JP2020026825A - Rotary valve for concentrated gas supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a rotary valve for a concentrated gas supply device, which can be configured compactly.SOLUTION: In a valve casing 31, an intake port 34, an exhaust port 35 and a plurality of adsorption cylinder flow passages 41, 42, 43 are formed, and in a valve element 61, an intake connection flow passage 67 for connecting the intake port with each adsorption cylinder flow passage and an exhaust connection flow passage 68 for connecting the exhaust port with each adsorption cylinder flow passage are formed. The intake connection flow passage has a first vertical flow passage 71 that is formed along a rotation axis O of the valve element and communicates with the intake port, and a plurality of first lateral flow passages 72a, 72b, 72c that connect the first vertical flow passage with each adsorption cylinder flow passage and are located at positions different from one another in the rotation axis direction. The exhaust connection flow passage has a second vertical flow passage 74 that is formed along the rotation axis at a position different from the first vertical flow passage in the rotation axis direction and communicates with the exhaust port, and a plurality of second lateral flow passages 75a, 75b, 75c that connect the second vertical flow passage with each adsorption cylinder flow passage and are located at positions different from one another in the rotation axis direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present disclosure relates to a rotary valve for a concentrated gas supply device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an oxygen concentrating device that generates nitrogen-enriched gas by removing nitrogen contained in air has been known. For example, Patent Literature 1 below discloses an adsorption step in which two adsorption columns containing a nitrogen adsorption medium are used, compressed air is supplied to one of the adsorption columns, and nitrogen contained in the air is adsorbed to the nitrogen adsorption medium, There is disclosed an oxygen concentrator in which the other adsorption column is opened to the atmosphere and a pressure reduction step of desorbing nitrogen from a nitrogen adsorption medium is alternately repeated to continuously obtain an oxygen-enriched gas.

  In this oxygen concentrator, a rotary valve is used to switch between the adsorption step and the pressure reduction step. The rotary valve includes a valve box having a valve chamber therein, and a valve element disposed in the valve chamber. A mode in which the valve element rotates inside the valve chamber to supply pressurized air flowing into the valve chamber to one adsorption cylinder and discharge gas flowing into the valve chamber from the other adsorption cylinder to an exhaust path to the atmosphere. And the reverse mode are alternately switched.

Japanese Patent No. 4137805

  In the valve box of the rotary valve described in Patent Literature 1, an exhaust hole connected to the exhaust path from the valve chamber and a plurality of intake holes connected from the valve chamber to each adsorption cylinder are formed. Of these, the exhaust through-hole is arranged on the rotation axis of the valve body, and the plurality of intake through-holes are radially arranged around the exhaust through-hole.

  Since the oxygen concentrator described in Patent Document 1 has only two adsorption cylinders, the number of through holes formed in the valve box of the rotary valve can be reduced. However, as the number of suction cylinders increases, the number of through-holes also increases.Therefore, in order to form a large number of through-holes, it is necessary to radially expand the valve box around the rotation axis of the valve element. The size of the rotary valve increases in the direction.

  An object of the present disclosure is to provide a rotary valve for a concentrated gas supply device that can be configured to be compact.

(1) The rotary valve of the present disclosure
A valve box,
A valve body rotatably provided in the valve box,
In the valve box,
An intake port for inflow of pressurized air, an exhaust port for discharging desorbed gas from the adsorption cylinder, and a plurality of adsorption cylinder channels including an adsorption cylinder port connected to each of the adsorption cylinders are formed. And
To the valve body,
At a predetermined timing during the rotation of the valve body, an intake connection flow path that connects the intake port to each of the adsorption cylinder flow paths, and an exhaust connection flow that connects the exhaust port to each of the adsorption cylinder flow paths. Road and are formed,
The intake connection flow path,
A first vertical flow path formed along the rotation axis of the valve body and communicating with the intake port; connecting the first vertical flow path to each of the adsorption cylinder flow paths; A plurality of first lateral flow paths arranged at different positions from each other,
The exhaust connection flow path,
A second vertical flow path formed along the rotation axis at a position different from the first vertical flow path in the rotation axis direction and communicating with the exhaust port; the second vertical flow path; And a plurality of second horizontal flow paths that are connected to each other and that are arranged at positions different from each other in the rotation axis direction.

  With the above configuration, when the number of adsorption cylinders is large, the first and second vertical flow paths are extended in the direction along the rotation axis of the valve body, and the number of first and second horizontal flow paths is reduced. It can respond by increasing. Therefore, it is not necessary to enlarge the rotary valve in the radial direction centering on the rotation axis of the valve element, and it is possible to suppress the enlargement of the rotary valve in the same direction and to make the rotary valve compact in the same direction.

(2) In the rotary valve according to the above (1), preferably, each of the adsorption cylinder passages is formed in a range over the first vertical passage and the second vertical passage in the rotation axis direction. A third vertical flow path and a plurality of third horizontal flow paths connected to the first and second horizontal flow paths, respectively.
With such a configuration, both the first vertical flow path of the intake connection flow path and the second vertical flow path of the exhaust connection flow path can be connected to the flow path for the adsorption cylinder with a simple configuration.

(3) In the rotary valve according to the above (1) or (2), preferably, the valve body is driven to rotate at a constant speed.
The first lateral flow path and the second lateral flow path include a communication groove having a circumferential length corresponding to a communication time with each of the adsorption cylinder flow paths.
As described above, by rotating the valve body at a constant speed, the first lateral flow path and the second lateral flow path can be respectively appropriately communicated with the adsorption cylinder flow path.

(4) In the rotary valve according to any one of the above (1) to (3), preferably, a plurality of air release channels including an air release port are formed in the valve box,
The valve body is provided with a communication flow path that connects the air release flow path and the adsorption cylinder flow path to each other at a predetermined timing during rotation of the valve body.
With such a configuration, it is possible to increase or decrease the pressure of the adsorption cylinder to atmospheric pressure by using the air opening port and the communication channel before pressurizing or depressurizing the adsorption cylinder by the compressor or the vacuum pump.

(5) In the rotary valve according to any one of the above (1) to (3), preferably, the valve box is provided with a plurality of ports for opening to the atmosphere communicating with the flow paths for the adsorption cylinders.
With such a configuration, the pressure of the adsorption cylinder can be increased or reduced to the atmospheric pressure by using the air opening port before the pressure of the adsorption cylinder is increased or decreased by the compressor or the vacuum pump.

(6) In the rotary valve according to any one of (1) to (5), preferably, the intake port and the exhaust port are arranged at positions different from each other in the direction of the rotation axis.
With such a configuration, the intake port and the exhaust port can be easily communicated with the intake connection flow path and the exhaust connection flow path arranged at different positions with respect to the rotational axis direction, respectively.

