JP2008138420A - Micro-bubble generator and flush toilet stool device using it - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a micro-bubble generator capable of eliminating pressure a loss of water which lowers water jetting pressure, and a flush toilet stool device using it. <P>SOLUTION: This micro-bubble generator 1 includes a gas mixing part 3 for mixing gas in water by an ejector effect of water, a micro-bubble generating part 4 for breaking up the gas mixed in water in the gas mixing part3, which are disposed in order from the upstream side. A small diameter part 5 for putting the interior of a water passage 2 in a decompressed state for segmenting the gas is provided in an upstream area of the micro-bubble generating part 4. The region of the water passage 2 extending from the gas mixing part 3 to the small diameter part 5 of the micro-bubble generating part 4 is formed of a diameter reduced part 7 gradually decreased in inside diameter. The inner surface of the water passage 2 extending from the gas mixing part 3 to the small diameter part 5 of the micro-bubble generating part 4 is formed in a shape of a smooth curved surface by the diameter reduced part 7. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a microbubble generator and a flush toilet apparatus using the same.

  Conventionally, for wash water in flush toilets, water in kitchens and bathroom vanities, and jet water from jet bath equipment, the apparent water volume can be increased to save water, and the skin and bowl area In order to reduce the noise by softening the contact, a gas such as air is mixed in water (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Here, in order to mix gas into water, it is generally performed to simplify the configuration and mix gas into water by the ejector effect of water flowing through the water flow path. When the gas is mixed, the gas becomes a large bubble and becomes solid in the water, and the water discharge appearance is as if the water discharge is interrupted. It came to think that the fine bubble generating device which subdivides the gas mixed in water is arranged in the water flow path, and the water discharge appearance is improved by distributing relatively small bubbles evenly in the water. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).
JP 2001-279787 A JP 2006-272091 A

  By the way, as a use of the microbubble generator, there are cases where air bubbles are mixed into the flush water of a flush toilet, the water discharged from a kitchen or a bathroom vanity, or the jet water of a jet bath apparatus as described above. At the stage of practical use, the problem that the discharge pressure of water is weakened when the microbubble generator is disposed in the water flow path has surfaced. In particular, when a microbubble generator is attached to a flush toilet apparatus that relies on water pressure for water discharge, the above problem has been a major obstacle to practical use.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a microbubble generator capable of removing the pressure loss of water that weakens the water discharge pressure, and a flush toilet device using the microbubble generator.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the microbubble generator according to claim 1, the gas mixing part 3 for mixing gas into water by the ejector effect of water in the water flow path 2 for flowing water, and the gas mixing part In the microbubble generator 1 in which the microbubble generator 4 that subdivides the gas mixed in water in 3 is arranged in order from the upstream side, the gas is subdivided in the upstream area of the microbubble generator 4. For this purpose, a narrow diameter portion 5 is provided that makes the inside of the water flow path 2 in a reduced pressure state, and a reduced diameter portion 7 that gradually narrows the inner diameter of the portion of the water flow path 2 that extends from the gas mixing portion 3 to the small diameter portion 5 of the microbubble generating portion 4 The inner diameter of the water flow path 2 from the gas mixing part 3 to the narrow diameter part 5 of the microbubble generating part 4 is formed in a smooth curved surface shape by the reduced diameter part 7. According to this, the part of the water flow path 2 extending from the gas mixing part 3 to the small diameter part 5 of the microbubble generating part 4 is constituted by the reduced diameter part 7 that gradually narrows the inner diameter, and the gas mixed part 3 is formed by this reduced diameter part 7. The inner surface of the water flow path 2 extending from the first to the small diameter part 5 of the microbubble generating part 4 is formed in a smooth curved surface, and thus is generated at the site of the water flow path 2 between the gas mixing part 3 and the microbubble generating part 4. The pressure loss that weakens the discharged water pressure can be removed.

  The microbubble generator according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in claim 1, a plurality of gas supply paths 8 to the water flow path 2 are provided. According to this, in order for water to flow smoothly through the portion of the water flow path 2 between the gas mixing unit 3 and the microbubble generating unit 4 and thus the microbubble generating device 1 without pressure loss, the water flows into the water in the gas mixing unit 3. Although there is a possibility that the gas mixing amount may decrease, the gas mixing amount into the water can be ensured by providing a plurality of gas supply paths 8 to the water flow path 2 as described above.

