JP2012148243A - Liquid conveyance apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid conveyance apparatus capable of removing a foreign matter even if the foreign matter is fixed and deposited in a gas suction passage.SOLUTION: The liquid conveyance apparatus 1 includes: a pump 2 for pressure feeding a liquid; a suction passage 3 of the liquid connected with an upstream side of the pump; a discharge passage 4 of the liquid connected with a downstream side of the pump; a pressure reducing part 5 connected on the way of the suction passage; and a gas suction passage 6 for intake gas connected with the pressure reducing part. A channel area switching means 13 in which a channel area of the suction passage on the way of the suction passage can be changed is provided.

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid transport apparatus that transports a liquid while sucking gas and mixing the gas.

  There is a liquid transport apparatus that automatically sucks a gas such as air by a negative pressure generated in a decompression section such as an ejector, mixes it with a liquid such as water flowing in a flow path, and transports the liquid to a supply destination. As an application example of this liquid transport apparatus, a fine bubble generator described in Patent Document 1 below is known. In this fine bubble generating device, water and air are mixed to produce air mixed water. By pressurizing this air mixed water, the air is dissolved in water, the air dissolved water in which the air is dissolved is decompressed, and bubbles are generated. Fine bubbles with a diameter of about 0.1 to 1000 μm are generated.

  In such a liquid transport device used in, for example, a microbubble generator, components such as scales contained in the liquid gradually precipitate with the operation, and the deposited components and foreign matters such as dust and dust, It sticks in the gas intake path and accumulates. In such a state, gas uptake is hindered by the foreign matter, and a predetermined amount of gas uptake cannot be expected.

  With respect to the above problem, in the microbubble generator described in Patent Document 1, an intake filter is provided at the intake port at the tip of the intake pipe provided in the air introduction portion, and the check pipe is provided downstream of the intake pipe. Is provided. The intake filter captures dust, dust, etc. floating in the air, and suppresses entry into the intake pipe from the intake port opened to the atmosphere. The check valve also prevents water from flowing back to the upstream side of the suction pipe.

JP 2010-155211 A

  However, the suppression of the entry of foreign matter such as dust and dirt by the intake filter is not always sufficient from the viewpoint of long-term reliability, and the check valve itself is not free from the above-mentioned precipitated components, dust, dust, etc. If foreign matter adheres, it may not function sufficiently.

  The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances as described above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid transport apparatus capable of removing foreign matter even if the foreign matter adheres and accumulates in the gas intake path. It is said.

 In order to solve the above problems, a liquid transport device of the present invention includes a pump for pumping liquid, a liquid suction path connected to the upstream side of the pump, and a discharge of liquid connected to the downstream side of the pump. In the liquid transport device having a passage, a decompression unit connected in the middle of the suction passage, and a gas intake passage connected to the decompression portion and taking in the gas, the flow passage area of the suction passage is changed in the middle of the suction passage It is characterized in that a flow path area switching means that can be provided is provided.

  In this liquid transport apparatus, the channel area switching means is preferably a valve.

  Further, in this liquid transfer device, the opening and closing of the valve is electrically operated, and a first control means for controlling the opening and closing of the valve is provided. This first control means automatically opens the valve according to the switch input. It is preferable that the flow path area of the suction path is changed by opening and closing.

  Further, in this liquid transport apparatus, it is preferable that the first control means automatically opens and closes the valve at regular time intervals to change the flow path area of the suction path.

  Further, in this liquid transport apparatus, the suction path includes a suction port arranged perpendicular to the liquid transport direction, and a cover having a liquid suction port that can match the suction port is rotatably provided in the suction path. It is preferable that the degree of coincidence between the liquid suction port and the suction port is changed by the rotation of the cover, and the flow passage area of the suction path is changed.

  Further, in this liquid transporting apparatus, the rotation of the cover is electrically operated, and a second control means for controlling the rotation of the cover is provided. The second control means automatically opens the cover according to the switch input. It is preferable to rotate and change the flow path area of the suction path.

