Suction cup for vacuum system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a suction cup used for gripping an object in a vacuum system The suction cup of the present invention has a cover part detachably provided inside a lip part that comes into contact with the surface of an object to form an enclosed space, and allows internal air of the enclosed space to be discharged through an edge portion of the cover part during evacuation of the suction cup, so that pressure drop points during object suction are distributed and formed extensively or at multiple points along the periphery of the edge. Accordingly, compared to a case where the pressure drop intensively occurs at one point, the occurrence of a "cup-phenomenon" on the surface of the object (W) can be suppressed to the maximum extent.

Description

Suction cups for vacuum systems

[0001] The present invention relates to a vacuum suction cup, and more particularly to a suction cup used together with a vacuum pump to form a so-called 'vacuum system'.

[0002]

[0003] In general, a vacuum system refers to a material transport system comprising a vacuum ejector pump operated by high-speed compressed air, a suction cup connected to a suction port of the ejector pump, and a robotic device for transporting an object to be absorbed and held by the suction cup to a certain location.

[0004]

[0005] In short, when high-speed compressed air passes through the vacuum pump and is discharged to the outside, the air inside the suction cup is drawn into the inside of the ejector pump and discharged together with the compressed air, and in this process, a vacuum and negative pressure are generated inside the suction cup. The object is absorbed and held at the bottom of the suction cup by the negative pressure generated in this way, and at this time, a robotic device operates to transport the object to a designated location.

[0006]

[0007] In particular, when the above-mentioned article or the packaging of the article is made of a flexible material such as vinyl, a phenomenon occurs in which the contact portion during the suction is sucked into the central hole of the suction cup (hereinafter referred to as the "cup phenomenon"), resulting in surface deformation in which the suction portion stretches, shrinks, and protrudes, as shown in Fig. 1. In reality, there are many cases in which the deformation is more severe than that in Fig. 1 and does not recover. Therefore, various methods have been proposed to prevent such deformation.

[0008]

[0009] Fig. 2 shows a 'vacuum suction pad capable of eliminating cupping phenomenon' disclosed in Utility Model Publication No. 20-0483004 as an example of prior art. This suction pad comprises a body (1) having a central exhaust hole (2), a plurality of flat portions (3) and protrusions (4) formed radially around the exhaust hole (2) at the lower end of the body (1), and an end lip (5) of the body (1) surrounding the flat portions (3).

[0010]

[0011] And here, it is explained that when the product is adsorbed, the vinyl surface does not come into contact with and rub against the flat surface (3) and the protrusion (4) and is thus not sucked into the central exhaust hole (2). However, in the structure of this patent, when the adsorption pad is exhausted using a vacuum pump, the pressure drop is concentrated at the end portion of the central exhaust hole (2), so the above-mentioned 'cup phenomenon' cannot help but occur.

[0012]

[0013] In fact, it is estimated that the resistance effect of the flat portion (3) and the protrusion (4) in the above patent, if any, would be very small.

[0014]

[0015] <Prior Art Literature>

[0016] Utility Model Registration No. 20-0483004

[0017] Utility Model Registration No. 20-0492255

[0018] Patent Registration No. 10-1674971

[0019] Patent Registration No. 10-2050894

[0020]

[0021] The present invention has been proposed to address the problems of the prior art described above. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a suction cup for a vacuum system that can minimize the aforementioned cupping phenomenon by distributing and forming pressure drop points at multiple points during suction cup exhaust. Furthermore, the present invention provides a suction cup for a vacuum system that is easy to construct and assemble.

[0022]

[0023] The suction cup of the present invention:

[0024] Including a body part having a central exhaust hole formed therein, and an adsorption part formed on an end side of the body part and having an internal space communicating with the exhaust hole,

[0025] The above adsorption part:

[0026] A lip portion that forms an enveloping space by contacting the surface of the adsorption target;

[0027] A cover part arranged in the inner center of the lip part and connecting the surrounding space and the exhaust hole through its edge part;

[0028] Includes,

[0029] At this time, the above cover part:

[0030] The pressure drop point when the target object (W) is vacuum-absorbed is formed or distributed widely or in multiple points along the edge thereof;

[0031] It features.

[0032]

[0033] Preferably, the lip portion:

[0034] A plurality of guide protrusions formed radially around the cover portion on the inner wall to guide the internal air of the enclosed space toward the edge of the cover portion;

[0035] Includes.

