Powder processing equipment

Abstract

The present invention provides a powder processing apparatus that can improve cleaning performance by supplying cleaning fluid to the vicinity of the shaft on the back side of a rotating body, which is difficult to reach with cleaning fluid during stationary cleaning or wet-down. [Solution] The pulverizer 1, which is a powder processing device, is equipped with a cleaning liquid supply unit 30 that can supply cleaning liquid to the grinding chamber 14a, which is a processing chamber. The supply port 18 is connectable to the cleaning liquid supply unit 30, and the discharge port 14b is capable of discharging the cleaning liquid supplied to the grinding chamber 14a. The case member 13 is provided with a first air supply unit 21 between the bearing 15 and the hammer 17. The case member 13 is provided with a labyrinth seal 19 between the first air supply unit 21 and the hammer 17, and the case member 13 is provided with a second air supply unit 22 between the labyrinth seal 19 and the hammer 17.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a powder processing apparatus that processes powder by a rotating mechanism.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a powder processing apparatus having a structure for processing powder in a container by a rotating mechanism is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). Also, in such a powder processing apparatus, an air seal mechanism for preventing powder from flowing into the rotating mechanism is known (for example, see Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a powder processing apparatus provided with an air seal mechanism according to the prior art, a method for removing powder in the apparatus after operation is completed is adopted. For example, by adopting stationary cleaning in which a cleaning liquid or the like is flowed inside the apparatus and the apparatus is cleaned without being disassembled, or wetting down that can prevent powder scattering and perform a certain degree of cleaning, the manual cleaning work can be made unnecessary or reduced. However, when the above method is adopted for a powder processing apparatus having a movable part such as a rotating body, since it is difficult for the cleaning liquid to reach the vicinity of the shaft part on the back side of the rotating body, there are cases where effective cleaning cannot be performed.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a powder processing apparatus capable of improving the cleaning property by supplying a cleaning liquid to the vicinity of the shaft part on the back side of the rotating body where the cleaning liquid is difficult to reach in stationary cleaning or wetting down. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The following describes the means to solve the above problems.

[0007] The powder processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a processing chamber having a space for processing powder, a rotating body rotatably provided inside the processing chamber, a shaft on which the rotating body is provided, a case member supporting the shaft via a bearing, a motor for rotationally driving the shaft, a supply port for supplying an object to the processing chamber, and a discharge port for discharging the powder after processing, wherein the apparatus comprises a cleaning liquid supply unit capable of supplying cleaning liquid to the processing chamber, the supply port being connectable to the cleaning liquid supply unit, the discharge port being capable of discharging the cleaning liquid supplied to the processing chamber, the case member being provided with a first air supply unit for supplying air between the bearing and the rotating body, a labyrinth seal formed between the first air supply unit and the rotating body in the case member, and a second air supply unit for supplying air between the labyrinth seal and the rotating body in the case member.

[0008] Furthermore, in the powder processing apparatus, it is preferable that the first air supply unit supplies air between the shaft and the case member when processing powder by the rotating body and when supplying cleaning liquid by the cleaning liquid supply unit, and the second air supply unit supplies air to the other axial side of the rotating body when processing powder by the rotating body and supplies cleaning liquid to the other axial side of the rotating body when supplying cleaning liquid by the cleaning liquid supply unit.

[0009] Furthermore, in the powder processing apparatus, it is preferable that a cleaning liquid discharge section is formed in the case member below the second air supply section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the powder processing apparatus of the present invention, cleaning performance can be improved by supplying cleaning fluid to the vicinity of the shaft on the back side of a rotating body, which is difficult to reach with cleaning fluid during stationary cleaning or wet-down. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] A front view showing a powder processing apparatus according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] A left side view showing a powder processing apparatus 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]

[0012] First, a pulverizer 1, which is one embodiment of the powder processing apparatus according to the present invention, will be described using Figures 1 and 2. The pulverizer 1 is a device that pulverizes an object to produce powder. It should be noted that the present invention can also be applied to powder processing apparatuses other than pulverizers. The pulverizer 1 is equipped with a housing 2 that houses various devices inside. Multiple wheels 3 are provided on the bottom surface of the housing 2. It should be noted that the pulverizer 1 can also be configured without wheels 3. In the following description, the side shown in Figure 1 (the right side shown in Figure 2) will be referred to as the front side of the pulverizer 1.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the crusher 1 is composed of an input section 4, a supply section 5, a crushing section 6, a filter section 7, and an exhaust section (not shown). The material fed into the input section 4 by the user of the crusher 1 is transported to the crushing section 6 via the supply section 5. In the crushing section 6, the material is crushed to produce powder, and the crushed powder, separated from the air by the filter section 7, is discharged outside the machine.

