Pump and method for mixing the transferred material

Abstract

The present invention provides a pump and a method for mixing transferred materials that can improve the mixing performance of the transferred materials. [Solution] A pump that compresses a flow path through which a material is being transferred using a pressing means to create a squeeze flow in the material, wherein the material being transferred consists of multiple components, and the portion of the flow path that is compressed by the pressing means is equipped with a solid material that is harder than the multiple components being transferred.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a pump, and particularly to a pump and a method for mixing a transfer object that enable mixing of the transfer object in the process of transferring the transfer object using a squeeze flow.

Background Art

[0005] As a pump configuration to solve the above problems, the pump compresses the flow path through which the transported material flows using a pressing means, thereby generating a squeeze flow in the transported material, wherein the transported material consists of a plurality of components, and the portion of the flow path that is compressed by the pressing means is equipped with a solid material that is harder than the plurality of transported components. This configuration makes it possible to improve the degree of mixing of the multiple transported materials in the area that is crushed by the pressing means. Furthermore, other configurations of the pump may include the solid material being provided in a floating state in the flow path, provided on the inner wall forming the flow path, or provided on a pressing means that compresses the flow path. Furthermore, as an alternative configuration for the pump, it is preferable to use a peristaltic pump. Furthermore, as a configuration for a method of mixing transported materials to solve the above problems, the method of mixing transported materials is provided for mixing multiple transported materials in the process of transporting multiple transported materials using a squeeze flow, wherein a solid material harder than the multiple transported materials to be mixed is placed in the part that generates the squeeze flow. According to this embodiment, the degree of mixing of multiple transported materials can be improved in the area where the squeeze flow is generated. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a peristaltic pump. [Figure 2] These are axial plan view and axial cross-sectional view of the tank. [Figure 3] These are axial plan view and axial cross-sectional view. [Figure 4] These are axial plan view and axial cross-sectional view of the pump unit. [Figure 5] This diagram shows the mixing operation of the unit assembly. [Figure 6] This is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mixing promotion means. [Figure 7] This is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mixing promotion means. [Figure 8]This is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mixing promotion means. [Figure 9] This is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mixing promotion means. [Figure 10] This is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mixing promotion means. [Figure 11] This is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mixing promotion means. [Figure 12] This is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mixing promotion means. [Figure 13] This is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mixing promotion means. [Figure 14] This is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mixing promotion means. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] The present invention will be described in detail below through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments are not intended to limit the invention as defined in the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the solution of the invention; rather, they include configurations that can be selectively adopted.

[0008] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of a pump device that enables the mixing method of transferred materials according to the present invention. The pump device 1 according to this embodiment includes a unit connector 8 that transports and directs the material to be transported and mixed (hereinafter simply referred to as the transported material) toward the downstream side, a control device 100 (control means) that controls the operation of the unit connector 8, and a mixing promotion means 4 that promotes the mixing of multiple transported materials in the mixing operation of the unit connector 8.

[0009] The unit connector 8 is installed, for example, at the outlet of a storage device where the transferred material is stored, or in the middle of an existing pipe. The unit connector 8 is configured as a flow path and mixing section by connecting multiple pump units 10. In this embodiment, the unit connector 8 is described as being constructed by connecting four pump units 10 in series, but the number of units connected is not limited to this.

[0010] [About pump unit 10] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view along the axial direction of the pump unit 10. As shown in Figure 2, the pump unit 10 includes an inner cylinder 12, an outer cylinder 14 arranged to form a double tube coaxial with the central axis of the inner cylinder 12, and a pair of end members 16; 16 that close the space formed between the outer periphery of the inner cylinder 12 and the inner periphery of the outer cylinder 14.

[0011] The pump unit 10 is configured to expand the inner cylinder 12 in the axial direction of the inner cylinder 12 by supplying a fluid (working medium) to the space formed between the outer periphery of the inner cylinder 12 and the inner periphery of the outer cylinder 14, which is closed by the end members 16; 16. In this embodiment, air is used as the fluid for explanation, but the fluid is not limited to air, and other gases or liquids such as water may be used.

[0012] [Regarding the inner cylinder] The inner cylinder 12 is configured as a cylindrical body having airtightness and elasticity. As the material constituting the inner cylinder 12, for example, elastic materials such as rubber or elastomer such as natural latex rubber or silicone rubber can be used.

