Source: http://www.freshpatents.com/-dt20121129ptan20120298505.php
Timestamp: 2015-09-04 23:13:50
Document Index: 109968846

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 51', 'art 51', 'art 51', 'art 51', 'art 51', 'art 51']

Electrolytic Regeneration Unit And Electrolytic Regeneration Apparatus Using Same (C. Uyemura &) FreshPatents Stats 1 views for this patent on FreshPatents.com2014: 1 viewsUpdated: July 08 2015 TOP 200 Companiesfiling patents this week
Electrolytic regeneration unit and electrolytic regeneration apparatus using same Title: Electrolytic regeneration unit and electrolytic regeneration apparatus using same.Abstract: An anode pipe includes a main pipe portion and a secondary pipe portion. The anode pipe has an inner circumferential surface that functions as an anode. The main pipe portion has a first connection end portion and a second connection end portion. The main pipe portion forms a flow channel for a treatment liquid that continues from the first connection end portion to the second connection end portion. The secondary pipe portion extends in a tubular fashion from the intermediate section of the main pipe portion. The interior of the secondary pipe portion communicates with the flow channel inside the main pipe portion. The cathode is disposed at a distance from the inner circumferential surface of the anode pipe. The cathode extends from a cathode attachment end portion toward the main pipe portion inside the secondary pipe portion. ...
Browse recent C. Uyemura & Co., Ltd. patentsUSPTO Applicaton #: #20120298505 - Class: $ApplicationNatlClass (USPTO) - Inventors: Hisamitsu Yamamoto, Masayuki Utsumi, Yoshikazu Saijo, Tomoji Okuda, Hiroki Omura
The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20120298505, Electrolytic regeneration unit and electrolytic regeneration apparatus using same.
The present invention relates to an electrolytic regeneration unit for electrolyzing and regenerating a treatment liquid used in desmearing in the process of manufacturing printed wiring boards and the like, and also to an electrolytic regeneration apparatus using the electrolytic regeneration unit.
When through holes or via holes are formed with a drill or a laser in resin substrates for use in printed wiring boards, smear, which is resin debris, is generated by the heat caused by friction between the drill or laser and the resin. In order to maintain electric connection reliability in the printed wiring boards, it is necessary to perform a treatment (desmearing treatment) of removing the smear generated in the through holes or via holes by using a chemical treatment method or the like.
A solution of a permanganate such as sodium permanganate and potassium permanganate is typically used as a treatment liquid in the aforementioned chemical treatment method. The treatment liquid is stored in a desmearing tank. Where the resin substrate is immersed in the treatment liquid in the desmearing tank and desmearing is performed, the smear is oxidized and removed from the through holes or via holes. In this process, the permanganate in the treatment liquid is converted into a manganate. Accordingly, in order to reuse the treatment liquid after the treatment for desmearing, an electrolytic regeneration treatment is performed for converting the manganate contained in the treatment liquid into the permanganate.
The conventional electrolytic regeneration apparatus is provided with an electrolytic regeneration tank in which the treatment liquid is stored, electrodes immersed in the treatment liquid in the electrolytic regeneration tank, a feed pipe that feeds the treatment liquid discharged from the desmearing tank into the electrolytic regeneration tank, and a return pipe that feeds the treatment liquid after the electrolytic regeneration to the desmearing tank. The treatment liquid circulates between the desmearing tank and the electrolytic regeneration tank. In such an electrolytic regeneration apparatus, a plurality of electrodes is usually provided inside the electrolytic regeneration tank to improve the regeneration efficiency (see, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 3301341).
However, in a system in which a plurality of electrodes are provided inside the electrolytic regeneration tank as described hereinabove, it is necessary to increase the capacity of the electrolytic regeneration tank (the capacity is about 1 time to 2 times that of the desmearing tank), the installation surface area for installing the electrolytic regeneration tank should be ensured, and the bath amount (liquid amount) increases.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrolytic regeneration unit and an electrolytic regeneration apparatus that can be reduced in size and that enables the reduction of bath amount.
