Liquid distributor or liquid distributor assembly set

Abstract

To provide a new filter case etc. which enables at least an entire length of the filter case to be reduced appropriately according to attributes of a machine tool and attributes of a user and enables easy management and operation during manufacturing, sales, or maintenance.SOLUTION: A filter case 1 is formed with a filter storage space, in which a liquid filter 100 is stored, and includes: a lowermost tier case part 2 disposed at a lowermost tier; an uppermost tier case part 3 disposed at an uppermost tier; and multiple intermediate case parts 4 stacked between the lowermost tier case part 2 and the uppermost tier case part 3. The respective intermediate case parts 4 are molded in the same form.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid distributor or liquid distributor assembly set to be placed in a liquid filter in a stacked filter case. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in machine tools that cut metal materials, such as electric discharge machines, or machine tools that polish metal materials, cutting oil (coolant or machining fluid; hereinafter, these are referred to as coolant) is discharged onto cutting tools to improve cooling, lubrication, rust prevention, and chip adhesion prevention during cutting. After being discharged onto the cutting tools, the coolant is often filtered through a specified filter to remove sludge and other contaminants generated during metal processing. The coolant is then circulated and resupplied to the cutting tools for repeated use. In particular, when finely processing metal materials, if the coolant contains sludge or other contaminants, it can damage the processing machine and potentially impede high-precision processing. Given this background, in the field of metal processing, filters with high filtration efficiency are required. Since filters with a short filtration time require early replacement, there is a strong market demand for filters with a function that extends their usable time.

[0003] Therefore, the applicant of the present application proposed a new liquid filter in which filter paper, which had previously been formed into a roughly rectangular shape, is folded into mountain folds and valley folds at predetermined locations, with the coolant liquid flowing into the center (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). The liquid filter disclosed in Patent Document 1 is designed to filter evenly throughout without bias in the filtered areas by forming multiple inner and outer apexes by folding the filter paper as described above. Furthermore, the liquid filter disclosed in Patent Document 2 is designed to filter evenly throughout without bias in the filtered areas by disposing spacers at predetermined locations in the liquid filter disclosed in Patent Document 1, with the spacers allowing for even more even filtering throughout.

[0004] These various liquid filters are housed in the liquid filter cases disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2. This filter case has an external shape that is generally rectangular, and the four side plates that make up the filter case are formed with a number of through holes or drainage openings through which the liquid (coolant liquid) filtered by the liquid filter flows out. Furthermore, an inner spacing member or support member is housed in the center of the liquid filter housed in the filter case, and the coolant liquid that flows into this inner spacing member or support member passes through openings formed in the inner spacing member or support member and is supplied to the liquid filter. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2019-063743 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-159819 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Incidentally, when the liquid filter housed in the filter case is used as an accessory to the above-mentioned machine tool, for example, when it is placed or incorporated into an electric discharge machine as an accessory, conditions related to the attributes of the electric discharge machine (machine tool) itself, such as the size, processing capacity, and possible location or space for placement, as well as conditions related to the attributes of the user, such as how often the electric discharge machine (machine tool) is used, vary widely. Therefore, it is conceivable to manufacture and provide filter cases tailored to the attributes of the electric discharge machine (machine tool) itself and the attributes of the users of the electric discharge machine (machine tool).

[0007] However, if filter cases corresponding to each of the above attributes were manufactured and liquid filters were to be housed inside them, the resulting product would be enormous in number, and the manufacturing costs for each individual filter case alone would be enormous, and a great deal of effort would be required for management and operation during manufacturing, sales, and maintenance. Therefore, we have invented a new filter case etc. that can appropriately shorten at least the overall length of the filter case according to the attributes of the above-mentioned machine tool and the attributes of the user, thereby making management and operation easier during manufacturing, sales, and maintenance.

[0008] This novel filter case has a filter housing space formed therein for housing a liquid filter, and includes a bottom case part disposed at the bottom, a top case part disposed at the top, and a plurality of intermediate case parts stacked between the bottom case part and the top case part, all of which are molded to the same shape. According to this novel filter case, the overall length of the filter case can be shortened by appropriately removing the intermediate case parts.

[0009] However, when replacing the filter cases disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 with the new filter cases, the inner spacing members or support members disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are not made up of multiple members (parts), and therefore cannot be used as they are in the filtration device.

[0010] Therefore, the present invention has been proposed to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a novel liquid distributor that is a component placed in a liquid filter housed in a filter case that includes the above-mentioned bottom case part, top case part, and multiple intermediate case parts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The present invention has been proposed to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the first invention (the invention described in claim 1) is a liquid distributor placed in a liquid filter housed in a filter case, the filter case comprising at least a bottom case part placed in the lowest stage, a top case part placed in the highest stage, and a plurality of intermediate case parts stacked between the bottom case part and the top case part and formed to the same shape, the liquid filter being expandable in the height direction or comprising a plurality of small filters stacked in stages, the liquid distributors each having a liquid inlet space into which the liquid to be filtered flows, The liquid filter comprises a top distribution part, a plurality of intermediate distribution parts, and a bottom distribution part, each of which has a drain port formed therein for discharging liquid that has flowed into the liquid inlet space toward the liquid filter, wherein the top distribution part is molded to a height approximately equal to that of the top case part, the bottom distribution part is molded to a height approximately equal to that of the bottom case part, each of the plurality of intermediate distribution parts is molded to a height approximately equal to that of the intermediate case part and is all molded to the same shape, and the same number of intermediate case parts are stacked between the bottom distribution part and the top distribution part.

[0012] The liquid distributor according to the first aspect of the present invention is disposed within a liquid filter housed within a filter case. The filter case includes at least a bottom-most case part disposed at the bottom, a top-most case part disposed at the top, and a plurality of middle case parts stacked between the bottom-most case part and the top-most case part and molded to the same shape. With this configuration of the filter case, for example, by removing one or two of the stacked middle case parts, the filter case can be shortened in height, and such a shortened filter case can be restored to its original height. The liquid filter is extendable in height or is formed by stacking a plurality of small filters. If an expandable liquid filter is used as the liquid filter, for example, as described above, it can be housed in a filter case with a shorter height by removing one or two of the intermediate case parts, or if multiple small filters are stacked, i.e., a group of multiple stacked small filters is housed, in a filter case with a shorter height, it can be housed in the filter case as a liquid filter with a shorter overall height by removing one or two of the multiple stacked small filters.

[0013] Based on the filter case configuration and liquid filter configuration described above, the liquid distributor according to the first invention includes a top distribution part, multiple intermediate distribution parts, and a bottom distribution part. Each of these top distribution part, multiple intermediate distribution parts, and bottom distribution part has a liquid inlet space into which the liquid to be filtered flows, and a drain port through which the liquid that has flowed into the liquid inlet space is discharged toward the liquid filter. The top distribution part is molded to a height approximately equal to that of the top case part, and the bottom distribution part is molded to a height approximately equal to that of the bottom case part. Each of the multiple intermediate distribution parts is molded to a height approximately equal to that of the intermediate case part and is molded to the same shape, with the same number of intermediate case parts stacked between the bottom distribution part and the top distribution part.

[0014] According to the liquid distributor of the first invention, as described above, even if some of the stacked intermediate case parts that make up the filter case are removed to change the filter case to one with a lower overall height, the liquid distributor can be accommodated within the modified filter case by removing a specified number of intermediate distribution parts to accommodate such changes.

[0015] Furthermore, the second invention (described in claim 2) is characterized in that, in the first invention, the bottom tier distribution part, the intermediate distribution part, and the top tier distribution part are each formed relatively with one positioning portion that maintains the stacked state, and the other positioning portion that engages with this one positioning portion, and the bottom tier case part, the intermediate case part, and the top tier case part are each formed relatively with one positioning portion that maintains the stacked state, and the other positioning portion that engages with this one positioning portion.

