JP2016109220A - Rotary joint and mechanical seal monitoring device including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rotary joint capable of immediately detecting damage of a seal ring, and a mechanical seal monitoring device including the rotary joint.SOLUTION: A rotary joint includes: a solid body and a rotor arranged on the same shaft; a mechanical seal capable of sliding the solid body and the rotor in a rotation direction with a shaft as a center through at least one seal ring; and a slide abnormality detection mechanism for detecting abnormality of a relative slide state between the solid body and the rotor through the seal ring, and outputting a detection signal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a rotary joint and a mechanical seal monitoring device including the same.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a rotary joint provided with a mechanical seal that allows an end cover and a rotary tube arranged on the same axis to slide in a rotational direction via a pair of seal rings.

  In this rotary joint, the fixed-side seal ring is supported at one end of the end cover flow path via a holder, and the rotary-side seal ring is supported at one end of the rotary tube via a holder. The fixed-side seal ring is elastically pressed against the rotary-side seal ring by the provided coil spring.

  The other end of the rotating tube is connected to, for example, one end of a flow passage for introducing cooling water into a rotating roller via a hose, and the other end of the flow passage of the end cover is connected to, for example, a cooling water supply source. Connected via hose.

  According to the thus configured rotary joint, the opposed seal surface of the rotating seal ring that rotates together with the rotating tube slides in a liquid-tight manner in the rotational direction with respect to the opposed seal surface of the fixed seal ring. The seal ring is generally made of ceramics or carbon material and is a consumable part, so it needs to be replaced.

  In recent years, in food and beverage manufacturing industries, pharmaceutical manufacturing industries, and the like, liquid filling devices equipped with rotary joints are installed on manufacturing lines capable of mass production. For example, when mass-producing soft drinks in PET bottles, a rotary joint rotary tube (rotary shaft) is connected to a rotary filling machine having a plurality of nozzles in the rotation direction, and each nozzle is rotated while the filling machine is rotated. It is filled with soft drinks by connecting the mouth of an empty plastic bottle.

JP 2002-323142 A

  In a conventional rotary joint, for example, when at least one opposing seal surface of the rotating side and the fixed side seal ring is damaged or missing, the sealing performance deteriorates and the required sealing performance cannot be maintained. The seal ring was replaced after finding a liquid leak. In addition, the discovery of the liquid leakage may occur after a certain period of time (for example, several days to several weeks) after the occurrence of the seal ring defect.

  For this reason, during the filling operation, the conventional rotary joint has a defect in the seal ring as described above, and the filling operation cannot be interrupted immediately even if the defective part is filled into the plastic bottle together with the soft drink as a foreign matter. It was.

  As a result, a large number of defective products mixed with foreign substances are shipped to the market, and a large amount of defective products that have been on the market after the accident is detected must be collected. Was supposed to incur a profit. Such a problem is applicable not only to soft drinks but also to all liquid foods and drinks and pharmaceuticals that can be filled with a filling machine. In particular, in the case of pharmaceutical manufacturing, there is a possibility that it will develop into an accident involving human life, so it is an urgent task to keep defective products mixed with such foreign substances in the factory and prevent them from entering the market. Yes, it is a globally common issue.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a rotary joint capable of immediately detecting a seal ring defect and a mechanical seal monitoring device including the rotary joint.

  Thus, according to the present invention, the fixed body and the rotating body that are coaxially arranged, and the mechanical body that can slide the fixed body and the rotating body in the rotation direction about the axis via at least one seal ring. There is provided a rotary joint including a seal, and a sliding abnormality detection mechanism that detects an abnormality in a relative sliding state between the fixed body and the rotating body via the seal ring and outputs a detection signal.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the rotary joint includes a control unit that receives a detection signal from the sliding abnormality detection mechanism of the rotary joint, and the control unit receives the detection signal. There is provided a mechanical seal monitoring device for controlling the rotary body of the rotary joint to stop rotating.

  According to the rotary joint of the present invention, an abnormality in the relative sliding state between the fixed body and the rotating body via the seal ring can be detected by the sliding abnormality detection mechanism, and a detection signal can be output. Therefore, for example, when the seal surface of the seal ring is missing, the relative sliding state of the fixed body and the rotating body via the seal ring changes from normal to abnormal, that is, the friction resistance becomes larger than the appropriate friction resistance. The change can be immediately detected by the sliding abnormality detection mechanism.

  As a result, for example, in production lines such as the food and beverage manufacturing industry and the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry where the filling device equipped with the rotary joint of the present invention is introduced, the line stops immediately when the seal ring is lost, so foreign matter is mixed in. Defective products can be kept in the factory. As a result, consumers do not suffer from various disadvantages such as purchasing and eating defective products mixed with foreign substances, and in some cases harming their health.Manufacturers generate large amounts of defective products on the market. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a reduction in labor, cost and reliability.

  In addition, according to the mechanical seal monitoring apparatus including the rotary joint of the present invention, the controller rotates the rotary shaft of the filling device, the pump of the liquid to be filled to be supplied to the filling device, and the container to be supplied to the filling device. The liquid filling system can be constructed so as to control the driving and stopping of a power source such as a motor of the transport device. That is, each power source of the liquid filling system can be immediately stopped by the control unit that has received the detection signal from the sliding abnormality detection mechanism.