  The microbubble generator according to claim 3 is characterized in that, in claim 1 or 2, the bubble reservoir 9 is disposed in the downstream area of the microbubble generator 4. According to this, since water flows smoothly through the portion of the water flow path 2 between the gas mixing unit 3 and the microbubble generating unit 4 and thus the microbubble generating device 1 without pressure loss, the gas is not sufficiently subdivided. Although it may flow downstream from the microbubble generator 1, as described above, the bubble reservoir 9 is disposed in the downstream area of the microbubble generator 4, so that the gas can be subdivided in the microbubble generator 4. Leakage can be reduced.

  In this invention, it has the advantage that the pressure loss of the water which weakens the discharged water pressure which arises in the site | part of the water flow path between a gas mixing part and a microbubble production | generation part can be removed.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the microbubble generator 1 of this example has a cylindrical main body case 11 through which the water flow path 2 penetrates, and from the upstream side of the water flow path 2 in the main body case 11. A gas mixing unit 3 that mixes gas and a microbubble generation unit 4 that can generate microbubbles by subdividing the mixed gas are sequentially provided. Here, the water flow path 2 of the gas mixing section 3 is formed with a throttle section 12 with a narrowed channel diameter, and is connected to the throttle section 12 so that the gas outlet 13a of the gas supply pipe 13 faces. Further, the microbubble generating part 4 employs a venturi-shaped pressure sudden change mechanism composed of a narrow diameter part 5 in which the diameter of the water flow path 2 is narrowed and a large diameter part 6 in which the diameter gradually increases from the narrow diameter part 5. In the small diameter portion 5, water is reduced in pressure (static pressure is lowered) to expand the gas mixed in the water, and the expanded diameter portion 6 is pressurized (static pressure is increased). ) To apply a high pressure to water to shear the gas and subdivide it. By changing the dimension setting of the narrow diameter part 5 and the large diameter part 6 (particularly the length dimension in the flow direction of the large diameter part 6) of this sudden pressure change mechanism, the microbubbles generated by subdividing can be made to have a desired diameter (for example, μm size (less than 1 mm) or mm size (1 mm or more). In consideration of downsizing of the apparatus, the microbubble generator 4 of the present example has a small diameter portion 5 disposed in an upstream area obtained by dividing the microbubble generator 4 in the water flow direction substantially in half and is expanded in the downstream area. The dimensions are set such that the diameter portion 6 is disposed.

  Specifically, the main body case 11 of the microbubble generator 1 is formed by integrally connecting the upstream pipe member 11a, the middle flow pipe member 11b, and the downstream pipe member 11c, in which the water flow path 2 is formed, on the same axis via packing. Is formed. The upstream pipe member 11a has a connection part 11a1 to which the water flow path pipe 2a constituting the water flow path 2 upstream of the microbubble generator 1 is connected to the outer peripheral part of the upstream area part, and the restriction is formed in the downstream area part. A throttle tube portion 15 for forming the portion 12 is formed. The inner peripheral surface of the upstream pipe member 11a is formed in a smooth curved surface shape such that the diameter of the water flow channel 2 is gradually reduced toward the throttle tube portion 15, and the inner peripheral surface of the throttle tube portion 15 is The throttle portion 12 is configured to have a nozzle shape in which the diameter is slightly larger than the minimum diameter portion at the downstream opening. On the outer surface portion of the throttle tube portion 15, a fitting protrusion 16 having a packing 16 a that fits inside a large diameter portion 10 of a midstream tube member 11 b described later is formed. An inclined peripheral surface portion 16b is formed in the downstream portion of the fitting projection 16 so that the outer diameter thereof becomes thinner toward the downstream side and reaches the downstream end surface of the upstream pipe member 11a.

