Water flow sorter

Abstract

To provide a water flow sorter capable of reducing variation in water flow velocity in a flow path width direction.SOLUTION: This water flow sorter comprises: a water supply unit 12; a sorting flow path 13b; a first conveyance unit 13c; and a second conveyance unit 15. The sorting flow path 13b is a flow path through which water supplied by the water supply unit 12 flows and which selects input objects to be sorted as a first object to be sorted which flows in a water flow and a second object to be sorted which sinks to the first bottom surface 18a of a flow path 13. The first conveyance unit 13c conveys the first object. The second conveyance unit 15 conveys the second object. The water supply unit 12 includes a box 21, an inlet 22, an outlet 23, and a rectifier 24. The water is supplied through the inlet 22 into an internal space of the box 21. The water is discharged through the outlet 23 from the internal space of the box 21 toward the sorting flow path 13b. The rectifier 24 is erected in the internal space of the box 21 to guide the water supplied through the inlet 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present application mainly relates to a water flow separator that separates objects using a water flow. [Background technology]

[0002] The gravel purification device in Patent Document 1 is a device for separating impurities contained in collected gravel to obtain highly pure gravel. The gravel purification device is formed with an inclined surface. The gravel purification device is equipped with a flow path along the inclined surface through which water flows diagonally upward. Since gravel has a high specific gravity, it falls from the flow path onto the inclined surface. The fallen gravel is transported by a belt. On the other hand, impurities with a low specific gravity, such as shells or pumice, are carried away by the water current. The water then passes through a filter, where the impurities are separated from the water. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 60-95949 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a water flow separator such as the gravel purification device of Patent Document 1, the objects to be separated are separated using a water flow. Therefore, if there is a large variation in the water flow velocity in the width direction of the flow path, the separation accuracy of the objects to be separated decreases. In this regard, Patent Document 1 does not disclose a structure for equalizing the water flow velocity in the width direction of the flow path.

[0005] The present application has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its main object is to provide a water flow separator capable of reducing variations in water flow velocity in the width direction of the flow channel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present application is as described above. Next, the means for solving this problem and the effects thereof will be explained.

[0007] According to an aspect of the present application, there is provided a water flow sorter having the following configuration. That is, the water flow sorter includes a water supply unit, a sorting flow path, a first conveying unit, and a second conveying unit. The sorting flow path is a flow path through which water supplied by the water supply unit flows, and sorts input sorting objects into first sorting objects that are carried by the water flow and second sorting objects that sink to the bottom of the flow path. The first conveying unit conveys the first sorting objects that are carried by the water flow toward a first collecting unit. The second conveying unit conveys the second sorting objects that have sunk to the bottom of the flow path toward a second collecting unit. The water supply unit includes a box, a water supply port, a drain port, and a straightening unit. The box stores water in an internal space. The water supply port supplies water to the internal space of the box. The drain port discharges water from the internal space of the box toward the sorting flow path. The flow straightening section is erected in the internal space of the box and guides the water supplied from the water supply port. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present application, it is possible to reduce variations in the water flow velocity in the width direction of the flow path. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a water flow separator according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view showing the flow of water, first sorting objects, and second sorting objects near the sorting flow path. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the configuration in the vicinity of a water supply unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Next, an embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] The water flow sorter 1 shown in FIG. 1 uses a water flow to separate objects primarily according to their specific gravity. Therefore, the objects supplied to the water flow sorter 1 include multiple types of objects with different specific gravities. Specifically, the objects are mixtures generated at construction sites, demolition sites, factories, etc. By sorting the mixture according to its specific gravity, it is possible, for example, to separate materials for recycling from the mixture or to classify the mixture according to type. Alternatively, the objects may be mixtures collected at a collection site. In this case, by sorting the mixture according to its specific gravity, it is possible to separate specific objects or to classify the collected objects according to type.

