JP5823364B2 - Fluid circulation system in the factory - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fluid circulation system for circulating a fluid such as cooling water in a factory.

  For example, as shown in Patent Document 1, since a high-temperature welding heat is generated when welding is performed, the welding apparatus is cooled by circulating cooling water through a transformer or a welding gun. Specifically, the welding apparatus is provided with, for example, a water supply pipe, a drain pipe, and a pump for circulating cooling water, and the cooling water is circulated through these pipes.

  On the other hand, for example, in a factory where a plurality of (for example, several hundred) welding apparatuses are installed, if a pump or the like for circulating cooling water is installed for each welding apparatus, the equipment cost becomes very high. Therefore, in a factory where a plurality of welding apparatuses are installed, piping of a plurality of welding apparatuses is connected, and cooling water is circulated and circulated collectively to the welding apparatuses in the entire factory.

  More specifically, a conventional cooling water circulation system in a factory uses a fluid storage part (cooling tower) for storing cooling water, a supply main pipe connected to the fluid storage part, and cooling water circulated in the welding apparatus as fluid. A return main pipe that returns to the storage section, a supply branch pipe that connects the supply main pipe and each welding apparatus, a return branch pipe that connects each welding apparatus and the return main pipe, and cooling water installed in the supply main pipe And a pump (driving means) serving as a driving source to circulate.

JP 7-328777 A

  All of the welding equipment installed in the factory may be in operation, but depending on the number of production targets for the day and the layout of the production line, the power is on but it is on standby. There are many welding devices that are available. In the conventional cooling water circulation system, since the cooling water is supplied also to the welding apparatus in such a standby state, there is a problem that the load on the driving means for supplying the cooling water and the running cost increase. It was.

  The present invention was created to solve such problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a fluid circulation system capable of reducing the load and running cost of driving means for supplying fluid in a factory. And

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a fluid storage section that stores a fluid, a supply main pipe that is connected to the fluid storage section and supplies the fluid, and a fluid in a factory where a plurality of apparatuses are installed. A return main pipe returning to the fluid reservoir, a supply branch pipe connecting the supply main pipe and the apparatus main body of each apparatus, a return branch pipe connecting each apparatus main body and the return main pipe, is installed in the supply main pipe, a plurality of driving means for circulating the fluid, a valve installed on at least one of the supply branch pipe and the return branch pipes, causes opens or closes the valve each A plurality of device control units for waiting or operating the device main body, and a control unit that is electrically connected to each of the device control units, stores a standby state or an operation state of the device, and controls each of the driving means. If, Yu The device control section, when the apparatus main body is listening to closed the valve, is opened the valve when the apparatus main body is operating, the control unit, the apparatus The number of operations of the drive means is reduced as the standby ratio increases, and the number of operations of the drive means is increased as the standby ratio of the apparatus decreases .

  According to this configuration, when the apparatus main body is waiting, the valve is closed so that no fluid flows into the apparatus main body. As a result, the entire length of the fluid flowing through the entire factory can be shortened, so the load on the driving means for circulating the fluid can be reduced, and the amount of electricity consumed by the driving means and the running cost can be reduced. can do.

  Further, a flow rate sensor for detecting a flow rate of fluid is installed in the return branch pipe, and the control unit for the device, when the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the return branch pipe does not satisfy a preset flow rate, It is preferable to close the valve.

  According to such a configuration, when a fluid leaks due to a failure of the apparatus or the like, the fluid can be prevented from leaking to the outside by closing the valve.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said apparatus control part does not open and close the said valve based on the flow volume data transmitted from the said flow sensor for a predetermined time after opening the said valve.

  Since the flow rate of the fluid is not stable for a predetermined time after the valve is opened, the valve is likely to be closed and a malfunction may occur. However, according to such a configuration, such a malfunction can be avoided.

  The plurality of devices include a hydraulic unit-containing device that includes a hydraulic unit and a cooling function that cools the hydraulic oil that flows to the hydraulic unit, and the hydraulic unit-containing device is included in the hydraulic unit. A temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the hydraulic oil, and the device control unit according to the hydraulic unit-containing device closes the valve when the hydraulic unit-containing device is on standby, and It is preferable that the valve is opened when the hydraulic unit-containing device is operating and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor exceeds a preset temperature.

  According to such a configuration, even when the apparatus is operating, the valve is opened only when the temperature of the hydraulic oil exceeds a preset temperature, so that energy efficiency can be further improved.

  According to the fluid circulation system in a factory according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the load and running cost of driving means for supplying fluid in the factory.