The present invention relates to an electrolytic regeneration unit for use in an electrolytic regeneration apparatus for electrolyzing and regenerating a treatment liquid used for desmearing in a desmearing tank. The electrolytic regeneration unit is provided with an anode pipe having an inner circumferential surface functioning as an anode, and a cathode disposed inside the anode pipe at a distance from the inner circumferential surface of the anode pipe. The anode pipe includes a main pipe portion and a secondary pipe portion. The main pipe portion has a first connection end portion for connecting one pipe and a second connection end portion for connecting another pipe other than the one pipe, and forms a flow channel for the treatment liquid that continues from the first connection end portion to the second connection end portion. The secondary pipe portion has a cathode attachment end portion for attaching the cathode, extends in a tubular fashion from an intermediate section of the main pipe portion. The interior of the secondary pipe communicates with the flow channel inside the main pipe portion. The cathode extends inside the secondary pipe portion from the cathode attachment end portion toward the main pipe portion.
FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating an electrolytic regeneration apparatus provided with electrolytic regeneration units according to one embodiment of the present invention and a desmearing tank to which the electrolytic regeneration apparatus is connected;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the electrolytic regeneration unit;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of part of the configuration shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating Variation Example 1 of the electrolytic regeneration unit;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating Variation Example 2 of the electrolytic regeneration unit;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating Variation Example 3 of the electrolytic regeneration unit;
FIG. 7A is a perspective view illustrating an example of the auxiliary anode used in Variation Example 3, and FIG. 7B is a perspective view illustrating another example of the auxiliary anode used in Variation Example 3;
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating Variation Example 4 of the electrolytic regeneration unit;
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating Variation Example 5 of the electrolytic regeneration unit;
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating Variation Example 6 of the electrolytic regeneration unit;
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating Variation Example 7 of the electrolytic regeneration unit;
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating Variation Example 8 of the electrolytic regeneration unit;
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating Variation Example 9 of the electrolytic regeneration unit; and
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating Variation Example 10 of the electrolytic regeneration unit.
An electrolytic regeneration processing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention and an electrolytic regeneration apparatus equipped with the unit will be explained below in greater detail with reference to the appended drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electrolytic regeneration apparatus 11 equipped with an electrolytic regeneration unit 20 according to the present embodiment and a desmearing tank 13 connected to the electrolytic regeneration apparatus 11. The electrolytic regeneration apparatus 11 shown in FIG. 1 serves to electrolyze and regenerate a treatment liquid L with the object of reusing the treatment liquid L that has been used for desmearing performed to remove the smear in the process for fabricating printed wiring boards. A permanganate solution such as sodium permanganate and potassium permanganate can be used as the treatment liquid L. The treatment liquid L is stored in the desmearing tank 13.
A resin substrate (not shown in the figure) constituting the substrate portion of the printed wiring board is desmeared by immersion in the treatment liquid in the desmearing tank 13. As a result, the smear present in through holes or via holes of the resin substrate is oxidized by the treatment liquid L, and the smear is removed from the through holes and via holes. Meanwhile, part of the permanganate is reduced into a manganate in the treatment liquid L used for the desmearing process. Therefore, in order to reuse the treatment liquid for removing the smear, the treatment liquid L is subjected to electrolytic regeneration by which the manganate is oxidized into the permanganate in the electrolytic regeneration apparatus 11.
<Electrolytic Regeneration Apparatus>
As shown in FIG. 1, the electrolytic regeneration apparatus 11 is provided with a feed pipe 15, a return pipe 17, a unit assembly 19, a pump 91, and a filter 93. The unit assembly 19 is provided with a plurality of electrolytic regeneration units 20 (20a, 20b, 20c). The electrolytic regeneration unit 20 will be sometimes referred to hereinbelow simply as the treatment unit 20.
In the present embodiment, the unit assembly 19 is provided with three electrolytic regeneration units 20 connected in series, but such a configuration is not limiting. The unit assembly 19 may be configured such that a plurality of electrolytic regeneration units 20 are connected in parallel to the feed pipe 15 and the return pipe 17. Further, the unit assembly 19 may be configured to be provided with a multiplicity of electrolytic regeneration units 20, as will be described hereinbelow (see FIG. 13). The electrolytic regeneration apparatus 11 may be also configured to include only one electrolytic regeneration unit 20. In the electrolytic regeneration apparatus 11 of the present embodiment, an upstream end portion 15a of the feed pipe 15 is connected to a side surface of the desmearing tank 13. A downstream end portion 15b of the feed pipe 15 is connected to an upstream end portion of the unit assembly 19 (upstream end portion of the treatment unit 20a).
