JP2007260563A - Cleaning device and showerhead - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a cleaning device and a showerhead in a simple configuration capable of more increasing massaging effect in cleaning a human body. <P>SOLUTION: The cleaning device 120 is provided with a main passage 210, a throttle section 213, a suction hole 220, and a generation means 230. The main passage 210 is formed inside a body and through which a first fluid passes. The throttle section 213 is formed halfway the main passage 210 and has a sub-passage of inside diameter smaller than that of the main passage 210 and increases a rate of flow and a pressure of the first fluid passing through the inside of the sub-passage. The suction hole 220 is bored towards the sub-passage from the outside of the body to suck the air outside into the sub-passage with a negative pressure generated by allowing the first fluid to pass through the inside of the sub-passage. The generation means 230 is provided inside the sub-passage, produces micro-bubbles from the air outside sucked from the suction hole 220 with the pressure of the first fluid passing through the inside of the sub-passage and mixes the micro-bubbles into the first fluid passing through the inside of the sub-passage. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a cleaning device that discharges a fluid after mixing bubbles in the fluid and a shower head including the cleaning device.

  Conventionally, by washing the body with water mixed with bubbles, it is possible to clean the body and give a pleasant stimulus to the skin without damaging the skin, thereby promoting blood circulation of the skin A cleaning device capable of obtaining a massage effect such as is known. In particular, by washing the head using such an apparatus, blood circulation of the scalp can be promoted, and there are some that can enhance the hair-growth effect of the hair.

  As an application of such a cleaning device to a shower device, for example, a structure in which a shower head and a shower hose are connected using a joint provided with an air introduction hole and a spray tube is used. There is known a shower device that can mix air introduced from an air introduction hole into water by using a negative pressure generated when ejected (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, for example, by using a configuration in which a valve that can be opened and closed by operating a lever is disposed between the liquid passage formed in the shower head and the air passage, the liquid passage is opened. There is known a shower device capable of mixing air introduced from an air passage into water using negative pressure generated when water passes through the passage (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-43641 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 7-34947

  However, in the conventional shower apparatus described in Patent Document 1, since the injection pipe is provided at the connection portion with the shower hose, the durability at the connection portion is low, and the danger of the injection tube being broken, etc. There was a problem of high. In addition, since the diameter of bubbles mixed in water is relatively large (for example, 2 mm to 3 mm) and the number thereof is small, there is a problem that a high massage effect cannot be obtained.

  Further, in the conventional shower device described in Patent Document 2, since a valve utilizing a cylinder mechanism is provided between the liquid passage and the air passage, the structure becomes complicated, and the shower device is manufactured. There is a problem that the cost required for assembly and maintenance increases. In addition, since the diameter of the bubbles mixed in the water is relatively large (for example, 1 mm to 2 mm) and the number thereof is small, there is a problem that the same high massage effect cannot be obtained.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to realize a cleaning device and a shower head capable of further enhancing a massage effect when cleaning the body with a simple configuration. And

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the cleaning device according to the present invention is formed inside the main body, and is formed in the middle of the main passage for the passage of the first fluid and the main passage, A throttle portion having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the main passage and increasing the flow rate and pressure of the first fluid passing through the inside of the auxiliary passage, and drilled from the outside of the main body toward the auxiliary passage And an intake hole for sucking outside air into the sub-passage due to the negative pressure generated when the first fluid passes through the sub-passage.

  Further, in the invention described above, the cleaning device according to the present invention is provided inside the sub-passage, and is sucked from the intake hole by the pressure of the first fluid passing through the sub-passage. It is characterized by further comprising generation means for generating microbubbles from outside air and mixing the microbubbles into the first fluid passing through the sub passage.

  Further, in the above-described invention, the cleaning device according to the present invention is formed by being drilled from the outside of the main body toward the sub-passage, and the first fluid passes through the sub-passage. A suction hole for sucking the second fluid into the auxiliary passage by negative pressure is further provided.

  In the invention described above, the cleaning device according to the present invention is provided in the middle of the suction hole, and changes a degree of opening of the suction hole so that the second fluid sucked into the throttle portion An adjustment means for adjusting the inhalation amount is further provided.

  Further, in the cleaning device according to the present invention, in the invention described above, the adjusting means is provided in a state capable of closing the suction hole, and has a rotation shaft parallel to the suction hole axis, A plurality of adjustment holes having different inner diameters are provided with a rotatable disk-shaped adjustment valve formed on the circumference around the rotation axis, and arranged on the adjustment valve on the axis of the suction hole The opening of the suction hole is changed by rotating the adjustment valve so that any one of the formed adjustment holes is positioned, and the second fluid sucked into the throttle portion The inhalation amount is adjusted.

