JPH04150911A - Water separating filter and suctorial transfer device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the size of a device, improve the water separation efficiency and facilitate its maintenance by a method wherein a filter element is made a hydrophobic one and a rotating means for previously separating water drops from air and an opening and closing valve actuatable to open and closed conditions by an exterior signal at a drain opening are provided. CONSTITUTION:A filter element 14 is formed of a gas-permeable hydrophobic material which prevents the molecules of water from passing therethrough. Therefore, its entire size can be reduced. The water separated through the filter element 14 runs through a drain opening 16 into a drain pipe 39 and releases an opening and closing valve 40 by the external signal as to the destruction of vacuum and the stoppage of the sucking operation caused by the supply of an atmospheric or compressed air required for the releasing of a work 42, whereby the water is carried from a filter 10 through a drain pipe 39 to outside. Therefore, the maintenance work is easy. Also, since water drops are previously removed partially from the air by a rotating means 28 provided upstream the filter element 14, the efficiency of water separation by the filter 10 is improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a water separation filter for separating water from air and an adsorption/conveyance device having the same.

[Prior Art] Vacuum pressure generating devices such as vacuum pumps and ejectors may cause problems if water comes into contact with the control equipment necessary for controlling their operation, especially vacuum pressure switches, pressure sensors, valves, silencers, etc. Therefore, it is necessary that the air flowing through the vacuum circuit does not contain water.

However, for example, in a suction conveyance device in which a suction pad suctions and conveys a workpiece using vacuum pressure, it is inevitable that water will be sucked into the vacuum circuit due to water droplets adhering to the workpiece. It is necessary to separate water from the air by

Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 6, a water separation device 5 is provided in a vacuum circuit l that communicates the suction pad 2 with a vacuum source such as an ejector 3 to separate water in the air. In order to separate water from the air by the separation device 5, a liquid level above a certain level is required, which results in a large device and troublesome maintenance.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The problems to be solved by the present invention are to provide a water separation filter that is small and easy to maintain, and an adsorption/conveyance device having the same.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, the water separation filter of the present invention has the following features:
The filter element includes an air inlet and an air outlet, a filter element in a flow path that communicates these openings, and a drain port that discharges water separated by the filter element, and the filter element has air permeability. It is also characterized by being constructed with a water-blocking filter element that prevents water from passing through.

Moreover, in order to solve the same problem, it is preferable to provide a swirling means upstream of the filter element to separate water droplets in the air in advance.

Furthermore, in order to solve the same problem, it is preferable to provide the drain port with an on-off valve that opens and closes in response to an external signal.

Further, in order to solve the same problem, it is preferable to provide the drain port with a check valve that is closed by vacuum pressure and opened by vacuum break.

Furthermore, in order to solve the same problem, a suction conveyance device is
A suction pad for adsorbing a workpiece, a water separation filter having any of the above configurations to which the suction pad is connected, and a flow path that communicates an air outlet in the water separation filter with a suction side of an ejector. It is preferable that the ejector includes a supply valve that supplies compressed air to the ejector, and a vacuum break valve that supplies air for breaking the vacuum to the suction pad.

[Function] Air flowing into the filter from the inlet has water molecules separated by the water-blocking filter element, and air without water molecules flows out from the outlet.

Moreover, since water droplets are separated in advance by the swirling means provided upstream of the water-blocking filter element, water can be separated more effectively by the filter element.

Furthermore, since the drain port is provided with an on-off valve that opens and closes in response to an external signal, water stored in the filter can be discharged.

Furthermore, since the drain port is provided with a check valve that is closed by the vacuum pressure and opened by the vacuum break, the water in the filter can be drained each time the vacuum pressure is released.

Furthermore, since the adsorption conveyance device includes the water separation filter having any of the above configurations, it is possible to prevent water from flowing out to the outflow side of the water separation filter.

[Embodiment] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention, and this water separation filter 10 includes a main body 11, a tube joint 12, and a cover 13, and a filter element 14, which will be described later, is installed in the main body 11. There is.

The main body 11 has a mounting portion 11a for the cover 13 on the outer periphery of one end.
, a cylindrical protrusion 11b is provided on the outer periphery of the intermediate portion, and a drain port 16 is provided on the side opposite to the mounting side of the cover.
The cover 13, which is airtightly and removably attached to 1a, has an air inlet 17 and a mounting part 18 for the filter element 14, and has a mounting part opposite to the mounting part 18 on the drain port 16 side of the main body 11. A portion 19 is formed.

