JP2016147253A - Powder supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a powder supply device capable of falling powder in a measuring recess part surely from the measuring recess part, when the measuring recess part is made downward from upward by rotation of a bar-body, after filling powder in the measuring recess part of the bar-body.SOLUTION: A powder supply device 10 comprises: a powder supply cylinder 20 having opening ends on upper and lower sides; a bar-body 30 disposed in a state of blocking the upper and lower parts of the powder supply cylinder; a measuring recess part 34 which becomes dent from a side face; and an air passage 31 which extends from an air inlet which opens on a position outside of the powder supply cylinder 20 on the bar-body 30 to an air outlet which opens a bottom of the measuring recess part 34.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a powder supply apparatus that measures and supplies powder to a predetermined amount.

As a method for measuring and supplying a fixed amount of powder, a method of weighing and supplying using an electronic balance, a weight sensor such as a load cell, or filling a volume space such as the inside of a container with powder There are a method of supplying by weighing, a method of supplying powder accumulated on the rotary table by scraping it while rotating the rotary table, a method of supplying powder by extruding it from a screw, and the like.
However, weight weighing using a weight sensor is likely to cause fluctuations and variations in measurement values, and it takes time to process the measurement values to ensure measurement accuracy. For this reason, for example, it is difficult to apply the measurement to repeated measurement in a short time (for example, repeated measurement in units of seconds).
In the volumetric measurement in which powder is simply charged and filled in the volume space, there may be variations in the packing density of the powder in the volume space, and there are cases where the variation is large in terms of weight.
The method of supplying powder by scraping the powder on the rotary table and the method of supplying powder by pushing the powder out of the screw require a device that is larger than the weight measurement or volume measurement using a weight sensor. It was necessary to secure a sufficient installation space for the installation, and there were restrictions on the installation location.

Further, as in Patent Document 1, for example, a powder supply pipe having an upper and lower opening end is provided with a rod-like body so that the upper and lower portions are axially rotatable, and powder fed from the upper end opening of the powder supply pipe A device that feeds the body from the lower end opening of the powder supply pipe by an amount corresponding to the volume of the concave metering volume space drilled on the rod-like body side circumferential surface by the rotation of the rod-shaped body (hereinafter also referred to as the rod rotation metering and feeding device) Say) is also proposed. This rod rotation metering and supply device has a rod-like body after filling the metering volume space with the powder introduced from the upper end opening of the powder supply tube in a state where the metering volume space of the rod-like body is facing upward (the opening is on the upper side). Rotate the metering volume space downward (opening is on the bottom), and drop the powder in the metering volume space from the lower end opening of the powder supply pipe. The body is supplied from the lower end opening of the powder supply pipe. The rod rotation metering supply device can supply a predetermined amount of powder only by rotating the rod-shaped body in which the metering volume space is formed, and shortens the time required for metering and supply compared to the weight metering using the weight sensor. Is possible. Further, the rod rotation metering supply device can be formed smaller than the device using the rotary table and the powder extrusion screw, and the installation space can be reduced.
Further, as a rod rotation metering supply device, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a device having a vibration generating device that applies vibration to a powder supply tube and a rod-like body has been proposed. The rod rotation metering and feeding device of Patent Document 1 is a method in which powder is introduced into the powder supply tube from the upper end opening of the powder supply tube while vibrating the powder supply tube and the rod-like body by a vibration generator. Can be filled into the measuring volume space of the rod-shaped body with equal density.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-18269

  However, the present inventor, in the above-described rod rotation metering and supply apparatus, the powder in the metering volume space is caked even if the rod-shaped body is rotated after the powder is filled into the metering volume space and the metering volume space is directed downward. As a result, it was found that there was a case where the powder did not fall from the measuring volume space, which caused variations in the amount of powder supplied from the lower end opening of the powder supply pipe.

  In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention ensures that the powder in the measurement recess is reliably removed from the measurement recess when the measurement recess is turned from the upward direction to the downward direction by rotating the rod-shaped body after filling the powder into the measurement recess of the rod-shaped body. It aims at providing the powder supply apparatus which can be dropped.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides the following configuration.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a powder supply cylinder having upper and lower open ends, a rod-shaped body provided in the powder supply cylinder in a state of blocking the upper and lower sides, and a rotation mechanism for rotating the rod-shaped body. And
The rod-shaped body includes an air extending from an air inlet opening at a portion located outside the powder supply cylinder to an air outlet opening at a bottom surface of a measurement recess formed by depression from a side peripheral surface of the rod-shaped body. A powder supply apparatus is provided in which a passage is formed and the measuring recess is formed in a portion of the rod-shaped body located in the powder supply cylinder.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a powder agitation mechanism for agitating the powder in the upper end portion of the powder supply cylinder by rotating a stirring blade member inserted inside the upper end portion of the powder supply cylinder by a driving force of a prime mover. Furthermore, the powder supply apparatus of 1st invention characterized by having is provided.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the measuring recess of the rod-shaped body is formed in a shape in which the depth from the rod-shaped body side peripheral surface becomes shallower as the distance from the central portion of the measuring recess in the direction along the rod-shaped body side peripheral surface. A powder supply apparatus according to the first or second invention is provided.
The fourth invention further includes an air pumping device connected to the air inlet of the air passage and pumping air into the air passage, and the measuring concave portion is turned downward from the upward state by the rotation of the rod-shaped body. There is provided a powder supply apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, characterized in that air is automatically pumped from the air pumping apparatus to the air passage.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the powder supply cylinder has a hopper portion constituting an upper end portion thereof and a tube portion extending downward from a lower end of the hopper portion, and the rod-like body has an upper end thereof disposed on the inner surface of the hopper portion. The powder supply device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects is provided, wherein the powder supply device is provided in alignment with the lower end of the first to fourth inventions.
The sixth invention is characterized by further comprising a vibrator attached to a side surface of the powder supply cylinder and vibrating at least the powder supply cylinder among the powder supply cylinder and the rod-shaped body. The powder supply apparatus according to any one of 1 to 5 is provided.

