JP2011092406A

JP2011092406A - Bubble generator

Info

Publication number: JP2011092406A
Application number: JP2009249103A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Yuzo Yamamoto; 裕三山本
Original assignee: Noritz Corp
Current assignee: Noritz Corp
Priority date: 2009-10-29
Filing date: 2009-10-29
Publication date: 2011-05-12

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bubble generator capable of eliminating a risk of causing water leakage while eliminating the installation work itself of an air intake pipe. <P>SOLUTION: An air intake part 51 is disposed to project from the rear end face of a circulating adapter of a bathtub and connected to a connecting tube 53 communicating with a tip nozzle. A backflow preventing valve part 54 is interposed downstream position of the bathtub side in relation to an intake passage 513, and a closing means 55 is interposed upstream of the intake opening 514 side. A closing body 551 is formed of high swelling resin, and even if closing change abnormality occurs to the backflow preventing valve part 54 and the outflow of water reaches, the closing body 551 absorbs the water and swells to completely close the intake opening 514. An air-permeable waterproof sheet may be interposed between the backflow preventing valve part 54 and the closing means 55. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は、浴槽に設けられて浴槽内の浴槽水中に微小な気泡を吐出させる気泡発生装置に関し、特に設置のための施工の省略化及び漏水発生のおそれの解消を図り得る技術に係る。 The present invention relates to a bubble generating device that is provided in a bathtub and discharges minute bubbles into bathtub water in the bathtub, and particularly relates to a technique capable of omitting construction for installation and eliminating the possibility of water leakage.

従来、浴槽内から浴槽水を取り出した後に再び浴槽内に戻すという循環作動をさせ、その循環水を浴槽内に戻す際の吐出流に基づく負圧を利用して空気を循環水中に取り込み、これにより、気泡が混合された状態にして浴槽内に吐出させるという気泡発生装置が提案されている。 Conventionally, a circulation operation is performed in which the bathtub water is taken out from the bathtub and then returned to the bathtub, and air is taken into the circulating water using negative pressure based on the discharge flow when the circulating water is returned to the bathtub. Therefore, a bubble generating device has been proposed in which bubbles are mixed and discharged into a bathtub.

例えば、特許文献１では、湯水の循環路の吐出口近傍に空気取り入れ管の下流端を連通接続する一方、空気取り入れ管の上流端である吸気口を浴槽の上方位置に設置すること、そして、空気取り入れ管の途中に電磁弁を介装すること、が提案されている。 For example, in Patent Document 1, the downstream end of the air intake pipe is connected to the vicinity of the discharge port of the hot water circulation path, while the intake port that is the upstream end of the air intake pipe is installed at the upper position of the bathtub, and It has been proposed to install a solenoid valve in the middle of the air intake pipe.

特許文献２では、空気取り入れ管(吸気管)の上端である吸気口を浴槽のフランジ下の空間内に開口するように設置させるものの、漏水防止のためにその吸気口を閉付勢する逆止弁を設けるようにすることが提案されている。 In Patent Document 2, although the intake port which is the upper end of the air intake pipe (intake pipe) is installed so as to open in the space under the flange of the bathtub, the check that closes and energizes the intake port to prevent water leakage It has been proposed to provide a valve.

いずれの提案技術も、空気取り入れ管の先端にある吸気口から浴槽水が流出したり漏水したりすることを阻止するために対策がなされたものであり、そのために吸気口を上方位置に設定し、なおかつ、電磁弁や逆止弁を介装している。 In both proposed technologies, measures have been taken to prevent the bath water from flowing out or leaking from the air inlet at the tip of the air intake pipe. To that end, the air inlet is set at the upper position. In addition, an electromagnetic valve and a check valve are interposed.

実開平１−１９４２５号公報Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 1-194525 実開平８−１８２７１７号公報Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 8-182717

ところで、浴槽内に気泡を吐出させるための循環流として、図９に例示するように追い焚き機能を有する給湯器２００に対し戻り路３１を通して浴槽１から浴槽水を戻し、所定温度まで追い焚きした上で、往き路３２を通して浴槽に供給するという追い焚き循環路３の循環流を利用し、加えて、循環アダプタ４００に対し気泡発生機能を付設することにより気泡発生装置を構成するという開発・改良が出願人により行われている。 By the way, as a circulation flow for discharging bubbles into the bathtub, the bathtub water is returned from the bathtub 1 through the return path 31 to the water heater 200 having a reheating function as illustrated in FIG. Development and improvement of configuring a bubble generating device by using the circulation flow of the recirculation circulation path 3 that is supplied to the bathtub through the outgoing path 32 and additionally adding a bubble generation function to the circulation adapter 400 Is done by the applicant.

しかしながら、循環アダプタ４００の浴槽１への設置工事とは別に、その循環アダプタ４００に対する空気取り入れのために吸気口８０１や逆止弁８０２を備えた空気取り入れ管８０３を浴室外に設置する工事が必要となる。一方、特許文献２の提案技術の如く浴槽１のフランジ下の空間に空気取り入れ管を設置する場合(図示省略)であっても、そのための設置工事が必要になる上に、逆止弁は異物の噛み込み等に起因して完全には閉止状態に変換しない事態が発生するおそれも考えられ、このような異常事態発生に起因する漏水発生のおそれも考えられるという不都合を抱えている。このような異常事態発生に対処するために、特許文献１の提案技術の如く電磁弁を介装するとなると、機器の費用のみならず作動制御のための対策も必要となる。 However, apart from the installation work of the circulation adapter 400 in the bathtub 1, it is necessary to install an air intake pipe 803 having an intake port 801 and a check valve 802 outside the bathroom in order to intake air into the circulation adapter 400. It becomes. On the other hand, even when the air intake pipe is installed in the space under the flange of the bathtub 1 (not shown) as in the proposed technique of Patent Document 2, installation work for that is required, and the check valve is a foreign object. There is a possibility that a situation that does not completely convert to the closed state occurs due to the biting of the water, etc., and there is a disadvantage that the possibility of water leakage due to the occurrence of such an abnormal situation is also considered. In order to cope with the occurrence of such an abnormal situation, when an electromagnetic valve is interposed as in the proposed technique of Patent Document 1, not only the cost of equipment but also a countermeasure for operation control is required.

本発明は、このような事情に鑑みてなされたものであり、その目的とするところは、空気取り入れのための設置工事そのものを省略可能にした場合であっても、漏水発生のおそれを確実に解消し得る気泡発生装置を提供することにある。 The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the purpose of the present invention is to reliably prevent the occurrence of water leakage even when the installation work for air intake itself can be omitted. An object of the present invention is to provide a bubble generating device that can be eliminated.

