JPH0524478B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to a cell and a loading/unloading container for handling objects such as radioactive substances that cannot be exposed to the external atmosphere, and particularly relates to a cell and a loading/unloading container in which the door of the cell and loading/unloading container are integrated. This invention relates to a door opening/closing device that opens and closes the door.

[Technical background of the invention]

For example, a nuclear power plant is equipped with a hot cell that handles radioactive materials, and when transporting radioactive materials into and out of the hot cell, a dedicated transport container is connected to the hot cell, and the hot cell and transport container are The door is opened and closed integrally to prevent radioactive materials from leaking outside.

FIG. 7 shows a state in which the carrying-in/out container 2 is connected to the hot cell 1, and the peripheral wall of the cell container 1a has a self-flange 4 with a tapered inner peripheral surface forming an opening 3 that narrows outward. is fitted.
In addition, the self-flange 4 is connected to the hinge 5 through the hinge 5.
A cell door 6 is attached. The cell door 6 has a taper that complements the taper of the self-flange 4, and a cell door grip 7 is protruded from the surface facing into the hot cell 1. Furthermore, a cylindrical bellows mounting portion 8 that surrounds the cell door grip 7 is provided in a protruding manner on the cell door 6 . On the other hand, the peripheral wall of the hot cell 1 is provided with an opening 9 into which a worker inserts his/her hand.
The opening of this hot cell 1 and the cell door 6
A bellows 10 is attached between the bellows attachment portion 8 attached to the bellows attachment portion 8 and the bellows attachment portion 8 attached thereto.

On the other hand, the carry-in/out container 2 has a container 11 for storing radioactive materials, and one end of the container 11 has a tapered inner circumferential surface forming an opening 12 that narrows toward the inside of the container 11. A flange 13 is attached. A container door 14 is attached to this container flange 13. The container door 14 is tapered so that the outer peripheral surface of the container door 14 is tightly fitted with the inner peripheral surface of the container flange 13. In addition, this container door 14
is connected to the cell door 6 by rotating the cell door grip 7 attached to the cell door 6 in one direction, and is disconnected from the cell door 6 by rotating the cell door grip 7 in the opposite direction. It is formed so that

Note that the self-flange 4, cell door 6, container flange 13, and container door 14 are provided with lip seals (not shown).

Next, when carrying radioactive material into the hot cell 1, the carrying-in/out container 2 containing the radioactive material is attached to the self-flange 4 by means not shown. Next, the cell door 6 and the container door 14 are connected by inserting a hand through the opening 9 and rotating the cell door gripper 7 in one direction. Next, a magic hand (not shown) is used to take out the radioactive material from the loading/unloading container 2 and transfer the radioactive material into the hot cell 1. Next, insert your hand through the opening 9 again to close the cell door 6, and rotate the cell door grip 7 in the opposite direction to close the cell door 6.
The connection between the container door 14 and the container door 14 is released. Thereafter, the carry-in/out container 2 is removed from the self-flange 4.

According to this door opening/closing device, the cell door 6 and the container door 14 are opened and closed by being tightly engaged and connected by the lip seal, so that the surfaces of the cell door 6 and the container door 14 are not exposed to the air inside the hot cell 1. First, since the self-flange 4 and the container flange 13 are tightly engaged by the lip seal, radioactive materials can be carried in and out of the hot cell 1 without leaking the air inside the hot cell 1 and the container 11 to the outside. is possible.

[Problems with background technology]

However, on the other hand, since the cell door 6 must be directly operated by the worker, there is a risk that the worker will be exposed to external radiation during the work. Also, by rotating the cell door 6, the cell door 6 and the container door 14 can be opened.
Since the cell door 6 is connected to the cell door 6, the cell door 6 must necessarily be formed into a circular shape. Therefore, when handling a radioactive substance having a rectangular cross section, for example, the diameter of the opening 3 of the hot cell 1 must be increased, which increases the risk of external exposure.

Therefore, conventionally, the cell door 6 was operated by human hands.
It has been considered to use a manipulator corresponding to the arm, but in this case, there are problems such as the structure of the manipulator becomes complicated, the reliability is poor, and the cost performance deteriorates significantly.

[Purpose of the invention]

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a door opening/closing device that can automate the opening and closing of doors, thereby reducing the risk of radiation exposure to workers, and that is simple in structure and inexpensive. shall be.

