Filter Changer

Abstract

To provide a filter changer which is less likely to cause resin leakage from a connection part between a resin supply part and a resin inflow hole.SOLUTION: A filter changer includes: a filter holder which stores a filter unit and is slidable in a first direction; a holding member which holds the filter holder in a slidable state; a slide device which slides the filter holder in the first direction; and a pressurization device which is provided on the holding member, and pressurizes the filter unit stored in the filter holder in a second direction crossing the first direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a filter changer. [Background technology]

[0002] A filter unit that filters resin is provided downstream of the extruder (see Patent Document 1). The filter unit is equipped with a filter changer that replaces a post-filtration filter unit with a pre-filtration filter unit. The filter changer includes a filter holder that can accommodate multiple filter units, a holding member that slidably holds the filter holder, and a resin supply unit that is provided on the holding member and has a resin supply hole that supplies resin to the resin inlet hole of the filter holder, and a resin discharge unit that discharges resin from the resin discharge hole of the filter holder. The holding member has a bolt hole with an internal thread, and a pressure bolt is fastened to the bolt hole. The pressure bolt presses the holding member. In other words, when an operator manually fastens the pressure bolt, the resin supply unit is pressed against the resin inlet hole of the filter holder, preventing resin leakage from the connection between the resin supply hole of the resin supply unit and the resin inlet hole.

[0003] Furthermore, when replacing the filter unit, the worker manually loosens the pressure bolt, then slides the filter holder to switch the post-filtration filter unit with the pre-filtration filter unit, and then manually tightens the pressure bolt again. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-08498 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In order to prevent resin leakage from the connection between the resin supply hole of the resin supply unit and the resin inlet hole of the filter unit, the fastening force of the pressurized bolt needs to be equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Here, in Patent Document 1, as described above, because the pressurized bolt is manually fastened by an operator, the fastening force of the pressurized bolt is prone to variation, which may result in resin leakage from the connection.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a filter changer that is less likely to cause resin leakage from the connecting portion between the resin supply portion and the resin inlet hole. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A filter changer according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a filter holder that accommodates a filter unit and is slidable in a first direction, a holding member that holds the filter holder in a slidable state, a sliding device that slides the filter holder in the first direction, and a pressure device that is provided on the holding member and applies pressure to the filter unit accommodated in the filter holder in a second direction that intersects the first direction.

[0008] As mentioned above, in Patent Document 1, when an operator manually tightens the pressure bolt, the resin supply unit is pressed against the resin inlet hole of the filter holder, which tends to cause variations in the pressure applied to the filter unit. In contrast, in the present invention, a pressure device applies a predetermined pressure to the filter unit. Therefore, using a pressure device rather than manual work reduces variations in the pressure applied to the filter unit, and ultimately reduces resin leakage from the connection between the resin supply hole of the resin supply unit and the resin inlet hole of the filter unit.

[0009] In one embodiment of the filter changer of the present invention, the pressure applying device has a resin supply section that has a resin supply hole that can supply resin to the resin inlet hole of the filter unit housed in the filter holder and that extends in a second direction, and also has an abutment member that can abut against the filter unit, and an actuator that moves the abutment member in the second direction, and the abutment member abuts against the filter unit in both a connected state in which the resin supply hole of the resin supply section and the resin inlet hole of the filter unit are connected, and a non-connected state in which the abutment member and the filter unit overlap when viewed from the second direction and the resin supply hole of the resin supply section and the resin inlet hole of the filter unit are not connected.

[0010] In the present invention, even in a disconnected state where the contact member and the filter unit overlap when viewed from the second direction and the resin supply hole of the resin supply portion and the resin inlet hole of the filter unit are not connected, the contact member contacts the filter unit. That is, even when the filter unit is replaced, the contact member contacts the portion of the filter unit where the resin inlet hole is formed, making it less likely that resin will leak from the connection between the resin supply hole of the protrusion and the resin inlet hole of the filter unit.

[0011] In one embodiment of the filter changer of the present invention, the filter changer further includes a control device that sends signals to the sliding device and the pressure applying device to operate the sliding device and the pressure applying device, and the signal sent from the control device to the sliding device causes the sliding device to slide the filter holder to a predetermined position, and the signal sent from the control device to the pressure applying device causes the pressure applying device to pressurize the filter unit with a predetermined pressure.

[0012] In this way, in the present invention, the control device sends a signal to the pressure device, which automatically applies a predetermined pressure to the filter unit, thereby reducing variations in the pressure applied to the filter unit and, ultimately, reducing resin leakage from the connection between the resin supply hole of the resin supply section and the resin inlet hole of the filter unit.

