Magnetic foreign object removal device

Abstract

Provided is a magnetic foreign object removal device that can reduce failures to attract magnetic foreign objects. A magnetic foreign object removal device 10 comprises: a casing 20 having an introduction port 25 and a discharge port 27; and a magnetic member 30. The magnetic member 30 has a magnet case 50, and a plurality of magnets 60 accommodated in the magnet case 50 in a state in which like poles face each other with a yoke 65 therebetween. The magnet case 50 has a wall 51 extending in a continuous manner in the circumferential direction of the casing 20. The wall 51 is arranged in a plurality as spaced at predetermined intervals S in the direction from the introduction port 25 of the casing 20 toward the discharge port and in the direction from an axial line C passing through the center of the discharge port toward an inner circumferential surface 20a of the casing 20.

Description

Magnetic foreign matter removal device

[0001] The present invention relates to a magnetic foreign matter removal device for removing magnetic foreign matter from powder or granular material or fluid containing magnetic foreign matter by adsorption using a magnetic field.

[0002] For example, foreign matter must be strictly removed from powders and granules, such as flour, that are used as food ingredients, and from fluids. Known devices for removing magnetic foreign matter from such powders and granules include a casing into which the powder and granules are introduced and a magnet disposed inside the casing. When the powder and granules are introduced through an upper opening of the casing, the magnetic foreign matter is attracted by the magnet, thereby removing the magnetic foreign matter from the powder and granules.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 listed below describes a magnetic powder removal device that includes a hopper with an inlet through which food is put, multiple tubes arranged below the inlet, and multiple magnet bars that are inserted and removed from each tube. The multiple tubes are arranged at predetermined intervals within the hopper.

[0004] As the food passes between the multiple tubes arranged inside the hopper, magnetic foreign matter in the food is attracted and removed by the magnetic field from the magnet bar.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-172232

[0006] In the magnetic powder removal device of Patent Document 1, multiple tubes with magnetic bars inserted are arranged inside a hopper, but because the gaps between the tubes are relatively large, magnetic foreign matter may not be adsorbed completely from food passing through the gaps, and there is a risk of leakage.

[0007] In particular, it is often difficult to place the magnet bar close to the inner sidewall of the hopper, which tends to turn the inner sidewall of the hopper into a dead space where the magnetic field of the magnet bar cannot reach, making it easy for magnetic foreign matter to leak.

[0008] In addition, the magnetic field at both ends of the magnet bar in the axial direction is weaker than that at the center in the axial direction, so there is a lot of attraction leakage at both ends of the magnet bar. If multiple magnet bars like this are installed, there will be more locations in the hopper where attraction leakage occurs.

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a magnetic foreign matter removal device that can reduce the amount of magnetic foreign matter that is adsorbed and leaks from powder or fluid containing magnetic foreign matter.

[0010] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a magnetic foreign matter removal device that uses a magnetic field to adsorb and remove magnetic foreign matter from powder or granular material or fluid containing the magnetic foreign matter, and includes a casing having an inlet for introducing the powder or granular material and an outlet for discharging the powder or granular material or fluid, and a magnetic member arranged inside the casing to adsorb and remove the magnetic foreign matter, the magnetic member including a magnet case and a plurality of magnets stored in the magnet case with like poles facing each other via a yoke, the magnet case having a wall portion that extends continuously circumferentially of the casing, and multiple wall portions that are arranged at predetermined intervals from an axis that extends from the inlet of the casing toward the outlet and passes through the center of the outlet, toward the inner surface of the casing.

[0011] According to the above invention, the wall portions of the magnet case of the magnetic member are configured to be arranged at multiple intervals from the axis of the casing toward the inner surface of the casing, so that the wall portions of the magnet case of the magnetic member can be arranged densely over a wide area within the casing to the extent that powder or fluid can pass through, and it becomes easier to arrange the wall portions of the magnet case close to the inner surface of the casing, making it less likely that dead space will occur on the inner surface of the casing.

[0012] Furthermore, because the magnet case has a wall portion that extends continuously in the circumferential direction of the casing, the magnetic member can be configured to have no ends where the magnetic field is weak (for example, a structure in which the magnet case of the magnetic member is annular), or, even if the magnetic member has ends, these ends can be positioned as close as possible to the inner circumferential surface of the casing. In the former case, it is possible to reduce the number of locations where attraction leakage occurs, and in the latter case, it is possible to make attraction leakage less likely to occur at the ends of the magnetic member compared to, for example, a linear structure of the magnetic member.

[0013] Therefore, this magnetic foreign matter remover can reduce the amount of magnetic foreign matter that is attracted and leaks from powder or fluid.

[0014] In the magnetic foreign matter removal device of the present invention, it is preferable that the wall portion of the magnet case forms a ring shape without any gaps in the circumferential direction, and that the magnetic member has multiple members of similar shapes but different outer dimensions, and is arranged in a multiple ring shape inside the casing.

[0015] According to the above aspect, since the wall portion of the magnet case of the magnetic member has the above structure, the magnetic member is easier to manufacture and the cost of the entire device can be reduced. Furthermore, by appropriately adjusting the shape and number of the magnetic members, it is possible to flexibly respond to changes in the size and shape of the internal space of the casing, thereby increasing versatility.

[0016] Furthermore, the magnetic member has a ring-shaped wall portion of the magnet case that is continuous in the circumferential direction, so there are no axial ends where the magnetic field is weak, as in the linear magnet bar described in Patent Document 1. In other words, a structure can be achieved in which there are no areas where the magnetic field is weak, which can further reduce the attraction and leakage of magnetic foreign matter from powder and granular materials, etc.

[0017] In the magnetic foreign matter removal device of the present invention, the casing is formed so that the inner peripheral dimension on the discharge outlet side is smaller than the inner peripheral dimension on the inlet side, and the wall portion of the magnet case has a spiral shape that is continuously wound in a spiral shape along the axis, and is preferably arranged so as to follow the inner peripheral surface of the casing and be spaced apart from the inner peripheral surface of the casing.

