JP2014052305A - Fluid material feeding device, and fluid material inspection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fluid material feeding device and a fluid material inspection device equipped with the feeding device, with which stable feeding is made possible.SOLUTION: A fluid material feeding device of granules or powder comprises: a flexible tube which is vertically held as a flow channel of flowing-down fluid material; a pair of rod-shaped pressing bodies arranged on both right and left sides of the flexible tube so as to sandwich the flexible tube; a mounting body which is provided on a side of the flexible tube and to which end portions of the pair of pressing bodies are connected; and a main actuator which supports the mounting body along a vertical surface freely turnably. The feeding device includes a function of adjusting a cross-sectional area of the flow channel of the flexible tube in which the center of the mounting body is used as a horizontal rotation axis, the mounting body is rotated around the axis by an action of the main actuator, a horizontal distance between the paired pressing bodies is changed, and the flexible tube is deformed.

Description

  The present invention relates to a fluid substance supply apparatus and a fluid substance inspection apparatus.

  Inspecting particulates or powders such as dust, metal fragments and other foreign substances in fluids such as drugs and foods such as granular drugs and edible powders, and fluid substance inspection to remove the foreign substances Various processing devices have been developed.

  The granular material inspection processing device described in Patent Literature 1 has a configuration in which a target granular material is imaged, the presence or absence of a foreign material is determined based on the captured image, and the target foreign material is removed by air discharge. This granular material inspection apparatus needs to level the granular material to be inspected in order to increase the inspection accuracy, and includes a granular material supply device that discharges the granular material supplied from the hopper substantially uniformly.

The granular material supply apparatus 900 described in Patent Document 1 is shown as a plan view in FIG. 10 (a), a front view in FIG. 10 (b), and a side view in FIG. 10 (c). The granular material discharged from the hopper is supplied downward from the cylindrical body 911, passes through the roller 921, and is discharged downward as indicated by an arrow A.
Around the outer periphery of the roller 921, grooves 921 a that serve as storage portions for containing a certain amount of granular materials are arranged in parallel at regular intervals. In FIG. 10B, the roller 921 is rotated counterclockwise by the driving unit 923, but on the upper right side of the roller 921 in the bracket 922, an appropriate gap is formed between the roller 921 and the roller 921. A guide portion 925 is provided via the. The guide part 925 is provided so as to surround the peripheral part of the cylindrical body 911. As shown in FIG. 10A, the bottom of the guide 925 has an opening 925a corresponding to the shape of the groove 921a of the roller 921. Thereby, the granular material discharged | emitted from the cylinder 911 once enters the guide part 925, and enters the groove | channel 921a of the roller 921 from the opening part 925a. Accordingly, even if the cylindrical body 911 provided at the lower end of the hopper has a circular cross section, the granular material can be fed to the groove 921a side according to the shape of the groove 921a. It has a structure that can be discharged.

JP 2000-162136 A

  However, since the granular material supply device 900 described in Patent Document 1 shown in FIG. 10 has a structure for scraping the granular material that has entered the groove 921a, the opening 925a of the guide portion 925 and the outer periphery of the roller 921 It is necessary to finely adjust the gap in units of a few millimeters. In addition, the adjustment of the gap is required depending on the shape of the target granular material and the particle size. Furthermore, in order to form the groove 921a on the outer periphery of the roller 921, it is necessary to perform a complicated cutting process, which takes time and is expensive.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional situation, and provides a supply device that can stably supply a certain amount of granular material and an inspection device including the supply device.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and is a supply device for a fluid substance such as a granular material or a powder, and is a flexible material that is held up and down as a flow path of the fluid substance that flows down. A tube, a pair of rod-shaped pressing bodies disposed on both the left and right sides of the flexible tube so as to sandwich the flexible tube, and the pair of pressing members provided on the sides of the flexible tube. And a main actuator that rotatably supports the attachment body along a vertical plane, and the center of the attachment body is rotated horizontally by the operation of the main actuator. As an axis, the mounting body is rotated around the axis, the horizontal distance between the pair of pressing bodies is changed, the flexible tube is deformed, and the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the flexible tube is adjusted. Features with features A flow material supply device for.

  Further, in the fluid substance supply device, the upper entrance side of the flexible tube is fixed, and the lower exit side is restrained from moving in the horizontal direction, and can move in the vertical direction. This is a fluid substance supply device.

  Further, in the fluid substance supply device, the pressing body has an elliptical cross-sectional shape, and the pressing body includes a subactuator that independently rotates the pressing body. A fluid substance supply apparatus comprising a function of adjusting the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the flexible tube by rotating the pressing body.

Further, in the fluid substance supply device, the pressing body includes a sub-actuator that independently rotates the pressing body,
The cross-sectional shape of the pressing body is a circle, attached eccentrically from the rotation axis of the subactuator,
A fluid substance supply apparatus comprising a function of adjusting the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the flexible tube by rotating the eccentric pressing body attached eccentrically by the operation of the sub-actuator. .

