JPH0771699A - Pipe automatic connecting device for switching station - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an automatic connecting device for a switching station economical and easy to obtain a unit structure by preventing a fluid of different kind from mixing generated when switched connection of piping, and minimizing a fluid amount left in the piping. CONSTITUTION:A unit A1 for holding a mover 5 moved parallelly reciprocated in a fixed direction and a unit B2 for holding the mover 5 moved parallelly reciprocated in a direction at a right angle to the direction of the unit A1 are opposed to each other and parallelly arranged, and a piping group formed of flexible pipes 3, 4 is respectively connected to the mover 5 of the units A, B. The mover of each unit is moved and positioned so as to be opposed to each other, and a built-in fitting is automatically connected to perform switching pipes.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic pipe connecting device in a pipe switching station. More specifically, the present invention relates to an automatic pipe connecting device in a pipe switching station for switching a line used in a batch production system to transfer raw materials, final products, intermediate products and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in batch production systems, transfer of fluids such as raw materials and products (final or intermediate) has been performed mainly by a transfer system of valve switching operation by fixed piping. For example, in a food and beverage manufacturing plant, when transferring an intermediate product from a plurality of tank groups in one process to a plurality of tank groups in another process according to a desired purpose, a fixed header piping group Is installed and the line is switched, that is, the valve is switched. As described above, in the system including the header and the valve, the loss of raw materials and products remaining in the pipe becomes a problem. For example, in the food manufacturing industry, cleaning is performed each time for the purpose of preventing contamination due to putrefaction of an intermediate product remaining in a pipe. As this cleaning, a so-called cleaning in-place (hereinafter abbreviated as CIP) method is carried out without disassembling and moving the manufacturing equipment, and with a portion where the piping equipment is in contact with the product acting with the cleaning liquid with the piping equipment fixed. Therefore, as the switching valve, a valve having a complicated structure is used to switch between product transfer and cleaning.

A conventional transfer system will be described with reference to FIG. 14 (described in "Piping and Equipment, 1991 September September Double Seat Valve for Sanitary Plant"). Figure 1
In No. 4, there are three tanks T1, T2, and T3, which are for simultaneously receiving, paying out, and efficiently performing the CIP process. In these cases, a so-called double seat valve having a double sealing surface is generally used so that fluids handled in each process do not mix with each other. In this transfer system, a combination of three lines and three tanks requires a total of nine switching valves by multiplying them. Therefore, the valve block is usually constructed. Although each transfer process can be performed independently, planning which valves to operate and what routes to flow becomes more complicated as the number of valves increases, and further switching of valves is required. The number of control input / output points also increases depending on the number of valves. It is usually said to be twice the total number of valves.

If there are a large number of tanks as described above, and a plurality of raw materials, intermediate raw materials, intermediate products and CIP and a plurality of lines for these tanks are configured, a combination of a plurality of to a plurality of multiplications is required. Therefore, the number of valves increases, and the number of input / output points increases accordingly. (Fig. 15)
These valves need to be easily disassembled in order to have sanitary properties, but this type of valve is expensive because it is made of stainless steel that does not cause corrosion. Yes, and due to the large number, it was one of the main items to be improved when considering the upgrade and upgrade of equipment.

[0005]

In the transfer system by the valve switching operation by the fixed pipe as described above, the situation in which the pipe and the valve are intricate, and in order to operate a large number of switching valves according to the purpose, The control system also had to be complicated. Thus, when the capacity of the entire plant is increased or the number of product types is changed due to an increase in brands, the flexibility corresponding to this is lacking, and there is a big problem in the flexibility of the plant.

Further, during operation, the product and the like remain in the piping and the header, resulting in a large loss of the product and the cleaning work requires a lot of time and labor. Furthermore, even if the above-mentioned double seat valve is used, there is no possibility that the fluids that are in contact with the valve seat member sandwiching them will mix with each other due to a defect of the seal member, and the cleaning liquid will enter the unexpected gap. There is a possibility. Therefore, in order to ensure the quality control, it is possible to set restrictions such as not flowing different fluid such as cleaning liquid on the other side when the product is flowing on one side. , The operating rate of the valve will decrease.

