JP2858689B2 - Glove box - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a glove box, and more particularly to a glove box capable of reliably preventing air from entering a main body box.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A glove box is used to dry solids, powders, radioactive substances, extremely toxic substances, substances which react with oxygen in the air and explosions in the atmosphere in a dry or inert atmosphere. Used for handling work, after vacuum sweeping the inside of the main body box that partitions the working space from the outside in an airtight manner, dry air or nitrogen, argon,
An inert gas such as helium is filled to form a dry atmosphere or an inert atmosphere in the main body box.

In addition, an opening is provided at the front of the main body box so that a person can put his / her hand into the main body box in order to perform work in the main body box, and gloves are attached so as to seal the opening. .

[0004] The method of using the glove box has been
Insert the bag and container together with the hazardous material, which is dangerous to be placed in a dry atmosphere or an inert atmosphere with bags or containers, into the main box, and change the atmosphere in the main box to a dry or inert atmosphere. After the atmosphere
Put your hands in the main body box through gloves, open the bag, container, etc., perform necessary work, and after processing, seal the processed material again in a dry atmosphere or an inert atmosphere with the processed bag, container, etc. To take it out of the main body box.

However, in this method, it takes a lot of time to dry or inactivate the atmosphere in the main body box after the processed material is put in the main body box, and a large amount of processed material is continuously processed. In this case, there is a problem that productivity is low.

Therefore, today, a main body box for partitioning the working space from the outside in an airtight manner, a cylindrical spare box having one end communicating with the inside of the main body box and the other end communicating with the atmosphere, A glove box including an inner hatch that opens and closes an inner opening that communicates the inner space of the box on the side of the main body box and an outer hatch that opens and closes an outer opening that communicates the inner space of the spare box to the atmosphere is used. I have.

When using this glove box, the atmosphere in the main box is kept dry or inert,
With the inside opening of the spare box smaller than this, closed inside with the inner hatch, put the processed material sealed in a dry atmosphere or an inert atmosphere with bags, containers, etc. in the spare box, and then put the outside opening outside. Close with a hatch, then dry or inert the atmosphere in the spare box, then open the inner hatch, transfer the processed material sealed in the dry or inert atmosphere by bags, containers, etc. into the main box, Thereafter, the inner hatch is closed again if necessary, and the processed product is taken out of the bag, the container, etc. in the main body box and processed. The treated product is sealed in a dry atmosphere or an inert atmosphere by bags, containers, etc. in the main body box, then the inner hatch is opened as necessary, moved into the spare box, and then the inner hatch is closed. Then open the outer hatch and remove the bag or container from the spare box.

[0008]

When the inner hatch is opened with air remaining in the atmosphere in the spare box of the glove box having the spare box, the oxygen and water vapor in the air remain in the main body box. Is diffused and dry or inert atmosphere in the main body box
In order to return the atmosphere inside the destroyed main body box to the original dry atmosphere or inert atmosphere, close the outer hatch and open the inner hatch, and take a longer time than before There is a problem that the vacuum sweep and the dry air or the inert gas in the main body box and the spare box must be filled and the productivity is rather lowered.

[0009] In particular, when a substance that reacts with the oxygen in the air and explodes or ignites is handled in a glove box having a spare box, the treated substance remaining in the main body box is reserved. There is a problem that an explosion or fire may be caused by contact with oxygen diffused from the box.

[0010] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention is to prevent the inside hatch from being opened when air remains in the atmosphere in the spare box, and to mix oxygen and water vapor in the air into the main box. It is an object of the present invention to provide a glove box capable of reliably preventing the glove box.

[0011]

According to the present invention, there is provided a main body box for partitioning a working space from the outside thereof in an airtight manner, and a cylindrical auxiliary box having one end communicating with the inside of the main body box and the other end communicating with the atmosphere. A glove provided with a box, an inner hatch for opening and closing an inner opening for communicating an inner space of the spare box with the main body box, and an outer hatch for opening and closing an outer opening for communicating the inner space of the spare box to the atmosphere. In the box, the following measures are taken in order to achieve the above object.