[0014] In the crusher 1 according to the present embodiment, the movement of powder between the input section 4, the supply section 5, the crushing section 6, and the filter section 7 is pneumatically transported by suction air. Therefore, the layout of the input section 4, the supply section 5, the crushing section 6, and the filter section 7 does not need to be by gravity drop and can be freely arranged according to the purpose of use.

[0015] In the crusher 1 according to the present embodiment, in order to input the object from the input section 4 and discharge the powder from the discharge section, 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, containment devices 8 such as split valves and draft chambers are used to avoid exposure to powders, etc.

[0016] The filter provided in the filter section 7 can adopt a cartridge type, a cloth type, a metal type, etc. The air separated from the powder and air in the filter section 7 is made into clean air by a HEPA filter provided in the exhaust section, then supplied by a suction source provided in the suction section, and then exhausted outside the machine.

[0017] The crusher 1 can also be provided with a suction device that can make the inside of the device negative pressure during crushing to suppress exposure to powders, etc. The suction device is a device that can generate negative pressure inside the device, such as a Venturi, a blower, a vacuum pump, etc.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the crushing section 6, the rotation mechanism 11 is assembled to the housing 2 via the hammer case 12. A shaft 16 extends from the rear of the rotation 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 rotation mechanism 11 via the belt 10, and the shaft 16 rotates around its axis.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, the rotating mechanism 11 includes a case member 13, a bearing 15, a shaft 16, etc. The case member 13 is assembled to the rear surface of the hammer case 12. By assembling the shaft 16 to the inner surface of the case member 13 via the bearing 15, the shaft 16 can rotate inside the case member 13.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, a wall plate 14c, a lining 20, a cover 14, a supply port 18, etc. are assembled to the front surface of the hammer case 12. The space surrounded by the wall plate 14c, the lining 20, and the cover 14 is configured as a pulverizing chamber 14a for pulverizing an object. The pulverizing chamber 14a functions as a processing chamber of a pulverizer 1 which is a pulverizing processing device. The supply port 18 supplies an object from the front side of the pulverizing chamber 14a. A discharge port 14b for discharging the powder generated by pulverizing the object is formed at the lower part of the pulverizing chamber 14a.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the front end portion of the shaft 16 extends inside the pulverizing chamber 14a. Further, a hammer 17 which is a rotating body is provided at the front end portion of the shaft 16. By the rotation of the shaft 16, the hammer 17 can rotate inside the pulverizing chamber 14a. When the hammer 17 rotates inside the pulverizing chamber 14a, the object is pulverized in the internal space of the pulverizing chamber 14a. Note that the pulverizer 1 may be configured to include either a pin or a cutter in addition to the hammer 17 as a rotating body.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, the pulverizer 1 is provided with a labyrinth seal 19 which is a combination of two members each having an uneven shape, behind the hammer 17. This labyrinth seal 19 suppresses the inflow of powder to the rear side which is the side of the bearing 15.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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 discharge port 14b can discharge the cleaning liquid supplied to the pulverizing chamber 14a.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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 other axial side of the hammer 17, as shown by arrow W2. This allows the cleaning fluid to circulate near the rear shaft 16 of the hammer 17, which is difficult to reach with the cleaning fluid circulating from the supply port 18.

[0030] 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 a discharge port 14b.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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]

[0035] 1. Crusher (powder processing equipment) 2 casings 3 wheels 4 Input section 5 Supply section 6. Grinding section 7. Filter section 8 Discharge section 8 Containment equipment 9 motors 10 belts 11 Rotating mechanism 12 Hammer case 13 Case components 14 Cover 14a Grinding chamber (processing chamber) 14b 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 processing chamber having a space for processing powders, A rotating body is provided to be rotatable inside the processing chamber, The shaft on which the rotating body is provided, A case member that supports the shaft via a bearing, A motor that rotates the aforementioned shaft, The processing chamber has a supply port for supplying the object, A powder processing apparatus comprising an outlet for discharging the powder after processing, The processing 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 designed to allow the washing liquid supplied to the processing chamber to be discharged. The case member is provided with a first air supply unit that supplies air between the bearing and the rotating body. A labyrinth seal is formed between the first air supply unit and the rotating body in the case member. The powder processing apparatus is provided with a case member that has a second air supply unit for supplying air between the labyrinth seal and the rotating body.

2. The first air supply unit supplies air between the shaft and the case member during the processing of powder by the rotating body and during the supply of cleaning liquid by the cleaning liquid supply unit. The powder processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second air supply unit supplies air to the other axial side of the rotating body when the rotating body is processing powder, and supplies cleaning liquid to the other axial side of the rotating body when the cleaning liquid supply unit is supplying cleaning liquid.

3. The powder processing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a cleaning liquid discharge section is formed in the case member below the second air supply section.

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