DE29604707U1 - Partitioning device for a pressure medium channel - Google Patents

Description

G 17 396 - lens 12 February 1996

Festo KG, 73734 Esslingen

Dividing device for a pressure medium channel

The invention relates to a dividing device for dividing a pressure medium channel provided in a channel component into two channel sections that can be independently pressurized with fluid pressure medium.

In the field of pneumatics, channel components in the form of so-called fluid distributors are used, which are plate- or strip-like components that can be equipped with a plurality of valves. In the fluid distributor, several longitudinal pressure medium channels are formed, under which there is at least one feed channel, via which all connected valves are supplied with the fluid pressure medium required for operation, for example, compressed air. Arrangements of this type, which can be referred to as valve stations or valve batteries, are described, for example, in DE 42 30 414 A1.

There are applications where different pressures have to be used to control systems or machines. In this case, it has been common practice to use different pressures for the individual pressures.

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separate valve stations are used, whose fluid distributors are supplied independently of one another with pressure medium at the desired feed pressure. However, the resulting manufacturing and assembly costs are very high, especially since each valve station must regularly be equipped with its own electronic control system.

It is the object of the present invention to simplify the provision of pressure medium of different pressure in connection with channel components.

To solve this problem, a dividing device according to the features mentioned at the beginning is provided, which is designed as an insert part that can be completely inserted into the pressure medium channel to be divided up to a desired division point, which has a clamping device that can be moved by means of an actuating tool that can be inserted into the pressure medium channel between a release position that enables it to be moved within the pressure medium channel and a clamping position that works radially against the channel wall to fix the set division position in an immovable manner, and which has an annular seal that is pressed against the channel wall by the clamping device in the clamping position to achieve a pressure-tight division of the pressure medium channel.

In this way, practically any pressure medium channel within a channel component can be installed at any desired point along its channel length, in this case as a subdivision point

referred to as a fluid-tight seal, so that the channel sections on either side of the dividing device can be pressurized with fluidic pressure medium independently of one another. In the case of the fluid distributors mentioned above, the dividing device designed as an insert part can be easily moved within the pressure medium channel to the point at which the pressure potential is to be separated. Insertion into the pressure medium channel is expediently carried out using the actuating tool, for example a screwing tool of sufficient length. If the insert part takes up the intended dividing position, the clamping device is actuated so that the dividing device is anchored axially immovably in the pressure medium channel. The resulting pressure forces acting on the dividing device when it is subsequently subjected to different pressure levels cannot therefore cause an unintentional change in the position of the insert part within the pressure medium channel. The pressure-tight separation of the two channel sections is achieved by an annular seal, which is under the influence of the clamping device and is pressed into sealing contact with the channel wall in the clamped position. The clamping position of the clamping device is preferably releasable, so that if the operating conditions change, the dividing device can be removed at any time or positioned at a different dividing point.

Advantageous further developments of the invention are set out in the subclaims.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the clamping device contains several clamping elements arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction, which are arranged between two stops that can be moved relative to one another by the actuating tool in the sense of approach - here referred to as a clamping movement - and in the sense of distance - here referred to as a release movement - and which are supported on one another in such a way that when actuated by the stops that cause a clamping movement, they are caused to perform clamping movements relative to one another in different radial directions outwards against the channel wall. Here, a force deflection expediently takes place in that the adjustment forces that can be exerted on the stops via the processing tool are converted into transverse forces that press the clamping elements radially against the channel wall. This makes handling easier in cases where the dividing device designed as an insert part is to be positioned very deep in an elongated pressure medium channel.

The ring-shaped seal is preferably designed as a separate component in the form of a sealing ring, for example as a so-called O-ring, whereby it is expediently positioned axially between the clamping device and one of the two stops. The clamping device with its clamping element adjacent to the sealing ring is expediently supported on the associated stop via the seal, and is therefore slightly axially flexible due to the usually rubber-elastic design of the seal. If the stops are now

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a clamping movement causes both a displacement of the clamping device into the clamping position and a displacement or deformation of the seal into the sealing position to occur simultaneously.

The change in position or shape of the seal can be supported in a special way by providing a conical, inclined support surface on the stop side, preferably arranged directly on the adjacent stop, which supports an expansion of the diameter of the sealing ring, so that the latter is guided in its movement to the sealing position.

