JP5762421B2 - Water saving top - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention provides, for example, a water faucet (including not only general water faucets but also special uses such as water faucets for laboratories) and water discharge pipes such as shower heads. It relates to water-saving tops to control. The present invention can also be applied to a water-saving top having a foam water generation function in which water to be discharged is foamed water while suppressing the amount of water to be discharged.

  Conventionally, water saving has been demanded in ordinary households and commercial facilities. As one of the water-saving means, a technique for attaching a water-saving top to a water discharge tap such as a water tap is known. In the conventional water-saving top, for example, a cylindrical water-saving top is built in a water discharge trough such as a water faucet, and the water-saving top forcibly throttles the water flow and opens the faucet. Even when the amount of plug is large, the amount of running water is kept small.

  For example, a conventional water-saving piece generally has a structure in which a basic shape is a columnar shape in accordance with a cylindrical water supply pipe, and a through-hole penetrating from the upper surface on the inflow side to the lower surface on the outflow side is opened. When such a water-saving piece is attached, the outflow of water passes through a through-hole having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the discharge pipe, so that the amount of water outflow is controlled and the water-saving effect is enhanced. Some of the through holes are provided at the center, and some of the two or three are appropriately arranged.

  For example, in a water-saving top disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-095985, a cylindrical top body and at least three penetrations formed from the water inflow side end surface of the top body to the other water outflow side end surface. The through holes are formed so that a mutual interval is widened from the water inflow side end surface of the top body toward the water outflow side end surface. In addition, a large-diameter flange is integrally formed on the edge of the water inflow side of the top body so that it can be fixed inside a water faucet, etc., and the three through holes are on the water inflow side of the top body. A device is disclosed that is formed on the end face, the inlets of the through holes are arranged concentrically at equal angular intervals, and the outlets of the through holes are also concentrically arranged at equal angular intervals.

JP-A-9-095985 JP 2000-104300 A

The conventional water-saving coma as shown in JP-A-9-095985 has the following problems. In the conventional water-saving coma, since the diameter of water outflow is certainly small because it passes through the through-hole having a diameter smaller than that of the water discharge pipe, the water flow flowing out from the small-diameter through-hole due to the water pressure applied to the water discharge pipe There was a problem that it became so strong that it became so strong that it hindered its use. In other words, there was a risk that the water flow became intense and strong from the small-diameter through hole, and that the water flow became painful when the hand was held over. This is simply a problem that occurs if the structure passes through a through hole having a smaller diameter than that of the water discharge pipe.
If it is a water faucet for ordinary households, it may be so strong that it is unsuitable for washing hands, and if it is a water faucet for laboratories, it may become so strong that it is unsuitable for washing laboratory equipment. It was.

Inventor Masaaki Takano realized the following while working on the development of water-saving tops.
In order to increase the water-saving rate with the type of water-saving piece attached to a general faucet, it is necessary to use a through hole with an area smaller than the area of the water discharge pipe in the water-saving piece, but the area of the through hole in the water-saving piece If the shape of the through hole is devised, the shape of the water flow launched from the through hole can be controlled. In particular, the idea is that if the shape of the through hole is a slit-shaped gap and the water driven out from the through hole is made into the shape of a water flow membrane, a variety of devices can be applied inside the water-saving piece to obtain a high-quality water-saving piece. did. Therefore, a water-flow film is formed inside the water-saving coma, and various types of water-saving coma that utilize the properties of the water-flow film, and foam water that can efficiently generate air by including air in the water flow film. We have been studying generation water saving tops.
While the inventor Masaaki Takano has conducted various researches, he devised the shape of the gap that becomes the path of the water flow in the water-saving coma, and developed a water-saving coma with various functions as a thin water flow film made from the water flow launched from the gap. doing. This technique is owned by the inventor Masaaki Takano himself, who has not yet been disclosed at the time of filing of this patent application, and a patent application has already been filed.

  Here, in order to make a water-saving coma having a high water-saving rate and a high function, it is preferable to make the water flow film formed inside the water-saving coma thin. As the water flow film becomes thinner, the total amount of water can be reduced.

  A water-saving coma is manufactured by cutting out metal parts at multiple points and combining them with screws, etc., but in order to control the water flow film to the shape and thickness as designed while receiving large water pressure inside. In addition, high machining accuracy of the metal member is required, which causes an increase in cost and processing time associated with the processing, and also decreases the yield. In particular, when the slit is formed by a plurality of metal member gaps so that the size of the slit gap can be adjusted from the outside, rather than simply cutting out the slit hole inside the metal, only one metal member is formed. This is related not only to the machining of the above, but also to the accuracy of combination of parts at a plurality of points, and extremely high machining accuracy is required.

If the required processing accuracy cannot be obtained, there is a problem that even if a slit is formed by a gap between a plurality of metal members, the water flow film obtained by flowing a water flow does not have a desired shape and thickness.
For example, the water flow film is not a beautifully developed film but a distorted film that is partially missing, or the thickness of the water flow film is biased and flows out of some parts vigorously, but the remaining part becomes weak water flow The problem that it becomes a nonuniform water flow film arises.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state where the balance of the gaps 111 is uniform and the assumed water flow film flows. In this example, as shown in FIG. 1B, the water flow ejected from the arc-shaped gap is formed as an arc-shaped water flow film.
On the other hand, FIG. 2 is a diagram simply showing a problem that the balance of the gap 111 is broken, and the water flow film is not formed in the assumed shape, and a part thereof is lost. As shown in FIG.1 (b), a water flow does not come out from a part of arc-shaped gap, As a result, it has become a water flow film in the state where a part was lost.
As described above, when the water flow film is not formed in the assumed shape but partially in a missing shape, various functions as designed in the water-saving coma cannot be normally exhibited.

