Pneumatic commandassembly

The invention relates to a pneumatic actuator assembly having a Number of pneumatic consumers, in particular working cylinders, whose Workrooms via pressure lines with electrically actuated Umschaltorganen are connected, in turn, a higher supply pressure lines common pressure source and via electrical signal lines with a common control unit are connected.

Arrangements of the type mentioned are nowadays, for example in production, Transport and storage, and the like far popular because with small dimensions and relatively simple installation reliably deploy large forces and, if necessary, also large repositioning and according to the elasticity of the working medium some else Advantages over, for example, hydraulic or electric drives have. For example, although a direct comparison of a hydraulically actuated cylinder / piston arrangement with a corresponding pneumatic actuated means the latter in terms of the necessary connecting cables for the working medium directly provides the advantage that the Volumsableitung of each depressurized working space usually easy to can be made free and not returned to a pump or the like must be, it nevertheless also for such a pneumatic Cylinder in conventional operating arrangements of the type mentioned a Number of terminals, etc. with respect to construction, accommodation, maintenance require relatively little effort and also represent potential sources of error.

Along with the required, nowadays almost exclusively electrically operated or at least electrically pilot operated Umschaltorganen arising, for example, a pneumatic cylinder two pressure lines for connecting the two working chambers with the corresponding Changeover, a supply pressure line for connection of the changeover with the pressure source and at least one electrical signal line for Control off of the switching member of a control unit. If - which often the case - at least the two end positions of the working cylinder monitored and the control must be reported, are in addition nor electrical signal lines between the respective sensors and the Controller required. All of these lines must be installed on both sides are connected to the corresponding terminals, which a lot of requires additional components and installation costs.

A pneumatic actuating assembly according to the preamble of claim 1 is shown in WO 94/04831 A.

From the knowledge of these issues and their negative impact starting on the use of such actuator assemblies have recently Time become equivalent arrangements known in which the switching members more to the overall arrangement of adjacent pneumatic consumers called valve are islands combined. On a common base plate are the necessary switching members with a common Air supply and a combined electrical control mounted. The electric control can be either via a multipole or a bus system to be summarized, wherein the use of bus systems overall the least according to the current state of the art installation effort with actuator assemblies of the type mentioned results. A disadvantage remains a relatively high despite all assembly work, because per pneumatic consumer, such as in particular, for example pneumatic Cylinder, still two compressed air hoses (between each the working spaces and the valve terminal) and, if necessary, two electric Signal lines (between the position sensors and the valve island) embarrassed and respectively connect both sides directly or with plugs to are provided.

Object of the present invention is to provide a pneumatic actuator assembly to improve the aforementioned type such that while avoiding the mentioned drawbacks of the known arrangements of Installation and maintenance costs can be further reduced.

This object is in a pneumatic actuator assembly of type stated characterized in that the switching members, together with the Pressure lines to the working spaces to form a consumer unit are each arranged directly on the consumers and that the electrical Signal lines and the supply pressure line of each consumer unit summarized in a combination line between the consumer unit on the one hand and a part connected to the pressure source and the control unit Supply / signal distributor on the other hand extend. This is now directly ensures that each individual consumer, ie for example working cylinders, only via a single combination line with the other system Connection is or is to be brought in connection, which in view of the Laying the line and the preparation of the compounds and the like great benefits.

The arrangement of switching valves including associated pressure lines to work rooms directly on pneumatic cylinders is to already known - new and advantageous in the present context is the Formation of the aforementioned consumer unit, which via a single combination line is connected to the associated supply air / signal distributor.

Particularly preferred is a further development of the invention according to which the combination cables on both sides Combined plug for common connection include with the associated pressure connections and electrical connections. For assembly and disassembly of the individual consumer or distributor in such a pneumatic actuator assembly substantially simplified, as for example before the removal of a defective working cylinder or the like to be dissolved or removed only one universal plug needs.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention are the combined supply air / signal distributor of several consumer units blocky and provided with common Versorqungs- and signal line connections. From the pressure source on the one hand and the control unit on the other hand thus is only a single line connection to such a Supply air / signal distributor block, from which in turn only one single combination line of each of the manifold to the associated consumer runs. It is a very simple overall arrangement with resulting strong reduced installation and maintenance costs, which also sources of error, for example, by individual interchanged plug connections or the like are largely eliminated.

The connection of the supply air / signal distributor blocks with one another or with Pressure source and control unit may in a further embodiment, also via combination cables and combo jacks, which further simplification options the overall arrangement provides.

In a pneumatic actuating arrangement, in which as mentioned already addressed to the consumer units functional sensors, especially of working cylinders in piston position sensors, arranged and electrical signal lines are connected to the control unit, is in additional preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the Signal lines of these sensors in the combination cables and optionally the combination connector are performed. designed The compound of as described Consumer units is thus still only a single Combination cables, so here, too, the above-described advantages of the invention fully exploited.

