Cartridge of ion exchanger

Abstract

To provide a cartridge of ion exchanger that can supply and discharge of fluid such as cooling liquid into a case while holding ion-exchange resin in a case without using the case and a mesh having a different material type from the cover.SOLUTION: A case 14 of a cartridge 13 comprises a sidewall 15 of a predetermined length, and an end wall 16 which extends in a direction crossing the center line of the sidewall 15 at an end part of the sidewall 15. Slits 17 are formed on the end wall 16. Recesses 20 recessed from an inner side face 17a of the slits 17 are formed on the inner side face 17a. A cover 18 of the cartridge 13 is fixed to the end wall 16. Protrusions 19 inserted into the slits 17 are formed on the cover 18. Gaps smaller than the grain diameter of ion-exchange resin are formed between an inner side face 17a of the slits 17 and an outer side face 19a of the protrusions 19 by the recesses 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to ion exchanger cartridges. [Background technology]

[0002] A cooling circuit that cools a fuel cell installed in a vehicle or the like circulates a coolant through the fuel cell. The fuel cell is cooled by the coolant circulating through the cooling circuit, which prevents the temperature from rising during power generation. In the cooling circuit, an increase in the concentration of ions in the coolant can cause corrosion of the metal parts in the cooling circuit or an increase in the electrical conductivity of the coolant can cause a decrease in the function of the fuel cell. To prevent this, an ion exchanger is provided in the cooling circuit. The ion exchanger separates the ions contained in the coolant from the coolant.

[0003] As shown in Patent Document 1, a cartridge loaded with ion exchange resin is incorporated into an ion exchanger. Such a cartridge includes a case that can be incorporated into the ion exchanger and a cover that is fixed to an opening of the case. The ion exchange resin is held within the case. A mesh is attached to the cover. This mesh allows the supply and discharge of coolant to and from the case while retaining the ion exchange resin within the case.

[0004] The coolant circulating in the cooling circuit passes through the cartridge of the ion exchanger. At this time, ions contained in the coolant are separated from the coolant through ion exchange by the ion exchange resin. The cartridge loaded with the ion exchange resin can be removed from the ion exchanger. Therefore, by periodically replacing the ion exchanger cartridge with a new one, it is possible to prevent the ion exchange function of the ion exchange resin in the ion exchanger from deteriorating over the course of use. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4613125 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in order to provide the mesh attached to the cover with the function of restricting the passage of the ion exchange resin while allowing the coolant to pass through, the mesh must have many fine holes. In order to form a mesh with such fine holes, the mesh must be made of metal. On the other hand, it is desirable to make the case and cover out of resin so that they can be easily formed.

[0007] However, in a cartridge, when the case, cover, and mesh are made of different materials, such as resin and metal, the following problem occurs when reusing a replaced cartridge as a material for manufacturing a new cartridge: When reusing a replaced cartridge as a material for manufacturing a new cartridge, the case, cover, and mesh must be disassembled from the replaced cartridge, and then processed separately to be used as the above-mentioned materials. This processing becomes time-consuming. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] Means for solving the above problems and their effects will be described below. The ion exchange cartridge that solves the above problem includes a case that can be incorporated into an ion exchanger, and a cover fixed to an opening of the case. An ion exchange resin is held inside the case. When a fluid passes through the case, ions contained in the fluid are separated from the fluid through ion exchange by the ion exchange resin. The case includes a side wall and an end wall. The side wall has a length determined by extending along its center line. The end wall extends in a direction intersecting the center line of the side wall at an end in the longitudinal direction of the side wall. The opening of the case is a slit formed in the end wall. The cover is fixed to the end wall of the case so as to overlap in the thickness direction. The cover is formed with a protrusion that is inserted into the slit. At least one of the end wall and the cover is provided with a forming portion that forms a gap between the slit and the protrusion that is smaller than the particle size of the ion exchange resin.

