JP4815032B2 - Microbubble generator and gas-liquid mixing tank - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a microbubble generator used in a bathtub, water tank, pool, cleaning device, sterilizer, and the like and a gas-liquid mixing tank used in the microbubble generator.

A conventional microbubble generator and gas-liquid mixing tank will be described with reference to FIG.
The microbubble generator shown in FIG. 4 is an example used in a bathtub, and supplies air-dissolved water (water in which air is dissolved) generated by a gas-liquid mixing tank to the bathtub, and microbubbles (fine bubbles) in the bathtub water (hot water). (See, for example, Patent Document 1).
4A shows the configuration of the microbubble generator, and FIG. 4B shows another example of the gas-liquid mixing tank used in the microbubble generator.
In FIG. 4, 73 is a bathtub, 71 is a pump, 721 is a gas-liquid mixing tank (tank for dissolving air in water), 742 is a venturi, 76 is a control device, and an arrow indicates the direction of water flow.

First, FIG. 4A will be described.
Water 731 in the bathtub 73 is supplied to the injection nozzle 722 in the gas-liquid mixing tank 721 via the suction port 734, the water suction pipe 751, the venturi 742, the pump 71, and the discharge pipe 752. The gas-liquid mixing tank 721 injects water from the injection nozzle 722, stirs the water and air, and dissolves the air in water. Water in which air is dissolved (air-dissolved water) is supplied to the bathtub 73 via the supply pipe 753 and the decompression nozzle 732, and microbubbles (fine bubbles) are generated in the bathtub 73 to make the water 731 cloudy. The venturi 742 mixes the air taken in through the motor operated valve 741 into the water in the water suction pipe 751. The water mixed with air is pressurized by the pump 71 and supplied to the gas-liquid mixing tank 721.
The air in the gas-liquid mixing tank 721 dissolves in water and decreases with time. Therefore, in order to replenish the air into the gas-liquid mixing tank 721, the control device 76 opens the motor-operated valve 741 that is closed every set time and supplies air to the venturi 742. That is, the electric valve 741 is opened at predetermined intervals to supply air to the venturi 742. The driving time of the motor-operated valve 741 set in the control device 76 is determined by predicting the time during which the air in the gas-liquid mixing tank 721 is dissolved in water and the air falls below a predetermined amount.

Next, FIG. 4B will be described.
FIG. 4B is different from the gas-liquid mixing tank 721 in FIG. 4A in that a water level sensor is provided in the gas-liquid mixing tank 721. Other configurations are the same as those in FIG. In the case of FIG.4 (b), instead of opening and closing the motor operated valve 41 every predetermined time, it opens and closes by the water level in the gas-liquid mixing tank 721.
The gas-liquid mixing tank 721 includes an upper limit water level sensor 723 that detects the upper limit water level 725 of the water 727 and a lower limit water level sensor 724 that detects the lower limit water level 726. When the amount of air in the gas-liquid mixing tank 721 decreases and the water level of the water 727 rises and reaches the upper limit water level 725, the control device 76 opens the electric valve 41 and takes in air into the venturi 742, Air is added to the mixing tank 721. When the water 727 reaches the lower limit water level 726, the control device 76 closes the motor control valve 41 and raises the water level of the gas-liquid mixing tank 721.
In addition, there is an example in which an air vent valve 77 is provided in order to exhaust the surplus air to the outside of the gas-liquid mixing tank 721 when surplus air that does not dissolve in water accumulates in the gas-liquid mixing tank 721 (see, for example, Patent Document 2). ).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-179241 JP-A-9-173404

  The conventional microbubble generator intermittently replenishes the gas-liquid mixing tank with the time set in the control device, so that the air in the gas-liquid mixing tank decreases or becomes excessive. The air pressure in the gas-liquid mixing tank also varies. Therefore, when the operation of the microbubble generator becomes unstable and the air in the gas-liquid mixing tank becomes excessive, the undissolved surplus air in the gas-liquid mixing tank is discharged to the decompression nozzle side of the bathtub. Then, large-diameter air spouts into the bathtub with a loud sound. In addition, since the amount of air dissolved in the gas-liquid mixing tank varies depending on the air pressure in the gas-liquid mixing tank, conventional microbubble generators efficiently and stably use water (air-dissolved water) in which air is dissolved. It is difficult to generate continuously. The same applies to the case where the water level in the gas-liquid mixing tank is detected and air is supplied to the gas-liquid mixing tank.