  Further, in this liquid transport apparatus, it is preferable that the second control means automatically rotates the cover at a constant time interval to change the flow path area of the suction path.

  According to the liquid transporting apparatus of the present invention, even if a foreign substance adheres and accumulates in the gas intake path, the foreign substance can be removed.

It is the block diagram which showed 1st Embodiment of the liquid conveying apparatus of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed 2nd Embodiment of the liquid conveying apparatus of this invention. FIGS. 5A and 5B are a front view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, illustrating how the liquid suction port and the suction port coincide with the rotation of the cover in the liquid transport device illustrated in FIG. 2.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of a liquid transport apparatus of the present invention.

  1 includes a pump 2 that pumps a liquid such as water, a liquid suction path 3 that is connected to the upstream side of the pump 2, and a liquid discharge that is connected to the downstream side of the pump 2. Road 4 is provided. Further, the liquid transport apparatus 1 includes a decompression unit 5 such as an ejector connected in the middle of the suction path 3 and a gas intake path 6 connected to the decompression unit 5 and taking in gas. The suction passage 3, the discharge passage 4, and the gas intake passage 6 are all formed from tubular members.

  One end portion on the upstream side of the suction passage 3 is formed as a liquid suction portion 7 and connected to the supply source 8, and the suction passage 3 communicates with the supply source 8. Examples of the supply source 8 include a bathtub that can store liquid such as hot water and a water pipe. The liquid suction part 7 can be attached to the side wall part of the bathtub and can be connected to a water pipe. One end portion on the downstream side of the discharge path 4 is formed as a liquid discharge section 9, connected to a liquid supply destination 10, and the discharge path 4 communicates with the supply destination 10. When the supply source 8 is a bathtub, the supply destination 10 can be the same bathtub as the supply source 8, and the liquid conveyance apparatus 1 can circulate hot water in the bathtub. For example, when the liquid conveyance device 1 is applied to a fine bubble generating device, fine bubbles can be generated in hot water stored in the bathtub while circulating hot water in the bathtub, thereby improving the bathing effect. Can be planned.

  One end on the upstream side of the gas intake path 6 is opened to the atmosphere as the intake port 11 when the gas to be taken in is air, or when, for example, oxygen-enriched air with a high oxygen concentration is taken into the target, A gas generation unit 12 may be provided.

  In the liquid transport device 1, the liquid is taken out from the supply source 8 into the suction path 3 in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 1 by the operation of the pump 2 and transported to the supply destination 10. At this time, a negative pressure is generated in the decompression unit 5, and the gas is sucked in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 1 through the gas intake passage 6 and mixed with the liquid flowing in the suction passage 3. The liquid mixed with the gas flows through the discharge path 4 and is conveyed from the liquid discharge unit 9 to the supply destination 10.

  In the liquid transport apparatus 1, a flow path area switching unit 13 that can change the flow path area of the suction path 3 is provided in the middle of the suction path 3. The flow channel area switching means 13 is specifically a valve 14, and more specifically, an electromagnetic valve, an electric valve or the like is electrically operated. The valve 14 is attached to the upstream side of the decompression unit 5 in the suction passage 3.

  Further, the liquid transport apparatus 1 is provided with first control means 15 that controls opening and closing of the valve 14. The first control means 15 is electrically connected to the valve 14. The first control means 15 can be, for example, one provided with a microcomputer programmed in advance.

  The first control means 15 can automatically open and close the valve 14 in accordance with, for example, a switch input. By opening and closing the valve 14 as described above, the flow passage area of the suction passage 3 is changed. By operating the valve 14 during the operation of the liquid transfer device 1 to temporarily close the suction path 3 or reduce the flow path area, the suction pressure of the liquid in the suction path 3 is temporarily increased. To rise. Due to the suction force generated at this time, the liquid transport apparatus 1 can adhere to the gas intake path 6 and remove the accumulated foreign matter.

