阅读说明：本技术 搅拌/脱泡装置 (Stirring/defoaming device ) 是由 伊藤勇治 高冈文彦 于 2020-03-19 设计创作，主要内容包括：为了能够适当地管理和/或控制真空状态,在作为公转自转式搅拌/脱泡装置的本发明的搅拌/脱泡装置中,用于吸引各容器(40)内的空气使各容器(40)内成为真空状态的真空单元,包括：密封体(71),密封各容器(40)；真空产生源(72)；吸引路径(73),以各容器(40)为开始端朝向公转中心,穿过公转中心向系统外延伸,到达设置在系统外的真空产生源(72),并且,从开始端开始,其至少一部分与各容器(40)对应地形成为独立的路径；以及至少两个以上真空测量部(80、80),设置在各独立的路径。(In order to properly manage and/or control the vacuum state, in the stirring/defoaming device of the present invention as a revolving rotary stirring/defoaming device, a vacuum unit for sucking air in each container (40) to make the inside of each container (40) in a vacuum state includes: a seal body (71) for sealing the containers (40); a vacuum generating source (72); a suction path (73) which extends from the container (40) to the revolution center, passes through the revolution center, extends outward of the system, and reaches a vacuum generation source (72) provided outside the system, and at least a part of which is formed as an independent path corresponding to each container (40) from the start end; and at least two or more vacuum measurement units (80, 80) provided in the respective independent paths.)

1. A stirring/defoaming apparatus, comprising:

a male rotating body capable of rotating around a male rotating shaft;

at least two or more rotating bodies that can rotate about respective rotation shafts of at least two or more rotating shafts on the rotating bodies and that can hold containers; and

a vacuum unit for sucking air in each container to make the container in a vacuum state,

the vacuum unit includes:

a sealing body for sealing the containers;

a vacuum generating source;

an attraction path extending from each container toward the revolution center through the revolution center to the outside of the system to a vacuum generation source provided outside the system, the attraction path being formed as an independent path corresponding to each container at least in part from the start end; and

at least two or more vacuum measuring units are provided in the respective independent paths.

2. The stirring/defoaming apparatus according to claim 1,

the vacuum measuring unit is provided for a space of the container sealed by the sealing body.

3. The stirring/defoaming apparatus according to claim 2,

the rotation body includes:

a rotation body main body; and

a peripheral wall portion provided at a front end portion of the body portion of the self-rotating body and having an accommodating recess formed therein for accommodating the container,

the sealing body is a sealing cover which is detachably mounted on the end part of the peripheral wall part and seals the accommodating concave part,

the vacuum measuring part is arranged on the sealing cover.

4. The stirring/defoaming device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the vacuum measurement unit has a built-in power supply and a wireless communication function.

5. The stirring/defoaming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the vacuum unit further includes at least two or more opening/closing valves provided in the respective independent paths and capable of being controlled individually.

6. The stirring/defoaming device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

also comprises a revolution shaft body for defining the revolution shaft,

the attraction path includes:

a path passing through the inside of the rotating body with the container as a starting end;

a path from the rotor toward the revolution center;

a path through the revolution shaft body; and

a path extending outward from the system after the revolution axis,

a path passing through the inside of the rotating body and a path from the rotating body and then toward the revolution center with the container as a starting end are connected via a rotary joint,

any one of a path from the rotor toward the revolution center or a path extending outside the system after going out of the revolution shaft and a path passing through the revolution shaft are connected via a rotary joint.

7. The stirring/defoaming apparatus according to claim 6,

at least a path passing through the inside of the rotating body from the container as a starting end, a path going from the rotating body toward the revolution center, and a path passing through the inside of the revolution shaft are formed as independent paths corresponding to the respective containers.

8. The stirring/defoaming apparatus according to claim 6,

the independent paths merge in the rotary joint between the path from the rotor toward the center of revolution and the path through the revolution shaft.

9. A stirring/defoaming apparatus, comprising:

a male rotating body capable of rotating around a male rotating shaft;

at least two or more rotating bodies that can rotate about respective rotation shafts of at least two or more rotating shafts on the rotating bodies and that can hold containers; and

a vacuum unit for sucking air in each container to make the container in a vacuum state,

the vacuum unit includes:

a sealing body for sealing the containers;

a vacuum generating source;

a suction path extending from the container to the revolution center, extending outward from the system through the revolution center, and reaching a vacuum generation source provided outside the system, wherein the suction path is formed as an independent path corresponding to each container at least in part from the start end; and

at least two or more opening/closing valves are provided in the respective independent paths and can be individually controlled.

10. A stirring/defoaming apparatus, comprising:

a male rotating body capable of rotating around a male rotating shaft;

a rotating body which can rotate around a rotating shaft on the rotating body and can hold a container; and

a vacuum unit for sucking air in the container to make the container in a vacuum state,

the vacuum unit includes:

a sealing body sealing the container;

a vacuum generating source;

a suction path extending from the container as a starting end toward the revolution center, through the revolution center, to the outside of the system, and reaching a vacuum generation source disposed outside the system; and

the vacuum measuring unit is provided for a space of the container sealed by the sealing body.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a revolving/rotating type stirring/defoaming device which includes a mechanism for revolving a container and a mechanism for rotating the container, and which can stir/defoam a material to be treated which is accommodated in the container.

Background

There is known a stirring/defoaming device for stirring/defoaming a target object by revolving and rotating a container containing the target object. Such a stirring/defoaming device performs stirring and defoaming by rotating a target object such as a liquid mixed with different liquid materials or a material mixed with a powder material and a liquid material while applying a centrifugal force thereto, and it is necessary to uniformly stir and reduce bubbles contained therein. In the present specification, the term "stirring/defoaming" means stirring of a treatment object, defoaming for eliminating bubbles contained in the treatment object, or both of the stirring and defoaming.

The stirring/defoaming treatment is performed under atmospheric pressure or under vacuum by sucking air in a container. The latter is expensive because of the provision of a vacuum unit, and on the other hand, fine bubbles that cannot be completely removed under atmospheric pressure expand in volume and are easily removed, so that complete defoaming can be achieved and the processing time required for defoaming can be shortened, thereby providing an extremely excellent advantage that the production efficiency can be improved.

As a stirring/defoaming device including a vacuum unit, for example, as described in patent document 1, a device is known in which the entire device is housed in a vacuum chamber and air in the vacuum chamber is sucked, thereby sucking air in a container and making the inside of the container in a vacuum state. However, such a stirring/defoaming device including a vacuum unit has a disadvantage that it takes time to vacuum the container because the amount of air in the vacuum chamber is large and it takes time to suck the air. This drawback becomes more apparent as the material volume increases and the stirring/defoaming device becomes larger.

Further, there is also known a stirring/defoaming device including a vacuum unit for directly sucking air in a container to make the container in a vacuum state. The stirring/defoaming device described in patent documents 2 to 5 includes: a sealing body sealing the container; a vacuum pump; the suction path extends from the opening of the container toward the revolution center, passes through the revolution center, extends outward from the system, and reaches a vacuum pump provided outside the system to directly suck air in the container to make the inside of the container in a vacuum state.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 11-104404

Patent document 2: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 11-290668

Patent document 3: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2009-208026

Patent document 4: japanese patent laid-open No. 2000-61207

Patent document 5: japanese patent laid-open No. 2001 and 246236

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, in order to appropriately perform stirring/defoaming under vacuum, it is important to appropriately manage and control the vacuum state, rather than simply driving the vacuum pump and sucking the air in the container via the suction path. For this reason, it is necessary to study the apparatus structure of the stirring/defoaming apparatus by various technical methods.

An object of the present invention is to provide a stirring/defoaming device that includes a vacuum unit for directly sucking air in a container and that can appropriately manage and/or control a vacuum state.

Means for solving the problems

An agitation/defoaming apparatus according to the present invention comprises:

a male rotating body capable of rotating around a male rotating shaft;

at least two or more rotating bodies that can rotate about respective rotation shafts of at least two or more rotating shafts on the rotating bodies and that can hold containers; and

a vacuum unit for sucking air in each container to make the container in a vacuum state,

the vacuum unit includes:

a sealing body for sealing the containers;

a vacuum generating source;

a suction path extending from each container toward the revolution center through the revolution center to the outside of the system to a vacuum generation source provided outside the system, the suction path being formed as an independent path corresponding to each container from at least a part of the start end; and

at least two or more vacuum measuring units are provided in the respective independent paths.

According to this configuration, since the vacuum measuring units are provided for the respective containers, rather than one vacuum measuring unit being provided in common in the suction path, the vacuum state in each container can be accurately grasped, and thus the vacuum state can be appropriately managed and/or controlled. Specific examples of the above structure include embodiments 1-1 to 1-7 and embodiments 2-1 to 2-5 described later.

Here, as one embodiment of the stirring/defoaming device of the present invention, a configuration may be adopted in which the vacuum measuring unit is provided for a space of the container sealed by the sealing body.

