Check valve structure for vacuum pump

Abstract

The present invention relates to a check valve structure for a vacuum pump and, more specifically, to a flexible check valve installed to open and close communication holes between adsorption pads formed on the bottom surface of a hollow body of a vacuum pump. The check valve structure, according to the present invention, comprises: fixture units attached adjacent to the outer peripheries of the communication holes; valve units extended from the fixture units to swing in a direction going toward or away from the communication holes and including micro-holes, each of which is placed at a position corresponding to the respective communication hole when in close proximity thereto; and hard support pipes inserted in the micro-holes to determine the shape of an exhaust flow path and prevent the deformation thereof.

Description

Check valve structure for vacuum pump

[0001] The present invention relates to a check valve for controlling air flow, and more particularly, to a check valve structure used in a vacuum pump.

[0002]

[0003] Typically, a vacuum pump comprises a hollow body and an air ejector that is connected to the body via a hose or is internally mounted, a communication hole is formed on the lower surface of the body, and an adsorption pad is connected to the hole and connected thereto. When compressed air passes through the ejector at high speed while the pad is in contact with the surface of the object, the internal air of the pad is drawn into the ejector via the body and discharged to the outside together with the compressed air.

[0004]

[0005] At this time, a vacuum and negative pressure are generated in the internal space of the body and pad, and the object is absorbed and held by the pad by the generated negative pressure. Then, the object will be transported to a designated location by an automated device or robotic system connected to the outside of the body.

[0006]

[0007] In this system, the so-called "check valve" is a flexible rubber plate installed to open and close the communication hole between the pads formed on the lower surface of the body. For example, when the pump operates to exhaust the pads, the internal negative pressure of the body increases and moves in the direction of closing the communication hole. Thus, when a satisfactory vacuum level is reached, the check valve closes, and the transport of the object begins.

[0008]

[0009] During this process, vacuum loss can occur around the check valve, which can ultimately cause significant problems in the transport of the object. To address this issue, a micro-hole is typically placed in the center of the check valve to allow micro-exhaust to continue even after the vacuum level is reached, thereby preventing the vacuum level within the pad from dropping. This method is well described in the "Check Valve Assembly" disclosed in Korean Patent No. 10-0793323.

[0010]

[0011] While this method is commonly applied, the micro-holes can easily become deformed and clogged by the vacuum pressure (-kPa) required by the system, as the pad is composed of flexible rubber. However, increasing the size of the micro-holes further prevents the required vacuum pressure from being achieved, making them an undesirable solution.

[0012]

[0013] Meanwhile, plastic or metal valves in the up-down plate type have been proposed in a different way, but their overall structure is complex and they are not suitable for easy use in vacuum systems and vacuum pumps.

[0014]

[0015] <Prior Art Literature>

[0016] Patent Registration No. 10-0793323

[0017] Utility Model Registration No. 20-0300952

[0018] Patent Registration No. 10-1600696

[0019] Patent Registration No. 10-2570475

[0020]

[0021] The present invention has been proposed to solve the problems of the above-mentioned prior art. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a check valve structure for a vacuum pump that uses a flexible rubber check valve, but utilizes a simple structure to prevent micro-holes from being arbitrarily deformed or blocked.

[0022]

[0023] The check valve structure of the present invention:

[0024] In a flexible check valve installed to open and close the communication hole between the suction pads formed on the lower surface of the hollow body of the vacuum pump,

[0025] A fixed part attached to the outer periphery of the above-mentioned chimney;

[0026] A valve part extending from the fixed part and pivotally moving in a direction approaching or separating from the communication hole, and including a micro-hole formed by penetrating into a position corresponding to the communication hole when approaching;

[0027] A rigid support tube inserted into the above micro-hole to determine the shape of the air path and prevent its deformation;

[0028] Includes,

[0029] When the above vacuum pump operates, the valve part moves in a direction approaching the communication hole by air pressure;

[0030] It features.

[0031]

[0032] Preferably, the fixed portion is formed integrally with the tongue-shaped valve portion by cutting the valve portion in a 'U' shape around the rubber plate.

[0033]

[0034] The above valve part may be configured in multiple numbers on the fixed part plate.