The conventional microbubble generator uses a venturi controlled by a motorized valve, so it is difficult to control, and the venturi is expensive and bulky, so the microbubble generator is expensive and difficult to downsize. It is.
In the conventional microbubble generator, when an air vent valve for exhausting excess air in the gas-liquid mixing tank is provided, the air pressure in the gas-liquid mixing tank decreases each time the exhaust is performed. It becomes difficult to generate water efficiently and stably. The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems of conventional microbubble generators, and continuously dissolves air-dissolved water efficiently and stably. To generate microbubbles stably and continuously, and use an orifice fixed valve instead of a venturi to form an air intake with a simple structure to provide an inexpensive and small microbubble generator. With the goal.

In order to achieve the object of the invention of the present application, the microbubble generator according to claim 1 is a pump for pressurizing water in which air in the air intake section is mixed with water, and discharge water from the pump is provided at an upper portion of the mixing container. In a microbubble generator equipped with a gas-liquid mixing tank that jets from an attached jet nozzle to generate air-dissolved water and supplies the air-dissolved water to a water storage tank,
The air intake part is composed of an orifice fixed valve and a solenoid valve.The mixing container has a collision plate on which the spray water of the injection nozzle arranged so as to face the injection hole of the injection nozzle collides, and the air pressure in the air region of the mixing container. Air pressure sensor to detect, upper limit water level sensor to detect the upper limit water level of the upper part of the collision plate, and lower limit water level sensor to detect the lower limit water level of the upper part of the collision plate, and the air pressure detected by the air pressure sensor Compare the air pressure set in the control device and control the discharge pressure of the pump so that the air pressure in the air region in the mixing container becomes the air pressure set in the control device,
When the upper limit water level sensor detects the upper limit water level, the solenoid valve of the air intake section is opened to start intake of air.When the lower limit water level sensor detects the lower limit water level, the solenoid valve of the air intake section is closed to stop intake of air. A control device for controlling the water level in the mixing vessel to be higher than the collision plate is provided.
The microbubble generating device according to claim 2 is the microbubble generating device according to claim 1, wherein the air pressure set in the control device is the air region in which the water in the water storage tank becomes clouded in a predetermined time. It is characterized by air pressure.

Since the microbubble generator of the present invention controls the pump so that the air pressure in the mixing container of the gas-liquid mixing tank is constant, air can be efficiently and stably dissolved in water continuously. Therefore, microbubbles can be generated stably and continuously.
Since the microbubble generator of the present invention keeps the air pressure in the mixing container of the gas-liquid mixing tank constant and the collision plate is installed in the mixing container, the water and air in the mixing container are agitated. Efficiently, the efficiency of air dissolution can be increased.

The microbubble generator of the present invention keeps the air pressure in the mixing container of the gas-liquid mixing tank constant, installs a collision plate in the mixing container, and keeps the water level in the mixing container higher than the collision plate. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently stir the water and air in the mixing container and increase the air dissolution efficiency.
Since the microbubble generator of the present invention controls the pump so that the air pressure in the mixing container of the gas-liquid mixing tank is constant, the air intake part can use an orifice fixing valve with a simple structure. it can. Therefore, the structure and control of the air intake section are simplified, the microbubble generator can be miniaturized, and the microbubble generator can be manufactured at low cost.