In this case, the following structure may be adopted,

the rotation body includes:

a rotation body main body; and

a peripheral wall part which is provided at the front end part of the body part of the self-rotating body and is internally formed with an accommodating concave part for accommodating the container,

the sealing body is a sealing cover which is detachably mounted on the end part of the peripheral wall part and seals the accommodating concave part,

the vacuum measuring part is arranged on the sealing cover.

According to this configuration, since the vacuum measuring unit is provided at the position closest to the container, not only the vacuum state in each container can be accurately grasped, but also the vacuum state can be rapidly grasped without a time lag, and thus the vacuum state can be further appropriately managed and/or controlled. Specific examples of the above-described structure include embodiments 1-1, 1-2, 1-5 to 1-7, and embodiments 2-1, 2-2, 2-4, and 2-5, which will be described later.

In another aspect of the stirring/defoaming device of the present invention, the vacuum measuring unit may have a built-in power supply and a wireless communication function.

In another aspect of the stirring/defoaming device of the present invention, the vacuum unit may further include at least two independently controllable on-off valves provided in the respective independent paths.

According to this configuration, since the suction paths of the respective containers can be individually controlled to be opened and closed, the vacuum state of each container can be accurately grasped, and based on this, the vacuum state in each container can be appropriately controlled, whereby the vacuum state can be further appropriately managed and/or controlled. Further, according to this configuration, for example, it is possible to perform processing under atmospheric pressure without making a part of the containers in a vacuum state, or to perform processing using only a part of the containers, or to process different types of materials (different types of materials) in the respective containers. Specific examples of the above structure include embodiments 1-1 to 1-7 and embodiment 2-5 described later.

In another aspect of the stirring/defoaming device of the present invention, a configuration may be adopted in which,

also comprises a revolution shaft body for defining the revolution shaft,

the attraction path includes:

a path passing through the inside of the rotating body with the container as a starting end;

a path from the rotor toward the revolution center;

a path through the revolution shaft body; and

a path extending outward from the system after the revolution axis,

a path passing through the inside of the rotating body and a path extending from the rotating body toward the revolution center with the container as a starting end are connected via a rotary joint,

any one of a path from the rotor toward the revolution center or a path extending outside the system after going out of the revolution shaft and a path passing through the revolution shaft are connected via a rotary joint.

In this case, a structure may be adopted,

at least a path passing through the inside of the rotating body from the container as a starting end, a path going from the rotating body toward the revolution center, and a path passing through the inside of the revolution shaft are formed as independent paths corresponding to the respective containers.

Alternatively, a structure may be adopted in which,

the independent paths merge in the rotary joint between the path from the rotor toward the center of revolution and the path through the revolution shaft.

In addition, another stirring/defoaming apparatus of the present invention includes:

a male rotating body capable of rotating around a male rotating shaft;

a revolving body provided with at least two or more revolving shafts, capable of revolving around the respective revolving shaft of the at least two or more revolving shafts on the revolving body, and capable of holding the containers; and

a vacuum unit for sucking air in each container to make the container in a vacuum state,

the vacuum unit includes:

a sealing body for sealing the containers;

a vacuum generating source;

a suction path extending from the container to the revolution center, extending outward from the system through the revolution center, and reaching a vacuum generation source provided outside the system, wherein the suction path is formed as an independent path corresponding to each container at least in part from the start end; and

at least two or more opening/closing valves are provided in the respective independent paths and can be individually controlled.

According to this configuration, since the suction paths of the respective containers can be individually controlled to open and close, the vacuum state in the respective containers can be appropriately controlled, and thus the vacuum state can be appropriately managed and/or controlled. Further, according to this configuration, for example, it is possible to perform processing under atmospheric pressure without making a part of the containers in a vacuum state, or to perform processing using only a part of the containers, or to process different types of materials (different types of materials) in the respective containers. Specific examples of the above structure include embodiments 1-1 to 1-8 and 2-5 described later.

Further, a stirring/defoaming apparatus according to the present invention includes:

a male rotating body capable of rotating around a male rotating shaft;

a rotating body which can rotate around a rotating shaft on the rotating body and can hold a container; and

a vacuum unit for sucking air in the container to make the container in a vacuum state,

the vacuum unit includes:

a sealing body sealing the container;

a vacuum generating source;

a suction path extending from the container as a starting end toward the revolution center, through the revolution center, to the outside of the system, and reaching a vacuum generation source disposed outside the system; and

the vacuum measuring unit is provided for a space of the container sealed by the sealing body.

According to this configuration, since the vacuum measuring unit is provided at the position closest to the container, not only the vacuum state in the container can be accurately grasped, but also the vacuum state can be rapidly grasped without a time lag, and thus the vacuum state can be appropriately managed and/or controlled. Specific examples of the above-described structure include embodiments 1-1, 1-2, 1-5 to 1-7, embodiments 2-1, 2-2, 2-4, and 2-5, and embodiments 3-1 and 3-2, which will be described later.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

As described above, according to the stirring/defoaming device of the present invention, the vacuum state can be appropriately managed and/or controlled.

Drawings

Fig. 1(a) is a sectional view of a stirring/defoaming device according to embodiment 1, and fig. 1(b) is a partial plan view of the stirring/defoaming device.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a main portion of the stirring/defoaming device according to embodiment 1-1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a main portion of the stirring/defoaming device according to embodiment 1-2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a main portion of the stirring/defoaming device according to embodiments 1 to 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a main portion of the stirring/defoaming device according to embodiments 1 to 4.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a main portion of the stirring/defoaming device according to embodiments 1 to 5.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of a main portion of the stirring/defoaming device according to embodiments 1 to 6.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a main portion of the stirring/defoaming device according to embodiments 1 to 7.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of a main portion of the stirring/defoaming device according to embodiments 1 to 8.

Fig. 10(a) is a sectional view of a stirring/defoaming device according to embodiment 2, and fig. 10(b) is a partial plan view of the stirring/defoaming device.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of a main portion of the stirring/defoaming device according to embodiment 2-1.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view of a main portion of the stirring/defoaming device according to embodiment 2-2.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view of a main portion of the stirring/defoaming device according to embodiment 2 to embodiment 3.

Fig. 14 is a sectional view of a main portion of the stirring/defoaming device according to embodiments 2 to 4.

Fig. 15 is a sectional view of a main portion of the stirring/defoaming device according to embodiments 2 to 5.

Fig. 16 is a sectional view of a main portion of the stirring/defoaming device according to embodiments 2 to 6.

Fig. 17 is a sectional view of a main portion of the stirring/defoaming device according to embodiments 2 to 7.

Fig. 18 is a sectional view of the stirring/defoaming device according to embodiment 3.

Fig. 19 is a sectional view of a main portion of the stirring/defoaming device according to embodiment 3-1.

Fig. 20 is a sectional view of a main portion of the stirring/defoaming device according to embodiment 3-2.

Fig. 21 is a sectional view of a main portion of a stirring/defoaming device according to embodiment 3-3.

Fig. 22 is an explanatory view relating to a preferable arrangement region of the vacuum measuring section mounted in the seal lid of the self-rotating body in the stirring/defoaming device of the embodiments 1-1, 1-2, 1-5 to 1-7, embodiments 2-1, 2-2, 2-4 and 2-5, and embodiments 3-1 and 3-2.

Fig. 23 is an explanatory diagram of an example of vacuum control that can be executed by the stirring/defoaming device according to embodiments 1-1 to 1-7 and 2-5.

Fig. 24 is an explanatory view relating to the arrangement of a vacuum measuring section according to another embodiment.

Detailed Description

< embodiment 1 >

Embodiment 1 of the stirring/defoaming device of the present invention will be described below with reference to fig. 1 and 2. As described below, the stirring/defoaming device according to embodiment 1 is a stirring/defoaming device having a structure in which a plurality of containers 40 (two containers in the present embodiment) are provided and a suction path 73 is provided independently for each container 40.

First, the overall structure of the stirring/defoaming device will be schematically described. As shown in fig. 1, the stirring/defoaming device includes: a male rotor body 20 rotatable about a common rotation axis L1; a rotary body 30 rotatable about a rotation axis L2 on the rotary body 20; a container 40 held by the rotor 30; a revolution driving part 50 for rotationally driving the revolution body 20; a rotation imparting unit 60 for rotating the rotation body 30; the vacuum mechanism (vacuum means) 70 directly sucks air in the container 40 to make the container 40 vacuum. Note here that, for example, JIS Z8126-1: 1999(ISO 3529-1: 1981) defines that vacuum is a state of a space filled with a gas having a pressure lower than the normal atmospheric pressure.

The male rotor body 20 is rotatably supported via a bearing by a male rotor shaft 11 formed of a fixed shaft attached to the base 10. The rotating body 30 is provided in a pair at two positions facing each other with the revolution shaft L1 interposed therebetween, and is rotatably supported via bearings in mounting holes 21 formed in the end portion of the revolving body 20. The swivel 30 includes a housing recess 33 for housing the container 40, and the container 40 is housed in the housing recess 33, and the container 40 is held directly or indirectly via a mounting body such as an adapter (not shown). Thus, the rotation body 30 is also referred to as a container holder.

