Filter device

Abstract

The invention provides a filter device capable of performing air volume control based on volume flow rate with a simple structure. A filter device is provided with: a filter; piping is conducted; an air blower which sucks the air filtered by the filter through the piping; a wind speed sensor for measuring the mass flow rate of the gas flowing through the piping; a temperature sensor that measures a temperature; a pressure sensor that measures air pressure; and a processor that controls suction of the blower based on the measured air pressure, the measured temperature, and the measured mass flow rate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a filter device. Background Technology

[0002] In sheet manufacturing apparatuses that dry-process paper scraps to produce sheets, a waste powder collection unit is used to collect and discard waste powder such as short fibers unsuitable for sheet manufacturing and color materials contained in the paper scraps. While the rotational speed of the waste powder blower is controlled by an anemometer mounted on a rectifier to maintain a constant volumetric flow rate through the waste powder collection unit, the anemometer detects a mass flow rate, which results in a discrepancy with the volumetric flow rate. Furthermore, although anemometers capable of measuring volumetric flow rate are known, they are more expensive than mass flow rate anemometers.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a volumetric flow meter for a cooling fan, comprising a fan blade installed in a duct to withstand the airflow generated by a cooling fan, and a conversion unit that converts the tilt angle of the fan blade into volumetric flow rate. According to this document, it is possible to measure minute volumes of flow rate of the cooling fan.

[0004] However, in the air volume meter of Patent Document 1, the pressure loss is relatively large because there is a fan blade in the duct.

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-38714 Summary of the Invention

[0006] One aspect of this application relates to a filter device comprising: a filter; piping; a blower that draws air filtered in the filter via the piping; a wind speed sensor that measures the mass flow rate of gas flowing through the piping; a temperature sensor that measures the temperature; a pressure sensor that measures the air pressure; and a processor that controls the drawing of the blower based on the air pressure measured by the pressure sensor, the temperature measured by the temperature sensor, and the mass flow rate measured by the wind speed sensor. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the general structure of the waste powder collection device according to Embodiment 1.

[0008] Figure 2 From Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the waste powder collection device when observed from the opposite side.

[0009] Figure 3A perspective view showing the general structure of the air volume regulating device.

[0010] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A side sectional view of the rectifier in section bb.

[0011] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating the process of airflow adjustment.

[0012] Figure 6 This is a schematic structural diagram of the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to Embodiment 2. Detailed Implementation

[0013] Implementation Method 1

[0014] Overview of the waste powder collection device

[0015] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the outline structure of the waste powder collection device of the filter device according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 From Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the waste powder collection device when observed from the opposite side. Figure 2 In order to make the internal structure easier to understand, some structural diagrams have been omitted.

[0016] Regarding the general structure of the waste powder collection device 100 involved in this embodiment, using Figure 1 , Figure 2 The following explanation will be provided. Furthermore, the accompanying drawings illustrate the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis as three mutually orthogonal axes. Although the Z-axis direction is set as vertical in this embodiment, it is not a limitation. The direction along the X-axis is referred to as the "X-direction," the direction along the Y-axis as the "Y-direction," and the direction along the Z-axis as the "Z-direction." Additionally, the top side of the arrow marker for each axis direction is referred to as the "positive side," and the base side as the "negative side." For example, the Y-direction refers to both the positive and negative sides of the Y-direction. Furthermore, the positive side of the Z-direction is referred to as "up," and the negative side of the Z-direction is referred to as "down." Furthermore, in the following drawings, to facilitate understanding, dimensions or scales different from actual dimensions may sometimes be used.

[0017] The waste dust collection device 100 of this embodiment is a filter-type dust collection device, also known as a bag filter device, for collecting dust from the exhaust of industrial equipment. It can be used for collecting powder from exhaust, recovering crushed materials, and local dust collection.

[0018] The waste powder collection device 100 consists of a filter section 34, a waste powder box 35, an air volume regulating device 60 including a rectifier 10, a cover component 30, and a reverse airflow generating section 38.

[0019] like Figure 1 As shown, the waste powder collection device 100 is a longitudinally elongated cuboid, and is a structure in which the waste powder box 35, the filter section 34, the air volume regulating device 60, and the cover component 30 are stacked in this order from bottom to top. These parts are assembled on a frame 99 with the filter section 34 as the main body, thus forming a single device.

[0020] like Figure 2 As shown, the filter section 34 includes four cylindrical filters 13. However, the number of filters 13 is not limited to four; multiple filters are acceptable. Each filter 13 is a cylindrical filter bag (filter cloth) that extends in the vertical direction. Figure 1 As shown, two air inlets 34b are provided on one side of the filter section 34. A pipe (not shown) from an upstream device is connected to the air inlet 34b, and dust-containing gas flows into the filter section 34 from the pipe.

[0021] The gas filtered through the four filters 13 is then drawn into the cover component 30. Figure 1 After passing through the interior of the airflow regulating device 60, the airflow passes through the rectifier 10 and is discharged from the exhaust port 10b. The cover component 30 functions as an exhaust flow channel that guides the exhaust gas filtered in the filter section 34 to the rectifier 10. The rectifier 10 is an exhaust guide pipe, and a blower 40 is provided on the downstream side of the exhaust port 10b. Figure 3 (), to draw in the gas inside the filter section 34.