[0016] In the liquid distribution according to this second invention, the bottom distribution part, the middle distribution part, and the top distribution part are each formed with one positioning portion that maintains the stacked state, and the other positioning portion that engages with this one positioning portion, so that they can each maintain the stacked state.

[0017] The third invention (invention described in claim 3) is the second invention, wherein the top distribution part, the plurality of intermediate distribution parts, and the bottom distribution part each have a front plate, a back plate, a left side plate, and a right side plate that are flush with each other when stacked, and the shapes of the outer surfaces of the front plate, the back plate, the left side plate, and the right side plate of the top distribution part are the same, and the shapes of the outer surfaces of the front plate, the back plate, the left side plate, and the right side plate of each intermediate distribution part are the same, and the front plate of the bottom distribution part The outer surfaces of the rear panel, left panel and right panel have the same shape, and the lower surfaces of the front panel, rear panel, left panel and right panel of the top distribution part, the upper surfaces of the front panel, rear panel, left panel and right panel of the bottom distribution part, and the upper and lower surfaces of the front panel, rear panel, left panel and right panel of the intermediate distribution part are relatively formed with a convex ridge as one positioning portion or a concave groove as the other positioning portion.

[0018] In the liquid distributor according to the third aspect of the present invention, the top distribution part, the plurality of intermediate distribution parts, and the bottom distribution part each have a front panel, a back panel, a left panel, and a right panel that are flush with each other when stacked. The outer surfaces of the front panel, back panel, left panel, and right panel of the top distribution part are identical in shape, the outer surfaces of the front panel, back panel, left panel, and right panel of each intermediate distribution part are identical in shape, and the outer surfaces of the front panel, back panel, left panel, and right panel of the bottom distribution part are identical in shape. Therefore, when stacking the intermediate distribution parts on the bottom distribution part or when stacking intermediate distribution parts on a specific intermediate distribution part, the orientation of the intermediate distribution parts relative to the bottom distribution part does not matter, and stacking can be performed quickly. Furthermore, in this third invention, the lower surfaces of the front plate, rear plate, left panel, and right panel of the top distribution part are formed with a ridge as the one positioning part or a recessed groove as the other positioning part. Furthermore, the upper surfaces of the front plate, rear plate, left panel, and right panel of the bottom distribution part are formed with a ridge as the one positioning part or a recessed groove as the other positioning part. Furthermore, both the upper and lower surfaces of the front plate, rear plate, left panel, and right panel of the intermediate distribution part are formed with a ridge as the one positioning part or a recessed groove as the other positioning part. Therefore, according to the third invention, the stacked state can be maintained even more effectively.

[0019] The fourth invention (invention described in claim 4) is the first invention, wherein the top distribution part, the plurality of middle distribution parts and the bottom distribution part each have a front plate part, a back plate part, a left side plate part and a right side plate part which are flush with each other when stacked, and the drain outlet is disposed between the front plate part and the left side plate part of the top distribution part, between the front plate part and the right side plate part, between the back plate part and the left side plate part and and between the rear panel portion and the right side panel portion, and between the front panel portion and the left side panel portion, between the front panel portion and the right side panel portion, between the rear panel portion and the left side panel portion and between the rear panel portion and the right side panel portion of the intermediate distribution part, and between the front panel portion and the left side panel portion, between the front panel portion and the right side panel portion, between the rear panel portion and the left side panel portion and between the rear panel portion and the right side panel portion of the bottom distribution part.

[0020] In the liquid distributor according to the fourth aspect of the invention, the drain ports constituting the first aspect of the invention are formed between the front plate and the left side plate and between the front plate and the right side plate of the top distributor part, between the back plate and the left side plate and between the back plate and the right side plate of the middle distributor part, between the front plate and the left side plate and between the front plate and the right side plate of the middle distributor part, and between the front plate and the left side plate and between the back plate and the right side plate of the bottom distributor part, and between the front plate and the left side plate and between the front plate and the right side plate of the bottom distributor part. Therefore, the unfiltered liquid that flows into the liquid distributor part is distributed to the liquid filter side from four locations each in the top distributor part, the middle distributor part, and the bottom distributor part. Furthermore, with a liquid distributor having such a configuration, when the liquid filter disclosed in Patent Document 1 or 2 is housed within the filter case, the filtered liquid is distributed evenly throughout the entire liquid filter, thereby significantly improving filtering efficiency.

[0021] The liquid filters disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 each include a filter body made of filter paper that allows liquid to pass from its inner surface to its outer surface, the filter body having a generally rectangular planar shape with a central liquid inlet space into which the liquid to be filtered flows and which is also generally rectangular, mountain folds exposed on the front, back, left, and right sides, each having a length perpendicular to the height direction and aligned parallel to the height direction, valley folds formed between the mountain folds, a portion of which forms the liquid inlet space and has a length equal to or shorter than the mountain folds, inclined folds formed outward from the corners of the liquid inlet space and having a length in a radial direction from the center of the liquid inlet space, and pockets each having a triangular shape in plan view, each having one side extending from one of the inclined folds. The liquid filter may also include spacers fixed inside each of the pockets. The filter body is formed by folding rectangular filter paper so as to form mountain folds, valley folds, inclined folds, etc., and then welding the ends of the folded filter halves together.

[0022] Furthermore, the fifth invention (the invention described in claim 5) is characterized in that, in the first invention, an adjuster mounting space is formed inside each intermediate distribution part, into which an internal pressure adjuster can be attached and detached, and the internal pressure adjuster is equipped with a flow-blocking plate portion that blocks liquid that has flowed into the interior from above from flowing downward, an opening formed at a position eccentric to the center of the flow-blocking plate portion, and a drainage blocker portion formed on the outer periphery of the flow-blocking plate portion that blocks all or part of the drainage from each drain outlet.

[0023] In the liquid distributor according to the fifth aspect of the invention, an adjuster mounting space is formed inside each of the intermediate distribution parts, into which an internal pressure adjuster can be detachably mounted. The internal pressure adjuster is mounted in the adjuster mounting space. The internal pressure adjuster includes a flow blocking plate portion that blocks downward flow of liquid that has flowed into the interior from above, an opening formed at a position eccentric to the center of the flow blocking plate portion, and a drainage blocking portion formed on the outer periphery of the flow blocking plate portion that blocks all or part of the drainage from each of the drainage ports. In the liquid distributor according to the fifth aspect of the invention, when the internal pressure adjuster is attached to any intermediate distribution part, liquid that flows into the liquid distributor hits the upper surface of the flow blocking plate portion constituting the internal pressure adjuster, excluding the openings, and then flows downward through the openings. At this time, the drainage blocking portion blocks all or part of the drainage from each of the drainage ports, so that all or part of the liquid is not drained from the drainage ports formed in the intermediate distribution part to which the internal pressure adjuster is attached. Therefore, according to the liquid distributor of the fifth invention, the internal pressure adjusting device can adjust the internal pressure of the liquid in the liquid filter, thereby effectively preventing the risk of excessive internal pressure acting on all or part of the liquid filter, resulting in liquid being filtered unevenly in part of the liquid filter.

[0024] Furthermore, the sixth invention (the invention described in claim 6) is characterized in that, in the fifth invention, the top distribution part, the plurality of intermediate distribution parts and the bottom distribution part each have a front panel portion, a back panel portion, a left panel portion and a right panel portion that are flush with each other when stacked, and the front panel portion, back panel portion, left panel portion and right panel portion of the intermediate distribution parts are molded to have the same shape, and the adjustment tool mounting spaces are each formed in the same shape on the inside of each of the front panel portion, back panel portion, left panel portion and right panel portion of the intermediate distribution parts, and drainage blocking portions that are mounted in each of the adjustment tool mounting spaces are each formed in the same shape on the outer periphery of the flow blocking plate portion that constitutes the internal pressure adjuster.

