Switching damper

Abstract

This invention provides a powder / granular material switching damper that can manually split powders and granular materials into two directions, and is made of fluororesin, eliminating the risk of contamination. [Solution] The device comprises a main body with an inlet and outlet for powder and granular material formed on its outer circumference, with both openings of a cylindrical member closed by closing plates and covered with a lid, a shaft that penetrates the center of the main body and has both ends fixed to each of the closing plates, a rectangular plate-shaped member that radially closes the space from the shaft to the inner surface of the cylindrical member, a switching plate that is pivotally supported and slides along the inner surface, and a fixing plate that is screwed to each of the closing plates and fixed to the inner surface, the inlet is formed in a cylindrical shape on the opposite side from where the fixing plate is fixed, and the outlet is formed in a cylindrical shape on both sides of where the fixing plate is fixed, and one side of the lid has a handle for rotating the switching plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a switching damper for switching the flow path of powder and granules.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a discharge device installed at the lower end of a storage section for storing powder and granules is a slide-type discharge device provided with a plate-shaped valve body (partition plate) that slides horizontally so as to be orthogonal to an inlet pipe at the lower end of the storage section provided substantially vertically. However, in this method, malfunction due to biting of powder and granules is likely to occur. Therefore, as a discharge device for powder and granule materials that can prevent malfunction and damage caused by biting and can perform quantitative discharge, it includes a first discharge path connected in series to the lower end of the storage section, and a second discharge path formed obliquely downward from the first discharge path and having a discharge port at its end, and a discharge device that opens and closes the discharge port by a drive unit has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). In addition, it consists of a storage tank in which resin pellets are stored, a pipe for pneumatically transporting the resin pellets from the storage tank to a supply destination through air sent from a blower, and a screw feeder for controlling the transport amount of the resin pellets in the pipe. The screw feeder has a shape that rises substantially perpendicular to the installation surface, and has a resin pellet receiving portion connected to the storage tank and a housing portion in which a screw feeder mechanism is housed. The housing portion has a shape that rises inclined with respect to the installation surface. By the rotation of the screw constituting the screw feeder mechanism, the resin pellets are pushed up inside the housing portion, and a transport system in which the lower part of the housing portion is filled with resin pellets has been proposed (see Patent Document 2). Furthermore, there has been proposed a flow path switching device for a powder and granule transfer pipe that mixes and blends various powder and granules by pneumatic transfer means. A switching damper that swings with a rotation axis as a fulcrum is provided in a pipe body composed of a main pipe portion and a branch pipe portion, a packing is attached to the outer peripheral edge portion thereof, and the inner peripheral wall surface of the pipe body with which both side portions of the packing slidably contact is recessed, and the opposing interval of the portion where both side portions slidably contact is set wider than the opposing interval of other portions. (See Patent Document 3). [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5130338 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6795194 [Patent Document 3] Utility Model Application Advertisement No. H2-19673 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0004] However, the proposed methods described above are made of metal or resin, and contamination during the transfer or transport of powders and granules is a problem. In particular, in fields requiring high levels of cleanliness, such as semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, even slight contamination can significantly affect product yield and performance, thus demanding thorough control. To prevent contamination, fluororesin lining is effective in areas where powders or granules come into contact. However, to form a uniform coating, the structure of the equipment being lined needs to be simplified. In view of these circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a switching damper that is made of fluororesin to avoid the risk of contamination and that can switch the flow path when transferring stored powder or granular material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention provides a switching damper for switching a flow path for transporting powder and granular material, comprising: a cylindrical member having an inlet and outlet for powder and granular material formed on its outer circumference, with both openings closed by closing plates and covered with a lid; a shaft passing through the center of the cylindrical member and fixed at both ends to each of the closing plates; a rectangular plate-shaped member that radially closes the space from the shaft to the inner surface of the cylindrical member, a switching plate rotatably supported on the shaft and sliding against the inner surface; and a fixing plate screwed to each of the closing plates and fixed at a predetermined position on the inner surface, wherein the inlet is formed cylindrically on the opposite side of the position where the fixing plate is fixed, and the outlet is formed cylindrically on both sides of the position where the fixing plate is fixed, and one of the lids is provided with a handle for rotating the switching plate and an elongated hole that allows the handle to move. With this configuration, the powdered material stored in the storage section can be smoothly and easily divided into two directions. In this