It is the whole fluid circulation system schematic diagram concerning this embodiment. It is a principal part expansion schematic of a welding apparatus. It is a principal part expansion schematic of a press apparatus.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, a fluid circulation system 1 according to the present embodiment is a system that circulates cooling water for cooling a plurality of apparatuses installed in a factory collectively throughout the factory. Although the kind of apparatus installed in a factory is not specifically limited, In this embodiment, the some welding apparatus X and the some press apparatus Y are illustrated. The number of installed devices is not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, 100 welding devices X and 3 press devices Y are assumed. First, the overall configuration of the fluid circulation system 1 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the fluid circulation system 1 includes a fluid storage unit 2, a supply main pipe 3, a return main pipe 4, a supply branch pipe 5, a return branch pipe 6, a driving unit 7, and a control unit 8. And is mainly composed.

  The fluid storage unit 2 is a container for storing a fluid to be circulated (cooling water in the present embodiment). The fluid storage unit 2 uses a so-called cooling tower in this embodiment. The fluid reservoir 2 is configured to supply cooling water having a constant temperature, and is configured to add cooling water correspondingly when the cooling water volatilizes.

  The supply main pipe 3 is a pipe connected to the fluid storage unit 2, and supplies cooling water to the welding apparatus X and the press apparatus Y.

  The return main pipe 4 is a pipe that returns the cooling water circulated through the welding apparatus X and the press apparatus Y to the fluid storage unit 2.

  The supply branch pipe 5 is a pipe that connects the supply main pipe 3 to the welding apparatus X and the press apparatus Y.

  The return branch pipe 6 is a pipe that connects the welding apparatus X and the press apparatus Y to the return main pipe 4.

  The drive means 7 is provided in a part of the supply main pipe 3 and is a drive source for circulating cooling water. The drive means 7 is comprised by the three pumps P in this actual embodiment.

  The control unit 8 controls the overall operation of the fluid circulation system 1. The control unit 8 includes a CPU, a memory, a display unit, an input unit, and the like. The control unit 8 is electrically connected to each device control unit, the fluid storage unit 2, and the driving unit 7 which will be described later. The control unit 8 is configured to receive a standby state signal or an operation state signal from each device control unit and store how many devices are in a standby state or an operation state.

  For example, the control unit 8 drives three pumps when the number of devices in the standby state is less than 1/3 of the total number of welding devices X and press devices Y, and the number of devices in the standby state is 1/3 or more. If it is less than 2/3, it is configured to drive two pumps (stop one pump), and to drive one pump if the number of standby devices is 2/3 or more (two pumps stopped) ing. Note that the number of pumps installed in the driving means 7, the number of pump stops (the number of drives) with respect to the number of devices in the standby state, and the like may be appropriately set according to each condition.

  Next, the configuration of the welding apparatus X will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 2, the welding apparatus X is an arm robot that performs welding, and includes a transformer Xb installed at the tip of the arm Xa, a welding gun Xc installed in the transformer Xb, a transformer Xb, and a welding gun Xc. And a cooling means for cooling. The transformer Xb and the welding gun Xc are portions corresponding to the “apparatus body” in the claims.

  A passage through which cooling water flows is formed inside the transformer Xb and the welding gun Xc, and the temperature rise of the transformer Xb and the welding gun Xc is suppressed by flowing the cooling water through the passage. A tip Xd that comes into contact with the workpiece is detachably attached to the tip of the welding gun Xc. The insertion portion into which the tip Xd is inserted communicates with the cooling water flow path in the welding gun Xc.

  The supply branch pipe 5 is further branched into a transformer supply branch pipe 11 and a gun supply branch pipe 12. The transformer supply branch pipe 11 is a pipe connected to the transformer Xb. The gun supply branch pipe 12 is a pipe connected to the welding gun Xc.

  On the other hand, the return branch pipe 6 is further branched into a transformer return branch pipe 13 and a gun return branch pipe 14. The transformer return branch pipe 13 is a pipe connected to the transformer Xb. The gun return branch pipe 14 is a pipe connected to the welding gun Xc.

  The supply branch pipe 5 is provided with an electromagnetic valve (valve) 15 that electrically opens and closes the flow path. The electromagnetic valve 15 is electrically connected to the welding device controller 17. The electromagnetic valve 15 opens or closes based on a signal transmitted from the welding device control unit 17.

  A flow sensor 16 is installed in the return branch pipe 6. The flow sensor 16 is electrically connected to the welding device controller 17. The flow rate sensor 16 measures the flow rate of the cooling water flowing through the return branch pipe 6 and transmits the flow rate data to the welding device control unit 17.

