JP3685531B2 - Method and apparatus for mixing gas into flowable material - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for mixing various gases such as air into a fluid material such as a liquid resin raw material for forming a gasket foam.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the case of molding a gasket foam from a liquid resin raw material having a high viscosity, a method of mixing air as bubbles has been conventionally employed for the purpose of improving the physical properties such as the elastic force by making the foamed structure dense.
[0003]
Conventionally, as a method for mixing bubbles, air is compressed and blown into a liquid material.
However, in the conventional mixing method, even if compressed air is simply blown, there is an influence due to the pressure of the raw material, so it is clear whether compressed air is actually blown into the raw material constantly during blowing. In addition, it was difficult to control the total amount of compressed air to be blown, and thus the mixing rate, to be constant.
[0004]
In order to solve this problem, the present inventor previously proposed a method of mixing gas into a fluid material as Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-198152. This method uses a piston pump that sucks the fluid material into the pressure chamber and discharges the fluid material from the pressure chamber by reciprocating movement of the piston, and in the course of the piston pump suction process, , The compressed gas is sucked into the pressure chamber, the fluid material and the compressed gas in the pressure chamber are pumped in the discharge process of the piston pump, and the pumped fluid material and the compressed gas are fed into the mixer. In the mixer, the liquid resin raw material and the compressed air in the mixing chamber are stirred by blades rotated by a motor, and heat generated by the stirring is cooled by a cooling device provided on the outer periphery.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the proposed method described above, a gas such as air can be efficiently mixed into the flowable material, and the mixing rate can be easily controlled.
[0006]
However, since a mixer for mixing the pumped fluid material and the compressed gas is required, the configuration of the apparatus is complicated. In particular, since a large load is applied to the blades for stirring, there is a possibility that the blades may be damaged or the motor may be burned out, so that periodic inspection or repair is necessary.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. A method and an apparatus capable of efficiently mixing a gas such as air into a flowable material with a simple configuration and easily controlling the mixing rate. The purpose is to provide.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The method according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a step of alternately sending a flowable material and a gas at a pressure of about 1 to 5 kg / cm ² through the same path, and a high pressure pump in the middle of the path. and the liquidity and the step of pressurizing said gas to 100~400kg / cm ² about high pressure by pumping to Rukoto at high pressure the flowable material and the gas in the path after being pressurized by the high pressure pump and a step you mixing the gas with the material.
[0009]
The method according to the invention of claim 2 is provided with a Semaro in the path after being pressurized by the high pressure pump, the flowable material and the gas feed pressure so as to pass through the narrow road.
[0010]
The apparatus according to the invention of claim 3 is provided in the middle of the path, the means for alternately sending the flowable material and the gas at a pressure of about 1 to 5 kg / cm ² by the same path , and 1-5 kg / cm. a high pressure pump for pressurizing the 100~400kg / cm ² about high pressure the flowable material and the gas has been fed alternately at about ^two pressure, pressurized to 100~400kg / cm ² about high pressure by the high pressure pump And a high-pressure pipe that mixes the flowable material and the gas by pressure-feeding the flowable material and the gas at a high pressure.
Device according to the invention of claim 4 includes a metering means for feeding alternately to the conduit in a flowable material and a pressure of about 1-5 kg / cm ² and weighing the gas, the flowable fed by said metering means material and a high-pressure pump for pressurizing the gas in 100~400kg / cm ² about high pressure, the flowable material is provided in the path after being pressurized to 100~400kg / cm ² about high pressure by the high pressure pump And a high-pressure line for mixing the flowable material and the gas by pumping the gas at a high pressure, and a narrow pipe provided with a mesh connected to the high-pressure line and having a passage narrower than the high-pressure line. And a path means.
[0011]
By the metering means, the flowable material and the gas are metered and fed alternately into the pipeline. The high-pressure pump pressurizes the fluid material and gas and pumps them into the high-pressure line. The flowable material and the gas are mixed by a mixing action by being pumped at a high pressure in a high-pressure line.
[0012]
The flowable material and gas are mixed more densely by passing through the narrow path means.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a mixing apparatus 1 according to the present invention.
The mixing apparatus 1 includes a material tank 11, a three-way valve 12, a high-pressure pump 13, a mesh pipe 14, a check valve 15, a port 16, pipes 21 and 22, and a high-pressure pipe 23.
[0014]
The material tank 11 is a sealed pressurization tank that stores a liquid resin raw material that is a fluid material, and pressurizes the liquid resin raw material accommodated therein by pressing the lid downward by the cylinder device. It is like that. The lid body may be fixed integrally with the material tank 11, compressed air may be supplied to the upper part of the material tank 11, and the liquid resin raw material may be pressurized by the pressure of the compressed air. The liquid resin raw material is, for example, for forming a gasket foam.
[0015]
The liquid resin raw material accommodated in the material tank 11 is metered and pumped to the high-pressure line 23 by the high-pressure pump 13 through the lines 21 and 22 while the three-way valve 12 is opened.
