Processing unit

Abstract

To provide a processing device which can achieve improvement of collection efficiency of a collected object and reduction of pressure loss.SOLUTION: A processing device 10 processes paint mist M which is a collected object and includes: a guide plate part 20 formed in a spiral shape and having a swivel passage 21 in which the paint mist M flows; and a cover part 30 which covers the swivel passage 21 of the guide plate part 20 from a winding axis direction X of the guide plate part 20. The swivel passage 21 is provided with: an inlet gap 22 at an outer peripheral terminal 20a side of the guide plate part 20; an outlet gap 23 at an inner peripheral terminal 20b side of the guide plate part 20; and a center space 24 at a radial inner side relative to the outlet gap 23. A swivel diameter of the swivel passage 21 gradually reduces from the inlet gap 22 to the outlet gap 23. The cover part 30 has a discharge port 31 communicating with the center space 24 of the swivel passage 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a processing device for processing captured objects.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a paint mist removal device. This paint mist removal device includes an intermediate filter for removing paint mist which is the captured object. In this paint mist removal device, as the intermediate filter, there are those in which a plurality of obstacle walls bent in a triangular wave shape are arranged inside the housing part, those in which struts with a square groove structure or a V-shaped structure are arranged in a staggered pattern inside the housing part, those in which struts with a V-shaped structure are arranged in a staggered pattern inside the housing part, etc. are used. When the paint mist contained in the air flows through the inside of the housing part of the intermediate filter, it collides with the surfaces of the obstacle walls or struts and adheres thereto, thereby being removed.

[0003] Patent Document 2 below discloses a paint recovery device. This paint recovery device includes a cyclone container having a large-diameter cylindrical part, a small-diameter cylindrical part, and a conical cylindrical part between the large-diameter cylindrical part and the small-diameter cylindrical part. The paint mist which is the captured object flows into the cyclone container from the intake pipe of the large-diameter cylindrical part, and then flows while swirling inside the cyclone container from the large-diameter cylindrical part side toward the recovery pipe of the small-diameter cylindrical part. The paint is centrifuged by the swirling flow at this time, and the paint after centrifugation is recovered from the cyclone container through the recovery pipe. Also, the air after centrifugation flows in the reverse direction from the small-diameter cylindrical part side of the cyclone container toward the exhaust pipe of the large-diameter cylindrical part, and then is exhausted from the cyclone container through the exhaust pipe.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The paint mist removal device described in Patent Document 1 utilizes a structure that simply causes paint mist to collide with and adhere to the surface of the intermediate filter's obstacle walls and support columns. Therefore, this paint mist removal device suffers from the problem of low paint mist collection efficiency. On the other hand, the paint recovery device described in Patent Document 2 can increase the paint mist collection efficiency compared to the paint mist removal device in Patent Document 1, but it suffers from the problem of difficulty in keeping pressure loss low. Specifically, in this paint recovery device, air flowing into the cyclone container swirls from the large-diameter cylindrical section to the small-diameter cylindrical section, then reverses direction at the small-diameter cylindrical section and flows in the opposite direction towards the large-diameter cylindrical section. This structure, involving the reversal of air flow within the cyclone container, results in high pressure loss.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to provide a processing device that can achieve both improved collection efficiency of collected materials and reduced pressure loss. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is, A processing device for processing collected material, A guide plate section formed in a spiral shape and having a swirling channel through which the collected material flows, A covering portion that covers the swivel channel of the guide plate portion from the winding axis direction of the guide plate portion, Equipped with, The swirling channel is provided with an inlet gap on the outer peripheral end of the guide plate, an outlet gap on the inner peripheral end of the guide plate, and a central space radially inward from the outlet gap, and the swirling diameter of the swirling channel gradually decreases from the inlet gap to the outlet gap. The guide plate portion has an uneven surface that demarcates the swirling flow path, and the uneven surface has a waveform in which both the wave crest and wave trough extend in the winding axis direction so as to partially obstruct the flow of the material to be collected. The above covering portion has an outlet that communicates with the central space of the swirling flow path, It is located there. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the apparatus described above, the material to be collected flows through the spiral-shaped guide plate section from the inlet gap to the outlet gap. At this time, since the spiral diameter of the spiral channel gradually decreases from the inlet gap to the outlet gap, the centrifugal force acting on the material to be collected can be gradually increased as it approaches the outlet gap. By utilizing this centrifugal force to collect the material by causing it to adhere to the surface of the guide plate section, the collection efficiency of the material to be collected can be improved.

