Dispersing device

Abstract

 A dispersing device for dispersing fluidity material mixed with powder material therein includes first and second annular dispersing members (150; 350, 160; 360) which are arranged coaxially to be rotatably relatively and on each of which a plurality of protruding teeth (152-153, 161-162; 352-353, 361-362) protruding in a direction orthogonal to a flow direction of the fluidity material are formed in a circumferential direction thereof. The protruding teeth (152-153; 352-353) on the first annular dispersing member (150; 350) are opposite in protruding direction to the protruding teeth (161-162; 361-362) on the second annular dispersing member (160; 360) and face the protruding teeth (161-162; 361-362) on the second annular dispersing member (160; 360). The circumferential end surfaces of all of the protruding teeth (152-153, 161-162; 352-353, 361-362) are formed to be slanted in the full length thereof in the protruding direction so that the width of a gap between each protruding tooth and the protruding tooth adjacent in the circumferential direction becomes wider from the tooth base side toward the tooth tip side.

Description

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

[0001] This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 with respect to Japanese patent application No. 2011-283055 filed on December 26, 2011, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention:

[0002] The present invention relates to a dispersing device for dispersing fluidity material and powder material.

Discussion of the Related Art:

[0003] In recent years, lithium-ion rechargeable batteries have been applied to hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles and the like. Electrodes of the lithium-ion rechargeable batteries are formed by applying slurry of active material to a base material such as aluminum foil and by baking the base material. This manufacturing method is described in, for example, JP2010-033786 and the like.

[0004] The slurry of active material is made by mixing powder of active material in liquid and by dispersing the mixture. Devices described in JP61-40337 B for utility model, JP4-50128 A for utility model and JP2006-849 A (equivalent of US 2005/0286343 A1) are applicable as devices for dispersing liquid and powder.

[0005] In the devices described in JP61-40337 B and JP4-50128 A, stators each with protruding teeth and rotors each with protruding teeth are arranged in an alternate fashion in the flow direction of slurry. In JP61-40337 B, the protruding teeth on each stator and the protruding teeth on each mating rotor are formed to protrude in the axial direction. In JP4-50128 A, the protruding teeth on each stator and the protruding teeth on each rotor are formed to protrude in radial directions.

[0006] The powder mixed in the slurry of the aforementioned active material is metal. Thus, the protruding teeth on the stators and the rotors which operate for dispersion should be heightened in surface hardness and should be given a coating thereon. However, in JP61-40337 B, the gap between the protruding teeth adjacent in the circumferential direction is formed to be equal from the tooth tip side to the tooth base side. Further, also in JP4-50128 A, the protruding teeth on the stator side protruding radially inward have gaps therebetween in the circumferential direction each of which is formed to be equal from the tooth tip side to the tooth base side. These configurations make it difficult to provide a coating around the tooth base portions. Where the coating cannot be provided reliably, such would result in degrading the durability in addition to lowering the dispersing capability. In JP4-50128 A, the gaps in the circumferential direction between the protruding teeth which protrude radially outward are formed to widen from the tooth base side toward the tooth tip side, while as mentioned above, the gaps in the circumferential direction between the protruding teeth which protrude radially inward are formed each to be equal from the tooth base side to the tooth tip side.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a dispersing device capable of providing a coating on protruding teeth reliably.

[0008] According to the present invention in a first aspect, there is provided a dispersing device for dispersing fluidity material mixed with powder material, and the device comprises a first annular dispersing member on which a plurality of first protruding teeth protruding in a direction orthogonal to a flow direction of the fluidity material are formed in a circumferential direction thereof; and a second annular dispersing member which is arranged to face the first annular dispersing member in the flow direction and to be rotatable relative to the first annular dispersing member and on which a plurality of second protruding teeth protruding in an opposite direction to the protruding direction of the first protruding teeth on the first annular dispersing member are formed in a circumferential direction thereof. Further, circumferential end surfaces of each of the first protruding teeth are formed to be slanted in the full length thereof in the protruding direction so that the width of a gap between each first protruding tooth and the first protruding tooth adjacent in the circumferential direction becomes wider from the tooth base side toward the tooth tip side; and circumferential end surfaces of each of the second protruding teeth are formed to be slanted in the full length thereof in the protruding direction so that the width of a gap between each second protruding tooth and the second protruding tooth adjacent in the circumferential direction becomes wider from the tooth base side toward the tooth tip side.

[0009] With this construction in the first aspect, both of the first protruding teeth and the second protruding teeth are formed to widen the gaps in the circumferential direction between the protruding teeth from the tooth base side toward the tooth tip side. Therefore, in giving a coating onto the first and second protruding teeth, it is possible to make the coating reliably on the both protruding teeth to the tooth base sides thereof. Even in the case of dispersing metal powder, it is possible to sufficiently secure the dispersing capability and the durability. Although the neighborhood of the tooth base portion is a portion on which stress is concentrated, a sufficient durability can be secured irrespective of a high stress acting thereon because the coating results in heightening the rigidity of that portion. Further, even if it were possible to heighten either only of the first protruding teeth and the second protruding teeth, the other protruding teeth, where low in rigidity, would result in determining the dispersing capability and the durability as a whole of the dispersing device. However, according to the present invention, because it is possible to reliably make a coating on both of the first protruding teeth and the second protruding teeth, it can be realized to reliably heighten the dispersing capability and the durability. Further, since the circumferential end surfaces of the first protruding teeth and the second protruding teeth are formed to be slanted, it is possible to easily adjust the dispersing capability and the durability by varying the slant angle in the designing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

[0010] The foregoing and other objects and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention may readily be appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the preferred embodiments of the present invention when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate the same or corresponding parts throughout several views, and in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a mixing and dispersing device in a first embodiment according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the device taken along the line II-II in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the device taken along the line III-III in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a view in which first protruding teeth constituting the mixing and dispersing device shown in Figures 1 to 3 are developed in the circumferential direction;

Figure 5 is a view in which second protruding teeth constituting the mixing and dispersing device shown in Figures 1 to 3 are developed in the circumferential direction;

Figure 6 is a view in which the state that the first protruding teeth and the second protruding teeth constituting the mixing and dispersing device shown in Figures 1 to 3 are developed in the circumferential direction is viewed from the radial inside thereof, wherein the hatching indicates the part where the first protruding teeth and the second protruding teeth overlap each other.

Figure 7 is a view showing the state that the first protruding teeth and the second protruding teeth are somewhat separated from each other in the axial direction from the state shown in Figure 6, wherein the hatching indicates the part where the first protruding teeth and the second protruding teeth overlap each other.

Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a mixing and dispersing device in a second embodiment according to the present invention;

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the device taken along the line IX-IX in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a mixing and dispersing device in a third embodiment according to the present invention;

Figure 11 is a view in which first protruding teeth constituting the mixing and dispersing device shown in Figure 10 are viewed in an axial direction;

Figure 12 is a view in which second protruding teeth constituting the mixing and dispersing device shown in Figure 10 are viewed in the axial direction;

Figure 13 is a view in which first protruding teeth constituting a mixing and dispersing device in a fourth embodiment according to the present invention are viewed in an axial direction;

Figure 14 is a view in which second protruding teeth constituting the mixing and dispersing device in the fourth embodiment are viewed in the axial direction;

Figure 15 is a longitudinal sectional view of a mixing and dispersing device in a fifth embodiment according to the present invention;

Figure 16 is a longitudinal sectional view of a mixing and dispersing device in a sixth embodiment according to the present invention;

Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of the device taken along the line XVII-XVII in Figure 16; and

Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view of the device taken along the line XVIII-XVIII in Figure 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] A dispersing device according to the present invention is embodied and practiced in the form being incorporated in a mixing and dispersing device in each of first to sixth embodiments described hereinafter. However, needless to say, the dispersing device may be configured as discrete device being independent of the mixing section of the mixing and dispersing device.

(First Embodiment)

[0012] A mixing and dispersing device in the present embodiment constitutes a device for manufacturing electrodes (positive electrodes and negative electrodes) for lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, for example. Electrodes of the lithium-ion rechargeable batteries are formed by applying slurry of active material to a base material made of aluminum foil, copper foil or the like and then by baking the base material. The mixing and dispersing device in the present embodiment is a device for manufacturing slurry of active material. Specifically, the slurry is manufactured by mixing metal powder of active material in liquid such as water or the like and by dispersing the mixture. Hereinafter, the slurry with the powder material mixed and dispersed therein is called "fluidity mixed material", and the liquid before having the powder material mixed therein is called "fluidity base material". Both of the fluidity mixed material and the fluidity base material have fluidity. However, the fluidity mixed material is made to be high in viscosity in comparison with the fluidity base material.

[0013] The mixing and dispersing device in the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1-6. The mixing and dispersing device draws the fluidity base material from the bottom side in Figure 1 into a housing 110, draws the powder material from the upper side in Figure 1 into the housing 110, and generates fluidity mixed material by mixing and dispersing the fluidity base material and the powder material in the housing 110. Then, the device discharges the generated fluidity mixed material from the outer circumferential surface side of the housing 110 outward in a radial direction.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the mixing and dispersing device is provided with a device body 100, a powder hopper 20 containing the powder material of the active material therein, and a drive motor 40. The powder hopper 20 and the drive motor 40 are supported by the housing 110 of the device body 100.

[0015] The device body 100 is provided with the housing 110, a partition plate 120, rotary vanes 130, an inducing member 140, a first annular dispersing member 150 and a second annular dispersing member 160.

[0016] The housing 110 takes a hollow disc shape. The housing 110 is formed at the center of a lower surface thereof with a fluidity material inlet port 111 for drawing the fluidity base material. The housing 110 is formed in the vicinity of the center on an upper surface thereof with a powder inlet port 112 which enables a powder material discharge end of the powder hopper 20 to be fitted therein for drawing the powder material form the powder hopper 20. Then, in the housing 110, the fluidity base material drawn from the fluidity material inlet port 111 and the powder material drawn from the powder inlet port 112 are mixed and dispersed to generate the fluidity mixed material. Further, a part of the outer circumferential surface of the housing 110 is formed with a discharge port 113 for discharging the fluidity mixed material generated in the housing 110.

[0017] The partition plate 120 takes a disc shape. The center portion of the partition plate 120 is fixed to an end portion of a rotational shaft of the drive motor 40. The partition plate 120 is arranged in the housing 110 rotatably about the center axis of the housing 110. The partition plate 120 divides the interior of the housing 110 around the center thereof in the vertical direction into an area E1 (fluidity material side area) on the fluidity material inlet port 111 side located on the lower side and an area E2 (powder side area) on the powder inlet port 112 side located on the upper side. The drive motor 40 is fixed on the upper surface side of the device body 100.

[0018] The rotary vanes 130 constituting a rotary impeller are provided at radially outside portions on the lower surface of the partition plate 120 and are plural in the circumferential direction. That is, the plurality of rotary vanes 130 rotate with the rotation of the partition plate 120. The rotary vanes 130 operate as pump vanes that send out radially outward the fluidity base material drawn from the fluidity material inlet port 111 residing at the radial inside thereof. The respective rotary vanes 130 are formed to deviate or shift their phases in an opposite direction to the rotational direction of the rotary vanes 130 as they go in the radially outward directions. As viewed in Figure 2, since the rotational direction of the rotary vanes 130 is clockwise, the phases of the respective rotary vanes 130 are shifted toward the counterclockwise side as they go radially outward.

[0019] The inducing member 140 is arranged radially outside of the partition plate 120 (i.e., on the downstream side of the partition plate 120 and the rotary vanes 130) and is fixed to the housing 110. The inducing member 140 is provided with a plurality of fluidity material guide passages 141 that speed up the fluidity base material sent from the rotary vanes 130 and send out the fluidity base material to a mixing area being on the further radially outer side. The fluidity material guide passages 141 are formed to deviate or shift their phases in the rotational direction of the rotary vanes 130 as they go radially outward. That is, the rotary vanes 130 and the fluidity material guide passages 141 of the inducing member 140 serve as a diffuser pump. Each fluidity material guide passage 141 is formed to decrease the flow passage cross section as it goes radially outward. By decreasing the flow passage cross section of each fluidity material guide passage 141 in the downstream direction, it is possible to further speed up the flow of the fluidity base material.

[0020] Further, the inducing member 140 is provided with a plurality of powder guide passages 142 for guiding the powder material in the powder side area E2 toward the mixing area located radially outside. The powder guide passages 142 are formed by a partition portion 143 on at least the radial inner side independently of the fluidity material guide passages 141. However, the powder guide passages 142 are in communication at the radially outer sides thereof with the fluidity material guide passages 141. That is, with the flow of the fluidity base material in the mixing area located radially outside of the fluidity material guide passages 141, it is possible to induce the powder material in the powder side area E2 to the mixing area through the powder guide passages 142.

[0021] The powder guide passages 142 are formed to extend in the same direction as the fluidity material guide passages 141 do and are formed to deviate or shift their phases in the rotational direction of the rotary vanes 130 as they go radially outward. Further, each powder guide passage 142 is formed to decrease in fluid passage cross section as it goes radially outward. By forming the fluidity material guide passages 141 and the powder guide passages 142 like this, it can be realized to further effectively induce the powder material in the powder side area E2 to the mixing area. Further, by decreasing the flow passage cross section of each powder guide passage 142 in the downstream direction, it becomes easier to induce the powder material to the mixing area.

