Suction device

Abstract

A suction device 100 of the present disclosure is a device for sucking a liquid from the inside of a drum 10, the suction device comprising: a suction nozzle 20; and a collection member 30 that is provided at the periphery of a tip part of the suction nozzle 20, and scrapes the liquid, that remains on a bottom part of the drum 10, toward the suction nozzle 20. The collection member 30 may include an elastic band 32.

Description

Suction device

[0001] This disclosure relates to a suction device.

[0002] In various applications, various liquids are handled, starting from the production of lithium-ion secondary batteries. The liquid is stored in drums, transported, and delivered. By inserting the nozzle of the suction device into the drum and sucking, the liquid is taken out of the drum.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-156282

[0004] When the liquid level of the liquid drops to a certain level, the nozzle sucks in air, making it difficult to suck the liquid. Especially in the case of high-viscosity liquids or thixotropic liquids, the amount adhering to the inner peripheral surface of the drum is also large. As a result, a considerable amount of liquid remains inside the drum. When the lid of the drum is non-destructively fixed to the body, the liquid cannot be taken out by removing the lid.

[0005] When the viscosity of the liquid is low, tilting the drum increases the amount of liquid that can be sucked by the nozzle, so the amount of liquid remaining inside the drum can be reduced. However, since high-viscosity liquids have poor fluidity, the higher the viscosity of the liquid, the lower the effect obtained by tilting the drum. The liquid adhering to the inner peripheral surface of the drum flows down to the bottom by vibrating the drum, but even if it flows down to the bottom, it remains near the inner peripheral surface and cannot be sucked by the nozzle.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a technology that enables the liquid to be sucked and taken out of the drum while reducing the amount of liquid remaining inside the drum.

[0007] This disclosure provides a suction device for sucking liquid from inside a drum, comprising a suction nozzle and a collecting member provided around the tip of the suction nozzle for scraping the liquid remaining at the bottom of the drum towards the suction nozzle.

[0008] According to this disclosure, the amount of liquid remaining inside the drum can be reduced while the liquid can be sucked and taken out of the drum.

[0009] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the suction device of this embodiment. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the suction nozzle and the collection member. Figure 3A is a perspective view of the band in a wound state. Figure 3B is a perspective view of the band in an unfolded state. Figure 4 is a side view showing the structure of the tip of the suction nozzle. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the process of collecting liquid using the collection member. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the collection member according to a modified example.

[0010] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0011] (Embodiment) Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the suction device of this embodiment. The suction device 100 is a device for sucking liquid from inside a drum 10 and includes a suction nozzle 20 and a collection member 30. A suction pump 40 is attached to the rear end of the suction nozzle 20. When the suction nozzle 20 and the collection member 30 are inserted into the inside of the drum 10 through the opening 10a and the suction pump 40 is operated, liquid is sucked from inside the drum 10 and taken out to the outside of the drum 10. The collection member 30 is a member that scrapes up the liquid remaining at the bottom of the drum 10 toward the suction nozzle 20. The collection member 30 can reduce the amount of liquid remaining inside the drum 10.

[0012] The type of liquid to be aspirated is not particularly limited. Examples of liquids include liquid materials having a viscosity higher than water at room temperature. In particular, the technique of this disclosure is highly effective when applied to aspirating liquid materials having a viscosity of 200 mPa·s or more and 200,000 mPa·s or less at 25°C and in a static state. The liquid material may also be a thixotropic material. However, as will be explained in the modifications described later, the liquid to be aspirated may also be water.

[0013] The drum 10 has at least one opening 10a for inserting the suction nozzle 20. The opening 10a is provided in the lid of the drum 10. Multiple openings 10a may be provided in different positions on the lid of the drum 10. The lid may be fixed to the body and may not be able to be removed from the body non-destructively. In that case, it is impossible to remove the lid and take out the liquid. When the collection member 30 of this embodiment is applied to a drum 10 having such a structure, the amount of liquid remaining inside the drum 10 can be easily reduced.

[0014] The suction nozzle 20 is made up of a pipe with a straight shape. The suction nozzle 20 extends from the bottom surface of the drum 10 to the outside of the drum 10 through the opening 10a.

