JP5723241B2 - Flow control device and flow control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a flow rate control technique.

  Flow control technology is used in many fields. Various types of flow control devices have been proposed. For example, a flow control device using a diaphragm has been proposed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 10-288160, 2005-54954, 2008-232196, and 2011-90381).

JP-A-10-288160 JP 2005-54954 A JP 2008-232196 A JP 2011-90381 A

  By the way, in the proposed diaphragm type flow control device, the flow control is performed by the deformation of the diaphragm. For example, the force of a motor is used to deform the diaphragm. However, the deformation of the diaphragm by the motor cannot be said to have good responsiveness.

  Therefore, it has been considered that air is supplied and the diaphragm is deformed by the pressure of the air.

  However, simply by using air, it cannot be said that the deformation response of the diaphragm is good. And if it was going to improve responsiveness, it had to enlarge.

  Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a flow rate control technique in which the apparatus is small and the flow rate control response is excellent.

  The present inventor has intensively pursued studies for solving the above problems. As a result, the diaphragm can be efficiently driven (deformed) with a small amount of air if the diaphragm is divided into a plurality of parts and a diaphragm that has been reduced by the division is used rather than using one large diaphragm. I realized that. The fact that the diaphragm can be driven (deformed) with a small amount of air means that the air chamber for driving (deforming) the diaphragm can be small. This has also been realized that both miniaturization and response speed can be improved.

  Based on the above findings, the present invention has been achieved.

That is, the above problem is
A fluid passage having a deformable portion that is deformed by the action of a force;
Force application means for applying force to the deformable portion of the fluid passage from different directions;
The case body,
A spacer having a convex portion ,
Is arranged to deformable portion of the fluid passage before Symbol casing body is located,
A film is disposed inside the case body, and a chamber is configured by the wall surface of the case body and the film,
The spacer is disposed between the membrane and the fluid passage so that the convex portion contacts the deformable portion of the fluid passage,
The force acting means is
A chamber having separate fluid supply and fluid outlets;
A membrane forming part of the chamber;
Pressure control means for supplying a fluid into the chamber via the fluid supply port, discharging the fluid in the chamber from the fluid discharge port, and controlling the pressure in the chamber;
The membrane has a reduced cross-sectional area of the deformable portion of the fluid passage so that the cross-sectional area of the deformable portion of the fluid passage is only in the direction in which the membrane extends if the cross-sectional area of the deformable portion of the fluid passage is in the reduction direction from the state when the passage is not deformed. In the expansion direction from the time to the state when the passage is not deformed, the film is configured to be in only the shrinking direction,
Due to deformation of the membrane due to pressure fluctuation in the chamber by the pressure control means, the deformable part of the fluid passage is configured to be deformed at different positions,
The problem is solved by a flow rate control device in which the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the fluid passage is controlled by the degree of deformation of the deformable portion of the fluid passage.

The problem is the flow rate control device,
For example, a plurality of the force acting means are provided,
This is solved by a flow rate control device characterized in that a film in the plurality of force acting means is arranged to face the deformable portion of the fluid passage.

The problem is the flow rate control device,
The plurality of membranes are solved by, for example, a flow rate control device that is arranged to face each other with the deformable portion of the fluid passage interposed therebetween.

The problem is the flow rate control device,
The force acting means has one membrane;
The one membrane is formed from a cross-sectional direction perpendicular to the fluid passage so that a part or the entire circumference of the deformable portion of the fluid passage is surrounded at a predetermined angle or more around the deformable portion of the fluid passage. It is configured so that the viewed shape is a substantially C shape or a substantially O shape,
2. The flow control device according to claim 1, wherein the deformable portion of the fluid passage is deformed at different positions by deformation of the membrane due to pressure fluctuation in the chamber by the pressure control means. Is done.

The problem is the flow rate control device,
The pressure control means for controlling the pressure in the chamber is, for example, a gas supply means for supplying a gas into the chamber.

The problem is the flow rate control device,
For example, further comprising a case body,
The deformable portion of the fluid passage is disposed in the case body,
The film is disposed inside the case body, and the chamber is constituted by the case body wall surface and the film,
The case body is solved by a flow control device characterized in that a hole is formed and gas is supplied from the hole.