[0018] According to the above aspect, since the wall portion of the magnet case has a continuously wound spiral shape, it is possible to improve the workability when placing the magnetic member inside the casing and also improve the workability when removing the magnetic member from inside the casing. Furthermore, when the casing has a structure that expands at the top and narrows at the bottom (hopper structure), it is possible to make it more difficult for dead space to occur on the inner peripheral surface of the casing.

[0019] In the magnetic foreign matter removal device of the present invention, it is preferable that the wall portion of the magnet case has a spiral shape that is continuously wound in a spiral shape from the axis of the casing toward the inner surface of the casing.

[0020] According to the above aspect, since the wall portion of the magnet case has a continuously wound spiral shape, it is possible to improve the workability when placing the magnetic member inside the casing and also improve the workability when removing the magnetic member from the inside of the casing. In addition, it is easy to handle when the casing has a structure such as a transfer pipe.

[0021] In the magnetic foreign matter removal device of the present invention, it is preferable that the magnet case has a shape with corners, and the yoke located between the magnet located at the corner of the magnet case and another magnet adjacent to that magnet has an expandable spring shape.

[0022] According to the above aspect, the magnet located at the corner of the magnet case and the yoke located between the other magnets are in the form of an expandable spring, so that the yoke can be placed at the corner of the magnet case with less risk of movement, and the adhesive force from the yoke can be exerted stably.

[0023] In the magnetic foreign matter remover of the present invention, it is preferable that the magnetic member is held in a state spaced apart from the inner peripheral surface of the casing via a holding member.

[0024] According to the above aspect, the magnetic member is held at a distance from the inner surface of the casing via the retaining member, thereby preventing the accumulation of powder and granular materials between the inner surface of the casing and the outer periphery of the magnetic member, and allowing the powder and granular materials to pass smoothly through the gap between the inner surface of the casing and the outer periphery of the magnetic member, thereby further reducing the absorption and leakage of magnetic foreign matter from the powder and granular materials.

[0025] According to the present invention, the walls of the magnet cases of the magnetic members can be arranged densely over a wide area within the casing to the extent that powder or fluid can pass through, and the walls of the magnet cases can be easily arranged close to the inner surface of the casing, making it less likely that dead space will be created on the inner surface of the casing, thereby reducing the amount of magnetic foreign matter adsorbed and leaking from the powder or fluid.

[0026] 10 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a magnetic foreign matter removal device according to the present invention. FIG. 11 is an explanatory plan view of the magnetic foreign matter removal device. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of one aspect of a magnetic member used in the magnetic foreign matter removal device. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 3. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 15. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a first modified example of the first embodiment of a magnetic foreign matter removal device according to the present invention. FIG. 17 is an explanatory plan view of a second modified example of the first embodiment of a magnetic foreign matter removal device according to the present invention. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the magnetic member in FIG. 7. FIG. 19 is an explanatory plan view of a third modified example of the first embodiment of a magnetic foreign matter removal device according to the present invention. FIG. 19 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a plurality of magnetic members are arranged in a casing in the second modified example. FIG. 19 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a plurality of magnetic members are arranged in a casing in a layout different from that in FIG. 10 in the second modified example. FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a magnetic foreign matter removal device according to the present invention. FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectional plan view of one aspect of a magnetic member used in the magnetic foreign matter removal device. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of one aspect of a magnetic member used in the magnetic foreign matter removal device. 18 is a plan view illustrating a modified example of the second embodiment of the magnetic foreign matter removal device according to the present invention. FIG. 19 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a third embodiment of the magnetic foreign matter removal device according to the present invention. FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating one aspect of a magnetic member used in the magnetic foreign matter removal device. FIG. 21 is a plan view illustrating a first modified example of the third embodiment of the magnetic foreign matter removal device according to the present invention. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the magnetic member in FIG. 18. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the magnetic member in FIG. 20. FIG. 24 is a plan view illustrating a third modified example of the third embodiment of the magnetic foreign matter removal device according to the present invention.

[0027] (One Embodiment of Magnetic Foreign Matter Removal Apparatus) Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a magnetic foreign matter removal apparatus according to the present invention (a structure in which magnetic members are arranged in multiple rings) will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1, the magnetic foreign matter removal device 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as "removal device 10") in this embodiment uses a magnetic field to adsorb and remove magnetic foreign matter from powder or granular material or fluid containing magnetic foreign matter, and has a casing 20 having an inlet 25 for introducing the powder or granular material or fluid and an outlet (not shown) for discharging the powder or granular material or fluid, and a plurality of magnetic members 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 arranged inside the casing 20 to adsorb and remove magnetic foreign matter.

[0029] In addition, this removal device 10 further has a holding member 70 inside the casing 20 for holding the multiple magnetic members 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 at a distance from the casing 20 while maintaining their shape, structure, relative positioning, layout, correlation, etc.

[0030] The casing 20 is formed so that the inner circumferential dimension on the discharge port side (not shown) is smaller than the inner circumferential dimension on the inlet 25 side.

[0031] More specifically, the casing 20 in this embodiment has a main body 21 that is generally cylindrical and extends vertically with a constant diameter, an inclined portion 23 that is generally conical (funnel-shaped) and extends downward from the lower end of the main body 21 in the extending direction so as to gradually reduce in diameter, and an extending portion 24 that extends with a constant diameter from the tip of the inclined portion 23 in the extending direction. An inlet 25 is provided at the upper opening of the main body 21, and an outlet (not shown) is provided below the extending portion 24.

[0032] That is, the casing 20 of this embodiment is a so-called hopper, with an inlet located at the top and an outlet located at the bottom, so that powder or granular material or fluid falls naturally by gravity.

[0033] Furthermore, the inlet 25 and the outlet (not shown) are both substantially circular holes, and the inlet 25 and the outlet are arranged concentrically. The line extending from the inlet 25 of the casing 20 to the outlet and passing through the center of the outlet is defined as an axis C.

