Connection type spiral blade body and fluid transfer device

Abstract

To provide a connection type spiral blade body capable of increasing a flow rate and a transfer pressure, and thereby decrease in consumption energy, and a fluid transfer device comprising the connection type spiral blade body.SOLUTION: A connection type spiral blade body 41 is formed by connecting fans 42 in a plurality of stages in an axial direction Y, the fans having a central cylindrical part 43 attached to a rotating shaft body 15 and a plurality of blades 45 extending radially at equal intervals from the central cylindrical part 43. The blades 45 on each stage are formed in a curved shape so that they are connected to form a spiral blade 47 that continues in a spiral manner in the axial direction Y. Also, a fluid transfer device 1 comprises the connection type spiral blade body 41.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connected spiral blade body that applies a transfer pressure to a fluid to form a flow of a predetermined flow rate, and a fluid transfer device provided with the connected spiral blade body. In particular, the present invention relates to a connected spiral blade body and a fluid transfer device that can increase the flow rate of the transferred fluid and increase the transfer pressure.

Background Art

[0002] For example, there is a blower that transfers gas, which is one of the fluids. As shown in FIG. 23, as the blower, various structures are used, such as a centrifugal blower using a turbofan, an axial flow blower using a propeller fan, a mixed flow blower using a mixed flow fan, a crossflow blower using a crossflow fan, and a non-contact rotary positive displacement blower using a Roots blower.

[0003] Among these, the axial flow blower has the advantages of a large air volume and low noise, but the transfer pressure is extremely low. The mixed flow blower uses a mixed flow fan with the blades inclined, and compared with the axial flow blower, although the transfer pressure is slightly higher, the air volume in the transfer direction is reduced. In addition, the non-contact rotary positive displacement blower has the advantage of a high transfer pressure, but compared with the axial flow blower using a propeller fan, the air volume is significantly reduced, and it has the disadvantage of generating a large amount of noise.

[0004] Here, a two-stage axial flow blower aiming to increase the air volume and the transfer pressure has been proposed by arranging two propeller fans in the axial direction (see Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, etc.).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] As described above, among blowers which are an example of fluid transfer devices, there are those with various characteristics of different structures, but at present, there is no fluid transfer device that is excellent in the performance of both flow rate and transfer pressure. Further, even in the case of the two-stage axial flow blower described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, although the performance of the air volume and the transfer pressure may be slightly improved, it cannot be said to be sufficient, and it is difficult to realize a desired air volume and transfer pressure as required in various fields.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a connected spiral blade body capable of increasing the flow rate and increasing the transfer pressure, and further capable of suppressing the consumption energy low by achieving both of these, and a fluid transfer device including the connected spiral blade body.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The connected spiral blade body of the present invention for solving the above object is a connected spiral blade body formed by connecting a plurality of stages in the axial direction of a fan having a central cylindrical portion attached to a rotating shaft body and a plurality of blades extending radially and equidistantly from the central cylindrical portion, wherein the blades of each stage are formed in a curved shape so as to form a spiral blade that is continuously spiral in the axial direction when connected.

[0009] According to the connected spiral blade body of the present invention, since the fan having a plurality of blades extending radially is adopted as a fluid transfer means, the flow rate to be transferred increases, and for example, it becomes possible to secure a flow rate equivalent to that of an axial flow fan. Further, by connecting a plurality of stages of the fans in the axial direction, the blades of each stage function as the spiral blades that are continuously spiral in the axial direction. For this reason, a spiral flow path, which is a large spiral space partitioned by the spiral blades adjacent in the circumferential direction, is formed. As a result, the fluid flowing through the spiral flow path is discharged by a high transfer pressure, and for example, it becomes possible to realize a comparable transfer pressure even compared with a non-contact rotary positive displacement blower.

[0010] Further, in the connected spiral blade body of the present invention, it is preferable that the blades in the fans of each stage are set at a predetermined angle such that the curved shape generates a skew flow that presses the fluid to be transferred in the radial direction and propels it in the axial direction with a predetermined transfer pressure.

[0011] By adopting this aspect, the transfer pressure of the fluid can be further increased, and the effect of preventing the backflow of the transferred fluid can be further improved.

[0012] Here, the radial direction includes both the direction from the center side (the shaft body side) to the outer peripheral side and the direction from the outer peripheral side to the center side.

[0013] Further, as the fans, a plurality of sets of fans having different phases in the rotation direction are used and connected so that the fans having the same phase appear at a predetermined pitch, whereby it is also possible to obtain a connected spiral blade body having a multi-layer structure in which a plurality of the spiral blades having different phases in the rotation direction are combined.

