JPH045010Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] The present invention relates to a fluid flow detection device.
In particular, the present invention relates to a device that detects the flow state of various fluids such as water, oil, or paint flowing through piping.

The prior art will be described below using an example in which the fluid is paint. For example, when applying chip-resistant paints such as detoner paints and PVC paints to the underfloor of automobile bodies, hydraulic atomization (airless) paints are usually used.
A paint sprayer is used, but since the nozzle hole of this hydraulic atomizing paint sprayer is extremely small, the nozzle hole is easily clogged by coarse particles contained in the paint. In order to prevent coating defects, it is necessary to quickly detect clogging of the nozzle hole and clean the nozzle hole or replace the nozzle body, but generally, the environment for the coating work described above is very poor. The entire coating process is often automated using automatic coating equipment, coating robots, etc., and it is difficult for workers to constantly monitor the coating status. A detection device is required.

Conventional clogging detection devices, that is, devices that detect the flow state of paint, include devices that use ultrasonic waves to monitor the flow state of paint flowing in a paint pipe communicating with a nozzle hole, or devices that use ultrasonic waves to monitor the flow state of paint flowing in a paint pipe that communicates with a nozzle hole. A part with a locally reduced cross-sectional area is formed, and the flow state of the paint is monitored by applying the "whistle principle" to generate sound from the paint flowing through the part, and detecting the sound. Devices that do this are known.
However, devices using ultrasonic waves are expensive and have too high sensitivity, so they are easily affected by changes in the flow state of the paint, the type of paint, etc., and their adjustment is difficult. difficult. In addition, it is difficult to avoid the influence of external sounds other than the sound caused by the paint in devices that apply the above-mentioned "whistle principle," and furthermore, when the viscosity of the paint becomes high or some types of paint with high viscosity, the noise This has the disadvantage that it is less likely to occur and cannot be detected.

The present invention was devised in view of these points, and its purpose is to have a simple structure and adjustment, and even when the various fluids used have a wide viscosity range.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a fluid flow detection device that can accurately determine whether or not the fluid flow state is normal. That is, the fluid flow detection device of the present invention is a flow detection device installed in the middle of a fluid supply pipe, which has a cylindrical valve body, and has a fluid inlet at one end side and an outlet at one end of the valve body. Formed on the lateral side of the valve body,
Further, a valve body is provided inside the valve body so as to be biased toward the valve seat at the inlet by a spring, and a spring receiver is detachably attached to the other end of the valve body and is pressed against the spring. The valve body is characterized by comprising a check valve that is adjustable and movable in the longitudinal direction of the valve body, and a vibration sensor that is attached to the check valve and detects vibrations of the valve body caused by fluid flowing through the check valve. That is.

The device of the present invention has a valve body inside a cylindrical valve body of a check valve, which is biased toward a valve seat at a fluid inlet by a spring interposed between the valve body and a spring receiver. Be prepared. Therefore, when fluid flows within the valve body, the valve body vibrates against the spring under the pressure of the fluid flow. In the device of the present invention, a vibration sensor is attached to the check valve to detect the vibration of the valve body, thereby making it possible to know, for example, whether or not the fluid is in a stable flow state.

Furthermore, the device of the present invention can adjust the elastic force of the spring by appropriately moving the spring receiver in the longitudinal direction of the valve body. The degree of vibration can be changed and the vibration sensor can be adjusted to work most smoothly.