  Further, in the fluid substance supply device, a measuring unit that measures an amount of the fluid substance flowing down the flow path of the flexible tube, and a measurement value of the flexible tube based on a measurement value by the measuring unit. Control means for controlling the amount of the fluid substance flowing down the flow path, and the control means is configured to flow the flexible tube when the measurement value by the measurement means is too small with respect to a target value. In order to increase the cross-sectional area of the path and to reduce the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the flexible tube when the measured value by the measuring means is excessive with respect to the target value, the main actuator or the sub-actuator Is a fluid substance supply device characterized by performing feedback control.

  An apparatus for inspecting a fluid substance such as a granular material or a powder, wherein a flexible tube held up and down is provided as a flow path for a fluid substance that flows down, and flexible tubes are provided on both left and right sides of the flexible tube. A pair of rod-shaped pressing bodies arranged so as to be sandwiched, a mounting body provided on the side of the flexible tube and connecting the ends of the pair of pressing bodies, and the mounting body on a vertical surface And a pair of pressing bodies that rotate around the axis with the center of the mounting body as a horizontal rotation axis by the operation of the main actuator. A fluid substance supply device characterized by having a function of adjusting a cross-sectional area of a flow path of the flexible tube by changing a horizontal distance of the flexible tube and deforming the flexible tube; A transport unit and a transport unit Vignetting was a fluid substance inspection apparatus having an imaging unit.

  Further, in the fluid substance inspection apparatus, the upper inlet side of the flexible tube is fixed, and the lower outlet side is restrained from moving in the horizontal direction and can be moved in the vertical direction. It is a fluid substance inspection apparatus which has a fluid substance supply apparatus which performs.

  Further, in the fluid substance inspection device, the pressing body has an elliptical cross-sectional shape, and the pressing body includes a subactuator that independently rotates the pressing body. A fluid substance inspection device having a fluid substance supply device having a function of adjusting the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the flexible tube by rotating the pressing body.

  Further, in the fluid substance inspection apparatus, a circular actuator, wherein the pressing body includes a subactuator that independently rotates the pressing body, and a cross-sectional shape of the pressing body is attached eccentrically from a rotation axis of the subactuator. A fluid substance supply comprising a function of adjusting the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the flexible tube by rotating the eccentric pressing body attached eccentrically by the operation of the sub-actuator. It is a fluid substance inspection apparatus which has an apparatus.

  Further, in the fluid substance inspection apparatus, a measuring means for measuring the amount of the fluid substance flowing down the flow path of the flexible tube, and a measurement value of the flexible tube based on a measurement value by the measurement means. Control means for controlling the amount of the fluid substance flowing down the flow path, and the control means is configured to flow the flexible tube when the measurement value by the measurement means is too small with respect to a target value. In order to increase the cross-sectional area of the path and to reduce the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the flexible tube when the measured value by the measuring means is excessive with respect to the target value, the main actuator or the sub-actuator Is a fluid substance inspection device having a fluid substance supply device.

According to the present invention, since it has a simple structure, it can be manufactured at a low cost, and the mechanism that restricts the flow path of the fluid is a restriction of the flow path through the silicon tube, so that it can be disassembled and cleaned. It is possible to provide a fluid substance supply apparatus and a fluid substance inspection apparatus that are easy to implement. In addition, when the flow channel is completely shut off and the supply of the fluid substance is shut off, the fluid substance is not strongly pressed because the fluid channel is blocked by the tightness of the flexible tube. Even in the case of granules of granules or tablets, no stress is applied to the granules, and cracks and chipping of the granules are unlikely to occur.
In addition, when the sub-actuator is provided and the cross-sectional shape of the pressing body is an ellipse or an eccentric circle, the flow path can be finely adjusted by rotating the pressing body by the sub-actuator. Furthermore, in the case where clogging occurs in the gap between the flexible tubes in which the fluid substance is flattened, the fluid is supplied by rotating the pressing body by the operation of the sub-actuator and changing the cross-sectional area of the flow path. Clogging can be eliminated without disassembling the device.
Furthermore, when the pressing body is detachable, an optimal pressing body can be appropriately selected according to the form of the target fluid substance.

