JP2000254431A - Clogging detecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable detection of the clogging state of the air-actuated device such as filter. SOLUTION: The clogging detecting device has a main block part 20a and a communicating block parts 20b provided at its both ends, and the primary side port 21 communicating to the inflow side part of the air-actuated device such as filter is formed at one side communicating block part 20b and the secondary side port 23 communicating to the outflow side of the air-actuated device is formed at the other side communicating block part 20b. At the main block part 20a, a shaft housing hole 25 is formed between a primary side diaphragm chamber 22 communicating to the primary side port 21 and a secondary side diaphragm chamber 24 communicating to the secondary side port 23, and a primary side diaphragm 26 and a secondary side diaphragm 28 are provided at both sides of a clogging detecting shaft body 31 arranged in the hole 25.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a clogging detecting device for detecting clogging in pneumatic equipment such as a filter, an orifice and an ejector used in a pneumatic control circuit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An air pressure control circuit includes a filter and a throttle mechanism in which a filter element made of a sintered metal, a synthetic resin, a wire mesh or the like is incorporated in order to remove foreign matters, oil and moisture contained in compressed air. An orifice for measuring a flow rate and an ejector for generating a vacuum are used.

[0003] The filter incorporates a filter element made of a porous sintered material and has a filtration of 5 µm, and is an air filter for removing moisture and dust, and has a filtration of 0.3 µm. Mist filter that removes oil in addition to moisture and dust, and 0.01
There is a micro mist filter having a filtration degree of μm and removing water, dust and oil. These filters are connected in series to be incorporated in an air pressure control circuit, or a filter regulator having a function of a regulator for regulating air pressure is provided in the air pressure control circuit. These filters include a filter storage container or bowl in which a filter element is incorporated, a port block portion provided with a primary port through which unprocessed fluid flows and a secondary port through which processed fluid flows out. have.

[0004]

If foreign matter such as dust adheres to the filter element and causes clogging, compressed air of a predetermined flow rate and pressure cannot be supplied to the air pressure control circuit. Element needs to be replaced. Also, if the orifice is clogged, accurate flow measurement cannot be performed, and if the ejector nozzle is clogged, air with a predetermined degree of vacuum cannot be obtained.

[0005] Therefore, if the pneumatic equipment cannot obtain a predetermined function due to clogging, it is necessary to replace the pneumatic equipment. This replacement work is performed by periodically performing maintenance of the equipment and checking the clogging state of the equipment by an operator.

However, depending on the pneumatic device, the clogging state cannot be observed from the outside, and the pneumatic device must be removed, and it is not easy to detect the clogging state.

An object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily detect a clogged state of a pneumatic device.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A clogging detection device according to the present invention comprises a primary diaphragm chamber communicating with an inflow side of a pneumatic device, a secondary diaphragm chamber communicating with an outflow side of the pneumatic device, and both. A detection device main body in which a shaft housing hole is formed between the diaphragm chambers, a primary diaphragm that partitions the primary diaphragm chamber and the shaft housing hole, and the secondary diaphragm chamber and the shaft housing hole. A clogging detection shaft mounted in the shaft receiving hole so as to be reciprocally movable in the axial direction, and a spring force directed toward the primary diaphragm on the clogging detection shaft. A biasing spring member for detecting clogging of the pneumatic device based on an axial position of the clogging detection shaft.

In the clogging detection device according to the present invention, a permanent magnet is provided on the clogging detection shaft, and a sensor responsive to the magnetic force of the permanent magnet is provided on the main body of the detection device. When the clogging display position is reached, the clogging state may be detected by the sensor. Further, a transparent portion may be provided on at least a part of the main body of the detection device, and the clogging detection shaft body may be visible from the outside via the transparent portion. In addition, a flow path is provided to at least one of a primary port that communicates the inflow side portion and the primary diaphragm chamber, and a secondary port that communicates the outflow side portion and the secondary diaphragm chamber. May be provided with a throttle valve for adjusting the opening degree of.

The clogging device of the present invention may be provided at a position distant from the pneumatic device in which the clogging condition is detected, and a plurality of detection device main bodies each detecting the clogging condition of the pneumatic device are integrated. You may make it connect. The pneumatic device may be a filter.

