Grain drying apparatus

Abstract

To prevent grain in a transfer frame from being needlessly discharged from an opening.SOLUTION: In a grain dryer 10, a load is applied from grain to a discharge shutter 46 when grain is transferred in an upper transfer trough 42 by an upper screw 44, with a discharge port 42A of the upper transfer trough 42 in a state of being shut by the discharge shutter 46. A keeper 46A of the discharge shutter 46 is disposed on the side of the peripheral face of the discharge port 42A in a manner of protruding into the discharge port 42A of the upper transfer trough 42 so that the keeper 46A helps the discharge shutter 46 keep the discharge port 42A shut when the discharge shutter 46 is needlessly turned downward. Hence, grain in the upper transfer trough 42 can be prevented from being needlessly discharged from the discharge port 42A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a grain drying device in which grains are dried inside a device body.

Background Art

[0002] In the grain drying device described in Patent Document 1 below, in the upper screw conveyor, an upper screw is provided in an upper conveying trough, and by rotating the upper screw, grains are conveyed in the upper conveying trough.

[0003] By the way, in such a grain drying device, an opening is provided in the lower wall of the upper conveying trough, and the opening is closed by a closing member. When the closing member opens the opening, the grains in the upper conveying trough are discharged from the opening.

[0004] Here, it is preferable to be able to suppress unnecessary discharge of the grains in the upper conveying trough from the opening.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In consideration of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain a grain drying device capable of suppressing unnecessary discharge of grains in a conveying frame from an opening.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The grain drying device according to claim 1 includes a device body in which grains are dried inside, a conveying frame provided with an opening, and a closing member that closes the opening and conveys grains in the conveying frame, and on the open side More than the specified amountA closing member that is moved to open the opening, thereby allowing grain in the conveying frame to be discharged from the opening, and a closing member provided on the closing member and protruding into the opening, positioned to the side of the circumferential surface of the opening, which opens the closing member. Less than the specified amount The system includes a maintenance unit that maintains the closure of the opening by the closing member when it is moved.

[0008] The grain drying apparatus according to claim 2 is the grain drying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the maintenance unit is attached to the closing member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] In the grain drying apparatus described in claim 1, grain is dried inside the apparatus body. Furthermore, a closing member closes the opening of the conveying frame, and grain is conveyed inside the conveying frame. In addition, the closing member is on the open side. More than the specified amount When the frame is moved and the opening is opened, the grain inside the conveying frame is discharged through the opening.

[0010] Here, the retaining portion of the closing member protrudes into the opening and is positioned on the side of the circumferential surface of the opening, and the closing member is on the open side Less than the specified amount When the frame is moved, the retention unit maintains the closure of the opening by the closing member. This prevents grain from being unnecessarily discharged from the opening within the transport frame.

[0011] In the grain drying apparatus described in claim 2, the maintenance unit is attached to the closing member. Therefore, the maintenance unit can be easily provided on the closing member. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a partially cutaway side view (perspective view in the lower section) of a grain drying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the right. [Figure 2] This is a front cross-sectional view showing a grain drying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is an exploded perspective view from the rear left, showing the upper part of a grain drying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view from the front and slightly to the right, showing the upper screw conveyor of a grain drying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a rearward cross-sectional view showing the upper screw conveyor of a grain drying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a rearward cross-sectional view showing an upper screw conveyor in a grain drying apparatus according to a modified embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Figure 1 shows a partially cutaway side view of a grain drying apparatus 10 (far-infrared grain drying apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the right, and Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the grain drying apparatus 10 viewed from the front. In the drawings, the front of the grain drying apparatus 10 is indicated by the arrow FR, the right side of the grain drying apparatus 10 is indicated by the arrow RH, and the top of the grain drying apparatus 10 is indicated by the arrow UP.

[0014] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the grain drying apparatus 10 according to this embodiment includes a machine body 12 as the main body of the apparatus, and the machine body 12 is shaped like a rectangular box that is tall vertically and long front to back.

[0015] The upper part of the aircraft body 12 is a grain tank 14 which serves as a storage chamber, and grain K (for example, rice, wheat, buckwheat, or soybeans) is stored (contained) in the grain tank 14.

