JP2023032728A - Pump unit and pump device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a pump unit which can be transported in a preferable environment according to a transport object, and to provide a pump device.SOLUTION: A pump unit includes: an external cylinder; an internal cylinder provided along an inner peripheral surface of the external cylinder and formed by an elastic body; and end members provided at both ends of the external cylinder and the internal cylinder and forming a closed space between an inner periphery of the external cylinder and an outer periphery of the internal cylinder. The internal cylinder is expanded in a centripetal direction by a working medium being supplied to the closed space and is contracted by the working medium being discharged from the closed space. The pump unit includes a heat conductor which is attached to one of the end members and provided contacting with the outer periphery of the internal cylinder and conducts heat input through the end member to the internal cylinder.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a pump unit and a pump device, and particularly includes an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder. The present invention relates to a pump device and the like for conveying.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as one form of a pump, there has been known a pump that transfers an object using peristaltic motion as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3. In the pumps disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a plurality of pump units in which the inner cylinder expands by supplying a pressurizing medium between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder are connected, and the inner cylinders of the connected pump units are sequentially moved. It is configured to convey an object by inflating and pressurizing the object to be conveyed. Further, the pump disclosed in Patent Document 3 is configured to transport an object to be transported by sequentially contracting the inner cylinders of the connected pump units and applying negative pressure to the object to be transported. there is

JP 2010-196689 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-203400 JP-A-05-321842

The pumps of Patent Literatures 1 to 3 are capable of conveying viscous fluids such as liquids, slurries, powders, solid-liquid mixtures, etc. (hereinafter simply referred to as objects to be conveyed).
However, as described in Patent Document 3, when the object to be conveyed is food, it must be conveyed in an environment suitable for the food. For example, in the case of cheese, it is necessary to transport the cheese while it is warm while maintaining fluidity. Moreover, in the case of minced meat, there is a problem that the oil component melts out when the minced meat is transported at room temperature.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a pump unit and a pump device that can be transported in a suitable environment according to the transported object, in order to solve the above problems.

As a configuration of the pump unit for solving the above problems, an outer cylinder, an inner cylinder provided along the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder and made of an elastic material, and an inner cylinder provided at both ends of the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder and an end member forming a closed space between the inner circumference of the outer cylinder and the outer circumference of the inner cylinder. A pump unit in which an inner cylinder shrinks by discharging a working medium, is attached to one of the end members and provided in contact with the outer periphery of the inner cylinder, and absorbs heat input through the end member. It is configured to include a heat conductor that conducts heat to the cylinder.
According to this configuration, heat can be transferred from the end member to the heat conductor, and from the heat conductor to the inner cylinder. It becomes possible to transport objects in a suitable environment.
In addition, the end member to which the heat conductor is attached is heated or cooled to a temperature suitable for conveying the conveyed object by configuring it to have a flow path that allows the heat medium to flow. By circulating the heat medium through the flow path of the end member, the heat of the heat medium can be transferred to the end member, from the end member to the heat conductor, and from the heat conductor to the inner cylinder. As a result, the heat of the heat medium is transferred to the article to be conveyed through the inner cylinder, so that the article can be conveyed in a suitable environment.
The heat conductor may have a cylindrical shape along the outer circumference of the inner cylinder, or may have a projection that deforms the inner cylinder in the centripetal direction.
Further, as a configuration of a pump device for solving the above problems, there is provided a pump device comprising the pump unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and heating and cooling means for heating or cooling the end member. It was configured to include
According to this configuration, it is possible to transport in a suitable environment according to the transported object.

It is a schematic block diagram of a pump device. FIG. 4 is an axial sectional view and a radial sectional view of the pump unit; FIG. 4 is a radial cross-sectional view of an outer cylinder in the pump unit; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an end member in the pump unit; FIG. 4 is a plan view and an axial cross-sectional view of the pump unit viewed in the axial direction; It is a figure which shows operation|movement of a pump part.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are It includes configurations that are not necessarily essential to the solution and are selectively adopted.

[Schematic configuration of the entire peristaltic pump]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a pump device 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the pump device 1 according to this embodiment includes a pump unit 10 and a transfer control device 100. As shown in FIG.
The pump unit 10 constitutes the pump section 8 in the pump device 1 by, for example, a single unit or a plurality of connected units. The pump unit 8 is provided, for example, at the exit of a storage device in which the goods are stored, or in the middle of an existing pipe, and functions as a conveying path and pump for transferring the goods. In the following description, a plurality of pump units 10 (four in the present embodiment) are connected in series to constitute the pump section 8, but the pump units 10 are not necessarily connected and may be a single unit. .