On the other hand, the pipe switching connection method using a hose was adopted in the era when the device was not upsized or when automation was not performed, but the hose is entangled because it is connected each time when necessary. There were many things. Moreover, as the plant becomes larger and more automated, it becomes difficult to automate the connection, and the connection is fixed from the economical point of view, and a system that uses switching valves and the like is becoming more popular. As a result, the flexibility of the hose has been lost.

The applicant of the present invention has previously proposed Japanese Patent Application No. 4-4 in order to solve the problem of the switching station in the background as described above.
Proposed in 21252 and Japanese Patent Application No. 4-125812. However, even in the above proposal, there is room for improvement in the following points.

In a vertically provided switching station as in Japanese Patent Application No. 4-212252, the excess length of the hose may be bent and liquid pool may be generated. Therefore, fluid is not discharged smoothly, fluid does not flow smoothly, etc. There was a problem. In addition, since the shape of a hose is uncertain, the venting point and the drain point are not constant, so even if it was installed on the way of the line, the effect was not sufficiently obtained. Moreover, the space required for installation becomes large. Further, in a double pipe type pipe having a slide mechanism capable of expanding and contracting as in Japanese Patent Application No. 4-125812, there is a space problem due to a large overlapping portion of the pipes.
Further, since a long telescopic tube having a sliding portion is required, the cost is high.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to solve these problems and to provide an automatic connecting device for piping elements, which is rich in flexibility and enables connection in combination.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An automatic pipe connecting device for a switching station according to the present invention has the same number of pipes as one piping group in a switching station for connecting one piping group to another piping group. Units A in which mobile cells are arranged side by side in the lateral direction with their longitudinal directions parallel to each other to form one plane, and the same number of mobile cells as the pipes of the other pipe group have the same longitudinal direction. The unit A and the unit B, which are arranged adjacent to each other in parallel with each other in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the moving body cell to form another plane, are spaced apart from each other by the two planes. Are arranged so as to be parallel to each other, and each moving body cell of the unit A is provided with a moving body capable of reciprocating in the longitudinal direction of the moving body cell along the one plane. In each mobile cell of unit B , Along the other one plane,
A moving body is provided so as to be capable of reciprocating in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the moving body cell of the unit A, and the moving body is moved to each of the moving body cells and positioned at an arbitrary position in the longitudinal direction. Is provided with a moving device, a connecting joint connected to one end of the flexible pipe is provided in the moving body, and one of the moving bodies is provided with an automatic connecting device for the connecting joint. And the ends of the pipe group are connected to the connection joints of the moving bodies of the units A and B, respectively, and the other ends are approximately in the direction of arrangement of the moving body cells of the units A and B, respectively. The units are fixedly arranged in parallel with each other on a surface at a height different from the one surface of the unit according to the arrangement order of the mobile cells.

A flexible hose is used as the flexible pipe, but a pipe using a swivel joint can also be used. Then, the moving device comprises one or more guide means for guiding the movement of the moving body, a screw shaft having a male screw threaded on the side wall of the moving body and screwed into the female thread and a motor for rotating the screw shaft. Has become.

The joint in the moving body is a piping element group A.
The joint of the pipe element group B and the joint of the piping element group B are joined in a male and female relationship, and it has the feature that a desired number of piping elements can be used for cleaning to make a CIP line during cleaning. There is.

Various types of piping elements can be used. One example is a general flexible hose, and the material is selected in consideration of the properties of the fluid flowing inside, usage conditions (pressure, temperature, etc.), safety, and the like. For example, a hose made of rubber, a composite manufacturing product having a composite structure in which sheets of various materials are laminated in several tens of layers, and those inside and outside of which are reinforced with a wire spiral. In particular, a composite structure reinforced with a wire spiral can be used even under high pressure and is excellent in flexibility.

