VALVE ASSEMBLY FOR VACUUM SYSTEMS

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve assembly arranged between a vacuum pump and suction pads in a vacuum system to allow these pads to vent air. This valve assembly comprises: a body with a mounting space formed in the internal passage; a valve disc positioned in that space that can move up / down; and a vent orifice of a variable configuration by means of an air gap formed in the contact between the valve disc and the upper recess of the space. At the start of venting, air is temporarily vented through the open passage. Subsequently, as the disc is moved upwards, air is vented at a microscopic level through the vent orifice formed in the contact between the valve disc and the upper recess of the space.

Description

Valve assembly for vacuum system

[0001] The present invention relates to an air valve assembly, and more particularly, to a valve assembly suitable for use in a vacuum system.

[0002]

[0003] In general, a 'vacuum system' is a device that includes a vacuum pump operated by high-speed compressed air and an adsorption pad connected to a suction port of the vacuum pump, and operates the vacuum pump to exhaust the internal space of the pad, and adsorb and hold an object with the vacuum and negative pressure generated thereby, and then operates a robotic means to transport the object to a designated location.

[0004]

[0005] Here, if the port diameter is too large, the device's achievable vacuum level will be reduced, while if it is too small, the device's ability to reach its maximum vacuum level will be slowed. Therefore, the port requires an appropriate valve capable of simultaneously satisfying these conflicting problems. In practice, flexible valves or up / down plate valves are commonly used as such valves.

[0006]

[0007] Fig. 1 illustrates a conventional plate valve (100). Referring to the drawing, when compressed air passes through a vacuum pump (103) at high speed, the internal air of the pad (104) is drawn into the vacuum pump (103) via the valve (100) and then discharged to the outside together with the compressed air. In this process, a vacuum and negative pressure are generated inside the vacuum pump (103) and the pad (104) for gripping the object (W).

[0008]

[0009] As shown in (a) of Fig. 1, in the original state, the plate valve (100) can exhaust a large amount of air instantaneously at the beginning of operation because the plate (101) is in an open state in the 'DOWN' position, and continuously, as shown in (b) of Fig. 1, when the plate (101) moves to the 'UP' position, it is configured to exhaust air only through the central micro-hole (102) of the plate (101). The micro-hole (102) is designed to increase the vacuum level of the device and maintain the vacuum level.

[0010]

[0011] In this way, we aim to simultaneously solve the problems of the device's achievable vacuum level and its reaching speed.

[0012]

[0013] In the above valve (100) configuration, the micro-hole (102) is an element that plays an important role in relation to the vacuum level of the device, but here:

[0014] First, the problem is that the processing of the hole (102) is required to be quite fine, making its formation and production almost impossible from a production technology perspective;

[0015] Second, there is a problem that foreign substances, especially dust on the surface of the target, float during the operation of the device and block the hole (102);

[0016] Third, in cases where a disability occurs, not only is there no corresponding self-recovery ability, but emergency measures are also not easy;

[0017] There is a back.

[0018]

[0019] Due to these problems, the above valve (100) is very difficult to apply in practice.

[0020]

[0021] Of course, one could consider making the above hole (102) larger or increasing its number. However, these methods run counter to the purpose of simultaneously resolving the aforementioned vacuum level and attainment speed issues, and are therefore not considered here. These cases are particularly likely to lower the vacuum level of the device.

[0022]

[0023] <Prior Art Literature>

[0024] Utility Model Registration No. 20-0300952

[0025] Patent Publication No. 10-2015-0016793

[0026] Patent Registration No. 10-1303749

[0027] Patent Registration No. 10-2570475

[0028]

[0029] The present invention has been proposed to address the problems of the plate valve according to the prior art described above. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a valve assembly for a vacuum system that simultaneously addresses the problems of the device's vacuum level and attainment speed, while being easy to manufacture and free from operational issues.

[0030]

[0031] The valve assembly of the present invention:

[0032] In a valve assembly positioned between a vacuum pump and an adsorption pad in a vacuum system to enable exhaust of the pad,

[0033] A body including an expanded space formed inside the passage for installation of a valve plate as a top and bottom penetrating material;

[0034] A valve plate that is positioned so as to be able to move up and down in the space, and at this time, a passage connecting the upper and lower parts of the passage is formed between the inner walls of the space;

[0035] An elastic spring arranged in the above passage to control the flow of the plate;

[0036] An air slit formed at the point of mutual contact between the plate and the upper jaw of the space when the plate is 'UP';

[0037] Includes,

[0038] The above air slit:

[0039] When the above plate is 'UP', the plate and the upper jaw contact each other to form an air hole, thereby connecting the passage and the passage;

[0040] It features.