[0013] In a filter changer according to one embodiment of the present invention, the abutment member comprises a plate arranged on one side of the filter unit in the second direction and having a plurality of through holes penetrating in the second direction, and a plurality of engaging members each engaging with each of the plurality of through holes in the plate, and a plurality of actuators are provided, and each of the actuators is connected to a respective one of the plurality of engaging members.

[0014] In this way, because the hydraulic cylinder is connected to the plate via the fitting member, the actuator can move the abutting member to both one side and the other side in the second direction, and therefore the actuator can appropriately adjust the magnitude of the pressure force when pressing the plate against the portion of the filter unit where the resin inlet hole is to be formed.

[0015] In a filter changer according to an aspect of the present invention, when viewed from a second direction, the actuator and the fitting member are arranged at equal intervals along a circumferential direction centered on the resin supply unit.

[0016] Therefore, by applying the same pressure to the plate using multiple actuators, resin leakage from the connection between the resin supply hole of the resin supply section and the resin inlet hole of the filter unit is further reduced. In particular, by applying the same pressure to multiple actuators, resin leakage can be further reduced with simple operation. Furthermore, the area where the resin inlet hole of the filter unit is provided can be pressurized with uniform pressure from around that area.

[0017] In a filter changer according to one embodiment of the present invention, the pressure applied by the pressure device to the filter unit when filtering a first resin through the filter unit is greater than the pressure applied when filtering a second resin having a higher viscosity than the first resin through the filter unit.

[0018] In this way, the pressure applied to the second resin can be made smaller than that of the first resin, which reduces the load on the hydraulic cylinder and has the benefit of extending the life of the contact member because the pressure applied to the contact member is also reduced.

[0019] In a filter changer according to one embodiment of the present invention, the connection states include a first connection state in which resin flows from the resin supply section toward the resin inlet hole of the filter unit, and a second connection state in which resin does not flow from the resin supply section toward the resin inlet hole of the filter unit, and the pressure applied to the filter unit in the second connection state is smaller than the pressure applied to the filter unit in the first connection state.

[0020] In the first connected state, resin flows from the resin supply hole toward the resin inlet hole, which makes it easy for resin to leak from the connection between the resin supply hole and the resin inlet hole. In contrast, in the second connected state, resin does not flow from the resin supply hole toward the resin inlet hole, making it less likely for resin to leak than in the first connected state, and therefore the applied pressure can be reduced compared to the first connected state, making it possible to further reduce the load on the actuator.

[0021] In a filter changer according to one aspect of the present invention, the pressure applied to the filter unit in the unconnected state is smaller than the pressure applied to the filter unit in the first connected state, thereby further reducing the load on the actuator. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a filter changer in which resin leakage from the connecting portion between the resin supply portion and the resin inlet hole is less likely to occur. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a filter changer according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the filter unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of part A in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic graph comparing the pressure applied to the filter unit between the first resin and the second resin. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following detailed description of the invention (hereinafter referred to as the embodiment). Furthermore, the components in the following embodiment include those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those that are within the so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, the components disclosed in the following embodiment can be combined as appropriate. Note that in an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system, the Y direction is orthogonal to (intersects with) the X direction. The Z direction is orthogonal to (intersects with) the X and Y directions. The X1 side is opposite the X2 side, the Y1 side is opposite the Y2 side, and the Z1 side is opposite the Z2 side. Furthermore, the Y direction is the first direction, and the X direction is the second direction. The X1 side is one side of the second direction, and the X2 side is the other side of the second direction.

[0025] [Embodiment] The configuration of a filter changer according to an embodiment will be described below. Fig. 1 is a perspective view that schematically shows a filter changer according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a filter unit. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view enlarging part A in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in Fig. 1.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the filter changer 100 includes a holding member 10, a filter holder 20, a sliding device 30, a pressure device 40, and a control device 200.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the filter holder 20 extends in the Y direction. When viewed from the Z direction, the filter holder 20 has a generally rectangular shape. The filter holder 20 slides in a sliding direction along the Y direction (indicated by arrow D2 in FIG. 1 ) using a sliding device 30. The filter holder 20 includes, for example, a side wall 21, a side wall 22, and a partition member 23. The side wall 21 and the side wall 22 both extend in the Y direction. The side wall 21 and the side wall 22 are disposed opposite each other in the X direction. The side wall 21 and the side wall 22 are bridged by a plurality of partition members 23 (see FIG. 5 ). A stopper 29 is attached to the partition member 23 located closest to the Y1 side among the plurality of partition members 23. The stopper 29 abuts against the holding member 10 to stop movement of the filter holder 20 in the Y direction. The filter holder 20 has a plurality of holder portions 20A to which filter units 50 are attached. The multiple holder sections 20A are arranged side by side in the Y direction. The multiple holder sections 20A are partitioned by partition members 23. That is, the space between adjacent partition members 23 in the Y direction is a holder section 20A. The filter holder 20 of this embodiment is provided with two holder sections 20A.