That is, the present invention provides a moisture sensor for detecting a moisture content in the internal space of the spare box, a closing force applying means for applying a force for closing the inner opening / closing portion by the inner hatch, A glove box provided with control means for controlling the closing force applying means so as to generate the force for closing when detecting moisture equal to or more than a predetermined value by a sensor.

In the present invention, the inner hatch may be kept closed when the moisture sensor detects moisture equal to or greater than a predetermined value. For example, the closing force applying means may be a main body of the spare box. A slide that moves in the direction orthogonal to the axis of the spare box on the box side, a gas cylinder that supports the inner hatch on this slide so that it can advance and retreat in the axis of the spare box, and a dry gas or an inert gas A gas supply path for supplying gas, wherein the control means communicates the gas supply path with an electromagnetic valve that opens and closes the gas supply path and the electromagnetic valve when the moisture sensor detects moisture equal to or greater than a predetermined value. And a control circuit for shutting off a gas supply path by an electromagnetic valve when the moisture sensor does not detect moisture of a predetermined value or more.

Further, the closing force applying means comprises a vacuum suction port opened toward the inner hatch around the inner opening, and a vacuum circuit for communicating the vacuum suction port with a vacuum source. Means is a solenoid valve that opens and closes the vacuum circuit, and communicates the vacuum circuit with the solenoid valve when the moisture sensor detects moisture equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and the solenoid valve when the moisture sensor does not detect moisture equal to or greater than a predetermined value. And a control circuit for interrupting the vacuum circuit.

Further, the closing force applying means comprises an electromagnet for attracting the inner hatch to the closed position, and the control means comprises:
The electromagnet may be configured to operate when the moisture sensor detects moisture equal to or more than a predetermined value, and to cancel the operation when the moisture sensor does not detect moisture equal to or more than the predetermined value.

Further, the present invention provides an oxygen sensor for detecting oxygen in an internal space of a spare box, a closing force applying means for applying a force for closing the inner opening / closing portion by the inner hatch, and an oxygen sensor comprising: A glove box provided with control means for controlling the closing force applying means so as to generate the closing force when oxygen is detected.

In the present invention, it is sufficient that the inner hatch is kept closed when the oxygen sensor detects oxygen in the spare box. For example, the closing force applying means may include a main body of the spare box. A slide that moves in the direction orthogonal to the axis of the spare box on the box side, a gas cylinder that supports the inner hatch on this slide so that it can advance and retreat in the axis of the spare box, and a dry gas or an inert gas A gas supply path for supplying gas, wherein the control means communicates the gas supply path with an electromagnetic valve that opens and closes the gas supply path and the electromagnetic valve when the oxygen sensor detects oxygen. And a control circuit that shuts off the gas supply path with an electromagnetic valve when oxygen is not detected.

Further, the closing force applying means comprises a vacuum suction port opened toward the inner hatch around the inner opening, and a vacuum circuit for communicating the vacuum suction port with a vacuum source. A circuit is a control circuit that opens and closes the vacuum circuit and a solenoid circuit that connects the vacuum circuit with the solenoid valve when the oxygen sensor detects oxygen, and shuts off the vacuum circuit with the solenoid valve when the oxygen sensor does not detect oxygen. And may consist of

Further, the closing force applying means comprises an electromagnet for attracting the inner hatch to the closed position, and the control means comprises:
The electromagnet may include a control circuit that is activated when the oxygen sensor detects oxygen, and is deactivated when the oxygen sensor does not detect oxygen.

[0020]

According to the present invention, when air remains in the spare box, the moisture sensor detects this, and the inner hatch closing means holds the inner hatch in the closed position. The possibility that oxygen and water vapor diffuse into the main body box is eliminated.

