Conveyor system loading device

Abstract

The present invention provides a conveying system input device 1 that can suppress dust from raw material F. [Solution] The conveying system input device 1 includes an input pipe 5 that guides the raw material F as it flows down and inputs it into the input space S from a rectangular input port 5a formed at the downstream end; a conveying means 2 that includes an endless belt 3 that receives the raw material F in the input space S and sequentially conveys it downstream while moving; a flow rate adjustment means 7 that includes a pair of plate-shaped members that protrude downward from the downstream and upstream ends 5a1 and 5a3 extending in a direction intersecting the conveying direction C of the input port 5a, respectively, and are slidable in the vertical direction, so as to be able to adjust the flow rate F1 that conveys the raw material F on the conveying means 2 in the conveying direction C of the conveying means 2; and a flow limiting means 8 that restricts the movement of the raw material F on the conveying means 2 in a direction intersecting the conveying direction C.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveying system input device, particularly a conveying system input device with a flow rate adjustment function that does not require dust collection.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a conveying system for conveying powder and granules using a conveying means such as a belt conveyor, for example, when dropping powder and granules from an input pipe to the conveying means, while appropriately collecting the dust generated, a conveying system that can suppress an increase in the cost associated with the dust collection has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The conveying system disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes an input pipe that guides powder and granules while flowing them down and inputs them into an input space from an input port formed at the downstream end, a belt conveyor having an endless belt that receives the powder and granules in the input space and sequentially conveys them downstream while circulating, and a shutter that can adjust the powder and granule input amount of the powder and granules input from the input port into the input space. And the control controller is configured to perform adjustment control of the powder and granule input amount by the shutter.

[0005] However, when the flow rate is adjusted by the shutter, the density of the powder and granules in the input space after the shutter becomes sparse. Therefore, when the powder and granules fall from the input port of the input pipe and contact the endless belt of the belt conveyor, there is a risk of dust generation.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and its objective is to provide a conveying system feeding device that can suppress dust around the raw material input port. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the following solutions were implemented for the conveying system input device.

[0008] The first invention includes an input pipe that guides the raw material as it flows down and introduces it into an input space through a rectangular input port formed at the downstream end; a conveying means including an endless belt that receives the raw material in the input space and sequentially transports it downstream while it moves; a flow rate adjustment means including a pair of plate-shaped members that protrude downward from the downstream and upstream ends of the input port, respectively, in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the conveying means, and are slidable in the vertical direction, so as to be able to adjust the flow rate of the raw material on the conveying means being transported in the transport direction of the conveying means; and a flow limiting means that restricts the movement of the raw material on the conveying means in a direction intersecting the transport direction.

[0009] In other words, in the first invention, with respect to the raw material on the conveying means, the flow limiting means allows the conveying means to move (convey) only in the conveying direction, and the flow rate adjusting means adjusts the flow rate conveyed in the conveying direction by the conveying means by sliding a pair of plate-shaped members that protrude downward from the downstream and upstream ends, respectively, which extend in a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the input port, in the vertical direction. As a result, the density of the raw material introduced into the input space does not change during its movement from the input port to the conveying means, maintaining a dense state in which the raw material is connected and does not separate, and does not become sparse, thus suppressing dust around the input port.

[0010] In the second invention, the flow limiting means in the first invention includes a pair of plate-like members projecting downward from the left and right ends of the inlet, respectively, which extend in a direction not intersecting the conveying direction.

[0011] In other words, in the second invention, the flow limiting means includes a pair of plate-like members that protrude downward from the left and right ends, respectively, which extend in a direction that does not intersect the conveying direction of the input port. These plate-like members have a simple structure that prevents the base of the pile of raw materials on the conveying means from spreading in a direction that intersects the conveying direction, that is, in the width direction of the conveying means, and can therefore be manufactured easily and inexpensively.

[0012] In the third invention, in the second invention, the flow limiting means is configured not to come into contact with the endless belt.

[0013] In other words, in the third invention, since the flow limiting means is designed not to come into contact with the endless belt in the second invention, the flow limiting means and the endless belt do not malfunction or require replacement of parts due to wear caused by contact, thus avoiding inconvenience.

[0014] In the fourth invention, in the first to third inventions, the lower tip of the flow rate adjusting means is in the shape of an upwardly convex arc.

