JP7462876B2

JP7462876B2 - Mixing Equipment

Info

Publication number: JP7462876B2
Application number: JP2020044545A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 宏典松本; 久美松矢; 泰三松川; 勝利松永
Original assignee: Miura Co Ltd
Current assignee: Miura Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-03-13
Filing date: 2020-03-13
Publication date: 2024-04-08
Anticipated expiration: 2040-03-13
Also published as: JP2021142513A

Description

本発明は、被撹拌物を撹拌する撹拌装置に関するものである。 The present invention relates to a mixing device that mixes an object to be mixed.

従来、下記特許文献１に開示されるように、蒸気ジャケットが設けられた横向き略円筒状の処理槽（調理釜１３，１０３）と、この処理槽の軸線に沿って設けられる撹拌軸（３，１０９）と、この撹拌軸に軸方向所定間隔で設けられる複数の撹拌部（５，１１１）とを備える撹拌装置が知られている。各撹拌部（５，１１１）は、アーム（７，１１３）の先端部に撹拌羽根（９，１１５）が設けられる一方、アーム（７，１１３）の基端部にボス部（１１，１１７）が設けられ、そのボス部（１１，１１７）が撹拌軸（３，１０９）に嵌合されて固定される。 As disclosed in the following Patent Document 1, a stirring device has been known that includes a horizontally oriented, generally cylindrical processing tank (cooking pot 13, 103) with a steam jacket, a stirring shaft (3, 109) that is provided along the axis of the processing tank, and a plurality of stirring parts (5, 111) that are provided on the stirring shaft at predetermined intervals in the axial direction. Each stirring part (5, 111) has a stirring blade (9, 115) at the tip of an arm (7, 113), and a boss part (11, 117) at the base end of the arm (7, 113), and the boss part (11, 117) is fitted and fixed to the stirring shaft (3, 109).

この撹拌装置では、撹拌羽根の撹拌軸に対する取付角度（撹拌軸の軸線に対する交差角度θ２）を変更可能とされる。ところが、その変更方法は、異なった取付角度（θ２）を有する撹拌部（５）を用意しておき、被撹拌物の粘性に応じて撹拌部（５）を変更するものである（段落００３４）。この場合、被撹拌物に応じて撹拌状態を変更するには、複数の撹拌部（撹拌羽根やボス部が設けられたアーム）が必要となる。 In this mixing device, the mounting angle of the mixing blade relative to the mixing shaft (the intersection angle θ2 with the axis of the mixing shaft) can be changed. However, the method of change is to prepare mixing units (5) with different mounting angles (θ2) and change the mixing unit (5) depending on the viscosity of the material being mixed (paragraph 0034). In this case, multiple mixing units (arms with mixing blades and bosses) are required to change the mixing state depending on the material being mixed.

また、従来の撹拌装置では、アームのボス部は、キーを介して、撹拌軸に取り付けられる。そのため、アームのボス部は、撹拌軸の周方向一箇所のみで、撹拌軸に嵌合可能とされる。撹拌軸の回転に伴いアーム（そして撹拌羽根）も一体回転するので、本来、撹拌軸の周方向に対するアームの取付位置は、問題にならない。つまり、仮に、撹拌軸に一つのアーム（撹拌羽根）を取り付けるだけならば、撹拌軸の周方向のどこにアームを取り付けても（言い換えれば撹拌軸のどの方向へアームを延出させても）、撹拌状態を変更することはできない。 In addition, in conventional mixing devices, the boss of the arm is attached to the mixing shaft via a key. Therefore, the boss of the arm can be fitted to the mixing shaft at only one point in the circumferential direction of the mixing shaft. As the arm (and the mixing blade) rotates as one unit with the mixing shaft, the attachment position of the arm relative to the circumferential direction of the mixing shaft is essentially not an issue. In other words, if only one arm (mixing blade) is attached to the mixing shaft, the mixing state cannot be changed no matter where in the circumferential direction of the mixing shaft the arm is attached (in other words, no matter in which direction the arm is extended from the mixing shaft).

一方、発明者は鋭意研究の結果、撹拌軸に複数の撹拌羽根が設けられる場合、撹拌軸の周方向に対するボス部の嵌合位置（言い換えればアームの延出方向）を変えることで、撹拌状態を変更可能なことを把握した。たとえば、四枚の撹拌羽根が設けられるとして、撹拌軸のある停止位置で、撹拌軸に対し、（ｉ）第一のアームを上方へ延出し、第二のアームを前方へ延出し、第三のアームを後方へ延出し、第四のアームを下方へ延出して配置したり、（ii）第一および第二のアームを上方へ延出する一方、第三および第四のアームを下方へ延出して配置したり、（iii）すべてのアームを同一方向（たとえば下方）へ延出して配置したりするなど、各撹拌羽根の取付方向を変更できれば、被撹拌物の撹拌状態を変更することができる。つまり、撹拌軸に対する各アームの延出方向の違いにより、被撹拌物の撹拌状態に違いを出せることになる。そして、それにより、被撹拌物に応じた撹拌が可能となる。 On the other hand, the inventors have found through extensive research that when multiple stirring blades are provided on the stirring shaft, the stirring state can be changed by changing the fitting position of the boss portion relative to the circumferential direction of the stirring shaft (in other words, the extension direction of the arms). For example, if four stirring blades are provided, the stirring state of the material being stirred can be changed by changing the attachment direction of each stirring blade at a certain stopping position of the stirring shaft, such as (i) arranging the first arm to extend upward, the second arm to extend forward, the third arm to extend backward, and the fourth arm to extend downward, (ii) arranging the first and second arms to extend upward while arranging the third and fourth arms to extend downward, or (iii) arranging all arms to extend in the same direction (for example, downward). In other words, the stirring state of the material being stirred can be changed by changing the extension direction of each arm relative to the stirring shaft. This makes it possible to stir the material according to the material being stirred.

ところが、従来、撹拌軸に対する各アームの延出方向を変更し、それにより被撹拌物の撹拌状態を変更できるものはない。前述したとおり、従来、アームのボス部は、撹拌軸の周方向一箇所のみで、撹拌軸に嵌合可能とされる。それ故、被撹拌物に応じて撹拌状態を変更するには、撹拌部（撹拌羽根やボス部が設けられたアーム）自体を取り替える必要があった。 However, there has traditionally been no device that allows you to change the direction in which each arm extends relative to the agitator shaft, thereby changing the agitation state of the material being agitated. As mentioned above, traditionally, the boss portion of the arm can only be fitted to the agitator shaft at one point in the circumferential direction of the agitator shaft. Therefore, in order to change the agitation state depending on the material being agitated, it was necessary to replace the agitator portion itself (the arm on which the agitator blades and boss portion are provided).

特開２００３－１６４３７５号公報JP 2003-164375 A

本発明が解決しようとする課題は、撹拌軸に複数の撹拌羽根を取付可能な撹拌装置において、撹拌軸の周方向に対する各撹拌羽根のアームの取付位置を変更（言い換えれば撹拌軸に対するアームの延出方向を変更）することで、被撹拌物の撹拌状態を変更できる撹拌装置を提供することにある。 The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide an agitation device that can attach multiple agitation blades to an agitation shaft, and that can change the agitation state of the material being agitated by changing the attachment position of the arms of each agitation blade relative to the circumferential direction of the agitation shaft (in other words, by changing the extension direction of the arms relative to the agitation shaft).