case, the cylindrical member is coated with a fluororesin film of at least 2 mm thickness on its inner surface by rotational molding lining, and the fixing plate, switching plate, and closing plate are formed by molding fluororesin. In this way, contamination can be prevented by lining the inner surface of the damper or by using parts molded from fluororesin. Furthermore, it is preferable that one of the blocking plates includes the elongated hole and a leakage prevention plate that is connected to the handle and moves to prevent the powder from leaking out of the elongated hole, and that a groove is formed to embed the leakage prevention plate over the range in which the leakage prevention plate moves. This method prevents the ingested powder or granules from leaking out. Furthermore, it is preferable that the portion supporting the switching plate has a substantially semicircular cross-section and a shaft hole through which the shaft is inserted, and that the fixing plate in contact with this portion has a concave cross-section that allows the switching plate to slide freely. Here, when the handle is moved to one end of the elongated hole, the switching plate forms a flow path that discharges the powder and granules taken in from the intake to one outlet side, and when the handle is moved to the other end of the elongated hole, a flow path that discharges to the other outlet side can be formed. Furthermore, the elongated hole is formed within a range that allows the switching plate to rotate 90 degrees, and the intake port is formed on the outer circumference of the inner surface with which the switching plate slides. This makes it easy to manually switch the flow path. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] This makes it easy to manually separate the stored powder and granular material into two directions, and the risk of contamination can be eliminated by forming a fluororesin coating through rotational molding lining or by using fluororesin molded products. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1(a)] Figure 1(a) is a plan view showing the switching damper of this embodiment. [Figure 1(b)] Figure 1(b) is a front cross-sectional view showing the switching damper of this embodiment. [Figure 2(a)] Figure 2(a) is a plan view showing one of the closure plates of this embodiment. [Figure 2(b)] Figure 2(b) is a front view showing one of the closure plates of this embodiment. [Figure 2(c)] Figure 2(c) is a plan view showing the leak prevention plate. [Figure 3(a)] Figure 3(a) is a plan view showing one of the lids of this embodiment. [Figure 3(b)] Figure 3(b) is a front view showing one of the lids of this embodiment. [Figure 4(a)] Figure 4(a) is a plan view showing the other lid of this embodiment. [Figure 4(b)] Figure 4(b) is a front view showing the other lid of this embodiment. [Figure 5(a)] Figure 5(a) is a front view of the pivotally supported switching plate and the fixing plate screwed to the closing plate. [Figure 5(b)] Figure 5(b) is a plan view showing the relationship between the pivotally supported switching plate and the fixed plate. [Figure 6(a)]FIG. 6(a) is a diagram showing the movement range of the handle. [Figure 6(b)] FIG. 6(b) is a diagram showing the movement range of the leakage prevention plate.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the switching damper of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the switching damper of the present embodiment, (a) is a plan view, and (b) is a front cross-sectional view The switching damper 10 shown in FIG. 1 closes each opening surface 1a of the cylindrical member 1 having a flange 1b formed around the opening surface 1a with a fluororesin closing plate 8, and covers a metal lid 9 thereon, and the lid 9 and the flange 1b are bolted together. And, a cylindrical inlet 5 and two cylindrical outlets are formed on the outer periphery 1d of the cylindrical member 1, and the inlet 5 and the outlets are arranged on the outer periphery 1d on substantially opposite sides. The inlet 5 and the outlets are formed by providing a circular opening on the outer periphery 1d and welding a cylinder 11 to the opening. A flange 12 having the same outer diameter as the flange 1b of the cylindrical member 1 is formed around the opening surface of the cylinder 11. A shaft 4 passes through the center inside the cylindrical member 1, and both ends of the shaft 4 are fixed to the closing plate 8. And, two rectangular plate-like members P that close the space from the shaft 4 to the inner periphery 1c of the cylindrical member in the radial direction are installed in the space. One is a fixed plate 2 screwed and fixed to each closing plate 8, which is arranged between the two outlets, and has a role of specifying either one of the outlets. The other one is a switching plate 3 supported by the shaft 4 and rotatable, which switches the powder particles entering from the inlet 5 to either one of the outlets, and has a role of determining either one of the outlets specified by the fixed plate 2. A handle 22 is screwed to the switching plate 3, and it can move within the range of the long holes 21 provided in the lid 9 and the closing plate 8 to rotate the switching plate 3. In this embodiment, the switching damper 10 has an intake opening (not shown) 5 formed on the outer circumference 1d opposite to the inner circumference 1c side to which the fixed plate 2 is fixed. Since the intake opening (not shown) 5 is formed within a range of approximately 45 degrees to the left and right with respect to the line L1 connecting the fixed plate 2 and the shaft 4, the switching plate 3 also rotates within that range, and the powder and granular material falling from the storage section can be reliably taken into the interior of the cylindrical member 1. The two discharge ports 6 and 7 are formed within a range of approximately 45 degrees to the left and right of their respective centerlines L2, which are lines that form a 50-degree angle to the left and right of the line connecting the fixed plate 2 and the shaft 4. Therefore, the powder and granular material separated by the switching plate 3 is quickly and reliably discharged from the outlets 6 and 7 directly below, which are identified by the fixing plate 2.