To the consumer units are according to another preferred embodiment bus node of the invention disposed for the signal lines, wherein the intermediate and leading to the control unit signal lines as bus connections, preferably according to the known ASI standard, formed could be. improved and simplified installation Also this measure and Maintenance of the actuator assembly according to the invention.

The invention will now be more on the basis of the drawing part Embodiments shown schematically explained. Fig. 1 shows while an example of a pneumatic actuator assembly with valve terminals according to the prior art; Fig. 2 shows in schematic corresponding Representation of an example of an arrangement according to the present Invention; Fig. 3 in more detail Tilt another arrangement according to the present invention; Fig. 4 in a schematic sectional representation connecting a supply / signal distributor with a consumer unit another inventively embodied actuator assembly; Fig. 5 shows a partial section along line VV in the concrete Embodiment of FIG. 3, FIG. 6 is a FIG. 5 corresponding enlarged Section, wherein only the removed combination connector is shown, and Fig. 7 shows a detail similar VII cut partially in FIG. 3.

The trained according to the prior art pneumatic actuator assembly of FIG. 1 has four separate pneumatic consumer 1 which here as a working cylinder for no further interest tasks, for example, are formed in a production plant or the like. The lying on both sides of the piston, not shown, working spaces are each separate pressure lines 2 with here also not shown, electrically operated Umschaltorganen connected together in a just schematically indicated called valve island 3 summarized. Furthermore, one function sensors 4 are arranged on the consumers who here For example, monitor the piston end inductive and electrical Signal lines 5 are also connected to the valve terminal. 3

The mostly near a mating group of consumers 1 arranged valve islands 3 or there combined switching members for consumers 1 are also not shown here on way via supply pressure lines to a common pressure source and via electrical signal lines to a common control unit in connection, of the signals of the function sensors 4 are fed. The electrical control either via a multipole connector or a be summarized bus system, which the according to the current state of the art lowest installation costs for such pneumatic actuator assemblies results.

The disadvantage is a relatively high despite everything installation effort because per pneumatic consumer 1 still two pressure lines 2 (between each of the working chambers and the valve terminal 3) as well as two electrical Signal lines 5 (between the function sensors 4 and the valve terminal 3) embarrassed and on either side to connect either directly or with Connectors are provided.

In the corresponding functionally to the known arrangement of Fig. 1 Assembly are shown according to the present invention as shown in FIG. 2, now arranged the switching members 6 (which according to FIG. 1 in the valve terminal 3 are), together with the pressure lines to the working spaces (see the positions 2 and 7, 8 in Fig. 4) to form a consumer unit 9 are each directly arranged at the consumers first Furthermore, the electrical Signal lines 10 (see sectional view of FIG. 4) and the Supply pressure line 11 of each consumer unit 9 in a combined cable 12 summarized that now the only connection between the consumer unit 9 on the one hand and a way again not shown on here with connected to the common pressure source and the common control unit Supply / signal distributor 13 on the other runs.

The combination cables 12 have - as especially also Figs 3 to 7. refer is - both sides universal plug 14 for common connection with the associated pressure connections and electrical connections, but may od, if necessary, through separate connections. like. for these connections feature. In these combination cables 12 are also supported by the signal lines 5 of the function sensors 4 out.

As shown in Fig. 2 on the one hand and FIGS. 3 and 7 on the other hand is, it is irrelevant whether a supply air / signal distributor 13 several separate Connections for several consumers 1 has, or whether (as shown in FIG. 3 and 7) provided each individual feed air / signal distributor 13 for each consumer 1 are, then, for example, also in blocks to supply air / signal distributor blocks 15 and summarized and shared with supply pressure Signal line connections can be provided. It is essential that now each consumer 1 or each consumer unit 9 only about a single combination line 12 communicates with the other system or in the assembly is to be brought in connection, which in view of the Routing of lines, the preparation of the compounds and the like great benefits.

According to FIG. 3, three separate, in turn designed as a working cylinder pneumatic consumer 1 and consumer units 9 each again via a single combination line 12 with one supply / signal distributor 13 connected. On both ends of the combined cable 12 in turn are universal plug 14 mounted, having a common connection of supply pressure and signal lines enable. The individual supply / signal distributor 13 are at a Supply / signal distributor block 15 combined with those set out in the View top three individual supply / signal distributors 13 supplied Consumers are not shown.

