DE3304177C1 - Device for producing foam, in particular for washing or other cleaning purposes - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for generating foam, in particular for washing or other cleaning purposes, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a device is known from US Pat. No. 2,871,058.

Foam, especially for washing or other cleaning purposes, is not only used in the private sector but above all in the industrial and commercial sector as well as in the public sector needed to do this inner or outer surfaces, z. B. floors, walls, ceilings in buildings, vehicles, To clean and maintain rail vehicles, aircraft or other vehicles or, for. B. in private area for cleaning carpets.

It is a device of the generic type

known, which has a foam-forming chamber below a storage chamber filled with liquid soap, which are connected to the storage chamber via a normally closed, manually openable valve is. A foam formed with an outlet nozzle is attached to the foam-forming chamber for delivery of the formed foam Pipe socket connected. A non-return valve opens into the foam formation chamber A compressed air line which is connected to a manually operated compressed air pump.

To generate foam, open the valve from the storage chamber that contains liquid soap Amount of soap let into the foam chamber below. After that the valve closed. The liquid soap contained in the foaming chamber can therein with a heating device still be heated. For the actual foam formation, which occurs at the same time as the foam formed is released happens, compressed air is now fed into the foam-forming chamber via the manually operated air pump pumped in. This aerates the liquid soap contained in the foam formation chamber But above all it is pushed out of the foam formation chamber through the extraction nozzle. The piston of the The air pump is pressed by hand until the desired amount of foam has emerged. These The device does not allow the type and consistency of the foam to be influenced. She serves alone Removal of liquid soap under manually applied pressure, with only a certain amount at the same time Foaming is accompanied by the compressed air. Foam, as it is for. B. for cleaning vehicles in Washing systems, for building cleaning, etc. is required, in adjustable consistency and in large Quantities cannot be generated using this device.

Another method is also known, according to which water is passed through a water jet pump and due to this own injector action, a foaming agent, e.g. B. a liquid shampoo, from one Reservoir is sucked in. So here water is used, the one with the preferably liquid foaming agent is mixed to a liquid mixture. The mixed flow that then arises is transferred to the Extraction point is supplied as a gas, air under pressure through nozzles, whereby the foam formation is generated. The disadvantage here is that foam is usually only of one quality, namely relatively wet foam, can be produced, and this by no means in reproducible quality and in a continuous process. Of the The disadvantage is that the pressure on the mixed flow behind the water jet pump Air pressure the pressure conditions in the water jet pump are unfavorable and influenced to the effect that this changes the ratio of water to foaming agent, and consequently the mixed flow with regard to it Amount composition is changed by the supply of compressed air. A regulation, especially a fine one Regulation of the foam with regard to its composition is not possible here.

The invention is based on the object of creating a device of the type mentioned in the preamble of claim 1, which makes it possible to produce foam continuously, with the additional use of water, and at the same time the foam is practical in terms of the proportions of water / foaming agent / air can be set arbitrarily and within large limits through independent dosing of water, foaming agent and air and this over the entire width of the foam spectrum between coarse-blown ^; g, that is, watery thin to stiff with fine bubbles.

The object is in a device of the type mentioned according to the invention by Features in the characterizing part of claim 1 solved. Advantageous developments of this device result from the following claims 2-10.

The device according to the invention has the advantage that on the one hand the liquid mixture in the Set the liquid container of your choice with regard to the quantity ratio of water / foaming agent can as desired. One can achieve the fundamentally desired goal, the liquid mixture set in such a way that, with good and strong foam development, as little as possible Proportion of foaming agent is required. By also having the time and amount of each Gas supply, in particular air supply, also into the liquid mixture stored in the liquid container, separately from the other components, water and foaming agent, as required can set, so one can realize the foam quality by setting the parameters, respectively is needed and desired, namely from coarse-bubble, i.e. watery, thin foam to fine-bubble stiff foam. It is particularly advantageous that, once the setting has been made, the respective Parameters water, foaming agent and gas, especially air, the quality of the foam produced in this way is constant and reproducible, practically independent of the withdrawal amount and withdrawal time; because through the level-regulated level of the liquid mixture in the liquid container this continuously and automatically with liquid

35 mix, i.e. a mixture of water and foaming agent, is always refilled to the required level so that foam can be developed from it when gas, in particular air, is introduced. This level-regulated operation therefore makes it possible to produce and remove large quantities of foam, and this over an extremely long period of time, because the loss of liquid mixture that occurs during foam formation is continuously replaced by the level regulation. Furthermore, the device is reliable, particularly simple and has the advantage that it can be used, for. B. is designed as a small portable handheld device that can be operated by hand similar to a vacuum cleaner, z. B. for the purpose of carpet cleaning. The gas supply branch can in particular be designed according to claim 8, so that one does not depend on an existing, mobile or stationary compressed gas supply, in particular compressed air supply, and can instead work with a compressed gas cylinder or cartridge. Instead, the device can also be used as a larger device such. B. integrate into an automatic car wash for motor vehicles or rail vehicles in order to cause foam formation and foam application of the vehicle to be cleaned at a certain point in these streets. Various other possible uses are within the scope of the invention.

