Dust collection device for processing equipment

Abstract

To provide a dust collector for processing equipment that can efficiently separate dust and airborne particles generated during processing in the processing equipment, and can be easily removed and maintained. [Solution] One aspect of the present invention is a dust collector for a processing apparatus that collects dust and scattered material generated from an object by processing in the processing apparatus, comprising: an outer cylinder extending laterally and having an inlet for introducing dust and scattered material; an inner cylinder extending laterally inside the outer cylinder and having an outlet at one end communicating with the outside of the outer cylinder and a suction port at the other end communicating with the inside of the outer cylinder; a spiral groove provided between the inner wall surface of the outer cylinder and the outer wall surface of the inner cylinder, which rotates laterally around the outside of the inner cylinder; and a capture section located at the lateral end of the outer cylinder and having a circumferential capture groove with a diameter larger than the spiral diameter at the end of the spiral groove.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a dust collector for a processing apparatus that collects and discharges smoke and dust generated from an object during processing by the processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] A laser processing apparatus is an apparatus that irradiates a laser beam onto an object to be processed to perform cutting, welding, drilling, scribing, surface modification processing, etc. In a laser processing apparatus, when the object to be processed burns, melts, or vaporizes due to the energy of the laser beam, smoke and dust are generated, and scattered matter such as spatter and fume also occurs.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a separator using a horizontal cyclone. This separator is configured to be attached to the suction side of a blower by a horizontal cyclone for separation.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In a dust collector for a processing apparatus, it is required to separate air containing dust and scattered matter generated during processing in the processing apparatus from the dust and the like and discharge it to the outside. At this time, since the separated dust and scattered matter gradually accumulate, maintenance for periodically removing the dust collection matter becomes necessary.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a dust collector for a processing apparatus that can efficiently separate dust and scattered matter generated during processing in the processing apparatus from air and can be easily removed and maintained.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a dust collector for a processing apparatus that collects smoke and dust generated from an object during processing in the processing apparatus, comprising: an outer cylinder extending laterally and having an inlet for introducing smoke and dust; an inner cylinder extending laterally inside the outer cylinder and having an exhaust port at one end communicating with the outside of the outer cylinder and an intake port at the other end communicating with the inside of the outer cylinder; a spiral groove provided between the inner wall surface of the outer cylinder and the outer wall surface of the inner cylinder, which rotates laterally around the outside of the inner cylinder; and a capture section located at the lateral end of the outer cylinder, which has a circumferential capture groove having a diameter larger than the spiral diameter at the end of the spiral groove and an outlet communicating with the capture groove.

[0008] With this configuration, by drawing in air from the exhaust port, smoke, dust, and airborne particles (hereinafter also referred to as dust, etc.) introduced from the inlet of the outer cylinder are sent into the space between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder, where they swirl and separate from the air. The separated air is discharged from the intake port through the inner cylinder to the outside through the exhaust port, while the dust, etc. moves laterally while swirling. At this time, the dust, etc. is guided to move in the direction of the spiral while swirling along the spiral groove and reaches the capture section. Since the diameter of the capture groove in the capture section is larger than the spiral diameter at the end of the spiral groove, the dust, etc. that reaches the capture section does not return back but is reliably captured in the capture section and discharged from the outlet.

[0009] In the dust collector for the processing apparatus described above, it is preferable that the diameter of the spiral groove decreases as the spiral progresses. This gradually increases the rotational speed of dust and other particles that are guided and rotated in the spiral groove, thereby improving the separation performance between dust and other particles and air.

[0010] In the dust collector for the processing apparatus described above, the capture unit may be provided at the circumferential center of the capture groove, which is arranged circumferentially, and may have a conical projection that points in the opposite direction to the spiral of the helical groove. This ensures that dust and other particles that reach the capture unit are actively collected outwards by the conical projection. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a dust collector for processing equipment that can efficiently separate dust and other particles generated during processing in the processing equipment from the air, and that can easily remove and maintain the dust and other particles. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view illustrating a dust collector for a processing apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view illustrating a dust collector and dust collection box for a processing apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view illustrating a dust collector for a processing apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the dust collector for the processing apparatus according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals will be used for identical components, and components that have already been described will be omitted from the description as appropriate.

