JPH06276619A - Capsule type transporting apparatus moving through conduit by magnetic force - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To relatively easily control an exciting coil, to reduce a power cable amount and to decrease power consumption. CONSTITUTION:A capsule type transporting apparatus comprises a conduit 1 having a plurality of exciting coils 7 mounted therein, a capsule 8 having two permanent magnets 9, 10 mounted to travel in the conduit 1, a capsule position detecting sensor 11, a power source, and a controller. The conduit 1 is electrically divided to a plurality of sections via a section switching unit, and an interval between the two magnets 9 and 10 is maintained at N/2 times as large as that of the coil 7 (where N is an odd of 5 or more). An exciting current from a power source energizes only a predetermined coil 7 in the capsule traveling section.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a capsule type transportation device which travels in a pipe by magnetic force, and particularly, it is possible to control an exciting coil relatively easily, a power cable amount is small, and power consumption is low. The present invention relates to a capsule type transport device that can be reduced.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a capsule type transportation device has been attracting attention as a means for transporting materials such as parcels, ores, and garbage to a destination. This transportation device transports goods to a destination by running a capsule along a pipeline (pipeline) laid between a plurality of points such as between a distribution center and a distribution center.

As such a capsule type transportation device, one of the conventionally known devices is a pneumatic transportation type. This pneumatic transporting type capsule transporting device causes an air flow to be generated in a pipeline by a blower, and the air flow causes a capsule loaded with materials to travel along the pipeline to a destination.

However, the above-mentioned capsule type transportation device has the following problems. When the capsule is run at a high speed, the sealing material attached to the capsule is heavily worn, which tends to reduce the driving force of the capsule. Due to the problem of the sealing property of the capsule, the radius of curvature of the pipeline must be made large, which limits the laying of the pipeline. Due to the pressure loss of air, it was difficult to carry it over long distances. When a relay station is provided in the middle of the pipeline, stopping the capsule at the relay station was a problem.

A capsule type transportation device which solves the above-mentioned problems is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-103007. This transporting device is provided with a pipe line made of a non-magnetic material, a capsule that runs in the pipe line, a permanent magnet attached to the capsule, and a predetermined distance over the entire length of the pipe line. An exciting coil, a switcher that switches the polarity of the exciting coil, a first sensor attached in the vicinity of the exciting coil, and a second sensor attached at the exciting coil position, and the capsule includes the first sensor. After passing one sensor, the polarity of the exciting coil is switched by the switch to the side where the capsule is sucked by the signal from the first sensor, and when the capsule passes the second sensor, the second sensor The polarity of the exciting coil is switched to the repulsive side of the capsule by the switch from the signal from the switch, thus It is obtained by allowing the running of the cell. Hereinafter, this is referred to as a conventional technique.

[0006]

However, the above-mentioned conventional technique has the following problems. Since it is necessary to provide a switching device for each exciting coil, the number of switching devices becomes enormous and the control method thereof is complicated. When connecting the power cable for each excitation coil,
The amount of power cables has become enormous, which is disadvantageous in terms of cable laying and cost. A large amount of current is consumed because a current also flows in the exciting coil of the pipeline in which the capsule is not running.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to control the exciting coil relatively easily, to reduce the amount of power supply cable, and to reduce the power consumption, and to move the inside of the pipe by the magnetic force. To provide a device.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided a duct made of a non-magnetic material, and a plurality of exciting coils wound around an outer peripheral surface of the duct at a predetermined interval over the entire length of the duct. When,
At least one made of a non-magnetic material, which runs in the pipeline.
One material loading capsule, first and second permanent magnets attached to the capsule at intervals in the traveling direction of the capsule, and a sensor for detecting the position of the capsule attached to the conduit, The exciting coil includes a power source for supplying an exciting current and a controller, and the distance between the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet is N / 2 times the distance between the adjacent exciting coils (however, , N is maintained at an odd number of 5 or more), and the controller determines that the first permanent magnet of the capsule is located between two adjacent exciting coils (A) and (B) of the exciting coils. The power source is controlled by a signal from the sensor for detecting the excitation of the exciting coils (A), (B), and the second coil at this time.
Exciting coils on both sides of the exciting coil (C) facing the permanent magnet
(D) and (E) have a function of energizing, and the exciting coil and the power source, the exciting coil (A) on the upstream side in the capsule traveling direction is the first permanent magnet, and The exciting coil (C) has a polarity that attracts the second permanent magnets, respectively, while the exciting coil (B) on the downstream side in the capsule traveling direction is the first permanent magnet, and the exciting coil (E) is The second permanent magnets are connected so as to have a repulsive polarity, and the conduit is electrically divided into a plurality of sections via a section switch, and the exciting coil in the section has a predetermined width. The interval switch is connected to each other in series, and the interval switch changes the current from the power source to the next interval according to a signal from the sensor indicating that the capsule has traveled from one interval to the next interval. Characterized by switching to Than it is.

