WO2017034192A1

WO2017034192A1 - Cleaning apparatus using liquid mixed with gas and water discharge module structure for cleaning apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2017034192A1
Application number: PCT/KR2016/008856
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jung-Ho Cho
Original assignee: Jung-Ho Cho
Priority date: 2015-08-21
Filing date: 2016-08-11
Publication date: 2017-03-02

Abstract

Disclosed are a cleaning apparatus using liquid mixed with gas and a water discharge module structure for a cleaning apparatus. A water discharge module structure for a cleaning apparatus using liquid mixed with gas according to the present invention may include: a cavitation generating unit into which a liquid flows; a tube through which the inflow liquid is conveyed; and a gas exchange unit into which gas flows and in which the inflow gas and the conveyed liquid are mixed to produce the liquid mixed with gas, in which the liquid passing through the cavitation generating unit includes bubble gas generated by a cavitation effect.

Description

CLEANING APPARATUS USING LIQUID MIXED WITH GAS AND WATER DISCHARGE MODULE STRUCTURE FOR CLEANING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to a cleaning apparatus using liquid mixed with gas and a water discharge module structure for a cleaning apparatus, and more particularly, to a water discharge module structure for a cleaning apparatus using liquid mixed with gas, which is capable of effectively removing slime such as scale generated in various types of industrial conduits through which a liquid flows, effectively removing germs or the like deposited on various types of conduits, and performing sterilization and cleaning management on a draft beer dispensing device and a conduit of the draft beer dispensing device, by using cleaning water being discharged with an accompanying pulsation effect.

In the case of liquid supply tubes, such as oil pipelines for ships, piping of facilities for treating sludge of sewage and waste water, inner piping of construction plant facilities, piping for supplying beverage such as beer in food and beverage equipment, which are broadly used in industrial facilities, foreign substances such as scale, germs, and the like are deposited on inner wall surfaces of the liquid supply tubes because of properties of liquid in the liquid supply tubes and environmental factors associated with installation locations.

Specifically, as various liquids such as food and beverage flow in conduits over a long period time, corrosion occurs on inner surfaces of conduits. The corrosion refers to chemical or electrochemical reactions caused by contact between metal and liquid or gas at the periphery of the metal. Another definition of the corrosion may be represented as follows.

A) A change of a conduit for transporting water caused by external physical influences

B) A chemical change of a substance caused by an electrical change resulting from contact between the substance and a chemically unstable substance

C) Formation of foreign substances caused by magnetic reactions which occur when substances having different electric potential come into contact with each other (all substances have their own electric potential)

D) A change of a substance caused by action of oxygen (oxidation)

Meanwhile, as comprehensive meanings, the corrosion may be defined as a phenomenon in which a material is degraded due to an environment.

In addition, slime, which is called scale, is deposited on the inner surface of the conduit. The slime deposited on the inner surface of the conduit not only degrades flavor of a drinking liquid, but becomes a cause that contaminates the liquid because the slime provides a place where germs or the like proliferate.

Specifically, the slime is generated in the form of deposited scale in a typical water pipe because of corrosion in the conduit, and scale is deposited as another form of slime in a conduit for dispensing food and beverage.

Meanwhile, in the related art as disclosed in Korean Patent No. 10-0588047, there was an attempt to remove slime such as scale by injecting chemicals for removing slime into the conduit or injecting high-pressure cleaning water into the conduit.

However, the slime removing method in the related art has low slime removing efficiency, and in a case in which the chemicals for removing slime is used, there are problems in that a harmful chemical substance may have a deleterious effect on a human body and may cause environmental pollution.

Meanwhile, draft beer is usually provided to the customer in a beer glass by connecting a conduit of a draft beer dispensing device to a completely sealed draft beer container and manipulating a cock valve of the draft beer dispensing device.

The technologies of connecting the draft beer container and the draft beer dispensing device or the technologies associated with the draft beer dispensing device are disclosed in Korean Patent Nos. 10-0557418 and 10-0557424.

However, so-called "beer stone" is deposited on the conduit or an inner surface of the draft beer dispensing device during a process of dispensing the draft beer from the draft beer container through the draft beer dispensing device via the conduit, and the beer stone spoils the draft beer, degrades taste of the draft beer, and contaminates the draft beer. In the related art, some efforts have been made to inject chemicals, but there are problems in that beer stone removing efficiency is low, and the chemicals for removing the beer stone is difficult to be used for draft beer.

Furthermore, regular sterilization and cleaning management are required for hygiene management for draft beer supply lines, which include the conduit connecting the draft beer container and the draft beer dispensing device, and for an internal structure of the draft beer dispensing device, but in the related art, there was no method of regularly performing cleaning management on the internal structure of the draft beer dispensing device.

In addition, because products and methods, which are proposed to solve the aforementioned problems, are different from the existing products and methods, there is also a problem in that a user inevitably performs a separate cleaning process unfamiliar to the user.

Therefore, there is a need for a method of solving the aforementioned problems.