[0014] When such a connected spiral blade body having a multi-layer structure is adopted, it becomes possible to arrange a large number of the blades in a limited space, so that it becomes possible to further increase the flow rate and the transfer pressure.

[0015] Furthermore, in the connected spiral blade body of the present invention, both the blades in the fans of each stage or both the blades and the central cylindrical portion may be formed by a molding die having a simple die-splitting structure consisting of a male die and a female die.

[0016] If this aspect is adopted, it is possible to perform molding by injection molding or casting molding in a relatively compact and low-cost manner. That is, each of the blades in the fan and the fan composed of the blades and the central cylindrical portion can be integrally molded. In addition, it is also possible to mold a fan having blades with a complex shape that is difficult to manufacture by machining (cutting) or the like.

[0017] The fluid transfer device according to the present invention includes an overall casing having a suction port for sucking fluid and a discharge port for discharging fluid, a rotatable shaft body extending from the suction port side to the discharge port side of the overall casing, and a connected spiral blade body attached to the shaft body and provided so as to have a gap of a predetermined size with the inner wall surface of the overall casing. The connected spiral blade body is formed by connecting a plurality of stages in the axial direction of a fan having a central cylindrical portion attached to the shaft body and a plurality of blades radially extending from the central cylindrical portion at equal intervals. Each of the blades in each stage is formed in a curved shape so as to form a long spiral blade in the axial direction when connected, and the inclination angle with respect to the axial direction is set to a predetermined angle that generates a diagonal flow that presses the fluid to be transferred in the radial direction and propels it with a predetermined transfer pressure in the axial direction.

[0018] According to the fluid transfer device of the present invention, due to the actions and effects of the connected spiral blades of the present invention described above, it is possible to increase the flow rate and raise the transfer pressure. Specifically, by pushing back the route of the fluid that tries to flow backward under the back pressure on the downstream side in a skew flow to prevent backflow, the desired transfer pressure can be exerted. Also, by achieving both the flow rate and the transfer pressure, it is possible to reduce the energy consumption. Furthermore, by adopting the fan, the same quietness and low vibration as those of a conventional axial flow fan can be achieved. Also, compared with a conventional non-contact rotary positive displacement blower, the maintainability is significantly improved, and a fluid transfer device that is low-cost, compact, and lightweight can be provided.

[0019] Here, the fluid includes not only gases but also liquids, powders, or mixtures thereof, etc., and the fluid transfer device can be used in various applications.

[0020] Note that the entire casing may be provided with a flow path control member that restricts the flow path through which the fluid passes on at least one of the discharge port side and the suction port side inside it.

[0021] When the flow path control member is provided on the discharge port side, due to the synergistic effect with the inclination angle of the blades of the fan, the opening on the discharge port side is restricted, and the effect of preventing the backflow of the discharged fluid is further improved. On the other hand, when the flow path control member is provided on the suction port side, it is possible to prevent backflow (leakage) and control the flow of the fluid sent to the fan.

[0022] Also, by changing the combination of the rotation direction of the shaft body and the direction of the blades, the transfer direction of the fluid (specifically, forward and backward when viewed from the drive input side) can be changed. Furthermore, various transfer patterns can be adopted, such as sucking the fluid flow from the center side and discharging it to the outer peripheral side, or sucking it from the outer peripheral side and discharging it to the center side.

Effects of the Invention

[0023] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connected spiral blade body capable of increasing the flow rate and increasing the transfer pressure, and further capable of suppressing the consumption energy low by achieving both of these, and a fluid transfer device including the connected spiral blade body.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an example of the connected spiral blade body of the present invention and an example of the fluid transfer device of the present invention provided with this connected spiral blade body will be specifically described.

[0026] First, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the overall configuration of the fluid transfer device 1 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows an example of the fluid transfer device of the present invention and is a perspective view of the whole casing in a state where a part is broken away. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the fluid transfer device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing an example of the connected spiral blade body of the present invention in a state of being attached to the shaft body in the fluid transfer device shown in FIG. 1.

[0027] The fluid transfer device 1 of the present invention basically comprises an overall casing 7 having a suction port 3 for sucking fluid A and a discharge port 5 for discharging fluid A, a shaft body 15 that can rotate forward and backward and extends from the suction port 3 side to the discharge port 5 side of the overall casing 7, and a connected spiral blade body 41 of the present invention (see FIG. 2) that is attached to the shaft body 15 and is provided so as to have a gap T of a predetermined size between it and the inner wall surface 8 of the overall casing 7.

