JP4671856B2 - Levitation conveyance method and levitation conveyance apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a levitation conveyance method and a levitation conveyance apparatus in which a member is moved while being kept floating without contact.

  Conventionally, there are cases where a soft member or a member that requires a very clean degree is conveyed. In such a case, when the member is supplied to the transport device, the member is lifted and transported to prevent the member from being damaged, deformed or contaminated.

  For example, when an optical element is formed by press-molding a heat-softened glass material with a mold, in a low-viscosity range where the glass material is deformed by its own weight, a jig that holds the glass material during heating It is not easy to prevent fusion between glass and glass. For this reason, a technique is known in which a glass material is heated and softened while being floated by a gas to be ejected, and the softened glass material is dropped into a molding die (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  According to the technique of this patent document 1, the glass material is floated by forming an upper opening in the lifting jig and using a gas flowing upward from the upper opening. Thereby, a glass raw material floats on an upper opening part, and is hold | maintained so that it may not contact a floating jig | tool.

  This is because, for example, when there is a large flow rate of gas ejected from below, the pressure on the back surface (upper surface) of the glass body decreases and the upward force (lift) acts on the glass body according to Bernoulli's theorem when the gas velocity increases. It is explained.

  In addition, as another conventional technique, there is a technique in which a support base is composed of a porous member, and a glass material is heated while being held in a non-contact state via a pressurized gas supplied from a porous portion of the support base. It is known (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  According to the technique of this Patent Document 2, a pressurized gas is passed through a porous support base and ejected from below the glass material, and a fluid film of the pressurized gas is formed between the glass material and the support base. The glass material is levitated from the support base and held in a non-contact state. In this state, the support base and the glass material are accommodated in the heating furnace.

This is because when the flow rate of gas to be ejected is small, due to the lubrication phenomenon, the glass material and the ejection port are separated from each other across the fluid film, and the gas viscosity, ejection pressure, and the relative movement between the glass material and the ejection port. It is explained that the glass material is floated from the spout by the kinetic energy of the generated gas.
JP-A-8-133758 (page 4, FIG. 1) JP 61-266317 A (page 3, FIG. 1)

  However, as in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, in the means of conveying or simultaneously heating the glass material while floating in a non-contact state, the glass material starts to rotate due to the slight flow direction of the gas, and vibration is generated. There is a high risk of occurrence, and it is difficult to maintain a stable posture. In particular, when it is desired to raise the glass material to a high level, it becomes a big problem.

  That is, when the gas to be ejected approaches a stable state, the height of the floating glass material changes with a large amplitude, or a slight rotation occurs in the glass material and the rotation speed increases. May cause oscillation.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and the object of the present invention is to levitate and convey a member that is stably levitated and held in a non-contact manner by a gas ejected from below. It is to provide a method and a levitating conveyance device.

In order to achieve the above object, the levitation conveyance method of the present invention comprises:
Turbulence obtained the ejection direction changing gases, by ejecting from below the member, and held while floating the member in a non-contact, and be moved.

In the above, it is possible to obtain a turbulent flow by arranging a ring-shaped member at the outlet of the gas ejection port.
In addition, the levitation conveyance method of the present invention is
The turbulent flow obtained by changing the position of the gas ejection port was ejected from below the member, so that the member was held and moved while floating in a non-contact manner.

In addition, the levitation conveyance method of the present invention is
The turbulence which is obtained by changing the flow rate per unit time of the air body, by ejecting from below the member, and held while floating the member in a non-contact, and be moved.
Furthermore, the levitation conveyance method of the present invention includes:
Depending on the flow rate per unit time of the air body, the resulting turbulence with a nozzle orientation of the gas is changed, by ejecting from below the member, and held while floating the member in a non-contact , Moved.

In the above, the member is preferably spherical.
Moreover, it is preferable that the said member consists of glass.
Furthermore, it is possible to heat the member with the jetting heated gas .

