JP5110638B2 - Liquid supply device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid supply apparatus that discharges liquid in a storage tank from a discharge nozzle through a pipe line.

  In a large bathroom or the like, a plurality of washbasins equipped with a soap solution dispenser may be provided in series. In such an installation situation, if each basin is provided with a tank of soap solution individually, it takes time to replenish the soap solution. Therefore, various devices for supplying soap solution from one main tank to the dispenser of each basin have been proposed.

  For example, a main tank for storing water soap solution is provided at the bottom of a counter provided with a plurality of water soap supply taps with manual pumps, and each water soap supply tap is connected to the main tank via a communication pipe and a connection pipe. There is a water soap supply device that is connected in communication (see Patent Document 1).

  As an apparatus for electrically discharging soap liquid, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, a sensor 7 for detecting whether or not a human hand has been put out in the vicinity of the discharge nozzle 5 and foaming soap liquid. An air pump AP is arranged on each basin 3 side, and on the main tank 6 side, a gear pump GP for sending the soap solution in the main tank 6 to the discharge nozzle 5 of each basin 3 and a control unit 110 are installed, There is a soap solution supply device having a configuration in which each gear pump GP and the discharge nozzle 5 are connected by individual pipes, and the sensor 7 on the basin side, the air pump AP, and a control unit 110 are connected by a signal line 112.

  In addition, a sub-tank and a drive pump that sucks soapy water from the sub-tank and foams it out of the sub-tank are provided corresponding to each discharge nozzle, and the main tank returns to the main tank through these sub-tanks. There is also a foamed soap concentrated supply device which is piped in an annular shape and pumps out soap water from a main tank to replenish each sub tank (see Patent Document 2). In this apparatus, when the drive pump on the discharge nozzle side is driven, the pump on the main tank side is interlocked so that the discharge is replenished from the main tank to the sub tank.

Japanese Patent No. 3196061 JP-A-6-209875

  With the manual pump type, it is difficult to install the main tank at a distance or in a low place, and there are significant restrictions on the installation. In the case of the electric type as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of pipes and signal lines must be provided between each washbasin and the gear pump and control unit on the main tank side, which increases the installation man-hours. In addition, the space under the basin was complicated.

  In the apparatus of Patent Document 2, it is only necessary to install one annular pipe for the pipe. However, since the pump is provided on the main tank side in addition to the drive pump for each discharge nozzle, the cost increases accordingly. Furthermore, wiring for linking the drive pumps on the discharge nozzle side and the pump on the main tank side is also required, and there is a problem that the installation work is troublesome and the space under the basin is complicated by wiring. In addition, the same problem may generate | occur | produce not only in the apparatus which discharges soap liquid from the discharge nozzle of a washbasin but in another apparatus.

  The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electric liquid supply apparatus that requires less piping and signal lines between the discharge nozzle side and the main tank side.

  The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.

[1] In a liquid supply apparatus that discharges liquid in a storage tank from a plurality of discharge nozzles through pipes,
A suction electric pump whose discharge side is connected to the discharge nozzle is installed on the discharge nozzle side in correspondence with each of the plurality of discharge nozzles ,
For each of the suction type electric pumps, a sealed intermediate tank, a sensor that detects the amount of liquid in the intermediate tank, and a control unit that controls the suction type electric pump based on the detection result of the sensor,
The pipe is relayed by an intermediate tank and piped from the storage tank to the last intermediate tank,
The suction type electric pump sucks the liquid in the corresponding intermediate tank and sends it to the discharge nozzle,
Each of the intermediate tanks includes a suction liquid level changing mechanism that changes the position of the suction port of the suction type electric pump in the intermediate tank between a first liquid level and a second liquid level lower than the first liquid level,
The suction liquid level changing mechanism is configured such that when the suction port is at the second liquid level, the suction port when the liquid level in the intermediate tank is lower than the first liquid level and lower than the third liquid level above the second liquid level. Is changed to the first liquid level, and the suction port is at the first liquid level, the liquid level in the intermediate tank is higher than the third liquid level and lower than the fourth liquid level. A liquid supply apparatus , wherein the suction port is changed to the second liquid level .

