JP2011131448A - Material transportation supply apparatus and material transportation supply method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a material transportation supply apparatus and a material transportation supply method attaining energy saving. <P>SOLUTION: The material transportation supply apparatus 1 includes a collecting supply part 10 collecting and supplying a pneumatically-transported powder and grain material to a supply destination 2; a pneumatic transportation means 20 pneumatically transporting the powder and grain material to the collecting supply part from a transportation source 3; a throughput detecting means for detecting the throughput X of the powder and grain material handled per unit time in the supply destination; a transport capacity detecting means for detecting the transport capacity Y of the powder and grain material transported per unit time from the transportation source to the collecting supply part; and a transport capacity control means for comparing the throughput with the transport capacity based on a predetermined program, and performing change control of the rotating speed of a driving motor of a transportation air source 22 in the pneumatic transportation means, thereby updating the transport capacity to become predetermined transport capacity corresponding to the throughput to carry out pneumatic transportation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a material transportation supply apparatus and a material transportation supply method for pneumatically transporting a granular material of a transportation source and supplying it to a supply destination.

Conventionally, the granular material that is pneumatically transported from the transportation source is collected in a collector or the like, and a molding machine or the like via a temporary storage part such as an input pipe or a storage tank continuously provided below the collector material. 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a material transportation and supply apparatus that supplies a supply destination.
The transportation control from such a transportation source to the collection supply unit composed of a collector, an input pipe, and the like is based on the no material signal of the lower level meter provided in the collection supply unit, etc. In addition, the transportation air source is activated, the material from the transportation source is pneumatically transported to the collection supply unit, and then the above-mentioned feeder feeder is stopped based on the material presence signal etc. of the upper limit level meter. Was common (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

JP-A-6-278190

By the way, in the conventional material transport and supply apparatus that performs the transport control as described above, it can be applied to various destinations such as molding machines and its various operation modes, and short feeds to the destinations are performed. In order not to occur, the transport capability of pneumatically transporting the granular material from the transport source to the collection supply unit has been set relatively large.
That is, transportation air sources such as a blower (suction blower or pressure blower) constituting the pneumatic transportation means are rated to some extent according to the transportation amount, transportation distance, etc., and can be selected from a plurality of types. However, the transport capacity that can be transported per unit time in the material transport and supply equipment is sufficiently larger than the processing capacity that is processed per unit time at the supply destination and is set to be almost constant, from the viewpoint of energy saving. Improvement was desired.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said situation, and aims at providing the material transport supply apparatus and material transport supply method which can aim at energy saving.

  In order to achieve the above object, the material transport and supply device according to the present invention collects a particulate material to be transported by air and supplies the collected material to a supply destination, and the collection and supply unit from the transport source. Pneumatic transport means for pneumatically transporting the granular material, processing capacity detecting means for detecting the processing capacity of the granular material processed per unit time at the supply destination, and the collection supply unit from the transport source The transport capacity detecting means for detecting the transport capacity of the granular material transported per unit time is compared with the processing capacity based on a predetermined program, and the transport air in the pneumatic transport means is compared. A transportation capacity control means for performing the pneumatic transportation by updating the transportation capacity to be a predetermined transportation capacity corresponding to the processing capacity by changing and controlling the number of revolutions of a source drive motor; That And butterflies.

By adopting such a configuration, the processing capacity is compared with the transportation capacity. If the transportation capacity is sufficiently larger than the processing capacity, the air volume can be reduced by reducing the rotation speed of the drive motor of the transportation air source. Decrease and update the transport capacity of the granular material transported to the collection supply unit per unit time so as to be a predetermined transport capacity commensurate with the processing capacity. As a result, the power consumption of the drive motor can be reduced and energy saving can be achieved. In other words, in the present invention, the transportation capacity that is generally set sufficiently larger than the processing capacity is a predetermined transportation capacity within a safe range (there is no risk of short feed to the supplier). In order to save energy, it is updated and reduced.
In addition, noise generated from the transportation air source can also be reduced by reducing the rotational speed of the driving motor of the transportation air source.

In the present invention, the collection supply unit is provided with a material level detecting means for detecting at least a first level and a second level higher than the first level as the storage level of the granular material. May be. In this case, the output at the second level is based on the storage amount of the granular material material stored from the first level to the second level set in advance and the decrease in the storage level at the time of supply to the supply destination. The processing capability may be calculated by the transport capability control means based on the time (processing time) from the no-material signal to be output to the no-material signal output at the first level.
With such a configuration, the processing capacity can be calculated based on the operating status of the supply destination. Therefore, for example, compared to a case where the processing capability of the supply destination is manually input to the operation unit or the like, an operation error or the like does not occur, and an accurate processing capability can be acquired.

In the material transport and supply device that calculates the processing capacity based on the storage amount and the processing time, the pneumatic transport is started based on the no-material signal that is output at the first level. Due to an increase in the storage level at the time of replenishment to the collection supply unit from the first level signal, the time from the material presence signal output at the second level (transportation replenishment time), the storage amount, The transportation capacity may be calculated by the transportation capacity control means based on the processing capacity.
With such a configuration, the transport capability of the material transport and supply device can be calculated based on the operation status of the device. Therefore, it is possible to accurately calculate the transport capacity that may fluctuate due to various factors such as the type of granular material (materials with different bulk density and shape, etc.), transport path, transport distance, transport pipe inner diameter, etc. it can. Thereby, for example, a data table or the like in which the rotational speed of the drive motor of the transportation air source is associated with the transportation capacity in advance is stored in the storage means or the like, and the transportation capacity is updated based on the table. Compared to such an aspect, it is possible to update the vehicle so as to achieve a predetermined transportation capacity corresponding to the processing capacity more safely and reliably.

In the present invention, the number of revolutions of the drive motor is changed every time the pneumatic transportation is performed until the transportation capacity after the revolution number of the driving motor is changed to a predetermined transportation capacity by the transportation capacity control means. You may make it change in steps and update the said transportation capacity in steps.
With such a configuration, for example, after detecting the transportation capacity, the transportation capacity is more safely compared with an aspect in which the transportation capacity is updated only once so as to be a predetermined transportation capacity corresponding to the processing capacity. Can be updated.

Moreover, in order to achieve the said objective, the material transportation supply method which concerns on this invention collected the granular material material pneumatically transported from the transportation source in the collection supply part, and supplied it to the supply destination. A material transport and supply method, wherein the processing capacity of the granular material processed per unit time at the supply destination, and the granular material transported per unit time from the transport source to the collection supply unit The transportation capacity is detected, the processing capacity is compared with the transportation capacity, and the number of revolutions of the drive motor of the transportation air source driven during the pneumatic transportation is changed and controlled, thereby controlling the transportation capacity. The pneumatic transportation is performed by updating the transportation capacity to be a predetermined transportation capacity corresponding to the capacity.
According to such a material transportation supply method, energy saving can be achieved as described above.

  The material transport and supply device according to the present invention is configured as described above, so that energy saving can be achieved.

It is a schematic structure figure showing typically an example of a system configuration provided with one embodiment of a material transportation supply device concerning the present invention. It is a control block diagram of the material transport and supply apparatus. It is a schematic time chart for demonstrating an example of the basic operation | movement performed with the material transport supply apparatus. It is a schematic flowchart which shows an example of the basic operation | movement of the processing capacity detection function and transportation capacity detection function which are performed with the material transport supply apparatus. It is a schematic flowchart which shows an example of the basic operation | movement of the transport capability change function performed with the material transport supply apparatus. (A), (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating one modification of the processing capacity detection means of the material transportation supply apparatus, and is the outline which each shows the X section in FIG. Longitudinal sectional views (c) and (d) are explanatory views for explaining other modified examples of the processing capacity detecting means of the material transporting and supplying apparatus, respectively, and an X portion in FIG. 1 is enlarged respectively. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view shown typically. It is a schematic block diagram which shows typically an example of the system structure provided with the modification of the material transport supply apparatus. It is a schematic block diagram which shows typically an example of the system configuration | structure provided with the other modification of the material transport supply apparatus.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIGS. 1-8 is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the transport supply apparatus of the granular material which concerns on this embodiment, its operation example, and a modification.
In addition, in FIG.1, FIG7 and FIG.8, the pipelines (gas pipeline, granular material transport pipeline, etc.) which distribute | circulate gas (transport air) and granular material are typically shown with a continuous line. Show.

As shown in FIG. 1, the material transportation and supply apparatus 1 in the illustrated example collects and temporarily stores the granular material from the drying hopper 3 as a transportation source, and stores it as an injection molding machine 2 as a supply destination. It is incorporated as part of a transportation and supply system for granular materials that are supplied toward
The material transport and supply device 1 collects a granular material that is pneumatically transported and supplies it to an injection molding machine 2. A collection and supply unit 10 that supplies the powder and granular material to the collection and supply unit 10 from the drying hopper 3. Pneumatic conveying means 20 for pneumatically conveying the material and a control panel 30 are provided.