The container 40 is a bottomed container having an opening 41 at the upper end and a closed bottom at the lower end, and a material (object to be treated) is put into the container 40 through the opening 41, and after treatment, the object to be treated is taken out through the opening 41. The material of the container 40 is selected from synthetic resin such as polyethylene, metal such as stainless steel and aluminum alloy, ceramics, paper, and the like, depending on the type of material and the contents of treatment.

The revolution driving unit 50 includes: a drive motor 51; a drive gear 52 attached to a drive shaft of the drive motor 51; and a revolving gear 53 mounted to the revolving body 20 concentrically with the revolving body 20 and meshed with the drive gear 52. Thus, when the drive motor 51 rotates, the rotation is transmitted to the revolving body 20 via the drive gear 52 and the revolving gear 53, and the revolving body 20 rotates about the revolving shaft L1. As the revolution body 20 rotates, the rotation body 30 and the container 40 held by the rotation body 30 revolve around the revolution axis L1.

The rotation imparting unit 60 includes: a brake device 61 such as a powder brake; a brake gear 62 attached to a brake shaft of the brake device 61; a sun gear 64 rotatably supported by the revolving body 20 via a bearing; a gear 63 mounted to the sun gear 64 concentrically with the sun gear 64 and meshing with the brake gear 62; an intermediate gear 65 rotatably supported by the revolving body 20 via a bearing and meshing with the sun gear 64; and a rotation gear 66 mounted on the rotation body 30 concentrically with the rotation body 30 and engaged with the intermediate gear 65. Thus, when the brake device 61 applies a braking force, the braking force is transmitted to the sun gear 64 via the brake gear 62 and the gear 63, the rotational speed of the sun gear 64 is reduced compared to the rotational speed of the revolving body 20 (a difference is generated between the rotational speed of the sun gear 64 and the rotational speed of the revolving body 20), and the intermediate gear 65 rotates relative to the sun gear 64. The rotation is transmitted to the rotation body 30 via the rotation gear 66, and the rotation body 30 rotates about the rotation axis L2. As the rotor 30 rotates, the rotor 30 and the container 40 held by the rotor 30 rotate about the rotation axis L2.

The vacuum mechanism 70 includes: a sealing mechanism (seal body) 71 that seals the container 40; a vacuum pump 72 as a vacuum generation source; and a suction path 73 extending from the opening 41 of the container 40 toward the revolution center, extending outward from the system through the revolution center (the movable region of the device element related to revolution and rotation is defined as a region outside the system when the system is used, that is, a region where interference with the movable device element does not occur), and reaching a vacuum pump 72 provided outside the system. Thus, the suction path 73 and the vacuum pump 72 are communicated in an airtight state in the container 40, and when the vacuum pump 72 is driven, the air in the container 40 before the suction path 73 and the container is sucked, and the container 40 is in a vacuum state.

Fig. 2 is a diagram in which a part of the apparatus elements related to the revolution in fig. 1 is omitted for easier understanding of the apparatus elements related to the vacuum mechanism 70. The self-rotating body 30 includes: a rotation body 31 which is fitted into a mounting hole 21 formed at an end of the revolution body 20 and is rotatably supported; and a peripheral wall portion 32 integrally formed at a distal end portion (in the present embodiment, an upper end portion) of the rotation body main body portion 31, and the inside of the peripheral wall portion 32 is a housing recess 33 for housing the container 40. The seal mechanism 71 is a seal cap 34 detachably attached to an end portion of the peripheral wall portion 32 and sealing the accommodation recess 33. When the seal cover 34 is attached, the accommodation recess 33 becomes a space sealed by the bottom (the front end portion of the rotor body 31), the peripheral wall 32, and the seal cover 34, and becomes a vacuum chamber. The attachment structure of the seal cap 34 to the end of the peripheral wall portion 32 may be a known structure such as a screw, a fitting, a snap, or a fastener.

The suction path 73 includes:

i) a first path 730 having a first end opening into the vacuum chamber 33 at the inner surface of the peripheral wall portion 32 of the vacuum chamber 33 and passing through the inside of the peripheral wall portion 32 of the vacuum chamber 33 and a second end reaching the bottom of the vacuum chamber 33;

ii) a second path 731 having a first end connected to the second end of the first path 730, passing through the bottom of the vacuum chamber 33, and a second end reaching the rotation center of the bottom of the vacuum chamber 33;

iii) a third path 732 having a first end connected to the second end of the second path 731, passing through the rotation body main body 31, and a second end reaching an end portion on the opposite side (in the present embodiment, a lower end portion) from the tip end portion of the rotation body main body 31;

iv) a fourth path 733 whose first end is connected to a second end of the third path 732, which passes through the rotation rotary joint 74 provided at an end portion on the opposite side from the rotation body main body portion 31, and whose second end reaches an outer surface of the rotation rotary joint 74;

v) a fifth path 734 having a first end connected to the second end of the fourth path 733, the first end facing the revolution center of the revolution body 20, and a second end reaching the outer surface of the revolution rotary joint 75 provided at the front end (in the present embodiment, the upper end) of the revolution shaft 11;

vi) a sixth path 735 whose first end is connected to the second end of the fifth path 734, passes through the revolution rotary joint 75, and whose second end reaches a joint surface of the revolution rotary joint 75 with the revolution shaft 11;

vii) a seventh path 736 whose first end is connected to the second end of the sixth path 735, passes through the revolution shaft 11, passes through the base 10, and whose second end reaches the outside of the system (the region outside the system where the movable region of the device element relating to revolution and rotation is regarded as the system, that is, the region where interference with the movable device element does not occur, in the present embodiment, the region below the base 10);

viii) an eighth path 737, a first end of which is connected to a second end of seventh path 736, facing vacuum pump 72, and a second end of which reaches the front of vacuum pump 72; and

ix) a ninth path 738 having a first end connected to the second end of eighth path 737 and a second end connected to vacuum pump 72.

The suction path 73 includes one suction path 73A corresponding to one container 40 of the two containers 40, 40 and the other suction path 73B corresponding to the other container 40, and the suction paths 73A, 73B are independent paths, respectively. However, second ends of eighth paths 737 of the two are connected, and only ninth path 738 is a merged path.

Since the first path 730 to the fourth path 733 and the sixth path 735 to the seventh path 736 are paths passing through the metal member, they are formed by cutting with a drill or the like or by other metal working through the metal member. Since the fifth path 734 is a path passing through a space, it is constituted by a tube having rigidity or flexibility. Note that, since a part of the fifth path 734 passes through the male rotator 30, the part is formed by being pierced, or a passage is formed to pass a pipe. The eighth path 737 and the ninth path 738 are formed by general pipes.

The rotation rotary joint 74 is a so-called rotary joint, and includes: a rotating part 741 located at an end (lower end) opposite to the rotor body 31; and a fixing portion 740 formed by attaching and fixing a member rotatably fitted to the rotating portion 741 to the male rotor 20. That is, the rotation swivel 74 is formed integrally with the rotation body 30. However, a separate rotary joint (usually, commercially available) may be attached to the self-rotating body 30.

The revolving rotary joint 75 is a so-called rotary joint including: a fixing portion 750 attached to a front end portion (upper end portion) of the revolution shaft body 11 constituted by a fixed shaft; and a rotating part 751 rotatably coupled to the fixing part 750. That is, the revolving rotary joint 75 is separated from the revolving shaft 11. However, the front end portion of the revolution shaft 11 may be formed integrally with the revolution shaft 11 as a fixed portion.

The revolving rotary joint 75 is a multi-circuit (two-circuit) rotary joint in which each path (the two sixth paths 735 and 735) is independent. The paths are insulated from each other by a sealing member such as an O-ring or a metal seal. Therefore, the fluids flowing through the respective paths do not intersect each other in the revolving rotary joint 75.

The vacuum mechanism 70 further includes an opening/closing valve 76, an opening valve 77, a buffer tank 78, a filter 79, and a vacuum gauge 80 as a vacuum measuring unit (vacuum measuring section).

The opening/closing valves 76 are provided in the respective suction paths 73, more specifically, in the respective eighth paths 737, and are controlled to be opened and closed by a control unit (not shown) of the stirring/defoaming device. When the on-off valve 76 is in the closed state, the suction path 73 is closed, and air in the suction path 73 and the vacuum chamber 33 in front thereof cannot be sucked. On the other hand, when the on-off valve 76 is in the open state, the suction path 73 is opened, and air in the suction path 73 and the vacuum chamber 33 in front thereof can be sucked, and the vacuum chamber 33, and further the container 40 can be brought into a vacuum state. After the vacuum chamber 33 is brought into a vacuum state, the vacuum path 73 is closed by closing the opening/closing valve 76, whereby the vacuum state in the vacuum chamber 33 can be maintained.