Further, it is also possible to use an articulated pipe constructed by using a swivel joint as the universal joint.
The shape stability that the flexible hose does not have is obtained,
Can be used for high pressure.

When the transfer to the next process and the change of brand of the product are determined by performing so-called production control, the transfer sequence of the tank contents is determined accordingly.
Transfer order, route determination, valve operation order are determined,
The combination at the switching station is determined. These are performed by the combination management computer (upper computer).

Next, system information for managing the movement and connection of the mobile body is transmitted. This includes managing the moving direction, moving position, and the like of the moving body based on the information, and confirming that the connection has been made more reliably.

In these management systems, this device is easy to be unitized and is highly expandable. Therefore, it is desirable that the management system also has a distributed system configuration.

The above object can be achieved by implementing the above means.

[0020]

The pipes of the units A and B in the automatic pipe connecting apparatus of the present invention can be connected by the following procedure. The target moving body in the unit A is moved to a predetermined position and positioned, and the target moving body in the unit B is similarly moved to a predetermined position and positioned to join both units. The moving bodies to be opposed to each other are opposed to each other, and the connection joints included in the moving bodies of both units which are opposed to each other with a constant distance are joined to establish a desired fluid route. Then, the connection between the pipe groups can be completed by repeating the above operation according to a desired combination of pipes.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of an automatic pipe connecting device of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a switching station. The first embodiment uses a flexible hose as the flexible pipe. Unit A
The side is provided with a plurality of hoses (A1 to A5) connected to pipes for predetermined raw materials, intermediate products and cleaning solutions,
On the unit B side, for example, a plurality of hoses (B1 to B4) connected to pipes of a predetermined tank are provided.

In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, a unit A having a moving body 5 that moves in one axis direction (Y-axis direction) and a movement that moves in an axial direction (X-axis direction) perpendicular to the unit A are provided. Body 5
The unit is provided with a unit B, and both units are arranged such that the moving directions of the moving bodies are at right angles to each other and are opposed to each other at regular intervals to construct the entire automatic pipe connecting apparatus. Both units are horizontally arranged so as to have a vertical positional relationship as shown in FIG. 2, and a unit A having a hose that moves only in the Y-axis direction and a unit B having a hose that moves at right angles to the unit A and only in the X-axis direction. (Fig. 3). Each of the units A and B is provided with as many drive units 7 as the number of hoses. A screw shaft 12 is provided at the tip of the drive unit 7, and a moving body 5 that is a hose end moving unit is provided on the screw shaft 12 by screwing. The drive unit 7 may be, for example, a motor. A bearing for supporting the screw shaft is provided at the end of the screw shaft opposite to the end of the screw shaft connected to the drive unit. With such a structure, one mobile cell 9, 10
Is configured. In the unit B on the one side of the switching station and the unit B on the other side, in which these moving body cells 9 are arranged in a row in the X-axis direction in a row in the X-axis direction to form one plane, At the top of the unit, screw shaft 1 in the direction (X-axis direction) perpendicular to the Y-axis of unit A
2 is provided. Similarly, the drive unit 7 is provided at one end of the unit, and the moving body 5 at the hose end is provided on the screw shaft 12 by screwing to form the moving body cell 10. This is unit B
The units corresponding to the number of the hoses on one side are arranged in a row in the Y-axis direction to form one plane, and the unit B on the other side of the switching station is formed (FIG. 4). Here, one end of the hose is fixed above or below the moving body cell, and the other end is connected to the moving body. The hose has a U-shape in the horizontal direction in the moving body cell.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram in which one pipe is extracted from each of a plurality of pipes forming each unit. One moving body cell can be formed and arranged for each hose which is a flexible pipe as shown in the drawing.

