Pneumatic Tube System

Abstract

To provide a pneumatic tube system allowing for reducing the impact at a station upon receiving a carrier.SOLUTION: A pneumatic tube system S, for transporting a carrier 100 by air flow, comprises a plurality of stations 1A-5A that performs at least one of sending-out and receiving of the carrier 100, a pneumatic tube 20A that connects between the plurality of stations 1A- 5A and serves as a passage route for the carrier 100, a blower 10A that is connected with the pneumatic tube 20A, for generating air flow in the pneumatic tube 20A, a weight detecting unit 44 that detects a weight of the carrier 100, and an air-volume regulating unit 43b that regulates the air volume at the blower 10A based on the weight of the carrier 100 detected by the weight detecting unit 44.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pneumatic tube system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, pneumatic tube systems have been known in which an object is stored in a pneumatic tube and transported pneumatically. The pneumatic tube system described in Patent Document 1 includes a remotely located transmitting and receiving station, a pneumatic tube connecting the transmitting and receiving stations, and an exhaust fan connected to a suction port near the end of the pneumatic tube. A solenoid valve is disposed between the exhaust fan and the suction port. In this pneumatic tube system, when the pneumatic tube approaching the receiver passes a predetermined position, the solenoid valve is closed after a predetermined time, thereby slowing down the pneumatic tube. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-79393 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the type and number of items contained in the pneumatic tube may change. Furthermore, the pneumatic tube may be transported empty. In the pneumatic tube system described in Patent Document 1, the volume of the airflow generated by the exhaust fan is constant. Therefore, if the volume of air is excessive relative to the weight of the pneumatic tube, the transport speed of the pneumatic tube may become too high. In this case, there is a risk of a large impact at the station when the pneumatic tube is received. For example, the impact may affect the pneumatic tube or the items inside, or may generate noise.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a pneumatic tube system that can reduce the impact at the station when the pneumatic tube is received. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A pneumatic tube system according to one aspect of the present invention is a pneumatic tube system that transports pneumatic elements by air flow, and includes a plurality of stations for transmitting and / or receiving the pneumatic elements, a pneumatic tube that connects the plurality of stations and is a passageway for the pneumatic elements, a blower connected to the pneumatic tube and generating an air flow within the pneumatic tube, a weight detection unit that detects the weight of the pneumatic elements, and an air volume adjustment unit that adjusts the air volume in the blower based on the weight of the pneumatic elements detected by the weight detection unit.

[0007] This pneumatic tube system adjusts the air volume of the blower based on the weight of the air-transport element. This prevents the air volume from becoming excessive relative to the weight of the air-transport element, and therefore prevents the air-transport element from being transported too quickly. As a result, it is possible to reduce the impact when the air-transport element is received.

[0008] The air volume adjusting unit may reduce the air volume of the blower as the weight of the air transport element detected by the weight detecting unit decreases. In this case, when the weight of the air transport element is small, the transport speed of the air transport element can be prevented from becoming too high. As a result, it is possible to reduce the impact when the air transport element is received.

[0009] The pneumatic tube system may further include a passage detector provided in the pneumatic tube for detecting the passage of a pneumatic element at a predetermined position on the passage path, and a pressure detector provided in the pneumatic tube for detecting the pressure within the pneumatic tube. The pressure detector detects the pressure when the passage detector detects the passage of the pneumatic element, and the weight detector may estimate the weight of the pneumatic element from the pressure detected by the pressure detector. In this case, the passage detector detects that the pneumatic element is moving as the pneumatic element is transported. Then, regardless of the position of the pneumatic element in the pneumatic tube, the weight of the pneumatic element is measured from the pressure within the pneumatic tube. This makes it possible to more reliably measure the weight of the pneumatic element during its transport.

[0010] The system may further include a plurality of converters provided at branching points in the pneumatic tube, and the pressure detector may be installed at the base end of the pneumatic tube located between the blower and the converter closest to the blower. In this case, since the base end of the pneumatic tube is always a passageway for the airflow, only one pressure detector is required at the base end, and it is possible to measure the weight of the pneumatic tube as long as the pneumatic tube is located somewhere within the pneumatic tube. This eliminates the need to install pressure detectors in other parts of the pneumatic tube, thereby reducing the cost required for installing pressure detectors. Furthermore, the pneumatic tube system can be realized with a simpler configuration.