[0009] According to the above configuration, when the cover is fixed to the end wall of the case in the cartridge, the protrusion of the cover is inserted into the slit of the end wall. Between the slit and the protrusion, a gap smaller than the particle size of the ion exchange resin is formed by the forming part. Therefore, the ion exchange resin held in the case is prevented from leaking out of the case through the gap, while the fluid can enter and exit the case through the gap. In addition, it is not necessary to provide a metal mesh in the cartridge to achieve this. In other words, when the case and the cover are made of resin, for example, it is possible to supply and discharge a fluid to and from the case while holding the ion exchange resin in the case without using a mesh made of a different material. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of an ion exchanger. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of a cartridge to be incorporated in the ion exchanger of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3]3 is a perspective view showing the cartridge of FIG. 2 as viewed from below. FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is a perspective view showing the cartridge of FIG. 2 with the case and cover disassembled. FIG. [Diagram 5] 5 is a perspective view showing the cover of FIG. 4 as viewed from above. FIG. [Figure 6] 3 is a cross-sectional view of a case and a cover in the cartridge of FIG. 2. [Figure 7] 7 is an enlarged plan view showing the slits and protrusions in the case and cover of FIG. 6 as viewed from the inside of the case. FIG. [Figure 8] 8 is an enlarged plan view showing another example of the slits and protrusions in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 8 is an enlarged plan view showing another example of the slits and protrusions in FIG. 7. [Figure 10] 8 is an enlarged plan view showing another example of the slits and protrusions in FIG. 7. [Figure 11] 8 is an enlarged plan view showing another example of the slits and protrusions in FIG. 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the cartridge for the ion exchanger will be described with reference to FIGS. The ion exchanger 11 shown in FIG. 1 is provided in a cooling circuit that cools a fuel cell mounted on a vehicle or the like. A coolant, which is a fluid for cooling the fuel cell, circulates in the cooling circuit. The coolant circulating in the cooling circuit passes through the ion exchanger 11. A cartridge 13 loaded with an ion exchange resin 12 is incorporated in the ion exchanger 11. The coolant circulating in the cooling circuit passes through the cartridge 13 of the ion exchanger 11. At this time, ions contained in the coolant are separated from the coolant through ion exchange by the ion exchange resin 12. The cartridge 13 can be removed from the ion exchanger 11. The cartridge 13, together with the ion exchange resin 12, is periodically replaced with a new one.

[0012] As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the cartridge 13 includes a case 14 that can be incorporated into the ion exchanger 11. The case 14 is made of resin and is cylindrical with a set length. Figs. 2 to 4 show only one side of the case 14 in the longitudinal direction. The case 14 includes a cylindrical side wall 15 and a disk-shaped end wall 16. The side wall 15 has a set length by extending along its center line. The end wall 16 extends in a direction intersecting with the center line of the side wall 15 at an end of the longitudinal direction of the side wall 15. A slit 17 that functions as an opening of the case 14 is formed in the end wall 16.

[0013] The cartridge 13 includes a cover 18 that is fixed to the end wall 16 of the case 14 so as to overlap the end wall 16 in the thickness direction. The cover 18 is also made of resin, like the case 14. As shown in FIG. 5, the cover 18 is formed with a protrusion 19. When the cover 18 is fixed to the end wall 16, the protrusion 19 is inserted into the slit 17 of the end wall 16. At this time, a gap smaller than the particle size of the ion exchange resin 12 is formed between the slit 17 and the protrusion 19. This allows the coolant to enter and exit the case 14 through the gap, while preventing the ion exchange resin 12 held in the case 14 from leaking out of the case 14 through the gap.

[0014] <Shapes of slits 17 and protrusions 19> 2, the slit 17 in the end wall 16 is formed to a predetermined length by extending in an arc shape around the center line of the side wall 15. A plurality of slits 17 are formed at predetermined intervals along a circle centered on the center line of the side wall 15. Furthermore, a plurality of slits 17 are formed so as to be parallel to each other in a direction perpendicular to the center line of the side wall 15. Opposing inner surfaces 17a of the slits 17 are parallel to each other and to the center line of the side wall 15.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 5, the protrusion 19 of the cover 18 is formed to extend in the same direction as the slit 17. More specifically, the protrusion 19 is formed to a set length by extending in an arc shape around the center line of the side wall 15. A plurality of the protrusions 19 are also formed at predetermined intervals along a circle centered on the center line of the side wall 15. Furthermore, a plurality of the protrusions 19 are formed in parallel in a direction perpendicular to the center line of the side wall 15. As shown in Fig. 5, the outer surface 19a of the protrusion 19 in the width direction is tapered so that the width of the protrusion 19 becomes shorter toward the tip of the protrusion 19 in the protruding direction.

[0016] <Structure forming a gap between the slit 17 and the protrusion 19> As shown in Fig. 6, a recess 20 is formed in the inner side surface 17a of the slit 17 in the end wall 16 of the case 14 so as to be recessed into the inner side surface 17a. The recess 20 is formed in the inner side surface 17a at the following position: That is, the recess 20 is formed at a position connected to the opening of the slit 17 toward the outside of the case 14, in other words, toward the lower side in Fig. 6.

