JP3822663B2 - Bubble generator - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a bubble generating device that, for example, pressurizes and dissolves atmospheric air into hot water in a bathtub and then pumps the hot water again into the bathtub to generate fine bubbles in the bathtub.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 2, as the bubble generating device, the water suction port 52 of the bathtub 51 and the suction port of the pump 53 are connected by a water suction conduit 54, and the pump 53 is connected via a dissolution conduit 58. The discharge port and the dissolution tank 55 are connected. The dissolution tank 55 and the water outlet 56 of the bathtub 51 are connected by a water discharge pipe 57, and an air suction pipe 59 is connected in the middle of the water absorption pipe 54. The air suction pipe 59 is always open and its diameter is fixed.
[0003]
When the pump 53 is driven, the hot water W in the bathtub 51 is sucked into the pump 53 via the water absorption conduit 54. At the same time, air is sucked from the air suction pipe 59, and the sucked air is pressurized and dissolved in the hot water W in the pump 53. Here, the undissolved air that has not been pressure-dissolved in the hot water W is separated from the hot water W in the dissolution tank 55 and discharged to the outside of the tank 55. Hot water W containing dissolved air is depressurized from the dissolution tank 55 via the water discharge pipe 57 and discharged into the bathtub 51. Thereby, fine bubbles are generated in the bathtub 51.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above bubble generator has the following problems.
(1) When the water surface height in the bathtub 51 changes during bathing, the suction lift changes, so the performance of the pump 53 also changes accordingly. Therefore, in this case, the amount of hot water W sucked into the pump 53 from the bathtub 51 changes. That is, the greater the suction head, the greater the degree of vacuum in the water absorption conduit 54. Therefore, the amount of air sucked from the air suction pipe 59 increases, the performance of the pump 53 decreases, and the discharge pressure of the pump 53 decreases. Conversely, the smaller the suction head, the smaller the degree of vacuum in the water absorption conduit 54. Therefore, the amount of air sucked from the air suction pipe 59 is small, the performance of the pump 53 is improved, and the discharge pressure of the pump 53 is increased.
[0005]
Thus, the performance (discharge pressure) of the pump 53 and the amount of air sucked change as the water level in the bathtub 51 changes. When the discharge pressure of the pump 53 and the air suction amount change, the ratio of the hot water W and the air dissolved in the hot water W becomes unstable, and the generation state of the fine bubbles generated in the bathtub 51 is unstable. Thus, fine bubbles may not be generated normally.
[0006]
This problem also occurs when the mounting position of the pump 53 and the length and thickness of each pipe line are different for each user even when the water surface of the bathtub 51 does not change.
(2) When the bathing is finished and the hot water W in the bathtub is discharged, the hot water W in the water absorption conduit 54 also comes out. In this case, even if hot water W is stored again in the bathtub 51, air enters the pipe 54 and air is sucked from the air suction pipe 59, so that the self-priming characteristic of the pump 53 is poor. In the bathtub 51, fine bubbles cannot be generated quickly. In particular, when the suction head is long, almost no hot water is sucked into the pump 53 and the fine bubble operation cannot be performed.
[0007]
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and a first object thereof is to provide a bubble generating device capable of stably generating fine bubbles in a storage tank even when the suction head is changed. Is to provide.
[0008]
The second object is to provide a bubble generating device capable of stably generating fine bubbles in a storage tank even when the mounting position of the pump and the length and thickness of the pipeline are changed. .
[0009]
The third purpose is to generate bubbles that can quickly generate fine bubbles in the storage tank when the pump is driven even if the liquid is stored in the storage tank again after draining the liquid in the storage tank. To provide an apparatus.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, in the first aspect of the present invention, in particular, pressure detecting means for detecting the discharge pressure of the pump, and gas suction amount adjusting means for changing the suction amount of the gas sucked from the gas suction port. And a control means for controlling the suction amount of the gas suction amount adjusting means so that the detection result of the pressure detection means becomes a preset reference discharge pressure based on the detection result of the pressure detection means. Is the gist.
[0011]
The gist of the invention described in claim 2 is that the gas suction amount adjusting means changes the opening of the gas suction port steplessly.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the control means drives the gas suction amount adjusting means so that gas is not sucked from the gas suction pipe until the predetermined condition is satisfied after the apparatus is turned on. The gist is to control.