[0009] Here, the cylindrical member 1 is made of a metal such as stainless steel, with an inner diameter of approximately 130 mm and a length of approximately 180 mm. The intake 5 and outlet 6, 7 are circular holes with an inner diameter of approximately 90 mm made in the center of the length of the cylindrical member 1, and cylinders 11 of the same diameter are fixed therein by welding or other means. These cylinders 11 are provided with flanges 12 with an outer diameter of approximately 180 mm. However, the values ​​shown here are just examples and are not limited to these values. The cylindrical member 1 of this embodiment has a simple shape and can be easily subjected to rotational molding lining. Rotational molding lining involves degreasing the cylindrical member 1 by preheating, blasting it with an abrasive, filling the cylindrical member with raw material (such as PFA), attaching a cover, and fixing it to the molding machine. Then, the material is heated in a molding furnace while simultaneously being rotated to ensure that the raw material reaches every corner of the cover and forms a coating. After that, the cover is removed, excess resin is trimmed, and the sealing surface is processed. As a result, a fluororesin coating of about 2 mm to 4 mm thick is formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical member. Therefore, when diverting and transporting powders and granular materials such as fluororesin stored in the storage section, it is possible to prevent contamination from occurring due to contact with metal parts, etc.

[0010] Figure 2 shows one of the closing plates of this embodiment, where (a) is a plan view, (b) is a front view, and (c) is a plan view showing the leakage prevention plate. The closure plate 8 shown in Figure 2 is a disc molded from fluororesin, with a thickness of approximately 10-15 mm. It has an elongated hole 21 in the range of movement for the handle 22 that rotates the switching plate 3, and on the opposite side there is a screw hole 2b for screwing in the fixing plate 2. In addition, there is a seat hole in the center for fixing the shaft 4. The elongated hole 21 is formed in a circular shape with a central angle of 90 degrees Y around the axis 4, and a leakage prevention plate 23 is provided so as to overlap the elongated hole 21 to prevent powder or granular material from leaking out of the elongated hole 21. The leak prevention plate 23 is molded from fluororesin and has a thickness of about 2 mm. Since the handle 22 is attached to it, it moves 90 degrees as the handle 22 moves. The size of the leak prevention plate 23 must be a semicircle, extending from A to C when the handle 22 is at one end B of the elongated hole 21, and from B to D when the handle 22 is at the other end C of the elongated hole 21. Furthermore, since the lid 9 covers the closing plate 8, in order to allow the leakage prevention plate 23 to move freely from A to D, a movable groove 8a is formed over the range of movement of the leakage prevention plate 23 (from A to D), so that the leakage prevention plate 23 is embedded below the surface of the closing plate 8, i.e., flush with or below the surface. Therefore, when the handle 22 moves over a 90-degree range, the leakage prevention plate 23, sandwiched between the closing plate 8 and the lid 8, moves freely within the range where the movable groove 8a is formed, and the elongated hole 21 is always blocked by the leakage prevention plate 23, so that the powder or granular material taken into the cylindrical member 1 does not leak out from the elongated hole 21. The outer diameter of the closing plate 8 is set to be approximately the same as the opening diameter of the cylindrical member 1, and it fits snugly into the opening 1a of the cylindrical member 1. Therefore, when the fixing plate 2, which will be described later, is screwed into the fixing plate 2 using the screw holes 2b, the fixing plate 2 is securely fixed to the cylindrical member 1. Although the other closing plate 8 is not shown here, the other closing plate 8 includes an elongated hole 21 into which the handle 22 moves, a leakage prevention plate 23, and a movable groove 8a into which the leakage prevention plate 23 is embedded. The only difference is that it does not have [a specific feature / feature]; otherwise, they are the same.

