Mixing Equipment

Abstract

An agitation device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a container, a cleaning liquid supply unit for supplying a cleaning liquid to the container, a first agitation unit including a first agitation rod located inside the container and having an suction passage provided inside the first agitation rod and a plurality of suction ports connecting the suction passage to the internal space of the container so as to be fluidically movable, and through which the cleaning liquid in the container is sucked in, a second agitation unit including a second agitation rod located inside the container and having a discharge passage provided inside the second agitation rod and a plurality of discharge ports connecting the discharge passage to the internal space of the container so as to be fluidically movable, and a cleaning liquid circulation unit connected to the suction passage and discharge passage, respectively, and configured to supply the cleaning liquid that has flowed in through the suction passage to the discharge passage.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an agitation device, and more particularly to an agitation device that can agitate slurry raw materials during a mixing process and automatically clean the entire space of a container when cleaning the container.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0081377 dated July 1, 2022, and all contents disclosed in the documents of the Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0003] Unlike primary batteries, which cannot be recharged, secondary batteries are batteries that can be charged and discharged, and are widely used as power sources for electronic devices such as mobile phones and laptops, as well as electric vehicles.

[0004] The manufacturing process of a secondary battery includes an electrode manufacturing process, an electrode assembly process, and a chemical formation process.

[0005] The electrode manufacturing process is a process for manufacturing electrodes for use in secondary batteries, and includes a mixing process, a slurry coating process, a drying process, a rolling process, a slitting process, and a notching process.

[0006] The mixing step in the electrode manufacturing process is a step of mixing the raw materials for the slurry. In the mixing step, the raw materials for the slurry are charged into a container and mixed to form a slurry. The raw materials for the slurry include an active material, a conductive agent, a binder, and a solvent.

[0007] The mixing step is carried out in a stirring device. After producing a certain amount of the same type of slurry, or before producing a different type of slurry from the existing slurry, the container is washed.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a process for cleaning a container 11 according to the prior art.

[0009] The stirring device 10 includes a container 11, a stirring rod 12, a stirring blade 13 and a stirring motor 14.

[0010] Generally, the cleaning method for the vessel 11 after the slurry mixing process is as follows.

[0011] A certain amount of cleaning liquid W1 is poured into container 11. When cleaning liquid W1 is poured into container 11, stirring motor 14 is operated to rotate stirring rod 12. When stirring rod 12 rotates, cleaning liquid W1 in container 11 is stirred by stirring blade 13, and the lower space A1 of container 11 is washed while forming a vortex.

[0012] The cleaning range of the container 11 is the range that is affected by the vortex of the cleaning liquid W1 when the stirring rod 12 rotates. Therefore, even if the cleaning operation is performed repeatedly, the cleaning liquid W1 does not reach the upper space A2 of the container 11, making it difficult to uniformly clean the entire space of the container 11.

[0013] For this reason, conventionally, the portions that the cleaning liquid W1 does not reach when the cleaning liquid W1 is stirred, mainly the upper space A2 of the container 11, are manually cleaned by an operator.

[0014] When the container 11 is manually cleaned, the operation of the agitator 10 is stopped. Therefore, after the cleaning work is completed, the agitator 10 is restarted, but this requires additional restart time in addition to the manual cleaning time.

[0015] In addition, depending on the skill level of the operator, the cleaning time required to clean the container 11 is irregular. This can act as a factor that reduces the operating efficiency of the mixing process. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0016] An object of the present invention is to provide a stirring device that can automatically clean the entire space of a container when cleaning the container.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide an agitation device that, when cleaning a container, can agitate the cleaning liquid in the container to clean the lower space of the container, and can also circulate the cleaning liquid in the container through a cleaning liquid circulation section and spray it into the upper space of the container to clean the upper space of the container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0018] An agitation device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a container, a cleaning liquid supply unit for supplying a cleaning liquid to the container, a first agitation unit including a first agitation rod located inside the container and having an suction passage provided inside the first agitation rod and a plurality of suction ports connecting the suction passage to the internal space of the container so as to be fluidically movable, and through which the cleaning liquid in the container is sucked in, a second agitation unit including a second agitation rod located inside the container and having a discharge passage provided inside the second agitation rod and a plurality of discharge ports connecting the discharge passage to the internal space of the container so as to be fluidically movable, and a cleaning liquid circulation unit connected to the suction passage and discharge passage, respectively, and configured to supply the cleaning liquid that has flowed in through the suction passage to the discharge passage.

