JP2012189283A - Superheated steam generating device and method, superheated steam processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To favorably attach a component not requiring a clip or the like and to improve safety even if an attachment unit and the component are complexly shaped and a work space is narrow.SOLUTION: If output of superheated steam is directed, a steam supply unit 20, an AC source 44, and an output notification unit 50 are driven with a control unit 70, and saturated steam is supplied from the steam supply unit 20 to a superheated steam generation unit 30, and an AC current is supplied from the AC source 44 to an induction coil 42 of an electromagnetic induction heating unit 40. Thereby, an induction current passes through a heating element 32 of the superheated steam generation unit 30, producing heat, and further, saturated steam is heated by the heating element 32, and superheated steam is generated. The generated superheated steam is discharged from a nozzle 34. Concurrently, a colorant or the like is output from the output notification unit 50.

Description

  The present invention relates to a superheated steam generator and method, and a superheated steam processing method.

  For example, in an automobile assembly process or the like, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, interior parts are attached using clips and screws. However, if parts can be attached without using these clips and screws, it is possible to simplify the work process and reduce the weight of the automobile, which is advantageous.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 01-25936

  By the way, as one method for attaching components without using a clip or the like, a method is conceivable in which the corresponding part is heated by electromagnetic induction heating to melt the adhesive and adhere the components. However, in this method, it is necessary to provide a heating element such as a metal plate that generates heat by electromagnetic induction between the adherend and the adhesive. In addition, when the mounting part or part has a complicated shape or the work space is narrow, the head for electromagnetic induction heating cannot be brought close to the corresponding part, and the corresponding part cannot be heated well. There is a fear.

  The present invention pays attention to the above points, and its purpose is to satisfactorily attach clips, screws (screws), and parts that do not require support parts without a heating element. is there. Another object is to mount a component that does not require a clip or the like even when the mounting site or the component has a complicated shape or the work space is narrow. Yet another object is to accelerate the plastic reaction or curing reaction of the thermoplastic or thermosetting adhesive to shorten the reaction time. By attaching parts without using clips or screws, the work process is simplified, work time is shortened, and various devices are lightened.

  The present invention is a superheated steam generator for generating superheated steam, and outputs at least one of colored gas, odorous gas, light, sound, or vibration in response to the output of the superheated steam. And an informing means for informing that superheated steam is being output. Another invention is characterized by comprising notifying means for coloring or smelling the superheated steam and notifying that the superheated steam is output.

  One of the main forms is characterized in that the superheated steam is generated by electromagnetic induction heating. One of the other forms is provided with a cooling means for cooling the coil for performing the electromagnetic induction heating. Still another embodiment is characterized in that it includes a discharge head that discharges reheated superheated steam. Still another embodiment is characterized in that the nozzle for discharging superheated steam is replaced according to the discharge target. Still another mode is that the superheated steam can be output by being released or the safety of the superheated steam is stopped when a predetermined situation is desired to occur during the output of the superheated steam. Means are provided.

  The superheated steam generation method of the present invention is characterized by notifying that the superheated steam is output by at least one of color, odor, light, sound, or vibration. One of the main features is that superheated steam is used to perform desired processing including drilling or cutting on the object. One of the other forms is a process in which the object is attached to the object, and only the molten resin by an adhesive or a resin welding rod is interposed between the object and the object. Features. In still another embodiment, the object to be processed is a molded product, and the molded product is subjected to secondary molding using the superheated steam. The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

  According to the present invention, since the object is processed using superheated steam, clips, screws, and parts that do not require supporting parts can be mounted without a heating element. It is possible to simplify the work process, shorten the work time, and reduce the weight of various devices. Further, even when the attachment site and the parts have a complicated shape or the work space is narrow, it is possible to attach parts that do not require a clip or the like. Furthermore, by using superheated steam, the plastic reaction or curing reaction of the thermoplastic or thermosetting adhesive can be promoted, and the reaction time can be shortened. Since at least one of color, odor, light, sound, or vibration notifies that the superheated steam is output, it is possible to improve safety when using the superheated steam.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the superheated steam generator concerning Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of various nozzles. It is a figure which shows the structure of the superheated steam generator concerning Example 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the work example using the discharge head of the said Example 2. FIG.

  Hereinafter, the form for implementing this invention is demonstrated in detail based on an Example.

