JP2017108814A - Washing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing device capable of suppressing an amount of consumption of washing fluid and generating foam excellent in a washing effect.SOLUTION: A washing device 1A includes a storage part 2 capable of storing washing fluid, a foam supply part 3 for supplying foam into the washing fluid inside the storage part 2, and a flow generation device 4 which is upward flow suppression means for suppressing an upward flow of the washing fluid accompanying a rise of the foam in the washing fluid inside the storage part 2. An object to be washed is washed by the foam generated on the surface 90 of the washing fluid inside the storage part 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a cleaning apparatus.

  The cleaning device disclosed in Patent Document 1 below includes a cleaning tank that contains tableware and injects a cleaning solution in which a detergent is dissolved, a foam generating device that forms foam of the cleaning solution on the surface of the cleaning solution, And a discharge port for discharging the foam grown above the liquid level to the outside of the washing tank. In the cleaning apparatus, as the foam grows and discharges, the liquid level of the cleaning liquid decreases, and the tableware is immersed in the foam grown above the liquid level.

JP 62-249634 A

  The cleaning device of Patent Document 1 has the following problems. In the apparatus, at the start of cleaning, almost the entire cleaning tank containing the tableware is filled with the cleaning liquid. For this reason, the consumption of the cleaning liquid is large. In the apparatus, after that, bubbles are generated on the liquid surface to fill the entire cleaning tank by supplying bubbles into the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank. In this apparatus, it takes a long time to completely replace the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank with foam. In order to shorten this time, it is necessary to increase the supply amount of bubbles per hour. However, when the supply amount of bubbles per time is increased, foams containing a large amount of moisture are generated. As a result, the foam is fragile and the foam cleaning effect is reduced.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning apparatus that can suppress the consumption of the cleaning liquid and generate foam with excellent cleaning effect.

  The cleaning device according to the present invention includes a storage unit that can store a cleaning liquid, a bubble supply unit that supplies bubbles into the cleaning liquid inside the storage unit, and a cleaning liquid that accompanies rising bubbles in the cleaning liquid inside the storage unit. And an upward flow suppressing means for suppressing the upward flow, and the object to be cleaned is cleaned with foam generated on the surface of the cleaning liquid inside the reservoir.

  According to the cleaning apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the consumption of the cleaning liquid and to generate a foam having an excellent cleaning effect.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a cleaning device according to a first embodiment. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows typically a mode that a foam is produced | generated near the liquid level of a washing | cleaning liquid. It is sectional drawing which shows typically a mode that a foam is produced | generated near the liquid level of a washing | cleaning liquid. 1 is a block diagram of a cleaning device according to a first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart showing a cleaning operation using the cleaning device of the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the hardware constitutions of the control apparatus with which the washing | cleaning apparatus of Embodiment 1 is provided. It is a figure which shows the other example of the hardware constitutions of the control apparatus with which the washing | cleaning apparatus of Embodiment 1 is provided. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram illustrating a cleaning device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a cleaning device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram illustrating a cleaning device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram illustrating a cleaning device according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram illustrating a cleaning device according to a fifth embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Elements common to the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is simplified or omitted. Note that the number, arrangement, orientation, shape, and size of devices, instruments, components, and the like in the present disclosure are not limited to the number, arrangement, orientation, shape, and size shown in the drawings in principle. In addition, the present disclosure may include all combinations of configurations that can be combined among the configurations described in the following embodiments.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a cleaning apparatus 1A according to the first embodiment. The cleaning apparatus 1A according to the first embodiment can generate foam for cleaning the object to be cleaned. The objects to be cleaned in the present embodiment are, for example, tableware and cooking utensils. In the present specification, the foam means a cream-like foam (foam) formed by collecting a large number of bubbles made of a cleaning liquid and a gas. As shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning device 1 </ b> A of the present embodiment includes a storage unit 2, a bubble supply unit 3, a flow generator 4, a discharge unit 5, and a detergent supply unit 6.

  The storage unit 2 has an internal space in which the cleaning liquid can be stored. The cleaning liquid in the present embodiment is a mixture of water and a detergent, that is, a surfactant. Foam can be generated on the liquid surface 90 of the cleaning liquid stored in the internal space of the storage unit 2, that is, on the gas-liquid interface. The reservoir 2 in the present embodiment is a cylindrical container whose longitudinal direction is the vertical direction. FIG. 1 shows the reservoir 2 as a schematic cross-sectional view.

