JP3417853B2 - Discharge module for vacuum conveyor - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement of a vacuum conveyor discharge module for powder transportation. More specifically, the present invention relates to a discharge module for a vacuum conveyor, which is capable of easily disassembling components for cleaning / sterilization and is particularly suitable for handling pharmaceuticals and food materials.

[0002]

Vacuum conveyors for powder transport are well known. As shown in FIG. 8, the prior art vacuum conveyor is
A vacuum / control unit 1 having a built-in vacuum pump, a cyclone module 3 having a filter 2 for separating air and powder, and a discharge module 5 having a discharge cone 4.
Etc. The cyclone module 3 is provided with an air intake 6 that is open in the tangential direction, and a suction pipe 7 is connected to this air intake 6. The other end of the suction pipe 7 is placed in a container (not shown) containing the powder to be conveyed. When the vacuum pump of the vacuum unit 1 is operated, the air entrained with the powder is sucked into the cyclone module 3 through the suction pipe 7 and the air intake 6, and the powder is removed from the air by the action of the centrifugal force and the filter 2. To be separated.
The separated powder falls to the discharge module 5 and is stored in the discharge cone 4. The outlet opening of the discharge cone is closed by a swing-type discharge valve 9 whose opening and closing is controlled by an opening / closing mechanism 8. When a predetermined amount of powder is stored in the discharge cone 4,
After stopping the vacuum pump, the discharge valve 9 is opened to discharge the powder downward. When the discharging is completed, the discharging valve 9 is closed again, and the vacuum pump is operated to restart the suction of the powder.

As shown in FIG. 9, a bracket 10 is attached to the discharge cone 4, and the swing rotary shaft 1 of the discharge valve 9 is attached.
1 is pivotally supported by this bracket. In order to allow suction by the vacuum pump, air must not leak into the discharge cone 4 through the gap between the discharge valve 9 and the discharge cone 4 during operation of the vacuum pump. Therefore, the opening / closing mechanism 8 of the discharge valve 9
Is configured to bring the discharge valve 9 into close contact with the outlet opening of the discharge cone 4. Therefore, the opening / closing mechanism 8 of the discharge valve 9 is rotatably attached to the bracket 1 by the shaft 12.
Such as a swing arm 13 pivotally supported on 0, a roller 14 rotatably attached to the tip of the swing arm 13, and an aerodynamic actuator 15 for rotating the swing arm 13 about 90 degrees. A drive source is provided, and the roller 14 acts on approximately the center of the discharge valve 9.

[0004]

A vacuum conveyor for handling materials that require a high degree of cleanliness and hygiene such as pharmaceuticals and food materials has (1) no contamination of powder to be transported, and (2) bacteria. The components can be easily washed and sterilized in every corner in order to prevent the proliferation of (3) the components can be easily disassembled due to frequent cleaning and sterilization.
(4) Performances such as the absence of metal-to-metal contact that causes the mixing of metal wear powder (particularly heavy metal wear powder) are required.

The first problem of the discharge module of the vacuum conveyor of the prior art is that all the components of the opening / closing mechanism 8 of the discharge valve 9 exist in the internal space of the discharge module 5.
That is, the powder material is easily contaminated. In particular, the aerodynamic actuator 15 arranged in the internal space of the discharge module 5 is likely to generate wear dust that causes contamination. Another important problem of the prior art is that the bracket 10 of the discharge cone 4 is mounted with not only the discharge valve 9 but also the swing arm 13 and the pneumatic actuator 15, so that the structure is complicated. is there. As a result, disassembling the components is extremely difficult, if not impossible, and cleaning the exhaust cone assembly to every corner is not easy. Furthermore, since a partition joint is required to penetrate the air hose 16 for supplying compressed air to the pneumatic actuator 15 to the body of the discharge module 5,
The hose is complicated to handle, which also hinders cleaning and disassembly. Also, there are many metal-to-metal contacts such as the rotating shaft and bearings.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a discharge module for a vacuum conveyor which can be easily disassembled. Another object of the present invention is to provide a discharge module for a vacuum conveyor capable of easily cleaning the components. Another object of the present invention is to provide a discharge module for a vacuum conveyor, which can easily sterilize components. Another object of the present invention is to provide a discharge module for a vacuum conveyor which does not contaminate the powder to be transported. Another object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary and pollution-free discharge module for a vacuum conveyor, which is suitable for handling materials that require a high degree of cleanliness and hygiene such as pharmaceuticals and food materials.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a cylindrical body, a discharge cone housed in the body, and a swing discharge valve for opening and closing the outlet opening of the discharge cone. In a discharge module of a vacuum conveyor in which a swing arm mounted on a shaft controls opening and closing of a discharge valve, a pair of supporting means for rotatably supporting both ends of the shaft are attached to a cylindrical body so as to face each other. , Each end of the shaft is sealed to each supporting means by a shaft sealing means, the shaft driving means is arranged outside the shaft sealing means, and the output shaft thereof is connected to one end of the shaft. It is a thing. Since the driving means for driving the shaft of the discharge valve is arranged outside the cylindrical main body in this way, the structure of the swing arm and its shaft is simplified, and disassembly and cleaning are facilitated. Further, since the driving means (actuator) is arranged outside the cylindrical main body and the internal space of the main body is isolated from the driving means, the internal space of the main body is not contaminated by the driving means.

