JP2003260451A - Apparatus for treating organic substance - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus for treating an organic substance in which the volume of a treating tank can be made large with respect to the size of the apparatus and a reduction mechanism can be easily mounted on and removed from the treating tank without exposing a screw in the treating tank. <P>SOLUTION: The treating tank 1 for storing a carrier for culturing a microorganism, agitating bodies 6 and 7 for agitating the organic substance fed in the treating tank 1 and the carrier stored therein, a motor 12 for driving the agitating bodies 6 and 7, the reduction mechanism 11 for reducing driving force of the motor 12 and transmitting it to the agitating bodies 6 and 7, and a frame 13 fitted with the reduction mechanism 11 are provided. A fixing member 14 is arranged at a position facing to the frame 13 on the inner wall of the treating tank 1 and the frame 13 is screwed on the fixing member 14 from the frame 13 side through the treating tank 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an organic substance treating apparatus for decomposing and treating organic substances such as garbage by a microbial decomposition treatment method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art This type of organic matter processing apparatus stores a carrier of microorganisms that decomposes organic matter (such as wood chips such as sawdust) in a treatment tank and puts in organic matter such as garbage. It is decomposed by a microorganism cultured on a carrier. In order to maintain the inside of the treatment tank in an environment suitable for the activation of microorganisms that decompose organic matter, the water content of the microbial carrier mixed with the organic matter should be set to an appropriate value along with the control of the temperature inside the vessel, stirring, ventilation, etc. Need to keep.

[0003] Therefore, there is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-57458 (B09B3), which detects the water content of a microbial carrier mixed with organic matter and controls the temperature in the tank, stirring, ventilation, etc. according to the water content. / 00), JP-A-8-178879 (G01N 25/56), and the like.

[0004]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-57458 (FIG. 2,
(Fig. 10)

[0005]

[Patent Document 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-178879 (first
(Figure, Figure 2)

[0006]

However, in the one disclosed in the above-mentioned publication, the agitator for agitating the contents stored in the processing tank is provided with a motor through a speed reducing mechanism for decelerating and transmitting the drive from the motor. However, there is no disclosure regarding how to attach the reduction mechanism to the processing tank.

As a general mounting method, a method is conceivable in which a boss is projected on the outer wall of the processing tank and a frame having a speed reducing mechanism is screwed to the boss. However, an outer case for covering the outer wall of the processing tank and the processing tank is used. There is a problem in that the space between the two becomes large and the volume of the processing tank becomes small relative to the size of the apparatus.

Further, like the water content sensor, the above problem can be solved by adopting a structure in which the frame is screwed from the inner wall side of the processing tank, but the screw head is exposed in the processing tank, and therefore the screw head is exposed. In this case, organic matter such as food waste and the carrier are apt to stick, and there is a problem that it is difficult to attach and remove the screw from the inside of the processing tank.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and the volume of the processing tank can be increased with respect to the size of the apparatus, and the screw is exposed in the processing tank. It is an object of the present invention to provide an organic substance processing apparatus in which the speed reduction mechanism can be easily attached to and detached from the processing tank without being provided.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention comprises a treatment tank for accommodating a carrier for culturing microorganisms, and an organic substance charged in the treatment tank. An inner wall of the processing tank, comprising: a stirrer that stirs the carrier, a motor that drives the stirrer, a reduction mechanism that reduces the driving force of the motor and transmits it to the stirrer, and a frame to which the reduction mechanism is attached. The fixing member is arranged at a position facing the frame, and the frame is screwed to the fixing member from the frame side through the processing tank.

It is preferable that a bearing for axially supporting the agitator is formed on the fixing member.

It is preferable that the fixing member is made of a resin having abrasion resistance and low friction.

It is preferable that the fixing member is made of Duracon resin.

It is preferable that the agitator is composed of an agitation shaft and an agitation blade installed upright on the agitation shaft, and the agitation shaft is rotatably supported by the fixing member.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

In this organic matter processing apparatus, a carrier for microorganisms (wooden pieces such as sawdust) is stored, and a treatment tank 1 having an upper surface opening into which organic matter such as food waste is put is provided in an outer case 2 composed of upper and lower parts. It is housed and configured. The processing tank 1 is an injection-molded product made of resin, and as shown in FIG. 1, the side wall of the processing tank 1 is formed narrower toward the bottom because a draft angle is required for molding. As shown in FIG. 2, the lower half is formed in an arc shape according to the rotation locus of the stirring blade described later.