The open valve 77 is provided in each suction path 73, more specifically, in each eighth path 737 at a position upstream (on the container 40 side) of the open/close valve 76, and is controlled to be opened and closed by a control unit (not shown) of the stirring/defoaming apparatus. After the vacuum pump 72 is stopped, the opening valve 77 is opened, and the inside of the vacuum chamber 33 is returned to the atmospheric pressure via the suction path 73, whereby the sealing lid 34 can be detached, the vacuum chamber 33 can be opened, and the processed container 40 can be taken out.

The buffer tank 78 is provided on the downstream side of the on-off valve 76 (between the on-off valve 76 and the vacuum pump 72), and more specifically, on the ninth path 738. By driving the vacuum pump 72 with the on-off valve 76 closed, the buffer tank 78 can be brought into a vacuum state in advance. In this state, when the vacuum chamber 33 is brought into a vacuum state, the on-off valve 76 is opened, and air in the suction path 73 and the preceding vacuum chamber 33 is sucked by the buffer tank 78 in the vacuum state, whereby the vacuum chamber 33 is brought into a vacuum state. Therefore, the vacuum chamber 33, and further the container 40, can be quickly evacuated, and the vacuum pump 72 can be prevented from being exposed to high pressure.

The filter 79 is provided in each suction path 73, more specifically, in each fifth path 734, i.e., on the upstream side (container 40 side) of the revolving rotary joint 75. When air in the container 40 is sucked, if materials, dust, or the like overflowing from the container 40 are sucked together and intruded into the revolving rotary joint 75, a sealing member or the like of the revolving rotary joint 75 is damaged, and there is a possibility that sealability is lowered or the revolving rotary joint 75 is damaged. A filter 79 is provided to prevent this.

The vacuum gauge 80 is used to measure the vacuum state (degree of vacuum) in the container 40. The vacuum gauge 80 is a battery type or a battery type having a built-in power supply. The vacuum gauge 80 has a wireless communication function conforming to a wireless communication standard such as a short-range wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or ZigBee (registered trademark), a wireless LAN standard such as IEEE802.11, or an Infrared communication standard such as IrDA (Infrared Data Association), and can wirelessly transmit the measurement value to the control unit of the stirring/defoaming device. Therefore, the vacuum gauge 80 has neither a power line nor a communication line, and thus has no problem of winding of the line, and thus can revolve and rotate together with the container 40. However, since the slip ring can be appropriately provided where necessary, wiring from the vacuum gauge 80 to the control unit of the stirring/defoaming device may be wired. The vacuum gauge 80 can transmit not only the degree of vacuum but also various information such as its own ID (communicator ID), radio wave intensity, remaining battery level, and the like.

Next, a method of stirring/defoaming by the stirring/defoaming device having the above-described structure will be described. First, the revolution number, the rotation number, and the vacuum degree are input to the control unit of the stirring/defoaming device by the user interface according to the kind of the material to be stirred/defoamed, the purpose of use, and the like. Thereafter, the material is accommodated in the container 40, and the container 40 is accommodated in the vacuum chamber 33 from the rotor 30. When the start of operation is instructed, the drive motor 51 is driven, whereby the rotating body 20 rotates and the container 40 revolves. In addition, the braking force of the braking device 61 is applied to the rotating body 30 via the transmission mechanism, whereby the rotating body 30 rotates relatively with respect to the rotating body 20, thereby rotating the container 40. Thereby, the material in the container 40 is stirred and defoamed by the revolution and rotation of the container 40.

Thereafter, the revolution number and the rotation number of the container 40 are detected by sensors (not shown), and when the revolution number and the rotation number reach predetermined values, the vacuum processing (evacuation) in the vacuum chamber 33 is started. The vacuum treatment is performed for a predetermined time at a predetermined vacuum degree. That is, the container 40 is rotated in a constant state, and the opening/closing valve 76 is opened while a predetermined time elapses or the container 40 reaches a constant rotation number, whereby the inside of the vacuum chamber 33 and, further, the inside of the container 40 are brought into a vacuum state by the buffer tank 78 described above. At this time, the degree of vacuum set by opening and closing the control on-off valve 76 or controlling the number of revolutions of the vacuum pump 72 is continuously maintained in a constant state according to the change in the degree of vacuum caused by defoaming, and thus constant and highly accurate stirring/defoaming processing is always performed.

The stirring/defoaming method described here is merely an example. For example, instead of restarting the vacuum processing after the start of the operation of the stirring/defoaming apparatus, that is, without delaying the start timing of the operation of the apparatus, the start timing of the vacuum processing may be made to coincide with the start timing of the operation of the stirring/defoaming apparatus. In addition, even if the timing of starting the vacuum process is delayed, the vacuum process may be started by another trigger (for example, acceleration of the container 40 measured by an acceleration sensor). In addition, the vacuum treatment may be terminated after the operation of the apparatus is terminated, that is, the timing of terminating the vacuum treatment may be delayed from the timing of terminating the operation of the apparatus, or the vacuum treatment may be terminated simultaneously with the termination of the operation of the apparatus. As described above, the stirring/defoaming device of the present embodiment is configured to be able to individually control the revolution number, the rotation number, the vacuum degree, and the operation timing thereof, and it is obvious that various stirring/defoaming methods can be implemented by these functions.

< embodiment 1-1 >)

In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 2, two vacuum gauges 80 are provided corresponding to the suction paths 73, and are disposed on the outer surface side of the seal cover 34 of the vacuum chamber 33. At this time, the port of the vacuum gauge 80 penetrates the seal cover 34 and is positioned in the vacuum chamber 33, and the seal cover 34 faces the opening 41 of the container 40, so that the port of the vacuum gauge 80 is positioned close to the opening 41 of the container 40. This is one embodiment in which the vacuum gauge 80 is disposed at a position closest to (the opening 41 of) the container 40.

According to this configuration, since only one vacuum gauge 80 is provided in common in the suction path 73, the vacuum gauge 80 is provided for each container 40, and the vacuum state in each container 40 can be accurately grasped. Further, since the vacuum gauge 80 is provided at a position closest to the container 40, not only can the vacuum state in each container 40 be accurately grasped, but also it can be grasped quickly without a time lag.

Further, according to this configuration, since the suction paths 73 are substantially independent from each other, and the vacuum mechanism 70 is provided substantially independently from the containers 40, it is possible to simultaneously perform various stirring/defoaming treatments by 1 stirring/defoaming apparatus by appropriately combining the control of the driving/stopping of the vacuum pump 72 and the control of the opening/closing valves 76 and/or by accommodating different types of materials in the containers 40.

In the case where the plurality of containers 40 are provided, there may be a case where a difference in the degree of vacuum or a difference in the time required to reach the set degree of vacuum occurs between each of the containers 40. This is because, for example, the amount (treatment amount) of the material contained in each container 40 differs, or a different kind of material (different kind of material) is contained in each container 40. According to embodiment 1-1, since the vacuum gauge 80 is provided for each container 40, the vacuum state in each container 40 can be accurately grasped, and thus the vacuum state can be appropriately managed and/or controlled.

In the case where only one vacuum gauge 80 is provided in common for the suction paths 73, if a vacuum drop occurs in the container 40 due to clogging or leakage in the suction path 73 of any one of the containers 40, the vacuum drop may not be detected by the one vacuum gauge 80. According to embodiment 1-1, since the vacuum gauge 80 is provided for each container 40, the vacuum state in each container 40 can be accurately grasped, and thus the vacuum state can be appropriately managed and/or controlled.

Further, when the vacuum processing is performed using a suction path instead of the vacuum chamber type, there is a possibility that a pressure loss may occur due to a change in the diameter of the suction path or the path length. In particular, the larger the stirring/defoaming device, the more significant the problem may be. And also may cause a problem of a time difference due to a path length. According to embodiment 1-1, since the vacuum gauge 80 is provided at a position closest to the container 40, the vacuum state in each container 40 can be grasped accurately and quickly without a time lag, and thus the vacuum state can be managed and/or controlled appropriately.

In the case of a small-sized stirring/defoaming device, the weight of the vacuum gauge 80 relative to the components of the device related to rotation cannot be ignored, and in order to perform smooth rotation motion, the vacuum gauge 80 is preferably disposed as close to the center of the sealing lid 34 as possible. However, the larger the stirring/defoaming device is, the more the weight of the vacuum gauge 80 can be ignored, and therefore, there is no problem even if the vacuum gauge 80 is disposed at a position deviated from the center of the sealing lid 34.