上記目的を達成するために、本発明では、浴槽の壁面から浴槽内に吐出される湯水の吐出流に臨んで先端部位が開口し、上記吐出流による負圧を受けて上記先端部位から空気が取り込まれるように配設される気泡発生装置を対象にして、次の特定事項を備えるようにした。すなわち、上記先端部位に連通して外部空間から空気を取り入れるための空気取り入れ部に、上記先端部位側からの水の流出を受けて空気取り入れ部内の吸気通路を閉止する閉止手段を介装する。そして、上記閉止手段として、高吸水性膨張樹脂により形成された閉止体を備えるようにし、この閉止体が水を吸水して体積が膨張することにより吸気通路を遮断して閉止する構成とする(請求項１)。 In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, the tip portion opens toward the discharge flow of hot water discharged from the wall surface of the bathtub into the bathtub, and air is discharged from the tip portion by receiving the negative pressure due to the discharge flow. The following specific items were provided for the bubble generating device arranged to be taken in. That is, the air intake portion that communicates with the tip portion and takes in air from the external space is provided with a closing unit that receives the outflow of water from the tip portion side and closes the intake passage in the air intake portion. The closing means includes a closing body formed of a highly water-absorbing expansion resin, and the closing body absorbs water and expands in volume, thereby blocking and closing the intake passage ( Claim 1).

この発明の場合、浴槽の側から先端ノズル部を経て空気取り入れ部に水が到達した場合であっても、閉止体がその水を吸水して膨張する結果、吸気通路を遮断して閉止することになるため、外部空間への漏水発生を確実に阻止することが可能になる。これにより、空気取り入れ部を含めた気泡発生装置の全体を入浴使用時の通常の浴槽水位よりも下方位置(例えば浴槽に付設される循環アダプタの位置)に設置したとしても、浴槽水が空気取り入れ部を通して外部に流出したり漏水したりするという事態が発生するおそれはない。このため、従来の如く、空気取り入れ管を浴槽水位よりも上方位置に別途設置する必要はなく、そのための設置工事そのものを省略することが可能となる上に、そのような設置工事を省略した場合であっても、漏水発生のおそれを確実に解消し得る気泡発生装置を提供し得ることになる。なお、「浴槽の壁面から浴槽内に吐出される湯水」とある湯水の吐出は、壁面と面一の位置から吐出される場合だけに限らず、壁面位置から浴槽内側に多少飛び出た位置から湯水が吐出される場合（例えば後述の循環アダプタの前面カバーの位置から吐出）、壁面位置から多少凹んだ窪み位置から湯水が吐出される場合も含むものである。さらに、「吐出流に臨んで先端部位が開口」とは、吐出流に対しその流れ方向に直交する方向から臨んで先端部位が開口する場合、吐出流に対しその流れ方向と同じ向きから臨んで先端部位が開口する場合、あるいは、吐出流に対しその流れ方向に斜め方向から臨んで先端部位が開口する場合等を含む趣旨である。 In the case of this invention, even when water reaches the air intake part from the bathtub side through the tip nozzle part, the closing body absorbs the water and expands, so that the intake passage is blocked and closed. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of water leakage to the external space. As a result, even if the entire bubble generator including the air intake section is installed at a position lower than the normal bathtub water level when bathing is used (for example, the position of the circulation adapter attached to the bathtub), There is no possibility of a situation of flowing out or leaking through the section. For this reason, unlike the conventional case, it is not necessary to separately install an air intake pipe above the water level of the bathtub, and it is possible to omit the installation work for that purpose, and when such installation work is omitted. Even so, it is possible to provide a bubble generating device that can reliably eliminate the possibility of water leakage. The discharge of hot water, which is “hot water discharged into the bathtub from the wall surface of the bathtub”, is not limited to the case of being discharged from a position flush with the wall surface, and hot water from a position slightly protruding from the wall surface to the inside of the bathtub. In the case where water is discharged (for example, discharged from the position of the front cover of the circulation adapter described later) and the case where hot water is discharged from the recessed position slightly recessed from the wall surface position. Furthermore, “the front end portion is open facing the discharge flow” means that when the front end portion is open facing the discharge flow from a direction orthogonal to the flow direction, the discharge flow faces from the same direction as the flow direction. This includes the case where the tip portion is opened, or the case where the tip portion is opened facing the flow direction obliquely with respect to the discharge flow.

本発明の気泡発生装置において、上記空気取り入れ部に、上記閉止手段よりも上記先端部位側の位置に介装された逆流防止弁部を備えることとし、上記逆流防止弁部として、上記吐出流による負圧を受けたときには上記先端部位側への空気の流通を許容する一方、先端部位側からの水の流れを受けたときには吸気通路を閉止する構成とすることができる(請求項２)。この場合には、浴槽の側から空気取り入れ部に水が到達した場合であっても、まず、逆流防止弁部によってそれ以上の流出を阻止することが可能となる。しかも、この逆流防止弁部に閉変換異常等の異常事態が万一発生して、さらに水が流出したとしても、閉止手段の閉止体がその水を吸水して膨張する結果、吸気通路を完全に塞いで閉止することになる。このため、閉止体を用いた最終段階における閉止手段に加えて、その前段階において逆流防止弁部による逆流防止が図られるため、これら二重の漏水防止対策によって、空気取り入れ部からの漏水発生をより一層確実に阻止することが可能となる。 In the bubble generating device of the present invention, the air intake portion includes a backflow prevention valve portion interposed at a position closer to the distal end portion than the closing means, and the backflow prevention valve portion depends on the discharge flow. When negative pressure is received, the air flow to the tip portion side is allowed, while when the water flow from the tip portion side is received, the intake passage is closed (Claim 2). In this case, even if water reaches the air intake part from the bathtub side, it is possible to prevent further outflow by the backflow prevention valve part. Moreover, even if an abnormal situation such as a closed conversion abnormality occurs in the backflow prevention valve portion and water flows out further, the closing body of the closing means absorbs the water and expands, so that the intake passage is completely closed. It will be closed and closed. For this reason, in addition to the closing means in the final stage using the closing body, the backflow prevention valve part prevents the backflow in the previous stage, so that these double leakage prevention measures prevent the occurrence of water leakage from the air intake part. It becomes possible to prevent more reliably.

さらに、本発明の気泡発生装置において、上記閉止手段に、上記閉止体を収容するように上記吸気通路に介装された弁室を備えることとし、上記閉止体を、上記吐出流による負圧を受けたときには上記先端部位側への空気の流通を許容する一方、先端部位側からの水の流れを受けたときには吸気通路を閉止するように上記弁室内を移動可能に配設させるようにすることができる（請求項３）。この場合には、浴槽の側からの水が空気取り入れ部の閉止手段まで到達した場合であっても、閉止体が逆流防止のための弁体として即座に移動すると共に、閉止体がその水を吸水して膨張する結果、吸気通路を完全に塞ぐことになるため、漏水発生をより一層確実に阻止することが可能となる。 Further, in the bubble generating device of the present invention, the closing means is provided with a valve chamber interposed in the intake passage so as to accommodate the closing body, and the closing body is subjected to negative pressure due to the discharge flow. When the air flow is received, the air flow to the tip portion side is allowed, while when the water flow from the tip portion side is received, the intake chamber is closed so that the intake passage is closed. (Claim 3). In this case, even when water from the bathtub side reaches the closing means of the air intake, the closing body immediately moves as a valve body for preventing backflow, and the closing body drains the water. As a result of water absorption and expansion, the intake passage is completely blocked, so that the occurrence of water leakage can be more reliably prevented.