[0022] In other words, the waste powder collection device 100 includes a filter section 34, a rectifier 10 that discharges the exhaust gas filtered in the filter section 34 from the exhaust port 10b, and a blower 40 that serves as a blower section for drawing in the exhaust gas.

[0023] like Figure 2 As shown, a reverse airflow generating unit 38 is provided near the rectifier 10. Figure 2 The image shows the state after the cover assembly 30 has been removed, and the reverse airflow generating unit 38 has four nozzles 18. The nozzles 18 are arranged in a manner corresponding to the position above the filter 13. A compressor (not shown) is connected to the nozzles 18 through piping, thereby supplying compressed air. During the operation of the waste dust collection device 100, dust such as powder will adhere to the outer surface of the filter 13.

[0024] The nozzle 18 pulses air into the filter bag at fixed intervals, thereby removing dust from the outer surface of the filter 13. In a preferred embodiment, air is sequentially sprayed onto all four filters 13 using the nozzle 18. The removed dust falls into the waste dust bin 35 due to gravity.

[0025] Structure of air volume regulating device and rectifier

[0026] Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing the outline structure of the airflow regulating device, and corresponding to... Figure 1 . Figure 4 for Figure 3 A side sectional view of the rectifier in section bb.

[0027] The air volume regulating device 60 consists of a rectifier 10, a blower 40, a control unit 20, and a storage unit 21.

[0028] like Figure 4 As shown, the rectifier 10 is composed of a first piping 1, a second piping 2, a wind speed sensor 3, a temperature sensor 4, etc.

[0029] The first pipe 1 is a cylindrical exhaust pipe whose upstream base is connected to the cover component 30, and it forms a tapered shape that gradually decreases in diameter towards the downstream side after extending in the positive Y direction. This tapered component is also called a choke. The second pipe 2 is smaller than the first pipe 1 and is arranged concentrically within the first pipe 1. Gas within the cover component 30, such as... Figure 4 As indicated by the arrows, gas is drawn from both ends of the first pipe 1 and the second pipe 2. After passing through the second pipe 2 and exiting through the exhaust port 2b, the gas drawn into the second pipe merges with the gas flowing from the first pipe 1 at the tapered section of the first pipe, proceeds downstream, and is discharged from the exhaust port 10b of the first pipe 1. The section where the two gas flows merge is also called the merging section.

[0030] Thus, in the rectifier 10, by employing a double-ring structure in which the second pipe 2 is arranged concentrically within the first pipe 1, and by providing a choke on the downstream side for both the first pipe 1 and the second pipe 2, turbulence generation can be suppressed, thereby preventing significant airflow disturbance and allowing the gas to flow downstream in a stable state. A wind speed sensor 3, serving as a mass flow rate detection unit, is installed on the downstream side of the middle section within the second pipe 2. In a preferred embodiment, the wind speed sensor 3 is a thermal flow sensor. A thermal flow sensor, for example, includes a heater constructed from MEMS (MicroElectro Mechanical Systems), a thermopile upstream of the heater, and a thermopile downstream of the heater. It detects the wind speed as a mass flow rate by detecting the temperature difference generated along with the gas flow as an electromotive force difference. Due to this principle, the pressure loss caused by the thermal flow sensor can be significantly reduced. The wind speed sensor 3 is electrically connected to the control unit 20 via an interface circuit (not shown). In addition, the wind speed sensor 3 is not limited to thermal flow sensors.

[0031] A temperature sensor 4, serving as a temperature detection unit, is installed downstream of the junction within the first piping 1. In a preferred embodiment, the temperature sensor 4 is a thermistor. The temperature sensor 4 is electrically connected to the control unit 20 via an interface circuit (not shown). The temperature sensor 4 measures the exhaust temperature of the rectifier 10. Furthermore, the temperature sensor 4 is not limited to a thermistor; a contact temperature sensor or a non-contact temperature sensor may also be installed.

[0032] Blower 40 is an exhaust fan, and in a preferred embodiment, a centrifugal blower is used. However, it is not limited to a centrifugal blower; any blower with sufficient exhaust capacity is acceptable. The space in front of the blower is the internal space of the airflow regulating device, which is also connected to the outside of the device.

[0033] The control unit 20 and the storage unit 21 are composed of multiple integrated circuits and electronic components mounted on the control board 45. The control board 45 is a control board installed in the control unit of the waste dust collection device 100 or a host device, and is disposed in an environment outside the waste dust collection device 100. The control unit 20 is configured to have one or more processors, and performs comprehensive control of various parts of the airflow regulating device 60 according to the control program stored in the storage unit 21.

[0034] The storage unit 21 is configured with RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). The RAM is used for temporary storage of various data, and the ROM stores the control program for controlling the operation of the airflow regulating device 60, as well as accompanying data. The control program stores a startup program that instructs the sequence and content of the processing when starting the airflow regulating device 60, and an airflow regulating program that controls the speed of the blower 40 to keep the volumetric flow rate flowing through the filter unit 34 constant.

