JP6277831B2 - Sheet manufacturing equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet manufacturing apparatus.

  Conventionally, a method of forming a composite product by mixing chopped strand glass fibers and a resin with a blower is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Special table 2007-508964

  However, in a blower having blades in the housing, when the blades are rotated and mixed with the chopped strand glass fiber and the resin, if the resin stays between the blades and the housing, the resin that remains due to friction caused by the rotation of the blades, etc. There existed a subject that it melt | dissolved and fixed and mixing efficiency fell. In addition, the rotation of the blower may occur due to the fixed resin.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

  Application Example 1 A sheet manufacturing apparatus according to this application example includes a mixing unit that mixes at least fibers and a resin, and a forming unit that forms a sheet using the mixture mixed in the mixing unit. The mixing portion includes a rotating portion and a housing portion surrounding the rotating portion, and the rotating portion has a rotating shaft and a surface intersecting with the extending direction of the rotating shaft. A partition that rotates integrally with the rotation shaft, a plurality of first blades extending from the partition in one of the extending directions, and a plurality of second blades extending from the partition in the other extending direction. The housing part has an introduction port through which the fibers and the resin are introduced on the first blade side in the extending direction, and has a bearing part that supports the rotating shaft on the second blade side. It is characterized by that.

  According to this structure, the fiber introduced from the inlet and the resin are mixed by the rotation of the first blade located on the inlet side. Further, in the space between the second blade and the housing portion, an air flow is generated in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the rotation shaft by the rotation of the second blade. Thereby, even when resin or the like flows into the space between the second blade and the housing portion, the resin or the like that flows in flows in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce adhesion of resin or the like around the rotating shaft.

  Application Example 2 In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the application example described above, the length of the first blade in the extending direction is longer than the length of the second blade in the extending direction.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to efficiently mix the fiber and the resin, and it is possible to easily generate an air flow that is perpendicular to the extending direction in the space between the second blade and the housing portion.

  Application Example 3 In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the application example, when the mixing unit is viewed in the extending direction, the rotation shaft is included in the introduction port region.

  According to this configuration, since the fiber and the resin are introduced from a portion close to the rotation axis, the fibers can be efficiently mixed by the first blade.

  Application Example 4 In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the application example described above, the housing portion has an opening in a region facing the region where the second blade is rotated on the side having the bearing portion. To do.

  According to this structure, it can inhale from opening by the pressure_reduction | reduced_pressure by rotation of a 2nd blade | wing, and can reduce inflow of resin or a fiber to the bearing part side.

  Application Example 5 In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the application example, the bearing portion is disposed on a side away from the introduction port in the extending direction.

  According to this configuration, since the bearing portion is disposed on the side away from the introduction port, fibers and resin can be made difficult to reach the bearing portion.

  Application Example 6 In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the application example, the first blade side of the rotating shaft is not pivotally supported.

  According to this configuration, since the first blade side is not pivotally supported, the movement of the fiber or resin introduced from the first blade side can be efficiently introduced into the housing portion without obstructing the movement of the fiber or resin.

Schematic which shows the structure of a sheet manufacturing apparatus. Schematic which shows the structure of the mixing part concerning 1st Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the mixing part concerning 2nd Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the mixing part concerning 3rd Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the mixing part of a comparative example. Schematic which shows the structure of the mixing part concerning a modification.

  Hereinafter, first to third embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the scale of each member or the like is shown differently from the actual scale so as to make each member or the like recognizable.

(First embodiment)
First, the configuration of the sheet manufacturing apparatus will be described. The sheet manufacturing apparatus is based on a technology for forming a raw material (defibrated material) Pu such as a pure pulp sheet or used paper on a new sheet Pr, for example. A sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment is a sheet manufacturing apparatus including a mixing unit that mixes at least fibers and a resin, and a forming unit that forms a sheet using a mixture mixed in the mixing unit, the mixing unit Is provided with a rotating part and a housing part that supports the rotating part and surrounds the rotating part, and the rotating part has a rotating shaft and a surface that intersects the extending direction of the rotating shaft and is integrated with the rotating shaft. A rotating partition; a plurality of first blades extending from the partition in one extending direction; and a plurality of second blades extending from the partition in the other extending direction, the housing portion extending In the direction, the first blade side has an introduction port through which fibers and resin are introduced, and the second blade side has a bearing portion that supports the rotating shaft. Hereinafter, the configuration of the sheet manufacturing apparatus will be specifically described.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes an input unit 10, a crushing unit 20, a defibrating unit 30, a classification unit 40, a sorting unit 50, and an additive supply unit 60. , A mixing unit 300, a deposition unit 70, a molding unit 200, and the like. And the control part which controls these members is provided.

  The input unit 10 inputs the used paper Pu to the crushing unit 20. The input unit 10 includes, for example, a tray 11 that accumulates and stores a plurality of used paper Pu, and an automatic feeding mechanism 12 that can continuously input the used paper Pu in the tray 11 to the crushing unit 20. The used paper Pu to be input into the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 is, for example, A4 size paper that is currently mainstream in the office.

  The crushing unit 20 cuts the supplied used paper Pu into pieces of several centimeters square. The crushing unit 20 includes a crushing blade 21 and constitutes an apparatus in which the cutting width of a normal shredder blade is widened. Thereby, the supplied used paper Pu can be easily cut into pieces of paper. The divided rough crushed paper is supplied to the defibrating unit 30 via the conveyance path 201.