[Regarding the pump unit 10]
2A and 2B are an axial sectional view and a radial sectional view of the pump unit 10. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the pump unit 10 includes an inner cylinder 12, an outer cylinder 14 disposed so as to form a double tube coaxial with the central axis of the inner cylinder 12, and an outer periphery of the inner cylinder 12 and the outer cylinder. A pair of end members 16;

The pump unit 10 is closed by end members 16; The tube 12 is configured to expand in the centripetal direction and contract in the axial direction.

[About the inner cylinder]
The inner cylinder 12 is configured as a cylindrical body having airtightness and elasticity. As the material forming the inner cylinder 12, for example, rubber such as natural latex rubber or silicone rubber, or elastic material such as elastomer can be used.

As shown in FIG. 2, the inner cylinder 12 includes flange portions 12B at both ends of a cylindrical tubular portion 12A. The flange portion 12B is formed integrally with the cylindrical portion 12A, and is formed in a hollow disc shape that concentrically widens radially outward at the end portion of the cylindrical portion 12A. The flange portion 12B has a protruding portion 13 protruding toward the tubular portion 12A (inwardly in the axial direction) formed on the tip (outer peripheral portion) of the flange portion 12B over the entire circumference.

[About the outer cylinder]
3 is a radial cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2. FIG.
The outer cylinder 14 is configured as a cylindrical body made of an elastic material that can be expanded and contracted in the axial direction while maintaining airtightness. The outer cylinder 14 includes, for example, an elastic material and a fiber material.
As shown in FIG. 3, the outer cylinder 14 includes, for example, an elastic material 15A and a plurality of fibers 15B included in the elastic material 15A in a radial cross-sectional view.

For the elastic material 15A, for example, an elastic material such as rubber such as natural latex rubber or silicone rubber or elastomer can be used.

The fibers 15B are provided for restraining the extension of the outer cylinder 14 in the axial direction, and function as restraining means for restraining the extension of the outer cylinder 14 in the axial direction. The fibers 15B are provided in layers, for example, have a length that extends continuously from one end side to the other end side of the outer cylinder 14, and are arranged so as to extend along the axial direction of the outer cylinder 14. .
The fibers 15B do not necessarily have to be included in layers in the outer cylinder 14, and may be dispersed and embedded in the elastic material.

As the material of the fiber 15B, a highly elastic fiber with a small change in expansion and contraction in the axial direction is suitable. For example, aramid fibers, carbon fibers, glass fibers, nylons, polyamide fibers, polyolefin fibers, metal fibers, and the like having stretchability can be appropriately selected and used. Adhesiveness can be sufficiently improved by subjecting the fibers to an appropriate primer treatment or surface oxidation treatment, but it is preferable to select the appropriate primer treatment or surface oxidation treatment depending on the adhesiveness to the elastic material.

As the form of the fiber material, any form such as filament, yarn (spun yarn and filament yarn), strand, etc. can be used. It is also possible to use fibers prepared by twisting a plurality of strands. Depending on the type of fiber, two or more types of fibers made of different materials or fibers of different shapes may be combined.

The length of the fibers 15B is not limited to a continuous length from one end side to the other end side. It may be configured to reach from one end side to the other end side.

Also, the restraining means in the outer cylinder 14 may be composed of the elastic material itself instead of the fiber 15B. For example, ribs extending in the axial direction of the outer cylinder 14 may be formed integrally with the elastic material forming the outer cylinder 14 to serve as restraining means.

In addition, the pump unit 10 is preferably configured such that the elastic modulus of the outer cylinder 14 is larger than that of the inner cylinder 12 in consideration of the ease of expansion of the inner cylinder 12 in the centripetal direction. .

[Regarding end members]
The end members 16; 16 are arranged at both ends of the inner cylinder 12 and the outer cylinder 14. The end members 16; 16 are configured to be fixable to both ends of the inner cylinder 12 and the outer cylinder 14, and to connect the pump units 10 to each other.

The end member 16; 16 includes a flange portion 16A and a tubular portion 16B. The flange portion 16A is formed in a flat rectangular shape having a hollow portion 20 . The hollow portion 20 is provided as a circular hole through which the cylindrical portion 12A of the inner cylinder 12 can pass. The diameter of the hollow portion 20 is preferably, for example, such that it is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder portion 12A of the inner cylinder 12 .