  The cleaning apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-described invention, the first fluid is water and the second fluid is a cleaning liquid.

  Moreover, the shower head concerning this invention was equipped with the washing | cleaning apparatus as described above, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to the present invention, the diameter of the bubbles is small and a large amount of bubbles can be mixed into the water by a simple configuration in which the generating means is simply arranged inside the main passage formed inside the main body. . Accordingly, it is possible to realize a cleaning device and a shower head that can not only increase the massage effect when cleaning the body but also reduce the cost required for manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance. .

  Exemplary embodiments of a cleaning device and a shower head according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
(Configuration of shower head)
First, the configuration of the shower head 100 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a side view showing a shower head 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, for example, a shower head 100 that is provided in a bathroom and is used by being gripped when washing the body, for example, includes a head portion 110 having a main portion formed in a cylindrical shape, and the head portion 110. And a continuous cleaning device 120. The shower head 100 is connected to a hose 130 on the cleaning device 120 side, for example, and receives supply of tap water or the like as a first fluid through the hose 130.

  The head unit 110 is formed integrally with the cleaning device 120, for example, and the tap water supplied from the hose 130 passes through the head unit 110 and the cleaning device 120 toward the discharge hole 111, for example, in a cylindrical shape. A main passage 210 (to be described later with reference to FIG. 2) corresponding to the inner pipe portion is formed. The head portion 110 is formed with a number of discharge holes 111 for discharging tap water passing through the inside of the main passage 210 into a shower-like (fine line) tap water ( In FIG. 1, for convenience, only the lowermost discharge hole is labeled.

  The cleaning device 120 sucks outside air when the tap water supplied from the hose 130 passes through the main passage 210, and generates a large number of microbubbles from the outside air. And the washing | cleaning apparatus 120 mixes many produced | generated micro bubbles with respect to the tap water which passes the main channel | path 210. FIG.

(Configuration of the cleaning device 120)
Next, details of the configuration of the cleaning device 120 according to the first embodiment will be described. 2 and 3 are sectional views showing the cleaning device 120 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning device 120 includes a main body 200, a main passage 210, an intake hole 220, and a generation unit 230.

  The main passage 210 in the cleaning device 120 is arranged inside the main body 200 so that the tap water supplied from the hose 130 passes through the main body 200 in the direction of the head part 110 (direction indicated by arrow A in the figure). It is the passage formed in. In addition, an opening 211 having an inner diameter W1 is formed on the side of the main passage 210 that receives tap water supplied from the hose 130. An opening 212 having an inner diameter W2 is formed on the side of the main passage 210 where tap water is discharged by the head 110.

  Further, in the middle of the main passage 210 (substantially at an intermediate position), a throttle portion 213 that increases the flow rate and pressure of tap water passing through the main passage 210 is formed. The narrowed portion 213 has the same inner diameter as the inner diameter W2 of the opening 212 at the portion with the largest inner diameter, and has an inner diameter W3 smaller than the inner diameter W2 of the opening 212 at the portion with the smallest inner diameter.

  The diaphragm 213 is formed in a tapered shape so that the inner diameter gradually changes from the portion having the inner diameter W2 in the direction of the opening 211 toward the portion having the inner diameter W3. Further, the throttle portion 213 is formed in a tapered shape so that the inner diameter gradually changes from the portion having the inner diameter W3 toward the portion having the inner diameter W2 in the direction of the opening 212. The throttle 213 may not be formed in the above-described taper shape as long as it can increase the flow rate and pressure of tap water passing through the main passage 210.

  The suction hole 220 sucks outside air into the throttle part 213 due to negative pressure generated when the tap water supplied from the hose 130 passes through the throttle part 213, so that the throttle part 213 from the outside of the main body 200. It is drilled toward the inside. Further, the tap water accumulated in the throttle portion 213 due to a pressure difference between the outside of the main body 200 and the inside of the throttle portion 213 generated when the supply of tap water from the hose 130 is stopped is sucked into the intake hole 220. A backflow prevention valve (check valve) 221 for preventing the air from flowing out of the main body 200 through the intake hole 220 is provided.