  In the above invention, the liquid in the storage tank is sucked out through the conduit by the suction type electric pump provided on the discharge nozzle side and discharged from the discharge nozzle.

  In the above invention, since the pipe line from the storage tank is relayed to the last intermediate tank while being relayed by the intermediate tank, only one pipe line is required. Further, since it is possible to determine whether or not the storage tank is empty by detecting the amount of liquid in the intermediate tank provided on the discharge nozzle side, there is no need to provide a remaining amount sensor on the storage tank side, and the discharge nozzle side and the storage tank Wiring to the side is not necessary.

  In the above invention, the suction port is set to the second liquid level sufficiently lower than the liquid level when the liquid level in the intermediate tank is high, and is set to the first liquid level higher than the liquid level when the liquid level is low. At the same time, the switching is performed with hysteresis. In the case of the suction type, the liquid level usually does not rise above the height of the suction port, and air suction (air biting) is likely to occur when the liquid is sucked. In the present invention, the liquid level is high while the liquid level is high. Since there is a suction port at the lower second liquid level, air is not sucked. Also, a third liquid level that is a threshold liquid level when the suction port is switched from the first liquid level to the second liquid level, and a threshold liquid level that is used when the suction port is switched from the second liquid level to the first liquid level. Since the 4th liquid level is different from the 4th liquid level (4th liquid level> 3rd liquid level) and hysteresis is given to the switching of the suction port, the switching flutter that easily occurs when switching with one threshold value is generated. Therefore, stable switching is possible.

[ 2 ] The suction liquid level changing mechanism includes a float chamber communicating with the suction side of the suction electric pump, and a float that floats on the liquid and moves up and down in the float chamber,
The float chamber has an upper suction port opened to the first liquid level and a lower suction port opened to the second liquid level in the intermediate tank,
When the upper suction port is closed due to the rise of the float, the suction port of the suction electric pump becomes the lower suction port, and when the float is lowered and the closure is released, the suction of the suction electric pump The liquid supply device according to [ 1 ], wherein the mouth is the upper suction port.

  In the said invention, the suction liquid level change mechanism for changing the liquid level of a suction inlet is realizable with simple structure.

[ 3 ] The liquid supply device according to [ 2 ], wherein the lower suction port has an opening size that does not cause a drop in the liquid level in the float chamber when the upper suction port is closed. .

[ 4 ] When the suction port is at the first liquid level, the control unit periodically or intermittently performs a trial operation to determine whether the liquid level rises by operating the suction electric pump. When an increase in the liquid level is detected, operating the suction electric pump to raise the liquid level to at least the fourth liquid level is performed as an initial liquid supply operation from the storage tank. The liquid supply apparatus according to any one of [ 1 ] to [ 3 ], which is characterized.

  In the above invention, whether or not the storage tank has been refilled is detected by a trial operation that is performed periodically or intermittently. If replenishment is detected, the replenishment operation from the storage tank to the intermediate tank is completed. Will be executed automatically.

[ 5 ] Before performing the initial replenishment operation of the liquid from the storage tank, the control unit reversely operates the suction type electric pump to discharge the liquid from the discharge nozzle to the suction port into the intermediate tank. The liquid supply apparatus according to any one of [1] to [ 4 ].

  In the above invention, since the liquid from the discharge nozzle to the suction port is discharged into the intermediate tank before the initial liquid supply operation from the storage tank is performed, the liquid remaining from the discharge nozzle tip to the intermediate tank is wasted. Emission is suppressed.

[ 6 ] The liquid supply device according to any one of [1] to [ 5 ], wherein the suction electric pump is a tube pump.

  According to the liquid supply apparatus according to the present invention, the number of pipes and signal lines between the discharge nozzle side and the main tank side are reduced, and the installation man-hours can be reduced and the aesthetics can be improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an installation example of a liquid supply apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a case where soap solution is supplied to three washbasins 3 installed in a restroom or the like is illustrated. Each basin 3 is provided with a faucet 4 and a soap solution discharge nozzle 5. The liquid supply apparatus 10 includes a supply unit 11 installed below each wash basin 3 and a pipe line 12 piped between the supply unit 11 and a main tank 6 that is a soap tank. The

  The supply unit 11 includes a sealed intermediate tank 13 in which a predetermined amount of soap liquid is stored, a liquid level sensor 14 for detecting the amount of soap liquid in the intermediate tank 13, and the soap liquid in the intermediate tank 13. A tube pump 15 that sucks and discharges to the discharge nozzle 5, an air pump 16 that mixes air with soap liquid that is sent to the discharge nozzle 5 to form a foam, and a control circuit 17 that controls the operation of the tube pump 15 and the air pump 16. It is provided in the body case 20. The intermediate tank 13 is a cartridge that can be detached from the main body case 20.

