Static mixer

Abstract

This invention provides a static mixer that allows the mixing element to be fixed to the housing without the use of adhesives, welding, or other means. [Solution] The static mixer comprises a housing having a conduit section and a mixing element for mixing fluids, the housing having at least one groove recessed radially outward from the inner circumferential surface of one end of the conduit section toward the base end of the flange section, the mixing element having an extension section that extends axially outward from an axially outward side edge located on one end of the conduit section to a width substantially equal to the axial depth of the groove section and has a plane perpendicular to the axial direction, an insertion section that protrudes longitudinally outward from at least one end of the extension section in the longitudinal direction and is fittable into the groove section, and a projection section that, when the insertion section is fitted into the groove section, protrudes substantially vertically to a predetermined height from at least one surface of the insertion section facing the opposing inner walls in the groove section.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a static mixer.

Background Art

[0002] In the in-line mixer described in Patent Document 1, an annular ring is attached to one end of the mixing element by welding. The ring is fitted into a recessed portion of a flange formed at one end of a pipeline.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the conventional configuration, it is necessary to fix the ring to one end of the mixing element by welding. In addition, to prevent the mixing element from slipping off when the pipeline is tilted, it is necessary to fix the ring to the recessed portion of the flange by adhesion, welding or the like, which is laborious and complicated.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure aims to provide a static mixer that can fix the mixing element to the housing without using adhesives, welding or the like.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, a static mixer according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a housing having a cylindrical conduit portion extending along an axis, and a mixing element disposed within the conduit portion for mixing a fluid flowing in from one end of the conduit portion, wherein the housing has a flange portion projecting outward from the outer circumference of the one end of the conduit portion over its entire circumference, and at least one groove portion recessed radially outward from the inner circumferential surface of the one end of the conduit portion toward the base end of the flange portion, and the mixing element extends from the axially outward side edge disposed on the one end of the conduit portion toward the groove The mixing element has an extension portion that extends outward in the axial direction so as to be approximately equal in width to the axial depth of the section and has a plane perpendicular to the axial direction; an insertion portion that protrudes outward in the longitudinal direction from at least one end of the extension portion in the longitudinal direction and can be fitted into the groove; and a projection portion that, when the insertion portion is fitted into the groove, protrudes to a predetermined height in a substantially vertical direction from at least one surface of the insertion portion facing the opposing inner walls in the groove. The mixing element is inserted from the one end of the conduit section and fixed to the housing by press-fitting the insertion portion and the projection portion into the groove. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the mixed element can be fixed to the housing without using adhesives, welding, or the like. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is an external perspective view of the static mixer according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is an enlarged perspective view of the inlet end of the housing. [Figure 4] This is an enlarged perspective view of the inlet end of the mixing element. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram showing how to install the mixing element in the housing. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram showing the housing with the mixing element installed. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [Outline of a static mixer configuration] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to Figures 1 to 6. First, the schematic configuration of the static mixer 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Here, a static mixer having a cylindrical straight pipe section will be described as an example, but it is not limited to this, and may have a straight pipe section with a triangular cross-section, a square cross-section, or the like. Figure 1 is an external perspective view of the static mixer 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in Figure 1.

[0010] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the static mixer 1 comprises a housing 2 having a cylindrical conduit section 21 extending along an axis L1, and a mixing element 3 coaxially arranged within the conduit section 21. In the static mixer 1, a fluid F, such as a liquid or gas, flowing into the conduit section 21 rotates as it moves through the conduit section 21 due to the action of the mixing element 3 (flowing from left to right in Figure 2; hereafter, the left side may be referred to as upstream and the right side as downstream), repeatedly splitting and merging as it passes through the conduit section 21, thereby promoting the mixing of the fluid F. The housing 2 and the mixing element 3 are formed from synthetic resins, such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), or polysulfone (PSU).

[0011] [housing] The housing 2 has flange portions 22 and 23 at both ends of the cylindrical conduit section 21 for connecting to other pipes or the like. Each flange portion 22 and 23 protrudes radially outward from the outer circumference of both ends of the conduit section 21 over its entire circumference. The axially outer surfaces of each flange portion 22 and 23 are located on the same plane as the end face of the conduit section 21 perpendicular to the axis L1.