以上、説明したように、本発明の気泡発生装置によれば、浴槽の側から先端ノズル部を経て空気取り入れ部に水が到達した場合であっても、閉止体がその水を吸水して膨張する結果、吸気通路を遮断して閉止することができ、外部空間への漏水発生を確実に阻止することができるようになる。これにより、空気取り入れ部を含めた気泡発生装置の全体を例えば浴槽に付設される循環アダプタの位置などの入浴使用時の通常の浴槽水位よりも下方位置に設置したとしても、浴槽水が空気取り入れ部を通して外部に流出したり漏水したりするという事態の発生を確実に阻止することができる。このため、従来の如く、空気取り入れ管を浴槽水位よりも上方位置に別途設置する必要はなく、そのための設置工事そのものを省略することができる上に、そのような設置工事を省略した場合であっても、漏水発生のおそれを確実に解消し得る気泡発生装置を提供することができることになる。 As described above, according to the bubble generating device of the present invention, even when water reaches the air intake portion from the bathtub side through the tip nozzle portion, the closing body absorbs the water and expands. As a result, the intake passage can be blocked and closed, and the occurrence of water leakage to the external space can be reliably prevented. As a result, even if the entire bubble generating device including the air intake section is installed at a position lower than the normal bathtub water level when bathing is used, such as the position of a circulation adapter attached to the bathtub, Generation | occurrence | production of the situation which flows out outside or leaks through a part can be prevented reliably. For this reason, it is not necessary to separately install the air intake pipe above the bathtub water level as in the conventional case, and the installation work for that purpose can be omitted, and such installation work is omitted. However, it is possible to provide a bubble generating device that can reliably eliminate the possibility of water leakage.

特に、請求項２によれば、浴槽の側から空気取り入れ部に水が到達した場合であっても、まず、逆流防止弁部によってそれ以上の流出を阻止することができる。しかも、この逆流防止弁部に閉変換異常等の異常事態が万一発生して、さらに水が流出したとしても、閉止手段の閉止体がその水を吸水して膨張する結果、吸気通路を完全に塞いで閉止することができる。このため、閉止体を用いた最終段階における閉止手段に加えて、その前段階において逆流防止弁部による逆流防止を図ることができ、これら二重の漏水防止対策によって、空気取り入れ部からの漏水発生をより一層確実に阻止してフェールセーフを実現させることができるようになる。 In particular, according to the second aspect, even when water reaches the air intake portion from the bathtub side, the backflow prevention valve portion can first prevent further outflow. Moreover, even if an abnormal situation such as a closed conversion abnormality occurs in the backflow prevention valve portion and water flows out further, the closing body of the closing means absorbs the water and expands, so that the intake passage is completely closed. Can be closed and closed. For this reason, in addition to the closing means in the final stage using the closing body, it is possible to prevent backflow by the backflow prevention valve part in the previous stage, and by these double water leakage prevention measures, leakage of water from the air intake part is generated. It becomes possible to realize the fail-safe by preventing the failure more reliably.

又、請求項３によれば、浴槽の側からの水が空気取り入れ部の閉止手段まで到達した場合であっても、閉止体が逆流防止のための弁体として即座に移動すると共に、閉止体がその水を吸水して膨張する結果、吸気通路を完全に塞ぐことになるため、漏水発生をより一層確実に阻止することができるようになる。 According to the third aspect, even when water from the bathtub side reaches the closing means of the air intake portion, the closing body immediately moves as a valve body for preventing backflow, and the closing body As a result of absorbing the water and expanding, the intake passage is completely blocked, so that the occurrence of water leakage can be more reliably prevented.

実施形態に係る気泡発生装置を適用した風呂システムの例を示す説明図である。It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the bath system to which the bubble generator which concerns on embodiment is applied. 実施形態に係る気泡発生装置が適用された追い焚き循環用の循環アダプタの斜視図である。It is a perspective view of the circulation adapter for reheating circulation to which the bubble generating device concerning an embodiment was applied. 図２のＡ−Ａ線断面説明図である。It is AA sectional view explanatory drawing of FIG. 図２の循環アダプタを用いた追い焚き運転の作動原理を示す説明図である。It is explanatory drawing which shows the operating principle of the reheating operation using the circulation adapter of FIG. 図２の循環アダプタを用いた気泡発生運転の作動原理図を示す図４対応図である。FIG. 5 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 4 illustrating an operation principle diagram of a bubble generation operation using the circulation adapter of FIG. 2. 図３の空気取り入れ部の拡大説明図であり、図６(ａ)は気泡発生運転における状態を示し、図６(ｂ)は追い焚き循環運転における状態を示し、図６(ｃ)は逆止弁に閉止異常が生じたときにおける状態を示す。6 is an enlarged explanatory view of the air intake section of FIG. 3, FIG. 6 (a) shows a state in the bubble generation operation, FIG. 6 (b) shows a state in the recirculation circulation operation, and FIG. 6 (c) is a check. The state when the valve is abnormally closed is shown. 空気取り入れ部について他の実施形態を示す拡大説明図であり、図７(ａ)は空気取り入れ部を上方に向くように９０度角度を変えたものを示し、図７(ｂ)はさらに通気性防水シートを追加介装したものを示す。FIG. 7 (a) is an enlarged explanatory view showing another embodiment of the air intake part, FIG. 7 (a) shows an air intake part whose angle is changed by 90 degrees so as to face upward, and FIG. Shown with an additional waterproof sheet. 追い焚き循環路を利用して循環アダプタに気泡発生機能を付与した例を示す図１対応図である。It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 1 which shows the example which provided the bubble generation function to the circulation adapter using the recirculation circuit.

以下、本発明の実施形態を図面に基づいて説明する。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

図１に示す風呂システムは、浴槽１と、風呂用の追い焚き循環機能を備えた給湯器２と、戻り路３１及び往き路３２からなり浴槽１及び給湯器２を互いに接続する追い焚き循環配管３と、実施形態に係る気泡発生装置５を内蔵・付設した循環アダプタ４とを備えて構成されたものである。 The bath system shown in FIG. 1 includes a bathtub 1, a hot water heater 2 having a recirculation function for a bath, and a recirculation piping that connects the bathtub 1 and the hot water heater 2 to each other. 3 and a circulation adapter 4 with a built-in bubble generator 5 according to the embodiment.