  The pipe line 12 is piped so as to connect in series from the main tank 6 to the intermediate tank 13 of the last supply unit 11 while being relayed by the intermediate tank 13 of the supply unit 11. Each intermediate tank 13 is sealed except for the connection port with the pipe line 12 and the connection port with the suction side of the tube pump 15. The main tank 6 is installed at an arbitrary place according to the layout of the restroom. For example, it can be installed in a cleaning box several meters away from the basin 3 or in a low place such as a floor.

  FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the supply unit 11, particularly the structure of the intermediate tank 13 in detail. In the figure, the air pump 16 is not shown. The intermediate tank 13 has a sealed box shape, and includes a hollow cylindrical inner cylinder 21 extending from the ceiling surface to the bottom surface of the intermediate tank 13, and a float chamber 22 provided in parallel therewith. Is provided. The float chamber 22 has a hollow cylindrical shape extending from the vicinity of the ceiling surface of the intermediate tank 13 to the vicinity of the bottom surface, and communicates with the inner cylinder 21 in the vicinity of the upper portion of the float chamber 22.

  The upper end portion of the inner cylinder 21 forms a connection port 23 that is narrowed down and passes through the ceiling surface of the intermediate tank 13 and is exposed to the outside. A suction side tube of the tube pump 15 is connected to the connection port 23. A lower suction port 24 a serving as a liquid suction port is provided at the lower end of the inner cylinder 21.

  The float chamber 22 accommodates a float 25 that can move up and down in the float chamber 22 and floats on a liquid (here, soap solution) in the intermediate tank 13. A gap is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the float 25 and the inner wall surface of the float chamber 22. The upper end portion of the float chamber 22 is narrowed down to form an upper suction port 26 opened near the ceiling surface of the intermediate tank 13. The liquid level at the position where the upper suction port 26 is located is defined as a first liquid level L1. The upper suction port 26 is closed when the upper surface of the float 25 abuts when the liquid level rises. Further, similarly to the inner cylinder 21, a lower suction port 24 b serving as a liquid suction port is provided at the lower end of the float chamber 22. The liquid level at the position where the lower suction ports 24a and 24b are located is the same. This liquid level height is defined as a second liquid level L2.

  The liquid level sensor 14 detects the amount of liquid in the intermediate tank 13 by detecting whether or not the liquid level in the intermediate tank 13 has reached the detection liquid level of the liquid level sensor 14. An inflow conduit 27 and an exhaust conduit 28 are inserted into the intermediate tank 13 from the ceiling surface toward the inside. The lower end of the inflow conduit 27 opens into the intermediate tank 13 at a position lower than the detected liquid level of the liquid level sensor 14, and the other end is a conduit 12 that leads to the main tank 6 side (hereinafter also referred to as the upstream side). A replenishment IN conduit 12u is connected. The lower end of the discharge conduit 28 opens into the intermediate tank 13 at a position higher than the liquid level detected by the liquid level sensor 14, and the other end is the intermediate tank 13 side (hereinafter also referred to as the downstream side) of the last supply unit 11. A replenishment OUT pipe 12d, which is a pipe 12 leading to, is connected. The other end of the discharge conduit 28 of the last supply unit 11 is closed without being connected to the replenishment OUT conduit 12d.

  The tube pump 15 is a pump having a check effect (sealing effect) at least at the stop position. Further, it is possible to perform a forward rotation operation for sucking in the intermediate tank 13 and sending the fluid to the discharge nozzle 5 side, and a reverse rotation operation for sending the fluid from the discharge nozzle 5 toward the intermediate tank 13.

