JPH0581805U - Dustproof air socket for optical fiber sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] Prevents dust and the like from adhering to the tip side of the optical fiber, and prevents erroneous detection of the optical fiber sensor. [Structure] An outer cylinder portion 12 having a cylindrical shape with a lid on the outer peripheral side of a detection end 4F of an optical fiber sensor 4, an inner cylinder portion 13 defining an air chamber C between the outer cylinder portion 12, and the inner cylinder. Inside part 13 and air chamber C
Each air ejection hole 14 communicating with the inside and an air supply pipe 15 for supplying compressed air into the air chamber C, and low compressed air from the compressor is passed through the air chamber C to each air ejection hole 14 It was made to squirt into the inner cylinder part 13 from. Therefore, the low compressed air from the compressor can be jetted into the inner tube portion 13 from each air jet hole 14 in a state where the pressure is once equalized in the air chamber C, and dust or the like near the air socket 11 is scattered. The dust and the like adhering to the detection end 4F of the optical fiber 4E can be removed, and the inner cylinder portion 13 can be kept in a positive pressure state to prevent dust and the like from newly entering the inner cylinder portion 13. ..

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a dustproof air socket for an optical fiber sensor, which is suitable for use in an optical fiber sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a filler made of powder or the like.

[0002]

[Prior Art]

 In general, powder such as a bath agent is subdivided into a predetermined amount by a powder subdividing device, and in this state, the powder is sequentially supplied to a bagging device in the next step and packed in a filling bag. In such a powder dispensing device, an optical fiber sensor is provided to detect whether or not the subdivided powder is surely supplied to the bag filling device, and the powder filling device is not filled with the powder. Prevents defects.

Therefore, a case where the optical fiber sensor according to the related art is used in a powder subdivision device for subdividing powder into quantitative powders will be described as an example in FIG.

In the drawing, reference numeral 1 denotes a fixed quantity transfer table as a powder subdivision device which is formed in a large-diameter annular shape and has a plurality of filling holes 1 A, 1 A, ... Formed in the circumferential direction thereof. 1 is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow A by a drive motor (not shown). In addition, the fixed quantity transport table 1 is provided with a filling mechanism, which is located above the filling holes 1A and includes a hopper for filling the bathing agent 2 as powder into the filling holes 1A. (Not shown).

The fixed quantity transport table 1 configured as described above is sequentially driven by the drive motor to rotate in the direction of arrow A, and the filling mechanism sequentially fills each filling hole 1A with the bathing agent 2 to form the bath. By conveying the agent 2 in the direction of arrow A and discharging it downward at the discharging position B, the bath agent 2 is sequentially supplied to the bagging device (not shown) in the next step in a state of being subdivided into a fixed amount. is there.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a mounting bracket located above each filling hole 1 A of the fixed quantity transport table 1 and arranged upstream of the discharge position B. One end side of the mounting bracket 3 is fixed to a fixed frame. The other end is bent into an L shape to form a mounting portion 3A. The optical fiber 4E is attached to the attaching portion 3A via an attaching screw portion 4D of the optical fiber sensor 4 described later.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a direct reflection type optical fiber sensor (hereinafter referred to as sensor 4) provided on the fixed quantity transport table 1. The sensor 4 has a light emitting element 4A, a light receiving element 4B and an amplifier (not shown) therein. ) Etc. are accommodated, and the base end side is connected to the sensor main body 4C, and the tip end side is a mounting screw portion 4D fixed to the mounting portion 3A of the mounting bracket 3 via nuts 5 and 5. It is configured as a self-continuation type including an optical fiber 4E. The optical fiber 4E is formed of a light projecting fiber and a light receiving fiber (neither is shown), and the detecting end 4F and the bath agent 2 filled in each filling hole 1A of the fixed quantity transport table 1 are formed. A predetermined dimension H is provided between the upper surface and the upper surface, for example, H = 5 to 50 mm, preferably H = 5 to 20 mm.