  The welding device control unit 17 is installed for each welding device X and controls the welding device X. The welding device control unit 17 includes a CPU, memory, display means, input means, and the like. The welding device controller 17 is also electrically connected to the controller 8 (see FIG. 1).

  For example, a power button, a standby button, an operation button, and the like are provided in the input means of the welding device control unit 17. The power button is a button for switching the power of the welding apparatus X ON / OFF. The standby button is a button for waiting the welding apparatus X in a state where the power is turned on, and the operation button is a button for actually operating the welding apparatus X. When the power button is ON, the welding apparatus X is in either a standby state (standby button ON) or an operation state (operation button ON).

  The welding device control unit 17 transmits a valve closing signal to the electromagnetic valve 15 when the standby button is ON. Further, the welding device control unit 17 transmits a standby state signal indicating that the welding device X is in a standby state to the control unit 8 in association with the welding device X.

  On the other hand, when the operation button is ON, the welding device control unit 17 transmits a valve opening signal to the electromagnetic valve 15. Further, the welding device control unit 17 transmits an operation state signal indicating that the welding device X is in an operation state to the control unit 8 in association with the welding device X.

  The flow rate data transmitted from the flow rate sensor 16 to the welding device control unit 17 is stored in the memory of the welding device control unit 17. When the welding device X is in an operating state and the flow rate data Ma stored in the memory is compared with the preset reference flow rate data Mb, the welding device control unit 17 is electromagnetic A valve opening signal is transmitted to the valve 15. On the other hand, when the welding apparatus X is in an operating state and Mb> Ma, a valve closing signal is transmitted to the electromagnetic valve 15 as an abnormality.

  Here, since the flow rate of the cooling water flowing through the return branch pipe 6, the transformer return branch pipe 13, and the gun return branch pipe 14 is not stable for a predetermined time after the electromagnetic valve 15 is opened, welding is performed. There is a possibility that a malfunction may occur in which the electromagnetic valve 15 is closed when the device control unit 17 detects an abnormality. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the flow rate of the cooling water flowing through the return branch pipe 6, the transformer return branch pipe 13, and the gun return branch pipe 14 for a predetermined time after the electromagnetic valve 15 is opened (after the valve is opened). Is set to perform malfunction avoidance control that does not open or close the electromagnetic valve 15 based on the flow rate data transmitted from the flow rate sensor 16.

  The cooling means in the welding apparatus X includes a supply branch pipe 5 (a transformer supply branch pipe 11 and a gun supply branch pipe 12), a return branch pipe 6 (a transformer return branch pipe 13 and a gun return branch pipe 14), and a solenoid valve. 15, a flow rate sensor 16 and a welding device control unit 17.

  Next, the configuration of the press apparatus Y will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 3, the press device Y (hydraulic unit-containing device) is, for example, a device for forming a hollow container, and includes a device main body Ya equipped with a forming die and the like, a hydraulic unit Yb, and a cooling means. It is mainly composed.

  The hydraulic unit Yb is, for example, a mechanism for driving the forming die of the apparatus main body Ya by hydraulic pressure. The hydraulic unit Yb mainly includes an oil tank 21, a pump 22, a supply pipe 23, a cylinder 24, a return pipe 25, a cooling plate 26, and a temperature sensor 27.

  The oil tank 21 is a container for storing hydraulic oil, and the hydraulic oil is supplied to the supply pipe 23 by the pump 22. The cylinder 24 includes a casing 24a and a piston rod 24b. The tip of the piston rod 24b is connected to the above-described mold.

  The hydraulic oil used in the cylinder 24 flows through the return pipe 25 and returns to the oil tank 21. A cooling plate 26 is formed on the return pipe 25. The cooling plate 26 is formed with a flow path through which cooling water flows. A supply branch pipe 5 connected to the supply main pipe 3 is connected to one end of the flow path, and a return branch pipe 6 connected to the return main pipe 4 is connected to the other end. When the cooling water flows through the cooling plate 26, the hydraulic oil that contacts the cooling plate 26 is cooled.

  The supply branch pipe 5 is provided with an electromagnetic valve (valve) 35 that electrically opens and closes the flow path. The electromagnetic valve 35 is electrically connected to the press device controller 37. The electromagnetic valve 35 opens or closes based on a signal transmitted from the press device controller 37.

  The temperature sensor 27 measures the temperature of the hydraulic oil stored in the oil tank 21 and transmits the temperature data to the press device controller 37.

