Molding sand supply device and molding sand inspection system

Abstract

To provide a foundry-sand supply device and a foundry-sand inspection system capable of enhancing the degree of freedom in laying out an installation.SOLUTION: A foundry-sand supply device according to one aspect comprises a collection tool 6 that gathers foundry sand S and a conveyance device 4 that carries the foundry sand gathered by the collection tool along a winding transport route up to a supply position P4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a foundry sand supply device and a foundry sand inspection system. [Background technology]

[0002] Devices for sampling foundry sand are used for inspecting foundry sand for molding molds, etc. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a foundry sand sampling device that includes an arm that can rotate around a rotation fulcrum, a bucket attached to the tip of the arm for sampling foundry sand flowing on a conveyor, and a motor that rotates the arm forward or backward.

[0003] Patent Document 2 describes a foundry sand inspection system that includes a bucket for collecting foundry sand on a conveyor, a bucket drive unit that rotatably supports the bucket and drives the bucket, a moving unit that moves the bucket drive unit linearly, and an inspection device that receives the collected foundry sand from the bucket and inspects the properties of the foundry sand. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 62-162649 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-35694 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] As described above, the devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 transport foundry sand along a circumferential transport path around a pivot point or a linear transport path. When transporting foundry sand using these devices, the installation location of the external device to which the foundry sand is supplied is limited to a location adjacent to the location where the foundry sand is collected, in order to prevent the sand transport path from interfering with other equipment. This imposes restrictions on the layout of the equipment, including the external device.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a molding sand supply device and a molding sand inspection system that can increase the degree of freedom in facility layout. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A molding sand supplying device according to one embodiment includes a sampling tool for sampling molding sand, and a transporting device for transporting the molding sand sampled by the sampling tool along a curved transport path to a supply position.

[0008] In the foundry sand supplying device according to this aspect, the foundry sand is transported along a curved transport path, so that the foundry sand can be transported to a location away from the collection location while avoiding interference with existing equipment. As a result, the external device to which the foundry sand is to be supplied can be located away from the collection location, increasing the degree of freedom in the layout of the equipment.

[0009] In one embodiment, the conveying path may be a three-dimensionally curved path, which makes it easier to avoid interference with existing equipment and allows the equipment to be efficiently arranged in the installation space.

[0010] The molding sand supplying device according to one embodiment may further include a bucket as a collecting tool, a bucket drive unit that rotatably supports the bucket and drives the bucket, and a moving unit that linearly moves the bucket drive unit. In this embodiment, the bucket itself can be driven while being moved linearly, so that molding sand can be actively collected.

[0011] The foundry sand supplying device according to one embodiment may further include a transport container into which the foundry sand collected by the sampler is transferred, and the transporting device may transport the transport container containing the foundry sand along a transport path to a supplying position. In this embodiment, the foundry sand is transferred to and transported in the transport container separated from the sampler, so that the foundry sand can be transported to a position distant from the collection position.

[0012] In one embodiment, the conveying device may include a guide member extending along the conveying path, and a conveying container drive unit that moves the conveying container along the guide member from a transfer position where the foundry sand is transferred to the conveying container to a supply position. In this embodiment, the conveying container can be reliably conveyed from the transfer position to the supply position.

[0013] In one embodiment, the transfer container drive unit may include a magnet arranged inside the guide member, a carrier to which the transfer container is fixed and which moves along the guide member together with the magnet due to the attractive force of the magnet, and a compressed air supply unit which supplies compressed air into the guide member to move the magnet along the guide member. In this embodiment, by moving the carrier along the guide member using compressed air, the foundry sand contained in the transfer container can be reliably transported to the supply position.

[0014] In one embodiment, the transport container may include a container body that contains foundry sand, a lid that is openably and closably attached to the top of the container body, and an elastic body that biases the lid in a direction that closes the container body. In this embodiment, the lid is biased in a direction that closes the container body, which prevents the foundry sand contained in the container body from spilling out during transport and also suppresses changes in the properties of the foundry sand.

[0015] In one embodiment, the transfer container may include a container body for storing foundry sand, a lid provided on the top of the container body in an openable and closable manner, and a locking mechanism for fixing the lid to the container body. The provision of the locking mechanism makes it possible to prevent the lid from opening unintentionally and causing the foundry sand to leak out of the transfer container.

[0016] In one embodiment, a blower may be provided to spray gas toward the transport container, so that molding sand adhering to the transport container can be removed by the gas.

[0017] In one embodiment, a separator may be further provided to divide the foundry sand collected by the sampler into two parts, so that the foundry sand collected by the sampler can be divided into two parts and supplied to an external device.