It is a figure which shows 1st embodiment of the fluid substance supply apparatus of this invention, Fig.1 (a) is a front view, FIG.1 (b) is a side view. It is a front view of the first embodiment of the fluid substance supply device of the present invention, and shows the operation when different amounts are supplied in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), and the supply is shown in FIG. 2 (c). 2 (d), (e), and (f) show the cross-sectional shape of the flexible tube in the states of FIGS. 2 (a), (b), and (c). It is a front view of the modification of 1st embodiment of the fluid substance supply apparatus of this invention, FIG. 3 (a) and FIG.3 (b) show the operation | movement in the case of supplying different quantity, respectively, FIG.3 (c) Shows the operation when the supply is stopped. It is a front view of the modification of 1st embodiment of the fluid substance supply apparatus of this invention, FIG. 4 (a) and FIG.4 (b) show the operation | movement in the case of supplying a respectively different quantity, FIG.4 (c). Shows the operation when the supply is stopped. It is a front view of the modification of 1st embodiment of the fluid substance supply apparatus of this invention, and shows the operation | movement in the case of supplying each different quantity to Fig.5 (a) and FIG.5 (b), FIG.5 (c). Shows the operation when the supply is stopped. It is a figure which shows 2nd embodiment of the fluid substance supply apparatus of this invention, Fig.6 (a) is a front view, FIG.6 (b) is a side view. FIG. 7 is a front view of the second embodiment of the fluid substance supply device of the present invention. FIG. 7 (a) and FIG. 7 (b) show operations when different amounts are supplied, and FIG. 7 (c) shows the supply. Indicates the operation when stopping. It is a front view of the modification of 2nd embodiment of the fluid substance supply apparatus of this invention, FIG. 8 (a) and FIG.8 (b) show the operation | movement in the case of supplying each different quantity, FIG.8 (c). Shows the operation when the supply is stopped. It is a front view which shows an example of a fluid substance inspection apparatus provided with the fluid substance supply apparatus of this invention. It is a figure of the conventional granule supply apparatus, Fig.10 (a) is a top view, FIG.10 (b) is a front view, FIG.10 (c) is a side view.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a fluid substance supply device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1A and 1B show the overall configuration of a first embodiment of a fluid substance supply device 100 of the present invention. The fluid substance supply apparatus 100 is an apparatus that continuously or intermittently supplies a fluid substance 1 such as granules or powders such as granules and tablets.
A hopper 150 formed in a hollow conical shape is provided in the upper part of the fluid substance supply device 100 to supply the fluid substance 1 downward. A ridge is formed at the lower end portion of the hopper 150, and is easily and detachably connected by an upper side cylindrical body 180 having the same shape of ridge and a ferrule joint 190. Therefore, fine adjustment is not necessary when attaching or detaching the cylinder 180 serving as the supply path and the flexible tube 160 (described later) attached to the cylinder 180 for the purpose of cleaning or replacement.

A flexible tube 160 as a supply path for the fluid substance 1 flowing down from the hopper 150 is attached to the cylindrical body 180. The flexible tube 160 may be made of silicon. In this case, it can be easily washed and is inexpensive. In addition, when silicon with high transparency is used, the operator can visually confirm the state of the fluid substance 1 in the supply path, so that clogging can be easily detected.
In addition, as the flexible tube 160, a filter cloth, a urethane tube, or various elastomers can be used. In addition, the flexible tube 160 is not limited to a cylindrical section, and may be a polygonal section.

  A lower cylindrical body 181 is attached to the lower portion of the flexible tube 160. The inner diameter of the flexible tube 160 and the outer diameters of the cylinders 180 and 181 provided at the upper and lower sides thereof are substantially the same. The cylinders 180 and 181 are fitted into the flexible tube 160, and the flexible tube 160 is inserted. It has a structure that is held with the tension of. Moreover, you may hold | maintain firmly by fastening the outer side with a binding band etc.

  The upper cylindrical body 180 is installed through a hole 170 a formed at the center of the top plate 170. Similarly, the lower cylinder 181 is installed through a hole 171 a formed in the center of the lower plate 171. However, sufficient gaps are provided between the cylinders 180 and 181 and the holes 170a and 171a, and these are not fixed. The flexible tube 160 is connected to the hopper 150 via the cylinder 180. It is connected and has a suspended configuration. Therefore, the movement of the flexible tube 160 is restrained gently by the hole 171a and the cylindrical body 181 passing through the hole 171a in the horizontal direction, particularly at the lower end thereof, and can move freely in the vertical direction.

Between the top plate 170 and the lower plate 171, a pair of rod-shaped pressing bodies 110 and 111 are installed that extend in parallel in the horizontal direction. In this embodiment, the pressing bodies 110 and 111 have the same cylindrical shape and are arranged on both sides of the flexible tube 160 that is suspended.
The pressing bodies 110 and 111 can be made of various materials, but by being formed of a resin material, the weight is reduced, so that the detachability is increased, and in addition, there is no need to increase the strength of the holding portion, and the structure Can be simplified. In particular, by using a polyacetal resin, the polyacetal resin can operate smoothly at the contact portion with the flexible tube 160 due to the self-lubricating property of the polyacetal resin.

  The pair of pressing bodies 110 and 111 extend horizontally and in parallel via the shafts 120a and 121a from a disk plate (mounting plate) 130 disposed on one end side thereof. The shafts 120a and 121a are rotatably held by bearings 120b and 121b provided on the disc plate 130. Accordingly, the pressing bodies 110 and 111 can freely rotate.

  The disc plate 130 is held along a vertical plane by a shaft 140 a extending horizontally from the support plate 142. The shaft 140a is connected to the main actuator 140 located behind the support plate 142 via bearings 140b and 140c. Accordingly, the disk plate 130 is rotated by the operation of the main actuator 140, whereby the pair of pressing bodies 110 and 111 revolves along the pitch circle 131 about the shaft 140a.

  The pressing bodies 110 and 111 are easily detachably attached to the shafts 120a and 121a, and can be replaced with the pressing bodies 110 and 111 having various shapes. For example, the optimum pressing bodies 110 and 111 can be selected according to the target fluid substance 1 such as using cylindrical pressing bodies having different outer diameters or using an elliptical pressing body. The operation when these are used will be described in a later-described modification and the second embodiment.

  The main actuator 140 revolves the pair of pressing bodies 110 and 111 around the shaft 140a by its operation. Accordingly, the horizontal distance between the pressing bodies 110 and 111 is reduced, and the pressing bodies 110 and 111 press the flexible tube 160 by a part of the circumferential surfaces 110a and 111a, thereby flattening the flexible tube 160. To deform. The flexible tube 160 deformed into a flat shape narrows the cross-sectional area of the flow path formed therein.