  The defibrating unit 30 includes a rotating blade (not shown) that rotates, and performs defibrating to loosen the crushed paper (the material to be defibrated including fibers) supplied from the crushing unit 20 into fibers. . In addition, the defibrating unit 30 of the present embodiment performs defibrating in a dry manner in the air. As a result of the defibrating process of the defibrating unit 30, the printed ink, toner, and the material applied to the paper such as the anti-bleeding material become fibers of several tens of μm or less (hereinafter referred to as “ink particles”). And separate. Therefore, the defibrated material that comes out from the defibrating unit 30 is fibers and ink particles obtained by defibrating a piece of paper. And it becomes a mechanism in which an air current is generated by rotation of a blower blade arranged adjacent to the rotary blade, and the fibers defibrated through the conveying path 202 ride on this air current and enter the classification unit 40 in the air. Be transported. In addition, you may provide separately the airflow generation apparatus which produces | generates the airflow for making the defibrating part 30 convey the fiber disentangled via the conveyance path 202 to the classification part 40 as needed.

  The classifying unit 40 classifies the introduced material by airflow. In this embodiment, the defibrated material as the introduced material is classified into ink particles and fibers. The classification unit 40 can classify the conveyed fibers into ink particles and deinked fibers (deinked defibrated material), for example, by applying a cyclone. Note that other types of airflow classifiers may be used instead of the cyclone. In this case, as an airflow classifier other than the cyclone, for example, an elbow jet or an eddy classifier is used. The airflow classifier generates a swirling airflow, which is separated and classified by the difference in centrifugal force received depending on the size and density of the defibrated material, and the classification point can be adjusted by adjusting the speed and centrifugal force of the airflow. . As a result, the ink particles are divided into relatively small and low density ink particles and fibers larger than the ink particles and high density. Removing ink particles from fibers is called deinking.

  The classifying unit 40 of the present embodiment is a tangential input type cyclone, an introduction port 40 a introduced from the defibrating unit 30, a cylinder part 41 with the introduction port 40 a in the tangential direction, and a cone continuing to the lower part of the cylinder part 41. It is comprised from the part 42, the lower outlet 40b provided in the lower part of the cone part 42, and the upper exhaust port 40c for fine powder discharge | emission provided in the upper center of the cylinder part 41. As shown in FIG. The diameter of the conical portion 42 decreases toward the lower side in the vertical direction.

  In the classification process, the airflow on which the defibrated material introduced from the introduction port 40a of the classification unit 40 is changed into a circumferential motion by the cylindrical part 41 and the conical part 42, and is subjected to centrifugal force and classified. The fibers larger than the ink particles and having a higher density move to the lower outlet 40b, and the relatively small and lower density ink particles are led to the upper exhaust port 40c together with air as fine powder, and deinking proceeds. Then, the short fiber mixture containing a large amount of ink particles is discharged from the upper exhaust port 40 c of the classification unit 40. Then, the short fiber mixture containing a large amount of discharged ink particles is collected in the receiving unit 80 via the conveyance path 206 connected to the upper exhaust port 40c of the classifying unit 40. On the other hand, a classified product containing fibers classified through the conveyance path 203 from the lower outlet 40 b of the classification unit 40 is conveyed in the air toward the sorting unit 50. From the classification unit 40 to the sorting unit 50, it may be transported by an air current when it is classified, or may be transported from the classification unit 40 located above to the sorting unit 50 located below by gravity. In addition, you may arrange | position the suction part etc. for sucking a short fiber mixture from the upper exhaust port 40c efficiently in the upper exhaust port 40c, the conveyance path 206, etc. of the classification part 40. FIG.

  The sorting unit 50 sorts the classified product including the fibers classified by the classifying unit 40 from the drum unit 51 having a plurality of openings. More specifically, the classified product including the fibers classified by the classifying unit 40 is sorted into a passing material that passes through the opening and a residue that does not pass through the opening. The sorting unit 50 according to the present embodiment includes a mechanism for dispersing the classified material in the air by rotational movement.

  Then, the passing material (defibrated material) that has passed through the opening by sorting by the sorting unit 50 is conveyed to the mixing unit 300. Specifically, the sorting unit 50 and the mixing unit 300 are connected by a conveyance path 204a. Then, the passing material (defibrated material) that has passed through the opening by sorting by the sorting unit 50 is received by the hopper unit 56 and then conveyed in the air to the mixing unit 300 through the conveyance path 204a. The sorting unit 50 may be transported to the deposition unit 70 by a blower (not shown) that generates an air flow, or may be transported by gravity from the sorting unit 50 located above to the deposition unit 70 located below. On the other hand, the residue that has not passed through the opening due to the sorting by the sorting unit 50 is returned again to the defibrating unit 30 as a material to be defibrated via the conveying path 205 as a feeding path. Thereby, the residue is reused (reused) without being discarded.

  In addition, an additive supply unit 60 is provided between the sorting unit 50 and the mixing unit 300 in the conveyance path 204a to supply the additive to the passing material (defibrated material) being conveyed. Examples of the additive include a resin (for example, a fusion resin or a thermosetting resin) and the like, for example, a flame retardant, a whiteness improver, a sheet strength enhancer, a sizing agent, and the like. The form of the additive may be a powder or a fiber. These additives are stored in an additive storage unit 61 provided in the additive supply unit 60. And the additive stored by the additive storage part 61 is supplied toward the conveyance path 204 from the supply port 62 by discharge mechanisms, such as a screw feeder.