  A detergent supply unit 6 is connected to the storage unit 2. The detergent supply unit 6 includes a tank 6a that stores the detergent, a flow path 6b that connects the tank 6a and the storage unit 2, and an electromagnetic valve 6c that opens and closes the flow path 6b. By opening the electromagnetic valve 6 c, the detergent can be supplied from the detergent supply unit 6 into the storage unit 2. A cleaning liquid can be generated in the storage unit 2 by adding a detergent from the detergent supply unit 6 to the water supplied into the storage unit 2. By controlling the electromagnetic valve 6 c, the detergent can be automatically supplied into the storage unit 2. Instead of providing the detergent supply unit 6 that can automatically supply the detergent into the storage unit 2, the user may manually enter the detergent into the storage unit 2.

  The bubble supply unit 3 includes a porous body 3a, an air pump 3b, and a tube 3c. The porous body 3 a is disposed inside the storage unit 2. The porous body 3a is disposed at a position to be immersed in the cleaning liquid inside the storage unit 2. The porous body 3a has a large number of fine holes serving as outlets for a gas such as air. The outer shape of the porous body 3a may be, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape, a column shape, a ring shape, a spiral shape, or a helical shape. Moreover, the porous body 3a may be divided into a plurality of blocks. The air pump 3 b is disposed outside the storage unit 2. The pipe 3c connects between the porous body 3a and the air pump 3b. The air pump 3b and the tube 3c are examples of gas supply means for supplying gas from the outside of the storage unit 2 to the porous body 3a. A gas such as air supplied to the porous body 3a by the air pump 3b and the tube 3c exits from a large number of fine holes in the porous body 3a, so that bubbles can be supplied into the cleaning liquid inside the storage unit 2. Inside the porous body 3a, there may be a hollow portion in which the air flowing in from the tube 3c is temporarily accumulated. The material of the porous body 3a may be at least partially, for example, a metal mesh, ceramics, a resin material, or the like.

  By supplying bubbles with the bubble supply unit 3, it is possible to generate foam on the liquid surface 90 of the cleaning liquid inside the storage unit 2. The operation for generating foam in this way is hereinafter referred to as “foam generation operation”. In the foam generation operation, the operation is as follows. The bubbles supplied into the cleaning liquid inside the storage unit 2 float up toward the liquid surface 90 of the cleaning liquid due to buoyancy. When bubbles rise above the liquid surface 90 of the cleaning liquid, a large number of bubbles are collected in a state where the outer periphery of the bubbles is covered with the detergent surfactant, thereby generating foam. As foam begins to be generated, the foam rises above the level 90 of the cleaning liquid. By continuing the foam generation operation, the foam on the liquid surface 90 continues to grow. Soon, foam fills the space above the liquid level 90 in the reservoir 2.

  The discharge unit 5 is a nozzle unit that discharges the foam generated in the storage unit 2. The discharge unit 5 communicates with the storage unit 2. The discharge unit 5 has an outlet that discharges the foam supplied to the object to be cleaned outside the storage unit 2. The outlet is configured with a hole having a size such that the foam can be smoothly discharged without being collapsed. The hole may be a hole having a diameter of 10 mm or more, for example. The discharge unit 5 has one or more outlets. In the present embodiment, the discharge unit 5 communicates with the upper part of the storage unit 2 via the foam passage 9. The foam passage 9 is a passage for sending foam inside the storage unit 2 to the discharge unit 5. The foam passage 9 connects between the upper part of the storage part 2 and the discharge part 5.

  The foam generation operation is continued even after the space above the liquid level 90 in the storage unit 2 is filled, so that the foam reaches the discharge unit 5 from the storage unit 2 through the foam passage 9 and is discharged. Foam is discharged from the part 5.

  In the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. Since the foam discharged from the discharge part 5 can be made to adhere to the washing | cleaning target object outside the storage part 2, the usage-amount of foam at the time of washing | cleaning can be suppressed. By controlling the amount of foam used, the process of the rinsing process after washing, that is, the process of eliminating the foam becomes easy. Since the storage unit 2 does not contain an object to be cleaned, the volume can be reduced. Since the volume of the reservoir 2 is small, the consumption of the cleaning liquid can be suppressed. Since the volume of the storage unit 2 is small, the time from the start of the foam generation operation in the storage unit 2 until the discharge unit 5 discharges the foam can be shortened.

  The discharge unit 5 may be movable with respect to the storage unit 2. For example, the discharge unit 5 and the foam passage 9 may be rotatable with respect to the storage unit 2. The foam passage 9 may be made of a hard material. Or the foam channel | path 9 may be comprised by the member which can be bent like a hose or a bellows tube. The foam passage 9 may have a structure in which the length can be expanded and contracted. By allowing the foam passage 9 to be bent or allowing the length of the foam passage 9 to be expanded and contracted, the discharge unit 5 can be moved closer to the object to be cleaned, so the usability is improved. The flow path cross-sectional area perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the foam passage 9 is desirably as small as possible as long as the foam can move smoothly. Since the volume of the foam passage 9 is reduced by reducing the flow path cross-sectional area of the foam passage 9, the time from the start of the foam generation operation in the storage unit 2 until the discharge unit 5 discharges the foam can be shortened. .