[0028] The structure of the overall casing 7 is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, it is composed of three casings: a dome-shaped front casing 9, a cylindrical drum-shaped body casing 11, and a rear casing 13 in which a cylindrical duct 14 is connected upward to the dome-shaped casing. The suction port 3 is provided on the open upper surface of the duct 14 in the rear casing 13. The discharge port 5 is provided for a nozzle portion 10 protruding forward +Y of the front casing 9. Here, a rear casing 13 that covers the shaft body 15 and a drive source (not shown) for rotating the shaft body 15 and extends linearly in the axial direction Y may be adopted, and an aspect may be adopted in which the suction port 3 is provided at the rear end portion of the rear casing 13. That is, it is not limited to the aspect in which the flow path shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 bends at 90 degrees or curves, etc., and an aspect in which the flow path is configured linearly may also be adopted.

[0029] The shaft body 15 is a round bar-shaped member with steps that is horizontally arranged in FIGS. 1 to 3 at the central portion passing through the body casing 11 and the rear casing 13. A male screw portion 16A is formed at the front +Y end of the shaft body 15 in the axial direction Y, and a male screw portion 16B is formed at a position a predetermined stroke behind the male screw portion 16A. Also, a male screw portion 16C is formed at a position closer to the rear -Y in the axial direction Y of the shaft body 15.

[0030] Furthermore, on the shaft body 15, a stepped portion 37A is formed at the position of -Y behind the male screw portion 16A, and a stepped portion 37C is formed at the position of +Y in front of the male screw portion 16C. Also, a stepped portion 37B is formed at a position slightly behind -Y than the middle between the stepped portion 37A and the stepped portion 37C. The front bearing 39A is fitted onto the stepped portion 37A at +Y in the front, and the rear bearing 39C is fitted onto the stepped portion 37C at -Y in the rear. Also, these front bearing 39A and rear bearing 39C are attached by a nut 35A screwed onto the male screw portion 16A and a nut 35C screwed onto the male screw portion 16C.

[0031] Also, a nut 35B is attached to the intermediate male screw portion 16B, and the connecting type spiral blade body 41 of the present invention is configured to be attached between this nut 35B and the intermediate stepped portion 37B. Although it will be described in detail later, specifically, it is attached in a state where the central cylindrical portions 43 of the fans 42 of each stage constituting the connecting type spiral blade body 41 are sandwiched.

[0032] The front casing 9 is integrally formed with a front bearing holder 25 that holds the front bearing 39A via, for example, ten rectifying fins 23 (see FIG. 20), and a dome-shaped rectifying cover 21 is attached so as to cover the entire surface of this front bearing holder 25.

[0033] The materials of the front casing 9, the body casing 11, the rear casing 13, and the rectifying cover 21 configured in this way are not particularly limited, and for example, metal materials including aluminum, titanium, zinc, etc., and synthetic resin materials are applicable.

[0034] As a means for transmitting rotational power to the shaft body 15, in addition to a method of directly transmitting power through a coupling or the like to the output shaft of the motor, power transmission means using a belt, pulley, gear train, etc., or power transmission means such as a CVT (continuously variable transmission, etc.) can be adopted.

[0035] In addition, the fluid transfer device 1 of the present invention can be applied to various fluids A, not only gases but also liquids, powders, or mixtures thereof, and can be applied to various uses. For example, in the field of gas pumping, it can be used for forced air supply to water treatment, sewage treatment facilities, incinerators, etc., gas transportation in plants, unloaders, PSA (pressure swing adsorption), etc., and indoor pressurization such as jet towels in fans, hand dryers, and domed stadiums.

[0036] In the field of gas suction, it can be used for suction in vacuum cleaners, air purifiers, dust collectors, or handling robots that suck and grasp objects. In vacuum cleaners, etc., it is preferable to adopt the mode of providing the suction port 3 at the rear end portion of the rear casing 13 that linearly extends in the axial direction Y as described above. In the field of power using gas, it can be used for the lift and propulsion of drones, and in the field of gas heat exchange, it can be used for heat pumps, etc. Furthermore, in the field of liquid pumping, it can be used for pumps and liquid conveyance used for applications that supply liquids with relatively low pressure and large capacity, and in the field of liquid suction, it can be used for drainage pumps used within an appropriate range of height differences. Moreover, in the field of power using liquid, it can be used for the propulsion of small ships, jet skis, etc., and underwater drones. In addition, in the field of pumping of mixed flow in which a plurality of fluids A such as liquids and powders are mixed, it can be used for fire pumps, etc.

