Pump device

Abstract

To provide a pump device which can suppress the lowering of transportation efficiency even if the viscosity of a carried article is high.SOLUTION: A pump device comprises an outer cylinder, an inner cylinder arranged along an internal peripheral face of the outer cylinder, and constituted with an elastic body as a raw material, and end part members arranged at both ends of the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder, and forming a closed space between an internal periphery of the outer cylinder and an external periphery of the inner cylinder. The pump device also comprises a pump part in which the inner cylinder is expanded to a centripetal direction by supplying a working medium to the closed space, and a plurality of pump units which can be contacted by a restoration force generated by the elasticity of the inner cylinder by discharging the working medium into the close space are connected to each other. The pump device transports a carried article with an internal peripheral side of the inner cylinder as a transportation route by expanding the pump units in a prescribed order. All or a part of the pump units constituting the pump part comprises forcible contraction means for forcibly contracting the inner cylinder in addition to contraction by the elasticity of the inner cylinder.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pump device, and more particularly to a pump device including an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder, for supplying a pressurizing medium between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder to expand the inner cylinder in the centripetal direction to convey a fluid such as a liquid, a slurry, a solid, or a solid-liquid mixture.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as one form of a pump, a pump that uses a peristaltic motion as shown in Patent Document 1 to transfer a conveyed material is known. The pump disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of pump units that expand the inner cylinder by supplying a pressurizing medium between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder and contract the inner cylinder by discharging the pressurizing medium. By sequentially expanding and contracting the inner cylinders of the connected pump units, the conveyed material can be conveyed by the inner peripheral side of the connected pump units.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In such a pump, as described in Patent Document 1, when the pump unit contracts, the conveyed material is drawn in by the negative pressure generated on the inner peripheral side of the inner cylinder, so that a viscous fluid such as a liquid or a slurry, a powder, or a solid-liquid mixture can be conveyed regardless of the physical properties of the conveyed material. However, when the viscosity of the conveyed material is high, there is a problem that the conveyed material cannot be sufficiently drawn into the inner cylinder, resulting in a decrease in the overall flow rate.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a pump device capable of suppressing a decrease in flow rate even when the viscosity of the conveyed material is high in order to solve the above problems.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] As a configuration of a pump device for solving the above problems, an outer cylinder, an inner cylinder provided along the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder and made of an elastic body, and end members provided at both ends of the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder, forming a closed space between the inner periphery of the outer cylinder and the outer periphery of the inner cylinder, and a pump unit in which a plurality of pump units are connected, wherein the inner cylinder expands in the centripetal direction by supplying a working medium to the closed space and can contract by the restoring force due to the elasticity of the inner cylinder by discharging the working medium from the closed space 、 By expanding the inner cylinder of the pump unit in a predetermined order, the conveyance object is conveyed using the inner peripheral side of the inner cylinder as a conveyance path of Convey control Do A conveyance control device, comprising: A pump device, The conveyance control device is Composing the pump section the po Pump unit of In addition to the contraction due to the elasticity of the inner cylinder, forced na Contraction enable Equipped with forced contraction means, The pump unit includes a first pump unit portion composed of a first pump unit in which the outer cylinder is made of a material having a higher elastic modulus than that of the inner cylinder, and the inner cylinder is non-extensible in the axial direction when the inner cylinder expands in the centripetal direction, and a second pump unit portion formed by connecting a plurality of second pump units in which the outer cylinder is made of a material having elasticity with its axial elongation restricted, and the inner cylinder can be contracted in the axial direction when the inner cylinder expands in the centripetal direction. The first pump unit portion is connected to the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the second pump unit portion It was configured as such. According to this configuration, the forced contraction means can apply a large negative pressure to the conveyed material in a short time by forcibly contracting the inner cylinder. As a result, even if the conveyed material has high viscosity, it can be taken into the contracted First Pump unit and the second pump unit It becomes possible to suppress a decrease in the flow rate of the conveyed material (a decrease in conveyance efficiency). In addition, the forced contraction means can force the inner cylinder of the first pump unit to contract, so that even when the viscosity of the conveyed material is high, a large amount of the conveyed material can be taken into the pump, and a decrease in the flow rate of the conveyed material can be suppressed. Also, the second pump unit is made of an elastic body whose axial elongation is restricted, so that it contracts in the axial direction when expanding, and the pushing force becomes large, and the conveyed material remaining in this pump unit can be reduced, contributing to preventing a decrease in the flow rate. Also, the forced contraction means is to forcibly contract the first pump unit, or both the first pump unit and the second pump unit By doing so, a large negative pressure can be surely generated on the inner peripheral side of the inner cylinder. Also, the forced contraction means The first By configuring the forced contraction means to expand the volume of the inner cylinder more than the volume on the inner peripheral side of the inner cylinder when the inner cylinder of the pump unit contracts due to its elasticity, a larger negative pressure can be surely generated on the inner peripheral side of the inner cylinder. Also, the forced contraction means may be configured to be able to forcibly discharge the working medium from the closed space, When forcibly contracting the first pump unit, the inner cylinder of the first pump unit is mechanically contracted. When forcibly contracting both the first pump unit and the second pump unit, the inner cylinder of the first pump unit and the inner cylinder of the second pump unit are mechanically contracted. It can be configured like this That's all that needs to be done. In addition, the conveyance control device takes, as an initial state, a state in which all inner cylinders forming a conveyance path in the pump unit are expanded, and repeats a process of sequentially contracting all inner cylinders by contracting the inner cylinders from the upstream side, and a process of sequentially expanding all inner cylinders by expanding the inner cylinders from the upstream side, thereby conveying the conveyed material. The pump device according to claim 1, characterized in that.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

[0008] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail through embodiments. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solution means of the invention, but include selectively adopted configurations.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] [Schematic Configuration of the Entire Peristaltic Pump] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a pump device 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the pump device 1 according to the present embodiment includes two types of pump units 10; 210 and a conveyance control device 100. The pump units 10; 210 are configured to form a conveyance path and a pump by connecting a plurality of them. In the present embodiment, one pump unit 10 is arranged on the most upstream side in the conveyance direction, and three pump units 210 are connected in series on the downstream side thereof to form a pump section 8. However, the connection form of the pump units 10; 210 is not limited to this. The pump section 8 is provided, for example, at the outlet of a storage device where the conveyed material is stored, or in the middle of an existing pipe.