[0035] A pressure sensor 5, serving as a pressure detection unit, is electrically connected to the control unit 20 via an interface circuit (not shown). In a preferred embodiment, the pressure sensor 5 is a pressure sensor of the piezoresistive type and is mounted on the control board 45. The pressure sensor 5 measures the air pressure in the space where the control board 45 is located. This space is the space in front of the exhaust of the blower and is also the air intake source for the air flowing into the filter unit 34. Therefore, the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 5 is correlated with the pressure at the location of the wind speed sensor 3, and by performing calculations to correct for the pressure at the location of the wind speed sensor 3, the pressure at the location of the wind speed sensor 3 can be estimated. Furthermore, the pressure sensor 5 is not limited to the piezoresistive type; any sensor capable of detecting air pressure is acceptable.

[0036] In this embodiment, the rectifier 10 includes a first pipe 1, a second pipe 2, a wind speed sensor 3 as a wind speed detection unit, a temperature sensor 4 as a temperature detection unit, and a pressure sensor 5 as a pressure detection unit. The second pipe 2 is disposed inside the first pipe 1. The wind speed sensor 3 is disposed in the second pipe 2 and measures the mass flow rate of the gas flowing through the second pipe 2. The temperature sensor 4 is disposed in the first pipe 1 and measures the temperature of the exhaust gas. The pressure sensor 5 is disposed outside the rectifier 10 and measures the pressure of the external gas.

[0037] Airflow adjustment method

[0038] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating the process of airflow adjustment.

[0039] Here, the method for adjusting the volumetric flow rate is as follows: Figure 5 The following steps are performed by controlling various components, including the blower 40, by executing the airflow adjustment program of the storage unit 21 using the control unit 20.

[0040] In step S10, the mass flow rate value M is obtained through the wind speed sensor 3, the temperature value T (K) is obtained through the temperature sensor 4, and the air pressure value P is obtained through the pressure sensor 5. The detection data is then sent to the control unit 20. Furthermore, the current rotational speed of the blower 40 is set to I. The target volumetric flow rate value is set to q. Preferably, the air pressure value P is measured at the location where the wind speed sensor 3 is installed. However, in this embodiment, the atmospheric pressure in the environment where the waste powder collection device 100 is installed, detected by the pressure sensor 5, is used instead.

[0041] In step S11, the corrected rotational speed i of the blower 40 is derived. The value obtained in step S10 is substituted into mathematical formula (1) to calculate the corrected rotational speed. α is a pre-prepared constant.

[0042] i=IαqP / TM......Formula (1)

[0043] In addition, equation (1) is derived in the following manner.

[0044] According to the gas equation

[0045] P / RT=n / V………Equation (2),

[0046] If the fluid density ρ is used, the relationship between the mass flow rate M and the volumetric flow rate Q obtained from the wind speed sensor 3 is as follows:

[0047] ρ=M / Q………Equation (3).

[0048] Furthermore, since the amount of gas is proportional to its mass, if the proportionality constant β is used, then ρ = nβ / V………Equation (4),

[0049] Based on equations (2), (3), and (4), it can be expressed as

[0050] P / RT=M / βQ………Equation (5).

[0051] If we replace β / R with a constant α and rewrite it in terms of Q, then it becomes:

[0052] Q = TM / αP………Equation (6),

[0053] Since the speed and volumetric flow rate of blower 40 are roughly proportional, when set to the target value / current value, it can be determined by...

[0054] i / I=αqP / TM………Equation (7)

[0055] If we express this as an expression, and then rewrite it, it becomes expression (1).

[0056] Furthermore, although T, P, and M are preferably values ​​at the same location within the piping, in this embodiment they are values ​​at different locations, and there is also a measurement error dependent on the sensor's performance. Since α also depends on the composition of the air, it is not strictly a value that can be prepared as a constant in advance, and the value prepared as a constant in advance will contain errors. Therefore, i calculated using equation (1) also has errors. However, as long as the error of i calculated using equation (1) is smaller than the error in the volumetric flow rate required for the blower 40, the calculation in step S11 is sufficient.

[0057] In the prototype manufactured by the inventors, a device with an error of ±2% was used for the wind speed sensor 3, and devices with an error of ±0.5% were used for the temperature sensor 4 and the pressure sensor 5. Furthermore, deviations caused by differences in the positions of the wind speed sensor 3 and the temperature sensor 4 or pressure sensor 5 are corrected using pre-measured correction values, thereby suppressing deviations caused by positional differences to approximately ±0.5%. Additionally, α may deviate by approximately ±1% depending on the composition of the air. Moreover, the required volumetric flow rate accuracy for the blower 40 is ±5%. That is, the blower 40 can be controlled with sufficient precision.

[0058] Regarding the required measurement accuracy and placement of the wind speed sensor 3, temperature sensor 4, and pressure sensor 5, since the error of i calculated using equation (1) should be smaller compared to the required accuracy of the volumetric flow rate of the blower 40, the types and placement of the wind speed sensor 3, temperature sensor 4, and pressure sensor 5 can be selected within a range that meets this condition. Therefore, the wind speed sensor 3, temperature sensor 4, and pressure sensor 5 do not necessarily have to be placed inside the first piping 1 or the second piping 2.