[LITERATURE OF RELATED ART]

[Patent Literature]

(1) Korean Patent No. 10-0557418

(2) Korean Patent No. 10-0557424

An object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning apparatus using liquid mixed with gas and a water discharge module structure for a cleaning apparatus, which are capable of effectively removing slime such as scale generated in various types of industrial conduits through which a liquid flows, effectively removing germs and the like deposited on various types of conduits, and performing sterilization and cleaning management on a draft beer dispensing device and the conduit of the draft beer dispensing device, by using cleaning water being discharged with an accompanying pulsation effect.

Technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the aforementioned technical problem, and other technical problems, which are not mentioned above, may be clearly understood from the following descriptions by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.

To achieve the aforementioned object, a cleaning apparatus using liquid mixed with gas according to the present invention includes: a cleaning water storage container 100 which accommodates therein cleaning water; a gas inlet port 210 through which gas is supplied into the cleaning water storage container 100 in order to press a water surface of the cleaning water accommodated in the cleaning water storage container 100; a water discharge tube 110 which conveys the cleaning water pressed by the gas upward from the interior of the cleaning water storage container 100; a water discharge port 230 which discharges the cleaning water, which is conveyed through the water discharge tube 110, to the outside of the cleaning water storage container 100; and a mixing port 400 which is formed between the water discharge tube 110 and the water discharge port 230 so as to mix the gas and the cleaning water.

Preferably, a mixing inducing port 300, which induces the supply of the gas to an end portion of the water discharge tube 110, is installed between the water discharge tube 110 and the mixing port 400.

In addition, the cleaning apparatus further includes a spin inducing member 113 which induces a spin of the cleaning water being conveyed through the water discharge tube 110.

In addition, the cleaning apparatus further includes a screw member 310 which induces a screw-shaped rotation of the gas being supplied to the end portion of the water discharge tube 110.

In addition, the cleaning water discharged through the water discharge port 230 is discharged with an accompanying pulsation effect.

Meanwhile, to achieve the aforementioned object, a water discharge module structure for a cleaning apparatus using liquid mixed with gas according to the present invention includes: a cavitation generating unit into which cleaning water flows; a tube through which the inflow cleaning water is conveyed; and a gas exchange unit into which gas flows and in which the inflow gas and the conveyed cleaning water are mixed to produce the liquid mixed with gas, in which the cleaning water passing through the cavitation generating unit includes bubble gas generated by a cavitation effect.

In addition, the cavitation generating unit further includes a spin inducing member which induces a spin of the inflow cleaning water, and the bubble gas may be produced as a vortex flow is generated in a space between the spin inducing member and the tube by the cleaning water passing through the spin inducing member.

In addition, the cleaning water flowing into the tube is discharged with an accompanying pulsation effect.

In addition, the tube has a channel that becomes narrower toward the gas exchange unit, and pressure to the cleaning water being conveyed through the tube may be increased by using the shape of the channel that becomes narrower.

In addition, the liquid mixed with gas produced by the gas exchange unit may be discharged with an accompanying pulsation effect.

In addition, a pulse period generated by the pulsation effect may be determined in accordance with a shape of a gas inflow channel of the gas exchange unit into which the gas flows.

In addition, the pulse may be generated at a short period as an angle of the inflow gas is increased corresponding to a shape of the inflow channel.

In addition, the water discharge module structure may further include a washing container coupling unit which is connected to an object, and discharges the produced liquid mixed with gas to the object.

In addition, the washing container coupling unit may be attachable to and detachable from the object.

In addition, the water discharge module structure may further include a member which is disposed between the washing container coupling unit and the object, and additionally induces a rotation of the produced liquid mixed with gas.

According to the present invention, it is possible to effectively remove slime such as scale generated in various types of industrial conduits through which a liquid flows, and to effectively remove germs or the like deposited on various types of conduits.

In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to perform sterilization and cleaning management on a draft beer dispensing device and the conduit of the draft beer dispensing device by using the cleaning water being discharged with the accompanying pulsation effect.

In addition, in a case in which a siphon module, which has a pulse cleaning function proposed by the present invention, is attachably and detachably mounted in the gas pressure washing container, cleaning time may be prolonged, and cleaning efficiency for the same period of time may be improved without changing a user manual related to the existing cleaning method.

The effects obtained by the present invention are not limited to the aforementioned effects, and other effects, which are not mentioned above, will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a structure of a cleaning apparatus using liquid mixed with gas according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a structure of a mixing port provided in the cleaning apparatus using liquid mixed with gas according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a structure of a mixing inducing port provided in the cleaning apparatus using liquid mixed with gas according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a lower structure of a water discharge tube provided in the cleaning apparatus using liquid mixed with gas according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a specific example of the cleaning apparatus using liquid mixed with gas which is proposed by the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a specific example of a water discharge module structure used for the cleaning apparatus using liquid mixed with gas which is proposed by the present invention.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are views for explaining a structure of a cavitation generating unit applied to the water discharge module structure according to the present invention.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are views for explaining a structure of the cavitation generating unit applied to the water discharge module structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining of a structure of a tube applied to the water discharge module structure according to the present invention.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are views for explaining a structure of a gas exchange unit applied to the water discharge module structure according to the present invention.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are views for explaining a structure of a washing container coupling unit applied to the water discharge module structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a view for explaining a specific example of an impeller-shaped structure applied to the washing container coupling unit according to the present invention.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are graphs for explaining effects caused by a cavitation effect generated by the structure according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the same constituent elements will be designated by the same reference numerals at any portion in the drawings. In addition, detailed descriptions of publicly known functions and configurations will be omitted so as to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the subject matter of the present invention.

First Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a structure of a cleaning apparatus using liquid mixed with gas according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The cleaning apparatus in FIG. 1 includes a cleaning water storage container 100 which accommodates therein cleaning water which is water used for sterilization and cleaning management for a draft beer dispensing device and a conduit of the draft beer dispensing device, and as illustrated in FIG. 1, an upper cover structure 200, which is provided with gas inlet ports 210 through which gas such as carbon dioxide is supplied, and a water discharge port 230 through which the cleaning water is discharged to the outside of the cleaning water storage container 100, is coupled and installed to an upper portion of the cleaning water storage container 100.

Meanwhile, a water discharge tube 110, which is a tube for conveying the cleaning water upward, is installed in the cleaning water storage container 100, and as gas supplied into the cleaning water storage container 100 through the gas inlet ports 210 presses a water surface of the cleaning water, the cleaning water flows into the water discharge tube 110 through an inlet port provided at a lower end portion of the water discharge tube 110, and the cleaning water flowing in through the inlet port is supplied to the outside of the cleaning water storage container 100 through the water discharge tube 110.

When implementing the present invention, it is preferred that the water discharge port 230 through which the cleaning water is discharged to the outside, is formed at a central portion of the upper cover structure, and the gas inlet ports 210 are formed in the upper cover structure in order to apply uniform pressure to the cleaning water, and arranged in a circular shape along a periphery of the water discharge port 230.

Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 1, in the cleaning apparatus using liquid mixed with gas according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a mixing port 400 is coupled and installed to a lower portion of the water discharge port 230, and a mixing inducing port 300 is coupled and installed to a lower portion of the mixing port 400.

First, a conveying path for the cleaning water is vertically and penetratively formed in the mixing port 400, and a mixing space 450 in which gas such as carbon dioxide supplied into the cleaning water storage container 100 and the cleaning water discharged from an end portion of the water discharge tube 110 are mixed is formed in the mixing port 400.

In addition, a conveying path for the cleaning water is also vertically and penetratively formed in the mixing inducing port 300, and the cleaning water, which is discharged from the end portion of the water discharge tube 110 coupled to a lower portion of the mixing inducing port 300, is discharged into the mixing space 450 in the mixing port 400 while passing through the conveying path for the cleaning water in a mixing inducing tube.

Meanwhile, a screw member 310 having a screw thread shape is formed on an upper portion of an outer circumferential surface of the mixing inducing port 300, and a gap portion 420, which is a predetermined separation space that allows gas to flow in between an inner surface of a lower end of the mixing port 400 and an outer surface of the mixing inducing port 300 and to be supplied to the screw member 310, is formed inside the lower end of the mixing port 400 having an inner lower portion to which the mixing inducing port 300 is coupled.

That is, when gas flows into the cleaning water storage container 100 through the gas inlet port 210 by an operation of a user, the gas presses a water surface of the cleaning water, and at the same time, the gas is supplied to the screw member 310 through the gap portion 420 in reaction to the gas pressing the water surface.

Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a thread-coupling surface 410 is formed on an inner surface of a lower portion of the mixing port 400, and the thread-coupling surface 410 in FIG. 2 is coupled, in a threaded connection manner, to a thread-coupling portion 313 formed on an outer circumferential surface of the screw member 310 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the upper portion of the mixing inducing port 300 as illustrated in FIG. 3.

Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the inner surface of the lower end of the mixing port 400 is further extended outward than the thread-coupling surface 410 by a predetermined depth (gap portion 420 of about 1 mm), and as a result, even in a state in which the mixing inducing port 300 is coupled to the lower portion of the mixing port 400, gas may be supplied to a pressing conveying path for gas, which is formed by the screw member 310, through the gap portion 420 as illustrated in FIG. 3.

The gas, which flows in between the inner surface at the lower end of the mixing port 400 and the outer surface of the mixing inducing port 300 through the gap portion 420 which is a separation space, passes through the outer circumferential surface of the mixing inducing port 300, on which the screw member 310 is formed, while rotating in a screw manner, and the gas is discharged into the mixing space 450 in the mixing port 400, and at the same time, the gas is mixed with the cleaning water which is discharged into the mixing space 450 through the interior of the mixing inducing port 300.

