Kneading machine

Abstract

A kneader capable of improving the efficiency of kneading processing is provided. [Solution] The kneading machine 1 comprises a housing 11 extending in the front-to-rear direction and having a supply port 11d and a discharge port 11e, a rotating shaft 21 installed within the housing 11 in the front-to-rear direction, and a rotor 13 attached to the rotating shaft 21 within the housing 11 and which kneads the material supplied from the supply port 11d while transporting it towards the discharge port 11e as the rotating shaft 21 rotates, the rotor 13 having a cylindrical main body 31 extending in the front-to-rear direction and having a spirally recessed recessed portion 31a that faces the transport direction of the rotor 13 as it turns in the rotation direction C1 of the rotating shaft 21, and a plurality of scrapers 32 provided in the recessed portion 31a and arranged along the recessed portion 31a, each of the plurality of scrapers 32 having an inclined surface 32a that is inclined so as to press the material towards the discharge port 11e as the rotating shaft 21 rotates.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a kneader. [Background technology]

[0002] A kneader is known in which a muller wheel revolves around a kneading tank while rotating on its axis to knead materials (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the kneader described in Patent Document 1, the materials are kneaded by applying a complex external force to them through kneading (compression force), smearing (shear force), and spatulating (spatula force), which are known as the three actions of mulling. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 57-103125 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The kneader described in Patent Document 1 is structurally designed to perform batch processing in which materials supplied into a kneading tank are kneaded and the kneaded product is discharged from the kneading tank. In this technical field, there is a demand for more efficient kneading processing.

[0005] The present disclosure describes a mixer that can improve the efficiency of the mixing process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A kneader according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a housing extending in one direction and having a supply port at one end in the one direction and a discharge port at the other end in the one direction, a first rotating shaft installed within the housing in the one direction, and a first rotor attached to the first rotating shaft within the housing and conveying material supplied from the supply port toward a discharge port while kneading it as the first rotating shaft rotates. The first rotor has a cylindrical first main body portion extending in one direction and having a first recessed portion that is spirally recessed toward the conveying direction of the first rotor as it rotates in the rotation direction of the first rotating shaft, and a plurality of first scrapers provided in the first recessed portion and arranged along the first recessed portion. Each of the plurality of first scrapers has a first inclined surface that is inclined so as to press the material toward the discharge port as the first rotating shaft rotates. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to each aspect and embodiment of the present disclosure, the efficiency of the kneading process can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing a kneader according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the kneader shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a kneader including a rotation mechanism according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted. An XYZ coordinate system may be shown in each drawing. The Y-axis direction is a direction that intersects (for example, is perpendicular to) the X-axis and Z-axis directions. The Z-axis direction is a direction that intersects (for example, is perpendicular to) the X-axis and Y-axis directions. In the following, as an example, the X-axis direction is described as the front-to-back direction (one direction), the Y-axis direction is described as the left-to-right direction, and the Z-axis direction is described as the up-down direction (vertical direction). The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions are not limited to the above directions.

[0010] A kneader according to one embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing a kneader according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the kneader shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. The kneader 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a device that continuously kneads materials to be kneaded. Examples of materials to be kneaded include battery materials, ceramic materials, and chemical materials. The kneader 1 receives material from a supply device 2 provided above a supply port 11d (described later). The supply device 2 may supply material in fixed amounts. The kneader 1 may receive material from two or more supply devices 2.

[0011] The kneader 1 includes a housing 11, a rotation mechanism 12, a rotor 13 (first rotor), and a rotor 14 (second rotor). In reality, the internal structure of the housing 11 is covered by the housing 11, but for the sake of convenience, the internal structure of the housing 11 is shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

[0012] The housing 11 extends in the front-to-rear direction. The housing 11 includes a top plate 11a, a bottom plate 11b, and a pair of side walls 11c that define an internal space S in which the material supplied from the supply device 2 is kneaded and transported. The bottom plate 11b has a shape that follows the outer shapes of the rotors 13 and 14. A cross section of the bottom plate 11b intersecting the front-to-rear direction has a shape in which two downwardly convex arcs are connected in the left-to-right direction. A supply port 11d for supplying material to the internal space S is provided at the rear end (one end) of the housing 11. The supply port 11d is located below the supply device 2 and opens upward. A discharge port 11e for discharging the kneaded material from the internal space S is provided at the front end (the other end) of the housing 11. The discharge port 11e opens downward.

[0013] The rotation mechanism 12 is a mechanism that rotates the rotating bodies 13 and 14. The rotation mechanism 12 includes a rotating shaft 21 (first rotating shaft), a rotating shaft 22 (second rotating shaft), a bearing 23, a bearing 24, a coupling 25, a driving device 26, a gear 27, and a gear 28.