The flange portion 16A has an annular recessed annular groove 22 on the axially outer end surface 16a. The annular groove 22 is formed concentrically with the hollow portion 20, and the protruding portion 13 at the tip of the flange portion 12B of the inner cylinder 12 can be fitted therein. The outer end surface 16a of the flange portion 16A is such that the flange portion 12B of the inner cylinder 12 protrudes outward from the outer end surface 16a when the protrusion 13 of the inner cylinder 12 is fitted in the annular groove 22. is formed to

The inner cylinder 12 is attached to the end members 16; The inner cylinder 12 is connected to an end member of another pump unit 10 or a flange provided on an existing pipe via the end member 16, so that the flange portion 12B is pressed against the end member 16. to form an airtight seal with the end member 16 .

The tubular portion 16B is provided so as to protrude in the axial direction in a cylindrical shape from an inner end surface 16b of the flange portion 16A. The tubular portion 16B has a center axis concentric with the hollow portion 20 and is integrally formed with the flange portion 16A. The cylindrical portion 16B is set to have an outer diameter large enough to be inserted into the inner peripheral side of the outer cylinder 14 in close contact therewith.

The crimping intermediate member 24, together with the crimping member 26, constitutes fixing means for fixing the outer cylinder 14 to the end members 16; 16 in an airtight state. The crimping intermediate member 24 is formed as an annular member that can be inserted into the outer circumference of the outer cylinder 14 in a state where the cylindrical portion 16B of the end member 16 is inserted into the outer cylinder 14 .

The crimping intermediate member 24 is formed as a cylindrical surface on the inner peripheral side, and the inner diameter is set so as to form an interference fit with the outer periphery of the outer cylinder 14, for example. Further, the crimping intermediate member 24 is formed to have a conical surface (tapered surface) on the outer peripheral side, and is formed so as to gradually become thicker than the inner peripheral surface. The crimping intermediate member 24 is arranged on the outer circumference of the outer cylinder 14 so that the thick side thereof is pressed against the end member 16 .

The crimping member 26 is formed as an annular member that can be fitted to the outer periphery of the crimping intermediate member 24 arranged on the outer cylinder 14 . The crimping member 26 is formed as a conical surface (tapered surface) on the inner peripheral side, and is configured to be in surface contact with the conical surface of the intermediate crimping member 24 .

The crimping member 26 is fixed to the inner end surface 16b of the end member 16 by a fixing means such as a bolt (not shown), with its inner conical surface in contact with the conical surface of the intermediate crimping member 24 . As a result, the crimping intermediate member 24 is pressed against the outer cylinder 14 , and the outer cylinder 14 is airtightly fixed to the cylindrical portion 16B of the end member 16 .

As described above, the pump unit 10 is formed between the outer circumference of the inner cylinder 12 and the inner circumference of the outer cylinder 14 by attaching the end members 16; 16 to the ends of the inner cylinder 12 and the outer cylinder 14. The closed space is defined as a closed space and forms a fluid chamber V in the pump unit 10 .

One end member 16 has a supply/discharge hole 28 for supplying/discharging the pressurized medium to/from the fluid chamber V. As shown in FIG. One end of the supply/discharge hole 28 opens to the outer peripheral end surface of the flange portion 16A of the end member 16, and the other end opens between the inner cylinder 12 and the outer cylinder 14 on the inner end surface 16b of the flange portion 16A.

A pipe (not shown) extending from the transfer control device 100 can be connected to an opening in the end face of the outer circumference of the flange portion 16A that constitutes the supply/discharge hole 28, and the pressurized medium is supplied to the fluid chamber V and is supplied from the fluid chamber V. of the pressurized medium is discharged.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view parallel to the end face at the center portion in the thickness direction of the other end member.
The other end member 16 has a channel 17 through which a heat medium for heating/cooling the conveyed object flows. As shown in FIG. 4, the flow path 17 constitutes a part of the heating/cooling means 180 described later, and is open at both ends on one side surface forming the outer periphery of the end member 16 formed in a rectangular shape. It is provided as a hole extending annularly along the outer circumference of the portion 20 . The shape of the flow path 17 is not limited to this, and may be changed as appropriate. Preferably, the flow path 17 should be formed so that the heat medium can heat and cool the end member 16 evenly.

A pipe (not shown) extending from the transfer control device 100 is connected to the openings 17A of the flow path 17 formed on one side surface of the flange portion 16A so that the heat medium can circulate through the flow path 17 .