Meanwhile, when implementing the present invention, the screw member 310, which defines a spiral path for compressing and conveying gas, may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the mixing inducing port 300 as illustrated in FIG. 1, but a straight path, which compresses and conveys gas in a vertical direction, may be formed, or gas compressing and conveying paths having various shapes may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the mixing inducing port 300.

Furthermore, a coupling portion 320, to which an outer circumferential surface at the end portion of the water discharge tube 110 may be thread-coupled as illustrated in FIG. 1, is formed in an lower portion of the mixing inducing port 300, and a water flow channel 330 for conveying the cleaning water is penetratively formed in the mixing inducing port 300.

Meanwhile, in the present invention, the cleaning water and the gas are simultaneously supplied into the mixing space 450 in the mixing port 400, and as a result, the cleaning water discharged through the water discharge port 230 is discharged into a tube to be cleaned with an accompanying pulsation effect (surging).

The pulsation effect in the present invention refers to a phenomenon in which pressure and the discharge amount of a liquid vary periodically in a state in which the liquid flows in the tubing without free water surface, and the pulsation effect generates periodic vibration in the tubing.

The pulsation effect is caused by various reasons, and it is known that the pulsation effect occurs when a discharge channel of the tubing is long and there is a portion such as an air pocket in the tubing where air stagnates.

Meanwhile, the pulsation effect is a cause that hinders a smooth flow of a fluid in the tube, and in general, researches are being conducted on methods of preventing the pulsation effect such as methods of removing air from the tubing, adjusting a cross-sectional area of the tube, and adjusting a flow velocity and a flow rate in the tube, but the present invention proposes a method of washing and cleaning the interior of the tube by using vibration in the tube caused by the pulsation effect and impulse applied to a wall surface in the tube.

Moreover, pressure of carbon dioxide gas supplied into the mixing space 450 acts as an obstructive factor that prevents the cleaning water flowing into the mixing space 450 from being discharged to the outside, and temporarily delays the discharge of the cleaning water to the outside, and as a result, when pressure, which occurs by continuously supplying the cleaning water from the water discharge tube 110, exceeds pressure of the gas, the cleaning water is pumped through the water discharge port 230 while overcoming pressure of the gas, but when pressure of the cleaning water in the mixing space 450 is decreased due to the temporary pumping of the cleaning water, the discharge of the cleaning water is delayed again by pressure of the gas.

Meanwhile, when pressure, which occurs by supplying the cleaning water from the water discharge tube 110, exceeds pressure of the gas, the cleaning water is pumped again through the water discharge port 230 while overcoming pressure of the gas, and as a result, because of the aforementioned repeated actions, the cleaning water is discharged to the outside with the accompanying pulsation effect on a predetermined cycle like a pulse wave.

That is, the present inventor has confirmed through experiments that in a case in which the carbon dioxide gas is injected through the gas compressing and conveying path, which is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the mixing inducing port 300 and has various shapes including a spiral shape, in a state in which the cleaning water such as water is supplied through the water discharge tube 110 having a shape and a dimension as illustrated in FIG. 1, the cleaning water discharged through the water discharge port 230 is discharged into a tube to be cleaned with the accompanying pulsation effect (surging).

Meanwhile, when implementing the present invention, it is preferred that the cleaning water conveyed through the water discharge tube 110 is supplied into the mixing space 450 while spinning in the form of a screw in the same direction as the gas supplied through the screw member 310, and to this end, it is preferred that a spin inducing member 113 having a threaded rod shape is formed on an inner surface of the water discharge tube 110.

Moreover, when implementing the present invention, it is preferred that a cylindrical member 115 is installed in an inlet port 111 installed at the lower end portion of the water discharge tube 110 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, and the spin inducing member 113 having a screw thread shape is installed on an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical member 115, such that the cleaning water flowing in through the inlet port 111 is discharged into the mixing space 450 while spinning in a screw thread direction.

Meanwhile, the gas, which is supplied while being rotated in a screw direction by the screw member 310 as illustrated in FIG. 1, serves to further decrease a pulsation period of the cleaning water, and the pulsation period may be additionally decreased in a case in which the cleaning water is supplied into the mixing space 450 in a direction identical to a rotation direction of the gas as illustrated in FIG. 4.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

The cleaning apparatus in FIG. 5 may be used to sterilize, clean, and manage a draft beer dispensing device and a conduit of the draft beer dispensing device. However, an object of the present invention is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 5, the cleaning apparatus using liquid mixed with gas, which is proposed by the present invention, includes a water discharge module structure 610 which discharges a cleaning water to the outside of a cleaning water storage container 1600, an upper cover structure 1500, the cleaning water storage container 1600 which accommodates therein the cleaning water, and a gas inlet port 1610 through which gas such as carbon dioxide is supplied from an upper portion of the cleaning water storage container 1600.