[0013] As shown in Figure 2, the inner cylinder 12 includes flange portions 12B at both ends of a cylindrical tube portion 12A. The flange portions 12B are integrally formed with the tube portion 12A and are formed in a hollow disc shape that expands concentrically outward in the radial direction at the ends of the tube portion 12A. On the tip (outer peripheral portion) of this flange portion 12B, a protrusion 13 that protrudes toward the tube portion 12A side (inward in the axial direction) is formed over the entire circumference.

[0014] [Regarding the outer cylinder] Figure 3 is a radial cross-sectional view taken along the A-A arrow in Figure 2(a). The outer cylinder 14 is configured as a cylindrical body made of an elastic body that expands and contracts in the axial direction while maintaining airtightness. The outer cylinder 14 includes, for example, an elastic material and a fiber material. Note that the outer cylinder 14 may be configured with a material having rigidity that is substantially non-expandable and non-contractible in the axial direction. As shown in Figure 3, the outer cylinder 14 comprises, for example, an elastic material 15A and a plurality of fibers 15B enclosed within the elastic material 15A in a radial cross-sectional view.

[0015] Elastic material 15A can be made from elastic materials such as natural latex rubber, silicone rubber, or other rubbers or elastomers.

[0016] The fiber 15B is provided to restrain the axial extension of the outer cylinder 14 and functions as a restraining means to restrain the axial extension of the outer cylinder 14.

[0017] The fibers 15B are arranged, for example, in layers, and have a length that extends continuously from one end to the other of the outer cylinder 14, and are arranged to extend along the axial direction of the outer cylinder 14. Furthermore, the fibers 15B do not necessarily need to be contained in layers within the outer cylinder 14; they may be dispersed and embedded within the elastic material.

[0018] For the fiber 15B, a highly elastic fiber with small changes in axial stretching is preferable. For example, stretchable fibers such as aramid fibers, carbon fibers, glass fibers, nylon, polyamide fibers, polyolefin fibers, and metal fibers can be appropriately selected and used. The adhesion of the fiber can be sufficiently improved by applying an appropriate primer treatment or surface oxidation treatment, preferably selected according to the adhesion to the elastic material.

[0019] The fiber material can be used in any form, such as filament, yarn (spun yarn and filament yarn), or strand. Furthermore, it is possible to use untwisted fibers, which are fibers that have been gathered together without twisting, or fibers created by twisting multiple strands of these fibers together. Depending on the type of fiber, it is also possible to combine two or more different materials or fibers with different forms.

[0020] Furthermore, the length of the fiber 15B is not limited to a continuous length from one end to the other; it may also be configured such that multiple fibers shorter than the axial length of the outer cylinder 14 are continuously distributed along the axial direction to reach from one end to the other.

[0021] Furthermore, the restraining means in the outer cylinder 14 may be made of the elastic material itself instead of the fibers 15B. For example, ribs extending in the axial direction of the outer cylinder 14 may be integrally formed from the elastic material constituting the outer cylinder 14 and used as a restraining means.

[0022] Furthermore, considering the ease with which the inner cylinder 12 expands in the centripetal direction, it is preferable that the pump unit 10 is configured such that the elastic modulus of the outer cylinder 14 is greater than that of the inner cylinder 12.

[0023] [Regarding end members] The end members 16;16 are positioned at both ends of the inner cylinder 12 and the outer cylinder 14. The end members 16;16 are designed to be fixable to both ends of the inner cylinder 12 and the outer cylinder 14, and are configured to allow connection of other pump units 10.

[0024] The end members 16;16 comprise a flange portion 16A and a cylindrical portion 16B. The flange portion 16A is formed in a flat rectangular shape with a hollow portion 20. The hollow portion 20 is provided as a circular hole through which the cylindrical portion 12A of the inner cylinder 12 can pass. The diameter of the hollow portion 20 should be such that it is in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 12A of the inner cylinder 12.

[0025] The flange portion 16A has an annular groove 22 on its axially outer end face 16a. The annular groove 22 is formed concentrically with the hollow portion 20, and the projection 13 at the tip of the flange portion 12B of the inner cylinder 12 can be fitted into it. Furthermore, the outer end face 16a of the flange portion 16A is formed such that, when the projection 13 of the inner cylinder 12 is fitted into the annular groove 22, the flange portion 12B of the inner cylinder 12 protrudes outward from the outer end face 16a.