[0014] The rotating shafts 21 and 22 extend in the front-rear direction and are installed within the housing 11 in the front-rear direction. The rotating shafts 21 and 22 are installed side by side in the left-right direction. The rotating shafts 21 and 22 penetrate the housing 11 in the front-rear direction. The bearings 23 are a member that supports the rotating shaft 21 and are provided outside the housing 11. In this embodiment, a pair of bearings 23 are provided at both front and rear ends of the rotating shaft 21. The bearings 24 are a member that supports the rotating shaft 22 and are provided outside the housing 11. In this embodiment, a pair of bearings 24 are provided at both front and rear ends of the rotating shaft 22.

[0015] A drive shaft of a drive device 26 is connected to the rear end of the rotary shaft 21 via a coupling 25. The drive device 26 is, for example, a motor. A gear 27, which is a drive gear, is provided at the rear end of the rotary shaft 21. The gear 27 is fixed to the rotary shaft 21 and rotates around the axis of the rotary shaft 21 as the rotary shaft 21 rotates. A gear 28, which is a driven gear, is provided at the rear end of the rotary shaft 22. The gear 28 is fixed to the rotary shaft 22 and rotates around the axis of the rotary shaft 22 as the rotary shaft 22 rotates. The gears 27 and 28 mesh with each other.

[0016] When the driving device 26 rotates the rotary shaft 21, the gear 27 rotates the gear 28, which in turn rotates the rotary shaft 22. The number of teeth of the gear 27 may be the same as or different from the number of teeth of the gear 28. In other words, the rotation speed (number of rotations) of the rotary shaft 21 may be the same as or different from the rotation speed (number of rotations) of the rotary shaft 22. The rotation direction C1 of the rotary shaft 21 is opposite to the rotation direction C2 of the rotary shaft 22. In this embodiment, when viewed from the rear, the rotation direction C1 is counterclockwise (left-handed) and the rotation direction C2 is clockwise (right-handed).

[0017] The rotating body 13 is attached to the rotating shaft 21 inside the housing 11, and is a member that conveys the material supplied from the supply device 2 toward the discharge port 11e while kneading it as the rotating shaft 21 rotates. The rotating body 13 is fixed to the rotating shaft 21, and rotates around the axis of the rotating shaft 21 as the rotating shaft 21 rotates. Specifically, the rotating body 13 includes a main body portion 31 (first main body portion) and a plurality of scrapers 32 (first scrapers).

[0018] The main body 31 has a cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction. The main body 31 has a recessed portion 31a (first recessed portion). The recessed portion 31a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder, and is recessed in a spiral shape toward the conveying direction (forward) of the rotating body 13 as it rotates on the outer peripheral surface in the rotation direction C1. In other words, the winding direction of the recessed portion 31a is the same as the rotation direction C1. In this embodiment, the recessed portion 31a is recessed in a left-handed spiral shape toward the forward direction as it rotates counterclockwise on the outer peripheral surface.

[0019] More specifically, the main body 31 includes a plurality of divided rolls 33 (first divided rolls). Each divided roll 33 is a cylindrical roll having a central axis in the front-rear direction. Each divided roll 33 has a missing portion 33a, where the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder is missing, over the entire length of the divided roll 33 in the front-rear direction. The missing portion 33a is, for example, a flat recess in the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder along the central axis of the cylinder. The multiple divided rolls 33 are arranged coaxially in the front-rear direction and fixed to the rotating shaft 21, and rotate around the axis of the rotating shaft 21 as the rotating shaft 21 rotates. The outer peripheral surface of each divided roll 33 is spaced a predetermined distance from the bottom plate 11b. A region R1 is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the divided roll 33 and the bottom plate 11b of the housing 11.

[0020] The multiple divided rolls 33 are arranged so that, of two divided rolls 33 adjacent to each other in the front-to-back direction, the missing portion 33a of the front divided roll 33 is offset in the rotation direction C1 by a predetermined angle (15° in this embodiment) from the missing portion 33a of the rear divided roll 33. The position on the circumference (outer peripheral surface) where the missing portion 33a of the front divided roll 33 is provided partially overlaps the position on the circumference (outer peripheral surface) where the missing portion 33a of the rear divided roll 33 is provided, when viewed from the front-to-back direction. In this way, the multiple divided rolls 33 are arranged without any gaps in the front-to-back direction to form a main body portion 31, and the missing portions 33a of the multiple divided rolls 33 form a spiral recessed portion 31a.