[0016] In the lower part of the aircraft body 12, exhaust duct bulkheads 16 are provided on the right and left sides, and the exhaust duct bulkheads 16 are ventilated. The exhaust duct bulkheads 16 are spanned between the front and rear panels of the aircraft body 12 and are inclined downward from the side panels of the aircraft body 12 toward the center in the left-right direction, and the pair of exhaust duct bulkheads 16 are funnel-shaped.

[0017] Between a pair of exhaust air path partitions 16, a substantially rhombic cylindrical air duct plate 18 is provided, and the air duct plate 18 has air permeability. The air duct plate 18 is bridged between the front panel and the rear panel of the machine body 12, and the lower part of the air duct plate 18 is parallel to the opposing exhaust air path partitions 16. Inside the air duct plate 18 is a blower path 20, and the blower path 20 is open at the front side and closed at the rear side.

[0018] Between the upper part of the air duct plate 18 and the upper part of each exhaust air path partition 16, a substantially rhombic cylindrical air guiding path partition 22 is provided, and the air guiding path partition 22 has air permeability. The air guiding path partition 22 is bridged between the front panel and the rear panel of the machine body 12, and the lower part of the air guiding path partition 22 is parallel to the opposing exhaust air path partitions 16 and also parallel to the opposing air duct plate 18. Inside the air guiding path partition 22 is an air guiding path 24, and the front side and the rear side of the air guiding path 24 are closed.

[0019] On the left and right sides of the air duct plate 18, between the air duct plate 18 and the air guiding path partition 22, between the air guiding path partition 22 and the exhaust air path partition 16, and between the air duct plate 18 and the exhaust air path partition 16, a grain flow down path 26 as a drying chamber is formed, and the front side and the rear side of the grain flow down path 26 are closed. The upper side of the grain flow down path 26 is communicated with the inside of the grain tank 14, and the grain K in the grain tank 14 flows down into the grain flow down path 26.

[0020] Between the lower ends of a pair of grain flow passages 26, a substantially cylindrical shutter drum 28 is provided as a dispensing means, directly below the lower end of the wind drum 18. The shutter drum 28 is rotatably spanned between the front and rear plates of the machine body 12 and substantially closes the lower ends of each grain flow passage 26. A pair of rectangular slits 28A are formed on the outer circumference of the shutter drum 28, and the slits 28A are elongated in the axial direction of the shutter drum 28. One slit 28A is located on the front side of the shutter drum 28, and the other slit 28A is located on the rear side of the shutter drum 28 and on the opposite side in the circumferential direction from the first slit 28A. When the shutter drum 28 rotates, the slits 28A face the lower ends of the grain flow passages 26, causing the grain K in the grain flow passages 26 to flow into the shutter drum 28 through the slits 28A. Then, the shutter drum 28 rotates, causing the slit 28A to face downwards, and the grain K inside the shutter drum 28 is discharged (unfed) downwards.

[0021] Below each exhaust duct bulkhead 16, a sluice plate 30 is provided, which spans between the front and rear panels of the aircraft body 12. The sluice plates 30 are inclined downward from the side panels of the aircraft body 12 toward the center in the left-right direction, and a pair of sluice plates 30 are funnel-shaped. The space between the side panels of the aircraft body 12, the sluice plates 30 and the exhaust duct bulkhead 16 is an exhaust duct 32, which is closed at the front and open at the rear.

[0022] A loading hopper 34 is provided at the lower part of the side panel of the machine body 12 so as to be openable and closable. When the loading hopper 34 is opened, grain K can be loaded (supplied) into the machine body 12. Here, the grain K discharged from the shutter drum 28 or loaded from the loading hopper 34 flows down between the lower ends of a pair of loading flow plates 30.

[0023] A lower screw conveyor 36 is provided between the lower ends of a pair of loading plates 30. The lower screw conveyor 36 has its rear end fixed to the rear plate of the machine body 12, and its front end protruding forward from the front of the machine body 12. The lower screw conveyor 36 has a long trough-shaped lower transport trough 36A, and the top and front surfaces of the lower transport trough 36A outside the machine body 12 are closed. Inside the machine body 12, the lower transport trough 36A is connected to an exhaust passage 32, and the grain K that has reached the space between the lower ends of the pair of loading plates 30 flows down into the lower transport trough 36A. A lower screw 36B is provided inside the lower transport trough 36A, and the grain K inside the lower transport trough 36A is transported forward by the lower screw 36B.