[0026] The inner cylinder 12 is attached to the end members 16;16 by fitting the projection 13 of the flange portion 12B into the annular groove 22 of the end member 16. The inner cylinder 12 is connected to the end members of other pump units 10 or to flanges provided on existing piping via the end members 16;16, so that the flange portion 12B is pressed against the end member 16, creating an airtight seal with the end member 16. Furthermore, the inner cylinder 12 has a projection 13 that fits into the annular groove 22 of the end member 16, which makes it less likely for the inner cylinder 12 to detach from the end member 16 when the pressure of (compressed) air in the fluid chamber V is increased.

[0027] The cylindrical portion 16B is provided projecting axially in a cylindrical shape from the inner end face 16b of the flange portion 16A. The central axis of the cylindrical portion 16B is concentric with the hollow portion 20 and is integrally formed with the flange portion 16A. The outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 16B is set to be large enough to be inserted into the inner circumference of the outer cylinder 14 in a tight-fitting state, and the inner diameter is set to be larger than the inner diameter of the hollow portion 20.

[0028] The crimping intermediate member 24, together with the crimping member 26, constitutes a fixing means for fixing the outer cylinder 14 to the end members 16;16 in an airtight manner. The crimping intermediate member 24 is formed as an annular member that can be inserted around the outer circumference of the outer cylinder 14 when the cylindrical portion 16B of the end member 16 is inserted into the outer cylinder 14.

[0029] The crimping intermediate member 24 is formed with a cylindrical surface on its inner circumference, and its inner diameter is set so that it fits snugly against the outer circumference of the outer cylinder 14, for example. The crimping intermediate member 24 is also formed with a conical surface (tapered surface) on its outer circumference, and its thickness gradually increases relative to the inner circumference. The crimping intermediate member 24 is positioned on the outer circumference of the outer cylinder 14 so that its thicker side is pressed against the end member 16.

[0030] The crimping member 26 is formed as an annular member that can be fitted onto the outer circumference of the crimping intermediate member 24, which is positioned on the outer cylinder 14. The crimping member 26 is formed with a conical surface (tapered surface) on its inner circumference and is configured to make surface contact with the conical surface of the crimping intermediate member 24.

[0031] The crimping member 26 is fixed to the inner end face 16b of the end member 16 by fastening means such as bolts (not shown), with the conical surface on its inner circumference in contact with the conical surface of the crimping intermediate member 24. As a result, the crimping intermediate member 24 is pressed against the outer cylinder 14, and the outer cylinder 14 is fixed to the cylindrical portion 16B of the end member 16 in an airtight manner.

[0032] As described above, the end members 16;16 are attached to the ends of the inner cylinder 12 and the outer cylinder 14, thereby creating a closed space between the outer circumference of the inner cylinder 12 and the inner circumference of the outer cylinder 14, and forming a fluid chamber V in the pump unit 10.

[0033] One end member 16 is provided with a supply and discharge hole 28 for supplying and discharging fluid to and from the fluid chamber V. One end of the supply and discharge hole 28 opens to the outer end face of the flange portion 16A of the end member 16, and the other end opens between the inner cylinder 12 and the outer cylinder 14 on the inner end face 16b of the flange portion 16A.

[0034] An opening on the outer end face of the flange portion 16A constituting the supply and discharge hole 28 allows for the connection of a pipe (not shown) extending from the control device 100 for supplying fluid to the fluid chamber V and for discharging fluid from the fluid chamber V.

[0035] Furthermore, the supply and discharge holes 28 are not limited to one end member 16, but may also be provided on the other end member 16, so that fluid is supplied to and discharged from both end members 16;16 to the fluid chamber V. Also, the supply and discharge holes 28 are not limited to being provided on the end members 16, but may also be provided on the outer cylinder 14 so that fluid is supplied to and discharged from the fluid chamber V, and this can be changed as appropriate according to the configuration of the pump unit 10.

[0036] According to the above configuration, the pump unit 10 supplies compressed air to the fluid chamber V via the supply and discharge holes 28, causing the inner cylinder 12 to expand radially inward (centripetal direction) and contract axially, as shown in Figure 2(b). By discharging the compressed air supplied to the fluid chamber V, the pump unit 10 contracts radially and extends axially, as shown in Figure 2(a).

[0037] [About the control device] The control device 100 is a device for controlling the operation of the unit assembly 8, which is formed by connecting the pump units 10. In Figure 1, dashed lines indicate signal lines that show the path of electrical signals, and solid lines indicate pipes that show the flow path of fluids.