  According to the present invention, when the measuring concave portion is turned from the upward to the downward direction by rotating the rod-shaped body after filling the powder into the measuring concave portion of the rod-shaped body, air is pumped from the air inlet to the air passage of the rod-shaped body, The powder in the measurement recess can be reliably dropped from the measurement recess.

It is a fragmentary front sectional view which shows the structure of the powder supply apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which powder is put into a hopper portion when the rod-like body of the powder supply apparatus in FIG. 1 is in an initial state in which a measuring recess is upward. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of a powder supply apparatus, and is a figure which shows the state which rotated the rod-shaped body from the state of FIG. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of a powder supply apparatus, and is a figure which shows the state which rotated further the rod-shaped body rotated from the state of FIG. 2 from the state of FIG. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of a powder supply apparatus, and is a figure which shows the state which rotated further the rod-shaped body rotated from the state of FIG. 2 from the state of FIG. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of a powder supply apparatus, and the measurement recessed part is carried out by the air pumping from the air pumping apparatus to the air path of a rod-shaped body in the state which made the measurement recessed part face down the rod-shaped body rotated from the state of FIG. It is a figure which shows the state which dropped the powder in the inside from the measurement recessed part. It is a figure which shows the example of the rod-shaped body which provided the air injection diffusion member in the measurement axis | shaft part, Comprising: (a) uses an air injection diffusion member with a net | network body, (b) uses the air injection diffusion member in which the vent hole was formed. Here is an example.

Hereinafter, a powder supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, a powder supply apparatus 10 of this embodiment includes a powder supply cylinder 20 having upper and lower open ends, and a rod-shaped body 30 provided in a state in which the powder supply cylinder 20 blocks the upper and lower sides. A rotating mechanism 40 that rotates the rod-shaped body 30, a powder stirring mechanism 50 that stirs the powder 1 in the upper end portion of the powder supply cylinder 20, and a vibrator 60 attached to the side surface of the powder supply cylinder 20. And an air pumping device 70 for pumping air into the air passage 31 of the rod-shaped body 30.

The powder supply cylinder 20 includes a hopper portion 21 that constitutes an upper end portion thereof, and a tube portion 22 that extends downward from the lower end of the hopper portion 21.
The hopper portion 21 of the powder supply cylinder 20 has a tapered inner space that tapers in a downward direction from the upper end opening.
The powder supply cylinder 20 is a cylinder having an inner space penetrating the inside of the hopper portion 21 and the tube portion 22 in a state where the rod-shaped body 30 is removed.

The rod-shaped body 30 has a cylindrical measuring shaft portion 32. The measuring shaft portion 32 of the rod-shaped body 30 has both ends in the axial direction inserted into shaft insertion holes 23 formed on both sides via the central axis of the tube portion 22 of the powder supply cylinder 20 to supply powder. The cylinder 20 is provided in a state where the upper and lower sides are blocked.
The shaft insertion holes 23 on both sides of the tube portion 22 are holes having a circular cross section that penetrates the thickness of the tube portion 22 with an axis orthogonal to the central axis of the tube portion 22. The shaft insertion holes 23 on both sides of the tube portion 22 are formed coaxially with each other. The rod-shaped body 30 is supported by the powder supply cylinder 20 so as to be axially rotatable by the inner surfaces of the shaft insertion holes 23 on both sides of the tube portion 22 in which the measuring shaft portion 32 is inserted, with a rotation axis coaxial with the central axis of the shaft insertion hole 23. Yes.

  The rod-shaped body 30 has a gear 33 fixed coaxially with the measuring shaft portion 32 on one end side in the axial direction of the measuring shaft portion 32. A gear 41 (hereinafter also referred to as a mechanism output gear) of the rotating mechanism 40 is engaged with a gear 33 (hereinafter also referred to as a rod-shaped body gear) of the rod-shaped body 30. The rotating mechanism 40 has a prime mover 42 that rotationally drives a mechanism output gear 41. The rotational driving force of the prime mover 42 is transmitted to the rod-shaped body 30 via gears 41 and 33. The rod-shaped body 30 is axially rotated by a rotational driving force of the prime mover 42 while being supported by the powder supply cylinder 20 with a rotational axis coaxial with the central axis of the shaft insertion hole 23.

As the prime mover 42 of the rotation mechanism 40, a motor such as an electric motor or a fluid pressure motor can be suitably employed. The prime mover 42 illustrated in FIG. 1 is a motor.
Further, the mechanism output gear 41 of the rotating mechanism 40 in the illustrated example is specifically fixed to the output shaft 42a of the motor 42 so as to be coaxial. However, the rotation mechanism is not limited to the configuration in which the mechanism output gear 41 is fixed to the output shaft 42a of the motor 42. For example, the rotational driving force of the motor 42 is provided between the motor 42 and the mechanism output gear 41. A configuration in which a driving force transmission member such as a gear (relay gear) that transmits to the output gear 41 or a reduction gear is provided can also be employed.
In addition, the powder supply apparatus may employ a configuration in which the output shaft of the motor 42 is directly coupled to the rod-shaped body 30 (directly coupled to the rod-shaped body 30 coaxially), and the rod-shaped body 30 is directly rotated by the motor 42. In this case, the motor 42 itself including the output shaft functions as a rotation mechanism.

The measuring shaft portion 32 of the rod-shaped body 30 is formed with a measuring recess 34 that is recessed from the side peripheral surface thereof. The measurement recess 34 is formed in a portion (hereinafter also referred to as an in-cylinder arrangement portion) located inside the powder supply cylinder 20 of the measurement shaft portion 32.
In FIG. 1, the measurement concave portion 34 is formed in the central portion in the axial direction of the measurement shaft portion 32.

  The opening part opened to the measurement shaft part 32 side peripheral surface of the measurement recessed part 34 of the rod-shaped body 30 illustrated in FIG. 1 is formed circularly on the measurement shaft part 32 side peripheral surface. However, the opening part opened to the measurement shaft part 32 side peripheral surface of the measurement recessed part 34 is not limited circularly, For example, polygons, such as a rectangle and a hexagon, and an ellipse may be sufficient.