In the present invention, the primary and secondary diaphragms are provided on the clogging detection shaft, and the diaphragm chambers communicating with the ports are respectively formed by the diaphragms. , And smoothly moves, the clogging detection shaft moves due to the pressure difference between the primary port and the secondary port, and the clogged state of the pneumatic device can be detected. If at least a part of the detection device main body is made a transparent member so that the clogged shaft can be visually observed from outside, an operator can visually detect clogging of the pneumatic device according to the amount of movement of the clogged shaft. Can be. In addition, a permanent magnet is provided on the clogging detection shaft, and a clogged state of the pneumatic device can be automatically detected by a sensor responsive to the permanent magnet, and the state can be lit and displayed.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a clogging detecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of FIG. 1, and FIG. Shows the case when used to detect

As shown in FIG. 3, the filter 10 has a bowl or container 11 and a port block 12 mounted on the upper portion thereof, and these form a filter body. A filter element 13 is detachably attached to the port block 12.
1 will be covered.

The port block 12 is formed with an inflow side portion, that is, a primary side port 14 to which a pipe on the side of the compressed air pressure source is connected, and the unprocessed compressed air flowing from this port 14 passes through the filter element 13. It will enter the container 11. The port block 12 is provided with an outflow side portion, that is, a secondary side port 15 for discharging the processed compressed air from which the foreign matter and water droplets have been removed through the filter element 13 to the outside. As the filter element 13, a mist filter element having a filtering degree capable of removing fine foreign matter of about 0.3 μm is used.

At the bottom of the container 11, a drain cock 16 with a joint for removing water accumulated in the container 11 is provided. The drain cock 16 can be of various types, such as one provided with a push rod or one provided with no joint.

The primary side port 14 is connected to a primary side flow path 17a for supplying compressed air to the filter 10.
A secondary flow path 17b is connected to the secondary port 15 in order to supply the air flowing out of the secondary port 15 after the foreign matter is removed by the filter element 13 to another pneumatic device on the downstream side. I have.

A clogging detector 18 is provided at a position distant from the filter 10, and includes a primary flow path 19a branched from a primary flow path 17a.
And the secondary flow path 19 branched from the secondary flow path 17b
b is connected.

The main body 18a of the detecting device is
a and two communicating blocks 20 located at both ends of the
b, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
The detection device main body 18a is generally rectangular. In one communication block portion 20b, a primary side port 21 connected to a primary side port 14 which is an inflow side portion of the filter 10 is formed by a primary side flow path 19a.
And a primary diaphragm chamber 22 is formed. The other communication block 20b has a secondary side flow path 1
9b forms a secondary port 23 connected to the secondary port 15, which is the outlet side of the filter 10, and communicates with this port 23 to form a secondary diaphragm chamber 24, which is formed in the main block 20a. Has a shaft receiving hole 25 formed therein.

At one end of the main block 20a, there is provided a primary diaphragm 26 for partitioning the primary diaphragm chamber 22 and the shaft receiving hole 25, and a rod cover 27 incorporated at the other end of the main block 20a. Is provided with a secondary diaphragm 28 that partitions the secondary diaphragm chamber 24 and the shaft receiving hole 25.

In the shaft receiving hole 25, the clogging detecting shaft 3
1 is mounted movably in the axial direction. The clogging detection shaft 31 is composed of a first shaft 32 to which the primary diaphragm 26 is fixed, and a second shaft to which the secondary diaphragm 28 is fixed. The clogging detection shaft 31 is formed by assembling these shafts 32 and 33. However, the clogging detection shaft 31 may be formed by one shaft.

As described above, the shaft receiving hole 25 is formed by the two diaphragms 26 and 28 in the respective diaphragm chambers 2.
Since there is a partition, that is, a partition with respect to 2 and 24, a sufficient clearance is provided between the clogging detection shaft 31 and the inner peripheral surface of the shaft receiving hole 25 and between the second shaft 33 and the rod cover 27. Can be formed, and the clogging detection shaft body 31 can smoothly move in the axial direction without receiving the movement resistance.

A compression coil spring 34 is mounted on the clogging detection shaft 31, and a spring force in a direction toward the primary diaphragm 26 is applied to the clogging detection shaft 31 by the spring 34. In a state where fluid is not supplied to the primary port 21, both diaphragm chambers 2
No pressure difference is generated between 2 and 24, and the clogging detection shaft 31 is pressed against the primary diaphragm 26 by spring force.