[0018] A molding sand inspection system according to one embodiment includes a sampling tool for sampling molding sand, a conveying device for conveying the molding sand sampled by the sampling tool along a curved conveying path to a supply position, and an inspection device for receiving the molding sand conveyed to the supply position and inspecting the properties of the molding sand.

[0019] In the foundry sand inspection system according to this aspect, the foundry sand is transported along a curved transport path, so that the foundry sand can be transported far from the collection location while avoiding interference with existing equipment. As a result, the inspection device to which the foundry sand is supplied can be located far from the collection location, increasing the degree of freedom in facility layout. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to various aspects of the present disclosure, the degree of freedom in facility layout can be increased. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a molding sand inspection system including a molding sand supply device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a guide member and a transfer container drive unit. [Figure 3] 1A to 1C are diagrams showing a procedure for transporting foundry sand. [Figure 4] 1A to 1C are diagrams showing a procedure for transporting foundry sand. [Figure 5] 1A to 1C are diagrams showing a procedure for transporting foundry sand. [Figure 6] 1A to 1C are diagrams showing a procedure for transporting foundry sand. [Figure 7] 1A to 1C are diagrams showing a procedure for transporting foundry sand. [Figure 8] 1A to 1C are diagrams showing a procedure for transporting foundry sand. [Figure 9] 1A to 1C are diagrams showing a procedure for transporting foundry sand. [Figure 10] 1A to 1C are diagrams showing a procedure for transporting foundry sand. [Figure 11] 1A to 1C are diagrams showing a procedure for transporting foundry sand. [Figure 12] 1A to 1C are diagrams showing a procedure for transporting foundry sand. [Figure 13] 1A to 1C are diagrams showing a procedure for transporting foundry sand. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of the molding sand supply device. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another modified example of the molding sand supplying device. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another modified example of the molding sand supplying device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same or equivalent elements will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will not be repeated. The dimensional proportions of the drawings do not necessarily correspond to those in the description.

[0023] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a molding sand inspection system including a molding sand supply device according to one embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the molding sand inspection system 100 is a system for sampling and inspecting molding sand, and includes a molding sand supply device 1 and an inspection device 10.

[0024] The foundry sand supplying device 1 is a device that collects foundry sand S on a conveying path and conveys it to a supplying position P4. The supplying position P4 is a position where the foundry sand S is supplied to an inspection device 10. The foundry sand S is sand that is a raw material for a mold, such as green sand for a green sand mold or core sand for a core molding.

[0025] In the example shown in FIG. 1, foundry sand S is placed on a conveyor 20. The conveyor 20 is, for example, a belt conveyor, and includes a belt 20a that forms a transport path for the foundry sand S, side walls 20b that are erected on the upper surface of the belt 20a and prevent the foundry sand S from falling, and pulleys 20c that suspend the belt 20a. The conveyor 20 transports the foundry sand S along the extension direction of the conveyor 20 by driving the pulleys 20c to rotate the belt 20a. The operation of the pulleys 20c is controlled, for example, by a control unit 5, which will be described later. In the following description, the direction in which the foundry sand S is transported by the conveyor 20 is referred to as the front-rear direction, and the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the vertical direction (up-down direction) is sometimes referred to as the left-right direction.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 1, a molding sand supplying device 1 according to one embodiment includes a sampling device 2, a transport device 4, and a control unit 5. The sampling device 2 is a device for sampling molding sand S on a conveyor 20, and includes a bucket 11, a bucket driving unit 12, and a moving unit 13. The bucket 11 is used as a sampling tool for sampling molding sand S. The bucket 11 has an opening through which molding sand is placed.

[0027] The bucket driving unit 12 rotatably supports the bucket 11 and drives the bucket 11. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the bucket driving unit 12 includes a rod 12a that is longitudinally movable and a cylinder main body 12b that drives the rod 12a. The cylinder main body 12b extends toward the rod 12a and has a fixed member 12c fixed to the cylinder main body 12b. The fixed member 12c has a rotation shaft 12d, and the bucket 11 is rotatably attached to the rotation shaft 12d. The bucket driving unit 12 includes, for example, a cylinder that moves the rod 12a longitudinally and the bucket 11 is attached to the tip of the rod 12a. When the rod 12a moves forward or backward, the bucket 11 rotates around the rotation shaft 12d as a fulcrum. The drive mechanism of the bucket driving unit 12 is not particularly limited and may be a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, or an electric cylinder. Furthermore, the bucket driving unit 12 may include a rotary cylinder (rotary actuator), or may have a driving mechanism equipped with a motor, a chain, a belt, a pulley, and the like.