[0037] Next, the specific configuration of each part of the fluid transfer device 1 will be described.

[0038] The fluid transfer device 1 of the present invention is provided with a connected spiral blade 41 as its characteristic configuration. The connected spiral blade 41 is formed by connecting a plurality of fans 42 in the axial direction Y, each fan 42 having a central cylindrical portion 43 attached to the shaft body 15 and a plurality of blades 45 extending radially from the central cylindrical portion 43 at equal intervals. And, a spiral blade 47 that is continuous in the axial direction Y in a spiral shape by the connected blades 45 of each stage, in other words, extends in a spiral shape in the axial direction Y, is formed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1, the space between two adjacent spiral blades 47 with a predetermined interval therebetween forms a spiral flow path B through which the fluid A flows.

[0039] Further, each stage of the blade 45 is formed in a curved shape so as to form a single spiral blade 47 that is long in the axial direction Y when connected. This curved shape generates a skew flow S that presses the fluid A to be transferred in the radial direction R and propels it in the axial direction Y with a predetermined transfer pressure F. In other words, it is formed so as to send it in the radial direction R by the portion on the root side of the spiral blade 47 and send it forward.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a view showing one of the fans 42 extracted from FIGS. 1 to 3. Specifically, FIG. 4(a) is a side view of the fan 42, and FIG. 4(b) is a front view of the fan 42 (a view seen from the discharge port 5 side). In the present embodiment, a fan 42 having five blades 45 is used. FIG. 5 is a view showing an image of connecting the fans 42 shown in FIG. 4 with a rotational phase (an image of connecting with different phases in the rotational direction). In the present embodiment, nine fans 42 are used, and a mode of connecting these nine fans 42 in nine stages is adopted. Further, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the connected spiral blade 41 obtained by connecting the nine fans 42 shown in FIG. 5.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 5, in this embodiment, three sets of fans 42 with different phases in the rotation direction C are used, and the fans 42A, 42B, and 42C with the same phase are arranged at intervals of three pitches. Specifically, the fans 42 in the first row, the fourth row, and the seventh row from the right are the fans 42A with the same phase, the fans 42 in the second row, the fifth row, and the eighth row from the right are the fans 42B with the same phase, and the fans 42 in the third row, the sixth row, and the ninth row from the right are the fans 42C with the same phase, and the respective blades 45 with the same phase are connected.

[0042] As a result, as shown in Fig. 6, it becomes a connected spiral blade body 41 with a triple structure in which three sets of spiral blades 47A, 47B, and 47C with different phases in the rotation direction C are combined. And in the state where the fans 42 of each stage are connected, between the spiral blades 47A formed by connecting the fans 42A, there are spiral blades 47B and 47C with different phases, and it becomes a connected spiral blade body 41 with a triple structure as shown in the figure.

[0043] The connected spiral blade body 41 is not limited to the forms shown in Figs. 1 to 6, and various forms can be adopted. Fig. 7 shows an example in which only the fans 42A with the same phase among the fans 42 with different phases in the rotation direction C shown in Fig. 5 are used. Specifically, it shows an example in which the fans 42A with the same phase in the first row, the fourth row, and the seventh row from the right shown in Fig. 5 are attached to the shaft body 15. In the aspect shown in Fig. 7, the space between the spiral blades 47A formed by connecting the fans 42A becomes a spiral flow path B through which the fluid A flows. Note that a spacer (not shown) may be provided between the nut 35B and the central cylindrical portion 43 of the front fan 42A, or between the central cylindrical portions 43 of the front and rear fans 42A, or the central cylindrical portion 43 may be extended and filled.

[0044] FIG. 8 shows various types of fans 42, which is a front view of the fan 42 used in the aspect where the number of blades 45 is 2 to 7 and the connection pitch of the connected spiral blade body 41 is 1 to 5. Further, FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the connected spiral blade body 41 with a connection pitch of 1 to 5 when the number of blades 45 is 2 to 7, using the corresponding fan 42 shown in FIG. 8. Note that the connected spiral blade body 41 shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 corresponds to the connected spiral blade body 41 with 5 blades 45 and a connection pitch of 3, which is enclosed by a dashed square in FIG. 9 and uses the fan 42 with 5 blades 45 and a connection pitch of 3, which is enclosed by a dashed square in FIG. 8.