[0011] The passage detector may be installed at each diverter, and the pressure detector may detect pressure when the passage of the air-carrying element is detected by the passage detector installed at the diverter closest to the blower among those installed on the transport path from the transmitting station to the receiving station. In this case, the air volume is adjusted according to the weight of the air-carrying element before the direction of movement of the air-carrying element changes from approaching the blower to moving away from the blower. This allows the transport speed of the air-carrying element to be increased as it approaches the blower, and prevents the transport speed of the air-carrying element from becoming too high from the time the air-carrying element moves away from the blower until it arrives at the receiving station. As a result, it is possible to shorten the transport time of the air-carrying element and reduce the impact when the air-carrying element is received. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the pneumatic tube system of the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the impact when the pneumatic element is received. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a pneumatic tube system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a conveying path and a conveying method of a pneumatic element in a pneumatic tube system. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the area around the blower in the pneumatic tube system of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a controller of the pneumatic tube system. [Figure 5] 10 is a graph illustrating a function of estimating the weight of a pneumatic element in a pneumatic tube system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] The basic configuration of a pneumatic tube system S of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3. As shown in Figure 1, the pneumatic tube system S is incorporated into a building, such as a hospital, and is a system for transporting a pneumatic tube 100 (see Figure 2) from one point to another within the building. The pneumatic tube 100 can accommodate multiple items. The items that can be accommodated and transported within the pneumatic tube 100 include, but are not limited to, blood collection tubes, urine collection tubes, infusion bottles, infusion bags, urine cups, and any other items. In addition to these medical supplies, medical equipment, or medical devices, documents and the like may also be accommodated within the pneumatic tube 100. Envelopes or containers (e.g., zippered plastic bags) for storing documents and the like may also be accommodated within the pneumatic tube 100. The application of the pneumatic tube system S is not limited to hospitals. The pneumatic tube system S may also be incorporated into other buildings, factories, etc., to transport items within the building or factory.

[0016] The pneumatic tube system S transports the pneumatic element 100 by airflow. The pneumatic tube system S may have multiple systems or only one system. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the pneumatic tube system S has three systems. That is, the pneumatic tube system S has a first system SA, a second system SB, and a third system SC. The first system SA, the second system SB, and the third system SC basically transport the pneumatic element 100 independently within each system. Each system can transport only one pneumatic element 100 at a time. The pneumatic tube system S has multiple stations (in FIG. 1, stations 1A to 5A, stations 1B to 2B, and station 1C are shown as examples) for transmitting and / or receiving the pneumatic element 100. In the pneumatic tube system S, "transporting the pneumatic element 100" refers to the act of transporting (or controlling) the pneumatic element 100 from one station to another within a building.

[0017] In this embodiment, each station is provided for both transmission and reception. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, each station (such as station 1A) has a transmitting station 7 and a receiving station 8. This is not limiting, and one or more stations of the pneumatic tube system S may have only one of the transmitting station 7 and the receiving station 8. That is, some stations may be dedicated to transmission or reception. Each station is installed on any floor of a building. FIG. 1 shows the first floor F1, the second floor F2, and the third floor F3, and does not show floors above the fourth floor. FIG. 1 shows only one example of a building, and the building may have any number of floors or may have only one. The building may have one or more floors above ground and / or underground.

[0018] Each of the first system SA, second system SB, and third system SC has a predetermined number of stations. The number of stations in each system is not particularly limited, but is, for example, approximately 8 to 12. The number of systems in the pneumatic tube system S and the number of stations in each system are appropriately determined based on the number of transmitting and receiving locations, the transport frequency of the pneumatic element 100, etc. An example configuration of each system will be described below.

[0019] The first system SA includes a pneumatic tube 20A connecting multiple stations (such as station 1A) and a blower 10A connected to the pneumatic tube 20A and generating an airflow within the pneumatic tube 20A. The pneumatic tube 20A has a base end tube 21A connected to the outlet of the blower 10A, a first connecting tube 22A connected to the downstream side of the base end tube 21A via a first converter 11A, and a second connecting tube 23A connected to the downstream side of the first connecting tube 22A via a second converter 12A. The pneumatic tube 20A further has three first branch tubes 24A connected to the downstream side of the second connecting tube 23A via a third converter 13A, and three second branch tubes 25A connected to the downstream side of one of the three first branch tubes 24A (the one first branch tube 24A passing through station 2A) via a fourth converter 14A. That is, each switch is installed at a branch point in the pneumatic tube 20A.

[0020] All of these pneumatic tubes, i.e., base end tube 21A, first connecting tube 22A, second connecting tube 23A, first branch tube 24A, and second branch tube 25A, may include straight sections, curved sections, and / or bent sections depending on the layout of each piping, but each has an inner diameter (the inner diameter is the same for all piping) that allows the pneumatic element 100 to pass through and is suitable for transporting the pneumatic element 100 by airflow. Pneumatic tube 20A is the passageway for pneumatic element 100. Each piping that makes up pneumatic tube 20A may be laid against a wall, or may be installed behind a wall or in a space above the ceiling, so as not to interfere with users performing work or the like inside the building.

