JP2019018144A - Dispenser device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a dispenser device capable of preventing dripping by accelerating the evaporation of foams or liquid remaining at the tip of a nozzle.SOLUTION: Foam generation parts 14, 15 introduce a liquid and a gas to form a foamy liquid where the liquid is mixed with the gas.ta The first pump 12 feeds the liquid to the foam generation part. The second pump 13 feeds the gas to the foam generation part. A nozzle body 16 (16-1) has a discharge port that discharges the foamy liquid supplied from the foam generation part. The sensor 17 detects that an object approaches. A control part 18 controls the operation of the first pump 12 and that of the second pump 13 in accordance with sensor output signals. By controlling the operation of at least the first pump 12 and the second pump 13 before stopping the discharge of the foamy liquid from the discharge port, the control part 18 generates a foamy liquid with a higher ratio of the gas than of the liquid as compared with the time of discharge start.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  Embodiments of the present invention relate to a dispenser device that discharges, for example, foamy liquid.

  For example, the proximity of an object such as a user's hand is detected by a sensor, and the pump is operated to mix soapy water and air to form a foam, which is then discharged from a foamy liquid (also simply referred to as foam) nozzle. An apparatus has been developed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  When the nozzle is facing downward, bubbles remaining at the tip of the nozzle after discharging the bubble-like liquid or liquid generated by the disappearance of the bubbles causes dripping. The droplet dripping from the nozzle may contaminate the dropping surface, or depending on the component of the droplet, the dropping surface may be altered or discolored. For this reason, there is a technology that prevents liquid dripping by increasing the intermolecular force such as surface tension by narrowing the flow path provided at the tip of the nozzle or increasing the surface area around the nozzle outlet. Has been developed. (For example, see Patent Document 2, Patent Document 3, Patent Document 4, Patent Document 5, and Patent Document 6).

JP 2017-12971 A JP 2013-121377 A JP2013-121378A JP 2010-030613 A Special table 2011-521755 gazette JP, 2006-193001, A

  As mentioned above, by devising the shape of the tip of the nozzle, even if the intermolecular force such as surface tension can be increased to keep bubbles at the tip of the nozzle, the humidity of the place where the dispenser device is installed Depending on the conditions, the speed at which the bubbles remaining at the tip of the nozzle disappear and liquefy may be faster than the speed at which the bubbles remaining at the tip of the nozzle evaporate by natural drying. In this case, it becomes difficult to retain the liquid at the tip of the nozzle due to intermolecular force, and liquid dripping occurs. Therefore, it is desired to promote the evaporation of bubbles remaining at the tip of the nozzle.

  Embodiment of this invention provides the dispenser apparatus which can prevent a dripping by accelerating | stimulating evaporation of the bubble which remained at the front-end | tip of a nozzle.

  The dispenser device of the present embodiment includes a foam generating unit that generates a foam-like liquid in which liquid and gas are introduced and the liquid and the gas are mixed, a first pump that sends the liquid to the foam generating unit, A second pump for sending the gas to the bubble generating unit, a nozzle body having a discharge port for discharging the bubble-like liquid supplied from the bubble generating unit, and a sensor for detecting that an object has approached, A control unit that controls operations of the first pump and the second pump in accordance with an output signal of the sensor, and the control unit is configured to stop discharging the foamy liquid from the discharge port. In addition, by controlling the operation of at least one of the first pump and the second pump, the bubble-like liquid having a higher gas ratio than the liquid is generated as compared with the start of discharge.

The lineblock diagram showing roughly the dispenser device concerning this embodiment. 2A is a perspective view showing the nozzle shown in FIG. 1 taken out, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of a part of FIG. FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing the nozzle shown in FIG. 1 taken out, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of a part of FIG. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views illustrating the function of the nozzle shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The perspective view which shows the modification of a nozzle. 6 (a) and 6 (b) are cross-sectional views for explaining the function of the nozzle shown in FIG. The flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of a control part. The flowchart which shows the 1st modification of FIG. The flowchart which shows the 2nd modification of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In FIG. 1, a dispenser device 10 includes a liquid tank 11, a first pump 12, a second pump 13, a mixer 14, a mesh 15, a nozzle 16, a sensor 17, a control unit 18, a power supply unit 19, a first pipe 20, 2 pipes 21 and a third pipe 22 are provided.

  The liquid tank 11 stores liquid such as soapy water and sterilizing liquid. The sterilizing liquid may contain, for example, alcohol.