The full wording of the claims is above solely to avoid unnecessary repetition not reproduced, but instead merely referring to it by naming the claim number taken, whereby, however, all these features of the claim as express and essential to the invention at this point revealed to have to apply.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing. The drawing shows a schematic, partly circuit diagram representation of a device for Generation of foam, in particular for washing or other cleaning purposes. An application area for the device is the area of vehicle washing, in particular washing of motor vehicles and rail vehicles and the like. This is often done by means of so-called automatic car washes, which are used for mentioned purpose can be equipped with the device. Further areas of application, only listed as examples are those of the building cleaning in the private, industrial or public Area, e.g. B. Cleaning swimming pools, slaughterhouses or foam cleaning Carpets and the like. More.

That which is required for cleaning is generated by means of the device in a continuous process and as required Foam is generated in that water with a preferably liquid foaming agent, in particular a detergent substance such as soap, shampoo or the like. Is mixed and this liquid mixture is then caused to foam by supplying gas, in particular air.

The device has a liquid container 10, which has a liquid mixture 12 inside 11 Water and foaming agents, e.g. B. liquid shampoo absorbs. The liquid container 10 has only one schematically indicated, per se common float switch 13 with level control, the has just gone into the switched-off position in the state shown, since the liquid mixture 12 in the automatic process on the upper target liquid

Stand 14 has been filled. The area above the target liquid level 14 is with foam 15 generated filled, which is stored in it ready for retrieval and in the liquid container. 10 under some pressure stands. The liquid container 10 points at a distance above the target liquid level 14 while leaving it a sufficiently large residual volume to be able to store the foam 15 there, a removal opening 16 to which, for example, via a hose 17 a Spray gun 18 is connected, from which, if necessary, the foam 15 is released when actuated.

In another exemplary embodiment, not shown instead of the spray gun 18 there are other extraction openings, e.g. nozzles are provided, which depending on the use of the device at the desired location and, if necessary, are also arranged stationary. ■

The device has its own water supply branch 20, and also an independent supply line 30 for the foaming agent, e.g. B. Schampon, and also its own gas supply branch.4O, through the under Pressurized gas, in particular air, preferably simultaneously with the removal of the gas in the liquid container 10 generated foam 15 is introduced into the interior 11.

The water supply branch 20 is either, as is not shown, directly connected to the liquid container 10 connected or in the embodiment shown with the supply branch 30 for the foaming agent linked in the area of the confluence point 21, so that from there already the Liquid mixture 12 is introduced into the lower region of the liquid container 10.

Water is fed into the water supply branch 20 under pressure from a reservoir. In the simplest Case the water supply branch 20 is connected to a water pipe, so that the feed of water happens with line pressure. The water supply branch 20 contains an electromagnetically actuated shut-off valve 22, the electromagnet 23 of which has an electrical one indicated schematically and only in dashed lines Control line 24 is connected to the float switch 13 and from this with regard to the open-close actuation is controlled. The shut-off valve 22 is in the shown off position of the float switch 13 closed. On the other hand, when the level of the liquid mixture 12 falls, the float switch 13 switches in order to be in the on position, the solenoid 23 energized and brought the shut-off valve 22 in its open position, so that then water under line pressure is fed.

The water supply branch 20 has, downstream of the shut-off valve 22, also a z. B. manually adjustable Quantity control valve 25 and a check valve 26 connected downstream of this. By setting the flow control valve 25, the amount of water that is supplied can be adjusted as required and so that the Liquid mixture 12 has the desired proportions of water / foaming agent.

The supply branch 30 for the foaming agent is connected to a storage container 31, which the Foaming agent 32, e.g. B. shampoo contains. Furthermore, there is an adjustable metering pump 33 in the supply branch 30, via an electrical control line 34 to the electrical control line 24 to the float switch 13 is connected and controlled by it. In the position shown, the float switch 13 is the metering pump 33 is switched off, so that there is currently no foaming agent 32 from the storage container 31 is sucked in and conveyed via the liquid line 35. If the float switch reaches 13 on the other hand, when foam 15 is removed and the liquid level 14 of the liquid mixture 12 falls, the The position in which the float switch 13 switches on takes place when the shut-off valve 22 is opened in the Water supply branch 20 at the same time the activation of the metering pump 33 in the supply branch 30 for the foaming agent 32. By means of the metering pump 33, the desired amount predetermined by the setting is then added liquid foaming agent 32 conveyed via the liquid line 35. The water on the one hand and the promoted one Foaming agents 32, on the other hand, are mixed here before they are introduced into the liquid container 10, namely on the way between the confluence point 21 and the introduction into the liquid container 10. It it goes without saying, however, that the introduction of each medium into the liquid container 10 is also carried out separately can take place from one another, so that the liquid mixture 12 only arises in the interior 11.

