JP2023066081A - Gas-liquid mixing device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a gas-liquid mixing device (100) by which workability in assembling or maintenance can be secured even when mounted in a narrow place.SOLUTION: A venturi passage (131) is formed inside a venturi member (130); a cover member (120) is attached to an outside surface of the venturi member; and an air chamber (137) is formed between the outside surface of the venturi member and the cover member. Air absorbed from an air passage (131d) into the venturi passage is supplied from an air inflow port (127) formed on the cover member via the air chamber, and an electromagnetic opening/closing valve (110) that opens/closes the air inflow port is attached to the air inflow port. Thus, the position of the air inflow port is moved, and the position of the electromagnetic opening/closing valve can be moved within a range open in the air chamber. Therefore, a gap between the electromagnetic opening/closing valve and other components is secured, and workability in assembling or maintenance can be secured.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a gas-liquid mixing apparatus that generates an air-mixed liquid in which air is mixed in liquid by causing air to flow into the liquid passing through the venturi passage from the smallest inner diameter portion of the venturi passage.

It is known that when the flow of liquid is led to the venturi passage, the flow velocity of the liquid increases and the pressure of the liquid decreases at the minimum inner diameter portion where the passage inner diameter of the venturi passage is the smallest. Therefore, an air passage is opened at the minimum inner diameter portion of the venturi passage, the liquid is passed through the venturi passage, and air is sucked in by the negative pressure generated in the minimum inner diameter portion, thereby mixing air into the liquid. A device has been proposed (Patent Document 1).

Here, the venturi passage has a portion where the inner diameter of the passage increases downstream (hereinafter referred to as the enlarged diameter passage portion) on the downstream side of the portion where the passage inner diameter decreases toward the downstream (hereinafter referred to as the reduced diameter passage portion). ) are connected. For this reason, the venturi passage of the gas-liquid mixing device is difficult to manufacture by methods such as machining and sheet metal processing, and is usually formed by integral molding by die casting using materials such as resin and aluminum. Also, the air passage opening at the minimum inner diameter portion of the venturi passage is also formed by integral molding or additional processing. An electromagnetic opening/closing valve is attached to the inlet portion of the air passage, and by opening and closing the electromagnetic opening/closing valve, air is mixed into the liquid and the mixture of air is stopped.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2014-024008

However, the gas-liquid mixing device having the structure described above has a problem that it is difficult to ensure sufficient workability during assembly and maintenance when it is installed in a narrow space such as inside a water heater. rice field. The reason for this is as follows.

First, since the Venturi passage has a shape in which the enlarged diameter passage is connected downstream of the reduced diameter passage, the total length of the gas-liquid mixing device becomes long, and if it is to be installed in a narrow space, the mounting position and mounting direction are limited. will be taken. In addition, in the gas-liquid mixing device, an air passage is formed from the side of the venturi passage so as to open to the minimum inner diameter portion of the venturi passage, and an electromagnetic on-off valve is attached to the inlet of this air passage. ing. Therefore, when the gas-liquid mixing device is to be mounted in a narrow space, a situation often arises in which a sufficient space cannot be secured between the electromagnetic on-off valve and other parts (for example, piping). Even if an attempt is made to move the position of the electromagnetic on-off valve attached to the gas-liquid mixing device in order to secure the space, the position of the electromagnetic on-off valve is the minimum inner diameter of the venturi passage formed inside the gas-liquid mixing device. Pretty much depends on your location. For this reason, it is necessary to move the position or direction of the gas-liquid mixing device in order to move the position of the electromagnetic on-off valve. is difficult to move. For these reasons, if a gas-liquid mixing device having a venturi passage is to be mounted in a narrow space, it may be difficult to ensure sufficient workability during assembly and maintenance.

The present invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and is a gas-liquid mixing apparatus that can ensure workability during assembly and maintenance even when mounted in a narrow space. The purpose is to provide an apparatus.

In order to solve the above problems, the gas-liquid mixing apparatus of the present invention employs the following configuration. i.e.
A venturi passage having an inner diameter that expands after the inner diameter of the passage decreases toward the downstream side, and an air passage that opens to the minimum inner diameter portion of the portion where the inner diameter of the passage is the smallest. A gas-liquid mixing device for discharging an air-mixed liquid in which the liquid and the air are mixed from the outlet of the venturi passage by mixing air from the air passage into the liquid passing through the minimum inner diameter portion,
The venturi passage is formed inside the venturi member,
The air passage is opened on the outer surface of the venturi member in the lateral direction with respect to the venturi passage, and a cover member is attached in a state of covering at least a portion where the air passage is opened. An air chamber is formed between the outer surface and the cover member,
The cover member is formed with an air inlet for allowing air to flow into the air chamber, and the air inlet is provided with an electromagnetic on-off valve for opening and closing the air inlet. and

In the gas-liquid mixing apparatus of the present invention, when the liquid is passed through the venturi passage, a negative pressure is generated in the minimum inner diameter portion of the venturi passage, and the air is sucked from the air passage opening at the minimum inner diameter portion, whereby the liquid is Air gets mixed in. Here, the venturi passage is formed inside the venturi member, and a cover member is attached to the outer surface of the venturi member, thereby forming an air chamber between the outer surface of the venturi member and the cover member. . The air sucked into the venturi passage from the air passage is supplied from this air chamber, and the air is supplied to the air chamber from an air inlet formed in the cover member. An electromagnetic on-off valve for opening and closing the air inlet is attached to the air inlet.