[0012] Even if the objects to be sorted have the same specific gravity, the magnitude of the water flow acting on them will differ depending on their shape. In other words, the water flow sorter 1 may be configured to sort objects not only according to their specific gravity but also according to their shape.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the water flow separator 1 includes an input section 11, a water supply section 12, and a flow path 13.

[0014] The input unit 11 receives the objects to be sorted from outside the water flow sorter 1. The input unit 11 in this embodiment is a conveying device such as a vibrating feeder or a belt conveyor. The input unit 11 conveys the supplied objects to be sorted toward the flow path 13 of the water flow sorter 1. Note that the input unit 11 is not limited to a mechanical conveying device, and may be configured to convey the objects to be sorted by their own weight. Alternatively, the input unit 11 may be omitted, and an external machine to the water flow sorter 1 may directly supply the objects to be sorted to the flow path 13 of the water flow sorter 1.

[0015] The water supply unit 12 supplies water to the flow path 13. In this embodiment, water circulates within the water flow sorter 1. That is, the water used for sorting is sucked up using a pump and supplied from the water supply unit 12 to the flow path 13 for further sorting. The water supply unit 12 has a box 21, a water supply port 22, a drain port 23, and a rectifier 24. The detailed structures of these components will be described later. Note that the water used in the water flow sorter 1 is not limited to a circulating type, and may be supplied from a storage tank, a water supply, or the like.

[0016] Water supplied by the water supply unit 12 flows through the flow path 13. As shown in FIG. 2, the flow path 13 has, in order from the upstream side, an introduction flow path 13a, a sorting flow path 13b, and a first transport unit 13c. In the following description of the flow path, the upstream and downstream sides of the water flow direction will simply be referred to as "upstream" and "downstream." Furthermore, when the water flow direction from upstream to downstream in the flow path 13 is defined as the forward direction, the left-right direction will be referred to as the "flow path width direction."

[0017] The inlet flow path 13a is the flow path through which the water supplied by the water supply unit 12 first flows. Therefore, the inlet flow path 13a is provided adjacent to the water supply unit 12. The inlet flow path 13a is a flow path for causing the water supplied by the water supply unit 12 to flow into the sorting flow path 13b. The inlet flow path 13a is formed by the outer surface of the box 21, a first bottom surface 18a, and side panels 19 arranged at both ends of the flow path in the width direction. The first bottom surface 18a is a surface that slopes downward as it approaches downstream. Therefore, the inlet flow path 13a is a flow path through which water flows in a direction that includes a downward component. The first bottom surface 18a corresponds to the upper surface of the second transport unit 15 described below.

[0018] The downstream end of the inlet flow channel 13a is connected to the upstream end of the sorting flow channel 13b. The sorting flow channel 13b is a flow channel through which water supplied by the water supply unit 12 and passed through the inlet flow channel 13a flows. The sorting flow channel 13b is formed by the outer surface of the box 21, a second bottom surface 18b, and a side panel 19. The second bottom surface 18b is a surface that slopes upward as it approaches downstream. Therefore, the sorting flow channel 13b is a flow channel through which water flows in a direction that includes an upward direction as a component.

[0019] The input unit 11 inputs the objects to be sorted into the sorting flow path 13b of the flow path 13. The sorting flow path 13b sorts the input objects to be sorted into first objects to be sorted that are carried away by the water current and second objects to be sorted that sink to the first bottom surface 18a.

[0020] More specifically, if the gravity acting on the sorting object is smaller than the combined force of the buoyancy of the water and the force of the water flow, the sorting object will not sink to the first bottom surface 18a but will be carried away by the water flow in the sorting channel 13b. The sorting object carried away by the water flow is selected as the first sorting object. The first sorting object is generally a lightweight object or an object with a low specific gravity.

[0021] On the other hand, if the gravity acting on the sorting object is greater than the combined force of the buoyancy of the water and the force of the water flow, the sorting object will sink to the first bottom surface 18a. The sorting object that has sunk to the first bottom surface 18a will be sorted as the second sorting object. The second sorting object is generally heavy or has a high specific gravity.

