EP1036889A1 - Waschwasserabgebende vorrichtung - Google Patents

Waschwasserabgebende vorrichtung Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1036889A1
EP1036889A1 EP98937832A EP98937832A EP1036889A1 EP 1036889 A1 EP1036889 A1 EP 1036889A1 EP 98937832 A EP98937832 A EP 98937832A EP 98937832 A EP98937832 A EP 98937832A EP 1036889 A1 EP1036889 A1 EP 1036889A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
wash water
air
air bubble
water spouting
spouting
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP98937832A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1036889A4 (de
Inventor
Noboru Shinbara
Takahiro Toto Ltd. OHASI
Kiyoshi Toto Ltd. FUJINO
Hiroshi Toto Ltd. OKANO
Hisato Toto Ltd. HARAGA
Yuji Toto Ltd. TSUKITA
Hironori Toto Ltd. HATONO
Koichi Toto Ltd. MARUYAMA
Minoru Toto Ltd. SATOH
Minoru Toto Ltd. TAKASHIO
Minoru Toto Ltd. KOSHOJI
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Toto Ltd
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Toto Ltd
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Publication date
Application filed by Toto Ltd filed Critical Toto Ltd
Publication of EP1036889A1 publication Critical patent/EP1036889A1/de
Publication of EP1036889A4 publication Critical patent/EP1036889A4/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
    • E03D9/00—Sanitary or other accessories for lavatories ; Devices for cleaning or disinfecting the toilet room or the toilet bowl; Devices for eliminating smells
    • E03D9/08—Devices in the bowl producing upwardly-directed sprays; Modifications of the bowl for use with such devices ; Bidets; Combinations of bowls with urinals or bidets; Hot-air or other devices mounted in or on the bowl, urinal or bidet for cleaning or disinfecting
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03C—DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER; SINKS
    • E03C1/00—Domestic plumbing installations for fresh water or waste water; Sinks
    • E03C1/02—Plumbing installations for fresh water
    • E03C1/08—Jet regulators or jet guides, e.g. anti-splash devices
    • E03C1/084—Jet regulators with aerating means

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a wash water spouting apparatus.
  • Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publications No.56-70338 and No.5-33377 disclose washing systems for regions of the human body such as the anus and private parts comprising wash water spouting means, wash water supplying means for supplying the wash water spouting means with wash water and air bubble mixing means for mixing air bubbles with the wash water.
  • wash water containing air bubbles is spouted to increase detergency of the wash water or give a gentle stimulation to the user.
  • Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publications No. 10-18391 discloses a washing system for regions of the human body such as the anus and private parts wherein a large quantity of air is mixed with wash water to increase the speed of the wash water jet thereby achieving a large amount of water saving.
  • a wash water jet must actually contain a large number of air bubbles when it reaches a target surface in order to achieve high detergency and give a gentle stimulation to the user.
  • the techniques disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publications No. 56-70338 and No. 5-33377 do not ensure that a wash water jet actually contains a large number of air bubbles when it reaches the target surface.
  • a wash water must be reliably accelerated by the air bubbles mixed with the wash water in order to achieve a large amount of water saving.
  • the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-18391 does not ensure that the wash water is reliably accelerated by the air bubbles mixed with the wash water.
  • the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No.10-18391 does not ensure a large amount of water saving.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a wash water spouting apparatus wherein a wash water jet actually contains a large number of air bubbles when it reaches a target surface and a large amount of water saving is achieved.
  • a wash water spouting apparatus for spouting a bubble flow wherein a large number of micro air bubbles are dispersed in wash water, comprising wash water spouting means, wash water supplying means for supplying the wash water spouting means with wash water and air bubble mixing means for mixing air bubbles with the wash water.
  • the inventors of the present invention conducted an extensive study and found that a wash water jet actually contains a large number of air bubbles when it reaches a target surface and wash water is reliably accelerated by air bubbles mixed with the wash water only if the flow regime of a gas-liquid two-phase flow passing through a wash water passage is optimized. The knowledge obtained by the inventors will be explained.
  • the air mixed with wash water disperses in the wash water to move integrally with the wash water.
  • the flow rate of the fluid passing through the wash water passage increases by an amount of the flow rate of the air mixed with the wash water and the wash water is accelerated.
  • the flow regime of a gas-liquid two-phase flow passing through the wash water passage is a bubble flow, it is possible to mix a large quantity of air with the wash water to accelerate the wash water by a large amount thereby saving the wash water by a large amount.
  • the average value Ps of the pressure generated on a target surface when a jet of wash water strikes against the target surface is expressed by formula 1.
  • ⁇ W is change in the momentum of the wash water jet when the jet strikes against the target surface.
  • ⁇ is the density of the wash water.
  • S 1 is the cross sectional area of the wash water jet
  • S S is the area of the target surface
  • V 1 is the flow velocity of the wash water jet.
  • (S 1 / S S ) can be considered to be substantially constant so far as factors such as the kind of wash water, the temperature of the wash water, S 1 , etc. do not change extremely.
  • formula 1 can be rewritten as formula 2.
  • Ps ⁇ (S 1 / S 8 )V 1 2 ⁇ C ⁇ V 1 2
  • ⁇ G is the density of the gas forming the air bubbles
  • ⁇ L is the density of the wash water without air bubbles
  • Q G is the volume flow rate of the gas forming the air bubbles
  • Q L is the volume flow rate of the wash water without air bubbles
  • ⁇ is Q G / Q L .
  • ⁇ is gas-liquid ratio. Gas-liquid ratio means the ratio of the volume flow rate of the gas forming the air bubbles to the volume flow rate of the wash water without air bubbles.
  • ⁇ G « ⁇ L When spherical air bubbles of the same diameter are packed in the wash water to form the most closely packed cubic lattice, the theoretical maximum of the gas-liquid ratio ⁇ is about 2.85 : 1.
  • the gas-liquid ratio ⁇ becomes still larger because polyhedron-shaped air bubbles can be packed more closely than spherical air bubbles.
  • the gas-liquid ratio ⁇ should therefore not become too large.
  • ⁇ G ⁇ in the second formula of the above formulae seems to be negligible relative to ⁇ L .
  • the third formula 3 is derived from the second formula of the above formulae.
  • the average pressure Ps generated when a bubble flow jet strikes against a target surface can be derived from the formulae 2 and 3.
  • Formula 3 is substituted into formula 2.
  • Ps C ⁇ V 1 2 ⁇ C ⁇ L V 1 2 / ( 1 + ⁇ )
  • the present invention is based on the above knowledge.
  • the flow regime of a gas-liquid two-phase flow passing through the wash water passage is made a bubble flow to make a wash water jet containing a large number of air bubbles strike against the target surface thereby saving the wash water by a large amount.
  • a wash water spouting apparatus for spouting a bubble flow wherein a large number of micro air bubbles are dispersed in wash water, comprising wash water spouting means, wash water supplying means for supplying the wash water spouting means with wash water, air bubble mixing means for generating a large number of micro air bubbles, while preventing merging of the air bubbles, and mixing the air bubbles with and dispersing the air bubbles in the wash water flowing in a wash water passage.
  • a wash water spouting apparatus for spouting a bubble flow wherein a large number of micro air bubbles are dispersed substantially uniformly in wash water, comprising wash water spouting means, wash water supplying means for supplying the wash water spouting means with wash water, air bubble mixing means for generating a large number of micro air bubbles, while preventing merging of the air bubbles, and mixing the air bubbles with and dispersing the air bubbles substantially uniformly in the wash water flowing in a wash water passage.
  • a large number of micro air bubbles must be mixed with wash water passing through a wash water passage in order to make the flow regime of a gas-liquid two-phase flow passing through the wash water passage a bubble flow.
  • a large number of micro air bubbles must be generated in order to mix a large number of micro air bubbles with the wash water passing through the wash water passage. If a large number of micro air bubbles are generated in a limited region, the micro air bubbles merge with one another when they are generated and become large air bubbles. Thus, large air bubbles are mixed with the wash water.
  • micro air bubbles must be prevented from merging when they are generated in order to obtain a bubble flow wherein a large number of micro air bubbles are dispersed in wash water.
  • the generated micro air bubbles must be mixed with and dispersed in, more preferably dispersed substantially uniformly in, the wash water passing through a wash water passage. If the air bubbles are dispersed in the wash water, more preferably dispersed substantially uniformly in the wash water, the air bubbles are prevented from merging and generation of a slug flow, a froth flow or a cylindrical mist flow is prevented.
  • a wash water spouting apparatus comprising wash water spouting means, wash water supplying means for supplying the wash water spouting means with wash water, air bubble mixing means for generating a large number of micro air bubbles and mixing the air bubbles with the wash water flowing in a wash water passage, wherein the relation between E w and E t is E w ⁇ E t , where E w is the energy of the wash water passing through the part of the wash water passage just upstream of the air mixing means and E t is the energy of the wash water passing through the part of the wash water passage just downstream of the air mixing means.
  • a wash water spouting apparatus for spouting a bubble flow wherein a large number of micro air bubbles are dispersed in wash water, comprising wash water spouting means, wash water supplying means for supplying the wash water spouting means with wash water, air bubble mixing means for mixing air bubbles with the wash water flowing in a wash water passage and air bubble breaking means for breaking air bubbles mixed with the wash water into micro air bubbles.
  • the effect of making a gas-liquid two-phase flow into a bubble flow and thereby enabling spouting of a bubble flow can also be achieved by breaking air bubbles mixed with wash water into micro air bubbles instead of by mixing micro air bubbles with the wash water.
  • the spouting apparatus further comprises forced air supplying means for force supplying the air mixing means with air.
  • the air mixing means is force supplied with air, a large number of air bubbles can be mixed with the wash water.
  • the mean diameter of the air bubbles mixed with the wash water is 100 ⁇ m to 1000 ⁇ m.
  • micro air bubbles of 100 ⁇ m to 100 ⁇ m mean diameter do not merge with one another easily .
  • a stable bubble flow can be obtained by mixing micro air bubbles of 100 ⁇ m to 1000 ⁇ m mean diameter with the wash water.
  • the wash water spouting apparatus in accordance with the present invention can be incorporated in a washing system for regions of the human body such as the anus and private parts.
  • the mean diameter of the air bubbles in a bubble flow is preferably less than or equal to 1000 ⁇ m because the bubble flow must be passed without difficulty through pipes or nozzles of sizes suitable for the washing system.
  • generation of extremely fine micro air bubbles is technologically difficult.
  • the mean diameter of the air bubbles dispersed in the bubble flow spouted from the wash water spouting apparatus incorporated in a washing system is preferably 100 ⁇ m to 1000 ⁇ m.
  • the ratio of the volume flow rate of the air mixed with the wash water to the volume flow rate of the wash water is 0.5 : 1 to 4.0 : 1.
  • the ratio of the volume flow rate of the air mixed with the wash water to the volume flow rate of the wash water is preferably between 0.5 and 4.0.
  • the sectional area of the wash water passage at the air bubble mixing means and downstream of the air bubble mixing means is set larger than the projected area of a sphere of a diameter equal to the mean diameter of the mixed air bubbles and the sectional area of the wash water passage downstream of the air bubble mixing means is set larger than or equal to that at the air bubble mixing means.
  • the sectional area of the wash water passage becomes smaller than that at the air bubble mixing means at a point downstream of the air bubble mixing means, the flow regime of the gas-liquid two-phase flow passing through the the part of the wash water passage downstream of the point becomes a cylindrical mist flow. It is thought that the air bubbles dispersed in the wash water gather about the center of the flow at the point where the sectional area of the wash water passage becomes smaller than that at the air bubble mixing means, so that a large number of air bubbles merge with one another to form a columnar air layer about the center of the flow. If the sectional area of the wash water passage downstream of the air bubble mixing means is set larger than or equal to that at the air bubble mixing means, the flow regime of the gas-liquid two-phase flow passing through the wash water passage is maintained as a bubble flow.
