JPS624730B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a program control device that changes set values over time, such as when drying leaf tobacco.

Generally, when drying leaf tobacco, the temperature is gradually raised from one set temperature to the next set temperature after a predetermined period of time, as shown in FIG. In addition to reducing the moisture content of the leaf tobacco, the rate of temperature rise requires the use of enzymes in the leaf tobacco to convert it into effective ingredients, especially in the early stages, so rapid temperature changes are the least desirable. Normally, this temperature change is done at a rate of about 1 to 2 degrees Celsius per hour, and when a predetermined temperature is reached, the temperature increase operation is stopped and the temperature is maintained for a predetermined period of time, after which the temperature is increased sequentially to the next set temperature. It is heated to obtain desired temperature characteristics.

To obtain such temperature characteristics, conventional leaf tobacco drying equipment uses a small synchronous motor in the temperature setting variable resistor of the temperature controller so that the temperature setting changes at a heating rate of about 1 to 2 degrees Celsius per hour. When the temperature rises, the variable resistor also rotates in proportion to the rotation of this motor, and the set value changes accordingly. In addition, when the desired temperature (T ₁ in Figure 1) is reached, the synchronous motor is turned off, and from then on it operates as a normal temperature controller to maintain that temperature (T 1 in Figure 1). ₂ to _t3 ). Then, when the time to start the next temperature increase (t ₃ in FIG. 1) comes, the next temperature (T ₂ in FIG. 1) is manually reset. Once the settings have been made, the synchronous motor is powered on again for a predetermined period of time (as shown in Figure 1).
t ₃ to t ₆ ) The temperature will be increased. In this way, the usual method is to manually start the temperature increase each time. Therefore, with this method, it is necessary to manually change the set temperature each time the temperature is raised, which is cumbersome to handle, especially when drying is carried out over a long period of 4 to 5 days, such as when drying leaf tobacco. This was inconvenient because the setting time was sometimes in the middle of the night.

In addition, some proposals have been made in which such program control is made fully automatic using high-grade program setting devices such as those used for industrial purposes, but these are expensive and are not widely used.

The present invention has been made in view of these points, and is an inexpensive and labor-saving device that can perform program control according to predetermined characteristics of environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, or flow rate with a simple structure. The present invention provides a program control device that can perform the following functions.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, taking as an example a case where temperature characteristics are program-controlled as an environmental condition.

FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing the structure of the program control device according to the present invention. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a dial that rotates once every 24 hours, for example, for setting the time, and is connected to a motor 2 via a reduction gear mechanism (not shown). The outer circumferential portion 1a of the dial 1 is provided with a plurality of notches over the entire circumference, and the inner circumferential portion 1b is provided with a predetermined range, for example, over the entire circumference.
24-hour time indicators are evenly distributed. Outer periphery 1a
A plurality of setters 3 are inserted into each of the notches at positions corresponding to the set time. 4
is an index representing the current time and is fixed. The motor 2 is connected to power terminals 5 and 6 and is constantly driven to rotate the dial 1.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a dial that rotates once every 50 hours, for example, for setting the temperature to be controlled in accordance with the temporal transition, and is connected to the motor 8 by a shaft 8a (FIG. 3). The outer circumferential portion 7a of the dial 7 is provided with a plurality of notches along the entire circumference, similar to the dial 1, and the inner circumferential portion 7b is provided with temperature indicators within a predetermined range, for example, from 0° C. to 100° C. Outer periphery 7a
The temperature to be set for each depth of cut (T ₁ in Fig. 1,
A plurality of setters 9 are inserted at positions corresponding to T ₂ , T ₃ ). 10 is an index representing the current set temperature, which is fixed. One end of the motor 8 is connected to the power terminal 5 via a switch 11, and the other end is directly connected to the power terminal 6. The opening and closing of the switch 11 is controlled by a cam mechanism 12, and the opening and closing state of the switch 11 is displayed on a display panel 13.

This switch 11, cam mechanism 12, dial 1
The engagement relationship between and 7 will be explained in FIG. 3, with the same reference numerals assigned to parts corresponding to those in FIG. 2.