  First, an embodiment of the superheated steam generator according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the superheated steam generator according to this embodiment. In the figure, the superheated steam output head 10 has a function of heating the saturated steam supplied from the steam supply unit (boiler) 20 by the superheated steam generation unit 30 to generate and discharge superheated steam. An electromagnetic induction heating unit 40 is provided on the outer periphery of the superheated steam generation unit 30, whereby the heating element 32 of the superheated steam generation unit 30 is heated by electromagnetic induction. Further, a nozzle 34 is provided on the superheated steam discharge side of the superheated steam generation unit 30. Various types of replacement nozzles can be attached to and detached from the nozzle 34, and nozzles having appropriate shapes and lengths are prepared according to the output destination (use and purpose) of superheated steam. The nozzle 34 itself may be replaced.

  The electromagnetic induction heating unit 40 is configured around an induction coil 42 wound around the outer periphery of the superheated steam generation unit 30, and a cooling pipe 90 is wound around the outside thereof. The induction coil 42 is supplied with a driving AC current from an AC power supply 44. Cooling water is supplied to the cooling pipe 90 from a pipe 92. The cooling water that has passed through the cooling pipe 90 is supplied to the steam supply unit 20 through a pipe 94. The steam supply unit 20 and the AC power supply 44 are connected to the control device 70.

  The superheated steam output head 10 (or the superheated steam generation unit 30) is provided with an output notification unit 50. As the output notification unit 50, at least one of the coloring unit 52, the odorizing unit 54, the light emitting unit 56, the sound generation unit 58, and the vibration unit 60 corresponds. Among these, the coloring unit 52 discharges colored gas from a colored gas container such as a smoke cylinder when the switch 52S is turned from OFF to ON, or coloring for coloring the superheated steam. It has a function to discharge the agent. The discharge amount of the colorant is set according to the discharge amount of superheated steam and is controlled by the control device 70. When the switch 54S is turned from OFF to ON, the odorizing unit 54 discharges a gas that is felt as an odor from the odor compression container or discharges an odorant for adding odor to the superheated steam. It has. The discharge amount of the odorant is set according to the discharge amount of the superheated steam and is controlled by the control device 70. The light emitting unit 56 has a function of turning on or blinking light emitting means such as an LED when the switch 56S is turned from OFF to ON. The sound generator 58 has a function of sounding a warning sound when the switch 58S is turned from OFF to ON. The vibration unit 60 has a function of driving the vibration element to generate vibration when the switch 60S is turned from OFF to ON. The switches 52S to 60S are connected to the control device 70, and are switched from OFF to 0N when superheated steam is output.

  The superheated steam output head 10 is also provided with a discharge switch 72, a discharge setting knob 74, and a temperature sensor 76, respectively. Among these, the discharge switch 72 is a switch for instructing ON / OFF of discharge of the superheated steam from the superheated steam generation unit 30. The discharge setting knob 74 is a switch for setting the discharge amount and temperature of superheated steam from the superheated steam generation unit 30. The temperature sensor 76 is a sensor for detecting the temperature of discharged superheated steam. These discharge switch 72, discharge setting knob 74, and temperature sensor 76 are also connected to the control device 70.

The superheated steam output head 10 is further provided with a safety device 78 for ensuring safety in superheated steam discharge. As a specific form, for example,
a. Safety mechanisms such as a plurality of levers and switches operated by an operator when discharging superheated steam: If the safety mechanisms (all of them are all) are not released, the superheated steam is not discharged.
b. Pressure sensing sensor for detecting when the superheated steam output head 10 is separated from the support mechanism or the operator's hand and the gripping force or the support force is reduced. Discharge is stopped or interrupted.
c, Vibration sensor for detecting that the thermal steam output head 10 has a vibration or impact having a certain amplitude or more: When the sensor detects the vibration, the discharge of the superheated steam is stopped or interrupted.
d, a sensor for detecting a pre-registered unexpected movement of the robot arm: When the sensor detects it, the discharge of the superheated steam is interrupted.
e, At least two combinations of the above a to d are conceivable. Such a safety device 76 is also connected to the control device 70.

  The superheated steam generator 30 described above is further provided with a pressure sensor 300, a safety valve 302, a saturated steam detector 304, and a simple discharge port 306. Among these, the pressure sensor 300 is for detecting the steam pressure in the superheated steam generation unit 30. For example, when an abnormal pressure is detected due to the steam outlet of the nozzle 34 being clogged, the pressure sensor 300 is a safety valve. 302 operates to reduce the pressure. The saturated steam detector 304 is a sensor for detecting whether the steam generated in the superheated steam generator 30 is superheated steam or saturated steam. When the saturated steam is detected, the safety valve 302 is operated and the heating temperature or The amount of steam generated is controlled. The simple discharge port 306 is for discharging residual superheated steam when the superheated steam discharge is stopped. These pressure sensor 300, safety valve 302, saturated steam detector 304, and simple discharge port 306 are also connected to the control device 70. Note that the pressure sensor 300 and the safety valve 302 may be combined. Since the safety valve 302 operates to release superheated steam when a predetermined pressure is reached, the fact that the safety valve 302 is operated means that the inside of the superheated steam generation unit 30 has reached a predetermined steam pressure.