本発明は、前記課題を解決するためになされたもので、請求項１に記載の発明は、撹拌羽根がアームを介して撹拌軸に取り付けられ、撹拌軸の回転により撹拌羽根で被撹拌物を撹拌する撹拌装置であって、前記アームは、基端部にボス部が設けられる一方、先端部に撹拌羽根が設けられ、前記撹拌軸には、軸方向に離隔して複数のアームが取付可能とされ、各アームのボス部は、撹拌軸の周方向複数箇所で、撹拌軸に嵌合可能とされ、撹拌軸の周方向に対するボス部の嵌合箇所を変更することで、撹拌軸に対する各アームの延出方向を変更可能とされており、前記撹拌軸には、前記ボス部が着脱可能に取り付けられる被取付部が、軸方向に離隔して複数設けられ、各被取付部において、前記ボス部は、撹拌軸の周方向複数箇所で、被取付部と嵌合可能とされ、前記ボス部は、第一ボス材と第二ボス材とを備え、前記第一ボス材は、略半円筒状の半ボス部と、この半ボス部の周方向両端部に連接された一対の平板部とを備え、前記第二ボス材は、略半円筒状の半ボス部と、この半ボス部の周方向両端部に連接された一対の平板部とを備え、片方の平板部には、前記第一ボス材の片方の平板部の受け部が設けられており、前記被取付部の外周部に各ボス材の半ボス部が嵌合されると共に、第二ボス材の受け部に第一ボス材の片方の平板部がはめ込まれて、両ボス材の平板部同士が重ね合わされた状態で、両ボス材は、もう片方の平板部同士が固定され、この固定状態では、前記被取付部の軸方向両端部の段付き面と、前記ボス部の軸方向両端面とにより、前記撹拌軸に対する前記ボス部の軸方向移動が規制されることを特徴とする撹拌装置である。 The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the invention described in claim 1 is an agitation device in which an agitating blade is attached to an agitating shaft via an arm, and the agitating blade agitates an object to be stirred by rotating the agitating shaft, the arm being provided with a boss portion at a base end and an agitating blade at a tip end, a plurality of arms can be attached to the agitating shaft at intervals in the axial direction, and the boss portion of each arm can be fitted to the agitating shaft at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction of the agitating shaft, and by changing the fitting location of the boss portion in the circumferential direction of the agitating shaft, the extension direction of each arm relative to the agitating shaft can be changed, the agitating shaft is provided with a plurality of mounting portions to which the boss portion is detachably attached, the mounting portions being provided at intervals in the axial direction, and at each mounting portion, the boss portion can be fitted to the mounting portion at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction of the agitating shaft, The stirring device comprises a first boss member and a second boss member, the first boss member having a substantially semi-cylindrical half boss portion and a pair of flat plate portions connected to both circumferential ends of the half boss portion, the second boss member having a substantially semi-cylindrical half boss portion and a pair of flat plate portions connected to both circumferential ends of the half boss portion, one of the flat plate portions being provided with a receiving portion for one of the flat plate portions of the first boss member, the half boss portions of each boss member being fitted into the outer periphery of the mounted portion, and one of the flat plate portions of the first boss member being fitted into the receiving portion of the second boss member, with the flat plate portions of both boss members overlapping each other, and in this fixed state, axial movement of the boss member relative to the stirring shaft is restricted by the stepped surfaces at both axial ends of the mounted portion and the axial end faces of the boss member .

請求項１に記載の発明によれば、撹拌軸には、軸方向に離隔した複数箇所に、撹拌羽根のアームが取付可能とされる。そして、各アームのボス部は、撹拌軸の周方向複数箇所で、撹拌軸に嵌合可能とされる。そのため、撹拌軸の周方向に対するボス部の嵌合箇所を変更して、撹拌軸に対する各アームの延出方向を変更することができる。これにより、被撹拌物の撹拌状態を変更することができ、被撹拌物に応じた撹拌が可能となる。 According to the invention described in claim 1, the arms of the stirring blade can be attached to the stirring shaft at multiple locations spaced apart in the axial direction. The boss portion of each arm can be fitted to the stirring shaft at multiple locations in the circumferential direction of the stirring shaft. Therefore, by changing the fitting location of the boss portion relative to the circumferential direction of the stirring shaft, the extension direction of each arm relative to the stirring shaft can be changed. This allows the stirring state of the material to be stirred to be changed, making it possible to stir according to the material to be stirred.

請求項１に記載の発明によれば、撹拌軸の内、撹拌羽根のアームを取り付ける部分のみを被取付部に変更するだけで、撹拌軸の周方向に対する各撹拌羽根のアームの取付位置を変更（言い換えれば撹拌軸に対するアームの延出方向を変更）することができる。 According to the invention described in claim 1 , by simply changing the portion of the agitator shaft where the arms of the agitator blades are attached to the mounting portion, the mounting position of each agitator blade arm relative to the circumferential direction of the agitator shaft can be changed (in other words, the extension direction of the arm relative to the agitator shaft can be changed).

請求項２に記載の発明は、前記撹拌軸と前記ボス部との嵌合部は、断面正多角形状に形成されていることを特徴とする請求項１に記載の撹拌装置である。 A second aspect of the present invention provides the stirring device according to the first aspect , characterized in that a fitting portion between the stirring shaft and the boss portion is formed into a regular polygonal cross section.

請求項２に記載の発明によれば、撹拌軸とボス部との嵌合部を断面正多角形状に形成することで、撹拌軸の周方向に対する各撹拌羽根のアームの取付位置を変更することができる。 According to the invention described in claim 2 , by forming the fitting portion between the agitator shaft and the boss portion into a regular polygonal cross section, the mounting positions of the arms of each agitator blade relative to the circumferential direction of the agitator shaft can be changed.

さらに、請求項３に記載の発明は、前記撹拌軸と前記ボス部との嵌合部は、スプライン状に形成されていることを特徴とする請求項１に記載の撹拌装置である。 Furthermore, the invention described in claim 3 is the agitation device described in claim 1 , characterized in that the fitting portion between the agitation shaft and the boss portion is formed in a spline shape.

請求項３に記載の発明によれば、撹拌軸とボス部との嵌合部をスプライン状に形成することで、撹拌軸の周方向に対する各撹拌羽根のアームの取付位置を変更することができる。 According to the third aspect of the present invention, the fitting portion between the agitator shaft and the boss portion is formed in a spline shape, so that the mounting positions of the arms of each agitator blade relative to the circumferential direction of the agitator shaft can be changed.

本発明の撹拌装置によれば、撹拌軸に複数の撹拌羽根を取付可能な撹拌装置において、撹拌軸の周方向に対する各撹拌羽根のアームの取付位置を変更（言い換えれば撹拌軸に対するアームの延出方向を変更）することで、被撹拌物の撹拌状態を変更することができる。 According to the stirring device of the present invention, in a stirring device in which multiple stirring blades can be attached to a stirring shaft, the stirring state of the material being stirred can be changed by changing the attachment position of the arms of each stirring blade relative to the circumferential direction of the stirring shaft (in other words, by changing the extension direction of the arms relative to the stirring shaft).

本発明の一実施例の撹拌装置の概略正面図であり、一部を切り欠いて断面にして示している。1 is a schematic front view of an agitation device according to an embodiment of the present invention, with a portion cut away in cross section. 図１の撹拌装置の右側面視の縦断面図である。2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the stirring device of FIG. 1 as seen from the right side. FIG. 撹拌軸への撹拌羽根の取付構造を示す概略図である。FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the structure for attaching the stirring blade to the stirring shaft. 図３の取付構造の概略縦断面図である。FIG. 4 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the mounting structure of FIG. 3 . 図３の取付構造の主要部の概略分解斜視図である。FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a main part of the mounting structure of FIG. 3 . 図５の変形例を示す図である。FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a modification of FIG. 5 .

以下、本発明の具体的実施例を図面に基づいて詳細に説明する。
図１および図２は、本発明の一実施例の撹拌装置１の概略図であり、図１は一部を切り欠いて断面にして示す正面図、図２は右側面視の縦断面図である。 Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
1 and 2 are schematic diagrams of an agitation device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is a front view with a part cut away and FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view as seen from the right side.

本実施例の撹拌装置１は、被撹拌物を加熱しながら撹拌する蒸気ニーダである。撹拌装置１は、被撹拌物が収容される処理槽２と、この処理槽２の左右の端壁２ａを架け渡すように設けられる撹拌軸３と、この撹拌軸３に設けられる複数の撹拌羽根４とを備える。被撹拌物は、特に問わないが、典型的には食材である。 The stirring device 1 of this embodiment is a steam kneader that stirs the material to be stirred while heating it. The stirring device 1 includes a processing tank 2 in which the material to be stirred is stored, a stirring shaft 3 that is provided to span the left and right end walls 2a of the processing tank 2, and a plurality of stirring blades 4 provided on the stirring shaft 3. The material to be stirred is not particularly limited, but is typically food ingredients.