[0021] The pneumatic tube 20A connects multiple stations. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the pneumatic tube 20A connects two stations 1A and 3A installed on the first floor F1, two stations 2A and 4A installed on the second floor F2, and one station 5A installed on the third floor F3. More specifically, station 1A is connected to the end of a single first branch pipe 24A. Station 2A is connected to an intermediate portion of the single first branch pipe 24A. In other words, the single first branch pipe 24A passes through station 2A. Station 3A is connected to the end of the single first branch pipe 24A. Station 4A is connected to the end of the single second branch pipe 25A. Station 5A is connected to the end of the single second branch pipe 25A. The single second branch pipe 25A extends toward the fourth floor and above.

[0022] In this way, the pneumatic tube 20A of the pneumatic tube system S is connected to a station at the end of a certain pipe or to a station located midway through a certain pipe. When a station is located midway through a pipe, the pipe passes through the station. The transmitting station 7 of each station is configured to send the pneumatic tube 100 to the pneumatic tube 20A connected to that station using the airflow generated by the blower 10A. The receiving station 8 of each station is also configured to receive the pneumatic tube 100 arriving via the pneumatic tube 20A connected to that station. A station located midway through the first branch pipe 24A, such as station 2A, can send (drop) the pneumatic tube 100 vertically downward from the transmitting station 7, and then send the pneumatic tube 100 in either the up or down direction through the first branch pipe 24A. A station located midway through the first branch pipe 24A, such as station 2A, can receive the pneumatic tube 100 arriving from below. Furthermore, a station located midway along the first branch pipe 24A, such as station 2A, can simply pass the air-transport element 100 through the first branch pipe 24A. In this case, neither transmission nor reception is performed at the station. Each function of the above stations can be realized by a known configuration.

[0023] The first converter 11A, the second converter 12A, the third converter 13A, and the fourth converter 14A have, for example, the same configuration. Known configurations may be adopted for these converters. The third converter 13A will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The example shown in FIG. 2 illustrates a conveyance path when the pneumatic element 100 is conveyed from station 1A on the first floor F1 to station 4A on the second floor F2. As shown in FIG. 1, the third converter 13A is the converter closest to the blower 10A among the converters provided on the conveyance path when the pneumatic element 100 is conveyed from station 1A to station 4A. The fourth converter 14A is also provided on the conveyance path, but the third converter 13A is closer to the blower 10A than the fourth converter 14A. The second converter 12A is not located on the conveyance path. Furthermore, when the air conveying element 100 passes through the third converter 13A on the conveying path, it may pass not only through the second connecting pipe 23A, but also through a position closer to the blower than the second connecting pipe 23A. For example, the air conveying element 100 may pass through the second converter 12A or the like that is closer to the blower than the third converter 13A on the conveying path.

[0024] The third converter 13A includes a junction-side portion X connected to the second connecting pipe 23A and a branch-side portion Y connected to a plurality of first branch pipes 24A. The third converter 13A has a plurality of (e.g., four) pipe connection ports on the branch side and a single pipe connection port on the junction side. A plurality of (e.g., four) cylindrical holes are formed inside the branch-side portion Y, which communicate with each of the plurality of first branch pipes 24A. The junction-side portion X has a single cylindrical hole that communicates with the second connecting pipe 23A. The third converter 13A is configured to communicate with one of the holes in the branch-side portion Y, for example, by rotating the junction-side portion X about its central axis.

[0025] The first converter 11A, the second converter 12A, the third converter 13A, and the fourth converter 14A are provided at the branching points of the pneumatic tube 20A, and allow the route to be switched as necessary on the conveying route between the transmitting station 7 located at one point and the receiving station 8 located at another point.

[0026] Specifically, the pneumatic tube system S includes a controller 40 that controls transmission and reception at each station and path switching at each switch according to the transport path assigned to the pneumatic element 100. The controller 40 is an electronic control unit including a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The controller 40 controls each station, each switch, and each blower (such as the air volume of the blower). The pneumatic tube system S also includes a monitoring device 50 that monitors the transport status of the pneumatic element 100 within the pneumatic tube 20A. The monitoring device 50 receives a signal from a passage detection unit 31 (described later) to estimate the position of the pneumatic element 100 within the pneumatic tube 20A and displays the position of the pneumatic element 100 on a display (not shown), for example.

