JP2938155B2 - Pipe line switching device with washing means - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a line switching connection device with a washing means suitable for a batch production system in, for example, a high-mix low-volume production, particularly in the field of fine chemicals requiring washing and sterilization. .

[Prior art and its problems]

With the recent diversification of demand, the trend of the times is changing from the conventional low-mix high-volume production system to the high-mix variable-volume production system. As a result, multi-product, multi-brand raw materials and auxiliary In the field of fine chemicals such as pharmaceuticals and foods, it was necessary to wash and sterilize pipes and tanks each time.

Conventionally, in this type of field, a method of fixedly connecting a tank to a tank with a pipe or a method of easily transferring raw materials from a tank manually in an airtight state, and the like, are common.
In addition, troublesome work was required for cleaning and sterilization.

As a result, the piping connecting the tanks is complicated and diversified, so that not only the operation management and maintenance management become very complicated, but also the overall layout becomes complicated, and furthermore, the cleaning work of the pipes is complicated, and the liquid pool, contamination, etc. are also reduced. There was a problem in quality control.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and makes it possible to distribute a specific fluid to various types of tanks / vessels or to supply an arbitrary fluid among various types of fluids to a specific type of tank / vessel, In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a pipeline switching connection device with a cleaning means for easily cleaning, drying and sterilizing the piping.

[Means for solving the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the pipe line switching device with a washing means according to the present invention, a substrate having a plurality of pipe connection openings perforated on the same circumference around a main pipe connection opening, A pipe in which a first valve and a second valve are provided and connected to each of the pipe connection openings, a first valve and a second pipe of the pipe;
A fluid supply / discharge pipe with an on-off valve connected between the valves, a connection chamber in which the fluid supply / discharge pipe is cut off from the outside air on the substrate and connected to the fluid supply / discharge pipe; A U-shaped valve element that can be moved up and down and is rotatable. The U-shaped valve element and each pipe can be cleaned by supplying a cleaning fluid from each of the fluid supply / discharge pipes. It is characterized in that one end of the body can be connected to and separated from the main pipe connection opening described above and the other end can be connected to and separated from the arbitrary pipe connection opening on the same circumference.

[Operation] The pipe line switching device with a washing means according to the present invention is provided with a pipe connection opening at a specific position, for example, a center of a substrate, and a plurality or a large number of pipes on a circumference centered on the center of the substrate. Piping connection openings are drilled, and the first valve and the second valve are inserted into these openings.
And a fluid supply / discharge pipe provided with an on-off valve between a first valve and a second valve of the pipe is connected to the substrate to be shut off from outside air. A connection chamber to which a fluid supply / discharge pipe is connected is provided, and a U-shaped valve element that can be moved up and down and rotatable by driving means is provided in the connection chamber, and one end of the U-shaped valve element is provided on the substrate having the above-described substrate. The pipe connection opening formed at the center position, and the other end of the U-shaped valve body is brought into contact with or separated from any one of a plurality of pipe connection openings formed on the same circumference as the center of the substrate. Since the pipe at the center of the substrate and one of the pipes on the circumference are connected by a U-shaped valve, the specific fluid can be distributed to various types of tanks and containers. Or a connection in which any of a variety of fluids can be supplied to a specific tank or vessel and the U-shaped valve is provided. Is shut off from the outside air and the connection chamber can be supplied with a cleaning fluid from a fluid supply / drain pipe, and the pipe connected to the pipe connection opening is provided with an open / close valve as described above. Fluid supply / discharge pipes are connected to each other, so that the first and second valves provided in each of the pipes are opened or closed to shut off the U-shaped valve body and the pipes from the outside air. Cleaning and steam sterilization etc. can be completely performed in the state where it was done.

〔Example〕

 An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In the drawing, reference numeral 1 denotes a substrate, and a pipe mounting opening 2 is formed at a specific position, for example, a central portion of the substrate 1, and a pipe 3 is suspended from the opening 2.