[0015] In other words, in the fourth invention, as in the first to third inventions, the lower tip of the flow rate adjustment means is in an upwardly convex arc shape, and therefore functions as a regulating plate that levels the shape of the top of the pile of raw material when viewed from the conveying direction, thereby improving conveying efficiency. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a conveying system feeding device that can suppress dust around the raw material input port. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows (A) a front view and (B) a right side view of a conveying system input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2(A) is a cross-sectional view at BB in Figure 1(A), and Figure 2(B) is a cross-sectional view at AA in Figure 1(B). [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a (A) perspective view, (B) top view, (C) front view, and (D) right side view of the flow rate adjustment plate according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the transfer system input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the transfer system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. The corresponding components are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. Note that the following description of the preferred embodiments is merely illustrative in nature.

[0019] (Transfer System Input Device) The transfer system input device 1 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "input device 1") is used, for example, in a powder and granular material transfer system 10 as shown in FIG. 5. The powder and granular material transfer system 10 includes an input device 1 for charging powder and granular material F (for example, grains such as rice (paddy, brown rice, white rice), wheat, beans, etc.) from a silo T (tank) in an upstream process, and a lower belt conveyor 2 (transfer means) for transferring the powder and granular material F flowing down from the input device 1 toward a downstream process in the transfer direction C. Hereinafter, the direction parallel to the transfer direction C of the belt conveyor 2 is the front-rear direction, the horizontal direction perpendicular to the transfer direction C is the left-right direction, the downstream side in the transfer direction C is the front direction, the upstream side is the rear direction, the left side when viewed from the front is the left direction, and the right side is the right direction.

[0020] (Belt Conveyor) The belt conveyor 2 includes a pair of drive pulleys 2a and a tail pulley 2b, an upper roller row 20a composed of a plurality of carrier rollers 2c, a lower roller row 20b composed of a plurality of return rollers 2d, an endless belt 3, and a pulley drive motor 4.

[0021] The drive pulley 2a is disposed at the downstream end in the conveying direction of the belt conveyor 2 and is configured to be rotatably driven by a pulley drive motor 4 via a drive belt 4a.

[0022] The tail pulley 2b is disposed at the upstream end in the conveying direction of the belt conveyor 2.

[0023] The endless belt 3 is wound around the drive pulley 2a and the tail pulley 2b and is configured to move circumferentially around the drive pulley 2a and the tail pulley 2b by the rotational drive of the drive pulley 2a by the pulley drive motor 4.

[0024] The upper roller row 20a is composed of a plurality of carrier rollers 2c arranged in parallel along the conveying direction C of the belt conveyor 2, and a pair is provided in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the conveying direction C of the belt conveyor 2. Both upper roller rows 20a are inclined and arranged so as to be substantially V-shaped when viewed in the conveying direction C of the belt conveyor 2, and support the conveying side region 3a extending from the tail pulley 2b to the drive pulley 2a in the endless belt 3 moving circumferentially in a state of being curved downward so as to be convex downward from below.

[0025] The lower roller row 20b is composed of a plurality of return rollers 2d arranged in parallel along the conveying direction C of the belt conveyor 2, and supports the return side region 3b extending from the drive pulley 2a to the tail pulley 2b in the endless belt 3 moving circumferentially from below.

[0026] (Feeding device) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the loading device 1 includes a loading pipe 5 extending vertically with an opening 51a at its upper end, a shutter 6 extending horizontally above the loading pipe 5 so as to be able to open and close the opening 51a, a pair of flow rate adjustment plates 7a and 7b that form the front and rear sides of the loading space S formed between the loading port 5a at the lower end of the loading pipe 5 and the upper surface of the endless belt 3, a pair of guide members 8a and 8b that form the left and right sides of the loading space S, and an introduction section 9 located above the shutter 6 that connects the discharge port of the silo T (not shown) and the opening 51a at the upper end of the loading pipe 5. In the following, for example, the pair of flow rate adjustment plates 7a and 7b may be collectively referred to simply as the flow rate adjustment plate 7.

[0027] (Input piping) The input pipe 5 is a component for guiding the raw material as it flows down. It is a hollow, roughly rectangular tube with a central axis extending vertically, and is equipped with an upper discharge chute 51 and a lower funnel-shaped skirt 52.

[0028] (Discharge chute) The discharge chute 51 is a component for discharging granular material F introduced from the upper end while it flows down from the lower end, and has a rectangular opening 51a at the upper end and a rectangular opening 51b at the lower end. The upper part of the discharge chute 51 has a larger diameter closer to the upper opening 51a than the diameter of the lower opening 51b, making it easier to introduce granular material F from the silo T into the discharge chute 51.