It is a block diagram which shows the liquid filling system provided with the mechanical seal monitoring apparatus of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a partial cross section front view which shows the mechanical seal monitoring apparatus of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a partial cross section front view of the rotary joint in the mechanical seal monitoring apparatus of Embodiment 1. It is a principal part expanded front sectional view of the mechanical seal in the rotary joint of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the position of the mechanical seal of FIG. 4, and a proximity sensor. (A) is the II sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 5, (B) is explanatory drawing which shows the other side of the opposing seal surface of a mechanical seal. FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 illustrating a state when the mechanical seal slides abnormally. FIG. 6A is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B is a diagram corresponding to FIG. FIG. 6 is an enlarged front sectional view of a main part of a mechanical seal in a rotary joint according to a second embodiment.

The rotary joint of the present invention includes a fixed body and a rotating body that are coaxially arranged, and a mechanical seal that allows the fixed body and the rotating body to slide in a rotation direction about an axis via at least one seal ring. And a sliding abnormality detection mechanism that detects a relative sliding state abnormality between the fixed body and the rotating body via the seal ring and outputs a detection signal.
The rotary joint of the present invention may be configured as follows.

(1) In the mechanical seal, one seal ring may be supported by a pipe serving as the fixed body via a holder so that the mechanical seal can be slidably contacted with an end surface of a pipe-shaped rotary shaft serving as the rotating body.
In this way, a mechanical seal having a simple structure can be configured with only one seal ring. In this case, it is necessary to make the end surface of a rotary shaft according to a seal ring. This configuration will be described in detail in Embodiment 2.

(2) The mechanical seal includes a fixed-side seal ring supported by a pipe serving as a fixed body via a holder, and a rotary-side seal ring supported by a pipe-shaped rotary shaft serving as a rotating body via a holder. And the pair of seal rings may be configured to slide relative to each other in the rotational direction.
If it does in this way, a mechanical seal can be constituted by a pair of seal rings. In this case, the fixed body and the rotating body are not in direct contact with each other, so that the life can be extended. This configuration will be described in detail in Embodiment 1.

(3) The sliding abnormality detection mechanism includes a limiter pin mounted between the seal ring and the holder, and detects an abnormality in a relative sliding state between the fixed body and the rotating body. It may be configured to detect by shear. In this case, the material, thickness, etc. of the limiter pin are considered so that the limiter pin shears when an appropriate frictional resistance applied to the fixed body and the rotating body is exceeded.
In this way, in the sliding abnormality detection mechanism, the detection mechanism for judging whether or not the appropriate frictional resistance force has been exceeded by various methods such as electromagnetic, mechanical, optical, etc. can be realized with a simple structure and at a low cost. Can be produced.

(4) The sliding abnormality detection mechanism includes a wire having one end embedded in the limiter pin, a leaf spring attached to the holder and connected to the other end of the wire, and a leaf spring detection unit. The leaf spring released when the wire is sheared together with the limiter pin may be detected by the leaf spring detection unit. In this case, the material, thickness, etc. of the wire are considered so that the wire is sheared together with the limiter pin when an appropriate frictional resistance applied to the fixed body and the rotating body is exceeded.

  In this way, in the sliding abnormality detection mechanism, a mechanism for transmitting the sliding state abnormality in the mechanical seal to the outside can be manufactured with a mechanically simple structure at low cost. Furthermore, rotary joints used in food and beverage manufacturing and pharmaceutical manufacturing require periodic cleaning, and cleaning may leave cleaning water or condensation in the space between the mechanical seal of the rotary joint and the housing that covers it. However, the optical sensor is easy to detect erroneously, but with this configuration, there is no erroneous detection due to moisture, and highly accurate detection can be realized.

(5) The limiter pin may be made of resin.
In this way, the limiter pin can be easily adjusted according to the type of resin, the thickness of the pin, etc. so that the limiter pin is sheared with a predetermined shearing force, and a limiter pin with a certain quality approved by the Food Sanitation Law can be obtained at low cost. Can be produced. The material of the limiter pin is not limited to resin, but metal, ceramics, wood, etc. can also be used. However, when a rotary joint is used in a production line for food and beverage production or pharmaceutical production, the reason described above is used. Therefore, a resin that is not a brittle material is preferable.

(6) The leaf spring detection unit may be a proximity sensor.
In this way, the position of the released leaf spring can be reliably detected by the electromagnetic proximity sensor without erroneous detection due to moisture.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a rotary joint of the present invention and a mechanical seal monitoring apparatus including the same will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a liquid filling system including a mechanical seal monitoring apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
The liquid filling system S includes a liquid filling device S ₁ , a container transport device S ₂ , a mechanical seal monitoring device S _{3 including} the rotary joint 10 of Embodiment 1, and a liquid supply device S ₄ . It is a liquid filling system that fills containers being transported with liquid beverages and beverages such as soft drinks and soy sauce, and liquid pharmaceuticals. In the first embodiment, a liquid filling system that fills a plastic bottle P with a soft drink is illustrated.

The liquid filling device S ₁ includes, for example, a vertical rotating shaft 52 that is rotatably supported by a support unit (not shown) and that is rotated by a motor 51, and a hollow disk that is connected to an upper end on the axis of the vertical rotating shaft 52. The main body 53 is provided with a plurality of (for example, about 100) filling nozzles 54 provided on the lower surface of the main body 53 around the axis. A connection port 53a connected to a pipe-shaped rotary shaft 12a of the rotary joint 10 described later is formed on the upper surface of the main body 53.

