JPS63279142A - Particle size distribution measuring apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To achieve a higher efficiency of measuring work while eliminating measuring errors, by providing a control means to automatically operate the transfer of a number of containers, the injection of dilution water and a dispersant, agitation and the measurement of a particle size distribution at a specified timing. CONSTITUTION:Containers 13 holding bulk material to be measured are placed on trays for carrying containers so arranged to form a double U-shaped conveying path on a base 11 are conveyed and controlled sequentially. Then, the containers 13 on standby at a position P0 are grasped with grasping pieces mounted on an arm 18 to be lifted and dilution water and a dispersant are injected by a specified amount by an injection means 4. Then, the containers 13 are lowered and turned with a motor 15 and transferred to an agitation liquid housing tank 25 of a stirring means 5 to mix the dilution water and the dispersant by an ultrasonic wave. Then, after the transfer of the containers 13 above a particle size distribution meauring means 6, the containers are rotated with a motor 19 to discharge the sample in the containers 13 into the means 6.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Purpose of IJJ] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a particle size distribution measuring device that automatically measures the particle size distribution of various powders and granules.

(Conventional technique #i) Conventionally, the particle size distribution of various powder materials such as coal grains, cement grains, pharmaceutical grains, etc. is measured, and the measurement results are analyzed to determine the particle size and body mass of each grain. The following means are used to understand the distribution state.

That is, first, a specific amount of granules is placed in a container, dilution water is dispensed, and then the granules are dispersed in the dilution water using ultrasonic stirring means.

Next, the particle size of each particle dispersed in the dilution water is measured using a particle size distribution measuring device while stirring the dilution water containing the particles using a circulator and transporting it through a certain flow path.

Furthermore, this measurement data is analyzed and processed by a calculation processing means, and the processing results are outputted as character and numerical data by an output means such as a printer, thereby understanding the particle size distribution of the particles.

However, in the case of the conventional example described above, the work of storing the granules to be measured in a container and the work of dispensing dilution water and dispersion liquid are all performed manually by the measurer, which is extremely complicated. There is a problem.

In addition, in the case of the conventional method, it is necessary for the measurer to measure the amount of granules to be measured and to store them in containers for each type of granular material, and furthermore, until a series of measurements and analyzes are completed, each Manual work is required for each step, which is inefficient, and there is also the problem that it is impossible to prevent errors in measurement data due to individual differences that occur each time a measurement is performed by a different person.

(Problems to be solved by the invention) As mentioned above, in the case of conventional particle size distribution measuring means,
The series of operations from filling the container with the granules to be measured to outputting the measurement data is mainly done manually, which makes the measurement work more complicated and less efficient, and also leads to measurement errors. The problem is that it occurs frequently.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a particle size distribution measuring device δ that can perform the measurement work in measuring the particle size distribution of granules simply and with a high sushi rate, and can also improve measurement accuracy. be.

[Structure of the invention]

(Means for Solving the Problems) The first particle size distribution measuring means of the present invention includes a conveyance means for conveying a large number of containers containing powder and granules while arranging them in a line on a conveyance path;
Container transfer means that grips the container on the conveyance path and performs an operation of transferring the gripped container and an operation of discharging the contents in the container, and dilution water and dispersion disposed facing the container transfer area of this container transfer means. It has a drug dispensing means, a stirring means, a particle size distribution measuring means, a data processing means for processing data measured by the particle size distribution measuring means, and a control means for operating each of the above means at a predetermined timing.

(Function) The function of the device having the above configuration will be explained below. *The transport means transports the container containing the powder to be measured along the transport path under the control of the control means, and stops the container at a specific position.

The container transfer means grasps a container stopped at a specific position under the control of the control means, and first transfers this container to the dispensing means arranged in the container transport area. Dispense dilution water and dispersant into

Next, the transfer means transfers the container containing the dilution water and the dispersant to the stirring means.

The stirring means stirs the powder, dilution water, and dispersant in this container.

Next, the transfer means transfers the container to the particle size distribution measuring means at the stage when the stirring by the stirring means is completed, and also charges the contents (sample) in the container into the particle size distribution measuring means.

The particle size distribution measuring means measures the particle size of the powder contained in the sample fed under the control of the control means, and sends the measured data to the data processing means.

The data processing means executes analysis processing, arithmetic processing, and output processing of the measurement data under the control of the control means.

The series of operations described above are performed one after another on the powder and granular materials contained in a large number of containers that are sequentially transported by the transport means.

(Example) Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Figures 1, ip, and 2 show the conveying means 2, container conveying means 3, dispensing means 4, stirring means 5, and particle size distribution measuring means 6 in the individual packaging 2i1.

The conveyance means 2 includes a total of 21 containers A arranged on a base 11J- to form a double U-shaped conveyance path.
2, and a container 13 containing a total of 21 pieces of powder or granular material as measurement objects placed a on each container aff1 dish 12, each container placing dish 12 and container 13,
``The material is conveyed along the conveyance path under the control of a control means 7, which will be described later.