[0028] The bucket driving unit 12 is supported by a moving unit 13. The moving unit 13 moves the bucket driving unit 12 in a direction toward and away from the foundry sand S. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the moving unit 13 has a rod 13a that can move back and forth in the longitudinal direction, and the bucket driving unit 12 is connected to this rod 13a. The moving unit 13 is equipped with a drive mechanism, such as a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, or an electric cylinder, that drives the rod 13a to move back and forth in the longitudinal direction. The cylinder drives the rod 13a to move back and forth, thereby moving the bucket driving unit 12 toward and away from the foundry sand S. As the bucket driving unit 12 moves, the bucket 11 moves toward and away from the foundry sand S.

[0029] The moving unit 13 moves the bucket 11 linearly between the collection position P1 and the delivery position P2. "Linear movement" means movement on a straight track, in this case, movement along a straight line connecting the collection position P1 and the delivery position P2. The collection position P1 is a position where the bucket 11 can collect foundry sand S, and the delivery position P2 is a position where the collected foundry sand S can be delivered to a transfer container 3 (described later). The collection position P1 and the delivery position P2 are positions that are set in advance by a designer. The moving unit 13 is supported above the conveyor 20 by a frame 15.

[0030] The molding sand supply device 1 further includes a transfer container 3 and a transport container 6. The transfer container 3 is a container for transferring the molding sand S collected by the collection device 2 to the transport container 6. As shown in FIG. 1 , the transfer container 3 is cylindrical, for example, with an upper portion having a rectangular cross section and a lower portion having a circular cross section, and has an inlet 31 and a discharge outlet 32. The inlet 31 is formed in the upper portion of the transfer container 3, and the discharge outlet 32 ​​is formed below the inlet 31.

[0031] A separator 33 is provided inside the transfer container 3. The separator 33 is disposed between the inlet 31 and the outlet 32 ​​and includes a first plate 16 and a second plate 18. The first plate 16 is interposed between the inlet 31 and the outlet 32 ​​and disposed substantially horizontally inside the transfer container 3. The second plate 18 is disposed substantially perpendicular to the first plate 16 and disposed so as to divide the internal space of the transfer container 3 into two in a plan view. The second plate 18 divides the upper surface of the first plate 16 into a first region 16a and a second region 16b. The separator 33 has a rotation axis R extending along the connection between the first plate 16 and the second plate 18, and is configured to be rotatable about the rotation axis R. The rotation axis R is, for example, a rod member of a rotating cylinder. When the rotation axis R rotates, the separator 33 rotates around the rotation axis R.

[0032] A transfer container drive unit 34 is provided on the side of the transfer container 3 to move the transfer container 3 left and right (horizontally). The transfer container drive unit 34 includes a rod member 34a that moves back and forth left and right, and a cylinder body 34b that drives the rod member 34a. The rod member 34a is connected to the transfer container 3, and as the rod member 34a moves back and forth, the transfer container 3 is moved horizontally between a position directly below the delivery position P2 and a position directly above the transfer position P3. The transfer position P3 is the position where the transport container 6 receives the foundry sand S from the transfer container 3. The transfer container drive unit 34 is controlled by the control unit 5, which will be described later.

[0033] The transfer container 6 is a container into which the foundry sand S collected by the collection device 2 is transferred, and includes a container body 61, a lid 62, and an elastic body 63. The container body 61 is a cylindrical container with a bottom and an open top, and defines a space therein for storing the foundry sand S. The lid 62 is provided so as to be able to open and close the top opening of the container body 61. The elastic body 63 is, for example, a spring provided in the hinge portion of the transfer container 6, and biases the lid 62 in a direction to close it relative to the container body 61. Therefore, when no external force is acting on the transfer container 6, the top opening of the container body 61 is closed by the lid 62 due to the elastic force of the elastic body 63.

[0034] In one embodiment, the transfer container 6 may further include a locking mechanism 64 that secures the lid 62 to the container body 61. The provision of the locking mechanism 64 prevents the lid 62 from opening unintentionally and causing the foundry sand S to leak out of the transfer container 6. For example, the locking mechanism 64 may include a magnet disposed on one of the container body 61 and the lid 62, and secure the lid 62 to the container body 61 by attracting the container body 61 and the lid 62 to each other using the magnetic force of the magnet. When the locking mechanism 64 includes a magnet, the elastic body 63 may be configured to bias the lid 62 in a direction to close the container body 61, or may be configured to bias the lid 62 in a direction to open the container body 61. For example, when the elastic body 63 biases the lid 62 in a direction to open the container body 61, the force that closes the lid 62 by the magnetic force is configured to be greater than the force that opens the lid 62 by the elastic body 63, in order to prevent the lid 62 from opening unintentionally.

