JP2009022841A - Cleaning apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cleaning apparatus in which the outflow of a detergent is hindered to perform an efficient cleaning work without obstructing the miniaturization of the cleaning apparatus or without increasing the manufacturing cost of the cleaning apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: When a solenoid valve 7 is opened, water flows into a venturi part 5c, the detergent in a detergent tank 6 is sucked in a negative zone M of the venturi part through a detergent passage 61 and mixed in the water, the detergent-mixed water is foamed by the air to be sucked through a ventilation hole 10c and a cleaning liquid obtained by foaming/mixing the detergent-mixed water by the air is sprayed toward the object to be cleaned from a nozzle 3. When the solenoid valve is closed, the supply of water is stopped and the detergent in the detergent passage is returned by the air to be introduced from the ventilation hole. When the supply of water is continued and the detergent does not remain in the detergent tank, air is sucked to fluctuate the pressure of the ventilation hole, the water leaks and falls in the detergent tank through the ventilation hole. The water in the detergent tank is sucked again through the detergent passage and the inside of the detergent tank is washed away finely. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  In the present invention, when water (or hot water) is supplied, the detergent from the detergent tank is automatically mixed with the water, and the cleaning liquid after the detergent mixing is sprayed or sprayed on the object to be cleaned. It relates to a cleaning device to obtain.

  Conventionally, as this type of cleaning device, a bath cleaning device using a venturi tube as means for automatically mixing water to be supplied and a detergent is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This device further includes an air supply means for mixing and foaming air into the cleaning liquid.

JP 2002-34810 A

  By the way, in a cleaning apparatus having a venturi section as shown in FIG. 6, for example, even if the cleaning operation is stopped, that is, the supply of water is stopped, the detergent in the detergent tank is sucked out by the siphon action and flows out. There is a risk of inconvenience that it will end up.

  For example, in the cleaning device of FIG. 6A, when the solenoid valve 101 is opened and water from the upstream water supply source flows to the nozzle 102 at the downstream end, the venturi section 104 interposed in the water supply passage 103 is provided. In this case, the detergent from the detergent tank 105 is sucked by the flow passing through the venturi section 104 and mixed with water, and the cleaning liquid after mixing is sprayed from the nozzle 102 onto the object to be cleaned. However, as shown in FIG. 6B, even if the electromagnetic valve 101 is closed and the supply of water is stopped to stop the cleaning operation, the detergent tank 105 is higher than the nozzle 12 position. The detergent remaining in the detergent tank 105 flows down from the nozzle 102 by the siphon action. As a result, in order to perform cleaning efficiently, for example, after spraying a predetermined amount of detergent, even if an intermittent cleaning operation in which the spraying is temporarily stopped and waited is repeatedly executed, the detergent tank 105 is performed by a single spraying operation. Since all of the detergent put into the inside flows out, such an intermittent cleaning operation cannot be executed.

  As a measure for eliminating such inconvenience, it is conceivable to prevent the siphon action from occurring by setting the position of the detergent tank 105 lower than the position of the nozzle 102 as shown in FIG. . However, when such an arrangement is adopted, the compactness of the cleaning apparatus is greatly hindered by the presence of the detergent tank 105 occupying a relatively large volume. Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, an electromagnetic valve 107 is interposed in a detergent passage 106 that guides the detergent from the detergent tank 105 to the venturi section 104, and when spraying is stopped, the electromagnetic valve 107 is closed to discharge the detergent. It is conceivable to prevent the occurrence of siphon action by blocking the. However, when the electromagnetic valve 107 as such a forced shut-off means is provided, the additional equipment cost is increased and the cost is increased.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to prevent the occurrence of detergent spillage without hindering downsizing or incurring an increase in cost. To achieve good cleaning.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a venturi portion is interposed in a water supply passage for supplying water to a nozzle, and the downstream end of the detergent passage extending from the inside of the detergent tank is connected to the venturi portion so as to communicate therewith. A cleaning device configured such that when the water flows in the venturi section, the detergent in the detergent tank is sucked through the detergent passage and mixed with water, and the cleaning liquid after mixing is sprayed from the nozzle to the object to be cleaned. As a target, the venturi portion is connected to a vent hole that opens at one end facing the negative pressure region formed in the venturi portion by flowing water and the other end communicates with the atmosphere. Item 1).