[0028] 1 and 5, in each holder portion 20A, side wall 21 is provided with a notch 21S, and side wall 22 is provided with a notch 22S. Notches 21S and 22S extend in the Z direction and are open at their ends on the Z1 side. Notches 21S and 22S are arranged opposite each other in the X direction. Protrusion 56c of filter unit 50 is inserted into notch 21S, and protrusion 57b of filter unit 50 is inserted into notch 22S.

[0029] In this way, in the holder part 20A, the protrusions 56c and 57b of the filter unit 50 are inserted into the notches 21S and 22S and held therein. That is, the notches 21S and 22S are insertion ports for the filter unit 50. A screw hole is provided at the end of the filter unit 50 on the Z1 side, and a ring screw 61 is attached to the screw hole. A hook (not shown) is attached to the ring screw 61, and the filter unit 50 is lifted and transported to a predetermined position. The multiple filter units 50 include a filter unit 50N introduced into the flow path of the resin R and a spare filter unit 50S before filtration. The filter unit 50N after filtration is pulled out from the holder part 20A in the direction toward the Z1 side (indicated by arrow D1 in FIG. 1).

[0030] 1 and 3, the holding member 10 has a first plate 11, a second plate 12, a third plate 13, and a fourth plate 14. A filter unit 50 is disposed inside the holding member 10.

[0031] 1 and 3, the first plate 11 has a planar shape and is provided on the Z1 side of the holding member 10. The second plate 12 has a planar shape and is provided on the Z2 side of the holding member 10. The first plate 11 is located on the opposite side of the second plate 12 with the filter unit 50 in between. A slide guide 15 is provided on the inside of the first plate 11. The slide guide 15 is, for example, a sintered body impregnated with oil, and reduces sliding resistance when the side wall 21 moves in the Y direction.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the third plate 13 has an annular shape and is provided on the X1 side of the holding member 10. The fourth plate 14 also has an annular shape and is provided on the X2 side of the holding member 10. The third plate 13 is located on the opposite side of the fourth plate 14 across the filter unit 50. The third plate 13 and the fourth plate 14 are fixed to the first plate 11 and the second plate 12, respectively. A slide guide 16 is provided on the inside of the third plate 13. The slide guide 16 is, for example, a sintered body impregnated with oil and reduces sliding resistance when the side wall 21 moves in the Y direction. A discharge member (resin discharge portion) 17 is attached to the fourth plate 14. The discharge member 17 has a resin discharge hole 12a that penetrates in the X direction. Heaters 18 are provided on the outsides of the first plate 11, the third plate 13, and the fourth plate 14. The heaters 18 heat the resin R to reduce its viscosity.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 , the sliding device 30 includes, for example, a cylinder 31, a piston rod 32, a piston 33, and multiple guide bars 34. The cylinder 31 slides the piston rod 32 in the Y direction, for example, by hydraulic pressure. As shown in FIG. 5 , the piston rod 32 is fixed to the partition member 23 located closest to the Y2 side via the piston 33. The piston 33 slides in the Y direction together with the piston rod 32 while being guided by the multiple guide bars 34. Because the filter holder 20 is attached to the piston 33, the sliding device 30 slides the filter holder 20 and the filter unit 50 attached to the filter holder 20 in the Y direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5 , by operating the sliding device 30, the filter unit 50N located inside the holding member 10 can be moved toward the Y2 side and positioned outside the holding member 10, and the filter unit 50S can be moved toward the Y2 side and positioned inside the holding member 10.

[0034] 2, the filter unit 50 includes a filter 51 and a filter case 55. The filter 51 is, for example, a leaf filter having a leaf-shaped filter element 52. The filter element 52 and a pressing disc 53 are attached to a center pole 51a.

[0035] The filter case 55 has a case body 56, a lid 57, and a heater 59. The case body 56 is provided with a resin inlet hole 56a and a recess 56b. A convex portion 56c protruding toward the X1 side is provided on the X1 side of the case body 56. The convex portion 56c is provided with a resin inlet hole 56a extending in the X direction. The lid 57 is provided with a convex portion 57b protruding toward the X2 side on the X2 side. The lid 57 is provided with a resin outlet hole 57a extending in the X direction. The resin inlet hole 56a and the resin outlet hole 57a communicate with the recess 56b.