[0012]
Therefore, in the first aspect of the invention, when the apparatus is driven, the discharge pressure of the pump is detected by the pressure detection means. Based on the detection result, the control means controls the suction amount adjusting means to adjust the suction amount of the gas sucked from the gas suction port so that the detection result becomes a preset reference discharge pressure .
[0013]
In the second aspect of the invention, in addition to the action of the first aspect of the invention, the suction amount adjusting means changes the diameter of the gas suction port steplessly, so that the gas sucked into the water suction pipe The amount of suction can be gradually adjusted.
[0014]
In the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the operation of the invention described in claim 1 or 2, the control means prevents the gas from being sucked from the gas suction pipe for a predetermined time after the power of the apparatus is turned on. The gas suction amount adjusting means is driven and controlled. As a result, even if liquid is discharged from the liquid storage tank and gas enters the water absorption pipe, turning off the power to the device and turning it on again prevents gas from being sucked from the gas suction pipe. Self-priming properties are improved.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, an embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a bubble generating device for a bathtub will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit diagram of a bubble generating device in the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, hot water W as a liquid is stored in a bathtub 11 as a liquid storage tank. A water inlet 12 and a water outlet 13 are formed on the side wall of the bathtub 11. A filter (not shown) is attached to the water inlet 12. A pump 15 is connected to the water inlet 12 through a water absorption pipe 14.
[0017]
An air suction pipe 16 is connected in the middle of the water suction pipe 14. Further, a check valve 17 that allows only the flow of liquid and gas from the bathtub 11 side to the pump 15 side is interposed in the middle of the water absorption pipe line 14 between the air suction pipe 16 and the pump 15. An intake air amount adjusting valve 19 is connected to the opening side end of the air suction pipe 16 via a check valve 18. An intake filter 20 is attached to the opening side end of the intake air amount adjustment valve 19.
[0018]
A dissolution tank 22 is connected to the discharge side port of the pump 15 through an inflow conduit 21. An exhaust pipe 23 is connected to the upper part of the dissolution tank 22 via an air vent valve 29. The water discharge port 13 of the bathtub 11 and the dissolution tank 22 are connected by a water discharge line 25. A foaming nozzle 26 is interposed in the middle of the water discharge pipe 25.
[0019]
The intake air amount adjusting valve 19 includes a stepping motor (not shown), and a needle (not shown) for adjusting the opening amount of the intake air amount adjusting valve 19 is connected to the stepping motor. The opening amount of the amount adjusting valve 19 is changed steplessly. With the change in the opening amount of the intake air amount adjusting valve 19, the intake air amount of air sucked from the air intake pipe 16 changes.
[0020]
A pressure sensor 27 as pressure detecting means for detecting the pressure of the hot water W discharged from the pump 15 is provided in the middle of the inflow conduit 21. The stepping motor and pressure sensor 27 of the intake air amount adjusting valve 19 are connected to a controller 28 as control means. The controller 28 drives and controls the stepping motor of the intake air amount adjustment valve 19 based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 27.
[0021]
The controller 28 adjusts the opening of the intake air amount adjusting valve 19 by driving the stepping motor of the intake air amount adjusting valve 19 so that the discharge pressure of the pump 15 becomes a preset reference discharge pressure. That is, when the discharge pressure of the pump 15 is higher than the reference pressure, the controller 28 controls the intake air amount adjusting valve 19 so that the amount of air sucked from the air suction pipe 16 is increased. On the other hand, when the discharge pressure of the pump 15 is lower than the reference pressure, the controller 28 controls the opening of the intake air amount adjustment valve 19 so that the amount of air sucked from the air suction pipe 16 is reduced. That is, the controller 28 feedback-controls the stepping motor of the intake air amount adjustment valve 19 based on the discharge pressure of the pump 15 so that the discharge pressure of the pump 15 becomes the reference pressure. In the present embodiment, the reference discharge pressure is set to 3 kg / cm ² where fine bubbles are generated most efficiently.
[0022]
In addition, when the power is turned on again after the device is turned off, the controller 28 opens the intake air amount adjusting valve (air intake pipe 16) 19 for a predetermined time (in this embodiment, 10 seconds). It is designed to be fully closed. When the power is turned on and a predetermined time elapses, the drive control of the intake air amount adjusting valve 19 is performed based on the discharge pressure of the pump 15 as usual.
[0023]
Next, the operation at the time of driving the bubble generating apparatus configured as described above will be described.
