JP3584083B2 - Automatic piping connection switching device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to a piping automatic connection switching device for two piping groups.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a batch production system, a fluid such as a raw material or a product (intermediate product or final product) has been mainly transferred by a transfer system by a valve switching operation using fixed piping. For example, in a food and beverage manufacturing plant, when transferring a certain intermediate product from a plurality of tank groups in one process to a plurality of tank groups in another process according to a desired purpose, a fixed piping header group is provided. Then, it is performed by switching the piping, that is, by switching the valve. The number of valves required in such a system is a number corresponding to the product of the number of one pipe and the number of other pipes. For example, when sanitary properties are emphasized as in the food industry, it is necessary to use stainless steel as the material, and when the number of pipes is large, the cost is considerable.
[0003]
The authors have proposed switching systems for solving such a situation, such as Japanese Patent Application Nos. Hei 4-21252, Hei 4-125812, Hei 4-315207 and Hei 5-214034. These systems do not constitute a group of fixed piping headers as in the prior art, but are systems that can connect necessary lines when necessary.
[0004]
As shown in FIG. 10, when two pipe groups are connected, the same number of one pipe group X (not shown) and the mobile cell groups 7A arranged adjacent to each other with their longitudinal directions parallel to each other 1 unit 1 and the same number of pipes as the other pipe group Y (not shown), and the longitudinal direction thereof is parallel to the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the mobile cell group 7A of the first unit 1 and mutually The mobile cell group 7 </ b> B arranged adjacently is referred to as a second unit 2.
[0005]
In each mobile cell of the first unit 1, a mobile body 8A connected via a flexible pipe 10A to a fixed end 9A connected to each pipe of the pipe group X moves in the longitudinal direction of the mobile cell. It is provided freely. A pipe joint (not shown) connected to the end of the flexible pipe 10A is incorporated in the moving body 8A, and when the moving body 8A moves in each moving body cell, each pipe is connected. The end face of the joint moves along one virtual plane. Similarly, in the second unit 2, a moving body (not shown) connected to each pipe of the other pipe group Y (not shown) via the flexible pipe 10 </ b> B is a moving body of the first unit 1. It is movable in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of 8A, and the end face of the pipe joint incorporated in each moving body moves along one virtual plane.
[0006]
The first unit 1 and the second unit 2 having such a configuration are arranged with their respective virtual planes facing each other in parallel. Therefore, the moving body belonging to the first unit 1 and the moving body belonging to the second unit 2 move so as to be orthogonal to each other. A pipe joint is incorporated in each moving body, and the other end of the pipe joint is connected to a flexible pipe connected to a pipe constituting a pipe group. Each moving body is moved to a predetermined position by a driving device and connected to each other according to a combination command.
[0007]
Due to such a configuration, the pipe joints of the first unit 1 and the second unit 2 are moved to any position by the moving body, and then connected to each other to form a flexible pipe element. A flow path between one pipe group and the other pipe group is formed through the intermediary. Therefore, a switching operation is realized between the pipe groups connected to the first unit 1 and the second unit 2 in accordance with the combination of the moving bodies.
[0008]
For example, in Japanese Patent Application No. 5-214034, a first unit 1 for holding a moving body so as to be able to reciprocate in a certain direction, and a second unit 2 for holding a moving body so as to be able to reciprocate in a direction perpendicular to the above direction. Are arranged in parallel to face each other, and a group of flexible pipes is connected to the moving bodies of the first unit 1 and the second unit 2, respectively. The moving body of each unit is moved and positioned so as to face each other, and the built-in piping joints are automatically joined to switch the piping.
[0009]
However, at an actual site, the pipes of one pipe group and the pipes of the other pipe group are not necessarily in a one-to-one combination, and one pipe of one pipe group has a plurality of pipes of the other pipe group. You may want to connect books at the same time. In such a case, it cannot be realized by the method described above.
[0010]
The present inventors have proposed Japanese Patent Application No. 6-318141 to realize the above method. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, in the first unit 1, eight pipe headers 5 having seven pipe joints connected to eight tanks T1 to T8 via pipes X1 to X8 respectively are arranged in parallel. ing. The second unit 2 has seven pipes Y1 to Y7 connected to a pump, a filling machine, and the like, and has a pipe joint connected to a fixed end of each of the pipes Y1 to Y7 via a flexible pipe 10B. Each of the moving bodies 8B is movable in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the pipe header 5. In this manner, for example, all or a plurality of liquids are simultaneously supplied from one tank (for example, tank T1) connected to the first unit 1 to a plurality of (for example, seven in FIG. 11) filling machines connected to the first unit 1 in terms of the type and capacity of the filling machine. It is possible to transfer. This may be due to the fact that it may be necessary to increase the number of bases in terms of the processing capacity of the filling machine and that the capacity and shape of the bottles used for filling are different even if the filling is the same. It is used because there are cases where it is desired to use the filling machine at the same time. Such examples are often found in soft drinks consumed in large quantities, alcoholic beverage products and the like.
