JP2001347152A - Mixing/deaerating device and mixing/deaerating method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance efficiency of a mixing/deaerating work using a rotation and revolution type mixing/deaerating device. SOLUTION: A feed port of material is provided on a revolution track of a container charged with the material. In the case that the material is fed, into the container the container is positioned under the material feed port, and after that the material is fed into the container from the material feed port. After the material is fed, the revolution and the rotation of the container are started, then the material in the container is mixed/deaerated. Thus, since the material can be fed while the container is still attached, the efficiency of the mixing/deaeration work is enhanced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique for mixing and defoaming materials in a container by rotating and revolving the container.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In various manufacturing processes, it is sometimes necessary to uniformly mix and defoam plural types of fluids or powders. For example, when mixing a plurality of dyes or pigments to produce a paint of a desired color, or when mixing fats and oils having different properties such as viscosity to produce fats and oils with desired properties, mixing of air bubbles is required. The dyes and fats and oils must be evenly mixed while avoiding.

[0003] In the production (adjustment) of a catalyst, usually,
Such mixed defoaming is required. For example, the catalyst on the electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell is prepared as follows. First, a carbon powder supporting an active metal (such as platinum) is dispersed in a suitable organic solvent, and then an appropriate amount of an electrolyte solution is added to form a paste in which the carbon powder and the electrolyte solution are uniformly dispersed in the organic solvent. Produce a catalyst solution (slurry).
The catalyst layer is formed on the electrolyte membrane by screen-printing the slurry thus produced on the electrolyte membrane.

[0004] In order to obtain a catalyst having a predetermined performance, it is important to produce a slurry in which carbon powder and an electrolyte solution are uniformly dispersed in an organic solvent. In addition, when screen printing is performed using a slurry in which bubbles are mixed, holes are formed in the catalyst layer formed on the electrolyte membrane, so that predetermined catalyst performance cannot be obtained. For these reasons, when manufacturing a slurry, it is necessary to sufficiently uniformly mix and defoam carbon powder and an organic solvent or electrolyte solution.

[0005] Usually, when mixing and defoaming a plurality of liquids and powders, a so-called rotation / revolution type mixing and defoaming apparatus is used. Such a mixing and defoaming device performs mixing and defoaming as follows. First, put the material to be mixed and defoamed in a container,
The container is revolved while rotating. When the container revolves, the material is pressed against the inner wall of the container by the action of centrifugal force. The air bubbles are lighter than the material and are less susceptible to the effect of centrifugal force, and thus tend to be left behind in the movement of the material, so that the air bubbles mixed into the material are gradually separated.

[0006] In such a mixing and defoaming apparatus, the rotation axis of the container is provided to be inclined with respect to the revolution surface. For this reason, it is possible to mix materials efficiently. In other words, as the rotation axis is tilted, the inner wall of the container also tilts with respect to the orbital surface (the direction in which centrifugal force acts), so that the material pressed against the inner wall of the container by the action of centrifugal force moves along the wall. Flow. This flow causes a convection of the material in the container, and the effect of the convection and the effect of the rotation of the container are combined, so that the material can be mixed very efficiently.

[0007]

However, in the rotation / revolution type mixing / defoaming device, when supplying the material to the container, it is necessary to detach the container from the mixing / defoaming device once, and re-attach after the material is supplied. There is a problem that workability is not good. In particular, when a plurality of materials must be sequentially supplied while performing mixed defoaming, if the container is attached and detached every time the materials are supplied, the workability is greatly reduced. Further, there may be a case where the elapsed time from when the container is detached and the material is supplied, when the container is mounted again and the mixing and defoaming is started is varied, and the quality of each production becomes unstable.

[0008] Naturally, if the attachment and detachment and mounting of the container are performed by using an automatic machine, or if the supply of the material is performed by using an automatic machine, the workability can be improved and the production quality can be stabilized. . However, since the rotation axis of the container in which the material is placed is inclined, a complicated mechanism is required, which causes new problems such as an increase in the size of the apparatus and a decrease in reliability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and a work of mixing and defoaming work is performed by supplying a material to a rotation / revolution type mixing and defoaming apparatus using a simple method. It is an object of the present invention to provide a technology capable of improving stability and stabilizing manufacturing quality.

[0010]

Means for Solving the Problems and Their Functions and Effects In order to solve at least a part of the above-mentioned problems, the mixing and defoaming apparatus of the present invention employs the following constitution. That is, a mixing and defoaming device that supplies a material into a container and performs mixing and defoaming of the material, wherein a container orbiting means for orbiting the container around a predetermined orbital axis; and A container rotation means for rotating the container around a rotation axis inclined with respect to the container, a material supply port for supplying a material to the container on a track on which the container revolves, When supplying the material, the container at the position of the material supply port, positioning means for positioning using the container revolving means, after the supply of the material, start the revolution and rotation of the container, And a mixing and defoaming means for mixing and defoaming the materials in the container.

A mixed defoaming method according to the present invention corresponding to the above mixed defoaming apparatus is a mixed defoaming method in which a material is supplied into a container to mix and defoam the material. A predetermined revolving axis for revolving the container and a rotation axis inclined with respect to the revolving axis are provided, and a material supply port for supplying material to the container is arranged on a track on which the container revolves. When supplying the material to the container, the container is revolved to position the container at a position where the material supply port is located, and then the material is supplied.After the supply of the material is completed, the revolving shaft and The gist of the present invention is to mix and defoam the materials in the container by revolving and rotating the container around a rotation axis.

In the mixing and defoaming apparatus and the mixing and defoaming method, the material supply port is arranged on the orbit where the container revolves, and when the material is to be supplied to the container,
First, the container is positioned at a position where the material supply port is provided by using the revolving means of the container. After the positioning of the container, the material is supplied from the material supply port, and when the supply of the material is completed, the container starts rotating and revolving, and the supplied material is mixed and defoamed.

In this case, since the material can be supplied while the mixing and defoaming device is mounted on the container, the material can be supplied easily. As a result, the efficiency of the mixed defoaming operation can be improved, which is preferable.

Further, since the material is supplied while the container is mounted, the following effects are produced. That is, if the container is detached and further attached in order to supply the material, it takes time to detach and attach the container, and the time required for supplying the material may vary. For example, in the case of producing a slurry for a catalyst, if the time required for material supply varies, the production quality may vary. On the other hand, according to the present invention, since the material can be supplied while the container is mounted, the variation in the time required for supplying the material can be suppressed. As a result, for example, when manufacturing a slurry for a catalyst, the manufacturing quality can be stabilized, which is preferable.

Also, if the material to be mixed and defoamed is the same each time, the time for actually mixing and defoaming can be considered to be the same each time. The time from the start of mixing and defoaming to the final completion can be substantially the same. For this reason, for example, it is possible to accurately know the time required from the start of manufacturing the slurry for the catalyst to the completion of the slurry, and to accurately predict the time at which the manufactured slurry can be transported to the downstream process. become. As a result, there is an effect that the manufacturing process as a whole can be made more efficient. Furthermore, if the completion time of the slurry can be accurately known, the produced slurry can be prevented from being left for a long time, and from this point, the production quality of the catalyst slurry can be stabilized. It is preferred.

Of course, if the container is attached and detached and attached using an automatic machine, it is possible to suppress variations in the time required for material supply each time. However, according to the present invention, it is preferable because variation in time required for material supply can be suppressed without using a complicated automatic machine.

In such a mixing and defoaming apparatus, a plurality of material supply means may be provided, and a plurality of material supply ports may be provided on the orbit of the container. When supplying the material, the container is positioned at a position where the material supply port to be supplied is located, and the material is supplied.

In this case, a plurality of types of materials can be supplied and mixed and defoamed while the container is mounted. That is, it is preferable because a plurality of types of materials can be efficiently mixed and defoamed.

When a plurality of material supply means are provided, at least two material supply means are provided with respective material supply ports at positions capable of simultaneously supplying the materials to the containers positioned at the same position. You may do it.

Thus, for a plurality of material supply ports,
If the positioning position of the container is shared, a plurality of types of materials can be supplied at the same time, so that the supply time of the materials can be shortened, which is preferable. In addition, sharing the positioning position of the container is preferable because the positioning position of the container is reduced correspondingly, so that the positioning can be simplified.

In such a mixing and defoaming apparatus, the supply of the material may be started by detecting the completion of the positioning of the container. Before the material is supplied, the container is always positioned under the material supply port, so detecting the completion of positioning and starting the material supply facilitates the work,
This is preferable because the work efficiency can be improved.

Alternatively, the completion of the supply of the material may be detected, and the revolution and rotation of the container may be started. Since the material is always supplied before the rotation and rotation of the container are started, if the completion of the supply of the material is detected and the rotation and rotation of the container are started, the work can be facilitated and the work can be performed. This is preferable because the efficiency of the method can be improved.

In such a mixing and defoaming apparatus, a container upright means for turning the opening of the container upward may be provided, and the material may be supplied from above with the container upright.

When the container is erected and the material is supplied from above, the opening of the container is largely opened with respect to the material supply port. As a result, material supply is facilitated, which is preferable.

In such a mixing and defoaming apparatus, the revolving means of the container and the rotating means may be mechanically connected so that when the container is revolved, the container is simultaneously rotated.

In this case, simply rotating the container revolves at the same time. Alternatively, simply revolving the container causes the container to revolve at the same time. As described above, it is preferable that the rotation and rotation of the container can be performed simultaneously by performing only one of the rotation and the rotation, because one of the rotation means and the rotation means can be simplified. .

In such a mixing and defoaming apparatus, the container is positioned by disconnecting the mechanical connection between the revolving means of the container and the rotating means so that the container does not rotate when the container revolves. In this case, the container may be revolved in a state where the rotation means of the container is separated, and the container may be positioned.

In this way, when positioning the container by revolving the container, the container can be positioned without rotating. For this reason, the friction at the time of positioning is reduced by the friction due to the rotation of the container, so that the container can be positioned with a small driving force. As a result, positioning can be performed with a small driving force, so that it is possible to reduce the size of the driving mechanism and save energy required for driving, which is preferable.

In such a mixing and defoaming device, the revolving means and the rotating means of the container may be separated from each other, and the container may be positioned in a state where the container is kept upright, and the material may be supplied from above the container.

As described above, it is preferable to position the container upright, since the material in the container is less likely to spill when the container is revolved, as compared with the case where the container is positioned while being tilted. Further, since the material can be supplied immediately after the positioning of the container is completed, the working efficiency can be improved, which is preferable.

In the above-described mixing and defoaming apparatus, a means for performing a dispersing process for pulverizing powder in the material supplied to the container into finer powders to make the particle size of the powder uniform is provided on the orbit of the container. When dispersing the material in the container, the dispersing process may be performed by positioning the container at the position where the dispersing unit is installed using the positioning unit.

As described above, it is preferable to position the container to which the material has been supplied by using the positioning means because the dispersing operation can be performed efficiently.

In such a mixing and defoaming apparatus, the dispersion treatment may be performed while stirring the material in the container using a stirring blade. If the dispersion process is performed while stirring the material in the container,
This is preferable because the material can be more uniformly dispersed.

In such a mixing and defoaming apparatus, the container to which the material has been supplied may be subjected to dispersion treatment while rotating at the position where the dispersion means is provided. It is preferable to rotate the container during the dispersion of the material in the container, because the dispersing means and the container are relatively displaced, so that the material in the container can be uniformly dispersed. In particular, if dispersing means is provided at a position eccentric to the center where the container rotates,
Since the dispersing means and the container are relatively displaced relative to each other, it is possible to uniformly disperse the material in the container, which is preferable.

In the mixing and defoaming apparatus, a dispersing means for dispersing the material by ultrasonically oscillating the material in the container is provided, and at least one of the dispersing means and the inner surface of the container is provided with the dispersion treatment. A stirring blade for stirring the material in the container by rotating the container may be provided therein.

In this case, since the dispersion treatment can be performed while stirring the material in the container by rotating the container, the dispersion treatment can be effectively performed, which is preferable.

The mixing and defoaming apparatus may include a dispersion cooling means for cooling the material at least during the dispersion treatment.

If the dispersing process is performed while cooling the material using the cooling means during dispersing, the material is heated by frictional heat during the dispersing process of the material in the container, and the adverse effect that the dispersed material is secondary-agglomerated. Can be avoided. As a result, the material in the container can be appropriately dispersed, which is preferable.

In the above-described mixing and defoaming apparatus, a container cooling means for revolving with the container to cool the material in the container may be provided.

When mixing the materials in the container, the materials may be heated by frictional heat. However, if the materials in the container are mixed while cooling the materials in the container using such a container cooling means,
This is preferable because the materials can be appropriately mixed without being heated.

In the mixing and defoaming apparatus described above, a material extracting means capable of directly extracting the material in the container from the container may be provided on the orbit of the container.

In such a mixing and defoaming apparatus, after mixing and defoaming the materials in the container, the container is positioned at the position where the material take-out means is installed, so that the material can be directly discharged from the container. It can be taken out and supplied to the next step. As a method of taking out the material in the container, for example, a take-out port may be provided in advance at the bottom of the container, and the take-out port may be opened to take out the material, or the material in the container may be drawn out using a suction pump or the like. As described above, if the material is directly supplied from the inside of the container, it is not necessary to transfer the mixed and defoamed material to another container, so that it is preferable that impurities and foreign substances are not mixed therein. In addition, since the labor for transferring the material to another container can be omitted, the working efficiency can be improved accordingly. Furthermore, by setting the material take-out means at an appropriate position in consideration of the supply of the material to the next step, the entire operation can be made rational. For example,
By installing the material take-out means at a position where the distance between the material take-out means and the device used in the next step is shortened, it becomes possible to easily supply the material.

In such a mixing and defoaming apparatus, the material may be directly taken out of the container by applying pressure to the material in the container and forcing the material out of the container. For example, an inert gas such as nitrogen gas is pressure-fed into the container, or compressed air is supplied to apply pressure to the material in the container, and the material in the container is pressure-fed to the outside at this pressure.

This is preferable because the material in the container can be directly and reliably taken out using a simple mechanism. In addition, it is preferable to use a simple mechanism because there is no possibility that impurities and foreign substances are mixed therein. For example, unlike the case where a mechanism such as a suction pump is used, there is no possibility that foreign matter remaining in the pump is mixed, which is preferable.

Further, when the material in the container contains powder, if the material in the container can be taken out by using a simple mechanism, there is an advantage that there is no possibility that the powder is clogged.

In such a mixing and defoaming apparatus, a material stirring means capable of stirring the material in the container may be provided while the container is positioned at the position of the material removing means.

In this way, the material in the container can be taken out while stirring the material in the container, or the material in the container can be stirred at any time immediately before taking out the material. As a result, the material can be prevented from settling or agglomerating in the container, and can be kept in a uniform state, which is preferable.

The material stirring means may be integrally formed with the material take-out means. If the material take-out means and the material stirring means are integrally configured, it is possible to minimize the hindrance of the material take-out means formed in the container by the material take-out means. as a result,
Even when the material in the container contains powder, it is preferable because the stirring flow is hindered and the powder does not agglomerate or accumulate in the portion where the flow is stagnated.

In such a mixing and defoaming device, the material in the container may be dispersed using the material stirring device. Of course, the dispersing means of the above-described mixing and defoaming apparatus may also serve as the material stirring means.

By appropriately changing the conditions for stirring the material in the container, the material is dispersed, or the material is stirred by appropriately changing the conditions for the dispersion. Can be. This is preferable because the mixing and defoaming device can be simplified as a whole.

In any of the above-described mixed deaerators,
The revolution speed and the rotation speed of the container may be individually controllable.

If the revolution speed and the rotation speed of the container can be controlled respectively, it is possible to mix and defoam at a suitable revolution speed and rotation speed according to the material to be used for mixing and defoaming. is there.

Using any of the above-described mixing and defoaming devices,
Mixing and defoaming of a solution containing a catalyst for a fuel cell may be performed.