[0038] The control device 100 of this embodiment is configured to include a compressor 112, a regulator 114, a supply valve 116, a discharge valve 118, flow sensors 120; 124, a pressure sensor 122, and a controller 160.

[0039] The compressor 112 generates compressed air to be supplied to the fluid chamber V of the pump unit 10.

[0040] The regulator 114 is connected to the compressor 112 and takes compressed air pressurized by the compressor 112 as input. It reduces the input compressed air to a predetermined pressure and outputs compressed air at a constant pressure. The pressure of the compressed air output from the regulator 114 is set to a pressure that allows at least the inner surfaces of the inner cylinder 12 of the pump unit 10 to come into close contact when the pump unit 10 is expanded, or to a pressure greater than that.

[0041] A supply valve 116 is provided for each connected pump unit 10 and is positioned between the regulator 114 and each pump unit 10. The supply valve 116 receives compressed air, which has been reduced in pressure by the regulator 114, as input and controls the output of this compressed air to the fluid chamber V of the pump unit 10 (supplying and stopping the supply of compressed air to the fluid chamber V). The supply valve 116 has a valve that opens and closes based on an electrical signal, supplying compressed air to the fluid chamber V when the valve is opened and stopping the supply of compressed air when the valve is closed. The supply valve 116 is electrically connected to the controller 160 and opens and closes the valve based on a signal input from the controller 160.

[0042] A discharge valve 118 is provided for each pump unit 10 and is connected to each pump unit 10. The discharge valve 118 takes compressed air from the fluid chamber V as input and releases this compressed air into the atmosphere via a flow sensor 124 provided on the output side. The discharge valve 118 has a valve that opens and closes based on an electrical signal. Opening the valve releases the compressed air in the fluid chamber V into the atmosphere via the flow sensor 124, and closing the valve stops the discharge of compressed air. The discharge valve 118 is electrically connected to the controller 160 and opens and closes the valve based on a signal input from the controller 160.

[0043] Flow sensors 120 and 124 are provided for each pump unit 10. The flow sensor 120 is installed between the supply valve 116, which is provided for each pump unit 10, and the corresponding pump unit 10, and measures the flow rate of compressed air supplied to the pump unit 10. The flow sensor 120 is electrically connected to the controller 160 and outputs the measured flow rate of compressed air to the controller 160. The location where the flow sensor 120 is installed can be any location as long as it can measure the flow rate of compressed air supplied to the fluid chamber V. Hereinafter, the flow sensor 120 will be referred to as the supply flow sensor 120.

[0044] Furthermore, the flow sensor 124 is installed on the output side of the discharge valve 118 provided for each pump unit 10, and measures the flow rate of compressed air discharged from the pump unit 10. The flow sensor 124 is electrically connected to the controller 160 and outputs the measured flow rate of compressed air to the controller 160. Hereinafter, the flow sensor 124 will be referred to as the discharge flow sensor 124.

[0045] The pressure sensor 122 is installed, for example, between the supply flow sensor 120, which is provided for each pump unit 10, and the corresponding pump unit 10, and measures the pressure in the fluid chamber V of the pump unit 10. The pressure sensor 122 is electrically connected to the controller 160 and outputs the measured pressure in the fluid chamber V to the controller 160. The pressure sensor 122 can be installed at any location as long as it can measure the pressure inside the fluid chamber V.

[0046] Furthermore, the supply valve 116 and discharge valve 118 described above are initially closed when no signal is input, open when a signal is input, and close when the signal stops.

[0047] For example, solenoid valves can be used for the supply valve 116 and the discharge valve 118. By using solenoid valves for the supply valve 116 and the discharge valve 118, the response speed when expanding or contracting the pump unit 10 can be improved.

[0048] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of controller 160. The controller 160 is a device for controlling changes in the state of the pump unit 10 that constitutes the unit assembly 8, such as expansion, maintenance of the expanded state, contraction, and maintenance of the contracted state, and can be configured as a so-called computer.

[0049] The controller 160 includes storage means 162 such as ROM and RAM provided as hardware resources, arithmetic processing means 164 such as a CPU, communication means 166 such as a network interface that enables connection to the Internet, input means 168 such as a keyboard, mouse, and touch panel, display means 170 such as a monitor, and an external input / output interface (external IF) 172 that enables input and output of signals to and from the supply valve 116 and discharge valve 118. Note that the configuration of the controller 160 is not limited to the above configuration and may be changed as appropriate.