  The mixing unit 300 mixes at least the fibers and the resin conveyed in the air to form a mixture, and is, for example, a blower. The passing material (fiber) conveyed from the sorting unit 50 and the resin supplied from the additive supply unit 60 are introduced into the mixing unit 300 from the introduction port 301, and the fiber and the resin are mixed inside the mixing unit 300. The And the mixture with which the fiber and resin were mixed is discharged | emitted from the discharge port 302 toward the conveyance path 204b, and is conveyed by the deposition part 70 in the air. The detailed configuration of the mixing unit 300 will be described later.

  The depositing unit 70 deposits using the mixture charged from the conveyance path 204b to form the web W. The depositing unit 70 has a mechanism for uniformly dispersing the fibers and the resin in the air, and a mechanism for depositing the dispersed fibers and the resin on the mesh belt 73. In addition, the web W concerning this embodiment means the structure form of the object containing a fiber and resin. Therefore, the web W is indicated even when the form or the like changes when the web is heated, pressurized, cut or conveyed.

  First, as a mechanism for uniformly dispersing the fibers in the air, the depositing unit 70 is provided with a forming drum 71 into which the fibers and the resin are charged. The resin (additive) can be uniformly mixed in the passing material (fiber) by rotating the forming drum 71. The forming drum 71 is provided with a screen having a plurality of small holes. Then, the forming drum 71 is rotationally driven to uniformly mix the resin (additive) in the passing material (fiber) and to uniformly disperse the fiber and the fiber-resin mixture that have passed through the small holes in the air. Can do.

  Below the forming drum 71, an endless mesh belt 73 in which a mesh stretched by a stretch roller 72 is formed is disposed. The mesh belt 73 is moved in one direction by rotating at least one of the stretching rollers 72.

  In addition, a suction device 75 as a suction unit that generates an airflow directed vertically downward is provided below the forming drum 71 via a mesh belt 73. The suction device 75 can suck the fibers dispersed in the air onto the mesh belt 73.

  The fibers and the like that have passed through the small hole screen of the forming drum 71 are deposited on the mesh belt 73 by the suction force of the suction device 75. At this time, by moving the mesh belt 73 in one direction, it is possible to form a web W that includes fibers and resin and is deposited in a long shape. By continuously dispersing from the forming drum 71 and moving the mesh belt 73, a continuous belt-like web W is formed. The mesh belt 73 may be made of metal, resin, or non-woven fabric, and may be any material as long as fibers can be deposited and an air stream can pass therethrough. Note that if the mesh hole diameter of the mesh belt 73 is too large, fibers enter between the meshes, resulting in unevenness when the web W (sheet) is formed. On the other hand, if the mesh hole diameter is too small, the suction device 75. It is difficult to form a stable airflow. For this reason, it is preferable to adjust the hole diameter of a mesh suitably. The suction device 75 can be configured by forming a sealed box with a window of a desired size opened under the mesh belt 73, and sucking air from other than the window to make the inside of the box have a negative pressure from the outside air.

  The web W formed on the mesh belt 73 is transported by the transport unit 100. The conveyance unit 100 according to the present embodiment illustrates a conveyance process of the web W from when the mesh belt 73 is finally put into the stacker 160 as a sheet Pr (web W). Therefore, in addition to the mesh belt 73, various rollers and the like function as a part of the transport unit 100. As the transport unit, there may be at least one of a transport belt, a transport roller, and the like. Specifically, first, the web W formed on the mesh belt 73 which is a part of the transport unit 100 is transported according to the transport direction (arrow in the figure) by the rotational movement of the mesh belt 73. Next, the web W is conveyed from the mesh belt 73 according to the conveyance direction (arrow in the figure).

  A pressurizing unit 140 is disposed on the downstream side of the deposition unit 70 in the conveyance direction of the web W. In addition, the pressurization part 140 of this embodiment is the pressurization part 140 which has the roller 141 which pressurizes the web W. FIG. By passing the web W between the roller 141 and the stretching roller 72, the web W can be pressurized. Thereby, the strength of the web W can be improved.

  On the downstream side of the pressure unit 140 in the conveyance direction of the web W, a roller 120 in front of the cutting unit is disposed. The front cutting unit roller 120 has a pair of rollers 121. One of the pair of rollers 121 is a drive control roller, and the other is a driven roller.

  Further, a one-way clutch is used for a drive transmission unit that rotates the front cutting unit roller 120. The one-way clutch has a clutch mechanism that transmits rotational force only in one direction, and is configured to idle in the opposite direction. As a result, when an excessive tension is applied to the web W due to the speed difference between the post-cutting section roller 125 and the pre-cutting section roller 120, the web W is idled on the pre-cutting section roller 120 side, so that the tension on the web W is suppressed. The web W can be prevented from being torn off.

  A cutting unit 110 that cuts the web W in a direction that intersects the transport direction of the web W to be transported is disposed on the downstream side of the front roller 120 in the transport direction of the web W. The cutting unit 110 includes a cutter, and cuts the continuous web W into sheets (sheets) according to a cutting position set to a predetermined length. For the cutting unit 110, for example, a rotary cutter can be applied. According to this, it becomes possible to cut while conveying the web W. Accordingly, since the conveyance of the web W is not stopped at the time of cutting, the manufacturing efficiency can be improved. The cutting unit 110 may apply various cutters in addition to the rotary cutter.