[0021] The multiple scrapers 32 are provided in the recessed portion 31a and are arranged along the recessed portion 31a. Specifically, the scrapers 32 are provided in the missing portions 33a of the divided roll 33. One scraper 32 is provided in each missing portion 33a. Each scraper 32 has an inclined surface 32a (first inclined surface). The inclined surface 32a is inclined so as to press the material toward the discharge outlet 11e as the rotating shaft 21 rotates.

[0022] Specifically, the inclined surface 32a is inclined with respect to the conveying direction and with respect to the tangential direction of the rotation direction C1 at the position where the scraper 32 is provided. The inclined surface 32a faces the rotation direction C1 and also faces the conveying direction. In other words, the inclined surface 32a faces in a direction that is a combination of the tangential direction of the rotation direction C1 at the position where the scraper 32 is provided and the conveying direction. The inclination angles of the inclined surfaces 32a of the multiple scrapers 32 may be the same or different from each other.

[0023] In this embodiment, each scraper 32 has a plate-like shape and is provided standing in the notched portion 33a. Each scraper 32 protrudes from the notched portion 33a so that the corners at both ends of the scraper 32 are positioned concentrically with the outer circumferential surface of the divided roll 33. Of two scrapers 32 adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction, the rear end of the front scraper 32 is provided at a position further forward in the rotation direction C1 than the front end of the rear scraper 32. The rear end of the front scraper 32 is substantially at the same position as the front end of the rear scraper 32 in the front-rear direction. The front end of the rear scraper 32 may be located forward of the rear end of the front scraper 32.

[0024] With this configuration, when the rear scraper 32 moves along the bottom plate 11b, the inclined surface 32a supplies material to the rear of the front scraper 32 (the opposite side of the inclined surface 32a) in the space between the missing portion 33a of the front divided roll 33 and the bottom plate 11b. Note that the shape of the scraper 32 is not limited to a plate-like shape as long as it has the inclined surface 32a.

[0025] The rotating body 14 is attached to the rotating shaft 22 inside the housing 11, and is a member that conveys the material supplied from the supply device 2 toward the discharge port 11e while kneading it as the rotating shaft 22 rotates. The rotating body 14 is fixed to the rotating shaft 22, and rotates around the axis of the rotating shaft 22 as the rotating shaft 22 rotates. Specifically, the rotating body 14 includes a main body portion 41 (second main body portion) and a plurality of scrapers 42 (second scrapers).

[0026] The main body 41 has a cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction. The main body 41 has a recessed portion 41a (second recessed portion). The recessed portion 41a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder and is recessed in a spiral shape toward the conveying direction (forward) of the rotating body 14 as it rotates on the outer peripheral surface in the rotation direction C2. In other words, the winding direction of the recessed portion 41a is the same as the rotation direction C2. In this embodiment, the recessed portion 41a is recessed in a right-handed spiral shape toward the forward direction as it rotates clockwise on the outer peripheral surface.

[0027] More specifically, the main body 41 includes a plurality of divided rolls 43 (second divided rolls). Each divided roll 43 is a cylindrical roll having a central axis in the front-rear direction. Each divided roll 43 has a missing portion 43a, where the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder is missing, over the entire length of the divided roll 43 in the front-rear direction. The missing portion 43a is, for example, a flat recessed portion of the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder along the central axis of the cylinder. The multiple divided rolls 43 are arranged coaxially in the front-rear direction and fixed to the rotating shaft 22, and rotate around the axis of the rotating shaft 22 as the rotating shaft 22 rotates. The outer peripheral surface of each divided roll 43 is spaced a predetermined distance from the bottom plate 11b. A region R2 is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the divided roll 43 and the bottom plate 11b of the housing 11.

[0028] The multiple divided rolls 43 are arranged so that, of two divided rolls 43 adjacent to each other in the front-to-back direction, the missing portion 43a of the front divided roll 43 is offset in the rotation direction C2 by a predetermined angle (15° in this embodiment) from the missing portion 43a of the rear divided roll 43. The position on the circumference (outer peripheral surface) where the missing portion 43a of the front divided roll 43 is provided partially overlaps the position on the circumference (outer peripheral surface) where the missing portion 43a of the rear divided roll 43 is provided, when viewed from the front-to-back direction. In this way, the multiple divided rolls 43 are arranged without any gaps in the front-to-back direction to form a main body portion 41, and the missing portions 43a of the multiple divided rolls 43 form a spiral recessed portion 41a.

[0029] The multiple scrapers 42 are provided in the recessed portion 41a and are arranged along the recessed portion 41a. Specifically, the scrapers 42 are provided in the missing portions 43a of the divided roll 43. One scraper 42 is provided in each missing portion 43a. Each scraper 42 has an inclined surface 42a (second inclined surface). The inclined surface 42a is inclined so as to press the material toward the discharge outlet 11e as the rotating shaft 22 rotates.

