Fluid stirring device

Abstract

To provide a stirring device for fluid that can stir even fluid whose stirring resistance is large by generating good convection in the whole of a fluid storage tool, without increasing torque that is required in rotating a stirring blade.SOLUTION: A stirring device comprises a fluid storage tool that stores fluid, a rotating shaft, installed in the fluid storage tool, which extends in a nearly horizontal direction, and three stirring blades 14, 16 and 18 that extend in a radial direction from the rotating shaft to stir the fluid in the fluid storage tool by rotation of the rotating shaft. The three stirring blades are arranged at predetermined intervals in a shaft direction of the rotating shaft. The stirring blades are respectively divided into partially-inclined parts 32 and 33 where inclination shapes of blade surfaces 48 and 50 are made different by distance regions in an extending direction from the rotating shaft, where inclination directions with respect to rotation surfaces are set to be opposite from each other in the partially-inclined parts 32 and 33 arranged adjacently.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a stirring device for a fluid, particularly a stirring device for a fluid that stirs the fluid by rotating a blade in a fluid container.

Background Art

[0002] Regarding a fluid with relatively high resistance during stirring, such as a sherbet-like fluid (a mixture of water and ice particles), it is required to appropriately perform stirring against the high resistance and maintain an appropriate kneading state.

[0003] For example, as a usage mode of a sherbet-like fluid, in order to remove deposits adhering to pipelines such as water supply and drainage pipelines due to long-term use, the sherbet-like fluid is introduced into the pipeline and flowed through.

[0004] That is, a sherbet-like fluid containing fine ice particles in salt water is pressure-injected into the pipeline to move the fluid, and the ice particles in the fluid are made to collide with the deposits in the pipeline to scrape off the deposits, which are then discharged from the pipeline together with the fluid. It is implemented as a highly safe pipeline cleaning method without using chemicals or the like.

[0005] And, in order to enhance the effect of scraping off the deposited part in the pipeline, the sherbet-like fluid used for such pipeline cleaning is a fluid with a high proportion of ice particles that are solid with respect to salt water, that is, a sherbet-like fluid with an ice content rate of, for example, 70% or more.

[0006] For example, in Patent Document 1, ice particles produced by an ice maker are put into a storage tank (fluid container) containing saltwater, and a sherbet-like fluid is generated while being stirred by an agitator inside the storage tank. The agitator consists of a drive unit attached to the top of the storage tank and agitator blades provided on its rotating shaft. The agitator blades have the form of rod-shaped bodies (the tips of which are fixed to each other by rod-shaped bodies) fixed to the upper, middle, and lower parts of the rotating shaft.

[0007] However, in the stirring device disclosed in Patent Document 1, if the stirring resistance of the fluid is high, for example, in the case of a sherbet-like fluid with a high ice content, there is a risk that the stirring device in the storage tank may malfunction. In other words, when the ice content of the fluid is high, ice particles, which have a lower specific gravity than saltwater, crystallize at the top of the storage tank and form large clumps, increasing the load resistance of the drive device that rotates the stirring blades, which may prevent continuous and proper stirring. In addition, there is a risk that crystallized ice particles will adhere to the stirring blades, causing a so-called co-rotation phenomenon in which the stirring blades and the crystallized ice particles rotate together.

[0008] In the kneading apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2, an internal stirring means and an external stirring means are provided for the kneading container. The internal stirring means is a spiral screw located at the center of the kneading container, and the external stirring means is a vertically extending blade positioned near the inner wall of the kneading container. This blade rotates along the inner wall of the kneading container, outside the screw, coaxially with the screw, and in the opposite direction to the screw. The angle of the blade relative to the direction of rotation is changed at approximately the midpoint of the kneading container.

[0009] The screw of the internal stirring mechanism rotates to propel the material in the mixing container upward and outward, while the blade of the external stirring mechanism rotates to move the mixing material inward and downward with the upper part of the blade, and slightly inward and upward with the lower part of the blade.

[0010] The stirring blade attached to a rotating shaft disclosed in Patent Document 3 has blades spaced apart at two predetermined locations in the extension direction from the rotating shaft. Each blade is angled in opposite directions with respect to the rotation plane perpendicular to the rotating shaft. That is, each blade applies a force in the opposite direction to the material being stirred as the stirring blade rotates. Therefore, stirring is performed by moving the material being stirred in the opposite direction. In addition, a mechanism for vertical movement of the rotating shaft is provided, making it possible to apply the above-mentioned force at different depth positions. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-159640 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 3001387 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 49-122063 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0012] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 2, the material to be flowed is propelled upward and outward by a screw and mainly downward and inward by a blade. This configuration requires a drive system (such as placing gears near the container) to rotate the two elements in opposite directions, which inevitably results in a complex structure.