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional method proposed in Japanese Patent Application No. 6-318141 has the following problems.
(1). The first unit must have a number of piping headers corresponding to the total number of tanks.
(2). The number of pipe joints provided in the pipe header increases.
(3). As in the one-to-one connection proposed in Japanese Patent Application No. 5-214034, the connection state cannot be easily visually confirmed.
(4). Unnecessary portions may have products remaining in the pipe header, and may be affected by aging of the residues.
[0012]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a piping automatic connection switching device that solves all of the above problems.
[0013]
Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to clean a flexible pipe on the downstream side of the pipe switching device and a pipe on the user side including a filling machine connected to the flexible pipe.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a plurality of flexible pipes A connected in parallel with each other and arranged in parallel with each other in a pipe group X on the upstream side, And a plurality of moving bodies having a pipe joint portion a, which are provided at the ends of the flexible pipe A and are capable of bending the flexible pipe A and reciprocating in the longitudinal direction of the flexible pipe A. A first unit configured such that a body pipe joint part a moves on one virtual plane P1,
A plurality of flexible pipes B connected corresponding to each pipe of the downstream pipe group Y and arranged in parallel with a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the plurality of flexible pipes A of the first unit. And a plurality of pipe joints b provided at the ends of the respective flexible pipes B and capable of bending the flexible pipes B and reciprocating in the longitudinal direction of the flexible pipes B. And a pipe joint part b of each of the moving bodies is configured to move on another virtual plane P2 arranged in parallel with and opposed to the virtual plane P1 of the first unit. And two units,
After moving the moving body of the first unit and the moving body of the second unit and positioning them so as to face each other, the pipe joints of the moving bodies facing each other are automatically joined to each other to form the pipe. In a piping automatic connection switching device for switching the connection between the group X and the piping group Y,
The first unit comprises:
The flexible pipes B are fixed on the virtual plane P1 in parallel with the arrangement direction of the flexible pipes A, and correspond to the arrangement positions of the flexible pipes B of the second unit. Further comprising at least one pipe header having the same number of pipe joints h,
The second unit comprises:
A flexible pipe for header connected to the pipe of the pipe header of the first unit and arranged in parallel to the arrangement direction of the flexible pipe B;
A pipe joint portion provided at an end of the header flexible pipe, capable of bending the header flexible pipe and reciprocating on the virtual plane P2 in the longitudinal direction of the header flexible pipe; and a moving object having c.
Automatic connection of the pipe joints to the pipe joint a of the first unit and the pipe joint h of the pipe header, or to the pipe joint b and the pipe joint c of the second unit. An automatic connection device is provided.
[0015]
In such a piping automatic connection switching device,
In the first unit, the pipes of the pipe group X and the flexible pipes A are connected via fixed ends arranged on a plane at a height different from the virtual plane P1,
In the second unit, the pipes of the pipe group Y, the flexible pipes B, the ends of the pipe headers, and the flexible pipes for the header are on different planes from the virtual plane P1. Connected via fixed ends that are aligned with
At the lowermost end of the pipe header and the flexible pipe for the header, a discharge valve for discharging the remaining liquid in the pipe is provided,
It is preferable that at least one pipe of the pipe group X is a pipe dedicated to cleaning.
[0016]
[Action]
In the automatic piping connection switching device of the present invention configured as described above, one-to-many connection between the first unit and the second unit is performed according to the following procedure.
[0017]
The moving body at the end of the flexible piping A in the first unit connected to the target piping in the upstream piping group X is connected to the flexible piping for header in the second unit. The moving body connected to the end of the pipe header and the flexible pipe for the header is moved to a position opposed to the positioned moving body to the position where the moving body is moved. The moving body at the end of the flexible pipe B connected to the pipes of the pipe group Y on the downstream side at a position facing some of the plurality of pipe joints h of the pipe header in the first unit. Move to position.
[0018]
Then, the one pipe joint part a provided in the moving body in the first unit and the other pipe joint part c provided in the moving body at the end of the flexible pipe for header are connected by the automatic connection device. By connection, a transfer path from a single target pipe to a pipe header having a plurality of pipe joints h is established. Then, according to a desired combination of pipes, the pipe joints of the moving body at the end of the flexible pipe B connected to the pipes of the pipe group Y are provided for some of the pipe joints h of the pipe header described above. The connection between the pipe groups can be completed by repeating the connection operation of the part b. This enables one-to-many distribution.
[0019]
When a one-to-one fluid transfer path is established, a predetermined moving object at the end of the flexible pipe B in the second unit connected to the pipes of the pipe group Y is used. The moving body at the end of the desired flexible pipe A in the first unit connected to the pipes of the pipe group X is positioned at a position opposite to the positioned moving body. After positioning, the pipe joints a and b provided in the respective moving bodies are connected by an automatic connection device. This enables one-to-one distribution.