2 (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), and FIG. A specific description will be given based on (f).
FIG. 2A shows a state in which the horizontal distance between the pressing bodies 110 and 111 is relatively large. In this state, as shown in FIG. 2D, the cross-sectional area 160a of the flow path formed inside the flexible tube 160 is wide, and the fluid substance flows down vigorously.

  When the main actuator 140 is rotated clockwise by a certain angle from the state shown in FIG. 2A to the state shown in FIG. 2B, the horizontal distance between the pressing bodies 110 and 111 is reduced, and one of the circumferential surfaces 110a and 111a is reduced. The flexible tube 160 is further pressed by the portion to narrow the cross-sectional area 160a of the flow channel as shown in FIG.

  When the main actuator 140 is further rotated clockwise from the state shown in FIG. 2B to bring the pressing bodies 110 and 111 close to each other in the horizontal direction, the flexible tube 160 is brought into the state shown in FIG. The channel can be further narrowed and the channel can be closed as shown in FIG. Therefore, in this state, the fluid substance is blocked inside the flexible tube 160 and is not supplied downward.

As described above, the cross-sectional area 160a of the flow path of the flexible tube 160 can be adjusted by the operation of the main actuator 140, and the supply amount of the fluid substance 1 can be adjusted.
Further, when the flow path is completely blocked and the supply of the fluid substance is blocked, the flow path is blocked by the tightness of the flexible tube 160, and the fluid substance is not strongly pressed. Therefore, even if the fluid substance is a granule or tablet granule, the granule is not stressed, and the granule is not cracked or chipped.
In addition, by having the above structure, the fluid supply device 100 can be manufactured at a low cost with a small number of parts. Further, fine adjustment after desorption at the time of cleaning or replacement is unnecessary, and maintenance is facilitated.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the pressing bodies 110 and 111 have the same cylindrical shape has been described. However, it is not limited to this, and each may have a different shape. In addition, in the above embodiment, the holes 170a and 171a formed in the top plate 170 and the lower plate 171 are both provided in the center of the top plates 170 and 171, but in FIG. It may be formed. These forms will be described more specifically below.

(Modification)
3 (a), (b), (c), FIGS. 4 (a), (b), (c), and FIGS. 5 (a), (b), (c) are modified examples of this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of the fluid substance supply devices 101 and 102 corresponding to FIGS. 2 (a), 2 (b), and 2 (c). In addition, about the same aspect as said embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and demonstrated.

  3 (a), (b), (c), and FIGS. 4 (a), (b), and (c), when the pressing bodies 112 and 113 each having a columnar cross section having a different size are used. The operation of the fluid substance supply apparatus 101 will be described. In the fluid substance supply apparatus 101, the outer diameter of the pressing body 112 provided on the left side in FIGS. 3 and 4 is large, whereas the outer diameter of the pressing body 113 provided on the right side is formed small.

3 (a), 3 (b), and 3 (c), the pressing body 112 having a large outer diameter is disposed on the upper side, and the pressing body 113 having a small outer diameter is disposed on the lower side to supply the flexible tube 160. The cross-sectional area of the road is adjusted.
On the other hand, in FIGS. 4A, 4 </ b> B, and 4 </ b> C, the pressing body 113 with a small outer diameter is disposed upward, and the pressing body 112 with a large outer diameter is disposed upward to supply the flexible tube 160. The cross-sectional area of the road is adjusted.

In the state shown to Fig.3 (a), the cross-sectional area of the supply path of the flexible tube 160 is wide, and a mode that a cross-sectional area is narrowly formed is shown in the state shown in FIG.3 (b). FIG. 3C shows a state in which the supply of the flexible tube 160 is cut off and the supply is stopped.
Thus, in adjusting the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the flexible tube 160, the flow path inside the flexible tube 160 has an outer diameter by arranging the pressing body 112 having a large outer diameter on the upper side. The large pressing body 112 has a minimum cross-sectional area in the vicinity of the contact portion 112b in contact with the flexible tube 160, and the cross-sectional area gradually increases downward from there. For this reason, when passing through the lower cylinder 181, the fluid substance is sufficiently dispersed and discharged in the flow path, and the effect is enhanced when it is desired to disperse and discharge.

  In the state shown to Fig.4 (a), a mode that the cross-sectional area of the supply path of the flexible tube 160 is wide is shown in FIG.4 (b), and a mode that a cross-sectional area is narrowly formed is shown. Thus, in adjusting the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the flexible tube 160, the flow path inside the flexible tube 160 has an outer diameter by arranging the pressing body 113 having a small outer diameter on the upper side. The cross-sectional area gradually decreases from the contact portion 113b in contact with the small pressing body 113 to the contact portion 112b in contact with the pressing body 112 having a large outer diameter.

  This makes it possible to finely adjust the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the flexible tube 160, and the effect is enhanced when it is desired to finely control the amount of fluid flowing down the flow path of the flexible tube 160. .