[0013] Furthermore, since both the screw and blade move the material being processed as a relatively large mass, if the material being processed is something like a sherbet containing ice, for example, there is no simultaneous cutting motion in the depth direction of the container, which could lead to the formation of clumps.

[0014] Furthermore, the stirring blade disclosed in Patent Document 3 has blades spaced apart at two points in the extension direction, with a bladeless area between them. Therefore, when stirring the object, it is undeniable that insufficient stirring will occur in this bladeless region. Also, even if vertical movement is applied to the rotation axis, it is not possible to move the object simultaneously throughout the entire depth direction, so it is not desirable to eliminate insufficient stirring in the entire storage container. For example, in the case of a fluid with high stirring resistance, such as a sherbet-like fluid with a high ice content, it is thought that the area of ​​stagnation will be large.

[0015] Furthermore, in all of the stirring devices described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, the axis of rotation of the stirring blades is vertical, and the stirring blades rotate in a horizontal plane. Therefore, increasing the volume of the stirring container increases the horizontal cross-sectional area, which increases the torque applied to the stirring blades. In other words, the increased torque required to rotate the stirring blades necessitates, for example, a larger electric motor, making the entire device more complex.

[0016] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a fluid stirring device that can stir fluids with good convection throughout the fluid container without increasing the torque required to rotate the stirring blades, even in the case of fluids with high stirring resistance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0017] To achieve the above objective, the fluid stirring apparatus described in claim 1 is: A stirring device comprising a fluid container for containing a fluid, a rotating shaft extending substantially horizontally and installed within the fluid container, and a stirring blade extending radially from the rotating shaft and rotating by the rotation of the rotating shaft to stir the fluid within the fluid container, Multiple stirring blades are provided at predetermined intervals in the axial direction of the rotating shaft. Each stirring blade is divided into sections with different blade surface inclination patterns depending on the distance from the rotation axis in the extension direction, and in adjacent sections, the inclination directions relative to the rotation plane are set to be opposite. Occasionally, The partially inclined portion of each stirring blade is Up to a predetermined distance in the extension direction from the rotation axis, the stirring blade has a first inclined portion in which the blade surface is inclined in a direction that causes the fluid to move to the left or right within the fluid container due to the rotation of the stirring blade, and the region toward the tip of the first inclined portion has a second inclined portion in which the fluid is inclined in a direction that causes the fluid to move to the right or left due to the rotation. The first and second inclined portions are separated by a cylindrical partition rectifier member that extends coaxially with the rotation axis and rotates together with the rotation axis. A device for stirring fluids, characterized by the following:

[0018] With this configuration, firstly, since there are multiple stirring blades in the axial direction, the fluid can be mixed simultaneously in the horizontal direction of the fluid container by cutting it in the rotational direction. Furthermore, each stirring blade is divided into sections with different blade surface inclination shapes. In addition, the blade surface is present throughout the extension direction of each stirring blade, but adjacent sections have inclinations in opposite directions. Therefore, each section of the stirring blade can push the fluid (for example, a sherbet-like fluid containing ice particles) in different directions at different positions in the extension direction of the stirring blade in which it exists. Consequently, when the stirring blade is driven to rotate, the target fluid is not only mixed in the rotational direction at multiple horizontal positions, but also receives pressing forces in different directions from the blade surface of each of the multiple radially present sections. In particular, at the boundaries between adjacent sections, the fluid is pushed and moved in opposite directions relative to the rotational surface, so the fluid in that area also receives shearing forces, resulting in more complex mixing throughout the fluid container, creating a good mixing state and maintaining the homogeneity of the fluid.

[0019] In addition, since the rotation axis of the stirring blade extends in the horizontal direction, when increasing the volume of the fluid container, the volume can be increased by increasing the extension length of the rotation axis and increasing the number of stirring blades. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the height of the fluid container, and it is not necessary to increase the size of the rotation surface on which the stirring blade rotates. As a result, even when there are height restrictions in the situation where an ice maker or the like is placed on the fluid container, it is possible to cope by increasing the horizontal length of the container, and a significant increase in the rotational torque of the stirring blade can also be suppressed.