According to the present invention, when oxygen remains in the spare box, the oxygen sensor detects this,
Since the inner hatch closing means holds the inner hatch in the closed position, there is no danger of oxygen in the spare box diffusing into the main box.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A glove box according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in the front view of FIG. 1, a glove box 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention communicates with a main body box 2 that partitions a working space from the outside in an airtight manner, and one end communicates with the inside of the main body box 2. A cylindrical spare box 3 having the other end communicating with the atmosphere, an inner hatch 6 for opening and closing an inner opening 5 for communicating an internal space 4 of the spare box 3 into the main body box 2, and An outer hatch 8 that opens and closes an outer opening 7 that communicates the internal space 4 of 3 with the atmosphere.
And

The upper part of the front face of the main body box 2 is covered with a window glass 9 which is inclined obliquely upward, and a lower part is formed with a pair of openings 10 for putting human hands into the main body box 2. The opening 10 is air-tightly covered with gloves, and is closed with a removable lid 11 to shut off the inside of the main body box 2 from the outside when not in use.

A vacuum pipe 12 for communicating the inside of the main body box 2 with a suction port of a vacuum pump (not shown) is provided at a lower portion of the main body box 2, and an atmosphere gas such as dry air or an inert gas is supplied into the main body box 2. A gas supply pipe 13 is connected to the main body box 2, and a purge pipe 1 for air purging is provided on the main body box 2.
An oxygen meter or a moisture sensor (dew point meter) is connected to the purge pipe 14A via a branch pipe 15 so that the atmosphere in the main body box 2 can be checked.

That is, when an oxygen meter is used, the amount of oxygen inside the main body box 2 is measured, and it is confirmed whether the atmosphere inside the main body box 2 has been replaced with an atmosphere gas such as an inert gas.

Further, ordinary atmospheric air contains a large amount of water vapor. On the other hand, atmospheric gases such as dry air and inert gas do not contain water vapor. Therefore,
When the air in the air in the main body box 2 is exhausted and the inside of the main body box 2 is replaced with an atmospheric gas, the amount of water in the main body box 2 is greatly reduced. Body box 2 with moisture sensor
By detecting the amount of water in the inside, it can be confirmed whether or not the atmosphere inside the main body box 2 has been replaced with the atmospheric gas. For example, when the water content becomes 1000 PPM or less, it can be generally determined that the atmosphere gas has been replaced. If a more strict replacement with the atmosphere gas is required, the completion of the replacement may be determined when the water content becomes 100 PPM or less. A dew point meter can be used as the moisture sensor.

Although the spare box 3 is not particularly limited, the spare box 3 is arranged on the horizontal axis in order to enhance the workability of loading and unloading the processed material into and out of the main body box 2 through the spare box, and one end of the spare box 3 is attached to the main body box. For example, the right side wall 16 of the box 2
It is fixed airtight.

One end of the spare box 3 protrudes into the main body box 2, and one end surface thereof is completely opened to form an inner opening 5, and the other end surface is completely opened. An outer opening 7 is formed. An air purge pipe 14B for air purging of the spare box 3 and an argon gas supply pipe 14C
And a moisture sensor 17 composed of a dew point meter for detecting the amount of moisture in the internal space 4.

As shown in the side view of FIG.
Is supported by a plate-like slider 19 slidable in the left-right direction by a pair of left and right slide rails 18 via support means 20 so as to be able to advance and retreat in the axial direction of the spare box 3.

As shown in the sectional view of FIG. 3, the supporting means
Reference numeral 20 denotes a boss 21 fixed to the slider 19, a screw seat 22 fitted in the boss 21 in a spline slidably in the axial direction of the spare box 3, and the screw seat 22 on the main body box 2 side. A biasing spring 23, a holding lid 24 for restricting the screw seat 22 from coming out to the main body box 2 side, and a screw shaft 25 which moves forward and backward within a predetermined range in the axial direction of the spare box 3 with respect to the screw seat 22. The screw shaft 25, which is disposed in the main body box 2 and receives the end surface of the screw seat 22 on the main body box 2 side, projects from the holding lid 24 into the main body box 2 in the axial direction of the spare box 3. And a handle 26 slidably fitted in the spline.