[Summary of the invention]

The present invention connects a cell and a loading/unloading container for handling objects such as radioactive materials that cannot be exposed to the external atmosphere through a self-flange and a container flange, moves the cell door and the container flange integrally, and moves the cell door and the container flange together. and a door opening/closing device for attaching and detaching the container door to and from the self-flange and the container flange. and a pin rod that is actuated in a protruding direction by the pressing plate when the cell door and the container door are pressed against each other, engages with a claw member protruding from the cell door, and connects the cell door and the container door. A fixing device for a container door and a container flange, the device having a coupling device, a pin rod that is actuated by the pawl member and disengaged from the container flange when the cell door and the container door are pressed into contact with each other, and a cell door. and a door feeding device that moves the container door toward or away from the container door.

[Embodiments of the Invention] The present invention will be described below based on embodiments shown in the drawings. Note that the same parts as those of the conventional one are given the same reference numerals, and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

1 to 6 show embodiments of a door opening/closing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of the hot cell 1 and the loading/unloading container 2 when the hot cell 1 and loading/unloading container 2 are connected.
5 is formed, and a claw member 16 is provided radially outward of the recess 15 to protrude toward the container door 14, as shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b. Also,
A plurality of micro-switches 17 are embedded in the outer periphery of the cell door 6, and are configured to sense the pressing of the cell door 6 and the container door 14.

Further, the hot cell 1 is provided with a door feeding device 18, and the cell door 6 and the container door 14 are opened and closed integrally by this door feeding device 18. That is, self-flange 4
One end of a ball screw 19 is supported via a bearing (not shown). This ball screw 19 extends into the hot cell 1 and passes through another wall of the cell container 1a opposite to the wall to which the self-flange 4 is attached. A spur gear 20 is attached to the penetrating portion of the ball screw 19. Further, a drive motor 21 is attached to the outer surface of the other wall of the cell container 1a, and this drive motor 2
A drive spur gear 23 attached to one motor shaft 22 and the spur gear 20 are configured to mesh with each other. Note that the ball screw 19 and the motor shaft 22 are connected to a bearing 24 embedded in the other wall.
Supported by 25. On the other hand, cell door 6
is formed in such a size that it slightly protrudes into the hot cell 1 from the inner end surface of the self-flange 4 when the cell door 6 is attached to the self-flange 4. A female thread 26 is provided on the outer periphery of this protruding portion of the cell door 6 to be screwed into the ball screw 19. By the operation of the drive motor 21, the ball screw 19 is rotated around its axis through the gears 23 and 22, and as a result, the cell door 6 is attached to and detached from the self-flange 4. There is.

On the other hand, a recess 27 is formed at the outer end of the container door 14 as shown in FIG.
and when the container door 14 is engaged, both recesses 15,
17, a predetermined space is formed as shown in FIG. 2b. Further, on the outer surface of the container door 14, a selection device 29 including a press plate 28 that can be stored in the space is provided.

That is, inside the container door 14, there is a
As shown in ~e, a heart-shaped groove 30 having a concave portion is provided inwardly of the container door 14. To explain the depth of this groove 30, the third
As shown in Figure 3, Figure 3 c, A, B, C, D,
The depth of the groove 30 along the path E and A is serrated. A perspective view of this groove 30 is shown in FIG. 3e. On the other hand, the pressing plate 28 is provided with an arcuate hole 31 that expands toward the container. A driven link 32 is bridged between the container door 14 and the pressing plate 28. That is, pins 33 and 34 are provided at both ends of the driven link 32.
One pin 33 is engaged with the groove 30 of the container door 14, and the other pin 34 passes through the hole 31 of the pressing plate 28. A locking plate 35 is attached to the tip of the penetrating portion of the pressing plate 28 of the other pin 34, and a spring 36 is interposed between the locking plate 35 and the pressing plate 28. Further, a spring 37 is attached between the pressing plate 28 and the container door 14 as shown in FIGS. has been done. Therefore, this selection device 29 selects the pin 3 of the driven link 32 by the first pressing of the cell door 6 and the container door 14.
3 and 34 are moved along the groove 30 and the hole 31, and at this time, the pin 33 of the driven link 32 is moved along the groove 30 and the hole 31.
It is slid along paths A, B, and C shown in FIG. Moreover, if the cell door 6 and the container door 14 are pressed against each other again from the state shown in FIG. 3b and then released from the pressed state, the spring 37
Due to the action of the pin 33 of the driven link 32, the pin 33 of the driven link 32 is slid along the path C, D, E, A shown in FIG.
It is configured to be locked to the locking stepped portion of the portion A as shown in FIG. 3a.