[0017] The recess 20 is formed on the inner side surface 17a of the slit 17 by forming a groove 21 in the surface of the end wall 16 facing the outside of the case 14 so as to recess the surface. As shown in Fig. 4, the groove 21 is formed on a straight line L1 that extends across multiple slits 17a on the surface of the end wall 16 facing the outside of the case 14. Note that Fig. 4 shows only one straight line L1. The grooves 21 are also formed on multiple other straight lines parallel to the straight line L1.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 6, when the cover 18 is fixed to the end wall 16 of the case 14 of the cartridge 13, the protrusion 19 of the cover 18 is inserted into the slit 17a of the end wall 16. At this time, the outer surface 19a of the protrusion 19 contacts the opening of the slit 17 facing the outside of the case 14 at the position surrounded by the two-dot chain line L2. Also, due to the recess 20 in the inner surface 17a of the slit 17, a gap smaller than the particle size of the ion exchange resin 12 is formed between the outer surface 19a of the protrusion 19 and the inner surface 17a of the slit 17. The position where this gap occurs is the position surrounded by the two-dot chain line L3 in Fig. 6.

[0019] Fig. 7 shows the slit 17 and the protrusion 19 shown in Fig. 6 as viewed from inside the case 14. As can be seen from Fig. 7, the inner surface 17a of the slit 17 and the outer surface 19a of the protrusion 19 are spaced apart from each other inside the case 14. This is because the inner surface 17a is parallel to the center line of the side wall 15, whereas the outer surface 19a is tapered as described above. The gap formed at the position surrounded by the two-dot chain line L3 in Fig. 6 is connected to the inside of the case 14 via the inner surface 17a and the outer surface 19a shown in Fig. 7.

[0020] The formation of the above-mentioned gap enables the coolant to flow into and out of the case 14 through the gap, while preventing the ion exchange resin 12 held in the case 14 from leaking out of the case 14 through the gap. The recess 20 for forming the above-mentioned gap serves as a forming portion provided in at least one of the end wall 16 and the cover 18 for forming the gap.

[0021] Next, the function and effect of the cartridge 13 in the ion exchanger 11 of this embodiment will be described. (1) When the cover 18 is fixed to the end wall 16 of the case 14, the protrusion 19 of the cover 18 is inserted into the slit 17 of the end wall 16. The outer surface 19a of the protrusion 19 of the cover 18 is tapered so that the width of the protrusion 19 decreases toward the tip in the protruding direction of the protrusion 19. In addition, a recess 20 is formed on the inner surface 17a of the slit 17 at a position connected to the opening of the slit 17 facing toward the outside of the case 14.

[0022] Therefore, when the cover 18 is fixed to the end wall 16 of the case 14 of the cartridge 13, when the protrusion 19 of the cover 18 is inserted into the slit 17 of the end wall 16, the outer surface 19a of the protrusion 19 comes into contact with the opening of the slit 17 facing the outside of the case 14. At this time, the recess 20 on the inner surface 17a of the slit 17 forms a gap smaller than the particle size of the ion exchange resin 12 between the outer surface 19a of the protrusion 19 and the inner surface 17a of the slit 17. This prevents the ion exchange resin 12 held in the case 14 from leaking out of the case 14 through the gap, while allowing the coolant to flow in and out of the case 14 through the gap.

[0023] To achieve this, it is not necessary to provide a metal mesh in the cartridge 13. In other words, it is possible to supply and discharge the coolant to and from the case 14 while retaining the ion exchange resin 12 in the case 14 without using a mesh made of a different material from the resin case 14 and cover 18. Therefore, when reusing the replaced cartridge 13 as a material for manufacturing a new cartridge 13, there is no need to take the time to separate the resin material and the metal material and process them separately.

[0024] (2) The recess 20 is formed by forming a groove 21 in the surface of the end wall 16 facing the outside of the case 14 so as to recess the surface, so that the recess 20 opens at the inside surface 17a of the slit 17. Therefore, the recess 20 opening at the inside surface 17a of the slit 17 can be formed simply by forming the groove 21 in the surface of the end wall 16 facing the outside of the case 14, making it easy to form the recess 20.

[0025] (3) The slits 17 and the protrusions 19 are each formed in a plurality of rows in parallel in a predetermined direction. The groove 21 is formed on a straight line extending across the plurality of slits 17 on the surface of the end wall 16 facing the outside of the case 14. For this reason, even if the slits 17 and the protrusions 19 are each formed in a plurality of rows in parallel in a predetermined direction, by forming the groove 21 on the straight line, the recesses 20 opening on the inner side surfaces 17a of the plurality of slits 17 can be easily formed.

[0026] (4) The slits 17 and the protrusions 19 are formed to a fixed length by extending in an arc around the center line of the side wall 15. Therefore, when the cover 18 is fixed to the end wall 16 of the case 14 of the cartridge 13, when the protrusions 19 of the cover 18 are inserted into the slits 17 of the end wall 16, the protrusions 19 are positioned as follows. That is, the protrusions 19 are positioned in the circumferential direction in which the slits 17 extend and in the width direction of the slits 17. As a result, the cover 18 can be easily positioned with respect to the center line of the side wall 15 of the case 14.