The container conveying means 3, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,
An arm support stand 14 vertically arranged in the vicinity of a specific position 22Po of the conveyance path on the base 11, and a first arm support stand 14 arranged vertically on the arm support stand 14 with its axis of rotation in the vertical direction.
a motor 15, a vertically arranged rotating screw body 16 connected to the rotating shaft of the first motor 15, and this rotating screw body 16.
an arm support member 17 screwed together with the arm support member 17; an arm 18 attached to the arm support member 17 in a horizontal arrangement; a second motor 19 attached to the arm support member 17 so that its rotation axis is arranged horizontally; Gripping pieces 18a, 18b
It has an opening/closing drive means (not shown) that uses air to perform the opening/closing operation of the arm support member 17. The arm 18, the second motor 19, and the opening/closing drive means move the rotary screw body 16 in the vertical direction. Further, both gripping pieces 18a,
18b at the specified position IP.

At the same time, the container 1 held by the pair of gripping pieces 18a and 18b provided at the protruding end of the arm 18 is gripped by the rotating operation of the second motor 19.
It is designed to perform an operation of discharging the contents inside 3 to the outside. Further, the rotation of the second motor 19 causes the arm support member 17, the arm 18, and the second motor to move in the axial direction (vertical direction) of the rotating screw body 16.

Furthermore, the arm 18 is horizontally rotated by a wood rotation driving means provided in the base 11 and using air as a driving force source.
b is adapted to form a circular transfer area as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the dispensing means 4 includes a diluting water dispenser 21 and a dispensing device attached to a fixed support plate 20 which is disposed facing above the specific position 21P o formed on the base 11k. A drug dispenser 22 is provided. And each dispensing nozzle 21a of the dilution water dispenser 21 and the dispersant dispenser 22,
22a is placed directly above the specific position po.

As shown in FIG. 5, the stirring means 5 includes a third motor 23 fixedly disposed on the fixed support plate 20 so that the rotating shaft 23a is perpendicular to the fixed support plate 20, and a rotating shaft 23a of the third motor 23. , and an ultrasonic stirring section 24 disposed at a location below the third motor 23 on the base 11.

The ultrasonic stirring section 24 stores a predetermined amount of stirring liquid 26 in a stirring liquid storage tank 25 with an open top, and also has an ultrasonic generation source (not shown) built-in, and transmits ultrasonic energy from this ultrasonic generation source to the stirring liquid 26. It is designed to be transmitted to

Further, the stirring blade 23a and the stirring liquid storage tank 25 are arranged at a position facing the transfer area.

As shown in FIG. 6, the particle size distribution measuring means 6 passes the sample (mixed liquid of particles, diluent water, and dispersant) input from the input port 27 into the flow path 28 shown in FIG. a recirculator 29 that moves the sample in the direction; a light source 30 that irradiates light (for example, laser light) to the sample moving in the flow path 28; Photodetector 3 detects and converts it into an electrical signal
1, and the particle size of the particles in the sample is detected based on the detection data of the photodetector 31.

Next, the overall configuration of the device 1 according to the sixth embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG.

This device includes the above-mentioned transport means 2. Container transfer means 3, dispensing means 4, stirring means 5, particle size distribution measuring means 6, data processing means 8 for processing measurement data of particle size distribution measuring means 6, and control for controlling the operation timing of each of these means The means 7 and the interface 9 for transferring the processing results by the data processing stage 8 to an external computer (not shown) are all connected.

The data processing means 8 includes a calculation section 32 which performs analysis and calculation processing on the measurement data obtained by the particle size distribution measuring means 6 to obtain the diameter, volume, etc. of one particle and calculates the particle size distribution; Printers 33 and X that output processing results
, Y plotter 34.

The control means 7 includes a CPU 35 that controls each of the means.
and a memory 36 for issuing control commands to the CPU 35 based on a control program having a procedure as shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the above-mentioned system will be explained with reference to a flowchart showing the contents of the control program shown in FIG.

In addition, as an initial state, it is assumed that the container 13 containing a predetermined amount of granular material is transported (SPI) to a specific position W1eo on the transport path on the base 11 and is on standby.

The CPU 35 of the control means 7 controls the opening/closing means 19 (not shown) in the container conveying means 3 based on the instructions from the memory 36.
sends a control signal to the As a result, one gripping piece 18a is opened and closed by opening/closing means (not shown).

By operating 18b in the closing direction, both gripping pieces 18a and 18
Hold the container 13 between the arms (Sr1).

Next, the CPU 35 sends a control signal 1) to the first motor 15 again.
send. As a result, the gripping piece 18a that grips the container 13
, 18b rises together with the arm 18, and both dispensing nozzles 21a, 21b of the dispensing means 4 are inserted into the opening of the container 13.
is now inserted.

In this state, the CPU 35 sends a control signal to the dilution water injector 22. As a result, both the dispensing nozzles 21a and 21b dispense predetermined amounts of dilution water and dispersant into the container 13, respectively. (Sr1).