The sensor 4 thus configured projects light from the light emitting element 4A of the sensor body 4C onto the surface of the bath agent 2 filled in the filling hole 1A via the light projecting fiber of the optical fiber 4E. Then, the light reflected on the surface of the bath agent 2 is guided to the sensor main body 4C via the light receiving fiber of the optical fiber 4E, and this light is detected by the light receiving element 4B and converted into a voltage, which is compared with a predetermined set voltage. By doing so, the presence or absence of the bath agent 2 is detected, and an on / off signal is output based on the detection result.

The fixed-quantity transport table 1 according to the prior art has the above-described structure, and the filling agent 1 fills each of the filling holes 1A with the filling mechanism, and the bath agent 2 is subdivided into a predetermined amount. It is discharged at the discharging position B while moving in the direction A, and is packed in a filling bag (not shown) by a bagging device located below. At this time, the sensor 4 detects whether or not the bath 2 is filled in the filling hole 1A on the upstream side of the discharge position B of the fixed quantity transport table 1, and if the bath 2 is filled in the filling hole 1A. If not, stop the bagging device via a control unit (not shown) and wait until the empty filling hole 1A passes, and wait for the filling hole 1A filled with the bath agent 2. By restarting it, the filling agent is prevented from being unfilled with the bath agent 2.

[0010]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 By the way, in the above-mentioned conventional technique, the sensor 4 is provided on the upstream side of the discharging position B of the fixed quantity transport table 1, and the sensor 4 detects whether or not the bath agent 2 is filled in each filling hole 1A. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the bath agent 2 from not being filled into the filling bag.

However, when the above-mentioned sensor 4 detects powder such as the bath agent 2, dust or the like from which the bath agent 2 is scattered adheres to the detection end 4F of the sensor 4. In particular, in the case of powder such as the bath agent 2, it is difficult to reflect the light from the light projecting fiber to the light receiving fiber satisfactorily. The dimension H must be close to 5 to 20 mm, and dust or the like scattered during filling easily adheres to the detection end 4F. As a result, the sensor 4 may erroneously detect the adhered dust as the upper surface of the bath agent 2, and the bag filling device is stopped even though the bath agent 2 is being supplied well. However, there is a problem in that it hinders automation and significantly reduces productivity.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. An optical fiber sensor is provided which prevents dust from adhering to the tip side of the optical fiber and prevents erroneous detection of the optical fiber sensor. It is an object of the present invention to provide a dustproof air socket.

[0013]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 The configuration adopted by the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems is an optical fiber sensor having an optical fiber for projecting and receiving light, which is provided so as to surround the front end side of the optical fiber and has an open bottom. And an inner cylinder part which is located inside the outer cylinder part and surrounds the front end side of the optical fiber to define an air chamber between the outer cylinder part and the air chamber. In order to eject the above air into the inner cylinder portion, it comprises an air ejection hole bored in the inner cylinder portion and an air supply pipe for supplying compressed air ejected from the air ejection hole to the air chamber.

[0014]

[Action]

 With the above structure, the compressed air supplied to the air chamber through the air supply pipe is jetted from the air jet hole into the inner cylinder portion while being equalized in the air chamber. As a result, this compressed air removes the dust and the like attached to the optical fiber tip side without scattering the dust and the like in the surroundings, and keeps the inner cylinder part in a positive pressure state and Prevent new dust from entering.

[0015]

【Example】

 An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the embodiment, the same components as those of the prior art shown in FIG. 5 described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

First, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes a dustproof air socket (hereinafter referred to as an air socket 11) provided on the lower end side of the mounting screw portion 4D of the sensor 4, and the air socket 11 will be described later as shown in FIG. The outer cylinder portion 12, the inner cylinder portion 13, a plurality of air ejection holes 14, 14, ...

Here, the outer cylinder portion 12 has a disc-shaped lid portion 12B provided with a screw hole 12A that is fastened to the lower end side of the mounting screw portion 4D of the sensor 4, and an outer periphery of the lid portion 12B. A cylindrical portion 12C that extends downward and an annular projection 12D that projects radially inward from the lower end side of the cylindrical portion 12C are formed into a lid-like cylindrical shape that surrounds the detection end 4F. Further, the inner cylinder portion 13 is coaxially arranged inside the outer cylinder portion 12, and the upper and lower ends thereof are fixed to the lid portion 12B and the annular projection 12D, respectively. An air chamber C is formed between the air chamber C and the tubular portion 12. Further, each of the air ejection holes 14 is located in the axially intermediate portion of the inner tubular portion 13 and is provided with a plurality of holes in the radial direction (only five are shown). And the inside of the air chamber C. Further, the air supply pipe 15 is provided on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 12C of the outer cylindrical portion 12 so as to project into the air chamber C through an air pipe 15A from a low-compressed air compressor (not shown). Are to be supplied.