The problem is the flow rate control device,
For example, further comprising a spacer having a convex portion,
The spacer is solved by a flow rate control device characterized in that the spacer is disposed between the membrane and the fluid passage so that the convex portion contacts the deformable portion of the fluid passage.

The above issues are
A method for controlling a flow rate of a fluid flowing through a fluid passage of the flow control device ,
A gas supply step for supplying a gas;
A gas discharge step for discharging the gas;
The first point of the deformable portion is deformed by the gas pressure in the gas supply step and the gas discharge step , and the second point different from the first point of the deformable portion is the gas supply step and The present invention is solved by a flow rate control method characterized by comprising a deformation step that undergoes deformation by a gas pressure in the gas discharge step .

  The flow rate control device of the present invention is small in size and excellent in response of flow rate control.

Sectional drawing of the principal part of the flow control apparatus which becomes one Embodiment of this invention. The principal part schematic of the flow control apparatus which becomes other embodiment of this invention. The principal part schematic of the flow control apparatus which becomes other embodiment of this invention. The principal part schematic of the flow control apparatus which becomes other embodiment of this invention. The principal part schematic of the flow control apparatus which becomes other embodiment of this invention.

  The first aspect of the present invention is a flow rate control device. This flow control device includes a fluid passage. The fluid passage has a deformable portion that deforms when a force is applied. For example, a tube made of a soft resin such as a rubber called silicon rubber. When a force is applied to the tube made of a soft resin, the tube is crushed at the applied position (the cross-sectional area of the tube is reduced). Accordingly, the amount of fluid (for example, gas or liquid) flowing through the pipe is reduced. When the applied force is released, the tube is restored by the pressure of the fluid flowing in the tube and the restoring force of the tube itself. That is, the cross-sectional area of the tube is increased. Accordingly, the amount of fluid flowing in the pipe increases. As described above, the flow rate in the pipe is controlled by the deformation degree of the pipe. This flow control device includes force acting means for applying a force to the deformable portion (or a soft resin portion when the tube is made of a soft resin). The force application unit is, for example, a force application unit. Force application means (for example, force application means) applies force to the deformable portion from different directions. For example, a soft resin tube receives a deformation force at a plurality of locations (positions). For example, a pressing force is received from a plurality of directions.

  The force application means (force application means: pressing force application means) includes a chamber. In addition, pressure control means for controlling the pressure in the chamber is provided. A typical example of the pressure control means is a means for supplying a fluid (liquid or gas such as air or nitrogen gas, preferably air) into the chamber. In particular, an air supply means may be mentioned. For example, an air compressor is mentioned. A blower is mentioned. At least a part of the chamber is composed of a film (for example, a diaphragm). Therefore, for example, when air is supplied into the chamber, the film is deformed by this pressure. For example, the membrane expands (expands). Due to the deformation of the film, the deformable portion is configured to be deformed at different positions. The amount of fluid flowing through the fluid passage is controlled by the degree of deformation of the deformable portion.

  The force application means (for example, force application means) may be one or two or more. There are a plurality of force acting means (for example, force applying means), for example. A film, which is a component (chamber component) of the force acting means (a plurality of force acting means), is disposed to face the deformable portion (soft resin tube). The plurality may be two, three, four, or more. That is, for example, two, three, four,... Films are provided around the tube so as to surround the tube. In addition, you may provide spirally so that a pipe | tube may be enclosed. However, in the longitudinal direction of the tube, it is preferable that the membranes are provided so as to face each other at the same place. This is because the effect of deforming the deformable portion is high. When a plurality of films are provided, a plurality of films may be provided in the left-right direction. A chamber is provided corresponding to the membrane. A membrane, which is a component of the chamber, is provided so as to face the tube. From the viewpoint of cost and the like, the number of chambers (membranes) will be two. That is, chambers (films of chamber components) are arranged opposite to each other above and below or on the left and right of the deformable part (soft resin tube) (two films are arranged so that the deformable part is sandwiched between them). In this state, when the membrane is subjected to deformation pressure (expansion pressure), the deformable portion (soft resin tube) sandwiched therebetween receives direct or indirect pressing force from both sides. . The tube will be crushed from both sides. Due to the deformation pressure from both sides, the tube cross-sectional area becomes smaller.