[0009] Furthermore, near the inlet gap of the swirling channel, relatively weak centrifugal force is used to selectively capture coarse particles, preventing clogging due to the accumulation of collected material of a wide range of particle sizes near the inlet gap. On the other hand, near the outlet gap of the swirling channel, fine particles that could not be captured upstream can be reliably collected using strong centrifugal force. This prevents increased pressure loss due to the accumulation of collected material. In addition, by reducing pressure loss, it becomes possible to increase the airflow rate for processing the collected material.

[0010] According to the above-described embodiment, it becomes possible to provide a processing device that can achieve both improved collection efficiency of the collected material and reduced pressure loss. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] An overall view of the paint booth according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] A perspective view of the processing device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a radial cross-sectional view of the guide plate section of the processing device. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the guide panel section in a state where paint mist is collected. [Figure 5] A diagram showing the particle size distribution of paint mist. [Figure 6] A perspective view showing the information board in its unfolded state. [Figure 7] A graph showing the correlation between the number of turns in the guide plate section, collection efficiency, and pressure loss. [Figure 8]A diagram for explaining the structural features of the guide plate portion belonging to the high-performance region of the graph in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] An overall view of a painting booth in a different form from the painting booth in FIG. 1.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Preferred embodiments of each of the above aspects will be described below.

[0013] In the processing apparatus of the above aspect, it is preferable that the guide plate portion is configured such that the radial spiral interval of the spiral flow path gradually decreases from the inlet gap to the outlet gap. According to this processing apparatus, by gradually reducing the spiral interval of the spiral flow path from the inlet gap to the outlet gap, the flow velocity of the captured matter increases as it moves from the inlet gap to the outlet gap. Along with the increase in the flow velocity at this time, the effect of increasing the centrifugal force acting on the captured matter increases. As a result, the collection efficiency of the captured matter can be further improved.

[0014] In the processing apparatus of the above aspect, it is preferable that the guide plate portion is configured such that the opening diameter of the central space of the spiral flow path substantially coincides with the opening diameter of the discharge port. According to this processing apparatus, by substantially matching the opening diameter of the central space of the spiral flow path with the opening diameter of the discharge port, a smooth flow can be formed from the central space toward the discharge port. As a result, the pressure loss can be further reduced.

[0015] In the processing apparatus of the above aspect, it is preferable that the guide plate portion has uneven portions on the surface that partitions the spiral flow path. According to this processing apparatus, by providing uneven portions on the surface of the guide plate portion, immediately after the start of use, a part of the flow of the captured matter can be blocked by the convex portions of the uneven portions while the captured matter is deposited and collected in the concave portions. After that, as the collection of the captured matter progresses, the uneven portions become substantially flat surfaces, so that the pressure loss can be kept constant.

[0016] The processing apparatus according to the above-described embodiment comprises a main body case that houses a plurality of the guide plate sections, and preferably the main body case is provided with an intake pipe and an exhaust pipe that are shared by the plurality of guide plate sections. With this processing apparatus, the plurality of guide plate sections can be unitized by arranging or stacking them appropriately inside the main body case. Furthermore, the material to be collected can be supplied to any of the plurality of guide plate sections through the intake pipe of the main body case, and the air after the material to be collected has been processed at each of the plurality of guide plate sections can be exhausted through the exhaust pipe of the main body case.

[0017] The following describes an embodiment of a processing device installed in a paint booth, with reference to the drawings.

[0018] In the drawings illustrating this embodiment, unless otherwise specified, the winding axis direction of the guide plate portion constituting the processing apparatus is indicated by arrow X, the radial direction of the guide plate portion is indicated by arrow Y, and the circumferential direction of the guide plate portion is indicated by arrow Z.

[0019] (Embodiment 1) 1. Overall structure of paint booth 1 As shown in Figure 1, the paint booth 1 according to Embodiment 1 is used, for example, to spray paint a workpiece W, which is an automobile body. This paint booth 1 is provided with a paint chamber 2, an air supply chamber 4, and a baffle chamber 7. The air supply chamber 4 is located above the paint chamber 2, and the baffle chamber 7 is located below the paint chamber 2.