[0020]
By carrying out the above operation, one-to-one or one-to-many distribution becomes possible as required.
[0021]
【Example】
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0022]
(First embodiment)
First, a first embodiment will be described. In the piping group and piping group switching device of the present invention, the first unit and the second unit may be provided so as to face each other horizontally and in parallel, or It may be provided so as to face vertically and parallel. The following is a description of the case where it is provided horizontally unless otherwise specified.
[0023]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an entire arrangement of a first embodiment of a piping automatic connection switching device of the present invention, showing a state before connection. Although only one pipe header is shown in this drawing, a plurality of pipe headers may be used.
[0024]
The piping automatic connection switching device of this embodiment is represented, for example, as shown in FIG. The first unit 1 includes pipe groups X1 to X8 connected to tanks T1 to T8 for predetermined raw materials and intermediate products, and a plurality of flexible pipes 10A connected to fixed ends of the pipes X1 to X8. And the fixed piping header 5 are respectively arranged in parallel on the virtual one plane P1. Piping joints a1 to a8 are connected to the distal ends of the plurality of flexible pipes 10A, respectively, and the pipe joints a1 to a8 are respectively built in a moving body 8A (see FIG. 2) described later and X in the figure. It is movable in the axial direction. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the number of flexible pipes 10A is eight and the number of fixed pipe headers 5 is one. However, the number of flexible pipes 10A and the number of fixed pipe headers can be set arbitrarily.
[0025]
The pipe header 5 has, for example, the same number of pipe joints as the pipe group Y connected to a filling machine or the like at a fixed interval. For example, in FIG. The number is seven (h1 to h7). The number of such pipe joint portions of the pipe header 5 is determined by how many pieces of one product need to be transferred separately at the same time. This required number can be determined in advance by simulation of a production plan or the like.
[0026]
In the second unit 2, a plurality of flexible pipes 10 </ b> B connected to fixed ends for fixing the pipes Y <b> 1 to Y <b> 7 of the pipe group Y, and a pipe and a fixed end of the pipe header 5 of the first unit 1. The header flexible pipe 55 connected via the portion is arranged in parallel on a virtual plane P2 facing the plane P1 at a fixed distance in parallel with the plane P1. The number of flexible pipes of the second unit 2 including the case where there are a plurality of fixed pipe headers is equal to the sum of the number of fixed pipe headers 5 and the number of pipe joints of the pipe headers 5. In the example of 1, the number is eight.
[0027]
Pipe joints b1 to b7 connectable to pipe joints a1 to a8 and h1 to h7 are connected to the ends of the plurality of flexible pipes 10B, respectively. A pipe joint c that can be connected to the pipe joints a1 to a8 is connected. Each of these pipe joints b1 to b7, c is built in a moving body 8B (see FIG. 2) described later and is movable in a Y-axis direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction in the drawing.
[0028]
In the moving bodies 8A and 8B, in addition to connection joints (a1 to a8, b1 to b7, c) for connecting pipes, a mechanism for moving and positioning to a predetermined target position is provided. .
[0029]
The first unit 1 has a flexible pipe group including a plurality of flexible pipes 10A, and the second unit 2 has a flexible pipe group including a plurality of flexible pipes 10B and a header flexible pipe 55. The pipe group has a number of drive units corresponding to the number of flexible pipes, and the drive unit is reciprocated in a straight line by, for example, screwing the movable body onto a rotatable screw shaft. Things to move are conceivable.
[0030]
Here, the correlation between the flexible pipe and the moving body will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pipe connection mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0031]
The moving body 8B including the pipe joint at one end of the flexible pipe 10B of the second unit 2 moves only in the Y-axis direction at right angles to the first unit 1. The flexible pipe 10B of the second unit 2 is formed in a U shape in a cable bear shape in the mobile cell 7B.
[0032]
In each unit, the flexible piping is fixed to fixed ends 9A and 9B to prevent entanglement.
[0033]
In the first unit 1, the moving body 8A containing the pipe joint at one end of the flexible pipe 10A moves only in the X-axis direction, and the other end is fixedly arranged in the axial direction. In the second unit 2, the moving body 8B having a pipe joint at one end of the flexible pipe 10B moves only in the Y-axis direction, and the other end is fixedly arranged in the axial direction. Therefore, the flexible piping 10A and the flexible piping 10B do not entangle with each other. The header flexible pipe 55 is connected to a fixed end, and is connected to the pipe header via the fixed end. As described above, it is similar to the above-mentioned proposal to reduce the degree of freedom of the movement of the flexible pipe, thereby eliminating the entanglement and performing the hose connection automation at the hose station, which has been difficult to automate.
