JP6829883B2 - Transportation method of powder and granular material and transportation equipment of powder and granular material - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for transporting a powder or granular material and a device for transporting the powder or granular material by air transporting the powder or granular material as a transport source to a collection unit.

Conventionally, there has been known a transport device for a powder or granular material that air transports a powder or granular material of a transport source to a collection unit arranged at each of a plurality of supply destinations.
For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a power transport device that transports resin pellets stored in a powder or granular material storage tank to a receiving hopper attached to a plurality of molding machines using a suction blower. In Patent Document 1, a branch connection line branched from a main connection line connected to a powder or granular material storage tank via a switching valve is connected to each receiving hopper, and a resin is placed on the upper part of each receiving hopper in a bug filter. A power transport device is disclosed in which an air line for sucking separated air is connected to the pellet, and an on-off valve is provided in each air line. Further, this power transport device supplies or stops the supply of resin pellets for each receiving hopper by operating the switching valve and the opening / closing valve based on the detection of the level meter provided in each receiving hopper. It is composed.
Further, in Patent Document 1, a plurality of hoppers are connected in series to the powder or granular material storage portion via a connecting pipe, and a suction blower is connected to the last hopper via a bag filter. Is disclosed. If the level meter of any of the hoppers detects the lower limit level, the power transport device activates the suction blower and is connected on the way to the hopper that detects the lower limit level. Each hopper is sequentially filled with resin pellets, and when the hopper that detects the lower limit level is filled with the resin pellets and the level meter detects the upper limit level, the suction blower is stopped.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-139561

However, in the former power transport device described in Patent Document 1, since power transport is performed for each receiving hopper based on the detection of the level meter, the number of transports tends to increase, and therefore the suction blower is frequently used. There is a concern that wasted time such as start-up time is likely to occur frequently. Further, if the transport source is a drying device that stores and dries the powder or granular material, the outside air easily flows into the drying device each time the material is transported, and if the powder or granular material is exposed to the outside air, it absorbs moisture. There is a concern that oxidation will occur.
Further, in the latter power transport device described in Patent Document 1, since it is necessary to sequentially fill each hopper connected on the way to the hopper that has detected the lower limit level with resin pellets, the lower limit level is detected. There is a tendency for the material shortage (short feed) to occur in the hopper, and for the hopper close to the transport source to be filled with resin pellets for each transport, so that the residence time in the hopper is prolonged.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a method for transporting a powder or granular material, which can reduce the number of times of transportation, and can shorten the residence time of the powder or granular material in a collecting portion. It is an object of the present invention to provide a transport device for powder or granular material.

In order to achieve the above object, the method for transporting the powder or granular material according to the present invention is a method for transporting the powder or granular material by switching the transport source powder or granular material to a plurality of collection parts and transporting the powder or granular material by air. If the predetermined transportation start condition is satisfied in a state where the storage level of the powder or granular material material of any of the plurality of collecting parts is lower than the first level, the transport air source is operated. If the powder or granular material is transported to the collection part of the priority transportation destination and there is a collection part of the secondary transportation destination that is below the first level while satisfying the transportation start condition, the collection part of the secondary transportation destination is collected. The feature is that the transportation destination is switched to the collecting part for transportation.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the transport device for the powder or granular material according to the present invention is a transport device for the powder or granular material which is air-transported by switching the powder or granular material of the transport source to a plurality of collection portions. Therefore, the first level detection unit that detects the first level as the storage level of the powder or granular material material in each of the plurality of collection units, and the satisfaction of the predetermined transportation start condition in a state below the first level. If the satisfaction of the transportation start condition is detected in a state where the storage level of the transport start condition detection unit to be detected and the storage level of any one of the plurality of collection units is detected to be lower than the first level. , Operate the transport air source to transport the powder or granular material to the collection section of the priority transport destination, and detect the collection section of the secondary transport destination that is below the first level while satisfying the transport start conditions. For example, it is characterized in that it is provided with a control unit that executes control for switching the transportation destination to transport the collection unit of the secondary transportation destination.

According to the method for transporting the powder or granular material according to the present invention, and by adopting the above-described configuration for the transport device for the powder or granular material according to the present invention, the number of transports can be reduced. , It is possible to shorten the residence time of the powder or granular material in the collecting portion.

FIG. 5 is a schematic system configuration diagram schematically showing an example of a transport device for a powder or granular material according to an embodiment of the present invention used in a method for transporting a powder or granular material according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic time chart which shows an example of the basic operation (transportation method) executed in the transport apparatus schematically. (A-1) to (b-5) are partial fracture schematic vertical cross-sectional views schematically showing an example of a collecting portion included in the transport device. (C-1) to (d-5) are partial fracture schematic vertical cross-sectional views schematically showing an example of a collecting portion included in the transport device. (E-1) to (f-5) are partial fracture schematic vertical cross-sectional views schematically showing an example of a collecting portion included in the transport device. (G-1) to (h-5) are partial fracture schematic vertical cross-sectional views schematically showing an example of a collecting portion included in the transport device. It is a schematic time chart which shows typically an example of the transportation method of the powder or granular material material which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In addition, in FIG. 1, the pipeline (piping) and the like which are the routes through which the transport air and the powder or granular material pass are schematically shown by solid lines.
Further, in the schematic time charts of FIGS. 2 and 7, the detection, opening / closing, ON / OFF, etc. of each device are schematically shown.

1 to 6 are diagrams schematically showing an example of a method for transporting a powder or granular material material and an example of a transport device for a powder or granular material material according to the first embodiment.
The method for transporting the powder or granular material according to the present embodiment is configured to be executed by using the transport device 1 for the powder or granular material according to the present embodiment. The method for transporting the powder or granular material according to the present embodiment can also be carried out using another transport device.
As shown in FIG. 1, the powder / granular material transport device 1 is configured to switch the powder / granular material of the transport source 10 to a plurality of collection units 30A to 30E for air transport. The powder or granular material material collected in the plurality of collecting units 30A to 30E is supplied to the supply destinations 6A to 6E. Further, in the present embodiment, the powder / granular material of the material source 2 can be transported to the transport source 10.

Here, the above-mentioned powder / granular material refers to a powder / granular material, but also includes a fine flaky material, a short fiber piece, a sliver-like material, and the like.
Further, the material may be any synthetic resin material such as resin pellets or resin fiber pieces, metal material, semiconductor material, wood material, chemical material, food material and the like.
Further, as the powder or granular material, for example, in the case of molding a synthetic resin molded product, a natural material (virgin material), a crushed material, a masterbatch material, various additives and the like can be mentioned. Further, the powder or granular material may be configured to contain reinforcing fibers such as glass fibers and carbon fibers.

