VACUUM CUP CONTROL APPARATUS

摘要

A vacuum cup control apparatus (10) for applying and releasing vacuum in a vacuum cup (12) includes a venturi passage (16) for inducing a vacuum within the vacuum cup (12) upon the flow of pressurized air therethrough. Another air flow passage (44) extends through the housing (14) for injecting a flow of air under pressure to the vacuum cup (12) to relieve the vacuum therein. A sensor (90) senses the vacuum level attained in the vacuum cup (12). A feedback signal is sent by the control apparatus (10) to the external controller (80) as an indication that a predetermined, selectible vacuum level has been achieved. The control apparatus (10) is responsive to the sensor (90) and signals from an external controller (80) for applying vacuum to the vacuum cup (12).