An upstream end portion 17a of the return pipe 17 is connected to a downstream end portion of the unit assembly 19 (downstream end portion of the treatment unit 20c). A downstream end portion 17b of the return pipe 17 is provided at a position such that the treatment liquid L can be caused to flow into the desmearing tank 13. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the downstream end portion 17b of the return pipe 17 is disposed above the surface of the treatment liquid L or in the treatment liquid L stored in the desmearing tank 13.
The pump 91 is provided in the intermediate section of the feed pipe 15. Where the pump 91 is driven, the treatment liquid L is discharged from the desmearing tank 13 and pumped through the feed pipe 15 into the unit assembly 19. The treatment liquid L is electrolyzed in the unit assembly 19. The electrolyzed and regenerated treatment liquid L is pumped through the return pipe 17 into the desmearing tank 13.
The filter 93 is provided in the intermediate section of the return pipe 17. In the unit assembly 19, sludge (manganese dioxide) is formed by electrolytic regeneration on the surface of a cathode 25. The sludge is removed by the flow of the treatment liquid L from the surface of the cathode 25 and pumped together with the treatment liquid L into the return pipe 17. The filter 93 traps the sludge contained in the treatment liquid L. The filter 93 is periodically replaced or the sludge that has adhered to the filter 93 is periodically removed.
It is also possible to provide a plurality of filters 93 in the return pipe 17. Further, instead of providing the filter 93 in the return pipe 17, it is also possible to provide a small tank (not shown in the figure) for sludge removal in the return pipe 17.
<Electrolytic Regeneration Unit>
The treatment unit 20 shown in FIG. 2 is a treatment unit 20b positioned in the center, from among the three treatment units 20 (20a, 20b, 20c) of the unit assembly 19 shown in FIG. 1. The treatment units 20 have a similar structure. Each treatment unit 20 is provided with an anode pipe 29 and a cathode 25.
In the present embodiment, the anode pipe 29 is a T-shaped pipe. The anode pipe 29 includes a main pipe portion 30 and a secondary pipe portion 34. The main pipe portion 30 includes a cylindrical first main pipe portion 31 and a cylindrical second main pipe portion 32 and has a linearly extending shape. The secondary pipe portion 34 branches off close to the center of the main pipe portion 30 in the longitudinal direction and extends in the direction perpendicular to the main pipe portion 30. The space inside the secondary pipe portion 34 communicates with a flow channel inside the main pipe portion 30. In the present embodiment, the secondary pipe portion 34 includes a cylindrical portion 35 extending cylindrically from the main pipe portion 30 and an annular flange portion 36 expanding outward in the radial direction from the distal end of the cylindrical portion 35.
The anode pipe 29 has a first connection end portion 41 positioned at the distal end of the first main pipe portion 31, a second connection end portion 42 positioned at the distal end of the second main pipe portion 32, and a cathode attachment end portion 44 positioned at the distal end of the secondary pipe portion 34. Various pipes can be connected to the first connection end portion 41 and the second connection end portion 42. When no pipes are connected, those connection end portions 41, 42 are open. The cathode attachment end portion 44 is open when the cathode 25 is not attached.
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the second connection end portion 42 of the treatment unit 20a is connected to the first connection end portion 41 of the treatment unit 20b. The first connection end portion 41 of the treatment unit 20c is connected to the second connection end portion 42 of the treatment unit 20b. The downstream end portion 15b of the return pipe 15 is connected to the first connection end portion 41 of the treatment unit 20a, and the upstream end portion 17a of the return pipe 17 is connected to the second connection end portion 42 of the treatment unit 20c. For example, a method of welding the end portions together can be used for connecting the anode pipes 29 and for connecting the anode pipe 29 and the feed pipe 15 (or return pipe 17). Further, the pipes may be connected together by couplers (not shown in the figure). A structure in which the end portions of the pipes are screwed together, as described hereinbelow, can be also used (see FIG. 4).