When fluid is supplied to the primary side port 21,
The primary-side diaphragm chamber 22 is at the pressure of the primary-side port 21, and the secondary-side diaphragm chamber 24 is in the secondary-side flow path 19b.
, The pressure at the secondary port 15 of the filter 10 is increased. If the filter element 13 is not clogged, the pressure difference between the two diaphragm chambers 22 and 24 is small. Is pressed against the primary diaphragm 26 by the spring force of the coil spring 34.

When the filter element 13 is clogged, the pressure difference between the two diaphragm chambers 22 and 24 increases, and the clogging detection shaft 31 is compressed by the compression coil spring 34.
Move toward the secondary diaphragm 28 side against the spring force of the above. The spring member for urging the clogging detection shaft body 31 with a spring force may be any type of spring member other than the compression coil spring 34. By setting the spring coefficient of the spring member, for example, It can be detected that the pressure difference between the diaphragm chambers 22 and 24 is about 0.1 kgf / cm ^{2 to 1} kgf / cm ² .

Each communication block 20b has 2
One screw hole is formed at a time.
The plugs 9a and 19b are attached, and the sealing plug 35 is attached to the other screw hole.
The connection position b can be selected from either the upper surface or the end surface of the detection device main body 18a.

The clogging detecting shaft 31 has a permanent magnet 36
Is attached, and as shown in FIG.
Sensors 38 responsive to the magnetic force of the permanent magnet 36 are respectively mounted in the two sensor mounting grooves 37 formed in 8a. An output signal from the sensor 38 is sent to a control unit by a cable 38a. Based on the output signal, an indicator lamp is turned on, so that the filter element 13 is in a normal state and an allowable range is clogged. , And 3 needing replacement
It is possible to detect which of the states the stage is in and display it by lighting. However, it is also possible to use only one sensor 38 and detect whether the filter element 13 is in a clogged state requiring replacement and display the light. In addition, an air introduction hole (not shown) is formed in the main block portion 20a to allow the shaft housing hole 25 to communicate with the outside.

As described above, when the clogging detecting device 18 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is connected to the filter 10 to detect the clogging state of the filter element 13, the clogging state of the filter element 13 flows into the primary port 14 of the filter 10. The compressed air passes through the filter element 13 and flows out of the secondary side port 15, and the filter element 13 removes watery foreign substances in the compressed air. The water is collected at the bottom of the container 11 and discharged from the drain cock 16 to the outside.

The pressure of the compressed air flowing into the primary port 14 and the pressure of the compressed air flowing into the secondary port 15 are:
The presence of the filter element 13 causes a pressure difference, which increases as clogging of the filter element 13 progresses. In a state in which clogging is not much generated, the pressure difference is small, and the clogging detection shaft body 31 is shifted to the left side in FIG.

On the other hand, when the filter element 13 is clogged by foreign matter, the pressure of the secondary port 15 decreases as the clogging progresses, and the pressure difference between the two diaphragm chambers 22 and 24 increases. Become. This allows
The clogging detection shaft body 31 is gradually displaced rightward in FIG. 2, and one of the two sensors 38 is turned on to output an output signal. As a result, although the filter element 13 is within the allowable range, it is illuminated to indicate that the filter element 13 is in a certain clogged state. Further, when the clogging proceeds more than this, the other sensor 38 outputs an ON signal to display that the filter element 13 needs to be replaced. Therefore, the operator can determine the replacement time of the filter element 13 by looking at the lighting display section, and can detect the replacement time of the filter element 13 at a place away from the place where the filter 10 is installed.

A drain cock 16 for discharging trapped liquid to the outside is provided at the bottom of the filter storage container. There are an auto drain type that discharges the liquid in a specific manner and a type that discharges the liquid by a manual operation. The present invention can be applied to any type.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a pneumatic circuit for supplying air from a pneumatic source 41 composed of a compressor or the like to a pneumatic actuator 42 to reciprocate a piston rod 43 thereof. An electromagnetic valve 44 for controlling the supply of air to the pneumatic actuator 42 is provided in the pneumatic flow path 17 connecting to the pneumatic actuator 42. Further, in this flow path 17,
The two filters 10a and 10b are connected in series, and a clogging detection device 18 is connected to the flow path 17 in order to detect a clogging state of a filter element in each of the filters 10a and 10b.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a clogging detecting device 18 provided in the pneumatic passage shown in FIG. 4. The clogging detecting device 18 has two detecting device main bodies 18b and 18c integrated with each other. It has two main block portions 20a, two communication block portions 20b, and one common block portion 20c. The main block 2 of the clogging detecting device 18
The structures of the communication block portion 0a and the communication block portion 20b are the same as those shown in FIG. The common block portion 20c communicates with the secondary-side diaphragm chamber 24 of one detection device main body 18b and communicates with the primary-side diaphragm chamber 22 of the other detection device main body 18c. A communication block on the secondary side of 18b and a communication block on the primary side of the other detection device main body 18c.