  A cutting portion rear roller 125 is disposed downstream of the cutting portion 110 in the web W conveyance direction. The cutting portion rear roller 125 has a pair of rollers 126. One of the pair of rollers 126 is a drive control roller, and the other is a driven roller.

  In the present embodiment, tension can be applied to the web W due to the speed difference between the roller 120 before the cutting unit and the roller 125 after the cutting unit. And it is comprised so that the cutting part 110 may be driven in the state with tension applied to the web W, and the web W may be cut | disconnected.

  A heating unit 150 that heats the web W is disposed on the downstream side of the cutting unit rear roller 125 in the conveyance direction of the web W. The heating unit 150 according to this embodiment includes a pair of heating and pressing rollers 151 that heat and press the web W. The heating unit 150 binds (fixes) the fibers included in the web W through a resin. A heating member such as a heater is provided at the center of the rotating shaft of the heating and pressing roller 151, and the web W being conveyed is heated by passing the web W between the pair of heating and pressing rollers 151. Can be pressurized. The web W is heated and pressed by the pair of heating and pressing rollers 151, so that the resin melts and becomes easily entangled with the fibers, and the fiber interval is shortened and the contact point between the fibers is increased. Thereby, a density increases and the intensity | strength as the web W improves.

  A rear cutting unit 130 that cuts the web W along the conveyance direction of the web W is disposed downstream of the heating unit 150 in the conveyance direction of the web W. The rear cutting unit 130 includes a cutter and cuts according to a predetermined cutting position in the conveyance direction of the web W. Thereby, a sheet Pr (web W) having a desired size is formed. Then, the cut sheet Pr (web W) is stacked on the stacker 160 or the like. In the present embodiment, the deposition unit 70, the transport unit 100, and the heating unit 150 are part of the forming unit 200 that forms the sheet Pr using the web W.

  Moreover, the sheet | seat concerning the said embodiment mainly says what used the thing containing fibers, such as used paper and a pure pulp, as a raw material, and was made into the sheet form. However, the shape is not limited to that, and may be a board shape or a web shape (or a shape having irregularities). The raw material may be plant fibers such as cellulose, chemical fibers such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and polyester, and animal fibers such as wool and silk. In the present application, the sheet is divided into paper and non-woven fabric. The paper includes a thin sheet form, and includes recording paper for writing and printing, wallpaper, wrapping paper, colored paper, Kent paper, and the like. Nonwoven fabrics are thicker or lower in strength than paper and include nonwoven fabrics, fiber boards, tissue paper, kitchen paper, cleaners, filters, liquid absorbents, sound absorbers, cushioning materials, mats, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, the used paper mainly refers to printed paper. However, if used as a raw material, it is regarded as used paper regardless of whether it is used.

  Next, the configuration of the mixing unit will be described. 2A and 2B show the configuration of the mixing unit according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2A is an external perspective view, FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 2C is a part of the rotating unit. FIG. 2D is a schematic view schematically illustrating the flow process of the mixture.

  As shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the mixing unit 300 includes a rotating unit 310 and a housing unit 380 that supports a part of the rotating unit 310 and covers the rotating unit 310. . The housing part 380 includes an introduction port 301 connected to the transport path 204a and a discharge port 302 connected to the transport path 204b. Fibers and resin are introduced from the inlet 301, and the introduced fibers and fibers are mixed by the rotating unit 310. And the mixture with which the fiber and the fiber were mixed is comprised so that it may be discharged | emitted from the discharge port 302. FIG. Note that the housing portion 380 of the present embodiment has a substantially cylindrical shape.

  The rotating unit 310 includes a columnar rotating shaft 320, and the rotating shaft 320 is connected to a motor 309 as a rotating unit that rotates the rotating shaft 320 around the axis center. The housing part 380 includes a bearing part 330 that supports the rotating shaft 320. The bearing portion 330 according to the present embodiment is provided inside a partial wall portion of the housing portion 380. As the bearing portion 330, for example, a ball bearing, a roller bearing, or the like can be applied.

  Further, when viewed in the extending direction R of the rotation shaft 320, the rotation shaft 320 is included in the region of the introduction port 301 (opened region). In the present embodiment, when viewed in the extending direction R of the rotation shaft 320, the top of the rotation shaft 320 is positioned at a position substantially corresponding to the central portion of the region of the introduction port 301 (opened region). A rotating shaft 320 is disposed. As a result, the fibers and the resin can be efficiently introduced from the introduction port 301 toward the rotation unit 310. Further, the bearing portion 330 is disposed on the wall portion of the housing portion 380 on the side away from the introduction port 301 in the extending direction R. Thereby, the fiber and resin introduced from the introduction port 301 can be made difficult to reach the bearing portion 330.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2C, the rotating unit 310 includes a partition unit 340 that has a surface perpendicular to the extending direction R of the rotating shaft 320 and rotates integrally with the rotating shaft 320, and one of the partition unit 340. A plurality of first blades 350 extending in the extending direction R, and a plurality of second blades 360 extending from the partition portion 340 in the other extending direction R.

