Pump unit and pump device

Abstract

To provide a pump unit which can be transported in a preferable environment according to a transport object, and to provide a pump device.SOLUTION: A pump unit includes: an external cylinder; an internal cylinder provided along an inner peripheral surface of the external cylinder and formed by an elastic body; and end members provided at both ends of the external cylinder and the internal cylinder and forming a closed space between an inner periphery of the external cylinder and an outer periphery of the internal cylinder. The internal cylinder is expanded in a centripetal direction by a working medium being supplied to the closed space and is contracted by the working medium being discharged from the closed space. The pump unit includes a heat conductor which is attached to one of the end members and provided contacting with the outer periphery of the internal cylinder and conducts heat input through the end member to the internal cylinder.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pump unit and a pump device, and more particularly to a pump device that includes an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder, and that supplies a pressurizing medium between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder to expand the inner cylinder in a centripetal direction to transport an object. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, one type of pump known in the art is one that transfers an object by utilizing peristaltic motion, as shown in Patent Documents 1 to 3. The pumps disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are configured by connecting multiple pump units, each of which has an inner cylinder that expands when a pressurizing medium is supplied between an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder, and sequentially expanding the inner cylinders of the connected pump units to pressurize the object to be transferred, thereby transferring the object. Furthermore, the pump disclosed in Patent Document 3 is configured to transfer the object by sequentially contracting the inner cylinders of the connected pump units to apply negative pressure to the object to be transferred. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-196689 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-203400 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 05-321842 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The pumps of Patent Documents 1 to 3 are capable of conveying any material, including liquids, viscous fluids such as slurries, powders, and solid-liquid mixtures (hereinafter simply referred to as conveyed objects). However, as described in Patent Document 3, when the transported item is food, it needs to be transported in an environment suitable for food. For example, in the case of cheese, the cheese needs to be transported while remaining warm and fluid, and there is a problem that if the cheese cools and solidifies along the transport path, it can cause blockages. Also, in the case of minced meat, there is a problem that oil components will melt if it is transported at room temperature.

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a pump unit and a pump device that can transport the object in an environment suitable for the object being transported. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A pump unit for solving the above problems includes an outer cylinder, an inner cylinder made of an elastic material and provided along the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder, and end members provided on both ends of the outer and inner cylinders to form a closed space between the inner periphery of the outer cylinder and the outer periphery of the inner cylinder, the inner cylinder expanding in a centripetal direction when a working medium is supplied into the closed space, and the inner cylinder contracting when the working medium is discharged from the closed space, and the pump unit includes a heat conductor attached to one of the end members and provided in contact with the outer periphery of the inner cylinder, for conducting heat input via one of the end members to the inner cylinder. The thermal conductor comprises a cylindrical tube portion through which the inner tube passes, and a flange portion provided on one end side of the tube portion and attached to an end member, the flange portion being attached in contact with one of the end members, the tube portion having an inner diameter that contacts the outer periphery of the inner tube when the inner tube contracts, and being configured to extend to a length that avoids contact with the other end member when the inner tube expands. With this configuration, heat can be transferred from the end member to the heat conductor and from the heat conductor to the inner tube, and as a result, the heat of the heat medium is transferred to the transported item through the inner tube, making it possible to transport the transported item in a suitable environment. Furthermore, the end member to which the thermal conductor is attached is configured to have a flow path that allows the flow of a heat medium, so that by circulating a heat medium that has been heated or cooled to a temperature suitable for transporting the goods through the flow path of the end member, the heat of the heat medium can be transferred to the end member, from the end member to the heat conductor, and from the heat conductor to the inner tube. As a result, the heat of the heat medium is transferred to the goods through the inner tube, making it possible to transport the goods in a suitable environment. 。 The thermal conductor isThe inner cylinder may be configured to have a protrusion that deforms the inner cylinder in the centripetal direction. In addition, the pump device is configured as follows to solve the above problems: 3 A pump device including any one of the pump units described above is configured to include heating / cooling means for heating or cooling the end member. According to this configuration, the items can be transported in an environment that is suitable for each item. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a pump device. [Figure 2] 3A and 3B are axial and radial cross-sectional views of the pump unit; [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a radial cross-sectional view of an outer cylinder in the pump unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an end member in the pump unit. [Figure 5] 2A and 2B are a plan view and an axial cross-sectional view of a pump unit as viewed in the axial direction; [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the pump unit.