  • the wash water passage downstream of the air bubble mixing means extends substantially straight.
  • wash water passage downstream of the air bubble mixing is curved, centrifugal force acting on the micro air bubbles dispersed in the wash water is liable to merge them with one another when the bubble flow passes through the curved portion. Thus, the bubble flow is liable to become a slug flow or a froth flow. If the wash water passage downstream of the air bubble mixing means extends substantially straight, merging of the micro air bubbles by centrifugal force is prevented and the bubble flow is maintained.
  • the air bubble mixing means is disposed in the wash water spouting means.
  • the air bubble mixing means is disposed in the wash water spouting means and in the vicinity of the outlet port of the wash water spouting means.
  • the air bubble mixing means is disposed in the wash water spouting means, preferably in the vicinity of the outlet port of the wash water spouting means, the residence time of the bubble flow in the wash water passage decreases, the probability of merging of the micro air bubbles decreases, and the probability of the maintenance of the bubble flow increases.
  • the air bubble mixing means is disposed in the wash water spouting means and in the vicinity of the outlet port of the wash water spouting means, and the part of the wash water spouting means in the vicinity of the outlet port is detachably connected to the remaining part of the wash water spouting means.
  • the air bubble mixing means has an air bubble generating member provided with a large number of independent pores at its surface contacting the wash water passing through the wash water passage.
  • An independent air bubble is generated at each of the large number of independent pores formed in the surface of the air bubble generating member contacting the wash water. If the large number of pores are continuous pores made of a plurality of pores connected to one another, a plurality of air bubbles are liable to be generated at each of the continuous pores. These air bubbles generated at each of the continuous pores are liable to merge to form large air bubbles. If the large number of pores formed in the surface of the bubble generating member contacting the wash water are independent pores, merging of the air bubbles at the stage of the generation of the air bubbles is prevented and the formation of large air bubbles is prevented.
  • the independent bubble generated at each of a large number of independent pores grows to a certain size, leaves the independent pore entrained by the wash water passing through the wash water passage, and is dispersed in the wash water.
  • a large number of micro air bubbles are generated at a large number of independent pores formed in the surface spreading over a certain area and released into the wash water.
  • the micro air bubbles are mixed with and dispersed in the wash water. As a result, a bubble flow is reliably generated.
  • the independent pores are disposed regularly and in a lattice.
  • the density of the pores can be increased and the size of the air bubble mixing means reduced. Moreover, the space between the air bubbles can be kept constant and merging of the air bubbles at the stage of the generation of the air bubbles can be prevented.
  • the air mixing means has an air bubble generating member of mesh construction at its surface contacting the wash water passing through the wash water passage.
  • the mesh construction forms independent pores.
  • the mesh construction can be achieved easily by stacking or weaving fibers.
  • the shape of the pores and the space between the pores can be adjusted easily by selecting the diameter of the fibers, the space between the fibers or the orientation of the fibers.
  • the air bubble generating member is made of an aggregate of substantially spherical particles.
  • Substantially spherical particles can be packed close to make the shape of the pores uniform. Thus, the generation of continuous pores made of a plurality of pores connected to one another is suppressed and the generation of independent pores is promoted.
  • the mean diameter of the substantially spherical particles forming the aggregate is 50 ⁇ m to 300 ⁇ m.
  • the space between the substantially spherical particles forming the aggregate is 50 ⁇ m to 300 ⁇ m.
  • the mean diameter of the independent pores formed by the spaces between the particles becomes 50 ⁇ m to 300 ⁇ m.
  • the mean diameter of the air bubbles generated by the independent pores of 50 ⁇ m to 300 ⁇ m mean diameter is 100 ⁇ m to 1000 ⁇ m.
  • the filling factor of the substantially spherical particles forming the aggregate is larger than or equal to 70 %.
  • the theoretical maximum of the filling factor is 74%. It is hard to pack spherical particles to form the most closely packed cubic lattice because of the generation of static electricity, etc.
  • the filling factor of the substantially spherical particles forming the aggregate is preferably larger than or equal to 70% in order to obtain independent pores.
  • the air bubble generating member is made of a hot formed compact of heat fusible powder.
  • heat fusible powder When heat fusible powder is hot formed, abutting surfaces between the adjacent particles are fused and bonded, thereby forming independent pores.
  • a hot formed compact of heat fusible powder can endure the water pressure and the air pressure when it is used.
  • the surface of the air bubble generating member contacting the wash water extends flush with the inner surface of the wash water passage.
  • the air bubble generating member is a cylindrical porous member forming the wash water passage.
  • an air passage is formed around the cylindrical porous member.
  • the sectional area of the wash water passage in the cylindrical porous member is constant or gradually increases from the upstream end toward the downstream end.
  • the cylindrical porous member is fixed to the wash water spouting means by press fitting.
  • the cylindrical porous member is fixed to the wash water spouting means by press fitting, the air is prevented from mixing with the wash water through a gap formed at the fixed part. Thus, large air bubbles are prevented from mixing with the wash water unexpectedly.
  • the inner diameter of the cylindrical porous member is made larger at the press fitting part than at the remaining part.
  • the inner diameter of the cylindrical porous member is made larger at the press fitting part than at the other part, the inner diameter of the press fitting part becomes equal to that of the remaining part after the press fitting. Thus, the generation of turbulence in the wash water is prevented.
  • the cylindrical porous member is press fitted at both ends.
  • the inner diameter of the cylindrical porous member is made larger at one of the press fitting parts than at the remaining part.
  • the cylindrical porous member is press fitted at both ends, it can be firmly fixed to the wash water spouting means.
  • the cylindrical porous member is generally made by powder molding. If the inner diameter of the cylindrical porous member is larger at both ends than at the other part, burrs are formed at one end of the cylindrical porous member because of the arrangement of the molds. Therefore, it is preferable to make the inner diameter of the cylindrical porous member larger at its one end than at the remaining part.
  • all or part of the air bubble generating member is made of water repellent material, or a water repellent finish is applied to the surface of the wash water passage in the air bubble generating member.
  • the performance of the air bubble generating member is liable to be degraded by clogging of the pores. Moreover, the performance of the air bubble generating member is liable to be degraded by osmotic pressure caused by capillarity in the pores.
  • the air bubble generating member is made of water repellent material such as PTFE, ETEF, etc., in whole or in part, or a water repellent finish using paraffin, carnauba wax, etc.
  • the entry of the water into the pores can be prevented and osmotic pressure caused by the capillarity in the pores can be decreased.
  • deterioration of the air bubble generating member and decrease in the performance of the air bubble generating member can be prevented.
  • all or part of the air bubble generating member is made of hydrophilic material, or a hydrophilic finish is applied to the surface of the wash water passage in the air bubble generating member.
  • Wettability of the surface of the air bubble generating member affects the size of the air bubbles.
  • the air bubble generating member is not wettable (water repellent)
  • the air discharged from the pores is liable to reside on the surface of the air bubble generating member, whereby the diameter of the air bubbles is liable to become large.
  • the air bubble generating member is wettable (hydrophilic)
  • the air discharged from the pores is unlikely to reside on the surface of the air bubble generating member and, therefore, the diameter of the air bubbles is unlikely to become large.
  • the air bubble generating member is made of hydrophilic material such as HDPE, LDPE, PP, PA, PET, MMA, glass, polyolefine, cellulose, etc., in whole or in part, or the surface of the wash water passage in the air bubble generating member is subjected to hydrophilic finish with acrylic acid, plasma surface treatment, chromic acid surface treatment, silica coating, etc., the size of the air bubbles decreases and the generation of slug flow or froth flow is prevented.
  • hydrophilic material such as HDPE, LDPE, PP, PA, PET, MMA, glass, polyolefine, cellulose, etc.
  • the surface of the wash water passage in the air bubble generating member is coated with a surface finishing agent preventing the deposit of calcium.
  • the surface of the wash water passage in the air bubble generating member is coated with a surface finishing agent preventing the deposit of calcium, pores in the surface of the wash water passage in the air bubble generating member are prevented from clogging and the air bubble generating member is protected from performance degradation.
  • the surface finishing agent contains siloxane linkage.
  • the surface finishing agent contains siloxane linkage, deposition of calcium on the surface of the wash water passage in the air bubble generating member made of acrylic material or polyethylene material is effectively prevented.
  • the surface finishing agent contains acrylic agent and silicon agent.
  • the surface finishing agent contains acrylic agent and silicon agent, deposition of calcium on the surface of the wash water passage in the air bubble generating member made of acrylic material or polyethylene material is effectively prevented.
  • the air bubble generating member is made of porous polyethylene material and the surface finishing agent contains alkylpolysiloxane.
  • the surface finishing agent contains alkylpolysiloxane, deposition of calcium on the surface of the wash water passage in the air bubble generating member made of porous polyethylene material is effectively prevented.
  • the air bubble generating member is made of porous acrylic material and the surface finishing agent contains cold setting glass.
  • the surface finishing agent contains cold setting glass, deposition of calcium on the surface of the wash water passage in the air bubble generating member made of porous acrylic material is effectively prevented.
  • the wash water spouting apparatus further comprises solute concentration controlling means for solving a solute in the wash water to a predetermined concentration.
  • a solute such as chemicals, surface active agent, etc. in the wash water to a predetermined concentration. If the flow rate of the wash water is kept at a predetermined value, the control of the solution of the solute in the wash water becomes easy.
  • the wash water spouting apparatus further comprises wash water supply controlling means for intermittently stopping the supply of the wash water to the wash water passage when the forced air supplying means operates.
  • the water supplying means comprises a wash water storage tank, the forced air supplying means force supplies the air to the air bubble mixing means and the wash water storage tank to pressurize the wash water thereby discharging the wash water from the wash water storage tank.
  • the wash water spouting apparatus has a wash water storage tank
  • the apparatus can be incorporated in various kinds of portable washing devices.
  • the forced air supplying means is used for force feeding of the wash water as well as force feeding of the air
  • the number of the components decreases and the manufacturing cost of the wash water spouting apparatus decreases compared with the case of providing wash water force feeding means separately.
  • the air bubbles are mixed with flowing wash water, a large number of micro air bubbles can be mixed with the wash water and the washing effect of the wash water can be increased.
  • the pipe connecting the forced air supplying means with the wash water storage tank and/or the pipe connecting the forced air supplying means with the air bubble mixing means are provided with pressure control valves.
  • pipe connecting the forced air supplying means with the wash water storage tank and/or the pipe connecting the forced air supplying means with the air bubble mixing means are provided with pressure control valves, flow rate of-the air bubbles mixed with the wash water can be controlled.
  • the size, weight and electric power consumption of the wash water spouting apparatus are determined to be convenient for portable use.
  • wash water spouting apparatus If the size, weight and electric power consumption of the wash water spouting apparatus are determined to be convenient for portable use, various kinds of washing devices having the wash water spouting apparatus can be made portable.
  • a washing system for regions of the human body such as the anus and private parts comprising one of the wash water spouting apparatus described above.
  • the wash water spouting apparatus of the washing system for the human body comprises forced air supplying means for force supplying air to the air bubble generating means and the washing system for the human body further comprises a controller for driving the wash water supplying means and the forced air supplying means for a predetermined period of time.
  • the washing system for the human body is automatically maintained and the function of the washing system for the human body can be maintained for a long time.