2Q The gas supply branch 40 consists in the simplest, not case shown from any pressurized gas storage device, e.g. B. a replaceable, rechargeable pressurized gas cylinder or pressurized gas cartridge. This is then z. B. directly via an interposed metering valve the liquid container 10 attached. Such a design of the gas supply branch 40 is advantageous especially when another source of pressurized gas, especially air, is not available.

In the embodiment shown, the gas supply branch 40 is connected to a compressed gas generator 4t, e.g. B. a Compressor, connected so that the gas supply branch 40 is fed with generated compressed air. To the Compressed gas generator 41 is followed in the air line by a pressure regulator 42, indicated only schematically, with a display

43. Furthermore, the gas supply branch 40 contains an electromagnetically actuated shut-off valve 44, which is a adjustable flow control valve 45 is connected downstream, which is followed by a check valve 46. The gas supply branch 40 is connected directly to the liquid container 10 behind the check valve 46 and opens out in its interior 11, the connection at one point takes place, which is well below the minimum liquid level of the liquid mixture 12 at which Reaching the float switch 13 turns on. This switch-on position is indicated by dashed lines. The electromagnet 47 of the shut-off valve 44 is via an electrical only indicated schematically and with dashed lines Control line 48 fed, in which at least one electrical switch 49 sits, which is used to turn on the Excitation of the electromagnet 47 from the illustrated open position to the closed position must be brought. In the embodiment shown, a further, parallel-connected one is schematically shown electrical switch 50 indicated, which is located on the spray gun 18 and it the device person handling facilitated when working with the spray gun 18 when foam is required, the Switch 50 to close.

In another, not shown embodiment with one or more electrical switches 49, 50 these switches are z. B. designed as a floor switch, especially when the device is in a automatic car wash is integrated. Then the floor switches are given in the course of the process Time automatically closed, whereupon the electromagnet 47 is energized and the check valve 44 from the illustrated closed position goes into the open position. Then in the interior 11 the im

Gas supply branch c40 supplied compressed air generated, and although below the set via the pressure regulator 42, z. B. limited, pressure as well as with the amount that is on adjustable volume control valve 45 is dosed. It only turns off when compressed air is introduced into the interior 11 the liquid mixture 12 generates foam 15, since the liquid mixture 12 with separately introduced air is whirled up and foams. The developing foam 15 forms above the respective Liquid level 14 and sprays out of the opening of the spray gun 18, which is then opened.

The particular advantage of the device is that during the removal of foam 15 of this in continuous process depending on the level of the liquid mixture 12 in the liquid container 10 is produced again and again, so that practically, there is a need, continual foam can be generated and released, and this in a consistently high quality. The produced foam 15 by setting the individual parameters between watery thin, ie coarse-bubble, to be adjusted to fine-bubble stiff. The foam produced after this setting always has 15 this quality. This is not least due to the fact that via the water supply branch 20 there is the flow control valve 25, water can be supplied in the amount required for the liquid mixture 12 required, and likewise in the supply branch 30 for the foaming agent 32 by means of the adjustable metering pump 33 also foaming agent 32, especially shampoo, in the same way, separately from the water, with regard to the correct mixing ratio desired amount can be dosed and supplied. Furthermore, this is essentially due to the fact that the amounts of water on the one hand and foaming agent 32 on the other hand are set in the manner described, the generation of the liquid mixture 12 in the liquid container 10 is continuous and dependent this takes place as liquid mixture 12 is consumed by the formation of foam 15. So as soon as the Liquid container 10 of the target liquid level 14 of the liquid mixture 12 drops so far that the Float switch 13 automatically triggers a switching pulse and thus the shut-off valve 22 and at the same time the When the metering pump 33 is switched on, it is fed into the liquid container with the mixing ratio set constant 10 liquid mixture 12 replenished.

When the device is in operation, foam 15 is only generated when one of the switches 49 or 50 is closed and then the electromagnet 47 of the shut-off valve 44 is excited via the closed spreader line 48 and the latter transferred from the shown closed position to the open position. Then air gets in the interior 11 of the liquid container 10 is introduced and foam 15 is generated there. The foam generation takes place as long as the electrical excitation circuit is closed by closing the switch 49 or 50. Included the level of the liquid mixture 12 is always regulated by the float switch 13 so that on each If a sufficient amount of liquid mixture 12 is present in the interior 11 to allow air to be introduced To generate foam 15 with the set ratio of air / water foaming agent 32.

