Connection structure between screw conveyor and rotary valve in powder and granular material transport vehicle

Abstract

To provide a powder and granular material truck that is provided with a tank that can store powder and granular matters, a screw conveyor, connected to a lower part of the tank, which carries out the powder and granular materials and a rotary valve that ejects the powder and granular materials carried out by the screw conveyor to the outside of the tank, which even when relative positional shift occurs between the tank and the rotary valve so that positional shift occurs between a carry-out port of the screw conveyor and a throw-in port of a valve housing, in mounting and fixing the tank and the rotary valve to a vehicle body independently, can easily and accurately connect both ports to each other with a simple structure, so as to improve efficiency in assembling work.SOLUTION: A conveyor housing Hs and a valve housing Hr are separately fixed to a vehicle body F independently from each other, a carry-out port So of the conveyor housing Hs and a throw-in port Ri of the valve housing Hr are arranged to oppose to each other with an interval, the carry-out port So is connected to the throw-in port Ri through a flexible connection body J, and the carry-out port So is communicated with the throw-in port Ri through an internal space of the connection body J.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present invention relates to a powder and granular material carrier, particularly to a connection structure between a screw conveyor and a rotary valve in a powder and granular material carrier including a tank fixed to a vehicle body and capable of accommodating powder and granular materials, a screw conveyor connected to the lower part of the tank and discharging the powder and granular materials in the tank, and a rotary valve discharging the powder and granular materials carried out by the screw conveyor to the outside of the tank. 【Background Art】 【0002】 The above-described powder and granular material carrier is conventionally known as disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1. In this known carrier, a tank with a screw conveyor connected to the lower part thereof and a valve housing of a rotary valve are independently fixed to the vehicle body separately from each other, and a discharge port of the powder and granular materials provided in the conveyor housing and an inlet of the valve housing facing the discharge port are directly connected to each other. 【Prior Art Documents】 【Patent Documents】 【0003】 【Patent Document 1】 Japanese Patent No. 415776 【Summary of the Invention】 【Problems to be Solved by the Invention】 【0004】 In the assembly work of the above-described powder and granular material carrier, since the tank with a screw conveyor connected to the lower part thereof and the rotary valve are separately mounted and fixed to the vehicle body, if a relative displacement occurs between the conveyor housing and the valve housing, a displacement also occurs between the discharge port of the screw conveyor and the inlet of the valve housing, which may cause trouble in the connection work therebetween and reduce the efficiency of the assembly work. 【0005】 This invention was proposed in view of the above, and aims to provide a connection structure between a screw conveyor and a rotary valve in a powder and granular material transport vehicle that can solve the problems of conventional structures with a simple structure. [Means for solving the problem] 【0006】 To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a vehicle for transporting granular materials, comprising a tank fixed to a vehicle body and capable of containing granular materials, a screw conveyor connected to the lower part of the tank for transporting the granular materials from the tank, and a rotary valve for discharging the granular materials transported by the screw conveyor to the outside of the tank, wherein the conveyor housing of the screw conveyor and the valve housing of the rotary valve are fixed separately to the vehicle body independently of each other, an outlet provided in the conveyor housing and an inlet provided in the valve housing are arranged to face each other with a distance between them, the outlet and the inlet are connected via a flexible connector placed between them, and the outlet and the inlet are in communication through the internal space of the connector. [Effects of the Invention] 【0007】 According to the present invention, in a powder and granular material transport vehicle, the conveyor housing of the screw conveyor and the valve housing of the rotary valve are fixed separately to the vehicle body independently of each other, and the outlet provided in the conveyor housing and the inlet provided in the valve housing are arranged to face each other with a gap between them, and the outlet and the inlet are connected via a flexible connector placed between them, and the outlet and the inlet are in communication through the internal space of the connector. As a result, when the tank and the rotary valve are fixed separately to the vehicle body during the assembly work of the powder and granular material transport vehicle, even if a relative misalignment occurs between the two, and a misalignment occurs between the outlet of the screw conveyor connected to the bottom of the tank and the inlet of the valve housing, the gap between them can be easily and accurately connected with the flexible connector, thereby improving the efficiency of the assembly work. Moreover, since the above effect can be obtained with a simple structure that only requires setting a wider gap between the outlet of the conveyor housing and the inlet of the valve housing and interposing a flexible connector therein, it can also contribute to cost reduction. