Waste leveling device

Abstract

To provide a waste leveling device capable of reducing a burden on a worker in the work of leveling waste in terms of both hygiene and work.SOLUTION: A waste leveling device is designed to level a top surface of waste in a container that is brought into or taken out from a fixed position and in which waste generated in a water treatment facility is accumulated. The device comprises a plate that is arranged so as to be contactable with the waste, and a crane that moves the plate in a state where the plate is contactable with the waste.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a waste leveling device used in water treatment facilities.

Background Art

[0002] Wastes such as dewatered cakes generated in water treatment facilities are accumulated in containers as disclosed in Patent Document 1 in order to facilitate the removal of the wastes.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the container of Patent Document 1, by flattening the waste accumulated in the container, it becomes possible to increase the amount of waste that can be accommodated inside the container.

[0005] However, the work of flattening the waste had to be carried out manually using a leveling tool such as a dragonfly. Since the waste generated in water treatment facilities is likely to generate odors and solidify over time, it has been a burden on the workers both in terms of hygiene and work.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The waste leveling device of the present invention is for the waste in a container that is carried into or out of a fixed position and in which the waste generated in the water treatment facility is accumulated, and flattens the upper surface of the waste. It includes a plate arranged to be able to contact the waste, and a crane that moves the plate in a state where the plate can contact the waste.

[0008] According to the waste leveling device of the present invention, by moving the plate by the crane, the upper surface of the waste accumulated in the container can be flattened. Therefore, since it is not necessary for the operator to approach the container and flatten the waste manually, the burden on the operator can be reduced.

[0009] In one aspect of the present invention, the crane has a position adjustment mechanism that adjusts the position of the plate to a position where it can contact the waste in the height direction of the container.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, since the position where the plate contacts the waste can be adjusted, the upper surface of the waste can be efficiently flattened without digging up the waste more than necessary.

[0011] In one aspect of the present invention, the position adjustment mechanism moves the plate to a position away from the container when the container is being carried in or out.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, since it is possible to avoid the plate contacting the container when the container is being carried in or out, the workability and safety during the carrying in or out of the container can be ensured.

Effects of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a waste leveling device that can reduce the burden on the operator in the work of flattening the waste in both the hygienic aspect and the work aspect.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] In FIGS. 1 and 2, a waste treatment facility 100 equipped with a waste leveling device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. The waste treatment facility 100 is constructed, for example, inside a building B such as a warehouse. The building B is constructed, for example, by a prefabrication method.

[0016] In the following drawings including FIGS. 1 and 2, the same members or parts, or members or parts having the same function, are denoted by the same reference numerals or the reference numerals are omitted. In addition, with respect to the front, front and rear, front and back, up and down, and left and right positional relationships of each component member of the waste treatment facility 100, in principle, when each component member is installed in a usable state, the positional relationships are those seen from the entrance B1 side of the building B.

[0017] The waste treatment facility 100 is a facility for flattening the waste F (see FIG. 7, the same applies hereinafter) generated by a water treatment facility (not shown) inside the building B.

[0018] The water treatment facility is a facility for making the water supplied from a natural environment such as a river, a lake, or the ocean into water quality according to the use, or for discharging the water so as not to affect the natural environment such as a river, a lake, or the ocean. The water treatment facility includes, but is not limited to, for example, a water treatment facility including a water supply and sewerage facility, or a wastewater treatment facility in a plant such as various factories or power plants.

[0019] The waste F is dirt or unnecessary matter that has been treated to a state where it can be discarded by an external contractor, for example, an industrial waste handler. The waste F generated in the water treatment facility is, for example, a dewatered cake obtained by dewatering sludge or the like generated in the water treatment facility. The components contained in the dewatered cake vary depending on the use of the water treatment facility. For example, if the water treatment facility is a wastewater treatment facility of a chemical plant, the dewatered cake may contain chemical components such as acids or alkalis.

[0020] Although not shown, the waste F is generated, for example, by dewatering the sludge pumped from the water treatment facility by a pump or the like with a dehydrator. The waste F generated from the water treatment facility falls downward by its own weight through the opening D provided in the ceiling of the building B. As will be described later with reference to FIG. 7, the waste F that has fallen from the opening D is accumulated in the container C disposed inside the building B. By accumulating the waste F in the container C, the removal of the waste F from the building B can be facilitated.

[0021] The material or size of the container C is not particularly limited, and any material or size can be selected according to a contract with an external contractor such as an industrial waste handler. The size of the container C may be, for example, the maximum storage volume of 8 m that can be transported by a 4t truck 3 or the maximum storage volume of 16 m that can be transported by a 10t truck 3 or the like.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, the waste treatment facility 100 includes a waste leveling device 1, a first position detection sensor 110, a second position detection sensor 120, a rail 130, a first limit switch 140, a second limit switch 150, and instrumentation equipment 200.