処理槽２は、横向き略円筒状で、その軸方向両端部（左右両端部）は、軸方向外側へ球面状に膨出する端壁（鏡板）２ａで閉塞されている。処理槽２の軸方向中央部には、周側壁上部が切り欠かれて、略矩形筒状のホッパー５が設けられている。さらに、処理槽２の略下半分には蒸気ジャケット６が設けられており、この蒸気ジャケット６には、蒸気入口バルブ７付きの蒸気供給路８を介して、蒸気が供給可能とされる。そして、蒸気ジャケット６に供給された蒸気の凝縮水は、蒸気トラップ９付きのドレン排出路１０を介して、外部へ排出可能とされる。 The treatment tank 2 is a generally horizontal cylinder, and both axial ends (left and right ends) are closed by end walls (end plates) 2a that bulge outward in a spherical shape in the axial direction. In the axial center of the treatment tank 2, the upper part of the peripheral wall is cut out to provide a generally rectangular tubular hopper 5. Furthermore, a steam jacket 6 is provided in roughly the lower half of the treatment tank 2, and steam can be supplied to this steam jacket 6 via a steam supply passage 8 equipped with a steam inlet valve 7. Condensed water from the steam supplied to the steam jacket 6 can be discharged to the outside via a drain discharge passage 10 equipped with a steam trap 9.

撹拌軸３は、処理槽２の軸線に沿って、左右方向へ延出して設けられる。その際、撹拌軸３は、処理槽２の左右の端壁２ａを架け渡すように設けられ、処理槽２の左右において軸受（図示省略）にて回転自在に保持される。撹拌軸３の一端部は、駆動ボックス１１内の駆動機構に接続されており、この駆動機構により回転可能とされる。駆動ボックス１１内には、処理槽２の傾動機構も内蔵されており、この傾動機構により、処理槽２（ホッパー５）の上部開口を前方へ倒すよう傾動可能とされる。 The agitator shaft 3 is provided extending in the left-right direction along the axis of the treatment tank 2. The agitator shaft 3 is provided so as to span the left and right end walls 2a of the treatment tank 2, and is rotatably supported by bearings (not shown) on the left and right sides of the treatment tank 2. One end of the agitator shaft 3 is connected to a drive mechanism in the drive box 11, and is made rotatable by this drive mechanism. A tilting mechanism for the treatment tank 2 is also built into the drive box 11, and this tilting mechanism makes it possible to tilt the upper opening of the treatment tank 2 (hopper 5) forward.

撹拌軸３には、処理槽２内の周側壁に摺接（つまり内周面から被処理物を掻き取るように摺動）する撹拌羽根４の他、処理槽２内の端壁２ａに摺接（つまり端面から被処理物を掻き取るように摺動）する側部掻取羽根１２が設けられる。 The agitator shaft 3 is provided with an agitator blade 4 that slides against the circumferential side wall of the treatment tank 2 (i.e., slides to scrape the material to be treated from the inner circumferential surface), as well as a side scraping blade 12 that slides against the end wall 2a of the treatment tank 2 (i.e., slides to scrape the material to be treated from the end surface).

撹拌軸３には、軸方向に離隔して、複数の撹拌羽根４が設けられる。図１では、撹拌羽根４として、左から右へ順に、第一撹拌羽根４Ａ、第二撹拌羽根４Ｂ、第三撹拌羽根４Ｃおよび第四撹拌羽根４Ｄが設けられる。各撹拌羽根４（４Ａ～４Ｄ）は、アーム１３を介して、ボス部１４により撹拌軸３に保持される。本実施例では、各撹拌羽根４は、アーム１３やボス部１４を含めて、互いに同一の形状および大きさとされ、撹拌軸３に等間隔に設けられる。具体的には、撹拌軸３には、撹拌羽根４のアーム１３の被取付部３ａが、軸方向に離隔して等間隔に設けられており、各被取付部３ａに、撹拌羽根４のアーム１３のボス部１４が着脱可能に固定される。 A plurality of stirring blades 4 are provided on the stirring shaft 3, spaced apart in the axial direction. In FIG. 1, the stirring blades 4 are provided, from left to right, as a first stirring blade 4A, a second stirring blade 4B, a third stirring blade 4C, and a fourth stirring blade 4D. Each stirring blade 4 (4A-4D) is held on the stirring shaft 3 by a boss portion 14 via an arm 13. In this embodiment, each stirring blade 4, including the arm 13 and the boss portion 14, has the same shape and size, and is provided at equal intervals on the stirring shaft 3. Specifically, the stirring shaft 3 is provided with the mounting portions 3a of the arms 13 of the stirring blades 4 at equal intervals in the axial direction, and the boss portions 14 of the arms 13 of the stirring blades 4 are detachably fixed to the mounting portions 3a.

隣接する撹拌羽根４の回転軌跡は、一部を重複させてもよい。つまり、第一撹拌羽根４Ａの右端部は第二撹拌羽根４Ｂの左端部よりも右側に配置され、第二撹拌羽根４Ｂの右端部は第三撹拌羽根４Ｃの左端部よりも右側に配置され、第三撹拌羽根４Ｃの右端部は第四撹拌羽根４Ｄの左端部よりも右側に配置されてもよい。これにより、処理槽２内の被撹拌物を、各撹拌羽根４により、余すことなく撹拌することができる。 The rotation trajectories of adjacent agitator blades 4 may overlap in part. In other words, the right end of the first agitator blade 4A may be positioned to the right of the left end of the second agitator blade 4B, the right end of the second agitator blade 4B may be positioned to the right of the left end of the third agitator blade 4C, and the right end of the third agitator blade 4C may be positioned to the right of the left end of the fourth agitator blade 4D. This allows the material to be agitated in the treatment tank 2 to be thoroughly agitated by each agitator blade 4.

撹拌軸３には、各撹拌羽根４の被取付部３ａ以外の箇所を利用して、側部掻取羽根１２が設けられる。図示例では、第一撹拌羽根４Ａと第二撹拌羽根４Ｂの各被取付部３ａ間に、左側の側部掻取羽根１２のアーム１５のボス部１６が固定され、第三撹拌羽根４Ｃと第四撹拌羽根４Ｄの各被取付部３ａ間に、右側の側部掻取羽根１２のアーム１５のボス部１６が固定される。撹拌軸３への側部掻取羽根１２の取付構造（アーム１５のボス部１６の取付構造）は、撹拌軸３への撹拌羽根４の取付構造と同様としてもよい（詳細は後述するが撹拌軸３の周方向に対するボス部１４の嵌合箇所を変更可能としてもよい）が、本実施例では、側部掻取羽根１２のアーム１５のボス部１６は、キーを介して、撹拌軸３の周方向一箇所のみで、撹拌軸３に嵌合されて固定される。 The agitator shaft 3 is provided with a side scraping blade 12 using a portion other than the mounting portion 3a of each agitator blade 4. In the illustrated example, the boss portion 16 of the arm 15 of the left side scraping blade 12 is fixed between the mounting portions 3a of the first agitator blade 4A and the second agitator blade 4B, and the boss portion 16 of the arm 15 of the right side scraping blade 12 is fixed between the mounting portions 3a of the third agitator blade 4C and the fourth agitator blade 4D. The mounting structure of the side scraping blade 12 to the agitator shaft 3 (mounting structure of the boss portion 16 of the arm 15) may be the same as the mounting structure of the agitator blade 4 to the agitator shaft 3 (the fitting portion of the boss portion 14 in the circumferential direction of the agitator shaft 3 may be changeable, as will be described in detail later), but in this embodiment, the boss portion 16 of the arm 15 of the side scraping blade 12 is fitted and fixed to the agitator shaft 3 at only one circumferential point of the agitator shaft 3 via a key.

