stirring device

Abstract

To provide a stirring device configured so that a shape of a stirring part can be changed in accordance with a stirring condition.SOLUTION: A stirring device comprises a rod-like member, a columnar support member mounted on one end part in an axis line direction of the rod-like member so as to extend in a first direction which is orthogonal to the axis line direction of the rod-like member, and a stirring part supported by the support member. The stirring part includes one pair of plate-like vanes supported on the support member so that the vanes can rotate in a circumferential direction of the support member with the support member as a rotation center, and a pair of rings detachably attached to the pair of vanes respectively. When the rod-like member rotates around an axis line, the pair of vanes rotate in directions in which the vanes get way from each other with the support member as the rotation center by centrifugal force.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an agitator used to agitate a liquid. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, various stirring devices have been used to stir liquids. The applicant has disclosed in Patent Document 1 an stirring device 200 shown in Figures 7 and 8.

[0003] 7, a conventional stirring device 200 includes a rod-shaped rotating member 202, a cylindrical support member 204 attached to one end of the rotating member 202, and a pair of plate-shaped blades 206 rotatably supported by the support member 204. The pair of blades 206 function as a stirring unit that stirs the liquid.

[0004] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 8, in the agitator 200, the rotating member 202 is rotationally driven by the drive unit, and the pair of blades 206 rotate in directions away from each other around the support member 204 as the center of rotation due to centrifugal force. Therefore, in the agitator 200, by rotating the rotating member 202, the pair of blades 206 in the open state can agitate the liquid. This agitator 200 has a small number of parts, and can therefore be manufactured easily and at low cost. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-188295 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Incidentally, it would be useful if the shape of the stirring part could be changed depending on conditions such as the type of liquid to be stirred (particularly viscosity) and the shape of the container in which the liquid is stored, but such a stirring device has not existed to date.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a stirring device that can change the shape of the stirring portion depending on the stirring conditions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention relates to the following stirring device.

[0009] (1) a rod-shaped member; a columnar support member attached to one end of the rod-shaped member in the axial direction so as to extend in a first direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rod-shaped member; a stirring unit supported by the support member, the stirring unit includes a pair of plate-shaped blades supported by the support member so as to be rotatable in a circumferential direction of the support member around the support member as a rotation center, and a pair of rings detachably attached to the pair of blades, respectively; The stirring device, wherein the rotation of the rod-shaped member around the axis causes the pair of blades to rotate in directions away from each other with the support member as the center of rotation due to centrifugal force.

[0010] (2) Each of the pair of blades has a first through hole through which the support member is inserted and a second through hole formed at a position away from the first through hole and through which the ring is hooked, The stirring device according to (1) above, wherein each of the pair of rings is a wire wound in a spiral shape.

[0011] (3) The stirring unit includes a pair of link chains detachably attached to the pair of blades, The agitator according to (1) or (2) above, wherein each of the pair of rings is one of a plurality of rings that make up the link chain.

[0012] (4) The stirring device according to (3) above, wherein each of the plurality of rings is a wire wound in a spiral shape.

[0013] (5) In a reference state in which the axial direction of the rod-shaped member is aligned with the vertical direction and the rod-shaped member is stopped so that the one end is downward, When viewed from the first direction, the support member is provided on the axis of the rod-shaped member, the ring attached to one of the blades contacts the other of the blades from one side in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and the axial direction, and the ring attached to the other of the blades contacts the one of the blades from the other side in the second direction; the ring attached to the one blade comes into contact with the other blade, thereby preventing the one blade from rotating relative to the other blade toward the other blade, The stirring device described in any one of (1) to (4) above, wherein the ring attached to the other blade comes into contact with the one blade, thereby preventing the other blade from rotating relative to the one blade toward the one blade.

[0014] (6) A stirring device as described in (5) above, wherein in the reference state, the ring attached to one of the blades contacts the other blade on the one side of the axis in the second direction, and the ring attached to the other blade contacts the one blade on the other side of the axis in the second direction.