In each unit, the hose is fixed to the hose end fixing portions 6 and 8 arranged above or below the moving body cells 9 and 10 in order to prevent entanglement. On the unit A side, the moving body 5 which is a hose end moving unit moves only in the Y-axis direction, and the other end is fixedly arranged in the X direction, while in the unit B, the hose end moves only in the X-axis direction, and the other. Since the ends are arranged in the Y direction, they do not get entangled. In this way, by reducing the freedom of movement of the hose, entanglement is eliminated, and automation of hose connection at a hose station, which has been difficult to automate, is realized.

The moving mechanism used in the moving body cell is, for example, a pulse motor, a servo motor or a screw shaft 12.
This is a well-known technology among the current automation technologies. The motor and, if necessary, the feedback mechanism can accurately position the moving body, which is the hose end moving portion screwed to the screw shaft. In order to make a linear movement, a threaded portion and a part of the guide rods 13, 14 for converting the rotational movement into a linear movement are required (FIG. 6). Although the above description is an example of using a motor, it may be positioned by air energy, specifically, an air cylinder, in addition to the moving mechanism by electric energy. The moving body cells incorporating these positioning mechanisms are installed on the unit A side and the unit B side at appropriate intervals, and the hose end moving portions on the unit A side and the unit B side are moved according to a desired combination, You can face the same position.

For example, to connect hoses A1 and B4,
Position the hose end moving portion 5 of A1 of the unit A at the position where the moving directions of A1 and B4 intersect, and then move the unit B
Slide the hose end moving part 5 of B4 of
Position so that the position is opposite to (that is, at the intersection). In this way, by moving each moving end to the lattice-shaped lattice points created by the units A and B,
The required combination can be realized. In FIG. 5, A1 and B4, A
4 and B3, A5 and B1 mobiles are bound (A2, A
The explanation for 3 is omitted). By performing such movement, the moving bodies are positioned at positions facing each other, and then the automatic connecting device 17 of the pipe connection joint built in the moving end of either unit is used. ,
Make a connection. This connection device may be provided in either the unit A or the unit B, but in order to reduce the required number of connection devices as a whole, it is convenient to provide it in the unit having the smaller number of piping elements. .

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the structure of the moving bodies 5 of the units A and B. Connection joint 15, 16
The main body of the actuator, the actuator 100, and the automatic connecting device 17 are supported in the moving body as a whole. The moving body side wall portion is provided with a female screw portion that is screwed with the screw shaft 12, a linear bush that is coupled to the guide rods 13 and 14, and the like. The vertical movement of the connection joints 15 and 16 is performed by an automatic connection device 17 such as a motor. A clamp driving device 40 as a mechanism for driving a half clamp for mechanically locking the connection joint is also included inside the moving body (not shown). The main body of the connection joint is connected to the hose at the connection portion. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the connection joint is separated. FIG. 8: is a figure which shows the state which the connection joint of the unit A and the unit B is connecting.
After connecting, it is mechanically locked by a half clamp.

Although various male and female type connection joints are conceivable, an example of a connection joint with an inner valve will be shown. A structural sectional view of the connection joint with the inner valve is shown in FIG. The connection joint 15 on the unit A side includes the inner valve 58 and the body 5 of the connection joint.
1, an inner valve shaft 60 penetrating the tip cleaning chamber 57 and the body top plate 53 provided in a double structure in the inner valve shaft, and an inner valve driving actuator (not shown) provided at the tip of the shaft. Composed. Further, in the lower part of the body, to seal between the valve seat 64 corresponding to the inner valve, the end of the ferrule 55 sandwiched by the half clamp 41 for mechanical locking, and the connection joint 16 on the unit B side. O-ring 62 is provided. The unit B side is composed of an inner valve, a body, a valve shaft penetrating the body bottom plate, and an automatic return spring unit 63 provided at the tip of the valve shaft.