側部掻取羽根１２のアーム１５は、略Ｌ字形状に屈曲形成されており、基端部にボス部１６が設けられる一方、先端部に側部掻取羽根１２が設けられる。撹拌軸３への取付状態において、ボス部１６からのアーム１５は、撹拌軸３の径方向外側へ延出した後、左右方向外側へ延出して、その延出先端部に側部掻取羽根１２が設けられる。側部掻取羽根１２は、処理槽２の端壁２ａの中央部から外周部へ向けて配置される。撹拌軸３が回転すると、処理槽２内の端壁２ａに側部掻取羽根１２が摺接して回転することになる。これにより、端壁２ａの被撹拌物を側部掻取羽根１２で掻き取って、被撹拌物の滞留（未撹拌）や焦げ付きを防止することができる。 The arm 15 of the side scraping blade 12 is bent in an approximately L-shape, with a boss 16 at the base end and the side scraping blade 12 at the tip. When attached to the agitator shaft 3, the arm 15 from the boss 16 extends radially outward from the agitator shaft 3, then extends outward in the left-right direction, with the side scraping blade 12 at the tip. The side scraping blade 12 is arranged from the center to the outer periphery of the end wall 2a of the treatment tank 2. When the agitator shaft 3 rotates, the side scraping blade 12 rotates in sliding contact with the end wall 2a in the treatment tank 2. This allows the side scraping blade 12 to scrape off the material being stirred on the end wall 2a, preventing the material being stirred from stagnating (not being stirred) or burning.

図３は、撹拌軸３への撹拌羽根４の取付構造を示す概略図（図１の第一撹拌羽根４Ａの背面図）である。また、図４は、図３の取付構造の縦断面図、図５は図３の取付構造の主要部の分解斜視図である。ここでは、図１における第一撹拌羽根４Ａについて図示しているが、その他の撹拌羽根４Ｂ～４Ｄについても同様である。なお、図２および図４において、撹拌羽根４は、撹拌軸３を中心に、時計方向へ回転する。 Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the mounting structure of the agitator blade 4 to the agitator shaft 3 (a rear view of the first agitator blade 4A in Figure 1). Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the mounting structure in Figure 3, and Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the main parts of the mounting structure in Figure 3. Here, the first agitator blade 4A in Figure 1 is illustrated, but the same is true for the other agitator blades 4B to 4D. In Figures 2 and 4, the agitator blade 4 rotates clockwise around the agitator shaft 3.

前述したように、撹拌軸３には、軸方向に離隔して複数の被取付部３ａが設けられており、各被取付部３ａにアーム１３を介して撹拌羽根４が設けられる。アーム１３には、基端部にボス部１４が設けられる一方、先端部に撹拌羽根４が設けられる。撹拌軸３の被取付部３ａにアーム１３のボス部１４を嵌合して固定することで、撹拌軸３にアーム１３を介して撹拌羽根４を取り付けることができる。本実施例では、前述したとおり、撹拌軸３には四枚の撹拌羽根４が設けられ、各撹拌羽根４の他、そのアーム１３やボス部１４の構成は、互いに同一とされる。 As described above, the agitator shaft 3 is provided with a plurality of mounting portions 3a spaced apart in the axial direction, and an agitator blade 4 is provided to each mounting portion 3a via an arm 13. The arm 13 is provided with a boss portion 14 at its base end and agitator blade 4 at its tip end. The agitator blade 4 can be attached to the agitator shaft 3 via the arm 13 by fitting and fixing the boss portion 14 of the arm 13 to the mounting portion 3a of the agitator shaft 3. In this embodiment, as described above, the agitator shaft 3 is provided with four agitator blades 4, and the configurations of the arms 13 and boss portions 14 as well as each agitator blade 4 are identical to one another.

アーム１３は、所望に湾曲された（または直線状の）丸棒状とされる。アーム１３には、先端部に、撹拌羽根４を保持するための羽根保持部１３ａが設けられる一方、基端部に、撹拌軸３に固定するためのボス部１４が設けられる。ボス部１４は、半割された第一ボス材１７と第二ボス材１８とを備えて構成される。 The arm 13 is a round bar that is curved (or straight) as desired. The arm 13 has a blade holder 13a at its tip for holding the agitator blade 4, and a boss 14 at its base for fixing to the agitator shaft 3. The boss 14 is composed of a first boss member 17 and a second boss member 18 that are split in half.

羽根保持部１３ａには、撹拌羽根４がピン１９を介して着脱可能に保持される。撹拌羽根４は、基板２０と羽根板２１と止め板２２とを備え、基板２０に対して羽根板２１が止め板２２で着脱可能に取り付けられる。つまり、基板２０と止め板２２との間に、羽根板２１が挟み込まれて固定される。そして、このようにして組み立てられた撹拌羽根４は、基板２０の取付部２０ａが、アーム１３の羽根保持部１３ａにピン１９で着脱可能に保持される。本実施例では、基板２０および止め板２２は、金属（たとえばステンレス）から形成され、羽根板２１は、合成樹脂（たとえばフッ素樹脂）から形成される。 The agitator blade 4 is removably held by the blade holder 13a via a pin 19. The agitator blade 4 includes a base plate 20, a blade plate 21, and a stop plate 22, and the blade plate 21 is removably attached to the base plate 20 by the stop plate 22. In other words, the blade plate 21 is sandwiched and fixed between the base plate 20 and the stop plate 22. The agitator blade 4 assembled in this manner has the mounting portion 20a of the base plate 20 removably held by the pin 19 to the blade holder 13a of the arm 13. In this embodiment, the base plate 20 and the stop plate 22 are made of metal (e.g., stainless steel), and the blade plate 21 is made of synthetic resin (e.g., fluororesin).

第一ボス材１７は、略半円筒状の半ボス部１７ａと、その周方向両端部に連接された一対の平板部１７ｂ，１７ｃとを備える。半ボス部１７ａの外面には、軸方向中央部で且つ周方向中央部に、アーム１３の基端部が一体的に設けられる。また、少なくとも一方の平板部１７ｂには、一または複数のネジ穴１７ｄが貫通形成されている。 The first boss member 17 comprises a roughly semi-cylindrical half boss portion 17a and a pair of flat plate portions 17b, 17c connected to both circumferential ends of the half boss portion 17a. The base end portion of the arm 13 is integrally provided at the axial center and circumferential center of the outer surface of the half boss portion 17a. In addition, one or more screw holes 17d are formed through at least one of the flat plate portions 17b.

第二ボス材１８は、略半円筒状の半ボス部１８ａと、その周方向両端部に連接された一対の平板部１８ｂ，１８ｃとを備える。一方の平板部１８ｂには、各ボス材１７，１８の平板部１７ｂ（１７ｃ），１８ｂ（１８ｃ）同士を重ね合わせた状態（言い換えれば各ボス材１７，１８で略円筒状のボス部１４を形成した状態）で、第一ボス材１７のネジ穴１７ｄと対応する位置に、ネジ溝のない貫通穴１８ｄが形成されている。他方の平板部１８ｃには、第一ボス材１７の平板部１７ｃの受け部１８ｅが設けられている。具体的には、他方の平板部１８ｃには、半ボス部１８ａからの延出先端部に、半ボス部１８ａの凸方向（略半円の膨出方向）とは逆方向へ延出して第一片１８ｆが設けられた後、平板部１８ｃと平行に第二片１８ｇが設けられる。これにより、平板部１８ｃと第二片１８ｇとの間に、受け溝１８ｈが形成される。この受け溝１８ｈの幅（平板部１８ｃと第二片１８ｇとの離隔距離）は、第一ボス材１７の平板部１７ｃの厚さに対応している。 The second boss member 18 has a substantially semicylindrical half boss portion 18a and a pair of flat plate portions 18b, 18c connected to both circumferential ends thereof. In one flat plate portion 18b, a through hole 18d without a thread groove is formed at a position corresponding to the screw hole 17d of the first boss member 17 in a state where the flat plate portions 17b (17c), 18b (18c) of the boss members 17, 18 are overlapped (in other words, the boss members 17, 18 form a substantially cylindrical boss portion 14). In the other flat plate portion 18c, a receiving portion 18e for the flat plate portion 17c of the first boss member 17 is provided. Specifically, in the other flat plate portion 18c, a first piece 18f is provided at the tip portion extending from the half boss portion 18a, extending in the opposite direction to the convex direction (the direction of the approximately semicircular bulge) of the half boss portion 18a, and then a second piece 18g is provided parallel to the flat plate portion 18c. As a result, a receiving groove 18h is formed between the flat plate portion 18c and the second piece 18g. The width of this receiving groove 18h (the distance between the flat plate portion 18c and the second piece 18g) corresponds to the thickness of the flat plate portion 17c of the first boss member 17.