[0059] In step S13, an instruction is issued to set the corrected rotational speed i obtained in step S11 as the rotational speed of the blower 40. In other words, the control unit 20 corrects the flow rate of the gas flowing through the first pipe 1 and the second pipe 2.

[0060] In step S14, it is determined whether there is an end command for the operation. If there is an end command, the operation of the air volume regulating device 60 is terminated. If there is no end command, proceed to step S15.

[0061] In step S15, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process returns to step S10 and the sensor value is acquired again. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process remains in standby mode until the predetermined time is reached. The predetermined time is the cycle time of the feedback control and is appropriately set, for example, within the range of a few seconds to tens of minutes.

[0062] As described above, the waste powder collection device 100 according to this embodiment can achieve the following effects.

[0063] The waste dust collection device 100 includes a filter section 34, a rectifier 10 that discharges the filtered exhaust gas from the filter section 34 through an exhaust port 10b, and a blower 40 that acts as a blower section for drawing in the exhaust gas. The rectifier 10 includes a first pipe 1, a second pipe 2, a wind speed sensor 3 (as a wind speed detection unit), and a temperature sensor 4 (as a temperature detection unit). The second pipe 2 is disposed inside the first pipe 1. The wind speed sensor 3 is disposed within the second pipe 2 and measures the mass flow rate of the gas flowing through the second pipe 2. The temperature sensor 4 is disposed within the first pipe 1 and measures the temperature of the exhaust gas. In addition to the rectifier 10, a pressure sensor 5 is also included as a pressure detection unit that measures the pressure of the external gas. The waste dust collection device 100 corrects the rotational speed of the blower 40 based on the detection values ​​of the sensor group consisting of the wind speed sensor 3, the temperature sensor 4, and the pressure sensor 5.

[0064] Therefore, by correcting the speed of the blower 40 based on the detected atmospheric pressure, temperature, and mass flow rate, airflow control based on volumetric flow rate incorporating changes in air density can be implemented. Thus, because mass flow rate-based airflow control is employed, unlike existing devices where volumetric flow rate changes based on air pressure or temperature variations, the waste dust collection device 100 equipped with the airflow regulating device 60, by implementing volumetric flow rate-based airflow control, can control the speed of the blower 40 in a manner that keeps the volumetric flow rate flowing through the filter section 34 constant. Furthermore, the temperature sensor 4 and pressure sensor 5 can be known small, general-purpose sensors, and the wind speed sensor 3 can be a small, general-purpose mass flow rate sensor.

[0065] Therefore, a waste dust collection device 100 with a simple structure for volumetric flow rate-based airflow control can be provided.

[0066] In addition, temperature sensor 4 is a thermistor, pressure sensor 5 is a pressure sensor of the piezoresistive type, and wind speed sensor 3 is a thermal flow sensor.

[0067] Therefore, a waste dust collection device 100 that implements volumetric flow rate-based airflow control can be easily and cost-effectively constructed by using general-purpose small sensors to construct temperature detection units, pressure detection units, and wind speed detection units.

[0068] Furthermore, the rectifier 10 is not limited to a double-ring structure in which the second pipe 2 is arranged in concentric circles within the first pipe 1; it can also be a single-ring structure. The shape of the cross section orthogonal to the flow direction is not limited to a circle; it can also be a quadrilateral or other shapes.

[0069] Furthermore, as can be understood from equation (1), it can also be explained that in the control unit 20, the higher the measured pressure, the higher the speed of the blower, the higher the measured temperature, the lower the speed of the blower, and the higher the measured mass flow rate, the lower the speed of the blower.

[0070] Implementation Method 2

[0071] Applications to thin-film manufacturing equipment

[0072] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a sheet manufacturing apparatus.

[0073] The waste powder collection device 100 described above can be appropriately applied to the sheet manufacturing device 200.

[0074] The sheet manufacturing apparatus 200 manufactures sheets from waste paper or other paper sheets using a dry process. However, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 200 is not limited to a dry process and can also be a wet process. In this embodiment, "dry process" refers to a process performed not in a liquid but in air, such as atmosphere.

[0075] like Figure 6 As shown, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 200 has a first unit group 111, a second unit group 112, and a third unit group 113. The first unit group 111, the second unit group 112, and the third unit group 113 are supported on a frame (not shown).

[0076] exist Figure 6 In the diagram, white hollow arrows indicate the direction of movement of sheet C, sheet P3, strip S, and unused end material. In the sheet manufacturing apparatus 200, the target side of the conveying direction of sheet C, sheet W, and sheet P3 is sometimes referred to as downstream, and the side of the back-conveying direction as upstream. In the following description, the assembly of sheet C composed of multiple sheets C will be simply referred to as sheet C.

[0077] The sheet manufacturing apparatus 200 manufactures sheet P3 from paper sheet C. In the sheet manufacturing apparatus 200, the first unit group 111, the second unit group 112, and the third unit group 113 are arranged in a manner from the negative X direction toward the positive X direction. The waste powder collection device 100 described above is housed in the third unit group 113.

