Vacuum suction apparatus having negative pressure actuated vacuum generator switching mechanism

A vacuum suction apparatus comprising:

• a pressure fluid supply source for supplying a pressure fluid;
• a vacuum generator comprising an ejector for generating a negative pressure by supplying said pressure fluid thereto from said pressure fluid supply source;
• a suction member to which the negative pressure from said vacuum generator is supplied, and which is capable of attracting a workpiece under suction by said negative pressure;
• and
• a switching mechanism connected to said vacuum generator for switching a communication state of a passage through which said pressure fluid is supplied from said pressure fluid supply source to said vacuum generator, corresponding to a negative pressure state supplied to said suction member, wherein said switching mechanism comprises:
• a body, having a first port through which said pressure fluid is supplied, a second port connected to said vacuum generator and through which said pressure fluid is led out, and a third port connected to a negative pressure passage through which the negative pressure generated by said vacuum generator flows;
• and
• a switching valve comprising a valve body disposed inside said body so as to be displaceable along an axial direction, said valve body changing a communication state between said first port and said second port,
• wherein, when a workpiece is attracted under suction by said negative pressure and a predetermined pressure is reached inside said suction member, the communication state of said passage is interrupted under a switching action by said switching mechanism, and supply of said pressure fluid to said vacuum generator is discontinued, and
• wherein said switching valve includes a spring that imposes an elastic force on said valve body, said spring maintaining said valve body in a state of communication between said first port and said second port, and wherein communication between said first port and said second port is blocked by displacement of said valve body by said negative pressure, against the elastic force of said spring.