  In the case of the present invention, when water flows through the water supply passage to the venturi section, the flow velocity is increased when passing through the venturi section to form a negative pressure region, whereby the detergent in the detergent tank passes through the detergent passage in the venturi section. The air is sucked into the water and mixed with water to become a cleaning liquid, while air is also sucked into the venturi portion from the vent hole, and the cleaning liquid detergent is bubbled by the air. Then, the foamed cleaning liquid is sprayed from the nozzle toward the cleaning target. On the other hand, when the supply of water is stopped, water or cleaning liquid in the venturi section or on the nozzle side falls from the nozzle due to air introduced from the vent hole in the venturi section, while the detergent in the detergent passage is dropped into the detergent tank by gravity drop. Will be put back in. As a result, the occurrence of a situation in which the detergent in the detergent tank flows out of the nozzle by the siphon action as in the prior art is avoided.

  In the present invention, the other end of the vent hole faces the inside of the detergent tank and can be positioned at an upper position of the detergent tank. In this case, if the detergent in the detergent tank disappears by continuously flowing water into the venturi section and sucking in the detergent, air is subsequently sucked into the venturi section through the detergent passage. This suction air increases the flow path resistance, and the internal pressure near the one end of the vent hole, which was a negative pressure area until then, becomes slightly higher than the atmospheric pressure. Water will leak. The leaked water falls into the detergent tank from the other end of the vent hole and accumulates while washing away the detergent remaining on the inner wall surface of the detergent tank. And when it collects to the upstream end of a detergent channel | path, the suction of the air from a detergent channel | path will be interrupted | blocked, the inside of a venturi part will become a negative pressure area | region again, and the suction of the water collected from the detergent tank will begin. As a result, the detergent remaining on the inner wall surface of the detergent tank is washed away cleanly, and all the detergent in the detergent tank can be used up.

  Furthermore, the capacity of the detergent tank in the invention can be set so as to correspond to the amount of detergent consumed in one washing operation (Claim 3). The amount of detergent put in the detergent tank can be set by the user's own free choice within the range of the detergent amount for one washing at the maximum, and in particular when added to claim 2, each washing operation It is possible to automatically clean the inside of the detergent tank to a clean state.

  As described above, according to the cleaning device of any one of claims 1 to 3, if water is allowed to flow into the venturi section, the detergent sucked in the venturi section is mixed with the water to form a cleaning liquid. The detergent can be bubbled by the air sucked from the air holes, and the bubbled cleaning liquid can be sprayed from the nozzle to the object to be cleaned without requiring other power. On the other hand, when the supply of water is stopped, the water or cleaning liquid in the venturi section or the nozzle side can be dropped from the nozzle by the air introduced from the vent hole in the venturi section, while the detergent in the detergent passage is dropped by gravity. Can be returned to the detergent tank. As a result, it is possible to reliably avoid the inconvenience that the detergent in the detergent tank flows out of the nozzle by the siphon action as in the prior art. As described above, it is possible to prevent the outflow of the detergent and to achieve efficient cleaning without hindering compactness or increasing the cost.

  In particular, according to claim 2, if the detergent in the detergent tank disappears by continuously flowing water into the venturi section and sucking in the detergent, the air sucked into the venturi section through the detergent passage increases the flow resistance and changes in the internal pressure. Invite them to leak water from the vents back into the empty detergent tank. Then, with this fallen water, the detergent remaining on the inner wall of the detergent tank is washed away and collected, and when it reaches the upstream end of the detergent passage, the suction of air from the detergent passage is blocked and the inside of the venturi section is again under negative pressure It is possible to change the area and suck water collected from the detergent tank and discharge it from the nozzle. As a result, the detergent remaining on the inner wall surface of the detergent tank can be washed away, and all the detergent in the detergent tank can be used up.

  Furthermore, according to claim 3, the amount of detergent put into the detergent tank for each washing can be set by the user's own choice within the range of the washing amount for one washing at the maximum, In particular, in the case of the second aspect, the inside of the detergent tank can be automatically washed away for each cleaning operation.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 shows a cleaning apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This cleaning device 1 is intended for cleaning the bathtub 2, that is, the inner surface 21 of the bathtub 2, and has a nozzle 3 disposed facing the inner surface 21 from an upper position of the bathtub 2, and water is supplied to the nozzle 3. A water supply passage 4 to be supplied, a venturi portion 5 interposed in the water supply passage 4, a detergent tank 6 for introducing detergent to the venturi portion 5, and an upstream side of the venturi portion 5 of the water supply passage 4 And an electromagnetic open / close electromagnetic valve 7 interposed at the position.