[0020] Also, In this configuration, the fluid is moved to the left or right of the fluid container in the first inclined portion of each row of stirring blades, and to the right or left of the fluid container in the second inclined portion. In other words, the first and second inclined portions are inclined in opposite directions, and the force is applied to the fluid simultaneously by each stirring blade. That is, since the force in the above directions is applied to the fluid simultaneously at different horizontal positions of the fluid container, the fluid as a whole flows to the left or right in the region near the rotation axis within the container, and to the right or left in the region near the walls of the container, thereby achieving precise convection of the fluid within the container. As a result, the fluid within the container is properly stirred by convection that draws it in from the surroundings towards the rotation axis, and this state is maintained.

[0021] Furthermore, with this configuration, the first inclined portion is located inside the cylindrical partition rectifier member, and the second inclined portion is located outside it. When the first and second inclined portions rotate together due to the rotation of the rotation axis, the first inclined portion creates a flow of fluid in one direction along the rotation axis inside the partition rectifier member, and the second inclined portion creates a flow of fluid in the opposite direction outside the partition rectifier member. At this time, in the portion where the cylindrical partition rectifier member of a predetermined length is present, a region is created in which the flow of fluid in one direction and the flow of fluid in the opposite direction are separated by the length of the partition rectifier member, and the flow is rectified in the same direction in that region. Therefore, since the flow of fluid is not obstructed by each other in this separated region, convection of the fluid is more firmly created inside and outside the fluid container.

[0022] The fluid stirring device according to claim 2 is the fluid stirring device according to claim 1 wherein the extension direction length L1 of the first partial inclined portion is L1 = L / √2, where L is the total length of the stirring blade. This configuration enables the volume of the fluid pushed out leftward or rightward in the fluid container by the first partial inclined portion to be substantially equal to the volume of the fluid pushed back rightward or leftward in the fluid container by the second partial inclined portion. Therefore, there is no difficulty in the movement of the fluid in the fluid container, the convection of the fluid is more accurately realized, and good stirring and homogenization are achieved.

[0023] The fluid stirring device according to claim

[0024] is the fluid stirring device according to claim 1 3 wherein tip fins are provided at the tip portions of the partial inclined portions that are most distant from the rotation axis of each stirring blade, and are given a predetermined angle with respect to the rotation direction. or 2 This configuration enables the volume of the fluid pushed out leftward or rightward in the fluid container by the first partial inclined portion to be substantially equal to the volume of the fluid pushed back rightward or leftward in the fluid container by the second partial inclined portion. Therefore, there is no difficulty in the movement of the fluid in the fluid container, the convection of the fluid is more accurately realized, and good stirring and homogenization are achieved. This configuration enables the volume of the fluid pushed out leftward or rightward in the fluid container by the first partial inclined portion to be substantially equal to the volume of the fluid pushed back rightward or leftward in the fluid container by the second partial inclined portion. Therefore, there is no difficulty in the movement of the fluid in the fluid container, the convection of the fluid is more accurately realized, and good stirring and homogenization are achieved.

[0025] This configuration allows for stirring of the fluid in the region closest to the wall furthest from the rotation axis of the fluid container. In other words, depending on the inclination direction with respect to the axis, it is possible to stir the fluid by pressing it towards the wall or by adding stirring in a direction that scrapes it towards the axis. As a result, when the fluid in the fluid container is not uniform in the depth direction, for example, in the case of a sherbet-like fluid, where there are many ice particles floating in saltwater at the top of the container and a large amount of saltwater at the bottom of the container, the tip fins can draw the ice particles towards the bottom of the container, thereby homogenizing the fluid within the container and ensuring good stirring of the fluid. [Effects of the Invention]