[0011] Figure 3 shows one of the lids of this embodiment, where (a) is a top view and (b) is a front view. One of the lids 9 shown in Figure 3 has the same outer diameter as the flange 1b of the cylindrical member and is formed by molding a metal such as stainless steel. An elongated hole 21 is formed on the surface of the lid 9, and bolt holes 9a for fastening to the flange 1b of the cylindrical member are provided around its periphery. The elongated hole 21 is provided to rotate the switching plate 3 by moving the handle 22 attached to the switching plate 3, and is positioned to overlap with the elongated hole 21 of the closing plate 8. It is always closed by the leakage prevention plate 23 attached to the closing plate 8.

[0012] Figure 4 shows the other lid of this embodiment, where (a) is a plan view and (b) is a front view. The other lid 9, shown in Figure 4, has the same outer diameter as the flange 1b of the cylindrical member and is formed by molding a metal such as stainless steel. Bolt holes 9a are provided around the lid 9 for fastening the flange 9b of the lid to the flange 1b of the cylindrical member. However, unlike the other lid 9, it does not have the elongated holes 21, but it does have three screw holes 9c for fixing the other closing plate 8.

[0013] Figure 5 shows a pivotally supported switching plate and a fixing plate screwed to a closing plate; (a) is a front view of the switching plate and the fixing plate, and (b) is a plan view showing the relationship between the pivotally supported switching plate and the fixing plate. The switching plate 3 and fixing plate 2 shown in Figure 5 are rectangular plate-shaped members P that radially close the space from the shaft 4 to the inner circumference 1c of the cylindrical member 1, and are formed by molding fluororesin. The switching plate 3 has one of its longer edges 3c pivotally supported by the shaft 4, allowing it to rotate freely. The other long edge 3c is in contact with the inner circumference 1c of the cylindrical member 1. The edge 3c that pivotally supports the switching plate 3 on the shaft 4 has a roughly semicircular cross-section 3b, and a shaft hole 3a through which the shaft 4 is inserted is formed therein. Furthermore, a screw hole 3d for attaching a handle 22 for rotating the switching plate 3 is provided on the top surface near the inner circumference 1c. On the opposite side of the shaft 4 from the switching plate 3, there is a fixing plate 2 that contacts the inner circumference 1c of the cylindrical member 1, and the top and bottom surfaces have screw holes 2b for screwing and fixing to the closing plate 8. The fixing plate 2 is in contact with the area that forms a roughly semicircular cross-section 3b, where the switching plate 3 is pivotally supported. Since the contact point has a concave cross-section 2a, the approximately semicircular cross-section 3b where the switching plate 3 is pivotally supported fits into the concave cross-section 2a and slides. Consequently, the pivot point of the switching plate 3 rotates smoothly without any blockage of powder or granules.