The upper surface of the outer case 2 is opened corresponding to the upper surface opening 3 of the treatment tank 1, and a charging port 4 for charging a microbial carrier or food waste is formed. Above the charging port 4. A lid 5 is provided which can be opened and closed by a hinge or the like.

A stirring shaft 7 having a plurality of stirring blades 6 provided upright is provided between the front and rear walls in the processing tank 1 so as to be rotatable in the forward and reverse directions. Both ends of this stirring shaft 7 are supported by bearings 8 and 9 formed on the front and rear walls of the processing tank 1, and the shaft end 10 on the rear wall side has a large gear 11a, a middle gear 11b, and It is connected to a stirring motor 12 that is driven to rotate forward and backward through a reduction mechanism 11 that includes a small gear 11c, a large pulley 11d, and a small pulley 11e. The rotation of the stirring motor 12 is decelerated and transmitted, and the rotation is normally and reversely driven. It has become so.

A medium gear 11b, a small gear 11c and a large pulley 11 which constitute the agitating motor 12 and the speed reducing mechanism 11 described above.
d and the like are attached to a metal frame 13 fixed to the outer surface side of the rear wall of the processing tank 1. The drive mechanism mounting frame 13 is fixed to the frustum-shaped fixing member 14 arranged on the inner surface side of the processing tank 1 by screwing from the frame 13 side.

As described above, the drive mechanism mounting frame 1
By fixing 3 the distance between the rear wall of the processing tank 1 and the rear wall of the exterior case 2 is greater than that of a general mounting method in which a boss is provided on the outer surface of the rear wall of the processing tank 1 and is screwed. The volume of the processing tank 1 can be made large with respect to the depth of the apparatus. Although it can be screwed from the inside of the processing tank 1, if screwed from the inside, garbage and carriers tend to stick to the screw head, and from the inside it becomes difficult to attach and detach with screws. In the embodiment, since the screws are screwed from the outside, the above-mentioned problems do not occur.

A bearing 9 on the rear wall side is formed in the central portion of the fixing member 14. This fixing member 14
It is made of Duracon resin, which has excellent abrasion resistance and good slipperiness. Therefore, while also functioning sufficiently as a bearing,
The surface of the fixing member 14 does not stick to the microorganism carrier, garbage, etc.

In the present embodiment, the processing tank 1
Of the water content sensor 15 at the outer bottom of
Is attached. This moisture content sensor 15 is shown in FIG.
As shown in the enlarged view of FIG.
In order to provide a gap of about 3 mm with the thermistor 6, a thermistor 18 is arranged with a sponge 17 such as foamed silicon interposed. Heating element 16 and thermistor 18
By interposing a sponge 17, such as foamed silicon, between the and, it is configured so that the heat of the heating element 16 is not directly transmitted to the thermistor 18, and the thermistor 18 is in close contact with the back surface side of the processing tank 1. There is.

As described above, since the water content sensor 15 is attached to the outer bottom of the processing tank 1, the water content sensor inside the processing tank 1 does not have to be provided or exposed inside the processing tank as in the conventional case. Since the water content can be detected,
It is possible to prevent problems such as falling off due to a load at the time of stirring, failure due to water leakage from a mounting portion, deterioration of detection accuracy due to deposition of a carrier or the like made of a different material, and damage and damage, which are conventional problems. Further, since it is at the bottom, it is not affected by the loss of the carrier and the unevenness caused by stirring, and the heat of the heating element 16 rises upward in addition to the radiant heat, and the treatment tank 1
Since it conducts uniformly to the carrier inside, the accuracy of water content detection is also improved. Also, since it is close to the bottom wall that is narrower and narrower, the carrier tends to be in a dense state due to stirring or its own weight,
Also in this respect, the accuracy of water content detection can be improved.