[0019] Here, the plurality of inlets may be located at a lower height within the container than the plurality of outlets.

[0020] The cleaning liquid circulating unit may include a suction pipe connected to the suction passage, a discharge pipe connected to the discharge passage, and a circulation pump connected to each of the suction pipe and the discharge pipe.

[0021] The plurality of suction ports are spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the first stirring rod, and the suction passage is connected to the suction piping of the cleaning liquid circulation section and may include a recovery line extending along the central axial direction of the first stirring rod, and a recovery branch line branching off from the recovery line and connected to the plurality of suction ports.

[0022] In addition, the multiple discharge ports are spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the second stirring rod, and the discharge passage is connected to the discharge piping of the cleaning liquid circulation section and can include a discharge line extending along the central axial direction of the second stirring rod, and a discharge branch line branching off from the discharge line and connected to the multiple discharge ports.

[0023] The cleaning liquid supply unit may include a cleaning liquid tank in which the cleaning liquid is stored, and a supply pump that supplies the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank into the container.

[0024] The stirring device may further include a control unit that controls the cleaning liquid supply unit, the first stirring unit, the second stirring unit, and the cleaning liquid circulation unit, and the control unit may be configured to supply cleaning liquid at a constant level into the container through the cleaning liquid supply unit and then operate the cleaning liquid circulation unit.

[0025] The control may be arranged to maintain a rotational speed of the first stirrer bar lower than a rotational speed of the second stirrer bar.

[0026] The control unit may be configured to operate the cleaning liquid circulator while rotating the first stirring rod and the second stirring rod.

[0027] In addition, the cleaning liquid circulation unit may further include a valve installed on the first stirring rod to open and close the suction port, and the valve may be configured to open the suction port when the circulation pump is operated.

[0028] An agitation device according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a container, a cleaning liquid supply unit for supplying a cleaning liquid to the container, a first agitation unit including a first agitation rod located inside the container and having an suction passage provided inside the first agitation rod and a plurality of suction ports connecting the suction passage to the internal space of the container so as to be fluidly movable, and through which the cleaning liquid in the container is sucked in, a second agitation unit including a second agitation rod located inside the container and having a discharge passage provided inside the second agitation rod and a plurality of discharge ports connecting the discharge passage to the internal space of the container so as to be fluidly movable, and a cleaning liquid circulation unit connected to the suction passage and discharge passage, respectively, and configured to supply the cleaning liquid that has flowed in through the suction passage to the discharge passage.

[0029] Here, the first stir bar may be located in the center of the vessel, and each of the second stir bars may be spaced apart at the same interval as the first stir bar.

[0030] The plurality of inlets may be located at a lower height within the container than the plurality of outlets.

[0031] The cleaning liquid circulating unit may include a suction pipe connected to the suction passage, a discharge pipe connected to the discharge passage, and a circulation pump connected to each of the suction pipe and the discharge pipe. Effect of the Invention

[0032] As discussed above in detail, the stirring device related to at least one embodiment of the present invention has the following advantages.

[0033] When cleaning the container, the cleaning liquid in the container is stirred to clean the lower space of the container, and the cleaning liquid in the container is sprayed into the upper space of the container via the cleaning liquid circulator to clean the upper space of the container. In other words, the entire space of the container can be automatically cleaned through the cleaning liquid circulator.

