Switching valve and wet atomizing apparatus equipped with the switching valve

Abstract

To provide a switching valve having a three-way valve structure capable of handling slurries, and a wet atomization apparatus equipped with the switching valve. [Solution] The valve body comprises a first port and a second port that are in communication with each other and facing each other, an input port that is in communication with the first port and the second port and supplies a slurry-like liquid material, and a valve body that switches the connection between the first port and the second port with respect to the input port, wherein the valve body is equipped with a first needle portion and a second needle portion that open and close the openings of the first port and the second port, and also has a hard seal that seals the first port and the second port, respectively.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to, for example, a switching valve having a three-way valve structure capable of dealing with a slurry-like liquid material in an atomizing device equipped with a processing chamber, and a wet atomizing device equipped with the switching valve.

Background Art

[0002] In various fields such as the chemical industry of food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, etc., and the fields of automobiles, mechanical devices, electronic devices, etc., various particulate materials are used. In order to atomize the raw material into a desired particle size, a wet atomizing device is used.

[0003] A wet atomizing device pressurizes and supplies a liquid material in which raw material particles in a tank are dispersed in a dispersion medium from the tank to a processing chamber by a pump, discharges it into the processing chamber, and performs an atomizing process by passing it through an atomizing means. Usually, the processed liquid material discharged from the processing chamber is returned to the tank again, and the atomizing process is repeated a predetermined number of times until a desired particle size is obtained and then recovered.

[0004] However, in recent wet atomizing devices, there are some that not only perform processing with one processing chamber but also arrange a plurality of processing chambers in parallel for the liquid material to perform different processes respectively (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). In such a case, it is necessary to arrange a valve that selectively switches the flow path for the processing chamber to be sent on the introduction side of the liquid material.

[0005] As such a valve, it has been common to arrange an on-off valve upstream of each processing chamber and switch the supply flow path by switching the on-off. As such an on-off valve, a small-sized and simply configured one is desirable, and generally, a manual two-way valve can be cited. This can open and close the flow path only by changing the direction of the valve body having a through-flow path.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-69886 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] However, when switching flow paths using a combination of two-way valves as described above, it is necessary to operate each valve individually, and a problem arises in that liquid material remains upstream of each valve. In wet atomization devices, the fluid being fed is a slurry-like liquid material containing raw materials, and depending on the raw material, it may contain highly viscous or fibrous materials that are prone to clogging.

[0008] Therefore, in an atomization device equipped with two processing chambers, it is desirable to use a three-way valve that can directly switch between two supply flow paths with a single switching valve. However, even when using a general three-way valve, slurry enters between the components around the valve body, damaging the resin sealing member, and thus it cannot be used as a switching valve for atomization devices that process slurry-like liquid materials. Therefore, an improved version that can handle slurries is desired.

[0009] In view of the above problems, the object of the present invention is to provide a switching valve having a three-way valve structure that allows for smooth and efficient switching of the flow path regardless of the form of the raw material contained in the liquid material supplied to the atomizing device, and that has excellent airtightness to prevent slurry from entering between surrounding members, thereby enabling stable use over a long period of time, and a wet atomizing device equipped with the switching valve. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To achieve the above objective, the switching valve according to claim 1 is a switching valve comprising: a first port and a second port in a valve body that are opposite to each other and in communication; an input port that is in communication with the first port and the second port and supplies a slurry-like liquid material; and a valve body that switches the connection between the first port and the second port with respect to the input port, wherein the valve body comprises a first needle portion and a second needle portion that open and close the openings of the first port and the second port, respectively, and has a hard seal that seals the first port and the second port, respectively.

[0011] With the switching valve of the present invention having the above configuration, by simply displacing one valve body with a single action between two opposing supply ports, a first port and a second port, one of the openings of the first and second ports is immediately closed by the tip of the corresponding needle part, while the other is opened, thereby easily switching the connection to the input port.

[0012] Therefore, for example, in an atomizing apparatus, even if the supply port connected to the input port is switched by the switching valve of the present invention, the input port of the slurry-like liquid material is immediately connected from one supply port to the other. As a result, the liquid material containing the raw material is always smoothly introduced into either supply port without its flow being interrupted or stagnant.

[0013] Furthermore, in this invention, since rigid seals are provided to seal the first and second ports respectively, each port is sealed solely by tightening the components together without the need for elastic sealing members such as O-rings. This reliable sealing condition provided by the rigid seals ensures excellent airtightness even under the relatively harsh pressure conditions inside the atomizing device, effectively preventing slurry from entering between components around the ports. Moreover, damage to the sealing members due to slurry intrusion is eliminated, making the switching valve more suitable for longer-term use than conventional valves. Therefore, the switching valve of this invention makes it possible to realize a slurry-compatible three-way valve, which was previously not practical.