[0030] Specifically, the inclined surface 42a is inclined with respect to the conveying direction and with respect to the tangential direction of the rotation direction C2 at the position where the scraper 42 is provided. The inclined surface 42a faces the rotation direction C2 and faces the conveying direction. In other words, the inclined surface 42a faces in a direction that is a combination of the tangential direction of the rotation direction C2 at the position where the scraper 42 is provided and the conveying direction. The inclination angles of the inclined surfaces 42a of the multiple scrapers 42 may be the same as or different from each other.

[0031] In this embodiment, each scraper 42 has a plate-like shape and is provided standing in the notched portion 43a. Each scraper 42 protrudes from the notched portion 43a so that the corners at both ends of the scraper 42 are positioned concentrically with the outer circumferential surface of the divided roll 43. Of two scrapers 42 adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction, the rear end of the front scraper 42 is provided at a position further forward in the rotation direction C2 than the front end of the rear scraper 42. The rear end of the front scraper 42 is substantially at the same position in the front-rear direction as the front end of the rear scraper 42. The front end of the rear scraper 42 may be located forward of the rear end of the front scraper 42.

[0032] With this configuration, when the rear scraper 42 moves along the bottom plate 11b, the inclined surface 42a supplies material to the rear of the front scraper 42 (the opposite side of the inclined surface 42a) in the space between the bottom plate 11b and the missing portion 43a of the front divided roll 43. Note that the shape of the scraper 42 is not limited to a plate-like shape as long as it has the inclined surface 42a.

[0033] In this embodiment, the rotating bodies 13 and 14 are configured to be symmetrical in the left-right direction. In other words, the rotating bodies 13 and 14 are symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry that is located between the rotating bodies 13 and 14 and is perpendicular to the left-right direction. The rotating bodies 13 and 14 do not have to be symmetrical in the left-right direction. The outer peripheral surfaces of the divided rolls 33 and 43 are separated in the left-right direction by a distance that allows the material to pass through. A region R3 is formed between the outer peripheral surfaces of the divided rolls 33 and 43, which face each other in the left-right direction.

[0034] The kneader 1 further includes an exhaust device 15, a double damper 16, and a double damper 17. The exhaust device 15 is connected to the housing 11, and exhausts gas from inside the housing 11 (internal space S) to create a negative pressure in the internal space S. The exhaust device 15 is, for example, a vacuum pump.

[0035] The double damper 16 is provided at the supply port 11d. The double damper 16 includes a valve element 16a and a valve element 16b provided in the vertical direction. The double damper 16 supplies the material supplied from the supply device 2 into the internal space S while maintaining the airtightness of the internal space S by alternately opening and closing the valve element 16a and the valve element 16b.

[0036] The double damper 17 is provided at the discharge port 11e. The double damper 17 includes a valve body 17a and a valve body 17b provided in the vertical direction. The double damper 17 discharges the mixture from the internal space S while maintaining the airtightness of the internal space S by alternately opening and closing the valve body 17a and the valve body 17b.

[0037] Next, the operation of the kneader 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3. Here, vacuum kneading will be described. First, the exhaust device 15 is started, and the internal space S is decompressed to a negative pressure state. The valve body 16a is set to an open state, and the valve body 16b is set to a closed state. The valve body 17a is set to an open state, and the valve body 17b is set to a closed state.

[0038] Then, the driving device 26 is started. When the driving device 26 rotates the rotary shaft 21, the gear 28 is rotationally driven by the gear 27, and the rotary shaft 22 is rotated. As a result, the rotary shafts 21 and 22 rotate in opposite directions. Specifically, the rotary shaft 21 rotates in a rotation direction C1, and the rotary shaft 22 rotates in a rotation direction C2.

[0039] Next, the supply device 2 supplies the material in fixed amounts. At this time, the valve element 16a is set to the open state and the valve element 16b is set to the closed state, so that the material supplied from the supply device 2 is accommodated in the double damper 16 while the negative pressure state of the internal space S is maintained. Then, the valve element 16a is set to the closed state and the valve element 16b is set to the open state, so that the material accommodated in the double damper 16 is supplied from the supply port 11d to the internal space S while the negative pressure state of the internal space S is maintained.

[0040] Subsequently, the material supplied to the internal space S passes between the divided rolls 33 and 43 located below the supply port 11d and moves to the bottom of the housing 11. The material piled up at the bottom of the housing 11 is subjected to compressive force, shear force, and spatula force by the rotating bodies 13 and 14, thereby performing kneading (mulling).