In order to manufacture a catalyst for a fuel cell, it is necessary to mix and defoam a solution containing the catalyst, and if such a mixed defoaming apparatus is used, the efficiency of the catalyst manufacturing operation can be increased. It is possible and suitable. Further, if a catalyst is produced using such a mixed defoaming apparatus, it is possible to produce a catalyst under exactly the same conditions each time, and as a result, the production quality of the catalyst can be stabilized, which is preferable.

In the mixing and defoaming apparatus for supplying the material by standing the container, the following may be adopted. That is, means for attaching or detaching the lid of the container in a state where the container is upright is provided, and when supplying the material to the container, the material is supplied from above to the container in which the lid is removed and the erect container is supplied. I do. When mixing and defoaming the supplied materials,
After attaching the lid of the container, the container starts revolving and rotating.

In this case, since the material can be mixed and defoamed by closing the container, there is no possibility that the material in the container is spilled. Therefore, it is preferable because many materials can be mixed and defoamed at once. Also, if the container is upright and the lid is attached or detached from above the container,
The lid will move along the direction of gravity. As described above, if the lid is moved in the direction in which gravity acts, the lid is less likely to be caught by something during mounting or detaching, and thus it is preferable to easily attach and detach the lid.

[0057]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In order to further clarify the configuration and operation of the present invention described above, the embodiments of the present invention will be described below in the following order. A. First embodiment: A-1. Device configuration: (1) Mixing defoaming device 10: (2) Mixing defoaming machine 100: (3) Material feeder 200: (4) Positioning mechanism: A-2. Overview of mixed defoaming operation: Second embodiment: B-1. Apparatus configuration: (1) Mixed defoamer 100 of second embodiment: (2) Container tilt: B-2. Overview of the mixing and defoaming operation of the second embodiment: (1) Positioning of mixing container: (2) Production of catalyst slurry: Third embodiment: C-1. Device Configuration: (1) Automatic Detachment Mechanism for Mixing Container Lid: (2) Automatic Control Mechanism for Mixing Defoaming Operation: C-2. Overview of the mixing and defoaming work of the third embodiment: (1) Positioning of mixing vessel: (2) Manufacture of slurry for catalyst: Fourth embodiment: D-1. Apparatus configuration: (1) The rotation mechanism of the fourth embodiment: (2) The homogenizer (ultrasonic dispersion apparatus) of the fourth embodiment: D-2. Distributed processing of fourth embodiment: D-3. Modifications: Fifth Embodiment E-1. Device configuration: E-2. Cooling action of mixing vessel: E-3. Modifications: F. Sixth embodiment:

A. First embodiment: A-1. Apparatus Configuration: (1) Mixing Defoaming Apparatus 10: FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall configuration of a mixing defoaming apparatus 10 as a first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the mixing and defoaming apparatus 10 of the first embodiment includes a rotation / revolution type mixing and defoaming machine 100, a material feeder 200 for supplying a material to the mixing and defoaming machine 100, and a control panel 300. It is configured. The worker who performs the mixed defoaming work of the material,
When the control panel 300 is operated to control the operation of the mixing and defoaming device 100 and the material supply device 200, the whole of the mixing and defoaming device 100 and the material supply device 20 functions as a mixing and defoaming device as one system. In the present specification, the mixing and defoaming apparatus 10 includes a mixing and defoaming machine 100, a material feeder 200, and a control panel 30.
The term “mixing defoaming system” composed of 0 or the like is used separately from the rotation / revolution type mixing and defoaming machine 100.

(2) Mixing defoaming machine 100: The rotating / revolving type mixing and defoaming machine 100 puts a material to be mixed and defoamed in a mixing vessel, rotates the vessel, and simultaneously rotates around a revolution axis. The material in the mixing container is mixed and defoamed by making a circular motion (orbital motion). The details of the mixing and defoaming machine 100 will be described later. The material feeder 200 is installed along the orbit on which the mixing vessel revolves. FIG. 1 shows a state in which only three material feeders 200 are installed around the mixing and defoaming machine 100, but FIG. 1 shows that the material feeding machines 200 are installed around the mixing and defoaming machine 100. This is merely an example, and the number of material feeders 200 is not limited to three. In the first embodiment, the positional relationship where the material supply device 200 is installed with respect to the mixing and defoaming device 100 will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 1, a rotating / revolving type mixing / defoaming machine 100 of the present embodiment comprises a support 100a of the mixing / defoaming machine.
Mechanism 100b for holding the mixing container, mechanism 100c for revolving the mixing container, and mechanism 1 for rotating the mixing container 1
00d and a mechanism 100e for erecting the mixing container. Among them, the mechanism 100e for erecting the mixing container is a mechanism used in the second and subsequent embodiments, and therefore the description is omitted here, and the mixing and defoaming machine 100 of the first embodiment including other mechanisms is omitted. Will be described below.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a rotation / revolution type mixing / defoaming machine 100. Hereinafter, the structure of the mixing and defoaming machine 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The abutment 100a has a substantially rectangular base 102 and a lower plate 1 provided above the base.
4 and four columns 106 supporting the lower plate 104 at the four corners of the base 102. Abutment 10
0a, the revolution mechanism 100c of the mixing container and the rotation mechanism 10
Other mechanisms, such as 0d, are attached.

The revolving mechanism 100c of the mixing container has the following configuration. A center shaft 110 is provided upright at the center of the upper surface of the lower plate 104. The center axis of the center shaft 110 is the rotation axis (revolution axis) of the revolving motion of the mixing vessel. A cylindrical outer sleeve 112 is provided on the outer periphery of the center shaft 110 so as to completely surround the center shaft 110, and a revolving pulley 114 is attached to a lower end of the outer sleeve 112. In addition to the center shaft 110, a revolving motor 116 is attached to the lower plate 104. Pulley 118 attached to revolution motor 116 and outer sleeve 11
The second revolving pulley 114 is connected via a drive belt 120. When the orbiting motor 116 rotates, the rotation is performed by the pulley 118 and the drive belt 120 of the motor.
, And the outer sleeve 112 rotates about the center shaft 110. Arm 1 near the upper end of outer sleeve 112
A holder 132 for accommodating the mixing container 130 is attached to a tip portion of the arm 122. Therefore, when the revolution motor 116 rotates, the outer sleeve 112 rotates, so that the mixing vessel 130 revolves around the center shaft 110 as the revolution axis. Further, a balancer 124 is provided on the outer sleeve 112 on the opposite side of the mixing container 130 to balance the weight with the mixing container 130. Note that, in the present embodiment, it is described that only one mixing container 130 is provided, but a plurality of mixing containers may be provided. When a plurality of mixing containers are provided, each mixing container is arranged so as to balance around the center shaft 110. In this case, the installation of the balancer 124 becomes unnecessary.

The holding mechanism 100b for the mixing container includes a container holder 134 for holding the mixing container 130,
A retainer 132 for rotatably holding 4 with a bearing;
It is composed of a friction pulley 136 and the like. Container holder 1
34 and the friction pulley 136 are integrally formed. The retainer 132 is connected to the arm 122 of the outer sleeve 112.
Is mounted to be swingable. In addition, the retainer 132
And the arm 122 are also joined by a spring arm 138. The spring arm 138 presses the retainer 132 to one side so that the opening of the mixing container 130 faces upward by the action of a built-in spring. As a result, the friction pulley 136 is constantly pressed against the rotation pulley 140 driving the friction pulley 136.

The rotation mechanism 100d of the mixing container includes a rotation pulley 140, a rotation motor 142, and a rotation motor 1d.
42 pulley 144, pulley 144 and rotation pulley 1
The drive belt 146 and the like are connected to each other. The rotation pulley 140 and the rotation motor 142 are attached to an upper plate 148. A large hole through which the outer sleeve 112 penetrates is formed in the upper plate 148 and the rotation pulley 140, and the rotation pulley 140 is rotatable around the outer sleeve 112. When the rotation motor 142 rotates, the rotation is transmitted to the rotation pulley 140 via the pulley 144 and the drive belt 146, and the rotation pulley 1 is rotated.
40 rotates around the outer sleeve 112.
Since the friction pulley 136 is pressed against the end of the rotation pulley 140 by the force of the spring arm 138, the rotation of the rotation pulley 140 causes the mixing container 130 to rotate via the friction pulley 136.

The mixing and defoaming machine 10 having the above configuration
0 operates as follows. First, the revolution motor 116
Is rotated, the outer sleeve 112 is rotated via the pulley 118 and the drive belt 120, and the mixing container 130 is rotated.
Is the center shaft 11 together with the outer sleeve 112
Revolving motion is performed with 0 as the revolving axis. The revolving speed of the mixing vessel 130 depends on the rotational speed of the revolving motor 116 and the pulley 1.
It is determined by the pulley ratio between the pulley 18 and the revolution pulley 114.

Since the friction pulley 136 is constantly pressed against the rotation pulley 140 by the spring arm 138, when the mixing container 130 revolves around the center shaft 110, the friction pulley 136 rolls on the rotation pulley 140. The mixing container 130 rotates, and the mixing container 130 rotates with the rotation of the friction pulley. The rotation speed of the mixing container 130 is determined by the revolution speed of the mixing container 130 and the rotation pulley 14.
Speed difference from the rotation speed with zero, and rotation pulley 140
And a friction pulley 136.
For example, the revolution speed of the mixing container 130 and the rotation pulley 14
If the rotation speeds are equal to zero, the mixing container 130 does not rotate. However, when the rotation speed of the rotation pulley 140 is not equal to the revolution speed, the mixing container 130 rotates at a rotation speed determined by the difference between the rotation speeds and the pulley ratio.

A fulcrum 123 at which the arm 122 swingably holds the holder 132 is provided at a portion that swings integrally with the holder 132 (that is, the friction between the mixing container 130, the container holder 134, and the holder 132. It is set below the position of the center of gravity of the pulley 136). For this reason, mixing container 1
When the orbit 30 rotates, the mixing vessel 13
0 tries to rotate in the direction in which the opening is upward, and as a result, the friction pulley 136 is pressed against the rotation pulley 140. Since the effect of the centrifugal force increases as the revolution speed of the mixing container 130 increases, the friction pulley 136 is more strongly pressed against the rotation pulley 140. Therefore, even if the revolving speed of the mixing vessel 130 increases, the mixing vessel 1
30 rotates without rotation, at a rotation speed determined by the rotation speed difference between the revolution speed and the rotation pulley and the pulley ratio between the friction pulley 136 and the rotation pulley 140.

As described above, the mixing and defoaming machine 100 of this embodiment
Can freely control the revolution speed of the mixing container 130 by controlling the rotation speed of the revolution motor 116, and freely control the revolution speed of the mixing container 130 by controlling the rotation speed of the rotation motor. It is possible to do.

(3) Material supply device 200: The material supply device 200 used in the mixing and defoaming device 10 of the first embodiment is a material supply device for a powder material or a normal supply for a liquid material. The device can be used.

FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a powder material supply device 200 used in the present embodiment. The powder material supply device 200 is provided with a hopper 20 for charging the powder material.
2, a cylindrical sleeve 204, a screw 206 rotating in the sleeve, and a motor 208 for rotating the screw 206. When the powder material is put into the hopper 202 and the screw 206 is rotated, the powder in the hopper 202 falls on the sleeve 204 little by little by the vibration caused by the rotation of the screw 206 and the dropped powder rotates. It is conveyed inside the sleeve 204 so as to be pushed out by the screw 206, and is supplied to the mixing and defoaming machine 100 from a material supply port 210 provided at the end of the sleeve 204.

The supply amount of the powder material can be controlled by the number of rotations (or operation time) of the screw 206. That is, if the rotation speed of the screw 206 is set in advance so that the powder material is smoothly conveyed in the sleeve 204, the supply amount of the powder supplied to the mixing and defoaming machine 100 is reduced. Can be controlled by the number of rotations.

In order to more accurately control the supply amount of the powder material, control by weight is also performed. That is, FIG.
The whole of the powder material supply device 200 shown in (a) is placed on an electronic balance, and a rough amount of powder material is supplied by operating the screw 206 a predetermined number of times or for a predetermined time. Then, while watching the weight measured by the electronic balance, the screw 206 is slowly rotated to supply the powder little by little, and when the weight decreases by a predetermined amount, the supply of the material is stopped. In this case, the supply accuracy of the powder material can be further improved. In the present embodiment, management by weight is also performed.

As for the liquid material, in this embodiment, FIG.
A metering piston pump as shown in (b) is used. As shown in the figure, the liquid material feeder 200 used in the present embodiment includes a cylinder 213, a piston 214 that slides in the cylinder 213, an actuator 215 that drives the piston 214, a material reservoir 212, and the like. Have been. Two material supply pipes 216 and 217 extend into the material reservoir 212, and the material supply pipe 216 is provided via a check valve 218 on the pressure feed chamber side of the piston 214, and the material supply pipe 217 is provided on the rear chamber of the piston 214. Connected to the side. At the tip of the cylinder 213, the nozzle 21
9 are provided. When the actuator 215 is driven to retract the piston 214, the liquid material is sucked into the pressure feed chamber from the material supply pipe 216. Next, when the piston 214 is advanced, the liquid material in the pumping chamber is discharged from the nozzle 219 at the tip of the cylinder. The check valve 218 prevents the liquid material from flowing back from the liquid material piping 216.

Generally, in a fixed-quantity piston pump, the volume of liquid discharged from the nozzle is exactly proportional to the number of strokes of the piston, unless bubbles are mixed in the pumping chamber. The metering piston pump according to the present embodiment has the following configuration, so that air bubbles do not enter the pumping chamber. Therefore, the liquid material can be supplied accurately according to the number of strokes of the piston 214. It is.

As shown in FIG. 3B, in the metering piston pump of the present embodiment, the liquid material is also supplied to the rear chamber side through the material supply pipe 217. For this reason, air bubbles do not enter the piston 214 on the pressure-feeding chamber side. This is because both sides of the piston 214 always operate in a state of being filled with the liquid material, so that the sliding portion of the piston 214 comes into contact with air and air bubbles cannot enter there. Material supply machine 2 for liquid used in this embodiment
00 has a structure in which air bubbles do not enter the pumping chamber as described above.
It is possible to supply a precise amount of liquid material.

(4) Positioning mechanism: As shown in FIG. 1, in the mixing and defoaming apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, various material feeders 200 are arranged around a rotation / revolution type mixing and defoaming machine 100. Further, the material supply port of each material supply device 200 is arranged on the orbit on which the mixing container 130 revolves. Therefore, by controlling the revolving motion of the mixing and defoaming machine 100 so that the opening of the mixing container 130 stops below the material supply port, it becomes possible to supply various materials to the mixing container 130 very easily. ing. In the following, the mixing and defoaming machine 100 of the present embodiment controls the orbital motion to control the mixing vessel 1
A brief description will be given of a method of positioning the position where the stop 30 is performed.

A so-called AC servomotor is used as the revolving motor 116 of the mixing and defoaming machine 100, and the stop position of the mixing vessel 130 is determined by controlling the rotation position of the servomotor.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the contents of control performed by the revolution motor 116 of the present embodiment. These controls are performed by the control panel 300 of the mixing and defoaming apparatus 10. The revolution motor 116 is equipped with current detectors 314 and 316 for detecting a current value flowing through each phase coil. An encoder 312 is attached to the outer sleeve 112 of the mixing and defoaming machine 100, and the rotation angle of the outer sleeve 112 can be detected from the output of the encoder 312.

The motor control section in the control panel 300 includes a power supply section 302, an inverter 304, a current control section 306, a speed control section 308, a position control section 310 and the like. As is well known, an AC motor is a synchronous motor that operates by passing an AC current through each phase coil. The rotation speed of the AC synchronous motor is determined by the frequency of the AC current, and the generated torque is determined by the value of the current flowing through each phase coil. In the servo motor of this embodiment, a commercial AC power supply is once converted into a DC power supply by the power supply unit 302, and the converted DC power supply is converted into an AC power supply of a predetermined frequency by the inverter 304, and then each phase of the revolution motor 116 is converted. Applied to the coil. This makes it possible to apply AC power of a required frequency to the coil irrespective of the frequency of the commercial power supply. The inverter 304 is composed of semiconductor elements such as power transistors, and converts a DC power supply into an AC power supply having a predetermined frequency by finely performing a switching operation on these semiconductor elements.