[0009]

According to the present invention, the interval between the first and second permanent magnets attached to the capsule is N / 2 times the interval between the exciting coils attached to the conduit (where N is an odd number of 5 or more). ) So that when the first permanent magnet is between two adjacent exciting coils (A), (B),
Since the exciting coil is always in a position facing another exciting coil (C), the exciting coils (A), (B) and the exciting coils (D), (on both sides of the exciting coil (C) ( E)
By energizing a current such that the suction force and repulsive force that the capsule travels in one direction act, the capsule can be run smoothly, and the number of energized electromagnetic coils can be minimized. Furthermore, the pipeline is electrically divided into a plurality of sections via a section switcher, and the exciting coils in each section are connected in series with each other in a predetermined number, and one capsule is switched to the next section. When the next section is energized by the section switch at the same time as traveling, not only the power consumption is reduced, but also the energization control of the exciting coil is simplified, and the amount of power cable is connected to each exciting coil. It can be greatly reduced compared to.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of the capsule type transportation device of the present invention which moves in a duct by magnetic force will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an embodiment of a capsule type transportation device which moves in a duct by magnetic force of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a capsule type transportation device of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a schematic plan view, Fig. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing an embodiment of the capsule type transportation device of the present invention, Fig. 4 is a wiring diagram of an exciting coil and a power cable of the capsule type transportation device of the present invention, and Fig. 5 is FIG. 4 is a power supply circuit diagram of the capsule type transportation device of the present invention.

In FIGS. 1 to 5, reference numeral 1 denotes a pipe line made of a non-magnetic material such as SUS304, aluminum, FRP, etc., which is laid in a tunnel 2 in the ground, for example. Line 1 is
As shown in FIG. 1, it branches in the middle and is connected to an accumulation place 3 for loading a capsule, which will be described later. Pipeline 1
Is electrically divided into a plurality of sections by the section switch 4, as shown in FIG. 5 is a power cable, 6
Is a signal cable, and these cables 5 and 6 are
It is installed side by side with the pipeline 1 via the section switcher 4. 7 is
It is a plurality of exciting coils wound around the outer peripheral surface of the conduit 1 at predetermined intervals over the entire length of the conduit 1.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a material loading capsule that runs in the pipe line 1 and is made of a non-magnetic material such as SUS304, aluminum, and FRP. It is also possible to connect a plurality of capsules in series.
Reference numeral 9 denotes a first permanent magnet attached to the capsule 8 on the upstream side in the traveling direction of the capsule 8 (the direction of the arrow in FIGS. 1 and 2),
Reference numeral 10 is a second permanent magnet that is attached to the first permanent magnet 9 with a gap. Reference numeral 11 denotes a capsule position detection sensor attached to the conduit 1 between the adjacent exciting coils 7,
12 is a power supply for supplying an exciting current to the exciting coil 7,
13 is a controller.

The capsule 8 travels through the wheel 14 in the pipe line 1 by a magnetic force generated between the first and second permanent magnets 9 and 10 and the exciting coil 7, that is, attraction and repulsion. The distance between the first permanent magnet 9 and the second permanent magnet 10 is N / 2 times the distance between the adjacent exciting coils 7 (where N is 5
More than an odd number). This is for the following reason. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, the first permanent magnet 9
If it comes between two adjacent exciting coils (A) and (B), the second exciting coil 10 is always another exciting coil (C).
This is to make it come to a position opposite to. Thus, as will be described later, a current that causes magnetic force to act in one direction on the capsule 8 is applied to the exciting coils (A), (B) and the exciting coils (D), (E) on both sides of the exciting coil (C). Can be energized, and the capsule 8 can smoothly run. The distance between the first permanent magnet 9 and the second permanent magnet 10 is
It is preferably 3.5 times or 4.5 times the distance between the adjacent exciting coils 7. In this example, it is 4.5 times. When the first permanent magnet 9 and the second permanent magnet 10 are attached at positions such that the distance between them is an integral multiple of the exciting coil 7, the first permanent magnet 9 and the second permanent magnet 10 form the exciting coil 7. When they face each other, the magnetic forces balance each other, which hinders the travel of the capsule 8.

The exciting coil 7 in each section of the conduit 1 which is electrically divided into a plurality of sections by the section switch 4 is
Every predetermined number is connected in series with each other. In this embodiment, every other eight exciting coils 7 are connected in series with each other,
One section is formed by an integral multiple of the set of nine exciting coils 7.