[0020] The painting chamber 2 has a painting processing space into which a workpiece W can be introduced and removed by a conveying device 3. The painting chamber 2 is equipped with a plurality of painting nozzles 6 for spraying paint N from the side toward the workpiece W introduced into the painting processing space. The paint N sprayed from each painting nozzle 6 is applied to the workpiece W according to the compressed air ejected from the painting nozzle 6.

[0021] The air supply chamber 4 is equipped with an air conditioning device (not shown) for producing air A with controlled temperature and humidity, and an air supply fan 5 for drawing in and discharging this air A. The air A discharged from the air supply fan 5 forms a downward flow toward the painting chamber 2. As a result, paint N that was not applied to the workpiece W in the painting chamber 2 flows downward as a spray-like paint mist M following the downward flow of air A. The paint mist M is liquid molecules of paint N suspended in the air A. In this embodiment, this paint mist M is used as the target material.

[0022] A partition wall 8, which forms part of the floor surface 2a of the painting room 2, is provided between the painting room 2 and the baffle room 7. The baffle room 7 functions as a relay section that sends paint mist M to the intake pipe 11a of the main body case 11 (described later), and also functions as a preliminary collection section. The partition wall 8 has a communication hole 8a that allows paint mist M generated in the painting room 2 to flow into the baffle room 7. Therefore, the baffle room 7 communicates with the painting room 2 only through the communication hole 8a that penetrates the partition wall 8. The baffle room 7 is not limited to a room shape, but may also be in the shape of a duct that relays paint mist M.

[0023] 2. Structure of the processing unit 10 The processing apparatus 10 of Embodiment 1 is located under the floor of the painting room 2 and is replaced as needed. The processing apparatus 10 is for processing paint mist M, which is the material to be collected, and is equipped with a guide plate section 20. This processing apparatus 10 is housed in a main body case 11, which is the housing. When the processing apparatus 10 is housed in the main body case 11, the guide plate section 20 is positioned vertically such that its winding axis direction X (see Figure 2) extends along the vertical direction. Positioning the guide plate section 20 vertically is also effective in collecting paint that has low viscosity and is easily crumbled.

[0024] Although Figure 1 illustrates a case where four processing units 10 are housed in the main case 11, the number of processing units 10 is not particularly limited. Only one processing unit 10 may be housed in the main case 11, or multiple processing units 10 may be arranged or stacked in the main case 11 to form a unit.

[0025] The main unit case 11 is transported by a portable trolley 12. Workers can attach and detach the processing device 10 while the main unit case 11 is placed on the trolley 12. Therefore, this is effective in reducing the workload required for replacing or maintaining the processing device 10. In addition, even if the processing device 10 becomes heavy due to paint collection, it can be easily transported using the trolley 12.

[0026] When the main case 11 is transported to the set position by the trolley 12, the filter member 13 is positioned below the processing device 10. The filter member 13 is connected to the exhaust duct 9 via a connecting part 15 and a discharge pipe 11b. This filter member 13 is a cylindrical secondary filter for recovering paint remaining after processing by the processing device 10. The discharge pipe 11b is for discharging the air that has been processed by the filter member 13 into the exhaust duct 9. Preferably, a damper 11c for adjusting the airflow is provided inside this discharge pipe 11b.

[0027] The main body case 11 is provided with an intake pipe 11a into which paint mist M flows. In this configuration, one intake pipe 11a is used for four processing devices 10. An exhaust fan (not shown) is connected to the exhaust duct 9. Therefore, when the exhaust fan is operating, the paint mist M supplied to the guide plate section 20 of each processing device 10 through the intake pipe 11a of the main body case 11 is collected and processed at each guide plate section 20, and then exhausted to the exhaust duct 9 through the filter member 13, connecting section 15, and discharge pipe 11b. This allows the paint mist M to be processed at the guide plate section 20 and then further processed at the filter member 13. The main body case 11 is not disposable and can be reused.

[0028] In this configuration, when the pressure in the exhaust duct 9 is P1, the pressure inside the main body case 11 is P2, the pressure in the baffle chamber 7 is P3, and the pressure in the painting chamber 2 is P4, the relationship P4 > P3 > P2 > P1 holds true for the balance of these pressures.