In the present embodiment, the transport source 10 is a drying device 10 for drying the powder or granular material. The drying device 10 has a hopper-shaped storage unit 11 for storing the powder or granular material, a heating source 12 for heating the powder or granular material in the storage unit 11, and a vacuum generation source for reducing the pressure inside the storage unit 11. The vacuum pump 13 and the like are provided. That is, the drying device 10 is a decompression type drying device that dries the powder or granular material by heating the inside of the storage unit 11 while reducing the pressure.
The heating source 12 is a heater 12 provided along the outer peripheral surface of the storage unit 11, and is a heat transfer type heating source that indirectly heats the powder or granular material through the side peripheral wall of the storage unit 11. ing. Further, in the central portion of the storage portion 11 in a plan view, a tubular body extending in the vertical direction and incorporating the heater 12 is provided. A plurality of heat transfer fins protruding in the radial direction may be provided on the inner peripheral wall of the storage portion 11 and the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body at intervals in the circumferential direction. In addition, a heat insulating material or the like may be provided on the outer peripheral side of the storage unit 11. Further, as the heating source 12 for heating the powder or granular material in the storage unit 11, instead of or in addition to such an embodiment, a heating gas supply for supplying the gas heated by the heater or the like into the storage unit 11 is provided. It may be a part, or may have various configurations.

The vacuum pump 13 is connected to the storage unit 11 via a vacuum suction pipe line. In the illustrated example, an example in which a vacuum suction pipe is connected to the upper part of the storage unit 11 is shown. A filter is provided on the intake side of the vacuum pump 13. The depressurized state in the storage unit 11 formed by the vacuum pump 13 refers to a vacuum state in which the pressure inside the storage unit 11 is lower than the atmospheric pressure, but solidification (bridge) of the powder and granular material in the storage unit 11 is caused. The pressure in the storage unit 11 may be temporarily increased to atmospheric pressure or higher due to the introduction of gas introduced to prevent it.
As the vacuum pump 13, for example, a pump capable of reducing the pressure so that the ultimate vacuum degree in the storage unit 11 is about 20 kPa (abs) to 4 kPa (abs) may be adopted.
Further, the vacuum suction pipeline is provided with an air release valve 14, a pressure sensor for detecting the degree of vacuum, a pressure gauge such as a pressure gauge, and the like. Instead of the vacuum pump 13, for example, another vacuum source such as an ejector device may be adopted.

Further, on the upper end side of the storage unit 11, a charging valve 16 is provided as a material charging unit that is opened and closed when the powder or granular material is charged (replenished) to the storage unit 11. The input valve 16 is provided between an input pipe provided on the upper end side of the storage unit 11 and a transport source collecting unit 17 that collects the powder or granular material from the material source 2. The inlet valve 16 is configured to airtightly shut off the inlet pipe (storage unit 11) and the transport source collection unit 17 in the closed state. On the other hand, if the charging valve 16 is opened, the powder or granular material collected in the transport source collecting unit 17 is charged into the storage unit 11 via the charging pipe. The input valve 16 may be a slide damper provided with a plate-shaped valve body that is slid in a direction orthogonal to the pipeline axial direction so as to cross the pipeline by a driving unit such as an air cylinder. , It is possible to adopt various configurations.

Further, the storage unit 11 is provided with a total transport source level 15. In the present embodiment, the transport source level total 15 is provided in the input pipe provided so as to be connected to the upper end side of the storage unit 11. Further, an example is shown in which the transport source level meter 15 is used as an upper limit level meter for detecting the full level as the storage level of the powder or granular material in the storage unit 11. That is, the detection of the presence of material in the transport source level total 15 is configured to trigger the stop of transport to the storage unit 11. Instead of such an embodiment, the transport source level meter 15 may be a requirement (lower limit) level meter for detecting the material requirement level as the storage level of the powder or granular material in the storage unit 11. In this case, another level meter for detecting the full level may be provided, or the storage unit 11 may be transported to the storage unit 11 until a preset predetermined transportation time elapses.

The transport source collecting unit 17 is configured to collect the powder or granular material material that is air-transported from the material source 2. The material transport line 3 connected to the material source 2 and the transport source side line 4 as an air line connected to the transport air source 20 are connected to the transport source collection unit 17. .. In the present embodiment, a plurality of transport air sources 20 driven when the powder / granular material of the material source 2 is air-transported (primary transport) to the drying device 10 and a plurality of powder / granular material of the drying device 10 as the transport source are used. A common transport air source is a transport air source 20 that is driven when air transport (secondary transport) is performed by switching to the collection units 30A to 30E. That is, the primary transport and the secondary transport can be executed by a single transport air source 20. Further, the suction side of the transport air source 20 is communicated with the transport source side pipeline 4 so that the powder or granular material of the material source 2 is sucked and transported.

Further, the transport source collecting section 17 is provided with a separating section such as a filter for separating the powder or granular material material air-transported through the material transport line 3 and the transport air.
When the input valve 16 is opened, the powder or granular material material collected by the transport source collecting unit 17 falls into the storage unit 11 due to its own weight and is stored.
The material source 2 may be a material tank, a measuring hopper for measuring the powder or granular material, a compounding hopper in which a plurality of types of powder or granular material are mixed in a predetermined ratio, or the like. Further, the temporary storage portion provided on the downstream side of these various hoppers may be used as the material source 2. Further, the present invention is not limited to the mode in which the material transport line 3 is connected to the single material source 2 and the single powder or granular material is transported toward the storage unit 11, and different powder or granular material is stored in each. It may be an embodiment in which a plurality of types of powder or granular material materials can be transported toward the storage unit 11 by connecting to a plurality of material sources 2.

Further, the discharge pipe 18 provided so as to be connected to the lower end side of the storage portion 11 of the drying device 10 is provided with a discharge valve 19 as a material discharge portion. Such a discharge valve 19 may be a slide damper similar to the above, but in the present embodiment, a push damper provided with a valve body that is slid in the direction of the pipeline axis by the same drive unit to close the discharge port. It is said. Further, a discharge port opened and closed by the valve body of the discharge valve 19 is provided at the end of a pipe line provided horizontally or inclined with respect to the discharge pipe 18 along the axial direction in the vertical direction via a bent portion. It may be provided. Further, on the downstream side of the valve body of the discharge valve 19, a connecting portion is connected to which the material transport line 21 communicating with the plurality of collecting parts 30A to 30E and the air line 28 communicating with the transport air source 20 are connected. It has a provided configuration. The discharge valve 19 is configured to airtightly shut off the storage portion 11 and the connection portion on the downstream side in the closed state. It should be noted that the configuration may be such that the introduction of transport auxiliary air is required when transporting the powder or granular material in a state where the discharge valve 19 is opened and the transport air source 20 is operated. Further, as a material discharging unit for discharging the powder or granular material of the drying device 10 as a transportation source, other materials having various configurations can be adopted.