[0045] Here, there is no problem when using an incompressible fluid such as a liquid, but when using a compressible fluid such as a gas, as the transfer pressure F gradually increases from the discharge port 5 side toward the suction port 3 side, the volume of the fluid A gradually decreases from the suction port 3 side toward the discharge port 5 side. For this reason, if the connected spiral blade body 41 with the same feeding capacity is used from the discharge port 5 side to the suction port 3 side, a state like so-called shoulder transparency will occur, and there is a risk that the desired transfer pressure F of the fluid A cannot be obtained. Therefore, in order to cope with the gradual decrease in the volume of the fluid A from the suction port 3 side toward the discharge port 5 side, it is desirable to gradually decrease the feeding capacity from the discharge port 5 side to the suction port 3 side.

[0046] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a connected spiral blade body 41B in which the blades 45A of the fan 42A shown in FIG. 10, the blades 45B of the fan 42B shown in FIG. 11, and the blades 45C of the fan 42C shown in FIG. 12 are connected in order from the suction port 3 side.

[0047] In the connected spiral blade body 41B shown in Fig. 13, the extrusion angle of the blades 45A in the fan 42A (the angle at which the blade 45 extrudes the fluid A with respect to the axial direction Y (see Fig. 1 etc.)) on the suction port 3 side is set to be the largest, and as it goes toward the discharge port 5 side, the extrusion angle of the blades 45B in the fan 42B is made slightly smaller, and the extrusion angle of the blades 45C in the fan 42C is set to be even smaller. In other words, from the blades 45A in the fan 42A to the blades 45B in the fan 42B and the blades 45C in the fan 42C, they are gradually laid down in the axial direction Y. By adopting this mode, as it goes from the discharge port 5 side toward the suction port 3 side, the feeding ability gradually becomes smaller, and the above-mentioned problems can be solved. Note that the area of the blades 45A in the fan 42A is the largest, and the area of the blades 45C in the fan 42C is the smallest, but since the blades 45C in the fan 42C are in the most laid-down posture, the difference in the projected area when viewed in the axial direction Y becomes smaller. Also, a mode in which the extrusion angle is variable within one blade 45 and the feeding ability is gradually decreased from the discharge port 5 side to the suction port 3 side may be adopted.

[0048] Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing a mode for improving the strength and rigidity of the blades 45. Note that in Fig. 14, a view of the fan 42 obliquely seen from the suction port 3 side (see Fig. 1 etc.) is shown.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 14, if a mode is adopted in which reinforcing ribs 49 are provided on the back surface 46 opposite to the surface 44 that extrudes the fluid A in the blades 45 of the fan 42, the blades 45 can be reinforced (the strength and rigidity are improved).

[0050] Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the connection structure between the fans 42.

[0051] For the connection of fans 42A and 42B, 42B and 42C, and 42C and 42A with different phases as shown in FIG. 5, as shown in FIG. 15, the knock pin 51 can be used. By inserting this knock pin 51 into the front and rear guide holes 53 formed with a shifted position in the central cylindrical portion 43, the connection can be configured to change the phase in the rotational direction C of the fan 42. Instead of the knock pin 51 and the guide holes 53, convex portions and concave portions can be formed on the front surface and the rear surface of the central cylindrical portion 43, respectively, and a predetermined phase in the rotational direction C of the fan 42 can be set by fitting these convex portions and concave portions.

[0052] FIGS. 16 to 18 are diagrams corresponding to FIGS. 1 to 3, showing an embodiment provided with a flow path control member. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 16 to 18, the description will be centered on the differences from the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. Components having the same names as the components in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 will be described with the reference numerals used so far, and duplicate descriptions may be omitted.

[0053] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 16 to 18, a front flow path control plate 27, which is an example of a flow path control member, is provided in front +Y in the axial direction Y of the connected spiral blade body 41. The front flow path control plate 27 is attached to the shaft body 15 by being sandwiched between the nut 35B and the spacer 33.

[0054] Also, a rear flow path control flange 29, which is an example of a flow path control member, is provided on the outer peripheral portion at the rear -Y in the axial direction Y of the connected spiral blade body 41. FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining the rear flow path control member provided on the suction port 3 side.

[0055] As the rear flow path control member provided on the suction port 3 side, as shown in Fig. 19(a), a rear flow path control flange 29 with a hook-shaped cross section may be provided at the rear - Y end of the body casing 11, or as shown in Fig. 19(b), the rear flow path control flange 29 may be provided at the front + Y end of the rear casing 13. These are designed to prevent backflow (leakage) in accordance with the shape of the rear end side (suction port 3 side) portion of the blades 45 in the fan 42 located closest to the suction port 3 side.

