connecting Road 34 Opening and closing means A, B, C, D, E Solenoid valve 40 Control Unit 41 Mode setting means 42 Selection Method Mp Sleep Mode Ms Supply Mode Mf Distribution Mode Mr. Return Mode Positive pressure actuator S(A) Negative pressure actuator S(B) Partition wall 50 Molding surface 51 Heater 52 Plate-like article 60

Claims

1. A pneumatic pressure device comprising an operating chamber to which a gas pressure higher than atmospheric pressure is supplied and applied by supplying gas or a gas pressure lower than atmospheric pressure is supplied and applied by sucking gas, and which is opened to become the gas pressure on the atmospheric pressure side, and an operating body that performs a predetermined work when the gas pressure is applied to the operating chamber and ends the work when the gas pressure in the operating chamber returns to the atmospheric pressure side. In the pneumatic pressure device, at the end of the work of the operating body, a storage body having a storage chamber that communicates with the operating chamber of the operating body and temporarily stores the gas in the operating chamber is provided, and prior to the supply of the gas pressure from the pneumatic pressure supply source to the operating chamber of the operating body, the gas pressure of the gas stored in the storage chamber of the storage body is supplied to the operating chamber of the operating body. The pneumatic pressure device is characterized by this.

2. An operating body that has an operating chamber to which a gas pressure higher than atmospheric pressure is supplied and applied by supplying gas or a gas pressure lower than atmospheric pressure is supplied and applied by sucking gas, and which is opened to become the gas pressure on the atmospheric pressure side, and that performs a predetermined work when the gas pressure is applied to the operating chamber and ends the work when the gas pressure in the operating chamber returns to the atmospheric pressure side, a pneumatic pressure supply source that supplies gas or sucks gas to supply either a positive or negative gas pressure, a supply path that supplies the gas pressure from the pneumatic pressure supply source to the operating chamber of the operating body, supply execution / stop means that executes and stops the supply of the gas pressure of the pneumatic pressure supply source, a return path that is configured to be openable and closable, opens the operating chamber of the operating body when open to return the inside of the operating chamber to the atmospheric pressure side, and makes the operating chamber of the operating body non-open when closed, and return path opening / closing means that opens and closes the return path, is a pneumatic pressure device comprising a storage body having an inlet / outlet for gas that can be opened and closed and a storage chamber for storing gas, a flow path for allowing gas to flow between the operating chamber of the operating body and the storage chamber of the storage body, and inlet / outlet opening / closing means for opening and closing the inlet / outlet of the storage chamber of the storage body, allowing the entry and exit of gas from the storage chamber when open, and stopping the entry and exit of gas from the storage chamber when closed, a control unit that controls the supply execution / stop means, the return path opening / closing means, and the inlet / outlet opening / closing means, the control unit is in a rest mode in which the supply of the gas pressure by the pneumatic pressure supply source is stopped, the return path is closed, and the inlet / outlet of the storage chamber is closed, is in a supply mode in which the supply of the gas pressure by the pneumatic pressure supply source is executed, the return path is closed, and the inlet / outlet of the storage chamber is closed. A circulation mode in which the supply of gas pressure by the gas pressure supply source is stopped, the return path is closed, and the inlet and outlet of the storage chamber are opened. A return mode in which the supply of gas pressure by the gas pressure supply source is stopped, the return path is opened, and the inlet and outlet of the storage chamber are closed. Set to any one of the above modes, When starting from the above return mode, it includes the above circulation mode set at a required timing, then the above supply mode set at a required timing, and then the above circulation mode set again at a required timing. Optionally, it includes the above pause mode set at a required timing during all or part of the transition between the above modes. A cycle that returns to the return mode at the starting point is defined as one cycle, and a mode setting means for setting the mode is provided. A gas pressure device characterized by being configured in this way.

3. The actuating body is configured to have at least one inlet and outlet through which gas can enter and exit the actuating chamber. The flow path is connected to the inlet and outlet of the actuating body via a connecting path, and the supply path and the return path are connected to the flow path. The gas pressure device according to claim 2, characterized in that.