The cam mechanism 12 includes a first engaging portion 12a that engages with the setter 3 inserted into the dial 1, and a dial 7.
The second engaging portion 1 engages with the setter 9 inserted into the
2b, a third engaging portion 12c that engages with one contact piece 11a of the switch 11, and a fourth engaging portion 12d that engages with the other contact piece 11b of the switch 11.
A pivot shaft 12e connects these engaging portions. Each engaging portion has a plurality of engaging plates that protrude concentrically in the circumferential direction at a predetermined angle, for example, 90 degrees from each other, and includes a first engaging portion 12a and a second engaging portion. 12b, and the third engaging portion 12c and the fourth engaging portion 12b.
The engaging portions 12d are connected such that the mutual engaging plates are oriented at a predetermined angle, for example, 45 degrees. The pivot 12e has an intermediate portion (not shown) loosely engaged with a hole in a fixed plate, and a lower end thereof is pivotally supported so as to rotate, for example, in a counterclockwise direction.

Setter 3, first engaging portion 12a, and setter 9
The second engaging portion 12b enters the engaged state when the setters 3 and 9 come into contact with the engaging portions 12a and 12b, respectively, by rotation of the dials 1 and 7, respectively. The cam mechanism 12 is the pivot 1
When the setters 3 and 9 are separated from the engaging portions 12a and 12b, respectively, the engaged state is released and the rotation of the cam mechanism 12 is stopped.

On the other hand, the contact piece 11a of the switch 11 and the third engaging part 12c, and the contact piece 11b of the switch 11 and the fourth engaging part 12c.
The engagement portion 12d of is always in an engaged state,
When the cam mechanism 12 rotates 45 degrees, the contacts 11a and 11b move back and forth by the action of the engagement plates of the engagement portions 12c and 12d, and come into contact with each other or separate from each other. And here setter 3 and 1st
When the engaging portion 12a is engaged, the third and fourth engaging portions 12c and 12d act to close the contact 11a.
and 11b are brought into contact, and the setter 9 and the second
When the engaging portion 12b is engaged, the contacts 11a and 11b are set to be in a non-contact state by the action of the third and fourth engaging portions 12c and 12d. In other words, the switch 11 is closed at the set time corresponding to the setter 3 attached to the time setting dial 1, and opened at the set temperature corresponding to the setter 9 attached to the temperature setting dial 7. .
Therefore, the operation of the motor 8, which is connected to the power supply terminals 5 and 6 via the switch 11, is controlled by opening and closing the switch 11. 2
Reference numeral 2 denotes a temperature setting variable resistor used in the temperature setting device explained next in FIG.
It is frictionally coupled to and its resistance value is adjusted.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a circuit of, for example, a temperature controller to which the program control device according to the present invention is applied. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 20 is a bridge circuit, which connects a heat-sensitive element such as a thermistor 21 arranged in a controlled device to a motor 8 via a friction couple mechanism (not shown) as shown in FIG. It consists of a variable resistor 22 and resistors 23 and 24 connected together. The output side of the bridge circuit 20 is connected to an amplifier 25 provided to increase sensitivity to temperature changes, and the output side of the amplifier 25 is connected to the base of a transistor 27. The collector of the transistor 27 is connected to a DC power supply 29 via a relay 28 (not shown) provided as a power supply switch for the heater.
The emitter is grounded.

Next, the operation of the program control device according to the present invention will be explained.

Now, the time setting for the temperature increase start on the dial 1 by the plurality of setting elements 3 is set, for example, to _{t1 , t3} , and _t5 among the times t1 to _t6 as shown in FIG. It is assumed that the temperature settings for stopping the temperature rise on the diamond 7 by the setter 9 are set to temperatures T ₁ , T ₂ and T ₃ as shown in FIG. 1, for example.

At time _t1 after the start of operation, the setter 3 of the dial 1 engages with the cam mechanism 12 to close the switch 11, and the motor 8 is driven. The movable element of the variable resistor 22 is rotated by the motor 8, its resistance value changes, and the set temperature begins to rise. Then, the temperature setting device gradually raises the temperature inside the controlled device to the set temperature _T1 at a heating rate of 1 to 2° C. per hour while repeating the operation of turning the heater on and off.

When the resistance value of the variable resistor 22, whose resistance value is varied by the motor 8, reaches a value corresponding to the set temperature _T1 , the setter 9 of the dial 7, which is set at the set temperature _T1 , moves to the cam mechanism 12. The switch 11 is engaged with the switch 11, and the drive of the motor 8 is stopped. By stopping the driving of the motor 8, the rotation of the movable element of the variable resistor 22 is also stopped, and the resistance value of the variable resistor 22 has become a value corresponding to the set temperature _T1 . Therefore, the on/off operation of the heater by the temperature regulator as described above is repeatedly performed at this set temperature _T1 , and the temperature inside the controlled device is maintained at the set temperature _T1 for a period of time _t2 to _t3 . .