  As described above, extremely high processing accuracy is required to control the thin water flow film to the desired shape and thickness inside the water-saving top, but factors that combine multiple metal members with screws etc. to form slits. It has also been found that there are limitations due to threading when the effect of. The screw is screwed into a male screw manufactured by cutting one metal and a female screw manufactured by cutting the other metal, but a so-called play margin is required to screw the metal members together. The processing accuracy required to control the thin water flow film inside the water-saving top is higher than the play margin required for the screw, and there is a factor to combine multiple metal members with the screw to form the slit. As long as it has an effect, there is a limit to increasing the processing accuracy, and as a result, there are many cases where the water flow film becomes a distorted film that is partially broken rather than a beautifully developed film, resulting in a high yield. There has been a problem of lowering.

  Therefore, a technique for controlling the flow of the water flow ejected from the gap by a simple method and stabilizing the shape of the formed water flow film is required. Inventor Masaaki Takano says how to increase the processing yield while combining a plurality of metal members with screws to form a slit inside the water-saving piece and launching a water flow film from the slit inside the water-saving piece. We have tackled the problem and developed a new water-saving top.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a water-saving piece that can control the flow of water flowing from the gap inside the water-saving piece to be uniform, and can stabilize the shape of the formed water flow film. And It is another object of the present invention to provide a water-saving top with a foam water generation function that has a function of generating foam water while achieving the above object.

In order to achieve the first object of the present invention, a water-saving piece according to the present invention is a water-saving piece that is attached to a water discharge pipe and suppresses the amount of water to be discharged. A water flow film forming portion in which an accelerated water flow launched downstream from the gap becomes a film-shaped water flow film, and a state where the water flow of the water flow film flows into the water flow pipe as a formation place of the water flow film However, an air cavity in which the air-filled state is maintained , a ventilation path having a conduction hole for conducting outside air to the air cavity, and air blown into the air cavity from the conduction hole to the water flow film At least one small groove is engraved on the member forming the gap of the water flow film forming section, and the water flow flowing through the gap The water flow membrane guide to be adjusted, the width of the gap of the water flow membrane forming portion is variable, the gap width variable mechanism is variable to change the speed of the formed water flow membrane, the width of the conduction hole is variable, and the conduction Provided with a variable conduction hole width mechanism that makes the speed of the air drawn from the hole variable , stabilize the shape of the water flow film formed by punching out the gap, and adjust the water flow film launch speed and air entrainment speed It is a water-saving top that is characterized by being possible .

  For example, by providing a plurality of the small grooves to be the water flow film guides at an appropriate interval in the length direction of the gap (length direction of the slit), the water flow film formed by being punched from the gap has a thickness. However, even in the case of a thin water flow film having a sufficiently large width, the water flow film can have a stable shape without being lost in the length direction of the gap.

  Further, for example, in the water flow film forming portion, the gap is a circular gap, and the accelerated water flow launched downstream from the gap becomes a three-dimensional circular water flow film continuous in the circular direction. In this case, a plurality of the small grooves to be the water flow film guides may be provided in the circumferential gap at substantially equal intervals.

  While the inventor Masaaki Takano has been researching, by providing a small groove in the gap, a portion where the gap width of the portion is locally thick and easy to flow is created, and the flow is not interrupted around the portion as a trigger. By providing such small grooves in a narrow gap at an appropriate interval, as a result, no portion can be lost, and a stable and uniform water flow film can be formed. Since the small groove may be small, the formed water flow film itself does not have uneven thickness.

It should be noted that a variety of patterns are possible for providing a small groove in the gap that becomes the path of the water flow.
For example, there is a pattern in which the small groove is provided for one of members facing in the length direction forming the gap.
In addition, for example, there is a pattern in which the small groove is provided for both members facing in the length direction forming the gap.
Further, for example, there is a pattern in which the small grooves are alternately provided in two members facing in the length direction forming the gap.
Further, for example, there is a pattern in which the small groove is provided so as to face two members facing in the length direction forming the gap.

In addition, the adjustment function of the water flow rate can be provided also about the clearance gap. That is, if a gap width variable mechanism that makes the width of the gap variable is provided, it is possible to adjust the thickness and speed of the formed water flow film.

As described above, in the water-saving piece of the present invention, a stable water flow film can be formed and foamed water can be generated.

  Further, in order to obtain a good quality foamed water containing a large amount of fine bubbles, among the above-described configurations, the gap is a circular gap in the water flow film forming portion, and the acceleration driven out downstream from the gap In a configuration in which the water flow is a three-dimensional circular water flow film that is continuous in the circular direction, the electric conduction further conducts the outside air to the sealed space surrounded by the circular water flow film formed in the air cavity. An air passage having a hole and foam water generating means for forming foam water by entraining air blown into the sealed space from the conduction hole into the circulating water flow film. With this configuration, the air is discharged from the conduction hole due to the pressure drop caused by the flow of the circulating water flow film and the entrainment of the air while the airtightness of the sealed space where the air passage is conducted is maintained. It is possible to obtain high-quality foam water that is drawn in and contains a large amount of fine bubbles.

Moreover, since the speed of the water flow film and the entrainment speed of air can be adjusted, it is possible to generate high-quality foam water.

  According to the foamed water generating piece of the present invention, a plurality of metal members are combined with screws to form a flow hole in the water-saving piece, and a flow hole is provided while a function of driving out a water flow film from the flow hole in the water-saving piece. The water flow can be controlled by providing small grooves in the wall at an appropriate interval, and the shape of the water flow film formed is controlled so that the flow of water flowing from the gap inside the water-saving top is uniform. Can be stabilized.