  • the air bubble mixing means in the wash water spouting apparatus of the washing system for the human body has an air bubble generating member wherein a large number of independent pores are formed in the surface contacting the wash water passing through a wash water passage, the air bubble generating member is made of a porous cylindrical body forming the wash water passage, the porous cylindrical body is disposed in the wash water spouting means and in the vicinity of the outlet port of the wash water spouting means, and the downstream end of the porous cylindrical body is directed upward.
  • the wash water passage downstream of the porous cylindrical body can extend substantially straight to prevent merging of the air bubbles.
  • the washing system for the human body further comprises volatile constituent mixing means for mixing a volatile constituent with the air to be supplied to the air mixing means.
  • the wash water spouting means of the wash water spouting apparatus in the washing system for the human body has a plurality of outlet ports and the bubble flow is selectively fed to one of the plurality of outlet ports through a passage selection means.
  • the washing system for the human body becomes even more convenient.
  • a showering apparatus comprising one of the wash water spouting apparatuses as described above.
  • wash water spouting apparatuses as described above is incorporated in a showering apparatus, a hair washing apparatus, a face washing apparatus, an eye washing apparatus, a palate washing apparatus, a hand washing apparatus, a water faucet apparatus or a bath tub, the detergency of the apparatus increases and wash water is saved.
  • an ultrasonic washing apparatus comprising one of the wash water spouting apparatuses as described above.
  • a hot-water supplying apparatus comprising one of the wash water spouting apparatuses as described above.
  • the hot water is saved, the size of the heating apparatus in the hot-water supplying apparatus is reduced, the size of the hot-water supplying apparatus is reduced, and energy is saved.
  • a wash water spouting apparatus A in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention comprises a wash water discharging nozzle 1, a pipe 2 forming a wash water passage extending to the wash water discharging nozzle 1, an air bubble mixing apparatus 3 disposed in the course of the pipe 2, a forced air supplying apparatus 4 for force supplying air to the air bubble mixing apparatus 3, and a continuous flow valve 5 disposed in the course of the pipe 2 and upstream of the air bubble mixing apparatus 3.
  • the pipe 2 is connected to a water faucet not shown in Figure 5 at its upstream end.
  • the air mixing apparatus 3 has a cylindrical air bubble generating member 3a made of porous material.
  • the cylindrical air bubble generating member 3a forms a part of the wash water passage.
  • the inner surface of the cylindrical air bubble generating member 3a extends flush with the inner surface of the wash water passages adjacent to the cylindrical air bubble generating member 3a in the front and in the rear.
  • the cylindrical air bubble generating member 3a is provided with a large number of independent pores at its inner surface.
  • the sectional area of the wash water passage formed in the cylindrical air bubble generating member 3a gradually increases from the upstream end to the downstream end.
  • a pressure chamber 3b is formed around the cylindrical air bubble generating member 3a.
  • the forced air supplying apparatus 4 has a pipe 4a connected to the pressure chamber 3b of the air bubble mixing apparatus 3.
  • a check valve 4b, an air pump 4c and an air cleaning filter 4d are disposed in the course of the pipe 4a. They are disposed in series in the order of the check valve 4b, the air pump 4c and the air cleaning filter 4d from downstream to upstream relative to the air flow in the pipe 4a.
  • the pipe 4a upstream of the air cleaning filter 4d is open to the atmosphere.
  • a controller 4e is disposed to control the operation of the air pump 4c.
  • the sectional area of the wash water passage formed by the air bubble generating member 3a, the pipe 2 downstream of the air bubble generating member 3a and the wash water discharging nozzle 1 is set larger than the projected area of a sphere of a diameter equal to the mean diameter of the air bubbles mixed with the wash water passing through the wash water passage by the air bubble generating member 3a.
  • the mean diameter is calculated from the mean volume of the air bubbles.
  • the sectional area of the wash water passage downstream of the air bubble generating member 3a is set larger than or equal to the sectional area of the wash water passage at the downstream end of the air bubble generating member 3a.
  • the electric power source of the controller 4e is turned on and the air pump 4c starts under the control of the controller 4e.
  • Air is drawn into the pipe 4a and passed through the air cleaning filter 4d to be cleaned of dust.
  • the air cleaned of dust is force fed to the pressure chamber 3b through the pump 4c and the check valve 4b.
  • the pressurized air flowing in the pressure chamber 3b passes through the pores in the air bubble generating member 3a made of porous material to form an independent air bubble at each of a large number of independent pores formed in the inner surface of the air bubble generating member 3a.
  • the air bubbles grow to a predetermined size, leave the independent pores entrained by the city water passing through the wash water passage formed by the inner surface of the air bubble generating member 3a.
  • micro air bubbles are mixed with and dispersed in the water.
  • a large number of micro air bubbles are mixed with and dispersed in the water.
  • the flow of the water becomes a bubble flow.
  • the bubble flow passes through the pipe 2 and spouts from the wash water discharging nozzle 1 to become a jet flow.
  • the jet flow of the bubble flow having high detergency strikes against a target surface to wash the surface thoroughly.
  • the jet flow of the bubble flow achieves a high water saving effect.
  • Figure 6 shows an example of the jet flow of the bubble flow spouting from a wash water spouting apparatus like the wash water spouting apparatus A. It is clear from Figure 6 that a large number of micro air bubbles are contained in the wash water. The air bubbles do not interact with the atmosphere after they are discharged from the wash water spouting apparatus because they are enclosed by the wash water. Thus, the air bubbles can reliably reach the target surface.
  • an independent air bubble is generated at each of a large number of independent pores formed in the inner surface of the air bubble generating member 3a. If the large number of pores formed in the inner surface of the air bubble generating member 3a should be continuous pores made of a plurality of pores connected to one another, a plurality of air bubbles might be generated at each of the continuous pores. These air bubbles would be likely to merge to form large air bubbles. In the wash water spouting apparatus A, however, the large number of pores formed in the inner surface of the air bubble generating member 3a are independent pores. Merging of the air bubbles at the stage of the generation of the air bubble is therefore prevented so that formation of large air bubbles does not occur.
  • the inner surface of the air bubble generating member 3a forms the surrounding wall of the wash water passage.
  • the air bubbles generated at the pores formed in the inner surface of the air bubble generating member 3a therefore grow at right angles to the flow of the wash water.
  • shear force is applied to the growing air bubbles by the flowing wash water, the air bubbles leave the pores entrained by the wash water at the first stage of growth and the air bubbles are mixed with the wash water.
  • micro air bubbles are mixed with and dispersed in the wash water.
  • the air bubbles are discharged from the whole inner surface of the air bubble generating member 3a in the flowing water substantially uniformly.
  • micro air bubbles are mixed with and dispersed in the flowing water substantially uniformly .
  • the sectional area of the wash water passage formed by the air bubble generating member 3a, the pipe 2 downstream of the air bubble generating member 3a and the wash water discharging nozzle 1 is set larger than the projected area of a sphere of a diameter equal to the mean diameter of the air bubbles, the mean diameter being calculated from the mean volume of the air bubbles, mixed with the city water passing through the wash water passage by the air bubble generating member 3a.
  • the above described structure can be realized by controlling the diameter of the pores in the porous material forming the air bubble generating member 3a thereby controlling the diameter of the independent pores formed in the inner surface of air bubble generating member 3a, controlling the apparent flow velocity of the city water (volume flow rate of water without air bubbles divided by the sectional area of the wash water passage), or controlling the wettability of the porous material as described later thereby controlling the mean volume of the air bubbles mixed with the water.
  • the sectional area of the wash water passage formed by the inner surface of the air bubble generating member 3a gradually increases from the upstream end toward the downstream end.
  • the sectional area of the wash water passage downstream of the air bubble generating member 3a is set larger than or equal to the sectional area of the wash water passage at the downstream end of the air bubble generating member 3a.
  • the city water with which a large number of micro air bubbles are mixed and in which a large number of micro air bubbles are dispersed can discharge from the wash water discharging nozzle 1 to reach the target surface while keeping the large number of micro air bubbles dispersed in the water.
  • the wash water spouting apparatus A can spout a jet flow at a bubble flow of city water wherein a large number of micro air bubbles are dispersed.
  • the controller 4e controls the voltage applied to the air pump 4c to make the gas-liquid ratio ⁇ fall in the range of 0.5 to 4.0.
  • the gas-liquid ratio ⁇ can be increased to or greater than 2.85, 2.85 being the maximum value of the gas-liquid ratio obtained when spherical air bubbles are packed in the most closely packed cubic lattice.
  • the gas-liquid ratio ⁇ becomes too large, air bubbles are liable to merge to cause the flow regime of the gas-liquid two-phase flow to become a slug flow or a froth flow.
  • the maximum value of the gas-liquid ratio ⁇ was set at 4.0 to prevent generation of a slug flow or a froth flow.
  • the minimum value of the gas-liquid ratio was set at 0.5.
  • the stimulation produced by a bubble flow of wash water striking a target surface increases as the gas-liquid ratio ⁇ increases.
  • the gas-liquid ratio ⁇ is preferably set at 1.0 or less to decrease the stimulation because the necessity of strong detergency or water saving is low.
  • the gas-liquid ratio ⁇ is preferably set at 1.6 or more to achieve strong detergency and water saving.
  • the gas-liquid ratio ⁇ is preferably set at 2.3 or less to maintain the stability of the bubble flow.
  • the theoretical maximum value 2.85 of the gas-liquid ratio ⁇ in the bubble flow is obtained when spherical air bubbles are packed in the most closely packed cubic lattice. Theoretically, therefore, if the gas-liquid ratio ⁇ becomes larger than 2.85, the air bubbles contact and merge to form large air bubbles that degrade the stability of the bubble flow. In fact, however, because of the flexibility of the air bubbles, the air bubbles can deform if they contact to one another. Thus, merging of air bubbles is suppressed and the stability of the bubble flow is maintained.
  • the air bubbles contained in the bubble flow have fairly broad diameter distribution. Air bubbles of relatively small diameter can therefore be forced between air bubbles of relatively large diameter.
  • the gas-liquid ratio ⁇ can be increased to 4.0 while maintaining the stability of the bubble flow.
  • the gas-liquid ratio ⁇ is preferably increased to 4.0 or so to achieve strong detergency and high water saving effect.
  • the flow rate of the city water passing through the wash water passage in the air bubble generating member 3a is controlled to be constant by the continuous flow valve 5.
  • the gas-liquid ratio ⁇ can therefore be controlled easily and the detergency of the jet flow of the bubble flow spouting from the wash water discharging nozzle 1 can be controlled easily only by controlling the voltage applied to the air pump 4c.
  • the air is force supplied to the cylindrical air generating member 3a made of porous material and forming the wash water passage.
  • the cylindrical air generating member 3a made of porous material and forming the wash water passage.
  • the pressure chamber 3b is formed around the cylindrical air bubble generating member 3a.
  • the air bubbles can therefore be mixed easily with the water passing through the wash water passage through the air bubble generating member 3a by force supplying the air to the pressure chamber 3b.
  • the inner surface of the cylindrical air bubble generating member 3a extends flush with the inner surfaces of the wash water passages in front and in rear. Therefore, no turbulence or stagnation is generated in the flow of the water by the air bubble generating member 3a. If the flow of the water becomes turbulent, the air bubbles are liable to merge with one another, and if the flow of the water becomes stagnant, the air bubbles are liable to merge owing to long residence in the wash water passage. In the wash water spouting apparatus A, however, the possibility of air bubble merging is small and a bubble flow of good quality can be spouted because no turbulence or stagnation is generated in the flow of the water.
  • the function of-the pump 4c is protected by providing the check valve 4b to prevent the city water from flowing from the cylindrical air generating member 3a to the air pump 4c.
  • the function of the air bubble generating member 3a is protected by providing the air cleaning filter 4d upstream of the air pump 4c to prevent clogging of the air bubble generating member 3a.