The anode pipe 29 is formed from an electrically conductive material. An inner circumferential surface 29a of the anode pipe 29 functions as an anode. The inner circumferential surface 29a of the anode pipe 29 includes an inner circumferential surface 30a of the main pipe portion 30 and an inner circumferential surface 34a of the secondary pipe portion 34. Examples of electrically conductive materials include metals, for example, stainless steel and copper, but such selection is not limiting, and other metals may be used or electrically conductive materials other than metals may be also used. An example of suitable stainless steel is SUS316 that excels in alkali resistance and resistance to reagents. The space inside the main pipe portion 30 in the anode pipe 29 mainly functions as a flow channel for the treatment liquid L. The treatment liquid L flows in the direction shown by a solid line arrow in FIG. 1 and flows in the direction shown by a two-dot-dash line in FIG. 2.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the cathode 25 includes a base portion 26, an extending portion 28, and a wiring connection portion 27. The base portion 26 is attached to the cathode attachment end portion 44, which is the distal end portion of the secondary pipe portion 34, and closes the opening of the secondary pipe portion 34. The extending portion 28 extends along the direction from the base portion 26 toward the secondary pipe portion 34. The wiring connection portion 27 is a part where the wiring of a rectifier 71 is connected. In the present embodiment, the base portion 26, the extending portion 28, and the wiring connection portion 27 are molded integrally, but such a configuration is not limiting.
The base portion 26 is a disk-like portion having an outer diameter about the same as that of the flange portion 36 of the secondary pipe portion 34. The base portion 26 is disposed opposite the flange portion 36, with a disk-like insulating packing 59 being interposed therebetween. The insulating packing has an outer diameter about the same as that of the base portion 26.
A plurality of screw insertion holes 26a is formed along the circumferential direction in the base portion 26. A plurality of screw insertion holes 36a is formed in the flange portion 36 at positions corresponding to the screw insertion holes 26a of the base portion 26. In a state in which the positions of those screw insertion holes 26a, 36a are matched, cylindrical insulating sleeves 61 are inserted into the screw insertion holes 26a, 36a. A bolt 67 is inserted into each insulating sleeve 61, and a nut 69 is screwed on the distal end portion of the bolt.
An annular insulting washer 63 and an annular washer 67a are interposed between the bolt 67 and the base portion 26. An annular insulating washer 65 and an annular washer 69a are interposed between the nut 69 and the flange portion 36. The opening of the secondary pipe portion 34 is thus closed in a liquid-tight state by the base portion 26. For example, materials having insulating properties can be used as materials constituting the insulating members. Examples of such materials include synthetic resins and synthetic rubbers. For example, polytetrafluoroethylene can be used as the synthetic resin.
The extending portion 28 extends from the inner surface of the base portion 26 in the direction perpendicular to the inner surface. In the present embodiment, the extending portion 28 is disposed so as to pass substantially through the center of the secondary pipe portion 34 at a distance from the inner circumferential surface 29a of the anode pipe 29. The extending portion 28 extends beyond the proximal end portion (part branched off from the main pipe portion 30) of the secondary pipe portion 34 to the flow channel inside the main pipe portion 30. The distal end portion 28a of the extending portion 28 is positioned in the flow channel inside the main pipe portion 30. The extending portion 28 has a rod-like or plate-like shape. The extending portion 28 of the present embodiment is shorter than the extending portion 28 of the below-described treatment unit 20 shown in FIG. 11. The merit of such a configuration is that the operation of attaching the cathode 25 to the anode pipe 29 and the operation of replacing the cathode 25 are facilitated.
The flow channel inside the main pipe portion 30, as referred to herein, is a space surrounded by a round columnar inner circumferential surface 30a formed by the first main pipe portion 31 and the second main pipe portion 32, as shown in FIG. 2. The flow channel inside the main pipe portion 30, as referred to herein, is a region obtained by subtracting the space surrounded by the inner circumferential surface 34a of the secondary pipe portion 34 from the space surrounded by the inner circumferential surface 29a of the anode pipe 29. The flow channel inside the main pipe portion 30 is the main path through which the treatment liquid L passes. The treatment liquid L flows not only inside the main pipe portion 30; thus, part thereof flows also inside the secondary pipe portion 34. The treatment liquid L flowing inside the secondary pipe portion 34 moves in a turbulent state through the space between the inner circumferential surface 34a of the secondary pipe portion 34 and the extending portion 28 of the cathode 25, returns again into the flow channel inside the main pipe portion 30 and flows toward the downstream side of the flow channel inside the main pipe portion 30.
