Vacuum chamber assembly using profiles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vacuum chamber assembly comprising: a side wall part forming a predetermined chamber shape; and an upper plate and a lower plate respectively coupled to the upper surface and the lower surface of the side wall part. In particular, the side wall part comprises: a plurality of extruded profiles arranged at a predetermined angle on a plane; and end-caps sequentially assembling adjacent profiles at the angle. The upper plate includes an air outlet formed on one side thereof, and the lower plate includes inlets formed to exhaust the air from an external space. In addition, sealing gaskets specially designed for complete sealing are mounted using side walls of the profile structure.

Description

Vacuum chamber assembly using profiles

[0001] The present invention relates to a vacuum chamber applied to a vacuum transport system, and more particularly, to a vacuum chamber assembly assembled and manufactured using an extrusion profile.

[0002]

[0003] Typically, a vacuum transport system utilizes a vacuum pump powered by high-speed compressed air to forcibly expel the internal air of an adsorption pad. The resulting vacuum and negative pressure within the pad then adsorb and hold the item, then robotically transports it to a designated location. The so-called "vacuum chamber" is a medium that provides a communication space between the vacuum pump and the pad in this system.

[0004]

[0005] The above vacuum pump may be mounted inside or outside the 'chamber' depending on the system design.

[0006]

[0007] The aforementioned vacuum chamber types include box-shaped chambers, traditionally injection-molded from reinforced plastic, and recently proposed and released profile-shaped chambers, which are extruded into a hollow shape and have end caps attached at both ends. Compared to the former, the latter offers the advantages of lightweight manufacturing and ease of installation and handling in practical vacuum conveying systems.

[0008]

[0009] For example, Patent Publication Nos. 10-1351768 and 10-1685998 disclose, among the above profile-type chambers, a vacuum pump mounted inside the chamber.

[0010]

[0011] However, conventional vacuum chambers, whether box-shaped or profile-shaped, are all standardized in terms of volume, volume, and shape. This makes their production, management, and distribution quite challenging, and in particular, their flexible application on-site is virtually impossible. While dividing the chamber into individual components and configuring them for assembly and use anywhere might seem like a solution, there has been little research or proposals on this topic to date.

[0012]

[0013] <Prior Art Literature>

[0014] Patent Registration No. 10-0629994

[0015] Patent Registration No. 10-0865932

[0016] Patent Registration No. 10-1351768

[0017] Patent Registration No. 10-1685998

[0018]

[0019] The present invention is proposed to address the problems of the vacuum chambers of the prior art described above. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a vacuum chamber assembly that is structurally robust while exhibiting excellent overall productivity and applicability by providing each element separately in a prefabricated manner and, in particular, configuring the side wall portion to be sequentially assembled using multiple extruded profiles.

[0020]

[0021] The chamber assembly of the present invention comprises:

[0022] In an assembly including a side wall portion forming a certain chamber shape and an upper plate and a lower plate respectively fastened to the upper and lower surfaces of the side wall portion,

[0023] The above side wall portion:

[0024] It comprises a plurality of extruded profiles arranged at a certain angle on a plane, and an end-cap for continuously assembling adjacent profiles at the angle;

[0025] The above top plate:

[0026] It includes an air outlet formed on one side;

[0027] The above lower plate:

[0028] It includes an intake formed to exhaust external space;

[0029] Rubber primary and secondary gaskets:

[0030] It is provided to seal between the side wall and the upper and lower plates, and between the profile and the end cap;

[0031] At this time, the second gasket has both end faces closely connected to the first gasket;

[0032] It features.

[0033]

[0034] Preferably,

[0035] The above side wall portion:

[0036] It includes a horizontal installation groove formed by continuously connecting the above profile and end cap on each of the upper and lower surfaces;

[0037] 1- Gasket:

[0038] Provided in a closed form and mounted in each of the above horizontal installation-grooves, sealing between the side wall portion and the upper and lower plates;

[0039] It features.

[0040]

[0041] Also, preferably,

[0042] The above side wall portion:

[0043] It includes a vertical installation groove formed on the end-cap side corresponding to the cross-sectional rib of the above profile;

[0044] 2nd- Gasket:

[0045] Provided linearly and mounted in each vertical installation-home, sealing between the profile and the end-cap;

[0046] It features.