[0008] The present invention will be described in detail below through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention, and include configurations that can be selectively adopted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [Overall configuration of peristaltic pump] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a pump device 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the pump device 1 according to this embodiment includes a pump unit 10 and a transfer control device 100. The pump unit 10, for example, is provided singly or in combination with a plurality of pump units connected together to form the pump section 8 of the pump device 1. The pump section 8 is provided, for example, at the outlet of a storage device in which the material to be transported is stored, or in the middle of an existing pipe, and functions as a transport path and pump for transporting the material to be transported. In the following description, the pump section 8 is described as being provided by connecting a plurality of pump units 10 (four in this embodiment) in series, but they do not necessarily have to be connected together and may be provided singly.

[0010] [About Pump Unit 10] FIG. 2 is an axial cross-sectional view and a radial cross-sectional view of the pump unit 10. FIG. As shown in Figure 2, the pump unit 10 comprises an inner tube 12, an outer tube 14 arranged to form a double tube coaxial with the central axis of the inner tube 12, a pair of end members 16;16 that close the space formed between the outer periphery of the inner tube 12 and the inner periphery of the outer tube 14, and a heat conductor 18.

[0011] The pump unit 10 is closed by end members 16;16, and is configured so that by supplying a pressurized medium (working medium) to the space formed between the outer periphery of the inner cylinder 12 and the inner periphery of the outer cylinder 14, the inner cylinder 12 expands in the centripetal direction while contracting in the axial direction.

[0012] [About the inner tube] The inner cylinder 12 is configured as an airtight and elastic cylindrical body. The material that can be used to configure the inner cylinder 12 is, for example, rubber such as natural latex rubber or silicone rubber, or an elastic material such as elastomer.

[0013] 2, the inner tube 12 has flanges 12B on both ends of a cylindrical tube portion 12A. The flanges 12B are formed integrally with the tube portion 12A and are formed in the shape of hollow disks that extend concentrically radially outward at the ends of the tube portion 12A. A protrusion 13 that protrudes toward the tube portion 12A (axially inward) is formed around the entire periphery of the tip (outer periphery) of the flanges 12B.

[0014] [About the outer tube] FIG. 3 is a radial cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. The outer cylinder 14 is configured as a cylindrical body made of an elastic material that is capable of expanding and contracting in the axial direction while maintaining airtightness. The outer cylinder 14 is configured, for example, by including an elastic material and a fibrous material. As shown in FIG. 3, the outer tube 14 includes, for example, an elastic material 15A and a plurality of fibers 15B contained in the elastic material 15A in a cross section in the radial direction.

[0015] The elastic material 15A may be made of, for example, rubber such as natural latex rubber or silicone rubber, or an elastomer.

[0016] The fibers 15B are provided to restrain the axial extension of the outer tube 14, and function as a restraining means for restraining the axial extension of the outer tube 14. The fibers 15B are provided, for example, in a layered form, have a length that extends continuously from one end side of the outer tube 14 to the other end side, and are arranged to extend along the axial direction of the outer tube 14. The fibers 15B do not necessarily have to be contained in layers in the outer tube 14, but may be dispersed and embedded in the elastic material.

[0017] The material for the fibers 15B is preferably a highly elastic fiber that exhibits minimal axial expansion and contraction. For example, stretchable fibers such as aramid fiber, carbon fiber, glass fiber, nylon, polyamide fiber, polyolefin fiber, and metal fiber can be appropriately selected and used. The adhesiveness of the fibers can be sufficiently improved by applying an appropriate primer treatment or surface oxidation treatment, but it is preferable to select the material based on its adhesiveness to the elastic material.

[0018] The fiber material can be in any form, such as filament, yarn (spun yarn or filament yarn), or strand. It is also possible to use untwisted fibers, which are bundled without twisting, or fibers made by twisting multiple fibers. Depending on the type of fiber, two or more fibers of different materials or different forms may be combined.

[0019] The length of the fiber 15B is not limited to a continuous length from one end to the other end, but may be configured such that multiple fibers shorter than the axial length of the outer tube 14 are continuously distributed along the axial direction and reach from one end to the other end.

[0020] Furthermore, the restraining means in the outer tube 14 may be made of an elastic material itself instead of the fibers 15B. For example, a rib extending in the axial direction of the outer tube 14 may be integrally formed with the elastic material that constitutes the outer tube 14 and serve as the restraining means.

[0021] Furthermore, the pump unit 10 is preferably configured so that the modulus of elasticity of the outer cylinder 14 is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the inner cylinder 12, taking into consideration the ease with which the inner cylinder 12 expands in the centripetal direction.

[0022] [About end parts] The end members 16, 16 are disposed on both ends of the inner cylinder 12 and the outer cylinder 14. The end members 16, 16 are configured to be fixable to both ends of the inner cylinder 12 and the outer cylinder 14, and to enable the pump units 10 to be connected to each other.