[0015] (7) The stirring device according to any one of (1) to (6) above, wherein the ring has an elliptical shape when viewed in the axial direction of the ring. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, a stirring device is obtained in which the shape of the stirring portion can be changed depending on the stirring conditions. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a stirring device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a stirring device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a ring. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the stirring device in a state where the rod-shaped member is rotationally driven. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of the stirring device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of the stirring device. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a conventional stirring device. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a conventional stirring device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] An agitator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an agitator 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the agitator 100 shown in Fig. 1 as viewed from the right side of the paper. However, Fig. 2 shows the agitator 100 in a state where a ring 42 of a stirring unit 14, which will be described later, has been removed.

[0019] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the stirring device 100 includes a rod-shaped member 10, a support member 12 attached to one end of the rod-shaped member 10, and a stirring unit 14 supported by the support member 12. In Figures 1 and 2, the axis X of the rod-shaped member 10 is indicated by a dashed line. In this specification, the direction parallel to the axis X is referred to as the axial direction. The stirring device 100 according to this embodiment is used, for example, when stirring a liquid contained in a container (not shown).

[0020] The rod-shaped member 10, the support member 12, and the stirring member 14 are each made of, for example, a metal material. In this embodiment, the rod-shaped member 10 has a main body 10a, a pair of support members 10b, and a connecting member 10c. The main body 10a is provided in the center of the rod-shaped member 10 in the axial direction. The pair of support members 10b are provided at one end of the rod-shaped member 10 in the axial direction, and the connecting member 10c is provided at the other end of the rod-shaped member 10 in the axial direction.

[0021] The main body 10a has a cylindrical shape and is provided to extend in the axial direction. The pair of support portions 10b are provided to protrude from an end face 10d on one side in the axial direction of the main body 10a. As shown in Fig. 2, in this embodiment, the pair of support portions 10b are provided to be spaced apart from each other in a first direction D1 that is perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0022] The connecting portion 10c is connected to a driving device (not shown). A known power tool such as an impact driver can be used as the driving device. In this embodiment, the rod-shaped member 10 is rotationally driven by the driving device. Note that FIGS. 1 and 2 show the rod-shaped member 10 in a state where its axial direction is aligned with the vertical direction and it is stopped, with the pair of support portions 10b at the bottom and the connecting portion 10c at the top. In this specification, the state of the agitator 100 when the axial direction of the rod-shaped member 10 is aligned with the vertical direction and the rod-shaped member 10 is stopped, with one end of the rod-shaped member 10 (the support portion 10b side) at the bottom, is referred to as the reference state of the agitator 100.

[0023] The support member 12 is formed in a columnar shape extending in a first direction D1 perpendicular to the axis X, and is fixed to the pair of support portions 10b. In this embodiment, the support member 12 has a solid cylindrical shape, but the support member 12 may also have a hollow cylindrical shape.

[0024] 1, the support member 12 is fixed to a pair of support portions 10b so as to be located on the axis X when viewed from a first direction D1 (see FIG. 2). Note that FIG. 1 also shows a second direction D2 that is perpendicular to the axial direction and the first direction D1.

[0025] The stirring unit 14 includes a pair of plate-shaped blades 40 and a pair of rings 42. Each ring 42 is detachably attached to the blade 40.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in this embodiment, each blade 40 has a first through hole 40a (see FIG. 2) through which the support member 12 is inserted, and a second through hole 40b (see FIG. 1) formed at a position spaced apart from the first through hole 40a. Each blade 40 is supported by the support member 12 between a pair of supports 10b. Specifically, each blade 40 is supported by the support member 12 so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction of the support member 12 around the support member 12 as the center of rotation, as viewed from the first direction D1. In this embodiment, each blade 40 has an elongated shape, and the first through hole 40a is formed on one side of the center of the blade 40 in the longitudinal direction of the blade 40, and the second through hole 40b is formed on the other side of the center of the blade 40.