  When viewed in the extending direction R, the partition portion 340 has a circular shape centered on the rotation shaft 320 and has a predetermined thickness. Further, a gap having a predetermined dimension is formed between the end of the partition part 340 and the housing part 380 in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction R.

  The 1st blade | wing 350 is provided in the surface of the direction where the inlet 301 is arrange | positioned among the surfaces corresponding to the extending direction R of the partition part 340. As shown in FIG. Further, the first blade 350 has a so-called turbo blade shape having a curved surface from the center portion to the end portion of the partition portion 340. A plurality of first blades 350 (9 in the present embodiment) are provided, and the plurality of first blades 350 are arranged at regular intervals. The plurality of first blades 350 are convex in a certain direction when viewed in the extending direction R. In addition, the rotation part 310 of this embodiment is comprised so that it may rotate in the convex direction (arrow direction of FIG.2 (c)) of the 1st blade | wing 350. FIG.

  The 2nd blade | wing 360 is provided in the surface on the opposite side to the surface where the 1st blade | wing 350 is arrange | positioned among the surfaces corresponding to the extending direction R of the partition part 340. As shown in FIG. Similarly to the first blade 350, the second blade 360 has a so-called turbo blade shape having a curved surface from the center portion to the end portion of the partition portion 340. Moreover, in the 2nd blade | wing 360 of this embodiment, it arrange | positions with the same number and the same space | interval as the 1st blade | wing 350. FIG. In addition, the length of the first blade 350 in the extending direction R is configured to be longer than the length of the second blade 360 in the extending direction R. Moreover, the dimension of the gap G formed between the top part of the extending direction R of the 2nd blade | wing 360 and the inner wall face of the housing part 380 is 0.5 mm or more and 5.0 mm or less. In addition, the partition part 340, the 1st blade | wing 350, and the 2nd blade | wing 360 may be integrally molded, and what was shape | molded separately and mutually joined may be used. Then, by driving the motor 309 and rotating the rotating shaft 320 around the axis center, the first and second blades 350 and 360 are rotated together with the partition portion 340.

  The introduction port 301 of the housing part 380 is disposed on the first blade 350 side in the extending direction R. And the 1st blade | wing 350 side in the rotating shaft 320 is not pivotally supported. That is, the bearing portion 330 that pivotally supports the rotary shaft 320 is provided on the side facing the introduction port 301 in the extending direction R. Thereby, it can be made to flow efficiently to the 1st blade 350 side, without inhibiting the flow of the fiber and resin introduced from introduction port 301. The fibers and resin that have flowed into the housing portion 380 are mixed by the rotation of the rotating portion 310. As shown in FIG. 2 (d), the mixture of fibers and resin is mixed in the rotational direction of the first blade 350 while flowing in the direction of the inner wall surface 380 a of the housing part 380 due to the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the rotating part 310. It moves and is finally discharged from the discharge port 302. Note that the discharge port 302 of the present embodiment is provided so as to open in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction R. That is, since the discharge port 302 is provided in the direction along the rotation direction of the rotation shaft 320, the mixture can be efficiently discharged by the flow generated by the rotation unit 310.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2D, in the space S having the gap G formed between the second blade 360 and the inner wall surface of the housing portion 380, in the extending direction R due to the rotation of the second blade 360. An airflow is generated from the inner wall surface 380b of the housing portion 380 facing the second blade 360 along the second blade 360 toward the inner wall surface 380a of the housing portion 380 in the extending direction R in a direction perpendicular to the second blade 360. To do. That is, an air flow is generated in the direction of centrifugal force by the rotating second blade 360. For this reason, when the introduced fiber and resin flow into the space S having the gap G formed between the second blade 360 and the inner wall surface of the housing portion 380, the air flow generated in the space S is generated. It rides and flows toward the inner wall surface 380a of the housing part 380. The mixture flowing toward the inner wall surface 380 a of the housing part 380 flows along the inner wall surface 380 a of the housing part 380 and is discharged from the discharge port 302.

  As mentioned above, according to the said embodiment, the following effects can be acquired.

  The fiber and the resin introduced from the inlet 301 provided in the housing part 380 are mixed by the rotation of the rotating part 310 including the first blades 350. In addition, the rotation of the second blade 360 causes an air flow in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction R of the rotation shaft 320 in the space S between the second blade 360 and the housing portion 380. Thus, even when resin or the like flows into the space S between the second blade 360 and the housing portion 380, the resin or the like that flows in flows in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction R of the rotating shaft 320. The Accordingly, resin stagnation in the space S between the second blade 360 and the housing portion 380 is reduced, and for example, the resin sticking around the rotary shaft 320 can be reduced by frictional heat generated by the rotational drive of the rotary shaft 320. it can.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. Note that the basic configuration of the sheet manufacturing apparatus is the same as the configuration of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, the configuration different from the first embodiment, that is, the configuration of the mixing unit will be described. FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the mixing unit according to the present embodiment, FIG. 3 (a) is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 2 (b) is a schematic view schematically illustrating the flow process of the mixture.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the mixing unit 300 a according to the present embodiment includes a rotating unit 310 and a housing unit 380 that supports a part of the rotating unit 310 and covers the rotating unit 310. The housing part 380 includes an introduction port 301 connected to the transport path 204a and a discharge port 302 connected to the transport path 204b. Fiber and resin are introduced from the inlet 301, and the introduced fiber and resin are mixed by the rotating unit 310. The mixture in which the fiber and the resin are mixed is configured to be discharged from the discharge port 302. In addition, since the structure of the rotation part 310 of the mixing part 300a of this embodiment and the basic structure of the housing part 380 are the same as the structure of the rotation part 310 and the housing part 380 of the mixing part 300 concerning 1st Embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted. The differences will be mainly described.