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0008】 [Figure 1] Overall side view showing one embodiment of a powder and granular material transport vehicle according to the present invention [Figure 2] A rear view of the main part of the powder and granular material transport vehicle (enlarged view taken along arrow 2X in Figure 1), with the rear end of the vehicle frame and bumper support omitted, and a partial enlarged view of the connecting body and its surrounding area. [Figure 3] (3A) is a plan view of the rotary valve inlet (a cross-section view seen from the line 3A-3A in Figure 2), and (3B) is a plan view of the multiphase inlet (a cross-section view seen from the line 3B-3B in Figure 2). [Figure 4] A longitudinal cross-sectional view of the screw conveyor, rotary valve, and multiphase unit (4X-4X cross-sectional view in Figure 5), viewed from the same orientation as Figure 2. [Figure 5] A longitudinal cross-sectional view of the screw conveyor, rotary valve, and multiphase unit, viewed from a direction 90 degrees different from Figure 4 (cross-sectional view along the 5X-5X line in Figure 4). [Figure 6] This circuit diagram shows an example of a hydraulic circuit for operating a conveyor motor, valve motor, and blower motor. [Figure 7] A control block diagram showing an example of a control system for operating a screw conveyor, rotary valve, and blower. [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0009】 Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 【0010】 The powder and granular material transport vehicle V comprises a tank T fixed to a vehicle frame F as its body and capable of containing powder and granular material inside, a screw conveyor S connected to the bottom of the tank T for transporting the powder and granular material from the tank T, a rotary valve R forcibly transporting the powder and granular material transported by the screw conveyor S into a discharge pipe 25 via a mixer M, a control device C capable of controlling the operation of the screw conveyor S and the rotary valve R, and an air transport device A capable of assisting the flow of the powder and granular material in the discharge pipe 25 after it has been transported from the rotary valve R through the mixer M into the discharge pipe 25 using air pressure. 【0011】 The granular material includes countless granular particles (e.g., wood chips, animal feed, etc.) or powders (e.g., cement, powdered chemicals, powdered food ingredients, etc.) that are fluid enough to be conveyed by air. The multiphase unit M is used to combine the granular material discharged from the rotary valve R with the air ejected from the blower B, and to direct the granular material together with the ejected air towards the discharge pipe 25 for smooth discharge from the discharge pipe 25. 【0012】 The vehicle frame F mainly consists of a chassis frame Fm, which is a main frame composed of a rigid frame formed by arranging vertical and horizontal frames in a ladder-frame manner, and a support frame Fs, which is a subframe that is connected (e.g., bolted, welded, etc.) to the chassis frame Fm and is also arranged in a ladder-frame manner. 【0013】 Tank T mainly consists of a metal tank body 1 formed in a boat shape with the lower half sloping downwards towards the left and right center. Multiple input tubes 1c for introducing powder or granular material from the outside and a lid 1t that can open and close these input tubes 1c are provided on the upper wall of the tank body 1. 【0014】 The bottom center of the tank body 1 is curved in a circular arc shape in cross-section, and this curved portion 1r extends in the front-rear direction and also serves as the bottom wall of the conveyor housing Hs, which will be described later. The left and right side edges of this curved portion 1r are connected (for example, by welding) to the lower end edges of the left and right inclined walls 1k that constitute the lower half of the tank body 1. 【0015】 Furthermore, a pair of left and right vertical support walls 1s are integrally installed vertically on the outer surfaces of the left and right inclined walls 1k that constitute the lower half of the tank body 1, extending in the front-rear direction with the screw conveyor S sandwiched between them. Flat, pipe-shaped support rods 1sa extending in the front-rear direction are fixed (e.g., welded) to the lower ends of these vertical support walls 1s, and the vertical support walls 1s are placed on the left and right vertical frames 2 of the frame Fs via these support rods 1sa. 【0016】 Furthermore, multiple upper support frames 7a are fixed (e.g., welded) to the outer surfaces of the vertical support wall 1s and support rod 1sa at intervals in the front-to-back direction, while multiple lower support frames b are fixed (e.g., welded) to the outer surface of the vertical frame 2 at positions corresponding to the upper support frames 7a at intervals in the front-to-back direction, and above these, the space between the lower support frames 7a and 7b is fixed with multiple bolts b1. Thus, the lower part of the tank body 1 is fixed to the frame Fs (and therefore the vehicle frame F) via multiple bolts b1. 【0017】 The screw conveyor S comprises a conveyor housing Hs connected to the lower part of the tank body 1 and extending in a generally cylindrical shape in the front-rear direction, a helical screw blade 3 passing longitudinally through the conveyor housing Hs, and a conveyor motor 4 that rotates the screw blade 3. 【0018】 The conveyor housing Hs is fixed to the lower part of the tank body 1 and includes a screw covering part 5 with a cross-sectional arc shape that covers the upper part of the conveyor screw 3. At least a part of the screw covering part 5 is movable and configured to be openable into the tank T. A part of the conveyor screw 3 is not covered by the screw covering part 5 and is in an open state in the tank T. Through this open part, the granular material in the tank T is carried into the conveyor housing Hs as the screw blades 3 rotate and is sent backward. 【0019】 Moreover, a rearward extension cylinder part 6 that forms a part (rear part) of the conveyor housing Hs and has a cylindrical shape projects integrally backward from the rear wall of the tank body 1. The screw blades 3 also extend into this rearward extension cylinder part 6, and the extended end part thereof is rotatably connected and supported to a conveyor motor 4 mounted on the rear end wall of the rearward extension cylinder part 6. 