In this way, the position of the air inlet can be moved within the range of opening to the air chamber, and the position of the electromagnetic on-off valve can be moved accordingly. Therefore, even if it is not possible to secure a sufficient space between the electromagnetic on-off valve and other parts because the gas-liquid mixing device is to be installed in a narrow space, a sufficient space can be secured by moving the position of the electromagnetic on-off valve. As a result, it is possible to ensure sufficient workability during assembly and maintenance.

Further, in the gas-liquid mixing device of the present invention described above, the air chamber may be formed as follows. First, regarding the shape of the outer surface of the venturi member, the inlet-side outer surface on the side where the inlet is formed and the outlet-side outer surface on the side where the outlet is formed are formed in a cylindrical shape. and the outlet-side outer surface is formed to have a smaller diameter than the inlet-side outer surface and the outlet-side outer surface. Also, the minimum inner diameter portion of the venturi passage is formed inside the intermediate outer surface. The air chamber may be formed by covering the entire circumference of the intermediate outer surface of the venturi member with a hollow cylindrical cover member.

In this way, the shape of the air chamber can be such that the intermediate outer surface portion surrounds the venturi member in the circumferential direction. Therefore, since the air intake port of the cover member can be formed at any position in the circumferential direction, the position of the electromagnetic on-off valve can also be freely moved. In addition, since the air chamber is formed in the portion of the intermediate outer surface where the outer diameter of the venturi member is reduced, the outer diameter of the cover member can be reduced, preventing the gas-liquid mixing device from becoming large. becomes possible.

Further, in the gas-liquid mixing apparatus of the present invention described above, the air inlets are formed at a plurality of locations on the cover member, and one air inlet is selected from the air inlets and the electromagnetic on-off valve is attached. can be

By doing so, by selecting an appropriate air inlet from among the air inlets formed at a plurality of locations, the position of the electromagnetic on-off valve can be moved without changing the cover member. For the remaining air inlets that have not been selected, a sealing plate may be attached in place of the electromagnetic on-off valve.

1 is an exploded view of a gas-liquid mixing device 100 of this embodiment. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the whole shape and operation|movement of the gas-liquid mixing apparatus 100 of a present Example. 1 is a block diagram showing a rough structure of a water heater 1 equipped with a gas-liquid mixing device 100 of this embodiment. FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional gas-liquid mixing device 900; It is an explanatory view showing the internal structure of the gas-liquid mixing device 100 of the present embodiment. The gas-liquid mixing device 100 of this embodiment is an explanatory diagram showing the reason why the position of the electromagnetic valve assembly 110 can be easily changed. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a gas-liquid mixing device 100 of a first modified example; It is explanatory drawing about the gas-liquid mixing apparatus 100 of a 2nd modification. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a gas-liquid mixing device 100 of a third modified example; FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal structure of a gas-liquid mixing device 100 of a third modified example; The gas-liquid mixing device 100 of the third modification is an explanatory diagram showing the reason why the position of the electromagnetic valve assembly 110 can be easily changed. It is explanatory drawing about the gas-liquid mixing apparatus 100 of a 4th modification.

A. Example:
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a gas-liquid mixing device 100 of this embodiment. The gas-liquid mixing device 100 of this embodiment has a structure in which an electromagnetic valve assembly 110, a main tube 120, and a venturi tube 130 are combined. The Venturi tube 130 is a hollow member having a Venturi passage 131 formed therein. One end of the Venturi tube 130 is formed with an inlet 132 by opening the Venturi passage 131, and the other end of the Venturi tube 130 is opened. An outflow port 133 is formed on the side by opening the venturi passage 131 .

The inner diameter of the venturi passage 131 is constant near the inlet 132, but the inner diameter gradually decreases toward the downstream (in the direction of the outlet 133), and the inner diameter of the passage becomes minimum. Thereafter, after the inner diameter of the passage is kept at a minimum for a predetermined distance, the inner diameter of the passage gradually increases as it goes further downstream, and finally reaches the outflow port 133 . Hereinafter, the portion of the venturi passage 131 where the passage inner diameter is the smallest is referred to as the minimum inner diameter portion 131b, and the portion on the upstream side of the minimum inner diameter portion 131b is referred to as the reduced diameter passage portion 131a. A portion on the downstream side is called an enlarged diameter passage portion 131c.

The shape of the outer surface of the venturi tube 130 has a columnar shape on both end sides (that is, the side of the inlet 132 and the side of the outlet 133). It has a conical shape. Hereinafter, the cylindrical outer surface formed on the inlet 132 side is referred to as an "entrance-side outer surface 134a", and the cylindrical outer surface formed on the outlet 133 side is referred to as an "outlet-side outer surface 134c". , and the conical outer surface between the inlet-side outer surface 134a and the outlet-side outer surface 134c is referred to as an "intermediate outer surface 134b".

The inlet-side outer surface 134a and the outlet-side outer surface 134c have the same diameter, but the outer diameter of the intermediate outer surface 134b is smaller on the inlet-side outer surface 134a side and increases as it approaches the outlet-side outer surface 134c. there is The inlet side outer surface 134a is formed in a range corresponding to the outer side of the reduced diameter passage portion 131a of the venturi passage 131, and the intermediate outer surface 134b is formed in a range corresponding to the outer side of the minimum inner diameter portion 131b of the venturi passage 131. , and a range corresponding to the outside of the majority portion of the enlarged diameter passage portion 131c continuing from the minimum inner diameter portion 131b, and the outlet side outer surface 134c is formed in a range corresponding to the outside of the remaining portion of the enlarged diameter passage portion 131c. It is Furthermore, an air passage 131d is formed through the intermediate outer surface 134b to the minimum inner diameter portion 131b of the venturi passage 131. As shown in FIG.