  The housing portion 380 of the mixing portion 300a of the present embodiment has an opening 390 in a region facing the region where the second blade 360 rotates on the side having the bearing portion 330. The opening 390 is a through hole that communicates from the inner wall surface 380 b of the housing part 380 to the outer inner wall of the housing part 380. The size of the opening 390 can be set as appropriate depending on the form of the rotating unit 310 including the second blade 360, but when the rotating unit 310 is rotated, the second blade 360 and the inner wall surface 380b of the housing unit 380 It is set so that the space S having the gap G formed therebetween is in a negative pressure state, and air flows from the outside of the housing part 380 to the space S side having the gap G through the opening 390. Note that the shape of the opening 390 is not particularly limited, and may be circular or elliptical in a plan view.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 3B, fibers and resin that have flowed into the housing portion 380 from the inlet 301 of the housing portion 380 are mixed together by the rotation of the rotating portion 310. The mixture of the fibers and the resin moves in the direction of rotation of the first blade 350 while flowing in the direction of the inner wall surface 380a of the housing portion 380 by the flow generated by the rotation of the rotation portion 310, and finally the discharge port 302. Discharged from.

  Further, in the space S having the gap G formed between the second blade 360 and the inner wall surface of the housing portion 380 by the rotation of the second blade 360, the housing portion 380 facing the second blade 360 in the extending direction R. An air flow from the inner wall surface 380b toward the inner wall surface 380a of the housing portion 380 is generated along the second blade 360 along the second blade 360 in the extending direction R in the direction perpendicular to the second blade 360. Further, due to the rotation of the second blade 360, the space S having the gap G formed between the second blade 360 and the inner wall surface of the housing portion 380 is in a negative pressure state, and from the outside of the housing portion 380 through the opening 390. Air flows in. The inflowed air flows in the direction of the inner wall surface 380a of the housing portion 380 in the same manner as the above-described air flow. For this reason, when the introduced fiber and resin flow into the space S having the gap G formed between the second blade 360 and the inner wall surface of the housing portion 380, the air flow generated in the space S is generated. It rides and flows toward the inner wall surface 380a of the housing part 380. The mixture flowing toward the inner wall surface 380 a of the housing part 380 flows along the inner wall surface 380 a of the housing part 380 and is discharged from the discharge port 302.

  As mentioned above, according to the said embodiment, in addition to the effect of 1st Embodiment, the following effects can be acquired.

  Air is introduced from the outside of the housing part 380 through the opening 390 due to the reduced pressure due to the rotation of the second blade 360, and flows in the direction of the inner wall surface 380a of the housing part 380. Thereby, fiber, resin, etc. can be easily flowed to the inner wall surface 380a side of the housing part 380, and adhesion of resin around the rotating shaft 320 can be reduced.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described. Note that the basic configuration of the sheet manufacturing apparatus is the same as the configuration of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, the configuration different from the first and second embodiments, that is, the configuration of the mixing unit will be described. FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the mixing unit according to the present embodiment, FIG. 4 (a) is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 4 (b) is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating the flow process of the mixture.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the mixing unit 300 a of the present embodiment includes a rotating unit 310 and a housing unit 380 that supports a part of the rotating unit 310 and covers the rotating unit 310. The housing part 380 includes an introduction port 301 connected to the transport path 204a and a discharge port 302 connected to the transport path 204b. Fiber and resin are introduced from the inlet 301, and the introduced fiber and resin are mixed by the rotating unit 310. The mixture in which the fiber and the resin are mixed is configured to be discharged from the discharge port 302. In addition, since the structure of the rotation part 310 of the mixing part 300a of this embodiment and the basic structure of the housing part 380 are the same as the structure of the rotation part 310 and the housing part 380 of the mixing part 300 concerning 1st Embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted. The differences will be mainly described.

  The housing portion 380 of the mixing portion 300b of the present embodiment is on the side having the bearing portion 330, in a region facing the region where the second blade 360 rotates, and at a position corresponding to the outer peripheral portion of the rotating shaft 320. An opening 390 is provided. The opening 390 is a through hole that communicates from the inner wall surface 380 b of the housing part 380 to the outer inner wall of the housing part 380. The size of the opening 390 can be set as appropriate depending on the form of the rotating unit 310 including the second blade 360, but when the rotating unit 310 is rotated, the second blade 360 and the inner wall surface 380b of the housing unit 380 It is set so that the space S having the gap G formed therebetween is in a negative pressure state, and air flows from the outside of the housing part 380 to the space S side having the gap G through the opening 390. Note that the shape of the opening 390 is not particularly limited, and may be circular or elliptical in a plan view. Further, a support plate 381 for storing the bearing portion 330 is disposed at a position away from the wall portion of the housing portion 380 on the side away from the introduction port 301 in the extending direction R.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 4B, fibers and resin that have flowed into the housing portion 380 from the introduction port 301 of the housing portion 380 are mixed by the rotation of the rotating portion 310. The mixture of the fibers and the resin moves in the direction of rotation of the first blade 350 while flowing in the direction of the inner wall surface 380a of the housing portion 380 by the flow generated by the rotation of the rotation portion 310, and finally the discharge port 302. Discharged from.