[0034]
In each unit, one mobile body cell 7A (7B) is formed for each flexible pipe. The moving device of the moving body 8A (8B) used for the moving body cell 7A (7B) includes one or more guide portions 15A (15B) for guiding the movement of the moving body 8A (8B), and the moving body 8A (8B). A female screw laid on the side wall of the female screw, a male screw shaft screwed to the female screw, and a drive device represented by a motor for rotating the male screw shaft. The moving device is composed of, for example, a servomotor, a screw shaft (a ball screw, a trapezoidal screw or the like is common), a position detecting mechanism, and the like, and is a well-known technology in the current automation technology.
[0035]
The moving body 8A (8B) screwed to the screw 13A (13B) can be accurately positioned by the movement driving device 12A (12B) such as a motor and the position detection and feedback mechanism. Of course, a timing belt or a rack and pinion may be used instead of the screw shaft. In order to perform a linear motion, a screw 13A (13B) portion and a guide portion 15A (15B) for converting a rotary motion into a linear motion are required. In addition to the transfer mechanism using electric energy, positioning may be performed by air energy, specifically, by an air cylinder.
[0036]
The mobile cells 7A (7B) having these positioning mechanisms are installed at appropriate intervals in the first unit 1 and the second unit 2, and the first unit 1 and the second unit 2 are provided in accordance with a desired combination. The moving body of the unit 2 is moved so that the pipe joints in the moving body face each other at the same position.
[0037]
The pipe joint is selected according to the application, such as a joint joined in a male and female relationship or a joint excellent in cleaning performance proposed in Japanese Patent Application No. 5-296548.
[0038]
Various things can be used as said flexible piping. A typical example is a general flexible hose, and the material may be selected in consideration of the properties of the fluid flowing inside, use conditions (pressure, temperature, etc.), safety, and the like. For example, rubber hoses, composite hoses formed by laminating dozens of sheets of various materials into a composite structure, and inner and outer wires reinforced with a wire spiral are used. In particular, a composite structure reinforced with a wire spiral can be used even under high pressure, and is excellent in flexibility.
[0039]
Also, a multi-joint pipe configured by using a swivel joint as a universal joint can be used. Shape stability, which is not found in flexible hoses, can be obtained and can be used even at high pressure.
[0040]
Next, with reference to FIG. 3, a method for realizing a one-to-one transfer of fluid from a tank of the first unit 1 to a filling machine of the second unit 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which one-to-one connection is performed in the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0041]
One raw material is selected from the piping group X of the first unit 1, and the flexible piping of the first unit 1 is connected to a desired moving body of the second unit 2 by the moving body 8A (see FIG. 2). Move to a possible position and perform positioning. Next, the flexible pipe of the second unit 2 is moved to the desired line of the first unit 1 by the moving body 8B (see FIG. 2). The pipe joint section in the moving body 8A of the first unit 1 and the pipe joint section in the moving body 8B of the second unit 2 face each other, and the joint driving device 14 (see FIG. 2) in the second unit 2 Coupled by driving.
[0042]
For example, when the raw material of the tank T1 connected to the pipe X1 of the pipe group X is transferred to the pipe Y2 of the pipe group Y, as shown in FIG. 3, the pipe joint part a1 of the first unit 1 is incorporated. The moving body 8A is positioned at a desired position, and then the moving body 8B of the pipe joint b2 of the second unit 2 is moved to a position opposite to the pipe joint a1 for positioning. By these movements, the pipe joint part a1 and the pipe joint part b2 are in a state where they are opposed to the same position. FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a state before the connection of the pipe joints.
[0043]
The pipe joint part a1 and the pipe joint part b2 are connected by, for example, a joint drive device 14 provided on the connection part b2 side. In the present embodiment, the moving body 8B of the second unit 2 has the joint driving device 14, but is not limited to this.
[0044]
In this connection, a guide mechanism for aligning the center and an appropriate displacement absorbing mechanism for absorbing the misalignment are used in the same manner as a conventional joint, and are not shown. For example, a method often used as a guide mechanism is a method using a tapered cone having a gradient or a combination of a guide pin and a guide hole. As a displacement absorbing mechanism, there is a mechanism that supports the entire joint slidably left and right via a free bearing.
[0045]
After the alignment is performed by the guide mechanism and the displacement absorbing mechanism, the connection portions are finally pressed together. As a result, an appropriate surface pressure is applied to the seal 52d shown in FIG. In this state, the ferrule portion 52b is tightened by the clamp 35 to perform mechanical fixing, that is, mechanical lock. This clamp can be realized by automatically performing a half-split clamp used for tightening sanitary parts and devices. The ferrule portion 52b is tapered, and by tightening using the similarly tapered clamp 35, a large tightening force, that is, a surface pressure can be obtained with a small force due to a wedge effect. Therefore, even when the fluid pressure is large, only a small force is required.
[0046]
Next, the inner valve driving device (actuator) 180 (see FIG. 2) for driving the inner valve 49 provided in the moving body 8B at the tip of the flexible pipe 10B of the second unit 2 is operated. . The inner valve 49 of the pipe joint b2 is normally set to be closed by a spring (not shown), and operates to be opened by supplying air to an inner valve driving device such as an air cylinder. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the inner valve driving device is driven after connecting the pipe joints.