[0036]

[0037] The above cover part may be provided so that it can be detachably mounted on the lip part.

[0038]

[0039] In this case, the above lip part:

[0040] A plurality of spokes formed crosswise or radially around the central cover mounting hole and extended to the guide projection;

[0041] A passage formed between adjacent spokes, connecting the enclosure space and the exhaust hole;

[0042] Includes.

[0043]

[0044] Meanwhile, the above guide protrusion:

[0045] A catch formed at the center side corner of the radial axis and on which the edge portion of the cover part to be mounted is secured;

[0046] Includes.

[0047]

[0048] In the suction-cup structure of the present invention, the pressure drop points during vacuum suction of the object are widely distributed and formed at multiple points along the edge of the cover portion. Therefore, there is a special effect of maximally suppressing the occurrence of the "cup phenomenon" caused by concentration at a single central point. Furthermore, since the cover portion is provided with a removable lip, there is the effect of enabling easy configuration and assembly.

[0049]

[0050] Figure 1 is a drawing showing surface deformation according to the so-called 'cup phenomenon'.

[0051] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a conventional suction cup.

[0052] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a suction cup according to the present invention.

[0053] Figure 4 is an exploded view of Figure 3.

[0054] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 3.

[0055] Figure 6 is a drawing for explaining the operation of Figure 3.

[0056]

[0057] [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 10. Suction cup

[0059] 11. Body

[0060] 12. Exhaust hole

[0061] 13. Adsorption part

[0062] 14. Fitting

[0063] 15. Lip

[0064] 16. Cover

[0065] 17. Guide protrusion

[0066] 18. Spoke

[0067] 19. Fitter

[0068] 20. Passage

[0069] 21. Fastening protrusion

[0070] 22. Snag

[0071] 'B'. Broken line

[0072] 'd'. Gap

[0073] 'P'. Ejector pump

[0074] 'S'. Encircled space

[0075] 'W'. Object

[0076]

[0077] The features and operational effects of the 'suction cup for vacuum system' (hereinafter referred to as 'suction cup') 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. 3 and below, the suction cup according to the present invention is indicated by the symbol '10'.

[0078]

[0079] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the suction cup (10) according to the present invention is based on a conventional suction cup structure including a body part (11) having a central exhaust hole (12) formed therein, and an suction part (13) formed on an end side of the body part (11) and having an internal space communicating with the exhaust hole (12). The suction cup (10) forms a vacuum system together with a separately provided ejector pump (see symbol 'P' in FIG. 6), wherein symbol 14 is a through-type fitting that is fitted and fixed to the body part (11).

[0080]

[0081] In the present invention, the adsorption part (13) comprises a lip part (15) that contacts the surface of the adsorption target to form an internal surrounding space (S), and a cover part (16) that is arranged in the inner center of the lip part (15) and connects the surrounding space (S) and the exhaust hole (12) through the edge portion thereof. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the target is an article or the packaging of the article is made of a flexible material such as vinyl.

[0082]

[0083] In a typical structure, the above-mentioned enclosed space (S) communicates directly with the lower portion of the exhaust hole (12). Therefore, when the enclosed space (S) is exhausted by the operation of the ejector pump, a pressure drop occurs intensively at the lower portion of the exhaust hole (12), and accordingly, the so-called 'cup phenomenon' as seen in Fig. 1 appears.

[0084]

[0085] Accordingly, in this embodiment, a non-breathable cover part (16) is formed at a position corresponding to the front end of the exhaust hole (12) inside the lip part (15), and the surrounding space (S) and the exhaust hole (12) are connected through the edge portion thereof, so that the pressure drop point when the object (W) is vacuum-absorbed is widely or multi-pointly distributed and formed along the edge of the cover part (16), and accordingly, the occurrence of the 'cup phenomenon' described above on the surface of the object can be suppressed as much as possible. Naturally, the cover part (16) must be designed so that its edge is not sealed.

[0086]

[0087] In the present embodiment, the lip portion (15) includes a plurality of guide protrusions (17) formed radially around the cover portion (16) on its inner wall to guide the internal air of the space (S) to the edge of the cover portion (16). This structure is quite advantageous in ensuring that the flow of air is rapid and smooth when exhausting the enclosed space (S), while also allowing the pressure drop points to be distributed and formed at multiple points over a wide range.