[0015] A rotary joint 22 is provided at the rear end of the suction nozzle 20. The suction nozzle 20 and the suction pump 40 are connected via the rotary joint 22. The rotary joint 22 allows the suction nozzle 20 to rotate around its axis while the suction pump 40 is operated to suck up the liquid inside the drum 10.

[0016] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the suction nozzle 20 and the collection member 30. The collection member 30 is provided around the tip of the suction nozzle 20. In this embodiment, the collection member 30 includes an elastic band 32. If the band 32 is elastic, the elasticity can be used to unfold the band 32 inside the drum 10. Then, by winding up the band 32, the band 32 acts on the liquid, and the liquid is collected toward the suction nozzle 20.

[0017] The collection member 30 further includes a support rod 34 extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the suction nozzle 20. The first end of the strip 32 in the longitudinal direction is attached to the suction nozzle 20. The second end of the strip 32 in the longitudinal direction is attached to the support rod 34. In detail, the first end of the strip 32 is fixed to the suction nozzle 20 by welding or the like. The second end of the strip 32 is fixed to the support rod 34 by welding or the like. The position of the strip 32 inside the drum 10 can be determined by the support rod 34.

[0018] The lower end of the band 32 coincides with the lower end of the suction nozzle 20. With this structure, a gap is less likely to form between the lower end of the band 32 and the bottom surface of the drum 10 when collecting liquid, making it possible to collect the liquid more effectively.

[0019] The width direction of the band 32 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the suction nozzle 20. With this structure, a gap is less likely to form between the lower end of the band 32 and the bottom surface of the drum 10 when collecting liquid, making it possible to collect the liquid more effectively.

[0020] The length of the strip 32 is longer than the inner circumference of the drum 10. With this structure, the strip 32 can be extended until it reaches the inner surface of the drum 10. The amount of liquid remaining between the strip 32 and the inner surface of the drum 10 is reduced, and consequently, the amount of liquid remaining inside the drum 10 is reduced. The length of the strip 32 is considered to be equal to the distance between the centers of the suction nozzle 20 and the support rod 34 when they are separated to their maximum extent.

[0021] The material of the strip 32 is not particularly limited. For example, a metal plate made of a metallic material such as stainless steel can be used for the strip 32. The strip 32 may also be made of a spring stainless steel strip as specified in Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) G 4313:2011. Examples of spring stainless steels include SUS301-CSP, SUS304-CSP, SUS420J2-CSP, SUS631-CSP, and SUS632J1-CSP.

[0022] Figure 3A is a perspective view of the band 32 in the wound state. Figure 3B is a perspective view of the band 32 in the unfolded state. In the wound state shown in Figure 3A, the band 32 is wound against elastic force. In the example shown in Figure 3A, the band 32 is wound around the suction nozzle 20. However, the band 32 may also be wound around the support rod 34, or it may be wound around both the suction nozzle 20 and the support rod 34. In the unfolded state shown in Figure 3B, the band 32 is spread out around the suction nozzle 20 by elastic force. By transitioning from the unfolded state to the wound state, the band 32 scrapes the liquid remaining at the bottom of the drum 10 toward the suction nozzle 20. With this configuration, the liquid can be efficiently scraped toward the suction nozzle 20. Furthermore, by repeatedly displacing the band 32 between the unfolded state and the wound state, it is possible to scrape the liquid multiple times.

[0023] Figure 4 is a side view showing the structure of the tip of the suction nozzle 20. A notch 20k is provided at the tip of the suction nozzle 20. With this structure, even if the suction nozzle 20 is in contact with the bottom surface of the drum 10, a gap is maintained between the bottom surface of the drum 10 and the tip of the suction nozzle 20. As a result, the liquid collected by the collection member 30 can be reliably sucked up.

[0024] In this embodiment, the width of the band 32 is greater than the height of the notch 20k. This prevents air from entering through the notch 20k when the collection member 30 collects the liquid. The height of the notch 20k refers to the distance d from the deepest part of the notch 20k to the tip surface of the suction nozzle 20.

[0025] Figure 5 shows the process of collecting liquid using the collection member 30. First, as shown in Figure 5(a), the collection member 30 is inserted into the drum 10 with the strip 32 wound around the suction nozzle 20 (and / or support rod 34). The tip of the suction nozzle 20 is in contact with the bottom surface of the drum 10.