The current control unit 306 detects the current value flowing through each phase coil using the current detectors 314 and 316, and performs PWM control so that a predetermined current value flows through each phase coil. Thus, by controlling the value of the current flowing through each phase coil, the torque generated by the revolution motor can be controlled.

The speed control unit 308 controls the revolution motor 116
Of the AC current to be passed through each phase coil and the current value are set in the current control unit 306 such that the deviation between the detected rotation speed and the speed command value is reduced. Since the rotation speed of the revolution motor 116 and the revolution speed of the mixing container 130 have a predetermined correspondence determined by the pulley ratio between the pulley 118 and the revolution pulley 114, the rotation speed of the revolution motor 116 is controlled. Thus, the revolution speed of the mixing container 130 can be controlled. still,
In the present embodiment, the rotation speed of the revolution motor 116 is calculated from the current detectors 314 and 316, but may be obtained from the output of a tachometer, an encoder, or the like. The speed command value is set by the operator manually adjusting the adjustment knob of the control panel 300.

The position control unit 310 receives the position command value and controls the speed control unit 308 to control the position where the mixing vessel 130 stops on the orbit. When the operator of the mixing and defoaming apparatus 10 presses a positioning button on the control panel 300, the position command value is
Set to 0. A plurality of positioning buttons are provided on the control panel 300, and each of the buttons corresponds to one of the stop positions of the outer sleeve 112.

Upon receiving the position command value, the position control section 310 controls the speed control section 308 to reduce the rotation speed of the revolution motor 116 at a constant rate. As described above, the speed control unit 308 also receives the speed command value from the control panel 300 at the same time, but the control by the position control unit 310 is performed prior to the control by the speed command value.

When the rotation speed of the revolution motor 116 falls below a predetermined value, the position control section 310
Control based on the rotation angle of No. 12 is started. The predetermined value of the rotation speed serving as a criterion for starting the control based on the rotation angle is set to a sufficiently small value. Position control unit 31
0 is the outer sleeve 1 from the output of the encoder 312.
Then, a deviation between the detected rotation angle and the position command value is calculated, and the angular velocity of the outer sleeve 112 is controlled to be a value proportional to the deviation. That is, control is performed so that the outer sleeve 112 rotates more slowly as the rotation angle approaches the stop position. By performing such control, the outer sleeve 112 can be smoothly stopped at the designated position.

FIG. 5 shows that by performing the above-described control,
It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that the mixing container is positioned on an orbit. FIG. 5 shows a state where the mixing and defoaming apparatus 10 is viewed from directly above the center shaft 110. As shown, the mixing and defoaming apparatus 10 of the first embodiment is shown.
Can position the mixing container 130 at five positions P0 to P5. FIG. 5 shows that the mixing vessel 130 is in the position P
The state where it is positioned at 0 is displayed. In FIG. 5, the position of the mixing container 130 positioned at the positions P1 to P5 is indicated by broken lines.

The position P0 is a position where the mixing container 130 is positioned to be mounted or demounted on the mixing and defoaming apparatus 10. The positions P1 to P5 are positions where the material to be mixed and defoamed is positioned so as to be supplied to the mixing container 130. Near the positions P1 to P5, material feeders 220, 222, 224, 226 and 228 are respectively installed. The material supply port of each material supply machine is provided above a position where the opening of the mixing container 130 will come when the mixing container 130 is positioned at the positions P1 to P5. In the above description, for the sake of convenience, the position where the mixing container 130 is positioned is first determined, and various material supply machines are installed at positions near the position. However, the position may be reversed. It is. That is, the arrangement of the material supply device may be determined first, and the mixing container 130 may be positioned according to the material supply device. In any case, the mixing container 1 is finally set so that the opening of the mixing container 130 is located below the material supply port of the material supply machine.
It is only necessary that the position of the position 30 can be determined.

A-2. Outline of mixed defoaming operation: An outline of the operation when the mixed deaerated operation is performed using the mixed defoaming apparatus 10 of the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of an operation of manufacturing a catalyst slurry used for an electrode of a fuel cell as an example of the mixing and defoaming operation by the mixing and defoaming apparatus 10 of the first embodiment. Less than,
This will be described with reference to FIG.

When the mixing and defoaming operation is started, first, the mixing container 130 is mounted on the holder 132 of the mixing and defoaming machine 100 (step S100). Specifically, when the operator presses a predetermined positioning button provided on the control panel 300, the revolution motor 116 positions the retainer 132 at the position P0 by the above-described position servo function (FIG. 5). The operator manually mounts the empty mixing container 130 on the holder 132 positioned at the position P0.

When the mixing container 130 is mounted, the mixing and defoaming are performed while sequentially supplying various materials. First, pure water is supplied (step S102). Specifically, pure water is supplied to the mixing container 130 as follows. First, control panel 3
By pressing a predetermined positioning button on 00, the mixing container 130 is positioned at the position P1. Mixing container 13
When 0 is positioned at the position P1, the opening of the container is positioned below the material supply port of the material supply device 220 (FIG. 5).
reference). In this state, a predetermined amount of pure water is supplied from the material supply device 220. In this embodiment, a constant-rate piston pump is used for the material supply device 220. The operator controls the control panel 3
When a predetermined switch provided on the upper part of the cylinder 00 is pressed, the piston of the fixed amount piston pump strokes a predetermined number of times,
A certain amount of pure water is supplied to the mixing container 130. Of course, other types of metering pumps such as a gear pump can also be applied.

In the above example, the operator presses the positioning button to position the mixing container 130 at the position P1, confirms the completion of the positioning, and then presses a predetermined switch to start supplying pure water. However, since it is clear that pure water is supplied if it is positioned at the position P1, the switch of the pure water material feeder 220 may be automatically turned on after a predetermined time has elapsed after the positioning button is pressed. Alternatively, a sensor is provided and the mixing vessel 130 is moved to the position P
1, the material feeder 220 may be switched on immediately after receiving the detection signal or after a certain period of time.

When the supply of pure water to the mixing vessel 130 is completed,
Next, a carbon powder carrying an active metal is supplied (step S104). More specifically, the control panel 300 is operated to position the mixing container 130 at the position P2, and the material supply device 2
A predetermined amount of carbon powder is supplied from 22. As the material supply device 222 for supplying the carbon powder, the material supply device shown in FIG. 3 is used, and the entire material supply device 222 is placed on an electronic balance in order to improve the accuracy of the material supply amount. The supply weight is managed.

When the pure water and the carbon powder are supplied to the mixing vessel 130, the stirring of these materials is started (step S1).
06). That is, after the operator operates the knob of the control panel 300 to set the revolution speed, the rotation speed, and the stirring time of the mixing container 130, and presses a predetermined switch, the mixing container 130 rotates at the set speed for a predetermined time. And the revolution, and agitate the pure water and the carbon powder in the container.

In this embodiment, when the carbon powder is supplied, the mixing container 130 is always stirred, and therefore, the completion of the supply of the carbon powder may be detected and the stirring may be automatically started. For the detection of the completion of the supply of the carbon powder, for example, a sensor linked to the output of the electronic balance may be provided, or simply, the material supply is completed after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the material supply. Alternatively, the detection may be performed based on the elapsed time.

When the pure water and the carbon powder are stirred for a predetermined time, a predetermined amount of the organic solvent is supplied to the mixing vessel 130 (Step S108). Specifically, after the stirring of step S106 is completed, the control panel 300 is operated to operate the mixing vessel 13.
0 is positioned at the position P3, and a predetermined amount of the organic solvent is supplied from the material supply device 224. In this embodiment, ethanol is used as the organic solvent.

After the supply of the organic solvent, the electrolyte solution is supplied next (step S110). That is, the control panel 30
0 to position the mixing vessel 130 at the position P4,
A predetermined amount of the electrolyte solution is supplied from the material supply device 226. In this embodiment, a Nafion solution manufactured by Aldrich is used as an electrolyte solution.

When the organic solvent and the electrolyte solution are supplied,
The mixing container 130 is stirred again (step S112).
After stirring for a predetermined time in this manner, a mixed solution in which pure water, the carbon powder supporting the active metal, the organic solvent, and the electrolyte solution are almost uniformly mixed is obtained. Step S
The rotation / revolution speed at 112 is the same as the rotation / revolution speed at step S106. Of course, if the settings of the control panel 300 are changed, it is also possible to change the stirring conditions.

When the various materials are almost uniformly mixed,
The mixing vessel 130 is positioned at the position P5, and a predetermined amount of beads for dispersion is supplied (step S114). In this embodiment, ceramic beads having a diameter of about several millimeters are used as beads for dispersion.

Here, the variance means the following processing. For example, in step S112, a mixture in which carbon powder is almost uniformly mixed in a solution such as an electrolyte is obtained. However, in order to form a slurry for a catalyst, the particle size of the carbon powder is further reduced, and the particle size is made as uniform as possible. Align,
It is necessary to mix them sufficiently uniformly. As described above, the dispersion treatment is a process of pulverizing the powder in the mixture and adjusting the particle size as much as possible to obtain a uniform mixture of fine powders.

As one of the methods for performing the dispersion treatment, there is a method of sufficiently stirring the mixture together with the beads for dispersion. When the powder mixture is stirred with the beads, the powder collides with the beads or is gradually crushed so as to be crushed by the beads, and finally a fine powder having a uniform particle size is obtained. As the beads for dispersion, small balls or steel balls made of ceramics, which are not easily worn, are used. As another method, there is a method in which an ultrasonic dispersion device called a homogenizer is inserted into a powder mixture to disperse the mixture. When ultrasonic vibration is generated in the mixture, the powders collide with each other and are gradually pulverized, so that a uniform mixture of fine powders is finally obtained. A method of dispersing using a homogenizer will be described later as a fourth embodiment.

In step S114, when a predetermined amount of beads for dispersion is supplied to the mixing vessel 130, the mixing defoamer 10
A rotation speed and a revolution speed of 0 are set, and mixed defoaming is performed for a predetermined time (step S116). In this treatment, since the particles are stirred together with the beads for dispersion, the particle size of the carbon powder in the mixing container 130 is gradually reduced to form a paste-like mixture. Such mixtures are particularly susceptible to air bubbles. Therefore, in the mixed defoaming process of step S116,
Operating conditions such as the rotation speed, the revolving speed, and the mixing and defoaming time of the mixing container 130 are set so that the dispersion, mixing, and defoaming of the materials are compatible. In this embodiment, the dispersion process is performed using the beads for dispersion, but the dispersion process may be performed using a homogenizer.

When the mixing and defoaming for a predetermined time is completed as described above, the catalyst slurry used for the electrode of the fuel cell is completed in the mixing container 130. Therefore, mixing container 1
30 is positioned at position P0, and mixing container 130 is removed. The completed catalyst slurry is placed on a net together with the dispersion beads to separate the beads, and the catalyst slurry is conveyed to a downstream process and screen-printed on the electrolyte membrane. After being washed and dried, the dispersion beads are supplied again to the material supply device 228 and reused.

As described above, if the mixing and defoaming apparatus 10 of this embodiment is used, once the mixing vessel 130 is once mounted on the mixing and defoaming machine 100, the mixing vessel is kept mounted.
The slurry for the catalyst can be completed by successively supplying and stirring the material. Therefore, there is no need to remove the mixing container 130 from the mixing and defoaming machine 100 each time an additional material is supplied, so that workability can be greatly improved.

In this embodiment, the positioning of the mixing container 130 and the supply of the material are performed by operating the control panel 300. Therefore, it is possible to accurately manage the time required for material supply. That is, every time a material is added, if the operator removes the mixing container 130 and supplies the material, it may take time to attach or detach the container, or the like, so that there is some variation in the time required for the material supply. I will. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the material supply can be performed only by operating the control panel 300, so that the variation in the time required for the material supply can be suppressed.

If the variation in the time required for material supply can be suppressed, the following various advantages will be obtained. For example, to stabilize the production quality of catalyst slurries,
In addition to accurately controlling the supply amounts of various materials and the time for stirring or mixing and defoaming the materials, the time required for supplying the materials may also need to be accurately controlled. Also, when investigating several types of slurries and investigating the optimal supply amount of materials and manufacturing conditions, etc., the time required for material supply should be controlled as much as possible in order to avoid the effects other than the investigation items. It is desirable to keep. In these cases, it is preferable to use the mixing and defoaming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment because it is possible to suppress variations in the time required for material supply.

Further, since the stirring time of the material and the mixing and defoaming time are set in advance, if the time required for supplying the material becomes constant, the time required from mounting the mixing container 130 to completion of the slurry. Can be calculated accurately. If the time at which the slurry is completed can be accurately predicted, the completed slurry can be transported to a downstream process and immediately screen-printed on the electrolyte membrane to form a catalyst layer. Therefore, as a whole of the manufacturing process for manufacturing the catalyst layer on the electrolyte membrane, the amount of work in process can be reduced. Further, if the slurry is not left for a long time in the process, the quality of the slurry cannot be changed during the production, so that the production quality can be stabilized accordingly.

Of course, the mixing vessel 130 is mixed with the mixing defoamer 1
If you use an automatic machine that supplies material after desorption from 00,
It is possible to suppress variations in the time required for material supply. However, as described above, since the mixing container is attached to the mixing and defoaming machine at an angle, the automatic machine for attaching and detaching the mixing container and mounting it again becomes complicated. On the other hand, the mixing and defoaming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment is preferable because the material can be easily supplied with a simple configuration.

In the above description, it is assumed that an empty mixing container 130 is installed first. Mixing container 1 to be installed
It is preferable that the container 30 is empty because the container can be easily mounted. Of course, the mixing vessel 130 containing pure water
May be attached.

In the production of the above-mentioned catalyst slurry,
It is necessary to supply five materials: pure water, carbon powder, an organic solvent, an electrolyte solution, and beads for dispersion. When the materials are supplied, the mixing vessel 1 is placed at a different position for each material to be supplied.
30 is positioned. However, it is not always necessary to position the mixing container 130 for each material to be supplied. If the opening of the mixing container 130 is as large as necessary for the size of the material supply port, the mixing container 13
It is also possible to supply a plurality of materials while positioning 0 at one place. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view illustrating a state in which a plurality of materials are supplied at one positioning position as such a modification.

In the modified example shown in FIG.
Are positioned at four positions P0, P1a, P3a, and P5. The material supply port of the material supply device 220 for pure water and the material supply port of the material supply device 222 for carbon powder are located at a position P
It is provided above the opening of the mixing vessel 130 positioned at 1a. The material supply port of the material supply device 224 for the organic solvent and the material supply port of the material supply device 226 for the electrolyte solution are provided above the opening of the mixing vessel 130 positioned at the position P3a.

When the mixing and defoaming apparatus 10 of the modified example shown in FIG. 7 is used, the production process of the catalyst slurry shown in FIG. 6 is simplified as follows. Hereinafter, a brief description will be given with reference to FIG. First, after mounting the empty mixing container 130 (corresponding to step S100), the mixing container 130 is moved to the position P.
At position 1a, pure water and carbon powder are supplied (corresponding to steps S102 and S104). Then
After stirring the pure water and the carbon powder (step S10
6) The mixing vessel 130 is positioned at the position P3a, and the organic solvent and the electrolyte solution are supplied (corresponding to steps S108 and S110). Thereafter, after stirring for a predetermined time (corresponding to step S112), the mixing container 130 is positioned at the position P5, and beads for dispersion are supplied (step S11).
4), the catalyst slurry is completed by mixing and defoaming for a predetermined time (step S116). When the slurry is completed, the mixing vessel 130 is positioned at the position P0 and desorbed from the mixing and defoaming machine 100 (step S118).

As described above, if a plurality of materials are supplied from one positioning position, the number of positioning positions of the mixing and defoaming machine 100 can be reduced. As a result, positioning control can be simplified, which is preferable. Further, if materials that can be continuously supplied, such as pure water and carbon powder or organic solvent and electrolyte solution in the above-described example, are supplied from the same positioning position, the need for repositioning can be eliminated. Therefore, it is possible to improve the production efficiency of the catalyst slurry.