[0041] Specifically, the material is sandwiched between the outer circumferential surface of the divided roll 33 and the bottom plate 11b of the casing 11 (region R1), and a compressive force is applied to the material in region R1. At this time, the casing 11 is stationary and the divided roll 33 is rotating, and a speed difference occurs between the bottom plate 11b and the outer circumferential surface of the divided roll 33. This speed difference applies a shear force to the material in region R1. Similarly, the material is sandwiched between the outer circumferential surface of the divided roll 43 and the bottom plate 11b (region R2), and a compressive force is applied to the material in region R2. At this time, a shear force is applied to the material in region R2 due to the speed difference that occurs between the bottom plate 11b and the outer circumferential surface of the divided roll 43.

[0042] Since the material is also sandwiched between the outer circumferential surfaces of divided rolls 33 and 43 (region R3), which face each other in the left-right direction, a compressive force is applied to the material in region R3. At this time, if the rotation speeds of rotating shafts 21 and 22 are different from each other, a speed difference occurs between the outer circumferential surfaces of divided rolls 33 and 43, and this speed difference applies a shear force to the material in region R3.

[0043] The material is pressed forward toward the discharge outlet 11e by the inclined surfaces 32a of each scraper 32, and in region R1, the material is sandwiched between the outer circumferential surface of the divided roll 33 and the bottom plate 11b while being transported forward. At this time, the material and the outer circumferential surface of the divided roll 33 move relatively in the front-to-rear direction. In other words, the divided roll 33 slides sideways relative to the material. As a result, a stroking force is applied to the material in region R1. Similarly, the material is pressed forward toward the discharge outlet 11e by the inclined surfaces 42a of each scraper 42, and in region R2, the material is sandwiched between the outer circumferential surface of the divided roll 43 and the bottom plate 11b while being transported forward. At this time, the divided roll 43 slides sideways relative to the material, and a stroking force is applied to the material in region R2.

[0044] The scraper 32 then scrapes off the material between the divided roll 33 and the bottom plate 11b, and while it is being crushed, it is supplied to the space between the missing portion 33a of the preceding divided roll 33 and the bottom plate 11b. Because the multiple scrapers 32 are arranged in a spiral shape that faces forward as they rotate in the rotation direction C1, the material scraped by the scraper 32 is supplied behind the preceding scraper 32 (on the side opposite the inclined surface 32a). As a result, the material is subjected to compression force, shear force, and spatula force by the divided roll 33, and then moves to the next divided roll 33.

[0045] Similarly, the scraper 42 scrapes off the material between the divided roll 43 and the bottom plate 11b, and while it is being crushed, it is supplied to the space between the missing portion 43a of the preceding divided roll 43 and the bottom plate 11b. Because the multiple scrapers 42 are arranged in a spiral shape that faces forward as they rotate in the rotation direction C2, the material scraped by the scraper 42 is supplied behind the preceding scraper 42 (the side opposite the inclined surface 42a). As a result, the material is subjected to compression force, shear force, and spatula force by the divided roll 43, and then moves to the next divided roll 43.

[0046] By repeating the above operations, the material is conveyed forward while being kneaded, and a kneaded material is produced. The kneaded material that has reached the foremost divided rolls 33 and 43 is discharged from the discharge port 11e. At this time, the valve body 17a is set to the open state and the valve body 17b is set to the closed state, so the kneaded material discharged from the discharge port 11e is accommodated in the double damper 17 while the negative pressure state of the internal space S is maintained. Then, by setting the valve body 17a to the closed state and the valve body 17b to the open state, the kneaded material accommodated in the double damper 17 is discharged to the outside of the kneader 1 while the negative pressure state of the internal space S is maintained.

[0047] In the kneader 1 described above, material supplied from the supply port 11d into the internal space S of the housing 11 is kneaded by the rotor 13 and transported toward the discharge port 11e as the rotary shaft 21 rotates. When the rotor 13 rotates in response to the rotation of the rotary shaft 21, the material is sandwiched between the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion of the main body 31 and the housing 11, and a compressive force is applied to the material. At this time, a speed difference occurs between the stationary housing 11 and the outer circumferential surface of the rotating main body 31, and a shear force is applied to the material between the outer circumferential surface of the main body 31 and the housing 11. Furthermore, the material is pressed toward the discharge port 11e by the inclined surface 32a of the scraper 32, and the material is sandwiched between the outer circumferential surface of the main body 31 and the housing 11 as it moves toward the discharge port 11e. At this time, a spatula-like force is applied to the material.

[0048] In the kneader 1, multiple scrapers 32 are provided along a spiral recess 31a that extends in the conveying direction as the scrapers rotate in the rotation direction C1. As a result, as the rotary shaft 21 rotates, the inclined surfaces 32a of the scrapers 32 feed the material behind the scraper 32 positioned immediately before. As a result, the material is conveyed toward the discharge port 11e while being subjected to compressive force, shear force, and spatula-stroking force, and is discharged from the discharge port 11e. Therefore, continuous kneading can be performed while maintaining the three effects of mulling. As a result, the efficiency of the kneading process can be improved.