[0024] An elevator 38 is erected in front of the right side of the machine body 12, and the upper end of the elevator 38 protrudes above the top plate of the machine body 12. An endless belt 38A is arranged inside the elevator 38, and buckets 38B are attached to the endless belt 38A at regular intervals. The lower end of the elevator 38 is connected to the front end of the lower conveying trough 36A, and the grain K discharged from the front end of the lower screw conveyor 36 (the front end of the lower conveying trough 36A) and accumulated at the lower end of the elevator 38 is lifted and conveyed to the upper end of the elevator 38 by the buckets 38B due to the rotation of the endless belt 38A.

[0025] An upper screw conveyor 40 (see Figures 3 and 4) is provided at the upper end of the machine body 12 as a conveying means. The rear end of the upper screw conveyor 40 is positioned directly below the center of the top plate of the machine body 12, and the front end protrudes from the front plate of the machine body 12. The upper screw conveyor 40 has a roughly rectangular cylindrical upper conveying trough 42 as a conveying frame, and the lower surface of the rear end of the upper conveying trough 42 is open. The front part of the upper conveying trough 42 is in communication with the upper end of the elevator 38, and the grain K that has been conveyed to the upper end of the elevator 38 flows down to the front part of the upper conveying trough 42. An upper screw 44 is provided inside the upper conveying trough 42 as a conveying member, and in the upper screw 44, a helical plate 44B is fixed coaxially to a cylindrical central axis 44A. As a result, when the upper screw 44 rotates, the grain K in the front part of the upper conveying trough 42 is conveyed to the rear by the upper screw 44.

[0026] An outlet 42A is formed as an opening in the lower front wall of the upper conveying trough 42, and the outlet 42A opens the front part of the upper conveying trough 42 downwards. The outlet 42A is shaped like a truncated square pyramid, and the outlet 42A expands downwards in the front-rear and left-right directions.

[0027] A roughly rectangular plate-shaped discharge shutter 46 is provided on the lower front side of the upper conveying trough 42 as a closing member, and the discharge shutter 46 is rotatable about its left end. The discharge shutter 46 is mechanically connected to an actuator 48 (e.g., a motor), and when driven by the actuator 48, the discharge shutter 46 is rotated upward (to the closing side) and comes into contact with (fits into) the lower surface around the discharge port 42A of the upper conveying trough 42, thereby closing the discharge port 42A. Near the front, rear, and right outer circumference of the discharge shutter 46, a roughly U-shaped retaining portion 46A (see Figure 5) is continuously formed by press working, and the retaining portion 46A protrudes into (upwards from) the discharge port 42A and is positioned along the circumferential surface of the discharge port 42A near its circumferential surface.

[0028] A roughly rectangular cylindrical discharge chute 50 is fixed to the underside of the front of the upper conveying trough 42. The discharge chute 50 covers the underside of the front of the upper conveying trough 42 (including the discharge shutter 46) and is tapered downwards in the front-rear direction. When the discharge shutter 46 is rotated downwards (to the open side) by the drive of the actuator 48, the discharge shutter 46 opens the discharge port 42A of the upper conveying trough 42, and the grain K in the front of the upper conveying trough 42 is discharged downwards (outside the grain drying device 10) from inside the discharge chute 50 through the discharge port 42A.

[0029] Distribution openings 42B are formed in the lower wall of the upper conveying trough 42, excluding the front and rear ends. The distribution openings 42B are open downwards, except for the front and rear ends of the upper conveying trough 42. The distribution openings 42B are shaped like a truncated square pyramid, and they expand downwards in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions.

[0030] A roughly rectangular plate-shaped distribution shutter 52 is provided on the underside of the upper conveying trough 42, excluding the front and rear ends. The distribution shutter 52 is rotatable around its left end. The distribution shutter 52 is mechanically connected to an actuator 48. Driven by the actuator 48, the distribution shutter 52 is rotated upward (to the closed side) and contacts (fits) with the lower surface around the distribution opening 42B of the upper conveying trough 42, thereby closing the distribution opening 42B.

[0031] A disc-shaped equalizer 54 is rotatably mounted below the rear end of the upper screw conveyor 40 as a distribution means. The grain K conveyed to the rear end of the upper screw conveyor 40 (the rear end within the upper conveying trough 42) flows down onto the upper surface of the rotating equalizer 54, and is evenly distributed into the grain tank 14 by centrifugal force.

