Auto Connector

Abstract

The present invention provides an auto connector that can stably connect the material supply / discharge passage and the supply / discharge port of a movable container without using a bellows-shaped flexible cylindrical section. [Solution] The auto connector comprises a double-tube telescopic cylinder 34, an actuator 26 for extending and retracting the telescopic cylinder 34, a support wall, and a connector block 42. The support wall has a communication port 41 and a block support surface. The block support surface extends in a direction intersecting the extension and retraction direction of the telescopic cylinder 34. The support wall is provided on the movable cylinder portion of the telescopic cylinder 34. The connector block 42 has a connection port 47, and slides against the block support surface of the support wall so that the connection port 47 communicates with the communication port 41. The connector block 42 is provided with a guide portion that contacts the periphery of the supply and discharge port of the movable container 11 and guides the connector block 42 in a direction so that the connection port 47 is positioned at the supply and discharge port.

Description

Technical Field

[0005]

[0001] The present invention relates to an auto-connector that automatically connects the supply / discharge port of a movable container to a material supply / discharge passage.

Background Art

[0002] In facilities such as factories that handle materials such as granules, powders like resin pellets, and fluids, materials are charged from a hopper into a movable container, the movable container is transported to a predetermined position within the facility, or the movable container is rotated to perform drying processes or the like. In this case, the materials charged into the movable container are transported to the next processing line from a discharge passage installed at a predetermined position within the facility.

[0003] When the above-mentioned movable container receives materials from the hopper and when it delivers the materials to the discharge passage, it is necessary to connect the supply / discharge port of the movable container to the hopper or the discharge passage. Also, when moving or rotating the movable container, it is necessary to disconnect the supply / discharge port of the movable container from the hopper or the discharge passage. For this reason, an auto-connector for connecting the supply / discharge port of the movable container to the material supply / discharge passage is installed at the installation part of the hopper that functions as the material supply / discharge passage and at the discharge passage.

[0004] The auto-connector automatically connects the supply / discharge port of the movable container that has stopped operating to the material supply / discharge passage. Since it is practically difficult to stop the supply / discharge port of the movable container at a fixed position with high precision, the auto-connector is provided with a mechanism for automatically adjusting the position of the connection port of the connector (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0005] The autoconnector described in Patent Document 1 comprises a connector cylinder having a connection port, an actuator such as an air cylinder for raising and lowering the connector cylinder, and a bellows-shaped flexible cylinder portion that connects the connector cylinder to a material supply and discharge passage. The flexible cylinder portion is made of a flexible resin material and is structured to change the support position of the connector cylinder when subjected to external force. The connection port of the connector cylinder is connectable to the supply and discharge port of a movable container. Furthermore, the tip of the connector cylinder is provided with a tapered guide surface that contacts the peripheral edge of the supply and discharge port of the movable container to guide the connector cylinder so as to center the connection port and the supply and discharge port.

[0006] In this auto-connector, when connecting the material supply / discharge passage to the supply / discharge port of the movable container, the actuator is activated to bring the connector cylinder close to the connection port and press the guide surface of the connector cylinder against the outer edge of the supply / discharge port of the movable container. At this time, the bellows-shaped flexible cylinder deforms flexibly, and the position and orientation of the connector cylinder are finely adjusted by guidance from the guide surface. As a result, the material supply / discharge passage is connected to the supply / discharge port of the movable container through the flexible cylinder and the connector cylinder. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2009-214982 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] The autoconnector described in Patent Document 1 has a structure in which the connector cylinder is connected to the material supply and discharge passage by a flexible cylindrical part made of resin. For this reason, there are many usage environments in which it is desirable to avoid using a bellows-shaped flexible cylindrical part from a material standpoint, and in such environments the autoconnector cannot be used.

[0009] Furthermore, in the auto connector described in Patent Document 1, the flexible cylindrical portion connecting the connector cylinder and the material supply / discharge passage is formed in a bellows shape. Therefore, there is a concern that the material passing through the flexible cylindrical portion may get caught in the bellows shape of the flexible cylindrical portion, and that material may remain inside the flexible cylindrical portion.

[0010] The present invention provides an auto connector that can stably connect a material supply / discharge passage to the supply / discharge port of a movable container without using a bellows-shaped flexible cylindrical section. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] An autoconnector according to one aspect of the present invention is an autoconnector that connects a material supply / discharge passage to a supply / discharge port of a movable container, comprising: a double-tube telescopic cylinder having an internal passage connected to the material supply / discharge passage; an actuator for extending and retracting the telescopic cylinder; a support wall provided on the movable cylinder portion of the telescopic cylinder, having a communication port communicating with the internal passage and a block support surface extending in a direction intersecting the extension / retraction direction of the telescopic cylinder; and a connector block having a connection port connectable to the supply / discharge port of the movable container, the connector block slidably abutting against the block support surface such that the connection port communicates with the communication port, wherein the connector block is provided with a guide portion that abuts against the peripheral edge of the supply / discharge port of the movable container and guides the connector block in a direction such that the connection port is positioned relative to the supply / discharge port.