Vessel conveying device S ₂ is, for example, a drive roller 62 that rotates by a motor 61, a driven roller outside Figure, a belt conveyor provided with an endless belt 63 which is stretched and the driven roller driving roller 62 .

The liquid supply device S ₄ includes, for example, a tank 71 that stores a soft drink as a liquid to be supplied, a supply pipe 72 that connects the tank 71 and the rotary joint 10, and a pump 73 that is provided in the middle of the supply pipe 72. It is set as the structure provided with.

Although not shown, a liquid filling system S is provided with a container holding device inserting a filling nozzle 55 at its mouth to lift the empty PET bottles P as containers transported by the vessel conveying device S _2. When a predetermined amount of soft drink is filled in the PET bottle P, the PET bottle P is lowered by the container holding device and removed from the filling nozzle 55, and then the filling is completed. The container is transported to the cap attaching device by the container transport device, and the cap is attached to the mouth of the plastic bottle P.

<Mechanical seal monitoring device>
FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional front view showing the mechanical seal monitoring apparatus of the first embodiment.
Mechanical seal monitoring device S ₃ is rotary and the rotary joint 10, by sliding abnormal receiving a detection signal from the detection mechanism and a control unit 20, the control unit 20 which receives the detection signal to be described later of the rotary joint 10 The joint 10 is configured to be controlled so as to stop the rotation of a rotary shaft described later. In the case of the first embodiment, the control unit 20 includes an alarm lamp 20a and a buzzer.

[Rotary joint]
3 is a partial cross-sectional front view of the rotary joint in the mechanical seal monitoring apparatus of the first embodiment, FIG. 4 is an enlarged front cross-sectional view of the main part of the mechanical seal in the rotary joint of FIG. 3, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the position of a mechanical seal and a proximity sensor. 6A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II of FIG. 5, and FIG. 6B is an explanatory view showing the opposite side of the opposing seal surface of the mechanical seal.

  The rotary joint 10 includes a mechanical seal Ms that allows a fixed body 11 and a rotating body 12 arranged on the same axis to slide in a rotating direction via a pair of seal rings 13 and 14, and a pair of seal rings 13. , 14, and a sliding abnormality detection mechanism 15 that detects a relative sliding state abnormality between the fixed body 11 and the rotating body 12 and outputs a detection signal.

One of the pair of seal rings 13 and 14 constituting the mechanical seal Ms is fixed to the fixed body 11, and the other is fixed to the rotating body 12.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6A and 6B, the rotation-side seal ring 14 fixed to the rotating body 12 has an opposing seal surface 14a at the upper end in the axial direction and an outer peripheral surface thereof. There is a step 14b in the circumferential direction, and the counter seal surface 14a side of the outer diameter is thin with the step 14b as a boundary, and the back side opposite to the counter seal surface 14a is thick.

  In the rotation-side seal ring 14, a plurality of semi-cylindrical cutouts 14c are formed in the axial direction in the thickened step portion 14b. In the case of Embodiment 1, three notches 14c are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction in the stepped portion 14b. The number of notches 14c is not limited to three, but may be one, two, or four or more. However, a limiter pin 15a to be described later fitted into the notches 14c is sheared with a predetermined shearing force. As described above, since the material, thickness, number, and the like of the limiter pin 15a are considered, the number of the notches 14c is also the same as the number of the limiter pins 15a.

The fixed-side seal ring 13 fixed to the fixed body 12 has the same configuration as the rotary-side seal ring 14.
These seal rings 13 and 14 are made of ceramics that are generally used in mechanical seals Ms of rotary joints, and the opposed seal surfaces 13a and 14a are smoothed to a predetermined surface roughness or less. .

The rotating body 12 is made of a metal (for example, stainless steel) that is not easily corroded, and includes a pipe-shaped rotary shaft 12a, and a holder 12b that is connected to the upper end of the rotary shaft 12a by a bolt and holds the seal ring 14 on the rotating side. And a flange 12c provided on the outer peripheral surface of the lower end of the rotary shaft 12a so as to be integrally rotatable. The flange 12c is connected at the upper surface bolt body 53 of the liquid filling apparatus S _1, thereby the lower end opening of the rotary shaft 12a is connected in a liquid-tight manner to the connection port 53a of the main body portion 53.

Further, a notch 12a ₁ for fitting the back side of the rotary seal ring 14 through a flat ring-shaped packing 12d is formed at the upper end opening edge of the rotary shaft 12a, and the notch 12a ₁ has a packing. A shallow concave groove 12a ₂ for fitting the 12d ridge 12d ₁ is formed. Furthermore, a plurality of (in this case, twelve) screw holes are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the upper end surface of the rotary shaft 12a.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 6A and 6B, the rotation-side holder 12b includes a ring portion 12b having a circular hole having a size that allows the thick outer peripheral surface of the rotation-side seal ring 14 to be fitted almost without any gap. ₁ and an inner flange portion 12b ₂ provided at the upper end of the ring portion 12b ₁ .

In addition, concave portions 12b ₁₁ having two bolt insertion holes are formed on the upper surface of the ring portion 12b _{1 at} a plurality of locations (six locations in this case) at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and the inner peripheral surface of the ring portion 12b ₁ a plurality of (in this case, 3 pieces) corresponding to the notch 14c of the seal ring 14 on the rotating side 12b ₁₂ notch semicylindrical is formed on. Further, a wire insertion hole 12b ₁₂₁ penetrating in the radial direction is formed at a position corresponding to one notch 12b ₁₂ in the ring portion 12b ₁ (see FIG. 5). The wire insertion hole 12b ₁₂₁ is formed at an intermediate position between two adjacent bolt insertion holes.