[0023] The waste leveling device 1 flattens the waste F accumulated in the container C. In the initial state, the waste leveling device 1 is arranged in a state of being suspended from the rail 130 on the back side of the building B. Further, when the waste leveling device 1 performs an operation to flatten the waste F accumulated in the container C, it moves along the rail 130 from the back side to the front side of the building B or from the front side to the back side of the building B. With the above-described configuration, it is possible to carry the container C into and out of a fixed position in the waste treatment facility 100 and to flatten the waste F accumulated in the container C in the waste leveling device 1. However, the detailed structure will be described later. In the following description, the operation of flattening the waste F accumulated in the container C by the waste leveling device 1 is referred to as a "leveling operation".

[0024] The first position detection sensor 110 is a sensor that detects that the container C has been carried into a fixed position where leveling operation is possible. The first position detection sensor 110 is arranged on the back side of the waste leveling device 1 when viewed from the entrance B1 side of the building B. As the first position detection sensor 110, for example, an optical sensor having a first light emitter 110a and a first light receiver 110b is used. The first light emitter 110a and the first light receiver 110b are respectively arranged on the left inner wall and the right inner wall on the back side of the building B so that the first light receiver 110b can receive light such as infrared light emitted from the first light emitter 110a. The height of the first light emitter 110a and the first light receiver 110b from the ground is positioned so that the optical path between the first light emitter 110a and the first light receiver 110b is blocked by the side wall of the container C.

[0025] When the container C is carried in and arranged between the first light emitter 110a and the first light receiver 110b, the optical path between the first light emitter 110a and the first light receiver 110b is blocked by the container C, so that the first light receiver 110b cannot receive the light emitted from the first light emitter 110a. As a result, it is detected at the first light receiver 110b that the container C is arranged between the first light emitter 110a and the first light receiver 110b. The first light receiver 110b transmits an electrical signal indicating that the container C has been detected to the instrumentation equipment 200.

[0026] The second position detection sensor 120 is a sensor that detects that a container C with a specified depth has been carried into the building B. The second position detection sensor 120 is arranged on the front side of the first position detection sensor 110. The distance between the first position detection sensor 110 and the second position detection sensor 120 is set to be shorter than the depth of the container C. As the second position detection sensor 120, for example, an optical sensor having a second emitter 120a and a second light receiver 120b is used. The second emitter 120a and the second light receiver 120b are respectively arranged on the left inner wall and the right inner wall on the front side of the building B so that the second light receiver 120b can receive light such as infrared light emitted from the second emitter 120a. The height of the second emitter 120a and the second light receiver 120b from the ground is positioned so that the optical path between the second emitter 120a and the second light receiver 120b is blocked by the side wall of the container C.

[0027] When the container C is carried in and arranged between the second emitter 120a and the second light receiver 120b, the optical path between the second emitter 120a and the second light receiver 120b is blocked by the container C, so that the second light receiver 120b cannot receive the light emitted from the second emitter 120a. As a result, it is detected at the second light receiver 120b that the container C is arranged between the second emitter 120a and the second light receiver 120b. The second light receiver 120b transmits an electrical signal indicating that the container C has been detected to the instrumentation equipment 200.

[0028] When both the first light receiver 110b and the second light receiver 120b detect the container C, the instrumentation equipment 200 determines that the container C with the specified depth has been carried into the building B and is in a fixed position where leveling operation is possible.

[0029] On the one hand, when only the first light receiver 110b detects the container C, in the instrumentation equipment 200, it is determined that the container C with the specified depth has not been carried into the building B. Also, when only the second light receiver 120b detects the container C, it is determined that the container C with the specified depth has been carried into the building B, but it is not in the fixed position where leveling operation is possible, or it is determined that the container C with the specified depth has not been carried into the building B. Further, when neither the first light receiver 110b nor the second light receiver 120b detects the container C, it is determined that the container C has not been carried into the building B, or although the container C has been carried into the building B, it is not the container C with the specified depth.

[0030] Therefore, since the waste treatment facility 100 has the first position detection sensor 110 and the second position detection sensor 120, it can determine whether the leveling operation is possible, and thus can prevent the operation of the waste leveling device 1 in a state where the leveling operation is impossible.

[0031] In particular, when the container C is not carried into the fixed position, or when the container C with the specified requirements is not carried into the building B, the waste leveling device 1 is arranged at a position different from the fixed position where the container C is allowed. If the leveling operation is performed in a state where the waste leveling device 1 is arranged at a position different from the allowed position of the container C, the waste leveling device 1 may collide with the side wall surface of the container C, and the waste leveling device 1 may be damaged.

[0032] However, since the waste treatment facility 100 has the first position detection sensor 110 and the second position detection sensor 120, it can determine whether the leveling operation is possible and prevent the operation of the waste leveling device 1 in a state where the leveling operation is impossible. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the waste leveling device 1 from colliding with the side wall surface of the container C and being damaged, and thus ensure the reliability of the waste treatment facility 100.

