JPH09313852A - Filter controlling device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a filter controlling device by which a preliminary alarm is outputted before replacement time and in consideration of filter actuation time and installation elapsed time as well as differential pressure, more precise replacement time alarm is given. SOLUTION: An input pressure sensor 16 detects fluid pressure on the input side of a filter 14 arranged in a flow passage 12. An output pressure sensor 18 detects fluid pressure on the output side thereof. A memory part 20 stores final differential pressure data previously set as differential pressure at final replacement time of the filter 14 and alarm differential pressure data previously set as differential pressure at preliminary alarm time before the final replacement time is reached. A treating part 22 obtains the present differential pressure, based on the input side fluid pressure and the output side fluid pressure, and also compares it with the final differential pressure data and the alarm differential pressure data, and when the obtained present differential pressure reaches the alarm differential pressure data, a preliminary alarm signal is outputted, and when the present differential pressure reaches the final differential pressure data, a final alarm signal is outputted.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a filter management device for managing the replacement time of a filter for purifying a fluid by inserting the fluid in a flow path.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Most conventional filter management devices mechanically detect and display a differential pressure and output a contact signal. Also, two pressure sensors installed on the input side and the output side of the filter installation portion of the flow path, and a storage unit that stores final differential pressure data preset as differential pressure at the time of final replacement of the filter. The current differential pressure is obtained based on the input side fluid pressure and the output side fluid pressure output from the two pressure sensors, and the current differential pressure is compared with the final differential pressure data, and the current differential pressure is the final differential pressure. Some have a processing unit that outputs a final warning signal when the data is reached. The operation of this management device is to detect the degree of clogging of the filter based on the magnitude of the differential pressure between the input side fluid pressure and the output side fluid pressure detected by each pressure sensor, and this differential pressure is the final differential pressure set in advance. If it exceeds the data, it is judged that the clogging has progressed and the filtration capacity has deteriorated, and a final warning signal is output.For example, an output device such as a lamp or a buzzer is driven to issue an alarm, and the replacement time I was informed.

[0003]

However, the conventional filter management device described above has the following problems. First, since the final warning signal is output only after the final replacement time, the operator will have to search for or arrange for a replacement filter, and the filtering capacity will remain until the replacement filter is available. You must continue to use the degraded filter. Moreover, a situation occurs in which the filtering function must be stopped until a replacement filter is available. In addition, even if the differential pressure is less than or equal to the final differential pressure data described above, if the time for actually filtering the fluid is long, the filter may deteriorate and the filtering function may deteriorate. Management alone may not be enough. In addition, depending on the type of filter, there is also one that deteriorates constantly from the time when a new product is opened, even when the filtration operation is not actually performed. There is also a problem that it is not possible to accurately specify the replacement time and issue an alarm.

Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to output a preliminary alarm before the final replacement time, and to perform a filtering operation time and an installation elapsed time together with a differential pressure. In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a filter management device capable of issuing an alarm to a worker at an appropriate replacement time or outputting an alarm signal to a control device of a production line.

[0005]

The present invention has the following constitution in order to achieve the above object. That is, a filter management device that detects an input-side fluid pressure and an output-side fluid pressure of a filter installed in a flow path to obtain a differential pressure between the two fluid pressures and manages the replacement time of the filter based on the differential pressure. In, an input pressure sensor for detecting the input side fluid pressure, an output pressure sensor for detecting the output side fluid pressure, and final differential pressure data and the final differential pressure data preset as the differential pressure at the time of final replacement of the filter. A storage unit in which warning differential pressure data preset as a differential pressure at the preliminary warning time before reaching the replacement time is stored, and a current differential pressure is obtained based on the input side fluid pressure and the output side fluid pressure, The final differential pressure data and the warning differential pressure data are compared, and when the obtained current differential pressure reaches the warning differential pressure data, a preliminary warning signal is output, and the current differential pressure reaches the final differential pressure data. When Characterized by comprising a processing unit for outputting an alarm signal. With this configuration, the preliminary alarm signal is output before the final alarm signal is reached, so that the operator can recognize the necessity of filter replacement before the final replacement time. Therefore, it becomes possible to prepare for the final replacement time by preparing a replacement filter in advance.