[0010] [Regarding the Pump Unit 10] Figure 2 is an axial cross-sectional view and a radial cross-sectional view of the pump unit 10. As shown in Figure 2, the pump unit 10 includes an inner cylinder 12, an outer cylinder 14 disposed so as 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 centripetal (axial) direction of the inner cylinder 12 by supplying a fluid, which is a working medium, to the space formed between the outer periphery of the inner cylinder 12 and the inner periphery of the outer cylinder 14, and which is closed by the end members 16;16.

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

[0013] As shown in Figure 2, the inner cylinder 12 includes a cylindrical tube portion 12A and flange portions 12B provided at both ends of the tube portion 12A. The flange portions 12B are formed integrally with the tube portion 12A and are formed in a hollow disc shape that spreads 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 (in the axial direction inward) is formed over the entire circumference.

[0014] [Regarding the outer cylinder] The outer cylinder 14 is configured as a rigid cylindrical body. As the material constituting the outer cylinder 14, for example, materials such as metal and resin can be used. Note that having rigidity means that it does not substantially deform in the axial direction, radial direction, etc. during the operation of the pump unit 10. That is, the outer cylinder 14 is made of a material having a modulus of elasticity greater than that of the inner cylinder 12.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the outer cylinder 14 includes flange portions 14B at both ends of a cylindrical tube portion 14A. The flange portions 14B are formed integrally with the tube portion 14A and are formed in a hollow disk shape that extends concentrically outward in the radial direction at the ends of the tube portion 14A.

[0016] [Regarding the end members] The end members 16; 16 are disposed at both ends of the inner cylinder 12 and the outer cylinder 14. The end members 16; 16 can be fixed to both ends of the inner cylinder 12 and the outer cylinder 14, and are configured to enable connection to the pump unit 10 or the pump unit 210.

[0017] The end members 16; 16 include a flange portion 16A and a tube portion 16B. The flange portion 16A is formed in a flat plate rectangular shape having a hollow portion 20. The hollow portion 20 is provided as a circular hole through which the tube portion 12A of the inner cylinder 12 can pass. The diameter of the hollow portion 20 is, for example, preferably dimensioned to be in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tube portion 12A of the inner cylinder 12.

[0018] The flange portion 16A is provided with an annular groove 22 that is recessed annularly in the axially outer end face 16a. The annular groove 22 is formed concentrically with the hollow portion 20, and the protrusion 13 at the tip of the flange portion 12B of the inner cylinder 12 can be fitted therein. Further, the outer end face 16a of the flange portion 16A is formed such that the flange portion 12B of the inner cylinder 12 protrudes outside the outer end face 16a in a state where the protrusion 13 of the inner cylinder 12 is fitted in the annular groove 22.

[0019] The inner cylinder 12 is attached to the end members 16; 16 by fitting the protrusion 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 another pump unit 10 via the end members 16; 16 or is connected to a flange provided on an existing pipe, so that the flange portion 12B is pressed against the end member 16 to form an airtight seal with the end member 16.

[0020] The cylindrical portion 16B is provided so as to project cylindrically in the axial direction from the inner end face 16b inside the flange portion 16A. The cylindrical portion 16B has a central axis that is concentric with the hollow portion 20 and is integrally formed with the flange portion 16A. The cylindrical portion 16B is formed with an outer diameter that is sized to be slidably inserted into the inner peripheral side of the outer cylinder 14 and an inner diameter that is larger than the inner diameter of the hollow portion 20.

[0021] With the cylindrical portion 16B of the end member 16 inserted into the outer cylinder 14, the flange portion 14B of the outer cylinder 14 is fixed to the inner end face 16b inside the flange portion 16A of the end member 16 by fixing means such as bolts (not shown). The outer cylinder 14 can be made airtight with the end member 16, for example, by interposing a packing or the like between the flange portion 14B of the outer cylinder 14 and the flange portion 16A of the end member 16.

[0022] As described above, by attaching both ends of the inner cylinder 12 and the outer cylinder 14 to the end members 16; 16, the space formed between the outer periphery of the inner cylinder 12 and the inner periphery of the outer cylinder 14 is made into a closed space, and the fluid chamber V1 in the pump unit 10 is formed.

[0023] One of the end members 16 is provided with supply / discharge holes 28 for supplying and discharging fluid to / from the fluid chamber V1. One end of the supply / discharge hole 28 opens to the outer peripheral 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.

[0024] A pipe (not shown) extending from the transfer control device 100 and for supplying fluid to the fluid chamber V1 and discharging fluid from the fluid chamber V1 can be connected to the opening on the outer peripheral end face of the flange portion 16A that constitutes the supply / discharge hole 28.

[0025] Note that the supply / discharge holes 28 are not limited to one of the end members 16, and may be provided in the other end member 16 so that fluid is supplied to and discharged from the fluid chamber V1 from both end members 16; 16. Further, the supply / discharge holes 28 are not limited to being provided in the end members 16, and may be provided in the outer cylinder 14 so that fluid is supplied to and discharged from the fluid chamber V1, and may be appropriately changed according to the configuration of the pump unit 10.

[0026] According to the above configuration, the pump unit 10 supplies compressed air to the fluid chamber V1 through the supply and discharge holes 28, causing the inner cylinder 12 to expand in the centripetal direction as shown in FIG. 2(b). By discharging the compressed air supplied to the fluid chamber V1, it contracts as shown in FIG. 2(a). By further discharging air from the state where the compressed air is discharged from the fluid chamber V1 and it has contracted, it is configured to be able to expand in the direction opposite to the centripetal direction as shown in FIG. 2(c).

[0027] [Regarding the pump unit 210] FIG. 3 is an axial cross-sectional view and a radial cross-sectional view of the pump unit 210. As shown in FIG. 3, the pump unit 210 includes an inner cylinder 212, an outer cylinder 214 arranged to form a double tube coaxial with the central axis of the inner cylinder 212, and a pair of end members 216; 216 that close the space formed between the outer periphery of the inner cylinder 212 and the inner periphery of the outer cylinder 214.

[0028] The pump unit 210 is configured to expand the inner cylinder 212 in the axial direction of the inner cylinder 212 by supplying fluid to the space formed between the outer periphery of the inner cylinder 212 and the inner periphery of the outer cylinder 214, which is closed by the end members 216; 216.