Therefore, at least the other end member 16 having the flow path 17 should preferably be made of a material having good thermal conductivity, such as copper or aluminum.

[About the heat conductor]
FIG. 5 is a plan view and an axial cross-sectional view of the pump unit viewed in the axial direction.
A heat conductor 18 is provided in the fluid chamber V. As shown in FIG. The heat conductor 18 is configured, for example, in a cylindrical shape having a cylindrical portion 18A and a flange portion 18B. The heat conductor 18 configures the end member 16 so that the heat of the end member 16 heated or cooled by the heat medium flowing through the flow path 17 provided in the other end member 16 is easily transferred. It is preferable to use a material with a thermal conductivity equal to or better than that of the material to be used.

Also, the cylindrical portion 18A of the heat conductor 18 may be configured to have an inner diameter that can come into contact with the outer circumference of the inner cylinder 12, for example. Thereby, the inner cylinder 12 can be heated or cooled by the heat conductor 18 .
The flange portion 18B is provided on one end side of the cylindrical portion 18A. The heat conductor 18 is fixed to the other end member 16 via the flange portion 18B, and attached to the other end member 16 so that the cylindrical portion 18A extends toward the one end member 16. As shown in FIG. Preferably, the flange portion 18B is shaped so that the contact surface with the end member 16 is wide. Thereby, heat can be efficiently conducted from the end member 16 to the flange portion 18B.

In the present embodiment, since the pump unit 10 can contract in the axial direction, the tubular portion 18A is attached to another member, for example, the one end member 16 when the pump unit 10 is contracted to the maximum. Needless to say, it is better to set the length in the axial direction so that they do not come into contact with each other.

The thermal conductor 18 has a plurality of protrusions 19 formed on the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion 18A. As shown in FIG. 5, when the pump unit 10 is viewed in the axial direction, the protrusions 19 are provided so as to protrude from four directions at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. In addition, each protrusion 19 is formed in a gentle mountain shape in plan view along the axial direction.

The inner cylinder 12 is preliminarily crushed by the protrusion 19 of the heat conductor 18 at the center side in the axial direction, and this state is the natural state within the pump unit 10 . By supplying compressed air to the fluid chamber V, the inner cylinder 12 can be expanded in the centripetal direction with the portion pushed by the protrusion 19 as a base point.

The protrusions 19 may be formed by previously deforming the inner cylinder 12 into a predetermined shape so as to define the shape of the inner cylinder 12 when inflated. Not limited. It should be noted that the protrusion 19 is not essential, but is preferably provided.

Further, the above-described supply/discharge hole 28 is not limited to one end member 16, but is provided in the other end member 16 so that the fluid is supplied to and discharged from the fluid chamber V from both end members 16; You can do it.

According to the above configuration, the pump unit 10 supplies compressed air to the fluid chamber V through the supply/discharge hole 28, thereby causing the inner cylinder 12 to move radially inward (centripetal direction) as shown in FIG. 2(b). ) and contract in the axial direction, and by discharging the compressed air supplied to the fluid chamber V, contract in the radial direction and expand in the axial direction as shown in FIG. 2(a). Also, by circulating the heating medium through the flow path 17 , the end member 16 is heated and cooled by the heat of the heating medium, and the heat is transmitted to the inner cylinder 12 via the heat conductor 18 . The heat transmitted to the inner cylinder 12 is transmitted to the space on the inner peripheral side of the inner cylinder 12 and to the conveyed object transported on the inner peripheral side of the inner cylinder 12 .

[Conveyance control device]
The transport control device 100 is a device for controlling the transport operation of the transported object by the connected pump unit 10 . For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the transport control device 100 can be composed of pressurized medium control means 110, drive control means 160, and heating/cooling means 180. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, broken lines indicate signal lines indicating paths of electric signals, solid lines indicate tubes indicating flow paths of pressurized medium, and dashed lines indicate tubes indicating flow paths of heat medium.

[Pressurized medium control means]
The pressurized medium control means 110 controls supply, stop, and discharge of the pressurized medium to the fluid chamber V of the pump unit 10 . In this embodiment, air is used as the pressurized medium, but the pressurized medium is not limited to air, and may be other gases or liquid fluids such as water.
Note that the pressurized medium control means 110 may be appropriately configured so as to obtain the functions described below according to the pressurized medium to be used.

The pressurized medium control means 110 comprises, for example, a compressor 112, a regulator 114, a supply valve 116, a discharge valve 118, a flow sensor 120, a pressure sensor 122 and the like.