  The first pump 12 is an electric pump, for example, and includes a motor (not shown). When the motor is driven, the first pump 12 pumps the liquid in the liquid tank 11 through the first pipe 20 and supplies the liquid to the mixer 14 through the second pipe 21.

  The second pump 13 is also an electric pump, for example, and includes a motor (not shown). When the motor is driven, the second pump 13 takes in gas, for example, air from the outside of the second pump 13 and supplies it to the mixer 14 through the third pipe.

  The mixer 14 mixes the liquid supplied by the first pump 12 and the gas supplied by the second pump 13.

  The mesh 15 generates a foamy liquid from the liquid and gas supplied from the mixer 14. Instead of the mesh 15, a porous material such as sponge can be used.

  In addition, in the mixer 14, when sufficient foam can be generated by mixing liquid and gas, the mesh 15 is unnecessary. Further, when the mesh 15 can sufficiently mix the liquid and the gas, the mixer 14 is unnecessary. Hereinafter, the mixer 14 and the mesh 15 are also collectively referred to as a foam generation unit.

  The nozzle 16 is provided below the mesh 15. The nozzle 16 has a discharge port as will be described later, and discharges the foamy liquid generated by the mesh 15 from the discharge port.

  The sensor 17 is provided in the vicinity of the nozzle 16, for example, and detects that an object such as a user's hand has approached. As the sensor 17, for example, an infrared sensor or an ultrasonic sensor can be applied.

  The power supply unit 19 supplies power necessary for operation to the first pump 12, the second pump 13, the sensor 17, and the control unit 18. The power supply unit 19 can also apply a circuit that converts commercial power to DC or a battery.

  The control unit 18 controls the operations of the first pump 12 and the second pump 13 according to the output signal of the sensor 17. That is, when an object is detected by the sensor 17, the control unit 18 drives the first pump 12 to pump the liquid from the liquid tank 11, supplies the liquid to the mixer 14, and drives the second pump 13. Gas is supplied to the mixer 14.

  The liquid and gas supplied to the mixer 14 are mixed and supplied to the mesh 15, converted into a foamy liquid, and discharged from the nozzle 16.

  The control unit 18 stops the first pump 12 and the second pump 13 after a certain time has elapsed after driving the first pump 12 and the second pump 13, and stops the foam discharge.

  Further, the control unit 18 controls at least one operation of the first pump 12 and the second pump 13 immediately before stopping the discharge of bubbles, and generates bubbles having a higher gas ratio than the liquid at the start of discharging bubbles. Generate. Here, the discharge start time includes the time when bubbles are discharged from the nozzle 16 and the first time to be described later after the bubbles are discharged.

  In other words, the control unit 18 generates bubbles having a higher ratio of the amount of gas than the amount of bubble-like liquid discharged in the first time before stopping the discharge of bubbles. For this reason, in the state where the operation of the dispenser apparatus 10 is stopped, the amount of liquid remaining in the nozzle 16 is smaller than the amount of gas. Accordingly, it is possible to increase the speed at which the bubbles evaporate or vaporize, rather than the speed at which the bubbles disappear and liquefy.

  Further, since the foam remaining in the nozzle 16 is a light foam with a small amount of liquid, it is difficult to sag from the nozzle 16. Even if the foam remaining in the nozzle 16 evaporates with a delay, the amount of the liquid is small, so that dripping from the nozzle 16 can be prevented.

  The specific operation of the control unit 18 will be described later.

  2A and 2B show an example of the nozzle 16.

  The nozzle 16 has a nozzle body 16-1, and the curved lower surface 16-2 of the nozzle body 16-1 has, for example, a frustoconical protrusion 16-3. The protrusion 16-3 has a discharge port 16a at the center. The discharge port 16a discharges the foam-like liquid produced | generated in the foam production | generation part. For example, a plurality of columnar protrusions 16b, 16c, and 16d are provided on the protrusion 16-3 around the discharge port 16a at a predetermined interval. The protrusions 16b, 16c, and 16d function as, for example, pilot pins that guide the bubble-like liquid discharged from the discharge port 16a downward from the discharge port 16a.

  The number of protrusions is not limited to three and may be four or more. Further, the shape of the protrusion is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be a prism shape having a plurality of corner portions. Furthermore, the protrusion 16-3 is not necessarily required, and the discharge port 16a and the protrusions 16b, 16c, and 16d may be provided on the lower surface 16-2 of the nozzle body 16.