[0029] [Regarding the inner cylinder] The inner cylinder 212 is configured as an elastic cylindrical body. As the material constituting the inner cylinder 212, for example, elastic materials such as rubber and elastomers such as natural latex rubber and silicone rubber can be used.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, the inner cylinder 212 includes flange portions 212B at both ends of a cylindrical tube portion 212A. The flange portions 212B are integrally formed with the tube portion 212A and are formed in a hollow disk shape that expands concentrically outward in the radial direction at the ends of the tube portion 212A. On the tip (outer peripheral portion) of this flange portion 212B, protrusion portions 213 that protrude toward the tube portion 212A side (axially inward) are formed over the entire circumference.

[0031] [Regarding the outer cylinder] Figure 4 is a radial cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of Figure 3. The outer cylinder 214 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 214 is composed of, for example, an elastic material and a fiber material. As shown in Figure 4, the outer cylinder 214 includes, for example, an elastic material 215A and a plurality of fibers 215B encapsulated in the elastic material 215A in a radial cross-sectional view.

[0032] As the elastic material 215A, for example, an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer like natural latex rubber or silicone rubber can be used.

[0033] The fiber 215B is provided to restrain the elongation of the outer cylinder 214 in the axial direction and functions as a restraining means for restraining the elongation of the outer cylinder 214 in the axial direction.

[0034] The fiber 215B is provided, for example, in layers, has a length that continuously extends from one end side to the other end side of the outer cylinder 214, and is arranged to extend along the axial direction of the outer cylinder 214. Note that the fiber 215B does not necessarily have to be included in layers in the outer cylinder 214 and may be dispersed and embedded in the elastic material.

[0035] As the material of the fiber 215B, a high-elastic fiber with a small change in expansion and contraction in the axial direction is suitable. For example, those having extensibility such as aramid fiber, carbon fiber, glass fiber, nylon, polyamide-based fiber, polyolefin-based fiber, and metal fiber can be appropriately selected and used. By performing an appropriate primer treatment or surface oxidation treatment on the fiber, the adhesiveness can be sufficiently improved, but preferably, it is selected according to the adhesiveness with the elastic material.

[0036] As the form of the fiber material, any form such as filaments, yarns (spun yarns and filament yarns), strands, etc. can be used. Furthermore, it is also possible to use untwisted fibers converged without twisting, and fibers created by twisting a plurality of these fibers. Depending on the type of fiber, different fibers of two or more types of materials or fibers of different forms may be combined.

[0037] Note that the length of the fiber 215B is not limited to the length continuous from one end side to the other end side, and a plurality of fibers shorter than the axial length of the outer cylinder 214 may be continuously distributed along the axial direction so as to reach from one end side to the other end side.

[0038] Also, the restraining means in the outer cylinder 214 may be constituted by the elastic material itself instead of the fiber 215B. For example, ribs extending in the axial direction of the outer cylinder 214 may be integrally formed of the elastic material constituting the outer cylinder 214 and used as the restraining means.

[0039] Also, the pump unit 210 is preferably configured such that the elastic modulus of the outer cylinder 214 is larger than the elastic modulus of the inner cylinder 212 in consideration of the ease of expansion of the inner cylinder 212 in the centripetal direction.

[0040] [Regarding the end member] The end members 216; 216 are disposed at both ends of the inner cylinder 212 and the outer cylinder 214. The end members 216; 216 are configured to be fixable to both ends of the inner cylinder 212 and the outer cylinder 214 and to enable connection with the pump unit 10 or the pump unit 210.

[0041] The end members 216; 216 include a flange portion 216A and a cylindrical portion 216B. The flange portion 216A is formed in a flat plate rectangular shape having a hollow portion 220. The hollow portion 220 is provided as a circular hole through which the cylindrical portion 212A of the inner cylinder 212 can pass. The diameter of the hollow portion 220 may be, for example, sized to be in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 212A of the inner cylinder 212.

[0042] The flange portion 216A is provided with an annular groove 222 that is recessed annularly on the axially outer end face 216a. The annular groove 222 is formed concentrically with the hollow portion 220, and the protrusion 213 at the tip of the flange portion 212B of the inner cylinder 212 can be fitted therein. Further, the outer end face 216a of the flange portion 216A is formed such that when the protrusion 13 of the inner cylinder 12 is fitted in the annular groove 22, the flange portion 212B of the inner cylinder 212 protrudes outward from the outer end face 16a.

[0043] The inner cylinder 212 is attached to the end member 216 by fitting the protrusion 213 of the flange portion 212B into the annular groove 222 of the end member 216. The inner cylinder 212 is connected to the end member of another pump unit 10; 210 or the flange provided on the existing piping via the end member 216; 216, so that the flange portion 212B is pressed against the end member 216 and an airtight state with the end member 216 is configured.

[0044] The cylindrical portion 216B is provided so as to protrude cylindrically in the axial direction from the inner end face 216b of the flange portion 216A. The central axis of the cylindrical portion 216B is concentric with the hollow portion 220 and is integrally formed with the flange portion 216A. The cylindrical portion 216B is set to have a size such that its outer diameter can be inserted into the inner peripheral side of the outer cylinder 214 in a close contact state, and its inner diameter is set to have a dimension larger than the inner diameter of the hollow portion 220.

[0045] The caulking intermediate member 224 constitutes a fixing means for fixing the outer cylinder 214 to the end member 216; 216 in an airtight state together with the caulking member 226. The caulking intermediate member 224 is formed as an annular member that can be inserted into the outer periphery of the outer cylinder 214 in a state where the cylindrical portion 216B of the end member 216 is inserted into the outer cylinder 214.

[0046] The caulking intermediate member 224 has a cylindrical surface formed on the inner peripheral side, and its inner diameter is set to be, for example, an interference fit with respect to the outer periphery of the outer cylinder 214. Further, the caulking intermediate member 224 has a conical surface (tapered surface) formed on the outer peripheral side, and is formed so as to gradually increase in wall thickness with respect to the inner peripheral surface. The caulking intermediate member 224 is arranged on the outer periphery of the outer cylinder 214 so as to press the thick side against the end member 216.

[0047] The caulking member 226 is formed as an annular member that can be fitted onto the outer periphery of the caulking intermediate member 224 arranged on the outer cylinder 214. The caulking member 226 has a conical surface (tapered surface) formed on the inner peripheral side, and is configured to be in surface contact with the conical surface of the caulking intermediate member 224.

[0048] The caulking member 226 is fixed to the inner end face 216b of the end member 216 by fixing means such as bolts (not shown) with the conical surface on the inner peripheral side in contact with the conical surface of the caulking intermediate member 224. As a result, the caulking intermediate member 224 is pressed against the outer cylinder 214, and the outer cylinder 214 is fixed to the cylinder portion 216B of the end member 216 in an airtight state.