  In the above description, there are a plurality of films. However, depending on the shape of the film, only one film is required. For example, the cross-sectional shape in a plane perpendicular to the fluid passage is substantially C-shaped so that the periphery of the deformable portion of the fluid passage is surrounded by a part or all of the deformable portion at a predetermined angle or more. In the case of a film having an approximately O shape, only one film is sufficient. For example, when the letter “U” placed on the horizontal line (rotation axis) rotates around the horizontal line (rotation axis), the film has a shape composed of the “U” rotation body. But it ’s OK. For example, in the case of a drum-shaped film, only one is sufficient. That is, if the film has such a structure (shape: (cross-sectional view (end view) is, for example, a figure equivalent to the shape shown in FIG. 1 described later)), even a single film is caused by pressure fluctuation in the chamber. This is because the deformation of the deformable portion occurs at different positions due to the deformation of the film.

  The flow rate control device further includes, for example, a case body. The deformable portion (for example, a soft resin tube) is disposed in the case body. The film is disposed inside the case body. The chamber is constituted by the wall surface of the case body and the film. A hole is formed in the case body. Gas (for example, air or nitrogen gas) is supplied from the hole into the chamber. The film is deformed by the supplied gas. This changes the cross-sectional area of the deformable portion (for example, a soft resin tube).

  The flow control device preferably includes a spacer having a convex portion. The spacer is disposed between the membrane and the fluid passage so that the convex portion comes into contact with the deformable portion (for example, a soft resin tube). Thereby, force is applied to the deformable portion (for example, a tube made of a soft resin) in a pinpoint manner. Therefore, deformation of the deformable portion is effective.

  The second aspect of the present invention is a flow rate control method. In particular, it is a method for controlling the flow rate of a fluid flowing through a fluid passage having a deformable portion that deforms when a force is applied. The method includes a gas supply step of supplying a gas (for example, air or nitrogen gas). In this method, the first point of the deformable portion is deformed by the pressure of the gas supplied in the gas supply step, and the second point of the deformable portion (different from the first point) is A deformation step of receiving deformation by the pressure of the gas supplied in the gas supply step is provided. This method is performed using, for example, the flow control device.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more specifically. However, the present invention is not limited to the following specific embodiments.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a flow control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, reference numerals 1a and 1b denote case halves. The case body 1 is configured by combining the case half body 1a and the case half body 1b. Holes having a semicircular cross section are formed in the left and right side portions of the case halves 1a and 1b. And the pipe | tube 2a, 2b which consists of hard materials is arrange | positioned at the hole of the cross-section circular shape formed when the case half 1a and the case half 1b are united and the case body 1 is comprised.

  A tube 3 made of, for example, silicon rubber is connected between the tube 2a and the tube 2b. The tube 3 is disposed inside the case body 1.

  4, 5, 6, and 7 are holes. The holes 4 and 5 are provided on the upper surface of the case half 1a. The holes 6 and 7 are provided in the lower surface portion of the case half 1b. As indicated by the arrows, air is supplied into the case body 1 through the holes 4 and 6. Further, as indicated by the arrows, the air in the case body 1 is discharged through the holes 5 and 7. In FIG. 1, an air supply device and an exhaust device are omitted.

  Reference numeral 8 denotes a substantially circular concave groove formed on the inner surface side of the upper surface portion of the case half 1a. 9 is a membrane (a diaphragm with an o-ring). An o-ring portion 9 a of the film 9 is fitted in the concave groove 8. A chamber 10 is constituted by the film 9 and the upper surface of the case half 1a.

  Reference numeral 11 denotes a substantially circular concave groove provided on the inner surface side of the lower surface of the case half 1b. Reference numeral 12 denotes a membrane (a diaphragm with an o-ring). The o-ring portion 12 a of the film 12 is fitted in the concave groove 11. A chamber 13 is constituted by the membrane 12 and the lower surface of the case half 1b.