[0022] The first transport section 13c is a flow path that transports the first sorting objects carried by the water flow. The downstream end of the sorting flow path 13b is connected to the upstream end of the first transport section 13c. The first transport section 13c is formed by a third bottom surface 18c and a side panel 19. The third bottom surface 18c is a surface that slopes downward as it approaches downstream. Therefore, the first transport section 13c is a flow path in which water flows in a direction that includes a downward component. The first sorting objects are carried along the first transport section 13c and supplied to the separation section 14.

[0023] The direction of inclination of the first bottom surface 18a, the second bottom surface 18b, or the third bottom surface 18c is an example, and the inclination may be in a different direction from that in this embodiment, or the bottom surface may be flat. Furthermore, the box 21 forming the flow path 13 is an example, and instead, another member may form the flow path 13.

[0024] The separation unit 14 separates the first sorting objects from the water. The separation unit 14 is, for example, a dehydration sieve and includes a mesh member. The size of the mesh openings is such that the first sorting objects do not fall through. This allows the first sorting objects to pass through while the water falls through. The separation unit 14 also vibrates the mesh member with the first sorting objects containing water placed on it, thereby further dehydrating the first sorting objects. The water separated by the separation unit 14 is pumped up using a pump as described above and supplied to the water supply unit 12.

[0025] The first transport unit 13c and the separation unit 14 in the above embodiment are merely examples and can be modified as appropriate. For example, a portion of the first transport unit 13c may be modified to transport the first sorting objects by a conveyor rather than a water flow. Also, the vibration device may be omitted from the separation unit 14.

[0026] The first sorting objects separated from the water in the separation unit 14 are collected in the first collection unit 16. The first collection unit 16 may be a container or the ground. The first sorting objects separated from the water in the separation unit 14 may be collected in the first collection unit 16 after being transported by a conveyor or the like.

[0027] The second conveying section 15 conveys the second sorting objects that have sunk down to the first bottom surface 18a. Specifically, the second conveying section 15 is a belt conveyor provided on the first bottom surface 18a. However, the second conveying section 15 is not limited to a belt conveyor and may be, for example, a screw conveyor. The second conveying section 15 conveys the second sorting objects diagonally upward. By conveying the second sorting objects above the water surface, the second conveying section 15 can separate the second sorting objects from the water.

[0028] A second collection section 17 is disposed below the downstream end of the second conveying section 15. The second sorting objects conveyed by the second conveying section 15 fall and are then collected in the second collection section 17. The second collection section 17 may be a container or the ground. The second sorting objects conveyed by the second conveying section 15 may also be collected in the second collection section 17 after being conveyed by a conveyor, a dewatering sieve, or the like.

[0029] Next, the detailed shape of the water supply unit 12 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0030] The box 21 is a container-shaped member made of plate material. The box 21 has an internal space formed by multiple internal walls. Water can be temporarily stored in the internal space. The box 21 is provided across the entire width of the flow path. Of the surfaces of the box 21, the surface facing the internal space is referred to as the internal surface. In particular, the surface of the internal surface that corresponds to the bottom surface is referred to as the internal bottom surface 21a. Furthermore, of the surfaces of the box 21, the surface facing outward, in other words, the backside of the internal surface, is referred to as the external surface. Of the external surfaces, the surface facing the first bottom surface 18a is referred to as the first external surface 21b. The first external surface 21b is one of the surfaces that form the introduction flow path 13a. The first external surface 21b and the first bottom surface 18a are parallel. Of the external surfaces, the surface facing the second bottom surface 18b is referred to as the second external surface 21c. The second external surface 21c is one of the surfaces that form the sorting flow path 13b. The second outer surface 21c and the second bottom surface 18b are parallel to each other. In the description of the box 21, the statement that two surfaces are parallel includes not only a state in which the two surfaces are strictly parallel, but also a state in which the two surfaces are substantially parallel.