[0027] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing a ring 42, where FIG. 3A is a view of the ring 42 from its axial direction, and FIG. 3B is a view of the ring 42 shown in FIG. 3A from the right side of the drawing. As shown in FIG. 3, the ring 42 is an ended ring configured by spirally winding a wire. In this embodiment, the ring 42 has an elliptical shape when viewed from its axial direction. More specifically, in this embodiment, the ring 42 is formed to have an elliptical shape having a pair of long sides extending linearly and a pair of short sides curved in an arc when viewed from the axial direction.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 1, each ring 42 is hooked onto a second through hole 40b of the blade 40. From the viewpoint of sufficiently preventing the ring 42 from coming off the second through hole 40b, the number of turns of the ring 42 is preferably more than 1, and more preferably 1.5 or more. From the viewpoint of ease of attachment and detachment of the ring 42 to and from the second through hole 40b, the number of turns of the ring 42 is preferably 3 or less, and more preferably 2.5 or less. In this embodiment, the number of turns of the ring 42 is 2.

[0029] 1, in the reference state of the agitator 100, the ring 42 attached to the blade 40 on one side in the second direction D2 contacts the blade 40 on the other side from one side in the second direction D2, and the ring 42 attached to the blade 40 on the other side in the second direction D2 contacts the blade 40 on one side from the other side in the second direction D2. In this embodiment, in the reference state, the ring 42 attached to the blade 40 on one side contacts the blade 40 on the other side on one side of the axis X in the second direction D2, and the ring 42 attached to the blade 40 on the other side contacts the blade 40 on the one side on the other side of the axis X in the second direction D2.

[0030] In the standard state, the pair of blades 40 and the pair of rings 42 come into contact with each other as described above, causing the pair of blades 40 to hang down from the support member 12 while being shifted from each other in the second direction D2 as viewed from the first direction D1. More specifically, as viewed from the first direction D1, the blade 40 on one side in the second direction D2 is supported by the support member 12 while being tilted with respect to the axis X so that the other end 40d in the longitudinal direction is positioned closer to one side in the second direction D2 than the one end 40c in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, as viewed from the first direction D1, the blade 40 on the other side in the second direction D2 is supported by the support member 12 while being tilted with respect to the axis X so that the other end 40d is positioned closer to the other side in the second direction D2 than the one end 40c. In this embodiment, as described above, the pair of blades 40 are supported by the support member 12 in a tilted state with respect to the axis X, so that the center of gravity of one blade 40 can be positioned on one side of the axis X in the second direction D2, and the center of gravity of the other blade 40 can be positioned on the other side of the axis X in the second direction D2.

[0031] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the ring 42 attached to the blade 40 on one side in the second direction D2 comes into contact with the blade 40 on the other side in the second direction D2, thereby preventing the blade 40 on the one side from rotating toward the other side relative to the blade 40 on the other side. Furthermore, the ring 42 attached to the blade 40 on the other side in the second direction D2 comes into contact with the blade 40 on one side in the second direction D2, thereby preventing the blade 40 on the other side from rotating toward the one side relative to the blade 40 on the one side.

[0032] In this embodiment, the rotation of the blades 40 is also restricted by one end 40c of the blades 40 coming into contact with the end surface 10d of the rod-shaped member 10. For example, when one blade 40 in the second direction D2 attempts to rotate toward the other side in the second direction D2 from the state shown in FIG. 1 , the one end 40c comes into contact with the end surface 10d of the main body 10a. This restricts the rotation of the blade 40 on the one side. Similarly, when the other blade 40 in the second direction D2 attempts to rotate toward the one side in the second direction D2, the one end 40c comes into contact with the end surface 10d of the main body 10a. This restricts the rotation of the blade 40 on the other side. Thus, in this embodiment, one blade 40 rotates mainly on one side of the axis X, and the other blade 40 rotates mainly on the other side of the axis X in the second direction D2.

[0033] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the stirring device 100 in a state in which the rod-shaped member 10 is being rotationally driven. As shown in Fig. 4, when the rod-shaped member 10 is rotationally driven by a drive device (not shown), the pair of blades 40 and the pair of rings 42 rotate in directions away from each other due to centrifugal force, with the support member 12 as the center of rotation. Hereinafter, the state of the stirring unit 14 shown in Fig. 1 will be referred to as the closed state of the stirring unit 14, and the state of the stirring unit 14 shown in Fig. 4 will be referred to as the open state of the stirring unit 14.