In a preferred embodiment, each support means comprises a tubular portion projecting outwardly from the body and surrounding the end of the shaft, and a first ferrule disposed at the free end of the tubular portion. A second ferrule for cooperating with and separably engaging the first ferrule; a first ferrule and a second ferrule
It has a clamp mechanism that detachably connects the first ferrule and the second ferrule by pressing the ferrules against each other, and bearing means that rotatably supports the end portion of the shaft. With this structure, the shaft and the swing arm can be removed very easily by loosening the clamp mechanism and separating the second ferrule from the first ferrule. Therefore, the decomposability of the device is significantly improved.

If the clamp mechanism is a manually operable clamp mechanism, the ferrule can be separated without using a tool such as a spanner or a wrench, and disassembly can be further improved. In the preferred embodiment, the drive means for pivoting the shaft of the swing arm is detachably connected to the shaft. According to this configuration, the disassembly of the discharge module becomes easier. If an aerodynamic actuator is used as the driving means, the discharge module can be washed with water. The above-mentioned features and effects of the present invention, as well as other features and effects, will be further clarified by the description of the following embodiments.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. 1, a vacuum conveyor 20 of the present invention can be composed of a vacuum / control unit 22, a cyclone module 24, and a discharge module 26. Since the vacuum / control unit 22 and the cyclone module 24 can have substantially the same configuration as, for example, the conventional type shown in FIG. 8, detailed description thereof will be omitted. As described above, the vacuum / control unit 22
Contains a vacuum pump (not shown), and the cyclone module 24 contains a filter (not shown). The air intake 28 of the cyclone module 24 can be connected to a suction pipe (not shown) extending from the container containing the powder to be transported, as is conventional.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the evacuation module 26 has a cylindrical body 30 and an evacuation cone 32. Cylindrical body 30 and evacuation cone 32, as well as other major components of evacuation module 26, except as specifically described below, include elastomeric seal rings.
It is preferably made of stainless steel. The body 30 has a narrow upper flange 34 and a wider lower flange 36. On the other hand, an upper flange 38 corresponding to the upper flange 34 of the main body 30 is formed on the upper portion of the discharge cone 32. An annular packing 40 is attached to the upper flange 34 of the main body 30.
Is mounted, the upper flange 38 of the discharge cone 32 is placed on the upper flange 34, the main body 42 of the cyclone module 24 is placed on the upper flange 38 via the packing 40, and the plurality of buckles 44 are tightened, Discharge module 2
6 and the cyclone module 24 are detachably connected.

As can be seen clearly in FIG. 5, the discharge cone 3
A circular outlet opening 46 is formed in the lower part of 2. The outlet opening 46 is opened and closed by a circular discharge valve 50 pivotally supported by a bracket 48 fixed to the discharge cone 32 by welding or the like. A bracket 52 is fixed to the discharge valve 50 by welding or the like.
An oscillating rotary shaft 54, which is inserted through 2, is supported by a bracket 48. In order to avoid metal-to-metal contact, the rotating shaft 54 is preferably made of a plastic such as polyethylene, and particularly preferably a plastic that complies with the standards of the government agency (for example, the food standard of the Ministry of Health and Welfare).

