JP2007083581A - Metering-mixing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a metering-mixing device which efficiently mixes a virgin material and a disintegrated material by a specified ratio, and at the same time, by which the adjustment of the mixing ratio and the agitating degree can easily be checked. <P>SOLUTION: A metering pipe 56 of a metering-agitating section 50 is constituted of a transparent pipe, and the virgin material 140 and the disintegrated material 150 are fed through a material hose connecting pipe 52. At the same time, the materials inside are agitated by an agitating screw 60. Also, on the side surface of the metering pipe 56, a movable type proximity switch 90 which detects the feeding amount of the virgin material 140, and a fixed type proximity switch 84 which detects the feeding amount of the disintegrated material 150 (or the total feeding amount of the materials) are provided. By feeding the materials to positions which are detected by the proximity switches 90 and 84, the virgin material 140 and the disintegrated material 150 can be mixed by the specified mixing ratio. Also, by changing the position of the movable type proximity switch 90, this metering-mixing device can easily deal with the change of the mixing ratio as well. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a metering and mixing device for metering and mixing a virgin material that is a resin molding material and a pulverized material.

  As a raw material for resin injection molding, for example, a pellet-shaped resin raw material is used. This is called a virgin material because it is a molded unused product. Further, at the time of injection molding, a molded part other than the product called sprue or runner is generated along with the product. Since these molded parts (non-product parts) are pulverized into fine particles by a pulverizer for reuse as a molding material, they are called pulverized materials. The shape of the sprue and runner differs depending on the shape, size, material, etc. of the product to be molded, and there are several types and sizes of crushing blades of a crusher for crushing them. Therefore, when the size of the pulverizing blade changes, the size of the particles of the pulverized material also changes.

As a molding raw material when the resin is injection-molded, there are a case where only the above-described virgin material is used and a case where the virgin material and the pulverized material are respectively measured and mixed. Among these, in a device that uses a mixture of a virgin material and a pulverized material, there are already measuring and mixing devices having various structures. As a typical example, a method is known in which a feeder is used for each of the virgin material supply means and the pulverized material supply means, and the mixing ratio is adjusted by changing the operation speed of the feeder, followed by stirring. As an apparatus of this type, for example, there is a plastic crushing material mixing apparatus shown in Patent Document 1 below.
JP-A-5-305614

  However, since the above-described measuring method using a feeder does not have a means for detecting the supply amount, it is supplied by a feeder several times on a trial basis, and the supplied material is measured each time to obtain a predetermined measurement value. It was necessary to repeat the test supply at different feeder speeds. Also, if the resin material changes or the size of the pulverized particles changes, the amount of feeder supplied at the same time changes. In this case also, it is necessary to repeat test supply and measurement each time. As described above, the background art described above has a disadvantage that it takes much time to adjust the mixing ratio. Furthermore, one or more feeder devices are required for each of the virgin material supply means and the pulverized material supply means, which complicates the device configuration and increases the cost.

  The present invention focuses on the above points, and its purpose is to improve the working efficiency by mixing the virgin material and the pulverized material at a predetermined ratio without complicating the apparatus configuration and adjusting the mixing ratio. It is another object of the present invention to provide a metering and mixing device that can easily check the degree of stirring.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a metering / mixing device for resin molding material, which is a virgin material supply means for supplying an unmolded virgin material to a measuring unit, and supplies a pulverized product of recycled resin to the measuring unit. Pulverized material supply means, provided in the weighing section, virgin material detection means for weighing the supplied virgin material, provided in the weighing section, crushed material detection means for weighing the supplied crushed material, Stirring means for stirring the virgin material and the pulverized material supplied to the measuring section is provided.

  One of the main forms is characterized in that the virgin material detection means and the pulverized material detection means include at least one of a proximity switch and a phototube. According to another aspect, there is provided a detection position variable means for changing a detection position by at least one of the virgin material detection means and the pulverized material detection means. Still another embodiment includes an operation unit for setting data related to the virgin material and the pulverized material, and uses an actuator as the detection position varying means, and interlocks with the operation unit, thereby allowing the virgin material and the pulverized material to be changed. The mixing ratio can be automatically changed.

