JP2002035723A - Organic matter disposal device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an organic matter disposal device which is capable of accurately detecting a moisture content even when the difference of the moisture content is not much significant by improving the sensitivity of detecting the moisture content. SOLUTION: A thermal capacity-type moisture content sensor 30 is provided in a treatment tank 1 for treating an organic matter such as garbage by decomposition with the help of microbes and the moisture content sensor 30 is constituted of platelike heating elements 33 arranged opposite to each other on the outer wall area of the treatment tank 1 and a heat-sensitive element (thermistor 35) adhering to the outer wall area of the treatment tank 1, arranged, in a non-contact state, on the heating elements 33. In addition, the area near the heat-sensitive element 35 of the heating elements 33 serves as a non-heating part and a hole 38 including the area near the heat-sensitive element 35 of the heating elements is formed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an organic matter treating apparatus for decomposing organic matter such as garbage with microorganisms, and more particularly to a heat capacity type water content sensor comprising a plate-like heating element and a thermosensitive element. The present invention relates to an organic matter processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An organic matter processing apparatus of this type stores a carrier of microorganisms that decompose organic matter (such as wood chips such as sawdust) in a treatment tank, and removes organic matter such as food waste. Decomposition treatment is performed by microorganisms cultured on a carrier. In order to maintain the environment inside the treatment tank suitable for the activation of microorganisms that decompose organic substances, it is necessary to control the temperature, agitation, ventilation, etc. in the tank and adjust the water content of the microorganism carrier mixed with organic substances to an appropriate value. Need to be kept. For that purpose, a water content sensor for detecting the water content of the microorganism carrier mixed with the organic matter is required.

[0003] Conventionally, as a moisture content sensor using a plate-like heating element, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-253915 (B09) has been proposed.
B 3/00).
This moisture content sensor (moisture detector) is composed of a plate-like heating element that indirectly heats the outer wall of the processing tank and a heat-sensitive element that is closely attached to the outer wall of the processing tank and detects the temperature of the outer wall.

[0004] The contents (microorganism carrier mixed with garbage) in the processing tank are heated for a certain period of time by the indirect heat from the heating element, and the temperature rise detected by the heat-sensitive element closely attached to the outer wall of the processing tank. The water content of the contents is detected based on the difference in the values. If the water content of the content is low, the heat capacity is small, so the temperature rise is large. Conversely, if the water content is high, the heat capacity is large, so the temperature rise is small.

In this moisture content sensor, the heating element and the heat-sensitive element are separated from each other by providing a gap of several millimeters, and furthermore, a heat insulating material is interposed between the gaps to reduce the influence of heat from the heating element. Although the temperature of the tank can be detected accurately, the heat generator must be located close to the outer wall of the processing tank, so the heat insulating material is only a few millimeters thin. When the difference is transmitted to the element and there is not much difference in the water content, the difference in temperature rise is not too large, so that the sensitivity is poor and the accurate water content cannot be detected.

[0006]

As described above, in the prior art, the heat-sensitive element has a structure that is easily affected by the heat from the heating element with respect to the temperature of the contents in the processing tank.
When the sensitivity is poor and there is not much difference in the water content, there is a problem that an accurate water content cannot be detected.

Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and the sensitivity of detecting the moisture content is improved, and accurate detection of the moisture content can be performed even when there is little difference in the moisture content. It is an object of the present invention to provide a possible organic material processing apparatus.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a treatment tank for decomposing organic substances such as garbage with microorganisms, comprising a heat capacity type moisture content sensor; The sensor is composed of a plate-like heating element arranged to face the outer wall surface of the processing tank, and a heat-sensitive element arranged on the heating element in a non-contact state and closely attached to the outer wall surface of the processing tank. The heat generating element is characterized in that a non-heat generating portion is provided in the vicinity of the heat sensitive element.

Further, a hole is formed as the non-heat-generating portion, the hole including the heat-generating element in the vicinity of the heat-sensitive element.

Further, an elastic heat insulating material is interposed between the heating element and the heat-sensitive element.

[0011] Further, the hole forming the non-heat generating portion is formed to be larger than the cross-sectional area of the heat insulating material.

Further, a cover for covering the moisture content sensor is provided, and the cover is formed with a convex portion which is in pressure contact with the heat insulating material through a hole of the heating element.

Further, a heat insulating material is disposed between the heating element and the cover.

Further, the heat insulating material is attached to the inside of a cover body.