To seal the outlet opening 46 during operation of the vacuum pump, a seal ring 56 with a lip of V-shaped cross section is mounted at the lower end of the discharge cone 32 and the discharge valve 50.
Is brought into close contact with the seal ring 56 by the discharge valve opening / closing mechanism 58 acting on the lower surface thereof. Even if the seal ring 56 deteriorates with time due to fatigue or wear, the rotation shaft 54 of the discharge valve 50 is formed in the long hole 60 formed in the bracket 48 so that the discharge valve 50 is in perfect contact with the seal ring 56. It is inserted, allowing some movement in the vertical direction.

2 to 5, the opening / closing mechanism 58 of the discharge valve 50 includes a shaft 64 rotatably supported by a pair of support portions 62 (details of which will be described later), and the shaft 64. The swing arm 66 detachably or integrally attached to the roller 66, the roller 68 rotatably attached to the tip of the swing arm 66, and the shaft 64 at about 90.
It has an aerodynamic actuator 70 for rocking over a degree angle. To avoid contact with the exhaust valve 50 from metal to metal, the roller 68 is made of a plastic such as polyethylene. As the pneumatic actuator 70, an air actuator (type 020-100) manufactured by KINETROL of England can be preferably used. This air actuator is a swing vane type,
By switching the compressed air supplied to the working chambers on both sides of the vane, the output shaft thereof swings at an angle of about 90 degrees.

The actuator 70 is detachably attached to a bracket 72 fixed to the main body 30 by welding or the like by screws or the like, and an output shaft 74 of the actuator 70 is attached.
(FIG. 4) is detachably connected to one end of the shaft 64 by a coupling 76. Pneumatic actuator 70
Is operated at predetermined time intervals by a control device (not shown) arranged in the vacuum / control unit 22. Figure 5
As can be seen from the above, when the actuator 70 is operated, the swing arm 66 swings upward with the rotation of the shaft 64, and the roller 68 makes the discharge valve 50 closely contact the seal ring 56 from below. Actuator 7
Swing arm 66 by switching compressed air to 0
Is swung downwards, the discharge valve 50 tilts as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 5, opening the outlet opening 46 of the discharge cone 32. As a result, the powder accumulated in the discharge cone 32 is discharged downward. The swing arm 66 is the roller 6
8 is designed to act in the center of the drain valve 50.

Next, referring to FIG. 6, the shaft 64
Support part 62 and shaft 64 for rotatably supporting the
The details of the shaft sealing mechanism will be described. Left and right support parts 62
Are substantially the same as each other, except that the end of the shaft 64 on the actuator 70 side extends outward through one of the support portions for connection with the actuator 70, and thus only one of them is provided. Will be described. Referring to FIG. 6, the supporting portion 62 is welded 78 or the like to form the cylindrical main body 3.
A tubular portion 80 fixed to 0 is provided, and the tubular portion 80 projects from the main body 30 coaxially with the shaft 64. At the end of the tubular portion 80, an end fitting 82 called a ferrule in the field of pipe fittings is formed. Ferrule 82
Is defined by an end surface 84 perpendicular to the axis of the tubular portion 80 and an annular inclined surface 86.

The support portion 62 further includes a second ferrule (outer ferrule) 88 arranged opposite to the ferrule 82, and a packing 90 is interposed between the inner ferrule 82 and the outer ferrule 88. . Second
Also on the outer end face of the ferrule 88, the inner ferrule 82
An annular inclined surface 92 similar to the inclined surface 86 is formed. The ferrules 82 and 88 are fastened to each other by the manual clamp device 94 shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 7, the clamp device 94 includes a pair of substantially semicircular arms 100 and 102 that are openably and closably connected to each other by a link 96 and a pin 98.
The upper and lower arms 100 and 102 are fastened to each other by screwing a wing nut 106 onto a screw 104 pivotally attached to the end portion of 00. As shown in FIG. 6, the respective arms 100 and 102 are formed on their inner circumferences with grooves 108 having sloping sidewalls that engage the annular sloping surfaces 86 and 92 of the ferrules 82 and 88, respectively. Therefore, when the inner ferrule 82 and the outer ferrule 88 are butted against each other, the upper and lower arms 100 and 102 of the clamp device 94 are engaged with their outer circumferences, and the wing nut 106 is tightened by hand, the ferrules 82 and 88 are fastened to each other. To be done. On the contrary, when the wing nut 106 of the clamp device 94 is loosened by hand, the upper and lower arms 100 and 102 are opened, and the clamp device 94 is removed, the ferrules 82 and 88 can be separated.