【0020】 A cylindrical carry-out cylinder 6a that communicates with the inside of the conveyor housing Hs projects integrally downward from the lower part of the outer peripheral surface of the rearward extension cylinder part 6. The circular open lower end of this carry-out cylinder 6a in plan view constitutes the carry-out port So of the screw conveyor S. In particular, an outward flange 6af for connection to the rotary valve R is integrally provided over the entire circumference in a rectangular shape in plan view on the outer periphery of the lower end of the carry-out cylinder 6a. 【0021】 Also, the upper parts of a plurality (four) of support brackets 8v that are arranged at intervals in the front, rear, left, and right directions and extend in the vertical direction are fixed (for example, bolted) to the rear parts of the left and right vertical frames 2 of the chassis frame Fm, particularly around the rotary valve R. The spaces between the lower parts of the left and right support brackets 8v on the front side and the spaces between the lower parts of the left and right support brackets 8v on the rear side are respectively connected by a front cross frame 8hf and a rear cross frame 8hr that extend in the left-right direction. 【0022】 The upper parts of the front and rear cross frames 8hf and 8hr are integrally connected (e.g., by welding or bolting) by a pair of left and right support frames 91 and 92 that extend in the front-rear direction, respectively, on both the left and right sides of the inlet Mi of the multiphase unit M, which will be described later. The valve housing Hr of the rotary valve R is then fastened and fixed to these left and right support frames 91 and 92 together with the multiphase unit M using multiple bolts b2. 【0023】 Next, an example of a rotary valve R will be described in detail. The rotary valve R comprises a valve housing Hr having an inlet Ri at its upper end and an outlet Ro at its lower end, a rotor 10 rotatably housed and supported in the valve housing Hr, and a valve motor 11 that rotates the rotor 10. The inlet Ri is connected to the outlet So of the conveyor housing Hs through a connecting body J, which will be described later, and the outlet Ro is connected directly to the inlet Mi of the multiphase unit M, which will be described later. The valve motor 11 is supported by a motor bracket 13 fixed (for example, bolted) to the front cross frame 8hf, as is clear from Figure 5. 【0024】 An outward-facing flange Hrf1 for connection to the screw conveyor S is installed on the outer circumference of the upper end of the valve housing Hr, surrounding the input port Ri. The outward-facing flange Hrf1 has a rectangular shape in plan view, substantially the same as the outward-facing flange 6af at the lower end of the discharge cylinder 6a of the conveyor housing Hs, and is positioned opposite the outward-facing flange 6af with a vertical gap between them. 【0025】 Thus, although the outlet So and the input Ri are separated in the vertical direction, they are connected by a flexible and hollow connecting body J positioned between them, thereby enabling communication between the outlet So and the input Ri through the internal space of the connecting body J. As is clear from Figure 2, the connecting body J in this embodiment has a flexible and sturdy rectangular tubular fabric material Ja and reinforcing edging rings Jb1 and Jb2 which are formed in a rectangular shape and are overlapped and fixed (e.g., sewn, glued, etc.) to the folded-over portions of the upper and lower ends of the fabric material Ja, respectively. 【0026】 The upper edging ring Jb1 (and therefore the upper outer edge of the fabric material Ja) is fastened together with a rectangular upper retainer 14 that overlaps its lower surface and an outward flange 6af on the conveyor housing Hs (discharge cylinder 6a) side, sandwiched between them by a plurality of bolts b3. On the other hand, the lower edging ring Jb2 (and therefore the lower outer edge of the fabric material Ja) is fastened together with a rectangular lower retainer 15 that overlaps its upper surface and an outward flange Hrf1 on the upper end of the valve housing Hr, sandwiched between them by a plurality of bolts b4. 【0027】 Incidentally, the outlet Ro of the valve housing Hr is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view, which is approximately the same shape as the inlet Mi of the multiphase unit M (see (3B) in Figure 3), and an outward-facing flange Hrf2 for connection to the multiphase unit M is attached to the outer circumference of the lower end of the valve housing Hr so as to surround the outlet Ro in a rectangular shape in plan view. 【0028】 The rotor 10 described above integrally comprises a rotating shaft portion 10a located in the center of the valve housing Hr and a plurality of vane portions 10b radially protruding from the outer circumference of the rotating shaft portion 10a. When this rotor 10 is rotated by the valve motor 11, the powder material discharged from the screw conveyor S can be forcibly discharged to the discharge port So side (and therefore into the multiphase unit M) at a discharge flow rate corresponding to the amount of rotation. 【0029】 The multiphase unit M comprises a hollow multiphase unit body 21 having an inlet Mi at its upper end facing the outlet Ro of the rotary valve R, and a cylindrical pipe section 22 that extends in the left-right direction and whose central part is integrally joined (e.g., welded) to the lower part of the multiphase unit body 21. An outward-facing flange 21f for connection to the rotary valve R is attached to the outer circumference of the upper end of the multiphase unit body 21, as is clear from Figure 3(3B), so as to surround the inlet Mi of the multiphase unit M, which has a rectangular shape in plan view. 【0030】 The multiphase unit body 21 mainly consists of front and rear side walls 211, 212 that are inclined to gradually approach each other as they go downwards, and left and right side walls 213, 214 that are approximately vertical and integrally connect the left and right edges of the front and rear side walls 211, 212, forming a box shape that tapers downwards and is open at the bottom. 