[0032] A long, rectangular plate-shaped equalization plate 56 (see Figure 3) is fixed to the upper part of the front panel of the machine body 12 as a distribution means. The equalization plate 56 is positioned below the distribution port 42B of the upper conveying trough 42 and is inclined downward toward the rear. When the distribution shutter 52 is rotated downward (open side) by the drive of the actuator 48, the distribution shutter 52 opens the distribution port 42B, and the grain K in the upper conveying trough 42, except for the front and rear ends, is discharged downward from the distribution port 42B. As a result, the grain K flows down onto the equalization plate 56 and is evenly distributed into the grain tank 14 by the equalization plate 56.

[0033] At the lower front of the aircraft body 12, to the left of the elevator 38, is a roughly rectangular box-shaped furnace case 58. The inside of the furnace case 58 is connected to the outside of the aircraft body 12 at the front and to the inside of the wind fuselage plate 18 (air passage 20) at the rear.

[0034] A far-infrared radiator 60 is positioned in the air duct 20 as a radiator. The far-infrared radiator 60 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is bent into a U-shape overall. The upper and lower portions of the far-infrared radiator 60 are extended in the front-to-back direction, and the upper and lower ends are positioned towards the front. A burner (not shown) is fixed to the lower end of the far-infrared radiator 60 as a heat generation means. When the burner is activated (ignited), the heated air (heated airflow) generated heats the far-infrared radiator 60 and is released into the air duct 20 from the upper end of the far-infrared radiator 60 while heating it. As a result, the air in the air duct 20 is heated, and the far-infrared radiator 60 emits far-infrared rays due to the heating.

[0035] A blower 62 is connected to the lower rear of the machine body 12, and the inside of the blower 62 is in communication with the exhaust passage 32 at the front. Therefore, when the blower 62 is driven, ambient temperature outside air from outside the machine body 12 is drawn in through the furnace case 58 and into the air passage 20, where it is converted into dry air. This dry air is then drawn into the blower 62 and exhausted after passing through the winding plate 18, the grain flow passage 26, the exhaust passage bulkhead 16, and the exhaust passage 32. In addition, the dry air blown over the upper part of the grain flow passage 26 passes through the guide passage bulkhead 22 and the guide passage 24.

[0036] Furthermore, the drying air in the air passage 20 is heated by the far-infrared radiator 60, which is heated by the operation of the burner, and the heated air emitted from the upper end of the far-infrared radiator 60, generating hot air, which then passes through the grain flow passage 26. In addition, the far-infrared rays emitted by the far-infrared radiator 60 also pass through the grain flow passage 26.

[0037] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

[0038] In the grain drying apparatus 10 with the above configuration, when grain K is loaded into the machine body 12, the lower screw conveyor 36, elevator 38, upper screw conveyor 40, and equalizer 54 are driven. Furthermore, when a heavy grain K (for example, soybeans) is loaded into the machine body 12, the distribution shutter 52 on the upper screw conveyor 40 is rotated downwards, opening the distribution port 42B of the upper transport trough 42. Then, the loading hopper 34 is opened, and the harvested grain K is loaded into the machine body 12. As a result, the grain K is transported (stored) in the grain tank 14 and the lower grain flow path 26 via the loading plate 30, lower screw conveyor 36, elevator 38, upper screw conveyor 40, and equalizer 54 or equalizer plate 56.

[0039] When the grain K inside the machine 12 is being dried, the shutter drum 28, lower screw conveyor 36, elevator 38, upper screw conveyor 40, equalizer 54, and blower 62 are driven, and the burner is activated. Also, if the specific gravity of the grain K inside the machine 12 is high, the distribution shutter 52 on the upper screw conveyor 40 is rotated downwards, and the distribution port 42B of the upper conveyor trough 42 is opened.

[0040] Therefore, the grain K in the grain tub 14 is returned to the grain tub 14 via the grain flow path 26, shutter drum 28, lower screw conveyor 36, elevator 38, upper screw conveyor 40, and equalizer 54 or equalizer plate 56, and circulated within the grain drying apparatus 10. Furthermore, by driving the blower 62 and operating the burner, hot air is blown onto the grain K in the grain flow path 26, and far-infrared rays are emitted from the far-infrared radiator 60, drying the grain K.