  14 and 15 are spacers. The spacers 14 and 15 have substantially frustoconical convex portions 16 and 17 on one surface side. The spacers 14 and 15 are disposed between the membranes 9 and 12 and the tube 3. The arrangement of the spacers 14 and 15 is as follows. The flat surfaces of the spacers 14 and 15 are in contact with the films 9 and 12. The convex portions 16 and 17 abut on the tube 3.

  Reference numerals 18 and 19 denote clamping rings for preventing the pipe 3 from falling off. Reference numerals 20 and 21 denote collars for preventing separation of the o-ring portions of the films 9 and 12.

  Next, the operation (flow rate control method) of the flow rate control apparatus having the above configuration will be described.

  Air is blown into the chambers 10 and 13 through the holes 4 and 6 by an air supply device (not shown). For example, air from the first compressor is blown into the chamber 10 through the hole 4, and air from the second compressor is blown into the chamber 13 through the hole 6. The blown air is discharged (discharged) to the outside through the holes 5 and 7. When {(air supply amount) − (air release amount)}> 0, the films 9 and 12 constituting the chambers 10 and 13 swell. When {(air supply amount) − (air release amount)} ≦ 0, the films 9 and 12 constituting the chambers 10 and 13 do not swell. When the membranes 9 and 12 swell, the spacers 14 and 15 press the heel 3. In particular, the convex portions 16 and 17 press the wall surface of the tube 3. The wall surface of the tube 3 is recessed in the vertical direction in FIG. Therefore, the amount of fluid flowing through the tub 3 is reduced. When the amount of air blown into the chambers 10 and 13 through the holes 4 and 6 decreases, the expansion pressure of the membranes 9 and 12 decreases. Along with this, the force with which the convex portions 16 and 17 press the wall surface of the tube 3 decreases. If it does so, the cross-sectional area of the cage | basket 3 will become large with the restoring force of the pipe | tube 3 itself, or the pressure of the fluid which flows through the inside of the cage | basket 3. Therefore, the amount of fluid flowing in the tub 3 increases. As described above, the flow rate of the fluid is controlled.

  In the above embodiment, two films 9 and 12 were used. Here, it is assumed that the pressure P is applied to the chambers 10 and 13. Due to this pressure P, the membranes 9 and 12 are similarly deformed. If the cross-sectional area of the heel 3 is reduced by S due to the deformation of the film 9, the cross-sectional area of the heel 3 is reduced by S due to the deformation of the film 12. Therefore, the cross-sectional area decreases by 2S in total. On the other hand, consider a case where there is no film 12, that is, a single film. Assuming that the pressure P is applied to the chamber 10, the cross-sectional area reduction amount of the ridge 3 is S. Therefore, if the cross-sectional area reduction amount is to be 2S, a film whose area is twice as large is required. This means that the case body becomes larger accordingly. That is, the flow control device is increased in size. Conversely, the flow control device of the present invention can be miniaturized. Furthermore, when the film is twice as large, this means that the chamber 10 becomes larger. By the way, when the chamber is small, the fluctuation (expansion) of the film is remarkable even if the amount of air supplied into the chamber is small. This means that the film deformation speed, that is, the response speed is high. Conversely, when the chamber is large, the pressure fluctuation is small even if a large amount of air is sent into the chamber. This means that the film deformation speed, that is, the response speed is slow. Therefore, the technology of the present invention has a fast response speed of flow control. Quick response is possible.

  The installation location of this device is the location where the flow control device has been installed or the location where the flow control method has been implemented. For example, it is incorporated like the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 of JP 2010-26576 A.

  FIG. 2 is a main part schematic diagram for explaining a flow control device according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, for example, the left and right surfaces inside one chamber are configured by a film that expands and contracts in the left-right direction by gas supplied and discharged into the chamber. Due to the expansion and contraction of the membrane, the deformable portion of the fluid passage is deformed, and the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the fluid passage is controlled accordingly. Since the above technical idea is applied to this embodiment, the details are omitted.