4. The internal volume of the part filled with gas from the storage chamber in the above circulation mode, which is the internal volume on the storage chamber side including the storage chamber rather than the inlet and outlet opening / closing means of the storage chamber, and the internal volume on the actuating chamber side including the actuating chamber rather than the inlet and outlet opening / closing means of the storage chamber are set to the same internal volume. The gas pressure device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that.

5. The gas pressure supplied from the gas pressure supply source is a positive gas pressure higher than atmospheric pressure by gas supply, or a negative gas pressure lower than atmospheric pressure by gas suction. The actuating chamber of the actuating body and the storage chamber of the storage body are formed with an elastic body whose volume can be changed by gas pressure. The gas pressure device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that.

6. Use a dual-functional body that has at least one inlet and outlet through which gas can enter and exit, and inherently functions as the above actuating body and can also function as the above storage body. Provide a plurality of such dual-functional bodies, connect at least one flow path to the inlets and outlets of each dual-functional body via a connecting path, connect the supply path and the return path to the flow path, and provide opening / closing means for opening and closing the connecting path on each connecting path of the dual-functional bodies respectively. The control unit Select at least one or a plurality of the dual-functional bodies so as to exhibit their original functions as actuators, and include selection means for selecting one or a plurality of the other dual-functional bodies so as to exhibit their functions as storage bodies. The mode setting means causes the opening / closing means of the dual-functional body selected by the selection means to function as the inlet / outlet opening / closing means so as to exhibit its function as a storage body, closes the opening / closing means of the dual-functional body selected by the selection means so as to exhibit its function as an actuator in the rest mode, opens it in the supply mode, the circulation mode, and the return mode, and closes the opening / closing means when there is a dual-functional body that is not selected in any case. The pneumatic pressure device according to claim 5, wherein mode setting is performed for the dual-functional body selected as the actuator and the storage body.

7. The selection means selects the dual-functional body selected to exhibit its original function as an actuator in the current cycle to be stopped or to exhibit its function as a storage body in the next cycle, and selects the dual-functional body selected to exhibit its function as a storage body in the current cycle to be stopped or to exhibit its original function as an actuator in the next cycle. The pneumatic pressure device according to claim 6, characterized in that.

8. When the dual-functional body is inserted into and removed from the hollow portion of an article having a cylindrical hollow portion, and when inserted into the hollow portion, it bulges outward by the application of pneumatic pressure and elastically contacts the inner surface of the hollow portion of the article to hold the article, and has a bag-shaped portion that shrinks when the pneumatic pressure returns to the atmospheric pressure side to release the holding of the article. If it is an air picker, a pair of the dual-functional bodies is provided. The selection means selects one of the dual-functional bodies to exhibit its original function as an actuator, selects the other of the dual-functional bodies to exhibit its function as a storage body, and selects the dual-functional body selected to exhibit its original function as an actuator in the current cycle to exhibit its function as a storage body in the next cycle, and selects the dual-functional body selected to exhibit its function as a storage body in the current cycle to exhibit its original function as an actuator in the next cycle. When starting from the above-mentioned return mode, the above-mentioned mode setting means is a cycle including the above-mentioned distribution mode set at a required timing, then the above-mentioned supply mode set at a required timing, then the above-mentioned distribution mode set again at a required timing, then the return mode set at a required timing, and then the above-mentioned distribution mode set again at a required timing. The gas pressure device according to claim 7, characterized in that the mode is set with one cycle being a cycle that returns to the return mode at the starting point.

9. As the above-mentioned actuating body, it is provided with a positive pressure actuating body having an actuating chamber to which a positive pressure gas pressure is supplied and applied, and a negative pressure actuating body having an actuating chamber to which a negative pressure gas pressure is supplied and applied. The actuating bodies are connected in series so that these actuating chambers are adjacent to each other through a partition wall formed with a large number of small holes. The surface of the partition wall on the side of the actuating chamber of the positive pressure actuating body is configured as a molding surface for molding the plate-like article into a predetermined shape by the gas pressure difference applied through the large number of small holes on which the plate-like article is placed. The gas pressure device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that it is configured as a molding machine.

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