FR3127414A1 - DEVICE FOR EXTRACTING FUMES AND DUST OF METALLIC ORIGIN AND METHOD FOR DRAINING SUCH A DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

This device (10) for extracting fumes and dust of metallic origin, comprising: a housing (12) containing a suction motor (14); a box (16) for filtering and storing dust and particles of metallic origin contained in the fumes; and a removable waste container (18), further comprises an electrical control unit (20) provided with a man-machine interface (22) adapted to control the emptying of the filtration and storage box (16) by unclogging the box (16) and precipitation of dust and particles of metallic origin inside the removable waste container (18). Figure for abstract: Fig. 1

Description

DEVICE FOR EXTRACTING FUMES AND DUST OF METALLIC ORIGIN AND METHOD FOR DRAINING SUCH A DEVICE

The present invention relates to a device for extracting fumes and dust of metallic origin, as well as to a method for emptying such a device.

More specifically, the fumes considered can come from welding operations, cutting a metal by fusion, melting a metal, etc.

The invention belongs to the field of systems for eliminating fumes and dust resulting from such operations.

Metallic fumes and dust are highly harmful. They can indeed be the cause of poisoning leading to the occurrence of acute or chronic pathologies such as metal fever, asthma, chronic bronchitis, etc. It is therefore necessary to ensure that the user is not at any time in contact with the dust or metal particles contained in these fumes.

The fumes considered can be composed of multiple gaseous and solid elements:
- in the case of welding, protective gases are used: argon, helium, carbon dioxide; these gases are evacuated, but not stored by the device according to the invention;
- the gases emitted during the melting of metals are: carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen oxides, etc. ; these gases are evacuated, but not stored by the device according to the invention;
- the products emitted during the thermal or photochemical degradation of possible coatings: phosgene, formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide, etc. ; these products are evacuated, but not stored by the device according to the invention;
- dust, metal particles and metal oxides: iron oxides, thorium dioxide, manganese oxides, cobalt oxides, aluminum oxides, fluorides, chromium VI compounds, barium compounds, nickel oxides, potassium oxides, zinc oxides, titanium dioxide, cadmium oxides, lead oxides, beryllium oxides, copper oxides, etc. ; these compounds are filtered (stored) then evacuated by the device according to the invention.

There are smoke and dust extraction devices equipped with removable dust collection bags. Nevertheless, the known devices generally lack ergonomics due to the lack of support for the user in the procedure. The bag replacement procedure is complex and the risk of dust leaks during the emptying operation is omnipresent.

The object of the present invention is to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art.

For this purpose, the present invention proposes a device for extracting fumes and dust of metallic origin, comprising:
a housing containing a suction motor;
a box for filtering and storing dust and particles of metallic origin contained in the fumes; And
a removable waste container,
remarkable in that it further comprises an electrical control unit provided with a man-machine interface suitable for controlling the emptying of the filtration and storage box by unclogging the box and precipitation of dust and particles of metallic origin at the inside the removable waste container.

Thus, the present invention makes it possible to improve the ergonomics of the procedure for emptying the device for extracting fumes and dust of metallic origin due to the presence of a man-machine interface which guides the user step by step. interactively to empty and replace the waste container.

In a particular embodiment, the device further comprises a removable leaktight connection element suitable for fixing the removable waste container in a leaktight manner to the filtration and storage box.

This makes it possible to avoid leaks and the dispersion of dust of metallic origin in the atmosphere when the waste container is replaced and therefore to increase the safety of the device for the user.

In a particular embodiment, the filtration and storage box includes a drain valve.

This further increases the safety of use of the device, as no leakage or dispersion of dust of metallic origin is possible as long as the drain valve is closed.

In a particular embodiment, the device further comprises a removable waste container closing element.

This prevents metal dust and particles from escaping from the container when it is replaced.

In a particular embodiment, the closure element is a clamp.

This is an easy-to-use way to seal the container reliably.

In a particular embodiment, the removable waste container is a flexible bag.

This type of container is light, compact, robust and easy to store in quantity and to handle.

For the same purpose as that indicated above, the present invention also proposes a method for emptying a device for extracting fumes and dust of metallic origin as described briefly above, remarkable in that it comprises steps consisting of:
fixing the removable waste container in a leaktight manner to the filtration and storage box by means of a leaktight connection element;
manually open a drain valve of the device;
trigger, by means of the man-machine interface, the unclogging of the box so as to precipitate the dust and particles of metallic origin contained in the fumes inside the removable waste container;
manually close the drain valve;
close the removable waste container.
detach the removable waste container and the sealed connection element from the filtration and storage box;
separate the removable waste container from the sealed connection element.
refit the sealed connection element on the filtration and storage unit.

The particular advantages and characteristics of the method being similar to those of the device, they are not repeated here.