  The press device control unit 37 is provided for each press device Y and controls the press device Y. The press device controller 37 includes a CPU, memory, display means, input means, and the like. The pressing device control unit 37 is also electrically connected to the control unit 8 (see FIG. 1).

  For example, a power button, a standby button, an operation button, and the like are provided as input means of the control unit 37 for the press apparatus. The power button is a button for switching ON / OFF the power of the press apparatus Y. The standby button is a button for making the press device Y stand by in a state where the power is turned on, and the operation button is a button for actually operating the press device Y. When the power button is ON, the press device Y is in a standby state (standby button ON) or an operating state (operation button ON).

  When the standby button is ON, or when the operation button is ON and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 27 does not exceed the preset temperature, the press device control unit 37 closes the solenoid valve 35. Send the valve signal. Further, the press device control unit 37 transmits a standby state signal indicating that the press device Y is in a standby state to the control unit 8 in association with the press device Y.

  On the other hand, the press device controller 37 transmits a valve opening signal to the electromagnetic valve 35 when the operation button is ON and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 27 exceeds a preset temperature. Further, the press device control unit 37 transmits an operation state signal indicating that the press device Y is in an operation state to the control unit 8 in association with the press device Y.

  The flow rate data transmitted from the flow rate sensor 36 is stored in the memory of the press device controller 37. When the press device Y is in an operating state and the flow rate data Na stored in the memory and the reference flow rate data Nb set in advance are Nb ≦ Na, the press device control unit 37 A valve opening signal is transmitted to the valve 35. On the other hand, when the press device Y is in an operating state and Nb> Na, a valve closing signal is transmitted to the electromagnetic valve 35 as an abnormality.

  Here, since the flow rate of the cooling water flowing through the return branch pipe 6 is not stable for a predetermined time after the solenoid valve 35 is opened, the press device control unit 37 detects an abnormality and closes the solenoid valve 35. It is possible that a malfunction will occur. Therefore, in this embodiment, a predetermined time after the electromagnetic valve 35 is opened (until the flow rate of the cooling water flowing through the return branch pipe 6 is stabilized after being opened) is transmitted from the flow sensor 36. On the basis of the flow rate data, the malfunction avoidance control that does not open and close the solenoid valve 35 is performed.

  The cooling means in the press device Y includes a supply branch pipe 5, a return branch pipe 6, a cooling plate 26, an electromagnetic valve 35, a flow rate sensor 36, and a press device controller 37.

  Next, the operation of the fluid circulation system 1 will be described. Here, for example, 50 of the 100 welding apparatuses X are in the standby state and one of the 3 press apparatuses Y is in the standby state.

  Among the welding apparatuses X, the electromagnetic valve 15 of the apparatus that is in an operating state is opened, so that cooling water flows through the apparatus main body (transformer Xb and welding gun Xc) of the apparatus. On the other hand, since the electromagnetic valve 15 of the welding apparatus X that is in the standby state is closed, the cooling water does not flow through the apparatus main body of the apparatus.

  Similarly, since the solenoid valve 35 of the device in the operating state in the press device Y is opened, cooling water flows through the hydraulic unit Yb (cooling plate 26) of the device. On the other hand, since the electromagnetic valve 35 of the press device Y that is in the standby state is closed, the cooling water does not flow through the hydraulic unit Yb of the device.

  In this case, the control unit 8 recognizes that about half of the welding apparatuses X and the press apparatuses Y (103 in this embodiment) are in a standby state, and therefore, among the three pumps of the driving unit 7, Run two pumps and stop one pump.

On the other hand, when the welding apparatus X and the press apparatus Y that have been in the standby state are in an operating state, about 80% of the welding apparatus X and the pressing apparatus Y are in operation (about 20% of the apparatuses are on standby) Unit 8 operates all pumps.
On the other hand, when the number of standby devices increases and about 80% of the welding devices X and press devices Y are in standby (about 20% of the devices are operating), the control unit 8 operates one pump, Stop the two pumps.

  Thus, according to this embodiment, the cooling water is not circulated through the welding apparatus X and the press apparatus Y in the standby state. Thereby, since the full length which distribute | circulates cooling water can be shortened in the whole factory, a part of pump of the drive means 7 can be stopped. Thereby, while being able to reduce the load of the drive means 7, the amount of electricity consumed by the drive means 7 and the running cost can be reduced. In other words, the conventional fluid circulation system is in a so-called idling state in which the cooling water is circulated regardless of the standby or operation of the apparatus. However, according to the present embodiment, the necessary cooling water is circulated only when necessary. Therefore, idling can be stopped in the factory.