  In the liquid transport apparatus 1, as described above, components such as scale contained in a liquid such as water gradually precipitate with the operation, and the deposited components and foreign matters such as dust and dust existing in the atmosphere are removed. Then, it adheres in the gas intake path 6 and deposits. In this way, in the liquid conveyance apparatus 1, the foreign material which adhered and accumulated in this way is forcibly removed by such suction force. Therefore, the effect of removing foreign substances can be expected in the long term as compared with the filter and the check valve, and the reliability becomes high. For this reason, in the liquid transport apparatus 1, it is possible to maintain the intake of a predetermined amount of gas.

  In addition, since the foreign matter can be removed by a simple operation such as switch input, the liquid transport apparatus 1 is excellent in maintainability.

  The valve 14 is an electric type such as a solenoid valve or a motorized valve, but may be a manual type, and the same effect as described above can be obtained in the case of a manual type valve.

  Further, the attachment position of the valve 14 is not limited to the upstream side of the decompression unit 5, and the same effect as described above can be obtained even on the downstream side of the decompression unit 5.

  Further, the first control means 15 can be provided with a timer, and can automatically open and close the valve 14 at predetermined time intervals to change the flow passage area of the suction passage 3. In this case, it becomes substantially maintenance-free, and user convenience is further improved.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of the liquid transport device of the present invention. FIGS. 3A and 3B are a front view and a cross-sectional view illustrating how the liquid suction port and the suction port coincide with the rotation of the cover in the liquid transport device illustrated in FIG. 2, respectively. In the second embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals in FIG. 2 and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the liquid transport apparatus 1a shown in FIG. 2, regarding the flow path area switching means 13, the suction path 3 includes a suction port 16 arranged perpendicular to the liquid transport direction instead of the valve 14 shown in FIG. ing. Specifically, the suction port 16 is provided in the liquid suction portion 7 that forms one end portion on the upstream side of the suction passage 3. In the liquid suction part 7, a suction part 17 having a cap shape and a circular shape in plan view is fixed to an end on the supply source 8 side, and the suction port 16 is shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b). As described above, the suction portion 17 has a small-diameter circular shape, and one suction portion 17 is formed so as to penetrate the front and back. The suction port 16 is disposed at a position eccentric from the center of the suction portion 17.

  Further, in the liquid transport apparatus 1 a, a cover 19 having a liquid suction port 18 that can match the suction port 16 is rotatably provided in the suction path 3 with respect to the flow path area switching unit 13. Specifically, the cover 19 is attached to the supply source 8 side of the liquid suction part 7 most. The cover 19 is circular in plan view and has a cap shape. The center of the cover 19 coincides with the center of the suction part 17, while the inner diameter of the cover 19 is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the suction part 17. . The cover 19 is disposed outside the suction part 17 and is rotatable with respect to the suction part 17 along the outer periphery thereof.

  One liquid suction port 18 is formed through the front and back of the cover 19 at a position eccentric from the center of the cover 19. The distance at which the liquid suction port 18 is eccentric from the center of the cover 19 coincides with the distance at which the suction port 16 is eccentric in the suction portion 17. The diameter of the liquid suction port 18 is substantially equal to the diameter of the suction port 16. Therefore, the liquid suction port 18 can be matched with the suction port 16, and the degree of matching between the liquid suction port 18 and the suction port 16 is changed as the cover 19 rotates.

  In the liquid transport apparatus 1a shown in FIG. 2, the degree of coincidence between the liquid suction port 18 and the suction port 16 is changed by the rotation of the cover 19, and as a result, the flow path area of the suction path 3 is changed. As shown in FIG. 3A, the state in which the liquid suction port 18 completely coincides with the suction port 16 is a state in which the suction path 3 is fully opened, and the liquid is normally transported in this state.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3B, if the cover 19 is rotated and the liquid suction port 18 and the suction port 16 are not completely matched, the suction passage 3 is temporarily closed. If the liquid transport apparatus 1a is operating in this state, the suction pressure of the liquid in the suction path 3 temporarily rises. Due to the suction force generated at this time, the liquid transport apparatus 1a can adhere to the gas intake path 6 and remove the accumulated foreign matter.