[0023] The end member 16;16 includes a flange portion 16A and a cylindrical portion 16B. The flange portion 16A is formed in a flat rectangular shape having a hollow portion 20. The hollow portion 20 is provided as a circular hole through which the cylindrical portion 12A of the inner cylinder 12 can pass. The diameter of the hollow portion 20 is preferably set to a dimension such that it fits tightly against the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 12A of the inner cylinder 12, for example.

[0024] The flange portion 16A has an annular groove 22 recessed into an annular shape on its axially outer end face 16a. The annular groove 22 is formed concentrically with the hollow portion 20, and is adapted to fit over the protrusion 13 at the tip of the flange portion 12B of the inner tube 12. The outer end face 16a of the flange portion 16A is formed such that, when the protrusion 13 of the inner tube 12 is fitted into the annular groove 22, the flange portion 12B of the inner tube 12 protrudes outward beyond the outer end face 16a.

[0025] The inner cylinder 12 is attached to the end member 16;16 by fitting the protrusion 13 of the flange portion 12B into the annular groove 22 of the end member 16. The inner cylinder 12 is connected to an end member of another pump unit 10 or a flange provided on an existing pipe via the end member 16;16, and the flange portion 12B is pressed against the end member 16, forming an airtight seal with the end member 16.

[0026] The tubular portion 16B is provided so as to protrude cylindrically in the axial direction from the inner end surface 16b of the flange portion 16A. The central axis of the tubular portion 16B is concentric with the hollow portion 20, and the tubular portion 16B is formed integrally with the flange portion 16A. The outer diameter of the tubular portion 16B is set to a size that allows it to be inserted into the inner periphery of the outer tube 14 in a tight contact state.

[0027] The crimped intermediate member 24, together with the crimping member 26, constitutes a fixing means for fixing the outer tube 14 to the end members 16, 16 in an airtight state. The crimped intermediate member 24 is formed as an annular member that can be inserted onto the outer periphery of the outer tube 14 when the tubular portion 16B of the end member 16 is inserted into the outer tube 14.

[0028] The crimped intermediate member 24 has an inner circumferential side formed as a cylindrical surface, and an inner diameter set so as to provide, for example, a tight fit with the outer circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 14. The crimped intermediate member 24 also has an outer circumferential side formed as a conical surface (tapered surface), and is formed so as to gradually become thicker relative to the inner circumferential surface. The crimped intermediate member 24 is disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 14 so as to press the thicker side against the end member 16.

[0029] The crimping member 26 is formed as an annular member that can be fitted onto the outer periphery of the crimping intermediate member 24 disposed in the outer cylinder 14. The crimping member 26 has an inner circumferential side formed as a conical surface (tapered surface) and is configured to come into surface contact with the conical surface of the crimping intermediate member 24.

[0030] The crimping member 26 is fixed to the inner end surface 16b of the end member 16 by fixing means such as a bolt (not shown) with the inner conical surface of the crimping intermediate member 24 in contact with the conical surface of the crimping intermediate member 24. As a result, the crimping intermediate member 24 is pressed against the outer tube 14, and the outer tube 14 is fixed to the tube portion 16B of the end member 16 in an airtight state.

[0031] As described above, in the pump unit 10, the end members 16;16 are attached to the ends of the inner tube 12 and the outer tube 14, so that the space formed between the outer circumference of the inner tube 12 and the inner circumference of the outer tube 14 becomes a closed space, forming a fluid chamber V in the pump unit 10.

[0032] One end member 16 is provided with a supply / discharge hole 28 for supplying / discharging the pressurized medium to / from the fluid chamber V. One end of the supply / discharge hole 28 opens to the outer peripheral end face of the flange portion 16A of the end member 16, and the other end opens to the inner end face 16b of the flange portion 16A, between the inner cylinder 12 and the outer cylinder 14.

[0033] The opening on the outer end surface of the flange portion 16A that constitutes the supply and discharge hole 28 can be connected to a pipe not shown that extends from the conveying control device 100, allowing the pressurized medium to be supplied to the fluid chamber V and the pressurized medium to be discharged from the fluid chamber V.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view parallel to the end face at the center portion in the thickness direction of the other end member. The other end member 16 is provided with a flow path 17 through which a heat medium for heating and cooling the transported object flows. As shown in Fig. 4, the flow path 17 constitutes part of a heating / cooling means 180, which will be described later, and is provided on one side surface that forms the outer periphery of the rectangular end member 16 as a hole that is open at both ends and extends in an annular shape along the outer periphery of the hollow portion 20. Note that the shape of the flow path 17 is not limited to this and may be changed as appropriate, and is preferably formed so that the end member 16 can be heated and cooled evenly by the heat medium.