  The generating unit 230 is configured by a cylindrical bleed pipe 231 in which an outside air passage 232 through which outside air sucked from the intake hole 220 passes is formed. The bleed pipe 231 passes through the inside of the throttle portion 213 so that the position of the shaft of the throttle portion 213 and the position of the shaft 233 of the bleed pipe 231 coincide with each other (that is, are coaxial). The fixing member 300 as shown in FIG. 3 fixes and arranges from the AA direction and the BB direction so that the influence on the flow rate and flow velocity of the running tap water is minimized.

  Further, the bleed pipe 231 has a bleed hole 234 drilled so as to penetrate from the outer peripheral surface of the bleed pipe 231 to the inner peripheral surface of the bleed pipe 231 in a direction orthogonal to the shaft 233. A plurality are formed in the circumferential direction and the shaft 233 direction. Here, in order to efficiently and reliably generate microbubbles, the inner diameter of the bleed hole 234 is preferably in the range of 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm, for example.

(Operation of the shower head 100)
Next, the operation of the shower head 100 configured as described above will be described. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of the shower head 100 according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 4, first, tap water 400 supplied from the hose 130 (see FIG. 1) is introduced into the main passage 210 from the opening 211 (1), and the tap water 400 passes through the inside of the throttle portion 213. (2) As the flow velocity and pressure of the tap water 400 increase, a pressure difference between the outside of the main body 200 and the inside of the throttle unit 213 (negative pressure in the throttle unit 213) is generated.

  Then, due to the negative pressure generated in the throttle portion 213, the outside air 401 is sucked from the suction hole 220, and this outside air 401 is introduced into the outside air passage 232 formed inside the bleed pipe 231 (3). Further, due to the negative pressure generated in the throttle portion 213, micro bubbles 402 are generated from the outside air 401 introduced into the outside air passage 232 in a large number of bleed holes 234 formed in the bleed pipe 231. The tap water 400 passing through the inside of the throttle unit 213 is mixed (4).

  Here, the cleaning apparatus 120 generates a large number of microbubbles 402 with a very small diameter (for example, 0.01 mm to 0.10 mm) by using the bleed pipe 231 in which a large number of bleed holes 234 are formed. be able to. Further, the cleaning device 120 uses a configuration in which the flow rate of the tap water 400 is increased by the throttle unit 213, so that the diameter can be efficiently and surely very small and a large amount of microbubbles 402 can be generated.

  Then, the tap water 400 in which the microbubbles 402 are mixed after the flow velocity and pressure are increased is sent to the head portion 110 (see FIG. 1) through the opening portion 212 (5). Further, the tap water 400 sent to the head unit 110 is discharged from the discharge hole 111 after changing the state from a liquid state to a shower-like state by a large number of discharge holes 111 formed in the head unit 110.

  As described above, according to the shower head 100 in the first embodiment, the throttle part 213 is formed in the middle of the main passage 210 formed in the main body 200, and the outside air is discharged into the throttle part 213. A simple configuration is used in which an intake hole 220 for inhalation is provided in the main body 200 and a bleed pipe 231 in which a large number of bleed holes 234 are formed is disposed inside the throttle portion 213.

  And according to the shower head 100 in this Embodiment 1, after increasing the flow velocity and pressure of the tap water 400 with the above-described configuration, the diameter is very small, and a large number of microbubbles 402 are efficiently and reliably obtained. The tap water 400 that is generated and mixed with the large amount of microbubbles 402 can be discharged from the discharge hole 111. For example, the user cleans the body efficiently and easily by washing the body with tap water 400 mixed with a large amount of microbubbles 402 after the flow rate and pressure are increased. In addition to being able to hurt the skin, it is possible to obtain a pleasant stimulus to the body.

  Thus, according to the shower head 100 in the first embodiment, not only can the massage effect when washing the body be improved, but also by using a simple configuration, Costs required for assembly and maintenance can be reduced.

(Embodiment 2)
(Configuration of shower head)
Next, the configuration of the shower head 100A according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a side view showing a shower head 100A according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. A shower head 100A shown in FIG. 5 supplies a cleaning liquid as a second fluid such as a shampoo or a body shampoo into the cleaning device 120A in addition to the configuration of the shower head 100 shown in the first embodiment (FIG. 1). This is different from the configuration of the shower head 100 shown in the first embodiment (FIG. 1) in that it further includes a cleaning liquid supply means 500.

  The cleaning liquid supply means 500 is a connection for connecting the adjusting means 510 with the adjusting means 510 for adjusting the amount of the cleaning liquid supplied to the inside of the cleaning device 120A, the liquid tank into which the cleaning liquid such as shampoo and body shampoo is injected, and the like. And a pipe 520.