[0026] Next, as shown in Figure 5(b), the suction nozzle 20 is rotated in the forward direction. If the belt 32 is wound around the support rod 34, the support rod 34 is rotated. This causes the belt 32 to transition from the wound state to the unfolded state due to its elastic force. If the length of the belt 32 is sufficient, the belt 32 is unfolded until it reaches the inner circumferential surface of the drum 10. In this embodiment, in the unfolded state, the belt 32 lies along the inner circumferential surface of the drum 10.

[0027] As the band 32 transitions from a wound state to an unfolded state, the liquid is pushed toward the inner surface of the drum 10 by the band 32. However, once the band 32 is fully unfolded, the gap between the band 32 and the inner surface of the drum 10 disappears, and the liquid flows into the inside of the annularly unfolded band 32. Alternatively, the suction nozzle 20 and the collection member 30 may be maintained at a position slightly away from the bottom surface of the drum 10, the band 32 may be transitioned from a wound state to an unfolded state, and then the suction nozzle 20 and the collection member 30 may be lowered until they contact the bottom surface of the drum 10.

[0028] During the process in which the belt 32 transitions from a retracted state to an unfolded state, the suction pump 40 may be activated or deactivated.

[0029] Next, as shown in Figure 5(c), the suction nozzle 20 is rotated in the reverse direction. When winding the band 32 onto the support rod 34, the support rod 34 is rotated. This causes the band 32 to transition from the unfolded state to the wound state. During the transition of the band 32 from the unfolded state to the wound state, the liquid is collected by the band 32 towards the suction nozzle 20. Specifically, when the band 32 is wound onto the suction nozzle 20 and / or the support rod 34, the diameter of the annularly unfolded band 32 decreases. As the diameter of the annularly unfolded band 32 decreases, the liquid present inside the band 32 is gathered and the liquid level rises, so the liquid can be easily sucked up by the suction nozzle 20.

[0030] By operating the suction pump 40 while transitioning the belt 32 from the unfolded state to the retracted state, efficient suction becomes possible. However, the suction pump 40 may also be operated after the belt 32 has been partially retracted onto the suction nozzle 20 and / or the support rod 34.

[0031] (Modified Version) Figure 6 is a perspective view of a modified collection member. The collection member 30a comprises a main body portion 35 and a band 38 including a rubber component 36. The main body portion 35 may be the band 32 described in Embodiment 1. The rubber component 36 is provided along the lower end of the main body portion 35. Except for the band 38, the structure of the collection member 30a is the same as that of the collection member 30 described earlier.

[0032] The rubber component 36 contacts the bottom surface of the drum 10, preventing a gap from forming between the strip 38 and the bottom surface of the drum 10 when the strip 38 transitions from an unfolded state to a wound state (see Figure 5(c)). Therefore, even if the viscosity of the liquid to be aspirated is low, for example, even if the liquid to be aspirated is water, the collection member 30a can collect the liquid. This reduces the amount of liquid remaining inside the drum 10.

[0033] (Other Embodiments) (Note) The above description of embodiments discloses the following technologies.

[0034] (Technology 1) A suction device for sucking liquid from inside a drum, comprising: a suction nozzle; and a collection member provided around the tip of the suction nozzle, which scrapes the liquid remaining at the bottom of the drum toward the suction nozzle.

[0035] According to this disclosure, the amount of liquid remaining inside the drum can be reduced while the liquid can be sucked out of the drum.

[0036] (Technology 2) The suction device according to Technology 1, wherein the collecting member includes an elastic band. When the band is elastic, the elasticity can be used to unfold the band inside the drum.

[0037] (Technology 3) The suction device according to Technology 2, wherein the band transitions from an expanded state, where it is spread out around the suction nozzle by elastic force, to a retracted state, where it is wound up against the elastic force, thereby scraping up the liquid remaining at the bottom of the drum toward the suction nozzle. With this configuration, the liquid can be efficiently scraped toward the suction nozzle.

[0038] (Technical 4) The suction device according to Technical 2 or 3, wherein the collection member includes a support rod extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the suction nozzle, the first end of the strip in the longitudinal direction is attached to the suction nozzle, and the second end of the strip in the longitudinal direction is attached to the support rod. The position of the strip inside the drum can be determined by the support rod.

[0039] (Technical 5) A suction device according to any one of Technical 2 to 4, wherein the position of the lower end of the band coincides with the position of the lower end of the suction nozzle. With such a structure, a gap is less likely to form between the lower end of the band and the bottom surface of the drum when collecting liquid, so that the liquid can be collected more effectively.