[0014] In the present invention, the hard seal is sandwiched between an inner fixing member, which is positioned inside the valve body and forms the first and second ports respectively, and an outer fixing member, which is fixed from the outside of the valve body, by direct planar contact. This ensures a reliable seal through the contact pressure between the planar surfaces of the parts. The hard seal in the present invention is a so-called metal seal if it is made of metal parts such as cemented carbide or stainless steel. It is not limited to metal, but can also be made of other hard materials such as ceramic.

[0015] In this invention, the valve body consists of a valve chamber body through which a valve chamber is formed, in which the valve body is displaced internally, and inner fixing members connected to both sides of the valve chamber body, with a first port and a second port formed in each inner fixing member communicating with the valve chamber. Substantially, each inner fixing member has a through hole through which a first needle portion and a second needle portion move linearly relative to the first port and the second port, respectively. Therefore, the component configuration becomes efficient when each hard body seal is arranged as a member that forms the opening passages of the first port and the second port, respectively, to which the respective tips of the first needle portion and the second needle portion fit and seal, i.e., as a valve seat member.

[0016] In practical terms, the valve body in this invention consists of a first needle portion and a second needle portion extending from the valve body toward the corresponding first and second ports. Due to the switching displacement of the valve body, the tip of one needle portion is retracted from the opening of the corresponding port, opening it up, while the tip of the other needle portion closes the opening of the corresponding port. This operation is repeated. Therefore, it is conceivable that only the first and second needle portions, which are relatively thin relative to the valve body, may be damaged by the load applied to them.

[0017] In this case, the entire valve body may be replaced, but it is more efficient to make only the needle portion replaceable. That is, it is preferable that the valve body be such that the first needle portion and the second needle portion are detachably attached to the valve body.

[0018] Furthermore, a simple mechanism for displacing the valve body for port switching in the present invention can be easily realized by transmitting the power of the driving means to the valve body as linear motion along its left-right or front-back horizontal direction, and by providing a switching unit that switches the opening and closing of the first port and the second port.

[0019] Such a switching section should be designed to be as compact as possible while efficiently transmitting power from the drive mechanism to the valve body. The drive mechanism and the connecting section that transmits power from the drive mechanism to the switching section may be manual or mechanical. The switching section should include, for example, a mechanism that converts the vertical linear motion transmitted from the drive mechanism into linear motion that moves the valve body in the forward / backward or left / right horizontal direction via a switching pin.

[0020] Specifically, the switching portion comprises a switching pin mounted through the valve body and a switching body portion having a switching slot formed therein that slidably engages with at least one end of the switching pin, wherein the switching slot extends vertically and is inclined at a predetermined angle, and the valve body is displaced by moving the switching pin relatively vertically and horizontally as the switching body portion moves up and down. In the case where the first needle portion and the second needle portion are detachably mounted to the valve body, the switching pin should be mounted through the valve body in a direction perpendicular to the direction of displacement due to its linear motion.

[0021] In a switching unit with the above configuration, when the switching body, to which power is transmitted by the drive means, is raised and lowered vertically, the switching pin moves relative to the switching slot in accordance with the vertical movement of the switching body, and as it moves along the inclination of the switching slot, the switching pin moves horizontally to the left and right. Therefore, since the valve body also moves horizontally to the left and right via the switching pin that moves horizontally to the left and right, the valve body can be displaced by the required distance in either the left or right horizontal direction simply by raising and lowering the switching body while controlling the amount and direction of the drive means.

[0022] If the movement of the drive mechanism is in the vertical direction, it is sufficient to provide a connecting part that directly links the drive unit of the drive mechanism to the switching body. For example, if the drive mechanism is manual, a simple configuration is to use a manual lever that can be moved up and down manually. In practice, the connecting part will be held inside the outer casing provided above the valve body, which will act as a holding part. The upper part of the connecting part that protrudes from this holding part will be connected to the manual lever, and the lower part of the connecting part will be connected to the switching body, and the connection will be configured to slide vertically inside the holding part.

[0023] That is, a holding hole is formed inside the holding portion, and the lower region of the connecting portion is held so as to be slidable in the vertical direction with respect to this holding hole. Therefore, the lower region of the connecting portion linearly moves vertically within the holding hole as the manual lever moves up and down, and raises and lowers the switching main body portion. Simultaneously with the raising and lowering of this switching main body portion, the connection pin is displaced horizontally along with the valve main body. Therefore, by simply operating the manual lever to move it up and down, the port switching of this switching valve can be easily performed.

[0024] Also, when the manual lever performs a rotational movement, the connecting portion is configured to convert its rotational movement into a linear movement and transmit it to the switching main body portion. As a conversion mechanism in this case, for example, it is convenient to use a screw mechanism. That is, if the above holding hole is a female screw hole and a male screw processed portion that screws into this female screw hole is provided in the lower region of the connecting portion, the lower region linearly moves vertically by the screwing rotational movement of the male screw processed portion with respect to the female screw hole as the manual lever rotates, and raises and lowers the switching main body portion. Simultaneously with the raising and lowering of this switching main body portion, the connection pin is displaced horizontally along with the valve main body. Therefore, in such a screw mechanism, by simply operating the manual lever to rotate it, the port switching of this switching valve can be easily performed.

