JP4246307B2 - Pipe connection switching device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Technical field to which the invention belongs]
The present invention relates to a pipe connection switching device for automatically switching a connection form between a first pipe group including a plurality of pipes and a second pipe group in a transfer system for food or medicine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In fields such as food and medicine, other materials, intermediate products or final products are often produced by mixing or blending a plurality of raw materials. A pipe connection switching device that automatically switches the connection mode between the first pipe group and the second pipe group including a plurality of pipes is used to cope with this change in mixing or blending. Each pipe of the first pipe group of this pipe connection switching device is connected to a raw material tank or the like on the source side of each raw material, and each pipe of the second pipe group is connected to a preparation tank or a mixing tank on the supply destination side. The
[0003]
As such a pipe connection switching device, one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-9500 is known. This is because the first pipe connection part of the first pipe group is the fixed side, the second pipe connection part of the second pipe group is the moving side, and the axial center of the first pipe connection part on the fixed side is facing upward. And a moving means for moving in the parallel direction, and arranging in parallel with the straight line so as to be the same height with the second pipe connection portion on the moving side facing upward. And when the second pipe connection part on the moving side is positioned so as to be orthogonal to the straight line with respect to the first pipe connection part on the fixed side to be connected, the first pipe connection part and the second pipe It has a configuration including a delivery pipe that communicates with the connection section, and a pipe moving means that moves the delivery pipe in the moving direction of the second pipe connection section on the moving side. Since only one of the first pipe connection part and the second pipe connection part is on the moving side, the equipment configuration for movement is simplified.
[0004]
In this pipe connection switching device, when switching the first pipe connection section on the fixed side and the second pipe connection section on the moving side, the transfer pipe to be switched is removed using the pipe moving means, and the moving side is used using the moving means. The second pipe connection portion is moved to a position corresponding to a predetermined first pipe connection portion, and the transfer pipe is moved using the pipe moving means, whereby desired switching is performed.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the conventional pipe connection switching device described above, the connecting tools of the second pipe connecting part on the moving side and the first pipe connecting part on the fixed side are arranged with all the axes oriented in the vertical direction. The parts are connected by a U-shaped delivery pipe.
[0006]
In the pipe connection switching device having such a configuration, when the fluid flows inside the switching device, the fluid once flows upward and then flows downward, so that the rising portion and the falling portion of the piping are long, Since there are many bent portions, there is a high possibility that the internal fluid will remain at the time of switching. For this reason, there is a problem that the fluid remaining in the interior is spoiled or it takes time for cleaning at the time of switching. Further, there is a problem that the height of the apparatus is increased by the length of the rising and falling portions of the piping.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a pipe connection switching device that reduces the number of bent portions of piping in the device, makes it difficult for fluid to remain in the piping, and can reduce the height of the device. .
[0008]
[Means for solving the problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is such that the fluid supply source side is connectable and the shaft cores are fixedly arranged so that the shaft cores are arranged in parallel in a substantially horizontal first plane. The plurality of first joints provided can be connected to the fluid supply destination side, and the shaft core is arranged in parallel in a substantially horizontal second plane located below the first plane and is movable in the axial direction. A plurality of second joints arranged in a row and a first connection portion that is arranged coaxially with the first joint and that is attached to and detached from the first joint at one end, and is attached to and detached from the second joint. A plurality of connecting pipes having connecting portions, an exchange means for exchanging connection positions of the connecting pipes to change the connection relation of the connecting pipes to the first joint, the second joint, and the first First moving means for moving the second joint in the axial direction in order to change the connection relationship with the joint; A pipe connection switching apparatus comprising.
[0009]
When the plurality of second joints arranged in an axially movable manner are individually moved with respect to the plurality of first joints arranged in a fixed manner, the connection relation of the second joint to the first joint is changed. The In order to correspond to the changed connection relation, the switching is completed when the exchange pipe is exchanged by the exchange means. Since the first joint and the second joint are disposed on the substantially horizontal first plane and the substantially horizontal second plane below the first plane, the fluid flows from the first plane to the second plane. There is no rising part and it flows from top to bottom.
[0010]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of first joints fixedly arranged in such a manner that the fluid supply source side can be connected and the shaft cores are juxtaposed in a substantially horizontal first plane; A plurality of second joints that are connectable to each other, the shaft cores are juxtaposed in a substantially horizontal second plane located below the first plane, and arranged in an axially movable manner; A plurality of connecting pipes arranged on the same axis as the first joint, having a first connection portion attached to and detached from the first joint at one end, and having a second connection portion attached to and detached from the second joint; Changing the connection relation of the connecting pipe to the first joint, changing the connecting means for exchanging the connecting position of the connecting pipe, and changing the connecting relation between the second joint and the first joint; A first moving means for moving the second joint in an axial direction for attaching to and detaching from the second connecting portion; Moving the pipe in the axial direction, a second moving means for removably to the first connector, a pipe connection switching device including a.