It is a figure which shows a mode that the water flow film | membrane 200 assumed that the balance of the clearance gap 111 is equal. It is a figure explaining the case where the balance of the clearance gap 111 has collapsed and a part of water flow film 200 is missing. It is a figure which shows a mode that the function which stabilizes the shape of the water flow film formed by being punched out from the clearance gap 111 by providing the small groove | channel 112 was provided. It is the figure which expanded the vicinity of the small groove | channel 112, and is a figure which shows a mode that the water flow film 200 becomes easy to be formed by using the small groove | channel 112 as a trigger. It is a figure which shows the typical pattern of how to provide the small groove. It is a figure explaining simply the concept of the gap width variable mechanism which makes the width of a gap variable. It is a figure which shows one structural example of the foam water production | generation piece 100c of this invention concerning Example 2. FIG. It is the figure decomposed | disassembled and shown in three members, the member 101c, the member 102c, and the member 103c. It is the figure which showed the procedure which assembles three members 101c, member 102c, and member 103c. It is the figure which showed the upper end surface (circulation water flow film formation part 110c) and the lower end surface (ventilation path 140, foam water outflow part 150) of the state which assembled the member 101c and the member 102c. It is the figure which flowed water through the foam water production | generation piece 100c, and was the figure which showed the mechanism in which foam water is formed by entraining air from the inner surface side with respect to the circulating water flow film 200c formed. It is a figure which shows a mode that the circumference | surroundings water-flow film | membrane 200 is struck out without missing | deleting when the small groove | channel 112 intervenes in the clearance gap 111 in the cyclic | annular form.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Foam water production | generation piece 101 Member 102 Member 103 Member 110 Circulation water flow film formation part 111 Crevice 113 Inner space 114 Outer space 120 Air cavity 130 Circulation water flow film formation part Sealing body 140 Ventilation path 141 Conductive hole 150 Foam water outflow part 160 Attachment part 161 Water cavity 200 Circulating water flow film 300 Water discharge pipe

  An embodiment of the water-saving piece of the present invention will be described. However, it goes without saying that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the specific application, shape, number, etc. shown in the following examples.

Hereinafter, Example 1 is an example of a basic configuration of the water-saving top 100 of the present invention. For the sake of easy understanding, the water flow film formed as an example is assumed to be an arc-shaped continuous water flow film, but the shape of the formed water flow film is not limited to the arc-shaped continuous water flow film.
The members illustrated below are, for example, metal members such as stainless steel, brass, aluminum, titanium alloy, and magnesium alloy, ceramic materials, and special resin materials that can be cut and have strength as a water-saving piece member. Any material can be used, but stainless steel is used here as an example.

The principle of controlling the flow of the water flow by providing the small groove 112 in the water-saving piece of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, the small groove 112 is not provided, and in the example of FIG. 3, the small groove 112 is provided.
FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 are diagrams conceptually taking out a part of a water-saving coma main body portion that squeezes the water flowing in from the upstream and flows downstream, but for the sake of simplicity, the formed water flow film 200 is shown in FIG. It is an example of a single water flow film 200 that is continuous in an arc.

The water flow film forming unit 110 includes an upper member 101a and a lower member 101b, and the member 101a and the member 101b are joined by screws.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a gap between the upper member 101 a and the lower member 101 b is a gap 111 that serves as a path for water flow. The shape of the gap 111 is a so-called slit-like thin shape, and the water flow is squeezed by passing through the gap 111 to be ejected downstream as an accelerated water flow film.
Now, the example of FIG. 1A shows a state in which the balance is not lost due to the joining of the screw between the upper member 101a and the lower member 101b, and the small groove 112 is not devised. As shown in FIG. 1B, the water flow film 200 is uniformly ejected from the entire gap 111. Even when the water flow film formed by punching out from the gap 112 is a thin water film having a sufficiently large width with respect to the thickness, the water flow film is formed in a stable shape without being lost in the length direction of the gap. .

  The air cavity 120 is a space provided in the middle of the water flow pipe as a formation place of the water flow film 200 struck out from the water flow film forming unit 110, and is in a state where air is filled even when the water flow of the water flow film 200 flows. It is a retained air cavity. In FIG. 1, for the sake of simplicity, the open space is depicted as an open space. However, in the actual water-saving top 100, the space is a closed space surrounded by wall surfaces.

  Next, FIG. 2 is a simple example of a case where the balance is lost due to the joining of the screw between the upper member 101a and the lower member 101b, the flow of water is poor, and a part of the water flow film is missing. FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, although the gap 111a is actually formed, there is another gap 111b adjacent to the gap 111a in the portion where the water flow is lost due to a slight bias between metal parts. Although the water flow becomes wider and the water flow flows from the gap 111b, a phenomenon occurs in which the water flow does not flow from the gap 111a because the gap 111a is narrow. That is, a phenomenon occurs in which a part of the water flow film is lost due to the balance of the gap 111 being lost.

Next, FIG. 3 shows the function of providing a water flow film guide by carving a small groove 112 in a member forming the gap 111 of the water flow film forming unit 110 and stabilizing the shape of the water flow film formed by being punched from the gap 111. It is a figure which shows a mode that gave. In the example of FIG. 3A, a plurality (three in the figure) of small grooves 112 are provided in the length direction of the gap 111 at an appropriate interval.
The small groove 112 serves as a water film guide that adjusts the flow of water flowing through the gap 111, and exhibits a function of stabilizing the shape of the water film formed by being punched from the gap 111.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the small groove 112, and shows a state in which the water flow film 200 is easily formed by using the small groove 112 as a trigger.
FIG. 4A shows an enlarged view in which the portion of the small groove 112 is enlarged. As shown in the enlarged view, the small groove 112 is provided in a member that forms the gap 111a. The small groove 112 is slightly smaller than the surrounding area, but the depth of the gap is deep, so that the water flow is easy to pass.