Further, a member for reflecting heat from the heating element is disposed between the heating element and the cover.

Further, the water content sensor mounting portion of the treatment tank is formed to be thinner than the others.

Further, the water content sensor is mounted on an outer surface of a bottom portion of the processing tank.

[0018]

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

FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 are views showing a main part of an embodiment of the present invention. This organic matter treating apparatus stores a carrier of microorganisms (woody swarf such as sawdust) and garbage. A processing tank 1 having an upper surface opening into which an organic substance is charged is an outer case 2
It is configured to be housed inside.

As shown in FIG. 1, the processing tank 1 has a substantially U-shaped cross section on the lower side as viewed in the front-rear direction, which has an arc shape corresponding to the rotation locus of the built-in stirring blade.

The outer case 2 has a lower case 3 that covers the processing tank 1 up to the vicinity of its upper surface opening, an inner lower edge is placed in close contact with an upper edge of the opening of the processing tank 1, and an outer surface has an upper edge on the lower case 3 upper edge. And an upper case 4 fitted into the upper case 4.

The upper surface of the upper case 4 is opened corresponding to the opening of the upper surface of the processing tank 1, and an input port for inputting microorganism carriers, garbage and the like is formed, and a hinge or the like is provided above the input port. A lid 5 configured to be openable and closable is provided.

In the processing tank 1, a stirring shaft 6 having a plurality of stirring blades erected is provided between the front and rear walls so as to be rotatable in normal and reverse directions. Both ends of the stirring shaft 6 are supported by bearings 7 formed on the front and rear walls of the processing tank 1, and the shaft end on the rear wall side is driven to rotate forward and reverse through a deceleration drive mechanism (not shown). The agitation motor is connected to the agitation motor, the rotation of the agitation motor is reduced and transmitted, and the motor is driven to rotate forward and backward.

On the upper rear side of the processing tank 1 shown in FIG.
A control board 10 on which a control section composed of a microcomputer is mounted is mounted, and each section of the present apparatus is controlled by the control section mounted on the control board 10. Above the control board 10, an operation display section 11 for switching the operation mode of the apparatus, turning on / off deodorization, and displaying a state is provided.

A planar heater (not shown) is attached to the front surface and left and right side surfaces of the processing tank 1 except for the rear side, and the control unit uses a thermistor built in the planar heater. The inside of the treatment tank 1 is controlled so as to be maintained within a temperature range (about 40 ° C. to 60 ° C.) suitable for activating microorganisms.

In this embodiment, in addition to an exhaust passage for discharging the exhaust gas in the processing tank 1 directly to the outside by an exhaust fan, an exhaust passage 21 for discharging the exhaust gas through a deodorizing device 20 is provided. ing.

In the deodorizing apparatus 20, a tubular heater (seed heater) 22 is disposed on the upstream side, and an oxidation catalyst 23 formed of ceramic and having a honeycomb structure is disposed on the downstream side thereof, and these are made of stainless steel having heat resistance and corrosion resistance. , And is covered with a heat insulating material 25. As a result, the inflowing exhaust gas is
The catalyst 23 is heated by passing the heated exhaust gas through the catalyst 23, and the decomposition reaction of the malodorous component contained in the exhaust gas is promoted.

As shown in FIG. 1, a heat capacity type water content sensor 30 is attached to the bottom outer surface of the processing tank 1 so as to be located at the lowermost portion of an arc shape.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the moisture content sensor 30 is provided at the center of a heating element 33 in which a plurality of chip resistors 32 are arranged on an aluminum substrate 31 having excellent heat conductivity. Insulating material 3 made of sponge such as foamed silicon to provide a gap of about 3 mm between
4, a thermistor 35, which is a heat-sensitive element, is disposed with a tape 36 fixed thereon. On an aluminum substrate 31, two chip resistors 32 are spaced apart,
32 are connected in parallel, and when a voltage is applied thereto via a lead wire 37, a current flows through each chip resistor 32 to generate heat, and the entire aluminum substrate 31 becomes a heating element 33. By interposing an elastic heat insulating material 34 made of sponge such as foamed silicon between the heating element 33 and the thermistor 35, it is difficult for the heat of the heating element 33 to be transmitted to the thermistor 34, and the thermistor 35 is connected to the processing tank 1. It is configured to be in close contact with the bottom outer wall surface.