The water discharge module structure 610, which conveys the cleaning water upward, is installed in the cleaning water storage container 1600, and the gas, which is supplied into the cleaning water storage container 1600 through the gas inlet port 1610, presses a water surface of the cleaning water, the cleaning water flows into the water discharge module structure 610 through an inlet port provided at a lower end portion of the water discharge module structure 610, and the cleaning water flowing in through the inlet port is supplied to the outside of the cleaning water storage container 1600 through the water discharge module structure 610.

When implementing the present invention, it is preferred that the water discharge module structure 610, which discharges the cleaning water to the outside, is formed at a central portion of the upper cover structure 1500, and the gas inlet port 1610 is formed in the upper cover structure 1500 so as to be circularly disposed along a circumference of the water discharge module structure 610 in order to apply uniform pressure to the cleaning water. However, the shape of the gas inlet port 1610 is not limited thereto.

The present invention intends to propose an apparatus capable of effectively removing slime such as scale generated in various types of industrial conduits through which a liquid flows, effectively removing germs or the like deposited on various types of conduits, and easily performing sterilization and cleaning management on the conduit, by using a cavitation effect and the pulsation effect through the water discharge module structure 610.

First, the cavitation effect refers to a phenomenon in which when a liquid flows, pressure at any point is decreased to be below vapor pressure at a temperature of the liquid, such that air and water vapor in the liquid are separated, thereby producing bubbles and cavities.

The cavitation effect may occur by a cavitation generating unit 1100 of the water discharge module structure 610, and the cavitation generating unit 1100 will be specifically described below.

In addition, the pulsation effect in the present invention refers to a phenomenon in which pressure and the discharge amount of a liquid vary periodically in a state in which the liquid flows in the tubing without free water surface, and the pulsation effect generates periodic vibration in the tubing.

The pulsation effect is a cause that hinders a smooth flow of a fluid in the tube, and in general, researches are being conducted on methods of preventing the pulsation effect such as methods of removing air from the tubing, adjusting a cross-sectional area of the tube, and adjusting a flow velocity and a flow rate in the tube, and the present invention proposes a method of washing and cleaning the interior of the tube by using vibration in the tube caused by the pulsation effect and impulse applied to a wall surface in the tube.

Hereinafter, a specific description will be made to the water discharge module structure 610 according to the present invention, which is capable of effectively removing slime such as scale generated in various types of industrial conduits through which a liquid flows, effectively removing germs or the like deposited on various types of conduits, and easily performing sterilization and cleaning management on the conduit, by using the cavitation effect and the pulsation effect.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a specific example of the water discharge module structure used for the cleaning apparatus using liquid mixed with gas which is proposed by the present invention.

The water discharge module structure illustrated in FIG. 6 may be used to perform sterilization and cleaning management on the draft beer dispensing device and the conduit of the draft beer dispensing device. However, an object of the present invention is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 6, the water discharge module structure 610, which is proposed by the present invention, may basically include the cavitation generating unit 1100, a tube 1200, a gas exchange unit 1300, and a washing container coupling unit 1400.

Hereinafter, elements, which constitute the water discharge module structure proposed by the present invention, will be specifically described.

First, the cavitation generating unit 1100 may include a spin inducing member 1110, an inlet port 1120, and a cavitation inducing space 1130.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are views for explaining a structure of the cavitation generating unit applied to the water discharge module structure according to the present invention, and FIGS. 8A and 8B are views for explaining a structure of the cavitation generating unit applied to the water discharge module structure according to the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 7A to 8B, the inlet port 1120 provided at a lower end of the cavitation generating unit 1100 may be configured to surround the spin inducing member 1110.

That is, as the gas, which is supplied into the cleaning water storage container 1600 through the gas inlet port 1610, presses a water surface of the cleaning water, the cleaning water flows into the inlet port 1120.

The inlet port 1120 is connected with the tube 1200 so that the cleaning water flowing into the inlet port 1120 may flow upward.

In addition, the spin inducing member 1110 is provided in the inlet port 1120.

That is, the spin inducing member 1110 includes a cylindrical member, and a screw thread member disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical member, thereby inducing the inflow cleaning water to spin.

In this case, the spin inducing member 1110 is provided in the inlet port 1120, but provided to be spaced apart, at a predetermined space, from the tube 1200 connected to an end of the spin inducing member 1110.

That is, as illustrated in FIG. 7A and 8A, the cavitation inducing space 1130 is formed inside the inlet port 1120 between the tube 1200 and the spin inducing member 1110.

As described above, the cavitation effect refers to a phenomenon in which when a liquid flows, pressure at any point is decreased to be below vapor pressure at a temperature of the liquid, such that air and water vapor in the liquid are separated, thereby producing bubbles and cavities.

Specifically, when the cleaning water flows into the cavitation generating unit 1100 through the spin inducing member 1110 on which one or more spin inducing channels are disposed, vortex flows are produced in the cavitation inducing space 1130 between a point at which the spin inducing member 1110 ends and a point at which the tube 1200 starts, thereby inducing bubbles.

That is, gas may be constantly generated because of the cavitation effect caused by the vortex flows.

The cleaning water and the gas may have waves with large amplitudes at very short periods because of the cavitation effect generated by the structure according to the present invention.