[0047]
As shown in FIG. 5, by driving the inner valve driving device 180 of the moving body 8B, the inner valve 49 and the inner valve 48 are moved to the pipe joint part a1 side in a state of being in close contact with each other, so that the connection part a1 is connected to the connection part b2. A fluid flow path is established. Thereby, the fluid is transferred from the tank T1 connected to the pipe joint a1 to the filling machine connected to the pipe joint b2.
[0048]
When the necessary transfer operation is completed, the supply of air to the air cylinder, which is the inner valve driving device, is stopped, whereby the valve elements 48, 49 are returned to the original state by the biasing force of the automatic return spring 86. FIG. 6 shows the state at this time.
[0049]
Since the seal 52e at the joint between the inner valve 48 of the pipe joint part a1 and the inner valve 49 of the pipe joint part b2 and the liquid contact surface 61 on the outside thereof are dirty, the connection is released and disconnected as shown in FIG. First, the liquid contact surface 61 and the seal 52e of the inner valve are washed. For this cleaning, a cleaning chamber 90 is provided on a concentric axis of the valve body shaft 52 of the connection part b2.
[0050]
The cleaning operation using the cleaning chamber 90 will be described below.
[0051]
In FIG. 6, a cleaning liquid is supplied from the lower portion of the valve shaft 52 to a space between the valve shaft 52 and a cleaning chamber 90 provided concentrically inside the valve shaft 52.
[0052]
The supplied cleaning liquid is ejected by an ejection mechanism 91 provided at the tip of the cleaning chamber 90. There are various types of the jetting mechanism 91, and there are a type using a narrow gap, a type using an obliquely provided pore, and a type perforated in a cutting line direction so that the jetting becomes spiral. The cleaning liquid supplied under pressure is jetted from the jetting mechanism 91 at the tip, and cleans the seal 52 e and the inner valve contact surface 61 that hermetically seal the joint between the upper and lower inner valves 48 and 49. The air is discharged to the outside through a discharge pipe or the like through a funnel-shaped central open space 85 formed inside and a clearance between the cleaning chamber 90 and the valve shaft 52 below the space.
[0053]
This is a cleaning in place (CIP) between surfaces, and the ability to clean the contact surface before separation is convenient because the surroundings are not stained after separation.
[0054]
Thereafter, the tightening by the half clamp 35 for mechanical holding described above is released and detachment is performed.
[0055]
Then, the pipe joints are cut off from each other, and the moving body 8A containing the connecting portion a1 connected to the tip of the flexible pipe of the first unit 1 and the connection connected to the tip of the flexible pipe of the second unit 2 are connected. The mobile unit 8B incorporating the unit b1 is driven to return to the original position (home position).
[0056]
The connecting device including the joint driving device 14 and the inner valve driving device 180 is provided on the side where the number of moving bodies is small, but it is considered to be convenient for reducing the number of connecting devices as a whole. In the example, it is provided on the moving body of the second unit 2, but is not limited to this.
[0057]
Next, a method for realizing the transfer of fluid from one to a plurality of tanks of the first unit 1 to a plurality of filling machines of the second unit 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a state where one-to-many connection is performed in the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0058]
Here, the connection unit is used to transfer the raw material in the tank T2 of the first unit 1 to the four filling machines connected to the pipes Y1, Y2, Y3, and Y4 of the pipe group Y of the second unit 2. The method of transferring via b1, b2, b3, and b4 will be described in detail.
[0059]
The pipe joint part a2 connected to the tank T2 of the first unit 1 containing the desired raw material is moved by the moving body 8A to a position where it can be connected to the header flexible pipe 55. Next, the pipe joint c at the end of the header flexible pipe 55 of the second unit 2 is moved by the moving body 8B to a position where it can be connected to the desired pipe joint a2. Then, the pipe joint part a2 of the first unit 1 and the pipe joint part c of the second unit 2 face each other, and the pipe joint part a2 and the pipe joint part a2 are driven by the drive of the joint drive device 14 (see FIG. 2) of the pipe joint part c. The joint c is connected. As a result, the tank T2 is connected to the pipe header 5 through the pipe X2, the flexible pipe 10A, and the flexible pipe 55 for the header. Then, the inner valve driving device 180 (see FIG. 2) of the pipe joint part c is driven to open the valve (see FIG. 5). State.
[0060]
In the second unit 2, a number of flexible pipes corresponding to the pipe joints h1 to h7 provided in the fixed pipe header 5 of the first unit 1 are arranged. The origin is set in a state where the pipe joints b1 to b7 at the tips of the plurality of flexible pipes of the second unit 2 face each other.