  The control device 70 is provided with a main control program 70A and a backup control program 70B. Normally, the main control program 70A operates and controls the operation of each part. The backup control program 70B monitors the operation of the main control program 70A. When an abnormality occurs in the operation of the main control program 70A, the operation is stopped and the backup control program 70B starts operation.

  Various types of replacement nozzles are attached to the tip 34A of the nozzle 34 as necessary. An example is shown in FIG. FIG. 4A shows an example in which the discharge port has a circular shape and a different diameter. FIG. 5B shows an example in which the discharge port has an elliptical shape and a different diameter. FIG. 3C is an example in which the discharge port has an oval shape or a slit shape, and the length and width are different. FIG. 4D is an example of changing the shape of the discharge port. FIG. 5E shows an example in which the replacement nozzle is bent. The mouth shape may be changed before and after the turn. In addition to what is illustrated, the shape, size, length, and the like of the mouth may be set as needed. Such an exchange nozzle is connected and fixed to the tip end portion 34A of the nozzle 34 using a connection fastener such as a metal band. If the nozzle 34 is long, the temperature of the superheated steam is lowered, so that it is within 200 mm, for example. When a long nozzle 34 is used, the temperature of the superheated steam at the nozzle side, that is, the superheated steam generator 30 is increased in consideration of the temperature drop at the nozzle 34.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the superheated steam output head 10 constituted by the superheated steam generation unit 30, the electromagnetic induction heating unit 40, and the output notification unit 50 is a portable type that can be carried by an operator or a work robot. The other steam supply unit 20, AC power supply 44, and control unit 70 are stationary. In addition, you may determine suitably whether each part shall be a portable type or a stationary type as needed.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. A hot melt adhesive 84 is previously applied between the body 80 and the part 82 of the automobile. In addition, the operator attaches the nozzle 34 suitable for the attachment site of the component 82 to the discharge side of the superheated steam generator 30 and sets the required discharge amount and temperature of the superheated steam by the discharge setting knob 74. Then, the worker releases the safety device 78 and further turns on the discharge switch 72.

  Then, the control device 70 confirms that the safety device 78 is released, and the superheated steam output head 10, the steam supply unit 20, and the like so that the discharge amount and temperature set by the discharge amount setting knob 74 are obtained. The AC power supply 44 is driven. That is, saturated steam is supplied from the steam supply unit 20 to the superheated steam generation unit 30, and alternating current is supplied from the AC power supply 44 to the induction coil 42 of the electromagnetic induction heating unit 40. As a result, an induced current flows through the heating element 32 of the superheated steam generator 30 to generate heat, and further, the saturated steam is heated by the heating element 32 to generate superheated steam. The temperature of the superheated steam is detected by the temperature sensor 76, and the control device 70 performs control so that the temperature of the superheated steam becomes the set temperature based on the detection result. For example, the energization amount for the induction coil 42 is adjusted. The discharge amount of superheated steam is controlled by a method such as adjusting the supply amount of saturated steam from the steam supply unit 20 or bringing the nozzle 34 closer to the heating target.

  At this time, abnormal temperature is detected by the temperature sensor 76, abnormal vibration or the like is detected by the safety device 78, abnormal pressure is detected by the pressure sensor 300, or saturated steam is detected by the saturated steam detector 304. When this is done, a notification to that effect is sent to the control device 70, and operations such as reducing the amount of current supplied to the induction coil 42, adjusting the amount of saturated steam supplied from the steam supply unit 20, and releasing the safety valve 302 are performed. .

  By the way, when the generated superheated steam is discharged from the nozzle 34, in the present embodiment, the switches 52S to 60S of the output notification unit 50 are switched from OFF to 0N by the control device 70. For example, when the output notification unit 50 is the coloring unit 52 and the switch 52S is turned from OFF to ON, a colored gas is discharged or a coloring agent for coloring the superheated steam is discharged. Is done. Thereby, it can be known visually that superheated steam is outputted from superheated steam output head 10. The superheated steam dissolves, for example, a hot melt adhesive 84 provided between the body 80 and the part 82 of the automobile. Thereby, the component 82 is bonded to the body 80. Moreover, in the electromagnetic induction heating part 40, cooling water is supplied to the cooling pipe 90, and the cooling is performed. The cooling water or steam warmed by this is supplied to the steam supply unit 20 and reused.

