Crusher and cleaning method thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides a crusher and a cleaning method thereof that can effectively suppress worker exposure to powders and the like. [Solution] The crusher 1 comprises a crushing chamber 14a for crushing a target material, a hammer 17, a shaft 16, a motor 9, a supply port 18 for supplying the target material to one axial side of the hammer 17 inside the crushing chamber 14a, and a crusher discharge section 14b for discharging the powder generated when the target material is crushed. It also includes a cleaning liquid supply section 30 that can supply cleaning liquid to the crushing chamber 14a, the supply port 18 is connectable to the cleaning liquid supply section 30, and the crusher discharge section 14b is capable of discharging the cleaning liquid supplied to the crushing chamber 14a.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pulverizer that pulverizes an object by a rotating mechanism and a cleaning method thereof.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a pulverizer having a structure for pulverizing an object in a container by a rotating mechanism has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a pulverizer as in the prior art, in order to cope with the increase in highly physiologically active substances in pharmaceuticals and the obligation to conduct risk assessments for chemical substances such as carcinogenicity, germ cell mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity, and acute toxicity, the requirement to prevent workers from being exposed to the object before pulverization and the powder after pulverization (hereinafter referred to as "powder etc.") has been increasing.

[0005] To address the above problems, wearing protective clothing by workers can suppress exposure to powder etc. However, in this case, the comfort of the workers is impaired, such as being difficult to move, feeling hot, and having difficulty breathing. In addition, the workroom requires containment measures to prevent powder from escaping.

[0006] On the other hand, isolating the pulverizer in an isolation space such as a glove box or isolator can suppress exposure to powder etc. However, in this case, the workability deteriorates because the work is through gloves, and there are problems such as the need for a large space to surround the pulverizer with an isolator, resulting in an increase in equipment costs.

[0007] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a crusher and a cleaning method thereof that can effectively suppress worker exposure to powder, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The following describes the means to solve the above problems.

[0009] The present invention provides a pulverizer comprising: a pulverizing chamber having a space for pulverizing an object; a rotating body rotatably provided inside the pulverizing chamber; a shaft on which the rotating body is provided; a motor for rotationally driving the shaft; a supply port for supplying an object into the pulverizing chamber; and a discharge port for discharging powder produced when the object is pulverized, wherein the pulverizer is further provided with a cleaning liquid supply unit capable of supplying cleaning liquid to the pulverizing chamber, the supply port being connectable to the cleaning liquid supply unit, and the discharge port being capable of discharging the cleaning liquid supplied to the pulverizing chamber.

[0010] Furthermore, in the crusher, the shaft is supported by a case member via a bearing, and the case member is provided with a first air supply unit that supplies air between the bearing and the rotating body, and it is preferable that the first air supply unit supplies air between the shaft and the case member when the object is being crushed by the rotating body and when the cleaning liquid supply unit supplies the cleaning liquid.

[0011] Furthermore, in the pulverizer, a labyrinth seal is formed in the case member between the first air supply unit and the rotating body, and the case member is provided with a second air supply unit that supplies air between the labyrinth seal and the rotating body, wherein the second air supply unit supplies air to the other axial side of the rotating body when the object is being pulverized by the rotating body, and supplies cleaning liquid to the other axial side of the rotating body when the cleaning liquid supply unit supplies cleaning liquid.

[0012] Furthermore, in the pulverizer, it is preferable that a cleaning liquid discharge section is formed in the case member below the second air supply section.

[0013] Furthermore, in a crusher, it is preferable to include a hammer, a pin, or a cutter as the rotating body.

[0014] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for cleaning a pulverizer comprising: a pulverizing chamber having a space for pulverizing an object; a rotating body rotatably provided inside the pulverizing chamber; a shaft on which the rotating body is provided; a motor for rotating the shaft; a supply port for supplying an object into the pulverizing chamber; and a discharge port for discharging powder generated when the object is pulverized, wherein a cleaning liquid supply unit capable of supplying cleaning liquid is connected to the supply port, the cleaning liquid is supplied to the pulverizing chamber via the supply port, and the cleaning liquid supplied to the pulverizing chamber is discharged via the discharge port. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, the pulverizer and its cleaning method can effectively suppress the exposure of workers to powder and the like. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] A front view showing a crusher according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Left side view showing a crusher according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view showing the grinding section. [Figure 4] A cross-sectional view showing the grinding section during operation. [Figure 5] A cross-sectional view showing the grinding section during washing. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] First, the crusher 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The crusher 1 is a device that pulverizes an object to generate powder. The crusher 1 includes a housing 2 that houses various devices inside. A plurality of wheels 3 are provided on the lower surface of the housing 2. Note that the crusher 1 may be configured without the wheels 3. Hereinafter, the side shown in FIG. 1 (the right side shown in FIG. 2) will be described as the front side of the crusher 1.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the crusher 1 includes an input unit 4, a supply unit 5, a pulverizing unit 6, a filter unit 7, and an exhaust unit (not shown) and the like. The object input into the input unit 4 by the user of the crusher 1 is conveyed to the pulverizing unit 6 via the supply unit 5. The object is pulverized in the pulverizing unit 6 to generate powder, and the pulverized powder separated from the air in the filter unit 7 is discharged outside the machine.