Moreover, the levitating and conveying apparatus of the present invention is
A gas introduction unit for introducing a gas one constant flow,
Turbulent flow forming means for converting the gas introduced by the gas introduction part into turbulent flow by changing the jet direction of the gas , and
By blowing out the turbulent flow from below the member, the member is held and moved while floating in a non-contact manner .
In the above, the turbulent flow forming means may have a ring-shaped member disposed at the outlet of the gas jet port.
Moreover, the levitating and conveying apparatus of the present invention is
A gas introduction part for introducing a constant flow of gas;
Turbulent flow forming means for converting the gas introduced at the gas introducing portion into a turbulent flow by changing the position of the gas ejection port, and
By blowing out the turbulent flow from below the member, the member is held and moved while floating in a non-contact manner .
Furthermore, the levitating and conveying apparatus of the present invention is
A gas introduction part for introducing a constant flow of gas;
Turbulent flow forming means for converting the gas introduced by the gas introducing section into turbulent flow by changing the flow rate per unit time of the gas, and
By ejecting the turbulent flow from below the member, the member is held and moved while floating in a non-contact manner.
Moreover, the levitating and conveying apparatus of the present invention is
A gas introduction part for introducing a constant flow of gas;
Turbulent flow forming means for converting the gas introduced by the gas introduction unit into turbulent flow using a nozzle whose direction of the gas changes according to the flow rate per unit time of the gas, and
By ejecting the turbulent flow from below the member, the member is held and moved while floating in a non-contact manner.

In the above , it is possible to further include a heating means for heating the gas introduced by the gas introduction part .

  According to the present invention, when a member is levitated in a non-contact manner by a gas ejected from below, a turbulent flow is used as the gas to be ejected, so that the member is stably levitated and held in a non-contact manner and conveyed. be able to.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Throughout the drawings, the same or corresponding members will be described with the same reference numerals as long as there is no possibility of misunderstanding.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a levitation transport apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, the levitation transfer apparatus 10 has a pipe 12 as a gas introduction part for introducing a gas such as a constant flow of nitrogen gas (N ₂ ), and the start side (introduction side) to the end side (introduction side) A diaphragm pump 14 as a turbulent flow forming means, an orifice 16, a mass flow meter 18 with a pressure gauge 17, a chamber 20, a non-frame torch heater 22 as a heating means, a nozzle 24, and the like are arranged in order. ing.

  Diaphragm pump 14 is a type of positive displacement pump, and forms a part of the pump chamber with a diaphragm such as rubber, and expands or decreases the volume of the pump chamber by inflating or denting the diaphragm with air pressure or the like. It is a pump. The gas (for example, nitrogen gas) discharged from the diaphragm pump 14 is a pulsating flow that changes periodically (regularly) in the form of a pulse wave.

  In the present embodiment, the diaphragm pump 14 having a cycle of 8 cycles / sec and a flow rate of 3 l / min to 10 l / min is used. Further, the gas discharged from the pump is throttled to a predetermined flow rate by the orifice 16. Further, the mass flow meter 18 is a thermal mass flow meter, and measures the total flow rate by detecting the representative flow rate in the pipe by a sensor inserted in the pipe.

  The chamber 20 smoothly controls the pulsed pulsation waveform discharged from the diaphragm pump 14, and the control amount can be adjusted by the attached valve 21. Since the gas such as nitrogen gas has inertia, the orifice 16 and the chamber 20 are used to control the smoothness of pulsation. The non-frame torch heater 22 serves to heat the nitrogen gas passing through the pipe 12 to 800 to 1000 ° C. with a heater such as nichrome wire that does not emit flame.

The nozzle 24 is capable of placing a glass material (molding material) 30 as a member in an initial state, and has an ejection port 26 that ejects nitrogen gas from below. The diameter of the opening of this jet nozzle 26 is formed to a size of D ₁ = φ1.5 mm, for example. The spherical glass material 30 is lifted in a non-contact manner against gravity by the pulsating flow of nitrogen gas ejected from the ejection port 26.