従って、アーム１３を撹拌軸３に固定するには、撹拌軸３の被取付部３ａにおいて、被取付部３ａの外周部に各ボス材１７，１８の半ボス部１７ａ，１８ａを嵌合すると共に、第二ボス材１８の受け溝１８ｈに第一ボス材１７の片方の平板部１７ｃをはめ込んで、両ボス材１７，１８の平板部１７ｂ（１７ｃ），１８ｂ（１８ｃ）同士を重ね合わせればよい。そして、第二ボス材１８の貫通穴１８ｄから第一ボス材１７のネジ穴１７ｄに、ボルト２３をねじ込んで、両ボス材１７，１８を一体化すればよい。一対の平板部１７ｂ（１８ｂ），１７ｃ（１８ｃ）の内の片側（１７ｂ，１８ｂ）においてのみボルト締めするだけで、撹拌軸３にアーム１３を取り付けることができる。 Therefore, to fix the arm 13 to the agitator shaft 3, the half boss portions 17a, 18a of the boss members 17, 18 are fitted to the outer periphery of the mounting portion 3a of the agitator shaft 3, and one flat portion 17c of the first boss member 17 is fitted into the receiving groove 18h of the second boss member 18, so that the flat portions 17b (17c), 18b (18c) of both boss members 17, 18 overlap each other. Then, the bolt 23 is screwed from the through hole 18d of the second boss member 18 into the screw hole 17d of the first boss member 17 to integrate the two boss members 17, 18. The arm 13 can be attached to the agitator shaft 3 by simply tightening the bolts on only one side (17b, 18b) of the pair of flat portions 17b (18b), 17c (18c).

なお、本実施例では、第一ボス材１７にネジ穴１７ｄを設ける一方、第二ボス材１８に貫通穴１８ｄを設けたが、これとは逆に、第一ボス材１７に貫通穴を設ける一方、第二ボス材１８にネジ穴を設けて、ボルト２３を第一ボス材１７の側から第二ボス材１８にねじ込むようにしてもよい。また、本実施例では、受け部１８ｅは、第二ボス材１８に設けたが、これとは逆に、第一ボス材１７の側に設けてもよい。言い換えれば、図４において、アーム１３は、第一ボス材１７に設けられるが、第二ボス材１８に設けられてもよい。 In this embodiment, the first boss member 17 has a screw hole 17d and the second boss member 18 has a through hole 18d, but the first boss member 17 may have a through hole and the second boss member 18 may have a screw hole, and the bolt 23 may be screwed into the second boss member 18 from the first boss member 17 side. In this embodiment, the receiving portion 18e is provided on the second boss member 18, but the receiving portion 18e may be provided on the first boss member 17 side. In other words, in FIG. 4, the arm 13 is provided on the first boss member 17, but it may also be provided on the second boss member 18.

ところで、撹拌軸３とボス部１４との嵌合部は、断面正多角形状に形成されている。ここでは、断面正八角形状に形成されている。具体的には、撹拌軸３は丸棒から構成されるが、被取付部３ａとなる箇所で、外周部が切除（面取り）されて断面正八角形状に形成されている。一方、被取付部３ａを覆うように設けられるボス部１４は、その内穴が、撹拌軸３の断面と適合する断面正八角形状とされている。前述したとおり、ボス部１４は第一ボス材１７と第二ボス材１８とに分割されて構成されるが、図示例では、正八角形の対向する二辺（図４において上下方向へ沿う辺）の中央部で、ボス部１４を二つ割りにして構成される。 The fitting portion between the agitator shaft 3 and the boss portion 14 is formed into a regular polygonal cross section. Here, it is formed into a regular octagonal cross section. Specifically, the agitator shaft 3 is made of a round bar, but the outer periphery is cut (chamfered) at the portion that becomes the mounting portion 3a to form a regular octagonal cross section. On the other hand, the boss portion 14, which is provided to cover the mounting portion 3a, has an inner hole with a regular octagonal cross section that matches the cross section of the agitator shaft 3. As mentioned above, the boss portion 14 is divided into a first boss material 17 and a second boss material 18, but in the illustrated example, the boss portion 14 is divided into two at the center of two opposing sides of the regular octagon (sides along the vertical direction in FIG. 4).

このような構成であるから、第一ボス材１７と第二ボス材１８とを、その平板部１７ｂ（１７ｃ），１８ｂ（１８ｃ）同士を重ね合わせて組み立てることで、各ボス材１７，１８により断面正八角形状の穴が構成される。そのため、撹拌軸３に設けられた断面正八角形状の被取付部３ａに、各ボス材１７，１８をはめ込んで（各ボス材１７，１８で挟み込んで）一体化し、撹拌軸３にアーム１３ひいては撹拌羽根４を取り付けることができる。しかも、断面正八角形状であるから、４５度おきに、撹拌軸３の周方向複数箇所（８箇所のみ）で、撹拌軸３に嵌合可能とされる。 Because of this configuration, by assembling the first boss member 17 and the second boss member 18 by overlapping their flat plate portions 17b (17c), 18b (18c), a hole with a regular octagonal cross section is formed by the boss members 17, 18. Therefore, the boss members 17, 18 can be integrated (sandwiched between the boss members 17, 18) into the mounting portion 3a with a regular octagonal cross section provided on the agitator shaft 3, and the arm 13 and thus the agitator blade 4 can be attached to the agitator shaft 3. Moreover, because the cross section is a regular octagonal shape, it can be fitted to the agitator shaft 3 at multiple points (only eight points) around the circumference of the agitator shaft 3 at 45-degree intervals.

撹拌軸３の被取付部３ａに各ボス材１７，１８をはめ込んで一体化した状態では、被取付部３ａの外面とボス部１４の内面とが略一致して配置され、撹拌軸３に対するボス部１４の周方向の相対回転が規制される。そのため、撹拌軸３と撹拌羽根４とが一体回転できることになる。 When the boss members 17 and 18 are fitted and integrated into the mounting portion 3a of the agitator shaft 3, the outer surface of the mounting portion 3a and the inner surface of the boss portion 14 are positioned so that the relative rotation of the boss portion 14 in the circumferential direction with respect to the agitator shaft 3 is restricted. This allows the agitator shaft 3 and the agitator blade 4 to rotate as a unit.

また、被取付部３ａ（つまり断面正八角形状に形成された箇所）の軸方向寸法は、各ボス材１７，１８の半ボス部１７ａ，１８ａの軸方向寸法に対応している。そのため、被取付部３ａにボス部１４を取り付けた状態では、撹拌軸３に対するボス部１４の軸方向の相対移動も規制される。つまり、撹拌軸３には、被取付部３ａの軸方向両端部に段付き面３ｂが形成され、この段付き面３ｂにボス部１４の端面が当接（または近接）して配置されることで、撹拌軸３に対しボス部１４が軸方向へ移動しない。 The axial dimension of the mounting portion 3a (i.e., the portion formed into a regular octagonal cross section) corresponds to the axial dimension of the half boss portions 17a, 18a of the boss members 17, 18. Therefore, when the boss portion 14 is attached to the mounting portion 3a, the axial movement of the boss portion 14 relative to the agitator shaft 3 is also restricted. In other words, the agitator shaft 3 has stepped surfaces 3b at both axial ends of the mounting portion 3a, and the end faces of the boss portion 14 are positioned in contact with (or close to) these stepped surfaces 3b, preventing the boss portion 14 from moving in the axial direction relative to the agitator shaft 3.