[0029] Next, the detailed structure of the processing device 10 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Since all of the guide plate sections 20 have the same structure, only the structure of one guide plate section 20 will be described below.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2, the processing apparatus 10 includes two covering parts 30 in addition to the guide plate section 20. The guide plate section 20 is formed in a spiral shape from the outer peripheral end 20a to the inner peripheral end 20b around a virtual central axis L. This guide plate section 20 is made by spirally rolling a plate-shaped member with a constant width dimension in the winding axis direction X, and has a swirling channel 21 through which the paint mist M flows. The swirling channel 21 is provided with an inlet gap 22 on the outer peripheral end 20a side of the guide plate section 20, an outlet gap 23 on the inner peripheral end 20b side of the guide plate section 20, and a central space 24 inside the radial Y direction from the outlet gap 23. The central space 24 is formed so that its shape is generally circular when viewed from the winding axis direction X. Such a guide plate section 20 is also called a "spiral cyclone".

[0031] The two covering portions 30 have the function of covering the swirl channel 21 of the guide plate portion 20 from the winding axis direction X of the guide plate portion 20. At least one of the two covering portions 30 has the central space of the swirl channel 21. 24 A circular outlet 31 is provided that communicates with the exhaust duct 9. The outlet 31 is subjected to suction by the exhaust fan of the exhaust duct 9. As a result, a swirling flow of paint mist M is formed in the swirling flow path 21 of the guide plate section 20, from the inlet gap 22 to the outlet gap 23, according to its spiral flow path shape.

[0032] As the paint mist M flows through the swirling channel 21, a portion of it is collected, and the collected air Ma is discharged from the central space 24 of the swirling channel 21 to the outside of the processing device 10 through the outlet 31 of the coating section 30. When the air Ma moves from the central space 24 of the swirling channel 21 to the outlet 31, the flow of the air Ma changes direction by approximately 90°.

[0033] 3. Structure of the information board section 20 As shown in Figure 3, the swirling channel 21 of the guide plate section 20 is a channel with the inlet gap 22 as its inlet. The guide plate section 20 is configured such that the swirling diameter r (position in the radial direction Y from the central axis L) of the outer edge of the swirling channel 21 gradually decreases from the inlet gap 22 to the outlet gap 23. This swirling channel 21 has a channel width indicated by the vortex spacing d in the radial direction Y. When the paint mist M flows through the swirling channel 21 from the inlet gap 22 to the outlet gap 23, a centrifugal force acts on the paint mist M due to the swirling effect. Let the flow velocity of the paint mist M be v, and the centrifugal force acting on the paint mist M be F. The centrifugal force F is given by the following equation (1). According to equation (1), the centrifugal force F increases as the swirling diameter r gradually decreases from the inlet gap 22 to the outlet gap 23. The paint mist M is collected using this centrifugal force F. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, paint mist M can be attached to the surface 20c of the guide plate section 20 and collected as paint N.

[0034] F=v 2 / r ···(1)

[0035] According to equation (1), as the swirling diameter r gradually decreases from the inlet gap 22 to the outlet gap 23 of the swirling flow path 21, the centrifugal force F acting on the paint mist M increases. For example, if the flow velocity v of the paint mist M is constant and the swirling diameter r at the outlet gap 23 is half that of the inlet gap 22 side, the centrifugal force F rises to twice that of the inlet gap 22 side when the paint mist M swirls from the inlet gap 22 to the outlet gap 23.

[0036] Here, if the particle size distribution of the paint mist M is as shown in Figure 5, for example, then coarse particles with relatively large particle sizes can be collected even with a relatively weak centrifugal force F, while fine particles with relatively small particle sizes require a strong centrifugal force F to collect. If the centrifugal force F is increased throughout the entire swirling channel 21 to collect the fine particles, paint will accumulate and clog the inlet gap 22 of the swirling channel 21 regardless of particle size. This increases pressure loss. On the other hand, if the centrifugal force F is weakened throughout the entire swirling channel 21 to avoid paint accumulation near the inlet gap 22 of the swirling channel 21, then the collection efficiency of the paint mist M will decrease.