[0022] The first annular dispersing member 150 takes an annular shape with a through hole at its center and is integrally or bodily coupled to lower end parts of the rotary vanes 130. The first annular dispersing member 150 is provided with a disc portion 151, a plurality of first internal-side protruding teeth 152 and first external-side protruding teeth 153. The disc portion 151 is coupled to the lower end parts of the rotary vanes 130 and is in communication with the fluidity material inlet port 111 at its center hole. The first internal-side protruding teeth 152 are arranged in the mixing area which is radially outside of the inducing member 140 (i.e., on the downstream side of the inducing member 140) and is formed to protrude from the upper surface of the disc portion 151 upward in the axial direction (i.e., in a direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the fluidity mixed material) and to be plural in the circumferential direction. The first external-side protruding teeth 153 are formed to protrude upward in the axial direction on the radial outside of the first internal-side protruding teeth 152 from the outer peripheral part of the disc portion 151 and to be plural in the circumferential direction.

[0023] The plurality of first internal-side protruding teeth 152 are formed as shown in Figure 4. Specifically, circumferential end surfaces of each first internal-side protruding tooth 152 are formed to be slanted in the full length thereof in the protruding direction (i.e., the full length in the axial direction) so that the width of a gap between each first internal-side protruding tooth and another first internal-side protruding tooth adjacent or adjoining in the circumferential direction becomes wider from the tooth base side toward the tooth tip side. Each first external-side protruding tooth 153 is formed to take the same shape as each first internal-side protruding tooth 152. These protruding teeth 152, 153 are formed to triangle teeth, sine shape teeth, trapezoidal teeth and the like. That is, the first internal-side protruding teeth 152 and the first external-side protruding teeth 153 take the form of circular comb teeth (i.e., two circular arrays of the protruding teeth 152, 153) which are consecutive in the circumferential direction and each tooth of which has a tip portion tapered upward in the axial direction. Further, the surfaces of the first internal-side protruding teeth 152 and the first external-side protruding teeth 153 are given a coating such as, for example, diamond-like carbon (DLC) film and are increased in hardness.

[0024] The tooth tips of these protruding teeth 152, 153 have a slight gap relative to the inner surface on a ceiling side of the housing 110 for relative rotation. Further, the circumferential end surfaces of the first internal-side and external-side protruding teeth 152, 153 are formed so that the width of the gap on the tooth tip side between each protruding tooth 152, 153 and another protruding tooth adjacent or adjoining in the circumferential direction is almost the same as the width on the tooth base side of each protruding tooth 152, 153 in the circumferential direction.

[0025] The second annular dispersing member 160 disperses fluidity mixed material through relative operation between itself and the first annular dispersing member 150. The second annular dispersing member 160 is formed bodily with, or is fixed to, the inner surface on the ceiling side of the housing 110 and is provided with second internal-side protruding teeth 161 and second external-side protruding teeth 162 of two circular arrays in concentric relation with the two circular arrays of the first protruding teeth 152, 153. Theses protruding teeth 161, 162 are formed to protrude from the inner surface of the housing 110 downward in the axial direction (i.e., in a direction opposite to the protruding direction of the first internal-side protruding teeth 152) and are provided to be plural in the circumferential direction.

[0026] The second internal-side protruding teeth 161 are formed as shown in Figure 5. Specifically, circumferential end surfaces of each second internal-side protruding tooth 161 are formed to be slanted in the full length thereof in the protruding direction (i.e., the full length in the axial direction) so that the width of a gap between each second internal-side protruding tooth 161 and another second internal-side protruding tooth 161 adjoining in the circumferential direction becomes wider from the tooth base side toward the tooth tip side. Each second external-side protruding tooth 162 is formed to take the same shape as each second internal-side protruding tooth 161. These protruding teeth 161, 162 are formed to triangle teeth, sine shape teeth, trapezoidal teeth and the like. That is, the second internal-side protruding teeth 161 and the second external-side protruding teeth 162 take the form of circular comb teeth which are consecutive in the circumferential direction and each tooth of which has a tip portion tapered downward in the axial direction. Further, the surfaces of the second internal-side protruding teeth 161 and the second external-side protruding teeth 162 are given a coating such as, for example, diamond-like carbon (DLC) film and are increased in hardness.

[0027] Further, the second internal-side protruding teeth 161 are coaxially arranged between the first internal-side protruding teeth 152 and the first external-side protruding teeth 153 to face these teeth 152, 153 in the flow direction of fluidity mixed material (i.e., in the radial directions). The second external-side protruding teeth 162 are arranged radially outside of the first external-side protruding teeth 153 to face the first external-side protruding teeth 153 in the flow direction of fluidity mixed material.

[0028] The tooth tips of these protruding teeth 161, 162 have a slight gap relative to the disc portion 151 of the first annular dispersing member 150 for relative rotation. Further, the circumferential end surfaces of the second internal-side and external-side protruding teeth 161, 162 are formed so that the width of the gap on the tooth tip side between each protruding tooth 161, 162 and another protruding tooth adjoining in the circumferential direction is almost the same as the width on the tooth base side of each protruding tooth 161, 162 in the circumferential direction. That is, as shown in Figure 6, there occurs a state that the first protruding teeth 152, 153 and the second protruding teeth 161, 162 partly overlap each other in the radial directions. Then, as the first annular dispersing member 150 and the second annular dispersing member 160 rotate relatively, change occurs with the portions where the first protruding teeth 152, 153 and the second protruding teeth 161, 162 overlap each other.

[0029] The operation of the mixing and dispersing device of the construction as described above will be described hereafter. When the drive motor 40 operates, the partition plate 120, the rotary vanes 130, the first annular dispersing member 150 are rotated relative to the housing 110. However, the inducing member 140 and the second annular dispersing member 160 are fixed on the housing 110 and hence, do not rotate.

[0030] The rotation of the rotary vanes 130 causes the rotary vanes 130 and the inducing member 140 to act as a diffuser pump, and thus, the fluidity base material is drawn from the fluidity material intake port 111 to the fluidity material side area E1. The drawn fluidity base material passes through the rotary vanes 130 and the fluidity material guide passages 141 and is sent to the mixing area. Then, the flow of the fluidity base material causes powder material to be drawn from the powder inlet port 112 to the powder side area E2. The drawn powder material is induced into the mixing area through the powder guide passages 142.