[0028] According to the fluid stirring device of the present invention, the fluid in the fluid container can be subjected to different pressing forces from the blade surface depending on the position of the stirring blade in the extension direction, and also depending on the horizontal region within the container. Furthermore, this operation is performed simultaneously at multiple horizontal positions in the fluid container, thereby thoroughly mixing the fluid in the container, resulting in a more homogeneous state, and ensuring that this state is maintained. Therefore, even a sherbet-like fluid with a high ice content, which is difficult to manage, can be well stirred and its state maintained, thus guaranteeing high quality in cleaning operations using this device. In addition, by using a horizontal rotation axis, it is possible to increase the volume of the fluid container while clearing height restrictions and suppressing the increase in torque. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0029] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram is shown relating to one embodiment of the fluid stirring device of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of the inside of the fluid container. [Figure 3] Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of the inside of the fluid container. [Figure 4] Figure 1 shows a conceptual diagram of the stirring blades inside the fluid container. [Figure 5]Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional side view of each blade surface of the stirring blade. [Figure 6] The three-view drawing and cross-sectional side view of the stirring blade according to the first embodiment are shown. [Figure 7] The three-view drawing and cross-sectional side view of the stirring blade according to the second embodiment are shown. [Figure 8] A schematic perspective view of the stirring blade according to the third embodiment is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0030] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the fluid stirring device of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the fluid to be stirred is, as an example, a sherbet-like fluid containing ice particles and water, used for cleaning pipes and the like.

[0031] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the stirring device according to this embodiment. The stirring device 8 has a fluid container 10 and an ice maker 28, and an outlet 13 is provided at the bottom of the fluid container 10 for returning the saltwater contained in the fluid to the ice maker 28. Normally, the fluid container 10 is supported by multiple pillars or the like, but these are omitted in the figure for simplicity.

[0032] Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the inside of the fluid container 10, and Figure 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of the inside of the fluid container 10. The fluid container 10 has a rotating shaft 12 extending horizontally at its vertical center, and this rotating shaft 12 is rotated by a stirring rotating part. However, in Figure 2, for simplicity and because it is not essential to the present invention, the stirring rotating part is omitted. Similarly, in Figure 3, the rotating shaft and stirring rotating part are omitted.

[0033] In this embodiment, three stirring blades 14, 16, and 18 extending radially are attached to the rotating shaft at predetermined intervals (see Figure 2). A drive motor (not shown) is connected to the rotating shaft 12, for example, and the stirring blades 14, 16, and 18 are configured to rotate simultaneously.

[0034] In this embodiment, two ice makers 28, 28 are mounted on top of the fluid container 10. Ice particles produced by the ice makers 28 are introduced into the fluid container 10 through an ice particle inlet (not shown) formed on the top of the container 10. The fluid container 10 is filled with saltwater at a concentration of about 5% by mass, and the saltwater and ice particles are mixed and stirred by stirring blades 14, 16, and 18, aiming for a sherbet-like fluid with, for example, an ice content of 80% (see Figure 3).

[0035] Details of the ice maker 28 are omitted, but it is equipped with, for example, a refrigeration circuit, a refrigeration drum, and an Augustus cru. Saltwater injected into the refrigeration drum is turned into ice by the refrigeration circuit, and the ice adhering to the inner surface of the refrigeration drum is scraped off by the Augustus cru and put into the container located at the bottom. Here, while mixing and stirring operations are being carried out, the saltwater in the fluid container 10 is returned to the ice maker 28 through a reflux path (not shown) from the lower opening 26 of the fluid container 10 and the outlet 13 of the stirring device 8.

[0036] As mentioned above, the fluid to be stirred is a sherbet-like fluid containing ice and water, and is filled to about 80% of the fluid container 10, as shown in Figure 3. Immediately after stirring begins, only saltwater is present, but fine ice particles are added from the ice maker 28, and the rotation of the stirring blades 14, 16, and 18 stirs and mixes the saltwater and ice particles, ultimately resulting in a fluid with a high ice content.

[0037] The stirring blade will be described below using Figures 4 to 8. Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram showing only the stirring blade of Figure 2, and is intended to provide a clear and conceptual representation of the stirring blade of the present invention. Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional side view of the blade surfaces 48 and 50 of the stirring blade shown in Figure 4.

[0038] Three stirring blades 14, 16, and 18 are provided at approximately equal intervals horizontally from right to left within the fluid container 10. Hereinafter, these stirring blades will be referred to as the first stirring blade 14, the second stirring blade 16, and the third stirring blade 18. In this embodiment, the first stirring blade 14, the second stirring blade 16, and the third stirring blade 18 are of the same dimensions and shape.