給湯器２は、例えば、追い焚き用熱交換器２１と、これを加熱する燃焼バーナ２２とを備えているものである。なお、給湯器２としては、追い焚き加熱用の構成を備えていれば、追い焚き用と給湯用とに互いに独立した缶体を備えた２缶２水式のものであるか、追い焚き用と給湯用とを共用する１缶２水式であるか、あるいは、温水循環式暖房回路が組み込まれて、その高温水を熱源とする液−液熱交換器により追い焚き加熱されるものであるかの別は問わず、いずれのものでも適用可能である。 The water heater 2 includes, for example, a reheating heat exchanger 21 and a combustion burner 22 that heats it. In addition, as the water heater 2, if it has a configuration for reheating, it is a two-can two-water type that has independent can bodies for reheating and hot water supply, or for reheating Can be used for both hot water supply and hot water supply, or a hot water circulation heating circuit is incorporated and heated by a liquid-liquid heat exchanger using the hot water as a heat source. Any one of them can be applied.

浴槽１には、その一側壁面の底部近傍に循環アダプタ４が貫通した状態で設置され、この循環アダプタ４に対し、追い焚き循環配管３の戻り路３１の上流端と、往き路３２の下流端とが接続されている。そして、給湯器２内の循環ポンプ２３が作動されると、浴槽１内の浴槽水(湯又は水)が循環アダプタ４及び戻り路３１を通して給湯器２の熱交換器２１に戻され、次いで、往き路３２及び循環アダプタ４を通して浴槽１内に吐出される、という循環流が生じて循環作動されることになる。この循環作動の際に、燃焼バーナ２２が燃焼作動されると、浴槽１から戻された浴槽水が所定温度まで加熱されて追い焚きされる追い焚き運転モードになり、燃焼バーナ２２が非燃焼状態のままであると、浴槽水による循環流のみが生じて気泡発生運転モードとなる。 In the bathtub 1, the circulation adapter 4 is installed in the vicinity of the bottom of the one side wall surface, and the upstream end of the return path 31 of the recirculation circulation pipe 3 and the downstream of the forward path 32 with respect to the circulation adapter 4. The ends are connected. Then, when the circulation pump 23 in the water heater 2 is operated, the bath water (hot water or water) in the bathtub 1 is returned to the heat exchanger 21 of the water heater 2 through the circulation adapter 4 and the return path 31, and then A circulation flow of being discharged into the bathtub 1 through the outgoing path 32 and the circulation adapter 4 is generated and circulated. When the combustion burner 22 is combusted during this circulation operation, the bath water returned from the bathtub 1 is heated to a predetermined temperature and retreated, and the combustion burner 22 is in a non-combustion state. If it remains as it is, only the circulation flow by bathtub water will arise and it will be in a bubble generation operation mode.

循環アダプタ４は、浴槽１に対しその内側に配設される前面カバー体４１(図２も参照)と、主として浴槽１の外側に配設されるアダプタ本体４２とが一体化されて組み付けられるものであり、戻り路３１に接続される戻り用接続口４２１と、往き路３２に接続される往き用接続口４２２とがアダプタ本体４２の後端から突出されるとともに、アダプタ本体４２の後端面には空気取り入れ部５１が設けられている。 The circulation adapter 4 is a unit in which a front cover body 41 (see also FIG. 2) disposed on the inner side of the bathtub 1 and an adapter main body 42 disposed mainly on the outer side of the bathtub 1 are integrated and assembled. The return connection port 421 connected to the return path 31 and the forward connection port 422 connected to the forward path 32 protrude from the rear end of the adapter main body 42, and are formed on the rear end surface of the adapter main body 42. Is provided with an air intake 51.

前面カバー体４１には、追い焚き運転モードと気泡発生運転モード(バブル温浴運転モード)との切換えを行うための切換レバー４３１を備えた後述の切換弁機構４３が組み込まれる他、外周側にドーナッツリング状に広がるフィルタ部材４１０が装着されている。又、前面カバー体４１の前面上部位置には気泡を含む循環水が吐出又は噴出される前面吐出口４１１が開口形成される一方、前面下部位置には半月状の案内開口４１２から切換レバー４３１が円弧状に往復移動可能に突出されている。 The front cover body 41 incorporates a switching valve mechanism 43 (to be described later) having a switching lever 431 for switching between the chasing operation mode and the bubble generation operation mode (bubble warm bath operation mode). A filter member 410 extending in a ring shape is attached. A front discharge port 411 through which circulating water containing bubbles is discharged or discharged is formed at the upper front position of the front cover body 41, while a switching lever 431 is formed from a half-moon shaped guide opening 412 at the lower front position. It protrudes in an arc shape so as to be able to reciprocate.

図３は気泡発生装置５が組み込まれた循環アダプタ４を図２のＡ−Ａ線における断面図として示すものであり、図４又は図５は循環アダプタ４の詳細構造を省略して原理的な構造を示すものである。 FIG. 3 shows the circulation adapter 4 in which the bubble generating device 5 is incorporated as a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 or FIG. The structure is shown.

まず、循環アダプタ４の概略構造について主として図４又は図５を参照しつつ説明する。循環アダプタ４は、前述の循環ポンプ２３の作動により浴槽１内から浴槽水を吸い込んで戻り路３１に流すための吸い込み流路４４と、往き路３２からの循環水(浴槽水)を浴槽１内にそのまま流す追い焚き吐出流路４５と、同様に往き路３２からの循環水に対し気泡を巻き込んだ状態で浴槽１内に吐出する気泡吐出流路４６と、上記往き路３２からの循環水を追い焚き吐出流路４５の側に流す(追い焚き運転モード)か、気泡吐出流路４６の側に流す(気泡発生運転モード)かのいずれかに切換える切換弁機構４３とを備えている。 First, the schematic structure of the circulation adapter 4 will be described with reference mainly to FIG. 4 or FIG. The circulation adapter 4 draws the bathtub water from the bathtub 1 by the operation of the circulation pump 23 described above and flows it into the return path 31 and the circulation water (tub water) from the outgoing path 32 in the bathtub 1. The recirculation discharge channel 45 that flows as it is, the bubble discharge flow channel 46 that discharges into the bathtub 1 in a state where bubbles are entrained in the circulation water from the forward passage 32, and the circulating water from the forward passage 32. There is provided a switching valve mechanism 43 that switches between the flow to the reheating discharge channel 45 (refreshing operation mode) and the flow to the bubble discharge flow channel 46 (bubble generating operation mode).