[0078] Paper sheet C is stored in the storage section 32 of the first unit group 111, and after being supplied from the storage section 32 to the confluence section 17 via the discharge section 39, it is conveyed to the third unit group 113 via the piping 92. Furthermore, after the paper sheet C is de-fibrinated or otherwise shaped into fibers in the third unit group 113, it is formed into a mixture containing adhesive materials, etc. The mixture is conveyed to the second unit group 112 via the piping 94. After the mixture is formed into a sheet W in the second unit group 112, it is shaped into a strip-shaped sheet P1. The strip-shaped sheet P1 is cut in the first unit group 111 to become a sheet P3.

[0079] The first unit group 111 includes a storage section 32, a measuring section 15, a confluence section 17, and a piping 92. In the first unit group 111, these structures are arranged in the above-described order from upstream to downstream. Furthermore, the first unit group 111 also includes a first cutting section 81, a second cutting section 82, a tray 91, and a shredding section 95. The first cutting section 81 and the second cutting section 82 cut the strip-shaped sheet P1 into sheets P3 of a predetermined shape. The first unit group 111 also includes a water supply section 87. The water supply section 87 is a water tank. The water supply section 87 supplies humidification water to the first humidification section 85 and the second humidification section 86, which will be described later, respectively, using water supply pipes (not shown).

[0080] The storage section 32 stores the paper sheet C, which is the raw material for the sheet P3, and supplies it downstream via the discharge section 39. The paper sheet C contains fibers such as cellulose, and is, for example, shredded waste paper. Inside the storage section 32, humidified air is supplied from the second humidification section 86 provided in the second unit group 112.

[0081] After being temporarily stored in the storage section 32, the paper sheet C is conveyed to the measuring section 15 via the discharge section 39. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 200 may also have a shredder for cutting the paper sheet C and the like on the upstream side of the storage section 32.

[0082] The measuring unit 15 includes a sensor unit 15a and a supply mechanism (not shown). The sensor unit 15a measures the mass of the paper sheet C. The supply mechanism supplies the paper sheet C, which has been measured in the sensor unit 15a, to the downstream confluence unit 17. That is, the measuring unit 15 measures the paper sheet C according to a predetermined mass in the sensor unit 15a and supplies it to the downstream confluence unit 17 using the supply mechanism.

[0083] The sensor unit 15a can be equipped with any measuring mechanism, whether digital or analog. Specifically, examples of sensor units 15a include physical sensors such as load sensors, as well as spring scales or balances. In this embodiment, a load sensor is used as the sensor unit 15a. The predetermined mass of the paper sheet C measured by the sensor unit 15a is, for example, approximately a few grams to tens of grams.

[0084] The measurement and supply of paper sheet C in the measuring unit 15 is carried out in batches. That is, the supply of paper sheet C from the measuring unit 15 to the confluence unit 17 is performed intermittently. The measuring unit 15 may also have a combination of multiple sensor units 15a and supply mechanisms, and the multiple sensor units 15a may operate at staggered times to improve the efficiency of measurement and supply. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 200 has two sensor units 15a and supply mechanisms that are separately attached. Thus, paper sheet C is alternately fed to the confluence unit 17 from the two sets of sensor units 15a and supply mechanisms.

[0085] In the confluence section 17, the shredded pieces of the thin strips S supplied from the shredding section 95 are combined and mixed with the paper sheets C supplied from the measuring section 15. The thin strips S and the shredding section 95 will be described later. The paper sheets C mixed with the shredded pieces flow from the confluence section 17 into the piping 92. The piping 92 transports the paper sheets C from the first unit group 111 through the second unit group 112 to the third unit group 113 by means of a suction airflow generated by the downstream debonding section 33.

[0086] The third unit group 113 includes a debonding section 33, a separating section 42, a piping 93, a mixing section 36, and a piping 94, which are dry debonding machines. Furthermore, the third unit group 113 also includes a piping 96 branching off from the separating section 42, a waste powder collection device 100 connected to the piping 96, and a power supply unit 69.

[0087] The paper sheet C, after being conveyed by piping 92, flows into the defiberization section 33. The defiberization section 33 defibers the paper sheet C supplied from the measuring section 15 in a dry manner to turn it into fibers. A known defiberization mechanism can be used in the defiberization section 33.

[0088] The defiberization section 33 can be structured in the following way: The defiberization section 33 includes a stator and an impeller. The stator has a generally cylindrical inner surface. The impeller is disposed inside the stator and rotates along the inner surface of the stator. Fragments of paper sheet C are trapped between the inner surface of the stator and the impeller, and are defibered by the shear stress generated between them. Thus, the tangled fibers contained in the paper sheet C are untangled. The paper sheet C is formed into fibers and conveyed to the separation section 42.