Further, a connecting device 38 for connecting the container door 14 to the cell door 6 is attached to the recess 27 (FIG. 2a) of the container door 14 at a position corresponding to the claw member 16 of the cell door 6. This connecting device 3
8 is a container door 14 as shown in FIGS.
One surface of the casing 39 is fixedly provided to the casing 39. An L-shaped lever 40 is arranged within the casing 39. That is, this L-shaped lever 40
is supported by the casing 39 via a pin 41 at the bent portion, and is swingable around the pin 41. Further, a pin rod 42 that engages with the claw member 16 is provided on the wall of the casing 39 facing the claw member 16. This pin rod 42 is fitted into the casing 39 so as to be freely protrusive and retractable, and one end of a spring 43 is in contact with one end facing into the casing 39. Also, spring 43
An L-shaped lever 40 is attached to the other end via a pin 44.
A cubic block 46 that engages with the elongated hole 45 is connected. Further, another spring 47 having a larger spring constant than the spring 43 is interposed between the block 46 and the casing 39. On the other hand, a pin rod 48 is fitted into the wall of the casing 39 facing the press plate 28, and is retractable toward the press plate 28. One end of the pin rod 48 facing inside the casing 39 is connected to the pin 4.
9 is engaged with the long hole 50 of the L-shaped lever 40. A micro switch 51 is provided within the casing 39 to sense the state of the pin rod 48. Therefore, this coupling device 39 is
When the pin rod 48 is pressed into contact with the pressing plate 28, the other pin rod 42 is engaged with the claw member 16 of the cell door 6 due to the swinging of the lever 40, while the pin rod 48 and the pressing plate 28 When the pressed state is released, the engagement between the pin rod 42 and the claw member 16 is released by the action of the spring 47. In addition, at this time, pin rod 4
8 is projected from the casing 39 by swinging the lever 40.

On the other hand, the container flange 13 is provided with a locking step 52 on its inner peripheral surface, as shown in FIG. 2b. In addition, on the outer periphery of the container door 14,
A fixing device 53 is provided for fixing the container door 14 to the container flange 13. A casing 54 of this fixing device 53 is embedded in the container door 14. Inside this casing 54, a fifth
As shown in Figures a-e, an L-shaped lever 55 is arranged. That is, this L-shaped lever 55 is swingably supported by the casing 54 via a pin 56 at the bent portion. Also, casing 5
The wall facing the container flange 13 of No. 4 is provided with a pin rod 57 that engages with the locking step 52 (FIG. 2b) of the container flange 13. This pin rod 57 is fitted into the casing 54 so as to be freely retractable.
One end of a spring 58 is brought into contact with one end of the spring 7 facing into the casing 54 . The other end of the spring 58 is connected to the elongated hole 6 of the L-shaped lever 55 via a pin 59.
A cuboidal block 61 that engages with 0 is connected. Further, another spring 62 having a larger spring constant than the spring 58 is interposed between the block 61 and the casing 54. On the other hand, another pin rod 63 is provided on the wall of the casing 54 facing the claw member 16 attached to the cell door 6 so as to be freely retractable. And this pin rod 63
One end facing into the casing 54 is engaged with a long hole 65 of the L-shaped lever 55 via a pin 64. Note that a pin rod 63 is provided inside the casing 54.
A micro switch 66 is provided to sense the state of the switch. Thus, in this fixing device 53, when the pin rod 63 is pushed in by pressing against the tip of the claw member 16, the engagement between the other pin rod 57 and the container flange 13 is released by the swinging of the lever 55. On the other hand, when the pressed state between the pin rod 63 and the tip of the claw member 16 is released, the pin rod 57 is engaged with the locking step 52 of the container flange 13 by the action of the spring 62.