  The foamy liquid discharged from the discharge port 16a is lowered by its own weight. However, as described above, the bubble immediately before the ejection is stopped is a light bubble having a higher gas ratio than the liquid. When light bubbles are discharged from the discharge port 16a, the discharge direction is unstable. For this reason, the foam discharge direction can be determined by the protrusions 16b, 16c, and 16d.

  Moreover, since the space between the protrusions 16b, 16c, and 16d is a space, the bubbles remaining between the protrusions 16b, 16c, and 16d have a large contact area with air, and can promote the evaporation of bubbles due to natural drying.

  FIGS. 3A and 3B and FIGS. 4A and 4B show modified examples of the nozzle 16.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b), a plurality of ribs 16e, 16f, and 16g are provided around the discharge port 16a and outside the protrusions 16b, 16c, and 16d and between the protrusions 16b, 16c, and 16d. , 16h, 16i, 16j are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the ribs 16e, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i, and 16j have a surface 16k that is substantially parallel to the horizontal plane.

  For this reason, as shown in FIG. 4B, the foamy liquid discharged from the discharge port 16a and leaking from between the protrusions 16b, 16c, 16d is the ribs 16e, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i, 16j. Each surface 16k is held by, for example, intermolecular force such as surface tension or foam adhesive force.

  As described above, since the foam-like liquid is held by the plurality of ribs 16e, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i, and 16j, the contact area with the air can be increased, and the evaporation of bubbles by natural drying can be promoted. it can. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the bubble-like liquid from dripping from the ribs 16e, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i, and 16j.

  FIG. 5, FIG. 6 (a) (b) has shown the modification of the rib.

  The ribs 16e, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i, and 16j shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B and FIGS. 4A and 4B have a surface 16k substantially parallel to the horizontal plane.

  On the other hand, the ribs 16e, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i, and 16j shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 (a) each have an inclined surface 16l that goes downward from the discharge port 16a as the distance from the discharge port 16a increases. ing.

  For this reason, as shown in FIG. 6B, the liquid leaking from between the protrusions 16b, 16c, and 16d descends along the inclined surface 161 and is held on the inclined surface 16l. That is, the liquid leaking from between the protrusions 16b, 16c, and 16d moves on the inclined surfaces 16l of the ribs 16e, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i, and 16j in a direction away from the discharge port 16a. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the foam-like liquid from collecting near the discharge port 16a, and the foam-like liquid can be spread over a wide range along the inclined surfaces 16l of the ribs 16e, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i, and 16j. .

  Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B and FIGS. 4A and 4B, the ribs 16e, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i, and 16j have a surface 16k that is substantially parallel to the horizontal plane. Thus, the evaporation of bubbles due to natural drying can be promoted, and the liquid can be prevented from dripping from the ribs 16e, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i, and 16j.

  When the foam-like liquid gathers in the vicinity of the discharge port 16a, not only the evaporation of bubbles due to natural drying is prevented, but also the liquid produced by the defoaming gathers into large droplets. For this reason, a droplet becomes easy to fall by dead weight. However, it is possible to prevent liquid dripping by providing the ribs 16e, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i, and 16j with an inclined surface 16l that goes downward from the discharge port 16a as the distance from the discharge port 16a increases.

In the present embodiment, the rib is provided outside the protrusions 16b, 16c, and 16d and between the protrusions 16b, 16c, and 16d. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and at least the protrusions 16b, 16c, It is sufficient that the liquid leaking from between the protrusions 16b, 16c, and 16d is provided between the protrusions 16b, 16c, and 16d.
(Function)
FIG. 7 shows the operation of the control unit 18. With reference to FIG. 7, the operation of the dispenser device 10 configured as described above will be described.

  The sensor 17 irradiates, for example, infrared rays into the detection region, and the control unit 18 determines whether or not the user's hand as an object is detected based on the output signal of the sensor 17 (S11). As a result, when the user's hand is not detected (S11, NO), this operation is repeated.

  On the other hand, when the user's hand is detected by the sensor 17 (S11, YES), the control unit 18 drives the first pump 12 and the second pump 13 (S12). For this reason, the liquid in the liquid tank 11 is sucked up by the first pump 12 through the first pipe 20, and the liquid is sent into the mixer 14 through the second pipe. At the same time, the gas is supplied into the mixer 14 through the third pipe 22 by the second pump 13.