[0037] Therefore, the guide plate section 20 of this embodiment employs a structure in which the centrifugal force F acting on the paint mist M increases from the inlet gap 22 to the outlet gap 23 of the swirling channel 21. With this structure, the centrifugal force F can be made weakest on the inlet gap 22 side of the swirling channel 21 and strongest on the outlet gap 23 side of the swirling channel 21. As a result, near the inlet gap 22 of the swirling channel 21, coarse particles can be selectively collected using the relatively weak centrifugal force F, preventing paint mist M of a wide range of particle sizes from accumulating and clogging near the inlet gap 22. On the other hand, near the outlet gap 23 of the swirling channel 21, fine particles that could not be collected upstream can be reliably collected using the strong centrifugal force F. This prevents high pressure loss due to the accumulation of paint mist M. Furthermore, by reducing the pressure loss, it becomes possible to increase the processing airflow rate of the paint mist M.

[0038] 4. Surface structure of the information board section 20 The guide plate section 20 shown in Figure 6 is in a flat, unfolded state. In this embodiment, it is preferable that the guide plate section 20 has an uneven surface 25 on one of the two surfaces 20c and 20d that define the swirling flow path 21, surface 20c. The uneven surface 25 is a wave-shaped structure formed to partially obstruct the flow of paint mist M, and is configured such that both its wave crest and wave base extend in the winding axis direction X. By providing the uneven surface 25 on the surface 20c of the guide plate section 20, immediately after the start of use, the convex parts of the uneven surface 25 can obstruct the flow of some of the paint mist M, while the paint mist M can be deposited and collected in the concave parts. Subsequently, as the collection of paint mist M progresses, the uneven surface 25 becomes generally flat, making it possible to maintain a constant pressure loss.

[0039] For example, corrugated cardboard, which is an incinerable material, can be used to manufacture the guide plate section 20. The guide plate section 20 can be manufactured by rolling the unfolded corrugated cardboard into a spiral shape. In this case, the corrugated shape already provided on one side of the corrugated cardboard can be used for the uneven surface section 25. Using corrugated cardboard can keep the cost required for the guide plate section 20 low. If necessary, the uneven surface section 25 may be provided on both sides of the two surfaces 20c and 20d of the guide plate section 20.

[0040] In addition, instead of the corrugated uneven portion 25, for example, an uneven portion consisting of multiple protrusions can be used. Furthermore, instead of using the corrugated uneven portion 25, or in addition to it, a structure coated with a material that has high affinity with the paint mist M can be used. Also, if the collection efficiency of the paint mist M is at a desired level, the surface 20c of the guide plate portion 20 may be a flat surface without any unevenness.

[0041] 5. Performance evaluation of the processing unit 10 The inventors conducted a performance evaluation of the processing apparatus 10 when it was actually used. In this performance evaluation, the collection efficiency of the paint mist M and the pressure loss were evaluated when the pre-set structural parameters were appropriately changed. The structural parameters used at this time included the number of turns of the guide plate section 20, the spiral spacing d of the guide plate section 20, the opening diameter D1 of the central space 24 of the swirling flow path 21 (for convenience, the shape of the central space 24 when viewed from the winding axis direction X was assumed to be circular), and the opening diameter D2 of the discharge port 31 (see Figure 3).

[0042] As shown in the graph in Figure 7, the performance evaluation results confirmed that increasing the number of turns in the guide plate section 20 increases the collection efficiency of the paint mist M. This is because a larger number of turns in the guide plate section 20 increases the collection area for collecting the paint mist M, i.e., the length of the swirling channel 21 increases. Similarly, the performance evaluation results confirmed that decreasing the number of turns in the guide plate section 20 reduces the pressure loss. This is because a smaller number of turns in the guide plate section 20 reduces the resistance that the paint mist M receives from the guide plate section 20. Based on Figure 7, if the number of turns in the guide plate section 20 is set within a predetermined range, a high-performance region R can be obtained that achieves both improved paint mist M collection efficiency and reduced pressure loss by optimizing the above structural parameters.

[0043] Here, with reference to Figures 3 and 8, the structural features of the guide plate section 20 belonging to the high-performance region R in Figure 7 will be explained. Figure 8 shows three guide plate sections 20 (first guide plate section 20A, second guide plate section 20B, and third guide plate section 20C) belonging to the high-performance region R as examples. The number of turns for these three guide plate sections 20 is the same.

