JP2003259965A - Centrifugal separator and juicer provided with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a centrifugal separator at a low cost. <P>SOLUTION: The centrifugal separator 11 has a centrifuge basket 21 which is provided with a filter member 24 having perforations 33 for being permeated with juiced ingredients, and first discharger openings 35 and second discharger openings 36 for letting out fibers and flesh, and an adjustment ring 23 which is turnably fitted outside the centrifuge basket 21. The adjustment ring 23 has first projections and second projections for opening or closing the first and the second discharger openings 35, 36, and positioning mechanism 46 for positioning the first and the second projections. Each positioning mechanism 46 has a pair of projecting parts 40 which are mounted on the centrifuge basket 21 and projecting in the radial directions so as to be engaged with recessed portions formed inside the adjustment ring to position the adjustment ring 23. Each projecting part 40 is extended in the vertical direction, and the top tip of each outside edge of the projecting parts 40 is made to abut the peripheral face of the filter member 24. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is used in juicers for making juice from ingredients such as vegetables and fruits, and in particular:
The present invention relates to a centrifuge device having means for adjusting the amount of fiber and pulp contained in juice and a juicer equipped with the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional juicer is provided with a centrifuge which is rotated by a driving force of an electric motor. The centrifuge is an inverted frustoconical centrifuge basket and an adjusting device fitted to the outside of the centrifuge basket. It has a ring. When making juice using this type of juicer, materials such as chopped vegetables and fruits are pressed by a push rod called a piston against a cutter provided at the bottom of a centrifuge basket. The material pressed against the cutter is crushed by a cutter that rotates at a high speed together with a centrifuge basket, and slid down onto fibers and pulp.

The slid down material is guided toward the upper end of the centrifuge basket by the centrifugal force associated with the rotation of the centrifuge basket along the inclined filter portion of the centrifuge basket. In this guiding process, the liquid component passes through the filter portion by centrifugal force, and is collected in the container via the juice receiving chamber arranged on the outer circumference of the centrifuge basket.

A conventional centrifugal separator used for this juicer is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 57-11209. As shown in FIG. 14, this centrifugal separator 1 is
Driving body 2 which is rotationally driven by an electric motor (not shown)
A holding frame 3 detachably connected to the holding frame 3, a filter 4 integrally held by the holding frame 3, a cutter 5 fixed inside the holding frame 3, and the like.

A large number of slit-shaped small holes 4a are formed on the entire filter 4 to allow the juice to pass therethrough.
A plurality of through holes 4b through which fibers and pulp are passed are formed in the lower part of the. An annular groove 3a is formed on the upper surface of the holding frame 3, and a ring 6 is rotatably fitted in the annular groove 3a.
An insertion hole 3b penetrating in the vertical direction is formed in the bottom wall of the annular groove 3a, and two engaging holes 3c penetrating in the horizontal direction are formed in the outer peripheral wall of the annular groove 3a.

On the other hand, an opening / closing wall 6a for opening / closing the through hole 4b of the filter 4 is formed on the upper edge of the ring 6, and a part of the lower edge of the ring 6 is inserted into the insertion hole 3b of the holding frame 3. A joint leg 6b is formed, and a protrusion 6c that is engaged with the engagement hole 3c of the holding frame 3 is formed on the outer surface of the ring 6.

The engaging hole 3c of the holding frame 3 and the ring 6
The protrusion 6c constitutes a positioning mechanism, and when the ring 6 is rotated to engage the protrusion 6c with one of the engaging holes 3c of the holding frame 3, the through hole 4b of the filter 4 is closed and the protrusion 6c.
Is engaged with the other engagement hole 3c, the through hole 4b of the filter 4 is opened.

[0008]

In such a centrifugal separator 1, the engaging hole 3c of the holding frame 3 with which the projection 6c of the ring 6 engages horizontally penetrates the outer peripheral wall of the annular groove 3a. Therefore, it is necessary to provide the slide core in the mold for molding the holding frame 3, which increases the manufacturing cost of the centrifugal separator 1.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a centrifugal separator which can be manufactured at low cost and a juicer equipped with the centrifugal separator.

[0010]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a centrifuge basket having a filter that allows the juice component of a material to pass therethrough and that has a hole of a predetermined size through which the fiber of the material passes. An adjusting ring which has a closing portion for closing at least a part of the hole and is rotatably fitted to the outside of the centrifuge basket, and the adjusting ring is rotated to position the adjusting ring at a predetermined position. And a positioning mechanism for positioning the adjusting ring by positioning the adjusting ring by being provided in the centrifuge basket and protruding in a radial direction to engage with a recess formed in the adjusting ring. The engaging protrusion is provided, the engaging protrusion is extended in the vertical direction, and the upper surface of the engaging protrusion is brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the filter.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view of a juicer provided with a centrifugal separator 11 according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the juicer. The juicer comprises a body 12 and the body 1
On the lower part of 2, there is provided a placing table 12a on which a juice case 14 with a lid 13 is placed.