The compressor 112 generates compressed air that is supplied to the fluid chamber V of the pump unit 10 .

The regulator 114 is connected to the compressor 112, receives compressed air pressurized by the compressor 112, reduces the pressure of the input compressed air to a predetermined pressure, and outputs compressed air of a constant pressure. The pressure of the compressed air output from the regulator 114 is set at least at a pressure at which the inner peripheral surfaces of the inner cylinders 12 of the pump unit 10 can come into close contact with each other when the pump unit 10 is expanded, or higher.

The supply valve 116 is provided for each connected pump unit 10 , and the regulator 114 and each pump unit 10 are connected. The supply valve 116 receives the compressed air pressure-reduced by the regulator 114, and controls the output of this compressed air to the fluid chamber V of the pump unit 10 (supply and stop supply of compressed air to the fluid chamber V). The supply valve 116 has a valve that opens and closes based on an electrical signal, and when the valve is opened, compressed air is supplied to the fluid chamber V, and when the valve is closed, the supply of compressed air is stopped. The supply valve 116 is electrically connected to the drive control means 160 and opens and closes based on signals input from the drive control means 160 .

The discharge valve 118 is provided for each pump unit 10 and connected to each pump unit 10 . The discharge valve 118 receives the compressed air in the fluid chamber V and has an output side open to the atmosphere so that the compressed air is discharged to the atmosphere. The discharge valve 118 has a valve that opens and closes based on an electrical signal, and when the valve is opened, the fluid chamber V is released to the atmosphere, thereby discharging the compressed air in the fluid chamber V to the atmosphere, and the valve is closed. This stops the discharge of compressed air. The discharge valve 118 is electrically connected to the drive control means 160 and opens and closes based on a signal input from the drive control means 160 .

The flow sensor 120 is provided between the supply valve 116 provided for each pump unit 10 and the corresponding pump unit 10 to measure the flow rate of compressed air supplied to the pump unit 10 . The flow rate sensor 120 is electrically connected to the drive control means 160 and outputs the measured flow rate of the compressed air to the drive control means 160 .
The position where the flow rate sensor 120 is provided may be any position as long as the flow rate of the compressed air supplied to the fluid chamber V can be measured.

The pressure sensor 122 is provided between the flow sensor 120 provided for each pump unit 10 and the corresponding pump unit 10 to measure the pressure inside the fluid chamber V of the pump unit 10 . The pressure sensor 122 is electrically connected to the drive control means 160 and outputs the measured pressure inside the fluid chamber V to the drive control means 160 .
Note that the pressure sensor 122 may be provided at any position as long as it can measure the pressure inside the fluid chamber V.

For example, the supply valve 116 and the discharge valve 118 are assumed to be closed when no signal is input as an initial state, open when a signal is input, and close when the signal is stopped. explain.

Solenoid valves, for example, can be applied to the supply valve 116 and the discharge valve 118 . By using solenoid valves for the supply valve 116 and the discharge valve 118, the response speed when expanding or contracting the pump unit 10 can be improved.

[Drive control means]
The drive control means 160 is a device for controlling the operation of the pump unit 10 . For example, the drive control means 160 is a computer provided with hardware such as a CPU as arithmetic processing means and ROM and RAM as storage means.

The storage means stores a program for operating the pump unit 10, a determination value for determining output/stop of signals to the supply valve 116 and the discharge valve 118, and the like.

In the drive control means 160, the arithmetic processing means executes processing according to a program stored in the storage means, and the flow rate input from the flow sensor 120 provided for each pump unit 10 and the pressure input from the pressure sensor 122 are controlled. Based on this, a signal for opening and closing the supply valve 116 and the discharge valve 118 provided for each pump unit 10 is output.
In addition, the drive control means 160 is not limited to a computer, and a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) can also be used.

[Expansion/deflation control of pump unit 10]
The drive control means 160 outputs a signal only to the corresponding supply valve 116 when inflating the pump unit 10 . As a result, compressed air flows into the fluid chamber V of the pump unit 10, and the inner cylinder 12 expands in the centripetal direction.

The drive control means 160 monitors changes in flow rate input from the flow rate sensor 120 and changes in pressure input from the pressure sensor 122 in the process of supplying compressed air to the fluid chamber V. FIG. Then, the drive control means 160 stops outputting the signal to the supply valve 116 when the input flow rate and pressure reach the determination value indicating that the expansion state has been reached.
As a result, the inner cylinder 12 of the pump unit 10 is in an expanded state as shown in FIG. 2(b), and this state is maintained. Hereinafter, this inflated state may be referred to as a fully inflated state or simply as a fully inflated state.
Note that the term "fully expanded" refers to a state in which the object expands to the maximum during the conveying operation, and means, for example, a state in which the conveying path can be closed.