  According to still another embodiment, the virgin material supply means and the pulverized material supply means supply the virgin material and the pulverized material by pneumatic transportation, and block suction air to a hose that sucks air in the measuring unit. At least one valve is provided. In still another embodiment, the stirring means can be rotated by a stirring case that can be integrated by connecting the upper end side to the weighing unit, and a motor connected to the stirring case, and the virgin material in the weighing unit And a screw for stirring and mixing the pulverized material, and the measuring section is transparent. The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

  The present invention provides the virgin material detecting means for measuring the virgin material supplied from the virgin material supply means to the measuring unit, and the pulverized material detecting means for measuring the pulverized material supplied from the pulverizing material supply means to the measuring unit. The material supply to the measuring unit is stopped when these detecting means detect the material. Furthermore, by installing a valve for shutting off air on the hose for sucking air of the measuring unit and shutting off the suction air when each of the detecting means detects the material, the response when the material supply is stopped is improved. Measurement accuracy is improved. Therefore, the virgin material and the pulverized material can be easily mixed at a predetermined ratio without complicating the apparatus configuration, and the working efficiency can be improved. Further, the mixing ratio can be changed by moving the position of the detecting means. Further, by making the measuring part transparent, it is possible to easily check the degree of mixing.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail based on examples.

  First, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a weighing and stirring unit of the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the present embodiment. The metering and mixing apparatus of the present embodiment is a molding machine that mixes a virgin material (or new material) 140 that is an unused molding product with a pulverized material 150 that is a non-product part such as a sprue or runner that has been pulverized. It is also supplied as a sprue return machine. In the following description, the weighing order of the molding material is virgin material → pulverized material, but may be reversed as necessary.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the metering and mixing apparatus of this embodiment includes a virgin material tank 10 that stores a virgin material 140, a pulverizer 20 that pulverizes sprues, runners, and the like, and a metering and stirring that is directly connected to a molding machine 130. And a loader unit 40 for pneumatically transporting the virgin material 140 and the pulverized material 150 to the metering stirring unit 50. Hereinafter, each part is demonstrated in order.

  First, the virgin material tank 10 stores the virgin material 140 and is connected to a virgin material transport hose 14 to which a suction nozzle 12 is attached at one end. Further, the other end side of the virgin material transport hose 14 is connected and fixed to a material hose connection pipe 52 provided at an upper portion of the measurement stirring unit 50, whereby the virgin material tank 10 is connected to the measurement stirring unit 50. The virgin material 140 can be supplied.

  Similarly, the pulverizer 20 is connected to a pulverized material transport hose 24 having a suction nozzle 22 attached to one end, and the other end of the pulverized material transport hose 24 is connected to the material hose of the measuring and stirring unit 50. The tube 52 is directly connected and fixed. As a result, the pulverized material 150 can be supplied from the pulverizer 20 to the measuring and stirring unit 50. A material switching valve 26 is provided at an appropriate position of the virgin material transport hose 14 and the pulverized material transport hose 24. The material switching valve 26 includes a virgin material cutoff valve 28 and a pulverized material cutoff valve 30, which can be opened and closed independently.

  Next, the loader unit 40 includes a blower 42, an air filter 44, and an air shutoff valve 46 inside, and is connected to an air hose connection pipe 54 </ b> A of a connection unit 54 provided at an upper portion of the measurement stirring unit 50 by a hose 48. Has been. As the air shut-off valve 46, for example, a poppet valve is used. When the blower 42 is activated, the air in the measuring and stirring unit 50 is sucked, and the material (virgin material 140 or pulverized material 150) is pneumatically transported from the virgin material tank 10 or the pulverizer 20 to the measuring and stirring unit 50. It has a configuration.

  Next, the measurement stirring unit 50 will be described with reference to FIG. The measuring and stirring unit 50 is configured around a measuring tube 56 for measuring the virgin material 140 and the pulverized material 150. In the present embodiment, a transparent tube is used as the measuring tube 56, and the inner state can be easily confirmed. A material hose connection pipe 52 is connected to the upper part of the measuring pipe 56 via the connecting part 54, and serves as an introduction part for the virgin material 140 and the pulverized material 150.