[0041] When grain K is discharged from the grain dryer 10, the shutter drum 28, lower screw conveyor 36, elevator 38, upper screw conveyor 40, and equalizer 54 are driven. Furthermore, in the upper screw conveyor 40, the discharge shutter 46 is rotated downwards, opening the discharge port 42A of the upper transport trough 42, and the distribution shutter 52 is rotated downwards, opening the distribution port 42B of the upper transport trough 42. As a result, the grain K inside the elevator 38, lower screw conveyor 36, shutter drum 28, grain flow path 26, grain tank 14, upper screw conveyor 40, and equalizer 54 is discharged to the outside of the grain dryer 10 via the front of the upper transport trough 42, the discharge port 42A, and the discharge chute 50.

[0042] Incidentally, in the upper screw conveyor 40, when the grain K is conveyed by the upper screw 44 inside the upper conveyor trough 42 with the discharge port 42A of the upper conveyor trough 42 closed by the discharge shutter 46, a load is applied from the grain K to the discharge shutter 46, which may cause the discharge shutter 46 to rotate unnecessarily downward (to the open side) and move away from the lower surface around the discharge port 42A of the upper conveyor trough 42.

[0043] Here, the maintenance portion 46A of the discharge shutter 46 protrudes into the discharge port 42A of the upper conveying trough 42 and is positioned to the side (near) of the circumferential surface of the discharge port 42A. When the discharge shutter 46 is unnecessarily rotated downward, the maintenance portion 46A maintains its position to the side of the circumferential surface of the discharge port 42A, and the maintenance portion 46A maintains the closure of the discharge port 42A by the discharge shutter 46. This prevents the grain K in the upper conveying trough 42 from being unnecessarily discharged from the discharge port 42A.

[0044] Furthermore, when the discharge shutter 46 is unnecessarily rotated downwards, the distance between the maintenance unit 46A and the circumferential surface of the discharge port 42A is set so that grains of grain K cannot pass through. This effectively prevents grains K in the upper conveying trough 42 from being unnecessarily discharged from the discharge port 42A.

[0045] (modified version) Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the upper screw conveyor 40 of a grain drying apparatus 70 according to a modified example of the above embodiment, viewed from the rear.

[0046] As shown in Figure 6, in the grain drying apparatus 70 according to this modified example, in the upper screw conveyor 40, the maintenance part 46A of the discharge shutter 46 is a separate plate from the discharge shutter 46, and the maintenance part 46A is attached to the upper surface of the discharge shutter 46.

[0047] In this modified example, the same actions and effects as those of the above embodiment can be achieved.

[0048] Furthermore, a separate retaining unit 46A is attached to the discharge shutter 46. This allows for easy installation of the retaining unit 46A on the discharge shutter 46, thereby reducing costs.

[0049] In the above embodiment (including modified versions), the retention portion 46A is provided on a part of the circumferential direction of the discharge shutter 46 (front side, rear side, and right side). However, the retention portion 46A may be provided over the entire circumferential direction of the discharge shutter 46.

[0050] Furthermore, in the above embodiment (including modified versions), a maintenance unit 46A is provided on the discharge shutter 46, and the maintenance unit 46A maintains the closure of the discharge port 42A of the upper transport trough 42 by the discharge shutter 46. However, a maintenance unit 46A may also be provided on the distribution shutter 52 (closing member), and the maintenance unit 46A maintains the closure of the distribution port 42B (opening) of the upper transport trough 42 by the distribution shutter 52. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0051] 10. Grain drying apparatus 12. Unit (device body) 42 Upper transport trough (transport frame) 42A Discharge port (opening) 46 Discharge shutter (closing member) 46A Maintenance section 70 Grain drying apparatus K grain

Claims

1. The main body of the apparatus in which grains are dried, A transport frame with an opening, A closing member that closes the opening, allowing grain to be transported within the transport frame, and then rotates by a predetermined amount or more toward the opening to open the opening, thereby allowing the grain within the transport frame to be discharged from the opening, A maintenance part is provided on the closing member, protruding into the opening and positioned to the side of the circumferential surface of the opening, and the outer end face in the radial direction of rotation of the closing member approaches the circumferential surface of the opening as the closing member moves toward the closing side, and maintains the closing of the opening by the closing member when the closing member is rotated by less than a predetermined amount toward the opening side, A grain drying apparatus equipped with the following features.

2. The grain drying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the maintenance unit is attached to the closing member.

Images