[0034] As described above, in the stirring device 100 according to this embodiment, the stirring unit 14 can be closed by stopping the rod-shaped member 10, and can be opened by rotating the rod-shaped member 10. Therefore, by stopping the rod-shaped member 10, the stirring unit 14 can be easily passed through the opening of a container that contains a liquid. This allows the stirring unit 14 to be placed in the liquid. Furthermore, by rotating the rod-shaped member 10 with the stirring unit 14 placed in the liquid, the open stirring unit 14 can stir the liquid.

[0035] In this embodiment, the agitator 14 includes a pair of blades 40 and a pair of rings 42 detachably attached to the pair of blades 40. Therefore, the operator can remove the rings 42 from the blades 40 or attach the rings 42 to the blades 40 depending on conditions such as the type of liquid (particularly viscosity) to be agitated by the agitator 100 and the shape of the container containing the liquid. For example, if the container containing the liquid is small, the agitation area created by the agitator 14 can be reduced by removing the rings 42 from the blades 40. If the container is large, the agitation area created by the agitator 14 can be increased by attaching the rings 42 to the blades 40. Furthermore, for example, if the viscosity of the liquid is high, the intensity of the agitation created by the agitator 14 can be increased by attaching the rings 42 to the blades 40. In this manner, in this embodiment, the shape of the agitator 14 can be changed depending on the agitation conditions. In addition, when multiple rings 42 are attached to each blade 40, as in the agitation device 100 shown in Figures 5 and 6 described below, the intensity of agitation by the agitation unit 14 can be increased in proportion to the mass of the multiple rings 42.

[0036] In this embodiment, the ring 42 has a configuration in which a wire is wound in a spiral shape. Therefore, by rotating the ring 42 while extending it in the axial direction, the ring 42 can be attached to or detached from the second through-hole 40b of the blade 40. In this case, no special member is required to attach the ring 42 to the blade 40, and therefore the stirring unit 14 can be easily configured.

[0037] Furthermore, as described above, in this embodiment, when the ring 42 attached to one blade 40 comes into contact with the other blade 40, the one blade 40 is prevented from rotating relative to the other blade 40 toward the other blade 40. Similarly, when the ring 42 attached to the other blade 40 comes into contact with one blade 40, the other blade 40 is prevented from rotating relative to the one blade 40 toward the one blade 40. In this case, it is possible to sufficiently prevent the pair of rings 42 attached to the pair of blades 40 from becoming entangled. As a result, when the rod-shaped member 10 is driven to rotate, the stirring portion 14 can be easily opened.

[0038] Furthermore, as described above, in the present embodiment, in the reference state, the ring 42 attached to one blade 40 contacts the other blade 40 on one side of the axis X in the second direction D2, and the ring 42 attached to the other blade 40 contacts the one blade 40 on the other side of the axis X in the second direction D2. In this case, the center of gravity of one ring 42 of the pair of rings 42 can be positioned on one side of the axis X in the second direction D2, and the center of gravity of the other ring 42 can be positioned on the other side of the axis X in the second direction D2. As a result, when the rod-shaped member 10 is rotationally driven, the pair of rings 42 can be easily moved away from each other by centrifugal force, and the stirring unit 14 can be smoothly opened.

[0039] In this embodiment, the ring 42 has an oval shape. In this case, when the stirring part 14 is opened, the stirring area of the stirring part 14 as viewed from the axial direction of the rod-shaped member 10 can be made sufficiently large.

[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the reference state, the rotation of the blade 40 on one side in the second direction D2 to the other side in the second direction D2, and the rotation of the blade 40 on the other side in the second direction D2 to one side in the second direction D2 are restricted by one end 40c of each blade 40 contacting the end face 10d of the rod-shaped member 10. This allows the stirring part 14 to be easily set to an open state when the rod-shaped member 10 is rotationally driven.