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a dust collector for a processing apparatus according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating a dust collector and dust collection box for a processing apparatus according to this embodiment. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a dust collector for a processing apparatus according to this embodiment. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the dust collector for the processing apparatus according to this embodiment.

[0015] (Configuration of a dust collector for processing equipment) The dust collector 1 for a processing device according to this embodiment is a device that collects dust and the like generated from an object when performing a processing operation with the processing device. Examples of the processing device include a laser processing device. In a laser processing device, when irradiating an object with laser light to perform processing such as cutting, machining, or joining, dust and the like are generated from the object irradiated with the laser light. The dust collector 1 for a processing device according to this embodiment is a device that can effectively collect such dust and the like and easily remove (discharge) the collected dust and the like.

[0016] That is, the dust collector 1 for a processing device according to this embodiment includes an outer cylinder 10, an inner cylinder 20, a spiral groove portion 30, and a capture portion 40.

[0017] The outer cylinder 10 extends in the lateral direction and has an inlet 11 for introducing dust and the like. Here, the lateral direction is substantially the horizontal direction, which means a range of approximately ± ten-some degrees with respect to the horizontal direction. In this embodiment, the horizontal direction will be referred to as the X direction (X1 - X2 direction), the vertical direction as the Z direction (Z1 - Z2 direction), and the direction perpendicular to the X direction and the Z direction as the Y direction (Y1 - Y2 direction).

[0018] The outer shape of the outer cylinder 10 may be substantially rectangular prism-shaped or substantially cylindrical. The outer cylinder 10 is provided with an inlet 11 for introducing dust and the like. The inlet 11 is provided, for example, on the upper side (Z direction Z2 side) of one end side (X1 side) of the outer cylinder 10. The inlet 11 communicates with the space between the outer cylinder 10 and the inner cylinder 20. A duct (not shown) may be connected to the inlet 11. The mouth at one end of the duct is arranged on the processing device side and sucks in dust and the like generated by the processing device and guides them to the inlet 11.

[0019] The inner cylinder 20 is arranged to extend horizontally inside the outer cylinder 10 (inside the internal space). The inner cylinder 20 is preferably provided in a cylindrical shape. The inner cylinder 20 is provided with an exhaust port 21 communicating with the outside of the outer cylinder 10 on one end side (X1 side), and an intake port 22 communicating with the inside of the outer cylinder 10 on the other end side (X2 side). The inner cylinder 20 is provided so as to penetrate the lid portion 10a closing one end side (X1 side) of the outer cylinder 10 in the X direction. The other end (end portion on the X2 side) of the inner cylinder 20 reaches the middle (substantially the center) of the internal space of the outer cylinder 10.

[0020] The spiral groove portion 30 is provided between the inner wall surface 101 of the outer cylinder 10 and the outer wall surface 201 of the inner cylinder 20, and is a spiral groove that advances in the horizontal direction (X2 side of the X direction) while rotating outside the inner cylinder 20. For example, by providing a spiral convex wall 31 on the cylindrical inner wall surface 101 of the outer cylinder 10, the spiral groove portion 30 is formed between the convex walls 31. The spiral groove portion 30 is provided until one end side of the groove space communicates with the introduction port 11 and the other end side reaches the capture portion 40.

[0021] The capture portion 40 is arranged at the horizontal end portion (end portion on the X2 side) of the outer cylinder 10. The capture portion 40 is provided so as to close the terminal end on the other end side (X2 side) of the outer cylinder 10. The capture portion 40 has a circumferential capture groove portion 41 provided on the inner wall surface 401 of the capture portion 40. The diameter d3 of the capture groove portion 41 is larger than the spiral diameter d2 (see FIG. 3) at the terminal end of the spiral groove portion 30. By providing the diameter d3 of the capture groove portion 41 to be larger than the spiral diameter d2 at the terminal end of the spiral groove portion 30, a stepped portion 40a is provided between the other end (X2 side) of the outer cylinder 10 and the capture portion 40.