Further, a timer unit capable of outputting time data is provided, and the storage unit stores the final integrated time data, which is the final replacement time of the filter, and the processing unit,
The presence or absence of a fluid passing through the filter is detected based on the input side fluid pressure and / or the output side fluid pressure, and the time during which the fluid passes through the filter is integrated based on the time data, and the integration is performed. If the final alarm signal is output when the time reaches the final integrated time data, it becomes possible to manage the replacement time in consideration of the actual operating time of the actual filter in addition to the differential pressure, and more accurate Filter management becomes possible.

Further, a timer section capable of outputting time data is provided, and the storage section stores final elapsed time data which is the last time to replace the filter, and the processing section
If the configuration is such that the elapsed time after the filter is installed in the flow path is measured using the time data, and the final alarm signal is output when the elapsed time reaches the final elapsed time data. In addition to the differential pressure, it is possible to manage the replacement time in consideration of the elapsed operation after the installation of the filter, which enables more accurate filter management.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of a filter management apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. (First Embodiment) First, the configuration of a filter management apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The filter management device 10 is a filter 14 installed in the flow path 12.
The input side fluid pressure L1 and the output side fluid pressure L2 are detected to obtain the differential pressure ΔL between the two fluid pressures, and the replacement timing of the filter 14 is managed based on this differential pressure ΔL. The fluid means gas such as air or liquid such as drainage. Reference numeral 16 is an input pressure sensor for detecting the input side fluid pressure L1. An output pressure sensor 18 detects the output side fluid pressure L2. Reference numeral 20 denotes a storage unit, which is configured by using a ROM, a RAM, etc., and has a filter 1
4, the final differential pressure data LR2 preset as the differential pressure at the final replacement time, and the warning differential pressure data L preset as the differential pressure at the preliminary warning time before reaching the final replacement time.
R1 is stored.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a processing unit, which determines the current differential pressure ΔL based on the input side fluid pressure L1 and the output side fluid pressure L2, and also determines the final differential pressure data LR2 and the warning differential pressure data LR.
The current differential pressure ΔL obtained by comparing with 1 is the warning differential pressure data LR.
When it reaches 1, a preliminary alarm signal is output and the current differential pressure Δ
It has a function of outputting a final warning signal when L reaches the final differential pressure data. In the processing unit 22, a differential pressure detecting means 24 for obtaining the differential pressure ΔL, the differential pressure ΔL and the storage unit 20.
The comparison / calculation means 26 is provided which compares the final differential pressure data LR2 and the warning differential pressure data LR1 read from each other and outputs a preliminary warning signal and a final warning signal. The differential pressure detecting means 24 and the comparing / calculating means 26 may be constituted by dedicated hardware, but are usually constituted by using a microcomputer. Reference numeral 28 denotes an output section, which is composed of a monitor, a lamp, a liquid crystal display, a buzzer, a speaker, a signal output section to the control device, etc., and receives a preliminary warning signal or a final warning signal, or a monitor or a liquid crystal display. Indicates the differential pressure, displays a preliminary warning or a final warning, or turns on the lamp. Further, in the case of a buzzer or a speaker, a sound indicating a preliminary warning or a final warning is generated to notify the operator of that.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIG. First, the processing unit 22 detects the differential pressure ΔL (step 100). This differential pressure ΔL increases as the filter 14 is installed in the flow path 12 and the fluid is purified. Processing unit 2
2 reads out the warning differential pressure data LR1 and the final differential pressure data LR2 from the storage unit 20 and compares them with the differential pressure ΔL (step 102). In a state where the filter 14 is less clogged, the differential pressure ΔL is less than the warning differential pressure data LR1, and therefore, the differential pressure ΔL is compared with the final differential pressure data LR2. Repeat the operation. Then, when the filter 14 becomes more clogged and the differential pressure ΔL detected in step 102 becomes equal to or higher than the warning differential pressure data LR1 (and less than the final differential pressure data LR2), a preliminary warning signal is output (step. 106). As a result, the operator is notified that the lamp is turned on or the buzzer sounds in the output unit 28, and the time to replace the filter 14 is approaching.
Due to this notification, the worker can use the new filter 14 for replacement.
Can be prepared in advance and prepared for the final alarm. In addition,
The preliminary alarm signal may be output for a predetermined time, or may be stopped when a stop command from an operator is input to the processing unit 22 from a switch (not shown).

