Electrode member operation mechanism for plasma rotary electrode method

Abstract

To provide an electrode member operation mechanism for a plasma rotary electrode method which can safely and easily move an electrode member not only to a tip side but also to a rear end side.SOLUTION: A plurality of rotary rollers 11 are arranged around an electrode member 1 so that those outer peripheral surfaces come in contact with an outside surface of the electrode member 1 and support the electrode member 1. Each of the rotary rollers 11 is rotatably provided with a rotary axis 11a parallel with a central axis as a center so as to rotate the electrode member 1 around the central axis. Moving means 12 is operably provided to switch an advance mode of moving the rotated electrode member 1 from a rear end 1b side to a tip 1a side in the length direction of the electrode member 1, and a retreatable mode of being capable of moving the electrode member 1 from the tip 1a side to the rear 1b side in the length direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrode member operating mechanism for a plasma rotating electrode process. [Background technology]

[0002] 3, the present inventors have developed a device for supplying an electrode member as a raw material when producing powder by the plasma rotating electrode method. The device includes a plurality of rotating rollers 51 arranged around the electrode member 1 with their outer peripheral surfaces in contact with the outer surface of the electrode member 1 to support the electrode member 1 and rotatable about a rotation axis 51a parallel to the central axis to rotate the electrode member 1 around the central axis, and a moving means 52 arranged to move the rotating electrode member 1 along its length from the rear end 1b toward the front end 1a (see, for example, Patent Document 1). As the moving means 52, for example, a moving roller 52a arranged with its outer peripheral surface in contact with the outer surface of the electrode member 1 and rotatable about an axis extending obliquely with respect to the central axis of the electrode member 1, or a pushing member 52b configured to push the electrode member 1 with a pointed tip at one end in contact with the central axis of the end face of the electrode member 1 on the rear end 1b side, has been proposed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-25119 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As shown in FIG. 3, the electrode member supply device described in Patent Document 1 produces powder by irradiating plasma onto the tip 1a of the electrode member 1 using a plasma irradiation means 2, and while rotating the electrode member 1, it can move the electrode member 1 toward the tip 1a using a moving means 52, so that metal or alloy powder can be produced continuously.

[0005] However, in the electrode member supply device described in Patent Document 1, when the moving means 52 consists of moving rollers 52a, the electrode member 1 can only be moved in a direction toward the tip 1a of the electrode member 1 during powder production. Furthermore, since the electrode member 1 is sandwiched between the rotating rollers 51 and the moving rollers 52a and cannot be moved by anything other than the moving rollers 52a, there is a problem that if the electrode member 1 is brought too close to the plasma irradiation means 2, it cannot be returned to an optimal position. Furthermore, when the moving means 52 consists of a pushing member 52b, it is possible to push the electrode member 1 back toward the rear end 1b by other methods even during powder production, but in this case, the tip 1a of the pushing member 52b is in contact with the end face of the electrode member 1 on the rear end 1b side, making it difficult to push it back. Furthermore, there is a problem that friction at the contact position is large, which may cause a fire or damage to the electrode member 1 or the pushing member 52b, which is extremely dangerous.

[0006] The present invention has been made with an eye on such problems, and aims to provide an electrode member operating mechanism for a plasma rotating electrode method that can safely and easily move the electrode member not only toward the front end but also toward the rear end. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the electrode member operating mechanism for the plasma rotating electrode method according to the present invention is an electrode member operating mechanism for the plasma rotating electrode method in which a long and thin metal or alloy electrode member is rotated around a central axis along its length and plasma is irradiated onto the tip of the rotating electrode member to produce a metal or alloy powder, and is characterized in having: a plurality of rotating rollers arranged around the electrode member with their outer surfaces in contact with the outer surface of the electrode member to support the electrode member, and rotatable about rotation axes parallel to the central axis to rotate the electrode member about the central axis; and moving means operable by switching between a forward mode in which the rotating electrode member is moved from the rear end side to the front end side along its length, and a backward mode in which the electrode member is moved from the front end side to the rear end side along its length.