[0022] In addition, the capture portion 40 is provided with an exhaust port 42 (see FIG. 2) communicating with the capture groove portion 41. For example, a dust collection box 2 is connected to the subsequent stage of the exhaust port 42. Dust and the like collected in the capture portion 40 fall from the exhaust port 42 into the dust collection box 2 arranged on the lower side (Z1 side of the Z direction) and are collected.

[0023] (Dust collection operation of the dust collection device for the processing apparatus) To collect dust using the processing equipment dust collector 1, suction is performed from the exhaust port 21. For example, as shown by arrow A in Figure 4, a suction device (not shown) is connected to the exhaust port 21 to perform suction. This creates a negative pressure in the internal space of the outer cylinder 10 and inner cylinder 20, causing air to be drawn in from the inlet 11.

[0024] A duct (not shown) is connected to the inlet 11, with one end of the duct (the end opposite to the one connected to the inlet 11) positioned on the processing equipment side. As a result, air containing dust and other particles generated on the processing equipment side is drawn in from one end of the duct and introduced into the outer cylinder 10 through the inlet 11, as shown by arrow B in Figure 4.

[0025] The air containing dust and other particles introduced into the outer cylinder 10 swirls along the outer wall surface 201 of the cylindrical inner cylinder 20 as it moves toward the other end (X2 side) in the lateral direction (see arrow a in Figure 4). As the air containing dust and other particles swirls, the dust and other particles that are heavier than the air are blown outward by centrifugal force and move toward the inner wall surface 101 of the outer cylinder 10 as it swirls. Meanwhile, the air that swirls while being separated from the dust and other particles is discharged to the outside from the exhaust port 21 through the intake port 22 of the inner cylinder 20 (see arrow b in Figure 4).

[0026] The dust and other particles separated from the air by centrifugal force are pressed against the inner wall surface 101 of the outer cylinder 10 and swirl as they move toward the other end (X2 side) in the lateral direction. At this time, the dust and other particles are guided to move in the spiral direction while swirling along the spiral groove 30 and reach the capture unit 40. Because the spiral groove 30 is provided, a clear and powerful spiral airflow is generated even if the outer cylinder 10 and inner cylinder 20 extend in the horizontal direction (X direction), allowing for efficient separation of air and dust and other particles. Furthermore, since the dust and other particles are guided by the spiral groove 30 and further blocked by the convex wall 31 as they swirl, even dust and other particles with a low specific gravity are not sucked in (or are less likely to be sucked in) through the intake port 22, and are reliably able to move toward the capture unit 40.

[0027] Dust and other particles that move along the spiral groove 30 in a spiral motion reach the capture section 40. The capture section 40 is provided with a capture groove 41 that communicates with the spiral groove 30, so the dust and other particles that have reached the capture section 40 will continue to rotate in the capture groove 41 (see arrow c in Figure 4). At this time, the diameter d3 of the capture groove 41 is larger than the spiral diameter d2 at the end of the spiral groove 30, and a step 40a is provided between the other end of the outer cylinder 10 and the capture section 40, so that the dust and other particles rotating in the capture groove 41 do not return to the outer cylinder 10 side.

[0028] The dust and other particles that rotate in the capture groove 41 of the capture unit 40 will eventually fall naturally into the dust collection box 2 through the discharge port 42 and be collected. Since the dust and other particles are collected in the dust collection box 2, the collected dust and other particles can be easily removed (discharged). In other words, since the dust and other particles are collected naturally in the dust collection box 2, maintenance is easy as the dust and other particles only need to be removed from the dust collection box 2 once a certain amount has accumulated.

[0029] In the dust collector 1 for the processing apparatus, it is preferable that the spiral diameter of the spiral groove 30 decreases as it progresses in the direction of spiral advancement (X direction X2 side). That is, as shown in Figure 3, the spiral diameter d2 in the direction of spiral advancement (X direction X2 side) is smaller than the spiral diameter d1 in the X direction X1 side of the spiral groove 30. The spiral diameter gradually decreases from the X1 side to the X2 side. As a result, the diameter of the rotation of dust and other particles that are guided and rotated in the spiral groove 30 gradually decreases, and the rotation speed increases as it progresses in the direction of spiral advancement (X direction X2 side), thereby improving the separation performance between dust and other particles and air.