  • Figure 7 shows an electron microscope enlarged view of the surface of a hot formed compact made by a process wherein substantially spherical particles of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene are packed in a mold to be hot formed.
  • substantially spherical particles of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene are packed in a mold to be hot formed.
  • a large number of independent pores are formed in the surface of the hot formed compact.
  • the substantially spherical particles can be packed close to generate pores of uniform shape.
  • the generation of continuous pores made of a plurality of pores connected to one another is suppressed and the generation of independent pores is promoted.
  • the particles have the same diameter, the pores can be disposed regularly and in a lattice, and the spaces between the air bubbles generated at-the pores become constant.
  • the pores are disposed regularly and in a lattice, the density of the pores can be increased, the size of the air bubble generating member 3a can be reduced, and the size of the wash water spouting apparatus can be reduced.
  • Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene has a low melt index (MI) and its properties in molten condition are similar to those of rubber. Thus, ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene hardly runs in molten condition.
  • MI melt index
  • spherical particles of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene are packed in a mold and hot formed at a temperature slightly higher than the melting point, the particles are fused together at contact points without deformation. Therefore, if substantially spherical particles made of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene are used and the diameter and filling factor of the particles are controlled, the diameter of the independent pores formed in the inner surface of the air bubble generating member 3a can be controlled freely.
  • Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene is suitable for a detergent containing hydrochloric acid, hydrochloric acid radical, organic solvent, etc. because it is stable chemically. Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene is suitable for a detergent comprising water because it hardly absorbs water.
  • Figure 8 shows an electron microscope enlarged view of the surface of a hot formed compact made by a process wherein substantially spherical particles of acrylic resin are packed in a mold to be hot formed.
  • a large number of independent pores are formed substantially in a lattice in the surface of the hot formed compact.
  • Acrylic resin has low surface tension and is hydrophilic. Acrylic resin is therefore suitable for generating micro air bubbles as described later.
  • Particles of heat fusible material including metallic materials such as bronze, stainless steel, etc., glass, various kinds of ceramics, etc. can be hot formed to make the air bubble generating member 3a.
  • the mean diameter of the substantially spherical particles of heat fusible material is preferably 50 ⁇ m to 300 ⁇ m.
  • the mean diameter of the independent pores formed by the spaces between the particles becomes 50 ⁇ m to 300 ⁇ m.
  • the mean diameter of the air bubbles generated and dispersed by the independent pores of 50 ⁇ m to 300 ⁇ m mean diameter is 100 ⁇ m to 1000 ⁇ m.
  • Micro air bubbles of 100 ⁇ m to 1000 ⁇ m mean diameter resist merging with one another because of their high rigidity. A stable bubble flow can be obtained by mixing micro air bubbles of 100 ⁇ m to 1000 ⁇ m mean diameter with the wash water.
  • the mean diameter of the air bubbles in the bubble flow is preferably less than or equal to 1000 ⁇ m because the bubble flow must be passed without difficulty through pipes or nozzles of sizes suited for the washing system.
  • generation of extremely small micro air bubbles is technologically difficult.
  • the mean diameter of the air bubbles dispersed in the bubble flow spouted from the wash water spouting apparatus incorporated in a washing system is preferably 100 ⁇ m to 1000 ⁇ m.
  • the filling factor of the substantially spherical particles made of heat fusible material is preferably larger than or equal to 70%.
  • the theoretical maximum of the filling factor is 74%. It is hard to pack spherical particles to form the most closely packed cubic lattice because of the generation of static electricity, etc.
  • the filling factor of the substantially spherical particles forming the aggregate is preferably larger than or equal to 70% in order to obtain independent pores.
  • Fibers such as nylon etc. can be woven, knitted or stacked to become woven cloth or unwoven cloth thereby forming a mesh construction.
  • the mesh construction forms independent pores. If the diameters of the fibers and the spaces between the fibers are made substantially the same, the pores can be disposed regularly and substantially in a lattice arrangement. Shape of the pores and the space between the pores can be adjusted easily by selecting the diameter of the fibers, the space between the fibers or the orientation of the fibers.
  • Woven cloth and unwoven cloth are preferably fixed to a supporting member because they lack adequate strength. If a plurality of woven cloths or unwoven cloths are stacked, the vibration of the cloths is suppressed and the air bubble mixing operation of the cloths becomes stable.
  • Phase inversion glass may be used to form continuous pores.
  • the cylindrical air bubble generating member 3a made of porous material may be completely or partly made of water repellent material such as PTFE, ETEF, etc., or water repellent finish with paraffin, carnauba wax, etc. may be applied to the surface of the cylindrical air bubble generating member 3a made of porous material.
  • water repellent material such as PTFE, ETEF, etc.
  • water repellent finish with paraffin, carnauba wax, etc. may be applied to the surface of the cylindrical air bubble generating member 3a made of porous material.
  • the performance of the air bubble generating member 3a is liable to be degraded by the osmotic pressure caused by the capillarity in the surface of the porous material.
  • the air bubble generating member 3a is completely or partly made of water repellent material such as PTFE, ETEF, etc., or water repellent finish with paraffin, carnauba wax, etc. is applied to the surface of the wash water passage in the air bubble generating member 3a, the entry of the water into the pores can be prevented and the osmotic pressure caused by the capillarity in the surface of the porous material can be decreased.
  • degradation of the air bubble generating member 3a and degradation of the performance of the air bubble generating member 3a can be prevented.
  • the air bubble generating member 3a may be completely or partly made of hydrophilic material such as HDPE, LDPE, PP, PA, PET, MMA, glass, polyolefine, cellulose, etc., or hydrophilic finish with acrylic acid, plasma surface treatment, chromic acid surface treatment, silica coat, etc. may be applied to the surface of the wash water passage in the air bubble generating member 3a.
  • hydrophilic material such as HDPE, LDPE, PP, PA, PET, MMA, glass, polyolefine, cellulose, etc.
  • the wettability of the surface of the porous material affects the size of the air bubbles.
  • the porous material is not wettable (water repellent)
  • the air discharged from the pores is liable to reside on the surface of the porous material and the diameter of the air bubbles is liable to become large.
  • the porous material is wettable (hydrophilic)
  • the air discharged from the pores cannot easily reside on the surface of the porous material and the diameter of the air bubbles is unlikely to become large.
  • the air bubble generating member 3a is made of hydrophilic material such as HDPE, LDPE, PP, PA, PET, MMA, glass, polyolefine, cellulose, etc., in whole or in part, or hydrophilic finish with acrylic acid, plasma surface treatment, chromic acid surface treatment, silica coat, etc. is applied to the surface of the wash water passage in the air bubble generating member 3a, the size of the air bubbles can be decreased and the generation of slug flow or froth flow can be prevented.
  • hydrophilic material such as HDPE, LDPE, PP, PA, PET, MMA, glass, polyolefine, cellulose, etc., in whole or in part, or hydrophilic finish with acrylic acid, plasma surface treatment, chromic acid surface treatment, silica coat, etc.
  • the pipe 2 may be provided between the continuous flow valve 5 and the air bubble mixing apparatus 3 with a temperature controller for heating the city water to a predetermined temperature or a solute concentration controller for solving a solute such as a chemical, surface active agent, etc. in the wash water to a predetermined concentration. It is preferable to heat the wash water to a predetermined temperature or solve a solute such as a chemical, surface active agent, etc. in the wash water to a predetermined concentration according to the-nature of the object to be washed.
  • the control of the solution of the solute in the wash water is easy, because the flow rate of the wash water passing through the wash water passage in the air bubble generating member 3a is kept at a predetermined value by the continuous flow valve 5.
  • the air pump 4c and the controller 4e may be eliminated.
  • the air is absorbed into the air bubble generating member 3a by the negative pressure generated in the water passing through the air bubble generating member 3a.
  • the gas-liquid ratio becomes about 0.5.
  • the sectional area of the wash water passage in the cylindrical air bubble generating member 3a may be constant from the upstream end to the downstream end. Even if the sectional area of the wash water passage in the air bubble generating member 3a is constant from the upstream end to the downstream end, the flow regime of the gas-liquid two-phase flow passing through the wash water passage in the air bubble generating member 3a does not become a cylindrical mist flow. Thus, the sectional area of the wash water passage in the cylindrical air bubble generating member 3a may be constant from the upstream end to the downstream end.
  • the air bubble generating member 3a forms all of the wall surrounding the wash water passage. However, only a part of the wall surrounding the wash water passage need be formed by a bubble generating member made of porous material. Also in this case, micro air bubbles can be mixed with and dispersed in the wash water.
  • a wash water spouting apparatus B in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention comprises a wash water discharging nozzle 11, a pipe 12 forming a wash water passage extending to the wash water discharging nozzle 11, an air bubble mixing apparatus 13 disposed in the course of the pipe 12, a forced air supplying apparatus 14 for force supplying air to the air bubble mixing apparatus 13 and a wash water storage tank 15 disposed upstream of the pipe 12.
  • the air mixing apparatus 13 has a cylindrical air bubble generating member 13a made of porous material.
  • the cylindrical air bubble generating member 13a forms a part of the wash water passage.
  • the cylindrical air bubble generating member 13a is provided with a large number of independent pores at its inner surface.
  • the sectional area of the wash water passage formed in the cylindrical air bubble generating member 13a gradually increases from the upstream end to the downstream end.
  • a pressure chamber 13b is formed around the air bubble generating member 13a.
  • the forced air supplying apparatus 14 has a pipe 14a connected to the pressure chamber 13b of the air bubble mixing apparatus 13.
  • a pressure control valve 14b, an air pump 14c and an air cleaning filter 14d are disposed in the course of the pipe 14a. They are disposed in series in the order of the pressure control valve 14b, the air pump 14c and the air cleaning filter 14d from downstream to upstream relative to the air flow in the pipe 14a.
  • the pipe 14a upstream of the air cleaning filter 14d is open to the atmosphere.
  • a controller 14e is disposed to control the operation of the air pump 14c.
  • a pipe 14a' extending from the air pump 14c is connected to the upper part of the wash water storage tank 15 through a pressure control valve 14b'.
  • the sectional area of the wash water passage formed by the air bubble generating member 13a, the pipe 12 downstream of the air bubble generating member 13a and the wash water discharging nozzle 11 is set larger than the projected area of a sphere of a diameter equal to the mean diameter of the air bubbles, the mean diameter being calculated from the mean volume of the air bubbles, mixed with the wash water passing through the wash water passage by the air bubble generating member 13a.
  • the sectional area of the wash water passage downstream of the air bubble generating member 13a is set larger than or equal to the sectional area of the wash water passage at the downstream end of the air bubble generating member 13a.
  • the size, weight and electric power consumption of the wash water spouting apparatus B are determined to be convenient for portable use.
  • the electric power source of the controller 14e is turned on and the air pump 14c starts under the control of the controller 14e.
  • Air is drawn into the pipe 14a and passed through the air cleaning filter 14d to be cleaned of dust.
  • the air cleaned of dust is force fed the wash water storage tank 15 through the air pump 14c and the pressure control valve 14b'.
  • the wash water in the wash water storage tank 15 is pressurized to discharge from the wash water storage tank 15 and flows into the air bubble generating member 13a of the air mixing apparatus 13 through the pipe 12.
  • the air passing through the air pump 14c is also force fed to the pressure chamber 13b through the pressure control valve 14b.
  • the pressurized air flowing into the pressure chamber 13b passes through pores in the air bubble generating member 13a made of porous material and the large number of independent pores formed in the inner surface of the air bubble generating member 13a to form micro air bubbles.
  • the micro air bubbles are mixed with and substantially uniformly dispersed in the wash water passing through the wash water passage in the air bubble generating member 13a.