  Further, the nozzle 24 may be arranged so that the position of the ejection port 26 can be changed, or the nozzle 24 may be attached so that the inclination angle of the nozzle 24 can be changed, and the ejection direction can be made variable. Furthermore, the flow rate per unit time of the gas ejected from the ejection port 26 may be changed by controlling the output of the diaphragm pump 14 or the like.

  The reason is that the glass material 30 is not contacted by changing the position and direction of the ejected gas or the flow rate per unit time even when the glass material 30 floated due to the uncertain factor of the ejected gas is rotated. This is because there is a case where it can be held stably.

  Originally, “turbulent flow” refers to a flow in which each part of the fluid flows while being irregularly mixed, but in the present embodiment, the above-described pulsating flow is also accompanied by periodic fluctuations. Treated as being included in the turbulence here.

  In the present embodiment, the “turbulent flow” in which the pulsation is controlled is ejected from the ejection port 26 because the laminar flow is ejected or the glass material 30 is levitated and kept floating without contact. This is because the material 30 rotates.

In the present embodiment, the glass material 30 has a spherical shape with d ₁ = φ2 mm. However, the shape of the glass material 30 is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a gob (lump). Further, it may be in the form of a repellency. Further, although nitrogen gas is used as the ejection gas, the present invention is not limited to this, and other inert gas may be used, for example. Moreover, the inert gas was used in order to prevent the related members from being oxidized and the like from the viewpoint of safety.

  As described above, the heated nitrogen gas is ejected from the ejection port 26 with a high force. The glass material 30 is levitated and held in a non-contact state by the jetted nitrogen gas and is heated. The heated glass material 30 is transferred to a position of a lower mold (not shown) while being held in a non-contact state by a transfer means (not shown) (for example, a motor that moves the nozzle 24 in the XYZ directions). It is dropped into the lower mold and pressed.

According to this embodiment, the glass material 30 can be heated while floating in a non-contact and stable state by the turbulent flow of nitrogen gas ejected from below.
[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a main part of the levitation transport apparatus according to the second embodiment. In the present embodiment, the nozzle 124 is used in which the gas ejection direction changes according to the flow rate of the gas to be ejected per unit time. That is, in this embodiment, the nozzle 124 constitutes a turbulent flow forming means.

  In the first embodiment described above, a constant flow of gas introduced from the start end side (suction side) of the pipe 12 causes pulsed pulsation using the diaphragm pump 14. However, the gas flow ejected from the ejection port 126 can be made turbulent even without actively generating pulsation. For example, a pulsating flow can be generated using an electropneumatic proportional valve (0.2 seconds at a flow rate of 4 l / min, 0.4 seconds at 8 l / min).

That is, the nozzle 124 of the present embodiment includes a straight portion 127 inclined upward at a predetermined angle with respect to a horizontal plane, a bent portion 128 bent upward substantially at a right angle from the rear end portion of the straight portion 127, and the bent portion 128. A vertical portion 129 extending in a substantially vertical direction from the rear end portion of the rear portion, and a spout 126 opening at an upper portion of the vertical portion 129. The diameter of the opening of the ejection port 126, D ₂ = 16 mm, the diameter of the vertical portion 129 is formed in a D ₃ = 12mm. In addition, a spherical material with d ₂ = φ15 mm is used as the glass material 30.

  When the nitrogen gas discharged by the electropneumatic proportional valve is supplied, for example, at a normal pressure (the flow rate per unit time is normal), the A is discharged from the outlet 126 along the inclination direction of the inner wall of the vertical portion 129. Spouts in the direction. In addition, when nitrogen gas is supplied at a strong pressure (a large flow rate per unit time), the nitrogen gas once strikes the inner wall of the bending portion 128 and then vibrates in the B direction from the outlet 126 along the inclination direction of the inner wall. It erupts well.