Further, the mounting surface of the water content sensor of the treatment tank 1 is thinner than the other so that the radiant heat from the heating element 16 can be easily transmitted to the treatment tank 1 and the temperature in the treatment tank 1 can be easily detected. Has been formed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, by forming the water content sensor mounting surface in a flat shape with respect to the arc-shaped bottom surface of the processing tank 1, the original thickness of the processing tank 1 is about 3 mm. On the other hand, the mounting surface is about 1 mm to 2.
It is about 5 mm, and the contact surface of the thermistor 18 is the thinnest so that the temperature in the processing tank 1 can be detected more easily.

Further, the water content sensor 1 excluding the above mounting surface side
The periphery of 5 is covered with a sensor cover 19 made of a resin such as polypropylene having a heat insulating property. Further, the outer surface side thereof is covered with a reflecting member 20 such as aluminum foil and a heat insulating material 21 such as foamed resin or glass wool. The reflection member 20
Is mainly for preventing the radiant heat of the heating element 16 from escaping to the outside, and the heat insulating material 21 is mainly provided for preventing the influence of the outside air temperature. With the above-described configuration, heat can be efficiently transferred into the processing tank 1, and the accurate water content can be detected.

On the other hand, on the upper side of the reduction mechanism 11, a control board 30 on which a control section composed of a microcomputer is mounted is attached, and the control section mounted on the control board 30 causes each section of the apparatus. Is controlled.

Further, planar heaters 31, 31 are mounted on the upper and lower outer surfaces of the front wall and both side walls of the processing tank 1, and the thermistor (not shown) installed in the planar heater 31 by the control unit is used for processing. The tank 1 is controlled so as to be maintained within a temperature range (about 40 ° C. to 60 ° C.) suitable for activating microorganisms.

Further, an exhaust hole 33 into which an exhaust filter 32 is attached is formed in the upper rear wall of the processing tank 1, and an exhaust fan 34 is attached to the downstream side thereof as shown in FIG. . Further, on the downstream side of the exhaust fan 34, a switch is provided which can switch between a first exhaust passage 35 to which a deodorizing device 38 described below is attached and a second exhaust passage 36 for directly discharging exhaust gas to the outside. A valve 37 is provided.

In the deodorizing device 38 attached to the first exhaust passage 35, a heater 39 is arranged on the upstream side, and a catalyst 4 formed of ceramics in a honeycomb structure is arranged on the downstream side.
0 are arranged, and they are housed in a metal tubular body 41 made of stainless steel or the like having heat resistance and corrosion resistance. As a result, the inflowing exhaust gas is heated by the heater 39,
When the heated exhaust gas passes through the catalyst 40, the catalyst 40 is heated and the decomposition reaction of the malodorous component contained in the exhaust gas is accelerated.

The outlet side of the deodorizing device 38 is, as shown in FIG. 6, an exhaust port 42 that opens to the lower rear side of the outer case 2.
Are linked to. A diluting fan 43 for diluting the temperature and odor of the high-temperature exhaust gas discharged from the deodorizing device 38 is attached to the exhaust port 42.

On the other hand, the second exhaust passage 36 communicates with an exhaust port 44 which is open to the rear side of the exhaust fan 34, that is, the rear side of the exterior case 2.

An intake port 45 for taking in outside air is formed on the bottom surface side of the outer case 2. The intake port 4
The outside air taken in from 5 is the outer case 2 and the treatment tank 1.
It is taken into the processing tank 1 through the air gap 46 formed in the upper side wall of the processing tank 1 through the gap between

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a discharge port 47 for the processed material (compost) stored inside is opened and closed by a pull-out type shutter 48 at the bottom of the processing tank 1. A discharge chute 49 that is inclined forward is integrally formed on the bottom of the outer case 2 below the discharge port 47. By pulling out the shutter 48, the outer chute 49 of the outer case 2 passes through the discharge chute 49. The processed material that has been composted on the front side can be taken out.

With the above-mentioned structure, a predetermined amount of microbial carrier (wood chips such as sawdust) is put into the treatment tank 1 in advance when the apparatus is used. Then, when processing organic substances such as food waste, the lid 5 is opened, organic substances such as food waste are put into the processing tank 1 through the charging port 4, and the lid 5 is closed. When the lid 5 is closed, a detection unit (not shown) detects this, and based on the output, the control unit mounted on the control board 30 energizes the planar heater 31, the stirring motor 12, the exhaust fan 34, and the like. Start control.