(7) In the rotary valve according to any one of (1) to (6), preferably, the plurality of suction cylinder ports are arranged at positions different from each other in a circumferential direction around the rotation axis.
With such a configuration, it is possible to sufficiently secure a space in the valve box for forming a plurality of adsorption cylinder flow paths including the adsorption cylinder port.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a concentrated gas supply device to which the rotary valve (control valve) according to the first embodiment is applied. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a valve opening period and a pressure fluctuation of each adsorption column in the concentrated gas supply device illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a partial view of FIG. 2, showing a pressure change in one cycle of a first adsorption cylinder and an open state of an on-off valve. It is a perspective view of a rotary valve. It is a front view of a rotary valve. It is a top view of a rotary valve. It is a sectional perspective view of a rotary valve. It is a front view of the valve element of a rotary valve. FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line LM of FIG. 6. FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line LN of FIG. 6. FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line LP of FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line AA, a line BB, a line CC, and a line DD of FIG. 5 at a time point α in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE, line FF, and line GG of FIG. 5 at the time point α in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line HH, line II, line JJ, and line KK of FIG. 5 at the time point α in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC, line EE, and line JJ of FIG. 5 at the time point β in FIG. 2. It is an explanatory view of a concentrated gas supply device to which a rotary valve (control valve) according to a second embodiment is applied. It is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. 10 of a rotary valve. It is an explanatory view of a concentrated gas supply device to which a rotary valve (control valve) according to a third embodiment is applied. It is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. 10 of the rotary valve.

  Hereinafter, an oxygen concentrator, which is an example of the concentrated gas supply device of the present disclosure, will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these exemplifications, but is indicated by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims.

[Overall configuration of oxygen concentrator]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a concentrated gas supply device to which a rotary valve (control valve) according to the first embodiment is applied.
The concentrated gas supply device A of this embodiment is an oxygen concentrator, and has three adsorption tubes 1a, 1b, 1c, a compressor 2, a vacuum pump 3, an oxygen tank 4, a rotary valve (control valve) 30 And a VPSA type oxygen concentrator comprising: Reference numerals 1a, 1b, and 1c denote a first suction tube, a second suction tube, and a third suction tube, respectively.

  The compressor 2 pressurizes the air taken into the machine from the air intake port 5 and sends the compressed air to the pipeline 6. The pressurized air sent out to the pipe 6 is sent into the suction pipe from below each of the suction pipes 1a, 1b, 1c via the pipes 11a, 11b, 11c. An adsorbent for adsorbing nitrogen in pressurized air is stored in the adsorption cylinders 1a, 1b, 1c.

  By passing pressurized air through the adsorption tubes 1a, 1b, 1c in which the adsorbent is stored, oxygen-enriched gas having a higher concentration than the oxygen concentration in the air can be generated, and the adsorption tubes 1a, 1b, The oxygen-enriched gas obtained from each upper side of 1c is stored in the oxygen tank 4 via the pipes 7 from the pipes 12a, 12b and 12c. 1 is a path for discharging the gas in the adsorption cylinders 1a, 1b, 1c to the outside by the vacuum pump 3.

  The rotary valve 30 includes a plurality of opening / closing portions 13a, 13b, 13c, 15a, 15b, 15c, 21a, 21b, 21c for opening and closing the above-mentioned pipes 11a, 11b, 11c, 16 and other pipes 8a, 8b, 8c. It has. Each of the opening / closing sections 13a, 13b, 13c, 15a, 15b, 15c, 21a, 21b, 21c functions as a valve for opening and closing the passage of gas in the pipeline in which each is arranged, and a control section (not shown). Is controlled at a predetermined timing. Therefore, in the following description, each of the opening / closing portions 13a, 13b, 13c, 15a, 15b, 15c, 21a, 21b, 21c is also referred to as "opening / closing valve".

  More specifically, the on-off valves 13a, 13b, and 13c contribute to the operation of sending the pressurized air to the adsorption cylinders 1a, 1b, and 1c, and the on-off valves 15a, 15b, and 15c are provided inside the adsorption cylinders 1a, 1b, and 1c. Contributes to the discharge operation of discharging the gas outside. Further, the on-off valves 21a, 21b, 21c are connected to the pipe lines 11a, 11b, 11c on the inlet side of each of the adsorption cylinders 1a, 1b, 1c, and communicate with each of the adsorption cylinders 1a, 1b, 1c and the outside air. A valve for opening and closing the pipelines 8a, 8b, and 8c, which contributes to a pressure increasing operation from a negative pressure state to an atmospheric pressure state and a pressure reducing operation from a pressurized state to an atmospheric pressure state. .

  Non-return valves 17a, 17b, and 17c are provided in the pipelines 12a, 12b, and 12c extending from the adsorption tubes 1a, 1b, and 1c to the oxygen tank 4. These check valves 17a, 17b, 17c are valves that allow only the flow from the adsorption cylinders 1a, 1b, 1c to the oxygen tank 4, and the oxygen-enriched gas delivered from each adsorption cylinder 1a, 1b, 1c is When the pressure is higher than the tank 4 side, the oxygen-enriched gas can be sent to the oxygen tank 4. Note that a general on-off valve (control valve) can be used instead of the check valve. Further, a pipe connecting the respective pipes 12a, 12b, 12c is provided, and on-off valves 18a, 18b, 18c contributing to the purge operation are provided in this pipe.

  Pressure gauges 9a, 9b, 9c for monitoring the internal pressure are respectively attached to the adsorption tubes 1a, 1b, 1c, and the oxygen tank 4 is also for monitoring the internal pressure. A pressure gauge 10 is attached.

  Each communication pipe 8a, 8b, 8c has a first pipe 22a, 22b, 22c for supplying outside air into the adsorption cylinder, and a second pipe for exhausting gas in the adsorption cylinder 1a, 1b, 1c. Roads 23a, 23b and 23c. Thus, outside air can be supplied into the adsorption cylinder using the first conduits 22a, 22b, and 22c, and the second conduit, which is different from the first conduits 22a, 22b, and 22c, is provided. The gas in the adsorption cylinder can be exhausted by using 23a, 23b, and 23c. Non-return valves 24a, 24b, and 24c are provided in each of the first conduits 22a, 22b, and 22c to allow only a flow from the outside to the inside of the adsorption cylinder. Each of the second conduits 23a, 23b, and 23c is provided with a check valve. Are provided with check valves 25a, 25b and 25c, respectively, which allow only the flow from the adsorption column to the outside.

  The outside air inlets (not shown) of the first pipes 22a, 22b, and 22c and the exhaust ports (not shown) of the second pipes 23a, 23b, and 23c communicate with the gas exhausted from the exhaust ports (normally). Is mixed with the outside air near the outside air intake, and the outside air having a low oxygen concentration is suppressed from being supplied from the outside air intake into the adsorption column. It is desirable to be separated by a distance of

[Operation example of oxygen concentrator]
Next, an operation example of the oxygen concentrator A having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a valve opening period and a pressure fluctuation or change of each adsorption column in the oxygen concentrating device A shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a partial view of FIG. It is a figure which shows the pressure change of one cycle of cylinder 1a, and the opening state of an on-off valve and a check valve (henceforth "on-off valve etc."). 2 and 3, time elapses from the left side to the right side. In FIG. 2, the upper diagram shows the opening period of each on-off valve and the like, and the lower diagram shows a change in the pressure inside each adsorption column. The pressure in the adsorption cylinder changes between a negative pressure state and a pressurized state.