[0025] On the other hand, if the driving means is by a device, automatic drive control is also possible. As such a device, for example, an air cylinder device can be used. In this case, if the connecting portion of the switching portion is used as the piston rod of the air cylinder device and the holding portion is used as the cylinder and configured to move up and down within the cylinder, the switching main body portion can be raised and lowered along with the connecting portion that moves up and down by the supply and discharge control of air.

[0026] In the present invention, as an input port for introducing a liquid material, in order to be communicable with the first port and the second port respectively, first, a flow path configuration that branches into both ports can be considered. However, in this case, if such a branched flow path is formed in the switching valve, the flow path configuration becomes complicated and the valve body may become large. Therefore, if a configuration is provided with an annular flow path that bypasses and communicates the input port and the second port outside the valve body, the valve body can have a simple configuration in which the input port is connected to the first port at one point, and the valve body does not become large.

[0027] In this flow path configuration, when the tip of the first needle portion retreats from the opening of the first port and opens it due to the displacement of the valve body, the first port is directly communicated with the input port. At this time, since the tip of the second needle portion fits into the opening of the second port and closes it, even if the liquid material is supplied from the input port through the annular flow path and from the opening on the other end side, it will not be introduced into the closed second port.

[0028] Also, when the tip of the first needle portion fits into the opening of the first port and closes it due to the displacement of the valve body, the tip of the second needle portion retreats from the opening of the second port and opens it. Therefore, the liquid material supplied from the input port to the first port side is not introduced into the closed first port, but is sent from the opening on one end side of the annular flow path through the annular flow path to the opening on the other end side, and thus is introduced into the second port whose opening is open.

[0029] More specifically, the valve configuration, including the rigid seal as a valve seat member and its surrounding components, is as described above, with the valve chamber body connected to the left and right sides of the valve chamber body, a first port body portion having a first port as an internal fixing member and a second port body portion having a second port on both sides, forming the valve body. The first port body portion has a first through hole that connects the first port to the valve chamber, and the second port body portion has a second through hole that connects the second port to the valve chamber. The rigid seal constituting the valve seat member of the first port is fitted into the first through hole, and a first needle portion is inserted so as to be displaceable relative to the first port along its axial direction. The rigid seal constituting the valve seat member of the second port is fitted into the second through hole, and a second needle portion is inserted so as to be displaceable relative to the second port along its axial direction.

[0030] Furthermore, it is practical to provide the first through-hole with a sealing member fitted into the opening region on the valve body side to seal the area around the first needle portion so that it can slide, and a through-pass member fitted between the sealing member and the hard seal to allow the tip of the first needle portion to slide and to form a first through-pass portion that communicates with the input port; and the second through-hole with a sealing member fitted into the opening region on the valve body side to seal the area around the second needle portion so that it can slide, and a through-pass member fitted between the sealing member and the hard seal to allow the tip of the second needle portion to slide and to form a second through-pass portion that communicates with the input port.

[0031] Furthermore, the rigid seal that seals the area around the opening of the first port as a valve seat member is sandwiched between the first port body and the first port communicating member, which is connected and fixed to the first port body from the outside as an external fixing member and connects the first liquid material supply passage to the first port. Similarly, the rigid seal of the second port is sandwiched between the second port body and the second port communicating member, which is connected and fixed to the second port body from the outside as an external fixing member and connects the second liquid material supply passage to the second port.

[0032] In this case, the most practical and efficient configuration is one in which each rigid seal is held between two planes, front and rear, formed between the seal-engaging end faces formed on the first and second port body portions, which are the inner fixing members, and the seal-holding end faces formed on the first and second port communication members, which are the outer fixing members. That is, in this case, the contact planes of each rigid seal with the members in front of and behind it are the surfaces that support the most pressure, so a seal structure is formed between the first port connecting member and the first port body portion, and between the second port communication member and the second port body portion, with direct contact planes with the two end faces, front and rear, respectively. This allows for efficient sealing performance and more reliably prevents slurry from entering between the members. Such a seal structure is what is known as a metal-to-metal contact when the contact planes are between metal members.