[Contraction control of pump unit 10]
Further, when the pump unit 10 is contracted from the fully expanded state, the drive control means 160 outputs a signal only to the discharge valve 118 and maintains a stop state of outputting the signal to the corresponding supply valve 116 .
As a result, the compressed air in the fluid chamber V of the pump unit 10 is discharged into the atmosphere by the restoring force due to the elasticity of the pump unit 10 .

The drive control means 160 monitors changes in the pressure of the fluid chamber V during the process of discharging the compressed air from the fluid chamber V. FIG. Then, the drive control means 160 stops outputting the signal to the discharge valve 118 when the input pressure reaches a judgment value indicating that the pump unit 10 has reached the over-contracted state. Hereinafter, this contracted state may be referred to as a completely contracted state or simply as a completely contracted state. The complete contraction means a state in which compressed air is discharged from the fluid chamber V into the atmosphere due to the elasticity of the inner cylinder 12 and the outer cylinder 14, and the pressure value of the fluid chamber V becomes equal to the atmospheric pressure, for example. shall be

[Heating and cooling means]
The heating/cooling means 180 is a means for heating or cooling the material conveyed by the pump section 8 . As one method of heating or cooling the conveyed article, for example, the conveyed article may be heated or cooled via the end member 16 .
The heating/cooling means 180 according to the present embodiment includes the flow path 17 described above and a heat medium supply device that supplies a heat medium to the flow path 17 . The heat medium supply device can be composed of, for example, a heat exchanger 182 and temperature control means 184 .

The heat exchanger 182 is a device for heating or cooling the heat medium circulated through the pump unit 10 .
The temperature control means 184 is a device for controlling the heat exchange with the heat medium by the heat exchanger 182 and adjusting the temperature of the heat medium so as to create an environment suitable for conveying the goods. The temperature control means 184 is a device for controlling heat exchange between the heat exchanger 182 and the heat medium so that the temperature of the heat medium reaches a preset temperature.

The temperature control means 184 includes, for example, a pump for circulating the heat medium between the pump unit 10 and the heat exchanger 182, and an outflow side for measuring the temperature of the heat medium flowing out from the heat exchanger 182 to the pump unit 10. A temperature sensor, an inflow-side temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the heat medium flowing into the heat exchanger 182 from the pump unit 10, and a pump based on the temperature of the heat medium detected by the outflow-side temperature sensor and the inflow-side temperature sensor. It can be configured with a control device or the like that controls the discharge amount. Then, the temperature control means 184 changes the flow rate (discharge rate) of the heat medium circulated by the pump based on the respective temperatures measured by the outflow-side temperature sensor and the inflow-side temperature sensor, and the heat from the heat exchanger 182 is changed. By controlling the amount of heat transferred to the medium, the temperature of the heat medium can be adjusted. For example, a so-called constant temperature bath or the like can be used as the heat medium supply device.

The heat medium discharged from the heat medium supply device is, for example, distributed to each pump unit 10 and returned to the heat medium supply device via the end member 16 of each pump unit 10 .
Note that the heat medium supply device is not limited to the above configuration, and may be any device that can adjust the temperature of the heat medium and circulate it to the pump unit 10 .

A fluid such as a gas or a liquid can be used as the heat medium, and preferably a liquid having a large heat capacity is used. Note that the heat medium supply device may be appropriately changed according to the fluid to be used so that the functions described below can be obtained.

[Operation of pump device]
The pump device 1 can be operated, for example, as follows. In the following description, as shown in FIG. 1, it is assumed that the article is conveyed in the conveying direction indicated by the arrow in the drawing. Also, in FIG. It is a code for specifying the associated valves and the like.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the conveying operation of the pump section 8 according to this embodiment. Note that the operation of the pump unit 8 shown in FIG. 6 is an example and is not limited to this.
As shown in FIG. 6(a), the pump unit 8 will be explained assuming that it starts operating with the state in which all the pump units 10(A) to 10(D) are contracted as an initial state.