[0034] The holding member 70 has an annular base frame 71 and a plurality of diagonal frames 72 that extend diagonally downward from the inner peripheral edge of the base frame 71 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction toward the discharge port side of the casing 20. The holding member 70 as a whole has a structure in which the diameter increases upward and gradually decreases downward. In this example, four diagonal frames 72 are provided.

[0035] Furthermore, the base frame 71 has the largest outer diameter among the multiple magnetic members 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34, and has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the magnetic member 34 located at the top of the casing 20, and this base frame 71 is located on the ceiling surface side of the magnetic member 34 and serves as the part that fixes the magnetic member 34.

[0036] Furthermore, the outer periphery of the base frame 71 is supported by the boundary between the lower end of the main body 21 of the casing 20 and the upper end of the inclined portion 23 (see FIG. 1). As a result, the holding member 70 is disposed inside the casing 20 via the base frame 71.

[0037] On the other hand, each of the diagonal frames 72 is connected to the inner periphery of the magnetic members 34, 33, 32, 31, and 30 by welding or the like, so that the positions and layout of the magnetic members 34, 33, 32, 31, and 30 are maintained.

[0038] Furthermore, the plurality of magnetic members 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 are connected to one another via a holding member 70, and together they form a single assembly (magnetic member assembly).

[0039] The holding member 70 having the above-described configuration holds the multiple magnetic members 34, 33, 32, 31, and 30 in a spaced-apart state relative to the inner surface 20a of the casing 20 (the inner surfaces of the main body portion 21, the inclined portion 23, and the extension portion 24) while maintaining a layout that forms multiple rings in the axial direction of the casing 20.

[0040] It can also be said that the plurality of magnetic members 34 , 33 , 32 , 31 , and 30 are held in a suspended state inside the casing 20 by the holding member 70 .

[0041] Each of the magnetic members 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 has a magnet case 50 and a plurality of magnets 60 housed in the magnet case 50 with the same poles facing each other via a yoke 65.

[0042] Furthermore, each magnetic member 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 has a wall portion 51 of the magnet case 50 that forms a continuous ring in the circumferential direction, and has multiple members of similar shapes but different outer dimensions, and is arranged in a multiple ring shape inside the casing 20.

[0043] 3 shows one specific magnetic member, and as shown in the figure, the magnet case 50 of each of the magnetic members 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 is configured so that its wall portion 51 is annular (circular ring-shaped) as a whole. In addition, in the present invention, "annular" means a shape without discontinuities in the circumferential direction, that is, a shape that extends continuously in the circumferential direction without any divided or cut portions in the circumferential direction.

[0044] The annular magnet case 50 is constructed, for example, by joining one end and the other end in the extension direction of a single cylindrically extending wall constituent to each other, or by preparing a plurality of wall constituents each having a substantially arc shape, arranging the wall constituents in an annular shape, and then joining adjacent ends in the circumferential direction to each other.

[0045] Note that Figure 4 shows a cross section taken along the line A-A in Figure 3 (a cross section perpendicular to the opening direction of the annular portion of the magnetic member), and Figure 5 shows a cross section taken along the line B-B in Figure 4 (a cross section perpendicular to the extension direction of the annular portion of the magnetic member 30).

[0046] 5, the wall 51 of the magnet case 50 has a cylindrical cross section with a constant thickness. That is, the entire inner periphery and the entire outer periphery of the wall 51 of the magnet case 50 are both circular.

[0047] 2, the outer diameter of the magnet case 50 increases (expands) in the order of the magnetic members 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34. Note that the outer dimension of the magnetic member means the outer diameter when the magnetic member is annular as in this embodiment, and means the largest outer dimension (maximum outer dimension) when the magnetic member is rectangular or annular.

[0048] As shown in range A in Figure 2, from the axis C of the casing 20 toward the inner surface 20a of the casing 20, the wall portion 51 of the magnet case 50 of magnetic member 30, the wall portion 51 of the magnet case 50 of magnetic member 31, the wall portion 51 of the magnet case 50 of magnetic member 32, the wall portion 51 of the magnet case 50 of magnetic member 33, and the wall portion 51 of the magnet case 50 of magnetic member 34 are arranged in this order with a predetermined interval S between them.

[0049] That is, the magnet case 50 is configured so that multiple wall portions 51 extending continuously in the circumferential direction of the casing 20 are arranged at a predetermined interval S from the axis C of the casing 20 toward the inner surface 20a.

[0050] Furthermore, from the bottom to the top of the casing 20, the magnetic members 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 are arranged concentrically at different heights, i.e., so that the radial centers of the magnetic members 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 coincide with the axis C of the casing 20.

[0051] 1 , magnetic member 30 is disposed near the leading end of inclined portion 23 of casing 20 in the extending direction. Magnetic members 31, 32, 33, and 34 are disposed along inner circumferential surface 20a of casing 20. As a result, magnetic members 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 are disposed inside casing 20 in order from bottom to top.

[0052] The outer peripheries of the wall portions 51 of the magnet case 50 of the magnetic members 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 do not contact the inner periphery 20a of the casing 20 but are spaced apart from it.

[0053] As described above, multiple magnetic members 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 are arranged inside the casing 20 via the retaining member 70, and as a result, when the removal device 10 is viewed from the direction of the axis C of the casing 20 (when viewed from a planar direction), as shown in Figure 2, the magnetic members 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 are arranged to form multiple circular rings.

[0054] In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, when the casing 20 is viewed from the axial direction, multiple magnetic members are arranged so that a gap (predetermined interval S) is generated between adjacent magnetic members.

[0055] However, it is preferable that the multiple magnetic members be arranged so that there are no gaps between adjacent magnetic members when the casing is viewed in the axial direction, in order to prevent powder and granular materials from passing through without coming into contact with the magnetic members.

[0056] The magnet cases 50 of the magnetic members 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 are made of a non-magnetic material such as stainless steel (austenitic stainless steel) such as SUS304 or SUS316, aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, synthetic resin, or silicone.

[0057] In addition, the magnetic member is made up of multiple magnets 60, and these multiple magnets 60 are stored in the magnet case 50 with the same poles facing each other via a yoke 65, and the multiple magnets 60 are arranged in a ring shape.