[0041]

[0042] The above air slit:

[0043] Formed on one side of the plate and the upper jaw, more preferably on the plate side;

[0044] It features.

[0045]

[0046] The above spring is coaxially arranged at the top of the passage, and one end of the spring presses the plate to elastically support the position of the plate.

[0047]

[0048] The above plate may include an air guide formed on its lower surface to connect the lower portion of the passage and the flow path.

[0049]

[0050] Preferably,

[0051] The above plate is configured in a cross-sectional 'U' shape, and one end of the spring is inserted into the inside thereof;

[0052] At this time, the air slit is formed on the upper cross-section of the edge of the plate;

[0053] It features.

[0054]

[0055] According to the valve assembly of the present invention, after a large amount of air is instantly exhausted at the beginning of operation, exhaust proceeds only through the air hole formed by the air slit when the plate is in the 'UP' state. In this manner, the maximum vacuum level of the device can be quickly reached.

[0056]

[0057] Meanwhile, since the air slit is formed by simply making a groove in a specific part of the element, it is easy to manufacture, and there is no concern that the air slit and air hole will be blocked or damaged before and after exhaust during operation.

[0058]

[0059] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a valve assembly according to the prior art.

[0060] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a valve assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 2.

[0062] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the valve plate applied to Fig. 2.

[0063] Figure 5 is a vacuum initial action diagram of Figure 3.

[0064] Figure 6 is a continuous action diagram of Figure 5.

[0065] Figure 7 is a vacuum breaking action diagram of Figure 6.

[0066]

[0067] [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 10. Valve assembly

[0069] 11. Body

[0070] 12. Plate

[0071] 13. Spring

[0072] 14. Air hole

[0073] 15. Passage 1

[0074] 16. Passage 2

[0075] 17. Space

[0076] 18. Upper jaw

[0077] 19. Euro

[0078] 20. Air-slit

[0079] 21. Air Guide

[0080] P. Vacuum pump

[0081] S. Pad

[0082] W. Object

[0083]

[0084] The features and operational effects of the 'valve assembly for a vacuum system' (hereinafter referred to as the 'valve assembly') of the present invention, whether described or not described above, will become more apparent through the description of embodiments described below with reference to the attached drawings. In FIG. 2 and below, the valve assembly according to the present invention is indicated by reference numeral 10.

[0085]

[0086] The valve assembly (10) of the present invention is based on a valve assembly that is placed between a vacuum pump and an adsorption pad in a vacuum system to enable exhaust of the pad.

[0087]

[0088] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 6, the valve assembly (10) comprises a top and bottom penetrating body (11), a valve plate (12) movably mounted inside the body (11), a spring (13) that elastically supports the plate (12), and an air hole (14) that is variably formed according to the operation of the valve assembly (10).

[0089]

[0090] Specifically, the body (11) is formed by including a space (17) that is expanded and formed inside a central passage (15, 16) with an upper and lower penetrating material for installing a valve plate (12), and the passage (15, 16) can be divided into a lower first passage (15) and an upper second passage (16) based on the position of the space (17). The body (11) is formed of a lower portion (11a) and an upper portion (11b) that is fitted and connected to the upper portion thereof, and this method is suitable for forming a space (17) within the body (11). Reference numeral 18 is the upper end of the space (15).

[0091]

[0092] Here, the plate (12) is positioned UP / DOWN-capable inside the space (17), and at this time, a passage (19) connecting the first and second passages (15, 16) is formed between the inner wall of the space (17). For reference, an air guide (21) connecting the first passage (15) and the passage (19) is formed on the lower surface of the plate (12).

[0093]

[0094] The spring (13) is arranged in the second passage (16) and functions to control the position and movement of the plate (12). Specifically, the spring (13) is arranged coaxially in the second passage (16), and one end of the spring (13) presses the surface of the plate (12) to elastically support the position and movement of the plate (12). In the present embodiment, the plate (12) is configured in a 'U'-shaped cross-section, and one end of the spring (13) is inserted into the inside thereof. However, it may be designed differently in consideration of the relationship between the plate (12) and the spring (13).

[0095]

[0096] The valve assembly (10) of the present invention includes an air slit (20) formed at a portion where the plate (12) and the upper jaw (18) of the space (17) come into contact with each other when the plate (12) is 'UP'. Thus, an air hole (14) is formed between the plate (12) and the upper jaw (18) in contact with each other, and thereby a connection between the flow path (19) and the first and second passages (15, 16) is established via the air hole (14).