[0036] The filter 51 is fitted in the recess 56b. The recess 56b is closed by a lid 57. The case body 56 and the lid 57 are fixed with bolts (not shown). A gap FP is provided between the recess 56b and the filter 51. Resin R1 flowing in through the resin inlet hole 56a passes through the gap FP and flows into the filter element 52. Resin R2 filtered by the filter element 52 passes through the center pole 51a and is discharged into the resin outlet hole 57a.

[0037] A heater 59 is provided on the outer peripheral surfaces of the case body 56 and the lid 57. The heater 59 heats the resin R flowing inside the case body 56 and the lid 57.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the pressure device 40 includes a contact member 41 and a hydraulic cylinder 42 (actuator).

[0039] The abutting member 41 includes a plate 43 and a fitting member 44. The plate 43 is provided inside the third plate 13. The X2-side surface of the plate 43 abuts against the side wall 21 of the filter holder 20 and the protrusion 56c of the filter case 55. The plate 43 is integrally provided with a protrusion (resin supply portion) 45 that protrudes toward the X1 side. A resin supply hole 11a extending in the X direction is formed through the plate 43 and the protrusion 45. The resin supply hole 11a is coupled (connected) to a resin inlet hole 56a of the filter unit 50. The plate 43 is provided with a through-hole 43a that penetrates in the X direction. The fitting member 44 is inserted into and fitted into the through-hole 43a. The fitting member 44 includes a first member 440 and a second member 442. The first member 440 has a large-diameter portion 443 and a small-diameter portion 441. The large diameter portion 443 has a larger diameter than the small diameter portion 441. The small diameter portion 441 is provided with a female thread portion that opens on the X2 side. The second member 442 has a disk shape with a larger diameter than the small diameter portion 441. The second member 442 has a male thread portion 444 that protrudes on the X1 side. The male thread portion 444 meshes with the female thread portion of the small diameter portion 441, thereby fastening the first member 440 and the second member 442 together. Therefore, the fitting member 44 is fitted into the through hole 43a of the plate 43.

[0040] The hydraulic cylinder 42 has a cylinder tube 420 and a rod 421. A male thread is provided at the tip of the rod 421, and engages with a female thread formed on the fitting member 44. In the present invention, the hydraulic cylinder 42 is one example of an actuator, and various actuators other than the hydraulic cylinder 42 are also applicable. Note that a heat-resistant hydraulic cylinder is preferable as the hydraulic cylinder 42, because the entire filter changer 100 is heated to, for example, a temperature above the melting point or glass transition temperature of the resin to maintain the resin in a molten state. This heat-resistant hydraulic cylinder has a fluorine-based O-ring and fluorine-based packing.

[0041] Ports 422 and 423 are provided in the cylinder tube 420. A piston (not shown) is provided inside the cylinder tube 420, and a rod 421 is attached to the piston. The piston is disposed between the ports 422 and 423 in the X direction. When oil flows into the port 422, the piston is pushed toward the X2 side, and the rod 421 moves toward the X2 side. The rod 421 is fixed to the fitting member 44, and the fitting member 44 is fixed to the plate 43, so that the plate 43 moves toward the X2 side. As a result, the abutting member 41 presses the protrusion 56c of the filter unit 50.

[0042] Furthermore, when oil as a medium flows into the port 423, the piston is pulled back toward the X1 side, the rod 421 moves toward the X1 side, and the plate 43 moves toward the X1 side. This reduces the pressure that the abutting member 41 applies to the protrusion 56c of the filter unit 50. The oil is preferably a flame-retardant hydraulic oil with a high flash point. Examples of applicable hydraulic oils include water-glycol-based hydraulic oil, W / O emulsion-based hydraulic oil, phosphate ester-based hydraulic oil, and fatty acid ester-based hydraulic oil.

[0043] The control device 200 is a so-called computer, and includes an input interface, an output interface, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a storage unit, and a communication unit that processes input of signals from the position sensor and output of signals to the sliding device 30 and the pressure device 40. The CPU of the control device 200 executes a program previously stored in the storage unit, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 , sends signals to the sliding device 30 and the pressure device 40 to operate them. Specifically, when the control device 200 sends a signal 210 to the sliding device 30, the sliding device 30 operates, and the filter holder 20 and the filter unit 50 attached to the filter holder 20 slide in the Y direction. The sliding device 30 is provided with a position sensor (not shown), which sends a signal to the control device 200 that the sliding device 30 has been placed in a predetermined position. When the control device 200 receives this signal, the control device 200 sends a signal to the slide device 30 to stop the operation of the slide device 30.