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 4C, when the cross section of the flow path of the flexible tube 160 is blocked, the flow path is The contact portion 113b pressed against the body 113 is gradually narrowed as it goes downward from the vicinity of the contact portion 113b, and is completely blocked by the contact portion 112b pressed against the pressing body 112. By gradually shutting off the supply path, it is possible to shut off more reliably. Further, the stress applied to the fluid substance does not concentrate on a part, and even when the fluid substance is a granular substance such as a granule or a tablet, the particle shape is not easily damaged. In addition, the stress applied to the flexible tube 160 is dispersed, and the service life of the flexible tube 160 is increased.

  3 (a), (b), (c) and FIGS. 4 (a), (b), (c), simply by using different pressing bodies 112, 113 with different outer diameters, Not only can the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the flexible tube 160 be blocked, but the state of the cross-section can be variously changed with respect to the flow direction of the flow material. That is, even if the form of the fluid substance is variously changed, it is possible to create an optimum flow path shape for each fluid substance, and the versatility of the fluid substance supply apparatus 101 is enhanced.

5 (a), 5 (b), and 5 (c), the fluidized substance supply device in the case where the top plate 172 and the lower plate 173 are formed by shifting the holes 172a and 173a formed in these to the left and right. 102 shows the operation.
As shown in FIG. 5, the fluid supply device 102 is formed by shifting the hole 172a formed in the top plate 172 to the left and the hole 173a formed in the lower plate 173 to the right.
In the state shown in FIG. 5 (a), the cross-sectional area of the supply path of the flexible tube 160 is wide, and in the state shown in FIG. 5 (b), it is shown that it is formed narrowly, as shown in FIG. 5 (c). In the state, it shows the case of shutting off.

As described above, by forming the holes 172a and 173a by shifting left and right, the flow path inside the flexible tube 160 is formed to meander to the left and right, and more effectively blocks the flow path. Is possible.
In addition, the supply path of the flexible tube 160 can be narrowed only by slightly rotating the disc plate 130, and the fluid substance supply device 102 with good responsiveness can be realized.

(Second embodiment)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the fluid substance supply device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The fluid substance supply device 103 shown in the second embodiment is attached to the example in which the cross-sectional shape of the pressing body provided in the fluid substance supply device 100 of the first embodiment is elliptical, and is circular but eccentric. Examples are included. Also, the sub-actuators 120 and 121 that rotate the pressing body are provided, and the operation of the sub-actuators 120 and 121 adjusts the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the flexible tube 160 more finely and controls the supply amount. It has become.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are general views of a second embodiment of the fluid substance supply apparatus 103 of the present invention. In addition, about the same aspect as 1st embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and demonstrated.
Similar to the first embodiment, the fluid substance supply device 103 is provided with a hopper 150 above it and supplies the fluid substance 1 downward. The fluid substance 1 flows down inside the flexible tube 160 via the cylindrical body 180. A lower cylindrical body 181 is held at the lower portion of the flexible tube 160 so as to be movable in the vertical direction.

  In the present embodiment, the pair of pressing bodies 114 and 115 have the same shape of an ellipse and are disposed on both sides of the hanging flexible tube 160. The pair of pressing bodies 114 and 115 extend horizontally and in parallel from the surface of the disk plate 130 via the shafts 120a and 121a. The shafts 120a and 121a are held by bearings 120b and 121b provided on the disc plate 130, and are further connected to the subactuators 120 and 121 arranged at the rear thereof. Accordingly, the pressing bodies 114 and 115 rotate around the shafts 120a and 121a by the operations of the subactuators 120 and 121.

  The disc plate 130 is supported by a shaft 140 a that extends horizontally from the support plate 142. The shaft 140a is connected to the main actuator 140 located behind the support plate 142 via bearings 140b and 140c. Accordingly, the disk plate 130 is rotated by the operation of the main actuator 140, whereby the pair of pressing bodies 114 and 115 revolves along the pitch circle 131 around the shaft 140a.

  The main actuator 140 revolves the pair of pressing bodies 114 and 115 around the shaft 140a by the operation, and shortens the horizontal distance between the pressing bodies 114 and 115. The pressing bodies 114 and 115 press the flexible tube 160 by the peripheral surfaces 114a and 115a to deform the flexible tube 160 into a flat shape.

  Moreover, the subactuators 120 and 121 rotate the pressing bodies 114 and 115 around the shafts 120a and 121a by the operation. Accordingly, the flexible tube 160 is deformed by changing the distance between the peripheral surfaces 114a and 115a of the pressing bodies 114 and 115 and the contact portion of the flexible tube 160 via the shafts 120a and 121a.

The fluid substance supply device 103 according to the second embodiment can greatly adjust the flow path of the flexible tube 160 by the operation of the main actuator 140 and can perform fine adjustment by the operations of the subactuators 120 and 121.
The operation in which the pressing bodies 114 and 115 deform the flexible tube 160 and narrow the cross-sectional area of the flow path will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 7 (a), 7 (b), and 7 (c).

  FIG. 7A shows a state in which the horizontal distance between the pressing bodies 114 and 115 is relatively wide. In this state, the cross-sectional area of the flow path formed inside the flexible tube 160 is wide, and the fluid substance flows down vigorously.

  When the main actuator 140 is rotated clockwise by a certain angle from the state shown in FIG. 7A to the state shown in FIG. 7B, the horizontal distance between the pressing bodies 114 and 115 is reduced, and a part of the peripheral surfaces 114a and 115a is obtained. Then, the flexible tube 160 is further pressed to narrow the cross-sectional area of the flow path.