【0031】 The lower ends of the front, rear, left, and right side walls 211-214 are connected (for example, by welding) to the opening edges of an upward-facing rectangular opening 22o, which is formed by cutting out the upper part of the central peripheral wall of the cylindrical pipe section 22. The inside of the cylindrical pipe section 22 directly below the opening 22o becomes the confluence point between the granular material discharged from the rotary valve R and the air ejected from the blower B flowing through the cylindrical pipe section 22. 【0032】 The downstream end of an air intake pipe 23, which extends from the vehicle-mounted blower B to the rear along the lower right side of the tank T, is airtightly connected to either the left or right end of the circular pipe section 22 (the right end in the illustrated example) via a conventionally known joint 24. On the other hand, the upstream end of a discharge pipe 25, which extends forward along the lower left side of the tank T, is airtightly connected to either the left or right end of the circular pipe section 22 (the left end in the illustrated example) via a conventionally known joint 26. 【0033】 The downstream end of the discharge pipe 25 is detachably connected to and held by the tank T or chassis Fs when not in use (for example, when the vehicle is running), and when in use, the pipe outlet 25o can be directed directly to a powder / granular material supply destination (not shown) near the vehicle, or, if necessary, the pipe outlet 26o of an extension discharge pipe 26 connected to the pipe outlet 25o can be directed to a powder / granular material supply destination further away from the vehicle, thereby enabling the discharge of powder / granular material to that destination. 【0034】 The air inlet pipe 23, discharge pipe 25, and extension discharge pipe 26 described above are made of flexible and durable rubber tubing, and coil-shaped reinforcing members (not shown) may be embedded in their peripheral walls as needed, or a number of bellows-like protrusions may be formed. 【0035】 Figure 1 shows a silo 27 as an example of a distant granular material supply destination. In this case, the pipe outlet 26o opens downward at the upper end of the silo 27, and a suction section of a dust collector with a blower 28 is provided around the opening as needed. 【0036】 The auxiliary equipment box 30, erected at the front of the chassis Fs, houses the aforementioned blower B and the blower motor 31 that rotates it. It also houses part of the hydraulic circuit that operates the blower motor 31, the conveyor motor 4, and the valve motor 11, as well as the control device C that controls the hydraulic circuit. The control device C is an electronic control device with a microcomputer as its main component, and controls the operation of control valves Vb, Vs, Vb for individually controlling the blower motor 31, the conveyor motor 4, and the valve motor 11 under predetermined conditions based on a predetermined control program. 【0037】 Figure 6 shows an example of the hydraulic circuit described above. Here, first and second hydraulic pumps 41 and 42 are linked in conjunction with a power take-off (PTO) that can be connected to the output of the vehicle engine, and a first discharge oil passage 44 extending from the first hydraulic pump 41 and a first return oil passage 45 extending from the oil tank 43 are connected to the forward and reverse oil passages 11a and 11b of the valve motor 11 via a valve control valve Vr. The valve control valve Vr is a three-position switching valve having a left / right switching position that selectively connects the first discharge oil passage 44 to either the forward or reverse oil passages 11a and 11b, and a neutral position. 【0038】 Furthermore, the first discharge oil passage 44 and the first return oil passage 45 are connected to the forward and reverse oil passages 31a and 31b of the blower motor 31 via a blower control valve Vb. The blower control valve Vb is a two-position switching valve having a switching position that selectively connects the first discharge oil passage 44 to either the forward or reverse oil passages 11a or 11b, and a neutral position. 【0039】 Furthermore, a second discharge oil passage 46 extending from the second hydraulic pump 42 and a second return oil passage 47 extending from the oil tank 43 are connected to the forward and reverse oil passages 4a and 4b of the conveyor motor 4 via a conveyor control valve Vs. The conveyor control valve Vs is a three-position switching valve having a left / right switching position that selectively connects the second discharge oil passage 46 to either the forward or reverse oil passages 4a or 4b, and a neutral position. 【0040】 Incidentally, the aforementioned air conveying device A includes a blower B and an air introduction passage 20 for guiding the air ejected from the blower B to the upstream end of the discharge pipe 25. In this embodiment, the air introduction passage 20 is composed of the aforementioned air introduction pipe 23 and the cylindrical pipe section 22. Furthermore, the air introduction passage 20 and the discharge pipe 25 constitute the air passage Ap for conveying powders and granules in the air conveying device A. 【0041】 Furthermore, the outlet Ro of the rotary valve R faces the middle of this air passage Ap (more specifically, the intermediate opening 22o of the circular pipe section 22 of the multiphase unit M). In other words, the outlet Ro faces and communicates with the opening 22o of the circular pipe section 22 through the internal space of the multiphase unit body 21. 