[0031] The boundary between the first outer surface 21b and the second outer surface 21c has an arc shape. The arc shape may be formed by bending or cutting. The arc shape is convex outward (in other words, convex toward the bottom). This allows water to flow smoothly from the introduction flow path 13a to the sorting flow path 13b. As a result, backflow due to turbulence in the water is less likely to occur.

[0032] A water supply pipe 25 is connected to the side of the box 21, in other words, one end in the width direction of the flow channel. The water supply pipe 25 is a flow channel through which water used for sorting and drawn up by a pump passes. The downstream end of the water supply pipe 25 is connected to a water supply inlet 22 of the box 21. Therefore, the water supply inlet 22 supplies water to the internal space of the box 21 from one end in the width direction of the flow channel to the other end. As a result, in this embodiment, variations in the flow velocity in the width direction of the flow channel are likely to occur. Variations in the flow velocity in the width direction of the flow channel refer to variations in the magnitude of the flow velocity of water flowing downstream depending on the position in the width direction of the flow channel. Note that variations in the flow velocity in the width direction of the flow channel can occur, for example, even when water is supplied from both ends in the width direction of the flow channel or from another direction. Furthermore, variations in the direction in which water flows can also occur depending on the position in the width direction of the flow channel.

[0033] If water supplied from the water supply port 22 were supplied to the flow path 13 without being rectified, the flow velocity would vary in the sorting flow path 13b in the flow path width direction. Therefore, the force of the water flow would also vary depending on the position in the flow path width direction. As a result, the objects to be sorted, which would normally be carried by the water flow, may sink to the first bottom surface 18a, reducing the accuracy of sorting the objects. In this regard, in this embodiment, the provision of the rectifying unit 24 described below reduces the variation in the flow velocity in the flow path width direction and the variation in the direction in which the water flows in the flow path width direction, thereby improving the accuracy of sorting the objects to be sorted.

[0034] Water stored in the internal space of the box 21 is discharged through the drain outlet 23. The drain outlet 23 is formed across the entire width of the flow path. This reduces the variation in flow velocity across the width of the flow path compared to a configuration in which water is discharged from only a portion of the flow path. Note that "across the entire width of the flow path" does not only mean the entire width of the flow path in the strict sense, but also includes the substantially entire width of the flow path. Therefore, even if there is a small gap or a member that slightly blocks the drain outlet 23, this is still defined as "across the entire width of the flow path."

[0035] The rectifying section 24 is erected in the internal space of the box 21. In other words, the rectifying section 24 is not a component that constitutes the internal space of the box 21, but a component that is located in the internal space. Furthermore, the rectifying section 24 is erected between the water supply port 22 and the drain outlet 23 in a side view (in other words, when viewed in the flow path width direction). Furthermore, the rectifying section 24 is provided across the entire internal space of the box 21 in the flow path width direction. Therefore, the rectifying section 24 comes into contact with water flowing from the water supply port 22 to the drain outlet 23 and guides the water. The rectifying section 24 is a plate member that is arranged along the vertical direction.

[0036] Furthermore, a gap exists between the flow straightening section 24 and the inner bottom surface 21a. Water guided by the flow straightening section 24 passes through the gap and moves toward the drain outlet 23. As a result, water supplied from the water supply port 22 is not directly discharged from the drain outlet 23, but rather, after the water is stored in the internal space, water that overflows from the internal space is easily discharged from the drain outlet 23. This reduces variation in the flow velocity in the width direction of the flow channel. Similarly, variation in the direction in which the water flows depending on the position in the width direction of the flow channel can also be reduced.