In the present embodiment, the destinations 6A to 6E of the powder or granular material materials collected by the plurality of collecting portions 30A to 30E are the molding machines 6A to 6E.
These molding machines 6A to 6E may be, for example, an injection molding machine or the like, and in the present embodiment, examples are shown in which the collection portions 30A to 30E are directly installed on the respective molding machines 6A to 6E. .. In addition, instead of such a mode, it may be further air-transported to the molding machines 6A to 6E. Further, the molding machines 6A to 6E as supply destinations are not limited to injection molding machines for molding synthetic resin molded products, but may be injection molding machines for other materials, or extrusion molding machines and compression molding for various materials. It may be another molding machine such as a machine. Further, the supply destinations 6A to 6E of the collecting portions 30A to 30E are not limited to the molding machine, and may be a charge hopper on the molding machine, a drying device, a compounding device, or the like.

Further, the powder / granular material transport device 1 includes first level detection units 33A to 33E for detecting the first level LV1 as the storage level of the powder / granular material in each of the plurality of collection units 30A to 30E, and first. A transport start condition detection unit 34A to 34E for detecting the satisfaction of a predetermined transport start condition in a state of being below the level LV1 and a control panel 35 having a control unit 36 for executing a predetermined transport control described later are provided. There is.
In the present embodiment, the plurality of collection units 30A to 30E are the first collection unit 30A, the second collection unit 30B, the third collection unit 30C, the fourth collection unit 30D, and the fifth collection unit 30E. Consists of. The first collecting unit 30A is installed on the first molding machine 6A as a supply destination. The second collecting unit 30B is installed on the second molding machine 6B as a supply destination. The third collecting unit 30C is installed on the third molding machine 6C as a supply destination. The fourth collecting unit 30D is installed on the fourth molding machine 6D as a supply destination. The fifth collecting unit 30E is installed on the fifth molding machine 6E as a supply destination.

These plurality of collecting units 30A to 30E have a storage function for temporarily storing in addition to the function for collecting. Further, these plurality of collecting portions 30A to 30E may have a dust removing function and a mixing function.
Further, in the present embodiment, the plurality of collecting portions 30A to 30E have the same configuration as each other. Instead of such an embodiment, the plurality of collecting portions 30A to 30E have different configurations, for example, the processing capacity of the molding machines 6A to 6E as the respective supply destinations (powder / granular material per unit time). The capacity may be different depending on the processing (consumption) amount of the above.
These collecting portions 30A to 30E are storages for storing the main body portions 31A to 31E for collecting the powder or granular material material air-transported from the drying device 10 and the powder or granular material material collected in these main body portions 31A to 31E. Parts 32A to 32E are provided.
The main bodies 31A to 31E have a hopper shape. The main body portions 31A to 31E are connected to the transport pipelines 23A to 23E communicating with the drying device 10 and the air pipelines 24A to 24E communicating with the transport air source 20. Further, in the main body portions 31A to 31E, as in the transport source collecting portion 17 described above, a separation unit for separating the powder or granular material material air-transported through the respective transport pipelines 23A to 23E and the transport air. Is provided. The separating portions of the main body portions 31A to 31E and the transporting source collecting portion 17 may have a structure that separates the powder or granular material from the transport air by a so-called cyclone type. Further, a discharge valve or the like that is closed during air transportation may be provided on the lower end side of the main body portions 31A to 31E.

In the present embodiment, the transport lines 23A to 23E are branched from the material transport line 21 connected to the discharge side of the drying device 10 via the branch portion 22. The branch portions 22 are connected to downstream connecting portions 22a to 22e connected to each of a plurality of (five in this embodiment) transport pipelines 23A to 23E, and to a single material transport pipeline 21. The upstream side connecting portion 22f is provided. That is, the branching portion 22 includes downstream connecting portions 22a to 22e branched from a single upstream connecting portion 22f into a plurality of (five in the present embodiment). The branch portion 22 is not configured to be switched by a switching valve or the like, and the powder or granular material is transported to any of the downstream connecting portions 22a to 22e where a negative pressure action is occurring. It is said that it is configured. That is, the powder / granular material of the drying device 10 is transported via the branch portion 22 toward the transport line communicating with the transport air source 20 among the transport lines 23A to 23E.

In this embodiment, the air pipelines 24A to 24E communicate with a single transport air source 20 via a transport destination switching valve 25.
The transport destination switching valve 25 includes upstream connection portions 25a to 25e connected to each of a plurality of (five in this embodiment) air pipelines 24A to 24E, and a single air on the transport air source 20 side. It includes a downstream connecting portion 25f connected to the source side pipeline 27. Further, the transport destination switching valve 25 is provided with switching valves 26A to 26E provided with a valve body for opening and closing the downstream opening provided on the downstream side of the upstream side connecting portions 25a to 25e. Similar to the above, the switching valves 26A to 26E may be configured to slide the valve body by a driving unit such as an air cylinder.

If any of these switching valves 26A to 26E (for example, the first switching valve 26A) is opened and the other switching valve (second switching valve 26B to the fifth switching valve 26E) is closed, The air pipe (first air pipe 24A) corresponding to the opened switching valve of the air pipes 24A to 24E and the air source side pipe 27 are communicated with each other. On the other hand, the air pipes (second air pipes 24B to fifth air pipes 24E) corresponding to the closed switching valves and the air source side pipes 27 are cut off. As a mode for switching the transport destination, a configuration in which a plurality of switching valves are provided may be used instead of the mode in which the single transport destination switching valve 25 is provided. In this case, a merging portion or the like substantially similar to the above-mentioned branching portion 22 merging into a single air source side pipeline 27 may be provided. Further, instead of or in addition to the embodiment in which the transport destination switching valve 25 is provided on the air pipelines 24A to 24E, an embodiment in which a valve or the like for switching the transport destination is provided on the transport pipelines 23A to 23E. May be.

The air source side pipeline 27 and the transport source side pipeline 4 connected to the transport source collection unit 17 described above are connected to the air pipeline 28 in which the transport air source 20 is arranged via the transport air switching valve 5. It is communicated. The transport air switching valve 5 is connected to the primary side connecting portion 5a connected to the transport source side pipeline 4, the secondary side connecting portion 5b connected to the air source side pipeline 27, and the air pipeline 28. It is provided with a downstream connection portion 5c. Further, the transport air switching valve 5 has a valve body configured to open the other when one of the downstream openings provided on the downstream side of the primary side connecting portion 5a and the secondary side connecting portion 5b is closed. A drive unit such as an air cylinder for driving the air cylinder is provided. If the valve body of the transport air switching valve 5 is in a state of closing the downstream opening of the primary side connection portion 5a (switching to the secondary side), the secondary transport is possible. On the other hand, if the valve body of the transport air switching valve 5 is in a state of closing the downstream opening of the secondary side connection portion 5b (switching to the primary side), the primary transport is possible.