[0012] Furthermore, at the upstream (one end) end of the conduit section 21, a pair of grooves 26 are formed, recessed radially outward from the inner circumferential surface of the conduit section 21 toward the base end of the flange section 22, and positioned symmetrically with respect to the axis L1.

[0013] The pair of grooves 26 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the inlet end of the housing 2. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the pair of grooves 26 are recessed radially outward with a width approximately equal to the thickness of the upstream edge of the mixing element 3. The axially inward bottom surface 26A of the pair of grooves 26 is inclined diagonally outward toward the axially outward direction, so that the radially outward edge reaches the vicinity of the axially outward surface of the flange portion 22. Thus, each of the pair of grooves 26 has a pair of opposing, substantially triangular inner walls 26B.

[0014] [Mixed element] Next, the mixing element 3 will be described based on Figures 1, 2, 4, and 5. Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the inlet end of the mixing element 3. Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram of the mixing element 3 being mounted in the housing 2. As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4, the mixing element 3 is integrally constructed by connecting multiple sets of left-handed element elements 3L and right-handed element elements 3R so that they are perpendicular to each other in the direction of fluid flow, i.e., in the direction of the axis L1.

[0015] The left-handed element 3L has a shape like a rectangular plate twisted 180 degrees counterclockwise. The right-handed element 3R has a shape like a rectangular plate twisted 180 degrees clockwise. The length of the shorter side of the rectangular plate is set to be approximately equal to the inner diameter of the conduit section 21. By placing the mixing element 3 inside the conduit section 21 of the housing 2, the fluid F flowing inside the conduit section 21 can be divided, and the fluid F can be subjected to a conversion and reversal action, thereby homogeneously mixing the fluid F.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the mixing element 3 has a plate-shaped extension portion 31 that extends outward in the axial direction from the axially outer side edge of the left-handed element member 3L disposed at the upstream (one end side) end of the pipeline portion 21, so as to have a width substantially equal to the axial depth of the groove portion 26. The extension portion 31 has a flat surface 31A orthogonal to the axis L1 of the mixing element 3. Further, the mixing element 3 has a pair of fitting portions 32 that protrude outward in the longitudinal direction from both ends of the extension portion 31 in the direction orthogonal to the axis L1 of the extension portion 31, that is, in the longitudinal direction of the extension portion 31, and can be fitted into the groove portion 26.

[0017] Each fitting portion 32 is formed in a triangular cross-sectional shape substantially equal to the cross-sectional shape of the groove portion 26 in the axis L1 direction, and the outer side surface 32A in the longitudinal direction of the extension portion 31 is inclined obliquely inward toward the axially inner side. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, when each fitting portion 32 is fitted into the groove portion 26, each fitting portion 32 has a pair of protruding portions 33 that protrude by a predetermined height in a substantially vertical direction over the entire surface from both surfaces facing the mutually opposing inner walls 26B in the groove portion 26.

[0018] Accordingly, each protruding portion 33 is formed in a triangular shape in front view that is substantially equal to the cross-sectional shape of the groove portion 26 in the axis L1 direction, and the outer side surface 33A in the longitudinal direction of the extension portion 31 is inclined obliquely inward toward the axially inner side. Note that the protruding height of the protruding portion 33 from the fitting portion 32 is set to a height that allows the fitting portion 32 and the pair of protruding portions 33 to be press-fitted into the groove portion 26, as will be described later.

[0019] Further, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, in each protruding portion 33, the outer side surface 33A in the longitudinal direction of the extension portion 31 that abuts against the inlet-side end edge of the groove portion 26 when the fitting portion 32 is fitted into the groove portion 26 is chamfered. As shown in FIG. 2, when the pair of fitting portions 32 and each protruding portion 33 are press-fitted into the pair of groove portions 26, the outer side surfaces 32A, 33A of the fitting portions 32 and the protruding portions 33 in the longitudinal direction of the extension portion 31 abut against the axially inner bottom surface portion 26A of each groove portion 26.