[0058] More specifically, in this embodiment, each magnet 60 is a cylindrical permanent magnet (solid round bar) with a constant outer diameter and a predetermined length. One end of the magnet 60 in the extension direction forms a north pole 61, and the other end in the extension direction forms a south pole 62. In addition, in this embodiment, the yoke 65 is a plate-like body made of metal such as pure iron or low-carbon steel. The yoke may be made of a metal material having rubber properties, so-called metal putty, magnetic silicone, or the like.

[0059] Alternatively, connecting holes may be formed in the connecting direction of the plurality of magnets, and a linear body may be inserted through these connecting holes to connect the plurality of magnets in a string-like fashion via the yokes.Alternatively, connecting holes may be formed in the connecting direction of the plurality of yokes, and a linear body may be inserted through these connecting holes to connect the plurality of yokes in a string-like fashion via the magnets.

[0060] With the above-described configuration, the adhesion between the magnet and the yoke inside the case can be increased, and the occurrence of gaps between adjacent magnets and yokes can be suppressed.

[0061] 4, the plurality of magnets 60 are housed and arranged in the magnet case 50 with the north poles 61, 61 of adjacent magnets 60, 60 facing each other and a yoke 65 interposed between the north poles 61, 61, or with the south poles 62, 62 of adjacent magnets 60, 60 facing each other and a yoke 65 interposed between the south poles 62, 62. As a result, the plurality of magnets 60 are arranged in the magnet case 50 so as to form a ring.

[0062] Furthermore, by disposing the yoke 65 between adjacent magnets 60, 60 with the same poles, the magnetic force of the magnets 60 acts on the yoke 65, and the yoke 65 becomes a portion that attracts magnetic foreign matter.

[0063] (Modifications of Magnetic Foreign Matter Remover) The structure and shape of the magnetic foreign matter remover of the present invention, and the shapes and structures of the casing and magnetic members that make up the magnetic foreign matter remover, are not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0064] The main body constituting the casing may be, for example, a substantially rectangular or elliptical cylindrical shape, and the inclined portion constituting the casing may be, for example, a substantially pyramidal cylindrical shape that widens at the top and narrows at the bottom, or may be a cylindrical shape in which the outlet extends eccentrically relative to the inlet.

[0065] In addition, in this embodiment, five magnetic members are arranged inside the casing 20, but the number of magnetic members arranged inside the casing may be one, two, three, four, six or more, and is not particularly limited.

[0066] Furthermore, although the casing 20 in this embodiment is a so-called hopper as described above, the casing may also be a transfer pipe (which may also be called a conveying pipe, a transfer case, or a transport case) that transfers powder or granular material or fluid by air, gas, vibration, a conveyor, etc. In this case, the inlet and outlet are oriented along the horizontal direction or inclined at a predetermined angle relative to the horizontal direction, and in this case, it is preferable that the opening direction of the magnetic member is oriented in the direction in which the powder or granular material or fluid is conveyed.

[0067] On the other hand, the magnetic member does not have to be circular, but may be, for example, a polygonal ring such as a triangle, a square, a pentagon, or a hexagon, an elliptical ring, a rectangular ring with arc-shaped longitudinal ends, or an irregular ring formed by a combination of a curved shape and an angular shape, and is not particularly limited thereto.

[0068] FIG. 6 shows a first modification of the first embodiment.

[0069] 6, in this first modified example, the shape of a holding member 70A is different from the structure in Fig. 1. That is, the holding member 70A has a protruding portion 71a on the outer periphery of the base frame 71, which protrudes more than the outer periphery of the magnetic member 34. The protruding portion 71a is placed on the upper end portion 21a of the main body portion 21 of the casing 20.

[0070] As a result, the holding member 70A holds the plurality of magnetic members 34, 33, 32, 31, and 30 in a state spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface 20a of the casing 20 while maintaining the multiple annular layout.

[0071] In this first modified example, the plurality of magnetic members 34, 33, 32, 31, and 30 can be spaced apart from the inner peripheral surface 20a of the casing 20 with a larger gap than in the structure of FIG.

[0072] In the holding member 70 shown in Figures 1 and 6, the annular magnetic members 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 are connected to the outer periphery of multiple diagonal frames 72, but the holding structure of multiple magnetic members by the holding member 70 is not limited to this.

[0073] For example, an engagement means may be provided on one of the diagonal frame or the magnetic member that constitutes the holding member to detachably engage both the diagonal frame and the magnetic member, and the magnetic member may be engaged and held in place by engaging with the diagonal frame via the engagement means.

[0074] As an example, a structure can be adopted in which multiple curved recesses are formed at the same height on the inner periphery of multiple diagonal frames 72, and magnetic members are held in place by being fitted into and engaged with these recesses.

[0075] More specifically, a first recess, a second recess, a third recess, a fourth recess, and a fifth recess are formed on the inner periphery of each oblique frame 72 in order from the bottom of the oblique frame, and by fitting and engaging the corresponding magnetic members into each recess, it becomes possible to hold the multiple magnetic members 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 while maintaining a multiple annular layout in the axial direction of the casing. In this structure, each recess serves as the above-mentioned "engagement means."

[0076] 7 and 8 show a second modified example of the first embodiment.

[0077] 7, this first modified example has a structure in which a plurality of angular annular magnetic members 30A, 31A, 32A, 33A, and 34A are arranged in the casing 20 so as to form multiple annular shapes when viewed from above the removal device 10. In this case, it is preferable that the inclined portion 23 of the casing 20 has a substantially pyramidal cylindrical shape.

[0078] Furthermore, the magnet case 50 of the magnetic members 30A, 31A, 32A, 33A, and 34A is configured to have a rectangular annular shape (rectangular ring shape) with corners 54. Specifically, the magnet case 50 has a rectangular annular shape with four corners 54, and each corner 54 is slightly rounded.