[0034] In addition, by automating the washing of the container, the slurry mixing process can be carried out after the container is washed quickly, thereby improving the production efficiency of the slurry. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0035] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram for explaining a process for cleaning a container according to the prior art; [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a stirring device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 4 is a diagram illustrating a process in which a cleaning solution is dispensed into a container when a cleaning solution supply unit is operated in an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a cleaning liquid when a cleaning liquid circulator is operating in one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 4 is a view for explaining the flow of a cleaning liquid when a cleaning liquid circulator is operated together with first and second agitators in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6]Fig. 6(a) is a cross-sectional view of the first agitator, and Fig. 6(b) is a schematic diagram for explaining the flow of the cleaning liquid flowing through the suction passage in the first agitator when the cleaning liquid circulator is operating. [Figure 7] Fig. 7(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 6(a), and Fig. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 6(a). [Figure 8] Fig. 8(a) is a cross-sectional view of the second agitation unit, and Fig. 8(b) is a schematic diagram for explaining the flow of the cleaning liquid that flows through the discharge passage in the second agitation unit when the cleaning liquid circulator is operating. [Figure 9] Fig. 9(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in Fig. 8(a), and Fig. 9(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in Fig. 8(a). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a stirring device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] In addition, regardless of the drawing symbols, identical or corresponding components will be given the same or similar reference numbers, and duplicate descriptions thereof will be omitted, and the size and shape of each component illustrated may be exaggerated or reduced for the convenience of explanation.

[0038] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an agitation device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the process of introducing cleaning solution into a container when a cleaning solution supply unit is operated in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the flow of cleaning solution when the cleaning solution circulator is operating in one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the flow of cleaning solution when the cleaning solution circulator is operating together with the first agitation section and the second agitation section in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] The stirring device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a container 110 and a cleaning liquid supply unit 160 for supplying a cleaning liquid W1 to the container 110.

[0041] The stirring device 100 also includes a first stirring rod 121 positioned in the internal space 112 of the container 110, and a first stirring unit 120 having an suction passage 122 provided inside the first stirring rod 121, and a plurality of suction ports 123 that fluidly connect the suction passage 122 to the internal space 112 of the container 110 and through which the cleaning solution W1 in the internal space 112 of the container is sucked in.

[0042] The stirring device 100 also includes a second stirring rod 141 positioned in the internal space 112 of the container 110, and includes a second stirring section 140, 140A having a discharge passage 142 provided inside the second stirring rod 141 and a plurality of discharge ports 143 connecting the discharge passage 142 to the internal space 112 of the container 110 so as to enable fluid movement.

[0043] In addition, the stirring device 100 may include a single second stirring unit 140, or may include multiple second stirring units 140, 140A. When multiple second stirring units 140, 140A are included, the second stirring units 140, 140A are configured identically and only the positions at which they are disposed in the container 110 are different.

[0044] The agitator 100 further includes a cleaning liquid circulating unit 170 connected to the suction passage 122 and the discharge passage 142 for supplying the cleaning liquid W 1 introduced through the suction passage 122 to the discharge passage 142 .

[0045] In this embodiment, the stirring device 100 is configured to perform a mixing process (also referred to as a “mixing mode”) in which slurry raw materials (not shown) are wet-stirred to form a slurry (not shown), and a cleaning process (also referred to as a “cleaning mode”) in which the container 110 is cleaned.

[0046] The cleaning process is performed to clean the vessel 110 after producing a certain amount of slurry (not shown) through the mixing process and before producing a different type of slurry (not shown).

[0047] 2, the stirring device 100 includes a container 110, a first stirring unit 120, a second stirring unit 140, 140A, a cleaning liquid supply unit 160, a cleaning liquid circulation unit 170, and a control unit 180. The control unit 180 is provided to control the first stirring unit 120, the second stirring unit 140, 140A, the cleaning liquid supply unit 160, and the cleaning liquid circulation unit 170, respectively.

[0048] The first stirring unit 120 and the second stirring unit 140, 140A are configured to stir the contents of the interior space 112 of the container 110. In a mixing mode, the first stirring unit 120 and the second stirring unit 140, 140A stir the raw material of the slurry (not shown) in the interior space 112 of the container 110. In a cleaning mode of the container 110, the first stirring unit 120 and the second stirring unit 140, 140A stir the cleaning liquid W1 in the interior space 112 of the container 110.