  Conventionally, the cooling water may leak to the outside due to the chip Xd of the welding gun Xc falling off or the cooling plate 26 being damaged. However, in this embodiment, since the flow rate sensors 16 and 36 are provided to monitor the flow rate of the cooling water, it is possible to quickly cope with the leakage of the cooling water.

  In the present embodiment, the electromagnetic valves 15 and 35 are opened and closed based on the flow rate data transmitted from the flow rate sensor 16 or the flow rate sensor 36 for a predetermined time after the solenoid valve 15 or the solenoid valve 35 is opened. Since malfunction avoidance control that is not performed is performed, malfunction can be prevented.

  Further, the press device Y is configured to open the solenoid valve 35 when the device main body Ya and the hydraulic unit Yb are operating and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 27 exceeds a preset temperature. The cooling water can be circulated only when the hydraulic oil needs to be cooled. Thereby, energy efficiency can be improved more.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, design changes can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the present embodiment, the transformer Xb and the welding gun Xc of the welding apparatus X are cooled, but only one of them may be cooled, and the other part may be cooled. Specifically, the timer contactor of the welding apparatus X may be cooled.

  In the present embodiment, the cooling water is exemplified as the fluid to be circulated. However, the present invention may be used when other media are circulated. In addition, the factory in the present invention means a wide range of research facilities, plants, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, the electromagnetic valves 15 and 35 are installed in the supply branch pipe 5, but may be installed in the return branch pipe 6. Further, the electromagnetic valves 15 and 35 may be installed in both the supply branch pipe 5 and the return branch pipe 6.

  Further, in the press device Y, the electromagnetic valve 35 is opened or closed in consideration of temperature data in addition to whether the press device Y is in a standby state or in an operating state. Without consideration, the electromagnetic valve 35 may be closed when the press device Y is in a standby state, and the electromagnetic valve 35 may be opened when the press device Y is in an operating state.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fluid circulation system 2 Fluid storage part 3 Supply main pipe 4 Return main pipe 5 Supply branch pipe 6 Return branch pipe 7 Drive means 8 Control part 11 Supply branch pipe for transformers 12 Supply branch pipe for guns 13 Return branch pipe for transformers 14 Guns Return branch pipe 15 Solenoid valve (valve)
16 Flow rate sensor 17 Welding device control unit (device control unit)
26 Cooling plate 27 Temperature sensor 35 Solenoid valve (valve)
36 Flow sensor 37 Press control unit (control unit)
X welding equipment
Y press machine
Yb Hydraulic unit

Claims (4)

In a factory where multiple devices are installed,
A fluid reservoir for storing fluid;
A supply main connected to the fluid reservoir for supplying the fluid;
A return main for returning the fluid to the fluid reservoir;
A supply branch pipe connecting the supply main pipe and the apparatus main body of each of the apparatuses;
A return branch pipe connecting each device body and the return main pipe;
A plurality of driving means installed in the supply main and for circulating the fluid;
A valve installed in at least one of the supply branch pipe and the return branch pipe;
A plurality of device control units for opening or closing the valves and for waiting or operating each device body; and
A control unit that is electrically connected to each of the control units for the device, stores a standby state or an operating state of the device, and controls each of the driving means ;
The device control unit closes the valve when the device main body is on standby, and opens the valve when the device main body is operating ,
The control unit is configured to reduce the number of operation of the driving unit as the standby ratio of the device increases, and to increase the number of operation of the driving unit as the standby ratio of the device decreases. Fluid circulation system in the factory. A flow sensor for detecting the flow rate of the fluid is installed in the return branch pipe,
2. The fluid circulation system in a factory according to claim 1, wherein when the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the return branch pipe does not satisfy a preset flow rate, the apparatus control unit closes the valve. .   3. The factory according to claim 2, wherein the device control unit does not open and close the valve based on flow rate data transmitted from the flow rate sensor for a predetermined time after the valve is opened. Fluid circulation system inside. The plurality of devices include a hydraulic unit-containing device that includes a hydraulic unit and a cooling function that cools the hydraulic fluid flowing through the hydraulic unit.
The hydraulic unit-containing apparatus has a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of hydraulic oil in the hydraulic unit,
The device control unit related to the hydraulic unit-containing device closes the valve when the hydraulic unit-containing device is on standby, the hydraulic unit-containing device is operating, and the temperature sensor The fluid circulation system in a factory according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the measured temperature exceeds a preset temperature, the valve is opened.

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