[0029] (skirt) The skirt 52 is a component for feeding powdered material F onto the upper surface of the endless belt 3, and has a wide rectangular opening 52a at its upper end and a rectangular inlet 5a at its lower end. The upper opening 52a is connected to the lower opening 51b of the discharge chute 51. The inlet 5a extends in the longitudinal direction in the conveying direction C (front-to-back direction) of the endless belt 3, and in the width direction in the horizontal direction (left-to-right direction) perpendicular to the conveying direction C, and its width is shorter than the width of the endless belt 3, so that the powdered material F can be fed onto the endless belt 3 without spillage. Furthermore, the skirt 52 has four side portions that form the opening 52a at the upper end and the input port 5a at the lower end, namely, front and rear side portions 52b and 52d that extend straight vertically, and left and right side portions 52c and 52e whose upper portions extend diagonally downward in the left-right direction and whose lower portions extend straight downward.

[0030] The space between the inlet 5a of the skirt 52 and the upper surface of the endless belt 3 is an input space S formed on all four sides by flow rate adjustment plates 7 and guide members 8, allowing powder and granular material F to be introduced from the inlet 5a. In other words, the powder and granular material F introduced into the input space S is received by the upper surface of the endless belt 3, which is positioned approximately opposite the inlet 5a, the front and rear flow rate adjustment plates 7a and 7b, and the left and right guide members 8a and 8b. After temporarily remaining inside the input space S, it is sequentially conveyed in the conveying direction C by the circumferential movement of the endless belt 3.

[0031] (Flow rate adjustment plate) As shown in Figures 1-3, the flow rate adjustment plates 7a and 7b are a pair of plate-like members attached to the outside of the front and rear side portions 52b and 52d of the skirt 52, respectively, to set the flow rate F1 for transporting the powder and granular material F in the input space S in the transport direction C. They protrude downward over their entire width from the front and rear ends 5a1 and 5a3 that extend in the left-right direction of the input opening 5a. As shown in Figure 3, when viewed from the front, the flow rate adjustment plate 7 has a roughly symmetrical rectangular shape, with a tongue-shaped knob portion 72 that protrudes forward approximately in the center of the straight upper edge, and a curved shape where the lower edge portion 73, i.e., the lower tip, is an upward-convex arc. The flow rate adjustment plate 7 also has a pair of elongated mounting holes 71 extending vertically on the upper surface for attachment to the skirt 52 with bolts or the like so that it can slide vertically, allowing the vertical position relative to the skirt 52 or the distance from the endless belt 3 below to be changed. In other words, the flow rate adjustment plate 7 forms the front and rear sides of the input space S, and adjusts the distance between the lower edge portion 73 and the endless belt 3, thereby leveling the piles of powder F being conveyed in the conveying direction C, thereby shaping the tops of the piles and adjusting the flow rate F1 of the powder F being conveyed from the input space S. That is, by sliding in the vertical direction, the flow rate adjustment plate 7 functions as a regulating plate that shapes the piles of powder F being conveyed on the endless belt 3 in the conveying direction C, and is also capable of adjusting the flow rate F1.

[0032] (Guide member) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the guide members 8a and 8b are a pair of plate-like members attached to the outside of the left and right sides 52c and 52e of the skirt 52, respectively, to restrict the lateral movement (flow) of the powder and granular material F in the input space S. They protrude downward along their entire length from the left and right ends 5a2 and 5a4 that extend in the front-rear direction of the input opening 5a. The guide members 8a and 8b may have a structure substantially similar to that of the flow rate adjustment plate 7, but differ in that they have a lower edge that extends linearly in the horizontal direction and are fixed to the skirt 52 with bolts or the like to form the left and right sides of the input space S, respectively. Furthermore, the guide members 8a and 8b are bent inward in the left-right direction perpendicular to the conveying direction C along the upper surface of the endless belt 3 so that the lower ends of the lower edges face each other. This further suppresses the movement (flow) of the powder and granular material F inside the input space S in the left-right direction perpendicular to the conveying direction C.

[0033] It is preferable that the guide member 8 does not come into contact with the endless belt 3. This is because contact wear would prevent the guide member 8 and the endless belt 3 from malfunctioning or requiring parts replacement, thus avoiding inconvenience. The distance between the guide member 8 and the endless belt 3 is preferably small, and in particular, 5 mm to 10 mm is preferred. The lower limit of 5 mm is to allow for a temporary upward movement of the endless belt 3. The upper limit of 10 mm is because exceeding this value would increase the amount of powder and granules moving in the left-right direction on the endless belt 3, resulting in a lower density of powder and granules F inside the input space S, thus reducing the dust generation suppression effect around the input port 5a. In this embodiment, for example, the distance between the guide member 8 and the endless belt 3 is 5 mm.