[0049] Similarly, material supplied from the supply port 11d into the internal space S of the housing 11 is kneaded by the rotor 14 and transported toward the discharge port 11e as the rotary shaft 22 rotates. When the rotor 14 rotates in response to the rotation of the rotary shaft 22, the material is sandwiched between the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion of the main body 41 and the housing 11, and a compressive force is applied to the material. At this time, a speed difference occurs between the stationary housing 11 and the outer circumferential surface of the rotating main body 41, and a shear force is applied to the material between the outer circumferential surface of the main body 41 and the housing 11. Furthermore, the material is pressed toward the discharge port 11e by the inclined surface 42a of the scraper 42, and the material is sandwiched between the outer circumferential surface of the main body 41 and the housing 11 as it moves toward the discharge port 11e. At this time, a spatula-like force is applied to the material. Furthermore, a compressive force is also applied to the material between the outer circumferential surfaces of the rotary body 13 (divided roll 33) and the rotary body 14 (divided roll 43) that face each other in the left-right direction.

[0050] In the kneader 1, multiple scrapers 42 are arranged along a spiral recess 41a that extends in the conveying direction as the scrapers rotate in the rotation direction C2. As a result, as the rotary shaft 22 rotates, the inclined surfaces 42a of the scrapers 42 feed the material behind the preceding scraper 42. As a result, the material is conveyed toward the discharge port 11e while being subjected to compressive force, shear force, and spatula force, and is discharged from the discharge port 11e. Therefore, continuous kneading can be performed while maintaining the three effects of mulling. As described above, the parallel arrangement of the rotors 13 and 14 further improves the efficiency of the kneading process.

[0051] The rotating body 13 is produced simply by arranging a plurality of divided rolls 33, each of which is provided with a scraper 32, in the front-to-rear direction. Similarly, the rotating body 14 is produced simply by arranging a plurality of divided rolls 43, each of which is provided with a scraper 42, in the front-to-rear direction. Therefore, the production of the kneader 1 can be simplified.

[0052] As the scraper 32 moves along the bottom plate 11b, the inclined surface 32a allows the material to be supplied behind the scraper 32 in the space between the missing portion 33a of the next divided roll 33 and the bottom plate 11b. Therefore, the material is subjected to compression force, shear force, and spatula force by the divided roll 33 before moving to the next divided roll 33. Therefore, the material is not conveyed without being sufficiently mixed, and the material can be conveyed while being uniformly mixed. Similarly, as the scraper 42 moves along the bottom plate 11b, the inclined surface 42a allows the material to be supplied behind the scraper 42 in the space between the missing portion 43a of the next divided roll 43 and the bottom plate 11b. Therefore, the material is subjected to compression force, shear force, and spatula force by the divided roll 43 before moving to the next divided roll 43. Therefore, the material can be conveyed while being uniformly mixed.

[0053] When the rotation speed of the rotary shaft 21 is different from the rotation speed of the rotary shaft 22, a speed difference occurs between the outer peripheral surfaces of the divided rolls 33 and 43, which face each other in the left-right direction. As a result, a shear force is also applied to the material between the outer peripheral surfaces of the divided rolls 33 and 43, which face each other (region R3). This improves the shearing effect.

[0054] In the kneader 1, the rotation mechanism 12, except for the rotating shafts 21 and 22, is provided outside the housing 11. Therefore, the structure of the kneader 1 is relatively simple, and cleaning and maintenance can be easily performed. Therefore, the maintainability of the kneader 1 can be improved. In other words, the time and cost required for maintenance of the kneader 1 can be reduced.

[0055] In the kneader 1, the bearings 23, 24 are provided outside the housing 11. This reduces the possibility of contamination of the material in the internal space S with foreign matter such as grease applied to the bearings 23, 24 and metal wear powder that may be generated in the bearings 23, 24.

[0056] When a material with a low bulk density, such as a powder, is supplied from the supply device 2, it may not be possible to sandwich the material between the inner surface of the casing 11 and the outer circumferential surface of the divided roll 33. Similarly, it may not be possible to sandwich the material between the inner surface of the casing 11 and the outer circumferential surface of the divided roll 43. In contrast, in the kneader 1, the exhaust device 15 creates a negative pressure in the internal space S, causing the material to adhere to the inner surface of the casing 11, making it easier to sandwich the material between the inner surface of the casing 11 and the outer circumferential surface of the divided roll 33 (or the divided roll 43). This allows the compressive force, shear force, and spatula stroke force to be more reliably applied to the material, further improving the efficiency of the kneading process.