Fixed body 11 is made of a corrosion hard metal (e.g., stainless steel), and the housing 11a of the cylindrical having a connection port 11a ₁ to be connected to the supply pipe 72 of the liquid supply device S _4, the fixed-side to the housing 11a A ring-shaped holder 11b for fixing the seal ring 13, and a plurality of coil springs 11c for pressing the opposed seal surface 13a of the fixed-side seal ring 13 against the opposed seal surface 14a of the rotating-side seal ring 14 via the holder 11b; Is provided. In the case of Embodiment 1, 6 to 12 coil springs 11c are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

The housing 11a includes an upper connection portion 11a ₁ for forming a connection port 11a ₁₁ and the flange portion 11a _12, an upper cylinder portion 11a ₂ having a top end that is connected by a flange portion 11a ₁₂ and the bolt, the upper tubular portion 11a ₂ It made and a lower tube portion 11a ₃ having a top end that is connected by bolts.

The fixed member 11 includes a bellows member 11d in the axial direction elastically deformable cylindrical provided between the seal ring 13 of the flange portion 11a ₁₂ and the fixed side of the upper connecting portion 11a ₁ of the housing 11a, A packing 11e similar to the packing 12d provided between the bellows member 11d and the fixed seal ring 13 is provided. Therefore, a shallow concave circumferential groove 11d ₁ for fitting the convex strip portion 11e1 of the packing 11e is formed on the lower end surface of the bellows member 11d.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the fixed-side holder 11 b includes a ring-shaped first member 11 b ₁ and a plurality of arc-shaped second members 11 b ₂ . In the case of the first embodiment, the second member is formed in an arc shape in which the ring is equally divided into two.

The first member 11b ₁ includes a ring portion 11b ₁₁ having a circular hole with a size to fit the thick outer peripheral surface of the seal ring 13 on the fixed side with almost no gap, and an inner flange portion 11b provided at the lower end of the ring portion 11b _{11. 12} and. Further, on the upper surface of the ring portion 11b ₁₁ , as with the holder 12b on the rotation side, recesses having two bolt insertion holes are formed at a plurality of locations (in this case, 6 locations) at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, A plurality (three in this case) of semi-cylindrical cutouts corresponding to the cutouts of the fixed-side seal ring 13 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the ring portion 11b ₁₁ .

Further, in the ring portion 11b ₁₁ , a notch for fitting the second member 11b ₂ is formed at the opening edge of the upper end, and the first member 11b ₁ and the second member 11b ₂ are connected to the notch by a bolt. A screw hole is formed in the outer periphery of the screw hole, and an insertion hole through which the shaft 11c ₁ supporting the coil spring 11c is inserted. Furthermore, a wire insertion hole penetrating in the radial direction is formed at a position corresponding to one notch in the ring portion 11b _{11 as} in the case of the holder 11b on the rotation side (see FIG. 5).

<Sliding abnormality detection mechanism>
As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6A and 6B, the sliding abnormality detection mechanism 15 is provided at a position corresponding to the wire insertion hole 12b ₁₂₁ of the holder 12b on the rotation side. And a mechanical configuration provided at a position corresponding to the wire insertion hole of the holder 11b on the fixed side, and a leaf spring detection unit 15d as an electromagnetic configuration provided on the housing 11a of the fixed body 11.

  More specifically, the mechanical configuration of the sliding abnormality detection mechanism 15 provided on the rotating body 12 includes a resin-made limiter pin 15a, and a stainless steel wire 15b having one end embedded in the limiter pin 15a. And a stainless steel leaf spring 15c attached to the outer peripheral surface of the holder 12b with a screw and connected to the other end of the wire 15b.

The limiter pin 15a is made of, for example, a resin such as a fluorine resin, a polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) resin, a polyether ether ketone (PEEK) resin, and is formed by fitting the rotation-side seal ring 14 into the holder 12b. cylindrical cutouts 14c, are formed in a size that can be almost without a gap inserted into the small hole by 12b _12.

In the first embodiment, the limiter pin 15a is cut-out 14c of the seal ring 14 and the holder 12b, but is inserted into the three small holes formed by 12b _12, among the three limiter pin 15a, the wire insertion only the limiter pin 15a at a position corresponding to the hole 12b ₁₂₁ illustrates the case where the wire 15b and the plate spring 15c is mounted. In this case, the limiter pin 15a at a position corresponding to the wire insertion hole 12b ₁₂₁ is formed with a through hole through which the wire 15b passes in the radial direction. In addition, the wire insertion hole 12b ₁₂₁ may be formed in the two or three notches 12b ₁₂ in the holder 12b, and a mechanical configuration may be provided at two or three places.

One end of the wire 15b penetrates the limiter pin 15a and a dumpling-shaped stopper is formed. In the first embodiment, the metal foil 15a ₁ is provided in a state of being attached to the limiter pin 15a between the limiter pin 15a and the wire 15b.