A filter 29 for capturing foreign matter and dust contained in the transport air is arranged on the upstream side of the transport air source 20 of the air pipeline 28. A cyclone type filter may be further provided on the upstream side of the filter 29.
The transport air source 20 is a suction blower whose suction side is connected to the transport air switching valve 5 side which is the upstream side of the air pipeline 28 and whose discharge side is connected to the discharge valve 19 side which is the downstream side of the air pipeline 28. ing. In addition, an inverter or the like may be provided so that the rotation speed of the drive motor of the transport air source 20 can be changed according to the pipe diameter, the type of the powder or granular material, and the like.
Further, the transport air is not limited to the atmosphere, but may be dehumidified dry air or an inert gas having a low oxygen content such as nitrogen or argon. In this case, the circulation path of the transport air may be provided with a dryer for dehumidifying the transport air, a separation membrane for generating nitrogen, etc., and the dry air or the inert gas is supplied to the circulation path from another route. Such an aspect may be used.

In the present embodiment, the storage portions 32A to 32E of the plurality of collection portions 30A to 30E have a tubular shape. In addition, instead of such an aspect, a part or all of these plurality of storage portions 32A to 32E may be shaped like a hopper.
The discharge ports at the lower ends of the storage units 32A to 32E are connected to the molding machines 6A to 6E so as to communicate with the inlets of the molding machines 6A to 6E as supply destinations. Further, the powder or granular material material stored in the storage portions 32A to 32E is configured to be supplied to the molding machines 6A to 6E in a drooping manner. That is, as the powder or granular material is processed (consumed) in the molding machines 6A to 6E, the storage level in the storage units 32A to 32E (collection units 30A to 30E) decreases. It should be noted that the lower end of each of the storage portions 32A to 32E may be provided with a discharge portion or the like that quantitatively discharges toward the molding machines 6A to 6E.

Further, in the present embodiment, each of the storage units 32A to 32E is provided with upper level totals 33A to 33E as the first level detection unit for detecting the first level LV1.
As shown in FIGS. 3 (a-1) to 3 (a-5), these upper level totals 33A to 33E detect the first level LV1 in the vertical intermediate portion as the storage level of each storage unit 32A to 32E. It is arranged in. In the illustrated example, these upper level totals 33A to 33E are arranged so as to detect the first level LV1 in the substantially central portion in the vertical direction of each of the storage portions 32A to 32E.

Further, in the present embodiment, each of the storage units 32A to 32E has a lower transportation start condition detection unit (second transportation start condition detection unit for detecting the second transportation start condition described later) than the first level LV1. The lower level totals 34A to 34E are provided as the second level detection unit for detecting the two-level LV2.
The lower level totals 34A to 34E are arranged so as to detect the second level LV2 of the portion below the central portion in the vertical direction as the storage level of each of the storage portions 32A to 32E. In the illustrated example, these lower level totals 34A to 34E are arranged so as to detect the second level LV2 at a height position of approximately 1/6 in the vertical direction from the lower end side of each storage portion 32A to 32E. Is shown. The second level LV2 detected by the lower level meters 34A to 34E may be lower than the first level LV1 detected by the upper level meters 33A to 33E, and the upper level meters 33A to 33E and the lower side may be used. The positions where the level gauges 34A to 34E are provided are not limited to the positions shown in the figure. For example, the upper level gauges 33A to 33E are provided so as to detect the position above the illustrated example, and the lower level gauges 34A to 34E detect the level at the substantially central portion in the vertical direction of each of the storage portions 32A to 32E. In addition, it may be installed at various height positions.

Further, these upper level totals 33A to 33E and lower side level totals 34A to 34E are non-contact type sensors in the present embodiment. As such a non-contact type sensor, an electromagnetic induction type, a capacitance type, an ultrasonic type, a photoelectric type or the like may be used. Further, the upper level totals 33A to 33E and the lower level totals 34A to 34E are not limited to the non-contact type sensor, and may be a contact type sensor such as a paddle type or a vibration type. Further, instead of the embodiment provided with the upper level totals 33A to 33E and the lower level totals 34A to 34E for detecting the first level LV1 and the second level LV2, respectively, the first level LV1 and the second level LV2 are provided. A single ultrasonic level meter, a microwave level meter, a multi-stage level meter such as a capacitance type continuous level meter, or a continuous level meter may be adopted.
Further, in the illustrated example, the first level LV1 and the second level LV2 in the respective storage units 32A to 32E are set to substantially the same level (height position), but different levels may be used. Further, the processing time for processing the powder or granular material stored in the second level LV2 to the first level LV1 in the storage units 32A to 32E is substantially the same according to the processing capacity of the molding machines 6A to 6E. The storage capacity may be changed from the second level LV2 to the first level LV1 so as to be (or an integral multiple of any processing time). For example, the height positions of both or one of the upper level totals 33A to 33E and the lower level totals 34A to 34E may be changed.

The control panel 35 is a control unit 36 composed of a CPU or the like, and a display unit and an operation for setting, inputting, and displaying various settings and the like connected to the control unit 36 via a signal line or the like. Various programs such as the display operation unit 37 that constitutes the unit, the setting conditions and input values set and input by the operation of the display operation unit 37, and the control program for executing each mode described later, are preset. It is provided with a storage unit 38 that stores various operating conditions, various data tables, and the like, and is composed of various memories and the like. The control panel 35 may be provided in the transport device 1 of the powder or granular material, or is provided in any device constituting the transport system including the transport device 1 of the powder or granular material. It may be. Further, the control panel 35 may be installed at an appropriate position in the transport device 1 for the powder or granular material, or may be installed at a separated location. In the illustrated example, an example in which the control panel 35 is installed adjacent to the drying device 10 is shown.

The control unit 36 includes a time measuring unit such as a clock timer, an arithmetic processing unit, and the like, and includes the above-mentioned devices (heater 12, vacuum pump 13, air release valve 14, inlet valve 16 and discharge valve 19) of the drying device 10. A configuration in which a transport air source 20, a transport air switching valve 5, a transport destination switching valve 25, etc. are connected to each device necessary for operating the transport device 1 of the powder or granular material via a signal line or the like and controlled. Has been done. Further, the control unit 36 is also connected to various detection devices such as the above-mentioned transport source level totals 15, upper level totals 33A to 33E, and lower level totals 34A to 34E via signal lines and the like. The control unit 36 may be connected to the material sensor and the discharge unit of the material source 2 as needed.

The control unit 36 detects that the predetermined transportation start condition is satisfied while detecting that the storage level of any of the collection units 30A to 30E is lower than the first level LV1. For example, the transport air source 20 is operated to transport the powder or granular material to the collection section of the priority transport destination, and the collection section of the secondary transport destination that is below the first level LV1 while satisfying the transport start conditions is selected. If it is detected, it is configured to execute control to switch the transportation destination to the collection part of the secondary transportation destination and transport it. Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 36 detects that the storage level of any of the plurality of collection units 30A to 30E is lower than the first level LV1 and the second level LV2. If it is detected that the amount is less than the above, the transport air source 20 is operated to transport the powder or granular material to the collection part of the priority transportation destination below the second level LV2, and the collection part of the priority transportation destination is the first. If a collection unit of a secondary transport destination that is below the first level LV1 is detected in a state of being below the second level LV2, a control is executed to switch the transportation destination to the collection unit of the secondary transportation destination and transport the product. Has been done.