B. Second Embodiment: In the first embodiment described above, the mixing container 130 mounted on the mixing defoamer 100 is used.
Is always inclined with respect to the vertical direction (the direction of the revolution axis). On the other hand, in the second embodiment described below, the mixing container 130
Can be erected. Hereinafter, the mixing and defoaming apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment will be described focusing on parts different from the first embodiment.

B-1. Apparatus configuration: (1) Mixing deaerator 100 of the second embodiment: The mixing deaerator of the second embodiment is provided with a mechanism for erecting the mixing container 130 with respect to the mixing deaerator of the first embodiment. Only the part that is different. Hereinafter, the configuration of the mechanism 100e for erecting the mixing container 130 will be described with reference to FIG.

The upright mechanism 100e of the mixing container includes four guides 156, four guide bushes 158, a guide connecting bar 154, a hydraulic cylinder 150, and a piston 1
52. The hydraulic cylinder 150 is provided at the center of the base 102, and the piston 152 slides vertically in the hydraulic cylinder 150. A guide connecting bar 154 is horizontally mounted on the upper end of the piston 152. Four guides 156 are provided upright on the guide connection bar 154. The four guides pass through guide bushes 158 attached to the lower plate 104, and support the upper plate 148 at four corners. As described above, the upper plate 148 includes the mixing container 13.
A mechanism for rotating 0 is attached. Therefore, when the piston 152 moves up and down in the hydraulic cylinder 150, the mechanism for rotating the mixing container on its own can be moved up and down together with the upper plate 148.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a state where the mixing container 130 is erected by the mixing and defoaming machine 100 of the second embodiment. As is clear from the comparison with FIG.
In an upright state, the upper plate 148 is moved by moving the piston 152 in the hydraulic cylinder 150.
Has been lowered. When the position of the upper plate 148 is lowered, the rotation pulley 140 attached to the upper plate 148 is also lowered at the same time. As described above, the retainer 132 is swingably mounted,
The friction pulley 136 below the retainer 132 is pressed against the rotation pulley 140 by the force of the spring arm 138. In this state, if the rotation pulley 140 is lowered to a position where the rotation pulley 140 and the friction pulley 136 are not buffered, the retainer 132 is
Rotates, so that the mixing container 130 stands upright. The length when the spring arm 138 is fully extended is set to an appropriate length so that the mixing container 130 does not rotate too much, that is, the mixing container 130 stands upright. Of course, the retainer 132 may be provided with a detent so that the mixing container 130 does not rotate too much.

[0117] As shown in FIG.
In a state where 0 is upright, the friction pulley 136 and the rotation pulley 140 are not in contact with each other. Therefore, mixing container 1
Even if 30 is revolved, the mixing container 130 does not rotate. Furthermore, since the mixing container 130 is also separated from the driving force of the rotation motor 142, the rotation of the rotation motor 142 does not cause the mixing container 130 to rotate.

(2) Container tilt: When the mixing container 130 is tilted (the state shown in FIG. 2), the friction pulley 136 is pressed against the rotation pulley 140. When the position of the rotation pulley 140 is lowered in this state, the friction pulley 1
The contact surface between the rotation pulley 36 and the rotation pulley 140 may be worn. In order to avoid such a possibility, in the mixing and defoaming machine 100 of the second embodiment, before lowering the position of the rotation pulley 140, the friction pulley 1
The suspension 36 is once floated from the rotation pulley 140, and the rotation pulley 140 is moved in this state. In the mixing and defoaming apparatus of the second embodiment, in order to support the retainer 132 from outside,
An apparatus called a container tilt 400 described below is used.

FIG. 9 shows a case where the holder 132 is supported by the container tilt 400 and the friction pulley 136 is rotated by the rotation pulley 140.
It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that it floats from. FIG. 9 (a)
9 shows a state in which the holder 132 is supported by the container tilt 400, and FIG. 9B shows a normal state, that is, a state in which the holder 132 is not supported.

The container tilt 400 includes an air cylinder 402
And a piston 404 that slides in the air cylinder 402
And the plate 4 attached to the tip of the piston 404
06. When supporting the retainer 132, the piston 404 is extended and the spring arm 138 is extended.
Is slightly pushed up by the tip plate 406 at the place where is attached to the retainer 132. Then, since the retainer 132 slightly rotates about the mounting position of the arm 122, the friction pulley 136 is
It rises from zero. In such a state, the hydraulic cylinder 1
If the position of the rotation pulley 140 is lowered by operating the rotation pulley 140, the contact surface between the friction pulley 136 and the rotation pulley 140 will not be worn.

When the rotation pulley 140 has been moved downward, the piston 404 is slowly retracted. The retainer 132 rotates slowly as the piston 404 is retracted. When the mixing container 130 rotates to the upright angle, the spring arm 138 extends, so that the mixing container 130 is kept upright even if the piston 404 is further retracted. FIG. 9B shows a state in which the piston 404 is completely retracted. As illustrated, if the piston 404 is completely retracted, the container tilt 400 does not interfere with the mixing and defoaming machine 100 even when the mixing container 130 revolves.

From the state where the mixing container 130 is upright,
When changing to the inclined state, the above procedure may be reversed. Hereinafter, a procedure for changing the mixing container 130 to the inclined state will be briefly described.

When the mixing container 130 is upright, the rotation pulley 140 is in a state of being lowered to the bottom as shown in FIG. 9B. To set the mixing container 130 in a tilted state, first, the piston 404 of the container tilt 400 is advanced, and the portion where the spring arm 138 is attached to the holder 132 is pushed up. Piston 404
9 is advanced, the retainer 132 is rotated, and FIG.
It rotates to the state shown by the broken line in (b). When the state shown by the broken line in FIG. 9B is reached, the stroke amount of the air cylinder 402 is adjusted in advance so that the piston 404 has the maximum stroke. Next, while holding the retainer 132 in the state shown by the broken line in FIG. 9B, the hydraulic cylinder 150 is moved to raise the rotation pulley 140. After the hydraulic cylinder 150 is raised to the maximum stroke, the air cylinder 402 is moved to slowly retract the piston 404. When the piston 404 is slightly retracted, the retainer 132
8, the friction pulley 136 comes into contact with the rotation pulley 140, that is, the mixing container 130 is in a normal inclined state.

B-2. Overview of the mixing and defoaming operation of the second embodiment: In the mixing and deaerator 10 of the second embodiment, the mixing vessel 13 is used.
In the case of carrying out loading / removal of 0 and material supply, the mixing vessel 1
The mixing container 130 is tilted when the material 30 is erected and the material is stirred or mixed and defoamed. In order to erect or tilt the mixing container 130, it is necessary to use the container tilt 400. Hereinafter, as an example of performing the mixed defoaming operation using the mixed defoaming apparatus of the second embodiment, a method for producing a catalyst slurry for an electrolyte membrane used in a fuel cell will be described.

(1) Positioning of Mixing Container: Even when the mixing and defoaming apparatus 10 of the second embodiment is used, as described in the first embodiment, when the material is supplied, the mixing container 130 is set. It must be positioned below the material supply port. In addition, in the mixing and defoaming apparatus 10 of the second embodiment, it is necessary to position the mixing container 130 at a certain position of the container tilt 400 when the mixing container 130 is to be upright or inclined. For this reason, in the second embodiment, it is necessary to arrange a container tilt around the mixing and defoaming machine 100 in addition to the various material feeders.

FIG. 10 shows a mixed defoamer 100 according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between various kinds of material supply machines and a container tilt 400 arranged therearound. As shown, a material feeder 220 for pure water, a material feeder 222 for carbon powder, a material feeder 224 for organic solvent, an electrolyte Material feeder 226 for solution, material feeder 22 for beads
8 and a container tilt 400 are provided. In the mixing and defoaming machine 100 of the second embodiment, the mixing container 130 can be positioned at seven positions P0 to P6 in accordance with the positions of the material feeders and the container tilt 400.

FIG. 5 showing the positional relationship between the mixing and defoaming apparatus 10 in the first embodiment and various material feeders is compared with FIG. 10 showing the case in the second embodiment. In the mixing and defoaming apparatus 10, since the mixing container 130 is kept upright, the opening of the container is directly opposed to the material supply port, so that the material is easily supplied.

(2) Manufacture of slurry for catalyst: The mixing and defoaming operation using the mixing and defoaming apparatus 10 of the second embodiment is the first operation.
For the mixing and defoaming operation described above as an example, the mixing container 1
The only difference is the part where the material is supplied with the 30 upright. Hereinafter, the production of the catalyst slurry using the mixing and defoaming apparatus 10 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the production of the catalyst slurry of the second embodiment is started, the mixing vessel 130 is not yet mounted on the mixing / defoaming machine 100, but the mixing vessel 130 is in an upright state. That is, the rotation of the rotation pulley 140 is lowered, and the container holder 13 in which the mixing container 130 is stored.
The holder 132 holding the container holder 4 and the container holder 134 is in an upright state.

When the production of the catalyst slurry is started in the second embodiment, first, the container holder 134 is moved to the position P0.
And the mixing container 130 is mounted on the upright container holder 134 (corresponding to step S100). Second
In the embodiment, since the container holder 134 is upright, the mixing container 130 can be easily mounted as compared with the case where the mixing container 130 is mounted on an inclined container holder.

When the mixing container 130 is mounted, the mixing container 1
30 is positioned at position P1 to supply pure water (corresponding to step S102), and then to position P2 to supply carbon powder (corresponding to step S104). In the second embodiment, since the material is supplied in a state in which the mixing container 130 is upright, the opening of the mixing container 130 is greatly opened toward the material supply port, and the material is easily supplied.

When the pure water and the carbon powder are supplied to the mixing vessel 130, they are stirred (corresponding to step S106). Here, when the mixing container 130 is upright, the friction pulley 136 is not in contact with the rotation pulley 140, so that the mixing container 130 cannot be rotated as it is. Therefore, the material in the mixing container 130 is agitated by following a procedure as shown in FIG.

In order to stir the material in the mixing vessel 130,
First, the mixing container 130 is positioned at the position P6 (see FIG. 10) (Step S200), and the piston 404 of the container tilt 400 is advanced to tilt the mixing container 130 (Step S202). The rotation pulley 140 is raised to a predetermined position while the mixing container 130 is tilted (step S
204) Then, the piston 404 is slowly retracted. When the piston 404 is retracted, the mixing container 130 starts rotating again in the upright direction by the force of the spring arm 138, but since the rotation pulley 140 is raised,
Soon, the friction pulley 136 is pressed against the rotation pulley 140, and the mixing container 130 is held in an inclined state. If the piston 404 is completely retracted, the mixing vessel 13
The process of tilting 0 is completed (step S206). When the mixing container 130 is tilted in this manner, the stirring conditions, that is, the rotation speed and the revolution speed of the mixing container 130 and the stirring time are set, and the stirring is started (step S208). The setting of the stirring conditions is performed by an operator operating an adjustment knob of the control panel 300.

After the stirring of the materials in the mixing vessel 130 is completed, the mixing vessel 130 is kept upright for supplying the material later. Therefore, the mixing vessel 130 is moved to the position P
6 (step S210), the piston 404 of the container tilt 400 is advanced to support the mixing container 130 (step S212), and the rotation pulley 14 is left as it is.
0 is decreased (step S214). Rotary pulley 1
After lowering the piston 40, the piston 40 of the container tilt 400
When 4 is retracted, the mixing container 130 is in an upright state (step S216).

After the mixing container 130 is set upright, the positioning of the mixing container 130 and the supply of the organic solvent and the electrolyte solution are performed (steps S108 and S1 in FIG. 6).
10 equivalents). That is, the mixing container 130 is positioned at the position P3 and the organic solvent is supplied from the material supply device 224. Subsequently, the mixing container 130 is positioned at the position P4 and the electrolyte solution is supplied from the material supply device 226. After the material is supplied, the mixing container 130 is in an upright state, and after the mixing container 130 is tilted according to the flowchart of FIG.
The material in the mixing container 130 is stirred under predetermined stirring conditions (corresponding to step S112). After stirring the material, the mixing container 130 is again erected to supply beads for dispersion (see FIG. 11).

After the mixing container 130 is set upright, the mixing container 130 is positioned at the position P5 and beads for dispersion are supplied (corresponding to step S114). After supplying the beads for dispersion, the mixing container 130 is tilted again according to the procedure shown in FIG. 11 to start mixing and defoaming of the mixed material in the container (step S116). When the mixing and defoaming are performed for a predetermined time and under a predetermined condition, a catalyst slurry is completed in the mixing container 130. Then, after positioning the mixing container 130 at the position P0 and erecting it, the mixing container 130 is detached (step S5).
118), the mixing vessel is opened in a net to separate the slurry and the beads for dispersion, and the slurry is transported to a downstream step.

As described above, in the mixing and defoaming operation of the second embodiment, since the material is supplied in a state where the mixing container 130 is upright, the opening of the mixing container 130 faces the material supply port. The position is greatly open. For this reason, material supply becomes easy.

Furthermore, if the opening is relatively large with respect to the size of the material supply port, as shown in FIG.
A plurality of materials can be supplied with the 30 positioned. If a plurality of materials can be supplied at one positioning position, the number of positioning points to be stored is reduced, so that the positioning of the mixing and defoaming apparatus 10 can be simplified. In addition, if a plurality of materials can be supplied at one positioning position, the need for re-positioning each time a material is supplied is increased, so that the efficiency of the mixed defoaming operation can be improved. In particular, as in the case of the mixing and defoaming apparatus 10 of the second embodiment, if the mixing container 130 is set upright and the opening of the container is greatly opened with respect to the material supply port, a plurality of positions can be obtained at one positioning position. It becomes even easier to supply the material.

In the second embodiment, the mounting and dismounting of the mixing container 130 is performed in a state in which the mixing container 130 is upright. The workability of foam work is improved. Further, also when the mounting and dismounting of the mixing container 130 is performed by an automatic machine, if the mixing container 130 is upright, the automatic machine can be simplified as compared with the case where the mixing container 130 is inclined.

C. Third Embodiment: In the mixing and defoaming apparatus 10 of the third embodiment, a mixing container 130 with a lid is used. If the mixing container 130 with a lid is used, there is no danger of the material in the container being scattered during stirring or mixing and defoaming, so that a larger amount of material is supplied and mixed than in the case of using a mixing container without a lid. Can be defoamed.

Further, in the mixing and defoaming apparatus 10 of the third embodiment, the mixing and defoaming work including the attachment and detachment of the lid is automated. For this reason, the mixed defoaming operation can be performed under exactly the same conditions every time. Hereinafter, the mixing and defoaming apparatus of the third embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the mixing and defoaming apparatus of the second embodiment.

C-1. Apparatus Configuration: (1) Automatic Detachment / Attachment Mechanism for Mixing Container Lid: A mechanism for automatically attaching and detaching the lid of the mixing container in the third embodiment will be described below. First, the shape of the mixing vessel with a lid will be described, and then a lid detacher that automatically attaches and detaches the lid will be described.

FIG. 12 shows the mixing and defoaming apparatus 10 of the third embodiment.
It is an explanatory view showing the shape of the mixing container with a lid 500 used in FIG. FIG. 12A is a top view, and FIG. 12B is a longitudinal sectional view. As shown, a mixing container 500 with a lid is shown.
Is composed of a mixing pot main body 502 having a pot shape, a lid 504, and three lid holders 506. Lid holder 50
Numeral 6 is attached to three sides on the upper side of the mixing container body 502 so as to press the lid 504 from three sides. At the top of the mixing vessel body 502, three flanges 5
03 is provided upward from between the respective lid holders 506.

The lid 504 of the mixing container has a substantially disk shape, and a knob 505 is provided at the center. The lid retainer 506 includes a lid retainer main body 506a and a roller 506.
b, a shaft 506c, and a spring 506d mounted around the shaft 506c. Lid 5
04 is pressed against the mixing container body 502 by the force of a spring 506d so that the inside of the mixing container 500 is kept airtight.