[0049] As described above, when the end members 216 are attached to the ends of the inner cylinder 212 and the outer cylinder 214, the space formed between the outer periphery of the inner cylinder 212 and the inner periphery of the outer cylinder 14 is made into a closed space, forming the fluid chamber V2 in the pump unit 210.

[0050] One of the end members 216 is provided with a supply / discharge hole 228 for supplying and discharging fluid to / from the fluid chamber V2. One end of the supply / discharge hole 228 opens at the outer end face of the flange portion 216A of the end member 216, and the other end opens between the inner cylinder 212 and the outer cylinder 214 at the inner end face 216b of the flange portion 216A.

[0051] A pipe (not shown) extending from the conveyance control device 100 and for supplying fluid to the fluid chamber V2 and discharging fluid from the fluid chamber V2 can be connected to the opening at the outer end face of the flange portion 216A that constitutes the supply / discharge hole 228.

[0052] Note that the fluid supply / discharge hole 228 is not limited to one end member 216, and may be provided in the other end member 216 to supply / discharge fluid to / from the fluid chamber V2 from both end members 216; 216. Further, the fluid supply / discharge hole 228 is not limited to being provided in the end member 216, and may be provided in the outer cylinder 214 to supply / discharge fluid to / from the fluid chamber V2, and may be changed as appropriate according to the configuration of the pump unit 210.

[0053] According to the above configuration, the pump unit 210 supplies compressed air to the fluid chamber V2 through the fluid supply / discharge hole 228, so that as shown in Fig. 3(b), the inner cylinder 212 expands radially inward (centripetal direction) and contracts axially, and discharges the compressed air supplied to the fluid chamber V2, so that as shown in Fig. 3(a), it contracts radially and elongates axially.

[0054] [Regarding the conveying control device] The conveying control device 100 is a device for controlling the conveying operation of the conveyed object by the connected pump unit 10 and pump unit 210. The conveying control device 100 can be composed of, for example, a fluid system control unit 110 and an electrical system control unit 160 as shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 1, the broken line indicates a signal line showing the path of an electrical signal, and the solid line indicates a pipe showing the fluid flow path.

[0055] [Fluid system control unit] [Positive pressure system] The fluid system control unit 110 controls the supply, stop, and discharge of fluid to / from the pump units 10; 210. 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. Note that the fluid system control unit 110 may be appropriately changed so that the functions described below can be obtained according to the fluid used.

[0056] The fluid system control unit 110 includes, for example, a compressor 112, a regulator 114, a supply valve 116, a discharge valve 118, a flow rate sensor 120, a pressure sensor 122, a pressure reducing means 124, a suction valve 126, etc.

[0057] The compressor 112 generates the air supplied to the fluid chamber V1 of the pump unit 10 and the fluid chamber V2 of the pump unit 210 as compressed air.

[0058] The regulator 114 is connected to the compressor 112, takes the compressed air pressurized by the compressor 112 as an input, reduces the pressure of 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 be at least the pressure at which the inner peripheral surfaces of the inner cylinder 12 of the pump unit 10 and the inner cylinder 212 of the pump unit 210 can be in close contact with each other when the pump units 10; 210 are expanded, or greater than that.

[0059] The supply valve 116 is provided for each of the connected pump units 10; 210, and the regulator 114 and each pump unit 10; 210 are connected. The supply valve 116 takes the compressed air decompressed by the regulator 114 as an input, and controls the output of this compressed air to the fluid chambers V1; V2 of the pump units 10; 210 (supply and stop of supply of compressed air to the fluid chambers V1; V2). The supply valve 116 has a valve that opens and closes based on an electrical signal. By opening the valve, compressed air is supplied to the fluid chamber V1 or the fluid chamber V2, and by closing the valve, the supply of compressed air is stopped. The supply valve 116 is electrically connected to the electrical control unit 160, and opens and closes the valve based on a signal input from the electrical control unit 160.

[0060] The discharge valve 118 is provided for each pump unit 210 and is connected to each pump unit 210. The discharge valve 118 takes the compressed air in the fluid chamber V2 as an input, and the output side is open to the atmosphere so that this compressed air is discharged into the atmosphere. The discharge valve 118 has a valve that opens and closes based on an electrical signal. By opening the valve, the fluid chamber V2 is opened to the atmosphere to discharge the compressed air in the fluid chamber V2 into the atmosphere, and by closing the valve, the discharge of compressed air is stopped. The discharge valve 118 is electrically connected to the electrical control unit 160, and opens and closes the valve based on a signal input from the electrical control unit 160.

[0061] The flow sensor 120 is provided between the pump units 10; 210 corresponding to the supply valves 116 provided for each pump unit 10; 210, and measures the flow rate of the compressed air supplied to the pump units 10; 210. The flow sensor 120 is electrically connected to the electrical control unit 160, and outputs the measured flow rate of the compressed air to the electrical control unit 160. In addition, the position where the flow sensor 120 is provided may be any position as long as it can measure the flow rate of the compressed air supplied to the fluid chambers V1 and V2.

[0062] The pressure sensor 122 is provided between the pump units 10; 210 corresponding to the flow sensor 120 provided for each pump unit 10; 210, and measures the pressure in the fluid chamber V1 of the pump unit 10 or the pressure in the fluid chamber V2 of the pump unit 210. The pressure sensor 122 is electrically connected to the electrical control unit 160, and outputs the measured pressure in the fluid chamber V1 and the pressure in the fluid chamber V2 to the electrical control unit 160. In addition, the position where the pressure sensor 122 is provided may be any position as long as it can measure the pressure in the fluid chamber V1 and the fluid chamber V2.

[0063] [Negative pressure system] The pressure reducing means 124 is a device for forcibly discharging (suctioning) air from the fluid chamber V1 of the pump unit 10. The pressure reducing means 124 is configured to, for example, suction the air in the fluid chamber V1 and lower the air pressure in the fluid chamber V1 below the atmospheric pressure. As the pressure reducing means 124, for example, a vacuum pump or a pressure reducing device such as a device that generates a negative pressure using the Venturi effect of the compressed air of the compressor 112 can be used.