[0044] Furthermore, when the control device 200 sends signals 221 , 222 , 223 , and 224 to the hydraulic cylinders 42 of the pressure device 40 , the four hydraulic cylinders 42 are activated, and the contact members 41 pressurize the convex portions 56 c of the filter units 50 .

[0045] Next, the procedure for replacing the post-filtration filter unit with the pre-filtration filter unit will be briefly described with reference to Fig. 6. In this embodiment, the resins are a first resin PL1 and a second resin PL2 having a higher viscosity than the first resin PL1. Fig. 6 is a schematic graph comparing the pressure applied to the filter unit between the first resin and the second resin.

[0046] First, at time T1 in FIG. 6, the resin supply hole 11a of the contact member 41 is connected to the resin inlet hole 56a of the filter unit 50. When an operator turns on the filtration switch provided on the filter changer 100, the control device 200 sends signals 221, 222, 223, and 224 to the four pressure devices 40 (see FIG. 1). The pressure devices 40 then operate, causing the plate 43 of the contact member 41 to pressurize the protrusion 56c of the filter unit 50. At this time, the pressure increases from pressure P2 to pressure P1 or P1A. Note that in the case of the first resin PL1, the pressure increases to pressure P1, and in the case of the second resin PL2, the pressure increases to pressure P1A. In other words, the second resin PL2, which has a higher viscosity, can suppress resin leakage with a lower pressure than the first resin PL1.

[0047] 6, the resin R is filtered while maintaining the pressure P1 or P1A. Specifically, the resin R1 that flows from the resin supply hole 11a to the resin inlet hole 56a passes through the gap FP into the filter element 52 and is filtered by the filter element 52. The filtered resin R2 passes through the center pole 51a and is discharged to the resin discharge hole 12a via the resin outlet hole 57a. In this way, the pressure is maintained approximately constant at the pressure P1 or P1A from time T1 to time T2.

[0048] Next, at time T2 in Figure 6, the flow of resin R stops, and the control device 200 sends signals 221, 222, 223, and 224 to the four pressure devices 40 (see Figure 1). Then, the pressure applied by the pressure devices 40 decreases to pressure P2 or 0. That is, when the second resin PL2 with high viscosity is applied, the pressure decreases to 0, but when the first resin PL1 is applied, the pressure becomes P2, which is higher than 0.

[0049] Then, at time T2 in FIG. 6 , the control device 200 sends a signal 210 to the sliding device 30, which activates the sliding device 30. Specifically, from time T2 to time T3 in FIG. 6 , the sliding device 30 slides the filter holder 20 in the Y direction. As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 1 , the filter unit 50N, which is disposed inside the holding member 10, is moved toward the Y2 side and positioned outside the holding member 10, and the filter unit 50S is moved toward the Y2 side and positioned inside the holding member 10. In this manner, the filter unit 50N can be replaced with the filter unit 50S. Here, from time T2 to T3, when the second resin PL2 with a high viscosity is used, the pressurizing force is maintained at 0, but when the first resin PL1 is used, the pressurizing force P2 is maintained at a constant value higher than 0.

[0050] As described above, slide device 30 is provided with a position sensor, and when the position sensor detects that resin inlet hole 56a and resin supply hole 11a of filter unit 50 have overlapped and reached a position where coupling (connection) is possible as viewed from the X direction, a signal is sent from the position sensor to control device 200. Upon receiving the signal, control device 200 stops the operation of slide device 30 and stops the movement of filter holder 20 at time T3 in Figure 6.

[0051] Then, at time T3 in Figure 6, the control device 200 sends signals 221, 222, 223, and 224 to the four pressure devices 40 (see Figure 1). This causes the pressure devices 40 to operate, causing the plates 43 of the abutment members 41 to pressurize the protrusions 56c of the filter units 50. Thereafter, the above-described steps are repeated.

[0052] Next, specific examples and physical properties of the first resin PL1 and the second resin PL2 will be described. Note that the "sealing surface pressure" shown below is not the pressure of the hydraulic oil in the hydraulic cylinder, but the pressure applied to the actual sealing surface. Also, the "melt viscosity" is a value measured using a flow tester.