[0011]
The 1st coupling and the 2nd coupling employ | adopt the form attached and detached by axial direction movement. Therefore, for the second joint that can be moved in the axial direction by the first moving means, the first moving means serves both for changing the connection and attaching / detaching the joint, and for the fixed first joint, A separate second movement means is provided for the operation of the first movement means and the second movement means in addition to the operation of claim 1.
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the connecting pipe includes a main pipe part coaxial with the first joint, the first connection part at one end of the main pipe part, and a downward part directed downward from the main pipe part. 3. The pipe connection switching device according to claim 1, further comprising: the second connection portion oriented in a coaxial direction with the second joint from the descending portion.
[0013]
As for the transfer pipe, the first joint, that is, the main pipe portion in the substantially horizontal first plane passes through the downwardly descending portion to the second joint, that is, the second connection portion in the substantially horizontal second plane. Flows from top to bottom.
[0014]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the second joint is connected to the supply side via a flexible hose, and the flexible hose is arranged to be bendable in a substantially horizontal plane. Or it is a piping connection switching apparatus of 2 description.
[0015]
The fluid flows in a flexible hose arranged in a bendable manner in a substantially horizontal plane without any difference in height.
[0016]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the first moving means includes an engaging portion that is provided in common to the plurality of second joints and selectively engages with each of the second joints. Or it is a piping connection switching apparatus of 2 description.
[0017]
The engaging portion is engaged with one selected from the plurality of second joints, and the selected second joint is moved by the common first moving means.
[0018]
The invention according to claim 6 is the pipe connection switching device according to claim 2, wherein the second moving means is provided in the exchange means.
[0019]
Since the exchange means has a function of chucking and gripping the transfer pipe, if the function of moving the chucked transfer pipe in the axial direction is added, the joint can be attached and detached by moving in the axial direction.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a top view of the pipe connection switching device 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view of the pipe connection switching device 1 viewed from the direction A in FIG.
[0021]
The pipe connection switching device 1 includes a support frame 11. The support frame 11 includes four vertical columns 12, and a first horizontal column 13, a second horizontal column 14, a third horizontal column 15, and a fourth horizontal column 16 spanned between the vertical columns 12. It becomes.
[0022]
The first horizontal strut 13 is positioned first from the bottom of the vertical strut 12 (see FIG. 2), and a pair is provided so as to extend in the Y direction of FIG. A first moving means 6 is mounted on the first horizontal strut 13.
[0023]
The second horizontal strut 14 is located second from the bottom of the vertical strut 12 (see FIG. 2), and a pair is provided so as to extend in the X direction of FIG. A rail 19 of the second joint 3 is installed on the second horizontal column 14.
[0024]
The third horizontal column 15 is located third from the bottom of the vertical column 12 (see FIG. 2), and a pair is provided so as to extend in the Y direction of FIG. A support base 17 for the first joint 2 and a support base 18 for the transfer pipe 4 are attached to each of the third horizontal struts 15.
[0025]
The fourth horizontal strut 16 is positioned fourth from the bottom of the vertical strut 12 (see FIG. 2), and a pair is provided so as to extend in the Y direction of FIG. The exchange means 5 is mounted on the fourth horizontal strut 16.
[0026]
The first joints 2 are fixedly arranged on the support base 17 with bolts or the like so as to be in a straight line when viewed from the Y direction. In the illustrated example, seven first joints 2 are arranged in a row, and a space for arranging spare first joints is secured across the temporary placement space for the transfer pipe 4. Each axial center of the first joint 2 is oriented in the X direction of the illustrated XY plane, and is arranged at a predetermined interval p1 in the Y direction. The axial center of the first joint 2 is arranged in parallel on a substantially horizontal first plane 21 that is at the level of the height H1 (see FIG. 2) on the illustrated XY plane. Here, “substantially horizontal” means that an inclination equivalent to the draft angle of the fluid is allowed.