Next, a lid detacher 600 for automatically attaching and detaching the lid 504 of the mixing vessel 500 will be described. FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a lid attaching / detaching machine 600. The lid attaching / detaching machine 600 includes a lid attaching / detaching jig 610, an actuator unit 620 of the lid attaching / detaching jig 610, and a stand 6 supporting the lid attaching / detaching jig 610 and the actuator unit 620.
30. At the top of the stand 630 is provided an end indicator lamp 640 that lights up when the mixing and defoaming operation is completed. Lid removal jig 610
Is composed of a cylindrical sleeve 612, an annular flange retainer 614, a spring 615, and a knob grip 616. The flange retainer 614 and the knob grip 616 are provided inside a cylindrical sleeve 612. The flange retainer 614 is connected to the sleeve 612 via a spring 615. The actuator unit 620 includes an actuator for moving the lid attaching / detaching jig 610 up and down, and a knob grip 6.
16 is provided.

[0146] Such a lid attaching / detaching machine 600 is used for the mixing container 50.
A method of automatically attaching and detaching the lid of No. 0 will be described. FIG.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a procedure for automatically attaching and detaching the lid 504. First, the mixing container 500 with the lid is positioned, and as shown in FIG. 14A, the lid attaching / detaching jig 610 is lowered so as to cover the mixing container from above. As the lid attaching / detaching jig 610 is lowered, the sleeve 612 is attached to the lid retainer 5.
As shown in FIG. 14B, the lid holder 506 is raised by interfering with the roller 506b. Lid holder 506
Is raised, the two claws of the knob grip 616 are closed, and the knob 505 is gripped. When the user grips the knob 505 and slowly raises the lid attaching / detaching jig 610, the lid 504 is moved to the mixing container main body 5 as shown in FIG.
Depart from 02.

The role of the flange retainer 614 will be described. The mixing container 500 is positioned and the lid attaching / detaching jig 610 is set.
As the flange is lowered, the flange holder 614 is
The flange holder 614 comes into contact with the flange 503 of the mixing container 50 when it is further lowered.
0 is strongly pressed against the flange 503.
When the lid attaching / detaching jig 610 is raised, the sleeve 612 or the knob grip 616 is raised accordingly, but the flange retainer 614 starts to rise after the spring 615 is completely extended. For this reason, even when the lid 504 is fixed to the mixing container main body 502 and the mixing container main body 502 is lifted up together with the lid 504, the flange 503 of the mixing container main body 502 rises behind the knob grip 616. The lid 504 is separated from the mixing container body 502 by being pressed by the flange holder 614. As described above, when the lid 504 and the mixing container main body 502 are fixed to each other, the flange retainer 614 serves to separate them and detach only the lid 504.

When the lid 504 is mounted, the reverse of the above-described procedure for detachment may be performed. That is, first, the mixing container main body 502 is positioned, and the lid attaching / detaching jig 610 holding the lid 504 is lowered from above the mixing container main body 502 (FIG. 14C). Then, the sleeve 612 and the roller 506b of the lid retainer 506 interfere with each other, and the lid retainer 506 is raised. The lid attaching / detaching jig 610 is lowered as it is, and the lid 504 is placed on the mixing container main body 502 (FIG. 14).
(B)). Next, the knob grip 616 is opened and the knob 50 is opened.
5 is released, and the lid attaching / detaching jig 610 is raised. Then, the lid retainer 506 pressed against the sleeve 612 is released, and the lid 504 is firmly pressed against the mixing container body 502 by the force of the spring 506d.

As described above, in the third embodiment, the mixing container 500 is set upright, and the lid 504 is attached or detached from above the mixing container 500. For this reason, attachment and detachment of the lid are facilitated for the following reasons. In general, when components are automatically mounted or demounted, not limited to the lid, a so-called "play" is provided in an actuator for mounting and demounting to absorb the positioning errors in consideration of the positioning errors of the components. . That is, if the actuator is configured as a completely rigid body and no "play" is provided, there may be a case where the positioning of the mating component is slightly shifted and the mounting position is different and the component cannot be mounted. Alternatively, when a component is to be removed, the position of the mating component is slightly shifted, so that the component cannot be pulled straight and the component cannot be removed. To avoid this, a slight "play" of the actuator
Is provided to absorb the positioning error of the mating component or the actuator itself. However, if the movement of the component to be attached or detached is different from the direction of gravity, the component will shift by the amount of "play" provided on the actuator, and the component will be caught in the middle of attachment or detachment Can occur. On the other hand, if the lid 504 is attached or detached from above the mixing container 500 as in the third embodiment, the lid 504 is moved in the direction in which gravity acts.
Is difficult to catch on something. For this reason, in the third embodiment, attachment and detachment of the lid 504 are easy.

(2) Automatic control mechanism for mixing and defoaming work: Third
In the mixing and defoaming apparatus 10 of the embodiment, the mixing and defoaming operation including the attachment and detachment of the lid is automated. For this reason, the mixed defoaming operation can be performed under exactly the same conditions every time. Hereinafter, a mechanism for automatically controlling the mixing and defoaming operation will be briefly described.

FIG. 15 shows the mixing and defoaming apparatus 10 of the third embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a control system for automatically controlling each operation. As illustrated, the control system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) 700, various controllers, and an operation panel. ECU7
Reference numeral 00 includes a CPU 702, a ROM 704 for storing various programs and data for controlling the mixing and defoaming apparatus 10, a RAM 706 for temporarily storing data, and a PIO 708 for exchanging data with peripheral devices. The operation panel 710 is provided with various switches, and is used to set various operation conditions such as the rotation speed, the revolution speed, and the mixing time of the mixing container in the ECU 700. The following are provided as various controllers. That is, the revolution motor 11
6, a revolution motor controller 720 for controlling the operation of 6.
The motor controller 722 for controlling the operation of the motor 142 for rotation, the hydraulic cylinder controller 724 for controlling the operation of the hydraulic cylinder 150, and the operation of the material feeders 220, 222, 224, 226 and 228 for supplying various materials are controlled. Material supply controller 726, 72
8, 730, 732, 734, a container tilt controller 736 for controlling the operation of the container tilt 400, and a lid detacher controller 738 of the lid detacher 600 are provided.

When the operator sets various operating conditions on the operation panel 710, the set operating conditions are stored in the RAM 706 via the PIO 708. CPU 702 is ROM
An operation command is issued to various controllers according to the control program stored in 704. At the same time, the CPU 70
2 receives data from various controllers and monitors the operation status.

The mixing and defoaming apparatus 10 of the third embodiment having the above-mentioned lid automatic desorption mechanism and control system can automatically perform the mixing and defoaming operation as described later.

C-2. Overview of the mixing and defoaming operation of the third embodiment: (1) Positioning of mixing vessel: In the mixing and defoaming apparatus 10 of the third embodiment, the lid of the mixing vessel is attached and detached using the mixing vessel 500 with a lid. And automatically perform the mixed defoaming operation.
When automatically attaching and detaching the lid of the mixing container, the above-mentioned lid attaching / detaching machine 600 is used. For this reason, in the third embodiment, it is necessary to arrange a lid detacher 600 around the mixing defoamer 100 in addition to the various material feeders 200 and the container tilt 400.

FIG. 16 shows a mixed defoamer 100 according to the third embodiment.
And various material supply machines 200 arranged around the
It is explanatory drawing which shows the positional relationship between the container tilt 400 and the lid attaching / detaching machine 600. As shown, the mixed defoamer 100 of the third embodiment differs from the mixed deaerator 100 of the second embodiment in that a lid detacher 600 is added. ing. The position P0 shown in FIG.
Seven positions P6 to P6 indicate positions for positioning the mixing container 500 in correspondence with various material feeders and the container tilt 400 as in the case of the second embodiment. Position P7 is
This is a position where the mixing container 500 is positioned corresponding to the lid attaching / detaching machine 600.

(2) Manufacture of catalyst slurry: As an example of performing the mixed defoaming operation using the mixed defoaming apparatus of the third embodiment, a catalyst slurry for an electrolyte membrane used in a fuel cell is manufactured. The method will be described. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the flow of the production of a catalyst slurry using the mixing and defoaming apparatus 10 of the third embodiment.

In the third embodiment, when the production of the catalyst slurry is started, first, the container holder 134 is positioned at the position P0, and the mixing container 500 is mounted on the upright container holder 134 (step S300). ). Mixing container 5
In order to be able to supply the material immediately after mounting 00, the mixing container 500 with the lid removed at the time of mounting to the container holder 134 is mounted. In the third embodiment, the worker manually mounts the mixing container 500. However, the mixing container 500 may be mounted using an automatic machine.

After mounting the mixing container 500 with the lid removed,
When the operator presses the control start switch of ECU 700, E
The CU 700 starts a series of mixed defoaming operations while exchanging signals with various controllers according to the mixed defoaming program stored in the ROM 704 (step S).
302). FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a flow in which the ECU 700 performs a mixed defoaming process while exchanging signals with various controllers.

When the mixing and defoaming program starts, pure water is first supplied to the mixing container 500 (step S35).
0). This processing is performed by the ECU 700 when the revolution motor controller 720 and the pure water material feeder controller 7
26 while exchanging signals. The manner in which the ECU 700 supplies pure water while exchanging signals will be described below.

When the mixed defoaming program is started, the ECU
700 first issues a positioning command to the revolving motor controller 720 to position the mixing container 500 at the position P1. Specifically, a position command value (FIG. 4) corresponding to the position P1 is sent to the revolution motor controller 720.
) Is output to instruct positioning. ECU 700
Receives the positioning completion signal from the revolution motor controller 720, and instructs the pure water material feeder controller 726 to supply a predetermined amount of pure water. In the third embodiment, if the supply amount data is output to the pure water material supply device controller 726, an instruction to supply a predetermined amount of pure water is issued.
Thereafter, when the supply completion signal is received from the pure water material supply device controller 726, the pure water supply process (step S350 in FIG. 18) ends.

When pure water is supplied, carbon powder is supplied next (step S352). The process of supplying the carbon powder is performed while the ECU 700 exchanges signals with various controllers similarly to the supply of the pure water. Explaining only the outline, first, the ECU 700 instructs the revolving motor controller 720 to position the mixing container 500 at the position P2. After positioning the mixing container 500 at the position P2, this time, an instruction is given to the carbon powder material / material supply controller 728 to supply a predetermined amount of carbon powder. When a predetermined amount of carbon powder is supplied in this way, the carbon powder supply processing (step S352) ends.

In the third embodiment, at the time of the supply of the pure water and the supply of the carbon powder, the material is supplied in a state where the mixing container 500 is upright, as in the second embodiment. Accordingly, the opening of the mixing container 500 is greatly opened toward the material supply port, and the supply of the material is facilitated.

When receiving the supply completion signal from the carbon powder material supply controller 728, the ECU 700 starts a process of stirring the material in the mixing container 500 (step S354). Here, in the third embodiment, the mixing container 5
Attach the lid to 00 and stir. If the mixing container 500 is agitated after being covered, there is no danger that the material in the container will be scattered. be able to. In the third embodiment, the attachment of the lid and the stirring of the material are also performed by R
EC according to the control program stored in OM704
All are automatically performed under the management of U700. FIG.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a flow of a process for automatically performing a series of processes such as attaching a lid and stirring materials in the third embodiment. The mixing and defoaming process (step S364 in FIG. 18) described later is a stirring process (step S3 in FIG. 18).
54) Only the stirring conditions are different, and the procedure is the same as the stirring process. Therefore, the stirring process and the mixed defoaming process are collectively described as a stirring / mixing defoaming process based on the flowchart of FIG.

When the stirring / mixing defoaming process is started, first, the mixing container 500 is positioned at the position P7 (step S4).
00). The position P7 is a position corresponding to the lid detacher 600 described above (see FIG. 16).

After positioning the mixing container 500 at the position P 7, the lid 504 is attached to the mixing container 500 using the lid attaching / detaching machine 600.
Is automatically mounted (step S402). The lid 504 is
When the worker mounts the mixing container 500 without a lid on the mixing and defoaming machine 100, the mixing container 500 is mounted on the lid removing and attaching machine 600 in advance. The attachment of the lid 504 is performed according to the procedure described above with reference to FIG. To explain only the outline, when the lid attaching / detaching jig 610 holding the lid 504 is lowered from above the mixing container 500, the lid holding / holding 506 is opened by being pressed by the sleeve 612 of the lid attaching / detaching jig 610. Place 504. Next, the knob grip 616 is opened, and the lid attaching / detaching jig 610 is raised while the lid 504 is left on the mixing container 500.
When the lid attaching / detaching jig 610 is raised and the sleeve 612 is separated from the lid retainer 506, the lid retainer 506 pressed by the sleeve 612 is moved by the force of the spring 506d to the mixing container 500.
The upper lid 504 is pressed down to complete the mounting of the lid.

When the mounting of the lid is completed as described above,
According to the same procedure as in the second embodiment, the materials in the container are stirred or mixed and defoamed. To briefly explain, first, the mixing container 500 is positioned at the position P6, and the piston 404 of the container tilt 400 is advanced to move the mixing container 5 to the position P6.
00 is tilted (step S404). Here, since the mixing container 500 is provided with the lid 504, even if the mixing container 500 is tilted, the material inside does not spill.
Accordingly, it is possible to supply a large amount of material to the mixing container 500 and perform a large amount of mixed defoaming processing at a time.

Next, the rotation pulley 140 is raised to a predetermined position while the mixing container 500 is tilted (step S4).
06) Then, the piston 404 is slowly retracted (step S408). When the piston 404 is retracted, the friction pulley 136 is pressed by the force of the spring arm 138 against the rotation pulley 140 that has risen to a predetermined position. When the mixing container 500 is tilted in this manner, stirring conditions,
That is, the rotation speed and the revolution speed of the mixing container 500 and the stirring time are set, and the stirring is started (step S41).
0). The stirring condition is set by the ECU 700 outputting data set in advance by a worker using a switch on the operation panel 710 to the revolution motor controller 720 and the rotation motor controller 722.

When the stirring of the materials is completed, a process for erecting the mixing container 500 in preparation for the next material supply is performed.
That is, the mixing container 500 is positioned at the position P6 (step S412), and the piston 404 of the container tilt 400 is moved.
To support the mixing container 500 (step S41).
4) The pulley 140 for rotation is lowered as it is, and the mixing container 500 is erected (step S416). Further, the piston 404 of the container tilt 400 is completely retracted (step S418).

When the mixing container 500 stands upright, it is determined whether there is any unsupplied material (step S420). If all the materials have been supplied, it is considered that the mixing and defoaming of the materials in the mixing container 500 is completed by the previous rotation and revolution, and then the mixing container 500 may be recovered. If the mixing container 500 is collected with the lid attached, there is no possibility that the material in the container will spill during transportation. Therefore, when all the materials are supplied, the stirring / mixing defoaming process is completed without removing the lid.

If there is any material that has not been supplied, the lid is detached in preparation for the supply of the material (step S422). Removal of the lid 504 is performed according to the procedure described above with reference to FIG. To explain only the outline, the mixing vessel 500 with the lid is moved to the position P7.
When the jig 610 is lowered from above the mixing container 500, the sleeve 61 of the jig 610 is removed.
2, the lid retainer 506 is opened. Lid removal jig 6
After the 10 is completely lowered, the knob 616 is closed, the knob 505 of the lid 504 is gripped, and the lid attaching / detaching jig 616 is raised as it is, whereby the attaching / detaching of the lid 504 is completed. When the attachment / detachment of the lid is completed in this manner, the process exits the stirring / mixing defoaming process of FIG. 19 and returns to the process of the mixing and defoaming program shown in FIG.

In the processing in the mixing and defoaming program of FIG. 18, when the stirring processing (step S354) is completed, an organic solvent is supplied next (step S356), and then an electrolyte membrane is supplied (step S358). That is, the mixing vessel 500 is positioned at the position P3 and the organic solvent is supplied from the material supply device 224. Subsequently, the mixing vessel 500 is moved to the position P4.
And the electrolyte solution is supplied from the material supply device 226. After the supply of the organic solvent and the electrolyte solution, the lid 504 is attached to the mixing container 500 again, and the material in the container is stirred (step S360). Specifically, upon detecting a signal indicating that the material supply has been completed from the material supply device controller 732 for the electrolyte solution, the ECU 700 proceeds to step S.
The stirring process of 360 is started. The process of attaching the lid in step S360 and stirring the material in the container is exactly the same as the process in step S354. Of course, the stirring conditions may be different between step S354 and step S360. If the stirring conditions are set according to each process, the stirring can be performed under the optimum conditions.