なお、撹拌軸３には、軸方向に離隔して複数の被取付部３ａが設けられ、各被取付部３ａが断面正八角形状とされるが、本実施例では、各被取付部３ａの断面正八角形の各角部は、撹拌装置１の側面視において（つまり撹拌軸３の端面で見た場合）、被取付部３ａ同士で対応した位置に配置される（つまり周方向にずれない）。但し、場合により、各被取付部３ａの前記各角部を、被取付部３ａ同士で周方向にずらしてもよい。 The agitator shaft 3 is provided with a number of attachment parts 3a spaced apart in the axial direction, and each attachment part 3a has a regular octagonal cross section. In this embodiment, the corners of the regular octagonal cross section of each attachment part 3a are arranged in corresponding positions (i.e., not shifted in the circumferential direction) when viewed from the side of the agitator 1 (i.e., when viewed from the end face of the agitator shaft 3). However, depending on the circumstances, the corners of each attachment part 3a may be shifted in the circumferential direction relative to each other.

本実施例の撹拌装置１によれば、撹拌軸３には、軸方向に離隔した複数箇所に、撹拌羽根４のアーム１３が取付可能とされる。そして、各アーム１３のボス部１４は、撹拌軸３の周方向複数箇所で、撹拌軸３に嵌合可能とされる。具体的には、撹拌軸３（被取付部３ａ）とボス部１４との嵌合部は、断面正八角形状に形成されるため、各アーム１３のボス部１４は、撹拌軸３の周方向に４５度おきの箇所で、撹拌軸３に嵌合可能とされる。そのため、撹拌軸３の周方向に対するボス部１４の嵌合箇所を変更して、撹拌軸３に対する各アーム１３の延出方向を変更することができる。 According to the stirring device 1 of this embodiment, the arms 13 of the stirring blade 4 can be attached to the stirring shaft 3 at multiple locations spaced apart in the axial direction. The boss portion 14 of each arm 13 can be fitted to the stirring shaft 3 at multiple locations in the circumferential direction of the stirring shaft 3. Specifically, the fitting portion between the stirring shaft 3 (mounting portion 3a) and the boss portion 14 is formed into a regular octagonal cross section, so that the boss portion 14 of each arm 13 can be fitted to the stirring shaft 3 at locations every 45 degrees in the circumferential direction of the stirring shaft 3. Therefore, the fitting location of the boss portion 14 relative to the circumferential direction of the stirring shaft 3 can be changed to change the extension direction of each arm 13 relative to the stirring shaft 3.

たとえば、下記（ａ）～（ｃ）の態様で、撹拌軸３に対する各アーム１３の延出方向を変更することができる。もちろん、撹拌軸３に対する各アーム１３の延出方向の設定は、（ａ）～（ｃ）に限らず、様々に変化させることができる。 For example, the extension direction of each arm 13 relative to the agitator shaft 3 can be changed in the following manners (a) to (c). Of course, the extension direction of each arm 13 relative to the agitator shaft 3 can be changed in various ways, not limited to (a) to (c).

（ａ）図１に示すように、撹拌軸３の、ある停止位置で、第一撹拌羽根４Ａのアーム１３を上方へ延出し、第二撹拌羽根４Ｂのアーム１３を前方へ延出し、第三撹拌羽根４Ｃのアーム１３を後方へ延出し、第四撹拌羽根４Ｄのアーム１３を下方へ延出して配置する。撹拌羽根４を分散させて設けることで、小さな羽根でせん断効果を強めて、撹拌効果を高めることができる。そのため、粘性の高い被撹拌物の撹拌に適する。 (a) As shown in FIG. 1, when the agitator shaft 3 is at a certain stop position, the arm 13 of the first agitator blade 4A extends upward, the arm 13 of the second agitator blade 4B extends forward, the arm 13 of the third agitator blade 4C extends rearward, and the arm 13 of the fourth agitator blade 4D extends downward. By dispersing the agitator blades 4, the shear effect can be strengthened with small blades, improving the agitation effect. Therefore, it is suitable for agitating highly viscous materials.

（ｂ）第一撹拌羽根４Ａおよび第二撹拌羽根４Ｂの各アーム１３を上方へ延出する一方、第三撹拌羽根４Ｃおよび第四撹拌羽根４Ｄの各アーム１３を下方へ延出して配置する。この場合、あたかも二つの大きな羽根で被撹拌物を撹拌することになる。それにより、被撹拌物のくずれを比較的抑えることができる。 (b) The arms 13 of the first agitating blade 4A and the second agitating blade 4B are extended upward, while the arms 13 of the third agitating blade 4C and the fourth agitating blade 4D are extended downward. In this case, the material being agitated is agitated as if by two large blades. This makes it possible to relatively prevent the material being agitated from breaking down.

なお、前述したとおり、隣接する撹拌羽根４の回転軌跡が一部重複する場合（たとえば第一撹拌羽根４Ａの右端部が第二撹拌羽根４Ｂの左端部よりも右側に配置される場合）、第一撹拌羽根４Ａと第二撹拌羽根４Ｂの各アーム１３は、二つとも真上には配置できないので、干渉防止のため、一方を周方向に一つずらして（嵌合位置を周方向に４５度ずらして）配置すればよい。第三撹拌羽根４Ｃと第四撹拌羽根４Ｄについても同様である。その際、処理槽２の側面視において、第一撹拌羽根４Ａと第四撹拌羽根４Ｄとが対角線上に配置され、第二撹拌羽根４Ｂの第三撹拌羽根４Ｃとが対角線上に配置されるのが好ましい。 As mentioned above, when the rotation trajectories of adjacent agitator blades 4 overlap (for example, when the right end of the first agitator blade 4A is positioned to the right of the left end of the second agitator blade 4B), the arms 13 of the first agitator blade 4A and the second agitator blade 4B cannot both be positioned directly above each other. In order to prevent interference, one of the arms 13 is shifted by one position in the circumferential direction (the engagement position is shifted by 45 degrees in the circumferential direction). The same applies to the third agitator blade 4C and the fourth agitator blade 4D. In this case, it is preferable that the first agitator blade 4A and the fourth agitator blade 4D are positioned diagonally in a side view of the treatment tank 2, and the third agitator blade 4C of the second agitator blade 4B is positioned diagonally.

（ｃ）すべての撹拌羽根４のアーム１３を同一方向（たとえば下方）へ延出して配置する。但し、この場合も、隣接する撹拌羽根４の回転軌跡が一部重複する場合（たとえば第一撹拌羽根４Ａの右端部が第二撹拌羽根４Ｂの左端部よりも右側に配置される場合）、干渉防止のため、各撹拌羽根４を周方向に順にずらして（嵌合位置を周方向に４５度ずらして）配置すればよい。いずれにしても、この構成によれば、前記（ｂ）の場合よりも、さらに被撹拌物のくずれを抑えることができる。 (c) The arms 13 of all the agitator blades 4 are arranged to extend in the same direction (e.g., downward). However, even in this case, if the rotation trajectories of adjacent agitator blades 4 overlap in part (e.g., if the right end of the first agitator blade 4A is arranged to the right of the left end of the second agitator blade 4B), each agitator blade 4 can be arranged to be shifted in the circumferential direction (with the mating positions shifted by 45 degrees in the circumferential direction) to prevent interference. In any case, with this configuration, it is possible to further prevent the material being agitated from crumbling compared to the case of (b) above.

このようにして、被撹拌物の撹拌状態を変更することができ、被撹拌物に応じた撹拌が可能となる。すなわち、被撹拌物の粘性に応じて、撹拌軸３に対する羽根の周方向取付位置を変更することができる。粘度が高いなど、被撹拌物によっては、撹拌羽根４を分散させて配置した方が、撹拌性能を向上することができる。 In this way, the stirring state of the material being stirred can be changed, making it possible to stir according to the material being stirred. In other words, the circumferential attachment position of the blades relative to the stirring shaft 3 can be changed according to the viscosity of the material being stirred. For some materials, such as those with high viscosity, dispersing the stirring blades 4 can improve stirring performance.

