Vertical vacuum gripper device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vertical vacuum gripper device. The gripper device includes a cylindrical body incorporating a vertically mounted air ejector, a connector fastened to the bottom of the body, and a suction pad connected to the connector. The body includes an upper cover with multiple air supply ports, a waste pipe formed on the lower bottom surface parallel to the ejector and communicating with the interior of the pad, an air exhaust port formed on the lower side, and a passage formed on the bottom surface communicating with the interior of the upper body and the lower pad. This forms a vacuum flow path extending from a first supply port to the ejector and then to the exhaust port, and a waste flow path extending from a second supply port to the waste pipe and then to the interior of the pad.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vacuum gripper device, and more particularly to a device that operates by high-speed compressed air at a stem during vacuum transfer and is used to suck and grip an object. [Background technology]

[0002] In general, a vacuum gripper device includes a hollow body, a suction pad connected to a suction port on one side of the body, and a vacuum ejector attached to the inside of the body. When the pad is in contact with the surface of an object and compressed air passes through the ejector at high speed, the air inside the pad is drawn into the ejector and expelled to the outside together with the compressed air, generating a vacuum and negative pressure inside the pad.

[0003] The object is attracted to the pad by the generated negative pressure and is then transported to a predetermined location by an automated or robotic system.

[0004] For example, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2009-0131617 discloses a "vacuum gripper device." As can be seen from this disclosure, the vacuum gripper device is generally configured horizontally, i.e., in a "horizontal" box shape, with the pad connected directly below to a side port of the box. This type of "horizontal" device is not economical because it takes up a lot of space when installed, and has application limitations such as being difficult to use in a manifold format with multiple closely spaced locations.

[0005] As another example, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-1157542 (U.S. Patent No. 9,151,300) discloses an "in-line vacuum pump." The in-line vacuum pump disclosed therein is configured in a vertical, i.e., "vertical," cylindrical shape with an internal ejector as the reference, and a pad is connected directly below the end of the cylinder.

[0006] The disclosed "vertical" device has advantages over the "horizontal" device in terms of installation and application. However, it has problems such as the complicated design and cumbersome operation required to create a vacuum in the pad and release the vacuum as needed, and the difficulty of installing and operating an air valve, i.e., a check valve, inside the device. On the other hand, it is difficult to change the number of ejectors used in the device, which makes it difficult to meet the gripping characteristics actually required in the field. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2009-0131617 [Patent Document 2] Korean Patent No. 10-1157542 [Patent Document 3] Korean Patent No. 10-1659517 [Patent Document 4] Korean Patent No. 10-1019948 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The present invention relates to a "vertical type" vacuum gripper device, and has been proposed to solve the problems of the conventional vacuum gripper devices described above.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a vertical vacuum gripper device that can be easily manufactured and operated by simplifying the design for generating and releasing vacuum. Another object of the present invention is to provide a vertical vacuum gripper device in which valves are optimally positioned inside the device, thereby enabling efficient installation and operation of the valves. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a vertical vacuum gripper device that can flexibly respond to the gripping characteristics of the device required in the field by making the number of ejectors applied to the device variable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The vacuum gripper device of the present invention comprises: A device including a cylindrical body incorporating an air ejector that is attached vertically, a connector fastened to a lower end of the body, and a suction pad connected to the connector, The body includes: an upper cover in which a plurality of air supply ports are formed; a waste pipe formed on the lower bottom surface of the pad in parallel with the ejector, the inside of which communicates with the internal space of the pad; an air exhaust port formed at the bottom of the side; a passage formed on the bottom surface, which connects the internal spaces of the upper body and the lower pad to each other; Including, forming a vacuum flow path extending from the first supply port to the discharge port via the ejector, and a waste flow path extending from the second supply port to the internal space of the pad via the waste pipe; It is characterized by:

[0011] Preferably, the connector comprises: a ring-shaped member having a first hole and a second hole formed therein, which respectively connect the internal space of the pad to a waste pipe and a passage, and which is set at a predetermined distance from the bottom surface; The second hole is provided with a check valve that allows air to flow only in a direction from the internal space of the pad toward the passage, and the check valve moves up and down within the range of the interval to open and close the second hole; It is characterized by:

[0012] On the other hand, the first hole is provided with a check valve that allows air to flow only in a direction from the exhaust pipe toward the internal space of the pad, and the check valve moves up and down due to the pressure of the compressed air to open and close the first hole; It is characterized by:

[0013] Preferably, the body comprises: a plurality of ejector mounting bases formed around the disposal pipe, more specifically, around the disposal pipe, Each ejector is provided detachably on the base, The number of applicable ejectors within the vacuum gripper device can be varied; It is characterized by:

[0014] On the other hand, the main body is a pressure pipe formed parallel to the ejector and the disposal pipe, penetrating the bottom surface and communicating with the internal space of the pad; a sensor connector extending from the pressure tube to one side of the cover so as to directly measure the pressure (-kPa) of the internal space of the pad; Further includes: [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] In the vacuum gripper device of the present invention, the main elements of the device, such as the ejector, the discharge pipe, and the pressure pipe, are all designed to be formed vertically parallel within the main body and to extend through the cover at the top of the main body. This simplifies the manufacture and operation of the entire device. Furthermore, the connector structure allows check valves to be easily positioned in appropriate locations. Meanwhile, the air ejectors are detachably mounted on the base, allowing the number of air ejectors to be appropriately adjusted depending on the site conditions. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum gripper device according to the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line "AA" in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of "BB" in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] This is a diagram of the action of "vacuum" using Figure 4. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the operation of "discard" using FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The features and advantages of the "vertical vacuum gripper apparatus" (hereinafter referred to as "vacuum gripper apparatus") of the present invention, whether described or not, will become more apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the vacuum gripper apparatus of the present invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

[0018] 1 to 5, a vacuum gripper device 10 of the present invention includes a cylindrical body 12 incorporating an air ejector 11 mounted vertically, a connector 13 fastened to the lower end of the body 12, and a suction pad 14 connected to the connector 13. The ejector 11 is a typical air ejector having a through hole 11a formed in its side wall. In the drawings, the pad 14 is directly connected to the connector 13, but it may be located at a distance from the connector 13 using a hose or the like.

[0019] In detail, the main body 12 is an upper cover 16 in which a plurality of air supply ports 15a, 15b are formed; a waste pipe 18 formed on the lower bottom surface 17 in parallel with the ejector 11, the inside of which communicates with the internal space of the pad 14; an air outlet 19 formed at the bottom of the side; a passage 20 formed on the bottom surface 17 and connecting the internal spaces of the upper body 12 and the lower pad 14 to each other; The compound comprises:

[0020] This forms a vacuum flow path 21 extending from the first supply port 15a of the cover 16 to the discharge port 19 via the ejector 11, and a waste flow path 22 extending from the second supply port 15b of the cover 16 to the internal space of the pad 14 via the waste pipe 18.

[0021] The connector 13 is a ring-shaped member having a first hole 23 and a second hole 24 formed therein, which respectively connect the internal space of the pad 14 to the waste pipe 18 and the passage 20, and is installed below the bottom surface 17 at a predetermined distance d. The second hole 24 is provided with a check valve 25 that allows air to flow only in the direction from the internal space of the pad 14 toward the passage 2, and the check valve 25 moves up and down within the range of the distance d to open and close the second hole 24.

[0022] Here, the check valve 25 of the second hole 24 is a flexible rubber plate.

[0023] Meanwhile, the first hole 23 is provided with a check valve 26 that allows air to flow only in the direction from the exhaust pipe 18 toward the internal space of the pad 14, and the check valve 26 moves up and down due to the pressure of the compressed air to open and close the first hole 23. Here, the check valve 26 of the first hole 23 is a valve supported by the elastic force of a spring.

[0024] In this embodiment, the main body 12 includes a plurality of ejector mounts 27 formed around the disposal tube 18. Each ejector 11 is detachably mounted on the mount 27, so that the number of ejectors 11 applied to the vacuum gripper device 10 can be appropriately adjusted. For example, if the object W is large and heavy, the number of ejectors 11 can be increased, and conversely, if the object W is relatively light, the number of ejectors 11 can be decreased.