  An unillustrated water supply source (for example, a water pipe) is connected to the upstream end 41 of the water supply passage 4. When the electromagnetic valve 7 is opened by receiving a control signal from the controller 8, a back pressure (for example, a water pipe) is connected. Corresponding to the supply pressure), water of a predetermined flow rate or more flows toward the nozzle 3 which is the downstream end. A flow rate adjusting valve 91 or a flow rate sensor is provided at a predetermined position in the water supply passage 4 and the controller 8 controls the operation of the flow rate adjusting valve 91, or uses the detection value of the flow rate sensor for this operation control. For example, the flow rate of the water that flows when the electromagnetic valve 7 is opened may be controlled so as to ensure a predetermined flow rate. A hot water supply pipe of a hot water heater may be connected to the upstream end 41 so that hot water flows toward the nozzle instead of water.

  The venturi portion 5 narrows the flow path (flow passage cross-sectional area) between the upstream water supply passage 42 and the downstream water supply passage 43 across the venturi portion 5. By restricting the flow, the flow rate of the passing water is increased. Then, when the electromagnetic valve 7 is opened and a predetermined flow rate of water from the water supply source is flown, the passage speed of the water is increased to lower the pressure than the passage portion having a lower flow speed on the upstream and downstream sides, thereby reducing the atmospheric pressure. A predetermined negative pressure region M (see FIG. 2A) is also formed. In the negative pressure region M of the venturi section 5, a downstream end 62 (see FIG. 2A) of the detergent passage 61 opens toward the negative pressure region M, while the upstream end 63 of the detergent passage 61 has a detergent at the upstream end 63. The tank 6 is extended so as to open near the bottom surface. As shown in FIG. 2A, one end 11 of the vent hole 10 is opened in the negative pressure area M so as to face the negative pressure area M, and the other end 12 of the vent hole 10 communicates with the atmosphere. So that it is open.

  The detergent tank 6 is designed so that the user puts in the detergent for each washing, and the introduced detergent forms a free liquid level facing the atmosphere.

  A control program for cleaning operation is recorded and stored in the controller 8 in advance, and cleaning operation control is started by turning on a cleaning switch (not shown). In this cleaning operation control, the electromagnetic valve 7 is opened for a predetermined time corresponding to the use of a predetermined amount (for example, about 3 cc) of detergent, and the cleaning liquid is sprayed from the nozzle 3. Close and stop spraying, and wait for a predetermined time in this stopped state. Then, after waiting for this predetermined time, the spraying of the cleaning liquid and the standby in the stopped state are repeated a predetermined number of times. When the detergent is exhausted, only water is supplied through the opened electromagnetic valve 7 to perform rinsing for a predetermined time, and the electromagnetic valve 7 is closed and the process ends after the lapse of time.

  When the electromagnetic valve 7 is opened by the start of the washing operation, water from the water supply source is caused to flow through the water supply passage 4 to the venturi unit 5, and when passing through the venturi unit 5, the flow rate is increased and the negative pressure region M is passed through. Form. As a result, the detergent in the detergent tank 6 is sucked into the negative pressure region M through the detergent passage 61 and mixed with water to become a cleaning liquid, while air is simultaneously sucked into the negative pressure region M from the vent hole 10, and the cleaning liquid is discharged by this air. The detergent will be foamed. Then, the foamed cleaning liquid is sprayed from the nozzle 3 toward the inner surface 21 of the bathtub 2 to be cleaned. In addition, as a structure of the nozzle 3, what is necessary is just to employ | adopt an injection nozzle or a spray nozzle other than a spray nozzle.

