Factory power unit

Abstract

To provide a power device capable of supplying compressed gas such as air in an independent configuration. [Solution] The casting apparatus 1 includes a movable mold 1b that performs predetermined operations required for the casting apparatus 1, a drive device 1d that drives the movable mold 1b, and a pressure accumulator 2 that stores compressed gas in conjunction with the operation of the movable mold 1b. The pressure accumulator 2 includes a piston 20 connected to the movable mold 1b, a cylinder 10 that reciprocates the piston 20 and is divided into a left chamber 11 and a right chamber 12 by the piston 20, and an air tank 60 that communicates with at least one of the left chamber 11 and the right chamber 12 of the cylinder 10. The air tank 60 stores the gas supplied from the cylinder 10 by the movement of the piston 20 accompanying the operation of the movable mold 1b.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power device for a factory. More specifically, it relates to a power device for a factory including a pressure accumulator that accumulates compressed gas as a movable member operates.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, a casting device that pours molten metal into a mold and solidifies it into a desired shape is known. The mold of such a casting device has, for example, a fixed mold fixed at a predetermined position and a movable mold provided movably with respect to the fixed mold. The movable mold is clamped to the fixed mold to form a cavity therebetween. Liquid metal is poured into the cavity and cooled to form a casting.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above casting device, compressed air may be used for cooling the poured metal or the like. This compressed air generally uses the air of air facilities provided in a factory. In that case, the casting device cannot be arranged in a place where the air facilities are not available. However, there has been a conventional demand to arrange a power device such as a casting device even in a place where there is no external air facility. Therefore, it is desired to be able to supply compressed gas such as air in a configuration independent of the air facility in a factory using the power device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One embodiment of the power unit is a factory device with a pressure accumulation function. The power unit comprises a movable member that performs predetermined operations required for the power unit, a drive unit that drives the movable member, and a pressure accumulator that stores compressed gas in conjunction with the movement of the movable member. The pressure accumulator comprises a piston connected to the movable member, a cylinder that houses the piston so as to be able to reciprocate and is divided into a first chamber and a second chamber by the piston, and an air tank that communicates with at least one of the first chamber and the second chamber of the cylinder. The air tank stores the gas supplied from the cylinder by the movement of the piston accompanying the movement of the movable member. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing a part of the casting apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing the piston in a position where it has moved to the right. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing the piston in a position where it has moved to the left. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] <Casting equipment> Various embodiments will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 3. One embodiment of the casting apparatus 1 is a device installed and used in a factory. As shown in Figure 1, the casting apparatus 1 has a fixed mold 1a and a movable mold 1b. The movable mold 1b is mounted on the frame of the casting apparatus 1 so as to be movable in a predetermined direction (for example, left and right). The fixed mold 1a and the movable mold 1b form a cavity 1c between them by clamping. Molten metal is poured into this cavity 1c and cooled to form a casting. The fixed mold 1a and the movable mold 1b are depicted facing each other left and right, but the movable mold 1b may be configured to move up and down relative to the fixed mold 1a and be clamped.

[0008] The casting apparatus 1 has a drive device 1d that reciprocates the movable mold 1b in the left-right direction. The drive device 1d can use, for example, a hydraulic power source. In another embodiment, the drive device 1d may use an electric or pneumatic power source in addition to a hydraulic power source.

[0009] <Pressure Accumulator> As shown in Figure 1, the casting apparatus 1 is integrally equipped with a pressure accumulator 2 for storing compressed air. The pressure accumulator 2 has a cylinder 10 extending to the left and right, and a plate-shaped piston 20 housed inside the cylinder 10. Both the left and right sides of the cylinder 10 are closed by end walls. The piston 20 is fitted to the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder 10 and is slidably mounted along the axis of the cylinder 10. The piston 20 divides the inside of the cylinder 10 into a left chamber 11 and a right chamber 12.

[0010] <Cylinder> Cylinder 10 is connected to an air tank 60 for pressure accumulation via a connecting passage 30. The connecting passage 30 has a left passage 31 connected to the left chamber 11 and a right passage 32 connected to the right chamber 12. The connecting passage 30 also has a combined passage 33 where the left passage 31 and the right passage 32 merge and connect to the air tank 60. The left passage 31 is provided with a left-side outlet check valve 34. The outlet check valve 34 allows air to flow from the cylinder 10 side to the air tank 60 side of the left passage 31, and blocks air to flow from the air tank 60 side to the cylinder 10 side of the left passage 31. The right passage 32 is provided with a right-side outlet check valve 35. The outlet check valve 35 allows air to flow from the cylinder 10 side to the air tank 60 side of the right passage 32, and blocks air to flow from the air tank 60 side to the cylinder 10 side of the right passage 32.