Subsequently, when the filter 14 is further clogged and it is detected in step 104 that the differential pressure ΔL becomes equal to or more than the final differential pressure data LR2, the processing section 22 outputs a final warning signal (step 108). . Output unit 2
In No. 8, the final alarm is notified to the operator by receiving a final alarm signal and turning on a different lamp than when the preliminary alarm signal is received, or by outputting a different sound from the buzzer. In this way, the preliminary alarm is notified once before the final alarm is notified, so that the worker can prepare the replacement filter 14 in advance before the final alarm is notified.

(Second Embodiment) First, in the configuration of the filter management apparatus 10, a timer unit 30 is added to the configuration of the first embodiment. Further, the storage unit 20 stores the final integrated time data TR1 when the filter 14 is finally replaced.
Is stored in advance. Further, the processing unit 22 uses the filter 1
When the presence or absence of the fluid passing through No. 4 is detected and the time during which the fluid is passing through the filter 14 is integrated based on the time data output by the timer unit 30, and the integrated time t reaches the final integrated time data TR1. Is configured to output a final warning signal. The feature of the present embodiment having the above-mentioned configuration is that the time when the filter 14 actually filters the fluid is used together with the differential pressure ΔL as the condition for detecting the replacement time of the filter 14.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIG. The same operations as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same step numbers, and the description thereof will be omitted. First, after performing step 100, it is determined whether or not the fluid is flowing in the flow path 12, and the actual filtration time t of the fluid by the filter 14 is obtained. To determine whether fluid is flowing, the differential pressure Δ
The presence or absence of L is used. This is because when the fluid passes through the filter 14, a differential pressure ΔL is generated before and after the filter 14. Further, when the fluid is fed into the flow path 12, it is pressurized and fed, so that the input side fluid pressure L1 is simply applied.
Alternatively, it may be determined that the fluid is flowing when the output side fluid pressure L2 is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure. Then, the time during which the fluid is flowing is obtained using the time data input from the timer unit 30, and integrated to obtain the filter 14
Measures the integrated time (actual filtration time) t for filtering the fluid (step 200).

The processing unit 22 reads out the warning differential pressure data LR1 and the final differential pressure data LR2 from the storage unit 20, and calculates the differential pressure Δ.
It is compared with L (step 102). In a state where the filter 14 is less clogged, the differential pressure ΔL is less than the warning differential pressure data LR1, and therefore the differential pressure ΔL and the final differential pressure data L.
Step 104 of comparing with R2 and step 202 of comparing the integrated time t with the final integrated time data TR1.
The process returns to step 100 again via, and the above operation is repeated. Then, when the filter 14 becomes more clogged and the differential pressure ΔL detected in step 102 becomes equal to or higher than the warning differential pressure data LR1 (and less than the final differential pressure data LR2), a preliminary warning signal is output (step. 10
6). As a result, the operator is notified that the lamp is turned on or the buzzer sounds in the output unit 28, and the time to replace the filter 14 is approaching. By this notification, the operator can prepare a new filter 14 for replacement in advance and prepare for the final alarm.