Furthermore, in the device of the present invention, the spring receiver is removable, so the spring receiver is removed, the spring inside the valve body is taken out, and another spring (such as one with a different elastic force) is inserted into the valve body. By attaching a spring holder to the spring holder and replacing the spring, it is possible to sufficiently deal with cases where the type of fluid has changed significantly, which cannot be handled by adjusting the movement of the original spring holder.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an example of applying the device of the present invention to an airless paint sprayer.
In the figure, 1 is a paint tank, 2 is an airless paint machine having a nozzle 2a, and these are connected by paint hoses 3 and 3'. A check valve is interposed in the middle of the paint hose. This check valve has a cylindrical valve body 6 having a paint inlet 4 and a paint outlet 5, and a valve seat 7 on the inlet 4 side.
is provided, and a spring 8 is provided so as to be pressed against the valve seat 7.
A valve body, specifically a ball valve 9, energized by
are arranged. Paint inlet 4 of this check valve
A paint hose 3 from the paint tank 1 is connected to the paint outlet 5, while a paint hose 3' leading to the paint sprayer 2 is connected to the paint outlet 5. Furthermore, a vibration sensor 10 for converting mechanical vibrations into electrical vibrations is attached outside the valve body 6 at a position approximately corresponding to the position of the ball valve 9 inside the valve body 6. It is connected to a display 12 via a conducting wire 11. Note that 13 indicates a pump for supplying paint.

Next, the operation of the flow detection device having such a configuration will be described.

The paint in the paint tank 1 flows into the valve body 6 from the paint inlet 4 through the paint hose 3 by the operation of the pump 13 . Here, the ball valve 9 is pressing against the valve seat 7, but the paint that has flowed into the valve body 6 causes the ball valve 9 to separate from the valve seat 7.
The paint flows toward the paint outlet 5 side, and is discharged from the airless paint sprayer 2 through the paint hose 3' to perform desired painting. In this case, the elastic force of the spring 8 is adjusted according to the viscosity of the paint so that good coating is achieved. In this state, the ball valve 9 is pushed upward by the flow of paint, and then pushed downward by the elastic force of the spring 8. By repeating this operation, the ball valve 9 vibrates. That is, the ball valve 9 vibrates due to the balance between the flow force of the paint and the elastic force of the spring 8. This vibration is caused by the vibration sensor 10
is detected and converted into an electrical signal according to the vibration state. The electrical signal from the vibration sensor 10 is transmitted to the display 12 via a conductive wire 11, amplified, and calculated. In this case, if the paint is in a normal flow state, the display 12 will display a message to that effect. On the other hand, if the paint is in an abnormal flow state, the ball valve 9 will not vibrate constantly, but will
Exhibits a complex vibration state. Further, when paint stops flowing due to clogging of the nozzle 2a of the coating machine 2, the ball valve 9 does not vibrate. In this manner, when the paint is not in a normal flow state, the display 12 displays a message to that effect. In this case, the display mode of the display 12 is that nothing is displayed under normal flow conditions;
Examples include setting a light or sound alarm to be issued in case of abnormal flow conditions. In addition, during painting work, ON-OFF control of paint supply (discharge) is performed by discharging paint from the coating machine or stopping the discharge depending on the shape of the object to be painted and the purpose of painting. Therefore, while the supply (discharge) of paint is stopped by the ON-OFF control, it is necessary to prevent the alarm signal that is generated when the flow of paint is abnormal.

Next, FIG. 2 shows a specific example of the check valve according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 14 denotes a blind cap, that is, a lid of the valve body 6, which is screwed onto the valve body 6 to prevent the paint inside the valve body 6 from leaking. Reference numeral 15 denotes a spring receiver, which supports one end of the spring 8. By screwing this spring receiver 15 into the valve body 6, the strength of the elastic force of the spring 8 can be adjusted.
Reference numeral 16 denotes a valve seat mounting body, which allows the valve seat 7 to be easily mounted on the valve body 6. With this, the valve seat 7 can be easily replaced, and
Maintenance and inspection of the check valve can be easily performed. Reference numeral 17 denotes a sensor mounting base for mounting the vibration sensor 10 on the valve body 6. Reference numeral 18 denotes a reservable joint, which connects a paint hose 3' from the airless paint sprayer 2 to an elbow joint described later, and is detachable. Reference numeral 19 denotes an elbow joint for connecting the paint hose 3' to the valve body 6. 20 is a socket for attaching the elbow joint 19 to the valve body 6. Reference numeral 21 denotes a screw nipple, which is used to attach the paint hose 3 to the valve body 6.
Reference numeral 22 denotes a threaded union for connecting the threaded nipples together. If the threaded nipple 21 attached to the valve body 6 is attached and detached each time the paint hose 3 is attached or detached, the threaded nipple 21 attached to the valve body 6 will become loosely twisted, making it easier for paint to leak. The paint hose 3 is attached and detached by fixing it to the main body 6 and removing the twist nipple (described later) via the twist union 22. Both 23 and 24 are screw nipples, which connect the paint hose 3 to the valve body 6 via the screw union 22.