  In the upper diagram, the period indicated by hatching indicates the opening period of the on-off valves 13a, 13b, 13c provided in the pipelines from the discharge port of the compressor 2 to each of the adsorption cylinders 1a, 1b, 1c. This is a period (pressurization period) in which the pressurized pressurized air is sent into each of the adsorption tubes 1a, 1b, and 1c. The period indicated by double hatching indicates the opening period of the on-off valves 15a, 15b, 15c provided in the pipelines from each of the adsorption tubes 1a, 1b, 1c to the suction port of the vacuum pump 3. , 1b, 1c are exhausted by the vacuum pump 3 (negative pressure period). In the lower drawing, a thick solid line indicates a change in the pressure inside the first adsorption cylinder 1a, and a thin solid line and a broken line indicate the changes in the pressure inside the second adsorption cylinder 1b and the third adsorption cylinder 1c, respectively. 3 shows the change in pressure.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2, the pressurizing step in the adsorption cylinder is performed in the order of the first adsorption cylinder 1a, the second adsorption cylinder 1b, and the third adsorption cylinder 1c. Further, one cycle of the process of the first adsorption column 1a is performed in a period indicated by "T" in FIG. The processing in one cycle includes a pressurizing process by the compressor 2, a suction process by the vacuum pump 3, and a depressurizing process from the pressurized state to the atmospheric pressure state and a negative pressure state using the communication pipes 8a, 8b, 8c. And an atmospheric pressure state.

  Next, the opening and closing of the on-off valve and the pressure change in the adsorption cylinder will be described in detail for the first adsorption cylinder 1a. As for the opening and closing of the on-off valve and the pressure change in the adsorption cylinders of the second adsorption cylinder 1b and the third adsorption cylinder 1c, as shown in FIG. The description is omitted for the sake of simplicity.

As described above, in FIGS. 2 and 3, time elapses from the left to the right. When the on-off valve 13a is opened (opened) at time t0, the pressurized air pressurized by the compressor 2 is supplied into the adsorption cylinder 1a, and the pressure in the adsorption cylinder 1a increases.
When the pressure in the adsorption cylinder 1a rises and becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure, the check valve 17a provided in the pipe 12a on the outlet side (oxygen tank side) of the adsorption cylinder 1a is opened. The check valve 17a is open at time t1. When the check valve 17a is opened, the oxygen-enriched gas in the adsorption cylinder 1a is supplied into the oxygen tank 4 via the pipe 7. When the check valve 17a is open, even if pressurized air is supplied from the compressor 2 into the adsorption cylinder 1a, the pressure inside the adsorption cylinder 1a is constant because the outlet side of the adsorption cylinder 1a is open. It is.

  At time t2, the on-off valve 13a is closed, and the supply of pressurized air from the compressor 2 to the adsorption cylinder 1a is stopped. At the same time as the supply of the pressurized air is stopped, the on-off valve 18a, which is a purge valve, is opened, and a part of the oxygen-enriched gas in the adsorption cylinder 1a reduces the oxygen concentration in the second adsorption cylinder 1b, which enters the pressurization step. In order to increase the pressure, the pressure is supplied to the second adsorption cylinder 1b. When the on-off valve 18a is in the open state, the pressure in the adsorption cylinder 1a gradually decreases until time t3 when the on-off valve 18a is in the closed state. In addition, almost simultaneously with the opening and closing of the on-off valve 18a, the check valve 17a becomes lower than the predetermined pressure and becomes closed.

  At the subsequent time point t3, when the on-off valve 18a is closed and the on-off valve 21a is opened, the interior of the adsorption cylinder 1a is in communication with the atmosphere via the communication pipe 8a (see FIG. 1). Then, at time t3, the pressure in the adsorption cylinder 1a is in a pressurized state and the atmospheric pressure is the atmospheric pressure. Therefore, the gas in the adsorption cylinder 1a (the gas whose oxygen concentration is lower than the oxygen concentration in the air) ) Is exhausted to the atmosphere via a check valve 25a provided in the second conduit 23a. Thereby, the pressure in the adsorption cylinder 1a is reduced to almost the atmospheric pressure.

  Next, at time t4, when the on-off valve 21a is closed and the on-off valve 15a is opened, the gas in the adsorption cylinder 1a is sucked by the vacuum pump 3 and exhausted to the atmosphere. Thereby, the pressure in the adsorption cylinder 1a is reduced to a predetermined negative pressure.

  Next, at time t5, when the on-off valve 15a is closed and the on-off valve 21a is opened, the interior of the adsorption cylinder 1a is in communication with the atmosphere via the communication pipe 8a. Then, at time t5, the inside of the adsorption cylinder 1a is in a negative pressure state, and the atmosphere is at atmospheric pressure. Therefore, due to the pressure difference, air in the atmosphere passes through the check valve 24a provided in the first pipe line 22a. And supplied into the adsorption cylinder 1a. Thereby, the pressure in the adsorption cylinder 1a is increased to almost the atmospheric pressure.

  At the subsequent time point t6, the on-off valve 13a is opened as in the case of the time point t0, the pressurized air pressurized by the compressor 2 is supplied into the adsorption cylinder 1a, and the pressure in the adsorption cylinder 1a increases. Thereafter, the above-described steps described in relation to the time points t1 to t5 are repeated.

As can be seen from the upper part of FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the on-off valves 13a, 13b, and 13c are opened in the order of the first adsorption cylinder 1a, the second adsorption cylinder 1b, and the third adsorption cylinder 1c. ing. In other words, compressed air is supplied from the compressor 2 in the order of the first adsorption cylinder 1a, the second adsorption cylinder 1b, and the third adsorption cylinder 1c.
Similarly, in the present embodiment, the on-off valves 15a, 15b, and 15c are opened in the order of the first adsorption cylinder 1a, the second adsorption cylinder 1b, and the third adsorption cylinder 1c. In other words, the gas in the adsorption cylinder is sucked by the vacuum pump 3 in the order of the first adsorption cylinder 1a, the second adsorption cylinder 1b, and the third adsorption cylinder 1c.

  In the present embodiment, the open / close valve 21a is opened for a certain period immediately before the pressurized air is supplied from the compressor 2 into the adsorption cylinder 1a (the period from t5 to t6 in the above description) and the air in the adsorption cylinder 1a and the air And are in communication. As a result, due to the differential pressure between the negative pressure in the adsorption cylinder 1a and the atmospheric pressure, outside air is supplied into the adsorption cylinder 1a through the communication pipe 8a, and the pressure in the adsorption cylinder 1a becomes almost atmospheric pressure. In the conventional VPSA type oxygen concentrator, at the time point t5, the compressor 2 is used to supply the pressurized air into the adsorption cylinder 1a to be in the atmospheric pressure state, and further to the pressurized state. Since the pressure increase from the negative pressure state to the atmospheric pressure is made using the differential pressure between the negative pressure in the adsorption cylinder and the atmosphere, even if the compressor has a smaller capacity than the conventional one for an adsorption cylinder of the same volume, Can be pressurized, and the power consumption of the compressor 2 can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the on-off valve 21a is opened for a certain period immediately before the vacuum pump 3 sucks the inside of the adsorption cylinder 1a (the period from t3 to t4 in the above description), and the interior of the adsorption cylinder 1a and the atmosphere are exchanged. Is in communication. Thereby, the gas in the adsorption cylinder 1a is exhausted to the outside through the communication pipe 8a due to the pressure difference between the pressurized pressure in the adsorption cylinder 1a and the atmospheric pressure, and the pressure in the adsorption cylinder 1a becomes substantially atmospheric pressure. . In the conventional VPSA type oxygen concentrator, at the time t3, the inside of the adsorption cylinder 1a is suctioned by using the vacuum pump 3 to be brought into the atmospheric pressure state and further brought into the negative pressure state. Since the pressure difference from the atmospheric pressure to the atmospheric pressure is used to reduce the pressure from the atmospheric pressure to the atmospheric pressure, even if the compressor has a smaller capacity than the conventional one for a suction cylinder with the same State, and the power consumption of the vacuum pump 3 can be reduced.