[0012] In this embodiment, when connecting the material supply / discharge passage to the supply / discharge port of a movable container using the autoconnector, the telescopic cylinder is extended by an actuator toward the movable container, which has been moved to a position close to the autoconnector. At this time, the guide portion of the connector block abuts against the peripheral edge of the supply / discharge port on the movable container side, and the connector block moves along the block support surface so that the connection port is positioned at the supply / discharge port. As a result, the connection port of the connector block is connected to the supply / discharge port of the movable container in a positioned state. Consequently, the supply / discharge port of the movable container is connected to the material supply / discharge passage through the internal passage of the telescopic cylinder.

[0013] The connector block and the support wall may be provided with a rolling element that contacts the other of the connector block and the support wall, and a biasing member that biases the rolling element toward the other.

[0014] In this case, the rolling elements are pressed against the other of the connector block and the support wall by the biasing force of the biasing member. As a result, when the extension of the telescopic cylinder presses the guide portion of the connector block against the periphery of the supply and discharge port of the movable container, the rolling elements roll on the other surface of the connector block and the support wall, thereby moving the connector block in a direction along the block support surface. At this time, since the rolling elements roll on the other surface, the sliding resistance between the connector block and the block support surface is reduced. Therefore, when this configuration is adopted, it becomes possible to move the connector block smoothly on the block support surface, and wear on each part associated with the operation of the connector block can also be reduced.

[0015] A sealing member may be placed between the connector block and the support wall, surrounding the area around the communication opening of the support wall.

[0016] In this case, the space between the connector block and the support wall is sealed by a sealing member that surrounds the periphery of the communication opening. This makes it possible to prevent material passing inside the communication opening from leaking to the outside through the gap between the connector block and the support wall by the sealing member.

[0017] A scraper may be arranged in an annular shape between the connector block and the support wall, radially inward from the sealing member, so as to surround the periphery of the communication opening.

[0018] In this case, since the scraper is positioned radially inward from the sealing member, the scraper can prevent powder or other materials remaining in the communication opening from entering the direction of the sealing member. Therefore, by adopting this configuration, it is possible to prevent a large amount of material from adhering to the sealing member and degrading its performance. Furthermore, since the scraper contacts the mating member at its edge, it can effectively remove any material, such as powder, that has accumulated on the mating member.

[0019] The scraper may be held by either the connector block or the support wall, and may also be in constant contact with the other of the connector block or the support wall.

[0020] In this case, even before the connector block's communication port is fully connected to the movable container's supply / discharge port, the scraper can prevent powder or other materials inside the communication port from adhering to the sealing member. Therefore, by adopting this configuration, it is possible to more reliably suppress the adhesion of materials inside the communication port to the sealing member.

[0021] The autoconnector may further include a movement restricting portion that restricts the movement of the connector block along the block support surface.

[0022] In this case, excessive displacement of the connector block in the direction along the block support surface is restricted by the movement restricting part. Therefore, it is possible to suppress large misalignment of the connector block's connection port and guide part relative to the movable container's supply / discharge port before connecting the connector block's connection port to the movable container's supply / discharge port. Consequently, when this configuration is adopted, when the connector block is brought close to the movable container's supply / discharge port by the operation of the telescopic cylinder, it is possible to reliably bring the guide part of the connector block into contact with the peripheral edge of the movable container's supply / discharge port.

[0023] The telescopic cylinder has a plurality of cylindrical portions with different outer diameters, and it is desirable that the plurality of cylindrical portions are formed such that the outer diameter becomes smaller as they are located on the upper side during the extension operation of the telescopic cylinder.

[0024] In this case, since the cylindrical portions located on the upper side during the extension operation of the telescopic cylinder are set such that the outer diameter becomes smaller, the upper end faces of the plurality of cylindrical portions do not directly face the internal passage in the telescopic cylinder. Therefore, materials such as powder passing through the internal passage in the telescopic cylinder do not accumulate on the end faces of the plurality of cylindrical portions. Thus, when this configuration is adopted, it becomes possible to suppress the remaining of materials in the telescopic cylinder.

Effects of the Invention

[0025] The above-described auto-connector can connect the connection port of the connector block to the supply / discharge port of the movable container by the operation of the connector block that slides in a direction intersecting the telescopic direction of the double-cylindrical telescopic cylinder that expands and contracts by the operation of the actuator. Therefore, when the above-described auto-connector is adopted, it becomes possible to stably connect the material supply / discharge passage and the supply / discharge port of the movable container without using a bellows-like flexible cylindrical portion.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] [Figure 1] Partial cross-sectional front view of the material conveyance system adopting the auto-connector of the embodiment. [Figure 2] Partial cross-sectional side view corresponding to the II arrow view of FIG. 1 of the material conveyance system adopting the auto-connector of the embodiment. [Figure 3] Longitudinal sectional view of the auto-connector of the embodiment when the telescopic cylinder is in a retracted state. [Figure 4] Cross-sectional view taken along the IV-IV line of FIG. 3 of the auto-connector of the embodiment. [Figure 5] Plan view of the auto-connector of the embodiment. [Figure 6] Enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a part of FIG. 3. [Figure 7] Longitudinal sectional view of the auto-connector of the embodiment and the movable container when the telescopic cylinder is in an extended state. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0027] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the diagram, arrow Z indicates the vertical direction, arrow X indicates a direction perpendicular to the Z direction, and arrow Y indicates a direction perpendicular to both the Z and X directions.

