Abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanism and abrasive supply amount confirmation system

Abstract

To provide a polishing material feeding amount confirmation mechanism and a polishing material feeding amount confirmation system capable of quickly confirming a feeding amount of a polishing material with a simple structure.SOLUTION: A polishing material feeding amount confirmation mechanism comprises: a container body 2; a rotor 3; a rotational angle limitation mechanism 5; and a sensor. The container body 2 includes a flow channel R through which a polishing material S naturally drops in a vertical direction. The rotor 3 is supported so as to rotate about an axis line g intersecting the flow channel R in the container body 2. Then, the naturally dropping polishing material S is received and temporarily stored. The rotational angle limitation mechanism 5 is for limiting a rotation range of the rotor 3 between a reception position and a discharging position. The sensor counts the number of moving times of the rotor 3 between the reception position and the discharging position. The rotor 3 is placed at the reception position when a stored amount of the polishing material S is less than a threshold value, and is set so as to rotate and reach the discharging position when the amount of the polishing material is equal to or greater than the threshold value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanism and an abrasive supply amount confirmation system. [Background technology]

[0002] Blasting is a widely known surface treatment method in which a gas-solid two-phase flow of compressed air mixed with an abrasive is sprayed from a spray nozzle toward the workpiece. Blasting is used to remove scale and wrinkles from castings, remove rust, remove paint films, and prepare surfaces. In recent years, it has also been used in applications that require high processing precision, such as deburring, chamfering, adjusting surface roughness, etching, and removing films from electronic and optical parts.

[0003] The blasting capacity is affected by the injection pressure of the gas-solid two-phase flow and the amount of abrasive contained in the gas-solid two-phase flow. That is, to improve the processing accuracy, it is necessary to keep the content (concentration) of abrasive in the gas-solid two-phase flow constant throughout the entire time period during blasting. For this reason, blasting equipment that requires high processing accuracy is provided with an abrasive supply device that supplies a fixed amount of abrasive. (For example, Patent Document 1) [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-154901 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The amount (cut-out amount) quantitatively supplied by the abrasive supplying device is adjusted and the reliability of the quantitative supply is confirmed through the following steps (1) to (3). (1) A cup or the like is placed in the path from the abrasive supply device to the nozzle. (2) The abrasive supplying device is operated and the abrasive discharged from the abrasive supplying device is sampled at regular intervals. (3) A weighing is performed and the settings of the dosing device are adjusted based on the weighing results. This operation may be carried out before a series of blasting processes (for example, before operation on the day) or periodically.

[0006] Since such a measurement process is performed manually by stopping the blasting process, if the preparation and measurement are time-consuming, productivity will decrease more than necessary. Also, if there are multiple supply devices to be measured, they may not be able to be performed simultaneously, and it takes a considerable amount of time to complete the measurement of the specified number of devices.

[0007] In view of the above, it is desired to provide an abrasive supply amount checking mechanism and an abrasive supply amount checking system that can quickly check the amount of abrasive supply with a simple structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is an abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanism. The abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanism includes a container body, a rotor, a rotation angle limiting mechanism, and a sensor. The container body includes a flow path that allows the abrasive to fall naturally in the vertical direction. The rotor is supported on the container body so as to be rotatable about an axis that intersects with the flow path. The rotor receives the naturally falling abrasive and temporarily stores it. The rotation angle limiting mechanism is a mechanism that limits the rotation range of the rotor to between a receiving position (a position where the abrasive is received) and a discharge position (a position where the abrasive is discharged and dropped). The sensor counts the number of times the rotor moves between the receiving position and the discharge position. The rotor is set to be placed at the receiving position when the amount of stored abrasive is less than a threshold value, and to rotate to the discharging position when the amount of abrasive is equal to or greater than the threshold value.

[0009] Since a sensor is provided for counting the number of times the rotating body moves between the receiving position and the discharging position, it is possible to provide an abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanism that can accurately confirm the amount of abrasive supply with a simple structure.

[0010] In one aspect of the present invention, the rotor may include a first blade and a second blade extending radially from an axis line, and a first reservoir for receiving the abrasive may be formed between the first blade and the second blade. Since the first reservoir for receiving the abrasive is formed between the first blade and the second blade, the present invention can be implemented with a simple structure.