The pipe connection portion 27 extends from the outer surface of the base portion 26. In the present embodiment, the pipe connection portion 27 extends from the outer surface of the base portion 26 in the direction perpendicular to the outer surface. As shown in FIG. 1, a voltage is applied by the rectifier 71 between the anode pipe 29 and the cathode 25. The rectifier 71 is connected to an outer power supply (not shown in the figure). A negative electrode of the rectifier 71 is connected to the pipe connection portion 27 of each cathode 25, and a positive electrode of the rectifier 71 is connected to the outer circumferential surface of the anode pipe 29. In the present embodiment, the entire anode pipe 29 is constituted by a conductive material. Therefore, by connecting the positive electrode of the rectifier 71 to the outer circumferential surface of the anode pipe 29, it is possible to cause the inner circumferential surface 29a to function as an anode.
The cathode 25 is formed from a conductive material. A material constituting the cathode 25 can be a metal, for example copper, but such a selection is not limiting, and other metals or conductive materials other than metals may be also used.
The cathode 25 is preferably formed from copper and an alloy thereof. The reason therefor is described below. Manganese dioxide precipitates on the cathode 25 during the electrolytic regeneration. In order to prevent the manganese dioxide from being admixed as an impurity to the treatment liquid, it is preferred that the manganese dioxide be removed in a suitable manner. Since copper is easily dissolved in a washing solution such as a hydrogen peroxide solution, copper is etched together with manganese dioxide, which has precipitated on the surface of the cathode 25, during washing. As a result, manganese dioxide is easily removed. When the cathode 25 is reduced in size by a plurality of washing cycles, the cathode 25 may be replaced with a new cathode.
Part of the surface of the extending portion 28 of the cathode 25 may be covered by an insulating material (non-conductive material), for example polytetrafluoroethylene. As a result, the surface area of the cathode 25 can be adjusted. In the present embodiment, the cathode 25 has a round columnar shape, but the cathode may also have other shapes such as an angular columnar shape.
The decrease in the distance (inter-electrode distance) between the cathode 25 and the anode pipe 29 facilitates the short circuit caused by deposition of generated manganates on the surface of the cathode 25, but where the distance increases, the electric current flow is inhibited and the voltage used tends to increase. Therefore, the inter-electrode distance is adjusted with consideration for those issues.
In the present embodiment, the feed pipe 15 is directly connected to the unit assembly 19 and configured such that the treatment liquid passes through the flow channel inside the main pipe portion 30 in each treatment unit 20 and through the space surrounded by the inner circumferential surface 34a of the secondary pipe portion 34. Therefore, the flow velocity of the treatment liquid flowing in each flow channel and space can be increased over that in the case where the electrolytic regeneration tank is used in the conventional manner. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the effect of removing the manganates generated on the surface of the cathode 25 from the surface of the cathode 25 by the flow of the treatment liquid that has a high flow velocity is higher than that attained in the conventional apparatus. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the inter-electrode distance can be decreased by comparison with the conventional one.
The flow velocity of the treatment liquid L flowing in each flow channel is preferably adjusted, for example to about 5 mm/sec to 100 mm/sec. Where the flow velocity is equal to or greater than 5 mm/sec, an excellent effect of removing (washing away) the sludge generated on the surface of the cathode 25 from the surface of the cathode 25 can be obtained. Meanwhile, where the flow velocity is equal to or less than 100 mm/sec, the contact time of the cathode 25 and the treatment liquid L is prevented from being too short. As a result, the excessive decrease in efficiency of regenerating the treatment liquid L can be inhibited.
In the regeneration treatment (an electric current is passed from the rectifier 71), the flow velocity for the treatment liquid L flowing in each flow channel may be reduced and, after the regeneration treatment has been completed (electric current flow is stopped), the flow velocity may be increased with the object of removing the sludge from the surface of the cathode 25. Such a control may be repeated, for example, with a predetermined period. Such a control may be executed automatically with a control unit (not shown in the figure) or may be executed manually by an operator.