[0027]
The second joint 3 is provided on a rail 19 that is constructed on the second horizontal column 14 and extends in the Y direction so as to be movable in the axial direction. In the illustrated example, seven sets of rails 19 are juxtaposed at a predetermined interval p2 in the X direction, and seven second joints 3 are movably provided on the rails 19. In addition to these, spare rails 19 are provided side by side with the seven sets of rails 19, and the spare second joint 3 is movably provided. Each axial center of the second joint 3 is oriented in the Y direction of the illustrated XY plane, and is arranged at a predetermined interval p2 in the Y direction. The axial center of the second joint 3 is generally at the level of the height H2 (see FIG. 2) on the XY plane shown in the figure, and is substantially horizontal lowered from the first plane 21 by the height h1. The second plane 22 is juxtaposed. Here, “substantially horizontal” means that an inclination equivalent to the draft angle of the fluid is allowed.
[0028]
The delivery pipe 4 includes a main pipe part 25 coaxial with the first joint 2, a first connection part 26 at one end of the main pipe part 25, and a downward part 27 (see FIG. 2) that extends downward from the main pipe part 25. The short pipe part 28 and the second connection part 29 which are oriented in the coaxial direction with the second joint 3 from the descending part 27, and the extension pipe part 30 from the main pipe part 25. There are seven types of lengths of the main piping part 25 according to the distance from the first joint 2 to the second joint 3. The extension pipe portion 30 is a blind pipe that is covered so that fluid does not flow in, and has a length at which an end is placed on the support base 18. The delivery pipe 4 has a delivery function of causing the fluid from the first joint 2 to reach the second joint 3 via the first connection part 26, the main pipe part 25, the descending part 27, and the short pipe part 28. In addition, the falling part 27 may be a thing which goes diagonally downward other than what goes to the perpendicular | vertical downward direction.
[0029]
In FIG. 2, the exchange means 5 for the transfer pipe 4 includes a crane base 31, a lifting base 32, and a pair of chuck means 33. The crane stand 31 can travel along a rail 34 attached to the fourth horizontal column 16 and is driven by a motor 37 that drives a pinion 36 that meshes with a rack 35 attached to the fourth horizontal column 16 in FIG. -X7 is driven to travel up to any one of the temporary position and the preliminary position. The lifting platform 32 is movable up and down along a rail 38 suspended from the crane platform 31 and is driven up and down by the cylinder means 39. The chuck means 33 has one openable and closable chuck that can grip the transfer pipe 4 at two locations in the longitudinal direction and release the gripped transfer pipe 4.
[0030]
In FIG. 2, the first moving means 6 for the second joint 3 includes a crane base 41 and an engaging portion 42. The crane base 41 can run along rails 44 attached to the first horizontal struts 13, and each motor shown in FIG. 1 is driven by a motor 47 that drives a pinion 46 that meshes with a rack 45 attached to the first horizontal struts 13. The vehicle is driven to travel directly below one of the second joints 3. The engaging portion 42 is a cylinder device 42 that is arranged on the crane base 41 in the same number as the second joint 3 at the same pitch as the arrangement pitch p <b> 2 of the second joint 3. Each cylinder device 42 has a piston rod 42a that can be engaged with the hole 49 of the traveling portion 48 of each second joint 3, and one of them is selected and driven to extend and contract. For example, in FIG. 1, when the crane base 41 travels to just below the second joint 3 in the Y7 line and the piston rod 42a of the cylinder device 42 is extended and engaged with the hole 49, only the second joint 3 is moved from X6 to X6. It can be moved to a desired position corresponding to X1.
[0031]
The exchanging means 5 further includes second moving means 7 for moving the transfer pipe 4 in the axial direction. The second moving means 7 has a connecting rod 51 and a cylinder device 52. The connecting rod 51 connects the pair of chuck means 33 so that they can be moved in the direction along the lifting platform 32 (X direction). The piston rod of the cylinder 52 means is connected to one of the pair of chuck means 33 and drives the pair of chuck means 33 back and forth in the X direction.
[0032]
The flexible hose 8 connects the second joint 3 and the supply destination side, and enables the connected second joint 3 to move. The flexible hose 8 is placed on a frame 56 having a sliding surface of a substantially horizontal hose and curved at a substantially horizontal third plane 23 or fourth plane 24 which is lowered by a predetermined distance h2 or h3 from the second plane. It is arranged to be possible. Here, “substantially horizontal” means that an inclination equivalent to the draft angle of the fluid is allowed.
[0033]
The pair of the first joint 2 and the first connection portion 26 and the pair of the second joint 3 and the second connection portion 29 are of the same shape, and a pipe connection composed of these pairs. A structural example of the unit 100 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, the first joint 2 and the second joint 3 are indicated by the joint 101, and the first connection portion 26 and the second connection portion 29 are indicated by the connection portion 102.
