Material supply valve

Abstract

To suppress the damage of an elastic ring which is attached to a movable valve member.SOLUTION: A processed product supply valve is constituted of a cylindrical fixing valve member 1 having a processed product supply port 1a at a front end part, and having a connecting part 1c which communicates with a connecting port 1b of an internal peripheral face provided in a position at a rear side rather than the supply port 1a, a movable valve member 2 slidably inserted into an internal periphery of the fixing valve member 1 in an axial direction, and attached with an O-ring 2a at an external periphery of the front end part, and a switching operation part 3. A displacement mechanism 3A of the switching operation part 3 comprises a first cam member 3a relatively immovably arranged at a rear end part of a shaft part 2A in the axial direction and a rotation direction, and a second cam member 3b relatively movably arranged at the first cam member 3a. The first cam member 3a and the second cam member 3b have cam faces 3a1, 3b1 which contact with each other in the axial direction, and are relatively displaced so as to approach and separate from each other in the axial direction by the relative movement of the cam face 3b1 to the rotation direction accompanied by the relative rotation of the second cam member 3b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a workpiece supply valve used for supplying a workpiece to a processing device in the manufacturing processes of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, fine chemicals, foods, and the like.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in order to perform processes such as mixing, dispersion, emulsification, and defoaming of a workpiece, a stirrer as described in Patent Document 1 is used. As shown in FIG. 8, the stirrer described in Patent Document 1 includes a stirring tank 10 for accommodating a workpiece, a stirring blade 11 for stirring the workpiece in the stirring tank 10, a homogenizer 12 disposed vertically movably at the bottom 10a of the stirring tank 10, and a workpiece supply valve 13 connected to the bottom 10a of the stirring tank 10 as main elements. A circulation pipe 14 is connected between the bottom 10a and the top 10b of the stirring tank 10. The stirring blade 11 shown in the figure is composed of a rotary blade 11a rotationally driven by a drive motor and a fixed blade 11b, and is a so-called anchor agitator type. However, instead of the stirring blade 11 shown in the figure, various stirring blades called a gate type, an anchor type, and a multi-wing type may be provided. The homogenizer 12 has a toothed stator and rotor arranged concentrically, sucks and extrudes the workpiece by the turbulence effect accompanying the rotation of the rotor, and promotes the mixing, dispersion, emulsification, etc. of the workpiece by the shearing action at that time.

[0003] The workpiece supply valve 13 is connected to the bottom 10a of the stirring tank 10 and a workpiece supply pipe not shown, and is switched to an open position when supplying the workpiece from the workpiece supply pipe into the stirring tank 10. The supply of the workpiece into the stirring tank 10 by the workpiece supply valve 13 is performed when initially supplying the entire amount of the workpiece to be stirred, when additionally supplying the same type of workpiece as the workpiece being stirred, when additionally supplying a different type of workpiece such as an additive or a stabilizer to the workpiece being stirred, and the like.

[0004] Figure 9 shows the material supply valve 13. The material supply valve 13 consists of a cylindrical fixed valve member 41 connected to the bottom 10a of the stirring tank 10, a movable valve member 42 fitted to the inner circumference of the fixed valve member 41 so as to be axially slidable, and a cylinder 43 that drives the movable valve member 42 in the axial direction. The tip of the fixed valve member 41 opens to the bottom 10a (discharge port 45), and a connection part 44 branches off near this discharge port 45. A material supply pipe, not shown, is connected to this connection part 44. Although not shown, an elastic ring such as an O-ring is actually attached to the outer circumference of the tip of the movable valve member 42, and the elastic ring presses against the inner surface of the fixed valve member 41, thereby sealing the sliding gap between the inner surface of the fixed valve member 41 and the outer surface of the movable valve member 42.

[0005] When the movable valve member 42 is in the forward position shown in Figure 9(a), the connection port and discharge port 45 of the connection portion 44 of the fixed valve member 41 are closed by the movable valve member 42, thereby closing the valve. On the other hand, when the movable valve member 42 moves to the retracted position shown in Figure 9(c), the connection port and discharge port 45 of the connection portion 44 of the fixed valve member 41 open, thereby opening the valve.