(Configuration of cleaning device 120A and adjustment means 510)
Next, details of the configuration of the cleaning device 120A and the adjustment unit 510 according to the second embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the cleaning device 120A is further provided with a suction hole 600 in addition to the configuration of the cleaning device 120 shown in the first embodiment (FIG. 2). Different from the configuration of the cleaning device 120 shown in FIG. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the same portions as those already described in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The suction hole 600 sucks the cleaning liquid into the throttle part 213 due to the negative pressure generated when the tap water supplied from the hose 130 passes through the throttle part 213, so that the throttle part 213 from the outside of the main body 200. It is drilled toward the inside.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the adjusting means 510 is configured to include a sub-body 601 and an adjusting valve 610. The sub body 601 includes a connection portion 602 to which the connection pipe 520 is connected. Further, the cleaning liquid passage 602 is formed in the sub body 601 so that the cleaning liquid supplied via the connection pipe 520 passes through the sub body 601 toward the suction hole 600 formed in the main body 200.

  The adjustment valve 610 adjusts the amount of the cleaning liquid supplied to the inside of the throttle portion 213 through the cleaning liquid passage 602 and the suction hole 600. The adjustment valve 610 is disposed between the main body 200 and the sub body 601 in a state where the suction hole 600 can be closed. Further, the regulating valve 610 is pivotally supported by a bolt 613 and a bearing 614 so that the central position of the regulating valve 610 becomes a pivot shaft. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the adjusting valve 610. As shown in FIG. 7, the adjusting valve 610 has a plurality of adjusting holes 611 having different inner diameters on the same circumference with the bolt 613 as the center. Is formed and arranged.

(Operation of shower head 100A)
Next, the operation of the shower head 100A configured as described above will be described. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the shower head 100A according to the second embodiment.

  In FIG. 8, first, tap water 400 supplied from the hose 130 (see FIG. 5) is introduced into the main passage 210 from the opening 211 (1), and the tap water 400 passes through the inside of the throttle portion 213. (2) As the flow velocity and pressure of the tap water 400 increase, a pressure difference between the outside of the main body 200 and the inside of the throttle unit 213 (negative pressure in the throttle unit 213) is generated.

  Then, due to the negative pressure generated in the throttle portion 213, the outside air 401 is sucked from the suction hole 220, and this outside air 401 is introduced into the outside air passage 232 formed inside the bleed pipe 231 (3). Further, due to the negative pressure generated in the throttle portion 213, micro bubbles 402 are generated from the outside air 401 introduced into the outside air passage 232 in a large number of bleed holes 234 formed in the bleed pipe 231. The tap water 400 passing through the inside of the throttle unit 213 is mixed (4).

  Further, due to the negative pressure generated in the throttle part 213, the cleaning liquid 800 is introduced into the inside of the throttle part 213 through the connection pipe 520 (see FIG. 5), the cleaning liquid passage 602 and the suction hole 600 from the liquid tank into which the cleaning liquid 800 is injected. The cleaning liquid 800 is mixed into the tap water 400 passing through the inside of the throttle unit 213 (6).

  Here, the amount of the cleaning liquid 800 sucked into the throttle portion 213 is adjusted to communicate the cleaning liquid passage 602 and the suction hole 600 among the plurality of adjustment holes 611 formed in the adjustment valve 610 and having different inner diameters. It is determined according to the size of the diameter of the hole 611. For this reason, for example, the user rotates the adjustment valve 610 and uses the adjustment hole 611 corresponding to a desired intake amount from among the plurality of adjustment holes 611 formed in the adjustment valve 610 to perform the suction with the cleaning liquid passage 602. By communicating with the hole 600, the amount of the cleaning liquid 800 sucked into the throttle portion 213 can be easily adjusted.

  For example, when rinsing is desired, the adjustment valve 610 is rotated to shut off the communication between the cleaning liquid passage 602 and the suction hole 600 so that the cleaning liquid 800 is not sucked into the throttle portion 213. You can also Further, for example, the number of adjustment holes 611 formed in the adjustment valve 610 may be increased so that the suction amount of the cleaning liquid 800 can be finely adjusted.