[0037] Furthermore, to change the criteria for separating the first and second sorting objects, it is necessary to increase or decrease the amount of water supplied from the water supply port 22. For example, increasing the amount of water increases the force of the water flow toward the first conveying section 13c in the sorting flow path 13b, changing the criteria so that the objects are more likely to be sorted into the first sorting objects. However, in conventional water flow sorters, increasing the water flow also increases the variation in flow velocity across the flow path, potentially further reducing sorting accuracy. In this regard, the water flow sorter 1 of this embodiment includes the above-described flow straightening section 24, so even if the water flow is increased, variation in flow velocity across the flow path is unlikely to occur. Therefore, the water flow sorter 1 of this embodiment can appropriately accommodate an increase in the water amount to change the sorting criteria.

[0038] It is preferable that water supplied from water inlet 22 be easily guided by flow rectifier 24. In this regard, in the present embodiment, the vertical center position of water inlet 22 is above the lower end of flow rectifier 24. This makes it easier for water supplied from water inlet 22 to come into contact with and be guided by flow rectifier 24. Furthermore, the vertical center position of water inlet 22 is below the upper end of flow rectifier 24. This makes it harder for water supplied from water inlet 22 to pass above flow rectifier 24, making it easier for water to be guided to flow rectifier 24.

[0039] Furthermore, in order to form a flow that discharges water that has overflowed from the internal space through the drain outlet 23, it is preferable to form the drain outlet 23 at a high position. In this regard, in this embodiment, the lower end of the drain outlet 23 is higher than the lower end of the flow rectifying section 24. Furthermore, the lower end of the drain outlet 23 is higher than the vertical center position of the flow rectifying section 24 and also higher than the vertical center position of the water supply port 22. As a result, water that has overflowed from the internal space is easily discharged through the drain outlet 23.

[0040] Furthermore, by increasing the opening area of ​​the drain outlet 23, the flow rate of the water discharged from the drain outlet 23 can be reduced. As a result, variations in the flow rate in the width direction of the flow path are less likely to occur. In this regard, in this embodiment, the vertical length of the drain outlet 23 is longer than the vertical length of the gap between the flow straightening section 24 and the inner bottom surface 21a. Furthermore, the lengths of both in the width direction of the flow path are the same. Therefore, the opening area of ​​the drain outlet 23 is larger than the area of ​​the gap between the flow straightening section 24 and the inner bottom surface 21a. As a result, the flow rate of the water discharged from the drain outlet 23 can be reduced.

[0041] Furthermore, in order to increase the length of the flow path within the box 21, i.e., the length of the flow path from the water inlet 22 to the water outlet 23, it is preferable that the lower end of the water outlet 23 be high. For example, it is preferable that the lower end of the water outlet 23 be located higher than the reference height shown below. Here, during operation of the water flow separator 1, the height shown in FIG. 2 is usually the height of the water surface. The height of the water surface is referred to as the reference height. In other words, the reference height is the height of the boundary between the second bottom surface 18b and the third bottom surface 18c. Note that in this embodiment, there is a gap above the flow straightening section 24, and if the lower end of the water outlet 23 is set too high, water will flow through this gap. Therefore, it is preferable that the lower end of the water outlet 23 be located below the gap above the flow straightening section 24.

[0042] By reducing the variation in flow velocity in the width direction of the flow channel and increasing the sorting accuracy, it is possible to accurately sort specific objects and classify objects in the above-mentioned waste or collected material processing.

[0043] As described above, the water flow sorter 1 of this embodiment includes the water supply unit 12, the sorting flow path 13b, the first transport unit 13c, and the second transport unit 15. The sorting flow path 13b is a flow path through which water supplied by the water supply unit 12 flows, and sorts the input sorting objects into first sorting objects that are carried by the water flow and second sorting objects that sink to the first bottom surface 18a of the flow path 13. The first transport unit 13c transports the first sorting objects that are carried by the water flow toward the first collection unit 16. The second transport unit 15 transports the second sorting objects that sink to the first bottom surface 18a of the flow path 13 toward the second collection unit 17. The water supply unit 12 includes a box 21, a water supply port 22, a drain port 23, and a flow straightening unit 24. The box 21 stores water in its internal space. The water supply port 22 supplies water to the internal space of the box 21. The drain port 23 discharges water from the internal space of the box 21 (via the introduction flow path 13a) toward the sorting flow path 13b. The flow rectifier 24 is erected in the internal space of the box 21 and guides the water supplied from the water supply port 22. This is Feature 1.