  By disposing the cleaning object under the discharge part 5, the foam discharged from the discharge part 5 can be supplied to the upper part of the cleaning object. The dirt adhering to the object to be cleaned can be removed by the cleaning component contained in the foam. The foam adhering to the upper part of the cleaning object moves to the lower part of the cleaning object due to gravity. By moving the foam on the surface of the object to be cleaned, shear stress, that is, shearing stress, acts on the surface of the object to be cleaned, so that it is possible to remove the dirt more efficiently even with a small amount of foam. Become.

  In the following description, a cross-sectional area obtained by cutting the space inside the storage unit 2 along a horizontal plane is referred to as a “storage unit cross-sectional area”. The storage unit 2 includes a cross-sectional area reduction unit 2a in which the storage unit cross-sectional area continuously reduces upward. The cross-sectional area reduction part 2a is in a position above the position of the liquid level 90 of the cleaning liquid inside the storage part 2 at the start of the foam generation operation. The storage section sectional area on the lower side of the sectional area reducing section 2 a is larger than the channel sectional area perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the foam passage 9. Foam generated in the reservoir 2 accumulates in a space above the liquid level 90. As the foam generation continues near the liquid level 90, the foam on the liquid level 90 gradually moves upward. The foam which moves upward passes through the cross-sectional area reduction part 2a, so that the foam can smoothly flow into the foam passage 9. By providing the cross-sectional area reduction unit 2a, the foam generated in the storage unit 2 can be efficiently conveyed to the discharge unit 5.

  The flow generator 4 generates a flow having a velocity component in the horizontal direction in the cleaning liquid inside the storage unit 2. The flow generator 4 includes a suction part 4a for sucking cleaning liquid from the storage part 2, a circulation channel 4b through which the cleaning liquid sucked by the suction part 4a passes, a circulation pump 4c for causing the cleaning liquid in the circulation channel 4b to flow, and a circulation And an ejection part 4d for ejecting the cleaning liquid from the flow path 4b to the storage part 2. When the circulation pump 4c is operated, the operation is as follows. The cleaning liquid in the storage unit 2 is sucked from the suction port of the suction unit 4a and flows into the circulation channel 4b. The cleaning liquid that has passed through the circulation channel 4b and the circulation pump 4c flows into the storage unit 2 by being ejected from the ejection port of the ejection unit 4d. As the cleaning liquid circulates in this way, a flow 91 is generated in the cleaning liquid inside the reservoir 2. The flow 91 has a horizontal velocity component.

  The suction part 4a and the ejection part 4d are located below the position where the bubbles are supplied by the bubble supply part 3, that is, the position of the porous body 3a. Since the suction part 4a for sucking the cleaning liquid in the storage part 2 and the ejection part 4d for jetting the cleaning liquid into the storage part 2 are below the position where the bubbles are supplied by the bubble supply part 3, the flow 91 is Primarily, it is generated in a region below the position where bubbles are supplied by the bubble supply unit 3.

  The cleaning apparatus 1 </ b> A according to the first embodiment includes a water supply unit 7 and a discharge unit 8. The water supply unit 7 includes a water supply passage 7a and an electromagnetic valve 7b that opens and closes the water supply passage 7a. The discharge unit 8 includes a discharge passage 8a and an electromagnetic valve 8b that opens and closes the discharge passage 8a. In the illustrated configuration, the water supply passage 7 a and the discharge passage 8 a merge and are connected to the bottom of the storage portion 2. Instead of such a configuration, the water supply passage 7a and the discharge passage 8a may be separately connected to the storage section 2. By opening the electromagnetic valve 7b, clean water is supplied into the reservoir 2 through the water supply passage 7a. By opening the electromagnetic valve 8b, the water or the cleaning liquid in the storage unit 2 can be discharged out of the storage unit 2 through the discharge passage 8a.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning apparatus 1A according to the first embodiment. The cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 shows a state viewed from above by cutting along a horizontal virtual plane between the porous body 3a of the bubble supply unit 3 and the suction unit 4a and the ejection unit 4d of the flow generator 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the cross-sectional shape obtained by cutting the storage portion 2 in the present embodiment along a horizontal plane is a square. The cross-sectional shape obtained by cutting the storage portion 2 along a horizontal plane is not limited to such a configuration, and may be a circle, a rectangle, a polygon that is a pentagon or more.