In addition, on the upstream side (closer to the inlet port 132) of the entrance-side outer surface 134a, two mounting protrusions 136 are provided so as to protrude outward symmetrically with respect to the center axis of the entrance-side outer surface 134a. A mounting hole 136a is formed in each of the mounting protrusions 136. As shown in FIG. These two mounting projections 136 are used to mount the venturi tube 130 to the main tube 120, which will be described later. Furthermore, an O-ring 135 made of a heat-resistant rubber material such as silicone rubber is attached to the inlet-side outer surface 134a and the outlet-side outer surface 134c. The venturi tube 130 of this embodiment corresponds to the "venturi member" in the present invention.

The main tube 120 has a shape in which a cylindrical discharge portion 122 having a smaller diameter and shorter length than the main body portion 121 protrudes from a side surface of a cylindrical main body portion 121 in which an internal passage 121a is formed. The inner diameter of the internal passage 121a is set to a size that allows the venturi tube 130 to be inserted therein, and an insertion port 123 is formed in the end surface of the body portion 121 by opening the internal passage 121a. When the venturi tube 130 is inserted from the insertion port 123 into the internal passage 121a, the O-ring 135 attached to the inlet-side outer surface 134a of the venturi tube 130 and the O-ring 135 attached to the outlet-side outer surface 134c are inserted into the internal passage 121a. It is pressed against the inner peripheral surface 121b of the passage 121a, and as a result, an airtight space (an air-tight space shown in FIG. A chamber 137) is formed.

Mounting projections 125 project outward from both sides of the insertion opening 123, and mounting holes 125a are formed in each of the mounting projections 125. As shown in FIG. The positions of these mounting protrusions 125 and mounting holes 125a are such that when the venturi tube 130 is inserted through the insertion port 123, the mounting protrusions 136 and mounting holes 136a projecting from both sides of the venturi tube 130 overlap. . For this reason, the venturi tube 130 is inserted into the internal passage 121a from the insertion port 123 of the main body 121, and the position of the mounting hole 125a of the mounting protrusion 125 and the position of the mounting hole 136a of the mounting protrusion 136 are aligned. After that, by inserting screws (not shown) into the mounting holes 125a and 136a, the Venturi tube 130 can be assembled to the main tube 120 using nuts (not shown).

In addition, the internal passage 121a of the body portion 121 has a smaller inner diameter on the far side when viewed from the insertion port 123 side, and the internal passage 121a is closed further on the far side. The internal passage 122a of the discharge portion 122 is connected from the side to the portion where the inner diameter of the internal passage 121a is reduced. Furthermore, the other end side of the internal passage 122 a forms a discharge port 124 by opening to the lower end surface of the discharge portion 122 .

A mounting portion 126 for mounting the solenoid valve assembly 110 is projected from the outer surface of the body portion 121 . A flat mounting surface 126a is formed on the upper surface of the mounting portion 126, and an air inlet 127 communicating with the internal passage 121a of the main body portion 121 is formed in the center of the mounting surface 126a. Incidentally, in this embodiment, the main tube 120 corresponds to the "cover member" in the present invention.

The electromagnetic valve assembly 110 has a structure in which two electromagnetic on-off valves 112 and a filter 113 are attached to a body portion 111 molded from hard resin. A flange surface 111a is formed on the bottom side of the body portion 111. A short columnar insertion portion 111b projects from the center of the flange surface 111a, and an O-ring 111c is provided on the outer peripheral side surface of the insertion portion 111b. installed. An introduction passage (not shown) is formed inside the body portion 111, one end of the introduction passage opens to the center of the insertion portion 111b, and the other end of the introduction passage is connected to the filter 113. The two electromagnetic on-off valves 112 are capable of opening and closing the introduction passage at their respective positions.

In addition, the outer diameter of the insertion portion 111b of the solenoid valve assembly 110 is set to a dimension that allows it to be inserted into the air inlet 127 opening in the mounting surface 126a of the main tube 120, and the insertion portion 111b is inserted into the air inlet 127. By screwing the body portion 111 to the mounting portion 126 using the mounting screws 114 in this state, the electromagnetic valve assembly 110 can be assembled to the main pipe 120 . In addition, in this embodiment, the entire electromagnetic valve assembly 110 corresponds to the "electromagnetic on-off valve" in the present invention.

In the gas-liquid mixing apparatus 100 of this embodiment having the structure as described above, as shown in FIG. 2, only by supplying the liquid from the inlet 132, air is sucked from the filter 113 and mixed into the liquid. Therefore, the liquid mixed with air can be discharged from the discharge port 124 . Therefore, if the gas-liquid mixing device 100 is installed in the middle of the piping of the water heater, for example, it becomes possible to supply hot water mixed with air.

FIG. 3 exemplifies the case where the gas-liquid mixing device 100 of this embodiment is incorporated in a water heater 1 having a bath reheating function. The water heater 1 has a structure in which a combustion can 10 is mounted inside a body case 2 . The combustion can 10 is divided into a main combustion can 10a for supplying hot water and a sub-combustion can 10b for reheating the bath. A sub-burner 15 for reheating and a sub-heat exchanger 16 are housed inside the sub-combustion can 10b. Further, a combustion fan 14 is attached to the bottom of the combustion can 10, and when the combustion fan 14 is rotated, air is supplied to the main combustion can 10a and the auxiliary combustion can 10b.