  The discharge nozzle 5 is provided with a hand detection sensor 7 for detecting that a human hand has been pushed out below the discharge port, and a warning light 8 composed of an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or the like. These are connected to the control circuit 17 by signal lines. Further, a replenishment switch 29 is provided on the lower surface of the supply unit 11 to receive an instruction to start the initial replenishment operation of the soap solution.

  The liquid level sensor 14, the tube pump 15, the air pump 16 (not shown), and the replenishment switch 29 are connected to the control circuit 17 by signal lines. The control circuit 17 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which a program executed by the CPU, fixed data, and the like are stored, and data temporarily when the CPU executes the program. A RAM (Random Access Memory) to be stored is configured as a main part.

  Next, the operation of the liquid supply apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, a case where two supply units 11A and 11B are connected to the main tank 6 through the conduit 12 will be described as an example.

  FIG. 3A shows a normal use state. In a normal use state, the main tank 6 has sufficient soap solution (shaded portion in the figure). Also, the soap liquid is present in the intermediate tank 13 of each supply unit 11A, 11B above the level detected by the liquid level sensor 14, the interior of the inner cylinder 21 and the float chamber 22 is filled with the soap liquid, and the float chamber The upper suction port 26 at the upper part of 22 is closed by a float 25.

  Note that if the opening size of the lower suction ports 24a, 24b is too large, the liquid level is lowered in the float 25 even if the upper suction port 26 is closed. Therefore, the opening size of the lower suction ports 24a, 24b is The size is such that the liquid level in the float 25 does not drop when the suction port 26 is closed. Since the condition that the liquid level does not decrease depends on the viscosity of the liquid, the opening size is set according to the type of the liquid.

  In the normal use state, when the hand detection sensor 7 detects a person's hand that has been pushed out below the discharge nozzle 5, the control circuit 17 causes the tube pump 15 to rotate forward and the air pump 16 to operate for a certain period of time. When the tube pump 15 rotates forward, the corresponding soap solution in the intermediate tank 13 is taken in from the lower suction ports 24 a and 24 b at the lower ends of the inner cylinder 21 and the float chamber 22, foamed and discharged from the discharge nozzle 5.

  Thus, since the soap liquid is sucked out from the lower suction ports 24a, 24b of the second liquid level L2 that is sufficiently lower than the liquid level of the soap liquid in the intermediate tank 13, without sucking the air in the intermediate tank 13, A soap solution is sent to the discharge nozzle 5.

  For example, when the tube pump 15 of the last supply unit 11B is rotated forward to suck out soap liquid from the intermediate tank 13 and discharge it from the discharge nozzle 5, the inside of the intermediate tank 13 of the last supply unit 11B has a negative pressure. become. For this reason, the soap solution is sucked out from the intermediate tank 13 of the adjacent supply unit 11A through the pipe 12 and replenished in the intermediate tank 13 of the supply unit 11B. Due to this suction, the pressure in the intermediate tank 13 of the supply unit 11A also becomes negative, and the soap solution is sucked out from the main tank 6 through the pipe 12 and replenished in the intermediate tank 13 of the supply unit 11A.

  In this way, even when the tube pump 15 of any supply unit 11 is rotated forward to discharge the soap solution, the soap solution in the main tank 6 is finally sucked out by the negative pressure chain. Then, each intermediate tank 13 is replenished. For this reason, while the soap liquid is present in the main tank 6, the soap liquid is maintained at the liquid level at the time of initial replenishment in any intermediate tank 13 of any supply unit 11 and does not decrease.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, when the soap liquid in the main tank 6 is empty and the tube pump 15 of any of the supply units 11 is operated to discharge the soap liquid, the intermediate tank 13 is connected through the pipe 12. Air flows into the inside. However, since the soap liquid is taken in from the lower suction ports 24 a and 2 b at the lower ends of the inner cylinder 21 and the float chamber 22, the soap liquid is discharged from the discharge nozzle 5 without sucking air in the intermediate tank 13.

  If the discharge is repeated while the soap liquid in the main tank 6 is empty, the liquid level in the intermediate tank 13 gradually decreases. When the liquid level becomes lower than the detected liquid level of the liquid level sensor 14, the control circuit 17 recognizes that the main tank 6 is empty and warns that the remaining amount of soap liquid that can be discharged is low. Therefore, the warning light 8 is blinked (presence remaining amount notice).