However, when the vacuum gauge 80 is disposed in the peripheral portion of the seal cover 34, the first end of the first path 730 of the suction path 73 that opens in the inner surface of the peripheral wall portion 32 of the vacuum chamber 33 is close to it. If the vacuum gauge 80 is provided near the first end, that is, near the suction port of the suction path 73, local pressure fluctuations are likely to be received. Such local pressure fluctuations are preferably avoided from the viewpoint of grasping the degree of vacuum in the container 40. Therefore, the vacuum gauge 80 is preferably disposed at a position spaced apart from the first end of the first path 730 by a predetermined distance while avoiding the first end. However, in the case where the seal cover 34 is configured such that the mounting angle is not fixed with respect to the rotation axis of the self-rotating body 30, it is troublesome or difficult to mount the seal cover 34 such that the vacuum gauge 80 is located at a position spaced apart from the first end of the first path 730 by a certain distance. Therefore, in view of this, as shown in fig. 22, it is preferable that the vacuum gauge 80 be disposed in the central region 34a within the dashed-dotted frame indicated by hatching except for the outer peripheral portion 34b of the seal cover 34.

Note that fig. 22(a) is an example in which only one first path 730 is provided and only one opening of a first end is provided at the inner surface of the peripheral wall portion 32 of the vacuum chamber 33, fig. 22(b) is an example in which two first paths 730 are provided and two openings of the first end are provided at two places (for example, at two equal parts) in the circumferential direction of the inner surface of the peripheral wall portion 32, fig. 22(c) is an example in which three first paths 730 are provided and three openings of the first end are provided at three places (for example, at three equal parts) in the circumferential direction of the inner surface of the peripheral wall portion 32, and fig. 22(d) is an example in which four first paths 730 are provided and four openings of the first end are provided at four places (for example, at four equal parts) in the circumferential direction of the inner surface of the peripheral wall portion 32.

< embodiment 1-2 >)

In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 3, two vacuum gauges 80 are provided corresponding to the suction paths 73, and are disposed on the inner surface side of the seal cover 34 of the vacuum chamber 33. The port of the vacuum gauge 80 is located in the vacuum chamber 33 and at a position close to the opening 41 of the container 40. This is another embodiment in which the vacuum gauge 80 is disposed at a position closest to (the opening 41 of) the container 40.

According to this configuration, as in embodiment 1-1, since the vacuum gauge 80 is provided for each container 40 instead of the single vacuum gauge 80 being provided in common to the suction path 73, the vacuum state in each container 40 can be accurately grasped, and since the vacuum gauge 80 is provided at the position closest to the container 40, the vacuum state in each container 40 can be accurately grasped, and also the vacuum state can be grasped quickly without a time lag.

Further, according to this configuration, as in embodiment 1-1, since the vacuum mechanisms 70 are provided substantially independently of the containers 40 by substantially independently providing the suction paths 73, it is possible to simultaneously perform various stirring/defoaming treatments by 1 stirring/defoaming apparatus by appropriately combining control of driving/stopping the vacuum pump 72 and control of opening/closing the opening/closing valves 76 and/or by accommodating different types of materials in the containers 40.

< embodiments 1 to 3 >

In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 4, two vacuum gauges 80 are provided corresponding to each suction path 73, and are respectively disposed on the suction paths 73 that come out of the rotor 30 and then reach the revolution center, that is, the suction paths 73 between the rotation joint 74 and the revolution joint 75, that is, the fifth paths 734. And may be disposed on the fourth path 733.

According to this configuration, as in embodiment 1-1, since only one vacuum gauge 80 is not provided in common in the suction path 73, but the vacuum gauge 80 is provided for each container 40, the vacuum state in each container 40 can be accurately grasped. In addition, although the position of the vacuum gauge 80 is farther from the container 40 than in embodiment 1-1, even in this case, since the vacuum gauge 80 is still provided at a position close to the container 40, not only can the vacuum state in each container 40 be accurately grasped, but also it can be grasped quickly without a time lag.

Further, according to this configuration, as in embodiment 1-1, since the vacuum mechanisms 70 are provided substantially independently of the containers 40 by substantially independently providing the suction paths 73, it is possible to simultaneously perform various stirring/defoaming treatments by 1 stirring/defoaming apparatus by appropriately combining control of driving/stopping the vacuum pump 72 and control of opening/closing the opening/closing valves 76 and/or by accommodating different types of materials in the containers 40.

< embodiments 1 to 4 >

In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 5, two vacuum gauges 80 are provided corresponding to the respective suction paths 73, and are respectively disposed on the suction path 73 reaching the vacuum pump 72 after the revolution center, that is, the suction path 73 outside the system, that is, the eighth path 737 or the ninth path 738.

According to this configuration, as in embodiment 1-1, since only one vacuum gauge 80 is not provided in common in the suction path 73, but the vacuum gauge 80 is provided for each container 40, the vacuum state in each container 40 can be accurately grasped.

Further, according to this configuration, as in embodiment 1-1, since the vacuum mechanisms 70 are provided substantially independently of the containers 40 by substantially independently providing the suction paths 73, it is possible to simultaneously perform various stirring/defoaming treatments by 1 stirring/defoaming apparatus by appropriately combining control of driving/stopping the vacuum pump 72 and control of opening/closing the opening/closing valves 76 and/or by accommodating different types of materials in the containers 40.

< embodiments 1 to 5 >

In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 6, two vacuum gauges 80 are provided corresponding to the respective suction paths 73, and are disposed in the vicinity of the vacuum pump 72, that is, in the ninth path 738, except that they are disposed in the same manner as in any of embodiments 1-1 to 1-3.

According to this configuration, as in embodiment 1-1, since the vacuum gauge 80 is provided for each container 40 instead of the single vacuum gauge 80 being provided in common to the suction path 73, the vacuum state in each container 40 can be accurately grasped, and since the vacuum gauge 80 is provided at the position closest to the container 40, the vacuum state in each container 40 can be accurately grasped, and also the vacuum state can be grasped quickly without a time lag. In addition, since the vacuum gauge 80 is provided at a position close to the vacuum pump 72, the operating state (vacuum degree) of the vacuum pump 72 can be accurately grasped, and when a vacuum drop occurs in each container 40, the vacuum can be reliably detected (detected) by comparing the operating state with the measurement value of the vacuum gauge 80 provided at a position close to the container 40.

Further, according to this configuration, as in embodiment 1-1, since the vacuum mechanisms 70 are provided substantially independently of the containers 40 by substantially independently providing the suction paths 73, it is possible to simultaneously perform various stirring/defoaming treatments by 1 stirring/defoaming apparatus by appropriately combining control of driving/stopping the vacuum pump 72 and control of opening/closing the opening/closing valves 76 and/or by accommodating different types of materials in the containers 40.

< embodiments 1 to 6 >

This embodiment is basically the same as any of embodiments 1-1 to 1-5, but differs therefrom in that, as shown in fig. 7, the opening/closing valve 76 and the opening/closing valve 77 are disposed on the suction path 73 from the rotor 30 to the revolution center, that is, the suction path 73 between the rotation joint 74 and the revolution joint 75, that is, the fifth path 734, unlike embodiments 1-1 to 1-5, the suction path 73 from the revolution center to the vacuum pump 72, that is, the suction path 73 outside the system, that is, the eighth path 737.

According to this configuration, as in embodiment 1-1, since the vacuum gauge 80 is provided for each container 40 instead of the single vacuum gauge 80 being provided in common to the suction path 73, the vacuum state in each container 40 can be accurately grasped, and since the vacuum gauge 80 is provided at the position closest to the container 40, the vacuum state in each container 40 can be accurately grasped, and also the vacuum state can be grasped quickly without a time lag. In addition, since the on-off valve 76 and the open valve 77 are provided at positions close to the container 40, the vacuum processing can be speeded up.

Further, according to this configuration, as in embodiment 1-1, since the vacuum mechanisms 70 are provided substantially independently of the containers 40 by substantially independently providing the suction paths 73, it is possible to simultaneously perform various stirring/defoaming treatments by 1 stirring/defoaming apparatus by appropriately combining control of driving/stopping the vacuum pump 72 and control of opening/closing the opening/closing valves 76 and/or by accommodating different types of materials in the containers 40.

< embodiments 1 to 7 >

This embodiment is basically the same as any one of embodiments 1-1 to 1-6, but differs in that, as shown in fig. 8, a vacuum pump 72 is provided in each suction path 73, instead of providing 1 stage in common for both suction paths 73, 73. Therefore, in this embodiment, the second end of each eighth path 737 is connected to each vacuum pump 72, rather than to the ninth path 738.

According to this configuration, as in embodiment 1-1, since the vacuum gauge 80 is provided for each container 40 instead of the single vacuum gauge 80 being provided in common to the suction path 73, the vacuum state in each container 40 can be accurately grasped, and since the vacuum gauge 80 is provided at the position closest to the container 40, the vacuum state in each container 40 can be accurately grasped, and also the vacuum state can be grasped quickly without a time lag.

Further, according to this configuration, since the suction paths 73 are completely independent from each other, and the vacuum mechanism 70 is provided completely independently from the vessels 40, it is possible to simultaneously perform a wider variety of stirring/defoaming treatments by 1 stirring/defoaming apparatus by appropriately combining the control of driving/stopping the vacuum pumps 72, the control of opening/closing the opening/closing valves 76, and the control of the output of the vacuum pumps 72, and/or by accommodating different types of materials in the vessels 40.