[0039] Each stirring blade 14, 16, and 18 is divided into partial inclined sections 32 and 33, respectively, where the inclination of the blade surface differs depending on the distance from the rotation axis 12 in the extension direction. In this embodiment, the partial inclined section of each stirring blade is a first partial inclined section 32 up to a predetermined distance from the rotation axis, inclined in a direction that causes the blade surface 48 to move the fluid to the left (left side in Figure 4) of the fluid container 10 due to the rotation of the stirring blade, and a second partial inclined section 33 from the first partial inclined section 32 to the tip in the extension direction, inclined in a direction that causes the fluid to move to the right (right side in Figure 4) due to the rotation. In this embodiment, these first partial inclined section 32 and second partial inclined section 33 are set identically for stirring blades 14, 16, and 18. That is, the length, inclination direction, and inclination angle of the first partial inclined section 32 and the length, inclination direction, and inclination angle of the second partial inclined section 33 are the same for stirring blades 14, 16, and 18.

[0040] Specifically, the blade surfaces 48 of the first inclined portion 32 of the first stirring blade 14, the second stirring blade 16, and the third stirring blade 18 are inclined to move the fluid to the left of the container 10 by rotation, while the blade surface 50 of the second inclined portion 33 is inclined to move the fluid to the right of the container 10. In other words, adjacent blade surfaces 48 and 50 have inclinations in opposite directions.

[0041] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional side view illustrating the inclination of the blade surface of the stirring blade shown in Figure 4. Specifically, Figure 5(a) is a Va-Va cross-sectional view of blade surface 50, and Figure 5(b) is a Vb-Vb cross-sectional view(b) of blade surface 48. From this, it can be seen that blade surface 48 and blade surface 50 are inclined in opposite directions, and their inclination angles are approximately the same. The same applies to the blade surfaces 48 and 50 of the second stirring blade 16 and the third stirring blade 18, respectively.

[0042] Furthermore, the tip of the inclined portion of each stirring blade that is furthest from the axis of rotation, in this embodiment, the second inclined portion 33, is provided with tip fins 20-1 and 20-2 that are angled at a predetermined angle with respect to the direction of rotation. These tip fins 20-1 and 20-2 may be formed on the tip of each blade, but in this embodiment, they are configured as long tip fins 20-1 and 20-2 that are horizontally continuous between each blade. For example, the long tip fins 20-1 and 20-2 are fixed to the tip of each blade by welding or the like at a predetermined inclination direction and angle.

[0043] Figures 6 and 7 show the stirring blade according to the first embodiment and the stirring blade according to the second embodiment, respectively, of the stirring blade conceptually shown in Figure 4. However, only the extension direction from the axis of rotation is shown. Specifically, Figure 6(a) is a plan view of the stirring blade according to the first embodiment, Figure 6(b) is a front view of the stirring blade according to the first embodiment, Figure 6(c) is a side view of the stirring blade according to the first embodiment, Figure 6(d) is a Vf-Vf cross-sectional side view of the blade surface 48, and Figure 6(e) is a Ve-Ve cross-sectional side view of the blade surface 50. Figure 7 is similar, with Figure 7(a) being a plan view of the stirring blade according to the second embodiment, Figure 7(b) being a front view of the stirring blade according to the second embodiment, Figure 7(c) being a side view of the stirring blade according to the second embodiment, Figure 7(d) being a Vd-Vd cross-sectional side view of the blade surface 48, and Figure 7(e) being a Vc-Vc cross-sectional side view of the blade surface 50. Note that the tip fins are omitted from the illustration in these figures.

[0044] Furthermore, in Figures 6 and 7, the total length of the blade surface (the length from the center of the rotation axis to the tip of the blade surface 50) is shown as L, and the length of the first inclined portion 32 (which is the length of the blade surface 48, and the length from the center of the rotation axis to the boundary between the blade surface 48 and the blade surface 50) is shown as L1. Strictly speaking, there is a part for attaching to the rotation axis and a boundary (connecting) part between the first inclined portion 32 and the second inclined portion 33, so the sum of the length of the first inclined portion 32 (blade surface 48) and the length of the second inclined portion 33 (blade surface 50) does not necessarily match the total length L of the blade surface as described above.

[0045] Due to the above configuration of each stirring blade, each of the partial inclined sections (first partial inclined section 32, second partial inclined section 33) of each stirring blade 14, 16, and 18 moves to cut in the rotational direction simultaneously at their respective horizontal positions within the fluid container 10, and can push the fluid in different directions. Therefore, when the stirring blades 14, 16, and 18 are driven to rotate, the fluid in question receives pressing force from each of the multiple partial inclined sections present in the horizontal and radial directions in different directions from the blade surface, resulting in complex mixing as a whole.