The cylindrical portion 12a of the tube joint 12 is airtightly and rotatably attached to the outer periphery of the protruding portion 11b, and an L-shaped air flow is formed between the cover attachment side of the main body 11 and the protruding portion 11b. The tip of the channel 21 is hermetically closed with a plug 22, and the protrusion 11b has a circumferential groove 23 and an opening 24 that communicates the circumferential groove 23 with the flow channel 21. ... is formed.

The tube joint 12 includes an air outlet 26 and a passage 27 that communicates the air outlet 26 with the circumferential groove 23.
(not shown), the plurality of locking claws at the tip of the metal chuck 31 bite into the outer wall of the tube and lock the tube, and when the release button 32 is pushed in, the locking of the tube by the locking claws is released. The so-called one-touch fitting 30. ... are installed respectively.

The filter element 14 is made of a cylindrical non-woven fabric or membrane made of a hydrophobic material such as PTFE, and is breathable and water-blocking to prevent the passage of water molecules, and is attached at both ends. The air swirling means 28, which are mounted in the air flow path 21 by fitting into the parts 18 and 19 and which are installed between the inlet 17 and the mounting part 18 in the cover 13, serve as deflectors and tangential components. It consists of holes, baffles, etc.

FIG. 2 shows the above-mentioned water separation filter lO
One end of the tube 38 , 38 configuring the vacuum circuit that communicates the vacuum source 36 such as a vacuum pump or ejector with the suction pad 37 is a one-touch tube attached to the inlet 17 and the outlet 26 . An on-off valve 40 is attached to the other end of the drain pipe 39, which is attached to the fittings 30, 30, and one end of which is attached to the one-touch fitting 30 of the drain port 16.
is installed.

In the suction conveyance device 35, when the suction pad 37 adsorbs the workpiece 42, water droplets adhering to the workpiece 42 are sucked together with air into the tube 38, but this water is absorbed by the water-blocking filter element 14 of the water separation filter IO. The separated, water-free air is drawn into a vacuum source 36 . Therefore, the control equipment (
Inconveniences caused by water (not shown) can be prevented.

The water separated by the filter element 14 flows through the drain port 16 into the drain pipe 39 and breaks the vacuum by supplying atmospheric air or compressed air, which is necessary for releasing the workpiece 42.
When the on-off valve 40 is opened by an external signal such as stopping the adsorption operation, water in the filter 10 is discharged to the outside through the drain pipe 39.

In the first embodiment, there is no need to provide a partial liquid level for water separation, and the separated water molecules do not mix into the air again, so the overall size can be reduced. Further, a turning means 28 provided upstream of the filter element 14
Since some of the water droplets are separated from the air in advance, the efficiency of water separation by the filter 10 is improved.

Furthermore, maintenance is easy because the on-off valve 40 can be opened by an external signal and the water in the filter IO can be discharged.

It goes without saying that the water separation filter 10 can also be used to separate water from compressed air supplied to pneumatic equipment.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention in which a filter is provided with an on-off valve for discharging water separated by a filter element.
3 and a lid 5 having an air outlet 54.
2a and a front cover 52b having a drain port 62, and a filter element 55 is airtightly and removably mounted within the main body 51.

The filter element 55 is configured as a cylindrical water-blocking membrane 59 attached between a pair of end plates 57a and 57b connected by a connecting member 56.
Dust filters 60 for removing dust in the air are installed at intervals, and a ventilation hole 58a opens into the filter element 55 in the end plate 57a.

... are respectively opened between the filter element 55 and the dust filter 60 in the end plate 57b, and the water-blocking membrane 59 has air permeability as in the first embodiment. and is configured to prevent water from passing through.

The lower part of the main body 51 constitutes a water storage chamber 61 for water separated by a filter element 55, and an on-off valve 63 operated by an external signal is attached to the drain port 62.

In the second embodiment, dust in the air is removed by the dust filter 60.
water is removed from the air by the filter element 55, and the water is stored in the water storage chamber 61 through the water passage holes 58b and 58b, and the water is stored in the water storage chamber 61 when the vacuum is broken and the adsorption operation is stopped, as in the first embodiment. By opening the on-off valve 63 in response to an external signal such as the like, the water is discharged from the filter 50.

Other functions of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, so
Detailed explanation will be omitted.

FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, and this water separation filter 70 includes a check valve 74 on the drain lower 2 of a main body 71, which is biased in the closing direction by a spring 73.
has a weak biasing force that closes the drain lower 2 when vacuum pressure is applied to the filter 70 and opens the drain lower 2 when the vacuum pressure is released.