[0027] Blower 10A can operate in two ways: by pressurizing air into pneumatic tube 20A and by sucking air from pneumatic tube 20A. The rotor of blower 10A may be capable of rotating in both forward and reverse directions, and the two operations of pressurizing and sucking may be switchable by changing the configuration of the piping connected to blower 10A and by switching the valves. Blower 10A includes, for example, a motor with an inverter. By changing the frequency of the inverter using controller 40, the air volume generated by blower 10A can be adjusted to three levels (high air volume, medium air volume, and low air volume) (details will be described later).

[0028] In the pneumatic tube system S, among the converters provided on the transport path of the pneumatic element 100, the path is switched at the converter closest to the blower. For example, in the example shown in Fig. 2, the pneumatic element 100 transmitted from the transmitting station 7 of station 1A travels through the first branch pipe 24A due to the suction flow (air flow) generated within the pipe by the blower 10A, and reaches the third converter 13A. A passage detector 31 that detects the passage of the pneumatic element 100 is provided at the junction side portion X of the third converter 13A. Furthermore, the controller 40 adjusts the airflow rate of the blower 10A to a large value during suction operation of the blower 10A.

[0029] In the pneumatic tube system S, for example, each switch is provided with a passage detector 31. This allows the monitoring device 50 to monitor the transport status of the pneumatic element 100 within the pneumatic tube 20A. The transport status can also be described as the position of the pneumatic element 100 within the pneumatic tube 20A. By monitoring the transport status, the operator can confirm, via a display or the like, that the pneumatic element 100 is being transported as planned. Alternatively, the operator can recognize that the pneumatic element 100 is not being transported as planned for some reason. In this case, the operator can manually change (e.g., increase) the air volume of the blower 10A, investigate the cause, stop the pneumatic tube system S, or eject the pneumatic element 100 from the pneumatic tube 20A by appropriate means.

[0030] The passage detection unit 31 is, for example, a known sensor that uses light projection and reception. When the passage detection unit 31 detects the passage of the air-carrying element 100, it transmits a detection signal to the controller 40 and the monitoring device 50. When the controller 40 detects that the air-carrying element 100 has passed through the third converter 13A, which is to switch the path, it stops the operation of the blower 10A. When the controller 40 receives a detection signal indicating the passage of the air-carrying element 100 from the passage detection unit 31, it acquires the pressure in the pneumatic tube 20A detected by the pressure detection unit 16A (described later) from the pressure detection unit 16A and estimates the weight of the air-carrying element 100 from the acquired pressure. At this time, the air-carrying element 100 is located in the confluence side section X, or has passed the third converter 13A and is located in the second connecting pipe 23A. The controller 40 further rotates the confluence side portion X of the third converter 13A to connect the hole to another first branch pipe 24A (piping leading to the fourth converter 14 and the second branch pipe 25A).

[0031] Thereafter, the controller 40 controls the blower 10A or the open / close state of the valve to switch the blower 10A from suction operation to pressure-feeding operation. During pressure-feeding operation of the blower 10A, the controller 40 adjusts the airflow volume based on the weight of the air-feeding element 100. The air-feeding element 100 is transported from the third converter 13A toward the fourth converter 14A and the second branch pipe 25A. In this way, in "switching the path," the direction of the air-feeding element 100 changes. The controller 40 controls the blower 10A and the third converter 13A to switch the path and transport the air-feeding element 100 by, so to speak, switching back.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, a pressure detection unit 16A that detects the pressure inside the pneumatic tube 20A is provided in the base end tube 21A at a position closer to the blower 10. The pressure detection unit 16A is installed at the base end 29A, which is located between the blower 10A and the first converter 11A that is closest to the blower 10A. Note that pressure detection by the pressure detection unit 16A is achieved by a known configuration. The pressure detection unit 16A is, for example, a pressure sensor that is attached to the pipe and can detect the gauge pressure of the air (gas) inside the pipe (one example is the pressure sensor AP-44 manufactured by Keyence Corporation). The pressure sensor may also be combined with an amplifier unit (one example is the amplifier AP-V41A manufactured by Keyence Corporation). Note that other known pressure sensors may also be used as the pressure detection unit 16A.

[0033] Returning to Figure 1, a backflow prevention section 19A is provided in the base end tube 21A at a position near the first converter 11A to prevent the pneumatic element 100 from moving backward (toward the blower 10A). Furthermore, a discharge tube 17A is connected to the branching side of the first converter 11A for discharging a blocked pneumatic element 100 in the pneumatic tube 20A, for example. A recovery station 18A is connected to the end of the discharge tube 17A, and the pneumatic element 100 can be removed at this recovery station 18A.