[0033] Furthermore, the switching valve of the present invention having the above configuration can be incorporated into the circuit of a wet atomization apparatus. In this case, the wet atomization apparatus comprises a pressurizer for pressurizing the liquid material, the switching valve of the present invention for switching the path of the liquid material pressurized by the pressurizer, and an atomization chamber for atomizing the liquid material. In this wet atomization apparatus, two or more processing chambers can be easily provided by the switching valve of the present invention. In this case, if the discharge pipeline from the raw material tank is connected to the input port, the first port communicating member is detachably provided with a first connecting member that connects the first port to a first liquid material supply channel to the first processing chamber, and the second port communicating member is detachably provided with a second connecting member that connects the second port to a second liquid material supply channel to the second processing chamber, then the liquid material can be switchedly supplied to each processing chamber via each connecting member.

[0034] Therefore, in this wet atomizing apparatus, the displacement of the valve body of the switching valve should enable switching between a first flow path connection state, in which the first needle portion retracts from the valve seat member of the first port, opening its opening to connect the input port and the first port, and the tip of the second needle portion seats on the valve seat member of the second port, closing its opening; and a second flow path connection state, in which the second needle portion retracts from the valve seat member of the second port, opening its opening to connect the input port and the second port via an annular flow path, and the tip of the first needle portion seats on the valve seat member of the first port, closing its opening.

[0035] When the switching valve is switched to the first flow path connection state, the liquid material supplied from a supply source such as a raw material tank to the input port is introduced into the first port through its opening, sent to the first processing chamber via the first liquid material supply flow path, where the first processing step is carried out, cooled after processing, and returned to the raw material tank. In this first flow path connection state, even if liquid material is introduced into the annular flow path, the opening of the second port is closed, so the liquid material is not introduced into the second liquid material supply flow path leading to the second processing chamber.

[0036] When the switching valve is switched to the second flow path connection state, the opening of the first port is closed, so the liquid material supplied to the input port is not introduced into the first liquid material supply flow path after passing through the first processing chamber, but is instead introduced into the open second port via the annular flow path, and then sent from the second liquid material supply flow path to the second processing chamber, where the second processing step is performed. The liquid material processed in the second processing step can be returned to the raw material tank after cooling, so if this second processing step is the atomization step, the process can be repeated as many times as needed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0037] As described above, the present invention provides a valve body in which a first needle portion and a second needle portion extend from the valve body to open and close the openings of the first and second ports, respectively. A single action of displacement of the valve body immediately switches the connection between the input port and these first and second ports. As a result, the liquid material containing the raw material is always smoothly introduced to either supply port without its flow being interrupted or stagnant. Furthermore, since the first and second ports are sealed by a planar contact type rigid seal, the intrusion of slurry between the components around each port is reliably prevented, thereby extending the valve life and enabling the realization of a switching valve with a practical slurry-compatible three-way valve structure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0038] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing a switching valve in which the driving means is a manual lever, as one embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a front view and (b) is a cross-sectional view in the direction indicated by the arrow AA in (a). [Figure 2] Figure 1(b) shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view in the direction indicated by the arrow CC, where (a) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the first channel connection state, and (b) is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the state in the process of switching from the first to the second channel connection state. [Figure 3] Figure 1(a) shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view in the direction indicated by the arrow BB, where (a) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the first channel connection state, and (b) is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the state in the process of switching from the first to the second channel connection state. [Figure 4] This is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the hard seal of the switching valve in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a conventional seal portion for comparison. [Figure 6] Figure 1 is a schematic circuit diagram showing the configuration when the switching valve is incorporated into a wet atomization device in which two processing chambers are arranged in parallel. [Figure 7]As another embodiment of the present invention, this is a schematic diagram showing a switching valve in which the driving means is an air cylinder device, where (a) is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the first flow path connection state, and (b) is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the state in the process of switching from the first to the second flow path connection state. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0039] As an embodiment of the present invention, a switching valve that can be used in a wet atomization apparatus equipped with two processing chambers as a three-way valve for slurry will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. The switching valve 1 according to this embodiment is shown in schematic form in the front view of Figure 1(a) and the cross-sectional view of Figure 1(b), and is shown as an example of a case in which port switching between the opposingly arranged first port 20A and second port 20B is performed manually. The first port 20A is connected to the first liquid material supply channel 9A leading to the first processing chamber of the wet atomization apparatus, and the second port 20B is connected to the second liquid material supply channel 9B leading to the second processing chamber.

[0040] The switching valve 1 according to this embodiment has a valve chamber body 2 formed by a valve chamber 3 that penetrates horizontally in a cylindrical shape, and a first port body portion 4A and a second port body portion 4B connected and fixed to the left and right sides of the valve chamber body 2. A first port 20A is formed in the first port body portion 4A, and a second port 20B is formed in the second port body portion 4B, and these first port 20A and second port 20B are in communication with each other facing the valve chamber 3. Furthermore, a valve body 10 is arranged inside the valve chamber 3 so as to be displaceable in the direction of the central axis of the valve chamber 3.