This joint uses a sanitary valve conventionally used in the food industry for the connecting joint. That is, the conventional double-seat valve is cut in the horizontal half at the center, and the upper part is used for the hose end moving part on the unit A side and the lower part is used for the hose end moving part on the unit B side.
The clamp 56 includes a body top plate 53 and a bottom plate 54.
And the bodies 51 and 52 are connected. Since the inner valve of the connection joint 16 on the unit B side is automatically returned by the spring to be closed, an energy supply line (for example, an air line in the case of a pneumatic on-off valve) is specially opened and closed. It is not necessary to provide the above, which is convenient in terms of cost and construction. The upper surface of the inner valve in the upper connecting joint should be substantially the same as the inner surface of the piping element so as to avoid stagnation during cleaning. The connection between the connection joints may require a mechanical lock, and for this purpose a closure with a half-clamp that is easy to handle is preferred. A clamp driving device 40 is prepared to drive the half clamp 41. The upper actuator 100, which is a valve driving device provided at the tip of the inner valve shaft that penetrates the body top plate of the connection joint on the unit A side, is actuated to push down the inner valve, then contact the lower inner valve, and push down. It can be distributed by opening it. From the above, the hose on the unit A side and the hose on the unit B side form a flow path by the connection of the joint. It is needless to say that the upper and lower parts of the valve can be reversed and an actuator can be provided on the lower part for connection. By thus providing the inner valve in the connection joint, it is possible to prevent liquid leakage when the connection joint is disconnected, and to open and close with one actuator. Further, high sanitary property can be obtained by using a valve of sanitary specification as a basic structure.

Next, the vent line for removing the gas from the pipe and the drain line for discharging the liquid will be described. In the hose 3 on the unit A side of the automatic pipe connecting apparatus shown in FIG. 2, the hose end fixing portion 6 is always located at the top of the pipe, and the hose end fixing portion 8 on the unit B side is located at the bottom. ing. For this reason, the hose end fixing part of the unit A functions as a gas releasing part of the piping system, that is, a venting point, and the hose end fixing part of the unit B functions as a drain point which is a liquid discharging part. Can be achieved. In this way, the units A and B are arranged vertically one on top of the other, and the hose end fixing portions are located at a fixed upper and lower height for each unit. Is discharged smoothly and quickly.

Regarding the cleaning, it is desired that the cleaning work inside the piping system is performed in the state of being installed, in consideration of CIP. As a cleaning method, as shown in FIG. 10, some of the plurality of hoses may be used as a cleaning liquid line for CIP used for cleaning. That is, A
Any one of 1 to A5 is a line CIP line (A5 in the figure), and any one of B1 to B4 is a line CIP line (B4 in the figure). In this way, if the CIP line is provided on each unit side, the cleaning can be performed individually when cleaning is required. Also,
When it is desired to simultaneously clean a plurality of lines of one unit, a cleaning liquid header can be provided on the other unit side.

The above-mentioned line CI is used for cleaning the piping line.
Although the P method may be used, it may be necessary to particularly clean the coupling portion of the connection joint used for the connection.
In this case, the coupling surface cleaning units 80a and 80b for cleaning the coupling portion in particular are provided, and when cleaning is required, the moving body may be moved to the cleaning unit to perform cleaning (FIG. 12). . If you need to be able to both wash and sterilize the coupling site,
It is preferable that both cleaning and sterilization can be performed completely by switching to a cleaning shower or a sterilization shower (FIG. 13). 13 shows an example of the coupling surface cleaning unit 80b, the coupling surface cleaning unit 8
The same applies to 0a.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, a flexible hose generally used as a piping element is adopted. When a hose is used, the cost is low, but the hygienic property is low, as described in Japanese Patent Application No. 4-125812. In the second embodiment, a multi-joint pipe is used in which the pipe element is a universal joint (swivel joint) that can freely rotate 360 °. Therefore, the inner surface is smooth and highly hygienic, and a flexible hose like a flexible connection is possible. Furthermore, it can withstand high pressure. Recently, a swivel joint with sanitary specifications has been developed which prevents the occurrence of sanitary properties, that is, liquid pools, in the universal joint portion, and is easy to disassemble and clean, which makes the construction easier.