[0028] <Material handling system> Figure 1 is a partial cross-sectional front view of the material transport system 1 employing the auto connectors 10 and 10A of this embodiment, and Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the material transport system 1 corresponding to the view taken by arrow II in Figure 1. The material transport system 1 of this embodiment comprises a movable container 11, an input unit 12 for inputting materials such as powder, granules, or liquids into the movable container 11, and a discharge unit 13 for receiving materials from the movable container 11. The movable container 11 is transported on the middle floor of the factory facility by a transport device (not shown). The input unit 12 is installed at a specific location on the upper floor of the factory facility (above the ceiling of the middle floor), and inputs materials into the movable container 11 at that specific location. The discharge unit 13 is installed at a specific location on the lower floor of the factory facility (below the floor of the middle floor), and receives materials from the movable container 11. The materials received from the movable container 11 are sent from the discharge unit 13 to the next processing line.

[0029] In Figures 1 and 2, for illustrative purposes, the discharge unit 13 is depicted as being located vertically below the input unit 12. However, in reality, the discharge unit 13 is located on a separate stage, away from the vertically below the input unit 12. The movable container 11 is transported on the middle floor between a position directly below the input unit 12 and a position directly above the discharge unit 13 by a transport device (not shown).

[0030] The movable container 11 has a container body 14 for containing materials such as powders, granules, or liquids, which is arranged inside a frame 15. The outside of the frame 15 is covered by a cover 16, as shown in Figure 2. A cylindrical section 48 with an inlet 17 is provided in the center of the top surface of the movable container 11. The inlet 17 communicates with the inside of the container body 14. A butterfly valve 18 (on-off valve) is provided in the inlet 17. As shown in Figure 2, the butterfly valve 18 is opened and closed by a valve body drive device 19 such as an air motor.

[0031] Furthermore, the lower part of the movable container 11 is formed with a tapered central region that narrows downwards. A cylindrical portion 48 having an outlet 20 is provided in the tapered central region. The outlet 20 communicates with the inside of the container body 14. A butterfly valve 21 (on-off valve) is provided in the outlet 20. As shown in Figure 2, the butterfly valve 21 is opened and closed by a valve body drive device 22 such as an air motor. The input port 17 and the discharge port 20 constitute the supply and discharge ports of the movable container 11 in this embodiment.

[0032] The input unit 12 includes a hopper 23 that allows the stored material to flow downward, and an autoconnector 10A connected to the downstream side of the supply passage 23a of the hopper 23. When the movable container 11 is in the downward position, the autoconnector 10A automatically connects the supply passage 23a of the hopper 23 to the input port 17 of the movable container 11 through the autoconnector 10A.

[0033] The discharge unit 13 includes a discharge passage 24 for discharging material received from the movable container 11 to the next processing line, and an auto connector 10 connected to the upstream side of the discharge passage 24. The auto connector 10 automatically connects the discharge passage 24 to the discharge port 20 of the movable container 11 through the auto connector 10 when the movable container 11 is in an upward position. In this embodiment, the supply passage 23a on the input unit 12 side and the discharge passage 24 on the discharge unit 13 side constitute the material supply and discharge passages, respectively.

[0034] The autoconnector 10A on the input unit 12 side and the autoconnector 10 on the discharge unit 13 side have almost identical configurations. The autoconnector 10A on the input unit 12 side has the part that connects to the movable container 11 located at the lower end, while the autoconnector 10 on the discharge unit 13 side has the part that connects to the movable container 11 located at the upper end. These autoconnectors 10A and 10 have a structure in which the top and bottom are inverted relative to each other. Therefore, the structure of the autoconnector 10 on the discharge unit 13 side will be described in detail below, and the details of the autoconnector 10A on the input unit 12 side will be omitted. However, the same reference numerals are used for the same functional parts of the autoconnector 10A on the input unit 12 side as for the autoconnector 10 on the discharge unit 13 side.

[0035] <Auto Connector> Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the auto connector 10. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the auto connector 10 along the line IV-IV in Figure 3, and Figure 5 is a plan view of the auto connector 10. Reference numeral 25 in the figure indicates a base frame fixed to the floor surface of the lower level. The base frame 25 has a rectangular frame-shaped section 25a in plan view, and four support column sections 25b that support the four corners of the frame-shaped section 25a from below. The four support column sections 25b of the base frame 25 are fixed to the floor surface of the lower level.

[0036] An intermediate plate 28 is fixed to the frame-shaped frame portion 25a of the base frame 25 to support the extendable actuator 26 and guide cylinder 27, which will be described later. A large-diameter opening 29 that penetrates vertically is formed in the central region of the intermediate plate 28.