  Thus, the nitrogen gas ejected from the ejection port 126 becomes a turbulent flow in which gases ejected in different directions of the A direction and the B direction are mixed, and the glass material 30 is brought into gravity by the ejected nitrogen gas. On the contrary, it is kept floating in a non-contact manner and heated by the nitrogen gas.

According to the present embodiment, by using the nozzle 124 having a specific structure, the gas flow becomes turbulent at the nozzle 126 even if the introduced gas is not actively made into a pulsating waveform, and the glass material 30 Can be heated while stably floating without contact.
[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a main part of the levitation transport apparatus according to the third embodiment. In the present embodiment, a ring-shaped member 131 is disposed at the outlet of the ejection port 226 to control the balance of the glass material 30 that has floated.

That is, a ring-shaped member 131 made of alumina (Al ₂ O ₃ ) is disposed at the outlet of the jet outlet 226. The ring-shaped member 131 is formed to have a size of an outer diameter D ₅ = φ20 mm and D ₅ ′ = φ6 mm. However, the material is not limited to alumina (Al ₂ O ₃ ). For example, titanium or iron-based metal, when heating is performed, a heat-resistant coating is applied, or a ceramic such as silicon nitride (Si ₃ N ₄ ) or SiC is used. Can be used, and it may be selected according to the mass of the material to be levitated. As a result, even when a constant flow of heated gas is introduced from the inlet of the nozzle 224, the direction of nitrogen gas ejection changes from the nozzle 226 of the nozzle 224, which is a turbulent flow. Erupted.

  In the present embodiment, the nozzle 224 and the ring-shaped member 131 constitute turbulent flow forming means. In this way, when the floating glass material 30 becomes unstable, the nitrogen gas ejected from the ejection port 226 becomes turbulent due to the interposition of the ring-shaped member 131, and the glass material 30 is stable against contact with gravity. And hold it. At this time, the ring-shaped member 131 is slightly lifted upward from the exit surface of the ejection port 226 by the nitrogen gas ejected from the ejection port 226.

Further, at this time, the ring-shaped member 131 has a property of moving in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the floated glass material 30, and thereby the glass material 30 is stably floated and held. However, in this case, the ring-shaped member 131 does not jump out of the diameter D ₄ of the ejection port 226 and moves within the range of the diameter D ₄ of the ejection port 226.

In the present embodiment, as the glass material 30, with d ₃ = 8 mm diameter, the cross section elliptic d ₃ '= 6 mm glass gob (lump). The diameter of the opening of the spout 226, D ₄ = 9 mm, and is formed to D ₄ '= φ5mm.

According to the present embodiment, the arrangement of the ring-shaped member 131 at the outlet of the jet outlet 226 changes the jet direction of nitrogen gas from the jet outlet 226 of the nozzle 224, and the glass floats as a turbulent flow. The balance of the material 30 can be controlled to maintain stable flying.
[Fourth Embodiment]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a main part of the levitation transport apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. In the present embodiment, the nozzle holder 325 configured separately is vibrated by a vibration unit (not shown), and the glass material 30 is held in a non-contact manner against gravity.

  That is, in this embodiment, a turbulent flow forming means is configured by a vibration unit (not shown) and the nozzle holder 325. The nozzle holder 325 has a nozzle 324 formed therein, and the nozzle holder 325 is vibrated at a speed of 30 times / second by a vibration unit such as a vibrator.

  In this case, the nozzle holder 325 is moved in the direction of arrows I and II (left and right direction) in a plane substantially orthogonal to the nitrogen gas ejection direction (upward direction) and in the upward direction (III direction) as the nitrogen gas ejection direction. The glass material 30 that has floated moves with a certain width, but can be stably floated and held in a non-contact state. This is because even when a constant flow of heated gas is introduced from the inlet of the nozzle 324, the nitrogen gas ejected from the outlet 326 of the nozzle 324 is vibrated by vibrating the nozzle holder 325 in the direction of the arrow. It is considered that the glass material 30 is stably floated and held because it is ejected in a form close to turbulent flow.