[0019] In the crusher 1 according to the present embodiment, the movement of the powder between the input unit 4, the supply unit 5, the pulverizing unit 6, and the filter unit 7 is transported by air using suction air. Therefore, the layout of the input unit 4, the supply unit 5, the pulverizing unit 6, and the filter unit 7 does not need to be by gravity drop and can be freely arranged according to the purpose of use.

[0020] In the crusher 1 according to the present embodiment, in order to input the object from the input unit 4 and discharge the powder from the discharge unit, a sealed container such as a sealed tank or a plastic bag is used. It is necessary to connect and disconnect this sealed container and the crusher 1 for input and discharge or to move the powder to another place. When connecting or disconnecting the crusher 1, a containment device 8 such as a split valve or a draft chamber is used to avoid exposure to powder and the like.

[0021] The filter provided in the filter unit 7 can adopt a cartridge type, a cloth type, a metal type, or the like. The air separated from the powder in the filter unit 7 is made into clean air by a HEPA filter provided in the exhaust unit, and then supplied by a suction source provided in the suction unit and exhausted outside the machine.

[0022] The pulverizer 1 is equipped with a suction device that can create negative pressure inside the device during pulverization, thereby suppressing exposure to powder and other materials. The suction device is a device that can generate negative pressure inside the device, such as a venturi, blower, or vacuum pump.

[0023] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, in the crushing section 6, the rotating mechanism 11 is assembled to the housing 2 via the hammer case 12. A shaft 16 extends from the rear of the rotating mechanism 11. The rear end of the shaft 16 is connected to a motor 9 housed in the housing 2 via a belt 10. The rotational drive of the motor 9 is transmitted to the rotating mechanism 11 via the belt 10, causing the shaft 16 to rotate around its axis.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, the rotating mechanism 11 is composed of a case member 13, a bearing 15, a shaft 16, and the like. The case member 13 is assembled to the rear surface of the hammer case 12. The shaft 16 is assembled to the inner surface of the case member 13 via the bearing 15, so that the shaft 16 can rotate inside the case member 13.

[0025] As shown in Figure 3, a wall plate 14c, lining 20, cover 14, supply port 18, etc. are assembled on the front of the hammer case 12. The space enclosed by the wall plate 14c, lining 20, and cover 14 is configured as a grinding chamber 14a for grinding the material to be crushed. The supply port 18 supplies the material from the front of the grinding chamber 14a. A grinder discharge section 14b, which is an outlet for discharging the powder generated when the material is crushed, is formed at the bottom of the grinding chamber 14a.

[0026] As shown in Figure 3, the front end of the shaft 16 extends into the inside of the crushing chamber 14a. A hammer 17, which is a rotating body, is provided at the front end of the shaft 16. The rotation of the shaft 16 allows the hammer 17 to rotate inside the crushing chamber 14a. As the hammer 17 rotates inside the crushing chamber 14a, the material to be crushed is crushed within the internal space of the crushing chamber 14a. Note that the crusher 1 can also be configured to include either a pin or a cutter as a rotating body in addition to the hammer 17.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, the crusher 1 is equipped with a labyrinth seal 19 behind the hammer 17, which is made up of two members with interlocking shapes. This labyrinth seal 19 prevents powder from flowing into the rear side, which is the side of the bearing 15.

[0028] In the pulverizer 1 according to this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, a first air seal mechanism is provided to supply air to the rear side of the labyrinth seal 19 (between the bearing 15 and the hammer 17). The first air seal mechanism is in communication with an air pump (not shown) via a first air supply section 21, which is an air supply pipe. Then, as shown by arrow A1 in Figure 4, air can be supplied to the rear of the labyrinth seal 19 (between the shaft 16 and the case member 13). This suppresses the inflow of powder from inside the pulverizing chamber 14a to the side of the bearing 15.