[0035] A pipe (not shown) extending from the transfer control device 100 is connected to openings 17A, 17A of the flow path 17 formed on one side of the flange portion 16A, so that the heat medium can circulate through the flow path 17.

[0036] Therefore, it is preferable that at least the other end member 16 having the flow path 17 is made of a material with good thermal conductivity, such as copper or aluminum.

[0037] [About thermal conductors] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the pump unit as viewed in the axial direction and an axial cross-sectional view thereof. The thermal conductor 18 is provided in the fluid chamber V. The thermal conductor 18 is configured, for example, in a cylindrical shape having a tubular portion 18A and a flange portion 18B. The thermal conductor 18 is preferably configured from a material with thermal conductivity equal to or better than that of the material configuring the end member 16, so that the heat of the end member 16 heated or cooled by the heat medium flowing through the flow path 17 configured in the other end member 16 can be easily transferred.

[0038] Furthermore, the cylindrical portion 18A of the thermal conductor 18 may be configured to have an inner diameter that allows it to come into contact with the outer periphery of the inner cylinder 12. This allows the inner cylinder 12 to be heated or cooled by the thermal conductor 18. The flange portion 18B is provided on one end side of the cylindrical portion 18A. The thermal conductor 18 is fixed to the other end member 16 via the flange portion 18B, and is attached to the other end member 16 so that the cylindrical portion 18A extends toward the other end member 16. Preferably, the flange portion 18B is configured in a shape that widens the contact surface with the end member 16. This allows for efficient heat conduction from the end member 16 to the flange portion 18B.

[0039] In this embodiment, since the pump unit 10 is axially contractible, it goes without saying that the axial length of the tubular portion 18A should be set so that it does not come into contact with other components, such as one end member 16, when the pump unit 10 is fully contracted.

[0040] The thermal conductor 18 has a plurality of protrusions 19 formed on the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion 18A. As shown in Fig. 5, the protrusions 19 are provided so as to protrude from four directions at equal intervals in the circumferential direction when the pump unit 10 is viewed in the axial direction. Each protrusion 19 is formed in a gentle mountain shape when viewed in a plan view along the axial direction.

[0041] The axial center of the inner cylinder 12 is pre-squashed by the protrusions 19 of the heat conductor 18, and this state is the natural state within the pump unit 10. Then, by supplying compressed air to the fluid chamber V, the inner cylinder 12 can be expanded in a centripetal direction, with the portion pressed by the protrusions 19 as the base point.

[0042] The protrusions 19 are not limited to the number, shape, or configuration of the above embodiment as long as they deform the inner tube 12 into a predetermined shape in advance so as to define the shape of the inner tube 12 when expanded. Although the protrusions 19 are not essential, they are preferably provided.

[0043] Furthermore, the supply and discharge hole 28 is not limited to being provided on one end member 16, but may be provided on the other end member 16, so that fluid is supplied to and discharged from the fluid chamber V from both end members 16;16.

[0044] According to the above configuration, when compressed air is supplied to the fluid chamber V through the supply and discharge holes 28, the inner cylinder 12 expands radially inward (centripetal direction) and contracts axially as shown in FIG. 2(b), and when the compressed air supplied to the fluid chamber V is discharged, the inner cylinder 12 contracts radially and extends axially as shown in FIG. 2(a). Furthermore, when a heating medium is circulated through the flow path 17, the end member 16 is heated and cooled by the heat of the heating medium, and the heat is transferred to the inner cylinder 12 via the thermal conductor 18. The heat transferred to the inner cylinder 12 is transferred to the space on the inner circumferential side of the inner cylinder 12 and to the transported object being transported on the inner circumferential side of the inner cylinder 12.

[0045] [About the transport control device] The transport control device 100 is a device for controlling the transport operation of the transported object by the connected pump units 10. For example, as shown in Fig. 1, the transport control device 100 can be composed of a pressurized medium control means 110, a drive control means 160, and a heating / cooling means 180. In Fig. 1, dashed lines indicate signal lines showing the paths of electrical signals, solid lines indicate pipes showing the flow paths of the pressurized medium, and dashed lines indicate pipes showing the flow paths of the heat medium.

[0046] [Pressure medium control means] The pressurized medium control means 110 controls the supply, stop, and discharge of the pressurized medium to the fluid chamber V of the pump unit 10. In this embodiment, air is used as the pressurized medium, but the pressurized medium is not limited to air and may be other gases or liquid fluids such as water. The pressurizing medium control means 110 may be configured appropriately to provide the functions described below depending on the pressurizing medium used.

[0047] The pressurized medium control means 110 includes, for example, a compressor 112, a regulator 114, a supply valve 116, a discharge valve 118, a flow rate sensor 120, a pressure sensor 122, and the like.