In addition, pulses with large amplitudes at short periods, that is, pulses with waves, which are effectively strong to perform the cleaning, may be generated in the form of a group.

The effects will be specifically described below with reference to FIGS. 13A and 13B.

In this case, an effect of increasing pressure may be achieved when the cavitation inducing space 1130 or the tube 1200 is formed to have a channel that becomes gradually narrower.

In addition, a plurality of spin inducing members 1110 may be mounted in the inlet port 1120, and as a result, it is possible to increase expansion in volume caused by the bubbles and increase rotational acceleration.

In a case in which expansion in volume and rotational acceleration are increased, a process, in which gas and liquid in the channel minutely collide with each other or are combined together, is repeatedly carried out, and as a result, fine bubbles, which have excellent cleaning power, are produced.

The cleaning water flowing in through the inlet port 1120 is discharged into the tube 1200 while spinning in a screw thread direction by the spin inducing member 1110.

In addition, the gas, which is supplied while rotating in a screw direction by the cavitation effect, serves to further decrease a pulsation period (to be described below) of the cleaning water.

In addition, in the present invention, it is possible to additionally decrease the pulsation period in a case in which the cleaning water is discharged in a direction identical to a rotation direction of the bubble gas generated by the cavitation effect.

Next, the tube 1200 will be described.

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining of a structure of the tube 1200 applied to the water discharge module structure according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, a part of the tube 1200 according to the present invention is positioned below the water surface of the cleaning water, and the remaining part of the tube 1200 is positioned above the water surface and connected with the gas exchange unit 1300.

The tube 1200 proposed by the present invention has two features.

First, the tube 1200 is provided to be inclined at a predetermined angle.

Because the cleaning water storage container 1600 is difficult to withstand pressure if a bottom surface of the cleaning water storage container 1600 is flat, and therefore, the cleaning water storage container 1600 needs to have a structure that has a curved shape in order to withstand pressure well and may stand on a floor.

In the present specification, the reason why the tube 1200 is provided to be inclined at a predetermined angle is that the tube 1200 is curved corresponding to the structure of the cleaning water storage container 1600 such that an end of the tube 1200 is positioned at an edge of the washing container storage container 1600 in order to draw up water at a low level and consume the overall amount of water.

Next, the tube 1200 is connected and inserted into the gas exchange unit 1300, and in this case, the tube 1200 may be formed to have a channel that becomes gradually narrower.

That is, as illustrated in FIG. 10B, the tube 1200 inserted into the gas exchange unit 1300 has a channel having an area that becomes gradually narrower, and with this configuration, an effect of increasing pressure may be achieved.

That is, it is possible to further maximize a cleaning effect according to the present invention by using the spinning cleaning water and the gas which is supplied while being rotated in the screw direction because of the cavitation effect, and by increasing pressure with which the cleaning water and the gas are supplied.

Next, the gas exchange unit 1300 will be described.

That is, the gas, which is supplied into the cleaning water storage container 1600 through the gas inlet port 1610, may flow in through the gas exchange unit 1300 while simultaneously pressing the water surface of the cleaning water.

That is, as illustrated in FIG. 5, gas flows in through at least a part of spaces at upper and lower sides of gas exchange unit 1300.

Specifically, when water is accommodated in the cleaning water storage container 1600 and the cleaning water storage container 1600 is opened in a cleaning mode, a CO₂ gas layer is produced at an upper side of the cleaning water storage container 1600.

The gas flows to the gas exchange unit 1300 at a siphon upper side.

As a result, the cleaning water flowing upward through the tube 1200, the gas generated through the cavitation generating unit 1100, and the gas flowing in through the gas exchange unit 1300 are agitated, thereby generating pulses.

A conveying path for the cleaning water is vertically and penetratively formed in the gas exchange unit 1300, and a mixing space in which the gas such as carbon dioxide supplied into the cleaning water storage container 1600 and the cleaning water discharged from the end portion of the tube 1200 are mixed is formed in the gas exchange unit 1300.

Although not illustrated, a lower end of the gas exchange unit 1300 is further extended outward than a coupling surface by a predetermined depth (about 0.1 mm or more), and thus may be supplied with gas.

As a result, in the present invention, the cleaning water flowing upward through the tube 1200, the gas generated through the cavitation generating unit 1100, and the gas flowing in through the gas exchange unit 1300 are supplied at the same time, and as a result, the cleaning water discharged through the tube 1200 is discharged into a tube to be cleaned with the accompanying pulsation effect (surging).

Moreover, pressure of gas such as carbon dioxide supplied into the gas exchange unit 1300 acts as an obstructive factor that prevents the inflow cleaning water from being discharged to the outside, and temporarily delays the discharge of the cleaning water to the outside, and as a result, when pressure, which occurs by continuously supplying the cleaning water from the tube 1200, exceeds pressure of the gas, the cleaning water is pumped through the tube 1200 while overcoming pressure of the gas, but when pressure of the cleaning water in the mixing space is decreased due to the temporary pumping of the cleaning water, the discharge of the cleaning water is delayed again by pressure of the gas.

