JP2009153907A - Jet bath device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a jet bath device capable of switching and ejecting both of a straight jet stream and a reciprocating, self-exciting and vibrating jet stream by a common nozzle in a simple structure. <P>SOLUTION: The jet bath device includes a jet nozzle 11, an air introducing pipe for mixing air bubbles and a switching device for switching the state of ejecting a jet stream containing the air bubbles and a jet stream not containing the air bubbles. The jet nozzle is provided with a flowing water introducing part and a chamber, and the flowing water introducing part is provided with an upstream side end part where pressurized water is introduced and a downstream side end part where a flow path is narrowed relative to the upstream side end part and the chamber is communicated. The chamber has a cross section sudden enlargement part provided on the upstream side end part, where a flow path cross section is suddenly enlarged relative to the downstream side end part, and a jet port opened at the downstream side end part, and a cross sectional shape from the cross section sudden enlargement part to the jet port is formed roughly rectangular. A downstream end opening facing the inside of the chamber at the downstream side end part is positioned closer to the inner side than the contour line of the chamber in the front view and a gap is present between the opening edge part of the downstream end opening and the contour line. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a jet bath apparatus including a jet nozzle that jets a jet into a bathtub.

  Conventionally, there is a jet nozzle provided on the bathtub wall, and jets are jetted from the nozzle into the bathtub. Most of them are jets jetted straight (for example, Patent Document 1), and the jet is a bather. It was difficult to obtain a variety of massage feelings because it hit the part of the body locally, and the stimulation received by the jet was monotonous and easy to get bored.

  Further, Patent Documents 2 to 4 disclose a configuration in which a jet flow can be ejected while changing the ejection direction in a structure in which a movable portion is not provided in the nozzle itself.

Patent Document 2 discloses that an oscillation phenomenon of a jet is caused by the action of the fluid itself in the nozzle. According to Patent Document 3, the opening ratio of the three-way valve in the pipe is adjusted to change the flow rate ratio, two fluids collide with water discharged from the two flow paths under the bathtub water surface, and reciprocate with a gas-liquid two-phase flow. There is a disclosure that an oscillating jet is used to perform a jet massage along the lymph flow. Patent Document 4 discloses a configuration in which a control flow switching flow path for reciprocating vibration of a discharged water flow is provided to realize a slow reciprocating vibration jet by a gas-liquid two-phase flow below the bathtub water surface.
JP 7-178142 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-176461 JP 2006-325992 A German Patent Application No. 4409656

  In the same bathtub device, when it is desired to switch and select a straight jet as disclosed in Patent Document 1 and a jet whose jet direction changes as disclosed in Patent Documents 2 to 4, the respective jets are selected. It is necessary to provide a differently configured nozzle, and an increase in the number of nozzles leads to an increase in cost and installation space.

  The present invention is made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a jet bath apparatus that can be realized by switching both a straight jet jet and a jet jet that is reciprocally oscillated by the same common nozzle with a simple structure.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, a bathtub, a suction port into which bathtub water opened in the bathtub wall of the bathtub and stored in the bathtub is sucked, and bathtub water is sucked from the suction port, pressurized and discharged. And a single-layered cylinder body held against the bathtub wall below the overflow edge of the bathtub, and the bathtub water introduced into the cylinder body is jetted into the bathtub A jet nozzle, an air introduction pipe for mixing bubbles in the jet nozzle, a state in which the jet nozzle ejects a jet containing bubbles, and a state in which the jet nozzle ejects a jet containing no bubbles A jet bath apparatus comprising: a switching device for switching between, wherein the jet nozzle includes: a running water introduction portion; and a chamber formed in the cylindrical body so as to extend in an axial direction of the cylindrical body. And the flowing water introduction part is from the pressurizing device. An upstream end into which the pressurized bathtub water to be introduced is introduced, and a downstream end that communicates with the chamber while the flow path is narrowed with respect to the upstream end, A channel cross-section abruptly enlarged portion provided at an axial upstream end portion and having a flow channel cross-section enlarged rapidly with respect to the downstream end portion of the flowing water introduction portion, and an opening in the axial downstream end portion. A chamber at the downstream end of the flowing water introduction portion, wherein the chamber is formed in a substantially rectangular shape from the flow channel cross-section suddenly enlarged portion to the jet outlet. The downstream end opening facing inside is located inside the contour line of the chamber in a front view when the inside of the chamber is viewed from the jet port, and the opening edge portion of the downstream end opening and the contour line of the flowing water introduction portion A jet bath characterized by the presence of a gap between Location is provided.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the jet bath apparatus which can be implement | achieved by switching both a straight jet jet and the jet jet which carries out a reciprocating self-excited oscillation with the same common nozzle of simple structure is provided.

  Drawing 1 is a mimetic diagram showing a schematic structure of a jet bath device concerning an embodiment of the present invention.

  The jet bath device according to the present embodiment is a pressurizing device connected between the bathtub 1, the suction port 5 opened in the bathtub wall of the bathtub 1, the circulation paths 6 and 8, and the circulation paths 6 and 8. A certain pump 7 and two jet nozzles 11 provided on the bathtub wall are provided.

