JP5833909B2 - Sealing device and method for manufacturing honeycomb structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sealing device and a method for manufacturing a honeycomb structure.

  Conventionally, honeycomb filter structures are widely known for DPF (Diesel particulate filter) and the like. This honeycomb filter structure has a structure in which one end side of some through holes of a honeycomb structure having a large number of through holes is sealed with a sealing material, and the other end side of the remaining through holes is sealed with a sealing material. Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose an apparatus and a method for manufacturing such a honeycomb filter structure.

WO2011 / 122635 Publication WO2011 / 122636 Publication

  However, in the conventional method, it is not easy to efficiently recover the residue of the sealing material from the sealing device after the sealing process is completed and before the next sealing process is performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sealing device and a method for manufacturing a honeycomb structure that can efficiently recover a sealing material residue.

A sealing device according to the present invention includes a main body having a recess and a communication path that opens to the inner surface of the recess,
An elastic plate fixed to the main body so as to cover the recess;
A groove provided around an edge of the exposed surface of the elastic plate.

  According to the present invention, the sealing material can be supplied to the through holes of the honeycomb structure by the following procedure. First, the elastic plate is deformed along the concave portion of the main body portion by discharging the fluid in the concave portion of the main body portion through the communication path, thereby forming the concave portion of the elastic plate. Next, a sealing material is supplied into the recess of the elastic body. Subsequently, one end face of the honeycomb structure is disposed at a position facing the recess. Subsequently, the elastic plate is moved toward one end surface of the honeycomb structure by supplying a fluid between the main body portion and the elastic plate through the communication path. Thereby, the sealing material in the recessed part of an elastic board is supplied in the through-hole of a honeycomb structure.

  Thereafter, after the honeycomb structure is separated from the main body, the residue of the sealing material adhering to the surface of the elastic plate is scraped out of the exposed surface edge of the elastic plate by a scraper or the like to clean the surface of the elastic plate. At this time, since the present invention includes the groove provided around the edge, the sealing material scraped from the edge of the elastic plate can be collected in the groove with a high recovery rate. Moreover, it is easy to take out the sealing material collected in the groove part out of the sealing device, and the sealing material that has become a residue can be efficiently recycled.

  Here, the groove is preferably formed in an annular shape around the edge. According to this, the sealing material can be collected in the groove portion more efficiently.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the lowest part in the said groove part is located below the highest part in the periphery of the said recessed part. Thereby, repair to a groove part is still easier.

Further, the main body has a plate-like portion and a cylindrical wall portion provided on the plate-like portion, and the upper surface of the plate-like portion and the inner peripheral surface of the wall portion form the recess,
The sealing device further includes an annular member surrounding the outer peripheral surface of the wall portion,
It is preferable that at least a part of a portion of the elastic plate outside the portion covering the concave portion is sandwiched between the outer peripheral surface of the wall portion and the inner peripheral surface of the annular member.
According to this, it becomes easy to fix an elastic board to a main-body part, and to replace | exchange an elastic board, and maintenance property becomes high.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the outer peripheral surface of the said wall part is a taper shape so that a diameter may become small as it leaves | separates from the said bottom part. According to this, it becomes easier to fix the elastic plate, and maintenance is also improved.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said groove part is formed in the said annular member.

  Moreover, it is preferable to further include a suction member having a tip disposed in the groove. According to this, the sealing material can be easily removed from the groove.

  A scraper; a scraper support portion that supports the scraper so as to be in contact with the surface of the elastic plate; and the scraper that is in contact with the surface of the elastic plate along the surface of the elastic plate with respect to the elastic plate. It is preferable to further include a moving unit that relatively moves. This facilitates cleaning of the exposed surface of the elastic plate.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said moving part rotates one of the said scraper or the said main-body part around the axis | shaft which cross | intersects the surface of the said elastic board. According to this, the mechanism is simpler than that of reciprocating linear motion and the like, and scraping can be performed quickly.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said scraper support part supports the said scraper so that the surface of the said elastic board protruded convexly from the said main-body part may be contacted. Thereby, it is easy to make a scraper and an elastic board adhere.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the edge which contacts the said elastic board in the said scraper is a shape where a center part is dented rather than the both ends of a rotation radial direction seeing from the direction orthogonal to the said axis | shaft. According to this, scraping in a state where the elastic plate is swollen in a convex shape becomes easy.

A manufacturing method of a honeycomb structure having a plurality of through holes with sealed end portions according to the present invention includes a main body having a recess and a communication path that opens to an inner surface of the recess, an elastic plate covering the recess, Providing a device having a groove provided around the edge of the exposed surface of the elastic plate;
Forming a recess in the elastic plate by discharging the fluid in the recess through the communication path;
Supplying a sealing material into the recess of the elastic plate;
Disposing one end face of the honeycomb structure having a plurality of through holes at a position facing the concave portion;
After the step of supplying the sealing material, the sealing material in the recess of the elastic plate is supplied to the honeycomb structure by supplying a fluid between the main body portion and the elastic plate through the communication path. And a process of
Separating the honeycomb structure from the elastic plate after the step of moving the elastic plate;
Scraping the sealing material remaining on the exposed surface of the elastic plate after the separation out of the edge of the elastic plate and allowing the sealing material to flow into the groove.

  Here, it is preferable to further include a step of sucking the sealing material from the groove.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the manufacturing method of the sealing apparatus and honeycomb filter which can collect | recover the residue of a sealing material efficiently is provided.