本発明の撹拌装置１は、前記実施例の構成に限らず、適宜変更可能である。特に、撹拌羽根４がアーム１３を介して撹拌軸３に取り付けられ、撹拌軸３の回転により撹拌羽根４で被撹拌物を撹拌する撹拌装置１であって、アーム１３は、基端部にボス部１４が設けられる一方、先端部に撹拌羽根４が設けられ、撹拌軸３には、軸方向に離隔して複数のアーム１３が取付可能とされ、各アーム１３のボス部１４は、撹拌軸３の周方向複数箇所で、撹拌軸３に嵌合可能とされ、撹拌軸３の周方向に対するボス部１４の嵌合箇所を変更することで、撹拌軸３に対する各アーム１３の延出方向を変更可能とされるのであれば、その他の構成は適宜に変更可能である。下記に各種変形例を示すが、変形例同士の組合せも可能である。 The agitator 1 of the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate. In particular, the agitator 1 has an agitator blade 4 attached to the agitator shaft 3 via an arm 13, and the agitator blade 4 agitates the material to be agitated by rotating the agitator shaft 3. The arm 13 has a boss 14 at its base end and agitator blade 4 at its tip end. A plurality of arms 13 can be attached to the agitator shaft 3 at intervals in the axial direction, and the boss 14 of each arm 13 can be fitted to the agitator shaft 3 at a plurality of points in the circumferential direction of the agitator shaft 3. By changing the fitting points of the boss 14 relative to the circumferential direction of the agitator shaft 3, the extension direction of each arm 13 relative to the agitator shaft 3 can be changed. The various modified examples are shown below, but combinations of the modified examples are also possible.

まず、前記実施例では、撹拌軸３には、第一撹拌羽根４Ａから第四撹拌羽根４Ｄまでの四つの撹拌羽根４（言い換えればアーム１３）を設けたが、撹拌羽根４の数は、四つに限らず、二つまたは三つとしたり、五つ以上としたりしてもよい。 First, in the above embodiment, the agitator shaft 3 is provided with four agitator blades 4 (in other words, arms 13) from the first agitator blade 4A to the fourth agitator blade 4D, but the number of agitator blades 4 is not limited to four, and may be two, three, or five or more.

また、前記実施例では、各撹拌羽根４は、アーム１３やボス部１４も含めて、互いに同一の構成としたが、場合により、撹拌羽根４やアーム１３などの形状や大きさは、互いに異なってもよい。 In addition, in the above embodiment, each mixing blade 4, including the arm 13 and boss portion 14, has the same configuration, but in some cases, the shape and size of the mixing blade 4, arm 13, etc. may be different from each other.

また、前記実施例では、撹拌軸３とボス部１４との嵌合部は、断面正八角形状に形成されたが、その他の正多角形状に形成されてもよい。たとえば、正方形状、正六角形状、または正十二角形状などに形成することもできる。もちろん、これら以外の形状、たとえば、正五角形状や正七角形状などに形成してもよい。なお、好ましくは、正方形状～正八角形状とするのがよい。撹拌軸３に対する取付角について、十分な可変範囲を確保しつつ、構造がシンプルであるから、安価に製造できると共に、ごみ等の異物のかみ込みが少なく、掃除も容易に行えるからである。 In the above embodiment, the mating portion between the agitator shaft 3 and the boss portion 14 is formed to have a regular octagonal cross section, but it may be formed to any other regular polygonal shape. For example, it may be formed to a square, regular hexagon, or regular dodecagon. Of course, it may be formed to other shapes, such as a regular pentagon or regular heptagon. However, a square to regular octagonal shape is preferable. This is because the structure is simple while ensuring a sufficient range of variation in the mounting angle with respect to the agitator shaft 3, making it inexpensive to manufacture, and there is little chance of foreign matter such as dirt getting caught, making cleaning easy.

また、各アーム１３のボス部１４は、撹拌軸３の周方向複数箇所で、撹拌軸３に嵌合可能とされるのであれば、嵌合部の形状は正多角形状に限らない。たとえば、図６に示すように、撹拌軸３とボス部１４との嵌合部は、スプライン状に形成されてもよい。スプライン状とすることで、かみ合わせの強度を増すことができ、粘度の高い食材を撹拌させるのに適する。図示例では、丸棒状の撹拌軸３には、被取付部３ａとなる箇所に、周方向に等間隔に且つそれぞれ軸方向へ延出して凹溝３ｘが形成されている。一方、各ボス材１７，１８には、略半円筒状の半ボス部１８ａの内周面に、前記凹溝３ｘと対応して、周方向等間隔で且つ軸方向へ延出して凸部１７ｘ，１８ｘが形成されている。従って、被取付部３ａの各凹溝３ｘにボス材１７，１８の各凸部１７ｘ，１８ｘをはめ込んで、撹拌軸３にボス部１４を固定することができる。凹溝３ｘと凸部１７ｘ，１８ｘとの嵌合により、ボス部１４は、撹拌軸３に対し、周方向への移動が規制されると共に、軸方向への移動も規制される。これにより、撹拌軸３と撹拌羽根４とを一体回転させることができる。 In addition, the shape of the fitting portion of the boss portion 14 of each arm 13 is not limited to a regular polygonal shape, so long as it can be fitted to the agitator shaft 3 at multiple points in the circumferential direction of the agitator shaft 3. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the fitting portion between the agitator shaft 3 and the boss portion 14 may be formed in a spline shape. By making it a spline shape, the strength of the meshing can be increased, and it is suitable for mixing ingredients with high viscosity. In the illustrated example, the round bar-shaped agitator shaft 3 has grooves 3x formed at the portion that becomes the attached portion 3a, which are equally spaced in the circumferential direction and extend in the axial direction. On the other hand, each boss material 17, 18 has protrusions 17x, 18x formed on the inner surface of the approximately semi-cylindrical half boss portion 18a, which correspond to the grooves 3x, at equal intervals in the circumferential direction and extend in the axial direction. Therefore, the boss portion 14 can be fixed to the agitator shaft 3 by fitting the protrusions 17x, 18x of the boss materials 17, 18 into the grooves 3x of the attached portion 3a. By fitting the recessed groove 3x into the protruding portions 17x and 18x, the boss portion 14 is restricted from moving in the circumferential direction relative to the agitator shaft 3, and is also restricted from moving in the axial direction. This allows the agitator shaft 3 and the agitator blade 4 to rotate together.

また、前記実施例では、撹拌軸３の一部を面取りすることで、断面略正多角形状の被取付部３ａが形成（つまり被取付部３ａが撹拌軸３よりも細く形成）されたが、これとは逆に、撹拌軸３の一部が径方向外側へ突出する形で、断面正多角形状の被取付部３ａが形成（つまり被取付部３ａが撹拌軸３よりも太く形成）されてもよい。この場合も、撹拌軸３よりも大径部となる被取付部３ａを取り囲むように、ボス部１４がはめ込まれて固定される。その際、被取付部３ａの左右両端面もボス部１４で覆うようにはめ込むことで、被取付部３ａに対するボス部１４の軸方向の移動も規制することができる。撹拌軸３とボス部１４との嵌合部が、断面正多角形状の場合に限らず、スプライン状とする場合も同様に、各スプラインの歯を撹拌軸３の外周面よりも径方向外側へ突出して形成し、ボス部１４がそれに嵌合するようにすればよい。つまり、図６において、凹凸を逆にして、撹拌軸３の被取付部３ａに凸部を設ける一方、各ボス材１７，１８に凹溝を形成してもよい。 In the above embodiment, the mounting portion 3a is formed with a substantially regular polygonal cross section by chamfering a part of the agitator shaft 3 (i.e., the mounting portion 3a is formed thinner than the agitator shaft 3). Conversely, the mounting portion 3a may be formed with a regular polygonal cross section by having a part of the agitator shaft 3 protrude radially outward (i.e., the mounting portion 3a is formed thicker than the agitator shaft 3). In this case, the boss portion 14 is fitted and fixed so as to surround the mounting portion 3a, which is a larger diameter portion than the agitator shaft 3. At that time, the boss portion 14 is fitted so as to cover both the left and right end faces of the mounting portion 3a, so that the axial movement of the boss portion 14 relative to the mounting portion 3a can also be restricted. The fitting portion between the agitator shaft 3 and the boss portion 14 is not limited to the case where the fitting portion is a regular polygonal cross section, and is similarly formed in a spline shape, by forming the teeth of each spline to protrude radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the agitator shaft 3, and the boss portion 14 is fitted thereto. In other words, in FIG. 6, the concave and convex portions can be reversed, with a convex portion provided on the mounting portion 3a of the agitator shaft 3, and a concave groove formed in each of the boss members 17 and 18.