[0034] The second system SB and the third system SC also have the same equipment as the first system SA. The second system SB has a blower 10B, a pneumatic tube 20B, a first converter 11B, a second converter 12B, and a third converter 13B, two stations 1B installed on the first floor F1, and one station 2B installed on the third floor F3. The pneumatic tube 20B has one base end pipe 21B connected to the discharge port of the blower 10B, one connecting pipe 22B connected downstream of the base end pipe 21B via the first converter 11B, and two first branch pipes 23B connected downstream of the connecting pipe 22B via the second converter 12B. The pneumatic tube 20B further includes three second branch pipes 24B connected downstream of one of the two first branch pipes 23B (the first branch pipe 23B extending between the second floor F2 and the third floor F3) via a third switch 13B. Station 1B is connected to the end of one of the first branch pipes 23B. Station 2B is connected to the end of one of the second branch pipes 24B. Like the first system SA, the second system SB also includes a backflow prevention unit 19B, a discharge pipe 17B, and a recovery station 18B. As shown in FIG. 3, the base pipe 21B has a base end 29B located closer to the blower 10B. A pressure detection unit 16B is installed at the base end 29B. Other equipment in the second system SB (equipment installed on the third floor F3 and above) is not shown in the figure.

[0035] The third system SC includes a blower 10C, a pneumatic tube 20C, a first converter 11C, a second converter 12C, and a station 1C installed on the third floor F3. The pneumatic tube 20C has a base pipe 21C connected to the outlet of the blower 10C, a connecting pipe 22C connected downstream of the base pipe 21C via the first converter 11C, and two first branch pipes 23C connected downstream of the connecting pipe 22C via the second converter 12C. Station 1C is connected to the end of the first branch pipe 23C. Similar to the first system SA and the second system SB, the third system SC also includes a backflow prevention unit 19C, a discharge pipe 17C, and a recovery station 18C. As shown in FIG. 3, the base pipe 21C has a base end 29C located closer to the blower 10C. A pressure detector 16C is installed at the base end 29C. Other facilities in the third system SC (facilities installed on the third floor F3 and above) are omitted from the illustration.

[0036] The controller 40 also controls the stations and converters in the second system SB and the third system SC, as well as the blowers (such as the air volume of the blowers). The monitoring device 50 also monitors the transport status of the pneumatic element 100 in the pneumatic tubes 20B and 20C.

[0037] In the pneumatic tube system S, the pneumatic element 100 can be transferred between different systems. To this end, two transfer pipes 30AB are provided between the pneumatic tubes 20A and 20B, connecting the branching side of the first converter 11A with the branching side of the first converter 11B. Two transfer pipes 30AC are provided between the pneumatic tubes 20A and 20C, connecting the branching side of the second converter 12A with the branching side of the second converter 12C. Two transfer pipes 30BC are provided between the pneumatic tubes 20B and 20C, connecting the branching side of the second converter 12B with the branching side of the first converter 11C.

[0038] Each functional unit of the controller 40 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the controller 40. As shown in Fig. 4, the controller 40 includes a transmission / reception control unit 41 that controls transmission and reception at each station, a path switching unit 42 that controls path switching at each switch, a blower control unit 43 that controls the blower 10A, and a weight detection unit 44 that detects the weight of the air conveyor 100. Below, using an example of the transport path shown in Fig. 2, we will explain how the controller 40 controls transport in the first system SA.

[0039] The transmission / reception control unit 41 receives information indicating the source station 4A and destination station 1A of the pneumatic element 100 from the source station 4A. The transmission / reception control unit 41 sets a transport path in the pneumatic tube 20A, which is the route along which the pneumatic element 100 will pass. The transmission / reception control unit 41 outputs information indicating the third switch 13A, which is the switch closest to the blower 10A, to the path switching unit 42, the blower control unit 43, and the weight detection unit 44. The transmission / reception control unit 41 sends a signal to the blower control unit 43 indicating that transport of the pneumatic element 100 should begin.

[0040] The path switching unit 42 receives a detection signal from the passage detection unit 31 provided in the third converter 13A, which detects the passage of the air transfer element 100. Upon receiving the detection signal, the path switching unit 42 rotates the junction side portion X of the third converter 13A, and connects the hole to another first branch pipe 24A.

[0041] The blower control unit 43 has an airflow direction changer 43a that controls switching between pressure feeding and suction in the blower 10A, and an airflow volume adjuster 43b that adjusts the airflow volume in the blower 10A. The airflow direction changer 43a receives a signal indicating the start of conveyance of the air conveyance element 100 and controls the open / close state of the blower 10A or the valve so that suction operation is performed. The airflow direction changer 43a receives a detection signal from the passage detector 31 provided in the third converter 13A that detects the passage of the air conveyance element 100. Upon receiving the detection signal, the airflow direction changer 43a controls the open / close state of the blower 10A or the valve to switch the blower 10A from suction operation to pressure feeding operation.