In the present embodiment, because of the above-described configuration, the bath volume of the electrolytic regeneration apparatus 11 (amount of liquid in the electrolytic regeneration apparatus 11) can be made less than the bath volume of the desmearing tank 13 (amount of liquid in the desmearing tank 13). More specifically, the ratio of bath volume of the electrolytic regeneration apparatus 11 and the bath volume of the desmearing tank 13 is preferably about 1:2 to 1:20, more preferably about 1:3 to about 1:10. The bath volume of the electrolytic regeneration apparatus 11 includes not only the bath volume of the unit assembly 19 (amount of liquid in the unit assembly 19), but also the bath volume of the feed pipe 15 (amount of liquid in the feed pipe 15) and the bath volume of the return pipe 17 (amount of liquid in the return pipe 17). In the conventional apparatuses using an electrolytic regeneration tank, the ratio of the bath volume of the electrolytic regeneration apparatus (bath volume of the electrolytic regeneration tank, bath volume of the feed pipe 15, and bath volume of the feed pipe 17) to the bath volume of the desmearing tank is about 2:1 to 1:1.
The anode current density is preferably about 1 A/dm2 to 30 A/dm2. Where the anode current density is equal to or greater than 1 A/dm2, an electric potential between the anode (inner circumferential surface 29a of the anode pipe 29) and the cathode 25 can be brought sufficiently close to the regeneration potential (MnO42−→MnO4−+e−) at which manganate ions are electrolyzed to obtain permanganate ions. As a result, the regeneration efficiency can be prevented from decreasing. Meanwhile, where the anode current density is equal to or less than 30 A/dm2, generation of hydrogen can be inhibited and therefore the regeneration efficiency can be prevented from decreasing. The cathode current density is preferably about 0.3 A/dm2 to 30000 A/dm2.
The surface area ratio of the anode and the cathode 25 is preferably about 3:1 to 1000:1. This ratio can be adjusted, for example, by covering part of the surface of the cathode 25 with an insulator as described hereinabove. Where the surface area of the cathode 25 increases, the amount of sludge generated on the surface of the cathode 25 also increases. Therefore, it is preferred that the surface area of the cathode 25 be less than the surface area of the anode.
The electrolytic regeneration temperature (temperature of the treatment liquid L) in the unit assembly 19 is preferably about 30° C. to 90° C. when a solution of a permanganate such as sodium permanganate or potassium permanganate is used as the treatment liquid L. The temperature of the treatment liquid L can be adjusted, for example, by heating each treatment unit 20 or by heating the feed pipe 15 or the return pipe 17. A method by which each pipe 29, the feed pipe 15, and the return pipe 17 are covered with a jacket having a heat source, for example, such as steam or a thermoelectric wire, can be used for heating.
The gas generated by electrolysis moves downstream of the unit assembly 19 together with the flow of the treatment liquid L and is discharged from the unit assembly 19. The gas discharged from the unit assembly 19 is fed downstream together with the treatment liquid L through the return pipe 17. The gas that has been fed downstream together with the treatment liquid L is discharged from the downstream end portion 17b of the return pipe 17 and can be collected, if necessary. The gas discharge means will be described below.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating Variation Example 1 of the treatment unit 20. In the treatment unit 20 of Variation Example 1, the connection structure of the first connection end portion 41 and the second connection end portion 42 of the anode pipe 29 and the pipes and also the connection structure of the cathode attachment end portion 44 of the anode pipe 29 and the cathode 25 are different from those of the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 2.
In the treatment unit 20 of Variation Example 1, a screw structure is provided in the first connection end portion 41, the second connection end portion 42, and the cathode attachment end portion 44. More specifically, a female thread is formed at the inner surface of the first main pipe portion 31 in the first connection end portion 41 of the anode pipe 29 in the treatment unit 20b, a female thread is formed at the inner surface of the second main pipe portion 32 in the second connection end portion 42, and a female thread is formed at the inner surface of the secondary pipe portion 34 in the cathode attachment end portion 44. Meanwhile, a male thread is formed at the outer surface of the second main pipe portion 32 in the second connection end portion 42 of the anode pipe 29 in the treatment unit 20a. A male thread is formed at the outer surface of the first main pipe portion 31 in the first connection end portion 41 of the anode pipe 29 in the treatment unit 20c. Therefore, the treatment unit 20a and the treatment unit 20b can be connected by screwing the female thread of the first connection end portion 41 of the treatment unit 20b onto the male thread of the second connection end portion 42 of the treatment unit 20a. Further, the treatment unit 20b and the treatment unit 20c can be connected by screwing the male thread of the first connection end portion 41 of the treatment unit 20c into the female thread of the second connection end portion 42 of the treatment unit 20b. Further, the cathode 25 is attached to the cathode attachment end portion 44, with an insulating member 73 being interposed therebetween. The cathode 25 has the base portion 26, the extending portion 28, and the wiring connection portion 27. The base portion 26, the extending portion 28, and the wiring connection portion 27 are molded integrally by using a conductive material. The opening of the cathode attachment end portion 44 is closed by the base portion 26 and the insulating member 73.