  The suction part 4a and the ejection part 4d of the flow generator 4 are connected to one side surface of the storage part 2 having a quadrangular prism shape. The suction part 4a is at a position near one of the two corners formed between the two side faces adjacent to the side face, and the ejection part 4d is at a position near the other corner. In FIG. 1, for the sake of convenience, the position of the suction part 4a is shown to be above the ejection part 4d, but in reality, the suction part 4a and the ejection part 4d are arranged at the same height as shown in FIG. Has been. When viewed from above as shown in FIG. The cleaning liquid ejected from the ejection part 4d into the storage part 2 flows in a U shape along the inner wall surface 2b of the storage part 2 and is sucked into the suction part 4a. Thus, the flow 91 generated in the cleaning liquid inside the reservoir 2 by the flow generator 4 of the present embodiment is mainly U-shaped when viewed from above.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing how bubbles are generated near the liquid surface 90 of the cleaning liquid. As shown in FIG. 3, bubbles in the cleaning liquid rise toward the liquid surface 90, and a large number of air bubbles that have floated gather to generate bubbles on the liquid surface 90. As the bubbles rise in the cleaning liquid, the cleaning liquid around the bubbles also rises. For this reason, an upward flow of the cleaning liquid is generated.

  In order to improve the usability of the cleaning device 1A, it is desirable that the time from the start of the foam generation operation in the storage unit 2 until the discharge unit 5 discharges the foam is as short as possible. By increasing the amount of bubbles supplied by the bubble supply unit 3 per hour, the foam generation speed increases, and the time can be shortened.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing how bubbles are generated near the liquid surface 90 of the cleaning liquid. FIG. 4 shows a state where the amount of bubbles supplied per hour is larger than that in FIG. FIG. 4 shows a state where the foam generation operation is performed without operating the flow generator 4. Increasing the amount of bubbles supplied per hour increases the number of bubbles rising in the cleaning liquid, thereby increasing the speed of the upward flow generated in the cleaning liquid around the bubbles below the liquid surface 90. When the speed of the upward flow of the cleaning liquid below the liquid level 90 increases, the cleaning liquid easily moves beyond the liquid level 90 and into the foam. That is, the amount of the cleaning liquid contained in the foam liquid film is likely to increase, and foam containing a large amount of moisture is generated. FIG. 4 shows such a state. When the water content in the foam increases, there are the following problems. As a first problem, the stability of the foam is reduced. That is, the difficulty of disappearing the foam decreases. As a result, the cleaning power is reduced by shortening the time until the foam attached to the object to be cleaned breaks and returns to the liquid. As a second problem, the consumption rate of the cleaning liquid increases, so that the reduction rate of the cleaning liquid in the storage unit 2 increases. As a result, the cleaning liquid must be replenished frequently in the reservoir 2.

  If it is washing | cleaning apparatus 1A of this Embodiment, it can suppress that a washing | cleaning liquid transfers in a foam by performing foam production | generation operation | movement, generating the flow 91 in the washing | cleaning liquid inside the storage part 2 with the flow generator 4. FIG. . Assuming that the foam generation operation is performed in a state where the flow generator 4 is not operated, the operation is as follows. The cleaning liquid on the upper side of the porous body 3a and the cleaning liquid on the lower side of the porous body 3a are connected. For this reason, when an upward flow is generated in the cleaning liquid between the liquid surface 90 and the porous body 3a, an upward flow is also generated in the cleaning liquid below the porous body 3a. On the other hand, when the foam generation operation is performed in a state where the flow generator 4 is operated, the operation is as follows. A flow 91 having a velocity component in the horizontal direction is generated in the cleaning liquid below the porous body 3a. For this reason, generation | occurrence | production of the upward speed component is suppressed in the washing | cleaning liquid of the lower side of the porous body 3a. That is, it is possible to suppress the upward flow from being generated in the cleaning liquid below the porous body 3a. Since the upward flow is suppressed on the lower side of the porous body 3a, the upward flow is also suppressed on the upper side of the porous body 3a. As a result, the cleaning liquid is suppressed from moving over the liquid level 90 into the foam, and the amount of water contained in the foam can be suppressed.

  The flow generator 4 in the present embodiment is an example of an upward flow suppressing unit that suppresses an upward flow of the cleaning liquid that accompanies an increase in bubbles in the cleaning liquid. If it is this Embodiment, even if it is a case where the supply amount of the bubble per time by the bubble supply part 3 is increased by having provided the flow generator 4, the water content contained in a foam can be suppressed reliably. . As a result, the following effects can be obtained. As a first effect, foam stability can be improved. That is, the difficulty of disappearing the foam can be improved. As a result, the foam adhering to the object to be cleaned is not easily broken, and the cleaning power is improved. As a second effect, the consumption of the cleaning liquid can be suppressed, and the rate of decrease of the cleaning liquid in the storage unit 2 can be reduced. As a result, the frequency of replenishing the cleaning liquid into the storage unit 2 can be reduced.

  The flow generator 4 in the present embodiment generates a flow 91 in which the horizontal velocity component is larger than the vertical velocity component. For this reason, since the upward flow of the cleaning liquid can be more reliably suppressed, it is possible to more reliably suppress the cleaning liquid from moving into the foam. In particular, according to the present embodiment, the flow generator 4 generates a substantially horizontal flow 91, so that the upward flow of the cleaning liquid can be more reliably suppressed.