[0035] The locking mechanism 64 may use a latch mechanism to secure the lid 62 to the container body 61. When the locking mechanism 64 includes a latch mechanism, the elastic body 63 is configured to bias the lid 62 in a direction to open relative to the container body 61. When the lid 62 is unlocked by the latch mechanism, the lid 62 is released by the elastic force of the spring due to the lid 62 being biased in the direction to open relative to the container body 61 by the elastic body 63. Note that when the locking mechanism 64 includes a magnet or a latch mechanism, the transfer container 6 does not need to include the elastic body 63. Even in this case, the locking mechanism 64 prevents the lid 62 from opening unintentionally.

[0036] The locking mechanism 64 may use a pinch valve to fix the lid 62 to the container body 61. When a pinch valve is used as the locking mechanism 64, the transfer container 6 does not need to include the elastic body 63.

[0037] If a mechanism for maintaining the transfer container 6 horizontal is provided, the transfer container 6 does not need to be provided with the lid 62. In one embodiment, the transfer container 6 may be made of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene or diatomaceous earth. This prevents the molding sand S from adhering to the inner wall of the transfer container 6 and remaining inside when the molding sand S is supplied to the inspection device 10. In order to prevent the molding sand S from remaining inside the transfer container 6, the inner wall of the transfer container 6 may be coated with starch sand, fine powder, or lime powder. A gel sheet may be provided on the inner surface of the lid 62. This prevents the molding sand S from leaking out of the transfer container 6 and scattering.

[0038] The transfer device 4 transfers the foundry sand S to a supply position P4 along a curved transfer path. The curved transfer path refers to a path in which the transfer direction of the foundry sand S changes as the foundry sand S is transferred from the start point to the end point, and includes transfer paths that include straight sections and smoothly curved non-linear sections. As shown in Fig. 1, the transfer device 4 includes a guide member 42, a transfer container drive unit 43, lid opening / closing units 44 and 45, and stoppers 46 and 47.

[0039] The guide member 42 is a member that guides the transport container 6 so that it is transported along the transport direction. The guide member 42 extends between the transfer position P3 and the supply position P4 and has a shape that is two-dimensionally curved between the transfer position P3 and the supply position P4. The two-dimensionally curved shape means that when the transport container 6 moves along the guide member 42 from the transfer position P3 to the supply position P4, the direction of movement changes in two directions from the left-right direction, the front-back direction, and the up-down direction. The guide member 42 may also have a three-dimensionally curved shape. The three-dimensionally curved shape means that when the transport container 6 moves along the guide member 42 from the transfer position P3 to the supply position P4, the direction of movement changes in the left-right direction, the front-back direction, and the up-down direction.

[0040] In one embodiment, guide member 42 includes a linear section that extends linearly and a non-linear section that extends non-linearly. In the example shown in Fig. 1, guide member 42 includes a linear section R1 that extends in the up-down direction, a linear section R2 that extends in the left-right direction, and a linear section R3 that extends in the up-down direction. In addition, a non-linear section R4 having a curved shape is connected between linear section R1 and linear section R2, and a non-linear section R5 having a curved shape is connected between linear section R2 and linear section R3.

[0041] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary guide member 42. As shown in Fig. 2, the guide member 42 in one embodiment has a cylindrical shape and includes a pipe portion 42a that extends along the curved conveying path, and a rail portion 42b that extends along the pipe portion 42a.

[0042] The transfer container driving unit 43 moves the transfer container 6 along the guide member 42 from the transfer position P3 to the supply position P4. In one embodiment, the transfer container driving unit 43 includes a magnet 43a, a carrier 43b, and a compressed air supply unit 43c, as shown in FIG. 2. The magnet 43a has a substantially cylindrical shape and is disposed inside the pipe portion 42a of the guide member 42. The magnet 43a is movable inside the pipe portion 42a in the extension direction of the pipe portion 42a.

[0043] The carrier 43b is arranged to surround the pipe portion 42a and rail portion 42b of the guide member 42. The carrier 43b has a plurality of rotatable rolling elements (e.g., rollers), and can slide along the guide member 42 by rolling of these rolling elements. The carrier 43b is provided with a magnet that is attracted to the magnet 43a arranged in the pipe portion 42a. The transfer container 6 is attached to the carrier 43b.

[0044] The compressed air supply unit 43c supplies compressed air into the pipe unit 42a, and the pressure of the compressed air moves the magnet 43a along the extension direction of the guide member 42. As the magnet 43a moves along the guide member 42, the carrier 43b moves along the guide member 42 together with the magnet 43a due to the attractive force of the magnet 43a. Accordingly, the transfer container 6 moves along the guide member 42 between the transfer position P3 and the supply position P4.