  A stirring case 58 and a stirring motor 59 are provided below the measuring tube 56. The stirring case 58 has an opening at the upper end, can be directly connected to the measuring tube 56 and can be integrated, and includes a stirring screw 60 that can be rotated by the stirring motor 59. The rotating shaft 62 of the stirring screw 60 is connected to the stirring motor 59, and the virgin material 140 and the pulverized material supplied into the measuring tube 56 as the stirring screw 60 rotates in the measuring tube 56. 150 can be mixed with stirring.

  Further, a discharge port 64 for discharging the mixed material is formed on the side surface of the agitation case 58, and a discharge port chute 66 having substantially the same cross section is connected to the discharge port 64. An air cylinder 70 is provided at the end of the discharge chute 66, and a shutter 68 provided at the tip of a shaft 72 connected to the air cylinder 70 is shown in FIG. It is movable in the direction indicated by F1. A discharge pipe 74 for feeding the mixed material to the molding machine 130 is branched from the discharge port chute 66. When the shutter 68 is lowered rearward (or downward) from the branch portion with the discharge pipe 74, the material discharged from the discharge port 64 falls to the discharge pipe 74. During the stirring operation, the shutter 68 closes the discharge port 64 to prevent the material from being discharged.

  On the lower end side of the discharge pipe 74, a sight tube 76 for connection to the material input port 132 of the molding machine 130 is provided. The visual examination tube 76 is a transparent tube in the present embodiment, and the internal state can be confirmed from the outside. Further, a proximity switch 78 for detecting the resin material in the sight tube 76 is provided at an appropriate position on the side surface of the sight tube 76. The proximity switch 78 is fixed to a support 82 provided along the axial direction of the optic tube 76 by a fixing member 80 connected to the bracket 79. Such a proximity switch 78 detects the supply state of the material to the molding machine 130, and the material drop supply by opening and closing the shutter 68 is controlled according to the result.

  On the other hand, two proximity switches are also provided at appropriate positions on the side surface of the measuring tube 56. The proximity switch 90 provided on the lower side is for detecting the virgin material and is movable, and the proximity switch 84 provided on the upper side detects the total amount of resin material (or the supply amount of the pulverized material 150). It is intended to be fixed. First, the fixed proximity switch 84 is attached to a column 86 provided along the axial direction of the measuring tube 56 by a fixing member 88 connected to the bracket 85, similarly to the proximity switch 78 provided on the sight tube 76. It is fixed.

  In the movable proximity switch 90, the screw hole of the bracket 92 is screwed with a screw rod 94 provided in the axial direction of the measuring tube 56, and the bracket 92 is provided in the axial direction of the measuring tube 56. A guide portion 98 that can be moved up and down along the support column 100 is provided. The guide portion 98 prevents the bracket 92 and the proximity switch 90 from rotating together with the screw rod 94. Then, by turning the handle 96 connected to the lower end side of the screw rod 94, the screw rod 94 is rotated, and accordingly, the proximity switch 90 is raised and lowered in the direction indicated by the arrow 2 in FIG. A stopper 104 is provided on the upper end side of the screw rod 94 to prevent the screw rod 94 from rotating naturally due to vibration or the like.

  Further, a pointer 102 is fixed to the bracket 92 as indicated by a dotted line in the drawing, and a scale plate (not shown) is attached to the measuring tube 56. In this way, the mixing ratio of the virgin material 140 and the pulverized material 150 can be easily changed by rotating the handle 96 and aligning the pointer 102 with a predetermined number on the scale plate. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, it is good also as a structure which connects the actuator 110 instead of the handle | steering_wheel 96, and connects the operation part 120 installed separately from the measurement stirring part 50 to this actuator 110 with a cable. The operation unit 120 can input, for example, the “weight”, “volume”, and “mixing ratio” of each of the virgin material (new material) and the pulverized material. Then, by setting these values, the screw rod 94 is rotated by the actuator 110, and the proximity switch 90 is moved to a predetermined position so that the change of the mixing ratio is automated.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, the blower 42 in the loader unit 40 is operated to start supplying the virgin material 140. At this time, the pulverized material shut-off valve 30 on the pulverized material transport hose 24 side is closed, and the supply of the pulverized material 150 is prevented. Further, the air shutoff valve 46 is in an open state, and the air in the metering stirring unit 50 can be sucked. Then, the metering is started with the supply of the virgin material 140, and the virgin material 140 is measured until the proximity switch 90 for detecting the virgin material provided in the measuring tube 56 detects the virgin material 140 as shown in FIG. Supply. Further, when the supply of the virgin material 140 is started, the stirring screw 60 is rotated, and stirring is performed so that the upper surface of the material (the virgin material 140) supplied into the measuring tube 56 is substantially horizontal.