Fuel gas to be burned by the main burner 12 and the sub burner 15 is supplied from a gas pipe 20, and the gas pipe 20 is equipped with a source gas solenoid valve 21 and a gas proportional valve 22. As shown in FIG. The gas pipe 20 branches downstream of the gas proportional valve 22. One gas pipe 20 is connected to the main burner 12 via the main gas solenoid valve 23, and the other gas pipe 20 is connected via the sub gas solenoid valve 24. connected to the sub-burner 15 through the When the source gas solenoid valve 21 is opened, the fuel gas is supplied to the positions of the main gas solenoid valve 23 and the sub gas solenoid valve 24, and when the main gas solenoid valve 23 is opened in this state, the fuel gas is supplied to the main burner 12. When the auxiliary gas electromagnetic valve 24 is opened, fuel gas is supplied to the auxiliary burner 15 . Further, by adjusting the opening degree of the gas proportional valve 22, the flow rate of the fuel gas can be adjusted. Then, while the combustion fan 14 is rotating, a spark is blown from an ignition plug (not shown) to ignite the fuel gas supplied to the main burner 12 or the sub-burner 15, and combustion in the main burner 12 or the sub-burner 15 is started. be done.

A main heat exchanger 13 is mounted above the main burner 12 , and a sub heat exchanger 16 is mounted above the sub burner 15 . The main heat exchanger 13 and the sub heat exchanger 16 have a shape in which a meandering hollow copper pipe penetrates a plurality of heat absorbing plates made of copper. A water supply pipe 25 is connected, and a hot water supply pipe 30 is connected to the other end of the hollow pipe of the main heat exchanger 13 . One end of the hollow pipe of the sub-heat exchanger 16 is connected to a bath going pipe 51 , and the other end of the hollow pipe of the sub-heat exchanger 16 is connected to a bath return pipe 52 . Further, a main valve 27 is mounted in the middle of the water supply pipe 25, a water filter 28 is mounted downstream of the main valve 27, and a flow rate sensor 26 is mounted downstream of the water filter 28. - 特許庁

When the hot water supply pipe 3 attached to the tip of the hot water supply pipe 30 is opened, the hot water (or water) existing inside the hot water supply pipe 30 flows out from the hot water supply pipe 30, and the outflowing water flows through the water supply pipe 25 for main heat exchange. supplied to the vessel 13. When this water flow is detected by the flow rate sensor 26, the combustion fan 14 is rotated to start supplying combustion air to the main burner 12, and the main gas solenoid valve 23 is opened while sparks are emitted from an ignition plug (not shown). , the main burner 12 can start burning the fuel gas. The flue gas produced by the combustion passes between the heat absorbing plates of the main heat exchanger 13 mounted above the main burner 12, and heats the water passing through the hollow pipes of the main heat exchanger 13 at this time. generate hot water. The hot water thus generated flows out of the hot water supply faucet 3 through the hot water supply pipe 30 .

In addition, a bath pipe 51 connected to one end of the hollow pipe of the auxiliary heat exchanger 16 is connected to the circulation fitting 5 of the bathtub 4 and connected to the other end of the hollow pipe of the auxiliary heat exchanger 16. The bath return pipe 52 is also connected to the circulation fitting 5 of the bathtub 4. - 特許庁A circulation pump 54 is mounted in the middle of the bath return pipe 52, and a water flow switch 55 is mounted on the bath return pipe 52 between the circulation pump 54 and the auxiliary heat exchanger 16.例文帳に追加Furthermore, a bath return pipe 52 between the circulation fitting 5 and the circulation pump 54 is connected to a hot water filling pipe 33 branched from the hot water supply pipe 30 . A filling electromagnetic valve 34 , a check valve 35 , and a flow meter 36 are mounted on the filling pipe 33 . Furthermore, a water temperature sensor 56 is attached to the bath return pipe 52 .

When filling the bathtub 4 with hot water, the hot water filling electromagnetic valve 34 is opened while the circulation pump 54 is stopped. Then, the hot water in the hot water supply pipe 30 flows through the hot water filling pipe 33 into the bath return pipe 52, and flows through the bath return pipe 52 into the bathtub 4 from the circulation fitting 5. - 特許庁In addition, since the circulation pump 54 is stopped, part of the hot water that has flowed from the hot water filling pipe 33 into the bath return pipe 52 passes through the circulation pump 54 and then flows through the bath return pipe 52 and the sub heat exchanger 16. It flows into the bathtub 4 from the circulation fitting 5 through the bath going pipe 51. - 特許庁The amount of hot water supplied to the bathtub 4 is measured by a flow meter 36, and when the amount of hot water reaches a predetermined amount, the hot water filling electromagnetic valve 34 is closed to finish filling the hot water.

When reheating the hot water in the bathtub 4, the circulation pump 54 is operated. Then, the hot water in the bathtub 4 is sucked into the circulation pump 54 through the circulation fitting 5 and the bath return pipe 52 and is pressure-fed from the circulation pump 54 to the auxiliary heat exchanger 16 . After passing through the auxiliary heat exchanger 16, the hot water is returned to the bathtub 4 from the circulation fitting 5 via the bath going pipe 51. - 特許庁When the hot water in the bathtub 4 thus circulates, the water flow switch 55 detects the flow and the water temperature sensor 56 detects the temperature of the hot water. When the flow is detected by the water flow switch 55 and the temperature of the hot water detected by the water temperature sensor 56 is below a predetermined temperature, the sub burner 15 burns the fuel gas to start reheating. do. Combustion of the fuel gas in the auxiliary burner 15 is started by operating the combustion fan 14 and opening the auxiliary gas electromagnetic valve 24 while emitting sparks from an ignition plug (not shown).