[0089] The separation section 42 separates the fibers after they have been de-fibered. Specifically, the separation section 42 removes components from the fibers that are useless in the manufacture of sheet P3. Specifically, the separation section 42 separates longer fibers from shorter fibers. Since shorter fibers can reduce the strength of sheet P3, they are separated in the separation section 42. Furthermore, the separation section 42 also separates and removes color materials and additives contained in the paper sheet C. Known techniques such as disc mesh processing can be used in the separation section 42. Inside the separation section 42, humidified air is supplied from the second humidification section 86 of the second unit group 112.

[0090] The separated raw material fibers are conveyed to the mixing section 36 via piping 93 by airflow generated by a blower (not shown) located at the top of the airflow piping 43.

[0091] Furthermore, the gas containing waste powder flows into the filter section 34 from the inlet 34b of the waste powder collection device 100 via pipe 96. The gas that flows in... Figure 2 As explained above, after the waste powder is removed from the filter 13, it is discharged from the exhaust port 10b of the rectifier 10. The waste powder is collected in the waste powder box 35. As previously described, the waste powder collection device 100 is a bag filter and includes a blower 40 that generates an exhaust flow and a compressor 44 that generates compressed air to clean the filter.

[0092] The mixing unit 36 ​​mixes powdered additives such as adhesive materials with fibers in air to form a mixture. The mixing unit 36 ​​includes a powder supply mechanism 49. A hopper is built into the powder supply mechanism 49. A powder supply container 29 is mounted on the powder supply mechanism 49. Although not shown in the figure, the mixing unit 36, in addition to the powder supply mechanism 49, also includes a flow channel for conveying fibers, a valve, and a fan.

[0093] The hopper feeds the powder of the binder material supplied from the powder supply container 29 into the flow channel. In the sheet manufacturing apparatus 200, starch is used as the binder material for the fibers. A valve (not shown) regulates the flow rate, i.e., the mass, of the binder material supplied from the hopper to the flow channel. This regulates the mixing ratio of the fibers and the binder material. Furthermore, the mixing section 36, in addition to the powder supply container 29 and powder supply mechanism 49 for supplying the binder material, may also have the same structure for supplying color materials and additives. The fan in the mixing section 36, while conveying the fibers downstream through the generated airflow, mixes the binder material and the like into the air to form a mixture. The mixture flows from the mixing section 36 into the piping 94.

[0094] The power supply unit 69 includes a control board 45 and a power supply device (not shown) for supplying power to the wafer manufacturing apparatus 200. The power supply unit 69 distributes externally supplied power to various structures of the wafer manufacturing apparatus 200.

[0095] The control unit 20, storage unit 21, and pressure sensor 5 described above are mounted on the control board 45, and are configured to measure the atmospheric pressure in the environment where the waste powder collection device 100 is installed. In a preferred embodiment, the control unit 20 and storage unit 21 also have the function of comprehensively controlling the entire sheet manufacturing apparatus 200.

[0096] Furthermore, the control board 45 can also be connected to the computer 76. The computer 76 is, for example, a laptop computer, and stores the control program for the entire sheet manufacturing apparatus 200, including the waste powder collection device 100.

[0097] The second unit assembly 112 stacks and compresses a fiber-containing mixture to form a strip-shaped sheet P1 of recycled paper. The second unit assembly 112 includes a stacking section 48, a first conveying section 83, a second conveying section 84, a first humidifying section 85, a second humidifying section 86, a drainage section 88, and a forming section 70. In the second unit assembly 112, the stacking section 48, the first conveying section 83, the second conveying section 84, the first humidifying section 85, and the forming section 70 are arranged in the order described above, from upstream to downstream. The second humidifying section 86 is located below the first humidifying section 85.

[0098] The stacking section 48 stacks the mixture containing the separated fibers in the air to form a sheet W. The stacking section 48 has a roller component 53, a blade component 55 disposed within the roller component 53, a housing 51 for housing the roller component 53, and a suction section 59. The mixture is introduced into the interior of the roller component 53 from the piping 94.

[0099] A first conveying section 83 is disposed below the stacking section 48. The first conveying section 83 has a mesh belt 83a and five support rollers (not shown) for supporting the mesh belt 83a. A suction section 59 is positioned opposite the roller member 53 across the mesh belt 83a in the direction along the Z-axis.

[0100] The blade component 55 is located inside the drum component 53 and is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown). The drum component 53 is a semi-cylindrical sieve. A mesh functioning as a sieve is provided on the downward-facing side of the drum component 53. The drum component 53 allows particles such as fibers and mixtures that are smaller than the opening size of the sieve mesh to pass from the inside to the outside.

[0101] The mixture is stirred inside the drum component 53 by the rotating blade component 55 and released to the outside of the drum component 53. Inside the drum component 53, humidified air is supplied from the second humidification section 86.

[0102] A suction unit 59 is disposed below the roller member 53. The suction unit 59 draws air from inside the housing 51 through multiple holes in the mesh belt 83a. The multiple holes in the mesh belt 83a allow air to pass through but prevent fibers and adhesive materials contained in the mixture from passing through. Thus, the mixture released to the outside of the roller member 53 is drawn downwards along with the air. The suction unit 59 is a known suction device such as a blower.

[0103] The mixture is dispersed into the air inside the housing 51 and, by gravity and suction from the suction unit 59, accumulates on the surface above the mesh belt 83a to form a sheet W.