[0020] [Assembly of static mixer] Next, the assembly of the static mixer 1, consisting of the housing 2 and mixing element 3 configured as described above, will be explained based on Figures 2, 5, and 6. Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the mixing element 3 is attached to the housing 2. First, as shown in Figure 5, the worker inserts the downstream end of the mixing element 3, which does not have an extension portion 31, into the upstream (one end) end of the conduit portion 21 of the housing 2, where the flange portion 22 is provided.

[0021] The worker then inserts the mixing element 3 further into the conduit section 21 and presses the pair of fitting portions 32 and each of the protruding portions 33 formed at both longitudinal ends of the extension portion 31 of the mixing element 3 into the pair of grooves 26 provided in the flange portion 22, and pushes them in further. As a result, as shown in Figures 2 and 6, the pair of fitting portions 32 and each of the protruding portions 33 are press-fitted into the pair of grooves 26. The pair of fitting portions 32 and each of the protruding portions 33 are then fixed within each groove 26 with their respective outer sides 32A and 33A in the longitudinal direction of the extension portion 31 in contact with the bottom surface 26A on the axially inner side of each groove 26, thereby forming the static mixer 1.

[0022] As described in detail above, in the static mixer 1 according to this embodiment, the mixing element 3 can be fixed to the housing 2 by press-fitting the pair of fitting portions 32 and each protruding portion 33 of the mixing element 3 into the pair of groove portions 26 of the housing 2, without using adhesives, welding, etc. As a result, even if the conduit portion 21 is tilted when handling the static mixer 1, the mixing element 3 can be prevented from falling out with a simple configuration.

[0023] Furthermore, by forming the mixed element 3 from synthetic resin, the extension portion 31, the pair of fitting portions 32, and each of the protruding portions 33 can be easily and integrally formed on one end of the mixed element 3. Also, by forming the housing 2 from synthetic resin, the shape can be formed using methods such as injection molding. This makes it easy to form a pair of groove portions 26 on the upstream side (one end) of the housing 2. In addition, by forming the housing 2 from synthetic resin, the pair of fitting portions 32 and each of the protruding portions 33 of the mixed element 3 can be easily press-fitted into the groove portions 26 of the housing 2 and fixed in place.

[0024] Furthermore, since each protrusion 33 is provided on both sides facing the inner wall 26B of the groove 26 of the pair of fitting portions 32, the protrusion height of the protrusion 33 from the fitting portion 32 can be reduced, and the fitting portion 32 and the pair of protrusions 33 can be easily pressed into the groove 26.

[0025] Furthermore, since the side surface 33A of each protrusion 33 that abuts against the entrance edge of the groove 26 is chamfered, the pair of fitting portions 32 and each protrusion 33 of the mixing element 3 can be easily press-fitted into the pair of grooves 26 of the housing 2.

[0026] Furthermore, since the pair of fitting portions 32 and each of the protruding portions 33 have their axially inward side surfaces 32A and 33A inclined diagonally inward toward the axially inward direction, they can be easily inserted into the groove 26. In addition, since the axially inward bottom surface 26A of the groove 26 is inclined diagonally outward toward the axially outward direction, it can reliably support the fitting portions 32 and each of the protruding portions 33 that are press-fitted into the groove 26 by contacting their respective side surfaces 32A and 33A.

[0027] Furthermore, since each protrusion 33 is provided across the entire surface of the surface facing the inner wall 26B of each groove 26 of the pair of fitting portions 32, the contact area between the protrusion 33 and the inner wall 26B of the groove 26 can be increased. As a result, even when the pipe portion 21 is tilted when handling the static mixer 1, the mixing element 3 can be further prevented from coming out of the housing 2.

[0028] [Differentiation] Modified examples of the above embodiments will now be described. For the sake of convenience, in the following description, components having the same function as those described in the above embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0029] [Example 1] For example, each protrusion 33 of the mixing element 3 may be provided on only one of the two faces of the groove 26B of the pair of fitting portions 32, and not on the other face. For example, in Figure 4, each protrusion 33 may be provided only on the upper face of the pair of fitting portions 32, and not on the lower face of the pair of fitting portions 32. In this way, the mixing element 3 can be fixed to the housing 2 by press-fitting the pair of fitting portions 32 and the pair of protrusions 33 of the mixing element 3 into the groove 26 of the housing 2. As a result, even if the conduit 21 is tilted when handling the static mixer 1, the mixing element 3 can be prevented from falling out with a simple configuration.