[0061]
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a positional relationship when the pipe joints h1 to h7 of the pipe header 5 of the first unit 1 and the pipe joints b1 to b7 of the moving body 8B of the second unit 2 face each other. is there.
[0062]
As shown in FIG. 8, since the tank T2 on the first unit 1 side is connected to the header flexible pipe 55, the pipe joint portion of the fixed pipe header 5 in a state in which fluid can be transferred. The pipe joints b1 to b7 of the second unit 2 to be connected for transferring the fluid are opposed to h1 to h7. When the number of pipes that need to be connected at the same time is determined by the required number of operation of the filling machine or the like, the pipe joints h1 to h7 on the pipe header 5 side connected to the tank T2 of the first unit 1 by this, It is waited that the connection desired pipe joint on the second unit 2 side is connected by the joint drive device 14 (see FIG. 2) of each of the connection desired pipe joints on the second unit 2 side.
[0063]
In this embodiment, each moving body of the pipe joints on the second unit 2 has a connection between the pipe joints h1 to h7 on the pipe header 5 side and the desired pipe joints on the second unit 2 side in this embodiment. Since this is performed by the joint driving device 14 (see FIG. 2), the pipe joints h1 to h7 on the pipe header 5 side are always waiting for the desired pipe joint section on the second unit 2 side to be connected. In state. The procedure is the same as that described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, and is as follows according to FIG.
[0064]
1. The ferrules 40 of the pipe joints h1 to h4 and b1 to b4 are mechanically held by a clamp 41 (mechanical lock).
[0065]
2. The inner valves 36 and 39 of the pipe joints h1 to h4 and b1 to b4 are opened by driving the inner valve driving device. This inner valve driving device is connected to the lower end of the inner valve 39 of the pipe joints b1 to b4 (see FIG. 2). The opening and closing of the inner valves 36 of the pipe joints h1 to h4 is pushed up and opened by the inner valves 39 of the pipe joints b1 to b4, and the pressing force of the inner valve 39 of the pipe joints b1 to b4 to the inner valve 36 is released. Thereby, it is configured to be closed by the spring force of the automatic return spring 80 provided in the pipe joints h1 to h4.
[0066]
3. The inner valve driving device provided below the pipe joints b1 to b4 is operated to push up the inner valve 39. The inner valve 39 is normally set to be closed by a spring, and operates to be opened by, for example, injecting air into the actuator. The inner valve 39 is pushed up by the inner valve driving device of the pipe joints b1 to b4, and the inner valve 36 of the opposed pipe joints h1 to h4 is pushed up. Thereby, the product from the tank flows into the pipe joints b1 to b4 via the header flexible pipe header 55 connected to the pipe of the pipe header 5.
[0067]
4. After the connection is completed, the fluid in the tank is circulated and transferred to, for example, the filling device side.
[0068]
5. When stopping the flow, the supply of air to the air actuator (inner valve driving device) connected to the pipe joints b1 to b4 is stopped. Thereby, the inner valve 39 is closed by the automatic return spring 80 provided at the pipe joints h1 to h4, and the inner valve 36 of the pipe joints h1 to h4 is simultaneously closed by the automatic return spring 80.
[0069]
6. Next, the supply of air to the inner valve driving device of the pipe joint c at the tip of the header flexible pipe 55 is stopped. The inner valve in the pipe joint a2 on the first unit 1 side and the inner valve in the pipe joint c at the tip of the header flexible pipe 55 are simultaneously closed.
[0070]
7. Here, the seal 50 at the joint between the inner valve 36 in the pipe joints h1 to h7 on the fixed pipe header 5 side and the inner valve 39 in the pipe joints b1 to b7 on the second unit 2 side and its outside. , The inner valve 48 of the pipe joint a2 on the first unit 1 side shown in FIG. 6, and the inner valve 49 of the pipe joint c at the tip of the flexible pipe 55 for the header. Since the seal 52e at the joint of the above and the contact surface 61 of the inner valve on the outside thereof are dirty, they are cleaned before disconnecting and disconnecting. For this cleaning, a cleaning chamber is provided on the valve shaft of the inner valves 39 and 49. Thus, CIP is performed. A specific method of the cleaning (CIP) is performed in the same manner as in the case of the one-to-one connection described above with reference to FIG.
[0071]
The fact that the contact surface can be cleaned before separation does not stain the surroundings after separation. Thereafter, the tightening by the half clamp 41 for mechanical holding is released and the machine is released.
[0072]
8. A joint drive device that each of the moving bodies of the pipe joints b1 to b4 has a connection between the pipe joints b1 to b4 of the second unit 2 connected to the pipe joints h1 to h4 of the pipe header 5 ( (See FIG. 2).
[0073]
9. A joint driving device having a moving body having a built-in pipe joint c for connecting the pipe joint a2 on the first unit 1 side and the pipe joint c at the tip of the flexible pipe 55 for header (see FIG. 2). To cancel. Then, it returns to each origin by each moving body.