[0064] The suction valve 126 is provided between the decompression means 124 and the pump unit 10, and controls the communication state between the decompression means 124 and the fluid chamber V1. The suction valve 126 has a valve that opens and closes based on an electrical signal. By opening the valve, compressed air is supplied to the fluid chamber V1, and by closing the valve, the supply of compressed air is stopped. The suction valve 126 is electrically connected to the electrical control unit 160 and opens and closes the valve based on a signal input from the electrical control unit 160.

[0065] Note that although the decompression means 124 is described as interrupting the pipe connecting the pump unit 10 and the supply valve 116 via the suction valve 126, it is not limited to this. It is only necessary that the decompression action by the decompression means 124 on the pump unit 10 can be controllably configured by the suction valve 126.

[0066] Also, the supply valve 116, the discharge valve 118, and the suction valve 126 are described as being in a closed state when no signal is input as an initial state, opening when a signal is input, and closing when the signal is stopped.

[0067] For example, a solenoid valve can be applied to the supply valve 116, the discharge valve 118, and the suction valve 126. By using a solenoid valve for the supply valve 116, the discharge valve 118, and the suction valve 126, the response speed when expanding or contracting the pump unit 10; 210 can be improved.

[0068] The electrical control unit 160 is a control device for operating the pump unit 10; 210. For example, the electrical control unit 160 is a computer equipped with hardware such as a CPU as arithmetic processing means and ROM, RAM, etc. as storage means.

[0069] The storage means stores a program for operating the pump unit 10, determination values for determining the output and stop of signals to the supply valve 116, the discharge valve 118, and the suction valve 126, and the like.

[0070] The electrical control unit 160 executes processing according to a program stored in the storage means by the arithmetic processing means, and based on the flow rate input from the flow rate sensor 120 provided for each pump unit 10 and the pressure input from the pressure sensor 122, it outputs signals for opening and closing the supply valve 116, the discharge valve 118, and the suction valve 126 provided for each pump unit 10. Note that the electrical control unit 160 is not limited to a computer, and a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) can also be used.

[0071] [Expansion control of pump unit 10] When the electrical control unit 160 expands the pump unit 10, it outputs a signal only to the corresponding supply valve 116 and maintains the signal output to the suction valve 126 in a stopped state. As a result, compressed air flows into the fluid chamber V1 of the pump unit 10, and the inner cylinder 12 expands in the centripetal direction.

[0072] During the process of supplying compressed air to the fluid chamber V1, the electrical control unit 160 monitors the change in the flow rate input from the flow rate sensor 120 and the change in the pressure input from the pressure sensor 122. Then, when the input flow rate and pressure reach the determination value at which it is considered that the expansion state has been reached, the electrical control unit 160 stops the signal output to the supply valve 116. As a result, the inner cylinder 12 of the pump unit 10 assumes the expanded state as shown in Fig. 2(b), and this state is maintained. Hereinafter, this expanded state may be referred to as the fully expanded state or simply full expansion. Note that full expansion refers to the state when it is most expanded during the conveyance operation of the conveyed object, and for example, it means a state where it expands to be able to block the conveyance path.

[0073] [Contraction control of pump unit 10] Also, when the electrical control unit 160 contracts the pump unit 10 from the fully expanded state, it outputs a signal only to the suction valve 126 and maintains the stopped state of the signal output to the corresponding supply valve 116. As a result, the compressed air in the fluid chamber V1 of the pump unit 10 is sucked by the decompression means 124 and forcibly discharged.

[0074] During the process of discharging the compressed air from the fluid chamber V1, the electric control unit 160 monitors the change in the pressure of the fluid chamber V1. And when the input pressure reaches the determination value at which it is considered that the pump unit 10 has reached the overcontraction state, the electric control unit 160 stops outputting a signal to the suction valve 126.

[0075] The overcontraction state (sometimes simply referred to as overcontraction) means that, as shown in Fig. 2(a), when the compressed air in the fluid chamber V1 is naturally discharged into the atmosphere from the supply / discharge hole 28 and is naturally contracted by the restoring force due to the elasticity of the inner cylinder 12 (hereinafter, this state is referred to as the natural contraction state), it becomes a state of expanding in the direction opposite to the centripetal direction (radially outward), as shown in Fig. 2(c). In the present embodiment, for example, when the pressure on the inner peripheral side of the inner cylinder 12 is in the atmospheric pressure state, the pressure of the fluid chamber V1 during overcontraction is set to be lower than the atmospheric pressure.

[0076] That is, the decompression means 124 functions as a forced contraction means for forcibly contracting the inner cylinder 12 of the pump unit 10 by applying a negative pressure to the fluid chamber V1 of the pump unit 10 by the electric control unit 160 controlling the supply valve 116 and the suction valve 126 and forcibly discharging the compressed air in the fluid chamber V1.

[0077] [Expansion Control of Pump Unit 210] When the electric control unit 160 expands the pump unit 210, it outputs a signal only to the supply valve 116 and maintains the output of the signal to the discharge valve 118 in a stopped state. As a result, compressed air flows into the fluid chamber V2 of the pump unit 210, and the inner cylinder 212 expands in the centripetal direction.

[0078] During the process of supplying compressed air to the fluid chamber V2, the electric control unit 160 monitors the change in the flow rate input from the flow rate sensor 120 and the change in the pressure input from the pressure sensor 122. Then, when the input flow rate and pressure reach the determination values that are considered to have reached the complete expansion of the pump unit 210, the electric control unit 160 stops outputting a signal to the supply valve 116. As a result, the inner cylinder 212 of the pump unit 210 assumes an expanded state as shown in Fig. 3(b). Hereinafter, this expanded state may be referred to as the complete expansion state or simply complete expansion. Note that complete expansion refers to the state when the expansion is at its maximum during the conveyance operation of the conveyed object. For example, it means a state where the conveyance path is expanded to be able to block it.

[0079] [Shrinkage control of pump unit 210] Also, when the electric control unit 160 causes the pump unit 210 to shrink from the completely expanded state, it maintains the state of stopping the output of a signal to the supply valve 116 and outputs a signal only to the discharge valve 118. As a result, the compressed air in the fluid chamber V2 of the pump unit 210 is discharged to the atmosphere through the discharge valve 118, and the shrinkage is started. It shrinks as shown in Fig. 3(a).

[0080] During the process of discharging the compressed air from the fluid chamber V2, the electric control unit 160 monitors the change in the pressure of the fluid chamber V2. Then, when the input pressure reaches the determination value that is considered to have reached the shrinkage state of the pump unit 210, the electric control unit 160 stops outputting a signal to the discharge valve 118. As a result, the pump unit 210 shrinks as shown in Fig. 3(a). Hereinafter, this shrinkage state may also be referred to as the natural shrinkage state or simply natural shrinkage.