Next, specific aspects of each component will be described.

The valve seat 7 is made of resin or metal. Among these, the one made of resin can prevent wear of the valve body 9,
Even if the valve seat 7 itself becomes worn, it is convenient because it can maintain its sealing performance because of its elasticity. Note that if metal is sufficient, the valve seat may be formed integrally with the valve body. In the embodiment, the valve body 9, which is a ball valve, is preferably made of steel. The reason is that it has relatively excellent durability. As the spring 8, a coiled spring is used. If the coiled spring 8 and the ball valve 9 are arranged in a partially fitted state, the valve body can be moved in a direction other than the line connecting the spring 8 and the valve seat 7. Since the movement of the valve body 9 can be restricted and the vibration of the valve body 9 can be simplified, the vibration state can be easily read. Examples of the vibration sensor 10 include a microphone.

In the embodiment, a spring 8 having a biasing function is used.
Although an example has been given in which the valve body 9 and the valve body 9 having the vibration function and the valve function are separate bodies, they may be constructed as an integrated body as long as they have each of these functions. A specific example is one in which the tip of the spring 8 in the direction of the valve seat 7 is integrally provided with a bullet-shaped object large enough to press against the valve seat 7. However, if the valve body having a vibration function or the like is provided separately as in the above embodiment, it is easier to exhibit a vibration state corresponding to the flow of paint.

Such flow detection devices are applicable to various electrostatic and non-electrostatic coating devices such as hydraulic atomization, air atomization, centrifugal atomization, and electrostatic atomization, as well as oil application devices, humidification devices, Furthermore, it can be applied to various supply devices for surface treatment liquids, various chemical solutions, suspensions of graphite powder, etc., inks, dyes, and the like.

According to the present invention, since the fluid flow state is judged based on the vibration of the valve body in the check valve, a reaction corresponding to the overall fluid flow state is possible, and detection performance is improved. Furthermore, since vibration can be reliably generated, malfunctions caused by other external vibration sources are less likely to occur. When the fluid is in a normal flow state, vibrations of the valve body occur on the premise that the flow force of the fluid and the elastic force of the spring are balanced, but on the other hand, when the fluid is in an abnormal flow state, Since the balance is disrupted and a significant difference appears in the vibration state of the valve body, this satisfies the purpose of the present invention, which is to detect whether the overall flow state is normal. Since the valve body inherently has a valve function as well as a vibration function that contributes to determining the flow state, a separate member having a valve function is not required. For fluids of any viscosity,
The flow state can be easily detected by simply adjusting the strength of the elastic force of the spring.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an example of the application of the present invention to airless painting, and FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention. {3, 3'...Fluid supply piping (paint hose), 4
...Inlet, 5...Outlet, 6... Valve body, 7... Valve seat, 9... Valve body (ball valve), 10... Vibration sensor. }Check valve

Claims (1)

[Claim for Utility Model Registration] A fluid flow detection device installed in the middle of a fluid supply pipe, which has a cylindrical valve body, with a fluid inlet at one end of the valve body and an outlet at the same end. Formed on the lateral side of the main body,
Further, a valve body is provided inside the valve body so as to be biased toward the valve seat at the inlet by a spring, and a spring receiver is detachably attached to the other end of the valve body and is pressed against the spring. The valve body is characterized by comprising a check valve that is adjustable and movable in the longitudinal direction of the valve body, and a vibration sensor that is attached to the check valve and detects vibrations of the valve body caused by fluid flowing through the check valve. Fluid flow detection device.