  The middle flow pipe member 11 b is provided with a large diameter portion 10 in which the diameter of the water flow path 2 is increased in the upstream region, and a gas outlet 13 a of the gas supply pipe 13 is opened on the inner surface of the large diameter portion 10. The large diameter portion 10 is fitted with the throttle tube portion 15 of the upstream tube member 11a so as not to block the gas outlet 13a to form the gas mixing portion 3. Specifically, in the space surrounded by the inclined peripheral surface portion 16b of the throttle tube portion 15, the large diameter portion 10 of the midstream tube member 11b, and the reduced diameter portion 7 described later, negative pressure is generated by the water flowing through the throttle portion 12. A gas mixing chamber 18 into which gas is sucked from the gas supply pipe 13 is formed by the ejector effect. In this example, the gas outlet 13a opens at substantially the same position in the flow direction of the water flow path 2 with the downstream end surface of the upstream pipe member 11a, but the opening position of the gas outlet 13a is the inclined peripheral surface portion 16b of the throttle tube portion 15. In this case as well, the gas sucked into the gas mixing chamber 18 is surrounded by the water flowing through the water flow path 2 along the inclined peripheral surface portion 16b (water jetted from the throttle portion 12). It can be mixed almost evenly with no deviation from the surface.

  Further, the midstream tube member 11b is formed with a venturi-shaped microbubble generating portion 4 composed of the small diameter portion 5 and the enlarged diameter portion 6 from the midstream region portion to the downstream region portion. Here, a reduced diameter portion 7 that gradually narrows the inner diameter is formed in a portion from the large diameter portion 10 of the gas mixing portion 3 to the small diameter portion 5 of the microbubble generating portion 4 on the inner surface of the middle flow pipe member 11b. By this reduced diameter portion 7, the inner surface of the water flow path 2 from the large diameter portion 10 of the gas mixing portion 3 to the small diameter portion 5 of the microbubble generating portion 4 is formed in a smooth curved surface shape. In addition, a bubble reservoir forming member 20 is disposed on the inner peripheral portion of the downstream end portion of the midstream pipe member 11b (the downstream end portion of the microbubble generating portion 4), and the upstream end portion of the downstream pipe member 11c is provided on the outer peripheral portion. The connection part 14 provided with the packing 14a which connects is formed.

  Here, the bubble reservoir forming member 20 is a member that suspends the flow of water containing bubbles and forms the bubble reservoir 9 in the immediately preceding water flow path 2 (in this example, the enlarged diameter portion 6 of the microbubble generator 4). Yes, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, a central resistance portion 21 is provided at the central portion where the flow is the fastest in the cross section of the water flow passage 2, and a plurality of supporting central resistance portions 21 are provided between the peripheral frame 22 Ribs 24 are provided (FIGS. 3B and 3C), or a mesh material 23 is appropriately stretched between the central resistor 21 and the peripheral frame 22 (FIG. 3A). The mesh material 23 also has the effect of further subdividing the fine bubbles and rectifying the water flow, and avoiding the bubble diameter from being increased due to coalescence of the fine bubbles by the rectification of the water flow. Can be made. The downstream pipe member 11c is formed with a connection portion 17 that is fitted on the connection portion 14 of the midstream pipe member 11b at the upstream end thereof, and is a nozzle-like member that decreases in diameter toward the downstream as a whole. The nozzle part 19 is comprised.

  In the microbubble generator 1 of the present example having the above configuration, in the gas mixing unit 3, gas is mixed from the gas supply pipe 13 by the ejector effect generated when water flows through the throttle unit 12 of the water flow path 2. While being taken into the chamber 18, the gas taken into the gas mixing chamber 18 from the peripheral surface of the water sprayed from the throttle unit 12 and facing the gas mixing chamber 18 is mixed almost uniformly as bubbles without being biased into the water. Next, in the micro-bubble generating unit 4, the bubble-shaped gas mixed in the water is expanded with the small-diameter unit 5 in a reduced-pressure state (state in which the static pressure is reduced), and then the expanded-diameter unit. The pressure on the water mixed with the gas is such that the water is pressurized (in a state where the static pressure is increased) at 6 and the bubble-like gas mixed in the water is sheared and subdivided by applying high pressure. The gas mixed into the water due to sudden change is subdivided Is is than microbubbles are generated, water containing the microbubbles are adapted to be ejected from the ejection nozzle portion 19.