Next, the CPU 35 sends a control signal to the first motor 15 to lower the container 13 gripped by the arm 18, and then sends a control signal to a horizontal rotation drive means (not shown) to move the arm 18 and the container 13 to the transfer area. The container 13 is transferred to the stirring liquid storage tank 25 of the stirring means 5 by rotating it in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Then, in this state, the ultrasonic generation source is activated to apply a-sonic energy to the stirring liquid 26. As a result, the granules, dilution water, and dispersant in the container 13 are stirred and mixed. In this case, if necessary, arm 1
The container 13 gripped at 8 may be raised to the position of the stirring blade 23b, and the stirring action may be added by the stirring blade 23b (Sr4.5T5).

When the stirring operation for the sample in the container 13 is completed in this way, the CPU 35 sends a control signal to the first motor 15 and the horizontal rotation drive means (not shown), and
After transferring the sample to above the opening 27 of the particle size distribution measuring means 6, a control signal is sent to the second motor 19 to rotate the arm 18 in the direction of the arrow as shown in FIG. Open [1 part is released (Sr1).

Next, the CPU 35 sends a control signal to the particle size distribution measuring means 6 to operate the recirculator 29 to transfer the sample within the channel 28, and causes the light source 30 to irradiate the sample with light. The light hitting the sample becomes scattered light and is detected by the photodetector 31.

That is, the photodetector 31 obtains particle size data regarding the diameter and volume of particles in the sample (Sr1).

Measured data by the particle size distribution measuring means 6 is sent to the calculation unit 32 via the CPU 35.

The calculation unit 32 executes a process of analyzing and calculating the distribution state of the particle size, volume, etc. of the particles based on the particle size data (Sr1).

The processing data of the calculation unit 32 is sent to the printer 3 via the CPU 35.
3. Sent to X-Y plotter 34.

Printer 33. The X-Y plotter 34 outputs the processed data in the form of characters, symbols, etc. (Sr1).

Thereby, the particle size distribution of the particles contained in the container 13 can be grasped visually.

Further, the processing data is transferred to an external computer via the CPU 35 and the interface 9 (STIO),
be remembered.

The series of operations described above is executed one after another for each container 13 arranged in the conveyance path on the base 11, and processing data for each particle contained in each container 13 is automatically obtained one after another.

Therefore, according to the device of this embodiment, only the work of storing the granules in the container 13 is performed without any work, and the subsequent work can be automated, making it possible to improve work efficiency and reduce errors. .

Moreover, by forming the conveyance path into a double U-shape, a large number of containers can be arranged in a row in a narrow space, and the entire apparatus can be made compact.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, 21 containers are arranged in a row on a double U-shaped conveyance path, but the number of containers can be set arbitrarily, and this number can also be used. It can also be implemented as a circular, oval or other variety of shapes.

It is also possible to measure the particle size distribution of individual powder particles by applying the same method to powders of other types.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the Suekan IJJ described in detail above, particle size distribution measurement of various types of particles can be automated, simplifying operations, increasing efficiency, and improving measurement accuracy. Minute 1tj R? 4 constant devices can be provided.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing the main mechanical parts of the apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a partially omitted plan view of the same as above, and Fig. 3 is an enlarged view showing the container transfer means and dispensing means in the apparatus according to the embodiment. 4 is an enlarged front view showing the container transfer means of the same device, FIG. 5 is an enlarged omitted sectional view showing the stirring means of the same device, and FIG. 6 is a configuration explanation showing the particle size distribution measuring means of the same device. 7 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the embodiment device,
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the contents of a control program showing the operating procedure of the device. l... Particle size distribution measuring device, 2... Conveying means, 3...
- Container transfer means, 4... Dispensing means, 5... Stirring means, 6... Particle size distribution measuring means, 7... Control g# means. Agent JP Roshi Fukumura obstructed ゛; Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A conveying means that conveys a large number of containers containing powder and granular materials while arranging them side by side on a conveying path, gripping the containers on this conveying path, transferring the gripped containers, and releasing the contents in the containers. a container transfer means for carrying out the operation, a dispensing means for diluting water and a dispersant, a stirring means, and a particle size distribution measuring means arranged facing the container transfer area of the container transfer means, and measurement data by the particle size distribution measuring means. 1. A particle size distribution measuring device comprising: data processing means for processing; and control means for operating each of the means at predetermined timing. (2) The stirring means is a means for dispensing dilution water and a dispersant into the powder or granular material in a container using a dispensing means, and then stirring them using ultrasonic energy. Particle size distribution measuring device. (3) The control means is configured to dispense dilution water and a dispersant to the powder in the container gripped by the container transfer means and to charge the contents of the container into the particle size distribution measurement means after stirring these. The particle size distribution measuring device according to claim 1, which controls a container transfer means. (4) The particle size distribution measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the data processing means performs arithmetic processing of the measurement data of the particle size distribution measuring means and output processing of the arithmetic processing results.