Further, the opening/closing device of the embodiment includes a connection and holding device 67 shown in FIG. That is, container door 1
4 is provided with a protruding hole 68 that opens toward the outer periphery of the container door 14. And hole 6
A claw member 69 that can freely move in and out of the container door 14 is fitted into the container door 8 , and the claw member 69 is urged outward in the radial direction of the container door 14 by a spring 70 . Further, a link 71 is fixed to the claw member 69, and furthermore, this link 71
One end of another link 72 is pivotally connected to the free end of the link. Furthermore, one end of a locking rod 73 is pivotally connected to the other end of the link 72. Incidentally, the container door 14 is provided with a protruding hole that accommodates the links 71, 72 and the locking rod 73 and allows their movement. Therefore, this connection holding device 67
While the container flange 13 and the container door 14 are engaged, the claw member 69 is retracted into the hole 68 and the locking rod 73 is retracted from the groove 30;
While the engagement state between the container flange 13 and the container door 14 is released, the claw member 69 is pressed against the spring 7.
0 protrudes from the hole 68 and the locking rod 7
3 is adapted to protrude into the groove 30.

Note that lip seals (not shown) are appropriately applied to the moving parts of the links 71, 72 and the locking rod 73. Further, in this embodiment, lip seals (not shown) are appropriately applied to the self-flange 4, cell door 6, container flange 13, and container door 14, as in the conventional case.

Next, the overall operation of the opening/closing device of the embodiment will be explained.

First, the carry-in/out container 2 is attached to the self-flange 4 by means not shown. In this case, the pressing plate 2
8 is a driven link 32 that is pressed from the cell door 6 toward the container door 14 and is connected to the pressing plate 28.
The pin 33 is slid along the paths A, B, and C shown in FIG. 3c, and finally the pin 33 is locked in the locking step of the groove 30 as shown in FIG. 3b. . Also, at this time, the connecting device 38 is
The pin rod 48 is pressed, and this pin rod 4
Another pin rod 42 is engaged with the pawl member 16 of the cell door 6 by the action of a lever 40 connected to the cell door 8. At the same time, the pin rod 63 of the fixing device 53 is pressed by the tip of the claw member 16, and the engagement between the other pin rod 57 and the container flange 13 is released by the action of the lever 55 connected to this pin rod 63. Subsequently, the door feeding device 18 is driven, and the cell door 6 and the container door 14 are integrally moved to the self flange 4 and the container flange 1.
He will be withdrawn from 3. Then, when the container door 14 is separated from the container flange 13, the claw member 69 of the connection holding device 67 is projected from the hole 68 of the container door 14 by the action of the spring 70, and the link 71 connected to the claw member 69, Due to the action of 72, the locking rod 73 is projected into the groove 30. As a result, the container door 14 is connected to the container flange 13.
While the pin 33 of the selection device 29 is released, the movement of the pin 33 of the selection device 29 is restricted by the action of the locking rod 73, and the pressing plate 28 is held against the pin rod 48 of the coupling device 38.
The pressed state is maintained, and therefore the connected state between the cell door 6 and the container door 14 is maintained. In this state, radioactive materials are carried in and out of the hot cell 1.

On the other hand, after carrying in and out radioactive materials, the cell door 6 and container door 14 are moved by the door feeder 18.
is integrally attached to the self-flange 4 and the container flange 13. In this case, first, the claw member 69 of the connection and holding device 67 is inserted into the hole 69 of the container door 14.
The locking rod 73 is pushed into the groove 3.
It is regressed from within 0. Then press plate 2 again
8 is pressed against the cell door 6, the pin 33 of the driven link 32 connected to the pressing plate 28 is slid along the path C, D, E, A shown in FIG. 3B by the action of the spring 37. Finally, the pin 33 is locked in the locking step of the groove 30, as shown in FIG. 3a. Also, at this time, the engagement between the press plate 28 and the pin rod 48 of the coupling device 38 is released, and the pin rod 48 is released.
A lever 40 connected to the cell door is swung by a spring 47, and the engagement between the other pin rod 42 and the claw member 16 of the cell door 6 is released. At the same time, the claw member 16
The engagement between the tip of the pin rod 63 of the fixing device 53 is released, the lever 55 connected to the pin rod 63 is swung by the spring 62, and the other pin rod 57 is moved to the locking step 52 of the container flange 13. is engaged with.

In addition, during this time, the cell door 6 and the container door 14
The pressed state and the operating state of the connecting device 38 and fixing device 53 are confirmed by the micro switches 17, 51, and 66.

According to the door opening/closing device of this embodiment, radioactive materials can be carried out without leaking the air inside the hot cell 1 and loading/unloading container 2 to the outside, and without contaminating the surfaces of the cell door 6 and the container door 14, as in the conventional case. can be accessed.

