Powder processing device and powder processing system

Abstract

The present invention is capable of reducing a remaining amount of unprocessed powder and shortening powder processing time.　This powder processing device comprises: a mesh part to which powder after processing is discharged; a wall part other than the mesh part; a rotary body which rotates around a shaft; and a spatula which is attached to the rotary body and rotates while in contact with the mesh part and the wall part. The shaft of the rotary body extends horizontally, and the spatula slides on the mesh part to press the powder against the mesh part.

Description

Powder processing apparatus, and powder processing system

[0001] The present invention relates to a powder processing apparatus and a powder processing system.

[0002] Conventionally, a powder processing apparatus that processes powder by passing it through a mesh part is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a powder sifting apparatus including a powder storage box that stores powder used in the production of bread such as strong flour, and a rotating roller that is provided with grooves on its outer peripheral surface for supplying the powder to a first discharge area and a second discharge area having a plurality of openings and rotates without contacting the first discharge area and the second discharge area.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-087499

[0004] In a technique such as that of Patent Document 1, there is no member that contacts the mesh part. If the powder is not pressed against the mesh part, there is a problem that the powder remains unprocessed in the powder processing apparatus or that the processing takes a long time.

[0005] This specification includes all the contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-168330, filed on September 27, 2024. One aspect of the present invention includes a mesh part through which processed powder is discharged, a wall part other than the mesh part, a rotating body that rotates about a shaft, and a spatula that the rotating body has and that rotates while contacting the mesh part and the wall part. The shaft of the rotating body extends horizontally, and the spatula presses the powder against the mesh part by sliding on the mesh part. This is a powder processing apparatus.

[0006] Another aspect of the present invention includes a mesh part through which processed powder is discharged, a wall part other than the mesh part, a rotating body, and a spatula that the rotating body has and that rotates while contacting the mesh part and the wall part. The rotation axis of the rotating body extends in the horizontal direction, and the spatula presses the powder against the mesh part by sliding on the mesh part. This is a powder processing system including at least one powder processing apparatus, a powder input apparatus connected upstream of the powder processing apparatus, and a tank connected downstream of the powder processing apparatus.

[0007] According to the present invention, the amount of untreated powder remaining can be reduced, and the processing time for the powder can be shortened.

[0008] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the sieving device and powder processing system. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the rotating body.

[0009] [Embodiments] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the sieving device 1 and the powder processing system 100. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the rotating body 2. The powder processing system 100 includes a powder input device 4 connected upstream of the sieving device 1 and a stirring tank 5 connected downstream of the sieving device 1. The powder processing system 100 processes, for example, metal powder, which is a Class II hazardous material, as powder. The sieving device 1 is a device that crushes or grinds powder introduced from above. The sieving device 1 is an example of a powder processing device.

[0010] A powder feeding device 4 is connected to the top of the sieving device 1. The powder feeding device 4 is a device that feeds powder containing agglomerated powder into the sieving device 1. The powder feeding device 4 may be, for example, a device that primarily uses gravity to feed the powder, a device equipped with a feeder, or a device equipped with a vibrator.

[0011] The powder feeding device 4, or a device located upstream of the powder feeding device 4, is equipped with a nozzle 9 capable of purging with an inert gas such as nitrogen. This allows the line of the powder processing system 100 through which the powder passes, including the sieving device 1, to be adjusted to below the corresponding limit oxygen concentration.

[0012] The sieving device 1 comprises a cylindrical body 10 that houses a rotating body 2 that rotates in direction R, an upper joint 13 provided on the upper part of the body 10, and a lower joint 15 provided on the lower part of the body 10. In Figure 1, only the body 10 is shown as a cross-section.

[0013] The upper joint 13 is a cylindrical so-called ferrule. The upper joint 13 is equipped with a gasket (not shown) and is secured to the connection part 4A of the powder feeding device 4 by a clamp 7.