Further, a non-heat-generating portion is formed in the aluminum substrate 31 constituting the heat-generating element 33 by making a rectangular hole 38 having a size such that both ends in the longitudinal direction of the heat insulating material 34 are bridged. As described above, if the hole 38 is opened in the heating element 33 located immediately below the temperature sensing part of the thermistor 35,
Since the heat does not rise upward from there through the heat insulating material 34, the thermistor 35 is not heated by the heating element 33, and the temperature of the processing tank 1 can be accurately detected. Accordingly, the sensitivity of detecting the moisture content is improved with a simple configuration in which the hole 38 is formed in the aluminum substrate 31 constituting the heating element 33.

The moisture content sensor 30 is covered by a sensor cover 40 made of resin. On the inner surface side of the sensor cover 40, the hole 3
A projection 41 is formed which is in contact with the heat insulating material 34 without contacting the heating element 33 via 8. Further, an aluminum substrate 31 on which a heating element 33 is formed is provided around the periphery of the sensor cover 40.
A rib 42 into which the rib 4 is fitted is formed.
Inside 2, a heat insulating material 43 such as a foamed resin or glass wool and a reflecting member 44 such as an aluminum foil are attached. When the sensor cover 40 is attached to the boss 1a protruding from the processing tank 1 with the attachment screw 45, the aluminum substrate 3
1 and the like are supported by protrusions 46 formed at the four inner corners of the sensor cover 40, and the thermistor 3.
5 is a projection 41 formed on the sensor cover 40 and the heat insulating material 3
4 so as to be in close contact with the outer surface of the bottom of the processing tank 1.

As described above, the lower surface of the heating element 33 of the moisture content sensor 30 is covered with the heat insulating material 43 so that the heating element 3
The heat of No. 3 can be prevented from escaping to the outside due to heat conduction or being affected by the outside air temperature. Further, since the heat is covered by the reflecting member 44, a heat insulating effect against radiant heat can be obtained.
Since the heat of the heating element 33 can be prevented from being transmitted to the sensor cover 40, the heat can be transmitted more efficiently in the processing tank 1, and the water content can be detected with higher sensitivity.

Further, since the heat insulating material 43 and the reflecting member 44 are attached to the inner surface side of the sensor cover 40, it is only necessary to remove the sensor cover 40 during maintenance, so that the heat insulating material 43 and the reflecting member 44 are broken. The maintenance of the moisture content sensor 30 is also improved.

Further, as described above, since the moisture content sensor 30 is mounted on the outer surface of the bottom of the processing tank 1, the moisture content sensor 30 is not affected by loss of the microorganism carrier, bias due to agitation, and the like.
In addition to the radiant heat, the heat of the heating element 33 rises upward and conducts uniformly to the carrier in the processing tank 1, so that the accuracy of detecting the water content can be improved. In addition, since the carrier is located at the lowermost portion, the carrier is likely to be in a dense state due to agitation or own weight, and in this respect, the accuracy of moisture content detection can be improved.

Further, the mounting surface 1b of the water content sensor 30 in the processing tank 1 is provided so that radiant heat from the heating element 33 can be easily transmitted to the processing tank 1 and the temperature in the processing tank 1 can be easily detected. It is formed thinner. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the mounting surface 1 b of the moisture content sensor 30 is formed in a flat shape with respect to the arc-shaped bottom surface of the processing tank 1. Is thinnest, and the temperature in the processing tank 1 can be more easily detected.

Next, the operation of the above-configured apparatus will be described.

First, the basic operation will be described.
When using the present apparatus, a certain amount of the microorganism carrier is charged into the treatment tank 1 in advance. When processing organic matter such as garbage, the lid 5 is opened and organic matter such as garbage is charged into the treatment tank 1 from the charging port, and the lid 5 is closed. When the cover 5 is closed, a detection unit (not shown) detects this, and the control unit mounted on the control board 10 starts controlling the energization of the sheet heater, the stirring motor, the exhaust fan, and the like based on the output. I do.

By controlling the power supply to the stirring motor, the stirring shaft 6 on which the stirring blades are erected intermittently (for example, every one minute at a cycle of 30 minutes) to rotate forward and backward to stir and mix the carrier and the organic matter. The temperature in the processing tank 1 is maintained in an optimum range for activating the microorganisms by controlling the energization of the planar heater, and the microorganisms cultured on the carrier decompose organic matter into carbon dioxide and water to compost.