Further, the measuring recess 34 illustrated in FIG. 1 is formed in a shape in which the depth from the measuring shaft 32 side peripheral surface becomes shallower as the distance from the central portion of the measuring recess 32 in the direction along the measuring shaft 32 side peripheral surface. ing.
The “depth from the circumferential surface of the measurement shaft portion 32” of the measurement recess 34 is the virtual extension of the circumferential surface of the measurement shaft portion 32 and the measurement recess 34 at the opening of the measurement recess 34 that opens to the peripheral surface of the measurement shaft portion 32. The separation distance in the direction perpendicular to the virtual extension of the peripheral surface on the measuring shaft 32 side between the inner surface and the inner surface is indicated.
The depth of the measurement concave portion 34 from the peripheral surface of the measurement shaft portion 32 is smaller than half of the outer diameter of the measurement shaft portion 32 at the deepest place.

The side peripheral surface of the measuring shaft portion 32 of the rod-shaped body 30 illustrated in FIG. 1 is a cylindrical surface extending in a curved manner with a constant diameter around the central axis of the measuring shaft portion 32 over the entire length in the axial direction of the measuring shaft portion 32.
The tube portion 22 of the powder supply cylinder 20 is arranged on the measuring shaft portion 32 side circumferential surface when the rod-shaped body 30 is rotated at the both sides perpendicular to the measuring shaft portion 32 center axis and the tube portion 22 center axis via the rod-shaped body 30. Has a sliding contact portion that slides. The sliding contact portions on both sides of the tube portion 22 are inner surfaces of the tube portion 22 on which the measurement shaft portion 32 side peripheral surface slides when the rod-shaped body 30 rotates. The sliding contact portions on both sides of the tube portion 22 are formed so as to be able to contact the side circumferential surface of the portion of the measuring shaft portion 32 located in the tube portion 22 over the entire length in the axial direction of the measuring shaft portion 32.
The sliding contact portions on both sides of the tube portion 22 are formed in parallel with each other with a separation distance that matches the outer diameter of the measuring shaft portion 32 (the diameter of the peripheral surface on the measuring shaft portion 32 side). The sliding contact portion can be in line contact or surface contact with the peripheral surface of the measuring shaft portion 32 side.
The inner space of the powder supply cylinder 20 of the powder supply apparatus 10 is in a state where the upper and lower sides are blocked by portions other than the measurement recess 34 of the measurement shaft part 32 via the in-cylinder arrangement part of the measurement shaft part 32. It has become.

  The rod-shaped body 30 has a configuration including a measuring shaft portion 32 having an axial dimension inserted into the shaft insertion holes 23 on both sides of the tube portion 22 of the powder supply cylinder 20 (hereinafter, a measuring shaft portion-inserting rod-shaped body, It is not limited to. As a rod-shaped body, for example, a rotating shaft portion having a diameter smaller than that of the measuring shaft portion is coaxially provided on the measuring shaft portion on both sides in the axial direction of the measuring shaft portion having an axial direction dimension that is disposed in the tube portion 22 as a whole. The thing of a structure (henceforth a double-sided rotating shaft rod-like body) is also employable. In the both-side rotating shaft rod-like body, the rotating shaft portions on both sides are inserted into the shaft insertion holes 23 on both sides of the tube portion 22, and the powder supply cylinder 20 is made to coincide with the central axis of the shaft insertion holes 23 on both sides of the tube portion 22. It is provided so as to be rotatable about a central axis (coinciding with the central axis of the measuring shaft).

  When a double-sided rotating shaft rod-like body is employed, the tube portion 22 of the powder supply cylinder 20 has a configuration in which the inner diameter of the shaft insertion hole 23 is aligned with the outer diameter of the rotating shaft portion on both sides in the axial direction of the measuring shaft portion. Further, the tube portion 22 has a sliding contact portion that is slidably contacted with the measuring shaft portion when the shaft of the rod-shaped body 30 is rotated on the entire inner circumference (excluding the shaft insertion hole 23) inside the portion that accommodates the measuring shaft portion. It is set as the structure which has. The sliding contact portion of the tube portion 22 is formed so that the end surfaces on both sides in the axial direction of the measuring shaft portion and the side circumferential surfaces on both sides in the radial direction of the measuring shaft portion can be slidably contacted when the measuring shaft portion rotates (shaft rotation). A portion of the space inside the tube portion 22 that houses the measuring shaft portion is formed in a square hole shape. The both-side rotating shaft rod-like body is provided in the powder supply cylinder 20 in a state where its inner space is vertically blocked by a portion other than the measuring recess 34 of the measuring shaft portion.

  A powder stirring mechanism 50 shown in FIG. 1 includes a stirring blade member 51 inserted inside the hopper 21 at the upper end of the powder supply cylinder 20 and a prime mover 52 that rotationally drives the stirring blade member 51. The prime mover 52 illustrated in FIG. 1 is a motor (an electric motor or a fluid pressure motor). Hereinafter, the motor may be described with reference numeral 52.

  The stirring blade member 51 includes a rod-shaped shaft portion 53 and a plurality of blade piece portions 54 that protrude from one end in the axial direction of the shaft portion 53. The blade piece portion 54 of the stirring blade member 51 illustrated in FIG. 1 has an overhang portion 54a extending from one axial end of the shaft portion 53 in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the shaft portion 53, and a tip of the overhang portion 54a. The shaft portion 53 has a stirring piece 54b extending in the direction along the axial direction. The stirring piece 54b is provided on the opposite side of the shaft portion 53 via the protruding portion 54a in the axial direction of the shaft portion 53. The tip of the stirring piece 54b of each blade piece 54 is disposed at a position spaced from the shaft 53 in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the shaft 53.

  The agitating blade member 51 is coaxial with the output shaft 52a of the motor 52 via the connecting member 55 at the end opposite to the blade piece portion 54 of the shaft portion 53 that is oriented in the vertical direction. It is provided in connection with. The tip of the blade piece 54 (the tip of the stirring piece 54 b) is located below the shaft 53 connected to the output shaft 52 a of the motor 52 via the connecting member 55. An upper end portion of a shaft portion 53 that is oriented in the vertical direction is connected to the output shaft 52 a of the motor 52 via a connecting member 55. The stirring blade member 51 is rotated integrally with the output shaft 52a by the driving force of the prime mover 52 (motor in the illustrated example).