[0053] [1] In the case of high viscosity second resin PL2 The second resin PL2 may be, for example, polycarbonate, polyamide, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, or polybutylene terephthalate. The melt viscosity of the second resin PL2 is, for example, 100 Pa·s or more and 10,000 Pa·s or less. The filter internal pressure is preferably, for example, 5 MPa or more and 30 MPa or less. The sealing surface pressure when the resin R flows from the resin supply hole 11a into the resin inlet hole 56a is preferably 10 MPa or more and 30 MPa or less. The sealing surface pressure when replacing the filter unit 50 is preferably 0 MPa or more and 1 MPa or less.

[0054] [2] When the second resin PL2 is polycarbonate The melt viscosity is 1500 Pa·s at a temperature of 260°C. The filter internal pressure is 25 MPa. The sealing surface pressure when the resin R flows from the resin supply hole 11a to the resin inlet hole 56a is 21 MPa. The sealing surface pressure when the filter unit 50 is replaced is 0 MPa.

[0055] [3] In the case of low viscosity first resin PL1 The first resin PL1 may be, for example, epoxy, polyethylene terephthalate, or polymethyl methacrylate. The melt viscosity of the first resin PL1 is, for example, 1 Pa·s or more and 100 Pa·s or less. The filter internal pressure is preferably, for example, 0.5 MPa or more and 10 MPa or less. The sealing surface pressure when the resin R flows from the resin supply hole 11a to the resin inlet hole 56a is preferably 10 MPa or more and 30 MPa or less. The sealing surface pressure when replacing the filter unit 50 is preferably 0.1 MPa or more and 1 MPa or less.

[0056] [4] When the first resin PL1 is epoxy resin The melt viscosity is 1000 mPa·s at a temperature of 180°C. The filter internal pressure is 2 MPa. The sealing surface pressure when the resin R flows from the resin supply hole 11a to the resin inlet hole 56a is 21 MPa. The sealing surface pressure when the filter unit 50 is replaced is 5 MPa.

[0057] As described above, the filter changer 100 according to this embodiment replaces the post-filtration filter unit 50N with the pre-filtration filter unit 50S in the filter unit 50 that filters the resin R sent from the extruder. The filter changer 100 includes a filter holder 20 that houses the post-filtration filter unit 50N and the pre-filtration filter unit 50S and is slidable in the Y direction (first direction), a holding member 10 that holds the filter holder 20 in a slidable state, a sliding device 30 that slides the filter holder 20 in the Y direction, and a pressure device 40 that is provided on the holding member 10 and pressurizes the filter unit 50 housed in the filter holder 20 in the X direction.

[0058] As described above, in Patent Document 1, when an operator manually tightens the pressurizing bolt, the resin supply portion is pressed against the resin inlet hole of the filter holder, which tends to cause variations in the pressure applied to the filter unit 50. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the pressurizing device 40 pressurizes the filter unit 50 with a predetermined pressure. Therefore, variations in the pressure applied to the filter unit 50 are less likely to occur, and ultimately resin leakage from the connection portion between the resin supply hole 11a of the abutting member 41 and the resin inlet hole 56a of the filter unit 50 is less likely to occur.

[0059] The filter changer 100 also includes a control device 200 that sends signals to the sliding device 30 and the pressure applying device 40 to operate the sliding device and the pressure applying device 40. In response to a signal sent from the control device 200 to the sliding device 30, the sliding device 30 slides the filter holder 20 to a predetermined position, and in response to a signal sent from the control device 200 to the pressure applying device 40, the pressure applying device 40 applies a predetermined pressure to the filter unit 50.

[0060] As described above, in this embodiment, the control device 200 sends a signal to the pressurizing device 40, which then automatically pressurizes the filter unit 50 with a predetermined pressure. This reduces the likelihood of variations in the pressure applied to the filter unit 50, and ultimately reduces the likelihood of resin leakage from the connection between the resin supply hole 11a of the contact member 41 and the resin inlet hole 56a of the filter unit 50.

[0061] The pressurizing device 40 has a contact member 41 that can contact the filter unit 50, and a hydraulic cylinder (actuator) 42 that moves the contact member 41 in the X direction. The contact member 41 has a protrusion (resin supply portion) 45 that has a resin supply hole 11a extending in the X direction and that can supply resin R to a resin inlet hole 56a of the filter unit 50 housed in the filter holder 20, and a discharge member 17 that has a resin discharge hole 12a that discharges the resin R filtered by the filter unit 50. The contact member 41 contacts the filter unit 50 both in a connected state in which the resin supply hole 11a of the contact member 41 and the resin inlet hole 56a of the filter unit 50 are connected, and in a disconnected state in which the contact member 41 and the filter unit 50 overlap when viewed from the X direction and the resin supply hole 11a of the contact member 41 and the resin inlet hole 56a of the filter unit 50 are not connected.