[Specific structure of rotary valve 30]
Next, a specific structure of the rotary 30 will be described in detail. 4 is a perspective view of the rotary valve, FIG. 5 is a front view of the rotary valve, and FIG. 6 is a plan view of the rotary valve. FIG. 7 is a sectional perspective view of the rotary valve.
The rotary valve 30 includes a valve box 31 and a valve element 61.
The valve box 31 is formed in a polygonal column shape. A cylindrical accommodation hole 32 is formed at the center of the valve box 31. The valve box of the present embodiment is a regular octagonal prism, and eight planes 33a to 33h are formed on the outer periphery.

(Structure of valve box 31)
As shown in FIG. 5, an intake port 34 and an exhaust port 35 are open in one plane (seventh plane) 33g on the outer periphery of the valve box 31. The intake port 34 is formed at one end (upper end) of the valve box 31, and the exhaust port 35 is formed at the other end (lower end) of the valve box 31. Further, the intake port 34 and the exhaust port 35 are formed to penetrate in a radial direction from the first flat surface 33a to the accommodation hole 32.

  Joints 34a and 35a for connecting pipes (piping) are attached to the intake port 34 and the exhaust port 35, respectively. As shown in FIG. 1, the intake port 34 is connected to the pipeline 6 on the discharge side of the compressor 2. Further, the exhaust port 35 is connected to the conduit 16 on the suction side of the vacuum pump 3.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a first suction cylinder port 36 is opened in another plane (first plane) 33a of the outer periphery of the valve box, which is out of phase with the seventh plane 33g by 90 °. Further, the second suction tube port 37 is opened in another plane (third plane) 33c which is out of phase with the first plane by 90 ° and opposite to the seventh plane by 180 °. Further, the third suction tube port 38 is opened in another plane (fifth plane) 33e, which is out of phase with the third plane 33c by 90 ° and opposite to the first plane by 180 °. .

  Joints 36a, 37a, 38a for connecting pipes are attached to the first to third adsorption cylinder ports 36, 37, 38, respectively. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the first to third suction cylinder ports 36, 37, 38 are connected to pipe lines 11a, 11b, 11c connected to the first to third suction cylinders 1a, 1b, 1c, respectively. Is done. The first to third adsorption cylinder ports 36, 37, 38 are part of the first to third adsorption cylinder flow paths 41, 42, 43 formed in the valve box 31 (see FIGS. 9 to 11). Is composed. The first to third adsorption cylinder flow paths 41, 42, 43 will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 6, on the outer periphery of the valve box 31, a first air release port 45 opens on a plane (second plane) 33 b between the first plane 33 a and the third plane 33 c. I have. A second air opening port 46 is opened in a plane (fourth plane) 33d between the third plane 33c and the fifth plane 33e. A third air opening port 47 is opened on a plane (sixth plane) 33f between the fifth plane 33e and the seventh plane 33g.

FIG. 13E shows a cross section taken along line EE of FIG. 5, FIG. 13F shows a cross section taken along line FF of FIG. 5, and FIG. 13G shows a cross section taken along line GG of FIG.
The first to third atmosphere opening ports 45, 46, 47 are formed so as to penetrate from the plane where they are opened to the accommodation hole 32. Joints 45a, 46a, 47a for connecting pipelines are attached to the first to third atmosphere opening ports 45, 46, 47, respectively. As shown in FIG. 1, communication pipes 8a, 8b, 8c for opening to the atmosphere are connected to the first to third ports 45, 46, 47 for opening to the atmosphere. The first to third open-to-atmosphere ports 45, 46, 47 constitute a part of the first to third open-to-atmosphere channels 56, 57, 58 formed in the valve box 31. The first to third air passages 56, 57, 58 will be described later.

(Structure of the valve body 61)
FIG. 8 is a front view of the valve element 61 of the rotary valve 30.
The valve body 61 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The valve body 61 is inserted into the accommodation hole 32 of the valve box 31. The upper and lower ends of the valve body 61 are rotatably supported around its own center (rotational axis) O by rolling bearings 59 (see FIG. 7) attached to the upper and lower ends of the valve box 31, respectively. .

  The valve body 61 has a plurality of narrow grooves 62 formed over the entire circumference at intervals in the direction of the rotation axis O of the valve body 61. The space between the uppermost narrow groove 62 and the lower narrow groove 62 is an intake portion 64 associated with the intake port 34, and the space between the lowermost narrow groove 62 and the upper narrow groove 62. Is an exhaust portion 65 associated with the exhaust port 35. A circumferential groove 64 a extending in the circumferential direction of the valve body 61 is formed in the intake section 64, and a circumferential groove 65 a extending in the circumferential direction of the valve body 61 is also formed in the exhaust section 65.

  Between the intake portion 64 and the exhaust portion 65, between the narrow grooves 62 of the valve body 61, the intake port 34 and the suction port 36, 37, 38 formed in the valve box 31, and the exhaust port 35 and the suction port are formed. Opening / closing portions 13a, 13b, 13c, 15a, 15b, and 15c each having a valve function for interconnecting the ports 36, 37, and 38, and the ports for opening to the atmosphere 45, 46, and 47 and the suction port 36, 37, and 38 to each other. , 21a, 21b, 21c. A sealing member (not shown) such as an O-ring is attached to each of the narrow grooves 62, and the sealing member slides on the inner peripheral surface of the housing hole 32 so that the suction unit 64 and the opening / closing unit 13 a adjacent to each other are opened and closed. The sections 13a, 13b, 13c, 15a, 15b, 15c, 21a, 21b, 21c are partitioned from each other, and the opening / closing section 15c and the exhaust section 65 are kept airtight.

  The opening / closing portions 13a, 13b, 13c, 15a, 15b, 15c, 21a, 21b, 21c are provided at nine locations arranged in the vertical direction. The upper three places are the opening / closing sections (first to third intake side opening / closing sections) 13a, 13b, 13c in FIG. 1, and the lower three places are the opening / closing sections (first to third exhaust side opening / closing sections) in FIG. Parts) 15a, 15b and 15c. The three central portions are the opening / closing portions (first to third atmosphere opening / closing portions) 21a, 21b, and 21c in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line LM of FIG. FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line LN in FIG. FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line LP of FIG.
In the valve body 61, an intake connection flow path 67 and an exhaust connection flow path 68 are formed.
The intake connection passage 67 is a passage for communicating the above-described intake port 34 with the first to third adsorption cylinder passages 41, 42, 43. The exhaust connection passage 68 is an exhaust port 35. And the first to third adsorption cylinder flow paths 41, 42, 43. The intake connection passage 67 is formed on the upper side of the valve body 61, and the exhaust connection passage 68 is formed on the lower side of the valve body 61.

(Intake connection channel 67)
The intake connection channel 67 has a first vertical channel 71 and a plurality of first horizontal channels 72a, 72b, 72c. The first vertical flow path 71 is a flow path formed on the center (rotation axis) O of the valve body 61 on the upper side of the valve body 61. The first vertical channel 71 is formed to have a length that covers the upper six opening / closing portions 13a, 13b, 13c, 21a, 21b, 21c. The circumferential groove 64a in the suction portion 64 of the valve body 61 is connected to the first vertical flow passage 71 at one location in the circumferential direction, and the first vertical flow passage 71 and the suction port 34 are always in communication.