[0034]
The joint 101 is formed in a tubular shape communicating with both ends, and a seal member such as an O-ring (not shown) is fitted to the end face of the joint 101 on the other end side (the side opposite to the connection portion 102 side). The first fitting groove 101a is formed in an annular shape. Further, the joint 101 has a connecting groove 101b, a first sliding surface portion 101c, a second sliding surface portion 101d, and an annular protruding portion 101e in this order from the other end side to the one end side. The connection groove 101b is provided on the entire outer peripheral surface of the joint 101, and a connection tool (not shown) that connects a pipe that is in contact with the end face on the other end side of the joint 101 is fitted therein. .
[0035]
Further, the first sliding surface portion 101c and the second sliding surface portion 101d are formed by processing the outer peripheral surface of the joint 101 into a mirror surface state. The first sliding surface portion 101c is set to have an outer peripheral diameter smaller than the outer peripheral diameter of the second sliding surface portion 101d so as to generate a stepped portion 101f at the boundary portion with the second sliding surface portion 101d. A second fitting groove 101g is formed in the vicinity of the step portion 101f in the first sliding surface portion 101c, and the seal member 104 is fitted in the second fitting groove 101g.
[0036]
The protruding portion 101e formed on one end side of the second sliding surface portion 101d has a fixing flange 130 attached to the end portion. Further, the protruding portion 101e is formed so as to have an inner peripheral diameter larger than an inner peripheral diameter larger than the outer diameter of the connecting portion 102. A third fitting groove 101k is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the protruding portion 101e, and a seal member 107 that is in contact with the end surface on one end side of the connecting portion 102 is fitted into the third fitting groove 101k. Yes. The seal member 107 may be provided on the inner periphery of the protruding portion 101e and the outer periphery of the insertion portion 102, which will be described later. Further, the protruding portion 101e is formed with a through hole 101h penetrating from the outer peripheral surface to the inner peripheral surface, and a link escape portion 101i raised from the through hole 101h toward the one end side in a concave curved shape. The through holes 101h and the link escape portions 101i are respectively disposed at two positions facing each other with the axis O interposed therebetween.
[0037]
A connecting portion 102 having the same inner diameter as the joint 101 is connected to the joint 101 configured as described above. The connecting portion 102 includes an insertion portion 102a that is slidably inserted into the inner peripheral surface of the above-described protruding portion 101e, and a flange portion 102b that rises from the other end side of the insertion portion 102a. On the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 102a, an elliptical concave portion 102c having a bottom portion formed in a tangential direction is formed at a position corresponding to the above-described through hole 101h. On the other hand, the flange portion 102b is formed with a bolt insertion hole 102d for fixing the pipe to the connection portion 102 by bolting.
[0038]
An actuator mechanism 105 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the joint 101. Each actuator mechanism 105 includes an annular piston member 106 fitted into the first sliding surface portion 101c, and a cylinder member 110 having an inner periphery on which the piston member 106 slides. The piston member 106 defines an internal space of the cylinder member 110 to form an operation chamber 111 and an atmosphere communication chamber 112 in the cylinder member 110. Further, the piston member 106 has one side surface in contact with the step portion 101f and the other side surface in contact with the stopper member 113 fixed to the first sliding surface portion 101c. It is in a fixed state. Further, the piston member 106 has an inner peripheral surface in contact with the seal member 104 of the second fitting groove 101g and an outer peripheral surface provided with a seal member 114. These seal members 104 and 114 are provided in the working chamber 111. The atmosphere communication chamber 112 is partitioned so as to be airtight.
[0039]
On the other hand, one end side and the other end side of the cylinder member 110 containing the piston member 106 are slidably inserted into the first sliding surface portion 101c and the second sliding surface portion 101d, respectively. On the sliding surface with respect to 101d, a plurality of seal members 116 and 117 and dust rings 115 and 118 are provided so that compressed air (working fluid) does not leak from the working chamber 111 and dust does not enter the atmosphere communication chamber 112. Is provided. The atmosphere communication chamber 112 is provided with a spring-shaped spring 119. One end of the spring 119 is fixed to the piston member 106, and the other end is fixed to the other end surface 112a of the atmosphere communication chamber 112, and the other end surface 112a of the atmosphere communication chamber 112 is separated from the piston member 106 (B Direction).
[0040]
The cylinder member 110 is formed with a first communication hole 110a that communicates the working chamber 111 to the outside, and a second communication hole 110b that communicates the atmosphere communication chamber 112 to the outside. A compressor (not shown) is connected to the first communication hole 110a via an air pipe 120 and a solenoid valve 121. The solenoid valve 121 supplies compressed air from a compressor (not shown) to the working chamber 111 when the solenoid valve 121 is turned on to move the cylinder member 110 in the A direction, and supplies compressed air when the solenoid valve 121 is turned off. The operation chamber 111 is stopped and opened to the atmosphere, and the cylinder member 110 is moved in the B direction by the spring 119.