[0062] As described above, in Patent Document 1, when replacing the filter unit, the pressurizing bolt is loosened, which may cause resin leakage from the connecting portion between the resin supply hole of the resin supply unit and the resin inlet hole of the filter unit. Also, if an operator forgets to tighten the pressurizing bolt and causes resin to flow from the resin supply hole of the resin supply unit into the resin inlet hole of the filter unit, resin leakage may occur from the connecting portion.

[0063] In contrast, in this embodiment, even in a disconnected state where the abutting member 41 and the filter unit 50 overlap when viewed from the X direction and the resin supply hole 11a of the protrusion (resin supply portion) 45 and the resin inlet hole 56a of the filter unit 50 are not connected, the abutting member 41 abuts against the filter unit 50. That is, even when replacing the filter unit 50, the abutting member 41 abuts against the portion of the filter unit 50 where the resin inlet hole 56a is formed, making it less likely that resin will leak from the connected portion between the resin supply hole 11a of the protrusion 45 and the resin inlet hole 56a of the filter unit 50. Furthermore, because the pressurizing device 40 is operated automatically, it is less likely that an operator will forget to tighten a pressurizing bolt, resulting in resin leakage from the connected portion, as in Patent Document 1.

[0064] The abutting member 41 includes a plate 43 that is disposed on the X1 side with respect to the filter unit 50 and has a plurality of through holes 43a that penetrate in the X direction, and a plurality of fitting members 44 that fit one-by-one into each of the plurality of through holes 43a of the plate 43. A plurality of hydraulic cylinders 42 are provided, and each hydraulic cylinder 42 is connected to a respective one of the plurality of fitting members 44.

[0065] The hydraulic cylinders 42 are capable of moving the contact members 41 to both one side and the other side in the X direction. Therefore, because the hydraulic cylinders 42 are connected to the plate 43 via the fitting members 44, the magnitude of the pressure applied by the hydraulic cylinders 42 when pressing the plate 43 against the portion of the filter unit 50 where the resin inlet holes 56a are formed can be appropriately adjusted. Note that because the hydraulic cylinders 42 use fluid hydraulic oil as a medium, the pressure applied by the contact members 41 to the resin inlet holes 56a of the filter unit 50 is uniform for all four hydraulic cylinders 42.

[0066] When viewed from the X direction, the hydraulic cylinders 42 and the fitting members 44 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction centered on the resin supply hole 11a.

[0067] Therefore, by applying the same pressure to the plate 43 using multiple hydraulic cylinders 42, resin leakage from the connecting portion between the resin supply hole 11a of the protrusion 45 and the resin inlet hole 56a of the filter unit 50 becomes even less likely. In particular, by applying the same pressure to the multiple hydraulic cylinders 42, resin leakage can be further reduced with a simple operation. Furthermore, the area where the resin inlet hole 56a of the filter unit 50 is provided can be pressurized with uniform pressure from all around that area.

[0068] When comparing the filtering of the first resin PL1 with the filtering of the second resin PL2, which has a higher viscosity than the first resin PL1, the pressure P1A applied by the pressure device 40 of the filter unit 50 when filtering the second resin PL2 through the filter unit 50 is smaller than the pressure P1 applied when filtering the first resin PL1 through the filter unit 50.

[0069] In this way, the pressure P1A applied to the second resin PL2 can be made smaller than the pressure P1 applied to the first resin PL1, thereby reducing the load on the hydraulic cylinder 42. In addition, the pressure applied to the contact member 41 is also reduced, which has the advantage of extending the life of the contact member 41.

[0070] The connected states include a first connected state in which resin R flows from resin supply hole 11a of protrusion 45 toward resin inlet hole 56a of filter unit 50, and a second connected state in which resin R does not flow from resin supply hole 11a of protrusion 45 toward resin inlet hole 56a of filter unit 50. The pressure P2 of filter unit 50 in the second connected state is smaller than the pressures P1 and P1A of filter unit 50 in the first connected state.

[0071] In the first connected state, the resin R flows from the resin supply hole 11a toward the resin inlet hole 56a, and therefore resin leakage is likely to occur from the connection portion between the resin supply hole 11a and the resin inlet hole 56a.