  The removal of foreign substances is not limited to the case where the liquid suction port 18 and the suction port 16 are completely inconsistent as shown in FIG. 3B, and the area where the liquid suction port 18 and the suction port 16 overlap is reduced. Can be performed. By reducing the overlapping area, the liquid suction pressure is increased.

  The rotation of the cover 19 can be easily performed by a user's manual operation. By operating the cover 19 at a certain maintenance time, the flow passage area of the suction passage 3 can be reduced, the gas can be fixed to the gas intake passage 6, and the accumulated foreign matter can be removed. In the liquid transport apparatus 1a, as in the liquid transport apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, components such as scale gradually contained in the liquid such as water are gradually deposited with the operation, and the deposited components and the atmosphere Presence of foreign matter such as dust and dust adheres to the gas intake path 6 and accumulates. In this way, in the liquid conveyance apparatus 1a, the foreign material fixed and accumulated in this way is forcibly removed by the suction force as described above. Therefore, the effect of removing foreign substances can be expected in the long term as compared with the filter and the check valve, and the reliability becomes high. For this reason, in the liquid transport apparatus 1a, it is possible to maintain the intake of a predetermined amount of gas.

  Further, in the liquid transport apparatus 1a shown in FIG. 2, the cover 19 can be automatically rotated. That is, the rotation of the cover 19 is electric, and a drive unit 20 including a motor that rotates the cover 19 and a speed reduction mechanism is mechanically connected to the cover 19. Further, the liquid transport apparatus 1 a is provided with a second control unit 21 that controls the rotation of the cover 19, that is, controls the operation of the drive unit 20. The second control unit 21 may be, for example, one provided with a microcomputer programmed in advance, and is electrically connected to the drive unit 20. The 2nd control means 21 operates the drive part 20 according to switch input, and rotates the cover 19 automatically. As a result, the flow passage area of the suction passage 3 is changed. As described above, since the foreign matter can be removed by a simple operation of switch input, the liquid transport apparatus 1a is excellent in maintainability.

  Further, the second control means 21 can be provided with a timer, and the cover 19 can be automatically opened and closed at predetermined time intervals to change the flow passage area of the suction passage 3. In this case, it becomes substantially maintenance-free, and user convenience is further improved.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. There are no particular restrictions on the type, configuration, and structure of the pump and pressure reducing unit, including the type of liquid and gas. The same applies to the configurations of the first control unit and the second control unit.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1a Liquid conveying apparatus 2 Pump 3 Suction path 4 Discharge path 5 Pressure reducing part 6 Gas intake path 13 Flow path area switching means 14 Valve 15 First control means 16 Suction port 18 Liquid suction port 19 Cover 21 Second control means

Claims (7)

  A pump for pumping liquid, a liquid suction path connected to the upstream side of the pump, a liquid discharge path connected to the downstream side of the pump, and a decompression unit connected in the middle of the suction path; In the liquid transport apparatus that is connected to the decompression unit and includes a gas intake path that takes in the gas, a flow path area switching unit that can change the flow path area of the suction path is provided in the middle of the suction path. A liquid conveying apparatus characterized by the above.   The liquid transport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flow path area switching unit is a valve.   The opening and closing of the valve is electrically operated, and a first control means for controlling the opening and closing of the valve is provided. The first control means automatically opens and closes the valve according to a switch input, and The liquid transport apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a flow path area is changed.   The liquid transport apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first control unit automatically opens and closes the valve at regular time intervals to change a flow path area of the suction path.   The suction path includes a suction port arranged perpendicular to the liquid transport direction, and a cover having a liquid suction port that can match the suction port is rotatably provided in the suction path. The liquid conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the degree of coincidence between the liquid suction port and the suction port is changed, and a flow passage area of the suction path is changed.   The rotation of the cover is electric, and second control means for controlling the rotation of the cover is provided. The second control means automatically rotates the cover according to a switch input, and controls the suction path. 6. The liquid transport apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the flow path area is changed.   The liquid transport apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the second control unit automatically rotates the cover at a constant time interval to change a flow passage area of the suction path.

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