[0025] In the liquid distributor according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the front plate, back plate, left side plate, and right side plate of the intermediate distributor part are all molded to have the same shape. That is, the front plate, back plate, left side plate, and right side plate of the intermediate distributor part form a square shape in a plan view, and each plate has the same width and height. The adjuster mounting spaces are each formed with the same shape inside the front plate, back plate, left side plate, and right side plate of the intermediate distributor part. Furthermore, in this liquid distributor, the drainage blockers to be mounted in each of the adjuster mounting spaces are each formed with the same shape on the outer periphery of the flow blocker plate that constitutes the internal pressure adjuster. Therefore, even when the internal pressure adjuster is rotated 90 degrees from a specific position around the center of the internal pressure adjuster as an axis, each of the drainage blockers is always mounted in each of the adjuster mounting spaces. In this case, since the opening formed in the internal pressure adjusting device is formed at a position eccentric to the center of the flow blocking plate portion, the position of the opening can be changed appropriately by rotating it by 90 degrees as described above.

[0026] Furthermore, the seventh invention (the invention described in claim 7) is characterized in that, in either the fifth or sixth invention, each of the intermediate distribution parts has a front panel portion, a back panel portion, a left panel portion and a right panel portion, and the drain outlet is formed between the front panel portion and the left panel portion of the intermediate distribution part, between the front panel portion and the right panel portion, between the back panel portion and the left panel portion and between the back panel portion and the right panel portion, and is formed with a length in the height direction of the intermediate distribution part, and the adjuster mounting space formed inside the intermediate distribution part is formed as a space in which multiple internal pressure adjusters can be mounted in a vertically lined up state.

[0027] In the liquid distributor according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the intermediate distributor part includes a front panel, a back panel, a left panel, and a right panel, and the drain ports are formed between the front panel and the left panel, between the front panel and the right panel, between the back panel and the left panel, and between the back panel and the right panel of the intermediate distributor part, with a length in the height direction of the intermediate distributor part. Therefore, the unfiltered liquid that flows into the liquid distributor is drained to the liquid filter side from four locations, such as between the front panel and the right panel, as in the fourth aspect of the present invention. However, in the seventh aspect of the present invention, since each drain port is formed with a length in the height direction of the intermediate distributor part, the liquid can flow evenly between the filter papers arranged in multiple layers vertically inside the liquid filter. Furthermore, in the seventh invention, the adjuster mounting space formed inside the intermediate distribution part is configured as a space in which multiple internal pressure adjusters can be mounted lined up in the vertical direction. That is, in the seventh invention, for example, two internal pressure adjusters can be mounted one above the other on a specific intermediate distribution part among multiple intermediate distribution parts, making it possible to more effectively adjust the internal pressure at the center of the liquid filter using the internal pressure adjusters. In particular, according to the seventh invention, which cites the sixth invention, both or either of the multiple internal pressure adjusters can be rotated as appropriate to make the positions of the openings the same on the top and bottom, or to change their positions on the top and bottom, making it possible to adjust the internal pressure with even greater precision and accuracy.

[0028] Furthermore, the eighth invention (the invention described in claim 8) is characterized in that, in the fifth invention, the flow blocking plate portion constituting the internal pressure adjuster is molded in a plate shape, the drainage blocking portion is molded in a state surrounding the space below the flow blocking plate portion, and the internal pressure adjuster is capable of being attached to the adjustment device attachment space of the intermediate distribution part in either the state in which the flow blocking plate portion is positioned upward or the state in which the flow blocking plate portion is positioned downward.

[0029] In the liquid distributor according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the flow cutoff plate constituting the internal pressure adjuster is formed in a plate shape, and the drain cutoff portion is formed in a state surrounding the space below the flow cutoff plate. The internal pressure adjuster can be attached to the adjuster attachment space of the intermediate distribution part in either the state where the flow cutoff plate is positioned upward or the state where the flow cutoff plate is positioned downward. As a result, the flow cutoff plate can be attached to the intermediate distribution part not only so that it is positioned close to a specific height, but also so that it is positioned away from the specific height. Therefore, according to the liquid distributor according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the internal pressure in the liquid filter can be adjusted by appropriately selecting whether the internal pressure adjuster is positioned so that the flow cutoff plate is positioned upward or downward.

[0030] The ninth invention (invention described in claim 9) relates to a liquid distributor assembly set, which is used when assembling a liquid distributor to be placed in a liquid filter in a filter case, the liquid distributor assembly set comprising at least a lowest case part to be placed in the lowest stage, a highest case part to be placed in the highest stage, and a plurality of intermediate case parts stacked between the lowest case part and the highest case part and formed to the same shape, each of which has a liquid inflow space into which the liquid to be filtered flows, and a drainage pipe for discharging the liquid that has flowed into this liquid inflow space to the liquid filter side. The container includes a top distribution part having a mouth formed therein, a plurality of intermediate distribution parts, and a bottom distribution part, wherein the top distribution part is molded to a height approximately equal to that of the top case part, the bottom distribution part is molded to a height approximately equal to that of the bottom case part, each of the plurality of intermediate distribution parts is molded to a height approximately equal to that of the intermediate case part and is all molded to the same shape, and the number of intermediate case parts selected between the bottom distribution part and the top distribution part is the same as the number of intermediate case parts stacked.

[0031] The liquid distributor set of the ninth invention not only achieves the same effects as the liquid distributor of the first invention, but also, when the number of intermediate case parts constituting the filter case is increased, the liquid distributors corresponding to the increased and completed filter case can be stacked and stored within the filter case.

[0032] The tenth invention (invention described in claim 8) is the ninth invention, wherein an adjuster mounting space is formed inside each of the intermediate distribution parts, into which an internal pressure adjuster is detachably mounted, and the internal pressure adjuster mounted in this adjuster mounting space comprises a flow blocking plate portion that blocks the downward flow of liquid that has flowed into the interior from above, an opening formed at a position eccentric from the center of the flow blocking plate portion, and a drainage blocker portion that is formed on the outer periphery of each of the flow blocking plate portions and is mounted in the adjuster mounting space and blocks drainage from each of the drainage ports. The intermediate distribution part, the plurality of intermediate distribution parts and the lowest distribution part each have a front plate portion, a back plate portion, a left side plate portion and a right side plate portion which are flush with one another when stacked, and the adjuster mounting spaces are formed in the same shape on the inside of the front plate portion, the back plate portion, the left side plate portion and the right side plate portion of the intermediate distribution part, and a plurality of internal pressure adjusters which are mounted in the adjuster mounting spaces, and on the outer periphery of the flow cut-off plate portion which constitutes the internal pressure adjuster, drain cut-off portions which are mounted in the adjuster mounting spaces are formed in the same shape. The present invention is characterized in that it contains:

[0033] That is, the liquid distributor set according to the tenth invention includes a plurality of internal pressure adjusters constituting the fifth invention or a plurality of internal pressure adjusters constituting the sixth invention. The liquid distributor set according to the tenth invention can achieve the same effects as the fifth or sixth invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0034] According to the liquid distributor and liquid distributor set of the present invention, even if the filter case is a filter case in which a bottom case part, a top case part, and multiple intermediate case parts are stacked, it can be securely accommodated within the filter case, and even if some of the intermediate case parts that make up the filter case are removed and stacked, it can still be accommodated within the filter case without any problems. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0035] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a filter case. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the filter case shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a liquid filter. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a development view of one and the other filter halves that constitute the filter body. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a front view showing the filter body in an extended state. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the filter body in an extended state. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the liquid filter. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an inlet and a partially cutaway triangular pocket portion. [Figure 9] 1 is a perspective view showing a liquid distributor according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid distributor shown in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the bottommost distribution part from the top side. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the bottommost distribution part. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the bottom distribution part. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the intermediate distribution part from the top side. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the intermediate distribution part from the bottom side. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the intermediate distribution part. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the top distribution part from the top side. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the top-tier distribution part from the bottom side. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the top distribution part. [Figure 20] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A liquid distributor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] Since this liquid distributor is housed inside the liquid filter 100 housed inside the filter case 1 shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2, we will first explain the structure of the filter case 1, then explain the structure of the liquid filter 100 with reference to Figure 3 and subsequent figures, and then explain in detail the structure of the liquid distributor 201 according to the present invention.