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a sealing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view taken along the line II-II of the sealing device of FIG. 3 is a view taken along the line III-III of the sealing device of FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the sealing device of FIG. 2 taken along the line IV-IV. 5A is a perspective view of the honeycomb structure used in the sealing device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5B is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 5A. 6A is a perspective view of a mask placed on the elastic plate 20 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 6B is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 6A. 7A is a partial cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of the sealing device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 7B is a partial cross-sectional view subsequent to FIG. 8A is a partial cross-sectional view subsequent to FIG. 7B, and FIG. 8B is a partial cross-sectional view subsequent to FIG. 8A. 9A is a partial cross-sectional view subsequent to FIG. 8B, and FIG. 9B is a partial cross-sectional view subsequent to FIG. 9A. FIG. 10A is a partial cross-sectional view subsequent to FIG. 9B, and FIG. 10B is a partial cross-sectional view subsequent to FIG. FIG. 11A is a partial cross-sectional view subsequent to FIG. 11B, and FIG. 11B is a partial cross-sectional view subsequent to FIG. 11A.

  Preferred embodiments of a sealing device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description, the same reference numerals are used for the same elements or elements having the same function, and a duplicate description is omitted.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a sealing device 100 according to an example of this embodiment. The sealing device 100 according to this embodiment mainly includes a main body 10, an annular member 25, an elastic plate 20, a pump (fluid supply / discharge control unit) 50, a scraper 202, a scraper support unit 205, and a rotation drive unit (moving unit) 40. , A rotary joint (bearing) 60, a cross roller bearing (auxiliary bearing) 90, and a honeycomb structure holding portion 80.

  The main body 10 is made of a rigid material. Examples of the rigid material include metals such as stainless steel and polymer materials such as fiber reinforced plastic. The main body 10 includes a plate-like portion 10p extending in the horizontal direction and a cylindrical wall portion 10q provided on the upper surface of the plate-like portion 10p.

  A side surface 10pa that is the upper surface of the plate-like portion 10p and a side surface 10qi that is the inner peripheral surface of the wall portion 10q form a plate-like recess 10d. In the present embodiment, the shape of the recess 10d is a columnar shape as shown in FIGS. The diameter of the recess 10d can be set to 100 to 320 mm, for example. The depth of the recess 10d can be set to 0.2 to 20 mm, for example.

  The outer peripheral surface 10qo of the wall portion 10q of the main body portion 10 is tapered so that the diameter decreases as the distance from the plate-like portion 10p increases. On the outer peripheral surface of the plate-like part 10p of the main body part 10, a groove 10s for hanging a belt 44 described later is formed in the circumferential direction.

  The elastic plate 20 is disposed on the main body 10 so as to cover the opening surface of the recess 10d. The elastic plate 20 has elasticity and can be easily deformed. As the elastic plate 20, a rubber plate is preferable. Examples of the rubber include natural rubber, and synthetic rubber such as styrene butadiene rubber, butadiene rubber, butyl rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, nitrile rubber, chloroprene rubber, fluorine rubber, silicone rubber, and urethane rubber. Although the thickness of the elastic board 20 is not specifically limited, For example, it can be 0.3-3.0 mm.

An annular member 25 that surrounds the outer peripheral surface 10qo of the wall 10q is provided outside the wall 10q of the main body 10 in the horizontal direction. The inner peripheral surface 25i of the annular member 25 faces the outer peripheral surface 10qo of the wall 10q.
An outer edge portion (part) 20p of the elastic plate 20 is sandwiched between the inner peripheral surface 25i of the annular member 25 and the outer peripheral surface 10qo of the wall portion 10q. The plate-like portion 10p and the annular member 25 have through holes h and j, respectively, and the main body portion so that the annular member 25 is pressed against the main body portion 10 by bolts 31 and nuts 32 that pass through the through holes h and j. 10 is fixed. In this way, the annular member 25 is pressed against the main body portion, so that the outer edge portion 20p of the elastic plate 20 is fixed in close contact with the main body portion 10. The inner peripheral surface 25i of the annular member 25 has a taper shape corresponding to the taper shape of the outer peripheral surface 10qo of the wall portion 10q so that the diameter decreases as the distance from the plate-like portion 10p increases.

  The annular member 25 has an annular groove portion 25g formed on its upper surface so as to surround the periphery e of the exposed surface of the elastic plate 20. In the present embodiment, the depth of the groove 25g is not particularly limited, but may be 3 to 18 mm, for example. Further, the width of the groove 25g is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 5 to 25 mm. The groove portion 25g is preferably disposed inside the bolt 31 and the through hole h. The distance between the edge e and the groove 25g is not particularly limited, but can be 3 to 15 mm.

  The main body 10 further has a communication passage 10e that opens to the bottom surface 10pa of the recess 10d. In the present embodiment, the communication path 10e is open to the bottom surface 10pa of the recess 10d, but may be open to the inner surface of the recess 10d. For example, the communication path 10e may be open to the side surface 10qi of the recess 10d. Further, the shape and number of openings of the communication passage 10e are not particularly limited.

  The main body 10 is provided with a connecting pipe 14 extending vertically downward. The connecting pipe 14 communicates with the communication path 10e. The central axis ax of the connecting pipe (tube) 14 passes through the elastic plate 20 through the central axis of the cylindrical recess 10d.

A rotary joint (bearing) 60 is provided at the lower end of the connecting pipe 14. Thereby, the main-body part 10 is supported rotatably about the axis | shaft of the connection pipe 14, ie, the vertical axis ax. The rotary joint 60 mainly includes an inner cylinder 61, an outer cylinder 62, a bearing 63, and a packing 64.
The inner cylinder 61 forms the lower end portion of the connection pipe 14. The outer cylinder 62 is disposed so as to surround the inner cylinder 61 from the outside. The bearing 63 is disposed between the inner cylinder 61 and the outer cylinder 62, and enables them to rotate relative to each other around the vertical axis. The packing 64 seals between the inner cylinder 61 and the outer cylinder 62 and suppresses fluid leakage and the like. A pump 50 is connected to the outer cylinder 62.