A plurality or a large number of pipe mounting openings 4 ₁ , 4 ₂ , 4 ₃ ,... Are formed on the same circumference around the opening 2 at the center of the substrate 1, and these openings 4 ₁ are formed. , 4 ₂ , 4 ₃ ,..., Pipes 5 ₁ , 5 ₂ , 5 ₃ ,.

Then, the above-mentioned pipe 3 and 5 _1, 5 _2, 5 _3, the first valve 6, 6 ₁ Each ......, 6 _2, 6 _3, ... and second valves 7,7 _1, 7 _2, 7
_3, ... are HaiSo, these first valves 6,6 _1, 6 _2, 6 _3, ....,
When the second valve 7,7 _1, 7 _2, 7 _3, the pipe 3,5 between ...... _1, 5 _2, 5 _3, ...
..., and the steam and cleaning liquid supply pipes 8, 8 ₁ , 8
₂ , 8 ₃ , ... are connected. A flow meter (not shown) is provided in each of the above-mentioned pipes, and ends of the pipes are connected to a tank and a vessel (not shown). In addition, the pipe 3 on the center and the pipe on the circumference described above
The top of 5 ₁ , 5 ₂ ,... Is flush with the substrate 1, or the end of a valve element described later forms a closely inserted portion.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a cylindrical leg plate 10 erected on the substrate 1.
A base having substantially the same shape as the substrate 1 supported by
The gantry 9 and the leg plate 10 form a connection chamber 11 that is isolated from the outside air. A drive source 12 including a known air cylinder, a stepping motor, a rotation angle controller, and the like is mounted on the mount 9, and the drive source 12 is covered with a case 13. The shaft 15 of the drive source 12 penetrates the gantry 9 and is suspended therefrom, and the lower end thereof is fixed to the center of the first rotary plate 16.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a U-shaped hollow valve body. The valve body 20 is fixed to a plate-shaped second rotating plate 17, and the inverted U-shaped valve body 20 is connected to an end 2 thereof.
The reference numerals 1 and 22 respectively extend slightly through the second rotary plate 17. Each end of the valve body 20 described above
Sealing members 23, 23 having the same inner diameter as the inner diameter of the valve body 20 are fitted to the 21, 21. The sealing members 23, 23 are held by holders 24, 24 and are replaceable. Also, the inverted U-shaped valve element described above.
The distance between the centers of one end 21 and the other end 22 of 20 is
From the center of the pipe 3 in the center of the substrate 1 described above, the pipe 5 ₁ on its circumference, 5 _2, 5 _3, there as being the same as the distance to the center of ....

The above-mentioned second rotary plate 17 to which the inverted U-shaped valve body 20 is fixed
The two support rods 18, 18, 19, 19 are respectively protruded from the central end of the valve body and the end on the side where one end 21 of the valve body 20 is fixed, and the rods 18, 18, 19, 19 The other end of 19 is fixed to the plate-shaped first rotary plate 16 described above.

The shaft 15 of the drive source 12 is mounted on the gantry 9 and the O-ring 25.
And the valve element 20 is driven by a drive source in the connection chamber 11.
The center line of the shaft 15 is extended in an inverted U-shape, and one end 21
Therefore, when the drive source 12 is operated to rotate the first rotary plate 16, the rotation is transmitted to the second rotary plate 17 supported by the support rods 18 and 19. Then, the valve body 20 fixed to the second rotary plate 17 is rotated about one end 21 thereof.

As shown in FIG. 3, one end 21 of the valve body 20 is in surface contact with and connected to a pipe 3 vertically provided in a pipe connection opening 2 at the center of the substrate 1, and the other end of the valve body 20 is provided. 22 shows a state that is connected to pipe 5 _5. Therefore, since the valve body 20 can rotate forward and reverse around one end 21, the valve body 20
Pipe 5 ₁ freely through, 5 _2, 5 _3, in which can be connected with ....