Further, the control unit 36 is set in advance in a state where it is detected that the storage level of the powder or granular material material of any of the collection units 30A to 30E is lower than the first level LV1. If it is detected that the storage level of the number of collecting parts is lower than the first level LV1, it is determined that the transportation start condition (the first transportation start condition described later) is satisfied, and the storage level is lower than the first level LV1. It is configured to execute control to transport the powder or granular material to the collection part. That is, the control unit 36 also functions as a first transport start condition detection unit that detects the first transport start condition.
Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6, a specific example of a method for transporting the powder or granular material material as an example of the basic operation executed in the powder or granular material material transport device 1 according to the present embodiment having the above configuration is shown. I will explain. The following operation example is executed under the control of the control unit 36. Further, in the following example, a delay time is set for the opening / closing operation of each valve and the ON / OFF operation of each device, and the opening / closing operation of each valve and the ON / OFF operation of each device are performed in sequence. It may be.

First, as shown in FIG. 2, if the drying device 10 is in an empty state or a material required state in the initial preparation stage when the system (molding system) including the transport device 1 for the powder or granular material is started, the material source 2 The primary transport mode of transporting the powder or granular material of the above to the drying device 10 is executed. In the present embodiment, if the material request signal (material-less signal) is output from the transport source level meter 15 of the drying device 10 (if the material-present (full) signal disappears), the primary transport mode is executed. In this primary transport mode, the discharge valve 19 is closed, the atmosphere release valve 14 and the input valve 16 are opened, and the transport air source 20 is activated (ON). Further, in this primary transport mode, the transport air switching valve is such that the transport source side pipeline 4 and the air pipeline 28 are communicated with each other and the air source side pipeline 27 and the air pipeline 28 are cut off. It is assumed that 5 is switched to the primary side.
As a result, the powder / granular material of the material source 2 is air-transported (primary transport) toward the transport source collection unit 17 of the drying device 10, separated from the transport air at the transport source collection unit 17, and is separated into the transport air at the drying device 10. It is thrown in.

Further, in this primary transport mode, the vacuum pump 13 of the drying device 10 may be stopped (OFF) and the heater 12 may be activated. Further, in this primary transport mode, the switching valves 26A to 26E of the transport destination switching valve 25 are closed.
Further, in the primary transport mode in the initial preparation stage, the upper level totals 33A to 33E constituting the first level detection unit of each collection unit 30A to 30E and the lower level totals 34A to 34E constituting the second level detection unit. A material request signal (material-free signal) is output from (a state in which the storage level is lower than the second level LV2) (see also FIGS. 3 (a-1) to (a-5)). Further, in the primary transport mode in the initial preparation stage, the molding machines 6A to 6E are stopped or the molding is stopped.

Then, when the primary transport mode is executed in the initial preparation stage and a material availability (full level) signal is output from the transport source level total 15 of the drying device 10, the primary transport mode is shifted to the reduced pressure drying mode. In this vacuum drying mode, the air release valve 14 and the input valve 16 are closed, the transport air source 20 is stopped, and the vacuum pump 13 is started. Further, in this reduced pressure drying mode, the transport air switching valve is such that the air source side pipeline 27 and the air pipeline 28 are communicated with each other and the transport source side pipeline 4 and the air pipeline 28 are cut off. It is assumed that 5 is switched to the secondary side. As a result, the powder or granular material in the drying apparatus 10 is heated and dried in a reduced pressure state. When drying under reduced pressure in this way, gas (purge gas) is introduced into the drying device 10 to replace the air in the drying device 10, and the so-called bridging phenomenon of the powder or granular material is prevented. A gas that gives an impact may be introduced into the drying device 10. Further, the switching of the transport air switching valve 5 to the secondary side may be switched when the secondary transport mode described later is executed.

Then, if the powder or granular material in the drying apparatus 10 is dried and the material request signal is output from the upper level totals 33A to 33E and the lower level totals 34A to 34E of the collection portions 30A to 30E, the secondary Perform transport mode. In the secondary transportation mode in the initial preparation stage, when each collection unit 30A to 30E is in an empty state, the transportation destination is sequentially switched to each collection unit 30A to 30E to perform air transportation (secondary transportation). You may want to do it. Further, in this secondary transport mode, the discharge valve 19 and the air release valve 14 are opened, the vacuum pump 13 is stopped, and the transport air source 20 is activated. Further, the secondary transport mode in the initial preparation stage may be performed in an appropriate order for each of the collection units 30A to 30E by opening and closing the switching valves 26A to 26E of the transport destination switching valve 25. In the illustrated example, an example in which secondary transportation is executed in the order of the first collection unit 30A, the second collection unit 30B, the third collection unit 30C, the fourth collection unit 30D, and the fifth collection unit 30E is shown. There is.

When the powder or granular material of the drying device 10 is air-transported to the first collecting unit 30A, the first switching valve 26A is opened and the other switching valves 26B to 26E are closed. When the powder or granular material of the drying device 10 is air-transported to the second collecting unit 30B, the second switching valve 26B is opened and the other switching valves 26A, 26C to 26E are closed. When the powder or granular material of the drying device 10 is air-transported to the third collecting unit 30C, the third switching valve 26C is opened and the other switching valves 26A, 26B, 26D, 26E are closed. When the powder or granular material of the drying device 10 is air-transported to the fourth collecting unit 30D, the fourth switching valve 26D is opened and the other switching valves 26A to 26C and 26E are closed. When the powder or granular material of the drying device 10 is air-transported to the fifth collecting unit 30E, the fifth switching valve 26E is opened and the other switching valves 26A to 26D are closed. Further, when the secondary transport mode is being executed, the transport air source 20 is put into an operating state without being stopped.

By executing this secondary transport mode, the powder or granular material is stored in each of the collection units 30A to 30E, and the upper level totals 33A to 33E and the lower level totals 34A to 34E of each collection unit 30A to 30E. The material request signal of No. 3 disappears (with material) (see also FIGS. 3 (b-1) to (b-5)).
The amount (transportation amount) of the powder or granular material to be transported for each of the collection units 30A to 30E may be substantially the same amount, but the processing capacity of each molding machine 6A to 6E and each collection unit 30A to 30A to The amount may be different depending on the storage capacity of 30E and the like. Further, the transport amount of the powder or granular material material for each of the collection units 30A to 30E may be twice or more the storage capacity from the second level LV2 to the first level LV1 of each collection unit 30A to 30E. Further, the transportation amount of the powder or granular material material for each of the collecting portions 30A to 30E may be adjusted by adjusting the time (opening time) for opening the switching valves 26A to 26E. Further, the transport amount at the time of executing the secondary transport mode in the initial preparation stage (for example, the storage level of the powder or granular material of each of the collection portions 30A to 30E is lower than the second level LV2) is the steady operation described later. It may be larger than the amount of transportation when the secondary transportation mode is executed in the stage.