[0048] The compressor 112 generates compressed air to be supplied to the fluid chamber V of the pump unit 10.

[0049] The regulator 114 is connected to the compressor 112, receives compressed air pressurized by the compressor 112 as input, reduces the input compressed air to a predetermined pressure, and outputs compressed air at a constant pressure. The pressure of the compressed air output from the regulator 114 is set to at least a pressure that allows the inner circumferential surfaces of the inner cylinders 12 of the pump units 10 to come into close contact with each other when the pump units 10 are expanded, or a pressure higher than this.

[0050] A supply valve 116 is provided for each connected pump unit 10, and a regulator 114 is connected to each pump unit 10. The supply valve 116 receives compressed air decompressed by the regulator 114 as input, and controls the output of this compressed air to the fluid chamber V of the pump unit 10 (supply and stop of supply of compressed air to the fluid chamber V). The supply valve 116 has a valve that opens and closes based on an electrical signal, and supplies compressed air to the fluid chamber V by opening the valve, and stops the supply of compressed air by closing the valve. The supply valve 116 is electrically connected to a drive control means 160, and opens and closes the valve based on a signal input from the drive control means 160.

[0051] A discharge valve 118 is provided for each pump unit 10 and is connected to each pump unit 10. The discharge valve 118 receives the compressed air in the fluid chamber V as an input, and has an output side open to the atmosphere so that the compressed air is discharged into the atmosphere. The discharge valve 118 has a valve that opens and closes based on an electrical signal; opening the valve opens the fluid chamber V to the atmosphere, thereby discharging the compressed air in the fluid chamber V into the atmosphere, and closing the valve stops the discharge of the compressed air. The discharge valve 118 is electrically connected to a drive control means 160, and opens and closes the valve based on a signal input from the drive control means 160.

[0052] The flow rate sensor 120 is provided between the supply valve 116 provided for each pump unit 10 and the corresponding pump unit 10, and measures the flow rate of compressed air supplied to the pump unit 10. The flow rate sensor 120 is electrically connected to the drive control means 160, and outputs the measured flow rate of compressed air to the drive control means 160. The flow rate sensor 120 may be provided at any position as long as the flow rate of the compressed air supplied to the fluid chamber V can be measured.

[0053] The pressure sensor 122 is provided between the flow rate sensor 120 provided for each pump unit 10 and the corresponding pump unit 10, and measures the pressure in the fluid chamber V of the pump unit 10. The pressure sensor 122 is electrically connected to the drive control means 160, and outputs the measured pressure in the fluid chamber V to the drive control means 160. The pressure sensor 122 may be provided at any position as long as it can measure the pressure inside the fluid chamber V.

[0054] The supply valve 116 and the discharge valve 118 will be described as being in an initial state where the valves are closed when no signal is input, opening when a signal is input, and closing when the signal is stopped, for example.

[0055] For example, solenoid valves can be applied to the supply valve 116 and the discharge valve 118. By using solenoid valves for the supply valve 116 and the discharge valve 118, the response speed when the pump unit 10 is expanded or contracted can be improved.

[0056] [Drive control means] The drive control means 160 is a device for controlling the operation of the pump unit 10. For example, the drive control means 160 is a computer equipped with hardware such as a CPU as a processing means and ROM, RAM as a storage means.

[0057] The storage means stores a program for operating the pump unit 10, a determination value for determining whether to output or stop signals to the supply valve 116 and the discharge valve 118, and the like.

[0058] The drive control means 160 executes processing according to a program stored in the memory means by the arithmetic processing means, and outputs signals to the supply valve 116 and the discharge valve 118 provided for each pump unit 10 to open and close the valves based on the flow rate input from the flow sensor 120 provided for each pump unit 10 and the pressure input from the pressure sensor 122. The drive control means 160 is not limited to a computer, and a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) can also be used.

[0059] [Expansion / Deflation Control of Pump Unit 10] When the pump unit 10 is to be expanded, the drive control means 160 outputs a signal only to the corresponding supply valve 116. As a result, compressed air flows into the fluid chamber V of the pump unit 10, and the inner cylinder 12 expands in the centripetal direction.

[0060] During the process of supplying compressed air to the fluid chamber V, the drive control means 160 monitors the change in the flow rate input from the flow rate sensor 120 and the change in pressure input from the pressure sensor 122. Then, the drive control means 160 stops outputting a signal to the supply valve 116 when the input flow rate and pressure reach a determination value that indicates that the expanded state has been reached. As a result, the inner cylinder 12 of the pump unit 10 is brought into an expanded state as shown in Fig. 2(b) and maintained in this state. Hereinafter, this expanded state may be referred to as a fully expanded state or simply as fully expanded. The term "fully expanded" refers to the state in which the container is expanded to the maximum extent during the transport of the object, for example, the state in which the container is expanded to the extent that the transport path can be blocked.