[0049] In this embodiment, for ease of explanation, the internal space 112 of the container 110 is divided into an upper space 114 and a lower space 113 based on the height direction of the container. In this document, the height direction of the container 110 refers to the direction of the central axis C1 of the first stirring unit 120 and the direction of the central axis C2 of the second stirring units 140 and 140A.

[0050] Here, the lower space 113 is a space filled with the cleaning liquid W1 at a certain level through the cleaning liquid supply unit 160, and is a space that is affected by vortexes when the first stirring rod 121 and the second stirring rod 141 rotate.

[0051] Here, the upper space 114 is located above the lower space 113 and corresponds to a space that is not filled with cleaning liquid through the cleaning liquid supply part 160, and is a space that is not affected by vortexes when the first stirring rod 121 and the second stirring rod 141 rotate.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 2, the first stirring unit 120 is disposed in the center of the vessel 110 and includes a first stirring rod 121 having a suction passage 122 and a plurality of suction ports 123 .

[0053] The suction passage 122 is provided inside the first stirring rod 121. The suction passage 122 is a passage through which the cleaning liquid W1 that has flowed into the lower space 113 of the container 110 flows to the upper part of the container 110 when the circulation pump 171 is operated.

[0054] The suction passage 122 is provided to pass through the central axis C1 of the first stirring rod 121. This is to prevent the cleaning liquid W1 that has flowed into the suction passage 122 from being biased in one direction when the first stirring rod 121 rotates.

[0055] Figure 6(a) is a cross-sectional view of the first agitation section, Figure 6(b) is a schematic diagram for explaining the flow of cleaning liquid flowing through the suction passage in the first agitation section when the cleaning liquid circulation section is operating, Figure 7(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of Figure 6(a), and Figure 7(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of Figure 6(a).

[0056] 6(a) and 7(a), the suction passage 122 has a recovery line 122a and a recovery branch line 122b branching off from the recovery line 122a.

[0057] The recovery line 122a is a passage extending along the direction of the central axis C1 of the first stirring bar 121. The recovery branch line 122b is a passage branching off from the recovery line 122a and connecting a plurality of suction ports 123 to each other.

[0058] The plurality of suction ports 123 are provided at the bottom of the first stirring bar 121. The plurality of suction ports 123 are provided so as to be exposed to the outer surface of the first stirring bar 121. The plurality of suction ports 123 are spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the first stirring bar 121.

[0059] The plurality of suction ports 123 are passages through which the cleaning liquid W1 in the container 110 is sucked, and connect the suction passages 122 and the internal space of the container 110 so that a fluid can move therebetween.

[0060] The plurality of intake ports 123 are located at a lower height in the internal space 112 of the container 110 than the plurality of discharge ports 143. This is to allow the cleaning solution W1 in the internal space 112 of the container 110 to more easily flow into the plurality of intake ports 123 when the cleaning solution circulator 170 is operating.

[0061] A valve 128 for opening and closing the plurality of suction ports 123 is additionally installed on the first stirring rod 121. The valve 128 may be installed on the first stirring rod 121 to open and close the plurality of suction ports 123 at once or individually. The valve 128 may be provided to open the suction port 123 when the circulation pump 171 of the cleaning solution circulating unit 170 is operated.

[0062] The valve 128 is opened and closed by the control unit 180. In the mixing mode, the control unit 180 operates the valve 128 to close all of the plurality of suction ports 123. In the cleaning mode, the control unit 180 operates the valve 128 to open all of the plurality of suction ports 123.

[0063] In addition, the control unit 180 is provided to operate the cleaning liquid circulating unit 170 while rotating the first stirring rod 121 and the second stirring rod 141 .

[0064] At this time, the first stirring bar 121 rotates at a lower speed than the second stirring bar 141. That is, the control unit 180 may be configured to maintain the rotation speed of the first stirring bar 121 lower than the rotation speed of the second stirring bar 141. The rotation speed of the first stirring bar 121 may be within a range of ⅓ to ⅔ of the maximum rotation speed of the first stirring motor 126.