Further, by controlling the power supply to the exhaust fan, the humid air in the processing tank 1 is directly discharged to the outside through the exhaust passage of the exhaust gas, thereby preventing the inside of the processing tank 1 from being brought into a high humidity state. As the air in the tank 1 is discharged to the outside, fresh outside air is taken into the outer case 2 from an intake port formed at the bottom of the lower case 3 and the like, and is taken from an intake hole formed at the top of the processing tank 1. Oxygen necessary for activating microorganisms is supplied into the processing tank 1.

On the other hand, when the odor of the exhaust gas discharged by the direct exhaust from the processing tank 1 is worrisome, the operation display unit 11
Turn on the deodorization button provided in When the deodorizing button is turned on, the control unit causes the exhaust from the processing tank 1 to flow to the exhaust passage 21 where the deodorizing device 20 is located. This can prevent the odor from being discharged to the outside.

In the above basic operation, the water content sensor 3
When the water content in the processing tank 1 is detected by 0, the operation mode of the present apparatus is controlled as follows.

That is, when the water content is low, the operation mode of the present apparatus is set to "weak operation". Specifically, in order to increase the water content, the heating temperature of the planar heater, which also functions as the water content adjustment means, and the air volume of the exhaust fan are reduced, and the stirring time of the stirring blade is shortened. By controlling in this manner, the moisture supplied together with the garbage and the moisture generated by the decomposition treatment of the garbage are less likely to evaporate, so that the water content is increased.

If the water content is optimal, the operation mode is set to "standard operation". Specifically, in order to maintain the water content, the heating temperature of the planar heater, the air flow rate of the exhaust fan, and the stirring time of the stirring blade are each operated at “standard”.
As a result, the water supplied together with the garbage, the water generated by the decomposition of the garbage, and the like evaporate appropriately, so that the water content is maintained at an appropriate value.

When the water content is high, the operation mode is set to "strong operation". Specifically, in order to reduce the water content, the heating temperature of the planar heater and the air volume of the exhaust fan are increased, and the stirring time of the stirring blade is lengthened. By doing so, it becomes easier to evaporate the water that is introduced together with the garbage and the water that is generated by the decomposition of the garbage,
It acts to lower the water content.

In the above-described detection of the water content, in the present embodiment, since the hole 38 is opened in the heating element 33 below the temperature sensing part of the thermistor 35, heat from the heating element 33 is almost transmitted to the thermistor 35. Since the temperature of the processing tank 1 is eliminated, the temperature of the processing tank 1 can be accurately detected. This allows
The sensitivity of moisture content detection is improved, and the moisture content control described above can be performed accurately.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are main part configuration diagrams showing another embodiment of the present invention, and the same reference numerals as those in the above-mentioned embodiment indicate the same or corresponding parts.

The difference from the above-described embodiment is that the hole 38 formed in the heating element 33 is larger than the size of the heat insulating material 34 so that the heat insulating material 34 does not come into contact with the heat generating element 33. In addition, the projection 41 formed on the sensor cover 40 is also enlarged in a range that does not contact the heating element 33.

As a result, the heating element 33 and the heat insulating material 34 do not come into contact with each other at all, so that the thermistor 35 is less likely to be affected by the heat from the heating element 33. The water content can be detected more accurately than in the embodiment.

Note that, with the above configuration,
The heat insulating material 34 and the thermistor 35 are supported only by the fixing tape 36 and the lead wire 39 of the thermistor 35. However, when the heat insulating material 34 and the thermistor 35 are attached to the processing tank 1, the convex portion 41 formed on the sensor cover 40 forms the processing tank 1. Since the thermistor 35 is pressed against the outer wall surface, the thermistor 35 can be attached in close contact with the outer wall surface of the processing tank 1 in substantially the same manner as in the above embodiment.

[0050]

As described above, according to the present invention, the water content sensor is processed by disposing the plate-shaped heating element opposed to the outer wall surface of the processing tank in a non-contact state on the heating element. A heat-sensitive element that is in close contact with the outer wall surface of the tank and a non-heat-generating portion near the heat-sensitive element of the heating element makes the heat-sensitive element less susceptible to the heat from the heating element, and is used for detecting the moisture content. The sensitivity is improved, and accurate detection of the water content is possible even when there is little difference in the water content.

Further, by forming a hole including the vicinity of the heat-sensitive element of the heating element as the non-heat-generating portion, the above effect can be realized with a simple configuration.

Further, by interposing an elastic heat insulating material between the heating element and the heat-sensitive element, the heat of the heating element is hardly transmitted to the heat-sensitive element, and the heat-sensitive element is adhered to the outer wall surface of the processing tank. Can be done.