Subsequently, when the filter 14 is further clogged and it is detected in step 104 that the differential pressure ΔL becomes equal to or more than the final differential pressure data LR2, the processing section 22 outputs a final warning signal (step 108). , Output unit 28
In the above, the final warning is notified to the operator by turning on a different lamp than when the preliminary warning signal is received or by outputting a different sound from the buzzer. Further, in the present embodiment, even when the filter 14 is not clogged and the preliminary alarm signal or the final alarm signal is not output, the actual filtration time of the filter 14, that is, the above-described integrated time t is When the preset final integrated time data TR1 is reached, this is detected in step 202, a final alarm signal is output, and the final alarm is generated in the output unit 28. With this configuration, it is possible to notify the operator of the replacement time by also determining deterioration due to the filtering operation of the filter 14, which cannot be determined only by the degree of clogging. Also, the accumulation time t
And the final integrated time data TR1 may be obtained and displayed on the output unit 28 as the remaining usable time (that is, another display method of the replacement time).

(Third Embodiment) First, the configuration of the filter management apparatus 10 is substantially the same as the configuration of the second embodiment. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 20 stores the final integrated time data TR1 indicating the final replacement time determined from the integrated time t, and the preliminary integrated time as the integrated time of the preliminary warning time before reaching the final replacement time. Data TR2
(TR1> TR2) is stored in advance. In addition to the operation of the second embodiment, the operation of the processing unit 22 is the same as that of the first embodiment when determining the replacement time of the filter 14 based on the integrated time t before notifying the final replacement time. Similar to the case of determining the replacement time based on only the differential pressure ΔL described in the embodiment, the preliminary alarm based on the integrated time t is issued before the notification of the final replacement time based on the integrated time t.

The operation will be described with reference to FIG. The same operation as that of the second embodiment is denoted by the same step number, and the description thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment,
Step 30 between step 102 and step 104
The feature point is that 0 is added. In step 300, when the integrated time t has reached the preliminary integrated time data TR2 (however, it has not reached the final integrated time data TR1), the process proceeds to step 106, a preliminary alarm is output, and the integrated time t is If the preliminary integrated time data TR2 has not been reached, the process proceeds to step 104. As a result, similarly to the case of determining the replacement time based on the differential pressure ΔL, even in the case of determining the replacement time based on the integrated time t, the preliminary alarm can be output once before the final replacement time is notified. Therefore, it is possible to notify the operator in advance that the final replacement time of the filter 14 is approaching.

Further, in the second and third embodiments described above, the accumulated time t of the time when the filter 14 performs the filtering operation together with the differential pressure ΔL is used as a material for determining the replacement timing. However, the replacement time may be determined based on the elapsed time after the filter 14 is installed in the flow path 12 instead of the integrated time t of the filtering operation. With this configuration, the filter 1 is constantly deteriorated from the time when a new product is opened, even when the filtration operation is not actually performed.
It becomes possible to more accurately manage the replacement timing for item 4.

(Fourth Embodiment) First, in the configuration of the filter management device 10, a timer unit 30 is added to the configuration of the first embodiment. Also in the present embodiment, as in the second and third embodiments, the differential pressure ΔL
However, the replacement time is determined based on only the accumulation time (or the elapsed time from the installation) t of the time when the filter 14 actually filters, instead of determining the replacement time. The difference from the second embodiment and the third embodiment is that the replacement time is not directly determined based on the accumulation time t, but the final differential pressure data LR2 and the warning difference are calculated based on the accumulation time t. The point is that the configuration of changing the value of the pressure data LR1 is adopted. Therefore,
A plurality of data tables of the final differential pressure data LR2 and the warning differential pressure data LR1 corresponding to the accumulation time t as shown in FIG. 6 are stored in the storage unit 20 in advance.