[0041] In this embodiment, the valve body 10 comprises a cylindrical valve body 11 that can reciprocate and slide horizontally within the valve chamber 3, and a first needle portion 12A and a second needle portion 12B that extend horizontally from both sides of the valve body 11 toward the first port 20A and the second port 20B, respectively. Therefore, as the valve body 11 is displaced horizontally, the first needle portion 12A and the second needle portion 12B are also displaced horizontally.

[0042] The first port body portion 4A and the second port body portion 4B, which are connected and fixed to the left and right sides of the valve chamber body 2, are each provided with a first through hole 5A and a second through hole 5B that communicate with the valve chamber 3. The first through hole 5A has a valve seat member 6A that forms the first port 20A, and the first needle portion 12A is inserted in a displaceable manner relative to the first port 20A along its axial direction. Similarly, the second through hole 5B has a valve seat member 6B that forms the second port 20B, and the second needle portion 12B is inserted in a displaceable manner relative to the second port 20B along its axial direction. In this embodiment, the valve seat members (6A, 6B) are made of rigid seals.

[0043] More specifically, the first through-hole 5A is provided with a sealing member 24A that fits into the opening region on the valve chamber body 2 side and seals around the first needle portion 12A so that it can slide, and a through-hole member 23A that fits between the sealing member 24A and the valve seat member 6A and has a first through-hole portion 5As formed therein that allows the tip of the first needle portion 12A to slide. On the other hand, the second through-hole 5B is provided with a sealing member 24B that fits into the opening region on the valve chamber body 2 side and seals around the second needle portion 12B so that it can slide, and a through-hole member 23B that fits between the sealing member 24B and the valve seat member 6B and has a second through-hole portion 5Bs formed therein that allows the tip of the second needle portion 12B to slide. In this embodiment, the input port 30 from which liquid material is supplied from the raw material tank T is connected to the first through-hole portion 5As, and the input port 30 and the first port 20A are in direct communication.

[0044] Furthermore, the first port body 4A and the second port body 4B are connected and fixed to the first port 20A and the second port 20B, respectively, via the first connecting member 8A and the second connecting member 8B, to communicate with the first liquid material supply channel 9A and the second liquid material supply channel 9B.

[0045] Therefore, in effect, the rigid seals constituting each valve seat member (6A, 6B) are sandwiched between the contact end faces of the first port body portion 4A and the second port body portion 4B, which serve as the inner fixing members, and the first port communication member 7A and the second port communication member 7B, which serve as the outer fixing members, within the first through hole 5A and the second through hole 5B. As will be described later, the contact between the end faces of each rigid seal and the inner and outer fixing members that sandwich it from front to back is of the direct planar contact type, thereby effectively preventing slurry from entering between each port and the surrounding members.

[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an annular passage 21 is provided that bypasses the input port 30 outside the valve body and connects it to the second port 20A. Specifically, the first through passage portion 5As provided in the first port body portion 4A is connected not only to the first port 20A and the input port 30, but also to one end opening 22A of the annular passage 21, and the second through passage portion 5Bs provided in the second port body portion 4B is connected to the second port 20B and the other end opening 22B of the annular passage 21.

[0047] Therefore, in this embodiment, by simply providing the annular flow path 21, the supply of liquid material to the first port 20A and the supply of liquid material to the second port 20B can be performed through only one input port 30. This eliminates the need to form complex branching flow paths in the valve body for supplying liquid material from the input port 30 to the first port 20A and the second port 20B, and also avoids increasing the size of the valve for that purpose.

[0048] In this embodiment, the first needle portion 12A and the second needle portion 12B each have a conical tip. When the valve body 10 is moved to the left side of the paper relative to Figures 1 and 2, the tip of the first needle portion 12A seats on the valve seat member 6A of the first port 20A, fitting into its opening and closing it. At the same time, the tip of the second needle portion 12B is retracted from the valve seat member 6B of the second port 20B, leaving its opening open.

[0049] Then, when the valve body 10 is moved to the right side of the paper relative to Figures 1 and 2, the tip of the first needle portion 12A retracts from the valve seat member 6A of the first port 20A, opening its opening, while the tip of the second needle portion 12B seats on the valve seat member 6B of the second port 20B, fitting into its opening and closing it.

[0050] This displacement of the valve body 11 switches the port connection for supplying liquid material from the input port 30 between the first port 20A and the second port 20B. In this embodiment, this switching is performed by a switching unit 13 that transmits power from the driving means to the valve body 11 as linear motion.

[0051] The switching unit 13 in this embodiment includes a switching pin 14 mounted through the valve body 11 in a direction perpendicular to the displacement direction due to the linear motion of the valve body 11, in this case the left-right horizontal direction; a substantially cylindrical switching body 15 having a switching elongated hole 16 formed therein that slidably engages with at least one end of the switching pin 14, and which is positioned to move up and down while passing through the central part of the valve chamber 3; and a connecting unit 17 that transmits power from a manual lever L, which is a driving means, to the switching body 15 as a vertical linear motion that raises and lowers the switching body 15.