In the present embodiment, a glass gob (lump) having a substantially elliptical cross section with d ₄ = φ15 mm and d ₄ ′ = 10 mm is used as the glass material 30. The diameter of the opening of the spout 326, D ₆ = 18 mm, are formed in D ₆ '= φ10mm.

  According to the present embodiment, the nozzle holder 325 is vibrated at a predetermined vibration period, so that the nitrogen gas ejected from the ejection port 326 becomes turbulent and can stably float and hold the glass material 30. .

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the levitation conveyance apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the principal part of the levitation conveyance apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the principal part of the levitation conveyance apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the principal part of the levitation conveyance apparatus of 4th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Levitation conveyance apparatus 12 Piping 14 Diaphragm pump 16 Orifice 17 Pressure gauge 18 Mass flow meter 20 Chamber 21 Valve 22 Non flame | frame torch heater 24 Nozzle 26 Outlet 30 Glass material 124 Nozzle 126 Outlet 127 Straight part 128 Bending part 129 Vertical part 131 Ring Shaped member 224 nozzle 226 spout 324 nozzle 325 nozzle holder 326 spout

Claims (14)

  A levitation transport method in which a turbulent flow obtained by changing a gas ejection direction is ejected from below a member, and the member is held and moved while floating in a non-contact manner. In the levitation conveyance method according to claim 1,
A levitation transport method in which a ring-shaped member is disposed at an outlet of the gas jet outlet to obtain a turbulent flow.   A levitation conveyance method in which a turbulent flow obtained by changing the position of a gas ejection port is ejected from below a member, and the member is held and moved while floating in a non-contact manner.   A levitation conveyance method in which a turbulent flow obtained by changing the flow rate of gas per unit time is ejected from below a member, and the member is held and moved while floating in a non-contact manner.   According to the flow rate of gas per unit time, the turbulent flow obtained by using the nozzle that changes the direction of the gas is ejected from below the member, thereby holding the member while floating in a non-contact manner, A floating transportation method to move. In the levitation conveyance method according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The levitation conveyance method, wherein the member is spherical. In the levitation conveyance method according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The levitation conveyance method, wherein the member is made of glass. In the levitation conveyance method according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A levitation conveyance method in which the member is heated by the jetting heated gas. A gas introduction part for introducing a constant flow of gas;
Turbulent flow forming means for converting the gas introduced by the gas introduction part into turbulent flow by changing the jet direction of the gas, and
A levitation transport apparatus that holds and moves the turbulent flow from below the member while floating the member in a non-contact manner. In the levitation conveyance apparatus according to claim 9,
The turbulent flow forming means has a ring-shaped member disposed at an outlet of the gas jetting outlet. A gas introduction part for introducing a constant flow of gas;
Turbulent flow forming means for converting the gas introduced at the gas introducing portion into a turbulent flow by changing the position of the gas ejection port, and
A levitation transport apparatus that holds and moves the turbulent flow from below the member while floating the member in a non-contact manner. A gas introduction part for introducing a constant flow of gas;
Turbulent flow forming means for converting the gas introduced by the gas introducing section into turbulent flow by changing the flow rate per unit time of the gas, and
A levitation transport apparatus that holds and moves the turbulent flow from below the member while floating the member in a non-contact manner. A gas introduction part for introducing a constant flow of gas;
Turbulent flow forming means for converting the gas introduced by the gas introduction unit into turbulent flow using a nozzle whose direction of the gas changes according to the flow rate per unit time of the gas, and
A levitation transport apparatus that holds and moves the turbulent flow from below the member while floating the member in a non-contact manner. In the levitating conveyance apparatus in any one of Claims 9-13,
The levitation transport apparatus further comprising a heating means for heating the gas introduced by the gas introduction unit.

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