Then, the processing unit 22 compares the detected differential pressure ΔL with the final differential pressure data LR2 and the warning differential pressure data LR1 in the currently selected table while changing the table based on the accumulation time t. , Outputs a preliminary warning signal and a final warning signal. Generally, when the accumulation time (or elapsed time) t becomes longer, the filter 14 deteriorates independently of the clogging state. Therefore, the value a of the warning differential pressure data LR1 and the final differential pressure data LR increase as the accumulation time t increases.
The value b of 2 is set to gradually decrease. That is, in FIG. 6, a ₁ > a ₂ >...> a _n , b ₁ > b
₂ >...> b _n . Further, the table switching timing, t ₁ <t ₂ <... <t _n, is determined in advance by measuring deterioration characteristics peculiar to the filter 14 through experiments or the like. The number of tables may be any number as long as it is two or more. That is, n
Is an integer of 2 or more.

The operation will be described with reference to FIG. The basic operation is substantially the same as in the first embodiment,
The same operation is denoted by the same step number, and description thereof is omitted. The different operation is that steps 400 to 404 are added between step 100 and step 102 of FIG. 2 showing the operation of the first embodiment. The operation will be described. In step 400, the accumulation time (or elapsed time) t is measured as in the second and third embodiments. Then, in step 402, the measured accumulation time t and the time (t ₁ <t ₂ <...
<T _n ), and when the next switching time is reached, the process proceeds to step 404, and the table referring to the value a of the warning differential pressure data LR1 and the value b of the final differential pressure data LR2 is changed to table 1 → table 2 → -> The table n is sequentially switched.

As a result, it is possible to indirectly determine the replacement time in consideration of the accumulation time and the elapsed time, and it is possible to more accurately determine the replacement time of the filter 14 which deteriorates due to the accumulation time and the like.

Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and many modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Of course.

[0024]

By using the filter management device according to the present invention, a preliminary alarm signal is output before the final alarm signal is reached, so that the operator may need to replace the filter in advance before the final replacement time. It becomes possible to recognize. Therefore, it becomes possible to prepare for the final replacement time by preparing a replacement filter. In addition, the replacement time can be determined in consideration of the pressure difference, the accumulation time of the filtering operation of the filter, and the elapsed time from the installation, and thus a more accurate determination of the replacement time can be achieved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a filter management device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment of the filter management device.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment of the filter management device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the third embodiment of the filter management device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fourth embodiment of the filter management device.

6 is a data table in which the value a of the warning differential pressure data LR1 and the value b of the final differential pressure data LR2 of FIG. 5 are stored.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Filter Management Device 12 Flow Path 14 Filter 16 Input Pressure Sensor 18 Output Pressure Sensor 20 Storage Unit 22 Processing Unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A filter that detects the fluid pressure on the input side and the fluid pressure on the output side of a filter installed in a flow path to obtain the differential pressure between the two fluid pressures, and manages the replacement time of the filter based on the differential pressure. In the management device, an input pressure sensor that detects the input side fluid pressure, an output pressure sensor that detects the output side fluid pressure, and final differential pressure data preset as the differential pressure at the time of final replacement of the filter. And a storage unit in which warning differential pressure data preset as a differential pressure at the preliminary warning time before reaching the final replacement time is stored, and the current differential pressure is calculated based on the input side fluid pressure and the output side fluid pressure. Along with the determination, the final differential pressure data and the warning differential pressure data are compared, and when the determined current differential pressure reaches the warning differential pressure data, a preliminary warning signal is output, and the current differential pressure is the final differential pressure data. When Management system of the filter, characterized by comprising a processing unit which outputs the final alarm signal. 2. A timer unit capable of outputting time data, wherein the storage unit stores final integrated time data, which is a final replacement time of the filter, and the processing unit is provided with the input side fluid pressure and / Or the presence or absence of the fluid passing through the filter is detected based on the output side fluid pressure, and the time during which the fluid is passing through the filter is integrated based on the time data, and the integrated time is the final integrated time. The filter management device according to claim 1, wherein when the data is reached, the final alarm signal is output. 3. A timer unit capable of outputting time data, wherein the storage unit stores final elapsed time data which is a final replacement time of the filter, and the processing unit includes the filter in the flow path. The elapsed time after installation is measured using the time data, and when the elapsed time reaches the final elapsed time data, the final alarm signal is output. Filter management device.