The gas-liquid mixing tank for the microbubble generator of the present invention has an injection nozzle attached to the upper part of the mixing container, and a collision plate is provided so as to face the injection nozzle, so that the collision occurs regardless of the depth of the mixing container. Since only water at the top of the plate can be stirred, water and air can be stirred efficiently.
The gas-liquid mixing tank for the microbubble generator according to the present invention has an injection nozzle attached to the upper part of the mixing container, a collision plate is provided so as to face the injection nozzle, and an upper limit water level and a lower limit of water on the upper part of the collision plate 15. Since the upper limit water level sensor and the lower limit water level sensor for detecting the water level are provided, the water level at the upper part of the collision plate 15 can be maintained at a water level suitable for stirring.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the same code | symbol is used for the part common to each figure.

FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a microbubble generator according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 shows details of a gas-liquid mixing tank, and FIG. 3 shows the structure of an orifice fixed valve. In FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the hatched portion indicates a cross section.
First, FIG. 1 will be described.
In FIG. 1, 1 is a gas-liquid mixing tank (tank that dissolves air into water), 2 is a pump, 3 is a bathtub, 5 is an air intake unit, 61 is a control device including a microprocessor, 62 is a power source, and 63 is It is a setting part of the control apparatus 61, and the arrow shows the direction through which water flows.
The gas-liquid mixing tank 1 includes a mixing container 11, an injection nozzle 14, and a collision plate 15, and an air pressure sensor 64 and a water level sensor 65 are attached to the mixing container 11. The air intake unit 5 includes an orifice fixed valve 51 for air intake, a solenoid valve 52, and a check valve 53. The control device 61 controls the power supply frequency supplied from the power source 62 to the drive motor (not shown) of the pump 2 to control the discharge pressure (or discharge flow rate) of the pump 2 and also controls the opening and closing of the electromagnetic valve 52. .

  Water 311 in the bathtub 3 is supplied to the gas-liquid mixing tank 1 through the suction port 33, the water absorption pipe 411, the switching valve 471, the water absorption pipe 412, the pump 2, and the discharge pipe 42. The gas-liquid mixing tank 1 generates water (air-dissolved water) 13 in which air is dissolved by stirring water and air. The air-dissolved water 13 in the gas-liquid mixing tank 1 is supplied to the bathtub 3 through the supply pipe 431, the switching valve 472, the supply pipe 432, and the decompression nozzle 32, and generates microbubbles (fine bubbles) 312 in the bathtub 3. The water 311 becomes cloudy.

An orifice fixing valve 51 (details will be described later) of the air intake section 5 takes in air from an opening at one end, and supplies air to the air intake pipe 541 through the orifice (vent hole). Air is supplied to the pipe coupling portion 44 through the electromagnetic valve 53, the air intake pipe 542, the check valve 53, and the air intake pipe 543, and is supplied to the water absorption pipe 412 at the pipe coupling portion 44. In the pipe coupling portion 44, one end of the air intake pipe 543 is connected to the side surface of the water absorption pipe 412 in a T shape. The air is mixed into the water in the water absorption pipe 412 in the pipe coupling portion 44, and the water mixed with the air is pressurized by the pump 2 and supplied to the gas-liquid mixing tank 1 through the discharge pipe 42.
The water supplied to the gas-liquid mixing tank 1 is sprayed toward the collision plate 15 from the spray nozzle 14 attached to the upper portion of the mixing container 11 in the mixing container 11. The jet water 161 rises and stirs so as to collide with the collision plate 15 and wind up the water above the collision plate 15 (details will be described later).