Meanwhile, when pressure, which occurs by supplying the cleaning water from the tube 1200, exceeds pressure of the gas, the cleaning water is pumped again through the tube 1200 while overcoming pressure of the gas, and as a result, because of the aforementioned repeated actions, the cleaning water is discharged to the outside with the accompanying pulsation effect on a predetermined cycle like a pulse wave.

That is, the present inventor has confirmed through experiments that in a case in which the carbon dioxide gas is injected through the gas compressing and conveying path by using the gas exchange unit 1300 in a state in which the cleaning water such as water is supplied through the tube 1200, the cleaning water discharged through the tube 1200 is discharged into a tube to be cleaned with the accompanying pulsation effect (surging).

FIGS. 10A and 10B are views for explaining a structure of the gas exchange unit applied to the water discharge module structure according to the present invention.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the structure of the gas exchange unit for an inflow of gas may be implemented as a structure exposed by 360°, a rotation inducing structure, one or more penetrating inflow structures, and the like.

In this case, a shape of pulse may be adjusted by a gas inflow method, a gas inflow angle, a gas inflow interval, and the like.

That is, if an inflow channel is inclined to have an angle close to a right angle, a short pulse occurs frequently, and if the inflow channel is inclined gradually, a long pulse occurs.

In addition, as described above, this effect may be further maximized by increasing pressure by forming an area of the tube 1200, which is inserted into the gas exchange unit 1300, so that the area becomes gradually narrower.

Meanwhile, the generated pulse may be adjusted in accordance with a width of the inflow channel for the gas flowing into the gas exchange unit 1300.

Specifically, the larger the width of the inflow channel within a predetermined section, the stronger the pulse because the amount of inflow gas is increased.

In addition, a shape of the pulse may be changed in accordance with a shape of the inflow channel into which gas flows.

As a result, as at least one penetrated gas inducing channel becomes flat and thin, the cleaning water flowing upward from a lower channel frequently collides with gas for a short period of time, and as a result, a short pulse occurs frequently.

Therefore, a shape of the generated pulse may be adjusted by using a width and a shape of the gas inflow channel of the gas exchange unit 1300.

Next, the washing container coupling unit 1400 may form a gas channel by being coupled to a structure to be cleaned.

That is, the washing container coupling unit 1400 has a structure to be coupled to a washing container to be cleaned.

In this case, the feature of the washing container coupling unit 1400 proposed by the present invention is that the washing container coupling unit 1400 may be disassembled in accordance with a size of the washing container and may be selectively coupled to the washing container.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are views for explaining a structure of the washing container coupling unit applied to the water discharge module structure according to the present invention.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the washing container coupling unit has a structure in which a dual coupling cover is coupled to an end of the gas exchange unit 1300 and an end of the washing container to be cleaned.

Furthermore, the washing container coupling unit 1400 having the structure of the dual coupling cover may be split and divided, and thus the user may mutually connect the gas exchange unit 1300 and the washing container by using the selective washing container coupling unit 1400 that corresponds to a size of the washing container.

According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the washing container coupling unit 1400 according to the present invention may have a structure in which a structure in the form of a portion 1410 immediately adjacent to an end of the washing container is inserted.

That is, an impeller-shaped structure is inserted into an inner channel of the washing container coupling unit 1400, such that a channel cleaning area may be increased by providing a rotation to pulse flows of gas and water.

FIG. 12 is a view for explaining a specific example of the impeller-shaped structure applied to the washing container coupling unit 1400 according to the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, rotational force of the gas and the cleaning water, which flow into the washing container coupling unit 1400 with pulses, are further enhanced by the impeller-shaped structure 1420, thereby maximizing a cleaning effect.

In particular, the washing container coupling unit 1400 may maximize an effect of cleaning the washing container by enhancing rotational force and pulse intensity of the gas and the cleaning water immediately before the gas and the cleaning water flow into the washing container.

However, a configuration of the present invention as a method of maximizing rotational force is not limited to the impeller-shaped structure 1420, and a method of inserting a rotation inducing structure, a method of using a component rotating body using pressure of the cleaning water, and the like may be additionally considered.

In addition, it is possible to improve a rotation inducing operation by rotating the impeller-shaped structure 1420 itself, and it is possible to improve a rotation only by rotating the cleaning water in a state in which the impeller-shaped structure 1420 is fixed.

Furthermore, it is possible to use a method of maximizing the existing rotation by rotating the impeller-shaped structure 1420 together with the cleaning water.

In a case in which the aforementioned configuration of the present invention is applied, it is possible to effectively remove slime such as scale generated in various types of industrial conduits through which a liquid flows, and to effectively remove germs or the like deposited on various types of conduits.

In addition, it is possible to perform sterilization and cleaning management on a draft beer dispensing device and the conduit of the draft beer dispensing device by using the cleaning water being discharged with the accompanying pulsation effect.