[0045] Referring again to FIG. 1, the lid opening / closing units 44, 45 open and close the lid 62 of the transfer container 6. The lid opening / closing unit 44 is disposed adjacent to the transfer position P3. The lid opening / closing unit 44 has, for example, a rod that can move back and forth in the longitudinal direction, and opens and closes the lid 62 of the transfer container 6 disposed at the transfer position P3 by moving the rod back and forth. The lid opening / closing unit 45 is disposed adjacent to the supply position P4. The lid opening / closing unit 45 has, for example, a rod that can move back and forth in the longitudinal direction, and opens and closes the lid 62 of the transfer container 6 disposed at the supply position P4 by moving the rod back and forth. The stoppers 46, 47 are fixed to, for example, the guide member 42, and position the transfer container 6 so that the transfer container 6 is disposed at the transfer position P3 and the supply position P4.

[0046] In one embodiment, the molding sand supplying device 1 may further include a blower 48 that outputs gas toward the transfer container 6. The blower 48 is disposed, for example, near the supply position P4, and sprays gas toward the transfer container 6 to remove molding sand S adhering to the inner wall of the transfer container 6. Note that, in order to remove the molding sand S, the molding sand supplying device 1 may include, instead of the blower 48, a vibration device that vibrates the transfer container 6, a suction device that sucks the transfer container 6, or a brush that cleans the transfer container 6.

[0047] The control unit 5 is a computer equipped with a processor, a storage device, an input device, a display device, a communication device, etc., and controls the overall operation of the molding sand supplying device 1. The control unit 5, for example, loads programs stored in the storage device and executes the loaded programs on the processor, thereby realizing various functions described below. The control unit 5 allows an operator to use the input device to input commands to manage the molding sand supplying device 1, and can also visualize and display the operating status of the molding sand supplying device 1 on the display device. The control unit 5 may also have the function of controlling the operation of the inspection device 10.

[0048] More specifically, the control unit 5 is communicatively connected to valves (e.g., pneumatic valves or hydraulic valves) that operate the bucket driving unit 12, the moving unit 13, the separator 33, the transfer container driving unit 34, the transport container driving unit 43, the lid opening / closing units 44, 45, and the blower 48, and controls the operation of the valves (e.g., pneumatic valves or hydraulic valves) that operate the bucket driving unit 12, the moving unit 13, the rotation axis R of the separator 33, the transfer container driving unit 34, the transport container driving unit 43, the lid opening / closing units 44, 45, and the blower 48.

[0049] The inspection device 10 is disposed below the supply position P4, receives the molding sand S from the transfer container 6 at the supply position P4, and inspects the molding sand S. The inspection device 10 may be, for example, a sand property measuring device, an LOI (Loss on Ignition) measuring device, or a mixer controller. For example, the inspection device 10 measures the properties of the molding sand S, such as the moisture content, CB value (compactability value), compressive strength, flexural strength, air permeability, sand temperature, viscosity, and pH. The inspection device 10 may inspect the properties of the molding sand S in two separate inspections. In this case, the inspection device 10 measures different properties of the molding sand S in the first and second inspections.

[0050] 3 to 13, an example of the procedure for supplying molding sand S to the inspection device 10 using the molding sand supply device 1 will be described below. FIGS. 3 to 13 are diagrams schematically showing the procedure for transporting the molding sand S. The controller 5 controls the bucket driver 12, the moving unit 13, the separator 33, the transfer container driver 34, the transport container driver 43, and the lid openers 44 and 45 to transport the molding sand S.

[0051] First, the control unit 5 drives the moving unit 13 to move the bucket 11 to the collection position P1, as shown in Fig. 3. Then, the control unit 5 drives the bucket driving unit 12 to rotate the bucket 11 in the forward direction, thereby collecting foundry sand S on the conveyor 20 into the bucket 11. Next, the control unit 5 drives the moving unit 13 to move the bucket 11 to the delivery position P2, as shown in Fig. 4.

[0052] Next, as shown in Fig. 5, the control unit 5 drives the transfer container driving unit 34 to move the transfer container 3 to directly below the delivery position P2. Then, the control unit 5 drives the bucket driving unit 12 to rotate the bucket 11 in the reverse direction. As a result, the collected foundry sand S falls from the bucket 11 and is supplied to the transfer container 3 through the inlet 31.

[0053] The molding sand S supplied from the bucket 11 is received by the separator 33 arranged inside the transfer container 3. At this time, the separator 33 is supported in an orientation in which the first plate 16 is horizontal and the second plate 18 faces upward. As a result, as shown in Fig. 5, the molding sand S dropped from the bucket 11 is divided into two pieces by the second plate 18, and one piece of the molding sand S, molding sand S1, is placed in the first region 16a of the first plate 16, and the other piece of the molding sand S, molding sand S2, is placed in the second region 16b of the first plate 16. The control unit 5 also drives the lid opening / closing unit 44 to open the lid 62 of the transfer container 6 arranged at the transfer position P3.