  Although not shown in the drawing, an on-off valve is provided in the gas supply pipe 13 to appropriately close the on-off valve so that no gas is mixed into the water from the gas supply pipe 13, and water passing through the microbubble generator 1. In addition, the gas supply unit 13 may be configured not to generate microbubbles, and the gas supply pipe 13 may be provided with a flow rate adjustment valve whose opening degree can be adjusted, and the opening degree of the gas supply pipe 13 may be adjusted with the flow rate adjustment valve. The amount of microbubbles and the diameter of microbubbles may be adjusted by adjusting the amount of gas supplied to. Note that the average diameter of the microbubbles generated by the microbubble generating unit 4 is changed by the increase / decrease of the gas supply amount as shown in FIG.

  Here, in the microbubble generating device 1 of this example, the portion of the water flow path 2 from the gas mixing unit 3 to the small diameter part 5 of the microbubble generating part 4 is configured by the reduced diameter part 7 that gradually narrows the inner diameter. The reduced diameter portion 7 has a great feature in that the inner surface of the water flow path 2 extending from the gas mixing portion 3 to the small diameter portion 5 of the microbubble generating portion 4 is formed into a smooth curved surface. Yes. That is, in the microbubble generator 1, there is a high possibility that a pressure loss that weakens the water discharge pressure occurs in the portion of the water flow path 2 between the gas mixing unit 3 and the microbubble generator 4, but the microbubble generator of this example 1 has the above-described configuration, and thus the pressure loss that weakens the water discharge pressure can be removed. Therefore, the microbubble generator 1 of this example is disposed in the water flow path 2. Even if it does not weaken the water discharge pressure, it can be attached to various devices such as the water discharge device of the kitchen and the bathroom vanity and the flush toilet device 30 without any trouble. In particular, it is useful for attaching the microbubble generator 1 to a flush toilet apparatus 30 or the like that relies on water pressure for water discharge.

  In addition, since water flows smoothly through the part of the water flow path 2 between the gas mixing unit 3 and the microbubble generating unit 4 and thus the microbubble generating device 1 as described above, the gas is not sufficiently subdivided. There is also a risk of flowing downstream from the microbubble generator 1 in a state. However, in the microbubble generator 1 of this example, the bubble accumulation part 9 is disposed in the downstream area of the microbubble generator 4 as described above, thereby reducing the leakage of gas fragmentation in the microbubble generator 4. It also has the advantage of being made possible.

  The microbubble generator 1 of this example is incorporated in the flush toilet device 30 and is provided with a medicine supply unit 40 that contributes to the cleaning action on the toilet bowl portion 34 of the flush toilet device 30. The medicine supply unit 40 is housed compactly in the main body case 11 together with the aeration unit 3 and the microbubble generation unit 4 so that the microbubble generator 1 is downsized. Here, FIG. 6 shows a flush toilet apparatus 30 provided with the microbubble generator 1 of this example, and the main body is composed of a toilet body 31 made of synthetic resin. In the figure, reference numeral 32 denotes a toilet seat provided rotatably on the toilet body 31, and 33 denotes a toilet lid provided rotatably on the toilet body 31.

  A drainage cylinder part 35 protrudes rearward from the lower part of the toilet bowl part 34 of the toilet body 31 so that the water stored in the toilet bowl part 34 can be drained from the drainage cylinder part 35 via a trap. It has become. The trap in this example is of a turn trap type and is constituted by a flexible trap cylinder 36 connected to the drain cylinder 35. The trap cylinder 36 is rotated by a motor (not shown), and the solid line in FIG. The trap cylinder 36 has a trap structure with an upward U-shape, and a state in which the trap structure is released with a substantially inverted L-shape as indicated by a broken line can be selected. Usually, the trap cylinder 36 has a trap structure with an upward U shape, and water is accumulated in the lower part of the toilet bowl 34, the drain cylinder 35, and the trap cylinder 36. When the stool or urine is finished in the state and the urine or urine is finished, the washing water is poured into the toilet bowl part 34, and the trap cylinder 36 is rotated to release the trap structure. It has become way. The microbubble generator 1 of this example is built in the rear part of the toilet body 31.