[0016]
A compressed gas source is connected to the port 16 and supplied to the three-way valve 12 via the check valve 15. The three-way valve 12 is for selectively switching the liquid resin raw material and the compressed gas and sending them out to the pipe line 22. By controlling the switching timing or time of the three-way valve 12, the liquid resin raw material and the compressed gas are supplied. The ratio of the mixing amount (mixing rate) is adjusted. In addition, the pressure in the pipe line 22 is about 1-5 kg / cm < ² >, for example.
[0017]
The high-pressure pump 13 pressurizes the liquid resin raw material or compressed gas supplied to the suction port to a high pressure in the order in which they are supplied. The pumping pressure by the high-pressure pump 13 is, for example, about 100 to 400 kg / cm ² .
[0018]
The liquid resin raw material and the compressed gas pumped from the high pressure pump 13 pass through the high pressure pipe 23. In the high-pressure line 23, the liquid resin raw material M and the compressed gas G pumped from the high-pressure pump 13 are clearly separated alternately at a position close to the high-pressure pump 13, but pass through the high-pressure line 23. As a result, the liquid resin raw material and the compressed gas are mixed.
[0019]
The liquid resin raw material and the compressed gas are mixed in the high-pressure line 23 when they are pressurized and fed above a certain pressure in the line by the mixing action of the liquid and the gas during the feeding. This is thought to be caused by melting and mixing inside. Such a mixing action is considered to be caused by being kneaded with the gas while passing through the pipe due to the viscosity of the liquid resin raw material. The mixing in the high-pressure line 23 utilizes the fact that the gas that has been divided dissolves into the liquid resin raw material due to the mixing action due to the pumping pressure and friction.
[0020]
The mesh pipe line 14 is a metal net having a mesh of about 1 mm mounted in a steel pipe member, whereby a passage narrower than the high-pressure pipe line 23 is formed in the passage of the liquid resin raw material. The The liquid resin material and the compressed gas are mixed more densely by passing through the high-pressure line 23, and the compressed gas is sufficiently dispersed and mixed in the liquid resin material. That is, by providing an orifice-like one that creates an appropriate narrow path in the flow of the liquid resin raw material, such as the mesh pipe line 14, the dispersion of the gas dissolved in the liquid resin raw material becomes denser.
[0021]
FIG. 2 is a view showing a configuration of a mixing apparatus 1a according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a view showing a material supply apparatus 2 and a compressed gas supply apparatus 3 which are a part of the mixing apparatus 1a.
In FIG. 2, the mixing device 1a includes drive cylinders 31, 32, metering pumps 33, 34, check valves 35-38, 40-42, two-way solenoid valves 38, 39, 43, 44, a pressure increasing cylinder 51, pressure increasing. The pumps 52 and 53, check valves 54 to 57, an accumulator 58, a wire mesh 59, a regulator 60, a discharge valve 61, and pipe lines 71 to 74 are configured.
[0022]
In FIG. 3, the material supply device 2 includes a material tank 81 in which a liquid resin material is accommodated, a pressure feed pump 82, and a regulator 83. The regulator 83 is adjusted to, for example, about 2 kg / cm ² , and the liquid resin material pumped from the regulator 83 is supplied to the two-way electromagnetic valves 38 and 43 in FIG. For example, silicone (viscosity about 20000 cps) and urethane (viscosity about 100,000 cps) are used as the liquid resin raw material.
[0023]
The compressed gas supply device 3 includes a compressed gas tank 84 and a regulator 85. The compressed gas tank 84 is filled with, for example, high-pressure nitrogen gas. The regulator 85 is adjusted to, for example, about 5 kg / cm ² , and the compressed gas fed from there is supplied to the two-way electromagnetic valves 39 and 44 in FIG.
[0024]
In FIG. 2, the two drive cylinders 31 and 32 are driven so as to move forward or backward alternately. Therefore, when one of the metering pumps 33 and 34 is the suction process, the other is the discharge process. In the suction process of the metering pumps 33, 34, the two-way solenoid valves 38, 39, 43, 44 are alternately turned on by the one-way solenoid valves 38, 43 and the other two-way solenoid valves 39, 44. As a result, the liquid resin material and the compressed gas are alternately sucked into the metering pumps 33 and 34. By controlling the switching timing of these two-way solenoid valves 38, 39, 43, and 44, the mixing rate can be easily adjusted.
[0025]
The liquid resin raw material or compressed gas discharged from the metering pumps 33 and 34 enters the pressure-increasing pumps 52 and 53 through the pipe 71. In the booster pumps 52 and 53, the suction process and the discharge process are alternately repeated by the reciprocating drive of the booster cylinder 51. From the pressure increasing pumps 52 and 53, the liquid resin raw material and the compressed gas are pumped to the pipe line 72 at a high pressure of, for example, about 100 to 400 kg / cm ² . The pipe line 72 is a high-pressure hose having an inner diameter of 10 mm and a length of about 2 m.
[0026]
In the pipe line 72, the liquid resin raw material and the compressed gas pumped from the pressure boosting pumps 52 and 53 are alternately divided at positions close to the pressure boosting pumps 52 and 53, but pass through the pipe line 72. Accordingly, the liquid resin raw material and the compressed gas are mixed. It takes about 30 seconds for the liquid resin raw material and the compressed gas to pass through the pipe line 72, for example.