[0065] 2, the first stirring unit 120 further includes a first stirring motor 126 that provides a rotational force to the first stirring bar 121, a first stirring blade 124 that stirs the contents in the container 110 when the first stirring bar 121 rotates, and a first fastening unit 125 that rotatably connects the first stirring bar 121 to the upper part of the container 110. The first fastening unit 125 fluidly connects the first stirring bar 121 to the suction pipe 173 of the cleaning solution circulating unit 170.

[0066] Figure 8(a) is a cross-sectional view of the second stirring section, Figure 8(b) is a schematic diagram for explaining the flow of cleaning liquid flowing through the discharge passage in the second stirring section when the cleaning liquid circulation section is operating, Figure 9(a) is a CC cross-sectional view of Figure 8(a), and Figure 9(b) is a DD cross-sectional view of Figure 8(a).

[0067] The second stirring sections 140, 140A will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0068] The second stirring portion 140, 140A includes a second stirring rod 141 disposed on the inner edge of the container 110 so as to be spaced apart from the first stirring rod 121.

[0069] In addition, the second stirring unit 140, 140A further includes a second stirring motor 146 that provides a rotational force to the second stirring bar 141, a second stirring blade 144 that stirs the contents in the container 110 when the second stirring bar rotates, and a second fastening unit 145 that rotatably connects the second stirring bar 141 to the upper part of the container 110. The second fastening unit 145 connects the second stirring bar 141 and the discharge pipe 175 of the cleaning liquid circulating unit 170 to be able to move fluidly.

[0070] The second stirring unit 140, 140A may be provided in one or more. The second stirring units 140, 140A may be spaced apart from the first stirring unit 120 at equal intervals.

[0071] When a pair of second stirring units 140, 140A are provided, the cleaning liquid circulating unit 170 is provided with two discharge pipes. In this case, the multiple discharge pipes 175, 177 may include a first discharge pipe 175 and a second discharge pipe 177.

[0072] That is, any one of the second agitating units 140 is connected to the circulation pump 171 by a first discharge pipe 175 , and the other one of the second agitating units 140 A is connected to the circulation pump 171 by a second discharge pipe 177 .

[0073] The second stirring units 140, 140A have the same structure, and in the following, in order to avoid duplication of explanation, the description will be given based on one second stirring unit 140.

[0074] As shown in FIGS. 8( a ) and 9 ( a ), the second stirring bar 141 has a discharge passage 142 and a plurality of discharge ports 143 .

[0075] The discharge passage 142 is provided inside the second stirring rod 141. The discharge passage 142 is a passage through which the cleaning liquid W1 supplied through the discharge piping 175 of the cleaning liquid circulation unit 170 flows.

[0076] The discharge passage 142 is provided so as to penetrate the central axis C2 of the second stirring rod 141. This is because, when the second stirring rod 141 rotates, the reused cleaning solution W2 flowing through the discharge passage 142 is sprayed uniformly in the circumferential direction of the second stirring rod 141 along the discharge branch line 142b with the central axis C2 of the second stirring rod 141 as a reference, without being biased in any one direction.

[0077] The discharge passage 142 has a discharge line 142a and a discharge branch line 142b branching off from the discharge line 142a. The discharge line 142a is a passage extending along the direction of the central axis C2 of the second stirring rod 141. The discharge branch line 142b is a passage branching off from the discharge line 142a and connecting a plurality of discharge ports 143.

[0078] The plurality of discharge ports 143 are passages through which the reused cleaning solution W2 discharged from the discharge passage 142 is discharged into the upper space 114 of the container 110.

[0079] The plurality of discharge ports 143 are provided so as to be exposed on the outer surface of the second stirring bar 141. The plurality of discharge ports 143 are disposed at intervals along the circumferential direction of the second stirring bar 141.

[0080] A plurality of outlets 143 are provided on the upper part of the second stirring rod 141. The outlets 143 are provided to be located in the upper space 114 of the container 110. The outlets 143 are located at a higher height in the internal space 112 of the container 110 than the plurality of inlets 123 provided in the first stirring rod 121.