[0031] The first annular dispersing member 150 and the second annular dispersing member 160 are coaxially arranged in the mixing area. The first internal-side protruding teeth 152, the second internal-side protruding teeth 161, the first external-side protruding teeth 153 and the second external-side protruding teeth 162 are in turn arranged from the inside toward the outside in the radial directions and rotate relative each other. Accordingly, the fluidity base material and the powder material sent from the inducing member 140 are mixed and then, are dispersed by the shearing force exerted by the protruding teeth 152, 153, 161, 162. Then, the fluidity mixed material past the second external side protruding teeth 162 is discharged from the discharge port 113. In this way, the fluidity mixed material is generated. Then, in continuation of these operations, the earlier generated fluidity mixed material is drawn from the fluidity material inlet port 111, is mixed again with the powder material and then, is dispersed.

[0032] Both of the first protruding teeth 152, 153 and the second protruding teeth 161, 162 are formed to make each gap between every two teeth adjacent in the circumferential direction widen from the tooth base side toward the tooth tip side. Accordingly, in coating the first protruding teeth 152, 153 and the second protruding teeth 161, 162, it is possible to reliably make a coating up to the tooth base sides of both of the teeth 152, 153, 161, 162. Therefore, even in the case of dispersing metal powder, it is possible to sufficiently secure the dispersing capability and the durability. Although the tooth base portion and the portion adjacent thereto are those portions on which stress is concentrated, the coating ensures an increase in hardness, so that there can be secured a sufficient durability irrespective of a high stress acting on the tooth base portion. Further, where an increase in hardness is realized only on either of the first protruding teeth 152, 153 and the second protruding teeth 161, 162, the other protruding teeth remain low in hardness, in which case, the dispersing capability and the durability of the mixing and dispersing device is determined as a whole by the other protruding teeth. In the present embodiment, however, because it is possible to reliably make a coating on both of the first protruding teeth 152, 153 and the second protruding teeth 161, 162, it is possible to reliably enhance the dispersing capability and the durability. Further, since the first protruding teeth 152, 153 and the second protruding teeth 161, 162 are formed to slant the end surfaces thereof in the circumferential direction, the adjustment in the dispersing capability and the durability can be done easily by changing the slant angle.

[0033] Further, where the first protruding teeth 152, 153 and the second protruding teeth 161, 162 are formed to protrude in the axial direction, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the regions in which the first protruding teeth 152, 153 and the second protruding teeth 161, 162 face each other in radial directions (i.e., the radially overlapped portions; each area given a hatching) can be adjusted by adjusting the relative position between the first protruding teeth 152, 153 and the second protruding teeth 161, 162 in the axial direction. Accordingly, it is possible to easily adjust the dispersing capability that depends on the first protruding teeth 152, 153 and the second protruding teeth 161, 162.

(Second Embodiment)

[0034] A mixing and dispersing device in the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. In the mixing and dispersing device in the present second embodiment, the first annular dispersing member 150 and the second annular dispersing member 160 in the foregoing first embodiment are modified to be arranged at a position which is on the downstream side of the rotary vanes 130 and which differs in the axial direction with respective to the rotary vanes 130. Further, the inducing member 140 is replaced by a holed stator 270 and a rotary outer vanes 240. Hereinafter, the differences will be described. Components that are the same in construction or function as those in the foregoing first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted for the sake of brevity.

[0035] A device body 200 is provided with the housing 110, the partition plate 120, the rotary vanes 130, the holed stator 270, the rotary outer vanes 240, the first annular dispersing member 150, and the second annular dispersing member 160. The housing 110 is formed to be smaller in diameter and longer in axial length in comparison with that in the foregoing first embodiment.

[0036] The holed stator 270 takes a cylindrical or sleeve shape having a numerous through holes 271 extending in radial directions and is fixed to the housing 110. The holed stator 270 is arranged radially outside of the partition plate 120 and the rotary vanes 130. That is, the holed stator 270 is arranged radially outside of the fluidity material side area E1 and the powder side area E2. The fluidity base material in the fluidity material side area E1 and the powder material in the powder side area E2 go through the through holes 271 to move to the mixing area. That is the holed stator 270 constitutes a boundary between each of the fluidity material side area E1 and the powder side area E2 and the mixing area.

[0037] The rotary outer vanes 240 constituting a rotary outer impeller are arranged radially outside of the holed stator 270 and sends out the fluidity mixed material radially outward. A flow passage on the downstream side of the rotary outer vanes 240 is formed to go radially inward and to make a U-turn therefrom. That is, the rotary outer vanes 240 operate as a pump for sending out the fluidity mixed material toward the downstream side.

[0038] The first annular dispersing member 150 and the second annular dispersing member 160 of circular arrays being in concentric relation are arranged at the position that differs in the axial direction from the position where the rotary vanes 130 are arranged, on a flow passage portion that is on the downstream side of the flow passage turning back from a radially inner end thereof and that is directed radially outward. In particular, the first and second annular dispersing members 150, 160 are arranged at almost the same radial position where the rotary vanes 130 and the rotary outer vanes 24 reside. These first and second annular dispersing members 150, 160 operate in substantially the same manner as those in the foregoing first embodiment.

[0039] In the present invention, the radial position of the first and second annular dispersing members 150, 160 resides on a radial inside in comparison with that in the foregoing first embodiment. The first annular dispersing member 150 is coupled at a top disc portion (not numbered) thereof to the lower end portions of the rotary vanes 130 to be rotatable integrally or bodily with the rotary vanes 130. With an increase in the rotational speed, the rotary vanes 130 exert a larger force to send out the fluidity material from the radial inside toward the radial outside. Further, the higher the flow velocity of the fluidity material is, the higher the dispersing capability becomes. Further, as the circumferential speed of the first annular dispersing member 150 becomes higher (higher speed), the dispersing capability becomes higher. Therefore, rotating the rotary vanes 130 and the first annular dispersing member 150 at a high speed results in heightening the dispersing capability sharply. On the other hand, rotating the rotary vanes 130 and the first annular dispersing member 150 at a low speed results in lowering the dispersing capability sharply. The adjustment of the dispersing capability is not so easy as mentioned above.

[0040] However, the first and second annular dispersing members 150, 160 are arranged at the position which differs in the axially direction from the position of the rotary vanes 130. Thus, it is possible in designing to freely or arbitrarily adjust the radial position where the first and second annular dispersing members 150, 160 are to be arranged. This means that it is possible to freely and purposefully adjust the circumferential speed of the first annular dispersing member 150 without lowing the rotational speed of the rotary vanes 130. Accordingly, it can be realized to sufficiently secure the flow velocity of the fluidity material and at the same time, to freely adjust the dispersing capability.