A flow path 19a branched from the primary flow path of the filter 10a is connected to the communication block section 20b of the detection device main body 18b, and the secondary flow path of the filter 10a and the primary flow path of the filter 10b are connected. The flow path 19b branched from the flow path connecting to the flow path is connected to the common block portion 20c. In addition, a flow path 19c branched from a flow path on the secondary side of the filter 10b is connected to the communication block 20b of the other detection device main body 18c.

As shown in FIG. 4, the clogging condition of each filter element in the two filters 10a and 10b connected in series is determined by a clogging detecting device 18 provided at a position distant from the filters 10a and 10b. Can be detected by

FIG. 6 is a view showing a modified example of the clogging detecting device provided in the pneumatic flow path shown in FIG. 4. In the clogging detecting device 18 shown in FIG.
b and 18c are connected linearly, whereas the clogging detection device 18 shown in FIG.
b and 18c are arranged in parallel, and are connected to each other by a common block unit 20d. The common block portion 20d communicates with the secondary diaphragm chamber 24 in the upstream detection device main body 18b, and also communicates with the primary diaphragm chamber 22 of the downstream detection device main body 18c.

In the case shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the clogging status of a plurality of pneumatic devices arranged in series is detected, but the clogging status of a plurality of pneumatic devices arranged in parallel is detected. In this case, a plurality of clogging detection devices of the type shown in FIG. 1 can be collectively arranged.

As described above, by arranging the clogging detecting device away from the pneumatic device such as a filter, the clogging status of a plurality of pneumatic devices can be monitored in a concentrated manner.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a clogging detecting device 18 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the clogging detecting device is connected to the port block 12 of the filter 10 shown in FIG. 18 can be directly attached. 7 and 8, the same reference numerals are given to members common to the members in the above embodiment.

In this case, a primary flow path 45 for connecting the primary port 14 of the filter 10 and the primary port 21 of the clogging detector 18 is formed in the port block 12, and the secondary port 15 of the filter 10 is formed. Secondary-side flow path 4 that communicates with the secondary-side port 23 of the clogging detection device 18
6 is formed in the port block 12. In order to adjust the respective opening degrees of the primary side port 21 and the secondary side port 23, each communication block portion 20b has a throttle valve 4
7 is provided to prevent the pulsation of the respective ports 14 and 15 from being transmitted to the diaphragm chambers 22 and 24 by the throttle valve 47. However, a throttle valve may be provided in only one flow path.

A throttle valve 47 may be attached to the clogging detection device 18 shown in FIGS.
In that case, the sealing plug 35 can be removed and connected to the diaphragm chambers 22 and 24 to be attached to the throttle valve 47.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion similar to FIG. 7 in a clogging detection device according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the detection device main body 18a is formed integrally with the port block 12 constituting the filter main body, and end caps 48, 49 are screwed to both ends thereof, so that the inside of each end cap 48, 49 is provided. A primary-side diaphragm chamber 22 and a secondary-side diaphragm chamber 24 are formed.

In the above embodiment, the throttle valve 47 is provided in each of the communication block portions 20b and 20c, whereas in the case shown in FIG. 9, each of the end caps 48 and 20c is provided. 49 is a small-diameter throttle flow path 48
a, 49a are formed, and these throttle channels 48a, 49a are formed.
a is a fixed aperture. As described above, by providing the fixed diaphragm in the detection device main body 18a, the structure of the detection device main body 18a can be further simplified.

In each of the embodiments, the position of the clogging detection shaft 31 is automatically detected by the sensor 38. However, as shown by a two-dot chain line 50 in FIG. A transparent member may be provided in the main block portion 20a of the main body 18a so that the clogging detection shaft 31 can be visually observed by an operator from outside. In this case, by observing the clogging detection shaft 31 from the outside, the clogging state of the filter element 13 can be determined according to the position. The transparent member 50
It is sufficient that the clogging detection shaft 31 is provided in an area observable from the outside, but in the case shown in FIG. 7, the main block portion 20a of the detection device main body 18a is formed of a transparent member. May be.