  When the subactuator 120 is further rotated clockwise from the state shown in FIG. 7B and the subactuator 121 is rotated counterclockwise so that the long diameters of the pressing bodies 114 and 115 are horizontal, the state shown in FIG. 7C is obtained. The flexible tube 160 further narrows the flow path and closes the flow path. Therefore, in this state, the fluid substance is blocked inside the flexible tube 160 and is not supplied. It is possible to adjust the cross-sectional area of the flow path by finely adjusting the rotation angle of the subactuators 120 and 121 at the stage of transition from the state shown in FIG. 7B to the state shown in FIG. 7C. Therefore, precise control of the supply amount is possible.

  Also, in the case where clogging occurs in the gap between the flexible tubes 160 where the flow material is flattened, the pressing bodies 114 and 115 are rotated by the operation of the subactuators 120 and 121 to change the cross-sectional area of the flow path. By doing so, the clogging can be eliminated without disassembling the fluid substance supply device 103.

  In addition, by separately operating the sub-actuators 120 and 121, the cross-sectional area of the flow path can be gradually increased or decreased from the upper side to the lower side. In other words, the state of the cross-section can be changed variously with respect to the flow direction of the flow material, and even if the shape of the flow material is changed variously, it is possible to create an optimum flow path shape for each flow material. The versatility of the fluid substance supply device 103 is enhanced.

As described above, the fluid substance supply device 103 according to the second embodiment can not only obtain the various effects of the first embodiment, but also includes the subactuators 120 and 121, and the pressing bodies 114 and 115 are elliptical. By doing so, it becomes possible to control the supply amount more precisely.
However, the cross-sectional shape of the pressing bodies 114 and 115 does not necessarily need to be an ellipse. The same effect as in the case of an ellipse can be obtained. More specific description will be given below.
(Modification)
FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C are front views of the fluid substance supply device 104 in the modification of the present embodiment, and correspond to FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C. ing. In addition, about the same aspect as said embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and demonstrated.
8 (a), 8 (b), and 8 (c), the fluid substance supply device in the case where the pressing bodies 116 and 117 have an eccentric circle whose center is shifted from the axes 120a and 121a. 101 shows the operation.

  FIG. 8A shows a state in which the horizontal distances of the pressing bodies 116 and 117 are relatively wide. In this state, the cross-sectional area of the flow path formed inside the flexible tube 160 is wide, and the fluid substance flows down vigorously.

  When the main actuator 140 is rotated clockwise by a certain angle from the state shown in FIG. 8A to the state shown in FIG. 8B, the horizontal distance between the pressing bodies 116 and 117 is reduced, and one of the circumferential surfaces 116a and 117a is reduced. The flexible tube 160 is further pressed by the portion to narrow the cross-sectional area of the flow path.

  From the state shown in FIG. 8B, the subactuator 120 is further rotated clockwise and the subactuator 121 is rotated counterclockwise, whereby the shafts 120a and 121a and the circumferential surfaces 116a and 117a of the pressing bodies 116 and 117 can be flexibly changed. When the contact portion with the conductive tube 160 is separated, the state shown in FIG. 8C is obtained, and the flexible tube 160 further narrows the flow path and closes the flow path. Therefore, in this state, the fluid substance is blocked inside the flexible tube 160 and is not supplied. It is possible to adjust the cross-sectional area of the flow path by finely adjusting the rotation angle of the subactuators 120 and 121 at the stage of transition from the state shown in FIG. 8B to the state shown in FIG. 8C. Therefore, precise control of the supply amount is possible.

Next, FIG. 9 shows an example in which the fluid substance supply device 100 according to the first embodiment is provided in an inspection device that inspects contamination of a fluid substance to remove foreign substances.
However, the fluid substance supply apparatus 100 in FIG. 9 can be replaced with the fluid substance supply apparatuses 101 to 104 or an apparatus that combines these components.

The fluid substance 1 supplied from the fluid substance supply device 100 is discharged onto a receiving plate 31 provided in the vibration unit 30.
The vibration unit 30 includes a receiving plate 31 and a driving unit 32 that is disposed below the receiving plate 31 and applies vibrations to the receiving plate 31. The receiving plate 31 is disposed to extend from the lower position of the fluid substance supply device 100 to one end of the conveyor unit 40 (conveying unit), and has a concave cross section. The receiving plate 31 receives the fluid substance 1 discharged from the fluid substance supply device 100, gives vibration to the fluid substance 1, and supplies the fluid substance 1 to the conveyor unit 40. In this embodiment, while arrange | positioning the receiving plate 31 horizontally, the fluid substance 1 is moved to the conveyor part 40 side by vibrating in the diagonally forward direction with respect to the advancing direction. In addition, you may arrange | position the receiving plate 31 so that it may incline to the conveyor part 40 side.

  A comb gate 91 is provided on the receiving plate 31. The comb gate 91 smoothes the fluid substance flowing on the receiving plate 31 and stops the fluid substance 1 supplied excessively. An overflow detection sensor (measuring means) 90 that detects the amount of the fluid substance 1 blocked by the comb gate 91 is provided upstream of the comb gate 91.