[0027] The above embodiment can be modified, for example, as follows: The above embodiment and the following modified examples can be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs. The slits 17 and the protrusions 19 do not necessarily have to extend in an arc shape.

[0028] The groove 21 does not necessarily have to be formed in a straight line extending across a plurality of slits 17 . The recess 20 is formed in the inner surface 17a of the slit 17 by forming a groove 21 so as to recess the surface of the end wall 16 facing the outside of the case 14, but it does not necessarily have to be formed in this manner.

[0029] The outer surface 19a of the protrusion 19 does not necessarily have to be tapered, and may be, for example, parallel to the center line of the side wall 15. In this case, it is considered to form a gap between the inner surface 17a of the slit 17 and the outer surface 19a of the protrusion 19, for example, as shown in Figures 8 to 11.

[0030] 8, a recess 22 extending in the center line direction of the side wall 15 may be formed in the inner surface 17a of the slit 17 to form a gap smaller than the particle size of the ion exchange resin 12 between the inner surface 17a of the slit 17 and the outer surface 19a of the protrusion 19. In this case, the recess 22 serves as a forming portion provided in at least one of the end wall 16 and the cover 18 to form the gap.

[0031] 9, a protrusion 23 extending in the center line direction of the side wall 15 may be formed on the inner surface 17a of the slit 17 so as to form a gap smaller than the particle size of the ion exchange resin 12 between the inner surface 17a of the slit 17 and the outer surface 19a of the protrusion 19. In this case, the protrusion 23 serves as a forming portion provided on at least one of the end wall 16 and the cover 18 for forming the gap.

[0032] 10, a recess 24 extending in the center line direction of the side wall 15 may be formed in the outer surface 19a of the protrusion 19, so that a gap smaller than the particle size of the ion exchange resin 12 is formed between the inner surface 17a of the slit 17 and the outer surface 19a of the protrusion 19. In this case, the recess 24 serves as a forming portion provided in at least one of the end wall 16 and the cover 18 for forming the gap.

[0033] 11, a protrusion 25 extending in the center line direction of the side wall 15 may be formed on the outer surface 19a of the protrusion 19, so that a gap smaller than the particle size of the ion exchange resin 12 is formed between the inner surface 17a of the slit 17 and the outer surface 19a of the protrusion 19. In this case, the protrusion 25 serves as a forming part provided on at least one of the end wall 16 and the cover 18 to form the gap.

[0034] The case 14 and the cover 18 may be made of a material other than resin. For example, the case 14 and the cover 18 may be made of metal. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 11…Ion exchanger 12...Ion exchange resin 13...Cartridge 14…Case 15...Side wall 16...End wall 17...Slit 17a…Inner surface 18…Cover 19…Protrusion 19a…Outer surface 20…Recess 21...Groove 22…Recess 23…Protrusion 24…Recess 25…Protrusion

Claims

1. An ion exchange cartridge comprising: a case that can be incorporated into an ion exchanger; and a cover that is fixed to an opening of the case, an ion exchange resin is held within the case; and when a fluid passes through the case, ions contained in the fluid are separated from the fluid through ion exchange by the ion exchange resin, The case includes a side wall and an end wall. the sidewall has a length defined by extending along a centerline thereof; the end wall extends in a direction intersecting a centerline of the side wall at a longitudinal end of the side wall, the opening of the case is a slit formed in the end wall; The cover is fixed to the end wall of the case so as to overlap the end wall in a thickness direction thereof, The cover is formed with a protrusion to be inserted into the slit, At least one of the end wall and the cover is provided with a forming portion that forms a gap between the slit and the protrusion that is smaller than the particle size of the ion exchange resin.

2. The slit and the protrusion are each formed to have a length determined by extending in the same direction, The ion exchange cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the forming portion is a protrusion formed on at least one of the opposing inner surfaces of the slit and the outer surface in the width direction of the protrusion, or a recess formed on at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface.

3. The outer surface of the protrusion of the cover is tapered so that the width of the protrusion becomes smaller toward the tip of the protrusion in the protruding direction, The forming portion is the recess, 3. The ion exchange cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the recess is formed on the inner surface of the slit in the end wall at a position connected to an opening of the slit facing toward the outside of the case.

4. 4. An ion exchange cartridge as described in claim 3, wherein the recess is formed by forming a groove in the surface of the end wall facing the outside of the case so as to recess the surface, so that the recess opens at the inner side of the slit.

5. The slits and the protrusions are each formed in a plurality of portions so as to be aligned in a predetermined direction, 5. The ion exchange cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the groove is formed on a straight line extending across a plurality of the slits on a surface of the end wall facing the outside of the case.

6. The ion exchange cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the slit and the protrusion are formed to have a predetermined length by extending in an arc shape around a center line of the side wall.

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