Static Mixer

Abstract

To provide a static mixer in which a mixing element can be fixed to a housing without using adhesive, welding, etc. [Solution] The static mixer comprises a housing having a pipeline section and a mixing element that mixes fluids. The housing has at least one groove recessed radially outward from the inner peripheral surface of one end of the pipeline section toward the base end of the flange section. The mixing element has an extension section that extends axially outward from the axially outer side edge located on one end of the pipeline section to a width approximately 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 longitudinal end of the extension section and can be fitted into the groove section, and a protrusion section that protrudes a predetermined height in an approximately vertical direction from at least one face of the insertion section that faces the opposing inner walls in the groove section when the insertion section is fitted into the groove section.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to static mixers. [Background technology]

[0002] In the in-line mixer described in Patent Document 1, an annular ring is attached to one end of a 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] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-120973 Summary of the Invention [Problem 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, and also to fix the ring to the recessed portion of the flange by adhesive, welding, etc., so that the mixing element does not fall out when the pipeline is tilted, which is time-consuming and complicated.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure aims to provide a static mixer in which the mixing element can be fixed to the housing without the use of adhesives, welding, or the like. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-described problems, a static mixer according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a housing having a cylindrical pipe line portion extending along an axis, and a mixing element disposed in the pipe line portion and configured to mix fluids flowing in from one end side of the pipe line portion, wherein the housing has a flange portion protruding outward from an outer periphery of an end portion on the one end side of the pipe line portion around the entire circumference, and at least one groove portion recessed radially outward from an inner circumferential surface of the end portion on the one end side of the pipe line portion toward a base end side of the flange portion, and the mixing element has a flange portion protruding outward from an axially outer side edge disposed on the one end side of the pipe line portion around the entire circumference of the flange portion, and at least one groove portion recessed radially outward from an inner circumferential surface of the end portion on the one end side of the flange portion. an extension portion that extends axially outward to have a width approximately equal to the axial depth of the extension portion and has a plane perpendicular to the axial direction; an insertion portion that protrudes outward in the longitudinal direction from at least one longitudinal end of the extension portion and can be fitted into the groove portion; and a protrusion that protrudes a predetermined height in an approximately vertical direction from at least one surface of the insertion portion that faces the opposing inner walls within the groove portion when the insertion portion is fitted into the groove portion, and the mixing element is fixed to the housing by being inserted from the one end side of the pipeline portion and the insertion portion and the protrusion being press-fitted into the groove portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the mixing element can be secured to the housing without the use of adhesives, welding, or the like. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a static mixer according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the inlet end of the housing. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the inlet end of the mixing element. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing how the mixing element is attached to the housing. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a mixing element is attached to a housing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [Static mixer schematic configuration] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to Figs. 1 to 6. First, the schematic configuration of a static mixer 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. Here, a static mixer having a cylindrical straight pipe section will be described as an example, but this is not limiting, and the static mixer may have a straight pipe section with a triangular cross section, a rectangular cross section, or the like. Fig. 1 is an external perspective view of the static mixer 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in Fig. 1.

[0010] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the static mixer 1 includes a housing 2 having a cylindrical pipe line portion 21 extending along an axis L1, and a mixing element 3 arranged coaxially within the pipe line portion 21. In the static mixer 1, a fluid F such as a liquid or gas flows into the pipe line portion 21 and advances while rotating due to the action of the mixing element 3 (flowing from left to right in Figure 2; hereinafter, the left side may be referred to as upstream and the right side as downstream), repeatedly splitting and merging as it passes through the pipe line portion 21, thereby progressing the mixing of the fluid F. The housing 2 and the mixing element 3 are formed from a synthetic resin, such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), or polysulfone (PSU).

[0011] [housing] The housing 2 has flanges 22, 23 at both ends of a cylindrical pipe line portion 21 for connection to other pipes or the like. Each flange 22, 23 protrudes radially outward from the outer periphery of each end of the pipe line portion 21 over the entire circumference. The axially outer surfaces of each flange 22, 23 are located on the same plane as the end surface of the pipe line portion 21 that is perpendicular to the axis L1.

[0012] In addition, at the upstream end (one end side) of the pipeline section 21, a pair of groove sections 26 are formed, which are recessed radially outward from the inner surface of the pipeline section 21 toward the base end side of the flange section 22 and are 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 side 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. Axial inner bottom surface portions 26A of the pair of grooves 26 are inclined obliquely outward toward the axial outer side, and the radial outer edge reaches the vicinity of the axial outer surface of the flange portion 22. Therefore, each of the pair of grooves 26 has a pair of opposing, approximately triangular inner walls 26B.