  The first lateral flow paths 72a, 72b, 72c are formed for each of the opening / closing portions 13a, 13b, 13c, and are each formed in a direction crossing the rotation axis O. Then, the first horizontal flow path 72a of the first intake side opening / closing section 13a makes the first vertical flow path 71 communicate with the above-described first adsorption cylinder flow path 41. Similarly, the first horizontal flow path 72b of the second intake side opening / closing portion 13b connects the first vertical flow path 71 and the second suction cylinder flow path 42. The first horizontal flow path 72c of the third intake side opening / closing section 13c allows the first vertical flow path 71 and the third adsorption cylinder flow path 43 to communicate with each other.

(Exhaust connection channel 68)
The exhaust connection channel 68 has a second vertical channel 74 and a plurality of second horizontal channels 75a, 75b, 75c.
The second vertical flow path 74 is a flow path formed on the center (rotation axis) O of the valve body 61 on the lower side of the valve body 61. Therefore, the second vertical flow path 74 is formed concentrically with the first vertical flow path 71, and is formed at a position different from the first vertical flow path 71 in the direction of the rotation axis. The second vertical flow path 74 is formed to have a length that covers three lower opening / closing portions 15a, 15b, and 15c. The circumferential groove 65 a in the exhaust portion 65 of the valve body 61 is connected to the second vertical flow path 74 at one location in the circumferential direction, and the second vertical flow path 74 and the exhaust port 35 are always in communication.

  The second lateral flow paths 75a, 75b, 75c are formed for each of the opening / closing portions 15a, 15b, 15c, and are each formed in a direction crossing the rotation axis. The second horizontal flow path 75a of the first exhaust side opening / closing section 15a connects the second vertical flow path 74 with the above-described first adsorption cylinder flow path 41. Similarly, the second horizontal flow path 75b of the second exhaust side opening / closing section 15b allows the second vertical flow path 74 to communicate with the second adsorption cylinder flow path 42. The second horizontal flow path 75c of the third exhaust side opening / closing section 15c allows the second vertical flow path 74 to communicate with the third adsorption cylinder flow path 43.

(Specific communication structure between valve box 31 and valve element 61)
(Communication between the first adsorption column flow path 41 and the intake and exhaust connection flow paths 67 and 68)
As shown in FIG. 9, the first adsorption channel 41 of the valve box 31 has a third vertical channel 48 and a plurality of third horizontal channels 49. The third vertical flow path 48 is formed (parallel) along the direction of the rotation axis O of the valve body 61. The third vertical flow path 48 is formed in a range extending between the first vertical flow path 71 and the second vertical flow path 74 in the direction of the rotation axis O. The first suction tube port 36 is formed to extend from the first plane 33a to the third vertical flow path 48 in a direction crossing the rotation axis O. Further, the first suction cylinder port 36 is arranged at the same position as the first intake side opening / closing portion 13a in the direction of the rotation axis O.

  The third horizontal flow path 49 of the first adsorption cylinder flow path 41 has an intake-side third horizontal flow path 49a and an exhaust-side third horizontal flow path 49b. The intake-side third lateral flow channel 49a is formed at the position of the first intake-side opening / closing portion 13a in the direction of the rotation axis O. The intake-side third horizontal flow path 49a is formed to extend from the third vertical flow path 48 to the housing hole 32 in a direction crossing the rotation axis O. The intake-side third lateral flow path 49a can communicate with the first lateral flow path 72a of the intake connection flow path 67 formed in the valve body 61.

  The exhaust side third lateral flow path 49b is formed at the position of the first exhaust side opening / closing portion 15a with respect to the direction of the rotation axis O. The exhaust-side third horizontal flow path 49b is formed to extend from the third vertical flow path 48 to the housing hole 32 in a direction crossing the rotation axis O. The exhaust side third lateral flow channel 49b can communicate with the second lateral flow channel 75a in the exhaust connection flow channel 68 formed in the valve body 61.

(Communication between the second adsorption cylinder passage 42 and the intake and exhaust connection passages 67 and 68)
As shown in FIG. 10, similarly to the first adsorption channel 41, the second adsorption channel 42 of the valve box 31 includes a third vertical channel 50 and a plurality of third horizontal channels 51. Have. The third vertical flow path 50 is formed along the rotation axis O direction of the valve body 61. Further, the third vertical flow path 50 is formed in a range over the first vertical flow path 71 and the second vertical flow path 74. The second adsorption cylinder port 37 is formed so as to penetrate from the second plane 33c to the third vertical flow path 50 in a direction crossing the rotation axis O. Further, the second suction cylinder port 37 is arranged at the position of the second intake side opening / closing section 13b in the direction of the rotation axis O.

  The third horizontal flow path 51 of the second adsorption cylinder flow path 42 has an intake-side third horizontal flow path 51a and an exhaust-side third horizontal flow path 51b. The intake-side third lateral flow path 51a is formed at the position of the second intake-side opening / closing portion 13b in the direction of the rotation axis O. The intake-side third horizontal flow path 51a is formed to penetrate from the third vertical flow path 50 to the housing hole 32 in a direction crossing the rotation axis O. The intake-side third lateral flow path 51a can communicate with the first lateral flow path 72b of the intake connection flow path 67 formed in the valve body 61.

  The exhaust-side third lateral flow path 51b is formed at the position of the second exhaust-side opening / closing portion 15b in the direction of the rotation axis O. The exhaust-side third horizontal flow path 51b is formed to extend from the third vertical flow path 50 to the housing hole 32 in a direction crossing the rotation axis O. The exhaust-side third horizontal flow path 51b can communicate with a second horizontal flow path 75b in an exhaust connection flow path 68 formed in the valve body 61.

(Communication between the third adsorption cylinder channel 43 and the intake and exhaust connection channels 67 and 68)
As shown in FIG. 11, similarly to the first and second flow paths 41 and 42 for the adsorption cylinder, the third vertical flow path 52 and the third vertical flow path 52 And a lateral channel 53. The third vertical flow path 52 is formed along the rotation axis O direction of the valve body 61. The third vertical flow path 52 is formed in a range extending between the first vertical flow path 71 and the second vertical flow path 74. The third adsorption cylinder port 38 is formed to extend from the third plane 33e to the third vertical flow path 52 in a direction crossing the rotation axis O. Further, the third suction port 38 is disposed at the position of the third intake-side opening / closing portion 13c in the direction of the rotation axis O.

  The third horizontal flow path 53 of the third adsorption cylinder flow path 43 has an intake-side third horizontal flow path 53a and an exhaust-side third horizontal flow path 53b. The intake-side third lateral flow path 53a is formed at a position of the third intake-side opening / closing portion 13c in the direction of the rotation axis O. The intake-side third horizontal flow path 53a is formed to extend from the third vertical flow path 52 to the housing hole 32 in a direction crossing the rotation axis O. The intake-side third lateral flow path 53a can communicate with the first lateral flow path 72c of the intake connection flow path 67 formed in the valve body 61.

  The exhaust-side third lateral flow path 53b is formed at a position of the third exhaust-side opening / closing portion 15c in the direction of the rotation axis O. The exhaust-side third horizontal flow path 53b is formed to extend from the third vertical flow path 52 to the accommodation hole 32 in a direction crossing the rotation axis O. The exhaust side third lateral flow path 53b can communicate with the second lateral flow path 75c in the exhaust connection flow path 68 formed in the valve body 61.