An electric motor 15 for rotating the centrifugal separator 11 is installed inside the main body 12.
The tip of the output shaft 15a of the electric motor 15 projects from the upper surface of the main body 12, and a coupling 15b is provided at this tip. The coupling 15b is detachably connected to the coupling 22a (see FIG. 5) at the bottom of the centrifugal separator 11, and the centrifugal separator 11 is rotated by the electric motor 15.

A separation case 1 in which a cylindrical juice receiving chamber 16a is formed on the upper surface of the main body 12 and a residue receiving chamber 16b is integrally formed outside the juice receiving chamber 16a.
6 is arranged so as to surround the centrifugal separator 11, and the separation case 16 is covered with a lid case 17. Then, the lid case 17 is provided with a throwing-in cylinder 17a into which ingredients such as chopped vegetables and fruits are put in.
A piston 18 which is a push rod for pushing the charged material is inserted into 7a.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the centrifugal separator 11, FIG. 4 is an exploded side view of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of FIG. The centrifuge 11 includes a mortar-shaped centrifuge basket 21 and a holder 22 fixed to a lower portion of the centrifuge basket 21.
The centrifuge basket 21 has an adjusting ring 23 rotatably mounted on the lower outer periphery thereof. The holder 22 rotatably holds the adjustment ring 23 so as not to be separated from the centrifuge basket 21, and the lower surface of the holder 22 has a coupling portion 2 that is detachably connected to the coupling 15b of the main body 12.
2a is provided.

As shown in the bottom view of FIG. 6, the centrifuge basket 21 is provided with a metal filter member 24, and the upper end of the filter member 24 is supported by an annular reinforcing frame 25 made of a synthetic resin material. The lower end of the member 24 is supported by an annular holding frame 26 made of a synthetic resin material.

The filter member 24 is in the shape of an inverted truncated cone and has a pair of filter halves 31, 31.
Are fixedly formed at the pair of fixing portions 32, 32, respectively. Most of the filter member 24 is provided with a large number of slit-shaped small holes 33 that allow the liquid juice component to pass therethrough. Further, the filter member 24 has a small hole 3
Reinforcing portions 34 where 3 does not exist are formed to extend in the vertical direction in a slender manner, and the reinforcing portions 34 are provided at a total of eight locations including the fixing portions 32 at intervals of 45 degrees in the circumferential direction.

The two reinforcing portions 34, which are separated by 90 degrees from the fixing portion 32, have a round hole shape that allows the relatively large one of the fibers and pulp that do not pass through the slit-shaped small holes 33 and the juice portion to pass through. 1st discharge hole 35 of each is formed. In addition, the four reinforcing portions 34, which are separated from the fixing portion 32 by 45 degrees, have a round hole shape having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the first discharge hole 35 and allowing a relatively small one of the fibers and pulp and the juice portion to pass therethrough. Second discharge holes 36 are formed respectively. These two first discharge holes 35 and four second discharge holes 36 are formed on the same circumference along the annular holding frame 26. A cutter 37 for shredding the material is fixed to the inside of the annular holding frame 26 with screws 38.

Here, as shown in the partially enlarged perspective view of FIG. 7, a pair of protrusions 40, 40 are integrally formed on the outer peripheral surface 26a of the annular holding frame 26 at intervals of 180 degrees. The protrusions 40, 40 are fixed portions 32, 3 of the filter member 24.
It is provided at a position corresponding to the reinforcing portion 34 including 2 respectively. Also, the protrusions 40, 40 are in the vertical direction (vertical direction).
The upper surfaces of the protrusions 40, 40 are in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 24, and the surfaces of the protrusions 40, 40 are substantially vertical.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the adjusting ring 23, and FIG. 9 shows the adjusting ring 23 shown together with the protrusion 40 of the annular holding frame 26.
FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged perspective view of FIG. The adjustment ring 23 is made of a synthetic resin material, and has an outer peripheral surface 26 of the annular holding frame 26.
a ring body 41 having an inner peripheral surface 41a capable of sliding contact with a
Is equipped with. On the upper surface of the ring body 41, a total of four first projections (blocking portions) 42 that block the first discharge holes 35 of the filter member 24 and a total of four block the second discharge holes 36 of the filter member 24. The second protrusion (closed portion) 43 is provided.