[0050] The term "computer" here refers to any form, including tablets, notebooks, desktops, and single-board microcomputers specifically designed to drive the unit assembly 8.

[0051] The storage means 162 stores, for example, a control program for operating the unit assembly 8, and determination values ​​for determining whether to output or stop signals to the supply valve 116 and the discharge valve 118.

[0052] The arithmetic processing means 164 sequentially executes the control program stored in the storage means 162, thereby causing the controller 160 to function as the means described later, and also outputs signals to the supply valve 116 and the discharge valve 118 to control the operation of each pump unit 10 that constitutes the unit assembly 8.

[0053] The control program can be configured to include, for example, a transport operation program (transport mode) that moves the transported object, which is the basic operation of the unit assembly 8, from the upstream side to the downstream side, and a mixed operation program (mixed mode) that moves the transported object from the upstream side to the downstream side while making it move back and forth between the upstream side and the downstream side to the upstream side along the way.

[0054] The controller 160 controls the expansion, maintenance of the expanded state, contraction, and maintenance of the contracted state of the pump unit 10.

[0055] [Expansion control of pump unit 10] When the controller 160 expands the pump unit 10, it outputs a signal only to the supply valve 116 and maintains a state where the output of a signal to the discharge valve 118 is stopped. As a result, compressed air flows into the fluid chamber V of the pump unit 10, and the inner cylinder 12 expands in the centripetal direction.

[0056] The controller 160 monitors the changes in flow rate input from the supply flow sensor 120 and the changes in pressure input from the pressure sensor 122 during the process of supplying compressed air to the fluid chamber V. When the input flow rate and pressure reach a value that indicates the pump unit 10 has reached its full expansion, the controller 160 stops outputting a signal to the supply valve 116. As a result, the inner cylinder 12 of the pump unit 10 enters the expanded state shown in Figure 2(b). Hereafter, this expanded state may also be simply referred to as expansion. Full expansion refers to the point in time when the inner cylinder 12 is most expanded during the transport operation of the material being transferred, for example, when the flow path reaches a predetermined state in which it is substantially most blocked.

[0057] Furthermore, the controller 160 maintains the expanded state of the pump unit 10 by keeping the signals to the supply valve 116 and the discharge valve 118 stopped when the pump unit 10 is in the expanded state.

[0058] [Contraction control of pump unit 10] Furthermore, when the pump unit 10 is to be deflated from a fully expanded state, the controller 160 maintains a state where the supply valve 116 does not output a signal, and outputs a signal only to the discharge valve 118. As a result, the inner cylinder 12 of the pump unit 10 begins to deflate as the compressed air in the fluid chamber V is released into the atmosphere through the discharge valve 118. It deflates as shown in Figure 2(a).

[0059] The controller 160 monitors the pressure change in the fluid chamber V during the process of discharging compressed air from the fluid chamber V. When the input pressure reaches a value that indicates the pump unit 10 has reached its complete contraction, the controller 160 stops outputting a signal to the discharge valve 118. As a result, the pump unit 10 enters the contracted state shown in Figure 2(a). This contracted state is sometimes simply referred to as contraction. Note that complete contraction may be defined, for example, as the time when compressed air is discharged from the fluid chamber V during the transport operation of the transported material, and the pressure in the fluid chamber V becomes atmospheric pressure.

[0060] Furthermore, the controller 160 maintains the contracted state of the pump unit 10 by keeping the signals to the supply valve 116 and the discharge valve 118 stopped when the pump unit 10 is in a contracted state.

[0061] Figure 5 shows the mixing operation in the unit assembly. In the pump device 1 with the above configuration, when mixing multiple materials, for example, as shown in Figure 5, pump units 10A and 10D of the four pump units 10A to 10D that make up the unit assembly 8 are in an expanded state, and pump units 10B and 10C are alternately expanded, thereby creating a squeeze flow in the materials between pump units 10B and 10C and mixing the materials.

[0062] The mixing promoting means 4 according to this embodiment is provided in the unit connecting body 8 of the pump device 1 configured as described above. For example, the mixing promoting means 4 can be provided in the flow path R formed by the inner cylinders 12 of a plurality of connected pump units 10.

[0063] The mixing promoting means 4 can be configured, for example, by containing a plurality of solids 42 inside a bag 40. "Contained" here means that the solids 42 do not escape from the inside to the outside of the bag 40.