[0081] [Operation of pump device] The pump device 1 can be operated as follows, for example. In the following description, as shown in FIG. 1, it will be described as transporting the conveyed object in the transport direction indicated by the arrow in the figure. Also, in FIG. 1, the A, B, C, D with () attached to the pump units 10; 210, supply valve 116, discharge valve 118, flow rate sensor 120, pressure sensor 122, suction valve 126, etc. are reference numerals for identifying valves and the like associated with the operation of each pump unit 10; 210.

[0082] FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams showing the transport operation of the pump section 8 according to the present embodiment. In operation example 1, as shown in FIG. 5(a), it will be described that the operation starts with the state where all the pump units 10A; 210B to 210D are expanded as the initial state.

[0083] [Step 1] First, the electric control unit 160 outputs a signal only to the supply valves 116(A) to 116(D) in order to fully expand the pump units 10(A); 210(B) to 210(D), and stops the output of signals to the suction valve 126(A) and the discharge valves 118(B) to 118(D). As a result, compressed air is supplied to the fluid chambers V of the pump units 10(A); 210(B) to 210(D), and the inner cylinders 12; 212 of the respective pump units 10(A); 210(B) to 210(D) start to expand in the centripetal direction.

[0084] Then, when the flow rate input from the flow rate sensors 120(A) to 120(D) and the pressure input from the pressure sensors 122(A) to 122(D) reach the determination values at which the pump unit 10 is assumed to be fully expanded and the determination values at which the pump unit 210 is assumed to be fully expanded, respectively, the electric control unit 160 stops the output of signals to the supply valves 116(A) to 116(D). At this time, the electric control unit 160 maintains the stopped state of the output of signals to the suction valve 126(A) and the discharge valves 118(B) to 118(D).

[0085] As a result, as shown in Fig. 5(a), the inner cylinders 12; 212 of all the pump units 10(A); 210(B) to 210(D) constituting the pump section 8 are fully expanded in the centripetal direction, and the conveyance path formed by the connected inner cylinders 12; 212 is brought into a closed state. It is assumed that at this time, the conveyed material has reached the pump unit 10A located most upstream in the pump section 8.

[0086] [Step 2] Next, the electric system control unit 160 outputs a signal only to the suction valve 126(A), and maintains the stop state of the signal output to the supply valves 116A to 116(D) and the discharge valves 118(B) to 118(D). As a result, while the inner cylinders 212 of the pump units 210B to 210(D) remain fully expanded, compressed air is forcibly discharged from the fluid chamber V1 of the pump unit 10(A) by the pressure reducing means 124, and the inner cylinder 12 of the pump unit 10(A) starts to rapidly contract.

[0087] Then, when the electric system control unit 160 detects that the pressure input from the pressure sensor 122(A) has reached the determination value for the overcontracted state of the pump unit 10, the electric system control unit 160 stops the signal output to the suction valve 126A. At this time, the stop state of the signal output to the supply valves 116(A) to 116(D) and the discharge valves 118(B) to 118(D) is maintained. As a result, the pump unit 10(A) is in an overcontracted state as shown in Fig. 5(b). Then, as the pump unit 10(A) rapidly contracts and is in an overcontracted state, a large negative pressure is obtained, and the conveyed material that has reached the pump section 8 can be drawn into the pump unit 10(A) by this large negative pressure.

[0088] [Step 3] Next, the electric system control unit 160 outputs a signal only to the discharge valve 118(B), and stops the signal output to the supply valves 116(A) to 116(D), the suction valve 126(A), and the discharge valves 118(C); 118(D). As a result, while the pump unit 10(A) is overcontracted and the pump units 210(C); 210(D) maintain full expansion, the contraction of the pump unit 210(B) is started.

[0089] Then, when the electric control unit 160 detects that the pressure input from the pressure sensor 122(B) has reached the determination value for the natural contraction state of the pump unit 210, the output of the signal to the discharge valve 118(B) is stopped. At this time, the output of the signals to the supply valves 116(A) - 116(D), the suction valves 126(A) and 118C; 118(D) remains in the stopped state. As a result, the pump unit 210(B) assumes the natural contraction state as shown in Fig. 5(c). Then, due to the negative pressure caused by the contraction of the pump unit 210(B), the conveyed material drawn into the pump unit 10(A) is drawn into the pump unit 210(B).

[0090] [Step 4] Next, the electric control unit 160 outputs a signal only to the discharge valve 118(C), and stops the output of the signals to the supply valves 116(A) - 116D, the suction valve 126(A) and the discharge valves 118(B); 118(D). As a result, while the pump unit 10(A) is overcontracted, the pump unit 210(B) is in natural contraction, and the pump unit 210(D) maintains the fully expanded state, the contraction of the pump unit 210(C) is started.

[0091] Then, when the electric control unit 160 detects that the pressure input from the pressure sensor 122(C) has reached the determination value for the natural contraction state of the pump unit 210, the output of the signal to the discharge valve 118(C) is stopped. At this time, the output of the signals to the supply valves 116(A) - 116(D), the suction valve 126(A) and the discharge valves 118(B); 118(D) remains in the stopped state. As a result, the pump unit 210(C) assumes a natural contraction state as shown in Fig. 5(d). Then, due to the negative pressure caused by the contraction of the pump unit 210(C), the conveyed material that had been drawn into the pump unit 210(B) is drawn into the pump unit 210(C).

[0092] [Step 5] Next, the electric control unit 160 outputs signals to the supply valve (A) and the discharge valve 118(D), and stops the output of signals to the supply valves 116(B) - 116(D), the suction valve 126(A), and the discharge valves 118(B); 118(C). As a result, while the pump units 210(B); 210(C) maintain the natural contraction state, the expansion of the pump unit 10(A) and the contraction of the pump unit 210(C) are started.