In the figure, reference numerals 26 and 27 denote a steam supply port and a steam discharge port provided in the connection chamber 11.

This embodiment has the above configuration. The operation thereof will be described. For example, in a case where three kinds of fluids A, B and C are distributed to eight kinds of containers at a predetermined mixing ratio, the substrate 1 pipe 5 _1, 5 ₂ on the circumference of the other end of the ...... 5 ₈ is connected to the container each, the other end of the pipe 3 in the center of the substrate 1 is assumed to be connected in a bath of fluid a .

Before starting the supply of fluid, if sanitary properties are required, a steam supply port is needed to clean and sterilize the connection chamber 11.
26 from supply steam, also one end portion 21 of inverted U-shaped valve body 20 connects the other end 22 to the vertically the pipe 3 into the opening 2 of the central portion of the substrate 1 to the pipe 5 ₁ advance, for example, the second valve 7 of the lower portion of the pipe 3 is closed, steam supply from the steam supply pipe 8 opens the first valve upper part, each tube was discharged from the pipe 5 ₁ wash And sterilize. Further, the supply of steam may be reversed.

As described above, steam is connected to the pipes, cleaning supply tube 8, 8 _1, 8 _2, ... is made possible discharge the supply by opening and closing the valve. If necessary, dry the connection chamber 11 and the interior of each pipe with dry air.

Subsequently, the drive source 12 is actuated to lower the inverted U-shaped valve body 20 so that one end 21 of the valve body 20 is at the top of the center pipe 3 and the other end 22 is at the pipe 5. after having pressed against _one of the top, the first and second valve body 6 and 7 of HaiSo the pipe 3 is opened, also the pipe 5 valve body 6 ₁ and the first and second of HaiSo ₁ 7 ₁ is opened, the fluid a in the container connected to the piping 5 ₁ via the valve 20 the fluid a that is connected to the pipe 3 by a pump or the like from the tank
Is weighed and distributed in a predetermined amount.

Since the flow of the fluid according to the present embodiment flows from the bottom to the top and from the top to the bottom by a pump or the like, the liquid does not always remain in the pipe.

After the distribution of the fluid A into the pipe 5 ₁ is completed, the pipe is pumped steam from the steam supply pipe 8 is branched from the pipe 3 if necessary 3, wash the valve body 20, a sterile pipe 5 ₁ from branch steam supply pipe (fluid supply and discharge line) 8 ₁ from the discharge of steam. Second valve 7 of the pipe 3 at the time of the above operation, the second pipe 5 ₁
Valve 7 ₁ is kept closed.

Subsequently, the drive source 12 is actuated to raise the valve body, and the one end 21 of the valve body 20 is centered and the other end 22 is moved in the anti-time direction.
After which was 45 ° rotated, and moved down the valve element 20, one end of the pipe 3 of the valve body 20, the other end portion 22 connected to the pipe 5 _2,
By weighing the fluid A is dispensed into a container connected to the pipe 5 _2.

Hereinafter, the same operation is repeated to make the fluid A 8
It is possible to dispense into seed containers.

Next, the connection of the pipe 3 to the tank of the fluid A is released, and the fluid B is disconnected.
After performing the above-described washing and sterilization, the valve body 20 is turned upside down, and the other end 22 of the valve body 20 is connected to each pipe to distribute and supply the fluid B. In addition, by repeating the same operation for the fluid C, the fluid C can be distributed and supplied to each container.

In this embodiment, nine pipes are vertically provided on the substrate 1. However, the number of pipes is not limited, and in the above description, the pipes on the circumference of the pipe 3 at the center are arranged.
5 _1, 5 _2, has been described by dispensed to ..., it can be supplied from a pipe on the circumference to the pipe of the central portion to the opposite.

Naturally, by rotating the valve body 20, an arbitrary fluid can be designated from a large number of fluids and supplied to a specific pipe, and the order and the like are arbitrary.