  The flow 91 by the flow generator 4 in the present embodiment is mainly generated at a position where bubbles are supplied by the bubble supply unit 3, that is, a region below the position of the porous body 3a. Thereby, the following effects are acquired. It can suppress more reliably that the bubbles supplied by the bubble supply part 3 collide and unite. If bubbles collide with each other, the bubble diameter increases and the foam becomes rough. When the foam becomes rough, the detergency of the foam decreases. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, in the region above the position of the porous body 3a, a flow having a horizontal velocity component is unlikely to be generated, so that the cleaning liquid is not easily stirred. For this reason, it can suppress more reliably that the bubble supplied from the bubble supply part 3, ie, the bubble generate | occur | produced from the porous body 3a, collides with each other and unites. Therefore, an increase in the bubble diameter can be reliably suppressed, and fine foam can be generated. If the position where the speed of the flow generated by the flow generator 4 is highest is below the position where the bubbles are supplied by the bubble supply unit 3, effects similar to those described above can be obtained.

  According to the flow generation device 4 in the present embodiment, the suction portion 4a, the circulation flow path 4b, the circulation pump 4c, and the ejection portion 4d are provided, so that the position above the position where bubbles are supplied by the bubble supply portion 3 is provided. A flow 91 that hardly affects the region can be formed. For this reason, coalescence of the bubbles supplied by the bubble supply unit 3 can be more reliably suppressed.

  The flow generator 4 in the present embodiment generates a U-shaped flow 91 as shown in FIG. 2, but the flow generated by the flow generator 4 is not limited to such a form. For example, the flow generator 4 may generate a swirl flow that swirls around the center of the storage unit 2 when viewed from above. Alternatively, the suction part 4a and the ejection part 4d of the flow generating device 4 may be arranged at positions facing each other via the storage part 2 to generate a flow that flows linearly from the ejection part 4d toward the suction part 4a. Good.

  If it is this Embodiment, it can wash | clean by making creamy foam adhere to a washing | cleaning target object instead of the washing | cleaning liquid containing a bubble. For this reason, since the usage-amount of a washing | cleaning liquid is small, the consumption of water and a detergent can be suppressed. Moreover, it can wash | clean efficiently with a comparatively small amount of foam. For this reason, the time required for cleaning can be shortened. Since the foam can be easily treated after being subjected to washing, the rinsing time can be shortened. Further, even when a delicate cleaning object such as a glass product or a plating product is cleaned, it is possible to reliably prevent the cleaning object from being damaged.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the cleaning apparatus 1A according to the first embodiment. The cleaning device 1 </ b> A of the present embodiment includes an operation unit 10 and a control device 50. The operation unit 10 includes buttons, switches, and the like that are operated by the user. The control device 50 is electrically connected to each of the air pump 3b, the circulation pump 4c, the electromagnetic valve 6c, the electromagnetic valve 7b, the electromagnetic valve 8b, and the operation unit 10. The control device 50 controls the operation of the cleaning device 1A.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a cleaning operation using the cleaning apparatus 1A of the first embodiment. When the user presses a cleaning start button (not shown) of the operation unit 10, the operation of the cleaning apparatus 1A starts. At this point, the interior of the storage unit 2 is empty. In step S1 of FIG. 6, the control device 50 closes the electromagnetic valve 8b of the discharge unit 8 and opens the electromagnetic valve 7b of the water supply unit 7 to start water supply from the water supply passage 7a into the storage unit 2. To do. Thereby, water accumulates inside the storage part 2 and the water level in the storage part 2 rises.

  In step S <b> 2, the control device 50 closes the electromagnetic valve 7 b of the water supply unit 7 to stop water supply into the storage unit 2. At this time, the control device 50 controls the timing of stopping the water supply so that the water level in the storage unit 2 becomes an appropriate water level.

  In step S <b> 3, the control device 50 opens and closes the electromagnetic valve 6 c of the detergent supply unit 6 to supply a predetermined amount of detergent from the detergent supply unit 6 into the storage unit 2. Subsequently, in step S4, the control device 50 starts the operation of the flow generating device 4 by starting the operation of the circulation pump 4c. In step S5, the control device 50 starts operation of the bubble supply unit 3 by starting operation of the air pump 3b. Thereby, foam generation operation starts. By continuing the foam generation operation, the foam generated in the storage unit 2 is discharged from the discharge unit 5 through the bubble passage 9 as described above. Cleaning can be performed by attaching the foam discharged from the discharge unit 5 to the object to be cleaned. When the cleaning is completed, the process proceeds to step S6, and the control device 50 ends the foam generation operation by stopping the operation of the air pump 3b of the bubble supply unit 3 and the circulation pump 4c of the flow generator 4.