Further referring to FIG. 6, in the illustrated embodiment, a bearing housing 110 is fixed to the outer ferrule 88 by a screw (not shown), and a ball bearing 112 is mounted on the bearing housing 110. is there. The end of the shaft 64 is inserted into the bearing 112 so as to be freely inserted and removed. A central opening is formed in the outer ferrule 88, and an end portion of the shaft 64 rotatably passes through the central opening. An O-ring 114 is mounted in a ring groove formed in the central opening of the outer ferrule 88 so as to seal between the shaft 64 and the ferrule 88. The O-ring 114 can be formed of an elastomer (for example, Silicone TSE 221-7U of Toshiba Silicone Co., Ltd.) that conforms to the food standard of the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

The mode of operation of the vacuum conveyor 20 provided with this discharge module 26 is basically the same as the prior art vacuum conveyor mentioned at the outset and will not require a detailed description. Only regarding the points related to the features of the present invention, since the pneumatic actuator 70 is arranged outside the main body 30, even if the actuator 70 is operated,
The internal space of the main body 30 is not contaminated by the actuator 70. Further, since the shaft 64 is sealed by the O-ring 114 conforming to the food standard of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, it can be used for pneumatic transportation of foods and medicines. Furthermore, since the roller 68 of the discharge valve opening / closing mechanism 58 is made of polyethylene, there is no metal-to-metal contact and contamination by metal abrasion powder is avoided.

Next, disassembly, cleaning, sterilization and assembly of the discharge module 26 of the vacuum conveyor 20 will be described. By removing the buckle 44, the discharge module 2
6 can be easily separated from the cyclone module 24. Lifting the discharge cone 32 of the discharge module 26 separates the discharge cone 32 from the body 30 with the discharge valve 50 associated with it. If necessary,
By pulling out the rotary shaft 54 of the discharge valve 50, the discharge cone 32 and the discharge valve 50 can be further disassembled.

In order to disassemble the assembly of the main body 30 and the discharge valve opening / closing mechanism 58, the actuator 70 is first removed from the bracket 72. Next, by loosening the wing nuts 106 of the left and right clamp devices 94 by hand, the clamp device 9
4 are removed from the left and right supporting portions 62. Next, while pulling out both ends of the shaft 64 from the bearing 112 and the ferrule 88, the outer ferrule 88 of each supporting portion 62 is separated from the inner ferrule 82. If desired, the bearing housing 110 and the spherical bearing 112 may be separated from the ferrule 88. Next, shaft 6
4 is moved to the left or right, and one end thereof is provided with one tubular portion 80.
By freeing it by detaching it to the inside of the shaft, and tilting the shaft 64,
Lower flange 36 below. Then, by moving the shaft 64 to the opposite side, the shaft 6
The other end of the shaft 4 is separated from the other tubular portion 80, and the shaft 6
4 is separated from body 30 with rocker arm 66 and roller 68 attached to it. If desired, the swing arm 66 and the shaft 64 can be further disassembled.
The components of the discharge module 26 thus disassembled are
It can be washed and sterilized by heating at high temperature. Since the components of the discharge module 26 can be disassembled to the smallest unit, every corner can be easily cleaned.

The components that have been cleaned and sterilized can be assembled very simply by reversing the procedure described above. That is, after inserting the shaft 64 into both the tubular portions 80, the housing 110 with the bearing 112 and the ferrule 88 are attached to each end of the shaft 64, and the clamp device 94 is attached.
Ferrule 82 and ferrule 8 by tightening the
Fasten 8 together. Next, the actuator 70 is screwed to the bracket 72, and the output shaft of the actuator 70 is connected to the shaft 64 by the coupling 76. Next, the assembly of the discharge cone 32 and the discharge valve 50 is attached to the main body 30.
The vacuum conveyor 20 is assembled by mounting the cyclone module 24 via the packing 40 and hooking the buckle 44 thereon.