  The pump 50 includes a cylinder 51, a piston 53 disposed in the cylinder 51, and a piston rod 54 connected to the piston 53. A motor 55 that reciprocates the piston rod 54 in the axial direction is connected to the piston rod 54. The piston rod 54 may be moved manually.

  In the present embodiment, a closed space V formed by the main body 10, the connecting pipe 14, and the cylinder 51 is formed between the elastic plate 20 and the piston 53, and a fluid is contained in the closed space V. FL is filled. The fluid FL is not particularly limited, but a gas such as air is preferable. The fluid FL may be a liquid such as spindle oil. Then, by moving the piston 53, the fluid FL can be discharged from the inside of the concave portion 10d of the main body portion 10, whereby the elastic plate 20 is moved along the concave portion 1d like the elastic plate 20 ″ of FIG. While the concave portion of the elastic plate 20 can be formed by supplying the fluid FL to the concave portion 10d, the elastic plate 20 can be projected into a dome shape like the elastic plate 20 ′ of FIG. I can do it.

  The rotation drive unit (moving unit) 40 includes a motor 41 having a rotation shaft 42, a pulley 43 fixed to the rotation shaft 42, and a belt 44 spanned between the pulley 43 and the groove 10 s of the main body 10. . The main body 10 can be rotated around the axis of the connecting pipe 14, that is, the vertical axis ax, for example, in the direction of the arrow C in FIG. 2 by the rotation of the motor 41. The vertical axis ax passes through the center of the recess 10d.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the main body 10 further includes a cross roller bearing 90 (bearing) to assist the main body 10 in rotating around the vertical axis ax of the connecting pipe 14. The cross roller bearing 90 includes an outer ring 91 fixed to a gantry or the like (not shown), an inner ring 92 fixed to the main body 10, and a plurality of cylindrical rollers 93 disposed between the outer ring 91 and the inner ring 92.

  The scraper 202 scrapes off the residue of the sealing material adhering to the surface of the elastic plate 20 and is supported by the bar 204 of the scraper support part 205. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the scraper 202 is a flat plate, and has a pair of main surfaces 202a and 202b and an edge 202e as shown in FIGS. The edge 202e contacts the surface of the elastic plate 20 'swelled in a dome shape as shown in FIGS.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the edge 202e is in a direction perpendicular to the axis ax so as to come into linear contact from the vicinity of the top of the elastic plate 20 ′ protruding in a dome shape to the vicinity of the lowermost portion. When viewed from the center, the central portion is recessed as compared to both end portions 202e1, 202e2 of the main body portion ax in the rotational radius direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, when viewed from the direction of the axis ax, the edge 202 e of the scraper 202 is downstream (front side) in the rotational direction C of the elastic plate 20 with respect to the scraper 202 as it goes radially outward from the axis ax. Curved to head toward. Further, the outer end 202e2 of the edge 202e of the scraper 202 reaches the vicinity of the outer periphery of the dome-shaped elastic plate 20, and the inner end 202e1 of the edge 202e is a portion corresponding to the vertical axis ax serving as the vertex of the elastic plate 20, or It arrange | positions so that it may extend to the position exceeding a vertex part. Thereby, it is possible to efficiently scrape the residue of the sealing material on the surface of the elastic plate 20 by the edge 202e.

  As a material of the scraper 202, a material such as resin or metal can be used. The thickness of the plate-shaped scraper 202 can be 0.5-2 mm, for example. In the present embodiment, the cross-sectional shape in the thickness direction of the edge 202e of the scraper 202 is a rectangle having corners perpendicular to both sides as shown in FIG. 4, but at least one of these corners is chamfered by a plane or a curved surface. It may be. The surface roughness Ra of the scraper 202 is preferably 3.2 or less.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the scraper 202 has a scraping side (the front side in the direction in which the scraper 202 moves relative to the surface of the elastic plate 20 ′, that is, the right side in the drawing: the relative movement direction of the elastic plate 20 ′ is The bar 204 is formed so that the angle θ2 formed by the main surface 202b (in the direction of arrow C) and the tangent plane S of the elastic plate 20 ′ convex at the contact portion cp with the edge 202e is an acute angle, that is, less than 90 °. It is fixed to. Preferred θ2 is 5 to 89 °. In this embodiment, since the elastic plate 20 ′ is a curved surface, the contact portion cp with the edge 202e in the elastic plate 20 ′ does not exist on one plane, and the tangent plane S is defined for each position of the contact portion cp. Is done. The contact portion cp extends along the edge 202e as shown in FIG. 2, and θ2 is an acute angle over the entire contact portion cp extending in this way. In the present embodiment as shown in FIG. 4, when the elastic plate 20 ′ moves in the direction of the arrow C, the scraper 202 easily follows the irregularities on the surface of the elastic plate, and the residue of the sealing material is the main surface 202 b of the scraper 202. Can be scraped off efficiently and there is little leftover.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the bar 204 is fixed to the vertical shaft 208 so as to be rotatable in a range of a predetermined rotation angle (for example, 90 °) by a bearing 206 whose rotation angle is restricted. Here, the bearing 206 has a rotational position where the bar 204 is brought into contact with the elastic plate 20 protruding in a dome shape as shown by a solid line in FIG. 2 and from the elastic plate 20 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. The scraper 202 can be swung in a range of an angle B between a rotation position that is not opposed to the exposed surface of the elastic plate 20. As shown in FIG. 1, the vertical shaft 208 is fixed to a base 210 that is independent of the rotation of the main body 10 by the motor 41.

  A honeycomb structure holding unit 80 is provided on the main body 10. The honeycomb structure holding unit 80 includes a holder 81 that holds the honeycomb structure 70 and a pneumatic cylinder 82 to which the holder 81 is connected.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the holder 81 holds the honeycomb structure 70 so that the opening surface on one side of the through hole 70a faces the elastic plate 20 and the recess 10d.