Here, the above-mentioned powder material refers to a powder / granular material, but includes a fine flake shape, a short fiber piece shape, a sliver-like material, and the like.
Moreover, as said material, what kind of materials, such as synthetic resin materials, such as a resin pellet and a resin fiber piece, or a metal material, a semiconductor material, a wood material, a chemical material, a food material, may be sufficient.
The powder material may be a plurality of blended powder materials blended by a blending device as a transportation source. For example, when molding a synthetic resin molded product, A pulverized material, a master batch, various additives, etc. are mentioned.

The injection molding machine 2 as the supply destination is not described in detail, but the granular material charged from the material charging port 2a is melted in the cylinder, and the molten resin for one shot is attached to the tip of the cylinder. A resin molded product is formed by injection from a nozzle into a mold (not shown).
In addition, as a supply destination of the granular material that is pneumatically transported by the material transport and supply device 1 according to the present embodiment and temporarily stored in the collection and supply unit 10, an injection molding machine that molds a synthetic resin molded product is used. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be an aspect in which an injection molding machine for other materials or another molding machine such as an extrusion molding machine or a compression molding machine is used as a supply destination. Furthermore, a charge hopper as a temporary storage unit installed in the preceding stage of such a molding machine, a weighing hopper such as a blending device that blends a plurality of types of granular material materials at a predetermined blending ratio, etc. Good.

Although detailed description is omitted, the drying hopper 3 as a transportation source stores a pulverized material and dries the hopper body 3a, and a discharge damper (material discharge section) provided at the lower end of the hopper body 3a. 3b, a collection unit 3c provided at the upper end of the hopper body 3a, and a heater unit 3d having a blower and a heater for supplying heated air into the hopper body 3a.
The material discharge unit 3b may be any material as long as it is connected to a CPU 31 to be described later via a signal line and the like, and discharge control or opening / closing control is performed. For example, a rotary valve, a push damper, a flap damper, It is good also as a slide damper, a screw feeder, etc. A rotary valve, a push damper, a flap damper, or the like may be employed from the viewpoint of reducing air leakage due to the biting of the granular material. In the illustrated example, a push damper type discharge damper that opens and closes the lower end discharge port by moving the valve along the same direction as the discharge direction of the lower end discharge port of the hopper body 3a (the axial direction of the discharge pipe) is shown. ing.
A material transport pipe 6 whose end is connected to the material tank 4 and a suction pipe 5 that sucks air in the collection part 3c are connected to the collection part 3c of the drying hopper 3. A transport air source such as a suction blower is connected to the end of the suction pipe 5.

In the drying hopper 3, the particulate material that is pneumatically transported is collected in the collection unit 3c, temporarily stored, and the material input valve provided below the collection unit 3c is opened. The granular material is sequentially put into the hopper body 3a.
The particulate material stored in the hopper main body 3a is heated and dried by the supplied heated air, and the lower discharge damper 3b is opened, toward the material transport pipe 27 connected to the discharge damper 3b. Discharged.
The injection of the granular material into the hopper main body 3a is, for example, the storage level of the granular material in the hopper main body 3a with the discharge of the granular material from the discharge damper 3b at the lower end of the hopper main body 3a. May be performed by opening the material input valve of the collection unit 3c when the signal indicating that the material sensor of the material sensor provided in the hopper body 3a is output is output, or in the hopper body 3a. It is also possible to control the charging timing, charging amount, etc. of the granular material so that the storage amount of the granular material becomes substantially constant.

The collection supply unit 10 includes a collection hopper (collector) 14 that collects the particulate material that is transported by air, and a material storage input pipe (temporary storage unit) 13 that is continuously provided below the collection hopper. ing.
The collection hopper 14 is connected to a material transport pipe 27 whose end is connected to the discharge damper 3 b of the drying hopper 3 and a suction pipe 25 that sucks air in the collection hopper 14.
The material discharge port 13a at the lower end of the material storage input pipe 13 is connected to the material input port 2a of the injection molding machine 2 described above, and the granular material stored in the material storage input pipe 13 is injected into the injection molding machine. 2 is supplied into the cylinder of the injection molding machine 2 by its own weight drop through the material discharge port 13a with consumption of the granular material.
The material storage input pipe 13 has a material level for detecting the first level LV1 and the second level LV2 above the first level LV1 as the storage level of the particulate material in the collection supply unit 10. Detection means 11 and 12 are provided.
In the present embodiment, the material level detectors 11 and 12 include a first level meter 11 that detects the first level LV1 and a second level meter 12 that detects the second level LV2.

Each of these level meters 11 and 12 may be any one as long as it can detect the storage level of the granular material at each level. For example, a non-contact type capacitance level meter or the like Alternatively, a contact type level switch or the like may be used.
Alternatively, the material level detecting means may be constituted by one sensor capable of detecting at least the first level LV1 and the second level LV2. As such a material level detection means, an ultrasonic level meter, a capacitance type continuous level meter, or the like that can detect a plurality of storage levels in a multistage or stepless manner may be adopted.
The lower storage amount B stored below the detection level (first level LV1) of the first level meter 11 is a storage amount that does not cause a short feed to the injection molding machine 2 or the like. The detection level LV1 of the material storage input pipe 13 and the first level meter 11 is appropriately set.

The pneumatic transport means 20 connects the suction transport machine 21, the suction pipe 25 connected to the suction transport machine 21, the drying hopper 3, and the collection supply unit 10, and the powder is directed toward the collection supply unit 10. The material transport pipe 27 for pneumatically transporting the granular material is provided.
The suction transport machine 21 includes a suction blower 22 as a transport air source, a drive motor 23 (see FIG. 2) that rotationally drives an impeller of the suction blower 22, and a dust collection unit provided on the suction side of the suction blower 22 24. The suction transport machine 21 is provided with a control panel 30 which will be described later.
The dust collection unit 24 includes a dust collection filter that captures dust, dust, and the like contained in the suction air of the suction pipe 25, a dust box that accommodates the captured matter, and the like. A filter, a bug filter, or the like may be employed.
Further, the suction pipe 25 is provided with a pressure sensor 26 for detecting the pressure in the suction pipe 25 and a pressure gauge 26 such as a pressure gauge.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control panel 30 includes a CPU 31 that controls each device and each part of the material transport and supply device 1 according to a predetermined program, and an operation panel connected to the CPU 31 via a signal line or the like. 32 and a storage unit 33, and an inverter 34 connected to the CPU 31 through a signal line or the like and for changing the rotational speed of the drive motor 23 of the suction blower 22 described above.
The operation panel 32 constitutes a display operation unit for setting and inputting various setting operations, pre-set input items to be described later, and displaying various setting conditions and various operation modes.
The storage unit 33 is composed of various memories and the like, and various programs such as a control program for executing setting conditions and input values set and input by operating the operation panel 32, basic operations and operations described later, and the like. , Various preset operation conditions and various data tables are stored.

The inverter 34 is, for example, a VVVF (variable voltage / variable frequency) type in which alternating current input from a commercial drive power source is converted into direct current by a converter circuit, and is converted into alternating current of a predetermined output frequency and a predetermined output voltage by the inverter circuit. It is good also as a thing. As will be described later, the output frequency of the inverter 34 is changed and controlled by the CPU 31 according to a predetermined program, whereby the rotation speed of the drive motor 23 of the suction blower 22 is changed. In the present embodiment, the inverter 34 functions as means for changing the rotational speed of the drive motor 23.
By using such an inverter 34 as the rotation speed changing means, it is possible to easily and efficiently change and control the rotation speed of the drive motor 23 at the time of executing a transportation capacity changing program to be described later. Further, by providing such an inverter 34, the drive motor 23, which is frequently started and stopped every time it is transported, can be slowly started at the time of startup. According to this, since the inrush electric power at the time of starting can be reduced, energy saving can be achieved. The drive mode of the drive motor 23 by such control of the inverter 34 reaches, for example, a predetermined frequency over a few seconds (for example, 5 seconds) after the start without instantaneously outputting a predetermined frequency. Thus, the drive motor 23 may be slow-started by outputting in this manner.

As shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 31 as the control unit includes a first level meter 11 and a second level meter 12 of the collection supply unit 10, a discharge damper 3 b of the drying hopper 3, a drive motor 23, and a pressure gauge 26. They are connected via signal lines and the like.
The CPU 31 includes a clock timer and other time measuring means and an arithmetic processing unit, and constitutes a processing capacity detecting means and a transport capacity detecting means together with the level meters 11 and 12 of the collecting and supplying section 10, as will be described later. According to a predetermined program, the processing capacity X (see FIG. 4) of the granular material processed per unit time in the injection molding machine 2, and the powder transported per unit time from the drying hopper 3 to the collection supply unit 10 The transport ability Y (see FIG. 4) of the granular material is detected.
In addition, as will be described later, the CPU 31 compares the processing capacity X with the transport capacity Y according to a predetermined program, and changes and controls the rotational speed of the drive motor 23 of the suction blower 22, thereby controlling the transport capacity Y. A transportation capacity control unit is configured to update the transportation capacity to a predetermined transportation capacity corresponding to the processing capacity X and to execute pneumatic transportation.