[Step 1]
First, the drive control means 160 outputs a signal only to the supply valve 116(A) and outputs a signal to the discharge valves 118(A) to 118(D) in order to expand the pump unit 10(A). Stop. As a result, compressed air is supplied to the fluid chamber V of the pump unit 10(A), and the inner cylinder 12 of the pump unit 10(A) starts expanding in the centripetal direction.
Then, when the flow rate input from the flow sensor 120(A) and the pressure input from the pressure sensor 122(A) reach the respective determination values indicating that the pump unit 10 is fully expanded, the drive control means 160 , stop outputting a signal to supply valve 116(A). At this time, the drive control means 160 is maintained in a stopped state of outputting signals to the discharge valves 118(A) to 118(D).
As a result, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the goods in the pump unit 10(A) are pushed out to the pump unit 10(B), whereby the goods in the pump unit 10(B) The transported object in the pump unit 10(C) is pushed out to the pump unit 10(D), and the transported object in the pump unit 10(D) is pushed out of the pump section 8 in order to the unit 10(C).

[Step 2]
Next, the drive control means 160 outputs a signal only to the supply valve 116(B) to expand the pump unit 10(B) while maintaining the expanded state of the pump unit 10(A), and outputs a signal to the discharge valve 116(B). The output of signals to 118(A) to 118(D) is kept stopped.
As a result, compressed air is supplied to the fluid chamber V of the pump unit 10(B), and the inner cylinder 12 of the pump unit 10(B) starts expanding in the centripetal direction.
Then, the drive control means 160 determines that the flow rate input from the flow rate sensor 120(B) and the pressure input from the pressure sensor 122(B) are the determination values for the complete expansion of the pump unit 10(B). is reached, the output of the signal to the supply valve 116(B) is stopped. At this time, the drive control means 160 is maintained in a stopped state of outputting signals to the discharge valves 118(A) to 118(D).
As a result, as shown in FIG. 6(c), the goods in the pump unit 10(B) are pushed out to the pump unit 10(C), whereby the goods in the pump unit 10(C) The conveyed objects in the pump unit 10(D) are sequentially pushed out of the pump section 8 to the unit 10(D).

[Step 3]
Next, the drive control means 160 sends a signal only to the supply valve 116(C) to expand the pump unit 10(C) while maintaining the expanded states of the pump units 10(A) and 10(B). output and maintain a halted state of outputting signals to exhaust valves 118(A)-118(D). As a result, compressed air is supplied to the fluid chamber V of the pump unit 10(C), and the inner cylinder 12 of the pump unit 10(C) starts expanding in the centripetal direction.
Then, the drive control means 160 determines that the flow rate input from the flow rate sensor 120(C) and the pressure input from the pressure sensor 122(C) are the respective judgment values indicating that the pump unit 10(C) has fully expanded. is reached, the output of the signal to the supply valve 116(C) is stopped. At this time, the drive control means 160 is maintained in a stopped state of outputting signals to the discharge valves 118(A) to 118(D).
As a result, as shown in FIG. 6(d), the goods in the pump unit 10(C) are pushed out to the pump unit 10(D), whereby the goods in the pump unit 10(D) They are sequentially pushed out of the unit 8 .

[Step 4]
Next, the drive control means 160 sends a signal only to the supply valve 116(D) to expand the pump unit 10(D) while maintaining the expanded state of the pump units 10(A) to 10(C). output and maintain a halted state of outputting signals to exhaust valves 118(A)-118(D). As a result, compressed air is supplied to the fluid chamber V of the pump unit 10(D), and the inner cylinder 12 of the pump unit 10(D) starts expanding in the centripetal direction.
Then, the drive control means 160 determines that the flow rate input from the flow rate sensor 120(D) and the pressure input from the pressure sensor 122(D) are the determination values for the complete expansion of the pump unit 10(D). is reached, the output of the signal to the supply valve 116 (D) is stopped. At this time, the drive control means 160 is maintained in a stopped state of outputting signals to the discharge valves 118(A) to 118(D).
As a result, as shown in FIG. 6(e), the object to be conveyed inside the pump unit 10(D) is pushed out of the pump section 8. Then, as shown in FIG.

[Step 5]
The drive control means 160 then outputs signals to the discharge valves 118(A)-118(D) and the supply valves 116(A)-116(A)-118(D) to deflate the pump units 10(A)-10(D). 116(D) is maintained. As a result, the compressed air is discharged from the fluid chambers V of the pump units 10(A) to 10(D), and the pump units 10(A) to 10(D) start contracting.
When the pressure input from the pressure sensors 122(A) to 122(D) reaches the determination value that the pump units 10(A) to 10(D) are completely contracted, the drive control means 160 , stop outputting signals to the exhaust valves 118(A)-118(D). At this time, the drive control means 160 is maintained in a stopped state of outputting signals to the supply valves 116(A) to 116(D).
As a result, as shown in FIG. 6(a), all the pump units 10(A) to 10(D) are completely contracted, and the pump section 8 returns to its initial state. In the pump device 1, the pump unit 8 sets steps 1 to 5 as one conveying cycle, and by repeating this cycle, the conveyed object can be conveyed while being pressurized from the upstream side to the downstream side.