A male screw 27 is formed at a portion of the screw shaft 25 on the side of the spare box 3, and a tip of the screw shaft 25 on the side of the spare box 3 is rotatably connected to substantially the center of the inner hatch 6. As a result, when the handle 26 is pushed into the spare box 3 by a certain amount or more against the spring 23 and rotated, the female screw 28 formed on the inner periphery of the screw seat 22 is rotated.
Then, the male screw 27 is screwed, and the inner hatch 6 is driven in a direction to approach the slider 19. When the handle 26 is released in a state where the male screw 27 and the female screw 28 are opened, the spring 23 moves the screw seat 22 and the handle 26 to the main body box 2 side, and the screw shaft 25 and the inner hatch 6 are moved. The inner opening 5 can be freely contacted and separated within a predetermined range.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the glove box 1, a moisture sensor 17 for detecting the amount of moisture in the spare box 3 detects moisture of a predetermined value or more.
An inner hatch closing means 30 is provided for holding the inner hatch closed when detecting water at 0 PPM, preferably 100 PPM or more.

The inner hatch closing means 30 may be configured so as to hold the inner hatch 6 in a closed state when the moisture sensor 17 detects the moisture in the spare box 3 at a predetermined value or more. Supported by a slider 19 ,
An argon gas cylinder 31 for supporting the inner hatch 6 so as to be able to advance and retreat in the axial direction of the spare box 3 ;
An argon gas supply path 33 for supplying argon from the argon gas container 32 to the scan cylinder 31 , a double solenoid valve 34 for opening and closing the argon gas supply path 33, and a double valve when the moisture sensor 17 detects moisture of a predetermined value or more. Continuous solenoid valve 3
4 communicates with argon gas supply passage 33, the control circuit 35 of the moisture sensor 17 to block the argon gas supply passage 33 in duplicate solenoid valve 34 when not detecting a predetermined value or more water
And

The argon gas cylinders 31 are provided in a plurality of two or more, and as shown in FIG.
And a cylindrical body 36 fixed to the side of the main body box 2
6 so as to be able to advance and retreat to a cylinder chamber 37 formed therein, and
It has a piston 38 which is fitted in an airtight manner, and a piston rod 39 penetrating through the end wall of the piston 38 and the cylinder 36 on the side of the spare box 3. Be linked.

A connecting portion for connecting the argon gas supply passage 33 to a pressure receiving chamber 40 defined on the side of the main body box 2 of the piston 38 in the cylinder chamber 37 at the end of the cylindrical body 36 on the main body box 2 side. 41 are provided.

Further, a joint 42 is fixed to an end wall of the cylindrical body 36 on the main body box 2 side, and an end of the piston rod 39 on the main body box 2 side is slidable in a gas passage 43 in the joint 42. And it is fitted in an airtight manner. Further, by making the piston rod 39 hollow, the joint 4
The second gas passage 43 communicates with the internal space 4 of the spare box 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the argon gas container 32 is connected to the joint 42 via another argon gas supply path 44 and the dual solenoid valve 34. By connecting, when the moisture sensor 17 detects moisture equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the argon gas supply passage 44 is communicated with the dual solenoid valve 34 to supply argon gas to the internal space 4 of the spare box 3. When the moisture sensor 17 does not detect moisture equal to or more than a predetermined value, the argon gas supply passage 44 is shut off by the dual solenoid valve 34 to stop the supply of the argon gas to the internal space 4.

As shown in FIG. 4, a return spring 45 for urging the piston 38 and the piston rod 39 toward the pressure receiving chamber 40 is provided in the cylinder chamber 37.

As shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 4, an elastic member such as rubber is provided around the inner opening 5 so that the spare box 3 and the inner hatch 6 can be hermetically closed. Is fixed.