[0037] The discharge passage 24 is formed in a lower base 30 which is fixedly installed on the floor surface of the lower level. A cylindrical hopper block 31 with a tapered inner surface is connected to the upper part of the lower base 30. A lower plate 32, which is roughly rectangular in plan view, is connected to the outer circumferential surface of the hopper block 31 near the bottom. Four support columns 33 are provided protruding from the upper surface of the lower plate 32, the upper ends of which are connected to an intermediate plate 28. The four support columns 33 are arranged on the outer circumferential side of the hopper block 31, spaced equally apart in the circumferential direction.

[0038] An extendable tube 34 is connected to the top of the cylindrical hopper block 31. The extendable tube 34 extends upward above the intermediate plate 28 through the central opening 29 of the intermediate plate 28.

[0039] The telescopic cylinder 34 comprises a fixed cylinder portion 35 fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the upper part of the hopper block 31, and a movable cylinder portion 36 held radially inward of the fixed cylinder portion 35 so as to be able to move up and down. Both the fixed cylinder portion 35 and the movable cylinder portion 36 are formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and their axes o are installed to align with the vertical direction. Annular guide rings 37A and 37B are attached to the upper end of the fixed cylinder portion 35 and approximately midway in the axial direction. The inner circumferential surfaces of the upper and lower guide rings 37A and 37B are in slidable contact with the outer peripheral surface of the movable cylinder portion 36. An annular sealing member (reference numeral omitted) is provided on the inner circumferential surface of each guide ring 37A and 37B to seal the space between the fixed cylinder portion 35 and the movable cylinder portion 36. The inner circumferential portions of the fixed cylinder portion 35 and the movable cylinder portion 36 of the telescopic cylinder 34 form an internal passage 38 connected to the discharge passage 24 (material supply and discharge passage).

[0040] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the upper part of the auto connector 10 shown in Figure 3. As shown in Figures 3 and 6, a flange wall 39, which is rectangular in plan view, is integrally formed at the upper end of the movable cylinder portion 36 of the telescopic cylinder 34. The flange wall 39 is formed to protrude radially outward from the upper end of the movable cylinder portion 36. The upper surface of the flange wall 39 is formed flat and constitutes a block support surface 40. The block support surface 40 extends in a direction perpendicular to (intersecting) the extension and retraction direction of the telescopic cylinder 34. In other words, the block support surface 40 in this embodiment extends along the horizontal direction. A communication opening 41 is formed in the inner region of the flange wall 39 (including the portion integrated with the upper end of the movable cylinder portion 36) and communicates with the internal passage 38 of the telescopic cylinder 34.

[0041] In this embodiment, the flange wall 39 (including the portion integrated with the upper end of the movable cylinder portion 36) constitutes a support wall on which the connector block 42, described later, is placed. In this embodiment, the flange wall 39 is integrally formed with the upper end of the movable cylinder portion 36, but the flange wall 39 (support wall) may be made of a separate part from the movable cylinder portion 36 and fixed to the upper end of the movable cylinder portion 36 by bolt fastening or the like.

[0042] As shown in Figure 3, an actuator 26 for raising and lowering the telescopic cylinder 34 is installed on the upper surface of the intermediate plate 28. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the actuators 26 are arranged in pairs at symmetrical positions around the axis o of the telescopic cylinder 34. In this embodiment, the actuators 26 are made of air cylinders. Each actuator 26 has a lifting rod 26a, and the upper end of the lifting rod 26a is connected to the flange wall 39 (support wall). When the lifting rod 26a of the actuator 26 moves up and down, the movable cylinder portion 36 of the telescopic cylinder 34 extends and retracts relative to the fixed cylinder portion 35.

[0043] In this embodiment, an air cylinder is used as the actuator 26, but the actuator 26 is not limited to an air cylinder. The actuator 26 may be an electric or hydraulic cylinder device, a rotary actuator combined with a linear motion conversion mechanism, or any other device capable of raising and lowering the movable cylinder portion 36. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a single movable cylinder portion 36 is arranged to move up and down radially inside the fixed cylinder portion 35. However, multiple movable cylinder portions with different outer diameters may be arranged radially inside the fixed cylinder portion 35. In this embodiment and others, it is desirable that the cylinder portions constituting the telescopic cylinder 34 be formed such that the outer diameter of the portion positioned higher during extension is smaller. In this embodiment, the telescopic cylinder 34 is formed such that the outer diameter of the movable cylinder portion 36 positioned higher during extension is smaller than the outer diameter of the fixed cylinder portion 35.

[0044] Multiple guide tubes 27 are installed on the intermediate plate 28. The multiple guide tubes 27 are installed at equal intervals around the axis o of the telescopic tube 34. Each guide tube 27 slidably supports a guide rod 43 that passes through the intermediate plate 28 in the vertical direction. The upper end of each guide rod 43 is connected to the flange wall 39 (support wall). The multiple guide rods 43 and their corresponding guide tubes 27 guide the vertical movement of the flange wall 39 and the movable tube section 36 when the telescopic tube 34 is extended or retracted.