Next, an example of a basic operation executed in the material transport and supply device 1 according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.
The schematic time chart shown in FIG. 3 schematically shows the transition of the storage level of the granular material in the collection supply unit, the output signal of each device, the ON / OFF operation, the opening / closing operation of the discharge damper, and the like. In addition, an operation example at the time of executing a transportation capacity change program to be described later is shown.

<Initial preparation operation>
After the material transportation and supply apparatus 1 is activated, a predetermined initial preparation operation is performed as shown in FIG. 4 (step 100).
At the start-up of the material transportation and supply apparatus 1, the above-described collection and supply unit 10 is in a state (empty state) in which the granular material is not yet stored and held. That is, a material request signal (material non-existence signal) is output from the level meters 11 and 12 of the collection supply unit 10.
In addition, at the time of initial preparation operation execution, the pneumatic transportation to the collection supply unit 10 is started by heating and drying the granular material of at least the lower layer in the drying hopper 3 as a transportation source to a predetermined degree. You may make it run after.

First, the discharge damper 3b of the drying hopper 3 is opened, the drive motor 23 of the suction blower 22 is started, and the particles are directed toward the collection supply unit 10 until the no-material signal from the level meters 11 and 12 disappears. Perform pneumatic transport of body materials.
At this time, the drive motor 23 of the suction blower 22 is obtained by adding a predetermined discharge time t4 (see FIG. 3) for continuing the open state of the discharge damper 3b and a predetermined delay time t5 (see FIG. 3) to the discharge time t4. The transport time t3 (see FIG. 3) as the drive time may be set in advance and stored in the storage unit 33. In this case, discharging and transportation may be repeatedly executed until the no-material signal from the second level meter 12 disappears.
In each time chart, the delay time t5 is set as an example after the discharge time t4 has elapsed. However, a delay time is provided as a rise time of the drive motor 23 before the discharge time t4. The inclusion time may be set as the transportation time t3.

The discharge time t4 and the transport time t3 obtained by adding the delay time t5 to the discharge time t4 can be set as appropriate according to the storage capacity of the particulate material in the collection supply unit 10. For example, by carrying out air transportation once (one batch transportation), the collection and supply unit 10 can store the particulate material that is pneumatically transported, and the storage level in the collection and supply unit 10 is reduced. After the material-less signal is output from the first level meter 11, a material presence signal is output from the second level meter 12 (or the material of the second level meter 12) by batch transportation from one batch to several times. The time may be such that the absence signal disappears (the same applies hereinafter).
In the present embodiment, the storage between the level meters 11 and 12 is output so that the material level signal is output in the second level meter 12 by one batch transport after the material level signal is output in the first level meter 11. The capacity is set relatively small.

Further, the delay time t5 is set appropriately as long as it is possible to transport substantially the entire amount of the granular material in the material transport pipe 27 toward the collection supply unit 10 after closing the discharge damper 3b. Alternatively, the delay time t5 may not be provided.
Further, in the initial preparation operation, the discharge damper 3b is opened until a material presence signal is output from the second level meter 12, instead of such a mode of transport control based on the discharge time t4, the transport time t3, and the like. At the same time, the drive motor 23 of the suction blower 22 may be driven. Also in this case, the same delay time t5 may be provided.
In the present embodiment, the discharge time t4 and the transport time t3 are set to a fixed time, including when the transport capacity change program described later is executed.

By performing the pneumatic transportation, a predetermined amount of the granular material is stored and held in the collection supply unit 10 and preparation for molding is completed.
When the preparation for molding is completed, the test punching or the like is appropriately executed until the material for the previous production lot of the injection molding machine 2 is discarded or the molded product becomes a non-defective product.
When the initial preparation operation is executed, the transportation capacity change control described later by changing the rotational speed of the drive motor 23 of the suction blower 22 is not performed, and the initial transportation mode (initial rotational speed) is executed.

<Normal operation>
After the initial preparation operation, the injection molding machine 2 sequentially performs a steady operation for molding a molded product.
The injection molding machine 2 sequentially molds the molded product in a predetermined one shot amount and shot cycle while consuming the supplied granular material, but can be transported per unit time in the material transport and supply device 1 The initial transport mode is set to be sufficiently larger than the processing capacity of the granular material processed per unit time in the injection molding machine 2 in the initial transport mode.
Therefore, in this embodiment, the CPU 31 described above according to a predetermined transportation capacity change program detects the transition to steady operation, detects the processing capacity and the transportation capacity, and based on these processing capacity and transportation capacity, the suction blower By carrying out change control of the rotational speed of the drive motor 23 of 22, the said transport capability is updated so that it may become the predetermined transport capability corresponding to the said processing capability, and the transport capability change process which performs pneumatic transport is performed. I am doing so.
Hereinafter, an operation example of the transportation capacity change program executed in the present embodiment will be described.

<Detection of transition to steady operation>
In this operation example, after the material transportation and supply apparatus 1 is started, the processing capacity of the material supplied toward the injection molding machine 2 is detected per unit time, and the processing capacity becomes a predetermined stable state. In addition, it is determined that the operation has shifted to the steady operation.
The detection of the shift to the steady operation may be detected in the same manner as an operation example of the processing capability detection function described later with reference to FIG. 4 to detect the processing capability and detect the shift to the steady operation.
First, the storage amount A (see FIG. 1) of the particulate material stored from the first level LV1 to the second level LV2 is stored in the storage unit 33 in advance.
The storage amount A is calculated from the storage capacity (volume) from the first level LV1 to the second level LV2 and the bulk density (or apparent specific gravity) of the granular material in the material storage input pipe 13, and the storage unit 33 may be stored.

The storage capacity may be set in advance and stored in the storage unit 33, or may be input as a preset input item from the operation panel 32. Similarly, the bulk density of the granular material may be input from the operation panel 32 as a preset input item.
If the input of each of these preset input items is not made until a predetermined time has elapsed after the material transportation and supply apparatus 1 is started up, an alarm or an abnormal message is displayed on the operation panel 32 or a speaker or the like is notified. The sound may be generated from the means, and the input may be prompted.

As shown in FIG. 4, the processing capacity is detected by starting a timer (step 103) when a material-less signal is output in the second level meter 12 (step 102), and then in the first level meter 11. If the absence signal is output (step 104), the timer is reset and the processing time t1 (see FIG. 3) is stored in the storage unit 33 (step 105). Further, pneumatic transportation is executed in the initial transportation mode, and the particulate material is supplied to the collection supply unit 10 (step 105).
The processing capacity X is calculated from the processing time t1 and the stored amount A stored as described above, and stored in the storage unit 33 (step 106). In Step 105, after the particulate material is replenished to the collection supply unit 10, if the no-material signal is output in the second level meter 12, the processing capacity X is repeatedly calculated in the same manner as described above. The data is stored in the storage unit 33 (steps 102 to 106).

The processing capacity X is calculated every time a material no signal is output in the second level meter 12 after the material transportation and supply apparatus 1 is started up, and is stored in the storage unit 33, and the processing capacity X varies for each calculation. When the value falls within a certain threshold value, it may be determined that the state is stable and the state is shifted to steady operation. For example, the difference between the calculated processing capability X and the average value of the processing capability X calculated for several times (for example, about five times) is several percent or less. Is determined to be in a predetermined stable state when it is within about 10%, or when the difference value of the processing capability X for each calculation is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, and it is determined that the operation has shifted to steady operation. It may be.
That is, at the time of starting up the material transportation and supply apparatus 1, as described above, the collection and supply unit 10 of the material transportation and supply apparatus 1 is in a state in which the powder material is not stored, and is supplied. Later, the injection molding machine 2 performs initial preparatory operations such as discarding and test punching. During this time, the injection molding machine 2 consumes a stable material (substantially constant processing speed and throughput). However, the processing capability X varies greatly in the vertical direction and is in an unstable state. In this operation example, when the unstable state becomes the above-described predetermined stable state, it is determined that the operation has shifted to the steady operation.

After shifting to steady operation, if there is no production lot change such as material change or change of molded product (die change), etc., in the injection molding machine 2, in a predetermined 1 shot amount and shot cycle, Since the molded product is molded, the processing capability X is substantially constant and stable.
The detection of the transition from the initial preparation operation to the steady operation is not limited to the above-described mode. For example, after confirming the user that the molded product is stable and good by test driving or the like, the operation panel is The shift to the steady operation may be detected by operating the 32 steady operation (continuous operation) switch and the like and detecting the operation signal in the CPU 31.
Alternatively, the mode is such that the shift to the steady operation is detected by automatic detection based on the degree of stability of the processing capability X calculated from the switch operation by the user and the index (processing time t1 and storage amount A) indicating the processing level as described above. Instead, for example, when information indicating a molding state such as a shot cycle time is output from the injection molding machine 2, when the molding state becomes a predetermined stable state, it is determined that the operation shifts to a steady operation. You may make it do.
Furthermore, the interval at which the no-material signal (or the presence-of-material signal) output from the first level meter 11 or the second level meter 12 is monitored, and this interval is set to a predetermined stable state as described above. When it becomes, it may be determined that the operation is shifted to the steady operation.