[0011] A left branch passage 40 extends from the left channel 31, opening towards the atmosphere. The left branch passage 40 is equipped with a left-side inlet check valve 41. The inlet check valve 41 allows air to flow from the atmosphere towards the left channel 31, while blocking air to flow from the left channel 31 towards the atmosphere. A right branch passage 50 extends from the right channel 32, opening towards the atmosphere. The right branch passage 50 is equipped with a right-side inlet check valve 51. The inlet check valve 51 allows air to flow from the atmosphere towards the right channel 32, while blocking air to flow from the right channel 32 towards the atmosphere.

[0012] <Piston> A connecting shaft 21 is attached to the left side of the piston 20. The connecting shaft 21 extends to the left through a through hole provided in the end wall of the cylinder 10 and is attached to the movable mold 1b. As a result, the piston 20 is integrally connected to the movable mold 1b of the casting apparatus 1. Therefore, the piston 20 reciprocates within the cylinder 10 in accordance with the reciprocating motion of the movable mold 1b. For example, as shown in Figure 2, when the movable mold 1b separates from the fixed mold 1a and moves to the right, the piston 20 also moves to the right.

[0013] <Air supply from the right ventricle to the air tank> As a result, the air in the right chamber 12 of the cylinder 10 is pushed by the piston 20 and flows out into the right passage 32. The air flowing through the right passage 32 is sent to the air tank 60 through the outlet check valve 35 and the confluence passage 33. The flow of air from the right passage 32 toward the atmosphere is blocked by the inlet check valve 51. The flow of air from the right passage 32 toward the left passage 31 is blocked by the outlet check valve 34. As a result, compressed air is accumulated in the air tank 60.

[0014] At the same time that air is supplied from the right chamber 12 to the air tank 60, air flows into the left chamber 11 of the cylinder 10. In other words, the movement of the piston 20 to the right reduces the internal pressure of the left chamber 11. As a result, air is drawn into the left chamber 11 from the atmosphere via the left branch passage 40 and the left flow path 31.

[0015] <Air supply from the left ventricle to the air tank> Next, as shown in Fig. 3, the movable mold 1b is moved leftward so as to be clamped to the fixed mold 1a. Along with this, the piston 20 also moves leftward. Therefore, the air in the left chamber 11 of the cylinder 10 is pressed by the piston 20 and flows out into the left flow path 31. The air flowing through the left flow path 31 is sent to the air tank 60 through the outflow check valve 34 and the confluence path 33. The flow of air from the left flow path 31 toward the atmosphere is blocked by the inflow check valve 41. Also, the flow of air from the left flow path 31 to the right flow path 32 is blocked by the outflow check valve 35. As a result, compressed air is accumulated in the air tank 60.

[0016] Also, simultaneously with the supply of air from the left chamber 11 to the air tank 60, air flows into the right chamber 12 of the cylinder 10. That is, due to the leftward movement of the piston 20, the internal pressure of the right chamber 12 decreases. Thereby, air is sucked from the atmosphere into the right chamber 12 through the right branch path 50 and the right flow path 32.

[0017] As described above, compressed air can be accumulated in the air tank 60 by the reciprocating motion of the piston 20 utilizing the movement of the movable mold 1b. Since air can be sent in during both the rightward and leftward movements of the piston 20, compressed air can be efficiently accumulated in the air tank 60. The piston 20 reciprocates by utilizing a part of the power from the drive device 1d of the casting apparatus 1 through the movable mold 1b normally provided in the casting apparatus 1.

[0018] <Air tank> As shown in Fig. 1, the air tank 60 has a nozzle 61 that discharges compressed air toward a turbine 3 described later, and a ball valve 62 that switches the opening and closing of the flow path leading to the nozzle 61. When the ball valve 62 is opened at an appropriate opening degree, compressed air is discharged from the nozzle 61. Also, the air tank 60 has a relief valve 63 that is opened when the pressure in the air tank 60 exceeds a specified pressure. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the accumulation of excessive pressure in the air tank 60.

[0019] <Turbine> As one embodiment, the accumulator 2 can also be connected to the turbine 3 of the generator. The turbine 3 is rotated by the compressed air discharged from the air tank 60. The generator generates electric power by the rotation of the turbine 3. Thus, power generation can be performed by utilizing the operation of the casting apparatus 1. The generated electric power can be used for lighting etc. within the factory. As another embodiment, the compressed air accumulated in the air tank 60 can be used not only to rotate the turbine 3 but also to cool the molten metal flowing into the cavity 1c. Thereby, the molten metal can be efficiently cooled even in a place where external air facilities cannot be used.

[0020] To summarize the above, the power device (casting apparatus 1) is a factory device having an accumulator function. The power device includes a movable member (movable mold 1b) that performs a predetermined operation required for the power device, a drive device 1d that drives the movable member, and an accumulator 2 that stores compressed gas in conjunction with the operation of the movable member. The accumulator 2 includes a piston 20 connected to the movable member, a cylinder 10 that reciprocally accommodates the piston 20 and is divided by the piston 20 into a first chamber (left chamber 11) and a second chamber (right chamber 12), and an air tank 60 that communicates with at least one of the first chamber and the second chamber of the cylinder 10. The air tank 60 accumulates the gas supplied from the cylinder 10 due to the movement of the piston 20 accompanying the operation of the movable member.