[0052] Furthermore, the switching slot 16 extends vertically and is inclined at a predetermined angle. As the switching body 15 moves up and down, the switching pin 14 is displaced horizontally relative to the switching slot 16, thereby displacing the valve body 11. The valve body 11 is slidably engaged with engagement holes 18 that extend vertically on both sides of the switching body 15, and is able to reciprocate horizontally within the valve chamber 3 while being held at a constant height relative to the movement of the switching body 15.

[0053] In this embodiment, the connecting portion 17 is configured to transmit the vertical movement of the manual lever L directly to the switching body portion 15 as a linear vertical motion. The connecting portion 17 is held inside the upper outer part of the valve chamber body 2, which is held by the holding portion 19. The manual lever L is attached to the upper part of the connecting portion 17 that protrudes from the holding portion 19, and the lower part of the connecting portion 17 is integrally connected to the switching body portion 15.

[0054] Furthermore, a retaining hole 19f is formed inside the retaining portion 19, and the lower region 17m of the connecting portion 17 is arranged to slide vertically within the retaining hole 19f. Therefore, by moving the manual lever L up and down, the lower region 17m of the connecting portion 17 moves vertically within the retaining hole 19f, and the switching body portion 15 is raised and lowered accordingly.

[0055] Therefore, in the switching section 13, when the manual lever L is lifted upward and the switching body 15 is raised as shown in Figures 2(a) and 3(a), the switching pin 14 moves to the right of the paper relative to Figures 1 and 2 while relatively descending within the switching slot 16, and the valve body 11 to which the switching pin 14 is connected is also displaced to the right of the paper.

[0056] Consequently, as shown in Figure 2(a), when the tip of the first needle portion 12A retracts from the valve seat member 6A of the first port 20A and opens its opening, the input port 30 and the first port 20A are directly connected at the first through-pass portion 5As. At the same time, the second needle portion 12B is also displaced to the right, seats on the valve seat member 6B, and closes its opening. In this case, the switching valve 1 of this embodiment enters a first flow path connection state in which the input port 30 communicates with the first liquid material supply flow path 9A leading to the first processing chamber via the first port 20A.

[0057] In this first flow path connection state, the opening of the input port 30 is in communication with the opening 22A at one end of the annular flow path 21 at the first through-passage section 5As near the opening of the first port 20A. However, in the second through-passage section 5Bs to which the other end opening 22B of the annular flow path 21 is connected, the opening of the second port 20B is blocked and closed by the tip of the second needle section 12B. Therefore, no liquid material is introduced into the second port 20B via the annular flow path 21.

[0058] On the other hand, when the manual lever L is pushed downward, as shown in Figures 2(b) and 3(b), the switching body 15 also descends via the connecting part 17, and the switching pin 14 moves relatively upward within the switching slot 16, displacing the valve body 11 to the left side of the paper. When the switching body 15 descends to its lowest position, the switching pin 14 is located at the upper end of the switching slot 16, towards the leftmost position, and the valve body 11 is also displaced to the leftmost position.

[0059] Consequently, the tip of the first needle portion 12A sits on the valve seat member 6A of the first port 20A and fits into and closes its opening, thereby blocking communication between the input port 30 and the first port 20A. At the same time, the second needle portion 12B is also displaced to the left, and its tip retracts from the valve seat member 6B of the second port 20B, opening its opening.

[0060] Therefore, since the second port 20B communicates with the other end opening 22B of the annular flow path 21 in the second through passage portion 5Bs, the input port 30 communicates with the second port 20B via the annular flow path 21. In this case, the switching valve 1 of this embodiment enters a second flow path connection state in which the input port 30 communicates with the second liquid material supply flow path 9B leading to the second processing chamber via the second port 20B.

[0061] Furthermore, in the switching valve 1 of this embodiment, the connection between the input port 30 and the first port 20A and the connection between the input port 30 and the second port 20B are immediately switched by the simple operation of moving the manual lever L up and down as described above. Therefore, when switching, the liquid material introduced from the input port 30 to the switching valve 1 is supplied smoothly without interruption or stagnation of flow, as only the inflow path is changed.

[0062] In this embodiment of the switching valve 1, the valve body 11 and the first and second needle portions (12A, 12B) constituting the valve body 10 are formed separately, and the first and second needle portions (12A, 12B) are detachably attached to the valve body 11. As a result, if, for example, only one of the needle portions is damaged, it is not necessary to replace the entire valve body, and only the damaged needle portion needs to be replaced.

[0063] Furthermore, in the switching valve 1 of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the valve seat members (6A, 6B) that substantially form the opening passages of the first port 20A and the second port 20B are constructed as hard body seals by direct planar contact between metal members such as cemented carbide or stainless steel, or hard body members such as ceramics. Here, since the valve seat members (6A, 6B) have a common configuration, only the valve seat member 6A on the first port side will be illustrated and explained.