[0035]

[0036] The above support tube includes opposing flanges for being mounted on the upper and lower jaws of the micro-hole, wherein the upper flange preferably has an outer slope to facilitate insertion of the support tube into the micro-hole.

[0037]

[0038] Preferably, the air path inside the support tube is at least a two-stage path that narrows in the exhaust direction of the suction pad.

[0039]

[0040] The check valve structure of the present invention can be simply manufactured using a flexible rubber-based air valve that rotates under air pressure, with a separate support tube inserted into the micro-hole. This simplifies the design and manufacture of a check valve for a vacuum pump, and the use of a separate support means prevents the micro-hole of the valve from being arbitrarily deformed or blocked.

[0041]

[0042] Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram of a vacuum system including a check valve structure according to the present invention.

[0043] Fig. 2 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the check valve structure of Fig. 1.

[0044] Figure 3 is a plan view of a check valve structure according to the present invention.

[0045] Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an excerpt of the ‘support pipe’ of Figure 2.

[0046] Figure 5 is a drawing for explaining the operation of a check valve structure according to the present invention.

[0047]

[0048] [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 10. Check valve structure

[0050] 11. Air ejector

[0051] 12. Body

[0052] 13. Chimney-hole

[0053] 14. Pad

[0054] 15. Fixed part

[0055] 16. Valve section

[0056] 17. Micro-hole

[0057] 18. Support

[0058] 19a. Upper flange

[0059] 19b. Lower flange

[0060] 20. Slope

[0061] 21. Euro

[0062] S. Interior space

[0063] W. Object

[0064]

[0065] The features and operational effects of the 'check valve structure for a vacuum pump' (hereinafter referred to as the 'check valve structure') 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 below, FIG. 1, the check valve structure of the present invention is indicated by reference numeral 10.

[0066]

[0067] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the check valve structure (10) of the present invention is based on a flexible material check valve installed to open and close a communication hole (13) between suction pads (14) formed on the lower surface of a hollow body (12) of a vacuum pump. In an example of a general vacuum system, the check valve is mainly composed of a rubber plate, and is a means for closing or opening the communication hole (13) by moving by air pressure when the vacuum pump operates and the pad (14) is exhausted accordingly. In the drawing, the pad (14) is a sponge-type pad.

[0068]

[0069] For reference, symbol 11 is an air ejector that is provided inside or outside the body (12) and constitutes a vacuum pump together with the body (12).

[0070]

[0071] The check valve structure (10) of the present invention includes a fixing portion (15) attached and fixed to the periphery of the communication hole (13), and a valve portion (16) extending from the fixing portion (15) to interfere with the opening and closing of the communication hole (13). Here, the fixing portion (15) is a portion attached to the outer periphery of the communication hole (13), and specifically, is attached to the periphery of the communication hole (13) on the lower surface of the body (12) using an adhesive.

[0072]

[0073] The above valve part (16) extends from the fixed part (15) and pivots in a direction approaching or separating from the communication hole (13) (see arrow ①), and includes a micro-hole (17) formed by penetrating at a position corresponding to the communication hole (13) when approaching. This micro-hole (17) is a hole that spatially connects the communication hole (13) and the pad (14), and is significant as a means for improving and maintaining the vacuum level of the system.

[0074]

[0075] However, there is a great concern that the body (12) may shrink, deform, and become clogged due to the internal vacuum pressure (-kPa). This is because the valve portion (16) is made of a flexible material that is easily deformed. Therefore, the check valve structure (10) of the present invention further includes a rigid plastic or metal support pipe (18) that is inserted into the micro-hole (17) to determine the shape of the exhaust passage and prevent its deformation.

[0076]

[0077] Referring to Fig. 3, the fixed portion (15) is formed as a tongue-shaped valve portion (16) integrally by cutting (shaping) the area around the valve portion (16) in a 'U' shape as a rubber plate. As illustrated, the valve portion (16) can be formed in multiple pieces on a single fixed portion (15) plate using so-called punching or the like, and this can be advantageously applied, for example, when the surface area of ​​the workpiece is large.

[0078]

[0079] Referring to Fig. 4, the support pipe (18) is configured to include upper and lower flanges (19a, 19b) that face each other so as to be hung on the upper and lower jaws of the micro-hole (17). At this time, the upper flange (19a) has a smaller outer diameter than the communication hole (13) and has an outer slope (20) that facilitates insertion of the support pipe (18) into the micro-hole (17). With regard to the specific material, arrangement, installation, etc. of the support pipe (18), it should be designed in consideration of the relationship with the surrounding organic elements.