[0014] The body portion 10 has an upper opening 17 on the upper side corresponding to the interior of the ferrule and a lower opening 19 on the lower side. Wall portions 23 are formed in the parts of the body portion 10 other than the upper opening 17 and the lower opening 19. The wall surface of the wall portions 23 is formed in an arc shape.

[0015] The lower opening 19 corresponds to the space below the mesh section 25 of the body section 10 (described later) and the inside of the lower joint 15. The lower joint 15 is a so-called ferrule. The lower joint 15 is equipped with a gasket (not shown) and is secured to the connection section 5A of the stirring tank 5 with a clamp 7. The stirring tank 5 is a device equipped with blades for stirring the powder crushed or pulverized by the sieving device 1.

[0016] The stirring tank 5 can, for example, perform dry mixing or stirring of powders. In this case, the stirring tank 5 functions as a stirring and mixing device that, for example, applies an insulating coating to the surface of the powder by a mechanochemical method. Alternatively, the stirring tank 5 can, for example, perform wet mixing or stirring of powders. In this case, the stirring tank 5 functions as a stirring and mixing device that, for example, applies an insulating coating to the surface of the powder by a sol-gel reaction.

[0017] A mesh portion 25 is provided at the upper part of the lower opening 19. The mesh portion 25 is formed in an arc shape and is located in the same circle as the wall surface of the wall portion 23. This circle corresponds to the trajectory of the tip side of the rotating body 2 in the radial direction.

[0018] The body portion 10 has a pair of opposing second wall portions 27 formed in the direction of the rotation axis L of the rotating body 2.

[0019] The rotating body 2 comprises a shaft 29, a base 31 mounted around the shaft 29, and four attachments 33 provided on the base 31. The shaft 29 extends horizontally (in the direction of the rotation axis L of the rotating body 2).

[0020] The shaft 29 is rotatably supported across a pair of second wall portions 27. The shaft 29 is connected to a rotary motor (not shown).

[0021] The base 31 has a shaft cover portion 35 in the center through which the shaft 29 is inserted. The shaft cover portion 35 is formed so that a part of it protrudes in the direction of the rotation axis L. The shaft 29 and the base 31 are fixed to each other and rotate together as a single unit.

[0022] The base body 31 is formed in a roughly rectangular prism shape. Flat recesses 37 are formed on each of the four radial surfaces of the base body 31 along the axis of rotation L.

[0023] An attachment 33 is mounted in the recessed portion 37 by a bolt 39.

[0024] The attachment 33 comprises an attachment base 41 through which a bolt 39 is inserted into the base 31, and a bulging portion 43 that bulges radially from the attachment base 41 in the direction of the rotation axis L. The location through which the bolt 39 is inserted in the attachment base 41 is an example of a connection portion.

[0025] The attachment base 41 abuts against the recessed portion 37 of the base body 31.

[0026] On the outer periphery of the bulging portion 43 with respect to the axis of rotation L, a flat portion 43A is formed that extends parallel to the tangential direction of the arc of the wall portion 23 facing the bulging portion 43, and an inclined portion 43B is formed that is inclined with respect to the flat portion 43A.

[0027] A spatula 47 is attached to the inclined section 43B, sandwiching a roughly L-shaped bent plate 45. The spatula 47 is fixed in place by being pressed against the attachment 33 by two fasteners 57 inserted through a rectangular pressing section 49.

[0028] The spatula 47 is formed in a rectangular shape. The tip 47A of the spatula 47 has a blade that is cut at an angle on the side closer to the wall portion 23 or the mesh portion 25. The cut portion of the spatula tip 47A comes into contact with the wall portion 23 or the mesh portion 25.

[0029] The angle of the spatula 47 with respect to the wall portion 23 or mesh portion 25 can be changed by changing the angle θ of the inclined portion 43B with respect to the flat portion 43A. That is, the angle of the spatula 47 with respect to the wall portion 23 or mesh portion 25 can be changed by changing the attachment 33. In this embodiment, the angle θ is 45 degrees. The angle θ is the rising angle from the surface including the flat portion 43A to the surface including the inclined portion 43B.