Since the vacuum mechanism 70 is provided completely independently of each container 40, it is possible to sufficiently perform appropriate control and/or control of the vacuum state. Therefore, the vacuum gauge 80 may not be provided.

< embodiments 1 to 8 >

In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 9, the vacuum gauge 80 is not provided. Otherwise, the same as any of embodiments 1-1 to 1-7.

According to this configuration, as in embodiment 1-1, since the vacuum mechanisms 70 are provided substantially independently of the vessels 40 by substantially independently providing the suction paths 73, it is possible to simultaneously perform various stirring/defoaming treatments by 1 stirring/defoaming apparatus by appropriately combining control of driving/stopping the vacuum pump 72 and control of opening/closing the opening/closing valves 76 and/or by accommodating different types of materials in the vessels 40.

Since the vacuum mechanism 70 is provided substantially independently of each container 40, it is possible to sufficiently perform appropriate control and/or control of the vacuum state. Therefore, the vacuum gauge 80 may not be provided.

< embodiment 2 >

Embodiment 2 of the stirring/defoaming device of the present invention will be described below with reference to fig. 10 and 11. This embodiment is basically the same as embodiment 1, but differs in that the two suction paths 73, 73 merge at an intermediate point.

Specifically, the suction path 73 includes:

i) a first path 730 having a first end opening into the vacuum chamber 33 at the inner surface of the peripheral wall portion 32 of the vacuum chamber 33 and passing through the inside of the peripheral wall portion 32 of the vacuum chamber 33 and a second end reaching the bottom of the vacuum chamber 33;

ii) a second path 731 having a first end connected to the second end of the first path 730, passing through the bottom of the vacuum chamber 33, and a second end reaching the rotation center of the bottom of the vacuum chamber 33;

iii) a third path 732 having a first end connected to the second end of the second path 731, passing through the rotation body main body 31, and a second end reaching an end portion on the opposite side (in the present embodiment, a lower end portion) from the tip end portion of the rotation body main body 31;

iv) a fourth path 733 whose first end is connected to a second end of the third path 732, which passes through the rotation rotary joint 74 provided at an end portion on the opposite side from the rotation body main body portion 31, and whose second end reaches an outer surface of the rotation rotary joint 74;

v) a fifth path 734 having a first end connected to the second end of the fourth path 733, the first end facing the revolution center of the revolution body 20, and a second end reaching the outer surface of the revolution rotary joint 75 provided at the front end (in the present embodiment, the upper end) of the revolution shaft 11;

vi) a sixth path 735 having a first end connected to the second end of the fifth path 734, passing through the revolving rotary joint 75, and a second end reaching a joint surface between the revolving rotary joint 75 and the revolving shaft 11;

vii) a seventh path 736 whose first end is connected to the second end of the sixth path 735, passes through the revolution shaft 11, passes through the base 10, and whose second end reaches the outside of the system (the region outside the system where the movable region of the device element relating to revolution and rotation is regarded as the system, that is, the region where interference with the movable device element does not occur, in the present embodiment, the region below the base 10); and

viii) an eighth path 737 having a first end coupled to a second end of seventh path 736, a second end coupled to vacuum pump 72,

the one suction path 73 corresponding to one container 40 of the two containers 40, 40 and the other suction path 73 corresponding to the other container 40 are independent paths from the first path 730 to the fifth path 734, but join together in the revolving rotary joint 75, that is, the sixth path 735, to form a joining path to the eighth path 737.

< embodiment 2-1 >)

In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 11, two vacuum gauges 80 are provided corresponding to the respective suction paths 73 before the confluence, and are disposed on the outer surface side of the sealing cover 34 of the vacuum chamber 33. At this time, the port of the vacuum gauge 80 penetrates the seal cover 34 and is positioned in the vacuum chamber 33, and the seal cover 34 faces the opening 41 of the container 40, so that the port of the vacuum gauge 80 is positioned close to the opening 41 of the container 40. This is one embodiment in which the vacuum gauge 80 is disposed at a position closest to (the opening 41 of) the container 40.

According to this configuration, as in embodiment 1-1, since only one vacuum gauge 80 is not provided in common in the suction path 73, but the vacuum gauge 80 is provided for each container 40, the vacuum state in each container 40 can be accurately grasped. Further, since the vacuum gauge 80 is provided at a position closest to the container 40, not only can the vacuum state in each container 40 be accurately grasped, but also it can be grasped quickly without a time lag.

< embodiment 2-2 >)

In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 12, two vacuum gauges 80 are provided corresponding to the respective suction paths 73 before the confluence, and are disposed on the inner surface side of the sealing cover 34 of the vacuum chamber 33. The port of the vacuum gauge 80 is located in the vacuum chamber 33 and at a position close to the opening 41 of the container 40. This is another embodiment in which the vacuum gauge 80 is disposed at a position closest to (the opening 41 of) the container 40.

According to this configuration, as in embodiment 2-1, since the vacuum gauge 80 is provided for each container 40 instead of the single vacuum gauge 80 being provided in common to the suction path 73, the vacuum state in each container 40 can be accurately grasped, and since the vacuum gauge 80 is provided at the position closest to the container 40, the vacuum state in each container 40 can be accurately grasped, and also the vacuum state can be grasped quickly without a time lag.

< embodiment 2-3 >)

In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 13, two vacuum gauges 80 are provided corresponding to the respective suction paths 73 before merging, and are respectively disposed on the suction paths 73 that come from the rotor 30 and then reach the revolution center, that is, the suction paths 73 between the rotation joint 74 and the revolution joint 75, that is, the fifth paths 734. And may be disposed on the fourth path 733.

According to this configuration, as in embodiment 2-1, since only one vacuum gauge 80 is not provided in common in the suction path 73, but the vacuum gauge 80 is provided for each container 40, the vacuum state in each container 40 can be accurately grasped. In addition, although the position of the vacuum gauge 80 is farther from the container 40 than in embodiment 1-1, even in this case, since the vacuum gauge 80 is still provided at a position close to the container 40, not only can the vacuum state in each container 40 be accurately grasped, but also it can be grasped quickly without a time lag.

< embodiment 2-4 >

In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 14, two vacuum gauges 80 are provided corresponding to the respective suction paths 73 before the confluence, and are disposed in the vicinity of the vacuum pump 72, that is, an eighth path 737, except that they are disposed in the same manner as in any one of embodiments 2-1 to 2-3.

According to this configuration, as in embodiment 2-1, since the vacuum gauge 80 is provided for each container 40 instead of the single vacuum gauge 80 being provided in common to the suction path 73, the vacuum state in each container 40 can be accurately grasped, and since the vacuum gauge 80 is provided at the position closest to the container 40, the vacuum state in each container 40 can be accurately grasped, and also the vacuum state can be grasped quickly without a time lag. In addition, since the vacuum gauge 80 is provided at a position close to the vacuum pump 72, the operating state (vacuum degree) of the vacuum pump 72 can be accurately grasped, and when a vacuum drop occurs in each container 40, the vacuum can be reliably detected (detected) by comparing the operating state with the measurement value of the vacuum gauge 80 provided at a position close to the container 40.

< embodiment 2-5 >)

This embodiment is basically the same as any of embodiments 2-1 to 2-4, but differs therefrom in that, as shown in fig. 15, the opening/closing valve 76 and the opening/closing valve 77 are disposed on the suction path 73 from the rotor 30 to the revolution center, that is, the suction path 73 between the rotation joint 74 and the revolution joint 75, that is, the fifth path 734, unlike embodiments 2-1 to 2-4, the suction path 73 from the revolution center to the vacuum pump 72, that is, the suction path 73 outside the system, that is, the eighth path 737.

According to this configuration, as in embodiment 2-1, since the vacuum gauge 80 is provided for each container 40 instead of the single vacuum gauge 80 being provided in common to the suction path 73, the vacuum state in each container 40 can be accurately grasped, and since the vacuum gauge 80 is provided at the position closest to the container 40, the vacuum state in each container 40 can be accurately grasped, and also the vacuum state can be grasped quickly without a time lag. In addition, since the on-off valve 76 and the open valve 77 are provided at positions close to the container 40, the vacuum processing can be speeded up.

< embodiment 2-6 >

In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 16, one vacuum gauge 80 is provided corresponding to the two merged suction paths 73 and 37, and is disposed in the vicinity of the merging point or the downstream side of the merging point of the two suction paths 73 and 73, that is, the revolution rotary joint 75, that is, the sixth path 735.

According to this configuration, although the position of the vacuum gauge 80 is farther from the container 40 than in embodiment 2-1, even if this is the case, since the vacuum gauge 80 is still provided at a position close to the container 40, not only can the vacuum state in each container 40 be accurately grasped, but also it can be grasped quickly without a time lag.

< embodiment 2-7 >

In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 17, one vacuum gauge 80 is provided corresponding to the two merged suction paths 73 and 73, and is disposed on the suction path 73 reaching the vacuum pump 72 after the revolution center, that is, the eighth path 737 which is the suction path 73 outside the system.