[0033] The rail 130 is laid on the ceiling of the building B. The rail 130 extends from the entrance B1 side of the building B toward the back side. The rail 130 is formed of a shaped steel having a groove, such as, but not limited to, an H-shaped steel, an I-shaped steel, a channel steel, or a lip channel steel. The material of the rail 130 is selected to be corrosion-resistant according to the components of the dewatered cake and the construction environment of the building B, etc. For example, the material of the rail 130 is, but not limited to, stainless steel such as SUS304 or SUS316. In particular, when the building B is constructed near the ocean, by forming the rail 130 of stainless steel, it is possible to prevent salt damage caused by sea breezes from the ocean. In the following description, when each component of the waste treatment facility 100 or the waste leveling device 1 described later is formed of "shaped steel" or "steel material", the material of the "shaped steel" or "steel material" shall be the same as described above.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 1, it is preferable that the waste treatment facility 100 has a pair of rails 130. The pair of rails 130 extends from the entrance B1 side of the building B toward the back side. The pair of rails 130 are laid on the ceiling of the building B with a space therebetween so that an opening D is located between the pair of rails 130. The waste leveling device 1 is suspended from the pair of rails 130 so as to be movable along the grooves of the pair of rails 130. By suspending the waste leveling device 1 from the pair of rails 130, during the leveling operation, it is possible to stably move the waste leveling device 1 along the pair of rails 130 from the back side to the front side of the building B, or from the front side to the back side of the building B.

[0035] The first limit switch 140 is a position detection sensor that detects when the waste leveling device 1 reaches the end position on the back side of the rail 130. The first limit switch 140 is disposed on the back side of the rail 130. Although not shown, the first limit switch 140 is connected to the groove of the rail 130 by a connecting fitting or the like. Note that the first limit switch 140 can be disposed at any location on the back side of the rail 130 as long as it can contact any position of the waste leveling device 1. For example, the first limit switch 140 may be directly attached to the rail 130 without using a connecting fitting or the like.

[0036] The first limit switch 140 has an actuator (not shown). When the waste leveling device 1 contacts the actuator and the actuator is pressed down, the internal contacts of the first limit switch 140 are switched. When the internal contacts of the first limit switch 140 are switched, an electrical signal indicating that the waste leveling device 1 has reached the end position on the back side of the rail 130 is transmitted from the first limit switch 140 to the instrumentation equipment 200. When the instrumentation equipment 200 receives the electrical signal from the first limit switch 140, it stops the operation of the waste leveling device 1.

[0037] The second limit switch 150 is a position detection sensor that detects when the waste leveling device 1 reaches the end position on the front side of the rail 130. The second limit switch 150 is disposed on the front side of the rail 130. Note that the second limit switch 150 can be disposed at any location on the front side of the rail 130 as long as it can contact any position of the waste leveling device 1. For example, the second limit switch 150 may be attached to the rail 130 via a connecting fitting or the like.

[0038] The second limit switch 150 has an actuator (not shown). When the waste leveling device 1 contacts the actuator and the actuator is pushed down, the internal contacts of the second limit switch 150 are switched. By switching the internal contacts of the second limit switch 150, an electrical signal indicating that the waste leveling device 1 has reached the front end position of the rail 130 is transmitted from the second limit switch 150 to the instrumentation equipment 200. When the instrumentation equipment 200 receives the electrical signal from the second limit switch 150, it stops the operation of the waste leveling device 1.

[0039] Since the waste treatment facility 100 has the first limit switch 140 and the second limit switch 150, when the waste leveling device 1 reaches the back or front end position of the rail 130, the operation of the waste leveling device 1 is stopped. By stopping the operation of the waste leveling device 1, the movement of the waste leveling device 1 along the rail 130 can be restricted to a certain range corresponding to the depth of the container C. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the waste leveling device 1 from colliding with the side wall surface of the container C and damaging the waste leveling device 1, and thus the reliability of the waste treatment facility 100 can be ensured.

[0040] The instrumentation equipment 200 is wired or wirelessly connected to the waste leveling device 1, the first position detection sensor 110, the second position detection sensor 120, the first limit switch 140, and the second limit switch 150, and controls the operation of the waste leveling device 1.

[0041] The instrumentation equipment 200 is composed of instrumentation devices such as a relay, an inverter, or a digital timer. In the waste treatment facility 100, the instrumentation equipment 200 is implemented as a control panel, for example. When a part or all of the waste leveling device 1 is automatically controlled, the instrumentation equipment 200 may have a control device such as a microcomputer or a PLC (Programmable Logic Circuit).

[0042] Next, the configuration of the waste leveling device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5 in addition to FIG. 2.