吸い込み流路４４は、図４又は図５に矢印Ｒで示すように、フィルタ部材４１０を介して前面カバー体４１の外周領域から吸い込まれた浴槽水を合流させた後に戻り用接続口４２１まで導くように延びている。追い焚き吐出流路４５は、図４に矢印Ｇで示すように、往き用接続口４２２からの循環水を分流室４５１に導いた後に開閉切換口４５２を通して前面カバー体４１の下側に導き、その下側領域の外周面に開口する追い焚き吐出口４５３から浴槽１内に吐出するように延びている。 As shown by an arrow R in FIG. 4 or 5, the suction flow path 44 joins the bath water sucked from the outer peripheral region of the front cover body 41 through the filter member 410 and then guides it to the return connection port 421. It extends like so. As shown by an arrow G in FIG. 4, the follow-up discharge channel 45 guides the circulating water from the forward connection port 422 to the branch chamber 451 and then guides it to the lower side of the front cover body 41 through the opening / closing switching port 452. It extends so as to be discharged into the bathtub 1 from a reheating outlet 453 that opens to the outer peripheral surface of the lower region.

気泡吐出流路４６は、図５に矢印Ｂで示すように、往き用接続口４２２からの循環水を上記分流室４５１を介して分流路４６１に導いた後、噴出孔４６２から旋回室４６３に噴出させて旋回室４６３に旋回流を生じさせて空気を巻き込み、巻き込んだ気泡と共に循環水を気泡吐出口４６４及び前面吐出口４１１を経て浴槽１内の前方に向けて吐出させるように延びている。上記旋回室４６３はその内周面が円筒状に形成され、上記噴出孔４６２はその旋回室４６３に対し接線方向に分流室からの循環水を噴出させるように開口されている。この噴出孔４６２からの循環水の噴出により旋回室４６３内に気泡吐出口４６４の側に向かう旋回流が生じ、この旋回流に伴い気泡発生装置５の後述の先端ノズル部５２に対し負圧が作用することにより、先端ノズル部５２から空気が旋回流に巻き込まれ、この結果、微小な気泡が混合した状態の循環水が浴槽１内に吐出されることになる。 As indicated by an arrow B in FIG. 5, the bubble discharge channel 46 guides the circulating water from the forward connection port 422 to the branch channel 461 through the branch chamber 451 and then enters the swirl chamber 463 from the ejection hole 462. It spouts to create a swirl flow in the swirl chamber 463 to entrain air, and extends so as to discharge the circulating water together with the entrained bubbles toward the front in the bathtub 1 through the bubble discharge port 464 and the front discharge port 411. . The swirl chamber 463 has an inner peripheral surface formed in a cylindrical shape, and the ejection hole 462 is opened so as to eject the circulating water from the branch chamber in a tangential direction to the swirl chamber 463. The swirling flow toward the bubble discharge port 464 is generated in the swirling chamber 463 by the ejection of the circulating water from the ejection hole 462, and a negative pressure is applied to the later-described tip nozzle portion 52 of the bubble generating device 5 along with the swirling flow. By acting, air is entrained in the swirling flow from the tip nozzle part 52, and as a result, circulating water in a state where minute bubbles are mixed is discharged into the bathtub 1.

切換弁機構４３は、前端に切換レバー４３１が固定されて分流室４５１を突き抜けるように配置された切換軸４３２と、この切換軸４３２の途中に設けられた第１切換弁４３３及び第２切換弁４３４と、第１切換弁４３２を挟んで配置された形状記憶合金製バネ４３５及びバイアスバネ４３６とを備えて構成されている。この切換弁機構４３は、分流室４５１に供給される循環水の温度の高低如何によって追い焚き運転モードと気泡発生運転モードとの自動切換が可能であると共に、切換レバー４３１の切換操作によっても追い焚き運転モードと気泡発生運転モードとの切換が可能となっている。例えば、分流室４５１に供給される循環水の温度が追い焚き用の高温(例えば８０℃)であれば形状記憶合金製バネ４３５が伸長し、これにより第１切換弁４３３が分流路４６１を遮断する一方、第２切換弁４３４が開閉切換口４５２を開放した追い焚き運転モードに自動切換される(図４に示す状態参照)。一方、循環水の温度が上記の追い焚き用の高温よりも低温であれば形状記憶合金製バネ４３５が縮小し、これにより第１切換弁４３３が分流路４６１を開放する一方、第２切換弁４３４が開閉切換口４５２を遮断した気泡発生運転モードに自動切換される(図５に示す状態参照)。又、切換レバー４３１の切換操作により切換軸４３２を回転作動させることによっても、同様に追い焚き運転モードと気泡発生運転モードとに切換操作し得るようになっている。 The switching valve mechanism 43 includes a switching shaft 432 having a switching lever 431 fixed to the front end and disposed so as to penetrate the diversion chamber 451, and a first switching valve 433 and a second switching valve provided in the middle of the switching shaft 432. 434, and a shape memory alloy spring 435 and a bias spring 436 arranged with the first switching valve 432 interposed therebetween. The switching valve mechanism 43 can automatically switch between the reheating operation mode and the bubble generation operation mode depending on the temperature of the circulating water supplied to the diversion chamber 451, and can also be remediated by the switching operation of the switching lever 431. Switching between the whispering operation mode and the bubble generation operation mode is possible. For example, if the temperature of the circulating water supplied to the diversion chamber 451 is a reheating high temperature (for example, 80 ° C.), the shape memory alloy spring 435 extends, and the first switching valve 433 blocks the diversion channel 461. On the other hand, the second switching valve 434 is automatically switched to the reheating operation mode in which the opening / closing switching port 452 is opened (see the state shown in FIG. 4). On the other hand, if the temperature of the circulating water is lower than the reheating high temperature, the shape memory alloy spring 435 contracts, whereby the first switching valve 433 opens the branch channel 461 while the second switching valve. 434 is automatically switched to the bubble generation operation mode in which the opening / closing switching port 452 is blocked (see the state shown in FIG. 5). Also, the switching shaft 432 can be rotated by the switching operation of the switching lever 431 so that the switching operation mode and the bubble generation operation mode can be similarly switched.

次に、気泡発生装置５について説明すると、図３に示すように、外部から吸気するための空気取り入れ部５１と、空気取り入れ部５１から吸気した空気を旋回室４６３に対し噴出させる先端部位としての先端ノズル部５２と、空気取り入れ部５１が取り付けられて空気取り入れ部５１から先端ノズル部５２までを連通させる接続管部５３とを備えている。先端ノズル部５２は内孔が所定の微小径(例えば０．６ｍｍの直径)に形成されたオリフィス構造を備え、半球状の先端を備えている。 Next, the bubble generating device 5 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, an air intake 51 for taking in air from the outside, and a tip portion for ejecting the air taken in from the air intake 51 to the swirl chamber 463, A tip nozzle portion 52 and a connecting pipe portion 53 to which the air intake portion 51 is attached and communicates from the air intake portion 51 to the tip nozzle portion 52 are provided. The tip nozzle portion 52 has an orifice structure in which an inner hole is formed with a predetermined minute diameter (for example, a diameter of 0.6 mm), and has a hemispherical tip.