[0064] In other words, in this embodiment, the valve seat members (6A, 6B) are used as rigid seals, and a sealing state is achieved solely by tightening the rigid parts in a direct planar bonding state, without using an elastic sealing member R such as an O-ring as in the conventional system shown in Figure 5. As a result, excellent airtightness is achieved even under the relatively harsh pressure conditions inside the atomization device.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a direct planar contact seal, similar to a metal-to-metal contact, is formed at two locations, front and rear, enclosed by circles E and F, between the seal-holding end faces formed on the first port communication member 7A and the second port communication member 7B, which are the outer fixing members and are the surfaces that bear the most pressure, and the seal-engaging end faces formed on the first port body 4A and the second port body 4B, which are the inner fixing members, using planar joint surfaces (J1, J2). As a result, in this embodiment, a reliable seal is obtained between the members around each port, and the occurrence of gaps into which high-pressure slurry can enter, as seen in the contact surface enclosed by circle G in the conventional valve seat member 46 in Figure 5, is reliably avoided.

[0066] For such rigid seals, it is desirable to form them from materials with higher hardness. For example, metal seals using high-hardness stainless steel such as SUS440C or cemented carbide can be considered. However, the use of ceramic parts is also possible, and the rigid material constituting the seal should be appropriately selected according to the required design.

[0067] Furthermore, due to the direct planar contact pressure at appropriate locations on the rigid seal, the switching valve 1 according to this embodiment avoids the intrusion of high-pressure slurry between its components. This eliminates problems such as damage to the elastic sealing member due to the intrusion of slurry, making it possible to use it as a slurry-compatible three-way valve, which was not possible in the past.

[0068] As shown in Figure 6, the switching valve 1 according to this embodiment, having the above configuration, can be incorporated into the processing circuit of a conventional wet atomization apparatus equipped with two processing chambers to switch the supply of liquid material to the two processing chambers.

[0069] Figure 6 shows the case where the first processing chamber M1 and the second processing chamber M2 are arranged in parallel, which is common to the basic configuration of a conventional wet atomization apparatus. It goes without saying that a configuration in which the first processing chamber M1 and the second processing chamber M2 are arranged in series and switch between a continuous processing route and a bypass route can also be envisioned.

[0070] Therefore, in such a wet atomization apparatus, the liquid material containing dispersed raw materials is sent from the raw material tank T, where it is stored, to the pressurizer K by the liquid supply pump P, and supplied to the processing step as a high-pressure fluid pressurized to a predetermined pressure. Here, the first processing chamber M1 is a pre-processing chamber for coarse grinding, and the second processing chamber M2 is the atomization chamber for the main process.

[0071] In the parallel-arranged wet atomization apparatus 100 shown in Figure 6, during the first processing step, the switching valve 1 is set to the first flow path connection state, thereby supplying liquid material only to the first processing chamber M1, where pre-treatment for coarse grinding is performed. The pre-treated liquid material is then cooled via the heat exchanger H without undergoing atomization and returned to the raw material tank T.

[0072] After the pretreatment process, the switching valve 1 is switched to the second flow path connection state, and the atomization process is carried out. That is, the liquid material that has only undergone pretreatment is sent from the raw material tank T to the pressurizer K by the liquid supply pump P, and after passing through the high-pressure filter Q as a pressurized high-pressure fluid, it is sent directly to the second processing chamber M2 only by the switching valve 1, which has been switched to the second flow path connection state, where the first atomization process is carried out. From here on, until the raw material reaches a predetermined particle size, the liquid material is similarly sent directly to the second processing chamber M2 only by the switching valve 1, which remains in the second flow path connection state, and the atomization process is repeated.

[0073] Thus, in the wet atomizing apparatus 100 in which two processing chambers (M1, M2) for pretreatment and atomization are arranged in parallel as shown in Figure 6, the process can be immediately switched from the pretreatment process in the first processing chamber M1 to the atomization process in the second processing chamber M2 simply by switching a single switching valve 1 from the first flow path connection state to the second flow path connection state.

[0074] As described above, the switching valve 1 according to this embodiment can be placed in the processing circuit of the wet atomization apparatus without any problems, and the pre-treatment process and the atomization process can be quickly switched and carried out with a single action on the switching valve 1, using separate routes. Furthermore, during such switching, only the introduction route of the liquid material is changed, and the flow is not interrupted or stagnant, so the liquid material is always supplied smoothly to any processing chamber.

[0075] In the embodiments described above, a switching valve 1 that allows manual switching of port connections is shown. However, it is possible to enable automatic control with a mechanical switching configuration using a device. For example, an air cylinder device 52 as shown in Figure 7 can be used as such a device. Here, except for the drive system by the air cylinder device 52, the valve configuration is the same as in the manual type shown in Figures 1 to 3, and the same reference numerals are used for the common parts in Figure 7.