[0054] Next, as shown in Fig. 6, the control unit 5 drives the transfer container drive unit 34 to move the transfer container 3 to a position above the transfer position P3. Next, as shown in Fig. 7, the control unit 5 rotates the separator 33 by 90° about the rotation axis R, causing the molding sand S1 arranged in the first region 16a to fall. This transfers the molding sand S1 to the transfer container 6. At this time, the molding sand S2 is supported on the second plate 18 of the separator 33 and is maintained in the transfer container 3 without being transferred to the transfer container 6.

[0055] Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 5 drives the transfer container drive unit 34 to move the transfer container 3 to directly below the delivery position P2. Then, the control unit 5 drives the transfer container drive unit 43 to move the transfer container 6 along the guide member 42 from the transfer position P3 to the supply position P4. That is, the molding sand S1 contained in the transfer container 6 is transported to the supply position P4 along the curved transfer path. When the transfer container 6 reaches the supply position P4, the control unit 5 drives the lid opening / closing unit 45 to open the lid 62 of the transfer container 6, as shown in FIG. 9. This causes the molding sand S1 contained in the transfer container 6 to fall from the transfer container 6 and be supplied to the inspection device 10. At this time, the control unit 5 may inject gas from the blower 48 toward the transfer container 6 to remove molding sand adhering to the inner wall of the transfer container 6. The inspection device 10 inspects the properties of the molding sand S1 supplied from the transfer container 6.

[0056] Next, as shown in Fig. 10, the control unit 5 drives the transfer container drive unit 43 to move the transfer container 6, which has been emptied of the foundry sand S1, along the guide member 42 from the supply position P4 to the transfer position P3. Next, as shown in Fig. 11, the control unit 5 drives the lid opening / closing unit 44 to open the lid 62 of the transfer container 6 positioned at the transfer position P3. Then, the control unit 5 drives the transfer container drive unit 34 to move the transfer container 6 again to a position above the transfer position P3 and rotate the separator 33 another 90° around the rotation axis R, thereby dropping the foundry sand S2 supported on the second plate 18. As a result, the foundry sand S2 is transferred to the transfer container 6.

[0057] Next, as shown in Fig. 12, the control unit 5 drives the transfer container drive unit 34 to move the transfer container 3 to directly below the delivery position P2. Next, as shown in Fig. 13, the control unit 5 drives the transfer container drive unit 43 to move the transfer container 6 containing the molding sand S2 along the guide member 42 from the transfer position P3 to the supply position P4. The molding sand S2 is then supplied to the inspection device 10 at the supply position P4. The inspection device 10 inspects the properties of the molding sand S2 supplied from the transfer container 6.

[0058] As described above, in the molding sand supplying device 1 according to the embodiment described above, the molding sand S contained in the transport container 6 is transported along the curved guide member 42, so that the molding sand can be transported to the supply position P4 away from the collection position P1 while avoiding interference with existing equipment. As a result, the inspection device 10 to which the molding sand is to be supplied can be located away from the collection position P1, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in the layout of the equipment.

[0059] Furthermore, in the foundry sand supply device 1, the separator 33 divides the foundry sand S into two parts, S1 and S2, which are then supplied to the inspection device 10 in sequence. Since the foundry sand S1 and the foundry sand S2 are sampled at the same time from the conveyor 20, even when the foundry sand S1 and the foundry sand S2 are inspected twice, variations in the measurement results that occur due to differences in the timing of sampling can be suppressed.

[0060] Modified examples of the molding sand supplying device will be described below. Fig. 14 is a diagram schematically illustrating a molding sand inspection system including a molding sand supplying device 101 according to this modified example. The molding sand supplying device 101 differs from the molding sand supplying device 1 shown in Fig. 1 in that it includes a screw-type sampling device 110 instead of the bucket-type sampling device 2. The following mainly describes the differences from the molding sand supplying device 1, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0061] The sampling device 110 shown in FIG. 14 includes an outer cylinder 111, an inner cylinder 112, a screw 113, and a screw driver 114. The outer cylinder 111 has a cylindrical shape and has a sand supply port 111a at one end and a sand discharge port 111b at the other end. The sand supply port 111a is located on the belt 20a of the conveyor 20. That is, the position where the sand supply port 111a is located is the sampling position P1 where molding sand S is sampled. On the other hand, the sand discharge port 111b is located at a position away from the conveyor 20. The inner cylinder 112 has a cylindrical shape and is detachably fixed to the inner surface of the outer cylinder 111. A long screw 113 is located inside the inner cylinder 112 and is rotatable around its central axis. A spiral blade is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the screw 113. The screw 113 functions as a sampling tool for sampling molding sand S.