[0044] As shown in Figure 8, the first guide plate section 20A is configured such that the vortex spacing d (see Figure 3) remains constant from the inlet gap 22 to the outlet gap 23 of the swirling flow path 21. Furthermore, the first guide plate section 20A is configured such that the opening diameter D1 (see Figure 3) of the central space 24 of the swirling flow path 21 roughly coincides with the opening diameter D2 (see Figure 3) of the outlet 31. That is, when the first guide plate section 20A is viewed from the winding axis direction X, the surface 20c that demarcates the central space 24 extends so as to overlap with the opening edge 31a (see Figure 3) of the outlet 31. The correlation between collection efficiency and pressure loss when using this first guide plate section 20A is shown by the circle plot in Figure 8.

[0045] The second guide plate section 20B is configured such that the spiral spacing d in the radial direction Y of the swirling flow path 21 gradually decreases from the inlet gap 22 to the outlet gap 23. Furthermore, similar to the first guide plate section 20A, the second guide plate section 20B is configured such that the opening diameter D1 of the central space 24 of the swirling flow path 21 roughly coincides with the opening diameter D2 of the outlet 31. The correlation between collection efficiency and pressure loss when using this second guide plate section 20B is shown by the ◎ plot in Figure 8. Among the three guide plate sections 20, this second guide plate section 20B is the most effective in achieving both improved collection efficiency and reduced pressure loss.

[0046] When the second guide plate section 20B is used, the paint mist M collection efficiency is higher compared to when the first guide plate section 20A is used. This is because the vortex spacing d of the swirling flow path 21 is gradually reduced from the inlet gap 22 to the outlet gap 23. That is, by gradually reducing the vortex spacing d from the inlet gap to the outlet gap, the flow velocity v of the paint mist M increases as it moves from the inlet gap 22 to the outlet gap 23. As the flow velocity increases at this time, the effect of increasing the centrifugal force F acting on the paint mist M increases. As a result, the collection efficiency of the paint mist M can be further improved.

[0047] For example, applying equation (1) above, if the vortex spacing d in the outlet gap 23 is half that of the inlet gap 22, the flow velocity v of the paint mist M doubles. As a result, when the paint mist M swirls from the inlet gap 22 to the outlet gap 23, the centrifugal force F increases to eight times that of the inlet gap 22. Consequently, it is presumed that the collection efficiency of the paint mist M increases.

[0048] When the second guide plate section 20B is used, the opening diameter D1 of the central space 24 of the swirling flow path 21 is made to roughly coincide with the opening diameter D2 of the outlet 31, thereby forming a smooth flow from the central space 24 to the outlet 31. As a result, pressure loss can be further reduced.

[0049] The third guide plate section 20C is configured, similarly to the first guide plate section 20A, such that the vortex spacing d remains constant from the inlet gap 22 to the outlet gap 23 of the swirling flow path 21. Furthermore, the third guide plate section 20C is configured such that the opening diameter D1 of the central space 24 of the swirling flow path 21 exceeds the opening diameter D2 of the outlet 31. The correlation between collection efficiency and pressure loss when using this third guide plate section 20C is shown by the square plot in Figure 8.

[0050] When the third guide plate section 20C is used, the pressure loss is higher compared to when the first guide plate section 20A is used. This is because the opening diameter D1 of the central space 24 is made larger than the opening diameter D2 of the outlet 31. Compared to the case where the opening diameter D1 is roughly the same as the opening diameter D2, it is more difficult to form a smooth flow from the central space 24 to the outlet 31, and it is presumed that this has resulted in an increase in pressure loss. To prevent the pressure loss from increasing too much, it is preferable to configure the inner circumference end 20b of the third guide plate section 20C (see Figure 3) to be close to the opening edge 31a of the outlet 31 (see Figure 3) to less than 10% of the opening diameter D2.

[0051] As described above, Embodiment 1 provides a processing apparatus 10 that can achieve both improved collection efficiency of the paint mist M, which is the material to be collected, and reduced pressure loss.

[0052] According to the processing apparatus 10 of Embodiment 1, miniaturizing the guide plate section 20 enables processing with high collection performance in a space-saving manner. Since the processing apparatus 10 uses a guide plate section 20 with a simple structure, it is effective in keeping the equipment cost low.

[0053] The processing apparatus 10 of Embodiment 1 has excellent pressure loss reduction capabilities, making it less prone to clogging of the collected material and enabling continuous processing over long periods. Furthermore, because this processing apparatus 10 has excellent pressure loss reduction capabilities, it can reduce the energy costs required for equipment used to supply and exhaust air, and also reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emitted from this equipment.