[0008] The electrode member operation mechanism for the plasma rotating electrode method according to the present invention can continuously produce metal or alloy powder by rotating the electrode member around its central axis by rotating each rotating roller, and moving the rotating electrode member from its rear end toward its front end in the forward mode of the moving means while irradiating the front end of the electrode member with plasma. The electrode member operation mechanism for the plasma rotating electrode method according to the present invention can easily move the electrode member from its front end toward its rear end by switching the moving means from the forward mode to the retractable mode, even during powder production. Therefore, even if the electrode member gets too close to the plasma irradiation means that irradiates plasma, the electrode member can be returned to an optimal position. Furthermore, the retractable mode makes it easier to move the electrode member toward the rear end, preventing increased friction between the rotating electrode member and the moving means and preventing fire or damage to the electrode member or the moving means. Thus, the electrode member operation mechanism for the plasma rotating electrode method according to the present invention can not only move the electrode member toward the front end in the forward mode, but also safely and easily move the electrode member toward the rear end by switching the moving means to the retractable mode.

[0009] In the electrode member operation mechanism for a plasma rotating electrode method according to the present invention, the number of rotating rollers may be any number as long as they are capable of supporting and rotatably supporting the electrode member. For example, each rotating roller may consist of two rollers spaced apart from each other so that the electrode member is placed between them and supported, or three rollers spaced apart from each other so that the electrode member is sandwiched between them and supported from three sides. Furthermore, each rotating roller may have, for example, a cylindrical shape with a constant radius, or a shape in which cylinders with a predetermined radius and cylinders with a radius smaller than the predetermined radius are alternately connected along the rotation axis, or may have a plurality of cylindrical divided rollers with the same radius, each divided roller being spaced apart from each other along the rotation axis.

[0010] In the electrode member operation mechanism for the plasma rotating electrode method according to the present invention, the moving means may be elongated and have a tip at one end made of a material harder than the electrode member. In the forward mode, the moving means may be configured to push the electrode member from the rear end toward the front end while contacting the rear end face of the electrode member at the central axis position, and in the retractable mode, move the electrode member from the front end toward the rear end along the length of the electrode member. In this case, in the forward mode, the tip of the moving means contacts the center of rotation of the rear end face of the electrode member at almost a point, thereby reducing friction between the rotating electrode member and the tip of the moving means. Furthermore, in the retractable mode, the moving means moves from the front end toward the rear end of the electrode member, thereby making it possible to easily move the electrode member toward the rear end in some way. This prevents increased friction between the electrode member and the tip of the moving means even when the electrode member is moved toward the rear end, ensuring safety.

[0011] Furthermore, when the tip pushes the electrode member, the moving means is preferably configured to be able to adjust the speed at which it pushes the electrode member in the forward movement mode. This allows the speed at which the electrode member is pushed to be adjusted according to the speed of powder production by plasma, enabling efficient powder production at an optimal position. Furthermore, the moving means may have a bearing or the like between one end including the tip and the other end so that one end can rotate about an axis along the length relative to the other end. This further reduces friction between the rotating electrode member and the tip of the moving means.

[0012] In the electrode member operation mechanism for the plasma rotating electrode method according to the present invention, the moving means may include a moving roller whose outer peripheral surface is arranged in contact with the outer surface of the electrode member and rotatable about a rotation axis extending obliquely relative to the central axis, and the moving angle formed by the rotation axis of the moving roller and a line parallel to the central axis of the electrode member and intersecting the rotation axis of the moving roller may be adjustable. In particular, the moving means is preferably adjustable to adjust the moving angle around an angle at which the central axis of the electrode member and the rotation axis of the moving roller are parallel to each other, so as to switch between the forward mode and the backward mode. In this case, the outer peripheral surface of the moving roller rotates obliquely relative to the rotation direction of the outer surface of the electrode member, thereby moving the rotating electrode member toward the front end or the rear end. Furthermore, by adjusting the moving angle, the moving direction of the electrode member can be changed by switching between the forward mode and the backward mode, and the moving speed of the electrode member can also be adjusted. Furthermore, by adjusting the movement angle so that the central axis of the electrode member and the rotation axis of the movement roller are parallel, it is possible to prevent the rotating electrode member from moving.