<Processing capacity detection>
As shown in FIG. 4, after executing a predetermined initial preparation operation (step 100), it is determined whether or not the operation has shifted to the steady operation as described above, and if the shift to the steady operation is detected (step 101). In the same manner as described above, the processing capacity X is calculated, and the processing capacity X during steady operation is stored in the storage unit 33 (steps 102 to 106).
For example, if the storage amount A is 500 g and the processing time t1 is 30 seconds, the processing capacity X is 60 kg / h.

In other words, in the present operation example, after the no-material signal is output from the second level meter 12, the predetermined level stored between the detection level LV2 of the second level meter 12 and the detection level LV1 of the first level meter 11 is stored. The processing time t1 is the time during which the granular material of the storage amount A is processed (consumed) in the injection molding machine 2, and the value obtained by dividing the storage amount A by the processing time t1 is the processing capacity. X.
The processing capability X during the steady operation is substantially constant and stable as described above. The processing capability X is acquired and stored by one calculation during the steady operation, and thereafter the processing capability X is detected. In this operation example, as in the case of detecting the transition to the steady operation, the second level meter 12 is calculated every time a no-material signal is output and is stored in the storage unit 33. Yes.

Further, the detection mode of the processing capability X is not limited to the above-described mode. For example, the processing capability X may be detected from the amount of one shot molded in the injection molding machine 2 and the shot cycle time. The one shot amount and the shot cycle time may be acquired by input to the operation panel 32 by the user, or may be acquired from data output from the injection molding machine 2 or the like. Alternatively, the processing capability X itself is detected by referring to the molding data display of the injection molding machine 2 and the like, and allowing the user to manually input the operation panel 32 and detecting the operation signal in the CPU 31. It is good also as such an aspect.
In addition, you may make it detect the processing capacity X of the material processed in the injection molding machine 2 per unit time by various aspects including each modification mentioned later.

<Transportability detection>
As shown in FIG. 4, after a predetermined initial preparation operation is executed (step 100), the transition to the steady operation is detected (step 101), and if the processing capacity X is stored (step 106), the transportation capacity Y is detected.
As for the transport capacity Y, a no-material signal is output from the first level meter 11 (step 104). In step 105, air transport is started as described above, and after resetting the timer, the timer is started (step (step 104). 107) Next, if a material presence signal is output from the second level meter 12 (step 108), the timer is reset, and the transport replenishment time t2 (see FIG. 3) is stored in the storage unit 33 (step 109).
The transport capacity Y is calculated from the transport replenishment time t2, the stored amount A stored as described above, and the processing capacity X, and stored in the storage unit 33 (step 110).
In step 104, every time a no-material signal is output from the first level meter 11, the transport capacity Y is repeatedly calculated and stored in the storage unit 33 in the same manner as described above (steps 104 to 110).

For example, if the transportation replenishment time t2 is 15 seconds, the storage amount A is 500 g, and the processing capacity X is 60 kg / h, the transportation capacity Y is 180 kg / h.
In other words, in the present embodiment, the time required from the output of the no-material signal of the first level meter 11 as the material request signal to the storage at the detection level LV2 of the second level meter 12 is the transportation replenishment time t2. The storage capacity A is calculated by adding the processing capacity X processed during the transportation execution to the value obtained by dividing the storage amount A by the transportation replenishment time t2.
Thus, in the initial transportation mode, the transportation capacity Y is set sufficiently larger than the processing capacity X.

A transportation air source for pneumatically transporting the granular material to the drying hopper 3 may be shared by the suction blower 22 of the material transportation supply apparatus 1. In this case, the supply of the granular material to the drying hopper 3 and the supply of the granular material to the collection supply unit 10 may be controlled to be switched by a switching valve or the like. May prioritize transport control to the collection supply unit 10 and supply the dry hopper 3 with the particulate material after pneumatic transportation to the collection supply unit 10 is completed. Alternatively, the transport capacity Y may be calculated in consideration of delay times such as transport replenishment time and switching time of the granular material to the dry hopper 3.
In addition, in the example of the figure, the material presence signal is output in the second level meter 12 by one batch transportation, but when the material presence signal of the second level meter 12 is not output by one batch transportation. The pneumatic transportation is repeated until the signal is output, and the transportation capacity Y is calculated based on the time required for the pneumatic transportation.

<Transport capacity change>
As described above, when the processing capacity X and the transportation capacity Y are calculated and stored in the storage unit 33, the transportation capacity changing process is executed as shown in FIGS.
That is, the processing capacity X detected and stored is compared with the transportation capacity Y. If the transportation capacity Y is sufficiently larger than the processing capacity X, the frequency input to the drive motor 23 is set in advance. The predetermined value is decreased (step 200).
The output frequency (frequency before change) at the time of executing the initial transport mode is set to 60 Hz. In FIG. 3, the frequency after change is reduced by 3 Hz, and the frequency after change (frequency to be input to the drive motor 23) is 57 Hz. An example is shown.

It is determined whether or not the changed frequency is equal to or lower than a predetermined lower limit frequency. If the frequency is higher than the predetermined lower limit frequency (step 201), the output frequency of the inverter 34 (see FIG. 2) is increased. The change control is performed, and the drive motor 23 of the suction blower 22 is driven at a frequency (57 Hz) after a predetermined value decrease to execute pneumatic transportation (step 202).
The transportation capacity Y at the time of pneumatic transportation executed at the frequency after the change is calculated in the same manner as described above, and stored in the storage unit 33 (step 203). In this way, if the output frequency of the inverter 34 (see FIG. 2) is changed and controlled, and the rotational speed of the drive motor 23 is decreased, the transport air volume in the material transport pipe 27 is decreased and transported per unit time. The transport capacity Y of the granular material decreases. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the transportation replenishment time t2 required from the output of the no-material signal of the first level meter 11 to the storage at the detection level LV2 of the second level meter 12 is the frequency before the frequency change. It becomes longer than the initial transportation mode, and the transportation capacity Y decreases.

It is determined whether or not the transport capacity Y calculated after the frequency change as described above has approached the target transport capacity to a predetermined standard (step 204).
The target transportation capacity may be the processing capacity X, but a predetermined safety factor (safety factor, for example, about 1.1 to 1.5) is added to the processing capacity X so that short feed or the like does not occur. It is preferable that the value is multiplied.
Further, the determination of whether or not the target transport capacity has approached a predetermined standard is performed by setting a threshold value of about ± several% (for example, ± 5%) for the target transport capacity, and the updated transport capacity Y is If it is within the range of the threshold value, it may be determined that the target transportation capacity has approached a predetermined standard.

If it is determined in step 204 that the transport capacity Y has approached the target transport capacity up to a predetermined standard, the drive motor 23 is driven at the frequency after the subsequent transport process is updated, and air transport is executed (step 207).
On the other hand, if it is determined in step 204 that the transport capacity Y has not approached the target transport capacity to the predetermined standard, the process returns to step 200 and the frequency input to the drive motor 23 is decreased again by a predetermined value (step 200). It is determined whether or not the frequency after the decrease is equal to or lower than the lower limit frequency, and if it exceeds the predetermined lower limit frequency (step 201), the output frequency of the inverter 34 (see FIG. 2) is changed and controlled. The drive motor 23 of the suction blower 22 is driven at a frequency (for example, 54 Hz) after a predetermined value decrease, and pneumatic transportation is executed (step 202). Similarly to the above, the transportation capacity Y is calculated again (step 203). Then, it is determined whether or not the transport capacity Y has approached the target transport capacity to a predetermined standard (step 204).

That is, in this operation example, the output frequency of the inverter 34 is decreased step by step by a predetermined value every time pneumatic transportation is performed, and the transportation capacity Y executed at the frequency after the reduction is the target transportation capacity. The transportation capacity Y is updated step by step by decreasing the frequency by a predetermined value until it approaches a predetermined reference or becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined lower limit frequency.
The predetermined value and the lower limit value of the frequency to be reduced in this way are the capacity (maximum output) of the suction blower 22 as the transportation air source, the type of the granular material, the transportation path, the transportation distance, the inner diameter of the transportation pipe, and the like. Depending on various factors, it can be set as appropriate so that short feed or the like does not occur and the granular material does not block in the material transport pipe 27.