  In addition, when the operator drops the superheated steam output head 10 during the superheated steam discharge, this is detected by the safety device 78 and the discharge of the superheated steam is stopped by the control device 70. Specifically, the supply of steam by the steam supply unit 20 or the energization of the induction coil 42 is stopped. If necessary, the steam is released from the safety valve 302.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, the following effects are obtained.
(1) Use superheated steam to attach and bond parts of complex shapes with automobile materials and interior materials, so that no heating elements are required and clipless, or female screws and body panel interior panel support parts Without joining, bonding or bonding can be performed, and the work process can be simplified, the working time can be shortened, and the weight of the automobile can be reduced.
(2) By using superheated steam, the plastic reaction or curing reaction of a thermoplastic or thermosetting adhesive can be promoted, and the reaction time can be shortened.
(3) By changing the superheated steam discharge nozzle, it is possible to perform various processes such as cutting and drilling of materials and parts. In addition, although the temperature of superheated steam may be set suitably according to a process target, it uses at 200 to 900 degreeC, for example.
(4) By changing the superheated steam discharge nozzle, it is possible to perform secondary molding of parts with complex shapes in automobile materials, parts, and interior materials.
(5) Even when the attachment site or part has a complicated shape or the work space is narrow, the part is attached by performing heat treatment using superheated steam.
(6) Since the superheated steam is output when the safety device is released, and the output notification unit 50 notifies that the superheated steam is output, safety is ensured.

  Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In order to heat a narrower part, it is desirable to reduce the size of the steam discharge part. Therefore, in this embodiment, the portable discharge head 100 is provided at the tip of the superheated steam generator 30 shown in the first embodiment.

  More specifically, the nozzle 34 of the superheated steam generation unit 30 in FIG. 1 described above is connected to the reheating unit 110 of the ejection head 100 via a bendable pipe 102. A heating element 112 is provided inside the reheating unit 110, and the superheated steam is reheated by generating heat by the electromagnetic induction heating unit 120. An AC current is supplied to the coil 122 of the electromagnetic induction heating unit 120 from the AC power supply 44 described above. A nozzle 114 is provided on the superheated steam discharge side of the reheating unit 110. The output notification unit 50, the discharge switch 72, the discharge setting knob 74, the temperature sensor 76, and the safety device 78 described above are all provided on the discharge head 100 side. Although the output notification unit 50 is shown in a simplified manner, the output notification unit 50 is the same as the above-described embodiment, and corresponds to at least one of the coloring unit 52, the odorizing unit 54, the light emitting unit 56, the sounding unit 58, and the vibration unit 60. .

  According to the present embodiment, the above-described superheated steam generator 30 is also stationary, and the discharge head 100 can be freely carried. The superheated steam generated by the superheated steam generation unit 30 is supplied to the discharge head 100 through the pipe 102, but the temperature may decrease when passing through the pipe 102. Therefore, reheating of the superheated steam is performed in the reheating unit 110 of the discharge head 100, and superheated steam having a desired temperature is discharged from the discharge head 100.