[0080]

[0081] In the present embodiment, the exhaust path (21) inside the support pipe (18) is at least a two-stage path that narrows in the exhaust direction of the suction pad (14). This configuration can provide a beneficial effect of allowing the internal air of the pad (14) to be quickly introduced and discharged while improving and maintaining the vacuum level inside the pad (14). Although the two-stage path is exemplified as the path (21), it is not necessarily limited to 'two stages' and various configurations may be applied depending on the embodiment.

[0082]

[0083] Referring to Fig. 5, when the supplied compressed air passes through the air ejector (11) at high speed, the internal air of the pad (14) is drawn into the ejector (11) via the support pipe (18) and the body (12) and discharged together with the compressed air. In this process, a vacuum and negative pressure are generated in the internal space (S) of the body (12) and the pad (14), and the object (W) is adsorbed to the pad (14) by the negative pressure generated at this time. When the object (W) is adsorbed in this way, it will be transported to a designated location by an automated or robotic device.

[0084]

[0085] Looking at it separately, initially, the above-mentioned communication hole (13) is open, so rapid exhaust of the pad (14) is possible (see (a) of FIG. 5), and gradually, the above-mentioned valve part (16) rotates by air pressure to interfere with the communication hole (13) (see arrow ②), and from this point on, exhaust through the micro-hole (17) is continuously performed (see (b) of FIG. 5). Through this action, rapid exhaust and high vacuum are achieved.

[0086]

[0087] After the adsorption and transfer of the object (W) is completed, the supply of compressed air is stopped and the operation of the vacuum ejector (11) and the vacuum pump is terminated, the valve part (16) pivots away from the communication hole (13) (see arrow ③) to release the interference with the communication hole (13), and the air introduced from the body (12) is directly supplied to the internal space (S) of the pad (14), thereby releasing the vacuum and negative pressure (see (c) of FIG. 5). As a result, the pad (14) and the work object (W) are separated.

[0088]

[0089] Throughout the entire vacuum / release process above, despite the two-way movement of air and the creation and release of vacuum pressure,

[0090] The above valve part (16) can move accurately to the position relative to the flue-hole (13) due to the slight weight provided by the rigid support pipe (18);

[0091] The above micro-hole (17) also does not deform or become clogged at all due to the rigid support pipe (18) that provides the euro (21);

[0092] It has a characteristic.

Claims

1. In a flexible check valve installed to open and close a communication hole (13) between suction pads (14) formed on the lower surface of a hollow body (12) of a vacuum pump, A fixed part (15) attached to the outer periphery of the above-mentioned chimney-hole (13); A valve part (16) extending from the fixed part (15) and pivotally moving in a direction approaching or separating from the communication hole (13), and including a micro-hole (17) formed by penetrating at a position corresponding to the communication hole (13) when approaching; A rigid support tube (18) inserted into the above micro-hole (17) to determine the shape of the exhaust path (21) and prevent its deformation; Includes, When the above vacuum pump operates, the valve part (16) moves in a direction approaching the communication hole (13) by air pressure; A check valve structure characterized by .

2. In paragraph 1, The above fixed part (15) is: A tongue-shaped valve part (16) is formed integrally by cutting the area around the valve part (16) in a 'U' shape as a rubber plate; A check valve structure characterized by .

3. In paragraph 1, A check valve structure characterized in that the above support pipe (18) is made of plastic or metal.

4. In paragraph 1, A check valve structure characterized in that the above valve part (16) is configured in multiple numbers on one fixed part (15) plate.

5. In paragraph 1, The above support pipe (18) includes opposing flanges (19a, 19b) that are hung and mounted on the upper and lower jaws of the micro-hole (17); At this time, the upper flange (19a) has an outer diameter smaller than that of the communication hole (13) and has an outer slope (20) that facilitates insertion of the micro-hole (17) of the support pipe (18); A check valve structure characterized by .

6. In paragraph 1, A check valve structure characterized in that the exhaust path (21) inside the above support pipe (18) is a path of at least two stages that narrows in the exhaust direction of the suction pad (14).

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