(Third Embodiment)

[0041] A mixing and dispersing device in the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 10 to 12. In the mixing and dispersing device in the present third embodiment, the protruding direction in which the protruding teeth 152, 153, 161, 162 of the first and second annular dispersing members 150, 160 protrude in the mixing and dispersing device in the foregoing second embodiment is modified from the axial direction to the radial directions. Hereinafter, the differences will be described. Components that are the same in construction or function as those in the foregoing second embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted for the sake of brevity. It is to be noted that the mixing and dispersing device in the present third embodiment is arranged with the rotational axis thereof oriented in the direction in which the gravity force acts, and is arranged to direct the bottom side in Figure 10 toward the lower direction of the gravity force direction.

[0042] The first annular dispersing member 350 constituting the device body 300 is arranged under the rotary vanes 130. The first annular dispersing member 350 is provided with a top disc portion (not numbered), a sleeve portion 351, first upper-side protruding teeth 352 and first lower-side protruding teeth 353. The sleeve portion 351 is coupled at the top disc portion thereof to lower end portions of the rotary vanes 130. The first upper-side protruding teeth 352 is formed as shown in Figure 11. Specifically, the first upper-side protruding teeth 352 is formed to protrude radially outward and to be plural in the circumferential direction. Further, circumferential end surfaces of the first upper-side protruding teeth 352 are formed so that over the entire length in the protruding direction (over the entire length in the radial direction), the width of a gap between every two teeth 352 adjacent in the circumferential direction is slanted to widen from the tooth base side to the tooth tip side. The first lower-side protruding teeth 353 are formed to have the same shape as the first upper-side protruding teeth 352, and thus, the first annular dispersing member 350 is provided with two circular arrays of first upper and lower-side protruding teeth 352, 353.

[0043] The second annular dispersing member 360 is provided with second upper-side protruding teeth 361, second lower-side protruding teeth 362 and a partition plate 363. The second upper-side protruding teeth 361 are formed as shown in Figure 12. Specifically, the second upper-side protruding teeth 361 are formed to protrude radially inward and to be plural in the circumferential direction. Further, circumferential end surfaces of the second upper-side protruding teeth 361 are formed so that over the entire length in the protruding direction (over the entire length in the radial direction), the width of a gap between every two teeth 361 adjacent in the circumferential direction is slanted to widen from the tooth base side to the tooth tip side. The second lower-side protruding teeth 362 are formed to have the same shape as the second upper-side protruding teeth 361, and thus, second annular dispersing member 360 includes two circular arrays of second upper and lower-side protruding teeth 361, 362. Further, the second upper-side protruding teeth 361 is arranged between the first upper and lower-side protruding teeth 352, 353 in the axial direction, and the second lower-side protruding teeth 362 is arranged under the first lower-side protruding teeth 353.

[0044] The partition plate 363 takes a disc shape with a through hole at the center thereof and is fixed to the housing 110 at an outer circumferential part thereof. The partition plate 363 is arranged to face the upper side of the first upper-side protruding teeth 352. That is, the partition plate 363 is provided to make the flow passage on the downstream side of the rotary outer vanes 240 to turn radially inward from the rotary outer vanes 240. Then, the fluidity material past the partition plate 363 reaches the tooth base side of the first upper-side protruding teeth 352, and the most of the fluidity material reaches the tooth base side of the second upper-side protruding teeth 361 after flowing to the tooth tip side of the first upper-side protruding teeth 352. Then, the fluidity material flows mainly in the order of the tooth tip side of the second upper-side protruding teeth 361 → the tooth base side of the first lower-side protruding teeth 353 → the tooth tip side of the first low-side protruding teeth 353 → the tooth base side of the second lower-side protruding teeth 362 → the tooth tip side of the second lower-side protruding teeth 362→ the discharge port 113.

[0045] The fluidity material is dispersed in the course of flowing between the first protruding teeth 352, 353 and the second protruding teeth 361, 362. This operation is the same as that in the foregoing second embodiment. However, in the present embodiment, there is attained a reduction in the length of the flow passage, a decrease in the number of making turns, or a mitigation in the angle of turn in comparison with the foregoing second embodiment, and hence, it is possible to suppress an increase in conduit loss and to heighten the efficiency in dispersion. Further, because the fluidity material is made to flow by utilizing the gravity force thereof, it is possible to make the fluidity material to flow without increasing the rotational speed of the rotary vanes 130 and the rotary outer vanes 240 to so much high speed.

(Fourth Embodiment)

[0046] A mixing and dispersing device in the present embodiment is of the construction that the first protruding teeth 352, 353 and the second protruding teeth 361, 362 in the mixing and dispersing device in the foregoing third embodiment are provided with a plurality of through holes at the tooth tip portion of each tooth thereof. Other constructions are the same as those in the mixing and dispersing device in the foregoing third embodiment.

[0047] As shown in Figure 13, the first upper-side protruding teeth 352 in the present embodiment are formed with a plurality of through holes 352a that pierce through the tooth tip portion of each tooth thereof in the flow direction, that is, in the axial direction. No through hole is formed at the tooth base portion of each first upper-side protruding tooth 352. Like the first upper-side protruding teeth 352, the first lower-side protruding teeth 353 have the same through holes (not shown). Further, as shown in Figure 14, the second upper-side protruding teeth 361 are formed with a plurality of through holes 361a that pierce through the tooth tip portion of each tooth thereof in the flow direction, that is, in the axial direction. No through hole is formed at the tooth base portion of each second upper-side protruding tooth 361. Like the second upper-side protruding teeth 361, the second lower-side protruding teeth 362 have the same through holes (not shown).

[0048] In the present fourth embodiment, the fluidity material flowing to the positions of the first protruding teeth 352, 353 goes through the gaps between the respective teeth adjoining in the circumferential direction as well as the through holes 352a formed at the tooth tip portions of the first protruding teeth 352, 353. The fluidity material mainly goes through the gaps being wider in gap width on the tooth tip side between respective first protruding teeth 352, 353 adjoining in the circumferential direction, as well as the through holes 352a formed on the tooth tip side of the first protruding teeth 352, 353. The fluidity material goes through across the second teeth protruding teeth 361, 362 in the same manner. Because the first protruding teeth 352, 353 and the second protruding teeth 361, 363 are opposite in the directions in which they protrude, they operate to reliably exert a shearing force on the fluidity material. Accordingly, it can be realized to disperse and homogenize the fluidity material reliably.

(Fifth Embodiment)

[0049] A mixing and dispersing device in the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 15. The mixing and dispersing device in the present fifth embodiment is of the construction that the mixing and dispersing device in the foregoing third embodiment is modified to slant upper and lower sides of the first protruding teeth 352, 353. Hereinafter, the differences will be described. Other constructions are the same as those in the foregoing third embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted for brevity.