  Now, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), when the members 101a and 101b are screw-moved, the balance of the relative posture is lost, the gap 111a is temporarily narrow, and the water film is easily interrupted. Even if the conditions for attracting the water flow occur, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), when the water flow is caused, a point at which the water flow film always spouts from the small groove 112 is obtained, and the water flow film 200 is unexpectedly lost. There will be no occurrence of such a point. If a point for ejecting a water flow is obtained in this way, as shown in FIG. 4C, a water flow film is also ejected from the surrounding gap 111 by the water pressure of the water flow to be ejected. Once the water flow begins to flow into the gap 111a, the gap 111a is appropriately spread due to the water pressure of the water flow, etc., and the bias and distortion generated in the gap 111 are eliminated, and the balance 111 is evenly balanced. A water film begins to flow. If the small grooves 112 are thus provided at appropriate intervals, the water flow film 200 is formed in a stable shape without being lost in the length direction of the gap 111.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 3A, if the small grooves 112 are provided at an appropriate interval, even if the relative posture balance is lost when the members 101a and 101b are screw-moved, As shown in FIG. 3 (b), at least one small groove 112 is carved into the member forming the gap 111 of the water flow film forming portion 110, so that a part of the water flow film is lost due to the imbalance of the gap 111. And the shape of the water flow film formed by punching out from the gap 111 can be stabilized.

Next, a pattern for providing the small groove 112 will be described.
A long gap 111 is assumed. For example, although it is the inside of the small water-saving top 100, if the clearance gap 111 used as a slit is made into a circular shape etc., there will be some length. Therefore, it is possible to devise a method in which a plurality of small grooves 112 serving as a water flow film guide are provided at appropriate intervals in the length direction of the gap 111. If a plurality of small grooves 112a, 112b, and 112c are provided at an appropriate interval with respect to the long gap 111, each point of the small grooves 112a, 112b, and 112c serves as a guide, and a water flow film flows at those points. A normal water flow film is always formed in the gap 111 around the periphery, but when the intervals between the small grooves 112a, 112b, and 112c are appropriate, the water flow films centering on the respective points of the small grooves 112a, 112b, and 112c are connected, As a result, a normal water flow film is always formed from the entire gap 111, and the water flow film 200 is obtained in a stable shape without being lost in the length direction of the gap 111.

  There are a plurality of patterns for providing the small grooves 112. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a typical pattern for providing the small grooves 112. Note that the way of providing the small grooves 112 is not limited to the pattern of FIG. 5, and there are various ways of providing the patterns interposed in the gap 111.

  The first pattern is a pattern in which a small groove 112 is provided for one of the members 101 a and 101 b forming the gap 111. FIG. 5A shows an example in which three small grooves 112a, 112b, and 112c are provided on the member 101a side in the first pattern. As shown in FIG. 5A, three small grooves 112a, 112b, and 112c are provided at equal intervals only on the member 101a, and the small grooves 112 are not provided on the member 101b.

  The second pattern is a pattern in which the small grooves 112 are provided in both the members 101a and 101b forming the gap 111, and in particular, the small grooves 112 are alternately provided in the two members. FIG. 5B shows an example in which small grooves 112a, 112b, and 112c are provided alternately for the member 101a and the member 101b in the second pattern. As shown in FIG. 5 (b), the small grooves 112a are provided in the member 101a, the small grooves 112b are provided in the member 101b, and the small grooves 112c are provided in the member 101a.

In the third pattern, small grooves 112 are provided for both the members 101a and 101b forming the gap 111, and in particular, the small grooves 112 face both the two members 101a and 101b. It is a pattern provided in. FIG. 5C is a diagram illustrating a state in which the small groove 112 is provided so as to face both the member 101a and the member 101b in the second pattern. As shown in FIG. 5C, the small groove 112a, the small groove 112b, and the small groove 112c are provided in the member 101a, and the small groove 112d, the small groove 112e, and the small groove 112f are provided in the member 101b, and are provided at equal intervals so as to face each other. It has been.
As described above, there are various patterns in which the small groove 112 is provided in the member 101a and the member 101b, but the selection may be determined in consideration of the internal structure and function of the water-saving piece 100, the water pressure of the faucet to be attached, and the like.

Next, the device for the variable gap width mechanism will be described.
Although the water flow film formation part 110 forms the water flow film 200 with respect to the downstream air cavity 120 by providing the clearance gap 111, the thickness of the water flow film 200 formed in the inside of the water saving top 100 can be adjusted from the outside. Is preferred. This is because when the user has a request to increase or decrease the water-saving efficiency of the water-saving piece 100 according to the purpose of water supply use, the flow rate of water flowing downstream can be adjusted by changing the thickness of the water flow film. Further, when the water pressure of the water supply changes for some reason, if the thickness of the water flow film 200 formed in the water-saving top 100 can be adjusted from the outside, the fluctuation of the water pressure of the water supply can be adjusted.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for briefly explaining the concept of the gap width variable mechanism that makes the width of the gap variable.
As shown in FIG. 6A, in this example, the member 101a and the member 101b move relative to each other. For example, it is assumed that the member 101a includes a variable gap width mechanism (not shown) that can move relative to the member 101b, and can move up and down in the drawing.
In the state shown in FIG. 6B, the gap 101 between the member 101a and the member 101b is enlarged by moving the member 101a upward by the gap width variable mechanism. In the gap 111 between the member 101a and the member 101b, the water flow film 200 is punched out. However, since the gap width becomes wider, the speed of the water flow film 200 becomes slow, and the ejection method becomes weak.