[0062] The tip of the screw 113 is located near the sand supply port 111a. The base of the screw 113 is located near the sand discharge port 111b and is connected to a screw driver 114. The screw driver 114 is, for example, a motor, and drives the screw 113 to rotate about its central axis. The operation of the screw driver 114 is controlled by the control unit 5. In one embodiment, a casing 115 is provided around the base of the screw 113 to cover the base. The screw driver 114 is fastened to the casing 115, for example. A chute 116 is provided below the casing 115 and communicates with the sand discharge port 111b. The chute 116 guides the foundry sand S discharged from the sand discharge port 111b downward.

[0063] In this foundry sand supply device 101, when the screw 113 is rotated by the operation of the screw drive unit 114, the foundry sand S flowing on the conveyor 20 is collected, and the blades of the screw 113 transport the foundry sand S from the sand supply port 111a to the sand discharge port 111b. Upon reaching the sand discharge port 111b, the foundry sand S falls into the chute 116 and is discharged. The discharge position of the foundry sand S from the chute 116 is a delivery position P2 at which the foundry sand S can be delivered to the transfer container 3. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14 , the foundry sand S discharged from the chute 116 is supplied to the transfer container 3 located directly below the delivery position P2. As described above, the foundry sand S supplied to the transfer container 3 is transferred to the transfer container 6 and then transported by the transfer device 4 along the curved transfer path to the supply position P4.

[0064] Like the foundry sand supplying device 1, the foundry sand supplying device 101 can transport the foundry sand S from the collection position P1 to a supply position P4 located away from the collection position P1 while avoiding interference with existing equipment, thereby increasing the flexibility of the equipment layout.

[0065] In one embodiment, the foundry sand supplying device may use a sampling device other than the bucket type or screw type to sample foundry sand. For example, a sampling tool for sampling the foundry sand S may be suspended by a crane and moved between the sampling position P1 and the delivery position P2, so that the foundry sand S sampled by the sampling tool is supplied to the transfer container 3.

[0066] In one embodiment, the molding sand supplying device does not need to be equipped with a collection device. Fig. 15(a) shows another modified example of a molding sand supplying device. The molding sand supplying device 102 shown in Fig. 15(a) does not include a collection device 2, and instead has a transfer container 6 disposed near the end of the conveyor 20 to receive molding sand S dropping from the conveyor 20. In this molding sand supplying device 102, the molding sand S received by the transfer container 6 from the conveyor 20 can be transported along the guide member 42 to a supply position P4.

[0067] Figure 15(b) shows yet another modified example of the foundry sand supplying device. The foundry sand supplying device 103 shown in Figure 15(b) does not have a collection device 2. Instead, a transfer container 6 is placed below the conveyor 20, and the foundry sand S dropped from the conveyor 20 by a scraper 120 is received by the transfer container 6. In this foundry sand supplying device 103, the foundry sand S received by the transfer container 6 from the conveyor 20 can be transported along the guide member 42 to a supply position P4.

[0068] Fig. 16 shows yet another modified example of a foundry sand supplying device. The foundry sand supplying device 104 shown in Fig. 16 has a guide member 42 extending above the conveyor 20, and is configured so that the foundry sand S on the conveyor 20 can be scooped up by the transfer container 6 by moving the transfer container 6 along the guide member 42. In this foundry sand supplying device 104, the foundry sand S scooped up by the transfer container 6 can be transported along the guide member 42 to a supply position P4.

[0069] As described above, the foundry sand supply devices 102, 103, and 104 are configured to collect the foundry sand S by the transfer container 6 without using the collection device 2 or 110. In these modified examples, the transfer container 6 functions as a collection tool for collecting the foundry sand S.

[0070] The above describes various embodiments of the foundry sand supply device and the foundry sand inspection system, but the invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0071] 2, the conveying device 4 moves the carrier 43b supporting the transfer container 6 together with the magnet 43a by compressed air pressure, but the configuration of the conveying device 4 is not limited to the above configuration as long as it can transfer the foundry sand S along the curved transfer path to the supply position P4. For example, the conveying device 4 may have a hollow pipe-shaped guide member 42, the transfer container 6 may be placed inside the guide member 42, and the transfer container 6 may be transferred along the guide member 42 to the supply position P4 by compressed air or vacuum pressure.

[0072] Furthermore, the power for transporting the transfer container 6 is not limited to compressed air, and the transfer container 6 may be transported by, for example, using a winch or the like to wind up a wire or chain connected to the transfer container 6, or the transfer container 6 may be transported to the supply position P4 by the driving force of a motor mounted on the carrier 43b. Furthermore, the transfer device 4 does not necessarily have to be equipped with the guide member 42, and the transfer container 6 containing the foundry sand may be transported aeriallly to the supply position P4 by a drone or the like.