Next, control of the control device 61 will be described.
The air pressure sensor 64 detects the air pressure (hereinafter referred to as tank air pressure) (PA) in the air region (gas phase region) 12 in the mixing container 11 of the gas-liquid mixing tank 1. On the other hand, the control device 61 is set with an air pressure (hereinafter referred to as a set air pressure) (PS) in the air region 12 suitable for dissolving air in water in the mixing container 11. The controller 61 compares the tank air pressure (PA) with the set air pressure (PS) and controls the drive motor of the pump 2 so that the tank air pressure (PA) is substantially the same as the set air pressure (PS). To do. Since the pump 2 changes the rotational force of the drive motor, the discharge pressure of the pump 2 changes and the discharge flow rate changes, so the tank air pressure (PA) also changes. Thus, the air pressure in the air region 12 in the mixing container 11 can be kept substantially constant under the control of the control device 61.
The setting unit 63 sets the setting air pressure (PS) or the like to the control device 61.

Here, the setting of the set air pressure (PS) will be described.
The time from the supply of air-dissolved water from the gas-liquid mixing tank 1 to the bathtub 3 until the water 311 of the bathtub 3 becomes clouded is determined by the flow rate of the air-dissolved water supplied from the gas-liquid mixing tank 1. Is determined by the mixing vessel air pressure (PA). Therefore, for example, if the volume of the water 311 in the bathtub 3 is X, and the time until the water of the volume X becomes clouded (white turbidity time) is Y, the tank air necessary for the volume X of water to become clouded in the cloudy time Y The pressure (PA) can be measured to obtain the set air pressure (PS). In this case, the set air pressure (PS) is obtained by supplying air dissolved water to the volume X of water during the clouding time Y and measuring the tank air pressure (PA) at which the water becomes cloudy. At that time, the degree of white turbidity of the water 311 can be confirmed by visual observation, but can be more accurately confirmed by measuring the dissolved oxygen (DO) of the water 311.
Note that the amount of air dissolved in water varies depending on the water temperature and decreases as the water temperature increases. Therefore, strictly speaking, the set air pressure (PS) is preferably measured for each temperature of the water in the mixing vessel 11, When the microbubble generator is for a bathtub, the bathing water temperature is generally around 41 ° C., and the volume of the bathtub is generally around 190 L. For example, the air pressure measured for water with a water temperature of 41 ° C. and a volume of 190 L is used. However, there is no practical problem. If the air pressure measured for a higher water temperature is set, the amount of dissolved air will increase even if the water temperature is lowered, so that the undissolved surplus air will not increase.

  Next, tank air pressure (PA) when water in a bathtub having a water temperature of 41 ° C. and a volume of 190 L (liter) is clouded in 5 minutes will be described. In the test, a gas-liquid mixing tank in which the volume of the mixing container 11 was 450 mL and the orifice of the injection nozzle 14 was 4 mm was used. In this case, the tank air pressure (PA) may be maintained at 250 kPa. Incidentally, the discharge pressure of the pump 2 at that time is 290 kPa, and the discharge flow rate is 5 L per minute. Therefore, considering the length of the water absorption pipe, the discharge pipe, the supply pipe, and the like, it is preferable to maintain the tank air pressure (PA) at 280 kPa. At this time, the discharge pressure of the pump 2 is 320 kPa, and the discharge flow rate is 6 L / min. In this case, the hole diameter of the orifice of the orifice fixed valve 51 may be 0.15 to 0.2 mm, but is set to 0.2 mm.

  A water level sensor 65 is attached to the mixing container 11 of the gas-liquid mixing tank 1 in consideration of a case where the water level of the water 13 changes. In the gas-liquid mixing tank 1, if the water level of the mixing container 11 decreases during operation, the water and air cannot be sufficiently stirred, and the air dissolved in the water may decrease. Therefore, when the water level of the mixing container 11 is detected by the water level sensor 65 and the water level reaches the lower limit water level, the control device 61 closes the electromagnetic valve 52 and stops the intake of air. When the intake of air is stopped, the air is not mixed into the water in the water absorption pipe 412 and the water level of the mixing container 11 rises. When the water level of the mixing container 11 rises and reaches the upper limit water level, the control device 61 opens the electromagnetic valve 52.