[0006] When the material to be processed is supplied into the stirring tank 10 from the material supply valve 13, the homogenizer 12 is in the lowered position. As shown in Figure 9(c), when the movable valve member 42 is retracted and the material supply valve 13 is switched to the open position, the material to be processed is supplied from the material supply pipe into the stirring tank 10 via the material supply valve 13. The supplied material is sucked into the homogenizer 12 along with the material to be processed in the stirring tank 10 and returned to the upper part 19b of the stirring tank 10 via the circulation pipe 14. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-300280 (Figures 8 and 9) [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] During the opening and closing operation of the material supply valve 13, the elastic ring attached to the outer circumference of the tip of the movable valve member 42 passes through the area of ​​the connection port 44 of the connection portion 44 of the fixed valve member 41 while being pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the fixed valve member 41 as the movable valve member 42 moves forward and backward. At this time, a part of the elastic ring comes into strong contact with the opening edge of the connection port, which can easily damage the elastic ring. In addition, when the movable valve member 42 moves forward and backward, if solid material from the material to be processed that has entered the sliding gap between the inner circumferential surface of the fixed valve member 41 and the outer circumferential surface of the movable valve member 42 gets caught between the inner circumferential surface of the fixed valve member 41 and the elastic ring, the damage to the elastic ring is likely to progress.

[0009] The objective of this invention is to suppress damage to the elastic ring attached to the movable valve member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a cylindrical fixed valve member having a supply port for a material to be processed at its front end and a connecting portion that communicates with a connection port on the inner circumferential surface located behind the supply port and is connected to the side of the supply source of the material to be processed; a movable valve member that is axially slidable inside the inner circumference of the fixed valve member and has an elastic ring attached to the outer circumference of its front end, and is movable in the axial direction between a valve closed position that closes the supply port and the connection port with the elastic ring pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the fixed valve member at a position forward of the connection port and a valve open position that opens the supply port and the connection port with the elastic ring pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the fixed valve member at a position backward of the connection port; and a switching operation unit that is movable in the axial direction together with the movable valve member, wherein the movable valve member comprises a shaft portion and a cylindrical portion attached to the outer circumference of the shaft portion, and the elastic ring is The present invention provides a material supply valve, which is interposed between a flange provided at the front end of a shaft and a pressing surface provided at the front end of a cylindrical portion, wherein the shaft and the cylindrical portion are axially displaceable between a first relative position in which the elastic ring is compressed axially by the flange and the pressing surface and pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the fixed valve member and a second relative position in which the compression of the elastic ring is released, and the switching operation unit is equipped with a displacement mechanism that axially displaces the shaft and the cylindrical portion between the first relative position and the second relative position, wherein in the valve closed position and the valve open position, the displacement mechanism positions the shaft and the cylindrical portion at the first relative position, and when moving the movable valve member axially between the valve closed position and the valve open position, the displacement mechanism positions the shaft and the cylindrical portion at the second relative position and moves axially together with the movable valve member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, when moving a movable valve member fitted with an elastic ring axially between the valve closed position and the valve open position, the switching operation unit releases the compression of the elastic ring and releases the pressure contact with the inner circumferential surface of the fixed valve member, thereby suppressing damage to the elastic ring.