For example, in a suction blower with a maximum output of 0.85 kW, the predetermined frequency value to be decreased may be about 3 Hz, and the lower limit frequency may be about 45 Hz. For example, in a suction blower with a maximum output of 2.2 kW, the predetermined frequency value to be decreased may be about 5 Hz, and the lower limit frequency may be about 30 Hz.
That is, the larger the maximum output of the suction blower, the larger the transport air volume in the material transport pipe 27, so the lower limit frequency may be set lower. In addition, if the predetermined value of the frequency to be decreased is too small, the changed transportation capacity Y tends to take a long time (number of transportations) until the target transportation capacity approaches the predetermined standard, which is inefficient. On the other hand, if it is too large, short feed or the like may occur, and such a predetermined value and lower limit frequency can be appropriately set experimentally or empirically according to the various factors described above.
Instead of a mode in which the frequency is decreased step by step by a certain predetermined value, the predetermined value is increased by increasing the decrease range at the initial stage after the detection of the transition to the steady operation, and gradually decreasing the decrease range. It is good also as an aspect which decreases in steps. In other words, the frequency reduction range to be reduced every time air transportation is executed is not a constant value, but may be a different value such that the initial value is set large and gradually decreased.

As described above, when the processing state in the injection molding machine 2 is changed during the transportation capacity changing process (step 205), the updated frequency is reset and updated to the initial transportation mode. The initial preparation operation is performed (step 209).
For example, when a plurality of injection molding machines 2 are connected to the material transportation supply apparatus 1 as supply destinations or newly connected, and the number of operating injection molding machines 2 to be supplied increases. In addition, when there is a change in a molded product (a change in a mold) or the like, the processing capacity X is greatly increased, and a short feed may occur in the updated transport capacity Y. Therefore, in this operation example, if the processing capability X increases to a predetermined threshold value or more, it is determined that the processing state has changed. That is, an allowable increase range of the processing capacity X is set in advance, and if there is a change in the processing state, the updated frequency is reset, updated to the initial transportation mode, and shifted to the initial preparation operation. . After shifting to the initial preparation operation, as described above, it may be determined whether or not the operation has shifted to the steady operation, the processing capacity X and the transport capacity Y may be detected, and the transport capacity changing process may be executed.

On the other hand, if the changed frequency is equal to or lower than the lower limit frequency in step 201, the drive motor 23 of the suction blower 22 is driven at the lower limit frequency (for example, 45 Hz) to execute pneumatic transportation (step 206). The drive motor 23 is driven at a frequency after updating the subsequent transport process, that is, the lower limit frequency, and air transport is executed (step 207).
Similarly to the above, when there is a change in the processing state in the injection molding machine 2 (step 208), the updated frequency is reset, updated to the initial transport mode, and shifted to the initial preparation operation described above ( Step 209).

In this way, in this operation example, the processing capability X in the injection molding machine 2 is constantly monitored, and fluctuations in the processing state are constantly monitored. As described above, when the processing state fluctuates and the processing capability X increases to the predetermined threshold value or more, an alarm, an abnormal message, or the like may be sounded from a notification unit such as a speaker.
In the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the control flow as described above is simplified, and the processing capacity calculation processing and the transportation capacity calculation processing in steps 106 and 110 in FIG. 4 and the steps in FIG. Part of the flow including the monitoring of the processing state change presence / absence in 205 and step 208 is omitted.
In addition, the monitoring of whether or not the process state has changed is performed by monitoring the interval of the no-material signal (or the presence-of-material signal) output from each level meter 11 and 12 in substantially the same manner as when detecting the transition to the steady operation. When the interval changes, such as when the time is shorter than a predetermined time, it may be determined that the processing state has changed.

Furthermore, as described above, instead of a mode in which an abnormality (a significant increase in the processing capability X) is detected while constantly monitoring a change in the processing state, a mode in which a reset is performed by a manual operation may be employed. . Alternatively, when the processing capacity X increases, the target transportation capacity is calculated so that the transportation capacity Y becomes a value commensurate with the processing capacity X, and the transportation capacity Y is increased by increasing the frequency. It may be updated. That is, according to the increase / decrease in the processing capacity X, the transport capacity Y may be changed and controlled so as to follow the predetermined transport capacity.
Furthermore, in step 200, when the transportation capacity change is made for the first time after the transition to the steady operation is detected, the processing capacity X and the transportation capacity Y are compared, and the transportation capacity Y is set to the target transportation capacity described above. If the value is close to the reference, the subsequent air transportation may be executed in the initial transportation mode without changing the transportation capacity, that is, without reducing the frequency.

Further, when the transport capacity changing process is executed, the pressure measurement value of the pressure gauge 26 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) is monitored by the CPU 31 so that the particulate material is not blocked in the material transport pipe 27. You may make it leave. When the measured value is sucked and transported as described above, if it is equal to or less than a predetermined value, it is determined that there is an abnormality, and the rotational speed of the drive motor 23 is increased to prevent clogging of the granular material. You may do it. At this time, as described above, an alarm, an abnormal message, or the like may be sounded from a notification means such as a speaker.
Further, in the present embodiment, the suction transportation is illustrated, but the present invention is also applicable to the case where the granular material is pumped by a pumping blower or the like. In this case, the measured value of the pressure gauge 26 is a predetermined value. If it becomes above, you may make it judge that it is abnormal.

As described above, according to this operation example, the transportation capacity Y is updated by reducing the rotational speed of the drive motor 23 of the suction blower 22 so that the transportation capacity Y becomes a predetermined transportation capacity corresponding to the processing capacity X. I am doing so. As a result, the power consumption of the drive motor 23 can be reduced and energy saving can be achieved.
Further, by reducing the rotation speed of the drive motor 23 of the suction blower 22 as described above, noise generated from the suction blower 22 can also be reduced.

Furthermore, in this operation example, the processing capacity X is calculated based on the storage amount A and the processing time t1, so that the processing capacity X of the injection molding machine 2 as the supply destination is processed. It can be calculated based on the situation. Therefore, for example, compared to a case where the processing capability of the supply destination is manually input to the operation unit or the like, an operation error or the like does not occur, and an accurate processing capability can be acquired.
Furthermore, in this example of operation, it is set as the structure which starts pneumatic transportation based on the no-material signal output in the said 1st level meter 11 (1st level LV1), the said transportation replenishment time t2, and the said storage amount A Since the transport capacity Y is calculated based on the processing capacity X, the transport capacity Y of the material transport supply apparatus 1 can be calculated based on the operation status of the apparatus. Therefore, accurately calculate the transport capacity Y, which may vary depending on various factors such as the type of granular material (materials with different bulk density and shape), transport path, transport distance, transport pipe inner diameter, etc. Can do. Accordingly, for example, a data table in which the rotation speed of the drive motor of the transportation air source and the transportation capacity are associated with each other is created and stored in advance, and the transportation capacity is updated based on the table. In comparison, it is possible to renew the vehicle so as to achieve a predetermined transportation capacity that matches the processing capacity more safely and reliably.

Further, in this operation example, the rotational speed of the drive motor 23 is changed until the transport capacity Y after changing the rotational speed of the drive motor 23 reaches a predetermined transport capacity (until the target transport capacity approaches a predetermined standard). Each time pneumatic transportation is performed, the transportation capacity Y is updated in stages by changing the transportation capacity Y in stages. Therefore, after detecting the transport capability, the transport capability can be updated more safely than the mode in which the transport capability is updated only once so as to be a predetermined transport capability corresponding to the processing capability.
Further, in this operation example, the discharge time t4 from the drying hopper 3 and the transport time t3 for driving the drive motor 23 are set to a fixed time when the transport capacity changing process is executed. The transport amount of the material decreases as the transport capacity Y decreases as described above. Thereby, the standby | waiting amount of the granular material material hold | maintained and stored in the collection supply part 10 can be decreased. As a result, when the production lot is changed such as changing the material, changing the molded product (changing the mold), or at the end of the molding such as the end of the operation, the granular material that becomes the remaining material in the collection supply unit 10 The amount of material can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to reduce material costs and costs such as management and disposal of remaining materials.

As described above, instead of the aspect of repeating the update of the transport capacity until the transport capacity Y approaches the target transport capacity up to a predetermined standard, for example, the number N of updates of the transport capacity Y is set in advance, and the N It is good also as an aspect updated only once.
Or, as described above, instead of a mode in which the transportation capacity Y is updated step by step, for example, data in which the degree of divergence between the calculated processing capacity X and the transportation capacity Y is associated with the degree of frequency reduction is obtained. It is good also as an aspect which stores in the memory | storage part beforehand, reduces a frequency only once, and updates the transport capacity Y. That is, when the difference between the processing capacity X and the transportation capacity Y is large, a value for decreasing the frequency is set large, and when the difference between the processing capacity X and the transportation capacity Y is small, a value for decreasing the frequency is set. It is good also as a mode which sets small and updates the transport capability Y only once.
Furthermore, depending on the above various factors, experimentally or empirically, the processing capacity and a predetermined transportation capacity that is multiplied by a safety factor corresponding to this processing capacity and not causing a short feed or the like, It is good also as an aspect which stores the table made to correspond beforehand, determines the frequency to reduce based on this table, and updates transportation capacity.