The air socket 11 configured as described above uses the low-compressed air (about 0.1 to 1.0 kg / cm ² ) discharged from the air compressor via the air pipe 15A. After being made to flow into the air chamber C from 15, the pressure is once equalized in the air chamber C, the air is blown out from the air ejection holes 14 toward the inner cylindrical portion 13, so that the inner cylindrical portion 13 While suppressing the scattering of dust from the circumference to the center, low-compressed air is ejected from each air ejection hole 14 to remove dust and the like adhering to the detection end 4F of the sensor 4. Further, by constantly supplying low compressed air into the inner cylinder portion 13, the inside of the inner cylinder portion 13 is kept in a positive pressure state to prevent dust and the like from entering, and the dust or the like is reattached to the detection end 4F. It is designed to prevent you from doing so.

The fixed-quantity transport table 1 according to the present embodiment has the above-mentioned configuration, and its basic operation is not significantly different from that of the conventional technique.

However, in this embodiment, the outer cylinder portion 12 having a cylindrical shape with a cover is provided on the outer peripheral side of the detection end 4F of the optical fiber sensor 4, and the inner cylinder defining the air chamber C between the outer cylinder portion 12 and the outer cylinder portion 12. It is composed of a portion 13, an air ejection hole 14 for communicating the inside of the inner cylinder portion 13 with the inside of the air chamber C, and an air supply pipe 15 for supplying compressed air into the air chamber C. Low-compressed air is ejected from the air ejection holes 14 into the inner cylindrical portion 13 via the air chamber C. As a result, the low-compressed air from the compressor is once pressure-equalized in the air chamber C and is ejected radially inward from the air ejection holes 14 toward the inner cylindrical portion 13, so that the vicinity of the air socket 11 is increased. The dust adhered to the detection end 4F of the optical fiber 4E can be removed without scattering the dust etc. of the optical fiber 4E, and the inside cylinder 13 is maintained in a positive pressure state so that the dust etc. newly inside the inside cylinder 13 Can be prevented from entering.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reliably remove dust and the like adhering to the detection end 4F of the optical fiber sensor 4, and to maintain the inside of the inner tube portion 13 at a positive pressure for detection. It is possible to reliably prevent dust from reattaching to the outgoing end 4F, prevent erroneous detection of the optical fiber sensor 4 due to the attachment of dust, improve reliability, and significantly improve productivity.

Next, FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment according to the present invention, and the feature of this embodiment is that low compressed air is ejected toward the tip side of the optical fiber of the optical fiber sensor.

In the figure, reference numeral 21 denotes a dustproof air socket (hereinafter referred to as an air socket 21) provided on the lower end side of the mounting screw portion 4D of the sensor 4, and the air socket 21 has an outer cylindrical portion 22 and an inner portion which will be described later. It is composed of a cylindrical portion 23, a plurality of air ejection holes 24, 24, ..., An air supply pipe 25, and the like.

Here, the outer cylinder portion 22 has a disk-shaped lid portion 22B provided with a screw hole 22A that is fastened to the lower end side of the mounting screw portion 4D of the sensor 4, and an outer periphery of the lid portion 22B. A cylindrical portion 22C that extends downward and an annular projection 22D that protrudes radially inward from the lower end side of the cylindrical portion 22C are formed into a closed cylindrical shape that surrounds the detection end 4F. The inner tubular portion 23 is coaxially disposed inside the outer tubular portion 22, and its upper and lower ends are fixed to the lid portion 22B and the annular projection 22D, respectively. An air chamber C is formed between it and the tubular portion 22. Further, each of the air ejection holes 24 is located at an axially intermediate portion of the inner cylindrical portion 23, and a plurality of holes are provided upward inward in the radial direction (only five are shown). The inside is communicated with the inside of the air chamber C. Further, the air supply pipe 25 is provided so as to project on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 22C of the outer cylindrical portion 22, and supplies low compressed air discharged from an air compressor (not shown) to the air chamber C via an air pipe 25A. It is supposed to be supplied.