[0050] The upper and lower surfaces of the first upper and lower-side protruding teeth 352, 353 are formed to taper shapes that make the thickness in the axial direction become gradually thinner from the inside toward the outside in the radial directions. Specifically, the upper surface is formed to a taper shape to slant downward in the gravity force direction, while the lower surface is formed to a tape shape to slant upward in the gravity force direction.

[0051] On the other hand, the second protruding teeth 361, 362 and the partition plate 363 are kept to have the same thickness in the axial direction at any parts in the radial direction. This makes the axial gap wider on the radial outside rather than on the radial inside between the lower surface of the partition plate 363 and the upper surface of the first upper-side protruding teeth 352, between the lower surface of the second upper-side protruding teeth 361 and the upper surface of the first lower-side protruding teeth 353, between the lower surface of the first upper-side protruding teeth 352 and the upper surface of the second upper-side protruding teeth 361, and between the lower surface of the first lower-side protruding teeth 353 and the upper surface of the second lower-side protruding teeth 362.

[0052] Circumferential speed increase with an increase in diameter. Thus, if the axial gap remained unchanged or constant irrespective of the position in the radial direction, the velocity of the shearing force exerted on the fluidity material would become larger at the radial outside rather than at the radial inside. However, as in the case of the present embodiment, by forming the axial gap that becomes wider as the position goes from the radial inside toward the radial outside, it is possible to prevent or restrain the shearing velocity from changing at any radial positions. Accordingly, it is possible to generate the fluidity mixed material being homogeneous.

(Sixth Embodiment)

[0053] A mixing and dispersing device in the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 16 to 18. The mixing and dispersing device in the present sixth embodiment is constructed to partly modify the mixing and dispersing device in the foregoing second embodiment. Hereinafter, the differences will be described.

[0054] A device body 600 in the mixing and dispersing device is provided with a housing 110, the partition plate 120, the rotary vanes 130, a first filtering member 670, powder dispersing members 680, the protruding teeth 153 of the first annular dispersing member 150, the protruding teeth 161 of the second annular dispersing member 160, the rotary outer vanes 240, and a second filtering member 690.

[0055] The first filtering member 670 (constituting a powder filtering member and a fluidity material filtering member) takes a cylindrical shape and is arranged radially outside of the partition plate 120 and the rotary vanes 130. That is, the first filtering member 670 is arranged at the boundary between each of the fluidity material side area E1 and the powder side area E2 and the mixing area. The first filtering member 670 is coupled to the rotary vanes 130 and is rotatable integrally or bodily with the rotary vanes 130. Numerous through holes 672, 671 piercing in the radial directions are formed on a portion of the first filtering member 670 that divides the fluidity material side area E1 and the mixing area as well as on another portion of the first filtering member 670 that divides the powder side area E2 and the mixing area. Thus, the through holes 671 on the powder side filter (disperse) the powder material by allowing the same to go therethrough, and the through holes 672 on the fluidity material side filter (disperse) the fluidity material by allowing the same to go therethrough. The through holes 672 on the fluidity material side are formed to be larger in dimension than the through holes 671 on the powder side.

[0056] Thus, the powder material that flows from the powder side area E2 to the mixing area becomes particles of a dimension that can go through the through holes 671 of the first filtering member 670. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent lumps of the powder material from being generated in the mixing area and hence, it can be realized to homogenize the fluidity mixed material. Further, the fluidity material that flows from the fluidity material side area E1 to the mixing area becomes particles of a dimension that can go through the through holes 672 of the first filtering member 670. Thus, even if some lumps exist in the fluidity material, such lumps are dispersed, so that it can be realized to homogenize the fluidity mixed material.

[0057] The powder dispersing members 680 are arranged on an upstream side of the first filtering member 670 in the powder side area E2 and is fixed on the housing 110. The powder dispersing members 680 each take an arc shape and are provided at parts (e.g., at two places spaced 180 degrees) in the circumferential direction. The gap in the radial direction between the powder dispersing members 680 and the first filtering member 670 is set to the same degree as the diameter of the through holes 671 on the powder side of the first filtering member 670. Accordingly, the powder dispersing members 680 cooperate with the internal surface of the first filtering member 670 to disperse lumps of the powder materials that are unable to go through the through holes 671 on the powder side of the first filtering member 670. Thus, the powder material so dispersed is enabled to go through the through holes 671 on the powder side of the first filtering member 670.

[0058] The protruding teeth 153 in the circular array of the first annular dispersing member 150 are arranged radially outside of the first filtering member 670 and are coupled integrally or bodily to the partition plate 120 and the rotary vanes 130. The protruding teeth 153 are formed to take the same shape as the protruding teeth 153 in the foregoing second embodiment. The protruding teeth 161 in the circular array of the second annular dispersing member 160 are arranged between the first filtering member 670 and the protruding teeth 153 of the first annular dispersing member 150 in the radial direction and are fixed on the housing 110. The protruding teeth 161 are formed to take the same shape as the protruding teeth 161 in the foregoing second embodiment.

[0059] The rotary outer vanes 240 are arranged radially outside of the protruding teeth 153 of the first annular dispersing member 150 and are fixed on the rotary vanes 130. Thus, the rotary outer vanes 240 send out the fluidity mixed material radially outward. The second filtering member 690 takes a cylindrical shape and is fixed to radially outer end portions of the rotary outer vanes 240. That is, the second filtering member 690 rotates integrally or bodily with the rotary outer vanes 240. The second filtering member 690 is formed with numerous through holes 691 piercing in the radial directions. Accordingly, the fluidity mixed material is filtered (dispersed) as a result of passing through the through holes 691. Thus, it can be realized to further homogenize the fluidity mixed material.

[0060] Various features and many of the attendant advantages in the foregoing embodiments will be summarized as follows:

As the feature in the first aspect, in the dispersing device of each of the embodiments, as typically shown in Figures 4-5, 11-12 and 13-14, both of the first protruding teeth 152, 352 and the second protruding teeth 161, 361 are formed to widen the gaps in the circumferential direction between the protruding teeth from the tooth base side toward the tooth tip side. Therefore, in giving a coating onto the first and second protruding teeth 152, 352, 161, 361, it is possible to make the coating reliably on the both protruding teeth 152, 352, 161, 361 to the tooth base sides thereof. Even in the case of dispersing metal powder, it is possible to sufficiently secure the dispersing capability and the durability. Although the neighborhood of the tooth base portion is a portion on which stress is concentrated, a sufficient durability can be secured irrespective of a high stress acting thereon because the coating results in heightening the rigidity of that portion. Further, even if it were possible to heighten either only of the first protruding teeth 152, 352 and the second protruding teeth 161, 361, the other protruding teeth, where low in rigidity, would result in determining the dispersing capability and the durability as a whole of the dispersing device. However, according to the present invention, because it is possible to reliably make a coating on both of the first protruding teeth 152, 352 and the second protruding teeth 161, 361, it can be realized to reliably heighten the dispersing capability and the durability. Further, since the circumferential end surfaces of the first protruding teeth 152, 352 and the second protruding teeth 161, 361 are formed to be slanted, it is possible to easily adjust the dispersing capability and the durability by varying the slant angle in the designing.