[0041]
The solenoid valve 121 is connected to the control unit 123 via a signal line 122a. A proximity switch 131 is connected to the control unit 123 via a signal line 122b. The proximity switch 131 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the protruding portion 101e, and the cylinder member 110 moves until the unlocked state is reached. In addition, the cylinder member 110 is detected and an unlock state detection signal is output. Then, the control unit 123 transmits the switching signal (lock signal, unlock signal) to the solenoid valve 121 so as to switch the solenoid valve 121 to the ON state or the OFF state, and the unlock state detection signal. Based on this, a malfunction at the time of switching to the unlocked state is detected.
[0042]
As described above, one end of the link 124 formed in a curved shape is rotated by the first rotating shaft 127 on one end side of the cylinder member 110 that is moved back and forth in the A direction or the B direction by switching the electromagnetic valve 121 as described above. It is provided freely. One end of a cam 125 is rotatably connected to the other end of the link 124 by a second rotating shaft 128, and the other end of the cam 125 is connected to the protruding portion 101 e by a third rotating shaft 129. It is pivotally connected. The engagement convex portion 125a on the third rotation shaft 129 side of the cam 125 is formed in a hemispherical shape, and the cam 125 is formed in the concave portion 102c of the connection portion 102 when the cylinder member 110 moves in the B direction. The engaging convex part 125a is engaged, and when the cylinder member 110 moves in the A direction, the engaging convex part 125a is disengaged from the concave part 102c.
[0043]
The attaching / detaching operation of the pipe connecting portion 100 having the above-described configuration will be described below. First, when removing, an unlock signal is transmitted from the control unit 123 and input to the electromagnetic valve 121 via the signal line 122. The solenoid valve 121 supplies compressed air from a compressor (not shown) to the working chamber 111 by switching from the OFF state to the ON state by an unlock signal. As a result, the pressure of the compressed air acts on the wall surface of the working chamber 111, so that the cylinder member 110 overcomes the biasing force in the B direction of the spring 119 and moves in the A direction.
[0044]
When the cylinder member 110 moves in the A direction, the cam projection 125 is engaged with the concave portion 102c of the connecting portion 102 to lock the pipe connecting portion in the A direction with respect to the link 124 and the cam 125. A biasing force acts. At this time, since the first rotating shaft 127 and the third rotating shaft 129 are fixed to the cylinder member 110 and the protruding portion 101e, the links 124 supported by the rotating shafts 127 and 129 are supported. The one end portion and the other end portion of the cam 125 are fixed to the cylinder member 110 and the protruding portion 101e so as to be rotatable. On the other hand, the second rotation shaft 28 that connects the link 124 and the cam 125 is movable. As a result, the link 124 rotates about the first rotation shaft 127 as the rotation center, and the cam 125 rotates about the third rotation shaft 129, whereby the second between the link 124 and the cam 125. The rotating shaft 128 moves in the A direction.
[0045]
Thereafter, as indicated by a two-dot chain line, the hemispherical engagement convex portion 125a of the cam 125 is sufficiently disengaged from the concave portion 102c of the connection portion 102, and the cam 125 is outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 102a. By moving to a position deviated from the position, the pipe connecting portion is switched to the unlocked state.
[0046]
When the cylinder member 110 that rotates the link 124 and the cam 125 moves to a position where the link member 124 is unlocked, the proximity switch 131 detects the cylinder member 110 and outputs an unlock state detection signal to the control unit 123.
[0047]
When the controller 23 confirms the unlocked state, the connecting portion 102 can be moved in the direction of the axis O so as to be separated from the joint 101 and can be removed from the joint 101. Further, when the controller 23 confirms the unlocked state, the other connecting portion 102 may be moved so as to coincide with the axis O of the joint 101, and then horizontally moved in the direction of the joint 101 and inserted into the protruding portion 1e. it can.
[0048]
When the connection unit 102 is mounted, the control unit 23 transmits a lock signal to the electromagnetic valve 21 and switches the electromagnetic valve 21 from the ON state to the OFF state. The solenoid valve 21 switched to the OFF state stops the supply of compressed air, opens the working chamber 11 to the atmosphere, and releases the compressed air in the working chamber 11 to the atmosphere. As a result, the pressure of the compressed air acting on the wall surface of the working chamber 11 disappears, so that the cylinder member 10 moves in the B direction by the biasing force of the spring 19 in the atmosphere communication chamber 12.