In the third embodiment, the water separated from the air can be discharged depending on the presence or absence of vacuum pressure acting on the filter 70, without depending on an external signal.

The other configurations and operations of the third embodiment are the same as those of the second embodiment, so detailed explanations will be omitted.

Although not shown, in the second and third embodiments, the opening on the lid side is used as an air inlet, the opening on the main body side is used as an air outlet, and the ventilation hole is used as a filter element 55. If the opening is made in the space of , an air swirling means can be attached.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of an adsorption conveyance device 90 incorporating a water separation filter 80, and this adsorption conveyance device 90 includes an ejector 91 as a vacuum source and a supply valve that supplies compressed air to the ejector 91. 92, a vacuum break valve 93 for supplying compressed air to the adsorption pad 37, these pilot valves, a vacuum pressure switch 94, and the water separation filter 80 are assembled together, and the inflow port of the water separation filter 80 81 is connected to the suction pad 37 by a tube 38, and the outlet 82 communicates with a flow path 96 that opens to the ejector 91.

When the adsorption conveyance device 90 supplies compressed air from the supply boat 97 to the ejector 91 through the supply valve 92, the flow path 9
6 is sucked in, negative pressure is generated in the flow path 96, and the suction pad 37 suctions the workpiece 42. The air sucked into the water separation filter 80 from the inlet 81 passes through the dust filter 6
Dust is removed by the filter element 55, water is separated by the filter element 55, and water-free air flows out from the outlet 82 into the flow path 96. Therefore, the flow path 96
The pressure sensor 9B of the vacuum pressure switch 94, which is open to the outside, will not be inconvenienced by water.

When the supply of compressed air to the ejector 91 by the supply valve 92 is cut off and the vacuum break valve 93 is opened, the compressed air is supplied to the suction pad 37 through the vacuum break channel 93a and the inlet 81, so that the suction Pad 37 is work 42
to release. At the same time, the on-off valve 84 is opened by the compressed air supplied to the signal flow path 93b, so the water storage chamber 8
5 is discharged from the drain port 83 and the supply of compressed air by the vacuum breaker valve 93 is cut off, the opening/closing valve 84 cuts off communication between the water storage chamber 85 and the drain port 83 due to the biasing force of the spring 86.

[Effects of the Invention] Since the water separation filter of the present invention separates water molecules from air using a water-blocking filter element, the water separation device can be made smaller.

Further, since water droplets in the air are separated in advance by the swirling means provided upstream of the filter element, the water separation efficiency by the filter element can be improved.

Furthermore, since the separated water is discharged by an on-off valve operated by an external signal, maintenance is easy.

Furthermore, since a check valve is provided that closes when vacuum pressure is applied and opens when vacuum breaks, the filter structure is simple and maintenance is easier.

Furthermore, since the water separation filter having each of the above configurations is incorporated into the adsorption conveyance device, it is possible to prevent water from flowing out to the outflow side of the water separation filter.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the first embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the state of use, Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the second embodiment, and Fig. 4 is a main part of the third embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the water separator installed in an adsorption/conveying device, and FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a known water separation device. 10, 50.70.80 ・Water separation filter, 14
, 55 ... Filter element, 16, 62.72
．． 83...Drain port, 17.53.81...Inlet, 26,54.82...Outlet, 28, 74, 91, 93...Swivel means, 63.84...On-off valve, -Check valve, - Ejector, - Vacuum break valve, 37, 42, 90, 92, 96, - Suction pad, - Workpiece, - Adsorption conveyance device, - Supply valve, - Channel.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. The above-mentioned filter comprises an air inlet and an air outlet, a filter element in a flow path that communicates these openings, and a drain port that discharges water separated by the filter element. A water separation filter characterized in that the element is constituted by a water-blocking filter element that has air permeability and prevents passage of water. 2. The water separation filter according to claim 1, further comprising a swirling means for separating water droplets in the air in advance upstream of the filter element. 3. The water separation filter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drain port is provided with an on-off valve that opens and closes in response to an external signal. 4. The water separation filter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drain port is provided with a check valve that closes by vacuum pressure and opens by breaking the vacuum. 5. A suction pad for adsorbing a workpiece, a water separation filter having the configuration according to claim 1, 2 or 3 to which the suction pad is connected, and an air outlet and an ejector suction in the water separation filter. A suction conveyance device comprising: a flow path that communicates the two sides; a supply valve that supplies compressed air to the ejector; and a vacuum breaker valve that supplies air for breaking the vacuum to the suction pad. .