Vacuum depalletizer apparatus and method
First Claim
1. An apparatus for use in controlling a force to be applied through a vacuum cup, comprising:
- a valve body defining an inner chamber, the valve body further defining first second, and third airflow passageways, wherein the first airflow passageway includes a lift vacuum passage extending through the valve body to the chamber, the second airflow passageway include, a pilot vacuum passage extending through the valve body to the chamber, and the third airflow passageway includes a vacuum cup passage extending through the valve body to the chamber;
a vacuum cup connected to the valve body in airflow communication with the vacuum cup passage; and
a piston disposed in the chamber and positioned for reciprocal movement between a first position and a second position, wherein the piston in the first position provides airflow communication between the pilot vacuum passage and the vacuum cup passage and further restricts airflow communication between the lift vacuum passage and the vacuum cup passage, and wherein the piston in the second position provides airflow communication between the lift vacuum passage and the vacuum cup passage and further restricts airflow communication between the pilot vacuum passage and the vacuum cup passage.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vacuum apparatus and method are provided for controlling operation of a vacuum force to be applied through a vacuum cup for use in lifting objects such as cardboard boxes, so as to unload a pallet holding one or more of the boxes. The apparatus includes a valve body defining an inner chamber, a lift vacuum passage extending through the valve body to the chamber, a pilot vacuum passage extending through the valve body to the chamber, and a vacuum cup passage extending through the valve body to the chamber. A vacuum cup is connected to the valve body in airflow communication with the vacuum cup passage. A piston is disposed in the chamber and positioned for reciprocal movement between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the piston provides an airflow passageway between the pilot vacuum passage and the vacuum cup passage such that, if the vacuum cup is obstructed, the piston is pulled down by the pilot vacuum force to a second position. In the second position, the piston provides an airflow passageway between the lift vacuum passage and the vacuum cup passage in order to apply a lift vacuum force to an object obstructing the corresponding vacuum cup.
20 Citations
26 Claims
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1. An apparatus for use in controlling a force to be applied through a vacuum cup, comprising:
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a valve body defining an inner chamber, the valve body further defining first second, and third airflow passageways, wherein the first airflow passageway includes a lift vacuum passage extending through the valve body to the chamber, the second airflow passageway include, a pilot vacuum passage extending through the valve body to the chamber, and the third airflow passageway includes a vacuum cup passage extending through the valve body to the chamber; a vacuum cup connected to the valve body in airflow communication with the vacuum cup passage; and a piston disposed in the chamber and positioned for reciprocal movement between a first position and a second position, wherein the piston in the first position provides airflow communication between the pilot vacuum passage and the vacuum cup passage and further restricts airflow communication between the lift vacuum passage and the vacuum cup passage, and wherein the piston in the second position provides airflow communication between the lift vacuum passage and the vacuum cup passage and further restricts airflow communication between the pilot vacuum passage and the vacuum cup passage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for detecting whether an object obstructs a vacuum cup and for applying a vacuum force through the vacuum cup if obstructed, comprising the steps of:
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applying a first vacuum force from a pilot vacuum passage through a valve body having a piston in a first position, wherein the piston in the first position provides an airflow passage way between the pilot vacuum passage and a vacuum cup passage through the valve body and further restricts an airflow passageway between a lift vacuum passage through the valve body and the vacuum cup passage; moving the piston to a second position with the first vacuum force if a vacuum cup connected to the vacuum cup passage of the valve body is obstructed, wherein the piston in the second position provides an airflow passageway between the lift vacuum passage and the vacuum cup passage and further restricts an airflow passageway between the pilot vacuum passage and the vacuum cup passage; and applying a second vacuum force from the lift vacuum passage through the vacuum cup with the piston in the second position. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. A vacuum lifting apparatus for lifting one or more objects comprising:
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a frame including a plurality of vacuum cups; a source of lift vacuum separately connectable to each vacuum cup; a movable valve for each vacuum cup which controls connection of each vacuum cup with the source of lift vacuum, each valve presettable so as to close the connection between the lift vacuum source and the respective vacuum cup; a source of pilot vacuum separate from the source of lift vacuum, the source of pilot vacuum connectable by each valve to each respective vacuum cup, the valve in the preset position providing an open connection between the pilot vacuum source and the vacuum clap, wherein the source of pilot vacuum applied to each valve and vacuum cup causes movement of the valve of each vacuum cup which is obstructed by one of the objects to be lifted, wherein the moved valve opens the previously closed connection of the vacuum cup with the source of lift vacuum, and also closes the previously open connection of the vacuum cup with the source of pilot vacuum; and a lift mechanism for lifting the frame vertically up and down.
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25. A method for detecting whether an object obstructs a vacuum cup and for applying a vacuum force through the vacuum cup if obstructed, comprising the steps of:
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applying a first vacuum force generated by a first negative air pressure through a valve body having a piston in a first position; moving the piston to a second position with the first vacuum force if a vacuum cup connected to the valve body is obstructed; and applying a second vacuum force generated by a second negative air pressure to the vacuum cup, wherein the first negative air pressure is a smaller negative pressure in magnitude than the second negative air pressure through the vacuum cup with the piston in the second position. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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Specification