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the gas-liquid mixing device 100 of this embodiment is mounted in the middle of the bath return pipe 52 connecting the circulation pump 54 and the auxiliary heat exchanger 16 . Therefore, when the hot water is pressure-fed from the circulation pump 54 toward the auxiliary heat exchanger 16 , air is mixed in the hot water by the gas-liquid mixing device 100 . It becomes possible to discharge.

However, in the water heater 1, in the narrow space below the combustion can 10, the combustion fan 14, the main gas solenoid valve 23, the sub gas solenoid valve 24, the gas proportional valve 22, the source gas solenoid valve 21, A gas pipe 20 and the like for connecting these are accommodated. Furthermore, a water supply pipe 25 and a hot water supply pipe 30 connected to the main heat exchanger 13, a main valve 27 mounted on the water supply pipe 25, a water filter 28, a hot water supply pipe 33 branched from the hot water supply pipe 30, a hot water supply pipe 33 A filling electromagnetic valve 34 mounted in the middle of the filling pipe 33, a check valve 35, and a flow meter 36 are also accommodated in a narrow space below the combustion can 10. - 特許庁In addition, the bath pipe 51 and the bath return pipe 52 connected to the sub heat exchanger 16, the circulation pump 54 mounted in the bath return pipe 52, the water flow switch 55, the water temperature sensor 56, etc. It is housed in a narrow space below the combustion can 10 . It is not easy to accommodate a gas-liquid mixing device in such a narrow space where various pipes and various types of equipment are accommodated. is difficult to ensure. However, the gas-liquid mixing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment can sufficiently ensure workability during assembly and maintenance even when mounted in such a narrow space. In preparation for explaining the reason for this, the outline of a conventional gas-liquid mixer will be described below.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a conventional gas-liquid mixer 900. As shown in FIG. FIG. 4(a) shows the external shape, and FIG. 4(b) shows the internal structure. As shown in FIG. 4( a ), a conventional gas-liquid mixing device 900 includes a circular venturi tube 920 having a venturi passage 921 formed therein, and an electromagnetic valve assembly attached to the side of the venturi tube 920 . 910. An inlet 924 is formed at one end of the venturi tube 920 by opening the venturi passage 921 . A flange 922 is formed on the other end side of the venturi tube 920, and a sealing plate 923 is attached to the flange 922 with screws 923a. Therefore, the far side of the venturi passage 921 (that is, the opposite side of the inlet 924) is closed, but a cylindrical discharge portion 925 is connected to the venturi tube 920 from the side, and the discharge portion 925 is closed. An internal passageway 925a is connected to the venturi passageway 921 from the side. A discharge port 926 is opened at the lower end of the discharge portion 925 . Note that the solenoid valve assembly 910 is the same as the solenoid valve assembly 110 described above with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4(b) shows a cross-sectional view when the venturi tube 920 is cut at a position passing through the central axis of the venturi passage 921. As shown in FIG. As illustrated, the venturi passage 921 of the conventional gas-liquid mixing device 900 also includes a reduced diameter passage portion 921a, a minimum inner diameter portion 921b, and an enlarged diameter passage portion 921c. An air passage 921d opens at the position. Since the air passage 921d is formed perpendicular to the minimum inner diameter portion 921b, the position where the air passage 921d opens to the outer surface of the venturi tube 920 is right next to the minimum inner diameter portion 921b. Therefore, the position where the solenoid valve assembly 910 is attached to the outer surface of the venturi tube 920 is also the position right next to the minimum inner diameter portion 921b.

Furthermore, since the inner diameter of each venturi passage 921 increases toward both sides from the minimum inner diameter portion 921b, openings are required at both ends of the venturi pipe 920 when the venturi pipe 920 is formed. That is, for example, when trying to form the diameter-reduced passage portion 921a, an opening 921e for removing the mold is required in the case of forming using a mold, or a cutting tool is inserted even in the case of forming by cutting. An opening 921e is required for this purpose. Similarly, when forming the portion of the enlarged diameter passage portion 921c, an opening 921f for removing the mold (for inserting a cutting tool) is required. Of these two openings 921e and 921f, the opening 921e can be used as the inlet 924 of the venturi passage 921, but the opening 921f cannot be used as the outlet of the venturi passage 921. limited) must be closed with a sealing plate 923 . Then, it becomes necessary to provide a flange 922 for attaching the sealing plate 923 to the end of the venturi tube 920 . Although the venturi tube 920 has a venturi passage 921 formed therein, the entire length of the venturi tube 920 is long. becomes longer.