  The overflow detection sensor 90 is an electrostatic proximity sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a laser displacement sensor, or the like, and detects the height of the blocked fluid substance 1 from the receiving plate 31.

  That is, the overflow detection sensor 90 serves as a measurement unit that measures the amount of the fluid substance 1 supplied from the fluid substance supply device 100. In addition, the fluid substance supply apparatus 100 includes a control unit that performs feedback control that makes the amount of fluid substance 1 supplied constant based on the measurement value of the measurement unit.

  Therefore, when the supply amount of the fluid substance 1 from the fluid substance supply device 100 is excessive with respect to the target value, and the height of the fluid substance 1 blocked by the comb gate 91 becomes a certain level or more, the supply amount is reduced. A signal for narrowing down is sent to the fluid substance supply device 100 via the sequencer. On the other hand, when the supply amount of the fluid substance 1 is too small with respect to the target value and the height of the fluid substance 1 blocked by the comb gate 91 is below a certain level, the supply amount is increased. A signal is sent to the flow material supply apparatus 100 via the sequencer.

  More specifically, based on the measurement value by the overflow detection sensor 90, when the measurement value by the overflow detection sensor 90 is too small with respect to the target value, the main actuator 140 (or the subactuators 120 and 121) is operated. And the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the flexible tube 160 is increased. Similarly, when the measurement value by the overflow detection sensor 90 is excessive with respect to the target value, the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the flexible tube 160 is reduced, and a certain amount of supply is realized.

  In addition, as a measuring means for measuring the amount of the fluid substance 1 supplied from the fluid substance supply device 100, a method of measuring the weight of the fluid substance 1 to be supplied by providing a weight sensor on the receiving plate 31, and transmitting light. There are a method of detecting the shadow of the fluid substance 1 flowing in the flexible tube 160 by an optical sensor, a method of measuring by a load applied to the pressing bodies 110 and 111, and the like, and these can be used in appropriate combination.

  The conveyor unit 40 includes an endless belt 41 and a driving unit 42 for rotationally driving the endless belt 41, and conveys the fluid substance 1 carried out from the vibrating unit 30. While the fluid substance 1 is being conveyed by the conveyor unit 40, the contamination of the fluid substance 1 is inspected. An imaging unit 50 is provided above the conveyor unit 40. The imaging unit 50 captures a two-dimensional image of a certain region of the fluid substance 1 conveyed on the conveyor unit 40.

  The imaging unit 50 transmits the captured image data to an image inspection unit (not shown) including a CPU or the like. The image inspection unit performs image processing on the image data of the fluid substance 1 transmitted from the imaging unit 50 and determines whether or not a foreign substance is mixed in the fluid substance 1. For example, image data of the fluid substance 1 as a reference is stored in advance, and compared with the transmitted image data of the fluid substance 1, it is determined that there is a foreign object when the image data is equal to or greater than a set value.

  When the fluid substance 1 on the conveyor section 40 reaches the terminal section, it falls from this position and is discharged through the discharge port 61 provided at the dropping position. Further, a foreign matter removing unit 70 is disposed in the vicinity of the terminal end of the conveyor unit 40. The foreign matter removing section 70 is rotated about a fulcrum 71 and is formed so that the tip 72a of the suction nozzle section 72 can be approached and separated from the conveyor section 40. The foreign substance removing unit 70 is normally waiting at a position where the tip 72a of the suction nozzle unit 72 is separated from the conveyor unit 40, but when the image inspection unit determines that there is a foreign substance in the fluid substance. That is, when the signal is received, the drive part (air cylinder, motor, etc.) of the foreign substance removal part 70 is driven, and the front-end | tip 72a of the suction nozzle part 72 descends to the vicinity position on the conveyor part 40.

  The foreign matter removing unit 70 sucks the fluid substance 1 in a certain region on the conveyor unit 40 from the tip 72 a of the suction nozzle unit 72 and simultaneously sends (discharges) air by the air blow unit 73. As a result, the fluid substance 1 in a certain area on the conveyor unit 40 determined to have foreign matter is sucked by the foreign matter removing unit 70 and is not sent to the discharge port 61. Furthermore, the foreign matter removing unit 70 does not simply perform suction, but instantaneously sends out air for about 0.1 to 0.5 seconds, for example. By performing such a series of instantaneous air supply and suction operations, even if foreign matter is stuck on the conveyor 40, it can be sucked after the foreign matter is lifted, so that the foreign matter is surely removed. be able to.

  Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, each configuration in each embodiment and combinations thereof are examples, and addition, omission, replacement, and configuration of configurations are within the scope not departing from the spirit of the present invention. And other changes are possible. Further, the present invention is not limited by the embodiments, and is limited only by the scope of the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Fluid substance 30 ... Vibration part 31 ... Receptacle plate 32 ... Drive part 40 ... Conveyance part (conveyor part)
41 ... Endless belt 42 ... Driving unit 50 ... Imaging unit 61 ... Discharge port 70 ... Foreign matter removing unit 72 ... Suction nozzle unit 72a ... Suction nozzle unit tip 73 ... Air blow unit 90 ... overflow detection sensor 91 ... comb gates 100, 101, 102, 103, 104 ... fluid substance supply devices 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117 ... Press body 110a, 111a, 112a, 113a, 114a, 115a, 116a, 117a ... Press body circumferential surface 120, 121 ... Subactuator 120a, 121a, 140a ... Shaft 120b, 121b, 140b, 140c ..Bearing 130 ... disk (mounting body)
140 ... main actuator 142 ... support plate 150 ... hopper 160 ... flexible tube 160a ... cross-sectional area 170, 172 ... top plate 170a, 171a, 172a, 173a ..Hole 171, 173 ... lower plate 180 ... cylinder (upper part)
181 ... Cylinder (lower part)
190 ... Ferrule joint 900 ... Granule supply device 910 ... Hopper 911 ... Tube 920 ... Roller part 921 ... Roller 921a ... Groove (housing part)
922... Bracket 923... Drive portion 925... Guide portion 925 a.

