Magnetic filling valve with encoder with optimized configuration

Abstract

A magnetic valve (1) for filling containers using pourable products is described, comprising:a magnetic obturator (2), a flow channel (3) wherein the obturator (2) is axially movable to regulate the flow of product coming out of the valve (1), an electromagnetic or magnetic actuating device (6) for axially moving the obturator (2), said device (6) being positioned outside the channel (3), a linear encoder (4) positioned outside the channel (3), a magnetic reference (5) rigidly connected to the obturator (2) to enable the encoder (4) to detect the axial position of the obturator (2), wherein the magnetic reference (5) comprises: a first magnetic block (51) that in turn comprises two axially facing respective first poles (511) of a first sign (N), and two respective second poles (512) of a second sign (S) that are positioned on axially opposing sides in relation to the respective first two poles (511) of the first block (51), a second magnetic block (52) that in turn comprises two axially facing respective first poles (521) of said first sign (N), and two respective second poles (522) of said second sign (S) that are positioned on axially opposing sides in relation to the respective first two poles (521) of the second block (52), an axial distance (G) between said blocks (51, 52).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Attached to the patent application for an INDUSTRIAL INVENTION entitled “Magnetic filling valve with encoder with optimized configuration”

[0003] On behalf of: SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS a French company with registered office in: AVENUE DE LA PATROUILLE DE FRANCE

[0004] 76930 OCTEVILLE SUR MER (FRANCE)

[0005] Inventor: Stefano D'Errico

[0006] *******

[0007] The present invention relates to a magnetic valve for filling containers with pourable products that comprises a sensor group able to detect the position of the valve more precisely.

[0008] The use of magnetic valves is known in the pourable-product packaging sector in relation to filling machines for filling containers. In relation to such magnetic valves, the need to automatically control the valve as a function of the position of the magnetic obturator is known. The existing systems used to detect the position of the magnetic obturator have limitations in terms of precision. A magnetic valve for filling using pourable products according to the present description and / or any one of the attached valve claims has a sensor that is able to detect the position of the obturator more precisely.

[0009] A filling machine according to the present description and / or according to any one of the attached machine claims comprises a valve according to the present description and / or any one of the attached valve claims.

[0010] The features of a valve according to the present description and of a machine according to the present description are set out more clearly in the detailed description below relating to respective example embodiments of such a valve and such a machine.

[0011] The detailed description below relates to the attached drawings, in which:

[0012] - Figure 1 is a schematic view of the valve,

[0013] - Figure 2 is a schematic view of a magnetic reference that is part of the valve.

[0014] The valve 1 is a magnetic valve for filling containers with pourable products. The valve comprises a magnetic obturator 2.

[0015] The valve comprises a flow channel 3 in which the obturator 2 is axially movable to regulate the flow of pourable product coming out of the valve 1 . The valve 1 comprises a linear encoder 4 positioned outside the channel 3. The valve comprises a detection magnetic reference 5. The magnetic reference 5 is integral with the obturator 2 to enable the encoder 4 to detect the position of the obturator 2.

[0016] The valve 1 comprises an electromagnetic actuating device 6 for axially moving the obturator 2. This device 6 is outside the channel 3. This device 6 is for example electromagnetic and for example comprises a winding.

[0017] The magnetic reference 5 comprises a first magnetic block 51. The first block 51 comprises two axially facing respective first poles 511 of a first sign. The first block 51 comprises two respective second poles 512 of a second sign that are positioned on axially opposing sides in relation to the respective first two poles 511 of the first block 51 .

[0018] The magnetic reference 5 comprises a second magnetic block 52. The second block 52 comprises two axially facing respective first poles 521 of the first sign. The second block 52 comprises two second respective second poles 522 of the second sign that are positioned on axially opposing sides in relation to said first two poles 521 of the second block 52.

[0019] For example, the first sign may be positive and the second sign may be negative.

[0020] The magnetic reference 5 comprises an axial distance G between said blocks 51 and 52. In Figure 1 and Figure 2, the axial direction is indicated with X and the radial direction is indicated with R.

[0021] This magnetic configuration of the magnetic reference ensures very precise detection of the axial position of the obturator 2 by the encoder 4, even with a certain radial distance between the obturator 2 and the inner wall 31 of the channel 3. Essentially, this radial distance can be increased while maintaining optimum precision.

[0022] This increases precision when detecting the position of the obturator, even where this radial distance is significant. In particular, optimum precision is even achieved for a radial distance greater than 2 mm.

[0023] Furthermore, optimum repeatability of the detection curve with practically no hysteresis is also achieved.

[0024] There is preferably a radial distance between the obturator 2 and the inner wall 31 of the channel 3.

[0025] The axial extension of each magnet comprising a first pole 511 or 521 and a second pole 512 or 522 is equal to the pole pitch of the encoder 4. This axial extension is indicated with A.

[0026] This ensures correct and consistent magnetic coupling between the magnetic block 5 and the encoder 4.

[0027] The axial extension of this axial distance G is also equal to the pitch of the encoder 4. The axial extension of this axial distance G is indicated with B.

[0028] This axial extension of the axial distance further improves precision and repeatability, and increases the maximum radial distance between the magnetic reference 5 and the encoder.

[0029] This axial distance may be defined and / or filled, for example with a respective volume of air.

[0030] This radial distance may also be defined and / or filled, for example with a respective volume of air.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Magnetic valve (1 ) for filling containers with pourable products, comprising:- a magnetic obturator (2), - a flow channel (3) in which the obturator (2) is axially movable to regulate the flow of product coming out of the valve (1 ),- an electromagnetic or magnetic actuating device (6) for axially moving the obturator (2), said device (6) being positioned outside the channel (3),- a linear encoder (4) positioned outside the channel (3), - a magnetic reference (5) integral with the obturator (2) to enable the encoder (4) to detect the axial position of the obturator (2), wherein the magnetic reference (5) comprises: a first magnetic block (51 ) that in turn comprises two axially facing respective first poles (511 ) of a first sign (N), and two respective second poles (512) of a second sign (S) that are positioned on axially opposing sides in relation to the respective first two poles (511 ) of the first block (51 ), a second magnetic block (52) that in turn comprises two axially facing respective first poles (521 ) of said first sign (N), and two respective second poles (522) of said second sign (S) that are positioned on axially opposing sides in relation to the respective first two poles (521 ) of the second block (52), an axial distance (G) between said blocks (51 , 52).

2. Valve (1 ) according to Claim 1 , wherein there is a radial distance between the obturator (2) and the inner wall (31 ) of the channel (3), said radial distance preferably being filled with air.

3. Valve according to Claim 1 , wherein the axial extension (A) of each magnet comprising a first pole (511 ; 521 ) and a second pole (512; 522) is equal to the pole pitch of the encoder (4).

4. Magnetic valve (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the axial extension (B) of said axial distance (G) is equal to the pole pitch ofthe encoder (4).

5. Valve (1 ) according to Claim 4, wherein said axial distance (G) is filled with a respective volume of air.

6. Filling machine for automatically filling containers with pourable products, comprising a plurality of valves, each according to any one of the preceding claims.

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