[0043] The waste leveling device 1 includes a crane 10 and a plate 50. The crane 10 has a sliding mechanism 20 and a position adjusting mechanism 30. The sliding mechanism 20 and the position adjusting mechanism 30 are arranged at intervals from each other and are connected via a pair of suspension fittings 40. The position adjusting mechanism 30 is rotatably connected to the pair of suspension fittings 40.

[0044] The sliding mechanism 20 has a pair of saddles 22 arranged at intervals from each other and a crane girder 24 arranged between the pair of saddles 22.

[0045] Each of the pair of saddles 22 is respectively arranged in a state of being suspended from each of a pair of rails 130 at intervals from each other. Each of the pair of saddles 22 has a motor 22a and a plurality of rollers 22b. The plurality of rollers 22b are arranged in the grooves of the rail 130 so as to sandwich the rail 130. The motor 22a is arranged to rotationally drive at least one of the plurality of rollers 22b. The motor 22a is wired or wirelessly connected to the instrumentation equipment 200, and the power supply to the motor 22a is adjusted by the instrumentation equipment 200. By adjusting the power supply to the motor 22a by the instrumentation equipment 200, the start or stop of the rotation of the motor 22a or the rotation direction of the motor 22a is adjusted. By changing the rotation direction of the motor 22a, the sliding mechanism 20 can be reciprocated along the rail 130. Therefore, the waste leveling device 1 can be reciprocated along the rail 130.

[0046] As the motor 22a, although not limited thereto, an inverter motor is used. When the motor 22a is an inverter motor, by controlling the power supply to the motor 22a by the instrumentation equipment 200, in addition to starting or stopping the rotation of the motor 22a or the rotation direction of the motor 22a, it becomes possible to adjust the rotation speed of the motor 22a. When the rotation speed of the motor 22a can be adjusted, the moving speed of the waste leveling device 1 can be adjusted, so that it becomes possible to change the moving speed of the waste leveling device 1 according to the characteristics such as the viscosity of the waste F. Therefore, by adopting an inverter motor as the motor 22a, the leveling operation can be performed efficiently.

[0047] The crane girder 24 connects between the pair of saddles 22. The crane girder 24 is connected to the lower part of the pair of saddles 22. The crane girder 24 is formed of a steel material such as, for example, I-beam or H-beam. Since the pair of saddles 22 are connected by the crane girder 24, the pair of saddles 22 and the crane girder 24 can be reciprocally moved along the rail 130 in an integrated state.

[0048] On the upper part of the central portion of the crane girder 24 in the longitudinal direction of the crane girder 24, a waste adhesion prevention cover 24a is provided. The waste adhesion prevention cover 24a is formed of a steel material such as, although not limited thereto, stainless steel. By providing the waste adhesion prevention cover 24a on the crane girder 24, even when the waste F drops from the opening D at the timing when the crane girder 24 passes under the opening D, it is possible to prevent the waste F from adhering to the crane girder 24 or the position adjustment mechanism 30 disposed below the crane girder 24.

[0049] Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the cross section of the waste adhesion prevention cover 24a is formed, for example, in an inverted V shape in a side view. By forming the waste adhesion prevention cover 24a in an inverted V shape, the waste F that has fallen onto the upper part of the waste adhesion prevention cover 24a can be dropped onto the container C by its own weight via the inclined surface of the waste adhesion prevention cover 24a. Therefore, by forming the waste adhesion prevention cover 24a in an inverted V shape, it is possible to prevent the waste F from accumulating on the upper part of the waste adhesion prevention cover 24a.

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the position adjustment mechanism 30 includes a plate support member 32 and a plate guide member 34.

[0051] The plate support member 32 includes a frame body 32a formed in a U shape and a reinforcing plate 32b that reinforces the frame body 32a. The frame body 32a has a first frame body 32a1 and a second frame body that are arranged at intervals and extend in the same direction, and a third frame body 32a3 that connects the same-direction ends of the first frame body 32a1 and the second frame body 32a2. The frame body 32a is formed of, for example, L-shaped steel. The first frame body 32a1, the second frame body 32a2, and the third frame body 32a3 in the frame body 32a may be formed by bending a single L-shaped steel. Alternatively, the frame body 32a may be formed by connecting separately formed first frame body 32a1, second frame body 32a2, and third frame body 32a3 using L-shaped steel by welding. The reinforcing plate 32b connects, for example, between the first frame body 32a1 and the third frame body 32a3 and between the second frame body 32a2 and the third frame body 32a3 by welding or casting molding.

[0052] A plurality of guide rollers 33 are arranged at intervals on each of the first frame body 32a1 and the second frame body 32a2. The rotation axes of the plurality of guide rollers 33 are arranged to face the outside of the frame body 32a in the direction in which the third frame body 32a3 extends.