[0104] The mesh belt 83a is a jointless belt and is supported by five support rollers. The mesh belt 83a is supported by the rotation of the support rollers. Figure 6 The conveyor belt rotates counterclockwise. As a result, the mixture continuously accumulates on the conveyor belt 83a, forming a sheet W. The sheet W contains a significant amount of air, making it soft and expandable. The first conveyor section 83 transports the formed sheet W downstream via the rotation of the conveyor belt 83a.

[0105] The second conveying section 84, located downstream of the first conveying section 83, replaces the first conveying section 83 in conveying the sheet W. The second conveying section 84 peels the sheet W from the surface above the mesh belt 83a and conveys it towards the forming section 70. The second conveying section 84 is located above the conveying path of the sheet W and is positioned slightly upstream of the starting point on the return side of the mesh belt 83a. The X-positive side of the second conveying section 84 and the X-negative side of the mesh belt 83a partially overlap in the vertical direction. The second conveying section 84 includes a conveyor belt (not shown), multiple rollers, and a suction mechanism. Multiple holes are provided on the conveyor belt for air to pass through. The conveyor belt is supported by multiple rollers and rotates by the rotation of the rollers.

[0106] The second conveying unit 84 uses the negative pressure generated by the suction mechanism to cause the upper surface of the material sheet W to adhere to the lower surface of the conveyor belt. By rotating the conveyor belt in this state, the material sheet W is adhered to the conveyor belt and conveyed downstream.

[0107] The first humidifying unit 85 humidifies the fiber-containing sheet W that is stacked in the stacking section 48 of the second unit group 112. Specifically, the first humidifying unit 85 is, for example, a mist humidifier that supplies mist M from below to the sheet W being conveyed by the second conveying section 84 for humidification. The first humidifying unit 85 is positioned below the second conveying section 84 and is opposite the sheet W being conveyed by the second conveying section 84 in the direction along the Z-axis. In the first humidifying unit 85, for example, a known humidifying device such as an ultrasonic humidifier can be used.

[0108] By humidifying the sheet W with mist M, the function of starch as a binder is enhanced, thereby increasing the strength of the sheet P3. Furthermore, since humidification occurs from below relative to the sheet W, water droplets from the mist are prevented from falling onto the sheet W. Also, since humidification occurs from the opposite side of the contact surface between the conveyor belt and the sheet W, adhesion of the sheet W to the conveyor belt is reduced. The second conveying unit 84 conveys the sheet W to the forming unit 70.

[0109] The forming section 70 includes processing rollers 71 and 72. The processing rollers 71 and 72 compress the fibrous sheet W to form a strip-shaped sheet P1. The processing rollers 71 and 72 are paired and each has a built-in electric heater, thus enabling them to raise the temperature of the roller surface. The processing rollers 71 and 72 are both generally cylindrical components. The rotation axes of the processing rollers 71 and 72 are arranged along the Y-axis. For the conveying path of the sheet W, the processing roller 71 is positioned approximately above, and the processing roller 72 is positioned approximately below. A gap corresponding to the thickness of the manufactured sheet P3 is provided between the side surfaces of the processing rollers 71 and 72.

[0110] Processing rollers 71 and 72 are driven to rotate by a stepper motor (not shown). The sheet W is fed downstream while being heated and pressurized while being held between processing rollers 71 and 72. That is, the sheet W continuously passes through the forming section 70 and is stamped while being heated. By using processing rollers 71 and 72 as a pair of forming components, the heating and pressurization of the sheet W can be carried out efficiently.

[0111] The sheet W passes through the forming section 70, thereby reducing the air trapped inside from its air-rich and soft state, and the fibers are bonded together by an adhesive material, thus being formed into a strip-shaped sheet P1. The strip-shaped sheet P1 is conveyed to the first unit group 111 by a conveying roller (not shown).

[0112] The second humidifier 86 is disposed below the first humidifier 85. A known vaporization-type humidifier can be used in the second humidifier 86. Examples of vaporization-type humidifiers include those that allow air to pass through a damp non-woven fabric to vaporize the moisture and generate humidified air.

[0113] The second humidification unit 86 humidifies a predetermined area of ​​the sheet manufacturing apparatus 200. The predetermined area refers to one or more of the interiors of the roller components 53 in the storage section 32, the separation section 42, and the stacking section 48. Specifically, humidified air is supplied to the aforementioned area from the second humidification unit 86 via multiple pipes (not shown). The humidified air suppresses the charging of the paper sheet C and fibers in each of the aforementioned structures, thereby suppressing adhesion to the components caused by static electricity.

[0114] The drainage section 88 is a drainage tank. The drainage section 88 collects and stores water that has become stale due to use in the first humidification section 85 and the second humidification section 86, etc. The drainage section 88 can be removed from the sheet manufacturing apparatus 200 as needed to discard the accumulated water.

[0115] The strip-shaped sheet P1, being conveyed to the first unit group 111, reaches the first cutting section 81. The first cutting section 81 cuts the strip-shaped sheet P1 in a direction intersecting the conveying direction, for example, along the Y-axis. The strip-shaped sheet P1 is cut into individual sheets P2 in the first cutting section 81. The individual sheets P2 are conveyed from the first cutting section 81 to the second cutting section 82.