  Subsequently, it transfers to step S7 and the control apparatus 50 discharges the washing | cleaning liquid in the storage part 2 to the discharge channel | path 8a by opening the electromagnetic valve 8b of the discharge part 8. FIG. Then, it transfers to step S8 and performs the operation | movement of the rinse process which rinses and wash | cleans a washing | cleaning target object with water. In the present embodiment, the operation of the rinsing process may be performed manually by the user. Further, the operation of the rinsing process may be automatically performed by the control device 50. For example, the control device 50 supplies water from the water supply unit 7 into the storage unit 2 by opening the electromagnetic valve 7b in a state closed by the electromagnetic valve 8b of the discharge unit 8, and discharges water overflowing from the storage unit 2 from the discharge unit 5. The rinsing process may be performed by discharging the object to be cleaned.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the control device 50 provided in the cleaning device 1A of the first embodiment. Each function of the control device 50 is realized by a processing circuit. In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the processing circuit of the control device 50 includes at least one processor 51 and at least one memory 52. When the processing circuit includes at least one processor 51 and at least one memory 52, each function of the control device 50 is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. At least one of software and firmware is described as a program. At least one of software and firmware is stored in at least one memory 52. At least one processor 51 implements each function of the control device 50 by reading and executing a program stored in at least one memory 52. The at least one processor 51 is also referred to as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a central processing unit, a processing unit, an arithmetic unit, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). For example, the at least one memory 52 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory, etc.), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Memory, etc.). Alternatively, a volatile semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a mini disk, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or the like.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of the hardware configuration of the control device 50 provided in the cleaning device 1A of the first embodiment. In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, the processing circuit of the control device 50 includes at least one dedicated hardware 53. When the processing circuit includes at least one dedicated hardware 53, the processing circuit may be, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an FPGA (Field). -Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof. The function of each unit of the control device 50 may be realized by a processing circuit. Further, the functions of the respective units of the control device 50 may be collectively realized by a processing circuit.

  Further, a part of each function of the control device 50 may be realized by the dedicated hardware 53, and the other part may be realized by software or firmware. The processing circuit may realize each function of the control device 50 by hardware 53, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

  In the present embodiment, the operation of the cleaning device 1A is controlled by the single control device 50. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the operation of the cleaning device 1A is performed by cooperation of a plurality of control devices. You may make it the structure which controls.

  In the present embodiment, it is possible to supply bubbles with a simple and small configuration by using the bubble supply unit 3 including the porous body 3a and the gas supply means for supplying gas to the porous body 3a. However, the bubble supply unit is not limited to such a configuration. For example, a bubble supply unit including a circulation channel that circulates the cleaning liquid in the storage unit 2 to the outside of the storage unit 2 and a gas-liquid mixing device such as an ejector that mixes outside air with the cleaning liquid that flows through the circulation channel may be used. .

Embodiment 2. FIG.
Next, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, but the description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment described above, and the description of the same or corresponding parts will be simplified or described. Omitted. FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram illustrating a cleaning device 1B according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the cleaning apparatus 1B of the second embodiment includes a region where the flow 91 is mainly generated by the flow generator 4 and a position where bubbles are supplied by the bubble supply unit 3, that is, the porous body 3a. The partition part 11 which partitions off partially between positions is provided.

  FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning apparatus 1B of the second embodiment. The cross-sectional view of FIG. 10 shows a state viewed from above by cutting along a horizontal virtual plane at a position above the porous body 3a of the bubble supply unit 3. As shown in FIG. 10, the porous body 3a in the present embodiment has an annular outer shape when viewed from above. In the present embodiment, the cleaning liquid can smoothly pass through the inside of the porous body 3a. For this reason, the water supply to the storage part 2 and the discharge of the cleaning liquid in the storage part 2 can be carried out smoothly. The partition part 11 protrudes from the inner wall surface 2b of the storage part 2 in a plate shape in the horizontal direction. The partition portion 11 is formed on the entire circumference of the storage portion 2. The cleaning liquid can smoothly pass through the inside of the partition portion 11. For this reason, the water supply to the storage part 2 and the discharge of the cleaning liquid in the storage part 2 can be carried out smoothly.

  If it is this Embodiment 2, the following effects are acquired by providing the partition part 11. FIG. It can suppress more reliably that the flow 91 by the flow generator 4 affects the flow of the cleaning liquid in the region where the bubbles are supplied by the bubble supply unit 3, that is, the region above the porous body 3a. As a result, in the region above the porous body 3a, a flow having a velocity component in the horizontal direction is not easily generated, so that the cleaning liquid is not easily stirred. For this reason, it can suppress more reliably that the bubble supplied from the bubble supply part 3, ie, the bubble generate | occur | produced from the porous body 3a, collides with each other and unites. Therefore, an increase in the bubble diameter can be reliably suppressed, and fine foam can be generated. In addition, by providing the partition part 11 which partitions partially between the area | region including the position where the speed of the flow generated by the flow generation device 4 becomes the highest, and the position where the bubble supply part 3 supplies the bubble, An effect similar to the effect obtained can be obtained.