[0061] As the feature in a second aspect, in the dispersing device in each of the foregoing second to fifth embodiments typically shown in Figures 8, 10 and 15, either of the first and second annular dispersing members 150, 160; 350, 360 are provided to be rotatable bodily with the rotary vanes 130. As the rotary vanes 130 rotate at a higher speed, they exert a larger force in sending the fluidity material from the radial inside toward the radial outside. As the flow velocity of the fluidity material increases, the dispersing capability can be heightened. Further, as the circumferential speed of one of the first and second annular dispersing members 150, 160; 350, 360 increases (becomes higher), the dispersing capability can be heightened. Thus, where the rotary vanes 130 and the one of the first and second annular dispersing members 150, 160; 350, 360 rotate at a high speed, the dispersing capability is heightened sharply. On the contrary, where the rotary vanes 130 and the one of the first and second annular dispersing members 150, 160; 350, 360 rotate at a low speed, the dispersing capability is lowered sharply. Like this, the dispersing capability is not easy to adjust.

[0062] Thus, by arranging either of the first and second annular dispersing members 150, 160; 350, 360 at the position that differs from the position of the rotary vanes 130 in the axial direction, it is possible to freely adjust the radial position of the first and second annular dispersing members 150, 160; 350, 360. That is, without lowering the rotational speed of the rotary vanes 130, it is possible to freely adjust the circumferential speed of either of the first and second annular dispersing members 150, 160; 350, 360. Accordingly, the dispersing capability can be adjusted freely as the flow velocity of the fluidity material is secured to be sufficient.

[0063] As the feature in a third aspect, in the dispersing device in each of the foregoing first, second and sixth embodiments typically shown in Figures 1, 8 and 16, the first protruding teeth 152/153 and the second protruding teeth 161 are formed to protrude in the axial direction. Thus, by adjusting the relative position in the axial direction between the first and the second teeth 152/153, 161, it can be done to adjust the regions where the first and the second teeth 152/153, 161 face each other in the radial direction, as shown in Figures 6-7 for example. Therefore, it is possible to easily adjust the dispersing capability given by the first and second protruding teeth 152/153, 161.

[0064] As the feature in a fourth aspect, in the dispersing device in each of the foregoing third to fifth embodiments typically shown in Figures 10 and 13-15, the first protruding teeth 352 and the second protruding teeth 361 are formed to protrude in the radial directions. Thus, the aforementioned advantages can be realized with the flow passage for the fluidity material shortened. By shortening the flow passage for the fluidity material, an increase in pipe or conduit resistance loss can be suppressed, so that the dispersing efficiency can be enhanced.

[0065] As the feature in a fifth aspect, in the dispersing device in the foregoing fourth embodiment shown in Figures 13 and 14, the through holes 352a, 361a are formed on the tooth tip sides of the first and second protruding teeth 352, 361 and are not formed on the tooth base sides of the first and second protruding teeth 352, 361. The fluidity material that flows to the position of the first protruding teeth 352 passes through the gap between the first protruding teeth 352 adjoining in the circumferential direction as well as through the through holes 352a formed in the first protruding teeth 352. The fluidity material passes mainly through the gap, on the tooth tip side being wide in the gap width, between the first protruding teeth 352 adjoining in the circumferential direction and also passes the through holes 352a formed on the tooth tip sides of the first protruding teeth 352. The fluidity material flows in the same manner also at the second protruding teeth 361. Then, because of protruding in opposite directions, the first protruding teeth 352 and the second protruding teeth 361 reliably exert a shearing force on the fluidity material. As a result, the fluidity material can reliably be dispersed and can be homogenized.

[0066] As the feature in a sixth aspect, in the dispersing device in the foregoing sixth embodiment typically shown in Figure 16, the device is provided with the powder filtering member 670 arranged at the boundary between the mixing area and the powder side area E2 and formed with the numerous through holes 671 capable of filtering the powder material. Thus, the powder material that flows from the powder side area E2 to the mixing area become particles of the dimension that can pass through the through holes 671 of the powder filtering member 670. Accordingly, lumps of the powder material can be prevented from being produced in the mixing area, so that the fluidity material with the powder material mixed therein can be homogenized.

[0067] As the feature in a seventh aspect, in the dispersing device in the foregoing sixth embodiment typically shown in Figure 16, the device is provided with the powder dispersing member 680 that is arranged in the powder side area E2 on the upstream side of the powder filtering member 670 and that disperses the powder material between the powder dispersing member 680 and the powder filtering member 670. Thus, lumps of the powder material that are unable to pass through the through holes 671 of the powder filtering member 670 can be dispersed by the cooperation of the powder filtering member 670 and the powder dispersing member 680 in the powder side area E2. As a result, the dispersed powder material can pass through the through holes 671 of the powder filtering member 670 and can be mixed with the fluidity material.

[0068] As the feature in an eighth aspect, in the dispersing device in the foregoing sixth embodiment typically shown in Figure 16, the device is provided with the fluidity material filtering member 690 arranged on the flow passage of the fluidity material and provided with the numerous through holes 691 that are capable of filtering the fluidity material and that are larger in hole dimension than the through holes 671 of the powder filtering member 670. Thus, the fluidity material can be filtered by the fluidity material filtering member 690. As a result, the powder material mixed in the fluidity material can be further dispersed, and hence, the fluidity material can be homogenized.

(Supplementary Notes)

[0069] The present invention may be practiced as the dispersing device with the following additional features.

[0070] The dispersing device in the first aspect, wherein the first annular dispersing member 150; 350 being rotatable is provided with two circular arrays of first protruding teeth 152, 153; 352, 353 and wherein the second annular dispersing member 160; 360 is fixedly arranged in concentric with the first annular dispersing member 150; 350 and is provided with two circular arrays of second protruding teeth 161, 162; 361, 362 one circular array of which is put between the two circular arrays of the first protruding teeth 152, 153; 352, 353.