By controlling the energization of the stirring motor 12, the stirring shaft 7 on which the stirring blade 6 is erected is intermittently rotated forward and backward (for example, every 2 minutes in a 30-minute cycle) to stir and mix the carrier and the organic substance. At the same time, the temperature inside the treatment tank 1 is maintained in an optimum range for activating the microorganisms by controlling the energization of the planar heater 31, and the microorganisms cultured on the carrier decompose organic matter into carbon dioxide and water and compost. Turn into.

By controlling the energization of the exhaust fan 34, the moist air in the processing tank 1 is discharged to the outside, and the processing tank 1 is discharged.
In addition to preventing the inside from being in a high humidity state, as the air in the processing tank 1 is discharged to the outside, fresh outside air is taken into the case from the intake port 45 formed at the bottom of the exterior case 2, Oxygen required for activating the microorganisms is supplied into the treatment tank 1 through an intake hole 46 formed in the upper portion of the treatment tank 1. Although not directly related to the present invention, when the odor level in the tank detected by an odor sensor (not shown) or the like becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined deodorization required level, the control unit controls the switching valve 37 from the state shown in FIG. The exhaust passage 36 of No. 2 is switched so as to be closed, the heater 39 of the deodorizing device 38 is energized, and
The dilution fan 43 is energized, and the exhaust gas from the processing tank 1 flows into the first exhaust passage 35 having the deodorizing device 38.

Here, in the present embodiment, the water content sensor 1 is provided between the intermittent operations (30-minute cycle) of the stirring blade 6.
The heating element 16 of No. 5 is heated for a fixed time (about 20 minutes), and the water content is detected based on the temperature rise value detected by the thermistor 18.

If the temperature rise value is smaller than a predetermined lower limit value, it is determined that the water content is high, and the heating temperature of the planar heater 31 which also functions as a water content adjusting means for lowering the water content, While increasing the air volume of the exhaust fan 34 or the like, the intermittent period of the stirring blade 6 is shortened or the stirring time is lengthened. By controlling in this way, the water added together with the food waste and the water generated by the decomposition processing of the food waste easily evaporate, so that the water content is lowered.

On the other hand, if the temperature rise value is larger than a predetermined upper limit value, it is determined that the water content is low, and the heating temperature of the sheet heater 31 and the exhaust fan 34 are set to increase the water content.
And the like, the intermittent period of the stirring blade 6 is lengthened, or the stirring time is shortened. This makes it difficult for water and the like generated by the decomposition processing of food waste to evaporate, and thus acts to increase the water content.

If the temperature rise value is within the predetermined range, it is judged that the water content is appropriate, and in order to maintain this water content, the heating temperature of the sheet heater 31, the air volume of the exhaust fan 34, etc. and the stirring. The intermittent operation of the blades 6 and the stirring time are operated as standard. By doing this, water etc. generated by the decomposition processing of food waste will be evaporated appropriately,
The water content in the treatment tank 1 is maintained at an appropriate value.

7 to 9 are views showing other embodiments of the present invention, and the same reference numerals as those in the above-mentioned embodiments indicate the same or corresponding portions.

In the present embodiment, the water content sensor 15 is attached to the outer lower portion of the rear wall which is the agitation shaft attachment wall of the treatment tank 1 so as to be located directly below the rear wall bearing 9. As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 8, this moisture content sensor 15 is similar to the above-described embodiment in that the heating element 1 is provided at the center of a heating element 16 formed by arranging a plurality of chip resistors on an aluminum substrate, for example.
In order to provide a gap of about 3 mm with the thermistor 6, a thermistor 18 is arranged with a sponge 17 such as foamed silicon interposed. Similarly to the above, by interposing a sponge 17 such as foamed silicon between the heating element 16 and the thermistor 18, the heat of the heating element 16 is transferred to the thermistor 18.
The thermistor 18 is configured to be in close contact with the back side of the processing tank 1 while being prevented from being directly transmitted to the processing tank 1.