[0012] Furthermore, the material supply valve of the present invention is easy to operate because the compression and decompression of the elastic ring and the axial movement of the movable valve member can be performed by operating the switching operation unit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the workpiece supply valve according to the embodiment, along the axis X. [Figure 2] This is a longitudinal cross-section of the material supply valve, viewed from direction AA in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3(a) is a perspective view of the front cylindrical holder that constitutes the fixed valve member, viewed from diagonally above the front side, and Figure 3(b) is a perspective view of it viewed from diagonally above the rear side. [Figure 4] Figure 4(a) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the movable valve member in the valve closed position, with the elastic ring compressed axially and pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the fixed valve member at a position forward of the connection port, and Figure 4(b) is a cross-sectional view of the position regulating part viewed from the BB direction in Figure 4(a). [Figure 5] Figure 5(a) is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the state after the O-ring compression has been released by the switching operation unit, and Figure 5(b) is a cross-sectional view of the position regulating unit viewed from the BB direction in Figure 5(a). [Figure 6] Figure 6(a) is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the state in which the movable valve member has been moved to the rearward position together with the switching operation unit, as shown in Figure 5, and Figure 6(b) is a cross-sectional view of the position regulating unit as seen from the CC direction in Figure 6(a). [Figure 7] Figure 7(a) is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the state in which the O-ring is compressed axially by the switching operation unit and pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the fixed valve member at a position behind the connection port, and Figure 7(b) is a cross-sectional view of the position regulating unit viewed from the CC direction in Figure 7(a). [Figure 8] This figure shows a conventional agitator equipped with a material supply valve. [Figure 9] This diagram shows the operation of a conventional material supply valve.

Embodiment for Carrying out the Invention

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

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section along the axis X of the workpiece supply valve of this embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section orthogonal to the longitudinal section of FIG. 1 (the longitudinal section viewed from the A-A direction of FIG. 1). In FIGS. 1 and 2, the direction along the axis X is the axial direction, the left side in the axial direction is the front side, and the right side is the rear side.

[0016] The workpiece supply valve of this embodiment has a supply port 1a for the workpiece at the front end, and has a connecting portion 1c communicating with a connection port 1b on the inner peripheral surface provided at a position rearward of the supply port 1a. It is composed of a cylindrical fixed valve member 1, a movable valve member 2 inserted slidably in the axial direction on the inner periphery of the fixed valve member 1 and having an elastic ring, for example, an O-ring 2a mounted on the outer periphery of the front end, and a switching operation portion 3 as main elements. The workpiece supply valve of this embodiment is used, for example, to supply a workpiece to a stirring tank 10 of a stirrer as shown in FIG. 8. The supply port 1a of the fixed valve member 1 is connected to the bottom of the stirring tank 10, and the connecting portion 1c is connected to the side of a workpiece supply source not shown. The workpiece supplied by the workpiece supply valve is a liquid (such as a solvent or a dispersion medium), a powder (such as a raw material powder or an additive powder), or a mixture of a liquid and a powder.

[0017] In this embodiment, the fixed valve member 1 is composed of a cylindrical holder 1A on the front side and a cylindrical holder 1B on the rear side fixed to the rear end portion of the cylindrical holder 1A by appropriate fixing means such as fixing bolts 1d. The above supply port 1a, connection port 1b, and connection portion 1c are provided in the cylindrical holder 1A. A key 1e is mounted on the inner periphery of the rear end side of the cylindrical holder 1B so as not to be relatively rotatable, and is fastened by a pressing plate 1f and a fixing bolt 1g mounted on the rear end portion of the cylindrical holder 1B so as not to be relatively movable in the axial direction. <于 <于

[0018] <于 The movable valve member 2 is composed of a shaft portion 2A and a cylindrical portion 2B mounted on the outer periphery of the shaft portion 2A so as to be relatively displaceable in the axial direction. The O-ring 2a is interposed between a flange portion 2b provided at the front end portion of the shaft portion 2A and a pressing surface 2c provided at the front end portion of the cylindrical portion 2B. The shaft portion 2A and the cylindrical portion 2B are relatively displaceable in the axial direction between a first relative position where the O-ring 2a is compressed in the axial direction by the flange portion 2b and the pressing surface 2c and pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the fixed valve member 1 (cylindrical holder 1A), and a second relative position where the compression of the O-ring 2a is released.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, a key groove 2d that fits with the key 1e of the cylindrical holder 1B is provided on the outer periphery of the shaft portion 2A, and a key hole 2e that fits with the key 1e of the cylindrical holder 1B is provided in the cylindrical portion 2B. The key groove 2d and the key hole 2e face each other in the radial direction, and when the key 1e of the cylindrical holder 1B fits with the key groove 2d and the key hole 2e, the relative rotation of the movable valve member 2 (shaft portion 2A and cylindrical portion 2B) with respect to the fixed valve member 1 (cylindrical holder 1A and cylindrical holder 1B) is prevented. On the other hand, the axial dimension of the key groove 2d and the key hole 2e is larger than the axial dimension of the key 1e, and the movable valve member 2 can be relatively moved axially with respect to the fixed valve member 1 until the axial end portion of the key groove 2d or the key hole 2e abuts against the axial end surface of the key 1e.