[0047]

[0048] More preferably,

[0049] The above second gasket:

[0050] Vertical installation - When mounted in the home, its two end faces are in close contact with the horizontal closed first gasket;

[0051] At this time, the two end surfaces are formed in a concave curved shape for extensive contact with the first gasket;

[0052] It features.

[0053]

[0054] The above assembly:

[0055] It comprises one or more vacuum pumps arranged on the lower surface side of the above upper plate;

[0056] When high-speed compressed air is supplied to the vacuum pump and discharged to the outside through the outlet, air in the outside space is sucked into the chamber and drawn into the vacuum pump to be discharged together with the compressed air;

[0057] It features.

[0058]

[0059] The vacuum chamber assembly of the present invention, in particular, has side walls that are sequentially assembled using a plurality of extruded profiles, thereby achieving excellent overall productivity and applicability while also being structurally sound. Furthermore, the gasket structure and shape installed using the side walls have the effect of perfectly securing the sealing properties of the chamber for vacuuming within the assembly.

[0060]

[0061] Meanwhile, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum chamber assembly is designed to place a vacuum pump therein, thereby enabling a compact implementation of a vacuum transport system.

[0062]

[0063] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum chamber assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] Figure 2 is an exploded view of Figure 1.

[0065] Fig. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the side wall of Fig. 2.

[0066] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 'A-A' of Fig. 1.

[0067] Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the second gasket of Figure 3.

[0068] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 'B-B' of Figure 1.

[0069] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a vacuum chamber assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0070]

[0071] [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 100,100a,100b,100c. Chamber assembly

[0073] 10. Side wall

[0074] 11. Profile 12. End-cap

[0075] 13a, 13b, 13c. Protrusions

[0076] 14a, 14b, 14c. Inlet

[0077] 14a. Vertical installation - Home 15. Horizontal installation - Home

[0078] 16. 1st gasket 17. 2nd gasket

[0079] 18. Bulkhead

[0080] 20. Top plate

[0081] 21. Outlet 22. Supply Inlet

[0082] 23. Supply Guide 24. Discharge Guide

[0083] 25. Support

[0084] 30. Lower part

[0085] 31. Intake 32. Valve

[0086] 40. Vacuum pump

[0087] 41. Public

[0088] 50. Suction pad

[0089] C, C1, C2, C3. Chamber

[0090] w. width

[0091] W. Goods

[0092]

[0093] The features and operational effects of the 'vacuum chamber assembly using a profile' (hereinafter referred to as the 'chamber assembly') of the present invention, whether described or not described above, will become more apparent through the description of preferred embodiments described below with reference to the attached drawings. In the drawings, the chamber assembly according to the present invention is indicated by reference numeral 100.

[0094]

[0095] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a chamber assembly (100) according to the present invention is an assembly including a side wall portion (10) forming a chamber (C) of a certain shape, and an upper plate (20) and a lower plate (30) each fastened to the upper and lower surfaces of the side wall portion (10).

[0096]

[0097] Specifically, the side wall portion (10) comprises a plurality of extruded profiles (11) arranged at a constant angle on a plane, and an end cap (12) for continuously assembling adjacent profiles (11) at the angle. In the present embodiment, the end cap (12) is a corner member bent in an 'ㄱ' shape. Therefore, the side wall portion (10) is formed by connecting four profiles (11) at 90° angles to form a chamber (C) having an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole. However, the present invention is not limited to the shape of the chamber (C) described above.

[0098]

[0099] The above end-cap (12) corresponds to the cross-section of the profile (11) and includes a protrusion (13a, 13b, 13c) that is fitted into the empty space of the profile (11) and an indentation (14a, 14b, 14c) into which a rib of the profile (11) is inserted. Here, one of the indentations (14a, 14b, 14c) becomes the vertical installation-groove (14a) described later. The above-described side wall portion (10) structure is formed using a hollow extruded profile (11), so that it can be manufactured relatively lightweight overall while ensuring sufficient width (w) on its upper and lower surfaces.

[0100]

[0101] The above upper plate (20) is a flat plate and is fastened to the upper surface of the side wall portion (10). The above upper plate (20) includes an air discharge port (21) formed on one side thereof, and the discharge port (21) is a hole that discharges air sucked into the chamber (C) to the outside.