  Further, in the space S having the gap G formed between the second blade 360 and the inner wall surface of the housing portion 380 by the rotation of the second blade 360, the housing portion 380 facing the second blade 360 in the extending direction R. An air flow from the inner wall surface 380b toward the inner wall surface 380a of the housing portion 380 is generated along the second blade 360 along the second blade 360 in the extending direction R in the direction perpendicular to the second blade 360. Further, due to the rotation of the second blade 360, the space S having the gap G formed between the second blade 360 and the inner wall surface of the housing portion 380 is in a negative pressure state, and from the outside of the housing portion 380 through the opening 390. Air flows in. The inflowed air flows in the direction of the inner wall surface 380a of the housing portion 380 in the same manner as the above-described air flow. For this reason, when the introduced fiber and resin flow into the space S having the gap G formed between the second blade 360 and the inner wall surface of the housing portion 380, the air flow generated in the space S is generated. It rides and flows toward the inner wall surface 380a of the housing part 380. The mixture flowing toward the inner wall surface 380 a of the housing part 380 flows along the inner wall surface 380 a of the housing part 380 and is discharged from the discharge port 302.

  As mentioned above, according to the said embodiment, in addition to the effect of 1st and 2nd embodiment, the following effects can be acquired.

  Air is introduced from the outside of the housing part 380 through the opening 390 due to the reduced pressure due to the rotation of the second blade 360, and flows in the direction of the inner wall surface 380a of the housing part 380. Thereby, fiber, resin, etc. can be easily flowed to the inner wall surface 380a side of the housing part 380, and adhesion of resin around the rotating shaft 320 can be reduced.

[Example]
Next, specific examples and comparative examples according to the present invention will be described.

  1. Form of mixing section

(Example 1: mixing unit 300)
In Example 1, the mixing unit 300 according to the first embodiment is used. In addition, since the structure of the mixing part 300 is the same as that of 1st Embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted (refer FIG. 2). The dimension of the gap G between the top portion of the second blade 360 in the extending direction R and the inner wall surface 380b of the housing portion 380 was 4.2 mm.

(Example 2: mixing unit 300a)
In Example 2, the mixing unit 300a according to the second embodiment is used. In addition, since the structure of the mixing part 300a is the same as that of 2nd Embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted (refer FIG. 3). The dimension of the gap G between the top portion of the second blade 360 in the extending direction R and the inner wall surface 380b of the housing portion 380 was 4.2 mm.
(Example 3: mixing unit 300b)
In Example 3, the mixing unit 300b according to the third embodiment is used. In addition, since the structure of the mixing part 300b is the same as that of 3rd Embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted (refer FIG. 4). The dimension of the gap G between the top portion of the second blade 360 in the extending direction R and the inner wall surface 380b of the housing portion 380 was 4.2 mm.

(Comparative Example 1: Mixing unit 1000)
In Comparative Example 1, the mixing unit 1000 shown in FIG. Specifically, the mixing unit 1000 has a configuration in which the second blades 360 are omitted from the mixing unit 300 according to the first embodiment. In addition, the dimension of the gap G between the partition part 340 and the inner wall surface 380b of the housing part 380 in the extending direction R was 0.8 mm.

(Comparative example 2: mixing part 1000a)
In Comparative Example 2, a mixing unit 1000a shown in FIG. Specifically, the mixing unit 1000a has a configuration in which the second blade 360 is omitted from the mixing unit 300 according to the first embodiment. In addition, the dimension of the gap G between the partition part 340 and the inner wall surface 380b of the housing part 380 in the extending direction R was 4.2 mm.

2. Evaluation Next, in Example 1 to Example 3 and Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 described above, the presence or absence of the resin in the space S and the presence or absence of the resin in the space S are evaluated. Each evaluation method is as follows.

(A) About evaluation method of presence or absence of resin in space S The same amount of fibers and resin are introduced into each driven mixing unit 300, 300a, 300b, 1000, 1000a to perform mixing processing. . Then, the drive is stopped after 10 minutes from the start of the drive. Then, an appearance inspection is performed on the space S, and if the resin does not stay, it is determined as OK, and if the resin stays, it is determined as NG.

(B) About the evaluation method of the presence or absence of adhesion of the resin in the space S The same amount of fibers and resin are introduced per time to each driven mixing unit 300, 300a, 300b, 1000, 1000a, and the mixing process is performed. . Then, the drive is stopped after 10 minutes from the start of the drive. Then, an appearance inspection is performed on the space S, and if the resin is not fixed, it is determined as OK, and if the resin is fixed, it is determined as NG.

  In the above-described examples and comparative examples, the presence / absence of resin staying in the space S and the presence / absence of resin sticking in the space S were evaluated. The evaluation results are as shown in Table 1.