[0073] 1, the separator 33 is disposed inside the transfer container 3, but the separator 33 may be disposed at a position other than the transfer container 3. For example, the separator 33 may be disposed inside the transfer container 6, and the molding sand S collected by the sampling device 2 may be divided into two parts inside the transfer container 6. In this case, when the transfer container 6 is transported to the supply position P4, the control unit 5 rotates the rotation axis R of the separator 33 by 90° to drop the molding sand S1 disposed in the first region 16a and supply it to the inspection device 10. Then, after the inspection of the molding sand S1 is completed, the control unit 5 rotates the rotation axis R of the separator 33 by another 90° to supply the molding sand S2 to the inspection device 10. This allows the properties of the molding sand to be inspected twice in the inspection device 10.

[0074] In another embodiment, the separator 33 may be provided at the entrance of the inspection device 10. For example, a chute may be provided at the entrance of the inspection device 10 to guide the molding sand S supplied from the transport container 6 into the interior of the inspection device 10, and the separator 33 may be disposed inside the chute. The separator 33 divides the molding sand supplied from the transport container 6 into two pieces, and supplies the divided molding sand S into the interior of the inspection device 10 in two batches.

[0075] The molding sand supplying device does not necessarily have to include the separator 33, and the collected molding sand S may be supplied all at once to the inspection device 10. In addition, in the molding sand supplying device 1, the molding sand S collected by the sampling device 2 is transferred to the transport container 6 via the transfer container 3, but the molding sand S collected by the sampling device 2 may be transferred directly to the transport container 6 without using the transfer container 3.

[0076] In the above-described embodiment, the molding sand supplying device 1 supplies molding sand S to the inspection device 10 that inspects the molding sand. However, the molding sand supplying device 1 can supply molding sand S to any external device other than the inspection device. For example, examples of external devices to which the molding sand S can be supplied include a mold making machine and a kneading machine. The various embodiments described above can be combined within a consistent range. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1,101,102,103,104...molding sand supply device, 4...conveying device, 6...transport container (collecting tool), 10...inspection device, 11...bucket (collecting tool), 12...bucket drive unit, 13...moving unit, 33...separator, 42...guide member, 43...transport container drive unit, 43a...magnet, 43b...carrier, 43c...compressed air supply unit, 48...blower, 62...lid body, 63...elastic body, 100...molding sand inspection system, 113...screw (collecting tool), P1...collecting position, P2...delivery position, P3...transfer position, P4...supply position, S, S1, S2...molding sand.

Claims

1. a sampling tool for sampling the molding sand placed on the conveyor; a transport container into which the foundry sand collected by the collecting tool is transferred; a conveying device that conveys the conveying container containing the molding sand collected by the sampler along a curved conveying path including a linear section and a non-linear section from a transfer position where the molding sand is transferred to a supply position; Equipped with Molding sand supply device.

2. 2. The foundry sand supplying device according to claim 1, wherein the transport path is a three-dimensionally curved path.

3. A bucket that is the collection tool; a bucket driving unit that rotatably supports the bucket and drives the bucket; a moving unit that linearly moves the bucket driving unit; The foundry sand supplying device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

4. The conveying device is a guide member extending along the conveying path; a transfer container drive unit that moves the transfer container along the guide member from a transfer position where the foundry sand is transferred to the transfer container to the supply position; 2. The foundry sand supplying device according to claim 1, comprising:

5. The transfer container drive unit a magnet disposed inside the guide member; a carrier to which the transport container is fixed and which moves along the guide member together with the magnet by the attractive force of the magnet; a compressed air supply unit that supplies compressed air into the inside of the guide member to move the magnet along the guide member; 5. The foundry sand supplying device according to claim 4, comprising:

6. The transport container is a container body that contains the foundry sand; a lid provided on the top of the container body in an openable and closable manner; an elastic body that biases the lid body in a direction to close the container body; 2. The foundry sand supplying device according to claim 1, comprising:

7. The transport container is a container body that contains the foundry sand; a lid provided on the top of the container body in an openable and closable manner; a locking mechanism for fixing the lid to the container body; 2. The foundry sand supplying device according to claim 1, comprising:

8. 2. The foundry sand supplying device according to claim 1, further comprising a blower for injecting gas toward the transfer container.

9. 2. The molding sand supplying device according to claim 1, further comprising a separator for dividing the molding sand collected by the collecting tool into two parts.

10. a sampling tool for sampling the molding sand placed on the conveyor; a transport container into which the foundry sand collected by the collecting tool is transferred; a conveying device that conveys the conveying container containing the molding sand collected by the sampler along a curved conveying path including a linear section and a non-linear section from a transfer position where the molding sand is transferred to a supply position; an inspection device that receives the foundry sand transported to the supply position and inspects the properties of the foundry sand; Equipped with Molding sand inspection system.

Images