Next, at the final point of the set temperature _T1 , that is, at time _t3 , the next setter ₃ of the dial 1, which has been set in advance as described above, engages with the cam mechanism 12 to close the switch 11. Then, the motor 8 is driven again. The movable element of the variable resistor 22 begins to rotate again by this motor 8, repeating the same operation as described above, and when the set temperature reaches _T2 , the next setter 9 of the dial 7 set in advance is connected to the cam mechanism 12. When engaged, the switch 11 is opened and the drive of the motor 8 is stopped. By stopping the driving of the motor 8, the resistance value of the variable resistor 22 is set to a value corresponding to the set temperature _T2 , and the temperature inside the controlled device reaches the set temperature _T2 at a time _t4.
held for ~ _t5 .

At the final point in time of the set temperature _T2 , that is, at time _t5 , the motor 8 is driven in the same manner as described above by the final setter ₃ of the dial 1, which has been set in advance as described above at time t5, and the heater is turned on and off. The temperature rises while repeating the off operation. and variable resistor 2
When the resistance value of 2 reaches a value corresponding to the set temperature _T3 , the motor 8 is stopped by the final setter 9 of the dial 7, which is preset to the set temperature _T3 , and the temperature inside the controlled device is adjusted. is kept constant at the set temperature _T3 by the temperature controller for a predetermined period of time after time _t6 .

In this way, a series of program controls in line with predetermined temperature characteristics is completed.

As described above, according to the program control device according to the present invention, the time transition points of the various characteristics of the environmental state to be controlled are defined by the rotation means for time setting, and the levels of the various characteristics of the environmental state are set for the environmental state setting. Since the rotary means is configured to perform program control according to the specified rotation means, program control can be automatically performed in accordance with the predetermined characteristics to be controlled, and labor can be saved.

In addition, the component parts used in the program control device according to the present invention are inexpensive because commercially available components can be used without preparing special components.

Further, the program control device according to the present invention can set the speed of the motor for setting the environmental condition, that is, the motor 8, to an arbitrary value, so that the temperature can be raised extremely slowly by, for example, increasing the temperature by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius per hour in the process of drying leaf tobacco. The mechanism can be smoothly achieved even when changing the environmental condition by tilting.

Although the above-mentioned embodiments have been described using temperature as the environmental condition, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this and can be similarly applied to other environmental conditions such as humidity and flow rate.

In addition, the operating time of the time setting dial section used as a timer is not limited to 24 hours and may be any time. For example, drying leaf tobacco usually takes 4 to 5 days, but even if a 24-hour timer is used. Continuous program control can be performed by removing the setter whose operation has finished and setting it again at the expected position. Furthermore, if the 24-hour timer is changed to, for example, a one-week timer, it is possible to control all programs over a long period of time.

A cam mechanism 1 also engages with dials 1 and 7.
2 is not limited to the above-mentioned structure, but any other structure may be used as long as it can engage with the dials 1 and 7 to open and close the switch 11.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a characteristic diagram showing temperature characteristics when drying leaf tobacco, Fig. 2 is a plan view showing an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing main parts of the present invention, Fig. 4 1 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a temperature regulator to which the present invention is applied. 1 is a time setting dial, 2 is a motor, 3 is a setter, 7 is a temperature setting dial, 8 is a motor, 9
1 is a setter, 11 is a switch, and 12 is a cam mechanism.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A first dial for time setting, a plurality of first setters that are removably provided on the outer circumference of the first dial and that set the time for starting temperature rise, and a first dial that is used to set the temperature at all times. A first motor that rotates and drives, a second dial for temperature setting, and a plurality of second setters that are detachably provided on the outer periphery of the second dial and that set the temperature for stopping the temperature rise. , a second motor that selectively rotationally drives the second dial; a switch provided between the second motor and the power source; and a switch that selectively engages with the first and second setting elements. and a cam mechanism that opens and closes the switch, and when the cam mechanism engages with the first setter, the switch is closed and the second motor is rotationally driven, and the cam mechanism When the second setter is engaged, the switch is released and the second setter is engaged.
A program control device characterized in that the motor is configured to stop rotating.