[0061] [Contraction control of pump unit 10] Furthermore, when the pump unit 10 is deflated from a fully expanded state, the drive control means 160 outputs a signal only to the discharge valve 118, and maintains the stoppage of the output of a signal to the corresponding supply valve 116. As a result, the compressed air in the fluid chamber V of the pump unit 10 is discharged into the atmosphere by the restoring force due to the elasticity of the pump unit 10.

[0062] The drive control means 160 monitors changes in the pressure of the fluid chamber V during the process of discharging compressed air from the fluid chamber V. When the input pressure reaches a determination value indicating that the pump unit 10 has reached an over-contracted state, the drive control means 160 stops outputting a signal to the discharge valve 118. Hereinafter, this contracted state may be referred to as a fully contracted state or simply as fully contracted. Note that fully contracted refers to a state in which the compressed air is discharged from the fluid chamber V into the atmosphere due to the elasticity of the inner cylinder 12 and the outer cylinder 14, and the pressure value of the fluid chamber V becomes equal to, for example, atmospheric pressure.

[0063] [Heating and cooling means] The heating and cooling means 180 is a means for heating or cooling the transported object transported by the pump unit 8. As one method for heating or cooling the transported object, for example, the heating and cooling means 180 can be configured to heat or cool the transported object via the end member 16. The heating / cooling means 180 according to this embodiment is composed of the flow path 17 described above and a heat medium supplying device that supplies a heat medium to the flow path 17. The heat medium supplying device can be composed of, for example, a heat exchanger 182 and a temperature control means 184.

[0064] The heat exchanger 182 is a device for heating or cooling the heat medium circulated in the pump unit 10 . The temperature control means 184 is a device for controlling the heat exchange with the heat medium by the heat exchanger 182 and adjusting the temperature of the heat medium to create an environment suitable for transporting the transported goods. The temperature control means 184 is a device for controlling the heat exchange between the heat exchanger 182 and the heat medium so that the temperature of the heat medium becomes a preset temperature.

[0065] The temperature control means 184 can be configured, for example, with a pump for circulating the heat medium between the pump unit 10 and the heat exchanger 182, an outlet temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the heat medium flowing out from the heat exchanger 182 to the pump unit 10, an inlet temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the heat medium flowing from the pump unit 10 to the heat exchanger 182, and a control device for controlling the discharge rate of the pump based on the temperatures of the heat medium detected by the outlet temperature sensor and the inlet temperature sensor. The temperature control means 184 can adjust the temperature of the heat medium by changing the flow rate (discharge rate) of the heat medium circulated by the pump based on the temperatures measured by the outlet temperature sensor and the inlet temperature sensor, and controlling the amount of heat transferred from the heat exchanger 182 to the heat medium. The heat medium supply device can be, for example, a so-called constant temperature bath.

[0066] The heat medium discharged from the heat medium supply device is distributed to, for example, each pump unit 10 and returned to the heat medium supply device via the end member 16 of each pump unit 10. The heat medium supply device is not limited to the above configuration, and may be any device that can adjust the temperature of the heat medium and circulate it to the pump unit 10.

[0067] The heat transfer medium may be a fluid such as a gas or a liquid, and preferably a liquid with a large heat capacity. The heat transfer medium supply device may be modified as appropriate to achieve the functions described below depending on the fluid used.

[0068] [Pumping device operation] The pump device 1 can be operated, for example, as follows. In the following description, the pump device 1 is assumed to transport an object in the transport direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1. In Fig. 1, the parenthesized A, B, C, and D attached to the pump unit 10, supply valve 116, discharge valve 118, flow rate sensor 120, pressure sensor 122, etc. are symbols for identifying the valves, etc. associated with the operation of each pump unit 10.

[0069] 6 is a diagram showing the conveying operation of the pump unit 8 according to this embodiment. Note that the operation of the pump unit 8 shown in FIG. 6 is an example and is not limiting. The pump section 8 will be described as starting operation from an initial state in which all of the pump units 10(A) to 10(D) are contracted, as shown in FIG. 6(a).