[0072] In contrast, in the second connected state, resin R does not flow from the resin supply hole 11a toward the resin inlet hole 56a, so resin is less likely to leak than in the first connected state, and therefore the pressure can be reduced compared to the first connected state, making it possible to reduce the load on the hydraulic cylinder 42.

[0073] Since the pressure force P2 of the filter unit 50 in the unconnected state is smaller than the pressure forces P1 and P1A of the filter unit 50 in the first connected state, the load on the hydraulic cylinder 42 can be further reduced.

[0074] The pressure force P2 of filter unit 50 in the unconnected state is approximately the same as the pressure force P2 of filter unit 50 in the second connected state. Therefore, when replacing filter unit 50 by sliding filter holder 20 from the second connected state, the same pressure force is sufficient, making it easy to manage the pressure force.

[0075] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. The contents disclosed in the embodiments are merely examples, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. Appropriate modifications made within the scope of the present invention naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. All inventions that can be implemented by a person skilled in the art through appropriate design modifications based on the above invention also fall within the technical scope of the present invention as long as they include the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 10. Retaining member 11 Plate 1 11a Resin supply hole 12 Second Plate 12a Resin discharge hole 13 Third Plate 14 Fourth Plate 15, 16 Slide guide 17 Discharge member (resin discharge part) 18 Heater 20 filter holder 20A holder part 21 Side wall 21S notch 22 Side wall 22S notch 23 Partition member 29 Stopper 30 Slide device 31 cylinders 32 Piston rod 33 Piston 34 Guide bar 40 Pressure device 41 Contact member 42 Hydraulic cylinder (actuator) 43 Plate 43a Through hole 44 Fitting member 45 Projection part (resin supply part) 50 filter units 50N filter unit 50S Filter Unit 51 filters 51a Center Pole 52 filter element 53 Presser disc 55 Filter Case 56 Case body 56a Resin inlet hole 56b Recess 56c convex part 57 Lid 57a Resin outflow hole 57b Convex part 59 Heater 61 Ring screw 100 Filter Changer 200 control device 210, 221, 222, 223, 224 signal 420 cylinder tube 421 Rod Ports 422 and 423 440 First member 442 Second member 443 Large diameter section 441 Small diameter section 444 Male thread FP Gap PL1 First Resin PL2 2nd resin R resin

Claims

1. a filter holder that accommodates the filter unit and is slidable in a first direction; a holding member that holds the filter holder in a slidable state; a slide device that slides the filter holder in a first direction; a pressure device provided on the holding member and configured to apply pressure to the filter unit housed in the filter holder in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a control device that sends signals to the sliding device and the pressure device to operate the sliding device and the pressure device, The control device sends a signal to the slide device, causing the slide device to slide the filter holder to a predetermined position; The pressure applying device applies a predetermined pressure to the filter unit in response to a signal sent from the control device to the pressure applying device. Filter changer.

2. The pressure device is a contact member having a resin supply hole capable of supplying resin to a resin inlet hole of the filter unit accommodated in the filter holder and having a resin supply portion extending in a second direction, and capable of contacting the filter unit; an actuator that moves the abutment member in a second direction, the abutting member abuts against the filter unit in both a connected state in which the resin supply hole of the resin supply portion and the resin inlet hole of the filter unit are connected, and a non-connected state in which the abutting member and the filter unit overlap when viewed from a second direction and the resin supply hole of the resin supply portion and the resin inlet hole of the filter unit are not connected, 2. The filter changer of claim 1.

3. The abutment member is a plate disposed on one side of the filter unit in the second direction and having a plurality of through holes penetrating in the second direction; a plurality of fitting members each fitted into a corresponding one of the plurality of through holes of the plate; a plurality of the actuators are provided, and each of the actuators is connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of fitting members; 3. The filter changer according to claim 2.

4. When viewed from a second direction, the actuators and the fitting members are disposed at equal intervals along a circumferential direction around the resin supply portion.

4. The filter changer according to claim 3.

5. The connection state is a first connection state in which resin flows from the resin supply portion toward the resin inlet hole of the filter unit; a second connection state in which resin does not flow from the resin supply portion toward the resin inlet hole of the filter unit, a pressure applied to the filter unit in the second connected state is smaller than a pressure applied to the filter unit in the first connected state; 5. A filter changer according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

6. a pressure applied to the filter unit in the unconnected state is smaller than a pressure applied to the filter unit in the first connected state; 6. The filter changer according to claim 5.

7. a pressure applied by the pressurizing device to the filter unit when filtering a first resin through the filter unit is greater than a pressure applied when filtering a second resin having a viscosity higher than that of the first resin through the filter unit; 7. A filter changer according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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