[0088]

[0089] The above cover part (16) may be configured as an integral part of the lip part (15), but in this embodiment, it is provided so that it can be detachably mounted.

[0090] Specifically, the above lip portion (15):

[0091] A plurality of spokes (18) formed crosswise or radially around the central cover portion (16) mounting hole (19) and extended to the guide protrusion (17); and

[0092] A passage (20) formed between adjacent spokes (18) and connecting the surrounding space (S) → edge of the cover part (16) → exhaust hole (12);

[0093] Includes.

[0094] The symbol 21 is a fastening projection that is formed by protruding from the above-mentioned disc-shaped cover portion (16) and is inserted and fixed into the mounting hole (19).

[0095]

[0096] Meanwhile, the guide protrusion (17) is formed at a radially central side edge portion and includes a catch (22) on which the edge portion of the mounted cover portion (16) is secured. Accordingly, the cover portion (16) can always maintain a constant gap (d) equal to the height of the catch (22) with respect to the inner surface of the lip portion (15), and as a result, there is an advantage in that the edge portion of the cover portion (16) is not sealed.

[0097]

[0098] Referring to FIG. 6, the suction cup (10) of the present invention forms a vacuum system together with a vacuum ejector pump (P), and the lip portion (15) contacts the surface of the object (W) to form an enclosed space (S) inside.

[0099]

[0100] In this state, when the compressed air supplied at high speed passes through the ejector pump (P) (see arrow ①), the air inside the enclosed space (S) is drawn into the inside of the ejector pump (P) through the enclosed space (S) → edge of the cover part (16) → passage (20) → exhaust hole (12) in that order (see arrow ①) and is discharged to the outside together with the compressed air (see arrow ③). During this exhaust process, a vacuum and negative pressure are generated within the enclosed space (S), and the object (W) is adsorbed and held by this generated negative pressure.

[0101]

[0102] In this system, the captured object (W) will be transported to a designated location or position by the operation of a separate robotic device.

[0103]

[0104] Referring to FIG. 3, in the above exhaust process, the internal air of the enclosed space (S) passes through the edge of the cover part (16), particularly between adjacent guide protrusions (17) (see arrow ④), and enters the exhaust hole (12). That is, in the suction cup (10) of the present invention, the pressure drop points where suction force for the object (W) is generated are distributed and formed at multiple points along the edge of the cover part (16).

[0105]

[0106] Therefore, compared to the case where the pressure drop is concentrated at one point, the occurrence of the 'cup phenomenon' on the surface of the object (W) can be suppressed as much as possible.

[0107]

[0108] Meanwhile, the broken line (B) in Fig. 5 shows that the surface of the cover portion (16) can be configured in a gently concave shape. This concave shape is significant in that it provides a space for the surface to slightly expand when the object (W) is adsorbed, and at the same time, it allows a slight adsorption force to be formed in the surface portion other than the edge portion of the cover portion (16).

Claims

1. In a vacuum suction cup including a body part (11) in which a central exhaust hole (12) is formed, and an absorption part (13) formed on the end side of the body part (11) and having an internal space communicating with the exhaust hole (12), The above adsorption part (13): It includes a lip portion (15) that forms an enclosing space (S) by contacting the surface of an adsorption target (W), and a cover portion (16) that is arranged in the inner center of the lip portion (15) and connects the enclosing space (S) and the exhaust hole (12) through its edge portion; The above lip (15): It includes a plurality of guide protrusions (17) formed radially around the cover portion (16) on the inner wall to guide the internal air of the enclosed space (S) toward the edge of the cover portion (16); The above cover part (16): It is provided so that the pressure drop point when the target object (W) is vacuum-absorbed is widely or multi-point distributed and formed along the edge thereof, and can be detachably mounted on the lip portion (15); At this time, the above lip portion (15): A plurality of spokes (18) formed crosswise or radially around the central cover portion (16) mounting hole (19) and extending to the guide protrusion (17), and a passage (20) formed between adjacent spokes (18) to connect the surrounding space (S) and the exhaust hole (12); A suction cup featuring:

2. In paragraph 1, The edge of the cover part (16) formed at the center side edge of the radial side is mounted The above guide projection (17) includes a catch (22) on which the Lee portion is fixed; A suction cup featuring:

3. In paragraph 1, The above cover part (16) is a suction cup characterized in that its surface is configured in a gently concave shape.

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