[0070] [Step 1] First, in order to expand the pump unit 10(A), the drive control means 160 outputs a signal only to the supply valve 116(A) and stops outputting signals to the discharge valves 118(A) to 118(D). As a result, compressed air is supplied to the fluid chamber V of the pump unit 10(A), and the inner cylinder 12 of the pump unit 10(A) begins to expand in the centripetal direction. Then, when the flow rate input from flow rate sensor 120(A) and the pressure input from pressure sensor 122(A) each reach a determination value indicating that pump unit 10 is fully expanded, drive control means 160 stops outputting a signal to supply valve 116(A). At this time, drive control means 160 maintains a state in which output of signals to discharge valves 118(A) to 118(D) is stopped. As a result, as shown in Figure 6(b), the material being transported in pump unit 10(A) is pushed out to pump unit 10(B), and the material being transported in pump unit 10(B) is pushed out to pump unit 10(C), the material being transported in pump unit 10(C) is pushed out to pump unit 10(D), and the material being transported in pump unit 10(D) is pushed out of pump section 8 in succession.

[0071] [Step 2] Next, the drive control means 160 outputs a signal only to the supply valve 116(B) to inflate the pump unit 10(B) while maintaining the inflated state of the pump unit 10(A), and maintains the stopped state of outputting signals to the discharge valves 118(A) to 118(D). As a result, compressed air is supplied to the fluid chamber V of the pump unit 10(B), and the inner cylinder 12 of the pump unit 10(B) begins to expand in the centripetal direction. Then, when the flow rate input from the flow rate sensor 120(B) and the pressure input from the pressure sensor 122(B) reach the determination values ​​at which the pump unit 10(B) is deemed to be fully expanded, the drive control means 160 stops outputting a signal to the supply valve 116(B). At this time, the drive control means 160 maintains the stopped state of outputting signals to the discharge valves 118(A) to 118(D). As a result, as shown in Figure 6(c), the material being transported in pump unit 10(B) is pushed out to pump unit 10(C), which in turn pushes the material being transported in pump unit 10(C) into pump unit 10(D), and the material being transported in pump unit 10(D) out of pump section 8.

[0072] [Step 3] Next, in order to expand pump unit 10(C) while maintaining the expanded states of pump units 10(A) and 10(B), drive control means 160 outputs a signal only to supply valve 116(C) and maintains the stopped state of signal output to discharge valves 118(A) to 118(D). As a result, compressed air is supplied to fluid chamber V of pump unit 10(C), and inner cylinder 12 of pump unit 10(C) begins to expand centripetally. Then, when the flow rate input from the flow rate sensor 120(C) and the pressure input from the pressure sensor 122(C) reach the determination values ​​at which the pump unit 10(C) is deemed to be fully expanded, the drive control means 160 stops outputting a signal to the supply valve 116(C). At this time, the drive control means 160 maintains the stopped state of outputting signals to the discharge valves 118(A) to 118(D). As a result, as shown in Figure 6(d), the material being transported in pump unit 10(C) is pushed out into pump unit 10(D), and the material being transported in pump unit 10(D) is successively pushed out of pump section 8.

[0073] [Step 4] Next, the drive control means 160 outputs a signal only to the supply valve 116(D) and keeps the output of signals to the discharge valves 118(A) to 118(D) stopped in order to expand the pump unit 10(D) while maintaining the expanded state of the pump units 10(A) to 10(C). As a result, compressed air is supplied to the fluid chamber V of the pump unit 10(D), and the inner cylinder 12 of the pump unit 10(D) begins to expand in the centripetal direction. Then, when the flow rate input from the flow rate sensor 120(D) and the pressure input from the pressure sensor 122(D) reach the determination values ​​at which the pump unit 10(D) is deemed to be fully expanded, the drive control means 160 stops outputting a signal to the supply valve 116(D). At this time, the drive control means 160 maintains the stopped state of outputting signals to the discharge valves 118(A) to 118(D). As a result, the material being conveyed in the pump unit 10(D) is pushed out of the pump section 8, as shown in FIG. 6(e).

[0074] [Step 5] Next, the drive control means 160 outputs signals to the discharge valves 118(A) to 118(D) to contract the pump units 10(A) to 10(D), and maintains the stopped state of the output of signals to the supply valves 116(A) to 116(D). As a result, compressed air is discharged from the fluid chambers V of the pump units 10(A) to 10(D), and the pump units 10(A) to 10(D) start to contract. Then, when the pressures input from the pressure sensors 122(A) to 122(D) reach the determination values ​​at which the pump units 10(A) to 10(D) are deemed to be fully contracted, the drive control means 160 stops outputting signals to the discharge valves 118(A) to 118(D). At this time, the drive control means 160 maintains the stopped state of outputting signals to the supply valves 116(A) to 116(D). 6(a), all of the pump units 10(A) to 10(D) are completely contracted, and the pump section 8 returns to its initial state. Then, the pump device 1 is capable of conveying the object being conveyed from the upstream side to the downstream side while pressurizing it by the pump section 8 repeating steps 1 to 5 as one conveying cycle.