With this, as in the above-described embodiment, the water content in the processing tank 1 can be detected without providing or exposing the water content sensor in the processing tank. In addition to being able to prevent malfunctions, it is the lower part, so it is not affected by the loss of the carrier and the unevenness due to stirring, etc. Also, since it is the lower part of the rear wall that became narrow due to the necessity of molding, the water content Since the carrier is most likely to be in the densest state on the front side of the sensor 15 due to stirring or its own weight, the accuracy of water content detection is improved.

As with the previous embodiment, the water content sensor mounting surface of the processing tank 1 is also designed to facilitate the transfer of radiant heat from the heating element 16 into the processing tank 1 and the easy detection of the temperature inside the processing tank 1. It is thinner than the others.

Further, the water content sensor 1 excluding the above mounting surface side
The periphery of 5 is covered with a sensor cover 19 made of a resin such as polypropylene having a heat insulating property. Further, the outer surface side thereof is covered with a reflection member 20 such as an aluminum foil and a heat insulating material 21 such as foamed resin or glass wool, and the stirring motor 12 and the speed reduction mechanism 11 described above are attached via the heat insulating material 21 and made of metal. Is in contact with the drive mechanism mounting frame 13.
The reflection member 20 is mainly for preventing the radiant heat of the heating element 16 from escaping to the outside, and the heat insulating material 21 is mainly for heat generation of the drive mechanism transmitted through the metal frame 13 and the influence of the outside temperature. It is provided to prevent it. With the above-described configuration, heat can be efficiently transferred into the processing tank 1, and the accurate water content can be detected.

The organic matter treatment apparatus of this embodiment, to which the moisture content sensor 15 is attached as described above, also operates in the same manner as in the above-mentioned embodiment to maintain the moisture content in the treatment tank 1 at an appropriate value. it can.

[0047]

According to the present invention, the volume of the processing tank can be increased with respect to the size of the apparatus, and the deceleration mechanism can be easily attached / detached without sticking garbage or carriers in the processing tank. There are effects such as being able to.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an organic substance processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention as seen from a side surface side.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the outer appearance of the processing tank as seen from the back side.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a top view showing a water content sensor mounting position and an exhaust and intake structure viewed from the upper surface side.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a drive mechanism as viewed from the back side.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an exhaust and intake structure.

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an organic matter processing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention viewed from a side surface side.

8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a water content sensor mounting position as seen from the front side.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 processing tank 2 exterior case 4 slot 5 Lid 6 stirring blades 7 stirring shaft 8,9 bearing 11 Reduction mechanism 12 Stirring motor 13 Drive mechanism mounting frame 15 Water content sensor 16 heating element 17 Sponge 18 Thermistor 19 sensor cover 20 Reflective member 21 thermal insulation 30 control board 31 sheet heater 34 Exhaust fan

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Yoshihiro Tanimoto             2-5-3 Keihan Hondori, Moriguchi City, Osaka Prefecture             Yo Denki Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shinichi Tamaogi             2-5-3 Keihan Hondori, Moriguchi City, Osaka Prefecture             Yo Denki Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 4D004 AA03 CA18 CA48 CB04 CB28                       CB32 CC08 CC09 DA01 DA02                       DA06                 4G037 DA01 EA03                 4G078 AA21 AB20 BA01 CA01 CA15                       CA17 DA03

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A treatment tank for accommodating a carrier for culturing microorganisms, an agitator for agitating the organic substances charged in the treatment tank and the accommodating carrier, and a motor for driving the agitator.
A reduction mechanism that reduces the driving force of the motor and transmits it to the agitator, and a frame to which the reduction mechanism is attached, a fixing member is arranged at a position facing the frame on the inner wall of the processing tank, and the frame is An organic matter processing apparatus characterized in that the frame side is configured to be screwed to a fixing member via a processing tank. 2. The organic matter treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a bearing that axially supports the stirring body is formed on the fixing member. 3. The organic substance treating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fixing member is made of a resin having abrasion resistance and low friction. 4. The organic substance processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the fixing member is made of Duracon resin. 5. The stirrer comprises a stirrer shaft and stirrer blades provided upright on the stirrer shaft, and the stirrer shaft is rotatably supported by the fixing member. 4. The organic matter treatment device according to 4.