  As shown in Table 1, according to the mixing units 300, 300a, and 300b (Examples 1, 2, and 3) according to the present invention, evaluation of presence / absence of resin in the space S and presence / absence of adhesion of the resin in the space S It was excellent for evaluation. This is because each mixing unit 300, 300 a, 300 b has the second blade 360, so that the air flow directed in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction R of the rotation shaft 320 in the space S is caused by the rotation of the second blade 360. Occur. Thus, even when resin or the like flows into the space S between the second blade 360 and the housing portion 380, the resin or the like that flows in flows in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction R of the rotating shaft 320. Therefore, the resin stay in the space S can be prevented. Further, since the resin stay in the space S is prevented, the resin does not stick in the space S. On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2, satisfactory results were not obtained. This is because each mixing unit 1000, 1000 a does not have the second blade 360. For this reason, the rotation of the first blade 350 generates an airflow in the space S toward the housing portion 380. Accordingly, when the resin flows into the space S between the partition portion 340 and the housing portion 380, the resin flows in the direction of the inner wall surface 380b of the housing portion 380 and is pressed against the inner wall surface 380b. Thereby, it is considered that the resin stays in the space S. In Comparative Example 1, since the distance between the partition portion 340 and the inner wall surface 380b is short, the resin may melt and adhere due to frictional heat between the rotating partition portion 340 and the inner wall surface 380b. In Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the resin staying in the space S may be melted and fixed by frictional heat generated by driving the rotating shaft 320.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment. A modification will be described below.

  (Modification 1) In the above-described embodiment, the first blade 350 and the second blade 360 of the mixing unit 300 (300a, 300b) have a so-called turbo type that has a convex curved surface from the center to the end of the partition 340. However, the present invention is not limited to this. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a mixing unit according to a modification. As shown in FIG. 6A, the first blade 350a and the second blade 360a may have a plate shape (plate type) having a flat surface from the center portion to the end portion of the partition portion 340. Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, the first blade 350b and the second blade 360b may have a so-called sirocco blade shape having a convex curved surface arranged at the end of the partition 340. Even if it does in this way, the effect similar to the said effect can be acquired. Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the number of blades of the 1st blade | wing 350 and the 2nd blade | wing 360 was made the same, it is not limited to this, The number of blades of the 1st blade | wing 350 and the number of blades of the 2nd blade | wing 360 differ. May be. Furthermore, it is good also as a structure which combined suitably the blade | wing shape of the 1st blade | wing 350 of the said embodiment, and the 2nd blade | wing 360, and the 1st blade | wing 350a, 350b and the 2nd blade | wing 360a, 360b concerning the modification 1. Even if it does in this way, the effect similar to the said effect can be acquired.

  (Modification 2) In the above embodiment, the tip shape of the rotary shaft 320 on the introduction port 301 side in the extending direction S is a flat surface, but is not limited thereto. For example, the shape of the tip of the rotating shaft 320 may be a conical shape. In this way, the fiber or resin introduced from the introduction port 301 can be smoothly introduced into the housing portion 380 without colliding with the rotating shaft 320.

  (Modification 3) In the embodiment described above, the partition part 340 of the mixing part 300 (300a, 300b) has a surface perpendicular to the extending direction R of the rotating shaft 320, but the first blade 350 and the second blade If there is a function of dividing 360, the partition 340 may not have a surface perpendicular to the extending direction R of the rotating shaft 320, and may have a surface that intersects the extending direction R of the rotating shaft 320.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sheet manufacturing apparatus, 10 ... Input part, 20 ... Crushing part, 30 ... Defibration part, 40 ... Classification part, 50 ... Sorting part, 60 ... Additive supply part, 61 ... Additive storage part, 70 ... Deposition , 100 ... Conveying part, 110 ... Cutting part, 120 ... Roller before cutting part, 125 ... Roller after cutting part, 130 ... Post cutting part, 140 ... Pressing part, 150 ... Heating part, 160 ... Stacker, 200 ... Molding 300, 300a, 300b ... mixing unit, 301 ... introduction port, 302 ... discharge port, 310 ... rotating unit, 320 ... rotating shaft, 330 ... bearing unit, 340 ... partitioning unit, 350, 350a, 350b ... first blade 360, 360a, 360b ... second blade, 380 ... housing, 380a ... inner wall surface, 380b ... inner wall surface, 381 ... support plate, 390 ... opening.

Claims (6)

A mixing section for mixing at least fibers and resin;
A sheet manufacturing apparatus comprising: a molding unit that molds a sheet using the mixture mixed in the mixing unit,
The mixing unit includes:
A rotating part, and a housing part surrounding the rotating part,
The rotating part is
A rotating axis of rotation;
A partition having a surface intersecting with the extending direction of the rotating shaft and rotating integrally with the rotating shaft;
A plurality of first blades extending in one of the extending directions from the partition;
A plurality of second blades extending in the other extending direction from the partition,
The housing part is
A sheet manufacturing apparatus having an introduction port through which the fibers and the resin are introduced on the first blade side in the extending direction, and a bearing portion supporting the rotating shaft on the second blade side. . In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1,
The sheet manufacturing apparatus, wherein a length of the first blade in the extending direction is longer than a length of the second blade in the extending direction. In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotation shaft is included in a region of the introduction port when the mixing unit is viewed in the extending direction. In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The housing part is
A sheet manufacturing apparatus having an opening in a region on the side having the bearing portion and facing a region where the second blade rotates. In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The sheet manufacturing apparatus, wherein the bearing portion is disposed on a side away from the introduction port in the extending direction. In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The sheet manufacturing apparatus, wherein the first blade side of the rotating shaft is not pivotally supported.

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