[0011] In one aspect of the present invention, the rotor may include a first blade, a second blade, and a third blade that extend radially around an axis and are arranged in a ring at equal intervals. A first storage section for receiving the abrasive may be formed between the first blade and the second blade, and a second storage section for receiving the abrasive may be formed between the first blade and the third blade. The rotation angle limiting mechanism may limit the rotation angle of the first blade to a range of a predetermined angle θ. The rotation angle limiting mechanism limits the rotation angle of the first blade to within a predetermined angle θ range, thereby enabling appropriate control of the angles of the second and third blades relative to the stored abrasive S with respect to the storage and discharge of the abrasive.

[0012] In one aspect of the present invention, the predetermined angle θ may be above the axis and be −55 degrees<θ<55 degrees with respect to a vertical plane passing through the axis. An appropriate angle can be set by setting the predetermined angle θ to −55 degrees<θ<55 degrees.

[0013] In one aspect of the present invention, the sensor may include a dog and a photoelectric sensor. The dog is provided on the outside of the container body and rotates integrally with the rotating body on the axis. The photoelectric sensor detects the presence or absence of the dog. Since the sensor is provided on the outside of the container body, the sensor can be disposed in a position where it will not be worn down by the abrasive material.

[0014] One aspect of the present invention is an abrasive supply amount confirmation system. The abrasive supply amount confirmation system includes the above-mentioned abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanism and a passing unit, which are exchangeable. The passing unit is substantially the same type as the container body of the abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanism, and instead of the rotating body of the abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanism, a free space is provided through which the abrasive passes as is. Since the abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanism and the passing unit are replaceably provided, it is possible to provide an abrasive supply amount confirmation system which prevents wear of the abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanism and can quickly start measurement when confirmation of the supply amount is required. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an abrasive supply amount checking mechanism and an abrasive supply amount checking system that can quickly check the amount of abrasive supply with a simple structure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 4 is a cross-sectional view of an abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 2] 4 is a side cross-sectional view of an abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 3] 4 is a cross-sectional view of an abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention, seen from the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2. [Figure 7] 4 is a cross-sectional view of an abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] 4 is a cross-sectional view of an abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 9] 4 is a cross-sectional view of an abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 10] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an abrasive supply amount confirmation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] (First embodiment) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a side cross-sectional view thereof. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanism 1 of this embodiment comprises a container body 2 having a flow path R (represented by a white arrow) that allows the abrasive S to fall naturally in the vertical direction, a rotating body 3 that is supported by the container body 2 so as to be freely rotatable about an axis g that intersects the flow path R and that receives and temporarily stores the naturally falling abrasive S, a rotation angle limiting mechanism 5 that limits the rotation range of the rotating body 3 to between a position for receiving the abrasive S (details of which will be described later) and a position for discharging and dropping the abrasive S (details of which will be described later), and a sensor 6 that counts the number of movements of the rotating body 3 between the receiving position and the discharging position, as shown in Figure 2.

[0018] In this embodiment, the rotor 3 includes a shaft 3d having an axis g as a center line, and the shaft 3d includes a first blade 3a and a second blade 3b extending radially from the shaft 3d. A first storage section 3g for receiving the abrasive S is formed between the first blade 3a and the second blade 3b. A weight 3f is provided protruding from the shaft 3d. The weight 3f is provided in a space 3k on the opposite side separated by the first storage section 3g, the first blade 3a, and the second blade 3b. The weight 3f includes a base 3m fixed to the shaft 3d and a weight body 3n provided on the base 3m so as to extend in a direction away from the shaft 3d. In FIG. 1, the weight body 3n is located on the left side of a vertical plane h passing through the axis g of the shaft 3d in the container body 2. Therefore, the rotor 3 is given a tendency to rotate counterclockwise (the opposite direction to the arrow r1), and the tip of the blade 3a abuts against a stopper (rotation angle limiting mechanism) 5a.

[0019] In this way, the weight balance of the rotor 3 is set so that it rotates in the opposite direction to the arrow r1 when no abrasive S is stored in the first storage section 3g, or when the amount of the abrasive S stored in the first storage section 3g is less than a predetermined threshold. When the amount of the abrasive S stored in the first storage section 3g becomes equal to or greater than the threshold, the rotor 3 loses its rotational habit in the opposite direction to the arrow r1, and rotates in the direction of the arrow r1, so that the tip of the blade 3b abuts against the stopper 5b as shown in FIG. 3. Hereinafter, the position of the rotor 3 shown in FIG. 1 is referred to as the receiving position, and the position of the rotor shown in FIG. 3 is referred to as the discharging position.