Further, since the contact and separation of the valve body and the pipe are simple mechanisms, cleaning and sterilization are completely performed, and the sealing material 23 and the holder 24 attached to the end of the valve body can be replaced.
There is no danger of fluid leakage due to wear of 23.

Further, the lifting and lowering of the valve element, the positioning of the end of the valve element and the piping, the supply of the steam cleaning supply liquid, and the opening and closing of the valve are all controlled by a computer.

The tanks and vessels used for supplying the fluid described above are not limited to fixed ones. For example, a manual or self-propelled tank,
If it is connected to a container, it can be applied to a moving tank type batch production system.

Further, in this embodiment, the description has been given of the case where the pipe is provided in the vertical direction, but the present invention is also applicable to the case where the pipe is provided in the horizontal direction.

〔The invention's effect〕

A pipeline switching device with a washing means according to the present invention is characterized in that a pipe connection opening is formed around a specific position of a substrate and the specific position, and a plurality or a plurality of pipes are formed on a circumference centered on the center of the substrate. Pipe connection openings are formed, and the pipes to which the first valve and the second valve are delivered are connected to these openings, and between the first valve and the second valve of the pipe, A fluid supply / discharge pipe with an on-off valve is connected, a connection chamber is provided on the substrate, which is shut off from the outside air and connects the fluid supply / discharge pipe, and a U-shape which can be moved up and down and rotatable by driving means in the connection chamber A valve body is provided, a pipe connection opening formed by drilling one end of the U-shaped valve body at a center position which is a specific position of the substrate, and the other end of the U-shaped valve body is provided at the center of the substrate. It is designed to be in contact with and separated from any one of the pipe connection openings formed on the same circumference as the pipe. Is connected by a U-shaped valve body, so that a specific fluid can be distributed to various tanks and containers, or any of the various fluids can be distributed to a specific fluid. In the present invention, the connection chamber in which the U-shaped valve body is provided is shut off from the outside air, and the connection chamber is provided with a fluid supply / discharge pipe. Fluid for cleaning can be supplied, and furthermore, a fluid supply / discharge pipe with an on-off valve is connected to the pipe connected to the pipe connection opening, so that each of the delivery to each of the above arrangements is performed. By opening or closing the first valve and the second valve, washing, steam sterilization and the like can be completely performed in a state in which the U-shaped valve body and the pipe are shut off from the outside air, and a sanitary pipe switching can be performed. Mixing and mixing multiple raw materials and auxiliary raw materials in the equipment It is suitable for use in multi-variable variable production methods for producing products, especially for pipe connections in the pharmaceutical and food fields, etc., and in particular, quality and productivity are improved by using the switching device of the present invention in processes requiring washing and sterilization. And the effect is remarkable.

[Brief description of the drawings]

The drawings show an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory diagram of a multi-way switching valve, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a valve body, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a piping relationship between a valve body and piping. 1: Substrate 2, 4 ₁ , 4 ₂ , 4 ₃ …… Piping mounting opening 3,5 ₁ , 5 ₂ , 5 ₃ …… Piping 12: Drive source 16, 17: Rotating plate, 20: Valve 21, 22: End of valve body

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A substrate having a plurality of pipe connection openings formed on the same circumference around a main pipe connection opening, and a first valve connected to each of the pipe connection openings. A pipe provided with a second valve, a fluid supply / discharge pipe with an on-off valve connected between the first valve and the second valve of the pipe, and a fluid shut off from the outside air on the substrate. A connection chamber to which the supply and discharge pipes are connected; and a U-shaped valve disposed in the connection chamber and vertically movable and rotatable by driving means. And the U-shaped valve body and each pipe can be washed. One end of the U-shaped valve body is the main pipe connection opening described above, and the other end is an arbitrary pipe connection on the same circumference. A pipe switching device with washing means, which can be brought into contact with and separated from an opening for use.