[0033]

As described above, according to the present invention, the ends of the flexible pipes are connected to the moving body, and the moving bodies are moved in the directions orthogonal to each other and arranged at the opposite positions to switch the piping line. By making it possible, the following effects can be obtained.

Since the fixed piping header group is not used, the number of valves for switching can be reduced, and furthermore, since there is no fixed piping header portion, the residual product residue can be minimized. Further, since the venting point and the drain point are fixedly provided above and below the line, respectively, it is possible to facilitate degassing, draining and liquid flow.

Further, the connection structure of the line is easily unitized, the combination thereof is easy, and the expansion of the device is easy,
In addition, the space for installation can be saved.

Further, since the line is physically cut off, it is possible to completely prevent mixing of different kinds of fluids. Then, it is possible to visually confirm whether or not the line is connected, and it is possible to easily wash and sterilize the connection surface and the separation surface of the connection joint.

Furthermore, even if a hose is used as the flexible pipe, it does not become entangled.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an automatic pipe connecting device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an automatic pipe connecting device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a connected state of a pair of piping elements in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a piping element of a mobile unit cell on the unit B side of FIG.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the moving body.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a cross section of a moving body.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a state before connection of a connection joint with an inner valve.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a state after connection in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a connection joint with an inner valve.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a pipe automatic connection device including a CIP system.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an automatic pipe connecting device including a CIP system.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view when a coupling surface cleaning unit is provided.

FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a coupling surface cleaning unit.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional transfer system.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional valve switching method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 unit A 2 unit B 3,4 hose (flexible pipe) 5 moving body (hose end moving part) 6,8 hose end fixing part 7 driving part 9,10 moving body cell 12 screw shaft 13,14 guide rod 15 , 16 Connection joint A, B Piping group

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A pipe group (A) consisting of a plurality of flexible pipes (3) and a pipe group (B) consisting of a plurality of flexible pipes (4) are arranged, and a pipe group (A ) And the pipe of the pipe group (B), the automatic pipe connecting device of the switching station for switching the connection, the same number of mobile cells (9) as the pipe of the pipe group (A),
Units A that are arranged laterally adjacent to each other with their longitudinal directions parallel to each other to form one plane, and the pipe group (B).
The same number of mobile cells (10) as that of the pipes are arranged adjacent to each other so that the longitudinal direction thereof is parallel to the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the mobile cells of the unit A to form another plane. And a unit B that is located opposite to each other so that the two planes are parallel to each other, and each mobile cell (9) of the unit A has the same plane. A mobile body (5) is provided so as to be capable of reciprocating in the longitudinal direction of the mobile body cell, and each mobile body cell (10) of the unit B is connected to the unit A of the unit A along the other plane. A moving body (5) is provided so as to be capable of reciprocating in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the moving body cell, and each of the moving body cells (9, 10) has a moving body (5).
A moving device for moving and positioning the moving pipe at an arbitrary position in the longitudinal direction is provided, and a connecting joint connected to one end of the flexible pipe is provided in the moving body. Is equipped with an automatic connecting device for connecting joints, and the ends of the pipe group (A) and the pipe group (B) are respectively
It is connected to the connection joint of the moving body of the unit A and the unit B, and the other end is approximately parallel to the direction of arrangement of the moving body cells (9, 10) of each unit A and B, and An automatic pipe connecting device for a switching station, characterized in that it is fixedly arranged on a surface at a height different from the one surface according to the order of arrangement of the mobile cells. 2. The automatic pipe connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible pipes (3, 4) are flexible hoses. 3. The automatic pipe connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible pipe (3, 4) is a pipe using a swivel joint.