[0046] Furthermore, due to the inclination settings of the first and second inclined sections 32 and 33, the fluid flows to the left in the region near the axis of rotation within the container 10, and to the right in the region near the wall of the container 10, thus generating convection throughout the entire fluid container 10. This flow is indicated by arrows in Figure 4, and in Figure 3, it is shown as regions 52 and 54. The fluid in region 52 moves away from the plane of the paper, and the fluid in region 54 moves towards the front of the paper.

[0047] Furthermore, since the rotation axes of the stirring blades 14, 16, and 18 extend horizontally, the volume of the fluid container 10 can be increased by increasing the extension length of the rotation axes and increasing the number of stirring blades. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the height of the fluid container 10, nor is it necessary to increase the size of the rotation surface on which the stirring blades rotate. This makes it possible to accommodate situations where there are height restrictions, such as when an ice maker 28 is placed on top of the fluid container 10, by increasing the horizontal length of the container 10, and it is also possible to suppress a significant increase in the rotational torque of the stirring blades 14, 16, and 18.

[0048] Furthermore, the tips of the inclined portions 33 of each stirring blade 14, 16, and 18 that are furthest from the axis of rotation are provided with tip fins 20-1 and 20-2 that are angled at a predetermined angle with respect to the direction of rotation. This allows stirring of the fluid in the region closest to the wall, furthest from the axis of rotation of the fluid container 10. In other words, depending on the direction of inclination with respect to the axis, it is possible to push the fluid located near the wall in the container toward the wall for stirring, or to add stirring in a direction that scrapes toward the axis. As a result, when the fluid in the fluid container 10 is not uniform in the depth direction, especially when a sherbet-like fluid is to be stirred, there may be a situation where a large amount of ice particles floating in saltwater are present in the upper part of the container 10 and a large amount of saltwater is present in the lower part of the container 10. With these tip fins 20-1 and 20-2, it is possible to draw the ice particles toward the lower part of the container, homogenizing the fluid within the container 10 and achieving good stirring of the fluid.

[0049] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inclination angles of the first and second inclined portions 32 and 33 of each stirring blade 14, 16, and 18 are shown as being the same size but in opposite directions, but various changes are possible. For example, the inclination angle of the first inclined portion 32 on the rotation axis side, which exerts a force to move the container 10 to the left, can be set to be larger, and the inclination angle of the second inclined portion on the inner wall side of the fluid container 10, which exerts a force to move it to the right, can be set to be smaller.

[0050] As another embodiment of the fluid stirring device of the present invention, in the first to third stirring blades 14, 16, and 18 shown in Figure 4, the length L1 in the extension direction of the first partial inclined portion 32 is set to L1 = L / √2, where L is the total length of the stirring blade including the second partial inclined portion 33.

[0051] With this configuration, the volume of fluid pushed downwards into the fluid container 10 by the first inclined portion 32 and the volume of fluid pushed upwards into the fluid container 10 by the second inclined portion 33 become approximately equal. This makes the movement of the fluid within the fluid container 10 smoother, effectively reducing stirring resistance and enabling more precise convection of the fluid, resulting in better stirring and further homogenization.

[0052] Furthermore, when the fluid to be stirred is the aforementioned sherbet-like fluid, the water level in the fluid container 10 is not necessarily at the highest point, but remains at a slightly lower position. Moreover, since there tends to be a large amount of ice-like material in the upper region, in the case of such a fluid to be stirred, it is not always best for the above volume ratios to be equal, and it is preferable to adjust the length of L1 while taking the water level conditions into consideration.

[0053] Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of a stirring blade 60 showing a third embodiment of the stirring blade. As shown in the figure, a cylindrical portion 62 for attachment to a rotating shaft is provided in the center, and its inner and outer diameters are adjusted in various ways to match the size of the rotating shaft. A characteristic feature of this embodiment is that the space between the inner blade 66, which is the first inclined portion 32, and the outer blade 68, which is the second inclined portion 33, is separated by a cylindrical partition straightening member 64. That is, four inner blades 66 are attached at equal intervals between the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 62 and the inner circumferential surface of the partition straightening member 64. The ends of each inner blade 66 are fixedly attached by welding or the like.