[0042] The weight detection unit 44 receives a detection signal from the passage detection unit 31 provided in the third converter 13A, which detects the passage of the pneumatic element 100. Upon receiving this detection signal, the weight detection unit 44 obtains the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit 16A from the pressure detection unit 16A. The weight detection unit 44 estimates the weight of the pneumatic element 100 from the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit 16A. Specifically, the weight detection unit 44 obtains the weight corresponding to the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit 16A based on the correspondence between the weight of the pneumatic element 100 and the pressure inside the pneumatic tube 20A, and uses this weight as the estimated weight of the pneumatic element 100.

[0043] An example of weight estimation by the weight detection unit 44 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 shows the relationship between the weight (transport weight) of the pneumatic element 100 transported through the pneumatic tube 20A and the pressure within the pneumatic tube 20A during transport. The horizontal axis of FIG. 5 represents the weight of the pneumatic element 100 transported through the pneumatic tube 20A. The vertical axis of FIG. 5 represents the pressure within the pneumatic tube 20A. First, as shown in FIG. 5, a relationship is set in advance between the weight of the pneumatic element 100 transported through the pneumatic tube 20A of the first system SA and the pressure within the pneumatic tube 20A during transport. The weight detection unit 44 acquires the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit 16A. The weight detection unit 44 acquires the weight corresponding to the acquired pressure based on the aforementioned relationship and estimates the weight as the weight of the pneumatic element 100. The above correspondence relationship is obtained, for example, by a prior experiment in which an air conveyance element 100 of known weight is transported in the first system SA and the known weight of the air conveyance element 100 is matched to the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit 16A during the transport.

[0044] The air volume adjustment unit 43b receives a signal indicating the start of transport of the air transport element 100 and controls the blower 10A to generate an airflow. The air volume adjustment unit 43b generates an airflow at a volume appropriate for the air transport element 100 or the transport path (length or arrangement) so that the air transport element 100 is transported at a desired speed. For example, the air volume adjustment unit 43b adjusts the air volume of the airflow in the blower 10A to a large volume during suction operation of the blower 10A, and adjusts the air volume of the airflow in the blower 10A based on the weight of the air transport element 100 during pressure operation of the blower 10A. The air volume adjustment unit 43b also adjusts the air volume in the blower 10A based on the weight of the air transport element detected by the weight detection unit 44. Specifically, the weight of the air transport element 100 is estimated from the weight detection unit 44. The air volume adjusting unit 43b adjusts the air volume in the blower 10A based on the acquired estimated result of the weight of the air conveyance element 100. The air volume in the blower is adjusted by adjusting the frequency of an inverter provided in the motor.

[0045] As an example, the air volume adjustment unit 43b reduces the air volume of the blower 10A as the weight of the air conveyance element 100 detected by the weight detection unit 44 decreases. For example, the air volume adjustment unit 43b adjusts the air volume to three levels. When the weight detection unit 44 estimates that the weight of the air conveyance element 100 is 3 kg or more, the air volume adjustment unit 43b adjusts the air volume of the blower 10A to an air volume (large air volume) that can transport a 5 kg air conveyance element 100. This air volume is the largest of the three levels. When the weight detection unit 44 estimates that the weight of the air conveyance element 100 is 1.5 kg or more but less than 3.0 kg, the air volume adjustment unit 43b adjusts the air volume of the blower 10A to the second largest of the three levels (medium air volume). When the weight detection unit 44 estimates that the weight of the air transport element 100 is less than 1.5 kg, the air volume adjustment unit 43b adjusts the air volume of the blower 10A to the smallest air volume (small air volume) of the three levels of air volume.

[0046] The functional units of the controller 40 function in the same manner when the air-transport element 100 is transported in the second system SB and the third system SC as when it is transported in the first system SA.

[0047] As described above, in the pneumatic tube system S, the air volume in the blowers 10A, 10B, and 10C is adjusted based on the weight of the air-transport element 100. This prevents the air volume from becoming excessive relative to the weight of the air-transport element 100, making it possible to prevent the transport speed of the air-transport element 100 from becoming too high. As a result, it is possible to reduce the impact when the air-transport element 100 is received.

[0048] For example, the weight of the air-transport element 100 is approximately 1 kg, and this weight changes when the element is filled with a blood collection tube, saline solution, or the like. Therefore, in the past, the air-transport element 100 was transported with an air volume equivalent to the large air volume described above in order to reliably deliver the air-transport element 100 to its destination. However, because light objects are often transported in pneumatic tube systems, the air volume is larger than necessary, which can result in excessive impact on the air-transport element 100 when it is received. In the pneumatic tube system S according to this embodiment, the air volume in the blowers 10A, 10B, and 10C is adjusted based on the weight of the air-transport element 100. This prevents the air volume from becoming excessive relative to the weight of the air-transport element 100. As a result, it is possible to reduce the impact when the air-transport element 100 is received.