[0020] A first guide plate 4a and a second guide plate 4b are provided above the rotating body 3 inside the container body 2 to guide the falling abrasive S to the rotating body 3, and a third guide plate 4c is provided below the rotating body 3 to guide the abrasive S to a discharge pipeline described later.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 2, the container body 2 is provided with bearings 3e, 3e that rotatably support the shaft body 3d. A dog 6a is fixed to the end of the shaft body 3d that protrudes outside the container body 2 so as to protrude upward. The dog 6a swings together with the shaft body 3d when the shaft body 3d swings as described below. A photoelectric sensor 6b is provided on the outside of the tip 6c of the dog 6a, sandwiching the swing trajectory of the tip 6c. The photoelectric sensor 6b is provided with a light emitting element 6f and a light receiving element 6g at positions facing each other across the swing trajectory of the tip 6c. With this configuration, when the shaft 3d rotates and the tip 6c of the dog 6a swings, the tip 6c of the dog 6a crosses the optical axis c extending from the light-emitting element 6f to the light-receiving element 6g, and the photoelectric sensor 6b detects the number of times this crossing occurs.

[0022] Next, the operation of the abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanism 1 thus configured will be described. As described above, Fig. 1 shows the state in which the rotor 3 of this embodiment is in the receiving position. The abrasive S falls naturally from above along the flow path R. When the rotor 3 is in this position, the abrasive S continues to be stored in the first storage section 3g. In this case, the abrasive S falling naturally from above is piled up in a mountain shape, gradually increasing in height, but on the surface of the part that forms a mountain shape with an angle of repose, the abrasive S collapses toward the tip of the blade 3b (to the right in Figure 1), and the amount of abrasive S accumulated on the blade 3b side gradually increases. In the state shown in Figure 1, the amount of abrasive S is still less than the threshold value, so due to the balance of the weight 3f, the tip of the first blade 3a of the rotating body 3 is pressed against a stopper (rotation angle limiting mechanism) 5a, limiting its rotation.

[0023] When the amount of abrasive S stacked on the blade 3b side increases and exceeds a threshold value, the rotational habit of the rotor 3 in the direction opposite to the arrow r1 is lost, and the rotor 3 rotates in the direction of the arrow r1 in Fig. 1 and the arrow r2 in Fig. 3, and reaches the discharge position shown in Fig. 3. At this position, the abrasive S falling from above is separated at the tip of the first blade 3a, forming two flows of arrows s1 and s2. A gap is formed between the second blade 3b and the inner wall of the container body 2, and the abrasive S stored in the first storage section 3g is discharged downward from the storage section 3g, as shown by the arrow s3. Even if the rotor 3 rotates further in the direction of the arrow r2, the stopper 5b restricts the rotation of the second blade 3b, so that the rotor 3 is restricted from rotating further.

[0024] When the abrasive S continues to be discharged as indicated by arrow s3, the amount of the abrasive S in the storage section 3g becomes less than the threshold value, and the rotor 3 resumes its rotational habit in the opposite direction to that of arrow r1, rotates in the opposite direction to that of arrow r2, and returns to the position shown in Fig. 1, i.e., the receiving position where the abrasive S is received by the storage section 3g. While the abrasive S continues to fall naturally through the flow path R, the rotor 3 repeatedly moves (oscillates) between the receiving position and the discharge position shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

[0025] 4, 5, and 6 are schematic diagrams for explaining the operation of the sensor 6, as viewed from the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 2. In these diagrams, the shaft 3d, the dog 6a, and the photoelectric center 6b are shown. FIG. 4 shows the state of the sensor 6 when the rotor 3 is in the position shown in FIG. 1. In this state, the dog 6a is located away from the optical axis c of the photoelectric sensor 6b, and the photoelectric sensor 6b recognizes the light receiving state. When the abrasive S falls freely through the flow path R and is stored in the first storage section 3g of the rotor 3, and the amount of the abrasive S becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value, the rotor 3 starts to rotate to be located at the discharge position shown in FIG. 3, and the dog 6a also starts to rotate accordingly as shown by the arrow r in FIG. 4.