[0056] Also, as shown in Fig. 19(c), it is also possible to provide a disc-shaped rear flow path control plate 31 at the central portion near the shaft body 15, either together with the rear flow path control flange 29 or in place of the rear flow path control flange 29.

[0057] The flow path control members 27, 29, 31 are not essential components, but they are a preferable configuration for restricting the opening areas on the suction port 3 side and the discharge port 5 side to achieve better transfer of the fluid A without backflow. Here, it is preferable to set the effective area within the opening areas restricted by the flow path control members 27, 29, 31 to be larger than the opening areas of the suction port 3 and the discharge port 5. Note that the effective area within the opening area on the suction port 3 side means the area of the opening through which the fluid A actually flows, and does not include portions where the fluid A does not flow, such as along the inner wall surface of the body casing 11.

[0058] Fig. 20 is a perspective view showing the front casing 9 shown in Fig. 1 etc. broken. Specifically, Fig. 20(a) is a view of the broken front casing 9 seen obliquely from the front, and Fig. 20(b) is a view of the broken front casing 9 seen obliquely from the rear.

[0059] As shown in Fig. 1 etc., the front casing 9, the straightening fins 23, and the front bearing holder 25 provided on the side of the discharge port 5 can be integrally formed by injection molding or the like as shown in Fig. 20. It is also possible to combine separately formed parts and integrate them. The straightening fins 23 support the front bearing holder 25 and also serve as a material supply path during molding. Note that the straightening fins 23 may be omitted, and in that case, it is also possible to separately provide a support frame (not shown) that supports the front bearing holder 25.

[0060] Fig. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a method for manufacturing the fan 42.

[0061] The manufacturing method of the fan 42 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, the blades 45 and the central cylindrical portion 43 of each stage of the fan 42 are manufactured by molding synthetic resin, metal, etc. using a molding die 59 having a simple die-splitting structure consisting of two dies, a male die 55 and a female die 57. In the illustrated embodiment, the surface 44 for extruding the fluid A is molded by the female die 57, and the back surface 46 on which the reinforcing ribs 49 are formed is molded by the male die 55.

[0062] Note that only the blades 45 may be die-split molded and assembled by screwing to a separately molded central cylindrical portion 43, or the two may be joined by welding or the like and assembled into the fan 42. Also, for the molding of the fan 42 or the molding of the blades 45 and the central cylindrical portion 43, various molding methods such as injection molding, high-pressure die casting, low-pressure die casting, or gravity casting molding including lost wax can be adopted.

[0063] Note that, if necessary, the finishing process of the outer shape of the blades 45 of the molded fan 42, the finishing process of the outer shape of the central cylindrical portion 43, and the formation of the guide holes 53 may be performed by machining such as mechanical cutting to adjust the dimensions.

[0064] Next, an example of the assembly process of the connected helical blade body 41 will be described with reference to Figs. 3, 5, 6, 15, etc.

[0065] First, as described above with reference to FIG. 15, the fans 42 of each stage to be connected are arranged at predetermined positions, the knock pins 51 are inserted into the guide holes 53, and the fans 42 of each stage are connected so as to have a predetermined phase in the rotational direction C so that a continuous spiral blade 47 is formed.

[0066] Then, the assembled connected spiral blade body 41 is set on the shaft body 15 and fastened in a state of being clamped between the stepped portion 37B using the nut 35B. In the case of the mode of providing the front flow path control plate 27 shown in FIG. 16 and the like, after attaching the spacer 33 to the shaft body 15, the front flow path control plate 27 may be set on the shaft body 15 together with the connected spiral blade body 41 and fastened using the nut 35B. Thereafter, if the rotational balance is checked and the rotational balance is deviated, the balance may be adjusted as appropriate. Note that the connection of the fans 42 of each stage may be performed with the shaft body 15 inserted therethrough.

[0067] Next, an example of the assembly process of the fluid transfer device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and the like.

[0068] The connected spiral blade body 41 attached to the shaft body 15 is inserted into the body casing 11 from the rear - Y side of the body casing 11 with the rear casing 13 removed, and the male screw portion 16B on the front + Y side of the shaft body 15 is inserted into the front bearing 39A. Then, it is set at a predetermined position where the stepped portion 37A on the front + Y side abuts against the outer surface of the front bearing 39A.

[0069] Next, the rear casing 13 is attached to the body casing 11 from the rear - Y side, and both are connected using fastening members such as bolts and nuts (not shown) and clamp members. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a recessed portion 61 that is recessed toward the front + Y is formed on the rear surface of the rear casing 13. The rear bearing 39C is fitted into the rear bearing holder 63 formed in the recessed portion 61, and the nut 35C is fastened to the male screw portion 16C on the rear - Y side via a spacer 64 or the like as appropriate to attach the connected spiral blade body 41 to the entire casing 7.