[0014] [Mixing element] Next, the mixing element 3 will be described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 4, and 5. Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the inlet side end of the mixing element 3. Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram of mounting the mixing element 3 in the housing 2. As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4, the mixing element 3 is integrally configured 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 fluid flow direction, i.e., the direction of the axis L1.

[0015] The left-handed element 3L has a shape like a rectangular plate twisted counterclockwise by 180 degrees, for example. The right-handed element 3R has a shape like a rectangular plate twisted clockwise by 180 degrees, for example. The length of the short side of the rectangular plate is set to be approximately equal to the inner diameter of the pipe line portion 21. By disposing the mixing element 3 in the pipe line portion 21 of the housing 2, the fluid F flowing through the pipe line portion 21 can be divided while being subjected to a conversion and inversion action, thereby homogeneously mixing the fluid F.

[0016] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the mixing element 3 has a plate-shaped extension portion 31 that extends axially outward from the axially outer side edge of the left-handed element 3L arranged at the end of the upstream side (one end side) of the pipeline portion 21 to have a width approximately equal to the axial depth of the groove portion 26. The extension portion 31 has a plane 31A perpendicular to the axis L1 of the mixing element 3. The mixing element 3 also 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 perpendicular to the axis L1 of the extension portion 31 and can be fitted into the groove portion 26.

[0017] Each fitting portion 32 is formed to have a triangular cross section substantially equal to the cross section of groove portion 26 in the direction of axis L1, and an outer side surface 32A in the longitudinal direction of extension portion 31 is inclined obliquely inward toward the inside in the axial direction. 2, 4, and 5, each fitting portion 32 has a pair of protrusions 33 that, when fitted into groove portion 26, protrude a predetermined height in a substantially vertical direction across the entire surface from both sides facing opposing inner walls 26B of groove portion 26.

[0018] Therefore, each protrusion 33 is formed in a triangular shape in a front view that is approximately the same as the cross-sectional shape of the groove 26 in the direction of the axis L1, and the outer side surface 33A in the longitudinal direction of the extension portion 31 is inclined obliquely inward toward the inside in the axial direction. Note that the protrusion 33 protrudes from the fitting portion 32 to a height that allows the fitting portion 32 and the pair of protrusions 33 to be press-fitted into the groove 26, as will be described later.

[0019] 4 and 5, each protrusion 33 has a chamfered outer side surface 33A in the longitudinal direction of the extending portion 31, which abuts against the inlet edge of the groove 26 when the fitting portion 32 is fitted into the groove 26. When the pair of fitting portions 32 and each protrusion 33 are press-fitted into the pair of grooves 26, as shown in FIG. 2, each fitting portion 32 and each protrusion 33 has outer side surfaces 32A, 33A in the longitudinal direction of the extending portion 31 abut against the axially inner bottom surface 26A of each groove 26.

[0020] [Static mixer assembly] Next, the assembly of the static mixer 1 using the housing 2 and mixing element 3 configured as described above will be described with reference to 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, an operator inserts the downstream end of the mixing element 3, where the extension portion 31 is not formed, into the upstream end (one end) of the pipe line portion 21 of the housing 2, where the flange portion 22 is provided.

[0021] Then, the operator further inserts the mixing element 3 into the pipeline portion 21, and presses the pair of fitting portions 32 and each protrusion 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 further pushes it in. As a result, as shown in Figures 2 and 6, the pair of fitting portions 32 and each protrusion 33 are press-fit into the pair of grooves 26. Then, the pair of fitting portions 32 and each protrusion 33 are fixed in each groove 26 with the outer side surfaces 32A, 33A in the longitudinal direction of the extension portion 31 abutting against the axially inner bottom surface 26A of each groove 26, and the static mixer 1 is configured.

[0022] As described above in detail, in the static mixer 1 according to this embodiment, the pair of fitting portions 32 and each protrusion 33 of the mixing element 3 are press-fitted into the pair of grooves 26 of the housing 2 without using adhesives, welding, or the like, thereby fixing the mixing element 3 to the housing 2. As a result, even if the pipeline portion 21 is tilted when handling the static mixer 1, the simple configuration can prevent the mixing element 3 from falling off.

[0023] Furthermore, by forming the mixing element 3 from a synthetic resin, the extension portion 31, the pair of fitting portions 32, and each of the protrusions 33 can be easily formed integrally on one end side of the mixing element 3. Furthermore, by forming the housing 2 from a synthetic resin, the shape can be formed using a method such as injection molding. This makes it possible to easily form the pair of grooves 26 on the upstream side (one end side) of the housing 2. Furthermore, by forming the housing 2 from a synthetic resin, the pair of fitting portions 32 and each of the protrusions 33 of the mixing element 3 can be easily press-fitted into the grooves 26 of the housing 2 and fixed.