  • a large number of micro air bubbles are mixed with and dispersed in the wash water.
  • the flow of the wash water becomes a bubble flow.
  • the bubble flow passes through the pipe 12 and spouts from the wash water discharging nozzle 11 to become a jet flow.
  • the jet flow of the bubble flow having high detergency strikes against a target surface to wash the surface thoroughly.
  • the jet flow of the bubble flow achieves a high water saving effect.
  • the wash water spouting apparatus B can be incorporated in various kinds of portable washing apparatuses because it has a wash water storage tank.
  • the air pump 14c of the forced air supplying apparatus 14 is used for force feeding of the wash water as well as force feeding of the air.
  • the number of the components decreases and the manufacturing cost at the wash water spouting apparatus B decreases as compared with the case where a separate pump is disposed for force feeding of the wash water. If the air bubbles are mixed with stagnant wash water through the air bubble generating member 13a, the air bubbles need to grow to a certain size before they leave the air bubble generating member 13a to be mixed with the wash water.
  • the air bubbles are mixed with flowing wash water through the air bubble generating member 13a, the air bubbles can leave the air bubble generating member 13a entrained by the flowing wash water when they are still small in size to be mixed with the wash water.
  • the air bubbles are mixed not with stagnant wash water but with flowing wash water. Thus, a large number of micro air bubbles can be mixed with the wash water and the washing effect of the wash water can be increased.
  • the pressure control valve 14b installed in the pipe 14a controls the pressure of the air flowing into the pressure chamber 13b to control the rate of the air bubble generation by the air bubble generating apparatus 13a.
  • the pressure control valve 14b' installed in the pipe 14a' controls the pressure of the air flowing into the wash water storage tank 15 to control the flow rate of the wash water passing through the wash water passage.
  • the pressure control valve 14b or 14b' alone can control the rate of the mixing of the air bubbles with the wash water.
  • the size, weight and electric power consumption of the wash water spouting apparatus B are set at values convenient for portable use.
  • various kinds of washing devices such as a shower, a washing system for regions of the human body such as the anus and private parts, a hand washing apparatus, a palate washing apparatus, etc. having the wash water spouting apparatus B can be made portable.
  • Figures 10(a) to 10(c) show an example of an automatic cleaning device for the internal surface of the air bubble generating member.
  • An air bubble generating member 23a and a pressure chamber 23b of an air bubble mixing apparatus similar to the air bubble mixing apparatus 3 in the first embodiment or the air bubble mixing apparatus 13 in the second embodiment are disposed in the course of a pipe 22 supplying wash water to a wash water discharging nozzle 21.
  • the pipe 22 is bent at right angles upstream of the air bubble generating member 23a.
  • the above described members are made integral with on another and can be driven transversely in Figures 10(a) to 10(c) by a driving apparatus which is not shown in Figures 10(a) to 10(c) .
  • the pipe 22 is provided with an opening 22a at its bent portion.
  • a rod member 25 is inserted into the pipe 22 and the air bubble generating member 23a through the opening 22a.
  • the rod member 25 is fixed to a fixed support member at the end of its portion extending out the opening 22a.
  • the rod member 25 is provided with a first cover member 26a at its portion near the fixed end, a second cover member 26b at its opposite end, and a brush 27 at the portion near the opposite end.
  • the first cover member 26a, the second cover member 26b and the brush 27 are fixed to the rod member 25.
  • the above described integrated members are driven to the left as shown in Figure 10(c) by the driving apparatus not shown in Figures 10(a) to 10(c).
  • the fixed and immovable brush 27 scrapes the inner surface of the air bubble generating member 23a to remove fouling matter adhered to the inner surface of the air bubble generating member 23a.
  • the second cover member 26b closes the opening 22a of the pipe 22.
  • the pipe 22 is supplied with wash water, the air bubbles generated by the air bubble generating member 23a are mixed with the flowing wash water and a bubble flow spouts from the wash water discharging nozzle 21.
  • the above described integrated members are driven to the right as shown in Figure 10(b) by the driving apparatus not shown in the Figures.
  • the fixed and immovable brush 27 scrapes the inner surface of the air bubble generating member 23a to remove fouling matter adhered to the inner surface of the air bubble generating member 23a.
  • the first cover member 26a closes the opening 22a of the pipe 22.
  • an automatic cleaning device for the internal surface of the air bubble generating member as described above is incorporated in a wash water spouting apparatus using water containing a lot of ions liable to deposit such as calcium ions, magnesium ions etc., maintenance of the wash water spouting apparatus becomes easy and the function of the wash water spouting apparatus can be maintained for a long time.
  • a wash water spouting apparatus C is incorporated in a washing system, installed on a toilet bowl, for washing regions of the human body such as the anus and private parts.
  • city water is supplied to a heat exchanger 31 through an electromagnetic cut-off valve 30 capable of controlling water pressure.
  • the heat exchanger 31 is provided with a heater 32, a first water level sensor 33 and a second water level sensor 34 for detecting the water level in the heat exchanger to prevent the heat exchanger 31 from heating when empty, and a temperature sensor 35 for monitoring the water temperature in the heat exchanger.
  • the water heated to an appropriate temperature is led to a water passage selector valve 37 through a release valve 36.
  • the water passage selector valve 37 controls the flow rate of the water and selects the water passage to be supplied with the water according to the operation input to a controlling unit 38 by the user. City water of controlled flow rate is supplied to the selected one of a plurality of water passages. Air pressurized by a pump 40 is led to an air passage selector valve 41. The air passage selector valve 41 selects the air passage to be supplied with the pressurized air according to the operation input to the controlling unit 38 by the user. The pressurized air is supplied to the selected one of a plurality of air passages.
  • the end portion of the nozzle 39 is formed as a detachable nozzle head 39a.
  • the nozzle head 39a is provided on its upper surface with outlet ports 42 and 43 for washing the anus and outlet ports 44 and 45 for washing the private parts.
  • An air bubble mixing apparatus 46 is disposed beneath the outlet port 44.
  • the air bubble mixing apparatus 46 has a straight-cylinder-shaped air bubble generating member 46a made of a porous sintered compact of resin material. A large number of independent pores are formed in the inner surface of the air bubble generating member 46a.
  • the air bubble generating member 46a is press fitted to the nozzle head 39a at its both ends to be fixed to the nozzle head 39a.
  • the inner diameter of the air bubble generating member 46a is made larger at its one end portion than at its remaining portion.
  • the inner surface of the air bubble generating member 46a forms a wash water passage.
  • the downstream end of the wash water passage formed by the inner surface of the air bubble generating member 46a is directed obliquely upward.
  • the downstream end of the wash water passage formed by the inner surface of the air bubble generating member 46a communicates with the outlet port 44 through a straight wash water passage 47 formed in the nozzle head 39a and extending obliquely upward.
  • the upstream end of the wash water passage formed by the inner surface of the air bubble generating member 46a communicates with a wash water passage 48 formed in the nozzle head 39a.
  • the wash water passage 48 extends beyond the air bubble generating member 46a to the end of the nozzle head 39a to communicate with a straight wash water passage 49 formed in the nozzle head 39a and extending obliquely upward.
  • the wash water passage 49 communicates with the outlet port 45.
  • the upstream end of the wash water passage 48 is connected to a wash water pipe disposed in the nozzle 39.
  • the wash water pipe is not shown in Figure 13.
  • a pressure chamber 46b is formed around the air bubble generating member 46a.
  • the pressure chamber 46b communicates an air passage 50 formed in the nozzle head 39a.
  • the upstream end at the air passage 50 is connected to an air pipe disposed in the nozzle 39.
  • the air pipe is not shown in Figure 13.
  • Air bubble mixing apparatuses similar to the air bubble mixing apparatus 46 are disposed beneath the outlet ports 42 and 43.
  • a wash water pipe and an air pipe communicating with the air bubble mixing apparatus beneath the outlet port 42 and a wash water pipe and an air pipe communicating with the air bubble mixing apparatus beneath the outlet port 43 are disposed in the nozzle 39.
  • the members downstream of the water passage selector valve 37 form the wash water spouting apparatus C.
  • reference numeral 51 indicates a controller of the washing system for the human body and reference numeral 52 indicates an electric power supplying element or a controlling unit of a main power source.
  • Reference numeral 53 indicates a sensor for detecting use of the toilet bowl.
  • the present washing system for the human body starts when the sensor 53 detects use of the toilet bowl.
  • a user operates the controlling element 38 to select the spout of the wash water from the outlet ports 44 and 45
  • city water is supplied to the wash water passage 48 through the water passage selector valve 37 and the wash water pipe disposed in the nozzle 39 and pressurized air is supplied to the air passage 50 through the air passage selector valve 41 and the air pipe disposed in the nozzle 39.
  • a large number of micro air bubbles are mixed with and substantially uniformly dispersed in the water through the air bubble mixing apparatus 46 to generate a bubble flow.
  • the bubble flow spouts from the outlet port 44.
  • the bubble flow and the flow of the water without air bubbles strike against the target surface to wash it.
  • the wash water is supplied to the air bubble mixing apparatus disposed beneath the outlet port 42 or 43 through the water passage selector valve 37 and the wash water pipe disposed in the nozzle 39 and the pressurized air is supplied to the air bubble mixing apparatus disposed beneath the outlet port 42 or 43 through the air passage selector valve 41 and the air pipe disposed in the nozzle 39.
  • a large number of micro air bubbles are mixed with and substantially uniformly dispersed in the city water through the air bubble mixing apparatus disposed beneath the outlet port 42 or 43 to generate a bubble flow.
  • the bubble flow spouts from the outlet port 42 or 43.
  • the bubble flow strikes against the target surface to wash it.
  • the wash water passage 47 downstream of the air bubble generating member 46a extends substantially straight. If the wash water passage 47 is curved, centrifugal force acting on the micro air bubbles dispersed in the wash water is liable to merge them with one another when the bubble flow passes by the curved portion. Thus, the bubble flow is liable to become a slug flow or a froth flow. If the wash water passage 47 extends substantially straight, merging of the micro air bubbles under centrifugal force is prevented and the bubble flow is maintained.
  • the air bubble mixing apparatus 46 is disposed in the nozzle head 39, more specifically, beneath the outlet port 44 formed in the nozzle head 39a.
  • the nozzle head 39a provided with the air bubble mixing apparatus 46 is detachably connected to the nozzle 39.
  • the air bubble mixing apparatus 46 can be maintained easily.
  • the air bubble generating member 46a is fixed to the nozzle head 39a by press fitting. Air is therefore prevented from mixing with the water through the gap formed at the fixed part. Thus, unexpectedly large air bubbles are prevented from mixing with the wash water.
  • the inner diameter of the air bubble generating member 46a is made larger at its press fitting part than at the remaining part. Therefore, the inner diameter of the press fitting part becomes equal to that of the remaining part after the press fitting of the air bubble generating member 46a. Thus, the generation of turbulence in the wash water is prevented and the air bubbles are prevented from merging into large bubbles.
  • the air bubble generating member 46a is press fitted at its both ends.
  • the inner diameter of the air bubble generating member 46a is set larger at one end of the air bubble generating member 46a than at the other part of the air bubble generating member 46a. If the air bubble generating member 46a is press fitted at both ends, it can be firmly fixed to the nozzle head 39a. However, the air bubble generating member 46a is generally made by powder molding. If the inner diameter of the air bubble generating member 46a is set larger at both ends of the air bubble generating member 46a than at the remaining part of the air bubble generating member 46a, burrs are formed at one end of the air bubble generating member 46a because of the arrangement of the molds. Therefore, it is preferable that the part where the inner diameter is set larger than at the remaining part be limited to one end.