[0044] Water supplied from water inlet 22 to the internal space of box 21 is guided by flow rectifier 24 and then discharged from drain outlet 23. Therefore, even if there is variation in the flow rate in the flow path width direction when the water is supplied from water inlet 22, the water can be discharged from drain outlet 23 after the variation in flow rate has been reduced.

[0045] (Feature 2) In the water flow separator 1 of this embodiment, the vertical center position of the water supply port 22 is above the lower end of the flow rectifying section 24 and below the upper end of the flow rectifying section 24.

[0046] As a result, water supplied from the water supply port 22 into the internal space of the box 21 is more easily guided by the flow straightening section 24. This makes it possible to further reduce variations in flow velocity in the width direction of the flow path.

[0047] (Feature 3) In the water flow separator 1 of this embodiment, the lower end of the drain outlet 23 is located above the lower end of the rectifying unit 24. Water supplied from the water supply port 22 and guided to the rectifying unit 24 passes between the rectifying unit 24 and the inner bottom surface 21a of the box 21, and then is discharged from the drain outlet 23.

[0048] As a result, water supplied from the water supply port 22 accumulates in the internal space of the box 21 and is then discharged from the water discharge port 23. This makes it possible to further reduce variations in flow velocity in the width direction of the flow path.

[0049] (Feature 4) In the water flow separator 1 of this embodiment, the sorting flow path 13b is a flow path in which water flows in a direction that includes an upward direction. The first transport section 13c is a flow path in which water flows in a direction that includes a downward direction. The height of the boundary between the second bottom surface 18b of the sorting flow path 13b and the third bottom surface 18c of the first transport section 13c is referred to as the reference height. The lower end of the drain outlet 23 is above the reference height.

[0050] Since the reference height corresponds to the height of the water surface in the water flow sorter 1 under normal conditions, by forming the lower end of the drain outlet 23 above the reference height, the flow path from the water supply inlet 22 to the drain outlet 23 can be lengthened.

[0051] (Feature 5) In the water flow separator 1 of this embodiment, the opening area of ​​the drain outlet 23 is larger than the area of ​​the gap between the flow rectifying section 24 and the inner bottom surface 21 a of the box 21 .

[0052] As a result, the flow velocity is suppressed due to the large size of the drain outlet 23, and therefore, the variation in the flow velocity in the width direction of the flow path is likely to be reduced.

[0053] (Feature 6) The water flow separator 1 of this embodiment includes an inlet flow path 13a that allows water discharged from the drain outlet 23 to flow to the sorting flow path 13b. A portion of the inlet flow path 13a is formed by the first outer surface 21b of the box 21. A portion of the sorting flow path 13b is formed by the second outer surface 21c of the box 21. The boundary between the first outer surface 21b and the second outer surface 21c has an outwardly convex arc shape.

[0054] This allows water to flow smoothly from the introduction flow path 13a to the sorting flow path 13b, making it difficult for backflow to occur.

[0055] The water flow separator 1 can be realized by combining the above-described features 1 to 6, for example, as follows. [Configuration 1] Water flow separator 1 having feature 1 [Configuration 2] In addition to configuration 1, water flow separator 1 further has feature 2 [Configuration 3] In addition to configuration 1 or 2, a water flow separator 1 further having feature 3 [Configuration 4] A water flow separator 1 having any one of configurations 1 to 3 and further having feature 4 [Configuration 5] A water flow separator 1 having any one of configurations 1 to 4 and further having feature 5. [Configuration 6] A water flow separator 1 having any one of configurations 1 to 5 and further having feature 6.

[0056] The preferred embodiment of the present application has been described above, but the above configuration can be modified, for example, as follows. Each modification may be made alone, or multiple modifications may be made in any combination.