  Specifically, in the microbubble generator 1, the water flow path 2 forms a part of the washing water flow path 37 to the toilet bowl part 34, and one end of the gas supply pipe 13 is opened to the atmosphere and mixed into water. The gas to be made is composed of air and is incorporated in the flush toilet apparatus 30. The cleaning water channel 37 is a channel that is connected to a water source (not shown) and is supplied with cleaning water made of tap water. As a means for supplying the cleaning water to the cleaning water channel 37, tap water pressure is used. At the downstream end of the washing water flow path 37, there is provided a discharge part 37a disposed behind the upper end part of the toilet bowl part 34 and facing the toilet bowl part 34. The discharge part 37a is provided in the microbubble generator 1 The jet nozzle portion 19 is configured. An electromagnetic valve 38 is provided upstream of the microbubble generator 1 in the cleaning water flow path 37. Whether the cleaning water supplied to the cleaning water flow path 37 is discharged from the discharge part 37a by opening and closing the electromagnetic valve 38. Whether or not can be switched.

  The microbubble generator 1 of this example is provided with a medicine supply unit 40 as described above. The drug supply unit 40 includes a drug supply path 41 that merges with the small diameter part 5 of the microbubble generating unit 4. A medicine supply pump 42 is provided. Specifically, the medicine supply path 41 includes a circulation path 43 through which a liquid medicine made of a detergent containing a surfactant circulates, and a branch path 44 branched from the circulation path 43, and is downstream of the branch path 44. The end is connected to the small diameter part 5 of the microbubble generating part 4.

  A medicine tank 45 for storing liquid medicine is provided in the middle of the circulation path 43, and the medicine tank 45 is provided in the lower part of the rear part of the toilet body 31. A medicine supply port 46 is provided in the medicine tank 45, and the medicine supply port 46 is closed by a cap 47 that is detachably attached. In addition, a portion of the outer surface of the toilet body 31 that faces the medicine tank 45 is constituted by a cover (not shown) that is detachably attached to the toilet body 31, and the user removes the cover so that the medicine tank The liquid medicine can be replenished into the medicine tank 45 from 45 medicine supply ports 46. The medicine tank 45 is detachably attached to the toilet body 31 so that the liquid medicine can be replenished in a state where the medicine tank 45 is taken out from the toilet body 31 with the cover removed. In the circulation path 43, the liquid medicine in the medicine tank 45 is circulated as a medicine supply pump 42 that supplies liquid medicine to the wash water flowing through the wash water flow path 37 immediately upstream of the branch portion 31 with the branch path 44. A circulation pump is provided. A small-diameter hole 44b that faces the circulation path 43 is formed in an upstream portion of the branch path 44 (portion constituted by a pipe portion 44a described later), and the liquid that circulates in the circulation path 43 by the medicine supply pump 42. A small amount of liquid medicine out of the medicine is supplied to the washing water channel 37 via the branch path 44. The downstream end portion of the branch path 44 is connected to the small diameter portion 5 of the microbubble generating portion 4 via the on-off valve 50.

  Specifically, a cylindrical portion 25 is integrally projected from the middle flow pipe member 11b of the main body case 11 toward the axially outward direction (upward), and the cylindrical portion 25 and the small diameter portion 5 of the microbubble generating portion 4 Are communicated through a slit-like communication hole 26. A pipe part 44a projecting downward from a pipe 43a constituting a part of the circulation path 43 is inserted into the upper part of the cylinder part 25 and connected in a sealed state. On the inner side of the lower portion of the cylindrical portion 25, an on-off valve 50 formed of a member such as elastically deformable rubber is disposed. The on-off valve 50 includes a bottomed cylindrical tubular portion 51 having one end (upper end) opened, and a flaky valve portion 52 projecting from the bottom of the tubular portion 51 in the opposite direction (downward) to the tubular portion 51. It has. The on-off valve 50 is fixed to the cylindrical portion 25 by fitting the cylindrical portion 51 inside the lower portion of the cylindrical portion 25, and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 51 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion are in close contact with each other. And sealed. The on-off valve 50 is formed with a slit-shaped hole 53 that allows communication between the inside of the tubular portion 51 and the front end surface (lower end surface) of the valve portion 52, and the slit-shaped hole 53 extends in the axial direction of the tubular portion 51 (liquid It is formed in a straight slit shape parallel to the flow direction of the wash water flowing through the wash water flow path 37 as viewed from the flow direction of the medicine. The slit-like hole 53 is formed in the central portion of the valve portion 52 in the thickness direction, and when no external force is applied, the slit-like hole 53 is closed with the slit-like hole 53 closed as shown in FIG. Keep shape.