[0053] The plate guide member 34 has a pair of guide rails 34a arranged at intervals in the same direction and extending in the same direction, and a beam 34b connecting the ends of the pair of guide rails 34a in the same direction. The beam 34b is arranged at a distance from the lower part of the crane garter 24 of the sliding mechanism 20, and is rotatably connected to a pair of suspension fittings 40 connected to the lower part of the crane garter 24 by welding or the like. The beam 34b is formed of, for example, a hollow or solid columnar steel material.

[0054] The pair of guide rails 34a are formed of, but not limited to, shaped steel with grooves such as channel steel or lip channel steel. A plurality of guide rollers 33 arranged on each of the first frame body 32a1 and the second frame body 32a2 are housed in the grooves of the pair of guide rails 34a. By housing the plurality of guide rollers 33 in the grooves of the pair of guide rails 34a, the plate support member 32 can slide along the pair of guide rails 34a inside the plate guide member 34, and thus can move in the vertical direction.

[0055] The plate support member 32 is lifted by a wire 35 via a hook 35a hung on the third frame body 32a3. The wire 35 is connected to a winch 37 via a plurality of fixed pulleys 36 fixed to the lower part of the crane garter 24 of the sliding mechanism 20.

[0056] The winch 37 is a device for winding the wire 35 that lifts the plate support member 32. The winch 37 is placed on a winch mounting table 37a arranged on the outer peripheral side of the pair of guide rails 34a.

[0057] Note that the winch 37 may be a manually wound type or an automatically wound type. When the winch 37 is an automatically wound type, the number of windings of the wire 35 on the winch 37 can be adjusted by the instrumentation equipment 200. Also, if the winch 37 is an automatically wound type, the lifting height of the plate support member 32 can be automatically controlled by the instrumentation equipment 200 by detecting it with an ultrasonic sensor such as a camera or an ultrasonic level gauge.

[0058] A limit switch 38 is provided at the lower part of the beam 34b. The limit switch 38 is a limit switch, i.e., a position detection sensor, for detecting that the upper end of the plate support member 32 has reached the lower part of the beam 34b.

[0059] The limit switch 38 has an actuator (not shown). When the upper end plate 32c provided on the plate support member 32 contacts the actuator and the actuator is pressed down, the internal contacts of the limit switch 38 are switched. By switching the internal contacts of the limit switch 38, an electrical signal indicating that it has been detected that the upper end of the plate support member 32 has reached the lower part of the beam 34b is transmitted from the limit switch 38 to the instrumentation equipment 200.

[0060] The limit switch 38 is, for example, wired-connected to the instrumentation equipment 200 via a repeater 38a provided on the upper part of the crane garter 24 of the sliding mechanism 20, but is not limited thereto. For example, the limit switch 38 may be directly wired-connected or wireless-connected to the instrumentation equipment 200 by omitting the repeater 38a.

[0061] The beam 34b is rotatably connected to a pair of suspension fittings 40 via, for example, a bearing (not shown). By rotatably connecting the beam 34b to the pair of suspension fittings 40, the load applied to the plate 50 due to the resistance force applied to the plate 50 from the waste F can be reduced, so that damage and failure of the position adjustment mechanism 30 can be prevented.

[0062] On the upper part of the beam 34b, a pair of rotation stoppers 39 are provided. The outer contour of the rotation stopper 39 is formed of a reverse U-shaped steel material. Also, on the opposing inner surfaces of the rotation stopper 39, a pair of locking portions 39a formed of a buffer member such as rubber are provided. By the rotation stopper 39, the beam 34b is suppressed from rotating unrestrictedly. For example, by the rotation stopper 39, the rotation angle of the position adjustment mechanism 30 is suppressed to a certain angle, for example, about 5 degrees to 15 degrees, from the vertical direction. Also, by providing the locking portion 39a on the rotation stopper 39, damage to the position adjustment mechanism 30 due to the plate guide member 34 colliding with the rotation stopper 39 can be prevented.

[0063] On the lower part of the beam 34b of the plate guide member 34, a pair of upper end stoppers 34c are provided. Also, below the pair of upper end stoppers 34c, a pair of lower end stoppers 34d are provided. The pair of lower end stoppers 34d are connected to the guide rail 34a via a connecting member 34d1. The upper end stopper 34c and the lower end stopper 34d are arranged to contact the upper end plate 32c of the plate support member 32. The upper end stopper 34c and the lower end stopper 34d are formed of a pair of buffer members such as rubber.

[0064] The upper end stopper 34c and the lower end stopper 34d regulate the vertical movement of the plate support member 32 by contacting the upper end plate 32c of the plate support member 32. In particular, by providing the lower end stopper 34d, it is possible to prevent all of the guide rollers 33 of the plate support member 32 from detaching from the pair of guide rails 34a of the plate guide member 34. Also, by forming the upper end stopper 34c of a buffer member, damage to the position adjustment mechanism 30 due to the upper end plate 32c of the plate support member 32 colliding with the plate guide member 34 can be prevented.