Claims (10)

A device for supplying a fluid substance such as granule or powder,
A flexible tube held up and down as a flow path of the flowing material,
A pair of rod-shaped pressing bodies arranged to sandwich the flexible tube on both the left and right sides of the flexible tube;
An attachment body provided on a side of the flexible tube and connecting ends of the pair of pressing bodies;
A main actuator that rotatably supports the mounting body along a vertical plane;
The operation of the main actuator causes the center of the mounting body to be a horizontal rotation axis, rotates the mounting body around the axis, changes the horizontal distance between the pair of pressing bodies, and deforms the flexible tube. A fluid substance supply device having a function of adjusting a cross-sectional area of the flow path of the flexible tube.   The fluid substance supply device according to claim 1, wherein an upper inlet side of the flexible tube is fixed, and a lower outlet side is restrained from moving in a horizontal direction, and can move in a vertical direction. A fluid substance supply device. The fluid substance supply device according to claim 1 or 2,
The pressing body has an elliptical cross-sectional shape, and includes a sub-actuator that independently rotates the pressing body.
A fluid substance supply device comprising a function of adjusting the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the flexible tube by rotating the elliptical pressing body by the operation of the sub-actuator. The fluid substance supply device according to claim 1 or 2,
A sub-actuator that independently rotates the pressing body in the pressing body;
The cross-sectional shape of the pressing body is a circle, attached eccentrically from the rotation axis of the subactuator,
A fluid substance supply apparatus comprising a function of adjusting the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the flexible tube by rotating the circular pressing body attached eccentrically by the operation of the sub-actuator. The fluid substance supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Measuring means for measuring the amount of the fluid substance flowing down the flow path of the flexible tube;
Control means for controlling the amount of the fluid substance flowing down the flow path of the flexible tube based on the measurement value by the measurement means,
The control means increases the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the flexible tube when the measurement value by the measurement means is too small with respect to the target value, and the measurement value by the measurement means is smaller than the target value. In the case of excess, the fluid substance supply device is characterized in that the main actuator or the sub-actuator is feedback-controlled in order to reduce the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the flexible tube. An inspection device for fluid substances such as granular materials or powders,
A flexible tube held up and down as a flow path of the flowing material,
A pair of rod-shaped pressing bodies arranged to sandwich the flexible tube on both the left and right sides of the flexible tube;
An attachment body provided on a side of the flexible tube and connecting ends of the pair of pressing bodies;
A main actuator that rotatably supports the mounting body along a vertical plane;
The operation of the main actuator causes the center of the mounting body to be a horizontal rotation axis, rotates the mounting body around the axis, changes the horizontal distance between the pair of pressing bodies, and deforms the flexible tube. A fluid substance supply device comprising a function of adjusting a cross-sectional area of the flow path of the flexible tube;
A fluid substance inspection apparatus having a vibration unit, a transport unit, and an imaging unit provided in the transport unit.   7. The fluid substance inspection apparatus according to claim 6, wherein an upper entrance side of the flexible tube is fixed, and a lower exit side is restrained from moving in a horizontal direction, and can move in a vertical direction. A fluid substance inspection device having a fluid substance supply device as a feature. It is a fluid substance inspection device according to claim 6 or 7,
The pressing body has an elliptical cross-sectional shape, and includes a sub-actuator that independently rotates the pressing body.
A fluid substance inspection device having a fluid substance supply device comprising a function of adjusting the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the flexible tube by rotating the elliptical pressing body by the operation of the sub-actuator. . It is a fluid substance inspection device according to claim 6 or 7,
A sub-actuator that independently rotates the pressing body in the pressing body;
The cross-sectional shape of the pressing body is a circle attached eccentrically from the rotation axis of the subactuator,
A fluid substance supply device comprising a function of adjusting the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the flexible tube by rotating the eccentric pressing body attached eccentrically by the operation of the sub-actuator. Fluid substance inspection device. It is a fluid substance inspection apparatus in any one of Claims 6 thru | or 9, Comprising:
Measuring means for measuring the amount of the fluid substance flowing down the flow path of the flexible tube;
Control means for controlling the amount of the fluid substance flowing down the flow path of the flexible tube based on the measurement value by the measurement means,
The control means increases the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the flexible tube when the measurement value by the measurement means is too small with respect to the target value, and the measurement value by the measurement means is smaller than the target value. In the case of excess, the fluid substance inspection device having a fluid substance supply device that feedback-controls the main actuator or the sub-actuator in order to reduce the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the flexible tube.

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