  The tip of the flaky valve portion 52 of the on-off valve 50 is inserted into the communication hole 26 described above, and the opening on the tip side of the valve portion 52 of the slit-like hole 53 of the on-off valve 50 is inside the small diameter portion 5 (that is, It faces the washing water flow path 37). As will be described later, the slit-shaped hole 53 is opened by the pump pressure when the medicine supply pump 42 is driven, and is closed by the disappearance of the pump pressure when the medicine supply pump 42 is stopped. When the slit-like hole 53 is closed, the tip of the valve part 52 is loosely inserted into the communication hole 26, and when the slit-like hole 53 is opened and the valve part 52 bulges sideward, the tip of the valve part 52. The portion expands outward in the communication hole 26 and is fitted (FIG. 11). A through hole 28 is provided at a position facing the valve portion 52 in the peripheral wall portion of the cylindrical portion 25, and a space 25 a formed outside the valve portion 52 of the on-off valve 50 in the cylindrical portion 25 is interposed through the through hole 28. Communicate with the outside. Thus, in a state in which the slit-like hole 53 of the on-off valve 50 is closed, the small-diameter portion 5 of the microbubble generator 4 is between the tip of the valve portion 52 of the on-off valve 50 and the inner peripheral surface of the communication hole 26. It communicates with the outside through the formed gap 27, space 25a, and through-hole 28 in this order, that is, an air release path 29 is formed (FIG. 1 (b), FIG. 10).

  By the way, the toilet device 1 includes a control unit (not shown). For example, when a toilet cleaning command is transmitted to the control unit by operating the operation unit, the control unit operates in the bowl cleaning mode shown below. The toilet bowl 34 is set to be washed. As shown in FIG. 9, the bowl cleaning mode is composed of a cleaning water discharge mode that starts when a toilet cleaning command is received, and a medicine-containing cleaning water discharge mode that starts after a predetermined time t1 in the cleaning water discharge mode. Yes, the bowl cleaning mode ends after a predetermined time t2 from the start of the medicine-containing cleaning water discharge mode.

  The cleaning water discharge mode is a mode for discharging cleaning water (that is, tap water) in which no liquid medicine is mixed from the discharge unit 37a. In the washing water discharge mode, the on-off valve 50 is closed to cut off the communication between the medicine supply path 41 and the washing water flow path 37, the medicine supply pump 42 is stopped, and the electromagnetic valve 38 is opened to wash the washing water flow path 37. Supply water. As a result, the cleaning water supplied from the water source to the cleaning water channel 37 is mixed with air in the gas mixing unit 3 to become bubbled cleaning water, and the bubbles contained in the cleaning water are subdivided by the micro-bubble generating unit 4. It becomes a micro bubble and is discharged from the ejection nozzle part 19. In this washing water discharge mode, the motor is driven to make the trap cylinder 36 into a substantially inverted L shape, thereby draining the accumulated water in the toilet bowl portion 34. Here, in the cleaning water discharge mode, the diameter of the bubbles discharged from the discharge portion 37a is set to a relatively large several millimeters. By discharging the cleaning water containing air bubbles in this way, the inner surface of the toilet bowl 34 is made efficient by the high cleaning power of the air containing the cleaning water itself due to the induction of high-frequency vibration that occurs when the air bubbles contained in the cleaning water burst. It can be washed well, and in this case, the water-saving effect of the washing water can be enhanced. In particular, the microbubbles contained in the washing water are comparatively large, such as a millimeter size. Therefore, the microbubbles are easy to burst and the inner surface of the toilet bowl 34 can be efficiently cleaned.