In the above configuration, for example, when the inner hatch 6 is opposed to the inner opening 5, the outer hatch 8 is opened, incompletely closed, or closed after the outer hatch 8 is closed. When the air purge of the space 4 is incomplete or the like, air is present in the internal space 4 and the moisture sensor 17 detects water vapor contained in the air, and the amount of water indicates a value equal to or more than a predetermined value. That is, as described above, normal atmospheric air contains a large amount of water vapor, and atmospheric gases such as dry air and inert gas do not contain water vapor. Therefore, as the air in the internal space 4 decreases, the amount of water greatly decreases. For this reason, when the moisture sensor 17 detects moisture of a predetermined value, for example, 1000 PPM or more, for example, the outer hatch 8 is opened, incompletely closed, or after the outer hatch 8 is closed, Since the air purge is incomplete, the control circuit 35 switches the dual solenoid valve 34 based on the detection result, and is pressurized to the pressure receiving chamber 40 of the argon gas cylinder 31 through the argon gas supply path 33. The supplied argon gas is supplied to extend the argon gas cylinder 31, whereby the inner hatch 6 is brought into close contact with the inner opening 5 and the inner hatch 6 is securely closed.

At the same time, the argon gas supply path 4
4. Argon gas is supplied to the internal space 4 of the preliminary box 3 via the gas passage 43 of the joint 42 and the hollow portion of the piston rod 39.

When the air in the internal space 4 runs out,
When the water content of the moisture sensor 17 becomes less than the predetermined value, the control circuit 35 switches the dual solenoid valve 34 to stop the supply of the argon gas to the internal space 4 and to supply the argon gas to the argon gas cylinder 31. Stopping, the argon gas cylinder 31 is shortened and the inner hatch 6 is opened.

Therefore, as long as there is air in the internal space 4, the inner hatch 6 is not opened, whereby the diffusion of oxygen and water vapor in the air from the spare box 3 to the main body box 2 is reliably prevented, and Contact with oxygen remaining in the box 2 can reliably prevent contact between a substance that ignites or explodes and oxygen.

Further, since the inner hatch 6 can be opened at the same time when the air purging in the spare box 3 is completely completed, the processing object can be inserted into the spare box 3 and the main body box 2 of the treated object can be opened. The time required to move the inside can be reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, the inner hatch 6 is supported by the slider 19 which slides in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the spare box 3 so as to be able to advance and retreat in the axial direction of the spare box 3. The space inside the main body box 2 is not sacrificed for the opening and closing of 6, and the work space inside the main body box 2 can be widely used.

In another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 5, the entire circumference of the inner opening 5 is continuous or
Vacuum suction port 5 intermittently opening toward inner hatch 6
1, a vacuum circuit 53 for connecting the vacuum suction port 51 to a vacuum source 52 composed of a vacuum pump, an electromagnetic valve 54 for opening and closing the vacuum circuit 53, and when the moisture sensor 17 detects moisture of a predetermined value or more. An inner hatch closing means 50 is provided which includes a control circuit 55 which communicates a vacuum circuit 53 with an electromagnetic valve 54 and shuts off when the moisture sensor 17 does not detect a predetermined value of moisture.

In this embodiment, there is an advantage that when the outer hatch 8 is opened or incompletely closed, the argon gas does not flow out of the spare box 3 and the consumption of the argon gas can be reduced.

Further, a vacuum suction port 51, a vacuum circuit 53 having an electromagnetic valve 54 interposed therebetween, and a control circuit 55 need only be added to the conventional glove box, which can be implemented easily and inexpensively. The present embodiment can be implemented by easily and inexpensively modifying an existing glove box.

Other configurations, operations and effects of this embodiment are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, and therefore, description thereof will be omitted to avoid duplication.

In another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 6, an electromagnet 61 for attracting the inner hatch 6 to the closed position, and operating the electromagnet 61 when the moisture sensor 17 detects a predetermined value of moisture, An inner hatch closing means 60 comprising a control circuit 62 for canceling operation when the moisture sensor 17 does not detect a predetermined value of moisture is provided.

In this embodiment, there is an advantage that when the outer hatch 8 is opened or incompletely closed, the argon gas does not flow out of the spare box 3 and the consumption of the argon gas can be reduced.