[0049]
When the cylinder member 10 moves in the B direction, the second rotating shaft 28 between the link 24 and the cam 25 moves in the B direction by an operation opposite to that at the time of unlocking. When the cam 25 rotates in this manner, the hemispherical engagement convex portion 25a of the cam 25 engages with the concave portion 2c of the connection portion 102, and the engagement convex portion 25a abuts on the concave portion 2c in a dot shape. However, the connecting portion 102 is moved in the B direction via the recess 2c. Thereby, the joint 101 and the connection part 102 are joined in a locked state. At the time of joining, the seal member 7 is compressed and deformed and exposed to the internal passage of the pipe connection portion, so that the amount of raw material remaining at the joint portion between the joint 101 and the connection portion 102 can be extremely reduced.
[0050]
The overall configuration of the control unit 123 is shown in FIG. The controller 123 includes a first joint solenoid valve (SV) and proximity switch (SW) belonging to the X1 to X7 lines, and a second joint solenoid valve (SV) and proximity switch (SW) belonging to the Y1 to Y7 group. 2 are connected to each other, and a motor 37 for traveling the crane base 31 in FIG. 2, a cylinder device 39 for raising and lowering the elevator base 32, and an exchange means driving portion 141 for driving the opening / closing mechanism of the chuck means 33 are connected. A motor 47 for driving the crane base 41 and a driving means 142 for the first moving means for driving the cylinder device 42 as the engaging part are connected, and the cylinder means 52 for moving the chuck means along the lifting / lowering base 51 in FIG. The second moving means driving unit 143 to be driven is connected, and the input unit 144 and the display unit 145 are further connected.
[0051]
The control unit 123 configured as described above operates as follows. As an example, the operation of transporting the transfer pipe 4 in the X1 line to the temporary placement position will be described. The control unit 123 issues a command to the first moving unit driving unit 142, causes the crane base 41 of the first moving unit 6 in FIG. 1 to travel just below the second joint 3 in the X1 line, and The cylinder device 42 just below causes the piston rod to protrude and engage with the hole 49. At the same time, the control unit 123 issues a command to the exchanging means drive unit 141, and causes the crane base 31 of the exchanging means 5 in FIG. 1 to travel to the position just above the transfer pipe 4 in the X1 line, and the elevator base 32 in FIG. The chuck means 33 is closed and the transfer pipe 4 is gripped. Before and after these operations, the control unit 123 operates the solenoid valve (SV) to bring the first joint 2 and the first connection part 26 into an unlocked state, and the second joint 3 and the second connection part. 29 is unlocked.
[0052]
The control unit 123 confirms the unlocked state of the second joint 3 with the proximity switch (SW), issues a command to the first moving unit driving unit 142, and moves the crane base 41 of the first moving unit 6 in FIG. The second connecting portion 29 is extracted from the second joint 3. Further, the control unit 123 confirms the unlocked state of the first joint 2 with the proximity switch (SW), issues a command to the second moving unit driving unit 143, and moves the chuck unit 33 in FIG. 1 in the + X direction. The first connecting portion 26 is extracted from the first joint 2.
[0053]
The control unit 123 issues a command to the exchanging means drive unit 141, raises the lifting / lowering base 32 in FIG. 1, moves the crane base 31 to a position just above the temporary placement position, lowers the lifting / lowering base 32, and chucks 33 Is opened, and the transfer pipe 4 is placed at the temporary placement position. When the above operation is performed in reverse, the transfer pipe 4 is carried to the X1 line, the first connection portion 26 of the transfer pipe 4 is inserted toward the first joint 2, and the second joint 3 is connected to the second connection of the transfer pipe 4. The first connecting portion 26 and the first joint 2 can be locked, and the second connecting portion 29 and the second joint 3 can be locked.
[0054]
Next, the operation of the pipe connection switching device 1 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 5A, the connection from the X1 line to the Y1 line and from the X2 line to the Y2 line is connected to the X2 line from the X1 line to the Y2 line, as shown in FIG. A case where the connection is switched so as to flow from the line to the Y1 line will be described.
[0055]
In FIG. 5A, the fluid from the X1 line to the Y1 line and the X2 line to the Y2 line is completely drained to make it empty. Also, if necessary, flushing fluid is used to clean the line to be switched. Then, the second joint 3 and the second connection portion 29 in the Y1 line are unlocked, the second joint 3 is moved in the direction of arrow a, and the second joint 3 and the second connection portion 29 are disconnected.
[0056]
In FIG. 5B, the first joint 2 and the second connecting portion 26 in the X1 line are unlocked, the transfer pipe 4 is moved in the direction of arrow b, and the first joint 2 and the first connecting portion 26 are disconnected. . The transfer pipe 4 is moved to the temporary placement position in the direction of arrow c and temporarily placed.