[0021] With the above configuration, compressed gas can be reasonably accumulated in the air tank 60 by utilizing the operation of the movable member that is usually provided in the factory power device. Thereby, compressed gas can be utilized in a configuration independent of the factory air facilities. The accumulated compressed gas can be used for the power device itself or for other surrounding devices.

[0022] Also, the air tank 60 communicates with both the first chamber and the second chamber of the cylinder 10. With the above configuration, compressed gas can be sent into the air tank 60 during both the forward and backward movements of the piston 20. Thereby, compressed gas can be efficiently accumulated in the air tank 60.

[0023] The accumulator 2 also has an outlet passage (communication passage 30) that connects the cylinder 10 and the air tank 60, and outlet check valves 34 and 35 provided in the outlet passage. The outlet check valves allow the flow of gas from the cylinder 10 to the air tank 60 and block the flow of gas from the air tank 60 to the cylinder 10. With the above configuration, gas can be properly supplied from the cylinder 10 to the air tank 60.

[0024] The accumulator 2 also has an inlet passage (left branch passage 40, right branch passage 50) that connects the chamber communicating with the air tank 60 of the cylinder 10 to the atmosphere, and inlet check valves 41, 51 provided in the inlet passage. The inlet check valves allow the flow of gas from the atmosphere toward the cylinder 10 and block the flow of gas from the cylinder 10 toward the atmosphere. With the above configuration, air can be properly introduced into the cylinder 10 from the atmosphere.

[0025] Furthermore, the power unit is a casting apparatus 1 for forming the casting, and the movable member is a movable mold 1b that reciprocates in a predetermined direction. With the above configuration, compressed gas can be stored by utilizing the reciprocating motion of the movable mold 1b.

[0026] The power unit also includes a turbine 3 that generates electricity by rotating using compressed gas stored in an air tank 60. This allows for power generation using the movement of movable members.

[0027] <Other Embodiments> In another embodiment, the power unit may be a resin molding machine equipped with a movable type. The power unit can be any type that includes other movable members.

[0028] In another embodiment, the air tank may be configured to communicate with only one of the first or second chambers of the cylinder. The air tank may also store a gas other than air, such as nitrogen gas.

[0029] In another embodiment, the movable member may rotate or perform any other arbitrary motion as long as it is connected to cause the piston to reciprocate.

[0030] In this embodiment, the inflow passage is exemplified as a branch passage extending directly from the connecting passage (outflow passage), but in another embodiment, the inflow passage may be provided separately from the outflow passage.

[0031] Although various embodiments have been described above, this disclosure is not limited to those embodiments, and those skilled in the art can make various other modifications, substitutions, and improvements. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0032] 1. Casting equipment (power unit) 1a Fixed type 1b Movable type (movable member) 1c Cavity 1d drive unit 2. Accumulator 3 Turbines 10 cylinders 11. Left ventricle (first chamber) 12. Right ventricle (second chamber) 20 pistons 21 Connecting shaft 30 Communication path (outflow path) 31 Left channel 32 Right channel 33 Confluence road 34 Outlet check valve 35 Outlet check valve 40 Left branch road (inflow road) 41 Inlet check valve 50 Right-hand branch road (inflow road) 51 Inlet check valve 60 Air Tanks 61 nozzles 62 Ball Valves 63 Relief Valve

Claims

1. A power device for factories having a pressure accumulation function, A movable member that performs a predetermined operation required for the power device, A drive device for driving the aforementioned movable member, It has a pressure storage device that stores compressed gas in conjunction with the movement of the movable member, The pressure accumulator is A piston connected to the aforementioned movable member, A cylinder that houses the piston so as to be reciprocable and is divided into a first chamber and a second chamber by the piston, A power device comprising an air tank connected to at least one of the first chamber and the second chamber of the cylinder, which stores the gas supplied from the cylinder by the movement of the piston accompanying the operation of the movable member.

2. A power device according to claim 1, A power device in which the air tank is connected to both the first chamber and the second chamber of the cylinder.

3. A power device according to claim 1 or claim 2, The aforementioned pressure accumulator, An outflow passage connecting the cylinder and the air tank, A power device having an outlet check valve provided in the outlet passage that allows the flow of gas from the cylinder toward the air tank and blocks the flow of gas from the air tank toward the cylinder.

4. A power device according to claim 1 or claim 2, The aforementioned pressure accumulator, An inlet passage that connects the chamber of the cylinder, which is in communication with the air tank, to the atmosphere, A power device having an inlet check valve provided in the inlet passage that allows the flow of gas from the atmosphere toward the cylinder and blocks the flow of gas from the cylinder toward the atmosphere.

5. A power device according to claim 1 or claim 2, The aforementioned power unit is a casting apparatus for forming a casting, A power device in which the movable member is provided in the casting apparatus and is reciprocating by the drive device.

6. A power device according to claim 1 or claim 2, A power device comprising a turbine that generates electricity by rotating using compressed gas stored in the aforementioned air tank.

Images