In a particular embodiment of the method, it further comprises a step consisting in repeating the step comprising unclogging at least once.

This improves the cleaning of the filtration box.

In a particular embodiment of the method, it also comprises a step consisting in programming the emptying frequency.

This allows the user to guarantee regular cleaning of the filtration box and to adapt the frequency of emptying if necessary depending on the concentration and type of pollutant.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description below of particular embodiments, given by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

is a schematic overall view of a device for extracting fumes and dust of metallic origin in accordance with the present invention, in a particular embodiment;

is a schematic representation of a box for filtration and storage of dust and particles of metallic origin included in a device according to the present invention, in a particular embodiment;

is a schematic sectional representation of the filtration and storage unit of the ;

is a schematic representation of a removable sealed connection element included in a device according to the present invention, in a particular embodiment;

is a schematic representation of the attachment of a removable waste container included in a device according to the present invention, in a particular embodiment;

is a schematic representation illustrating an unclogging cycle carried out in a draining method according to the present invention, in a particular embodiment; And

To are a schematic representation of the successive displays in a man-machine interface included in a device in accordance with the present invention during the execution of a method in accordance with the present invention, in a particular embodiment.

Description of embodiment(s)

As shown in , in a particular embodiment, a device 10 for extracting fumes and dust of metallic origin in accordance with the present invention comprises a housing 12 containing a suction motor 14.

Optionally, the box 12 can be equipped with wheels 11 facilitating the movement of the device 10.

The device 10 also comprises a box 16 for filtering and storing the dust and particles of metallic origin contained in the fumes, containing a filter 17. The incoming air flow enters the device 10 through the orifice E.

Optionally, the filtration and storage box 16 can be equipped with a handle 19 allowing the device 10 to be moved.

The housing 12, the box 16 and the handle 19 are for example made of sheet metal or plastic.

The device 10 further comprises a removable waste container 18, intended to receive the dust and particles contained in the fumes of metallic origin sucked up by the device 10 and filtered and stored beforehand in the filtration and storage box 16.

In accordance with the present invention, the device 10 further comprises a control unit 20 provided with a man-machine interface 22 adapted to further control the emptying of the filtration and storage box 16. This emptying is carried out by unclogging the box 16 and precipitation of pollutants of metallic origin inside the removable waste container 18, as described in detail later. The man-machine interface 22 may comprise a possibly touch-sensitive screen and/or a keyboard and/or control buttons or any other means for entering instructions and receiving messages, for example by sound.

As shown in , which illustrates in isolation the housing 16 for storage and filtration, the device 10 further comprises an element 24 for sealed connection. The connection element 24 is removable and is adapted to seal the removable waste container 18 to the housing 16 for filtration and storage.

Figures 1 and 2 show that the filtration and storage box 16 further comprises a valve 26 for emptying the box 16. The emptying valve 26 is operable, for example manually, between a closed position (that illustrated in the drawing) and an open position. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the valve 26 is made in the form of a quarter-turn valve, but various variants are possible.

The sectional view of the shows that the incoming air flow, loaded with dust and particles contained in the fumes of metallic origin, which enters the filtration and storage box 16 through the orifice E passes through an air deflector 30 which sends the most large particles at the bottom of the box 16 by gravity, the finer particles being retained on the surface of the filter 17. The region S of the box 16, located around the filter 17, will contain the dirty air. The box 16 is also provided with a compressed air tank C.

The enlarged view of the shows the detail of the element 24 of sealed connection. It comprises a central ring 40 and two lugs 42 located on either side of the central ring 40. Each of the lugs 42 is provided with an actuating lever 44, by means of which the sealed connection element 24 makes it possible to attach the removable waste container 18 to the box 16 quickly and tightly.

The enlarged view of the shows the upper part of the removable waste container 18 fixed to the casing 16 via the element 24 of sealed connection.

In addition, in the particular embodiment illustrated, the device 10 comprises an element 50 for closing the removable waste container 18 .

By way of non-limiting example, the closing element 50 can be a clamp.

In the particular embodiment of Figures 1, 3 and 5, the removable waste container 18 is a flexible bag. However, this example is not limiting and the container 18 may just as well be a rigid receptacle having a shape deemed appropriate. In this case, the closure element 50 can for example be a cap or a lid.

As mentioned above, the emptying of the box 16 is done by unclogging the box 16 and precipitation of dust and particles of metallic origin inside the container 18 for removable waste. This operation is illustrated by the .

When the filter 17 is loaded with too much dust and particles, a layer called "cake" is formed which must be cleaned.

The device 10 is equipped with a system for measuring clogging of the filter 17 by differential pressure. When a level of fouling greater than a predetermined threshold is detected, the control unit 20 activates a jet of compressed air when stopped in order to unclog the filter 17. This technique is called "unclogging the media by reverse pulsating flow at standstill”. By settling, the dust and particles expelled from the media of the filter 17 are stored in the lower part of the box 16, which advantageously has the shape of a silo or funnel. It is therefore necessary to periodically empty this storage space.