[0027]
The accumulator 58 is filled with a high-pressure gas, and is for maintaining the pressure in the pipe line 72 at a high pressure at all times.
The wire mesh 59 is the same as the mesh pipe 14 described above. For example, the wire diameter is 0.5 to 0.3 mm inside a high-pressure piping material having an inner diameter of 10 to 15 mm and a length of about 50 mm. A mesh of about 1 mm square made of steel wire is attached. This is for example 100-500 mesh. As the liquid resin raw material and the compressed gas pass through the wire mesh 59, the liquid resin raw material and the compressed gas are mixed more densely.
[0028]
The regulator 60 drops the pressure-feed mixture of the liquid resin material and the compressed gas to a pressure of, for example, about 20 kg / cm ² and supplies the mixture to the discharge valve 61.
The discharge valve 61 discharges or stops the discharge of the liquid resin raw material and the compressed gas mixture supplied from the lower nozzle by turning on and off the built-in valve. For example, the regulator 60 and the discharge valve 61 are attached to a manipulator of a robot (not shown) and move. Therefore, a high-pressure hose is used in the conduit 73 so as to be movable.
[0029]
According to the mixing device 1 of the above-described embodiment, the liquid resin raw material and the compressed gas are metered and pumped by the switching of the three-way valve 12 and the high-pressure pump 13, and mixed by passing through the high-pressure line 23. Further, according to the mixing device 1a, after the liquid resin raw material and the compressed gas are measured by the metering pumps 33 and 34, they are pumped at high pressure by the pressure-increasing pumps 52 and 53, and are mixed by passing through the pipe line 72. Is done.
[0030]
As a result, the compressed gas can be efficiently mixed into the liquid resin material, and the mixing rate can be accurately and easily controlled. Further, by passing through the mesh pipe line 14 or the wire mesh 59, they are mixed more precisely. Therefore, there is no need for a mixer having rotating blades as in the prior art, and the configuration of the mixing devices 1 and 1a is simplified. Does not require periodic inspection or repair. In particular, in the mixing apparatus 1a, the mixture can be continuously discharged.
[0031]
In the above-described embodiment, the pressure of each part can be variously changed. The whole of the mixing devices 1 and 1a or the configuration of each part can be variously changed in accordance with the gist of the present invention.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first to fourth aspects of the invention, a gas such as air can be efficiently mixed into the flowable material with a simple configuration, and the mixing rate can be easily controlled.
Further, since a mixer having rotating blades and the like as in the prior art is not necessary and the blades are not damaged and the motor is burned out, maintenance is easy.
[0033]
According to the second and fourth aspects of the invention, the fluid material and the gas can be mixed more precisely.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a mixing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a mixing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a view showing a material supply apparatus and a compressed gas supply apparatus which are a part of a mixing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1,1a Mixer 12 Three-way valve (Measuring means)
13 High-pressure pump (pressurized pressure feeding means)
14 Mesh pipeline (narrow path means)
21, 22 pipeline (route)
23 High-pressure line (route)
33, 34 Metering pump (measuring means)
52,53 Booster pump (Pressurizing and pumping means)
59 Wire mesh (narrow path means)
71 Pipeline (route)
72 pipeline (high-pressure pipeline, route)

Claims (4)

A step of alternately feeding the flowable material and the gas at a pressure of about 1 to 5 kg / cm ² through the same path;
In the middle of the path, a step of pressing said flowable material and the gas in 100~400kg / cm ² about high pressure by the high pressure pump,
A step you mixing the gas with the flowable material by pumping to Rukoto at high pressure the flowable material and the gas in the path after being pressurized by the high pressure pump,
The method of mixing gas into flowable material and having a. The provided Semaro in the path after being pressurized by a high pressure pump, the flowable material and the gas feed pressure so as to pass through the narrow passage,
A method of mixing a gas into the flowable material according to claim 1. 1-5 kg / cm of flowable material and gas by the same route ² Means for alternately sending at a certain pressure,
Provided in the middle of the path, 1-5 kg / cm ² 100 to 400 kg / cm of the flowable material and the gas that have been alternately delivered at a certain pressure ² A high-pressure pump that pressurizes to a high pressure,
100-400 kg / cm by the high-pressure pump ² A high-pressure line that mixes the flowable material and the gas by pumping the flowable material and the gas at a high pressure provided in a path after being pressurized to a high pressure of a certain degree;
A device for mixing a gas into a fluid material characterized by comprising: Metering means for metering the flowable material and gas and alternately feeding them into the pipe line at a pressure of about 1 to 5 kg / cm ² ;
A high pressure pump for pressurizing the flowable material and the gas in 100~400kg / cm ² about the high-pressure sent out by the metering means,
A high pressure that mixes the flowable material and the gas by pumping the flowable material and the gas at a high pressure provided in a path after being pressurized to a high pressure of about 100 to 400 kg / cm ² by the high pressure pump. A pipeline,
Narrow path means provided with a mesh connected to the high pressure line and having a narrower path than the high pressure line;
A device for mixing a gas into a fluid material characterized by comprising:

Images