[0029] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the pulverizer 1 according to this embodiment is provided with a second air seal mechanism that supplies air in front of the labyrinth seal 19 (between the labyrinth seal 19 and the hammer 17). The second air seal mechanism is in communication with an air pump (not shown) via a second air supply section 22, which is an air supply pipe. Air can then be supplied from the air pump to the front of the labyrinth seal 19 (the rear side of the hammer 17) as shown by arrow A2 in Figure 4. It should be noted that in the air seal mechanism according to the present invention, it is also possible to configure it to circulate a gas other than air, such as nitrogen.

[0030] As shown in Figure 4, when crushing an object using the crusher 1, the object is supplied from the supply port 18 to the front side, which is the axial side of the hammer 17 inside the crushing chamber 14a, as indicated by arrow M. While the hammer 17 is rotating and crushing the object, air is introduced from the first and second air supply units 21 and 22, as indicated by arrows A1 and A2, to suppress the inflow of powder from inside the crushing chamber 14a to the side of the bearing 15.

[0031] As shown in Figure 5, the pulverizer 1 according to this embodiment is configured with a cleaning liquid supply unit 30 inside the housing 2. The cleaning liquid supply unit 30 is equipped with a pump, and the cleaning liquid can be supplied to the pulverizing chamber 14a by driving this pump. As shown in Figure 5, the supply port 18 and the second air supply unit 22 can be connected to the cleaning liquid supply unit 30. The cleaning liquid supplied to the pulverizing chamber 14a via the supply port 18 and the second air supply unit 22 is agitated inside the pulverizing chamber 14a by the rotational drive of the hammer 17, thereby cleaning the pulverizing chamber 14a. In addition, the pulverizer discharge unit 14b can discharge the cleaning liquid supplied to the pulverizing chamber 14a.

[0032] Furthermore, in the pulverizer 1 according to this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, a cleaning liquid discharge section 23 is formed in the case member 13 below the second air supply section 22. In this embodiment, the cleaning liquid supplied to the pulverizing chamber 14a can be efficiently discharged through the cleaning liquid discharge section 23 as shown by arrow D in Figure 5. During cleaning, the cleaning liquid discharge section 23 can be kept closed, and the liquid can be accumulated in the labyrinth seal 19 and discharged from the gap between the wall plate 14c and the shaft. In this case, by opening the cleaning liquid discharge section 23, all of the liquid accumulated in the labyrinth seal 19 can be drained after cleaning is complete.

[0033] As shown in Figure 5, when cleaning the grinding chamber 14a in the grinder 1, cleaning fluid is supplied from the supply port 18 to the front side, which is the axial side of the hammer 17 inside the grinding chamber 14a, as indicated by arrow W1. While the hammer 17 is rotating and cleaning the grinding chamber 14a, air is introduced from the first air supply unit 21 as indicated by arrow A1 to suppress the inflow of cleaning fluid from inside the grinding chamber 14a to the side of the bearing 15.

[0034] Furthermore, while the hammer 17 is rotating and cleaning the grinding chamber 14a, cleaning fluid is circulated from the second air supply unit 22 to the rear side of the grinding chamber 14a, which is the axial side of the hammer 17, as shown by arrow W2. This allows the cleaning fluid to circulate to the rear side of the hammer 17, which is difficult to reach with the cleaning fluid circulating from the supply port 18.

[0035] As described above, the cleaning method for the pulverizer 1 according to the present invention involves connecting a cleaning liquid supply unit 30, which is capable of supplying cleaning liquid as shown in Figure 5, to a supply port 18, and supplying the cleaning liquid to the pulverizing chamber 14a through the supply port 18. The cleaning liquid supplied to the pulverizing chamber 14a is then discharged through the pulverizer discharge unit 14b.

[0036] As described above, according to the pulverizer 1 and its cleaning method according to this embodiment, after the completion of the pulverizing operation, a cleaning liquid such as water or a solvent can be supplied to the inside to wet (wet down) the powder remaining inside the pulverizing chamber 14a, etc. In this way, by preventing powder from scattering even when the pulverizer 1 is disassembled, exposure of workers to powder can be effectively suppressed.

[0037] According to conventional pulverizers, during operation or disassembly, 100 μg / m³ of powder is added to the powder. 3 There was some degree of exposure. On the other hand, according to the pulverizer 1 of this embodiment, 0.01 μg / m³ of powder 3 The exposure levels were reduced to the following amounts. Thus, in the pulverizer 1 according to this embodiment, the amount of exposure to powder was significantly reduced compared to the pulverizer according to the conventional technology.