  The liquid and gas supplied into the mixer 14 are mixed and supplied to the mesh 15. When the mixed liquid and gas pass through the mesh 15, a foamy liquid is generated. This foamy liquid is discharged from the nozzle 16.

  The first pump 12 and the second pump 13 are driven for a first time (S13, NO). The first time is a time required for discharging a predetermined amount of foam-like liquid. When the first time has elapsed (S13, YES), the second pump 13 is accelerated (S14). For this reason, in the bubble generation unit, a bubble-like liquid having a larger amount of gas than the amount of liquid is generated and discharged from the nozzle 16 for a second time shorter than the first time (S15, NO). The second time is a short time before the discharge of the foamy liquid is stopped.

When the second time elapses (S15, YES), the first pump 12 and the second pump 13 are stopped, and the discharge of the foamy liquid is stopped.
(Effect of embodiment)
According to the embodiment, before the discharge of the bubble-like liquid is stopped, bubbles having a higher gas ratio than the liquid are generated compared to the time when the discharge is started. For this reason, inside the discharge port 16a of the nozzle 16, between the protrusions 16b, 16c, and 16d outside the discharge port 16a, and on the surface 16k of the ribs 16e, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i, and 16j, or on the inclined surface 16l The bubble remaining in the gas has a higher gas ratio than the bubble-like liquid discharged in the first time. Therefore, the foam remaining in the discharge port 16a, the protrusions 16b, 16c, and 16d outside the discharge port 16a, and the surfaces 16k of the ribs 16e, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i, and 16j, or the inclined surface 16l are naturally dried. Therefore, the liquid can be prevented from dripping from the discharge port 16a, the protrusions 16b, 16c, 16d and the ribs 16e, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i, 16j.

  The nozzle 16 has a discharge port 16a that discharges a foam-like liquid, and the protrusions 16b, 16c, and 16d are provided around the discharge port 16a at a predetermined interval, and bubbles are discharged from the discharge port 16a. The liquid is guided and held below the discharge port 16a. For this reason, when operation | movement of the dispenser apparatus 10 stops, the foam discharged from the discharge outlet 16a is hold | maintained by protrusion 16b, 16c, 16d. Since the bubbles held by the protrusions 16b, 16c, and 16d have a lower liquid ratio than the bubble-like liquid discharged in the first time, they are easy to evaporate by natural drying and can prevent dripping.

  Moreover, even when the bubbles disappear and liquefy before the foamy liquid evaporates, the amount of the liquid held in the protrusions 16b, 16c, and 16d is more than the foamed liquid discharged in the first time. Since there are few, dripping can be prevented.

  Further, the protrusions 16b, 16c, and 16d are provided around the discharge port 16a at a predetermined interval. For this reason, the foam-like liquid held by the protrusions 16b, 16c, and 16d or the defoamed liquid has a large contact area with air, and thus evaporates before dripping from the protrusions 16b, 16c, and 16d. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the foam-like liquid held on the protrusions 16b, 16c, and 16d or the defoamed liquid from dripping.

  Furthermore, the nozzle 16 has ribs 16e, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i, and 16j provided at least between the protrusions 16b, 16c, and 16d, and the ribs 16e, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i, and 16j are The surface 16k is substantially parallel to the horizontal plane. For this reason, even when a bubble-like liquid flows out from between the protrusions 16b, 16c, and 16d to the ribs 16e, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i, and 16j, the bubble-like liquid remains in the ribs 16e, 16f, 16g, and 16h. , 16i and 16j are evaporated while being held on the surface 16k. Therefore, it is possible to prevent dripping.

Furthermore, the ribs 16e, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i, and 16j can have an inclined surface 16l that is inclined so as to be lower than the discharge port 16a as the distance from the discharge port 16a increases. In this case, it is possible to hold the bubble-like liquid leaking from between the protrusions 16b, 16c and 16d over a wide range of the inclined surface 16l as compared to the surface 16k substantially parallel to the horizontal plane. It is possible to promote the evaporation of the bubble-like liquid on the surface 16l and to prevent the liquid from dripping from the ribs 16e, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i, and 16j.
(First modification)
FIG. 8 shows a first modification of FIG.

  In the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the controller 18 drives the first pump 12 and the second pump 13, and after the first time has elapsed, accelerates the second pump 13 to increase the amount of gas. The foam produced a large amount of gas relative to the amount of liquid.