The stirring blade member 51 is provided by inserting at least all the blade pieces 54 inside the hopper 21. As shown in FIG. 1, the entire stirring blade member 51 may be disposed inside the hopper portion 21. However, the arrangement position of the stirring blade member 51 with respect to the powder supply cylinder 20 avoids a collision with the hopper portion 21 of the blade piece portion 54 accompanying the rotation of the stirring blade member 51 so that the stirring blade member 51 can be rotated. It is set to a position where it can.
The stirring blade member 51 rotated by the driving force of the prime mover 52 stirs the powder 1 in the hopper portion 21 by the blade piece portion 54 that rotates in the hopper portion 21 to prevent the powder 1 from caking. Hereinafter, the operation of the powder agitating mechanism 50 that agitates the powder 1 in the hopper portion 21 by the rotation of the blade piece portion 54 is also referred to as a powder agitating operation.

In the powder supply apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1, the vibrator 60 is specifically attached to the side surface (outer surface) of the hopper portion 21 of the powder supply cylinder 20.
In the powder supply device 10, the direction of the rod-shaped body 30 around the axis is set so that the measuring recess 34 is positioned above the rod-shaped body 30, and in this state, the powder 1 in the hopper portion 21 enters the measuring recess 34. Then, the measurement recess 34 is filled (see FIG. 2). Next, as shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 6, the powder supply apparatus 10 rotates the rod-shaped body 30 by driving the rotating mechanism 40, so that the rod-shaped body 30 is oriented so that the measuring recess 34 is positioned below the rod-shaped body 30. The powder 1 in the measuring recess 34 is dropped to the side opposite to the hopper portion 21 (hereinafter also referred to as the outlet side) through the rod-shaped body 30 of the tube portion 22 of the powder supply cylinder 20, and the powder 1 Is supplied from the lower end (opening end) of the pipe portion 22 to the device or the like.
The vibration exciter 60 vibrates at least the hopper portion 21 of the hopper portion 21 and the rod-shaped body 30 to smoothly enter and fill the powder 1 from the hopper portion 21 into the measuring concave portion 34 of the rod-shaped body 30.

The rod-shaped body 30 of the powder supply apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 has projecting end portions 351 and 352 that project outward from the powder supply cylinder 20 from both ends of the measuring shaft portion 32 in the axial direction. The protruding end portions 351 and 352 are formed in a shaft shape coaxial with the measuring shaft portion 32.
Hereinafter, the protruding end portion denoted by reference numeral 351 is also referred to as a first protruding end portion, and the protruding end portion denoted by reference numeral 352 is also referred to as a second protruding end portion.
The rod-shaped body gear 33 is fixed to the second projecting end 352 and provided outside the powder supply cylinder 20.

  Specifically, the first projecting end 351 of the rod-shaped body 30 shown in FIG. 1 has a projecting shaft-like neck portion 35a that is formed smaller in diameter than the measuring shaft portion 32 and projects from the end in the axial direction of the measuring shaft portion 32. The neck portion 35a has an end portion large diameter portion 35b formed on the side opposite to the measuring shaft portion 32 and having a diameter larger than that of the neck portion 35a. The neck portion 35a and the end large-diameter portion 35b are formed coaxially with the measuring shaft portion 32, respectively.

The air passage 31 of the rod-shaped body 30 is formed in the rod-shaped body 30 so as to extend from the axial center to the first projecting end 351 side and open to the projecting end of the first projecting end 351, and the main passage 31a. The measuring shaft portion 32a of the 31a has a sub passage 31b extending in a direction intersecting with the central axis of the main passage 31a in the portion from a portion located in the axial center portion.
The sub-passage 31 b is formed by communicating one end in the extending direction with the main passage 31 a and communicating the other end in the extending direction with the measuring recess 34. The other end in the extending direction of the sub-passage 31b opens to the bottom inner surface of the measurement recess 34. The other end in the extending direction of the sub passage 31b that opens to the inner surface of the bottom of the measuring recess 34 is hereinafter also referred to as an air passage outlet (air outlet).

The main passage 31a of the air passage 31 of the rod-shaped body 30 shown in FIG. 1 is formed to extend along the axial direction of the rod-shaped body 30 from the first projecting end portion 351 projecting end to the measuring shaft portion 32 axial center portion. Yes. An end portion of the main passage 31 a on the protruding end side of the first protruding end portion 351 is formed coaxially with the measuring shaft portion 32.
The entire main passage 31a illustrated in FIG. 1 extends coaxially with the rotation axis of the rod-shaped body 30 (the central axis of the measuring shaft portion 32). Moreover, the part located in the measurement shaft part 32 of this main channel | path 31a is extended and formed with the fixed cross section over the extension direction (direction along the center axis line of the measurement shaft part 32).
The sub-passage 31b of the air passage 31 illustrated in FIG. 1 is formed in a hole shape extending in the axial direction with a smaller cross section than the portion located in the measuring shaft portion 32 of the main passage 31a.

  The outlet of the air passage 31 (the opening that opens in the bottom inner surface of the measurement recess 34 of the sub-passage 31 b) enters the powder 1 in the measurement recess 34 by a bridge or the like of the powder 1 put into the measurement recess 34 from the hopper 21. Is formed in a narrow size where little (or no) occurs. The sub-passage 31 b substantially does not affect the powder 1 measurement due to the volume of the measurement recess 34.

The air passage 31 is connected to and communicated with an end (air inlet; hereinafter also referred to as an air passage entrance) of the main flow passage 31a on the rod-like body first projecting end portion 351 side. Air is pumped from.
The air pressure feeding device 70 is connected to the air passage 31 (specifically, the air passage entrance) via a pipe 71 so as to be capable of air pressure feeding.

  One end of the pipe 71 is attached to the air pressure feeding device 70 via the joint 72, and the other end is attached to the rod-like body first projecting end 351 via the rotary joint 73. The rotary joint 73 is attached at the other end of the pipe 71 to the rod-shaped body first projecting end portion 351 so as to be rotatable coaxially with the rotation axis of the rod-shaped body 30, and prevents the pipe 71 from being twisted due to the rotation of the rod-shaped body 30.