[0030] Furthermore, it is preferable that the capture unit 40 is provided with a conical projection 43. The conical projection 43 is provided so as to protrude in the X1 direction from the inside of the end wall 44 of the capture unit 40, at the center of the circumferentially arranged capture groove 41 (the circumferential center portion of the capture groove 41 when viewed on the X1 side in the X direction). The conical projection 43 is approximately conical in shape, pointing in the opposite direction to the direction in which the spiral of the helix 30 advances (from X1 to X2) (in the direction from X2 to X1). As a result, dust and other particles that reach the capture unit 40 are actively collected outwards by the conical projection 43 as they advance towards the X2 side in the X direction, and are actively dropped from the discharge port 42 into the dust collection box 2.

[0031] Alternatively, a nozzle (not shown) that sprays water (including mist-like water) may be attached to the inlet 11 or a duct (not shown) connected to the inlet 11, so that water is sprayed from the nozzle into the inlet 11 along with the suction of dust, etc. This introduces dust, etc., into the outer cylinder 10 along with the water, and causes it to swirl along the outer wall surface 201 of the inner cylinder 20. The addition of moisture to the dust, etc. increases the centrifugal force, effectively separating the dust, etc. by centrifugal force and advancing it toward the other end (X2 side) in the lateral direction, allowing the dust, etc., along with the water to be sent to the dust collection box 2 from the discharge port 42 of the capture unit 40. At this time, the water also cleans the inner wall surface 101 of the outer cylinder 10 and the outer wall surface 201 of the inner cylinder 20.

[0032] As described above, the dust collector 1 for processing equipment according to this embodiment makes it possible to efficiently separate dust and other particles generated by processing with a laser or the like from the air, and to easily remove and maintain the dust and other particles.

[0033] Although the embodiments and specific examples have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these examples. For example, any additions, deletions, or design modifications of components to the above-described embodiments or specific examples, or any combination of features of the embodiments, as appropriate by those skilled in the art, are also included within the scope of the present invention, as long as they retain the essence of the present invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0034] The dust collector 1 for processing equipment according to this embodiment can be applied not only to laser processing equipment but also to other processing equipment that generates dust during processing, such as cutting equipment and polishing equipment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1…Dust collector for processing equipment 2… Dust collection box 10…Outer cylinder 10a...Lid part 11... Inlet 20…Inner cylinder 21... Exhaust port 22... Air intake 30... Spiral groove section 31...Convex wall 40... Supplementary section 40a…Stepped section 41...Catching groove 42…Discharge port 43...Conical protrusion 44…Terminal wall 101,401…Interior wall surface 201... Exterior wall surface d1,d2…Spiral diameter d3… diameter

Claims

1. A dust collector for a processing device that collects smoke and dust generated from an object during processing in the processing device, An outer cylinder extending laterally and having an inlet for introducing the smoke and dust, An inner cylinder is positioned inside the outer cylinder, extending laterally, and having an exhaust port at one end that communicates with the outside of the outer cylinder, and an intake port at the other end that communicates with the inside of the outer cylinder. A spiral groove is provided between the inner wall surface of the outer cylinder and the outer wall surface of the inner cylinder, and rotates on the outside of the inner cylinder while moving in the lateral direction, A capture section is provided, which is located at the lateral end of the outer cylinder and has a circumferential capture groove having a diameter larger than the spiral diameter at the end of the spiral groove, and a discharge port communicating with the capture groove. A dust collector for processing equipment equipped with the following features.

2. The dust collector for a processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the spiral diameter of the spiral groove portion is configured to decrease as it progresses in the direction of spiral advancement.

3. The dust collector for a processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the capturing portion is provided at the circumferential center of the capturing groove portion which is arranged in a circular shape, and has a conical protrusion that points in the opposite direction to the direction in which the spiral of the spiral groove portion advances.

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