In FIGS. 7 and 9, reference numeral 51 denotes a screw hole for mounting the filter element 13, and in FIG. 7, reference numeral 52 denotes an air introduction hole for connecting the shaft housing hole 25 to the outside.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, in the illustrated case, the clogging detection device of the present invention is applied to detect clogging of the filters 10, 10a, and 10b, but other pneumatic devices such as orifices and ejectors are used. It can also be applied to detect clogging. In addition, when the clogging of the filter is detected, the filter capable of detecting the clogging state can be applied to any of the above-described air filter, mist filter, and micro mist filter. In addition, the illustrated filters 10 each have a container 11, but the present invention can be applied to a filter that does not have the container 11.

[0048]

According to the present invention, the diaphragm chambers communicating with the ports are formed by the primary side and the secondary side diaphragm provided on the clogging detection shaft, respectively. And the pressure difference between the primary port and the secondary port causes the clogging detection shaft to move and detect the clogged state of the pneumatic device such as the filter element. it can. If at least a part of the detection device body is a transparent member so that the clogged shaft body can be visually observed from outside,
Clogging of the pneumatic device can be detected according to the amount of movement of the clogging shaft. In addition, a permanent magnet is provided on the clogging detection shaft, and a clogged state of the pneumatic device can be automatically detected by a sensor responsive to the permanent magnet, and the state can be lit and displayed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a clogging detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the clogging detection device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is connected to a filter.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a pneumatic pressure detecting device according to another embodiment of the present invention of a type in which two detecting device bodies are integrated to detect clogging of two filters connected in series. It is a circuit diagram showing a circuit.

5 is a perspective view showing the clogging detection device shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another type of clogging detection device used in the pneumatic circuit shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a case where the clogging detection device of the present invention is directly attached to a filter.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion similar to FIG. 7 in a clogging detection device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 10a, 10b Filter 11 Container 12 Port Block 13 Filter Element 14 Primary Port 15 Secondary Port 16 Drain Cock 18 Clogging Detector 18a Detector Main Body 21 Primary Port 22 Primary Diaphragm Chamber 23 Secondary Port 24 Secondary diaphragm chamber 26 Primary diaphragm 27 Rod cover 28 Secondary diaphragm 31 Clogging detection shaft 32 First shaft 33 Second shaft 34 Spring member 36 Permanent magnet 37 Sensor mounting groove 38 Sensor 41 Air pressure source 42 Air pressure Actuator 43 Piston rod 44 Solenoid valve 45 Primary flow path 46 Secondary flow path 47 Throttle valve 48, 49 End block

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A primary diaphragm chamber communicating with an inflow side of a pneumatic device, a secondary diaphragm chamber communicating with an outflow side of the pneumatic device, and a shaft receiving hole formed between both of the diaphragm chambers. A main body of the detection device, a primary diaphragm that partitions the primary diaphragm chamber and the shaft receiving hole, and a secondary diaphragm that partitions the secondary diaphragm chamber and the shaft receiving hole. A clogging detection shaft mounted in the accommodation hole so as to be reciprocally movable in an axial direction; and a spring member for urging the clogging detection shaft to apply a spring force toward the primary-side diaphragm; A clogging detection device, wherein clogging of the pneumatic device is detected based on an axial position of a detection shaft. 2. The clogging detection device according to claim 1, wherein a permanent magnet is provided on the clogging detection shaft, and a sensor responsive to a magnetic force of the permanent magnet is provided on the main body of the detection device. A clogging detection device characterized in that the clogging state can be detected by the sensor when the body reaches the clogging display position. 3. The clogging detection device according to claim 1, wherein the main body of the detection device has a transparent portion that allows the clogging detection shaft to be viewed externally. 4. The clogging detection device according to claim 1, wherein a primary port that communicates the inflow side with the primary diaphragm chamber, the outflow side and the second side. A clogging detection device, wherein a throttle valve for adjusting an opening degree of a flow path is provided in at least one of a secondary port that communicates with a secondary diaphragm chamber. 5. The clogging detection device according to claim 1, wherein the clogging detection device is provided at a position distant from a pneumatic device in which the clogging state is detected. apparatus. 6. The clogging detecting device according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of detecting device main bodies each detecting a clogging state of the pneumatic device are integrally connected. 7. The clogging detection device according to claim 1, wherein the pneumatic device is a filter.