[0030] Furthermore, although four protrusions 33 are provided in this embodiment, the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the configuration may consist of only one protrusion 33. Even with this configuration, the mixing element 3 can be fixed to the housing 2 by press-fitting the protrusion 33 into the groove 26 of the housing 2. Thus, the mixing element 3 can be prevented from falling out.

[0031] [Differentiation 2] Furthermore, for example, only one groove 26 may be provided in the housing 2 on the base end side of the flange portion 22. Also, only one fitting portion 32 may be provided in the fitting portion 32 on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the extension portion 31. And, protrusions 33 may be provided on both sides, or one side, of the fitting portion 32 facing the inner wall 26B of the groove 26. In this way, the mixing element 3 can be fixed to the housing 2 by press-fitting the fitting portion 32 and a pair or one protrusion 33 of the mixing element 3 into the groove 26 of the housing 2. As a result, even if the conduit portion 21 is tilted when handling the static mixer 1, the mixing element 3 can be prevented from falling out with a simple configuration.

[0032] [Difference 3] Furthermore, for example, the pair of grooves 26 of the housing 2 may be recessed in a rectangular groove shape radially outward from the inner circumferential surface of the conduit portion 21 toward the base end of the flange portion 22. Also, the pair of fitting portions 32 of the mixing element 3 may be formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, extending longitudinally outward from both longitudinal ends of the extension portion 31 by a length substantially equal to the length perpendicular to the axis L1 of the groove portion 26. The pair of fitting portions 32 may also be provided with a pair of protrusions 33 that project substantially vertically to a predetermined height from both sides facing the opposing inner walls 26B within the groove portion 26. Moreover, the axially inward side surface of each protrusion 33 that abuts against the entrance edge of the groove portion 26 when the fitting portion 32 is fitted into the groove portion 26 may be chamfered.

[0033] As a result, the mixing element 3 can be fixed to the housing 2 by press-fitting the pair of fitting portions 32 and each protrusion 33 of the mixing element 3 into the groove portion 26 of the housing 2 without using adhesives or welding. Consequently, even if the conduit portion 21 is tilted when handling the static mixer 1, the mixing element 3 can be prevented from falling out with this simple configuration. Furthermore, since the axially inward side surface of each protrusion 33 that abuts against the inlet edge of the groove portion 26 is chamfered, the pair of fitting portions 32 and each protrusion 33 of the mixing element 3 can be easily press-fitted into the pair of groove portions 26 of the housing 2.

[0034] [Differentiation Example 4] Furthermore, for example, the axially outer entrance edge of each groove 26 of the housing 2, which comes into contact with the pair of fitting portions 32 and each of the protrusions 33 when they are press-fitted, may be chamfered. This makes it even easier to press-fit the pair of fitting portions 32 and each of the protrusions 33 of the mixing element 3 into the pair of grooves 26 of the housing 2.

[0035] [summary] A static mixer according to the first embodiment comprises a housing having a cylindrical conduit portion extending along an axis, and a mixing element disposed within the conduit portion for mixing a fluid flowing in from one end of the conduit portion, wherein the housing has a flange portion projecting outward along its entire circumference from the outer circumference of the one end of the conduit portion, and at least one groove portion recessed radially outward from the inner circumferential surface of the one end of the conduit portion toward the base end of the flange portion, and the mixing element extends from the axially outward side edge of the conduit portion located at the one end to the axial depth of the groove portion The mixing element has an extension portion that extends outward in the axial direction to have substantially equal width and has a plane perpendicular to the axial direction, an insertion portion that protrudes outward in the longitudinal direction from at least one end of the extension portion in the longitudinal direction and can be fitted into the groove portion, and a projection portion that, when the insertion portion is fitted into the groove portion, protrudes to a predetermined height substantially vertically from at least one surface of the insertion portion facing the opposing inner walls in the groove portion, and the mixing element is inserted from the one end of the conduit portion and fixed to the housing by press-fitting the insertion portion and the projection portion into the groove portion.