Further, the change control of the rotational speed of the drive motor is not limited to the mode executed by the output frequency change control by the inverter, but can be executed by changing the current supplied to the DC motor, or the rotation angle detecting means, etc. Alternatively, the rotation speed of the servo motor provided with may be reduced in a predetermined manner instead of the frequency. In addition, various rotation speed changing means capable of changing and controlling the rotation speed of the drive motor may be employed.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the transport control of the granular material to the collection supply unit 10 is started when the no-material signal is output in the first level meter 11, and a predetermined discharge time t4 set in advance. In addition, although the example in which the transport control is performed based on the transport time t3 is shown, the present invention is not limited to such a mode. For example, the second level meter 12 or a level meter capable of detecting the upper level is made to function as an upper limit level meter, and when the material presence signal of this level meter is output, the discharge damper 3b of the drying hopper 3 described above is The drive motor 23 of the suction blower 22 may be stopped after being closed and then closed after a predetermined delay time has elapsed or is closed. Even in such an aspect, although the reduction amount of the standby amount in the collection supply unit 10 is smaller than that in the above example, the power consumption in the drive motor 23 can be reduced, and energy saving can be achieved.

Furthermore, it is good also as an aspect which changes at the time of a transport capability change process execution, without making said discharge | emission time t4 and transport time t3 constant.
In addition, pneumatic transportation from the drying hopper 3 as a transportation source to the collection supply unit 10 may be performed by transporting one batch transportation amount at a time continuously in one batch transportation, or discharge of material of the transportation source A part (discharge damper) or the like may be intermittently transported by discharging control or opening / closing control in a predetermined manner.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an example in which a discharge damper is provided at the transportation source is shown, but a configuration in which the lower end discharge port of the transportation source and the material transportation pipe are connected to each other without providing such a discharge damper is also possible. Good.
Furthermore, the drying hopper as a transportation source is a ventilation type that heats and drys the powder material by introducing the outside air as heating gas into the hopper body as shown in the figure and allowing the inside of the hopper body to ventilate. The present invention is not limited to this, and a reduced pressure drying apparatus that heats and dry by supplying heated gas or heat transfer means while reducing the pressure inside the hopper body may be used. Or it is good also as a dehumidification drying apparatus which provides the dehumidification unit etc. in the heating gas introduction upstream side of a hopper main body, and supplies the dehumidified heating gas to a hopper main body.

Next, a modified example of the processing capacity detecting means of the material transportation and supply apparatus according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
In addition, about the structure similar to an above-described example, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted or demonstrated simply. Also, with regard to the operation example, the description of the same operation will be omitted or briefly described.
In each of these modified examples, instead of the discharge damper 3b (see FIG. 1) as the material discharge portion provided at the lower end portion of the hopper main body 3a in the above-described example, a weighing damper unit is provided at the lower end portion of the hopper main body 3a. Examples are shown, and in each of these modified examples, the measurement damper unit is made to function as a processing capacity detecting means.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a first modification of the processing capacity detecting means. In this modification, an example in which the weighing damper unit 7 is provided at the lower end discharge port of the hopper body 3a is shown.
The measuring damper unit 7 includes a measuring container 70 whose storage capacity can be adjusted, and a slide type switching valve 77 for moving the measuring container 70.
The switching valve 77 is connected to an air cylinder 76 as a slide driving means for controlling the switching of the switching valve 77, and the switching valve 77 is slidably accommodated in a slide base 78 as a valve body housing. The air cylinder 76 is connected to the above-described CPU 31 (see FIG. 2) via a signal line or the like, and is controlled.
The slide driving means for sliding the switching valve 77 is not limited to the air cylinder 76, and may be a hydraulic cylinder, an electric cylinder, an electric screw shaft (ball screw or the like), and the like.

Two openings 78 a and 78 b (an upstream opening 78 a and a downstream opening 78 b) are formed on the top of the slide base 78 with a gap along the sliding direction of the switching valve 77. A lower end discharge pipe is connected to a portion of the slide base 78 where the upstream opening 78a is formed so that the inside of the hopper body 3a and the upstream opening 78a communicate with each other. In addition, a connecting pipe 79 connected to the material transport pipe 27 so that the material transport pipe 27 and the downstream opening 78b are communicated with a portion of the slide base 78 where the downstream opening 78b is formed. Are connected.
The switching valve 77 has a through-hole portion 77a corresponding to the openings 78a and 78b of the slide base 78 at a substantially central portion in the sliding direction, and is located on the distal and proximal sides in the sliding direction with the through-hole portion 77a interposed therebetween. It has blocking portions 77b and 77c. The switching valve 77 slides in the slide base 78 by expanding and contracting the piston rod of the air cylinder 76.
The measuring container 70 is fixed to the lower edge of the through hole 77 a of the switching valve 77, and the slide base 78 is slidable together with the measuring container 70 with the switching valve 77 to which the measuring container 70 is fixed. It is formed so that it can be supported.

In this example, the measuring container 70 includes a material measuring main body cylinder 71 in which the edge of the upper end opening is fixed to the lower edge of the through hole 77 a of the switching valve 77, and the material measuring main body cylinder 71. An inner cylinder 72 provided to move up and down and an outer cylinder 75 provided on the outer periphery of the material measuring main body cylinder 71 to move up and down are provided.
The upper end opening of the inner cylinder 72 is provided with an air distribution network 73 that allows air to flow and prevents the passage of the granular material, and the lower end opening of the inner cylinder 72 allows air to flow. A filter part (air circulation part) 74 is provided.
The outer cylinder 75 has an adjustment screw provided at an upper end for positioning and holding the vertical position of the outer cylinder 75 with respect to the material measuring main body cylinder 71, and the upper and lower positions of the inner cylinder 72 with respect to the outer cylinder 75. And an adjustment screw provided at the lower end for positioning and holding the position.

In the measuring container 70 having the above-described configuration, the outer cylinder 75 and / or the inner cylinder 72 are moved up and down with respect to the material measuring main body cylinder 71, and each of the adjusting screws is positioned and held. The storage capacity (volume) can be changed.
For example, in the state shown in FIG. 6A, from the air flow network 73 provided at the upper end opening of the inner cylinder 72 in the material measuring main body cylinder 71 to the switching valve 77 and the through hole 77 a of the switching valve 77. The internal space becomes a storage capacity in the measuring container 70, and the air circulation network 73 moves up and down in the material measurement main body cylinder 71 by moving the outer cylinder 75 and / or the inner cylinder 72 up and down. It is possible to change the storage amount of the granular material that can be accommodated by the time. Thus, by providing the air circulation network 73 at the upper end opening of the inner cylinder 72, a minute amount of the granular material can be measured. On the other hand, when measuring a relatively large amount of granular material, by turning the inner cylinder 72 upside down and connecting the end on the side where the air circulation network 73 is provided to the filter unit 74, The upper end side opens, and the inner space of the inner cylinder 72 also serves as a storage capacity of the measuring container 70, and the granular material can be stored in the inner cylinder 72.

Further, in the weighing damper unit 7 having the above-mentioned configuration, the weighing transportation is performed as follows.
First, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the measuring container 70 is in the measuring position, the through hole 77a of the switching valve 77 is aligned with the upstream opening 78a of the slide base 78, and the lower end discharge pipe of the hopper main body 3a. And the measuring container 70 communicate with each other, and the granular material stored in the hopper body 3 a is charged into the measuring container 70. Further, at this measuring position, the downstream side opening 78b of the slide base 78 is closed by the front end side blocking portion 77b of the switching valve 77.
If the material level signal is output from the first level meter 11 (see also FIG. 3) in the state where the granular material is stored at the measuring position, as in the case of the discharge damper 3b, the air cylinder is controlled by the control of the CPU 31. As shown in FIG. 6B, the 76 piston rod is extended, the switching valve 77 is slid forward, and the measuring container 70 is moved to the transport position until a predetermined discharge time t4 elapses. In this transport position, the through hole 77a of the switching valve 77 is aligned with the downstream opening 78b of the slide base 78, and the measuring container 70 and the connecting pipe 79 communicate with each other. The discharge becomes possible. Further, in this transport position, the storage space of the measuring container 70 and the connection pipe 79 communicate with each other through the through hole 77 a of the switching valve 77, and the slide base 78 is closed by the proximal end side blocking portion 77 c of the switching valve 77. The upstream opening 78a is in a closed state.
The predetermined discharge time t4 is a time that allows almost the entire amount of the particulate material stored in the measuring container 70 to be discharged toward the material transport pipe 27 by driving the drive motor 23 of the suction blower 22. It can be set as appropriate.

