JP6714861B2 - Soap liquid supply device - Google Patents

Description

Aspects of the invention generally relate to soap solution dispensers.

2. Description of the Related Art Soap liquid supply devices that mix soap liquid and air to discharge the soap liquid in the form of foam have been conventionally used. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a soap dispenser which mixes water soap liquid and air by a liquid cylinder, a liquid piston, an air cylinder, and an air piston to discharge the water soap liquid in a mousse shape.

Such a soap liquid supply device is installed, for example, in a counter provided with a faucet device, a bowl, and the like. The soap liquid supply device is provided with a nozzle for discharging the foamed soap liquid toward a bowl or the like.

Japanese Patent No. 4979602

In the soap liquid supply device that discharges the soap liquid in the form of foam, the soap liquid and air in a roughly mixed state are discharged upward from the pump unit. Thereafter, the soap liquid and the air discharged upward are guided to the nozzle extending laterally and discharged to the bowl. As described above, in the soap liquid supply device that discharges bubbles, the distance from the pump unit to the discharge port of the nozzle is longer than that in the conventional liquid pump that does not discharge bubbles. For this reason, after the use of the soap liquid supply device that discharges bubbles, many bubbles are accumulated between the pump unit and the discharge port of the nozzle. When the bubbles return to liquid, a large space is created between the pump unit and the discharge port of the nozzle, and it may take a long time until bubbles of soap come out during the next use. Since bubbles of soap liquid tend to return to liquid when rough, it is desired to generate fine bubbles. In addition, when the soap liquid supply device is used in a so-called public space such as a station or a commercial facility, the soap liquid supply device is used more frequently than a household device and is used for a very long period of time. It is desired that the filter (foaming member) can be maintained.

The present invention has been made based on the recognition of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a soap solution supply device capable of producing fine bubbles.

A first aspect of the present invention is a soap pipe that penetrates a counter and a soap solution tank that is provided below the counter and that is connected to the soap pipe. The soap solution is replenished from above the counter through the fixture tube. A soap solution tank, at least a part of which is provided above the counter and which is detachably connected to the mounting pipe; and a foaming member, wherein the body portion is the soap solution tank. A pump unit having a liquid pump for sending the soap solution inside, an air pump for sending air, an outer shell member for accommodating at least a part of the pump unit therein, and a detachable member provided for the pump unit, And a handle portion for driving the pump unit, the mixture of soap liquid and air sent from the pump unit is discharged from the nozzle through the foaming member and the handle portion. The foaming member is provided in a connecting portion between the pump unit and the handle portion, which is a soap liquid supply device.

According to this soap liquid supply device, since the foaming member is provided at the connecting portion between the pump unit and the handle portion, the soap liquid and the air vigorously pass through the foaming member immediately after being discharged from the pump unit. , Converted to bubbles. As a result, fine bubbles can be generated.

A second aspect of the invention is the soap liquid supplying device according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the foam-making member is attachable to and detachable from the main body.

According to this soap liquid supply device, it is possible to take out and wash the foam-making member, or replace the foam-making member. Therefore, maintainability can be improved.

A third aspect of the invention is the soap liquid supply device according to the second aspect of the invention, wherein the foam-making member is tubular and has at least two nets.

According to this soap liquid supply device, both the two nets can be washed by taking out the foaming member, and fine bubbles can be generated.

4th invention is set in any 1st-3rd invention, The said handle part drives the said pump unit by being pushed in, The force which pushes in the said handle part is via the said foaming member. A soap liquid supply device characterized by being transmitted to the pump unit.

According to this soap liquid supply device, when the handle portion is pushed in, the handle portion is pressed against the foam-making member and comes into close contact with the foam-making member. The foaming member is pressed against the pump unit and comes into close contact with the pump unit. Therefore, the sealing performance between the handle portion and the foaming member and between the foaming member and the pump unit is improved.

According to the aspect of the present invention, a soap liquid supply device capable of generating fine bubbles is provided.