[0081] Each of the discharge ports 143 fluidly connects the upper space 114 of the container 110 to the discharge passage 142. As described above, the upper space 114 is a space that is not affected by vortexes when the first stirring rod 121 and the second stirring rod 141 rotate.

[0082] The second stirring unit 140 can be operated such that the second stirring rod 141 rotates when the cleaning liquid circulating unit 170 is operated. The second stirring rod 141 rotates at a higher speed than the first stirring rod 121.

[0083] In the cleaning mode of the container 110, the rotation speed of the second stirring rod 141 may be within a range of ⅓ to ⅔ of the maximum rotation speed of the second stirring motor 146. In the cleaning mode of the container 110, the second stirring rod 141 may be rotated at a rotation speed within a range of 20 rpm to 40 rpm. When the second stirring rod 141 rotates, the pressure of the reused cleaning solution W2 discharged through the multiple outlets 143 may be proportional to the rotation speed of the second stirring rod 141.

[0084] 5, when the second stirring rod 141 rotates, the reused cleaning solution W2 is sprayed in the circumferential direction of the second stirring rod 141 through each of the outlets 143 to clean the upper space 114 of the container 110.

[0085] As described above, by modifying the structure of the first stirring rod 121 and the second stirring rod 141 and by using the cleaning liquid circulation unit 170 that is connected to the first stirring rod 121 and the second stirring rod 141 and circulates the cleaning liquid, the upper space 114 that is not affected by the vortex when the first stirring rod 121 and the second stirring rod 141 rotate can also be cleaned.

[0086] The cleaning liquid circulating unit 170 that circulates the cleaning liquid W1 in the container 110 in the cleaning mode of the container 110 will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0087] The cleaning liquid circulation unit 170 is connected to the suction passage 122 of the first stirring rod 121 and the discharge passage 142 of the second stirring rod 141 , respectively, and is provided to supply the cleaning liquid that has flowed in through the suction passage 122 to the discharge passage 142 .

[0088] In addition, the cleaning liquid circulation unit 170 may include a suction pipe 173 connected to the suction passage 122, discharge pipes 175 and 177 connected to the discharge passage 142, and a circulation pump 171 connected to the suction pipe 173 and the discharge pipes 175 and 177, respectively.

[0089] The suction pipe 173 is coupled to the first fastening portion 125 and is fluidly connected to the suction passage 122 .

[0090] The first discharge pipe 175 and the second discharge pipe 177 are coupled to the second fastening portion 145 of the second agitating portion 140, 140A and are fluidly connected to the respective discharge passages 142.

[0091] The circulation pump 171 is a pump that pressurizes the cleaning liquid W1 flowing in through the suction pipe 173 and discharges it to a first discharge pipe 175 and a second discharge pipe 177. Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the circulation pump 171 operates to suck up the cleaning liquid W1 in the container 110 when the control unit 180 is in the cleaning mode.

[0092] 5, in a cleaning mode of the container 110, the cleaning liquid circulating unit 170 is operated, and the control unit 180 is provided to rotate the first stirring unit 120 and the second stirring units 140 and 140A, respectively.

[0093] 6(b) and 7(b), when the circulation pump 171 is operated, the cleaning solution W1 in the internal space 112 of the container 110 flows into the recovery branch line 122b through each of the suction ports 123. Then, the cleaning solution W1 moves from the recovery branch line 122b along the recovery line 122a to the top of the first stirring rod 121. Then, the cleaning solution W1 flows into the circulation pump 171 through the suction pipe 173.

[0094] The cleaning liquid W1 is pressurized to a predetermined pressure by the circulation pump 171 and discharged from the circulation pump 171. The cleaning pressure is in the pressure range of 0.5 bar to 2 bar. When the second stirring rod 141 rotates, the cleaning pressure may be in the pressure range of 0% to 50% of the maximum pressure of the circulation pump 171, taking into account the rotational force of the second stirring rod 141.