  FIG. 4A shows a state in which the liquid level of the soap liquid in the intermediate tank 13 is further lowered and empty detection is performed. Here, when the liquid level sensor 14 becomes non-detected (after the liquid level falls below the detected liquid level of the liquid level sensor 14), when 50 discharges are performed, empty detection is performed and the discharge nozzle 5 Lock the discharge. Locking means that the control circuit 17 does not operate the tube pump 15 or the air pump 16 even when the hand detection sensor 7 detects a human hand. The liquid level when the discharge is locked by the empty detection is defined as a third liquid level L3. The third liquid level L3 is lower than the first liquid level L1 with the upper suction port 26 and is higher than the second liquid level L2 with the lower suction ports 24a and 24b. Here, the liquid level slightly higher than the lower suction ports 24a and 24b is defined as the third liquid level L3.

  The control circuit 17 blinks the warning lamp 8 even after the sky is detected. It should be noted that the fact that the warning has been detected may be displayed so as to be distinguishable from the remaining amount notice by making the blinking cycle of the warning lamp 8 different from that at the remaining amount notice. In addition, the number of discharges from when the liquid level sensor 14 is not detected to when it is empty is not limited to 50 times, and is arbitrarily set according to the capacity of the intermediate tank 13 and the like.

  4 (b), 5 (a), and 5 (b) show operations after the soap liquid is supplied to the main tank 6. FIG. After supplying soap liquid to the main tank 6, the operator operates the supply switch 29 of the last supply unit 11 </ b> B farthest from the main tank 6 to give a “supply trigger”. When the control circuit 17 of the last supply unit 11B receives the “replenishment trigger”, as shown in FIG. 4B, the tube pump 15 is reversely operated for a predetermined time, so that the discharge nozzle 5 and the intermediate tank 13 are connected. A refresh operation is performed to discharge the soap solution in the pipe into the intermediate tank 13.

  In the supply unit 11 </ b> B, when air enters the inner cylinder 21 and the float chamber 22 by this refresh operation, the liquid level in the inner cylinder 21 and the float chamber 22 is lowered, and accordingly the float 25 is moved from the upper suction port 26. The upper suction port 26 is released from being closed. In addition, the air discharged into the intermediate tank 13 by the refresh operation is discharged into the main tank 6 through the conduit 12 and the intermediate tank 13 of the upstream supply unit 11A.

  After completion of the refresh operation, the control circuit 17 of the last supply unit 11B switches the tube pump 15 to the normal rotation operation and performs the initial replenishment operation of the soap solution as shown in FIG. At this time, in the last supply unit 11B, since the upper suction port 26 is opened, the air sucked from the upper suction port 26 is discharged from the discharge nozzle 5 through the inner cylinder 21. As a result, the pressure in the intermediate tank 13 of the last supply unit 11B becomes negative, and the air in the intermediate tank 13 of the adjacent supply unit 11A is drawn, whereby the pressure in the intermediate tank 13 of the supply unit 11A also becomes negative. The soap solution in the main tank 6 is supplied into the intermediate tank 13 of the supply unit 11A through the pipe 12.

  When the liquid level in the intermediate tank 13 of the supply unit 11A exceeds the liquid level sensor 14, the warning lamp 8 of the supply unit 11A is turned off. When the liquid level in the intermediate tank 13 of the supply unit 11A rises to the lower end of the discharge conduit 28, the soap solution is sucked into the discharge conduit 28 and supplied to the intermediate tank 13 of the supply unit 11B. In this way, in the supply unit 11B, the liquid level in the intermediate tank 13 rises, and accordingly the float 25 rises, and eventually the upper suction port 26 is closed as shown in FIG. 5 (b). The liquid level of the soap liquid when the upper suction port 26 is closed is defined as a fourth liquid level L4. The fourth liquid level L4 is set higher than the third liquid level L3 and lower than the first liquid level L1.