Next, the case where the gas-liquid mixing tank 1 is used for a shower will be described.
When the switching valves 471 and 472 are switched to connect the shower water-absorbing pipe 461 to the water-absorbing pipe 412 and the supply pipe 431 to the shower supply pipe 462, the dissolved water in the gas-liquid mixing tank 1 is removed from the shower head (not shown). Z)).
1, the suction port 33 and the pressure reducing nozzle 32 are attached to the bathtub 3. However, the suction port 33 and the pressure reducing nozzle 32 are separated from the bathtub 3, and the water suction pipe 411 and the supply pipe 432 to which they are attached. May be inserted into the water 311 of the bathtub 3 for use.

Next, FIG. 2 will be described.
2A is a cross-sectional view of the gas-liquid mixing tank, FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the X1 portion of FIG. 2A in the direction of the arrow, and FIG. 2C illustrates the state of stirring. FIG.
First, FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B will be described.
The gas-liquid mixing tank 1 includes a cylindrical mixing container 11, and an injection nozzle 14 is disposed on the upper part of the mixing container 11. The gas-liquid mixing tank 1 is a disc-shaped member separated by a distance L 1 at a position facing the injection hole of the nozzle 14. A collision plate 15 is arranged. The collision plate 15 is attached to a support portion 17 attached to the mixing container 11. The mixing container 11 includes an air pressure sensor 64 that detects an air pressure (tank air pressure (PA)) in an air region (gas phase region) 12 of the mixing container 11, and water (air-dissolved water) 13 in the mixing container 11. A water level sensor 65 for detecting the water level is attached.
The collision plate 15 is disposed concentrically in the mixing container 11, and a ring-shaped gap L 3 is provided between the collision plate 15 and the inner surface of the mixing container 11. The water level sensor 65 includes an upper limit water level sensor 651 that detects an upper limit water level L21 of the water 13 and a lower limit water level sensor 652 that detects a lower limit water level L22. The upper limit water level L21 and the lower limit water level L22 are set between the injection nozzle 14 and the collision plate 15. That is, the upper limit water level and the lower limit water level at the upper part of the collision plate 15 are set.

Next, FIG. 2C will be described.
The water supplied from the discharge pipe 42 to the spray nozzle 14 is sprayed as spray water 161, collides with the collision plate 15 and becomes ascending water 162, 163. The ascending water 162, 163 rises and descends so as to involve the water above the collision plate 15 of the water 13. Water and air are agitated while repeating this ascent and descent, and the air dissolves in water. Since the collision plate 15 has a flat plate shape, the entire water surrounded by the inner wall of the mixing vessel 11 and the upper surface of the collision plate 15 repeatedly rises and falls, so that the stirring of water and air becomes active and the efficiency of dissolving the air Becomes higher. The water in which the air is dissolved by being stirred at the upper part of the collision plate 15 moves to the lower part of the mixing container 11 through the gap L3 and is supplied to the bathtub.

In the absence of the collision plate 15, the jet water 161 is only jetted into the water 13, and ascending water 162, 163 is not generated or even if generated, the stirring action is reduced. That is, in this embodiment, the collision plate 15 is provided in the middle of the mixing container 11, so that the stirring becomes active and the melting efficiency of the air is increased. The water level suitable for stirring can be determined by the position of the collision plate 15 regardless of the depth of the mixing container 11.
In order to increase the agitation of water and air and increase the efficiency of air dissolution, it is necessary for the rising water 162 and 163 to wind up the water above the collision plate 15, so the water level of the water 13 is higher than that of the collision plate 15. Set as follows. At that time, if the water level of the water 13 is too low, the amount of water on the upper side of the collision plate 5 is small, so that the water that is wound up by the rising water 162 and 163 is reduced, and the dissolution efficiency of the air is lowered. On the contrary, if the water level of the water 13 is too high, the stirring action becomes weak, so that the efficiency of dissolving the air is lowered.