[0020] Figures 1 and 2 show the state in which the movable valve member 2 has moved to its maximum forward position relative to the fixed valve member 1, to the point where the rear end of the keyway 2d or keyhole 2e (the rear end of the keyhole 2e in the example shown in Figure 2) abuts against the rear end surface of the key 1e. The axial position of the movable valve member 2 at this time is called the "valve closed position". In the valve closed position, the shaft portion 2A and the cylindrical portion 2B are in the first relative position described above, and the O-ring 2a is compressed axially by the flange portion 2b and the pressing surface 2c, expanding in the radial direction and pressing against the inner circumferential surface of the fixed valve member 1 (cylindrical holder 1A) at a position forward of the connection port 1b. As a result, the supply port 1a and connection port 1b of the fixed valve member 1 are closed by the movable valve member 2. On the other hand, the movable valve member 2 can move to its maximum rearward position relative to the fixed valve member 1, to the point where the front end of the keyway 2d or keyhole 2e abuts against the front end surface of the key 1e. The axial position of the movable valve member 2 at this time is called the "valve open position". In the valve open position, the shaft portion 2A and the cylindrical portion 2B are in the first relative position described above, and the O-ring 2a is compressed axially by the flange portion 2b and the pressing surface 2c, expanding in the outer diameter direction and pressing against the inner circumferential surface of the fixed valve member 1 (cylindrical holder 1A) at a position behind the connection port 1b. As a result, the supply port 1a and the connection port 1b of the fixed valve member 1 are opened by the movable valve member 2. In this way, the movable valve member 2 is movable axially relative to the fixed valve member 1 between the valve closed position and the valve open position. When the movable valve member 2 moves axially, the shaft portion 2A and the cylindrical portion 2B are displaced to the second relative position described above by the operation of the switching operation unit 3, releasing the compression of the O-ring 2a by the flange portion 2b and the pressing surface 2c. The switching operation unit 3 is movable in the axial direction together with the movable valve member 2, with the shaft portion 2A and the cylindrical portion 2B displaced to the second relative position described above.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2, the switching operation unit 3 is equipped with a displacement mechanism 3A that axially displaces the shaft portion 2A and the cylindrical portion 2B relative to each other between the first relative position and the second relative position. In this embodiment, the displacement mechanism 3A includes a first cam member 3a provided at the rear end of the shaft portion 2A so as not to be able to move relative to each other in the axial and rotational directions, and a second cam member 3b provided so as to be able to rotate relative to the first cam member 3a. The first cam member 3a and the second cam member 3b have cam surfaces 3a1 and 3b1 that are in contact with each other in the axial direction, and are relatively displaced so as to move closer to or further away from each other in the axial direction due to the relative movement of the cam surface 3b1 in the rotational direction accompanying the relative rotation of the second cam member 3b. The rotation of the second cam member 3b is performed by the operating member 3B of the switching operation unit 3.

[0022] The first cam member 3a is mounted to the rear end of the shaft portion 2A via a key 3c so as not to rotate relative to it, and is fastened to the rear end of the shaft portion 2A by a washer 3d (flat washer and spring washer) and a nut 3e so as not to move relative to it in the axial direction. The second cam member 3b is mounted to the rear end of the shaft portion 2A and the cylindrical portion 2B so as to rotate relative to it, and abuts against the rear end of the cylindrical portion 2B.