空気取り入れ部５１は、図６に詳細を示すように、互いに連結された筒状のケース５１１，５１２内の吸気通路５１３に対し、接続管５３の側である下流側位置に外部空間側への水の逆流を阻止する逆流防止弁部５４が介装され、外部空間に臨む先端の吸気開口５１４の側である上流側位置に異常事態発生時のフェールセーフ用の閉止手段５５が配設されている。ここで、異常事態発生時とは次のような事態の発生を想定したものである。本来は逆流防止弁部５４により逆流がたとえ発生してもそれ以上の流出・漏水が阻止されるようになっているものの、例えば逆流防止弁部５４に異物等の噛み込みが発生したなどの閉変換異常に起因して逆流防止弁部５４が逆流防止のために閉変換しようとしても完全に閉止した状態にはならないおそれが考えられる。このような場合には、逆流防止弁部５４を通過して上流側へ漏水が流出してしまうような事態が発生するおそれがあると考えられ、かかる異常事態発生時に対処するために閉止手段５５を設けたものである。 As shown in detail in FIG. 6, the air intake part 51 is connected to the intake passage 513 in the cylindrical cases 511 and 512 connected to each other at a downstream position on the connection pipe 53 side to the external space side. A backflow prevention valve portion 54 for preventing the backflow of water is interposed, and a failsafe closing means 55 in the event of an abnormal situation is disposed at an upstream position on the intake opening 514 at the front end facing the external space. Yes. Here, when an abnormal situation occurs, the following situation is assumed. Originally, even if a backflow occurs by the backflow prevention valve portion 54, further outflow / leakage is prevented, but for example, the backflow prevention valve portion 54 is closed such as a foreign matter is caught. There is a possibility that due to the conversion abnormality, the backflow prevention valve portion 54 may not be completely closed even if the backflow prevention valve portion 54 tries to perform the closed conversion to prevent the backflow. In such a case, it is considered that there is a possibility that water leaks to the upstream side through the backflow prevention valve portion 54, and the closing means 55 is used to cope with such an abnormal situation. Is provided.

逆流防止弁部５４は、水圧を受けて撓むような例えばゴム製の円盤状の弁体５４１を備えたものである。弁体５４１は、ケース５１１内に区画形成された弁室５４２に配設され、弁室５４２の上流側壁面に開口する小径の連通孔５４３(吸気通路５１３の一部を構成する)を開閉変換するように構成されている。すなわち、弁室５４２の下流側壁面には弁体５４１が密着するのを阻止して空気が流通するための隙間を確保するための複数のリブ５４４，５４４，…が周方向に間隔を隔てて形成され、弁室５４２の上流側壁面にはその中央部位が弁体５４１の側に膨出し、この膨出した中央部位に連通孔５４３が開口されている。 The backflow prevention valve portion 54 includes a disc-like valve body 541 made of, for example, rubber that is bent by receiving water pressure. The valve body 541 is disposed in a valve chamber 542 defined in the case 511, and opens and closes a small-diameter communication hole 543 (which constitutes a part of the intake passage 513) that opens on the upstream side wall surface of the valve chamber 542. Is configured to do. That is, a plurality of ribs 544, 544,... For preventing the valve body 541 from adhering to the downstream side wall surface of the valve chamber 542 and ensuring a gap for air to flow are spaced apart in the circumferential direction. The central portion of the upstream side wall surface of the valve chamber 542 bulges toward the valve body 541, and a communication hole 543 is opened in the bulged central portion.

そして、気泡発生運転モードのときには、旋回室４６３(図３又は図５参照)から作用する負圧によって水圧は作用しないため、弁体５４１は連通孔５４３から離れてリブ５４４，５４４，…の側に位置し、これにより、連通孔５４３は開状態(図６(ａ)参照)を維持することになる。一方、気泡発生運転モード以外の追い焚き運転モードでは浴槽１(図１参照)側からの水圧を受けて弁体５４１は連通孔５４３に対し押し付けられ、これにより、連通孔５４３は閉状態(図６(ｂ)参照)を維持することになって、吸気開口５１４の側への水の流出は阻止される。 In the bubble generation operation mode, the water pressure does not act due to the negative pressure acting from the swirl chamber 463 (see FIG. 3 or FIG. 5), so the valve body 541 is separated from the communication hole 543 and the ribs 544, 544,. Thus, the communication hole 543 is maintained in the open state (see FIG. 6A). On the other hand, in the reheating operation mode other than the bubble generation operation mode, the valve body 541 is pressed against the communication hole 543 by receiving the water pressure from the bathtub 1 (see FIG. 1), whereby the communication hole 543 is closed (see FIG. 6 (b)) is maintained, and the outflow of water to the intake opening 514 side is prevented.

閉止手段５５は、高吸水性膨張樹脂により形成された円盤状の閉止体５５１を備えたものであり、万一の漏水が逆流防止弁部５４から流れてくると、閉止体５５１がその水を吸水して膨張する結果、吸気開口５１４への連通孔５５３(吸気通路５１３の一部を構成する)を塞いで遮断するようになっている。すなわち、閉止体５５１は、ケース５１２内に区画形成された弁室５５２に配設され、この弁室５５２の下流側壁面には閉止体５５１が密着するのを阻止して空気が流通するための隙間を確保するための複数のリブ５５４，５５４，…が周方向に間隔を隔てて形成され、弁室５５２の下流側壁面にはその中央部位が閉止体５５１の側に膨出し、この膨出した中央部位に連通孔５５３が開口されている。 The closing means 55 is provided with a disk-like closing body 551 made of a highly water-absorbing expansion resin, and if a water leak should flow from the backflow prevention valve portion 54, the closing body 551 drains the water. As a result of the water absorption and expansion, the communication hole 553 (which constitutes a part of the intake passage 513) to the intake opening 514 is closed and blocked. That is, the closing body 551 is disposed in the valve chamber 552 defined in the case 512, and prevents the closing body 551 from coming into close contact with the downstream side wall surface of the valve chamber 552 so that air flows. A plurality of ribs 554, 554,... For securing a gap are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction, and the central portion of the downstream side wall surface of the valve chamber 552 bulges toward the closing body 551. A communication hole 553 is opened at the center portion.