  The bathtub 1 has a pair of long side bathtub walls 3a, 3b facing each other substantially in parallel and a pair of short side bathtub walls 4a, 4b facing each other substantially in parallel.

  The suction port 5 is formed in one of the pair of long side bathtub walls 3a and 3b (long side bathtub wall 3a in the example shown in FIG. 1). When the pump 7 is driven, the bathtub water (including hot water) stored in the bathtub 1 is sucked into the circulation path 6 through the suction port 5.

  In general, a bather takes a bath with a posture in which his / her back is directed to one of a pair of short-side bathtub walls 4a and 4b facing each other and his / her foot is directed to the other short-side bathtub wall. When it is formed on the wall, there is a concern that the suction port 5 is blocked by the bather's back and soles and an excessive load is applied to the pump 7. Therefore, it is desirable to form the suction port 5 in the long side bathtub wall that is not easily blocked by a part of the body of the bather.

  One end of the circulation path 6 is connected to the suction port 5, and the other end is connected to the suction port of the pump 7. One end of the circulation path 8 is connected to the discharge port of the pump 7, and the other end is connected to the jet nozzle 11. The pump 7 sucks bathtub water into the circulation path 6 from the suction port 5, pressurizes the sucked bathtub water, and discharges it to the circulation path 8 on the downstream side of the pump 7. The pressurized bathtub water discharged from the pump 7 flows into the jet nozzle 11. In addition, when not in use, the pump 7 is desirably provided above the suction port 5 in order to drain residual water inside the pump 7.

  In the present embodiment, two jet nozzles 11 are attached to one of the pair of short-side bathtub walls 4a and 4b (short-side bathtub wall 4a in the example shown in FIG. 1). The two jet nozzles 11 are held by the short-side bathtub wall 4a at the same height and separated by a predetermined distance in the horizontal direction. In addition, if a bather takes a bath with the posture which turned the back to the short side bathtub wall 4a in which the jet nozzle 11 was provided, the jet from the jet nozzle 11 can be received in the back and the waist, and the short side bathtub wall If bathing is performed with the feet facing 4a, the jet from the jet nozzle 11 can be received on the soles and calves.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the jet nozzle 11.
FIG. 4 is a front view of the jet nozzle 11 in FIG. 3 as viewed from the jet outlet 26 side.

  The jet nozzle 11 roughly includes a cylindrical body 20 that is substantially cylindrical and extends substantially straight, and a curved portion 30 that is provided at an upstream end portion in the axial direction of the cylindrical body 20. The cylindrical body 20 is provided inside the cylindrical outer cover 31, and the bending portion 30 is provided inside the elbow cover 32. The cylindrical body 20 and the bending portion 30 may have an integrally formed structure, or separate members may be combined.

  As shown in FIG. 4, an annular flange portion 34 having a circular through hole 34 a formed in the center portion is provided at the downstream end portion of the outer cover 31. The downstream end face including the jet outlet 26 of the cylindrical body 20 is exposed from the through hole 34a.

  A flowing water introduction part 22 is formed inside the curved part 30, and a flowing water introduction port 21 formed at the uppermost stream end of the upstream end of the flowing water introduction part 22 is connected to the circulation path 8 described above. 33.

  In FIG. 1, the jet nozzle 11 is held by the short-side bathtub wall 4 a so that the jet nozzle 26 faces the inside of the bathtub 1 below the overflow edge of the bathtub 1. Here, the “overflow edge” means the edge (or rim) of the bathtub 1 that first overflows from the bathtub 1 when the bathtub water is accumulated in the bathtub 1. With such a configuration, it is possible to reliably jet the jet flow from the jet nozzle 11 into the bath water while the bath water is stored in the bath 1 and a person bathes.

  The downstream end of the flowing water introduction part 22 functions as a flow path cross-sectional contraction part 23 in which the flow path cross section is most reduced in the flowing water introduction part 22. The most downstream end of the flow path cross-sectional contraction portion 23 opens at the upstream end portion in the axial direction of the cylindrical body 20.

  The flow passage cross section of the flowing water introduction portion 22 is circular or elliptical, and the flow passage cross-sectional area gradually decreases from the upstream end portion toward the flow passage cross-section contraction portion 23 that is the downstream end portion. That is, the flow path of the flowing water introduction portion 22 is gradually narrowed from the upstream end portion toward the flow passage cross-sectional contraction portion 23 that is the downstream end portion.

  The center of the flow path cross section of the flow path cross-sectional contraction portion 23 coincides with the central axis C <b> 1 of the cylinder 20 and the chamber 25. The flow path center line C2 passing through the center of the flow path cross section of the flowing water introduction part 22 draws a curved line, and the flowing water introduction part 22 is curved. The downstream end position of the flow path center line C2 coincides with the central axis C1 of the cylinder 20 and the chamber 25.