[0065] The plate 50 is formed of a plate-shaped steel material. The plate 50 is connected to the third frame body 32a3 of the plate support member 32. For example, the plate 50 is connected to the third frame body 32a3 of the plate support member 32 by welding, screwing, or the like, without limitation. The weight of the plate 50 is arbitrarily selected in consideration of the hardness of the waste F, the strength of the plate support member 32, and the like. For example, the weight of the plate 50 can be, without limitation, 60 to 80 kg. Also, the dimensions of the plate 50 can be any dimensions in consideration of the dimensions of the container C, the height of the building B, the installation height of the rail 130, and the strength of the plate, and the like.

[0066] By connecting the plate 50 to the third frame body 32a3, the operation of the plate 50 can be interlocked with the operation of the plate support member 32, so that the position of the plate 50 in the height direction can be adjusted.

[0067] When the container C in FIG. 6 is being loaded and unloaded, the waste leveling device 1 is in a stopped state of operation, and the position adjustment mechanism 30 moves the plate 50 to a height where it does not interfere with the container C, that is, to a position away from the container C. The upward movement of the plate 50 to a position away from the container C is reliably achieved, for example, when the plate support member 32 is pulled upward and the upper end plate 32c of the plate support member 32 presses the actuator (not shown) of the upper limit switch 38. Also, when an electrical signal is transmitted from the upper limit switch 38 to the instrumentation equipment 200, for example, if a lamp indicating that the upper limit switch 38 is ON is lit on the display panel of the instrumentation equipment 200, it is possible to reliably convey to the operator that the upper limit switch 38 is ON.

[0068] In addition, when the container C in FIG. 6 is being loaded and unloaded, the waste leveling device 1 is moved to the back side of the rail 130 and is in contact with the first limit switch 140. The backward movement of the waste leveling device 1 is achieved by operating the sliding mechanism 20 to move the waste leveling device 1 backward, and by pressing the actuator (not shown) of the first limit switch 140. Also, when an electrical signal is transmitted from the first limit switch 140 to the instrumentation equipment 200, for example, if a lamp indicating that the first limit switch 140 is ON is lit on the display panel of the instrumentation equipment 200, it is possible to reliably convey to the operator that the first limit switch 140 is ON.

[0069] In addition, when the container C in FIG. 6 is being unloaded and loaded, it is necessary to stop the operation of the waste leveling device 1 in order to ensure the safety of the operator. The operation of the waste leveling device 1 usually stops when it is in contact with either the first limit switch 140 or the second limit switch 150. When the waste leveling device 1 is in contact with the second limit switch 150, the waste leveling device 1 is located on the front side of the rail 130. On the other hand, when unloading the container C, the container C is unloaded with the front side of the container C lifted. If the waste leveling device 1 is located on the front side of the rail 130, there is a possibility that the container C may collide with the waste leveling device 1 when the operator lifts the front side of the container C during unloading of the container C. Therefore, in order to prevent the container C from colliding with the waste leveling device 1, it is necessary to move the waste leveling device 1 backward and ensure that the waste leveling device 1 is in contact with the first limit switch 140. In this case, the backward movement of the waste leveling device 1 is performed, for example, by operating a button provided on the display panel of the instrumentation equipment 200 or the like.

[0070] Since the operation of the plate support member 32 is interlocked with the operation of the plate 50, when the container C is loaded and unloaded, the plate 50 moves to a height where it does not interfere with the container C. Also, when the container C is loaded and unloaded, the waste leveling device 1 moves to the back side of the rail 130 and is in contact with the first limit switch 140. Therefore, when the container C is loaded and unloaded, it is possible to prevent the plate 50 from colliding with or interfering with the container C or the operator, ensuring work safety and workability. Also, the arrangement of the waste leveling device 1 can be easily adjusted so that the container C can be loaded and unloaded at a fixed position without colliding with or interfering with the container C or the operator.

[0071] Also, as shown in FIG. 7, during the leveling operation, the plate 50 is arranged so as to be able to abut on the waste F. The position adjustment mechanism 30 can adjust the position of the plate 50 to a position where it can abut on the waste F in the height direction of the container C by interlocking the operation of the plate 50 with the operation of the plate support member 32. Also, the crane 10 can move the plate 50 in a state where the plate 50 can abut on the waste F by a sliding operation along the rail 130 of the sliding mechanism 20. As described above, the plate 50 can flatten the upper surface of the waste F targeted at the waste F accumulated in the container C where the waste F generated in the water treatment facility is accumulated.

[0072] According to the waste leveling device 1 of the embodiment, the upper surface of the waste F accumulated in the container C can be flattened by the movement of the plate 50 by the crane 10. Therefore, since it is not necessary for the operator to approach the container and manually flatten the waste F, it is possible to reduce the burden on the operator.