そして、気泡発生運転モードのときには、旋回室４６３(図３又は図５参照)から負圧が作用するため、弁体５５１は連通孔５５３から離れてリブ５５４，５５４，…の側に位置し、これにより、連通孔５５３は開状態(図６(ａ)参照)を維持して吸気開口５１４から空気が取り入れられることになる(図６(ａ)の点線の矢印参照)。一方、気泡発生運転モード以外の追い焚き運転モードでは浴槽１(図１参照)側からの水圧を受けて逆流防止弁部５４の弁体５４１が連通孔５４３を閉状態(図６(ｂ)参照)に変換することで閉止体５５１は吸水することなくそれまでの状態を維持する。 In the bubble generation operation mode, since negative pressure acts from the swirl chamber 463 (see FIG. 3 or 5), the valve body 551 is separated from the communication hole 553 and is located on the ribs 554, 554,. As a result, the communication hole 553 is maintained in the open state (see FIG. 6A), and air is taken in from the intake opening 514 (see the dotted arrow in FIG. 6A). On the other hand, in the reheating operation mode other than the bubble generation operation mode, the valve body 541 of the backflow prevention valve portion 54 receives the water pressure from the bathtub 1 (see FIG. 1) and closes the communication hole 543 (see FIG. 6B). ), The closed body 551 maintains the previous state without absorbing water.

このように閉止手段５５は、上記の弁体５４１と形成素材が異なるものの、逆流防止弁部５４とほぼ同様の逆止弁構造を備え、閉止体５５１が膨張するまでは逆流防止のための作動をする。このため、万一、逆流防止弁部５４での逆流防止機能が損なわれて漏水が弁室５５２に到達すれば、その水圧を受けて閉止体５５１が即座に連通孔５５３を覆うように移動して連通孔５５３を閉止すると共に、閉止体５５１がその漏水を吸水して膨張する結果、連通孔５５３を完全に塞いで遮断し(図６(ｃ)参照)、吸気開口５１４からの漏水発生を確実に阻止することになる。 As described above, the closing means 55 has a check valve structure substantially the same as that of the backflow prevention valve portion 54, although the forming material is different from that of the valve body 541, and operates to prevent backflow until the closing body 551 expands. do. For this reason, in the unlikely event that the backflow prevention function of the backflow prevention valve portion 54 is impaired and water leakage reaches the valve chamber 552, the closed body 551 immediately moves so as to cover the communication hole 553 due to the water pressure. As a result of closing the communication hole 553 and expanding the closed body 551 by absorbing the leaked water, the communication hole 553 is completely blocked and blocked (see FIG. 6 (c)), and leakage from the intake opening 514 is prevented. It will definitely stop.

このように作動する閉止体５５１の形成素材である高吸水性膨張樹脂の例として次のようなものを採用すればよい。すなわち、例えば、ＥＰＤＭ(エチレン・プロピレン・ジエンゴム)にポリアクリル酸ナトリウムを混合することにより高吸水性膨張樹脂(高吸水性膨張ゴム)としたものを用いればよい。このような高吸水性膨張樹脂の素材の例としては、具体的には「トーリック水膨張ゴム」(株式会社田崎アサヒの製品名)が挙げられる。この高吸水性膨張樹脂の例の場合、例えば、水中に浸漬すると水を吸水して早期に体積が２００〜３００％膨張することになる。この体積膨張の結果、連通孔５５３を完全に塞いでしまうことになるため、漏水発生や漏水が持続するような事態の発生や浴槽水が外部に流出するような事態の発生を確実に回避することができるようになる。 What is necessary is just to employ | adopt the following as an example of the highly water-absorbing expansion resin which is the raw material of the closing body 551 which operate | moves in this way. That is, for example, a highly water-absorbing expansion resin (high water-absorbing expansion rubber) may be used by mixing sodium polyacrylate with EPDM (ethylene / propylene / diene rubber). As an example of the material of such a highly water-absorbing expansion resin, specifically, “Toric water expansion rubber” (product name of Asahi Tasaki Co., Ltd.) can be mentioned. In the case of the example of this highly water-absorbing expansion resin, for example, when immersed in water, the water is absorbed and the volume expands 200 to 300% at an early stage. As a result of this volume expansion, the communication hole 553 is completely blocked, so that it is possible to reliably avoid the occurrence of water leakage or the situation where water leakage continues or the situation where bath water flows out to the outside. Will be able to.

以上の実施形態の場合、浴槽１の側から先端ノズル部５２を経て空気取り入れ部５１に水が到達しても、逆流防止弁部５４によってそれ以上の流出を阻止することができる。この逆流防止弁部５４に閉変換異常等の異常事態が万一発生して吸気開口５１４の側に水が流出して閉止手段５５まで到達した場合であっても、閉止体５５１が逆流防止のための弁体として即座に作動すると共に、閉止体５５１がその水を吸水して膨張する結果、連通孔５５３を完全に塞いで遮断して吸気開口５１４からの漏水発生を確実に阻止することができる。これにより、空気取り入れ部５１を含めた気泡発生装置５の全体が循環アダプタ４に一体に付設されて空気取り入れ部５１の吸気開口５１４が浴槽２内に貯留された浴槽水の水位よりも下側に位置していても、浴槽水が空気取り入れ部５１を通して外部に流出したり漏水したりするという事態が発生するおそれはなく、不測の事態発生を回避することができる。このため、従来の空気取り入れ管８０３(図８参照)の場合のように浴槽水位よりも上方であって浴室外の壁に設置するというような設置工事そのものを省略することができる。 In the case of the above embodiment, even if water reaches the air intake portion 51 from the bathtub 1 side through the tip nozzle portion 52, the backflow prevention valve portion 54 can prevent further outflow. Even if an abnormal situation such as a closed conversion abnormality occurs in the backflow prevention valve portion 54 and water flows out to the intake opening 514 and reaches the closing means 55, the closing body 551 prevents the backflow prevention. As a result, the closing body 551 absorbs the water and expands, and as a result, the communication hole 553 is completely blocked and blocked to reliably prevent water leakage from the intake opening 514. it can. Accordingly, the entire bubble generating device 5 including the air intake 51 is integrally attached to the circulation adapter 4, and the intake opening 514 of the air intake 51 is below the water level of the bathtub water stored in the bathtub 2. Even if it is located, there is no possibility that the bath water will flow out to the outside or leak through the air intake 51, and the occurrence of an unexpected situation can be avoided. For this reason, it is possible to omit the installation work such as installing on the wall outside the bathroom and above the bathtub water level as in the case of the conventional air intake pipe 803 (see FIG. 8).

又、漏水発生のおそれの回避については、閉止体５５１を用いた最終段階における閉止手段５５に加えて、その前段階において逆流防止弁部５４を設けているため、これら二重の漏水防止対策によってより一層の確実化を図ることができる。 Further, in order to avoid the possibility of water leakage, in addition to the closing means 55 in the final stage using the closing body 551, the backflow prevention valve portion 54 is provided in the previous stage. Further certainty can be achieved.