[0045] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the connector block 42, which is placed on the block support surface 40 of the flange wall 39, comprises a block base portion 44 that is rectangular in plan view and a cylindrical block portion 45 fixed to the center of the upper surface of the block base portion 44. The block base portion 44 and the cylindrical block portion 45 are connected, for example, by a spigot joint. A communication hole 46 is formed in the block base portion 44 and the cylindrical block portion 45, penetrating them in the vertical direction. The lower end of the communication hole 46 communicates with a communication opening 41 in the flange wall 39. In this embodiment, the connector block 42 is composed of two parts, a block base portion 44 and a cylindrical block portion 45, but the connector block 42 may also be composed of a single part.

[0046] Furthermore, the cylindrical block portion 45 has a circular connection port 47 that communicates with the upper part of the communication hole 46. The connection port 47 is formed to be larger in diameter than the communication hole 46 and is formed to be wider in diameter in a stepped manner relative to the communication hole 46. The connection port 47 is connectable to the discharge port 20 of the movable container 11. The inner diameter of the connection port 47 is formed to be approximately the same as the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 48 on the discharge port 20 side of the movable container 11. The discharge port 20 of the movable container 11 is connected to the connection port 47 portion when the cylindrical portion 48 is fitted into the connection port 47. The block base portion 44 is slidably mounted on the block support surface 40 of the flange wall 39 (support wall) such that the connection port 47 communicates with the communication port 41.

[0047] Figure 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the auto connector 10 and the movable container 11 when the telescopic cylinder 34 is in the extended state. As shown in Figure 7, the discharge port 20 (supply port) of the movable container 11 is formed in a cylindrical tube portion 48 that protrudes from the lower surface of the movable container 11. This tube portion 48 is fitted into the connection port 47 of the connector block 42 on the auto connector 10 side, thereby connecting the discharge port 20 on the movable container 11 side to the connection port 47 on the connector block 42 side. An annular sealing member 49 is provided on the lower end face of the tube portion 48, which is in close contact with the end face of the stepped portion between the connection port 47 and the communication hole 46 of the tube block portion 45.

[0048] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, a tapered guide surface 50 (guide portion) is provided on the inner surface of the upper end side of the cylindrical block portion 45 of the connector block 42. The guide surface 50 is formed so that its inner diameter gradually decreases downward from the upper end of the cylindrical block portion 45. The guide surface 50 contacts the outer circumference of the end of the cylindrical portion 48 of the movable container 11 (the periphery of the discharge port 20 (supply / discharge port)), thereby guiding the connector block 42 in a direction in which the connection port 47 is centered on the discharge port 20. In other words, when the connector block 42 rises due to the extension of the telescopic cylinder 34 and the guide surface 50 of the connector block 42 is pressed against the end of the cylindrical portion 48 of the movable container 11, the connector block 42 is adjusted to the correct connection position by the guidance function of the guide surface 50. At this time, the connector block 42 (block base portion 44) slides on the block support surface 40 of the flange wall 39.

[0049] As shown in Figure 6, an annularly cut step portion 42a is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the lower surface of the block base portion 44 of the connector block 42. Multiple rolling units 53, each containing a ball 51 (a rolling element) and a spring 52 (a biasing member), are attached to the lower surface of the step portion 42a. The balls 51 of the rolling units 53 are biased by the springs 52 toward the block support surface 40 of the flange wall 39. The balls 51, biased by the springs 52, are able to roll against the block support surface 40. In this embodiment, balls 51 are used as rolling elements and springs are used as biasing members, but the rolling elements and biasing members are not limited to these. The rolling elements may be other than balls 51, such as rollers, and the biasing members may be rubber elastic bodies or spring devices using air pressure.

[0050] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, an annular sealing member 54 and a scraper 55 are attached in the radially inward region of the stepped portion 42a on the lower surface of the block base portion 44, surrounding the periphery of the communication opening 41 of the flange wall 39 (support wall). The sealing member 54 and the scraper 55 are each held in an annular groove formed on the lower surface of the block base portion 44. The scraper 55 is held in a radially inward position on the lower surface of the block base portion 44, relative to the installation position of the sealing member 54.

[0051] The sealing member 54 is formed, for example, by an annular, rubber-like elastic member. The sealing member 54 is formed, for example, with a circular cross-section and adheres closely to the block support surface 40 of the flange wall 39 due to its own elasticity.

[0052] The scraper 55 is formed, for example, by a ring member with a Y-shaped cross-section. The scraper 55 restricts the entry of materials such as powder located inside the communication opening 41 towards the sealing member 54 by the edge of its cross-section contacting the block support surface 40 of the flange wall 39. The material of the scraper 55 may be a rubber-like elastic member, a metal or other hard member.

[0053] Here, when the cylindrical block portion 45 of the connector block 42 is not pressed against the periphery of the outlet 20 of the movable container 11, the spring-biased ball 51 may come into contact with the block support surface 40, resulting in a non-contact state with the block support surface 40. However, the edge of the scraper 55 is set to always be in contact with the block support surface 40 even in this situation.