【0042】 Furthermore, a blockage sensor 50 is installed in the middle of the air passage Ap (more specifically, in the circular pipe section 22) that can detect when the air passage Ap becomes blocked while the blower B, screw conveyor S, and rotary valve R are operating. This blockage sensor 50 is composed of a pressure sensor that can detect pressure changes in the circular pipe section 22 in which it is installed (i.e., when the internal pressure of the circular pipe section 22 rises above a specified pressure), and the control device C determines that the air passage Ap has become blocked based on the detection signal from the blockage sensor 50. 【0043】 In this embodiment, the blockage sensor 50 is positioned at an appropriate location in the cylindrical pipe section 22, for example, slightly upstream of the confluence point (i.e., near the opening 22o) where the granular material discharged from the outlet Ro of the rotary valve R merges with the air flowing inside the cylindrical pipe section 22. However, its position is not limited to this embodiment as long as it is along the air passage Ap. For example, the blockage sensor 50 may be positioned downstream of the confluence point in the cylindrical pipe section 22, or it may be positioned around the multiphase unit M of the air inlet pipe 23 or outlet pipe 25. 【0044】 Therefore, the control device C is configured to perform a function that, when the blockage sensor 50, which can detect blockage of the air passage Ap, detects blockage while the blower B, screw conveyor S, and rotary valve R are operating, controls the conveyor control valve Vs and the valve control valve Vr, thereby synchronously (simultaneously or substantially simultaneously) stopping (or slowing down) the rotation of the screw conveyor S and the rotation of the rotary valve R. 【0045】 The above-mentioned stopping of the rotation of the screw conveyor S and rotary valve R is achieved by the control device C switching the corresponding conveyor control valve Vs and valve control valve Vr to the neutral position. Furthermore, the above-mentioned reduction in the speed of the screw conveyor S and rotary valve R is achieved, for example, by adding another switching port (not shown) to the conveyor control valve Vs and valve control valve Vr, respectively, which can restrict the oil flow through these valves, and the control device C switches to this additional switching port for the control valves Vs and Vr. In other words, by restricting the oil flow through them, the rotation speed of the conveyor motor 4 and valve motor 11 can be reduced. 【0046】 Figure 7 shows an example of a control block diagram, in which the control device C is connected to, for example, a power switch PW, a discharge switch SW1 that simultaneously commands the operation and deactivation of the screw conveyor S and rotary valve R, a blower switch SW2 that commands the operation and deactivation of the blower B, and an emergency switch SW3 that stops all parts of the device. At least a blockage sensor 50, the aforementioned control valves Vr, Vs, Vb, and an alarm means 40 for blockage alarms (for example, an alarm lamp, an alarm buzzer, etc.) are also connected. 【0047】 The control device C controls the operation of the screw conveyor S, rotary valve R, and blower B respectively by controlling the conveyor control valve Vs, valve control valve Vr, and blower control valve Vb in accordance with the command signals from the various switches SW1 to SW3, and also activates the notification means 40 when the blockage sensor 50 detects the blockage of the air passage Ap. 【0048】 The power switch PW, various switches SW1 to SW3, and notification means 40 are provided on a controller located in the driver's seat and / or a remote control (neither of which is shown) that can be carried by a worker, and can be operated by the driver or worker at any time. 【0049】 Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described. The powder and granular material is loaded into the tank T of the powder and granular material transport vehicle V through the input cylinder 1c with the upper lid 1t of the tank T open. 【0050】 When transporting granular material from this tank T to the destination for granular material supply (e.g., silo 27), the discharge pipe 25 is extended to the destination for granular material supply either independently or by connecting it to the extension discharge pipe 26 as shown in the illustration. Next, the power take-off unit PTO is switched to the power take-off state to drive the first and second hydraulic pumps 41 and 42. Then, the power switch PW is turned on, and the discharge switch SW1 and blower SW2 are operated to start the screw conveyor S, rotary valve R, and blower B, respectively. As a result, air is blown from the blower B through the air introduction pipe 23 to the circular pipe section 22 of the multiphase unit M, and at the same time, the granular material in tank T is transported by the screw conveyor S towards the rotary valve R, and then forcibly discharged by the rotary valve R to the inlet Mi of the multiphase unit M. 【0051】 The powder and granular material discharged from the rotary valve R into the multiphase unit M then merges with air from the blower B within the circular pipe section 22 of the multiphase unit M and flows toward the discharge pipe 25. At this time, aided by air pressure, it flows smoothly through the discharge pipe 25 and the extension discharge pipe 26, so that it is efficiently and smoothly supplied to the destination of the powder and granular material. 【0052】 Incidentally, the powder and granular material transport vehicle V of the embodiment is equipped with an air transport device A as described above. In this air transport device A, an air passage Ap for transporting powder and granular material is formed by an air introduction passage 20 (more specifically, a pipeline consisting of an air introduction pipe 23 and a circular pipe section 22 of the multiphase unit M) that guides the air blown out from the blower B to the discharge pipe 25, and the discharge port Ro of the rotary valve R is located in the middle of this air passage Ap. When the blockage sensor 50 detects that the air passage Ap is blocked due to an increase in internal pressure of the circular pipe section 22 caused by clogging of powder and granular material while the blower B, screw conveyor and rotary valve R are in operation, the control device C controls the conveyor control valve Vs and the valve control valve Vb to synchronously stop (or slow down) the rotation of the screw conveyor S and the rotation of the rotary valve R, and the notification means 40 activates to notify that the passage is blocked. 