1A and 1B are perspective views illustrating the soap liquid supply device according to the embodiment. FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are a perspective view and a side view illustrating the soap liquid supply device according to the embodiment. It is sectional drawing which illustrates the soap solution supply apparatus which concerns on embodiment. FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are exploded views illustrating the soap liquid supply device according to the embodiment. It is sectional drawing which illustrates the soap solution supply apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a perspective view which illustrates the foaming member of the soap solution supply apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is sectional drawing which illustrates the soap solution supply apparatus which concerns on embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be appropriately omitted.
1A and 1B are perspective views illustrating the soap liquid supply device according to the embodiment.
As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the soap liquid supply device 100 according to the embodiment is attached to a counter 200. In this example, the counter 200 is provided integrally with the bowl 210. The counter 200 and the bowl 210 may be provided separately. As the material of the counter 200, any material such as pottery, resin or wood can be used.

The soap liquid supply device 100 converts the soap liquid into foam and discharges it toward the bowl 210. The soap liquid supply device 100 is, for example, a public device installed in a public facility in a station or a town.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the counter 200 may be provided with a faucet device 220. The faucet device 220 discharges water toward the bowl 210.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view illustrating the soap liquid supply device according to the embodiment.
FIG. 2B is a side view illustrating the soap liquid supply device according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the soap liquid supply device according to the embodiment.
The soap solution supply device 100 includes a mounting tube 12, a soap solution tank 14, and a main body section 15.

As shown in FIG. 3, the mounting tube 12 penetrates the counter 200. The mounting pipe 12 is fixed to the counter 200 by a nut 22 below the counter 200. A washer and packing 21 are provided between the nut 22 and the counter 200.

The soap liquid tank 14 is provided below the counter 200, and is connected to the mounting pipe 12 by a joint 23. Between the joint 23 and the mounting pipe 12, and between the joint 23 and the soap solution tank 14, packings 23a, 23b, etc. are appropriately provided. A soap solution is stored inside the soap solution tank 14.

At least a part of the main body 15 is provided above the counter 200. The main body portion 15 is detachably connected to the mounting pipe 12.

A hose portion 25 extending to the inside of the soap liquid tank 14 is connected to the lower end of the main body portion 15. The hose portion 25 has a hose 25c and a filter 25a connected to the tip of the hose 25c via a joint 25b.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are exploded views illustrating the soap liquid supply device according to the embodiment.
4A shows a state in which the mounting pipe 12 and the main body portion 15 are disassembled, and FIG. 4B shows a cross section of FIG. 4A.
The main body portion 15 includes a handle portion 40, a resin member 42, a foaming member 44 (filter), an outer shell member 46, a packing 48, a cap 26, a pump unit 30, a cover member 28, and a C ring 29. (A retaining member).

As shown in FIG. 4B, the pump unit 30 has a liquid pump 31 and an air pump 32. The liquid pump 31 takes in the soap liquid in the soap liquid tank 14 from below via the hose portion 25 and sends the taken soap liquid upward. The air pump 32 takes in air and sends the taken air upward. As a result, the pump unit 30 sends the mixture of soap liquid and air (mixed liquid) to the handle portion 40 above. The liquid pump 31 and the air pump 32 (pistons and cylinders described later) are each made of resin. For example, polypropylene (PP) can be used for each of the material of the liquid pump 31 and the material of the air pump 32. It should be noted that in the present specification, "made of resin" means that most of it is made of resin, and includes a metal member such as a check valve provided inside thereof. ..

The cover member 28 has a tubular shape and covers at least a part of the pump unit 30. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, the cover member 28 is attached so as to cover the lower portion of the pump unit 30. The cap 26 is attached to the upper portion of the pump unit 30.

The cover member 28 and the cap 26 are made of resin. For example, the material of the cover member 28 may be polyphenylene sulfide (PPS).

The outer shell member 46 has a tubular shape and covers at least a part of the cover member 28 and the pump unit 30 (see FIGS. 3 and 4B). In other words, at least a part of the pump unit 30 is housed inside the outer shell member 46. At least the surface of the outer shell member 46 is made of metal. For example, the outer shell member 46 is made of metal, but may be made of non-metal such as plastic plated with metal. The metal used for the outer shell member 46 is, for example, an alloy containing copper (copper-based alloy).