[0054] In this embodiment, the rolling element, the ball 51, and the biasing member, the spring 52, are attached to the connector block 42, and the ball 51 is configured to rotatably contact the upper surface of the flange wall 39 (support wall). However, the ball 51 and spring 52 may be attached to the flange wall 39 (support wall) side, so that the ball rotatably contacts the lower surface of the connector block 42. Also, in this embodiment, the sealing member 54 and scraper 55 are held on the lower surface side of the connector block 42, but the sealing member 54 and scraper 55 may be held on the flange wall 39 (support wall) side.

[0055] Furthermore, the reference numeral 70 shown in Figures 6 and 7 indicates an air connector for supplying air pressure from the discharge unit 13 to the movable container 11. The air connector 70 is supported by the cylindrical block portion 45 of the connector block 42. The air connector 70 is automatically connected to the air piping on the movable container 11 side when the connector block 42 rises and the connection port 47 is connected to the discharge port 20 of the movable container 11. The air supplied to the movable container 11 side through the air connector 70 is used, for example, to operate the valve body drive device 22.

[0056] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, a movement restriction frame 56 of a predetermined height is fixed to the upper part of the four sides of the flange wall 39 (support wall), which has a rectangular shape in plan view. The movement restriction frame 56 is a member that surrounds the upper surface (block support surface 40) of the flange wall 39 (support wall) and restricts the horizontal movement range of the connector block 42 on the flange wall 39. The height at which the movement restriction frame 56 protrudes from the block support surface 40 is set to be slightly higher than the protruding height of the block base portion 44 of the connector block 42. The horizontal movement range of the connector block 42 is restricted when the outer surface of the block base portion 44 abuts against the inner surface of the movement restriction frame 56. In this embodiment, the movement restricting frame 56 constitutes a movement restricting section that restricts the movement of the connector block 42 along the block support surface 40.

[0057] In this embodiment, the connector block 42 placed on the flange wall 39 (support wall) is capable of free sliding movement within the range restricted by the movement restriction frame 56. However, the flange wall 39 (support wall) may also be provided with a plurality of biasing members 60 to center the connector block 42 to a reference position on the flange wall 39, as shown by dashed lines in Figure 5. In this case, the connector block 42 will be positioned at the reference position by the biasing force of the biasing members 60 until it receives an external force from the cylindrical portion 48 of the movable container 11 when connected to the movable container 11. Therefore, if this configuration is adopted, it becomes possible to reduce the area of ​​the guide surface 50 of the connector block 42 and to miniaturize the block support surface 40 of the flange wall 39 (support wall). For the biasing member 60 used to center the connector block 42 to the reference position, for example, a coil spring, a rubber elastic body, or a spring device using air pressure can be employed.

[0058] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, restricting plates 57, which are roughly right-angled triangular in plan view, are attached to the upper part of the four corners of the movement restricting frame 56, straddling two adjacent sides of the restricting frame. Each restricting plate 57 is provided so as to overlap in the vertical direction with a part of the corresponding corner of the block base portion 44 (connector block 42) placed on the flange wall 39. The restricting plates 57 restrict excessive upward displacement of the block base portion 44 (connector block 42) by coming into contact with the block base portion 44 when the block base portion 44 (connector block 42) is displaced excessively upward. Furthermore, the regulating plate 57 also functions as a reinforcing member that reinforces the tilting of two adjacent sides of the movement restriction frame 56.

[0059] <Auto connector operation> Next, we will explain the operation of the auto connector 10 when transferring the material in the movable container 11 to the discharge unit 13. Until the movable container 11 containing the material is transferred to approximately directly above the discharge unit 13, the telescopic cylinder 34 of the auto connector 10 is in a lowered position with its movable cylinder portion 36 lowered.

[0060] When the movable container 11 is moved to a position almost directly above the discharge unit 13 from this state, the actuator 26 of the auto connector 10 is activated, raising the movable cylindrical portion 36 of the telescopic cylinder 34. As a result, the entire telescopic cylinder 34 extends, and the tapered guide surface 50 at the upper end of the cylindrical block portion 45 of the connector block 42 comes into contact with the lower end of the cylindrical portion 48 of the discharge port 20 of the movable container 11. In this state, as the actuator 26 further raises the connector block 42, the guiding action of the tapered guide surface 50 causes the connector block 42 to slide on the block support surface 40 so that the connection port 47 of the cylindrical block portion 45 is centered with the discharge port 20 of the movable container 11. When the connection port 47 of the cylindrical block portion 45 is centered with the discharge port 20 of the movable container 11, the cylindrical portion 48 on the movable container 11 side is fitted into the connection port 47 of the cylindrical block portion 45, as shown in Figure 7. As a result, the position of the connection port 47 of the connector block 42 is adjusted horizontally, and the discharge port 20 of the movable container 11 is connected to the connection port 47 of the connector block 42.