[0024] Furthermore, since each protrusion 33 is provided on both sides of the pair of fitting portions 32 facing the inner wall 26B of each groove portion 26, 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 portion 26.

[0025] In addition, since the side surface 33A of each protrusion 33 that abuts the inlet side edge of the groove portion 26 is chamfered, the pair of fitting portions 32 of the mixing element 3 and each protrusion 33 can be easily pressed into the pair of groove portions 26 of the housing 2.

[0026] Furthermore, the pair of fitting portions 32 and each protrusion 33 have their axially inner side surfaces 32A, 33A inclined obliquely inward toward the axially inner side, allowing them to be easily inserted into groove portion 26. Furthermore, the axially inner bottom surface portion 26A of groove portion 26 is inclined obliquely outward toward the axially outer side, allowing them to come into contact with the side surfaces 32A, 33A of fitting portion 32 and each protrusion 33 press-fitted into groove portion 26 and be reliably supported.

[0027] Furthermore, since each protrusion 33 is provided over the entire surface of the surface of the pair of fitting portions 32 facing the inner wall 26B of each groove portion 26, it is possible to increase the contact area between the protrusion 33 and the inner wall 26B of the groove portion 26. As a result, even if the pipe line portion 21 is tilted when handling the static mixer 1, it is possible to further prevent the mixing element 3 from coming off the housing 2.

[0028] [Variations] A modification of the above embodiment will be described. In the following description, for the sake of convenience, the same reference numerals will be used to designate components having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0029] [Variation 1] For example, each protrusion 33 of the mixing element 3 may be provided on only one of the two surfaces of the pair of fitting portions 32 facing the inner wall 26B of each groove portion 26, and not provided on the other surface. For example, each protrusion 33 may be provided only on the upper surface of each of the pair of fitting portions 32 in FIG. 4, and not provided on the lower surface of each of the pair of fitting portions 32. In this way, the pair of fitting portions 32 and the pair of protrusions 33 of the mixing element 3 can be press-fitted into the groove portion 26 of the housing 2, thereby fixing the mixing element 3 to the housing 2. As a result, even if the pipe line portion 21 is tilted when handling the static mixer 1, the simple configuration can prevent the mixing element 3 from falling off.

[0030] Furthermore, although four protrusions 33 are provided in this embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, only one protrusion 33 may be provided. Even in 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. This prevents the mixing element 3 from falling off.

[0031] [Variation 2] Also, for example, only one groove portion 26 of the housing 2 may be provided on the base end side of the flange portion 22. Also, only one fitting portion 32 of the mixing element 3 may be provided on one end side of the extension portion 31 in the longitudinal direction. Then, a protrusion 33 may be provided on both sides or one side of the fitting portion 32 facing the inner wall 26B of the groove portion 26. This allows the mixing element 3 to 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 portion 26 of the housing 2. As a result, even if the pipe line portion 21 is tilted when handling the static mixer 1, the simple configuration can prevent the mixing element 3 from falling off.

[0032] [Variation 3] Furthermore, for example, the pair of grooves 26 of the housing 2 may be recessed in the shape of a rectangular groove radially outward from the inner circumferential surface of the pipe portion 21 toward the base end side of the flange portion 22. Furthermore, the pair of fitting portions 32 of the mixing element 3 may be formed in the shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped extending outward in the longitudinal direction from both longitudinal end portions of the extension portion 31 by a length substantially equal to the length of the groove portion 26 in the direction perpendicular to the axis L1. The pair of fitting portions 32 may be provided with a pair of protruding portions 33 that protrude a predetermined height in a substantially vertical direction over the entire surface from both sides facing the opposing inner walls 26B of the groove portion 26. Furthermore, the axially inner side surface of each protruding portion 33 that abuts against the inlet side 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, welding, or the like. As a result, even if the pipeline portion 21 is tilted when handling the static mixer 1, the simple configuration can prevent the mixing element 3 from falling off. Furthermore, since the axially inner side surface of each protrusion 33 that abuts against the inlet side 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] [Variation 4] Furthermore, for example, each groove 26 of the housing 2 may have a chamfered inlet-side edge on the outer axial side that abuts when the pair of fitting portions 32 and each protrusion 33 are press-fitted. This makes it possible to more easily press-fit the pair of fitting portions 32 and each protrusion 33 of the mixing element 3 into the pair of grooves 26 of the housing 2.