[0026] When the rotor 3 reaches the ejection position shown in Fig. 3, the sensor 6 is in the position shown in Fig. 5. In this state, the tip 6c of the dog 6a is in a position where it blocks the optical axis c of the photoelectric sensor 6b, and the photoelectric sensor 6b recognizes the light blocking state at this time.

[0027] When the dog 6a continues to rotate further as indicated by the arrow r and the second blade 3b of the rotor 3 shown in Fig. 3 rotates to the position of the stopper 5b (not shown), the sensor 6 enters the state shown in Fig. 6. In this state, the dog 6a is away from the optical axis c, and the photoelectric sensor 6b recognizes the light receiving state.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 3, when the rotor 3 is at the discharge position, it discharges the abrasive S from the first storage section 3g downward into the container body 2 as indicated by an arrow s3, and when the amount of the abrasive S in the storage section 3g becomes less than a threshold value, the rotor 3 rotates in the opposite direction to the arrow r2 in Fig. 3, and rotates in the opposite direction toward the receiving position in Fig. 1. Accordingly, the sensor 6 also moves in the opposite position to that described above, in the order of Figs. 6, 5, and 4.

[0029] In this way, the photoelectric sensor 6b of the sensor 6 continuously switches between a light receiving state and a light blocking state in accordance with the rocking of the rotor 3 caused by the natural fall of the abrasive S. A signal indicating the state of the photoelectric sensor 6 is sent to a sensor counting unit 70. The sensor counting unit calculates the number of light blockings per unit time, and displays the current supply amount of the abrasive S on a display 72 based on a predetermined counting table 71. Here, the counting table 71 is set as follows. First, the supply amount of abrasive S is set by conventional sampling using a cup. Next, data on the number of times the sensor 6 is shaded per unit time at this supply amount of abrasive S is obtained. This data on the supply amount of abrasive S and the number of times the light is shaded is set to a plurality of supply amounts of abrasive S within the range actually used, and data on the number of times the light is shaded per unit time corresponding to each supply amount of abrasive S is obtained. This combination of the data on the supply amount of abrasive S and the number of times the light is shaded is set as the counting table 71.

[0030] As described above, in this embodiment, the supply amount of the abrasive S is acquired based on a simple structure and control of counting the number of movements of the rotor 3 that swings between the receiving position and the discharge position, so that the mechanism related to the measurement can be moved slowly, and the wear of the device can be reduced, compared with a method in which the blades are continuously rotated in one direction like a water wheel. Since the frequency of the counting associated with this is also low, no high-speed complex signal processing or algorithm is required, and the supply amount of the abrasive that is accurately calibrated can be obtained with relatively simple control. Since the sensor 6 is provided outside the flow path R of the abrasive S, the reliability of the device itself can be improved without placing a delicate sensor in an environment where wear is severe. Therefore, it is possible to provide an abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanism that is resistant to wear and has a simple structure and can accurately confirm the supply amount of the abrasive.

[0031] Second embodiment 7, 8, and 9 are cross-sectional views of the abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanism 10 according to this embodiment. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a rotor 30 having a third blade 3c is used instead of the spindle 3f shown in Fig. 1. Other components having the same configuration and action are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 7, the rotor 30 of the abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanism 10 according to this embodiment includes a shaft 3d having an axis g as a center line, and the shaft 3d is provided with a first blade 3a, a second blade 3b, and a third blade 3c, which are arranged in a ring shape at equal intervals from the shaft 3d. A first storage section 3g for receiving the abrasive S is formed between the first blade 3a and the second blade 3b, and a second storage section 3h for receiving the abrasive S is formed between the first blade 3a and the third blade 3c. As shown in FIG. 8, the rotation angle limiting mechanism 5 limits the first blade 3a to a range of a predetermined angle θ. If the predetermined angle θ is too large, the size of the abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanism 10 becomes larger than necessary, and if it is too small, the abrasive cannot be discharged well. The predetermined angle can be appropriately selected according to the physical properties of the abrasive S. In consideration of versatility, the predetermined angle may be -55 degrees<θ<55 degrees or -45 degrees<θ<45 degrees with respect to a vertical plane h above the axis g and passing through the axis g.