(Relationship between rotation of valve body 61 and communication structure)
As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the valve element 61 rotates at a constant speed in the valve box 31 and makes one rotation in one cycle shown in FIG. The first lateral flow paths 72a, 72b, 72c in the intake connection flow path 67 of the valve body 61 are connected to the intake-side third lateral flow paths 49a, 51a, 53a in the first to third adsorption cylinder flow paths 41, 42, 43. While communicating with the suction port 34, the first to third suction cylinder ports 36, 37 and 38 are connected, and the compressed air from the compressor 2 is supplied to the first to third adsorption cylinders 1a, 1b and 1c. Supplied.

  As described with reference to FIG. 2, compressed air is supplied from the compressor 2 to the first to third adsorption cylinders 1a, 1b, 1c at a predetermined timing in one cycle for a predetermined time. Therefore, the first lateral flow paths 72a, 72b, 72c of the valve element 61 are formed to be long in the circumferential direction of the valve element 61 at the end on the valve box 31 side as shown in FIGS. The intake-side communication grooves 72a1, 72b1, and 72c1 are provided. Due to the lengths of the communication grooves 72a1, 72b1, 72c1, the first horizontal flow paths 72a, 72b, 72c of the valve body 61 are formed on the intake side of the first to third adsorption cylinder flow paths 41, 42, 43 of the valve box 31. The time for communicating with the three lateral channels 49a, 51a, 53a is set.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the second lateral passages 75 a, 75 b, and 75 c in the exhaust connection passage 68 of the valve body 61 are connected to the exhaust passages 41, 42, and 43 for the first to third adsorption cylinders. The exhaust port 35 and the first to third adsorption cylinder ports 36, 37, 38 are connected while communicating with the side third lateral flow paths 49b, 51b, 53b, and the first to third adsorption cylinders 1a, 1b are connected. , 1c is sucked by the vacuum pump 3.

  As described with reference to FIG. 2, the gas in the first to third adsorption cylinders 1a, 1b, 1c is sucked by the vacuum pump 3 for a predetermined time at a predetermined timing in one cycle. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 14H to 14J, the second lateral flow paths 75a, 75b, and 75c of the valve element 61 are formed to be longer in the circumferential direction of the valve element 61 at the end on the valve box 31 side. Exhaust-side communication grooves 75a1, 75b1, and 75c1 are provided. The length of the exhaust-side communication grooves 75a1, 75b1, and 75c1, the length of the second lateral flow paths 75a, 75b, and 75c of the valve body 61 and the third lateral flow of the exhaust side of the first to third adsorption cylinder flow paths 41, 42, and 43. The time for communicating with the roads 49b, 51b, 53b is set.

(Structure of channels 56, 57, 58 for opening to atmosphere)
13E is a sectional view taken along line EE of FIG. 5, FIG. 13F is a sectional view taken along line FF of FIG. 5, and FIG. 13G is a sectional view taken along line GG of FIG. It is sectional drawing.
The air release channels 56, 57, 58 formed in the valve box 31 include the above-described first to third air release ports 45, 46, 47 and the first to third adsorption tube channels 41, 42. , 43, and fourth horizontal flow paths 54a, 54b, 54c formed to penetrate between the third vertical flow paths 48, 50, 52 and the accommodation hole 32.

  As shown in FIG. 13E, the first air opening port 45 of the first air opening flow path 56 and the fourth lateral flow path 54a are both the same rotation axis as the first air opening / closing section 21a. It is formed at a position in the O direction. In the valve element 61, the first open-to-atmosphere opening / closing section 21a is formed with first communication flow paths 77a1 and 77a2 for connecting the first air-release port 45 to the fourth lateral flow path 54a. The first communication channels 77a1 and 77a2 include a first intake-side communication channel 77a1 and a first exhaust-side communication channel 77a2.

  As shown in FIG. 13 (f), both the second open-to-atmosphere port 46 of the second open-to-atmosphere channel 57 and the fourth lateral flow passage 54b have the same rotation axis as the second open-to-atmosphere opening / closing section 21b. It is formed at a position in the O direction. In the valve element 61, the second open-to-atmosphere opening / closing section 21b is formed with second communication passages 77b1 and 77b2 for communicating the second open-to-atmosphere port 46 with the fourth lateral passage 54b. The second communication channel includes a second intake-side communication channel 77b1 and a second exhaust-side communication channel 77b2.

  As shown in FIG. 13 (g), the third atmosphere opening port 47 and the fourth lateral passage 54c of the third atmosphere opening channel 58 are both the same rotation axis as the third atmosphere opening / closing section 21c. It is formed at a position in the O direction. In the valve element 61, the third open-to-atmosphere opening / closing section 21c is formed with third communication passages 77c1 and 77c2 for connecting the third open-to-atmosphere port 47 and the fourth lateral flow passage 54c. The third communication channel includes a third intake-side communication channel 77c1 and a third exhaust-side communication channel 77c2.

  In FIG. 1, the first to third intake-side communication passages 77a1, 77b1, 77c1 connect the first to third adsorption cylinders 1a, 1b, 1c to the first conduits 22a, 22b of the communication pipes 8a, 8b, 8c. , 22c and open to the atmosphere to increase the pressure of the first to third adsorption cylinders 1a, 1b, 1c from the negative pressure state to the atmospheric pressure.

  In FIG. 1, the first to third exhaust-side communication passages 77a2, 77b2, 77c2 connect the first to third adsorption cylinders 1a, 1b, 1c to the second conduits 23a, 23b of the communication pipes 8a, 8b, 8c. , 23c and open to the atmosphere to reduce the pressure of the first to third adsorption cylinders 1a, 1b, 1c from the pressurized state to the atmospheric pressure.

Hereinafter, each opening / closing portion of the valve body 61 will be described. In particular, the state of each opening / closing section will be described by taking as an example the times α and β in the opening period of the valve in FIG.
12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA, BB, CC, and DD of FIG. 5 at the time point α in FIG. 2. FIG. 13 is a view illustrating the time point α in FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line EE, line FF, and line GG. FIG. 14 is a view taken along line HH, line II, line JJ of FIG. It is each sectional drawing of the KK line.

At the time point α in FIG. 2, the first intake side opening / closing section 13a and the second exhaust side opening / closing section 15b are open, and the other opening / closing sections are closed.
FIG. 12A shows the intake section 64. The intake port 34 of the valve box 31 communicates with the first vertical flow path 71 of the valve body 61 via a circumferential groove 64 a in the intake section 64 of the valve body 61.
FIG. 12B shows the first intake side opening / closing section 13a. In the valve element 61, the first lateral flow path 72a of the intake connection flow path 67 has begun to communicate with the first adsorption cylinder flow path 41. The communication groove 72a1 of the first lateral flow passage 72a has a circumferential length corresponding to the opening period of the first intake side opening / closing portion 13a shown in FIG.

FIG. 12C shows the second intake side opening / closing section 13b. Since the first lateral flow path 72b of the intake connection flow path 67 does not communicate with the second adsorption cylinder flow path 42, the second intake side opening / closing section 13b is in a closed state.
FIG. 12D shows the third intake-side opening / closing section 13c. The first lateral flow path 72c of the intake connection flow path 67 has just finished communicating with the third adsorption cylinder flow path 43, and the third intake side opening / closing portion 13c is in a closed state.

FIG. 13E shows the first open / close unit 21a. Since the first atmosphere opening port 45 and the first adsorption channel 41 are not in communication with each other through the first communication channels 77a1 and 77a2 on the intake side and the exhaust side, the first adsorption column 1a Is not open to the atmosphere.
FIG. 13F shows the second open-to-atmosphere opening / closing section 21b. Since the second open-to-atmosphere port 46 and the flow path 42 for the second adsorption cylinder are not connected by any of the second communication flow paths 77b1 and 77b2 on the intake side and the exhaust side, the second adsorption cylinder 1b Nor is it open to the atmosphere.