The supply / signal distributor block 15 of FIG. 3 on one side via a pressure line 16 and an air preparation unit 17 (oiler, Pressure regulator or the like) to the common pressure source, not shown connected. On the other hand, this supply / signal distributor block 15 via a bus 18 to an electrical or electronic control unit 19 in connection, or is connected to this via a plug 20th

Furthermore, from FIG. 3 also can be seen that in turn as a piston-end position sensors trained function sensors 4 are also on the Signal lines 5 are consistent with the consumer units 9 in conjunction. The corresponding signals are from there via the universal plug 14 and the Combined lines 12 to the supply / signal distributors 13 and passed from there fed via the bus connection 18 to the control unit 19th

In Fig. 4 is a functional of the arrangements according to FIGS. 2 and 3 respectively fully corresponding individual consumer unit 9 in connection with the accompanying Supply air / signal distributor 13 in somewhat more detail in section. The both sides of the piston 21 located workrooms 7, 8 of the consumer 1 stand above arranged directly at the consumer 1 pressure lines 2 with the Changeover member 6 in connection, which here as an electromagnetic Pilot valve 22 is actuated piston slide valve is constructed 23rd At opposite the pilot valve 22 side of the slide 24 is a Spring 25 is arranged, which when energized magnet pressurization the working chamber 7 ensures whereas in electrically operated pilot valve 22 of the slider 24 pneumatically against the force of the spring 25 in the other end position is moved and the working chamber 8 to the supply pressure line 11 is connected. With 28 or 29, the vent ports are the two working chambers 7, 8 up, put into the in the corresponding position Slide 24 of the respective working space to be vented directly to the outside can.

In a casing of the consumer unit 9 above the switching member 6 26 is indicated by electrical or electronic components 27, a circuit board. This stands above the universal plug 14 with the or the Signal line (s) 10 in the combined cable 12 in connection and the other part to the signal line 5 to the sensor function only individually illustrated here 4 or in not shown manner with the electromagnetic Pilot valve 22. In the case of forming the electrical signal lines 10 as a bus connection is by means of this board 26 or the directions indicated on it Components 27 and the respective bus node realized, in which the bus signals received and dispatched or encoded and decoded.

At the consumer unit 9 opposite side of the combined cable 12 is also a universal plug 14 disposed of by means of a Seal 30 is placed on the associated supply air / signal distributor 13 and is sealed. For a more detailed description of the relevant details will made to the following discussion of Figs. 5 to 7, which has a at least functionally identical design combination of supply air / signal distributor 13 and represent combination connector 14 in detail.

The combi-connector 14 of FIGS. 5 to 7 has a housing 31 from Die-cast light metal or a suitable plastic or the like, which via a central screw 32 to a threaded bore 33 of the Supply / signal distributor 13 can be fixed, with the necessary Connections on the one hand for the compressed air and on the other hand, for the signal lines or bus connections are made. The distribution in 13 in a bore 34 delivered compressed air (see pressure line 16 in FIG. 3) passes via an opening 35 in the housing 31 of the combination plug and from there inside the combined cable 12. The jacket of the supply pressure line 11 of the Combined line 12 is inserted into a boss 36 on the housing 31, by a longitudinally slotted holding cone held 37 and a seal 38 sealed. Furthermore, it is between universal plug 14 and distributor 13 the mentioned seal 30 is inserted, with screwed bolt 32 is compressed.

The inside of the combined cable 12 or the supply pressure line 11 extending signal line 10 is separately by means of a seal 39 at the outlet sealed from the compressed air range and shown to not Way connected to two separate plug-in connections 40 in sockets 41 of the distributor 13 engage. These sockets 41 are also Manner not shown contact with the wires 42 of bus 18, the example, be implemented by the known ASI-Standard can. The cable of the bus 18 passes through (such as in particular about out Fig. 7 is visible), all assembled into a supply / signal distributor block 15 each distributor 13 in a corresponding recess 43, wherein the compound for the receptacles 41 for example by simply cutting side of the respective cables can be made during assembly.

In Fig. 7 is additionally seen that the individual supply air / signal distributor 13 sealed by seals 44 against each other and means are clamped together from below deferred retaining clips 45th Am in the representation of the entire front end of the block is an end piece 46 for Communication with the pressure line 16 or to the completed insertion of the Bus 18. An appropriate end without pressure line connection may also be provided on the rear end in the illustration.

The individual supply / signal distributor 13 to each other could also via screw or the like take place - also wäre- as indicated in Fig. 2 - a through housing for a plurality of individual Distribution possible. The combination connector 14 may, notwithstanding the screws 32 certainly by other suitable elements and close to the manifolds get connected. The configuration of the combination plug and distributor itself could in terms of construction for various applications be varied. Notwithstanding the illustrated embodiment could further the pressure and signal connecting multiple supply / signal distributor blocks 15 to one another or to a common control and pressure supply unit via appropriate combination cables and universal plug.