  On the other hand, when the electromagnetic valve 7 is closed and the flow of water is cut off at the position of the electromagnetic valve 7, the venturi portion 5 is caused by the air introduced from the vent hole 10 into the venturi portion 5 as shown in FIG. While the water in the inner and downstream water supply passage 43 falls from the nozzle 3, the detergent in the detergent passage 61 is returned to the detergent tank 6 by gravity drop. Therefore, it is possible to avoid occurrence of a situation in which the detergent in the detergent tank 6 flows out of the nozzle 3 due to the siphon action as in the prior art. As described above, it is possible to prevent the outflow of the detergent due to the siphon action and realize efficient cleaning without hindering the compactness as in the case of the countermeasure shown in FIG. 7 or incurring the cost increase. Will be able to.

  The opening position (62) of the detergent passage 61 with respect to the negative pressure region M of the venturi section 5 and the opening position (11) of the vent hole 10 need only be open to the negative pressure region M, and either of them is upstream. Or there is no circumstance that it must be downstream. Therefore, in FIG. 2, the opening position (11) of the vent hole 10 is shown on the upstream side, but conversely, it may be set on the downstream side of the opening position (62) of the detergent passage 61.

  Further, the downstream end 62 of the detergent passage 61 and the one end 11 of the vent hole 10 only need to open toward the negative pressure region, and both open toward the negative pressure region in one venturi portion. There is no need. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, two venturi portions 5a and 5b are interposed in the middle of the water supply passage 4, and the downstream end of the detergent passage 61a from the detergent tank 6 is placed in the negative pressure region in one of the venturi portions 5a. One end of the vent hole 10b may face and open in the negative pressure region in the other venturi portion 5b. Also in this case, any of the venturi parts 5a and 5b may be arranged on the upstream side or the downstream side.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 4 shows a cleaning apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In addition, about the same component as 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol as 1st Embodiment is attached | subjected and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The venturi section 5c of the second embodiment forms a flow path with a flow path cross-sectional area narrowed to a predetermined narrow width between the upstream water supply path 42 and the downstream water supply path 43 so that water can flow. For example, a negative pressure region M which is lower than the atmospheric pressure by a predetermined amount is formed there. And the detergent channel | path 61c each opened so that it may face the negative pressure area | region M, and the vent hole 10c are arrange | positioned.

  FIG. 4 shows a state in which the venturi portion 5c is disposed at the upper position of the detergent tank 6. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and at least the other end (open end on the atmosphere opening side) 12 of the vent hole 10c is the detergent tank 6. It suffices if it is disposed at the upper position of the detergent tank 6 facing inside. That is, it is only necessary that the water leaking from the other end 12 of the vent hole 10c is disposed in a positional relationship such that it falls into the detergent tank 6 as will be described later.

  In the case of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the electromagnetic valve 7 is opened and a predetermined flow rate of water from the water supply source is flowed toward the nozzle 3, a negative pressure region is generated in the venturi unit 5. M is formed, and the detergent from the detergent tank 6 and the air from the vent hole 10c are sucked into the negative pressure region M, and these are mixed with water to form a cleaning liquid. This cleaning liquid is sprayed from the nozzle 3. Will be. When the solenoid valve 7 is closed from this sprayed state, the siphon action is avoided by the air introduced from the vent hole 10c as described in the first embodiment, and the outflow of the detergent in the detergent tank 6 is prevented. The

  Then, when the electromagnetic valve 7 is opened, the formation of the cleaning liquid and the spraying of the cleaning liquid from the nozzle 3 are continued, and the detergent in the detergent tank 6 is exhausted as shown in FIG. Instead of detergent, air is sucked into the negative pressure region M. Then, the flow-in resistance increases on the upstream side of the negative pressure region M in the vicinity of the downstream end 62 due to the sucked air flowing in through the detergent passage 61c, and the flow rate decreases accordingly. The internal pressure of the negative pressure region M in the vicinity of the one end 11 is slightly higher than the atmospheric pressure. Therefore, conversely, water leaks from the negative pressure region M through the vent hole 10c. When this water falls and accumulates in the detergent tank 6 emptied from the other end 12 of the vent hole 10c and accumulates to the extent that it covers the upstream end 63 of the detergent passage opened near the bottom surface of the detergent tank 6, it reverses again. Then, the accumulated water in the detergent tank 6 is sucked into the negative pressure region M through the detergent passage 61 as usual, and air is sucked from the vent hole 10c. When the accumulated water is sucked up and the detergent tank 6 is emptied, the water leaks again into the detergent tank 6 through the vent hole 10c, and the above phenomenon is repeated until the electromagnetic valve 7 is closed. . The water leaking from the vent hole 10c is accumulated in the empty detergent tank 6 and sucked through the detergent passage 61, so that the detergent attached to the empty inner wall surface of the detergent tank 6 is washed away cleanly. As a result, the inside of the detergent tank 6 is cleaned, and all the detergent can be used for washing without leaving the detergent.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the occurrence of detergent spillage due to siphon action is prevented and the efficiency is prevented without hindering downsizing as in the case of the countermeasure shown in FIG. 7 or causing an increase in cost. In addition, it becomes possible to realize a good cleaning, and when the detergent is used up, the inner wall surface of the detergent tank 6 can be automatically washed to a clean state without any detergent attached.