  Therefore, as described above, when the water level at the upper part of the collision plate 15 reaches the lower limit water level L22 (FIG. 2A), the control device 61 (FIG. 1) closes the electromagnetic valve 52 (FIG. 1) to take in air. Is stopped and the water level of the mixing container 11 is raised. When the water level rises and reaches the upper limit water level L21 (FIG. 2A), the control device 61 opens the electromagnetic valve 52 and resumes the intake of air.

  The gas-liquid mixing tank 1 of the present embodiment keeps the air pressure in the air region 12 of the mixing container 11 constant, and also provides a collision plate 15 in the mixing container 11 so that the water level of the water 13 is higher than that of the collision plate 15. By keeping it high, the dissolution efficiency of air can be increased, and air dissolution water can be generated continuously and stably.

Here, a specific example of the gas-liquid mixing tank 1 will be described.
The mixing container 11 has an inner diameter of 66 mm, a height (length) of 170 mm, the collision plate 15 has a diameter of 62 mm, the distance L1 between the injection nozzle 14 and the collision plate 15 is 55 mm, and the collision plate 15 and the lower limit water level L22. The distance was set to 25 mm, and the distance between the collision plate 15 and the upper limit water level L21 was set to 45 mm.

The structure of the orifice fixed valve will be described with reference to FIG.
3A is a cross-sectional view in the axial direction of the orifice fixed valve, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view in the arrow direction of the portion X2 in FIG. 3A.
The orifice fixed valve 51 includes a cylindrical portion 511, an opening portion 512, and an orifice (vent hole) 513. Air is taken in from the opening 512 and air is supplied from the orifice 513 to the air intake pipe 541.
Since the orifice fixed valve 51 does not have a control mechanism, the structure is simplified and the size is reduced.

  Although the microbubble generator of the said Example demonstrated the example used for a bathtub, it can also be used for water storage tanks, such as not only a bathtub but a water tank, a pool, a washing | cleaning apparatus, and a sterilizer.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the microbubble generator which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the gas-liquid mixing tank of the microbubble generator which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the orifice fixed valve of the microbubble generator which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the conventional microbubble generator.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gas-liquid mixing tank 11 Mixing container 12 Air area | region 13 of mixing container Water which air melt | dissolved (air dissolution water)
14 Injection nozzle 15 Collision plate 2 Pump 3 Bath 32 Pressure reducing valve 33 Suction port 471,472 Switching valve 51 Orifice fixed valve 52 Solenoid valve 53 Check valve 61 Controller 62 Power supply 63 Setting part 64 Air pressure sensor 65 Water level sensor

Claims (2)

A pump that pressurizes water in which air in the air intake section is mixed into water, and discharge water from the pump is injected from an injection nozzle attached to the top of the mixing container to generate air-dissolved water and supply the air-dissolved water to the water storage tank In a microbubble generator equipped with a gas-liquid mixing tank that
The air intake part is composed of an orifice fixed valve and a solenoid valve.The mixing container has a collision plate on which the spray water of the injection nozzle arranged so as to face the injection hole of the injection nozzle collides, and the air pressure in the air region of the mixing container. Air pressure sensor to detect, upper limit water level sensor to detect the upper limit water level of the upper part of the collision plate, and lower limit water level sensor to detect the lower limit water level of the upper part of the collision plate, and the air pressure detected by the air pressure sensor Compare the air pressure set in the control device and control the discharge pressure of the pump so that the air pressure in the air region in the mixing container becomes the air pressure set in the control device,
When the upper limit water level sensor detects the upper limit water level, the solenoid valve of the air intake section is opened to start intake of air.When the lower limit water level sensor detects the lower limit water level, the solenoid valve of the air intake section is closed to stop intake of air. A microbubble generator characterized by comprising a control device for controlling the water level in the mixing vessel to be higher than the collision plate.   2. The microbubble generator according to claim 1, wherein the air pressure set in the control device is an air pressure in the air region in which water in the water storage tank becomes clouded in a predetermined time. apparatus.

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