  On the other hand, in the case of the 1st modification shown in FIG. 8, the bubble whose gas ratio is higher than a liquid is produced | generated by reducing the quantity of a liquid from the quantity of a gas. That is, the control unit 18 drives the first pump 12 and the second pump 13 (S11, S12), and after the first time has passed (S13, YES), decelerates the first pump 12 (S17). For this reason, the amount of the liquid supplied to the bubble generating unit is reduced, and the ratio of the gas is lower than that of the bubble-like liquid discharged in the first time. High bubbles are produced.

  Also according to the second modified example, as in the embodiment, before stopping the discharge of bubbles, it is possible to generate bubbles having a higher gas ratio than the liquid compared to the bubble-like liquid discharged in the first time. it can. In addition, in the case of the second modification, the amount of liquid is reduced, so the surface 16k in the discharge port 16a, between the protrusions 16b, 16c, 16d, and the ribs 16e, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i, 16j. The absolute amount of the foamy liquid remaining on the top or the inclined surface 16l can be reduced.

Therefore, as compared with the above embodiment, it remains in the discharge port 16a, between the protrusions 16b, 16c, and 16d, and on the surface 16k of the ribs 16e, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i, and 16j, or on the inclined surface 16l. The evaporation of the foamy liquid can be further promoted. Therefore, it is possible to further prevent liquid dripping from the discharge port 16a, the protrusions 16b, 16c, and 16d and the ribs 16e, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i, and 16j.
(Second modification)
FIG. 9 shows a second modification of FIG.

  Similarly to the first modification, the second modification generates bubbles having a higher gas ratio than the liquid by reducing the amount of the liquid as compared with the foam-like liquid discharged in the first time.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the controller 18 drives the first pump 12 and the second pump 13 (S11, S12), and after the first time has passed (S13), stops the first pump 12. (S18) After the second time has elapsed (S15), the second pump 13 is stopped (S19). In this manner, by stopping the supply of the liquid from the gas first, it is possible to generate bubbles having a higher gas ratio than the liquid compared to the foam-like liquid discharged in the first time.

  Therefore, the foam remaining in the discharge port 16a, between the protrusions 16b, 16c, and 16d, and on the surface 16k of the ribs 16e, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i, and 16j, or on the inclined surface 16l, is the first time. The amount of liquid is smaller than that of gas compared to the foam-like liquid discharged in step 1. Therefore, the foam remaining in the discharge port 16a, between the protrusions 16b, 16c, and 16d, and on the surface 16k of the ribs 16e, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i, and 16j or on the inclined surface 16l is naturally dried. Therefore, the liquid can be further prevented from dripping from the discharge port 16a, the protrusions 16b, 16c, 16d and the ribs 16e, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i, 16j.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Moreover, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Dispenser apparatus, 12 ... 1st pump, 13 ... 2nd pump, 14 ... Mixer (foam production | generation part), 15 ... Mesh (foam production | generation part), 16 ... Nozzle, 16-1 ... Nozzle main body, 16a ... Exhalation Exit, 16b, 16c, 16d ... projection, 16e, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i, 16j ... rib, 16k ... surface, 16l ... inclined surface.

Claims (7)

A bubble generation unit that generates a bubble-like liquid in which a liquid and a gas are introduced and the liquid and the gas are mixed;
A first pump for sending the liquid to the foam generating unit;
A second pump for sending the gas to the bubble generating unit;
A nozzle body having a discharge port for discharging the foam-like liquid supplied from the bubble generation unit;
A sensor for detecting that an object is approaching;
A control unit for controlling operations of the first pump and the second pump in accordance with an output signal of the sensor;
Comprising
The control unit controls the operation of at least one of the first pump and the second pump before stopping the discharge of the foam-like liquid from the discharge port, so that the liquid can be compared with the start of discharge. A dispenser device characterized by generating the foamy liquid having a higher gas ratio.   The dispenser device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit increases the supply amount of the gas by the second pump before stopping the first pump.   2. The dispenser device according to claim 1, wherein the controller reduces the supply amount of the liquid by the first pump before stopping the second pump. 3.   The dispenser device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit stops the second pump after stopping the first pump.   The dispenser device according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle body includes a plurality of protrusions provided at predetermined intervals around the discharge port. The nozzle body includes a plurality of ribs provided at predetermined intervals around the discharge port,
The dispenser device according to claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of ribs has a horizontal surface. The nozzle body includes a plurality of ribs provided at predetermined intervals around the discharge port,
6. The dispenser device according to claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of ribs has an inclined surface that extends downward from the discharge port as the distance from the discharge port increases.

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