[0061] Subsequently, the butterfly valve 21 on the lower side of the movable container 11 opens the discharge port 20 through operation by the valve body drive device 22, and the material inside the movable container 11 is discharged from the container body 14 through the connection port 47 of the connector block 42 and the internal passage 38 of the telescopic cylinder 34 into the discharge passage 24.

[0062] Although a detailed explanation is omitted here, when material is to be fed from the input unit 12 to the movable container 11, the actuator 26 of the auto connector 10A is activated in the same manner as described above to extend the telescopic cylinder 34, and in that state, the connector block 42 is positioned horizontally by the guiding action of the guide surface 50. As a result, the connection port 47 of the auto connector 10A is connected to the discharge port 20 of the movable container 11.

[0063] <Effects of the Auto Connector in the Embodiment> As described above, in the auto connectors 10 and 10A of this embodiment, a double-tube telescopic cylinder 34 is extended and retracted by an actuator 26, and a connector block 42 is slidably mounted on a flange wall 39 (support wall) provided on the movable cylindrical portion 36 of the telescopic cylinder 34. The connector block 42 is provided with a connection port 47 that connects to the supply and discharge port (discharge port 20 or inlet port 17) of the movable container 11, and a guide surface 50 that guides the connector block 42 so that the connection port 47 is centered with the discharge port 20 or inlet port 17. Therefore, in the auto connectors 10 and 10A of this embodiment, the connection port 47 of the connector block 42 can be stably connected to the supply and discharge port (discharge port 20 or inlet port 17) of the movable container 11 by the operation of the double-tube telescopic cylinder 34 and the connector block 42 that slides in a direction perpendicular to the extension and retraction direction of the telescopic cylinder 34. Therefore, when the auto connectors 10 and 10A of this embodiment are used, the material supply and discharge passages (supply passage 23a, discharge passage 24) and the supply and discharge ports (discharge port 20, input port 17) of the movable container 11 can be connected in a stable state without using a bellows-shaped flexible cylindrical section.

[0064] Furthermore, in the auto connectors 10 and 10A of this embodiment, one of the connector block 42 and the flange wall 39 (support wall) is provided with a ball 51 (rolling element) that contacts the other of the connector block 42 and the flange wall 39, and a spring 52 (biasing member) that biases the ball 51 toward the other. Therefore, when the extension of the telescopic cylinder 34 presses the guide surface 50 of the connector block 42 against the cylindrical portion 48 of the movable container 11, the ball 51 rolls on the other surface of the connector block 42 and the flange wall 39, thereby moving the connector block 42 in a direction along the block support surface 40. At this time, since the ball 51, which is a rolling element, rolls on the other surface, the sliding resistance between the connector block 42 and the block support surface 40 can be reduced. Therefore, by adopting this configuration, the connector block 42 can be moved smoothly on the block support surface 40, and wear on various parts associated with the operation of the connector block 42 can be reduced.

[0065] Furthermore, in the auto connectors 10 and 10A of this embodiment, a sealing member 54 is positioned between the connector block 42 and the flange wall 39 (support wall), surrounding the area around the communication opening 41 of the flange wall 39. Therefore, in the auto connectors 10 and 10A of this embodiment, the sealing member 54 prevents the material inside the communication opening 41 from leaking to the outside (outside the connector block 42) through the gap between the connector block 42 and the flange wall 39 during connection work or actual use.

[0066] Furthermore, in the auto connectors 10 and 10A of this embodiment, a scraper 55 is positioned radially inward from the sealing member 54 between the connector block 42 and the flange wall 39 (support wall), and is arranged in an annular shape surrounding the periphery of the communication opening 41. Therefore, the scraper 55 can prevent powder or other materials remaining in the communication opening 41 from entering the direction of the sealing member 54 during connection work, etc. Thus, by adopting this configuration, it is possible to prevent a large amount of material from adhering to the sealing member 54 and degrading the performance of the sealing member 54. Furthermore, since the scraper 55 contacts the mating member at its edge, the edge of the scraper 55 slides on the mating member when the position of the connector block 42 is adjusted. Therefore, if powder or other material is accumulated on the mating member, the material accumulated on the mating member can be effectively brushed off. Accordingly, when the auto connectors 10 and 10A of this embodiment are used, the amount of material remaining inside the auto connectors 10 and 10A can be reduced.

[0067] Furthermore, in the auto connectors 10 and 10A of this embodiment, the scraper 55 is held by either the connector block 42 or the flange wall 39 (support wall), and is set to be in constant contact with the other of the connector block 42 or the flange wall 39. Therefore, even before the communication port 41 of the connector block 42 is fully connected to the supply and discharge ports (discharge port 20, input port 17) of the movable container 11, the scraper 55 can prevent powder or other materials in the communication port 41 from adhering to the sealing member 54. Thus, when the auto connectors 10 and 10A of this embodiment are used, it is possible to more reliably suppress the adhesion of materials in the communication port 41 to the sealing member 54.