  Another aspect of the second embodiment is as shown in FIG. That is, in the example of FIG. 5A, as the venturi portion 5d, the upstream side as the flow channel constriction portion for forming the negative pressure region M between the upstream side water supply passage 42 and the downstream side water supply passage 43. The first stenosis part 51 is formed on the downstream side, and the second stenosis part 52 further narrower than the first stenosis part 51 is formed on the downstream side. Then, the vent hole 10c is connected to the first narrowed portion 51 so as to open, and the detergent passage 61c is connected to the second narrowed portion 52 so as to open. Alternatively, in the example shown in FIG. 5B, the negative pressure region M is set between the upstream water supply passage 42 and the downstream water supply passage 43 as the venturi portion 5e. The first narrowed portion 53 is formed on the upstream side and the second narrowed portion 54 having a diameter larger than that of the first narrowed portion 53 is formed on the downstream side as the flow path narrowed portion for forming. Then, the vent hole 10c is connected to the first narrowed portion 53 so as to open, while the detergent passage 61c is connected to the second narrowed portion 54 so as to open. As described above, regardless of which aspect is adopted, the same effect as that of the above-described second embodiment can be obtained. If the detergent is used up, the detergent remaining on the inner wall surface of the detergent tank 6 can be washed away cleanly. .

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the first and second embodiments described above, but includes other various embodiments. That is, the venturi portions 5 and 5a to 5e may be formed in a tubular shape by a tubular body or may be formed in a hole shape by drilling in a block body.

It is explanatory drawing which shows embodiment of this invention in a cross-sectional state. FIG. 2A is a partial schematic view showing a detergent spray state, and FIG. 2B is a schematic view showing a state where the supply of water is stopped. It is a FIG. 1 corresponding view which shows the other aspect of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram showing a detergent spray state, and FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram showing a state when the detergent in the detergent tank runs out, showing the second embodiment. FIG. 5A is a view corresponding to FIG. 4A showing another aspect of the second embodiment, and FIG. 5B is a view corresponding to FIG. 4A showing another aspect different from FIG. 5A. FIG. FIG. 6 (a) is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2 (a) for explaining the problem targeted by the present invention, and FIG. 6 (b) is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2 (b). 7A is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 6A showing an example of measures for solving the problem in FIG. 6, and FIG. 7B is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 6B showing another example of measures. .

Explanation of symbols

1 Cleaning device 2 Bathtub (cleaning target)
3 Nozzle 4 Water supply passages 5, 5 a, 5 b, 5 c, 5 d, 5 e Venturi section 6 Detergent tank 7 Electromagnetic valve 10, 10 b, 10 c Vent hole 21 Inner surface (object to be cleaned)
61, 61a, 61c Detergent passage M Negative pressure region

Claims (3)

A venturi portion is interposed in a water supply passage for supplying water to the nozzle, and a downstream end of the detergent passage extending from the detergent tank is connected to the venturi portion so that water flows in the venturi portion. A cleaning device configured such that the detergent in the detergent tank is sucked through the passage and mixed with water, and the mixed cleaning liquid is sprayed from the nozzle to the object to be cleaned.
Washing characterized in that the venturi section is connected to a vent hole that opens at one end facing the negative pressure region formed in the venturi section by flowing water and the other end communicates with the atmosphere. apparatus. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1,
The other end of the vent hole faces the inside of the detergent tank and is set at a position above the detergent tank. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The capacity | capacitance of the said detergent tank is a washing | cleaning apparatus set so that it may respond | correspond to the amount of detergent consumed by one washing | cleaning driving | operation.

Images