Further, the electromagnet 6 is attached to the conventional glove box.
1 and the control circuit 62 need only be added, so that the present embodiment can be implemented more easily and inexpensively, and the present embodiment can be implemented by modifying the existing glove box more easily and cheaper. .

Other configurations, operations and effects of this embodiment are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, and therefore, description thereof will be omitted to avoid duplication.

In each of the above embodiments, the inner hatch 6 is supported by the slider 19 which moves in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the spare box 3 so as to be able to advance and retreat in the axial direction of the spare box 3. The example is also applicable to a glove box in which the inner hatch 6 is opened and closed by rotating about a support shaft set at one side or one side thereof.

In each of the above embodiments, the presence of air in the internal space 4 is detected by using the moisture sensor 17. However, in the case where the processing object reacts with oxygen and explodes, it is more reliable. In order to detect oxygen, an oxygen sensor may be used in place of the moisture sensor 17 so that the inner hatch 6 is not opened as long as there is oxygen in the internal space 4. Examples of oxygen sensors include hot-wire semiconductor gas sensors, contact combustion gas sensors, gas heat conduction gas sensors, potentiostatic electrolytic gas sensors, thin-film gas sensors, diaphragm galvanic cell gas sensors, semiconductor gas sensors, and orgaster gas sensors. Can be used.

When the oxygen sensor detects oxygen in the internal space 4 using the oxygen sensor constituted by these gas sensors, the inner hatch 6 in each of the above embodiments is kept closed. And when the oxygen sensor does not detect oxygen,
The inner hatch 6 can be opened. Therefore, the inner hatch 6 is not opened as long as there is oxygen in the internal space 4, whereby the diffusion of oxygen from the spare box 3 to the main box 2 is reliably prevented, and the oxygen remains in the main box 2. The contact between oxygen and a substance that ignites or explodes upon contact with oxygen can be reliably prevented.

Other configurations, operations, and effects of the embodiment using the oxygen sensor are the same as those of the above-described embodiments, and therefore, description thereof will be omitted to avoid duplication.

[0058]

As described above, in the glove box of the present invention, the moisture sensor for detecting the amount of moisture in the internal space of the spare box and the inner hatch apply a force for closing the inner opening / closing portion. A closing force applying means, and a control means for controlling the closing force applying means so as to generate a force for closing when detecting moisture equal to or more than a predetermined value by the moisture sensor. When air remains in the inside, the moisture sensor detects this, and the control means controls the closing force applying means to hold the inner hatch in the closed position, so that the water in the spare box diffuses into the main box. There is no fear.

This makes it possible to reliably prevent contact between the substance that ignites or explodes when it comes into contact with the moisture remaining in the main body box and the moisture, thereby improving the safety of the processing operation of such a substance. .

In the present invention, in particular, the closing force applying means includes a slide that moves toward the main box side of the spare box in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the spare box, and an inner hatch attached to the slide to provide an axial center of the spare box. A gas cylinder that supports the gas cylinder so that the gas cylinder can move forward and backward, and a gas supply path that supplies a drying gas or an inert gas to the gas cylinder. A control circuit that communicates the gas supply path with an electromagnetic valve when detecting moisture equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and shuts off the gas supply path with the electromagnetic valve when the moisture sensor does not detect moisture equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Since the inside hatch can be opened at the same time that the water purging in the spare box is completed, It is possible to shorten the time of the physical object to be moved into the main box, it becomes possible to widely use the working space by reducing the space for the inner hatch opening and closing of the main box.

In the present invention, in particular, the closing force applying means includes a vacuum suction port opened toward the inner hatch around the inner opening, and a vacuum circuit for connecting the vacuum suction port to a vacuum source. The control means communicates with the electromagnetic valve that opens and closes the vacuum circuit when the moisture sensor detects moisture of a predetermined value or more, and shuts off when the moisture sensor does not detect moisture of a predetermined value or more. In the case of the control circuit, when the outer hatch is opened or incompletely closed, the argon gas does not flow out of the spare box, the consumption of the argon gas can be reduced, and the conventional glove box is vacuum-adsorbed. It is only necessary to add a port, a vacuum circuit with a solenoid valve interposed, and a control circuit, which can be implemented easily and at low cost. The easy and the present invention can be implemented with low cost modification.