[0033] In this embodiment, the third blade 3c is formed to be heavier than the second blade 3b. Therefore, the rotor 30 is given a tendency to rotate in a direction in which the third blade 3c is lower than the second blade 3b with respect to the axis g (counterclockwise in FIG. 7), and the tip of the third blade 3c abuts against the stopper 5c and is stationary.

[0034] In this way, the weight balance of the rotor 30 is set so that the rotor 30 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 7 when the abrasive S is not stored in the first and second storage sections 3g and 3h, or when the amount of the abrasive S stored in the first storage section 3g is less than a predetermined threshold value. When the amount of the abrasive S stored in the first storage section 3g is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the rotor 30 loses its counterclockwise rotation habit described above in FIG. 8, and the rotor 30 rotates clockwise (FIG. 8), and the tip of the blade 3b abuts against the stopper 5b as shown in FIG. 9. In the following, the position of the rotor 30 shown in FIG. 7 is referred to as the receiving position of the first storage section 3g, and the position of the rotor 30 shown in FIG. 9 is referred to as the discharge position of the first storage section 3g.

[0035] Next, the operation of the abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanism 10 thus configured will be described. Fig. 7 shows a state in which the first storage section 3g is in the receiving position and the second storage section 3h is in the discharging position. The abrasive S falls naturally from above along the flow path R. When the rotor 30 is in this position, the abrasive S continues to be stored in the first storage section 3g. In this state, the amount of the abrasive S is still less than the threshold value, so the tip of the third blade 3c of the rotor 30 is pressed against the stopper (rotation angle limiting mechanism) 5c due to the weight balance of the third blade 3c, limiting its rotation.

[0036] When the amount of the abrasive S becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value, the rotor 30 rotates in the direction of the arrow r3 in FIG. 8 and reaches the position shown in FIG. 8. At this position, the abrasive S falling from above is separated at the tip of the first blade 3a to form two flows of arrows s4 and s5. The abrasive S is supplied to both the first storage section 3g and the second storage section 3h, but since it has momentum in the direction of rotation r3, it eventually rotates to the discharge position of the first storage section 3g shown in FIG. 9. A gap is formed between the second blade 3b and the inner wall of the container body 2, and the abrasive S stored in the first storage section 3g is discharged downward from the storage section 3g as shown by the arrow s6. At this time, the stopper 5b restricts the rotation of the second blade 3b, so that the rotor 30 is restricted from rotating any further.

[0037] At this time, as shown by the arrow s6, the abrasive S is discharged from the first storage section 3g, and at the same time, the abrasive S that naturally falls from above through the flow path R is received by the second storage section 3h. When the abrasive S in the first storage section 3g is discharged and the amount of the abrasive S stored in the second storage section 3h becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value, the rotating body 30 starts to rotate in the counterclockwise direction opposite to the arrow r3 shown in FIG. 8. At this time, the same movement of the abrasive S in the first storage section 3g occurs in the second storage section 3h, and the position of the rotating body 30 returns to the position in FIG. 7 from the position in FIG. 9 through the position in FIG. 8. In this order of operation, the abrasive S is discharged from the second storage section 3h. The rotating body 30 repeats the above operation as the abrasive S continues to naturally fall from the flow path R. The operation and action of the sensor 6 at this time are the same as those in the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0038] In this embodiment, in addition to the same effects as those of the first embodiment, since the second storage section 3h is provided, the oscillation frequency of the rotor 30 can be made lower than that of the first embodiment when the same amount of abrasive S passes through the flow path R. That is, since the number of oscillations per unit time is smaller for the same flow rate of the abrasive S, wear on the rotating parts of the device can be reduced, and since the number of movements of the dog 6a is also reduced, sufficient time can be secured for detection. Therefore, the wear resistance of the device and the accuracy of the measured supply amount can be improved.

[0039] Third embodiment 10 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an abrasive supply amount confirmation system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The abrasive supply amount confirmation system 100 of the present invention includes a hopper 10 for storing the abrasive S, a constant quantity supply device 12, abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanisms 1 and 10, and a passing unit 9.

[0040] The constant-quantity supply device 12 includes a screw conveyor 12a, and the abrasive S stored in the hopper 10 is dropped at the destination of the conveyor by the screw conveyor 12a. The screw conveyor 12a sets the supply amount of the abrasive S by controlling its rotation.