[0095] Hereinafter, the cleaning liquid W1 discharged from the circulation pump 171 to the first discharge pipe 175 and the second discharge pipe 177 will be referred to as the "reused cleaning liquid W2."

[0096] 8(b) and 9(b), when the circulation pump 171 is operated, the reused cleaning solution W2 is moved along the discharge line 142a of the discharge passage 142 toward the lower portion of the second stirring rod 141, branched through the discharge branch line 142b, and then discharged through each of the discharge outlets 143.

[0097] The reused cleaning liquid W2 is discharged from each outlet 143 into the upper space 114 of the container 110 (see FIG. 4). The reused cleaning liquid W2 can clean the upper space 114 of the container 110 while being sprayed in the lateral direction of the second stirring rod 141 by the cleaning pressure.

[0098] Alternatively, the reused cleaning liquid W2 can be sprayed into the upper space 114 of the container 110 in the circumferential direction of the second stirring rod 141 by the centrifugal force of the second stirring rod 141 (see FIG. 5), thereby cleaning the upper space 114 of the container 110.

[0099] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 3, a description will be given of the cleaning liquid supply unit 160 that supplies the cleaning liquid W1 to the internal space 112 of the container 110 before the circulation pump 171 is operated.

[0100] 3, in a cleaning mode for the container 110, the cleaning liquid supply unit 160 is provided to supply a cleaning liquid W1 to the container 110. The cleaning liquid supply unit 160 includes a cleaning liquid tank 161, a supply pump 163, and a cleaning liquid supply pipe 165.

[0101] The cleaning liquid W1 is stored in the cleaning liquid tank 161. A supply pump 163 is connected to the cleaning liquid tank 161.

[0102] The supply pump 163 supplies the cleaning liquid W1 in the cleaning liquid tank 161 to the internal space 112 of the container 110. The cleaning liquid supply pipe 165 connects the container 110 and the supply pump 163.

[0103] When the supply pump 163 is operated, the cleaning liquid W1 is supplied from the cleaning liquid tank 161 to the container 110. The supply pump 163 supplies the cleaning liquid W1 to the inner space 112 of the container 110 until the cleaning liquid W1 reaches a certain level in the inner space 112 of the container 110. Here, the certain level is the boundary between the upper space 114 and the lower space 113. The certain level may vary depending on the volume of the container 110. Also, the input amount of the cleaning liquid W1 may vary depending on the volume of the container 110.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 3, in a cleaning mode for the container 110, the control unit 180 controls the cleaning solution supply unit 160 to supply the cleaning solution W1 into the container 110 at a constant level, and then operates the cleaning solution circulator 170.

[0105] Also, as shown in FIG. 5, in the cleaning mode of the container 110, the control unit 180 opens the valve 128 and operates the circulation pump 171, the first stirring motor 126 and the second stirring motor 146.

[0106] That is, when the cleaning liquid W1 reaches a certain level in the internal space 112 of the container 110, the operation of the supply pump 163 is stopped. Then, the circulation pump 171, the first stirring motor 126, and the second stirring motor 146 are operated to clean the internal space 112 of the container 110.

[0107] When the first stirring motor 126 and the second stirring motor 146 are operated, the first stirring rod 121 and the second stirring rod 141 rotate to stir the cleaning liquid W1 in the container 110 and form a vortex, thereby cleaning the lower space 113 of the container 110.

[0108] At the same time, the circulation pump 171 sucks up the cleaning solution W1 in the container 110 through the suction passage 122 of the first stirring rod 121 and discharges it to the discharge passage 142 of the second stirring rod 141. The reused cleaning solution W2 discharged through the discharge passage 142 is sprayed into the upper space 114 of the container 110 to clean the upper space 114 of the container 110.

[0109] The above preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, and those skilled in the art having ordinary knowledge of the present invention may make various modifications, changes, and additions within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications, changes, and additions are deemed to fall within the scope of the following claims. [Industrial Applicability]

[0110] According to the stirring device related to at least one embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning liquid in the container is stirred to clean the lower space of the container, and the cleaning liquid in the container is sprayed into the upper space of the container via the cleaning liquid circulation section to clean the upper space of the container.