Further, when the above-described no-material signal is output, or if a predetermined delay time has elapsed after the switching valve 77 is slid, the drive motor 23 of the suction blower 22 is driven until a predetermined transport time t3 has elapsed. . As a result, the granular material stored in the measuring container 70 flows into the through hole 77a and the connection pipe 79 of the switching valve 77 and the material transport pipe 27 together with the inflow air from the filter part (air circulation part) 74. Thus, as in the example described above, the air is transported toward the collection supply unit 10.
The predetermined transport time t3 is a time that can transport substantially the entire amount of the granular material stored in the measuring container 70 toward the collection supply unit 10 without staying in the material transport pipe 27. It can be set as appropriate.
When the transportation time t3 has elapsed, the drive motor 23 is stopped, the piston rod of the air cylinder 76 is shortened, and the measuring container 70 is moved to the measuring position. If a material presence signal is not output from the second level meter 12 in one weighing operation, the metering operation is repeatedly executed until a material presence signal is output from the second level meter 12 in the same manner as described above. May be.

In this modification, the storage amount of the granular material stored in the measuring container 70 is calculated from the storage capacity in the measuring container 70 of the measuring damper unit 7 and the bulk density of the stored granular material. Calculation is performed in the same manner as in the above example, and the processing capacity is calculated based on this storage amount and the number of times of metered transportation per predetermined time. That is, the processing capacity of the granular material processed per unit time in the injection molding machine 2 by multiplying the number of times of metered transport per predetermined time by the above storage amount and dividing by the predetermined time It is said.
The storage capacity, the bulk density, and the like in the measuring container 70 that can be changed as described above are the storage capacity from the first level LV1 to the second level LV2 in the material storage input pipe 13 described in the above example, and Similar to the above bulk density, etc., it may be input from the operation panel 32 (see FIG. 2) as a preset input item.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 6C and 6D, a second modification of the processing capacity detecting means will be described.
In addition, about the structure similar to the said 1st modification, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted or demonstrated simply. Also, with regard to the operation example, the description of the same operation will be omitted or briefly described.

In the present modification, an example is shown in which a weighing damper unit 7A different from the first modification is provided at the lower end discharge port of the hopper body 3a.
In the weighing damper unit 7A, unlike the above-described modification, the weighing transport is executed by moving the switching valve 77A without moving the weighing container 70A.
The switching valve 77A has a closing part 77c provided on the proximal end side in the sliding direction and a through hole part 77a provided on the distal end side in the sliding direction.
An upper opening 78a that communicates with the lower end discharge port of the hopper body 3a is provided at the top of the slide base 78A as a valve body housing that slidably accommodates the switching valve 77A. A downstream opening 78c is provided at the bottom so as to be aligned vertically with the upstream opening 78a.

The upper end of the material measuring main body cylinder 71A of the measuring container 70A is fixed to the lower surface of the slide base 78A so that the upper end opening communicates with the downstream opening 78c of the slide base 78A. Further, a connecting pipe 71a communicating with the material measuring main body cylinder 71A is connected laterally or slightly upward to a portion near the upper end of the material measuring main body cylinder 71A.
In the measurement damper unit 7A having the above-described configuration, the storage capacity in the measurement container 70A can be changed as in the first modification.
In this modification, unlike the first modification, the storage capacity of the measuring container 70A does not include the storage capacity in the through hole 77a of the switching valve 77A, and the hopper body 3a Since part of the granular material charged from the lower end discharge port enters the connecting pipe 71a, the amount of entering the connecting pipe 71a may be included in the storage capacity.

Further, in the weighing damper unit 7A configured as described above, the weighing transportation is performed as follows.
First, as shown in FIG. 6 (c), when the switching valve 77A is in the metering position, the through hole 77a of the switching valve 77A is aligned with the upstream opening 78a and the downstream opening 78c of the slide base 78A. The lower end discharge port of the main body 3a communicates with the measuring container 70A, and the granular material stored in the hopper main body 3a is charged into the measuring container 70A.
When the material level signal is output from the first level meter 11 (see also FIG. 3) in the state where the granular material is stored at this measuring position, as in the above example, the CPU 31 controls the air cylinder 76. As shown in FIG. 6D, the piston rod is extended, and the switching valve 77A is slid forward to reach the transport position until the discharge time t4 similar to that of the first modification elapses. When the switching valve 77A is in the transport position, the upstream opening 78a and the downstream opening 78c of the slide base 78A are closed by the closing portion 77c of the switching valve 77A. In this state, in the same manner as described above, by driving the drive motor 23 of the suction blower 22 until a predetermined transport time t3 elapses, the particulate material stored in the measuring container 70A is collected and supplied. Pneumatically transported towards

In this modified example as well, as in the first modified example, the processing capacity is determined based on the storage amount of the granular material in the measuring container 70A and the number of switching of the switching valve 77A per predetermined time, that is, the number of metered transportation. Calculation is possible.
That is, in each of the above-described modifications, the degree of decrease in the particulate material in the collection supply unit 10 is directly detected by the material level detection means, and the processing capacity is calculated based on the degree of decrease. In place of the calculation mode of the processing capacity, the measuring damper unit 7 serving as a detecting means capable of indirectly detecting the degree of decrease in the particulate material on the collection supply unit 10 side in the material discharge unit on the transport side. (7A) is provided to calculate the processing capacity. Also according to such an aspect, it is possible to detect the transition to the steady operation and execute the transportation capacity changing step based on the calculated processing capacity value.

In each of the above-described modified examples, each weighing damper unit 7 and 7A is shown as an example of functioning as a processing capacity detection unit. It is good also as an aspect attached instead as a material discharge part of a transportation source.
Moreover, in each modification mentioned above, although the example which attached each measurement damper unit 7 and 7A to the lower end part of the hopper main body 3a as a transportation origin is shown, as each modification mentioned later, as a transportation origin It is good also as an aspect which attaches each measurement damper unit 7 and 7A to the lower end part of a material tank.
Furthermore, in each of the above-described modifications, an example in which a multi-cylinder structure (a triple cylinder structure in the illustrated example) is shown so that the storage capacity of the measuring container can be finely changed is shown, but a double cylinder structure may be used. A single cylinder structure in which the storage capacity cannot be changed may be used.

Next, a modified example of the material transportation and supply apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
In addition, about the structure similar to the above-mentioned material transport supply apparatus 1, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted or demonstrated easily. Also, with regard to the operation example, the description of the same operation will be omitted or briefly described.

FIG. 7 shows a material transport and supply apparatus 1A according to a first modification, and this material transport and supply apparatus 1A has a plurality (two in the figure) as transport sources storing different types of granular material respectively. Each of the granular material of the material tanks 3A and 3B is pneumatically transported toward the collecting and supplying unit 10A and is supplied to the injection molding machine 2 as a part of the granular material transport and supply system. ing.
The material transfer pipe 27 of the air transport means 20A is provided with a material switching valve 28, and two upstream of the material switching valve 28 in the material transport direction in correspondence with the number of material tanks 3A and 3B. The material transport pipes 27a and 27b are connected.
The ends of the material transport pipes 27a and 27b are connected to discharge dampers 3Ab and 3Bb provided at the lower ends of the tank bodies 3Aa and 3Ba of the material tanks 3A and 3B, respectively.

In the pneumatic transport means 20A having such a configuration, the CPU 31 (see FIG. 2) controls the switching of the material switching valve 28, and the granular material from the material tanks 3A and 3B is the same as described above. The discharge dampers 3Ab and 3Bb are opened until a predetermined discharge time t4 elapses, and are pneumatically transported toward the collection supply unit 10A in a predetermined manner. The switching control of the material switching valve 28 is switched in a time corresponding to the blending ratio between the A material stored in the material tank 3A and the B material stored in the material tank 3B. Such setting of the blending ratio may be input from the operation panel 32 (see FIG. 2).
For example, when the mixing ratio of the A material and the B material is 2: 1, when pneumatically transporting as described above, the switching state to the A material side is continued for 2 * z seconds, and the B material side The switching state may be continued for 1 * z seconds, and this switching may be repeatedly performed during pneumatic transportation.

In this way, a plurality of types of granular materials are pneumatically transported and collected in the collection supply unit 10A. Therefore, in this modification, an airflow mixing hopper 14A as a mixing means is provided and transported. A slide damper 15 is provided at the lower part of the airflow mixing hopper 14A so that the unmixed granular material does not fall into the material storage input pipe 13.
In the airflow mixing hopper 14A, the particulate material is caused to flow in the hopper by suction air, and mixing is performed while removing fine powder and the like.
The slide damper 15 is opened when the transport time t3 elapses or when a predetermined delay time elapses after the elapse of the transport time t3, and the mixed granular material is introduced into the material storage and input tube 13. The

  Even in this modified example, the above-described transportation capacity changing program can be executed, and the same effect as described above can be obtained. In particular, in this modification, a plurality of types of granular material are blended in the front stage of the injection molding machine 2, so that the suction time t4 and the transport time t3 are kept constant as described above. By reducing the number of rotations of the drive motor 23 of the blower 22 and reducing the transport capacity Y, it is possible to reduce the amount of the blended granular material that is waiting and held in the collection supply unit 10A. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the discarded amount of the blended granular material that is particularly difficult to reuse.