  The pneumatic cylinder 82 has a cylinder 82a extending in the vertical direction and a piston 82b provided in the cylinder 82a. By adjusting the pressure supplied from the outside, the pressure on both the upper and lower sides of the piston 82b can be adjusted. It has become. As a result, the pneumatic cylinder 82 can move the holder 81 in the direction in which the honeycomb structure 70 and the elastic plate 20 approach each other and in the direction in which they move away from each other. Further, the pneumatic cylinder 82 presses the holding member 81 downward with a predetermined force in accordance with the gas supply pressure before and after the piston 82b, whereby the honeycomb structure 70 is placed on the elastic plate 20 with a mask ( It can be made to adhere to details later. Furthermore, the pneumatic cylinder 82 can also permit the holder 81 to move freely in the vertical direction by releasing the pressure before and after the piston. That is, the honeycomb structure holding unit 80 switches between a state in which the honeycomb structure 70 held by the holder 81 can be freely moved upward and a state in which the honeycomb structure 70 is fixed to the main body 10. Is possible.

  The tip 115t of the suction pipe 115 is inserted into the groove 25g of the annular member 25. The suction pipe 115 does not rotate with the rotation of the main body 10. The other end of the suction pipe 115 is connected to a recovery tank 117, and a suction pump 119 is connected to the recovery tank 117.

  An example of the honeycomb structure 70 used in the present embodiment is a cylindrical body in which a large number of through holes 70a are arranged substantially in parallel as shown in FIG. The cross-sectional shape of the through hole 70a is a hexagon as shown in FIG. The plurality of through holes 70a are arranged in an equilateral triangle arrangement in the honeycomb structure 70 as viewed from the end face, that is, the central axes of the through holes 70a are respectively located at the apexes of the equilateral triangle of the same size. Yes. The hexagonal size of the cross section of the through hole 70a can be set to 0.8 to 2.5 mm on a side, for example.

  Further, the length of the honeycomb structure 70 in the direction in which the through holes 70a extend is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 40 to 350 mm. Moreover, the outer diameter of the honeycomb structure 70 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 100 to 320 mm.

  The material of the honeycomb structure 70 is not particularly limited, but a ceramic material is preferable from the viewpoint of high temperature resistance. Examples thereof include alumina, silica, mullite, cordierite, glass, oxides such as aluminum titanate, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, and metal. The aluminum titanate can further contain magnesium and / or silicon. Such a honeycomb structure 70 is usually porous.

  Further, the honeycomb structure 70 may be a green molded body (unfired molded body) that becomes a ceramic material as described above by being fired later. A green molded object contains the inorganic compound source powder which is a ceramic raw material, organic binders, such as methylcellulose, and the additive added as needed.

  For example, in the case of a green molded body of aluminum titanate, the inorganic compound source powder includes an aluminum source powder such as α-alumina powder, and a titanium source powder such as anatase-type or rutile-type titania powder. Furthermore, magnesium source powders such as magnesia powder and magnesia spinel powder and / or silicon source powders such as silicon oxide powder and glass frit can be included.

  Examples of the organic binder include celluloses such as methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyalkylmethylcellulose, and sodium carboxymethylcellulose; alcohols such as polyvinyl alcohol; and lignin sulfonate.

  Examples of the additive include a pore-forming agent, a lubricant and a plasticizer, a dispersant, and a solvent.

  Examples of the pore-forming agent include carbon materials such as graphite; resins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polymethyl methacrylate; plant materials such as starch, nut shells, walnut shells, and corn; ice; and dry ice.

  Examples of the lubricant and the plasticizer include alcohols such as glycerin; higher fatty acids such as caprylic acid, lauric acid, palmitic acid, arachidic acid, oleic acid and stearic acid; and stearic acid metal salts such as Al stearate.

  Examples of the dispersant include inorganic acids such as nitric acid, hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid; organic acids such as oxalic acid, citric acid, acetic acid, malic acid and lactic acid; alcohols such as methanol, ethanol and propanol; ammonium polycarboxylate, poly Surfactants such as oxyalkylene alkyl ethers are listed.

  As the solvent, for example, alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, butanol and propanol; glycols such as propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol and ethylene glycol; and water can be used.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, the mask 170 is disposed on the wall 10q of the main body 10 so as to cover the recess 10d with the elastic plate 20 interposed between the mask 170 and the wall 10q. It is. The material of the mask is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include metals and resins.

  FIG. 6A shows an example of the mask 170 used in this embodiment. The mask 170 is a circular plate-like member and has a large number of through-holes 170a extending in the thickness direction. The cross-sectional shape of the through hole 170a is a hexagon corresponding to the through hole 70a (see FIG. 5B) of the honeycomb structure 70, as shown in FIG. 6B. As shown in FIG. 6B, the plurality of through holes 170a are opposed to only some of the through holes 70a arranged in the equilateral triangle of FIG. 5B. Placed in. Note that an orientation flat 170b may be formed on the mask 170 in order to facilitate positioning of the through hole 170a of the mask 170.

  The main body 10 may be provided with a vibrator such as an ultrasonic vibrator (not shown).

(Production method)
It continues and demonstrates the manufacturing method of the sealing body using the above-mentioned sealing apparatus 100. FIG. First, from the state of FIG. 1, the pneumatic cylinder 82 is driven in advance, and the holder 81 that holds the honeycomb structure 70 is pulled upward, and the bar 204 is moved so that the two-dot chain line in FIG. In this way, the scraper 202 is positioned away from the elastic plate 20. Next, by pulling the piston 53 of the pump 50 downward, the fluid FL is discharged downward from the recess 10 d of the main body 10. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 7A, the elastic plate 20 is deformed and is brought into close contact with the side surface 10qi and the bottom surface 10pa of the recess 10d, thereby forming the recess 20d of the elastic plate 20.