Also, the other end of the wire 15b are formed dumpling-shaped retaining, through a wire 15b the notch formed in the distal end 15c ₁ of the leaf spring 15c, hook the stopper wire 15b to the outer surface of the leaf spring 15c ing. As a result, the leaf spring 15c is held in a state of being pulled toward the rotational axis. In the case of the first embodiment, a semicircular arc-shaped bent portion 15c ₂ is formed in the longitudinal middle portion of the leaf spring 15c so that the spring performance does not deteriorate even if the leaf spring 15c is held for a long time in this state. .

When assembling the mechanical configuration of the sliding abnormality detecting mechanism 15 provided on the rotating body 12, the leaf spring 15c is attached to the holder 12b, and the other end of the wire 15b having a retaining member at one end is attached to the metal foil 15a1 and the limiter pin 15a. To penetrate. Then, the hooked on through the wire through hole 12b ₁₂₁ is projected outward leaf spring 15c of the other end of the holder 12b of the wire 15b in this state, fitted into the limiter pin 15a in the notch 12b _12. At this time, the other two limiters pins 15a also fitted into the other two notches 12b _12.

Thereafter, the seal ring 14 is fitted into the holder 12b so that the notch 14c is aligned with the notch 12b ₁₂ , for example, via a rubber ring-shaped cushion material, and the step of the seal ring 14 via the cushion material is performed. The portion 14b is pressed against the inner flange portion 12b2 of the holder 12b. Then, the seal ring 14 in this state is placed in the recess 12a ₁ at the upper end of the rotary shaft 12a via the packing 12d, and the holder 12b is fixed to the upper end surface of the rotary shaft 12a with a bolt.

On the other hand, the mechanical configuration of the sliding abnormality detection mechanism 15 provided in the fixed body 11 is the same as the mechanical configuration of the sliding abnormality detection mechanism 15 provided in the rotating body 12.
The procedure for assembling the mechanical configuration of the sliding abnormality detection mechanism 15 provided on the fixed body 11 is the same as the procedure for assembling the mechanical configuration of the sliding abnormality detection mechanism 15 provided on the fixed body 11. At this time, the second member 11b ₂ of the holder 11b is detached from the first member 11b ₁ .

After assembling the mechanical configuration of the sliding abnormality detection mechanism 15 to the fixed seal ring 13 and the first member 11b ₁ of the holder 11b, a plurality of (for example, two) second members 11b ₂ of the holder 11b are attached. fitted into the constricted portion 11d ₂ of the lower end of the bellows member 11d. In addition, male screw portions provided at the upper ends of a plurality of (for example, four) shafts 11c ₁ are screwed into screw holes provided in the upper connection portion 11a ₁ of the housing 11a, and are attached to the respective shafts 11c ₁ . The coil spring 11c is fitted (see FIG. 3).

Thereafter, each shaft 11c1 is passed through each insertion hole of the _first member 11b1 of the holder 11b, and a screw for retaining is screwed into a screw hole provided at the lower end of each shaft 11c1. Then, the first member 11b ₁ of the holder 11b is connected to the second member 11b ₂ with a bolt while the packing 11e is placed on the back surface of the seal ring 13. As a result, each coil spring 11c causes the opposing seal surface 13a of the fixed-side seal ring 13 through the holder 11b, the bellows member 11d, and the packing 11e to exert a predetermined pressing force on the opposing seal surface 14a of the rotary-side seal ring 14. Pressed evenly.

As the leaf spring detection unit 15d of the sliding abnormality detection mechanism 15, a proximity sensor that detects a change in the magnetic field in the vicinity of the magnetic body due to magnetic induction when the stainless steel leaf spring 15c approaches is used. This proximity sensor is an inductive proximity sensor that has a shorter detection distance for non-magnetic metals such as brass and a longer detection distance for magnetic metals such as iron. Therefore, even if the stainless steel leaf spring is a non-magnetic material such as austenite or a magnetic material such as ferrite, it can be detected with high accuracy by the inductive proximity sensor. In the case of the first embodiment, the proximity sensor as the spring detection unit 15d has a columnar shape having a male screw portion on the outer peripheral surface, one end of which is a detection surface 15d ₁ covered with a resin cover sheet, A plurality of lead wires 15d ₂ extend from the end.

The spring detection portion 15d is a screw hole formed at the height of the outer peripheral portion of the housing 11a of the fixed body 11, specifically, the opposed seal surfaces 13a and 14a of the pair of seal rings 13 and 14 overlapped with each other. It is screwed on. At this time, the detection surface 15d ₁ of the spring detection unit 15d is arranged so as not to protrude from the inner peripheral surface of the housing 11a.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the spring detection unit 15 d attached to the housing 11 a, each lead wire 15 d ₂ is electrically connected to the terminal of the control unit 20. Further, the portion of the spring detection portion 15d that protrudes from the housing 11a to the outside is covered liquid-tightly with cylindrical case members 15da and 15db.

As shown in FIG. 1, when filling the plastic bottle P with the soft drink by the liquid filling device S ₁ , the soft drink is supplied into the rotary joint 10 and the rotary shaft 12a rotates. At this time, the fixed body 11 and the rotating body 12 are sealed so as not to leak outside by a mechanical seal Ms having a pair of seal rings 13 and 14.

  Since the rotation-side seal ring 14 rotates 10-15 times per minute with respect to the fixed-side seal ring 13, the opposing seal surfaces 13a, 14a of the seal rings 13, 14 are relatively slid during the filling operation. It keeps moving. For this reason, the pair of seal rings 13 and 14 are gradually consumed, and thus must be replaced periodically.