  A chamber 25 extending in the axial direction of the cylindrical body 20 is formed inside the cylindrical body 20, and the flow path cross-sectional contraction portion 23 communicates with the chamber 25 and the flow path cross-section is reduced with respect to the chamber 25. ing. Further, the flow path cross-section contracting portion 23 is a straight tube having a constant diameter, extending substantially parallel to the axial direction of the chamber 25 with the center of the flow path cross section being coincident with the central axis C1 of the chamber 25. Is formed. That is, the flow path of the flowing water introduction section 22 is gradually narrowed from the upstream side toward the downstream side, and a straight pipe section (flow path cross-sectional contraction section 23) having a substantially constant flow path diameter follows the narrowed end. Yes.

  At the upstream end of the chamber 25 in the axial direction, the flow path cross section is rapidly enlarged with respect to the flow path cross-section contraction portion 23 (for example, the substantially rectangular shape of the chamber 25 in a front view when the chamber 25 is viewed from the ejection port 26). A flow path cross-sectional suddenly enlarged portion 24 having a length in the longitudinal direction of 4 times or more is provided.

  The outer shape of the cylindrical body 20 is cylindrical, but the chamber 25 formed as a hollow hole in the inside thereof, as shown in FIG. The cross-sectional shape from the nozzle 26 to the jet port 26 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape. That is, the cross-sectional shapes of the chamber 25 and the jet outlet 26 are substantially rectangular in a front view when the inside of the chamber 25 is viewed from the jet outlet 26. Here, the “substantially rectangular shape” is not limited to a rectangular shape in which four corners are formed at right angles, but a shape in which four corners are rounded (with rounded corners) as shown in FIG. 7 also includes an oval or racetrack shape having a pair of straight lines facing substantially parallel to each other as long sides and having a short side portion formed of a curve.

  At the downstream end in the axial direction of the chamber 25, a “substantially rectangular” spout 26 that is the same as the cross section of the chamber opens. The inner wall surface of the chamber 25 extends substantially parallel to the central axis C <b> 1 of the chamber 25 from the flow passage cross-section suddenly enlarged portion 24 to the jet outlet 26. The cross-sectional shape continues to the outlet 26 with a substantially rectangular shape. The upstream end portion in the axial direction in the chamber 25 functions as the flow path cross-sectional sudden expansion portion 24, and the downstream end portion in the axial direction in the chamber 25 functions as the ejection port 26.

  The channel wall surface from the channel cross-section contraction portion 23 to the channel cross-section rapid enlargement portion 24 changes substantially vertically. That is, the flow path wall surface of the flow path cross-section contraction portion 23 is substantially parallel to the axial direction of the chamber 25, whereas the upstream end in the axial direction of the chamber 25 that functions as the flow path cross-section sudden expansion portion 24. The end surface of the part is formed to extend outward in a radial direction following the flow path wall surface of the flow path cross-sectional contraction part 23. Due to this sudden change in the flow path wall surface, separation of the flow from the wall surface occurs at the flow path cross-sectional suddenly enlarged portion 24 as described later.

  The downstream end opening facing the chamber 25 in the flow path cross-section contracting portion 23 is formed in a circular shape, and the center thereof is located at the axial center of the chamber 25. The downstream end opening of the flow path cross-sectional contraction portion 23 is located on the inner side of the contour line that forms the cross-sectional shape of the chamber 25 in a front view when the inside of the chamber 25 is viewed from the ejection port 26, and is represented by a circle in FIG. The opening edge of the downstream end opening of the flow path cross-section contracting portion 23 is separated from the outline of the cross section of the chamber 25 represented in a rectangular shape in FIG. 4, and between the opening edge and the outline. There is a gap in the front view.

  The jet bath device according to the present embodiment also includes an air supply system for mixing bubbles into the jet nozzle 11. A specific example of the air supply system is shown in FIG.

  Below the bathtub rim 2 on the side of the short side bathtub wall 4a to which the nozzle 11 is attached, the air introduction pipe 43, the electromagnetic valve 41, and the check valve 42 are provided along with the pump 7 and the circulation path 8 described above. ing.

  In the air introduction pipe 43, one end on the upstream side of the air flow leads to an air intake port 2 a formed in the bathtub rim 2, and the other end on the downstream side branches into two and is connected to the two nozzles 11. Has been. In the middle of the air introduction pipe 43, an electromagnetic valve 41 for opening and closing the air flow path in the air introduction pipe 43 is provided as a switching device. Further, the switching device may be a manual valve, but if it is a solenoid valve, the control is easy. In this specific example, the solenoid valve 41 functions as a switching device that switches between a state in which the nozzle 11 ejects a jet containing bubbles and a state in which a jet containing no bubbles is ejected.

  The air introduction pipe 43 on the downstream side of the solenoid valve 41 is provided with a check valve 42 having a forward direction from the upstream side communicating with the air intake port 2a to the downstream side communicating with the nozzle 11 so that the air intake of the bathtub water can be taken. Backflow to the inlet 2a side is prevented.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an air introduction port 37 communicating with the inside of the chamber 25 is formed in a part of the peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 20 constituting the chamber wall. Further, a groove 36 is formed in a portion of the cylindrical body 20 where the air introduction port 37 is formed in the circumferential direction. The air introduction port 37 is opened at a part of the bottom surface of the groove 36, and both communicate with each other. Yes. A nipple 35 is attached to a portion of the outer cover 31 facing the groove 36. The nipple 35 communicates with the groove 36 and also communicates with the air introduction pipe 43.