[0102]

[0103] In addition, the lower plate (30) is also a flat plate and is fastened to the lower surface of the side wall portion (10). The lower plate (30) is configured to include an intake port (31) formed to exhaust external space. In the drawing, the lower plate (30) is a perforated plate formed by arranging a plurality of intake ports (31). In the present embodiment, the 'external space' refers to the internal space of the suction pad (50) installed at the lower portion of the chamber assembly (100) to communicate with the intake port (31).

[0104]

[0105] Here, the symbol 32 is a valve mounted on the suction port (31), and the valve (32) is a so-called 'check valve' that controls the flow rate of external air flowing into the chamber (C).

[0106]

[0107] As described above, the chamber assembly (100) of the present invention is configured by fastening an upper plate (20) and a lower plate (30) centered on a side wall portion (10) assembly structure using an extrusion profile (11). That is, the chamber assembly (100) is an assembly structure using a hollow extrusion profile (11), and can be manufactured to be relatively lightweight and sturdy overall.

[0108]

[0109] Here, the chamber (C) is a space where a vacuum is generated. Therefore, appropriate measures to prevent vacuum leakage are required, and preferably, the chamber assembly (100) further includes a specially designed sealing gasket structure. In the present invention, rubber first and second gaskets (16, 17) are provided to seal between the side wall portion (10) and the upper and lower plates (20, 30), and between the profile (11) and the end cap (12).

[0110]

[0111] In this embodiment, the side wall portion (10) includes a horizontal installation groove (15) formed by continuously connecting the profile (11) and the end-cap (12) on each of its upper and lower surfaces, and a first gasket (16) is provided in a substantially rectangular closed shape and is fitted into each of the horizontal installation grooves (15). As a result, the first gasket (16) can perform sealing between the side wall portion (10) and the upper and lower plates (20, 30).

[0112]

[0113] Meanwhile, in the present invention, since the side wall portion (10) is formed by continuously assembling a profile (11) and an end-cap (12), an appropriate sealing structure is required between the two elements (11, 12). Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the end-cap (12) includes a vertical installation groove (14a) that is recessed and formed corresponding to the cross-sectional rib of the connected profile (11), and a second gasket (17) is linearly provided and mounted in each vertical installation groove (14a). However, in another embodiment, when the end-cap (12) is formed from hard rubber, the second gasket (17) may be integrally provided at an appropriate position of the end-cap (12).

[0114]

[0115] Referring to Fig. 5, preferably, the second gasket (17) is installed in the vertical installation groove (14a) so that its end is in close contact with the first gasket (16) of the horizontal closed type. As a result, the chamber assembly (100) completely performs all sealing of the chamber (C). At this time, the two gaskets (16, 17) are connected to each other, and at this time, the end surfaces of both sides of the second gasket (17) are formed in a concave curved shape to ensure extensive contact with the first gasket (16).

[0116]

[0117] Referring again to FIGS. 1 to 4, in the present embodiment, the chamber assembly (100) includes one or more vacuum pumps (40) arranged on the lower surface side of the inner top plate (20) of the chamber (C). The vacuum pump (40) is a conventional cylindrical vacuum pump that acts as compressed air supplied, passed, and discharged at high speed to draw in and discharge air inside the chamber (C), and reference numeral 41 denotes a drawing hole formed in the side wall thereof.

[0118]

[0119] Reference numeral 22 denotes a supply port formed on the opposite side of the discharge port (21) of the upper plate (20) to supply compressed air to the vacuum pump (40). Reference numerals 23 and 24 in the drawing denote a supply guide and a discharge guide attached to the lower surface of each of the upper plates (20), and the supply guide (23) communicates with the supply port (22) and the discharge guide (24) communicates with the discharge port (21). In addition, the vacuum pump (40) is mounted with both ends inserted into the supply guide (23) and the discharge guide (24), and at this time, the through hole (41) is exposed inside the chamber (C).

[0120]

[0121] As described above, there is an advantage in that the vacuum pump (40) can be placed within the chamber (C) of the chamber assembly (100), thereby enabling a compact configuration of the vacuum transport system. However, in another embodiment, the vacuum pump (40) may be placed at a separate location from the chamber assembly (100), and in this case, the outlet (21) will be connected to the hole (41) of the vacuum pump (40).