[0079] The magnetic member is made up of multiple magnets 60, and these multiple magnets 60 are stored in a linear portion within the magnet case 50 with the same poles facing each other via a yoke 65, and the multiple magnets 60 are arranged in a ring shape.

[0080] 8, the yoke 65A located between the magnet 60 located at the corner 54 of the magnet case 50 and another magnet 60 adjacent to that magnet 60 (the magnet located at the end of the linear portion) is in the form of an expandable spring. Specifically, the yoke 65A is in the form of a spring made by bending a predetermined metal plate material into multiple accordion-like shapes. Note that the yoke may also be in the form of a coil spring made by winding a predetermined metal wire material.

[0081] Furthermore, when connecting a magnet located at a corner with a magnet located at the end of a linear portion, instead of using a spring-shaped yoke 65A, the magnets may be connected in a string-like manner using a linear body.

[0082] Furthermore, in the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 6, the annular magnetic members 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 are arranged concentrically at different heights, but multiple magnetic members of similar shapes may also be arranged concentrically at the same height.

[0083] For example, in the third modified example of the first embodiment shown in Figures 9 and 10, a plurality of magnetic members 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 each having an annular shape are arranged concentrically at the same height (the plurality of magnetic members 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 are arranged to form multiple concentric annular shapes at the same height).

[0084] The holding member 70B has a base frame 71 in the shape of an annulus having a larger outer diameter than the outer diameter of the maximum magnetic member 34, and a support frame 73 arranged in a generally cross shape on the inner periphery of the base frame 71. Each of the magnetic members 31, 31, 32, 33, 34 has a predetermined location on one end thereof facing the opening, which is supported and fixed by the base frame 71 and the support frame 73.

[0085] As a result, the plurality of magnetic members 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 are connected to one another via the holding member 70B, and as a whole, one assembly (magnetic member assembly) is configured.

[0086] The support frame may be, for example, lattice-shaped, and may be any frame capable of supporting a plurality of magnetic members.

[0087] As shown in Figure 10, a support member 75 made of a wire mesh or the like that allows powder and fluids to pass through is supported at the boundary between the lower end of the main body 21 of the casing 20 and the upper end of the inclined portion 23, and further, a plurality of magnetic members 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 are placed on this support member 75 via a holding member 70B.

[0088] As a result, the holding member 70B holds the multiple magnetic members 34, 33, 32, 31, and 30 in a spaced-apart state relative to the inner surface 20a of the casing 20 while maintaining a layout in which the magnetic members form multiple concentric rings at the same height.

[0089] In addition, the multiple magnetic members 34, 33, 32, 31, and 30 held by the holding member 70B as described above may be arranged in the casing 20 by placing the outer peripheral portion of the support member 75 on the upper end portion 21a of the main body portion 21 of the casing 20, as shown in Figure 11.

[0090] In this case, too, the holding member 70B can hold the plurality of magnetic members 34, 33, 32, 31, and 30 in a state spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface 20a of the casing 20 while maintaining the multiple annular layout.

[0091] Furthermore, although the magnet 60 in this embodiment is cylindrical, the magnet may be, for example, a rod-shaped one with a square cross section, a rod-shaped one with an oval cross section, or a rod-shaped one with a semi-cylindrical cross section.The cross section may not be solid, but may be cylindrical (donut-shaped, ring-shaped) or square tubular, etc.

[0092] (Operations and Effects of Magnetic Foreign Matter Removal Device) Next, the method of use and operations and effects of the removal device 10 having the above-described structure will be described.

[0093] That is, powder or granular material or fluid containing magnetic foreign matter (hereinafter simply referred to as "powder or granular material, etc.") is introduced into the main body 21 of the casing 20 through the inlet 25 of the casing 20 of the removal device 10. Then, the powder or granular material, etc. introduced into the main body 21 falls naturally due to gravity and enters the inclined portion 23.

[0094] Thereafter, magnetic foreign matter is attracted and removed from the powder or granular material by the magnetic fields of the multiple magnetic members 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34. That is, the magnetic force of the magnets 60, 60 arranged adjacent to each other inside the magnet case 50 acts on the yoke 65, making the yoke 65 an attracting portion, and the portion of the magnet case 50 where the yoke 65 is located becomes an attracting surface, making it possible to attract magnetic foreign matter by this attracting surface.

[0095] In the present invention, the wall portions 51 of each magnet case 50 constituting the magnetic members 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 are configured to be arranged at a predetermined interval S from the axis C of the casing 20 toward the inner surface 20a (see Figure 2).

[0096] Therefore, the walls 51 of the magnet cases 50 of the magnetic members 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 can be arranged densely over a wide area within the casing 20 to an extent that powder and granular materials can pass through, and the walls 51 of the magnet cases 50 can be easily arranged close to the inner circumferential surface 20a of the casing 20, making it difficult for dead space to occur on the inner periphery of the casing. As a result, it is possible to reduce the amount of magnetic foreign matter attracted to and leaking from the powder and granular materials.

[0097] Furthermore, since the magnet case 50 has a wall portion 51 that extends continuously in the circumferential direction of the casing 20, the magnetic members 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 can be structured so that there are no ends where the magnetic field is weak (for example, a structure in which the magnet case of the magnetic member is annular), or even if there are ends of the magnetic members, the ends can be positioned as close as possible to the inner surface of the casing.

[0098] In the former case, the number of locations where suction leakage occurs can be reduced, and in the latter case, suction leakage can be made less likely to occur at the ends of the magnetic member compared to, for example, a case where the magnetic member has a linear structure.

[0099] Therefore, the remover 10 can reduce the amount of magnetic foreign matter adsorbed and leaked from the powder or fluid.

[0100] Furthermore, as described above, the magnetic member can be configured without any ends where the magnetic field is weak, or even if the magnetic member has ends, these ends can be positioned as close as possible to the inner peripheral surface of the casing, making it possible to realize a removal device with little adsorption leakage with a relatively simple structure. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the removal device can be reduced and the management and maintenance of the removal device can be made easier.