  Regarding the rod-shaped body 30, the state in which the measurement concave portion 34 is located on the upper portion of the rod-shaped body 30 and opens upward (the state in which the central portion of the measurement concave portion 34 is positioned on the rotation axis of the rod-shaped body 30) is hereinafter also referred to as the concave upward state. Further, regarding the rod-shaped body 30, the state in which the measurement concave portion 34 is positioned at the lower portion of the rod-shaped body 30 and opens downward (the state in which the central portion of the measurement concave portion 34 is positioned below the rotation axis of the rod-shaped body 30) is hereinafter referred to as the concave portion downward state. say.

  The air pressure feeding device 70 rotates the rod-shaped body 30 in which the measurement recess 34 is filled with the powder 1 in the upward state of the recess, and the entire measurement recess 34 is passed through the rod-shaped body 30 in the space inside the tube portion 22 of the powder supply cylinder 20. In a state of facing the outlet side, air is pressure-fed to the air passage 31 of the rod-shaped body 30, and the pressurized air is jetted from the air passage outlet to the measuring recess 34, whereby the powder 1 in the measuring recess 34 is measured. The function of reliably dropping from the entire 34 to the outlet side of the pipe portion 22 is achieved.

The powder supply apparatus 10 includes a control unit 11 that controls the operation of the entire apparatus, and an operation command input unit 12 that outputs an operation start command and inputs the operation start command to the control unit.
The operation command input unit 12 of the powder supply apparatus 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 is an operation panel that outputs an operation start command and inputs it to the control unit 11 by an operator's manual operation or the like. Reference numeral 12 is added to the operation panel.
The control unit 11 and the operation command input unit 12 are illustrated only in FIG. 1 and are not illustrated in other drawings.

  The operation command input unit 12 is electrically connected to the control unit 11 via a signal line. However, the operation command input unit 12 may be configured to be able to input an operation start command to the control unit 11. For example, the operation command input unit 12 inputs the operation start command to the control unit 11 by a radio signal such as an optical signal such as an infrared ray or a radio signal. A configuration can also be employed.

The operation command input unit 12 only needs to output an operation start command and input the operation start command to the control unit 11, and is not limited to the operation panel.
The operation command input unit 12 is, for example, a sensor (powder in the hopper detection sensor) that detects the powder 1 in the hopper unit 21, or drops at the entrance (upper end) of the hopper unit 21 or above when the hopper unit 21 is charged. It may be a sensor (input powder detection sensor) for detecting the powder 1 to be processed. Further, the operation command input unit 12 may be, for example, a sensor (hereinafter referred to as a charging operation detection sensor) that detects a powder charging operation to the hopper unit 21 of the charging device that loads the powder 1 into the hopper unit 21. .

In the hopper powder detection sensor functioning as the operation command input unit 12, the amount of powder 1 in the hopper 21 is smaller than the volume of the measuring recess 34 of the rod-shaped body 30 (or the powder 1 does not exist in the hopper 21. ) A detection signal that is output when it is detected that the transition from the state to the state of the volume of the measurement recess 34 or more is input to the control unit 11 as an operation start command.
The charged powder detection sensor functioning as the operation command input unit 12 uses the detection signal output when detecting the powder 1 falling at the entrance (upper end) of the hopper 21 or above the control unit 11 as an operation start command. To enter.
The charging operation detection sensor functioning as the operation command input unit 12 inputs a detection signal output when detecting the powder charging operation to the hopper unit 21 of the charging device to the control unit 11 as an operation start command.

Note that the making operation detection sensor may be a control unit (hereinafter, making device control unit) that controls the operation of the making device.
The charging device control unit that functions as a charging operation detection sensor inputs, for example, an operation start command output at the start or end of the powder charging operation to the hopper unit 21 of the charging device.

  FIG. 1 shows a state in which the rod-shaped body 30 is stationary in a state where the concave portion faces upward. With respect to the powder supply apparatus 10, the state shown in FIG. 1 is hereinafter also referred to as an initial state.

When an operation start command is input from the operation command input unit 12 in the initial state (the operation of the control panel 12 in FIG. 1), the powder supply device 10 first drives the rotation mechanism 40 to rotate the rod-shaped body 30. 6 (see FIG. 3 to FIG. 5), and as shown in FIG. 6, the entire weighing recess 34 faces the outlet side of the space inside the tube portion 22 of the powder supply cylinder 20 (hereinafter also referred to as a recess lower state). The first rotation operation is automatically started. Next, the powder supply device 10 drives the air pumping device 70 to pump the air to the air passage 31 of the rod-shaped body 30 when the rod-shaped body 30 rotated by the first rotation operation is in the state below the recess. (Refer to FIG. 6. Hereinafter, also referred to as an air pressure feeding operation) and the second rotating operation of rotating the rod-shaped body 30 in the lower concave portion state by driving the rotating mechanism 40 to return to the concave upward state is automatically performed.
In this specification, regarding the rod-shaped body 30, the concave upward state is treated as the rod-shaped body 30 is in an upward state, and the concave downward state is treated as the rod-shaped body 30 is in a downward state.

That is, the powder supply device 10 receives an operation start command from the operation command input unit 12 in an initial state, thereby performing a metering operation including a first rotation operation, an air pressure feeding operation, and a second rotation operation. Do it automatically.
Here, first, as an example of the powder supply apparatus 10, a configuration in which the metering operation is executed only once by an operation start command input from the operation command input unit 12 to the control unit 11 will be described.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the powder supply apparatus 10 puts the powder 1 into the hopper portion 21 in the initial state, and drops and fills the powder 1 from the hopper portion 21 into the measuring recess 34 of the rod-shaped body 30. Then, by inputting an operation start command from the operation command input unit 12, the powder 1 measured to an amount corresponding to the volume of the measurement recess 34 of the rod-shaped body 30 by the measurement supply operation is reduced at the lower end (exit) of the tube unit 22. Can be supplied from the end).
In the powder supply device 10, the rod-shaped body 30 that has been in the upward state of the concave portion rotates while sliding on the sliding contact portion of the tube portion 22 and reaches the lower state of the concave portion by the first rotation operation of the metering supply operation. Thus, the measuring recess 34 can stably measure the amount of the powder 1 corresponding to the volume.