[0023] The operating member 3B comprises a cylindrical portion 3B1 externally fitted to the outer circumference of the fixed valve member 1 (cylindrical holder 1B) via a bush 3f so as to be relatively movable in the axial and rotational directions, and a cover portion 3B2 fixed to the rear end of the cylindrical portion 3B1. The cover portion 3B2 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape with a flange at its front end, and is fixed to the second cam member 3b and the cylindrical portion 3B1 by appropriate fixing means such as bolts 3g and 3h, with the front end surface of the flange in contact with the rear end of the second cam member 3b and the rear end of the cylindrical portion 3B1. The rear end of the shaft portion 2A, including the first cam member 3a, is housed inside the cover portion 3B2. An elastic member 3i is also arranged inside the cover portion 3B2, which constantly biases the first cam member 3a forward. The elastic force of the elastic member 3i constantly biases the shaft portion 2A and the first cam member 3a forward.

[0024] Furthermore, a position restricting portion 4 is provided between the cylindrical portion 3B1 and the fixed valve member 1 (cylindrical holder 1B). The position restricting portion 4 allows relative movement of the switching operation portion 3 in the rotational direction relative to the fixed valve member 1 when the movable valve member 2 is in the valve closed position and valve open position, and allows relative movement of the switching operation portion 3 in the axial direction relative to the fixed valve member 1 when the movable valve member 2 is moved axially between the valve closed position and the valve open position. In this embodiment, the position restricting portion 4 is composed of a protrusion provided on the cylindrical portion 3B1, for example, a pin 4A fixed to the cylindrical portion 3B1, and a recess provided on the cylindrical holder 1B that guides the rotational and axial movement of the pin 4A, for example, a groove 4B provided on the outer circumference of the cylindrical holder 1B. The pin 4A is screw-fixed to the cylindrical holder 1B and slides within the groove 4B with a bush 4a attached to its tip. As shown in Figure 3, the groove 4B of the cylindrical holder 1B is composed of two rotational grooves 4B1 and 4B2 that extend in the rotational direction at two positions separated in the axial direction, and one axial groove 4B3 that axially connects one end of the front rotational groove 4B1 and the rear rotational groove 4B2. The axial positions of the rotational grooves 4B1 and 4B2 correspond to the valve closed position and valve open position of the movable valve member 2, respectively. Furthermore, the rotational lengths of the rotational grooves 4B1 and 4B2 correspond to the amount of rotational movement of the switching operation unit 3 when the shaft portion 2A and the cylindrical portion 2B are relatively displaced in the axial direction between the first relative position and the second relative position, respectively, in the valve closed position and the valve open position. Furthermore, the axial length of the axial groove 4B3 corresponds to the amount of axial movement of the switching operation unit 3 when the movable valve member 2 is moved in the axial direction between the valve closed position and the valve open position. Furthermore, the position regulating portion 4 may be constructed by providing a protrusion such as a pin 4A on the cylindrical holder 1B and a recess such as a groove 4B on the cylindrical portion 3B1.

[0025] Next, the operation of the material supply valve in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 7.

[0026] Figure 4 shows the state in which the material supply valve is closed. The movable valve member 2 is in the position moved to its maximum extent forward relative to the fixed valve member 1, i.e., the valve closed position {Figure 4(a)}. The switching operation unit 3 is in a position where the pin 4A of the cylindrical part 3B1 is in contact with the other end of the forward rotational groove 4B1 in the recessed groove 4B of the cylindrical holder 1B {Figure 4(b)}. The engagement of the pin 4A and the rotational groove 4B1 restricts the relative axial movement of the movable valve member 2 relative to the fixed valve member 1 via the switching operation unit 3. As a result, the movable valve member 2 is held in the valve closed position. Furthermore, because the switching operation unit 3 is in the rotational position shown in Figure 4(b) relative to the fixed valve member 1, the cam surface 3a1 of the first cam member 3a is pressed rearward by the cam surface 3b1 of the second cam member 3b, and the first cam member 3a and the shaft portion 2A are displaced a predetermined amount rearward against the elastic force of the elastic member 3i, so that the shaft portion 2A and the cylindrical portion 2B are held in the above-mentioned first relative position. As a result, the O-ring 2a is compressed axially by the flange portion 2b and the pressing surface 2c, expands in the outer diameter direction, and presses against the inner circumferential surface of the fixed valve member 1 at a position forward of the connection port 1b.