The C ring 29 is attached between the outer circumference of the cover member 28 and the inner circumference of the outer shell member 46 (see FIG. 3 ). As a result, the pump unit 30 covered by the cover member 28 is prevented from coming off the outer shell member 46 by the C ring 29. By removing the C ring 29, the pump unit 30 covered by the cover member 28 can be pulled out from the outer shell member 46. That is, the pump unit 30 is attachable to and detachable from the outer shell member 46.

The handle portion 40 is detachably connected to the pump unit 30. The unevenness 40a (for example, a groove or a snap fit) provided on the lower portion of the handle portion 40 and the unevenness 30a provided on the upper portion of the pump unit 30 are directly or indirectly engaged with each other. The handle 40 can be removed by pulling it upward while rotating the handle 40. Similar to the outer shell member 46, at least the surface of the handle portion 40 is made of metal.

The handle portion 40 is pushed downward to slide with respect to the outer shell member 46 and drive the pump unit 30. As a result, the pump unit 30 sends the mixture of soap liquid and air upward. Further, the handle portion 40 has a nozzle 41 extending laterally from the upper portion of the handle portion 40.

The resin member 42 is fitted into the handle portion 40 from below the handle portion 40. The resin member 42 functions as a guide member that prevents the handle portion 40 and the outer shell member 46 from directly colliding with each other when the handle portion 40 is pushed in, and makes the sliding smooth.

The foaming member 44 is provided at the connecting portion between the pump unit 30 and the handle portion 40. The foaming member 44 has a plurality of holes (for example, a net). The mixture of soap liquid and air sent from the pump unit 30 is guided into the handle portion 40 through the foaming member 44. The mixture is converted into fine bubbles by passing through the foaming member 44. After that, the mixture (foam) passes through the handle portion 40 and the nozzle 41 and is discharged from the discharge port 41e of the nozzle 41.

The main body portion 15 is detachably connected to the mounting pipe 12. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4(a), the pump unit 30 is provided with unevenness 30b (for example, snap fit) at the bottom thereof, and as shown in FIG. Concavities and convexities 12b are provided on the inside. The main body portion 15 is attached to the attachment pipe 12 by the engagement between the unevenness 30b and the unevenness 12b. By pulling the main body 15 upward, the main body 15 can be removed from the mounting pipe 12.

After removing the main body part 15, the soap solution is replenished to the soap solution tank 14 from the opening 12a of the mounting tube 12 located above the counter 200 through the mounting tube 12.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the soap liquid supply device according to the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of part of the vicinity of the pump unit 30. The pump unit 30 has a piston 33 and a cylinder 34. The liquid pump 31 and the air pump 32 described above are formed by the piston 33 and the cylinder 34.

The cylinder 34 is supported by the cover member 28.
The piston 33 has an air piston 33a and a liquid piston 33b. The air piston 33a and the liquid piston 33b are respectively slidable vertically with respect to the cylinder 34. The liquid piston 33b and the cylinder 34 form a liquid chamber RL in which the soap liquid is stored. An air chamber RA that stores air therein is formed by the air piston 33a and the cylinder 34. A mixing chamber RM is formed above the liquid chamber RL and the air chamber RA.

A ball 39 (check valve) is provided at the lower end of the liquid chamber RL. The liquid chamber RL is connected to the soap liquid tank 14 via the mounting pipe 12, but when the soap liquid supply device 100 is on standby, the lower end of the liquid chamber RL is closed by a ball 39.

An inner rod 35, a plug 37, and a spring 38 are provided inside the liquid chamber RL. The plug 37 holds the inner rod 35 and the spring 38. The spring 38 urges the piston 33 upward due to its elastic force. The upper portion of the inner rod 35 extends to the mixing chamber RM and serves as a mixing chamber check valve 36c.

When the user pushes the handle portion 40 downward, the force (operating force) of pushing the handle portion 40 is transmitted to the piston 33. As a result, the air piston 33a and the liquid piston 33b move downward. Then, since the volume of the liquid chamber RL decreases, the soap liquid in the liquid chamber RL flows into the mixing chamber RM through the mixing chamber check valve 36c. At this time, the lower end of the liquid chamber RL is in a state of being closed by the ball 39. The spring 38 is contracted.