[0070] In addition, when adopting the mode of providing the rear flow path control flange 29 shown in Fig. 19, the rear flow path control flange 29 can be detachably configured so as to be removable from the body casing 11, and after inserting the connected spiral blade body 41 into the body casing 11, it is also possible to attach the rear flow path control flange 29.

[0071] As shown in Fig. 3, in this embodiment, the gap T between the outer periphery of the blade 45 and the inner wall surface of the body casing 11 is set to 2 mm or less. That is, according to this embodiment, by restricting the flow path of the fluid A, it is possible to push back (prevent backflow) the route of the fluid that tries to flow backward under the back pressure on the downstream side by oblique flow. If the mode of providing the gap T of about 2 mm is adopted, the manufacturing becomes easy, and it is also possible to omit the adjustment after assembly.

[0072] In addition, since only a radial load is applied to the front bearing 39A, a normal radial bearing can be used. However, since both a radial load and a thrust load are applied to the rear bearing 39C, a bearing that can withstand these two-directional loads is used. If the rear bearing 39C is excellent in strength and rigidity and the rear bearing 39C alone can sufficiently hold the shaft body 15, it is also possible to omit the front bearing 39A. When the front bearing 39A is omitted, the bearing holder 25 can be specialized for the purpose of connecting the rectifying fins 23 or can be completely omitted.

[0073] Next, the pattern of the fluid flow direction will be described. In this description, regarding the fluid flow direction, the direction flowing forward when viewed from the drive input side is referred to as the forward direction, and the direction flowing backward when viewed from the drive input side is referred to as the backward direction. Also, the rotation direction of the shaft body is defined as clockwise and counterclockwise when viewed from the drive input side.

[0074] In the connected spiral blade body and fluid transfer device of the present invention, for each of the clockwise and counterclockwise rotation directions of the shaft body, when the fluid is forward and when the fluid is backward, all of the patterns where the opening position on the suction port side is on the center side and the opening position on the discharge port side is on the outer peripheral side, and the patterns where the opening position on the suction port side is on the center side and the opening position on the discharge port side is on the outer peripheral side (2×2×2 = 8 types) are possible.

[0075] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing, as an example, four flow patterns among the patterns of the fluid flow direction.

[0076] FIG. 22(a) shows a case where the flow direction of fluid A is forward toward +Y, the opening position on the suction port 3 side is on the center side, the opening position on the discharge port 5 side is on the outer peripheral side, and the rotation direction C of the fan 42 is clockwise. In this aspect, the fluid A taken into the body casing 11 from the central opening on the suction port 3 side is discharged to the outside from the outer peripheral side of the discharge port 5 through the spiral flow path B partitioned by the spiral blade 47.

[0077] FIG. 22(b) shows a positional relationship where the positional relationship between the fan 42 and the body casing 11 is rotated 180° compared to that in FIG. 22(a). The flow direction of fluid A is forward toward +Y, the opening position on the suction port 3 side is on the outer peripheral side, and the opening position on the discharge port 5 side is on the center side. Also, the rotation direction C of the fan 42 is the same clockwise as in FIG. 22(a). In this aspect, the fluid taken into the body casing 11 from the outer peripheral opening on the suction port 3 side is discharged to the outside from the center side of the discharge port 5 through the spiral flow path B partitioned by the spiral blade 47.

[0078] Figure 22(c) shows that the orientations of the fan 42 and the body casing 11 are reversed left and right compared to the case of Fig. (a), and the flow direction of the fluid A is backward, toward the rear -Y. Also, the opening position on the suction port 3 side is on the same center side as in Fig. (a), and the opening position on the discharge port 5 side is on the same outer peripheral side as in Fig. (a). The rotation direction C of the fan 42 is the same clockwise direction as in Fig. (a). In this mode, the fluid A taken into the body casing 11 from the central - side opening on the suction port 3 side is discharged to the outside from the outer peripheral side on the discharge port 5 side through the spiral flow path B partitioned by the spiral blade 47.