The air socket 21 configured as described above uses the low-compressed air (about 0.1 to 1.0 kg / cm ² ) discharged from the air compressor via the air pipe 25A. 25 into the air chamber C, the pressure is once equalized in the air chamber C, and then the air is ejected from the air ejection holes 24 toward the inner cylindrical portion 23, so that the dust around the air socket 21 is removed. While suppressing the scattering, low compressed air is ejected from each air ejection hole 24 toward the detection end 4F of the sensor 4 to remove dust and the like adhering to the detection end 4F. Further, by constantly supplying low compressed air into the inner cylinder portion 23, the inner cylinder portion 23 is kept in a positive pressure state to prevent dust and the like from entering, and the dust or the like is regenerated on the detection end 4F. It is designed to prevent adhesion.

Thus, even in this embodiment having the above-described structure, it is possible to obtain substantially the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment, but in this embodiment, especially from each air ejection hole 24. By ejecting the low-compression air upward, the dust and the like adhering to the detection end 4F of the sensor 4 can be removed more reliably.

Next, FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment according to the present invention, which is characterized in that the air ejection holes are provided in two stages in the axial direction.

In the figure, reference numeral 31 denotes a dustproof air socket (hereinafter referred to as an air socket 31) provided on the lower end side of the mounting screw portion 4D of the sensor 4, and the air socket 31 includes an outer cylindrical portion 32, which will be described later. .., 34 ', 34', ..., Air supply pipe 35, and the like.

Here, the outer cylindrical portion 32 is a disc-shaped lid portion 32B provided with a screw hole 32A that is fastened to the lower end side of the mounting screw portion 4D of the sensor 4, and an outer periphery of the lid portion 32B. A cylindrical portion 32C that extends downward and an annular protrusion 32D that projects radially inward from the lower end side of the cylindrical portion 32C are formed into a closed cylindrical shape that surrounds the detection end 4F. The inner cylinder portion 33 is coaxially arranged inside the outer cylinder portion 32, and the upper and lower ends thereof are fixed to the lid portion 32B and the annular protrusion 32D, respectively. An air chamber C is formed between it and the tubular portion 32. Further, each of the air ejection holes 34, 34 'is located in the inner cylindrical portion 33, and a plurality of air ejection holes 34, 34' are provided in the radial direction while being separated from each other in the axial direction in the upper and lower directions (five in each case, respectively). ), The inside of the inner cylindrical portion 33 and the inside of the air chamber C are communicated with each other. Further, the air supply pipe 35 is projectingly provided on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 32B of the outer cylindrical portion 32, and the low compressed air discharged from an air compressor (not shown) into the air chamber C via the air pipe 35A. It is supposed to be supplied.

The air socket 31 configured as described above uses the low-compressed air (about 0.1 to 1.0 kg / cm ² ) discharged from the air compressor via the air pipe 35A. 35 into the air chamber C, the pressure is once equalized in the air chamber C, and then the air is ejected from the air ejection holes 34 and 34 ′ into the inner cylindrical portion 33. While suppressing the scattering of dust from the inner circumference to the center of the, the low compressed air is ejected radially inward from the respective air ejection holes 34, 34 'at the upper and lower positions to constantly lower the air inside the inner tube portion 33. By supplying the compressed air, the inside of the inner cylindrical portion 33 is maintained in a positive pressure state to prevent dust and the like from entering and prevent dust and the like from adhering to the detection end 4F.