The device described thus functions as follows. The liquid mixture 12 from Water and foaming agent 32 are received in the level-regulated liquid container 10. As needed, namely at least for the time when the foam is needed, the liquid mixture 12 is directed for foaming inside the liquid container 10 gas, in particular air, under pressure and thereby generates the Foam 15. The water required for this is in its own water supply branch 20 and the one required for it Foaming agent 32, e.g. B. Shampoo, in its own supply branch 30 with regard to the respective supply pressure and / or dosed according to your choice of the respective feed quantity before mixing. The quantity is metered using of the quantity control valve 25 on the one hand and the metering pump 33 on the other hand. If necessary, the supply pressure is changed in the area of the Water supply branch 20 by changing the feed pressure and in the area of the supply branch 30 for the foaming agent 32 also by changing the pressure, ζ. B. in the area of the metering pump 33 or by special valves. A check valve seated between the storage container 31 and the metering pump 33 36 prevents, like the check valves 46 and 26, that from the liquid container 10 in opposite directions to Infeed direction liquid mixture 12 is pressed out and into the individual branches 20, 30, 40 got.

The feeding of the water in the water supply branch 20 and the feeding of the foaming agent 32, in particular shampoo, in the supply branch 30 of which takes place as a function of the respective liquid level 14 of the liquid mixture 12 received in the liquid container 10, specifically in a continuous manner Operation. The feed into the two branches 20 and 30 is initiated when the liquid level 14 of the Liquid mixture 12 drops below the level causing the float switch 13 to be switched on. When the shown target liquid level 14 is reached and the float switch 13 is switched off on the other hand, the feed into branches 20 and 30 is blocked. The gas, ζ. B. Air, is independent of this in own gas supply branch 40 out and with regard to the respective supply pressure and / or the respective Metered feed quantity. The pressure is set z. B. by means of the pressure regulator 42, the dosage the amount takes place by means of the flow control valve 45. Air is introduced under pressure into the Liquid mixture 12 in the liquid container 10 simultaneously with the initiated removal of Foam 15, that is to say simultaneously with the opening of the foam removal branch in the form of the removal opening 16 with hose 17 and spray gun 18, and only then. So no foam 15 is required and removed, so the switches 49, 50, as shown, are open, then the interior fills. 11 of the liquid container 10 through the control of the float switch 13 on the target liquid level 14 with liquid mixture 12, with above the liquid mixture 12 sufficient foam 15 is stored in the interior 11, which when switched on and removed is immediately available.

1 sheet of drawings

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Claims (10)

Patent claims: 1. Device for generating foam, in particular for washing or other cleaning purposes, one preferably liquid Foaming agents, in particular a detergent substance such as soap, shampoo or the like., About a Gas supply branch under pressure a gas, in particular air, formed at the same time as the withdrawal Foam can be fed, characterized by a liquid mixture of water and Foaming agent (32) receiving, level-regulated liquid container (10), which is in its own Water supply branch (20) led water and in a separate supply branch (30) led foaming agent (32) can each be supplied in dosed quantities. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the water supply branch (20) is a preferably electromagnetically actuated shut-off valve (22), in particular a manually adjustable one Quantity control valve (25) i and a downstream one Has check valve (26) and is connected directly to the liquid container (10) or in the feed branch (30) of the foaming agent (32) opens into (21), which in turn is connected to the liquid container (10). 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the feed branch (30) of the Foaming device (32) an adjustable metering pump (33) and, preferably via a shut-off valve (36), to a foaming agent (32) containing Reservoir (31) is connected. 4. Device according to one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the liquid container (10) has a float switch (13) with level control, which is preferably on the electromagnetically operated shut-off valve (22) in the water supply branch (20) and on the metering pump (33) in the feed branch (30) of the foaming agent (32) works and both when the target level (14) is reached of the liquid mixture (12) in the liquid container (10) in the sense of a blocking of the respective The supply branch (20, 30) switches off and when the liquid level falls below this level in the sense a release and supply of water and foaming agent (32) turns on. 5. Device according to one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the gas supply branch (40) a preferably electromagnetically actuated shut-off valve (44), an adjustable flow control valve (45) and a check valve downstream of this (46) and is connected directly to the liquid container (10), preferably at a point below the minimum liquid level. 6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the gas supply branch (40) has a dem Has shut-off valve (44) upstream pressure regulator (42, 43). 7. Device according to one of claims 1-6, characterized in that the gas supply branch (40) is connected to and from a compressed gas generator (41), in particular a compressor is fed. 8. Device according to one of claims 1-7, characterized in that the gas supply branch a rechargeable pressurized gas storage device, in particular an exchangeable pressurized gas cylinder or - cartridge. 9. Device according to one of claims 1-8, characterized in that it is preferably electromagnetically actuated shut-off valve (44) of the gas supply branch (40) by means of at least one Switch (49.50) is controllable. 10. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the at least one switch (40, 50) is designed as a manual switch or floor switch.