[0116] The second cutting section 82 cuts the single sheet P2 in the direction along the conveying direction. Specifically, the second cutting section 82 cuts the single sheet P2 near both sides along the X-axis. Thus, the single sheet P2 becomes a sheet P3 of a predetermined shape, such as A4 size or A3 size.

[0117] In the second cutting section 82, when the single sheet P2 is cut into sheets P3, thin strips S, which serve as end materials, are generated. The thin strips S are conveyed downwards and arrive at the shredding section 95, which acts as a shredder. The shredding section 95 shreds the thin strips S and supplies them as shredded pieces to the collection section 17. A mechanism for measuring the shredded pieces of the thin strips S and supplying them to the collection section 17 may also be provided between the shredding section 95 and the collection section 17.

[0118] The sheet P3 is conveyed generally upwards and gathered on the tray 91. In this manner, the sheet P3 is manufactured in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 200. The sheet P3 can be used, for example, as a substitute for photocopying paper.

[0119] In other words, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 200 includes a waste powder collection device 100, a defibering section 33 for defibering the raw material, an accumulation section 48 for accumulating the material to form a sheet W, and a forming section 70 for compressing the sheet W to form a sheet. The waste powder collection device 100 collects waste powder from the raw material after it has been defibered by the defibering section 33.

[0120] As described above, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 200 according to this embodiment can achieve the following effects.

[0121] The sheet manufacturing apparatus 200 includes a waste powder collection device 100, a defibering section 33 for defibering raw materials, an accumulation section 48 for accumulating materials to form sheet W, and a forming section 70 for compressing sheet W to form a sheet. The waste powder collection device 100 collects waste powder from the raw materials after they have been defibered by the defibering section 33.

[0122] Therefore, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 200 includes a waste powder collection device 100 that enables volumetric flow rate-based airflow control with a simple structure. Thus, even when the temperature or air pressure in the working environment changes, the speed of the blower 40 can be controlled in a constant manner by performing volumetric flow rate-based airflow control.

[0123] Therefore, a sheet manufacturing apparatus 200 can be provided that enables volumetric flow rate-based airflow control with a simple structure.

[0124] Alternatively, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 200 can also be understood as a filter device. Furthermore, even if the apparatus is used for purposes other than sheet manufacturing, it can be understood as a filter device.

[0125] Symbol Explanation

[0126] 1…First piping; 2…Second piping; 2b…Exhaust port; 3…Wind speed sensor; 4…Temperature sensor; 5…Pressure sensor; 10…Rectifier; 10b…Exhaust port; 13…Filter; 15…Measuring unit; 15a…Sensor unit; 17…Merging unit; 18…Injector head; 20…Control unit; 21…Storage unit; 29…Powder supply container; 30…Cover component; 32…Retention unit; 33…Fiber debonding unit; 34…Filter unit; 34b…Air inlet; 35…Waste powder box; 36…Mixing unit; 38…Reverse airflow generating unit; 39…Discharge unit; 40…Blower; 42…Separation unit; 43…Airflow piping; 44…Compressor; 45…Control board; 48…Accumulation unit; 49…Powder supply mechanism; 51…House; 53…Roller assembly; 55…Blade assembly; 59…Suction unit; 60…Airflow regulating device; 69…Power supply unit; 70…Forming unit; 71…Processing roller; 72…Processing roller; 76…Computer; 81…First cutting unit; 82…Second cutting unit; 83…First conveying unit; 83a…Wire mesh belt; 84…Second conveying unit; 85…First humidifying unit; 86…Second humidifying unit; 87…Water supply unit; 88…Drainage unit; 91…Pattern; 92…Pipeline; 93…Pipeline; 94…Pipeline; 95…Chopping unit; 96…Pipeline; 99…Frame; 100…Waste powder collection device; 111…First unit group; 112…Second unit group; 113…Third unit group; 200…Sheet manufacturing device.

Claims

1. A filter device comprising: Filter; piping; A blower that draws air filtered in the filter via the piping; An anemometer that measures the mass flow rate of gas flowing through the piping; A temperature sensor, which measures temperature; A pressure sensor that measures air pressure; The processor controls the suction of the blower based on the air pressure measured by the pressure sensor, the temperature measured by the temperature sensor, and the mass flow rate measured by the wind speed sensor.

2. The filter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The higher the air pressure measured by the pressure sensor, the more forcefully the processor enables the blower to perform suction.

3. The filter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The higher the temperature measured by the temperature sensor, the weaker the blower will perform suction.

4. The filter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The temperature sensor is a thermistor. The pressure sensor is a pressure sensor of the piezoresistive type. The wind speed sensor is a thermal flow sensor.

5. The filter device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, It also has: The defiberization section is responsible for defiberizing the raw materials; The stacking section is where materials are stacked to form sheets; A forming section that compresses the sheet material to form a thin sheet; The waste powder pipe conveys the waste powder generated from the raw material after it has been defibered by the defiber section to the filter.

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