[0079] Figure 22(d) shows that the orientations of the fan 42 and the body casing 11 are further reversed left and right compared to the case of Fig. (c), and the flow direction of the fluid A is forward, toward the front +Y. Also, the opening position on the suction port 3 side is on the same outer peripheral side as in Fig. (c), and the rotation direction C of the fan 42 is counterclockwise, opposite to that in Fig. (c). In this mode, the fluid A taken into the body casing 11 from the central - side opening on the suction port 3 side is discharged to the outside from the outer peripheral portion on the discharge port 5 side through the spiral flow path B partitioned by the spiral blade 47.

[0080] Thus, according to the connected - type spiral blade body 41 of the present invention or the fluid transfer device 1 of the present invention, by appropriately changing the orientation of the fan 42, the opening positions on the suction port 3 side and the discharge port 5 side, and the rotation direction C of the fan 42, it is possible to adopt all a total of eight flow patterns of the fluid A, including the four types shown in Fig. 18. When adopting the mode of providing the flow - path control members 27, 29, 31 shown in Fig. 16, Fig. 19, etc., the positions of the flow - path control members 27, 29, 31, etc. may be appropriately changed according to the transfer direction of the fluid.

[0081] And according to the connected - type spiral blade body 41 and the fluid transfer device 1 according to the present embodiment configured in this way, it is possible to achieve both a flow rate and a transfer pressure F of an amount or magnitude that could not be handled by conventional fluid transfer means and fluid transfer devices, which had advantages and disadvantages in terms of flow rate and transfer pressure F. Also, by increasing the flow rate and raising the transfer pressure F, the energy consumption can be kept low.

[0082] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a novel-structured connected spiral blade body 41 and a fluid transfer device 1 that are excellent in sound quietness, low vibration, and maintainability, are compact and low in cost, low in weight, and applicable not only to gases but also to other fluids A such as liquids and powders, and have a wide range of applications.

[0083] The connected spiral blade body 41 and the fluid transfer device 1 of the present invention are not limited to the configurations described in the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope described in the claims.

[0084] For example, when using a plurality of sets of fans 42 with different numbers of blades 45, width dimensions, and phases of the rotation direction C of the fans 42, the connection pitch, or the number of stages of connecting the fans 42 can be appropriately changed according to the required performance based on the application and usage conditions. Further, the shape of the body casing 11 is not limited to the cylindrical drum shape described in the above-described embodiment, and other shapes such as a tapered drum shape and a spherical shape may be used. Along with this, it is also possible to configure the outer diameter of the connected fans 42 to change little by little according to the position in the axial direction Y in accordance with the shape of the inner wall surface of the body casing 11.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0085] 1 Fluid transfer device 3 Suction port 5 Discharge port 7 Overall casing 8 Inner wall surface 15 Shaft body 27 Front side flow path control plate (flow path control member) 29 Rear side flow path control flange (flow path control member) 31 Rear side flow path control plate (flow path control member) 41 Connected spiral blade body 42 Fan 43 Central cylindrical portion 45 Blade 47 Spiral blade 49 Reinforcing rib A Fluid R Radial direction Y-axis direction +Y forward -Y backward F transfer pressure S oblique flow T gap B spiral flow path C rotation direction

Claims

1. A connected spiral blade body formed by axially connecting multiple stages of a fan having a central cylindrical portion attached to a rotating shaft body and a plurality of blades radially extending from the central cylindrical portion at equal intervals, wherein the blades of each stage are formed in a curved shape such that when connected, they form a spiral blade that is continuously spiral in the axial direction. A connected spiral blade body characterized by this.

2. In the fan of each stage, the blades are characterized in that the curved shape is set at a predetermined angle that generates an oblique flow that presses the fluid being transferred radially while propelling it axially with a predetermined transfer pressure. The connected spiral blade body according to Claim 1.

3. In the fan of each stage, both the blades or both the blades and the central cylindrical portion are formed by a simple mold structure molding die consisting of two molds, a male mold and a female mold. The connected spiral blade body according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. An overall casing having a suction port for sucking fluid and a discharge port for discharging fluid, a rotatable shaft body extending from the suction port side to the discharge port side of the overall casing, and a connected spiral blade body attached to the shaft body and provided so as to have a gap of a predetermined size between it and the inner wall surface of the overall casing. The fluid transfer device is provided with these components, wherein the connected spiral blade body is formed by axially connecting multiple stages of a fan having a central cylindrical portion attached to the shaft body and a plurality of blades radially extending from the central cylindrical portion at equal intervals, and the blades of each stage are formed in a curved shape such that when connected, they form a spiral blade that is continuously spiral in the axial direction, and the curved shape is set at a predetermined angle that generates an oblique flow that presses the fluid being transferred radially while propelling it axially with a predetermined transfer pressure. A fluid transfer device characterized by this.

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