[0030] The angle of the spatula 47 with respect to the wall portion 23 or mesh portion 25 is approximately equal to the angle θ. In this way, the spatula 47 is pressed against the wall portion 23 or mesh portion 25 at an acute angle. The angle of the spatula 47 with respect to the wall portion 23 or mesh portion 25 is the angle between the tangent to the arc of the wall portion 23 or mesh portion 25 at the point of contact with the spatula 47 and the direction of extension of the spatula 47.

[0031] The material of Spatula 47 is resin. Examples of materials for Spatula 47 include urethane rubber, silicone rubber, fluororubber, styrene rubber, butyl rubber, and ethylene propylene rubber. Spatula 47 can also be described as being made of hard rubber.

[0032] Furthermore, the spatula 47 is positioned so that it is pressed against the wall portion 23 and the mesh portion 25, causing the spatula tip 47A to bend. In this way, since the spatula 47 comes into contact with the mesh portion 25, a hard rubber that can elastically deform while applying stress between the mesh portion 25 and the spatula 47 is suitable as the material for the spatula 47.

[0033] The bent plate 45 comprises a first plate portion 51 extending parallel to the inclined portion 43B and a second plate portion 53 formed by bending at an acute angle from the first plate portion 51. The second plate portion 53 extends parallel to the flat portion 43A of another attachment 33 adjacent to the attachment 33 to which the bent plate 45 is attached.

[0034] The bent plate 45 closes the bolt chamber 55 where the base 31 and the bolt 39 of the attachment 33 are located. This closes off the space that does not contribute to the crushing of the powder, except for the space between the spatula 47 and the wall portion 23 and the mesh portion 25. As a result, the efficiency of crushing the powder is improved. In addition, powder does not accumulate in the bolt chamber 55. As a result, the efficiency of powder processing and discharge is improved, and the mounting area of ​​the bolt 39, which tends to have an intricate structure, is easier to clean.

[0035] Furthermore, the dimensions of the spatula 47 and the bending plate 45 in the direction of the rotation axis L are formed to be approximately the same as the distance between the pair of second wall portions 27. Therefore, powder is less likely to enter the gap between the second wall portion 27 and the rotating body 2.

[0036] Next, the operation of the sieving device 1 of this embodiment will be described. The powder input device 4, the sieving device 1, and the stirring tank 5 are airtight and filled with sufficient inert gas. Powder is transported from the powder input device 4 to the sieving device 1 through the upper opening 17. The rotating body 2 receives the transported powder radially outward from the bending plate 45 along the rotation axis L, and the powder is moved to the mesh portion 25 at the bottom of the body portion 10. The rotation speed of the rotating body 2 is, for example, 150 rpm.

[0037] The spatula 47 presses the powder against the mesh section 25, causing the powder to be crushed or pulverized. The crushed or pulverized powder is then transported from the lower opening 19 to the stirring tank 5. The powder transported to the stirring tank 5 is in a crushed or pulverized state. By directly introducing the crushed or pulverized powder into the stirring tank 5, the re-agglomeration of the crushed or pulverized powder can be suppressed.

[0038] By appropriately selecting the mesh opening of the mesh section 25, it is also possible to crush the powder. For example, when crushing powder with a particle size of 100 μm or more and 1000 μm or less, setting the mesh opening of the mesh section 25 to 90 μm will crush the powder to 100 μm or less. Alternatively, a configuration for gradual classification may be used by connecting multiple sieving devices 1 with different mesh openings of the mesh section 25. A powder processing system 100 may be configured to include a powder input device 4, a stirring tank 5, and at least one sieving device 1 positioned between the powder input device 4 and the stirring tank 5.

[0039] The rotation speed of the rotating body 2 that rotates the spatula 47 can be changed arbitrarily, thereby allowing adjustment of the amount of processed powder discharged from the mesh section 25.