[0057] The kneader according to the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0058] The main body 31 may be configured as a single roll instead of the multiple divided rolls 33. Similarly, the main body 41 may be configured as a single roll instead of the multiple divided rolls 43.

[0059] The kneader 1 does not necessarily have to include the rotating body 14. In this case, the rotation mechanism 12 does not necessarily have to include the rotating shaft 22, the bearing 24, the gear 27, and the gear 28.

[0060] If vacuum kneading is not performed, the kneader 1 does not need to include the exhaust device 15, the double damper 16, and the double damper 17.

[0061] The rotation mechanism 12 may separately rotate the rotating body 13 and the rotating body 14. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, the rotation mechanism 12 includes a coupling 29 and a driving device 30 instead of the gears 27 and 28. A driving shaft of the driving device 30 is connected to the rear end of the rotating shaft 22 via the coupling 29. The driving device 30 is, for example, a motor.

[0062] In this case, the rotating shaft 21 is rotated by the driving device 26, and the rotating shaft 22 is rotated by the driving device 30. In other words, the rotating shaft 21 (rotating body 13) and the rotating shaft 22 (rotating body 14) are driven to rotate independently. Therefore, the rotating shafts 21 and 22 can rotate at the same speed or at different speeds. Furthermore, the rotation directions C1 and C2 can be the same or different. This makes it possible to realize a variety of kneading patterns. By repeatedly and alternately setting the rotation direction of each rotating shaft between clockwise and counterclockwise, the material can be retained in the internal space S, thereby increasing the kneading time.

[0063] Any reference to an element using designations such as "first" and "second" used in this disclosure does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements. Thus, reference to a first and a second element does not imply either that only two elements may be employed or that the first element must in some way precede the second element. A first element used alone does not presuppose the presence of a second element, and a second element used alone does not presuppose the presence of the first element.

[0064] Finally, an overview of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

[0065] (Article 1) a housing extending in one direction, the housing having a supply port provided at one end in the one direction and a discharge port provided at the other end in the one direction; a first rotation shaft installed within the housing in the one direction; a first rotor attached to the first rotary shaft in the housing, which conveys the material supplied from the supply port toward the discharge port while kneading the material as the first rotary shaft rotates; Equipped with The first rotor is a cylindrical first main body portion extending in the one direction and having a first recessed portion that is spirally recessed toward the conveying direction of the first rotor as the first main body portion turns in the rotation direction of the first rotary shaft; a plurality of first scrapers provided in the first recessed portion and arranged along the first recessed portion; a kneader, wherein each of the plurality of first scrapers has a first inclined surface that is inclined so as to press the material toward the discharge outlet by rotation of the first rotary shaft.

[0066] (Article 2) the first main body portion includes a plurality of first divided rolls arranged in the one direction, Item 1. The kneader according to item 1, wherein the plurality of first scrapers are provided on the plurality of first divided rolls, respectively.

[0067] (Article 3) a second rotation shaft that is installed within the housing in the one direction and is arranged in parallel with the first rotation shaft; a second rotor attached to the second rotary shaft in the housing, which conveys the material toward the discharge port while kneading the material as the second rotary shaft rotates; Further provided with The second rotating body is a second main body portion having a cylindrical shape and extending in the one direction and having a second recessed portion that is recessed in a spiral shape toward the conveying direction of the second rotating body as the second main body portion rotates in the rotation direction of the second rotating shaft; a plurality of second scrapers provided in the second recessed portion and arranged along the second recessed portion; 3. The kneader according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the plurality of second scrapers has a second inclined surface that is inclined so as to press the material toward the discharge outlet by rotation of the second rotation shaft.

[0068] (Article 4) the second main body portion includes a plurality of second divided rolls arranged in the one direction, 4. The kneader according to claim 3, wherein the second scrapers are provided on the second divided rolls, respectively.

[0069] (Article 5) 5. The mixer according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the rotation speed of the first rotating shaft is different from the rotation speed of the second rotating shaft.

[0070] (Article 6) The kneader according to any one of clauses 1 to 5, further comprising a bearing provided outside the housing and supporting the first rotating shaft.

[0071] In the kneader described in Clause 1, the material supplied from the supply port is kneaded by the first rotor as the first rotating shaft rotates and is transported toward the discharge port. When the first rotor rotates as the first rotating shaft rotates, the material is sandwiched between the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion of the first main body and the housing, and a compressive force is applied to the material. At this time, a speed difference occurs between the stationary housing and the outer circumferential surface of the rotating first main body, and a shear force is applied to the material between the outer circumferential surface of the first main body and the housing. Furthermore, the material is pressed toward the discharge port by the first inclined surface of the first scraper, and as the material moves toward the discharge port, it is sandwiched between the outer circumferential surface of the first main body and the housing. At this time, a spatula-like force is applied to the material.