Further, in the present invention, in particular, the closing force applying means comprises an electromagnet for attracting the inner hatch to the closed position, and the control means uses the electromagnet to detect the moisture above a predetermined value by the moisture sensor. In the case where the control circuit is activated at the time when the moisture sensor does not detect the moisture of a predetermined value or more, the operation circuit is deactivated when the outer hatch is opened or incompletely closed. In addition to reducing gas consumption,
Since it is only necessary to add an electromagnet and a control circuit to the conventional glove box, the present invention can be implemented more easily and at lower cost, and the existing glove box can be modified more easily and at lower cost. Can be implemented.

Further, the glove box of the present invention has an oxygen sensor for detecting oxygen in the internal space of the spare box, a closing force applying means for applying a force for closing the inner opening / closing portion by the inner hatch, and the oxygen sensor. Control means for controlling the closing force applying means so as to generate the force for closing when the sensor detects oxygen, so that when oxygen remains in the spare box, Is detected, and the control means controls the closing force applying means to hold the inner hatch in the closed position, so that there is no possibility that oxygen in the spare box diffuses into the main body box.

As a result, the contact between oxygen and a substance that ignites or explodes when it comes into contact with oxygen remaining in the main body box can be reliably prevented, and the safety of the processing operation of such a substance can be improved. .

In the present invention, in particular, the closing force applying means includes a slide that moves toward the main box side of the spare box in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the spare box, and an inner hatch attached to the slide to provide an axial center of the spare box. A gas cylinder that supports the gas cylinder so that the gas cylinder can move forward and backward, and a gas supply path that supplies a dry gas or an inert gas to the gas cylinder. A control circuit that connects the gas supply path with an electromagnetic valve when oxygen is detected, and shuts off the gas supply path with an electromagnetic valve when the oxygen sensor does not detect oxygen. At the same time, you will be able to open the inner hatch,
It is possible to shorten the time from the insertion of the processed material into the spare box to the movement of this processed material into the main box, and to reduce the space for opening and closing the inner hatch in the main box to increase the work space. Will be available.

Further, in the present invention, in particular, the closing force applying means includes a vacuum suction port opened toward the inner hatch around the inner opening, and a vacuum circuit for connecting the vacuum suction port to a vacuum source. Wherein the control means comprises an electromagnetic valve that opens and closes the vacuum circuit, and a control circuit that communicates when the oxygen sensor detects oxygen and shuts off when the oxygen sensor does not detect oxygen. In this case, when the outer hatch is opened or incompletely closed, argon gas does not flow out of the spare box, the consumption of argon gas can be reduced, and a vacuum suction port and a solenoid valve are interposed in the conventional glove box. It is only necessary to add a vacuum circuit and a control circuit, which can be easily and inexpensively implemented.
In addition, the present invention can be implemented at a low cost.

Further, in the present invention, in particular, the closing force applying means comprises an electromagnet for attracting the inner hatch to a closed position, and the control means operates the electromagnet when the oxygen sensor detects oxygen. When the oxygen sensor comprises a control circuit for releasing the operation when no oxygen is detected, the argon gas does not flow out of the spare box when the outer hatch is opened or incompletely closed, so that the consumption of the argon gas can be reduced. Since it is only necessary to add an electromagnet and a control circuit to the conventional glove box, it can be implemented more easily and at lower cost, and the existing glove box can be modified more easily and at lower cost. The invention can be implemented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an inner hatch closing means according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a supporting means according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an argon gas cylinder according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of an inner hatch closing means according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a structural view of an inner hatch closing means according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Glove box 2 Main body box 3 Spare box 4 Inner space 5 Inner opening 6 Inner hatch 7 Outer opening 8 Outer hatch 17 Moisture sensor 19 Slide 31 Argon gas cylinder 33 Argon gas supply path 34 Dual solenoid valve 35 Control circuit 50 Inside Hatch closing means 51 Vacuum suction port 53 Vacuum circuit 54 Solenoid valve 55 Control circuit 60 Inner hatch closing means 61 Electromagnet 62 Control circuit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B25J 21/00