During such a transport operation, the heat medium is supplied from the heat medium supply device to each of the pump units 10(A) to 10(D) and circulated, thereby transferring heat from the heat medium to the conveyed object. It can act via the barrel 12 .
The heat medium circulating through the end member 16 of each pump unit 10(A)-10(D) first applies heat to the end member 16. As shown in FIG. This heat is transferred from the end member 16 to the heat conductor 18, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. The heat transferred to the inner cylinder 12 heats and cools the space on the inner peripheral side of the inner cylinder 12 and is also directly transmitted to the conveyed objects moving inside the inner cylinder 12 .
Therefore, the heating/cooling means 180 supplies the pump units 10(A) to 10(D) with the heat required for transporting the transported object, so that the transported object can be transported while maintaining a suitable state. can.

As described above, according to the pump device 1 of the present embodiment, the pump unit 10 constituting the pump section 8 includes the flow path 17 that allows the heat medium to flow, and the end member having the flow path 17. 16 and a heat conductor 18 extending into the closed space, the heat medium heated or cooled to a temperature suitable for conveying the object to be conveyed is supplied to the flow path 17 of the end member 16. The heat of the heat medium can be transferred to the end member 16, from the end member 16 to the heat conductor 18, and from the heat conductor 18 to the inner cylinder 12. It can be transported in the environment.

Moreover, the heat conductor 18 can conduct heat directly to the inner cylinder 12 by forming the heat conductor 18 into a cylindrical shape along the outer circumference of the inner cylinder 12 . Further, by providing a plurality of protrusions 19 for deforming the inner cylinder 12 in the centripetal direction on the heat conductor 18, the inner cylinder 12 can be easily expanded.

Alternatively, the heat may be transferred from the end member 16 to the conveyed object without providing the heat conductor 18. As compared with the heat conduction, the heat can be efficiently transferred to the conveyed object, and the durability of the pump unit 10 can be improved.

In the above embodiment, the outer cylinder 14 of the pump unit 10 is described as being axially contractible. Also good.

Further, although the heat medium is circulated through the end member 16 and the heat is transferred to the conveyed object via the heat conductor 18 attached thereto, for example, the pressurized medium is heated/cooled to heat the pump unit. 10 fluid chambers V may be supplied.

The configuration of the pressurized medium control means 110 is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and any configuration capable of realizing the operation of FIG. 6 is included in the scope of the present invention.

Moreover, the heating/cooling means 180 is not limited to the above configuration. For example, a heat source is brought into contact with the end member 16 for heating/cooling the conveyed object, and by heating/cooling the end member 16, the heat is conducted to the inner cylinder 12 via the heat conductor 18. can be

1 pump device, 8 pump section, 10 pump unit, 12 inner cylinder, 14 outer cylinder,
16 end member, 18 heat conductor,
100 transport control device, 110 pressurized medium control means, 112 compressor,
114 regulator, 116 supply valve, 118 discharge valve, 120 flow sensor,
122 pressure sensor, 160 drive control means, 180 heat medium supply means, V fluid chamber.

Claims (5)

an outer cylinder;
an inner cylinder provided along the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder and made of an elastic material;
end members provided at both ends of the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder and forming a closed space between the inner circumference of the outer cylinder and the outer circumference of the inner cylinder; expands in the centripetal direction, and the inner cylinder contracts by discharging the working medium from the closed space,
A pump unit comprising a heat conductor attached to one of the end members and provided in contact with the outer circumference of the inner cylinder to conduct heat input through the end member to the inner cylinder. . 2. The pump unit according to claim 1, wherein the end member to which the heat conductor is attached has a flow path through which a heat medium can flow. 3. A pump unit according to claim 1, wherein said heat conductor is formed in a cylindrical shape along the outer periphery of said inner cylinder. The pump unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heat conductor has a protrusion that deforms the inner cylinder in a centripetal direction. A pump device comprising the pump unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A pump device comprising heating and cooling means for heating or cooling the end member.

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