[0057]
In FIG. 5C, the second joint 3 and the second connection portion 29 in the Y2 line are unlocked, the second joint 3 is moved in the direction of the arrow d, and the second joint 3 and the second connection portion 29 are moved. Separate. The first joint 2 and the second connection portion 26 in the X2 line are unlocked, the transfer pipe 4 is moved in the direction of arrow e, and the first joint 2 and the first connection portion 26 are disconnected. The transfer pipe 4 is moved in the direction of arrow f to match the X1 line, the transfer pipe 4 is moved in the direction of arrow g, and the first connection portion 26 is inserted into the first joint 2 to be in a locked state.
[0058]
In FIG. 6A, the second joint 3 of the Y2 line is moved in the h direction toward the second connecting portion 29, and the second joint 3 is put on the second connecting portion 29 to be in a locked state. The connecting pipe 4 in the temporary placement position is moved in the i direction so as to coincide with the X2 line, the connecting pipe 4 is moved in the arrow j direction, and the first connecting portion 26 is inserted into the first joint 2 to be locked. To.
[0059]
In FIG. 6B, the second joint 3 of the Y1 line is moved in the j direction toward the second connection portion 29, and the second joint 3 is put on the second connection portion 29 to be in a locked state. In this way, the state shown in FIG. 6C is reached and the switching is completed.
[0060]
In FIG. 2, the fluid from the supply source side pipe reaches the second joint 3 from the first joint 2 to the transfer pipe 4, reaches the second joint 3 through the lowered portion 27 of the transfer pipe 4, and is supplied through the flexible hose 8. Sent to the side pipe. The flow of the fluid in the pipe connection switching device 1 is directed from the top to the bottom, and there is no rising part on the way. Further, the height difference from the first joint 2 to the second joint 3 via the transfer pipe 4 is as low as h1, and the height difference from the second joint 3 to the supply side pipe via the flexible hose 8 is low. Low as h2 or h3. Since there is no rising part and the height difference is low, there is little degree of fluid remaining in the pipe line during the switching operation of the pipe connection switching device 1, and the residual fluid can be easily extracted or easily removed by the cleaning fluid. Cleaning can be performed. Also, the equipment height of the pipe connection switching device 1 can be minimized.
[0061]
Moreover, since the 1st coupling 2 and the 1st connection part 26 and the 2nd coupling 3 and the 2nd connection part 29 are structures which can be attached or detached by axial direction movement, a lock | rock or unlocking of a joint is performed reliably. Further, since the connecting pipe 4 has a falling structure of a main pipe part 25 in the first plane 21, a descending part 27 toward the second plane 22, and a short pipe part 28 in the second plane 22, The degree of fluid remaining in the inside is particularly small. Moreover, since the flexible hose 8 exists in the substantially horizontal 3rd plane 23 or the 4th plane 24, the apparatus height of the pipe connection switching apparatus 1 can be minimized. Further, since the axial movement of the second joint 3 is performed by the first moving means 6 having the engaging portion 42 that selectively operates, compared to the case where the moving means is provided in each of the second joints 3, Equipment configuration is simplified. Moreover, since the 1st moving means 6 also attaches / detaches the 2nd coupling 3 and the 2nd connection part 29, the apparatus structure for the lock | rock or unlocking of a joint becomes easy. Further, since the second moving means 7 is provided in the exchanging means 5 for grasping, lifting and exchanging the transfer pipe 4, when the joints 2 and 3 that can be attached and detached by moving in the axial direction are employed, the joint can be easily obtained. Can be attached and detached.
[0062]
Note that the first joint 2 and the first connection portion 26 and the second joint 3 and the second connection portion 29 can be configured so that they do not move in the axial direction and can be attached and detached simply by abutment. For example, it is possible to employ a joint structure that can be joined by butting flanges and that is provided with a clamp mechanism that automatically operates on the other flange. In this case, the operation of moving one of the joint and the connecting portion in the axial direction is not required for attaching and detaching the joint, and the cycle time can be shortened.
[0063]
The first moving means 6 can be provided for each second joint 3. In this case, although the equipment configuration is complicated, a plurality of second joints 3 can be moved simultaneously, and the cycle time can be shortened. The second moving means 7 can also be provided for each first joint 2. In this case, although the equipment configuration is complicated, the replacement means 5 can concentrate on the replacement of the transfer pipe 4, and the replacement time of the transfer pipe 4 can be shortened. The curved surface of the flexible hose 8 can also be provided in the vertical plane. In this case, the height of the device is increased, but the internal fluid tends to flow from top to bottom. The delivery pipe 4 also has various forms depending on the axial direction of the first joint 2 and the axial direction of the second joint 3. For example, when the axial center direction of the first joint 2 and the axial center direction of the second joint 3 are arranged to face each other with a predetermined height difference, a shape corresponding thereto is obtained. The exchange means 5 can also be performed by an articulated robot instead of the crane system.