As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 13 receives the signal from the sensor 11A which detects that the first permanent magnet 9 of the capsule 8 is located between the exciting coils (A) and (B), and supplies the power 12 Control the energizing coils (A), (B) and energizing the exciting coils (D), (E) on both sides of the exciting coil (C) facing the second permanent magnet 10 at this time, Further, it has a function of instructing the power supply 12 not to energize the exciting coil (C). The reason for not energizing the exciting coil (C) is
This is to prevent the balance of magnetic forces as described above.

As shown in FIG. 4, the exciting coil 7 and the power source 12
Means that the exciting coil (A) on the upstream side of the capsule running direction is the first
The permanent magnet 9 and the exciting coil (C) is the second permanent magnet.
10, so that the exciting coil (B) on the downstream side in the capsule traveling direction has a polarity that repels the first permanent magnet 9 and the exciting coil (E) has a polarity that repels the second permanent magnet 10, respectively. Is connected to.

According to the capsule type transporting apparatus of the present invention having such a configuration, the capsule 8 smoothly travels in the pipeline 1 to the destination in the following manner. That is, while the capsule 8 is running in the pipeline 1, the position of the capsule 8 is always detected by the sensor 11, and the section switch 4 is activated by this signal to energize the power source 12 only in the section in which the capsule 8 is running. To be done. The signal from the sensor 11 is the controller
When it is sent to the controller 13, the controller 13 controls the power source 12 so that the exciting coils (A), (B) on both sides of the first permanent magnet 9 of the capsule 8 are controlled.
And energizing command to the exciting coils (D) and (E), and
The power supply 12 is instructed not to energize the exciting coil (C) facing the second permanent magnet 10. As a result, there is no possibility that the traveling of the capsule 8 will be hindered by the balance of the magnetic forces, and it is not necessary to energize all the exciting coils 7 in one section. Such an operation is sequentially performed over one section.

In this way, when the capsule 8 travels from one section to the next section, at the same time, the signal from the sensor 11 activates the next section switcher 4 to start the energization to the next section. The energization to the exciting coil 7 is controlled in the same manner as in the case of
Drive inside.

[0020]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following useful effects are brought about. Since it is not necessary to provide a switch for each exciting coil as in the prior art, energization control of the exciting coil can be performed relatively easily. Since it is not necessary to connect a power cable to each exciting coil, the amount of power cable can be greatly reduced. Since it suffices to energize only a predetermined exciting coil in the traveling section of the capsule, it is possible to minimize power consumption. The pipeline can be laid vertically as well as horizontally. Since multiple capsules can be connected, it is possible to transport a large amount of goods at once. Even if the capsules are multi-connected, it is not necessary to significantly increase the power consumption.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an embodiment of a capsule type transportation device that moves in a duct by magnetic force of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of the capsule type transportation device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing one embodiment of the capsule type transportation device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a wiring diagram of an excitation coil and a power cable of the capsule type transportation device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a power supply circuit diagram of the capsule type transportation device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Pipeline, 2: Tunnel, 3: Collecting place, 4: Section switcher, 5: Power cable, 6: Signal cable, 7: Excitation coil, 8: Capsule, 9: First permanent magnet, 10: Second Permanent magnet, 11: Sensor, 12: Power supply, 13: Controller, 14: Wheel.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A pipe line made of a non-magnetic material, a plurality of exciting coils wound around the outer peripheral surface of the pipe line at predetermined intervals over the entire length of the pipe line, and travels in the pipe line. And at least one material-loading capsule made of a non-magnetic material,
First and second permanent magnets are attached to the capsule at intervals in the traveling direction of the capsule, a sensor for detecting the position of the capsule attached to the conduit, and an exciting current is applied to the exciting coil. A power supply for supplying the power and a controller, and the distance between the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet is N of the distance between the adjacent exciting coils.
/ 2 times (where N is an odd number of 5 or more), and the controller controls the two exciting coils (A) and (B) in which the first permanent magnet of the capsule is adjacent to the exciting coil. By the signal from the sensor that detects that it is located between, to control the power supply, the excitation coil (A), (B),
And has a function of energizing the exciting coils (D) and (E) on both sides of the exciting coil (C) facing the second permanent magnet at this time, and the exciting coil and the power source are The exciting coil (A) on the upstream side of the capsule traveling direction is the first permanent magnet, and the exciting coil (C) is the second permanent magnet.
The permanent magnets have polarities that attract the respective magnets, while the exciting coil (B) on the downstream side in the capsule traveling direction has the first
The permanent magnet and the exciting coil (E) are connected so as to have a polarity that repels the second permanent magnet, and the conduit is electrically connected to a plurality of sections via a section switch. The exciting coils in the section are divided and are connected in series to each other in a predetermined number, and the section switch is provided from the sensor indicating that the capsule has traveled from one section to the next section. A capsule-type transportation device that moves in a duct by magnetic force, characterized in that a current from the power source is switched to the next section according to a signal.