[0034] (Introduction) The introduction section 9 is a vertically extending funnel-shaped member for connecting the discharge port of the silo T and the opening 51a at the upper end of the input pipe 5, and has a wide rectangular opening at the upper end and a rectangular opening at the lower end. The introduction section 9 may have any shape and material as long as it can introduce the granular material F from the silo T through the opening at the upper end and discharge it through the opening at the lower end to introduce it into the input pipe 5 below.

[0035] (Shutter) The shutter 6 is a horizontally movable sliding shutter positioned between the opening at the lower end of the introduction section 9 and the opening 51a at the upper end of the input pipe 5. It is driven by an opening adjustment motor (e.g., a stepping motor) (not shown), which allows for adjustment and maintenance of the opening degree of the shutter 6 relative to the opening 51a.

[0036] The shutter 6 has a flat, horizontally moving door section, and the opening degree of the shutter 6 is adjusted by adjusting the horizontal position of the door section. The amount of granular material F fed from the silo T to the input pipe 5 is adjusted by adjusting the opening degree of the shutter 6. By reducing the opening degree of the shutter 6, the amount of granular material F fed into the input pipe 5 decreases, while by increasing the opening degree of the shutter 6, the amount of granular material F fed into the input pipe 5 increases.

[0037] (Operation of the conveying system loading device) Next, the operation of the conveying system input device 1 according to this embodiment will be explained using Figure 4. Figure 4 shows the conveying state of the powder / granular material F by the conveying system input device 1.

[0038] The flow rate F1 of the powdered material F from the input device 1 is set by sliding the knob 72 of the front flow rate adjustment plate 7a, which is attached to the input pipe 5, in the vertical direction A. The powdered material F is introduced from the upper silo T to the conveying system input device 1 via the introduction section 9, and is continuously fed into the input space S from the input port 5a through the open shutter 6 and input pipe 5. The powdered material F is then received inside the input space S by the endless belt 3, the flow rate adjustment plate 7, and the guide member 8 and temporarily remains there. Then, due to the circumferential movement of the endless belt 3, only the powdered material F at a flow rate of F1 is discharged from the input space S via the flow rate adjustment plate 7a, i.e., conveyed.

[0039] In this case, the granular material F, except for the areas around the lower edges 73a and 73b of the flow rate adjustment plates 7a and 7b, is restricted from moving up and down by gravity acting on the stagnant granular material F and by the endless belt 3. Furthermore, its lateral movement (flow) is restricted by the left and right guide members 8, and its forward and backward movement is restricted to the flow rate F1 by the front and rear flow rate adjustment plates 7. As a result, a dense state in which the granular material is constantly connected and does not separate is maintained, and it never becomes sparse, thus suppressing dust around the input port 5a.

[0040] (summary) According to the conveying system input device 1 of this embodiment, the guide member 8 (flow limiting means) allows the powdered material F (raw material) on the belt conveyor 2 (conveying means) to move (convey) only in the conveying direction C of the belt conveyor 2, and the flow rate adjustment plate 7 (flow rate adjustment means) adjusts the flow rate F1 conveyed in the conveying direction C of the belt conveyor 2 by sliding a pair of plate-shaped members that protrude downward from the downstream and upstream ends 5a1 and 5a3, respectively, which extend in a direction intersecting the conveying direction C of the input port 5a, in the vertical direction. As a result, the density of the powdered material F introduced into the input space S does not change during its movement from the input port 5a to the belt conveyor 2, maintaining a dense state of connected, non-separated powdered material F without becoming sparse, thus suppressing dust around the input port 5a.

[0041] Furthermore, in the conveying system input device 1, the guide member 8 includes a pair of plate-shaped members that protrude downward from the left and right ends 5a2 and 5a4, respectively, which extend in a direction that does not intersect the conveying direction C of the input opening 5a. These plate-shaped members prevent the base of the pile of powder F on the belt conveyor 2 from spreading in a direction that intersects the conveying direction C, that is, in the width direction of the belt conveyor 2. Because of this simple structure, it can be manufactured easily and inexpensively.