The inner peripheral surface 41a of the ring body 41
Of the annular holding frame 26, the pair of engaging pieces 44, 4 which can be engaged with the pair of projecting portions 40, 40 of the annular holding frame 26, respectively.
4 are formed. Each locking piece 44 has a cantilevered spring shape by an L-shaped gap 45 penetrating in the vertical direction, and its free end 44a can be bent in the radial direction.

The free end 44a of the locking piece 44 and this free end 4
4a and a wall portion 41b facing each other in the circumferential direction.
The end of 5 is an engagement gap 45a with which the protrusion 40 of the annular holding frame 26 is engaged. A first recess 44b and a second recess 44c with which the protrusion 40 of the annular holding frame 26 is engaged are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the locking piece 44. Then, the pair of positioning mechanisms 46, 4 is formed by the protrusions 40, 40 of the centrifuge basket 21 and the locking pieces 44, 44 of the adjustment ring 23.
6 are configured.

At this time, since the convex portion 44d between the first concave portion 44b and the second concave portion 44c of the locking piece 44 is close to the base portion of the locking piece 44, the protruding portion 40 of the annular holding frame 26 has the convex portion. 44
When getting over d, a large force is applied from the locking piece 44.
Therefore, the height of the convex portion 44d is slightly lowered, so that the adjustment ring 23 can be rotated with the same force, and the same click feeling can be obtained regardless of the rotational position.

The protrusion 40 of the annular holding frame 26 thus formed, the engaging gap 45a between the adjusting ring 23, and the first recess 4 are formed.
4b and the second recess 44c have the following positional relationship. That is, when the protrusion 40 is engaged with the second recess 44c as shown in FIG. 9, all of the first protrusions 42 and the second protrusions 43 as shown in FIG. 2 Positioned so as to close the discharge hole 36. Also, FIG.
When the protrusion 40 is engaged with the first recess 44b as shown in FIG. 0, the first protrusion 42 is connected to the first discharge hole 3 as shown in FIG.
The second protrusion 43 is positioned at a position to close the
It is positioned at a position where the discharge hole 36 is opened. And
When the protrusion 40 is engaged with the engagement gap 45a as shown in FIG. 12, all the first protrusions 42 and the second protrusions 43 as shown in FIG. Discharge hole 36
Is positioned at a position to open.

Next, the operation of the juicer configured as described above will be described.

Prior to placing the centrifuge 11 in the separation case 16 mounted on the main body 12, in order to obtain juice according to the desired degree of fiber and pulp components,
The adjusting ring 23 is set to the desired rotational position described above.
After that, the centrifugal separator 11 is set in the separation case 16 so that the coupling 22a thereof is coupled to the coupling 15b of the electric motor 15. Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the lid case 17 is attached to the separation case 16 and the juice case 14 is placed on the placing table 12a.

When the centrifuge 11 is driven and rotated in one direction by the drive of the electric motor 11, a material such as chopped vegetables or fruits is used by the piston 18 to cause the centrifuge basket of the centrifuge 11 to move. It is pressed against a cutter 37 provided at the bottom of 21. The material pressed against the cutter 37 is crushed by the high speed rotation of the cutter 37 and slid down.

The material that has been slid down is centrifuged 11
By the centrifugal force accompanying the rotation of the centrifugal separation basket 21, the centrifugal separation basket 21 moves toward the upper end of the centrifugal separation basket 21 along the inclined surface of the filter member 24.

In this moving process, the liquid component permeates through the small holes 33 of the filter member 24 due to the centrifugal force, and the centrifugal separation basket 2
It is discharged into the juice receiving chamber 16a of the separation case 16 arranged on the outer periphery of the No. 1 and collected in the juice case 14.

On the other hand, for example, when the adjusting ring 23 is held in the rotational position where it blocks the first discharge hole 35 and the second discharge hole 36, solid components such as fibers and pulp in the slid down material, Without passing through the small holes 33, the centrifugal force is discharged from the upper end of the centrifugal separation basket 21 into the debris receiving chamber 16b of the separation case 16 and collected as debris in the debris receiving chamber 16b.

Further, when the adjusting ring 23 is in the rotation position for closing the first discharge hole 35 and opening the second discharge hole 36 or in the position for opening the first discharge hole 35 and the second discharge hole 36, the adjustment ring 23 is First discharge hole 35 opened according to position
A solid component such as fiber or pulp is discharged from the second discharge hole 36 into the juice receiving chamber 16a of the separation case 16, and is stored in the juice case 14 together with the liquid component.

Therefore, by adjusting the rotational position of the adjusting ring 23, clear juice with a small amount of fibers and pulp, juice containing a small amount of solid components such as fibers and pulp, and juice containing a large amount of these solid components are produced separately. be able to.