Further, in the powder supply device 10, when a device power switch (not shown) is switched from OFF to ON, the control unit 11 that is an electric circuit is activated. The powder supply apparatus 10 drives the powder agitation mechanism 50 (powder agitation operation) and vibrates in response to a command input from the operation panel 12 with the control unit 11 activated (the apparatus power switch is on). The vibration (vibration) of the hopper portion 21 by driving the container 60 is started.
A command input from the operation panel 12 for starting the driving of the powder stirring mechanism 50 (powder stirring operation) and the vibration (vibration) of the hopper unit 21 by driving the vibrator 60 is hereinafter referred to as a stirring and shaking start command. Also say. The operation panel 12 functions as an agitation and vibration start command input unit for inputting an agitation and vibration start command to the powder supply apparatus 10 (specifically, the control unit 11) by manual operation (the operation panel 12 is agitated). Also serves as an excitation start command input unit).
The powder supply apparatus 10 is not limited to a configuration in which the operation panel 12 also serves as an agitation / vibration start command input unit, and has a configuration having an agitation / vibration start command input unit that is separate from the operation panel 12 (operation command input unit). It may be.

The stirring / vibration start command input unit can also input a command (stirring / vibration stop command) for stopping the driving of the powder stirring mechanism 50 and the shaker 60 by manual operation.
The powder agitation mechanism 50 and the vibrator 60 of the powder supply device 10 are driven by sending an agitation and vibration start command from the agitation and vibration start command input unit to the powder supply device 10 (specifically, the control unit 11). After the input, the operation is continued until a stirring / vibration stop command is input from the stirring / vibration start command input unit, and is stopped when the stirring / vibration stop command is input.

  The metering operation of the powder supply device 10 is started by the input of an operation start command from the operation command input unit 12 only when the control unit 11 is activated and the powder supply device 10 is in the initial state. Even if the control unit 11 is activated, if the powder supply device 10 is not in the initial state, the metering operation is not started even if an operation start command is input from the operation command input unit 12. Further, if the apparatus power switch of the powder supply apparatus 10 is off, the metering operation is not started even if an operation start command is input from the operation command input unit 12.

  The metering operation of the powder supply device 10 is performed when the powder stirring mechanism 50 and the shaker 60 are driven by the input of the stirring and shaking start command from the stirring and shaking start command input unit (the powder stirring mechanism 50 The operation start command is input from the operation command input unit 12 to start the powder stirring operation and the vibration of the hopper unit 21 by the vibrator 60). As a result, the powder supply apparatus 10 has the amount of the powder 1 corresponding to the volume of the measuring recess 34 from the powder 1 put in the hopper unit 21 before inputting the operation start command from the operation command input unit 12. Weigh and supply.

The powder supply apparatus 10 immediately starts the measurement supply operation when the operation start command is input from the operation command input unit 12.
However, the powder supply apparatus 10 can also adopt a configuration in which the metering operation is started when a preset standby time (for example, several seconds) has elapsed from the input of the operation start command from the operation command input unit 12. It is. The waiting time from the input of the operation start command from the operation command input unit 12 to the start of the metering supply operation (first rotation operation) is secured from the hopper unit 21 vibrated by the vibration exciter 60 in a bar-like state in which the concave portion faces upward. This is effective for filling the powder recess 1 of the body 30 uniformly.

  The vibrator 60 of the powder supply apparatus 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 vibrates not only the hopper unit 21 but also the rod-shaped body 30. The powder supply apparatus 10 fills the measuring recess 34 of the rod-shaped body 30 with the powder 1 while vibrating the rod-shaped body 40 with the vibrator 60. As a result, the powder supply device 10 can reduce the packing density of the powder 1 in the measuring recess 34. Can be equalized. The equalization of the packing density of the powder 1 in the measurement recess 34 effectively contributes to stabilization of the powder 1 measurement accuracy in an amount corresponding to the volume of the measurement recess 34.

  In the air pressure feeding operation, air is pumped from the air pressure feeding device 70 to the air passage 31 of the rod-shaped body 30 to inject the pressure feeding air from the outlet of the air passage to the measurement concave portion 34, and the powder 1 in the measurement concave portion 34 is measured. 34 is dropped to the lower end (exit end) of the pipe portion 22. Even if caking is generated in the powder 1 in the measuring recess 34 of the rod-shaped body 30 in the lower part of the recess, the air pressure feeding operation is performed in the measuring recess 34 by the injection of the pumping air from the air passage outlet to the measuring recess 34. The powder 1 is surely detached from the measurement recess 34 and plays a role of dropping.

  The air pressure feeding operation is performed until the concave lower side state of the rod-shaped body 30 is eliminated by the second rotation operation (at least a part of the measurement concave portion 34 does not face the inner space outlet side of the tube portion 22 of the powder supply cylinder 20). To complete.

Here, the metering operation of the powder supply apparatus 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6 will be specifically described.
In the metering operation of the powder supply apparatus 10, first, the rod-shaped body 30 in the concave upward state is rotated until the concave portion is in the downward downward state in the first rotation operation (see FIGS. 3 to 6).
The metering operation of the powder supply apparatus 10 is performed after the first rotation operation is completed in a state in which the rod-shaped body 30 is in a recessed portion lower side (specifically, a recessed portion downward state) for a preset stationary time (hereinafter, downward stationary time). Keep still. In the metering operation, the air pressure feeding operation is performed within the range of the downward stationary time.
The metering operation starts the second rotation operation when the downward stationary time has elapsed after the completion of the first rotational operation (immediately after the downward stationary time ends), and the rod-shaped body 30 is moved upward in the concave portion by the second rotational operation. Return to the state.
The air pressure feeding operation is executed between the first rotation operation and the second rotation operation.
When the powder supply device 10 completes the metering operation, the powder supply device 10 maintains the initial state (the rod 30 is in the concave upward state) until the next operation start command is input from the operation command input unit 12 to the control unit 11. .