  Subsequently, the sealing material 130 is supplied into the recess 20 d of the elastic plate 20.

(Sealing material)
The sealing material 130 is not particularly limited as long as it can close the end of the through hole 70a of the honeycomb structure 70, but is preferably liquid. For example, as the sealing material, a slurry containing a ceramic material or a ceramic raw material, a binder, preferably a lubricant, and a solvent can be exemplified. Examples of the ceramic material include the constituent material of the above-described honeycomb structure and the raw material thereof.

  Examples of the binder include celluloses such as methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyalkylmethylcellulose, and sodium carboxymethylcellulose; alcohols such as polyvinyl alcohol; and organic binders such as lignin sulfonate. The usage-amount of a binder can be 0.1-10 mass%, for example, when a sealing material is 100 mass%.

  Examples of the lubricant include alcohols such as glycerol, higher fatty acids such as caprylic acid, lauric acid, palmitic acid, alginic acid, oleic acid and stearic acid, and stearic acid metal salts such as Al stearate. The addition amount of the lubricant is usually 0 to 10% by mass, preferably 1 to 10% by mass, and more preferably 1 to 5% by mass with respect to 100% by mass of the sealing material.

As the solvent, for example, alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, butanol and propanol; glycols such as propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol and ethylene glycol; and water can be used. Of these, water is preferable, and ion-exchanged water is more preferably used from the viewpoint of few impurities. The usage-amount of a solvent can be 15-40 mass%, for example, when a sealing material is 100 mass%.
The viscosity of the sealing material is preferably 5 to 50 Pa · s at 23 ° C. as measured by the coaxial double cylinder method using a rotational viscometer.

  When such a sealing material 130 is supplied into the recess 20d, as shown in FIG. 7 (a), if the sealing material 130 does not spread in the horizontal direction in the recess 20d and the thickness becomes uneven, this is flattened. Turn into. The reason is that if the sealing step is performed as it is, the length of the sealing portion becomes non-uniform or a sealing failure tends to occur. Specifically, the motor 41 of the rotation driving unit 40 is driven to rotate the main body unit 10. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7B, a centrifugal force is applied to the sealing material 130 in the horizontal direction, and the sealing material 130 can be spread throughout the recess 20d. Moreover, the flatness of the surface of the sealing material 130 is also improved. Although the rotational speed of the main-body part 10 is not specifically limited, About 30-300 rpm is preferable. The rotation time is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 3 to 20 seconds.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 8A, a mask 170 is set on the elastic plate 20 so as to cover the concave portion 10 d of the main body 10, and then the holding tool 81 is moved downward by the pneumatic cylinder 82. By bringing the honeycomb structure 70 into contact with the mask 170, a part of the through holes 70 a of the honeycomb structure 70 and the through holes 170 a of the mask 170 are communicated, and further, the holding tool 81 is pressed downward by the pneumatic cylinder 82. Then, the honeycomb structure 70 is fixed to the mask 170 and the main body 10. Note that, as shown in FIG. 8A, the outer diameter of the mask 170 is preferably larger than the inner diameter of the recess 10 d of the main body 10.

  Next, by moving the piston of the pump 50 upward, the fluid FL is supplied between the concave portion 10d and the elastic plate 20 through the communication passage 10e, and as shown in FIG. The elastic plate 20 moves toward the mask 170. As shown in FIG. 9A, this step is preferably performed until the elastic plate 20 comes into contact with the mask 170 and the deformation of the elastic plate 20 is eliminated.

  Thereby, the sealing material 130 is supplied into a part of the through holes 70a of the honeycomb structure 70 through the through holes 170a of the mask 170, and the sealing portion 70p is formed.

  Subsequently, after the downward pressing of the honeycomb structure 70 by the pneumatic cylinder 82 is stopped so that the honeycomb structure 70 can freely move upward, the piston 53 is further raised to move the elastic plate 20 and the main body portion 10 together. Further, fluid FL is supplied. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 9B, the elastic plate 20 is deformed in a convex shape upward, and the mask 170 and the honeycomb structure 70 move upward. At this time, since the peripheral portion of the elastic plate 20 deformed into a convex shape is separated from the mask 170, the mask 170 and the honeycomb structure 70 can be easily separated from the main body portion 10. In this case, production efficiency can be increased, and the sealed honeycomb structure can be manufactured at low cost.

  Subsequently, the honeycomb structure 70 is removed from the holder 81. If it does so, as shown to (a) of FIG. 10, the surface of the elastic board 20 will be in the state protruded in the dome shape. At this time, the residue 130 a of the sealing material 130 used for the sealing work is attached to the surface of the elastic plate 20. If the sealing step is performed again with the residue 130a attached, it becomes difficult to accurately control the amount of the sealing material 130 stored in the recess 20d of the elastic plate 20 and to accurately control the composition of the sealing material 130. The solidified sealing material 130 may gradually accumulate and make the sealing process impossible. Therefore, it is necessary to remove the residue 130a of the sealing material 130 attached to the elastic plate 20.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10B, the position of the bar 204 is moved so that the edge of the scraper 202 comes into contact with the elastic plate 20 ′ protruding in a dome shape. Further, the motor 41 is driven to rotate the main body 10. Although the rotation speed is not particularly limited, for example, it can be 5 to 20 rpm. The rotation time is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 3 to 12 seconds.