  As shown in FIG. 10, a lattice-like or net-like support member 12 may be provided at the partition 11, and the porous body 3 a may be supported by the support member 12. Or partition part 11 itself may support porous body 3a.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
Next, the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 11. The description will focus on the differences from the above-described embodiment, and the description of the same or corresponding parts will be simplified or omitted. FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram illustrating a cleaning apparatus 1C according to the third embodiment. A cleaning device 1C according to the third embodiment includes a flow generator 4C instead of the flow generator 4 according to the first and second embodiments. The flow generator 4C includes a rotating blade 4e and a motor 4f that rotates the blade 4e. By rotating the blades 4e, a flow 92 swirling around the central axis of the reservoir 2 is generated. The stream 92 has a horizontal velocity component. The flow generator 4C generates a flow 92 in which the horizontal velocity component is larger than the vertical velocity component. The flow generator 4C according to the third embodiment is an example of an upward flow suppressing unit that suppresses an upward flow of the cleaning liquid that accompanies an increase in bubbles in the cleaning liquid. If it is this Embodiment 3, the effect similar to embodiment mentioned above is acquired by providing the said upward flow suppression means.

  In the illustrated configuration, the blade 4 e is disposed near the bottom of the storage unit 2. The rotation axis of the blade 4 e is arranged coaxially with the central axis of the storage unit 2.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
Next, the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 12. The description will focus on differences from the above-described embodiment, and the description of the same or corresponding parts will be simplified or omitted. FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram illustrating a cleaning apparatus 1D according to the fourth embodiment. The cleaning device 1D according to the fourth embodiment does not include the flow generator 4 as compared with the cleaning device 1A according to the first embodiment. The cleaning device 1D according to the fourth embodiment has a volume average diameter of bubbles supplied from the bubble supply unit 3 of 60 μm to 1000 μm as an upward flow suppressing means for suppressing an upward flow of the cleaning liquid accompanying an increase in bubbles in the cleaning liquid. Means are provided within the range. For example, the volume average diameter of the bubbles supplied by the bubble supply unit 3 can be controlled within the above range by adjusting the diameter of the fine holes of the porous body 3a and the amount of intake air by the air pump 3b. The bubble diameter can be measured by, for example, a laser diffraction / scattering method, a particle tracking analysis method, a dynamic light scattering method, a resonance mass measurement method, or the like.

  The rising speed of the bubbles in the liquid becomes slower as the bubble diameter is smaller. For this reason, since the bubble rising speed is reduced by reducing the bubble diameter, the upward flow of the cleaning liquid accompanying the rising of the bubbles can be suppressed. If it is this Embodiment, the upward flow of the washing | cleaning liquid accompanying a raise of a bubble can be suppressed by making the volume average diameter of the bubble supplied by the bubble supply part 3 into said range. As a result, the following effects can be obtained. The cleaning liquid is suppressed from moving over the liquid level 90 and into the foam, and the amount of water contained in the foam can be suppressed. Even when the amount of bubbles supplied per hour by the bubble supply unit 3 is increased, the amount of water contained in the foam can be reliably suppressed. Therefore, an effect similar to the first effect and the second effect described in the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, when the bubble diameter is too small, the rising speed of the bubbles becomes too low, and there is a possibility that the generation speed of the foam becomes slow. On the other hand, if it is this Embodiment, it can suppress that the production | generation speed | rate of a foam becomes slow by making the volume average diameter of the bubble supplied by the bubble supply part 3 into said range. The bubbles having the volume average diameter supplied from the bubble supply unit 3 preferably include bubbles having a diameter in the range of 1 μm to 50 μm. When bubbles having a diameter in the range of 1 μm to 50 μm are included, the texture of the generated foam becomes finer, so that the contact area with the object to be cleaned is improved, and higher cleaning power is obtained.

Embodiment 5. FIG.
Next, the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 13. The description will focus on differences from the above-described embodiment, and the description of the same or corresponding parts will be simplified or omitted. FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram illustrating a cleaning apparatus 1E according to the fifth embodiment. The cleaning device 1E according to the fifth embodiment does not include the flow generator 4 as compared with the cleaning device 1A according to the first embodiment.