After the completion of the stirring in step S360, beads for dispersion are supplied (step S362).
That is, mixing container 500 with lid 504 removed.
Is positioned at the position P5, and beads for dispersion are supplied from the material supply device 228. Upon receiving the signal indicating that the supply of the beads has been completed, the ECU 700 starts the mixed defoaming process of the material in the mixing container 500 (step S364). The mixed defoaming process in step S364 is performed in the same procedure as the stirring process in step S354. However, step 354
In the stirring process, it is sufficient to substantially stir the material. On the other hand, the mixing and defoaming process in step S364 is a process for completing the catalyst slurry, and thus it is necessary to sufficiently mix and defoam. In response to this, in step S364, the mixed defoaming process is performed under the conditions that are experimentally determined to be optimal. Thus, the mixed defoaming process (step S3 in FIG. 18)
When step 64) is completed, the process exits the process based on the mixed defoaming program and returns to the process shown in FIG.

When the process returns to the process of FIG. 17, the end indicator lamp 640 is turned on (step S304). That is,
If it is determined in step S304 that the mixed defoaming program has been completed, it is considered that the catalyst slurry has been completed in the mixing container 500. Therefore, in order to prompt the operator to collect the mixing container 500, an end indicator lamp 640 is provided.
Is lit. The end indicator lamp 640 is desirably provided in a conspicuous place, and is provided above the stand 630 of the lid detacher 600 in this embodiment. The lighting of the end indicator lamp 640 is performed by the ECU 700 outputting a lighting signal to the lid detachment / attachment controller 738.

In the production of the catalyst slurry of the third embodiment, the ECU 700 performs the following processing even after the end indicator lamp 640 is turned on. At the same time when the end indicator lamp 640 is turned on, a timer is set to measure the elapsed time from the completion of the catalyst slurry (step S308). In the third embodiment, a timer function is realized by software using a clock built in the CPU 702 and the RAM 706. Of course, the timer function may be realized by hardware using a dedicated element or the like.

After the elapse of the predetermined time, it is determined whether or not the mixing container 500 has been collected (step S310). The collection of the mixing container 500 is determined by detecting whether or not a collection button on the operation panel 710 pressed by an operator when collecting the mixing container 500 is pressed. Of course, a sensor for detecting whether or not the mixing container 500 is mounted is provided on, for example, the holder 132 of the mixing and defoaming machine 100,
Whether or not the mixing container 500 has been recovered may be determined based on the output of the sensor.

When it is determined that the mixing container 500 has not been collected yet, the mixing container 500 is stirred for a predetermined time (step S312). The stirring of the mixing container 500
This is performed according to the stirring / mixing defoaming process of FIG. However, since the lid 504 is attached to the mixing container 500, the process for attaching the lid (steps S400 and S402) is skipped. In addition, since the mixing container 500 can be collected and transported immediately after stirring, the process relating to the attachment / detachment of the lid (step S422) is also skipped for convenient transport. After stirring for a predetermined time in this way, the process returns to step S308 again, and the subsequent series of processes is repeated until the mixing container 500 is collected. If it is determined in step S310 that the mixing container 500 has been collected,
Finish the production of catalyst slurry. After being collected, the mixing container 500 is transported to a downstream process.

As described above, in the third embodiment,
Even when the slurry for the catalyst is completed, the mixing container 500 is stirred every time a predetermined time elapses, so that the production quality of the slurry for the catalyst can be stabilized for the following reasons. That is, even if the end indicator lamp 640 is turned on, the mixing container 50
0 is not always recovered. In particular, in the third embodiment, since the processing up to the completion of the catalyst slurry after the mounting of the mixing container 500 is automatically performed, it is considered that there are many cases where there is no worker nearby when the slurry is completed. If the completed catalyst slurry is left in the mixing vessel 500 for a long time, the slurry may be deteriorated because the mixed materials gradually separate due to a difference in specific gravity. In consideration of such a possibility, in the third embodiment, even after completion of the catalyst slurry,
The mixing container 500 is stirred every time a predetermined time elapses.
As a result, the production quality of the catalyst slurry can be stabilized.

As described above, in the mixing and defoaming operation of the third embodiment, the mixing container 500 with a lid is used, and when various materials are supplied, the mixing container 500 is supplied in an upright state, and the mixing or deaeration is performed. Mixing container 5 when mixing and defoaming
After the lid 504 has been attached to 00, stirring or mixing and defoaming have been performed. For this reason, it is possible to mix and degas many materials in one operation.

After the mixing container 500 is mounted, all processes up to the completion of the catalyst slurry are automatically performed. For this reason,
Since the mixing and defoaming operation can be performed under exactly the same conditions every time, including the time required for the supply of the material, the production quality of the catalyst slurry can be stabilized.

Further, even after the completion of the catalyst slurry, the mixing vessel 500 is stirred every time a predetermined time elapses. For this reason, the catalyst slurry is not left for a long time after completion and does not deteriorate, and the production quality of the catalyst slurry can be further stabilized.

D. Fourth Embodiment: In the mixing and defoaming apparatus 10 of the fourth embodiment, the material in the mixing vessel 130 is dispersed using an ultrasonic dispersion device called a homogenizer. In particular, in the mixing and defoaming apparatus 10 of the fourth embodiment, the mixing vessel 13
By dispersing the material in the container with a homogenizer while rotating the container in a state where 0 is upright, it is possible to efficiently disperse the material. Hereinafter, the mixing and defoaming apparatus of the fourth embodiment will be described.

D-1. Apparatus Configuration: (1) Rotation Mechanism of Fourth Embodiment: First, a mechanism for rotating the container with the mixing container 130 upright (hereinafter, referred to as an upright rotation mechanism 100f) will be described. FIG.
It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the mixing deaerator 100 of 4th Example provided with the upright rotation mechanism 100f.

As shown, the upright rotation mechanism 100f
Is an upright pulley 13 provided at the lower part of the mixing vessel 130.
7 and an upright rotation pulley 141 for rotating the upright pulley 137. The upright pulley 137 is a friction pulley 1 that rotates the mixing container 130 while rotating the container.
Immediately below 36, it is provided integrally with the friction pulley 136. The upright rotation pulley 141 is a rotation pulley 140 that drives the friction pulley 136 while the mixing container 130 is tilted.
Is provided integrally with the rotation pulley 140. When the mixing container 130 is upright, the upright pulley 137 at the bottom of the container is pressed against the upright rotation pulley 141 by the spring arm 138. That is,
The mixing container 130 is pushed by the force of a spring built in the spring arm 138, and the fulcrum 123 supporting the container is supported.
, And as a result, the upright pulley 137 is pressed against the upright rotation pulley 141.

In the mixing and defoaming machine 100 of the fourth embodiment having the above configuration, when the rotation motor 142 is driven in a state where the mixing container 130 is upright, it is integrally formed with the rotation pulley 140. The upright rotation pulley 141 rotates, and is driven by the upright rotation pulley 141 to rotate the upright pulley 137 on the mixing container side. Since the mixing container 130 is joined to the upright pulley 137 via the friction pulley 136, the rotation of the upright pulley 137 causes the mixing container 1 to rotate.
30 rotates.

(2) Homogenizer (Ultrasonic dispersing apparatus) of the fourth embodiment: FIG. 21 shows a mixing and defoaming apparatus 1 of the fourth embodiment.
Homogenizer (ultrasonic dispersing device) 80 used at 0
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a zero. As shown in the figure, the homogenizer 800 used in the fourth embodiment mainly includes an ultrasonic vibration unit 802, an air cylinder 806 for vertically moving the ultrasonic vibration unit 802, and an air cylinder 8
And an abutment 808 that supports the abutment 06. A vibrator 804 driven by the ultrasonic vibrating unit 802 is provided at a tip of the ultrasonic vibrating unit 802.
A cylindrical sleeve 814 is provided around the outer circumference of the vibrator 804, and a cylindrical container guide 816 is further provided on the outer circumference of the sleeve 814. A plurality of agitating blades 818 are provided outward on a sleeve 814 on the outer periphery of the vibrator 804. Stirring blade 8
The function 18 will be described later.

An air cylinder 806 and a guide sleeve 812 are attached to the support 808. A guide pole 810 is slidably penetrated through the guide sleeve 812, and the tip of the guide pole 810 is
02 is attached to the attached plate 820. When the air cylinder 806 is driven to move the plate 820 in the vertical direction, the whole of the ultrasonic vibration unit 802 attached to the plate 820 moves up and down.

D-2. Outline of the dispersion processing of the fourth embodiment: Hereinafter, the dispersion processing performed by the mixing and defoaming apparatus 10 of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the description of the second embodiment. The mixed defoaming device 10 of the fourth embodiment is different from the mixed defoaming device 10 of the second embodiment in that the upright rotation mechanism 100 described above is used.
f, and the homogenizer 70 is used instead of the material feeder 228 for charging beads for dispersion into the mixing vessel.
It can be considered that 0 is set.

As in the case of the second embodiment, the materials in the mixing container are almost uniformly mixed before starting the dispersion treatment of the fourth embodiment. About this processing, FIG.
Will be briefly described. First, the mixing vessel 130 is set in the mixing and defoaming machine 100, and pure water and carbon powder are supplied to the vessel and gently stirred (Steps S100 to S106 in FIG. 6), and then the organic solvent and the electrolyte solution are added. After stirring again for a predetermined time, the mixing container 130 is set upright (steps S108 to S112 in FIG. 6). In this way, a mixture in which these materials are almost uniformly mixed is generated in the mixing container 130.

Next, the upright mixing vessel 130 is positioned below the homogenizer 800. In the fourth embodiment, the homogenizer 800 is installed at the position (position P5 in FIG. 10) where the material supply device 228 for supplying the beads for dispersion is installed in the second embodiment.
After positioning the mixing container 130 under the homogenizer 800, the air cylinder 806 is driven to drive the vibrator 8
The homogenizer 800 is slowly lowered until the 04 and the stirring blade 818 are immersed in the material in the mixing vessel 130.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory view showing a state where the homogenizer 800 is lowered to a predetermined position. When the homogenizer 800 is lowered, the vibrator 804 and the mixing container 130 are accurately positioned so that the outer periphery of the container guide 816 is guided to the inner peripheral surface of the mixing container 130. When the homogenizer 800 is lowered to a predetermined position,
Since the opening of the mixing container 130 is covered with the container guide 816, there is also an effect that the material in the container can be prevented from being scattered during the dispersion processing.

After the homogenizer 800 is lowered by a predetermined amount, the ultrasonic vibrator 802 ultrasonically vibrates the vibrator 804 and rotates the mixing container 130 on its own axis. As described above, the mixing container 130 can be rotated at a desired speed by driving the rotation motor 142 at a predetermined rotation speed. During the rotation of the mixing container 130, the revolving motor 116 is in a locked state.
The position of the mixing container 130 does not move.

Here, the function of the stirring blade 818 provided at the tip of the homogenizer 800 will be described. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the stirring blade 818 is attached at a slight angle (angle of attack) with respect to the rotation direction of the mixing vessel 130. Accordingly, when the mixing vessel 130 is rotated while the stirring blade 818 is immersed in the material, the stirring blade 818 acts like a propeller, and the material in the mixing vessel 130 is
As indicated by arrows in FIG. 22, convection occurs, and a material flows toward the vibrator 804. In this way, the material dispersed by passing near the vibrator 804 flows into the gap between the vibrator 804 and the sleeve 814. As shown in the figure, a plurality of flow holes 822 are provided between the stirring blades 818 on the side surface of the sleeve 814, and the dispersed material passes through the flow holes 822 and returns to the stirring blade 818 again. Convection in the mixing vessel. Thus, the sleeve 814
The material in the mixing container 130 can be efficiently dispersed by dispersing the material using the homogenizer 800 while causing convection in the material in the mixing container 130 by the stirring blades 818 provided in the container.

After the distributed processing is completed as described above,
After raising the homogenizer 800, the mixing container 130 is returned to the initial position P0, that is, the position where the mixing container 130 was initially set, the container is removed, and the catalyst slurry in the container is supplied to the downstream process.

After the completion of the catalyst slurry, the catalyst slurry attached to the homogenizer 800 is washed as follows. First, the empty mixing container 130 is placed in the mixing and defoaming apparatus 10.
0 and set the container at the position of the material feeder 224 (FIG. 10).
And the organic solvent is supplied by a predetermined amount. Next, after positioning the mixing container 130 containing the organic solvent under the homogenizer 800, the homogenizer 800 is lowered, and the vibrator 80 is rotated while rotating the container.
4 is vibrated. As a result, the same flow as described above occurs in the organic solvent in the mixing vessel 130, so that the catalyst slurry attached to the vibrator 804, the sleeve 814, the stirring blade 818, and the like can be washed. When the cleaning of the homogenizer 800 is completed, the mixing vessel 130 is replaced with an empty one, and the production of the catalyst slurry can be started again.

As described above, in the dispersion treatment of this embodiment, the slurry attached to the homogenizer 800 can be easily and completely washed. As a result, there is no possibility that the residue of the previously prepared catalyst slurry is mixed, and a stable quality catalyst slurry can be produced each time.

In the dispersion processing of the fourth embodiment described above, it is possible to efficiently disperse the material in the mixing container by taking advantage of the ultrasonic dispersion apparatus. That is, in general, the ultrasonic dispersing device has an advantage that the powder can be vibrated violently by the vibrator to disperse the powder in a short time. As described above, by performing the dispersion treatment while generating the convection in the material in the mixing container 130 using the stirring blade 818,
It is possible to disperse uniformly in a short time.

Further, as shown in FIG.
Since the stirring blades 818 are provided outward on the outer peripheral surface of 14, the flow generated in the mixing vessel 130 is as follows. In other words, when the inner peripheral surface of the mixing container is lowered, and hits the bottom surface of the mixing container, the direction changes to the center direction. . After being dispersed in the vicinity of the vibrator 804, the sleeve 81
4 through the flow holes 822 provided in the stirring blade 81 again.
8 lowers the inner peripheral surface of the mixing vessel. As described above, since there is no region in which the material is stagnated in the mixing container 130, the material in the container can be dispersed very uniformly.

Further, in such a dispersion treatment, the material in the mixing vessel can be stirred with a very simple structure. That is, the stirring blade 818 is provided with the homogenizer 80.
0, and a mechanism for rotating the stirring blade 818 is unnecessary. In the dispersion processing of the fourth embodiment, the mixing container 130 is rotated instead of rotating the stirring blade 818, but the mechanism for this is an upright mechanism for rotating the container while the mixing container 130 is inclined. It is only necessary to add the pulley 137 and the upright rotation pulley 141.

Further, if the rotation speed of the upright rotation pulley 141 is controlled, the rotation speed of the mixing container 130 can be controlled. As a result, it is also possible to adjust the speed of convection of the material in the container. is there. Therefore, the mixing container 13
By rotating 0 at an appropriate speed, the material in the container can be more effectively dispersed.

In the above description, the material in the mixing container 130 is described as flowing down the inner peripheral surface of the container by the stirring blade 818. However, the mounting angle of the stirring blade is changed to the rotation direction of the mixing container. , It is possible to generate a convection that rises the inner peripheral surface of the mixing vessel. Even in such a case, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

D-3. Modifications: There are various modifications in the distributed processing of the fourth embodiment. Hereinafter, these modifications will be briefly described. In the above-described fourth embodiment, the stirring blade 818 is provided on the non-rotating side (the homogenizer 800 side), and the side without the stirring blade 818 (the mixing vessel 130 side) is rotated. However, the stirring blade is provided on the rotating side. It is good. That is, as shown in FIG. 23, a plurality of stirring blades 818a may be provided inward on the inner peripheral surface of the mixing vessel. The material is put in such a mixing container, and a vibrator 804 of a homogenizer is inserted into a substantially central portion to rotate the mixing container 130 on its own axis. Then, since convection occurs in the material between the stationary vibrator 804 and the rotating mixing container 130 due to the viscosity of the material, it is possible to obtain substantially the same effect as in the above-described fourth embodiment. Can be.