Thus, in this embodiment having the above-described structure, the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. By injecting low-compressed air inward in the radial direction in two stages from the ejection holes 34, 34 ', it is possible to further uniformly pressurize the inside of the inner tubular portion 33 to bring it into a positive pressure state, and to prevent dust in the surroundings. It is possible to more reliably prevent the scattering of the like.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the dustproof air sockets 11, 21, 31 are described as being mounted on the tip side of the mounting screw portion 4D of the optical fiber sensor 4 mounted on the mounting portion 3A of the mounting bracket 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the dustproof air sockets 11, 21, 31 are fixed to the front end side of the mounting bracket 3, and the optical fiber sensor 4 is attached to each of the dustproof air sockets 11, 21, 31. You may make it attach the attachment screw part 4D.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the optical fiber sensor 4 is of a direct reflection type and has a sensor main body 4C having a light emitting element 4A and a light receiving element 4B built-in, and is extended from the sensor main body 4C to a detection position. The self-continuation type consisting of the optical fiber 4E to be arranged has been described as an example. However, instead of this, for example, a sensor main body having an amplifier and the like, a receiving and light emitting element are incorporated, and each element is an electric wire. It may be applied to other optical fiber sensors such as an amplifier separation type that is connected to the sensor body via a sensor, and the detection form is also applied to other detection forms such as transmission type and mirror reflection type. Good.

Further, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the compressed air used for the dustproof air sockets 11, 21, 31 is supplied from the compressor through the air pipes 15A, 25A, 35A to the air supply pipes 15, 25, 35 to the air chamber C. Although the present invention is not limited to this, the present invention is not limited to this, and compressed air from the compressor may be subjected to antistatic treatment, and clean air may be used. It is possible to prevent dust and the like from adhering to 11, 21, 31.

On the other hand, in each of the above-described embodiments, the air supply pipes 15, 25, 35 are described as being provided in the tubular portions 12C, 22C, 32C of the outer tubular portions 12, 22, 32, but instead of this, For example, the air supply pipes 15, 25, 35 may be provided in the lids 12B, 22B, 32B.

Furthermore, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the bath agent 2 made of powder is taken as an example of the object to be detected, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, food such as seasonings, powder, etc. It may be used for other powders such as cosmetics, and the powder may be solidified powder.

[0038]

[Effect of the device]

 As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the outer cylindrical portion of the optical fiber sensor is a cylindrical outer tube portion with a lid, which surrounds the optical fiber distal end side, and the optical fiber distal end located inside the outer cylindrical portion. An inner cylinder portion that surrounds the side and defines an air chamber between the inner cylinder portion and the outer cylinder portion, and an air hole formed in the inner cylinder portion so as to eject the air in the air chamber portion into the inner cylinder portion. An air ejection hole and an air supply pipe for supplying compressed air ejected from the air ejection hole to the air chamber are provided, and the compressed air supplied to the air chamber through the air supply pipe is evenly distributed in the air chamber. Since the air is ejected from the air ejection hole into the inner cylinder part in a pressurized state, it is possible to remove dust and the like adhering to the tip side of the optical fiber without scattering dust and the like in the surrounding area. , Keeping the inside of the inner cylinder part in a positive pressure state, new dust, etc. may enter into the inner part of the cylinder. Can be prevented, it is possible to improve the reliability by preventing the erroneous detection of the optical fiber sensor.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a main part of a fixed quantity transport table as a powder subdivision device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing the dustproof air socket in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the dustproof air socket according to the second embodiment of the present invention, taken at the same position as in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the dustproof air socket according to the third embodiment of the present invention at the same position as in FIG.

FIG. 5 is an external perspective view showing a main part of a fixed quantity transport table as a powder subdivision device according to a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 4 Optical fiber sensor 4A Light emitting element 4B Light receiving element 4E Optical fiber 4F Detection end (tip side) 11,21,31 Dustproof air socket 12,22,32 Outer tube part 13,23,33 Inner tube part 14,24,34 , 34 'Air ejection holes 15, 25, 35 Air supply pipe C Air chamber

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. An optical fiber sensor having an optical fiber for projecting and receiving light, comprising: an outer cylinder part having a cylindrical shape with a lid, which is provided so as to surround a front end side of the optical fiber and has a bottom opening. In order to blow out the air inside the air chamber, and an inner cylinder portion that surrounds the optical fiber tip side located inside the outer cylinder portion and defines an air chamber with the outer cylinder portion, A dust-proof air socket for an optical fiber sensor, comprising an air ejection hole formed in the inner cylinder portion and an air supply pipe for supplying compressed air ejected from the air ejection hole to the air chamber.