Handling is particularly easy if the two stops are connected to one another via a connecting element, whereby one of the stops is expediently firmly connected to the connecting element, while the other stop is mounted on the connecting element in such a way that it can rotate, for example as part of a threaded or bayonet connection, that the rotary movement simultaneously causes a relative axial movement. Since tool engagement parts are provided on both stops, which enable an operating tool to be attached, the dividing device can be handled very easily from the outside, even with a long channel length.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a channel component to be equipped with the dividing device according to the invention in the form of a fluid distributor in the field of pneumatics to be equipped with valves (not shown in detail), the dividing device being shown in a position outside the pressure medium channel to be equipped,

Figure 2 shows a longitudinal section through a pressure medium channel with an inserted but not yet anchored dividing device in an enlarged view,

Figure 3 shows the arrangement from Figure 2 in a state in which both the clamping device is in its clamping position and the seal is in its sealing position, and

Figure 4 shows the clamping element of the clamping device shown on the left in Figures 2 and 3 in a perspective individual view with a view of its inclined surface facing the other clamping element, not shown.

Figure 1 shows a channel component 1 which is formed, for example, by a plate- or strip-shaped fluid distributor which has several pressure medium channels 3 running through in the longitudinal direction 2. One of the pressure medium channels 3 is a feed channel 4 into which pressurized pressure medium is introduced.

is fed. Several branch channels 9 branch off from the feed channel 4 at branch points 5 arranged axially at a distance from one another, which open outwards at a common mounting surface 6 of the channel component 1. Electromagnetically actuated valves in the form of multi-way valves are attached to the mounting surface 6, via which any consumer, for example working cylinders, can be supplied with pressure medium for actuation in a manner known per se - see for example DE 42 30 414 Al. The exhaust air is discharged in a similar manner via further branch channels, which open into pressure medium channels 3 of the channel component 1 designed as exhaust air channels 7.

The pressure medium is expediently fed into the feed channel 4 at the front of the channel component 1. If the same feed pressure is intended for all connected valves, the feed is carried out via the opening 12 of the feed channel 4 provided on one front of the channel component 1, while the other opening 12' of the feed channel 4 located on the opposite front 8' is closed, for example by a cover plate.

It is not uncommon for there to be a need to provide different feed pressures. In this case, the dividing device 13 according to the invention allows a pressure-tight division of the feed channel 4 into two successively arranged channel sections 14, 14'. The dividing device 13 acts as a partition wall which closes off the end of each of the two channel sections 14, 14', which on the other hand now each have their own inflow opening in the shape of

one of the two openings 12, 12'. Fluid pressure medium can now be supplied to both channel sections 14, 14' independently of one another via these two openings 12, 12', so that a different pressure level can be provided without mutual influence. The valves communicating with one channel section 14 are operated with a first feed pressure, the valves communicating with the other channel section 14' with a different second feed pressure.

As Figures 2 and 3 also make clear, the dividing device 13 according to the invention is preferably designed as an insert part, the diameter of which is somewhat smaller than that of the pressure medium channel 3 to be equipped with it, so that it can be pushed completely into the pressure medium channel 3 through one of the two openings 12, 12' up to the desired dividing point 15. In Figure 1, a dividing point 15 selected as an example is marked by a densely hatched area. It is expediently located axially between two consecutive branch points 5. The placement according to the example means that two of the four branch points available communicate with one or the other of the two channel sections 14, 14'. An advantage of the invention is that the dividing device 13 can, if required, also be positioned in any other longitudinal position within the pressure medium channel 3, the corresponding position being referred to below as the dividing position for the sake of simplicity.

The dividing device 13 has, for example, a plug-like or cartridge-like shape and can be seen in more detail in Figures 2 to 4.

Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment, the dividing device 13 has a first stop 16, a second stop 17 arranged at an axial distance therefrom and a connecting element 18 connecting the two stops 16, 17 to one another. The first stop 16 and the connecting element 18 are expediently connected to one another firmly and in particular in one piece, resulting in a structure comparable to a screw, in which the first stop 16 corresponds to the screw head and the connecting element 18 corresponds to the screw shaft. The connecting element, which is designed in the form of a shaft or bolt in the present case, has an external thread 22 on its end region associated with the second stop 17, onto which the second stop 17 is screwed. It is designed, for example, in the manner of a screw nut and has an axial opening with an internal thread 23, via which it can be axially screwed into engagement with the external thread 22 provided on the connecting element 18.