  FIG. 3 is a main part schematic diagram for explaining a flow control device according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a chamber such as a food material “Chikuwa” is used, and the inner surface is a film, and the fluid passage passes through the chamber. Since the above technical idea is applied to this embodiment, the details are omitted.

  FIG. 4 is a main part schematic diagram for explaining a flow control device according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the chamber has a spiral shape, the inner surface is a film, and the fluid passage passes through the chamber. Since the above technical idea is applied to this embodiment, the details are omitted.

  FIG. 5 is a main part schematic diagram for explaining a flow control device according to another embodiment of the present invention. The present embodiment utilizes the fact that the film constituting the chamber expands or contracts by making the pressure inside the case (but outside the chamber) higher or lower than the pressure in the chamber (a atmospheric pressure). Then, the deformable portion of the fluid passage provided inside is deformed, and the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the fluid passage is controlled accordingly. Since the above technical idea is applied to this embodiment, the details are omitted.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Case body 1a, 1b Case half 3 Silicon rubber pipe | tube 4,5,6,7 Hole 8,11 Substantially circular groove 9,12 Film | membrane 9a, 12a O-ring part 10,13 Chamber 14,15 Spacer 16 , 17 Convex

Claims (7)

A fluid passage having a deformable portion that is deformed by the action of a force;
Force application means for applying force to the deformable portion of the fluid passage from different directions;
The case body,
A spacer having a convex portion ,
The deformable portion of the fluid passage is disposed in the case body,
A film is disposed inside the case body, and a chamber is configured by the wall surface of the case body and the film,
The spacer is disposed between the membrane and the fluid passage so that the convex portion contacts the deformable portion of the fluid passage,
The force acting means is
A chamber having separate fluid supply and fluid outlets;
A membrane forming part of the chamber;
Pressure control means for supplying a fluid into the chamber via the fluid supply port, discharging the fluid in the chamber from the fluid discharge port, and controlling the pressure in the chamber;
The membrane has a reduced cross-sectional area of the deformable portion of the fluid passage so that the cross-sectional area of the deformable portion of the fluid passage is only in the direction in which the membrane extends if the cross-sectional area of the deformable portion of the fluid passage is in the reduction direction from the state when the passage is not deformed. In the expansion direction from the time to the state when the passage is not deformed, the film is configured to be in only the shrinking direction,
Due to deformation of the membrane due to pressure fluctuation in the chamber by the pressure control means, the deformable part of the fluid passage is configured to be deformed at different positions,
The flow rate control device, wherein the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the fluid passage is controlled by the degree of deformation of the deformable portion of the fluid passage. A plurality of the force acting means are provided,
2. The flow rate control device according to claim 1, wherein a film in the plurality of force acting means is disposed to face the deformable portion of the fluid passage. The force acting means has one membrane;
The one membrane is formed from a cross-sectional direction perpendicular to the fluid passage so that a part or the entire circumference of the deformable portion of the fluid passage is surrounded by a predetermined angle or more around the deformable portion of the fluid passage. It is configured so that the viewed shape is a substantially C shape or a substantially O shape,
2. The flow rate control device according to claim 1, wherein the deformable portion of the fluid passage is deformed at a different position by deformation of the film due to pressure fluctuation in the chamber by the pressure control means. 4. The flow rate control device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure control means for controlling the pressure in the chamber is a gas supply means for supplying a gas into the chamber. The flow control device according to claim 1, wherein the fluid passage is a fluid passage having a crushable portion that is crushed when a force acts. The flow rate control device according to claim 1, wherein the fluid passage is a pipe. A method for controlling a flow rate of a fluid flowing through a fluid passage of the flow control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A gas supply step for supplying a gas;
A gas discharge step for discharging the gas;
The first point of the deformable portion is deformed by the gas pressure in the gas supply step and the gas discharge step, and the second point different from the first point of the deformable portion is the gas supply step and A flow rate control method comprising: a deformation step that undergoes deformation due to gas pressure in the gas discharge step.

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