[0036] The second embodiment is a static mixer of the first embodiment, wherein the housing and the mixing element are formed of synthetic resin.

[0037] A third embodiment is a static mixer according to the first or second embodiment, wherein the housing has a pair of grooves positioned symmetrically with respect to the axis, and the mixing element has a pair of fitting portions that protrude longitudinally from both longitudinal ends of the extension and can be fitted into the pair of grooves.

[0038] The fourth embodiment is a static mixer according to any one embodiment of the first to third embodiments, wherein the fitting portion is provided with the protrusions on both sides facing the opposing inner walls within the groove.

[0039] The fifth embodiment is a static mixer according to any one embodiment of the first to fourth embodiments, wherein the protruding portion has a chamfered side surface that abuts against the entrance edge of the groove when the fitting portion is fitted into the groove.

[0040] The sixth embodiment is a static mixer according to any one embodiment of the first to fifth embodiments, wherein the groove portion has an axially inward bottom surface portion that is inclined diagonally outward toward the axially outward direction, and the fitting portion and the protruding portion have a longitudinally outward side surface portion of the extension portion that is inclined diagonally inward toward the axially inward direction, and when the fitting portion and the protruding portion are pressed into the groove portion, the side surfaces of the fitting portion and the protruding portion abut against the axially inward bottom surface portion of the groove portion.

[0041] The seventh embodiment is a static mixer according to any one embodiment of the first to sixth embodiments, wherein the protrusion is provided in the fitting portion over the entire surface of the opposing inner walls within the groove.

[0042] [Additional Notes] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of this disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1: Static Mixer 2: Housing 3: Mixing element 21: Pipe section 22, 23: Flange section 26: Groove 26A: Bottom part 26B: Inner wall 31: Extended Section 31A: Plane 32: Embedded part 32A, 33A: Side view 33: Protrusion

Claims

1. A housing having a cylindrical conduit section extending along the axis, The system includes a mixing element disposed within the pipeline section for mixing the fluid flowing in from one end of the pipeline section, The aforementioned housing is A flange portion that protrudes outward from the outer circumference of the end of one end of the aforementioned pipeline section, The pipe section has at least one groove that is recessed radially outward from the inner circumferential surface of the end on one end side toward the base end side of the flange section, The aforementioned mixed element is An extension portion having a plane perpendicular to the axial direction is provided, extending outward in the axial direction from the axially outward side edge located at one end of the pipeline portion, with a width approximately equal to the axial depth of the groove portion, A fitting portion that protrudes outward in the longitudinal direction from at least one end of the extension portion in the longitudinal direction and is fitted into the groove portion, When the fitting portion is fitted into the groove, it has a protruding portion that protrudes to a predetermined height in a substantially vertical direction from at least one surface of the fitting portion facing the opposing inner walls within the groove, A static mixer in which the mixing element is inserted from one end of the conduit and fixed to the housing by the fitting portion and the protruding portion being press-fitted into the groove.

2. The housing and the mixing element are formed of synthetic resin. The static mixer according to claim 1.

3. The housing has a pair of grooves positioned symmetrically with respect to the axis, The mixing element has a pair of fitting portions that protrude in the longitudinal direction from both ends of the extension portion in the longitudinal direction and can be fitted into the pair of groove portions. The static mixer according to claim 1.

4. The fitting portion is provided with the protrusions on both sides facing the opposing inner walls within the groove. A static mixer according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The protruding portion has a chamfered side surface that contacts the edge of the groove on the entrance side when the fitting portion is fitted into the groove. A static mixer according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The groove portion has a bottom surface that is inclined diagonally outward toward the axially outward direction. The aforementioned fitting portion and the aforementioned protruding portion have a longitudinally outer side surface of the extension portion that is inclined diagonally inward toward the axially inward direction. When the fitting portion and the protruding portion are pressed into the groove, the sides of the fitting portion and the protruding portion abut against the bottom surface of the groove on the axially inward side. A static mixer according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. The aforementioned protrusion is provided in the fitting portion over the entire surface of the opposing inner walls within the groove portion. A static mixer according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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