The emptying frequency can be programmed, for example every N unclogging cycles, N being an integer greater than or equal to 1. The control unit 20 then sends a message indicating to empty the box 16 when this number N is exceeded.

There shows a suction port 60 of motor 14, a "clean" pressure sensor port 62, a "dirty" pressure sensor port 64 and metal dust and particles F.

On the view from the top of the , the filter 17 is clean, ie the differential pressure is low. In the lower left view, filter 17 is dirty, ie the differential pressure is high. The bottom right view shows the filter 17 after unclogging, with a return to a low differential pressure.

In accordance with the present invention, the method for emptying the device 10 comprises a first step consisting in sealing the removable waste container 18 to the box 16 by means of the element 24 of sealed connection.

In the next step, the user manually opens the drain valve 26.

Then, by means of the man-machine interface 22, it triggers the unclogging of the box 16 so as to precipitate the dust and particles of metallic origin contained in the fumes inside the removable waste container 18. He can possibly repeat the unclogging one or more times if necessary.

Then, he manually closes the drain valve 26.

Then he seals the removable waste container 18 in order to prevent any accidental contamination.

Then, he detaches the removable waste container 18 and the sealed connection element 24 from the box 16.

Then he separates the removable waste container 18 from the element 24 of sealed connection.

Finally, he refits the sealed connection element 24 on the box 16.

Figures 7 to 17 illustrate in detail a non-limiting example of successive displays on a screen included in the man-machine interface 22 during the progress of the emptying procedure.

The user follows step by step, step by step, the instructions given by the man-machine interface 22 (hereinafter IHM 22).

There shows that the MMI 22 proposes to initiate or cancel the emptying procedure.

There illustrates the following display when the user decides to initiate the emptying procedure: the HMI 22 informs the user of the precautions for use to be observed.

There shows that the HMI 22 informs the user of the mandatory personal protective equipment.

There shows that the HMI 22 then provides the instructions for attaching the removable waste container 18, indicating schematically how to attach the container 18 to the box 16 in a sealed manner.

There shows that the HMI 22 then asks the user to open the drain valve 26.

There shows that the HMI 22 then invites the user to manually trigger the unclogging of the filter 17. In the non-limiting example illustrated, unclogging by association of the ordered operation of the suction motor 14 and the unclogging is operated by the user . Several bursts of unclogging precipitate the dust and particles stored in the lower part of the box 16 inside the container 18 for removable waste.

There shows that the HMI 22 then asks the user to close the drain valve 26 again.

There shows that the HMI 22 then invites the user to secure the container 18 by closing it using a link before disconnecting it from the box 16.

There shows that the IHM 22 recommends cleaning the workspace with equipment that complies with the legislation in force.

There shows that the HMI 22 then invites the user to reassemble the sealed connection element 24 on the box 16, following the diagram provided by the HMI 22.

There shows that the MMI 22 displays a last validation message which closes the emptying procedure.

Claims (9)

Device (10) for extracting fumes and dust of metallic origin, comprising:
a housing (12) containing a vacuum motor (14);
a box (16) for filtering and storing dust and particles of metallic origin contained in said fumes; And
a removable waste container (18),
characterized in that it further comprises a control unit (20) provided with a man-machine interface suitable for controlling the emptying of said filtration and storage box (16) by unclogging of said box (16) and precipitation of dust and particles of metal origin within said removable waste container (18). Device (10) according to Claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a removable leaktight connection element (24) adapted to fix the said removable waste container (18) in leaktight manner to the said filtration and storage box (16). . Device (10) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the said filtration and storage box (16) comprises a drain valve (26). Device (10) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that it further comprises an element (50) for closing said removable waste container (18). Device (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that said closure element (50) is a clamp. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said removable waste container (18) is a flexible bag. Method for emptying a device (10) for extracting fumes and dust of metallic origin according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises steps consisting of:
sealingly attaching said removable waste container (18) to said filtration and storage box (16) by means of a sealed connection element (24);
manually open a valve (26) for draining said device (10);
triggering by means of the man-machine interface (22) the unclogging of said box (16) so as to precipitate the dust and particles of metallic origin contained in said fumes inside said removable waste container (18);
manually closing said drain valve (26);
closing said removable waste container (18).
detaching said removable waste container (18) and said sealed connection element (24) from said filtration and storage box (16);
disconnecting said removable waste container (18) from said sealed connection element (24).
reassemble said sealed connection element (24) on said filtration and storage box (16). Method according to claim 7, characterized in that it further comprises a step consisting in repeating the step comprising said unclogging at least once. Method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that it further comprises a step consisting in programming the emptying frequency.