[0054] An outer blade 68 is fixedly attached to the outer circumferential surface of the partition rectifier member 64 so as to be positioned radially in a straight line with the inner blade 66. The blade surface of the inner blade 66 is at an angle of, for example, 45 degrees with respect to the cylindrical portion 62, and the blade surface of the outer blade 68 is at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the blade surface of the inner blade 66. The inner blade 66 corresponds to the first inclined portion 32 shown in Figure 4, and the outer blade 68 corresponds to the second inclined portion 33. In comparison with the descriptions in Figures 6 and 7, the inner blade 66 corresponds to the blade surface 48, and the outer blade 68 corresponds to the blade surface 50. In this embodiment, the tip fins 20-1 and 20-2 shown in Figure 4 are not provided, but it is also possible to provide continuous tip fins 20-1 and 20-2 between the blades in this embodiment.

[0055] In this embodiment, an inner blade 66 is present inside the cylindrical partition straightening member 64, and an inner blade 68 is present on the outside. Therefore, as the rotation of the rotation axis occurs, the inner blade 66 creates a flow of fluid in one direction along the rotation axis inside the partition straightening member 64, and the outer blade 68 creates a flow of fluid in the opposite direction outside the partition straightening member 64.

[0056] The flows in the opposite direction are separated by the cylindrical partition straightening member 64. Therefore, in the area where the partition straightening member 64 is present, the flow of fluid in one direction and the flow of fluid in the opposite direction are properly straightened. In other words, since the flow of fluid is not obstructed from one another in the area separated by the partition straightening member 64, convection of the fluid is more firmly created inside and outside the fluid container 10. As a result, the overall mixing state of the sherbet-like fluid by convection is maintained in a good state.

[0057] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, although three cases of stirring blades, from the first to the third, have been shown, the invention is not limited to these, and it is possible to install two, or even four or more blades, which can be appropriately determined according to the size of the fluid container 10 and the properties of the fluid to be stirred (viscosity, mass, etc.). Also, although each stirring blade 14, 16, and 18 has two partial inclined sections in the extension direction from the rotation axis, it is not limited to this, and may have three or more partial inclined sections. This can also be appropriately set according to the viscosity, mass, etc. of the fluid to be stirred.

[0058] Furthermore, while the example shows a case where the target fluid is sherbet-like and the ice maker 28 is placed on top of the fluid container 10, the installation location of the ice maker 28 is not limited to that location. The ice maker 28 may be installed in another location as long as the ice particles can be accurately fed into the fluid container 10. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0059] 8. Stirring device 10 Fluid containers 13. Dispensing opening 14. First stirring blade 16. Second stirring blade 18. Third stirring blade 26 Lower opening 28 Ice makers 32 1st part inclined part 33 Second slope part 48 Blade surface of the first inclined portion of the stirring blade 50 Blade surface of the second inclined portion of the stirring blade 60 Stirring blade according to the third embodiment 64 Partition and flow straightening member

Claims

1. A stirring device comprising a fluid container for containing a fluid, a rotating shaft extending substantially horizontally and installed within the fluid container, and a stirring blade extending radially from the rotating shaft and rotating by the rotation of the rotating shaft to stir the fluid within the fluid container, Multiple stirring blades are provided at predetermined intervals in the axial direction of the rotating shaft. Each stirring blade is divided into sections with different blade surface inclination patterns depending on the distance from the rotation axis in the extension direction, and in adjacent sections, the inclination directions with respect to the rotation plane are set to be opposite. The partially inclined portion of each stirring blade is Up to a predetermined distance in the extension direction from the rotation axis, the stirring blade has a first inclined portion in which the blade surface is inclined in a direction that causes the fluid to move to the left or right within the fluid container due to the rotation of the stirring blade, and the region toward the tip of the first inclined portion has a second inclined portion in which the rotation causes the fluid to move to the right or left. A fluid stirring device characterized in that the first and second inclined portions are separated by a cylindrical partition rectifier that extends coaxially with the rotation axis and rotates together with the rotation axis.

2. The fluid stirring device according to claim 1, characterized in that the extensional length L1 of the first inclined portion is L1 = L / √2, where L is the total length of the stirring blade.

3. The fluid stirring device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the tip of the partially inclined portion of each stirring blade that is furthest from the rotation axis is provided with a tip fin that is angled at a predetermined angle with respect to the direction of rotation.

4. The fluid stirring device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the tip of the stirring blade is provided with a tip fin that is angled with respect to the direction of rotation and extends horizontally to connect the tips of a plurality of stirring blades.

Images