[0076] In other words, instead of a manual lever L, a cylinder 53 is installed on the upper part of the valve chamber body 2, and a piston rod 54, which moves up and down inside the cylinder 53 by supplying and discharging air, is integrally connected to the switching body 15 instead of the connecting part 17. In this air cylinder device 52, by controlling the air supplied to and discharged from the cylinder 53 by the control unit 55, the switching body 15 is raised and lowered by a desired distance via the piston rod 54, and the connecting pin 14 and the switching body 15 are moved horizontally to the left and right as much as necessary to switch between the first flow path connection state and the second flow path connection state.

[0077] When processing liquid materials using the wet pulverizer 100, various liquid materials are processed. Depending on the liquid material, the switching valve 1 can be automatically switched based on instructions from the control unit 55, for example, when performing coarse pulverization followed by main pulverization in stages, or when the device has a structure with multiple processing chambers and preferentially switches to another processing chamber if at least one processing chamber fails. As a result, pulverization efficiency can be improved and responses to problems can be handled flexibly.

[0078] In a wet atomization apparatus equipped with a first processing chamber M1 and a second processing chamber M2, the operating status of the processing chambers can be monitored based on information from a detection sensor that detects flow rates and electromagnetic values ​​(not shown) when at least one of the processing chambers becomes inoperable, and direction switching can be performed by the switching valve 1 based on instructions from the control unit 55 based on that operating status. [Industrial applicability]

[0079] In the above embodiment, the case in which the valve is incorporated into a wet atomizing device was shown, but the switching valve according to the present invention is not limited to this and can be broadly applied to devices equipped with a flow path circuit that switches and supplies slurry-like fluid between different ports. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1.51: Switching valve 2: Valve chamber body 3: Valve chamber 4A: Main unit of the first port 4B: Second port main unit 5A: 1st through hole 5B: 2nd through hole 5As: 1st passage section 5Bs: 2nd passageway part 6A, 6B, 46: Valve seat members J1, J2: Metal Touch R: Elastic sealing member 7A: First port communication member 7B: Second port communication member 8A: First connecting member 8B: Second connecting member 9A: First liquid material supply channel (to the first processing chamber) 9B: Second liquid material supply channel (to the second processing chamber) 10: Valve body 11: Valve body 12A: First needle section 12B: Second needle section 13: Switching section 14: Switching pin 15: Switching body part 16: Switching slot 17:Connection part 17m: Lower area of ​​(connecting section) 18: Engagement hole 19: Holding part 19f: Holding hole L: Manual lever 20A: Port 1 20B: Port 2 21: Circular channel 22A: One-end opening (of the annular flow path) 22B: Opening at the other end (of the annular channel) 23A, 23B: Through-passage members 24A, 24B: Sealing material 30: Input port 52: Air cylinder device 53: Cylinder 54: Piston rod 55: Control Unit 100: Wet atomization device T: Raw material tank P: Liquid supply pump K: Pressure booster Q: High-pressure filter M1: First processing chamber M2: Second processing chamber H: Heat exchanger

Claims

1. A switching valve comprising: a first port and a second port in a valve body that are opposite to each other and in communication; an input port that is in communication with the first port and the second port and supplies a slurry-like liquid material; and a valve body that switches the connection between the first port and the second port with respect to the input port, The valve body comprises a first needle portion and a second needle portion that open and close the openings of the first port and the second port, A switching valve characterized by having a rigid seal that seals the first port and the second port, respectively.

2. The switching valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the rigid seal is sandwiched in a direct planar contact manner between an inner fixing member, which has the first port and the second port formed thereon and is disposed within the valve body, and an outer fixing member that is fixed from the outside of the valve body.

3. The switching valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve body has a first needle portion and a second needle portion that are detachably attached to the valve body.

4. The switching valve according to claim 1, characterized in that it transmits the power of the driving means to the valve body as linear motion along its left-right or front-back horizontal direction, and is equipped with a switching unit for switching the opening and closing of the first port and the second port.

5. The aforementioned switching unit is A switching pin is mounted through the valve body, The switching body portion comprises a switching elongated hole formed in which at least one end of the switching pin is slidably engaged, The switching valve according to claim 4, characterized in that the switching slot extends vertically and is inclined at a predetermined angle, and the valve body is displaced by moving the switching pin relatively vertically and horizontally as the switching body moves up and down.

6. The switching valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the input port is connected to the first port, and the valve further comprises an annular flow path that bypasses the outside of the valve body to communicate the input port and the second port.

7. A pressurizer for pressurizing the aforementioned liquid material, A switching valve according to any one of claims 1 to 6 for switching the path of the liquid material pressurized by the pressurizer, A wet atomizing apparatus characterized by comprising an atomizing chamber for atomizing the aforementioned liquid material.

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