Although a specific embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications and changes can be made. For example, although the shaft 64 has been described as being supported by the bearing 112 mounted on the bearing housing 110, the shaft 64 can also be supported by the ferrule 88, and such a configuration is also within the technical scope of the present invention. Belong to

[0024]

As described above, since the discharge module of the present invention can be disassembled extremely easily, the components can be frequently washed and sterilized, which contributes to the prevention of bacterial growth. You can Therefore, it is possible to transport powder materials, such as pharmaceuticals and food materials, which require high cleanliness and hygiene. Further, since the constituent parts can be easily disassembled to the minimum unit, every corner can be easily cleaned. In addition, the actuator 70 is
Since it is arranged outside the container, the powder present in the internal space of the main body is not contaminated. Also, since there is no metal-to-metal contact in the discharge module of the present invention, there is no risk of contamination by metal wear debris.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view and a side view of a vacuum conveyor of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the discharge module of the vacuum conveyor shown in FIG. 1 with a part thereof cut away, showing a state where a clamp is removed.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the ejection module shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the ejection module shown in FIG.

5 is a partially cutaway side view of the discharge cone shown in FIG. 2. FIG.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a support portion of the discharge module shown in FIG.

7 is a perspective view of a clamp mechanism of the ejection module shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a conventional vacuum conveyor.

9 is a perspective view of a discharge cone assembly of the conventional vacuum conveyor shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

20: Vacuum conveyor 26: Emission module 30: Cylindrical body 32: Ejection cone 46: Exit opening of discharge cone 50: Discharge valve 58: Discharge valve opening / closing mechanism 62: Supporting means 64: Shaft 66: Swing arm 70: Actuator (Shaft drive means) 80: Cylindrical part 82: The first ferrule 88: Second ferrule 94: Clamp mechanism 110/112: Bearing means 114: Shaft sealing means (seal ring)

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── --- Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-10-212034 (JP, A) JP-A-8-11983 (JP, A) JP-A-9-263333 (JP, A) JP-A-57- 141320 (JP, A) Actual opening 2-87797 (JP, U) Actual opening 60-102550 (JP, U) Actual opening 63-121888 (JP, U) Actual opening Flat 3-1358 (JP, U) Actual Development Sho 53-138773 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B65D 88/00-90/66 B65G 65/30-65/48 B65G 53/00-53 / 28 B65G 53/32-53/66 F16B 2/00-2/26

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A swing body mounted on a shaft rotated by drive means, comprising a cylindrical main body, a discharge cone housed in the main body, and a swing discharge valve for opening and closing an outlet opening of the discharge cone. In a discharge module (26) of a vacuum conveyor in which a discharge valve is controlled to be opened and closed by a moving arm: A pair of support means (62) rotatably supporting both ends of the shaft (64) is provided in the cylindrical body (30). ), The ends of the shaft are sealed by the shaft sealing means (114) to the supporting means (62), and the shaft driving means (70) is located outside the shaft sealing means. Is connected to one end of the shaft, and each of the supporting means (62) projects outward from the main body and
The tubular portion (80) surrounding the end of the shaft and the tubular portion itself.
The first ferrule (82) arranged at the end and the first
Collaborate with the ferrule to detachably engage the first ferrule
The second ferrule (88), and the first ferrule and
By pressing the two ferrules against each other,
Clamp that detachably connects the base and the second ferrule
A mechanism (94) and an end of the shaft are rotatably supported.
And a bearing means (88, 110/112) for the discharge module. 2. The shaft sealing means for sealing the shaft is a second
The ejection module according to claim 1 , comprising a seal ring (114) mounted on the ferrule (88). 3. The ejection module according to claim 1 , wherein the clamping mechanism is a manual clamping mechanism (94). 4. The drive means (70) for rotating the shaft of a swing arm is detachably connected to the shaft (64) according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Ejection module. 5. Ejection module according to claim 1 , characterized in that the drive means are pneumatic actuators (70). 6. A roller (68) engaging with a discharge valve is provided at the tip of the swing arm, and the roller is made of a plastic material that conforms to the standards of the administrative agency. An ejection module according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . 7. The discharge module according to claim 1, wherein the shaft sealing means (114) is made of an elastomer that complies with the standards of the government agency. 8. The discharge cone (32) is detachably mounted on the body (30) of claim 1.
Emission module based on any of 7 .