  When the washing water discharge mode ends, the mode shifts to the medicine-containing washing water discharge mode. The medicine-containing cleaning water discharge mode is a mode in which cleaning water mixed with a liquid medicine (that is, medicine-containing cleaning water) is discharged from the discharge portion 37a. In the medicine-containing washing water discharge mode, the on-off valve 50 is opened to connect the medicine supply path 41 and the washing water flow path 37, the medicine supply pump 42 is operated, and the electromagnetic valve 38 is opened as in the washing water discharge mode. Then, cleaning water is supplied to the cleaning water channel 37. As a result, the cleaning water supplied from the water source to the cleaning water flow path 37 is mixed with air in the gas mixing unit 3 in the same manner as in the cleaning water discharge mode to become cleaning water containing bubbles and flows downstream. At the same time, a part of the liquid medicine flowing in the circulation path 43 by the medicine supply pump 42 flows into the small diameter part 5 of the microbubble generating part 4 through the branch path 44, thereby washing the medicine containing the bubbles. After becoming water, the bubbles contained in the medicine-containing cleaning water are subdivided by the enlarged diameter portion 6 of the microbubble generating portion 4 and discharged from the discharge portion 37a.

  Here, the diameter of bubbles contained in the medicine-containing washing water discharged from the discharge portion 37a in the washing water discharge mode is larger than the diameter of bubbles contained in the washing water discharged from the discharge portion 37a in the above-described washing water discharge mode. Is also getting smaller. This is because, when a liquid drug containing a surfactant is mixed in the cleaning water containing the drug, the surface tension of the cleaning water is lowered, and as a result, when the shear force is applied in the microbubble generating unit 4, the bubbles are more finely divided. This is because Specifically, in the cleaning water discharge mode, the diameter of the bubbles contained in the medicine-containing cleaning water discharged from the discharge portion 37a is set to be about 60 μm on average (referred to as fine bubbles). In this way, by setting the diameter of the bubbles contained in the medicine-containing cleaning water discharged from the discharge part 37a in the cleaning water discharge mode, the surface active agent is provided on the draft line portion in contact with the surface of the stored water on the inner surface of the toilet bowl 34 A micrometer-sized microbubble with a high antifouling effect that forms an interface with cleaning water containing chemicals can be adhered, and the microbubble is difficult to burst and can adhere to the inner surface of the toilet bowl portion 34 for a long time. In this way, the inner surface of the toilet bowl 34, particularly the waterline portion, can be cleaned.

  By the way, in the above-described on-off valve 50, in the cleaning water discharge mode with medicine, as shown in FIG. The valve section 52 is elastically deformed and widened by the negative pressure generated by the above, so that the slit-shaped hole 53 is opened. For this reason, in the medicine-containing washing water discharge mode, the branch path 44 of the medicine supply path 41 and the washing water flow path 37 communicate with each other and the liquid medicine is supplied to the washing water flow path 37. At this time, the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the elastically deformed valve portion 52 is set so as to contact the inner peripheral surface of the communication hole 26 so as to close the gap 27 constituting the atmosphere opening path 29. The small diameter part 5 of the microbubble generating part 4 communicating with the air opening path 29 and the external communication state are blocked. Therefore, in this case, the liquid medicine from the medicine supply path 41 is reliably supplied to the washing water flow path 37 by using the negative pressure generated in the narrow diameter part 5 of the microbubble generating part 4 in addition to the pressure of the medicine supply pump 42. can do.

  Further, in the washing water discharge mode in which the medicine supply pump 42 is stopped, the pressure of the medicine supply pump 42 is not applied to the on-off valve 50, and as shown in FIG. Thus, the width is narrowed so that the slit-shaped hole 53 is closed. For this reason, in the washing water discharge mode, the communication state between the branch path 44 of the medicine supply path 41 and the washing water flow path 37 is blocked. Further, at this time, the gap 27 is formed between the tip of the valve portion 52 that has been elastically restored and the inner peripheral surface of the communication hole 26, thereby forming the air release path 29. The small-diameter portion 5 communicates with the outside through the atmosphere opening path 29. In this case, since the small-diameter portion 5 of the microbubble generating unit 4 in the cleaning water flow path 37 (water flow path 2) is in a reduced pressure state, the outside air passes through the atmosphere release path 29 and the outside air flows through the cleaning water flow path 37 (water flow path 2). ) Is sucked in by the ejector effect. The supply of the outside air slightly reduces the negative pressure generated in the small diameter portion 5 of the microbubble generating portion 4. Therefore, in this case, the on / off valve 50 is prevented from being elastically deformed by the negative pressure generated in the small diameter portion 5 of the microbubble generating portion 4 and the slit-like hole 53 is opened. The medicine is prevented from leaking into the washing water channel 37.