If such a conventional gas-liquid mixing device 900 is to be mounted, for example, in a narrow space of the water heater 1, the mounting position and mounting direction are greatly restricted. Moreover, since a large solenoid valve assembly 910 is attached to the side of the venturi pipe 920, the solenoid valve assembly 910 may come too close to other components and pipes in the water heater 1. Therefore, even if an attempt is made to move the position of the solenoid valve assembly 910 in order to secure a gap between the solenoid valve assembly 910 and other parts and piping, the solenoid valve assembly 910 is moved to the side of the minimum inner diameter portion 921b of the venturi passage 921. position, the position of the gas-liquid mixing device 900 itself must be moved. However, since the space in which the gas-liquid mixing device 900 is mounted is narrow, it is not easy to move the position of the long gas-liquid mixing device 900 . As a result, the conventional gas-liquid mixing device 900 may fail to ensure workability during assembly and maintenance. On the other hand, in the gas-liquid mixing device 100 of the present embodiment, workability during assembly and maintenance can be easily ensured for the following reasons.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the gas-liquid mixing device 100 of this embodiment. As described above with reference to FIG. 1, the gas-liquid mixing device 100 of this embodiment has a structure in which the venturi tube 130 is inserted into the internal passage 121a of the main tube 120, and the shape of the outer surface of the venturi tube 130 , the central intermediate outer surface 134b is narrower than the inlet-side outer surface 134a and the outlet-side outer surface 134c on both sides (see FIG. 1). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, an air chamber 137 is formed between the intermediate outer surface 134b and the internal passage 121a, both sides of which are hermetically sealed with O-rings 135. As shown in FIG. An air passage 131d is formed through the minimum inner diameter portion 131b from the wall surface of the air chamber 137 located outside the minimum inner diameter portion 131b. Further, an air inlet 127 is formed on the side surface of the main tube 120 at a position opening to the air chamber 137, and the insertion portion 111b of the electromagnetic valve assembly 110 is inserted into the air inlet 127. As shown in FIG.

Therefore, as indicated by the black arrow in the figure, when the liquid flows into the gas-liquid mixing device 100 from the inlet 132, the air in the air chamber 137 is forced out by the negative pressure generated in the minimum inner diameter portion 131b. After the liquid (gas-liquid mixed fluid) is formed by being sucked through the air passage 131d and mixed with air, it flows out from the outlet 124 . The hatched arrows shown in the drawing represent how the gas-liquid mixed fluid flows out from the outlet 124 . Further, as the air in the air chamber 137 is sucked into the minimum inner diameter portion 131b through the air passage 131d, the corresponding amount of air is supplied from the solenoid valve assembly 110 to the air chamber 137. The thick dashed arrows in FIG. 5 represent the flow of air supplied from the solenoid valve assembly 110 through the air chamber 137 into the minimum inner diameter portion 131b.

As described above, in the gas-liquid mixing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the air passage 131d sucks air from the air chamber 137. Therefore, the air chamber 137 can be replenished with air. It may be attached at a position communicating with the chamber 137 . That is, unlike the conventional gas-liquid mixing device 900 described above with reference to FIG. 4, the position where the electromagnetic valve assembly 110 is attached does not necessarily have to be right beside the smallest inner diameter portion 131b. Therefore, by preparing a plurality of main tubes 120 having air inlets 127 at different positions, the position of the solenoid valve assembly 110 can be changed within the range indicated by the hatched arrows in FIG. As a result, it is possible to secure the distance between the electromagnetic valve assembly 110 and other parts and piping in the water heater 1 without changing the mounting position of the gas-liquid mixing device 100, which can be It is possible to improve workability during maintenance.

In addition, since the air chamber 137 is formed along the entire periphery of the intermediate outer surface 134b of the venturi tube 130 (see FIG. 1), it can be attached in any direction from the outer surface of the main tube 120. A portion 126 can be protruded to mount the solenoid valve assembly 110 . Therefore, the position of the solenoid valve assembly 110 can be moved more freely, so that workability during assembly and maintenance can be further improved. In addition, since the air chamber 137 can be formed in the portion of the intermediate outer surface 134b where the outside diameter of the venturi tube 130 is reduced, the air chamber 137 is formed outside the main tube 120 even though the air chamber 137 is formed inside. No increase in diameter. As a result, even when it is mounted in a narrow place such as the inside of the water heater 1, it can be easily mounted.

In addition, since the internal passage 121a of the main tube 120 can be formed by removing a mold from the insertion port 123 (see FIG. 1) into which the venturi tube 130 is inserted, an opening on the side opposite to the insertion port 123 is formed. need not be set. As a result, unlike the conventional gas-liquid mixing apparatus 900, it is not necessary to provide a sealing plate 923 (see FIG. 4) or a flange 922 (see FIG. 4) for mounting the sealing plate 923. The overall length can be shortened compared to device 900 . Therefore, in the gas-liquid mixing device 100 of the present embodiment, even when it is mounted in a narrow space such as when it is mounted on the water heater 1, there are fewer restrictions on the mounting position and mounting direction. As a result, it is possible to secure a distance from other parts and pipes in the water heater 1, and it is possible to improve workability during assembly and maintenance.

There are several modifications of the gas-liquid mixing device 100 of the present embodiment described above. These modifications will be briefly described below, focusing on the differences from the present embodiment.

B. First modification:
In the above-described embodiment, the attachment portion 126 to which the solenoid valve assembly 110 is attached is described as being formed at one location on the main pipe 120 . Therefore, when trying to move the position of the solenoid valve assembly 110, it becomes necessary to change the main tube 120 to a main tube 120 having a mounting portion 126 formed at a different position. However, the attachment portions 126 may be formed at a plurality of locations on the main pipe 120, and the attachment portion 126 at an appropriate position may be selected from the attachment portions 126 to attach the solenoid valve assembly 110 thereto.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a gas-liquid mixing device 100 of a first modification in which mounting portions 126 are formed at a plurality of locations on the main tube 120. As shown in FIG. In the illustrated first modification, the mounting portions 126 are formed at two locations on the main tube 120, but the mounting portions 126 may be formed at three or more locations. In addition, in the illustrated first modification, the plurality of mounting portions 126 are formed in the same direction in the circumferential direction. good. In the gas-liquid mixing device 100 of the first modified example, an appropriate attachment portion 126 is selected from among the plurality of attachment portions 126 to attach the electromagnetic valve assembly 110, and the other attachment portions 126 are attached to the insertion portion. The air inlet 127 is sealed by attaching a sealing plate 128 with an O-ring 128a and an O-ring 128b. This makes it possible to change the mounting position of the solenoid valve assembly 110 and ensure workability during assembly and maintenance without preparing multiple types of main pipes 120 .