Further, by pressing the cell door 6 and the container door 14 into contact with each other, the cell door 6 and the container door 1
Since the cell door 6 can be engaged with and released from the cell door 4, it is not necessary to rotate the cell door 6, and the shape of the cell door 6 can be selected depending on the shape of the radioactive material to be handled. Therefore, the area of the opening 3 formed by the self-flange 4 can be minimized to reduce exposure to radiation.

Further, by pressing the cell door 6 and the container door 14, the cell door 6 and the container door 14 can be engaged and released, and the micro switch 1
7, 51, and 66, it is possible to remotely open and close the door.

In the above embodiment, the cell door 6 and the container door 14 were brought into contact by pressing the loading/unloading container 2 against the hot cell 1, but the present invention is limited to this embodiment. Instead, a door feeding device 18 or the like used for moving the cell door 6 may be used.

Furthermore, the door feeding device 18 used to move the cell door 6 is not limited to that of the embodiment, and may use an actuator such as an air cylinder.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the present invention connects cells and loading and unloading containers that handle transported objects such as radioactive materials that cannot be exposed to the external atmosphere through self-flanges and container flanges, and integrates cell doors and container flanges into one unit. In this door opening/closing device, the cell door and the container door are attached to and detached from the self-flange and the container flange. When the pressing plate, the cell door and the container door are pressed against each other, the pressing plate is actuated in a projecting direction and engages with a claw member protruding from the cell door, thereby connecting the cell door and the container door. A coupling device having a pin rod for coupling, and a container door and a container flange having a pin rod which is actuated by the pawl member and disengaged from the container flange when the cell door and the container door are pressed into contact with each other. Since it has a fixing device and a door feeding device that moves the cell door toward or away from the container door, the air inside the cell and loading/unloading container will not leak outside, as in the conventional case, and the cell door and the container door will not leak out. The opening area formed by the self-flange allows for the loading and unloading of items without contaminating the surface of the cell, as well as the ability to easily connect and disconnect the cell door and container door by pressing against the cell door and container door. can be minimized, and therefore radiation exposure can be reduced. Additionally, since it is equipped with a door feeding device, it is possible to automate the opening and closing of the door. Furthermore, since a complicated structure such as a manipulator is not required, the cost is relatively low.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an embodiment of the door opening/closing device according to the present invention, FIGS. 2a and 2b are enlarged sectional views of the vicinity of the cell door and container door in FIG.
is a diagram showing the state before the cell door and the container door are connected, FIG. 2b is a diagram showing the state after the cell door and the container door are connected, and FIGS. 3a to 3e are explanatory diagrams of the selection device of FIG. 1, FIG. 3a is a sectional view showing the state of the selection device before the cell door and container door are connected, FIG. 3b is a sectional view showing the state of the selection device after the cell door and container door are connected, and FIG. 3b is a cross-sectional view taken along the - line; FIG. 3d is a graph showing the depth of the heart-shaped groove;
Figure 3e is a perspective view of the heart-shaped groove of Figure 3d;
Figures a to c are schematic configuration diagrams of the connecting device in Figure 1, Figure 4a is a diagram showing the state of the connecting device before the cell door and container door are connected, and Figure 4b is after the cell door and container door are connected. FIG. 4c is a sectional view taken along the line B--FIG. 4, FIGS. 5 a to c are schematic configuration diagrams of the fixing device in FIG. A diagram showing the state of the fixing device when the door is fixed to the container flange, FIG. 5b is a diagram showing the state of the fixing device when the fixed state between the container door and the container flange is released, FIG. c is - in Fig. 5b
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the connection and holding device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a conventional door opening/closing device. 1...hot cell, 2...carrying in/out container, 4...
Self flange, 6... Cell door, 13... Container flange, 14... Container door, 18... Door feeding device, 29... Selection device, 38... Connection device, 53... Fixing device.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 Cells and loading/unloading containers that handle conveyed items that cannot be exposed to the external atmosphere, such as radioactive materials, are interconnected via self-flanges and container flanges, and the cell door and container flange are moved integrally, and the cell door and container door In the door opening/closing device, the cell door and the container flange are attached to and detached from each other. a connecting device having a pin rod that is actuated in a protruding direction by the pressing plate when the container doors are pressed against each other, engages with a claw member protruding from the cell door, and connects the cell door and the container door; a fixing device for fixing a container door and a container flange, the device having a pin rod that is actuated by the claw member and disengaged from the container flange when the cell door and the container door are pressed against each other; 1. A door opening/closing device comprising a door feeding device that moves the door toward or away from the user.