  The outer cover 31 is held and fixed to the bathtub wall, and the cylindrical body 20 provided in the outer cover 31 is rotatable about the central axis C <b> 1 with respect to the outer cover 31. As shown in FIG. 4, the jet outlet 26 is open on the downstream end face of the cylindrical body 20, but the downstream end face is located outside the long side portion of the jet outlet 26 with the jet outlet 26 interposed therebetween. Two indentations 38 are formed. The indentation 38 is indented on the back side in FIG. The cylindrical body 20 can be rotated with respect to the outer cover 31 while pinching these two recesses 38 with a finger, and the longitudinal direction of the jet nozzle 26 is set to an arbitrary direction by the rotation of the cylindrical body 20. Can do. In FIG. 4, the longitudinal direction of the ejection port 26 is vertical, but the direction can be freely changed to be horizontal or inclined with respect to the vertical and horizontal directions.

  The circumferential position of the air inlet 37 formed in the cylinder 20 and the nipple 35 fixed to the outer cover 31 shifts with the rotation of the cylinder 20, but there is a gap between them. Since the groove 36 is formed over the entire circumference, the nipple 35 and the air introduction port 37 communicate with each other through the groove 36 even if the positions of the nipple 35 and the air introduction port 37 do not coincide with each other. Therefore, air can be introduced from the atmosphere into the chamber 25 through the air intake port 2 a, the air introduction pipe 43, the nipple 35, the groove 36 and the air introduction port 37. However, in this structure, since only one air inlet 37 may be used, the chamber wall surface is not uneven, and the jet performance of the nozzle is not affected. Moreover, it remains structurally strong and is easy to process and manufacture.

  Next, the operation of the jet bath device according to this embodiment will be described.

  When the bather operates a controller switch (not shown) provided near the bathtub 1, the above-described pump 7 is activated, and the bathtub water stored in the bathtub 1 is sucked into the circulation path 6 from the suction port 5. . The sucked bathtub water is pressurized by the pump 7 and introduced into the flowing water introducing portion 22 of the jet nozzle 11 through the circulation path 8.

  Here, the diagrams shown on the left side in FIGS. 8A to 8D are schematic diagrams for explaining the behavior of flowing water in the chamber 25 in a state where the electromagnetic valve 41 is closed and bubbles are not mixed. The right side of the figure shows a front view as seen from the outlet 26 side. In this front view, the position of the ejected jet viewed from the front side is schematically represented by a one-dot chain line circle. The left figure in (a) corresponds to the AA cross section in the right figure, and the same applies to each figure in (b) to (d).

  The pressurized bathtub water introduced into the flowing water introduction part 22 flows into the chamber 25 as a jet through the flow path cross-sectional contraction part 23 and the flow path cross-section rapid enlargement part 24 in order. When the pressurized bathtub water flows into the chamber 25 from the flow path cross-section contracting portion 23, it becomes impossible to flow along the inner wall surface of the cylinder 20 due to a sudden expansion of the flow path cross section, that is, on the inner wall surface of the flow path. In contrast, flow separation occurs.

  In general, the jet accelerates the external fluid by exchanging momentum with the external fluid, and is entrained inside the jet. At this time, if a wall surface exists in the vicinity of the jet, the jet itself is bent toward the wall surface by the reaction of the attractive force that acts to draw the external fluid into the interior, and the flow again follows the wall surface. That is, the flow is reattached to a part of the inner wall surface of the chamber 25.

  The main stream attached to the inner wall surface of the chamber 25 flows toward the jet outlet 26 along the inner wall surface of the chamber 25 as it is, and is jetted into the bathtub 1 while being biased to a part of the outlet cross section of the jet nozzle 26.

  The flow passage cross section of the jet outlet 26 is larger than the flow passage cross-section contraction portion 23, and the flow is decelerated downstream, that is, a reverse pressure gradient is formed in the chamber 25 where the static pressure increases downstream. Thus, a part of the main flow described above is not ejected from the ejection port 26 and is returned to the upstream side of the chamber 25 as shown by an arrow b in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 8D, the flow returned to the upstream side flows into the stagnation region where the main flow is separated in the vicinity of the channel cross-section sudden expansion portion 24, as shown in FIG. 8C. Then, a swirling flow is formed around the central axis C1 in the vicinity of the flow path cross-section suddenly enlarged portion 24, whereby the reattachment position of the main flow with respect to the inner wall surface changes irregularly, and the chamber 25 is irregular around the central axis C1. A regular swirling flow is formed. Here, an opening edge portion (circular shape in the illustrated example) of the downstream end opening facing the chamber 25 of the flow path cross-section contracting portion 23 and a substantially rectangular outline of the chamber 25 (that is, four surrounding the periphery of the chamber 25) Since the gap described above exists between the inner wall and the inner wall surface, a space that is wider than the opening diameter of the downstream end of the flow path cross-sectional contraction portion 23 is formed in the stagnation region in the chamber 25. It exists in the whole circumference direction of the downstream end opening, and it is possible to form a swirl flow there.
And since the cross-sectional shape of the chamber 25 including the spout 26 is substantially rectangular as described above, the spread (swelling) of the swirling flow in the short direction is restricted, and as a result, from the spout 26 A jet that reciprocally moves back and forth in the longitudinal direction is ejected. In the front view on the right side of FIG. 8 (d), the movement trajectory of the position of the jet flow seen from the front side is schematically represented by an arrow of a one-dot chain line.