[0049] The air volume adjustment unit 43b reduces the air volume of the blowers 10A, 10B, and 10C as the weight of the air transport element 100 detected by the weight detection unit 44 decreases. In this case, when the weight of the air transport element 100 is small, the transport speed of the air transport element 100 can be prevented from becoming too high. As a result, it is possible to reduce the impact when the air transport element 100 is received.

[0050] The pneumatic tube system S includes a passage detector 31 provided in the pneumatic tube 20A that detects the passage of the pneumatic tube 100 at a predetermined position on the path of the pneumatic tube, and a pressure detector 16A provided in the pneumatic tube 20A that detects the pressure within the pneumatic tube 20A. The pressure detector 16A detects the pressure when the passage detector 31 detects the passage of the pneumatic tube 100. The weight detector 44 estimates the weight of the pneumatic tube 100 from the pressure detected by the pressure detector 16A. In this case, the passage detector 31 detects that the pneumatic tube 100 is moving as the pneumatic tube 100 is transported. The weight of the pneumatic tube 100 is measured from the pressure within the pneumatic tube 20A, regardless of where the pneumatic tube 100 is located in the pneumatic tube 20A. This allows the weight of the pneumatic tube 100 to be measured more reliably during transport. Furthermore, for example, compared to the case where a weighing scale or the like is provided at each station, the cost of the pneumatic tube system S can be reduced.

[0051] The pneumatic tube system S includes multiple converters located at branching points in the pneumatic tube 20A: a first converter 11A, a second converter 12A, a third converter 13A, and a fourth converter 14A. The pressure sensor 16A is installed at the base end 29A of the pneumatic tube 20A, which is located between the blower 10A and the first converter 11A, which is closest to the blower 10A. In this case, the base end 29A of the pneumatic tube 20A is always located on the airflow path. Therefore, with only one pressure sensor 16A located at the base end 29A, it is possible to estimate the weight of the pneumatic tube 100 if the pneumatic tube 100 is located anywhere within the pneumatic tube 20A. This eliminates the need to install pressure sensors 16A in other locations on the pneumatic tube 20A, thereby reducing the cost of installing the pressure sensor 16A. Furthermore, the pneumatic tube system S can be realized with a simpler configuration.

[0052] A passage detector 31 may be installed at each of the multiple diverters, and the pressure detector 16A may detect the pressure when the passage of the air-carrying element 100 is detected by the passage detector 31 installed at the diverter closest to the blower 10A among the diverters installed on the transfer path from the sending station to the receiving station. In this case, the air volume is adjusted according to the weight of the air-carrying element 100 before the movement direction of the air-carrying element 100 changes from approaching to moving away from the blower 10A. This allows the transfer speed of the air-carrying element 100 to be increased as the air-carrying element 100 approaches the blower 10A, and prevents the transfer speed of the air-carrying element 100 from becoming too high from the time the air-carrying element 100 moves away from the blower 10A until it arrives at the receiving station. As a result, it is possible to shorten the transfer time of the air-carrying element 100 and reduce the impact when the air-carrying element 100 is received.

[0053] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, the placement of the blowers may be changed depending on the layout within the building. In this embodiment, the blowers are placed on the first floor, but they may also be placed on the second to fourth floors. Furthermore, multiple blowers may be provided in one system.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the air volume adjustment unit 43b reduces the air volume of the blower 10A as the weight of the air transport element 100 detected by the weight detection unit 44 decreases, but this is not limited to this. For example, when the air transport element 100 is being transported in a direction against gravity (for example, when it is continuously rising from a lower floor to a higher floor), the air volume adjustment unit 43b may not reduce the air volume even if the weight of the air transport element 100 is small.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the pressure detector 16A is provided in the pneumatic tube 20A, and the weight detector 44 of the controller 40 estimates the weight of the pneumatic element 100 from the pressure detected by the pressure detector 16A. However, this is not limited to this. For example, instead of providing the pressure detector 16A in the pneumatic tube 20A, a device for measuring the weight of the pneumatic element 100 may be provided in each station as the weight detector 44. In this case, the weight detector 44 transmits the measured weight of the pneumatic element 100 to the controller 40.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the air volume adjustment unit 43b controls the strength of the air volume in three stages based on the weight of the air transport element 100. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the air volume adjustment unit 43b may control the strength of the air volume in four stages based on the weight of the air transport element 100, or may control the strength of the air volume by changing it linearly based on the weight of the air transport element 100.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the weight detection unit 44 obtains the weight of the air conveyance element 100 corresponding to the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit 16A based on a preset correspondence between pressure and conveyance weight, and estimates the weight of the air conveyance element 100 from the weight. However, this is not limited to this. For example, before laying the pneumatic tube system S, a correspondence between the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit 16A and the conveyance weight may be preset based on the correspondence between the pressure and the conveyance weight. In this case, the air volume adjustment unit 43b directly determines the air volume from the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit 16A when conveying the air conveyance element 100. This reduces the load on the controller 40 caused by the weight estimation process.