[0101] In addition, in this embodiment, the magnetic members 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 have a wall portion 51 of each magnet case 50 that forms a continuous ring in the circumferential direction, and have multiple members of similar shapes but different outer dimensions, and are arranged inside the casing 20 in a multiple ring shape (see Figure 2).

[0102] According to the above aspect, the wall portion 51 of each magnet case 50 of the magnetic members 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 has the above structure, which makes it easier to manufacture the magnetic members and reduces the cost of the entire removal device. Furthermore, by appropriately adjusting the shape and number of the magnetic members, it is possible to flexibly respond to changes in the size and shape of the internal space of the casing, thereby increasing versatility.

[0103] Furthermore, in the magnetic members 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34, the wall portion 51 of each magnet case 50 forms a ring shape without any breaks in the circumferential direction, so there are no axial ends where the magnetic field is weak, as in the linear magnet bar described in Patent Document 1. In other words, each of the magnetic members 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 can be structured so that there are no areas where the magnetic field is weak, thereby further reducing the attraction and leakage of magnetic foreign matter from powder and granular materials, etc.

[0104] In addition, in this embodiment, the casing 20 is formed so that the inner peripheral dimension on the discharge port side (not shown) is smaller than the inner peripheral dimension on the inlet 25 side, and one magnetic member 30 is arranged in the inner part of the casing 20 near the discharge port, spaced apart from the inner peripheral surface 20a of the casing 20 (here, the magnetic member 30 is arranged near the tip of the extending direction of the inclined portion 23 of the casing 20), and magnetic members 31, 32, 33, and 34, which have larger outer dimensions than the magnetic member 30, are arranged along the inner peripheral surface 20a of the casing 20 and spaced apart from the inner peripheral surface 20a of the casing 20.

[0105] According to the above-described aspect, since the multiple magnetic members 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 are arranged relative to the casing 20 in the above-described layout, it is possible to make it less likely that dead space, where the magnetic field does not reach, will be created on the inner periphery of the casing 20, and it is possible to reduce the adsorption and leakage of magnetic foreign matter from powder and granular materials, etc., introduced through the inlet 25 of the casing 20 and discharged through the outlet (not shown).

[0106] Furthermore, as in the second modified example shown in Figures 7 and 8, when a plurality of angular ring-shaped magnetic members 30A, 31A, 32A, 33A, and 34A are arranged in the casing 20 so as to form multiple rings when the removal device 10 is viewed from a planar direction, and the yoke 65A located between the magnet 60 located at the corner 54 of the magnet case 50 and another magnet 60 adjacent to the magnet 60 is in the shape of an expandable spring, the following effects are achieved.

[0107] In other words, when the magnet case 50 is a square ring, gaps are likely to occur between the magnet 60 placed at the corner 54 and the adjacent magnet 60, which may cause the yoke placed between them to move slightly, and the adhesive force from the yoke may not be exerted stably.

[0108] In contrast, according to the above-described embodiment, the magnet 60 located at the corner 54 of the polygonal ring-shaped magnet case 50 and the yoke 65A located between the other magnets 60 are in the form of an expandable spring, so that the yoke 65A can be positioned at the corner 54 of the magnet case 50 with less risk of movement, and the adhesive force from the yoke 65A can be stably exerted.

[0109] Furthermore, when the plurality of magnetic members 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 are connected to one another via the holding member 70, as in the third modified example shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the following effect is achieved.

[0110] In other words, multiple magnetic members 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 are connected to each other via holding member 70 to form a single assembly as a whole, so that multiple magnetic members 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 can be placed inside casing 20 at one time, and multiple magnetic members 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 can also be removed from inside casing 20 at one time.

[0111] As a result, the ease of arranging the magnetic members inside the casing and the ease of removing the magnetic members from inside the casing are improved. Furthermore, by supporting each of the magnetic members 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 with the holding member 70, the entire assembly can be reinforced.

[0112] The embodiments shown in FIGS. 1, 6 and 11 can also provide the same effects as those described above (improved ease of installation and removal, and reinforcement of the entire assembly).

[0113] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1, 6, 10, and 11, the holding members 70, 70A, and 70B hold the multiple magnetic members 34, 33, 32, 31, and 30 in a spaced-apart relation to the inner surface 20a of the casing 20 while maintaining a predetermined layout.

[0114] This provides the following effect: If the magnetic member is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the casing, there is a risk that powder or granular material may accumulate at the contact area, which may hinder the passage of the powder or granular material through the magnetic member.

[0115] However, in the case of this embodiment, as described above, the magnetic members 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 are held at a distance from the inner surface 20a of the casing 20 via the holding members 70, 70A, and 70B, thereby preventing the accumulation of powder and granular materials between the inner surface 20a of the casing 20 and the outer periphery of the magnetic members, and allowing the powder and granular materials to pass smoothly through the gap between the inner surface 20a of the casing 20 and the outer periphery of the magnetic members, thereby further reducing the amount of magnetic foreign matter that is adsorbed and leaks from the powder and granular materials.

[0116] 12 to 14 show a second embodiment of the magnetic foreign matter removal device according to the present invention (in which the magnetic member has a spiral shape). Note that parts that are essentially the same as those in the previous embodiment are given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0117] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a magnetic foreign matter removal device 10A (hereinafter simply referred to as "removal device 10A") in this embodiment has the following configuration.

[0118] That is, the casing 20 in this removal device 10A is formed so that the inner peripheral dimension on the discharge port side (not shown) is smaller than the inner peripheral dimension on the inlet 25 side, and the wall portion 51 of the magnet case 50 of the magnetic member 36 has a spiral shape that is continuously wound in a spiral shape along the axis C of the casing 20, and is configured to be arranged along the inner peripheral surface 20a of the casing 20.

[0119] The magnetic member 36 is held by the holding member 70 in a spaced-apart state from the inner circumferential surface 20 a of the casing 20 while maintaining its spiral shape.

[0120] As shown in Figures 12 and 14, the wall portion 51 of the magnet case 50 has a shape in which one end 52 located on the inlet 25 side of the casing 20 has an expanded diameter, and gradually decreases in diameter toward the other end 53 located on the outlet side (not shown) of the casing 20, and has a shape that is continuously wound in a spiral shape along the axis C of the casing 20.