[0013] Furthermore, when the transfer roller is provided, the transfer device may have a pressure adjusting means that is capable of adjusting the contact pressure of the transfer roller that contacts the electrode member. In this case, the pressure adjusting means can adjust the force (holding force) with which each rotating roller and transfer roller holds the electrode member. The pressure adjusting means may have, for example, a pressure roller that is arranged so that its outer peripheral surface contacts the outer surface of the transfer roller and is rotatable together with the transfer roller about an axis parallel to the rotation axis of the transfer roller, and the contact pressure can be adjusted by adjusting the force with which the pressure roller presses the transfer roller. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electrode member operating mechanism for a plasma rotating electrode method that can safely and easily move an electrode member not only toward the front end side but also toward the rear end side. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which an electrode member operating mechanism for a plasma rotating electrode method according to a first embodiment of the present invention is used. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which an electrode member operating mechanism for a plasma rotating electrode method according to a second embodiment of the present invention is used. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a conventional electrode member supply device for a plasma rotating electrode method is used. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an electrode member operating mechanism for a plasma rotating electrode method according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, an electrode member operating mechanism 10 for a plasma rotating electrode method according to a first embodiment of the present invention has a rotating roller 11 and a moving means 12.

[0017] The electrode member operating mechanism 10 for the plasma rotating electrode method is configured to produce metal or alloy powder by rotating a long, thin metal or alloy electrode member 1 around a central axis along its length and irradiating plasma onto the tip 1a of the rotating electrode member 1. The electrode member operating mechanism 10 for the plasma rotating electrode method has plasma irradiation means 2 that irradiates plasma. The electrode member 1 is shaped like a long, thin round rod.

[0018] The rotating rollers 11 are made up of three elongated cylindrical rollers with the same radius and length. The rotating rollers 11 are parallel to one another at a predetermined interval, sandwiching the electrode member 1 between them, and are arranged so that their outer circumferential surfaces are in contact with the outer surface of the electrode member 1. Each rotating roller 11 is rotatable in the same direction with its center line serving as a rotation axis 11a. As a result, each rotating roller 11 supports the electrode member 1 from three sides and rotates the electrode member 1 around its center axis.

[0019] The number of rotating rollers 11 is not limited to three, but may be two, four, or more, as long as they are capable of supporting and rotatably supporting the electrode member 1. Each rotating roller 11 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may have a shape in which, for example, a cylinder having an outer shape of a predetermined radius and a cylinder having a radius smaller than the predetermined radius are alternately connected along the rotating shaft 11a, or may have a plurality of cylindrical divided rollers having the same radius, and the divided rollers are arranged at intervals from each other along the rotating shaft 11a.

[0020] The moving means 12 is elongated and has a tip 12a at one end made of a material harder than the electrode member 1, and a bearing 12b is provided between the one end including the tip 12a and the other end. The bearing 12b enables one end of the moving means 12 to rotate relative to the other end about an axis along the longitudinal direction. The moving means 12 is configured to operate by switching between an advancing mode in which the rotating electrode member 1 is moved from the rear end 1b side toward the front end 1a side along its longitudinal direction, and a retreating mode in which the electrode member 1 is moved from the front end 1a side toward the rear end 1b side along its longitudinal direction.

[0021] The moving means 12 is configured, in the forward mode, to push the electrode member 1 from the rear end 1b side toward the front end 1a side along its length while keeping the tip 12a in contact with the central axis position of the end face on the rear end 1b side of the electrode member 1. The moving means 12 is configured to be able to adjust the speed at which it pushes the electrode member 1 in the forward mode. Furthermore, the moving means 12 is configured, in the retractable mode, to move from the front end 1a side toward the rear end 1b side along the length of the electrode member 1. Thus, in the retractable mode, the moving means 12 can move the electrode member 1 from the front end 1a side toward the rear end 1b side along its length by some method.

[0022] Next, the operation will be described. The electrode member operating mechanism 10 for the plasma rotating electrode method rotates each rotating roller 11 to rotate the electrode member 1 around its central axis, and moves the rotating electrode member 1 from the rear end 1b toward the front end 1a using the forward mode of the moving means 12, while irradiating plasma from the plasma irradiation means 2 onto the front end 1a of the electrode member 1, thereby continuously producing metal or alloy powder.