  The flow path diameter (d in FIG. 3) of the flow path cross-sectional contraction portion is 8.3 mm, the axial length of the chamber 25 (L in FIG. 3) is 76.6 mm, and the longitudinal dimension in the cross section of the chamber 25 and the ejection port 26 ( In FIG. 4, D) is 34 mm, the transverse dimension (W in FIG. 4) is 14 mm in the cross section of the chamber 25 and the spout 26, and the opening edge of the downstream end opening facing the chamber 25 in the flow path cross section shrinking portion 23 When the distance (X in FIG. 4) between the long sides of the cross-sectional outline of the chamber 25 is designed to be 2.85 mm and the supply flow rate into the nozzle is 25 to 45 liters / minute, It was confirmed that a jet flow that reciprocates in the longitudinal direction of the outlet 26 was swung.

  Here, the present inventors collide the jet jet from the nozzle 11 according to the present embodiment with an observation body spreading in a planar shape provided at a position 70 mm from the jet outlet 26, and the jet collision portion with respect to the observation body The behavior of the jet flow was examined by photographing with an imaging device from the direction facing the jet port 26 in a visualized state.

  Each dimension in the nozzle 11 was designed to the above-described value, and the supply flow rate into the nozzle 11 was set to 40 liters / minute.

  The analysis result of the captured image is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 9A is a collision in-plane distribution (movement trajectory) with time change of the center position of the jet collision portion with respect to the observation body, and a small circle indicates the center position of the jet collision portion with respect to the observation body. In these distribution maps, 0 in the x direction on the horizontal axis and the y direction on the vertical axis represents the center of the rectangular outlet 26, the x direction is the longitudinal direction of the rectangular outlet 26, and the y direction is short. Each corresponds to a direction.

  In the movement trajectory of the center position of the jet collision shown in FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B shows the time change (movement trajectory) of the position in the x direction, and FIG. FIG. 9C shows the movement trajectory.

  The number of image analysis frames is 600, the time step is 0.01 seconds, and the total analysis time is 6 seconds.

  From the results of FIG. 9, it was confirmed that the jet flow is slightly displaced in the y direction, that is, the rectangular jet port 26 in the short direction, and is greatly swung in the x direction, that is, the longitudinal direction of the jet port 26.

  The bather can obtain a massage effect by receiving a reciprocating jet flow that does not include bubbles ejected from the jet nozzle 11 on a part of the body such as the waist, back, shoulders, hands, and feet. As described above, by rotating the cylindrical body 20, the longitudinal direction of the jet outlet 26 can be set to be vertical, horizontal, or oblique, and the direction can be set arbitrarily. In this case, if the bather takes a bath in a posture with his back facing the short side bathtub wall 4a to which the nozzle 11 is attached, a jet massage reciprocating along the spine can be received.

  Similarly, in the case where the spout 26 is in the vertical direction, if the bather takes a bath with the sole facing the nozzle 11, the reciprocating movement is performed along the vertical direction of the sole between the tip of the foot and the heel. You can receive a jet massage. Further, in the case where the spout 26 is turned sideways, if the bather takes a bath with the sole facing the nozzle 11 side, it is possible to receive a jet massage reciprocating along the base of the toe.

  Such a massage by a reciprocating jet that does not contain bubbles is generally thin and strong due to the mixing of bubbles, and cannot be obtained by a straight jet that jets straight. Moreover, since the reciprocating oscillating jet realized by this embodiment is thicker and softer than such a linear jet, it is possible to obtain a massage feeling that is close to a hand massage such as a stirrer, rather than a strong local stimulation. You can relax and relax without getting tired even if you take a bath for a long time.

  In addition, the jet nozzle 11 according to the present embodiment continues from the flow path cross-section suddenly enlarged portion 24 of the chamber 25 to the jet outlet 26 while the cross-sectional shape remains substantially rectangular, and the fluid itself introduced into the inside is described above. In this way, the recirculation action in the chamber 25 excites the reciprocating movement of the jet flow ejected from the ejection port 26, so that the chamber 25 has a shape with less unevenness, so that it is difficult to be contaminated and maintained. And production is also easy. In addition, a three-way valve for switching the ejection direction is unnecessary, the nozzle structure is simplified, it can be manufactured at low cost, and maintenance is facilitated. Furthermore, since there is no narrow control flow path, there is no worry about clogging.