[0041] A supply pipeline 13 is provided at the destination of the screw conveyor 12a, and the abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanisms 1, 10 described in the first and second embodiments are connected to the supply pipeline 13 to measure the supply amount of the abrasive S. The abrasive S, the supply amount of which is measured by the abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanisms 1, 10, is discharged to a discharge pipeline 14, connected to an introduction pipe 16 via a joint 15, and sent to a flow path N to a nozzle (not shown) used for blast processing.

[0042] The passing unit 9 has a container body of the same type as that of the abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanisms 1, 10, except that the rotating bodies 3, 30 are replaced with free space through which the abrasive S passes as is, and the abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanisms 1, 10 and the passing unit 9 are configured to be mechanically and automatically replaceable.

[0043] When measuring the supply amount of the abrasive S, an abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanism 1, 10 is disposed between the supply pipe line 13 and the discharge pipe line 14 to measure the supply amount of the abrasive S. Based on the measured supply amount of the abrasive S, the rotation of the screw conveyor 12a is adjusted so as to provide an appropriate supply amount. When the measurement of the supply amount is completed, a passing unit 9 is disposed between the supply pipe line 13 and the discharge pipe line 14 in place of the abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanism 1, 10, and normal blast processing is continued.

[0044] The abrasive supply amount confirmation system 100 in this embodiment is equipped with the abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanisms 1, 10 and the passing unit 9 in a replaceable manner in the flow path of the abrasive S, so that when it is necessary to measure the supply amount of the abrasive S, it is possible to measure it quickly. In addition, when measurement is not being performed, the passing unit 9 is arranged in place of the abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanisms 1, 10, so that wear of the abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanisms 1, 10 can be prevented.

[0045] In this embodiment, the abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanisms 1, 10 and the passing unit 9 are replaced automatically and mechanically, but the replacement may be performed by a human switch operation or by using a fully automated algorithm for periodic measurement, and the use is not limited to this.

[0046] In this embodiment, the abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanisms 1, 10 and the passing unit 9 may be configured to be manually replaceable. The supply amount of the abrasive S can be confirmed with a simple configuration. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1, 10 Abrasive material supply amount confirmation mechanism 100 Abrasive supply amount confirmation system 2 Container body 3, 30 Rotating body 3a First Feather 3b Second Feather 3c The third feather 3g First Reservoir 3h Second reservoir 5, 5a, 5b, 5c Stopper (rotation angle limiting mechanism) 6 Sensors 6a Dog 6b Photoelectric Sensor 9 Passing Unit g-axis R flow path S Abrasive material

Claims

1. A container body having a flow path for allowing the abrasive to fall naturally in the vertical direction; a rotor that is rotatably supported by a shaft that intersects with the flow path in the container body and that receives and temporarily stores the naturally falling abrasive; a rotation angle limiting mechanism that limits the rotation range of the rotating body between a receiving position where the abrasive is received and a discharging position where the abrasive is discharged and dropped; a sensor that counts the number of times the rotating body moves between the receiving position and the ejecting position, the rotating body is set to be placed at a receiving position when the amount of the stored abrasive is less than a threshold value, and to rotate to reach the discharging position when the amount of the abrasive is equal to or greater than the threshold value; The rotor includes a first blade, a second blade, and a third blade that extend radially around an axis that is a center line of the shaft body and are arranged in a ring shape at equal intervals from each other, a first storage portion and a second storage portion for receiving the abrasive are formed between the first blade and the second blade, and between the first blade and the third blade, respectively; an abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanism that limits the angle at which the first blade rotates to within a range of a predetermined angle θ by the rotation angle limiting mechanism;

2. 2. The abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined angle θ is above the axis and is −45 degrees<θ<45 degrees with respect to a vertical plane passing through the axis.

3. The abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanism described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor is configured to include a dog provided on the outside of the container body and rotating integrally with the rotating body on the axis, and a photoelectric sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the dog.

4. 4. An abrasive supply amount confirmation system comprising, interchangeably, an abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanism as described in any one of claims 1 to 3 and a passing unit having a container body of the same type that replaces the rotating body of the abrasive supply amount confirmation mechanism with a free space that allows the abrasive to pass directly through.

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