[0014] Figure 6 shows the relationship between the movement of the handle and the behavior of the leak prevention plate, where (a) shows the range of movement of the handle and (b) shows the range of movement of the leak prevention plate. As shown in Figure 6, the switching plate 3 is pivotally supported on the shaft 4, and the fixing plate 2 is in contact with the pivotally supported portion. The cross-section of the contact portion is concave 2a, and the portion where the switching plate 3 is pivotally supported is approximately semicircular 3b. The fixing plate 2 fits into the concave 2a and slides freely, allowing the switching plate 3 to rotate freely. Since the handle 22 is screwed onto the top surface of the switching plate 3, it moves through the elongated hole 21 (not shown in the diagram) in accordance with the rotation of the switching plate 3. The elongated hole 21 is formed in a circular shape within a 90-degree range Y around the axis 4. On the other hand, the leakage prevention plate 23 is formed in a circular shape within a 180-degree range around the axis 4, and the handle 22 is fixed in the center. Therefore, when the handle 22 moves over 90 degrees, the leakage prevention plate 23 moves within a range Z of 270 degrees, so the elongated hole 21 is always blocked by the leakage prevention plate 23. Consequently, the powder or granular material taken into the cylindrical member 1 does not leak out from the elongated hole 21. [Industrial applicability]

[0015] In recent years, semiconductor chips have become increasingly dense, and avoiding metal contamination is essential in their manufacturing process. Switching dampers with fluororesin linings are useful when transporting PFA raw materials. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0016] 1. Cylindrical member 1a Opening surface 1b Flange of cylindrical member 1c Inner circumference of cylindrical member 1d Outer circumference of cylindrical member 2 Fixed plate 2a concave cross section 2b Screw hole 3 Switching plate 3a shaft hole 3b Approximately semicircular cross section 3c Long edge Screw holes for attaching 3D handles 4 axes 5 Intake 6,7 Outlet 8 Occlusion plate 8a Movement groove 9 Lid 9a Bolt hole 9b Flange of the cover 9c Screw holes for closure plates 10 Switching damper 11 Cylinder 12. Cylindrical flange 21 Slotted holes 22 handles 23 Leak prevention plate Y central angle is 90 degrees Z central angle range of 270 degrees L1 is the line connecting the fixing plate and the shaft. L2 Centerline of the discharge port P plate-shaped member

Claims

1. A switching damper for switching the flow path for transferring powders and granules, A cylindrical member having an inlet and outlet for powder and granular material formed on its outer circumference, with both openings sealed by closing plates and covered with a lid, A shaft that penetrates the center of the cylindrical member and has both ends fixed to each of the closing plates, A rectangular plate-shaped member that radially closes the space from the shaft to the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical member, comprising a switching plate that is pivotably supported on the shaft and slides against the inner circumferential surface, and a fixing plate that is screwed to each of the closing plates and fixed at a predetermined position on the inner circumferential surface, The intake port is formed in a cylindrical shape on the opposite side of the position where the fixing plate is fixed, and the discharge port is formed in a cylindrical shape on both sides of the position where the fixing plate is fixed. A switching damper characterized in that one side of the cover is provided with a handle for rotating the switching plate and an elongated hole that allows the handle to move.

2. The cylindrical member is formed by rotational molding lining, which creates a fluororesin coating of at least 2 mm on its inner surface. The switching damper according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing plate, the switching plate, and the closing plate are formed by molding fluororesin.

3. The switching damper according to claim 1, wherein one of the closing plates comprises the elongated hole and a leakage prevention plate that is coupled to the handle and moves to prevent the powder from leaking out of the elongated hole, and a groove is formed over the range in which the leakage prevention plate moves to embed the leakage prevention plate.

4. The switching damper according to claim 1, characterized in that the portion where the switching plate is pivotally supported has a substantially semicircular cross-section and has a shaft hole through which the shaft is inserted, and the fixing plate in contact with the portion has a concave cross-section that allows the switching plate to slide freely.

5. The switching damper according to claim 1, characterized in that when the handle is moved to one end of the elongated hole, the switching plate forms a flow path for discharging the powder and granular material taken in from the intake to one outlet side, and when the handle is moved to the other end of the elongated hole, it forms a flow path for discharging to the other outlet side.

6. The switching damper according to claim 1, characterized in that the elongated hole is formed within a range that allows the switching plate to rotate by 90 degrees, and the intake port is formed on the outer circumference of the inner surface with which the switching plate slides.

Images