  When the upper suction port 26 is closed, the suction port is switched to the lower suction ports 24a and 24b. Thereby, the soap liquid in the intermediate tank 13 is sucked from the lower suction ports 24 a and 24 b and discharged to the discharge nozzle 5. That is, when the liquid level reaches the upper suction port 26, the soap liquid is sucked from the upper suction port 26, but since the liquid level does not become higher than the upper suction port 26, air suction (biting) also occurs. It becomes difficult to absorb a stable soap solution. Therefore, by switching the suction port to the lower suction ports 24a and 24b before the liquid level of the soap solution reaches the upper suction port 26, the air is prevented from being caught and the soap solution is stably sucked.

  The control circuit 17 stops the tube pump 15 after a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) after the liquid level sensor 14 detects the soap solution, and completes the initial replenishment operation. The predetermined time is set to a time necessary and sufficient for the soap liquid to be filled up to the tip of the discharge nozzle 5 by expelling air. With the above operation, the soap solution is replenished so that no air remains in the path from the main tank 6 to the tip of the discharge nozzle 5 including the pipe line 12.

  In the above example, the tube pump 15 of the last supply unit 11B is operated to perform the initial supply operation. However, if the supply switch 29 of any supply unit 11 is operated, the supply unit 11 and upstream of the supply unit 11 are operated. In the supply unit 11 on the side, the soap solution is replenished.

  Thus, in the liquid supply apparatus 10, the tube pump 15 and the control circuit 17 are provided in the supply unit 11 installed corresponding to the discharge nozzle 5 of each basin 3, and the soap solution in the main tank 6 is supplied to the supply unit 11. Since the pump 11 is sucked out from the side 11 through the pipe 12, the signal line for operating the pump in accordance with the detection output of the hand detection sensor 7 may be wired to the supply unit 11 below the wash basin 3. The wiring between the washbasin 3 side and the main tank 6 side can be reduced as compared with the case where a discharge pump is provided on the side.

  Further, an intermediate tank 13 is provided in each supply unit 11, and the liquid level sensor 14 provided in the intermediate tank 13 detects that the main tank 6 is emptied, so that there is a gap between the basin 3 side and the main tank 6 side. In addition, the wiring for the signal line for detecting the sky becomes unnecessary.

  Further, when a discharge pump is provided on the main tank 6 side, it is necessary to individually pipe the main tank 6 to each discharge nozzle 5, but in the liquid supply apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the pipe 12 is also provided. One is enough.

  As described above, in the liquid supply apparatus 10, when soap liquid is supplied from one main tank 6 to the plurality of discharge nozzles 5, the wiring between the supply unit 11 on each basin 3 side and the main tank 6 side Since less piping is required, the installation work is simplified and the space under the basin 3 is refreshed and can be installed beautifully.

  Furthermore, when the liquid level in the intermediate tank 13 is high, the suction port of the tube pump 15 is the lower suction ports 24a and 24b at positions sufficiently lower than the liquid level, and when the liquid level is low, it is sufficiently higher than the liquid level. Since the position is switched to the upper suction port 26 at the position, air is prevented from being caught when the liquid is sucked. In addition, if air is sucked in, the way of discharging the soap solution is deteriorated and the discharge amount is reduced, so that stable discharge becomes difficult. Further, the third liquid level L3 is a liquid level when the suction port is switched from the upper suction port 26 to the lower suction ports 24a and 24b, and the liquid level is when the lower suction ports 24a and 24b are switched to the upper suction port 26. Since the fourth liquid level L4 is set to a different liquid level (L4> L3) and hysteresis is given to the switching of the suction port, switching between the lower suction ports 24a, 24b and the upper suction port 26 is near the threshold level. It is done without flapping.

  In addition, since the liquid level sensor 14 is used for detection of insufficient remaining amount, empty detection (detection that the liquid level has fallen below the third liquid level L3), and recognition of the stop timing of the initial replenishment operation, Compared with the case where each sensor is provided, the number of sensors is reduced, and the apparatus configuration is simplified. Further, since the liquid level sensor 14 is not detected and the remaining amount is informed before it is detected as empty detection and locked, it can be discharged a predetermined number of times (in the embodiment, 50 times). Without being locked, the soap solution can be replenished with sufficient margin after the remaining amount notice.