[0038] The filter case 1 includes a bottom case part 2 arranged at the bottom, a top case part 3 arranged at the top, a plurality (four) of intermediate case parts 4 stacked between the bottom case part 2 and the top case part 3, a bottom plate 5 arranged on the bottom surface of the bottom case part 2, an top plate 6 arranged on the top surface of the top case part 3, eight long bolts 7 that integrate the bottom case part 2, the top case part 3, the plurality (four) of intermediate case parts 4, the bottom plate 5, and the top plate 6, and eight nuts 8 screwed onto the upper ends of the long bolts 7. In the filter case 1 according to this embodiment, the bottom case part 2, the top case part 3, and the plurality (four) of intermediate case parts 4 are each integrally molded from resin (POM resin), and the bottom plate 5 and the top plate 6 are each made of stainless steel.

[0039] 1 or 2, the lower case part 2, the uppermost case part 3, and the multiple (four) intermediate case parts 4 are frames having inside thereof a storage space (reference numeral omitted) for storing a liquid filter 100, which will be described later. The outer shapes of the lower case part 2, the uppermost case part 3, and the multiple (four) intermediate case parts 4 are each formed into a substantially square shape, and the four faces (front, back, left side, and right side) formed on the outer periphery and the arc-shaped curved faces formed at each corner are all flush with each other in the vertical direction, and like the outer faces, these inner faces are also all flush with each other in the vertical direction. The bottom case part 2 has an insertion hole, four cylindrical bolt insertion portions, and four corner-side cylindrical bolt insertion portions (not shown), each of the intermediate case parts 4 has four cylindrical bolt insertion portions and four corner-side cylindrical bolt insertion portions (not shown), and the top case part 3 has an insertion hole, not shown.

[0040] 2, the lower plate 5 is molded in the same shape as the lower surface of the lowermost case part 2. The lowermost case part 2 has eight insertion holes (not shown), and the lower plate 2 also has eight insertion holes 5a (total of eight), through which the long bolts 7 are inserted, at positions corresponding to the eight insertion holes. The upper plate 6 is molded in the same outer shape as the lower plate 5 and has eight insertion holes 6a (total of eight), through which the long bolts 7 are inserted. The upper plate 6 also has a liquid inlet hole 6b in its center, through which the liquid filtered by the liquid filter flows or which communicates with the inside of a pipe (not shown) that receives the liquid. Each long bolt 7 is composed of a shaft 7b with a head 7a formed at its lower end and a thread 7c threaded on the circumferential surface of the upper end of the shaft 7b. The shanks 7b of these long bolts 7 are inserted into the insertion holes 5a formed in the bottom plate 5, the insertion holes and cylindrical bolt insertion portions or corner-side cylindrical bolt insertion portions (not shown) formed in the bottom case part 2, the cylindrical bolt insertion portions or corner-side cylindrical bolt insertion portions formed in each of the intermediate case parts 4, the insertion holes formed in the top surface of the top case part 3, and the insertion holes 6a formed in the top plate 6. The nuts 8 are screwed onto the threaded portions 7c of each long bolt 7 protruding above the top plate 6, and the entire filter case 1 is firmly integrated by screwing in each nut 8. The threaded portions 7c formed on the eight long bolts 7 are long enough to allow the long bolts 7 and the nuts 8 to be fastened together even when one or more of the intermediate case parts 4 are removed before assembly. As shown in FIG. 1, the filter case 1 has drainage openings 1a formed on the front, back, left side and right side of the filter case 1, through which filtered liquid is drained to the outside.

[0041] Next, a detailed description will be given of the liquid filter 100. The liquid filter 100 is extendable in the height direction of the filter case 1, and in this embodiment, three liquid filters 100 are stacked inside the filter case 1. Therefore, the following description will be given of one of the three stacked liquid filters 100.

[0042] This liquid filter 100 is composed of a filter body 101 (filter paper) and a plurality of spacers 102 fixed to this filter body 101. The filter body 101 is a filter paper (nonwoven fabric) made of synthetic fibers such as acrylic fiber or polyester fiber, and is water-permeable and traps foreign matter contained in liquid. As shown in FIG. 3, the overall shape of the filter body 101 is generally rectangular. As shown in FIG. 7, the filter body 101 has an outline shape in a generally square shape in a plan view. The filter body 101 is formed by folding one and the other filter halves 100A, 100B, which are rectangular filter paper shown in FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B), respectively, so as to form mountain folds, valley folds, diagonal folds, etc., as described below, and then welding the ends of these folded one and the other filter halves 100A, 100B to each other, thereby forming the shape shown in FIG. 3 or 7. The first and second filter halves 100A and 100B shown in Fig. 4 respectively show the inner surfaces of the first and second filter halves 100A and 100B. Fig. 4(A) is a developed view of the filter paper that will become the first filter half 100A, and Fig. 4(B) is a developed view of the filter paper that will become the second filter half 100B. In these developed views, welding margins 100Aa and 100Ab are formed on both the left and right sides of the first filter half 100A in the longitudinal direction, respectively. The second filter half 100B has a welding margin 100Ba welded to the welding margin 100Ab on the left side in the longitudinal direction, and a welding margin 100Bb welded to the welding margin 100Aa on the right side in the longitudinal direction.

[0043] In addition, in the one and other filter halves 100A, 100B shown in Figure 4, the portions indicated by reference numeral 100a are long mountain folds exposed on the left or right side, and the portions indicated by reference numeral 100b formed between these portions 100a and 100a are short valley folds that are located opposite each other on the inside of the liquid filter 3, as shown in the plan view of the liquid filter 100 in Figure 7. In addition, in Figure 7, the portions indicated by reference numeral 100c are oblique folds that are formed radially from the center of the liquid filter 100. That is, as shown in Figure 3, each of the oblique folds 100c is formed outward from a corner of a liquid inflow space S, which will be described later, and has a length in a radial direction from the center of the liquid inflow space S. 4, the reference numerals 100d, 100e respectively denote long valley folds that are longer than the short valley folds 100b, and above and below these long valley folds 100d, 100e are long mountain folds 100f, 100g that are exposed on the front or back of the liquid filter 100, as shown in FIG. 3 or 5. Note that, as shown in FIG. 7, a portion of each of the long valley folds 100d, 100e is located exposed inside the liquid inlet space S formed in the center of the liquid filter 100 in a plan view of the liquid filter 100.

[0044] Furthermore, between each of the short valley folds 100b and the long valley folds 100d, 100e, short mountain folds 100h, 100i are formed in the opposite direction to the short valley folds 100b and the long valley folds 100d, 100e in the one and other filter halves 100A, 100B shown in Fig. 4. These short mountain folds 100h, 100i are portions whose lengths are perpendicular to the long mountain folds 100a, as shown in Fig. 7. Furthermore, left long mountain folds 100j having a length in the longitudinal direction of the one and other filter halves 100A, 100B are formed between the respective long valley folds 100d and the respective short mountain folds 100h, and right long mountain folds 100k having a length in the longitudinal direction of the one and other filter halves 100A, 100B are formed parallel to each other between the respective long valley folds 100e and the respective short mountain folds 100i. The left long mountain folds 100j are exposed in a > shape on the left or right side of the liquid filter 100, as shown in Figure 6, and the right long mountain folds 100k are exposed in a < shape.