  The tap water 400 in which the microbubbles 402 and the cleaning liquid 800 are mixed after the flow velocity and pressure are increased is sent to the head portion 110 (see FIG. 5) through the opening 212 (7). And the tap water 400 sent to the head part 110 is discharged from the discharge hole 111 after changing the state from a liquid state to a shower-like shape by a large number of discharge holes 111 formed in the head part 110.

  As described above, according to the shower head 100A in the second embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the shower head 100 shown in the first embodiment, a cleaning liquid such as a shampoo and a body shampoo can be cleaned with a simple configuration. A simple configuration is used, in which a cleaning liquid supply unit 500 that can supply the liquid is further provided.

  And according to the shower head 100A in this Embodiment 2, after increasing the flow velocity and pressure of the tap water 400 with the above-described configuration, the diameter is very small, and a large number of microbubbles 402 are efficiently and reliably obtained. The tap water 400 generated and mixed with the large amount of microbubbles 402 and the cleaning liquid 800 can be discharged from the discharge hole 111. For example, the user cleans the body efficiently and easily by cleaning the body with tap water 400 mixed with a large amount of microbubbles 402 and the cleaning liquid 800 after the flow velocity and pressure are increased. It can not only hurt the skin, but also can provide a pleasant stimulus to the body.

  Thus, according to the shower head 100A in the second embodiment, not only can the massage effect when washing the body be improved, but also by using a simple configuration, Costs required for assembly and maintenance can be reduced.

  In the body cleaning using the shower head 100 and the shower head 100A in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, not only a massage effect but also a high cleaning effect can be obtained. For this reason, when cleaning not only the body but also, for example, dishes and automobiles, the use of the shower head 100 and the shower head 100A can improve the efficiency of the cleaning operation and shorten the time of the cleaning operation. it can. In addition, since the cleaning operation is shortened, the amount of tap water used can be suppressed, thereby reducing costs such as a water bill required for the cleaning operation.

It is a side view which shows the shower head concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cleaning device according to a first embodiment. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cleaning device according to a first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the effect | action of the shower head concerning Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a side view which shows the shower head concerning Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the washing | cleaning apparatus and adjustment means concerning Embodiment 2. It is a top view which shows an adjustment valve. It is explanatory drawing which shows the effect | action of the shower head concerning Embodiment 2. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Shower head 100A Shower head 110 Head part 111 Discharge hole 120 Cleaning apparatus 120A Cleaning apparatus 130 Hose 210 Main passage 211 Opening part 212 Opening part 213 Restriction part 220 Intake hole 221 Backflow prevention valve 230 Production | generation means 231 Bleed pipe 232 Outside air passage 233 Axis 234 Bleed hole 400 Tap water 401 Outside air 402 Micro bubble 500 Cleaning liquid supply means 600 Suction hole 601 Subbody 610 Adjustment valve 611 Adjustment hole 800 Cleaning liquid

Claims (7)

A main passage formed inside the body and through which the first fluid passes;
A throttle portion formed in the middle of the main passage, having a sub-passage with an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the main passage, and increasing the flow rate and pressure of the first fluid passing through the sub-passage;
An intake hole that is drilled from the outside of the main body toward the sub-passage and sucks outside air into the sub-passage due to the negative pressure generated when the first fluid passes through the sub-passage. When,
A cleaning apparatus comprising:   Microbubbles are generated from outside air sucked from the intake holes by the pressure of the first fluid that is provided inside the sub passage and passes through the sub passage, and passes through the sub passage The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising generating means for mixing the microbubbles in the first fluid.   The second fluid is drawn from the outside of the main body toward the sub-passage, and the first fluid is sucked into the sub-passage by the negative pressure generated when the first fluid passes through the sub-passage. The cleaning device according to claim 1, further comprising a suction hole.   It further comprises an adjusting means provided in the middle of the suction hole, for adjusting the suction amount of the second fluid sucked into the throttle portion by changing the opening of the suction hole. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 3. The adjusting means is provided in a state capable of closing the suction hole, has a rotation shaft parallel to the axis of the suction hole, and a plurality of adjustment holes each having a different inner diameter are centered on the rotation shaft. Equipped with a rotatable disc-shaped regulating valve arranged and formed on the circumference,
The opening degree of the suction hole is changed by rotating the adjustment valve so that the center of any one of the adjustment holes arranged on the adjustment valve is positioned on the axis of the suction hole, The cleaning device according to claim 4, wherein an amount of the second fluid sucked into the throttle portion is adjusted.   The cleaning apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first fluid is water and the second fluid is a cleaning liquid. A shower head comprising the cleaning device according to claim 1.

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