[0064] The bag 40 may be made of a flexible material, for example. That is, it may be made of a material that can deform to follow the change in shape of the inner cylinder 12 when the pump unit 10 expands and contracts. More preferably, the bag 40 is made of a material that is durable against repeated deformation and durable against friction that occurs between it and the solid material 42 contained within when it is repeatedly deformed.

[0065] Furthermore, it is preferable that the bag 40 does not undergo any chemical changes with the solid material 42 it contains or the material being transferred to be mixed. For example, the material of the bag body 40 is not particularly limited, but can be made from petroleum-derived materials such as vinyl, polyethylene, polypropylene, and nylon, or from natural materials such as silk and cotton.

[0066] Furthermore, the form of the bag 40 is not limited to an airtight one; it may also be made of a mesh material or the like. The form of the bag 40 can be selected as needed. For example, the bag 40 can be made airtight if it is desired to avoid direct contact between the solid 42 and the transported material, or it can be made of a mesh or other mesh-like material that allows the transported material to enter if direct contact between the solid 42 and the transported material is not required, or if it is desired that the transported material come into direct contact with the solid 42.

[0067] The solid material 42 should be harder than the transported material. Furthermore, the material of the solid material 42 can be anything as long as it does not undergo a chemical reaction with the transported material being mixed. Furthermore, the shape and size of the solid matter 42 can be appropriately selected depending on the material being transferred and mixed.

[0068] Figures 6 to 11 illustrate the configuration of the mixing promotion means 4. As shown in Figures 6 to 9, the bag 40 containing the solid material 42, which acts as a substantial mixing promoter 4, is provided in a floating state within the flow path R formed by the inner cylinder 12 of the connected pump unit 10. Here, "floating state" means that it is provided using a restraining means (not shown), such as a string, to allow it to drift within the flow path. In other words, the string (restraining means) and the bag 40 function as retention means to keep the solid material 42 within the flow path R. Note that the bag 40 is shown as a rectangular shape with one longer side in a plan view, with the longer side aligned with the extension of the flow path R and the shorter side of the bag 40 aligned with the vertical direction of the flow path R, but it is not limited to this configuration.

[0069] The solid matter 42 contained in the bag 40 may be spherical in shape as shown in Figure 6, angular in shape such as cubes or rectangular prisms as shown in Figure 7, or a mixture of spherical and angular in shape as shown in Figure 8. In this case, regardless of the shape of the bag 40, the bag 40 is deformed as the inner cylinder 12 of the pump unit 10 expands, and the transported material is pressed against and rubbed against the solid object 42, thereby crushing the lumpy material.

[0070] Furthermore, the solid material 42 contained in the bag 40 may be a mesh, as shown in Figure 9. The mesh material is harder than the material being transported, and the mesh as a whole is designed to allow for some flexibility. In this case, by using a mesh material for the bag 40, it becomes possible for the transported material to enter the bag 40. It is preferable that the mesh material has a larger mesh size than the mesh that will contain the material. Any lumpy transported material that enters the bag 40 will be crushed by the mesh as it is pressed against or rubbed against the mesh as the inner cylinder 12 of the pump unit 10 expands.

[0071] Furthermore, as another configuration of the mixing promotion means 4, the spherical, angular, or combined solid matter 42 contained in the bag 40 shown in Figures 6 to 8 may be, for example, fixed to the surface of the bag 40 or the surface of a flexible sheet 41, as shown in Figure 10, and then provided in a floating state within the flow channel R. In this case, the bag 40 or sheet 41 corresponds to a retaining means for keeping the solid matter 42 in the flow channel R. When the mixing promotion means 4 is configured in this way, the material being transferred is pressed or rubbed directly against the solid matter 42 fixed to the surface of the bag 40 or sheet 41 as the inner cylinder 12 of the pump unit 10 expands, causing the bag 40 or sheet 41 to deform, and the lumps are crushed.

[0072] Furthermore, as another configuration of the mixing promotion means 4, as shown in Figure 11, a mesh tube 44 formed by creating a mesh in a cylindrical shape may be used as the solid material 42 placed in the flow path R. In this case, the mesh tube 44 may be, for example, cylindrical in shape and provided in a floating state within the flow path R with its axis aligned with the extension direction of the flow path R. The mesh tube 44 may be configured such that the material forming the mesh is harder than the material being transported, while allowing for elastic deformation of the cylindrical shape.