  When the virgin material 140 is detected by the proximity switch 90, the blower 42 is stopped and the air shutoff valve 46 is closed. By closing the air shutoff valve 46, the suction of air in the metering tube 56 is instantaneously shut off, and the material is prevented from being sucked by the inertia of the blower 42. Next, the material switching valve 26 is switched and the air shut-off valve 46 is opened, and the supply of the pulverized material 150 is started as shown in FIG. At this time, the virgin material shutoff valve 28 of the virgin material transport hose 14 is closed to prevent the virgin material 140 from being supplied. The pulverized material 150 is supplied until the material is detected by the proximity switch 84 for detecting the total amount provided above the measuring tube 56, as shown in FIG. When the material is detected, the air shutoff valve 46 is closed, the suction of the air in the metering tube 56 is shut off instantaneously, and the material is prevented from being sucked by the inertia of the blower 42. The stirring screw 60 continues to rotate and performs stirring so that the upper surfaces of the materials (the virgin material 140 and the pulverized material 150) supplied into the measuring tube 56 are substantially horizontal. In this way, since the pulverized material 150 is stirred at the same time as being supplied, the stirring time can be shortened.

  After the stirring, as shown in FIG. 3 (C), when it is confirmed that the material is not in a predetermined position by the proximity switch 78 provided in the sight tube 76, the shutter 68 moves, and FIG. ), The resin material is discharged from the discharge port 64 on the side surface of the stirring case 58 through the discharge port chute 66 and the discharge tube 74 to the inspection tube 76. The discharged mixed material is supplied to the molding machine 130 from the material input port 132 of the molding machine 130 connected to the lower part of the sight tube 76, and the presence or absence of material is checked by the proximity switch 78 provided in the sight tube 76. It is confirmed.

  On the other hand, when the mixed material is discharged from the measuring tube 56, the shutter 68 is moved to close the discharge port 64, and the operation from the measurement of the virgin material 140 to the mixing with the pulverized material 150 and the stirring is repeated. Here, while the proximity switch 78 of the sight tube 76 detects the previously supplied mixed material, the shutter 68 is not opened and the mixed material is stocked in the measuring tube 56. Then, when the mixed material is consumed in the molding machine 130, the mixed material in the sight tube 76 is reduced, and the proximity switch 78 no longer detects the material, the shutter 68 moves and opens, and stocks in the measuring tube 56. The mixed material that has been supplied is supplied to the molding machine 130 via the discharge port chute 66, the discharge tube 74, the inspection tube 76, and the material input port 132. By repeating the above operation, the resin material mixed at a predetermined mixing ratio is continuously supplied to the molding machine 130.

Thus, according to the first embodiment, there are the following effects.
(1) A proximity switch 90 that measures the virgin material 140 supplied from the virgin material tank 10 and a proximity switch 84 that measures the pulverized material 150 supplied from the pulverizer 20 are provided in the measuring pipe 56, and these proximity switches 84 When the materials 90 and 90 detect the material, the supply of the material to the measuring tube 56 is stopped and the suction air for air transportation is shut off, so that the virgin material and the pulverized material can be easily mixed at a predetermined ratio, and the working efficiency and metering The accuracy can be improved.
(2) Since the position of the proximity switch 90 can be moved, the mixing ratio can be easily adjusted.
(3) By making the measuring tube 56 transparent, it is possible to easily confirm the degree of mixing.
(4) Since the virgin material 140 and the pulverized material 150 are pneumatically transported by the loader unit 40, it is possible to prevent the apparatus configuration from becoming complicated and to reduce the cost at a low cost.
(5) Since the stirring screw 60 is provided and stirring is started together with the supply of materials, the stirring time can be shortened.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the Example mentioned above, A various change can be added in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention. For example, the following are also included.
(1) The shapes, dimensions, and materials shown in the above embodiments are examples, and may be changed as appropriate.
(2) The proximity switches 84 and 90 are also examples, and various known detection means such as a photoelectric tube can be applied in addition to the proximity switches. The same applies to the proximity switch 76 provided in the sight tube 76.
(3) In the above embodiment, the proximity switch 90 is movable. However, this is also an example, and both the proximity switches 84 and 90 may be fixed or movable.
(4) The operation shown in the above embodiment is also an example, and the supply order of the material to the measuring tube 56 may be changed from the pulverized material 150 to the virgin material 140.
(5) The apparatus configuration of the above embodiment is also an example, and the design may be changed as appropriate so as to achieve the same effect. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the measurement stirring unit 50 and the molding machine 130 are directly connected to each other. However, this is also an example, and the measurement stirring unit 50 and the molding machine 130 are provided at separate positions and connected with a hose or the like. It may be. Further, dehumidified air may be sent to the stirring case 58 to dry the material while stirring.
(6) The movable mechanism of the proximity switch 90 is also an example, and various known movable mechanisms may be applied.