  Next, in the state shown in FIG. 6C, the member 101a is moved downward by the gap width variable mechanism to narrow the gap 111 between the member 101a and the member 101b. Compared to the gap 111 between the member 101a and the member 101b in the state of FIG. 6B, the state of FIG. 6C is such that the member 101a moves downward and the gap 111 between the member 101a and the member 101b is small. It has become. Since the gap width has become narrower, the speed of the water flow film 200 is increased and the ejection is enhanced.

  As described above, in the water-saving top 100 according to the first embodiment, since the small grooves 112 are devised to be provided at appropriate intervals, the following benefits can be obtained. That is, when the balance between the relative postures of the members 101a and 101b is lost due to a screw margin or the like, and a certain part is temporarily narrow and another part is widened, a water flow film is ejected from a wide part, and the narrow part Then, even if a condition that induces the phenomenon that the water flow film is interrupted occurs, the small grooves 112 are provided at appropriate intervals in the member forming the gap, so that the water flow film can be constantly spouted at appropriate intervals. , The location where the water flow film 200 is unexpectedly lost does not occur.

Example 2 is an example in which the principle of controlling the flow of the water flow inside the water-saving piece by providing a small groove in the case where the length of the water flow film is increased and the inside of the water-saving piece is circular.
Here, the water flow film forming part is a circular water flow film forming part, and the gap formed by the circular water flow film forming part is circular, and receives the water flow from the upstream to enter the downstream cavity space. It is an example which forms the three-dimensional circulation water flow film continuous in the circulation direction.
As shown in the first embodiment, there are a plurality of patterns in which the small grooves 112 are provided in the facing portions of the two metal pieces. Here, as an example, one metal piece, for example, the lower side is provided. A pattern in which a small groove 112 is provided in a metal piece will be described as an example.

  The foamed water generating piece 100c of the second embodiment includes a circulating water flow film forming unit 110c, an air cavity 120, a circulating water flow film sealing body 130, an air passage 140, an attachment unit 160, and a foamed water outflow unit 150.

  Hereinafter, first, the components and assembly of the foam water generating piece 100c will be described, and then, a circulating water film formed by flowing water from the water discharge pipe to the foamed water generating piece 100c by providing the small groove 112. It will be described that 200c becomes a circular water flow film without loss.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the foamed water generating piece 100c according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
The configuration example illustrated in FIG. 7 is an example configured from three members: a member 101c, a member 102c, and a member 103c. FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the member 101c, the member 102c, and the member 103c. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a procedure for assembling the three members 101c, 102c, and 103c. FIG. 10 is a view showing the upper end surface (circulating water flow film forming portion 110c) and the lower end surface (ventilation path 140, foam water outflow portion 150) in a state where the member 101c and the member 102c are assembled. FIG. 11 shows the structure shown in FIG. 7, in which water is caused to flow from the water discharge pipe to the foam water generating piece 100c of the present invention, and air is entrained from the inner surface side into the circulating water flow film 200c to be formed. It is the figure which showed the mechanism in which is formed. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state in which the circulating water flow film 200 is ejected without being lost when the small grooves 112 are interposed in the gap 111 formed by the member 101c and the member 102c.
7, 8, 9, and 11 are shown as vertical sections so that the internal structure can be easily understood.

  7, 8, 9, and 11, the foam water generating piece 100 c is a rotating body with the vertical axis as the center, but the conduction hole 141 is not a rotating body, but a circulating water flow described later. A plurality of holes are formed in the wall surface of the air passage 140 so as to conduct to the sealed space inside the membrane 200c. Further, the foam water outflow portion 150 has a plurality of holes provided in the bottom surface portion so that a water flow of a circulating water flow film 200c described later flows out.

The member 101c is a rotating member as shown in FIG. 8A, and is a cylindrical member having a longitudinal section as shown. An upper cylindrical body 1011, a bowl-shaped body 1012, a middle cylindrical body 1013, and a lower cylindrical body 1014 are provided, and a female screw is provided on the inner periphery of the lower cylindrical body 1014.
In this example, in order to reduce the number of parts, a structure example is formed in which a member responsible for a part of the configuration of a circulating water flow film forming unit 110c and an air cavity 120 described later is integrated with the member 101c. .

As shown in FIG. 8B, the member 102c is provided with a disc body 1021 at the upper portion and a cylindrical body 1022 below it. In this configuration example, the disc body 1021 has a substantially truncated cone shape, and the side wall surface has an umbrella shape that is gently opened outward.
The inner surface of the cylindrical body 1022 is an air passage 140, and a plurality of holes are provided in the wall surface of the cylindrical body 1022, and the holes serve as conduction holes 141. Further, an umbrella-shaped body 1023 that is opened in an umbrella shape is provided on the outer wall surface of the cylindrical body 1022, and this umbrella-shaped body 1023 is a circulating water-film sealed body 130. Further, a disc 1024 is provided near the bottom of the cylindrical body 1022. The cylindrical body 1022 and the disk 1024 are connected by a radial bridge as shown in FIG. A hole opened in the disk 1024 is a foam water outflow portion 150. A male screw is provided on the outer periphery of the disc 1024.
In this example, in order to reduce the number of parts, the member 102c is provided with a structure that bears a part of the configuration of the circulating water film forming unit 110c, the air cavity 120, the circulating water film sealing body 130, and the ventilation path 140, which will be described later. It is a structural example formed integrally.

  In this configuration example, as shown in FIG. 7B, a plurality of small grooves 112 are provided on the side wall surface of the disk body 1021 on the upper part of the member 102c. In this configuration example, eight are provided in a circular shape. The small groove 112 is the same as the small groove 112 described in the first embodiment.