When the secondary transport mode is executed as described above, the storage level of the powder or granular material of the drying device 10 is lowered, and the material request signal (material-free signal) is output from the transport source level meter 15. The (full) signal has disappeared). Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the secondary transport mode ends, the mode shifts to the primary transport mode. That is, the switching valves 26A to 26E and the discharge valve 19 of the transport destination switching valve 25 are closed, the input valve 16 is opened, and the transport air switching valve 5 is switched to the primary side. Further, the transport air source 20 is put into an operating state without being stopped even when shifting from the secondary transport mode to the primary transport mode. That is, in the present embodiment, the secondary transport mode and the primary transport mode are continuously performed in a state where the transport air source 20 is operated without being stopped.
Further, when the material availability (full level) signal is output from the transport source level total 15 of the drying device 10, the primary transport mode is terminated and the process shifts to the reduced pressure drying mode as described above.

Further, when the powder or granular material is stored in each of the collecting portions 30A to 30E, the molding machines 6A to 6E are started, and molding preparation steps such as discarding and trial casting are executed as appropriate, and the molding steps are sequentially performed. It will be the steady operation stage to be performed. When the storage level of the powder or granular material of each of the collecting portions 30A to 30E is lowered by the execution of the molding steps in the molding machines 6A to 6E and the predetermined transportation start conditions are satisfied, the secondary transportation mode is executed.
In the present embodiment, a preset number of collection units are set in a state where the storage level of the powder or granular material material of any of the collection units 30A to 30E is lower than the first level LV1. If the storage level of the powder or granular material of No. 1 is lower than the first level LV1, the transportation start condition (first transportation start condition) is satisfied. Further, in a state where the storage level of the powder or granular material material of any of the collection parts 30A to 30E is lower than the first level LV1, the powder or granular material material of any of the collection parts is stored. If the storage level of the powder or granular material of the collecting portion is lower than the first level LV1 without falling below the second level LV2, the first transportation start condition is satisfied.

In addition, among the collection parts where the storage level of the powder or granular material is lower than the first level LV1, the collection part whose storage level is lower than the first level is set as the collection part of the priority transportation destination, and the other collection parts are secondary transportation. It is configured to be the first collection unit, and after executing the secondary transportation to the collection unit of the priority transportation destination, the transportation destination is switched to the collection unit of the secondary transportation destination to execute the secondary transportation. In addition, it is configured to transport to the collection section of a plurality of secondary transport destinations in the order of being lower than the first level LV1. In addition, instead of such an aspect, the order of transportation to the collection part of a plurality of secondary transportation destinations may be a predetermined order or the like.
Further, if the storage level of the powder or granular material material of any of the collecting parts is lower than the first level LV1, and the storage level of the powder or granular material of all the remaining collecting parts is lower than the first level LV1. , The configuration is such that the first transportation start condition is satisfied. That is, the number of preset collection parts is four. The preset number of collecting parts is not limited to all of the remaining parts (4), and may be an appropriate number.

In the illustrated example, in a state where the storage level of the powder or granular material material of the fifth collecting unit 30E is lower than the first level LV1, the storage level of the powder or granular material material of all the remaining collecting parts 30A to 30D is the first. An example is shown in which the secondary transport mode is started when the level falls below level LV1 (see also FIG. 4). Further, in the illustrated example, after the storage level of the powder or granular material material of the fifth collecting portion 30E falls below the first level LV1, the fourth collecting portion 30D, the first collecting portion 30A and the second collecting portion 30B An example is shown in which the secondary transport mode is started when the storage level of the powder or granular material of the powder or granular material is lower than the first level LV1 in order and the storage level of the powder or granular material of the third collection unit 30C is lower than the first level LV1. ing. Further, after the powder or granular material is transported to the fifth collection unit 30E as the collection unit of the priority transportation destination, the powder or granular material material is transferred to the other collection units 30A to 30D as the collection unit of the secondary transportation destination. Is shown as an example of transporting. In addition, the collection parts of the secondary transport destination are in the order of being lower than the first level LV1, that is, the fourth collection part 30D, the first collection part 30A, the second collection part 30B, and the third collection part. An example of transporting the powder or granular material in the order of 30C is shown. When the secondary transport mode is executed in this way, the primary transport mode is continuously executed as described above, and when the primary transport mode is completed, the mode shifts to the vacuum drying mode.

Further, in the present embodiment, the storage level of the powder or granular material material in any of the plurality of collection parts 30A to 30E is lower than the first level LV1. If is lower than the second level LV2, which is lower than the first level LV1, the transportation start condition (second transportation start condition) is satisfied. Further, a preset number (residual in the present embodiment) in a state where the storage level of the powder or granular material of the collecting part among the plurality of collecting parts 30A to 30E is lower than the first level LV1. The storage level of the powder or granular material of the collection part of 4) was lower than the first level LV1 without falling below the first level LV1. If it falls below the limit, the second transportation start condition is satisfied.
Further, the collection part where the storage level of the powder or granular material is lower than the second level LV2 is set as the collection part of the priority transportation destination, and the storage level of the powder or granular material of the collection part of the priority transportation destination is the second level. The collection part where the storage level of the powder or granular material is lower than the first level LV1 while it is below LV2 is set as the collection part of the secondary transportation destination, and the secondary transportation is executed to the collection part of the priority transportation destination. After that, the transportation destination is switched to the collection part of the secondary transportation destination to execute the secondary transportation. Further, as described above, the collection portions of the plurality of secondary transport destinations are configured to be transported in the order of being lower than the first level LV1. In addition, instead of such an aspect, the transport order to the collection part of a plurality of secondary transport destinations may be a predetermined order or the like as described above.

In the illustrated example, the storage level of the powder or granular material material of the fifth collection unit 30E is lower than the second level LV2, and the secondary transportation mode is started with the fifth collection unit 30E as the collection unit of the priority transportation destination. (See also FIG. 5). Further, the collection of the secondary transport destination in which the storage level of the powder or granular material material of the fifth collection unit 30E is lower than the second level LV2 and the storage level of the powder or granular material is lower than the first level LV1. An example of transporting the powder or granular material to the first collecting part 30A and the fourth collecting part 30D as parts in this order is shown. Further, in the illustrated example, the storage level of the powder or granular material material of the other collecting parts (second collecting part 30B and third collecting part 30C) is higher than that of the first level LV1. That is, in this secondary transport mode, transport is not performed to the second collection section 30B and the third collection section 30C that are not below the first level LV1.
Further, in the illustrated example, an example is shown in which the third molding machine 6C as the supply destination of the third collecting unit 30C is stopped before the start of the secondary transport mode.
When the secondary transport mode is executed in this way, the primary transport mode is continuously executed as described above, and when the primary transport mode is completed, the mode shifts to the vacuum drying mode. In the illustrated example, in this vacuum drying mode, the first molding machine 6A as the supply destination of the first collection unit 30A and the fifth molding machine 6E as the supply destination of the fifth collection unit 30E are temporarily stopped. An example is shown.