[0074]
Inside the fixed piping header 5 of the first unit 1 and the flexible piping 55 for the header of the second unit 2 connected to the piping, the moving body of the first unit 1 connected to a tank or the like. Even if the connection with the pipe joint is disconnected, the remaining liquid remains. In order to collect the residual liquid, a drain valve (not shown) is provided at the lowermost end of the fixed piping header 5 and the header flexible piping 55, and the valve is opened and closed as appropriate. Recover the fluid remaining inside. Of course, it is more effective if air or the like is sent to the fixed pipe header to pressurize and extrude the liquid remaining in the pipe.
[0075]
The selection of the valve may be appropriately selected from commercially available products in consideration of the flow temperature of the fluid and the properties of the fluid.
[0076]
The management system of the automatic pipe connection switching device includes a host computer that manages the combination of the pipes in the pipe group and a computer that manages the movement of the moving body and the connection of the pipe joint. When the transfer to the next process or the switching of the brand of the product is determined by performing the so-called production management, the movement sequence of the tank contents is determined accordingly. The order of transfer, route determination, and valve operation order are determined, and the combination in the piping connection switching device is determined.
[0077]
Next, the system for managing the movement of the moving body and the connection of the pipe joints is operated. This includes managing the moving direction, moving distance, and the like of the moving object based on the information, and further confirming that the connection has been made more reliably.
[0078]
In these management systems, since the present apparatus is easy to be unitized and expandable, the management system is desired to have a distributed system configuration.
[0079]
(Second embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the contact surface between the upper valve body and the lower valve body is cleaned and cleaned by the inter-surface CIP. Is not done automatically.
[0080]
When one line dedicated to cleaning the piping group of the first unit 1 is provided, cleaning of the fixed piping header, the flexible piping group of the second unit 2, the filling machine, and the like can be performed automatically.
[0081]
FIG. 9 shows a cleaning example in which one of the pipe groups of the first unit 1, for example, the pipe X8 is dedicated to cleaning, that is, a CIP line dedicated to cleaning.
[0082]
As a washing method, for example,
1. The pipe joint part a8 connected to the pipe X8 is connected to the pipe joint part c at the tip of the flexible pipe 55 for the header.
[0083]
As a result, the cleaning liquid flows into the pipe joints h1 to h7 of the fixed pipe header through the header flexible pipe 55.
[0084]
2. The joint drive unit 14 of the moving body of each of the pipe joints b1 to b7 of the second unit 2 sequentially includes the pipe joints h1 to h7 of the fixed pipe header 5 and the pipe joints b1 to b7 of the second unit 2. (See FIG. 2).
[0085]
As a result, the cleaning liquid is in a state in which the cleaning liquid can flow through the pipe group Y connected to the plurality of flexible pipes of the second unit 2 to a filling machine or the like installed therebefore.
[0086]
3. With the inner valve driving device 180 (see FIG. 2) attached to each moving body of the pipe joints b1 to b7 of the second unit 2, the inner valves of the pipe joints h1 to h7 of the fixed pipe header 5 The cleaning liquid flows into the second unit 2 by being pushed up by the inner valves of the pipe joints b <b> 1 to b <b> 7 of the second unit 2. This is performed sequentially or simultaneously with the pipe joints h1 to h7 of the fixed pipe header 5 and the pipe joints b1 to b7 of the second unit 2.
[0087]
4. When cleaning is completed, the inner valves of the pipe joints b1 to b7 of the second unit 2 are closed. As a result, the cleaning liquid does not flow into the pipe on the second unit 2 side.
[0088]
5. The joint driving device 14 (see FIG. 2) of each moving body of the pipe joints b1 to b7 of the second unit 2 is used to connect the pipe joints h1 to h7 of the fixed pipe header 5 and the pipe joints of the second unit 2. The connection of the parts b1 to b7 is released.
[0089]
6. The connection between the pipe joint part a8 of the pipe X8 and the pipe joint part c at the tip of the flexible pipe 55 for the header is released. Then, the moving body returns to each origin position.
[0090]
Depending on the method of cleaning, a single line may not be a line dedicated to cleaning, but a plurality of lines may be lines for cleaning. For example, after the cleaning step, as a next step, for example, connection to a dedicated rinsing line for performing rinsing (finish cleaning) can be performed. The method of connecting and distributing the line corresponding to the cleaning line of the first unit 1 is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. If necessary, the line CIP is performed after the connection.
[0091]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention provides an upstream piping group X composed of a plurality of flexible pipes provided with a pipe joint at the tip, and a plurality of flexible pipes provided with a pipe joint at the tip. In a downstream pipe group Y composed of pipes, a pipe header that enables simultaneous connection of a plurality of pipes on the downstream side to one pipe on the upstream side, and a flexible pipe for a header connected to the pipe header The following effects can be obtained by using the automatic pipe connection switching device provided with the above.