[0064]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the fluid flows from the top joint to the bottom joint without passing through the rising portion from the first joint in the planar arrangement to the second joint disposed in the lower plane through the connecting pipe. Therefore, the pipe configuration is such that the fluid in the pipe connection switching device can easily fall out during the switching operation, and cleaning during switching operation can be easily performed. Moreover, since there is no rising part of a pipe line, the height of an apparatus can be made low.
[0065]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the fluid in the pipe connection switching device can be easily removed during the switching operation, and the height of the device can be lowered. Detachment is easy and reliable.
[0066]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the fluid flows from the top to the bottom in the transfer pipe, the pipe configuration is such that the fluid can easily fall out of the transfer pipe during the switching operation, and cleaning during the switching operation can be easily performed. .
[0067]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the fluid flows through the flexible hose without any difference in height in a substantially horizontal plane so that the fluid does not remain in the structure, and the height of the device is high. Can be lowered.
[0068]
According to invention of Claim 5, in order to engage an engaging part with what was chosen from a plurality of 2nd joints, and to move the selected 2nd joint with the common 1st moving means, Equipment configuration is simplified.
[0069]
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, a function for moving the chucked delivery pipe in the axial direction is added to the exchange means having the function of chucking and gripping the delivery pipe, and the joint is attached and detached by moving in the axial direction. Therefore, the device configuration is simplified.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a top view of a pipe connection switching device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the pipe connection switching device of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a pipe connection portion used in the pipe connection switching device of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a control block of the pipe connection switching device of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the operation of the pipe connection switching device of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the operation of the pipe connection switching device of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Piping connection switching device
2 First joint
3 Second joint
4 Delivery piping
5 exchange means
6 First moving means
7 Second moving means
8 Flexible hose
21 First plane
22 Second plane
23 3rd plane
24 4th plane
25 Main piping section
26 1st connection part
27 Lower part
29 Second connection
42 Engagement part (cylinder device)
123 Control unit

Claims (6)

A plurality of first joints fixedly arranged in such a manner that the fluid supply source side is connectable and the shaft cores are arranged in parallel in a substantially horizontal first plane;
A plurality of second joints, to which fluid supply destinations are connectable, the shaft cores being arranged side by side in a substantially horizontal second plane located below the first plane and arranged in an axially movable manner; ,
A plurality of connecting pipes that are arranged coaxially with the first joint, have a first connection portion attached to and detached from the first joint at one end, and have a second connection portion attached to and detached from the second joint;
An exchanging means for exchanging the connecting position of the connecting pipe in order to change the connection relation of the connecting pipe to the first joint;
A pipe connection switching device comprising: first moving means for moving the second joint in the axial direction in order to change a connection relationship between the second joint and the first joint. A plurality of first joints fixedly arranged in such a manner that the fluid supply source side is connectable and the shaft cores are arranged in parallel in a substantially horizontal first plane;
A plurality of second joints, to which fluid supply destinations are connectable, the shaft cores being arranged side by side in a substantially horizontal second plane located below the first plane and arranged in an axially movable manner; ,
A plurality of connecting pipes that are arranged coaxially with the first joint, have a first connection portion attached to and detached from the first joint at one end, and have a second connection portion attached to and detached from the second joint;
An exchanging means for exchanging the connecting position of the connecting pipe in order to change the connection relation of the connecting pipe to the first joint;
First moving means for moving the second joint in the axial direction in order to change the connection relationship between the second joint and the first joint, and to be attached to and detached from the second connection portion;
A pipe connection switching device comprising: second moving means for moving the transfer pipe in the axial direction and attaching and detaching the first connection tool. The delivery pipe includes a main pipe part coaxial with the first joint, the first connection part at one end of the main pipe part, a downward part directed downward from the main pipe part, and the first part from the downward part. The pipe connection switching device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising two joints and the second connection portion oriented in the coaxial direction. 3. The pipe connection switching device according to claim 1, wherein the second joint is connected to a supply side via a flexible hose, and the flexible hose is arranged to be bendable in a substantially horizontal plane. . 3. The pipe connection switching device according to claim 1, wherein the first moving unit is provided in common to the plurality of second joints, and has an engaging portion that selectively engages each of the second joints. . The pipe connection switching device according to claim 2, wherein the second moving means is provided in the exchange means.

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