According to this configuration, although the position of the vacuum gauge 80 is farther from the container 40 than in embodiments 2 to 6, even if this is the case, since the vacuum gauge 80 is still provided at a position that is farther from the vacuum pump 72 and closer to the container 40, not only can the vacuum state in each container 40 be accurately grasped, but also the time difference can be reduced and grasped quickly.

< embodiment 3 >

Embodiment 3 of the stirring/defoaming device of the present invention will be described below with reference to fig. 18 and 19. This embodiment is basically the same as embodiment 1, but differs in that only one container 40 is provided, and accordingly, the suction path 73 also has only one system. Note that the difference is that the rotation imparting unit 60 is not entirely a gear transmission mechanism, and a transmission mechanism including pulleys 67 and 69 and a belt 68 is used in a part (between revolution and rotation). In addition, since there is one container 40, a position-adjustable balance weight 22 is provided on the revolving body 20 on the side opposite to the container 40 in order to maintain the balance of the revolution.

Specifically, the suction path 73 includes:

i) a first path 730 having a first end opening into the vacuum chamber 33 at the inner surface of the peripheral wall portion 32 of the vacuum chamber 33 and passing through the inside of the peripheral wall portion 32 of the vacuum chamber 33 and a second end reaching the bottom of the vacuum chamber 33;

ii) a second path 731 having a first end connected to the second end of the first path 730, passing through the bottom of the vacuum chamber 33, and a second end reaching the rotation center of the bottom of the vacuum chamber 33;

iii) a third path 732 having a first end connected to the second end of the second path 731, passing through the rotation body main body 31, and a second end reaching an end portion on the opposite side (in the present embodiment, a lower end portion) from the tip end portion of the rotation body main body 31;

iv) a fourth path 733 whose first end is connected to a second end of the third path 732, which passes through the rotation rotary joint 74 provided at an end portion on the opposite side from the rotation body main body portion 31, and whose second end reaches an outer surface of the rotation rotary joint 74;

v) a fifth path 734 having a first end connected to the second end of the fourth path 733 and extending toward the revolution center of the revolution body 20, and a second end reaching the outer surface of the revolution rotary joint 75 provided at the front end (in the present embodiment, the upper end) of the revolution shaft body 11;

vi) a sixth path 735 having a first end connected to the second end of the fifth path 734, passing through the revolving rotary joint 75, and a second end reaching a joint surface between the revolving rotary joint 75 and the revolving shaft 11;

vii) a seventh path 736 whose first end is connected to the second end of the sixth path 735, passes through the revolution shaft 11, passes through the base 10, and whose second end reaches the outside of the system (the region outside the system where the movable region of the device element relating to revolution and rotation is regarded as the system, that is, the region where interference with the movable device element does not occur, in the present embodiment, the region below the base 10); and

viii) an eighth path 737 having a first end coupled to a second end of seventh path 736 and a second end coupled to vacuum pump 72.

< embodiment 3-1 >)

In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 19, one vacuum gauge 80 is provided corresponding to the suction path 73 and is disposed on the outer surface side of the seal cover 34 of the vacuum chamber 33. At this time, the port of the vacuum gauge 80 penetrates the seal cover 34 and is positioned in the vacuum chamber 33, and the seal cover 34 faces the opening 41 of the container 40, so that the port of the vacuum gauge 80 is positioned close to the opening 41 of the container 40. This is one embodiment in which the vacuum gauge 80 is disposed at a position closest to (the opening 41 of) the container 40.

According to this configuration, as in embodiment 1-1, since the vacuum gauge 80 is provided at the position closest to the container 40, not only can the vacuum state in the container 40 be accurately grasped, but also it can be grasped quickly without a time lag.

< embodiment 3-2 >)

In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 20, one vacuum gauge 80 is provided corresponding to the suction path 73 and is disposed on the inner surface side of the seal cover 34 of the vacuum chamber 33. The port of the vacuum gauge 80 is located in the vacuum chamber 33 and at a position close to the opening 41 of the container 40. This is another embodiment in which the vacuum gauge 80 is disposed at a position closest to (the opening 41 of) the container 40.

According to this configuration, as in embodiment 3-1, since the vacuum gauge 80 is provided at the position closest to the container 40, not only can the vacuum state in the container 40 be accurately grasped, but also it can be grasped quickly without a time lag.

< embodiment 3-3 >)

In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 21, one vacuum gauge 80 is provided corresponding to the suction path 73, and each of the suction paths 73 is disposed from the rotor 30 to the center of revolution, that is, the suction path 73 between the rotation rotary joint 74 and the revolution rotary joint 75, that is, the fifth path 734. And may be disposed on the fourth path 733.

According to this configuration, although the position of the vacuum gauge 80 is farther from the container 40 than in embodiment 3-1, even if this is the case, since the vacuum gauge 80 is still provided at a position close to the container 40, not only can the vacuum state in the container 40 be accurately grasped, but also it can be grasped quickly without a time lag.

< embodiment 4 >

While various stirring/defoaming methods can be implemented by individually controlling the revolution number, the rotation number, the vacuum degree, and the operation timing thereof according to the stirring/defoaming devices of the above embodiments, as an example, vacuum control that can be implemented by the stirring/defoaming devices of embodiments 1-1 to 1-7 and embodiments 2-5 is described with reference to fig. 23.

For example, as shown in fig. 23(a), when a very small amount of vacuum leakage occurs in one suction path 73 corresponding to one container 40 of the two containers 40, the arrival time at which the set vacuum pressure is reached in the one container 40 and the other container 40 is different (time difference G). In this case, there is a possibility that the degree of defoaming progress (the degree of remaining bubbles) may vary between the two containers 40, 40. Therefore, as shown in fig. 23 b, during the vacuum processing, the vacuum control is performed in which the pressure-lower side is synchronously adjusted to the pressure-higher side by monitoring the difference (pressure difference) between the measurement values of the two vacuum gauges 80, 80 and appropriately opening and closing the on-off valve 76 of the suction path having the pressure-lower side (the arrow position is a point at which the on-off valve 76 is closed, and the position at which the pressure drop at the tip end is started is a point at which the on-off valve 76 is opened) so that the pressure-lower side coincides with the pressure-higher (the degree of vacuum-lower) side. According to this vacuum control, the arrival times at which the set vacuum pressures in the respective containers 40 are reached coincide with each other, and therefore, a difference in the defoaming process of the material between the two containers 40, 40 can be prevented.

The vacuum control is a control for synchronously adjusting the pressure on the lower side to the pressure on the higher side, but by providing a flow rate adjustment valve in each suction passage 73 and adjusting the opening degree of the suction passage 73, a vacuum control for synchronously adjusting the pressure on the higher side to the pressure on the lower side or a vacuum control for synchronously adjusting the pressure on the intermediate value between the two sides can be performed.

< other embodiments >

The stirring/defoaming device of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

First, in each of the above embodiments, the revolving shaft 11 of the non-rotating fixed shaft is provided on the base 10, the revolving body 20 is rotatably supported by the revolving shaft 11 to be a rotatable mechanism, and accordingly, the revolving rotary joint 75 for revolution is provided at the tip end (in the above embodiments, the upper end) of the revolving shaft 11 which is a transition portion of the suction path 73 from the rotary system to the stationary system. In this case, the suction path is as follows: vacuum chamber (container) → inside the rotor → for rotation swivel → to the center of revolution → for revolution swivel → inside the rotor → outside the system → vacuum pump. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as described in patent documents 4 and 5, it is also possible to provide a revolving unit with a revolving shaft, and to make the revolving unit a rotatable mechanism by rotatably supporting the revolving shaft on a base, and to provide a revolving joint for revolving at the lower end of the revolving shaft, which is a transition portion of the suction path from the rotating system to the stationary system. In this case, the suction path is as follows: vacuum chamber (container) → inside the rotor → for rotation the rotary joint → toward the center of revolution → inside the rotor shaft → for revolution the rotary joint → outside the system → vacuum pump.

In each of the above embodiments, the vacuum pump 72 is disposed below the revolution shaft body 11, and the suction path 73 passes through the revolution shaft body 11 in accordance with this. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as described in fig. 3 and patent document 3 of patent document 2, a rigid or flexible pipe may extend upward from the sealing cover of the vacuum chamber toward the revolution center and be connected to a revolution joint for revolution provided at the revolution center at the upper part of the frame. In this case, the suction path is as follows: vacuum chamber (container) → upward of the center of revolution → swivel joint for revolution → outside of the system → vacuum pump.

In each of the above embodiments, the rotation joint 74 is provided on the side opposite to the distal end portion of the rotation body 31 (lower end portion in the above embodiments), and the suction path is provided from the rotation joint 74 to the revolving joint 75 at the revolving center. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a rotation joint may be provided at a tip end portion (upper end portion in the above-described embodiment) or an intermediate portion of the rotation body 31, and a suction path may be provided from the rotation joint to a revolution joint or a revolution shaft at the revolution center, or a suction path may be provided from a seal cover of the vacuum chamber to a revolution joint or a revolution shaft at the revolution center, or a suction path may be provided from a peripheral wall portion of the vacuum chamber to a revolution joint or a revolution shaft at the revolution center, as shown in fig. 3 of patent document 5.