  The member 103c is a rotating member as shown in FIG. 8C, and is a cylindrical member having a longitudinal section as shown. A hollow disk body 1032 is provided on the cylindrical body 1031 and its bottom surface. An internal thread is provided on the inner wall surface of the cylindrical body 1031, and this is an attachment part 160 attached to the outer periphery of the water discharge pipe. Further, the hollow disk body 1032 of the member 103 is a structure that locks the flange-shaped body 1012 of the member 101c.

  Assembling these members 101c, 102c, and 103c is as follows. First, as shown in FIG. 9A, the member 102c is inserted into the member 101c, and the inner screw of the lower cylindrical body 1014 of the member 101c is inserted. On the other hand, the male screw on the outer periphery of the disk 1024 of the member 102c is screwed and attached.

FIG. 10 shows an upper end surface and a lower end surface with the member 101c and the member 102c attached.
In a state where the member 102c is screwed and attached to the member 101c, on the upper end surface, as shown in FIG. 10A, a circulating water flow film is formed by the upper cylindrical body 1011 of the member 101c and the disc body 1021 of the member 102c. A forming portion 110c is formed. The diameter is adjusted so that a gap 111c is opened between the inner periphery of the upper cylindrical body 1011 of the member 101c and the outer periphery of the disc body 1021 of the member 102c. The gap 111c is a part of the water flow path in the foam water generating piece 100c.

  Here, since the small grooves 112c are provided at appropriate intervals in the disk body 1021 of the member 102c, the circulating water flow film formed by the upper cylinder body 1011 of the member 101c and the disk body 1021 of the member 102c facing each other. A small groove 112 is interposed in the formation part 110c. In this example, small grooves 112 are interposed at eight places in a circular shape.

  In the state where the member 101c and the member 102c are screwed together, the foam water outflow portion 150 is formed as a hole opened in the disk 1024 of the member 102c at the lower end surface as shown in FIG. 10 (b). The ventilation path 140 is formed in the inner periphery of the middle cylinder 1013 of the member 101c.

Next, with the member 101c and the member 102c attached, the bubble-shaped body 1012 of the member 101c is locked to the hollow disc body 1032 of the member 103c to assemble the foam water generating piece 100c of the present invention. That is, the member 101c and the member 102c are suspended from the member 103c.
The state of FIG. 7 is obtained by attaching the foamed water generating piece 100c of the present invention thus assembled to the water discharge pipe.

Next, the circulating water flow film 200c formed by flowing water from the water discharge pipe to the foam water generating piece 100c is not lost due to the action of the small groove 112c, and becomes a circular water flow film, and foam water is further formed. Will be explained.
The gap 111c is formed between the inner periphery of the upper cylinder 1011 of the member 101c and the outer periphery of the disk body 1021 of the member 102c. When the member 101c and the member 102c are assembled, the lower cylinder of the member 101c is formed. Since the internal thread of 1014 and the external thread of the outer periphery of the disk 1024 of the member 102c are attached by screwing, there is a margin such as play of the screw, and the posture of the upper cylindrical body 1011 of the member 101c The balance of the disk body 1021 of the member 102c is not completely uniform when viewed microscopically. Therefore, the gap between the inner circumference of the upper cylindrical body 1011 of the member 101c and the outer circumference of the disk body 1021 of the member 102c is distorted, and there is an imbalance that the gap in one part is wide but the gap in the other part is narrow. There are things to do.

The circulating water flow film forming section 110c includes a gap 111c that serves as a passage for the water flow therein, and receives an upstream water flow to launch an accelerated water flow from the gap 111c, and is continuous in the circumferential direction in the cavity space on the downstream side. A circulating water flow film 200c is formed.
The direction of the accelerated water flow to be launched is determined by the inner wall shape of the gap 111, and the shape of the circulating water flow film 200c formed by the accelerated water flow is determined.

  Here, as described above, when the gap between the inner periphery of the upper cylindrical body 1011 of the member 101c and the outer periphery of the disk body 1021 of the member 102c is distorted, the water flow film is vigorously generated from the wide gap portion. It is easy to flow out and it is difficult for the water flow film to flow from the narrow gap. If there is no small groove 112, as shown in FIG. 12 (a), the water flow film is only formed from the wide gap portion, and the water flow film does not flow out from the narrow gap portion and is lost. Can also happen.

  However, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7B and FIG. 10A, the disk body 1021 of the member 102c that forms the gap 111c of the circulating water flow film forming portion 110c is evenly circular. The eight small grooves 112 are formed in each of the two grooves, and the small grooves 112 that cause the water flow film to flow out are interposed at any position. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12B, the water flow film flows out from the narrow gap portion, and the water flow film 200c is normally formed without the water flow film being lost. Further, the pressure of the flowing water film also works in the direction of expanding the narrow gap, and the balance deviation due to the margin of the screw of the female screw of the member 101c and the male screw of the member 102c is eliminated, The effect that the circulating water flow film 200c is stably formed normally is also obtained.

  When a water flow is caused to flow in the gap 111c of the circulating water flow film forming unit 110, the circulating water flow film 200c is formed. The circulating water flow film 200c becomes a three-dimensional water flow film continuous in the rotating direction, and the water flow film forms the circular water flow film 200c. The inner space and the outer space are separated, and the circulating water flow film 200c has no cut in the circumferential direction, and the inner space becomes a sealed space in which airtightness is maintained. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 9, as shown in FIG. 11, the shape of the circulating water flow film 200 c formed is a substantially truncated cone side shape.