  In the example metering operation in which the air pressure feeding operation is performed between the first rotation operation and the second rotation operation, the rotation direction of the rod-shaped body 30 in the second rotation operation is the rotation of the rod-shaped body 30 in the first rotation operation. Same as direction. However, the rotation direction of the rod-shaped body 30 in the second rotation operation may be opposite to the rotation direction of the rod-shaped body 30 in the first rotation operation.

  The first rotation operation of the metering operation of the powder supply device 10 is an operation of rotating the rod-shaped body 30 in the concave upward state by driving the rotation mechanism 40 to displace the metering concave portion 34 downward to bring the concave portion down. is there. The second rotation operation is an operation of rotating the rod-shaped body 30 where the measurement recess 34 has reached the lower limit position by the first rotation operation by driving the rotation mechanism 40 to displace the measurement recess 34 upward and returning the recess to the upward state. is there.

The metering operation secures a downward stationary time between the first rotation operation and the second rotation operation, in which the rod-shaped body 30 is kept stationary while maintaining the state at the time of completion of the first rotation operation (the state below the recess). Configuration can be adopted. However, a configuration in which no downward stationary time exists between the first rotation operation and the second rotation operation can be employed for the metering operation.
Further, for example, a configuration in which the second rotation operation for rotating the rod-shaped body 30 in the same direction as the first rotation operation is executed continuously with the first rotation operation can be employed for the metering operation.

Hereinafter, the state in which the measuring recess 34 reaches the lower limit position by the first rotation operation of the rod-shaped body 30 is also referred to as a first rotation limit state.
A metering operation for turning the rod-shaped body 30 in the concave upward state into a concave downward state by the first rotation operation (for example, the above-described metering operation in which an air pressure feeding operation is performed between the first rotation operation and the second rotation operation) ), The first rotation limit state of the rod-shaped body 30 is the concave downward state.

The air pressure feeding operation of the metering supply operation may be executed at any time as long as the rod-shaped body 30 is in the state below the recess. The metering operation of the powder supply apparatus 10 is not limited to the configuration in which the air pressure feeding operation is performed in the downward stationary time between the first rotation operation and the second rotation operation.
If the rod-shaped body 30 is in the state below the recess, the air pressure feeding operation is, for example, in the middle of the first rotation operation (before the rod-shaped body 30 rotated by the first rotation operation reaches the first rotation limit state). It may start when the rod-shaped body 30 is rotated by the second operation.

  In terms of ensuring that the powder 1 falls from the measurement recess 34, it is advantageous to extend the execution time of the air pressure feeding operation. In this regard, for example, the configuration in which the air pressure feeding operation is performed in one or both of the first rotation operation and the second rotation operation in addition to the downward stationary time is a configuration in which the air pressure feeding operation is performed only in the downward stationary time. In comparison, it is advantageous to ensure a long execution time of the air pressure feeding operation. Further, in addition to the downward stationary time, the configuration in which the air pressure feeding operation is performed in one or both of the first rotation operation and the second rotation operation does not increase the time required for the metering operation, and the execution time of the air pressure feeding operation There is also an advantage that can be lengthened.

  Further, the air pressure feeding operation is not limited to one time as long as the rod-shaped body 30 is in the lower side of the recess, and may be performed a plurality of times. The air pressure feeding operation may be executed a plurality of times at timings in which the measurement concave portions 34 have different directions. Executing the air pressure feeding operation a plurality of times at timings in which the measurement concave portions 34 are different from each other effectively contributes to ensuring that the powder 1 falls from the measurement concave portion 34.

  The powder supply device 10 configured to execute the metering operation only once by the input of the operation start command from the operation command input unit 12 to the control unit 11, when the metering operation is completed, from the operation command input unit 12. Until the next operation start command is input to the control unit 11, the initial state (the bar 30 is in the concave upward state) is maintained. When an operation start command is input from the operation command input unit 12 in an initial state after completion of the metering operation, the powder supply device 10 performs the metering operation again.

The powder supply apparatus 10 is not limited to a configuration that performs the metering operation only once when an operation start command is input from the operation command input unit 12. For example, the powder supply apparatus 10 repeats the metering operation a plurality of times after an operation start command is input from the operation command input unit 12 until an operation stop command is input from an operation stop command input unit (not shown). A configuration for executing (hereinafter also referred to as a continuous metering operation) can be employed.
The operation stop command input unit outputs an operation stop command and inputs it to the control unit 11 by manual operation of the operator. The operation stop command input unit may also serve as the operation panel 12 or may be a switch or the like separate from the operation panel.

The powder supply apparatus 10 that performs the continuous metering operation can stop the continuous metering operation by inputting an operation stop command from the operation stop command input unit.
When the rod-like body 30 stops the continuous metering operation when the rod-shaped body 30 is not in the concave upward state by the input of the operation stop command from the operation stop command input unit, the powder supply device 10 that performs the continuous metering operation is driven. Thus, the rod-shaped body 30 has a function of automatically setting the concave portion upward.

  In the continuous metering operation of the powder supply device 10, a standby time (hereinafter referred to as “restart”) for maintaining the initial state of the powder supply device 10 for a preset time from the completion of the metering operation to the start of the next metering operation. Rotation waiting time) is secured. Ensuring the waiting time for re-rotation is effective for reliably dropping and filling the powder 1 in the hopper portion 21 into the weighing recess 34 and filling the powder 1 in the weighing recess 34 with a uniform density. . The next metering operation after the completion of the metering operation is started when a preset re-rotation waiting time has elapsed.

  The powder supply apparatus 10 that performs continuous measurement and supply operation repeats the measurement and supply operation a plurality of times while continuously or intermittently supplying the powder 1 to the hopper unit 21, thereby measuring the powder 1. Supply from the lower end (exit end) of the pipe part 22 can be performed efficiently.

  The powder supply apparatus 10 can reliably drop the powder 1 in the measurement recess 34 from the entire measurement recess 34 to the outlet side of the tube portion 22 by the air pressure feeding operation. For this reason, the powder supply apparatus 10 can stabilize the supply amount of the powder 1 for each metering operation from the lower end (exit end) of the pipe portion 22.