Similar to a screw, a relative rotation between the two stops 16, 17 causes them to either move towards each other in the sense of an approach - this movement is referred to below as the clamping movement - or move away from each other axially when rotating in the opposite direction, which is referred to below as the release movement.

In order to be able to introduce the actuating force required to generate the relative movement between the two stops 16, 17, tool engagement parts 24, 25 are provided on both stops 16, 17, which enable the attachment of an actuating tool 26, 27, indicated in dash-dotted lines in Figure 2. The engagement parts 24, 25 are designed in such a way that the actuating tool can be easily attached through the associated opening 12, 12' when inserted into the pressure medium channel 3. For example, the tool engagement part 24 of the second stop 17 is formed by an external polygon, which enables the attachment of a socket wrench-like processing tool 26, which can be inserted into the pressure medium channel 3 from the outside by means of an extension part.

The tool engagement part 25 of the first stop 16 is, for example, a slot on the front side facing away from the connecting element 18, which enables the attachment of a screwdriver-like machining tool 27.

The dividing device 13 can be easily introduced into the pressure medium channel 3 via one of the openings 12, 12', in order to then be pushed to the desired dividing point 15 using a suitable pushing tool. One of the processing tools 26, 27 can advantageously be used as the pushing tool.

The dividing device 13 has a clamping device arranged axially between the two stops 16, 17

28. This comprises, for example, two separate clamping elements 33, 33' arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction 32 of the dividing device 13. These, for example, lie directly against one another and are designed in the form of perforated disks, with their axially continuous through holes 34, 34' sitting on the shaft-like connecting element 18.

The disk-like clamping elements 33, 33' do not have a constant thickness. Rather, they are each provided with an inclined surface 35, 35' on the sides facing each other, which runs in a plane that runs obliquely with respect to a radial plane of the pressure medium channel 3. In other words, the inclined surfaces have an orientation that results when a radial plane is pivoted about a line lying in the radial plane and hitting the longitudinal axis 32. As a result, the clamping elements 33, 33' have a wedge-like profile when viewed in cross-section, whereby in the operational arrangement the end faces 36, 36' axially opposite the inclined surfaces 35/35' each preferably lie in a radial plane.

The two clamping elements 33, 33' are preferably designed identically. However, since they are arranged rotated by 180° with respect to the longitudinal axis 32 _;, opposite inclinations of the inclined surfaces 35, 35' result. This has the consequence that an axially oppositely directed loading of the two clamping elements 33, 33' causes a radially directed relative movement between the two clamping elements 33, 33'. For this purpose

It goes without saying that the wedge angle is chosen accordingly; in the exemplary embodiment it is approximately 15°.

The first clamping element 33 preferably rests directly against the second stop 17 with its end face 36 opposite the other clamping element 33' and can be acted upon by the latter. The other, second clamping element 33' is supported with its opposite end face 36' against the first stop 16. However, this support is not provided directly but indirectly with the interposition of an annular seal 37 which is placed coaxially on the screw-like unit consisting of the first stop 16 and the connecting element 18.

The ring-shaped seal 3 7 is conveniently a separate component. It is made of material with rubber-elastic properties. For example, it is formed by an O-ring.

Figure 2 shows the inserted position of the dividing device 13, in which axial displacement within the pressure medium channel 3 that accommodates it is possible. Here, the clamping elements 33, 33' assume a release position in which clamping parts 38 arranged on their circumference are spaced from the channel wall 42 of the pressure medium channel 3. At the same time, the annular seal 37 assumes an ineffective position in which its radially outward-pointing outer circumference 43 is also spaced from the channel wall 42.

In order to fix the dividing device 13 at the dividing point 15 reached from this insertion position, the above-mentioned clamping movement of the stops 16, 17 is only to be brought about by means of the processing tools 26, 27, so that the latter act on the clamping elements 33, 33' via the end faces 36, 36' in an axial direction towards one another. This actuation leads to the clamping elements 33, 33' sliding against one another on their inclined surfaces 35, 35' and carrying out a radial clamping movement superimposed by an axial movement component outwards in the direction of the channel wall 42. The clamping movements of the clamping elements 33, 33' indicated in Figure 3 by arrows 44, 44' have different directions and, for example, run radially opposite.