[0045] The liquid filter 100, which is formed by folding the one and other filter halves 100A, 100B as described above and welding them to each other, has triangular filtration surfaces 100m, 100n surrounded by three sides: the inclined fold 100c shown in Figure 4, a part of the long valley fold 100d adjacent to the short mountain fold 100h or a part of the long valley fold 100e adjacent to the short mountain fold 100i, and the left long mountain fold 100j or the right long mountain fold 100j. These triangular filtration surfaces 100m, 100n face triangular filtration surfaces 100p, 100q surrounded by the long valley folds 100d, 100e, the left long mountain fold 100j or the right long mountain fold 100j, the long mountain folds 100f, 100g, and the lines shown by the dotted lines in Figure 4, and the filtration surfaces 100m, 100n and the filtration surfaces 100p, 100q face each other, and form pocket portions 100r, 100s blocked by the short mountain folds 100h and short mountain folds 100i (or the left long mountain fold 100j or the right long mountain fold 100k). A total of four pockets similar to these pockets 100r, 100s are formed on either side of the four inclined folds 100c in a plan view of the liquid filter 100. In other words, each of the pockets including the pockets 100r, 100s is a triangular portion in a plan view, with one of the inclined folds 100c as one side, as shown in Fig. 8.

[0046] In the center of the liquid filter 100, which is formed by folding the one and other filter halves 100A, 100B as described above and welding them to each other, a liquid inlet space S into which the liquid to be filtered flows is formed in the height direction of the liquid filter 100, and this liquid inlet space S is a space formed by the centers of the opposing long valley folds 100d, 100e and the opposing short valley folds 100b. 8, in a plan view of liquid filter 100, the length of the opposing short valley folds 100b, 100b is shorter than the length of a portion of long valley folds 100d, 100e that is exposed to the liquid inflow space S, and inflow ports H are formed on both the left and right sides of short valley folds 100b, 100b, spaced apart from long valley folds 100d, 100e, through which liquid flows in toward each pocket, including pockets 100r, 100s. That is, four inflow ports H are formed on the same plane of liquid filter 100.

[0047] In this liquid filter 100, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of spacers 102 are fixed near each of the inclined folded portions 100c, which serve as the entrances to each pocket, including the pockets 100m and 100n. The spacers prevent the opposing filtering surfaces 100m and 100n from overlapping with the filtering surfaces 100p and 100q, and maintain a predetermined distance between them. FIG. 4 shows the layout of the spacers 102 in a developed view. These spacers 102 are made of a flexible and elastic material, such as urethane resin, and are rectangular. Two spacers 102 are fixed to each of the triangular filtering surfaces 100m and 100n at a predetermined interval. Each spacer 102 is molded to a length shorter than half the length of the inclined folded portion 100c, has a thickness of approximately 0.5 to 1.5 mm, and is fixed parallel to the inclined folded portion 100c. Furthermore, the individual spacers 102 are fixed at the same positions when the liquid filter 100 is viewed from above (in the height direction of the liquid filter 100).

[0048] The liquid distributor 201 according to the present invention is contained in the liquid inflow space S of the liquid filter 100 configured as described above. As shown in Fig. 9, the liquid distributor 201 according to this embodiment is composed of a bottom distribution part 202, a top distribution part 203, a plurality of (four) middle distribution parts 204 stacked between the bottom distribution part 202 and the top distribution part 203, and bolts 205 and nuts 206 as holding means for maintaining the stacked state. Note that liquid inflow spaces 202a, 203a, 204a are formed in the centers of the bottom distribution part 202, top distribution part 203, and middle distribution part 204, through which unfiltered liquid flowing in from above flows downward.

[0049] The bottom distribution part 202, the top distribution part 203, and each of the intermediate distribution parts 203 are all integrally molded from resin, and liquid inflow spaces 202a, 203a, and 204a are formed inside each. As shown in Fig. 11, the bottom distribution part 202 has a bottom plate portion 221 molded in a substantially square shape, and inclined surface portions 221a formed by cutting out corners (reference numerals omitted) of the bottom plate portion 221 and inclining the corners at a 45-degree angle with respect to each side of the bottom plate portion 221. As shown in Fig. 13, the bottom plate portion 221 has a total of four insertion holes 221b formed near the inclined surface portions 221a, through which the bolts 205 are inserted, corresponding to the number of the inclined surface portions 221a. The lower surface of the bottom plate portion 221 is formed with head recesses 221c, each of which accommodates a head 205b formed at the base end of a shank 205a of each of the bolts 205 inserted into each insertion hole 221b and has the same axis as the insertion hole 221b. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12, cylindrical portions 221d, each of which has the head recesses 221c formed inside, extend upright from the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 221. Furthermore, cylindrical bolt insertion portions 221e, through which the shank 205a of each of the bolts 205 is inserted, extend upright from the upper surfaces of the cylindrical portions 221d. The upper end surfaces of the cylindrical bolt insertion portions 221e are flush with the upper end surfaces of a front plate portion 222, a left side plate portion 223, a right side plate portion 224, and a back plate portion 225, which will be described later. The outer diameter of each of the cylindrical bolt insertion portions 221e is smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 221d.

[0050] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, this bottom distribution part 202 is equipped with a front plate portion 222 that stands up from the front of the bottom plate portion 221 between the inclined surface portions 221a, a left side plate portion 223 that is molded in the same shape as the front plate portion 222, a right side plate portion 224 that is molded in the same shape as the front plate portion 222 and faces the left side plate portion 223, and a back plate portion 225 that is molded in the same shape as the front plate portion 222 and faces the front plate portion 222. Drainage openings 202b having a length in the height direction of the bottom distribution part 202 are formed between the left end face of the front panel portion 222 and the front end face of the left panel portion 223, between the right end face of the front panel portion 222 and the front end face of the right panel portion 224, between the left end face of the back panel portion 225 and the back end face of the left panel portion 223, and between the right end face of the back panel portion 225 and the back end face of the right panel portion 224.

[0051] 11, from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical bolt insertion portion 221e formed on the left side of the inside of the front plate portion 222 to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical bolt insertion portion 221e formed on the right side of the inside of the front plate portion 222, and from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical bolt insertion portion 221e formed on the front side of the inside of the left face plate portion 223 to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical bolt insertion portion 221e formed on the back side of the inside of the left face plate portion 223. Partition plate portions 221f are formed from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical bolt insertion portion 221e formed on the inside left side of portion 225 to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical bolt insertion portion 221e formed on the inside right side of back plate portion 225, and from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical bolt insertion portion 221e formed on the inside back side of right side plate portion 224 to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical bolt insertion portion 221e formed on the inside front side of right side plate portion 224. The partition plate portion 221f faces the back surface of the front plate portion 222, the right side surface of the left side plate portion 223, the left side surface of the right side plate portion 224, or the front surface of the back plate portion 225, respectively, with a predetermined distance therebetween. A rectangular parallelepiped drainage notch 221g is formed in the center of each partition plate 221f, extending from the upper end of the partition plate 221f to the middle portion below. Therefore, the unfiltered liquid that flows into the bottom distribution part 202 passes through the four drainage notches 221g, flows through a flow path between the outside of the partition plate 221f or the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical bolt insertion part 221e and the inner surface of the front plate 222, the left side plate 223, the right side plate 224, or the back plate 225, and is then drained to the outside through the drain port 202b. A portion of the flow path formed in the bottom distribution part 202 is an adjuster mounting space for mounting an internal pressure adjuster, which will be described later.

[0052] 11 and 12, convex strips 222a, 223a, 224a, and 225a are formed on the upper surfaces of the front plate 222, the left plate 223, the right plate 224, and the back plate 225 as one of the positioning portions constituting the present invention. Note that these convex strips 222a, 223a, 224a, and 225a are fitted into and engage with concave grooves 242b, 243b, 244b, and 245b formed on the lower surfaces of the front plate 242, the left plate 243, the right plate 244, and the back plate 245 constituting each intermediate distribution part 204 described later. Note that the concave grooves 242b, 243b, 244b, and 245b are the other of the positioning portions constituting the present invention.