[0122]

[0123] Referring to Fig. 4, when the suction pad (50) is in contact with the surface of the target article (W), compressed air is supplied to the supply port (22), and the compressed air passes through the vacuum pump (40) at high speed (see arrow ①) and is discharged through the discharge port (21). At the same time, the air of the suction pad (50) is introduced into the chamber (C), drawn into the vacuum pump (40) through the hole (41) (see arrow ②), and discharged together with the compressed air (see arrow ③).

[0124]

[0125] In this process, a vacuum and negative pressure are created inside the chamber (C) and the adsorption pad (50), and the article (W) is adsorbed and held by the created negative pressure.

[0126]

[0127] The vacuum pressure (-kPa) generated at this time affects the shape of the entire chamber assembly (100). In other words, depending on the size, material, and other characteristics of each component constituting the chamber assembly (100) of the present invention, deformation due to the vacuum pressure may occur. However, the side wall portion (10) composed of the profile (11) has strong resistance due to its material and shape characteristics. In comparison, the upper plate (20) and lower plate (30) may be relatively weak.

[0128]

[0129] Figure 6 shows that a reinforcing support (25) extending between the upper plate (20) and the lower plate (30) can be installed within the chamber (C).

[0130]

[0131] Referring to FIG. 7, the interior of the chamber (C) is divided into a plurality of chambers (C1, C2, C3) by a partition sealing partition wall (18), and each chamber (C1, C2, C3) is configured to function as an independent vacuum chamber, thereby implementing a vacuum assembly (100) in which a plurality of vacuum assemblies (100a, 100b, 100c) are integrally formed. Here, a vacuum pump (40) is mounted in each of the chambers (C1, C2, C3), and although not shown, an air exhaust port (21) and a supply port (22) will be formed in the upper plate (20) at positions corresponding to each chamber (C1, C2, C3).

[0132]

[0133] Each of the above vacuum assemblies (100a, 100b, 100c) operates independently. Therefore, considering the characteristics of the target object (W), such as its size and weight, some or all of them will be used for adsorption and gripping of the object (W).

Claims

1. In an assembly including a side wall portion (10) forming a constant chamber (C) shape, and an upper plate (20) and a lower plate (30) each fastened to the upper and lower surfaces of the side wall portion (10), The above side wall portion (10): It is composed of a plurality of hollow extruded profiles (11) arranged at a certain angle on a plane, and an end-cap (12) that continuously assembles adjacent profiles (11) at the angle; The above top plate (20) includes an air exhaust port (21) formed on one side thereof; The above lower plate (30) includes an intake port (31) formed for exhaust of external space; Rubber first and second gaskets (16, 17) are provided to seal between the side wall portion (10) and the upper and lower plates (20, 30) and between the profile (11) and the end cap (12); The above side wall portion (10): It includes a horizontal installation groove (15) formed by continuously connecting the profile (11) and the end-cap (12) on each of the upper and lower surfaces, and a vertical installation groove (14a) formed on the end-cap (12) side corresponding to the cross-sectional rib of the profile (11); The above first gasket (16): It is provided in a closed form and is mounted in each horizontal installation-home (15), sealing between the side wall portion (10) and the upper and lower plates (20, 30). The above second gasket (17): Provided linearly and mounted in each vertical installation-groove (14a), sealing between the rib of the corresponding profile (11) and the installation-groove (14a) of the end-cap (12); At this time, the second gasket (17): Vertical installation - When mounting the home (14a), both end faces are closely connected to the first gasket (16); A vacuum chamber assembly characterized by:

2. In paragraph 1, The above vacuum chamber assembly includes one or more vacuum pumps (40) arranged on the lower surface side of the upper plate (20); When compressed air is supplied to the vacuum pump (40) and discharged to the outside through the discharge port (21), air in the external space is sucked into the chamber (C) and drawn into the vacuum pump (40) to be discharged together with the compressed air; A vacuum chamber assembly characterized by:

3. In paragraph 1, A vacuum chamber assembly characterized by including a reinforcing support (25) installed between an upper plate (20) and a lower plate (30) within the chamber (C).

4. In paragraph 1, The interior of the above chamber (C) is divided into multiple chambers (C1, C2, C3) by a partition sealing bulkhead (18); By configuring each chamber (C1, C2, C3) to function as an independent vacuum chamber; Implementing multiple vacuum chamber assemblies (100a, 100b, 100c) as one unit; A vacuum chamber assembly characterized by:

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