[0023] The electrode member operating mechanism 10 for the plasma rotating electrode method can easily move the electrode member 1 from the front end 1a toward the rear end 1b by switching the moving means 12 from the forward mode to the retractable mode and moving the electrode member 1 from the front end 1a toward the rear end 1b, even during powder production. Therefore, even if the electrode member 1 gets too close to the plasma irradiation means 2, the electrode member 1 can be returned to an optimal position. Furthermore, the retractable mode prevents increased friction between the rotating electrode member 1 and the front end 1a of the moving means 12, even when the electrode member 1 is moved toward the rear end 1b, thereby preventing fire or damage to the electrode member 1 or the moving means 12. Thus, the electrode member operating mechanism 10 for the plasma rotating electrode method can safely and easily move the electrode member 1 toward the rear end 1b by switching the moving means 12 to the retractable mode.

[0024] In the forward movement mode of the electrode member operating mechanism 10 for the plasma rotating electrode method, the tip 12a of the moving means 12 makes almost point-to-point contact with the center of rotation of the end face of the rear end 1b of the electrode member 1, thereby reducing friction between the rotating electrode member 1 and the tip 12a of the moving means 12. In addition, the bearing 12b allows the tip 12a to rotate together with the electrode member 1, further reducing friction between the rotating electrode member 1 and the tip 12a of the moving means 12. In the forward movement mode, the electrode member operating mechanism 10 for the plasma rotating electrode method can adjust the speed at which the moving means 12 pushes the electrode member 1 in accordance with the speed of powder production by plasma, thereby enabling efficient powder production at an optimal position.

[0025] FIG. 2 shows an electrode member operating mechanism for a plasma rotating electrode method according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 2, an electrode member operation mechanism 20 for a plasma rotating electrode method according to the second embodiment of the present invention has a rotating roller 11 and a moving means 12. In the following description, the same components as those in the electrode member operation mechanism 10 for a plasma rotating electrode method according to the first embodiment of the present invention are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated description will be omitted.

[0026] The rotating rollers 11 consist of two elongated cylindrical rollers with the same radius and length. The rotating rollers 11 are arranged horizontally and parallel to each other with a gap between them. Each rotating roller 11 is parallel to the elongated electrode member 1, and is arranged on the left and right sides of the lower part of the electrode member 1 so that their outer peripheral surfaces come into contact with the outer surface of the electrode member 1 when the electrode member 1 is placed between them. Each rotating roller 11 is rotatable in the same direction with its center line serving as a rotation axis 11a. As a result, each rotating roller 11 supports the electrode member 1 and rotates the electrode member 1 around its center axis.

[0027] The moving means 12 has moving rollers 21 each having an elongated cylindrical shape. The moving rollers 21 are disposed above the electrode member 1 so that their outer peripheral surfaces are in contact with the outer surface of the electrode member 1. The moving rollers 21 are rotatable about their center lines as rotation axes 21a. The moving rollers 21 are also arranged so that their rotation axes 11a rotate within a plane parallel to a plane including the rotation axes 11a of the respective rotating rollers 11, and are rotatable about the rotation axes 11a extending obliquely with respect to the central axis of the electrode member 1. The moving rollers 21 are configured so that the moving angle α formed by the rotation axes 21a and a line parallel to the central axis of the electrode member 1 and intersecting the rotation axes 21a is adjustable. The moving rollers 21 are configured so that the moving angle α is adjustable around the angle at which the rotation axes 21a and the central axis of the electrode member 1 are parallel to each other. As a result, the moving roller 21 can operate by switching between a forward mode in which it applies a force to the electrode member 1 from the rear end 1b side toward the front end 1a side, and a backward mode in which it applies a force to the electrode member 1 from the front end 1a side toward the rear end 1b side.

[0028] Next, the operation will be described. The electrode member operating mechanism 20 for the plasma rotating electrode method can change the movement direction of the electrode member 1 by switching between a forward mode and a backward mode by adjusting the movement angle α of the movement roller 21. Therefore, even if the electrode member 1 gets too close to the plasma irradiation means 2, by switching to the backward mode, the electrode member 1 can be easily moved toward the rear end 1b, and the electrode member 1 can be returned to the optimal position.

[0029] The electrode member operating mechanism 20 for the plasma rotating electrode method can also adjust the moving speed of the electrode member 1 by adjusting the moving angle α of the moving roller 21. In addition, by adjusting the moving angle α to an angle where the central axis of the electrode member 1 and the rotation axis 21a of the moving roller 21 are parallel, it is possible to prevent the rotating electrode member 1 from moving.