[0027] From the state shown in Figure 4, by manually rotating the operating member 3B until the pin 4A of the cylindrical portion 3B1 contacts one end of the forward rotation direction groove 4B1 in the recessed groove 4B of the cylindrical holder 1B, the switching operation unit 3 is rotated relative to the fixed valve member 1 in one direction of rotation {in the direction of the arrow in Figure 5(b)}, as shown in Figure 5(b). This switches the state shown in Figure 5(a). That is, when the switching operation unit 3 is rotated relative to the fixed valve member 1 to the above position, the second cam member 3b rotates relative to the first cam member 3a in the above direction as the operating member 3B rotates. Then, as the second cam member 3b rotates relative to the first cam member 3a, the first cam member 3a and the shaft portion 2A are biased by the elastic member 3i and displaced relative to the front by a predetermined amount, and the shaft portion 2A and the cylindrical portion 2B are held in the above second relative position. As a result, the compression of the O-ring 2a by the flange portion 2b and the pressing surface 2c is released, causing it to shrink in the inward diameter direction and releasing the pressure contact with the inner circumferential surface of the fixed valve member 1.

[0028] In the state shown in Figure 5, when the operating member 3B is manually operated to move the switching operation unit 3 to the rear, the movable valve member 2 moves to the rear along with the switching operation unit 3. As shown in Figure 6(a), the switching operation unit 3 moves to the rear until the pin 4A moves from one end of the rotation direction groove 4B1 along the axial groove 4B3 and contacts one end of the rear rotation direction groove 4B2, and the movable valve member 2 moves to the rear along with the switching operation unit 3 until the connection port 1b opens. The axial position of the switching operation unit 3 after this movement defines the valve open position of the movable valve member 2, that is, the position where the movable valve member 2 moves to the maximum rearward relative to the fixed valve member 1.

[0029] From the state shown in Figure 6, by manually rotating the operating member 3B to the position where the pin 4A contacts the other end of the rotation direction groove 4B2, as shown in Figure 7(b), the switching operation unit 3 is rotated relative to the fixed valve member 1 in the opposite direction of rotation {in the direction of the arrow in Figure 7(b)}, and the state is switched to the state shown in Figure 7(a). That is, when the switching operation unit 3 is rotated relative to the fixed valve member 1 to the above position, the second cam member 3b rotates relative to the first cam member 3a in the above direction as the operating member 3B rotates. Then, as the second cam member 3b rotates relative to the first cam member 3a, the first cam member 3a and the shaft portion 2A are displaced relative to the rear by a predetermined amount against the elastic member 3i, and the shaft portion 2A and the cylindrical portion 2B are held in the above first relative position. As a result, the O-ring 2a is compressed axially by the flange portion 2b and the pressing surface 2c, expands in the outer diameter direction, and presses against the inner circumferential surface of the fixed valve member 1 at a position rearward of the connection port 1b.

[0030] Furthermore, from the state shown in Figure 7, if the operating member 3B is manually rotated to rotate the switching operation unit 3 relative to the fixed valve member 1 in one direction of rotation (opposite to the direction of the arrow in Figure 7(b)) until the pin 4A contacts one end of the rotation direction groove 4B2, the state returns to that shown in Figure 6, and the compression of the O-ring 2a by the flange 2b and the pressing surface 2c is released. Then, in the state shown in Figure 6, if the operating member 3B is manually operated to move the switching operation unit 3 forward together with the movable valve member 2 until the pin 4A moves from one end of the rotation direction groove 4B2 along the axial groove 4B3 and contacts one end of the front rotation direction groove 4B1, the state returns to that shown in Figure 5. Then, from the state shown in Figure 5, the operating member 3B is manually rotated so that the switching operating unit 3 is rotated relative to the fixed valve member 1 in the opposite direction of rotation (opposite to the direction of the arrow in Figure 5(b)) until the pin 4A of the cylindrical part 3B1 contacts the other end of the rotation direction groove 4B1. This returns the state shown in Figure 4, and the O-ring 2a is compressed axially by the flange 2b and the pressing surface 2c, and presses against the inner circumference of the fixed valve material 1.