Claims

1. A container; a cleaning liquid supply unit for supplying a cleaning liquid to the container; a first stirring unit including a first stirring rod located inside the container, the first stirring rod having an intake passage and a plurality of intake ports that fluidly connect the intake passage and an internal space of the container, and through which the cleaning liquid in the container is sucked; a second stirring section including a second stirring rod located inside the container, the second stirring rod having a discharge passage provided inside the second stirring rod and a plurality of discharge ports connecting the discharge passage and an internal space of the container so as to be capable of fluid movement; a cleaning liquid circulating section connected to the suction passage and the discharge passage, respectively, for supplying the cleaning liquid that has flowed in through the suction passage to the discharge passage.

2. 2. The mixing device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of intake ports are located at a lower height within the vessel than the plurality of exhaust ports.

3. The cleaning liquid circulation unit includes: a suction pipe connected to the suction passage; a discharge pipe connected to the discharge passage; The agitation device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a circulation pump connected to each of the suction pipe and the discharge pipe.

4. The plurality of suction ports are spaced apart from one another along a circumferential direction of the first stirring bar, 2. The stirring device according to claim 1, wherein the suction passage is connected to the suction piping of the cleaning liquid circulation section and includes a recovery line extending along the central axial direction of the first stirring rod, and a recovery branch line branching off from the recovery line and connected to the plurality of suction ports.

5. The plurality of discharge ports are spaced apart from one another along a circumferential direction of the second stirring rod, 2. The stirring device according to claim 1, wherein the discharge passage is connected to a discharge piping of the cleaning liquid circulation section and includes a discharge line extending along a central axial direction of the second stirring rod, and a discharge branch line branching off from the discharge line and connected to the plurality of discharge ports.

6. The cleaning liquid supply unit includes: a cleaning liquid tank in which the cleaning liquid is stored; The stirring device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a supply pump that supplies the cleaning solution in the cleaning solution tank into the container.

7. a control unit that controls the cleaning liquid supply unit, the first stirring unit, the second stirring unit, and the cleaning liquid circulating unit, 2. The stirring device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to operate the cleaning liquid circulation unit after causing the cleaning liquid supply unit to supply the cleaning liquid into the container at a constant level.

8. 8. The stirring device of claim 7, wherein the control unit is configured to maintain a rotational speed of the first stirrer bar lower than a rotational speed of the second stirrer bar.

9. The stirring device according to claim 7 , wherein the control unit is configured to rotate the first stirring rod and the second stirring rod to operate the cleaning liquid circulating unit.

10. the cleaning liquid circulation unit further includes a valve installed on the first stirring rod to open and close the suction port; The agitation device according to claim 3 , wherein the valve is provided to open the suction port when the circulation pump is operating.

11. A container; a cleaning liquid supply unit for supplying a cleaning liquid to the container; a first stirring unit including a first stirring rod located inside the container, the first stirring rod having an intake passage provided inside the first stirring rod and a plurality of intake ports that fluidly connect the intake passage to an internal space of the container and through which the cleaning liquid in the container is sucked; a second stirring portion including a second stirring rod located inside the container, the second stirring rod having a discharge passage provided inside the second stirring rod and a plurality of discharge ports connecting the discharge passage and an internal space of the container so as to be capable of fluid movement; a cleaning liquid circulating section connected to the suction passage and the discharge passage, respectively, for supplying the cleaning liquid that has flowed in through the suction passage to the discharge passage.

12. the first stirring bar is located in a central portion of the vessel; 12. The stirring apparatus of claim 11, wherein each of the second stirring bars is spaced apart at the same interval as the first stirring bars.

13. The mixing device of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of inlets are located at a lower height within the vessel than the plurality of outlets.

14. The cleaning liquid circulation unit includes: a suction pipe connected to the suction passage; a discharge pipe connected to the discharge passage; The stirring device according to claim 11 , further comprising: a circulation pump connected to each of the suction pipe and the discharge pipe.

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