(1). One-to-many line connections can be made simultaneously while minimizing the number of headers for switching.
(2). The number of connection joints for switching is reduced.
(3). One-to-one line connection can also be easily performed.
(4). The residual in the header pipe can be eliminated.
(5). It can be checked visually whether the pipe is connected.
(6). There is no mixing of varieties because the piping is physically blocked.
(7). Flexible tubing (eg, flexible hose) does not entangle.
(8). Easy to unitize, easy to combine and scalable.
(9). Easy cleaning and sterilization.
(10). There is little concern about liquid pools in flexible piping.
(11). It can be installed for switching in any field.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall arrangement of a first embodiment of a piping automatic connection switching device of the present invention before connection.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pipe connection mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which one-to-one connection is performed in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state before connection between pipe joints used in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a state in which the inner valve driving device is driven after connecting the pipe joints of the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the pipe joint portion according to the first embodiment of the present invention is closed and cleaning between surfaces is performed.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a state where one-to-many connection is performed in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a positional relationship when a plurality of pipe joints of a pipe header of a first unit and a plurality of pipe joints of a movable body of a second unit face each other.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an entire arrangement before connection of a second embodiment of the automatic connection pipe switching device of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a view showing a conventional pipe automatic connection switching device capable of one-to-one connection.
FIG. 11 is a view showing a conventional piping automatic connection switching device capable of one-to-many connection.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 First unit
2 Second unit
5 Piping header
7A, 7B mobile cell
8A, 8B Moving object
9A, 9B Fixed end
10A, 10B Flexible piping
12A, 12B moving drive device
13A, 13B screw
14 Joint drive
15A, 15B Guide part
35 clamp
36, 39, 48, 49 Inner valve
40, 52b Ferrule
41 Clamp
50, 52d, 52e Seal
51, 61 Wetted surface
52 Valve shaft
55 Flexible piping for header
80, 86 Automatic return spring
85 Central open space
90 Cleaning chamber
91 Ejection mechanism
180 Inner valve drive
X, X1-X8 Piping group
Y, Y1 to Y8 Piping group
T1-T8 tank
a1 to a8, b1 to b7, c, h1 to h8 Piping joints

Claims (4)

A plurality of flexible pipes A connected to the respective pipes of the pipe group X on the upstream side and arranged in parallel with each other, and provided at the end of each of the flexible pipes A, Moving bodies having a pipe joint portion a capable of bending the flexible pipe A and reciprocating in the longitudinal direction of the flexible pipe A, wherein the pipe joint portion a of each of the movable bodies is one virtual plane. A first unit configured to move on P1;
A plurality of flexible pipes B connected corresponding to each pipe of the downstream pipe group Y and arranged in parallel with a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the plurality of flexible pipes A of the first unit. And a plurality of pipe joints b provided at the ends of the respective flexible pipes B and capable of bending the flexible pipes B and reciprocating in the longitudinal direction of the flexible pipes B. And a pipe joint part b of each of the moving bodies is configured to move on another virtual plane P2 arranged in parallel with and opposed to the virtual plane P1 of the first unit. And two units,
After moving the moving body of the first unit and the moving body of the second unit and positioning them so as to face each other, the pipe joints of the moving bodies facing each other are automatically joined to each other to form the pipe. In a piping automatic connection switching device for switching the connection between the group X and the piping group Y,
The first unit comprises:
The flexible pipes B are fixed on the virtual plane P1 in parallel with the arrangement direction of the flexible pipes A, and correspond to the arrangement positions of the flexible pipes B of the second unit. Further comprising at least one pipe header having the same number of pipe joints h,
The second unit comprises:
A flexible pipe for header connected to the pipe of the pipe header of the first unit and arranged in parallel to the arrangement direction of the flexible pipe B;
A pipe joint portion provided at an end of the header flexible pipe, capable of bending the header flexible pipe and reciprocating on the virtual plane P2 in the longitudinal direction of the header flexible pipe; and a moving object having c.
Automatic connection of the pipe joints to the pipe joint a of the first unit and the pipe joint h of the pipe header, or to the pipe joint b and the pipe joint c of the second unit. Automatic connection switching device, which is provided with an automatic connection device. In the first unit, the pipes of the pipe group X and the flexible pipes A are connected via fixed ends arranged on a plane at a height different from the virtual plane P1,
In the second unit, the pipes of the pipe group Y, the flexible pipes B, the ends of the pipe headers, and the flexible pipes for the header are on different planes from the virtual plane P1. 2. The automatic pipe connection switching device according to claim 1, wherein the pipes are connected through fixed ends arranged in a line. The piping automatic connection switching device according to claim 1, wherein a discharge valve for discharging a residual liquid in the piping is provided at a lowermost end of the piping header and the flexible piping for the header. . The automatic pipe connection switching device according to claim 1, wherein at least one pipe in the pipe group X is a pipe dedicated to cleaning.

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