C. Second modification:
Further, in the present embodiment and the first modified example described above, the venturi tube 130 is formed with the pair of mounting protrusions 136, and the main tube 120 is also formed with the pair of mounting protrusions 125. bottom. However, a plurality of pairs of mounting protrusions 125 may be formed on the main tube 120 .

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a gas-liquid mixing device 100 of a second modification in which a plurality of pairs of mounting protrusions 125 and 129 are formed on the main tube 120. As shown in FIG. In the illustrated second modification, in addition to the pair of mounting projections 125, another pair of mounting projections 129 are formed. Therefore, by rotating the main tube 120 around the central axis, as indicated by the hatched arrow in the figure, the mounting protrusion 136 of the venturi tube 130 (and the upstream piping flange (not shown)) can be attached. It is possible to switch between the case where the protrusion 125 is attached and the case where the attachment protrusion 129 is attached. In this way, the position of solenoid valve assembly 110 can be moved by rotating main tube 120 .

1 and 2, when the discharge part 122 projects sideways from the main pipe 120 as in the gas-liquid mixing device 100 of this embodiment, the electromagnetic valve assembly 110 is moved. Rotating the body tube 120 to force it changes the orientation of the outlet 122 (and the outlet 124). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, a discharge portion 122 may be provided coaxially with the main tube 120 . In this way, even if the main tube 120 is rotated, the direction of the discharge portion 122 can be kept unchanged. In FIG. 8, the mounting projections formed on the main tube 120 are two pairs of mounting projections 125 and 129, but three or more pairs of mounting projections may be formed. good.

D. Third modification:
In the present embodiment, the first modified example, and the second modified example described above, by inserting the venturi tube 130 into the internal passage 121a of the substantially cylindrical body tube 120, the internal passage 121a and the intermediate outer surface of the venturi tube 130 134b to form the air chamber 137. As shown in FIG. However, if the air chamber 137 can be formed on the side of the venturi passage 131, it is not necessary to form the air chamber 137 using the main tube 120 having the internal passage 121a and the venturi tube . For example, the air chamber 137 may be formed by providing a recess in the outer surface of the venturi tube 920 of the conventional gas-liquid mixing device 900 shown in FIG. 4 and covering the recess with a cover member.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the gas-liquid mixing device 100 of the third modification. As shown in FIG. 9 , the gas-liquid mixing device 100 of the third modification has a structure in which a solenoid valve assembly 110 is attached to the side of a venturi tube 130 via a cover member 142 . A venturi passage 131 is formed inside the venturi tube 130 , and mounting protrusions 136 project from both sides of an inlet 132 to the venturi passage 131 . The shape of the venturi passage 131 formed inside the venturi tube 130 is the same as that of the present embodiment described above. That is, a diameter-reduced passage portion 131a in which the passage inner diameter decreases downstream from the inlet 132, a minimum inner diameter portion 131b in which the passage inner diameter is the smallest, and an enlarged diameter passage portion in which the passage inner diameter increases downstream from the minimum inner diameter portion 131b. A passage portion 131c is formed. A cylindrical discharge portion 139 protrudes from the side surface of the venturi tube 130, and a discharge port 139a opens at the lower end of the discharge portion 139. As shown in FIG.

Further, a mounting portion 140 that is long in the axial direction of the venturi tube 130 protrudes from the outer surface of the venturi tube 130, and a flat mounting surface 140a is formed on the upper surface of the mounting portion 140. As shown in FIG. A recess 141 elongated in the axial direction of the venturi tube 130 is formed in the center of the mounting surface 140a. A cover member 142 is attached. Therefore, an air chamber 144, which will be described later, is formed between the recess 141 formed on the outer surface of the venturi tube 130 and the cover member 142 (see FIG. 10). Furthermore, the cover member 142 is formed with an air inlet 143 at a position communicating with the air chamber 144 . The solenoid valve assembly 110 is attached by inserting the insertion portion 111 b into the air inlet 143 and fastening the cover member 142 together with the attachment portion 140 with the attachment screws 114 .

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the gas-liquid mixing device 100 of the third modified example described above, taken along a plane passing through the central axis of the venturi tube 130 . As illustrated, in the third modification, an air chamber 144 is formed by covering a recess 141 formed in the outer surface of the venturi tube 130 with a cover member 142, and the air chamber 144 and the venturi passage It communicates with the minimum inner diameter portion 131b of 131 via an air passage 131d. Further, an air inlet 143 is formed in the cover member 142 (see FIG. 9), and the solenoid valve assembly 110 is attached to the air inlet 143 . Therefore, as indicated by the black arrow in the drawing, when liquid is introduced from the inlet 132 of the venturi passage 131, the negative pressure generated in the minimum inner diameter portion 131b causes the electromagnetic valve assembly 110 to move from the air chamber 144 and the air chamber 144. Air is sucked into the minimum inner diameter portion 131b through the air passage 131d and mixed with the liquid to form a gas-liquid mixed fluid.