  In addition, the water-saving effect is also acquired by the circulating water flow film formation part 110c. If the width of the gap 111c is smaller than the diameter of the water cavity 161, the amount of water discharged in the gap 111c is reduced, resulting in a water-saving effect. In addition, in the foam water generation | occurrence | production piece 100c of this invention, by enclosing a large amount of air in a water flow and forming foam water with big air content, it is from the foam water production | generation piece 100c of this invention with respect to actual water quantity. The apparent volume of the discharged water increases, and the user's feeling of water use is not reduced.

  As described above, in the water-saving piece 100c of the second embodiment, the small groove 112 is provided so that a part of the water flow film is lost even when a balance shift due to a margin such as play of screws occurs when the members are assembled. After that, the effect of stably forming the circulating water flow film 200c is obtained.

Next, in the water-saving piece 100c of the second embodiment, it will be described that foam water is formed after the circulating water flow film 200c is formed.
The foam water generating means in the foam water generating top 100 lowers the air pressure in the sealed space 113 by the flow of water in the circulating water flow film 200c and causes the air blown into the sealed space 113 from the conduction hole 141 to the circulating water flow film 200c. It is means for generating foamed water by entraining from the inner surface side. The mechanism by which the foam water is generated by the foam water generation means will be described.

FIG. 11A is a diagram showing a state in which a water flow is made to flow from the water discharge pipe 300 to the foamed water generating piece 100c shown in FIG. As in FIG. 7, the state of the internal water flow is shown in a vertical section so that it can be easily understood. The flow of water flow, the flow of air, and the foamed water formed are shown typically.
The water discharged from the water discharge pipe 300c to the water cavity 161 is received by the upper surface of the circulating water flow film forming unit 110c, but is guided downward from the gap 111c by water pressure.

  The water discharged from the water discharge pipe 300 to the water cavity 161 is received by the upper surface of the circulating water flow film forming part 110c, but is guided downward from the gap 111c by the water pressure, and as shown in FIG. A continuous circular water flow membrane 200c having a continuous frustoconical side surface shape without a gap is formed.

  Since the circulating water flow membrane 200c is continuous in the circumferential direction, as shown in FIGS. 11 (a) and 11 (b), the inner space 113 and the outer space 114 of the circulating water flow membrane 200c in the air cavity 120. Is blocked by a water flow film. In this configuration example, the outer space 114 of the circulating water flow film 200c is surrounded by the circulating water flow film 200c and the wall surface 1013, and becomes a sealed space in which airtightness is maintained.

  Here, the air cavity 120 is a space filled with air provided in the middle of the water flow pipe as a formation place of the circulating water flow film 200c. Even in a state where the water flow of the circulating water flow film 200c flows, the space filled with air is maintained. In this configuration example, the air cavity 120 is a space surrounded by the wall surface 1013 of the member 101c and the wall surface 1022 of the member 102c. In the air cavity 120, a conduction hole 141 of an air passage 140, which will be described later, is provided at a position located inside the circulating water flow film 200c to be formed, and air is supplied from outside air. The ventilation path 140 is a ventilation path that conducts between the sealed space in the circulating water flow film 200 and the outside air, and is provided so that the conduction hole 141 is located in the sealed space in the circulating water flow film 200. In this configuration example, the hollow portion of the cylindrical body 1022 of the member 102 is the ventilation path 140, and a plurality of holes opened in the wall surface of the cylindrical body 1022 are the conduction holes 141.

  Thus, the outer space 114 of the circulating water flow film 200c is an airtight space that is maintained airtight and filled with air. Note that the inner space 113 of the circulating water flow film 200c is also filled with air.

The principle that air is entrained in the circulating water flow film 200c launched from the gap 111c is as follows.
In this configuration example, as shown in FIGS. 11 (a) and 11 (b), the circulating water flow film 200c spreads out toward the outside, and has a wall surface 1013 at the tip thereof, and has a substantially truncated cone side surface shape. When the water flow of the circulating water flow film 200c abuts against the wall surface 1013, the direction of the water flow changes so as to be bent downward. Here, the member with which the water flow of the circulating water flow film 200c contacts is referred to as a circulating water flow film contact body 130c. That is, the outer space 114 that is a sealed space expands downward at a location where the water flow of the circulating water flow membrane 200c contacts the circulating water flow membrane abutment body 130c, and a pressure drop occurs at the location where the sealed space is expanded. It becomes.

  The air facing the circulating water flow film 200c is entrained by the accelerating water flow launched from the gap 111c vigorously downstream, but as shown in FIG. At a location where the water flow of the circulating water flow film 200c is bent downward, air is drawn into the circulating water flow film 200c at a stretch and becomes a foamy water containing a large amount of air. Since air is driven from the outer surface into the circulating water flow film in a state of spreading into a thin film shape, an effect that air bubbles are uniformly diffused in the water flow film is obtained. As a result, high-quality foam water can be generated.

The water stream that has become the foam water flows downward, flows out from the gap between the member 1025 and the wall surface 1013, and flows out from the foam water outflow portion 150 as foam water.
The foam water outflow portion 150 is a portion where the circulating water flow film 200c discharges the water flow that flows downward toward the wall surface 1022 of the member 102c, and the foam water flows out from the foam water outflow portion 150. In this configuration example, the gap between the inner wall surface of the middle cylindrical body 1013 of the member 101c and the umbrella body 1023 of the member 102c, and the hole provided between the umbrella body 1023 and the disk 1024 of the member 102c are foamed. A water outflow portion 150 is formed.

  In addition, as shown to Fig.11 (a), although the foam water produced | generated in sealed space flows out from the foam water outflow part 150 which is the clearance gap between the member 1025 and the wall surface 1013, the foam water outflow part 150 whole surface It flows out in a state where the foam water occupies, and the outside air does not enter the sealed space via the foam water outflow portion 150, and the sealed space is not directly connected to the outside air. As described above, the sealed space and the outside air are not directly connected to each other through the foam water outflow portion 150, so that the airtightness inside the sealed space can be maintained while the foam water flows out from the sealed space.