[0121] Furthermore, the heights of one end 52 and the other end 53 of the spiral-shaped wall portion 51 of the magnet case 50 are misaligned in the direction along the axis C of the casing 20. In other words, the heights of one end 52 and the other end 53 of the wall portion 51 do not match in the direction of the winding axis, but are different heights.

[0122] Furthermore, the wall portion 51 of the magnet case 50 is wound in a spiral shape, extending continuously from one end 52 to the other end 53 without any divided or cut portions, and when the removal device 10A is viewed from the direction of the axis C of the casing 20 (which can also be said to be when viewed from the direction of the winding axis of the magnetic member itself, or when viewed from the planar direction of the removal device 10A), it presents a circular spiral shape with circular outer and inner circumferences (see Figure 13).

[0123] That is, the spiral wall portion 51 of the magnet case 50 has an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface that are wound while describing a curved surface in a substantially arc shape.

[0124] As shown in FIG. 12 , one end 52 side and the other end 53 side of the wall portion 51 of the magnet case 50 are wound in a flat shape so as to be perpendicular to the axis C of the casing 20 .

[0125] As shown in range B in Figure 12, from the axis C of the casing 20 toward the inner surface 20a of the casing 20, the first winding portion 55a (winding portion on the other end 53 side), the second winding portion 55b, the third winding portion 55c, the fourth winding portion 55d, the fifth winding portion 55e, the sixth winding portion 55f, the seventh winding portion 55g, and the eighth winding portion 55h (winding portion on the one end 52 side) that constitute the wall portion 51 of the magnet case 50 are arranged in this order with a predetermined interval S between them.

[0126] That is, the magnet case 50 is configured so that multiple wall portions 51 extending continuously in the circumferential direction of the casing 20 are arranged at a predetermined interval S from the axis C of the casing 20 toward the inner surface 20a.

[0127] 12 , the other end 53 of the magnet case 50 of the magnetic member 36 is disposed near the tip of the inclined portion 23 of the casing 20 in the extension direction while being spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface 20 a of the casing 20, and the outer circumferential portion of the magnet case 50 from the other end 53 side to the one end 52 side is disposed along the inner circumferential surface 20 a of the casing 20 while being spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface 20 a. That is, the outer circumferential portion of the magnetic member 36 ranging from the reduced-diameter other end 53 side to the outer periphery of the expanded-diameter one end 52 side is disposed along the inner circumferential surface 20 a of the casing 20 while being spaced apart.

[0128] The wall portion 51 of the magnet case 50 of the magnetic member 36 described above is wound spirally with its outer and inner circumferences forming arc-shaped curved surfaces, but may also be configured as shown in FIG.

[0129] 15 has a rectangular spiral shape when viewed from the winding axis direction (when viewed from above) that is made up of a plurality of straight line segments bent at corners 54. Specifically, magnet case 50 constituting magnetic member 37 has a substantially rectangular spiral shape with four corners 54, and each corner 54 is slightly rounded.

[0130] In the second embodiment, the wall portion 51 of the magnet case 50 has a continuously wound spiral shape, which improves the workability when placing the magnetic member 36 inside the casing 20 and also improves the workability when removing the magnetic member 36 from inside the casing 20.

[0131] Furthermore, when the casing 20 has a structure (hopper structure) in which the casing 20 is expanded at the top and narrows downward, it is possible to make it more difficult for dead space to occur on the inner peripheral surface of the casing.

[0132] Furthermore, one end 52 side and the other end 53 side of the magnet case 50 have a flat shape wound perpendicular to the axis C of the casing 20, which makes it easy to hold the magnetic member 36 on the holding member 70 (the flat shape makes it easy to support and fix the magnetic member 36 to the base frame 71 of the holding member 70, etc.). As a result, the magnetic member 36 can be installed in a stable position inside the casing 20 via the holding member 70.

[0133] 16 to 22 show a third embodiment of the magnetic foreign matter removal device according to the present invention (in which the magnetic member has a spiral shape). Note that parts that are essentially the same as those in the previous embodiment are given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0134] 16 , a magnetic foreign matter remover 10B (hereinafter simply referred to as “removal device 10B”) in this embodiment has the following configuration: In other words, a wall portion 51 of a magnet case 50 of a magnetic member 38 in this removal device 10B has a spiral shape that is continuously wound from the axis C of the casing 20 toward the inner peripheral surface 20 a of the casing 20.

[0135] As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the magnet case 50 of the magnetic member 38 has one end 52 and the other end 53 of its wall portion 51 positioned at the same height and not misaligned in the direction along the axis C of the casing 20.

[0136] 9 and 10, the spiral-shaped magnetic member 38 is held by a holding member 70B, which is similar to the embodiment shown in Fig. 9 and 10, and is held in a state spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface of the casing while maintaining the spiral shape by the holding member (not shown). Note that in the first modified example shown in Fig. 18 and 19, the second modified example shown in Fig. 20 and 21, and the third modified example shown in Fig. 22, the spiral shape is also maintained by the holding member while being held in a state spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface of the casing.

[0137] Furthermore, the wall portion 51 of the magnet case 50 has one end portion 52 located radially outward, and extends continuously from this end portion 52 toward the radial center portion without being divided or cut, and is wound in a spiral shape with a certain gap between them, so that the other end portion 53 is positioned in the radial center portion.

[0138] In other words, when the removal device 10B is viewed from the direction of the axis C of the casing 20 (which can also be said to be when viewed from the direction of the winding axis of the magnetic member itself, or when viewed from the planar direction of the removal device 10B), the wall portion 51 of the magnet case 50 has a circular spiral shape in which its outer and inner surfaces are wound while describing approximately arc-shaped curves.