The insulating member 73 has an annular shape, and a male thread is formed at the outer circumferential surface thereof. This male thread is screwed into the female thread of the cathode attachment end portion 44. The insulating member 73 has a through hole 73a in the center thereof. A female thread is formed at the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 73a. Insulating materials such as described hereinabove can be used for the insulating member 73.
The base portion 26 has a round columnar screw-in portion 26b and a round disk-like enlarged-diameter portion 26c that has an outer diameter larger than that of the screw-in portion 26b. A male thread is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the screw-in portion 26b. The male thread is screwed into the female thread of the through hole 73a of the insulating member 73.
In Variation Example 1, the enlarged-diameter portion 26c has an abutment surface 74 that abuts on an inner surface 73b of the insulating member 73 when the enlarge-diameter portion 26c is mounted on the insulating member 73 as shown in FIG. 4, but such a configuration is not limiting. The abutment surface 74 is parallel to the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cathode 25. By abutting the abutment surface 74 on the inner surface 73b of the insulating member 73, it is possible to ensure better liquid tightness between the through hole 73a of the insulating member 73 and the base portion 26 of the cathode 25.
The extending portion 28 extends from the main surface (right surface in FIG. 4) of the enlarged-diameter portion 26c in the direction perpendicular to the main surface. The wiring connection portion 27 extends from one end (left end in FIG. 4) of the screw-in portion 26b. In Variation Example 1, the enlarged-diameter portion 26c is disposed inside the secondary pipe portion 34. The enlarged-diameter portion 26c is arranged closer than the insulating member 73 to the main pipe portion 30. As a result, the pressure (liquid pressure) inside the anode pipe 29 acts in the direction of pressing the enlarged-diameter portion 26c to the insulating member 73. Therefore, the degree of liquid tightness is prevented from decreasing due to the pressure inside the anode pipe 29.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating Variation Example 2 of the treatment unit 20. In the treatment unit 20 of Variation Example 2, the shape of the cathode 25 is different from that in the aforementioned embodiment shown in FIG. 2.
As shown in FIG. 5, the cathode 25 has the base portion 26, the wiring connection portion 27, the extending portion 28, and a bent portion 75. The bent portion 75 has a rod-like or plate-like shape similar to that of the extending portion 28. The distal end portion 28a of the extending portion 28 extends beyond the proximal end portion of the secondary pipe portion 34 and reaches the flow channel inside the main pipe portion 30. The bent portion 75 bends from the distal end portion 28a of the extending portion 28 and extends in the extension direction of the main pipe portion 30. In Variation Example 2, the bent portion 75 extends from the distal end portion 28a in the direction opposite the flow direction of the treatment liquid L, but the bent portion may also extend in the flow direction of the treatment liquid L. The entire bent portion 75 is positioned in the flow channel inside the main pipe portion 30.
Since the treatment unit 20 of Variation Example 2 has the bent portion 75 such as described hereinabove, the region in which the cathode 25 and the inner circumferential surface 29a of the anode pipe 29 face each other increases and the efficiency of the electrolytic regeneration can be further increased.
Further, the length of the bent portion 75 is less than the inner diameter (diameter) of the secondary pipe portion 34. Therefore, the bent portion 75 and the extending portion 28 of the cathode 25 having the L-like shape can be inserted from the cathode attachment end portion 44 of the secondary pipe portion 34.
Further, a distal end portion 75a of the bent portion 75 is positioned on the outside in the radial direction of the secondary pipe portion 34 with respect to the inner circumferential surface 34a of the secondary pipe portion 34. The entire circumference of the distal end portion 75a of the bent portion 75 is surrounded by the inner circumferential surface 30a of the first main pipe portion 31. In the case where the inner circumferential surface 30a of the first main pipe portion 31 thus faces the entire circumference of the distal end portion 75a of the bent portion 75, the region in which the cathode 25 and the inner circumferential surface 29a of the anode pipe 29 face each other is further increased and the efficiency of the electrolytic regeneration can be further increased.