[0058] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the passage detection unit 31 is provided in the junction side portion X of the converter, but this is not limited to this. For example, the passage detection unit 31 may be provided in the piping (the second connecting pipe 23A in the third converter 13A in FIG. 2) that connects to the junction side portion X in each converter. Because the air conveying element 100 passes slightly past the converter when passing through it, the above configuration also makes it possible to detect the passage of the air conveying element 100 on the conveying path.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the pressure detector 16A detects the pressure when the passage of the pneumatic element 100 is detected by the passage detector 31 (see FIG. 2) at the third converter 13A, but this is not limiting. The pressure detector 16A may detect the pressure when the pneumatic element 100 is being pressure-fed at any arbitrary point within the pneumatic tube 20A, or may detect the pressure when the pneumatic element 100 is being sucked at any arbitrary point within the pneumatic tube 20A.

[0060] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a case where a pneumatic tube system S is newly installed has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the pneumatic tube system S may be realized by supplementing an already installed pneumatic tube system with elements that are lacking compared to the pneumatic tube system S. In this case, the pneumatic tube system S can be realized by simply performing small-scale renovation work. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] S...pneumatic tube system, SA...first system, SB...second system, SC...third system, X...merging section, Y...branching section, 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, 3A, 4A, 5A...station, 7...transmitting station, 8...receiving station, 10...blower, 10A...blower, 10B...blower, 10C...blower, 11A, 11B, 11C...first converter, 12A, 12B, 12C...second converter, 13A, 13B...third converter, 14A...fourth converter, 16A, 16B, 16C...pressure detection unit, 17A, 17B, 17C...discharge pipe, 18A, 18B, 18C...recovery station, 19A, 19B, 19C ...backflow prevention unit, 20A, 20B, 20C...pneumatic tube, 21A, 21B, 21C...base end tube, 22A...first connecting tube, 23A...second connecting tube, 22B, 22C...connecting tube, 24A, 23B, 23C...first branch tube, 25A...second branch tube, 29A, 29B, 29C...base end, 30AB, 30BC, 30AC...delivery tube, 31...passage detection unit, 40...controller, 41...transmitting / receiving control unit, 42...path switching unit, 43...blower control unit, 43a...wind direction change unit, 43b...wind volume adjustment unit, 44...weight detection unit, 50...monitoring device, 100...pneumatic element, F1...first floor, F2...second floor, F3...third floor, X...merging side portion, Y...branching side portion.

Claims

1. A pneumatic tube system that transports a pneumatic element by air flow, a plurality of stations for transmitting and / or receiving the air-transport element; a pneumatic tube connecting the plurality of stations and serving as a passageway for the pneumatic element; a blower connected to the pneumatic tube and configured to generate the air flow within the pneumatic tube; a weight detection unit that detects the weight of the air feed element; an air volume adjusting unit that adjusts the air volume in the blower based on the weight of the air conveyor detected by the weight detecting unit; a passage detection unit provided in the pneumatic tube for detecting passage of the pneumatic element at a predetermined position on the passage path; a pressure detection unit provided in the pneumatic tube and configured to detect a pressure inside the pneumatic tube; Equipped with a switch capable of switching the path of the pneumatic element between a branch source pipe and a plurality of branch destination pipes is provided at each of the plurality of branch points in the pneumatic pipe, the passage detection unit is installed at the switch or the branch source pipe, the pressure detection unit detects pressure when the passage of the air carrier is detected by the passage detection unit installed in the converting device closest to the blower or in the branch source pipe connected to the converting device, among the converting devices installed on the conveying path from the station on the transmitting side to the station on the receiving side, thereby detecting pressure before the moving direction of the air carrier switches from a direction approaching the blower to a direction away from the blower; A pneumatic tube system, wherein the weight detection unit estimates the weight of the pneumatic element from the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit.

2. 2. The pneumatic tube system according to claim 1, wherein the air volume adjustment unit reduces the air volume of the blower as the weight of the pneumatic element detected by the weight detection unit decreases.

3. 3. The pneumatic tube system according to claim 1, wherein the pressure detector is installed at a base end of the pneumatic tube located between the blower and the converter closest to the blower.

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