In particular, the present invention maximizes a cleaning effect by using the cavitation effect.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are graphs for explaining effects caused by the cavitation effect generated by the structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 13A is a graph illustrating a pulsation effect generated only by using water and gas without using the cavitation generating unit 1100 proposed by the present invention.

In addition, FIG. 13B is a graph illustrating a pulsation effect generated by applying the cavitation generating unit 1100 proposed by the present invention.

As illustrated in FIGS. 13A and 13B, it can be seen that the waves illustrated in FIG. 13B have larger amplitudes at shorter periods (e.g., 10 times to 30 times for one second), and are generated in the form of a group.

That is, the cleaning water and the gas may have waves with large amplitudes at very short periods because of the cavitation effect generated by the structure according to the present invention, and pulses with large amplitudes at short periods, that is, pulses with waves, which are effectively strong to perform cleaning, may be generated in the form of a group.

Accordingly, it is possible to ensure an advantage in that the existing cleaning effect may be maximized.

The detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, which has been disclosed as described above, is provided to enable those skilled in the art to implement and carry out the present invention. While the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it may be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be variously modified and changed without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, those skilled in the art may use the respective components disclosed in the aforementioned exemplary embodiments by combining the components. Therefore, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, but intended to provide the widest scope that complies with the principles and the novel features disclosed herein.

The present invention may be specified as other particular aspects without departing from the spirit and the essential features. Therefore, it should be appreciated that the detailed description is intended to be illustrative in every sense, and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention needs to be determined based on the reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all of the equivalent modifications of the present invention belong to the scope of the present invention. The present invention is not intended to be limited to the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, but intended to provide the widest scope that complies with the principles and the novel features disclosed herein. In addition, an exemplary embodiment may be implemented by combining claims which are not clearly in a quotation relationship in the claims, and the claims may include new claims made by amendment after filing the application.

Claims

A cleaning apparatus using liquid mixed with gas, the cleaning apparatus comprising:

a cleaning water storage container 100 which accommodates therein cleaning water;

a gas inlet port 210 through which gas is supplied into the cleaning water storage container 100 in order to press a water surface of the cleaning water accommodated in the cleaning water storage container 100;

a water discharge tube 110 which conveys the cleaning water pressed by the gas upward from the interior of the cleaning water storage container 100;

a water discharge port 230 which discharges the cleaning water, which is conveyed through the water discharge tube 110, to the outside of the cleaning water storage container 100; and

a mixing port 400 which is formed between the water discharge tube 110 and the water discharge port 230 so as to mix the gas and the cleaning water.
The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein a mixing inducing port 300, which induces the supply of the gas to an end portion of the water discharge tube 110, is installed between the water discharge tube 110 and the mixing port 400.
The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a spin inducing member 113 which induces a spin of the cleaning water being conveyed through the water discharge tube 110.
The cleaning apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a screw member 310 which induces a screw-shaped rotation of the gas being supplied to the end portion of the water discharge tube 110.
The cleaning apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cleaning water discharged through the water discharge port 230 is discharged with an accompanying pulsation effect.
A water discharge module structure for a cleaning apparatus using liquid mixed with gas, the water discharge module structure comprising:

a cavitation generating unit into which a liquid flows;

a tube through which the inflow liquid is conveyed; and

a gas exchange unit into which gas flows and in which the inflow gas and the conveyed liquid are mixed to produce the liquid mixed with gas,

wherein the liquid passing through the cavitation generating unit includes bubble gas generated by a cavitation effect.
The water discharge module structure of claim 6, wherein the cavitation generating unit further includes a spin inducing member which induces a spin of the inflow liquid, and the bubble gas is produced as a vortex flow is generated in a space between the spin inducing member and the tube by the liquid passing through the spin inducing member.
The water discharge module structure of claim 6, wherein the liquid flowing into the tube is discharged with an accompanying pulsation effect.
The water discharge module structure of claim 6, wherein the tube has a channel that becomes narrower toward the gas exchange unit and pressure to the liquid being conveyed through the tube is increased by using the shape of the channel that becomes narrower.
The water discharge module structure of claim 6, wherein the liquid mixed with gas produced by the gas exchange unit is discharged with an accompanying pulsation effect.
The water discharge module structure of claim 10, wherein a pulse period generated by the pulsation effect is determined in accordance with a shape of a gas inflow channel of the gas exchange unit into which the gas flows.
The water discharge module structure of claim 11, wherein the pulse is generated at a short period as an angle of the inflow gas is increased corresponding to a shape of the inflow channel.
The water discharge module structure of claim 6, further comprising:

a washing container coupling unit which is connected to an object, and discharges the produced liquid mixed with gas to the object.
The water discharge module structure of claim 13, wherein the washing container coupling unit is attachable to and detachable from the object.
The water discharge module structure of claim 13, further comprising:

a member which is disposed between the washing container coupling unit and the object, and additionally induces a rotation of the produced liquid mixed with gas.