First, when the pump 15 is driven, the hot water W in the bathtub 11 is sucked into the pump 15 from the water inlet 12 through the water suction pipe 14. At this time, the water suction pipe 14 has a negative pressure, and air corresponding to the opening of the intake air amount adjustment valve 19 is sucked from the air suction pipe 16, and the air flows through the water suction pipe 14 together with the hot water W to the pump 15. It is sucked in. The air sucked into the pump 15 is pressurized and dissolved in the hot water W. At this time, not all the sucked air is dissolved in hot water W under pressure. Thereafter, the hot water W containing the pressure-dissolved air is pumped into the dissolution tank 22 through the inflow conduit 21.
[0024]
In the melting tank 22, air that has not been pressurized and dissolved in the hot water W by the pump 15 is separated by the air vent valve 29 and exhausted to the atmosphere from the exhaust pipe 23 . On the other hand, hot water W containing pressure-dissolved air is pumped from the dissolution tank 22 to the water discharge pipe 25. Hot water W flowing through the water discharge pipe 25 is decompressed by the foaming nozzle 26 and then discharged into the bathtub 11 from the water discharge port 13. Thereby, fine bubbles are generated in the bathtub 11.
[0025]
Here, for example, it is assumed that the bather has entered the bathtub 11 and the water surface has risen to reduce the suction lift. In this case, the degree of vacuum of the water suction pipe 14 is reduced, the amount of air sucked from the air suction pipe 16 is reduced as compared with that before the water level rises, and the performance of the pump 15 is improved. growing. At this time, if the discharge pressure of the pump 15 detected by the pressure sensor 27 is larger than the reference discharge pressure, the controller 28 drives the intake air amount adjustment valve 19 to increase the opening of the air suction pipe 16. Thereby, the amount of air sucked from the air suction pipe 16 increases, the performance (discharge pressure) of the pump 15 decreases, and the discharge pressure of the pump 15 approaches the reference discharge pressure.
[0026]
Moreover, when the water level of the bathtub 11 falls and the suction lift becomes large, the controller 28 decreases the performance of the pump 15, so that the discharge pressure of the pump 15 becomes small. At this time, if the discharge pressure of the pump 15 detected by the pressure sensor 27 is smaller than the reference discharge pressure, the controller 28 drives the intake air amount adjustment valve 19 to reduce the opening of the air suction pipe 16. Thereby, the amount of air sucked from the air suction pipe 16 is reduced, the performance (discharge pressure) of the pump 15 is improved, and the discharge pressure of the pump 15 approaches the reference discharge pressure.
[0027]
Now, after the apparatus is stopped and the hot water W is extracted from the bathtub 11, even if the hot water W is stored in the bathtub 11 again for the next bathing, the air has entered the water absorption pipe 14. . When the apparatus is turned on in this state, the controller 28 fully closes the intake air amount adjustment valve 19. Therefore, even if the pump 15 is driven, air is not sucked from the air suction pipe 16. Thereby, the self-priming characteristic of the pump 15 is improved, and the hot water W in the bathtub 11 is quickly sucked normally.
[0028]
In the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained by configuring the bubble generating device as described above.
(1) The discharge pressure of the pump 15 is detected, and the intake air amount adjustment valve 19 for adjusting the opening of the air suction pipe 16 is controlled by the controller 28 so that the discharge pressure becomes a preset reference discharge pressure. Configured.
[0029]
Thereby, even if a water surface (suction head) changes during bathing, the generation state of fine bubbles can be kept constant.
Further, since the controller 28 drives and controls the intake air amount adjustment valve 19 based on the discharge pressure of the pump 15, even if the mounting position of the pump 15 and the length and thickness of the water suction pipe 14 are different, generation of fine bubbles is generated. The state can be kept constant.
[0030]
(2) The intake air amount adjusting valve 19 that adjusts the opening degree of the air suction pipe 16 is adjusted steplessly by a stepping motor, so that the pulsation of the discharge pressure of the pump 15 can be reduced and more stable. Generation of fine bubbles is possible.
[0031]
(3) When the power is turned on, the intake air amount adjustment valve 19 is fully closed so that air is not sucked from the air suction pipe 16, so that the hot water W is discharged from the bathtub 11 and the hot water W is poured again into the bathtub 11. Even if it is stored and the device is driven, air in the atmosphere is not sucked into the pump 15, so that the self-priming characteristic of the pump 15 is improved, and the hot water W in the bathtub 1 is quickly sucked and discharged normally. Can do. As a result, fine bubbles can be quickly generated in the bathtub 11.