  Here, since the conduction hole 141 is provided in the sealed space 113 inside the circulating water flow membrane 200, when the atmospheric pressure in the sealed space 113 is lowered, the pressure in the vicinity of the conduction hole 141 is also lowered. Outside air is vigorously sucked into the sealed space 113 through the conduction hole 141. When air is drawn in vigorously, the speed of the air flow passing through the conduction hole 141 becomes high, and air is driven from the inside into the circulating water flow film 200 formed in the vicinity of the conduction hole 141. Since air is driven from the inner surface into the circular water flow film in a state of spreading in a thin film shape, an effect that air bubbles are uniformly diffused in the water flow film is obtained. As a result, high-quality foam water can be generated.

  In the conventional foam water generation mechanism, air is often drawn in through holes provided in the wall surface of the water flow pipe filled with the water flow, but the foam water generation top 100 of the present invention is filled with the water flow. In addition, an air cavity 120 that is not filled with water but is filled with air is provided, and a circulating water flow film 200 is formed in the air cavity 120 to form a sealed space in which airtightness is maintained by the water film, This is a new concept technology in which air that is drawn in vigorously due to the pressure drop is driven into the water flow film. In addition, air is driven from the inside into water that has expanded into a film-like space in a space filled with air, so that air is driven in a state where the contact area with air is large, and the air content is large and the quality is good. Foam water can be produced.

Further, the higher the speed of the accelerated water flow, the higher the speed of the air sucked from the air cavity 120 and driven into the accelerated water flow, and the mixing with the air is further promoted. In addition, the air driven into the inside from the side of the accelerated water flow diffuses into the water flow and becomes uniform and fine air bubbles.
Thus, at least a part of the circulating water flow film 200 becomes the foam water circulating water flow film surface formed by the foamed water by the foamed water generating means.

  Since the foam water that has passed through the circulating water flow membrane sealing body 130c flows out of the discharge hole 150, the speed of the foam water circulating water flow membrane in the accelerated state is reduced to an appropriate speed for hand washing by the circulating water flow membrane sealing body 130c. The effect of being guided to the downstream side (speed adjustment effect) is obtained, and the foamed water flows out along the inner peripheral wall surface 1022 of the member 102c. Diameter adjustment effect) is obtained, and the speed and diameter of the foam water discharged are adjusted.

  As described above, according to the foam water generating piece of the second embodiment, the circular circumferential water flow membrane 200c that is continuous in a circular shape is formed, and the inner space is set as the sealed space 113. The air pressure can be reduced and air can be driven into the circulating water flow film 200c from the conduction hole 141 to generate high-quality foam water.

  It will be understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is limited only by the description of the appended claims.

Industrial application fields

  Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, the present invention is not limited to water taps for general use, water taps for laboratories, flushing faucets for washing eyes in a pool, showers, etc. For example, the water-saving function and the foam function can be applied without being limited to the application.

Claims (9)

In the water-saving top for suppressing the amount of water discharged from the water discharge pipe,
A water flow film forming section in which a gap serving as a passage for water flow is provided inside, and an accelerated water flow driven downstream from the gap becomes a film-like water flow film,
An air cavity that is provided in the middle of a water flow pipe as a formation location of the water flow film, and is maintained in a state where air is filled even when the water flow of the water flow film flows in ;
An air passage having a conduction hole for conducting outside air to the air cavity;
Foam water generating means for forming foam water by entraining air blown into the air cavity from the conduction hole with respect to the water flow film,
A water film guide that cuts at least one small groove in a member that forms the gap of the water flow film forming section and adjusts the flow of the water flow through the gap;
The gap width variable mechanism for changing the width of the gap of the water flow film forming section and changing the speed of the formed water flow film, and the speed of the air drawn from the conduction hole with the width of the conduction hole being variable. Equipped with variable conduction hole width variable mechanism ,
A water-saving piece characterized by stabilizing the shape of a water flow film formed by being punched from the gap, and adjusting the discharge speed of the water flow film and the air entrainment speed . In the water flow film forming portion, the gap is a circular gap, and an accelerated water flow launched downstream from the gap becomes a three-dimensional circular water flow film continuous in a circular direction, and the water flow film The water-saving top according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the small grooves serving as guides are provided in the circumferential gap at substantially equal intervals. The conduction hole conducts outside air to a sealed space surrounded by the circular water flow film formed in the air cavity ,
The foamed water generating means forms foamed water by entraining the air blown into the sealed space from the conduction hole into the circulating water flow film ,
In the state where the airtightness of the sealed space where the air passage is conducted is maintained, the air is drawn from the conduction hole by the pressure drop caused by the flow of the circulating water flow film and the entrainment of the air, and the foam water is removed. The water-saving top according to claim 2, which can be generated. The water-saving top of Claim 2 or 3 provided with the circulating water-flow film sealing body which flows a water flow downstream, sealing the solid lower surface which the said water flow film forms, and improving the airtightness of the said sealed space. By providing a plurality of the small grooves serving as the water flow film guides at appropriate intervals in the length direction of the gap, the water flow film formed by punching out the gap is thin with a sufficiently large width with respect to the thickness. The water-saving piece according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein even in the case of a water flow film, the water flow film is formed in a stable shape without being lost in the length direction of the gap. The water-saving piece according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the small groove is provided to one of members facing in the length direction forming the gap. The water-saving top according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the small groove is provided for both members facing in the length direction forming the gap. The water-saving piece according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the small grooves are alternately provided in two members facing in the length direction forming the gap. The water-saving piece according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the small groove is provided so as to face two members facing in the length direction forming the gap.

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