  In the present embodiment, the cylindrical body 20 surrounding the chamber 25 has a single structure. That is, in a single space (flow path) surrounded by a single cylinder 20, a main flow toward the jet outlet 26 and a reflux flowing in a direction opposite to the main flow are formed, and the jet flows as a reciprocating jet into the bathtub water. Is done. Therefore, the structure is simplified, it can be manufactured at low cost, and maintenance is facilitated. Furthermore, there is no worry about clogging up garbage.

  Further, in this embodiment, the flow path cross-sectional contraction portion 23 that functions as an inlet to the chamber 25 is not formed on the peripheral wall portion of the cylindrical body 20 surrounding the chamber 25, and the upstream side in the axial direction of the chamber 25. Opened at the end. Therefore, the main flow that has flowed into the chamber 25 from the flow path cross-section contraction portion 23 is peeled off from the flow path wall surface by the flow path cross-section rapid enlargement portion 24, and then reattaches to the inner peripheral surface of the chamber 25. And the position of reattachment to the flow channel wall surface (inner peripheral surface of the chamber 25) of the main flow is changed by the circulating flow (return flow) formed in the chamber 25. Thus, since the ejection direction changes, it is possible to obtain a variety of jet stimulation that changes the stimulation location with time.

  Further, in this embodiment, there is only one input system of flowing water for one nozzle, and there is no need for two input flow paths, three-way valves, control flow control means, etc. No cost and maintenance.

  In the above-described jet ejection operation, the case where the electromagnetic valve 41 that opens and closes the air introduction pipe 43 is “closed” to eject a jet that does not contain bubbles has been described. Therefore, if the solenoid valve 41 is “open”, the air is passed through the air intake port 2 a, the air introduction pipe 43, the groove 36, and the air introduction port 37. The air inside can be sucked and mixed into the running water in the chamber 25, and a jet containing bubbles can be ejected from the jet outlet 26 into the bath water.

  When bubbles are mixed in, the force to bias the water flow in the chamber 25 is weakened, and the return flow returned to the above-described flow path cross-section suddenly enlarged portion 24 side is not formed or reduced. Changes in the position of the water flow on the inner wall surface are less likely to occur. As a result, a straight rectilinear jet including bubbles is ejected from the ejection port 26. This straight jet is ejected as a jet bundle having a width matched to the shape of the substantially rectangular nozzle 26. Unlike the above-described soft reciprocating vibration jet that does not include bubbles, the straight jet including bubbles has a momentum and a strong stimulus. By receiving such a straight jet jet locally, the bather can promote blood circulation or reduce stiffness.

  As described above, since a negative pressure region is generated in the chamber 25 especially in the vicinity of the inner wall surface during the jet ejection operation, the air introduction port can be opened to any surface of the chamber 25 through the opening into the chamber 25. Is sucked in and bubbles are mixed into the jet. Therefore, in order to verify this, the present inventors made a prototype shown in the photographic diagram of FIG. 9, with the flow path diameter of the flow path cross-section contraction portion being 8.3 mm, and the supply flow rate into the chamber being 40 liter / As an experiment, the experiment described below was conducted.

  10 shows a portion corresponding to the cylindrical body 20 of the jet nozzle 11 described above, and FIG. 10A is a photograph of the cylindrical body taken from the rectangular outlet, (B) is the photograph taken from the inlet (downstream end opening which faces the chamber of a flow-path cross-section contraction part) side of flowing water to the cylinder.

  11 (a) to 11 (c), an air inlet is opened in a cylindrical wall facing the short side of the rectangular cross-section chamber, air is self-primed into the chamber, and a jet containing bubbles is ejected from the jet outlet. It is a photograph figure which shows a mode that it spewed into water from. FIG. 11A shows a case where an air inlet is formed at a position 10 mm downstream from the surface (hereinafter referred to as the orifice surface) where the channel cross-section contraction portion opens in the chamber along the axial direction. FIG. 11B shows a case where an air inlet is formed at a position 30 mm downstream from the orifice surface along the axial direction. FIG. 11C shows a case where 60 mm downstream from the orifice surface along the axial direction. The case where an air inlet is formed at the position is shown. FIG. 11 (d) shows an air inlet opening at a position 10 mm downstream from the orifice surface along the axial direction on the cylindrical wall facing the long side of the chamber having a rectangular cross section. It shows a state in which it is self-primed into the chamber and a jet containing bubbles is jetted out of the jet into the water.

  Further, a jet ejection experiment was also conducted on a configuration in which an air inlet was formed on the orifice surface corresponding to the axial end surface on the upstream side of the cylinder, not on the peripheral wall of the cylinder, as shown in FIG. FIG. 12 (a) shows a case where the diameter of the downstream end opening of the channel cross-section contraction portion is 8.3 mm, and three air inlets having a smaller diameter are formed in the vicinity thereof, and FIG. 12 (b) Shows a case where the diameter of the downstream end opening of the channel cross-section contraction portion is 8.3 mm, and a bent long hole-shaped air inlet having a width smaller than 8.3 mm is formed in the vicinity thereof.

  FIG. 13A is a photographic diagram showing a state in which air is self-primed into the chamber when the air inlet of FIG. 12A is formed, and a jet containing bubbles is ejected from the jet outlet into the water. FIG. 13B is a photographic diagram showing a state in which when the air inlet of FIG. 12B is formed, air is self-primed into the chamber and a jet containing bubbles is ejected from the outlet into the water. is there.