  FIG. 4 shows how the component 82 is attached to the automobile 200 using the discharge head 100 of the present embodiment. The discharge head 100 is held at the tip of the robot arm 202, and superheated steam is discharged from the discharge head 100 toward a desired site. At this time, by making the nozzle 114 of the discharge head 100 into an appropriate shape, the tip of the nozzle can be inserted into the gap between the body and the parts, and various processes for discharging superheated steam in a narrow space are possible. Also in this example, when the superheated steam is being output, the notification by the output notification unit 50 is performed, so that the safety of the operator (not shown) is ensured.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the Example mentioned above, A various change can be added in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention. For example, the following are also included.
(1) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the parts are attached to the automobile body has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to various devices other than the automobile. The present invention is not limited to the case of joining a metal and a resin, and can be applied to various combinations such as resins, resin molded products, and chemical fibers. Moreover, it is not limited to attachment of components etc., You may apply to the various processes using superheated steam.
(2) In the above embodiment, the case where the hot melt adhesive is heated / dissolved with superheated steam is shown, but by using an appropriate nozzle, it may be applied to joining and processing that require various types of heating. . For example, the present invention can also be applied to resin cutting and hole machining. When the resin is cut, there is a risk that the cut end face may be burnt or an altered portion that has melted and hardened may be formed. However, by using superheated steam, particularly high pressure superheated steam, cutting without such inconvenience is possible. In addition to cutting and drilling, secondary molding of the resin may be performed. For example, a part having a complicated shape, such as automobile materials, parts, and interior materials, may be subjected to secondary molding.
(3) Also, a resin dowel or stick may be melted and fixed with superheated steam as a resin welding rod. You may make it carry out the melt | fusion adhesion | attachment with a resin welding rod on an adhesive agent.
(4) Although the output notification unit 50 is provided in the superheated steam generation unit 30 in the above embodiment, the output notification unit 50 may be provided on the ejection head 100 side in the embodiment of FIG. Alternatively, the output notification unit 50 may be provided in both the superheated steam generation unit 30 and the discharge head 100.
(5) In the above embodiment, superheated steam is generated using electromagnetic induction heating, but may be generated by various methods. Similarly, reheating in the discharge head of FIG. 2 may be performed by an electric heater other than electromagnetic induction heating.
(6) In the above-described embodiment, the induction coil 42 and the cooling pipe 90 are provided. However, the cooling pipe 90 may be constituted by a copper pipe or the like and may also be used as the induction coil 42.
(7) In the above-described embodiment, the stationary type and the portable type have been described. In the case of a portable superheated steam generator, for example, the superheated steam output head 10 is provided with a water supply unit instead of the steam supply unit 20, and includes an AC power supply 44 and a control device 70, and further drives each unit. Try to add a battery.
(8) In the above embodiment, saturated steam is supplied from the steam supply unit 20 to the superheated steam generator 30 to generate superheated steam, but water or hot water is supplied to the superheated steam generator 30 instead of saturated steam. Thus, superheated steam may be generated.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to mount a clip, a screw (screw), or a component that does not require a supporting component without a heating element, and the mounting site or component has a complicated shape. Even when the work space is small, parts that do not require clips can be attached well, simplifying the work process, shortening the work time, and reducing the weight of various devices such as automobiles. Since the fact that superheated steam is output is notified by coloring or the like, safety is improved and it is suitable for various kinds of processing using superheated steam.

10: Superheated steam output head 20: Steam supply unit 30: Superheated steam generation unit 32: Heating element 40: Electromagnetic induction heating unit 42: Coil 44: AC power supply 50: Output notification unit 52: Coloring unit 54: Smelling unit 56: Light emitting unit 58: Sound generating unit 60: Vibration unit 70: Control device 70A: Main control program 70B: Backup control program 72: Discharge switch 74: Discharge setting knob 76: Temperature sensor 78: Safety device 80: Body 82: Component 84: Hot Melt adhesive 90: cooling pipes 92, 94: piping 100: discharge head 102: piping 110: reheating unit 112: heating element 114: nozzle 120: electromagnetic induction heating unit 122: coil 200: automobile 202: robot arm 300: pressure Sensor 302: Safety valve 304: Saturated steam detector 306: Simple outlet

Claims (11)

A superheated steam generator for generating superheated steam,
Corresponding to the output of the superheated steam, reporting means for outputting at least one of colored gas, odorous gas, light, sound, or vibration to notify that the superheated steam is output;
A superheated steam generator characterized by comprising: A superheated steam generator for generating superheated steam,
An informing means for informing that the superheated steam is output by coloring or odorizing the superheated steam,
A superheated steam generator characterized by comprising: The superheated steam generator according to claim 1 or 2,
The superheated steam generator, wherein the superheated steam is generated by electromagnetic induction heating.   The superheated steam generator according to claim 3, further comprising cooling means for cooling a coil for performing the electromagnetic induction heating.   The superheated steam generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a discharge head that reheats and discharges the superheated steam.   The superheated steam generator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a nozzle that discharges the superheated steam is replaced according to a discharge target.   It is possible to output the superheated steam by being released, or provided with a safety means for stopping the output of the superheated steam when a predetermined situation is desired to occur during the output of the superheated steam. The superheated steam generator as described in any one of Claims 1-6. A superheated steam generation method for generating superheated steam,
A method for generating superheated steam, characterized by notifying that the superheated steam is output by at least one of color, odor, light, sound, or vibration.   The superheated steam processing method according to claim 8, wherein a desired process including drilling or cutting is performed on the object using the superheated steam.   The said process is a process which attaches a target object to a target object, and only the molten resin by an adhesive agent or a resin welding rod interposes between this target object and a target object. Superheated steam processing method.   The superheated steam processing method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the object to be processed is a molded product, and the molded product is subjected to secondary molding using the superheated steam.

Images