  Also, after the rotary joint 10 is disassembled and cleaned or the pair of seal rings 13 and 14 are replaced, the rotary joint 10 is assembled. If the shafts of the fixed body 11 and the rotating body 12 are slightly displaced, each seal ring 13, This leads to 14 defects.

  When at least one of the seal rings 13 and 14 is lost during the filling operation, the lost part enters between the opposing seal surfaces 13a and 14a, damages the opposing seal surfaces 13a and 14a, or induces larger defects. Seal performance is significantly reduced. In addition, if the defective portion is mixed in the soft drink, a large amount of products mixed with foreign matters are produced and shipped to the market, which leads to a situation where they must be collected at a later date. Therefore, the following measures are taken in the rotary joint 10 of the present invention.

  That is, when a foreign substance enters between the opposed seal surfaces 13a and 14a, the frictional resistance generated between the opposed seal surfaces 13a and 14a is remarkably increased as compared with a normal case. As a result, a force that prevents rotation (fixing force) for the rotation-side seal ring 14, a force that prevents fixation (rotation force) for the fixing-side seal ring 13, or both of these forces are generated.

  On the other hand, each limiter pin 15a in the stationary-side and rotating-side sliding abnormality detecting mechanism 15 prevents the seal ring 13 from rotating with respect to the solid-side holder 11b and also against the rotating-side holder 12b. The seal ring 14 is prevented from rotating so as not to rotate.

  However, for example, when the force that prevents rotation of the rotation-side seal ring 14 exceeds the force that prevents the rotation of the seal ring 14 against the rotation-side holder 12b, the rotation-side seal ring 14 Each limiter pin 15a is sheared in half and rotated with respect to the holder 12b. This state indicates that the relative sliding state between the fixed-side seal ring 13 and the rotating-side seal ring 14 is abnormal. This will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 showing a state when the mechanical seal slides abnormally. Further, FIG. 8A is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 6A showing a state when the mechanical seal slides abnormally, and FIG. 8B is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 6B.
As shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 8 (A) and FIG. 8 (B), when the rotation side seal ring 14 shears each limiter pin 15a and rotates with respect to the holder 12b, that is, when a sliding abnormal state occurs, The wire 15b of the sliding abnormality detection mechanism 15 is also sheared.

Then, the leaf spring 15c which has been pressed by the wire 15b is released, the distal end 15c ₁ of the leaf spring 15c is protruded toward the outer peripheral direction. Since the leaf spring 15c is mounted to the holder 12b to rotate, the tip 15c ₁ of the leaf spring 15c passes near the sensing surface 15d ₁ of the plate spring detecting unit 15d in the rotational direction. Accordingly, the leaf spring 15c is detected by the leaf spring detection unit 15d, and a detection signal is transmitted from the leaf spring detection unit 15d to the control unit 20.

At this time, even if the plate spring 15c made of stainless steel is a non-magnetic material, it is detected by releasing the plate spring 15c and shortening the distance from the proximity sensor which is the plate spring detection unit 15d. On the other hand, the leaf spring 15c before being released is not detected because the distance to the proximity sensor is long, and the stainless steel holder 12b is not detected, so that erroneous detection by the proximity sensor does not occur. The tip 15c ₁ of the leaf spring 15c which is curved slightly inwardly in order to smoothly slide on the inner circumferential surface of the housing 11a, the tip 15c ₁ of the leaf spring 15c is in contact with the sensing surface 15d ₁ of the spring detecting unit 15d There is no damage, and no metal powder is generated by friction between the inner peripheral surface of the housing 11a and the leaf spring 15c.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the control unit 20 that has received the detection signal lights up the alarm lamp 20a, sounds a buzzer, and informs the operator that a sliding abnormality has occurred. Control is performed so as to stop the motor 51 of the liquid filling device S ₁ , the motor 61 of the container transport device S ₂ , the pump 73 of the liquid supply device S ₄ , and the like, which are S drive systems. As a result, the filling operation can be stopped within one rotation of the rotary shaft 12a, and a product mixed with foreign matter can be reliably kept in the factory.

  Further, according to the rotary joint 10 of the present invention, immediately after the sliding abnormality detection mechanism 15 detects the moving sliding, the rotary joint 10 is disassembled to determine the state of the seal rings 13 and 14 and the cause of the sliding abnormality. Since it is possible to check at an early stage, it is possible to take early measures to prevent abnormal sliding.

  The disassembled rotary joint 10 is reassembled after replacing the seal rings 13 and 14 as necessary and incorporating the mechanical configuration of the sliding abnormality detection mechanism 15 as described above. Further, the rotary joint 10 is washed with a cleaning liquid into the space between the structural wall extending from the bellows member 11d to the rotary shaft 12a and the housing 11a, as necessary, in addition to the internal flow path to which the soft drink is supplied. . The sliding abnormality detection mechanism 15 is suitable for the rotary joint 10 that requires such cleaning because it does not perform erroneous detection due to moisture.

  In the first embodiment, the case where the loss of the seal ring 14 on the rotation side is detected by the sliding abnormality detection mechanism 15 is exemplified, but the leaf spring detection unit 15d can detect both the leaf springs 15c on the rotation side and the stationary side. Therefore, it is possible to output a detection signal when any one of the fixed and rotating seal rings 13 and 14 is lost and a sliding abnormality occurs.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 9 is an enlarged front sectional view of a main part of a mechanical seal in the rotary joint of the second embodiment. In FIG. 9, the same elements as those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
The rotary joint 110 according to the second embodiment includes a mechanical seal that allows the fixed body 11 and the rotating body 112 arranged on the same axis to be slidable in the rotational direction via the single seal ring 13. A sliding abnormality detection mechanism 15 that detects a relative sliding state abnormality between the fixed body 11 and the rotating body 112 via the ring 13 and outputs a detection signal is provided.