[0057] The shape of the box 21 in the above embodiment is merely an example, and the shape or layout can be modified as appropriate as long as the effect of reducing the variation in flow velocity in the width direction of the flow channel is achieved. For example, the gap between the flow rectifying section 24 and the inner bottom surface 21a may be omitted, and the flow rectifying section 24 may be in contact with the inner bottom surface 21a. In this case, a gap is formed between the flow rectifying section 24 and the ceiling surface of the box 21. Water supplied from the water supply port 22 is stored on the water supply port 22 side, with the flow rectifying section 24 as the boundary. After the water level exceeds the upper end of the flow rectifying section 24, the water flows to the drain outlet 23 side, with the flow rectifying section 24 as the boundary. Even with this configuration, water is stored in the internal space, and then water overflowing from the internal space is discharged from the drain outlet 23, thereby reducing the variation in flow velocity in the width direction of the flow channel.

[0058] In the above embodiment, one water inlet 22 and one drain outlet 23 are provided. Alternatively, a plurality of water inlets 22 and a plurality of drain outlets 23 may be provided. Alternatively, one water inlet 22 and a plurality of drain outlets 23 may be provided, or a plurality of water inlets 22 and one drain outlet 23 may be provided.

[0059] Although the rectifying portion 24 in the above embodiment is a plate material, the rectifying portion 24 may be, for example, a block-shaped member. Although the rectifying portion 24 in the above embodiment is arranged along the up-down direction, the rectifying portion 24 may be inclined with respect to the vertical direction. Furthermore, although the rectifying portion 24 in the above embodiment is provided over the entire width of the flow path, it may be provided only in a portion of the width of the flow path. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1 Water flow separator 11 Input section 12 Water supply section 13 Flow path 13a Inlet channel 13b Sorting channel 13c First conveying section 14 Separation section 15 Second conveying section 21 Box 22 Water inlet 23 Drain 24 Rectifier Section

Claims

1. a water supply unit; a sorting flow path through which the water supplied by the water supply unit flows, and which separates the input sorting objects into first sorting objects that are carried by the water flow and second sorting objects that sink to the bottom of the flow path; a first transport unit that transports the first sorting object carried by the water current toward a first recovery unit; a second transport unit that transports the second sorting objects that have sunk to the bottom of the flow path toward a second recovery unit; Equipped with The water supply unit is A box that stores water in an internal space; a water supply port for supplying water to the internal space of the box; a drain outlet for discharging water from the internal space of the box toward the sorting flow path; a straightening section that is erected in the internal space of the box and guides the water supplied from the water supply port; A water flow separator having the above structure.

2. The water flow separator according to claim 1, A water flow separator, wherein the vertical center position of the water supply port is above the lower end of the rectifying section and below the upper end of the rectifying section.

3. The water flow separator according to claim 2, The lower end of the drain outlet is located above the lower end of the flow straightening portion, The water supplied from the water supply port and guided to the rectifying section passes between the rectifying section and the bottom surface of the box, and then is discharged from the drain outlet.

4. The water flow separator according to claim 1, The sorting flow path is a flow path in which water flows in a direction including an upward direction, the first transport section is a flow path through which water flows in a direction including a downward direction, The height of the boundary between the bottom surface of the sorting flow path and the bottom surface of the first transport unit is referred to as a reference height, A water flow separator, wherein a lower end of the drain outlet is above the reference height.

5. The water flow separator according to claim 3, The water flow separator, wherein the opening area of ​​the drain outlet is larger than the area of ​​the gap between the flow straightening unit and the bottom surface of the box.

6. The water flow separator according to claim 1, an introduction flow path that allows the water discharged from the drain outlet to flow into the sorting flow path; a portion of the inlet channel is formed on a first outer surface of the box; a portion of the sorting flow path is formed by a second outer surface of the box; A water flow separator, wherein the boundary between the first outer surface and the second outer surface has an outwardly convex arc shape.

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