[0040] Thus, the sieving device 1 can be connected to other devices on both the upstream and downstream sides. The sieving device 1 is a so-called in-line device that can be directly installed in a manufacturing line that uses flammable powders that need to be handled in an inert gas environment. For example, metal powder, which is an example of a flammable powder, is often agglomerated at the raw material stage, but with the sieving device 1 of this embodiment, the agglomerated metal powder can be broken up or pulverized before the stirring process in the stirring tank 5.

[0041] Furthermore, since the upper joint 13 and the lower joint 15 are ferrules, airtightness is ensured while making them easy to attach and detach and easy to clean.

[0042] The sieving device 1, for example, has a height and width of 250 mm and a depth of 100 mm. The diameter of the arc consisting of the wall portion 23 and the mesh portion 25 is 30 mm to 80 mm, and the diameter of the circular body portion is 50 mm to 100 mm.

[0043] [Other Embodiments] The embodiments described above illustrate one aspect of the present invention and can be arbitrarily modified and applied without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, it is possible to arbitrarily combine the elements of the embodiments described above to create new embodiments.

[0044] In the above-described embodiment, the powder processing system 100 is configured to include the stirring tank 5. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and instead of the stirring tank 5, a configuration including a tank for storing the powder that has been processed through the mesh portion 25 may be used.

[0045] Further, the sieve device 1 may be configured to further include sealing valves at the upper and lower portions. According to this configuration, by closing the sealing valves, the sieve device 1 can be made airtight as a single unit.

[0046] In the above-described embodiment, the directions such as horizontal, vertical, and parallel, various shapes, and materials include a range (so-called equivalent range) that exhibits the same effects as those directions, shapes, and materials, unless otherwise specified.

[0047] [Configuration Supported by the Above Embodiment] The above embodiment supports the following configuration.

[0048] (Configuration 1) A powder processing apparatus including a mesh portion from which the processed powder is discharged, a wall portion other than the mesh portion, a rotating body that rotates about a shaft, and a paddle that the rotating body has and that contacts and rotates on the mesh portion and the wall portion, wherein the shaft of the rotating body extends horizontally, and the paddle presses the powder against the mesh portion by sliding on the mesh portion. According to this configuration, since the paddle is pressed against the mesh portion, stress is applied to the powder between the mesh portion and the paddle, and the powder is easily discharged from the mesh portion. Therefore, the remaining amount of the unprocessed powder can be reduced, and the processing time of the powder can be shortened.

[0049] (Configuration 2) The powder processing apparatus according to Configuration 1, further including a body portion having the mesh portion and the wall portion, wherein the body portion has an upper opening at the upper portion in the vertical direction and a lower opening at the lower portion. According to this configuration, the powder processing apparatus can be incorporated into a line for processing the powder. Further, since the powder processing apparatus includes a so-called vertically rotating rotating body whose shaft extends horizontally, the occupied volume of the apparatus in the horizontal direction can be kept small.

[0050] (Configuration 3) The powder processing apparatus described in Configuration 2, wherein the body is provided with joints at the top and bottom. With this configuration, it is possible to connect to other devices at the top and bottom, and the powder processing apparatus can be incorporated into a powder processing line for classification, crushing, or pulverization. Furthermore, the airtightness of the pulverization apparatus can be ensured.

[0051] (Configuration 4) A powder processing apparatus according to Configuration 2 or 3, wherein powder is introduced through the upper opening and processed powder is discharged through the lower opening. With this configuration, powder can be introduced through the upper opening from an apparatus that does not require processing through a mesh section, and discharged through the lower opening to an apparatus that does require processing through a mesh section.

[0052] (Configuration 5) A powder processing apparatus according to any one of Configurations 2 to 4, wherein a powder feeding device for feeding powder into the body is connected to the joint at the upper part of the body. With this configuration, the equipment can be miniaturized by directly connecting the powder processing apparatus and the powder feeding device. In addition, if powder that is likely to re-aggregate is fed from the powder feeding device, it can be crushed or pulverized by the powder processing apparatus.