The clamping movements end when the clamping elements 33, 33' rest with their clamping parts 38 against the channel wall 42. Firmly tightening the two stops 16, 17 causes the clamping elements 33, 33' to be pressed firmly against the channel wall 42 and thus to assume a clamping position shown in Figure 3, in which the dividing device 13 is fixed axially immovably within the pressure medium channel 3.

A particularly secure anchoring even in the case of extreme pressure differences within the two channel sections 14, 14' can be achieved by providing sharp-edged anchoring projections 45 on the clamping elements 33, 33' at least in the area of the clamping sections 38, which are pressed into the channel wall 42 in a form-fitting manner.

It is understood that the extent of the through holes 34, 34' measured in the direction of the clamping movements 44, 44' is dimensioned to be sufficiently large to enable the clamping movements. For example, the through holes 34, 34' are designed in the form of elongated holes aligned in the direction of the clamping movements 44, 44', the length of which is greater than the diameter of the connecting element 18.

In order to prevent the clamping elements 33, 33' from twisting relative to one another when screwing the two stops 16, 17 together and thereby impairing the clamping process, the inclined surfaces 35, 35' are preferably designed in a stepped manner. Due to the through holes 34, 34', the inclined surfaces 35, 35' represent annular surfaces. At points in the circumferential direction of these annular surfaces that are arranged at a distance from one another and are expediently diametrically opposite one another, projections 46 are formed, for example, between which there are recesses 47. Due to the installation position of the two clamping elements 33, 33' rotated by 180°, the stepped inclined surfaces 35, 35' with their projections 46 and recesses 47 engage with one another like a toothing and prevent excessive relative twisting of the two clamping elements 33, 33'.

The arc length of the projections 46 is expediently smaller than that of the recesses 47. This ensures that, despite the gradation, the radially directed sliding between the two clamping elements 33, 33' required to achieve the required clamping movements 44, 44' is not impaired. The projections 46 are expediently designed in such a way that

aligned so that the end surface 48 of the recesses 47 pointing in the circumferential direction runs parallel and the other, opposite end surface 48' runs at right angles to the direction of the clamping movement 44, 44'.

The clamping movement of the two stops 16, 17 not only moves the clamping device 28 into the clamping position, but also simultaneously moves the annular seal 37 from its ineffective position into the sealing position. As a result of the clamping movement, the seal 37 is clamped between the associated first stop 16 and the adjacent clamping element 33' in such a way that it is deformed and displaced radially outward over its entire outer circumference 43 until it finally rests against the channel wall 42 under strong pressure and is in sealing contact with it. At the same time, the seal 37 rests all around on a sealing surface 52 of the first stop 16.

The annular seal 37 is held in the ineffective position on a collar-like retaining projection 53, which is provided on the first stop 16 and extends into the ring opening of the seal 37. In order to support the deformation or displacement of the seal 37 during the transition to the sealing position, a guide surface 54, which is formed directly on the first stop 16, is connected to the retaining projection 53. It is shaped like a cone and has, for example, the shape of a conical surface, the diameter of which increases starting from the retaining projection 53 in the axially opposite direction from the clamping device 28. As part of the

The clamping movement of the two stops 16, 17 now presses the clamping device 28 onto the annular seal 37 in such a way that it moves radially outwards along the guide surface 54 while simultaneously expanding its diameter until it rests with its outer circumference 43 on the channel wall 42. The guide surface 54 simultaneously forms the stop-side sealing surface 52. As can be seen from Figure 3, the seal 37 practically wedges itself between the channel wall 42 and the conical sealing surface 52 in the sealing position.

For the transmission of force between the clamping device 28 and the annular seal 37, an annular transmission member 55 is expediently provided, which is axially interposed between the seal 37 and the clamping element 33' adjacent to it. It is preferably made of hard plastic material. The clamping elements 33, 33', as well as the two stops 16, 17 and the connecting element 18, are preferably made of metal.

The inner diameter of the transmission member 55 is larger than the outer diameter of the retaining projection 53, so that the transmission member 55 can coaxially overlap the retaining projection 53 to act on the seal 37. As a result, the associated clamping element 33' maintains a certain axial distance from the retaining projection 53 under all circumstances, so that the necessary freedom of movement for moving the seal 37 is not restricted.