  In addition, in the microbubble generator 1 of this example, the pressure loss which weakens the water discharge pressure which had arisen in the site | part of the water flow path 2 between the gas mixing part 3 and the microbubble production | generation part 4 was removed like description. In other words, the water flows smoothly through the part of the water flow path 2 between the gas mixing unit 3 and the microbubble generating unit 4 and thus through the microbubble generator 1 without pressure loss. There is also a risk that the amount of mixed gas will decrease. However, in the microbubble generator 1 of this example, since a plurality of gas supply paths 8 to the water flow path 2 such as the gas supply pipe 13 and the atmosphere open path 29 are provided, the amount of gas mixed into the water is ensured. It has the advantage of being able to. Of course, it is also preferable to provide the gas supply path 8 to the water flow path 2 other than the gas supply pipe 13 and the atmosphere open path 29. According to this, the amount of gas mixed into the water can be secured more easily. .

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the microbubble generator 1 which has the chemical | medical agent supply part 40 of the type arrange | positioned at the flush toilet apparatus 30 was illustrated, also in the microbubble generator 1 which does not have the chemical | medical agent supply part 40, a gas mixing part The portion of the water flow path 2 from 3 to the small diameter part 5 of the microbubble generating part 4 is constituted by a reduced diameter part 7 that gradually narrows the inner diameter, and the reduced diameter part 7 causes the microbubble generating part 4 to By forming the inner surface of the water flow path 2 reaching the small diameter part 5 in a smooth curved surface, the effect of eliminating pressure loss at the site of the water flow path 2 between the gas mixing part 3 and the microbubble generating part 4 is achieved. Needless to say you can get. Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the liquid chemical | medical agent supplied by a chemical | medical agent supply part is a detergent (surfactant), it cannot be overemphasized that you may change into other chemical | medical agents, such as a fragrance | flavor.

It is the microbubble generator of the example of embodiment of this invention, (a) is a sectional side view, (b) is the sectional view on the AA line of (a). It is a perspective view of a microbubble generator same as the above. (A) (b) (c) is a front view of the example of the bubble pool formation member with which a microbubble generator is equipped. It is an on-off valve provided in the microbubble generator same as above, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a side view, (c) is a top view of (b), (d) is (b) ) Is a right side view. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the inhalation | air-intake flow volume and bubble diameter in a microbubble production | generation part same as the above. It is a schematic sectional side view of the flush toilet apparatus which equipped the microbubble generator same as the above. It is a perspective view of the microbubble generator of the state built in the flush toilet apparatus same as the above. It is a sectional side view of FIG. It is a time chart explaining bowl washing | cleaning of the flush toilet apparatus same as the above. It is sectional drawing of the principal part at the time of the washing water discharge mode of the flush toilet apparatus same as the above. It is sectional drawing of the principal part at the time of the washing water discharge mode with a chemical | medical agent of the flush toilet apparatus same as the above.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Microbubble generator 2 Water flow path 3 Gas mixing part 4 Microbubble production | generation part 5 Small diameter part 6 Expanded diameter part 7 Reduced diameter part 8 Supply path 9 Foam pool part 10 Large diameter part 20 Foam pool formation member 30 Flush toilet apparatus 40 Drug supply unit 50 On-off valve

Claims (4)

  In the water flow channel through which water flows, a gas mixing part that mixes gas into water by the ejector effect of water and a microbubble generation part that subdivides the gas mixed into water in the gas mixing part are arranged in order from the upstream side. In the micro-bubble generating device constructed, the upstream area of the micro-bubble generating part is provided with a narrow-diameter part that makes the inside of the water flow path depressurized in order to subdivide the gas. The part of the water flow path leading to the part is composed of a reduced diameter part that gradually narrows the inner diameter, and the inner surface of the water flow path from the gas mixing part to the fine diameter part of the microbubble generating part is formed into a smooth curved surface shape by this reduced diameter part A microbubble generator characterized by that.   2. The microbubble generator according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of gas supply paths to the water flow path are provided.   The microbubble generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a bubble reservoir is disposed in a downstream area of the microbubble generator.   4. A flush toilet apparatus comprising the microbubble generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the water flow path forms a part of the flush water flow path to the toilet bowl portion.

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