[0053] Next, the intermediate distribution parts 204 will be described. As shown in FIG. 14 or 16, each intermediate distribution part 204 is formed in a plate shape midway between the upper and lower ends, and includes an intermediate partition plate 241 formed in a substantially square shape in a plan view, and inclined surfaces 241a formed by cutting out corners (reference numerals omitted) of the intermediate partition plate 241 and inclining the corners at a 45-degree angle with respect to each side of the intermediate partition plate 241. Each intermediate distribution part 204 also includes a front plate 242, a left side plate 243, a right side plate 244, and a back plate 245, each of which is formed in a rectangular shape having a length in the height direction. The front plate 242, left side plate 243, right side plate 244, and back plate 245 have the same shape. Also, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the front plate portion 242 is flush with the front of the front plate portion 222 that constitutes the bottom distribution part 202, the left side surface of the left side plate portion 243 is flush with the left side surface of the left side plate portion 223 that constitutes the bottom distribution part 202, the right side surface of the right side plate portion 244 is flush with the right side surface of the right side plate portion 224 that constitutes the bottom distribution part 202, and the back surface of the back plate portion 245 is flush with the back surface of the back plate portion 225 that constitutes the bottom distribution part 202. The front of the intermediate partition plate portion 241 is integrated with the back of the front plate portion 242 at a midpoint in the height of the front plate portion 242, the left side of the intermediate partition plate portion 241 is integrated with the right side of the left panel portion 243 at a midpoint in the height of the left panel portion 243, the left side of the intermediate partition plate portion 241 is integrated with the right side of the right panel portion 244 at a midpoint in the height of the right panel portion 244, and the back of the intermediate partition plate portion 241 is integrated with the front of the back panel portion 225 at a midpoint in the height of the back panel portion 225.

[0054] The configuration formed on the upper surface of the intermediate partition plate portion 241 and the configuration formed below the lower surface of the intermediate partition plate portion 241 are plane-symmetrical except for the ridges and grooves described below. First, the configuration formed on the upper surface of the intermediate partition plate portion 241 will be described. As shown in FIG. 16 , drainage holes 204b each having a length in the height direction of the intermediate distribution part 204 are formed on the upper surface of the intermediate partition plate portion 241 between the left side surface of the front plate portion 242 and the front of the left panel portion 243, between the right side surface of the front plate portion 242 and the front of the right panel portion 244, between the left side surface of the back panel portion 245 and the back surface of the left panel portion 243, and between the right side surface of the back panel portion 245 and the back surface of the right panel portion 244.

[0055] Cylindrical bolt insertion portions 241e are formed upright from the upper surface of the intermediate partition plate 241, respectively, from the drain outlet 204b formed between the left side surface of the front plate 242 and the front of the left side plate 243 toward the center of the intermediate distribution part 204, from the drain outlet 204b formed between the right side surface of the front plate 242 and the front of the right side plate 244 toward the center of the intermediate distribution part 204, from the drain outlet 204b formed between the left side surface of the back plate 245 and the back surface of the left side plate 243 toward the center of the intermediate distribution part 204, and from the drain outlet 204b formed between the right side surface of the back plate 245 and the back surface of the right side plate 244 toward the center of the intermediate distribution part 204. These cylindrical bolt insertion portions 241e are portions into which the shanks 205a of the bolts 205 are inserted. Then, from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical bolt insertion portion 241e formed on the left side of the inside of the front plate portion 242 to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical bolt insertion portion 241e formed on the right side of the inside of the front plate portion 242, from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical bolt insertion portion 241e formed on the front side of the inside of the left face plate portion 243 to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical bolt insertion portion 241e formed on the back side of the inside of the left face plate portion 243, Partition plates 241f are formed from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical bolt insertion portion 241e formed on the inner left side of the back plate portion 245 to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical bolt insertion portion 241e formed on the inner right side of the back plate portion 245, and from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical bolt insertion portion 241e formed on the inner back side of the right side plate portion 244 to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical bolt insertion portion 241e formed on the inner front side of the right side plate portion 244. These partition plates 241f face the back surface of the front plate portion 242, the right side surface of the left side plate portion 243, the left side surface of the right side plate portion 244, or the front surface of the back plate portion 245, respectively, at a predetermined interval. A rectangular parallelepiped drainage notch 241g is formed in the center of each partition plate portion 241f, extending from the upper end of the partition plate portion 241f to the middle portion below. The lower ends of the drainage notches 241g are located slightly higher than the upper surface of the intermediate partition plate portion 241.Then, the liquid inflow space 204a, through which the unfiltered liquid that has flowed into the intermediate distribution part 204 flows downward, is formed in the center of the intermediate partition plate portion 241, inside the four partition plate portions 241f and the four cylindrical bolt insertion portions 241e. Therefore, the unfiltered liquid that has flowed into the intermediate distribution part 204 flows downward through the liquid inflow space 204a, and the liquid that has filled the filter case 1 passes through the four drainage notches 241g and flows as a flow path between the outside of the partition plate portion 241f or the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical bolt insertion portion 241e and the inner surface of the front plate portion 242, the left side plate portion 243, the right side plate portion 244, or the back plate portion 245, and then is drained to the outside through the drainage port 204b. A part of the flow path formed in each of the intermediate distribution parts 204 is an adjuster mounting space in which an internal pressure adjuster, which will be described later, is mounted.

[0056] 14, convex strips 242a, 243a, 244a, and 245a serving as one positioning portion constituting the present invention are formed on the upper surfaces of the front plate portion 242, the left side plate portion 243, the right side plate portion 244, and the back plate portion 245. Further, as shown in FIG. 15, concave grooves 242b, 243b, 244b, and 245b serving as the other positioning portion constituting the present invention are formed on the lower surfaces of the front plate portion 242, the left side plate portion 243, the right side plate portion 244, and the back plate portion 245. In addition, the convex ridges 242a, 243a, 244a, 245a formed on the intermediate distribution part 204 are fitted into the concave grooves 242b, 243b, 244b, 245b formed on the undersides of the front plate portion 242, left side plate portion 243, right side plate portion 244 and back plate portion 245 that constitute the intermediate distribution part 204 stacked on a specific intermediate distribution part 204, and are positioned relative to each other.

[0057] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the top tier distribution part 203. As shown in Fig. 17, the top tier distribution part 203 includes a square-shaped top plate portion 231, and as shown in Fig. 18 or 19, a front hanging plate portion 232 hanging down from the underside of the top plate portion 231, a left hanging plate portion 233 hanging down from the underside of the top plate portion 231, a right hanging plate portion 234 hanging down from the underside of the top plate portion 231 and facing the left hanging plate portion 233, and a rear hanging plate portion 235 hanging down from the underside of the top plate portion 231 and facing the front hanging plate portion 232. The front hanging plate portion 232, left hanging plate portion 233, right hanging plate portion 234 and rear hanging plate portion 235 all have a length in a direction perpendicular to the height direction of the liquid distributor 201, and are molded to the same shape. Drain ports 203b through which unfiltered liquid is discharged are formed between the front hanging plate portion 232 and the left hanging plate portion 233, between the front hanging plate portion 232 and the right hanging plate portion 234, between the rear hanging plate portion 235 and the left hanging plate portion 233, and between the rear hanging plate portion 235 and the right hanging plate portion 234.

[0058] Furthermore, from the drain outlet 203b formed between the front plate portion 232 and the left side plate portion 233 slightly towards the center of the top distribution part 203, from the drain outlet 203b formed between the front plate portion 232 and the right side plate portion 244 slightly towards the center of the top distribution part 203, from the drain outlet 203b formed between the back plate portion 235 and the left side plate portion 233 towards the center of the top distribution part 203, and from the drain outlet 203b formed between the back plate portion 235 and the right side plate portion 234 towards the center of the top distribution part 203, arc-shaped hanging portions 231a are formed hanging down from the top plate portion 231 shown in Figure 17, surrounding a recess (symbol omitted) that is recessed downward from the top plate portion 231 and has a portion cut out at the center to accommodate the nut 206. At the center of each of these arc-shaped hanging portions 231a, cylindrical bolt insertion portions 231e, which have the same axis as the center of the recess, are formed in a state of hanging down from the underside of each of these arc-shaped hanging portions 231a. These cylindrical bolt insertion portions 231e are the portions through which shank 205a of bolt 205 is inserted.