Claims (16)

G 17 396 - lens 12 February 1996 Festo KG, 73734 Esslinqen Dividing device for a pressure medium channel Claims 1. Dividing device for dividing a pressure medium channel (3) provided in a channel component (1) into two channel sections (14, 14') that can be independently acted upon by fluid pressure medium, which is designed as an insert part that can be completely inserted into the pressure medium channel (3) to be divided up to a desired division point (15), which has a clamping device (28) that can be moved by means of at least one processing tool (26, 27) that can be inserted into the pressure medium channel (3) between a release position that enables it to be moved within the pressure medium channel (3) and a clamping position that works radially against the channel wall (42) to fix the set division position in an immovable manner, and which has an annular seal (37) that is moved by the clamping device (28) in the clamping position to achieve a pressure-tight seal. division of the pressure medium channel (3) is pressed against the channel wall (42). 2. Dividing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping device (28) has a plurality of clamping elements (33, 33') arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction (32), which are arranged between two stops (16, 17) which can be moved relative to one another by the actuating tool (26, 27) in the sense of an approach (clamping movement) and a distance (release movement) and which are supported on one another in such a way that when actuated by the stops (16, 17) displaced relative to one another in the sense of an approach, they are caused to perform clamping movements (44, 44') in different radial directions outwards against the channel wall (42). 3. Dividing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the successively arranged clamping elements (33, 33') lie directly against one another. 4. Dividing device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the clamping device (28) comprises at least one pair of clamping elements (33, 33') whose clamping movements (44, 44') are directed radially in opposite directions. 5. Dividing device according to claim 4, characterized in that the clamping elements (33, 33') are connected on the sides facing each other via inclined surfaces (35, 35') which run obliquely with respect to a radial plane of the pressure medium channel (3) opposite inclination, which, when acted upon by the stops (16, 17), cause the clamping movements (44, 44') of the clamping elements (33, 33') as a result of mutual sliding. 6. Dividing device according to claim 5, characterized in that the clamping elements (33, 33') have a wedge-like cross-sectional profile. 7. Dividing device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the inclined surfaces (35, 35') of the clamping elements (33, 33') are stepped and have projections (46) and recesses (47) which engage in one another in a tooth-like manner and prevent relative rotation of the clamping elements (33, 33'). 8. Dividing device according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the clamping elements (33, 33') are designed in the form of perforated discs which are movably seated on a connecting element (18) which is guided through their through holes (34, 34') and connects the two stops (16, 17), preferably designed in the manner of a bolt. 9. Dividing device according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one of the stops (17) is designed as a screw member, for example as a nut, which is mounted on the connecting element (18) so as to be axially screwable relative to the latter, for example on an external thread (22). 10. Dividing device according to claim 9, characterized in that one of the stops (16) is rigidly connected to the connecting element (18). 11. Dividing device according to one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that in the region (38) of the clamping elements (33, 33') which rests against the channel wall (42) in the clamping position, anchoring projections (45) are provided which can be detachably pressed into the channel wall (42). 12. Dividing device according to one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that the annular seal (37) is arranged axially between one of the stops (16, 17) and the clamping element (33') adjacent to it and this clamping element (33') is supported on the stop (16) via the elastically flexible seal (37), the seal (37) being acted upon by the associated stop (16) and the clamping element (33') during the clamping movement of the two stops (16, 17) in such a way that it is displaced over its entire circumference radially outwards towards the channel wall (42). 13. Dividing device according to claim 12, characterized in that a particularly annular transmission member (55) is arranged between the annular seal (37) and the adjacent clamping element (33, 33'). 14. Dividing device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the annular seal (37) is provided on a stop side, in the clamping device (28) · ·■ · •&bgr; . * in the opposite direction, a cone-like guide surface (54) extending outwards, through which the seal (37) experiences an expansion in diameter when subjected to the stress caused by the clamping movement of the stops (16, 17) 15. Dividing device according to claim 14, characterized in that the stop (16) associated with the seal (37) has a retaining projection (46) on the side facing the clamping device (28) adjacent to the cone-like guide surface (54), on which the seal (37) sits in the unloaded state. 16. Dividing device according to one of claims 2 to 15, characterized in that both stops (16, 17) have tool engagement parts (24, 25) which allow the axial attachment of an actuating tool (26, 27).