[0025] On the other hand, the main body 12 is a pressure pipe 28 formed in parallel with the ejector 11 and the disposal pipe 18, penetrating the bottom surface 17 and communicating with the internal space of the pad 14; a sensor connector 29 extending from the pressure tube 28 to one side of the cover 16 so as to directly measure the pressure (-kPa) in the internal space of the pad 14; Further includes:

[0026] The connector 29 sensor can determine whether the internal space of the pad 14 in the vacuum transfer system has reached the appropriate vacuum or negative pressure to grip the object W, thereby providing useful information for determining whether compressed air can be supplied.

[0027] Reference numeral 30 denotes a silencer, which is attached to the outer wall of the body 12 surrounding the air outlet 19, has a spiral sound absorbing material 31 disposed inside, and has an outlet hole 32 at its tip that communicates with the spiral path. The structure of the silencer 30 has the effect of extending the outlet 19 as long as possible, minimizing exhaust resistance and effectively absorbing and eliminating noise generated when discharging air.

[0028] In this embodiment, the silencer 30 is rotatably mounted, so that the direction of air discharge can be adjusted as desired. For ease of installation, the silencer 30 is composed of two parts, which are assembled on the left and right sides of the main body 12.

[0029] Up to now, the first supply port 15a, the second supply port 15b, and the sensor connector 29 are arranged adjacent to each other on the cover 16 of the main body 12 (see FIG. 3), and a vacuum is created or broken in the suction pad 14 by supplying compressed air to the first supply port 15a or the second supply port 15b.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 6, first, compressed air is supplied to the first supply port 15a while the pad 14 is in contact with the surface of the workpiece W (see arrow (1)), and the supplied compressed air passes at high speed through the vacuum flow path 21 that extends from the first supply port 15a to the ejector 11 to the discharge port 19, and is discharged to the outside (see arrows (2), (3), and (4)).

[0031] During this process, a pressure drop occurs at the through hole 11a of the side wall of the ejector 11, causing the air inside the pad 14 to move into the body 12 through the second hole 24 of the connector 13 and the passage 20 on the bottom surface 17 in this order, and then be drawn into the inside of the ejector 11 and discharged to the outside together with the compressed air (see arrows (4) and (5)). As the air inside the pad 14 is discharged in this manner, a vacuum and negative pressure are generated in the internal space of the pad 14, and the object W can be attracted and gripped by the pad 14 due to the generated negative pressure.

[0032] During this exhaust process, impurities on the surface of the object W may interfere with the intake flow path extending from the internal space of the pad 14 to the second hole 24, passage 20, ejector 11, and exhaust port 19, thereby hindering exhaust. Therefore, in this embodiment, an air filter 33 is disposed at an optimal position. Although the drawing shows that the filter 33 is disposed inside the pad 14, it may also be disposed inside the connector 13 or between the pad 14 and the connector 13.

[0033] For example, when the vacuum pressure in the pad 14 reaches an appropriate level, the supply of compressed air may be interrupted by a signal from the connector 29 sensor, and at this time, the check valve 25 moves downward to block the second hole 24 of the connector 13.

[0034] Once the object W is attracted to the pad 14 at an appropriate vacuum pressure level, it is transported to a predetermined location by an automated or robotic system connected to the main body 12. Once the transport is complete, the pad 14 and the object W are separated, and the pad 14 is prepared for the next process. However, for the sake of productivity, the pad 14 needs to be quickly separated from the object W.

[0035] 7, after the transfer of the object W is completed, the compressed air is supplied to another supply port, i.e., the second supply port 15b (see arrow (6)), and the supplied compressed air flows sequentially through the second supply port 15b, the waste pipe 18, and the waste flow path 22 extending to the internal space of the pad 14 (see arrows (7) and (8)). During this process, impurities attached to the bottom surface of the filter 33 are removed by the downward pressure of the supplied compressed air.

[0036] In other words, the compressed air supplied to the second supply port 15b is directly supplied to the internal space of the pad 14 through the waste flow path 22, whereby the vacuum and negative pressure formed in the internal space of the pad 14 are instantly released, thereby enabling the pad 14 to be quickly separated from the object W. When the pad 14 is separated in this manner, the supply of compressed air is stopped, and at this time, the check valve 25 moves upward due to the elastic force of the spring, blocking the first hole 23 of the connector 13.