In Variation Example 2, the case is explained by way of example in which the cathode 25 is provided with only one bent portion 75, but a plurality of bent portions 75 may be also provided. For example, a plurality of bent portions 75 may extend radially (for example, in a cross-like configuration) from the distal end portion 28a of the extending portion 28 of the cathode 25.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating Variation Example 3 of the treatment unit 20. FIG. 7A is a perspective view illustrating an example of an auxiliary anode 51 used in Variation Example 3. FIG. 7B is a perspective view illustrating another example of the auxiliary anode 51 used in Variation Example 3. The difference between the treatment unit 20 of Variation Example 3 and the aforementioned embodiment illustrated by FIG. 2 is that the former is further provided with the auxiliary anode 51.
As shown in FIGS. 6, 7A, and 7B, the cathode 25 has an extending portion 28 that extends from the base portion 26 fixed to the cathode attachment end portion 44 of the secondary pipe portion 34 along the extension direction of the secondary pipe portion 34. The distal end portion 28a of the extending portion 28 is positioned in the flow channel inside the main pipe portion 30.
The auxiliary anode 51 is disposed opposite the extending portion 28 of the cathode 25 at a distance from the cathode 25. The auxiliary anode 51 has a tubular shape extending along the cathode 25 so as to surround the extending portion 28. A part 51a of the auxiliary anode 51 at the proximal end side thereof is in contact with the inner circumferential surface 34a of the secondary pipe portion 34. As a result, the auxiliary anode 51 is electrically connected to the anode pipe 29. The entire circumference of the part 51a at the proximal end side may be in contact with the inner circumferential surface 34a of the secondary pipe portion 34, or only a portion, in the circumferential direction, of the part 51a at the proximal end side may be in contact with the inner circumferential surface 34a of the secondary pipe portion 34.
A part 51b of the auxiliary anode 51 at the distal end side thereof is positioned in the flow channel inside the main pipe portion 30 and surrounds the distal end portion 28a of the cathode 25. The part 51b of the auxiliary anode 51 at the distal end side thereof faces the distal end portion 28a. The auxiliary anode 51 extends beyond the distal end portion 28a of the extending portion 28 to the vicinity of the inner circumferential surface 30a of the main pipe portion 30.
A plurality of through holes 51c are formed over the entire auxiliary anode 51. Since a plurality of through holes 51c is thus provided, the treatment liquid L flowing in the flow channel inside the main pipe portion 30 flow through the through holes 51c into the auxiliary anode 51 and can flow through the through holes 51c to the outside of the auxiliary anode 51 after being subjected to the electrolytic regeneration.
Examples of the auxiliary anodes 51 provided with a plurality of through holes 51c include a configuration obtained by rounding a mesh-like conductive sheet to obtain a cylindrical shape such as shown in FIG. 7A and a configuration in which a plurality of through holes 51c are formed in a conductive sheet (punching sheet) as shown in FIG. 7B. The auxiliary anode 51 is formed from a conductive material.
For example, a metal can be used as the material (conductive material) of the auxiliary anode 51. More specifically, stainless steel, for example SUS316, and copper can be used as the conductive material, but conductive materials other than metals can be also used. Examples the conductive sheet include metal sheets from stainless steel or copper, but such a configuration is not limiting, and other metal sheet or sheets made from conductive materials other than metals may be also used.
The auxiliary anode 51 is inserted from the cathode attachment end portion 44 of the secondary pipe portion 34 before the cathode 25 is attached to the secondary pipe portion 34. Then, the cathode 25 is attached to the cathode attachment end portion 44 of the secondary pipe portion 34.
In Variation Example 3, the case is explained by way of example in which a plurality of through holes 51c are formed in the entire auxiliary anode 51, but a plurality of through holes 51c may be also formed only in the part 51b of the auxiliary anode 51 at the distal end side thereof that is disposed in the flow channel inside the main pipe portion 30.
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Patent InfoApplication # US 20120298505 A1Publish Date 11/29/2012 Document # 13478873 File Date 05/23/2012 USPTO Class 204269 Other USPTO Classes 204272 International Class / Drawings 15 Follow us on Twitter@FreshPatents
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