  The cleaning device 1E of the fifth embodiment includes an ultrasonic generator 13 that applies ultrasonic vibrations 93 to the cleaning liquid inside the reservoir 2. The ultrasonic generator 13 includes an ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic wave generation unit 13 is attached to the storage unit 2 at a position where bubbles are supplied by the bubble supply unit 3, that is, a position above the position of the porous body 3a. The ultrasonic generator 13 applies ultrasonic vibration 93 to the cleaning liquid at a position above the position of the porous body 3a. By applying ultrasonic vibration 93 to the bubbles supplied by the bubble supply unit 3, the bubbles are divided and subdivided. As a result, the bubbles become finer and the bubble diameter becomes smaller. The rising speed of the bubbles in the liquid becomes slower as the bubble diameter is smaller. For this reason, since the bubble rising speed is reduced by reducing the bubble diameter, the upward flow of the cleaning liquid accompanying the rising of the bubbles can be suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, since the ultrasonic wave generation unit 13 is provided, the bubble diameter can be reduced by subdividing the bubbles supplied by the bubble supply unit 3. As a result, the rising speed of the bubbles is reduced, so that the upward flow of the cleaning liquid accompanying the rising of the bubbles can be suppressed. The ultrasonic wave generation unit 13 according to the fifth embodiment is an example of an upward flow suppressing unit that suppresses an upward flow of the cleaning liquid that accompanies an increase in bubbles in the cleaning liquid. By providing the upward flow suppressing means, an effect similar to that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  While the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. In the present invention, two or more of the plurality of upward flow suppressing means described above may be provided in combination. The present invention can also be applied to a cleaning apparatus that stores a cleaning target in the storage unit and cleans the cleaning target with foam generated inside the storage unit.

1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E Cleaning device, 2 storage section, 2a cross-sectional area reduction section, 2b inner wall surface, 3 bubble supply section, 3a porous body, 3b air pump, 3c pipe, 4 flow generator, 4C flow generation Device, 4a Suction unit, 4b Circulation channel, 4c Circulation pump, 4d Jetting unit, 4e Blade, 4f Motor, 5 Discharge unit, 6 Detergent supply unit, 6a Tank, 6b Channel, 6c Solenoid valve, 7 Water supply unit, 7a Water supply passage, 7b solenoid valve, 8 discharge section, 8a discharge passage, 8b solenoid valve, 9 foam passage, 10 operation section, 11 partition section, 12 support member, 13 ultrasonic generation section, 50 control device, 51 processor, 52 memory , 53 hardware, 91, 92 flow, 90 liquid level, 93 ultrasonic vibration

Claims (13)

A reservoir capable of storing cleaning liquid;
A bubble supply unit for supplying bubbles into the cleaning liquid inside the storage unit;
Ascending flow suppression means for suppressing the upward flow of the cleaning liquid accompanying the rise of bubbles in the cleaning liquid inside the reservoir,
With
A cleaning device for cleaning an object to be cleaned with foam generated on a liquid surface of the cleaning liquid inside the storage unit.   The said bubble supply part is a washing | cleaning apparatus of Claim 1 provided with the porous body arrange | positioned inside the said storage part, and the gas supply means which supplies gas to the said porous body from the outside of the said storage part.   The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the upward flow suppression unit includes a flow generator that generates a flow having a velocity component in a horizontal direction in the cleaning liquid inside the storage unit.   The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the upward flow suppression unit includes a flow generator that generates a flow in which the velocity component in the horizontal direction is larger than the velocity component in the vertical direction in the cleaning liquid inside the reservoir. .   The cleaning apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a position at which a flow velocity generated by the flow generator is highest is below a position where bubbles are supplied by the bubble supply unit. The flow generator is
An inhalation part for inhaling cleaning liquid from the storage part;
A circulation channel through which the cleaning liquid sucked by the suction portion passes,
A circulation pump for flowing the cleaning liquid in the circulation channel;
An ejection part for ejecting a cleaning liquid from the circulation channel to the storage part;
The cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5, further comprising:   The said flow generator is a washing | cleaning apparatus as described in any one of Claims 3-5 provided with the blade | wing which rotates.   The partition part which partitions off partially between the area | region containing the position where the speed of the flow generate | occur | produced by the said flow generation apparatus becomes the highest, and the position where a bubble is supplied by the said bubble supply part is provided. The cleaning apparatus according to any one of the above.   The cleaning device according to claim 8, wherein the partition portion projects from an inner wall surface of the storage portion.   The cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the upward flow suppressing means includes means for setting a volume average diameter of bubbles supplied by the bubble supply unit within a range of 60 µm to 1000 µm.   The cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the upward flow suppressing unit includes an ultrasonic wave generation unit that applies ultrasonic vibration to the cleaning liquid inside the storage unit.   The cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a discharge unit capable of discharging the foam supplied to the object to be cleaned outside the storage unit.   The cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the storage unit includes a cross-sectional area reduction unit in which a cross-sectional area obtained by cutting the space inside the storage unit along a horizontal plane is reduced upward.

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