  More specifically, in the case of the second embodiment, the mechanical seal Ms has a single seal ring 13 attached to the fixed body 11 so as to be in sliding contact with the end surface (upper end) of the pipe-shaped rotary shaft 112a that is the rotating body 112. It is supported via 11b. That is, in the mechanical seal of the second embodiment, the mechanical configuration on the rotation side of the sliding abnormality detection mechanism 15 in the first embodiment is omitted.

In this case, the upper end of the rotary shaft 112a is a smooth opposing sealing surfaces 112a _1, slides in fluid-tight and the opposed sealing surface 13a of the fixed side of the seal ring 13. Therefore, the seal facing surface 112a ₁ of the stainless steel rotary shaft 112a is smoothed to the same degree as the surface roughness of the facing seal surface 13a of the fixed-side seal ring 13.

  According to the rotary joint 110 of the second embodiment, a mechanical seal having a simple structure can be configured with only one seal ring 13.

(Embodiment 3)
In the second embodiment, the mechanical seal provided with the seal ring 13 only on the fixed side is illustrated, but the seal ring may be provided only on the rotary shaft. That is, in the mechanical seal of the third embodiment, the mechanical configuration on the fixed side of the sliding abnormality detection mechanism 15 in the first embodiment is omitted. In this case, will be described with reference to FIG. 4, it is an inner flange portion 11b ₁₂ and a plurality of notches omitted in the first member 11b1 of the fixed side of the holder 11b.

Moreover, the bellows member 11d, along with a shallow concave peripheral groove 11d ₁ of the lower end is smoothed is omitted, is formed in a shape extending downward to a position where it contacts the facing sealing surface 14a of the rotating seal ring 14 The In addition, the lower end surface which becomes a seal | sticker opposing surface of the bellows member 11d made from stainless steel is smooth | blunted to the same extent as the surface roughness of the opposing sealing surface 14a of the seal ring 14 of a rotation side.

(Embodiment 4)
In the first to third embodiments, the sliding abnormality detection mechanism configured to electromagnetically detect the abnormality of the relative sliding state between the fixed body and the rotating body by shearing the limiter pin is exemplified. Instead of the proximity sensor used in the dynamic abnormality detection mechanism, an ultrasonic sensor that measures changes in the distance of the leaf spring with ultrasonic waves may be used. In this case, the present invention can also be applied to a rotary joint that requires cleaning.

(Embodiment 5)
When it is not necessary to clean the inside of the rotary joint, the sliding abnormality detection mechanism may be configured as follows. In this case, instead of the inductive proximity sensor used in the first to third embodiments, a capacitive proximity switch that detects a change in the distance of the leaf spring as a change in capacitance can be used.

(Embodiment 6)
When there is no need to clean the inside of the rotary joint, a sliding abnormality detection mechanism that detects mechanically may be used. In this case, instead of the proximity sensor used in the first to third embodiments, a micro switch that detects the leaf spring by contacting the leaf spring that rotates in a released state can be used.

(Embodiment 7)
When it is not necessary to clean the inside of the rotary joint, a sliding abnormality detection mechanism that detects optically may be used. In this case, instead of the proximity sensor used in the first to third embodiments, a photoelectric sensor that irradiates light toward an object and detects a change in the amount of received light when the reflected light is received can be used.

  According to this configuration, the received light amount of the reflected light received when the photoelectric sensor is in a state before the leaf spring is released, and the received light amount of the reflected light received when the leaf spring rotating in the released state is reflected. Changes can be detected. Therefore, the amount of reflected light received by the photoelectric sensor is greater in the amount of reflected light from the leaf spring after being released close to the photoelectric sensor than in the amount of reflected light before the leaf spring is released. The state in which the leaf spring is released can be detected as a sliding abnormality.

(Embodiment 8)
When using a photoelectric sensor as in the seventh embodiment, instead of the mechanical configuration (limiter pin, wire, and leaf spring) of the sliding abnormality detection mechanism, a marker is provided at the same position on the outer periphery of the opposing seal surface of the fixed body and the rotating body. (For example, a mirror or a black line) is provided so that light is emitted from the photoelectric sensor toward the marker, and reflected light reflected from the marker is received by the photoelectric sensor. In this case, it is possible to detect a change in the amount of reflected light received by the photoelectric sensor due to the relative displacement between the marker on the fixed body side and the marker on the rotating body side, thereby causing a sliding abnormality. It can be detected.

  The disclosed embodiments should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 110 Rotary joint 11 Fixed body 11b, 12b Holder 12 Rotating body 12a Rotary shaft 13, 14, Seal ring 13a, 14a 112a Opposing seal surface 15 Sliding abnormality detection mechanism 15a Limiter pin 15b Wire 15c Leaf spring 15d Leaf spring detection part 20 control unit Ms mechanical seal S ₃ mechanical seal monitoring device

Thus, according to the present invention, the fixed body and the rotating body that are coaxially arranged, and the mechanical body that can slide the fixed body and the rotating body in the rotation direction about the axis via at least one seal ring. A seal and a sliding abnormality detection mechanism for detecting a relative sliding state abnormality between the fixed body and the rotating body via the seal ring and outputting a detection signal ;
The sliding abnormality detection mechanism includes a limiter pin mounted between the seal ring and the holder, a wire having one end embedded in the limiter pin, and attached to the holder and connected to the other end of the wire. A plate spring and a plate spring detection unit, the plate spring released by the wire being sheared together with the limiter pin is detected by the plate spring detection unit, thereby the fixed body and the rotation A rotary joint is provided that is configured to detect an abnormality in a sliding condition relative to the body .