  Accordingly, the residue 130a of the sealing material 130 remaining on the surface of the elastic plate 20 can be scraped off by the edge 202e of the scraper 202, and the scraped residue 130a is along the edge 202e due to the influence of gravity or centrifugal force. Then, it moves outward in the radial direction, and is stored in the groove 25g beyond the edge e of the exposed surface of the elastic plate 20. In this way, the cleaning of the portion of the upper surface of the elastic plate 20 that covers at least the recess 10d is completed. The sealing material 130 stored in the groove 25g can be collected in the collection tank 117 via the suction pipe 115 by driving the suction pump 119 as necessary. Recovery of the sealing material from the groove 25g by driving the suction pump 119 may be performed during the scraping process, but after the scraping process, the next process, for example, the arrangement of the mask, the sealing material It may be performed during injection.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 11A, the position of the bar 204 is moved to retract the scraper 202 from the elastic plate 20, and then the honeycomb structure 70 that is turned upside down is held by the holder 81. To do. Next, the same sealing material injection operation is performed by using the mask 170 and the through hole 170a which are opposite to each other, that is, the mask 170 'in which the through hole is disposed only in a portion not opened by the mask 170. Thereby, as shown to (a) of FIG. 11, the other end side of the remaining through-holes 70a is sealed by the sealing material, and the sealing part 70p is formed. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 11B, the elastic plate 20 is deformed upward so that the mask 170 ′ and the honeycomb structure 70 can be easily separated from the main body 10 and the elastic plate 20. I can do it. Similarly, the sealing material can be removed.

  In this way, a honeycomb filter can be manufactured by drying and firing the honeycomb structure 70 in which both ends of the through hole 70a are sealed.

  In the present embodiment, after the honeycomb structure 70 is pulled away from the main body 10, the scraper 202 sticks the residue of the sealing material 130 attached to the surface of the elastic plate 20 to the outside of the edge e of the exposed surface of the elastic plate 20 to be elastic. Clean the surface of the plate 20. At this time, the sealing material scraped from the edge e of the exposed surface of the elastic plate 20 can be collected in the groove 25g with a high recovery rate. Further, it is easy to take out the sealing material collected in the groove 25g to the outside of the sealing device 100, and the sealing material that has become a residue can be efficiently recycled.

  In addition, since the scraper 202 can scrape off the sealing material residue on the surface of the elastic plate 20 after sealing, the elastic plate 20 can be cleaned quickly and easily.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the scraper support part 205 supports the scraper 202 so as to contact the surface of the elastic plate 20 protruding in a convex shape from the recess 10d, so that the elastic plate 20 protruded in a convex shape is the scraper. It closely adheres to 202 and has a high effect of removing the residue 130a. In particular, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the edge shape of the scraper 202 has a shape in which the central portion is recessed from both ends 202e1 and 202e2 in the rotational radius direction when viewed from the direction orthogonal to the axis ax. Therefore, scraping with the scraper 202 can be particularly easily performed with the elastic plate 20 inflated in a convex shape, and the elastic plate 20 is easily brought into close contact with the edge 202e of the scraper 202, so that the cleaning efficiency is increased.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, when viewed from the direction of the axis ax, the edge 202 e of the scraper 202 is downstream (front side) in the rotational direction C of the elastic plate 20 with respect to the scraper 202 as it goes radially outward from the axis ax. Curved to head toward. This makes it easier for the scraped residue to move to the outer peripheral side, and further to collect in the groove 25g beyond the edge e.

(Modification of the first embodiment)
Subsequently, a modification of the first embodiment will be described. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment described above in that the main body 10, that is, the elastic plate 20 ′ rotates in the direction of the arrow A instead of the direction of the arrow C in FIGS.

  Thereby, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the scraper 202 has a main surface 202a on the scraping side (the front side in the direction in which the scraper 202 moves relative to the elastic plate 20 ′, that is, the left side in the drawing). The angle θ1 formed by the tangent plane S of the elastic plate 20 ′ that is convex at the contact portion cp with the edge 202e is fixed to the bar 204 so that it becomes an obtuse angle, that is, more than 90 °. Preferred θ1 is 95 to 135 °. In the present embodiment, θ1 is an obtuse angle over the entire contact portion cp. In the present embodiment, when the elastic plate 20 ′ moves in the direction of arrow A, the residue easily climbs on the main surface 202 a of the scraper 202, and it is easy to confirm the residue scraping effect.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the elastic plate 20 rotates in the A direction, the edge 202e of the scraper 202 is elastic with respect to the scraper 202 as the edge 202e of the scraper 202 moves radially outward from the axis ax when viewed from the direction of the axis ax. When the elastic plate 20 rotates in the A direction, since the residue may move inward in the radial direction of rotation when curved toward the upstream side (rear side) of the rotation direction A of the plate 20, When viewed from the direction of the axis ax, the edge 202e of the scraper 202 curves toward the downstream side (front side) in the rotation direction A as it goes radially outward from the axis ax (the direction opposite to the edge 202e in FIG. 2). Of the residue), whereby the residue can be suitably moved outward.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation aspect is possible.

  For example, the shape of the groove 25g may not be an annular shape, and other annular forms such as a rectangular annular shape and a hexagonal annular shape may be employed. Further, the ring of the groove portion 25g is not continuously formed, and may be formed discontinuously, for example, in a broken line shape. Furthermore, the present invention can be implemented in another shape such as a semicircle instead of a ring.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the outer peripheral surface of the wall part 10q of the main-body part 10 and the inner peripheral surface of the cyclic | annular member 25 are made into the taper shape, it can implement also in the column shape with a fixed diameter.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the groove part 25g is formed in the annular member 25 which fixes the elastic board 20 to the main-body part 10, it is not restricted to this. For example, another annular member may be provided on the outer side of the annular member 25, and a groove may be provided in the other annular member. Further, without providing the annular member, for example, the outer edge portion 20p of the elastic plate 20 can be fixed to the wall portion 10q of the main body portion using an adhesive or the like. In this case, the main body portion 10 (for example, a plate shape) A groove part can also be provided in the part outside the wall part 10q in the part 10p.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the said elastic board 20 is being fixed with respect to the wall part 10q, the shape of a main-body part is not specifically limited, If the place where the elastic board 20 is fixed can be arrange | positioned to the point which covers a recessed part, Is optional.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the sealing material stored in the groove part 25g is attracted | sucked using the suction member inserted from the outside, it goes outside from the groove part 25g via the communicating path etc. which communicate in the groove part 25g. It is also possible to discharge.