【0053】 As a result, when an obstruction occurs in the air passage Ap while the blower B, screw conveyor S, and rotary valve R are operating, the rotation of the screw conveyor S is stopped (or its speed is reduced) in sync with the rotation of the rotary valve R. This effectively prevents not only the obstruction in the air passage Ap, but also the obstruction from spreading to the rotary valve R and further to the screw conveyor S. 【0054】 Furthermore, as a variation of the blockage response control example described above, the control device C may be configured to perform a function in which, when the blockage sensor 50 detects a blockage in the air passage Ap while the blower B, screw conveyor S, and rotary valve R are operating, it stops (or slows down) the rotation of the screw conveyor S by a predetermined short time difference (e.g., 1 second) before stopping (or slowing down) the rotation of the rotary valve R. In particular, when this variation of the control example is adopted, when the blockage sensor 50 detects the blockage, it synchronously stops (or slows down) the rotation of the screw conveyor S, which is the source of the powder and granular material, by a predetermined time difference before stopping (or slowing down) the rotation of the rotary valve R, thereby more effectively suppressing blockage in the area between the screw conveyor S and the rotary valve R. 【0055】 Furthermore, even while the rotation of the screw conveyor S is stopped (or slowed down) and the rotation of the rotary valve R are being stopped (or slowed down) in any of the control examples described above, air continues to be discharged from the blower B into the air passage Ap, and if the blockage is not resolved, the blockage sensor 50 continues to send a detection signal to the control device C. 【0056】 At this time, if the blockage is resolved and the blockage sensor 50 no longer detects a blockage, and the discharge switch SW1 is still in the process of issuing a discharge command, the control device C controls the conveyor control valve Vs and the valve control valve Vr to automatically restart the operation of the screw conveyor S and the rotary valve R. This automates the discharge operation after the blockage is resolved, improving work efficiency, and eliminates the need for special restart operations, resulting in better workability. 【0057】 Furthermore, in the powder and granular material transport vehicle V of this embodiment, the conveyor housing Hs of the screw conveyor S and the valve housing Hr of the rotary valve R are independently fixed to the vehicle frame F separately, and the outlet So provided in the conveyor housing Hs and the input port Ri provided in the valve housing Hr are arranged to face each other with a gap between them in the vertical direction, and the outlet So and the input port Ri are connected via a flexible connecting body J placed between them, and the outlet So and the input port Ri are in communication through the internal space of the connecting body J. 【0058】 As a result, during the assembly of the powder and granular material transport vehicle V, when fixing the tank T, to which the screw conveyor S is connected at the bottom, and the rotary valve R separately to the vehicle frame F, a relative misalignment occurs between the two. Even if a misalignment occurs between the outlet So of the screw conveyor S and the input port Ri of the rotary valve R, the connection between them can be easily and accurately made through the bending deformation of the connecting body J, thereby increasing the efficiency of the assembly work. Moreover, since the above effect is achieved with a simple structure that only requires setting a wider gap between the outlet So and the input port Ri and interposing a flexible ring connecting body J there, cost savings are also achieved. 【0059】 Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various embodiments can be implemented within the scope of the present invention. 【0060】 For example, in the above embodiment, an air conveying device A is provided to assist the flow of granular material discharged from the rotary valve R into the discharge pipe 25 using air pressure. However, the air conveying device A may be omitted if necessary. In that case, the blower B, air introduction pipe 23, and multiphase unit M may be omitted, and a conduit such as the discharge pipe 25 extending to the granular material supply destination may be directly connected (i.e., without going through the multiphase unit M) to the discharge port Ro of the rotary valve R, and the granular material may be discharged to the granular material supply destination via that conduit. Alternatively, the granular material may be discharged directly from the granular material discharge port Ro of the rotary valve R to the granular material supply destination without using a conduit. 【0061】 Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the tank T is shown to be directly mounted and connected on the vehicle frame F as the fixing structure for the tank T to the vehicle body. However, the tank T may also be fixed and supported on the vehicle frame F via other functional components (for example, a load cell for weighing the load). In particular, when a load cell is interposed between the vehicle frame F and the tank T, the interposition makes it easier for a misalignment to occur between the outlet So of the screw conveyor S and the input port Ri of the valve housing Hr, and the above-mentioned effect of the embodiment based on the special provision of the flexible connector J can be achieved more effectively. 【0062】 Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a part of the tank body 1 (the curved portion 1r of the lower half of the bottom wall) is shown to also serve as the conveyor housing Hs of the screw conveyor S. However, in the present invention, the conveyor housing Hs may be manufactured as a separate, independent part from the tank body 1 and retrofitted to the lower part of the tank body 1. 