  From the above experimental results, no matter where the air introduction port is formed on the surface surrounding the chamber, air can be adsorbed into the flowing water in the chamber, and a straight jet including bubbles can be ejected. In the chamber, the flow velocity is particularly fast near the contraction section of the flow path, and the negative pressure is most easily generated. It is preferable to form an air inlet.

  An air intake 2 a for taking air from the atmosphere into the air introduction pipe 43 is provided on the bathtub rim 2. Thereby, even if bathtub water is stored to the full in a bathtub, the air intake 2a is not immersed in bathtub water, and the uptake | capture of air is not prevented. On the other hand, it is not good to take in the air in the closed space under the bathtub rim. This is because the air in the closed space under the bathtub rim is stagnant. In addition, if comprised like this embodiment, in order to take in the air ventilated in the bathroom, the air is fresh and clean.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the straight jet flow that provides a relatively strong sense of irritation including bubbles and the irritation feeling that is similar to a spout hand massage while swinging in the longitudinal direction of the substantially rectangular jet port 26. A jet having different modes, such as a reciprocating oscillating jet without bubbles, can be realized by selecting and switching both modes by simply controlling the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 41 using the same nozzle 11 having no moving parts and a simple structure.

  That is, without preparing a dedicated nozzle for each mode, the same common nozzle is used for each mode, and various massages are realized while suppressing an increase in cost and installation space. Further, when bubbles are mixed into the nozzle water, air is self-primed using the negative pressure generated in the chamber, and switching between the presence and absence of air is simply performed by the solenoid valve 41 provided in the air introduction pipe 43. The air supply system can be easily configured by opening / closing control, and is excellent in terms of cost and installation space.

  FIG. 14 shows another specific example of the air supply system. In this specific example, air is supplied into the nozzle 11 not by self-priming but by using an air compressor 52 connected to an air introduction pipe 51. The air introduction pipe 51 is connected between the air intake 2 a provided in the bathtub rim 2 and the pipe line 8 on the discharge side of the pump 7. The air compressor 52 pressure-feeds air taken from the atmosphere through the air intake port 2a to the pipe line 8, whereby air bubbles are mixed into the pressurized bath water flowing through the pipe line 8 into the nozzle 11, This bubble-mixed flowing water is introduced into the nozzle 11 and a straight jet including bubbles is ejected from the ejection port 26.

  The air introduction pipe 51 on the downstream side of the air compressor 52 is provided with a check valve 53 having a forward direction from the air compressor 52 toward the nozzle 11 so as to prevent backflow of bath water to the air compressor 52 side. ing.

  In this specific example, the air compressor 52 functions as a switching device for the presence or absence of air mixing. When the air compressor 52 is driven, air is sent into the nozzle 11, a straight jet containing bubbles is ejected, and the air compressor 52 is stopped. If it does, air will not be sent in the nozzle 11, but the above-mentioned reciprocating vibration jet which does not contain a bubble will be ejected. By using the air compressor 52, a large amount of air can be forcibly introduced, and a high-flow bubble jet can be achieved. In such a case, the feeling of the reciprocating oscillating jet that does not include bubbles and the degree of change greatly change, and the degree of change can be enjoyed. Further, since the nozzle 11 does not need to be provided with an air introduction mechanism such as an air introduction opening, the configuration is simplified. Also, the number of pipes to be attached can be reduced for the attachment of the nozzle 11, and the attachment becomes easy.

  FIG. 15 shows still another specific example of the air supply system. In this specific example, one end on the upstream side of the air introduction pipe 63 communicates with an air intake port 2 a provided in the bathtub rim 2, and the other end on the downstream side communicates with a pipe line 6 on the suction side of the pump 7.

  On the upstream side of the air introduction pipe 63, an electromagnetic valve 61 that functions as a switching device for the presence or absence of air mixing into the nozzle 11 is provided. The air introduction pipe 63 downstream of the electromagnetic valve 61 is provided with a check valve 62 having a forward direction from the air inlet 2a side toward the pipe line 6 side to the air intake 2a side of the bath water. Backflow is blocked.

  A portion where the air introduction pipe 63 is connected to the pipe line 6 is provided on the downstream side of the pipe line 6 near the suction port of the pump 7, and a negative pressure is generated by the drawing force of the pump 7.

  If the solenoid valve 61 is set to “open”, air is sucked into the pipe line 6 from the atmosphere through the air intake port 2a and the air introduction pipe 63 due to the negative pressure, and mixed into the running water as bubbles. The bubbling mixed water is sucked into the pump 7 and is pumped toward the nozzle 11 via the pipe line 8. As a result, bubble-mixed running water is introduced into the nozzle 11, and a straight jet including bubbles is ejected from the ejection port 26.

  If the solenoid valve 61 is set to “closed”, the air is not self-primed, and thus the above-described reciprocating vibration jet that does not include bubbles is ejected from the ejection port 26 of the nozzle 11.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to specific examples. However, the present invention is not limited to them, and various modifications can be made based on the technical idea of the present invention.