  • the air bubble generating member 46a is disposed in the nozzle head 39a and beneath the outlet port 44 with the downstream end of the wash water passage formed by the inner surface of the air bubble generating member 46a directed upward.
  • the wash water passage 47 downstream of the air bubble generating member 46a can extend substantially straight to prevent merging of the air bubbles.
  • the water passage selector valve 37 and the air passage selector valve 41 are synchronously driven by a pair of motors.
  • the water passage selector valve 37 and the air passage selector valve 41 may be driven by a single motor.
  • the air pump 40 is a rolling pump.
  • the air pump 40 may be a vane pump, a rotary pump, a linear pump, etc. Since the heat exchanger 31 is of the hot-water-storage type, it is fairly free from temperature change or uneveness of temperature.
  • the heat exchanger 31 may be of the instantaneous type, which is compact and can discharge hot water continuously, or of the semi-hot-water-storage type, which has advantages of both the hot-water-storage and instantaneous types.
  • the hot water storage tank of the semi-hot-water-storage type heat exchanger is smaller than that of conventional hot-water-storage type heat exchanger.
  • the capacity of the heater of the semi-hot-water-storage type heat exchanger is larger than that of conventional hot-water-storage type heat exchanger.
  • the semi-hot-water-storage type heat exchanger is therefore excellent in heating capability, like the instantaneous type heat exchanger, and fairly free from uneveness of temperature.
  • a small hot water storage tank disposed downstream of the heat exchanger operates as a temperature butter to store the wash water for a predetermined time and thereby decrease the uneveness of temperature distribution in the wash water.
  • the semi-hot-water-storage type heat exchanger is excellent in energy saving effect and increases the convenience of the washing system for the human body.
  • the air mixing factor may be made controllable by the user to control the degree of the stimulation. In such case, the air mixing factor is preferably controlled independently of the control of the flow rate of the wash water.
  • a heater may be disposed in the air pump 40 to supply hot air to the air bubble mixing apparatus 46. In such case, the heat exchanger 31 may generate low temperature hot water of 25 to 30°C and the low temperature hot water may be mixed with the hot air to be heated to body temperature. Thus, a bubble flow of body temperature can be spouted.
  • the heat insulation of the heat exchanger 31 can be wade thin and the size of the washing system for the human body can be reduced because the heat exchanger 31 generates low temperature hot water of 25 to 30°C. It is possible to eliminate the heat exchanger 31 and supply the air bubble mixing apparatus 46 with cold water and hot air, thereby generating a bubble flow of hot water.
  • Figure 14 is a diagram showing an example of the relation between the diameter of just generated air bubbles and the flow velocity of wash water in the wash water spouting apparatus C.
  • the diameter of generated air bubbles can be controlled by controlling the velocity of the wash water. When the velocity of the wash water is high, a large shear force is applied to the air bubbles being generated. Thus, the air bubbles are swept away by the wash water at the first stage of generation to be mixed with and dispersed in the wash water. Therefore, if the velocity of the wash water is high, the diameter of the air bubbles is small.
  • the diameter of the air bubbles varies substantially in proportional to the opening area of the independent pores formed in the surface of the air bubble generating member contacting the wash water. Therefore, if the velocity of the wash water is constant, the diameter of the generated air bubbles can be controlled by selecting the diameter of the independent pores.
  • Figure 15 is a diagram showing an example of the relation between the degree of the growth of air bubbles and the residence time of the air bubbles in the wash water passage in the wash water spouting apparatus C.
  • Db indicates the diameter of the air bubbles just after generation and D indicates the diameter of the air bubbles after residence in the wash water passage.
  • the air bubbles merge with one another to grow in diameter as the residence time in the wash water passage increases. Therefore, it is possible to control the diameter of the air bubbles by controlling the residence time or the air bubbles in the wash water passage. It is possible to control the residence time of the air bubbles in the wash water passage by controlling the flow rate of the wash water and thereby controlling the diameter of the air bubbles.
  • a wash water spouting apparatus D of the present embodiment has a wash water discharging nozzle 60.
  • the end portion of the nozzle 60 is formed as a detachable nozzle head 60a.
  • the nozzle head 60a is provided with a first outlet port 61 and a second outlet port 62.
  • the wash water discharging nozzle 60 and the nozzle head 60a are provided with a wash water passage 63 connected to the first outlet port 61 and a wash water passage 64 connected to the second outlet port 62.
  • the sectional area of the wash water passage 64 is set larger than that of the wash water passage 63.
  • the wash water discharging nozzle 60 is provided with a movable air bubble mixing apparatus 65 at is base.
  • the air bubble mixing apparatus 65 has a cylindrical air bubble generating member 65a made of porous material and forming a wash water passage. A large number of independent pores are formed in the inner surface of the air bubble generating member 65a. The sectional area of the wash water passage in the air bubble generating member 65a gradually increases from the upstream end toward the downstream end. A pressure chamber 65b is formed around the air bubble generating member 65a.
  • the air bubble generating member 65 is provided with a nipple 66 connected to the upstream end of the wash water passage in the air bubble generating member 65 and an inverted L-shaped nipple 67 communicating with the pressure chamber 65b.
  • the nipple 66 connects to a wash water source through a flexible tube which is not shown in the Figures.
  • the nipple 67 connects to a pressurized air source through a flexible tube which is not shown in the Figures.
  • the air bubble generating member 65 is adapted to be slidable in a guide member 68 fixed to the base of the wash water discharging nozzle 60.
  • An opening 69 formed in the guide member 68 communicates with the wash water passage 63.
  • An opening 70 formed in the guide member 68 communicates with the wash water passage 64.
  • the guide member 68 is provided with an element 71 engaging a driving belt not shown in the Figures.
  • the guide member 68 is provided with a spring 72 biasing the air bubble mixing apparatus 65.
  • the wash water spouting apparatus D is incorporated in a washing system installed on a toilet bowl for washing regions of the human body such as the anus or the private parts. The washing system is not shown in the Figures.
  • wash water is supplied to the air bubble mixing apparatus 65 from the wash water source not shown in the Figures.
  • Pressurized air is supplied to the air bubble mixing apparatus 65 from the pressurized air source not shown in the Figures.
  • a large number of micro air bubbles are mixed with and substantially uniformly dispersed in the wash water passing through the wash water passage formed by the inner surface of the air bubble generating member 65a through a large number of independent pores formed in the inner surface of the air bubble generating member 65a to generate a bubble flow.
  • the generated bubble flow passes through the opening 69 of the guide member 68 and the wash water passage 63 and spouts from the first outlet port 61.
  • the driving belt not shown in the Figures starts to push the element 71 of the guide member 68 to move the wash water discharging nozzle 60 in the direction indicated by arrows in Figure 17 or toward the nozzle head 60a.
  • the nipple 67 engages a fixed projection member 73, causing the air mixing apparatus 65 to move against the biasing force of the spring 72.
  • the wash water passage formed by the inner surface of the air bubble generating member 65a communicates with the opening 70 of the guide member 68.
  • the wash water containing the air bubbles generated by the air bubble generating member 65a passes through the opening 70 of the guide member 68 and the wash water passage 64 and spouts from the second outlet port 62.
  • the sectional area of the wash water passage 64 is larger than that of the wash water passage 63. Therefore, when the flow rate of the wash water passing through the wash water passage 63 is equal to that of the wash water passing through the wash water passage 64, the velocity of the wash water passing through the wash water passage 64 is lower than that of the wash water passing through the wash water passage 63.
  • the length of the wash water passage 63 is substantially equal to that of the wash water passage 64.
  • the residence time of the bubble flow in the wash water passage 64 is therefore longer than that of the bubble flow in the wash water passage 63. As a result, the diameter of the air bubbles contained in the bubble flow spouting from the outlet port 62 becomes larger than that of the air bubbles contained in the bubble flow spouting from the outlet port 61.
  • the stimulation generated by the bubble flow spouting from the outlet port 62 is softer than that generated by the bubble flow spouting from the outlet port 61. If the outlet port 61 is used for washing the anus and the outlet port 62 is used for washing the private parts and the bubble flow is selectively supplied to one of the outlet port through the wash water passage selecting apparatus as described above, the convenience of the washing system for the human body increases.
  • the wash water may flow into the pressure chamber 65b, the air passage, etc. through the pores in the air bubble generating member 65a because of the osmotic pressure or the pressure caused by the resistance of the wash water passage, etc. Therefore, it is preferable to supply a small quantity of pressurized air to the pressure chamber and mix a small quantity of air with the wash water through the air bubble generating member 65a even when spouting of wash water without air bubble is desired. If the air is spouted for a predetermined time to remove the wash water left in the wash water discharging nozzle 60 after the the spouting of the wash water is stopped, water drops, dirt, etc. adhering to the part of the nozzle near the outlet port 61 or 62 are also removed.
  • Figures 18 shows an example of the effect of the air bubble pump obtained by the wash water spouting apparatus D.
  • E t / E w indicates energy amplifying effect.
  • E t is the output energy of the bubble flow just downstream of the air bubble mixing apparatus 65 and E w is the energy of the wash water just upstream of the air bubble mixing apparatus 65.
  • Overall efficiency of the air bubble pump is expressed by E t /( E w + E a ).
  • the Overall efficiency is the output energy divided by the sum of the all input energies.
  • E a is the energy of the mixed air.
  • E t , E w and E a are expressed by the following formulae.
  • E w P w Q w + ( ⁇ w / 2)Q w V w 2
  • E t P t Q t + ( ⁇ t / 2)Q t V t 2
  • E a P a Q a
  • P is pressure
  • Q volume flow rate
  • ⁇ density
  • V velocity
  • the suffix w indicates wash water just upstream of the air mixing apparatus 65 and not yet mixed with air
  • the suffix t indicates the wash water of two-phase flow just downstream of the air mixing apparatus 65 and already mixed with air
  • the suffix a indicates air.
  • Pa is the air mixing pressure of the air bubble mixing apparatus 65 before the pressure loss occurring when the air passes through the air bubble mixing apparatus 65. If a large number of micro air bubbles are generated and simultaneously mixed with and substantially uniformly dispersed in the flow of the wash water, the mixed air bubbles operate as an air bubble pump to accelerate the wash water, thereby increasing the energy of the wash water. If the diameter of the mixed air bubbles is small, the rigidity of the air bubbles is high. The air bubbles therefore do not deform or vibrate easily in the wash water. Thus, the energy loss caused by the air bubbles contained in the wash water becomes small.
  • a washing system for regions of the human body such as the anus or private parts with small energy consumption can be installed at a place of low water pressure such as the uppermost floor of a high-rise multifamily dwelling house, the second floor of an ordinary dwelling house, etc. if the air bubble mixing apparatus 65 operating as a bubble pump is incorporated in the washing system for the human body.
  • a water pump is installed in order to install a washing system for the human body at a place of low water pressure, the size of the water pump can be reduced if the air bubble mixing apparatus 65 is incorporated in the washing system for the human body.
  • the air bubble pump constituted by the air bubble mixing apparatus 65 operates on a working principle quite different from those of conventional pumps and does not affect the pressure of the city water. Therefore, the air bubble pump constituted by the air bubble mixing apparatus 65 can be connected directly to the city water piping.
  • the pressure of the city water can be decreased and the pressure necessary for mixing the air can be decreased.
  • the air bubble mixing apparatus 65 When the air bubble mixing apparatus 65 is used in an area where the hardness of the water is high, the independent pores formed in the inner surface of the air bubble generating member 65a are liable to be clogged by the compounds of hardness components such as calcium carbonate, etc. If the independent pores are clogged, the flow rate of the mixed air decreases.