【0063】 Furthermore, although the above embodiment shows the conveyor housing Hs being arranged over substantially the entire front-to-rear area of ​​the lower part of the tank body 1, in the present invention, the conveyor housing Hs may not be provided in a part of the front-to-rear area of ​​the lower part of the tank (for example, the front area), but may be arranged only in the rear area, or in the rear area and its rear extension area. 【0064】 In the above embodiment, the connecting body J that connects and communicates between the discharge port So of the screw conveyor S and the input port Ri of the rotary valve R is formed in a rectangular tubular shape, but it may also be formed in a cylindrical shape. In the embodiment, the outward flanges 6af, Hrf1 and retainers 14, 15 that connect the open ends of the connecting body J are each formed in a rectangular shape, but these outward flanges 6af, Hrf1 and retainers 14, 15 may also be formed in a circular or oval shape. 【0065】 In the above embodiment, the flexible connector J was shown as a cylindrical body mainly made of fabric material J, but a cylindrical body made of rubber or metal may also be used. In particular, when a cylindrical body made of metal is used, flexibility is achieved by configuring the body to be expandable and deformable in a bellows-like shape (for example, like the body of an accordion). 【0066】 Alternatively, as another embodiment of the flexible connector, for example, an annular sealing member (e.g., a sealing packing, O-ring, etc.) that is elastically deformable and has an axial width longer than the distance between the opposing surfaces of the outward flange 6af around the outlet So of the conveyor housing Hr and the outward flange Hrf1 around the inlet Ri of the rotary valve R may be held in a compressed state between the opposing surfaces, and the annular sealing member may be used as the connector. 【0067】 In the above embodiment, a first control example was shown in which the screw conveyor S and rotary valve R are both stopped rotating synchronously (i.e., simultaneously or with a predetermined short time difference) in response to the blockage sensor 50 detecting the blockage of the air passage Ap of the air conveying device A, and a second control example was shown in which both are both reduced in speed in synchronization. As a variation thereof, a third control example can also be implemented in which, for example, in response to the blockage detection by the blockage sensor 50, either the screw conveyor S or the rotary valve R is stopped from rotating, and the other is reduced in speed in synchronization with this. 【0068】 Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the resumption of discharge after the blockage of the air passage Ap is resolved (i.e., the resumption of operation of the screw conveyor S and rotary valve R) is shown to be performed automatically in response to the blockage not being detected by the blockage sensor 50. However, an operator who recognizes that the blockage has been resolved from the notification content of the notification means 40 may manually command the resumption of discharge by operating a switch on the controller or remote control. 【0069】 Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was given in which an air pressure sensor that detects changes in the air pressure of the air passage Ap (circular pipe section 22 in the embodiment) was used as the blockage sensor 50 for detecting the blockage of the air passage Ap. However, in the present invention, instead of / or in addition to the above air pressure sensor, a first hydraulic pressure sensor capable of detecting an increase in the operating hydraulic pressure of the valve motor 10 due to the blockage, and / or a second hydraulic pressure sensor capable of detecting an increase in the operating hydraulic pressure of the conveyor motor 4 due to the blockage, and / or a third hydraulic pressure sensor capable of detecting an increase in the operating hydraulic pressure of the blower motor 31 due to the blockage may be used as the blockage sensor. 【0070】 For example, if the air passage Ap becomes blocked due to clogging of powder or granular material, the rotational load on the rotor 10 of the rotary valve R increases, eventually causing the rotor 10 to stop rotating, and the operating hydraulic pressure of the valve motor 11 becomes excessive. This situation can be detected by the first hydraulic pressure sensor. In this case, if the space between the screw conveyor S and the rotary valve R eventually becomes blocked with powder or granular material, the rotational load on the screw blades 3 of the screw conveyor S increases, eventually causing the screw blades 3 to stop rotating, and the operating hydraulic pressure of the conveyor motor 4 becomes excessive. This situation can be detected by the second hydraulic pressure sensor. Furthermore, the increased load on the blower B due to the aforementioned blockage also increases the operating hydraulic pressure of the blower motor 31, and this situation can be detected by the third hydraulic pressure sensor. 【0071】 Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the conveyor motor 4, valve motor 10, and blower motor 31 are all hydraulic motors, but at least one of these motors 4, 10, and 31 may be replaced with an electric motor. In this case, the load current of the motor replaced with an electric motor will increase in accordance with the increase in motor load due to the blockage, so a current sensor capable of detecting this load current may be used in the blockage sensor of the present invention to detect the blockage. 