[0073] Also, by being able to adjust the position of the plate 50 to a position where it can abut on the waste F in the height direction of the container C, it is possible to efficiently flatten the upper surface of the waste F without digging up the waste F more than necessary.

[0074] Also, when the plate 50 is in contact with the waste F, it moves in a state where the position of the plate 50 rotates to the opposite side of the moving direction of the crane 10 under the influence of forces such as frictional force from the waste F. Even in the above-described case, since the rotation stopper 39 is provided, the rotation angle of the position adjustment mechanism 30 can be suppressed to a constant angle from the vertical direction, and it is possible to avoid the plate 50 from colliding with the container C.

[0075] Note that as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 6, when the motor 22a is wired-connected to the instrumentation equipment 200, it is formed in a bellows shape so that the length of the connection line does not become insufficient when the sliding mechanism 20 moves along the rail 130.

[0076] Next, an example of the operation of the waste leveling device 1 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8.

[0077] As shown in step S1, the control process of the present embodiment is started when the leveling operation satisfies the following conditions (''Yes'' in step S1). When the conditions for enabling the leveling operation are not satisfied, the stopped state of the leveling operation continues until the leveling operation becomes possible (''No'' in step S1).

[0078] The first condition for enabling the leveling operation is that when the automatic operation and the manual operation are switchable, the automatic operation is in effect. Here, the automatic operation refers to an operation that does not require user operation for the start, setting of the operation direction, and stop of the leveling operation, and the manual operation refers to an operation that requires user operation for the start, setting of the operation direction, and stop of the leveling operation. The switching between the automatic operation and the manual operation can be performed, for example, by operating a switch on the display panel of the instrumentation equipment 200.

[0079] The second condition for the state in which the leveling operation is possible is that the container C is carried into a fixed position. When the container C is carried into the fixed position, an electrical signal indicating that the container C has been detected by the first position detection sensor 110 and the second position detection sensor 120 is transmitted to the instrumentation equipment 200. The fact that the first position detection sensor 110 and the second position detection sensor 120 have detected the container C can be communicated to the operator, for example, by lighting a lamp indicating that the first position detection sensor 110 and the second position detection sensor 120 are ON in response to the electrical signal transmitted from the instrumentation equipment 200.

[0080] The third condition for the state in which the leveling operation is possible is that the sliding mechanism 20 of the crane 10 is in contact with the first limit switch 140. When the sliding mechanism 20 of the crane 10 is in contact with the first limit switch 140, the waste leveling device 1 will be in the initial position on the back side of the rail 130 because the sliding mechanism 20 of the crane 10 is in contact with the first limit switch 140. When the waste leveling device 1 is in the initial position, an electrical signal indicating that the sliding mechanism 20 of the crane 10 has contacted the first limit switch 140 is transmitted from the first limit switch 140 to the instrumentation equipment 200. The fact that the waste leveling device 1 is in the initial position can be communicated to the operator, for example, by lighting a lamp indicating that the first limit switch 140 is ON in response to the electrical signal transmitted from the instrumentation equipment 200.

[0081] The fourth condition for the state in which the leveling operation is possible is that the plate 50 is arranged so as to be able to abut against the waste F. When the fourth condition is satisfied, since the upper end plate 32c of the plate support member 32 is not in contact with the upper limit switch 38, if it is indicated on the display panel of the instrumentation equipment 200 that the upper limit switch 38 is OFF by turning off the lamp or the like, the fact that the upper limit switch 38 is OFF can be communicated to the operator.

[0082] In the fourth condition, when the winch 37 is a manual winding type, the operator manually adjusts the plate 50 to a position where it can contact the waste F. When the winch 37 is an automatic winding type, the position of the plate 50 is adjusted by automatic winding by the instrumentation equipment 200. The automatic winding by the instrumentation equipment 200 detects the height of the waste F by, for example, an ultrasonic sensor such as a camera or an ultrasonic level gauge, and transmits an electrical signal indicating the height to the instrumentation equipment 200, whereby the position of the plate 50 is adjusted according to the height of the waste F.

[0083] In the fifth condition, it is that no abnormality has occurred in the waste treatment equipment 100. For example, there may be a case where an abnormality has occurred in the motor 22a. The abnormality of the motor 22a can be determined, for example, by monitoring the current value of the motor 22a.

[0084] Also, before operating the waste leveling device 1, a first time is set from when the waste leveling device 1 reaches the front side of the rail 130 until it moves from the front side to the back side of the rail 130. The first time is determined, for example, in consideration of the dropping timing of the waste F from the opening D.