[0075] During such a transport operation, a heat medium is supplied from the heat medium supply device to each of the pump units 10(A) to 10(D) and circulated, so that heat from the heat medium can be applied to the transported object via the inner cylinder 12. The heat medium circulating through the end members 16 of each pump unit 10(A) to 10(D) first applies heat to the end members 16. As shown by the arrows in Fig. 6, this heat is transferred from the end members 16 to the thermal conductor 18, and then to the inner cylinder 12 that contacts the thermal conductor 18 in a contracted state. The heat transferred to the inner cylinder 12 heats and cools the space on the inner periphery of the inner cylinder 12, and is also transferred directly to the load moving inside the inner cylinder 12. Therefore, the heating and cooling means 180 supplies the pump units 10(A) to 10(D) with the heat required for transporting the object, so that the object can be transported while maintaining its state in a suitable state.

[0076] As described above, according to the pump device 1 of this embodiment, the pump unit 10 constituting the pump section 8 is provided with a flow path 17 that allows the heat medium to circulate, and a heat conductor 18 that is attached at one end to the end member 16 having this flow path 17 and extends into a closed space, thereby making it possible to circulate a heat medium that has been heated or cooled to a temperature suitable for transporting the transported object through the flow path 17 of the end member 16, and the heat of the heat medium can be transferred to the end member 16, from the end member 16 to the heat conductor 18, and from the heat conductor 18 to the inner tube 12, making it possible to transport the transported object in an environment suitable for the environment.

[0077] Furthermore, by forming the thermal conductor 18 into a cylindrical shape that fits around the outer periphery of the inner cylinder 12, it is possible to conduct heat directly to the inner cylinder 12. Furthermore, by providing the thermal conductor 18 with a plurality of protrusions 19 that deform the inner cylinder 12 in the centripetal direction, it is possible to easily expand the inner cylinder 12.

[0078] In addition, heat may be transferred from the end member 16 to the transported material without providing the heat conductor 18, but providing the heat conductor 18 makes it possible to transfer heat to the transported material more efficiently than when heat is conducted locally to a part of the inner tube 12, and also improves the durability of the pump unit 10.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the pump unit 10 has been described as having an outer cylinder 14 that contracts in the axial direction, but it may also be configured, for example, to be made of a rigid material so that it does not substantially contract in the axial direction.

[0080] In addition, although the description has been given of a case in which a heat medium is circulated through the end member 16 and heat is transferred to the transported object via the heat conductor 18 attached thereto, for example, a pressurized medium may be heated or cooled and supplied to the fluid chamber V of the pump unit 10.

[0081] The configuration of the pressurized medium control means 110 is not limited to the above embodiment, and any configuration that can realize the operation of FIG. 6 is included in the scope of the present invention.

[0082] Furthermore, the heating / cooling means 180 is not limited to the above configuration. For example, a heat source may be brought into contact with the end member 16 for heating / cooling the transported object, and the end member 16 may be heated or cooled, and the heat may be conducted to the inner cylinder 12 via the heat conductor 18. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1 pump device, 8 pump section, 10 pump unit, 12 inner cylinder, 14 outer cylinder, 16 end member, 18 heat conductor, 100 conveyance control device, 110 pressurized medium control means, 112 compressor, 114 regulator, 116 supply valve, 118 discharge valve, 120 flow sensor, 122 pressure sensor, 160 drive control means, 180 heat medium supply means, V fluid chamber.

Claims

1. An outer cylinder and an inner cylinder provided along an inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder and made of an elastic material; A pump unit comprising end members provided at both ends of an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder, and forming a closed space between the inner periphery of the outer cylinder and the outer periphery of the inner cylinder, wherein the inner cylinder expands in a centripetal direction by supplying a working medium to the closed space, and the inner cylinder contracts by discharging the working medium from the closed space, a heat conductor attached to one of the end members and provided in contact with the outer periphery of the inner cylinder, the heat conductor conducting heat input through the one of the end members to the inner cylinder, is provided within the closed space; the heat conductor includes a cylindrical tube portion through which the inner tube passes, and a flange portion provided on one end side of the tube portion and attached to one of the end members in contact therewith; the cylindrical portion has an inner diameter that contacts the outer periphery of the inner cylinder when the inner cylinder is contracted; A pump unit characterized in that the inner cylinder is extended to a length that prevents contact with the other end member when the inner cylinder is expanded.

2. 2. The pump unit according to claim 1, wherein the end member to which the heat conductor is attached has a flow path through which a heat medium can flow.

3. 3. The pump unit according to claim 1, wherein the heat conductor has a protrusion that deforms the inner cylinder in a centripetal direction.

4. A pump device including the pump unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A pump device comprising a heating / cooling means for heating or cooling the end member.

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