At the same time, since the volume of the air chamber RA decreases, the air in the air chamber RA flows into the mixing chamber RM through the check valve 36a and the mixing chamber check valve 36c provided in the air piston 33a. At this time, the check valve 36b provided on the air piston 33a is closed.

In the mixing chamber RM, air and soap liquid are mixed. Then, the mixture is discharged to the foaming member 44 and the handle portion 40 from the small hole P provided in the upper part of the mixing chamber RM. As described above, soap bubbles are discharged from the nozzle 41.

After that, when the user releases the handle 40, the elastic force of the contracted spring 38 causes the air piston 33a and the liquid piston 33b to move upward. Then, the volume of the liquid chamber RL increases and a negative pressure is generated in the liquid chamber RL. At this time, the mixing chamber check valve 36c is closed and the ball 39 moves up. As a result, the soap liquid is supplied from the lower soap liquid tank 14 into the liquid chamber RL, and the liquid chamber RL is filled with the soap liquid.

At the same time, the volume of the air chamber RA increases and a negative pressure is generated in the air chamber RA. At this time, the check valve 36a is closed and the check valve 36b is opened. As a result, air is supplied to the air chamber RA from the outside. As described above, the soap liquid supply device 100 returns to the standby state.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a foam-making member of the soap liquid supply device according to the embodiment.
The foaming member 44 has at least two nets and a tubular portion 44c. In this example, the foaming member 44 has a first net 44a and a second net 44b.

The first net 44a is provided at one end of the tubular portion 44c, and the second net 44b is provided at the other end of the tubular portion 44c. In the path of the soap liquid discharged from the pump unit 30, the first net 44a is located on the inlet side of the tubular portion 44c, and the second net 44b is located on the outlet side of the tubular portion 44c.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the soap liquid supply device according to the embodiment.
FIG. 7 shows a cross section of the upper portion of the main body portion 15. As shown in FIG. 7, the lower end of the foaming member 44 is in contact with the upper end surface of the pump unit 30 in which the small hole P is provided. Further, the upper end of the foaming member 44 is in contact with the handle portion 40.

As a result, when the mixture of soap liquid and air (mixed liquid) is discharged from the mixing chamber RM of the pump unit 30, it directly reaches the first net 44a. The mixture becomes a foam by passing through the first net 44a, and further passes through the second net 44b. This makes the bubbles more finely tuned. The obtained bubbles pass through the handle portion 40 and the nozzle 41 along the path of arrow A shown in FIG. 7, and are discharged from the discharge port 41e of the nozzle 41.

In this way, in the soap liquid supply device that discharges soap bubbles, the path of the mixture (foam) has a portion extending upward between the pump unit and the nozzle.
Further, in the soap liquid supply device fixed to the counter 200, it is necessary to secure the length of the nozzle so that the bubbles reach the bowl 210. Therefore, the distance from the pump unit that mixes the soap liquid and the air to the discharge port of the nozzle is long. In other words, the volume of the path from the pump unit to the discharge port of the nozzle is large.

In such a soap liquid supply device, if bubbles remaining between the pump unit and the discharge port of the nozzle return to the liquid, a large space is created between the pump unit and the discharge port of the nozzle. As a result, bubbles may not readily come out of the nozzle during the next use.

On the other hand, in the embodiment, the foaming member 44 is provided at the connecting portion between the pump unit 30 and the handle portion 40. As a result, the mixture of soap and air can vigorously pass through the foaming member 44 immediately after being discharged from the small holes P of the pump unit 30, and fine bubbles can be generated. Fine bubbles are less likely to return to liquid than rough bubbles. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the formation of a large space between the pump unit 30 and the discharge port 41e of the nozzle 41, and it is possible to suppress the difficulty of generating bubbles from the nozzle 41.

In addition, when the soap liquid supply device is used for a long period of time, the net of the foaming member may be clogged. For example, if the mesh is made fine to produce fine bubbles, clogging tends to occur.
On the other hand, in the embodiment, since the handle portion 40 is attachable to and detachable from the pump unit 30, it is possible to approach the foam making member 44 by removing the handle portion 40, and the foam making member 44 is maintained. can do.