In each of the above embodiments, the rotation body 30 includes the vacuum chamber 33 as a sealed container for directly sucking the air in the container. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as described in patent document 3, the rotation body holds only the container, and a seal cap detachably attached to an end portion (opening portion) of the container may seal the container. Further, a lid may be attached to the opening 41 of the container 40, and a hole may be provided in the lid to communicate with the inside of the vacuum chamber 33. When the container 40 including the lid having the hole is accommodated in the vacuum chamber 33 in this manner, the hole provided in the lid functions as an opening portion and constitutes a part of the suction path.

In each of the above embodiments, the first end of the first path 730 of the suction path 73 is opened at a position above the opening 41 of the container 40 in the inner surface of the peripheral wall portion 32 of the vacuum chamber 33. Therefore, the material overflowing from the container 40 is less likely to reach the first end of the first path 730, and the problem that the material enters the suction path 73 and blocks the suction path 73 can be prevented. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. As long as the problem of clogging of the suction path 73 is not caused, or is negligible, or can be prevented by other means, the opening position of the first end of the first path 730 may be located at a position lower than the opening portion 41 of the container 40, for example, the inner surface of the lower half area of the peripheral wall portion 32 of the vacuum chamber 33, or the inner surface of the bottom of the vacuum chamber 33.

In each of the above embodiments, the vacuum pump 72 is used as a vacuum generation source. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, various known mechanisms such as a pump and an ejector other than the vacuum pump can be used as the vacuum generation source.

In each of the above embodiments, the vacuum mechanism 70 includes an opening valve 77, a buffer tank 78, and a filter 79. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, if the vacuum chamber 33 can be opened by detaching the seal cover 34 without opening the valve 77 or by other means, the opening valve 77 may not be provided. In addition, the buffer tank 78 and the filter 79 are not necessary. As shown in the above embodiments, in embodiments 1-1 to 1-6 and 1-8, buffer tanks 78 may be provided in the suction paths 73, and more specifically, buffer tanks 78 may be provided in the eighth paths 737, instead of providing one buffer tank 78 in the suction path 73.

In each of the above embodiments, the vacuum mechanism 70 includes the opening/closing valve 76. When the flow rate regulating valve is further provided or when the flow rate regulating valve also functions as an on-off valve, the flow rate regulating valve is provided instead of the on-off valve 76, so that finer vacuum control can be performed.

In each of the above embodiments, the vacuum gauge 80 measures the degree of vacuum in the container 40, and wirelessly transmits the measured value to the control unit of the stirring/defoaming apparatus, and the control unit of the stirring/defoaming apparatus controls the operation based on the measured value. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the vacuum gauge may be provided with a control unit, and the vacuum gauge may be set to operate under conditions based on the measured value of the degree of vacuum in the container (instead of the control unit (central control unit) of the stirring/defoaming device), or the operating conditions set by the vacuum gauge may be transmitted to the control unit (central control unit) of the stirring/defoaming device.

In the above embodiments, the vacuum gauges 80 are disposed at the same position. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The arrangement position of each vacuum gauge 80 may be different, and for example, one vacuum gauge 80 may be arranged in the vacuum chamber 33 as in embodiments 1-1, 1-2 or embodiments 2-1, 2-2, and the other vacuum gauge 80 may be arranged in a pipeline or the like as in embodiments 1-3, 1-4 or embodiments 2-3.

In the above embodiments, the vacuum gauge 80 is a digital vacuum gauge. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The vacuum gauge may also be an analog vacuum gauge, for example.

Recently, a sensor unit (data recorder) is commercially available in which various sensors such as an air pressure sensor, an acceleration sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a gyro sensor, a light intensity sensor, a distance sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acoustic sensor, and a strain sensor are enclosed in a small palm-sized housing. The sensor unit has a wireless communication function as in the vacuum gauge 80, and can wirelessly transmit various measurement values to a control unit of the stirring/defoaming device, and can measure a vacuum degree (vacuum pressure) by an air pressure sensor, and thus can be used as a vacuum measuring unit. A method of configuring the sensor unit 81 is shown in fig. 24. Fig. 24(a) shows a mode of being arranged on the outer surface side of the sealing cover 34 of the vacuum chamber 33, and fig. 24(b) shows a mode of being arranged on the inner surface side of the sealing cover 34. In the former, a through hole 34c is formed at an appropriate position of the seal cover 34, a cover 35 is detachably attached to an outer surface of the seal cover 34 so as to cover the through hole 24c, and a sensor unit 81 is disposed in an inner space (housing portion) 36 of the cover 35. When it is necessary to move the sensor unit 81 inside the housing 36, the buffer material 37 and the like are attached inside the housing 36. The cover 35 is airtightly attached to the sealing cover 34, and the inside of the housing 36 and the inside of the container 40 communicate with each other through the through hole 34 c. Therefore, the inside of the container 36 and the inside of the container 40 have the same degree of vacuum during the vacuum processing. In the latter, a through hole 35a is formed at an appropriate position of the cover 35, the cover 35 is detachably attached to the inner surface of the seal cover 34, and the sensor unit 81 is disposed in the internal space (housing portion) 36 of the cover 35. The inside of the container 36 and the inside of the container 40 communicate with each other through the through hole 35 a. Therefore, the inside of the container 36 and the inside of the container 40 have the same degree of vacuum during the vacuum processing.

In embodiments 1 and 2, a gear transmission mechanism is used as the braking force transmission mechanism of the rotation imparting unit 60, and in embodiment 3, a pulley/belt transmission mechanism is partially used as the braking force transmission mechanism of the rotation imparting unit 60. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in embodiments 1 and 2, as in embodiment 3, a pulley/belt transmission mechanism may be used in a part thereof, or in embodiment 3, as in embodiments 1 and 2, a gear transmission mechanism may be used in its entirety. The braking force transmission mechanism of the rotation imparting unit may be any of various known mechanisms. It should be noted that the larger the stirring/defoaming device is, the larger the rotational force and the inertial force due to the rotation are, and therefore a gear transmission mechanism capable of reliably transmitting the braking force is preferable, while if the device is small and the number of containers is one, an inexpensive pulley/belt transmission mechanism is preferable, and what kind of braking force transmission mechanism is adopted is a matter to be determined by appropriate design.

In each of the above embodiments, a powder brake is used as the braking device 61 of the rotation imparting unit 60. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a common drive motor and a rotation drive motor may be provided, respectively, so that the rotation body can be rotated by the rotation drive motor. The rotation imparting unit may be any of various known mechanisms.

In each of the above embodiments, the rotation axis L2 is inclined by, for example, about 40 degrees with respect to the vertical direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The angle of the rotation shaft may be set to any angle in the range of 0 degree (vertical) to 90 degrees (horizontal).

In embodiments 1 and 2, two containers 40 are provided as the case where there are a plurality of containers 40. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the containers may be three or four, etc., and the number of containers is not particularly limited.

Industrial applicability of the invention

According to the above inventions, the vacuum state can be appropriately controlled and/or controlled, and the present invention is extremely useful for various material production processes such as mixing, kneading, dispersing, reacting, pulverizing, and emulsifying.

Description of the reference numerals

10: base station, 11: revolution shaft, 20: public turning body, 21: mounting hole, 22: position variable weight, 30: from the body, 31: from the rotor body, 32: peripheral wall portion, 33: accommodation recess (vacuum chamber), 34: seal cap, 34 a: center region, 34 b: outer peripheral portion, 34 c: through hole, 35: cover, 35 a: through hole, 36: accommodating portion, 37: buffer material, 40: container, 41: opening, 50: revolution driving unit, 51: drive motor, 52: drive gear, 53: revolution gear, 60: rotation imparting unit, 61: brake device, 62: brake gear, 63: gear, 64: sun gear, 65: intermediate gear, 66: rotation gear, 67: revolving pulley, 68: a belt, 69: spinning pulley, 70: vacuum mechanism (vacuum unit), 71: sealing mechanism (sealing body), 72: vacuum pump (vacuum generation source), 73: suction path, 73A: one suction path, 73B: another attraction path, 730: first path, 731: second path, 732: third path, 733: fourth path, 734: fifth path, 735: sixth path, 736: seventh path, 737: eighth path, 738: ninth path, 74: rotation rotary joint, 740: a fixed portion, 741: rotating portion, 75: revolving joint for revolution, 750: fixing portion, 751: rotating portion, 76: opening and closing valve (control valve), 77: open valve (control valve), 78: buffer tank, 79: a filter, 80: vacuum gauge (vacuum measurement unit)), 81: sensor unit (vacuum measurement unit)), L1: revolution axis, L2: self-rotating shaft