[0032]
In addition, this invention can also be implemented as follows.
(1) adjustment of the opening degree of the intake air amount regulating Seiben 19 as a gas suction amount adjusting means uses a stepping motor to adjust the opening of the air suction pipe 16 steplessly by varying the amount of rotation thereof However, the opening degree of the air suction pipe 16 may be adjusted stepwise using a solenoid valve or the like.
[0033]
(2) In the above-described embodiment, the liquid storage tank is embodied in the bathtub 11. However, the liquid storage tank (for example, a water tank for breeding fish) other than the bathtub 11 may be embodied in a device that generates fine bubbles.
[0034]
(3) In the above embodiment, the air in the atmosphere is sucked in as a gas. However, the present invention may be embodied in a bubble generator that sucks in oxygen, ozone, or the like.
(4) the amount of intake air regulating Seiben 19 as a gas suction amount adjusting means may be embodied as a manually operated flow control valve. In this case, a pressure gauge that detects (measures) the discharge pressure of the pump 15 is installed in the inflow conduit 21. Then, a person looks at the pressure gauge and adjusts the opening of the flow rate adjustment valve so that the discharge pressure approaches the reference pressure.
[0035]
(5) In the above embodiment, the controller 28 is configured to fully close the opening of the intake air amount adjusting valve 19 for a predetermined time when the power of the apparatus is stopped and the power is turned on again. This may be configured such that the intake air amount adjustment valve 19 is fully closed until the discharge pressure of the pump 15 reaches a predetermined pressure.
[0036]
Next, technical ideas other than the claims grasped by each of the above embodiments will be described below together with the effects thereof.
(1) The bubble generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the gas suction amount adjusting means can be operated manually.
[0037]
According to this configuration, since the suction amount adjusting means can be operated manually, the opening degree of the gas suction port can be changed even when the control means cannot normally drive and control the suction amount adjusting means due to a failure or the like. Can do.
[0038]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the suction amount of the gas sucked from the gas suction port is adjusted based on the discharge pressure of the pump so that the discharge pressure of the pump becomes a preset reference discharge pressure. By configuring, fine bubbles can be stably generated in the liquid storage tank even if the suction head changes or the pipe resistance changes.
[0039]
According to the second aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the invention, the suction amount adjusting means changes the opening of the gas suction port steplessly. , And more stable generation of fine bubbles is possible.
[0040]
According to the invention described in claim 3, since the self-priming property of the pump is improved, fine bubbles can be quickly generated in the liquid storage tank even if the apparatus is driven again after the liquid is discharged.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a bubble generator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a bubble generating device in the prior art.
[Explanation of symbols]
W ... Hot water as liquid, 11 ... Bath as liquid storage tank, 14 ... Water absorption pipe, 15 ... Pump, 16 ... Air suction pipe as gas suction port, 25 ... Water discharge pipe, 27 ... Pressure detection means Pressure sensor, 19... Intake amount adjusting valve as gas suction amount adjusting means, 28... Controller as control means.

Claims (3)

A pump connected to a liquid storage tank for storing liquid via a water absorption pipe, and a gas intake port that is branched and connected in the middle of the water absorption pipe and sucks gas into the water absorption pipe as the pump is driven And a water discharge line connecting the discharge side of the pump and a liquid storage tank, and when the pump is driven, liquid is sucked from the liquid storage tank and gas is sucked from the gas suction port, In the bubble generator for generating fine bubbles in the liquid storage tank by pressurizing and dissolving the gas in the liquid in the pump and discharging the liquid containing the dissolved gas into the liquid storage tank,
Pressure detecting means for detecting the discharge pressure of the pump;
A gas suction amount adjusting means for changing a suction amount of gas sucked from the gas suction port;
A bubble generating apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to control a suction amount of the gas suction amount adjusting unit based on a detection result of the pressure detection unit so that a detection result of the pressure detection unit becomes a preset reference discharge pressure. . The bubble generating device according to claim 1, wherein the gas suction amount adjusting means changes the opening of the gas suction port steplessly. The said control means drives and controls the said gas suction amount adjustment means so that gas may not be suck | inhaled from a gas suction pipe after the power supply of an apparatus is turned on until predetermined conditions are satisfy | filled. The bubble generator described in 1.

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