[0068] Furthermore, the auto connectors 10 and 10A of this embodiment are equipped with a movement restricting frame 56 (movement restricting part) that restricts excessive movement of the connector block 42 along the block support surface 40. Therefore, before connecting the connection port 47 of the connector block 42 to the supply and discharge port (discharge port 20, input port 17) of the movable container 11, it is possible to suppress large misalignment of the connection port 47 and guide surface 50 of the connector block 42 relative to the supply and discharge port (discharge port 20, input port 17) of the movable container 11. Accordingly, when the auto connectors 10 and 10A of this embodiment are used, it becomes possible to reliably bring the guide surface 50 of the connector block 42 into contact with the cylindrical portion 48 of the supply and discharge port (discharge port 20, input port 17) of the movable container 11 when the telescopic cylinder 34 is operated in the extension direction.

[0069] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the auto connector 10 is formed such that the outer diameter of the telescopic cylinder 34 decreases as the cylindrical portion (movable cylinder portion 36) is located on the upper side during extension. As a result, the upper end faces of all the cylindrical portions of the telescopic cylinder 34 do not directly face the internal passage 38 inside the telescopic cylinder 34, and materials such as powder passing through the internal passage 38 do not accumulate on the end faces of multiple cylindrical portions. Therefore, when the auto connector 10 of this embodiment is adopted, the residue of material inside the telescopic cylinder 34 can be further suppressed.

[0070] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various design modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. In the embodiments described above, the movable container 11 is configured to be able to move to any position by a conveying device or the like, but the configuration of the movable container 11 is not limited to this. For example, the movable container 11 may be configured to be able to rotate at a fixed position while containing material inside.

[0071] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the block support surface 40 formed on the flange wall 39, which is the support wall, extends in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the telescopic cylinder 34. However, the block support surface 40 only needs to extend in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the telescopic cylinder 34. In other words, the block support surface 40 may extend at a slight inclination with respect to the direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the telescopic cylinder 34. In this case, for example, it is desirable to restrict excessive movement of the connector block 42 due to gravity by providing a biasing member in the movement restricting section (movement restricting frame 56) that biases the connector block 42 in the centering direction.

[0072] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a tapered guide surface 50 is used as a guide portion that contacts the peripheral edge of the supply and discharge port (discharge port 20, input port 17) of the movable container 11 and guides the connector block 42 in the positioning direction (centering direction). However, the configuration of the guide portion is not limited to this. For example, if a tapered surface is formed on the peripheral edge of the supply and discharge port (discharge port 20, input port 17) on the movable container 11 side, the guide portion on the connector block 42 side may be a cylindrical portion or the like.

[0073] Furthermore, in the embodiments disclosed herein, those composed of multiple objects may be integrated, and conversely, those composed of a single object may be divided into multiple objects. Whether or not they are integrated, the invention is only necessary to achieve its objective. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 10...Auto connector, 11...Movable container, 17...Inlet (supply / discharge port), 20...Discharge port (supply / discharge port), 23a...Supply passage (material supply / discharge passage), 24...Discharge passage (material supply / discharge passage), 26...Actuator, 34...Telescopic cylinder, 36...Movable cylinder section, 38...Internal passage, 39...Flange wall (support wall), 40...Block support surface, 41...Communication port, 42...Connector block, 47...Connection port, 50...Guide surface (guide section), 51...Ball (rolling element), 52...Spring (biasing member), 54...Sealing member, 55...Scraper, 56...Movement restricting frame (movement restricting section)

Claims

1. An auto connector that connects a material supply / discharge passage to the supply / discharge port of a movable container, A double-tube type telescopic cylinder having an internal passage connected to the material supply and discharge passage, An actuator for extending and retracting the aforementioned telescopic cylinder, It has a communication opening that communicates with the internal passage, and a block support surface that extends in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the telescopic cylinder, and a support wall provided on the movable cylindrical portion of the telescopic cylinder, A connector block having a connection port that can be connected to the supply and discharge port of the movable container, and which slidably abuts the block support surface such that the connection port communicates with the communication port, The connector block is provided with a guide portion that contacts the peripheral edge of the supply and discharge port of the movable container and guides the connector block in a direction in which the connection port is positioned relative to the supply and discharge port.

2. The auto connector according to claim 1, wherein one of the connector block and the support wall is provided with a rolling element that contacts the other of the connector block and the support wall, and a biasing member that biases the rolling element toward the other.

3. The auto connector according to claim 2, wherein a sealing member is arranged between the connector block and the support wall, surrounding the peripheral area of ​​the communication opening of the support wall.

4. The auto connector according to claim 3, wherein a scraper is arranged in an annular shape between the connector block and the support wall, radially inward from the sealing member, so as to surround the periphery of the communication opening.

5. The auto connector according to claim 4, wherein the scraper is held by one of the connector block and the support wall and is in constant contact with the other of the connector block and the support wall.

6. The auto connector according to claim 1, further comprising a movement restricting portion for restricting the movement of the connector block along the block support surface.

7. The aforementioned telescopic cylinder has multiple cylindrical sections with different outer diameters, The auto connector according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of cylindrical portions are formed such that the outer diameter of the portion located higher up during the extension operation of the telescopic cylinder becomes smaller.

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