[0041] In the above embodiment, the stirring unit 14 has been described as having a pair of blades 40 and a pair of rings 42, but the configuration of the stirring unit 14 is not limited to the above example. Figures 5 and 6 are diagrams showing other examples of the stirring device 100. Note that Figure 5 shows the stirring device 100 in a reference state, and Figure 6 shows the stirring device 100 in a state in which the rod-shaped member 10 is rotationally driven.

[0042] 5 and 6, the agitator 14 of the agitator 100 may include a pair of link chains 50. Each link chain 50 has a configuration in which a plurality of (three in this embodiment) rings 42 are connected together. In this embodiment, one of the plurality of rings 42 constituting the link chain 50 is hooked onto the second through-hole 40b of the blade 40.

[0043] In this embodiment, in the standard state, the link chain 50 attached to one blade 40 contacts the other blade 40 on one side of the axis X in the second direction D2, and the link chain 50 attached to the other blade 40 contacts the one blade 40 on the other side of the axis X in the second direction D2. In this case, the center of gravity of one link chain 50 of the pair of link chains 50 can be positioned on one side of the axis X in the second direction D2, and the center of gravity of the other link chain 50 can be positioned on the other side of the axis X in the second direction D2. As a result, when the rod-shaped member 10 is driven to rotate, the pair of link chains 50 can be easily moved away from each other by centrifugal force, and the agitator 14 can be smoothly opened.

[0044] The number of rings 42 provided on the link chain 50 may be two, or may be four or more. In this embodiment, the shape of the agitator 14 can be changed by adjusting the number of rings 42 of the link chain 50. [Industrial Applicability]

[0045] According to the present invention, a stirring device is obtained in which the shape of the stirring portion can be changed depending on the stirring conditions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 10 Rod-shaped member 10a Main body 10b Support part 10c connection part 10d end face 12 Support member 14 Stirring section 40 Feathers 40a First through hole 40b 2nd through hole 42 Ring 50 link chain 100 Stirring device

Claims

1. A rod-shaped member; a columnar support member attached to one end of the rod-shaped member in the axial direction so as to extend in a first direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rod-shaped member; a stirring unit supported by the support member, the stirring unit includes a pair of plate-shaped blades supported by the support member so as to be rotatable in a circumferential direction of the support member around the support member as a rotation center, and a pair of rings detachably attached to the pair of blades, respectively; The stirring device, wherein the rotation of the rod-shaped member around the axis causes the pair of blades to rotate in directions away from each other with the support member as the center of rotation due to centrifugal force.

2. each of the pair of blades has a first through hole through which the support member is inserted and a second through hole formed at a position away from the first through hole and through which the ring is hooked; 2. The stirring device according to claim 1, wherein each of the pair of rings is a wire wound in a spiral shape.

3. the stirring unit includes a pair of link chains detachably attached to the pair of blades, respectively; 3. The agitator according to claim 1, wherein each of the pair of rings is one of a plurality of rings that constitute the link chain.

4. The stirring device according to claim 3 , wherein each of the plurality of rings is a wire wound in a spiral shape.

5. In a reference state in which the axial direction of the rod-shaped member is aligned with the vertical direction and the rod-shaped member is stopped so that the one end is downward, When viewed from the first direction, the support member is provided on the axis of the rod-shaped member, the ring attached to one of the blades contacts the other of the blades from one side in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and the axial direction, and the ring attached to the other of the blades contacts the one of the blades from the other side in the second direction, the ring attached to the one blade comes into contact with the other blade, thereby preventing the one blade from rotating relative to the other blade toward the other blade, 5. A stirring device according to claim 1, wherein the ring attached to the other blade contacts the one blade, thereby preventing the other blade from rotating relative to the one blade toward the one blade.

6. The stirring device described in claim 5, wherein in the reference state, the ring attached to one of the blades contacts the other blade on the one side of the axis in the second direction, and the ring attached to the other blade contacts the one blade on the other side of the axis in the second direction.

7. 7. The stirring device according to claim 1, wherein the ring has an elliptical shape when viewed in the axial direction of the ring.

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