  • the wash water passage upstream of the air bubble mixing apparatus 65 is preferably provided with a normally-closed opening for receiving acid water. If the acidic water is passed through the air bubble generating member 65a, the compounds of hardness components adhered to the inner surface of the air bubble generating member 65a are easily dissolved and removed.
  • An acidic water generator may be disposed in order to generate acidic water when necessary.
  • the acidic water generator may be an apparatus for electrolyzing the wash water to generate the acidic water or an apparatus for adding an acidic water soluble material to the wash water.
  • the acidic water generator may be operated at predetermined time intervals to wash the inner surface of the air bubble generating member 65a or operated by the user when necessary.
  • Figure 19 shows an air bubble generating member 65a' wherein independent pores are formed by a nylon mesh.
  • a nylon mesh 74 with independent pores arranged mesh-like is heat adhered to a cylindrical and latticelike support member 75.
  • the air bubble generating member 65a' has high strength.
  • the shape of the pores in the mesh 74 can be adjusted freely by selecting the diameter of fibers, the space between fibers or the orientation of fibers.
  • a half length of a capillary made of acrylic porous material was immersed in one of the following three coating agents, taken out from the coating agent and dried.
  • a half length of a capillary made of polyethylene porous material was immersed in one of the following three coating agents, taken out from the coating agent and dried.
  • the layout of the measuring apparatus is shown in Figure 21.
  • acrylic main agent Q166 produced by Mitsui Toatsu Kagaku Co.,Ltd.
  • silicon FS710 produced by Nippon Oil & Fats Co.,Ltd.
  • fluororesin F200 produced by Nippon Oil & Fats Co.,Ltd.
  • Weight ratio of main coating agent to hardener was set at 5 to 1. Proper quantity of silicon coating and fluororesin were added.) was set in the pressure chamber, air was supplied to the pressure chamber through the air pump at a flow rate of 1 dm 3 /minute, city water adjusted to a hardness of 300 was passed through the capillary at a flow rate of 0.5 dm 3 /minute, with the supply of the air to the pressure chamber being continued, and a bubble flow was discharged from the capillary. The pressure increase of the air flowing in the pressure chamber with time passage was measured during repeated cycles of one minute continuous flow and 5 seconds rest. The test results are shown in Figure 24. The results of the same test carried out on a capillary made of acrylic porous material of the same size without surface finishing are also shown in Figure 24.
  • Silicon content was set at 0 weight%, 0.3 weight%, and 3 weight%. Proper quantity of solvent was added.) was set in the pressure chamber, air was supplied to the pressure chamber through the air pump at a flow rate of 1 dm 3 /minute, city water adjusted to a hardness of 300 was passed through the capillary at a flow rate of 0.5 dm 3 /minute, with the supply of the air to the pressure chamber being continued, and a bubble flow was discharged from the capillary. The pressure increase of the air flowing in the pressure chamber with time passage was measured during repeated cycles of one minute continuous flow and 5 seconds rest. The test results are shown in Figure 25.
  • Weight ratio of main agent to hardener was set at 10 to 1.) was set in the pressure chamber, air was supplied to the pressure chamber through the air pump at a flow rate of 1 dm 3 /minute, city water adjusted to a hardness of 150 was passed through the capillary at a flow rate of 0.5 dm 3 /minute, with the supply of the air to the pressure chamber being continued, and a bubble flow was discharged from the capillary.
  • the pressure increase of the air flowing in the pressure chamber with time passage was measured during repeated cycles of one minute continuous flow and 5 seconds rest.
  • the test results are shown in Figure 26.
  • the results of the same test carried out on a capillary made of acrylic porous material of the same size without surface finishing are also shown in Figure 26.
  • Weight ratio of main coating to hardener was set at 5 to 1. Silicon content was set at 0.3 weight %.
  • GLASKA alkyl polysiloxane
  • Weight ratio of A agent to B agent was set at 3 to 1.
  • Proper quantity of isopropyl alcohol was added.) was set in the pressure chamber, air was supplied to the pressure chamber through the air pump at a flow rate of 1 dm 3 /minute, city water adjusted to hardnesses of 150 and 300 was passed through the capillary at a flow rate of 0.5 dm 3 /minute, with the supply of the air to the pressure chamber being continued, and a bubble flow was discharged from the capillary.
  • the pressure increase of the air flowing in the pressure chamber with time passage was measured during repeated cycles of one minute continuous flow and 5 seconds rest.
  • the results obtained in the test using the city water of hardness of 150 are shown in Figure 28 and the results obtained in the test using the city water of hardness of 300 are shown in Figure 29.
  • G-1 Application to a washing system for regions of the human body such as the anus or the private parts.
  • the wash water spouting apparatus A shown in Figure 5 can be applied to a washing system installed on a toilet bowl for washing regions of the human body such as the anus or the private parts.
  • a washing system for the human body provided with the wash water spouting apparatus A, the pipe 2 is provided with a closing valve at its part upstream of the continuous flow valve 5, the pipe 2 is provided with a heater for heating wash water at its part between the continuous flow valve 5 and the air bubble mixing apparatus 3 and a driving apparatus for driving the wash water discharging nozzle 1 is provided.
  • a bubble flow is spouted to achieve high detergency, gentle stimulation and high effect of water saving.
  • the controller 4e may variably control the voltage applied to the air pump 4c.
  • the voltage applied to the air pump 4c is variably controlled, the rate of the mixing of air with the wash water or the rate of the mixing of air bubbles with the wash water is variably controlled periodically or at random, and the detergency and the stimulation effect of the wash water is variably controlled.
  • the convenience of the washing system for the human body increases.
  • the pipe 4a may be provided with a pressure sensor at its part downstream of the air pump 4c to variably control the voltage applied to the air pump 4c by the controller 4e according to the output of the pressure sensor.
  • a rotation speed sensor for detecting the rotation speed of the air pump 4c may be disposed to variably control the voltage applied to the air pump 4c by the controller 4e according to the output of the rotation speed sensor.
  • the pipe 4a may be provided with a release valve to the atmosphere at its part downstream of the air pump 4c to control the opening and closing motion of the release valve by the controller 4e.
  • the voltage applied to the air pump 4c is controlled according to the pressure in the pipe 4e downstream of the air pump 4c, if the voltage applied to the air pump 4c is controlled according to the rotation speed of the air pump 4c or if the opening and closing motion of the release valve to the atmosphere disposed at the part of the pipe 4a downstream of the air pump 4c is controlled, the rate of the mixing of the air with the wash water or the rate of the mixing of the air bubbles with the wash water is variably controlled and the detergency and the stimulation effect of the wash water are variably controlled.
  • the convenience of the washing system for the human body increases.
  • the controller 4e may open the closing valve disposed at the part of the pipe 2 upstream of the continuous flow valve 5 for a predetermined period of time to pass the wash water through the wash water spouting apparatus A.
  • the controller 4e may drive the air pump 4c for a predetermined period of time. If the wash water is passed through the wash water spouting apparatus A for a predetermined period of time or the air pump 4c is driven to supply the bubble generating member 3a with pressurized air for a predetermined period of time, the air bubble generating member 3a is automatically maintained and the function of the washing system for the human body is maintained for a long time.
  • the controller 4e may close the closing valve disposed at the part of the pipe 2 upstream of the continuous flow valve 5 intermittently to stop the passage of the wash water through the wash water spouting apparatus A intermittently. If the passage of the wash water through the wash water passage is stopped intermittently while the operation of the air pump 4c is continued, air is spouted from the air bubble generating member 3a to remove calcium carbonate adhered to the inner surface. Thus, the deposition of calcium carbonate on the surface of the wash water passage in the air bubble generating member 3a is effectively suppressed.
  • the controller 4e may open the closing valve disposed at the part of the pipe 2 upstream of the continuous flow valve 5 to pass wash water through the wash water spouting apparatus A or drive the air pump 4c after the operation switch of the washing system for the human body is turned on and before the wash water discharging nozzle 1 is driven to a predetermined position. If such preliminary actions are carried out, the wash water discharging nozzle 1 moved to the predetermined position can reliably spout a bubble flow.
  • the pipe 4a may be provided with a volatile constituent mixing apparatus at its part downstream of the air pump 4c. If a volatile constituent such as odor removing agent, fragrance agent, etc. is mixed with air in the air bubbles, the convenience of the washing system for the human body increases.
  • G-2 Application to a hot-water supplying apparatus.
  • the wash water spouting apparatus A shown in Figure 5 can be applied to a hot-water supplying apparatus.
  • the pipe 2 is provided with a flow rate sensor 80, a cold-water temperature sensor 81, a heater 82, a hot-water temperature sensor 83, a mixing apparatus 84 for mixing cold water with hot water, a mixed-water temperature sensor 85 and a water flow rate control valve 86.
  • These members are disposed in series in the order of the flow rate sensor 80, the cold-water temperature sensor 81, the heater 82, the hot-water temperature sensor 83, the mixing apparatus 84, the mixed-water temperature sensor 85 and the water flow rate control valve 86 from upstream to downstream relative to the water flow.
  • the wash water spouting apparatus A is disposed downstream of the water flow rate control valve 86.
  • the wash water discharging nozzle 1 of the wash water spouting apparatus A forms such an apparatus as a shower nozzle or water faucet in a bath room, a water faucet in a washroom, etc.
  • the controller 4e of the wash water spouting apparatus A also controls the operation of the heater 82, the mixing apparatus 84, the water flow rate control valve 86, etc.
  • the controller 4e controls the operation of the heater 82 to generate hot-water of desired temperature according to the water flow rate detected by the water flow sensor 80, water temperature detected by the cold-water temperature sensor 81 and the hot-water temperature detected by the hot-water temperature sensor 83.
  • the controller 4e controls the mixing apparatus 84 to mix the hot water with the water thereby generating mixed-water of appropriate temperature according to the hot-water temperature detected by the hot-water temperature sensor 83 and the mixed-water temperature detected by the mixed-water temperature sensor 85.
  • the controller 4e controls the operation of the water flow rate control valve 86 to pass the mixed-water of appropriate temperature and flow rate through the pipe 2.
  • the controller 4e controls the operation of the air pump 4c of the wash water spouting apparatus A to mix a large number of micro air bubbles with the mixed-water of appropriate temperature passing through the pipe 2.
  • the consumption of hot-water decreases because of the water saving effect of the wash water spouting apparatus A.
  • the size of the heater 82 can be reduced, the size of the hot-water supplying apparatus can be reduced and the energy consumed by the hot-water supplying apparatus can be saved.
  • the wash water spouting apparatus A shown in Figure 5 can be applied to a showering apparatus.
  • the wash water discharging nozzle 1 forms a shower head and the air bubble mixing apparatus 3 is disposed in the wash water discharging nozzle 1.
  • the air bubble generating member 3a comprises a columnar body 3a 1 made of a porous material and a pair of end plates 3a 2 sealing both ends of the columnar body 3a 1 .
  • the columnar body 3a 1 and the end plates 3a 2 are provided with many penetration holes 3a 3 .
  • the penetration holes 3a 3 formed in the columnar body Sa 1 are provided with a large number of independent pores at their surrounding surfaces.
  • the air bubble generating member 3a is press fitted in the wash water discharging nozzle 1.
  • a dispersing plate 1a is detachably connected to the end of the wash water discharging nozzle 1.
  • the dispersing plate 1a is provided with many discharge holes 1a 1 communicating with the penetration holes 3a 3 of the air bubble generating member 3a.
  • a pressure chamber 3b is formed around the air bubble generating member 3a.
  • the wash water discharging nozzle 1 is provided with a wash water passage 1b communicating with the the penetration holes 3a 3 of the air bubble generating member 3a and an air passage 1c communicating with the pressure chamber 3b.
  • the wash water passage 1b is connected to the pipe 2 and the air passage 1c is connected to the pipe 4a.