[0038] In the pulverizer 1, exposure to powder and other materials is normally suppressed by wet-down after operation as described above. However, it may be necessary to remove powder and other materials that have adhered to the inside of the device during operation. In this case, a vinyl bag with a glove attached can be installed in the pulverizer 1, allowing the inside to be opened without performing a wet-down. If a vinyl bag is not used, the pulverizer 1 can be configured without a port for attaching a vinyl bag.

[0039] Furthermore, according to the pulverizer 1 of this embodiment, the first air supply unit 21 provided between the bearing 15 and the hammer 17 is configured to supply air between the shaft 16 and the case member 13 when the hammer 17 is pulverizing the object and when the cleaning liquid supply unit 30 is supplying cleaning liquid. This suppresses the inflow of powder from the inside of the pulverizing chamber 14a to the side of the bearing 15 while the hammer 17 is rotating and pulverizing the object, and suppresses the inflow of cleaning liquid from the inside of the pulverizing chamber 14a to the side of the bearing 15 while the hammer 17 is rotating and cleaning the pulverizing chamber 14a.

[0040] Furthermore, according to the pulverizer 1 of this embodiment, the second air supply unit 22 provided between the labyrinth seal 19 and the hammer 17 is configured to supply air to the rear side of the hammer 17 when the hammer 17 is pulverizing the object, and to supply cleaning liquid to the rear side of the hammer 17 when the cleaning liquid supply unit 30 is supplying cleaning liquid. This suppresses the inflow of powder from the inside of the pulverizing chamber 14a to the side of the bearing 15 while the hammer 17 is rotating and pulverizing the object, and allows the cleaning liquid to flow to the rear side of the hammer 17, which is difficult to reach with the cleaning liquid flowing from the supply port 18, while the hammer 17 is rotating and cleaning the pulverizing chamber 14a. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1. Crusher 2. Enclosure 3 Wheel 4 Insertion part 5. Supply section 6. Grinding section 7 Filter section 8 Containment equipment 9 Motors 10 Belt 11 Rotating mechanism 12 Hammer case 13 Case components 14 Cover 14a Grinding Chamber 14b Pulverizer discharge part (discharge port) 15 Bearings 16 Shafts 17 Hammer 18 Supply port 19 Labyrinth Seal 20 Lining 21 First air supply unit 22 Second air supply unit 23 Cleaning fluid discharge section 30 Cleaning fluid supply section

Claims

1. A grinding chamber having a space for grinding the target material, A rotating body is provided to be rotatable inside the grinding chamber, The shaft on which the rotating body is provided, A motor that rotates the aforementioned shaft, The grinding chamber has a supply port for supplying the material to be supplied, A pulverizer comprising: an outlet for discharging powder produced when an object is pulverized, The grinding chamber is equipped with a cleaning liquid supply unit that can supply cleaning liquid, The supply port is connectable to the cleaning fluid supply unit. The aforementioned outlet is a pulverizer that allows the washing liquid supplied to the pulverizing chamber to be discharged.

2. The shaft is supported by the case member via a bearing. The case member is provided with a first air supply unit that supplies air between the bearing and the rotating body. The pulverizer according to claim 1, wherein the first air supply unit supplies air between the shaft and the case member when the object is being pulverized by the rotating body and when the cleaning liquid supply unit is supplying cleaning liquid.

3. A labyrinth seal is formed between the first air supply unit and the rotating body in the case member. The case member is provided with a second air supply unit that supplies air between the labyrinth seal and the rotating body. The pulverizer according to claim 2, wherein the second air supply unit supplies air to the other axial side of the rotating body when the object is being pulverized by the rotating body, and supplies cleaning liquid to the other axial side of the rotating body when the cleaning liquid supply unit supplies cleaning liquid.

4. The pulverizer according to claim 3, wherein a cleaning liquid discharge section is formed in the case member below the second air supply section.

5. The crusher according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the rotating body comprises a hammer, a pin, or a cutter.

6. A grinding chamber having a space for grinding the target material, A rotating body is provided to be rotatable inside the grinding chamber, The shaft on which the rotating body is provided, A motor that rotates the aforementioned shaft, The grinding chamber has a supply port for supplying the material to be supplied, A method for cleaning a pulverizer, comprising: an outlet for discharging powder produced when an object is pulverized; A cleaning fluid supply unit capable of supplying cleaning fluid is connected to the supply port, The cleaning liquid is supplied to the grinding chamber via the supply port. A method for cleaning a grinder, comprising discharging the cleaning liquid supplied to the grinding chamber through the outlet.

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