[0097]

[0098] Specifically, the air-slit (20) may be formed in the form of a groove on either side of the plate (12) or the upper jaw (18), and for manufacturing convenience, in the present embodiment, it is formed on the side of the plate (12). In addition, the plate (12) is formed in a cross-sectional 'U' shape, and in this case, the air-slit (20) is formed on the upper cross-sectional portion of the plate (12).

[0099]

[0100] And, when the plate (12) and the upper jaw (18) come into contact with each other, the corresponding surface covers the open side of the air slit (20), thereby forming an air hole (14). In this sense, the air hole (14) has a variable configuration.

[0101]

[0102] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the valve assembly (10) of the present invention is placed between a vacuum pump (P) and an adsorption pad (S) in a vacuum system.

[0103]

[0104] When the vacuum system is operated, compressed air supplied at high speed passes through the vacuum pump (P) and is discharged (see arrow ①), and at this time, the air inside the pad (S) is drawn into the vacuum pump (P) through the first passage (15) → flow path (19) → second passage (16) of the body (11) in sequence and is discharged to the outside together with the compressed air (see arrow ②), and in this process, vacuum and negative pressure are created inside the vacuum pump (P) and the pad (S).

[0105]

[0106] First, referring to Fig. 5, initially, the valve assembly (10) is in a plate (12) 'DOWN' state, so the vacuum line connecting the first passage (15) → flow path (19) → second passage (16) inside the body (11) is completely open. Accordingly, the internal air of the pad (S) is discharged instantly, and the discharged air at this time moves the plate (12) upward.

[0107]

[0108] Next, referring to Fig. 6, in the 'UP' state where the plate (12) moves upward, the vacuum line is closed by the plate (12) and the upper jaw (18) coming into contact with each other. However, at this time, the vacuum line is connected through the air hole (14) that is formed at the contact portion for the first time by the contact, thereby causing micro-discharge of the pad (S) (see arrow ③).

[0109]

[0110] As a result, the maximum vacuum level of the device can be quickly reached, and there is no concern that the air hole (14) will be blocked or cause a problem during this process.

[0111]

[0112] Through this series of processes, a vacuum and negative pressure are generated inside the pad (S), and the object (W) is adsorbed and held by the generated negative pressure. Thereafter, the object (W) is transferred to a designated location through a robotic device. When the transfer is completed, the pad (S) needs to be quickly separated from the object (W).

[0113]

[0114] Referring to Fig. 7, in order to separate the pad (S), compressed air is directly supplied to the second passage (16). Since this state is a 'DOWN' state of the plate (12), the compressed air is supplied to the pad (S) through the second passage (16) → flow path (19) → first passage (15) (see arrow ④). As a result, the vacuum and negative pressure inside the pad (S) are instantly broken.

Claims

1. In a valve assembly arranged between a vacuum pump and an adsorption pad in a vacuum system to enable exhaust of the pad, A body (11) including a space (17) formed to expand for installation of a valve plate (12) inside a passage (15, 16) as a top / bottom penetrating material; A valve plate (12) that is positioned so as to be able to UP / DOWN in the space (17), and at this time, a passage (19) connecting the upper and lower parts of the passage (15, 16) is formed between the inner walls of the space (17); An elastic spring (13) arranged in the above passage (15, 16) to elastically control the flow of the plate (12); An air-slit (20) formed at the part where the plate (12) and the upper jaw (18) of the space (17) come into contact with each other when the plate (12) is 'UP'; Includes, The above air-slit)20) is: When the above plate (12) is 'UP', the plate (12) and the upper jaw (18) come into contact with each other to form an air hole (14), thereby connecting the passage (15, 16) with the above-mentioned flow path (19); A valve assembly characterized by:

2. In paragraph 1, A valve assembly characterized in that the air slit (20) is formed on one side of the plate (12) and the upper jaw (18).

3. In paragraph 2, A valve assembly characterized in that the above air slit (20) is formed on the side of the plate (12).

4. In paragraph 1, A valve assembly characterized in that the spring (13) is coaxially arranged in the passage (15, 16), and one end of the spring presses the plate (12) to elastically support the position of the plate (12).

5. In paragraph 1, A valve assembly characterized in that the above plate (12) includes an air guide (21) formed on its lower surface and connecting the passage (15) and the flow path (19).

6. In paragraph 1, The above plate (12) is configured in a cross-sectional 'U' shape, and one end of the spring (13) is inserted into the inside thereof; The above air slit (20) is formed on the upper cross-section of the edge of the plate (12); Valve assembly featuring.

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