【0072】 Furthermore, as an obstruction sensor, in place of / in addition to the various sensors mentioned above (air pressure sensor, hydraulic sensor, current sensor), a proximity sensor capable of detecting the flow distribution of powder and granular material inside the discharge pipe 25 or the circular pipe section 22, or a flow meter capable of detecting the air flow velocity inside the air passage Ap may be used. In this case, if a proximity sensor is used as the obstruction sensor, for example, if the proximity sensor detects non-flowing powder and granular material for a certain period of time, the control device C will determine that the air passage Ap is blocked. If a flow meter is used as the obstruction sensor, if the flow meter detects that the air flow velocity inside the air passage Ap has decreased to below a predetermined value, the control device C will determine that the air passage Ap is blocked. 【0073】 In the embodiments described above, the blockage sensor 50 was shown to be a sensor that directly or indirectly detects "blockage" of the air passage Ap. However, in another embodiment of the present invention (not shown), the blockage sensor may be a sensor that directly or indirectly detects "precursors to blockage" in the air passage Ap. Here, "precursors to blockage" strictly speaking refers to a state in which the air passage is not yet blocked, but there are signs that it will soon become blocked if the discharge operation of powder and granular material continues. 【0074】 For example, if the blockage sensor is the air pressure sensor or the hydraulic pressure sensor, when the pressure detected by these sensors rises to a pre-blockage judgment criterion pressure that is a predetermined percentage (e.g., 10%, 20%, etc.) lower than the predetermined limit pressure that serves as the criterion for determining "blockage", the control device C determines that this is a "pre-blockage" based on the detection signal from the blockage sensor that detected it, and, as in the case of blockage determination in each of the embodiments described above, it synchronously stops or slows down the rotation of the screw conveyor S and stops or slows down the rotation of the rotary valve R. 【0075】 Furthermore, if the blockage sensor is the current sensor, when the load current detected by it rises to a predictive judgment criterion current that is a predetermined percentage (e.g., 10%, 20%, etc.) lower than the predetermined limit current value that serves as the criterion for determining "blockage," the control device C determines that this is a "precursor to blockage" based on the detection signal of the current sensor that detected it, and, as in the case of blockage determination in each of the embodiments described above, synchronously stops or slows down the rotation of the screw conveyor S and stops or slows down the rotation of the rotary valve R. 【0076】 Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the outlet Ro of the rotary valve R is shown to be opened 22o in the circumferential wall of the circular pipe section 22 through the multiphase unit body 21 of the multiphase unit M, but the outlet Ro may also be opened directly in the circumferential wall of the circular pipe section 21 of the multiphase unit M. 【0077】 Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a discharge switch SW1 that commands the operation and deactivation of the screw conveyor S and rotary valve R, and a blower switch SW2 that commands the operation and deactivation of the blower B are shown separately. However, instead of this switch configuration, the operation of the blower B, screw conveyor S, and rotary valve R may be commanded by a single discharge switch, and the deactivation of the blower B, screw conveyor S, and rotary valve R may be commanded by a single discharge stop switch. In this case, if the control device C is configured to first activate the blower B in response to the single discharge switch being turned ON, and then simultaneously activate the screw conveyor S and rotary valve R after a predetermined time has elapsed (for example, a few seconds), then the powder and granular material can be introduced from the rotary valve R into the air in the air passage Ap while an airflow has been created in the air passage Ap by the prior operation of the blower B, thereby effectively suppressing blockage. 【0078】 On the other hand, if the control device C is configured so that when the single discharge stop switch is turned ON while the blower B, screw conveyor S, and rotary valve R are operating, the screw conveyor S and rotary valve R are first simultaneously stopped, and then the blower B is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed (for example, a few seconds), then the granular material remaining in the discharge pipe 25 is discharged by air pressure due to the prior stopping of the screw conveyor S and rotary valve R, and then the blower B stops. This effectively suppresses the residue of granular material remaining in the discharge pipe 25. [Explanation of Symbols] 【0079】 F... Vehicle frame as the vehicle body J...connector R... Rotary valve Ri...Inlet S...Screw conveyor So...exit V... Powder and granular material transport vehicle

Claims

[Claim 1] A vehicle for transporting powders and granules, comprising a tank (T) fixed to a vehicle body (F) and capable of containing powders and granules, a screw conveyor (S) connected to the lower part of the tank (T) for transporting the powders and granules from the tank (T), and a rotary valve (R) for discharging the powders and granules transported by the screw conveyor (S) to the outside of the tank (T), The conveyor housing (Hs) of the screw conveyor (S) and the valve housing (Hr) of the rotary valve (R) are independently fixed to the vehicle body (F), and the discharge port (So) provided in the conveyor housing (Hs) and the input port (Ri) provided in the valve housing (Hr) are arranged to face each other with a distance between them. The connection structure between a screw conveyor and a rotary valve in a powder and granular material transport vehicle is characterized in that the outlet (So) and the input port (Ri) are connected via a flexible connecting body (J) positioned between them, and the outlet (So) and the input port (Ri) are in communication through the internal space of the connecting body (J).

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