  According to the present invention, the virgin material detecting means for measuring the virgin material supplied from the virgin material supplying means to the measuring unit, and the pulverized material detecting means for measuring the pulverized material supplied from the pulverizing material supplying means to the measuring unit are provided. Provided in the weighing unit, the material supply to the weighing unit is stopped when these detection means detect the material. For this reason, it can be applied to the use of a metering and mixing device that mixes a virgin material and a pulverized material at a predetermined ratio. In particular, it is suitable for the use of a metering and mixing apparatus that may change the mixing ratio.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of Example 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the measurement stirring part of the said Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the effect | action of the said Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the modification of the said Example 1. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10: Virgin material (new material) tank 12: Suction nozzle 14: Virgin material transport hose 20: Crusher 22: Suction nozzle 24: Crush material transport hose 26: Material switching valve 28: Virgin material shutoff valve 30: Grinding material shutoff valve 40: Loader section 42: Blower 44: Air filter 46: Air shutoff valve 48: Hose 50: Metering stirring section 52: Material hose connection pipe 54: Connection section 54A: Air hose connection pipe 56: Metering pipe 58: Stirring case 59: Stirring Motor 60: stirring screw 62: rotating shaft 64: discharge port 66: discharge port chute 68: shutter 70: air cylinder 72: shaft 74: discharge tube 76: sight tube 78, 84, 90: proximity switch 79, 85, 92 : Bracket 80, 88: Fixing member 82, 86, 100: Post 94: Screw rod 96: Handle 9 : Guide portion 102: Guideline 104: stopper 110: Actuator 120: operation unit 130: molding machine 132: material charging inlet 140: virgin material 150: grinding material

Claims (6)

A metering and mixing device for resin molding material,
Virgin material supply means for supplying unformed virgin material to the measuring unit;
Pulverized material supply means for supplying a pulverized product of recycled resin to the measuring section;
Virgin material detecting means provided in the weighing unit, for weighing the supplied virgin material,
A pulverized material detecting means provided in the weighing unit for measuring the supplied pulverized material;
Stirring means for stirring the virgin material and the pulverized material supplied to the measuring unit;
A metering and mixing apparatus comprising:   The metering and mixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the virgin material detection means and the pulverized material detection means include at least one of a proximity switch and a phototube. A detection position variable means for changing a detection position by at least one of the virgin material detection means and the pulverized material detection means;
The metering / mixing device according to claim 1, wherein the metering / mixing device is provided. An operation unit for setting data on the virgin material and the pulverized material;
With
4. The metering and mixing device according to claim 3, wherein an actuator is used as the detection position changing means and the mixing ratio of the virgin material and the pulverized material can be automatically changed by interlocking with the operation unit.   The virgin material supply means and the pulverized material supply means supply the virgin material and the pulverized material by pneumatic transportation, and at least one valve for blocking the suction air to the hose for sucking air in the measuring unit. The metering / mixing device according to claim 1, wherein the metering / mixing device is provided. The stirring means is
A stirring case that can be integrated by connecting the upper end side to the measuring unit,
A screw which can be rotated by a motor connected to the stirring case and which stirs and mixes the virgin material and the pulverized material in the measuring unit;
With
The metering / mixing device according to claim 1, wherein the metering unit is transparent.

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