[0059] 18 or 19, from the outer peripheral surface of bolt insertion portion 231e formed on the inner left side of front hanging plate portion 232 (right side in FIG. 18) to the outer peripheral surface of bolt insertion portion 231e formed on the inner right side of front hanging plate portion 232, and from the outer peripheral surface of bolt insertion portion 231e formed on the inner front side of left hanging plate portion 233 to the outer peripheral surface of bolt insertion portion 231e formed on the inner back side of left hanging plate portion 233. Partition plate portion 231f is formed from the outer peripheral surface of bolt insertion portion 231e formed on the inside left side of rear side hanging plate portion 235 to the outer peripheral surface of bolt insertion portion 231e formed on the inside right side of rear side hanging plate portion 235, and from the outer peripheral surface of cylindrical bolt insertion portion 231e formed on the inside rear side of right side hanging plate portion 234 to the outer peripheral surface of cylindrical bolt insertion portion 231e formed on the inside front side of right side hanging plate portion 234. These partition plate portions 231f face the back surface of front side hanging portion 232, the right side surface of left side hanging plate portion 233, the left side surface of right side hanging plate portion 234, or the front surface of rear side hanging plate portion 235, respectively, with a predetermined distance therebetween. A rectangular parallelepiped drainage notch 231g is formed in the center of each of the partition plate portions 231f, extending from the lower end of the partition plate portion 231f to the middle portion thereof. The height of the lower end of each of the drainage notches 241g is located slightly higher than the upper surface of the intermediate partition plate portion 241. The liquid inflow space 203a, through which the unfiltered liquid that has flowed into the uppermost distribution part 203 flows downward, is formed in the center of the intermediate partition plate portion 241, inside the four partition plate portions 241f and the four cylindrical bolt insertion portions 241e. Therefore, the unfiltered liquid that flows into this top-stage distribution part 203 flows downward through the liquid inlet space 203a, and the liquid that has filled the filter case 1 passes through the four drainage notches 231g and flows through a flow path between the outside of the partition plate portion 231f and the outer surface of the cylindrical bolt insertion portion 231e, and the inner surface of the front plate portion 232, left side plate portion 233, right side plate portion 234, or back plate portion 235, and then is drained to the outside through the drainage outlet 203b.A part of the flow path formed in the uppermost distribution part 203 is an adjuster mounting space in which an internal pressure adjuster, which will be described later, is mounted.

[0060] 9 or 10, the bottom distribution part 202, the plurality (four) stacked intermediate distribution parts 204, and the top distribution part 203 are held in a stacked state by the four bolts 205 and nuts 206. These bolts 205 are inserted into the cylindrical bolt insertion portions 221e, 231e, 241e, etc., and threads 205c that are threaded into the nuts 206 are threaded on the circumferential surface from the upper end side of each shaft portion 205a downward. Therefore, with the liquid distributor 201 configured in this way, when the intermediate case part 4 constituting the filter case 1 described above is removed to shorten the overall length of the filter case 1, the liquid distributor 201 can be accommodated in the filter case 1 by stacking them in a stack using the bolts 205 and nuts 206 with the intermediate distribution part 204 removed.

[0061] The liquid distributor 201 has one or more internal pressure adjusters 209 attached to either the lowest distribution part 202, the intermediate distribution part 204, or the uppermost distribution part 203. The internal pressure adjusters 209 are attached to adjuster attachment spaces that are part of the flow paths formed in the lowest distribution part 202, the intermediate distribution part 204, or the uppermost distribution part 203. The internal pressure adjusters 209 can also be attached in a state in which they are turned upside down from the state shown in Figure 20. The internal pressure adjuster 209 is composed of a flow cutoff plate portion 291 that cuts off the downward flow of liquid that has flowed into the liquid inflow spaces 202a, 203a, 204a, and four drainage cutoff portions 292 that are formed on the outer periphery of the flow cutoff plate portion 291 and that cut off drainage from the drainage ports 202b, 203b, 204b by being attached to the internal pressure adjuster attachment space. The flow cutoff plate portion 291 has the same shape in a plan view as the liquid inflow spaces 202a, 203a, 204a formed inside the bottom distribution part 202, the top distribution part 203, and the middle distribution part 204, and is molded in the same shape as the shape surrounding the liquid inflow spaces 202a, 203a, 204a. An opening 291a is formed at a position eccentric from the center of the flow cutoff plate 291, allowing the liquid blocked by the flow cutoff plate 291 to flow downward.

[0062] In addition, each of the drainage blockers 292 hangs down or stands up from the outer periphery of the flow blocker plate portion 291, and the four drainage blockers 292 are formed so that they surround the flow blocker plate portion 291 as a whole, and are formed in the same shape at the 6 o'clock, 9 o'clock, 12 o'clock and 15 o'clock directions on a clock, with the flow blocker plate portion 291 as the center. That is, the drainage blocking portion 292 is composed of a notch closing plate portion 292a that is fitted into each drainage notch 221g, 231g, 241g that constitutes the top case part 202, top distribution part 203, or intermediate distribution part 204 and is part of the liquid flow path, and partition plate portions 221f, 231f, 241f in which the drainage notches 221g, 231g, 241g are formed, and one and other drainage blocking portions 292b, 292c that block part of the flow path between the opposing front plate portion, left side panel portion, right side panel portion, or rear panel portion, or front hanging plate portion, left hanging plate portion, right hanging plate portion, and rear hanging plate portion (each symbol omitted). Furthermore, the height of the notch closing plate portion 292a and the one and other drainage cutoff portions 292b, 292c, which is the height of the internal pressure adjuster 209, is approximately half the depth of the drainage cutoffs 221g, 241g formed in the bottom distribution part 202 and the middle distribution part 204, and is the same height as the depth of the drainage cutoff 231g formed in the top distribution part 203. Furthermore, a vertical groove 292d having a length in the height direction of the internal pressure adjuster 209 is formed on the tip side of the notch closing plate portion 292a between the one drainage cutoff portion 292b and the other drainage cutoff portion 292c. The one drainage blocker 292b and the other drainage blocker 292c of the internal pressure adjuster 209 having such a configuration have spring properties, and when a force acts in a direction that brings the one drainage blocker 292b and the other drainage blocker 292c closer to each other, they are slightly bent and urged in a direction that moves them apart. Therefore, when the internal pressure adjuster 209 is attached to the intermediate distribution part 204 or the like, the one drainage blocker 292b and the other drainage blocker 292c are urged in a direction that moves them slightly apart, and the attached position is maintained.

[0063] Therefore, the internal pressure adjuster 209 can be rotated 90 degrees from an attached state to change the position of the opening 291a, and can also be used upside down. Furthermore, two internal pressure adjusters 209 can be attached to the bottom distribution part 202 and the middle distribution part 204. One or more internal pressure adjusters 209 can be attached to the middle distribution part 204, either above or below the middle partition plate portion 241. In other words, by appropriately selecting four conditions, namely upside down inversion, rotation by 90 degrees on the same plane, and the number of internal pressure adjusters attached, the internal pressure adjuster 209 according to this embodiment can control the internal pressure in the filter case 1 appropriately in accordance with uncertainties such as the type, viscosity, or inflow speed of the liquid flowing into the filter case 1, and the permeability of the material of the liquid filter 100 used.