  FIG. 13G shows the third open-to-atmosphere opening and closing unit 21c. Since the third atmosphere opening port 47 and the third adsorption cylinder channel 43 are not in communication with each other by the intake side and the exhaust side third communication channels 77c1 and 77c2, the third adsorption cylinder 1c Nor is it open to the atmosphere.

FIG. 14H shows the first exhaust side opening / closing section 15a. Since the second lateral flow path 75a of the exhaust connection flow path 68 of the valve body 61 is not in communication with the first adsorption cylinder flow path 41, the first exhaust side opening / closing portion 15a is in a closed state.
FIG. 14I shows the second exhaust side opening / closing section 15b. Since the second lateral flow path 75b of the exhaust connection flow path 68 of the valve body 61 communicates with the second adsorption cylinder flow path 42, the second exhaust side opening / closing portion 15b is in an open state.

  FIG. 14 (j) shows the third exhaust side opening / closing section 15c. Since the second lateral flow path 75c of the exhaust connection flow path 68 of the valve body 61 is not in communication with the third adsorption cylinder flow path 43, the third exhaust side opening / closing portion 15c is also in a closed state.

  FIG. 14K shows the exhaust unit 65. The exhaust port 35 of the valve box 31 communicates with the second vertical flow path 74 of the valve element 61 via the peripheral groove 65a in the exhaust section 65 of the valve element 61.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 5, line EE, and line JJ of FIG. At the time point β in FIG. 2, the second intake side opening / closing section 13b, the third exhaust side opening / closing section 15c, and the first atmosphere opening / closing section 21a are open, and the other opening / closing sections are closed.
FIG. 15C shows the second intake side opening / closing portion 13b, in which the first lateral flow path 72b of the intake connection flow path 67 of the valve body 61 is connected to the second adsorption cylinder flow path 42, and the second intake side flow path is opened. The opening / closing section 13b is in an open state.

FIG. 15E shows the first open-to-atmosphere opening / closing section 21a, in which the first open-to-atmosphere port 45 and the first adsorption cylinder flow path 41 communicate with each other via a first exhaust-side communication flow path 77a2. Then, the interior of the first adsorption cylinder 1a is opened to the atmosphere, and the pressure is reduced.
FIG. 15 (j) shows the third exhaust side opening / closing portion 15c, in which the second lateral flow path 75c of the exhaust connection flow path 68 of the valve body 61 communicates with the third adsorption cylinder flow path 43, and the third exhaust side The opening / closing part 15c is in an open state.

[Operation and effect of the present embodiment]
As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the rotary valve 30 of the above embodiment includes a valve box 31 and a valve element 61 rotatably provided in the valve box 31. The valve box 31 is connected to an intake port 34 for flowing pressurized air, an exhaust port 35 for discharging desorbed gas from the adsorption tubes 1a, 1b, 1c, and a plurality of adsorption tubes 1a, 1b, 1c. And a plurality of adsorption cylinder passages 41, 42, 43 including the adsorption cylinder ports 36, 37, 38. The valve body 61 has an intake connection flow path 67 that connects the intake port 34 and the suction cylinder flow paths 41, 42, 43 at a predetermined timing during rotation of the valve body 61, an exhaust port 35 and each suction port. An exhaust connection channel 68 connecting the cylinder channels 41, 42, 43 is formed. The intake connection flow path 67 is formed along the rotation axis O of the valve body 61 and communicates with the intake port 34; the first vertical flow path 71; 41, 42, 43 and a plurality of first lateral flow paths 72a, 72b, 72c arranged at different positions in the direction of the rotation axis O of the valve body 61. Further, the exhaust connection flow path 68 is formed along the rotation axis O at a position different from the first vertical flow path 71 in the direction of the rotation axis O, and communicates with the exhaust port 35. It has a plurality of second horizontal flow paths 75a, 75b, and 75c that connect the two vertical flow paths 74 and the flow paths 41, 42, and 43 for the adsorption cylinders and that are arranged at different positions in the direction of the rotation axis O. ing.

  With the above configuration, when the number of the adsorption cylinders 1a, 1b, 1c is large, the first and second vertical flow paths 71, 74 are extended in a direction along the rotation axis O of the valve body 61, and This can be dealt with by increasing the number of the first and second lateral flow paths 72a, 72b, 72c, 75a, 75b, 75c. Therefore, it is not necessary to enlarge the rotary valve 30 in the radial direction centering on the rotation axis O of the valve body 61, and it is possible to suppress the enlargement of the rotary valve 30 in the same direction and to make the rotary valve 30 compact in the same direction. can do.

  Each of the adsorption cylinder channels 41, 42, and 43 has a third vertical channel 48, 50, 52 formed in a range that extends over the first vertical channel 71 and the second vertical channel 74 in the rotation axis O direction. And a plurality of third lateral channels 49, 51, 53 connected to the first and second lateral channels 72a, 72b, 72c, 75a, 75b, 75c, respectively. Therefore, both the first vertical flow path 71 of the intake connection flow path 67 and the second vertical flow path 74 of the exhaust connection flow path 68 are connected to the adsorption cylinder flow paths 41, 42, 43 with a simple configuration. Can be.

  The valve body 61 is driven to rotate at a constant speed. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, the first lateral flow paths 72 a, 72 b, 72 c and the second lateral flow paths 75 a, 75 b, 75 c of the valve body 61 are connected to the respective adsorption cylinder flow paths 41, 42, 43. It includes communication grooves 72a1, 72b1, 72c1, 75a1, 75b1, and 75c1 having a circumferential length corresponding to the communication time. According to this configuration, by rotating the valve element 61 at a constant speed, the first horizontal flow paths 72a, 72b, 72c and the second horizontal flow paths 75a, 75b, 75c are respectively connected to the suction cylinder flow paths 41, 42, 43. It can communicate properly.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the valve box 31 is provided with a plurality of air release channels 56, 57, 58 including air release ports 45, 46, 47. A communication channel is provided in the valve body 61 to allow the air release channels 56, 57, 58 and the adsorption cylinder channels 41, 42, 43 to communicate with each other at a predetermined timing during rotation of the valve body 61. 77a1, 77b1, 77c1, 77a2, 77b2, 77c2 are formed. Therefore, before pressurizing or depressurizing the adsorption cylinders 1a, 1b, 1c by the compressor 2 or the vacuum pump 3, the air release ports 45, 46, 47 and the communication channels 77a1, 77b1, 77c1, 77a2, 77b2, 77c2 are connected. The pressure of the adsorption cylinders 1a, 1b, 1c can be increased or reduced to the atmospheric pressure by using the same.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the intake port 34 and the exhaust port 35 are arranged at positions different from each other in the direction of the rotation axis O. Therefore, the intake port 34 and the exhaust port 35 can be easily communicated with the intake connection flow path 67 and the exhaust connection flow path 68 arranged at different positions in the direction of the rotation axis O.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the plurality of suction cylinder ports 36, 37, 38 are arranged at different positions in the circumferential direction about the rotation axis O. Therefore, the valve box 31 can have a sufficient space in the valve box 31 for forming the suction pipe channels 41, 42, 43 including the suction pipe ports 36, 37, 38.