In the illustrated example, two material tanks are illustrated as the transportation source, but three or more material tanks may be employed as the transportation source. In this case, the material transport pipe and the material switching valve may be appropriately changed or added.
Further, although the transportation source is a plurality of material tanks, as in the above example, a plurality of drying hoppers that store and dry a plurality of types of granular material may be used as the transportation source.
Furthermore, instead of the airflow mixing hopper 14A, a collection hopper similar to the above may be used, and the switching time of the material switching valve 28 may be shortened to mix while transporting. In this case, the slide damper 15 may not be provided.

FIG. 8 shows a material transportation and supply apparatus 1B according to a second modification, and this material transportation and supply apparatus 1B is captured by each of a plurality of (two in the example) injection molding machines 2 and 2A as supply destinations. One of the transport and supply system of the granular material that is configured to install the collecting and supplying units 10 and 10B and share the transportation of the granular material to each of the collecting and supplying units 10 and 10B by one suction transport machine 21. It is incorporated as a part.
In the illustrated example, the same collection supply unit (first collection supply unit) 10 installed in the relatively small injection molding machine 2 and the collection installed in the relatively large injection molding machine 2A. And a supply unit (second collection supply unit) 10B.
The second collection supply unit 10B is connected to a lower part of the collection hopper 14B with a relatively large capacity hopper type material storage and input unit 13A corresponding to the large injection molding machine 2A. Further, a flap damper 16 is provided at the lower end discharge port of the collection hopper 14B in order to prevent air leakage from the lower side during pneumatic transportation.

A switching valve 29 is provided in the suction pipe 25 of the air transport means 20B, and a plurality of the switching valves 29 (two in the example shown in the figure) connected to the collection supply units 10 and 10B described above. Main) suction branch pipes 25a and 25b (first branch pipe 25a and second branch pipe 25b) are connected.
Further, the pneumatic transport means 20B includes the collection supply units 10 and 10B and the discharge dampers 3Cb and 3Cb provided at the lower ends of the tank main bodies 3Ca and 3Ca of the material tanks 3C and 3C as a transport source. Two material transport pipes 27A and 27B (first material transport pipe 27A and second material transport pipe 27B) connected to

  In the pneumatic transport means 20B having such a configuration, the switching control of the switching valve 29 is performed by the CPU 31 (see FIG. 2), and the granular material from the material tank 3C is pneumatically transported to the first collection supply unit 10. At that time, the switching valve 29 is switched so that the first branch pipe 25a connected to the first collection supply unit 10 communicates with the suction transport machine 21 so that the granular material from the material tank 3C is first. Pneumatically transported via the material transport pipe 27A (first system pneumatic transport). On the other hand, when the granular material from the material tank 3C is pneumatically transported to the second collection supply unit 10B, the switching valve 29 is switched and the second branch pipe 25b connected to the second collection supply unit 10B. Is communicated with the suction transport machine 21 so that the granular material from the material tank 3C is pneumatically transported through the second material transport pipe 27B (second system pneumatic transport).

In this modification, since the two injection molding machines 2 and 2A are the supply destinations, the initial preparation operation similar to the above is executed in each of them, the processing capability in each injection molding machine 2 and 2A is detected, and the same as above. Thus, the transition to the steady operation may be detected.
And if the transition to steady operation is detected, the processing capacity in each injection molding machine 2, 2A and the transport capacity to each collection supply unit 10, 10B are detected as described above, and these are compared, What is necessary is just to update each transportation capacity so that it may become the predetermined transportation capacity corresponding to the processing capacity in each injection molding machine 2 and 2A.
In other words, in this modification, the number of rotations of the drive motor 23 when the first system pneumatic transportation is performed and the number of rotations of the drive motor 23 when the second system pneumatic transportation is performed are respectively injection-molded. What is necessary is just to make it update each transport capability by carrying out change control separately so that it may correspond to the processing capability in the machine 2 and 2A.

In addition, according to the storage capacity etc. in each collection supply part 10 and 10B, you may make it set above-mentioned discharge | emission time t4 and transport time t3 in each of said 1st system pneumatic transport and 2nd system pneumatic transport. Good.
In addition, when detecting the transport capacity of one of the above systems, the transport capacity of one of the systems may be calculated in consideration of delay time such as transport replenishment time and switching time of the other. According to this, there is no possibility of short feed or the like occurring in one system when pneumatic transportation is being performed in the other system.

Further, the number of injection molding machines as supply destinations is not limited to two as shown in the figure, and three or more injection molding machines are set as supply destinations, and a collection supply unit is installed in each of the injection molding machines. You may do it. In addition, the number of transportation sources may be set according to the number. Furthermore, as a transportation source, a dry hopper or the like may be used as the transportation source instead of the material tank, as in the above example.
Furthermore, in each example described above, an example in which the transportation source is a dry hopper or a material tank is shown. A storage tank or a storage hopper for temporarily storing the granular material may be used as a transportation source.
Further, in place of the discharge damper as the material discharge unit of the transportation source shown in the material transport and supply apparatus 1A, 1B according to each of the above-described modified examples, the weighing damper unit 7 constituting each modified example of the above-described processing capacity detecting unit, 7A may be provided and the processing capability may be calculated as in each of the above-described modifications.

1,1A, 1B Material transportation and supply equipment 2,2A Injection molding machine (supplier)
3 Drying hopper (transportation source)
3A, 3B, 3C Material tank (Transport source)
7,7A Weighing damper unit (Processing capacity detection means)
10, 10A, 10B Collection supply unit 11 First level meter (material level detection means, processing capacity detection means, transport capacity detection means)
12 Second level meter (material level detection means, processing capacity detection means, transport capacity detection means)
20, 20A, 20B Pneumatic transport means 22 Suction blower (transport air source, pneumatic transport means)
23 Drive motor 25 Suction pipe (pneumatic transportation means)
27, 27A, 27B Material transport pipe (pneumatic transport means)
31 CPU (Processing capacity detection means, transportation capacity detection means, transportation capacity control means)
t1 processing time (time from the no-material signal output at the second level to the no-material signal output at the first level)
t2 Transport replenishment time (time from the no-material signal output at the first level to the presence-of-material signal output at the second level)
A Storage amount of granular material stored from the first level to the second level LV1 First level LV2 Second level X Processing capacity Y Transport capacity

Claims (5)

A collection supply unit that collects the granular material that is pneumatically transported and supplies it to the supply destination;
Pneumatic transport means for pneumatically transporting the particulate material from the transport source to the collection supply unit;
Processing capacity detecting means for detecting the processing capacity of the granular material processed per unit time at the supply destination; and
A transport capability detecting means for detecting a transport capability of the granular material transported per unit time from the transport source to the collection supply unit;
Based on a predetermined program, the processing capacity is compared with the transportation capacity, and the number of rotations of the drive motor of the transportation air source in the pneumatic transportation means is changed and controlled, so that the transportation capacity matches the processing capacity. The material transportation supply apparatus, further comprising transportation capacity control means for performing the pneumatic transportation by updating to a predetermined transportation capacity. In claim 1,
The collection supply unit is provided with a material level detecting means for detecting at least a first level and a second level higher than the first level as a storage level of the granular material,
The transport capacity control means is configured to reduce the storage level of the particulate material stored from the first level to the second level set in advance, and a decrease in the storage level at the time of supply to the supply destination. The material transport and supply apparatus, wherein the processing capacity is calculated based on a time from a no-material signal output at the second level to a no-material signal output at the first level. In claim 2,
The transport capacity control means is configured to start the pneumatic transport based on a no-material signal output at the first level, and from this first level signal, storage at the time of replenishment to the collection supply unit The material transport supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transport capacity is calculated based on a time until a material presence signal output at the second level, the storage amount, and the processing capacity due to an increase in level. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3,
The transportation capacity control means changes the rotational speed of the drive motor stepwise each time the pneumatic transportation is performed until the transportation capacity after changing the rotational speed of the drive motor reaches a predetermined transportation capacity. The material transportation supply device is characterized in that the transportation capacity is updated stepwise. It is a material transportation and supply method in which a granular material that is pneumatically transported from a transportation source is collected in a collection and supply unit and supplied to a supply destination,
Detecting the processing capacity of the granular material processed per unit time at the supply destination and the transporting capacity of the granular material transported per unit time from the transport source to the collection supply unit, these By comparing the processing capacity with the transport capacity and changing and controlling the rotational speed of the drive motor of the transport air source driven during the pneumatic transport, the transport capacity is set to a predetermined transport capacity corresponding to the processing capacity. The material transportation supply method, wherein the pneumatic transportation is executed by updating the system so that

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