[0035] [summary] The static mixer of the first aspect includes a housing having a cylindrical pipe line portion extending along an axis, and a mixing element disposed in the pipe line portion and mixing fluids flowing in from one end side of the pipe line portion, the housing having a flange portion protruding outward from an outer periphery of an end portion on the one end side of the pipe line portion around the entire circumference, and at least one groove portion recessed radially outward from an inner circumferential surface of the end portion on the one end side of the pipe line portion toward a base end side of the flange portion, and the mixing element has a flange portion protruding outward from an axially outer side edge disposed on the one end side of the pipe line portion to an axial depth of the groove portion. The mixing element has an extension portion that extends outward in the axial direction so as to have approximately equal widths 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 protrusion that protrudes a predetermined height in an approximately vertical direction from at least one surface of the insertion portion that faces the opposing inner walls in the groove portion when the insertion portion is fitted into the groove portion, and the mixing element is fixed to the housing by being inserted from the one end side of the pipeline portion and the insertion portion and the protrusion portion being pressed into the groove portion.

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

[0037] A third aspect is a static mixer of the first or second aspect, wherein the housing has a pair of grooves arranged at positions symmetrical with respect to the axis, and the mixing element has a pair of fitting portions that protrude in the longitudinal direction from both longitudinal ends of the extension portion and can be fitted into the pair of grooves.

[0038] A fourth aspect is a static mixer according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the fitting portion has the protrusions on both sides facing the opposing inner walls within the groove portion.

[0039] A fifth aspect is a static mixer according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the protrusion has a chamfered side that abuts against the inlet edge of the groove when the insertion portion is inserted into the groove.

[0040] A sixth aspect is a static mixer according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the groove has a bottom surface on the inner axial side that is inclined diagonally outward toward the outer axial side, and the insertion portion and the protrusion have longitudinally outer side surfaces of the extension portion that are inclined diagonally inward toward the inner axial side, and when the insertion portion and the protrusion are pressed into the groove, the side surfaces of the insertion portion and the protrusion abut against the bottom surface on the inner axial side of the groove.

[0041] A seventh aspect is a static mixer according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the protrusion is provided in the insertion portion over the entire surface facing the opposing inner walls within the groove portion.

[0042] [Additional Notes] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, 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 the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1: Static mixer 2: Housing 3: Mixing element 21: Pipe section 22, 23: Flange part 26: Groove 26A: Bottom part 26B: Inner wall 31: Extension 31A: Flat 32: Embedded part 32A, 33A: Side 33: protrusion

Claims

1. a housing having a cylindrical pipe portion extending along an axis; A mixing element is disposed in the pipeline section and mixes fluids flowing in from one end side of the pipeline section, The housing includes: a flange portion that protrudes outward from an outer periphery of the end portion on the one end side of the pipe portion over the entire circumference; at least one groove recessed radially outward from an inner circumferential surface of the one end of the pipe section toward a base end of the flange section, The mixing element comprises: an extension portion that extends axially outward from an axially outer side edge that is disposed on the one end side of the pipe portion so as to have a width that is approximately equal to the axial depth of the groove portion, and that has a plane that is perpendicular to the axial direction; a fitting 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; a protrusion that protrudes by a predetermined height in a substantially vertical direction from at least one surface of the fitting portion that faces the opposing inner walls of the groove portion when the fitting portion is fitted into the groove portion, The mixing element is inserted from the one end side of the pipe section, and is fixed to the housing by press-fitting the fitting portion and the protrusion portion into the groove portion.

2. The housing and the mixing element are formed of synthetic resin.

10. The static mixer of claim 1.

3. The housing has a pair of the grooves arranged at positions symmetrical with respect to an axis, The mixing element has a pair of fitting portions that protrude in the longitudinal direction from both longitudinal end portions of the extension portion and can be fitted into the pair of groove portions, 10. The static mixer of claim 1.

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

5. the protrusion has a chamfered side surface that abuts against an edge on the inlet side of the groove when the fitting portion is fitted into the groove; A static mixer according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The groove has a bottom surface portion on the inner side in the axial direction that is inclined obliquely outward toward the outer side in the axial direction, The fitting portion and the protruding portion have outer side surfaces of the extension portion in the longitudinal direction that are inclined obliquely inward toward the inside in the axial direction, When the fitting portion and the protrusion are press-fitted into the groove, the side surfaces of the fitting portion and the protrusion come into contact with the bottom surface portion of the groove on the axially inner side. A static mixer according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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

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