[0030] 2, the electrode member operation mechanism 20 for the plasma rotating electrode method may have a pressure adjusting means 31 that is provided so as to be able to adjust the contact pressure of the transfer roller 21 that comes into contact with the electrode member 1. The pressure adjusting means 31 may have, for example, a pressure roller 31a that is arranged so that its outer peripheral surface comes into contact with the outer surface of the transfer roller 21 and is provided so as to be rotatable together with the transfer roller 21 about an axis parallel to the rotation axis 21a of the transfer roller 21, and the contact pressure may be adjusted by adjusting the force with which the pressure roller 31a presses the transfer roller 21. In this case, the pressure adjusting means 31 can adjust the force (holding force) with which the electrode member 1 is held by each of the rotating rollers 11 and the transfer roller 21.

[0031] Furthermore, the electrode member operating mechanism 20 for the plasma rotating electrode method may roughen the surface of the moving roller 21 by polishing it. This increases the contact area between the moving roller 21 and the electrode member 1, improving the operability of the moving direction and moving speed of the electrode member 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 1 Electrode material 1a tip 1b rear end 2. Plasma irradiation method 10. Electrode member operating mechanism for plasma rotating electrode method 11 Rotating roller 11a Rotation axis 12 Transportation 12a Point 12b bearing 20 Electrode member operating mechanism for plasma rotating electrode method 21 Transport roller 21a Rotation axis 31 Pressure adjustment means 31a Pressure roller 51 Rotating roller 51a Rotation axis 52 Transportation 52a Transport roller 52b Extrusion means

Claims

1. 1. An electrode member operation mechanism for a plasma rotating electrode method for producing metal or alloy powder by rotating an elongated metal or alloy electrode member around a central axis along its length and irradiating a tip of the rotating electrode member with plasma, comprising: a plurality of rotating rollers disposed around the electrode member such that their outer peripheral surfaces are in contact with the outer surface of the electrode member to support the electrode member, and the rotating rollers are provided rotatably about rotation axes parallel to the central axis so as to rotate the electrode member around the central axis; a moving means operable by switching between a forward mode in which the rotating electrode member is moved from the rear end side to the front end side along its length direction and a backward mode in which the electrode member is movable from the front end side to the rear end side along its length direction; 1. An electrode member operating mechanism for a plasma rotating electrode method, comprising:

2. 2. The electrode member operation mechanism for a plasma rotating electrode method according to claim 1, wherein the moving means is elongated and has at one end thereof a pointed tip made of a material harder than the electrode member, and in the forward mode, with the pointed tip in contact with the position of the central axis of the end face of the rear end of the electrode member, the moving means pushes the electrode member from the rear end side toward the front end side along its length, and in the retractable mode, the moving means moves from the front end side toward the rear end side along the length of the electrode member.

3. 3. An electrode member operating mechanism for a plasma rotating electrode method according to claim 2, wherein said moving means is provided so as to be able to adjust the speed at which said electrode member is pushed in said forward mode.

4. 2. The electrode member operation mechanism for a plasma rotating electrode method according to claim 1, wherein the moving means has a moving roller arranged so that its outer peripheral surface is in contact with the outer surface of the electrode member and rotatable about a rotation axis extending obliquely relative to the central axis, and is configured so that the moving angle formed by the rotation axis of the moving roller and a straight line parallel to the central axis of the electrode member and intersecting the rotation axis of the moving roller can be adjusted.

5. 5. An electrode member operation mechanism for a plasma rotating electrode method according to claim 4, wherein the moving means is capable of adjusting the movement angle across an angle at which the central axis of the electrode member and the rotation axis of the moving roller are parallel to each other so as to switch between the forward mode and the backward mode.

6. 6. An electrode member operating mechanism for a plasma rotating electrode method according to claim 4, further comprising pressure adjusting means for adjusting the contact pressure of said moving roller in contact with said electrode member.

7. 7. An electrode member operation mechanism for a plasma rotating electrode method according to claim 6, wherein the pressure adjustment means has a pressure roller whose outer peripheral surface is arranged in contact with the outer surface of the transfer roller and which is rotatable together with the transfer roller about an axis parallel to the rotation axis of the transfer roller, and the contact pressure can be adjusted by adjusting the force with which the pressure roller presses the transfer roller.

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