[0054] 6. Alternative types of paint booths Next, with reference to Figure 9, a different configuration of paint booth 1A from paint booth 1 in Figure 1 will be described. Paint booth 1A differs from paint booth 1 in Embodiment 1 in the underfloor structure of the painting room 2 and the arrangement of the processing device 10. The other structures are the same as those of paint booth 1. Note that in Figure 9, the same elements as those described in Figure 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the following description of these identical elements will be omitted.

[0055] In the paint booth 1A, a space accessible from the floor is provided beneath the floor of the painting room 2, and the processing device 10 is placed in this space while housed in the main case 11. Therefore, the operator can attach and detach the processing device 10 from the floor of the painting room 2. When the processing device 10 is housed in the main case 11, the guide plate section 20 is positioned horizontally such that its winding axis direction X (see Figure 2) extends along the horizontal direction. Positioning the guide plate section 20 horizontally is also effective in collecting highly adhesive and crumbling paint.

[0056] A filter member 14 is positioned on the side of the processing device 10. The filter member 14 is connected to the exhaust duct 9 via a discharge pipe 11b. This filter member 14 is a corrugated secondary filter for recovering paint residue after processing by the processing device 10. The paint mist M supplied to the guide plate section 20 of each processing device 10 through the suction pipe 11a of the main body case 11 is collected and processed at each guide plate section 20, and then exhausted to the exhaust duct 9 through the filter member 14 and discharge pipe 11b. In this configuration, each of the two suction pipes 11a is used for both processing devices 10. The main body case 11 is not disposable and can be reused.

[0057] Paint booth 1A does not have an intermediate section like the baffle chamber 7 in paint booth 1. Therefore, by omitting the intermediate section, the area to be cleaned can be reduced, and the amount of work required for cleaning can be kept low.

[0058] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various applications and modifications are conceivable without departing from the purpose of the present invention. For example, the following forms can be implemented by applying the embodiments described above.

[0059] In the embodiments described above, an apparatus 10 used in an automobile body painting facility was illustrated, but if necessary, this apparatus 10 can also be applied to painting facilities in other fields besides automobiles.

[0060] In the above-described embodiment, a processing apparatus 10 for processing paint mist M contained in the air was illustrated as the target material. However, the target material is not limited to paint mist M, and other materials may also be processed by the processing apparatus 10. Various substances contained in gases and liquids can be used as the target material. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 10…processing device, 11…body case, 11a…inhalation pipe, 11b…discharge pipe, 20,20A,20B,20C…inner panel, 20a…outer end, 20b…inner end, 20c,20d…surface, 21…vortex flow path, 22…inlet gap, 23…outlet gap, 24…central space, 25…concave-convex part, 30…covered part, 31…discharge port, d…vortex spacing, r…vortex diameter, D1…opening diameter of central space, D2…opening diameter of discharge port, M…coating mist (collected material), X…wind axis direction, Y…radial direction

Claims

1. A processing device for processing collected material, A guide plate section formed in a spiral shape and having a swirling channel through which the collected material flows, A covering portion that covers the swivel channel of the guide plate portion from the winding axis direction of the guide plate portion, Equipped with, The swirling channel is provided with an inlet gap on the outer peripheral end of the guide plate, an outlet gap on the inner peripheral end of the guide plate, and a central space radially inward from the outlet gap, and the swirling diameter of the swirling channel gradually decreases from the inlet gap to the outlet gap. The above-mentioned guide plate section has an uneven surface that demarcates the swirling flow path, and the uneven surface has a waveform in which both the wave crest and wave base extend in the winding axis direction so as to partially obstruct the flow of the material to be collected. The above-mentioned covering portion has an outlet that communicates with the central space of the swirling flow path, wherein the processing apparatus is provided.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide plate portion is configured such that the radial vortex spacing of the swirling flow path gradually decreases from the inlet gap to the outlet gap, and the opening diameter of the central space of the swirling flow path is approximately the same as the opening diameter of the outlet.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a main body case that houses a plurality of the above-mentioned guide plate sections, wherein the main body case is provided with a suction pipe and a discharge pipe that serve as both the multiple guide plate sections.

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