[0139] As shown in range D in Figure 16, from the axis C of the casing 20 toward the inner surface 20a of the casing 20, the first winding portion 56a (the winding portion on the other end 53 side), the second winding portion 56b, the third winding portion 56c, the fourth winding portion 56d, and the fifth winding portion 56e (the winding portion on the one end 52 side) that constitute the wall portion 51 of the magnet case 50 are arranged in this order with a predetermined interval S between them.

[0140] That is, the magnet case 50 is configured so that multiple wall portions 51 extending continuously in the circumferential direction of the casing 20 are arranged at a predetermined interval S from the axis C of the casing 20 toward the inner surface 20a.

[0141] 18 and 19 show a first modified example of the third embodiment.

[0142] The magnetic member 39 of this first modified example is basically spiral-shaped with an arc-shaped circumferential surface, similar to the magnetic member 38 shown in Figures 16 and 17, but it also has a structure in which it forms a roughly inverted U-shaped frame (which can also be said to be a gate-shaped frame) spanning one end 52 and the other end 53 of the magnet case 50, with a handle 57 attached.

[0143] In other words, the handle 57 has a gripping portion 57a ​​extending a predetermined length and a pair of connecting portions 57b, 57b hanging parallel to each other from both longitudinal ends of the gripping portion 57a, and one connecting portion 57b is joined to one end 52 of the magnet case 50 by welding or the like, and the other connecting portion 57b is joined to the other end 53 of the magnet case 50, so that the handle 57 is erected (attached) to the magnet case 50.

[0144] 20 and 21 show a second modification of the third embodiment.

[0145] 16 to 19, magnetic member 40 of this second modified example has a spiral shape, similar to magnetic members 38 and 39 shown in Figures 16 to 19, and further has a structure in which a magnet 58 is fixed to the other end 53 located in the radial center portion of magnet case 50. Magnet 58 also has a cylindrical base 58a and a conical tip 58b connected to one end of base 58a.

[0146] FIG. 22 shows a third modified example of the third embodiment.

[0147] The magnetic member 41 of this third modified example has a structure in which one end 52 of the magnet case 50 is joined by welding or the like to a radially adjacent portion of the magnet case 50 .

[0148] In the magnetic members shown in Figures 16 to 22, the magnet case has a circular spiral shape, but it may also have a roughly rectangular spiral shape, as in the modified example of the second embodiment shown in Figure 15.

[0149] In the third embodiment, the wall portion 51 of the magnet case 50 has a continuously wound spiral shape, which improves the workability when placing the magnetic member 36 inside the casing 20 and also improves the workability when removing the magnetic member 36 from inside the casing 20. This also makes it easier to accommodate a casing with a structure like a transfer pipe.

[0150] 18 and 19 , when a handle 57 is attached to the magnet case 50, an operator can grip the handle 57 to handle the magnetic member 39, improving handling. As a result, it becomes easier to arrange the magnetic member 39 inside the casing 20 and to remove the magnetic member 39 from inside the casing 20.

[0151] 20 and 21, when the magnet 58 is fixed to the other end 53 located in the radial center of the magnet case 50, it becomes easier to capture magnetic foreign matter that attempts to pass through the radial center of the magnetic member 40. As a result, it is possible to further reduce the amount of magnetic foreign matter that is attracted and leaks from powder or granular material.

[0152] Furthermore, when one end 52 of the magnet case 50 is joined to a radially adjacent portion of the magnet case 50 by welding or the like, as in the magnetic member 41 of the third modified example shown in Figure 22, it becomes easier to maintain the spiral shape of the magnetic member 41, and the shape retention of the magnetic member 41 can be improved.

[0153] As a result, when placing the magnetic member 41 inside the casing 20, there is no need to modify the shape of the magnetic member 41, or the shape modification work is simple, so the ease of placing the magnetic member 41 inside the casing can be improved.

[0154] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modified embodiments are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention, and such embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

[0155] 10, 10A, 10B Magnetic foreign matter removal device (removal device) 20 Casing 20a Inner peripheral surface 25 Inlet 30, 30A, 31, 31A, 32, 32A, 33, 33A, 34, 34A, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41 Magnetic member 50 Magnet case 51 Wall portion 52 One end portion 53 Other end portion 60 Magnet 61 North pole 62 South pole 65, 65A Yoke 70, 70A, 70B Holding member

Claims

1. A magnetic foreign matter removal device that uses a magnetic field to attract and remove magnetic foreign matter from powder or granular material or fluid containing the magnetic foreign matter, comprising: a casing having an inlet for introducing the powder or granular material or fluid and an outlet for discharging the powder or granular material or fluid; and a magnetic member arranged inside the casing for attracting and removing the magnetic foreign matter, wherein the magnetic member has a magnet case and a plurality of magnets housed in the magnet case with like poles facing each other via a yoke, and the magnet case has a wall portion that extends continuously in the circumferential direction of the casing, and a plurality of the wall portions are arranged at predetermined intervals from an axis that extends from the inlet to the outlet of the casing and passes through the center of the outlet, toward the inner surface of the casing.

2. A magnetic foreign matter removal device as described in claim 1, wherein the wall portion of the magnet case forms a ring shape without any gaps in the circumferential direction, and the magnetic member has multiple members of similar shapes but different outer dimensions, and is arranged in a multiple ring shape inside the casing.

3. A magnetic foreign matter removal device as described in claim 1, wherein the casing is formed so that the inner peripheral dimension on the discharge outlet side is smaller than the inner peripheral dimension on the inlet side, and the wall portion of the magnet case has a spiral shape that is continuously wound in a spiral shape along the axis, and is arranged along the inner peripheral surface of the casing but at a distance from the inner peripheral surface of the casing.

4. A magnetic foreign matter removal device as described in claim 1, wherein the wall portion of the magnet case has a spiral shape that is continuously wound in a spiral shape from the axis of the casing toward the inner surface of the casing.

5. A magnetic foreign matter removal device as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the magnet case has a shape with corners, and the yoke located between the magnet located at the corner of the magnet case and another magnet adjacent to that magnet has an expandable spring shape.

6. A magnetic foreign matter remover according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic member is held in a state spaced apart from the inner peripheral surface of the casing via a holding member.

Images