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A main body box for airtightly partitioning a working space from the outside, a cylindrical spare box having one end communicating with the inside of the main body box and the other end communicating with the atmosphere, and an inside of the spare box. A glove box comprising: an inner hatch for opening and closing an inner opening for communicating a space with the inside of the main body box; and an outer hatch for opening and closing an outer opening for communicating an inner space of the spare box to the atmosphere. A moisture sensor for detecting the amount of moisture in the space, and the inner hatch closing the inner opening / closing part.
Closing force applying means for applying a force to the moisture sensor;
For the above-mentioned closure when detecting water more than a predetermined value
For controlling the closing force applying means so as to generate a force of
And a means . 2. The closing force applying means includes : a slide that moves in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the spare box on the main box side of the spare box; and an inner hatch on the slide can advance and retreat in the axial direction of the spare box. And a gas supply path for supplying a dry gas or an inert gas to the gas cylinder .
An electromagnetic valve that opens and closes the gas supply path, and communicates the gas supply path with the electromagnetic valve when the moisture sensor detects moisture equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and the electromagnetic valve when the moisture sensor does not detect moisture equal to or greater than a predetermined value. and a control circuit to shut off the gas supply passage
The glove box according to claim 1, comprising: 3. A vacuum suction port opened toward an inner hatch around an inner opening;
Forming the vacuum suction port and a vacuum circuit for communicating with a vacuum source
The control means communicates with an electromagnetic valve that opens and closes the vacuum circuit, when the moisture sensor detects moisture of a predetermined value or more, and shuts off when the moisture sensor does not detect moisture of a predetermined value or more. The glove box according to claim 1, comprising : 4. The closing force applying means comprises an electromagnet for attracting an inner hatch to a closed position, and the control means activates the electromagnet when the moisture sensor detects moisture equal to or greater than a predetermined value. 2. The glove box according to claim 1, further comprising a control circuit for canceling the operation when the sensor does not detect the moisture of a predetermined value or more. 5. A main box for airtightly partitioning a working space from the outside, a cylindrical spare box having one end communicating with the inside of the main body box and the other end communicating with the atmosphere, and an inside of the spare box. A glove box comprising: an inner hatch for opening and closing an inner opening for communicating a space with the inside of the main body box; and an outer hatch for opening and closing an outer opening for communicating an inner space of the spare box to the atmosphere. An oxygen sensor for detecting oxygen in the space and the inner hatch for closing the inner opening / closing part
Closing force applying means for applying a force of
To generate the closing force when detecting the element
A glove box provided with control means for controlling the closing force applying means . 6. The closing force applying means includes: a slide that moves in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the spare box on the main body box side of the spare box; and an inner hatch on the slide can advance and retreat in the axial direction of the spare box. And a gas supply path for supplying a dry gas or an inert gas to the gas cylinder .
A control circuit that opens and closes the gas supply path and a gas supply path with the solenoid valve when the oxygen sensor detects oxygen, and shuts off the gas supply path with the solenoid valve when the oxygen sensor does not detect oxygen. The glove box according to claim 5, comprising : 7. A vacuum suction port opened toward an inner hatch around an inner opening , wherein :
Forming the vacuum suction port and a vacuum circuit for communicating with a vacuum source
The control means comprises an electromagnetic valve for opening and closing the vacuum circuit, and a control circuit for communicating when the oxygen sensor detects oxygen and shutting off when the oxygen sensor does not detect oxygen. Glove box. 8. The closing force applying means comprises an electromagnet for attracting an inner hatch to a closed position, and the control means operates the electromagnet when the oxygen sensor detects oxygen, and the oxygen sensor supplies oxygen. 6. The glove box according to claim 5, further comprising a control circuit for canceling operation when no detection is performed.