[0071] The dispersing device in the second aspect, wherein the first annular dispersing member 150; 350 rotatable bodily with the rotary vanes 130 is provided with a sleeve portion 151; 351 which is fixed to lower end portions of the rotary vanes 130 in concentric with the rotary vanes 130 and under the rotary vanes 130; wherein the first annular dispersing member 150; 350 is provided with two circular arrays of first protruding teeth 152, 153; 352, 353; and wherein the second annular dispersing members 160; 360 is provided with two circular arrays of second protruding teeth 161, 162; 361, 362 one circular array of which is put between the two circular arrays of the first protruding teeth 152, 153; 352, 353.

[0072] The dispersing device in the third aspect, wherein in a circumferential direction of each of the first and second protruding teeth 152, 161, the width on a tooth base side of each of the first and second protruding teeth 152, 161 is equal to the width of a gap on a tooth tip side between each protruding teeth and another protruding tooth adjacent in the circumferential direction.

[0073] The dispersing device in the fourth aspect, wherein the second annular dispersing member 360 being non rotatable is provided with two circular arrays of second annular protruding portions 361, 362; wherein the first annular dispersing member 350 being coaxially rotatable relative to the second annular dispersing member 360 is provided with two circular arrays of first protruding portions 352, 353 in an alternate fashion with the two circular arrays of the second annular protruding portions 361, 362; and each of the first protruding portions 352, 353 of the two circular arrays is tapered to become thinner radially outward on at least one side surface in the axial direction of the first annular dispersing member 350.

[0074] The dispersing device in the fourth aspect, wherein the second annular dispersing member 360 being non rotatable is provided with two circular arrays of second annular protruding portions 361, 362; wherein the first annular dispersing member 350 being coaxially rotatable relative to the second annular dispersing member 360 is provided with two circular arrays of first protruding portions 352, 353 in an alternate fashion with the two circular arrays of the second annular protruding portions 361, 362; wherein each of the first protruding portions 352, 353 of the two circular arrays is tapered to become thinner radially outward on at least one side surface in the axial direction of the first annular dispersing member 350; and wherein the thickness of each of the second protruding portions 361, 362 in the axial direction of the first annular dispersing member 350 is kept fixed over the entire length thereof in the radial direction.

[0075] Obviously, numerous further modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

[0076] A dispersing device for dispersing fluidity material mixed with powder material therein includes first and second annular dispersing members (150; 350, 160; 360) which are arranged coaxially to be rotatably relatively and on each of which a plurality of protruding teeth (152-153, 161-162; 352-353, 361-362) protruding in a direction orthogonal to a flow direction of the fluidity material are formed in a circumferential direction thereof. The protruding teeth (152-153; 352-353) on the first annular dispersing member (150; 350) are opposite in protruding direction to the protruding teeth (161-162; 361-362) on the second annular dispersing member (160; 360) and face the protruding teeth (161-162; 361-362) on the second annular dispersing member (160; 360). The circumferential end surfaces of all of the protruding teeth (152-153, 161-162; 352-353, 361-362) are formed to be slanted in the full length thereof in the protruding direction so that the width of a gap between each protruding tooth and the protruding tooth adjacent in the circumferential direction becomes wider from the tooth base side toward the tooth tip side.

Claims

1. A dispersing device for dispersing fluidity material mixed with powder material, comprising:

a first annular dispersing member (150; 350) on which a plurality of first protruding teeth (152; 352) protruding in a direction orthogonal to a flow direction of the fluidity material are formed in a circumferential direction thereof; and

a second annular dispersing member (160; 360) which is arranged to face the first annular dispersing member (150; 350) in the flow direction and to be rotatable relative to the first annular dispersing member (150; 350) and on which a plurality of second protruding teeth (161; 361) protruding in an opposite direction to the protruding direction of the first protruding teeth (152; 352) on the first annular dispersing member (150; 350) are formed in a circumferential direction thereof; wherein:

circumferential end surfaces of each of the first protruding teeth (152; 352) are formed to be slanted in the full length thereof in the protruding direction so that the width of a gap between each first protruding tooth and the first protruding tooth adjacent in the circumferential direction becomes wider from the tooth base side toward the tooth tip side; and

circumferential end surfaces of each of the second protruding teeth (161; 361) are formed to be slanted in the full length thereof in the protruding direction so that the width of a gap between each second protruding tooth and the second protruding tooth adjacent in the circumferential direction becomes wider from the tooth base side toward the tooth tip side.

2. The dispersing device in Claim 1, further comprising:

rotary vanes (130) that send the fluidity material drawn from a radial inside thereof toward a radial outside thereof; wherein:

one of the first and second annular dispersing members (150; 350) is connected to the rotary vanes (130) to be rotatable bodily with the rotary vanes (130); and

the first and second annular dispersing members (150; 350, 160; 360) are arranged on a downstream side of the rotary vanes (130) and are arranged at a position that differs from the position of the rotary vanes (130) in a direction in which a rotational axis of the rotary vanes (130) extends.

3. The dispersing device in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and second protruding teeth (152; 352, 161; 361) are formed to protrude in an axial direction of the first and second annular dispersing members (150; 350, 160; 360).

4. The dispersing device in Claim 1 or 2, wherein:

each of the first and second annular dispersing members (150; 350, 160; 360) takes the form of a disc; and

the first and second protruding teeth (152; 352, 161; 361) are formed to protrude in radial directions of the first and second annular dispersing members (150; 350, 160; 360).

5. The dispersing device in Claim 4, wherein:

each of the first and second protruding teeth (352, 361) is formed with a plurality of through holes (532a, 361a) extending in the flow direction; and

the through holes (532a, 361 a) formed in the first and second protruding teeth (352, 361) are formed on the tooth tip sides of the first and second protruding teeth (352, 361) and are not formed on the tooth base sides of the first and second protruding teeth (352, 361).

6. The dispersing device in any one of Claims 1 to 5, further comprising:

a partition plate (120) that is arranged on an upstream side of a mixing area in which the fluidity material and the powder material are mixed, and that divides a fluidity material side area (E1) on an inlet port (111) side for the fluidity material and a powder side area (E2) on an inlet port (112) side for the powder material; and

a powder filtering member (670) arranged at a boundary between the mixing area and the powder side area (E2) and formed with numerous through holes (671) capable of filtering the powder material.

7. The dispersing device in Claim 6, further comprising:

a powder dispersing member (680) that is arranged in the powder side area (E2) on an upstream side of the powder filtering member (670) and that disperses the powder material between the powder dispersing member (680) and the powder filtering member (670).

8. The dispersing device in Claim 6 or 7, further comprising:

a fluidity material filtering member (690) arranged on a flow passage of the fluidity material and provided with numerous through holes (691) that are capable of filtering the fluidity material and that are larger in hole dimension than the through holes (671) of the power filtering member (670).

Drawing