Also, as shown in FIG. 24, the bracket 815 is taken out from the homogenizer 800 side, and the vibrator 804
A stirring blade 818b may be provided below the container. This way,
The size of the stirring blade 818b can be freely set without being restricted by the outer diameter of the vibrator 804 and the sleeve 814. As a result, the flow in the mixing container 130 is optimized, and the material in the container can be more efficiently dispersed, which is preferable.

Alternatively, the dispersion treatment can be performed without using a stirring blade. That is, as shown in FIG.
The vibrator 804 of the homogenizer is inserted eccentrically into the mixing container 130, and the mixing container 130 is rotated while the vibrator 804 is ultrasonically vibrated. In this way, the materials in the mixing container 130 can be dispersed evenly. When a relatively deep bottom mixing vessel 130 is used, the homogenizer oscillator 804 may be dispersed while moving up and down. Vertical movement of the vibrator 804 can be easily performed by controlling the air cylinder 806 of the homogenizer 800.

In such a modification that does not use a stirring blade,
Since the amount of unrecoverable slurry attached to the homogenizer after the completion of the catalyst slurry is reduced by the absence of the stirring blade,
This is preferable because the yield of the catalyst slurry is increased.

[0205] Even in the configuration provided with the stirring blade, the material of the mixing vessel 130 may be dispersed while the homogenizer 800 is moved up and down as in the configuration without the stirring blade. In addition to the convection of the material by the stirring blade, if the homogenizer 800 is dispersed while moving up and down, the dispersion process can be performed more efficiently. Also,
If the bottom of the mixing container becomes deeper, it may be necessary to increase the rotation speed of the mixing container in order to convect the material at the bottom, but if the homogenizer 800 is moved up and down, the homogenizer 800 may be lowered. Therefore, the material on the bottom side can be surely dispersed, which is preferable.

In the fourth embodiment described above, the vibrator 804 of the homogenizer 800 is inserted into the container from above with the mixing container 130 standing upright. In this case, the homogenizer 80
Since 0 is moved in the direction of the action of gravity, play can be provided at various points of the mechanism for moving up and down. Therefore, the homogenizer 800 and the mixing vessel 130
Even if a slight misalignment occurs between them, the dispersing process can be easily performed by absorbing the misalignment with the play provided at various places. However, even when the homogenizer 800 is inserted obliquely from above in a state where the mixing container 130 is inclined, it is needless to say that the dispersing process can be effectively performed similarly to the above-described embodiment.

E. Fifth Embodiment: In the various embodiments described above, the mixing container is not particularly cooled. However, if the mixing container is cooled, the material in the mixing container or the material due to frictional heat between the material and the inner surface of the container is cooled. Dispersion treatment can be performed effectively while avoiding secondary aggregation. Hereinafter, a fifth embodiment having such a cooling mechanism will be described.

E-1. Apparatus configuration: FIG. 26 shows the mixing and defoaming machine 10 of the fifth embodiment having a mixing vessel cooling mechanism 100g.
It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of 0. Although the detailed structure will be described later, in the mixing and defoaming machine 100 of the fifth embodiment, the container holder 1
A cooling jacket is provided between the container 34 and the retainer 132, and cooling water is supplied to the jacket from the cooling housing 902 by a supply hose 904 to cool the mixing container 130. The cooling water discharged from the cooling jacket is returned to the cooling housing 902 again via the discharge hose 906. The cooling housing 902 includes a cooling shaft 900 provided on the top of the center shaft 110.
Is slidably mounted on. For this reason, even when the mixing container 130 revolves, it is possible to supply the cooling water of the cooling jacket from the cooling housing 902 to cool the material in the container. Hereinafter, the cooling mechanism of the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to the sectional views.

FIG. 27 shows the container holder 134 and the holder 13.
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a retainer for explaining a structure of a cooling jacket formed between the retainer and the cooling jacket. The cross section position is
It is the position of the AA cross section of FIG. As shown, the mixing container 130 is stored in a container holder 134, and the container holder 134 is rotatably stored in a holder 132 via a bearing 912. A friction pulley 136 is attached to the bottom surface of the container holder 134 with bolts 916, and the upright pulley 137 is formed integrally with the friction pulley 136. Friction pulley 1 by rotation pulley 140
When the upright pulley 137 is driven by the upright rotation pulley 141 or the upright rotation pulley 141, the container holder 134 rotates in the holder 132, and as a result, the mixing container 130 rotates.

As shown, the container holder 134 of the fifth embodiment is provided with a large opening 914 so that the inner peripheral surface of the holder 132 and the outer peripheral surface of the mixing container 130 It is structured so as to face each other with the opening 914 interposed therebetween. Cooling jacket 918
Is formed in a space surrounded by the inner peripheral surface of the retainer 132, the container holder 134, and the outer peripheral surface of the mixing container 130. Incidentally, a sliding portion between the retainer 132 and the container holder 134,
And between the container holder 134 and the mixing container 130,
A sealing member (not shown) is provided, and sealing is performed so that the cooling water in the cooling jacket 918 does not leak outside. A fluid joint 908 to which the supply hose 904 is connected and a fluid joint 910 to which the discharge hose 906 is connected are provided on the side wall of the retainer 132.

FIG. 28 is a sectional view showing the structure of a cooling shaft 900 and a cooling flange 902 which supply cooling water to the cooling jacket 918. The cross-sectional position is shown in FIG.
BB section of FIG. As shown, a substantially cylindrical cooling shaft 900 is provided on the top of the center shaft 110.
A cooling flange 900 having a substantially cylindrical shape is mounted on the outer periphery of the cooling shaft 900. The cooling shaft 900 and the cooling flange 902 are joined via a bearing 922, and the cooling flange 902 is rotatable around the cooling shaft 900.
As shown in FIG. 28, the inner diameter of the cooling flange 902 is made larger than the outer diameter of the cooling shaft 900, and the outer peripheral surface of the cooling shaft 900 and the cooling flange 90.
The space between the inner peripheral surface of the second seal member 920 and the inner peripheral surface
Is divided into two upper and lower rooms. The lower room is a supply chamber 924 for supplying cooling water to the cooling jacket 918 shown in FIG. 27, and the upper room is a discharge chamber 926 for discharging cooling water from the cooling jacket.

A fluid coupling 928 is provided on the side of the cooling flange 902 corresponding to the position of the supply chamber 924, and a supply hose 904 is connected to the fluid coupling 928 (see FIG. 26). Two cooling water passages are provided inside the cooling shaft 900, and one of the cooling water passages is connected to the supply chamber 924. Similarly, a fluid coupling 930 is provided on the side surface of the cooling flange 902 corresponding to the position of the discharge chamber 926, and a discharge hose 906 is connected to the fluid coupling 930 (see FIG. 26). Further, the other cooling water passage provided inside the cooling shaft 900 is connected to the discharge chamber 926. Further, on the bottom surface of the cooling shaft 900, hose nipples 923 and 934 are provided in respective cooling water passages, and each hose nipple is connected to a cooling water pump via a cooling hose (not shown).

The cooling flange 902 includes a bracket 932
When the outer sleeve 932 is rotated, the cooling flange 902 also rotates about the cooling shaft 900 when the outer sleeve 932 is rotated. As a result, the fluid couplings 928 and 930 provided on the cooling flange 902 are always kept at the same position with respect to the mixing vessel 130.

E-2. Cooling Function of Mixing Container: A method of cooling the material in the mixing container in the mixing defoamer 100 of the fifth embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 28, a cooling hose is connected to a hose nipple 932 on the bottom surface of the cooling shaft 900, and cooling water is supplied using a pump. Then, the cooling water is supplied to the supply chamber 924 through the cooling water passage inside the cooling shaft 900, and from the fluid coupling 928 via the supply side hose 904 to the cooling jacket 918 from the fluid coupling 908 provided in the holder 132. (See FIG. 27).

In the cooling jacket 918, the mixing vessel 130
The cooling water whose side has been cooled is discharged from the fluid coupling 910 provided in the retainer 132, and flows into the discharge chamber 926 inside the cooling flange 902 from the fluid coupling 930 via the discharge side hose 906 (see FIG. 28). . Next, the discharge chamber 9
From 26, the cooling water passes through a cooling water passage inside the cooling shaft 900, and is discharged from a cooling hose connected to a hose nipple 934 on the bottom surface of the cooling shaft 900.

In the cooling structure of the fifth embodiment described above, the positional relationship between the fluid couplings 928 and 930 of the cooling flange 902 and the mixing vessel 130 is always kept constant. In any of the above, cooling water can be circulated through the cooling jacket 918 to efficiently cool.

Further, as shown in FIG. 27, a large opening 914 is provided on the side surface of the container holder 134 so that the side surface of the mixing container 130 directly contacts the cooling water in the cooling jacket 918. Has become. Therefore, if the mixing container 130 is rotated, a large relative speed difference is generated between the outer peripheral surface of the container and the cooling water in the cooling jacket, so that the outer peripheral surface of the mixing container 130 can be efficiently cooled, As a result, the material in the mixing container can be efficiently cooled.

For example, when the cooling mechanism of the fifth embodiment is combined with the dispersion mechanism of the fourth embodiment using a homogenizer, the material inside the mixing vessel flows along the side of the vessel by the stirring blade. In contrast, the container side surface is effectively cooled by the cooling mechanism of this embodiment. That is, the flow of the material inside the mixing container and the effective cooling of the side surface of the mixing container are combined, so that the material in the mixing container can be cooled very efficiently. Therefore, during the dispersion treatment of the material in the mixing container, the material does not secondary aggregate due to frictional heat.

Also, in the case where the dispersing process is performed by putting beads for dispersion into the mixing container, the cooling mechanism of the fifth embodiment can be applied to the case where the mixing container is rotating or revolving during rotation. In addition, it is possible to supply cooling water constantly to efficiently cool the container side. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the dispersed material from agglomerating due to frictional heat generated during the dispersion processing.

E-3. Modifications: There are various modifications of the cooling mechanism of the fifth embodiment. Hereinafter, these modifications will be briefly described. In the fifth embodiment described above,
Although the description has been made assuming that the cooling water is circulated using a pump, as shown in FIG. 29, if a convection blade 940 is provided inside the cooling jacket, a configuration without using a pump can be adopted. That is, when the mixing container 130 is rotated, the convection blades 940 act like a rotary pump, so that there is no need to separately provide a pump for circulating cooling water.

When a very large cooling capacity is not required, a structure in which a fluid coupling for circulating cooling water through the cooling jacket can be omitted as shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 30A, a predetermined amount of cooling water is supplied in advance into the cooling jacket 918,
When the mixing container 130 is set there, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8, the cooling water pushed out of the mixing container 130 fills the cooling jacket 918. In this state, if the mixing container 130 is rotated, the cooling jacket 9
While cooling the side of the mixing vessel with the cooling water in 18,
A mixed defoaming operation can be performed. When the mixing and defoaming operation is completed, the cooling water drain 942 directed to the side of the retainer 312.
From the cooling water. With this configuration, the mixing and defoaming operation can be performed while cooling the side surface of the mixing container without using a complicated mechanism. When a very large cooling capacity is not required, such a method can also efficiently perform the dispersing operation while avoiding secondary aggregation of the material due to frictional heat.

If a large cooling capacity is not required, a structure without the opening 914 of the container holder 134 may be adopted. In this case, the cooling jacket 918
Is formed between the holder 132 and the container holder 134, so that the cooling water only needs to be sealed between the holder 132 and the container holder 134, and the sealing structure can be simplified, which is preferable.

F. Sixth Embodiment: In the various embodiments described above, when the catalyst slurry is completed, the catalyst slurry is removed from the mixing defoaming device together with the mixing container and transported to the downstream process. ,
It may be supplied directly to the downstream process from the mixing vessel. This eliminates the possibility that foreign matter or impurities are mixed in the catalyst slurry, and a stable quality slurry can be supplied to the downstream process. Hereinafter, such a sixth embodiment will be described.

FIG. 31 is an explanatory view showing the structure of a material extracting mechanism 100h for directly extracting a completed catalyst slurry from the mixing vessel 130. Hereinafter, the structure of the material removing mechanism 100h will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

[0225] As shown in FIG.
h is, roughly, a material extraction jig 1000 and an air cylinder 1 for vertically moving the material extraction jig 1000.
100 and an abutment 1102 supporting the air cylinder 1100
It is composed of The material extraction jig 1000 has a slurry extraction shaft 1010 protruding from a sealing plate 1020,
The shape is such that a stirring blade 1012 is provided at the tip of the shaft. The structure of the material extracting jig 1000 will be described in detail with reference to another drawing. The abutment 1102 has an air cylinder 1100
And a guide sleeve 1104 are attached. A guide pole 1106 is slidably penetrated through the guide sleeve 1104, and the tip of the guide pole 1106 is connected to the plate 1108. The material removal jig 100 is attached to the tip of a shaft 1110 provided on the plate 1108.
0 is attached. Further, a motor 1112 is provided on the plate 1108, and by rotating the shaft 1110, it is possible to rotate the stirring blade 1012 provided at the tip of the slurry extraction shaft 1010.

[0226] Such a material removing mechanism 100h is installed near the mixing and defoaming machine 100 described above. When removing the completed catalyst slurry, the mixing container 130 is positioned below the material removal mechanism 100h using the revolving mechanism 100c of the mixing and defoaming machine 100, and then the material removal jig 1000 is removed.
And the slurry can be taken out of the mixing container 130 as described later. Considering the convenience of supplying the catalyst slurry to the next step, it is preferable that the material take-out mechanism 100h be provided in the direction in which the next step is performed, as viewed from the mixing and defoaming machine 100.

FIG. 32 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the completed catalyst slurry is taken out of the mixing vessel 130 by using the material take-out jig 1000. First, the structure of the material removal jig 1000 will be described with reference to FIG. The material extraction jig 1000 is mainly composed of a sealing plate 1020 and a slurry extraction shaft 1010 penetrating the sealing plate 1020. After the positioning of the mixing container 130, when the entire material extracting jig 1000 is lowered, the material extracting jig 1000 is mounted on the mixing container 130 such that the spigot portion of the sealing plate 1020 fits into the inner surface of the mixing container 130. An O-ring 1022 is provided in a spigot portion of the sealing plate 1020. When the sealing plate 1020 is attached, the inside of the mixing container 130 is sealed.

The slurry take-out shaft 1010 is
It is rotatably attached to the sealing plate 1020 via 24, and the upper end of the slurry extraction shaft 1010 is connected to the shaft 1110. The slurry extraction shaft 1010 and the shaft 1110 are connected by knurling, and when the shaft 1110 is rotated by the motor 1112, the slurry extraction shaft 1010 is also rotatable. Of course, the slurry extraction shaft 1010 and the shaft 1110 may be formed integrally. Further, a seal 1026 is provided between the slurry extraction shaft 1010 and the sealing plate 1020, and the inside of the mixing container 130 is maintained in an airtight structure.
In the middle of the shaft 1110, the coupling 111
1 is provided. The coupling 1111 transmits the rotational torque, and the shaft 1110 and the slurry extraction shaft 101
The displacement of the rotation axis from zero can be absorbed. Therefore, even if the rotation axis is slightly shifted between the shaft 1110 and the slurry extraction shaft 1010, the slurry extraction shaft 1010 can be driven to rotate stably.

[0229] The slurry removal shaft 1010 has a passage 101 therein.
4 are provided and the passage 1014 is
20 is connected to a pipe joint 1032 via a material pool 1030 provided inside. Further, a nipple 1028 is provided on the upper surface of the sealing plate 1020, and air can be supplied from the nipple 1028 into the mixing container 130.