[0031] As described above, in this embodiment of the material supply valve, when the movable valve member 2 is moved axially between the valve closed position and the valve open position, the switching operation unit 3 releases the compression of the O-ring 2a and releases the pressure contact with the inner circumferential surface of the fixed valve member 1. Therefore, damage to the O-ring 2a is suppressed, and the valve has higher durability compared to conventional material supply valves. Furthermore, since the compression and release of the O-ring 2a and the axial movement of the movable valve member 2 can be performed by operating the switching operation unit 3, operation is easy.

[0032] In the above embodiment, the switching operation unit 3 is configured to be operated manually. However, a rotary actuator and a linear actuator or other drive equipment may be attached to the operating member 3B of the switching operation unit 3 to automatically perform rotation and axial movement operations of the switching operation unit 3. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0033] 1 Fixed valve member 1a Supply port 1b Connection port 1c connection 2. Movable valve member 2A shaft part 2a O-ring (elastic ring) 2b Tsuba 2B Cylinder part 2c Pressing surface 3. Switching operation unit 3A Displacement Mechanism 3a First cam member 3a1 Cam surface 3b Second cam member 3b1 Cam surface 3B Operation member 3B1 Cylindrical part 3B2 Cover section 4 Position regulation part 4A pin 4B Groove 4B1 Rotation direction groove 4B2 Rotation direction groove 4B3 Axial groove

Claims

1. A cylindrical fixed valve member having a supply port for the material to be processed at its front end, and a connecting portion that communicates with a connection port on the inner circumferential surface located behind the supply port and connects to the side of the supply source for the material to be processed, A movable valve member is axially movable between a valve closed position, in which the supply port and the connection port are closed, and a valve open position, in which the supply port and the connection port are opened, in which the supply port and the connection port are opened, in which the supply port and the connection port are opened, with the elastic ring pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the fixed valve member at a position forward of the connection port. The movable valve member is accompanied by a switching operation unit that is movable in the axial direction, The movable valve member comprises a shaft portion and a cylindrical portion mounted on the outer circumference of the shaft portion, the elastic ring is interposed between a flange portion provided at the front end of the shaft portion and a pressing surface provided at the front end of the cylindrical portion, and the shaft portion and the cylindrical portion are axially displaceable between a first relative position in which the elastic ring is compressed axially by the flange portion and the pressing surface and pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the fixed valve member and a second relative position in which the compression of the elastic ring is released. The switching operation unit is equipped with a displacement mechanism that axially displaces the shaft portion and the cylindrical portion relative to each other between the first relative position and the second relative position, and in the valve closed position and the valve open position, the displacement mechanism positions the shaft portion and the cylindrical portion at the first relative position, and when moving the movable valve member axially between the valve closed position and the valve open position, the displacement mechanism positions the shaft portion and the cylindrical portion at the second relative position, and they move axially together with the movable valve member. The displacement mechanism comprises a first cam member provided on the shaft so as to be immovable relative to it in the axial and rotational directions, and a second cam member provided so as to be rotatable relative to the first cam member, wherein the first cam member and the second cam member have cam surfaces that contact each other in the axial direction, and move closer to or further away from each other in the axial direction as the relative rotation of the second cam member occurs. The material supply valve is characterized in that the switching operation unit further comprises an operating member for rotating the second cam member.

2. The material supply valve according to claim 1, wherein the operating member comprises a cylindrical portion externally fitted to the outer circumference of the fixed valve member so as to be movable relative to it in the axial and rotational directions, and a cover portion fixed to the cylindrical portion and the second cam member, which houses the rear end of the shaft portion including the first cam member.

3. A material supply valve according to claim 2, wherein a position restricting portion is provided between the cylindrical portion and the fixed valve member, the position restricting portion allows relative movement of the switching operation portion in the rotational direction relative to the fixed valve member in the valve closed position and the valve open position, and when the movable valve member is moved axially between the valve closed position and the valve open position, the position restricting portion allows relative movement of the switching operation portion in the axial direction relative to the fixed valve member.

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