[0072] In the above-described kneader, multiple first scrapers are provided along a spirally recessed portion that extends in the conveying direction of the first rotor as the first rotary shaft rotates in the rotational direction. Therefore, as the first rotary shaft rotates, the first inclined surfaces of the first scrapers supply material behind adjacent first scrapers in the conveying direction. As a result, the material is sequentially conveyed toward the discharge port while being subjected to compressive force, shear force, and spatula force, and is discharged from the discharge port. Therefore, continuous kneading can be performed while maintaining the three effects of mulling. As a result, the efficiency of the kneading process can be improved.

[0073] In the kneader described in clause 2, the first rotating body is produced simply by arranging a plurality of first divided rolls, each of which is provided with a first scraper, in one direction. This simplifies the manufacture of the kneader.

[0074] In the kneader described in Clause 3, the material supplied from the supply port is conveyed toward the discharge port while being kneaded by the second rotor as the second rotor rotates. Therefore, the kneading process can be performed continuously by the second rotor as well as the first rotor while maintaining the three functions of mulling. As a result, it is possible to further improve the efficiency of the kneading process.

[0075] In the kneader described in clause 4, the second rotating body is produced simply by arranging a plurality of second divided rolls, each of which is provided with a second scraper, in one direction. This simplifies the manufacture of the kneader.

[0076] In the kneader described in clause 5, a speed difference occurs between the outer peripheral surface of the first body part and the outer peripheral surface of the second body part, which face each other. Therefore, a shear force is applied to the material between the outer peripheral surfaces of the first body part and the second body part, which face each other. Therefore, the shear effect can be improved.

[0077] In the kneader described in clause 6, the bearings are provided outside the housing, which reduces the possibility of foreign matter such as grease applied to the bearings and metal wear powder that may be generated in the bearings being mixed into the material. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1...kneader, 11...housing, 11d...supply port, 11e...discharge port, 13...rotating body (first rotating body), 14...rotating body (second rotating body), 21...rotating shaft (first rotating shaft), 22...rotating shaft (second rotating shaft), 23...bearing, 24...bearing, 31...main body (first main body), 31a...depression (first depression), 32...scraper (first scraper), 32a...inclined surface (first inclined surface), 33...divided roll (first divided roll), 41...main body (second main body), 41a...depression (second depression), 42...scraper (second scraper), 42a...inclined surface (second inclined surface), 43...divided roll (second divided roll).

Claims

1. a housing extending in one direction, the housing having a supply port provided at one end in the one direction and a discharge port provided at the other end in the one direction; a first rotation shaft installed within the housing in the one direction; a first rotor attached to the first rotary shaft within the housing, which conveys the material supplied from the supply port toward the discharge port while kneading the material as the first rotary shaft rotates; Equipped with The first rotating body is a cylindrical first main body portion extending in the one direction and having a first recessed portion that is spirally recessed toward the conveying direction of the first rotating body as the first main body portion turns in the rotation direction of the first rotating shaft; a plurality of first scrapers provided in the first recessed portion and arranged along the first recessed portion; each of the plurality of first scrapers has a first inclined surface that is inclined so as to press the material toward the discharge outlet by rotation of the first rotation shaft.

2. the first main body portion includes a plurality of first divided rolls arranged in the one direction, The kneader according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first scrapers are provided on the plurality of first divided rolls, respectively.

3. a second rotation shaft that is installed within the housing in the one direction and is arranged in parallel with the first rotation shaft; a second rotating body attached to the second rotating shaft in the housing, which conveys the material toward the discharge port while kneading the material as the second rotating shaft rotates; Further provided with The second rotating body is a second main body portion having a cylindrical shape and extending in the one direction and including a second recessed portion that is recessed in a spiral shape toward the conveying direction of the second rotating body as the second main body portion rotates in the rotation direction of the second rotating shaft; a plurality of second scrapers provided in the second recessed portion and arranged along the second recessed portion; 3. The kneader according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of second scrapers has a second inclined surface that is inclined so as to press the material toward the discharge outlet by rotation of the second rotary shaft.

4. the second main body portion includes a plurality of second divided rolls arranged in the one direction, The kneader according to claim 3 , wherein the plurality of second scrapers are provided on the plurality of second divided rolls, respectively.

5. The mixer according to claim 3 , wherein the rotation speed of the first rotating shaft is different from the rotation speed of the second rotating shaft.

6. The mixer according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a bearing provided outside the housing and supporting the first rotating shaft.

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