In the example shown in FIG. 9, the cover member 142 is attached so that the air inlet 143 of the cover member 142 faces the front side (the side closer to the inlet 132). It can also be installed so that the inlet 143 is on the far side (the side farther from the inlet 132). This also allows the position of the solenoid valve assembly 110 to be moved, as shown in FIG. Of course, if a cover member 142 with a different position of the air inlet 143 is prepared, it becomes possible to move the electromagnetic valve assembly 110 to a desired position.

E. Fourth modification:
Further, in the above-described third modification, the venturi tube 130 is formed with the recess 141 , and the air chamber 144 is formed by covering the recess 141 with the cover member 142 . However, the air chamber 144 may be formed by forming a recess in the cover member 142 and attaching the cover member 142 to the outer surface of the venturi tube 130 .

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the rough structure of the venturi tube 130 of the gas-liquid mixing device 100 of the fourth modification described above. As shown in FIG. 12 , in the fourth modification, a recess 141 is formed on the cover member 142 side, and an air inlet 143 is formed so as to communicate with the recess 141 . By attaching such a cover member 142 to the outer surface of the venturi tube 130 , an air chamber 144 is formed between the venturi tube 130 and the cover member 142 , and an electromagnetic Insert valve assembly 110 . Even in this case, by preparing cover members 142 having air inlets 143 at different positions, it is possible to move the electromagnetic valve assembly 110 to a desired position.

As described above, the gas-liquid mixing device 100 of the present embodiment and various modifications has been described, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and various modifications, and can be modified in various ways without departing from the gist thereof. It is possible to implement in

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Water heater, 2... Main body case, 3... Hot water supply faucet, 4... Bathtub,
5... Circulation fitting, 10... Combustion can, 10a... Main combustion can,
10b... sub-combustion can, 12... main burner, 13... main heat exchanger,
14... Combustion fan, 15... Sub burner, 16... Sub heat exchanger,
20... Gas pipe, 21... Source gas solenoid valve, 22... Gas proportional valve,
23... Main gas solenoid valve, 24... Sub gas solenoid valve, 25... Water supply pipe,
26... Flow sensor, 27... Main valve, 28... Water filter,
30 Hot water supply pipe 33 Hot water filling pipe 34 Hot water filling electromagnetic valve
35... Check valve, 36... Flow meter, 51... Bath going piping,
52... Bath return pipe, 54... Circulation pump, 55... Water flow switch,
56... Water temperature sensor, 100... Gas-liquid mixing device,
110... Solenoid valve assembly, 111... Body part,
111a... Flange surface, 111b... Insertion part, 111c... O-ring,
112... Electromagnetic switching valve, 113... Filter, 114... Mounting screw,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 120... Main body pipe, 121... Main body part, 121a... Internal passage,
121b... Inner peripheral surface, 122... Discharge part, 122a... Internal passage,
123... Insertion port, 124... Ejection port, 125... Mounting protrusion,
125a... Mounting hole, 126... Mounting portion, 126a... Mounting surface,
127... Air inlet, 128... Sealing plate, 129... Mounting protrusion,
130... Venturi tube, 131... Venturi passage,
131a...Reduced diameter passage portion, 131b...Minimum inner diameter portion,
131c... Expanded diameter passage portion, 131d... Air passage, 132... Inlet,
133...Outlet, 134a...Inlet side outer surface, 134b...Intermediate outer surface,
134c...outlet-side outer surface, 135...O-ring, 136...mounting protrusion,
136a...Mounting hole, 137...Air chamber, 139...Exhaust part,
139a...Exhaust port, 140...Mounting portion, 140a...Mounting surface,
141... Recess, 142... Cover member, 143... Air inlet,
144... Air chamber, 900... Gas-liquid mixer.

Claims (3)

A venturi passage having an inner diameter that expands after the inner diameter of the passage decreases toward the downstream side, and an air passage that opens to the minimum inner diameter portion of the portion where the inner diameter of the passage is the smallest. A gas-liquid mixing device for discharging an air-mixed liquid in which the liquid and the air are mixed from the outlet of the venturi passage by mixing air from the air passage into the liquid passing through the minimum inner diameter portion,
The venturi passage is formed inside the venturi member,
The air passage is opened on the outer surface of the venturi member in the lateral direction with respect to the venturi passage, and a cover member is attached in a state of covering at least a portion where the air passage is opened. An air chamber is formed between the outer surface and the cover member,
The cover member is formed with an air inlet for allowing air to flow into the air chamber, and the air inlet is provided with an electromagnetic on-off valve for opening and closing the air inlet. A gas-liquid mixing device. In the gas-liquid mixing device according to claim 1,
The outer surface of the venturi member has an inlet-side outer surface on the side where the inlet is formed and an outlet-side outer surface on the side where the outlet is formed. an intermediate outer surface between the outlet-side outer surface and the outlet-side outer surface is formed to have a smaller diameter than the inlet-side outer surface and the outlet-side outer surface;
The minimum inner diameter portion of the venturi passage is formed inside the intermediate outer surface,
The gas-liquid mixing device, wherein the cover member is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, and forms the air chamber by covering the entire circumference of the intermediate outer surface of the venturi member. In the gas-liquid mixing device according to claim 1 or claim 2,
The air inlets are formed at a plurality of locations in the cover member,
The gas-liquid mixing device, wherein the electromagnetic on-off valve is attached to one of the air inlets selected from the air inlets formed at a plurality of locations.

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