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the rod-shaped body is formed in the air at the bottom inner surface of the measurement recess 34 or at the outlet of the air passage 31 (the opening that opens at the bottom inner surface of the measurement recess 34 of the sub-passage 31b). It is also possible to employ a configuration in which air injection diffusion members 81 and 82 that expand the injection direction of the pressure-feeding air by contacting the pressure-feeding air that is pressure-fed from the pressure-feeding device 70 to the air passage 31 and injected from the outlet of the air passage 31 can be employed.
The air injection diffusing members 81 and 82 have a function of diffusing the injection direction of the pressurized air injected from the outlet of the air passage 31 and suppressing or preventing the powder 1 put into the measuring recess 34 from entering the sub passage 31b. Fulfill.

FIG. 7A shows a rod-like body 30A in which a net body 81 (air injection diffusion member) extending so as to cover the entire opening of the sub passage 31b is attached to the inner surface of the bottom of the measurement recess 34 of the measurement shaft portion 32. The net 81 is attached to the measuring shaft 32 with its outer periphery fixed to the edge of the outlet of the air passage 31 that opens to the inner surface of the bottom of the measuring recess 34 of the measuring shaft 32.
A recess having a flat bottom surface 34a (hereinafter referred to as a bottom recess) is formed at the bottom of the measurement recess 34 of the rod-shaped body 30A shown in FIG. The bottom surface 34 a of the bottom recess functions as the bottom inner surface of the measurement recess 34. The outlet of the air passage 31 opens at the center of the bottom of the bottom of the bottom recess 34a. The entire net body 81 is housed in the bottom recess, and its outer periphery is fixed to the bottom recess bottom surface 34a (mouth edge) around the outlet of the air passage 31 and attached to the measuring shaft 32 of the rod-shaped body 30A. ing.
The net 81 has a function of expanding the injection direction of the air by contact with the air that is pumped from the air pumping device 70 to the air passage 31 and jetted from the outlet of the air passage 31.
Further, the net body 81 has a function of suppressing the entry of the powder 1 into the sub-passage 31b to a very small amount that does not substantially affect the measurement accuracy by the contact with the powder 1 put into the measurement recess 34. Fulfill.

FIG. 7B shows a rod-shaped body 30B in which an air injection diffusion member 82 having a plurality of air holes 82a is fixed in the opening portion of the auxiliary passage 31b opened in the bottom inner surface of the measurement recess 34 of the measurement shaft portion 32. Show.
The portion of the sub passage 31b that exists between the air injection diffusion member 82 and the main passage 31a is hereinafter also referred to as a main portion of the sub passage 31b. The air hole 82 a of the air diffusion member 82 is a through hole that opens through the air injection diffusion member 82 to the side facing the main portion of the sub-passage 31 b of the air injection diffusion member 82 and the side facing the measurement recess 34. Further, the plurality of vent holes 82a are formed with their axial directions different from each other.
The air injection diffusion member 82 plays a role of expanding the injection direction by injecting the air pressure-fed from the air pressure-feed device 70 to the air passage 31 in different directions by the air holes 82a in different directions. Further, the air hole 82a of the air injection diffusion member 82 is thinner (having a smaller cross-sectional area) than the sub passage 31b. For this reason, the air injection diffusion member 82 is unlikely to enter the ventilation hole 82a of the powder 1 put into the measurement recess 34, and the entry of the powder 1 into the sub passage 31b substantially affects the measurement accuracy. It can be suppressed or prevented to a very small amount.

Although the present invention has been described based on the best mode, the present invention is not limited to the above-described best mode, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.
For example, the air pressure feeding device that pressure-feeds air to the air passage 31 is not limited to the configuration connected to the air inlet of the air passage 31 via the pipe 71, and can be attached to and detached from the air inlet of the air passage 31 so as to air-feed. It is also possible to employ an air pressure feeding device that is connected to the air inlet of the air passage 31 only when it is disconnected from the air passage 31.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Powder supply apparatus, 20 ... Powder supply cylinder, 21 ... Hopper part, 22 ... Pipe part, 23 ... Shaft insertion hole, 31 ... Air passage, 31a ... Main passage, 31b ... Sub-passage, 30 ... Rod-shaped body, 32 ... Measuring shaft part, 34 ... Measuring concave part, 40 ... Bar-shaped body rotating mechanism, 50 ... Powder stirring mechanism, 60 ... Exciter, 70 ... Air pressure feeding device.

Claims (6)

A powder supply cylinder having upper and lower open ends, a rod-shaped body provided in a state of blocking the upper and lower sides of the powder supply cylinder, and a rotating mechanism for rotating the rod-shaped body,
The rod-shaped body includes an air extending from an air inlet opening at a portion located outside the powder supply cylinder to an air outlet opening at a bottom surface of a measurement recess formed by depression from a side peripheral surface of the rod-shaped body. A powder supply apparatus, characterized in that a passage is formed and the measuring recess is formed in a portion of the rod-shaped body located in the powder supply cylinder.   It further has a powder stirring mechanism for stirring the powder in the upper end portion of the powder supply tube by rotating the stirring blade member inserted inside the upper end portion of the powder supply tube by a driving force of a prime mover. The powder supply apparatus according to claim 1.   The measuring recess of the rod-shaped body is formed in a shape in which the depth from the rod-shaped body side peripheral surface becomes shallower as the distance from the central portion of the measuring recess in the direction along the rod-shaped body side peripheral surface. The powder supply apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.   An air pumping device connected to the air inlet of the air passage and pumping air into the air passage; and when the measuring concave portion is turned downward from the upward state by the rotation of the rod-like body, The powder supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein air is pumped from the pumping device to the air passage.   The powder supply cylinder has a hopper portion constituting an upper end portion thereof and a pipe portion extending downward from a lower end of the hopper portion, and the rod-like body aligns the upper end thereof with the lower end of the inner side surface of the hopper portion. The powder supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the powder supply apparatus is provided.   6. The vibrator according to claim 1, further comprising a vibrator attached to a side surface of the powder supply cylinder and configured to vibrate at least the powder supply cylinder among the powder supply cylinder and the rod-shaped body. The powder supply apparatus of Claim 1.

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