[0053] (Configuration 6) A powder processing apparatus according to any one of Configurations 2 to 5, wherein a tank is connected to the joint at the lower part of the body. With this configuration, aggregated powder can be stored in the tank in a crushed or pulverized state.

[0054] (Configuration 7) The powder processing apparatus according to Configuration 6, wherein the tank is a stirring tank. With this configuration, the processed powder that is passed through the mesh section can be put into a stirring tank that can be processed, such as being mixed with other materials.

[0055] (Configuration 8) The body is formed airtight, as described in any one of Configurations 1 to 7. With this configuration, even powders equivalent to Class II hazardous materials can be processed by the powder processing device.

[0056] (Configuration 9) The powder processing apparatus according to Configurations 1 to 8, wherein the rotating body comprises a base provided around the shaft and rotating integrally with the shaft, and a plurality of attachments provided on the base that support the spatula so that the angle between the spatula and the mesh portion is acute, and the spatula is made of resin. With this configuration, the spatula is applied to the mesh portion at an acute angle, so stress is easily applied to the mesh portion. Also, because the spatula undergoes elastic deformation, it is easily pressed against the mesh portion.

[0057] (Configuration 10) The powder processing apparatus according to Configuration 9, wherein a bent plate is provided sandwiched between the attachment and the spatula, and the connection portion between the attachment and the base, located between the two attachments, is separated from the spatula side of the bent plate. With this configuration, powder does not accumulate at the connection portion, and the efficiency of discharging the powder after processing is improved.

[0058] (Configuration 11) A powder processing system comprising at least one powder processing device, a powder input device connected upstream of the powder processing device, and a tank connected downstream of the powder processing device. This configuration allows the spatula to press against the powder between the mesh and the spatula because the spatula is pressed against the mesh, thereby making it easier for the powder to be discharged from the mesh.

[0059] 1. Sieving device (powder processing device) 2. Rotating body 4. Powder input device 5. Agitation tank 10. Body 13. Upper joint (joint) 15. Lower joint (joint) 17. Upper opening 19. Lower opening 23. Wall section 25. Mesh section 27. Second wall section 29. Shaft 31. Base 33. Attachment 39. Bolt 41. Attachment base 45. Bent plate 47. Spatula 47A. Spatula tip 100. Powder processing system L. Rotation axis θ. Angle

Claims

1. A powder processing apparatus comprising: a mesh section from which processed powder is discharged; a wall section other than the mesh section; a rotating body that rotates around a shaft; and a spatula on the rotating body that rotates in contact with the mesh section and the wall section, wherein the shaft of the rotating body extends horizontally, and the spatula slides over the mesh section to press the powder onto the mesh section.

2. The powder processing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a body having the mesh portion and the wall portion, wherein the body has an upper opening at the top in the vertical direction and a lower opening at the bottom.

3. The powder processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the body portion is provided with joints at the upper and lower parts.

4. The powder processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein powder is introduced through the upper opening and processed powder is discharged through the lower opening.

5. The powder processing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a powder feeding device for feeding powder into the body is connected to the joint at the upper part of the body.

6. A tank is connected to the joint at the lower part of the body, the powder processing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5.

7. The powder processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the tank is a stirring tank.

8. The powder processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the body is formed airtight.

9. The powder processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the rotating body comprises a base provided around the shaft and rotating integrally with the shaft, and a plurality of attachments provided on the base for supporting the spatula such that the angle between the spatula and the mesh portion is acute, and the spatula is made of resin.

10. The powder processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a bent plate is provided sandwiched between the attachment and the spatula, and the connection portion between the attachment and the base, located between the two attachments, is separated from the spatula side of the bent plate.

11. A powder processing system comprising at least one powder processing device, which includes a mesh section from which processed powder is discharged, a wall section other than the mesh section, a rotating body, and a spatula on the rotating body that rotates in contact with the mesh section and the wall section, wherein the rotation axis of the rotating body extends horizontally, and the spatula slides on the mesh section to press the powder onto the mesh section; a powder input device connected upstream of the powder processing device; and a tank connected downstream of the powder processing device.

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