[0093] Then, when the electric control unit 160 detects that the pressure input from the pressure sensor 122(A) has reached the determination value for the fully expanded state of the pump unit 10 and the pressure input from the pressure sensor 122(D) has reached the determination value for the natural contraction state of the pump unit 210, it stops the output of signals to the supply valve (A) and the discharge valve 118(D). At this time, the output of signals to the supply valves 116(B) - 116(D), the suction valve 126(A), and the discharge valves 118(B); 118(C) remains in the stopped state. As a result, as shown in Fig. 5(d), the pump unit 10(A) is fully expanded and the pump unit 210(D) is in the natural contraction state. And, as shown in Fig. 5(d), when the pump unit 10(A) is fully expanded and the pump unit 210(D) is in the natural contraction state, the conveyed material in the pump unit 10(A) is pushed out into the pump unit 210(B), the conveyed material in the pump unit 210(B) is pushed out into the pump unit 210(C), and the conveyed material in the pump unit 210(C) is pushed out into the pump unit 210(D).

[0094] [Step 6] Next, the electric control unit 160 outputs a signal only to the supply valve 116(B), and stops outputting signals to the supply valves 116(A); 116(C); 116(D), the suction valve 126(A), and the discharge valves 118(B) to 118(D). Thereby, while the pump unit 10(A) is fully expanded and the pump units 210(C); 210(D) are maintained in a state of natural contraction, the expansion of the pump unit 210(B) is started.

[0095] Then, when the electric control unit 160 detects that the pressure input from the pressure sensor 122(B) has reached the determination value for the fully expanded state of the pump unit 210, the electric control unit 160 stops outputting a signal to the supply valve 116(B). At this time, the output of signals to the supply valves 116(A); 116(C); 116(D), the suction valve 126(A), and the discharge valves 118(B) to 118(D) remains in the stopped state.

[0096] Thereby, as shown in FIG. 6(f), the pump unit 210(B) is fully expanded. Then, due to the expansion of the pump unit 210(B), the conveyed material in the pump unit 210(B) is pressurized and pushed out into the pump unit 210(C). The conveyed material pushed into the pump unit 210(C) pushes the conveyed material in the pump unit 210(D) out into the outflow path outside the pump section 8.

[0097] [Step 7] Next, the electric control unit 160 outputs a signal only to the supply valve 116(C), and stops outputting signals to the supply valves 116(A); 116(B); 116(D), the suction valve 126(A), and the discharge valves 118(B) to 118(D). Thereby, while the pump unit 10(A); the pump unit 210(B) are fully expanded and the pump unit 210(D) is maintained in a state of natural contraction, the expansion of the pump unit 210(C) is started.

[0098] Then, when the electric control unit 160 detects that the pressure input from the pressure sensor 122(C) has reached the determination value at which the pump unit 210 is in a fully inflated state, it stops outputting a signal to the supply valve 116(C). At this time, the output of signals to the supply valves 116(A); 116(B); 116(D), the suction valve 126(A), and the discharge valves 118(B) to 118(D) remains in the stopped state.

[0099] As a result, as shown in FIG. 6(g), the pump unit 210(C) is fully inflated. Then, due to the inflation of the pump unit 210(C), the conveyed material in the pump unit 210(C) is pressurized and pushed out into the pump unit 210(D). The conveyed material pushed into the pump unit 210(D) further pushes the conveyed material in the pump unit 210(D) out into the outflow passage outside the pump section 8.

[0100] [Step 8] Next, the electric control unit 160 outputs a signal only to the supply valve 116(D), and stops the output of signals to the supply valves 116(A); 116(B); 116(C), the suction valve 126(A), and the discharge valves 118(B) to 118(D). As a result, the inflation of the pump unit 210 starts while the pump units 10(A); pump units 210(B); 210(C) maintain the fully inflated state.

[0101] Then, when the electric control unit 160 detects that the pressure input from the pressure sensor 122(D) has reached the determination value at which the pump unit 210 is in a fully inflated state, it stops outputting a signal to the supply valve 116(D). At this time, the output of signals to the supply valves 116(A); 116(B); 116(C), the suction valve 126(A), and the discharge valves 118(B) to 118(D) remains in the stopped state.

[0102] As a result, as shown in FIG. 6(h), the pump unit 210(D) expands completely. Then, due to the expansion of the pump unit 210(D), the conveyed material within the pump unit 210(D) is pushed out to the outflow path outside the pump unit 8 from the conveyed material within the pump unit 210(D).

[0103] When the pump unit 210(D) expands completely, the pump section 8 returns to the state where all the pump units 10(A); 210(B) to 210(D) are in the completely expanded state, that is, the state of step 1. Then, the pump device 1 enables the pump section 8 to repeat the states of steps 2 to 9, that is, considering steps 2 to 9 as one conveyance cycle and repeating this to convey the conveyed material from the upstream side to the downstream side.

[0104] As described above, according to the pump device 1 of the present embodiment, by forcibly contracting the inner cylinder 12 of the pump unit 10(A) by the above-described forced contraction means, the inner cylinder 12 contracts in a shorter time than when it naturally contracts due to its elasticity, and a large negative pressure can be applied to the inlet path.

[0105] In addition, by configuring the forced contraction means to expand the volume more than the volume on the inner peripheral side of the inner cylinder 12 when the inner cylinder 12 of the pump unit 10(A) contracts due to its elasticity, a larger negative pressure can be generated on the inner peripheral side of the inner cylinder 12 with respect to the inlet path.

[0106] As a result, even when the viscosity of the conveyed material is high, it becomes possible to draw the conveyed material into the pump section 8 by the pump unit 10(A) provided at the uppermost stream, and a decrease in the flow rate of the conveyed material (a decrease in conveyance efficiency) can be suppressed. That is, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the flow rate without depending on the viscosity of the conveyed material.

[0107] In addition, since the forced contraction means is configured to be able to forcibly discharge compressed air, which is the working medium, from the fluid chamber V1, the contraction speed and contraction amount of the pump unit 10(A) can be adjusted, and the negative pressure obtained by the contraction of the inner cylinder 12 can be made variable. Accordingly, depending on the physical properties of the conveyed material, the negative pressure obtained by the contraction of the inner cylinder 12 can be set in order to suppress a decrease in the flow rate.

[0108] In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that after fully expanding all the pump units 10(A); 210(B) to 210(D), the pump units are sequentially contracted from the upstream side to the downstream side in the order of 10(A) → 210(B) → 210(C) → 210(D), but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0109] The order of expanding and contracting the pump units 10(A); 210(B) to 210(D) in the pump section 8, or the combination of expanding and contracting, may be set as appropriate. For example, when drawing the conveyed material into the pump section 8, in the above-described embodiment, only the pump unit 10(A) is contracted, but the pump units 10(A); 210(B), or the pump units 10(A); 210(B): 210(C) may be contracted simultaneously or with a time shift from the upstream pump unit. At this time, it is preferable to maintain the expanded state of the pump unit adjacent to the most downstream pump unit among the pump units to be contracted on the downstream side. The time shift here means that the pump unit adjacent to the downstream side starts the contraction operation before the pump unit adjacent to the upstream side is completely contracted.