Further, with molding in each molding machine (molding machine excluding the stopped third molding machine 6C in the figure) 6A to 6E, the powder or granular material of the second collecting part 30B as one of the collecting parts. The storage level of the second level LV2 is lower than that of the second level LV2, and the secondary transport mode is started with the second collection section 30B as the collection section of the priority transport destination (see also FIG. 6). Further, in a state where the storage level of the powder or granular material material of the second collecting portion 30B is lower than the second level LV2, the storage level of the powder or granular material is lower than the first level LV1. An example of transporting the powder or granular material to the fifth collecting part 30E and the fourth collecting part 30D as the collecting part in this order is shown. Further, in the illustrated example, the storage level of the powder or granular material material of the other collecting parts (first collecting part 30A and third collecting part 30C) is higher than that of the first level LV1. That is, in this secondary transport mode, transport is not performed to the first collection section 30A and the third collection section 30C that are not below the first level LV1. When the secondary transport mode is executed in this way, the primary transport mode is continuously executed as described above, and when the primary transport mode is completed, the mode shifts to the decompression drying mode, and thereafter, each mode is similarly executed. Is executed.

It should be noted that the transport amount at the time of executing the secondary transport mode made by satisfying the first transport start condition described above and the transport amount at the time of executing the secondary transport mode made by satisfying the second transport start condition are set as different amounts. May be good. For example, the transport amount at the time of executing the secondary transport mode made by satisfying the first transport start condition may be smaller than the transport amount at the time of executing the secondary transport mode made by satisfying the second transport start condition. In addition, the amount of transportation to the collection part of the priority transportation destination may be larger than the amount of transportation to the collection part of the secondary transportation destination.

According to the method for transporting the powder or granular material according to the present embodiment, and the transport device 1 for the powder or granular material according to the present embodiment has the above-described configuration, so that the number of transports can be reduced. However, it is possible to shorten the residence time of the powder or granular material in the collecting portions 30A to 30E.
That is, if the predetermined transportation start condition is satisfied in a state where the storage level of any of the collection parts is lower than the first level LV1, the transport air source 20 is operated to move the powder or granular material to the collection part of the priority transportation destination. If there is a collection part of the secondary transportation destination that is below the first level LV1 in a state where the material is transported and the transportation start condition is satisfied, the transportation destination is switched to the collection part of the secondary transportation destination and transported. There is. Therefore, if the value is lower than the first level LV1 and the predetermined transportation start condition is satisfied, the material is preferentially transported to the collection part of the priority transportation destination, so that a material shortage (short feed) or the like at the transportation destination is less likely to occur. be able to.

In addition, when the transportation to the collection part of the priority transportation destination is completed, the transportation to the collection part of the secondary transportation destination is continuously performed, so that the transportation is performed based on the level meter for each collection part. As compared with, the number of transportations can be reduced. This makes it possible to reduce the frequent on / off of the transport air source 20. Further, as a result, when the transport source is the drying device 10 as in the present embodiment, the number of times the outside air flows into the drying device 10 can be reduced. In particular, when the decompression type drying device 10 is used as in the present embodiment, the frequency of decompression state breaking (vacuum breaking) can be reduced, and the drying device 10 can perform efficient drying. it can.
In addition, even when the transportation to the priority transportation destination is completed and the transportation is performed to another transportation destination in this way, the transportation is not performed unless the level is lower than the first level LV1, so that the collection part on the upstream side is used for each transportation. It is possible to shorten the residence time in each of the collecting portions 30A to 30E as compared with the case where the transportation is performed. As a result, it is possible to reduce the size of each collection unit 30A to 30E.

Further, in the present embodiment, if the storage level of the preset number of collection units is lower than the first level LV1, the transportation start condition (first transportation start condition) is satisfied. Therefore, it can be transported to a predetermined number of collection parts below the first level LV1. As a result, it is possible to configure the system without a level meter for detecting the second level LV2.

Further, in the present embodiment, if the storage level of the powder or granular material is lower than the second level LV2, which is lower than the first level LV1, the transportation start condition (second transportation start condition) is satisfied. Therefore, the second level LV2 can be set as the lower limit level and transported toward the priority transportation destination. As a result, as illustrated in the second embodiment described later, the supply of the molding machines 6A to 6E and the like is compared with the configuration in which the transportation start condition is set to the predetermined elapsed time after falling below the first level LV1. Even when the tip is temporarily stopped, it is possible to relatively reliably detect the transportation start condition that is lower than the first level LV1, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of material excess (overfeed). can do. Further, if the transportation start condition is a predetermined elapsed time, the storage level of the powder or granular material of the other collecting part is the level at which the powder or granular material is required within the predetermined time after falling below the first level LV1. However, according to the above configuration, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of such a material shortage.

Next, an example of a method for transporting the powder or granular material according to the second embodiment as another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 7.
The differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the same operation as the above-mentioned operation example will be omitted or briefly described.

In the present embodiment, a predetermined first time t1 elapses after the storage level of the powder or granular material material of any of the plurality of collecting parts 30A to 30E falls below the first level LV1. If the storage level of the powder or granular material of the collecting portion is lower than the first level LV1 in a preset number, the transportation start condition (third transportation start condition) is satisfied. As the third transport start condition detection unit that detects such a third transport start condition, the control unit 36 may be used as described above.
Further, in the present embodiment, if the predetermined first time t1 elapses after the storage level of the powder or granular material material falls below the first level LV1, the transportation start condition (fourth transportation start condition) is satisfied. .. Further, after the storage level of the powder or granular material material falls below the first level LV1, the storage level of the powder or granular material material of the preset number of collection portions does not fall below the first level LV1 for a predetermined first time. After t1 has passed, the fourth transport start condition is satisfied. In other words, in the present embodiment, if a predetermined first time t1 elapses after falling below the first level LV1, it is presumably determined that the time falls below the second level LV2.
The fourth transport start condition detection unit that detects such a fourth transport start condition may be a control unit 36 having a time measuring unit (timer). Further, the predetermined first time t1 may be an appropriate time so as not to cause a material shortage depending on the storage capacity of the collecting portions 30A to 30E, the processing capacity of the molding machines 6A to 6E, and the like.