[0037] As can be seen from the above description, the vacuum gripper device 10 of the present invention: The main elements of the device 10, such as the ejector 11, the exhaust pipe 18, and the pressure pipe 28, are all formed in parallel in the vertical direction within the body 12, and are extended through the cover 16 at the top end of the body 12. Valves 25 and 26 are positioned in place using the structure of the connector 13, The ejectors 11 are detachably mounted on the mounting base 27, so that the number of ejectors can be appropriately changed depending on the situation at the site. To be designed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 10: Vacuum gripper device 11: Ejector 11a: Through hole 12: Main body 13: Connector 14: Pad 15a: 1st supply port 15b: 2nd supply port 16: Cover 17: Bottom 18: Discarded pipe 19: Outlet 20: Passageway 21: Vacuum channel 22: Disposal channel 23: 1st hole 24:Second hole 25, 26: Check valve 27: Stationary stand 28: Pressure pipe 29: Connector 30: Silencer 31: Sound absorbing material 32:Discharge hole 33: Filter d:Spacing W: Target

Claims

1. The device includes a cylindrical body (12) incorporating an air ejector (11) that is attached vertically, a connector (13) that is fastened to the lower end of the body (12), and a suction pad (14) that is connected to the connector (13), The body (12) The device includes an upper cover (16) having a plurality of air supply ports (15a) and (15b) formed therein, a waste pipe (18) formed on the lower bottom surface (17) in parallel with the ejector (11), the inside of which communicates with the internal space of the suction pad (14), an air exhaust port (19) formed in the lower part of the side, and a passage (20) formed in the bottom surface (17) for communicating the internal spaces of the upper body (12) and the lower suction pad (14) with each other, a vacuum flow path (21) extending from the first supply port (15a) to the air discharge port (19) via the ejector (11), and a waste flow path (22) extending from the second supply port (15b) to the internal space of the suction pad (14) via the waste pipe (18); The device includes a plurality of ejector mounting bases (27) formed around the disposal pipe (18), and each ejector (11) is provided detachably on the mounting base (27), thereby making it possible to change the number of applicable ejectors (11) in the main body (12). A vertical vacuum gripper device characterized by:

2. The connector (13) is a ring-shaped member having a first hole (23) and a second hole (24) for connecting the internal space of the suction pad (14) to the disposal pipe (18) and the passage (20), respectively, and is installed at a predetermined distance (d) from the bottom surface (17). The second hole (24) is provided with a check valve (25) that allows air to flow only in a direction from the internal space of the suction pad (14) toward the passage (20), and the check valve (25) moves up and down within the range of the distance (d) to open and close the second hole (24); 2. The vertical vacuum gripper device according to claim 1, wherein:

3. The first hole (23) is provided with a check valve (26) that allows air to flow only in a direction from the disposal pipe (18) toward the internal space of the suction pad (14), and the check valve (26) moves up and down due to the pressure of the compressed air to open and close the first hole (23); 3. The vertical vacuum gripper device according to claim 2, wherein:

4. The main body (12) includes a plurality of ejector mounting bases (27) formed around the periphery of the disposal pipe (18).

2. The vertical vacuum gripper device according to claim 1, wherein:

5. The body (12) a pressure pipe (28) formed parallel to the ejector (11) and the disposal pipe (18), penetrating the bottom surface (17) and communicating with the internal space of the suction pad (14); a sensor connector (29) extending from the pressure pipe (28) to one side of the upper cover (16); Further comprising: The pressure (-kPa) in the internal space of the suction pad (14) is directly measured.

2. The vertical vacuum gripper device according to claim 1, wherein:

6. The air conditioner further includes a silencer (30) attached to the outer wall of the main body (12) while surrounding the periphery of the air discharge port (19), and the silencer (30) A spiral sound absorbing material (31) is arranged inside, and an air discharge hole (32) communicating with the spiral path is formed at the tip.

2. The vertical vacuum gripper device according to claim 1, wherein:

7. The silencer (30) is rotatably mounted so that the direction of the discharge hole can be arbitrarily adjusted.

7. The vertical vacuum gripper device according to claim 6, wherein:

8. 7. The vertical vacuum gripper device according to claim 6, wherein the silencer (30) is made up of two parts and assembled on the left and right sides of the main body (12).

9. 2. The vertical vacuum gripper device according to claim 1, wherein an air filter (33) is arranged inside the suction pad (14), inside the connector (13), or between the suction pad (14) and the connector (13).

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