Switching unit and pneumatic system
A switching unit connects a first pneumatic unit and a second pneumatic unit of a pneumatic system. The switching unit includes a channel structure; a first and a second inlet for introducing a pressure into the channel structure; a first and a second outlet for discharging the pressure; and a first and a second valve. The first inlet can be brought into a pressure-exchange connection to the first outlet via a first channel in a first switch position of the first valve or to the second outlet via a second channel in a second switch position of the first valve. The second inlet can be brought into a pressure-exchange connection to the first outlet via a third channel in a first switch position of the second valve or to the second outlet via a fourth channel in a second switch position of the second valve.
1 . A pneumatic system comprising:
a first and a second pneumatic unit; and
a switching unit for interconnecting the first pneumatic unit and the second pneumatic unit, wherein the switching unit comprises:
a main body with a channel structure extending through the main body:
a first and a second inlet for introducing a pressure into the channel structure;
a first and a second outlet for discharging at least some of the pressure from the channel structure;
a first valve, wherein the first valve is switchable between a first switched position and a second switched position, the first inlet is in a pressure exchange connection with the first outlet via a first channel in the first switched position of the first valve, the second inlet being in a pressure exchange connection with the first outlet via a second channel in the second switched position of the first valve; and
a second valve, wherein the second valve is switchable between a first switched position and a second switched position, the second inlet being in a pressure exchange connection with the second outlet via a third channel in the first switched position of the second valve, the first inlet being in a pressure exchange connection with the second outlet via a fourth channel in the second switched position of the second valve;
wherein the switching unit is operable to switch the first valve and the second valve independently from one another between a first switch configuration where the first valve is in the first switched position and the second valve is in the first switched position, and a second switch configuration where the first valve is in the first switched position and the second valve is in the second switched position;
wherein the first pneumatic unit has a first diaphragm fluid pump and a first drive device,
and wherein the second pneumatic unit has a second diaphragm fluid pump and a second drive device,
and wherein the first and/or the second drive device are designed to drive the first and/or the second diaphragm fluid pump.
2 . The pneumatic system of claim 1 , wherein the first valve is a 3/2-way valve or the second valve is a 3/2-way valve.
3 . The pneumatic system of claim 1 , wherein the first valve or the second valve is formed as a piston valve with a valve piston which is movable linearly inside the channel structure between the first and the second switched position.
4 . The pneumatic system of claim 3 , wherein the piston valve comprises a solenoid, wherein the valve piston is movable by an interaction with the solenoid.
5 . The pneumatic system of claim 4 , wherein the valve piston is movable from the first switched position into the second switched position by switching on an electrical current in the solenoid.
6 . The pneumatic system of claim 4 , wherein the piston valve has a return spring, by means of which the valve piston is movable from the second switched position into the first switched position if there is no current switched on in the solenoid.
7 . The pneumatic system of claim 4 , comprising a sensor for measuring a piston position of the valve piston.
8 . The pneumatic system of claim 4 , wherein the first valve comprises a Hall sensor or an encoder for measuring the piston position of the valve piston of the first valve.
9 . The pneumatic system of claim 4 , wherein the second valve comprises a Hall sensor or an encoder for measuring the piston position of the valve piston of the second valve.
10 . The pneumatic system of claim 1 , wherein the main body comprises a metal.
11 . The pneumatic system of claim 10 , wherein the metal is aluminum.
12 . The pneumatic system of claim 1 , wherein the first drive device is connected via a first inlet pressure line to the first inlet of the switching unit, the first diaphragm fluid pump is connected via a first outlet pressure line to the first outlet of the switching unit, the second drive device is connected via a second inlet pressure line to the second inlet of the switching unit, and the second diaphragm fluid pump is connected via a second outlet pressure line to the second outlet of the switching unit.