The centrifugal separator 11 of this embodiment has the following effects.

The protrusion 40 of the annular holding frame 26 of the centrifuge basket 21 extends in the vertical direction, and the upper surface of the protrusion 40 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the filter member 24. Therefore, the upper surface of the protrusion 40 and the filter member 24. There is no gap between the outer peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the slide core in the mold for molding the annular holding frame 26, and the centrifugal separation basket 2
The manufacturing cost of 1 can be reduced. Further, since the gap is not provided, fibers or the like are not caught on the protrusion 40, and the rotation of the adjustment ring 23 is hindered by the fibers or the like caught on the protrusion 40. To be prevented.

Further, since the protrusion 40 is provided at a position corresponding to the reinforcing portion 34 including the fixing portion 32 of the filter member 24, it does not block the small hole 33 of the filter member 24 and the juice portion Excretion is not hindered. Further, since the gap 45 of the adjusting ring 23 is opened in the vertical direction, even if the fiber or pulp flowing out from the first discharge hole 35 or the second discharge hole 36 enters the gap 45, the fiber or pulp remains in the gap 45. It is hard to remain.

In addition, the gap 45 with which the projection 40 is not engaged
Since a, the first recess 44b, the second recess 44c, and the gap 45 can be cleaned by running tap water, it can be stored hygienically and a click feeling can be surely obtained when the adjustment ring 23 is rotated and positioned. You can

The protrusion 40 is provided below the centrifuge basket 21, and the adjusting ring 23 is also attached to the centrifuge basket 2.
Since it is arranged in the lower part of 1, the centroid of the centrifuge basket 21 is lowered, the rotation of the centrifuge basket 21 is stabilized, and vibration and noise are reduced.

In the above embodiment, the case where the filter member 24 has two kinds of the first discharge hole 35 and the second discharge hole 36 in addition to the small hole 33 has been described, but one kind of discharge hole or Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to the case of having three or more types of discharge holes.

[0038]

According to the present invention, the engaging protrusion of the centrifugal separation basket is extended in the longitudinal direction, and the upper end of the outer end of the engaging protrusion is brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the filter. Since it is not necessary to provide a slide core in a mold for molding the engaging convex portion, the manufacturing cost of the centrifugation basket can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a juicer equipped with a centrifugal separator according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a juicer equipped with a centrifugal separator according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the centrifuge, showing a state in which all the first protrusions and the second protrusions are positioned so as to close all the first discharge holes and the second discharge holes, respectively.

FIG. 4 is an exploded side view of the centrifuge.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a centrifugal separator.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the centrifuge basket.

FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged perspective view of a centrifuge basket.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of an adjustment ring.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a state in which the protrusion is engaged with the second recess.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a state where the protrusion is engaged with the first recess.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state in which the first protrusion is positioned at a position closing the first discharge hole and the second protrusion is positioned at a position opening the second discharge hole.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a state in which the protrusion is engaged with the engagement gap.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a state in which the first protrusion and the second protrusion are positioned at positions where the first discharge hole and the second discharge hole are opened, respectively.

FIG. 14 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a conventional centrifugal separator.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 Centrifuge 21 Centrifuge Basket 23 Adjustment ring 24 Filter member 26 annular holding frame 33 small holes 34 Reinforcement part 35 First discharge hole 36 Second discharge hole 37 cutter 40 Projection 42 first protrusion 43 Second protrusion 44 Locking piece 44a free end 44b First recess 44c Second recess 45 Gap 45a Engagement gap 46 Positioning mechanism

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A centrifuge basket having a filter having a filter for allowing the juice component of a material to pass therethrough and having a predetermined size for allowing the fibers of the material to pass through, and at least a part of the hole is closed. Centrifuge having a closing part for rotatably fitting to the outside of the centrifugation basket and a positioning mechanism for rotating the adjustment ring to position the adjustment ring at a predetermined position. In the separation device, the positioning mechanism has an engagement convex portion that is provided in the centrifugal separation basket and that protrudes in a radial direction and engages with a concave portion formed in the adjustment ring to position the adjustment ring, A centrifugal separator, wherein the engaging protrusion is extended in the vertical direction, and the upper surface of the engaging protrusion is brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the filter. 2. The centrifuge according to claim 1, wherein the engaging convex portion is provided on a filter holding frame that holds the lower portion of the filter. 3. The filter has a filter portion having a large number of small holes for allowing juice to pass therethrough, and a reinforcing portion having no small holes, wherein the engaging protrusion is provided at a position of the reinforcing portion of the filter. The centrifugal separator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the centrifugal separator is provided in the. 4. A juicer comprising the centrifuge according to any one of claims 1 to 3.