Hereinafter, a method of taking out the catalyst slurry from the mixing vessel 130 using the material take-out jig 1000 will be described. First, as shown in FIG.
0 is attached to the mixing container 130, and compressed air is introduced into the mixing container 130 from the nipple 1028 on the upper portion of the sealing plate 1020. As described above, the sealing plate 1020
Is installed, the mixing vessel 130 has an airtight structure, so the catalyst slurry in the vessel is compressed by the pressure of the compressed air.
From the outlet 1016 at the tip of the slurry take-out shaft 1010, it rises through the internal passage 1014 and flows into the material reservoir 1030 provided inside the closed plate 1020. Seals 1026 are provided at both ends of the material pool 1030,
The inflowing catalyst slurry is prevented from leaking from the sliding portion between the slurry removal shaft 1010 and the sealing plate 1020. A pipe joint 1032 is connected to the material reservoir 1030. As described above, by introducing compressed air into the mixing container 130 having the airtight structure by the sealing plate 1020, the catalyst slurry in the container is pumped from the pipe joint 1032 to the next step.

According to this method, the completed catalyst slurry can be directly supplied from the mixing vessel 130 to the next step. For this reason, when transferring the completed catalyst slurry to another container or the like for supply to the next process, it is possible to avoid the possibility that foreign matter or impurities are mixed in the slurry, and to stabilize production quality. Becomes possible.

Further, since compressed air is introduced into the mixing container 130 and the catalyst slurry in the container is extruded by the compressed air, the catalyst slurry can be fed under pressure without mixing foreign substances and impurities. Only the quality can be stabilized.

If the catalyst slurry is fed under pressure using compressed air as described above, there is also an advantage that the flow path of the slurry from the mixing vessel 130 to the next step has a simple structure. In particular, the catalyst slurry is in a state where the powder is suspended in the liquid, so if the slurry is flowed through a complicated flow path, the powder will accumulate at the part where the flow in the flow path slightly stagnates. However, if the flow path has a simple configuration, such a danger can be easily avoided.

Of course, instead of pushing out with compressed air, a suction pump is provided on the pipe joint 1032 side,
A method of sucking out the catalyst slurry from the mixing container 130 may be used. If such a method is used, the completed catalyst slurry can be directly supplied from the mixing vessel 130 to the next step even when there is no compressed air supply facility.

As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, a stirring blade 1012 is provided at the tip of a slurry removal shaft 1010 in the material removal jig 1000 of this embodiment. It is possible to rotate. If the catalyst slurry is left for a long time, the suspended powder may agglomerate to enlarge the powder, or the powder may precipitate. By using, the catalyst slurry in the mixing vessel 130 can be appropriately stirred, so that the powder can be prevented from agglomerating or settling.
Of course, it is also possible to feed the catalyst slurry to the next step while stirring. Since the slurry removal shaft 1010 and the stirring blade 1012 are integrally formed in the material removal jig 1000, there is no need to change jigs when removing the catalyst slurry or stirring the slurry. To that extent, it is possible to avoid foreign substances and impurities from being mixed into the catalyst slurry.

Further, as shown in FIG. 32, in the material extracting jig 1000 of this embodiment, the slurry extracting shaft 1010 also serves as the rotation axis of the stirring blade 1012, and the slurry extracting shaft 1010
A take-out port 1016 is provided at the tip of. Exit 10
16 is provided in such a position, the stirring blade 1012
Since the outlet 1016 does not obstruct the stirring flow generated in the mixing vessel 130 when is rotated, the catalyst slurry in the vessel can be uniformly stirred. However, if the outlet 1016 is provided at a position that does not hinder the stirring flow, a location other than the tip of the slurry extraction shaft 1010,
For example, it may be provided on the side surface of the slurry extraction shaft 1010.

Of course, the powder material may be dispersed by changing the motor 1112 to an appropriate specification and stirring the material in the mixing vessel 130 with the stirring blade 1012. Alternatively, on the contrary, the catalyst slurry in the mixing vessel may be agitated by integrally forming the dispersing device and the material removing jig and driving the dispersing device under appropriate conditions. In this way, the entire mixing and de-morning apparatus 10 can have a simple configuration.

Although the above-described material removal jig 1000 is provided with the stirring blade 1012, it is needless to say that the stirring blade 1012 may not be provided. Without the stirring blade 1012, the catalyst slurry in the mixing vessel 130 cannot be stirred, but by supplying the completed catalyst slurry directly from the mixing vessel 130 to the next process, foreign matter and impurities can be mixed into the slurry. By avoiding this, the quality of the catalyst slurry can be stabilized.

In the above description, compressed air is introduced into the mixing vessel 130 to pressurize the catalyst slurry. However, it is a matter of course that compressed gas may be used instead of compressed air. Note that any inert gas such as nitrogen gas can be suitably used similarly to compressed air.

In the above description, the material extracting jig 1000 is lowered and mounted on the mixing container 130. However, the mixing container 130 may be raised and mounted on the material extracting jig 1000. .

Further, a part of the material extracting jig 1000, for example, a part of the slurry extracting shaft is installed in the mixing container, and when the sealing plate is attached, the slurry extracting shaft incorporated in the mixing container is closed. The plate and the plate may be combined to form an integrated material removal jig.

Although various embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to all the above embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist of the invention.

For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, an empty mixing container is mounted on the mixing and defoaming machine 100, but a mixing container containing a part of the materials may be mounted.

Also, in any of the above embodiments,
One type of material has been described as supplying the entire amount at one time. However, while stirring the same type of material little by little,
The material may be supplied a plurality of times. In this case, for example, powder that easily aggregates can be easily stirred.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a mixing and defoaming apparatus of the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing the structure of the mixing and defoaming machine of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a structure of a material supply machine used in the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of control for positioning a mixing container in the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a position for positioning a mixing container in the mixing and defoaming apparatus of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of an operation for manufacturing a catalyst slurry as an example of a mixed defoaming operation performed using the mixed defoaming apparatus of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a position for positioning a mixing container as a modification of the mixing and defoaming apparatus of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a state where a mixing container is upright in the mixing and defoaming apparatus of the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an operation of tilting the container in the mixing and defoaming apparatus of the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a position for positioning a mixing container in the mixing and defoaming apparatus of the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure for stirring or mixing and defoaming by inclining an upright mixing container in the mixing and defoaming apparatus of the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a shape of a mixing container with a lid used in the mixing and defoaming apparatus of the third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing the shape of a lid detacher for automatically detaching a lid of a mixing container in the mixing and defoaming apparatus of the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the lid of the mixing container is automatically attached and detached in the mixing and defoaming apparatus of the third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a control system for controlling a mixing and defoaming operation in the mixing and defoaming apparatus of the third embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a position for positioning a mixing container in the mixing and defoaming apparatus of the third embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a flow of an operation for manufacturing a catalyst slurry as an example of a mixed defoaming operation performed by using the mixed defoaming apparatus of the third embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a procedure performed by activating a stored mixed defoaming program when manufacturing a catalyst slurry using the mixed defoaming apparatus of the third embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a procedure for performing stirring or mixing and defoaming after tilting an upright mixing container, detaching a lid, in the mixing and defoaming apparatus of the third embodiment.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory view showing the structure of a mixing and defoaming machine according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory view showing the structure of an ultrasonic dispersion device used in the mixing and defoaming device of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the material in the container is dispersed while rotating the mixing container in the mixing and defoaming apparatus of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory view showing a first modification of the mixing and defoaming apparatus of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory view showing a second modification of the mixing and defoaming apparatus of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory view showing a third modification of the mixing and defoaming apparatus of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory view showing the structure of a mixing and defoaming machine according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a sectional view showing the structure of a cooling jacket of the mixing and defoaming apparatus of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a sectional view showing a structure of a cooling housing of the mixing and defoaming apparatus of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory view showing a modified example of the mixed defoaming measure of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory view showing another modification of the mixing and defoaming apparatus of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 31 is an explanatory view showing a material removing mechanism according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 32 is an explanatory view showing the structure of a material removal jig.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Mixing defoaming apparatus 20 ... Material supply machine 100 ... Mixing defoaming machine 100a ... Abutment 100b ... Retention mechanism 100c ... Revolving mechanism 100d ... Rotating mechanism 100e ... Upright mechanism 102 ... Base 104 ... Lower plate 106 ... Column 110 ... Center Shaft 112 ... Outer sleeve 114 ... Revolution pulley 116 ... Revolution motor 118 ... Pulley 120 ... Drive belt 122 ... Arm 123 ... Support point 124 ... Balancer 130 ... Mixing container 132 ... Holder 134 ... Container holder 136 ... Friction pulley 137 ... Upright Pulley 138 ... Spring arm 140 ... Pulley for rotation 141 ... Pulley for upright rotation 142 ... Rotation motor 144 ... Pulley 146 ... Drive belt 148 ... Upper plate 150 ... Hydraulic cylinder 152 ... Piston 154 ... Guide connection bar 156 ... Ga C. 158 Guide bush 200 Material feeder 202 Hopper 204 Sleeve 206 Screw 208 Motor 210 Material supply port 220, 222, 224, 226, 228 Material feeder 300 Control panel 302 Power supply unit 304 Inverter 306 Current control unit 308 Speed control unit 310 Position control unit 312 Encoder 314, 316 Current detector 400 Container tilt 402 Air cylinder 404 Piston 406 Plate 500 Mixing container 502 Mixing container body 503 ... Flange 504 ... Lid 505 ... Knob 506 ... Lid holder 506a ... Lid holder body 506b ... Roller 506c ... Shaft 506d ... Spring 600 ... Lid detacher 610 ... Lid detacher jig 612 ... Sleeve 614 ... Flange retainer 615 ... Spring 616 ... Lid attachment / detachment jig 620 Actuator unit 630 Stand 640 End indicator lamp 700 ECU 702 CPU 704 ROM 706 RAM 708 PIO 710 Operation panel 720 Motor controller for revolution 722 Motor controller for rotation 724 Hydraulic cylinder controller 726, 728, 730, 732, 734: Material feeder controller 736: Container tilt controller 738: Lid remover controller 800: Homogenizer 802: Ultrasonic vibrator 804: Vibrator 806: Air cylinder 808: Abutment 810 … Guide pole 812… guide sleeve 814… sleeve 816… container guide 818… stirring blade 820… plate 822… flow hole 900… cooling shaft 902… cooling housing 904… supply side hoe 906: Discharge side hose 908 ... Fluid coupling 910 ... Fluid coupling 912 ... Bearing 914 ... Opening 916 ... Bolt 918 ... Cooling jacket 920 ... Sealing member 922 ... Bearing 924 ... Supply chamber 926 ... Discharge chamber 928 ... Fluid coupling 930 ... Fluid coupling 932: Hose nipple 934: Hose nipple 940: Convection blade 942: Cooling water drain 1000: Material removal jig 1010: Slurry removal shaft 1012: Stirring blade 1014: Passage 1020: Sealing plate 1022: O-ring 1024: Bearing 1026: Seal 1028 ... Nipple 1030 ... Material pool 1032 ... Piping joint 1100 ... Air cylinder 1102 ... Abutment 1104 ... Guide sleeve 1106 ... Guide pole 1108 ... Plate 1110 ... Shaft 1111 ... Coupling Group 1112 ... motor

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Claims (24)

[Claims] 1. A mixing and defoaming apparatus for supplying a material into a container and mixing and defoaming the material, wherein the container revolving means revolves the container around a predetermined orbital axis. Around a rotation axis inclined with respect to a revolution axis, a container rotation means for rotating the container, and a material supply port having a material supply port for supplying a material to the container on a track on which the container revolves, When supplying the material to the container, positioning means for positioning the container at a position where the material supply port is provided by using the container revolving means; and after the supply of the material, start the revolution and rotation of the container. And a defoaming means for mixing and defoaming the materials in the container. 2. The mixing and defoaming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of said material supply means, wherein said positioning means positions said container at a position of each material supply port of said material supply means. A mixing and defoaming device. 3. The mixing and defoaming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least two of the plurality of material supply units supply each material from each of the material supply ports.
A mixing and defoaming apparatus having respective material supply ports at positions that can be simultaneously supplied to the containers positioned at the same position. 4. The mixing and defoaming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the material supply means is means for detecting completion of positioning of the container and starting to supply the material. 5. The mixing and defoaming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mixing and defoaming means is means for detecting the completion of the supply of the material and starting revolving and rotation of the container. . 6. The mixing and defoaming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: container upright means for erecting the container so that an opening of the container is directed upward, and wherein the material supply means is provided with the upright container. A mixing and defoaming device which is a means for supplying the material from above. 7. The mixing and defoaming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotation means is a means mechanically connected to the container revolving means so that the container revolves and simultaneously rotates. Some mixing defoamers. 8. The mixing and defoaming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the positioning means is configured to rotate the container revolving means and the container rotating means so that the container does not rotate when revolving the container. A mixing and defoaming device, which is means for positioning the container with the mechanical connection disconnected. 9. The mixing and defoaming apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: container upright means for erecting the container so that an opening of the container faces upward, and wherein the material supply means includes the container revolving means. A mixing and defoaming device which supplies the material to the container from above in a state where the connection between the container and the container rotating means is disconnected and the container is upright. 10. The mixing and defoaming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the container is provided on a revolving orbit, and crushes powder in the material supplied to the container into finer powder. Dispersing means for performing a dispersing process to make the particle size of the powder uniform, wherein the positioning means positions the container at a position where the dispersing device is installed when performing the dispersing process of the material in the container. A mixing and defoaming device. 11. The mixing and defoaming apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a stirring blade for stirring the material in the container during the dispersion treatment. 12. The mixing and defoaming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the dispersion treatment of the material in the container is performed while rotating the container at a position where the dispersing unit is installed. 13. The mixing and defoaming device according to claim 12, wherein the dispersing means is means for dispersing the material by ultrasonically oscillating the material in the container, and wherein the dispersing means or the container is used. A mixing and defoaming device provided on at least one of the inner surfaces thereof with a stirring blade for stirring the material in the container by rotating the container during the dispersion treatment. 14. The mixing and defoaming apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a dispersion cooling means for cooling the material in at least a dispersing process of the material in the container. 15. The mixing and defoaming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a material cooling unit that revolves with the container to cool a material of the container. 16. The mixing and defoaming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a material removing unit capable of directly removing the material in the container from the container, wherein the positioning unit removes the material in the container. A mixing and defoaming device, which is a means for positioning the container at a position where the material removing means is installed. 17. The mixing and defoaming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the material take-out means applies pressure to the material in the container and sends it out of the container by pumping the material out of the container. A mixing and defoaming device that is a means for directly taking out. 18. The mixing and defoaming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the mixing and defoaming apparatus is provided with a material stirring means capable of stirring the material in the container while being positioned to take out the material in the container. . 19. The mixing and defoaming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said material stirring means is formed integrally with said material take-out means. 20. The mixing and defoaming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the material stirring means pulverizes the powder in the material supplied to the container into finer powder, and the particle size of the powder. A mixing and defoaming device that is a means capable of performing a dispersion treatment. 21. The mixing and defoaming device according to any one of claims 1 to 20, further comprising a rotation speed control unit capable of controlling a revolution speed and a rotation speed of the container. . 22. The mixing and defoaming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein mixing and defoaming of a solution containing a catalyst for a fuel cell are performed. 23. The mixing and defoaming apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a lid attaching / detaching means for attaching / detaching a lid of the container from above the container in a state where the container is upright, and the material. The supply means is a means for supplying the material to the container in an upright state with the lid removed, and the mixing and defoaming means is configured to supply the material to the container after the supply of the material is completed and the lid is attached. A mixing and defoaming device, which is a means for initiating the revolution and rotation of the air. 24. A mixing and defoaming method for supplying a material into a container and mixing and defoaming the material, comprising: a predetermined revolving axis for revolving the container; and an inclination with respect to the revolving axis. And a material supply port for supplying material to the container is arranged on a track on which the container revolves, and when supplying material to the container, the container is revolved. By positioning the container at a position where the material supply port is located, supplying the material, and after completing the supply of the material, revolving and rotating the container around the orbital axis and the rotation axis, thereby providing the container. A mixing and defoaming method for mixing and defoaming materials in the container.