In addition, the powder / granular material transport device 1 (see FIG. 1) used in the powder / granular material transport method according to the present embodiment has a first level LV1 in each of the collecting portions 30A to 30E (see FIG. 1). And, instead of the embodiment provided with the upper level totals 33A to 33E for detecting the second level LV2 and the lower level totals 34A to 34E, the collection level totals 39A to 39A as the first level detection unit for detecting the first level LV1. A configuration in which 39E is provided may be provided.
Further, also in the present embodiment, similarly to the above, in the initial preparation stage, a primary transport mode for transporting the powder or granular material to the drying device 10 and a reduced pressure drying mode for drying the powder or granular material in the drying device 10, respectively. A secondary transport mode for transporting the powder or granular material to the collecting portions 30A to 30E and a primary transport mode for transporting the powder or granular material to the drying apparatus 10 whose storage level has been lowered by executing this secondary transport mode are executed. .. Further, if the powder or granular material is transported to the collection units 30A to 30E, molding is performed in the molding machines 6A to 6E as the supply destinations of the collection units 30A to 30E, and the collection units 30A to 30E are formed. The storage level of the powder or granular material is reduced.

Then, substantially the same as above, a predetermined first time t1 elapses after the storage level of the powder or granular material material of any of the collecting parts (fifth collecting part 30E in the figure) falls below the first level LV1. If the storage level of the powder or granular material of all the remaining collecting parts (in the figure, the first collecting part 30A to the fourth collecting part 30D) is lower than the first level LV1, the secondary transportation is performed. It is configured to start the mode. Further, when the secondary transport mode ends, the primary transport mode is continuously executed as described above, and when the primary transport mode ends, the mode shifts to the vacuum drying mode.
Further, after the storage level of the powder or granular material material of any of the collection portions 30A to 30E (in the illustrated example, the fifth collection portion 30E) falls below the first level LV1, in advance. If the storage level of the powder or granular material of the set number of collecting parts (in the present embodiment, all the remaining collecting parts) does not fall below the first level LV1 and the first hour t1 elapses, this The secondary transportation is executed with the collecting unit (fifth collecting unit 30E in the figure) below the first level LV1 as the collecting unit of the priority transportation destination. Further, after the lapse of the first time t1, the collection part of the secondary transport destination where the storage level of the powder or granular material is lower than the first level LV1 (in the figure, the first collection part 30A and the fourth part). The configuration is such that the transport destination is switched to the collection unit 30D) to execute the secondary transport. When the secondary transport mode is executed in this way, the primary transport mode is continuously executed as described above, and when the primary transport mode is completed, the mode shifts to the decompression drying mode, and thereafter, each mode is similarly executed. Is executed.

The method for transporting the powder or granular material according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration also has substantially the same effect as that of the first embodiment.
Further, in the present embodiment, if the predetermined first time t1 elapses after the storage level of the powder or granular material material falls below the first level LV1, the transportation start condition (fourth transportation start condition) is satisfied. .. Therefore, in addition to the first level LV1, a level meter capable of detecting the second level LV2 may not be provided, and the device configuration can be simplified.
In each of the above embodiments, an example is shown in which upper level totals 33A to 33E or collection level totals 39A to 39E for outputting a request signal are provided as the first level detection unit for detecting the first level LV1. , The mode is not limited to this. The upper level meters 33A to 33E or the collection level meters 39A to 39E are used as level meters that output a full signal that triggers the stop of transportation, and if a predetermined time elapses from the full detection by this level meter, the first level LV1 It may be determined that the value is less than the above. That is, instead of the mode in which the first level LV1 is directly detected by the level meter, a mode in which it is presumably determined that the first level LV1 has fallen below the first level LV1 after a lapse of a predetermined time from the detection by the level meter may be used. In this case, a predetermined time may be appropriately set according to the processing capacity of each molding machine 6A to 6E. Further, in this case, the control unit 36 having a time measuring unit (timer) may constitute the first level detection unit.
Further, as the transportation start conditions for executing the secondary transportation mode, the first transportation start condition and the second transportation start condition are exemplified in the above-described first embodiment, and the third transportation start condition and the third transportation start condition in the second embodiment. Although the four transport start conditions have been illustrated, at least one of the first transport start conditions to the fourth transport start conditions may be used, and further, other transport start conditions may be used.

Further, the transport source 10 is not limited to the decompression type drying device 10 as described above, and may be another drying device, and is not limited to the drying device, and can be used as various transport sources such as a compounding device and a material tank. May be good.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, each of the plurality of transport lines 23A to 23E branched from the single material transport line 21 connected to the discharge side of the transport source 10 via the branch portion 22 is provided. An example of connecting to each of the collecting portions 30A to 30E is shown, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the transport lines 23A to 23E connected to the collection portions 30A to 30E may be communicated with each other to the discharge side of the transport source 10. Further, the present invention is not limited to the one provided with the five collecting portions 30A to 30E as shown in the figure, and may be any one provided with two or more collecting portions. Further, the transport air source 20 is not limited to a suction blower that sucks and transports the powder or granular material, and may be a compressed air source that pumps the powder or granular material. The method for transporting the powder or granular material and the transport device 1 for the powder or granular material according to each of the above-described embodiments are not limited to the above-described configuration, and various other modifications are possible.

1 Transport device for powder and granular material 10 Drying device (transport source)
20 Transport air source 30A to 30E Collection unit 33A to 33E Upper level meter (first level detector)
34A-34E Lower level meter (Transport start condition detector)
36 Control unit (Transport start condition detection unit)
39A-39E Collection level meter (1st level detector)
LV1 1st level LV2 2nd level t1 1st time

Claims (5)

It is a method of transporting powder or granular material that is air-transported by switching the powder or granular material of the transport source to multiple collection parts.
If the predetermined transportation start condition is satisfied in a state where the storage level of the powder or granular material of the powder or granular material of any of the plurality of collecting parts is lower than the first level, the transport air source is operated and priority is given. If the powder or granular material is transported to the collection part of the transportation destination and there is a collection part of the secondary transportation destination that is below the first level while satisfying the transportation start condition, the collection part of the secondary transportation destination is collected. A method for transporting a powder or granular material, which comprises switching the transport destination to a section for transport. In claim 1,
A method for transporting a powder or granular material, which comprises satisfying the transportation start condition when the storage level of the powder or granular material is lower than the second level, which is lower than the first level. In claim 1,
A method for transporting a powder or granular material, which comprises satisfying the transportation start condition when a predetermined first time elapses after the storage level of the powder or granular material falls below the first level. In any one of claims 1 to 3,
A method for transporting a powder or granular material, which comprises satisfying the transport start condition when the storage level of a preset number of collection portions is lower than the first level. It is a transport device for powder and granular material that switches the powder and granular material of the transport source to multiple collection parts and transports it by air.
A first level detection unit that detects the first level as the storage level of the powder or granular material in each of the plurality of collection units, and a transportation that detects the satisfaction of a predetermined transportation start condition in a state below the first level. If the satisfaction of the transportation start condition is detected in the state where the storage level of the start condition detection unit and the collection unit of any of the plurality of collection units is detected to be lower than the first level, the transportation air If the source is operated to transport the powder or granular material to the collection part of the priority transportation destination, and the collection part of the secondary transportation destination below the first level is detected in a state where the transportation start condition is satisfied, the said. A transport device for powder or granular material, characterized in that it includes a control unit that executes control for switching the transport destination to the collection unit of the secondary transport destination.

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