[0110] Also, for example, when pushing out the conveyed material from inside the pump section 8, in the above-described embodiment, the pump unit 10(A) is expanded while the pump unit 210(D) is contracted. However, the pump units 10(A); 210(B), or the pump units 10(A); 210(B): 210(C) may be expanded simultaneously or with a timing shift from the upstream pump unit. Here, shifting the timing means that the pump unit adjacent to the downstream side starts the expansion operation before the pump unit adjacent to the upstream side is fully expanded.

[0111] Also, the pump section 8 has been described as being configured by connecting one pump unit 10 and three pump units 210. However, for example, two pump units 10 and two pump units 210 may be used, or three pump units 10 and one pump unit 210 may be used, or all may be configured by pump units 10. Preferably, in the pump section 8, the pump unit 10 that is forcibly contracted is preferably provided on the most upstream side.

[0112] The pump unit 10 is characterized in that the inner cylinder 12 can be forcibly contracted by a forced contraction means because the outer cylinder 14 does not expand and contract in the axial direction. On the other hand, the pump unit 210 is configured to contract in the axial direction when expanding in the radial direction and expand in the axial direction when contracting in the radial direction. Therefore, if the inner cylinder 212 is forcibly contracted by the forced contraction means, the influence will also affect the outer cylinder 214. However, the pump unit 210 is characterized in that the pushing force is larger than that of the pump unit 10 because it also contracts in the axial direction when expanding. Therefore, the pump section 8 may be configured according to the conveyed material in consideration of the characteristics of the two types of pump units 10 and 210. Needless to say, as described above, in the configuration of the pump section 8, it is preferable that the pump unit 10 that is forcibly contracted is provided on the most upstream side. That is, the pump section 8 may be configured to include at least one pump unit 10 that is overcontracted.

[0113] Regarding the contraction of the pump unit 210, it may also be forcibly contracted in the same manner as the pump unit 10. In this case, in the inner cylinder 212 and the outer cylinder 214 composed of an elastic body, it is preferable to use a material in which the elastic modulus of the outer cylinder 214 is larger than the elastic modulus of the inner cylinder 212.

[0114] In addition, in the above embodiment, as a measure for forcibly contracting the pump unit 10, it has been described that the inner cylinder 12 is contracted by forcibly discharging the working medium in the fluid chamber V2, but it is not limited to this. The technical idea according to the present invention is to forcibly contract the inner cylinder 12 of the pump unit 10 to generate a large negative pressure on the inner peripheral side of the inner cylinder 12. That is, any means may be used as long as a negative pressure larger than the negative pressure on the inner peripheral side of the inner cylinder 12 obtained by the contraction due to the elasticity of the inner cylinder 12 can be obtained. For example, as a forced contraction means, biasing means for pulling the inner cylinder 12 radially outward by a spring may be provided, a part of the inner cylinder 12 may be fixed to the outer cylinder 14 in advance, and a forced load may be applied to the elasticity of the inner cylinder 12 during expansion, or a leaf spring may be provided on the outer peripheral side of the inner cylinder 12, and a forced load may be applied to the elasticity of the inner cylinder 12 during expansion.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0115] 1 Pump device, 8 Pump, 10 Pump unit, 12 Inner cylinder, 14 Outer cylinder, 100 Conveyance control device, 110 Fluid system control unit, 112 Compressor, 114 Regulator, 116 Supply valve, 118 Discharge valve, 120 Flow rate sensor, 122 Pressure sensor, 124 Pressure reducing means, 126 Suction valve, 160 Electric system control unit, 210 Pump unit, 212 Inner cylinder, 214 Outer cylinder, V1; V2 Fluid chamber.

Claims

1. An outer cylinder, an inner cylinder provided along the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder and made of an elastic material, and end members provided at both ends of the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder, forming a closed space between the inner periphery of the outer cylinder and the outer periphery of the inner cylinder, and a pump unit in which a plurality of pump units are connected, wherein the inner cylinder expands in the centripetal direction by supplying a working medium to the closed space and can be contracted by the restoring force due to the elasticity of the inner cylinder by discharging the working medium from the closed space, and a conveyance control device that controls the conveyance of a conveyed object using the inner peripheral side of the inner cylinder as a conveyance path by expanding the inner cylinders of the pump units in a predetermined order, wherein the conveyance control device, in addition to the contraction due to the elasticity of the inner cylinder of the pump unit constituting the pump section, includes a forced contraction means that enables forced contraction, wherein the pump section, a first pump unit section composed of a first pump unit in which the outer cylinder is made of a material having a higher elastic modulus than that of the inner cylinder and is non-extensible in the axial direction when the inner cylinder expands in the centripetal direction, and a second pump unit section formed by connecting a plurality of second pump units in which the outer cylinder is made of an elastic material whose axial elongation is restricted and is contractible in the axial direction when the inner cylinder expands in the centripetal direction, wherein the first pump unit section is connected to the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the second pump unit section. The pump device is characterized by this.

2. The forced contraction means forcibly contracts the first pump unit, or both the first pump unit and the second pump unit. The pump device according to claim 1 is characterized by this.

3. The forced contraction means expands the volume more than the volume on the inner peripheral side of the inner cylinder when the inner cylinder of the first pump unit contracts due to its elasticity. The pump device according to claim 2 is characterized by this.

4. The forced contraction means is configured to be able to forcibly discharge the working medium from the closed space. The pump device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is characterized by this.

5. The forced contraction means, when forcibly contracting the first pump unit, contracts the inner cylinder of the first pump unit, and when forcibly contracting both the first pump unit and the second pump unit, contracts the inner cylinder of the first pump unit and the inner cylinder of the second pump unit mechanically. The pump device according to claim 2 or claim 3 is characterized by this.

6. The conveying control device: sets, as an initial state, a state in which all inner cylinders forming a conveying path in the pump section are expanded; performs a process of sequentially contracting all inner cylinders by contracting the inner cylinders on the upstream side in sequence; and performs a process of sequentially expanding all inner cylinders by expanding the inner cylinders on the upstream side in sequence, and conveys an object to be conveyed by repeating these processes. The pump device according to claim 1, characterized in that.

Images