  The portion of the jet nozzle that continues from the flowing water inlet to the channel cross-section contraction portion may be curved with the channel diameter remaining substantially constant. However, as in the above-described embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the flow path diameter of the flowing water introduction section 22 is gradually decreased from the upstream end section toward the flow path cross-sectional contraction section 23 which is the downstream end section, and By matching the downstream end position of the flow path cross-sectional center line C2 of the flowing water introduction part 22 with the central axis C1 of the chamber 25, the protruding length of the curved part can be suppressed compared to the case where the flow path diameter is kept constant, Miniaturization that is advantageous for installation in a limited bathroom space can be achieved.

The schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of the jet bath apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The schematic diagram which shows a specific example of an air supply system in the jet bath apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The schematic cross section of the jet nozzle in the same jet bath apparatus. The front view which looked at the same jet nozzle from the jet nozzle side. The schematic diagram of the chamber in the same jet nozzle. The schematic diagram which shows the other specific example of the cross-sectional shape of the chamber in the same jet nozzle, and a jet nozzle. The schematic diagram which shows the other specific example of the cross-sectional shape of the chamber in the same jet nozzle, and a jet nozzle. The schematic diagram for demonstrating the behavior of flowing water when the bubble in the same jet nozzle is not mixed. The schematic diagram which shows the behavior accompanying the time change of the center position of the jet collision part with respect to the observation body made to collide the jet flow from the jet nozzle with the observation object which spreads in the planar shape provided in the position of 70 mm from the jet nozzle. The photograph figure of the prototype of the part corresponded to the cylinder of the jet nozzle which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 11 is a photographic view showing a state in which an air inlet is opened in the cylindrical wall shown in FIG. 10 so that air is self-primed into the chamber, and a jet containing bubbles is ejected from the outlet into water. The photograph figure which shows the air inlet formed in the orifice surface equivalent to the axial direction end surface of the upstream of the cylinder shown in FIG. The photograph figure which shows a mode that the air was self-sucked in the chamber from the air inlet shown in FIG. 12, and the jet containing a bubble was jetted out into the water from the jet outlet. The schematic diagram which shows the other specific example of an air supply system | strain in the jet bath apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The schematic diagram which shows the other specific example of an air supply system in the jet bath apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Bathtub, 5 ... Inlet, 11 ... Jet nozzle, 20 ... Cylindrical body, 22 ... Flowing water introduction part, 23 ... Channel cross-section contraction part, 24 ... Channel cross-section rapid expansion part, 25 ... Chamber, 26 ... Jet , 41, 61 ... Solenoid valve, 43, 51, 63 ... Air introduction pipe, 52 ... Air compressor

Claims (6)

A bathtub,
A suction port into which bathtub water that is opened in the bathtub wall of the bathtub and stored in the bathtub is sucked;
A pressurizing device that sucks in, pressurizes, and discharges bath water from the suction port;
A jet nozzle that has a single-layered cylinder that is held against the bathtub wall below the overflow edge of the bathtub, and that jets bathtub water introduced into the cylinder into the bathtub;
An air introduction tube for mixing bubbles inside the jet nozzle;
A switching device for switching between a state in which the jet nozzle ejects a jet containing bubbles and a state in which the jet nozzle ejects a jet containing no bubbles;
A jet bath device comprising:
The jet nozzle has a running water introduction part, and a chamber that extends in the axial direction of the cylinder and is formed inside the cylinder,
The flowing water introduction section includes an upstream end to which pressurized bath water sent from the pressurizing device is introduced, and a downstream end having a narrow channel with respect to the upstream end and communicating with the chamber. And
The chamber is provided at an upstream end portion in the axial direction and has a flow path cross-sectional suddenly enlarged portion with respect to the downstream end portion of the flowing water introduction portion, and a downstream side in the axial direction. A spout opening at the end and facing the inside of the bathtub, and a cross-sectional shape from the flow path cross-section sudden expansion portion to the spout is formed in a substantially rectangular shape,
The downstream end opening facing the inside of the chamber at the downstream end of the flowing water introduction part is located inside the contour line of the chamber in a front view when the inside of the chamber is viewed from the jet port, and the flowing water introduction part There is a gap between the opening edge of the downstream end opening and the contour line.   2. The jet nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the jet nozzle jets a straight jet when it contains bubbles, and jets a jet that sways in the longitudinal direction of the substantially rectangular jet when it contains no bubbles. Jet bath equipment. The air introduction pipe communicates with the inside of the chamber in which a negative pressure is generated at the time of jet ejection through an air introduction port opened in the cylindrical body,
The jet bath apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switching device is an electromagnetic valve that opens and closes the air introduction pipe.   3. The jet bath apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the air introduction pipe communicates with a suction side of the pressurizing apparatus, and the switching device is an electromagnetic valve that opens and closes the air introduction pipe.   The jet bath apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switching device is an air compressor connected to the air introduction pipe.   The jet bath apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the air introduction pipe communicates with the atmosphere through an air intake provided on a bathtub rim.