＜他の実施形態＞
なお、本発明は上記実施形態に限定されるものではなく、その他種々の実施形態を包含するものである。すなわち、上記実施形態において、高吸水性膨張樹脂として具体的に例示したもの以外の高吸水性膨張樹脂を用いて構成してもよい。 <Other embodiments>
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, Various other embodiments are included. That is, in the said embodiment, you may comprise using super absorbent polymer other than what was specifically illustrated as super absorbent polymer.

又、上記実施形態では、負圧により吸い込んだ気泡を担持させて浴槽内に吐出させる湯水の吐出流として、追い焚き循環路３の循環流を利用した例を示したが、循環流に限らず、例えば浴槽からはオーバーフロー排水させるだけで浴槽に対しては単に供給して浴槽内に吐出させるための水流、いわゆる掛け流し方式での湯水の供給水流を利用するようにしてもよい。 Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the example which utilized the circulation flow of the recirculation circulation path 3 was shown as a hot water discharge flow which carries the bubble suck | inhaled by the negative pressure and discharges in a bathtub, it is not restricted to a circulation flow For example, it is also possible to use a water flow that is simply supplied to the bathtub and discharged into the bathtub just by draining the overflow from the bathtub, that is, a so-called pouring hot water supply water flow.

上記実施形態では、気泡発生装置５として先端ノズル部５２から空気取り入れ部５１までを循環アダプタ４の中心軸に沿って延ばした例を示したが、これに限らず、例えば図７(ａ)に例示したように、連通管５３がアダプタ本体４２から外部に出た位置から上向きに屈曲させ、その屈曲させた上端に空気取り入れ部５１を装着するようにしてもよい。つまり、吸気通路５１３が吸気開口５１４から下向きに延びるように配置したものである。 In the said embodiment, although the example which extended from the front-end | tip nozzle part 52 to the air intake part 51 along the center axis | shaft of the circulation adapter 4 was shown as the bubble generator 5, it is not restricted to this, For example, Fig.7 (a) As illustrated, the communication pipe 53 may be bent upward from a position where the communication pipe 53 is exposed to the outside, and the air intake 51 may be attached to the bent upper end. That is, the intake passage 513 is disposed so as to extend downward from the intake opening 514.

逆流防止弁部５４と、閉止手段５５との間に、さらなる漏水防止対策のための構成を追加するようにしてもよい。この場合、空気取り入れ部５１に対し最終段階の閉止手段５５の前段階において２段階の漏水防止対策を具備させ得ることになる。このような追加の漏水防止対策の一例として図７(ｂ)に示すように、空気は透過するものの水は透過させない通気性防水シート５６を吸気通路５１３を仕切るように介装させるものが挙げられる。この通気性防水シート５６としては、気体分子は透過するが液体の水分子は透過させない程度の微細な多孔質樹脂、例えばＰＴＦＥ(ポリテトラフルオラエチレン)により形成したシートに対し、強度維持のためのバックアップシート(例えば不織布)を接合させたものを用いればよい。この場合には、浴槽１の側から侵入する水は、第１段階目に逆流防止弁部５４によりそれ以上の流出が阻止され、この逆流防止弁部５４に閉変換異常が生じたときでも第２段階目の通気性防水シート５６によりそれ以上の流出が阻止され、この通気性防水シート５６が万一にも破れたときでも第３段階目の閉止手段５５によってそれ以上の流出が最終的に完全に阻止されることになる。これにより、漏水発生防止について、より一層高いフェールセーフを実現させることができる。 You may make it add the structure for the further water leakage prevention measure between the backflow prevention valve part 54 and the closing means 55. FIG. In this case, the air intake 51 can be provided with a two-stage water leakage prevention measure before the final-stage closing means 55. As an example of such an additional water leakage prevention measure, as shown in FIG. 7B, there is an example in which a breathable waterproof sheet 56 that allows air to permeate but does not permeate water is provided so as to partition the intake passage 513. . As this breathable waterproof sheet 56, in order to maintain the strength of a sheet made of a fine porous resin, such as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), which allows gas molecules to permeate but does not allow liquid water molecules to permeate. What is necessary is just to use what joined the backup sheet (for example, nonwoven fabric). In this case, the water entering from the bathtub 1 side is prevented from flowing out further by the backflow prevention valve section 54 in the first stage, and even when the backflow prevention valve section 54 has a closed conversion abnormality, No further outflow is prevented by the second-stage breathable waterproof sheet 56, and even if this breathable waterproof sheet 56 is torn by any chance, the third-stage closing means 55 will eventually cause further outflow. It will be completely blocked. Thereby, much higher fail-safe can be achieved for preventing water leakage.

さらに、上記実施形態では、循環アダプタ４が浴槽１の一側の壁面に設置された例を示したが、これに限らず、気泡発生装置５が付設された循環アダプタ４を浴槽１の底側の壁面（底壁面）に設置し、気泡を含む吐出流が浴槽水に対し上向きに吐出されるようにしてもよい。 Furthermore, in the said embodiment, although the example in which the circulation adapter 4 was installed in the wall surface of the one side of the bathtub 1 was shown, not only this but the circulation adapter 4 to which the bubble generation apparatus 5 was attached is made into the bottom side of the bathtub 1. It may be installed on the wall surface (bottom wall surface), and the discharge flow containing bubbles may be discharged upward with respect to the bathtub water.

１浴槽
５気泡発生装置
５１空気取り入れ部
５２先端ノズル(先端部位)
５４逆流防止弁部
５５閉止手段
５６通気性防水シート
５５１閉止体 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Bath 5 Bubble generator 51 Air intake part 52 Tip nozzle (tip part)
54 Backflow prevention valve part 55 Closing means 56 Breathable waterproof sheet 551 Closing body

Claims

A bubble generating device arranged such that the tip portion opens from the wall surface of the bathtub to the discharge flow of hot water discharged into the bathtub, and the air is taken in from the tip portion by receiving the negative pressure by the discharge flow. There,
The air intake portion that communicates with the tip portion and takes in air from the external space is provided with a closing means that receives the outflow of water from the tip portion side and closes the intake passage in the air intake portion,
The closing means includes a closing body formed of a highly water-absorbing expansion resin, and the closing body is configured to absorb the water and expand its volume, thereby blocking the intake passage and closing. A featured bubble generator.

The bubble generating device according to claim 1,
The air intake portion includes a backflow prevention valve portion interposed at a position closer to the tip portion than the closing means,
The backflow prevention valve portion allows air flow to the tip portion side when receiving negative pressure due to the discharge flow, and closes the intake passage when receiving water flow from the tip portion side. An air bubble generator configured.

The bubble generator according to claim 1 or 2,
The closing means includes a valve chamber interposed in the intake passage so as to accommodate the closing body,
The closing body allows the air flow to the tip portion side when receiving a negative pressure due to the discharge flow, while closing the intake passage when receiving a water flow from the tip portion side. A bubble generating device arranged to be movable in a room.