  In the above embodiment, the lowest part in the groove part 25g is located below the highest part in the peripheral edge (wall part) of the concave part 10d, but the groove part is located above and exceeds a predetermined height. The present invention can also be implemented as a structure that flows into 25 g.

  In the above-described embodiment, the groove 25g is formed in an annular shape around the edge e of the exposed surface of the elastic plate 20, but may be formed in a polygonal ring such as a square ring. In addition, the present invention can be implemented even if it is formed in a semicircular shape or an arc shape.

  Further, the shape of the scraper 202 is not limited to the above-described structure, and any shape that can contact the elastic plate 20 and scrape off deposits on the surface may be used. For example, in the above-described embodiment, there is only one scraper 202 extending from the vicinity of the rotation center of the elastic plate to one end, but a plurality of such scrapers 202 may be provided. For example, the scraper 202 may be configured to extend from one end portion through the rotation center to the other end portion in the diameter direction.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the scraper support part 205 is provided with the retracting mechanism which moves the scraper 202 between a contact position with the elastic board 20, and a non-contact position, it does not need to have this. For example, the scraper support part 205 can be provided with a mechanism that fixes the scraper 202 so as to contact the elastic plate 20 during cleaning, and allows the scraper 202 to be detached at times other than cleaning.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the edge 202e of the scraper 202 has a shape in which the central part is recessed from both ends in order to easily scrape the surface of the elastic plate 20 swelled in a convex shape. A typical shape is also acceptable. Even in this case, the elastic plate can be expanded to some extent, and the present invention can be implemented even if the surface of the flat elastic plate 20 that is not expanded is scraped off.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the edge 202e of the scraper 202 is directed to the downstream side (front side) in the rotational direction of the elastic plate 20 with respect to the scraper 202 as it goes radially outward from the axis ax when viewed from the direction of the axis ax. However, the present invention can be implemented even if it is a straight line extending in the radial direction without being bent. Even in this case, it is possible to move the scraped residue outward in the radial direction by centrifugal force or gravity. In addition, the embodiment can be implemented by increasing the degree of curvature and making it spiral when viewed from the axial direction.

  Further, in the first embodiment and the modification thereof, the scraping side main surfaces 202a and 202b of the scraper 202 and the tangent plane S at the contact portion cp between the edge 202e of the elastic plate 20 ′ having a convex shape, The angles θ1 and θ2 formed are obtuse angles or acute angles, but may be right angles.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the vertical axis ax is made into the center axis | shaft of the recessed part 10d of the main-body part 10, even if the main-body part 10 is rotated around the axis ax eccentric with respect to the cylinder of the recessed part 10d. Scraping is possible. Note that the rotation axis preferably intersects the surface of the elastic plate 20. Further, the rotation axis ax is not necessarily a vertical axis.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the scraper 202 is fixed and the main-body part 10, ie, the elastic board 20, is rotating with respect to the scraper 202, the elastic board 20 may be fixed and the scraper 202 may be rotated, Implementation is possible even if both are rotated.

  Moreover, the structure of the rotation drive part (moving part) 40 is not limited to the above-mentioned thing, Various forms are possible. Further, the embodiment can be implemented in such a manner that the moving unit does not relatively rotate the elastic plate 20 and the scraper 202 but relatively moves them linearly, for example, reciprocating linearly.

  Moreover, although the elastic board 20 is being fixed with respect to the main-body part 10 with the annular member 25 and the volt | bolt 31, the fixing method is not specifically limited. For example, the elastic plate 20 may be fixed to the wall 10q of the main body 10 by an adhesive. Further, the sealing device 100 may have a structure in which the elastic plate 20 can be easily replaced.

  In the above-described embodiment, the rotary joint 60 and the cross roller bearing 90 each function as a bearing that supports the main body 10 so as to be rotatable around the vertical axis. However, the present invention is not limited to this. May be included, or only the cross roller bearing 90 may be included. When the rotary joint 60 is not provided, for example, after discharging the fluid from the recess 10d, the communication path 10e is closed to maintain the reduced pressure, and the communication path is separated from the pump and the like. What is necessary is just to connect the communicating path 10e and a pump.

  Further, the structures of the rotary joint 60 and the cross roller bearing 90 are not limited to the above-described structures. Needless to say, bearings other than the rotary joint 60 and the cross roller bearing 90 may be used.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the piston pump provided with the cylinder 51, piston 53, and piston rod 54 is employ | adopted as the pump 50, if supply and discharge | emission of the fluid into the recessed part 10d are controllable. Others may be used. For example, a valve connected to a pressure source and capable of controlling supply of fluid from the pressure source, and a valve connected to a vacuum source such as a vacuum pump and capable of controlling discharge of fluid to the vacuum source may be used. .

Moreover, the shape of the recessed part 10d of the main-body part 10 is not specifically limited, It can set suitably according to the honeycomb structure 70 used as sealing object.
For example, the planar shape of the concave portion 10d viewed from above may be an ellipse, a rectangle, a square, or the like other than a circle. In this case, the size in the case of a rectangle or a square can be, for example, 50 to 300 mm on a side. Further, it is preferable that the side surface 10qi is perpendicular to the elastic plate 20 and the bottom surface 10pa is parallel, but it is not necessary, and for example, these may be a slope or a curved surface.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the honeycomb structure holding | maintenance part 80 is provided with the pneumatic cylinder 82, it is not restricted to this, For example, it can substitute for various mechanisms, such as a gear mechanism.