  Switching from the upper suction port 26 to the lower suction ports 24a, 24b is performed by closing the float 25, and switching from the lower suction port 24a, 24b to the upper suction port 26 is performed by pushing down the float 25 by the reverse operation of the tube pump 15. Since it performed, the mechanism (suction liquid level change mechanism) for changing the liquid level of a suction inlet is realizable by simple structure.

  Further, since the tube pump 15 having a check effect is used as the suction type electric pump, it is not necessary to provide a check valve or the like separately in order to maintain the negative pressure in the pipe line or the intermediate tank 13, and the device configuration Is simplified.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and there are changes and additions within the scope of the present invention. Are also included in the present invention.

  For example, in the embodiment, the operation of the replenishment switch 29 is “replenishment trigger”. However, it is configured that the replenishment operation is performed autonomously by the following operation with “empty detection” as “empty detection”. Also good. That is, when empty is detected, a refresh operation is first performed. After the suction port is switched to the upper suction port 26 at the first liquid level L1 by this operation, the tube pump 15 is rotated forward for a predetermined time to determine whether or not the liquid level in the intermediate tank 13 rises during that time. Perform a trial operation periodically or intermittently. The rise in the liquid level may be detected by the liquid level sensor 14 or may be detected by another sensor having a lower detection liquid level than the liquid level sensor 14.

  If the rise of the liquid level is confirmed during the normal rotation operation for a predetermined time, the control circuit 17 continues the normal rotation operation of the tube pump 15 as it is to complete the initial supply operation. The interval for performing the trial operation is set to an appropriate interval such as once every 30 minutes to several hours. As described above, the trial operation is periodically and intermittently repeated after the empty detection, so that the soap liquid is automatically replenished to each intermediate tank 13 when the main tank 6 is replenished with the soap liquid. This eliminates the need for the operator to operate the replenishment switch 29, thereby preventing work mistakes such as forgetting to press the replenishment switch 29. In addition, the construction of the apparatus can be simplified by removing the replenishment switch 29. It should be noted that both a “supply trigger” input by the supply switch 29 and an independent trial operation may be performed.

  The intermediate tank 13 is not limited to the structure shown in the embodiment, and it is sufficient that the remaining amount of liquid in the intermediate tank 13 can be detected. If the remaining amount of liquid is not detected, for example, the intermediate tank 13 is changed to a three-way joint that connects the suction port of the tube pump 15, the replenishment IN conduit 12u, and the replenishment OUT conduit 12d. May be. That is, it is only necessary that the pipe 12 from the main tank 6 communicates with the suction side of each tube pump 15 by branching in the middle.

  The suction liquid level changing mechanism for switching the height of the suction port of the tube pump 15 between the first liquid level L1 and the second liquid level L2 is not limited to the configuration exemplified in the embodiment, and the suction port is a lower suction port. If the liquid level in the intermediate tank 13 is lower than the upper suction port (first liquid level) and lower than the third liquid level above the second liquid level, the suction port is opened. When the suction port is changed to the upper suction port (first liquid level) and the suction port is the upper suction port (first liquid level), the liquid level in the intermediate tank 13 is higher than the third liquid level and the first liquid level. What is necessary is just to change a suction inlet into a lower suction inlet (2nd liquid level), when a lower 4th liquid level is exceeded. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the suction port of the tube pump 15 may be configured to be switched between an upper suction port 61 and a lower suction port 62 by an electromagnetic valve 60.

  In the embodiment, the case where the soap liquid is supplied from the main tank 6 to the plurality of discharge nozzles 5 has been described. However, the soap liquid tank and the supply unit 11 may be installed on a one-to-one basis. . For example, a supply unit 11 and a soap solution tank are installed below the wash basin 3, respectively. In this case, the cartridge-type intermediate tank 13 may be removed, and the pipe on the suction side of the tube pump 15 may be extended and inserted into the soap solution tank. Further, if the intermediate tank 13 is left, the soap liquid tank empty can be detected by the liquid level sensor 14 provided in the intermediate tank 13.

  The liquid handled by the liquid supply apparatus 10 is not limited to the soap liquid. Disinfecting solution, hair washing solution, face washing solution, washing solution, etc. may be used. Moreover, the discharge destination of the liquid by the supply unit 11 is not limited to the discharge nozzle 5 provided in the washbasin 3, but may be another type of discharge nozzle.