  • the present showering apparatus has the same structure as the hot-water supplying apparatus shown in Figure 30 except that the wash water discharging nozzle 1 forms a shower head and the air bubble mixing apparatus 3 is disposed in the wash water discharging nozzle 1.
  • hot-water of appropriate temperature and pressurized air are supplied to the wash water discharging nozzle 1.
  • the hot-water passes through the wash water passage 1b and flows into the penetration holes 3a 3 of the air bubble generating member 3a.
  • the pressurized air passes through the air passage 1c and flows into the pressure chamber 3b.
  • the pressurized air becomes a large number of micro air bubbles by passing through the air bubble generating member 3a and the air bubbles are mixed with and substantially uniformly dispersed in the hot-water passing through the penetration holes 3a 3 .
  • a bubble flow wherein a large number of micro air bubbles are mixed with and dispersed in the hot-water passes through the dispersing plate 1a to form a shower of a bubble flow.
  • the wash water spouting apparatus A shown in Figure 5 can be applied to a hair washing apparatus.
  • a basin 90 is provided with a discharge hole 90a at its bottom.
  • the basin 90 is provided with a plurality of shower nozzles 91 for washing the side portion and the rear potion of a head, a plurality of shampoo nozzles 92 and a shower nozzle 93 at its side wall.
  • the basin 90 is set on a base not shown in the Figures.
  • the wash water spouting apparatus A applied to the showering apparatus shown in Figures 31(a) and 31(b) constitutes the wash water spouting apparatus having the shower nozzles 91 and 93.
  • the wash water and the pressurized air are supplied to a plurality of wash water discharging nozzles.
  • Shampoo is supplied to the shampoo nozzle 92 from a shampoo source not shown in the Figures.
  • the user of the present hair washing apparatus puts the rear portion of the head on the basin 90 with his or her face upward.
  • a cover not shown in the Figures is put on the basin 90 to cover the font portion and the top portion of the head.
  • the shampoo discharges from the shampoo nozzles 92 to wash the hair and the bubble flows of the wash water spout from the shower nozzles 91 and 93 to rinse the washed hair. Waste water is discharged from the discharge hole 90a.
  • the cover not shown in the Figures prevents scattering of the shampoo and wash water during the hair washing operation.
  • the hair washing apparatus comprising the wash water spouting apparatus A
  • high detergency and high effect of water saving can be obtained.
  • the contact area between the wash water and the air is very large because a large number of air bubbles are mixed with and dispersed in the wash water.
  • chlorine contained in the wash water (city water) is rapidly removed by deaeration.
  • the hair is protected from damage by highly reactive chlorine because the chlorine is removed.
  • the removal of chlorine is carried out just before spouting of the wash water.
  • the wash water spouting apparatus A shown in Figure 5 can be applied to a water faucet.
  • the wash water discharging nozzle 1 forms a discharge head of a water faucet and the air bubble mixing apparatus 3 is disposed in the water discharging nozzle 1.
  • the wash water discharging nozzle 1 is provided with a wash water passage 1d communicating with the air bubble generating member 3a and an air passage 1e communicating with the pressure chamber 3b.
  • the wash water discharging nozzle 1 is fixed by a screw to a rotatable discharge pipe 101 of the water faucet body 100.
  • the wash water passage 1d is connected to the pipe 2 through a pipe not shown in the Figures disposed in the discharge pipe 101 and the air passage 1e is connected to the pipe 4a through another pipe not shown in the Figures disposed in the discharge pipe 101.
  • the present water faucet has the same structure as the hot-water supplying apparatus shown in Figure 30 except that the wash water discharging nozzle 1 forms a discharge nozzle and the air bubble mixing apparatus 3 is disposed in the wash water discharging nozzle 1.
  • the flow rates of the water and the air are controlled by the control member 100a of the water faucet body 100.
  • the wash water spouting apparatus A shown in Figure 5 can be applied to a face washing apparatus.
  • the structure of the face washing apparatus may be the same as that of the hair washing apparatus shown in Figures 32 to 34.
  • the wash water spouting apparatus A shown in Figure 5 can be applied to an eye washing apparatus.
  • the structure of the eye washing apparatus may be the same as that of the wash water spouting apparatus A shown in Figure 5 except that the pipe 2 downstream of the air mixing apparatus 3 is made flexible and the wash water discharging nozzle 1 is given handy size to facilitate the eye washing operation.
  • the gas-liquid ratio is set relatively low to obtain a gentle stimulation and adequate detergency.
  • the wash water spouting apparatus A shown in Figure 5 can be applied to a palate washing apparatus.
  • the structure of the palate washing apparatus may be the same as that of the wash water spouting apparatus A shown in Figure 5 except that the pipe 2 downstream of the air mixing apparatus 3 is made flexible and the wash water discharging nozzle 1 is made slender and given handy size to facilitate the palate washing operation.
  • the wash water spouting apparatus A shown in Figure 5 can be applied to a hand washing apparatus.
  • the structure of the hand washing apparatus may be the same as that of the water faucet shown in Figures 35 to 37. Otherwise the structure of the hand washing apparatus may be the same as that of the water faucet shown in Figures 35 to 37 except that a warm air discharging apparatus for drying the hands is disposed near the water faucet.
  • the wash water spouting apparatus A shown in Figure 5 can be applied to a bath tub.
  • the structure of the bath tub may be that wherein the wash water discharging nozzle 1 of the wash water spouting apparatus A is fitted to the side wall of a bath tub.
  • the bubble flow strikes against the human body to produce a massaging effect.
  • the wash water spouting apparatus A can be applied to an ultrasonic cleaning apparatus.
  • the ultrasonic vibration can wash the internal spaces of small crevices because its wavelength is short. But, the ultrasonic vibration cannot wash a broad area because it damps rapidly. Low frequency vibration with long wave length has low detergency but can wash a broad area because it damps slowly. It is possible to control the diameter of the air bubbles while keeping the flow rate of the air constant to control the number of the air bubbles striking against the target surface per unit time thereby controlling the frequency of the vibration generated on the target surface. That is, the strength of the detergency or the area on which the detergency acts can be controlled by controlling the diameter of the air bubbles. When the diameter of the air bubbles is large, the frequency of the vibration is low and a broad area can be washed thoroughly.
  • a vibration in the frequency range of 5 to 30 Hz substantially resonates with the free vibration of the portion of the human body near the skin surface to produce a high massaging effect.
  • a vibration in the frequency range of 5 to 30 Hz can give the user the reeling that he or she is using a large quantity of wash water though he or she is actually using only a small quantity of wash water.
  • the air bubble generating member made of porous material generates micro air bubbles to mix and disperse them in the wash water.
  • micro air bubbles may instead be produced by breaking air bubbles mixed with the wash water.
  • a pipe 110 forming a wash water passage is provided with a continuous flow valve 111, an air mixing apparatus 112 and an air bubble breaking apparatus 113. These members are disposed in series in the order of the continuous flow valve 111, the air mixing apparatus 112 and the air bubble breaking apparatus 113 from upstream to downstream relative to the water flow.
  • the pipe 110 is provided with a wash water discharging nozzle 114 at its downstream end.
  • the air mixing apparatus 112 is constituted by a pipe 112a forming a wash water passage and a capillary 112b crossing the pipe 112a substantially at right angles to open at the inner surface of the pipe 112a.
  • the air bubble breaking apparatus 113 comprises a pipe 113a forming a wash water passage and a baffle plate 113b with a single opening 113b 1 disposed in the pipe 113a as shown in Figure 39(a), a pipe 113a forming a wash water passage and a baffle plate 113c with a plurality of openings 113c 1 disposed in the pipe 113a as shown in Figure 39(b) or a pipe 113a forming a wash water passage and a mesh 113d disposed in the pipe 113a as shown in Figure 39(c).
  • the mesh 113d comprises a plurality of woven cloths made of resin fibers or metal fibers, a plurality of unwoven cloths, or the like stacked on one another.
  • a forced air supplying apparatus 115 having an air pump 115a is connected to the capillary 112b of the air bubble mixing apparatus 112.
  • the pressurized air supplied by the forced air supplying apparatus 115 is mixed with the wash water passing through the pipe 112a through the capillary 112b.
  • the air bubbles generated at the end of the capillary 112b grow in the direction perpendicular to the flow of the wash water because the capillary 112b opens at the inner surface of the pipe 112a. Shear force is therefore applied to the air bubbles by the wash water passing through the pipe 112a and the air bubbles leave the end of the capillary 112b entrained by the wash water at the first stage of generation.
  • air bubbles of relatively small diameter are mixed with the wash water.
  • the spouting bubble flow increases the detergency of the wash water and achieves a water saving effect.
  • a wash water spouting apparatus which can increase the detergency of the wash water, achieve a gentle stimulation effect and achieve a water saving by a large amount is provided.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Cleaning By Liquid Or Steam (AREA)
  • Bathtubs, Showers, And Their Attachments (AREA)
EP98937832A 1997-08-15 1998-08-14 Waschwasserabgebende vorrichtung Withdrawn EP1036889A4 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP22049997 1997-08-15
JP22049997 1997-08-15
JP34884497 1997-12-18
JP34884497 1997-12-18
JP10699098 1998-04-01
JP10699098 1998-04-01
PCT/JP1998/003633 WO1999009265A1 (fr) 1997-08-15 1998-08-14 Appareil de decharge d'eau de lavage

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1036889A1 true EP1036889A1 (de) 2000-09-20
EP1036889A4 EP1036889A4 (de) 2001-01-24

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ID=27310879

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EP98937832A Withdrawn EP1036889A4 (de) 1997-08-15 1998-08-14 Waschwasserabgebende vorrichtung

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1036889A4 (de)
JP (1) JP3702787B2 (de)
KR (1) KR20010022937A (de)
CN (1) CN1275180A (de)
AU (1) AU8649398A (de)
TW (1) TW387026B (de)
WO (1) WO1999009265A1 (de)

Cited By (3)

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EP1001095A2 (de) 1998-11-13 2000-05-17 Hansgrohe AG Wasserstrahlbelüfter
KR20020004562A (ko) * 2000-07-06 2002-01-16 강원석 초음파를 이용한 샤워기
CN102900137A (zh) * 2011-07-27 2013-01-30 Toto株式会社 吐水装置

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KR102155599B1 (ko) * 2019-12-09 2020-09-14 다로스 주식회사 마이크로웨이브 모션 센서 기반의 급수 시스템 및 그 방법
CN111549511A (zh) * 2020-04-30 2020-08-18 佛山市顺德区美的电热电器制造有限公司 蒸汽发生系统和蒸汽设备

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US3270965A (en) * 1963-02-05 1966-09-06 Elie P Aghnides Self-sealing and deposit-proof aerator
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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1001095A2 (de) 1998-11-13 2000-05-17 Hansgrohe AG Wasserstrahlbelüfter
EP1001095A3 (de) * 1998-11-13 2001-01-31 Hansgrohe AG Wasserstrahlbelüfter
US6588682B1 (en) 1998-11-13 2003-07-08 Hansgrohe Ag Water jet ventilator
KR20020004562A (ko) * 2000-07-06 2002-01-16 강원석 초음파를 이용한 샤워기
CN102900137A (zh) * 2011-07-27 2013-01-30 Toto株式会社 吐水装置
CN102900137B (zh) * 2011-07-27 2014-09-03 Toto株式会社 吐水装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU8649398A (en) 1999-03-08
TW387026B (en) 2000-04-11
WO1999009265A1 (fr) 1999-02-25
EP1036889A4 (de) 2001-01-24
JP3702787B2 (ja) 2005-10-05
KR20010022937A (ko) 2001-03-26
CN1275180A (zh) 2000-11-29

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