Further, since the hole forming the non-heat generating portion is formed to be larger than the cross-sectional area of the heat insulating material, the heat-sensitive element is further less affected by the heat from the heat generating element.
The sensitivity of moisture content detection is further improved, and more accurate moisture content can be detected.

Further, a cover for covering the moisture content sensor is provided, and a convex portion for pressing against the heat insulating material through the hole of the heating element is formed on the cover, so that the pressing force weakened by opening the hole. Can be reinforced.

Further, by disposing a heat insulating material between the heating element and the cover, it is possible to prevent the heat of the heating element from escaping to the outside due to heat conduction or being affected by the outside air temperature. Since heat can be prevented from being transmitted to the cover, heat can be transmitted more efficiently in the treatment tank, and the water content can be detected with high sensitivity.

Further, since the heat insulating material is attached to the inside of the cover, it is only necessary to remove the cover at the time of maintenance, so that the heat insulating material is not broken and the maintainability of the water content sensor is improved. I do.

Further, by disposing a member for reflecting heat from the heating element between the heating element and the cover, a heat insulating effect against radiant heat can be obtained.

Further, since the water content sensor mounting portion of the processing tank is formed thinner than the others, heat from the heating element can be easily transmitted to the processing tank and the temperature in the processing tank can be easily detected. The rate detection accuracy is further improved.

Further, the water content sensor is attached to the outer surface of the bottom of the treatment tank, so that the carrier is not affected by loss or deviation of the microorganism carrier, and the carrier tends to become dense due to agitation or own weight. The heat generated by the heat treatment rises upward and is uniformly transmitted to the carrier in the treatment tank, so that the accuracy of the moisture content detection can be further improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a main part of an organic material processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the back side.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the moisture content sensor of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing a mounting structure of the moisture content sensor in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a moisture content sensor according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a mounting structure of a moisture content sensor in another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Treatment tank 1a Mounting boss 1b Water content sensor mounting surface 2 Outer case 3 Lower case 4 Upper case 5 Lid 6 Stirring shaft 7 Bearing unit 10 Control board 11 Operation display unit 30 Water content sensor 31 Aluminum substrate 32 Chip resistance 33 Heating element 34 Heat Insulating Material 35 Thermistor (Thermal Sensitive Element) 36 Fixing Tape 37, 39 Lead Wire 38 Hole (Non-heating Part) 40 Sensor Cover 41 Convex Portion 42 Rib 43 Heat Insulation Material 44 Reflecting Member 45 Mounting Screw 46 Projection

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2G040 AA04 AB05 AB08 BA02 BA25 CA02 CB03 DA02 DA12 DA21 EA02 EB02 GC02 ZA05 ZA08 4D004 AA03 AC04 CA15 CA19 CA22 CA48 CB04 CB28 CB32 CC08 CC09 DA01 DA02 DA09 DA20

Claims (10)

[Claims] A treatment tank for decomposing organic matter such as garbage by microorganisms is provided with a heat capacity type moisture content sensor, and the moisture content sensor is a plate-like heating element arranged to face an outer wall surface of the treatment tank. And a heat-sensitive element that is arranged on the heating element in a non-contact state and is in close contact with the outer wall surface of the processing tank, and that the heat-sensitive element near the heating element is a non-heating section. Organic matter processing equipment. 2. The organic material processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a hole is formed as the non-heating portion, the hole including the heating element in the vicinity of the thermosensitive element. 3. The organic substance processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an elastic heat insulating material is interposed between the heating element and the heat-sensitive element. 4. A hole forming the non-heat generating portion is formed to be larger than a cross-sectional area of the heat insulating material.
The organic matter processing apparatus according to the above. 5. A cover body for covering the moisture content sensor, wherein a convex portion is formed on the cover body to be in pressure contact with the heat insulating material through a hole of the heating element.
Or the organic matter processing apparatus according to claim 4. 6. The organic matter processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a heat insulating material is disposed between the heating element and the cover. 7. The organic matter processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the heat insulating material is attached inside a cover body. 8. The organic substance processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a member that reflects heat from the heating element is disposed between the heating element and the cover body. 9. The organic matter treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a portion where the moisture content sensor is attached to the treatment tank is formed thinner than other parts. 10. The organic matter treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moisture content sensor is attached to an outer surface of a bottom of the treatment tank.