Further, the foaming member 44 is installed so as to be sandwiched between the pump unit 30 and the handle portion 40, and can be attached to and detached from the main body portion 15 by removing the handle portion 40. Thereby, the foam-making member 44 can be taken out and washed, or the foam-making member 44 can be exchanged, and the maintainability can be improved. For example, by removing the foaming member 44, both the first net 44a and the second net 44b can be washed.

An arrow F1 shown in FIG. 7 indicates an operation force applied to the handle portion 40 by the user. When the user applies an operating force to the handle portion 40, the operating force is transmitted from the handle portion 40 to the foaming member 44 as indicated by an arrow F2 shown in FIG. 7. The operating force transmitted to the foaming member 44 is transmitted from the foaming member 44 to the pump unit 30 (piston 33) as indicated by an arrow F3 shown in FIG. 7.

The force pushing the handle portion 40 downward from above is transmitted to the pump unit 30 via the foaming member 44. At the same time, as indicated by an arrow F4 in FIG. 7, the piston 33 is applied with an upward force by the spring 38 (see FIG. 5).

With such a configuration, when the handle portion 40 is pushed in, the handle portion 40 is pressed against the foam-making member 44 and comes into close contact with the foam-making member 44. The foaming member 44 is pressed against the pump unit 30 and comes into close contact with the pump unit 30. As a result, it is possible to improve the sealing performance between the handle portion 40 and the foaming member 44 and between the foaming member 44 and the pump unit 30.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions. A person skilled in the art may make appropriate design changes to the above-described embodiment, and such modifications are also included in the scope of the present invention as long as they have the features of the present invention. For example, the shape, size, material, arrangement, installation form, etc. of each element provided in the attachment pipe, the soap solution tank, the main body portion, etc. are not limited to the exemplified ones, but can be appropriately changed.
Further, each element included in each of the above-described embodiments can be combined as long as technically possible, and a combination of these is also included in the scope of the present invention as long as it includes the features of the present invention.

12 mounting pipe, 12a opening, 12b unevenness, 14 soap liquid tank, 15 main body part, 21 packing, 22 nut, 23 joint, 23a appropriate packing, 25 hose part, 25a filter, 25b joint, 25c hose, 26 cap, 28 cover Member, 29 ring, 30 pump unit, 30b unevenness, 31 liquid pump, 32 air pump, 33 piston, 33a air piston, 33b liquid piston, 34 cylinder, 35 inner rod, 36a check valve, 36b check valve, 36c mixing chamber Check valve, 37 plug, 38 spring, 39 ball, 40 handle part, 41 nozzle, 41e discharge port, 42 resin member, 44 foam member, 44a first net, 44b second net, 44c tubular part, 46 Outer shell member, 48 packing, 100 soap liquid supply device, 200 counter, 210 bowl, 220 faucet device, P small hole, RA air chamber, RL liquid chamber, RM mixing chamber

Claims (4)

A mounting pipe that penetrates the counter,
A soap liquid tank provided below the counter and connected to the mounting pipe, wherein the soap liquid is replenished from above the counter via the mounting pipe,
At least a part of which is provided above the counter and which is detachably connected to the mounting pipe,
A foaming member,
Equipped with
The main body is
A pump unit having a liquid pump for sending the soap solution in the soap solution tank, and an air pump for sending air;
An outer shell member for accommodating at least a part of the pump unit therein,
A handle portion that is detachably attached to the pump unit, has a nozzle, and drives the pump unit;
Have
A mixture of soap liquid and air sent from the pump unit is discharged from the nozzle through the foaming member and the handle portion,
The soap solution supply device, wherein the foaming member is provided at a connecting portion between the pump unit and the handle portion. The soap liquid supply device according to claim 1, wherein the foaming member is attachable to and detachable from the main body. The soap liquid supply device according to claim 2, wherein the foaming member has a tubular shape and has at least two nets. The handle portion drives the pump unit by being pushed in,
The soap liquid supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the force for pushing the handle portion is transmitted to the pump unit via the foaming member.

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