  In addition, other types of suction type electric pumps may be used in place of the tube pump 15. If the pump does not have a check effect at the time of stop, a sealing electromagnetic valve or check valve may be used. It is necessary to separately provide such as to maintain airtightness in the pipe line 12 and the intermediate tank 13 so that a negative pressure is generated during any pump operation.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of installation of the liquid supply apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the supply unit of the liquid supply apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of the liquid supply apparatus at the time of normal use state and remaining amount shortage. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of the liquid supply apparatus at the time of an empty detection and refresh operation | movement. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of the liquid supply apparatus at the time of initial stage replenishment operation | movement. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of a suction liquid level change mechanism. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the conventional soap supply apparatus provided with the pump in the main tank side.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 ... Basin 4 ... Water faucet 5 ... Discharge nozzle 6 ... Main tank 7 ... Hand detection sensor 8 ... Warning light 10 ... Liquid supply apparatus 11, 11A, 11B ... Supply unit 12 ... Pipe line 12d ... Replenishment OUT pipe line 12u ... Replenishment IN pipeline 13 ... Intermediate tank 14 ... Liquid level sensor 15 ... Tube pump 16 ... Air pump 17 ... Control circuit 20 ... Main body case 21 ... Inner cylinder 22 ... Float chamber 23 ... Connection port 24a, 24b ... Lower suction port 25 ... Float 26 ... Upper suction port 27 ... Inflow conduit 28 ... Discharge conduit 29 ... Supply switch 60 ... Solenoid valve 61 ... Upper suction port 62 ... Lower suction port L1 ... First liquid level L2 ... Second liquid level L3 ... Third liquid level L4 ... 4th liquid level

Claims (6)

In the liquid supply device that discharges the liquid in the storage tank from the plurality of discharge nozzles through the pipelines,
A suction electric pump whose discharge side is connected to the discharge nozzle is installed on the discharge nozzle side in correspondence with each of the plurality of discharge nozzles ,
For each of the suction type electric pumps, a sealed intermediate tank, a sensor that detects the amount of liquid in the intermediate tank, and a control unit that controls the suction type electric pump based on the detection result of the sensor,
The pipe is relayed by an intermediate tank and piped from the storage tank to the last intermediate tank,
The suction type electric pump sucks the liquid in the corresponding intermediate tank and sends it to the discharge nozzle,
Each of the intermediate tanks includes a suction liquid level changing mechanism that changes the position of the suction port of the suction type electric pump in the intermediate tank between a first liquid level and a second liquid level lower than the first liquid level,
The suction liquid level changing mechanism is configured such that when the suction port is at the second liquid level, the suction port when the liquid level in the intermediate tank is lower than the first liquid level and lower than the third liquid level above the second liquid level. Is changed to the first liquid level, and the suction port is at the first liquid level, the liquid level in the intermediate tank is higher than the third liquid level and lower than the fourth liquid level. A liquid supply apparatus , wherein the suction port is changed to the second liquid level . The suction liquid level changing mechanism includes a float chamber communicating with the suction side of the suction electric pump, and a float that floats on the liquid and moves up and down in the float chamber.
The float chamber has an upper suction port opened to the first liquid level and a lower suction port opened to the second liquid level in the intermediate tank,
When the upper suction port is closed due to the rise of the float, the suction port of the suction electric pump becomes the lower suction port, and when the float is lowered and the closure is released, the suction of the suction electric pump The liquid supply device according to claim 1 , wherein a mouth is the upper suction port. The liquid supply device according to claim 2 , wherein the lower suction port has an opening size that does not cause a drop in the liquid level in the float chamber in a state where the upper suction port is closed. When the suction port is at the first liquid level, the control unit periodically or intermittently performs a trial operation to determine whether the liquid level rises by operating the suction electric pump, When rising of the surface is detected, operating the suction type electric pump to raise the liquid level to at least the fourth liquid level is performed as an initial replenishing operation of the liquid from the storage tank. The liquid supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . The controller is configured to discharge the liquid from the discharge nozzle to the suction port into the intermediate tank by reversely operating the suction electric pump before performing the initial replenishment operation of the liquid from the storage tank. The liquid supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . The liquid supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the suction type electric pump is a tube pump.

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