[0085] Also, before operating the waste leveling device 1, a second time is set from when the waste leveling device 1 reaches the back side of the rail 130 until it moves back from the back side to the front side of the rail 130. The second time is determined, for example, in consideration of, in addition to the dropping timing of the waste F from the opening D, the judgment time by the operator as to whether to continue the leveling operation, and the adjustment time of the position of the plate 50 in the height direction of the container C. The first time and the second time are set, for example, by a digital timer provided on the display panel of the instrumentation equipment 200.

[0086] In step S1, when all the above-mentioned leveling operation conditions are satisfied (the "Yes" in step S1), in step S2, the waste leveling device 1 moves in the forward direction, and the leveling operation starts. Step S2 is started, for example, by pressing an automatic operation start switch provided on the display panel of the instrumentation equipment 200. Then, in step S3, the leveling operation in step S2 continues until the sliding mechanism 20 of the crane 10 contacts the second limit switch 150 and the second limit switch 150 turns ON (the "Yes" in step S3) (the "No" in step S3).

[0087] In step S3, when the sliding mechanism 20 of the crane 10 contacts the second limit switch 150 and the second limit switch 150 turns ON (the "Yes" in step S3), an electrical signal indicating that the second limit switch 150 has turned ON is transmitted from the second limit switch 150 to the instrumentation equipment 200.

[0088] In step S4, the movement of the waste leveling device 1 is stopped by the electrical signal transmitted from the second limit switch 150 to the instrumentation equipment 200.

[0089] In step S5, the movement of the waste leveling device 1 is stopped until the first hour elapses (the "No" in step S5).

[0090] When the first hour elapses in step S5 (the "Yes" in step S5), in step S6, the waste leveling device 1 moves in the backward direction, and the leveling operation is automatically restarted. Then, in step S7, the leveling operation in step S6 continues until the sliding mechanism 20 of the crane 10 contacts the first limit switch 140 and the first limit switch 140 turns ON (the "Yes" in step S7) (the "No" in step S7).

[0091] In step S7, when the sliding mechanism 20 of the crane 10 contacts the first limit switch 140 and the first limit switch 140 turns ON (Yes in step S7), an electrical signal indicating that the first limit switch 140 has turned ON is transmitted from the first limit switch 140 to the instrumentation equipment 200.

[0092] In step S8, the movement of the waste leveling device 1 is stopped by the electrical signal transmitted from the first limit switch 140 to the instrumentation equipment 200.

[0093] In step S9, when a signal indicating operation stop is transmitted to the instrumentation equipment 200, the control process ends and the operation returns to step S1 (Yes in step S9).

[0094] In step S9, when a signal indicating operation stop is not transmitted to the instrumentation equipment 200 (No in step S9), the operation stop state continues until either the second time elapses (Yes in step S10) or a signal indicating operation stop is transmitted to the instrumentation equipment 200 (Yes in step S9) (No in step S10).

[0095] In step S10, when the second time elapses, in step S2, the waste leveling device 1 moves in the forward direction and the leveling operation automatically resumes.

[0096] In the waste leveling device 1 of this embodiment, by repeating the above operations, the upper surface of the waste F accumulated in the container C can be made flat.

Explanation of Signs

[0097] 1 Waste leveling device, 10 Crane, 20 Sliding mechanism, 22 Saddle, 22a Motor, 22b Roller, 24 Crane girt, 24a Waste adhesion prevention cover, 30 Position adjustment mechanism, 32 Plate support member, 32a Frame body, 32a1 First frame body, 32a2 Second frame body, 32a3 Third frame body, 32b Reinforcing plate, 32c Upper end plate, 33 Guide roller, 34 Plate guide member, 34a Guide rail, 34b Beam, 34c Upper end stopper, 34d Lower end stopper, 34d1 Connecting member, 35 Wire, 35a Hook, 36 Fixed pulley, 37 Winch, 37a Winch mounting table, 38 Upper limit switch, 38a Repeater, 39 Rotation stopper, 39a Locking portion, 40 Suspension fitting, 50 Plate, 100 Waste treatment facility, 110 First position detection sensor, 110a First emitter, 110b First light receiver, 120 Second position detection sensor, 120a Second emitter, 120b Second light receiver, 130 Rail, 140 First limit switch, 150 Second limit switch, 200 Instrumentation equipment, B Building, B1 Entrance / exit, C Container, D Opening, F Waste.

Claims

Claim 1 A waste leveling device for leveling the upper surface of waste in a container that is carried into or out of a fixed position and in which waste generated in a water treatment facility accumulates inside, comprising: a plate arranged to be able to contact the waste; a crane for moving the plate in a state where the plate can contact the waste; and a waste leveling device. Claim 2 The waste leveling device according to claim 1, wherein the crane has a position adjusting mechanism for adjusting the position of the plate to a position where it can contact the waste in the height direction of the container. The waste leveling device according to claim 1. Claim 3 The waste leveling device according to claim 2, wherein the position adjusting mechanism moves the plate to a position away from the container when the container is being carried in or out. The waste leveling device according to claim 2.

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