  Moreover, the honeycomb structure holding part 80 is not necessarily essential. For example, when supplying the sealing material, the weight is placed on the honeycomb structure 70 to fix the honeycomb structure to the main body 10, and when the honeycomb structure 70 is separated from the main body, the weight is removed. Then, the honeycomb structure may be movable. Further, when the honeycomb structure has a certain amount of weight, the honeycomb structure is fixed by its own weight, so that an embodiment without special fixing means is also possible.

  The shape and structure of the honeycomb structure 70 are not limited to the above. For example, the outer shape of the honeycomb structure 70 may not be a cylinder, and may be a prism such as a quadrangular prism. In addition, the cross-sectional shape of the through hole 70a of the honeycomb structure 70 may not be a hexagon, and may be, for example, a rectangle, a triangle, a polygon, a circle, or the like, and different shapes may be mixed. Furthermore, the arrangement of the through holes 70a may not be an equilateral triangle arrangement, for example, a triangle arrangement, a square arrangement, a zigzag arrangement, or the like, and different shapes may be mixed.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the plate-shaped mask 170 which has many through-holes is employ | adopted, the place shielded with a mask is arbitrary. Further, the present invention can be implemented without using such a mask 170. For example, the plug may be plugged with a material that decomposes when heated in some of the through holes 70a of the honeycomb structure 70 before the sealing process, and the plug may be pyrolyzed after the sealing. In the present invention, even when a mask is not used, the honeycomb structure 70 can be easily separated from the main body 10 and the elastic plate 20 by the elastic plate 20 that deforms into a convex shape after the sealing process. .

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Main-body part, 10e ... Communication path, 10d ... Recessed part, 10p ... Plate-like part, 10q ... Wall part, 10qi ... Inner peripheral surface of a wall part, 10qo ... Outer peripheral surface of a wall part, 14 ... Connecting pipe (tube), DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Elastic board, 20o ... Outer edge part of elastic board, 25 ... Ring member, 25i ... Inner peripheral surface of ring member, 25g ... Groove part, 30 ... Recessed part, 40 ... Rotation drive part (moving part), 50 ... Pump (fluid) (Supply / discharge control unit), 60 ... rotary joint (bearing), 70 ... honeycomb structure, 80 ... holding unit, 90 ... cross roller bearing (bearing), 100 ... sealing device, 115 ... suction pipe (suction member), 170 ... Mask, 202 ... scraper, 202 ... edge, 205 ... scraper support.

Claims (12)

A main body having a recess and a communication passage opening in the inner surface of the recess;
An elastic plate fixed to the main body so as to cover the recess;
Wherein a groove is provided around the edge of the exposed surface of the elastic plate, a sealing device Ru provided with,
The main body portion has a plate-like portion and a cylindrical wall portion provided on the plate-like portion, and an upper surface of the plate-like portion and an inner peripheral surface of the wall portion form the concave portion,
The sealing device further includes an annular member surrounding the outer peripheral surface of the wall portion,
At least a part of a portion outside the portion covering the recess in the elastic plate is sandwiched between the outer peripheral surface of the wall portion and the inner peripheral surface of the annular member,
The groove is formed in the annular member,
The said elastic board is a sealing apparatus which can be deform | transformed so that the recessed part which can store a sealing material can be formed when the recessed part of the said main-body part is attracted | sucked .   The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the groove is formed in an annular shape around the edge.   The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a lowest part in the groove is located below a highest part in a peripheral edge of the recess. The outer peripheral surface of the said wall part is an apparatus of any one of Claims 1-3 which is a taper shape so that a diameter may become small as it leaves | separates from the said plate-shaped part. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , further comprising a suction member having a tip disposed in the groove. With scraper,
A scraper support that supports the scraper so as to be in contact with the surface of the elastic plate;
The moving part which moves the said scraper which contacts the surface of the said elastic board relatively with respect to the said elastic board along the surface of the said elastic board, It further comprises any one of Claims 1-5. The device described. The said scraper support part is an apparatus of Claim 6 which supports the said scraper so that it may contact with the surface of the said elastic board protruded convexly from the said main-body part. The apparatus according to claim 6 or 7 , wherein the moving unit rotationally moves one of the scraper or the main body about an axis intersecting a surface of the elastic plate. The apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein an edge of the scraper that contacts the elastic plate has a shape in which a central portion is recessed from both ends in a rotational radius direction when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the axis. In the scraper, an angle formed by a front main surface in a direction in which the scraper moves relative to the elastic plate and a tangential plane of the elastic plate at a contact portion with the scraper is an acute angle. the apparatus of any of claims 6-9 fixed to the scraper support portion. Preparing the device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 ,
Forming a recess in the elastic plate by discharging the fluid in the recess through the communication path;
Supplying a sealing material into the recess of the elastic plate;
Disposing one end face of the honeycomb structure having a plurality of through holes at a position facing the concave portion;
After the step of supplying the sealing material, the sealing material in the recess of the elastic plate is supplied to the honeycomb structure by supplying a fluid between the main body portion and the elastic plate through the communication path. And a process of
After the step of supplying the sealing material to the honeycomb structure, separating the honeycomb structure from the elastic plate;
A step of scraping the sealing material remaining on the exposed surface of the elastic plate after the separation out of the edge of the elastic plate and allowing the sealing material to flow into the groove portion, and a plurality of through-holes whose ends are sealed The manufacturing method of the honeycomb structure which has this. The method according to claim 11 , further comprising sucking the sealing material from the groove.

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