[0042] Furthermore, in the conveying system input device 1, the guide member 8 is designed not to come into contact with the endless belt 3. Therefore, due to wear caused by contact, the guide member 8 and the endless belt 3 do not malfunction or require replacement of parts, thus avoiding inconvenience.

[0043] Furthermore, in the conveying system input device 1, the lower tip of the flow rate adjustment plate 7 is in an upward-convex arc shape, so it functions as a regulating plate that levels the shape of the peaks of the powder and granular material F as viewed from the conveying direction C, thereby improving conveying efficiency.

[0044] Thus, the conveying system input device 1 according to this embodiment provides a conveying system input device that can suppress dust around the input port 5a of the powder and granular material F.

[0045] (modified version) In this embodiment, the pair of flow rate adjustment plates 7a and 7b have the same shape, with their lower edges 73a and 73b, i.e., their lower tips, being upward-convex arcs. However, the lower edge 73b of the flow rate adjustment plate 7b, which is mounted rearward with respect to the conveying direction C, may be shaped to extend linearly in the horizontal direction, thereby reducing the gap between the lower edge 73b of the flow rate adjustment plate 7b and the endless belt 3. As a result, the amount of powder and granular material F moving backward on the endless belt 3 inside the input space S is reduced, thus maintaining a dense state of powder and granular material F inside the input space S and preventing it from becoming sparse, thereby suppressing the generation of dust around the input port 5a.

[0046] Furthermore, in the conveying system input device 1 according to this embodiment, the flow rate F1 of the powder and granular material moved downstream from the input space S may be varied by making the circumferential movement speed of the endless belt 3 variable. Since the flow rate F1 of the powder and granular material changes depending on the type of powder and granular material F (for example, grains such as rice (paddy, brown rice, white rice), wheat, and beans) and its state (fresh or dry), the flow rate F1 of the powder and granular material can be easily and accurately adjusted by adjusting the circumferential movement speed of the endless belt 3. For example, the flow rate F1 of the powder and granular material initially adjusted by the flow rate adjustment plate 7 can then be easily and accurately maintained by fine-tuning the circumferential movement speed of the endless belt 3. The circumferential movement speed of the endless belt 3 can be varied, for example, by controlling the frequency of the power supplied to the pulley drive motor 4 with a control controller (not shown).

[0047] Furthermore, in the conveying system input device 1 according to this embodiment, the amount of powder F input into the input pipe 5, that is, the amount of powder F input into the input space S from the input port 5a, may be varied by varying the opening degree of the shutter 6 of the input pipe 5 using the control controller. When the density of powder F in the input space S is likely to become sparse, the amount of powder F input into the input space S can be increased by increasing the opening degree of the shutter 6, thereby maintaining a dense state of powder F in the input space S and suppressing dust. The opening degree of the shutter 6 can be varied, for example, by controlling the drive of the opening degree adjustment motor using the control controller.

[0048] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but includes various modifications to the embodiments described above, without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0049] Conveying system input device 1 Belt conveyor (conveying means) 2 Endless belt 3 Input piping 5 Inlet 5a Front (downstream) end of the inlet 5a1 Left end of the input slot 5a2 Rear (upstream) end of the inlet 5a3 Right end of the input slot 5a4 Flow rate adjustment plate (flow rate adjustment means) 7, 7a, 7b Lower tip of the flow rate adjustment plate 73, 73a, 73b Guide members (movement restricting means) 8, 8a, 8b Powder (raw material) F Flow rate F1 Conveying direction C Input space S

Claims

1. An input pipe guides the raw material as it flows down and introduces it into the input space through a rectangular inlet formed at the downstream end, A conveying means including an endless belt that receives the raw material in the input space and sequentially conveys it downstream while moving, A flow rate adjustment means is provided that allows adjustment of the flow rate at which the raw material on the conveying means is conveyed in the conveying direction of the conveying means, and includes a pair of plate-shaped members that protrude downward from the downstream and upstream ends of the input port, respectively, in a direction intersecting the conveying direction, and are slidable in the vertical direction, A conveying system input device comprising: a flow limiting means that restricts the movement of the raw material on the conveying means in a direction intersecting the conveying direction.

2. The conveying system input device according to claim 1, wherein the flow limiting means includes a pair of plate-shaped members projecting downward from the left and right ends of the input port, respectively, which extend in a direction not intersecting the conveying direction.

3. The conveying system input device according to claim 2, wherein the flow limiting means is configured not to come into contact with the endless belt.

4. The lower tip of the flow rate adjustment means is in the shape of an upwardly convex arc, as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, for the conveying system input device.

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