  The valve box 31 is formed in a polygonal column shape, and a plurality of planes 33 a to 33 g are formed on the outer periphery of the valve box 31. Therefore, the intake port 34, the exhaust port 35, and the adsorption cylinder port 36 are provided on each of the planes 33 a to 33 g. , 37, 38 and ports 45, 46, 47 for opening to the atmosphere, and connecting the pipes 6, 16, 11a, 11b, 11c, 8a, 8b, 8c to the respective ports, the pipes interfere with each other. This makes it difficult to connect pipes to each port.

[Second embodiment]
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a concentrated gas supply device to which a rotary valve (control valve) according to the second embodiment is applied.
The rotary valve 30 according to the present embodiment includes the atmosphere opening ports 45, 46, and 47, but does not have the function as the atmosphere opening / closing units 21a, 21b, and 21c. Opening / closing valves 21a, 21b, 21c are separately provided in the communication pipes 8a, 8b, 8c connected to 47, respectively.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 10 of the rotary valve according to the second embodiment.
Compared with the rotary valve 30 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the rotary valve 30 according to the present embodiment does not have a portion corresponding to the open / close units 21a, 21b, and 21c. Six opening / closing portions of the side opening / closing portions 13a, 13b, 13c and the exhaust side opening / closing portions 15a, 15b, 15c are provided side by side in the direction of the rotation axis O of the valve body 61. The second air release port 46 is connected to the third vertical flow path 50 of the second adsorption cylinder flow path 42. Although not shown, the first open-to-atmosphere port 45 and the third open-to-atmosphere port 47 are not shown, but the third vertical flow path 48 of the first adsorber flow path 41 and the third vertical flow path 43 of the third adsorber flow path 43 are respectively shown. It is connected to the three vertical channels 52.

Therefore, the first to third atmosphere opening ports 45, 46, 47 are always in communication with the first to third adsorption cylinders 1a, 1b, 1c, and the opening / closing valves 21a, 21b provided outside the rotary valve 30 are provided. The gas flow is controlled by 21b and 21c.
Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus detailed description is omitted.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of a concentrated gas supply device to which a rotary valve (control valve) according to the third embodiment is applied.
The rotary valve 30 of the present embodiment does not have an atmosphere opening port. Therefore, the communication paths 8a, 8b, 8c used for opening to the atmosphere are directly branched from the pipes 11a, 11b, 11c.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 10 of the rotary valve according to the third embodiment.
Similar to the second embodiment, the rotary valve 30 has no portion corresponding to the open / close units 21a, 21b, 21c as compared with the rotary valve 30 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Are provided with six opening / closing portions 13a, 13b, 13c and exhaust-side opening / closing portions 15a, 15b, 15c arranged side by side in the direction of the rotational axis O of the valve body 61.
Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus detailed description is omitted.

[Other Modifications]
The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the oxygen concentrator is provided with three adsorption cylinders. However, the number of adsorption cylinders may be three or more, and for example, four adsorption cylinders may be provided.
Further, the concentrated gas supply device of the present disclosure is not limited to the oxygen concentrator, and may be a device that condenses and supplies a gas other than oxygen (for example, nitrogen).

1a: first adsorption column 1b: second adsorption column 1c: third adsorption column 30: rotary valve (control valve)
31: Valve box 34: Intake port 35: Exhaust port 36: First adsorption cylinder port 37: Second adsorption cylinder port 38: Third adsorption cylinder port 41: First adsorption cylinder flow path 42: Second adsorption cylinder flow Path 43: third adsorption cylinder flow path 45: first air release port 46: second air release port 47: third air release port 48, 50, 52: third vertical flow path 49, 51, 53 : Third horizontal flow path 56: First air release flow path 57: Second air release flow path 58: Third air release flow path 61: Valve 67: Intake connection flow path 68: Exhaust connection flow path 71: First vertical flow paths 72a, 72b, 72c: first horizontal flow paths 72a1, 72b1, 72c1: intake side communication groove 74: second vertical flow paths 75a, 75b, 75c: second horizontal flow paths 75a1, 75b1, 75c1: exhaust side. Communication grooves 77a1, 77a2: first communication channels 77b1, 77b2: second Tsuryuro 77C1,77c2: third communication passage O: rotation axis

Claims (7)

A valve box (31),
A valve element (61) rotatably provided in the valve box (31),
In the valve box (31),
An intake port (34) through which pressurized air flows, an exhaust port (35) through which desorbed gas is discharged from the adsorption cylinders (1a, 1b, 1c), and a plurality of the adsorption cylinders (1a, 1b, 1c). And a plurality of adsorption cylinder passages (41, 42, 43) including adsorption cylinder ports (36, 37, 38) connected to
In the valve body (61),
A suction connection flow path (67) connecting the suction port (34) and the suction cylinder flow paths (41, 42, 43) at a predetermined timing during rotation of the valve body (61); An exhaust connection flow path (68) for connecting the port (35) to each of the adsorption cylinder flow paths (41, 42, 43);
The intake connection flow path (67) is
A first vertical flow path (71) formed along the rotation axis (O) of the valve element (61) and communicating with the intake port (34); A plurality of first horizontal flow paths (72a, 72b, 72c) connected to the suction cylinder flow paths (41, 42, 43) and arranged at different positions in the direction of the rotation axis (O). And
The exhaust connection channel (68) is
A second vertical flow path formed along the rotation axis (O) at a position different from the first vertical flow path (71) in the direction of the rotation axis (O) and communicating with the exhaust port (35). 74), the plurality of second vertical flow paths (74) and the respective suction cylinder flow paths (41, 42, 43) connected at different positions in the direction of the rotation axis (O). And a second lateral flow path (75a, 75b, 75c).   Each of the adsorption cylinder flow paths (41, 42, 43) is formed in a range extending between the first vertical flow path (71) and the second vertical flow path (74) in the direction of the rotation axis (O). A plurality of third horizontal channels (49, 50, 52) connected to the first and second horizontal channels (72a, 72b, 72c, 75a, 75b, 75c). , 51, 53). The rotary valve for a concentrated gas supply device according to claim 1, comprising: The valve element (61) is driven to rotate at a constant speed;
The first horizontal flow path (72a, 72b, 72c) and the second horizontal flow path (75a, 75b, 75c) are arranged in a circumferential direction according to a communication time with each of the adsorption cylinder flow paths (41, 42, 43). The rotary valve for a concentrated gas supply device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a communication groove (72a1, 72b1, 72c1, 75a1, 75b1, 75c1) having a length of: A plurality of air release channels (56, 57, 58) including an air release port (45, 46, 47) are formed in the valve box (31).
At the predetermined timing during the rotation of the valve element (61), each of the flow paths (56, 57, 58) for opening to the atmosphere and the flow path (41, 42, 43) for the adsorption cylinder are provided in the valve element (61). The rotary valve for a concentrated gas supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a communication flow path (77a1, 77b1, 77c1, 77a2, 77b2, 77c2) for communicating with the concentrated gas supply device is formed.   4. The valve box (31) according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of air release ports (45, 46, 47) communicating with the respective adsorption cylinder flow paths (41, 42, 43) are formed in the valve box (31). A rotary valve for a concentrated gas supply device according to any one of the preceding claims. The concentrated gas supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the intake port (34) and the exhaust port (35) are arranged at positions different from each other in the direction of the rotation axis (O). Rotary valve for. The suction port (36, 37, 38) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the plurality of suction port (36, 37, 38) are arranged at positions different from each other in a circumferential direction about the rotation axis (O). Rotary valve for concentrated gas supply device.

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