As a result, for example, in production lines such as the food and beverage manufacturing industry and the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry where the filling device equipped with the rotary joint of the present invention is introduced, the line stops immediately when the seal ring is lost, so foreign matter is mixed in. Defective products can be kept in the factory. As a result, consumers do not suffer from various disadvantages such as purchasing and eating defective products mixed with foreign substances, and in some cases harming their health.Manufacturers generate large amounts of defective products on the market. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a reduction in labor, cost and reliability.
Further, according to the present invention, in the sliding abnormality detection mechanism, the detection mechanism for determining whether or not the appropriate frictional resistance force is exceeded by various methods such as electromagnetic, mechanical, optical, etc. can be realized with a simple structure. It can be manufactured at cost. In this case, the material, thickness, etc. of the limiter pin are considered so that the limiter pin shears when an appropriate frictional resistance applied to the fixed body and the rotating body is exceeded.
Further, according to the present invention, in the sliding abnormality detection mechanism, a mechanism for transmitting the sliding state abnormality in the mechanical seal to the outside can be manufactured with a mechanically simple structure at low cost. Furthermore, rotary joints used in food and beverage manufacturing and pharmaceutical manufacturing require periodic cleaning, and cleaning may leave cleaning water or condensation in the space between the mechanical seal of the rotary joint and the housing that covers it. However, the optical sensor is easy to detect erroneously, but with this configuration, there is no erroneous detection due to moisture, and highly accurate detection can be realized. In this case, the material, thickness, etc. of the wire are considered so that the wire is sheared together with the limiter pin when an appropriate frictional resistance applied to the fixed body and the rotating body is exceeded.

( 3 ) The limiter pin may be made of resin.
In this way, the limiter pin can be easily adjusted according to the type of resin, the thickness of the pin, etc. so that the limiter pin is sheared with a predetermined shearing force, and a limiter pin with a certain quality approved by the Food Sanitation Law can be obtained at low cost. Can be produced. The material of the limiter pin is not limited to resin, but metal, ceramics, wood, etc. can also be used. However, when a rotary joint is used in a production line for food and beverage production or pharmaceutical production, the reason described above is used. Therefore, a resin that is not a brittle material is preferable.

( 4 ) The leaf spring detection unit may be a proximity sensor.
In this way, the position of the released leaf spring can be reliably detected by the electromagnetic proximity sensor without erroneous detection due to moisture.

(Embodiment 8 : Reference example )
When using a photoelectric sensor as in the seventh embodiment, instead of the mechanical configuration (limiter pin, wire, and leaf spring) of the sliding abnormality detection mechanism, a marker is provided at the same position on the outer periphery of the opposing seal surface of the fixed body and the rotating body. (For example, a mirror or a black line) is provided so that light is emitted from the photoelectric sensor toward the marker, and reflected light reflected from the marker is received by the photoelectric sensor. In this case, it is possible to detect a change in the amount of reflected light received by the photoelectric sensor due to the relative displacement between the marker on the fixed body side and the marker on the rotating body side, thereby causing a sliding abnormality. It can be detected.

Claims (8)

  A fixed body and a rotating body arranged coaxially, a mechanical seal that allows the fixed body and the rotating body to slide in a rotational direction about an axis via at least one seal ring, and fixing via a seal ring A rotary joint comprising a sliding abnormality detection mechanism that detects a relative sliding state abnormality between a body and a rotating body and outputs a detection signal.   The said mechanical seal is supported by the pipe which is the said fixed body through the holder so that one said seal ring may be slidably contacted with the end surface of the pipe-shaped rotary shaft which is the said rotary body. Rotary joint.   The mechanical seal includes a fixed-side seal ring supported by a pipe that is the fixed body via a holder, and a rotary-side seal ring that is supported by a pipe-shaped rotary shaft that is the rotating body via a holder. The rotary joint according to claim 1, wherein the pair of seal rings are configured to slide relative to each other in the rotational direction.   The sliding abnormality detection mechanism includes a limiter pin mounted between the seal ring and the holder, and detects an abnormality in a relative sliding state between the fixed body and the rotating body by shearing the limiter pin. The rotary joint according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rotary joint is configured to.   The sliding abnormality detection mechanism includes a wire having one end embedded in the limiter pin, a leaf spring attached to the holder and connected to the other end of the wire, and a leaf spring detection unit. The rotary joint according to claim 4, wherein the leaf spring released when the wire is sheared together with the pin is detected by the leaf spring detection unit.   The rotary joint according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the limiter pin is made of a resin.   The rotary joint according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the leaf spring detection unit is a proximity sensor.   The rotary joint according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and a control unit that receives a detection signal from the sliding abnormality detection mechanism of the rotary joint, and the control unit that receives the detection signal A mechanical seal monitoring device that controls to stop the rotation of the rotary body of the rotary joint.

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