[0040] (Technical 6) A suction device according to any one of Technical 2 to 5, wherein the width direction of the band coincides with the longitudinal direction of the suction nozzle. With such a structure, a gap is less likely to form between the lower end of the band and the bottom surface of the drum when scraping up liquid, making it possible to scrape up liquid more effectively.

[0041] As simulated liquids, water, a 0.25% by mass aqueous solution of CMC (carboxymethylcellulose), a 0.50% by mass aqueous solution of CMC, a 1% by mass aqueous solution of CMC, and a 2% by mass aqueous solution of CMC were prepared. The viscosity of these simulated liquids at 25°C was measured using a viscometer (TV-150B viscometer, manufactured by Toki Sangyo Co., Ltd.). The viscometer's spindle rotor was selected to be suitable for the viscosity range of each simulated liquid (TM1 to TM4). The measurement was performed by placing 300 ml of the simulated liquid in a beaker and rotating it at a speed of 2 rpm. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0042] (Comparative Example) 10 kg of simulated liquid was placed in a 300 mm diameter pail (cylindrical container), and the simulated liquid was sucked up using a suction nozzle (outer diameter 25.4 mm, inner diameter 23.0 mm). The tip of the suction nozzle was placed in the corner of the bottom of the pail. The pail was tilted 10 degrees to start suction, and when it became impossible to suck up the simulated liquid, the pail was tapped 30 times and suction was resumed. After that, when it became impossible to suck up the simulated liquid again, the amount of residual simulated liquid was measured. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0043] (Example) A collection member having the structure described in the embodiment was fabricated. The width of the belt was 50 mm. The length of the belt was 2000 mm. As described with reference to FIG. 6, cuts were formed at multiple locations at the tip of the nozzle.

[0044] A pale can was placed on a flat surface and 10 kg of simulated liquid was put in. The collection member was inserted into the pale can and the simulated liquid was suctioned. When the simulated liquid could no longer be suctioned, the pale can was tapped 30 times. Thereafter, as described with reference to FIG. 5, using the collection member, the simulated liquid was scraped towards the suction nozzle and suctioned. Then, when the simulated liquid could no longer be suctioned again, the residual amount of the simulated liquid was measured. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0045]

[0046] The item "improvement cost" shown in Table 1 indicates the value obtained by subtracting the residual amount in the example from the residual amount in the comparative example.

[0047] As shown in Table 1, in the method of the comparative example without using the collection member, the residual amount increased as the viscosity of the simulated liquid increased. In contrast, in the method of the example using the collection member, the improvement cost increased as the viscosity of the simulated liquid increased. Even when the viscosity of the simulated liquid was as low as 200 mPa·s, the improvement cost showed a positive value. That is, the effect of reducing the residual amount by the collection member was confirmed.

[0048] When the simulated liquid was water, the improvement cost showed a negative value. That is, no effect was observed when the suction target was water. However, as described with reference to FIG. 6, according to the belt provided with rubber parts, it is considered that the effect of reducing the residual amount can be obtained even when the suction target is water.

[0049] The technology of the present disclosure is useful when it is necessary to take out a high-viscosity liquid from a drum.

Claims

1. A suction device for sucking liquid from inside a drum, comprising: a suction nozzle; and a collection member provided around the tip of the suction nozzle, which scrapes the liquid remaining at the bottom of the drum toward the suction nozzle.

2. The suction device according to claim 1, wherein the collecting member includes an elastic band.

3. The suction device according to claim 2, wherein the band transitions from an unfolded state, where it is spread out around the suction nozzle by elastic force, to a retracted state, where it is wound up against the elastic force, thereby scraping the liquid remaining at the bottom of the drum toward the suction nozzle.

4. The suction device according to claim 2, wherein the collecting member includes a support rod extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the suction nozzle, the first end of the strip in the longitudinal direction is attached to the suction nozzle, and the second end of the strip in the longitudinal direction is attached to the support rod.

5. The suction device according to claim 2, wherein the position of the lower end of the band coincides with the position of the lower end of the suction nozzle.

6. The suction device according to claim 2, wherein the width direction of the band coincides with the longitudinal direction of the suction nozzle.

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