[0064] The liquid distributor 201 may be configured as a liquid distributor set, which will be described below. This liquid distributor set includes the bottom distributor part 202, the top distributor part 203, a plurality of intermediate distributor parts 204, and a plurality of internal pressure adjusters 209, and includes a plurality of bolts 205 and nuts 206 as holding means for holding the bottom distributor part 202, the top distributor part 203, and the plurality of intermediate distributor parts 204 in a stacked state. In particular, by increasing the number of intermediate distributor parts 204 and including them in this liquid distributor set, and by including multiple sets of bolts 205 having lengths corresponding to the increased number of intermediate distributor parts 204, it is possible to more easily accommodate changes to the filter case 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1 filter case 1a Drain opening 2 Bottom case parts 3 Top case parts 5 Intermediate case parts 100 Liquid Filters 201 Liquid dispensing equipment 202 Bottom shelf distribution parts 202a Liquid flows into space 202b Drain 203 Top level allocation 203a Liquid flows into space 203b Drain 204 Intermediate allocation program 204a Liquid flows into space 204b Drain 222 front panel 223 Left side panel 224 Right side panel 225 back panel 232 Front hanging plate 233 Left lower plate 234 Right lower plate 235 Back hanging plate 242 front panel 243 Left side panel 244 Right side panel 245 back panel 209 Internal pressure adjustment tool 291 Circulation blocking plate part 291a Opening 292 Drainage blocking part

Claims

1. A liquid distributor disposed in a liquid filter housed in a filter case, The filter case includes at least a bottom case part disposed at the bottom, a top case part disposed at the top, and a plurality of intermediate case parts stacked between the bottom case part and the top case part and molded to the same shape as each other, The liquid filter is extendable in the height direction or is configured by stacking a plurality of small filters, The liquid distributor comprises a top distribution part, a plurality of middle distribution parts, and a bottom distribution part, each of which is formed with a liquid inflow space into which the liquid to be filtered flows, and a drain port through which the liquid that has flowed into the liquid inflow space is discharged to the liquid filter side, The top-stage distribution part is molded to a height approximately equal to that of the top-stage case part, The distribution part for the lowest stage is molded to a height approximately equal to that of the case part for the lowest stage, A liquid distributor characterized in that each of the multiple intermediate distribution parts is molded to a height approximately the same as the height of the intermediate case part and is all molded to the same shape, and the number of intermediate case parts stacked between the bottom distribution part and the top distribution part is the same as the number of intermediate case parts stacked.

2. The liquid distributor according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottom distribution part, the middle distribution part, and the top distribution part are each formed with one positioning portion that maintains the stacked state, and the other positioning portion that engages with this one positioning portion.

3. The top distribution part, the plurality of intermediate distribution parts, and the bottom distribution part each have a front panel, a back panel, a left panel, and a right panel that are flush with each other when stacked, and the shapes of the outer surfaces of the front panel, back panel, left panel, and right panel of the top distribution part are the same, the shapes of the outer surfaces of the front panel, back panel, left panel, and right panel of each intermediate distribution part are the same, and the shapes of the outer surfaces of the front panel, back panel, left panel, and right panel of the bottom distribution part are the same, A liquid distributor as described in claim 2, characterized in that a convex ridge as one positioning portion or a concave groove as the other positioning portion is relatively formed on both the lower surfaces of the front plate portion, back plate portion, left side panel portion and right side panel portion of the top distribution part, the upper surfaces of the front plate portion, back plate portion, left side panel portion and right side panel portion of the bottom distribution part, and the upper and lower surfaces of the front plate portion, back plate portion, left side panel portion and right side panel portion of the intermediate distribution part.

4. The top distribution part, the plurality of intermediate distribution parts, and the bottom distribution part each include a front plate part, a rear plate part, a left side plate part, and a right side plate part that are flush with each other when stacked, The liquid distributor described in claim 1, characterized in that the drain holes are formed between the front plate portion and the left side panel portion of the top distribution part, between the front plate portion and the right side panel portion, between the back plate portion and the left side panel portion and between the back plate portion and the right side panel portion, and between the front plate portion and the left side panel portion of the intermediate distribution part, and between the front plate portion and the left side panel portion, between the front plate portion and the right side panel portion, between the back plate portion and the left side panel portion and between the back plate portion and the right side panel portion of the bottom distribution part.

5. An adjusting tool mounting space is formed inside each of the intermediate distribution parts, and an internal pressure adjusting tool is detachably mounted therein. The liquid distributor as described in claim 1, characterized in that the internal pressure adjuster comprises a flow-blocking plate portion that blocks liquid that has flowed into the interior from above from flowing downward, an opening formed at a position eccentric to the center of the flow-blocking plate portion, and a drainage blocker portion that is formed on the outer periphery of the flow-blocking plate portion and is mounted within the internal pressure adjuster mounting space to block all or part of the drainage from each of the drain outlets.

6. The top distribution part, the plurality of intermediate distribution parts, and the bottom distribution part each include a front plate part, a rear plate part, a left side plate part, and a right side plate part that are flush with each other when stacked, The front plate, rear plate, left side plate and right side plate of the intermediate distribution part are molded to have the same shape, and the adjuster mounting spaces are formed in the same shape on the inside of the front plate, rear plate, left side plate and right side plate of the intermediate distribution part, respectively; 6. A liquid distributor according to claim 5, wherein the outer periphery of the flow blocking plate portion constituting the internal pressure adjusting device is formed with drain blocking portions of the same shape to be attached to each of the adjusting device mounting spaces.

7. Each of the intermediate distribution parts includes a front plate portion, a rear plate portion, a left side plate portion, and a right side plate portion, The drain outlets are formed between the front plate portion and the left side plate portion of the intermediate distribution part, between the front plate portion and the right side plate portion, between the back plate portion and the left side plate portion, and between the back plate portion and the right side plate portion, and have a length in the height direction of the intermediate distribution part, A liquid distributor as described in either claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the adjuster mounting space formed inside the intermediate distribution part is formed as a space in which multiple internal pressure adjusters can be mounted in a vertically aligned state.

8. The flow cutoff plate portion constituting the internal pressure adjuster is formed in a plate shape, and the drainage cutoff portion is formed in a state surrounding the space below the flow cutoff plate portion from the periphery, A liquid distributor as described in claim 5, characterized in that the internal pressure adjuster can be attached to the adjuster attachment space of the intermediate distributor part in either a state where the flow blocking plate portion is positioned upward or a state where the flow blocking plate portion is positioned downward.

9. A liquid distributor assembly set used when assembling a liquid distributor to be placed in a liquid filter in a filter case, the liquid distributor assembly set comprising at least a lowest case part to be placed in the lowest stage, a highest case part to be placed in the highest stage, and a plurality of intermediate case parts stacked between the lowest case part and the highest case part and molded to the same shape, The filter includes a top distribution part, a plurality of middle distribution parts, and a bottom distribution part, each of which has a liquid inflow space into which the liquid to be filtered flows, and a drain port through which the liquid that has flowed into the liquid inflow space is discharged to the liquid filter side, The top-stage distribution part is molded to a height approximately equal to that of the top-stage case part, The distribution part for the lowest stage is molded to a height approximately equal to that of the case part for the lowest stage, A liquid distributor assembly set characterized in that each of the multiple intermediate distribution parts is molded to a height approximately the same as the height of the intermediate case part and is all molded to the same shape, and the same number of intermediate case parts are selected and stacked between the bottom distribution part and the top distribution part as the number of intermediate case parts stacked.

10. An adjusting tool mounting space is formed inside each of the intermediate distribution parts, and an internal pressure adjusting tool is detachably mounted therein. a plurality of internal pressure adjusters that are mounted in the adjuster mounting space and that include a flow cutoff plate portion that blocks downward flow of liquid that has flowed into the interior from above, an opening formed at a position eccentric from the center of the flow cutoff plate portion, and drainage cutoff portions that are formed on the outer periphery of the flow cutoff plate portion, are mounted in the adjuster mounting space, and block drainage from each of the drain ports; or The top distribution part, the plurality of intermediate distribution parts, and the bottom distribution part each include a front plate part, a rear plate part, a left side plate part, and a right side plate part that are flush with each other when stacked, The adjuster mounting spaces are formed in the same shape on the inner sides of the front plate portion, the back plate portion, the left side plate portion, and the right side plate portion of the intermediate distribution part, The internal pressure adjuster is attached to the adjuster attachment space, and the drainage cutoff portions attached to each adjuster attachment space are formed in the same shape on the outer periphery of the flow cutoff plate portion constituting the internal pressure adjuster.

10. The liquid dispensing tool assembly set according to claim 9, further comprising:

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