[0073] Furthermore, as an alternative configuration for the mixing promotion means 4, instead of the cylindrical body 44 formed from a mesh as shown in Figure 11, a rod-shaped shaft 45 as shown in Figure 12 may be used as the solid material 42 placed in the flow path R. In this case, the shaft 45 is provided in a floating state within the flow path R such that its axis is aligned with the extension direction of the flow path R. The cross-sectional shape of the rod-shaped shaft 45 may be, for example, a solid circle, a hollow circle, a polygon, or a cross. Figure 14 shows another form of the shaft 45. Furthermore, the shaft 45 may be a straight rod-shaped object as shown in Figure 12, or it may be a shape as shown in Figure 14. Other forms of the shaft 45 may include, for example, a shape that extends in one direction and has a wavy shape, as shown in Figure 14(a). In Figure 14(a), the cross-sectional shape is shown as circular, but it may be a solid circle, a hollow circle, a polygon, or a cross, or any other shape. Furthermore, the shaft body 45 may have other forms, such as having sawtooth-shaped irregularities in the circumferential direction in a cross-sectional view, as shown in Figure 14(b). The sawtooth-shaped irregularities may be periodic or aperiodic, and are not limited to pointed ends as shown in the figure, but may also be rounded. Note that although Figure 14(a) shows the shaft body 45 in a linearly extended form, it may also be extended in a wavy manner, as shown in Figure 14(a). Furthermore, as shown in Figures 14(c) and (d), the shaft body 45 may be in the shape of a cone, with its outer diameter decreasing from one end to the other, and may have helical irregularities or irregularities along the circumference on its conical surface. In this case, for example, the side with the smaller outer diameter may be placed in the flow path R facing downstream, or in the flow path R facing upstream. Note that the shape of the shaft body 45 is not limited to a cone, but may also be a polygonal pyramid.

[0074] In addition, as another configuration for the arrangement of the mixing promotion means 4, the spherical, angular, or combined solid matter 42 contained in the bag 40 shown in Figures 6 to 8 may be fixed to the inner surface (inner wall) of the inner cylinder 12 that constitutes the flow path R, as shown in Figure 13.

[0075] Furthermore, as another configuration of the mixing promotion means 4, when the solid material 42 is placed in the bag 40, the solid material 42 may be something that disappears over time, such as ice or dry ice.

[0076] In Figures 6-12, the mixing promotion means 4 is described as being installed across two pump units 10, but the invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the mixing promotion means 4 may be provided so as to span the entire unit assembly 8, that is, all of the connected pump units 10, or the mixing promotion means 4 may be provided individually for each pump unit 10.

[0077] As explained above, when a solid object 42 is placed in the flow path R formed by the inner cylinder 12 of the connected pump unit 10 and a conveying or mixing operation is performed, the inner cylinder 12 presses against the objects to be mixed. As a result, the solid object 42 provided as a mixing promoting means 4 functions like a gizzard found in birds, reptiles, earthworms, and fish for multiple transported objects to be mixed. For example, the transported objects, which were in a lump, are crushed, and as a result, the mixing of the multiple transported objects can be promoted.

[0078] In the above-described embodiment, a peristaltic pump that presses the flow path with fluid pressure was used as one of the pump devices that generate squeeze flow, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, it could be a squeeze pump that mechanically presses the flow path to generate a squeeze flow. In this case, the part that functions as a pressing means for pressing the flow path should be made of a material softer than the hardness of the solid material 42. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1 pump device, 4 mixing promoting means, 8 unit connectors, 8 unit connectors, 10; 10A~10D Pump Unit 40 bags, 41 sheets, 42 solids, 100 control device, R channel

Claims

1. A pump that compresses a flow path through which a material is being transferred using a pressing means, thereby generating a squeeze flow in the material being transferred, The aforementioned transported object consists of multiple objects, A pump characterized in that the portion of the flow path that is crushed by the pressing means is equipped with a solid object that is harder than the plurality of transported objects.

2. The pump according to claim 1, characterized in that the solid material is provided in a floating state in the flow path.

3. The pump according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the solid material is provided on the inner wall forming the flow path.

4. The pump according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the solid material is provided on a pressing means for crushing the flow path.

5. The pump according to claim 1, characterized in that the pump is a peristaltic pump.

6. A method for mixing multiple transported materials in a process of transporting multiple transported materials using a squeeze flow, A method for mixing transported materials, wherein a solid material harder than the multiple transported materials to be mixed is placed in the part that generates the squeeze flow.

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