また、前記実施例では、撹拌軸３に撹拌羽根４のアーム１３を取り付ける被取付部３ａは、撹拌軸３に等間隔に設置したが、必ずしも等間隔にする必要はなく、それに応じて撹拌羽根４の大きさを場所により変えてもよい。 In addition, in the above embodiment, the attachment portions 3a for attaching the arms 13 of the agitator blades 4 to the agitator shaft 3 are installed at equal intervals on the agitator shaft 3, but they do not necessarily have to be spaced at equal intervals, and the size of the agitator blades 4 may be changed depending on the location accordingly.

また、前記実施例では、撹拌軸３の一部を断面正多角形状などに形成して被取付部３ａとしたが、次のような構成としてもよい。すなわち、撹拌軸３には、処理槽２内に配置される箇所において、連続的に断面正多角形状などに形成して、その内の所定箇所にアーム１３のボス部１４を固定できるようにしてもよい。 In the above embodiment, a portion of the agitator shaft 3 is formed into a regular polygonal cross section to serve as the mounting portion 3a, but the following configuration may also be used. That is, the agitator shaft 3 may be formed into a continuous regular polygonal cross section at a location disposed within the treatment tank 2, and the boss portion 14 of the arm 13 may be fixed to a predetermined location within the polygonal cross section.

また、蒸気ジャケット６付きの処理槽２も、前記実施例の構成に限らない。たとえば、処理槽２は、軸線を上下方向へ沿って配置された縦向き略円筒状で、その下端部が下方へ略球面状に膨出する底壁で閉塞されると共に、上方へ開口して形成されてもよい。この場合、蒸気ジャケット６は、処理槽２の下方領域（少なくとも底壁）を覆うように設けられる。また、処理槽２の周側壁には、径方向へ架け渡すように、撹拌軸３が設けられる。そして、その撹拌軸３には、軸方向に離隔して複数の被取付部３ａが設けられ、その被取付部３ａに、ボス部１４およびアーム１３を介して撹拌羽根４が設けられる。その他の構成は、前記実施例と同様である。 The treatment tank 2 with the steam jacket 6 is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment. For example, the treatment tank 2 may be formed as a vertically oriented, generally cylindrical shape with its axis aligned vertically, with its lower end closed by a bottom wall that bulges downward in a generally spherical shape and open upward. In this case, the steam jacket 6 is provided to cover the lower region (at least the bottom wall) of the treatment tank 2. The stirring shaft 3 is provided on the peripheral side wall of the treatment tank 2 so as to span the radial direction. The stirring shaft 3 is provided with a plurality of mounting portions 3a spaced apart in the axial direction, and the stirring blades 4 are provided on the mounting portions 3a via boss portions 14 and arms 13. The other configurations are the same as those of the above embodiment.

さらに、前記実施例では、撹拌装置１は、蒸気ニーダとされたが、これ以外の撹拌装置１にも同様に適用可能である。つまり、処理槽２への蒸気ジャケット６の設置は必須ではないし、蒸気ジャケット６を備える場合でも、その使用（蒸気ジャケット６に蒸気を供給して運転するか）も任意である。また、被撹拌物も、食材に限らない。 In addition, in the above embodiment, the mixing device 1 is a steam kneader, but the present invention can be applied to other mixing devices 1 as well. In other words, it is not essential to install a steam jacket 6 on the processing tank 2, and even if a steam jacket 6 is provided, its use (whether to supply steam to the steam jacket 6 for operation) is optional. In addition, the material to be mixed is not limited to food ingredients.

１撹拌装置
２処理槽（２ａ：端壁）
３撹拌軸（３ａ：被取付部、３ｂ：段付き面、３ｘ：凹溝）
４撹拌羽根（４Ａ：第一撹拌羽根、４Ｂ：第二撹拌羽根、４Ｃ：第三撹拌羽根、４Ｄ：第四撹拌羽根）
５ホッパー
６蒸気ジャケット
７蒸気入口バルブ
８蒸気供給路
９蒸気トラップ
１０ドレン排出路
１１駆動ボックス
１２側部掻取羽根
１３アーム（１３ａ：羽根保持部）
１４ボス部
１５（側部掻取羽根の）アーム
１６（側部掻取羽根のアームの）ボス部
１７第一ボス材（１７ａ：半ボス部、１７ｂ：平板部、１７ｃ：平板部、１７ｄ：ネジ穴、１７ｘ：凸部）
１８第二ボス材（１８ａ：半ボス部、１８ｂ：平板部、１８ｃ：平板部、１８ｄ：貫通穴、１８ｅ：受け部、１８ｆ：第一片、１８ｇ：第二片、１８ｈ：受け溝、１８ｘ：凸部）
１９ピン
２０基板（２０ａ：取付部）
２１羽根板
２２止め板
２３ボルト 1 Stirring device 2 Treatment tank (2a: end wall)
3 Agitation shaft (3a: mounting portion, 3b: stepped surface, 3x: groove)
4 Agitating blade (4A: first agitating blade, 4B: second agitating blade, 4C: third agitating blade, 4D: fourth agitating blade)
5 Hopper 6 Steam jacket 7 Steam inlet valve 8 Steam supply passage 9 Steam trap 10 Drain discharge passage 11 Drive box 12 Side scraping blade 13 Arm (13a: blade holder)
14 Boss portion 15 Arm (of side scraping blade) 16 Boss portion (of arm of side scraping blade) 17 First boss member (17a: half boss portion, 17b: flat plate portion, 17c: flat plate portion, 17d: screw hole, 17x: convex portion)
18 Second boss member (18a: half boss portion, 18b: flat plate portion, 18c: flat plate portion, 18d: through hole, 18e: receiving portion, 18f: first piece, 18g: second piece, 18h: receiving groove, 18x: convex portion)
19 Pin 20 Board (20a: mounting portion)
21: blade plate 22: retaining plate 23: bolt

Claims

A stirring device in which an agitating blade is attached to an agitating shaft via an arm, and the agitating blade agitates an object to be stirred by rotating the agitating shaft,
The arm has a boss portion at its base end and a stirring blade at its tip end.
A plurality of arms can be attached to the stirring shaft at intervals in the axial direction,
The boss portion of each arm is adapted to be fitted to the agitation shaft at a plurality of points in the circumferential direction of the agitation shaft,
By changing the fitting position of the boss portion with respect to the circumferential direction of the agitation shaft, the extending direction of each arm with respect to the agitation shaft can be changed.
The stirring shaft is provided with a plurality of mounting portions to which the boss portion is detachably attached, the mounting portions being spaced apart in the axial direction,
In each of the mounting portions, the boss portion is adapted to be fitted to the mounting portion at a plurality of points in the circumferential direction of the agitation shaft,
The boss portion includes a first boss member and a second boss member,
The first boss member includes a substantially semi-cylindrical half boss portion and a pair of flat plate portions connected to both circumferential ends of the half boss portion,
the second boss member includes a substantially semi-cylindrical half boss portion and a pair of flat plate portions connected to both circumferential ends of the half boss portion, one of the flat plate portions being provided with a receiving portion for one of the flat plate portions of the first boss member,
The half boss portions of each boss member are fitted to the outer periphery of the mounted portion, and one flat plate portion of the first boss member is fitted into the receiving portion of the second boss member, and in this state in which the flat plate portions of both boss members are overlapped with each other, the other flat plate portions of both boss members are fixed to each other,
In this fixed state, the stepped surfaces at both axial ends of the mounting portion and both axial end faces of the boss portion restrict axial movement of the boss portion relative to the agitator shaft.
A stirring device characterized by:

The agitation device according to claim 1 , wherein a fitting portion between the agitation shaft and the boss portion is formed to have a regular polygonal cross section.

The agitation device according to claim 1 , wherein a fitting portion between the agitation shaft and the boss portion is formed in a spline shape.